e424b3
Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration No. 333-129096
Houston, Texas
February 9, 2006
Fellow Stockholder:
We invite you to attend the annual meeting of stockholders of
Mariner Energy, Inc. to be held on Thursday, March 2, 2006
at 8:30 a.m., Central Standard Time, at One BriarLake
Plaza, Suite 2000, 2000 West Sam Houston Parkway
South, Houston, Texas 77042. At the meeting, you will be asked
to consider and vote upon a proposal to adopt the merger
agreement entered into among Mariner, Forest Oil Corporation,
Forest Energy Resources, Inc. and MEI Sub, Inc., to consider and
vote upon a proposal to amend Mariners certificate of
incorporation to increase its authorized shares of stock, to
consider and vote upon a proposed amendment and restatement of
Mariners stock incentive plan, to elect one director to
serve until the annual meeting of stockholders in 2009 and to
elect two directors to serve until the annual meeting of
stockholders in 2007.
If the merger agreement is adopted and the merger consummated,
Forest Energy Resources will become a wholly owned subsidiary of
Mariner, and Mariner will be a publicly traded company.
Mariners common stock has been approved for listing on the
New York Stock Exchange upon the completion of the merger. Each
Forest shareholder will be entitled to receive one share of
common stock of Mariner in exchange for each share of Forest
Energy Resources common stock they own. Mariner stockholders
will not receive consideration in the merger.
We believe that this transaction will increase Mariners
scale and balance our portfolio in the Gulf of Mexico, provide a
strong financial platform for our exploration and development
efforts, and enlarge our stockholder base for greater liquidity.
There are, however, risks associated with the proposed
transaction, some of which are described under Risk
Factors beginning on page 24 of the accompanying
proxy statement/ prospectus-information statement.
The Mariner board of directors has determined that the merger
is fair to and in the best interests of Mariner and its
stockholders, and that the merger agreement is advisable. The
Mariner board of directors has unanimously approved the merger
agreement and recommends that the Mariner stockholders vote
for the adoption of the merger agreement.
In order to consummate the merger, Mariners certificate of
incorporation must be amended to increase the number of shares
of stock Mariner is authorized to issue. Mariner proposes to
increase its authorized shares to 200 million, of which
180 million will be shares of common stock and
20 million will be shares of preferred stock, subject to
the completion of the merger. The merger cannot be completed
unless Mariners authorized shares are increased. The
Mariner board of directors has unanimously approved the
amendment to the certificate of incorporation, and recommends
that the Mariner stockholders vote for the
amendment.
Mariner also proposes to amend and restate its stock incentive
plan to, among other things, add 4.5 million shares of
common stock, or approximately 5% of its outstanding shares
following the completion of the merger, to the plan, subject to
the completion of the merger. The Mariner board of directors
has unanimously approved the amended and restated stock
incentive plan, and recommends that the Mariner stockholders
vote for the amended and restated plan.
In considering the recommendations of the Mariner board of
directors, stockholders of Mariner should be aware that members
of the Mariner board of directors and executive officers of
Mariner have agreements and arrangements that provide them with
interests in the merger that differ from, or are in addition to,
those of Mariner stockholders. Please read The Mariner
Annual Meeting Interests of Certain Persons in the
Merger beginning on page 39 of the accompanying proxy
statement/ prospectus-information statement.
All stockholders are invited to attend the meeting. Your
participation at the meeting, in person or in proxy, is
important. Even if you only own a few shares, we want your
shares to be represented at the meeting. The merger cannot be
completed without the approval of the holders of a majority of
the outstanding shares of common stock of Mariner. Whether or
not you expect to attend the meeting in person, please complete,
sign, date and promptly return the enclosed proxy card in the
enclosed postage-prepaid envelope. Stockholders of record also
have the option of voting via the Internet or by telephone.
Specific instructions on how to vote via the Internet or by
telephone are included on the proxy card. Each proxy is
revocable and will not affect your right to vote in person if
you attend the meeting.
The proxy statement/ prospectus-information statement that
accompanies this letter contains detailed information about the
proposed merger and the other proposals, and we urge you to read
it carefully. In particular, you should read the Risk
Factors section beginning on page 24 for a
description of various risks you should consider in evaluating
the proposed merger.
Thank you and we look forward to seeing you at the meeting.
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Sincerely yours, |
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Scott D. Josey |
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Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President |
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state
securities commission has approved or disapproved the new shares
of Mariner common stock to be issued in the merger or determined
that this proxy statement/ prospectus-information statement is
accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a
criminal offense.
This proxy statement/ prospectus-information statement is dated
February 9, 2006, and is first being mailed to stockholders
on or about February 10, 2006.
Denver, Colorado
February 9, 2006
To the Shareholders of Forest Oil Corporation:
On September 12, 2005, we announced that we would spin-off
to our shareholders our offshore Gulf of Mexico operations, and
that the Gulf of Mexico operations would immediately thereafter
be acquired in a merger transaction by Mariner Energy, Inc.
After the spin-off and merger, Mariner will be a separately
traded public company that will own and operate the combination
of Mariners business and our Gulf of Mexico operations.
As a result of the transaction, in addition to retaining all of
your shares of Forest common stock, you will receive
approximately 0.8 shares of Mariner common stock for each
Forest share you own on the record date of the transaction. You
will not be required to pay for the shares of Mariner common
stock that you receive. Forest shareholders will receive
approximately 58% of the common stock of Mariner on a pro forma
basis. Mariners common stock has been approved for listing
on the New York Stock Exchange upon the completion of the merger.
This transaction represents a significant strategic step that we
believe will sharpen Forests focus on its onshore
businesses and will provide operational clarity. While we
believe the spin-off will also allow Forest shareholders to
benefit from the success and upside potential of Mariner, there
are risks that are described under Risk Factors
beginning on page 24 of the accompanying proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement.
Forests board of directors has determined that the
spin-off of the Gulf of Mexico operations and the combination of
these operations with Mariner are advisable and in the best
interests of Forest and its shareholders, and has approved the
proposed transaction. You need not take any action to
participate in the spin-off or the merger no vote of
Forest shareholders is required in connection with this
transaction. Following the completion of the merger, you will
receive information explaining how to obtain your shares of
Mariner common stock.
The following document constitutes an information statement of
Forest relating to the spin-off and contains important
information describing the terms of the spin-off, the merger,
Forest, Mariner, the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations and the
combined businesses. We encourage you to read it carefully.
We look forward to completing the spin-off and merger and to the
exciting opportunities this transaction presents for our
shareholders.
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Sincerely, |
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H. Craig Clark |
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President and Chief Executive Officer |
Houston, Texas
February 9, 2006
Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders
To the Stockholders of Mariner Energy, Inc.
The annual meeting of holders of common stock of Mariner Energy,
Inc. will be held on Thursday, March 2, 2006 at
8:30 a.m., Central Standard Time, at One BriarLake Plaza,
Suite 2000, 2000 West Sam Houston Parkway South, Houston,
Texas 77042,
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to consider and vote upon the adoption of the Agreement and Plan
of Merger, dated as of September 9, 2005, as amended, among
Forest Oil Corporation, Forest Energy Resources, Inc., Mariner
Energy, Inc. and MEI Sub, Inc., subject to the approval of
the proposed amendment to Mariners certificate of
incorporation described below, |
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to consider and vote upon a proposed amendment to Mariners
Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to
increase the number of authorized shares of stock from
90 million to 200 million, subject to the completion
of the merger, |
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to consider and vote upon the proposed amendment and restatement
of the Mariner Energy, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan, |
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to elect one director to serve until the annual meeting of
stockholders in 2009, |
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to elect two directors to serve until the annual meeting of
stockholders in 2007, |
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to grant to the proxyholders the authority to vote in their
discretion with respect to the approval of any proposal to
postpone or adjourn the annual meeting to a later date to
solicit additional proxies in favor of the other proposals, if
there are not sufficient votes for approval of the other
proposals at the annual meeting, and |
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to transact any other business that may properly come before the
annual meeting. |
The board of directors of Mariner has determined that owners of
record of Mariners common stock at the close of business
on February 1, 2006 are entitled to notice of, and have the
right to vote at, the Mariner annual meeting and any reconvened
meeting following any adjournment or postponement of the meeting.
The Mariner board of directors has determined that the merger
is fair to and in the best interests of Mariner and its
stockholders, and that the merger agreement is advisable. The
Mariner board of directors has unanimously approved the merger
agreement and the other proposals and recommends that the
Mariner stockholders vote for the adoption of
the merger agreement and the other proposals.
In considering the recommendations of the Mariner board of
directors, stockholders of Mariner should be aware that members
of the Mariner board of directors and executive officers of
Mariner have agreements and arrangements that provide them with
interests in the merger that differ from, or are in addition to,
those of Mariner stockholders. Please read The Mariner
Annual Meeting Interests of Certain Persons in the
Merger beginning on page 39 of the accompanying proxy
statement/ prospectus-information statement.
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By Order of the Board of Directors |
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of Mariner Energy, Inc. |
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Teresa Bushman |
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Vice President and General Counsel |
Your Vote is Important.
Whether or Not You Plan to Attend the Annual Meeting, Please
Complete, Sign, Date and Return Your Proxy Card
PROXY STATEMENT/ PROSPECTUS-INFORMATION STATEMENT
Table of Contents
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1 |
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8 |
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8 |
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Ownership Structure Before and After the Spin-off and Merger
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10 |
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Material United States Federal Tax Consequences of the Spin-Off
and the Merger
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11 |
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11 |
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12 |
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Comparison of Stockholder Rights
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41 |
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41 |
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49 |
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Certain Financial Projections
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51 |
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Overview
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Recent Developments
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Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005 Highlights
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Results of Operations
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149 |
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Capital Expenditures
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Significant Properties
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Estimated Proved Reserves
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154 |
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Production
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156 |
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Productive Wells
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Acreage
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157 |
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Drilling Activity
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158 |
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Title to Properties
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158 |
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Employees
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Offices
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Legal Proceedings
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Insurance Matters
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F-1 |
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A-1 |
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B-1 |
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C-1 |
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E-1 |
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F-1 |
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G-1 |
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iv
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE SPIN-OFF AND MERGER
These questions and answers, together with the section titled
Summary immediately following this section, provide
a summary of the material terms of the spin-off and the merger
and the other proposals to be acted upon at the annual meeting.
To better understand the proposed spin-off and merger and the
other proposals, you should read this entire proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement carefully, as well as those
additional documents to which we refer you.
This proxy statement/ prospectus-information statement is:
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a proxy statement of Mariner for use in the solicitation of
proxies for Mariners annual meeting of stockholders; |
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a prospectus of Mariner relating to the issuance of shares of
Mariner common stock in connection with the merger; and |
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an information statement of Forest relating to the spin-off
of the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations to the shareholders of
Forest. |
For an explanation of oil and gas abbreviations and terms
used in this proxy statement/ prospectus-information statement,
see Glossary of Oil and Natural Gas Terms on
page 187.
In this proxy statement/ prospectus-information statement:
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The terms we, us, our and
like terms, and the term Mariner, refer to Mariner
Energy, Inc.; |
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MEI Sub refers to MEI Sub, Inc.; |
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Forest refers to Forest Oil Corporation; |
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Forest Energy Resources refers to Forest Energy
Resources, Inc.; and |
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Forest Gulf of Mexico operations refers to the
offshore Gulf of Mexico operations conducted by Forest that have
been contributed to Forest Energy Resources and the shares of
which will be spun-off to Forest shareholders. |
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Q: |
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Please briefly describe the proposed merger and related
transactions. |
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A: |
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Forest has transferred and contributed the assets and certain
liabilities associated with its offshore Gulf of Mexico
operations to Forest Energy Resources, a newly formed subsidiary
of Forest. Immediately prior to the merger, Forest will
distribute all of the outstanding shares of Forest Energy
Resources to Forest shareholders on a pro rata basis. Forest
Energy Resources will then merge with a newly formed subsidiary
of Mariner, and become a new wholly owned subsidiary of Mariner.
When the merger is complete, approximately 58% of the Mariner
common stock will be held by shareholders of Forest and
approximately 42% of Mariner common stock will be held by the
pre-merger stockholders of Mariner, each on a pro forma basis. |
Following the merger, Mariner will:
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be an independent public company; |
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own both the Mariner operations and the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations; and |
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have total assets of approximately $2.1 billion and total
debt of approximately $279.0 million on a pro forma
combined basis, assuming the spin-off and the merger occurred on
September 30, 2005. |
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Q: |
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What are Mariner stockholders being asked to vote upon? |
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Mariner stockholders are being asked to: |
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adopt the merger agreement entered into among Forest, Forest
Energy Resources, Mariner and MEI Sub, Inc., subject to the
approval of the proposed amendment to Mariners certificate
of incorporation; |
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approve the proposed amendment to Mariners certificate of
incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of
stock from 90 million to 200 million, subject to
completion of the merger; |
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approve the proposed amendment and restatement of Mariners
stock incentive plan; |
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to elect one director to serve until the annual meeting of
stockholders of Mariner in 2009; |
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to elect two directors to serve until the annual meeting of
stockholders of Mariner in 2007; and |
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approve the proposed granting of authority to the proxyholders
to vote in their discretion on a motion to adjourn or postpone
the meeting. |
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Q: |
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What changes to Mariners stock incentive plan am I
being asked to approve? |
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You are being asked to approve an amendment and restatement of
the plan whereby 4.5 million shares of common stock would
be added to the plan, the plan would be extended to
October 12, 2015 and the number of shares subject to stock
options or shares of restricted stock issuable under the plan to
any individual would be limited to 2.85 million, subject to
the completion of the merger. |
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Why am I being asked to grant to the proxy holders the
authority to vote in their discretion on a motion to adjourn or
postpone the meeting? |
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We may determine to adjourn or postpone the meeting, for
example, to solicit additional proxies if there are insufficient
votes at the time of the meeting to adopt the merger agreement. |
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What will Forest shareholders receive in the merger? |
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If the merger is completed, each Forest shareholder will
ultimately receive shares of Mariner common stock. As a result
of the spin-off, Forest shareholders will initially receive
shares of Forest Energy Resources, which will then be converted
in the merger into the right to receive shares of Mariner. After
the merger, Forest shareholders will be entitled to receive
approximately 0.8 shares of Mariner for each Forest share
that they own. Forest shareholders will not be required to pay
for the shares of Forest Energy Resources distributed in the
spin-off transaction or the shares of Mariner issued in the
merger. Shareholders will receive cash in lieu of any fractional
shares of Mariner common stock. All shares of Forest Energy
Resources common stock distributed in the spin-off and Mariner
common stock issued in the merger will be issued in book-entry
form, meaning that, although Forest shareholders will own the
shares, they will not be issued physical share certificates. |
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What will Mariner stockholders receive in the merger? |
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Mariner stockholders will keep the shares of Mariner common
stock they currently own, but will not receive any additional
shares in the merger. |
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Does the Mariner board of directors support the merger and
the other proposals? |
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Yes. The Mariner board of directors has determined that the
merger is fair to and in the best interests of Mariner and its
stockholders, and that the merger agreement is advisable. The
Mariner board of directors has unanimously approved the merger
agreement and the other proposals and recommends that the
Mariner stockholders vote for the adoption of
the merger agreement and the other proposals. A more
detailed description of the background and reasons for the
merger is set forth under The Spin-Off and Merger
beginning on page 41. |
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Do the directors and executive officers of Mariner have
interests in the merger that are different from mine? |
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A: |
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When considering the recommendations of the Mariner board of
directors, you should be aware that the directors and executive
officers of Mariner have interests and arrangements that may be
different from your interests as stockholders, including: |
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arrangements regarding the appointment of directors and officers
of Mariner following the merger; and |
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arrangements whereby the executive officers of Mariner will
receive a cash payment of $1,000 each in exchange for the waiver
of certain rights under their employment agreements, including
the automatic |
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vesting or acceleration of restricted stock and options upon the
completion of the merger and the right to receive a lump sum
cash payment if the officer voluntarily terminates employment
without good reason within nine months following the completion
of the merger. |
At the close of business on February 1, 2006, directors and
executive officers of Mariner and their affiliates as a group
beneficially owned and were entitled to vote approximately
3.7 million shares of Mariner common stock (including
restricted stock subject to vesting), representing approximately
10.4% of the shares of Mariner common stock outstanding on that
date. All of the directors and executive officers of Mariner who
are entitled to vote at the meeting have indicated that they
intend to vote their shares of Mariner common stock in favor of
adoption of the merger agreement.
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Q: |
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What factors did the Mariner board of directors consider in
reaching its decision on the merger? |
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A: |
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In reaching its decision on the merger, the Mariner board of
directors considered a number of factors, including the
following among others: |
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the increased size of the combined company could reduce
volatility and allow it to participate in larger scale drilling
projects and acquisition opportunities; |
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the merger would be expected to increase Mariners
estimated proved reserves and undeveloped acreage; |
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the merger could generate increased visibility in the capital
markets and trading liquidity for the combined company; |
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the merger would increase the number of Mariners producing
fields, thereby reducing Mariners dependence on a
concentrated number of properties; |
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the merger would be consummated only if approved by the holders
of a majority of the Mariner common stock; and |
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the merger is structured as a tax-free reorganization for
U.S. federal income tax purposes and, accordingly, would
not be taxable either to Mariner or its stockholders. |
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The Mariner board of directors also identified and considered
some risks and potential disadvantages associated with the
merger, including, among others, the following: |
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the risk that there may be difficulties in combining the
business of Mariner and the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations; |
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the risk that the potential benefits sought in the merger might
not be fully realized; |
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the risk that the proved undeveloped, probable and possible
reserves of the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations may never be
converted to proved developed reserves; and |
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the fact that, in order to preserve the tax-free treatment of
the spin-off, Mariner would be required to abide by restrictions
that could reduce its ability to engage in certain business
transactions. |
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In the judgment of the Mariner board of directors, the potential
benefits of the merger outweigh the risks and the potential
disadvantages. |
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Q: |
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Did Mariners financial advisor render its opinion with
respect to the fairness from a financial point of view of the
exchange ratio in the merger? |
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A: |
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Yes. Lehman Brothers Inc., Mariners financial advisor, has
delivered to Mariners board of directors a written opinion
that, as of September 9, 2005, based upon and subject to
the factors and assumptions set forth in the opinion, the
exchange ratio in the merger was fair from a financial point of
view to Mariner. This opinion is attached as Annex B to
this proxy statement/prospectus-information statement. |
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Q: |
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Are there risks that Mariner stockholders should consider in
deciding whether to vote on the merger? |
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A: |
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Yes. Mariner stockholders should read the Risk
Factors beginning on page 24 for a description of
various risks Mariner stockholders should carefully consider in
evaluating the proposed merger. |
3
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Q: |
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Can Mariner stockholders dissent and require appraisal of
their shares of Mariner common stock? |
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A: |
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No. Mariner stockholders are not entitled to
dissenters rights or appraisal rights in connection with
the merger. |
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Q: |
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Why does Mariner want to increase the number of authorized
Mariner shares? |
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A: |
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Mariners certificate of incorporation currently does not
authorize a sufficient number of shares of common stock to
complete the merger. Mariner currently is authorized to issue
70 million shares of Mariner common stock and
20 million shares of Mariner preferred stock. As of
February 1, 2006, approximately 35.6 million shares of
Mariner common stock were issued and outstanding. Under the
terms of the merger agreement, Mariner must issue approximately
50.6 million shares (representing approximately
0.8 shares of Mariner common stock for each share of Forest
common stock) of common stock in the merger, which would result
in approximately 86 million shares of Mariner common stock
outstanding. Therefore, the number of authorized shares of
Mariner common stock must be increased in order to complete the
merger. |
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Q: |
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What vote is required to adopt the merger agreement and the
other proposals? |
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A: |
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For the merger to occur, the holders of a majority of the
outstanding Mariner common stock must adopt the merger agreement
and approve the amendment to the certificate of incorporation.
The amendment to Mariners stock incentive plan must be
approved by a majority of votes cast by stockholders present in
person or by proxy, a quorum being present. Director nominees
receiving a plurality of all votes cast at the meeting will be
elected to Mariners board of directors. Mariner
stockholders will have one vote for each share of Mariner common
stock they own. On February 1, 2006, the record date for
Mariners annual meeting, 35,615,400 shares of Mariner
common stock were issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at
the meeting. The approval of Forest shareholders is not required
for the spin-off or the merger. |
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Q: |
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Where will Mariners common stock be listed? |
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A: |
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Mariners common stock has been approved for listing on the
New York Stock Exchange upon the completion of the merger. |
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Q: |
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Who will be the executive officers of Mariner? |
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A: |
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The current executive officers of Mariner will remain in their
current positions following the merger. |
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Q: |
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Who will be the directors of Mariner? |
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If the merger is completed, Mariners board will consist of
seven members, five of whom will be the current directors of
Mariner, and two of whom will be mutually agreed between Mariner
and Forest prior to the completion of the merger. The Chairman
of the Mariner board will be Mr. Scott D. Josey, the
current Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of
Mariner. |
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Q: |
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Who are the new directors of Mariner, as mutually agreed by
Forest and Mariner? |
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A: |
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The two Mariner directors to be mutually agreed by Forest and
Mariner pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement have not
yet been designated. |
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Q: |
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When do you expect to complete the spin-off and the
merger? |
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A: |
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If the merger agreement and the proposed amendment to the
certificate of incorporation are adopted and approved by the
stockholders of Mariner, then Mariner, Forest, Forest Energy
Resources and MEI Sub expect to complete the spin-off and the
merger as soon as possible after the satisfaction (or waiver,
where permissible) of the other conditions to the spin-off and
the merger. We currently anticipate that the merger will be
completed during the first calendar quarter of 2006. |
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Q: |
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Who is entitled to vote at the meeting of Mariner
stockholders? |
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A: |
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Holders of Mariner common stock of record at the close of
business on February 1, 2006. |
4
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Q: |
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What should Mariner stockholders do now? |
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A: |
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You should mail your signed and dated proxy card(s) in the
enclosed envelope or vote via telephone or via the Internet by
following the instructions on your proxy card(s) as soon as
possible so that your shares of Mariner common stock will be
represented and voted at the meeting. |
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Q: |
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Do Mariner stockholders need to send in their share
certificate(s)? |
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A: |
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No. Mariner stockholders should not send in their share
certificate(s). Mariner stockholders will not exchange their
share certificates in connection with the merger. |
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Q: |
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If I am not going to attend the meeting, should I return my
proxy card(s)? |
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A: |
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Yes. Returning your proxy card(s) ensures that your shares of
Mariner common stock will be represented at the meeting, even if
you are unable to or do not attend. |
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Q: |
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How do I vote my shares of Mariner common stock if they are
held in the name of a bank, broker or other fiduciary? |
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A: |
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Your bank, broker or other fiduciary will vote your shares of
Mariner common stock with respect to the merger only if you
provide written instructions to them on how to vote, so it is
important that you provide them with instructions. If you do not
provide them with instructions, they will not be authorized to
vote with respect to the merger or the other proposals. If you
wish to vote in person at the meeting and hold your shares of
Mariner common stock in the name of a bank, broker or other
fiduciary, you must contact your bank, broker or other fiduciary
and request a legal proxy. You must bring this legal proxy to
the meeting in order to vote in person. Shares of Mariner common
stock held by a broker, bank or other fiduciary that are not
voted because the customer has not provided instructions to the
broker, bank or other fiduciary (referred to as a broker
non-vote) will have the same effect as a vote
against the proposals. |
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Q: |
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Can I change my vote after I mail my proxy card(s)? |
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A: |
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Yes. If you are a record holder of Mariner common stock, you can
change your vote by: |
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completing, signing and dating a new proxy card and
returning it by mail so that it is received prior to the meeting; |
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voting via telephone or via the Internet by
following the instructions provided on your proxy card; |
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sending a written notice to The Continental Stock
Transfer & Trust Company that is received prior to the
meeting stating that you revoke your proxy; or |
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attending the meeting and voting in person or by
legal proxy, if appropriate. |
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Internet and telephone voters may use the same procedure to
revoke or change their votes as they used to cast their original
votes. If your shares of Mariner common stock are held in the
name of a bank, broker or other fiduciary and you have directed
such person(s) to vote your shares of Mariner common stock, you
should instruct such person(s) to change your vote or obtain a
legal proxy to do so yourself. Telephone and Internet voting
will close at 8:00 p.m. Eastern time on the day before the
meeting. Thereafter, voting (including revocation of proxies)
can be made by mail or facsimile received prior to the meeting,
or in person at the meeting. |
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Q: |
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What if I do not vote, or abstain from voting, or do not
instruct my broker to vote my shares of Mariner common stock? |
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A: |
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If you do not vote, it will have the same effect as a vote
against the merger and the proposal to amend Mariners
certificate of incorporation. Shares that are not voted will not
count for purposes of calculating a quorum, which is necessary
to have a valid meeting of stockholders. If a quorum of
stockholders is not present in person or by proxy at the
meeting, no vote will be taken on the merger and the other
proposals. Shares that are not voted have the effect of reducing
the number of shares required to approve the proposal to amend
and restate Mariners stock incentive plan and to elect
directors, which require the affirmative vote of a majority of a
quorum, but do not have the effect of reducing the number of
shares required to adopt the merger agreement and to approve the
proposed amendment to Mariners certificate of |
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incorporation, both of which require the affirmative vote of a
majority of Mariners outstanding shares. Abstentions and
broker non-votes also will have the effect of votes against the
merger and the proposal to amend Mariners certificate of
incorporation. If you sign your proxy card but do not
indicate how you want to vote, your shares of Mariner common
stock will be voted for the merger and the other proposals. |
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Q: |
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What factors did the Forest board of directors consider in
reaching its decision on the spin-off and merger? |
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A: |
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In reaching its decision on the spin-off and the merger, the
Forest board of directors considered a number of factors,
including the following among others: |
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the transaction creates two highly focused and
valuable enterprises for Forests shareholders, Forest and
Mariner; |
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the merger of the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations
with the Mariner business creates a high quality, well
positioned Gulf of Mexico independent with an excellent track
record and growth outlook; |
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following the spin-off, Forest will be a
highly-focused onshore resource company with an acquire and
exploit strategy and a portfolio of long-life, concentrated
assets in high quality basins that provide a foundation for
sustainable growth; |
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the determination to execute a tax-free transaction
designed to increase the value of Forests Gulf of Mexico
assets; and |
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the determination that a spin-off followed by a
merger transaction represents a better alternative for
Forests shareholders than any other type of transaction
considered, providing optionality and returning value directly
to Forests shareholders. |
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The Forest board of directors also considered some risks and
potential disadvantages associated with the spin-off and merger,
including the following among others: |
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the lack of a liquid trading market and established
market value for the Mariner shares; |
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the risk that there may be difficulties in combining
the business of Mariner and the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations; |
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the risk that the potential benefits sought in the
merger might not be fully realized; and |
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the risk that the proved undeveloped, probable and
possible reserves of the Mariner business may never be converted
to proved developed reserves. |
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In the judgment of the Forest board of directors, the potential
benefits of the spin-off and the merger outweigh the risks and
the potential disadvantages. In evaluating Mariners offer,
Forest believed that the combination of stock and assumed
liabilities offered by Mariner could be worth an amount in a
range of approximately $1.1 billion to $1.4 billion,
depending upon the trading value of Mariners common stock
when the stock begins to trade upon the closing of the merger. |
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Q: |
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Do Forest shareholders need to send in any share
certificates? |
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A: |
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No. If the merger is completed, Forest shareholders will
exchange their shares of Forest Energy Resources for share
certificates representing Mariner common stock. Forest
shareholders who are entitled to receive shares of Forest Energy
Resources (i.e., shareholders of record on the record date for
the distribution) will be mailed book entry statements
evidencing their shares of Forest Energy Resources. The exchange
of Forest Energy Resources and Mariner shares will be effected
through book-entry, without the exchange of physical share
certificates. |
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Q: |
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Has Forest set a record date for the distribution of Forest
Energy Resources shares in the spin-off? |
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A: |
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No. Forest will publicly announce the record date when it has
been determined. |
6
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Q: |
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Can Forest shareholders dissent and require appraisal of
their shares of Forest Energy Resources common stock? |
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A: |
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No. Forest shareholders are not entitled to dissenters
rights or appraisal rights in respect of the Forest Energy
Resources stock they receive in the merger. |
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Q: |
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What should Forest shareholders do now? |
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A: |
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Forest shareholders should carefully read this proxy
statement/prospectus-information statement, which contains
important information about the spin-off, the merger, Mariner,
the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations and the combined
businesses. Forest shareholders are not required to take any
action to approve the spin-off or the merger. As described
above, if the merger is completed, shares of Forest Energy
Resources will be converted into shares of Mariner common stock. |
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Q: |
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Who can answer my questions? |
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A: |
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If Mariner stockholders have any questions regarding the meeting
or need assistance in voting their shares of Mariner common
stock, please contact our transfer agent: |
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The Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company
17 Battery Place, 8th Floor
New York, New York 10004
Facsimile: (212) 509-5152
Telephone: (212) 616-7610
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All other questions from Mariner stockholders should be directed
to: |
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Mariner Energy, Inc.
Attention: Investor Relations
One BriarLake Plaza, Suite 2000
2000 West Sam Houston Parkway South
Houston, Texas 77042
Facsimile:
(713) 954-5555
Telephone: (713) 954-5500
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All other questions from Forest shareholders should be directed
to: |
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Forest Oil Corporation
Attention: Investor Relations
707 17th Street, Suite 3600
Denver, Colorado 80202
Facsimile: (303) 812-1510
Telephone: (303) 812-1400 |
7
SUMMARY
This summary, together with the section titled
Questions and Answers About the Merger immediately
preceding this summary, provides a summary of the material terms
of the spin-off and the merger and the other proposals to be
acted upon at the meeting. To better understand the proposed
merger and the other proposals, you should read this entire
proxy statement/prospectus-information statement carefully, as
well as those additional documents to which we refer you. We
have included page references at various points in this summary
to direct you to a more detailed description of the topics
presented.
The Companies
Mariner Energy, Inc.
One BriarLake Plaza, Suite 2000
2000 West Sam Houston Parkway South
Houston, Texas 77042
Facsimile:
(713) 954-5555
Telephone: (713) 954-5500
Mariner Energy, Inc. is an independent oil and gas exploration,
development and production company with principal operations in
the Gulf of Mexico, both shelf and deepwater, and the Permian
Basin in West Texas. As of December 31, 2004, Mariner
had 237.5 Bcfe of estimated proved reserves, of which
approximately 64% were natural gas and 36% were oil and
condensate. As of December 31, 2004, the present value,
discounted at 10% per annum, of estimated future net
revenues from Mariners estimated proved reserves, before
income tax (PV10), was approximately
$668 million, and Mariners standardized measure of
discounted future net cash flows attributable to its estimated
proved reserves was approximately $494.4 million. Please
see Mariner Estimated Proved Reserves
for a reconciliation of PV10 to the standardized measure of
discounted future net cash flows. As of December 31, 2004,
approximately 46% of Mariners estimated proved reserves
were classified as proved developed. For the year ended
December 31, 2004, Mariners total net production was
37.6 Bcfe. Of Mariners estimated proved reserves, 48%
are located in the Permian Basin in West Texas, 37% in the Gulf
of Mexico deepwater and 15% on the Gulf of Mexico shelf as of
December 31, 2004. In the three-year period ended
December 31, 2004, Mariner deployed approximately
$337 million of capital on acquisitions, exploration and
development while adding approximately 191 Bcfe of
estimated proved reserves and producing approximately
111 Bcfe.
MEI Sub, Inc.
c/o Mariner Energy, Inc.
