Exhibit 2.1
Execution Version
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
AMONG
NOBLE CORPORATION
NOBLE AM MERGER CO.
FDR HOLDINGS LIMITED
AND
CERTAIN SHAREHOLDERS OF
FDR HOLDINGS LIMITED AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
Dated June 27, 2010
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ARTICLE I THE MERGER |
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2 |
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Section 1.1 The Merger |
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2 |
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Section 1.2 Closing |
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2 |
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Section 1.3 Effective Time of the Merger |
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2 |
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Section 1.4 Effects of the Merger |
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3 |
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ARTICLE II EFFECT OF THE MERGER ON THE SHARE CAPITAL OF THE CONSTITUENT COMPANIES;
EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES |
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3 |
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Section 2.1 Effect on Share Capital and Membership Interests |
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3 |
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Section 2.2 Merger Consideration |
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4 |
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Section 2.3 Conversion of Shares |
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4 |
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Section 2.4 Exchange of Shares |
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7 |
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Section 2.5 Register of Members |
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8 |
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Section 2.6 Dissenting Shares |
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8 |
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Section 2.7 Treatment of Stock Options |
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9 |
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Section 2.8 Company Transaction Costs, Closing Day Severance Payments and Credit Facility
Payoff Amounts |
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9 |
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Section 2.9 Post-Closing Day Severance Payments; Release of Severance Holdback Escrow
Amount |
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10 |
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ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE CLOSING DATE PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS |
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12 |
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Section 3.1 Organization |
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12 |
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Section 3.2 Authorization; Enforceability |
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12 |
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Section 3.3 Absence of Restrictions and Conflicts |
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13 |
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Section 3.4 Ownership |
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13 |
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Section 3.5 Brokers, Finders and Investment Bankers |
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14 |
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ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY |
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14 |
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Section 4.1 Organization of the Company |
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14 |
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Section 4.2 Authorization; Enforceability |
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15 |
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Section 4.3 Subsidiaries, Joint Ventures, and Investments |
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15 |
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Section 4.4 Capitalization |
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16 |
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Section 4.5 Absence of Restrictions and Conflicts; Consents |
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19 |
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Section 4.6 Properties; Adequacy of Assets |
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20 |
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Section 4.7 Registration of Vessels |
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20 |
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Section 4.8 Financial Statements |
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21 |
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Section 4.9 No Undisclosed Liabilities |
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22 |
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Section 4.10 Absence of Certain Changes |
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23 |
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Section 4.11 Legal Proceedings |
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23 |
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Section 4.12 Compliance with Law |
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23 |
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Section 4.13 Company Contracts |
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24 |
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Section 4.14 Tax Returns; Taxes |
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27 |
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Section 4.15 Directors, Officers and Employees |
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29 |
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Section 4.16 Company Benefit Plans |
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30 |
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i
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Section 4.17 Labor Matters |
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33 |
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Section 4.18 Insurance Policies |
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35 |
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Section 4.19 Intellectual Property; Software |
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35 |
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Section 4.20 Licenses and Permits |
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36 |
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Section 4.21 Bank Accounts; Powers of Attorney |
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36 |
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Section 4.22 Brokers, Finders and Investment Bankers |
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37 |
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Section 4.23 No Fiduciary Office |
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37 |
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Section 4.24 Anti-Corruption Laws |
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37 |
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Section 4.25 Capital Expenditure Program |
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37 |
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Section 4.26 Bully Rights |
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38 |
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Section 4.27 Accounts Receivable |
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38 |
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Section 4.28 Recapitalization |
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38 |
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Section 4.29 Other Related Party Agreements |
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38 |
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ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND MERGER SUB |
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39 |
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Section 5.1 Organization |
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39 |
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Section 5.2 Authorization |
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39 |
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Section 5.3 Absence of Restrictions and Conflicts; Consents |
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39 |
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Section 5.4 Brokers, Finders and Investment Bankers |
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40 |
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Section 5.5 Available Funds |
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40 |
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ARTICLE VI CERTAIN COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS |
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41 |
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Section 6.1 Conduct of Operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries |
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41 |
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Section 6.2 Prohibited Activities |
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41 |
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Section 6.3 Company Shareholder’s Meeting |
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44 |
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Section 6.4 Support of the Merger |
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44 |
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Section 6.5 Control of Other Party’s Business |
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44 |
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Section 6.6 Inspection and Access to Information |
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44 |
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Section 6.7 HSR and Other Approvals |
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45 |
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Section 6.8 Public Announcements |
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48 |
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Section 6.9 Disclosure Schedules |
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48 |
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Section 6.10 Tax Matters |
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49 |
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Section 6.11 Employee Matters |
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51 |
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Section 6.12 Notice of Other Party’s Breach |
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52 |
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Section 6.13 Release of Claims |
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53 |
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Section 6.14 Indemnification, Exculpation and Insurance |
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54 |
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Section 6.15 No Shop |
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56 |
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Section 6.16 Termination of Related Party Agreements |
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56 |
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Section 6.17 Additional Financial Statements |
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56 |
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Section 6.18 Required Consents |
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57 |
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Section 6.19 Credit Facility Payoff Letters |
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58 |
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Section 6.20 Further Assurances |
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58 |
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Section 6.21 No Solicitation |
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59 |
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Section 6.22 Covenant to Avoid Dividends and Liens |
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59 |
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Section 6.23 Completion of the Recapitalization |
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59 |
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ii
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ARTICLE VII CONDITIONS TO CLOSING |
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59 |
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Section 7.1 Conditions to Each Party’s Obligations |
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59 |
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Section 7.2 Conditions to Obligations of Parent and Merger Sub |
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60 |
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Section 7.3 Conditions to Obligations of the Company and the Closing Date Principal
Shareholders |
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62 |
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ARTICLE VIII TERMINATION |
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63 |
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Section 8.1 Termination |
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63 |
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Section 8.2 Specific Performance and Other Remedies |
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63 |
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Section 8.3 Effect of Termination |
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64 |
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ARTICLE IX INDEMNIFICATION |
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64 |
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Section 9.1 Indemnification Obligations of the Closing Date Principal Shareholders |
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64 |
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Section 9.2 Indemnification Obligations of Parent |
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65 |
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Section 9.3 Indemnification Procedure |
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66 |
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Section 9.4 Claims Period |
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68 |
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Section 9.5 Limits of Liability |
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68 |
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Section 9.6 Sole and Exclusive Remedy; Recourse Against Escrowed Funds |
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69 |
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Section 9.7 Compliance with Express Negligence Rule |
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72 |
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Section 9.8 Insurance Proceeds |
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72 |
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Section 9.9 DISCLAIMER |
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72 |
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ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS |
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73 |
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Section 10.1 Notices |
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73 |
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Section 10.2 Schedules and Exhibits |
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75 |
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Section 10.3 Shareholder Representative |
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75 |
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Section 10.4 Assignment; Successors in Interest |
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77 |
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Section 10.5 Number; Gender |
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77 |
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Section 10.6 Captions |
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77 |
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Section 10.7 Controlling Law |
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77 |
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Section 10.8 Consent to Jurisdiction, Etc.; Waiver of Jury Trial |
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77 |
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Section 10.9 Severability |
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78 |
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Section 10.10 Counterparts |
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78 |
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Section 10.11 No Third-Party Beneficiaries |
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78 |
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Section 10.12 Amendment; Waiver |
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78 |
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Section 10.13 Entire Agreement |
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79 |
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Section 10.14 Cooperation Following the Closing |
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79 |
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Section 10.15 Transaction Costs |
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79 |
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Section 10.16 Knowledge |
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79 |
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Section 10.17 Made Available |
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79 |
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Section 10.18 Reasonable Efforts |
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80 |
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Section 10.19 Business Day |
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80 |
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Section 10.20 Construction |
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80 |
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Section 10.21 Legal Representation of Shareholders |
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80 |
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Section 10.22 Non-Recourse |
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81 |
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iii
LIST OF ANNEXES
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Annex I
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Existing Principal Shareholders |
Annex II
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Recapitalizing Shareholders |
Annex III
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Junior Shareholders |
Annex IV
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Senior Shareholders |
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LIST OF EXHIBITS
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Exhibit A Addendum Agreement |
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LIST OF SCHEDULES*
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Schedule 2.3(b)(iv)
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Closing Day Severance Payments |
Schedule 2.3(b)(vi)
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Company Transaction Costs |
Schedule 2.3(b)(xii)
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SECP Payments |
Schedule 3.4
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Closing Date Principal Shareholders |
Schedule 3.5
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Brokers, Finders and Investment Bankers |
Schedule 4.1(a)
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Foreign Qualifications |
Schedule 4.3
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Subsidiaries, Joint Ventures and Investments |
Schedule 4.4(a)
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Capitalization |
Schedule 4.4(e)
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Equity Interests |
Schedule 4.4(f)
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Signing Date Indebtedness |
Schedule 4.5(a)
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Absence of Restrictions and Conflicts; Consents |
Schedule 4.5(b)
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Consents and Filings |
Schedule 4.5(c)
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Company Shareholder Approval |
Schedule 4.6
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Vessels |
Schedule 4.6(a)
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Marketable Title; Defects |
Schedule 4.6(b)
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Liens |
Schedule 4.7
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Vessel Registration |
Schedule 4.8(a)
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Audited Financial Statements of the Company |
Schedule 4.8(b)
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Unaudited Financial Statements of the Company |
Schedule 4.8(c)
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Financial Statements of Bully 1 Joint Venture |
Schedule 4.8(d)
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Financial Statements of Bully 2 Joint Venture |
Schedule 4.8(e)
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Changes in Accounting Policies, Practices or Procedures |
Schedule 4.9
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No Undisclosed Liabilities |
Schedule 4.10
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Absence of Certain Changes |
Schedule 4.11
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Legal Proceedings |
Schedule 4.13
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Company Contracts |
Schedule 4.14(a)
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Tax Returns; Taxes |
Schedule 4.14(a)(xv)
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Subject Entities |
Schedule 4.15
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Directors, Officers and Employees |
Schedule 4.16(a)
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Company Benefit Plans |
Schedule 4.16(e)
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Company Benefit Plan Compliance |
Schedule 4.16(f)
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Payments under Company Benefit Plans |
Schedule 4.16(i)
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Foreign Plans |
Schedule 4.16(k)
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Employee Payments |
Schedule 4.17
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Labor Relations |
iv
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Schedule 4.18
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Insurance Policies |
Schedule 4.19
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Intellectual Property; Software |
Schedule 4.20
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Licenses and Permits |
Schedule 4.21
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Bank Accounts; Powers of Attorney |
Schedule 4.22
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Brokers, Finders and Investment Bankers |
Schedule 4.24(a)
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Anti-Corruption Laws |
Schedule 4.24(b)
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Anti-Corruption Activities |
Schedule 4.24(c)
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Anti-Corruption – Prohibited Activities |
Schedule 4.25
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Capital Expenditure Program and Construction Schedules |
Schedule 4.26
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Bully 1 and Bully 2 Purchase Orders |
Schedule 4.27
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Accounts Receivable |
Schedule 4.28
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Recapitalization |
Schedule 4.29
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Other Related Party Agreements |
Schedule 5.4
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Brokers, Finders and Investment Bankers |
Schedule 6.1
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Conduct of Operations of Company and its Subsidiaries |
Schedule 6.2
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Prohibited Activities |
Schedule 6.10(e)
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Foreign Good Standings |
Schedule 6.11(a)
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Continuing Employees |
Schedule 6.11(b)
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Continuing Employee Bonuses and Vacation Time |
Schedule 6.13
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Released Contracts |
Schedule 6.14
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Shareholder Indemnification Agreements |
Schedule 6.16
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Termination of Related Party Agreements |
Schedule 7.2(e)(iii)
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Resigning Officers and Directors |
Schedule 7.2(h)
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Certain Construction Contracts |
Schedule 9.3
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Indemnification Procedure |
*Noble agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule to this Agreement
to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.
v
DEFINED TERMS
The following is a list of the defined terms used in this Agreement:
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1934 Act |
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Section 5.3(a) |
Accrued Amounts |
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Section 2.3(b)(i) |
Acquisition Proposal |
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Section 6.15 |
Actions |
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Section 4.11 |
Adjusted Aggregate Credit Facility Payoff Amount |
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Section 2.3(b)(ii) |
Affiliate |
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Section 6.7(c) |
Aggregate Credit Facility Payoff Amount |
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Section 6.19 |
Agreement |
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Preamble |
Antitrust Authority |
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Section 6.7(b) |
Antitrust Laws |
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Section 6.7(b) |
Antitrust Prohibition |
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Section 6.7(b) |
Applicable Laws |
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Section 4.12 |
Bully 1 |
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Section 4.25 |
Bully 1 Credit Agreement |
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Section 4.4(g)(i) |
Bully 1 Drilling Contract |
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Section 4.25 |
Bully 1 Financial Statements |
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Section 4.8(c) |
Bully 1 Joint Venture |
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Section 2.1 |
Bully 1 Joint Venture Agreement |
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Section 7.2(f) |
Bully 2 |
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Section 4.25 |
Bully 2 Credit Agreement |
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Section 4.4(g)(ii) |
Bully 2 Drilling Contract |
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Section 4.25 |
Bully 2 Financial Statements |
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Section 4.8(d) |
Bully 2 Joint Venture |
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Section 2.1 |
Bully 2 Joint Venture Agreement |
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Section 7.2(f) |
Bully Construction Programs |
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Section 4.25 |
Bully Joint Venture Companies |
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Section 2.1 |
Bully Project Severance Payment |
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Section 2.3(b)(iii) |
Business Day |
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Section 10.19 |
Business IP |
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Section 4.19(a) |
Claims |
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Section 6.13(c) |
Claims Period |
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Section 9.4(a) |
Closing |
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Section 1.2 |
Closing Date |
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Section 1.2 |
Closing Date Employee |
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Section 2.9(a) |
Closing Date Majority |
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Section 10.3(d) |
Closing Date Principal Shareholders |
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Preamble |
Closing Date Taxable Year |
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Section 6.10(d) |
Closing Date Taxable Years |
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Section 6.10(d) |
Closing Day Severance Payment Deduct Amount |
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Section 2.3(b)(xii) |
Closing Day Severance Payments |
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Section 2.3(b)(iv) |
COBRA |
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Section 4.16(e)(viii) |
Code |
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Section 2.4(d) |
Companies Law |
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Recitals |
6
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Company |
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Preamble |
Company Ancillary Documents |
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Section 2.3(b)(i) |
Company Benefit Plan |
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Section 4.16(a) |
Company Contracts |
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Section 4.13 |
Company Credit Facilities |
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Section 4.4(g)(iii) |
Company D&O Insurance |
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Section 6.14(d) |
Company Options |
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Section 2.7 |
Company Ordinary Shares |
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Recitals |
Company Shareholder Approval |
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Recitals |
Company Transaction Costs |
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Section 2.3(b)(i) |
Constituent Companies |
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Section 1.1 |
Construction Contract |
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Section 4.13(a) |
Construction Schedules |
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Section 4.25 |
Continuing Employee |
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Section 6.11(a) |
Control |
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Section 6.7(c) |
Controlled |
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Section 6.7(c) |
Controlling |
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Section 6.7(c) |
Converting Interests |
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Recitals |
Designated Entity |
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Section 2.8(c) |
Dissenting Shares |
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Section 2.6 |
Divestiture Action |
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Section 6.7(b) |
Driller Ltd |
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Recitals |
Driller Ltd. First Lien Agent |
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Section 4.4(g)(iv) |
Driller Ltd. First Lien Credit Agreement |
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Section 4.4(g)(iv) |
Driller Ltd. First Lien Payoff Amount |
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Section 6.19(c) |
Driller Ltd. First Lien Payoff Letter |
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Section 6.19(c) |
Driller Ltd. Second Lien Agent |
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Section 4.4(g)(v) |
Driller Ltd. Second Lien Credit Agreement |
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Section 4.4(g)(v) |
Driller Ltd. Second Lien Payoff Amount |
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Section 6.19(d) |
Driller Ltd. Second Lien Payoff Letter |
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Section 6.19(d) |
Drilling ASA |
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Recitals |
Drilling Contract |
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Section 4.13(b) |
Drilling USA First Lien Agent |
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Section 4.4(g)(vi) |
Drilling USA First Lien Credit Agreement |
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Section 4.4(g)(vi) |
Drilling USA First Lien Payoff Amount |
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Section 6.19(a) |
Drilling USA First Lien Payoff Letter |
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Section 6.19(a) |
Drilling USA Second Lien Agent |
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Section 4.4(g)(vii) |
Drilling USA Second Lien Credit Agreement |
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Section 4.4(g)(vii) |
Drilling USA Second Lien Payoff Amount |
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Section 6.19(b) |
Drilling USA Second Lien Payoff Letter |
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Section 6.19(b) |
Drillships 1 |
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Recitals |
Drillships 2 |
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Recitals |
Drop Dead Date |
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Section 8.1(b)(ii) |
Effective Time |
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Section 1.3 |
Employee Benefit Plan |
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Section 4.16(a) |
Enforceability Exceptions |
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Section 3.2(b) |
7
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Environmental, Health and Safety Requirements |
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Section 4.12 |
ERISA |
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Section 4.16(a) |
ERISA Affiliate |
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Section 4.16(c) |
Escrow Agent |
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Section 2.4(a) |
Escrow Agreement |
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Section 2.4(a) |
Escrow Amount |
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Section 2.3(b)(vii) |
Excluded Claims |
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Section 9.5(a) |
Excluded Losses |
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Section 9.1(d) |
Excluded Shares |
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Section 2.1 |
Existing Principal Shareholders |
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Preamble |
FCPA |
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Section 4.24 |
Financial Statements |
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Section 4.8(b) |
Financing |
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Section 6.17 |
Financing Sources |
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Section 9.5(c) |
Foreign Competition Notifications |
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Section 6.7(b) |
Foreign Plan |
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Section 4.16(i) |
GAAP |
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Section 4.8(e) |
Governmental Entities |
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Section 3.3(a) |
Governmental Entity |
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Section 3.3(a) |
Hazardous Materials |
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Section 4.12 |
HSR Act |
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Section 4.5(b) |
Indemnification Escrow Amount |
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Section 2.3(b)(vii) |
Indemnified Party |
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Section 9.3(a) |
Indemnifying Party |
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Section 9.3(a) |
Intellectual Property |
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Section 4.19(b) |
Internal Revenue Service |
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Section 4.16(b) |
Junior Shareholder |
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Section 2.3(b)(ix) |
Knowledge |
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Section 10.16 |
Legal Dispute |
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Section 10.8 |
Liens |
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Section 4.3(a) |
Losses |
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Section 9.1(d) |
Made Available |
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Section 10.17 |
Management Services Agreement |
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Section 4.29(c) |
Material Adverse Effect |
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Section 4.1(b) |
Maximum Severance Payout Amount |
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Section 2.9(b) |
Maximum Severance Payout Deduct Amount |
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Section 2.9(c) |
Merger |
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Recitals |
Merger Consideration |
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Section 2.2 |
Merger Sub |
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Preamble |
Most Recent Balance Sheet |
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Section 4.8(b) |
NYSE |
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Section 5.3(b) |
Option Consideration |
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Section 2.7 |
Outstanding Shares |
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Recitals |
Ownership Percentage |
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Section 2.9(c) |
Parent |
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Preamble |
Parent Ancillary Documents |
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Section 5.2(a) |
8
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Parent Basket |
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Section 9.5(a) |
Parent De Minimis Liabilities |
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Section 9.5(a) |
Parent Indemnified Parties |
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Section 9.1(a) |
Parent Losses |
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Section 9.1(e) |
Parent Material Adverse Effect |
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Section 5.3(a) |
Partially Owned Subsidiaries |
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Recitals |
Parties |
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Preamble |
Party |
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Preamble |
Pending Claim Amount |
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Section 9.6(g) |
Pending Claims |
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Section 9.6(g) |
Per Share Cash Amount |
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Section 2.3(b)(vii) |
Per Share Escrow Amount |
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Section 2.3(b)(xi) |
Permit |
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Section 4.20 |
Permitted Exceptions |
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Section 4.6(b) |
Permitted Indebtedness |
|
Section 6.2(v) |
Person |
|
Section 2.1 |
Plan of Merger |
|
Section 1.3 |
Post-Closing Day Severance Payment |
|
Section 2.9(a) |
Post-Closing Day Severance Payment Deduct Amount |
|
Section 2.9(d)(i) |
Post-Closing Tax Actions |
|
Section 6.10(c) |
Pre-Closing Date Tax Returns |
|
Section 6.10(a) |
Primary Claims Period |
|
Section 9.4(a) |
Primary Escrow Release Date |
|
Section 9.6(g)(i) |
Principal Shareholder Ancillary Documents |
|
Section 2.3(b)(i) |
Reasonable Efforts |
|
Section 10.18 |
Recapitalization |
|
Recitals |
Recapitalization Agreement |
|
Recitals |
Recapitalizing Shareholders |
|
Preamble |
Related Party Agreements |
|
Section 4.13(e) |
Released Claims |
|
Section 6.13(a) |
Released Contracts |
|
Section 6.13(b) |
Releasees |
|
Section 6.13(a) |
Releasing Party |
|
Section 6.13(a) |
Remaining Closing Date Employees |
|
Section 2.9(d)(i) |
SEC |
|
Section 6.17(d) |
SECP Participant |
|
Section 2.8(b) |
SECP Payments |
|
Section 2.3(b)(xii) |
Senior Holder |
|
Section 2.3(b)(xiii) |
Severance Amounts |
|
Section 2.3(b)(xiv) |
Severance Holdback Escrow Amount |
|
Section 2.3(b)(xii) |
Shareholder |
|
Recitals |
Shareholder Indemnified Parties |
|
Section 9.2(a) |
Shareholder Indemnitees |
|
Section 6.14(a) |
Shareholder Losses |
|
Section 9.2(b) |
Shareholder Representative |
|
Section 10.3(a) |
Shareholders’ Agreement |
|
Section 3.4 |
9
|
|
|
|
|
Shell |
|
Section 7.2(f) |
Signing Date Indebtedness |
|
Section 4.4(f) |
Stock Option Plan |
|
Section 2.7 |
Subject Entity |
|
Section 4.14(a)(xv) |
Subsidiary |
|
Section 2.1 |
Surviving Company |
|
Section 1.1 |
Surviving Company Options |
|
Section 2.7 |
Tax |
|
Section 4.14(b) |
Tax Contest |
|
Section 6.10(b) |
Tax Items |
|
Section 4.14(a)(ii) |
Tax Related Claims Period |
|
Section 9.4(a) |
Tax Related Parent Losses |
|
Section 9.4(a) |
Tax Related Retained Escrow Amount |
|
Section 9.5(a)(i) |
Tax Related Retained Escrow Release Date |
|
Section 9.6(g)(ii) |
Tax Return |
|
Section 4.14(b) |
Taxes |
|
Section 4.14(b) |
Terminable Breach |
|
Section 8.1(b)(iii) |
Termination Date |
|
Section 8.1 |
Total Per Share Merger Consideration |
|
Section 2.3(b)(xvi) |
Vessels |
|
Section 4.6(a) |
WARN Act |
|
Section 4.17(ix) |
10
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated June 27, 2010 (the “Agreement”), among Noble
Corporation, a Swiss corporation (“Parent”), Noble AM Merger Co., an exempted company with
limited liability in the Cayman Islands and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Parent
(“Merger Sub”) , FDR Holdings Limited, an exempted company with limited liability in the
Cayman Islands having its registered office at Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, 00 Xxxx Xxxxxx, P.O. Box 1350,
KY1-1108, Xxxxxx Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands (the “Company”), the shareholders of
the Company listed on Annex I to this Agreement (the “Existing Principal
Shareholders”) and all such parties to the Recapitalization Agreement (as defined below) other
than the Company, as listed on Annex II to this Agreement (the “Recapitalizing
Shareholders,” together with the Existing Principal Shareholders, the “Closing Date
Principal Shareholders”). Each of Parent, the Merger Sub, the Company, and the Closing Date
Principal Shareholders are referred to herein as a “Party” and together as the
“Parties.”
WHEREAS, the respective Boards of Directors of Parent, the Company and Merger Sub have
determined that the merger of Merger Sub with and into the Company, with the Company being the
Surviving Company (the “Merger”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in
this Agreement and pursuant to the Companies Law (2009 Revision) of the Cayman Islands (the
“Companies Law”), would be fair and in the best interests of their respective companies and
shareholders, and such Boards of Directors have approved, and the sole shareholder of Merger Sub
will approve, such Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby and have adopted this
Agreement in accordance with the Companies Law (and, in the case of the Company, recommended that
this Agreement be adopted by the Shareholders), pursuant to which the ordinary shares of Merger Sub
issued and outstanding at the Effective Time (as defined below) will be converted, subject to the
terms hereof, into ordinary shares of the Company (“Company Ordinary Shares” ) and each
share of the Company outstanding at the Effective Time, including the Company Ordinary Shares
issued to the Recapitalizing Shareholders in connection with the Recapitalization (collectively,
the “Outstanding Shares”; each holder of an Outstanding Share is referred to herein as a
“Shareholder”), excluding Dissenting Shares and Excluded Shares as hereinafter provided,
shall be converted, subject to the terms hereof, into the right to receive the applicable Per Share
Cash Amount plus the right to receive payments, if any, pursuant to Sections 2.9(c), 2.9(d)
and Section 9.6(g);
WHEREAS, the Recapitalizing Shareholders collectively own all of the issued and outstanding
preferred shares, shareholder loans and certain other interests in Frontier Drilling ASA, a
Norwegian public limited company (“Drilling ASA”), Frontier Drillships, Ltd., a Cayman
Islands exempted company (“Drillships 1”), Frontier Drillships 2, Ltd., a Cayman Islands
exempted company (“Drillships 2”) and Frontier Driller Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted
company (“Driller Ltd,” together with Drilling ASA,
Drillships 1 and Drillships 2, the “Partially Owned Subsidiaries”), and 70% of the
ordinary shares in Drillships 2 (collectively, the “Converting Interests”);
WHEREAS, in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the
Recapitalizing Shareholders and the Company have entered into a Recapitalization Agreement dated
the date hereof (the “Recapitalization Agreement”), pursuant and subject to the terms and
conditions of which, immediately prior to the Merger, the Company will purchase the
1
Converting
Interests in exchange for the issuance of Company Ordinary Shares to the Recapitalizing
Shareholders (the “Recapitalization”);
WHEREAS, upon consummating the Recapitalization, the Partially Owned Subsidiaries will each be
100% owned by the Company;
WHEREAS, authorization and consummation of the Merger by the Company and approval of this
Agreement require the affirmative vote of a majority in number of Shareholders representing at
least 75% in value of the shareholders of the Company, voting together as one class (such approval,
the “Company Shareholder Approval”); and
WHEREAS, the Existing Principal Shareholders and the Recapitalizing Shareholders will benefit
directly and indirectly from the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and, with respect to
the Recapitalizing Shareholders, the Recapitalization Agreement, and are entering into this
Agreement and, with respect to the Recapitalizing Shareholders, the Recapitalization Agreement, to
induce Parent and Merger Sub to enter into this Agreement and consummate the Merger.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the representations, warranties,
covenants and agreements herein contained, the Parties hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
THE MERGER
Section 1.1 The Merger. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, and
in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Law, Merger Sub shall be merged with and into
the Company at the Effective Time. At the Effective Time, the separate existence of Merger Sub
shall cease, and the Company shall continue as the surviving company (Merger Sub and the Company
are sometimes hereinafter referred to as “Constituent Companies” and the Company is
sometimes hereinafter referred to as the “Surviving Company”) and shall continue under the
name “FDR Holdings Limited.”
Section 1.2 Closing. Unless this Agreement shall have been terminated and the transactions herein contemplated shall
have been abandoned pursuant to Section 8.1, and subject to the satisfaction or waiver of
the conditions set forth in Article VII, the closing of the Merger (the “Closing”) shall
take place at 9:00 a.m., Houston time, on July 30, 2010 (the “Closing Date”), at the
offices of Xxxxxx & Xxxxxx L.L.P., 0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000, unless another date,
time or place is agreed to in writing by the Parent and Company.
Section 1.3 Effective Time of the Merger. At the Closing, the Company and Merger Sub will cause the
plan of merger and all other documents as may be required under the Companies Law, in a form
mutually acceptable to Parent and the Company (the “Plan of Merger”) to be executed,
acknowledged and filed with the Registrar of Companies of the Cayman Islands as provided in Section 233(9) of the Companies Law together with the authorizations, consents and documents referred to in
such subsection. The Merger will become effective upon the date of the issuance of a Certificate
of Merger by the Registrar of Companies (the “Effective Time”).
2
Section 1.4 Effects of the Merger.
(a) The Merger shall have the effects as set forth in this Agreement, the Plan of Merger and
the applicable provisions of the Companies Law.
(b) The memorandum and articles of association of Merger Sub as in effect at the Effective
Time shall be the memorandum and articles of association of the Surviving Company, until duly
amended in accordance with the provisions thereof and the Companies Law.
(c) The directors and officers of Merger Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time will,
from and after the Effective Time, continue as the directors and officers, respectively, of the
Surviving Company until their successors have been duly elected or appointed and qualified or until
their earlier death, resignation or removal in accordance with the articles of association of the
Surviving Company.
ARTICLE II
EFFECT OF THE MERGER ON THE SHARE CAPITAL OF THE
CONSTITUENT COMPANIES; EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES
Section 2.1 Effect on Share Capital and Membership Interests. At the Effective Time, by virtue of the
Merger and without any action on the part of the holder of any Outstanding Shares or the holder of
any outstanding shares of Merger Sub, all of the Outstanding Shares and any other shares of the
Company that are owned, directly or indirectly, by Parent, Merger Sub or any other Subsidiary of
Parent shall be canceled and retired and shall cease to exist, and all of the Outstanding Shares
and any other shares of the Company that are
owned, directly or indirectly, by any Subsidiary of the Company shall remain outstanding and, in
either case, no consideration shall be delivered or deliverable in exchange therefor (collectively,
the “Excluded Shares”). As used in this Agreement, the term “Subsidiary,” with
respect to any Person, means any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, unlimited
liability company, business trust, mutual stock company, joint stock company, trust, joint venture,
or other association or organization, whether incorporated or unincorporated, of which: (i) such
Person or any other subsidiary of such Person is a general partner; or (ii) voting power to elect a
majority of the Board of Directors or others performing similar functions with respect to such
corporation, limited liability company, unlimited liability company, business trust, mutual stock
company, joint stock company, trust, joint venture, or other association or organization is held by
such Person or by any one or more of its subsidiaries. For avoidance of doubt, with respect to the
Company, the term “Subsidiary” shall include Bully 1, Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company
(together with its Subsidiaries, if any, “Bully 1 Joint Venture” and Bully 2, Ltd., a
Cayman Islands exempted company (together with its Subsidiaries, if any, “Bully 2 Joint
Venture,” together with Bully 1 Joint Venture, the “Bully Joint Venture Companies”).
As used in this Agreement, “Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited
liability company, unlimited liability company, business trust, mutual stock company, joint stock
company, joint venture, trust, Governmental Entity (or political subdivision thereof) or other
organization or association.
