DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

General

We may choose to offer fractional shares or some multiple of shares of our preferred stock, rather than whole individual shares. If we decide to do so, we will issue the preferred stock in the form of depositary shares. Each depositary share would represent a fraction or multiple of a share of the preferred stock and would be evidenced by a depositary receipt.

Deposit Agreement

We will deposit the shares of preferred stock to be represented by depositary shares under a deposit agreement. The parties to the deposit agreement will be:

Each holder of a depositary share will be entitled to all the rights and preferences of the underlying preferred stock, including, where applicable, dividend, voting, redemption, conversion and liquidation rights, in proportion to the applicable fraction or multiple of a share of preferred stock represented by the depositary share. The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued under the deposit agreement. The depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional or multiple shares of preferred stock. A depositary receipt may evidence any number of whole depositary shares.

We will file the deposit agreement, including the form of depositary receipt, with the SEC, either as an exhibit to an amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part or as an exhibit to a current report on Form 8-K. See “Where You Can Find More Information” below for information on how to obtain a copy of the form of deposit agreement.

Dividends and Other Distributions

The preferred stock depositary will distribute any cash dividends or other cash distributions received in respect of the deposited preferred stock to the record holders of depositary shares relating to the underlying preferred stock in proportion to the number of depositary shares owned by the holders. The preferred stock depositary will distribute any property received by it other than cash to the record holders of depositary shares entitled to those distributions, unless it determines that the distribution cannot be made proportionally among those holders or that it is not feasible to make a distribution. In that event, the preferred stock depositary may, with our approval, sell the property and distribute the net proceeds from the sale to the holders of the depositary shares in proportion to the number of depositary shares they own.

The amounts distributed to holders of depositary shares will be reduced by any amounts required to be withheld by the preferred stock depositary or by us on account of taxes or other governmental charges.

Withdrawal of Preferred Stock

Any holder of depositary shares may receive the number of whole shares of the related series of preferred stock and any money or other property represented by those depositary receipts after surrendering the depositary receipts at the corporate trust office of the preferred stock depositary, paying any taxes, charges and fees provided for in the deposit agreement and complying with any other requirement of the deposit agreement. Holders of depositary shares making these withdrawals will be entitled to receive whole shares of preferred

9

stock, but holders of whole shares of preferred stock will not be entitled to deposit that preferred stock under the deposit agreement or to receive depositary receipts for that preferred stock after withdrawal. If the depositary shares surrendered by the holder in connection with withdrawal exceed the number of depositary shares that represent the number of whole shares of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the preferred stock depositary will deliver to that holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares.

Voting Deposited Preferred Stock

When the preferred stock depositary receives notice of any meeting at which the holders of any series of deposited preferred stock are entitled to vote, the preferred stock depositary will mail the information contained in the notice to the record holders of the depositary shares relating to the applicable series of preferred stock. Each record holder of the depositary shares on the record date, which will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock, may instruct the preferred stock depositary to vote the amount of the preferred stock represented by the holder’s depositary shares. To the extent possible, the preferred stock depositary will vote the amount of the series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares in accordance with the instructions it receives. We will agree to take all reasonable actions that the preferred stock depositary determines are necessary to enable the preferred stock depositary to vote as instructed. If the preferred stock depositary does not receive specific instructions from the holders of any depositary shares representing a series of preferred stock, it will vote all shares of that series held by it proportionately with instructions received.

Conversion of Preferred Stock

If the prospectus supplement relating to the depositary shares says that the deposited preferred stock is convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock, preferred stock of another series or other securities of Devon, the following will apply. The depositary shares, as such, will not be convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for any securities of Devon. Rather, any holder of the depositary shares may surrender the related depositary receipts to the preferred stock depositary with written instructions to instruct us to cause conversion, exercise or exchange of the preferred stock represented by the depositary shares into or for whole shares of common stock, shares of another series of preferred stock or other securities of Devon. Upon receipt of those instructions and any amounts payable by the holder in connection with the conversion, exercise or exchange, we will cause the conversion, exercise or exchange using the same procedures as those provided for conversion, exercise or exchange of the deposited preferred stock. If only some of the depositary shares are to be converted, exercised or exchanged, a new depositary receipt or receipts will be issued for any depositary shares not to be converted, exercised or exchanged.