One BriarLake Plaza, Suite 2000
2000 West Sam Houston Parkway South
Houston, Texas 77042
Facsimile:
(713) 954-5555
Telephone: (713) 954-5500
MEI Sub, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mariner. MEI Sub
was organized on August 30, 2005 for the purposes of
merging with Forest Energy Resources in the merger. It has not
carried on any activities other than in connection with the
merger agreement.
Forest Oil Corporation
707 17th Street, Suite 3600
Denver, Colorado 80202
Facsimile: (303) 812-1400
Forest is an independent oil and gas company engaged in the
acquisition, exploration, development and production of natural
gas and liquids in North America and selected international
locations. Forest was incorporated in New York in 1924, as the
successor to a company formed in 1916, and has been a publicly
held company since 1969. Forest operates from offices located in
Denver, Colorado; Lafayette and Metairie, Louisiana; Anchorage,
Alaska; and Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
8
Forest Energy Resources, Inc.
c/o Forest Oil Corporation
707 17th Street, Suite 3600
Denver, Colorado 80202
Facsimile: (303) 812-1400
Forest Energy Resources is a wholly owned subsidiary of Forest.
Forest Energy Resources was formed in Delaware on
August 18, 2005 for the purpose of completing the spin-off
of the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations. As of December 31,
2004, the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations that have been
contributed to Forest Energy Resources had 339.7 Bcfe of
estimated proved reserves, of which approximately 79% were
natural gas and 21% were oil and condensate. As of
December 31, 2004, the PV10 of the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations was approximately $1,222.2 million, and the
standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows
attributable to its estimated proved reserves was approximately
$925.8 million. Please see The Forest Gulf of Mexico
Operations Estimated Proved Reserves for a
reconciliation of PV10 to the standardized measure of discounted
future net cash flows. As of December 31, 2004,
approximately 76% of the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations
estimated proved reserves were classified as proved developed.
For the year ended December 31, 2004, the Forest Gulf of
Mexico operations total net production was 81.1 Bcfe. In
the three-year period ended December 31, 2004, the Forest
Gulf of Mexico operations deployed approximately
$560 million of capital on acquisitions, exploration and
development while adding approximately 182 Bcfe of
estimated proved reserves and producing approximately
215 Bcfe.
9
Ownership Structure Before and After the Spin-off and
Merger
The following diagrams and accompanying descriptions serve to
describe generally the transactions that will take place in
connection with the spin-off and merger. For more information,
please read The Spin-off and Merger.
1. Current Corporate Ownership
Structure
Forest Energy Resources is a wholly owned subsidiary of Forest.
MEI Sub is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mariner.
2. The Contribution and
Spin-Off
Forest has contributed the assets and certain liabilities
associated with its Gulf of Mexico operations to Forest Energy
Resources. Forest will, immediately prior to the merger,
distribute all of the shares of Forest Energy Resources to its
shareholders on a pro rata basis.
3. The Merger
MEI Sub will merge with and into Forest Energy Resources, with
Forest Energy Resources surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary
of Mariner. Forest Energy Resources will be renamed Mariner
Energy Resources, Inc. In conjunction with the merger, shares of
Forest Energy Resources stock will automatically be converted
into shares of Mariner stock.
10
4. Corporate Ownership Structure
following the Spin-Off and Merger
At the conclusion of the merger, Forest shareholders will own
approximately 58% of Mariner and the stockholders of Mariner who
owned shares prior to the merger will own the remaining
approximately 42% of Mariner.
Material United States Federal Tax Consequences of the
Spin-Off and the Merger (page 62)
It is a condition to the completion of the spin-off that Forest
receive an opinion from its tax counsel to the effect that the
contribution and transfer of the assets and liabilities of the
Forest Gulf of Mexico operations to Forest Energy Resources and
the spin-off by Forest of all the shares of Forest Energy
Resources common stock to the holders of Forest common stock
generally will be treated as a tax-free transaction for
U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a tax-free transaction
for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the spin-off will be
tax-free to Forest shareholders and will generally be tax-free
to Forest.
It is a condition to the completion of the merger that Forest,
Forest Energy Resources and Mariner receive opinions from their
respective tax counsels to the effect that the merger will
constitute a tax-free reorganization for U.S. federal
income tax purposes. As a tax-free reorganization for
U.S. federal income tax purposes, the merger will be
tax-free to the stockholders of Mariner and tax-free to the
shareholders of Forest, except for cash received in lieu of
fractional shares of Mariner for shares of Forest Energy
Resources.
We encourage you to consult your own tax advisor for a full
understanding of the tax consequences of the spin-off and/or the
merger to you.
Conditions to the Completion of the Merger (page 83)
The merger will be completed only if certain conditions,
including the following, are satisfied (or waived in certain
cases):
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the adoption of the merger agreement by Mariner stockholders
holding a majority of the Mariner common stock and the approval
of the proposed amendment to Mariners certificate of
incorporation; |
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the absence of legal restrictions that would prevent the
completion of the transactions; |
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the receipt by Forest, Mariner and Forest Energy Resources of an
opinion from their respective counsel to the effect that the
merger will be treated as a reorganization for federal income
tax purposes; |
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the completion of the spin-off in accordance with the
distribution agreement; |
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the receipt of material consents, approvals and authorizations
of governmental authorities; |
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the expiration or termination of any applicable waiting period
under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act; |
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the SEC declaring effective the registration statements of
Mariner relating to the shares of Mariner common stock to be
issued in the merger and those shares held by its existing
stockholders; |
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the representations and warranties contained in the merger
agreement being materially true and correct, and the performance
in all material respects by the parties of their covenants and
other agreements in the merger agreement; |
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the approval for listing on the New York Stock Exchange or
Nasdaq of Mariners common stock; and |
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Mariner and Forest receiving the consents required pursuant to
their credit facilities (with Mariner or Forest Energy Resources
having entered into a new or amended credit facility sufficient
to operate the combined businesses), and Forest receiving any
consents required from its bondholders. |
On November 14, 2005, the waiting period under the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Act with respect to the merger expired. On
October 19, 2005, Forest received the consent required
pursuant to its credit facility. On February 7, 2006,
Mariners common stock was approved for listing on the New
York Stock Exchange upon the completion of the merger. As of
February 7, 2006, no other conditions to closing have been
satisfied. Mariner is currently negotiating the definitive
documents for its new credit facility, which documents also will
grant the consent required pursuant to its existing facility.
Mariner and Forest are actively working to obtain necessary
consents, approvals and authorizations from governmental
authorities, including the Minerals Management Service.
Based on its current valuation of the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations and the current amount of distributions permitted by
the covenants contained in the indentures governing
Forests outstanding bonds, Forest believes that no
consents of its bondholders will be required for the spin-off
and the merger. If Forests belief that bondholder consents
are not necessary remains unchanged as the merger closing
approaches, it intends to waive conditions in the merger
agreement and distribution agreement related to such consents.
Neither Mariner nor Forest currently believes that any other
condition to closing is likely to be waived. Mariner and Forest
will recirculate revised proxy materials and resolicit proxies
if there are any material changes in the terms of the merger,
including those that result from waivers of conditions to
closing.
Pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, the closing of
the merger will occur as promptly as practicable, and in no
event later than the second business day following the
satisfaction or, if permissible, waiver of the conditions to
closing set forth in the merger agreement, or at such other time
as Mariner and Forest Energy Resources mutually agree. Unless
Mariner consents otherwise, the closing will not occur earlier
than the fifth business day following the record date for the
spin-off.
Termination of the Merger Agreement (page 85)
Forest and Mariner may mutually agree to terminate the merger
agreement without completing the merger. In addition, either
party may terminate the merger agreement if:
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the other party breaches its representations, warranties,
covenants or agreements under the merger agreement so as to
create a material adverse effect, and the breach has not been
cured within 30 days after notice was given of such breach; |
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the parties do not complete the merger by March 31, 2006; |
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a governmental order prohibits the merger; or |
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Mariner does not receive the required approval of its
stockholders. |
In addition, Mariner may terminate the merger agreement if it
receives a proposal to acquire Mariner that Mariners board
of directors determines in good faith to be more favorable to
Mariners stockholders than the merger. Forest may
terminate the merger agreement if Mariners board of
directors withdraws or modifies its approval of the merger to
Mariners stockholders.
Termination Fee and Expenses (page 86)
Mariner must pay Forest a termination fee of $25 million
and out-of-pocket fees
and expenses of up to $5 million if Mariner terminates the
merger agreement to accept an alternative proposal that
Mariners board
12
of directors determines in good faith to be more favorable to
Mariners stockholders than the merger. In addition,
Mariner must pay Forest a termination fee of $25 million
and reimbursement of
out-of-pocket fees and
expenses of up to $5 million if the merger agreement is
terminated for the other reasons set forth under The
Merger Agreement Termination Fees and Expenses
on page 86.
Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws (page 62)
The proposed amendment to Mariners certificate of
incorporation is in the form attached as Annex E to this
proxy statement/ prospectus-information statement. Following the
merger, the certificate of incorporation and by-laws of Mariner
would differ from the current certificate of incorporation and
by-laws only with respect to the number of authorized shares of
stock, which pursuant to the proposed amendment would be
increased from 90 million to 200 million.
Financing Arrangements Relating to the Spin-Off and the
Merger (page 94)
At the closing of the merger Mariner and Mariner Energy
Resources expect to enter into a new $500 million senior
secured revolving credit facility, and Mariner will enter into
an additional $40 million senior secured letter of credit
facility. The revolving credit facility will mature on the
fourth anniversary of the closing, and the letter of credit
facility will mature on the third anniversary of the closing.
The outstanding principal balance of loans under the revolving
credit facility may not exceed the borrowing base, which will be
initially set at $400 million. In addition, Forest Energy
Resources expects to enter into a new senior term loan facility
in connection with the spin-off, which facility is expected to
be repaid with borrowings under Mariners and Mariner
Energy Resources $500 million revolving credit
facility.
Ancillary Agreements (page 91)
In addition to the merger agreement and the distribution
agreement, Forest, Forest Energy Resources and Mariner have
entered into a tax sharing agreement relating to the allocation
of certain tax liabilities. The tax sharing agreement is
attached as Annex D to this proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement. See Ancillary
Agreements Tax Sharing Agreement beginning on
page 91. In addition, Forest and Forest Energy Resources
have entered into an employee benefits agreement addressing
certain benefits matters for former Forest employees who become
employees of Forest Energy Resources in connection with the
spin-off and the merger. See Ancillary
Agreements Employee Benefits Agreement
beginning on page 92. Finally, Forest and Forest Energy
Resources have entered into a transition services agreement
under which Forest will provide certain services to Forest
Energy Resources for a limited period of time following the
merger. See Ancillary Agreements Transition
Services Agreement beginning on page 93.
Regulatory Matters (page 70)
None of the parties is aware of any other material governmental
or regulatory approval required for the completion of the
merger, other than the effectiveness of the registration
statement of which this proxy statement/ prospectus-information
statement is a part and the effectiveness of Mariners
registration statement on
Form S-1 relating
to the currently-outstanding shares of Mariner common stock, and
compliance with applicable antitrust law (including the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as
amended) and the corporate law of the State of Delaware. On
November 14, 2005, the waiting period under the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Act with respect to the merger expired.
Comparison of Stockholder Rights (page 183)
Forests shareholders, whose rights are currently governed
by Forests certificate of incorporation, by-laws and New
York law, will, if the merger is completed, also become
stockholders of Mariner and their rights will be governed by
Mariners certificate of incorporation, by-laws and
Delaware law. Material differences exist in the terms of these
documents and statutes which may affect the rights of
stockholders of Mariner and Forest.
13
SUMMARY SELECTED HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA
Sources of Information
We are providing the following summary selected consolidated
financial data of Mariner and selected consolidated financial
data of the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations, to help you in
your analysis of the financial aspects of the merger and related
transactions. We derived this information from the audited and
unaudited financial statements for Mariner and from the audited
and unaudited statements of revenues and direct operating
expenses of the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations for the periods
presented. You should read this information in conjunction with
the financial information included elsewhere in this proxy
statement/prospectus-information statement. See Where You
Can Find More Information; Incorporation by Reference
beginning on page 189, Index to Financial
Statements on
page F-1 and
Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Financial
Information beginning on page 96.
How We Prepared the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed
Financial Information
The unaudited pro forma combined condensed financial information
is presented to show you how Mariner might have looked if the
Forest Gulf of Mexico operations had been an independent company
and combined with Mariner for the periods presented. We prepared
the pro forma financial information using the purchase method of
accounting, with Mariner treated as the acquiror. See The
Spin-Off and Merger Accounting Treatment
beginning on page 70.
If the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations had been an independent
company, and if Mariner and the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations
had been combined in the past, they might have performed
differently. You should not rely on the pro forma financial
information as an indication of the financial position or
results of operations that Mariner would have reported if the
spin-off and merger had taken place earlier or of the future
results that Mariner will achieve after the merger. See
Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Financial
Information beginning on page 96.
14
Summary Historical Consolidated Financial Data of Mariner
The following table shows Mariners summary historical
consolidated financial data as of and for each of the four years
ended December 31, 2003, the period from January 1,
2004 through March 2, 2004, the period from March 3,
2004 through December 31, 2004, the period from
March 3, 2004 through September 30, 2004 and the
nine-month period ended September 30, 2005. The summary
historical consolidated financial data as of and for the four
years ended December 31, 2003, the period from
January 1, 2004 through March 2, 2004 and the period
from March 3, 2004 through December 31, 2004 are
derived from Mariners audited financial statements
included herein, and the summary historical consolidated
financial data for the period from March 3, 2004 through
September 30, 2004 and the nine-month period ended
September 30, 2005 are derived from unaudited financial
statements of Mariner. You should read the following data in
connection with Managements Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of
Mariner and the consolidated financial statements included
elsewhere in this proxy statement/ prospectus-information
statement, where there is additional disclosure regarding the
information in the following table, including pro forma
information regarding the merger. Mariners historical
results are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected
in future periods.
On March 2, 2004, Mariners former indirect parent,
Mariner Energy LLC, merged with MEI Acquisitions, LLC, an
affiliate of the private equity funds, Carlyle/ Riverstone
Global Energy and Power Fund II, L.P. and ACON Investments
LLC. The financial information contained herein is presented in
the style of Pre-2004 Merger activity (for all periods prior to
March 2, 2004) and Post-2004 Merger activity (for the
March 3, 2004 through December 31, 2004 period and the
March 3, 2004 through September 30, 2004 period) to
reflect the impact of the restatement of assets and liabilities
to fair value as required by push-down purchase
accounting at the March 2, 2004 merger date.
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Post-2004 Merger | |
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Pre-2004 Merger | |
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Period from | |
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Period from | |
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Period from | |
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March 3, | |
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January 1, | |
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Nine Months | |
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March 3, | |
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2004 | |
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2004 | |
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Ended | |
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2004 through | |
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through | |
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through | |
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Year Ended December 31, | |
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September 30, | |
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September 30, | |
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December 31, | |
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March 2, | |
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2005 | |
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2004 | |
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2004 | |
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2004 | |
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2003 | |
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2002 | |
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2001 | |
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2000 | |
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(In millions, except per share data) | |
Statement of Operations Data:
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Total revenues(1)
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$ |
151.2 |
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$ |
122.5 |
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$ |
174.4 |
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$ |
39.8 |
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$ |
142.5 |
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$ |
158.2 |
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$ |
155.0 |
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$ |
121.1 |
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Lease operating expenses
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|
20.2 |
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|
|
15.1 |
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|
21.4 |
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|
4.1 |
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24.7 |
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26.1 |
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|
20.1 |
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17.2 |
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Transportation expenses
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1.7 |
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3.7 |
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1.9 |
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1.1 |
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6.3 |
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10.5 |
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12.0 |
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7.8 |
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Depreciation, depletion and amortization
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43.4 |
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37.4 |
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54.3 |
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10.6 |
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48.3 |
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70.8 |
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63.5 |
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56.8 |
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Impairment of production equipment held for use
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0.5 |
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1.0 |
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1.0 |
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Derivative settlement
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3.2 |
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Impairment of Enron related receivables
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3.2 |
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29.5 |
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General and administrative expenses
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|
26.7 |
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6.2 |
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7.6 |
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|
1.1 |
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|
8.1 |
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7.7 |
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9.3 |
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6.5 |
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Operating income
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58.7 |
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|
59.1 |
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88.2 |
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|
22.9 |
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|
|
51.9 |
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|
|
39.9 |
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|
20.6 |
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|
32.8 |
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Interest income
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0.7 |
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0.2 |
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0.2 |
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0.1 |
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0.8 |
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0.4 |
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0.7 |
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|
|
0.1 |
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Interest expense
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|
|
(5.4 |
) |
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|
(4.4 |
) |
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|
(6.0 |
) |
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|
|
(7.0 |
) |
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|
(10.3 |
) |
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(8.9 |
) |
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|
(11.0 |
) |
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Income before income taxes
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54.0 |
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|
54.9 |
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|
82.4 |
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|
23.0 |
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|
45.7 |
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30.0 |
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|
|
12.4 |
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|
21.9 |
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Provision for income taxes
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|
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(18.4 |
) |
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|
(19.2 |
) |
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|
(28.8 |
) |
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(8.1 |
) |
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(9.4 |
) |
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Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting method
net of tax effects
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35.6 |
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35.7 |
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53.6 |
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14.9 |
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|
36.3 |
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30.0 |
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12.4 |
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21.9 |
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Income before cumulative effect per common share
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Basic
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1.10 |
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1.20 |
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1.80 |
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|
.50 |
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|
1.22 |
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|
1.01 |
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|
.42 |
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|
.74 |
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Diluted
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|
1.07 |
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|
1.20 |
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|
1.80 |
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|
.50 |
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|
1.22 |
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|
1.01 |
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|
.42 |
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|
.74 |
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Cumulative effect of changes in accounting method
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|
1.9 |
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Net income
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|
$ |
35.6 |
|
|
$ |
35.7 |
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|
$ |
53.6 |
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|
|
$ |
14.9 |
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|
$ |
38.2 |
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|
$ |
30.0 |
|
|
$ |
12.4 |
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|
$ |
21.9 |
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Net income per common share
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|
|
|
|
|
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|
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|
|
|
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|
|
|
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|
|
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Basic
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|
|
1.10 |
|
|
|
1.20 |
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|
|
1.80 |
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|
|
|
.50 |
|
|
|
1.29 |
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|
|
1.01 |
|
|
|
.42 |
|
|
|
.74 |
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|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
1.07 |
|
|
|
1.20 |
|
|
|
1.80 |
|
|
|
|
.50 |
|
|
|
1.29 |
|
|
|
1.01 |
|
|
|
.42 |
|
|
|
.74 |
|
Capital Expenditure and Disposal Data:
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
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|
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|
Exploration, including leasehold/seismic
|
|
$ |
23.6 |
|
|
$ |
35.7 |
|
|
$ |
40.4 |
|
|
|
$ |
7.5 |
|
|
$ |
31.6 |
|
|
$ |
40.4 |
|
|
$ |
66.3 |
|
|
$ |
46.7 |
|
|
Development and other
|
|
|
106.8 |
|
|
|
50.2 |
|
|
|
93.2 |
|
|
|
|
7.8 |
|
|
|
51.7 |
|
|
|
65.7 |
|
|
|
98.2 |
|
|
|
61.4 |
|
|
Proceeds from property conveyances
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(121.6 |
) |
|
|
(52.3 |
) |
|
|
(90.5 |
) |
|
|
(29.0 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total capital expenditures net of proceeds from property
conveyances
|
|
$ |
130.4 |
|
|
$ |
85.9 |
|
|
$ |
133.6 |
|
|
|
$ |
15.3 |
|
|
$ |
(38.3 |
) |
|
$ |
53.8 |
|
|
$ |
74.0 |
|
|
$ |
79.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) Includes effects of hedging.
15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post-2004 Merger | |
|
|
Pre-2004 Merger | |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
|
September 30, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2000 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Balance Sheet Data:(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property and equipment, net, full cost method
|
|
$ |
393.3 |
|
|
$ |
303.8 |
|
|
|
$ |
207.9 |
|
|
$ |
287.6 |
|
|
$ |
290.6 |
|
|
$ |
287.8 |
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
502.2 |
|
|
|
376.0 |
|
|
|
|
312.1 |
|
|
|
360.2 |
|
|
|
363.9 |
|
|
|
335.4 |
|
|
Long-term debt, less current maturities
|
|
|
79.0 |
|
|
|
115.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
99.8 |
|
|
|
99.8 |
|
|
|
129.7 |
|
|
Stockholders equity
|
|
|
178.6 |
|
|
|
133.9 |
|
|
|
|
218.2 |
|
|
|
170.1 |
|
|
|
180.1 |
|
|
|
141.9 |
|
|
Working capital (deficit)(2)
|
|
|
(30.2 |
) |
|
|
(18.7 |
) |
|
|
|
38.3 |
|
|
|
(24.4 |
) |
|
|
(19.6 |
) |
|
|
(15.4 |
) |
|
|
(1) |
Balance sheet data as of December 31, 2004 reflects
purchase accounting adjustments to oil and gas properties, total
assets and stockholders equity resulting from the
acquisition of our former indirect parent on March 2, 2004. |
|
(2) |
Working capital (deficit) excludes current derivative assets and
liabilities, deferred tax assets and restricted cash. |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post-2004 Merger | |
|
|
Pre-2004 Merger | |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Period from | |
|
|
Period from | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Period from | |
|
March 3, | |
|
|
January 1, | |
|
|
|
|
Nine Months | |
|
March 3, | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
2004 | |
|
|
|
|
Ended | |
|
2004 through | |
|
through | |
|
|
through | |
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
September 30, | |
|
September 30, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
March 2, | |
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2000 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Other Financial Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EBITDA(1)
|
|
$ |
102.7 |
|
|
$ |
97.5 |
|
|
$ |
143.5 |
|
|
|
$ |
33.4 |
|
|
$ |
100.3 |
|
|
$ |
113.9 |
|
|
$ |
113.6 |
|
|
$ |
89.6 |
|
Net cash provided by operating activities
|
|
|
135.4 |
|
|
|
96.8 |
|
|
|
135.9 |
|
|
|
|
20.3 |
|
|
|
103.5 |
|
|
|
60.3 |
|
|
|
113.5 |
|
|
|
63.9 |
|
Net cash (used) provided by investing activities
|
|
|
(142.1 |
) |
|
|
(85.9 |
) |
|
|
(133.6 |
) |
|
|
|
(15.3 |
) |
|
|
38.3 |
|
|
|
(53.8 |
) |
|
|
(74.0 |
) |
|
|
(79.1 |
) |
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities
|
|
|
8.7 |
|
|
|
(74.9 |
) |
|
|
64.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(100.0 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(30.0 |
) |
|
|
17.4 |
|
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EBITDA(1)
|
|
$ |
102.7 |
|
|
$ |
97.5 |
|
|
$ |
143.5 |
|
|
|
$ |
33.4 |
|
|
$ |
100.3 |
|
|
$ |
113.9 |
|
|
$ |
113.6 |
|
|
$ |
89.6 |
|
Changes in working capital
|
|
|
25.1 |
|
|
|
9.7 |
|
|
|
6.9 |
|
|
|
|
(13.2 |
) |
|
|
21.8 |
|
|
|
(20.4 |
) |
|
|
7.5 |
|
|
|
(15.5 |
) |
Non-cash hedge gain(2)
|
|
|
(3.6 |
) |
|
|
(5.1 |
) |
|
|
(7.9 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2.0 |
) |
|
|
(23.2 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization/other
|
|
|
0.9 |
|
|
|
0.5 |
|
|
|
0.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.1 |
) |
|
|
0.6 |
|
|
|
0.7 |
|
Stock compensation expense
|
|
|
17.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net interest expense
|
|
|
(4.7 |
) |
|
|
(4.2 |
) |
|
|
(5.8 |
) |
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
|
(6.2 |
) |
|
|
(9.9 |
) |
|
|
(8.2 |
) |
|
|
(10.9 |
) |
Income tax expense
|
|
|
(2.6 |
) |
|
|
(1.6 |
) |
|
|
(1.6 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(10.4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities
|
|
$ |
135.4 |
|
|
$ |
96.8 |
|
|
$ |
135.9 |
|
|
|
$ |
20.3 |
|
|
$ |
103.5 |
|
|
$ |
60.3 |
|
|
$ |
113.5 |
|
|
$ |
63.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
EBITDA means earnings before interest, income taxes,
depreciation, depletion and amortization. For the nine months
ended September 30, 2005, EBITDA includes
$17.6 million in non-cash stock compensation expense
related to restricted stock and stock options granted in 2005.
We believe that EBITDA is a widely accepted financial indicator
that provides additional information about our ability to meet
our future requirements for debt service, capital expenditures
and working capital, but EBITDA should not be considered in
isolation or as a substitute for net income, operating income,
net cash provided by |
16
|
|
|
operating activities or any other measure of financial
performance presented in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles or as a measure of a companys
profitability or liquidity. |
|
(2) |
In accordance with SFAS No. 133 Accounting for
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended
by SFAS No. 137 and No. 138, we de-designated our
contracts effective December 2, 2001 after the counterparty
(an affiliate of Enron Corp.) filed for bankruptcy and
recognized all market value changes subsequent to such
de-designation in our earnings. The value recorded up to the
time of de-designation and included in Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income (AOCI), has reversed out of
AOCI and into earnings as the original corresponding production,
as hedged by the contracts, is produced. We have designated
subsequent hedge contracts as cash flow hedges with gains and
losses resulting from the transactions recorded at market value
in AOCI, as appropriate, until recognized as operating income in
our Statement of Operations as the physical production hedged by
the contracts is delivered. |
17
Summary Selected Consolidated Statements of Revenues and
Direct Operating Expenses of the Forest Gulf of Mexico
Operations
The summary selected financial data for the Forest Gulf of
Mexico operations for the nine months ended September 30,
2005 and 2004 and the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003
and 2002 were derived from the historical records of Forest. You
should read the following data in connection with
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations of the Forest Gulf of Mexico
Operations and the consolidated statements of revenues and
direct operating expenses of the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations included elsewhere in this proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement. Complete financial and
operating information related to the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations, including balance sheet and cash flow information,
are not presented below because the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations were not maintained as a separate business unit, and
therefore the assets, liabilities or indirect operating costs
applicable to the operations were not segregated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended | |
|
Years Ended | |
|
|
September 30, | |
|
December 31 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions, except production data) | |
Statement of Operations Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil and natural gas revenues(1)
|
|
$ |
326.7 |
|
|
$ |
324.4 |
|
|
$ |
453.1 |
|
|
$ |
342.0 |
|
|
$ |
228.9 |
|
|
Direct Operating Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lease operating expenses
|
|
|
57.4 |
|
|
|
63.0 |
|
|
|
80.1 |
|
|
|
45.7 |
|
|
|
52.1 |
|
|
|
Transportation
|
|
|
2.5 |
|
|
|
1.4 |
|
|
|
2.2 |
|
|
|
2.7 |
|
|
|
3.8 |
|
|
|
Production taxes
|
|
|
1.9 |
|
|
|
1.2 |
|
|
|
1.5 |
|
|
|
1.5 |
|
|
|
1.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total direct operating expenses
|
|
|
61.8 |
|
|
|
65.6 |
|
|
|
83.8 |
|
|
|
49.9 |
|
|
|
56.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues in excess of direct operating expenses
|
|
$ |
264.9 |
|
|
$ |
258.8 |
|
|
$ |
369.3 |
|
|
$ |
292.1 |
|
|
$ |
172.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Summary Production Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas (MMcf)
|
|
|
41,442 |
|
|
|
46,036 |
|
|
|
61,684 |
|
|
|
58,785 |
|
|
|
50,566 |
|
|
Oil and condensate (MBbls)
|
|
|
1,845 |
|
|
|
2,004 |
|
|
|
2,624 |
|
|
|
2,143 |
|
|
|
1,974 |
|
|
Natural gas liquids (MBbls)
|
|
|
628 |
|
|
|
186 |
|
|
|
606 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
Total (MMcfe)
|
|
|
56,280 |
|
|
|
59,176 |
|
|
|
81,064 |
|
|
|
71,655 |
|
|
|
62,446 |
|
|
Per day (MMcfe)
|
|
|
206 |
|
|
|
216 |
|
|
|
221 |
|
|
|
196 |
|
|
|
171 |
|
Average realized sales price per unit:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas ($/Mcf):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales price received
|
|
$ |
7.14 |
|
|
$ |
6.02 |
|
|
$ |
6.30 |
|
|
$ |
5.41 |
|
|
$ |
3.39 |
|
|
|
Effects of hedging
|
|
|
(1.13 |
) |
|
|
(0.45 |
) |
|
|
(0.56 |
) |
|
|
(0.63 |
) |
|
|
0.17 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net sales price received
|
|
|
6.01 |
|
|
|
5.57 |
|
|
|
5.74 |
|
|
|
4.78 |
|
|
|
3.56 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended | |
|
Years Ended | |
|
|
September 30, | |
|
December 31 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions, except production data) | |
|
Oil ($/bbl):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales price received
|
|
$ |
51.97 |
|
|
$ |
38.13 |
|
|
$ |
40.06 |
|
|
$ |
30.19 |
|
|
$ |
24.85 |
|
|
|
Effects of hedging
|
|
|
(19.95 |
) |
|
|
(6.61 |
) |
|
|
(8.55 |
) |
|
|
(1.90 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net sales price received
|
|
|
32.02 |
|
|
|
31.52 |
|
|
|
31.51 |
|
|
|
28.29 |
|
|
|
24.85 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas liquids ($/bbl):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales price received
|
|
$ |
29.54 |
|
|
$ |
25.40 |
|
|
$ |
27.28 |
|
|
$ |
19.00 |
|
|
$ |
12.33 |
|
Average realized sales price per Mcfe (including effects of
hedging) ($/Mcfe)
|
|
$ |
5.81 |
|
|
$ |
5.48 |
|
|
$ |
5.59 |
|
|
$ |
4.77 |
|
|
$ |
3.67 |
|
|
Production costs per Mcfe:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lease operating expenses
|
|
$ |
1.02 |
|
|
|
1.06 |
|
|
|
0.99 |
|
|
|
0.64 |
|
|
|
0.83 |
|
|
Transportation
|
|
$ |
0.04 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
0.03 |
|
|
|
0.04 |
|
|
|
0.06 |
|
|
Production taxes
|
|
$ |
0.03 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Includes effects of hedging. |
19
Summary Selected Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed
Financial Information
The following summary selected unaudited pro forma combined
condensed financial information has been prepared to reflect the
merger. This unaudited pro forma combined condensed financial
information is based on the historical financial statements of
Mariner and the historical statements of revenues and direct
operating expenses of the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations, all
of which are included in this proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement, and the estimates and
assumptions set forth in the Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma
Combined Condensed Financial Information of Mariner beginning on
page 96. The unaudited pro forma combined condensed
operating results give effect to the merger as if it had
occurred on January 1, 2004. The unaudited pro forma
combined condensed balance sheet gives effect to the merger as
if it had occurred on September 30, 2005.
The unaudited pro forma combined condensed financial information
is for illustrative purposes only. The financial results may
have been different had the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations
been an independent company and had the companies always been
combined. You should not rely on the unaudited pro forma
combined condensed financial information as being indicative of
the historical results that would have been achieved had the
merger occurred in the past or the future financial results that
Mariner will achieve after the merger.