3
Section 2.2 Merger Consideration. The total consideration, subject to adjustment in accordance with the terms of this Agreement
(including pursuant to Sections 2.6, 2.9 and 6.22), to be paid by Parent
(i) to the Shareholders in respect of all the Outstanding Shares, other than the Dissenting Shares
and the Excluded Shares, (ii) on behalf of the Shareholders with respect to certain Company
Transaction Costs and (iii) on behalf of the Company and its Subsidiaries with respect to
(w) certain Company Transaction Costs, (x) the Adjusted Aggregate Credit Facility Payoff Amount,
(y) the SECP Payments and (z) the Closing Day Severance Payment Deduct Amount, all as described
below, and, in each case, in exchange for the Merger and the agreements and covenants set forth in
this Agreement, shall be U.S.$1,703,000,000 in cash (the “Merger Consideration”).
Section 2.3 Conversion of Shares.
(a) At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of
Parent, Merger Sub, the Company or the holders of any of the shares of the Company or Merger Sub,
(i) each Outstanding Share, other than the Excluded Shares and the Dissenting Shares, shall be
converted into the right to receive the applicable Per Share Cash Amount plus the right to receive
payments, if any, pursuant to Sections 2.9(c), 2.9(d) and 9.6(g), payable to the
registered holder thereof without interest thereon and (ii) each ordinary share of Merger Sub
issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into an ordinary
share of the Surviving Company. The Merger Consideration shall be distributed to the Shareholders,
as set forth in Section 2.4, other than with respect to holders of Dissenting Shares who
shall receive payment in accordance with Section 2.6 or to holders of Excluded Shares.
(b) Defined Terms. As used herein, the following terms shall have the meanings set
forth below:
(i) “Accrued Amounts” means (A) with respect to Persons who participate
in the Frontier Drilling USA, Inc. Employee Change in Control and Severance Benefit
Plan for Non-Executive Employees or the Frontier Drilling USA, Inc. Employee Change
in Control Plan for Shore-Based Staff, any “Accrued Benefits” (within the meaning of
such term as set forth in the plans), and (B) with respect to Persons who have
entered into an employment agreement with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries,
any “Accrued Amounts” (within the meaning of such term as set forth in the
applicable employment agreement).
(ii) “Adjusted Aggregate Credit Facility Payoff Amount” means the
Aggregate Credit Facility Payoff Amount less the portion of the Aggregate Credit
Facility Payoff Amount attributed to accrued but unpaid interest on principal
amounts outstanding at Closing under the Driller Ltd. First Lien Credit Agreement,
Driller Ltd. Second Lien Credit Agreement, Drilling USA First Lien Credit Agreement
and Drilling USA Second Lien Credit Agreement accruing from the date hereof until
the Closing Date; provided, however, that such deducted amount shall
not exceed $2.9 million.
(iii) “Bully Project Severance Payment” means any Severance Amount due
from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as a result of the termination, on
4
or
before the Closing Date, of employees, with respect to which the payor is entitled
to seek reimbursement by the Bully Joint Venture Companies pursuant to any
Management Services Agreement.
(iv) “Closing Day Severance Payments” means the aggregate dollar amount
of Severance Amounts due from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as a result of
the termination, on or before the Closing Date, of employees in the amounts and with
regard to the Persons listed on Schedule 2.3(b)(iv) (as such schedule may be
updated as of the Closing), who have as of the Closing Date returned a properly
executed release agreement to the Company, other than the SECP Payments.
(v) “Closing Day Severance Payment Deduct Amount” means the
sum of (A) any Closing Day Severance Payments paid pursuant to Section
2.8(b) less any portion of such Closing Day Severance Payments constituting
Accrued Amounts with respect to the applicable employee as set forth under the
column entitled “accrued amounts” on Schedule 2.3(b)(iv) (as such schedule
may be updated as of the Closing), other than any Bully Project Severance Payments
paid pursuant to Section 2.8(b) and (B) 50% of any Bully Project Severance
Payments paid pursuant to Section 2.8(b) less 50% of any portion of such
Bully Project Severance Payments constituting Accrued Amounts with respect to the
applicable employee as set forth under the column entitled “accrued amounts” on
Schedule 2.3(b)(iv) (as such schedule may be updated as of the Closing).
(vi) “Company Transaction Costs” means (i) all fees, costs and expenses
of any brokers, financial advisors, consultants, accountants, attorneys or other
professionals engaged by the Company or the Closing Date Principal Shareholders,
including Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxx & Xxxxxx LLP, Xxxxxxx, Wikborg Rein, Xxxxxx &
Xxxxxxx LLP, Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx LLP, Xxxxx Xxxx & Xxxxxxxx LLP and Deloitte &
Touche, LLP, in connection with the structuring, negotiation or consummation of the
transactions contemplated by (A) this Agreement, (B) the Escrow Agreement, (C) the
Recapitalization Agreement, (D) any other certificate, agreement, document or other
instrument to be executed and delivered by any Closing Date Principal Shareholder
pursuant to Section 7.2(e) (collectively, together with the Escrow Agreement
and the Recapitalization Agreement, the “Principal Shareholder Ancillary
Documents”), and (E) any other certificate, agreement, document or other
instrument to be executed and delivered by the Company pursuant to Section
7.2(e) (collectively, together with the Escrow Agreement and the
Recapitalization Agreement, the “Company Ancillary Documents”), on behalf of
the Company or the Closing Date Principal Shareholders, including the amounts set
forth on Schedule 2.3(b)(vi) (as such schedule may be updated as of the
Closing), and (ii) one-half of the fees and expenses payable to the Escrow Agent in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Escrow
Agreement.
(vii) “Escrow Amount” means the sum of the Indemnification Escrow
Amount and the Severance Holdback Escrow Amount.
5
(viii) “Indemnification Escrow Amount” means $100,000,000.
(ix) “Junior Shareholder” means the holders of Outstanding Shares
listed on Annex III (which Annex shall be delivered prior to the Closing so
as to be accurate as of the Closing) solely with respect to the number of
Outstanding Shares set forth opposite their name on Annex III; provided,
however, that the aggregate number of Outstanding Shares set forth on Annex III
shall not be less than that number of Outstanding Shares that when multiplied by the
Total Per Share Merger Consideration shall be equal to the Escrow Amount.
(x) “Per Share Cash Amount” means (i) in the case of a Senior Holder
with respect to the Outstanding Shares set forth opposite such Senior Holder’s name
on Annex IV (which Annex shall be delivered prior to the Closing so as to be
accurate as of the Closing), the Total Per Share Merger Consideration, and (ii) in
the case of a Junior Shareholder with respect to the Outstanding Shares set forth
opposite such Junior Shareholder’s name on Annex III, a dollar amount equal
to the difference between the Total Per Share Merger Consideration and the Per Share
Escrow Amount.
(xi) “Per Share Escrow Amount” means a dollar amount equal to the
quotient of (A) the Escrow Amount divided by (B) the aggregate number of Outstanding
Shares held by Junior Shareholders (other than Dissenting Shares held by Junior
Shareholders) as set forth on Annex III (which Annex shall be updated so as
to be accurate as of the Closing Date).
(xii) “SECP Payments” means the aggregate dollar amount due on the
Closing Date from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to employees under the
Frontier Drilling USA, Inc. Supplemental Executive Compensation Plan adopted June 4,
2010 as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in the amounts
and with regard to the Persons listed on Schedule 2.3(b)(xii) (as such
schedule may be updated as of the Closing).
(xiii) “Senior Holder” means the holders of Outstanding Shares listed
on Annex IV (which Annex shall be delivered prior to the Closing so as to be
accurate as of the Closing) solely with respect to the number of Outstanding Shares
set forth opposite their name on Annex IV. All shareholders who are not Closing
Date Principal Shareholders shall be Senior Holders.
(xiv) “Severance Amounts” means any and all payments or other benefits
or amounts due from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to employees resulting
from the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including any benefits or
amounts due in connection with a termination of employment) pursuant to (A) any
employment agreement, plan or policy, (B) the Frontier Drilling USA, Inc. Employee
Change in Control and Severance Benefit
Plan for Non-Executive Employees, and (C) the Frontier Drilling USA, Inc.
Employee Change in Control Plan for Shore-Based Staff.
6
(xv) “Severance Holdback Escrow Amount” means $23,000,000 less the
Closing Day Severance Payment Deduct Amount.
(xvi) “Total Per Share Merger Consideration” means a dollar amount
equal to the quotient of (A) the Merger Consideration less the sum of (i) the
Company Transaction Costs identified on Schedule 2.3(b)(vi) (as such
schedule may be updated as of Closing), (ii) the Adjusted Aggregate Credit Facility
Payoff Amount, (iii) the SECP Payments identified on Schedule 2.3(b)(xii)
and (iv) the Closing Day Severance Payment Deduct Amount, divided by (B) the
aggregate number of Outstanding Shares less the aggregate number of the Excluded
Shares.
(c) As of the Effective Time, all Outstanding Shares converted in accordance with this
Section 2.3 shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be canceled and retired
and shall cease to exist and the register of members of the Company shall be updated accordingly,
and each Outstanding Share shall thereafter represent only the right to receive, without interest,
the applicable Per Share Cash Amount plus the right to receive payments, if any, pursuant to
Sections 2.9(c), 2.9(d) and 9.6(g). The holders of such Outstanding Shares shall
cease to have any rights with respect to such Outstanding Shares except as otherwise provided
herein or by Applicable Law and, upon the surrender of such Outstanding Shares in accordance with
the provisions of Section 2.4, shall only have the right to receive for each such share,
the applicable Per Share Cash Amount plus the right to receive payments, if any, pursuant to
Sections 2.9(c), 2.9(d) and 9.6(g), without interest.
Section 2.4 Exchange of Shares.
(a) Escrow. At the Effective Time, Parent shall deposit the Escrow Amount with
JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association (the “Escrow Agent”) to be held in escrow and
distributed by the Escrow Agent pursuant to the terms and conditions of an escrow agreement
consistent with the terms of Section 2.9 and Article IX of this Agreement and
otherwise mutually acceptable to Parent, the Company and the Shareholder Representative (the
“Escrow Agreement”).
(b) Exchange Procedures. Prior to the Closing Date, Parent shall deliver to each
Shareholder, but excluding Shareholders in respect of their Dissenting Shares and Excluded Shares,
(i) a letter of transmittal (which shall specify that delivery of the Outstanding Shares shall be
deemed to be effected by and contemporaneously with the delivery of the letter of transmittal) and
(ii) instructions for use in effecting the surrender and cancellation of the Outstanding Shares and
updating the Company’s register of members to reflect such cancellation in exchange for the
applicable portion of the Merger Consideration. Subject to the Effective Time having occurred, upon
surrender of the Outstanding Shares for cancellation to Parent by means of the letter of
transmittal, duly executed, and such other customary documents as may be required pursuant to such
instructions, each Shareholder shall be entitled to receive from Parent,
in exchange therefor, on behalf of the Constituent Companies, cash in an amount equal to the
applicable Per Share Cash Amount multiplied by the number of Outstanding Shares of such
Shareholder evidenced by the Company’s register of members at the Closing.
7
Such cash payable to the Shareholders shall be wired, in immediately available funds, to the
account or accounts designated by the respective Shareholders in their respective letters of
transmittal or, if requested by any Shareholder in its letter of transmittal, shall be paid by
check. No interest shall be paid on the Merger Consideration.
Until surrendered as contemplated by this Section 2.4, each Outstanding Share (other
than Dissenting Shares or Excluded Shares) shall be deemed at any time after the Effective Time to
evidence only the right to receive upon such surrender the applicable portion of the Merger
Consideration.
(c) No Further Rights. Cash paid upon conversion of Outstanding Shares in accordance
with the terms hereof shall be deemed to have been paid in full satisfaction of all rights
pertaining to such Outstanding Shares.
(d) Withholding Rights. Each of Parent and the Surviving Company shall be entitled to
deduct and withhold from the consideration otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement to any
Person, including, without limitation, payments made pursuant to Sections 2.6, 2.7,
2.8, 2.9 and 9.6(g), such amounts as Parent or the Surviving Company, as the
case may be, is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment under
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Code”), or any provision of federal, state,
local or non-U.S. Tax law. To the extent that amounts are so deducted and withheld by Parent or the
Surviving Company, as the case may be, such deducted and withheld amounts shall be treated for all
purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the Person in respect of which such deduction and
withholding was made by Parent or the Surviving Company.
Section 2.5 Register of Members. At the Closing and after giving effect to any transfers and issuances of Outstanding Shares
pursuant to the Recapitalization Agreement or Section 2.3(b)(ix), the register of members
of the Company shall be closed and there shall be no further registration of transfers of any share
capital of the Company thereafter. From and after the Effective Time, any Outstanding Shares
deemed to be presented to Parent or the Surviving Company for any reason shall be converted into
the applicable portion of the Merger Consideration, subject to Applicable Laws in the case of
Dissenting Shares.
Section 2.6 Dissenting Shares. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, any Outstanding Shares that are
held by any Shareholder who has not voted in favor of the Merger or consented thereto in writing
and who has demanded properly in writing an appraisal for such Outstanding Shares in accordance
with Section 238 of the Companies Law (collectively, the “Dissenting Shares”) will not be
converted into or represent the right to receive the applicable portion of the Merger Consideration
into which the Outstanding Shares held by such Shareholder would otherwise have been converted
pursuant to this Article II. Such shareholders holding Dissenting Shares
will be entitled to receive payment of the appraised value of such Dissenting Shares held by them
in accordance with the provisions of Section 238 of the Companies Law, which shall be in the
absence of agreement as to such value between such Shareholders and the Company, subject to the
applicable Cayman court’s determination of the fair value pursuant to Section 238 of the Companies
Law, payable in the form of cash.
8
Section 2.7 Treatment of Stock Options.
Any outstanding, unexercised and unexpired stock options and other rights to purchase or
otherwise acquire shares of the Company’s capital stock, whether or not presently exercisable or
subject to additional conditions prior to exercise (collectively, the “Company Options”),
under and pursuant to the Company’s 2006 Stock Option Plan (the “Stock Option Plan”) shall
automatically be accelerated in full so that each such Company Option is fully vested and
exercisable immediately prior to the Effective Time, conditioned upon the consummation of the
Merger, and shall as of the Effective Time be converted automatically into options to buy a number
of ordinary shares of the Surviving Company (the “Surviving Company Options”) (i) that
provide the holders of the Company Options with the ability to obtain, upon exercise of such
Surviving Company Options, a percentage interest in the ordinary shares of the Surviving Company
equal to the percentage interest such holders would have obtained in the outstanding Company
Ordinary Shares upon exercise of the Company Options immediately after the completion of the
Recapitalization and (ii) with an exercise price adjusted to reflect the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement and the Recapitalization Agreement. With respect to each Company Option, the
Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain, prior to the Closing Date, an
option cancellation agreement from the holders of all such Company Options, in exchange for which
the Company shall offer the stock option holder certain benefits and rights and/or an amount of
cash (the “Option Consideration”) as determined by the Company and the applicable stock
option holder as necessary to obtain the stock option holder’s agreement to cancel such Company
Options as contemplated herein. The Company shall pay or otherwise provide to such holders the
Option Consideration no later than immediately prior to the Effective Time and the aggregate amount
of Option Consideration paid to the stock option holders shall not exceed $25,000. A stock option
holder’s agreement to the cancellation of Company Options in exchange for the Option Consideration
shall release any and all rights the holder had or may have had in respect of such Company Option.
The Company shall provide to Parent on or prior to the Closing Date copies of all executed option
cancellation agreements. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to take all
actions necessary (including causing an applicable Subsidiary or its Board of Directors to take
such actions as are allowed by the Stock Option Plan or any option award agreements) to effectuate
the actions contemplated by this Section 2.7.
Section 2.8 Company Transaction Costs, Closing Day Severance Payments and Credit Facility
Payoff Amounts
(a) At the Closing, Parent will pay, or cause to be paid in immediately available funds,
(i) the Company Transaction Costs identified on Schedule 2.3(b)(vi) (as such schedule may
be updated as of Closing), on behalf of the Company and the Closing Date Principal Shareholders, as
applicable, in accordance with the instructions set forth on Schedule 2.3(b)(vi) (as such
schedule may be updated as of Closing) and (ii) fees and expenses payable to
the Escrow Agent in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the
Escrow Agreement. Any Company Transaction Costs which are not set forth on Schedule
2.3(b)(vi) (as such schedule may be updated as of Closing) at the Closing shall not be paid by
Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, including the Surviving Company, and instead shall be the joint
and several responsibility of the Closing Date Principal Shareholders and shall be paid by such
Closing Date Principal Shareholders.
9
(b) At the Closing, Parent shall pay, or cause to be paid, (i) the Closing Day Severance
Payments to the applicable Persons, promptly following expiration of any applicable waiver and
release revocation period, and in accordance with the instructions set forth on Schedule
2.3(b)(iv) (as such schedules may be updated as of Closing) and (ii) the SECP Payments to the
applicable Persons (each, a “SECP Participant”), at the time and in accordance with the
instructions set forth on Schedule 2.3(b)(xii).
(c) At the Closing, Parent will pay, or cause one of its Affiliates (the “Designated
Entity”) to pay on behalf of Frontier Drilling ASA and Driller Ltd., (A) to the Drilling USA
First Lien Agent, the Drilling USA First Lien Payoff Amount in accordance with the payment
instructions set forth in the Drilling USA First Lien Payoff Letter, (B) to the Drilling USA Second
Lien Agent, the Drilling USA Second Lien Payoff Amount in accordance with the payment instructions
set forth in the Drilling USA Second Lien Payoff Letter, (C) to the Driller Ltd. First Lien Agent,
the Driller Ltd. First Lien Payoff Amount in accordance with the payment instructions set forth in
the Driller Ltd. First Lien Payoff Letter, and (D) to the Driller Ltd. Second Lien Agent, the
Driller Ltd. Second Lien Payoff Amount in accordance with the payment instructions set forth in the
Driller Ltd. Second Lien Payoff Letter. In consideration of the payments described in the
immediately preceding sentence, (A) Frontier Drilling ASA will issue a promissory note to the
Designated Entity in an amount equal to the sum of the Drilling USA First Lien Payoff Amount and
the Drilling USA Second Lien Payoff Amount and (B) Driller Ltd. will issue a promissory note to the
Designated Entity, in an amount equal to the sum of the Driller Ltd. First Lien Payoff Amount and
the Driller Ltd. Second Lien Payoff Amount.
Section 2.9 Post-Closing Day Severance Payments; Release of Severance Holdback Escrow
Amount.
(a) Parent shall pay, or cause to be paid, to any person employed at the close of business on
the Closing Date by the Company or its Subsidiaries (each such employee, a “Closing Date
Employee”), any Severance Amount due such Closing Date Employee as a result of the termination
within 60 days after the Closing Date of such Closing Date Employee (each such payment, a
“Post-Closing Day Severance Payment”). Parent shall provide the Shareholder Representative
with written evidence of any payments of each such Post-Closing Day Severance Payment in a form
reasonably satisfactory to the Shareholder Representative.
(b) Parent will, no later than 10 days after the expiration of the 60-day period following the
Closing Date, provide the Shareholder Representative with a schedule detailing (i) each Closing
Date Employee terminated within 60 days after the Closing Date, (ii) a calculation of the
Post-Closing Day Severance Payment due to each such Closing Date Employee (the aggregate amount of
such Post-Closing Day Severance Payments, the “Maximum Severance Payout Amount”), and (iii)
a calculation of (x) the portion of such Post-Closing Day Severance
Payments constituting Accrued Amounts with respect to each such Closing Date Employee, other
than such Accrued Amounts constituting a portion of the Bully Project Severance Payments, and (y)
50% of such Accrued Amounts constituting a portion of the Bully Project Severance Payments.
(c) Parent and the Shareholder Representative will, no later than 15 days after the expiration
of the 60-day period following the Closing Date, jointly execute and deliver to the
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Escrow Agent
written instructions instructing the Escrow Agent to release, in accordance with the terms of and
in the manner set forth in such instructions, to the SECP Participants, in accordance with the
amounts set forth in such instructions, and thereafter, to the Junior Shareholders pro rata based
upon the Ownership Percentage of each Junior Shareholder, the amount, if any, by which (i) the
Severance Holdback Escrow Amount exceeds (ii) the amount (the “Maximum Severance Payout Deduct
Amount”) equal to (x) the Maximum Severance Payout Amount less (y) the aggregate amount of the
Accrued Amounts previously calculated and provided by Parent pursuant to Section
2.9(b)(iii) and 50% of any amounts in the schedule provided by Parent pursuant to Section
2.9(b) that are Bully Project Severance Payments. “Ownership Percentage” means each Junior
Shareholder’s relative percentage ownership of the aggregate amount of Outstanding Shares set forth
on Annex III (which Annex shall be updated prior to the Closing so as to be accurate as of
the Closing).
(d) Parent and the Shareholder Representative will, no later than 65 days after the expiration
of the 60-day period following the Closing Date, jointly execute and deliver to the Escrow Agent
written instructions instructing the Escrow Agent to release, in accordance with the terms of and
in the manner set forth in such instructions:
(i) to Parent (A) from the Severance Holdback Escrow Amount, an amount (the
“Post-Closing Day Severance Payment Deduct Amount”) equal to the Maximum
Severance Payout Amount less the sum of any portion of such Maximum Severance Payout
Amount attributable to Closing Date Employees that have not been paid their
applicable Severance Amounts (the “Remaining Closing Date Employees”) and
the relevant Accrued Amounts with respect to the applicable Closing Date Employees
(other than the Remaining Closing Date Employees), and (B) from the Indemnification
Escrow Amount, the amount, if any, by which (i) the Post-Closing Day Severance
Payment Deduct Amount exceeds (ii) the Severance Holdback Escrow Amount; and
(ii) to the SECP Participants, in accordance with the amounts set forth in such
instructions, and thereafter, to the Junior Shareholders pro rata based upon the
Ownership Percentage of each Junior Shareholder, the remaining funds on deposit in
the account maintained with respect to the Severance Holdback Escrow Amount by the
Escrow Agent pursuant to the Escrow Agreement.
(e) All amounts to be paid under this Section 2.9 shall be deemed to be adjustments to
the Merger Consideration.
(f) To the extent any Closing Date Employee who receives a Severance Amount pursuant to
Section 2.9(a) is rehired by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries within six
months after the date of his termination, Parent will, no later than 10 days after such
Closing Date Employee is rehired, pay such amount of the Severance Amount received by such Closing
Date Employee that was paid to Parent pursuant to Section 2.9(d)(i), to the Shareholder
Representative, for distribution to the Junior Shareholders pro rata based upon the Ownership
Percentage of each Junior Shareholder.
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ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE
CLOSING DATE PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
Each Closing Date Principal Shareholder hereby severally, not jointly, and only with respect
to itself, represents and warrants to Parent and Merger Sub as follows:
Section 3.1 Organization. Such Closing Date Principal Shareholder is duly formed, validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of its jurisdiction of formation.
Section 3.2 Authorization; Enforceability. (a) Such Closing Date Principal Shareholder has full power, capacity and authority to execute
and deliver this Agreement and any Principal Shareholder Ancillary Documents to which it is a party
and to perform such Closing Date Principal Shareholder’s obligations under this Agreement and such
Principal Shareholder Ancillary Documents and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby
and thereby.
(b) The execution and delivery of this Agreement and any Principal Shareholder Ancillary
Documents to which it is a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the
board of directors, general partner or similar governing body of such Closing Date Principal
Shareholder, and no other corporate proceedings or approvals on the part of such Closing Date
Principal Shareholder are necessary to authorize the execution or delivery by such Closing Date
Principal Shareholder of this Agreement or and any Principal Shareholder Ancillary Documents to
which it is a party or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby. This
Agreement has been, and each of the Principal Shareholder Ancillary Documents required hereunder to
be executed and delivered by such Closing Date Principal Shareholder will be as of the Closing
Date, duly and validly executed and delivered by such Closing Date Principal Shareholder and
(assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by the other parties hereto) does
constitute, or will constitute at the Closing Date, as the case may be, a valid and binding
obligation of such Closing Date Principal Shareholder, enforceable against such Closing Date
Principal Shareholder in accordance with its terms, except as the enforceability may be limited by
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and other similar laws affecting the enforceability of creditors’
rights generally, general equitable principles and the discretion of courts in granting equitable
remedies (collectively, the “Enforceability Exceptions”).
(c) Each Existing Principal Shareholder, acting in each capacity in which it is entitled, by
reason of the Company’s memorandum and articles of association or the Companies
Law or for any other reason, to vote to approve or disapprove the consummation of the Merger,
has voted, or on or before the Closing Date will have voted, all the Company Ordinary Shares owned
by such Existing Principal Shareholder and to which such Existing Principal Shareholder is entitled
to vote on that matter, in any one or more of the manners the Company’s memorandum and articles of
association or the Companies Law prescribe or permit, whichever are controlling, to approve this
Agreement and the consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby.
12
Section 3.3 Absence of Restrictions and Conflicts. (a) Assuming the consents and filings referenced in Section 4.5(b) and Section
4.5(c) are obtained prior to the Closing, the execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement, and the Principal Shareholder Ancillary Documents, the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and the Principal Shareholder Ancillary Documents to which such
Closing Date Principal Shareholder is a party and the fulfillment of and compliance with the terms
and conditions of this Agreement and the Principal Shareholder Ancillary Documents to which such
Closing Date Principal Shareholder is party by such Closing Date Principal Shareholder do not or
will not (as the case may be), with the passing of time or the giving of notice or both, violate,
constitute a breach or default under, result in the loss of any substantial benefit under, permit
the acceleration of any obligation under or create in any party the right to terminate, modify or
cancel, result in the creation or imposition of, or afford any Person the right to obtain, any
Liens upon any Outstanding Shares such Closing Date Principal Shareholder owns (or upon any
revenues, income or profits of the Shareholder therefrom) under or require that the Surviving
Company offer to purchase or redeem any of its securities under, (a) any term or provision of the
constituent or charter documents of such Party, (b) any note, bond, mortgage or indenture,
contract, agreement, lease, sublease, license, permit, franchise, instrument to which such Party is
a party or by which such Party may be bound or (c) any Applicable Laws or any judgment, decree,
order, injunction, award or ruling of any federal, state, county, provincial, municipal, local,
other government, domestic or foreign, or any court, tribunal, administrative or regulatory agency
or commission or other governmental entity, ministry, department, authority or agency, domestic or
foreign (each a “Governmental Entity” and, collectively, the “Governmental
Entities”) or arbitration panel to which such Party is a party or by which such Party or any of
its assets or properties are bound; other than, in the case of clause (b) or (c) above, any breach
of said clause (b) or (c) that individually or in the aggregate, would not prevent such Party from
entering into this Agreement or consummating the transactions contemplated hereby. No actions,
suits or proceedings are pending or, to the knowledge of such Closing Date Principal Shareholder,
threatened to which the Closing Date Principal Shareholder is or may become a party which (i)
involves the validity or enforceability of any of the Closing Date Principal Shareholder’s
obligations under this Agreement or any Principal Shareholder Ancillary Document or (ii) seeks (A)
to prevent or delay the consummation by the Closing Date Principal Shareholder of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or any Principal Shareholder Ancillary Document or (B) damages in
connection with any such consummation.
Section 3.4 Ownership
Such Closing Date Principal Shareholder is the record and beneficial owner of the number of
Company Ordinary Shares set forth opposite the Closing Date Principal Shareholder’s name on
Schedule 3.4, (which Schedule shall be updated by the Company as of the Closing Date to
reflect the Recapitalization and any other changes) free and clear of all Liens other than
restrictions on transfer contained in the Fifth Amended and Restated Shareholders Agreement dated
September 30, 2008 among the Company and the Existing Principal Shareholders (the
“Shareholders’ Agreement”) or that may be imposed by state or federal securities laws.
Immediately prior to the Closing and after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by the
Recapitalization Agreement, such Closing Date Principal Shareholder will not own of record or
beneficially, or have any interest in, or right to acquire (including any preemptive rights) any
equity interests in the Company or any of its Subsidiaries other than Company Ordinary Shares.
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Section 3.5 Brokers, Finders and Investment Bankers
Except as set forth on Schedule 3.5, such Closing Date Principal Shareholder has not
employed, directly or indirectly, any broker, financial advisor, finder or investment banker or
incurred any liability for any investment banking fees, financial advisory fees, brokerage fees or
finders’ fees in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
OF THE COMPANY
The Company hereby represents and warrants to Parent and Merger Sub as follows:
Section 4.1 Organization of the Company.
(a) The Company is an exempted company with limited liability duly incorporated, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the Cayman Islands. The Company has all requisite
corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its assets and properties and to carry on
its business as now being conducted. The Company is duly qualified or registered and in good
standing as a foreign company to transact business under the laws of each jurisdiction where the
character of its activities or the location of the properties owned or leased by it requires such
qualification or registration, as set forth on Schedule 4.1(a), except for such
jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified or registered or in good standing as a foreign
company would not have or be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect. The Company has heretofore Made Available to Parent true, correct and
complete copies of the organizational documents of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries as
currently in effect, and Made Available the corporate record books of the Company and each of its
Subsidiaries.
(b) “Material Adverse Effect” means any occurrence, condition, change, event or effect
after the date hereof that is materially adverse to the financial condition, assets, liabilities,
business or results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;
provided, however, that in no event shall any of the following constitute a
Material Adverse Effect: (A) any occurrence, condition, change, event or effect resulting from
changes in general economic or financial market conditions after the date hereof; (B) any
occurrence,
condition, change, event or effect after the date hereof that affects the offshore drilling
industry generally (including changes in commodity prices, general market prices and regulatory
changes affecting the offshore drilling industry generally) unless such change affects the Company
in any manner or degree significantly different than the industry as a whole; (C) the outbreak or
escalation of hostilities, the declaration of war or the occurrence of any natural disasters and
acts of terrorism after the date hereof (excluding from this exception any such event resulting in
damage to the assets of the Company or its Subsidiaries to the extent it would otherwise constitute
a Material Adverse Effect); (D) any occurrence, condition, change, event or effect to the extent
that it is the direct result of the announcement or pendency of the transactions contemplated
hereby; (E) any change after the date hereof in generally accepted accounting procedures, or in the
interpretation thereof, as imposed upon the Company, its Subsidiaries or their respective
businesses or any change after the date hereof in Applicable Laws, or in the interpretation
thereof; (F) the Company’s failure, in and of itself, to meet its internal budgets,
14
plans or
forecasts of its revenues, earnings or other financial performance or results of operations; or (G)
actions taken by Parent or any of its Affiliates.
Section 4.2 Authorization; Enforceability.
(a) The Company has full power, capacity and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement,
the Plan of Merger pursuant to §233(3) of the Companies Law and any Company Ancillary Documents and
to perform the Company’s obligations under this Agreement, the Plan of Merger and any Company
Ancillary Documents and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Company Ancillary Documents and the Plan
of Merger have been duly and validly authorized by the board of directors of the Company. Other
than the Company Shareholder Approval, no additional corporate proceedings or approvals on the part
of the Company are necessary to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company
Ancillary Documents, the Plan of Merger and the consummation by the Company of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby.
(b) The board of directors of the Company has (a) determined that this Agreement, the Company
Ancillary Documents, the Plan of Merger, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby
and thereby, taken together, are fair to and in the best interests of the Company and has approved
the same and (b) resolved to seek the approval of the Shareholders to adopt this Agreement. This
Agreement has been, and each of the Company Ancillary Documents required hereunder to be executed
and delivered by the Company will be as of the Closing Date, duly and validly executed and
delivered by the Company and (assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery hereof and
thereof by the other Parties thereto) does constitute, or will constitute at the Closing Date, as
the case may be, a valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in
accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions.
Section 4.3 Subsidiaries, Joint Ventures, and Investments.
