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<P ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Registration No.
333-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></P>

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<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </FONT></H1>

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<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Washington, D.C. 20549 </FONT></H1>

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     <P ALIGN=CENTER>_________________ </P>

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<A NAME=A004></A>
<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>FORM S-8<BR>REGISTRATION
STATEMENT <BR>Under <BR>THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 </FONT></P>

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     <P ALIGN=CENTER>_________________ </P>

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<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>WHITING PETROLEUM
CORPORATION </FONT><BR><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=1>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) </FONT></P>


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     <TD WIDTH=50% ALIGN=center><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Delaware</FONT></TD>
     <TD WIDTH=50% ALIGN=center><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>20-0098515</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=center><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=1>(State or other jurisdiction of</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=center><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=1>(I.R.S. Employer</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=center><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=1>incorporation or organization)</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=center><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=1>Identification No.)</FONT></TD></TR>
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<BR>

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     <TD WIDTH=50% ALIGN=center><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>1700 Broadway, Suite 2300</FONT></TD>
     <TD WIDTH=50% ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=center><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Denver, Colorado</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>80290</FONT></TD></TR>
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     <TD ALIGN=center><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=1>(Address of principal executive offices)</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=1>(Zip Code)</FONT></TD></TR>
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<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Whiting Oil and Gas
Corporation Phantom Equity Plan</FONT><BR><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=1>(Full title of the plan) </FONT></P>

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     <P ALIGN=CENTER>_________________ </P>


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     <TD WIDTH=50% ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Copy to:</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>James J. Volker</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>President and Chief Executive Officer</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Benjamin F. Garmer, III, Esq.</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Whiting Petroleum Corporation</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Foley &amp; Lardner</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>1700 Broadway, Suite 2300</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>777 East Wisconsin Avenue</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Denver, Colorado 80290</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>(303) 837-1661</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>(414) 271-2400</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=1>(Name, address and telephone number,</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=1>including area code, of agent for service)</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2></FONT></TD></TR>
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<BR>

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     <P ALIGN=CENTER>_________________ </P>

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<A NAME=A008></A>
<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>CALCULATION OF
REGISTRATION FEE </FONT></P>

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     <TH><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Title of<BR>
Securities to be<BR>
Registered</FONT><HR WIDTH=100% SIZE=1 COLOR=BLACK NOSHADE></TH>
     <TH><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Amount<BR>
to be<BR>
Registered</FONT><HR WIDTH=100% SIZE=1 COLOR=BLACK NOSHADE></TH>
     <TH><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Proposed Maximum<BR>
Offering Price<BR>
Per Share (1)</FONT><HR WIDTH=100% SIZE=1 COLOR=BLACK NOSHADE></TH>
     <TH><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Proposed Maximum<BR>
Aggregate Offering<BR>
Price (1)</FONT><HR WIDTH=100% SIZE=1 COLOR=BLACK NOSHADE></TH>
     <TH><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Amount of<BR>
Registration Fee</FONT><HR WIDTH=100% SIZE=1 COLOR=BLACK NOSHADE></TH></TR>
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     <TD WIDTH=26% ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Common Stock, $0.001 par</FONT></TD>
     <TD WIDTH=19% ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>420,000 shares</FONT></TD>
     <TD WIDTH=20% ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>$16.80</FONT></TD>
     <TD WIDTH=20% ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>$7,056,000</FONT></TD>
     <TD WIDTH=15% ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>$570.83</FONT></TD></TR>
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     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>value</FONT></TD></TR>
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          <TD WIDTH=95%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>
          Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(c) and (h) under the Securities Act of 1933
          solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee based on the average
          of the high and low prices for Whiting Petroleum Corporation Common Stock on the
          New York Stock Exchange, Inc. on December 4, 2003. </FONT></TD>
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          <BR>

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     <P ALIGN=CENTER>_________________ </P>


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<A NAME=A009></A>
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>PART I </FONT></H1>

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<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>INFORMATION REQUIRED
IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS </FONT></H1>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The
document or documents containing the information specified in Part I are not required to
be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as part of this Form S-8 Registration
Statement. </FONT></P>

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<A NAME=A011></A>
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>PART II </FONT></H1>

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<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>INFORMATION REQUIRED
IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT </FONT></H1>

