ADVISORY, TECHNICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT between Seadrill Americas Inc. and Seadrill Canada Ltd.

Exhibit 4.4

Execution Version

ADVISORY, TECHNICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

between

Seadrill Americas Inc.

and

Seadrill Canada Ltd.

CONTENTS


Clause		Page

1.	SERVICES AND EFFECTIVE DATE		1

2.	SERVICES		1

3.	GENERAL CONDITIONS		3

4.	COMPENSATION		3

5.	INDEMNITY		4

6.	CONFIDENTIALITY		4

7.	TERM AND TERMINATION		5

8.	DEFAULT		6

9.	FORCE MAJEURE		6

10.	NOTICES		6

11.	MISCELLANEOUS		7

12.	GOVERNING LAW AND ARBITRATION		7

THIS ADVISORY, TECHNICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made on as of the Effective Date set forth below.

BETWEEN:

(1)	Seadrill Americas, Inc., a Texas corporation (the “Contractor”)

and

(2)	Seadrill Canada Ltd., a Newfoundland corporation (the “Company”)

(hereinafter jointly referred to as the “Parties” and, individually, as a “Party”).

WHEREAS, the Company is a majority owned indirect subsidiary of Seadrill Partners LLC, (“Seadrill Partners”); and

WHEREAS, the Company wishes to engage the Contractor to provide such advisory, technical and administrative services to the Company on the terms set out herein;

NOW THEREFORE, the Parties have agreed as follows:

1.	SERVICES AND EFFECTIVE DATE

1.1

The Contractor shall provide the advisory, technical and general administrative services specified in this Agreement (the “Services”) to the Company subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, as may be requested by the Company from time to time.

1.2

The effective date of this Agreement shall be October 24, 2012.

2.	SERVICES

2.1

The Contractor shall provide the following Services to the Company:

2.1.1

Operations Services

(a)

The Contractor shall develop standards for the technical operation of the Company’s vessels (the “Vessels”) and a policy in this respect.

(b)

The Contractor shall assist in the supervision of the activities of third party contractors employed by the Company in respect of certain elements of the technical management of the Vessels and, in particular:

(i)

look for similarities between the services utilized by other vessel owning companies in the Seadrill Group and potential for improvements or savings in this respect; the “Seadrill Group” means Seadrill Limited or any subsidiary thereof, except the Company and its subsidiaries;

(ii)

develop and implement strategies for the long term maintenance of the Vessels;

(iii)

supervise and co-ordinate the policies in relation to emergency events;

(iv)

promote the most economical ways of operating the Vessels without compromising the safety of any Vessel or its crew;

(v)

minimize the environmental impact of the operation of the Vessels without compromising the safety of the Vessel or its crew; and

(vi)

ensure compliance with industry-based best practice “norms.”

(c)

The Contractor shall, on a regular basis, provide audits of contractors of technical services and equipment and crewing services, such audits to include physical inspections.

(d)

The Contractor shall provide assistance in purchasing materials and supplies for the Vessels and endeavor to achieve competitive terms from adequate suppliers.

2.1.2

Technical Supervision

The Contractor shall, throughout the term of this Agreement, provide Services in relation to the technical management of the Vessels. In particular the Contractor shall provide the following Services:

(a)

The Contractor shall follow up with regard to the requirements of classification societies and any relevant national authorities and provide assistance to the Company in ensuring that the Vessels comply with all recognized safety standards at any time.

(b)

The Contractor shall maintain good relations with Shipping Registries where the Vessels are or are intended to be registered.

(c)

The Contractor shall assist the Company in ensuring that the Vessels comply with contractual, technical and other commitments.

(d)

The Contractor shall regularly visit the Vessels and ensure that the standard of maintenance is kept at an acceptable level, that the crewing is adequate and that the operation is professional and satisfactory in every respect.

2.1.3

Accidents—Contingency Plans

The Contractor shall assist the Company in handling all accidents involving the Vessels in the course of operations. In particular, the Contractor shall establish a crisis management procedure, shall assist the Company in the development of a local crisis management procedure, and shall provide other advice and assistance in connection with crisis response, including crisis communications assistance.

2.1.4

General Administrative Services

The Contractor shall provide such general administrative services as may be required or specifically requested by the Company including accounting services, access to and consolidation of information in the Seadrill Group enterprise resource planning systems, and advice and assistance in the general administration and management of the business, subject to Section 7 hereof.

3.	GENERAL CONDITIONS

3.1

The Contractor shall, in performing its duties hereunder, serve the Company in good faith. In providing the Services hereunder, the Contractor shall:

(a)

protect and promote the Company’s interests;

(b)

observe all applicable laws and regulations relevant to the Vessel’s and the Company’s activities; and

(c)

always act in accordance with good and professional management practice.

3.2

The Contractor shall be entitled to provide Services to other companies or entities.