(a) Schedule 4.3(a) sets forth the name of each Subsidiary of the Company, and, with
respect to each Subsidiary, the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated or organized, the
jurisdictions, if any, in which it is qualified to do business, the number of shares of its
authorized
share capital or capital stock and the number and class of shares thereof duly issued and
outstanding, which represent all of the equity interests in such Subsidiary. The Company owns,
directly or indirectly, all of the equity interests in each of the Subsidiaries other than (i) the
equity interests in the Subsidiaries owned by the Recapitalizing Shareholders and (ii) in the case
of the Bully Joint Venture Companies, the Company only owns 50% of the entire issued share capital
of Bully 1, Ltd. and 15% of the entire issued share capital of Bully 2, Ltd., free and clear of any
and all mortgages, deeds of trust, liens, security interests, pledges, leases, conditional sale
contracts, charges, privileges, easements, rights of way, reservations and other encumbrances
(collectively, “Liens”), except for any Liens relating to Signing Date Indebtedness and
restrictions on transfer that may be imposed by applicable securities laws and as set forth in
Schedule 4.3(b).
15
(b) As of the Closing and after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by the
Recapitalization Agreement, (i) the Company will directly or indirectly own 100% of the equity
interests in all of the Subsidiaries other than, in the case of the Bully Joint Venture Companies,
the Company will indirectly own 50% of the entire issued share capital of Bully 1, Ltd. and 50% of
the entire issued share capital of Bully 2, Ltd., in each case free and clear of any and all Liens,
except for restrictions on transfer that may be imposed by applicable securities laws and as set
forth in Schedule 4.3(b), and (ii) all outstanding indebtedness of the Company and its
Subsidiaries owed to the Recapitalizing Shareholders, including all accrued and unpaid interest,
shall be transferred to the Company in exchange for Company Ordinary Shares pursuant to the
Recapitalization Agreement.
(c) Each Subsidiary is a duly organized and validly existing corporation or other entity in
good standing (or the equivalent concept to the extent it exists) under the laws of the
jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization. Each Subsidiary is duly qualified or registered
to do business as a foreign company or entity and is in good standing (or the equivalent concept to
the extent it exists) under the laws of each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or
the ownership of its properties requires such qualification or authorization, except where the
failure to be so qualified or registered or in good standing as a foreign company or other entity
would not have or be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect. Each Subsidiary has all requisite corporate or entity power and authority to own
its properties and carry on its business as presently conducted. The outstanding shares of capital
stock or equity interests of each Subsidiary are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable,
and were not issued in violation of the preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar
rights of any Person.
(d) None of the Company or its Subsidiaries owns, of record or beneficially, directly or
indirectly through any Person, or controls, directly or indirectly through any Person or otherwise,
any capital stock or derivative securities of any entity, other than the capital stock of one or
more of the Company’s Subsidiaries.
Section 4.4 Capitalization.
(a) Schedule 4.4(a) accurately and completely sets forth the capital structure of the
Company as of the date hereof by listing thereon the authorized and issued share capital of the
Company, which represent all of the equity interests in the Company (which Schedule shall
be updated by the Company as of the Closing Date to reflect the Recapitalization and any other
changes).
(b) All of the Company Ordinary Shares issued and outstanding as of the date hereof (i) are
duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and (ii) were not issued in
violation of the preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights of any Person.
(c) All of the Company Ordinary Shares to be issued and outstanding as of the Closing Date,
including the Company Ordinary Shares to be issued by the Company to the Recapitalizing
Shareholders in connection with the Recapitalization, will be duly authorized, and, when issued and
delivered in exchange for the Converting Interests in accordance with the
16
Recapitalization
Agreement, (i) will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and (ii) will not have been
issued in violation of the preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights of
any Person.
(d) The Existing Principal Shareholders constitute at least a majority in number of the
Shareholders voting together as one class, and own, beneficially and of record, an amount of
Company Ordinary Shares representing at least 75% in value of the Company Ordinary Shares, voting
together as one class. Schedule 3.4 sets forth the name of each Closing Date Principal
Shareholder together with the number of Company Ordinary Shares that will be held by each such
Closing Date Principal Shareholder after giving effect to the Recapitalization set forth opposite
such Closing Date Principal Shareholder’s name (which Schedule shall be updated as of the Closing
Date to add any new Closing Date Principal Shareholders and reflect any amendment to the
Recapitalization Agreement).
(e) (i) Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.4(e)(i), there are no, and (ii) after giving
effect to the Recapitalization Agreement, except as disclosed on Schedule 4.4(e)(ii), there
will be no (A) Company Ordinary Shares or other equity interests of the Company or its Subsidiaries
reserved for issuance; (B) outstanding options, warrants, rights, calls, commitments, conversion
rights, rights of exchange, subscriptions, claims of any character, agreements, obligations,
convertible or exchangeable securities or other plans or commitments, contingent or otherwise,
relating to the Company Ordinary Shares or other equity interests of the Company or its
Subsidiaries; (C) outstanding rights, preferences, privileges or other contracts or agreements of
the Company and its Subsidiaries, the Closing Date Principal Shareholders or any other Person to
purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any Company Ordinary Shares or other equity interests of the
Company or its Subsidiaries, or securities or obligations of any kind convertible into any shares
or other equity interests of the Company or its Subsidiaries or to pay any dividend or make any
distribution in respect thereof; (D) dividends which have accrued or been declared but are unpaid
on the Company Ordinary Shares or other equity interests of the Company or its Subsidiaries other
than with respect to the Converting Interests; (E) outstanding or authorized stock appreciation,
phantom shares, profit participation or similar rights affecting the Company or its Subsidiaries;
and (F) documents or agreements to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party that grant or
impose on the Company Ordinary Shares or other equity interests of the Company or its Subsidiaries
any right, preference, privilege or restriction with respect to the transactions contemplated
hereby (including any right of first refusal). The Company and its Subsidiaries are not parties to
any voting trusts, proxies, or other shareholder or
similar agreements or understandings with respect to the voting of the equity interests of the
Company or its Subsidiaries except as set forth in this agreement or on Schedule 4.4(e).
(f) Schedule 4.4(f) accurately sets forth the amount of all indebtedness outstanding
(plus accrued interest and accrued commitment fees) as of the date of this Agreement under the
Driller Ltd. First Lien Credit Agreement, Driller Ltd. Second Lien Credit Agreement, Drilling USA
First Lien Credit Agreement, Drilling USA Second Lien Credit Agreement, the Bully 1 Credit
Agreement and the Bully 2 Credit Agreement (collectively, the “Signing Date Indebtedness”).
After giving effect to the transactions contemplated by the Recapitalization Agreement, except as
disclosed on Schedule 4.4(f), as of the Closing Date, the Company and its Subsidiaries will
have no indebtedness (other than intercompany indebtedness) for borrowed money outstanding under
any bond, debenture, note, loan, credit or loan agreement
17
or loan commitment, mortgage, indenture
or other contract, other than any Signing Date Indebtedness that will be repaid at or prior to
Closing.
(g) As used herein, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
(i) “Bully 1 Credit Agreement” means the Term Loan and Credit Facility
Agreement dated as of December 21, 2007, as amended to the date hereof, among Bully
1, Ltd., Standard Chartered Bank, Bank of Scotland Plc, NIBC Bank N.V. and certain
lenders named therein.
(ii) “Bully 2 Credit Agreement” means the Amended and Restated Term
Loan and Revolving Loan Credit Facility Agreement dated as of October 9, 2009, as
amended to the date hereof, among Bully 2, Ltd., Standard Chartered Bank and certain
lenders named therein.
(iii) “Company Credit Facilities” means the Bully 1 Credit Agreement,
Bully 2 Credit Agreement, Driller Ltd. First Lien Credit Agreement, Driller Ltd.
Second Lien Credit Agreement, Drilling USA First Lien Credit Agreement and Drilling
USA Second Lien Credit Agreement.
(iv) “Driller Ltd. First Lien Credit Agreement” means the Term Loan and
Credit Facility Agreement dated as of September 6, 2006, as amended to the date
hereof, among Frontier Driller, Ltd., NIBC Bank N.V., as agent (the “Driller
Ltd. First Lien Agent”) and certain lenders named therein.
(v) “Driller Ltd. Second Lien Credit Agreement” means the Term Loan
Agreement dated as of December 7, 2007, as amended to the date hereof, among
Frontier Driller, Ltd., Xxxxx Fargo Bank, National Association, as agent (the
“Driller Ltd. Second Lien Agent”) and certain lenders named therein.
(vi) “Drilling USA First Lien Credit Agreement” means the Amended and
Restated First Lien Credit Agreement dated as of August 13, 2007, as amended to the
date hereof, among Frontier Drilling USA, Inc., Frontier Drilling ASA, FDR Holdings,
Ltd., the subsidiary guarantors party thereto, Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx Senior Funding, Inc., as administrative agent (the “Drilling USA
First Lien Agent” ), the other agents party thereto and certain lenders named
therein.
(vii) “Drilling USA Second Lien Credit Agreement” means the Second Lien
Credit Agreement dated as of August 13, 2007, as amended to the date hereof, among
Frontier Drilling USA, Inc., Frontier Drilling ASA, FDR Holdings, Ltd., the
subsidiary guarantors party thereto, Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Senior Funding, Inc., as
administrative agent (the “Drilling USA Second Lien Agent” ), the other
agents party thereto and certain lenders named therein.
(h) None of the Subsidiaries of the Company has been a Subsidiary of another entity (other
than the Company or another Subsidiary of the Company) during the past 10 years;
18
provided,
however, that 50% of the issued share capital of each of Bully 1, Ltd. and Bully 2, Ltd. is
owned by a third party.
Section 4.5 Absence of Restrictions and Conflicts; Consents.
(a) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.5(a) and assuming the consents and filings
referenced in Section 4.5(b) and Section 4.5(c) are obtained prior to the Closing,
the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Company Ancillary Documents, the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Company Ancillary Documents
and the fulfillment of and compliance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the
Company Ancillary Documents by the Company do not or will not (as the case may be), with the
passing of time or the giving of notice or both, (A) violate, constitute a breach of or default
under, result in the loss of any benefit under, permit the acceleration of any obligation under or
create in any party the right to terminate, modify or cancel, or require the Surviving Company to
offer to purchase or redeem any of its securities under, (i) any term or provision of the
memorandum and articles of association of the Company or of any of its Subsidiaries’ respective
memorandums of association and articles of association or other similar organizational documents,
(ii) the Company Contracts or any other contract, agreement, franchise or Permit applicable to the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their properties or (iii) any judgment, decree, order,
injunction, award or ruling of any Governmental Entity or arbitration panel to which the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of
their respective assets or properties are bound or (iv) any Applicable Laws, except in the case of
clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv), where any such breach, default, loss,
acceleration or right would not have or be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect or (B) cause or result in the imposition of, or afford any
Person the right to obtain, any Lien upon any property or other assets of any of the Company and
its Subsidiaries (or upon any revenues, income or profits of any of the Company and its
Subsidiaries therefrom).
(b) Except for (i) the filing and registration of the Plan of Merger with and by the Registrar
of Companies of the Cayman Islands as provided in Sections 233(9) and 233(13) of the Companies Law,
respectively, (ii) any filings and approval required under the Xxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx Antitrust
Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “HSR
Act”), (iii) such filings and approvals as may be required by any pre-merger notification
(listed in Schedule 4.5(b)), securities, corporate or other law, rule or
regulation of any country other than the United States of America and (iv) any other filings
and approvals set forth in Schedule 4.5(b), no consent, approval, order or authorization
of, or registration, notice, declaration or filing with, any Governmental Entity or public or
regulatory unit, agency or authority is required with respect to the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries in connection with the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement and the
Company Ancillary Documents or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby,
except where any such consent, approval, order, authorization, registration, declaration or filing,
if not made or obtained would not have or be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
(c) Except for the Company Shareholder Approval and as set forth in Schedule 4.5(c),
no consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration, notice,
19
declaration or filing
with, any Person (other than a Governmental Entity, including the Cayman Islands Registrar of
Companies) is required by or with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection
with the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or the Company Ancillary Documents or
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, except where any such filing,
registration, notice, consent or approval, if not made or obtained would not have or be reasonably
expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.6 Properties; Adequacy of Assets.
(a) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.6(a), (i) the Company and its Subsidiaries have
good and marketable title to the drilling rigs, drillships and floating production, storage and
offloading (FPSO) units listed on Schedule 4.6 (the “Vessels”) and own, lease or
license such other assets as may be necessary for the Company and its Subsidiaries to operate in
all material respects in the ordinary course of business, in each case free and clear of all Liens
other than Permitted Exceptions and (ii) all such Vessels are in good operating condition and
repair consistent with general practice in the offshore drilling industry. Except as would not
have or be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect, the Company has caused the Vessels to be maintained consistent with general practice in the
offshore drilling industry.
(b) As used herein, “Permitted Exceptions” means (i) defects or irregularities of
title or encumbrances of a nature that do not materially impair ownership or operation of the
assets affected thereby, (ii) Liens that secure obligations not yet due and payable or, if such
obligations are due and have not been paid, Liens securing such obligations that are being
diligently contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings (any such contests existing on
the date hereof and involving an amount in excess of $100,000 being described in Schedule
4.6(b)), (iii) operators’, vendors’, suppliers of necessaries to the Vessels, carriers’,
warehousemen’s, repairmen’s, mechanics’, workmen’s, materialmen’s, construction or shipyard liens
(during repair or upgrade periods) or other like Liens imposed by Applicable Law arising or
incurred in the ordinary course of business, each of which in respect of obligations that have not
been outstanding more than 90 days (so long as no action has been taken to file or enforce such
Liens within said 90 day period) or which are being contested in good faith, (iv) pledges or
deposits made in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in
connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security
legislation, (v) deposits to secure the performance of bids, contracts (other than for
borrowed money), leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and
other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries, (vi) Liens for Taxes not yet due and payable, or that are being contested
in good faith, (vii) purchase money Liens limited to the specific property acquired with such
purchase money, (viii) the rights of licensors and licensees under Intellectual Property licenses
executed in the ordinary course of business, (ix) Liens securing Signing Date Indebtedness and (x)
other Liens disclosed in Schedule 4.6(b).
Section 4.7 Registration of Vessels. Each of the Vessels which is subject to classification is in class, free of any recommendations
other than as set forth on Schedule 4.7, according to the rules and regulations of the
applicable classifying body and is duly and lawfully
20
documented under the laws of its flag
jurisdiction. Each Vessel has in full force and effect all required certifications necessary for
its present operation.
Section 4.8 Financial Statements.
(a) Attached hereto as Schedule 4.8(a) are copies of the consolidated audited balance
sheets and statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows of the Company and its
Subsidiaries and the related notes thereto as of and for the year ended December 31, 2009,
consisting of the audited consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2009 and December 31,
2008, the audited consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008
and 2009, and the audited consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the
years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009, including in each case, the notes thereto.
(b) Attached hereto as Schedule 4.8(b) are copies of the consolidated interim
unaudited balance sheet and statement of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows of the
Company and its Subsidiaries and the related notes thereto as of and for the three months ended
March 31, 2010, consisting of the unaudited consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2010 (the
“Most Recent Balance Sheet”), the unaudited consolidated statement of operations for the
three months ended March 31, 2010, and the unaudited consolidated statement of shareholders’ equity
and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2010, including in each case, the notes thereto
(the financial statements on Schedule 4.8(a) and Schedule 4.8(b) are collectively
referred to as the “Financial Statements”).
(c) Attached hereto as Schedule 4.8(c) are copies of (i) the consolidated audited
balance sheets and statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows of Bully 1 Joint
Venture and the related notes thereto as of and for the year ended December 31, 2009, consisting of
the audited consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the audited
consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009, and the
audited consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the years ended December
31, 2007, 2008 and 2009, including in each case, the notes thereto, and (ii) the consolidated
interim unaudited balance sheet and statement of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows of
Bully 1 Joint Venture and the related notes
thereto as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2010, consisting of the unaudited
consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2010, the unaudited consolidated statement of operations
for the three months ended March 31, 2010, and the unaudited consolidated statement of
shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2010, including in each
case, the notes thereto (the financial statements on Schedule 4.8(c) are referred to as the
“Bully 1 Financial Statements”).
(d) Attached hereto as Schedule 4.8(d) are copies of (i) the consolidated audited
balance sheets and statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows of Bully 2 Joint
Venture and the related notes thereto as of and for the year ended December 31, 2009, consisting of
the audited consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the audited
consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009, and the
audited consolidated statements of comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash
flows for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009,
21
including in each case, the notes
thereto, and (ii) the consolidated interim unaudited balance sheet and statement of operations,
shareholders’ equity and cash flows of Bully 2 Joint Venture and the related notes thereto as of
and for the three months ended March 31, 2010, consisting of the unaudited consolidated balance
sheet as of March 31, 2010, the unaudited consolidated statement of operations for the three months
ended March 31, 2010, and the unaudited consolidated statement of shareholders’ equity and cash
flows for the three months ended March 31, 2010, including in each case, the notes thereto (the
financial statements on Schedule 4.8(d) are referred to as the “Bully 2 Financial
Statements”).
(e) The Financial Statements, the Bully 1 Financial Statements and the Bully 2 Financial
Statements include reserves for all material uncertain tax positions of the Company and its
Subsidiaries, Bully 1 Joint Venture and Bully 2 Joint Venture, respectively, as well as any
estimated accrued interest and penalties related to these positions, as required by GAAP (as
defined below) accounting literature contained in the Accounting Standards Codification. The
Financial Statements, the Bully 1 Financial Statements and the Bully 2 Financial Statements have
been prepared from, and are in accordance with, the books and records of the Company and its
Subsidiaries, Bully 1 Joint Venture and Bully 2 Joint Venture, respectively, which books and
records are maintained in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United
States consistently applied ((“GAAP”) throughout the periods indicated, and such books and
records have been maintained on a basis consistent with the past practice of the Company and its
Subsidiaries, Bully 1 Joint Venture and Bully 2 Joint Venture, respectively. Each of the balance
sheets included in the Financial Statements, the Bully 1 Financial Statements and the Bully 2
Financial Statements (in each case, including the related notes and schedules) was prepared in
accordance with GAAP and fairly presents the consolidated financial position of the applicable
Persons stated therein as of the date of such balance sheet, and each of the statements of
operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows included in the Financial Statements, the Bully 1
Financial Statements and the Bully 2 Financial Statements (in each case, including any related
notes and schedules) was prepared in accordance with GAAP and fairly presents the consolidated
results of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows, as the case may be, of the
applicable Persons stated therein for the periods set forth therein, except that the unaudited
financial statements do not contain complete footnotes and similar disclosures otherwise required
to be in conformity with GAAP. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.8(e), since December 31,
2009, there has been no change in any of the accounting
(or tax accounting) policies, practices or procedures of the Company or its Subsidiaries,
Bully 1 Joint Venture and Bully 2 Joint Venture, as the case may be, except for any such change
required because of a concurrent change in GAAP or to conform such a Subsidiary’s accounting
policies and practices to those of the Company, Bully 1, Ltd. or Bully 2, Ltd., respectively.
Section 4.9 No Undisclosed Liabilities. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.9, there is no liability, contingent or otherwise, of
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is not reflected or reserved against in the Most Recent
Balance Sheet, other than liabilities that are (i) liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of
business of the Company and its Subsidiaries since the date of the Most Recent Balance Sheet; (ii)
liabilities arising under this Agreement; or (iii) liabilities that would not have and are not
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
22
Section 4.10 Absence of Certain Changes.
Except as set forth on Schedule 4.10, or as contemplated by this Agreement or the
Recapitalization Agreement, since the date of the Most Recent Balance Sheet the Company and its
Subsidiaries have conducted their businesses and operated their properties in the ordinary course
of business in all material respects and none of the following has occurred with respect to the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries:
(a) any event, change, effect or occurrence that has had or is reasonably likely to have a
Material Adverse Effect;
(b) other than the capital expenditures set forth or forecast on Schedule 4.25
(including the acceleration of any capital expenditures presented in such forecast and relating to
the construction of Bully 1 or Bully 2), made or committed to make aggregate capital expenditures
in excess of $500,000;
(c) any distribution, sale or transfer of, or entry into any Company Contract to distribute,
sell or transfer, any of its properties or other assets of any kind which singly is or in the
aggregate are material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, other than
distributions, sales or transfers in the ordinary course of its business and consistent with its
recent past practices;
(d) any plan, agreement or arrangement granting any preferential rights to purchase or acquire
any interest in any of its properties, rights or other assets or requiring the consent of any
Person to the transfer and assignment of any such properties, rights or other assets;
(e) any written notification of any claim under a performance bond;
(f) any change in its practices with respect to timely payment of accounts payable or other
obligations payable to vendors, suppliers or other third parties; or
(g) any change in its methods of management, operation or accounting that in the aggregate are
material to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries.
Section 4.11 Legal Proceedings. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.11 or as would not otherwise have or be reasonably
expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, there are no
actions, complaints, suits, arbitrations, mediations, claims, proceedings or investigations
(collectively, “Actions”) pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened at law or
in equity, or before any Governmental Entity or before any arbitrator of any kind, as to which the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party and none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is
subject to any settlement, consent decree, judgment, injunction, ruling, order or finding of any
Governmental Entity or arbitrator.
Section 4.12 Compliance with Law. Except as would not otherwise have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect,
the Company and each of its Subsidiaries is in compliance in all respects with all applicable
federal, state, provincial, municipal, local and foreign laws, statutes, rules, regulations,
ordinances, codes, orders, decrees, injunctions, judgments and other legislative, administrative or
judicial promulgations, including those relating to Environmental Health and Safety Requirements,
of all Governmental Entities or
23
arbitration panels, in each case as amended and in effect from time
to time (collectively, the “Applicable Laws”).
As used in this Agreement, the term “Environmental, Health and Safety Requirements”
means all applicable federal, state, provincial, municipal, and local laws, statutes, regulations,
ordinances, by-laws, codes, standards, directives and other provisions (including those in foreign
jurisdictions) having the force or effect of law, all judicial and administrative orders and
determinations, and all common law concerning public health and safety, worker health and safety,
and pollution, the protection or preservation of the environment, including all those relating to
the presence, use, production, generation, handling, transportation, treatment, storage, disposal,
distribution, labeling, testing, processing, warning, discharge, release, threatened release,
control, or cleanup of any Hazardous Materials substances or wastes.
As used in this Agreement, the term “Hazardous Materials” means any waste, pollutant,
contaminant, hazardous substance, toxic, ignitable, flammable, reactive or corrosive substance,
hazardous waste, special waste, industrial substance, by-product, process intermediate product or
waste, petroleum or petroleum-derived substance or waste, chemical liquids or solids, liquid or
gaseous products, or any constituent or combination of any such substance or waste, the storage,
manufacture, generation, treatment, transportation, release, remediation, use, handling or disposal
of which by the Company or its Subsidiaries is in any way governed by or subject to any applicable
Environmental, Health and Safety Requirement.
Section 4.13 Company Contracts. Schedule 4.13 sets forth a true, correct and complete list of each of the following
contracts to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of its
assets or properties is bound as of the date hereof (the “Company Contracts”):
(a) any shipyard contract, drilling rig construction or conversion contract with respect to
which a drilling vessel has not been delivered or paid for or any contract for the
purchase and/or installation of a material system or component of such drilling vessel (each
such contract, a “Construction Contract”) and any related purchase order for an amount
greater than $2,000,000;
(b) any contract pursuant to which the Company or any Subsidiary provides drilling services or
a Vessel (each such contract, a “Drilling Contract”) to a party other than the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries;
(c) any agreement for the acquisition by any of the Company and its Subsidiaries or provision
to any of the Company and its Subsidiaries of services, supplies, equipment, inventory, fixtures or
other property or assets involving more than $1,000,000 in the aggregate, but excluding any such
agreement relating to the construction of Bully 1 or Bully 2;
(d) any bond, debenture, note, loan, credit or loan agreement or loan commitment, mortgage,
indenture or other contract, in each case, between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and a
party other than the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, relating to the borrowing of money in
excess of $500,000, other than any such document relating to indebtedness that will be repaid or
transferred to the Company prior to Closing, including, for
24
avoidance of doubt, indebtedness
relating to certain of the Converting Interests which will be transferred to the Company prior to
Closing;
(e) any contract or agreement between the Company (or any of its Subsidiaries) and any of its
directors or Affiliates (other than the Company and its Subsidiaries), the Shareholders or any of
their Affiliates (other than the Company and its Subsidiaries), other than those relating to the
issuance of the Converting Interests (collectively, the “Related Party Agreements”);
(f) any contract or agreement providing for the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to grant,
issue or vest stock, restricted stock, options or similar rights to any Person, other than those
relating to any equity interests in the Company and Subsidiaries held by Closing Date Principal
Shareholders which will be redeemed prior to Closing, including, for avoidance of doubt, certain of
the Converting Interests;
(g) any contract or agreement which limits or restricts the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
from engaging in any material respect in any business in any jurisdiction or geographic location;
(h) any contract or agreement granting any Person a Lien on all or any part of any assets or
properties or equity of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and, in the case of any such
contract granting a Lien on any equity of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, whether any
certificated securities representing such equity are in the possession of the secured party
thereunder;
(i) any contract or agreement granting to any Person an option or a first refusal, first-offer
or similar preferential right to purchase or acquire any material assets of the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries, other than any such contract or agreement relating to the Converting Interests;
(j) any contract or agreement entered into within five years prior to the execution of this
Agreement with regard to a merger, purchase of equity or purchase of assets relating to the
purchase of another business (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not be interpreted to
include the refurbishment of any Vessel) where the purchase price exceeds $5,000,000 under such
contract or agreement;
(k) any contract or agreement entered into within five years prior to the execution of this
Agreement for the sale of any material assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;
(l) any contract or agreement with any agent (including marketing, commission, day rate and
customs agents), employee or representative (excluding any legal, accounting or financial
advisors);
(m) any joint venture, cost sharing or partnership contract or agreement;
(n) any guaranty or suretyship or contribution agreements, performance bonds or agreements the
primary purpose of which is to provide indemnification (but excluding
25
equipment free placement
agreements, rig or shipyard access agreements and similar operational agreements entered into in
the ordinary course of business);
(o) any contract to purchase or sell real property;
(p) any collective bargaining agreement or other agreement with any labor organization, union
or association;
(q) any contract, agreement or commitment requiring the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to
make a payment as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
other than any agreement or engagement letters entered into with the Company’s legal, accounting
and financial advisors specified in clause (i) of the definition of Company Transaction Costs in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and that will be fully satisfied
upon payment of the Company Transaction Costs specified on Schedule 2.3(b)(vi) (as such
schedule may be updated as of Closing);
(r) any ISDA Master Agreement or other contract or agreement related to derivatives or hedging
arrangements; and
(s) all other contracts, agreements and commitments to which the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries is a party or by which its properties or assets are bound that require the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries to pay more than $1,000,000 in any consecutive 12-month period and which
are not otherwise described in any of subsections (a) through (r) above other than any such other
contracts, agreements and commitments which are terminable by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries without penalty on notice of not more than sixty (60) calendar days.
The Company has Made Available to Parent true, correct and complete copies of all Company
Contracts set forth on Schedule 4.13, provided that the foregoing shall not
require the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (a) to permit any inspection, or to disclose any
information,
that in the reasonable judgment of the Company would result in the disclosure of any trade
secret of a third party or violate any Applicable Laws (including antitrust laws of the United
States) or any of its obligations with respect to confidentiality or (b) to disclose any privileged
information of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in a manner that is reasonably expected to
result in the loss of such privilege; provided further, that a description of any
Company Contract not Made Available based on (a) or (b) above and the reason for not Making
Available such Company Contract shall be set forth on Schedule 4.13. Each such Company
Contract is a legal, valid, binding agreement of the Company or its Subsidiaries, as applicable,
enforceable against the Company or its Subsidiaries, as applicable, in accordance with their
respective terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions, and no defenses, off-sets or
counterclaims have been asserted in writing, or to the knowledge of the Company otherwise asserted,
nor has the Company or any of its Subsidiaries waived any material rights thereunder. Except as
set forth on Schedule 4.13, there exists no default by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, nor has any event occurred which with the passage of time or giving of notice would
constitute a default by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under any Company Credit Facility.
Except as set forth on Schedule 4.13, there exists no default by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, nor has any event occurred which with the passage of time or giving of notice would
constitute a default by the Company or
26
any of its Subsidiaries under any Company Contract (other
than a Company Credit Facility), which, in either case, would have or would be reasonably likely to
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth on
Schedule 4.13, the Company has no Knowledge of, and none of the Closing Date Principal
Shareholders has knowledge of, any plan or intention of any other party to any Company Contract to
exercise any right to cancel or terminate that Company Contract.
Section 4.14 Tax Returns; Taxes.
(a) Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.14(a),
(i) all material Tax Returns required to be filed by or with respect to any of
the Company or its Subsidiaries (including any Tax Return required to be filed by an
affiliated, consolidated, combined, unitary or similar group that included the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries) have been duly filed with the appropriate
Governmental Entity;
(ii) all material items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit
(collectively, “Tax Items”) required to be included in each such Tax Return
have been so included, and all such Tax Items provided in each such Tax Return are
true, correct and complete in all material respects;
(iii) all material Taxes owed by any of the Company or its Subsidiaries that
are or have become due have been paid in full, or, if unpaid, are reflected in the
Financial Statements;
(iv) no material penalty, interest or other charge is or will become due with
respect to the late filing of any such Tax Return or late payment of any such Tax;
(v) all Tax withholding and deposit requirements imposed on or with respect to
any of the Company or its Subsidiaries, including unemployment compensation and
workers’ compensation Taxes, have been satisfied in full in all material respects;
(vi) there are no Liens (other than Permitted Exceptions) on any of the assets
or properties of the Company or its Subsidiaries that arose in connection with any
failure (or alleged failure) to pay any Tax;
(vii) there is no Claim pending by any Governmental Entity and no Claim by any
Governmental Entity has been received by the Company in connection with any Tax owed
by or with respect to the Company or its Subsidiaries;
(viii) none of the Tax Returns required to be filed by any of the Company or
its Subsidiaries (including any Tax Returns required to be filed by an affiliated,
consolidated, combined, unitary or similar group that included the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries) is now under audit or examination by any
27
Governmental Entity, and
none of the Company, its Subsidiaries or the Closing Date Principal Shareholders has
received a notice in writing of an intent to open an audit or examination of the Tax
obligations of any of the Company or its Subsidiaries by any Governmental Entity;
(ix) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has granted any requests,
agreements, consents or waivers to extend the statutory period of limitations
applicable to the assessment of any Taxes with respect to any Tax Returns of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries;
(x) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to, is bound by,
or has any obligation under, any Tax sharing, allocation or indemnity agreement or
any similar agreement or arrangement, other than an obligation in any customary
agreements with Customers, vendors, lessors or the like entered into in the ordinary
course of business and indemnity obligations in credit agreements;
(xi) the Company is a foreign corporation, within the meaning of Sections
7701(a)(3) and (5) of the Code and is not a Tax resident of any country, other than
the Cayman Islands, for purposes of any such country’s Applicable Laws;
(xii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries (other than Frontier
Driller, Inc. and Frontier Drilling (USA), Inc.) holds any United States real
property interests, within the meaning of section 897(c) of the Code;
(xiii) with respect to each of the Company and its Subsidiaries, no claim has
ever been made in writing by a Governmental Entity in a jurisdiction in which the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries does not file Tax Returns that such member is or
may be required to file a Tax Return in that jurisdiction;
(xiv) none of the Company or its Subsidiaries has consummated, participated in,
or is currently participating in any transaction that was or is a “listed
transaction” or “reportable transaction” as defined in sections 6662A, 6011, 6111 or
6707A of the Code or the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder; and
(xv) Schedule 4.14(a)(xv) accurately sets forth (A) the name,
jurisdiction and form of organization of each entity set forth on
Schedule 4.14(a)(xv) (each a “Subject Entity”), (B) the ownership of
each Subject Entity immediately prior to the Closing (following the
Recapitalization), and (C) where indicated, certain information as to tax basis in
the assets of a Subject Entity or assets owned by a Subject Entity. No Subject
Entity has made an entity classification election pursuant to Section 301.7701-3 of
the United States Treasury Regulations.