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<A NAME=A013></A>
<H1 ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Item 3. &nbsp;&nbsp;<U>Incorporation of Documents
by Reference</U>. </FONT></H1>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The
following documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Whiting Petroleum
Corporation (hereinafter referred to as the &#147;Company&#148; or the
&#147;Registrant&#148;), are hereby incorporated herein by reference: </FONT></P>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;          The
Company&#146;s latest prospectus, included in the Company&#146;s           Registration
Statement on Form S-1, as amended (Registration No. 333-107341),           filed pursuant
to Rule 424(b)(4) under the Securities Act of 1933 on November           19, 2003, which
includes audited financial statements of Whiting Oil and Gas           Corporation for
the year ended December 31, 2002 and the audited balance sheet           of the Company,
dated September 30, 2003.  </FONT></P>



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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;          The
description of the Company&#146;s Common Stock contained in Item 1 of the
          Company&#146;s Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed with the Securities
and           Exchange Commission on November 14, 2003, including any amendment or report
          filed for the purpose of updating such description.  </FONT></P>



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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All
documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, after the date of filing of this
Registration Statement and prior to such time as the Company files a post-effective
amendment to this Registration Statement which indicates that all securities offered
hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold shall be
deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be a part
hereof from the date of filing of such documents. </FONT></P>

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<H1 ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Item 4. &nbsp;&nbsp;<U>Description of
Securities</U>. </FONT></H1>

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Not
applicable. </FONT></TD>
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<A NAME=A015></A>
<H1 ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Item 5. &nbsp;&nbsp;<U>Interests of
Named Experts and Counsel</U>. </FONT></H1>

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None. </FONT></TD>
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<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>-2- </FONT></P>

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<A NAME=A016></A>
<H1 ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Item 6. &nbsp;&nbsp;<U>Indemnification
of Directors and Officers</U>. </FONT></H1>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Under
the provisions of Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Company is
required to indemnify any present or former officer or director against expenses arising
out of legal proceedings in which the director or officer becomes involved by reason of
being a director or officer if the director or officer is successful in the defense of
such proceedings. Section 145 also provides that the Company may indemnify a director or
officer in connection with a proceeding in which he is not successful in defending if it
is determined that he acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in or
not opposed to the best interests of the Company or, in the case of a criminal action, if
it is determined that he had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.
Liabilities for which a director or officer may be indemnified include amounts paid in
satisfaction of settlements, judgments, fines and other expenses (including
attorneys&#146; fees incurred in connection with such proceedings). In a stockholder
derivative action, no indemnification may be paid in respect of any claim, issue or matter
as to which the director or officer has been adjudged to be liable to the Company (except
for expenses allowed by a court). </FONT></P>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The
Company&#146;s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides for
indemnification of directors and officers of the Company to the full extent permitted by
applicable law. Under the provisions of the Company&#146;s Amended and Restated By-laws,
the Company is required to indemnify officers or directors to a greater extent than under
the current provisions of Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. Except with
respect to stockholder derivative actions, the By-law provisions generally state that the
director or officer will be indemnified against expenses, amounts paid in settlement and
judgments, fines, penalties and/or other amounts incurred with respect to any threatened,
pending or completed proceeding, provided that (i) such person acted in good faith and in
a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of
the Company, and (ii) with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, such person had
no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. </FONT></P>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The
foregoing standards also apply with respect to the indemnification of expenses incurred in
a stockholder derivative suit. However, a director or officer may only be indemnified for
settlement amounts or judgments incurred in a derivative suit to the extent that the Court
of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon
application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the
circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for
such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper. </FONT></P>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In
accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Company&#146;s Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation contains a provision to limit the personal liability
of the directors of the Company for violations of their fiduciary duty. This provision
eliminates each director&#146;s liability to the Company or its stockholders, for monetary
damages except (i) for breach of the director&#146;s duty of loyalty to the Company or its
stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional
misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law providing for liability of directors for unlawful payment of dividends or
unlawful stock purchases or redemptions or (iv) for any transaction from which a director
derived an improper personal benefit. The effect of this provision is to eliminate the
personal liability of directors for monetary damages for actions involving a breach of
their fiduciary duty of are, including any such actions involving gross negligence. </FONT></P>


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<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>-3- </FONT></P>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The
Company maintains insurance policies that provide coverage to its directors and officers
against certain liabilities. </FONT></P>

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<A NAME=A017></A>
<H1 ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Item 7. &nbsp;&nbsp;<U>Exemption from
Registration Claimed</U>. </FONT></H1>