The merger will be accounted for using the purchase method of
accounting, with Mariner treated as the acquiror. In addition,
the purchase price allocation is preliminary and will be
finalized following the closing of the merger. The final
purchase price allocation will be determined after closing based
on the actual fair value of current assets, current liabilities,
indebtedness, long-term liabilities, proven and unproven oil and
gas properties, identifiable intangible assets and unvested
stock options that are outstanding at closing. We are continuing
to evaluate all of these items; accordingly, the final purchase
price may differ in material respects from that presented in the
unaudited pro forma combined condensed balance sheet.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of and for the | |
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended | |
|
For the Year Ended | |
|
|
September 30, 2005 | |
|
December 31, 2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands, except per share | |
|
|
and proved reserve data) | |
OPERATING RESULTS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$ |
477,967 |
|
|
$ |
667,326 |
|
|
Net income
|
|
$ |
71,221 |
|
|
$ |
106,298 |
|
Earnings per share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
$ |
0.86 |
|
|
$ |
1.32 |
|
|
Diluted
|
|
$ |
0.85 |
|
|
$ |
1.32 |
|
Weighted average shares outstanding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
83,075 |
|
|
|
80,385 |
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
83,950 |
|
|
|
80,385 |
|
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$ |
2,118,526 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total debt
|
|
$ |
279,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders equity
|
|
$ |
1,152,134 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of June 30, | |
|
As of December 31, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
ESTIMATED PROVED RESERVES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil (MBbls)*
|
|
|
29,261 |
|
|
|
25,905 |
|
|
Gas (MMcf)
|
|
|
423,352 |
|
|
|
421,741 |
|
|
Equivalent (MMcfe)
|
|
|
598,918 |
|
|
|
577,173 |
|
|
Proved developed percentage
|
|
|
63.9 |
% |
|
|
63.7 |
% |
|
|
* |
Includes 3,285.6 MBbls of natural gas liquids. |
20
Comparative Per Share Data
The following table presents historical per share data of
Mariner common stock and combined per share data of Mariner and
the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations on an unaudited pro forma
basis after giving effect to the spin-off and the merger. The
merger will be accounted for using the purchase method of
accounting, with Mariner treated as the acquiror. The combined
pro forma per share data was derived from the Unaudited Pro
Forma Combined Condensed Financial Information as presented
beginning on page 96. The assumptions related to the
preparation of the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed
Financial Information are described beginning at page 96.
The data presented below should be read in conjunction with the
historical consolidated financial statements of Mariner and the
historical statements of revenues and direct operating expenses
of the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations included elsewhere in
this proxy statement/ prospectus-information statement.
The Mariner unaudited pro forma equivalent data was calculated
with reference to the total number of shares of Mariner common
stock expected to be outstanding after the merger, including the
shares to be issued to Forest shareholders and the
currently-outstanding shares of Mariner common stock.
The pro forma combined per share data may not be indicative of
the operating results or financial position that would have
occurred if the merger had been consummated at the beginning of
the periods indicated, and may not be indicative of future
operating results or financial position.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Mariner | |
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| |
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Combined | |
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Historical | |
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Pro Forma | |
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| |
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| |
Earnings per share
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|
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|
|
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Nine months ended September 30, 2005(1)
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|
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|
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|
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Basic
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|
$ |
1.10 |
|
|
$ |
0.86 |
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|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
Diluted
|
|
$ |
1.07 |
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|
$ |
0.85 |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31, 2004(2)
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|
|
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|
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|
|
|
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Basic
|
|
$ |
2.30 |
|
|
$ |
1.32 |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted
|
|
$ |
2.30 |
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|
$ |
1.32 |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
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Book Value per share As of September 30, 2005(3)
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|
$ |
5.01 |
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|
$ |
13.36 |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash dividends declared per common share
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
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|
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(1) |
Mariners historical basic and diluted earnings per share
calculation for the nine months ended September 30, 2005
assumes Mariner had 32,438,240 and 33,312,831 weighted
average shares of common stock outstanding, respectively.
Mariners pro forma basic and diluted earnings per share
calculation for the nine months ended September 30, 2005
assumes Mariner had 83,075,250 and 83,949,841 weighted average
shares of common stock outstanding, respectively. |
|
(2) |
Mariners historical basic and diluted earnings per share
calculation for the year ended December 31, 2004 assumes
Mariner had 29,748,130 and 29,748,130 weighted average shares of
common stock outstanding, respectively. Mariners pro forma
basic and diluted earnings per share calculation for the year
ended December 31, 2004 assumes Mariner had 80,385,140 and
80,385,140 weighted average shares of common stock outstanding,
respectively. |
|
(3) |
Book value per share calculation assumes that Mariner had
35,615,400 shares of common stock outstanding and
86,252,410 combined pro forma shares of common stock outstanding
as of September 30, 2005. |
21
Summary Financial and Operational Data for the Year Ended
December 31, 2005
Set forth below is summary financial and operational data for
the year ended December 31, 2005 for Mariner and for the
Forest Gulf of Mexico operations. This information represents
the estimates of Mariners and Forests respective
management teams as of the date of this proxy
statement/prospectus-information statement, but you should be
aware that this information has not been audited by
Mariners and Forests independent auditors. Neither
Mariners nor Forests independent auditors, nor any
other independent accountants, have compiled, examined or
performed any procedures with respect to the information set
forth below, nor have they expressed any opinion or any other
form of assurance on such information.
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Year Ended | |
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December 31, | |
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2005 | |
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|
| |
Statement of Operations Data:
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|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues(1)
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|
$ |
199.7 |
|
|
Direct operating expenses
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|
|
32.2 |
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|
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|
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Revenues in excess of direct operating expenses
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|
$ |
167.5 |
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|
|
|
Summary Production Data:
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|
|
|
|
Production Data:
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|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas (MMcf)
|
|
|
18,354 |
|
|
Oil (MBbls)
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|
|
1,791 |
|
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Total (MMcfe)
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|
|
29,098 |
|
|
Per day (MMcfe)
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|
|
80 |
|
Average realized sales price per unit:
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|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas ($/Mcf):
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|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales price received
|
|
$ |
8.33 |
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|
|
Effects of hedging
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|
(1.67 |
) |
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|
|
|
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Net sales price received
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|
$ |
6.66 |
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|
|
|
|
|
Oil ($/bbl):
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|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales price received
|
|
$ |
51.66 |
|
|
|
Effects of hedging
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|
|
(10.43 |
) |
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|
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|
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Net sales price received
|
|
$ |
41.23 |
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|
|
|
Average realized sales price per Mcfe (including effects of
hedging) ($/Mcfe)
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$ |
6.74 |
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|
|
|
|
|
Estimated Proved Reserves as of December 31, 2005:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil (MBbls)
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|
|
21,647 |
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|
Gas (MMcf)
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|
|
207,686 |
|
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Equivalent (MMcfe)
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|
|
337,568 |
|
Estimated Daily Production Rate as of December 31, 2005:
75 MMcfe
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|
|
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(1) |
Includes effects of hedging. |
22
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For the Forest Gulf of Mexico Operations: |
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Year Ended | |
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December 31, | |
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2005 | |
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| |
Summary Production Data:
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|
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|
Production Data:
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|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas (MMcf)
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|
|
49,120 |
|
|
Oil and condensate (MBbls)
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|
|
2,070 |
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|
Natural gas liquids (MBbls)
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|
|
713 |
|
|
Total (MMcfe)
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|
|
65,818 |
|
|
Per day (MMcfe)
|
|
|
180 |
|
|
Estimated Proved Reserves as of December 31, 2005:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil and condensate (MBbls)
|
|
|
9,271 |
|
|
Gas (MMcf)
|
|
|
231,142 |
|
|
Natural gas liquids (MBbls)
|
|
|
3,223 |
|
|
Equivalent (MMcfe)
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|
|
306,105 |
|
|
Estimated Daily Production Rate as of December 31, 2005:
130 MMcfe
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|
|
|
|
Comparative Stock Price and Dividends
In March 2005, Mariner completed a private placement of
16,350,000 shares of its common stock to qualified
institutional buyers,
non-U.S. persons
and accredited investors. There is no established public trading
market for the shares of Mariner common stock, and it is not
expected that a public trading market will be established until
the completion of the merger. The shares of Mariners
common stock issued to qualified institutional buyers in
connection with its March 2005 private equity placement are
eligible for the PORTAL
Market®.
Forest Energy Resources was incorporated as a wholly owned
subsidiary of Forest in August 2005. There is no established
public trading market for the shares of Forest Energy Resources
common stock.
Mariner has not paid any cash dividends on its shares of common
stock for the fiscal years 2003, 2004 or 2005, and it
anticipates that it will not pay any dividends in 2006. Forest
Energy Resources has not paid any cash dividends on its shares
of common stock for the fiscal year 2005, and it anticipates
that it will not pay any dividends in 2006. The payment of any
dividends by Mariner prior to the merger is subject to the
limitations included in the merger agreement and in its credit
facility, and following the merger the payment of dividends by
Mariner and Forest Energy Resources will be subject to
restrictions included in their credit facilities.
23
RISK FACTORS
You should consider carefully the following risk factors,
which we believe include all material risks associated with our
business, the merger, and the offering of our common stock,
together with all of the other information included in this
prospectus, in determining whether to vote to adopt the merger
agreement and the other proposals at the meeting. Realization of
any of the following risks could have a material adverse effect
on our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of
operations. In that case, the trading price of our common stock
could decline and you could lose all or part of your
investment.
Risks Related to the Spin-Off and the Merger
|
|
|
The market value of our common stock could decline if
large amounts of our common stock are sold following the
spin-off and merger. |
The market price of our common stock could decline as a result
of sales of a large number of shares in the market after the
completion of the spin-off and merger or the perception that
these sales could occur. Immediately after the merger, Forest
shareholders will hold, in the aggregate, approximately 58% of
our common stock on a pro forma basis. Currently, Forest
shareholders include index funds tied to various stock indices,
and institutional investors subject to various investing
guidelines. Because we may not be included in these indices at
the time of the merger or may not meet the investing guidelines
of some of these institutional investors, these index funds and
institutional investors may decide to sell the Mariner common
stock they receive in the merger. These sales may negatively
affect the price of our common stock and also may make it more
difficult for us to obtain additional capital by selling equity
securities in the future at a time and at a price that we deem
appropriate.
Historically, Forest has operated with properties in diverse
geographic locations, including the Gulf Coast, the Western
United States, Alaska, Canada and other international locations.
In contrast, following the spin-off and merger, Mariner will
operate as a stand-alone oil and gas exploration, development
and production company with operations primarily in the Gulf of
Mexico and in West Texas. Shareholders of Forest who chose to
invest in a geographically diverse company may not wish to
continue to invest in one that is less geographically diverse,
such as Mariner. As a result, such shareholders may seek to sell
the shares of our common stock received in the merger.
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|
|
The integration of the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations
following the merger will be difficult, and will divert our
managements attention away from our normal
operations. |
There is a significant degree of difficulty and management
involvement inherent in the process of integrating the Forest
Gulf of Mexico operations. These difficulties include:
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|
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|
the challenge of integrating the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations while carrying on the ongoing operations of our
business; |
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|
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the challenge of managing a significantly larger company, with
more than twice the PV10 of Mariner on a stand-alone basis; |
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faulty assumptions underlying our expectations; |
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the difficulty associated with coordinating geographically
separate organizations; |
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the challenge of integrating the business cultures of the two
companies; |
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attracting and retaining personnel associated with the Forest
Gulf of Mexico operations following the merger; and |
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the challenge and cost of integrating the information technology
systems of the two companies. |
The process of integrating operations could cause an
interruption of, or loss of momentum in, the activities of our
business. Members of our senior management may be required to
devote considerable amounts of time to this integration process,
which will decrease the time they will have to manage our
24
business. If our senior management is not able to effectively
manage the integration process, or if any significant business
activities are interrupted as a result of the integration
process, our business could suffer.
|
|
|
If we fail to realize the anticipated benefits of the
merger, stockholders may receive lower returns than they
expect. |
The success of the merger will depend, in part, on our ability
to realize the anticipated growth opportunities from combining
the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations with Mariner. Even if we
are able to successfully combine the two businesses, it may not
be possible to realize the full benefits of the proved reserves,
enhanced growth of production volume, cost savings from
operating synergies and other benefits that we currently expect
to result from the merger, or realize these benefits within the
time frame that is currently expected. The benefits of the
merger may be offset by operating losses relating to changes in
commodity prices, or in oil and gas industry conditions, or by
risks and uncertainties relating to the combined companys
exploratory prospects, or an increase in operating or other
costs or other difficulties. If we fail to realize the benefits
we anticipate from the merger, stockholders may receive lower
returns on our stock than they expect.
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|
|
We expect to incur significant charges relating to the
integration plan that could materially and adversely affect our
period-to-period results of operations following the
merger. |
We are developing a plan to integrate the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations with our operations after the merger. Following the
merger, we anticipate that from time to time we will incur
charges to our earnings in connection with the integration.
These charges will include expenses incurred in connection with
relocating and retaining employees and increased professional
and consulting costs. We also expect to incur significant
expenses related to being a public company. We will not be able
to quantify the exact amount of these charges or the period(s)
in which they will be incurred until after the merger is
completed. Some factors affecting the cost of the integration
include the timing of the closing of the merger, the training of
new employees, the amount of severance and other
employee-related payments resulting from the merger, and the
limited length of time during which transitional services are
provided by Forest.
|
|
|
The number of shares Forest shareholders will receive in
the merger is not subject to adjustment based on the value of
the Mariner or the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations.
Accordingly, because this value may fluctuate, the market value
of the Mariner common stock that Forest shareholders receive in
the merger may not reflect the value of the individual companies
at the time of the merger. |
Following the spin-off and the merger, the holders of Forest
common stock will ultimately become entitled to receive
approximately 0.8 shares of Mariner common stock for each
Forest share they own. This ratio will not be adjusted for
changes in the value of our company or the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations. If our value relative to the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations increases (or the value of the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations decreases relative to our value) prior to the
completion of the merger, the market value of the Mariner common
stock that Forest shareholders receive in the merger may not
reflect the then-current relative values of the individual
companies.
|
|
|
Regulatory agencies may delay or impose conditions on
approval of the spin-off and the merger, which may diminish the
anticipated benefits of the merger. |
Completion of the spin-off and merger is conditioned upon the
receipt of required governmental consents, approvals, orders and
authorizations. While we intend to pursue vigorously all
required governmental approvals and do not know of any reason
why we would not be able to obtain the necessary approvals in a
timely manner, the requirement to receive these approvals before
the spin-off and merger could delay the completion of the
spin-off and merger, possibly for a significant period of time
after Mariner stockholders have approved the merger proposal at
the meeting. In addition, these governmental agencies may
attempt to condition their approval of the merger on the
imposition of conditions that could have a material adverse
effect on our operating results or the value of our common stock
after the spin-off and merger are completed.
25
Any delay in the completion of the spin-off and merger could
diminish anticipated benefits of the spin-off and merger or
result in additional transaction costs, loss of revenue or other
effects associated with uncertainty about the transaction. Any
uncertainty over the ability of the companies to complete the
spin-off and merger could make it more difficult for us to
retain key employees or to pursue business strategies. In
addition, until the spin-off and merger are completed, the
attention of our management may be diverted from ongoing
business concerns and regular business responsibilities to the
extent management is focused on matters relating to the
transaction, such as obtaining regulatory approvals.
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|
|
In order to preserve the tax-free treatment of the
spin-off, we will be required to abide by potentially
significant restrictions which could limit our ability to
undertake certain corporate actions (such as the issuance of our
common shares or the undertaking of a change in control) that
otherwise could be advantageous. |
The tax sharing agreement imposes ongoing restrictions on Forest
and on us to ensure that applicable statutory requirements under
the Internal Revenue Code and applicable Treasury regulations
continue to be met so that the spin-off remains tax-free to
Forest and its shareholders. As a result of these restrictions,
our ability to engage in certain transactions, such as the
redemption of our common stock, the issuance of equity
securities and the utilization of our stock as currency in an
acquisition, will be limited for a period of two years following
the spin-off. Please see The Spin-Off and
Merger Material United States Federal Tax
Consequences of the Spin-Off and the Merger Material
U.S. Tax Consequences of the Spin-Off.
If Forest or Mariner takes or permits an action to be taken (or
omits to take an action) that causes the spin-off to become
taxable, the relevant entity generally will be required to bear
the cost of the resulting tax liability to the extent that the
liability results from the actions or omissions of that entity.
Please read Ancillary Agreements Tax Sharing
Agreement. If the spin-off became taxable, Forest would be
expected to recognize a substantial amount of income, which
would result in a material amount of taxes. Any such taxes
allocated to us would be expected to be material to us, and
could cause our business, financial condition and operating
results to suffer. These restrictions may reduce our ability to
engage in certain business transactions that otherwise might be
advantageous to us and our stockholders and could have a
negative impact on our business and stockholder value.
|
|
|
Some of our directors and executive officers have
interests that are different from, or in addition to, the
interests of our stockholders. |
When considering the recommendations of our board of directors,
you should be aware that some of our directors and executive
officers have interests and arrangements that may be different
from your interests as stockholders, including:
|
|
|
|
|
arrangements regarding the appointment of directors and officers
of Mariner following the merger; and |
|
|
|
arrangements whereby our executive officers will receive a cash
payment of $1,000 each in exchange for the waiver of certain
rights under their employment agreements, including the
automatic vesting or acceleration of restricted stock and
options upon the completion of the merger and the right to
receive a lump sum cash payment if the officer voluntarily
terminates employment without good reason within nine months
following the completion of the merger. |
See Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger
beginning on page 39.
Risks Related to the Combined Operations After the Merger
|
|
|
Oil and natural gas prices are volatile, and a decline in
oil and natural gas prices would reduce our revenues,
profitability and cash flow and impede our growth. |
Our revenues, profitability and cash flow depend substantially
upon the prices and demand for oil and natural gas. The markets
for these commodities are volatile and even relatively modest
drops in prices can affect significantly our financial results
and impede our growth. Oil and natural gas prices are currently
at or near historical highs and may fluctuate and decline
significantly in the near future. Prices for oil and natural
26
gas fluctuate in response to relatively minor changes in the
supply and demand for oil and natural gas, market uncertainty
and a variety of additional factors beyond our control, such as:
|
|
|
|
|
domestic and foreign supply of oil and natural gas; |
|
|
|
price and quantity of foreign imports; |
|
|
|
actions of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and
other state-controlled oil companies relating to oil price and
production controls; |
|
|
|
level of consumer product demand; |
|
|
|
domestic and foreign governmental regulations; |
|
|
|
political conditions in or affecting other oil-producing and
natural gas-producing countries, including the current conflicts
in the Middle East and conditions in South America and Russia; |
|
|
|
weather conditions; |
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|
|
technological advances affecting oil and natural gas consumption; |
|
|
|
overall U.S. and global economic conditions; and |
|
|
|
price and availability of alternative fuels. |
Further, oil prices and natural gas prices do not necessarily
fluctuate in direct relationship to each other. Because
approximately 73% of our pro forma estimated proved reserves as
of December 31, 2004 (including reserves of the Forest Gulf
of Mexico operations) were natural gas reserves, our financial
results are more sensitive to movements in natural gas prices.
Lower oil and natural gas prices may not only decrease our
revenues on a per unit basis but also may reduce the amount of
oil and natural gas that we can produce economically. This may
result in our having to make substantial downward adjustments to
our estimated proved reserves and could have a material adverse
effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
|
|
|
Reserve estimates depend on many assumptions that may turn
out to be inaccurate. Any material inaccuracies in these reserve
estimates or underlying assumptions will affect materially the
quantities and present value of our reserves and the reserves of
the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations, which may lower our bank
borrowing base and reduce our access to capital. |
Estimating oil and natural gas reserves is complex and
inherently imprecise. It requires interpretation of the
available technical data and making many assumptions about
future conditions, including price and other economic
conditions. In preparing estimates we and Forest project
production rates and timing of development expenditures. We and
Forest also analyze the available geological, geophysical,
production and engineering data. The extent, quality and
reliability of this data can vary. This process also requires
economic assumptions about matters such as oil and natural gas
prices, drilling and operating expenses, capital expenditures,
taxes and availability of funds. Actual future production, oil
and natural gas prices, revenues, taxes, development
expenditures, operating expenses and quantities of recoverable
oil and natural gas reserves most likely will vary from our and
Forests estimates, perhaps significantly. In addition, we
may adjust estimates of proved reserves to reflect production
history, results of exploration and development, prevailing oil
and natural gas prices and other factors, many of which are
beyond our control. At December 31, 2004, 36% of our pro
forma proved reserves (including reserves of the Forest Gulf of
Mexico operations) were proved undeveloped.
If the interpretations or assumptions we use in arriving at our
estimates prove to be inaccurate, the amount of oil and natural
gas that we ultimately recover may differ materially from the
estimated quantities and net present value of reserves shown in
this proxy statement/ prospectus-information statement. See
Mariner Estimated Proved Reserves for
information about our oil and gas reserves and The Forest
Gulf of Mexico Operations Estimated Proved
Reserves for more information about the oil and gas
reserves of the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations.
27
|
|
|
In estimating future net revenues from proved reserves, we
and Forest assume that future prices and costs are fixed and
apply a fixed discount factor. If these assumptions or discount
factor are materially inaccurate, our revenues, profitability
and cash flow could be materially less than our
estimates. |
The present value of future net revenues from our proved
reserves and the proved reserves of the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations referred to in this proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement is not necessarily the actual
current market value of our estimated oil and natural gas
reserves. In accordance with SEC requirements, we and Forest
base the estimated discounted future net cash flows from our
proved reserves and the proved reserves of the Forest Gulf of
Mexico operations on fixed prices and costs as of the date of
the estimate. Actual future prices and costs fluctuate over time
and may differ materially from those used in the present value
estimate. In addition, discounted future net cash flows are
estimated assuming that royalties to the MMS with respect to our
affected offshore Gulf of Mexico properties will be paid or
suspended for the life of the properties based upon oil and
natural gas prices as of the date of the estimate. See
Mariner Royalty Relief. Since actual
future prices fluctuate over time, royalties may be required to
be paid for various portions of the life of the properties and
suspended for other portions of the life of the properties.
The timing of both the production and expenses from the
development and production of oil and natural gas properties
will affect both the timing of actual future net cash flows from
our proved reserves and the proved reserves of the Forest Gulf
of Mexico operations and their present value. In addition, the
10% discount factor that we and Forest use to calculate the net
present value of future net cash flows for reporting purposes in
accordance with the SECs rules may not necessarily be the
most appropriate discount factor. The effective interest rate at
various times and the risks associated with our business or the
oil and gas industry in general will affect the appropriateness
of the 10% discount factor in arriving at an accurate net
present value of future net cash flows.
|
|
|
Unless we replace our oil and natural gas reserves, our
reserves and production will decline. |
Our future oil and natural gas production depends on our success
in finding or acquiring additional reserves. If we fail to
replace reserves through drilling or acquisitions, our level of
production and cash flows will be affected adversely. In
general, production from oil and natural gas properties declines
as reserves are depleted, with the rate of decline depending on
reservoir characteristics. Our total proved reserves decline as
reserves are produced unless we conduct other successful
exploration and development activities or acquire properties
containing proved reserves, or both. Our ability to make the
necessary capital investment to maintain or expand our asset
base of oil and natural gas reserves would be impaired to the
extent cash flow from operations is reduced and external sources
of capital become limited or unavailable. We may not be
successful in exploring for, developing or acquiring additional
reserves.
|
|
|
Relatively short production periods or reserve life for
Gulf of Mexico properties subjects us to higher reserve
replacement needs and may impair our ability to replace
production during periods of low oil and natural gas
prices. |
Due to high production rates, production of reserves from
reservoirs in the Gulf of Mexico generally declines more rapidly
than from reservoirs in other producing regions. As a result,
our reserve replacement needs from new prospects may be greater
than those of other oil and gas companies. If the merger is
consummated, the proportion of short-lived Gulf of Mexico
properties relative to our total properties will increase
substantially. Also, our revenues and return on capital will
depend significantly on prices prevailing during these
relatively short production periods. Our ability to slow or shut
in production from producing wells during periods of low prices
for oil and natural gas may be limited by reservoir
characteristics or by our need to generate revenues to fund
ongoing capital commitments or repay debt.
28
|
|
|
Any production problems related to our Gulf of Mexico
properties could reduce our revenue, profitability and cash flow
materially. |
A substantial portion of our exploration and production
activities are located in the Gulf of Mexico. This concentration
of activity makes us more vulnerable than some other industry
participants to the risks associated with the Gulf of Mexico,
including delays and increased costs relating to adverse weather
conditions such as hurricanes, which are common in the Gulf of
Mexico during certain times of the year, drilling rig and other
oilfield services and compliance with environmental and other
laws and regulations.
|
|
|
Our exploration and development activities may not be
commercially successful. |
Exploration activities involve numerous risks, including the
risk that no commercially productive oil or natural gas
reservoirs will be discovered. In addition, the future cost and
timing of drilling, completing and producing wells is often
uncertain. Furthermore, drilling operations may be curtailed,
delayed or canceled as a result of a variety of factors,
including:
|
|
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|
|
unexpected drilling conditions; |
|
|
|
pressure or irregularities in formations; |
|
|
|
equipment failures or accidents; |
|
|
|
adverse weather conditions, including hurricanes, which are
common in the Gulf of Mexico during certain times of the year; |
|
|
|
compliance with governmental regulations; |
|
|
|
unavailability or high cost of drilling rigs, equipment or labor; |
|
|
|
reductions in oil and natural gas prices; and |
|
|
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limitations in the market for oil and natural gas. |
If any of these factors were to occur with respect to a
particular project, we could lose all or a part of our
investment in the project, or we could fail to realize the
expected benefits from the project, either of which could
materially and adversely affect our revenues and profitability.
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Our exploratory drilling projects are based in part on
seismic data, which is costly and cannot ensure the commercial
success of the project. |
Our decisions to purchase, explore, develop and exploit
prospects or properties depend in part on data obtained through
geophysical and geological analyses, production data and
engineering studies, the results of which are often uncertain.
Even when used and properly interpreted,
3-D seismic data and
visualization techniques only assist geoscientists and
geologists in identifying subsurface structures and hydrocarbon
indicators. They do not allow the interpreter to know
conclusively if hydrocarbons are present or producible
economically. In addition, the use of
3-D seismic and other
advanced technologies require greater predrilling expenditures
than traditional drilling strategies. Because of these factors,
we could incur losses as a result of exploratory drilling
expenditures. Poor results from exploration activities could
have a material adverse effect on our future cash flows, ability
to replace reserves and results of operations.
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Oil and gas drilling and production involve many business
and operating risks, any one of which could reduce our levels of
production, cause substantial losses or prevent us from
realizing profits. |
Our business is subject to all of the operating risks associated
with drilling for and producing oil and natural gas, including:
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fires; |
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explosions; |
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blow-outs and surface cratering; |
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uncontrollable flows of underground natural gas, oil and
formation water; |
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natural disasters; |
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pipe or cement failures; |
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casing collapses; |
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lost or damaged oilfield drilling and service tools; |
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abnormally pressured formations; and |
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environmental hazards, such as natural gas leaks, oil spills,
pipeline ruptures and discharges of toxic gases. |
If any of these events occurs, we could incur substantial losses
as a result of injury or loss of life, severe damage to and
destruction of property, natural resources and equipment,
pollution and other environmental damage,
clean-up
responsibilities, regulatory investigation and penalties,
suspension of our operations and repairs to resume operations.
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Our offshore operations involve special risks that could
increase our cost of operations and adversely affect our ability
to produce oil and gas. |
Offshore operations are subject to a variety of operating risks
specific to the marine environment, such as capsizing,
collisions and damage or loss from hurricanes or other adverse
weather conditions. These conditions can cause substantial
damage to facilities and interrupt production. As a result, we
could incur substantial liabilities that could reduce or
eliminate the funds available for exploration, development or
leasehold acquisitions, or result in loss of equipment and
properties. For more information on the impact of recent
hurricanes on Mariners operations and the Forest Gulf of
Mexico operations, see Managements Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of
Mariner Recent Developments beginning on
page 108 and Managements Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of the
Forest Gulf of Mexico Operations Recent
Developments beginning on page 147.
Exploration for oil or natural gas in the deepwater of the Gulf
of Mexico generally involves greater operational and financial
risks than exploration on the shelf. Deepwater drilling
generally requires more time and more advanced drilling
technologies, involving a higher risk of technological failure
and usually higher drilling costs. Our deepwater wells use
subsea completion techniques with subsea trees tied back to host
production facilities with flow lines. The installation of these
subsea trees and flow lines requires substantial time and the
use of advanced remote installation mechanics. These operations
may encounter mechanical difficulties and equipment failures
that could result in significant cost overruns. Furthermore, the
deepwater operations generally lack the physical and oilfield
service infrastructure present in the shallow waters of the Gulf
of Mexico. As a result, a significant amount of time may elapse
between a deepwater discovery and our marketing of the
associated oil or natural gas, increasing both the financial and
operational risk involved with these operations. Because of the
lack and high cost of infrastructure, some reserve discoveries
in the deepwater may never be produced economically.
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Our hedging transactions may not protect us adequately
from fluctuations in oil and natural gas prices and may limit
future potential gains from increases in commodity prices or
result in losses. |
We enter into hedging arrangements from time to time to reduce
our exposure to fluctuations in oil and natural gas prices and
to achieve more predictable cash flow. These financial
arrangements typically take the form of price swap contracts and
costless collars. Hedging arrangements expose us to the risk of
financial loss in some circumstances, including situations when
the other party to the hedging contract defaults on its contract
or production is less than expected. During periods of high
commodity prices, hedging arrangements may limit significantly
the extent to which we can realize financial gains from such
higher prices. For example, in calendar year 2004, on a pro
forma basis (including the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations),
our hedging arrangements reduced the benefit we received from
increases in the prices for oil and natural gas by approximately
$76.9 million. Although we currently maintain an active
hedging program, we may choose not
30
to engage in hedging transactions in the future. As a result, we
may be affected adversely during periods of declining oil and
natural gas prices.
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We will require additional capital to fund our future
activities. If we fail to obtain additional capital, we may not
be able to implement fully our business plan, which could lead
to a decline in reserves. |
We depend on our ability to obtain financing beyond our cash
flow from operations. Historically, we have financed our
business plan and operations primarily with internally generated
cash flow, bank borrowings, proceeds from the sale of oil and
natural gas properties, entering into exploration arrangements
with other parties, the issuance of public debt, privately
raised equity and, prior to the bankruptcy of Enron Corp. (our
indirect parent company until March 2, 2004), borrowings
from Enron affiliates. In the future, we will require
substantial capital to fund our business plan and operations. We
expect to be required to meet our needs from our excess cash
flow, debt financings and additional equity offerings (subject
to certain federal tax limitations during the two-year period
following the spin-off). Sufficient capital may not be available
on acceptable terms or at all. If we cannot obtain additional
capital resources, we may curtail our drilling, development and
other activities or be forced to sell some of our assets on
unfavorable terms.
The issuance of additional debt would require that a portion of
our cash flow from operations be used for the payment of
interest on our debt, thereby reducing our ability to use our
cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures,
acquisitions and general corporate requirements, which could
place us at a competitive disadvantage relative to other
competitors. Additionally, if revenues decrease as a result of
lower oil or natural gas prices, operating difficulties or
declines in reserves, our ability to obtain the capital
necessary to undertake or complete future exploration and
development programs and to pursue other opportunities may be
limited, which could result in a curtailment of our operations
relating to exploration and development of our prospects, which
in turn could result in a decline in our oil and natural gas
reserves.