Amendment of the Deposit Agreement

We may amend the form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit agreement at any time and from time to time by agreement with the preferred stock depositary. However, any amendment that imposes additional charges or materially and adversely alters any substantial existing right of the holders of depositary shares will not be effective unless the holders of at least a majority of the affected depositary shares then outstanding approve the amendment. We will make no amendment that impairs the right of any holder of depositary shares, as described above under “—Withdrawal of Preferred Stock”, to receive shares of the related series of preferred stock and any money or other property represented by those depositary shares, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law. Holders who retain or acquire their depositary receipts after an amendment becomes effective will be deemed to have agreed to the amendment and will be bound by the amended deposit agreement.

Charges of Preferred Stock Depositary; Taxes and Other Governmental Charges

We will pay the fees, charges and expenses of the preferred stock depositary provided in the deposit agreement to be payable by us. Holders of depositary receipts will pay any taxes and governmental charges and

10

any charges provided in the deposit agreement to be payable by them, including a fee for the withdrawal of shares of preferred stock upon surrender of depositary receipts. If the preferred stock depositary incurs fees, charges or expenses for which it is not otherwise liable at the election of a holder of a depositary receipt or other person, that holder or other person will be liable for those fees, charges and expenses.

Resignation and Removal of Depositary

The preferred stock depositary may resign at any time by giving us notice, and we may remove or replace the preferred stock depositary at any time.

Reports to Holders

We will deliver all required reports and communications to holders of the preferred stock to the preferred stock depositary. It will forward those reports and communications to the holders of depositary shares.

Limitation on Liability of the Preferred Stock Depositary

The preferred stock depositary will not be liable if it is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstances beyond its control in performing its obligations under the deposit agreement. The obligations of the preferred stock depositary under the deposit agreement will be limited to performance in good faith of its duties under the agreement, and it will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary shares, depositary receipts or shares of preferred stock unless satisfactory and reasonable protection from expenses and liability is furnished. This is called an indemnity. The preferred stock depositary may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, upon information provided by holders of depositary receipts or other persons believed to be competent and upon documents believed to be genuine.

11

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

The following description of the warrants sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the warrants to which this prospectus and any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular terms of any warrants and the extent to which the general provisions may apply to such warrants will be described in a prospectus supplement relating to such warrants.

We may issue warrants to purchase debt or equity securities. Each warrant will entitle the holder of warrants to purchase for cash or other consideration the amount of debt or equity securities at the exercise price stated or determinable in the prospectus supplement for the warrants. We may issue warrants independently or together with any offered securities. The warrants may be attached to or separate from those offered securities. We will issue the warrants under warrant agreements to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, all as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants.

The prospectus supplement relating to any warrants that we may offer will contain the specific terms of the warrants. These terms may include the following:

12

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

The following description of the debt securities sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities to which this prospectus and any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular terms of any series of debt securities and the extent to which the general provisions may apply to a particular series of debt securities will be described in a prospectus supplement relating to that series.

Any debt securities offered by this prospectus will be issued under one or more indentures between Devon and a trustee. We have summarized selected provisions of the indentures below. Devon senior debt securities are to be issued under an indenture between Devon and UMB Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “Devon senior indenture”), which is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Devon subordinated debt securities are to be issued under an indenture (the “Devon subordinated indenture”), which is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The Devon senior indenture and the Devon subordinated indenture are sometimes referred to herein, collectively, as the “indentures” and each, individually, as an “indenture.” You should read the indentures for provisions that may be important to you.

Because we have included only a summary of the indenture terms, you must read the indentures in full to understand every detail of the terms of the debt securities.

The indentures will not limit the amount of debt securities we may issue under them, and will provide that additional debt securities of any series may be issued up to the aggregate principal amount that we authorize from time to time.

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will issue the debt securities in denominations of $2,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

Principal and any premium and interest in respect of the debt securities will be payable, and the debt securities will be transferable, at the corporate trust office of the trustee, unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. At our option, however, we may pay interest by mailing checks to the registered holders of the debt securities at their registered addresses.

We will describe any special U.S. federal income tax and other considerations relating to the debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.

General

The prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of debt securities being offered will specify the amounts, prices and terms of those debt securities. These terms may include:

13

We are not obligated to issue all debt securities of any one series at the same time. The debt securities of any one series need not bear interest at the same rate or mature on the same date.

