EXHIBIT 10.21
CONSULTING AGREEMENT
This CONSULTING AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is made and entered into effective as of
the 31st day of January, by and between R&B Falcon Corporation, a Delaware
corporation ("Company"), and Xxxx X. Xxxx, Xx., an individual ("Consultant").
WHEREAS, in connection with the transactions contemplated by that certain
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 19, 2000, among Transocean
Sedco Forex Inc. ("Parent"), Transocean Holdings Inc., TSF Delaware Inc. and
Company (the "Merger Agreement"), Company will become an indirect wholly-owned
subsidiary of Parent; and
WHEREAS, in the event of the termination of Consultant's employment with Company
following the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, Company and
Parent wish to have Consultant provide consulting services to the Company for
the period provided in this Agreement and Consultant wishes to provide services
to Company for such period, on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and agreements hereinafter set
forth, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties agree as follows:
1. ENGAGEMENT. Company hereby retains Consultant to provide consulting
services with respect to strategies and policies, special projects, incentives,
goals and other matters related to the development and growth of Company. Such
services shall be as directed by the Chief Executive Officer of Company or
other person or persons as designated by the Chief Executive Officer form time
to time. Consultant shall be required to be generally available to Company to
perform the services and agrees to provide upon request a minimum of thirty
hours of service per month to Company at such times and places as may be
reasonably requested by Company and consistent with Consultant's other
activities. Further, Consultant agrees not to perform substantially similar
services during the term hereof to any other company which provides offshore
contract drilling services; provided that Consultant may request a waiver of
such restriction on a case-by-case basis and Company agrees not to unreasonably
withhold, condition or delay such waiver.
2. TERM. The term of this Agreement shall commence on the effective date
of Consultant's termination of employment with Company at any time following the
Effective Time (as defined in the Merger Agreement) (the "Effective Date") and
continue in effect for a period of three (3) years thereafter; provided,
however, that in the event Consultant becomes a member of the Board of Directors
of Parent ("Parent Board"), the Agreement shall continue in effect only until
the second anniversary of the Effective Date; and provided, further, that
Consultant may terminate this Agreement on thirty (30) days' advance written
notice to Company. Upon such an expiration or termination of this Agreement,
neither party shall have any further obligation towards the other in connection
herewith except as provided in Article 5(g).
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3. COMPENSATION. As compensation for the performance by Consultant of
services under this Agreement, Company agrees to pay to Consultant the
following:
(a) an annual retainer fee of THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($300,000);
provided, however, that if Consultant becomes a member of the Parent Board,
the annual retainer fee shall thereafter be THREE HUNDRED SIXTY THOUSAND
DOLLARS ($360,000) and Consultant hereby waives during the term of this
Agreement any fees or other remuneration that would otherwise be payable to
Consultant for services as a member of the Parent Board; and
(b) Company agrees to pay direct to the vendor or reimburse Consultant, as
the case may be, reasonable expenses incurred by Consultant in connection
with the performance of his services under this Agreement. These
expenditures and expenses incurred by and on behalf of Consultant shall be
in accordance with those policies in effect the Company from time to time.
These expenses shall include but shall not be limited to:
(1) Transportation, meals and lodging, parking, tips or any other
expenses incurred in accordance with Company's policies and
procedures;
(2) Telephone, facsimile or other communication costs, and
(3) Company's current per mile rate for Consultant's use of his
personal automobile on Company's business.
Consultant shall not be entitled to any other remuneration, benefit or
reimbursement in connection with this Agreement or the services performed
hereunder except as may otherwise be expressly set forth herein.
4. PAYMENTS.
(a) The annual retainer referred to in Article 3(a) above shall be paid in
monthly installments of TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($25,000) (or THIRTY
THOUSAND DOLLARS ($30,000) in the event Consultant becomes a member of the
Parent Board), payable on the last day of the calendar month for services
performed during the month.
(b) Expense statements shall be submitted by Consultant with reasonable
documentation in accordance with the policies of Company. Reimbursement shall be
paid within ten (10) business days of receipt of an expense statement by
Company.