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Properties we acquire (including the Forest Gulf of Mexico
properties) may not produce as projected, and we may be unable
to determine reserve potential, identify liabilities associated
with the properties or obtain protection from sellers against
such liabilities. |
Properties we acquire, including the Forest Gulf of Mexico
properties, may not produce as expected, may be in an unexpected
condition and may subject us to increased costs and liabilities,
including environmental liabilities. The reviews we conduct of
acquired properties prior to acquisition are not capable of
identifying all potential adverse conditions. Generally, it is
not feasible to review in depth every individual property
involved in each acquisition. Ordinarily, we will focus our
review efforts on the higher value properties or properties with
known adverse conditions and will sample the remainder. However,
even a detailed review of records and properties may not
necessarily reveal existing or potential problems or permit a
buyer to become sufficiently familiar with the properties to
assess fully their condition, any deficiencies, and development
potential. Inspections may not always be performed on every
well, and environmental problems, such as ground water
contamination, are not necessarily observable even when an
inspection is undertaken.
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Market conditions or transportation impediments may hinder
our access to oil and natural gas markets or delay our
production. |
Market conditions, the unavailability of satisfactory oil and
natural gas transportation or the remote location of our
drilling operations may hinder our access to oil and natural gas
markets or delay our production. The availability of a ready
market for our oil and natural gas production depends on a
number of factors, including the demand for and supply of oil
and natural gas and the proximity of reserves to pipelines or
trucking and terminal facilities. In deepwater operations, the
availability of a ready market depends on the proximity of and
our ability to tie into existing production platforms owned or
operated by others and the ability to negotiate commercially
satisfactory arrangements with the owners or operators. We may
be required to shut in wells or delay initial production for
lack of a market or because of inadequacy or unavailability of
pipeline or gathering system capacity. When that occurs, we are
unable to realize revenue from those wells
31
until the production can be tied to a gathering system. This can
result in considerable delays from the initial discovery of a
reservoir to the actual production of the oil and natural gas
and realization of revenues.
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The unavailability or high cost of drilling rigs,
equipment, supplies or personnel could affect adversely our
ability to execute on a timely basis our exploration and
development plans within budget, which could have a material
adverse effect on our financial condition and results of
operations. |
Shortages or the high cost of drilling rigs, equipment, supplies
or personnel could delay or affect adversely our exploration and
development operations, which could have a material adverse
effect on our financial condition and results of operations. An
increase in drilling activity in the U.S. or the Gulf of
Mexico could increase the cost and decrease the availability of
necessary drilling rigs, equipment, supplies and personnel.
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Competition in the oil and natural gas industry is
intense, and many of our competitors have resources that are
greater than ours giving them an advantage in evaluating and
obtaining properties and prospects. |
We operate in a highly competitive environment for acquiring
prospects and productive properties, marketing oil and natural
gas and securing equipment and trained personnel. Many of our
competitors are major and large independent oil and natural gas
companies, and possess and employ financial, technical and
personnel resources substantially greater than ours. Those
companies may be able to develop and acquire more prospects and
productive properties than our financial or personnel resources
permit. Our ability to acquire additional prospects and discover
reserves in the future will depend on our ability to evaluate
and select suitable properties and consummate transactions in a
highly competitive environment. Also, there is substantial
competition for capital available for investment in the oil and
natural gas industry. Larger competitors may be better able to
withstand sustained periods of unsuccessful drilling and absorb
the burden of changes in laws and regulations more easily than
we can, which would adversely affect our competitive position.
We may not be able to compete successfully in the future in
acquiring prospective reserves, developing reserves, marketing
hydrocarbons, attracting and retaining quality personnel and
raising additional capital.
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Financial difficulties encountered by our farm-out
partners or third-party operators could affect the exploration
and development of our prospects adversely. |
From time to time, we enter into farm-out agreements to fund a
portion of the exploration and development costs of our
prospects. Moreover, other companies operate some of the other
properties in which we have an ownership interest. Liquidity and
cash flow problems encountered by our partners and co-owners of
our properties may lead to a delay in the pace of drilling or
project development that may be detrimental to a project.
In addition, our farm-out partners and working interest owners
may be unwilling or unable to pay their share of the costs of
projects as they become due. In the case of a farm-out partner,
we may have to obtain alternative funding in order to complete
the exploration and development of the prospects subject to the
farm-out agreement. In the case of a working interest owner, we
may be required to pay the working interest owners share
of the project costs. We cannot assure you that we would be able
to obtain the capital necessary in order to fund either of these
contingencies.
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We cannot control the drilling and development activities
on properties we do not operate, and therefore we may not be in
a position to control the timing of development efforts, the
associated costs or the rate of production of the
reserves. |
Other companies operate some of the properties in which we have
an interest. As a result, we have a limited ability to exercise
influence over operations for these properties or their
associated costs. Our dependence on the operator and other
working interest owners for these projects and our limited
ability to influence operations and associated costs could
materially adversely affect the realization of our targeted
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returns on capital in drilling or acquisition activities. The
success and timing of drilling and development activities on
properties operated by others therefore depend upon a number of
factors that are outside of our control, including timing and
amount of capital expenditures, the operators expertise
and financial resources, approval of other participants in
drilling wells and selection of technology.
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Compliance with environmental and other government
regulations could be costly and could affect production
negatively. |
Exploration for and development, production and sale of oil and
natural gas in the U.S. and the Gulf of Mexico are subject to
extensive federal, state and local laws and regulations,
including environmental and health and safety laws and
regulations. We may be required to make large expenditures to
comply with these environmental and other requirements. Matters
subject to regulation include, among others, environmental
assessment prior to development, discharge and emission permits
for drilling and production operations, drilling bonds, and
reports concerning operations and taxation.
Under these laws and regulations, and also common law causes of
action, we could be liable for personal injuries, property
damage, oil spills, discharge of pollutants and hazardous
materials, remediation and
clean-up costs and
other environmental damages. Failure to comply with these laws
and regulations or to obtain or comply with required permits may
result in the suspension or termination of our operations and
subject us to remedial obligations as well as administrative,
civil and criminal penalties. Moreover, these laws and
regulations could change in ways that substantially increase our
costs. We cannot predict how agencies or courts will interpret
existing laws and regulations, whether additional or more
stringent laws and regulations will be adopted or the effect
these interpretations and adoptions may have on our business or
financial condition. For example, the Oil Pollution Act of 1990
(the OPA) imposes a variety of regulations on
responsible parties related to the prevention of oil
spills. The implementation of new, or the modification of
existing, environmental laws or regulations promulgated pursuant
to the OPA could have a material adverse impact on us. Further,
Congress or the MMS could decide to limit exploratory drilling
or natural gas production in additional areas of the Gulf of
Mexico. Accordingly, any of these liabilities, penalties,
suspensions, terminations or regulatory changes could have a
material adverse effect on our financial condition and results
of operations. See Mariner Regulation
for more information on our regulatory and environmental matters.
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Our insurance may not protect us against our business and
operating risks. |
We maintain insurance for some, but not all, of the potential
risks and liabilities associated with our business. For some
risks, we may not obtain insurance if we believe the cost of
available insurance is excessive relative to the risks
presented. As a result of market conditions, premiums and
deductibles for certain insurance policies can increase
substantially, and in some instances, certain insurance may
become unavailable or available only for reduced amounts of
coverage. As a result, we may not be able to renew our existing
insurance policies or procure other desirable insurance on
commercially reasonable terms, if at all.
Although we maintain insurance at levels we believe are
appropriate and consistent with industry practice, we are not
fully insured against all risks, including drilling and
completion risks that are generally not recoverable from third
parties or insurance. In addition, pollution and environmental
risks generally are not fully insurable. Losses and liabilities
from uninsured and underinsured events and delay in the payment
of insurance proceeds could have a material adverse effect on
our financial condition and results of operations. The impact of
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have resulted in escalating
insurance costs and less favorable coverage terms. See
Mariner Insurance Matters and The
Forest Gulf of Mexico Operations Insurance
Matters for more information.
33
Risks Related to our Common Stock After the Merger
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An active market for our common stock may not develop and
the market price for shares of our common stock may be highly
volatile and could be subject to wide fluctuations after this
offering. |
We are a private company, and there is no public market for our
common stock. An active market for our common stock may not
develop or may not be sustained after this offering. In
addition, we cannot assure you as to the liquidity of any such
market that may develop or the price that our stockholders may
obtain for their shares of our common stock.
Even if an active trading market develops, the market price for
shares of our common stock may be highly volatile and could be
subject to wide fluctuations. Some of the factors that could
negatively affect our share price include:
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actual or anticipated downward revisions in our reserve
estimates; |
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our operating results being less than anticipated; |
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reductions in oil and gas prices; |
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publication of unfavorable research reports about us or the
exploration and production industry; |
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increases in market interest rates which may increase our cost
of capital; |
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the enactment of more stringent laws or regulations applicable
to our business, or unfavorable court rulings or enforcement or
legal actions; |
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increases in royalties or taxes payable in the operation of our
business; |
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a general decline in market valuations of similar companies; |
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adverse market reaction to any increased indebtedness we incur
in the future; |
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departures of key management personnel; |
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increases to our asset retirement obligations; |
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adverse actions taken by our stockholders; |
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negative speculation in the press or investment
community; and |
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adverse general market and economic conditions. |
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We do not anticipate paying any dividends on our common
stock in the foreseeable future. |
We do not expect to declare or pay any cash or other dividends
in the foreseeable future on our common stock. Our existing
revolving credit facility restricts our ability to pay cash
dividends on our common stock, and we may also enter into other
credit agreements or other borrowing arrangements in the future
that restrict our ability to declare or pay cash dividends on
our common stock.
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Mariner stockholders will experience substantial and
immediate dilution as a result of the merger, and may experience
dilution of their ownership interests due to the future issuance
of additional shares of our common stock, which could have an
adverse effect on our stock price. |
If the merger is completed, the current owners of Mariners
common stock will experience substantial and immediate dilution
from the issuance of shares of Mariner common stock to Forest
shareholders, such that the Mariner stockholders will own
approximately 42% of the Mariner common stock following the
merger. Additionally, we may in the future issue our previously
authorized and unissued securities, resulting in the dilution of
the ownership interests of our present stockholders. We are
currently authorized to issue 70 million shares of common
stock and 20 million shares of preferred stock with such
designations, preferences and rights as determined by our board
of directors. As a result of the proposed amendment to our
certificate of incorporation, our authorized shares would be
increased to 180 million shares of common stock and
20 million shares of preferred stock. Pursuant to the
proposed addition of shares to our stock incentive
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plan, the maximum number of shares issuable under the plan
would, if the proposal is approved, be increased to
6.5 million shares.
The potential issuance of such additional shares of common stock
may create downward pressure on the trading price of our common
stock. We may also issue additional shares of our common stock
or other securities that are convertible into or exercisable for
common stock (subject to certain federal tax limitations during
the two-year period following the spin-off) in connection with
the hiring of personnel, future acquisitions, future public
offerings or private placements of our securities for capital
raising purposes, or for other business purposes. Future sales
of substantial amounts of our common stock, or the perception
that sales could occur, could have a material adverse effect on
the price of our common stock.
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Provisions in our organizational documents and under
Delaware law could delay or prevent a change in control of our
company, which could adversely affect the price of our common
stock. |
The existence of some provisions in our organizational documents
and under Delaware law could delay or prevent a change in
control of our company, which could adversely affect the price
of our common stock. The provisions in our certificate of
incorporation and bylaws that could delay or prevent an
unsolicited change in control of our company include a staggered
board of directors, board authority to issue preferred stock,
and advance notice provisions for director nominations or
business to be considered at a stockholder meeting. In addition,
Delaware law imposes restrictions on mergers and other business
combinations between us and any holder of 15% or more of our
outstanding common stock. See Description of Mariner
Capital Stock.
35
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Various statements in this proxy
statement/prospectus-information statement, including those that
express a belief, expectation, or intention, as well as those
that are not statements of historical fact, are forward-looking
statements. The forward-looking statements may include
projections and estimates concerning the timing and success of
specific projects and our future production, revenues, income
and capital spending. Our forward-looking statements are
generally accompanied by words such as estimate,
project, predict, believe,
expect, anticipate,
potential, plan, goal or
other words that convey the uncertainty of future events or
outcomes. The forward-looking statements in this proxy
statement/prospectus-information statement speak only as of the
date of this proxy statement/prospectus-information statement;
we disclaim any obligation to update these statements unless
required by securities law, and we caution you not to rely on
them unduly. We have based these forward-looking statements on
our current expectations and assumptions about future events.
While our management considers these expectations and
assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to
significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory and
other risks, contingencies and uncertainties, most of which are
difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control.
We disclose important factors that could cause our actual
results to differ materially from our expectations under
Risk Factors, Managements Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of the
Forest Gulf of Mexico Operations, Managements
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations of Mariner and elsewhere in this proxy
statement/prospectus-information statement. These risks,
contingencies and uncertainties relate to, among other matters,
the following:
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the volatility of oil and natural gas prices; |
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discovery, estimation, development and replacement of oil and
natural gas reserves; |
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cash flow, liquidity and financial position; |
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business strategy; |
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amount, nature and timing of capital expenditures, including
future development costs; |
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availability and terms of capital; |
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timing and amount of future production of oil and natural gas; |
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availability of drilling and production equipment; |
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operating costs and other expenses; |
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prospect development and property acquisitions; |
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marketing of oil and natural gas; |
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competition in the oil and natural gas industry; |
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the impact of weather and the occurrence of natural disasters
such as fires, floods and other catastrophic events and natural
disasters; |
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governmental regulation of the oil and natural gas industry; |
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developments in oil-producing and natural gas-producing
countries; |
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the contemplated transactions, including strategic plans,
expectations and objectives for future operations, the
completion of those transactions, and the realization of
expected benefits from the transactions; and |
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disruption from the merger making it more difficult to manage
Mariners business. |
36
THE MARINER ANNUAL MEETING
Purpose, Time and Place
The Mariner annual meeting will be held on Thursday,
March 2, 2006 at 8:30 a.m., Central Standard Time, at
One BriarLake Plaza, Suite 2000, 2000 West Sam Houston
Parkway South, Houston, Texas 77042. The purpose of the meeting
is:
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to consider and vote upon the adoption of the Agreement and Plan
of Merger, dated as of September 9, 2005, as amended, among
Forest, Forest Energy Resources, Mariner and MEI Sub, subject to
the approval of the proposed amendment to Mariners
certificate of incorporation, |
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to consider and vote upon a proposed amendment to Mariners
Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to
increase the number of authorized shares of stock from
90 million shares to 200 million shares, subject to
the completion of the merger, |
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to consider and vote upon the proposed amendment and restatement
of the Mariner stock incentive plan, |
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to elect one director to serve until the annual meeting of
stockholders of Mariner in 2009, |
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to elect two directors to serve until the annual meeting of
stockholders of Mariner in 2007, |
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to approve the proposed granting of authority to the
proxyholders to vote in their discretion on a motion to adjourn
or postpone the meeting, and |
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to transact any other business that may properly come before the
meeting. |
We currently expect that no other matters will be considered at
the meeting.
Recommendation of the Mariner Board of Directors
The Mariner board of directors has determined that the merger is
fair to and in the best interests of Mariner and its
stockholders, and that the merger agreement is advisable. The
Mariner board of directors has unanimously approved the merger
agreement, the proposed amendment to the certificate of
incorporation and the proposed amendment and restatement of the
stock incentive plan, and recommends that the Mariner
stockholders vote for the adoption of the
merger agreement and the other proposals.
In considering the recommendations of the Mariner board of
directors, stockholders of Mariner should be aware that members
of the Mariner board of directors and executive officers of
Mariner have agreements and arrangements that provide them with
interests in the merger that differ from, or are in addition to,
those of Mariner stockholders. Please read
Interests of Certain Persons in the
Merger.
Record Date; Stock Entitled to Vote; Quorum
Stockholders of record of Mariner common stock at the close of
business on February 1, 2006, the record date for the
Mariner meeting, are entitled to receive notice of, and have the
right to vote at, the meeting and any reconvened meeting
following any adjournment or postponement of the meeting. On the
record date, 35,615,400 shares of Mariner common stock were
issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting.
Stockholders of record of shares of Mariner common stock on the
record date are each entitled to one vote per share on the
proposals.
A quorum of stockholders is necessary to have a valid meeting of
stockholders. The holders of a majority of the stock issued and
outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting, present in
person or represented by proxy, will constitute a quorum at the
meeting. Shares that are not voted will not count for purposes
of calculating a quorum.
Abstentions and broker non-votes count as present
for establishing a quorum. A broker non-vote occurs
on an item when a broker is not permitted to vote on that item
without instructions from the beneficial
37
owner of the shares and no instructions are given. We expect
that, in the event that a quorum is not present at the meeting,
the meeting will be adjourned or postponed to solicit additional
proxies.
Votes Required
Adoption of the merger agreement and the approval of the
proposed amendment to Mariners certificate of
incorporation will require the affirmative vote of the holders
of a majority of the shares of Mariner common stock outstanding
on the record date.
The proposal to amend and restate Mariners stock incentive
plan requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares
of Mariner common stock represented in person or by proxy at the
meeting. For purposes of the vote, abstentions will be counted
and have the same effect as a vote against these
proposals. In addition, failing to vote or to instruct your
broker to vote will have the same effect as a vote
against these proposals. Director nominees receiving
a plurality of all votes cast at the meeting will be elected to
Mariners board of directors. Abstentions and broker
non-votes have no effect on the election of directors.
Nonvoted shares have the effect of reducing the number of shares
required to approve the proposal to amend and restate
Mariners stock incentive plan, and to elect directors,
which require the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares
of Mariner common stock represented in person or by proxy at the
meeting, but do not have the effect of reducing the number of
shares required to adopt the merger agreement and to approve the
proposed amendment to Mariners certificate of
incorporation, both of which require the affirmative vote of a
majority of Mariners outstanding shares.
Voting by Proxy
Stockholders of record may vote their stock by:
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attending the meeting and voting their stock in person at the
meeting, |
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completing the enclosed proxy card, signing and dating it and
mailing it in the enclosed postage pre-paid envelope, or |
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voting via telephone or via the Internet by following the
instructions provided on the enclosed proxy card. |
If a proxy card is signed by a stockholder of record and
returned without specific voting instructions, the stock
represented by the proxy will be voted for the
proposals presented at the meeting.
Stockholders whose shares of Mariner common stock are held in
the name of a bank, broker or other fiduciary must either direct
the record holder of their shares of Mariner common stock as to
how to vote their shares of Mariner common stock or obtain a
proxy from the record holder to vote at the meeting.
All proxies received at or prior to the meeting will be counted
in the vote on the adoption of the merger and the approval of
the other proposals.
Stockholders of record may revoke their proxies at any time
prior to the time their proxies are voted at the meeting.
Stockholders can revoke their proxies and change their votes by:
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completing, signing and dating a new proxy card and returning it
by mail so that it is received prior to the meeting; |
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voting via telephone or via the Internet by following the
instructions provided on your proxy card; |
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sending a written notice to The Continental Stock
Transfer & Trust Company that is received prior to the
meeting stating that you revoke your proxy; or |
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attending the meeting and voting in person or by legal proxy, if
appropriate. |
Internet and telephone voters may use the same procedure to
revoke or change their votes as they used to cast their original
votes. If your shares of Mariner common stock are held in the
name of a bank, broker or other fiduciary and you have directed
such person(s) to vote your shares of Mariner common stock, you
should instruct such person(s) to change your vote or obtain a
legal proxy to do so yourself. Telephone and Internet voting
will close at 8:00 p.m. Eastern time on the day before the
meeting. Thereafter, voting (including revocations of proxies)
can be made by mail or facsimile received prior to the meeting,
or in person at the meeting.
Any written notice of a revocation of a proxy should be sent to
the following address:
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The Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company |
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17 Battery Place |
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New York, New York 10004 |
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Facsimile: (212) 509-5152
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Other Business; Adjournments |
Mariner is not aware of any other business to be acted upon at
the meeting. If, however, other matters are properly brought
before the meeting or any adjourned meeting, your proxies will
have discretion to act on those matters or to adjourn the
meeting, according to their best judgment.
The cost of solicitation of proxies from stockholders will be
paid by Mariner, other than the costs of printing, filing and
mailing this proxy statement/prospectus-information statement
and the registration statement of which it is a part, which will
be borne equally by Mariner and Forest. In addition to
solicitation by mail, the directors, officers and employees of
Mariner may also solicit proxies from stockholders by telephone,
facsimile or in person. Mariner also will make arrangements with
brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries
to send the proxy materials to beneficial owners. Upon request,
Mariner will reimburse those brokerage houses and custodians for
their reasonable expenses in so doing.
Mariner has retained Mellon Investor Services LLC to provide
advice and to aid with the solicitation of proxies from Mariner
stockholders for the meeting. Mellon Investor Services LLC will
receive a fee of $4,500, plus $4.25 per stockholder contact, as
compensation for its services, and will be reimbursed for its
related reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses.
Do not send any stock certificate(s) with your proxy cards.
Mariner stockholders will not be required to send in their stock
certificates if the merger is completed. After the merger is
completed, the shares of Forest Energy Resources common stock
held by Forest shareholders will be exchanged for shares of
Mariner common stock via book-entry procedures.
Interests of Certain Persons in the Merger
In considering the recommendation of the Mariner board of
directors to vote for the proposals to adopt the merger
agreement and to approve the other proposals, stockholders of
Mariner should be aware that members of the Mariner board of
directors and executive officers of Mariner have agreements and
arrangements that provide them with interests in the merger that
differ from, or are in addition to, those of Mariner
stockholders. The Mariner board of directors was aware of these
agreements and arrangements during its deliberations of the
merits of the merger and in determining to recommend to the
stockholders of Mariner
39
that they vote for the proposal to adopt the merger agreement.
These agreements and arrangements can be summarized as follows:
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Governance Structure. Under the terms of the merger
agreement, the board of directors of Mariner after completion of
the merger will be comprised of seven individuals, five of whom
are current directors of Mariner, and two of whom will be
mutually agreed to by Mariner and Forest prior to the completion
of the merger. |
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Payments for Waivers of Rights under Employment
Agreements. The executive officers of Mariner will receive
cash payments of $1,000 each in exchange for the waiver of
certain rights under their employment agreements, including the
automatic vesting or acceleration of restricted stock and
options upon the completion of the merger and the right to
receive a lump sum cash payment, equal to 2.0 (2.5 for
Mr. Polasek and 2.99 for Mr. Josey) times the sum of
the officers base salary and three year average annual
bonus, if the officer voluntarily terminates employment without
good reason within nine months following the completion of the
merger. |
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Severance Arrangements. The executive officers have
employment agreements that will remain in effect after the
completion of the merger. These agreements generally entitle the
officers to severance benefits in the event of a resignation for
good reason, a termination without cause or, in the case of
Scott Joseys agreement, Mariners non-renewal of the
agreement. These severance benefits are comprised of (i) a
payment equal to 18 months of salary continuation (two
years for Mr. Josey and Mr. Polasek) at the highest
rate in effect prior to termination, (ii) health care
coverage for a period of eighteen months (two years for
Mr. Josey and Mr. Polasek), (iii) an amount equal
to the sum of all bonuses paid to the officer in the year prior
to the year in which termination occurs, (iv) 100% vesting
of all restricted shares under our Equity Participation Plan,
and (v) 50% vesting of all other rights under any other
equity plans, including our Stock Incentive Plan. |
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The employment agreements also provide for certain change of
control benefits. Upon termination for any reason other than
cause at any time within nine months after a change of control
that occurs while the executive is employed, or upon the
occurrence of a change of control within nine months following
resignation of employment for good reason or termination without
cause, the agreements provide for the following benefits:
(i) a lump sum payment equal to 2.0 (2.5 for
Mr. Polasek and 2.99 for Mr. Josey) times the sum of
the officers base salary and three year average annual
bonus, and (ii) 100% vesting of all rights under any equity
plans, including our Equity Participation Plan and our Stock
Incentive Plan. The officers are entitled to a full tax
gross-up payment if the
aggregate payments and benefits to be provided constitute a
parachute payment subject to a Federal excise tax.
Pursuant to the waivers described above, the executive officers
will waive their rights to the automatic vesting or acceleration
of restricted stock and options upon completion of the merger
and to receive a lump sum payment if they terminate their
employment with Mariner without good reason within nine months
following the completion of the merger. |
Stock Ownership of Directors and Executive Officers
As of the close of business on February 1, 2006, directors
and executive officers of Mariner and their affiliates as a
group beneficially owned and were entitled to vote approximately
3.7 million shares of Mariner common stock (including restricted
stock subject to vesting), representing approximately 10.4% of
the shares of Mariner common stock outstanding on that date.
All of the directors and executive officers of Mariner who are
entitled to vote at the meeting have indicated that they intend
to vote their shares of Mariner common stock in favor of
adoption of the merger agreement.
Appraisal and Dissenters Rights
In accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law, there
will be no appraisal rights or dissenters rights available
to holders of Mariner common stock in connection with the merger.
40
THE SPIN-OFF AND MERGER
The discussion in this proxy statement/prospectus-information
statement of the merger and the principal terms of the merger
agreement is subject to and qualified in its entirety by
reference to the merger agreement, a copy of which is attached
to this proxy statement/prospectus-information statement as
Annex A and is incorporated by reference into this proxy
statement/prospectus-information statement.
Background of the Merger
At regular meetings of Forests board held on
November 10, 2004 and February 23, 2005, Forests
management made presentations regarding the estimated value of
Forests business units. Forests board and management
agreed to examine alternatives to increase the value of the
Forest Gulf of Mexico operations. The alternatives were taxable
and non-taxable divestments of the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations, and included an outright cash sale of those
operations, an initial public offering, and some form of a
merger transaction. Forests board determined that an
initial public offering would require much more time than the
other alternatives and, due to the need to create and manage a
new corporation for potentially an extended period of time, with
associated job overlap and reassignments, would place a
significant burden on employee retention and staffing.
Forests board also determined that, due to the disparity
in the market value and tax basis of the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations, a non-taxable alternative would be most attractive
to Forest and its shareholders. One specific alternative
presented by management was merging the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations with another company that was more focused on
offshore activities and possessed a complementary asset base.
Forests directors instructed Forests management to
consider means to accomplish such a merger and to discuss such a
strategy with financial advisors and legal and tax counsel.
On April 18, 2005, Mr. David Keyte, the Chief
Financial Officer of Forest, spoke briefly with
Mr. Scott Josey, the Chief Executive Officer,
President and Chairman of Mariner, at a meeting of the
Independent Petroleum Association of America in New York City.
Mr. Keyte told Mr. Josey that Forest was interested in
examining the possibility of spinning off its Gulf of Mexico
operations utilizing a reverse Morris Trust
structure. In general terms, a reverse Morris Trust structure in
this context would entail a Forest distribution of the stock of
one of its subsidiaries (preexisting or newly formed) to Forest
shareholders, followed by a merger between such subsidiary and
Mariner. Mr. Josey expressed interest in a potential
transaction, and Messrs. Keyte and Josey agreed to discuss
the matter with greater specificity at a later date.
Forests initial contact with Mariner regarding a potential
transaction was not the result of affiliations between the
parties. Forest and Mariner do not have common directors, and no
member of senior management of either party is a former employee
of, or is otherwise affiliated with, the other party.
Mariners largest stockholder, FMR Corp. (which holds
approximately 12.2% of Mariners outstanding shares), is
also the second largest shareholder of Forest (holding
approximately 12.7% of Forests outstanding shares).
FMR Corp. has no board representation or other management
control over either party. Mr. Forrest E. Hoglund, the
Chairman of Forests board of directors, served as Chairman
of the Board of EOG Resources, Inc., an affiliate of Enron
Corp., from 1987 to 1999 and as President from 1990 to 1996.
During part of this period, Mariner was also an affiliate of
Enron Corp., though the companies respective management
teams were separate. Neither Mr. Hoglund nor Mariner is
currently affiliated with Enron Corp.
On May 10, 2005, at a regularly scheduled board meeting at
Forests offices in Denver, Colorado, Forest management
made a presentation to the Forest board of directors regarding a
potential spin-off and merger of the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations, utilizing a reverse Morris Trust structure.
Forests management identified five potential merger
parties that met certain criteria relating to size and
complementary Gulf of Mexico asset base. In order to use a
reverse Morris Trust structure, Forest required a merger party
of a size such that, when combined with the Forest Gulf of
Mexico operations, the relative values of the party and the
Forest Gulf of Mexico operations would result in Forests
shareholders owning more than 50% of the combined entity. Also,
Forest sought a merger party that already capably managed a
significant Gulf of Mexico asset base. It was desirable that the
merger partys asset base be in reasonable proximity, and
complementary in terms of acreage, to the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations, such that the combination of the two might produce a
significant scale of operations and operational efficiencies and
synergies.
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The Forest board authorized Forest management to begin efforts
to evaluate and pursue the potential spin-off. As a result,
during the week of May 16, 2005, Mr. Keyte contacted
each of the five potential merger parties. These potential
merger parties, which included Mariner, will be referred to
herein as Mariner, Party A, Party B, Party C and
Party D.
On or about May 21, 2005, Forest sent to Mariner a
confidentiality agreement regarding the proposed transaction and
any subsequent due diligence reviews. From May 21, 2005
through May 23, 2005, Forest and Mariner negotiated the
terms of the confidentiality agreement and on May 23, 2005,
Forest and Mariner executed the confidentiality agreement. Over
the course of the following week, Forest executed
confidentiality agreements with Party A, Party B and
Party C, and Forest management made presentations regarding
a possible spin-off and merger to each such party. Party D
declined to execute a confidentiality agreement, stating that it
had concluded that it could not devote the necessary time and
focus required to proceed with Forest in a timely fashion.
Forest had no further substantive discussions with Party D.
After Forest made its presentation regarding the possible
spin-off and merger, Party C stated that it could not meet
Forests timing requirements and had decided not to
proceed. Forest had no further substantive discussions with
Party C.
On May 24, 2005, Mr. Keyte, Mr. Michael Kennedy,
the Investor Relations Manager of Forest, and Mr. Josey met
in Houston, Texas. At the meeting, Mr. Keyte made a
presentation detailing the transaction contemplated by Forest.
The presentation described the transaction structure and
provided information on the assets, reserves, acreage, personnel
and performance metrics (including production and EBITDA) of the
Forest Gulf of Mexico operations. The presentation also covered
the pro forma operational and financial characteristics of the
combined company based on preliminary figures. Mr. Keyte
identified several potential advantages to Mariner of
undertaking the proposed transaction, including increased
liquidity, an attractive, balanced asset portfolio in the Gulf
of Mexico, and property prospects for future development.
Mr. Keyte did not propose economic terms for the
transaction, such as the ownership stake Forest shareholders
would hold in Mariner after the completion of the transaction.
After this, Mr. Josey made a presentation regarding Mariner
and the merits of consummating a transaction with Mariner. The
presentation provided an overview of Mariners operations,
properties, production and reserves; management structure;
exploration and development projects, including the Swordfish
project (please see Mariner Significant
Properties Gulf of Mexico Deepwater for more
information on this project); and financial data, including
capital expenditures. Prior to the conclusion of the meeting,
Mr. Keyte requested that Mariners management team
make a presentation to Forests board of directors at a
later date.
On June 2, 2005, Forest made available to Mariner, for
purposes of its due diligence review, electronic data regarding
the reserves, lease operating expenses, capital expenditures,
production, general and administrative expenses and financial
performance of the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations. Forest also
made the same information available to Party A and
Party B. Representatives of Mariner, Party A and
Party B conducted reviews of these materials on an ongoing
basis over the course of the following weeks.
On June 16, 2005, the executive committee of Forests
board of directors, consisting of Messrs. Forrest E.
Hoglund, James H. Lee and Craig Clark, met in Houston, Texas
with members of Forest management and representatives of
Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (Citigroup) (one of
Forests financial advisors) to discuss the contemplated
spin-off and merger. Representatives of Party A and
Party B then sequentially joined the meeting and made
presentations to the executive committee.
On June 22, 2005, the executive committee of Forests
board of directors held a meeting in Forests offices in
Denver, Colorado. Members of Forest management and
representatives of Citigroup were also present at the meeting.