If we sell any of the debt securities for foreign currencies or foreign currency units or if the principal of, or any premium or interest on, any series of debt securities is payable in foreign currencies or foreign currency units, we will describe the restrictions, elections, tax consequences, specific terms and other information with respect to those debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Except as may be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, the indenture will not limit our ability to incur indebtedness or afford holders of debt securities protection in the event of a decline in our credit quality or if we are involved in a takeover, recapitalization or highly leveraged or similar transaction. The prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of debt securities, to the extent not otherwise described in this prospectus, will include any information with respect to any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the covenants or events of default described below and contained in the indenture, including any addition of a covenant or other provision providing event risk or similar protection.

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, Devon’s obligation to pay the principal of, and any premium and interest on, its senior debt securities will be unsecured and will rank equally with all of Devon’s other unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness.

14

Interest Rates and Discounts

The debt securities will earn interest at a fixed or floating rate or rates for the period or periods of time specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will bear interest on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

We may sell debt securities at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount, bearing no interest or interest at a rate that at the time of issuance is below market rates. We will describe the federal income tax consequences and special considerations that apply to those debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Exchange, Registration and Transfer

Unless otherwise specified, debt securities of any series will be exchangeable for other debt securities of the same series and of like aggregate principal amount and tenor in different authorized denominations.

You may present debt securities for registration of transfer, together with a duly executed form of transfer, at the office of the security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us for that purpose with respect to any series of debt securities and referred to in the applicable prospectus supplement. This may be done without service charge but upon payment of any taxes and other governmental charges as described in the indenture. The security registrar or the transfer agent will effect the transfer or exchange upon being satisfied with the documents of title and identity of the person making the request. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents with respect to any series of debt securities.

In the event of any redemption, we will not be required to:

Payment and Paying Agents

Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will pay the principal of, and any premium and interest on, debt securities at the office of the paying agent or paying agents that we designate at various times. However, at our option, we may make interest payments by check mailed to the address, as it appears in the security register, of the person entitled to the payments. Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the Corporate Trust Office of the trustee in Kansas City, Missouri, will be designated as our sole paying agent for payments with respect to debt securities that are issuable solely as registered securities.

All monies we pay to a paying agent for the payment of principal of, and any premium and interest on, any debt security or coupon that remains unclaimed at the end of two years after becoming due and payable will be repaid to us. After that time, the holder of the debt security or coupon will look only to us for payments out of those repaid amounts.

Global Securities

The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global certificates that we will deposit with a depository identified in the applicable prospectus supplement, or a

15

custodian for such depository. Global securities may be issued in either registered or bearer form and in either temporary or permanent form. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual debt securities it represents, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole:

We will describe the specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to a series of debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement. We anticipate that the following provisions will generally apply to depositary arrangements.

When we issue a global security in registered form, the depositary for the global security or its nominee will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of the individual debt securities represented by that global security to the accounts of participants that have accounts with the depositary. Those accounts will be designated by the dealers, underwriters or agents with respect to the underlying debt securities or by us if those debt securities are offered and sold directly by us. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to participants or persons that may hold interests through participants. For interests of participants, ownership of beneficial interests in the global security will be shown on records maintained by the applicable depositary or its nominee. For interests of persons other than participants, that ownership information will be shown on the records of participants. Transfer of that ownership will be effected only through those records.

The laws of some states require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of securities in definitive form. These limits and laws may impair your ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global security.

As long as the depositary for a global security, or its nominee, is the registered owner of that global security, the depositary or nominee will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the applicable indenture. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in a global security:

We will make payments of principal of, and any premium and interest on, individual debt securities represented by a global security registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee to the depositary or its nominee as the registered owner of the global security representing such debt securities. Neither we, the trustee, any paying agent nor the registrar for the debt securities will be responsible for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made by the depositary or any participants on account of beneficial interests of the global security.

We expect that the depositary or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium or interest relating to a permanent global security representing any series of debt securities, immediately will credit participants’ accounts with the payments. Those payments will be credited in amounts proportional to the respective beneficial interests of the participants in the principal amount of the global security as shown on the records of the depositary or its nominee. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global security held through those participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices. This is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name.” Those payments will be the sole responsibility of those participants.