(b) Certain Definitions: “Tax” or “Taxes” means any taxes, assessments, fees,
levies, duties, unclaimed property and escheat obligations, and other governmental charges
28
imposed
by any Governmental Entity (including interest, penalties, or additions associated therewith),
including income, profits, gross receipts, margin, net proceeds, alternative or add-on minimum, ad
valorem, real property (including assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental
Entity that are based on the use or ownership of real property), value added, turnover, goods and
services, sales, use, property, personal property (tangible and intangible), environmental, stamp,
leasing, lease, user, excise, duty, franchise, capital stock, transfer, registration, license,
withholding, social security, social contribution, unemployment, disability, payroll, employment,
fuel, excess profits, occupational, premium, windfall profit, severance, estimated, and all other
taxes of any kind for which a Person may have any liability imposed by any Governmental Entity,
whether disputed or not, including any item for which liability arises by contract or as a
transferee or successor. “Tax Return” means any return, declaration, report, claim for
refund, form, information return or statement relating to or required to be filed in respect of
Taxes, including any schedule or attachment thereto, and including any amendment thereof.
Section 4.15 Directors, Officers and Employees. Schedule 4.15 contains a true and complete list as of the date of the Agreement of all
of the directors, officers, managers and members of any applicable governing body of the Company
and each of its Subsidiaries, specifying their position, and the Company has Made Available to
Parent a list containing the annualized base salary and any other incentive compensation paid and
payable by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to each such individual. The Company
has Made Available to Parent (a) a payroll report as of a regular payroll date as close as
practicable preceding the date of this Agreement for the Company and each of its Subsidiaries,
reflecting payroll payments made to each employee of the Company or its Subsidiary as of such date;
(b) a list of all employees of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries who are not reflected on
the payroll report(s) referenced above but are employed by the Company or its Subsidiaries, which
report and list described in clauses (a) and (b) shall include the employees’ names, employing
entities, lengths of service, annualized salary or hourly wage and leave of absence status,
including length of any ongoing leave, if applicable; and (c) a list of all independent
contractors or consultants (in each case who is a natural person not providing services through a
staffing agency or as an employee of another contractor), specifying their position and material
terms of the relationship with the Company or its Subsidiaries, including their compensation.
Schedule 4.15 lists all written employment agreements remaining executory in whole or in
part on the date hereof, and the Company has Made Available to Parent true, complete and correct
copies of all those employment agreements. None of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a
party to any oral employment agreement, other than with respect to employment at will arrangements
that are terminable by either party thereto without liability on the part of either party thereto
(except for earned but unpaid salaries or wages). Except as set forth on Schedule 4.15,
none of the Company or its Subsidiaries are obligated pursuant to any written, or to the Knowledge
of the Company, verbal commitments to any officer, director, employee or independent contractor or
consultant to increase their total compensation (including, but not limited to base salary, bonus
opportunities, incentive compensation or profit-sharing) or potential severance prior to the
Closing Date or as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Schedule
4.15 lists all written employee policies and procedures of the Company and any of its
Subsidiaries. The Company has Made Available to Parent a copy of all written employee policies and
procedures.
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Section 4.16 Company Benefit Plans.
(a) The term “Company Benefit Plan” means each Employee Benefit Plan (as defined
below) that is sponsored, maintained or contributed to by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries,
or with respect to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect
obligation to make contributions or with respect to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
has or may in the future have any liability. Schedule 4.16(a) identifies each Company
Benefit Plan. The term “Employee Benefit Plan” means each (i) “employee benefit plan,” as
such term is defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended (“ERISA”), (ii) equity bonus, equity ownership, option, restricted equity, equity
purchase, equity appreciation rights, phantom equity, or other equity-based compensation plan or
arrangement, (iii) bonus plan or arrangement, incentive award plan or arrangement, deferred
compensation agreement or arrangement, executive compensation or supplemental income or retirement
arrangement, personnel policy, vacation or paid time off policy, severance pay plan, policy or
agreement, change of control agreement, consulting agreement, or employment agreement, and
(iv) other employee benefit plan, agreement, arrangement, program, practice or understanding
providing for employee benefits or for the remuneration, direct or indirect, of employees, former
employees, directors, officers, consultants, independent contractors, contingent workers or leased
employees or the dependents of any of them (whether written or oral, other than workers’
compensation, unemployment compensation and other governmental programs); provided, that
the term “Employee Benefit Plan” does not include any Foreign Plan.
(b) True, correct and complete copies of each of the Company Benefit Plans, and related
trusts, if applicable, including all amendments thereto, have been delivered or Made Available to
Parent. There has also been delivered or Made Available to Parent, with respect to each Company
Benefit Plan and to the extent applicable: (i) the most recent annual or other report filed with
each Governmental Entity with respect to each such plan, including all applicable schedules and
audited financial statements attached thereto; (ii) each insurance
contract and other funding agreement, and all amendments thereto; (iii) the most recent
summary plan description and any summaries of material modifications thereto; (iv) the most recent
audited financial statements or accounts and actuarial report or valuation required to be prepared
under Applicable Laws; and (v) the most recent determination letter or opinion letter issued by the
United States Internal Revenue Service (the “Internal Revenue Service”).
(c) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or ERISA Affiliates contributes to or has
any obligation to contribute to, or had any such obligation during the past six-year period
preceding the Closing Date to, and no Company Benefit Plan is, (i) a plan subject to Title IV of
ERISA, Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code, (ii) a “multiemployer plan” as defined in
Section 3(37) of ERISA, (iii) a plan described in Section 413 of the Code, or (iv) a plan funded
through a trust that is intended to be exempt from federal income taxation pursuant to
Section 501(c)(9) of the Code. The term “ERISA Affiliate” means any Person that, together
with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, would be deemed a “single employer” within the meaning
of Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code.
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(d) All contributions required to be made or accrued by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
to the Company Benefit Plans pursuant to their terms and provisions or pursuant to Applicable Laws
have been timely made or accrued in all material respects.
(e) Except as otherwise set forth on Schedule 4.16(e):
(i) each Company Benefit Plan has been established, documented, administered
and operated in compliance in all material respects with Applicable Laws and its
governing documents;
(ii) all reports and disclosures relating to the Company Benefit Plans required
to be filed with or furnished to Governmental Entities, Company Benefit Plan
participants or Company Benefit Plan beneficiaries have been filed or furnished in
substantial compliance with Applicable Laws in a timely manner;
(iii) each of the Company Benefit Plans intended to be qualified under
Section 401(a) of the Code satisfies in all material respects the requirements of
Section 401(a), and (A) is maintained in all material respects pursuant to a
prototype document approved by the Internal Revenue Service, or has received a
currently effective favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service
regarding such qualified status, and has not been amended or operated in a way which
would adversely affect such qualified status; or (B) still has a remaining period of
time in which to apply for or receive such letter and to make any amendments
necessary to obtain a favorable determination;
(iv) there are no Actions pending (other than routine claims for benefits) or,
to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against, or with respect to, any of the
Company Benefit Plans, their fiduciaries or administrators or their assets;
(v) as to any Company Benefit Plan intended to be qualified under
Section 401(a) of the Code, there has been no termination or partial termination of
the Company Benefit Plan within the meaning of Section 411(d)(3) of the Code;
(vi) there is no matter pending (other than routine qualification determination
filings) with respect to any of the Company Benefit Plans before any Governmental
Entity;
(vii) except as otherwise disclosed under this Agreement, the execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby will not (A) require the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to make a larger
contribution to, or pay greater amounts or benefits under, any Company Benefit Plan
than it otherwise would, whether or not some other subsequent action or event would
be required to cause such payment or provision to be triggered, or (B) create or
give rise to any additional vested rights, service credits or other benefits or
payments under any Company Benefit Plan or result in the acceleration of the time of
payment or vesting;
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(viii) with respect to each Company Benefit Plan which is a group health plan,
the Company and each of its ERISA Affiliates have complied with (A) the applicable
health care continuation and notice provisions of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”), and the applicable COBRA
regulations (including the requirements of the American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act of 2009), and (B) the applicable requirements of the Health Insurance
Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 and the regulations thereunder, and
neither the Company nor any of its ERISA Affiliates has incurred any liability under
Section 4980 of the Code;
(ix) none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has engaged in a
transaction with respect to any Company Benefit Plan for which it would reasonably
be expected to be subject (either directly or indirectly) to a liability for either
a civil penalty assessed pursuant to Section 502(i) of ERISA or a Tax imposed by
Section 4975 of the Code; and
(x) since January 1, 2005, each nonqualified deferred compensation plan or
arrangement has been maintained in good faith operational compliance with Section
409A of the Code and, as of December 31, 2008, each nonqualified deferred
compensation plan or arrangement is in documentary compliance with Section 409A of
the Code, except for such plans or arrangements for which noncompliance may be
corrected under IRS Notice 2008-113 or IRS Notice 2010-6 and are set forth on
Schedule 4.16(e) (including setting forth the manner of noncompliance).
(f) Except as otherwise set forth on Schedule 4.16(f), in connection with the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, no payments of money or property,
acceleration of benefits, or provisions of other rights have or will be made hereunder, under the
Company Benefit Plans or under any other agreement which, in the aggregate and with
respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and their respective employees and other
service providers, would be reasonably likely to result in imposition of the sanctions imposed
under Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code, whether or not some other subsequent action or event
would be required to cause such payment, acceleration or provision to be triggered.
(g) Each Company Benefit Plan which is an “employee benefit plan,” as such term is defined in
Section 3(3) of ERISA, may at any time be unilaterally amended or terminated in its entirety, in
accordance with the terms thereof, without liability except as to benefits accrued thereunder prior
to such amendment or termination.
(h) Except to the extent required pursuant to Section 4980B(f) of the Code and the
corresponding provisions of ERISA, no Company Benefit Plan provides retiree medical or retiree life
insurance benefits to any Person, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is
contractually or otherwise obligated (whether or not in writing) to provide any Person with life
insurance or medical benefits upon retirement or termination of employment.
(i) Schedule 4.16(i) identifies each employee benefit plan or arrangement that is
maintained or contributed to by the Company or any Subsidiary that is not subject to the laws
32
of
the United States (each, a “Foreign Plan”). With respect to any Foreign Plan, (i) such
plan or arrangement has been established, documented, administered and operated in compliance in
all material respects with Applicable Laws and its governing document; (ii) all employer and
employee contributions required by law or by the terms of the Foreign Plan have been made or, if
applicable, accrued in accordance with normal accounting practices (except where failure to do so
would not reasonably be expected to result in material liability); (iii) the fair market value of
the assets of each funded Foreign Plan, the liability of each insurer for any Foreign Plan funded
through insurance, or the book reserve established for any Foreign Plan, together with any accrued
contributions, is sufficient to procure or provide for the accrued benefit obligations with respect
to all current and former participants in such Foreign Plan according to the actuarial assumptions
and valuations most recently used to account for such obligations in accordance with applicable
generally accepted accounting principles; and (iv) such plan or arrangement has, to the extent
applicable, been registered as required and has been maintained in good standing with applicable
regulatory authorities.
(j) No Company Benefit Plan or Foreign Plan is a “nonqualified deferred compensation plan of a
nonqualified entity” within the meaning of Section 457A of the Code.
(k) Except as otherwise set forth on Schedule 4.16(k), the execution and delivery of
this Agreement, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, will not (either
alone or upon the occurrence of any additional or subsequent events) (i) result in any payment
becoming due to any employee, former employee or group of employees or former employees, of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) increase any benefits otherwise payable under any Company
Benefit Plans, (iii) result in the acceleration of the time of payment or vesting of any such
benefits or (iv) result in the incurrence or acceleration of any other obligation related to the
Company Benefit Plans or to any employee, former employee or group of employees or former
employees. Schedule 4.16(k) sets forth the amount of any such payments or obligations, the
recipient thereof and the governing source document (e.g., plan or agreement) and identifies any
such payments or obligations with respect to which the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries is entitled to seek reimbursement from the Bully Joint Venture
Companies.
Section 4.17 Labor Matters. Except as otherwise set forth on Schedule 4.17, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary
is a party to any collective bargaining agreement with any labor organization or other
representative of any Company employees, nor is any such agreement presently being negotiated by
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Except as otherwise set forth on Schedule 4.17 or
as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect:
(i) there are no unfair labor practice complaints pending against the Company
or any Subsidiary before the National Labor Relations Board or any other labor
relations tribunal or authority;
(ii) there are no strikes, work stoppages, slowdowns, lockouts, material
arbitrations or material grievances, or other material labor disputes pending or, to
the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against or involving the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries;
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(iii) in the prior three-year period, no labor organization or group of
employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has filed any representation
petition or made any written demand for recognition;
(iv) the Company and its Subsidiaries have each at all times been in compliance
with all Applicable Laws respecting employment and employment practices, terms and
conditions of employment, wages, hours of work and occupational safety and health;
(v) neither the Occupational Safety and Health Administration nor any other
Governmental Entity has threatened to file any citation, and there are no pending
citations, with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries relating to
employees who are or were employed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;
(vi) there is no employee or governmental claim or investigation, including any
charges to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or other Governmental Entity,
investigations regarding Fair Labor Standards Act compliance, audits by the Office
of Federal Contractor Compliance Programs or similar Government Entity, Workers’
Compensation claims, sexual harassment, discrimination or retaliation complaints or
demand letters or threatened claims;
(vii) all current and former employees of the Company and each of its
Subsidiaries have been, or will have been on or before the Closing Date, paid in
full (or appropriate accruals will have been made in accordance with GAAP) for all
wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, vacation pay, severance and termination pay,
sick pay, and any other compensation for all services performed by them which have
become due and payable to them prior to or on to the Closing
Date, payable in accordance with the obligations of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries under any Applicable Law, employment or labor practice and policy, or
any collective bargaining agreement or individual agreement to which the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries are a party, or by which the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries are bound;
(viii) there are no employment related Actions pending or, to the Knowledge of
the Company, threatened at law or in equity, or before any Governmental Entity or
before any arbitrator of any kind, as to which the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries is a party arising out of the employment or termination of any of the
Continuing Employees and none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is subject
to any settlement, consent decree, judgment, injunction, ruling, order or finding of
any Governmental Entity or arbitrator with respect to such Actions;
(ix) since June 1, 2008, none of the Company or its Subsidiaries has affected a
“plant closing” (as defined in the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act
of 1988 (the “WARN Act”)) affecting any site of employment or one or more
facilities or operating units within any site of employment of a
34
facility of the
Company or one of its Subsidiaries, or a “mass lay off” (as defined in the WARN Act)
affecting any site of employment or one or more facilities or operating units within
any site of employment of a facility of the Company or one of its Subsidiaries; nor
has the Company or one of its Subsidiaries been affected by any transaction or
engaged in lay offs or employment terminations sufficient to trigger the application
of any similar state or local law, ordinance, or regulation. With respect to each
plant closing set forth on Schedule 4.17, all notices required to be
provided under the WARN Act to any employees affected by such plant closing and to
any other persons or entities were provided to such employees, persons or entities
in compliance with the notice requirements of the WARN Act such that the Company and
its Subsidiaries have no liability or obligation arising under or in connection with
the WARN Act; and
(x) any obligation to bargain with and/or notify any labor organization or
works council required as a result of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement shall have been fully satisfied prior to the consummation of any of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Section 4.18 Insurance Policies. Schedule 4.18 contains a complete and correct list of all material insurance policies
currently carried by or for the benefit of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as of the date
hereof. The Company has Made Available to Parent a list of all insurance loss runs and workers’
compensation claims received for the most recently ended three policy years and true, complete and
correct copies of all insurance policies carried by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries which
are in effect, all of which currently are in full force and effect.
Section 4.19 Intellectual Property; Software.
(a) Schedule 4.19 sets forth a true and correct list of (i) all registered
Intellectual Property (or applications therefor) owned by Company or any of its Subsidiaries (and
the jurisdiction where registered), (ii) all material agreements (excluding shrink wrap licenses or
licenses with respect to off-the-shelf-software) whereby the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is
expressly granted the right to use any Intellectual Property that it does not own, and (iii) all
agreements whereby the Company or any of its Subsidiaries grants an express license to any third
party to use any Intellectual Property that the Company or one of its Subsidiaries owns. The
Company has paid all governmental maintenance fees related to any such registered Intellectual
Property identified pursuant to (i) above. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries has good and
marketable title to (free and clear of all Liens, except Permitted Exceptions), or possesses
adequate licenses or other valid rights under, all Intellectual Property necessary for the
continued operation of the businesses of the Company and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of
business as previously and currently operated and as proposed to be operated pursuant to the
Drilling Contracts as of the Closing (the “Business IP), including, without limitation, the
design, construction and exploitation of any rigs or other equipment being constructed or developed
by the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the Closing, and, to the Knowledge of the Company, the
conduct of the business as described above does not and will not misappropriate or infringe upon
the Intellectual Property of any third party, except where the failure to hold any such title,
license or other right, or where any such misappropriation or infringement, would not constitute or
be
35
reasonably likely to constitute, a Material Adverse Effect. At any time since June 1, 2004, no
Person has made or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened to make, a Claim against the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries alleging that any of them violated, infringed, misappropriated
or otherwise improperly used any Intellectual Property. No consent of any person will be required
for the use of any of the material Business IP by the Surviving Company following the Closing to
the extent such use is consistent with the use by the Company or its Subsidiaries in the ordinary
course of business as previously and currently operated and as proposed to be operated pursuant to
the Drilling Contracts as of the Closing. The execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not (x) constitute a
breach of any instrument or agreement granting rights to any material Business IP to or by the
Company or its Subsidiaries, (y) to the Knowledge of the Company, cause the forfeiture or
termination or give rise to a right of forfeiture or termination of any Business IP, or (z) to the
Knowledge of the Company, otherwise impair the right of the Surviving Company, following the
Closing, to use or otherwise exploit, assert or enforce any Business IP.
(b) “Intellectual Property” shall mean all intellectual or industrial property and
rights therein, however denominated, throughout the world, whether or not registered, including all
patents, trademarks, service marks, trade styles or dress, mask works, copyrights (including
copyrights in computer programs, software, computer code, documentation, drawings, specifications
and data), works of authorship, moral rights of authorship, rights in designs, trade secrets,
inventions, invention disclosures, discoveries, improvements, know-how, formulae, processes,
methods, and confidential and proprietary information and all other intellectual and industrial
property rights, whether or not subject to statutory registration or protection and, with respect
to each of the foregoing, all registrations and applications for registration, renewals,
extensions, continuations, reexaminations, reissues, divisionals, improvements, modifications,
derivative works, goodwill, and common law rights.
Section 4.20 Licenses and Permits. The Company and its Subsidiaries possess or have the right to use all permits, licenses, rights
of way, easements, certificates, authorizations and approvals from any Governmental Entity (each, a
“Permit”) required to be used or held by the Company and its Subsidiaries in connection
with the ownership of the assets and the operation of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ business,
except where the failure to hold any such Permit would not constitute or be reasonably likely to
constitute a Material Adverse Effect. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.20 or except as
would not result, or be reasonably likely to result in, in a Material Adverse Effect, the Permits
are valid and in full force and effect and none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is in
default, and no condition exists that with notice or lapse of time or both would constitute a
default, under any of the Permits.
Section 4.21 Bank Accounts; Powers of Attorney. Schedule 4.21 sets forth a complete and accurate list of the names of all banks and
other financial institutions in which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has an account,
deposit or safe deposit box and applicable account names as of the date hereof, and indicating
whether any such accounts are subject to deposit account control agreements or lockbox agreements
entered into in connection with any Company Credit Facility. The Company will supplement such list
as promptly as practicable after the date hereof (but, in any event, prior to the Closing Date)
with the account numbers and the names of all persons authorized to draw on such accounts or
deposits or to have access to such boxes.
36
Section 4.22 Brokers, Finders and Investment Bankers. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.22, none of the Company or its Subsidiaries has
employed, directly or indirectly, any broker, financial advisor, finder or investment banker or
incurred any liability for any investment banking fees, financial advisory fees, brokerage fees or
finders’ fees in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Section 4.23 No Fiduciary Office. The Company does not hold or has retired from any fiduciary office held immediately prior to the
Effective Time.
Section 4.24 Anti-Corruption Laws. Except for the matter disclosed on Schedule 4.24(a), neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries or Affiliates, nor any director, officer, or employee, agent or representative of the
Company or of any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, has taken any action in furtherance of an
offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization or approval of the payment or giving of money,
property, gifts or anything else of value, directly or indirectly, to any government official,
political party or candidate for government office (including any officer or employee of a
government or government-owned or controlled entity or of a public international organization, or
any person acting in an official capacity for or on behalf of any of the foregoing, or any
political party or party official or candidate for political office) to influence official action
or secure an improper advantage; and the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates have
conducted their businesses in compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (the
“FCPA”) and all other Applicable Laws relating to anti-corruption and have instituted and
maintain policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws and with
the representation and warranty contained herein. Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.24(b),
neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has done any of the items listed on Schedule
4.24(c). Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, this
Section 4.24 contains the sole and exclusive representations and warranties regarding
compliance with and liabilities under, or Actions relating to, the FCPA or other Anti-Corruption
Laws.
Section 4.25 Capital Expenditure Program. As of the date of this Agreement, Schedule 4.25 accurately sets forth (a) the Company’s
currently planned and forecasted capital expenditures expected by the Company to be incurred in
2010 on a quarterly basis for each of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ sustaining, life
extension and newbuild capital expenditure programs, other than expenditures relating to the
newbuild construction programs relating to the construction of Bully 1 and Bully 2 (collectively,
the “Bully Construction Programs”), (b) the Company’s currently planned and forecasted
capital expenditures expected by the Company to be incurred in 2010 on a monthly basis for the
Bully Construction Programs and (c) the Company’s currently planned and forecasted capital
expenditures expected by the Company to be incurred in 2011 on a monthly basis for the Bully
Construction Programs. Such forecasts relating to the Bully Construction Programs reflect the
currently available estimated costs based upon all of the monthly construction schedules available
to date, which schedules are set forth on Schedule 4.25 (the “Construction
Schedules”). Such forecasts and Construction Schedules were prepared on a reasonable basis,
and present, to the Knowledge of the Company, all required capital expenditures for construction of
(i) a drillship (the “Bully 1”) having operating capabilities and equipment that meet the
requirements of the Drilling Agreement, dated December 19, 2005, by and between Shell Exploration &
Production Company on behalf of Shell Offshore, Inc. and the Company as subsequently assigned to
Frontier Drilling USA, Inc.
37
(the “Bully 1 Drilling Contract” ) and (ii) a drillship (the
“Bully 2”) having operating capabilities and equipment that meet the requirements of the
Offshore Drilling Rig Contract, between Shell XX Xxxxx Equipment Services B.V. and Bully 2, Ltd.
for the Drillship “Bully II” (Contract Number SEP-C-08-001), dated March 20, 2008, as amended (the
“Bully 2 Drilling Contract” ).
Section 4.26 Bully Rights. To the Knowledge of the Company, the specifications set forth in the Construction Contracts and
the purchase orders set forth on Schedule 4.26 relating to the Bully 1 and Bully 2 provide
for the construction of a drillship having operating capabilities and equipment that meet the
requirements of the Bully 1 Drilling Contract and a drillship having operating capabilities and
equipment that meet the requirements of the Bully 2 Drilling Contract, respectively.
Section 4.27 Accounts Receivable. Schedule 4.27 sets forth, by customer name and amount, all receivables of the Company
its Subsidiaries which would be included as current assets under the classification “accounts
receivable” on a balance sheet of the Company as of the date of this Agreement: (i) which have
remained unpaid, or are expected by the Company to remain unpaid, for more than (A) 75 days after
the due date specified on the original invoice of the Company or, if no due date was so specified,
(B) 120 days after the date of that invoice; (ii) as to which any unresolved dispute with the
customer exists; or (iii) which are owed by a debtor in any case under any Applicable Law relating
to bankruptcy or insolvency.
Section 4.28 Recapitalization. The Recapitalization will consist only of the transactions described on Schedule 4.28.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in Section 6.9, the Company may not
modify the Recapitalization or update or supplement Schedule 4.28 to include any sale,
lease or transfer of any assets of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, any merger,
amalgamation, consolidation, combination, dissolution or liquidation involving the Company or any
Subsidiary of the Company, the change of the place of incorporation of the Company or any
Subsidiary of the Company, or the creation of any new Subsidiary of the Company.
Section 4.29 Other Related Party Agreements. Schedule 4.29 sets forth a true, correct and complete list of each of the following
contracts in effect as of the date hereof:
(a) any type of vessel charter or lease or any agreement to provide drilling services between
the Company and any of its Subsidiaries or between two or more of such Subsidiaries;
(b) any bond, debenture, note, loan, credit or loan agreement or loan commitment, mortgage,
indenture or other contract, in each case between the Company and any of its Subsidiaries or
between two or more of such Subsidiaries, relating to the borrowing of money in excess of
$1,000,000, other than any such document relating to indebtedness that will be repaid prior to
Closing;
(c) any contract or agreement between the Company and any of its Subsidiaries or between two
or more of such Subsidiaries the primary purpose of which is to provide management services (the
“Management Services Agreement”); and
38
(d) any other contract or agreement between the Company and any of its Subsidiaries or
between two or more of such Subsidiaries where the amount to be paid under such contract or
agreement exceeds $1,000,000 in any 12-month period, other than any Management Services Agreement.
ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND MERGER SUB
Parent and Merger Sub jointly and severally represent and warrant to each Shareholder as
follows:
Section 5.1 Organization. Parent is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of
Switzerland. Merger Sub is a company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under
the laws of the Cayman Islands.
Section 5.2 Authorization.
(a) Each of Parent and Merger Sub has full power, capacity and authority to execute and
deliver this Agreement, the Plan of Merger pursuant to §233(3) of the Companies Law and any other
certificate, agreement, document or other instrument to be executed and delivered by Parent or
Merger Sub in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (collectively, the
“Parent Ancillary Documents”) and to perform Parent and Merger Sub’s obligations under this
Agreement, the Plan of Merger and the Parent Ancillary Documents and to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby.
(b) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement has been approved by the board
of directors of Parent and the board of directors of Merger Sub, and as of the Closing Date, will
be approved by a resolution of the sole shareholder of Merger Sub. No additional corporate
proceedings on the part of Parent or Merger Sub are necessary to authorize the execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the consummation by Parent and Merger Sub of the transactions
contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been, and each of the Parent Ancillary Documents will be as
of the Closing Date, duly executed and delivered by Parent and Merger Sub, as applicable, and
(assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery hereof and thereof by the other parties
hereto and thereto) does constitute, or will constitute at the Closing Date, as the case may be, a
valid and binding obligation of Parent and Merger Sub, enforceable against each of them in
accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions.
Section 5.3 Absence of Restrictions and Conflicts; Consents.
(a) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the fulfillment of and compliance with the terms
and conditions of this Agreement by Parent and Merger Sub do not or will not (as the case may be),
with the passing of time or the giving of notice or both, violate or conflict with, constitute a
breach of or default under, result in the loss of any benefit under,
permit the acceleration of any obligation under or create in any party the right to terminate,
modify or cancel, (i) the organizational documents of Parent or Merger Sub, (ii) any material
contract filed as an exhibit to Parent’s most recently filed Form 10-K pursuant to Item
39
601(b)(10)
of Regulation S-K of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”),
(iii) any judgment, decree, order, injunction, award or ruling of any Governmental Entity or
arbitration panel to which Parent or Merger Sub is a party or by which Parent or Merger Sub or any
of their respective assets or properties are bound or (iv) any Applicable Laws applicable to Parent
or Merger Sub, except in the case of clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv), where it would not have or be
reasonably likely to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect. “Parent Material Adverse
Effect” means any occurrence, condition, change, event or effect or event that would prevent
Parent from entering into this Agreement or consummating the transactions contemplated hereby.
(b) Except for (1) the filing and registration of the Plan of Merger with and by the Registrar
of Companies of the Cayman Islands as provided in Sections 233(9) and 233(13) of the Companies Law,
respectively, (2) any filings and approvals required under the HSR Act, (3) such filings and
approvals as may be required by any pre-merger notification (listed in
Schedule 4.5(b)),
securities, corporate or other law, rule or regulation of any country other than the United States
of America, (4) such notifications to The
New York Stock Exchange (the “
NYSE”) as may be
required by the rules of the NYSE, and (5) such filings as may be required under federal or state
securities laws, no consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration, declaration or
filing with, any Governmental Entity or public or regulatory unit, agency or authority is required
with respect to Parent or Merger Sub in connection with the execution, delivery or performance of
this Agreement or the Parent Ancillary Documents or the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby.
(c) No consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration, declaration or filing
with, any Person (other than a Governmental Entity) is required by or with respect to Parent or
Merger Sub in connection with the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or the
Parent Ancillary Documents or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
Section 5.4 Brokers, Finders and Investment Bankers. Except as otherwise set forth on Schedule 5.4 none of Parent or Merger Sub has employed
any broker, finder or investment banker or incurred any liability for any investment banking fees,
financial advisory fees, brokerage fees or finders’ fees in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
Section 5.5 Available Funds. At the Closing, Parent, together with its Subsidiaries, will have cash on hand and/or access
through existing credit facilities to cash, in an aggregate amount sufficient to enable Parent and
Merger Sub to timely consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and to otherwise
perform its obligations hereunder, including to pay in full (a) the Merger Consideration and (b)
all fees and expenses payable by Parent in connection with this Agreement
and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Company Transaction Costs identified on
Schedule 2.3(b)(vi) (as such schedule may be updated as of Closing), the Aggregate Credit
Facility Payoff Amount, the SECP Payments and the Closing Date Severance Payments.
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ARTICLE VI
CERTAIN COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS
Section 6.1 Conduct of Operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries. Except as set forth on Schedule 6.1 or as may be necessary to effect the
Recapitalization, from the date of this Agreement until the earlier of (a) the Closing or (b) the
termination of this Agreement pursuant to Article VIII, the Company shall and shall cause
each of its Subsidiaries to:
(i) conduct its businesses and operate its properties in the ordinary course of
business;
(ii) perform in all material respects all its obligations under agreements
relating to or affecting its properties, rights and other assets;
(iii) keep in full force and effect without interruption all its present
insurance policies or other comparable insurance coverage;
(iv) use Reasonable Efforts to (A) maintain and preserve its business
organization intact, (B) retain its present employees and (C) maintain its
relationships with suppliers, customers and others having business relations with
it;
(v) diligently manage and use all Reasonable Efforts to complete the
construction of Bully 1 and Bully 2 as promptly as practicable in accordance with
the Construction Contracts and the schedules thereunder and not to amend or alter
such Construction Contracts or the schedules thereunder, except for change orders in
the ordinary course of business not exceeding $100,000 individually or $500,000 in
the aggregate, without the prior written consent of Parent (such consent not to be
unreasonably withheld or delayed); and
(vi) maintain the instruments and agreements governing its outstanding
indebtedness under the Bully 1 Credit Agreement and the Bully 2 Credit Agreement on
their present terms or on terms more favorable to the Company and its Subsidiaries;
provided, however, that any amendment or modification may be made
with respect to the foregoing with the prior written consent of Parent (such consent
not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).