(c) Consultant may request cash advances for special purposes such as trips
incurred at Company's request. Such cash advances shall be approved by Company's
designated person, and such amount shall be deducted from Consultant's first
expense statement statement submitted after such cash advance or any balance
outstanding shall be repaid with submittal of the expense statement.
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5. GENERAL.
(a) Consultant agrees that the extent and character of the work to be done by
Consultant shall be subject to the general supervision, direction, control and
approval of Company's Chief Executive Officer, to whom Consultant shall report
and be responsible. In the performance of the work and services hereunder,
Consultant shall be deemed an independent contractor and shall not be an
employee of Company. Consultant shall have no right to bind Company and shall
limit the services to be provided hereunder to those requested or directed to
be performed in accordance with Article 1.
(b) Consultant shall be responsible for the payment of all taxes or other
charges imposed by any governmental authority on his services and fees.
(c) Any suggestions, analyses, programs, products, materials conceived,
prepared or developed by Consultant during the term of this Agreement, whether
alone or jointly with others, which relate to the Company's core offshore
drilling business shall be Company's sole and exclusive property.
(d) All information obtained by Consultant or communicated to Consultant by
Company in the course of conduct of Consultant's work and services hereunder
shall be considered confidential and shall not be divulged by Consultant to any
person, firm or corporation other than Company's representative without
Company's prior written consent unless required to be disclosed by court order,
subpoena or other government process, in which case Consultant shall notify
Company promptly after learning of any such court order, subpoena or government
process. Company shall furnish any information necessary for Consultant to carry
out Consultant's duties.
(e) Consultant shall not assign or subcontract any of Consultant's obligations
hereunder without the prior written consent of Company; provided that Consultant
shall be permitted to assign this agreement to any entity that is wholly owned
by Consultant. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding on
the executors, administrators, personal representatives, permitted assigns and
successors of the respective parties.
(f) In acknowledgement of the fees and occasional transportation, meals and
lodgings being provided by Company to enable and assist Consultant in the
execution of his duties and in exchange for Company's agreement to release,
defend and indemnify Consultant from any and all claims, suits, actions,
damages, liabilities and expenses (including attorney fees and court
costs)(collectively, "Claims") for personal injury to the employees, officers,
directors and agents of Company and Company's clients, or damage to Company's
and Company's clients' property arising out of the services to be provided
hereunder, regardless of whether Consultant may be negligent or otherwise
legally at fault, Consultant agrees to release, defend and indemnify Company and
its clients and their respective employees, officers, directors and agents from
any Claims for personal injury to, or death of, Consultant or damage to or loss
of Consultant's property arising out of the services to be provided hereunder,
regardless of whether Company may be or may be alleged to be negligent or
otherwise legally at fault.
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(g) The provisions of Article 5(b), (c), (d) and (f) shall survive the
expiration of this Agreement.
6. MODIFICATION. No modification, amendment or waiver of any of the provisions
of this Agreement shall be effective unless made in writing with specific
reference to this Agreement and signed by each of the parties hereto.
7. NOTICES. Any notices required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing
and shall be delivered in person or mailed certified or registered mail, return
receipt requested, properly addressed:
(a) If to Company:
R&B Falcon Corporation
Attn: Chief Executive Officer
(b) If to Consultant:
Xxxx X. Xxxx, Xx.
108 Shasta
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Either party hereto may designate a different address by written notice given
to the other party in accordance herewith.
8. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the
parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.
9. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Texas without regard to its rules of
conflict of laws.
10. EFFECTIVENESS. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this
Agreement is conditioned upon the consummation of the Merger (as defined in the
Merger Agreement) and shall be void ab initio and of no force and effect upon
the termination of the Merger Agreement prior to the Effective Time.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be duly
executed as of the day and year first above written.
/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxx, Xx.
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Xxxx X. Xxxx, Xx.
R&B FALCON CORPORATION
/s/ Xxx X. Xxxxx
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By: Xxx X. Xxxxx
Title: Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
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