At this meeting, the executive committee was briefed on the
status of discussions with Mariner, Party A and
Party B. Mr. Josey, accompanied by Messrs. Dalton
Polasek, Chief Operating Officer, Rick Lester, Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer, Mike van den Bold, Vice President
and Chief Exploration Officer, and Jesus Melendrez, Vice
President Corporate Development of Mariner, then
joined the meeting and made a presentation to the executive
committee and the other attendees. The presentation provided an
overview of Mariners operations, properties, production
and reserves; management structure; exploration and development
projects, including the King Kong/Yosemite, Pluto II, Bass
Lite, LaSalle, Swordfish, Green Pepper and Rigel projects;
prospect inventory; drilling programs; seismic databases; and
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financial data, including a capital expenditure budget for 2005.
Mr. Josey presented Mariners views on its own
enterprise value and discussed a proposed method for
establishing an exchange ratio focused primarily upon the PV10
values of the parties estimated proved reserves. He did
not propose an exchange ratio for the transaction or other
specific economic terms. Mr. Josey advised Forest that
Mariner would require that the evaluation of Mariner for
purposes of establishing an exchange ratio give effect to its
anticipated West Texas acquisition.
On June 23, 2005, a special committee of Forests
board of directors was formed to consider proposals to spin-off
the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations. The directors named to be
members of the committee were Messrs. Hoglund, Dod A.
Fraser, Mr. Lee, James D. Lighter, and Patrick R. McDonald.
On June 28, 2005, Mariner, Party A and Party B
received a written request from Forest for a non-binding,
preliminary proposal to acquire the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations. The proposal was requested to be submitted no later
than July 6 and to include certain information, including the
percentage of shares of the combined entity to be held by Forest
shareholders, key assumptions used in arriving at the level of
consideration to be offered, transaction structure, and a
statement of intent with respect to employees of the Forest Gulf
of Mexico operations.
On June 29, 2005, Mr. Clark, Forests Chief
Executive Officer, and other members of Forests management
and technical teams made a presentation to Party A on the
attributes and upside potential of the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations. Representatives of Citigroup were also present at
the meeting. The size of Party A in comparison to the
Forest Gulf of Mexico operations was identified as an issue that
might preclude Forest from structuring the spin-off as a
tax-free transaction. Therefore, Forest could be required to
include more assets in the transaction, either in the form of
additional oil and gas operations or cash.
On July 6, 2005, Mariner submitted to Forest a non-binding
preliminary written proposal to acquire the Forest Gulf of
Mexico operations. In the proposal, Mariner indicated its
willingness to consummate a transaction in which Forest
shareholders would hold between 53% and 56% of Mariners
shares after the transaction, and Mariner would assume
$300 million of indebtedness as part of the merger, which
would be incurred by Forests subsidiary prior to being
spun off by Forest in order to fund a distribution to Forest
prior to the spin-off. Mariner stated that it had based its
valuation of the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations at between 90%
and 100% of the value of the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations
estimated proved reserves and 100% of the value of
Mariners estimated proved reserves. The proposal was
subject to due diligence, and assumed an economic effective date
of June 30, 2005 (i.e., all revenues and expenditures of
the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations would accrue to the account
of Mariner from that date). Mariner also included supporting
schedules providing details on Mariners calculations of
the respective values of the companies, based on the
parties respective PV10 values at June 30, 2005.
Mariners schedules estimated Mariners value, based
upon PV10 values for its estimated proved reserves, and adjusted
for debt, working capital and derivatives, at approximately
$883 million. Mariners schedules estimated the Forest
Gulf of Mexico operations value, based upon PV10 values
for its estimated proved reserves, and adjusted for
$300 million of debt, in a range from $978 million to
$1.1 billion.
Also on July 6, 2005, Party A submitted a written
proposal to Forest to acquire the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations and certain other substantial assets of Forest for a
maximum valuation of $1.335 billion in stock. In its
proposal, Party A used a different valuation method than Mariner
had employed. Party A determined an implicit dollar-per-unit
valuation of its own reserves, based on its stock price at the
time of the proposal, number of outstanding shares of stock,
total reserves and cash on hand. Party A then took that implicit
valuation and applied it to the reserves of the Forest Gulf of
Mexico operations. On that basis, which differed from
Mariners basis, Party A established a comparative
valuation for the reserves of the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations of approximately $1.2 billion based on the value
of its stock at that time. Party As proposal provided
for no cash payment to Forest, and for a repurchase by
Party A of Party As stock to accommodate
Party As assessment of relative value.
Party B declined to make a written proposal in the form and
timing requested to acquire the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations. Forest had no further substantive discussions with
Party B.
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On July 11, 2005, the special committee of Forests
board of directors met by teleconference with members of Forest
management and representatives of Citigroup and Credit Suisse
First Boston (CSFB) (another of Forests
financial advisors). At this meeting, the special committee was
briefed on the status of discussions with Mariner, Party A
and Party B and with Mariners and Party As
July 6 proposals. After discussion, the special committee
concluded that, with respect to the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations, the valuation contained in Party As
proposal was comparable to the valuation contained in
Mariners proposal but that, with respect to Forests
other assets, Party As valuation was insufficient.
Further, Party As transaction structure was very
complex, which Forest believed made the transaction less viable.
On July 14, 2005, Mr. Clark and other members of
Forests management and technical teams made a presentation
to Mr. Josey and other members of Mariners management
and technical teams in Houston, Texas, on the attributes and
upside potential of the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations.
Representatives of Citigroup and CSFB were also present at the
meeting. The presentation provided detail on several pending
exploration and development projects.
On July 15, 2005, members of Forest management, together
with representatives of Citigroup and CSFB, met in Houston,
Texas with Party A to discuss the potential benefits of a
transaction. Following the July 15 meeting, Party A
declined to revise its proposal.
Following further technical and reserve due diligence, on
July 21, 2005, Mariner submitted a revised non-binding
preliminary written proposal to Forest. In the proposal, Mariner
stated that it had revised the basis of its valuation to 100% of
the value of the proved reserves of the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations, and was therefore confirming its willingness to
enter into a transaction in which Forest shareholders would hold
approximately 56% of Mariners shares, subject to due
diligence and adjustment based upon material changes occurring
prior to the execution of the merger agreement. As with the
July 6, 2005 proposal, Mariner would assume
$300 million of indebtedness, and the transaction would
have an economic effective date of June 30, 2005. Mariner
also requested that Forest enter into an exclusivity agreement,
whereby Forest would agree to negotiate exclusively with Mariner
for a period of 45 days.
On July 25, 2005, in accordance with Forests
instructions, representatives of Citigroup met with
Mr. Josey by teleconference. At the conclusion of the
discussion, Mr. Josey indicated that he would ask the
Mariner board to consider a transaction in which Forest
shareholders would hold approximately 57% of the equity
interests of the combined company after the merger, subject to
due diligence and adjustment based upon material changes
occurring prior to execution of the merger agreement.
On July 27, 2005, the special committee of Forests
board of directors met by teleconference. Members of Forest
management and representatives of Citigroup, CSFB and
Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., outside counsel to Forest, were
also present at the meeting. At this meeting, the special
committee was updated on discussions with Mariner and
Party A since the committees
July 11th meeting and on the proposals of Mariner and
Party A. The special committee also discussed alternative
transactions involving the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations,
including an initial public offering, an outright sale of the
underlying assets, and the creation of a net-profits master
limited partnership. The special committee instructed Forest
management to pursue negotiations with Mariner. The special
committee based its decision on the following factors:
(i) Mariners deepwater property portfolio was
complementary to Forests Gulf of Mexico portfolio,
(ii) a spin-off followed by a merger transaction could be
done with Mariner without having to involve assets other than
the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations, and
(iii) Party As valuation of Forests other
producing operations did not appear to be sufficient.
In evaluating Mariners offer, Forest believed that the
combination of stock and assumed liabilities offered by Mariner
could be worth an amount in a range of approximately
$1.1 billion to $1.4 billion, depending upon the
trading value of Mariners common stock when the stock
begins to trade upon the closing of the merger.
On July 27, 2005, in accordance with Forests
instructions, a representative of Citigroup advised
Mr. Josey that Forests board had approved
managements pursuit of a transaction with Mariner.
Subsequently, Mr. Josey advised Mr. Clark by
teleconference that Mariner was not willing to proceed unless
Forest
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would agree to an exchange ratio adjustment for changes in
Mariners working capital and debt since June 30, 2005.
On July 28, 2005, Mr. Clark and Mr. Josey again
met by teleconference. They discussed the proposed exchange
ratio and adjustments and agreed to commence negotiating
definitive documentation. Mr. Clark advised Mr. Josey
that Forest would give Mariner access to additional due
diligence materials.
On July 29, 2005, Forest distributed a draft non-binding
term sheet for the transaction. The term sheet reflected the 57%
exchange ratio and other agreed-upon terms, and was subject to
mutual due diligence. Over the following three days,
representatives of Forest and Mariner discussed various
provisions in the term sheet, including whether interim
operating covenants would apply to Mariner as well as the Forest
Gulf of Mexico operations, board representation and whether or
in what manner transaction expenses would be split between the
parties.
Subsequently, Forest and Mariner executed an exclusivity
agreement effective August 1, 2005, whereby the parties
agreed to negotiate exclusively with each other through
August 22, 2005. The agreement also contained a customary
standstill provision, which provided that neither company would
pursue an acquisition of the other party without that
partys consent.
On August 2, 2005, Forest and Mariner finalized the terms
of the non-binding term sheet for the transaction. The term
sheet reflected the 57% exchange ratio, provided that interim
operating covenants would be applicable to both Mariner and the
Forest Gulf of Mexico operations, provided for the addition of
two mutually agreeable members to Mariners board and
provided that transaction costs would be borne by both parties.
On August 4 and 5, 2005, representatives of Forest
conducted a due diligence review of certain legal and employee
benefits materials of Mariner at the offices of Baker Botts
L.L.P., Mariners outside counsel, in Houston, Texas.
Materials provided included general corporate materials,
litigation summaries, material contracts, employment agreements,
benefits arrangements and summaries, licenses and permits and
environmental and regulatory information.
On August 5, 2005, Vinson & Elkins distributed a
draft merger agreement to Mariner and Baker Botts.
On August 7, 2005, Mr. Josey met with representatives
of Lehman Brothers (Mariners financial advisor) in the
offices of Mariner. They discussed the general terms and
structure of the transaction and the proposed exchange ratio.
On August 8 and 9, 2005, technical teams from Forest
conducted a due diligence review and valuation analysis of
Mariners proved reserves, drilling inventory and
undeveloped acreage. Forest continued its technical, reserve,
accounting, employee benefits, title and legal due diligence
review over the course of the following weeks.
On August 9, 2005, representatives of Mariner and Baker
Botts began a due diligence review of certain legal, title and
employee benefits materials at the offices of Forest in Denver,
Colorado, and Mariners technical team conducted further
due diligence and continued its evaluation of Forests
proved reserves, drilling inventory and undeveloped acreage.
Materials provided included general corporate materials,
litigation summaries, land, lease and title materials, material
contracts, employment agreements, benefits arrangements and
summaries, licenses and permits and environmental and regulatory
information. With the assistance of appropriate legal, title,
financial, tax, engineering, and human resources consultants,
Mariner continued its technical, reserve, accounting, employee
benefits, title and legal due diligence review over the course
of the following weeks.
On August 10, 2005, Messrs. Clark and Keyte,
Mr. Matthew Wurtzbacher, Senior Vice President, Corporate
Planning and Development of Forest, and Mr. Cyrus Marter,
Vice President and General Counsel of Forest, and
Messrs. Josey, Lester, and Melendrez, and Ms. Teresa
Bushman, Vice President and General Counsel of Mariner, together
with representatives of Vinson & Elkins, Baker Botts,
Citigroup and Lehman Brothers, met in the offices of
Vinson & Elkins in Houston, Texas. Vinson &
Elkins explained how the draft merger agreement had addressed
some of the details of the proposed transaction structure, which
led to a
45
discussion of whether Mariner or Forest Energy Resources would
be the surviving entity in the business combination. Discussion
of the structural issue was postponed pending further analysis.
The parties also discussed interim operations following the
execution of the merger agreement, with Mariner suggesting that
both parties covenant to continue their exploration and
development programs in accordance with their capital budgets.
Forest indicated that it was amenable to this approach. Finally,
the draft agreement proposed superior offer termination
provisions in favor of Forest, which Mariner and Baker Botts
stated would not be acceptable. Also, Mariner and
Baker & Botts objected to the Mariner fiduciary
provisions since they did not include a fiduciary termination
provision. A fiduciary termination provision allows a
partys board of directors, if required by its fiduciary
duties, to terminate the agreement in order to accept a
subsequent superior offer. Representatives of Forest, Mariner,
Baker Botts and Vinson & Elkins negotiated and
exchanged drafts of the merger agreement, distribution agreement
and other ancillary agreements over the course of the following
week.
On August 15, 2005, Messrs. Keyte and Marter of
Forest, and Messrs. Josey, Lester and Melendrez and
Ms. Bushman of Mariner, together with representatives of
Citigroup, Vinson & Elkins and Baker Botts, met by
teleconference to discuss the draft distribution agreement. The
companies discussed, and reached agreement in principle on, the
manner in which known and unknown liabilities, including
environmental and plugging and abandonment liabilities, would be
allocated between Mariner and Forest. The companies also
discussed the mechanism for handling revenues and expenses
associated with the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations between
July 1, 2005 and the closing of the merger.
On August 16, 2005, representatives of Baker Botts and
Vinson & Elkins met by teleconference to discuss the
deal protection provisions proposed by Forest in the
draft merger agreement. Vinson & Elkins indicated
Forests unwillingness to proceed with a transaction in
which it did not have the right to terminate the agreement in
the face of a superior proposal to purchase the Forest Gulf of
Mexico operations or Forest as a whole. Baker Botts indicated
that Mariner would not be willing to enter into a merger
agreement that included such a termination right.
On August 18, 2005, representatives of Mariner, Forest,
Baker Botts and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
(Forests outside tax counsel) met by teleconference to
discuss the draft tax sharing agreement and related documents.
During the meeting, Forest and Weil, Gotshal & Manges
discussed certain factual circumstances involving forward
contracts to sell Forest stock entered into by a Forest
shareholder who held more than 10% of Forest stock, the effect
of which could have imposed increased restraints on Mariner in
the future in order to maintain favorable tax treatment of the
spin-off.
Also on August 18, representatives of Mariner, Forest,
Citigroup, Baker Botts and Vinson & Elkins met by
teleconference to discuss the other transaction agreements.
Following this teleconference, Lehman Brothers contacted
Citigroup to notify them of Mariners unwillingness to
proceed further until the potential tax issue regarding how the
forward contracts entered into by the 10% Forest shareholder
could impact the tax-free nature of the spin-off was resolved to
Mariners satisfaction.
On August 19, 2005, Lehman Brothers contacted Citigroup to
discuss various matters pertaining to the transaction and to
propose that, in order to resolve the potential tax issue raised
on August 18, the cash distribution to Forest be decreased
by $100 million (thereby decreasing the amount of debt to
be incurred in the transaction) and the number of Mariner shares
to be issued to Forest shareholders be correspondingly increased.
On August 21, 2005, Mr. Josey of Mariner sent
Messrs. Clark and Keyte of Forest a list of the most
significant outstanding issues, including the potential tax
issue, the superior offer termination provision, the
representations on diligence materials and public filings, the
treatment of Forest stock options, retention arrangements, the
allocation of specified abandonment and derivative liabilities
and the status of Mariners then-pending
drill-to-earn
transaction in West Texas. The parties agreed to meet in person
to attempt to resolve the issues identified.
On August 22, 2005, Messrs. Josey, Clark, Keyte and
Melendrez met in Forests offices in Denver, Colorado. At
the meeting, the parties agreed, in order to resolve the
potential tax issue, to decrease the cash
46
distribution to Forest by $100 million, to have Mariner
assume certain
mark-to-market
derivative liabilities of approximately $50 million at
June 30, 2005, and to increase the number of Mariner shares
to be issued to Forest shareholders to approximately 58%. They
also discussed the superior offer termination provision and the
amount of the termination fee, without reaching agreement. The
parties respective counsels revised the transaction
agreements accordingly, and the transaction teams continued to
negotiate various provisions in the agreements and to discuss
various diligence issues over the course of the week.
On August 23, 2005, Messrs. Keyte and Josey met
briefly by teleconference to discuss, among other things, the
West Texas drill-to-earn transaction, the superior offer
termination provision and the amount of the termination fee.
That same day, the parties agreed to extend the exclusivity
period under their existing agreement until August 29.
On August 24, 2005, Forests board of directors held a
regular meeting at Forests offices in Denver, Colorado.
Members of Forest management and representatives of Citigroup
and CSFB were also present during the portion of the meeting
devoted to the potential spin-off and merger transaction. At
this meeting, the board was briefed on financial and other
aspects of the transaction, including the status of negotiations
with Mariner and the current terms of the transaction
agreements. Also on August 24, 2005, Messrs. Clark and
Josey met by teleconference to discuss additional diligence
requests regarding reserves, current projects and plugging and
abandonment costs from Mariner and Forest. Mr. Clark and
Mr. Josey agreed to speak again when responsive data had
been gathered.
On August 25, 2005, Messrs. Clark and Josey met by
teleconference, during which the requested diligence information
described above was exchanged and additional diligence matters
were discussed.
On August 27, 2005, Mr. Marter of Forest, and
Messrs. Lester and Melendrez and Ms. Bushman of
Mariner, together with representatives of Vinson &
Elkins and Baker Botts, met in the offices of Vinson &
Elkins in Houston, Texas. The parties discussed and negotiated
some of the outstanding issues remaining with respect to the
transaction agreements, including the scope and pricing of the
transition services to be provided by Forest after the closing,
and the allocation of certain specified abandonment and
environmental liabilities of the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations. The parties reached substantial agreement on
transition services, but did not agree which party would bear
the abandonment and environmental liabilities associated with
two properties.
On August 28, 2005, Messrs. Keyte, Wurtzbacher and
Marter of Forest, and Messrs. Lester and Melendrez and
Ms. Bushman of Mariner, together with representatives of
Vinson & Elkins and Baker Botts, met in the offices of
Vinson & Elkins in Houston, Texas. The parties
negotiated and discussed the outstanding issues remaining with
respect to the transaction agreements, including Forests
proposed superior offer termination right, the status of
Mariners then-pending
drill-to-earn
transaction in West Texas and the specified abandonment and
environmental liabilities. The parties agreed that Mariner would
obtain a performance bond to secure its performance in the
drill-to-earn program,
and that it would assume a portion of the abandonment and
environmental liabilities, subject to a cap. Mr. Keyte
stated that Forest would be willing to proceed without a
superior offer termination provision in favor of Forest. The
parties also agreed that Mariner would have the ability to
terminate the agreement in certain circumstances in order to
accept a superior proposal to acquire Mariner. Finally, the
parties agreed on a termination fee of $25 million and an
expense reimbursement provision payable by Mariner if the merger
agreement were terminated or rejected by its stockholders in
order to accept an alternative transaction. The Mariner
representatives did not insist on a termination fee or
reimbursement provision applicable to Forest because there would
be no provisions in the merger agreement pursuant to which
Forest could terminate the agreement in order to accept an
alternative transaction. The parties concluded the meeting by
agreeing to keep each other updated on developments related to
Hurricane Katrina, which was expected to reach the parties
properties in the Gulf of Mexico that evening.
On August 29, 2005, Messrs. Clark and Josey met in
Mariners offices in Houston, Texas to discuss retention
arrangements for Mariners executive officers and for the
employees of the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations. During the
meeting, they reviewed organizational charts and discussed the
companies benefits and incentive plans. The parties
discussed the basic retention parameters for both sets of
employees, including the
47
terms of Mariners executive officers waivers of
change of control benefits, with details to be agreed upon
later. The parties also agreed to exchange periodic updates on
the impact of Hurricane Katrina on the companies
respective assets and equipment. Baker Botts and
Vinson & Elkins exchanged drafts of the transaction
documents over the course of the day. That same day, the Forest
board of directors held a special meeting by teleconference.
Members of Forest management and representatives of Citigroup,
Vinson & Elkins and Weil, Gotshal & Manges
were also present at the meeting. Forest management and a
representative of Vinson & Elkins briefed the board on
the status of negotiations with Mariner and the current form of
the transaction agreements. Mr. Kenneth Heitner of Weil,
Gotshal & Manges briefed the board regarding the
various tax issues that were relevant to the spin-off, how those
issues were addressed in the transaction agreements, and the
constraints that Mariner and Forest would face in the future in
order to maintain favorable tax treatment of the spin-off.
Vinson & Elkins advised the board regarding various
corporate law matters and confirmed that a superior offer
termination provision in favor of Forest was not necessary from
a legal point of view. Forest management also briefed the board
regarding Forests on-going investigation of the potential
impact of Hurricane Katrina on both Forest and Mariner.
On August 30, 2005, the board of directors of Mariner held
a special meeting by teleconference, at which Mariners
management, together with Lehman Brothers and Baker Botts,
updated the board on the proposed transaction and related
matters, including the strategic and business considerations
relating to the transaction, the ongoing diligence review, the
status of discussions between the parties and the principal
terms of the transaction agreements. Lehman Brothers discussed
with the board the expected financial terms of the transaction
and the preliminary valuation analyses it had performed with
respect to Mariner and the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations,
noting that the valuation inputs and ranges used in the analysis
were subject to change until due diligence was completed and the
terms of the transaction were finalized. A representative of
Baker Botts reviewed in detail the fiduciary termination
provisions of the agreement and certain other principal terms of
the transaction agreements. Following extensive discussion,
including discussions regarding the potential impact of
Hurricane Katrina on both Mariner and the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations, the Mariner board authorized continuing discussions
regarding the proposed transaction.
On August 31, 2005, Messrs. Clark and Josey met by
teleconference to finalize their agreement with respect to
retention arrangements and to provide one another with updates
regarding the potential impact of Hurricane Katrina on the
companies respective assets.
On September 1, 2005, the Forest board of directors met by
teleconference. Members of Forest management and representatives
of Citigroup, Vinson & Elkins and Weil,
Gotshal & Manges were also present at the meeting. At
this meeting, the Forest board was updated on financial and
other aspects of the transaction, including Forests
investigation of the potential impact of Hurricane Katrina on
Forest and Mariner and the status of negotiations with Mariner.
The Forest board then granted full authority to the executive
committee to finalize the transaction agreements.
On September 3 and 4, 2005, representatives from
Forest and Mariner conducted visual inspections by helicopter
and fixed-wing aircraft of certain of Forests and
Mariners properties in the Gulf of Mexico in order to
assess the damage sustained as a result of Hurricane Katrina.
From September 2 through September 6, 2005, the parties
exchanged revised drafts of the transaction agreements. On
September 6, 2005, the executive committee of Forests
board met by teleconference. Members of Forest management were
also present at the meeting. The executive committee was briefed
by management on the status of discussions with Mariner and
regarding Forests investigation of the potential impact of
Hurricane Katrina on Forest and Mariner. The executive committee
instructed Forest management regarding necessary changes to the
transaction agreements, focusing on the need to clarify the
impact of Hurricane Katrina.
On September 7, 2005, Mr. Keyte of Forest and
Mr. Melendrez of Mariner met by teleconference to resolve
the remaining issues relating to the transaction, including the
limitation applicable to the specified abandonment and
environmental liabilities and the scope of the condition to
closing that Forest obtain the consent of its bondholders. The
parties reached compromises on both points and also agreed to
exchange written reports detailing the damage sustained to their
respective assets as a result of Hurricane Katrina,
48
which reports, along with finalized projections for both
companies, were subsequently exchanged on September 8, 2005.
On September 9, 2005, the board of directors of Mariner
held a special meeting by teleconference, to review the proposed
transaction. At the meeting, Mariners management, together
with representatives of Lehman Brothers and Baker Botts,
apprised the Mariner board of the status of discussions and
reviewed the terms of the transaction as reflected in the final
forms of the transaction agreements. Lehman Brothers delivered
its oral opinion (subsequently confirmed in writing) to the
board that, as of September 9, 2005, based upon and subject
to the factors and assumptions set forth in the opinion, the
exchange ratio in the merger was fair from a financial point of
view to Mariner. There were no material differences between
Lehman Brothers written opinion and the oral opinion given
at the board meeting. Baker Botts advised the board regarding
certain corporate law matters. Following extensive discussion,
the Mariner board approved the merger and the merger agreement
and resolved to recommend that Mariners stockholders vote
to adopt the merger agreement. That same day, the executive
committee of Forests board of directors met by
teleconference. Members of Forest management and representatives
of Citigroup and Vinson & Elkins were also present at
the meeting. At this meeting, the executive committee was
briefed on the final form of the transaction agreements
(including the agreed upon financial terms of the transaction as
reflected in the transaction documents) and on Forests
latest assessment of Hurricane Katrinas impact on Forest
and Mariner. After full discussion, the executive committee
approved the final form of the merger agreement and other
transaction agreements. Shortly after the meetings, the merger
agreement and other transaction agreements were executed by the
parties to the agreements.
Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of the Mariner Board
of Directors
The Mariner board of directors has determined that the merger is
fair to and in the best interests of Mariner and its
stockholders, and that the merger agreement is advisable. The
Mariner board of directors has unanimously approved the merger
agreement, the proposed amendment to the certificate of
incorporation and the proposed amendment and restatement of the
stock incentive plan, and recommends the adoption of the merger
agreement and the approval of the other proposals by the Mariner
stockholders.
In considering the recommendation of the Mariner board of
directors with respect to the merger, you should be aware that
some executive officers and directors of Mariner have interests
in the merger that may be different from, or in addition to, the
interests of Mariner stockholders generally. The Mariner board
of directors was aware of these interests in approving the
merger and merger agreement. Please refer to The Mariner
Annual Meeting Interests of Certain Persons in the
Merger beginning on page 39 for more information
about these interests.
In reaching its decision on the merger, the Mariner board of
directors considered a number of factors, including the
following:
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the increased size of the combined company, which would have
approximately three times the pro forma daily net production of
Mariner on a stand-alone basis, could reduce volatility related
to large-scale deepwater projects, and could allow it to
participate in larger scale exploratory and development drilling
projects and acquisition opportunities than would be available
to Mariner on a stand-alone basis; |
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the merger would be expected to increase Mariners
estimated proved reserves, on a pro forma basis as of
December 31, 2004, by approximately 243%, making Mariner
larger on a reserve basis than many of its peer companies, and
would more than double Mariners undeveloped acreage; |
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the integration of the businesses and the realization of
expected benefits could be facilitated by the fact that Mariner
is already active in the Gulf of Mexico with assets that are
complementary to the Forest Gulf of Mexico assets; |
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the merger could generate increased visibility in the capital
markets and trading liquidity for the combined company, which
could enhance the market valuation of Mariner common stock; |
49
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the merger would increase the number of Mariners producing
fields by approximately 400%, thereby diversifying
Mariners asset base and reducing Mariners dependence
on a concentrated number of properties; |
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the assets comprising the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations,
which historically have been used as a cash flow generator for
Forest, could be candidates for increased exploitation; |
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oil and natural gas prices are currently at or near historical
highs, which could increase the revenues and enhance the
profitability of the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations; |
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the merger would be consummated only if approved by the holders
of a majority of the Mariner common stock; |
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the merger is structured as a tax-free reorganization for
U.S. federal income tax purposes and, accordingly, would
not be taxable either to Mariner or its stockholders; |
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the boards belief that the potential financial benefits
stemming from the enhanced growth prospects of the combined
company outweigh the anticipated direct and indirect costs of
the merger; |
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the terms of the merger agreement permit Mariner to terminate
the merger agreement at any time before the meeting to accept a
superior proposal, subject to its obligation to comply with
certain procedural requirements and to pay a termination fee and
expense reimbursement; and |
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the opinion, dated September 9, 2005, of Lehman Brothers
Inc. to the Mariner board of directors that, as of that date,
based upon and subject to the factors and assumptions set forth
in the opinion, the exchange ratio in the merger was fair from a
financial point of view to Mariner. |
The Mariner board of directors also identified and considered
some risks and potential disadvantages associated with the
merger, including the following:
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the risk that there may be difficulties in combining the
business of Mariner and the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations; |
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the risk that the potential benefits sought in the merger might
not be fully realized; |
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the risk that the proved undeveloped, probable and possible
reserves of the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations may never be
converted to proved developed reserves; |
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the risks inherent in owning properties located in the Gulf of
Mexico, including the risks of future hurricanes that could
damage or destroy the acquired properties; |
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the risk that current high commodity prices could fall, thereby
reducing the profitability of the acquired operations; |
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the risk that the merger might not be completed; |
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the fact that, in order to preserve the tax-free treatment of
the spin-off, Mariner would be required to abide by restrictions
that could reduce its ability to engage in certain business
transactions that otherwise might be advantageous; |
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the fact that under the merger agreement, Mariner could be
required to pay Forest a termination fee and expense
reimbursement in certain circumstances; and |
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certain of the other matters described under Risk
Factors beginning on page 24. |
In the judgment of the Mariner board of directors, the potential
benefits of the merger outweigh the risks and the potential
disadvantages. In view of the variety of factors considered in
connection with its evaluation of the proposed merger and the
terms of the merger agreement, the Mariner board of directors
did not quantify or assign relative weights to the factors
considered in reaching its conclusion. Rather, the Mariner board
of directors views its recommendation as being based on the
totality of the information presented to and considered by it.
In addition, individual Mariner directors may have given
different weights to different factors.
50
Certain Financial Projections
In connection with the due diligence process during
negotiations, Mariner and Forest provided each other with
financial and operating projections for 2005 and 2006.
Mariners projections are summarized below.
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2005 | |
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2006 | |
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| |
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Revenue (in millions)
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$ |
230.2 |
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$ |
421.4 |
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EBITDA (in millions)
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$ |
185.2 |
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$ |
353.9 |
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Net income (in millions)
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$ |
60.9 |
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$ |
158.7 |
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Net income per common share
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$ |
1.71 |
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$ |
4.45 |
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Capital expenditures (in millions)
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$ |
257.4 |
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$ |
250.5 |
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Mariners projections were based on a number of
assumptions, including the following:
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weighted average common shares outstanding of 35.6 million
in both periods; |
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NYMEX prices for oil and Henry Hub prices for gas, as adjusted
for pricing differentials and hedging contracts in place at such
date as follows: |
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2005 | |
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2006 | |
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Oil (per Bbl)
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$ |
41.27 |
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$ |
48.83 |
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Gas (per Mcf)
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$ |
6.86 |
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$ |
7.87 |
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Total (per Mcfe)
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$ |
6.87 |
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$ |
7.94 |
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annual production as follows: |
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2005 | |
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2006 | |
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Oil (MBbls)
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1.9 |
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2.4 |
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Gas (Bcf)
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21.6 |
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38.8 |
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Total (Bcfe)
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33.2 |
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53.1 |
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a depreciation, depletion and amortization rate of $1.84 per
Mcfe for 2005 and $1.80 per Mcfe for 2006; |
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an effective income tax rate of 35% in each period; and |
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various assumptions relating to delays in scheduled commencement
of production at Pluto, Swordfish, Ochre and Dice, suspension of
production at producing fields and increased capital
expenditures due to Hurricane Katrina. |
Forests projections for the Forest Gulf of Mexico
Operations are summarized below.