16

If the depositary for a series of debt securities is at any time unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as depositary and we do not appoint a successor depositary within 90 days, we will issue individual debt securities of that series in exchange for the global security or securities representing that series. In addition, we may at any time in our sole discretion determine not to have any debt securities of a series represented by one or more global securities. In that event, we will issue individual debt securities of that series in exchange for the global security or securities. Further, if we specify, an owner of a beneficial interest in a global security may, on terms acceptable to us, the trustee and the applicable depositary, receive individual debt securities of that series in exchange for those beneficial interests. The foregoing is subject to any limitations described in the applicable prospectus supplement. In that instance, the owner of the beneficial interest will be entitled to physical delivery of individual debt securities equal in principal amount to the beneficial interest and to have the debt securities registered in its name. Those individual debt securities will be issued in denominations, unless we specify otherwise, of $2,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

For a description of the depositary arrangements for global securities held by The Depository Trust Company, also known as DTC, see “Book-Entry Securities.”

Events of Default

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, any one of the following events will constitute an “event of default” under the indentures with respect to the debt securities of any series issued under the indentures:

If an event of default occurs because we fail to pay the principal of, or premium or interest on, the debt securities of any series or we fail to perform or breach any of the other covenants or warranties applicable to the debt securities of that series but not applicable to all outstanding debt securities, and such event of default is continuing, either the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may declare the principal amount of, and any premium and interest on, the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately. If an event of default occurs due to default in the performance of any other of the covenants and warranties applicable to all outstanding debt securities or pertaining to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, and the event of default is continuing, either the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of all debt securities then outstanding (considered as one class), may declare the principal amount of, and any premium and interest on, all debt securities to be due and payable immediately. There is no automatic acceleration, even in the event of our bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization. At any time after a declaration of acceleration has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of money has been obtained by the trustee, we may cause such declaration of acceleration to be rescinded and annulled with respect to the debt securities of any series if we deposit with the trustee an amount sufficient to pay all overdue interest on the debt securities of that series, the

17

principal of and premium, if any, on the debt securities of that series that have become due and payable otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and all amounts due to the trustee and if all other events of default with respect to the debt securities of that series have been cured or waived.

Within 90 days after the occurrence of any event of default under the indentures with respect to the debt securities of any series issued under that indenture, the trustee must transmit notice of the event of default to the holders of the debt securities of that series unless the event of default has been cured or waived. The trustee may withhold the notice, however, except in the case of a payment default, if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors or responsible officers of the trustee has in good faith determined that the withholding of the notice is in the interest of the holders of debt securities of that series.

If an event of default occurs and is continuing with respect to the debt securities of any series, the trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the holders of debt securities of that series by all appropriate judicial proceedings.

Subject to the duty of the trustee during any default to act with the required standard of care, the trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of debt securities issued under that indenture, unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable indemnity. Subject to indemnifying the trustee, and subject to applicable law and certain other provisions of the indenture, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series issued under that indenture may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee, with respect to the debt securities of that series.

Defeasance

Unless the applicable prospectus supplement provides otherwise, any debt securities, or portion of the principal amount of the debt securities, will be deemed to have been paid for purposes of the applicable indentures, and, at our election, our entire indebtedness with respect to the debt securities, or portion thereof, will be deemed to have been satisfied and discharged, if we have irrevocably deposited with the trustee or any paying agent other than us, in trust, money, certain eligible obligations, as defined in the applicable indentures, or a combination of the two, sufficient to pay principal of and any premium and interest due and to become due on the debt securities or portions thereof.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe, if applicable, our ability to be released from any of our covenant obligations under the indentures.

Modification and Waiver

The trustee under a particular indenture and Devon may, without the consent of holders, modify or waive provisions of that indenture for certain purposes, including, among other things, curing ambiguities and maintaining the qualification of the applicable indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. The trustee under a particular indenture and Devon may modify or waive certain provisions of that indenture with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of each series issued under that indenture affected by the modification or waiver. However, the provisions of any indenture may not be waived or modified without the consent of the holders of each debt security affected thereby if the modification or waiver would:

18

The holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of outstanding debt securities of any series issued under an indenture may, on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series, waive our compliance with certain restrictive provisions of that indenture. The holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of debt securities of any series issued under either of the indentures may, on behalf of all holders of debt securities of that series, waive any past default and its consequences under that indenture with respect to the debt securities of that series, except:

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

We may not consolidate with or merge into, or convey, transfer or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to, any person (as defined in the applicable indenture) unless:

Covenants

Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, the following covenants will apply to the senior debt securities issued by Devon. Various capitalized terms used within this “Covenants” subsection are defined at the end of this subsection.

