Claiborne

Claiborne P. Deming, president and CEO of Murphy Oil Corp. since 1994, will retire at the end of the year and will be succeeded by David M. Wood, the company said. Wood currently is executive vice president of Murphy’s worldwide exploration and production (E&P) operations. Deming plans to continue as a member of Murphy’s board of directors, and would succeed William Nolan as chairman of the board’s executive committee. Nolan would remain chairman of the board. Wood joined the El Dorado, AR-based company in 1994, and he was put in charge of E&P operations in January 2007. Deming said Wood “has the leadership ability and skill to grow the company’s business well into the future, and I wholeheartedly commend him to shareholders.” Deming said he would continue to follow “industry developments, particularly at this pivotal time,” and said he plans to remain involved with Murphy at all levels.