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Not
applicable. </FONT></TD>
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<A NAME=A018></A>
<H1 ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Item 8.&nbsp;&nbsp; <U>Exhibits</U>. </FONT></H1>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The
exhibits filed herewith or incorporated herein by reference are set forth in the attached
Exhibit Index. </FONT></P>

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<A NAME=A019></A>
<H1 ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Item 9.&nbsp;&nbsp; <U>Undertakings</U>. </FONT></H1>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;          The
undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:  </FONT></P>



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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;          To
file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
          post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:  </FONT></P>



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<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=95%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;          To
include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of
          1933;  </FONT>
</TD>
</TR>
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<BR>

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<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=95%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;               To
reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective
               date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment                thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a
fundamental change                in the information set forth in the Registration
Statement;  </FONT>
</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

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<TD WIDTH=95%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;               To
include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not
               previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change
to                such information in the Registration Statement;  </FONT>
</TD>
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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><I>provided, however,</I> that
paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be
included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic
reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission by the
Registrant pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or Section&nbsp;15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement. </FONT></P>


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<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>-4- </FONT></P>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;          That,
for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of           1933,
each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new           registration
statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the           offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona           fide offering
thereof.  </FONT></P>



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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;          To
remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
          securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
          offering.  </FONT></P>



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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;          The
undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining           any
liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the           Registrant&#146;s
annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of           the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in this           Registration
Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement           relating to the
securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities           at that time
shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.  </FONT></P>



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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;          Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of           1933 may
be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the           Registrant
pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant           has been
advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission           such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
          therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
          such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred
          or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the
          successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
          director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
          registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter           has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate           jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public           policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of           such issue.  </FONT></P>


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<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>-5- </FONT></P>

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<A NAME=A020></A>
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>SIGNATURES </FONT></H1>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has
reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on
Form&nbsp;S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Denver, State of Colorado,
on this 10th day of December,
2003.</FONT></P>


<TABLE CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0 WIDTH=100%>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD WIDTH=50% ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2></FONT></TD>
     <TD WIDTH=50% ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>WHITING PETROLEUM CORPORATION</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><BR><BR></FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><BR><BR>By: <U>/s/ James J. Volker</U></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><BR></FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;James J. Volker</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2></FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;President and Chief Executive Officer</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

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<P><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been
signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated. </FONT></P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0 WIDTH=100%>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TH><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Signature</FONT><HR WIDTH=30% SIZE=1 COLOR=BLACK NOSHADE></TH>
     <TH><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Title</FONT><HR WIDTH=10% SIZE=1 COLOR=BLACK NOSHADE></TH>
     <TH><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Date</FONT><HR WIDTH=20% SIZE=1 COLOR=BLACK NOSHADE></TH></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD WIDTH=28% ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><U>/s/ James J. Volker</U></FONT></TD>
     <TD WIDTH=43% ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>President and Chief Executive Officer and</FONT></TD>
     <TD WIDTH=29% ALIGN=center><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>December 10, 2003</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>James J. Volker</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Director (Principal Executive Officer)</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><BR><U>/s/ James R. Casperson</U></FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=center><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>December 10, 2003</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>James R. Casperson</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Officer)</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><BR><U>/s/ Michael J. Stevens</U></FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Controller and Treasurer (Principal Accounting</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=center><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>December 10, 2003</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Michael J. Stevens</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Officer)</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=center><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><BR>*</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Director</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=center><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>December 10, 2003</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=bottom>
     <TD><HR WIDTH=75% ALIGN=LEFT COLOR=BLACK SIZE=1 NOSHADE></td>
     <TD></TD>
     <TD></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Thomas L. Aller</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=center><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><BR>*</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Director</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=center><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>December 10, 2003</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=bottom>
     <TD><HR WIDTH=75% ALIGN=LEFT COLOR=BLACK SIZE=1 NOSHADE></td>
     <TD></TD>
     <TD></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Graydon D. Hubbard</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=center><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><BR>*</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Director</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=center><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>December 10, 2003</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=bottom>
     <TD><HR WIDTH=75% ALIGN=LEFT COLOR=BLACK SIZE=1 NOSHADE></td>
     <TD></TD>
     <TD></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>J. B. Ladd</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=center><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><BR>*</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Director</FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=center><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>December 10, 2003</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=bottom>
     <TD><HR WIDTH=75% ALIGN=LEFT COLOR=BLACK SIZE=1 NOSHADE></td>
     <TD></TD>
     <TD></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Kenneth R. Whiting</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