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Six Months Ended | |
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December 31, | |
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2005 | |
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2006 | |
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Revenue (in millions)
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$ |
214.1 |
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$ |
529.4 |
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EBITDA (in millions)
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$ |
173.5 |
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$ |
450.5 |
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Net income (in millions)
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$ |
43.9 |
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$ |
124.3 |
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Net income per common share
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$ |
0.87 |
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$ |
2.45 |
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Capital expenditures (in millions)
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$ |
123.0 |
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$ |
202.3 |
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51
Forests projections were based on a number of assumptions,
including the following:
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weighted average common shares outstanding of 50.6 million
in each period; |
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NYMEX prices for oil and Henry Hub prices for gas, as adjusted
for pricing differentials and hedging contracts in place at such
date as follows: |
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Six Months Ended | |
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December 31, | |
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2005 | |
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2006 | |
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Oil (per Bbl)
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$ |
47.42 |
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$ |
48.41 |
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Gas (per Mcf)
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$ |
6.64 |
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$ |
7.13 |
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Total (per Mcfe)
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$ |
7.02 |
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$ |
7.35 |
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Six Months Ended | |
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December 31, | |
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2005 | |
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2006 | |
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Oil (MBbls)
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1.5 |
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2.9 |
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Gas (Bcf)
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21.3 |
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54.7 |
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Total (Bcfe)
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30.5 |
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72.0 |
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a depreciation, depletion and amortization rate of $3.26 per
Mcfe for 2005 and $3.43 per Mcfe for 2006; |
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an effective income tax rate of 35% in each period; |
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the allocation from July 1, 2005 to December 31, 2005 of
general and administrative expenses as set forth in the
distribution agreement; |
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net hedging losses of $11.7 million for the six months
ended December 31, 2005 and $19.5 million in 2006; |
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various assumptions relating to general and administrative
expenses to reflect the allocation set forth in the distribution
agreement; and |
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transaction-related expenses of $12 million for the six
months ended December 31, 2005. |
Mariner and Forest make public only very limited information as
to future performance and neither company provides specific or
detailed information as to earnings or performance over an
extended period. The foregoing prospective financial information
is included in this proxy statement/prospectusinformation
statement only because this information was provided to the
other party during negotiations. The prospective financial
information of Mariner and Forest, which was prepared by the
respective management of Mariner and Forest, was not prepared
with a view to public disclosure or with a view toward complying
with the published guidelines of the SEC or the guidelines
established by the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants regarding prospective financial information. The
projections do not purport to present operations in accordance
with GAAP. The internal financial forecasts (upon which these
projections were based in part) are, in general, prepared solely
for internal use and capital budgeting and other management
decisions and are subjective in many respects and thus
susceptible to interpretations and periodic revision based on
actual experience and business developments. Neither
Mariners nor Forests independent auditors, nor any
other independent accountants, have compiled, examined or
performed any procedures with respect to the prospective
financial information, nor have they expressed any opinion or
any other form of assurance on such information or its
achievability, and assume no responsibility for, and disclaim
any association with, the prospective financial information.
In addition to the specific assumptions set forth above, the
projections also reflect numerous assumptions made by management
of both companies, including assumptions with respect to general
business, economic, market and financial conditions and other
matters, including effective tax rates and interest rates and
the anticipated amount of borrowings, all of which are difficult
to predict and many of which are beyond the control of the
preparing party. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the
assumptions made in preparing
52
the projections will prove accurate. Actual results may be
materially greater or less than those contained in the
projections. The inclusion of the projections in this proxy
statement/prospectusinformation statement should not be
regarded as an indication that the projections will be
predictive of actual future events, and the projections should
not be relied upon as such.
The projections were disclosed to the other party and its
representatives as a matter of due diligence, and are included
in this proxy statement/ prospectus/information statement on
that account. Each of Mariner and Forest believes that the
projections prepared by it were reasonable at the time they were
made; however, none of Mariner or Forest or any of their
respective representatives has made or makes any representation
to any stockholder regarding the ultimate performance of Mariner
or the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations compared to the
information contained in the projections, and none of them
intends to update or otherwise revise the projections to reflect
circumstances existing after the date when made or to reflect
the occurrence of future events in the event that any or all of
the assumptions underlying the projections are shown to be in
error. In particular, these projections were prepared prior to,
and do not take into account the full effects of business
interruptions due to, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in August 2005
and September 2005, respectively.
Opinion of Mariners Financial Advisor
Mariner engaged Lehman Brothers to act as its financial advisor
in connection with the merger. On September 9, 2005, Lehman
Brothers rendered its written opinion to the board of directors
of Mariner, that, as of that date, based upon and subject to the
matters stated in its opinion letter, from a financial point of
view, the exchange ratio of 1.0 share of Mariner common
stock for each share of Forest Energy Resources common stock in
the merger was fair to Mariner.
The Mariner board of directors determined that the process
leading up to the execution of the merger agreement was
procedurally fair to all stockholders, including unaffiliated
stockholders. The board did not obtain an independent
advisors opinion with respect to procedural fairness,
because numerous factors supported the conclusion that
sufficient procedural safeguards existed to protect the
interests of all stockholders, including the following:
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the fact that Mariners board of directors unanimously
approved the merger, including all directors with no interest in
the merger other than their interests as stockholders of Mariner; |
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the fact that the stockholders of Mariner will be given the
opportunity to vote on the merger, and that the merger agreement
would not be adopted without the affirmative vote of at least a
majority of Mariners common stock; |
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the fact that Mariner does not have a controlling stockholder,
and that directors and officers of Mariner own less than 11% of
the outstanding stock of Mariner; |
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the fact that independent financial and legal advisors were
retained to assist in the negotiation of the terms of the merger
agreement, the distribution agreement and the other ancillary
agreements; and |
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the fact that Mariner received a written opinion from its
independent financial advisor as to the fairness, from a
financial point of view, of the merger consideration. |
The full text of Lehman Brothers opinion dated
September 9, 2005, which sets forth assumptions made,
procedures followed, matters considered and limitations upon the
review undertaken in connection with the opinion, is included as
Annex B to this joint proxy
statement/prospectus-information statement. The following is a
summary of Lehman Brothers opinion and the methodology
that Lehman Brothers used to render its opinion. This summary is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the
opinion.
Lehman Brothers advisory services and opinion were
provided for the information and assistance of the board of
directors of Mariner in connection with its consideration of the
merger. Lehman Brothers opinion is not intended to be and
does not constitute a recommendation to any stockholder of
Mariner as to how such stockholder should vote in connection
with the merger. Lehman Brothers was not requested to opine as
to, and Lehman Brothers opinion does not in any manner
address, Mariners underlying business decision to proceed
with or effect the merger.
53
In arriving at its opinion, Lehman Brothers reviewed, among
other things:
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the merger agreement, the distribution agreement, the other
transaction agreements and the specific terms of the merger; |
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publicly available information concerning Mariner that Lehman
Brothers believed to be relevant to its analysis, including,
without limitation, the Amendment No. 1 to the Registration
Statement on
Form S-1 filed on
July 26, 2005 by Mariner; |
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publicly available information concerning Forest that Lehman
Brothers believed to be relevant to its analysis, including,
without limitation, the Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2004 and the Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q for the
periods ended March 31, 2005 and June 30, 2005; |
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financial and operating information with respect to the
business, operations and prospects of Mariner as furnished to
Lehman Brothers by Mariner, including financial projections and
oil and gas reserve estimates as of June 30, 2005 for
Mariner as prepared by the management of Mariner; |
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financial and operating information with respect to the Forest
Gulf of Mexico operations as furnished to Lehman Brothers by
Forest, including financial projections and oil and gas reserve
estimates as of June 30, 2005 for the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations as prepared by the management of Forest; |
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a comparison of the historical financial results and present
financial condition of Mariner and the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations with each other and with those of other companies
that Lehman Brothers deemed relevant; |
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a comparison of the financial terms of the merger with the
financial terms of certain other transactions that Lehman
Brothers deemed relevant; |
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commodity prices assumptions used by the management of Mariner,
commodity prices assumptions published by Lehman Brothers equity
research, and commodity prices as quoted on the NYMEX on
August 19, 2005 (collectively the Commodity Price
Assumptions); |
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estimates of certain proved reserves generated by third-party
reserve engineers as of December 31, 2004 for Mariner and
the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations; |
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the potential pro forma impact of the merger on the current
financial condition and future financial performance of Mariner,
including the impact on Mariners operating metrics,
including, the composition of its reserves between oil and gas;
the percentage of reserves attributable to onshore, the shelf of
the Gulf of Mexico and deepwater Gulf of Mexico; and the ratio
of reserves as of June 30, 2005 to 2005 expected production; |
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the relative contributions of Mariner and the Forest Gulf of
Mexico operations to the current and future financial
performance of the combined company on a pro forma basis; |
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the report dated as of September 9, 2005, prepared by the
management of Mariner, assessing the damage to the Gulf of
Mexico assets of Mariner caused by Hurricane Katrina; and |
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the report dated as of September 9, 2005, prepared by the
management of Forest, assessing the damage to the Gulf of Mexico
assets of the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations caused by
Hurricane Katrina. |
In addition, Lehman Brothers had discussions with the
managements of Mariner and Forest concerning their respective
businesses, operations, assets, financial conditions, reserves,
production profiles, hedging levels, exploration programs and
prospects of Mariner and the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations
and undertook such other studies, analyses and investigations as
Lehman Brothers deemed appropriate.
In arriving at its opinion, Lehman Brothers assumed and relied
upon the accuracy and completeness of the financial and other
information used by Lehman Brothers without assuming any
responsibility for independent verification of such information.
Lehman Brothers further relied upon the assurances of the
managements of Mariner and Forest that they were not aware of
any facts or circumstances that would make
54
such information inaccurate or misleading. With respect to the
financial projections of Mariner, upon advice of Mariner, Lehman
Brothers assumed that such projections were reasonably prepared
on a basis reflecting the best currently available estimates and
judgments of the management of Mariner as to the future
financial performance of Mariner and that Mariner would perform
substantially in accordance with such projections. With respect
to the financial projections of the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations, upon advice of Forest, Lehman Brothers assumed that
such projections were reasonably prepared on a basis reflecting
the best currently available estimates and judgments of the
management of Forest as to the future financial performance of
the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations and that the Forest Gulf of
Mexico operations would perform substantially in accordance with
such projections. However, in the course of its analysis and in
arriving at its opinion, Lehman Brothers also considered the
various Commodity Price Assumptions, which resulted in certain
adjustments to the projections of Mariner and the Forest Gulf of
Mexico operations. Lehman Brothers discussed these adjusted
projections with the management of Mariner and they agreed with
the appropriateness of the use of such adjusted projections, as
well as Forests management projections, in performing its
analysis.
In arriving at its opinion, Lehman Brothers did not conduct a
physical inspection of the properties and facilities of Mariner
and the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations and did not make or
obtain from third parties any evaluations or appraisals of the
assets and liabilities of Mariner or the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations. Lehman Brothers opinion is necessarily based
upon market, economic and other conditions as they existed on,
and could be evaluated as of, the date of its opinion letter.
In arriving at its opinion, Lehman Brothers did not ascribe a
specific range of value to Mariner or the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations, but rather made its determination as to the fairness
to Mariner, from a financial point of view, of the exchange
ratio in the merger on the basis of the financial, comparative
and other analyses described below. The preparation of a
fairness opinion involves various determinations as to the most
appropriate and relevant methods of financial, comparative and
other analyses and the application of those methods to the
particular circumstances, and, therefore, such an opinion is not
readily susceptible to summary description. Furthermore, in
arriving at its fairness opinion, Lehman Brothers did not
attribute any particular weight to any analysis or factor
considered by it, but rather made qualitative judgments as to
the significance and relevance of each analysis and factor.
Accordingly, Lehman Brothers believes that its analyses must be
considered as a whole and that considering any portion of such
analyses and factors considered, without considering all
analyses and factors as a whole, could create a misleading or
incomplete view of the process underlying the opinion. In its
analyses, Lehman Brothers made numerous assumptions with respect
to industry performance, general business and economic
conditions and other matters, many of which are beyond the
control of Mariner or Forest. Any estimates contained in the
analyses are not necessarily indicative of actual values or
predictive of future results or values, which may be
significantly more or less favorable than as set forth in the
analyses. In addition, analyses relating to the value of
businesses do not purport to be appraisals or to reflect the
prices at which businesses could actually be sold.
The following is a summary of the material financial analyses
used by Lehman Brothers in connection with providing its opinion
to Mariners board of directors. The financial analyses
summarized below include information presented in tabular
format. In order to fully understand the methodologies used by
Lehman Brothers and the results of financial, comparative and
other analyses, the tables must be read together with the text
of each summary. The tables alone do not constitute a complete
description of the financial, comparative and other analyses.
Considering any portion of such analyses and of the factors
considered, without considering all analyses and factors as a
whole, could create a misleading or incomplete view of the
process underlying Lehman Brothers opinion.
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Valuation Analyses Used to Derive Implied Exchange
Ratios |
Lehman Brothers separately analyzed the value of Mariner and the
Forest Gulf of Mexico operations in accordance with the
following methodologies: net asset valuation analysis,
comparable company analysis and comparable transaction analysis.
Each of these methodologies was used to generate a reference
enterprise value range for each of Mariner and the Forest Gulf
of Mexico operations. The enterprise value range for each entity
was adjusted for appropriate on- and off-balance sheet assets
and liabilities to arrive at a common equity
55
value range (in aggregate dollars) for each entity. The equity
value range for each entity was used to derive implied exchange
ratios which were then compared to the exchange ratio agreed to
in the merger. The implied exchange ratios, derived using the
various valuation methodologies listed, supported the conclusion
that the exchange ratio agreed to in the merger was fair to
Mariner from a financial point of view.
The various valuation methodologies noted above and the implied
exchange ratios derived therefrom are included in the following
table. This table should be read together with the more
detailed descriptions set forth below. In particular, in
applying the various valuation methodologies to the particular
businesses, operations and prospects of Mariner and the Forest
Gulf of Mexico operations, and the particular circumstances of
the merger, Lehman Brothers made qualitative judgments as to the
significance and relevance of each analysis. In addition, Lehman
Brothers made numerous assumptions with respect to industry
performance, general business and economic conditions and other
matters, many of which are beyond the control of Mariner or
Forest. Accordingly, the methodologies and the implied exchange
ratios derived therefrom set forth in the table must be
considered as a whole and in the context of the narrative
description of the financial analyses, including the assumptions
underlying these analyses. Considering the implied exchange
ratios set forth in the table without considering the full
narrative description of the financial analyses, including the
assumptions underlying these analyses, could create a misleading
or incomplete view of the process underlying, and conclusions
represented by, Lehman Brothers opinion.
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Implied | |
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Exchange | |
Valuation Methodology |
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Summary Description of Valuation Methodology |
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Ratio Range* | |
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Net Asset Valuation Analysis
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Net present valuation of after-tax cash flows generated by
producing to exhaustion existing proved reserves, using selected
hydrocarbon pricing scenarios and discount rates plus the
evaluation of probable and possible reserves and certain other
assets and liabilities |
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Case I Commodity Prices |
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0.84 - 1.11 |
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Case II Commodity Prices |
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0.95 - 1.30 |
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Case III Commodity Prices |
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0.88 - 1.14 |
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Comparable Company Analysis
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Market valuation benchmark based on trading multiples of
selected comparable companies for selected financial and
asset-based measures |
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0.78 - 1.14 |
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Comparable Transactions Analysis
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Market valuation benchmark based on consideration paid in
selected comparable transactions |
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0.80 - 1.32 |
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Exchange Ratio in the Merger
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1.00* |
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* |
Shares of Forest Energy Resources will be exchanged for shares
of Mariner on a one-for-one basis. The exchange ratio represents
the number of Mariner shares to be issued in the merger for each
Forest Energy Resources share. As a result of this exchange
ratio and the number of shares of Forest Energy Resources to be
issued in the spin-off, Forest shareholders will receive
approximately 0.8 shares of Mariner common stock for each
share of Forest common stock they own and cash in lieu of any
fractional shares. |
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Net Asset Valuation Analysis |
Lehman Brothers estimated the present value of the future
after-tax cash flows expected to be generated from each
entitys proved reserves as of June 30, 2005, based on
estimated reserves and production cost estimates. The present
values of the future after-tax cash flows were determined using
a range of discount rates and risking factors based on geography
and reserve category risk and assuming a tax rate of 35%. Lehman
Brothers added to such estimated proved reserves the estimated
values of certain other assets and liabilities, including each
of Mariners and the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations
probable and possible
56
reserves, each of Mariners and the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations exploration portfolio, and each of
Mariners and the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations
current commodity hedging portfolio. The net asset valuation
analysis was performed under three commodity price scenarios
(Case I, Case II and Case III), which are
described below.
Certain of the natural gas and oil price forecasts employed by
Lehman Brothers were based on New York Mercantile Exchange, or
NYMEX, price forecasts (Henry Hub, Louisiana delivery for
natural gas and West Texas Intermediate, Cushing, Oklahoma
delivery for oil) from which adjustments were made to reflect
location and quality differentials. NYMEX gas price quotations
are stated in heating value equivalents per million British
Thermal Units, or MMBtu, which are adjusted to reflect the value
per thousand cubic feet, or MCF, of gas. NYMEX oil price
quotations are stated in dollars per barrel, or BBL, of crude
oil. In addition to the NYMEX prices, Lehman Brothers considered
the impact of a flat pricing scenario in which we employed
natural gas and oil prices of $5.00 per MMBtu, and
$45.00 per BBL respectively. In another pricing scenario,
we valued the proved developed producing reserves using NYMEX
pricing and all other categories using $5.00 per MMBtu and
$45.00 per BBL for gas and oil, respectively. The table
below presents a summary of natural gas and oil price forecasts
employed by Lehman Brothers for each commodity price scenario.
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Escalation | |
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2005E | |
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2006E | |
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2007E | |
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2008E | |
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2009E | |
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2010E | |
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Thereafter | |
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Natural Gas ($MMBtu)
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Case I: All reserve classifications
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$ |
5.00 |
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$ |
5.00 |
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$ |
5.00 |
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$ |
5.00 |
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$ |
5.00 |
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$ |
5.00 |
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0.0% |
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Case II:
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Proved developed producing reserves
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$ |
9.24 |
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$ |
8.89 |
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$ |
8.29 |
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$ |
7.85 |
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$ |
7.47 |
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$ |
7.14 |
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0.0% |
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All other reserve classifications
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$ |
5.00 |
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$ |
5.00 |
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$ |
5.00 |
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$ |
5.00 |
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$ |
5.00 |
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$ |
5.00 |
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0.0% |
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Case III: All reserve classifications
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$ |
9.24 |
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$ |
8.89 |
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$ |
8.29 |
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$ |
7.85 |
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$ |
7.47 |
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$ |
7.14 |
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0.0% |
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Oil ($/BBL)
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Case I: All reserve classifications
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$ |
45.00 |
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$ |
45.00 |
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$ |
45.00 |
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$ |
45.00 |
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$ |
45.00 |
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$ |
45.00 |
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0.0% |
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Case II:
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Proved developed producing reserves
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$ |
64.06 |
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$ |
64.81 |
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$ |
62.71 |
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$ |
60.55 |
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$ |
59.15 |
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$ |
58.45 |
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0.0% |
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All other reserve classifications
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$ |
45.00 |
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$ |
45.00 |
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$ |
45.00 |
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$ |
45.00 |
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$ |
45.00 |
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$ |
45.00 |
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0.0% |
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Case III: All reserve classifications
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$ |
64.06 |
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$ |
64.81 |
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$ |
62.71 |
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$ |
60.55 |
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$ |
59.15 |
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$ |
58.45 |
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0.0% |
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The net asset valuation analyses yielded valuations for Mariner
and the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations that implied a range of
exchange ratios of 0.84 to 1.11 for Case I, a range of
exchange ratios of 0.95 to 1.30 for Case II and a range of
exchange ratios of 0.88 to 1.14 for Case III.
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Comparable Company Analysis |
With respect to Mariner, Lehman Brothers reviewed the public
stock market trading multiples for the following exploration and
production companies, which Lehman Brothers selected because
their businesses and operating profiles are reasonably similar
to that of Mariner:
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Bois dArc Energy, Inc. |
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Comstock Resources, Inc. |
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Energy Partners, Ltd. |
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The Houston Exploration Company |
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Remington Oil and Gas Corporation |
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Spinnaker Exploration Company |
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Stone Energy Corporation |
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W&T Offshore, Inc. |
57
As part of its comparable company analysis, Lehman Brothers
calculated and analyzed Mariners and each comparable
companys equity and adjusted capitalization multiples of
certain historical and projected financial and operating
criteria (such as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation,
depletion, amortization and exploration expense, or EBITDE; net
income; discretionary cash flow, or DCF; proved reserves; and
daily production). The adjusted capitalization of each
comparable company was obtained by adding its total debt to the
sum of the market value of its common equity, the book value of
its preferred stock and the book value of any minority interest
minus its cash balance. The ratios of each comparable company of
adjusted capitalization to proved reserves and to daily
production were calculated by excluding from each selected
companys adjusted capitalization calculation, an estimate
of the value of non-proved reserves and other businesses that
are unrelated to exploration and production of oil and gas.
Based on a review of the multiples derived for the comparable
companies, Lehman Brothers selected multiple ranges to apply to
Mariners corresponding financial and operating statistics.
The selected multiple ranges applied to Mariners projected
2005 and projected 2006 EBITDE statistics were 3.5x to 4.0x and
3.4x to 3.9x, respectively. The selected multiple ranges applied
to Mariners projected 2005 and projected 2006 earnings
statistics were 8.0x to 10.0x and 8.0 to 10.0x, respectively.
The selected multiple ranges applied to Mariners projected
2005 and projected 2006 DCF statistics were 3.0x to 3.5x and 2.8
to 3.3x, respectively. The selected multiple ranges applied to
Mariners proved reserve statistics were $15.00 to
$18.00 per barrel of oil equivalent, referred to as BOE,
and $2.50 to $3.00 per thousand cubic feet equivalent,
referred to as Mcfe. The selected multiple ranges applied to
Mariners daily production statistics were $48,000 to
$60,000 per thousand barrels of oil equivalent produced per
day, referred to as MBOE/d, and $8,000 to $10,000 per
million cubic feet equivalent produced per day, referred to as
Mmcfe/d. For the proved reserves and daily production multiples,
an estimate of the value of Mariners non-proved reserves
(including probable and possible reserves and Mariners
exploration portfolio) was added to the analysis. All of these
calculations were performed, and based on publicly available
financial data, including independent equity research analyst
estimates, and closing prices as of September 8, 2005, the
last trading date prior to the delivery of Lehman Brothers
opinion.
With respect to the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations, Lehman
Brothers reviewed the public stock market trading multiples for
the following exploration and production companies, which Lehman
Brothers selected because their businesses and operating
profiles are reasonably similar to that of the Forest Gulf of
Mexico operations:
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Bois dArc Energy, Inc. |
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Energy Partners, Ltd. |
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The Houston Exploration Company |
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Remington Oil and Gas Corporation |
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Spinnaker Exploration Company |
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Stone Energy Corporation |
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W&T Offshore, Inc. |
As part of its comparable company analysis, Lehman Brothers
calculated and analyzed the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations and each comparable companys equity and
adjusted capitalization multiples of certain historical and
projected financial and operating criteria (such as EBITDE, net
income, DCF, proved reserves, and daily production). The
adjusted capitalization of each comparable company was obtained
by adding its total debt to the sum of the market value of its
common equity, the book value of its preferred stock and the
book value of any minority interest minus its cash balance. The
ratios of each comparable company of adjusted capitalization to
proved reserves and to daily production were calculated by
excluding from each selected companys adjusted
capitalization calculation, an estimate of the value of
non-proved reserves and other businesses that are unrelated to
exploration and production of oil and gas.
58
Based on a review of the multiples derived for the comparable
companies, Lehman Brothers selected multiple ranges to apply to
the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations corresponding
financial and operating statistics. The selected multiple ranges
applied to the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations projected
2005 and projected 2006 EBITDE statistics were 3.0x to 3.5x and
2.9x to 3.4x, respectively. The selected multiple ranges applied
to the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations projected 2005 and
projected 2006 earnings statistics were 8.0x to 10.0x and 8.5 to
10.5x, respectively. The selected multiple ranges applied to the
Forest Gulf of Mexico operations projected 2005 and
projected 2006 DCF statistics were 2.8x to 3.3x and 2.6 to 3.1x,
respectively. The selected multiple ranges applied to the Forest
Gulf of Mexico operations proved reserve statistics were
$18.00 to $21.00 per BOE and $3.00 to $3.50 per Mcfe.
The selected multiple ranges applied to the Forest Gulf of
Mexico operations daily production statistics were $30,000
to $42,000 per MBOE/d and $5,000 to $7,000 per
Mmcfe/d. For the proved reserves and daily production multiples,
an estimate of the value of the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations non-proved reserves (including probable and
possible reserves and the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations
exploration portfolio) was added to the analysis. All of these
calculations were performed, and based on publicly available
financial data, including independent equity research analyst
estimates, and closing prices as of September 8, 2005, the
last trading date prior to the delivery of Lehman Brothers
opinion.
The comparable company methodology yielded valuations for
Mariner and the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations that implied a
range of exchange ratios of 0.78 to 1.14.
Because of the inherent differences between the corporate
structure, businesses, operations, commodity mix and prospects
of Mariner and the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations and the
corporate structure, businesses, operations, commodity mix and
prospects of the selected comparable companies, Lehman Brothers
believed that it was inappropriate to, and therefore did not
rely solely on the quantitative results of the comparable
company analysis. Accordingly, Lehman Brothers also made
qualitative judgments concerning differences between the
financial and operating characteristics and prospects of Mariner
and the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations and the companies
included in the comparable company analysis that would affect
the public trading values of each in order to provide a context
in which to consider the results of the quantitative analysis.
These qualitative judgments related primarily to the differing
sizes, growth prospects, profitability levels and degree of
operational risk between Mariner and the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations and the companies included in the comparable company
analysis.
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Comparable Transactions Analysis |
Lehman Brothers conducted a comparable transactions analysis to
assess how similar transactions were valued. In the case of
Mariner, Lehman Brothers reviewed certain publicly available
information on selected corporate level exploration and
production transactions it deemed comparable to the merger, in
whole or in part, which were announced from January 2001 to
September 2005. The transactions included, but were not limited
to:
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Petrohawk Energy Corporation/Mission Resources Corporation |
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Cimarex Energy Company/Magnum Hunter Resources, Inc. |
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Noble Energy Inc./Patina Oil & Gas Corporation |
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EnCana Corporation/Tom Brown, Inc. |
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Kerr-McGee Corporation/Westport Resources Corporation |
For the corporate transactions analysis, for each comparable
transaction, relevant transaction multiples were analyzed
including the transaction value (equity purchase price plus
assumed obligations) divided by proved reserves and daily
production. The selected multiple ranges applied to
Mariners proved reserve statistic were $13.50 to
$16.50 per BOE and $2.25 to $2.75 per Mcfe. The
selected multiple ranges applied to Mariners daily
production multiple ranges were $45,000 to $57,000 per
MBOE/d and $7,500 to $9,500 per Mmcfe/d. For the proved
reserves and daily production multiples, an estimate of the
value of Mariners non-proved reserves (including probable
and possible reserves and Mariners exploration portfolio).
59
In the case of the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations, Lehman
Brothers reviewed certain publicly available information on
selected corporate level exploration and production transactions
it deemed comparable to the merger, in whole or in part, which
were announced from January 2001 to September 2005. The
transactions included, but were not limited to:
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Cimarex Energy Company/Magnum Hunter Resources, Inc. |
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Noble Energy Inc./Patina Oil & Gas Corporation |
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EnCana Corporation/Tom Brown, Inc. |
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Kerr-McGee Corporation/Westport Resources Corporation |
For the corporate transactions analysis for each company,
relevant transaction multiples were analyzed including the
corresponding transaction values (equity purchase price plus
assumed obligations) divided by proved reserves and daily
production. The selected multiple ranges applied to the Forest
Gulf of Mexico operations proved reserve statistics were
$18.00 to $21.00 per BOE and $3.00 to $3.50 per Mcfe.
The selected multiple ranges applied to the Forest Gulf of
Mexico operations daily production statistic were $30,000
to $36,000 per MBOE/d and $5,000 to $6,000 per
Mmcfe/d. For the proved reserves and daily production multiples,
an estimate of the value of the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations non-proved reserves (including probable and
possible reserves and the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations
exploration portfolio).
The comparable transactions methodology yielded valuations for
Mariner and the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations that implied a
range of exchange ratios of 0.80 to 1.32.
Because the market conditions, rationale and circumstances
surrounding each of the transactions analyzed were specific to
each transaction and because of the inherent differences between
the businesses, operations and prospects of Mariner and the
Forest Gulf of Mexico operations and the acquired businesses
analyzed, Lehman Brothers believed that it was inappropriate to,
and therefore did not, rely solely on the quantitative results
of the analysis and, accordingly, also made qualitative
judgments concerning differences between the characteristics of
these transactions and the merger that could affect the
acquisition values of such acquired companies or companies to
which they are being compared.
Lehman Brothers analyzed the relative income statement
contribution of Mariner and the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations
to the combined company based on 2005 and 2006 financial data as
projected by the managements of Mariner and Forest,
respectively. The contribution analysis treats all cash flow and
earnings the same regardless of capitalization, expected growth
rates, upside potential or risk profile.
This analysis indicated that Mariner will contribute
approximately 39.5% to 51.5% of the combined companys net
income and 35.8% to 44.6% of the combined companys DCF for
the periods analyzed. This analysis indicated that the Forest
Gulf of Mexico operations will contribute approximately 48.5% to
60.5% of the combined companys net income and 55.4% to
64.2% of the combined companys DCF for the periods
analyzed.
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Pro Forma Merger Consequences Analysis |
Lehman Brothers analyzed the pro forma impact of the merger on
Mariners projected 2005 and 2006 earnings per share and
DCF per share. Lehman Brothers prepared a pro forma merger model
which incorporated the financial projections of Mariner and the
Forest Gulf of Mexico operations as provided by the managements
of Mariner and Forest, respectively. Lehman Brothers then
compared the earnings per share and DCF per share of Mariner on
a standalone basis to the earnings per share and DCF per share
of Mariner pro forma for the merger. Lehman Brothers noted that
the merger is expected to be dilutive to earnings per share and
accretive to DCF per share in 2005 and is expected to be
dilutive to both earnings and DCF per share in 2006.
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Lehman Brothers is an internationally recognized investment
banking firm and, as part of its investment banking activities,
is regularly engaged in the valuation of businesses and their
securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions,
negotiated underwritings, competitive bids, secondary
distributions of listed and unlisted securities, private
placements and valuations for corporate and other purposes.
Mariners board of directors selected Lehman Brothers
because of its expertise, reputation and familiarity with
Mariner and the energy industry generally and because its
investment banking professionals have substantial experience in
transactions comparable to the merger.
Pursuant to the terms of an engagement letter dated
August 9, 2005 between Lehman Brothers and Mariner, Mariner
paid Lehman Brothers a fee upon delivery of Lehman
Brothers opinion, dated September 9, 2005. Mariner
has also agreed to pay Lehman Brothers an additional fee at the
time of closing. Mariner also has agreed to reimburse Lehman
Brothers for its reasonable expenses incurred in connection with
this engagement, and to indemnify Lehman Brothers and certain
related persons against certain liabilities that may arise out
of its engagement by Mariner and the rendering of the Lehman
Brothers opinion. The estimated aggregate compensation
Lehman Brothers will receive in connection with the merger is
$3.0 million, of which $1.0 million was contingent on
the execution of a merger agreement and an additional
$1.25 million is contingent on the consummation of the
merger. Lehman Brothers from time to time renders investment
banking services to Mariner and Forest and receives customary
fees for such services. Lehman Brothers has provided no
financing advisory or other financing services to Mariner during
the past two years. In July 2004 Lehman Brothers participated as
an underwriter in a senior note offering of Forest. Lehman
Brothers aggregate compensation for the transaction was
$72,000.
