8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 15, 2014

CONTINENTAL RESOURCES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Oklahoma	001-32886	73-0767549
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

20 N. Broadway Oklahoma City, Oklahoma	73102
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (405) 234-9000

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 5.02 – Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

(c) Appointment of Jack H. Stark as President and Chief Operating Officer

On September 15, 2014, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Continental Resources, Inc. (the “Company”) appointed Jack H. Stark, 59, as President and Chief Operating Officer, effective September 17, 2014.

Prior to his appointment as President and Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Stark has served as our Senior Vice President, Exploration since May 1998. He joined the Company in June 1992 as Vice President of Exploration and served on the Board from May 1998 until his term expired in May 2008. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Stark was Exploration Manager for the Western Mid-Continent Region for Pacific Enterprises from 1988 to 1992 and he held various staff and middle management positions with Cities Service Company, Texas Oil and Gas and Western Nuclear from 1978 to 1988. Mr. Stark holds a Master of Science in Geology from Colorado State University.

In connection with his appointment as President and Chief Operating Officer, on September 17, 2014, Mr. Stark’s annual base salary was increased to $600,000, his bonus target under the Company’s annual cash bonus plan was adjusted to 100% of Mr. Stark’s base earnings and he was also granted 13,850 shares of restricted stock under the Company’s 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan, 2,850 of which will vest on February 15, 2016 and 11,000 of which will vest on February 15, 2017. Except as described above, Mr. Stark’s other compensation arrangements remain unchanged. Other than as disclosed herein, the Company does not have any agreement with Mr. Stark, either written or oral, that guarantees his salary, salary increases, bonus or benefits.

There are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Stark and any other person pursuant to which Mr. Stark was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer, nor is there a family relationship between any Board member or executive officer of the Company and Mr. Stark. Mr. Stark has not entered into any related party transactions with the Company pursuant to 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

A copy of the press release issued by the Company in connection with Mr. Stark’s appointment is attached as an exhibit to this report.

(e) Compensation Changes in Connection with Mr. Stark’s Appointment as President and Chief Operating Officer

The disclosure regarding the adjustments to Mr. Stark’s compensation in connection with his appointment as President and Chief Operating Officer appearing under (c) above is incorporated by reference.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit Number	Description
99.1	Press release dated September 17, 2014.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	CONTINENTAL RESOURCES, INC.
	(Registrant)
Dated: September 17, 2014
	By:	/s/ John D. Hart
		John D. Hart
		Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Exhibit Index

Exhibit Number	Description
99.1	Press release dated September 17, 2014.

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

NEWS RELEASE

CONTINENTAL RESOURCES ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF JACK STARK AS PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

OKLAHOMA CITY, September 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Continental Resources, Inc. (“Continental” or the “Company”) (NYSE: CLR) announced today that Jack Stark has been appointed President and Chief Operating Officer by the Company’s Board of Directors. Stark joined the Company in 1992 and has served as Continental’s Senior Vice President of Exploration since 1998.

“Jack is a great team leader whose geological contributions have been a key component of Continental’s success over the past 22 years,” said Harold Hamm, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “He is highly regarded as a pioneer in unlocking unconventional resources in the Rockies, the Bakken, and most recently the SCOOP play in Oklahoma. He has the respect and trust of the entire Continental team. This new role will expand his operational leadership, positioning him to continue playing a critical role in leading Continental as we execute ahead of schedule on our five year plan, and develop our deep inventory into the future.”

Mr. Stark joined Continental in 1992 and brings more than 30 years of industry experience to his new position. He is a member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association, Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists, Houston Geological Society and Oklahoma Geological Society. Mr. Stark holds a master’s degree in geology from Colorado State University.

“I am honored to serve as President and COO of Continental Resources,” Mr. Stark said. “I have the utmost respect and confidence in Continental’s management team and our most important asset, our people. Our exploration and operational expertise, combined with our world class assets will allow us to continue to deliver exceptional results. It has been my pleasure to participate in the tremendous growth of our Company over the last 22 years, and the best is yet to come.”

About Continental

Continental Resources (NYSE: CLR) is a Top 10 independent oil producer in the United States. Based in Oklahoma City, Continental is the largest leaseholder and producer in the nation’s premier oil field, the Bakken play of North Dakota and Montana. The Company also has significant positions in Oklahoma, including its recently discovered SCOOP play and the Northwest Cana play. With a focus on the exploration and production of oil, Continental is on a mission to unlock the technology and resources vital to American energy independence. In 2014, the Company will celebrate 47 years of operation. For more information, please visit www.CLR.com.

Investor Contact:	Media Contact:
John Kilgallon	Kristin Miskovsky
Vice President, Investor Relations	Vice President, Public Relations
405-234-9330	405-234-9480
John.Kilgallon@CLR.com	Kristin.Miskovsky@CLR.com