Section 6.2 Prohibited Activities. Except as set forth on Schedule 6.2 or with the prior written consent of Parent (such
consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), until the earlier of (a) the Closing or (b)
the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Article VIII, the Company shall not, and shall
not permit any of its Subsidiaries to:
(i) adopt or propose any change to its organizational documents, except to
permit the Company to authorize additional Company Ordinary Shares or any reverse
stock split, each as may be necessary to effect the Recapitalization;
(ii) except as otherwise provided for in this Agreement or as may be necessary
to effect the Recapitalization, declare, set aside or pay any dividend or
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other
distribution with respect to any Outstanding Shares or other share capital of the
Company or make any direct or indirect redemption, retirement purchase or other
acquisition for value of any direct or indirect purchase, payment or sinking fund or
similar deposit for the redemption, retirement, purchase or other acquisition for
value of, or to obtain surrender of, any Outstanding Shares or other share capital
of the Company or shares of capital stock of any of its Subsidiaries or any
outstanding warrants, options or other rights to acquire or subscribe for or
purchase unissued share capital of the Company or unissued or treasury shares of any
of its Subsidiaries;
(iii) merge, consolidate or effect a share exchange with any other Person or
enter a new line of business or make any offer to do any of the foregoing;
(iv) sell, lease, transfer, license or otherwise dispose of, or enter into a
contract to sell, lease, license or otherwise dispose of, any of its assets, except
for (i) sales of obsolete assets or (ii) arm’s-length sales or other transfers for
aggregate consideration not exceeding $500,000 (or the equivalent thereof in other
currencies);
(v) create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any indebtedness for borrowed
money not in existence as of the date of this Agreement, except that the Company and
any of its Subsidiaries shall be permitted to incur (i) any indebtedness incurred
under the Bully 1 Credit Agreement and the Bully 2 Credit Agreement and (ii) any
indebtedness to any Closing Date Principal Shareholder (it being understood that any
such indebtedness will be repaid or converted to Company Ordinary Shares prior to
the Closing) (the indebtedness permitted by this Section 6.2(v) is
hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Permitted Indebtedness”);
(vi) change its fiscal year, make any change to any method of Tax accounting,
make or change any Tax election, consent to any extension or waiver of the
limitation period applicable to any Tax, materially amend any material Tax Return
(including by way of a claim for refund), change its or any of its Subsidiaries’
place of domicile or residence for tax purposes or settle or compromise any claim
related to Taxes or material claim for refund;
(vii) other than pursuant to the Recapitalization Agreement, issue, deliver,
sell or grant, or authorize or propose the issuance, delivery, sale or grant of, any shares of its capital stock of any class, or any securities convertible into or
exercisable or exchangeable for, or any rights, warrants, calls or options to
acquire, any such shares, or enter into any commitment, arrangement, undertaking or
agreement with respect to any of the foregoing;
(viii) change any material method of accounting or accounting practice by the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries except for any such change required as a result
of a change in GAAP;
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(ix) (A) make or commit to make any capital expenditures in excess of $500,000
in the aggregate or $100,000 in a single transaction over the capital expenditures
forecast disclosed in Schedule 4.25 other than capital expenditures required
in the ordinary course of business and not related to the subjects disclosed on
Schedule 4.25 and the acceleration of capital expenditures relating to the
construction of Bully 1 or Bully 2 forecast on Schedule 4.25 and excluding
capital expenditures covered by insurance for any partial loss not covered by loss
of hire insurance, not in excess of $500,000 per occurrence or series of related
occurrences or (B) materially defer maintenance or other capital expenditures;
(x) breach or terminate any Company Contract or waive or assign any of its
rights or claims under any Company Contract in a manner that is materially adverse
to the Company or modify or amend in any material respect any Company Contract;
(xi) enter into any agreement or arrangement that materially limits or
otherwise restricts (A) the Company or any of its Affiliates from (1) engaging or
competing in any line of business or (2) engaging in any business or competing in
any geographic area or (B) the functionality of any Vessel;
(xii) dissolve or liquidate or adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation,
dissolution, or reorganization;
(xiii) make any bids related to, or enter into, any new Company Contract that
will remain in effect for more than 120 days and involve aggregate payments to the
Company in excess of $10,000,000 other than any Drilling Contract relating to the
Vessels named the Seillean or the Duchess;
(xiv) except to the extent required under the terms of any Company Benefit Plan
as in effect on the date of this Agreement or as required by Applicable Law, (A)
increase the compensation (including bonus opportunities) or fringe benefits of any
of its directors, officers or employees (except in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice with respect to employees who are not entitled to any
Severance Amounts), (B) grant any severance or termination pay, (C) make any new
equity awards to any director, officer or employee, (D) enter into or amend any
employment, consulting,
change-of-control or severance agreement or arrangement with any of its
present, former or future directors, executive officers, or employees, (E)
establish, adopt, enter into, freeze or amend in any material respect or terminate
any Company Benefit Plan or take any action to accelerate entitlement to benefits
under any Company Benefit Plan, in each such case, except as otherwise permitted
pursuant to clauses (A), (B), (C) or (D) of this paragraph or as necessary to
effectuate the provisions of this Agreement, provided that in no event may any tax
gross-up or tax reimbursement feature be granted or made more favorable to any
individual, (F) make any contribution to any Company Benefit Plan, other than
contributions required by Applicable Law or in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice, (G) pay, accrue or certify performance level
achievements at levels
43
in excess of actually achieved performance in respect of any
component of an incentive-based award, or amend or waive any performance or vesting
criteria or accelerate vesting, exercisability, distribution, settlement or funding
under any Company Benefit Plan, or (viii) enter into or amend any collective
bargaining agreement;
(xv) take any action that would result in changes in the geographic area of the
operations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (except with respect to
entering into a Drilling Contract relating to the Seillean or the Duchess);
(xvi) prepay or repay prior to the final maturity thereof any principal amounts
under the Company Credit Facilities or make any payment of interest, fees, expenses
or other amounts under the Company Credit Facilities prior to the due date thereof;
or
(xvii) enter into any contract with respect to, or authorize, any of the
actions described in the foregoing clauses (i) through (xvi).
Section 6.3 Company Shareholder’s Meeting. The Company will, as promptly as practicable following the date of this Agreement, take all
necessary steps to either convene and hold a meeting of the holders of Outstanding Shares for the
purpose of obtaining the Company Shareholder Approval or obtain a unanimous written consent from
all holders of Outstanding Shares.
Section 6.4 Support of the Merger. Each Existing Principal Shareholder will vote all of its Outstanding Shares in favor of the
Merger. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the Closing Date or the termination
of this Agreement pursuant to Article VIII, (i) each Existing Principal Shareholder agrees
it will not sell, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of any Outstanding Shares owned by such
Existing Principal Shareholder to any Person other than Parent or its designee, or grant an option
with respect to any of the foregoing, unless the transferee of such Outstanding Shares (a) is
already a Party to this Agreement or (b) executes and delivers to the Company and Parent an
Addendum Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A and (ii) each Recapitalizing
Shareholder agrees it will not sell, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of any Converting
Interests or
Outstanding Shares owned by such Recapitalizing Shareholder to any Person other than Parent or any
of its Subsidiaries or its designee, or grant an option with respect to any of the foregoing,
unless the transferee of such Converting Interests (a) is already a Party to this Agreement or (b)
executes and delivers to the Company and Parent an Addendum Agreement in the form attached hereto
as Exhibit A.
Section 6.5 Control of Other Party’s Business. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall give Parent, directly or indirectly, the right to
control or direct the Company’s operations prior to the Closing. Prior to the Closing, each of the
Company and Parent shall exercise, consistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
complete control and supervision over its respective operations.
Section 6.6 Inspection and Access to Information.
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(a) Subject to Applicable Laws, from the date hereof until the earlier of the Closing Date or
the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Article VIII, the Company will, and will
cause its Subsidiaries and its officers, directors, stockholders, employees, auditors and agents
to, provide Parent and its accountants, investment bankers, lenders, counsel, consultants and other
authorized representatives full access, during normal business hours and under reasonable
circumstances, to such premises, employees, books and records and properties of the Company and its
Subsidiaries and to all construction locations where either of Bully 1 or Bully 2 or any of their
equipment are being constructed as Parent may reasonably request, including all monthly and
quarterly balance sheets and statements of income and cash flows of the Company and its
Subsidiaries, and will cause the officers of the Company and its Subsidiaries to furnish to Parent
and its authorized representatives, promptly upon request therefor, any and all financial,
technical and operating data and other information pertaining to the Company and its Subsidiaries,
including copies thereof, and otherwise reasonably cooperate with the conduct of due diligence by
Parent and its authorized representatives and facilitate the integration of the business of the
Company and its Subsidiaries with Parent’s business; provided that such access shall not
unreasonably disrupt the operations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; and provided
further that the foregoing shall not require the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (a) to
permit any inspection, or to disclose any information, that in the reasonable judgment of the
Company would violate any Applicable Laws (including antitrust laws of the United States) or any of
its obligations with respect to confidentiality, (b) to disclose any privileged information of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries in a manner that is reasonably expected to result in the loss of
such privilege or (c) to permit or allow Parent to conduct any form of invasive environmental test
or procedure, involving any properties or facilities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
(b) At Parent’s sole cost, Parent may place not more than two persons on board any Vessel and
not more than four persons in each of the shipyards at which construction of the Bully 1 and
construction of the Bully 2 are ongoing for familiarization purposes and without interfering with
any Vessel’s or the shipyard’s operation. Parent’s representatives shall sign the Company’s
standard indemnity declaration prior to embarkation on any Vessel or arrival
in the port of destination, as the case may be. Neither the Company, nor any of its
Subsidiaries will have any liability or responsibility whatsoever for any injury to or death of
Parent’s representatives, or any loss or damage to any property of Parent’s representatives, Parent
or any of Parent’s Subsidiaries that is taken by Parent’s representatives on board a Vessel or into
the shipyard pursuant to this Section.
Section 6.7 HSR and Other Approvals.
(a) Except for the filings and notifications made pursuant to the HSR Act or applicable
foreign merger control requirements to which Section 6.7(b) and (c) and not this
Section 6.7(a), shall apply, promptly following the execution of this Agreement, the Parent
and the Company shall proceed to prepare and file with the appropriate Governmental Entities all
authorizations, consents, notifications, certifications, registrations, declarations and filings
that are necessary in order to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and shall
diligently and expeditiously prosecute, and shall cooperate fully with each other in the
prosecution of, such matters.
45
(b) As promptly as reasonably practicable following the execution of this Agreement, the
Parties shall file all premerger notification forms as may be required under the HSR Act (which, if
required, shall be made no later than 15 Business Days after the date hereof) and shall file all
notifications under foreign merger control laws for the countries identified in Schedule
4.5(b) pursuant to the relevant regulations identified therein (the “Foreign Competition
Notifications”). Each of Parent and the Company shall: (i) cooperate fully with each other and
shall furnish to the other such necessary information and reasonable assistance as the other may
reasonably request in connection with its preparation of any HSR or Foreign Competition
Notifications; (ii) keep the other reasonably informed of any communication received by such Party
from, or given by such Party to any Antitrust Authority, and of any communication received or given
in connection with any proceeding by a private party, in each case regarding the Merger and in a
manner that protects attorney-client or attorney work product privilege; and (iii) permit the other
to review and incorporate the other Party’s reasonable comments in any communication given by it to
any Antitrust Authority or in connection with any proceeding by a private party related to
Antitrust Laws with any other Person, in each case regarding the Merger and in a manner that
protects attorney-client or attorney work product privilege. Unless otherwise agreed and without
limiting the obligations stated in this Section 6.7, Parent and the Company shall each use
its Reasonable Efforts to ensure the prompt expiration of any applicable waiting period under HSR
and Foreign Competition Notifications and approval by any relevant Antitrust Authority;
provided that any reasonable action by Parent to resist or reduce the scope of a
Divestiture Action (as defined below) shall be deemed consistent with such reasonable best effort,
even if it delays such expiration to a date not beyond the Termination Date. Further, without
limiting the obligations stated in this Section 6.7, Parent and the Company shall each use
its Reasonable Efforts to respond to and comply with any request for information regarding the
Merger or filings under HSR and Foreign Competition Notifications from any Governmental Entity
charged with enforcing, applying, administering, or investigating any statute, law, ordinance, rule
or regulation designed to prohibit, restrict or regulate actions for the purpose or effect of
monopolization,
restraining trade or abusing a dominant position (collectively, “Antitrust Laws”),
including the Federal Trade Commission, the Department of Justice, any attorney general of any
state of the United States, the European Commission or any other competition authority of any
jurisdiction (“Antitrust Authority”). Parent shall be entitled to direct any proceedings
or negotiations with any Antitrust Authority or other Person relating to the Merger or filings
under HSR and Foreign Competition Notifications, including any communications with any Antitrust
Authority relating to any contemplated or proposed Divestiture Action, provided, that it shall
afford the Company a reasonable opportunity to participate therein. Neither Parent nor the Company
shall initiate, or participate in any meeting or discussion with any Governmental Entity with
respect to any filings, applications, investigation, or other inquiry regarding the Merger or any
Foreign Competition Notifications without giving the other reasonable prior notice of the meeting
or discussion and, to the extent permitted by the relevant Governmental Entity, the opportunity to
attend and participate (which, at the request of either party, shall be limited to outside
antitrust counsel only); provided, however, that neither the Company nor Parent
shall engage in any substantive communication with any Governmental Entity with respect to any
proposed Divestiture Action without the consent of the other. Notwithstanding anything herein to
the contrary, Parent shall not be required to take or agree or commit to take any action, including
any Divestiture Action, or to limit or agree to limit its freedom of action or that of the Company
or of any Subsidiary, division
46
or affiliate of either in any respect that would, in the reasonable
good faith judgment of Parent, be reasonably likely to (1) give rise to a Parent Material Adverse
Effect, (2) materially impair the benefits or advantages it expects to receive from the Merger and
the transactions contemplated hereby, or (3) give rise to a material adverse effect on the business
plan or business strategy of the combined company. Subject in all respects to the immediately
preceding sentence, Parent shall take any and all action necessary, including (i) selling or
otherwise disposing of, or holding separate and agreeing to sell or otherwise dispose of, assets,
categories of assets or businesses of the Company or Parent or their respective Subsidiaries; (ii)
terminating existing relationships, contractual rights or obligations of the Company or Parent or
their respective Subsidiaries; (iii) terminating any venture or other arrangement; (iv) creating
any relationship, contractual rights or obligations of the Company or Parent or their respective
Subsidiaries or (v) effectuating any other change or restructuring of the Company or Parent or
their respective Subsidiaries (and, in each case, to enter into agreements or stipulate to the
entry of an order or decree or file appropriate applications with any Antitrust Authority in
connection with any of the foregoing and in the case of actions by or with respect to the Company
or its Subsidiaries or its or their businesses or assets by consenting to such action by the
Company and provided that any such action may, at the discretion of the Company, be conditioned
upon consummation of the Merger) (each a “Divestiture Action”) to ensure that no
Governmental Entity enters any order, decision, judgment, decree, ruling, injunction (preliminary
or permanent), or establishes any law, rule, regulation or other action preliminarily or
permanently restraining, enjoining or prohibiting the consummation of the Merger (“Antitrust
Prohibition”) or to ensure that no Antitrust Authority with the authority to clear, authorize
or otherwise approve the consummation of the Merger, fails to do so by the Termination Date. The
Company shall cooperate with Parent and shall use its Reasonable Efforts to assist Parent in
resisting and reducing any Divestiture Action. Parent and Company shall take reasonable efforts to
share information protected from disclosure under the attorney-client privilege, work product
doctrine,
joint defense privilege or any other privilege pursuant to this section so as to preserve any
applicable privilege.
(c) The Company, Parent and Merger Sub and any of their respective Affiliates shall not take
any action with the intention to or that could reasonably be expected to hinder or delay the
obtaining of clearance or any necessary approval of any Antitrust Authority under an HSR, Foreign
Competition Notifications or Antitrust Law or the expiration of the required waiting period under
the HSR Act or any other Antitrust Laws; provided, however, that Parent may take
any reasonable action to resist or reduce the scope of a Divestiture Action, even if it delays such
expiration to a date not beyond the Termination Date. For purposes of this Agreement,
“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly
Controlling or Controlled by or under direct or indirect common Control with such specified Person.
For purposes of this definition, “Control,” when used with respect to any specified Person,
means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly,
whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms
“Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
(d) If any Divestiture Action agreed to by Parent requires action by or with respect to the
Company or its Subsidiaries or its or their businesses or assets, and such action would constitute
a breach of this Agreement, Parent hereby agrees to consent to the taking of such action by the
Company or its Subsidiaries and any such action may, at the discretion of the Company, be
conditioned upon consummation of the Merger.
47
Section 6.8 Public Announcements. None of the Closing Date Principal Shareholders shall make or issue, or cause to be made or
issued, any press release or other publication to the general public of any nature with respect to
this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. Parent, Merger Sub and the Company will
consult with each other prior to issuing any press release or other publication to the general
public of any nature with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby and
shall not make or issue, or cause to be made or issued, any such publication or press release prior
to such consultation and without the prior written consent of the other (which consent will not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed). Neither Parent nor the Company will issue any press release or
any publication to the general public of any nature with respect to this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby that names any Closing Date Principal Shareholder except with the
prior written consent of such Closing Date Principal Shareholder (which consent will not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed). Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section
6.8 shall prohibit or otherwise limit Parent or the Company from issuing any publication, press
release, announcement or statement to the extent that (i) such publication, press release,
announcement or statement contains information previously made publicly available in accordance
with this Section 6.8 or (ii) in the opinion of Parent or Company, as the case may be,
issuing such publication, press release, announcement or statement may be required by any
Applicable Laws, any listing agreement with any securities exchange or any securities exchange
regulation, in which case Parent or Company, as the case may be, proposing to issue such
publication or press release shall make all Reasonable Efforts to consult in good faith with the
other before issuing any such publication or press release with respect to the timing, manner and
content of disclosure. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 6.8 shall limit
a Closing Date Principal Shareholder from issuing any confidential communication with respect to
this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby to the limited partners of such Closing Date
Principal Shareholder.
Section 6.9 Disclosure Schedules. From time to time up to the earlier of the Closing Date or termination of this Agreement
pursuant to Article VIII, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to
supplement or amend the Schedules that they have delivered with respect to any matter first
existing or occurring following the date hereof that (i) if it had existed or occurred at or prior
to the date hereof, would have been required to be set forth or described in the Schedules on the
date hereof or (ii) is necessary to correct any information in the Schedules that has been rendered
inaccurate thereby. Any such supplement or amendment to the Schedules pursuant to the preceding
sentence shall modify the representations and warranties contained in Article III or
Article IV for purposes of determining satisfaction of the conditions set forth in
Section 7.2(a); provided, however, that no supplement or amendment shall be
given effect for such purposes to the extent it seeks to supplement or amend (i) the
representations and warranties provided in Section 4.8 and Section 4.24, (ii) the
representations and warranties relating to title to the Vessels provided in Section 4.6, or
(iii) any representation in Article III or Article IV to disclose any information
which would constitute or result in, or be reasonably likely to constitute or result in, a Material
Adverse Effect. Any such supplement or amendment shall have no effect for purposes of determining
whether a breach of the representations and warranties for purposes of Section 9.1 has
occurred. Notwithstanding the foregoing, supplements or amendments to the Schedules arising after
the date of this Agreement from actions permitted under Section 6.1 shall not by themselves
be deemed (i) to cause any condition to Closing in Section 7.2(a) to fail to be satisfied
or (ii) to constitute a breach of a representation or warranty for purposes of Section
9.1(a) or an acknowledgement or admission that any such
48
breach has occurred or that any such
disclosure is material. For the avoidance of doubt, no amendment or supplement of Schedule 9.3
shall be permitted.
Section 6.10 Tax Matters.
(a) Tax Returns. The Company shall prepare and file, or cause to be prepared and
filed, Tax Returns of the Company and its Subsidiaries required to be filed prior to the Closing
Date (the “Pre-Closing Date Tax Returns”) and shall pay any Tax shown to be due and owing
thereon. Parent shall prepare and file, or cause to be prepared and filed, all other Tax Returns
of the Company and its Subsidiaries and shall make, or cause the Company (or applicable Subsidiary)
to make, any payments shown to be due and owing thereon. Tax Returns required to be prepared by
Parent for taxable periods beginning before the Closing Date shall be prepared on a basis
consistent with those prepared with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries for prior taxable
periods unless a different treatment of any item is required by Applicable Laws. Not later than
thirty (30) days prior to the due date (including extensions thereof) of each Tax Return for a
Taxable period beginning before the Closing Date, Parent shall deliver to the Shareholder
Representative a copy of such Tax Return for review and comment, and Parent’s inclusion in any such
Tax Return of any modification requested by the
Shareholder Representative shall not be unreasonably withheld. Any such request for
modification shall be made in writing by the Shareholder Representative within ten (10) days of
receipt of the relevant Tax Return. Parent shall provide a copy of all final Tax Returns that
cover any Taxable period beginning prior to the Closing Date to the Shareholder Representative
promptly after filing. Any dispute between the Parties with respect to any matter addressed in
this Section 6.10(a) shall be subject to the provisions of Section 9.3(c).
(b) Tax Audits. Parent, the Surviving Company, its Subsidiaries and the Shareholder
Representative shall cooperate fully, as and to the extent reasonably requested, in connection with
any audit, litigation or other proceeding with respect to Taxes and Tax Returns (a “Tax
Contest”). Such cooperation shall include the retention, and (upon the other party’s request)
the provision, of records and information which are reasonably relevant to any such Tax Contest and
making employees available on a mutually convenient basis to provide additional information and
explanation of any material provided hereunder; provided, however, the party requesting
assistance shall pay the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the party providing such
assistance; provided, further, no party shall be required to provide assistance at
times or in amounts that would interfere unreasonably with the business and operations of such
party. The rights and responsibilities of the parties with respect to a Tax Contest shall be
governed by the provisions of Section 9.3; provided that in the case of any Tax
Contest (or portion thereof) that could give rise to a Claim under Section 9.3, the
Shareholder Representative shall have the right to confer with Parent with respect to, and to
participate in the defense of, such Tax Contest (or portion thereof) from its commencement, subject
to the right of the Shareholder Representative, at any time during the course of the Tax Contest,
to assume or take control of the defense of such Tax Contest (or portion thereof) pursuant to
Section 9.3(a).
(c) Post Closing Tax Actions. Except in the ordinary course of business and
consistent with past practice or as otherwise provided in Section 6.10(a) or Section
6.10(b), and subject to the next sentence of this Section 6.10(c), Parent shall not,
and shall not cause or permit any of its Affiliates to, (i) make or change any Tax election, (ii)
amend any Tax Return, or (iii) take
49
any action or omit to take any action (all items in (i), (ii),
and (iii), collectively, “Post-Closing Tax Actions”), including with respect to any Tax
Return for any period beginning prior to the Closing Date, that results in any increased Tax
liability of the Closing Date Principal Shareholders (or their beneficial owners) or that would
increase the indemnification obligations of any Closing Date Principal Shareholders under Article
IX, except where (i) such Post Closing Tax Action is part of the final determination of a Tax
Contest with respect to such Tax Return (in which case the taking of such Post Closing Tax Action
shall nonetheless be subject to Section 6.10(b)) or (ii) Parent has received the written
consent of the Shareholder Representative (not to be unreasonably withheld). Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if and to the extent that a Post-Closing Tax Action results in any increased Tax
liability of the Closing Date Principal Shareholders (or their beneficial owners) but would not
have resulted in any such increased tax liability but for an inaccuracy in a representation in
Section 4.14(a)(xv), Parent shall be treated as having complied with the first sentence of
this Section 6.10(c).
(d) PFIC Matters. Parent and the Surviving Company shall provide (or cause to be
provided) to the Shareholder Representative such information with respect to the taxable years of
its Subsidiaries that include the Closing Date (the “Closing Date Taxable Years,” or,
separately, a “Closing Date Taxable Year”) as is necessary for the Shareholder
Representative to make the designation referenced in the second sentence of this paragraph,
including the most recent financial statements for Bully 1 Joint Venture and Bully 2 Joint Venture,
within 90 days after the end of each Closing Date Taxable Year. No later than 30 days after the
receipt of such information for a Subsidiary, the Shareholder Representative shall advise Parent
whether or not it designates such Subsidiary as a “passive foreign investment company,” within the
meaning of section 1297 of the Code, for the Closing Date Taxable Year of such Subsidiary. Within
30 days after notification by the Shareholder Representative that such a Subsidiary has been so
designated, Parent shall provide the Closing Date Principal Shareholders with a “PFIC Annual
Information Statement” in accordance with U.S. Treasury regulations section 1.1295-1 (g) for such
Subsidiary and shall provide any other information reasonably requested by the Closing Date
Principal Shareholders with respect to the Closing Date Taxable Year of such Subsidiary as the
Closing Date Principal Shareholders may need to comply with reporting obligations with respect to
the ownership of a passive foreign investment company.
(e) Good Standing Certificates. Prior to the Closing, the Company shall make
commercially reasonable efforts to obtain, with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries, a
certificate, dated as of a recent date prior to the Closing Date, duly issued by the appropriate
Governmental Authorities in its jurisdiction of organization and, in each other jurisdiction listed
on Schedule 6.10(e) for such entity, showing such entity to be in good standing and
authorized to do business in its jurisdiction or organization and those other jurisdictions and, to
the extent customarily included in such certificates and available on a prompt and timely basis,
that all state franchise and income tax returns and taxes due by it in its jurisdiction of
organization and those other jurisdictions for all periods prior to the Closing have been filed and
paid.
(f) Section 338 Elections. Parent shall not make or cause to be made elections under
Section 338(g) of the Code with respect to the acquisition or deemed acquisition of the Company or
the eligible Subsidiaries of the Company.
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(g) Conversion of Drilling ASA. Before Closing, the Company shall take any action
reasonably requested by Parent to enable a post-closing conversion of Drilling ASA from a Norwegian
public limited company (Allment Aksjeselskap) to a Norwegian limited company (Aksjeselskap);
provided, however, for the avoidance of doubt, that (i) the Company shall not be
required to take any action that may reasonably result in the breach of any contract or agreement
or that may otherwise reasonably have an adverse effect on its business or operations and (ii)
nothing in this Section 6.10(g) shall be interpreted or construed as a condition to the
Closing. Parent shall (i) reimburse the Company and Drilling ASA for all reasonable expenses
incurred by the Company and Drilling ASA in complying with the Company’s obligations under this
Section 6.10(g) and (ii) indemnify and hold harmless the Closing Date Principal
Shareholders for any loss or liability resulting from any actions undertaken pursuant to this
Section 6.10(g).
Section 6.11 Employee Matters.
(a) Parent agrees to, or to cause the Surviving Company or another Subsidiary of Parent to,
employ or continue to employ all persons listed on Schedule 6.11(a) (as such schedule may
be updated by Parent prior to the Closing) and who are employees of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries immediately prior to the Closing (each such person, a “Continuing
Employee”) and who satisfy Parent’s normal hiring policies, for a period extending
until the earlier of (i) the termination of such Continuing Employee’s employment with such
entities (A) for cause or (B) in the event of a reduction in force due to a Vessel becoming idle or
the completion of the construction of Bully 1 or Bully 2 or (ii) the first anniversary of the
Closing Date, on such terms and conditions, including compensation and benefits as are applicable
to similarly-situated employees of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries other than the Company and its
Subsidiaries. As of the Closing Date, Parent or one of its Subsidiaries shall assume and honor all
existing employment agreements with Continuing Employees, all bonus arrangements existing with
Continuing Employees listed on Schedule 6.11(a), and all collective bargaining agreements
applicable to the Continuing Employees and in effect as of the Closing; provided,
however, that any obligations assumed by a Subsidiary of the Parent will also be guaranteed
by the Parent or another credit-worthy entity.
(b) Parent shall ensure that, as of the Closing Date, each Continuing Employee receives full
credit (for all purposes, including eligibility to participate, vesting, vacation entitlement and
severance benefits, but excluding eligibility and benefit accrual under any defined benefit plan)
for service with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or predecessor service credit under its
employee benefit plans) under each of the comparable employee benefit plans, programs and policies
of Parent, or its relevant Subsidiary as in effect immediately prior to the Closing, as applicable,
in which such Continuing Employee becomes or may become a participant to the extent such service
was credited under the plans, programs and policies of the Company; provided,
however, that no such service recognition shall result in any duplication of benefits. As
of the Closing Date, Parent shall, or shall cause the Surviving Company or relevant Subsidiary to,
credit to Continuing Employees the amount of vacation time that such employees had accrued under
any applicable Employee Benefit Plan or Foreign Plan as of the Closing Date and such amounts are
set forth on Schedule 6.11(a). With respect to each health or welfare benefit plan
maintained by Parent or its relevant Subsidiary for the benefit of any Continuing Employees, Parent
shall (i) cause to be waived any eligibility waiting periods, any evidence of insurability
requirements and the application of any pre-existing condition limitations under such
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plan but only
to the extent such periods, requirement or limitations were satisfied under the Company Benefit
Plans by such Continuing Employee; and (ii) cause each Continuing Employee to be given credit under
such plan for all amounts paid by such Continuing Employee under any similar Employee Benefit Plan
or Foreign Plan for the plan year that includes the Closing Date for purposes of applying
deductibles, co-payments and out-of-pocket maximums as though such amounts had been paid in
accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plan maintained by Parent or its
relevant Subsidiary, as applicable, for the plan year in which the Closing Date occurs. Effective
as of the Closing Date, Parent or one of its Subsidiaries shall assume all employment-related
claims, liabilities and obligations with respect to each of the Continuing Employees, whether known
or unknown, and any other claims, liabilities or obligations arising out of the employment of or
termination of employment of any of the Continuing Employees, in each case, whether or not such
claims, liabilities and/or obligations are related to periods before, on or after the Closing Date.
On and after the Closing Date, Parent and its Affiliates shall retain and indemnify, defend and
hold harmless the Company and its Subsidiaries from and against any and all claims, liabilities or
obligations assumed by Parent or its Affiliates pursuant to this Section 6.11;
provided, however, that the obligation of Parent and its Affiliates to indemnify,
defend and hold harmless the Company and its Subsidiaries from any claims, liabilities or
obligations pursuant to this sentence shall be inapplicable to the extent any
Parent Indemnified Party is entitled to indemnification pursuant to Section 9.1. The
Company shall be responsible for compliance with the WARN Act with respect to any plant closing or
lay off which requires a WARN notice and that occurs with respect to employees of the Company or
any one of its Subsidiaries prior to the Closing Date. Any termination of Employees by Parent on
or after the Closing Date which creates an obligation to issue a WARN notice will be solely the
responsibility of the Parent even if such notice should have been given prior to the Closing Date.
(c) Nothing contained in this Agreement (including this Section 6.11(c)) shall (i)
amend, or be deemed to amend, any Employee Benefit Plan or Foreign Plan, (ii) provide any Person
not a party to this Agreement with any right, benefit or remedy (whether express or implied) with
regard to any Employee Benefit Plan or Foreign Plan or a right to enforce any provision of this
Agreement, (iii) limit in any way the ability to amend or terminate any Employee Benefit Plan or
Foreign Plan at any time, subject to Applicable Laws, or (iv) create any right to continued
employment with Parent or any of its Affiliates, except as contemplated in Section 6.11(a).