Liens

Neither Devon nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may incur, issue, assume or guarantee any Debt that is secured by a Mortgage on any Principal Property or on any shares of stock or Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary of Devon, without first effectively providing that the debt securities (together with, if Devon so

19

determines, any other indebtedness of Devon or its Restricted Subsidiaries that is not subordinate in right of payment to the prior right of payment in full of the debt securities) will be secured equally and ratably with, or prior to, the incurred, issued, assumed or guaranteed secured Debt, for so long as this secured Debt remains so secured.

This limitation on the incurrence, issuance, assumption or guarantee of any Debt secured by a Mortgage will not apply to, and there will be excluded from any secured Debt in any computation under this covenant, Debt secured by:

provided that, if a commitment for the financing is obtained prior to or within this one-year period, the applicable Mortgage will be deemed to be included in this clause whether or not the Mortgage is created within this one-year period;

20

Notwithstanding anything mentioned above, Devon and any one or more of its Restricted Subsidiaries may incur, issue, assume or guarantee Debt secured by Mortgages that would otherwise be subject to the above restrictions if the aggregate amount of the Debt secured by the Mortgages, together with the outstanding principal amount of all other secured Debt of Devon and its Restricted Subsidiaries that would otherwise be subject to the above restrictions, does not exceed 15% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.

The following transactions shall not be deemed to create Debt secured by a Mortgage:

Definitions

“Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means, calculated as of the date of the financial statements for the most recently ended fiscal quarter or fiscal year, as applicable, prior to the date of determination, the aggregate amount of assets of Devon and its consolidated subsidiaries, less applicable reserves and other properly deductible items but including investments in non-consolidated entities, after deducting therefrom:

“Debt” means indebtedness for money borrowed.

“Funded Debt” means all Debt of Devon or any of its subsidiaries for money borrowed, which is not by its terms subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of the debt securities, having a maturity of more than 12 months from the date as of which the amount thereof is to be determined or having a maturity of fewer than 12 months but by its terms being:

“Indebtedness” means Debt.

21

“Mortgage” means and includes any mortgage, pledge, lien, security interest, conditional sale or other title retention agreement or other similar encumbrance.

“Offshore” means the lands beneath the navigable waters of the U.S. or Canada, or the continental shelf of the U.S. or Canada.

“Ordinary Course Mortgages” means:

“Principal Property” means any oil, gas or mineral producing property, or any refining, processing, smelting or manufacturing facility located in the U.S., Canada or Offshore, other than:

22

“Restricted Subsidiary” means Devon Financing Company, L.L.C. and any other subsidiary of Devon:

“Stockholders’ Equity” means, with respect to any corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, limited liability company, unlimited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization or government, or any agency or political subdivision thereof, stockholders’ equity, as computed in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

The Trustee

We may appoint a separate trustee for any series of debt securities. In the description of a series of debt securities, the term “trustee” refers to the trustee appointed with respect to such series of debt securities. The trustee may be a depository for funds and perform other services for, and may transact other banking business with, Devon and its subsidiaries in the normal course of business.

Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities

Our obligations pursuant to any Devon subordinated debt securities will be unsecured and will be subordinate and junior in priority of payment to certain of our other indebtedness to the extent described in a prospectus supplement. The Devon subordinated indenture does not limit the amount of senior indebtedness we may incur. It also does not limit us from issuing any other secured or unsecured debt.

23

DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS

The following description of stock purchase contracts and stock purchase units sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the stock purchase contracts and stock purchase units to which this prospectus and any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular terms of any stock purchase contracts and stock purchase units and the extent to which the general provisions may apply to such stock purchase contracts and stock purchase units will be described in a prospectus supplement relating to such stock purchase contracts and stock purchase units.