During the course of its engagement, representatives of Lehman
Brothers participated in discussions with members of
Mariners senior management regarding the rationale for,
benefits of and risks and uncertainties relating to the merger.
Among the benefits discussed with senior management were the
economies of scale and the portfolio management opportunities
provided by the increases to proved reserves and undeveloped
acreage, the potential reduction in volatility related to
deepwater projects, and increased visibility in the capital
markets. Among the uncertainties discussed with senior
management were those related to current high commodity prices
and the possibility that probable and possible reserves of the
acquired operations may never be converted to proved developed
reserves.
In the ordinary course of its business, Lehman Brothers may
actively trade in the debt or equity securities of Mariner and
Forest for its own account and for the accounts of its customers
and, accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position
in such securities.
The Spin-Off
On September 12, 2005, Forest announced that Forest would
spin-off to its shareholders the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations, and that the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations would
immediately thereafter be acquired in a merger transaction by
Mariner. Forest is carrying out the spin-off to facilitate
Mariners acquisition of the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations and the spin-off is a condition to the merger. After
the spin-off and merger, Mariner will be a separately traded
public company that will own and operate the combination of
Mariners business and the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations.
As a result of the transaction, in addition to retaining all of
their shares of Forest common stock, Forest shareholders will
receive approximately 0.8 shares of Mariner common stock
for each share of Forest common stock owned on the record date
of the transaction. Forest shareholders will receive
approximately 58% of the common stock of Mariner on a pro forma
basis. Mariners common stock has been approved for listing
on the New York Stock Exchange upon the completion of the
merger.
While Forest believes the spin-off will allow Forest
shareholders to benefit from the success and upside potential of
Mariner, there are risks that are described under Risks
Factors beginning on page 24 of this proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement.
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Forests board of directors has determined that the
spin-off of the Gulf of Mexico operations and the combination of
these operations with Mariner are advisable and in the best
interests of Forest and its shareholders, and has approved the
proposed transaction. Forests board of directors has the
corporate authority under New York law to effect a spinoff of
the stock of a subsidiary such as Forest Energy Resources that
represents less than substantially all the assets of Forest.
Under Delaware law, Forest, as the sole stockholder of Forest
Energy Resources, has the authority to approve, and has
approved, the merger of MEI Sub with and into Forest Energy
Resources. Forest shareholders need not take any action to
participate in the spin-off or the merger no vote of
Forest shareholders is required in connection with this
transaction.
As of December 1, 2005, Forest has transferred and
contributed the assets and certain liabilities associated with
the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations to Forest Energy Resources
pursuant to the terms of the distribution agreement. The
distribution agreement is attached as Annex C to this proxy
statement/prospectus-information statement. See The
Distribution Agreement beginning on page 88.
Immediately prior to the merger, Forest will spin off Forest
Energy Resources by distributing all of the shares of Forest
Energy Resources common stock to Forest shareholders on a pro
rata basis. MEI Sub will then be merged with and into Forest
Energy Resources in accordance with the terms of the merger
agreement, with the result being that Forest Energy Resources
will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Mariner. The merger
agreement is attached as Annex A to this proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement. See The Spin-Off and
Merger beginning on page 41 and The Merger
Agreement beginning on page 74.
The distribution of Forest Energy Resources common stock will
take the form of a special stock dividend to Forest shareholders
of record on the record date for the dividend. Forest
shareholders who are entitled to receive shares of Forest Energy
Resources will be mailed book-entry statements evidencing their
shares of Forest Energy Resources. Upon completion of the
merger, the exchange of Forest Energy Resources shares and
Mariner shares will be effected through book-entry (with cash
paid in lieu of any fractional shares), without the exchange of
physical share certificates. Forest shareholders will not be
required to pay for the shares of Forest Energy Resources common
stock that they receive in the spin-off or the shares of Mariner
common stock that they receive in the merger. The distribution
of the Forest Energy Resources shares will not alter the number
of outstanding shares of Forest common stock, and Forest
shareholders should not send in their stock certificates
representing shares of Forest common stock.
Stock Exchange Listing
Mariners common stock has been approved for listing on the
New York Stock Exchange upon the completion of the merger.
Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws
The proposed amendment to Mariners certificate of
incorporation is in the form attached as Annex E to this
proxy statement/ prospectus-information statement. Following the
merger, the certificate of incorporation and by-laws of Mariner
would differ from the current certificate of incorporation and
by-laws only with respect to the number of authorized shares of
stock, which pursuant to the proposed amendment would be
increased from 90 million to 200 million.
Material United States Federal Tax Consequences of the
Spin-Off and the Merger
The following discussion summarizes certain material
U.S. tax consequences of the spin-off to Forest and its
shareholders, and the merger to Mariner stockholders and to
stockholders of Forest Energy Resources at the effective time of
the merger. It is a condition to the completion of the spin-off
that Forest receive an opinion from Weil, Gotshal &
Manges LLP, tax counsel to Forest, to the effect that the
spin-off will generally qualify as a distribution that is
tax-free under Sections 355 and 368 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended. The discussion below of the
Material U.S. Tax Consequences of the Spin-Off
represents the further opinion of Weil, Gotshal &
Manges LLP of the tax consequences of the spin-off that will
follow from the distribution qualifying as tax-free under
Sections 355 and Section 368 of the Internal Revenue
Code. It is
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a condition to the completion of the merger that Forest and
Forest Energy Resources receive an opinion from Weil,
Gotshal & Manges LLP, tax counsel to Forest and to
Forest Energy Resources, and that Mariner receive an opinion
from Baker Botts L.L.P., tax counsel to Mariner, in both cases
dated as of the effective date of the merger, to the effect that
the merger will qualify as a reorganization within the meaning
of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. The
discussion below of the Material U.S. Tax
Consequences of the Merger represents the further opinions
of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP and Baker Botts L.L.P. of
the tax consequences of the merger that will follow from the
merger qualifying as a reorganization under Section 368(a)
of the Internal Revenue Code.
This discussion is based upon existing U.S. tax law,
including legislation, regulations, administrative rulings and
court decisions, as in effect on the date of this proxy
statement/ prospectus-information statement, all of which are
subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect.
For purposes of this discussion:
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a U.S. holder is a beneficial owner of Forest,
Forest Energy Resources or Mariner common stock that is
(1) an individual citizen or resident of the U.S.,
(2) a corporation or any other entity taxable as a
corporation created or organized in or under the laws of the
U.S. or of a state of the U.S. or the District of
Columbia, (3) a trust (i) in respect of which a
U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the
administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons
have the authority to control all substantive decisions of the
trust or (ii) that was in existence on August 20, 1996
and validly elected to continue to be treated as a domestic
trust, or (4) an estate that is subject to U.S. tax on
its worldwide income from all sources; |
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a
non-U.S. holder
is any holder of Forest, Forest Energy Resources or Mariner
common stock other than a U.S. holder; and |
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the term U.S. tax means U.S. federal
income tax under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. |
The discussion assumes that holders hold their Forest, Forest
Energy Resources or Mariner common stock, as applicable, as
capital assets. Other tax consequences may apply to holders who
are subject to special treatment under U.S. tax or
U.S. federal estate tax law, such as:
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tax exempt organizations; |
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financial institutions, insurance companies and broker-dealers; |
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holders who hold their Forest, Forest Energy Resources or
Mariner common stock, as applicable, as part of a hedge,
straddle, wash sale, synthetic security, conversion transaction
or other integrated investment comprised of Forest, Forest
Energy Resources or Mariner common stock and one or more other
investments; |
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mutual funds; |
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holders that have a functional currency other than the
U.S. dollar; |
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traders in securities who elect to apply a
mark-to-market method
of accounting; |
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holders who acquired their shares in compensatory transactions; |
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holders who are subject to the alternative minimum tax; or |
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non-U.S. holders
who are or have previously been engaged in the conduct of a
trade or business in the U.S. or who have ceased to be
U.S. citizens or to be taxed as resident aliens. |
In the case of a stockholder that is a partnership,
determinations as to tax consequences will generally be made at
the partner level, but other special considerations not
described may apply. The discussion is generally limited to
U.S. federal income and estate tax considerations and does
not address other U.S. federal tax considerations or state,
local or foreign tax considerations.
63
The opinions of counsel referred to above to be delivered at
closing will be, and the opinions of counsel set forth herein
are, based on present law, which is subject to change, possibly
with retroactive effect. In providing their opinions at the
closing of the spin-off and the merger, counsel will make
customary assumptions and rely upon the accuracy of certain
representations made to them by Forest, Forest Energy Resources,
and Mariner, in officers certificates. In addition,
counsel will rely upon the accuracy of the information in this
proxy statement/ prospectus-information statement and in other
documents filed by Mariner and by Forest with the SEC and upon
other information provided to them by Mariner and Forest. Any
change in present law, or the failure of factual assumptions or
representations to be true, correct and complete in all
respects, could affect the continuing validity of counsels
tax opinions. The conditions to the completion of the spin-off
and merger relating to the receipt of the tax opinions may not
be waived by Forest or Mariner after receipt of the Mariner
shareholder approval unless further shareholder approval is
obtained with appropriate disclosure. If any condition relating
to the receipt of a tax opinion is waived, Mariner will
recirculate a proxy statement/ prospectus and will resolicit
proxies of the Mariner stockholders if there is a material
change in the tax consequences of the spin-off or the merger. No
ruling will be requested from the Internal Revenue Service on
any aspect of the proposed transactions. An opinion of counsel
represents counsels best legal judgment and is not binding
on the Internal Revenue Service or any court. Accordingly, there
can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service will agree
with the conclusions set forth herein or in the opinion letters
to be delivered at closing, and it is possible that the Internal
Revenue Service or another tax authority could assert a position
contrary to one or all of those conclusions and that a court
could sustain that contrary position.
This summary is not a substitute for an individual analysis
of the tax consequences of the proposed transaction to a Forest,
Forest Energy Resources or Mariner stockholder. Each Forest,
Forest Energy Resources or Mariner stockholder is urged to
consult a tax adviser as to the U.S. tax consequences of
the proposed transactions, including any consequences arising
from the particular facts and circumstances of the Forest,
Forest Energy Resources or Mariner stockholder, and as to any
estate, gift, state, local or foreign tax consequences of the
proposed transaction.
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Material U.S. Tax Consequences of the Spin-Off |
The spin-off is conditioned upon receipt by Forest of an opinion
from Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, to the effect that the
spin-off will generally qualify as a distribution that is
tax-free under Sections 355 and 368 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended. Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
is of the opinion that the U.S. federal income tax consequences
of such treatment will be that:
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a Forest shareholder will not recognize any income, gain or loss
as a result of the spin-off; |
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a Forest shareholders aggregate tax basis for his or her
Forest common stock on which Forest Energy Resources common
stock is distributed and the Forest Energy Resources common
stock received by such shareholder in the spin-off will be the
same as the tax basis of Forest common stock held by such
shareholder immediately prior to the spin-off. A Forest
shareholders aggregate tax basis will be allocated between
his or her Forest common stock and Forest Energy Resources
common stock received in the spin-off in proportion to the
relative fair market value of the Forest common stock and Forest
Energy Resources common stock on the spin-off date; |
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a Forest shareholders holding period for the Forest Energy
Resources common stock received in the spin-off will include the
holding period of the Forest common stock on which the
distribution is made; and |
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Forest will not recognize any income, gain or loss on the
spin-off, other than with respect to any excess loss
account or intercompany transaction required
to be taken into account by Forest under the Treasury
regulations relating to consolidated returns. It is also
possible that Forest may recognize income with respect to
certain cash received from Forest Energy Resources under the
distribution agreement. |
There are numerous requirements that must be satisfied in order
for the spin-off to be accorded tax-free treatment under the
Internal Revenue Code. If the spin-off were not to qualify as
tax-free under Sections 355
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and 368 of the Internal Revenue Code, Forest would be required
to recognize gain equal to the excess of the fair market value
of the Forest Energy Resources common stock distributed to its
shareholders over Forests tax basis in the Forest Energy
Resources common stock. Additionally, each Forest shareholder
would be treated as if such shareholder had received a
distribution in an amount equal to the fair market value of the
Forest Energy Resources common stock received, taxed as a
dividend to the extent of Forests current and accumulated
earnings and profits (including earnings and profits arising
from the gain to Forest described above) and then treated as a
non-taxable return of capital to the extent of the holders
tax basis in the Forest common stock and thereafter as capital
gain from the sale or exchange of Forest common stock. Under
current law, individual citizens or residents of the
U.S. are subject to U.S. federal income tax on
dividends at a maximum rate of 15% (assuming holding period and
other requirements are met) and long-term capital gains (i.e.,
capital gains on assets held for more than one year) at a
maximum rate of 15%.
Even if the spin-off otherwise qualifies for tax-free treatment
under Sections 355 and 368 of the Internal Revenue Code,
the distribution of Forest Energy Resources common stock to
Forest shareholders may be disqualified as tax-free to Forest
under Section 355(e) of the Internal Revenue Code if 50% or
more of the stock of Forest, Forest Energy Resources or Mariner
is acquired as part of a plan or series of related transactions
that include the spin-off. For purposes of this test, any
acquisitions of Forest stock or Forest Energy Resources stock
within two years before or after the spin-off, and any
acquisitions of Mariner stock within two years after the
spin-off, are presumed to be part of such a plan, although
Forest, Forest Energy Resources or Mariner may be able to rebut
that presumption. Also, for purposes of this test, the merger
will already be treated as resulting in a deemed acquisition by
Mariner stockholders of approximately 42% of Forest Energy
Resources common stock. Under U.S. Treasury Regulations,
certain safe harbors exist under which certain issuances of
shares of Mariner and Forest Energy Resources will not be deemed
part of the same plan as the spin-off. Among other safe harbors,
safe harbors exist for transactions if specific timing
conditions are met as to when agreements or substantial
negotiations relating to such transactions occur, and a safe
harbor exists for certain issuances pursuant to compensatory
employment-related arrangements. The process for determining
whether a change of ownership has occurred under the tax rules
is complex, inherently factual and subject to interpretation of
the facts and circumstances of a particular case. If an
acquisition of Forest stock, Forest Energy Resources stock or
Mariner stock results in the application of Section 355(e)
of the Internal Revenue Code, Forest would recognize taxable
gain as described in the preceding paragraph but the spin-off
would generally be tax-free to each Forest shareholder. Pursuant
to the tax sharing agreement, depending on the event, Forest may
have to indemnify Mariner, or Mariner may have to indemnify
Forest, for some or all of the taxes resulting from the
spin-off. See Ancillary Agreements Tax Sharing
Agreement beginning on page 91.
The tax sharing agreement entered into by Forest, Forest Energy
Resources and Mariner imposes ongoing restrictions on Forest,
Forest Energy Resources and Mariner to ensure that applicable
statutory requirements under the Internal Revenue Code and
applicable Treasury regulations continue to be met so that the
spin-off remains tax-free to Forest and its shareholders. As a
result of these restrictions, the ability of Mariner to engage
in certain transactions, such as the redemption of its common
stock, the issuance of equity securities and the utilization of
its stock as currency in an acquisition, will be limited for a
period of up to two years following the spin-off. These
restrictions may reduce the ability of Mariner under certain
circumstances to engage in certain business transactions that
otherwise might be advantageous to Mariner and its stockholders
and could have a negative impact on its business and stockholder
value. If the spin-off became taxable, Forest would be expected
to recognize a substantial amount of taxable income, which would
result in a material amount of taxes. Depending on the
circumstances, the tax sharing agreement allocates to Forest or
Mariner all, or a portion of, any tax liability resulting from
the spin-off being taxable. Any such taxes allocated to Mariner
would be expected to be material to Mariner. This proxy
statement/ prospectus-information statement summarizes certain
effects of the tax sharing agreement on Mariner and Mariner
stockholders. See Ancillary Agreements Tax
Sharing Agreement beginning on page 91. Mariner
stockholders are encouraged to read the summary and the tax
sharing agreement in its entirety for a more complete discussion
of these tax matters.
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Current Treasury regulations require each Forest shareholder who
receives Forest Energy Resources common stock pursuant to the
spin-off to attach to his or her federal income tax return for
the year in which the spin-off occurs a detailed statement
setting forth such data as may be appropriate in order to show
the applicability of Section 355 of the Internal Revenue
Code. Forest will provide the appropriate information to each
shareholder of record as of the record date.
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Material U.S. Tax Consequences of the Merger |
It is a condition to the consummation of the merger that:
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Mariner receive an opinion from Baker Botts L.L.P., dated as of
the effective date of the merger, to the effect that the merger
will qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code; and |
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Forest and Forest Energy Resources receive an opinion from Weil,
Gotshal & Manges LLP, tax counsel to Forest, dated as
of the effective date of the merger, to the effect that the
merger will qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. |
Baker Botts L.L.P. is of the opinion that the U.S. federal
income tax consequences of such treatment will be that:
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a Mariner stockholder will not recognize gain or loss pursuant
to the merger, and such holders tax basis and holding
period in Mariner common stock will not be affected by the
merger; |
Baker Botts L.L.P. and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
are of the opinion that the U.S. federal income tax consequences
of such treatment will be that:
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a Forest Energy Resources stockholder who exchanges Forest
Energy Resources common stock solely for Mariner common stock in
the merger will not recognize gain or loss except, as described
below, to the extent of any cash received in lieu of fractional
shares of Mariner common stock; |
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the aggregate tax basis in the Mariner common stock a Forest
Energy Resources stockholder receives in the merger (including
any fractional shares for which cash is received) will be the
same as his or her aggregate tax basis in the Forest Energy
Resources common stock surrendered in the merger; |
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the holding period of the Mariner common stock received in the
merger by a holder of Forest Energy Resources common stock
(including any fractional shares for which cash is received)
will include the holding period of Forest Energy Resources
common stock that such stockholder surrendered in the merger; and |
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a Forest Energy Resources stockholder who receives fractional
share proceeds as a result of the sale of shares of Mariner
common stock by the transfer agent will be treated as if such
fractional share had been received by the shareholder as part of
the merger and then sold by such stockholder. Accordingly, such
stockholder will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the
difference between the cash so received and the portion of the
tax basis in Mariner common stock that is allocable to such
fractional share. Any such capital gain or loss will be treated
as a long-term or short-term capital gain or loss based on the
holders holding period for the Mariner common stock (as
determined above).
Non-U.S. holders
who receive fractional share proceeds may be subject to
withholding tax with respect to the fractional share proceeds
under special rules governing the disposition of interests in a
United States real property holding corporation. |
Under the Internal Revenue Code, a holder of Forest Energy
Resources common stock may be subject, under certain
circumstances, to backup withholding at a current rate of 28%
with respect to the amount of cash, if any, received as a result
of the sale of fractional share interests unless such holder
provides proof of an applicable exemption or correct taxpayer
identification number, and otherwise complies with applicable
requirements of the backup withholding rules. Any amounts
withheld under the backup withholding rules are not additional
tax and may be refunded or credited against the holders
federal income tax liability, provided the required information
is timely furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.
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Material U.S. Federal Tax Consequences to
U.S. Holders of Holding and Disposing of Mariner Common
Stock |
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Distributions on Common Stock |
A distribution to a U.S. holder on a Mariner share will be
(i) first, a dividend to the extent of Mariners
current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under
general U.S. tax principles, (ii) second, a
non-taxable recovery of basis in that Mariner share, causing a
reduction in the adjusted basis of the shares of Mariner common
stock to the extent thereof (thereby increasing the amount of
gain, or decreasing the amount of loss, to be recognized by the
holder on a subsequent disposition of our common stock), and
(iii) finally, an amount that is received in exchange for
the Mariner share. A dividend on a Mariner share that is
received by a U.S. holder generally before January 1,
2009 is subject to U.S. tax at a maximum rate of
15 percent provided that the stockholder satisfies certain
holding period and other requirements with respect to that
Mariner share. Any amount that is deemed to have been received
in exchange for a Mariner share will be taxed as a sale or
disposition of a Mariner share, discussed below.
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Sales or Dispositions of Common Stock |
Upon a sale or other disposition of a Mariner share, a
U.S. holder generally will recognize gain or loss in an
amount that is equal to the difference between (i) the sum
of any cash and the fair market value of any other property
received and (ii) such U.S. holders adjusted
basis in such Mariner share. Any such gain or loss will
generally be a capital gain or loss if the Mariner share that is
surrendered was held as a capital asset and will be a long-term
capital gain or loss if the Mariner share had been held more
than one year when the sale or other disposition occurs.
Deduction of capital losses is subject to certain limitations
under the Internal Revenue Code.
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Information Reporting and Backup Withholding |
Payments of dividends and the proceeds of a disposition of a
Mariner share that are made within the U.S. or through
certain U.S. related financial intermediaries may be
required to be reported to the Internal Revenue Service and may
be subject to backup withholding unless (i) the
U.S. holder is a corporation or other exempt recipient, or
(ii) such person provides a taxpayer identification number
or complies with applicable certification requirements. Amounts
withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a
refund or credit against a persons U.S. tax liability
if the required information is timely furnished to the Internal
Revenue Service.
Common stock owned or treated as owned by an individual who is a
U.S. holder for U.S. federal estate tax purposes at
the time of death will be included in the individuals
gross estate for U.S. federal estate tax purposes, and
therefore may be subject to U.S. federal estate tax.
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Material U.S. Federal Tax Consequences to
Non-U.S. Holders
of Holding and Disposing of Mariner Common Stock |
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Distributions on Common Stock |
A distribution to a
non-U.S. holder on
a Mariner share will be (i) first, a dividend to the extent
of Mariners current or accumulated earnings and profits,
as determined under general U.S. tax principles,
(ii) second, a non-taxable recovery of basis in that
Mariner share, causing a reduction in the adjusted basis of the
shares of common stock to the extent thereof (thereby increasing
the amount of gain, or decreasing the amount of loss, to be
recognized by the holder on a subsequent disposition of our
common stock), and (iii) finally, an amount that is
received in exchange for the Mariner share.
Dividends paid to
non-U.S. holders
that are not effectively connected with the
non-U.S. holders
conduct of a U.S. trade or business will be subject to
U.S. federal withholding tax at a 30% rate, or if a tax
treaty applies, a lower rate specified by the treaty.
Non-U.S. holders
should consult their tax advisors regarding their
67
entitlement to benefits under a relevant income tax treaty.
Dividends that are effectively connected with a
non-U.S. holders
conduct of a trade or business in the U.S. and, if an income tax
treaty applies, are attributable to a permanent establishment in
the U.S., are taxed on a net income basis at the regular
graduated rates and in the manner applicable to
U.S. persons. In that case, Mariner will not have to
withhold U.S. federal withholding tax if the
non-U.S. holder
complies with applicable certification and disclosure
requirements. In addition, a branch profits tax may
be imposed at a 30% rate, or a lower rate under an applicable
income tax treaty, on dividends received by a foreign
corporation that are effectively connected with its conduct of a
trade or business in the U.S.
A non-U.S. holder
that claims the benefit of an applicable income tax treaty
generally will be required to satisfy applicable certification
and other requirements. However,
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in the case of Mariner common stock held by a foreign
partnership, the certification requirement will generally be
applied to the partners of the partnership and the partnership
will be required to provide certain information; |
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in the case of Mariner common stock held by a foreign trust, the
certification requirement will generally be applied to the trust
or the beneficial owners of the trust depending on whether the
trust is a foreign complex trust, foreign
simple trust or foreign grantor trust as
defined in the U.S. Treasury Regulations; and |
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look-through rules will apply for tiered partnerships, foreign
simple trusts and foreign grantor trusts. |
A non-U.S. holder
that is a foreign partnership or a foreign trust is urged to
consult its own tax advisor regarding its status under these
U.S. Treasury Regulations and the certification
requirements applicable to it.
A non-U.S. holder
that is eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. federal
withholding tax under an income tax treaty may obtain a refund
or credit of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an
appropriate claim for refund with the Internal Revenue Service.
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Sales or Dispositions of Common Stock |
A non-U.S. holder
generally will not be subject to U.S. tax on gain
recognized on a disposition of a share of Mariner common stock
unless:
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the gain is effectively connected with the
non-U.S. holders
conduct of a trade or business in the U.S. and, if an income tax
treaty applies, is attributable to a permanent establishment
maintained by the
non-U.S. holder in
the U.S.; in these cases, the gain will be taxed on a net income
basis at the rates and in the manner applicable to
U.S. persons, and if the
non-U.S. holder is
a foreign corporation, the branch profits tax described above
may also apply; |
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the
non-U.S. holder is
an individual who is present in the U.S. for 183 days
or more in the taxable year of the disposition and meets other
requirements; or |
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Mariner is or has been a United States real property
holding corporation for U.S. tax purposes at any time
during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of
disposition or the period that the
non-U.S. holder
held such Mariner common stock. |
Generally, a corporation is a United States real property
holding corporation if the fair market value of its United
States real property interests equals or exceeds 50% of the sum
of the fair market value of its worldwide real property
interests and its other assets used or held for use in a trade
or business. The tax relating to stock in a United States real
property holding corporation generally will not apply to a
non-U.S. holder
whose holdings, direct and indirect, at all times during the
applicable period, constituted 5% or less of Mariner common
stock, provided that Mariner common stock was regularly traded
on an established securities market. Mariner believes that it
currently is, and after the merger will continue to be, a United
States real property holding corporation for U.S. tax
purposes. Mariner also expects its common stock to be regularly
traded on an established securities market immediately after the
completion of the merger.
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Information Reporting and Backup Withholding |
Dividends paid to a
non-U.S. holder
may be subject to information reporting and U.S. backup
withholding. A
non-U.S. holder
will be exempt from this backup withholding tax if such
non-U.S. holder
properly provides a Form W-8BEN certifying that such
stockholder is a
non-U.S. holder or
otherwise meets documentary evidence requirements for
establishing that such stockholder is a
non-U.S. holder or
otherwise qualifies for an exemption.
The gross proceeds from the disposition of Mariner common stock
may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding.
If a
non-U.S. holder
sells its common stock outside the U.S. through a
non-U.S. office of
a non-U.S. broker
and the sales proceeds are paid to such stockholder outside the
U.S., then the U.S. backup withholding and information
reporting requirements generally will not apply to that payment.
However, U.S. information reporting will generally apply to
a payment of sale proceeds, even if that payment is made outside
the U.S., if a
non-U.S. holder
sells Mariner common stock through a
non-U.S. office of
a broker that:
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is a U.S. person for U.S. tax purposes; |
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derives 50% or more of its gross income in specific periods from
the conduct of a trade or business in the U.S.; |
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is a controlled foreign corporation for
U.S. tax purposes; or |
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is a foreign partnership, if at any time during its tax year: |
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one or more of its partners are U.S. persons who in the
aggregate hold more than 50% of the income or capital interests
in the partnership; or |
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the foreign partnership is engaged in a U.S. trade or
business, |
unless the broker has documentary evidence in its files that the
non-U.S. holder is
a non-U.S. person
and certain other conditions are met, or the
non-U.S. holder
otherwise establishes an exemption. In such circumstances,
backup withholding will not apply unless the broker has actual
knowledge that the seller is not a
non-U.S. holder.
If a
non-U.S. holder
receives payments of the proceeds of a sale of Mariner common
stock to or through a U.S. office of a broker, the payment
is subject to both U.S. backup withholding and information
reporting unless such
non-U.S. holder
properly provides a Form W-8BEN certifying that such
stockholder is a
non-U.S. person or
otherwise establishes an exemption.
A non-U.S. holder
generally may obtain a refund of any amounts withheld under the
backup withholding rules that exceed such stockholders
U.S. tax liability by timely filing a properly completed
claim for refund with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
Mariner common stock owned or treated as owned by an individual
who is a
non-U.S. holder
for U.S. federal estate tax purposes at the time of death
will be included in the individuals gross estate for
U.S. federal estate tax purposes, unless an applicable
estate tax or other treaty provides otherwise, and therefore may
be subject to U.S. federal estate tax.
Mariner stockholders and Forest shareholders are urged to
consult their own tax advisors as to the specific tax
consequences to them of the spin-off and the merger, as
applicable, including tax return reporting requirements, the
applicability and effect of federal, state, local, and other
applicable tax laws and the effect of any proposed changes in
the tax laws.
Federal Securities Laws Consequences of the Merger
All shares of Mariner common stock received by Forest
shareholders in the merger will be freely transferable, except
that shares of Mariner common stock received by persons who are
deemed to be
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affiliates of Forest Energy Resources under the
Securities Act may resell such stock only in transactions
permitted by Rule 145 under the Securities Act, or as
otherwise permitted under the Securities Act. Persons who may be
affiliates of Forest Energy Resources for those purposes
generally include individuals or entities that control, are
controlled by, or are under common control with Forest Energy
Resources, but would not include stockholders who are not
officers, directors or principal stockholders of Forest Energy
Resources.
The merger agreement requires Forest Energy Resources to use all
commercially reasonable efforts to cause each of its affiliates
to execute a written agreement, substantially in the form
attached as an exhibit to the merger agreement, to the effect
that such affiliate will not sell, assign, transfer or otherwise
dispose of any of the shares of Mariner common stock issued to
such affiliate in exchange for Forest Energy Resources common
stock in the merger except:
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pursuant to an effective registration statement under the
Securities Act; |
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in conformity with the volume and other limitations of
Rule 145 promulgated under the Securities Act; or |
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in a transaction which, in the opinion of independent counsel
reasonably satisfactory to Mariner or as described in a
no-action or interpretative letter from the Staff of
the SEC, is not required to be registered under the Securities
Act. |
Accounting Treatment
If the merger is consummated, the acquisition of Forest Energy
Resources by Mariner will be accounted for under the purchase
method of accounting under U.S. generally accepted
accounting principles, with Mariner treated as the acquiror. As
a result, the assets and liabilities of the Forest Gulf of
Mexico operations will be recorded at their estimated fair
values at the date of merger with any excess of the purchase
price over the net amount of such fair values recorded as
goodwill.
Regulatory Matters
None of the parties is aware of any other material governmental
or regulatory approval required for the completion of the
merger, other than the effectiveness of the registration
statement of which this proxy statement/ prospectus-information
statement is a part and the effectiveness of Mariners
registration statement on
Form S-1 relating
to the
currently-outstanding
shares of Mariner common stock, and compliance with applicable
antitrust law (including the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act) and the
corporate law of the State of Delaware. On November 14,
2005, the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act with
respect to the merger expired.
Appraisal and Dissenters Rights
In accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law, there
will be no appraisal rights or dissenters rights available
to holders of Mariner common stock in connection with the merger.
70
STRENGTHS AND STRATEGIES OF MARINER FOLLOWING THE MERGER
Following the merger we expect Mariner to be an independent oil
and gas exploration, development and production company focused
offshore in the Gulf of Mexico and onshore in the Permian Basin
of West Texas. On a pro forma basis as of December 31,
2004, the combined company had 577 Bcfe of estimated proved
reserves. Approximately 64% of these reserves were developed;
36% were undeveloped. Approximately 73% of our estimated proved
reserves were natural gas and natural gas liquids, and 27% were
oil and condensate. The reserves are geographically distributed
approximately 62% on the Gulf of Mexico shelf, 18% in the Gulf
of Mexico deepwater and 20% in the Permian Basin in West Texas.
As of December 31, 2004, the pro forma PV10 of the combined
company was approximately $1.9 billion, and the pro forma
standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows
attributable to its estimated proved reserves was approximately
$1.4 billion. Please see Mariner
Estimated Proved Reserves and The Forest Gulf of
Mexico Operations Estimated Proved Reserves
for a definition of PV10 and reconciliations of PV10 to the
standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows.