Section 6.12 Notice of Other Party’s Breach. Parent will give prompt notice to the Company and the Shareholder Representative of any failure
of the Company or any Closing Date Principal Shareholder to comply in any material respect with or
satisfy any covenant, condition or agreement to be complied with or satisfied by any of them under
this Agreement of which Parent has Knowledge. Company will give prompt notice to Parent of any
failure of Parent or the Merger Sub to comply in any material respect with or satisfy any covenant,
condition or agreement to be complied with or satisfied by any of them under this Agreement of
which the Company has Knowledge.
52
Section 6.13 Release of Claims.
(a) Upon the consummation of the Merger, each Party, on behalf of itself, its respective
successors and assigns and any Person Controlled by such Party (each, a “Releasing Party”),
hereby absolutely, irrevocably and unconditionally releases, acquits and discharges each other
Party and each such other Party’s direct and indirect members, partners and other owners,
Affiliates and Subsidiaries, and its and their respective officers, directors, representatives,
attorneys, successors and assigns and any officers and members of the Company board of directors
and any officers and members of each Subsidiary board of directors (and all other similar governing
bodies) and their successors and assigns, each in its capacity as such (collectively, the
“Releasees”), with respect to and from any and all Claims (as defined below) that any other
Releasing Party had or may have or claim to have in the future against each or any of the Releasees
by reason of any matter, cause or thing whatsoever relating in any manner whatsoever to (i) any
Releasee’s equity and/or debt interests in or with respect to the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries including matters arising under the Shareholders’ Agreement, the organizational
documents of the Company or its Subsidiaries and any agreements relating to the Outstanding Shares
or Converting Interests, and any loan agreements, subscription agreements and other similar
agreements with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and the Recapitalization Agreement and (ii)
any act, omission, misrepresentation, transaction, fact, event or other matter
occurring prior to the Closing related to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or properties
(the Claims released under clauses (i) and (ii), collectively, the “Released Claims”), and
acknowledges and agrees that in the event any Claim is raised, or any Claim is threatened against
the Releasees by any other Releasing Party or their equity owners, partners or Affiliates with
respect to any cause, matter or thing which is the subject of the above, regardless of when any
such Claim is raised, this Release may be raised as a complete bar to any such Claim, and the
applicable Releasee may recover from the applicable Releasing Parties all costs incurred in
connection with such Claim, including attorneys’ fees; provided, however, that the
Released Claims shall exclude any and all rights of any Party under this Agreement (including the
right to indemnification under Article IX, Section 6.14 or the rights specified
under Section 8.2). Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Released Claims shall
not include any Claim arising out of the fraud or intentional misconduct of any Releasee.
(b) Contemporaneously with the consummation of the Merger, Parent will (i) cause all of the
Closing Date Principal Shareholders who are parties to the agreements set forth on Schedule
6.13 (the “Released Contracts”), to be released from all obligations under the Released
Contracts, including any obligation to provide cost overrun equity commitments to lenders under
certain of the Company Credit Facilities, and (ii) provide such Closing Date Principal Shareholders
with reasonable evidence of the releases referenced in this Section 6.13(b). For avoidance
of doubt, from and after Closing, no Closing Date Principal Shareholder or any of its Affiliates
shall have any obligation to contribute any amount of money or make any loans to the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries.
(c) “Claims” means any and all assertions, charges, claims, demands, liabilities,
obligations, promises, agreements, causes of action, controversies, challenges, complaints,
damages, remedies, suits, rights, costs, losses, debts, and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and
costs) of any kind whatsoever, known or unknown, whether in law or equity and whether arising under
federal, state, local or non-U.S. law, in each case arising from or relating to any acts, omissions
or other conduct by any party that occurred on or prior to the Closing Date.
53
Section 6.14 Indemnification, Exculpation and Insurance.
(a) Parent agrees that all rights, if any, of the individuals who on or prior to the Closing
Date are or were directors, officers or employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
(collectively, the “Shareholder Indemnitees”) to indemnification and exculpation from
liabilities for acts or omissions occurring at or prior to the Closing Date as provided in the
respective certificate of incorporation or by-laws or comparable organizational documents of the
Company or any of the Subsidiaries as now in effect, and any indemnification agreements or
arrangements of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 6.14 shall
survive the Closing Date and shall continue in full force and effect in accordance with their
terms, subject to the following sentence. Such rights may be amended, or otherwise modified in any
manner that does not adversely affect the rights of the Shareholder Indemnitees or as required by
Applicable Law.
(b) In the event any Claim is asserted or made, any determination required to be made with
respect to whether a Shareholder Indemnitee’s conduct complies with the standards set forth under
Applicable Law, the applicable organizational documents of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries
or any indemnification agreements or arrangements of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries listed
on Schedule 6.14, as the case may be, shall be made by independent legal counsel.
(c) Each of Parent and the Shareholder Indemnitees shall cooperate, and cause their respective
Affiliates to cooperate, in the defense of any Claim with respect to which the Shareholder
Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification and exculpation under Section 6.14(a) and shall
provide access to properties and individuals as reasonably requested and furnish or cause to be
furnished records, information and testimony, and attend such conferences, discovery proceedings,
hearings, trials or appeals, as may be reasonably requested in connection therewith.
(d) For the six-year period commencing immediately after the Closing Date, Parent shall
maintain in effect the Company’s current directors’ and officers’ liability insurance
(collectively, the “Company D&O Insurance”) covering acts or omissions occurring prior to
the Closing Date with respect to those persons who are currently covered by the Company’s
directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy on terms with respect to such coverage and
amount no less favorable to the Company’s directors and officers currently covered by such
insurance than those of such policy in effect on the date hereof; provided that Parent may
substitute therefor policies of a reputable insurance company the terms of which, including
coverage and amount, are no less favorable to such directors and officers than the insurance
coverage otherwise required under this Section 6.14(d).
(e) Parent hereby agrees that, irrespective of whether Shareholder Indemnitee is employed by a
Closing Date Principal Shareholder and therefore may have certain rights to indemnification,
advancement of expenses and/or insurance provided by a Closing Date Principal Shareholder or its
Affiliates, the Surviving Company (or its applicable Affiliate) is the indemnitor of first resort
with respect to rights to indemnification or advancement of expenses provided under the
organizational documents of the Company and its Subsidiaries or under any other indemnification
agreement or arrangement listed on Schedule 6.14 (i.e., the Shareholder Indemnitee’s rights
under the organizational documents of the Company and its Subsidiaries or
54
under any other
indemnification agreement or arrangement listed on Schedule 6.14 are primary as to the
coverage provided thereunder without regard to any rights Shareholder Indemnitee may have to seek
or obtain similar indemnification or advancement of similar expenses from any Closing Date
Principal Shareholder, any of its Affiliates (other than the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) or
from any insurance policy for the benefit of such Shareholder Indemnitee (other than the Company
D&O Insurance), and any obligation of any Closing Date Principal Shareholder or any of its
Affiliates (other than the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) to provide advancement or
indemnification for all or any portion of the same expenses, liabilities, judgments, penalties,
fines and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or
payable in connection with or in respect of such expenses, liabilities, judgments, penalties, fines
and amounts paid in settlement) incurred by Shareholder Indemnitee and any rights of recovery of
any Closing Date Principal Shareholder or any of its Affiliates (other than the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries) or any Shareholder Indemnitee under any insurance policy for the benefit of such
Shareholder Indemnitee (other than the Company D&O
Insurance) are secondary), and if any Closing Date Principal Shareholder or any of its
Affiliates (other than the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) or any Shareholder Indemnitee
collects under any insurance policy or indemnity agreement for the benefit of such Shareholder
Indemnitee (other than the Company D&O Insurance), any amounts that would be otherwise payable or
indemnifiable under the organizational documents of the Company and its Subsidiaries or under any
other indemnification agreement or arrangement listed on Schedule 6.14 with respect to a
Shareholder Indemnitee, then (x) the Person who made such payments to or for the benefit of the
Shareholder Indemnitee shall be fully subrogated to all rights of the applicable Shareholder
Indemnitee with respect to any such payment and (y) Parent shall fully indemnify, reimburse and
hold harmless such Person for all such payments actually made by such Person.
(f) Parent hereby unconditionally and irrevocably waives, relinquishes and releases, and
covenants and agrees not to exercise, any rights that Parent may now have or hereafter acquire
against any Closing Date Principal Shareholder, any of their respective Affiliates, or any
Shareholder Indemnitee that arise from the existence, payment, performance or enforcement of
Parent’s obligations under this Section 6.14, including any right of subrogation (whether
pursuant to contract or common law), reimbursement, exoneration, contribution or indemnification,
or to be held harmless, and any right to participate in any claim or remedy of Shareholder
Indemnitee against any Closing Date Principal Shareholder, any of their respective Affiliates or
any Shareholder Indemnitee, whether or not such claim, remedy or right arises in equity or under
contract, statute or common law; provided, however, that the provisions of this
Section 6.14(f) shall not limit any Parent Indemnified Party’s right to indemnity under
Article IX;
(g) The provisions of this Section 6.14: (i) are intended to be for the benefit of,
and shall be enforceable by, each Shareholder Indemnitee, his or her heirs and his or her
representatives; and (ii) are in addition to, and not in substitution for, any other rights to
indemnification or contribution that any such Person may have by contract or otherwise.
(h) In the event that Parent or any of its successors or assigns (i) consolidates with or
merges into any other Person and is not the continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such
consolidation or merger; or (ii) transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its properties
and assets to any person, then, and in each such case, proper provision shall be made
55
so that the
successors and assigns of Parent shall assume all of the obligations thereof set forth in this
Section 6.14.
(i) Except as otherwise permitted herein, the obligations of Parent under this Section
6.14 shall not be terminated or modified in such a manner as to adversely affect any
Shareholder Indemnitee, any Closing Date Principal Shareholder or any of their respective
Affiliates to whom this Section 6.14 applies without the consent of the affected party (it
being expressly agreed that the Shareholder Indemnitees, any Closing Date Principal Shareholder or
any of its Affiliates to whom this Section 6.14 applies shall be third party beneficiaries
of this Section 6.14).
Section 6.15 No Shop. Each of the Company and the Closing Date Principal Shareholders agrees that, from the date
hereof and until the first to occur of the Closing or the termination of this Agreement pursuant to
Article VIII, neither the Company nor any Closing Date Principal Shareholder, nor any of
their respective officers or directors or Persons Controlled by the Company or such Closing Date
Principal Shareholder, as applicable, will, and the Company and each Closing Date Principal
Shareholder will direct and use their Reasonable Efforts to cause each of their respective
representatives not to, initiate, solicit or encourage, directly or indirectly, any inquiries or
the making or implementation of any proposal or offer (including any proposal or offer to the
Shareholders) with respect to a merger, acquisition, consolidation or similar transaction
involving, or any purchase of all or any significant portion of the assets or any equity securities
of, the Company or any Subsidiaries of the Company (any such proposal or offer being an
“Acquisition Proposal”) or engage in any activities, discussions or negotiations
concerning, or provide any confidential information respecting, the Company and its Subsidiaries or
their business to, or have any discussions with, any Person relating to an Acquisition Proposal or
otherwise facilitate any effort or attempt to make or implement an Acquisition Proposal. The
Company and each Closing Date Principal Shareholder will: (a) immediately cease and cause to be
terminated any existing activities, discussions or negotiations with any Persons conducted
heretofore with respect to any of the foregoing, and each will take the steps necessary to inform
the Persons to which the first sentence of this Section 6.15 refers of the obligations
undertaken in this Section 6.15; and (b) notify Parent immediately if any such inquiries or
proposals are received by, any such information is requested from or any such discussions or
negotiations are sought to be initiated or continued with the Company or any Closing Date Principal
Shareholder.
Section 6.16 Termination of Related Party Agreements. The Company and the Closing Date Principal Shareholders shall cause all Related Party
Agreements, including those set forth on Schedule 6.16, to be terminated effective prior to
the Closing, without any cost or continuing obligation to any of the Company, any of its
Subsidiaries or Parent.
Section 6.17 Additional Financial Statements.
(a) The Company will provide to Parent as soon as available and in any event within 45 days
after the end of each of the Company’s fiscal quarters which ends prior to the Closing Date, an
unaudited balance sheet as of the end of that fiscal quarter and the related statements of income
or operations, cash flows and stockholders’ or other owners’ equity for that fiscal quarter (i)
setting forth in comparative form the figures for the Company’s previous fiscal
56
year and (ii)
prepared on the same combined, consolidated or other basis on which the Financial Statements were
prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a basis consistent (A) throughout the periods indicated
(excepting footnotes) and (B) with the basis on which the Financial Statements, including the Most
Recent Balance Sheet, were prepared.
(b) The Company will provide to Parent as soon as available and in any event within 45 days
after the end of each of Bully 1, Ltd.’s fiscal quarters which ends prior to the
Closing Date, an unaudited balance sheet as of the end of that fiscal quarter and the related
statements of income or operations, cash flows and stockholders’ or other owners’ equity for that
fiscal quarter (i) setting forth in comparative form the figures for Bully 1, Ltd.’s previous
fiscal year and (ii) prepared on the same combined, consolidated or other basis on which the Bully
1 Financial Statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a basis consistent (A)
throughout the periods indicated (excepting footnotes) and (B) with the basis on which the Bully 1
Financial Statements, including the balance sheet as of March 31, 2010, were prepared.
(c) The Company will provide to Parent as soon as available and in any event within 45 days
after the end of each of Bully 2, Ltd.’s fiscal quarters which ends prior to the Closing Date, an
unaudited balance sheet as of the end of that fiscal quarter and the related statements of income
or operations, cash flows and stockholders’ or other owners’ equity for that fiscal quarter (i)
setting forth in comparative form the figures for Bully 2, Ltd.’s previous fiscal year and (ii)
prepared on the same combined, consolidated or other basis on which the Bully 2 Financial
Statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a basis consistent (A) throughout the
periods indicated (excepting footnotes) and (B) with the basis on which the Bully 2 Financial
Statements, including the balance sheet as of March 31, 2010, were prepared.
(d) The Company agrees to engage Deloitte & Touche to (i) provide a manually signed
accountants’ report covering the audited balance sheets and audited statements of operations, cash
flows and shareholders’ equity of the Company and its Subsidiaries required for inclusion in any
registration statement filed or to be filed by Parent or any Subsidiary of Parent with the United
States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in connection with any financing or
re-financing by Parent or any Subsidiary of Parent of the Merger Consideration or the repayment of
the Signing Date Indebtedness (the “Financing”) or in any Form 8-K or other form of Parent
relating to the transactions contemplated hereby required to be filed with the SEC, and (ii) review
such consolidated unaudited interim balance sheets and unaudited interim statements of operations,
shareholders’ equity and cash flows, in each case as Parent shall reasonably deem to be required by
the form of registration statement used by Parent or any Subsidiary of Parent in connection with
the Financing, by Form 8-K or by such other required form. Parent shall pay the fees of Deloitte &
Touche directly relating to any additional audit or review work relating to such financial
statements that is required to permit them to be included in such Form 8-K or registration
statement and the participation, if any, of Deloitte & Touche in the preparation of any
registration statement or statements to be filed by Parent or any Subsidiary of Parent with the SEC
in connection with the Financing.
Section 6.18 Required Consents. The Company will obtain all consents and waivers and make all filings necessary for the Company
to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Company Ancillary Documents, the
Shareholder Ancillary Documents and the Parent Ancillary Documents.
57
Section 6.19 Credit Facility Payoff Letters. The Company agrees to deliver, or caused to be delivered to Parent, no less than two Business
Days prior to the Closing, the following:
(a) a fully executed payoff letter (the “Drilling USA First Lien Payoff Letter”) in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Parent issued by the Drilling USA First Lien Agent,
which payoff letter shall specify the aggregate amount (the “Drilling USA First Lien Payoff
Amount”) of principal, interest, fees, prepayment premiums, expenses and other amounts (including
amounts payable to attorneys, consultants or other advisors, if any) that must be paid in order for
the Drilling USA First Lien Credit Agreement and all loan documents executed in connection
therewith to be terminated and for all Liens granted in connection therewith to be released on the
Closing Date;
(b) a fully executed payoff letter (the “Drilling USA Second Lien Payoff Letter”) in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Parent issued by the Drilling USA Second Lien Agent,
which payoff letter shall specify the aggregate amount (the “Drilling USA Second Lien Payoff
Amount”) of principal, interest, fees, prepayment premiums, expenses and other amounts
(including amounts payable to attorneys, consultants or other advisors, if any) that must be paid
in order for the Drilling USA Second Lien Credit Agreement and all loan documents executed in
connection therewith to be terminated and for all Liens granted in connection therewith to be
released on the Closing Date;
(c) a fully executed payoff letter (the “Driller Ltd. First Lien Payoff Letter”) in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Parent issued by the Driller Ltd. First Lien Agent,
which payoff letter shall specify the aggregate amount (the “Driller Ltd. First Lien Payoff
Amount”) of principal, interest, fees, prepayment premiums, expenses and other amounts
(including amounts payable to attorneys, consultants or other advisors, if any) that must be paid
in order for the Driller Ltd. First Lien Credit Agreement and all loan documents executed in
connection therewith to be terminated and for all Liens granted in connection therewith to be
released on the Closing Date; and
(d) a fully executed payoff letter (the “Driller Ltd. Second Lien Payoff Letter”) in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Parent issued by the Driller Ltd. Second Lien Agent,
which payoff letter shall specify the aggregate amount (the “Driller Ltd. Second Lien Payoff
Amount”) of principal, interest, fees, prepayment premiums, expenses and other amounts
(including amounts payable to attorneys, consultants or other advisors, if any) that must be paid
in order for the Driller Ltd. Second Lien Credit Agreement and all loan documents executed in
connection therewith to be terminated and for all Liens granted in connection therewith to be
released on the Closing Date.
The sum of the Drilling USA First Lien Payoff Amount, the Drilling USA Second Lien Payoff
Amount, the Driller Ltd. First Lien Payoff Amount and the Driller Ltd. Second Lien Payoff Amount is
referred to herein as the “Aggregate Credit Facility Payoff Amount.”
Section 6.20 Further Assurances. Each Party will, at the reasonable request of any other Party, take such further actions as are
reasonably requested and execute any additional documents, instruments or conveyances of any kind
which may be reasonably necessary to
58
further effect the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement; provided, however, that none of the above undertakings shall require the
payment of any material out-of-pocket expenses by a Party (other than those with respect to which
the requesting Party has agreed to reimburse the other Party and other than incidental legal fees
incurred by a Party to evaluate or implement the requested action) or otherwise increase the
obligations of a Party beyond those expressly set forth in this Agreement.
Section 6.21 No Solicitation. Each Closing Date Principal Shareholder agrees that it will not, directly or indirectly, and it
will not permit any Person Controlled by such Closing Date Principal Shareholder or any Person
acting on its or their behalf to solicit, hire or employ any Continuing Employee during the period
from the date hereof until the date that is two (2) years after the Closing Date, except with the
prior written consent of Parent. The Parties agree that this restriction shall not apply (i) to
any solicitation directed at the public in general, to any publication available to the public in
general or to any general solicitation or advertising for employment that is not specifically
targeted at or intended for any Continuing Employees and (ii) any hiring or employment of any
Person that is a direct result of any solicitation that is permitted under clause (i) of this
sentence.
Section 6.22 Covenant to Avoid Dividends and Liens. Until the earlier of (i) the Closing or (ii) the termination of this Agreement pursuant to
Article VIII, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to avoid taking any of
the following actions and to cause its Subsidiaries to avoid taking any of the following actions:
(a) except as may be necessary to effect the Recapitalization, declare, set aside or pay any
dividend or other distribution with respect to shares of capital stock of any of its Subsidiaries;
and
(b) create, assume or permit to be created or imposed any Lien (A) on any share capital or
other equity interests of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (B) (other than a Permitted
Exception) on any material asset or property of the Company or its Subsidiaries (including the
capital stock of the Subsidiaries), in each case whether now owned or hereafter acquired.
In the event that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries pays any dividend or makes any other
distribution described in Section 6.22(a) other than to the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, the Merger Consideration shall be reduced by a like amount.
Section 6.23 Completion of the Recapitalization. The Recapitalizing Shareholders will cause the Recapitalization to be consummated prior to the
Closing.
ARTICLE VII
CONDITIONS TO CLOSING
Section 7.1 Conditions to Each Party’s Obligations. The respective obligations of each Party to take the actions contemplated to be taken by that
Party at the Closing are subject to the fulfillment at or prior to the Closing of each of the
following conditions:
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(a) Injunction. There shall be no effective order, writ, decision, judgment, decree,
ruling, injunction, law, rule, regulation or other action of any nature, whether preliminary or
permanent, issued or taken by a Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction to the effect that
the Merger may not be consummated as provided in this Agreement.
(b) HSR Act. Any waiting period (or extension thereof) applicable to the consummation
of the Merger under the HSR Act shall have expired or been terminated.
(c) Foreign Competition Law Filings. Any waiting period or extension thereof
applicable to the consummation of the Merger under any foreign competition law that shall have
expired or terminated; provided, however, that the Company and Parent may agree in
writing to waive this Section 7.1(c) as to any waiting period or extension thereof under
any foreign competition law.
(d) Governmental Approvals. All Governmental Approvals (other than the issuance of
the Certificate of Merger by the Registrar of Companies) required to be obtained in connection with
the consummation of the Merger and the absence of which would result in a Material Adverse Effect
shall have been obtained.
Section 7.2 Conditions to Obligations of Parent and Merger Sub. The obligations of Parent and Merger Sub to take the actions contemplated to be taken by Parent
and Merger Sub at the Closing are subject to the fulfillment at or prior to the Closing of (i) all
of the conditions to the obligations of Parent and Merger Sub set forth in Section 7.1 and
(ii) each of the following additional conditions (any or all of which may be waived by Parent in
whole or in part to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws):
(a) Representations and Warranties of the Company. The representations and warranties
of the Company set forth in Article IV shall be true and correct at and as of the Closing
Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date (other than representations and warranties that
speak as of a specified date, which need only be true and correct on and as of such specified
date), except for such breaches, if any, as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect (except to the extent such representation or warranty is qualified by its
terms by materiality, Material Adverse Effect or other similar words, such qualification in its
terms shall be inapplicable for purposes of this Section 7.2(a)).
(b) Performance of Obligations of the Company. The Company shall have performed in
all material respects all covenants and agreements required to be performed by it under this
Agreement on or prior to the Closing Date.
(c) Representations and Warranties of the Closing Date Principal Shareholders. The
representations and warranties of the Closing Date Principal Shareholders set forth in Article
III shall be true and correct at and as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the
Closing Date (other than representations and warranties that speak as of a specified date, which
need only be true and correct on and as of such specified date) except for such breaches, if any,
as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect (except to the
extent such representation or warranty is qualified by its terms by materiality,
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Material Adverse
Effect or other similar words, such qualification in its terms shall be inapplicable for purposes
of this Section 7.2(c)).
(d) Performance of Obligations of the Closing Date Principal Shareholders. The
Closing Date Principal Shareholders shall have performed in all material respects all covenants and
agreements required to be performed by them under this Agreement on or prior to the Closing Date;
provided, however, that (i) any breaches of Section 6.20 by a Closing Date
Principal Shareholder shall not be taken into account for purposes of determining if this condition
has been satisfied and (ii) this condition shall be deemed satisfied with respect to the Closing
Date Principal Shareholder obligations under Section 6.4 of this Agreement if the Company
Shareholder Approval is obtained prior to Closing.
(e) Delivery of Documents. The Closing Date Principal Shareholders and the Company
shall have executed and delivered to Parent:
(i) (A) a certificate signed by a duly authorized officer of the Company
confirming the Company’s compliance with the conditions set forth in Section
7.2(a) and (b),confirming that the Recapitalization has been completed
and certifying the final allocation of Outstanding Shares held by the Closing Date
Principal Shareholders at the Closing, as disclosed on Schedule 3.4 attached
to such Certificate and (B) a certificate of each Closing Date Principal Shareholder
signed individually or by a duly authorized officer as to its compliance with the
conditions in Section 7.2(c) and (d);
(ii) a certificate of the secretary or any assistant secretary of the Company
respecting, and to which is attached, (a) the resolutions of the board of directors
of the Company respecting this Agreement and the Company Ancillary Documents to
which the Company is a party and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby;
and (b) a certificate respecting the incumbency and true signatures of the officers
who executed any such documents on behalf of the Company;
(iii) from each officer and director of the Company and its Subsidiaries
identified on Schedule 7.2(e)(iii), a notice of resignation;
(iv) the original stock book and stock ledger or register of members, minute
books and seal of each of the Company and its Subsidiaries; and
(v) an opinion dated the Closing Date and addressed to Parent from Xxxxxxx as
to the due and valid authorization and issuance of the Outstanding Shares in a form
reasonably acceptable to Parent.
(f) Waiver of Certain Rights in Bully 1 Joint Venture and Bully 2 Joint Venture. The
Company shall have obtained from Shell EP Offshore Ventures Limited (“Shell”) an
irrevocable waiver of any and all buy-sell rights, pre-emptive rights, rights of first offer and/or
co-sale rights it may have under (i) the Joint Venture Agreement, dated October 11, 2007, among
Shell, Drillships 1 and Bully 1, Ltd. (“Bully 1 Joint Venture Agreement”), as set forth in
Exhibit F thereto; and (ii) the Joint Venture Agreement, as amended, dated July 3, 2008, among
Shell,
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Drillships 2 and Bully 2, Ltd. (“Bully 2 Joint Venture Agreement”), as set forth in
Exhibit D thereto, including any notice required in connection with such rights, resulting from a
change of control of FDR Holdings Limited, Drillships 1 and Drillships 2 as contemplated by this
Agreement, and delivered an executed copy thereof to Parent.
(g) Credit Facility Lien Release Documents. The Company shall have delivered or
caused to be delivered to Parent documentation in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
Parent providing for the release by the applicable secured parties of all Liens granted by the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the Drilling USA First Lien Credit Agreement,
the Drilling USA Second Lien Credit Agreement, the Driller Ltd. First Lien Credit Agreement and the
Driller Ltd. Second Lien Credit Agreement.
(h) No Loss. Since the date of this Agreement, there shall not have occurred (i) any
actual or constructive total loss of any Vessel other than the Duchess or (ii) any termination or
cancellation of, or receipt by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries of written notice of any
termination or cancellation of, any Construction Contract set forth on Schedule 7.2(h).
(i) Removal of Liens. The Company shall have discharged any Liens described in
Section 6.22(b).
Section 7.3 Conditions to Obligations of the Company and the Closing Date Principal
Shareholders. The obligations of the Company and the Closing Date Principal Shareholders to take the actions
contemplated to be taken by the Company and the Closing Date Principal Shareholders at the Closing
are subject to the fulfillment at or prior to the Closing of (i) all of the conditions to the
obligations of the Company and the Closing Date Principal Shareholders set forth in Section
7.1 and (ii) each of the following additional conditions (any or all of which may be waived by
the Company in whole or in part to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws):
(a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of Parent and
Merger Sub set forth in Article V shall be true and correct at and as of the Closing Date
as though made on and as of the Closing Date (other than representations and warranties that speak
as of a specified date, which need only be true and correct on and as of such specified
date) except for such breaches, if any, as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Parent Material Adverse Effect (except to the extent such representation or warranty is qualified
by its terms by materiality, Parent Material Adverse Effect or other similar words, such
qualification in its terms shall be inapplicable for purposes of this Section 7.3(a)).
(b) Performance of Obligations by Parent. Parent shall have performed in all material
respects all covenants and agreements required to be performed by it under this Agreement on or
prior to the Closing Date.
(c) Certificates. Parent shall have executed and delivered to the Company and the
Shareholder Representative a certificate signed by a duly authorized officer as to compliance with
the conditions set forth in Sections 7.3(a) and (b).
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ARTICLE VIII
TERMINATION
Section 8.1 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time at or prior to the Closing (the date of such
termination is referred to as the “Termination Date”):
(a) in writing by mutual consent of Parent and the Company; or
(b) by either the Company or Parent:
(i) if any Governmental Entity having jurisdiction over any Party shall have
issued any order, writ, decision, judgment, decree, ruling or injunction or taken
any other action permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the
consummation of the Merger and such order, writ, decision, judgment, decree, ruling
or injunction or other action shall have become final and nonappealable or if there
shall be adopted any law, rule or regulation that makes consummation of the Merger
illegal or otherwise prohibited; provided, however, that the right
to terminate this Agreement under this Section 8.1(b)(i) shall not be
available to any Party whose breach of this Agreement has been the cause of or
resulted in the action or event described in this Section 8.1(b)(i)
occurring;
(ii) if the Merger shall not have been consummated on or before 5:00 p.m.,
Houston time, on October 31, 2010 (the “Drop Dead Date”); provided,
however, that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section
8.1(b)(ii) shall not be available to any Party whose breach of this Agreement
has been the cause of, or resulted in, the failure of the Closing to occur on or
before such date; or
(iii) in the event of a breach by the other Party (for purposes of this
Section 8.1(b)(iii), the Company and the Closing Date Principal Shareholders,
collectively, shall be considered to be one Party) of any representation, warranty,
covenant or other agreement contained in this Agreement which (A) would give
rise to the failure of a condition set forth in Section 7.2 or Section
7.3, as applicable, if it was continuing as of the Closing Date and (B) cannot
be cured by the Drop Dead Date (a “Terminable Breach”); provided,
that the terminating Party is not then in Terminable Breach of any representation,
warranty, covenant or other agreement contained in this Agreement.
Section 8.2 Specific Performance and Other Remedies. The Parties each acknowledge that the rights of each Party to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement are special, unique and of extraordinary character and that, in the
event that any Party violates or fails or refuses to perform any covenant or agreement made by it
in this Agreement, the non-breaching Party may be without an adequate remedy at law. The Parties
agree, therefore, that in the event that any Party violates or fails or refuses to perform any
covenant or agreement made by such Party in this Agreement, any non-breaching Party may, subject to
the terms of this Agreement and in addition to any remedies at law for damages or other relief,
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institute and prosecute an action in any court of competent jurisdiction to enforce specific
performance of such covenant or agreement or seek any other equitable relief.
Section 8.3 Effect of Termination. In the event of termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Article VIII, this
Agreement will forthwith become void, except that Section 6.8, Section 9.5(c),
Section 9.5(d), Section 9.9, Section 10.1, 10.4, 10.5,
10.6, 10.7, 10.8, 10.11, 10.12, 10.13,
10.15, 10.18, 10.20, and 10.22 and this Section 8.3 and any
definitions related to such sections, shall survive the Termination Date. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, except as provided in Sections 9.1(c) and 9.5(c) nothing contained in
this Section 8.3 will relieve any Party from liability for any Losses arising from any
breach by such Party prior to the Termination Date.
ARTICLE IX
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 9.1 Indemnification Obligations of the Closing Date Principal Shareholders.