We may issue stock purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from or sell to us, and obligating us to sell to or purchase from the holders, a specified number of shares of common stock or other securities at a future date or dates, which we refer to in this prospectus as “stock purchase contracts.” The price per share of the securities and the number of shares of the securities may be fixed at the time the stock purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the stock purchase contracts, and may be subject to adjustment under anti-dilution formulas. The stock purchase contracts may be issued separately or as part of units consisting of a stock purchase contract and debt securities, preferred securities or debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. treasury securities, any other securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement or any combination of the foregoing, securing the holders’ obligations to purchase the securities under the stock purchase contracts, which we refer to herein as “stock purchase units.” The stock purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations under the stock purchase contracts in a specified manner. The stock purchase contracts also may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of the stock purchase contracts or the stock purchase units, as the case may be, or vice versa, and those payments may be unsecured or pre-funded in whole or in part.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units. This description is not complete and the description in the prospectus supplement will not necessarily be complete, and reference is made to the stock purchase contracts, and, if applicable, collateral or depositary arrangements relating to the stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units, which will be filed with the SEC each time we issue stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units. Material United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the stock purchase units and the stock purchase contracts will also be discussed in the applicable prospectus supplement.

24

BOOK-ENTRY SECURITIES

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will issue securities, other than our common stock, to investors in the form of one or more book-entry certificates registered in the name of a depository or a nominee of a depository. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the depository will be DTC. We have been informed by DTC that its nominee will be Cede & Co., or Cede. Accordingly, Cede is expected to be the initial registered holder of all securities that are issued in book-entry form.

No person that acquires a beneficial interest in securities issued in book-entry form will be entitled to receive a certificate representing those securities, except as set forth in this prospectus or in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless and until definitive securities are issued under the limited circumstances described below, all references to actions by holders or beneficial owners of securities issued in book-entry form will refer to actions taken by DTC upon instructions from its participants, and all references to payments and notices to holders or beneficial owners will refer to payments and notices to DTC or Cede, as the registered holder of such securities.

DTC has informed us that it is:

DTC has also informed us that it was created to:

Participants have accounts with DTC and include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing corporations. Indirect access to the DTC system also is available to indirect participants such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly.

Persons that are not participants or indirect participants but desire to buy, sell or otherwise transfer ownership of or interests in securities may do so only through participants and indirect participants. Under the book-entry system, beneficial owners may experience some delay in receiving payments, as payments will be forwarded by our agent to Cede, a nominee for DTC. These payments will be forwarded to DTC’s participants, which thereafter will forward them to indirect participants or beneficial owners. Beneficial owners will not be recognized by the applicable registrar, transfer agent, trustee or depositary as registered holders of the securities entitled to the benefits of the certificate, the indenture or any deposit agreement. Beneficial owners that are not participants will be permitted to exercise their rights as an owner only indirectly through participants and, if applicable, indirect participants.

Under the current rules and regulations affecting DTC, DTC will be required to make book-entry transfers of securities among participants and to receive and transmit payments to participants. Participants and indirect participants with whom beneficial owners of securities have accounts are also required by these rules to make book-entry transfers and receive and transmit such payments on behalf of their respective account holders.

25

Because DTC can act only on behalf of participants, who in turn act only on behalf of other participants or indirect participants, and on behalf of certain banks, trust companies and other persons approved by it, the ability of a beneficial owner of securities issued in book-entry form to pledge those securities to persons or entities that do not participate in the DTC system may be limited due to the unavailability of physical certificates for the securities.

DTC has advised us that it will take any action permitted to be taken by a registered holder of any securities under the certificate, the indenture or any deposit agreement only at the direction of one or more participants to whose accounts with DTC the securities are credited.

According to DTC, it has provided information with respect to DTC to its participants and other members of the financial community for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a representation, warranty or contract modification of any kind.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, a book-entry security will be exchangeable for definitive securities registered in the names of persons other than DTC or its nominee only if:

Any book-entry security that is exchangeable in accordance with the preceding sentence will be exchangeable for securities registered in such names as DTC directs.

If one of the events described in the immediately preceding paragraph occurs, DTC is generally required to notify all participants of the availability through DTC of definitive securities. Upon surrender by DTC of the book-entry security representing the securities and delivery of instructions for re-registration, the registrar, transfer agent, trustee or depositary, as the case may be, will reissue the securities as definitive securities. After reissuance of the securities, such persons will recognize the beneficial owners of such definitive securities as registered holders of securities.

Except as described above:

None of Devon, the trustees, any registrar and transfer agent or any depository, or any agent of any of them, will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of DTC’s or any participant’s records relating to, or for payments made on account of, beneficial interests in a book-entry security.

26