Such entities can either be other companies in the Seadrill Group or third party entities.

3.3

All discounts, commissions and other benefits received by the Contractor and/or its employees from third parties as a consequence of the provision of Services hereunder shall be disclosed and credited to the Company.

3.4

The Company shall, at any time upon request, be provided with any information from the accounts and records of the Contractor which is relevant and reasonably required for the performance of its obligations vis-à-vis the Company hereunder.

Such information shall be provided to such persons as shall be specifically authorized by the Company. Representatives of the Company’s auditor shall, in relation to the audit of the Company’s accounts, always be considered authorized.

3.5

The Contractor shall, upon request, provide the Company with copies of all documents relevant to the Company in its possession and otherwise compile such facts and records on the basis of such documents as shall, from time to time, be requested by the Company.

4.	COMPENSATION

4.1

Each calendar quarter, the Company agrees to reimburse the Contractor for all costs and expenses reasonably incurred by the Contractor (the “Costs and Expenses”) in connection with the provision of the Services by the Contractor to the Company for such calendar quarter.

4.2

The Company shall pay to the Contractor a management fee equal to 5% of the Costs and Expenses for such calendar quarter (the “Services Fee”), subject to Section 4.4.

4.3

The Services Fee shall be payable by the Company on a quarterly basis. Within 30 days following the end of each calendar quarter, the Contractor shall prepare a statement of Costs and Expenses incurred in providing the Services, setting forth the basis for calculation in such detail as reasonably requested. The Contractor shall then deliver an invoice to the Company for such costs together with the corresponding Services Fee. The Company shall pay undisputed charges within 30 days of receipt of the Contractor’s invoice.

4.4

The Company shall pay the Services Fee to the Contractor less any applicable withholding taxes.

5.	INDEMNITY

5.1

The Contractor shall be under no responsibility or liability for any loss or damage, whether loss of profits or otherwise, to the Company arising out of any act or omission involving any error of judgment or any negligence on the part of the Contractor or any of its officers, employees, agents and subcontractors in connection with the performance of the Services under this Agreement, unless the acts or omissions leading to a loss or damage are caused by fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Contractor, its officers, employees or agents or subcontractors.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, unless the acts or omissions leading to a loss or damage are caused by or due to the fraud of the Contractor or its officers, employees, agents or subcontractors, the Contractor shall not, under any circumstances whatsoever, be liable to compensate the Company for any loss or damage in excess of ten (10) times the annual Services Fee.

5.2

The Company agrees to indemnify and keep the Contractor and its sub-contractors, together with its sub-contractors’ officers and employees, indemnified against any and all liabilities, costs, claims, demands, proceedings, charges, actions, suits or expenses of whatsoever kind or character that may be incurred or suffered by any of them howsoever arising (other than by reason of fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Contractor or any of its officers, employees, agents and subcontractors) in connection with the provision of the Services or the performance of the Services hereunder.

The Contractor shall not be required to take any legal action on behalf of the Company unless being fully indemnified (to its reasonable satisfaction) for all costs and liabilities likely to be incurred or suffered by it as a consequence thereof.

5.3

The indemnities provided by the Company hereunder shall cover all reasonable costs and expenses payable or incurred by the Contractor in connection with any claims.

5.4

To the extent the Contractor is entitled to claim any indemnity in respect of amounts paid or discharged by the Contractor pursuant to this Agreement, these indemnities shall take effect as an obligation of the Company to reimburse the Contractor for making such payment or effecting such discharge.

5.5

The indemnification provided by this clause shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under any statute, agreement, the organizational documents of the Company or otherwise, and shall continue after the termination of this Agreement.

6.	CONFIDENTIALITY

6.1

All Confidential Information furnished to, or developed by, the Contractor or any of its employees, directors or sub-contractors pursuant to this Agreement shall be the property of the Company, and shall be kept confidential by the Contractor, both during and after the term of this Agreement.

(a)

For the purpose of this clause, “Confidential Information” shall mean information relating to the business of the Company as well as all know-how of which the Contractor becomes aware or generates in the course of or in connection with the performance of its obligations hereunder.

(b)

The provisions of this clause shall not apply to Confidential Information which:

(i)

is required to be disclosed by law or court order; or

(ii)

has become public knowledge otherwise than as a result of the conduct of the Contractor.

(c)

The Company shall be entitled to any equitable remedy available at law or equity, including specific performance, against a breach by the Contractor of this obligation.

6.2

All Confidential Information furnished to, or developed by, the Company or any of its employees, directors or sub-contractors pursuant to this Agreement shall be the property of the Contractor, and shall be kept confidential by the Company, both during and after the term of Agreement.

(a)

For the purpose of this clause, “Confidential Information” shall mean information relating to the business of the Contractor as well as all know-how of which the Company becomes aware or generates in the course of or in connection with the performance of its obligations hereunder.