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<A NAME=A022></A>
<P ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>* By: <U>/s/ James J. Volker</U><BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;James J. Volker<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Attorney-in-fact </FONT></P>




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<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>S-1 </FONT></P>

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<A NAME=A023></A>
<H1 ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>EXHIBIT INDEX </FONT></H1>

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<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD WIDTH=35% ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Exhibit</FONT></TD>
     <TD WIDTH=65% ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR VALIGN=Bottom>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><U>Number</U></FONT></TD>
     <TD ALIGN=LEFT><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2><U>Exhibit Description</U></FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>

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<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>(4.1) </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=90%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Whiting
Oil and Gas Corporation Phantom Equity Plan, as amended and restated
          [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to Whiting Petroleum
          Corporation&#146;s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No.
          333-107341)]. </FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

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<TABLE WIDTH=100% CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>(4.2) </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=90%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Credit
Agreement, dated as of December 20, 2002, among Whiting Oil and Gas           Corporation
(f/k/a Whiting Petroleum Corporation), the financial institutions           listed
therein, Bank One, NA, as Administrative Agent, and Wachovia Bank, N.A.,           as
Syndication Agent [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Alliant           Energy
Corporation&#146;s Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the year ended           December
31, 2002 (File No.&nbsp;1-9894)]. </FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

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<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>(4.3) </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=90%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>First
Amendment to Credit Agreement, effective as of January 7, 2003, among           Whiting
Oil and Gas Corporation (f/k/a Whiting Petroleum Corporation), Bank One,           NA, as
Administrative Agent, and the financial institutions party thereto
          [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5a to Alliant Energy Corporation&#146;s
          Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 (File No.
          1-9894)]. </FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

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<TABLE WIDTH=100% CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>(4.4) </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=90%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Second
Amendment to Credit Agreement, effective as of June 30, 2003, among           Whiting Oil
and Gas Corporation (f/k/a Whiting Petroleum Corporation), Bank One,           NA, as
Administrative Agent, and the financial institutions party thereto
          [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Whiting Petroleum
          Corporation&#146;s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No.
          333-107341)]. </FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

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<TABLE WIDTH=100% CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>(4.5) </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=90%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Third
Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of October 24, 2003, among Whiting           Oil
and Gas Corporation, Bank One, NA, as Administrative Agent, and the           financial
institutions party thereto [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5           to Whiting
Petroleum Corporation&#146;s Registration Statement on Form S-1           (Registration
No. 333-107341)]. </FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

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<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>(5) </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=90%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Opinion
of Foley &amp; Lardner. </FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

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<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>(23.1) </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=90%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Consent
of Deloitte &amp; Touche LLP. </FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

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<TABLE WIDTH=100% CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>(23.2) </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=90%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Consent
of Foley &amp; Lardner (contained in Exhibit (5)). </FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

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<TABLE WIDTH=100% CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>(23.3) </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=90%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Consent
of Cawley, Gillespie &amp; Associates, Inc., Independent Petroleum           Engineers. </FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

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<TABLE WIDTH=100% CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>(23.4) </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=90%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Consent
of R.A. Lenser &amp; Associates, Inc., Independent Petroleum Engineers. </FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

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<TABLE WIDTH=100% CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>(23.5) </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=90%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Consent
of Ryder Scott Company, L.P., Independent Petroleum Engineers. </FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>

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<TABLE WIDTH=100% CELLPADDING=0 CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0>
<TR VALIGN=TOP>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=5%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>(24) </FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH=90%><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>Powers
of Attorney. </FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
<BR>


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<P ALIGN=CENTER><FONT FACE="Times New Roman, Times, Serif" SIZE=2>E-1 </FONT></P>