(a) Subject to the other terms of this Article IX from and after the Closing Date,
each Closing Date Principal Shareholder, jointly and severally, will indemnify, defend and hold
harmless Parent, its Affiliates, and its Subsidiaries, including the Surviving Company, and each of
their respective officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives and each of the heirs,
executors, successors and permitted assigns of any of the foregoing (collectively, the “Parent
Indemnified Parties”; provided, that no Closing Date Principal Shareholder shall be a
Parent Indemnified Party) from, against and in respect of any and all Losses arising out of or
resulting from:
(i) any breach or inaccuracy of any representation or warranty made by the
Company in Article IV or in any of the Company Ancillary Documents other
than the Recapitalization Agreement, whether such breach or inaccuracy
exists or is made on the date of this Agreement or as of the Closing Date;
provided, that for purposes of determining whether any representations and
warranties have been breached or are inaccurate (other than the representations and
warranties in Sections 4.8(e) and 4.9(iii)), all Material Adverse
Effect qualifications and other materiality qualifications contained in such
representations and warranties shall be disregarded;
(ii) any breach of any covenant, agreement or undertaking made by the Company
in this Agreement or in any of the Company Ancillary Documents that in each case is
to be performed on or before the Closing Date;
(iii) any breach of the covenant of the Closing Date Principal Shareholders to
pay Company Transaction Costs to the extent required by Section 2.8; or
(iv) the matters disclosed on Schedule 4.24(a).
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(b) Subject to the other terms of this Article IX from and after the Closing Date,
each Closing Date Principal Shareholder, severally (and not jointly and severally), will indemnify,
defend and hold harmless the Parent Indemnified Parties from, against and in respect of any and all
Losses arising out of or resulting from:
(i) any breach or inaccuracy of any representation or warranty made by such
Closing Date Principal Shareholder in Article III or in any Principal
Shareholder Ancillary Document executed and delivered by such Closing Date Principal
Shareholder other than the Recapitalization Agreement, whether such breach or
inaccuracy exists or is made on the date of this Agreement or as of the Closing
Date; provided, that for purposes of determining whether any representations
and warranties have been breached or are inaccurate, all Material Adverse Effect
qualifications and other materiality qualifications contained in such
representations and warranties shall be disregarded; or
(ii) any breach of any covenant, agreement or undertaking made by such Closing
Date Principal Shareholder in this Agreement (other than the covenant to pay Company
Transaction Costs to the extent required by Section 2.8) or in any Principal
Shareholder Ancillary Document executed and delivered by such Closing Date Principal
Shareholder.
(c) No Closing Date Principal Shareholder shall have any liability under any provision of this
Agreement for any Loss to the extent that such Loss is a direct result of any action taken by
Parent or any of its Affiliates (including the Surviving Company and its Subsidiaries) after the
Closing Date, except as contemplated under Sections 6.10(a) and 6.10(c).
(d) “Losses” means any and all Claims and damages whenever arising or incurred
(including amounts paid in settlement, costs of investigation and reasonable attorneys’ fees and
expenses); provided, however, that the term Losses shall exclude any consequential,
punitive, special, indirect or exemplary damages, except to the extent that a Party becomes
obligated to pay such damages to a third party that is not an
Affiliate of such Party (such items excluded from Losses, collectively, the “Excluded
Losses”).
(e) The Losses of the Parent Indemnified Parties described in this Section 9.1 as to
which the Parent Indemnified Parties are entitled to indemnification are hereinafter collectively
referred to as the “Parent Losses.”
Section 9.2 Indemnification Obligations of Parent.
(a) Subject to the other terms of this Article IX, from and after Closing Date, Parent
will indemnify, defend and hold harmless each Closing Date Principal Shareholder and its Affiliates
and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives and each of
the heirs, executors, successors and permitted assigns of any of the foregoing (collectively, the
“Shareholder Indemnified Parties”) from, against and in respect of any and all Losses
arising out of or resulting from:
(i) any breach or inaccuracy of any representation or warranty made by Parent
in Article V or in any Parent Ancillary Document, whether such breach
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or
inaccuracy exists or is made on the date of this Agreement or as of the Closing
Date; or
(ii) any breach of any covenant, agreement or undertaking made by Parent in
this Agreement or in any of the Parent Ancillary Documents.
(b) The Losses of the Shareholder Indemnified Parties described in this Section 9.2 as
to which the Shareholder Indemnified Parties are entitled to indemnification are hereinafter
collectively referred to as “Shareholder Losses.”
Section 9.3 Indemnification Procedure.
(a) Promptly after receipt by a Parent Indemnified Party or a Shareholder Indemnified Party
(hereinafter collectively referred to as an “Indemnified Party”) of notice by a third party
(including any Governmental Entity) of any Actions or the commencement of any audit with respect to
which such Indemnified Party may be entitled to receive payment hereunder for any Parent Losses or
any Shareholder Losses (as the case may be), such Indemnified Party will notify Parent or the
Closing Date Principal Shareholders, as the case may be (in such capacity, Parent or the Closing
Date Principal Shareholders are hereinafter referred to as an “Indemnifying Party”), of
such Action or audit (for purposes of this Section 9.3, references to “Action” shall
include any such audit); provided, however, that the failure to so notify the
Indemnifying Party will relieve the Indemnifying Party from liability under this Agreement with
respect to such Action only if, and only to the extent that, such failure to notify the
Indemnifying Party results in the forfeiture by the Indemnifying Party of any rights or defenses
otherwise available to the Indemnifying Party with respect to such Action. Unless (i) the
Indemnifying Party is also a party to such Action and the Indemnified Party’s counsel shall have
advised the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party that a conflict of interest exists
that would make joint representation inappropriate or (ii) the Indemnifying Party fails to
provide reasonable assurance to the Indemnified Party of its financial capacity to defend such
Action, the Indemnifying Party will have the right, at its sole expense, upon written notice
delivered to the Indemnified Party within ten calendar days after receiving such notice of the
Action, to assume and control the defense of such Action with counsel selected by the Indemnifying
Party and reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party; provided that the Indemnifying
Party shall have acknowledged in writing to the Indemnified Party its unqualified obligation to
fully indemnify the Indemnified Party pursuant to this Article IX. In the event, however,
that the Indemnifying Party (A) declines or fails to (1) assume the defense of the Action on the
terms provided above, (2) provide reasonable assurance to the Indemnified Party of its financial
capacity to defend such Action and provide indemnification with respect to such Action or (3)
employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party, in any case within such ten-day
period, or (B) is also a party to such Action and the Indemnified Party’s counsel shall have
advised the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party that a conflict of interest exists that
would make joint representation inappropriate, then such Indemnified Party may employ counsel
reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnifying Party to represent or defend it in any such Action and
the Indemnifying Party will pay the reasonable fees and disbursements of such counsel as incurred;
provided, however, that the Indemnifying Party will not be required to pay the fees
and disbursements of more than one counsel for all Indemnified Parties in any jurisdiction in any
single Action. For avoidance of doubt, the fees and disbursements of counsel of any Parent
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Indemnified Party in connection with a Parent Loss shall be satisfied by receiving from the Escrow
Agent a portion of the Escrow Amount in an amount equal to such fees. In any Action with respect
to which indemnification is being sought hereunder, the Indemnified Party or the Indemnifying
Party, whichever is not assuming the defense of such Action, will have the right to participate in
such matter and to retain its own counsel at such Party’s own expense. The Indemnifying Party or
the Indemnified Party, as the case may be, will at all times use Reasonable Efforts to keep the
Indemnified Party or the Indemnifying Party, as the case may be, reasonably apprised of the status
of the defense of any Action the defense of which they are maintaining and to cooperate in good
faith with each other with respect to the defense of any such Action.
(b) No Indemnified Party may settle or compromise any claim or consent to the entry of any
judgment with respect to which indemnification is being sought hereunder without the prior written
consent of the Indemnifying Party, unless (i) the Indemnifying Party fails to assume and maintain
the defense of such claim pursuant to Section 9.3(a) or (ii) such settlement, compromise or
consent includes an unconditional release of the Indemnifying Party from all liability arising out
of such claim. An Indemnifying Party may not, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified
Party, settle or compromise any claim or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to which
indemnification is being sought hereunder unless (i) such settlement, compromise or consent
includes an unconditional release of the Indemnified Party from all liability arising out of such
claim, (ii) does not contain any admission or statement suggesting any wrongdoing or liability on
behalf of the Indemnified Party and (iii) does not contain any equitable order, judgment or term
which in any manner affects, restrains or interferes with the business of the Indemnified Party or
any of the Indemnified Party’s Affiliates.
(c) A claim for indemnification by an Indemnified Party for any matter not involving an Action
by a third party may be asserted by written notice to the Indemnifying Party from whom
indemnification is sought. Such notice will specify with reasonable specificity the
basis for such claim. As promptly as possible after the Indemnified Party has given such
notice, such Indemnified Party and the appropriate Indemnifying Party will establish the merits and
amount of such claim (by mutual agreement, litigation, arbitration or otherwise) and, within ten
(10) Business Days of the final determination of the merits and amount of such claim, the
Indemnifying Party will pay to the Indemnified Party immediately available funds (or, if the
Indemnified Party is a Parent Indemnified Party, in accordance with this Article IX) in an
amount equal to such claim as determined hereunder.
(d) An Indemnified Party’s knowledge before the Closing of the breach or inaccuracy of any
representation or warranty or of the failure to comply in any material respect with or satisfy any
covenant, condition or agreement for which such Indemnified Party is entitled to indemnification
under this Article IX shall not affect such Indemnified Party’s right to indemnification
under this Article IX, regardless of whether such Indemnified Party provides notice
pursuant to Section 6.12 to the Indemnifying Party of such breach, inaccuracy or failure
and regardless of the manner in which such Indemnified Party obtained such knowledge.
(e) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement to the contrary, the
indemnification procedures with respect to the matter disclosed on Schedule 4.24(a) and any
claim for indemnification pursuant to Section 9.1(a)(i), (ii) or (iii) that arises under or
relates in
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any way to any failure of compliance prior to the Closing Date with the Anti-Corruption
Laws including the FCPA shall be governed by Schedule 9.3.
Section 9.4 Claims Period.
(a) With respect to any Parent Losses (other than Parent Losses relating to (A) any breach or
inaccuracy of the representations and warranties made by the Company in Section 4.14 or
with respect to any Tax matter in Section 4.8 or 4.9 or (B) any breach of any
covenant, agreement or undertaking made by the Company in Section 6.10 (the Parent Losses
referenced in Section 9.4(a)(A) and (B), “Tax Related Parent Losses”)) or
Shareholder Losses, the period during which a claim for indemnification may be asserted under this
Agreement by an Indemnified Party shall begin on the Closing Date and terminate on the date that is
fifteen (15) months after the Closing Date (the “Primary Claims Period”). With respect to
any Tax Related Parent Losses, the period during which a claim for indemnification may be asserted
under this Agreement by an Indemnified Party shall begin on the Closing Date and terminate on the
date that is thirty-six (36) months after the Closing Date (the “Tax Related Claims
Period,” together with the Primary Claims Period, each, a “Claims Period”). No claim
may be asserted with respect to any Party after the Primary Claims Period has ended, other than
Claims for Tax Related Parent Losses; and no Claim for Tax Related Parent Losses may be asserted
with respect to any Party after the Tax Related Claims Period has ended; provided,
however, that the Claims Period for, and the ability to assert any Claim related to, Parent
Losses arising out of or resulting from any breach or inaccuracy of the representation and warranty
made by any Closing Date Principal Shareholder in Section 3.4 shall not terminate.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) all covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement, the
Company Ancillary Documents or the Principal Shareholder Ancillary Documents which by their terms
contemplate actions or impose obligations following the Closing shall survive in accordance with
their terms and (ii) all
representations and warranties contained in this Agreement, the Company Ancillary Documents or
the Principal Shareholder Ancillary Documents shall survive for the applicable Claims Period. If,
prior to the close of business on the last day of the applicable Claims Period, an Indemnifying
Party shall have been properly notified of a claim for indemnity hereunder and such claim shall not
have been finally resolved or disposed of at such date, such claim shall continue to survive and
shall remain a basis for indemnity hereunder until such claim is finally resolved or disposed of in
accordance with the terms hereof.
(b) Except with respect to a Tax Return on which an inconsistent position has been taken
pursuant to Section 6.10(a), notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no
claim for indemnification with respect to any Losses related to Taxes may be asserted prior to the
time a Governmental Entity issues a notice of proposed adjustment (or similar assessment) in
respect of such Losses.
Section 9.5 Limits of Liability.
(a) Parent De Minimis Liabilities and Parent Basket. Parent Indemnified Parties shall
not assert a claim against the Closing Date Principal Shareholders for indemnification under
Section 9.1 for Parent Losses unless the amount of such Parent Loss exceeds $100,000
(aggregating for such purpose all Parent Losses relating to or resulting from the same circumstance
or related claims) (those Parent Losses that do not exceed such $100,000
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threshold shall be
referred to as the “Parent De Minimis Liabilities”) and then not until the aggregate amount
of all Parent Losses, excluding the Parent De Minimis Liabilities, incurred by the Parent
Indemnified Parties exceeds $7,000,000 (the “Parent Basket”) and then the recoverable
Losses shall be limited to those that exceed the Parent Basket. Notwithstanding the preceding, the
limitations on the indemnification obligations of the Closing Date Principal Shareholders set forth
in this Section 9.5(a) shall not apply to Parent Losses resulting from (A) fraud or
intentional misconduct, (B) any breach of the covenant of the Closing Date Principal Shareholders
to pay Company Transaction Costs to the extent required by Section 2.8(a), (C) any breach
or inaccuracy of the representation and warranty made by such Closing Date Principal Shareholder in
Section 3.4, (Sections 9.5(a)(A), (B) and (C) collectively, the “Excluded Claims”),
any breach or inaccuracy of the representation and warranty made by the Company in Section
4.16(k), Section 4.24 or the matters disclosed on Schedule 4.24(a).
(b) Unknown FCPA Claim De Minimis Liabilities. Parent Indemnified Parties shall not
assert a claim against the Closing Date Principal Shareholders for indemnification under
Section 9.1(a)(i) for Parent Losses relating to any breach or inaccuracy of the
representation and warranty made by the Company in Section 4.24 unless the amount of such
Parent Loss exceeds $250,000 (aggregating for such purpose all Parent Losses relating to or
resulting from the same circumstance or related claims).
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement, no Party, and none
of the entities that have committed to arrange or provide financings in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby (such entities, the “Financing Sources”), shall, in any
event, be liable to any other Person for
any Excluded Loss except to the extent that an Indemnified Party becomes obligated to pay such
damages to a third party that is not an Affiliate of the Indemnified Party.
(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or otherwise, (i) prior to the
Closing, no Closing Date Principal Shareholder shall have any liability or obligation to any Parent
Indemnified Party as a result of a breach by the Company of this Agreement, any Company Ancillary
Document or any Principal Shareholder Ancillary Document and (ii) no Closing Date Principal
Shareholder shall have any liability or obligation (before or after the Closing) to any Parent
Indemnified Party as a result of any breach by any other Closing Date Principal Shareholder of this
Agreement or any Principal Shareholder Ancillary Document, other than the obligations of the
Closing Date Principal Shareholders set forth in this Article IX.
Section 9.6 Sole and Exclusive Remedy; Recourse Against Escrowed Funds.
(a) From and after the Closing, other than the remedies set forth in Section 6.14, the
remedies set forth in this Article IX and the specific performance remedy referenced in
Section 8.2 shall provide the sole and exclusive remedies arising out of, in connection
with, relating to or arising under this Agreement, the Principal Shareholder Ancillary Documents,
the Company Ancillary Documents or the Parent Ancillary Documents and the transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby, whether based on contract, tort, strict liability, other laws or otherwise,
including any breach or alleged breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made
herein or any other document contemplated herein or delivered pursuant hereto.
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In the event this
Agreement is terminated without the occurrence of the Closing, the sole and exclusive remedies of
the Parties shall be as set forth in Section 8.3. Except in the case of fraud or
intentional misconduct, the Parties acknowledge and agree that the remedies available in this
Section 9.6 supersede (and each Party waives and releases) any other remedies available at
law or in equity including rights of rescission, rights of contribution and claims arising under
applicable statutes.
(b) Parent, on behalf of itself and all other Parent Indemnified Parties, further acknowledges
and agrees that, after the Closing, the Indemnification Escrow Amount shall be the sole and
exclusive source of funds for satisfaction of all (and no Closing Date Principal Shareholder shall
under any circumstance have any personal liability or obligation for the satisfaction of any)
Claims by all Parent Indemnified Parties for any Losses or otherwise, including those set forth in
Section 9.1, in connection with, arising out of or resulting from the subject matter of
this Agreement, the Principal Shareholder Ancillary Documents or the Company Ancillary Documents
and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, except for Parent Losses related to the
Excluded Claims.
(c) Except for Parent Losses related to the Excluded Claims, from and after Closing, the
aggregate liability of the Closing Date Principal Shareholders to any Parent Indemnified Parties in
connection with this Agreement, the Principal Shareholder Ancillary Documents or the Company
Ancillary Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby shall not exceed the
Indemnification Escrow Amount, which shall be available to satisfy
Losses of Parent Indemnified Parties, subject to and in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement. Parent and the Surviving Corporation, on their own behalf and on behalf of each other
Parent Indemnified Party, hereby covenant forever not to assert, file, prosecute, commence,
institute (or sponsor or purposely facilitate any Person in connection with the foregoing), any
complaint or lawsuit or any legal, equitable, arbitral or administrative proceeding of any nature,
against any of the Closing Date Principal Shareholders in connection with any claim for
indemnification, except as otherwise permitted in Section 8.2 and except as to Parent
Losses that relate to Excluded Claims. At and after such time as the Indemnification Escrow Amount
is exhausted or released, the Parent Indemnified Parties shall not be entitled to seek indemnity
under this Agreement or otherwise except indemnity for Parent Losses related to Excluded Claims,
and the Parent Indemnified Parties shall have no recourse against any Closing Date Principal
Shareholder for any unpaid Losses of any Parent Indemnified Party except to the extent such Losses
are related to Excluded Claims. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary elsewhere in this
Agreement, no Closing Date Principal Shareholder shall have any liability to any Parent Indemnified
Parties, to the extent that the aggregate Parent Losses for which such Closing Date Principal
Shareholder has made payments pursuant to this Article IX would exceed the portion of the
Merger Consideration that such Closing Date Principal Shareholder received at the Closing,
including for the avoidance of doubt, any portion of such Merger Consideration included in the
Escrow Amount.
(d) Parent shall cause the Escrow Amount to be deposited on the Closing Date with the Escrow
Agent to be held in trust pursuant to the terms hereof and the terms of the Escrow Agreement. Each
of the Severance Holdback Escrow Amount and the Indemnification Escrow Amount shall be allocated to
separate accounts maintained for each of the Junior Shareholders based on the number of Outstanding
Shares set forth on Annex III (which Annex
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shall be updated prior to the Closing so as to
be accurate as of the Closing) held by such Junior Shareholder on the Closing Date multiplied
by the Per Share Escrow Amount appropriately allocated between the Severance Holdback Escrow
Amount and the Indemnification Escrow Amount.
(e) If a Parent Indemnified Party asserts an indemnity claim against the Closing Date
Principal Shareholders for indemnification under Section 9.1 during the Primary Claims
Period and the Parent Indemnified Party is entitled to indemnification for such indemnity claim in
accordance with this Article IX, the Parent Indemnified Party shall be entitled to such
indemnity payment solely by receiving from the Escrow Agent the Indemnification Escrow Amount in an
amount equal to the amount of such indemnity claim except in the case of indemnity claims for
Parent Losses related to Excluded Claims. If a Parent Indemnified Party asserts an indemnity claim
against the Closing Date Principal Shareholders for indemnification with respect to any Tax Related
Parent Loss during the period commencing on the first day after the Primary Claims Period and
extending through the Tax Related Claims Period, and the Parent Indemnified Party is entitled to
indemnification by the Indemnifying Party in accordance with this Article IX, the Parent
Indemnified Party shall be entitled to such indemnity payment solely by receiving from the Escrow
Agent all or a portion of the lesser of (i) the then-remaining balance of Tax Related Retained
Escrow Amount, as defined below, or (ii) the amount of such indemnity claim for a Tax Related
Parent Loss.
(f) To the extent any Parent Indemnified Parties are entitled to a distribution from the
Indemnification Escrow Amount or Tax Related Escrow Amount as a result of an indemnity claim under
Section 9.1, such distribution of the Indemnification Escrow Amount to the Parent
Indemnified Parties shall be allocated to the interests of the Junior Shareholders pro rata based
upon the Ownership Percentage of each Junior Shareholder.
(g) All claims asserted by a Parent Indemnified Party during the applicable Claims Period that
are not resolved and satisfied (including the obligation to pay any such indemnity claim) prior to
the end of the applicable Claims Period shall be deemed to be “Pending Claims.” The dollar
amount of all Losses claimed in good faith in respect of Pending Claims are hereinafter referred to
as the “Pending Claim Amount.”
(i) On the first Business Day following the last day of the Primary Claims
Period (the “Primary Escrow Release Date”), Parent and the Shareholder
Representative shall jointly execute and deliver to the Escrow Agent written
instructions instructing the Escrow Agent to release and deliver, to the SECP
Participants and the Junior Shareholders in accordance with the amounts set forth in
such instructions, the amount by which (x) the amount then held in the account
maintained with respect to the Indemnification Escrow Amount by the Escrow Agent
pursuant to the Escrow Agreement exceeds (y) the sum of the aggregate amount of all
Pending Claim Amounts as of the Primary Escrow Release Date plus $15,000,000 (the
“Tax Related Retained Escrow Amount”). The remaining Indemnification Escrow
Amount will continue to be held by the Escrow Agent pursuant to the terms of the
Escrow Agreement.
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(ii) On the first Business Day following the last day of the Tax Related Claims
Period (the “Tax Related Retained Escrow Release Date”), Parent and the
Shareholder Representative shall jointly execute and deliver to the Escrow Agent
written instructions instructing the Escrow Agent to release and deliver, to the
SECP Participants and the Junior Shareholders in accordance with the amounts set
forth in such instructions, the amount by which (x) the remaining Escrow Amount
exceeds (y) the sum of the aggregate amount of all Pending Claim Amounts as of the
Tax Related Retained Escrow Release Date. The remaining Indemnification Escrow
Amount will continue to be held by the Escrow Agent pursuant to the terms of the
Escrow Agreement and the Escrow Agreement shall be deemed to be extended
accordingly.
(h) The fees and expenses of the Escrow Agent shall be borne 50% by the Closing Date Principal
Shareholders pro rata (based on each Closing Date Principal Shareholder’s relative percentage
ownership of the aggregate amount of Outstanding Shares held by the Closing Date Principal
Shareholders at Closing, as set forth opposite such Closing Date Principal Shareholder’s name on
Schedule 3.4) and 50% by Parent.
Section 9.7 Compliance with Express Negligence Rule. ALL RELEASES, LIMITATIONS ON LIABILITY AND INDEMNITIES CONTAINED IN THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING
THOSE IN THIS ARTICLE IX, ARE INTENDED TO BE ENFORCEABLE AGAINST THE PARTIES IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE EXPRESS TERMS AND SCOPE THEREOF NOTWITHSTANDING ANY EXPRESS NEGLIGENCE RULE OR ANY SIMILAR
DIRECTIVE THAT WOULD PROHIBIT OR OTHERWISE LIMIT INDEMNITIES BECAUSE OF THE NEGLIGENCE (WHETHER
SOLE, CONCURRENT, ACTIVE OR PASSIVE) OR OTHER FAULT OR STRICT LIABILITY OF ANY OF THE INDEMNIFIED
PARTIES.
Section 9.8 Insurance Proceeds. The Parent Losses and Shareholder Losses giving rise to any indemnification obligation hereunder
shall be reduced by any insurance proceeds (less the costs expended by Parent, the Surviving
Company or any other Subsidiary of Parent for such recoveries) or other payments actually received
by the Indemnified Party in satisfaction of any Losses giving rise to the claim for
indemnification, solely to the extent such insurance proceeds are attributable to insurance
policies existing prior to the Closing Date and the costs of such insurance policies at the time of
the occurrence of the event which gave rise to the applicable Loss were borne by the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries. Parent shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to recover under any
such insurance policies or under other rights of recovery for Losses prior to seeking
indemnification under this Agreement; provided, however, that Parent’s obligation
in the preceding clause shall not affect any Parent Indemnified Party’s right to provide notice of
a claim for indemnification with respect to any Parent Loss under Article IX or the amount
retained by the Escrow Agent pursuant to Section 9.6(g).
Section 9.9 DISCLAIMER. EXCEPT FOR REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES MADE IN THIS AGREEMENT, ANY COMPANY ANCILLARY DOCUMENT
OR ANY PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDER ANCILLARY DOCUMENT, EACH CLOSING DATE PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDER EXPRESSLY
DISCLAIMS ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND OR NATURE EXPRESS OR
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IMPLIED, STATUTORILY
OR OTHERWISE AND EACH CLOSING DATE PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDER DISCLAIMS ANY IMPLIED OR EXPRESS WARRANTY
OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 10.1 Notices. All notices, communications and deliveries under this Agreement will be made in writing signed
by or on behalf of the Party making the same, will specify the Section under this Agreement
pursuant to which it is given or being made, and may be given by any of the following methods: (a)
personal delivery; (b) facsimile transmission; (c) registered or certified mail (postage prepaid
and return receipt requested); or (d) nationally recognized overnight
courier (with evidence of delivery and other fees prepaid). Such notices, communications and
deliveries shall be sent to the appropriate Party at its address or facsimile number given below or
at such other address or facsimile number for such Party as shall be specified by notice given
under this Agreement and shall be deemed given: (i) if personally delivered, upon receipt by such
Party or upon actual delivery to the appropriate address; (ii) in case of a facsimile transmission,
upon transmission by the sender and issuance by the transmitting machine of a confirmation slip
that the number of pages constituting the notice have been transmitted without error; (iii) in the
case of registered or certified mail, at the close of business on the third business day next
following the day when placed in the mail; and (iv) in the case of overnight courier, at the close
of business on the next business day next following the day sent:
If to Parent:
Noble Corporation
Xxxxxxxxxxx 00X
Xxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxx 0000
Attn: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Telephone No.: 00 (00) 000-00-00
Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Xxxxx Xxxxx L.L.P.
0000 Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Attn: Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Telephone No.: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000
If to Merger Sub:
Noble AM Merger co.
X.X. Xxx 000 XX, Xxxxxx House
X. Xxxxxx Street
Georgetown, Grand Cayman
Cayman Islands BWI
Attn: Xxxx Xxx
Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000
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If to Company:
FDR Holdings Limited
c/x Xxxxxxx Trust (Cayman) Ltd.
P. O. Box 1350, Xxxxxxx House
00 Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxxx XX0-0000
Cayman Islands
Attn: Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx
Telephone No.: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Xxxxxx & Xxxxxx L.L.P.
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
00xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000-0000
Attn: Xxxxx X. Xxx
Telephone No.: 000.000.0000
Facsimile No.: 917.849.5328
If to any of the Closing Date Principal Shareholders, to the Shareholder Representative:
Riverstone/Carlyle Global Energy and Power Fund IV (Cayman) , L.P.
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 00
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attn: N. Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Telephone No.: (000) 000 0000
Facsimile No.: (000) 000 0000
With copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx LLP
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, XX
Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000-0000
Attn: Xxxxxx X. Xxx
Telephone No: (000) 000 0000
Facsimile No: (000) 000 0000
and
Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx LLP
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000-0000
Attn: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxx
Telephone No: (000) 000 0000
Facsimile No: (000) 000 0000
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Section 10.2 Schedules and Exhibits. The Schedules and Exhibits to this Agreement are hereby incorporated into this Agreement and are
hereby made a part of this Agreement as if set out in full in this Agreement.
Section 10.3 Shareholder Representative.
(a) Each of the Closing Date Principal Shareholders hereby irrevocably appoints
Riverstone/Carlyle Global Energy and Power Fund IV (Cayman), L.P. (the “Shareholder
Representative”) as such Closing Date Principal Shareholder’s representative, attorney-in-fact
and agent, with full power of substitution to act in the name, place and stead of such Closing Date
Principal Shareholder, to act for and on behalf of such Closing Date Principal Shareholder to take
any and all actions and make any and all decisions which under this Agreement as to which the
Shareholder Representative is expressly authorized to act or make, including the power:
(i) to take any and all action necessary or desirable in connection with the
waiver of any condition to the obligations of the Closing Date Principal
Shareholders to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
(ii) to receive on behalf of the Closing Date Principal Shareholders notice of
all indemnification claims by a Parent Indemnified Party pursuant to Article
IX and to notify all Closing Date Principal Shareholders of any such claim and
to take all actions in connection with such indemnifications claims on behalf of the
Closing Date Principal Shareholders as may be necessary or desirable; and
(iii) to give instructions to the Escrow Agent in connection with the release
of the Indemnification Escrow Amount as contemplated by Section 9.6(f).
Each of the Closing Date Principal Shareholders hereby consents to and confirms such
appointment and the taking by the Shareholder Representative of any and all such acts and the
making of any and all such decisions. Each of the Closing Date Principal Shareholders will be
bound by any and all actions taken and any and all decisions made by the Shareholder Representative
pursuant to the terms of this Section 10.3, and Parent and the Surviving Company will be
entitled to rely on any such actions or decisions.
(b) The Shareholder Representative will not be liable for any act taken or omitted by it as
permitted under this Agreement, except if taken or omitted in bad faith or by willful misconduct.
The Shareholder Representative will also be fully protected in relying upon any written notice,
demand, certificate or document that it in good faith believes to be genuine (including facsimiles
thereof).
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(c) The Closing Date Principal Shareholders agree, severally but not jointly, to
indemnify the Shareholder Representative for, and to hold the Shareholder Representative harmless
against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without willful misconduct or bad faith on the
part of the Shareholder Representative, arising out of or in connection with the Shareholder
Representative’s carrying out its duties under this Agreement, including costs and expenses of
successfully defending the Shareholder Representative against any claim of liability with respect
thereto. To the extent the Shareholder Representative is entitled to any amount as a result of an
indemnity claim under this Section 10.3(c), such amount shall be paid by the Closing Date
Principal Shareholders pro rata based on each Closing Date Principal Shareholder’s relative
percentage ownership of the aggregate amount of Outstanding Shares held by the Closing Date
Principal Shareholders at Closing, as set forth opposite such Closing Date Principal Shareholder’s
name on Schedule 3.4.
(d) In the event the Shareholder Representative becomes unable or unwilling to continue to
serve in the capacity of Shareholder Representative, he may resign and be discharged from his
duties and obligations as Shareholder Representative by giving his resignation to each of the
Parties, specifying a date not less than ten days following such notice date of when such
resignation will take effect and, in that event, Riverstone/Carlyle Energy Partners IV, L.P. will
be deemed to be appointed by the Closing Date Principal Shareholders as the new Shareholder
Representative and shall, for all purposes of this Agreement, be the Shareholder Representative.
In the event Riverstone/Carlyle Energy Partners IV, L.P. then becomes unable or unwilling to
continue in its capacity as Shareholder Representative, Riverstone/Carlyle Energy Partners IV, L.P.
may resign and be discharged from its duties or obligations hereunder by giving its resignation to
each of the Parties, specifying a date not less than ten days following such notice date of when
such resignation will take effect. In that event, Closing Date Principal Shareholders representing
at least a majority of the Outstanding Shares at the Closing (the “Closing Date Majority”)
will designate a successor representative prior to the expiration of such ten-day period by giving
written notice to Parent. At any time, the Closing Date Majority may remove the Shareholder
Representative, provided that a successor Shareholder Representative is appointed at the
same time. Until notified in writing by the Shareholder Representative that Riverstone/Carlyle
Energy Partners IV, L.P. has resigned or by the Closing Date Principal Shareholders that the
Shareholder Representative has been removed, Parent may rely conclusively and act upon the
directions, instructions and notices of the last known Shareholder Representative and, after such
notice, upon the directions, instructions and notices of any successor.