(b)

The provisions of this clause shall not apply to Confidential Information which:

(i)

is required to be disclosed by law or court order; or

(ii)

has become public knowledge otherwise than as a result of the conduct of the Company.

(c)

The Contractor shall be entitled to any equitable remedy available at law or equity, including specific performance, against a breach by the company of this obligation.

7.	TERM AND TERMINATION

7.1

This Agreement shall have an initial term of five (5) years unless terminated:

(a)

by the Board of Directors of the Company upon 90 days’ written notice for any reason in its sole discretion or pursuant to Section 8.1 hereof; or

(b)

by the Contractor upon 90 days’ written notice if:

(i)

there is a Change of Control of the Company or Seadrill Partners;

(ii)

a receiver is appointed for all or substantially all of the property of the Company;

(iii)

an order is made to wind up the Company;

(iv)

a final judgment, order or decree which materially and adversely affects the ability of the Company to perform under this Agreement shall have been obtained or entered against the Company, and such judgment, order or decree shall not have been vacated, discharged or stayed; or

(v)

the Company makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, files a petition in bankruptcy or for liquidation, is adjudged insolvent or bankrupt, commences any proceeding for a reorganization or arrangement of debts, dissolution or liquidation.

7.2

Upon termination of this agreement, the Manager shall surrender to the Company any and all books, records, documents and other property in the possession or control of the Manager relating to this Agreement and to the business, finance, technology, trademark or affairs of the Company and its subsidiaries, and except as required by law, shall not retain any copies of the same.

8.	DEFAULT

8.1

Notwithstanding Section 7.1(a), if the Contractor shall, by any act or omission, be in breach of any material obligation under this Agreement and such breach shall continue for a period of 14 days after written notice thereof has been given by the Company to the Contractor, the Company shall have the right to terminate this Agreement with immediate effect by notice to the Contractor.

The right to terminate this Agreement shall be in addition to and without prejudice to any other rights which the Company may have against the Contractor hereunder.

9.	FORCE MAJEURE

Neither Party shall incur liability of any kind or nature whatsoever in relation to the other Party in the event of a failure to perform any of its obligations hereunder directly or indirectly caused by circumstances beyond the relevant Party’s reasonable control, such as war or war-like activities, government orders, riots, civil commotion, strike, lock-out or similar actions, an act of God, peril of the sea or any other similar cause.

10.

NOTICES

All correspondence or notices required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be given in English and sent by mail, telefax, electronic mail or delivered by hand at the following addresses:

If to the Company:

Seadrill Canada Ltd.

Xxxxxxx XxXxxxxx

X.X. Xxx 0000

Xxxxx 0000 Xxxxx Xxxxx

000 Xxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx

Xx. Xxxx’s NL A1C 6K3

Attn: President

If to the Contractor:

Seadrill Americas Inc.

00000 Xxxxxx Xxxxx

Xxxxx 000

Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000, XXX

Telefax: + 0 000.000.0000

Attn: President

or such other address or telefax number as either Party may designate to the other Party in writing.

11.

MISCELLANEOUS

11.1

The Contractor shall not be entitled to assign its rights and/or obligations under this Agreement unless the prior written consent of the Company has been obtained. The Contractor may freely subcontract or sub-license this Agreement, so long as the Contractor remains liable for performance of the Services and its obligations under this Agreement.

11.2

The relationship between the parties is that of independent contractor. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to constitute a partnership or joint venture relationship between the Parties.

11.3

No term of this Agreement is enforceable by a person who is not a Party to it, except by the affiliates of the Company and/or the Contractor.

11.4

This Agreement shall not be amended, supplemented or modified save by written agreement signed by or on behalf of the Parties.

11.5

The failure of either party to enforce any term of this Agreement shall not act as a waiver. Any waiver must be specifically stated as such in writing.

11.6

If any provision herein is held to be void or unenforceable, the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions herein shall remain unaffected and enforceable.

11.7

This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the affiliates of the Company and/or the Contractor.

11.8

This Agreement may be executed in one or more signed counterparts, facsimile or otherwise, which shall together form one instrument.

12.

GOVERNING LAW AND ARBITRATION

12.1

This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the law in England and Wales.

12.2

Any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or the breach, termination or invalidity thereof, shall be settled by arbitration in accordance with the provisions of the Norwegian Arbitration Xxx 0000.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]


For and on behalf of				For and on behalf of
SEADRILL AMERICAS INC.				SEADRILL CANADA LTD.

/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx				/s/ Iain Hope
Signature				Signature

Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx				Iain Hope
Name with block letters				Name with block letters

SIGNATURE PAGE TO

ADVISORY, TECHNICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

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ADVISORY, TECHNICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT between Seadrill Americas Inc. and Seadrill Canada Ltd.

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