</BODY>
</HTML>
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "cmw321.htm", "description": "REGISTRATION STATEMENT", "secsgml_size_bytes": 42944}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "WHITING PETROLEUM CORP", "cik": "0001255474", "assigned-sic": "1311", "irs-number": "200098515", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-111055", "film-number": "031047408"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "1700 BROADWAY", "street2": "STE 2300", "city": "DENVER", "state": "CO", "zip": "80290-2300"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "WHITING PETROLEUM HOLDINGS INC", "date-changed": "20030721"}}
Registration No.
333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_________________
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION
STATEMENT
Under
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
_________________
WHITING PETROLEUM
CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
20-0098515
(State or other jurisdiction of
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
Identification No.)
1700 Broadway, Suite 2300
Denver, Colorado
80290
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
Whiting Oil and Gas
Corporation Phantom Equity Plan
(Full title of the plan)
_________________
Copy to:
James J. Volker
President and Chief Executive Officer
Benjamin F. Garmer, III, Esq.
Whiting Petroleum Corporation
Foley & Lardner
1700 Broadway, Suite 2300
777 East Wisconsin Avenue
Denver, Colorado 80290
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
(303) 837-1661
(414) 271-2400
(Name, address and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
_________________
CALCULATION OF
REGISTRATION FEE
Title of
Securities to be
Registered
Amount
to be
Registered
Proposed Maximum
Offering Price
Per Share (1)
Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering
Price (1)
Amount of
Registration Fee
Common Stock, $0.001 par
420,000 shares
$16.80
$7,056,000
$570.83
value
(1)
Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(c) and (h) under the Securities Act of 1933
          solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee based on the average
          of the high and low prices for Whiting Petroleum Corporation Common Stock on the
          New York Stock Exchange, Inc. on December 4, 2003.
_________________
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED
IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
The
document or documents containing the information specified in Part I are not required to
be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as part of this Form S-8 Registration
Statement.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED
IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3.
Incorporation of Documents
by Reference
.
The
following documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Whiting Petroleum
Corporation (hereinafter referred to as the "Company" or the
"Registrant"), are hereby incorporated herein by reference:
1.                 The
Company's latest prospectus, included in the Company's           Registration
Statement on Form S-1, as amended (Registration No. 333-107341),           filed pursuant
to Rule 424(b)(4) under the Securities Act of 1933 on November           19, 2003, which
includes audited financial statements of Whiting Oil and Gas           Corporation for
the year ended December 31, 2002 and the audited balance sheet           of the Company,
dated September 30, 2003.
2.                 The
description of the Company's Common Stock contained in Item 1 of the
          Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed with the Securities
and           Exchange Commission on November 14, 2003, including any amendment or report
          filed for the purpose of updating such description.
All
documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, after the date of filing of this
Registration Statement and prior to such time as the Company files a post-effective
amendment to this Registration Statement which indicates that all securities offered
hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold shall be
deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be a part
hereof from the date of filing of such documents.
Item 4.
Description of
Securities
.
Not
applicable.
Item 5.
Interests of
Named Experts and Counsel
.
None.
-2-
Item 6.
Indemnification
of Directors and Officers
.
Under
the provisions of Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Company is
required to indemnify any present or former officer or director against expenses arising
out of legal proceedings in which the director or officer becomes involved by reason of
being a director or officer if the director or officer is successful in the defense of
such proceedings. Section 145 also provides that the Company may indemnify a director or
officer in connection with a proceeding in which he is not successful in defending if it
is determined that he acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in or
not opposed to the best interests of the Company or, in the case of a criminal action, if
it is determined that he had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.
Liabilities for which a director or officer may be indemnified include amounts paid in
satisfaction of settlements, judgments, fines and other expenses (including
attorneys' fees incurred in connection with such proceedings). In a stockholder
derivative action, no indemnification may be paid in respect of any claim, issue or matter
as to which the director or officer has been adjudged to be liable to the Company (except
for expenses allowed by a court).
The
Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides for
indemnification of directors and officers of the Company to the full extent permitted by
applicable law. Under the provisions of the Company's Amended and Restated By-laws,
the Company is required to indemnify officers or directors to a greater extent than under
the current provisions of Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. Except with
respect to stockholder derivative actions, the By-law provisions generally state that the
director or officer will be indemnified against expenses, amounts paid in settlement and
judgments, fines, penalties and/or other amounts incurred with respect to any threatened,
pending or completed proceeding, provided that (i) such person acted in good faith and in
a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of
the Company, and (ii) with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, such person had
no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.
The
foregoing standards also apply with respect to the indemnification of expenses incurred in
a stockholder derivative suit. However, a director or officer may only be indemnified for
settlement amounts or judgments incurred in a derivative suit to the extent that the Court
of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon
application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the
circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for
such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
In
accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Company's Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation contains a provision to limit the personal liability
of the directors of the Company for violations of their fiduciary duty. This provision
eliminates each director's liability to the Company or its stockholders, for monetary
damages except (i) for breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the Company or its
stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional
misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law providing for liability of directors for unlawful payment of dividends or
unlawful stock purchases or redemptions or (iv) for any transaction from which a director
derived an improper personal benefit. The effect of this provision is to eliminate the
personal liability of directors for monetary damages for actions involving a breach of
their fiduciary duty of are, including any such actions involving gross negligence.
-3-
The
Company maintains insurance policies that provide coverage to its directors and officers
against certain liabilities.
Item 7.
Exemption from
Registration Claimed
.
Not
applicable.
Item 8.
Exhibits
.
The
exhibits filed herewith or incorporated herein by reference are set forth in the attached
Exhibit Index.
Item 9.
Undertakings
.
(a)                 The
undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1)                 To
file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
          post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
(i)                 To
include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of
          1933;
(ii)                      To
reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective
               date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment                thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a
fundamental change                in the information set forth in the Registration
Statement;
(iii)                      To
include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not
               previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change
to                such information in the Registration Statement;
provided, however,
that
paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be
included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic
reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission by the
Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.
-4-
(2)                 That,
for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of           1933,
each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new           registration
statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the           offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona           fide offering
thereof.
(3)                 To
remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
          securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
          offering.
(b)                 The
undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining           any
liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the           Registrant's
annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of           the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in this           Registration
Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement           relating to the
securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities           at that time
shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c)                 Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of           1933 may
be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the           Registrant
pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant           has been
advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission           such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
          therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
          such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred
          or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the
          successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
          director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
          registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter           has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate           jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public           policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of           such issue.
-5-
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has
reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on
Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Denver, State of Colorado,
on this 10th day of December,
2003.
WHITING PETROLEUM CORPORATION
By:
/s/ James J. Volker
James J. Volker
President and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been
signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ James J. Volker
President and Chief Executive Officer and
December 10, 2003
James J. Volker
Director (Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ James R. Casperson
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial
December 10, 2003
James R. Casperson
Officer)
/s/ Michael J. Stevens
Controller and Treasurer (Principal Accounting
December 10, 2003
Michael J. Stevens
Officer)
*
Director
December 10, 2003
Thomas L. Aller
*
Director
December 10, 2003
Graydon D. Hubbard
*
Director
December 10, 2003
J. B. Ladd
*
Director
December 10, 2003
Kenneth R. Whiting
* By:
/s/ James J. Volker
James J. Volker
Attorney-in-fact
S-1
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number
Exhibit Description
(4.1)
Whiting
Oil and Gas Corporation Phantom Equity Plan, as amended and restated
          [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to Whiting Petroleum
          Corporation's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No.
          333-107341)].
(4.2)
Credit
Agreement, dated as of December 20, 2002, among Whiting Oil and Gas           Corporation
(f/k/a Whiting Petroleum Corporation), the financial institutions           listed
therein, Bank One, NA, as Administrative Agent, and Wachovia Bank, N.A.,           as
Syndication Agent [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Alliant           Energy
Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended           December
31, 2002 (File No. 1-9894)].
(4.3)
First
Amendment to Credit Agreement, effective as of January 7, 2003, among           Whiting
Oil and Gas Corporation (f/k/a Whiting Petroleum Corporation), Bank One,           NA, as
Administrative Agent, and the financial institutions party thereto
          [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5a to Alliant Energy Corporation's
          Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 (File No.
          1-9894)].
(4.4)
Second
Amendment to Credit Agreement, effective as of June 30, 2003, among           Whiting Oil
and Gas Corporation (f/k/a Whiting Petroleum Corporation), Bank One,           NA, as
Administrative Agent, and the financial institutions party thereto
          [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Whiting Petroleum
          Corporation's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No.
          333-107341)].
(4.5)
Third
Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of October 24, 2003, among Whiting           Oil
and Gas Corporation, Bank One, NA, as Administrative Agent, and the           financial
institutions party thereto [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5           to Whiting
Petroleum Corporation's Registration Statement on Form S-1           (Registration
No. 333-107341)].
(5)
Opinion
of Foley & Lardner.
(23.1)
Consent
of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
(23.2)
Consent
of Foley & Lardner (contained in Exhibit (5)).
(23.3)
Consent
of Cawley, Gillespie & Associates, Inc., Independent Petroleum           Engineers.
(23.4)
Consent
of R.A. Lenser & Associates, Inc., Independent Petroleum Engineers.
(23.5)
Consent
of Ryder Scott Company, L.P., Independent Petroleum Engineers.
(24)
Powers
of Attorney.
E-1