Stockholder's Equity (Notes)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]

Stockholders' Equity

Common Stock. In September 2001, EOG's Board of Directors (Board) authorized the purchase of an aggregate maximum of 10 million shares of Common Stock that superseded all previous authorizations. At December 31, 2019, 6,386,200 shares remained available for purchase under this authorization. EOG last purchased shares of its Common Stock under this authorization in March 2003. In addition, shares of Common Stock are from time to time withheld by, or returned to, EOG in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations arising upon the exercise of employee stock options or stock-settled stock appreciation rights (SARs), the vesting of restricted stock, restricted stock unit, performance unit grants or in payment of the exercise price of employee stock options. Such shares withheld or returned do not count against the Board authorization discussed above. Shares purchased, withheld and returned are held in treasury for, among other purposes, fulfilling any obligations arising under EOG's stock-based compensation plans and any other approved transactions or activities for which such shares of Common Stock may be required.

On February 27, 2020, the Board increased the quarterly cash dividend on the common stock from the previous $0.2875 per share to $0.375 per share, effective beginning with the dividend to be paid on April 30, 2020, to stockholders of record as of April 16, 2020.

On May 2, 2019, the Board increased the quarterly cash dividend on the common stock from the previous $0.22 per share to $0.2875 per share, effective beginning with the dividend paid on July 31, 2019, to stockholders of record as of July 17, 2019.

On August 2, 2018, the Board increased the quarterly cash dividend on the common stock by 19% from the previous $0.1850 per share to $0.22 per share, effective beginning with the dividend paid on October 31, 2018, to stockholders of record as of October 17, 2018. On February 27, 2018, EOG's Board increased the quarterly cash dividend on the common stock by 10% from the previous $0.1675 per share to $0.1850 per share, effective beginning with the dividend paid on April 30, 2018, to stockholders of record as of April 16, 2018. EOG declared and paid quarterly cash dividends of $0.1675 per share in 2017.

On February 15, 2017, the Board approved an amendment to EOG's Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of EOG's authorized shares of common stock from 640 million to 1,280 million. EOG's stockholders approved the increase at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders on April 27, 2017, and the amendment was filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on April 28, 2017.

The following summarizes Common Stock activity for each of the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019 (in thousands):



	Common Shares
	Issued	Treasury		Outstanding

Balance at December 31, 2016	576,950	(250	)	576,700
Common Stock Issued Under Stock-Based Compensation Plans	1,878	—		1,878
Treasury Stock Purchased ⁽¹⁾	—	(686	)	(686	)
Common Stock Issued Under Employee Stock Purchase Plan	—	180		180
Treasury Stock Issued Under Stock-Based Compensation Plans	—	405		405
Balance at December 31, 2017	578,828	(351	)	578,477
Common Stock Issued Under Stock-Based Compensation Plans	1,580	—		1,580
Treasury Stock Purchased ⁽¹⁾	—	(539	)	(539	)
Common Stock Issued Under Employee Stock Purchase Plan	—	180		180
Treasury Stock Issued Under Stock-Based Compensation Plans	—	325		325
Balance at December 31, 2018	580,408	(385	)	580,023
Common Stock Issued Under Stock-Based Compensation Plans	1,688	—		1,688
Treasury Stock Purchased ⁽¹⁾	—	(310	)	(310	)
Common Stock Issued Under Employee Stock Purchase Plan	117	106		223
Treasury Stock Issued Under Stock-Based Compensation Plans	—	290		290
Balance at December 31, 2019	582,213	(299	)	581,914


(1)	Represents shares that were withheld by or returned to EOG (i) in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations that arose upon the exercise of employee stock options or SARs or the vesting of restricted stock, restricted stock unit, performance unit grants or (ii) in payment of the exercise price of employee stock options.

Preferred Stock. EOG currently has one authorized series of preferred stock. As of December 31, 2019, there were no shares of preferred stock outstanding.