(e) The Shareholder Representative will not be entitled to receive any compensation from
Parent, the Surviving Company or the Closing Date Principal Shareholders in connection with
performing its functions as the Shareholder Representative under this Agreement. Any out-of-pocket
costs and expenses reasonably incurred by the Shareholder Representative in connection with actions
taken pursuant to the terms of this Agreement will be paid by the Closing Date Principal
Shareholders pro rata based on each Closing Date Principal Shareholder’s relative percentage
ownership of the aggregate amount of Outstanding Shares held by the Closing Date Principal
Shareholders at Closing, as set forth opposite such Closing Date Principal Shareholder’s name on
Schedule 3.4.
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Section 10.4 Assignment; Successors in Interest. Subject to Section 6.4, no assignment or transfer by any Party of its rights and
obligations under this Agreement will be made except with the prior written consent of the Company
and Parent; provided, however, that Merger Sub may assign its rights, but not its
obligations, under this Agreement to any other Subsidiary of Parent without the consent of the
Company. This Agreement will be binding upon and will inure to the benefit of the Parties and
their successors and permitted assigns, and any reference to a Party will also be a reference to a
successor or permitted assign.
Section 10.5 Number; Gender. Whenever the context so requires, the singular number will include the plural and the plural
will include the singular, and the gender of any pronoun will include the other genders.
Section 10.6 Captions. The titles, captions and table of contents contained in this Agreement are inserted in this
Agreement only as a matter of convenience and for reference and in no way define, limit, extend or
describe the scope of this Agreement or the intent of any provision of this Agreement. Unless
otherwise specified to the contrary, all references to Articles and Sections are references to
Articles and Sections of this Agreement and all references to Schedules or Exhibits are references
to Schedules and Exhibits, respectively, to this Agreement.
Section 10.7 Controlling Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal
laws of
New York without reference to its choice of law rules.
Section 10.8 Consent to Jurisdiction, Etc.; Waiver of Jury Trial. Each of the Parties hereby irrevocably consents and agrees that any action, suit or proceeding
arising in connection with any disagreement, dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or
relating to this Agreement or any related document (for purposes of this Section 10.8, a
“Legal Dispute”) shall exclusively be brought in the courts of the State of Texas in Xxxxxx
County, Texas or the federal courts located in the Southern District of the State of Texas. The
Parties agree that, after a Legal Dispute is before a court as specified in this Section
10.8 and during the pendency of such Legal Dispute before such court, all Actions with respect
to such Legal Dispute or any other Legal Dispute, including any counterclaim, cross-claim or
interpleader, shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of such court. Each of the Parties
hereby waives, and agrees not to assert, as a defense in any legal dispute, that it is not subject
thereto or that such action, suit or proceeding may not be brought or is not maintainable in such
court or that its property is exempt or immune from execution, that the action, suit or proceeding
is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of the action, suit or proceeding is
improper. Each Party agrees that a final judgment in any action, suit or proceeding described in
this Section 10.8 after the expiration of any period permitted for appeal and subject to
any stay during appeal shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on
the judgment or in any other manner provided by Applicable Laws. THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVE
IRREVOCABLY ANY AND ALL RIGHTS TO DEMAND A TRIAL BY JURY IN CONNECTION WITH THIS
AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR ANY DOCUMENT CONTEMPLATED HEREIN OR OTHERWISE
RELATED HERETO.
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Section 10.9 Severability. Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction will,
as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability
without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement, and any such prohibition or
unenforceability in any jurisdiction will not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in
any other jurisdiction. To the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, the Parties waive any
provision of Applicable Laws which renders any such provision prohibited or unenforceable in any
respect.
Section 10.10 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, each of which shall
be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
Facsimile or scanned and emailed transmission of any signed original document or retransmission of
any signed facsimile or scanned and emailed transmission will be deemed the same as delivery of an
original. At the request of any Party, the Parties will confirm facsimile or scanned and emailed
transmission by signing a duplicate original document.
Section 10.11 No Third-Party Beneficiaries. Except for the right to seek indemnification pursuant to Section 6.14 and Article
IX, nothing expressed or implied in this Agreement, the Principal Shareholder Ancillary
Documents or the Company Ancillary Documents is intended, or will be construed, to confer upon or
give any Person other than the Parties, and their successors or permitted assigns, any rights,
remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, or result in such Person
being deemed a third party beneficiary of this Agreement; provided, that, notwithstanding
the foregoing, the Financing Sources shall be entitled to rely upon Section 9.5(c) hereof
as a third party beneficiary.
Section 10.12 Amendment; Waiver.
(a) Any amendment or extension of any provision of this Agreement prior to the Closing Date
will be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed on behalf of the Shareholder
Representative, the Company and Parent; provided, however, that no amendment may be
made which by law requires the further approval of the Shareholders without such further approval.
Any amendment or extension granted pursuant to this Section 10.12(a) by the Company prior
to the Closing shall be binding on all Closing Date Principal Shareholders.
(b) Any amendment or extension of any provision of this Agreement after the Closing Date will
be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed by both the Shareholder
Representative and Parent. Any amendment or extension granted pursuant to this
Section 10.12(b) by the Shareholder Representative after the Closing shall be binding
on all Closing Date Principal Shareholders.
(c) Any failure of any of the Parties to comply with any covenant, agreement, obligation,
condition, representation or warranty herein may be waived by the Party entitled to the benefits
thereof only by a written instrument signed by the Party granting such waiver. A waiver by a Party
of the performance of any covenant, agreement, obligation, condition, representation or warranty
will not be construed as a waiver of any other covenant, agreement, obligation, condition,
representation or warranty. A waiver by any Party of the performance of
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any act will not constitute
a waiver of the performance of any other act or an identical act required to be performed at a
later time.
Section 10.13 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the Principal Shareholder Ancillary Documents and the Company Ancillary
Documents supersede all negotiations, agreements and understandings among the Parties with respect
to the subject matter of this Agreement, including the Confidentiality Agreement between the
Company and Parent dated February 8, 2010, and constitute the entire agreement between the Parties.
Section 10.14 Cooperation Following the Closing. Following the Closing, each of the Parties shall deliver to the others such further information
and documents and shall execute and deliver to the others such further instruments and agreements
as any other Party shall reasonably request to consummate or confirm the transactions provided for
in this Agreement, to accomplish the purpose of this Agreement or to assure to the other Party the
benefits of this Agreement.
Section 10.15 Transaction Costs. Each Party will be responsible for its own legal fees and other expenses incurred in connection
with the negotiation, preparation, execution or performance of this Agreement; provided,
however, that Parent will pay any filing fees required under or in connection with the HSR
Act or Foreign Competition Notifications, and, upon the consummation of the Closing, Parent will
pay the Company Transaction Costs as contemplated by Section 2.8.
Section 10.16 Knowledge. As used in this Agreement, the term “Knowledge” means (i) with respect to the Company,
the actual knowledge of the following individuals: Xxx Xxxxxx, Chief Executive Officer of Frontier
Drilling USA, Inc.; Xxxxx Xxxxxx, President and Chief Operating Officer of Frontier Drilling USA,
Inc.; Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx, Chief Financial Officer of Frontier Drilling USA, Inc.; Xxxxx Xxxxx, Vice
President of Human Resources of Frontier Drilling USA, Inc.; Xxxx Xxxxx, General Counsel of
Frontier Drilling USA, Inc. and Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Vice President of Corporate Development and Treasury
of Frontier Drilling USA, Inc., and (ii) with respect to Parent or Merger Sub, the actual knowledge
of the following individuals: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of
Parent; Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, Executive Vice President and Corporate Secretary of Parent; Xxxxxx X.
Xxxxxxxx, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer, Treasurer and Controller of Parent; Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Senior Vice President and General
Counsel of Parent; and Xxxx Xxxxxx, Vice President – Tax of Parent.
Section 10.17 Made Available. As used in this Agreement, the term “Made Available” means the providing of reasonable
access in good faith to the documents, materials or other information relating to the business and
operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries with reasonable designation of the nature and
location of such documents, materials or other information, or by making such documents, materials
or other information available in the electronic data room established by the Company in connection
with this Agreement prior to 7:00 p.m. Houston, Texas time on June 26, 2010; provided that
such documents, materials or other information were not removed from the electronic data room at
any time after the date they were first uploaded to the electronic data room and prior to the date
of this Agreement.
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Section 10.18 Reasonable Efforts. As used in this Agreement, the term “Reasonable Efforts” means, with respect to a given
objective, the efforts that a reasonable Person in the position of the applicable Party would use
to achieve that objective as expeditiously as reasonably possible; provided,
however, that an obligation to use Reasonable Efforts under this Agreement (i) does not
require such Party to initiate any litigation or arbitration, (ii) does not require any Closing
Date Principal Shareholder to pay any Person to obtain their consent in connection with obtaining
any consents referred to in this Agreement, (iii) does not require Parent to take or agree or
commit to take any action, including any Divestiture Action, or to limit or agree to limit its
freedom of action or that of the Company or of any Subsidiary, division or affiliate of either in
any respect that would, in the reasonable good faith judgment of Parent, be reasonably likely to
(a) give rise to a Parent Material Adverse Effect, (b) materially impair the benefits or advantages
it expects to receive from the Merger and the transactions contemplated hereby, or (c) give rise to
a material adverse effect on the business plan or business strategy of the combined company, and
(iii) does not require any Person to take actions that would result in a materially adverse change
in the benefits to such Person of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 10.19 Business Day. As used in this Agreement, the term “Business Day” means any day except Saturday, Sunday
or any day on which banks are generally not open for business in Houston, Texas or Geneva,
Switzerland.
Section 10.20 Construction. This Agreement has been freely and fairly negotiated among the Parties. If an ambiguity or
question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement will be construed as if drafted jointly
by the Parties and no presumption or burden of proof will arise favoring or disfavoring any Party
because of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement. Any reference to any law will be
deemed also to refer to such law as amended, modified, succeeded or supplemented from time to time
and in effect at any given time, and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, unless the
context requires otherwise. The words “include,” “includes,” and “including” do not limit
the preceding terms or words and shall be deemed to be followed by “without limitation.” The term
“or” has the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase “and/or.” Pronouns in masculine, feminine
and neuter genders will be construed to include any other gender, and words in the singular form
will be construed to include the plural and vice versa, unless the context otherwise requires.
Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “day” and “days” mean and refer to calendar
day(s). The words “this Agreement,” “herein,” “hereof,” “hereby,” “hereunder,” and words of similar
import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular subdivision unless expressly so
limited.
Section 10.21 Legal Representation of Shareholders. Each Closing Date Principal Shareholder acknowledges and agrees that in connection with the
matters related to this Agreement, Xxxxxx & Xxxxxx L.L.P. has solely represented and is solely
representing the Company and did not represent any of the Shareholders or any officer, employee,
director or manager of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries individually. Each Closing Date
Principal Shareholder has had the opportunity to seek independent legal advice from lawyers of its
own choosing and other professional advice as each of them has deemed appropriate, is fully
satisfied with that advice, and has relied solely and completely upon its own judgment together
with the independent legal and other professional advice received prior to executing
this Agreement. With the benefit of any such legal and other professional advice, each of
the Closing Date
80
Principal Shareholders has fully informed itself of the contents, terms,
conditions and effects of this Agreement, has read and understood this Agreement, and has had its
contents fully disclosed and explained to it by its lawyer.
Section 10.22 Non-Recourse. No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner,
shareholder or other owner (whether direct or indirect), Affiliate, agent, attorney or
representative of any Closing Date Principal Shareholder or the Shareholder Representative (or any
of their respective Affiliates) shall have any liability for any obligations or liabilities of the
Closing Date Principal Shareholders, the Shareholder Representative or the Company under this
Agreement, the Company Ancillary Documents or the Principal Shareholder Ancillary Documents of or
for any Claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby.
[Signature Pages Follow]
81
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed, as of the date
first above written.
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Noble Corporation,
a Swiss corporation |
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By:
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/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx |
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Name:
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Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx |
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Title:
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Senior Vice President and CFO |
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Noble AM Merger Co,
a Cayman Islands exempted company |
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By:
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/s/ Xxxx X. Xxx |
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Name:
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Xxxx X. Xxx |
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Title:
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Director |
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[Signature pages to
Merger Agreement]
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FDR Holdings Limited,
a Cayman Islands company |
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By:
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/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxx |
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Name:
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Xxxxxx Xxxxxx |
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Title:
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Director |
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82
EXISTING PRINCIPAL
SHAREHOLDERS
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date
first written above.
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CARLYLE/RIVERSTONE GLOBAL ENERGY
AND POWER FUND (CAYMAN), L.P. |
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By: |
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C/R Energy GP Ltd., its General Partner |
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By: |
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/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx |
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Name:
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Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx |
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Title: |
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Authorized Person |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date
first written above.
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CARLYLE/RIVERSTONE GLOBAL ENERGY AND POWER FUND III
(CAYMAN), L.P. |
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By: |
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Carlyle/Riverstone Energy GP III Ltd. |
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its General Partner |
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By: |
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/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx |
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Name:
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Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx |
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Title: |
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Authorized Person |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date first
written above.
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RIVERSTONE/CARLYLE GLOBAL ENERGY AND POWER FUND IV
(CAYMAN), L.P. |
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By: Riverstone/Carlyle Energy Partners IV
(Cayman), L.P., its General Partner |
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By: R/C XX XX Cayman LLC I, its General Partner |
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By: |
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/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx |
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Name:
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Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx |
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Title: |
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Managing Director |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date
first written above.
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C/R ENERGY COINVESTMENT III (CAYMAN), L.P. |
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By: Carlyle/Riverstone Energy GP III Ltd.
its General Partner |
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By: |
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/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx |
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Name:
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Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx |
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Title: |
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Authorized Person |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date first
written above.
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C/R ENERGY COINVESTMENT (CAYMAN), L.P. |
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By: C/R Energy GP Ltd., its General
Partner |
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By: |
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/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx |
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Name:
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Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx |
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Title: |
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Authorized Person |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date first
written above.
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C/R ENERGY III FRONTIER PARTNERSHIP, L.P. |
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By: Carlyle/Riverstone Energy GP III Ltd. |
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its General Partner |
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By: |
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/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx |
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Name:
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Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx |
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Title: |
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Authorized Person |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date first
written above.
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DLJ MERCHANT BANKING III, INC., |
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as Managing General Partner on behalf of |
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DLJMB OVERSEAS PARTNERS III, C.V. |
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By: |
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/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
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Name:
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Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
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Title:
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Vice President |
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MBPSLP, Inc., as Special Limited Partner on behalf of
DLJMB OVERSEAS PARTNERS III, C.V. |
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By: |
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/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
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Name:
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Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
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Title:
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Vice President |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date
first written above.
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DLJ MERCHANT BANKING III, INC., |
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as Advisory General Partner on behalf of |
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DLJ Offshore Partners III, C.V. |
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By: |
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/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
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Name:
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Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
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Title:
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Vice President |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date first
written above.
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DLJ MERCHANT BANKING III, INC., |
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as Advisory General Partner on behalf of |
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DLJ Offshore Partners III-1, C.V. and as attorney-in-fact
for DLJ Merchant Banking III, L.P., as Domestic Associate
General Partner of DLJ Offshore Partners III-1, C.V. |
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By: |
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/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
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Name:
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Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
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Title:
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Vice President |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date first
written above.
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DLJ MERCHANT BANKING III, INC., |
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as Advisory General Partner on behalf of |
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DLJ Offshore Partners III-2, C.V. and as attorney-in-fact
for DLJ Merchant Banking III, L.P., as Domestic Associate
General Partner of DLJ Offshore Partners III-2, C.V. |
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By: |
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/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
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Name:
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Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
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Title:
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Vice President |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date first
written above.
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DLJ MERCHANT BANKING III, INC., |
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as General Partner of DLJ Merchant Banking III, L.P., and
as attorney-in-fact for DLJ Merchant Banking III, L.P.,
as Managing Limited Partner for and on Behalf of DLJ MB
PARTNERS III GMBH & CO., KG |
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By: |
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/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
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Name:
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Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
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Title:
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Vice President |
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DLJ MB GmbH, as General Partner for and on Behalf of DLJ
MB PARTNERS III GMBH & CO., KG |
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By: |
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/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
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Name:
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Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
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Title:
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Director |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date first
written above.
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MILLENNIUM PARTNERS II, L.P. |
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By: DLJ Merchant Banking III, Inc., its
Managing General Partner |
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By: |
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/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
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Name:
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Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
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Title:
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Vice President |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date
first written above.
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AVISTA CAPITAL PARTNERS, L.P. |
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By: Avista Capital Partners GP, LLC, its
General Partner |
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By: |
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/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
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Name:
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Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
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Title:
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Partner |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date first
written above.
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AVISTA CAPITAL PARTNERS (OFFSHORE), L.P. |
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By: Avista Capital Partners GP, LLC, its
General Partner |
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By: |
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/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
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Name:
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Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
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Title:
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Partner |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date
first written above.
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CARLYLE ENERGY COINVESTMENT III CAYMAN, L.P. |
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By: Carlyle Energy Coinvestment III Cayman GP, L.L.C. |
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its General Partner |
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By: |
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/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx |
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Name:
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Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx |
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Title: |
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Authorized Person |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date
first written above.
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GLOBAL ENERGY CAPITAL LP
By: GEC Capital Group LP, its General Partner
By: GEC Group Ltd, its General Partner
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By: |
/s/ Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
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Name: |
Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx |
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Title: |
Managing Director |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date first
written above.
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GLOBAL ENERGY CAPITAL — FI LP
By: GEC Capital Group LP, its General Partner
By: GEC Group Ltd, its General Partner
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By: |
/s/ Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
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Name: |
Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx |
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Title: |
Managing Director |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date first
written above.
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/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
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Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date first
written above.
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AVISTA CAPITAL PARTNERS II, L.P.
By: Avista Capital Partners II GP, LLC, its General Partner
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By: |
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
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Name: |
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
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Title: |
Partner |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date first
written above.
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AVISTA CAPITAL PARTNERS (OFFSHORE) II, L.P.
By: Avista Capital Partners II GP, LLC, its General Partner
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By: |
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
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Name: |
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
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Title: |
Partner |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date first
written above.
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MBP III PLAN INVESTORS, L.P.
By: DLJ LBO Plans Management Corporation II, its General Partner
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By: |
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
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Name: |
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
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Title: |
Vice President |
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RECAPITALIZING
SHAREHOLDERS
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed, as of
the date first above written.
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CARLYLE/RIVERSTONE GLOBAL ENERGY AND POWER FUND (CAYMAN), L.P.
By: C/R Energy GP Ltd., its General Partner
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By: |
/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx
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Name: |
Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx |
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Title: |
Authorized Person |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date
first written above.
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CARLYLE/RIVERSTONE GLOBAL ENERGY AND POWER FUND III (CAYMAN), L.P.
By: Carlyle/Riverstone Energy GP III Ltd. its General Partner
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By: |
/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx
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Name: |
Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx |
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Title: |
Authorized Person |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date
first written above.
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RIVERSTONE/CARLYLE GLOBAL ENERGY AND POWER FUND IV (CAYMAN), L.P.
By: Riverstone/Carlyle Energy Partners IV (Cayman), L.P., its General Partner
By: R/C XX XX Cayman LLC I, its General Partner
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By: |
/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx
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Name: |
Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx |
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Title: |
Managing Director |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date
first written above.
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C/R ENERGY COINVESTMENT III (CAYMAN), L.P.
By: Carlyle/Riverstone Energy GP III Ltd. its General Partner
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By: |
/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx
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Name: |
Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx |
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Title: |
Authorized Person |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date
first written above.
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C/R ENERGY COINVESTMENT (CAYMAN), L.P.
By: C/R Energy GP Ltd., its General Partner
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By: |
/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx
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Name: |
Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx |
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Title: |
Authorized Person |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date
first written above.
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C/R ENERGY III FRONTIER PARTNERSHIP, L.P.
By: Carlyle/Riverstone Energy GP III Ltd. its General Partner
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By: |
/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx
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Name: |
Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx |
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Title: |
Authorized Person |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date
first written above.
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CARLYLE ENERGY COINVESTMENT III CAYMAN, L.P.
By: Carlyle Energy Coinvestment III Cayman GP, L.L.C. its General Partner
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By: |
/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx
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Name: |
Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx |
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Title: |
Authorized Person |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date
first written above.
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C/R FRONTIER HUNGARY KORLÁTOLT FELELŐSSÉGŰ TÁRSASÁG
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By: |
/s/ N. Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx
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Name: |
N. Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx |
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Title: |
Managing Director |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date
first written above.
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CARLYLE/RIVERSTONE HUNGARY KORLÁTOLT FELELŐSSÉGŰ TÁRSASÁG
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By: |
/s/ N. Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx
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Name: |
N. Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx |
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Title: |
Managing Director |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date
first written above.
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AVISTA CAPITAL PARTNERS (OFFSHORE), L.P.
By: Avista Capital Partners GP, LLC, its General Partner
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By: |
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
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Name: |
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
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Title: |
Partner |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date
first written above.
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AVISTA CAPITAL PARTNERS, L.P.
By: Avista Capital Partners GP, LLC, its General Partner
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By: |
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
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Name: |
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
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Title: |
Partner |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date
first written above.
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AVISTA CAPITAL PARTNERS II, L.P.
By: Avista Capital Partners II GP, LLC, its General Partner
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By: |
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
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Name: |
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
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Title: |
Partner |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date
first written above.
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AVISTA CAPITAL PARTNERS (OFFSHORE) II, L.P.
By: Avista Capital Partners II GP, LLC, its General Partner
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By: |
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
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Name: |
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
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Title: |
Partner |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date first
written above.
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AVISTA CAPITAL PARTNERS (OFFSHORE) II-A, L.P.
By: Avista Capital Partners II GP, LLC, its General Partner
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By: |
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
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Name: |
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
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Title: |
Partner |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date
first written above.
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DLJ MERCHANT BANKING III, INC.,
as Advisory General Partner on behalf of
DLJ Offshore Partners III, C.V.
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By: |
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
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Name: |
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
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Title: |
Vice President |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date
first written above.
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DLJ Merchant Banking III, Inc.,
as Advisory General Partner on behalf of
DLJ Offshore Partners III-1, C.V. and as attorney-in-fact for
DLJ Merchant Banking III, L.P., as Domestic Associate General
Partner of DLJ Offshore Partners III-1, C.V.
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By: |
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
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Name: |
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
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Title: |
Vice President |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date
first written above.
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DLJ Merchant Banking III, Inc., as Advisory General Partner
on behalf of DLJ Offshore Partners III-2, C.V. and as
attorney-in-fact for DLJ Merchant Banking III, L.P., as
Domestic Associate General Partner of DLJ Offshore Partners
III-2, C.V.
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By: |
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
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Name: |
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
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Title: |
Vice President |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date
first written above.
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DLJ MERCHANT BANKING III, INC., as General Partner of DLJ
Merchant Banking III, L.P. and as attorney- in-fact for DLJ
Merchant Banking III, L.P. as Managing Limited Partner for
and on Behalf of
DLJ MB PARTNERS III GMBH & CO., KG
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By: |
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
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Name: |
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
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Title: |
Vice President |
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DLJMB GmbH, as General Partner for and on behalf of DLJ MB
PARTNERS III GMBH & CO., KG
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By: |
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
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Name: |
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
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Title: |
Director |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date
first written above.
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DLJ Merchant Banking III, Inc., as Managing General Partner
on behalf of
DLJMB OVERSEAS PARTNERS III, C.V.
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By: |
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
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Name: |
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
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Title: |
Vice President |
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MBPSLP, Inc., as Special Limited Partner on behalf of
DLJMB OVERSEAS PARTNERS III, C.V.
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By: |
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
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Name: |
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
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Title: |
Vice President |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date
first written above.
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DLJ Merchant Banking III, Inc.
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By: |
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
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Name: |
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
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Title: |
Vice President |
|
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date
first written above.
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DLJ MERCHANT BANKING III, INC.
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By: |
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
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Name: |
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
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Title: |
Vice President |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date
first written above.
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MILLENNIUM PARTNERS II, L.P.
| |
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By: |
DLJ Merchant
Banking III, Inc., its Managing General Partner
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By: |
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
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Name: |
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
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Title: |
Vice President |
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date
first written above.
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MBP III PLAN INVESTORS, L.P.
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By: |
DLJ LBO Plans
Management Corporation II, its General Partner
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By: |
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
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Name: |
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
|
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Title: |
Vice President |
|
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date
first written above.
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GLOBAL ENERGY CAPITAL LP
|
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By: |
GEC Capital Group LP, its General Partner |
|
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By: |
GEC Group Ltd, its General Partner |
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By: |
/s/ Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
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Name: |
Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx |
|
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Title: |
Managing Director |
|
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date
first written above.
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GLOBAL ENERGY CAPITAL — FI LP
|
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By: |
GEC Capital Group LP, its General Partner |
|
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By: |
GEC Group Ltd, its General Partner |
|
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By: |
/s/ Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
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Name: |
Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx |
|
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Title: |
Managing Director |
|
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto as of the date
first written above.
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/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
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XXXXXX X. XXXXXX |
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ANNEX I
EXISTING PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
1. |
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Carlyle/Riverstone Global Energy and Power Fund (Cayman), L.P. |
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2. |
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Carlyle/Riverstone Global Energy and Power Fund III (Cayman), L.P. |
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3. |
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Riverstone/Carlyle Global Energy and Power Fund IV (Cayman), L.P. |
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4. |
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C/R Energy Coinvestment III (Cayman), L.P. |
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5. |
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C/R Energy Coinvestment (Cayman), L.P. |
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6. |
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C/R Energy III Frontier Partnership, L.P. |
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7. |
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DLJMB Overseas Partners III, C.V. |
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8. |
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DLJ Offshore Partners III, C.V. |
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9. |
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DLJ Offshore Partners III-1, C.V. |
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10. |
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DLJ Offshore Partners III-2, C.V. |
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11. |
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DLJ MB PartnersIII GMBH & Co., Kg |
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12. |
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Millennium Partners II, L.P. |
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13. |
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Avista Capital Partners, L.P. |
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14. |
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Avista Capital Partners (Offshore), L.P. |
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15. |
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Carlyle Energy Coinvestment III Cayman, L.P. |
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16. |
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Global Energy Capital LP |
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17. |
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Global Energy Capital — FI LP |
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18. |
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Avista Capital Partners II, L.P. |
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19. |
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Avista Capital Partners (Offshore) II, L.P. |
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20. |
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MBP III Plan Investors, L.P. |
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21. |
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Erland Xxxxx Xxxxxx |
ANNEX II
RECAPITALIZING SHAREHOLDERS
1. |
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Carlyle/Riverstone Global Energy and Power Fund (Cayman), L.P. |
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2. |
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Carlyle/Riverstone Global Energy and Power Fund III (Cayman), L.P. |
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3. |
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Riverstone/Carlyle Global Energy and Power Fund IV (Cayman), L.P. |
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4. |
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C/R Energy Coinvestment III (Cayman), L.P. |
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5. |
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C/R Energy Coinvestment (Cayman), L.P. |
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6. |
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C/R Energy III Frontier Partnership, L.P. |
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7. |
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Carlyle Energy Coinvestment III Cayman, L.P. |
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8. |
|
X/X Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx |
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0. |
|
Carlyle/Riverstone Hungary Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx |
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00. |
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Avista Capital Partners (Offshore), L.P. |
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11. |
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Avista Capital Partners, L.P. |
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12. |
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Avista Capital Partners II, L.P. |
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13. |
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Avista Capital Partners (Offshore) II, L.P. |
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14. |
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Avista Capital Partners (Offshore) II-A, L.P. |
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15. |
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DLJ Offshore Partners III, C.V. |
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16. |
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DLJ Offshore Partners III-1, C.V. |
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17. |
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DLJ Offshore Partners III-2 |
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18. |
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DLJ Mb PartnersIII Gmbh & Co., Kg |
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19. |
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DLJMB Overseas Partners III, C.V. |
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20. |
|
DLJ Merchant Banking III, Inc. |
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21. |
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Millennium Partners II, L.P. |
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22. |
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MBP III Plan Investors, L.P. |
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23. |
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Global Energy Capital LP |
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24. |
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Global Energy Capital — FI LP |
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF ADDENDUM AGREEMENT
,
Reference is made to that certain Agreement and Plan Of Merger dated June 27, 2010 (the
“
Merger Agreement”), among Noble Corporation, a Swiss corporation (“
Parent”), Noble AM Merger Co.,
an exempted company with limited liability in the Cayman Islands and an indirect wholly owned
subsidiary of Parent (“
Merger Sub”), FDR Holdings Limited, an exempted company with limited
liability in the Cayman Islands having its registered office at Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, 00 Xxxx Xxxxxx, P.O.
Box 1350, KY1-1108, Xxxxxx Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands (the “
Company”), the shareholders of
the Company listed on Annex I to the
Merger Agreement (the “
Existing Principal Shareholders”) and
all such parties to the Recapitalization Agreement other than the Company, as listed on Annex II
to the
Merger Agreement (the “
Recapitalizing Shareholders,” together with the Existing Principal
Shareholders, the “
Closing Date Principal Shareholders”), pursuant to which Merger Sub will merge
with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the Surviving Company (the “
Merger”).
Each of Parent, Merger Sub, the Company and the Closing Date Principal Shareholders are referred to
herein as a “
Party” and together as the “
Parties.” Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise
defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the
Merger Agreement.
Pursuant to Section 6.4 of the
Merger Agreement, for the consideration set forth in the
Merger
Agreement, [
] (the “
Additional Shareholder”) hereby (i) agrees to be bound by
and subject to the terms and conditions of the
Merger Agreement, (ii) adopts the
Merger Agreement
with the same force and effect as if the Additional Shareholder were originally a signatory to the
Merger Agreement and (iii) agrees to be treated as a Closing Date Principal Shareholder under the
Merger Agreement for all purposes.
The Additional Shareholder hereby (i) represents and warrants to each Party that the
Additional Shareholder has the complete right, power and authority to execute and deliver this
Addendum Agreement and to perform all of the obligations hereunder and the obligations of it as a
Party under the Merger Agreement and (ii) makes each of the representations and warranties set
forth in Article III of the Merger Agreement as if the Additional Shareholder signed the Merger
Agreement on the date thereof.
The spouse of the Additional Shareholder, if applicable, executes this Addendum Agreement to
acknowledge its fairness and that it is in such spouse’s best interests, and to bind such spouse’s
community interest, if any, in the consideration to be received by the Additional Shareholder
pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement.
This Addendum Agreement shall be binding upon the undersigned and their successors and assigns
(as permitted pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement) and
shall inure to the benefit of each of Parent, Merger Sub, the Company, and the Closing Date
Principal Shareholders.
This Addendum Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of
the State of
New York. This Addendum Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each
of which shall be an original, and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute one
agreement. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Addendum Agreement by facsimile
transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof.
[Signature pages follow]
Executed as a sealed instrument as of the day of , 2010.
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[ADDITIONAL SHAREHOLDER] |
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By: |
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Name:
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Title:
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[ADDITIONAL SHAREHOLDER SPOUSE] |
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AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED BY: |
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Noble Corporation, a
Swiss corporation |
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By: |
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Name:
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Title:
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Noble AM Merger Co., a Cayman Islands
exempted company |
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By: |
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Name:
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Title:
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FDR Holdings Limited, a Cayman
Islands company |
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By: |
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Name:
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Title:
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