<informationTable xmlns="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/document/thirteenf/informationtable" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>Alphabet Inc. Cl A</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COMMON</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>02079K305</cusip>
       <value>154166</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>146351</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>107611</Sole>
           <Shared>0</Shared>
           <None>38740</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>Antero Resources Corporation</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COMMON</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>03674X106</cusip>
       <value>205183</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>10799117</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>7983517</Sole>
           <Shared>0</Shared>
           <None>2815600</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>Applied Materials</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COMMON</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>038222105</cusip>
       <value>155417</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>3040235</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>2231235</Sole>
           <Shared>0</Shared>
           <None>809000</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>Bank of America Corporatio</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COMMON</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>060505104</cusip>
       <value>296239</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>10035213</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>7420063</Sole>
           <Shared>0</Shared>
           <None>2615150</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. C</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COMMON</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>084670702</cusip>
       <value>193600</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>976693</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>722343</Sole>
           <Shared>0</Shared>
           <None>254350</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>BP PLC Sponsored ADR</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COMMON</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>055622104</cusip>
       <value>161732</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>3848012</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>2791362</Sole>
           <Shared>0</Shared>
           <None>1056650</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>Capital One Financial Corp</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COMMON</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>14040H105</cusip>
       <value>237978</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>2389822</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>1773472</Sole>
           <Shared>0</Shared>
           <None>616350</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>CBS Corporation</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COMMON</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>124857202</cusip>
       <value>177075</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>3001274</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>2224024</Sole>
           <Shared>0</Shared>
           <None>777250</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>CitiGroup, Inc.</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COMMON</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>172967424</cusip>
       <value>267543</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>3595520</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>2658970</Sole>
           <Shared>0</Shared>
           <None>936550</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>Delta Air Lines Inc</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COMMON</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>247361702</cusip>
       <value>187774</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>3353100</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>2487700</Sole>
           <Shared>0</Shared>
           <None>865400</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>Exelon Corporation</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COMMON</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>30161N101</cusip>
       <value>130149</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>3302427</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>2397827</Sole>
           <Shared>0</Shared>
           <None>904600</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>First Data Corporation</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COMMON</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>32008D106</cusip>
       <value>208316</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>12466524</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>9282824</Sole>
           <Shared>0</Shared>
           <None>3183700</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>Fluor Corporation</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COMMON</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>343412102</cusip>
       <value>189384</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>3666689</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>2717889</Sole>
           <Shared>0</Shared>
           <None>948800</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>Freeport-McMoRan Inc.</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COMMON</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>35671D857</cusip>
       <value>115090</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>6070138</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>4496488</Sole>
           <Shared>0</Shared>
           <None>1573650</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COMMON</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>382550101</cusip>
       <value>163987</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>5075414</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>3743564</Sole>
           <Shared>0</Shared>
           <None>1331850</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>Intel Corporation</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COMMON</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>458140100</cusip>
       <value>170857</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>3701413</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>2742013</Sole>
           <Shared>0</Shared>
           <None>959400</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>International Paper Company</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COMMON</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>460146103</cusip>
       <value>231774</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>4000234</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>2966884</Sole>
           <Shared>0</Shared>
           <None>1033350</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>Keysight Technologies, Inc.</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COMMON</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>49338L103</cusip>
       <value>162316</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>3901826</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>2895126</Sole>
           <Shared>0</Shared>
           <None>1006700</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>Marsh &amp; McLennan Companies Inc.</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COMMON</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>571748102</cusip>
       <value>126154</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>1549997</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>1144547</Sole>
           <Shared>0</Shared>
           <None>405450</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>Merck &amp; Co. Inc.</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COMMON</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>58933Y105</cusip>
       <value>204668</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>3637248</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>2693698</Sole>
           <Shared>0</Shared>
           <None>943550</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>MetLife Inc.</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COMMON</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>59156R108</cusip>
       <value>179411</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>3548474</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>2632274</Sole>
           <Shared>0</Shared>
           <None>916200</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>Micro Focus International</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COMMON</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>594837304</cusip>
       <value>132585</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>3947161</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>2899361</Sole>
           <Shared>0</Shared>
           <None>1047800</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>Micron Technology Inc.</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COMMON</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>595112103</cusip>
       <value>126619</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>3079248</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>2282248</Sole>
           <Shared>0</Shared>
           <None>797000</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>Microsoft Corporation</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COMMON</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>594918104</cusip>
       <value>170867</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>1997505</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>1480005</Sole>
           <Shared>0</Shared>
           <None>517500</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>Occidental Petroleum Corporation</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COMMON</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>674599105</cusip>
       <value>218140</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>2961443</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>2168093</Sole>
           <Shared>0</Shared>
           <None>793350</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>Oracle Corporation</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COMMON</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>68389X105</cusip>
       <value>183528</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>3881729</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>2882229</Sole>
           <Shared>0</Shared>
           <None>999500</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>Pfizer Inc.</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COMMON</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>717081103</cusip>
       <value>211634</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>5843013</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>4342963</Sole>
           <Shared>0</Shared>
           <None>1500050</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>Sabre Corporation</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COMMON</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>78573M104</cusip>
       <value>117147</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>5714497</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>4239497</Sole>
           <Shared>0</Shared>
           <None>1475000</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>Thermo Fisher Scientific,</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COMMON</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>883556102</cusip>
       <value>185505</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>976959</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>715259</Sole>
           <Shared>0</Shared>
           <None>261700</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>TOTAL S.A. - ADR</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COMMON</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>89151E109</cusip>
       <value>211127</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>3819222</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>2764072</Sole>
           <Shared>0</Shared>
           <None>1055150</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>Vodafone Group Plc ADR</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COMMON</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>92857W308</cusip>
       <value>185367</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>5810869</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>4263319</Sole>
           <Shared>0</Shared>
           <None>1547550</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COMMON</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>931142103</cusip>
       <value>188507</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>1908935</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>1412835</Sole>
           <Shared>0</Shared>
           <None>496100</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>Aon PLC</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COMMON</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>G0408V102</cusip>
       <value>146868</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>1096031</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>794981</Sole>
           <Shared>0</Shared>
           <None>301050</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>Pentair plc</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COMMON</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>G7S00T104</cusip>
       <value>178036</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>2521049</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>1847849</Sole>
           <Shared>0</Shared>
           <None>673200</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>Chubb Ltd</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COMMON</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>H1467J104</cusip>
       <value>186777</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>1278154</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>934704</Sole>
           <Shared>0</Shared>
           <None>343450</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
   <infoTable>
       <nameOfIssuer>Flex, Ltd.</nameOfIssuer>
       <titleOfClass>COMMON</titleOfClass>
       <cusip>Y2573F102</cusip>
       <value>201870</value>
       <shrsOrPrnAmt>
           <sshPrnamt>11221218</sshPrnamt>
           <sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType>
       </shrsOrPrnAmt>
       <investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion>
       <votingAuthority>
           <Sole>8232368</Sole>
           <Shared>0</Shared>
           <None>2988850</None>
       </votingAuthority>
   </infoTable>
</informationTable>