Mariner is focused on the generation and development of new Gulf
of Mexico deepwater, deep shelf and shelf projects and the
development of its existing asset base in West Texas.
Historically, Mariner has achieved growth through the drill bit;
however, as part of our growth strategy, we also seek to acquire
assets that provide acceptable risk-adjusted rates of return and
have significant potential for further reserve additions through
development and exploitation activities.
We believe Mariners core resources and strengths include:
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our high-quality assets with geographic and geological diversity; |
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our successful track record of finding and developing oil and
gas reserves; and |
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our depth of operating experience. |
The integration and further development and exploitation of the
Forest Gulf of Mexico operations into our business will further
diversify and, in our view, complement our existing business,
provide additional resources for future growth beyond the
producing assets acquired, and afford a larger scale to increase
our ability to compete effectively. We expect the effectiveness
of our growth strategy to be enhanced by the addition of the
Forest Gulf of Mexico assets.
High-Quality Assets. We believe our asset base has
significant potential:
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Our deepwater projects have the potential to provide large
reserves, high production volumes and substantial cash flow.
Approximately 65 Bcfe of our undeveloped estimated proved
reserves as of December 31, 2004, are located in our
high-impact deepwater projects Swordfish, Pluto,
Rigel, Baccarat, and Daniel Boone. The Baccarat project
commenced production in July 2005 (although production was
shut-in due to Hurricane Rita and recommenced in January 2006),
and the Swordfish project commenced production in October 2005.
Notwithstanding delays caused primarily by 2005 hurricane
activity, we believe Pluto and Rigel will commence production in
the second quarter of 2006. Proved undeveloped reserves
attributable to those projects have been recategorized as proved
developed reserves. Daniel Boone is currently scheduled for
production in 2008. |
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The Gulf of Mexico is an area that offers substantial growth
opportunities, and we expect to continue to generate shelf, deep
shelf and deepwater Gulf of Mexico prospects. The Forest Gulf of
Mexico assets will more than double our existing undeveloped
acreage position to approximately 465,000 net acres and
increase our total net leasehold acreage offshore to nearly
1 million acres, providing numerous exploration,
exploitation and development opportunities. We believe the
additional acreage also will provide increased exposure to
farm-out opportunities from other oil and gas operators. Our
team of geoscientists currently has access to seismic data from
multiple, recent vintage 3-D seismic databases covering
more than 6,600 blocks in the Gulf of Mexico that we intend
to continue to use to develop prospects on acreage being
evaluated for leasing and to develop and further refine
prospects on our expanded acreage position. The combination of
our undeveloped acreage position, inventory of development
prospects, seismic data and technical knowledge should enhance
our ability to select |
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projects with the greatest return potential for future
development. We will also gain access to a significant
infrastructure in the shelf that we believe will provide
substantial cost efficiencies to the combined operations. |
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Our West Texas assets provide stable cash flow and long-lived
reserves, with significant development opportunities. In West
Texas, during the three years ended December 31, 2004, we
drilled 105 wells, all commercially successful, added
approximately 76 Bcfe of estimated proved reserves, and
increased our average daily production by more than 400%. Our
52 Bcfe of undeveloped estimated proved reserves in West
Texas includes 162 locations. Our recent West Texas
acquisition adds to our asset base an approximate 35% working
interest in over 200 existing producing wells and, we
believe, will provide future infill development opportunities,
much like our Aldwell unit. This recent acquisition, in
conjunction with our existing West Texas acreage, gives Mariner
an inventory of multi-year development drilling opportunities. |
Successful Track Record of Finding and Developing Oil and Gas
Reserves. In the three-year period ended December 31,
2004, Mariner deployed approximately $337 million of
capital on acquisitions, exploration and development, while
adding approximately 191 Bcfe of proved reserves and
producing approximately 111 Bcfe. In addition to our
successful West Texas drilling program, in the three-year period
ended December 31, 2004, we have participated in the
drilling of 33 exploration wells in the Gulf of Mexico,
with 15 of these wells resulting in the discovery of commercial
oil and gas reserves.
Our technical professionals average more than 20 years of
experience in the exploration and production business, much of
it with major oil companies, including extensive experience in
the Gulf of Mexico. The addition of experienced Forest personnel
to Mariners team of geoscientists and technical and
operational professionals should further enhance our ability to
generate and maintain an inventory of high-quality drillable
prospects and to further develop and exploit our assets.
We seek to mitigate our risk in drilling projects by entering
into arrangements with industry partners in which they agree to
pay a disproportionate share of dry hole costs and compensate us
for expenses incurred in prospect generation. We intend to
continue our practice of sharing costs of offshore exploration
and development activities by selling interests in projects to
industry partners. From time to time, we may sell entire
interests in offshore prospects in order to better diversify our
portfolio. We also enter into trades or farm-in transactions
whereby we acquire interests in third-party generated prospects.
We expect more opportunities to participate in these prospects
as a result of the scale and increased cash flow the merger will
bring.
Depth of Operating Experience. Our engineers have
extensive experience in offshore Gulf of Mexico completion and
production techniques, both in the deepwater and on the shelf.
We have extensive experience and a successful track record in
the use of subsea tieback technology to connect offshore wells
to existing production facilities. This technology facilitates
production from offshore properties without the necessity of
fabrication and installation of more costly platforms and top
side facilities that typically require longer lead times. We
believe the use of subsea tiebacks in appropriate projects
enables us to bring production online more quickly, makes target
prospects more profitable, and allows us to exploit reserves
that may otherwise be considered non-commercial because of the
high cost of infrastructure. In the Gulf of Mexico, in the three
years ended December 31, 2004, we were directly involved in
thirteen projects (five of which we operated) utilizing subsea
tieback systems in water depths ranging from 475 feet to
more than 7,000 feet, and in five projects (three of which
we operated) developed through the use of platforms.
Mariner has proven to be an effective and efficient operator in
West Texas, as evidenced by our results there in recent years.
In addition to conducting a successful drilling program,
increasing our production and expanding our asset base, we have
improved our net operating margin by reducing our operating
costs and increasing our realized share of production.
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We expect that our acquisition of the Forest Gulf of Mexico
assets and the scale it brings to our business will:
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reduce our concentration risk; |
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provide many exploration, exploitation and development
opportunities; |
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enable us to increase the number of our internally-generated
prospects; |
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expand our sphere of influence and enhance our ability to
participate in prospects generated by other operators; and |
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add a significant cash flow generating resource that will
improve our ability to compete effectively in the Gulf of Mexico
and provide funding for acquisition projects. |
We believe we are well positioned to optimize the Forest Gulf of
Mexico assets through aggressive and timely exploitation. Our
diverse, high-quality assets, our ability to find and develop
oil and gas reserves, and our operating experience should
provide a strong platform from which to grow and create value
for our shareholders.
73
THE MERGER AGREEMENT
The following is a summary of the material terms of the
merger agreement. This summary is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the merger agreement, a copy of which is attached
as Annex A to this proxy statement/ prospectus-information
statement and is incorporated by reference into this proxy
statement/ prospectus-information statement. We urge you to read
the merger agreement in its entirety for a more complete
description of the terms and conditions of the merger.
The Merger
At the effective time of the merger, MEI Sub, a newly formed,
wholly owned subsidiary of Mariner, will merge with and into
Forest Energy Resources. Forest Energy Resources will remain as
the surviving corporation and immediately after the merger will
become a wholly owned subsidiary of Mariner.
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Effective Time of the Merger |
The closing of the merger will occur within two business days
after the fulfillment or waiver of the conditions described
under Conditions to the Completion of the
Merger below, unless Forest Energy Resources and Mariner
agree in writing upon another time or date. Unless Mariner
consents otherwise, the closing will not occur earlier than five
business days following the record date for the spin-off. The
merger will become effective upon the filing of a certificate of
merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or
at such later time as the parties to the merger agreement may
agree and as is provided in the certificate of merger. The
filing of the certificate of merger will take place as soon as
practicable at or after the time of the closing of the merger.
The merger agreement provides that each share of Forest Energy
Resources common stock (other than certain shares described
under Cancellation of Certain Shares
below) that is outstanding immediately prior to the effective
time of the merger will, at the effective time of the merger, be
converted into the right to receive one share of Mariner common
stock as adjusted for any stock split, reverse stock split,
stock dividend, subdivision, reclassification, combination,
exchange, recapitalization or other similar transaction, except
that shareholders will receive cash in lieu of any fractional
share of Mariner common stock.
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Cancellation of Certain Shares |
Each share of Forest Energy Resources common stock held by
Forest Energy Resources as treasury stock, and each share of
Forest Energy Resources common stock owned by Mariner or MEI
Sub, in each case immediately prior to the effective time of the
merger, will automatically be canceled and no stock or
consideration will be delivered in exchange therefor. Neither
Mariner nor MEI Sub currently owns any shares of Forest Energy
Resources common stock.
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Procedure for Surrender of Certificates |
Shares of Forest Energy Resources common stock to be issued in
the spin-off will be issued in
book-entry form,
meaning that, although Forest shareholders will own the shares,
they will not be issued physical share certificates. Prior to
the effective time of the merger, an exchange agent will be
appointed to handle the exchange of Forest Energy Resources
stock certificates for Mariner stock certificates. As promptly
as practicable after the effective time of the merger, Mariner
will cause the exchange agent to effect the exchange, via
book-entry procedures,
of Forest Energy Resources shares for Mariner shares. Mariner
will not issue physical certificates for the shares of common
stock issued in the merger. After the merger becomes effective,
Forest Energy Resources will not register any further transfers
of shares of Forest Energy Resources common stock.
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Treatment of Certain Forest Stock Options |
At the effective time of the merger, the portion of each
outstanding option to acquire Forest common stock that is
unexercisable as of the effective time and which is held by a
Forest Energy Resources employee who remains employed by Forest
Energy Resources, Mariner or their subsidiaries after the
effective time of the merger will be converted into an option to
acquire from Mariner a number of shares of Mariner common stock
determined by multiplying:
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the number of shares of Forest common stock subject to the
portion of such option that is unexercisable immediately before
the effective time, by |
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the option exchange ratio described below, |
and rounding to the nearest whole number. The purchase price per
share of Mariner common stock under the converted option will be
the exercise price per share under the original Forest stock
option divided by the option exchange ratio, with the resulting
price rounded to the nearest whole cent.
The option exchange ratio means the quotient,
rounded to the third decimal place, determined by dividing:
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the average of the daily closing prices per share of Forest
common stock for the last five trading days immediately
preceding the effective time of the merger, by |
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the average of the daily closing prices per share of Mariner
common stock for the first five trading days following the
effective time of the merger, |
subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of any stock
split, stock dividend or recapitalization after the date of the
merger agreement applicable to shares of Forest common stock or
Mariner common stock.
Mariner will take all actions necessary to reserve for issuance,
from and after the effective time of the merger, a sufficient
number of shares of Mariner common stock for delivery under the
Forest stock options that are deemed to constitute options to
purchase shares of Mariner common stock in accordance with the
preceding paragraphs, and, on or as soon as practicable after
the effective time of the merger, Mariner will file with the SEC
a registration statement with respect to such Mariner common
stock and cause such shares to be listed on the NYSE.
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Board of Directors and Officers of Mariner |
The board of directors of Mariner immediately after the
effective time of the merger will consist of seven directors,
five of whom will be the directors of Mariner immediately before
the effective time of the merger and two of whom will be
mutually agreed upon by Mariner and Forest prior to the
effective time of the merger. The board of directors of Mariner
will also appoint committees as appropriate, including an audit
committee, a compensation committee and a nominating committee.
The officers of Mariner immediately prior to the effective time
of the merger will continue as the officers of Mariner
immediately after the effective time of the merger.
Representations and Warranties
The merger agreement contains certain representations and
warranties made by Forest and Forest Energy Resources jointly,
and by Mariner. These representations and warranties, which are
generally reciprocal unless otherwise stated below, relate to:
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corporate existence, qualifications to conduct business and
corporate standing and power; |
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corporate authorization, enforceability and actions by the board
of directors; |
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capitalization; |
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financial statements and undisclosed liabilities; |
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absence of certain material changes or events since
June 30, 2005; |
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governmental investigations and litigation; |
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licenses and compliance with laws; |
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the registration statements to be filed with the SEC and this
proxy statement/ prospectus-information statement; |
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information supplied to governmental authorities; |
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compliance with environmental laws; |
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tax matters; |
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benefit plans; |
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labor matters; |
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intellectual property matters; |
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material contracts; |
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financial advisor opinion (given only by Mariner); |
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payment of brokers and finders fees in connection
with the merger agreement and other transaction agreements; |
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takeover statutes (given only by Mariner); |
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certain findings of the board of directors to approve the merger; |
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stockholder votes necessary to complete the merger; |
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absence of requirement for Forest stockholder approval (given
only by Forest); |
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Forest Energy Resources stockholder approval (given only by
Forest Energy Resources); |
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payments to certain affiliated individuals or entities; |
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title to, and sufficiency of, assets; |
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loans made to third parties; |
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oil and gas reserves; and |
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derivative transactions. |
Forest, on behalf of itself only, also makes representations and
warranties to Mariner with respect to its:
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due organization and good standing; |
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corporate power, authorization and validity of agreements; |
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information supplied to governmental authorities; |
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payment of brokers and finders fees in connection
with the merger agreement and other transaction
agreements; and |
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rights plan. |
The parties acknowledge that the other parties to the merger
agreement do not make any express or implied representations or
warranties except as set forth in the merger agreement, the
distribution agreement or the ancillary agreements. The
representations and warranties contained in the merger agreement
do not survive the effective time of the merger.
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Covenants
Forest Energy Resources, Forest and Mariner have each undertaken
certain covenants in the merger agreement. The following
summarizes the material covenants:
The merger agreement provides that Mariner will not, and will
not permit its directors and officers, and will use all
reasonable efforts to cause its employees, agents and
representatives not to:
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solicit, initiate, encourage, facilitate or induce any inquiry,
proposal or offer with respect to an acquisition proposal; |
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participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding,
provide nonpublic information with respect to, or otherwise
facilitate any acquisition proposal; |
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engage in discussions with respect to an acquisition proposal; |
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approve, endorse or recommend an acquisition proposal, except as
provided in the merger agreement; or |
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enter into any agreement related to any acquisition proposal,
except as provided by the merger agreement. |
When we refer to an acquisition proposal, we mean
any inquiry, offer or proposal for a transaction or series of
related transactions involving any of the following:
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any purchase by any person, entity or group, as defined in
Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, of more than 15% of the
total outstanding voting securities of Mariner; |
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any tender or exchange offer that would result in any person,
entity or group, as defined in Section 13(d) of the
Exchange Act, owning 15% or more of the total outstanding voting
securities of Mariner; |
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any merger, consolidation, business combination or similar
transaction involving Mariner; |
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any sale, exchange, transfer, acquisition or disposition, or any
lease or license outside of the ordinary course of business, of
more than 15% of Mariners assets; or |
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any liquidation of dissolution of Mariner. |
As of the date the merger agreement was executed, Mariner agreed
to immediately cease and terminate any existing discussions or
negotiations with respect to any acquisition proposal.
In the event that Mariner receives an acquisition proposal or
any request for nonpublic information or inquiry that it
reasonably believes could lead to an acquisition proposal,
Mariner agrees to:
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notify Forest and Forest Energy Resources orally and in writing
of the material terms of the acquisition proposal, request or
inquiry; |
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identify to Forest and Forest Energy Resources the person making
the acquisition proposal, request or inquiry; |
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furnish to Forest and Forest Energy Resources copies of all
written materials provided in connection with the acquisition
proposal or inquiry; |
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provide to Forest and Forest Energy Resources as promptly as
practicable, both orally and in writing, all information
reasonably necessary to keep Forest and Forest Energy Resources
informed in all material respects of the status and details of
the acquisition proposal, request or inquiry, including
providing copies of written materials received from and provided
to the third party making the acquisition proposal, request or
inquiry; and |
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provide Forest and Forest Energy Resources 48 hours
prior notice (or such lesser notice as is provided to
Mariners directors) of any meeting of Mariners board
of directors at which it will consider an acquisition proposal,
unless shorter notice is provided to the board of directors, in
which case Forest and Forest Energy Resources are to be provided
the same notice. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Mariners board of directors
may provide nonpublic information to, and engage in negotiations
with, a third party in response to an unsolicited, bona fide
acquisition proposal with respect to Mariner, if:
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Mariner has complied with all of its non-solicitation and
notification obligations in the merger agreement; |
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in the good faith judgment of Mariners board of directors
(after receiving the advice of its legal counsel and financial
advisor), the acquisition proposal is a superior offer or is
reasonably likely to result in a superior offer; |
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concurrently with furnishing any nonpublic information, Mariner
notifies Forest and Forest Energy Resources in writing of its
intention to furnish nonpublic information and furnishes the
same nonpublic information to Forest and Forest Energy Resources; |
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concurrently with engaging in negotiations with the third party,
Mariner notifies Forest and Forest Energy Resources in writing
of its intent to enter into negotiations with the third
party; and |
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Mariner executes a customary confidentiality agreement with the
third party with terms at least as restrictive as the
confidentiality agreement between Forest and Mariner. |
When we refer to a superior offer, we mean an
unsolicited bona fide written proposal made by a third party to
acquire, directly or indirectly, pursuant to a tender or
exchange offer, merger, consolidation or other business
combination, all or substantially all of the assets of Mariner
or substantially all of the total outstanding voting securities
of Mariner. The superior offer must be on terms that the Mariner
board of directors has in good faith concluded, after receiving
the advice of its legal counsel and financial adviser and taking
into account all legal, financial, regulatory and other aspects
of the offer and the third party offeror, to be more favorable,
from a financial point of view, to Mariners stockholders
than the terms of the merger and to be reasonably capable of
being consummated.
If Mariner receives a superior offer and that superior offer has
not been withdrawn, Mariners board of directors is
permitted to change its recommendation that the Mariner
stockholders approve the merger if:
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Mariner stockholders have not already approved the merger and
the merger agreement; |
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Mariner notifies Forest and Forest Energy Resources in writing: |
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that it has received a superior offer; |
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of the terms and conditions of the superior offer; |
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of the identity of the third party making the superior
offer; and |
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that it intends to change its recommendation that Mariner
stockholders approve the merger and the manner in which it
intends to do so; |
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Mariner provides Forest and Forest Energy Resources with copies
of all written materials delivered by Mariner to the third party
making the superior offer that have not previously been provided
to Forest and Forest Energy Resources, and Mariner has otherwise
made available to Forest and Forest Energy Resources all
materials and information made available to the third
party; and |
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Mariner has not breached any of the provisions of the merger
agreement relating to acquisition proposals and superior offers. |
Subject to complying with its fiduciary duties under applicable
law, Mariners obligation to call, give notice of, convene
and hold its stockholders meeting regarding approval of
the merger agreement will not be
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limited or otherwise affected by the commencement, disclosure,
announcement or submission to it of any acquisition proposal
unless the merger agreement is terminated. Prior to termination
of the merger agreement, Mariner will not submit to the vote of
its stockholders any acquisition proposal other than the merger
or enter into any agreement, agreement in principle or letter of
intent with respect to, or accept any acquisition proposal other
than, the merger.
In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, Mariner and its
board of directors may take a position, and disclose to its
stockholders that position, with respect to a tender or exchange
offer by a third party in compliance with
Rule 14d-9 or
Rule 14e-2(a) of
the Exchange Act to the extent required by applicable law. The
content of any document disclosing the position of the Mariner
board of directors to Mariner stockholders will be governed by
the provisions of the merger agreement. The Mariner board of
directors may not recommend that Mariner stockholders tender or
exchange their Mariner common stock unless the Mariner board of
directors determines in good faith, after receiving advice of
its legal counsel and financial adviser, that the acquisition
proposal is a superior offer.
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Board of Directors Covenant to Call Stockholders
Meeting and to Recommend the Merger |
As promptly as practicable following the date of the merger
agreement and the effectiveness of the registration statements,
Mariner has agreed to call a meeting of its stockholders to be
held as promptly as practicable for the purpose of voting upon
the adoption of the merger agreement and any related matters,
and to submit the merger agreement for adoption to the
stockholders of Mariner at such Mariner meeting. The meeting to
which this proxy statement/ prospectus-information statement
relates is intended to fulfill this requirement. Mariner has
agreed to cause the Mariner meeting to be held and the vote
taken within 60 days following the effectiveness of
Mariners registration statement of which this proxy
statement/ prospectus-information statement is a part. Mariner
will deliver to its stockholders the proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement in definitive form in
connection with the Mariner meeting, at the time and in the
manner provided by, and will conduct the Mariner meeting and the
solicitation of proxies in connection with the Mariner meeting
in accordance with, the applicable provisions of the law of the
State of Delaware, the Exchange Act and Mariners
certificate of incorporation and by-laws. Subject to the
provisions described in No Solicitation
above, Mariners board of directors has agreed to recommend
that the stockholders of Mariner adopt the merger agreement.
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Operations of Forest (in respect of the Forest Gulf of
Mexico operations), Forest Energy Resources and Mariner Pending
Closing |
Forest (in respect of the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations),
Forest Energy Resources and Mariner have each undertaken that,
until the earlier of the effective time of the merger and the
termination of the merger agreement, each will conduct its
business in the ordinary course consistent with past practice
and use all commercially reasonable efforts to preserve intact
its business organization, maintain its material rights and
franchises, keep available the services of its current officers
and key employees and preserve its relationships with material
third parties. Each has further agreed that it will not, except
as permitted by the distribution agreement or any ancillary
agreement or with the prior written consent of the other parties
(such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), do
any of the following:
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in the case of Mariner, declare or pay any dividends on or make
other distributions in respect of its capital stock; |
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split, combine or reclassify any of its capital stock or issue
or authorize or propose the issuance of any other securities in
respect of, in lieu of, or in substitution for, shares of its
capital stock; |
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redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire (or permit any
subsidiary to redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire) any
shares of its capital stock; |
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issue, deliver or sell any shares of, or securities convertible
into, its capital stock of any class, except, in the case of
Mariner, the issuance of stock options with three-year vesting
or restricted stock for up to 300,000 shares of Mariner
common stock; |
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amend its governing documents; |
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other than purchases from vendors or suppliers in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice, exercises of
preferential rights and, in the case of Mariner, certain
specified transactions, engage in acquisitions valued at more
than $25 million in the aggregate; |
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other than product sales and other dispositions in connection
with normal equipment maintenance or salvage in the ordinary
course of business and consistent with past practice and
permitted liens, dispose of assets valued at more than
$10 million in the aggregate, except, in the case of
Mariner, transactions permitted as described under
No Solicitation above, and except, in
the case of Forest, dispositions of property to Forest and any
of its wholly owned subsidiaries; |
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incur or guarantee indebtedness, other than, in the case of
Forest Energy Resources, indebtedness incurred or guaranteed in
connection with the spin-off, or, in the case of Mariner, up to
$185 million pursuant to a new or amended credit agreement; |
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fail to continue its capital expenditure program for exploration
and development or fail to perform, to the extent reasonably
practicable, all capital expenditures at an aggregate cost not
exceeding 120% of the aggregate costs set forth in the capital
expenditure program; |
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make material changes to employment arrangements; |
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fail to comply with any laws, ordinances or regulations or
permit to expire or terminate without renewal any license that
is necessary to the operation of the business, to the extent the
same would result in a material adverse effect; |
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adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation or dissolution; |
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change its fiscal year or make any material change in its
methods of accounting except as required by the Financial
Accounting Standards Board or changes in generally accepted
accounting principles, or in response to comments made by the
SEC with respect to any registration statement; |
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amend any agreement or arrangement with any affiliates
(including employees of Mariner and Forest Energy Resources) on
terms materially less favorable than could be reasonably
expected to have been obtained with an unaffiliated third party
on an arms-length basis; |
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except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice, modify, amend, terminate or renew any material
contract or waive, release or assign any material rights or
claims, in each case if the action would have a material adverse
effect or impair in any material respect the partys
ability to perform its obligations under the merger agreement
and other transaction agreements; |
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waive any preferential rights; |
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enter into any contract not in the ordinary course of business
involving total consideration of $2 million or more with a
term longer than one year, unless it can be terminated by it
without penalty upon no more than 30 days prior
notice; |
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fail to maintain insurance in amounts and against risks and
losses as are customary for companies engaged in their
respective businesses, except, in the case of Mariner,
self-insurance with respect to operators extra expense
insurance, physical damage to wellsite real and personal
property insurance and business interruption insurance; |
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make or rescind any material express or deemed election relating
to taxes unless the action will not materially and adversely
affect that party on a going-forward basis; |
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settle or compromise any material claim or controversy relating
to taxes, except where the settlement or compromise will not
result in a material adverse effect on that party; |
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amend any material tax returns; |
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change in any material respect any of its methods of reporting
income or deductions for federal income tax purposes, except as
may be required by applicable law or except for changes that are
reasonably expected not to result in a material adverse effect
on that party; |
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pay, discharge or satisfy any material claims, liabilities or
obligations, other than the payment, discharge or satisfaction,
in the ordinary course of business or, in the case of Mariner,
in accordance with their terms, of liabilities reflected or
reserved against in, or contemplated by, the most recent
consolidated financial statements or incurred in the ordinary
course of business; |
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take or cause or permit to be taken any action that would
disqualify the spin-off under the distribution agreement from
constituting a tax-free spin-off or that would disqualify either
the merger or the contribution of assets from Forest to Forest
Energy Resources from constituting a tax-free reorganization; |
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intentionally take or agree or commit to take any action that
would result in any of the conditions set forth in the merger
agreement not being satisfied at the effective time of the
merger; |
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enter into any derivative transaction or any fixed price
commodity sales agreement with a term of more than
60 days; and |
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agree or otherwise take any action inconsistent with the
foregoing. |
Mariner has also undertaken that it will cause MEI Sub not to
conduct any business operations, enter into any contract,
acquire any assets or incur any liabilities, and will use
reasonable commercial efforts to obtain the lender consent and
to enter into a new credit facility. Forest and Forest Energy
Resources have also undertaken not to form or propose to form a
new subsidiary of Forest Energy Resources.
Also, the parties agree to promptly advise the other parties
orally and in writing of any change or event having, or that,
insofar as can reasonably be foreseen, could have, either
individually or together with other changes or events, a
material adverse effect.
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Commercially Reasonable Efforts, Further Assurances |
Forest, Forest Energy Resources, Mariner and MEI Sub have agreed
to use all commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause to
be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be done, all things
necessary under applicable laws and regulations to consummate
the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and the
other transaction agreements. These actions include providing
information and obtaining all necessary exemptions, rulings,
consents, authorizations, approvals and waivers to effect all
necessary registrations and filings and to lift any injunction
or other legal bar to the merger and the other transactions
contemplated by the merger agreement and the other transaction
agreements as promptly as practicable, and taking all other
actions necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by
the merger agreement and the other transaction agreements in a
manner consistent with applicable law. Forest, Forest Energy
Resources, Mariner and MEI Sub also agreed to cooperate and to
use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to obtain
any government clearances required to consummate the merger and
to respond to any government requests for information.
Forest Energy Resources and Mariner agreed in the merger
agreement that Forest Energy Resources employees who remain
employed by Forest Energy Resources, Mariner or their
subsidiaries from and after the effective time of the merger:
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will participate in Mariner benefit plans as of the effective
time of the merger on a basis no less favorable than that
applicable to similarly situated Mariner employees, and be
granted full credit for all purposes under such plans for prior
service with Forest and Forest Energy Resources and their
affiliates before the effective time of the merger (except to
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will, if the effective time of the merger occurs in 2006,
receive vacation benefits for 2006 that are equal to the
employees accrued and unused vacation under Forests
vacation policy as of the effective time of the merger plus any
additional vacation entitlement the employee would have earned
under the terms of Mariners vacation policy; and |
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will receive specified relocation benefits if, from the
effective time of the merger to the later of June 30, 2006
or six months after the effective time of the merger, Mariner or
a subsidiary of Mariner relocates the principal place of
employment of the employee by 50 miles or more from the
location of his or her principal place of employment immediately
prior to the effective time of the merger. |
In addition, Forest Energy Resources employees will, in lieu of
the payment of any annual bonuses for 2005 under annual
incentive and bonus plans maintained by Forest, be eligible to
receive potential retention benefits, paid in installments
commencing in October 2005 and ending in June 2006, in an
aggregate amount equal to 250% of the employees target
annual bonus for 2005 under the annual incentive or bonus plan
maintained by Forest and applicable to the employee.
If, during the period beginning on the effective time of the
merger and ending on the later of June 30, 2006, or the
date that is six months after the effective time of the merger,
a Forest Energy Resources employee (a) voluntarily
terminates his employment within 30 days after a reduction
in his base salary or base wages from that in effect immediately
prior to the effective time of the merger, (b) voluntarily
terminates his employment after being notified that the
principal place of his employment is changing to a location
50 miles or more from the location of his principal place
of employment immediately prior to the effective time of the
merger, or (c) is involuntarily terminated from employment
other than for cause, then Mariner shall pay specified severance
benefits to such employee, reduced, however, by the amount of
any retention benefits previously paid to such employee, and
provided that such employee executes a release and is not
subsequently re-hired by Forest or any subsidiary of Forest
during the six-month period after the effective time of the
merger.
Mariner will reimburse Forest for severance amounts paid to
employees of the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations who are
terminated by Forest with Mariners consent prior to the
effective time of the merger, provided that any such employee is
not subsequently rehired by Forest or any Forest subsidiary
during the six month period following the effective time of the
merger.
After the effective time of the merger, Forest will transfer the
aggregate account balances of the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations employees under Forests retirement savings plan
to Mariners comparable plan. Any loans under the plan will
be transferred as part of the balance transfers. All savings
plan investments in shares of Forest or Mariner common stock
will be converted to cash prior to transfer.
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Directors and Officers Indemnification |
From and after the effective time of the merger, Forest Energy
Resources will indemnify any persons who are or were officers or
directors of Mariner prior to the effective time of the merger
for losses in connection with any action arising out of or
pertaining to acts or omissions, or alleged acts or omissions,
by them in their capacities as such, whether commenced, asserted
or claimed before or after the effective time of the merger.
Forest Energy Resources will maintain existing, or provide
comparable, directors and officers liability
insurance policies for a period of six years following the
effective time of the merger.
Additional Covenants
Each of Forest, Forest Energy Resources, Mariner and MEI Sub
will use all commercially reasonable efforts to defend against
all actions in which such party is named as a defendant that
challenge or otherwise seek to enjoin, restrain or prohibit the
transactions contemplated by the merger agreement or seek
damages with respect to such transactions.
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Each party to the merger agreement will use its commercially
reasonable efforts to ensure that, following the effective time
of the merger, Mariner will establish a fiscal year ending on
December 31.
Forest, Forest Energy Resources, Mariner and MEI Sub intend that
the merger will qualify as a reorganization within the meaning
of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code and the
parties have agreed to take the position for all tax purposes
that the merger so qualifies unless a contrary position is
required by a final determination within the meaning of
Section 1313 of the Internal Revenue Code. Forest, Forest
Energy Resources, Mariner and MEI Sub will each use their
respective commercially reasonable efforts to cause the merger
to qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, and will not
take actions, cause actions to be taken or fail to take actions
that are reasonably likely to prevent such result.
Mariner will obtain and maintain a letter of credit in favor of
Forest with an aggregate principal amount of $40.0 million
to secure Mariners performance of its obligations under an
existing drill-to-earn
program. The principal amount of the letter of credit will
decrease over time as Mariner drills more wells under the
program.
Conditions to the Completion of the Merger
The respective obligations of Forest, Mariner, MEI Sub and
Forest Energy Resources to complete the merger are subject to
the fulfillment, or the waiver by Forest and Mariner, of various
conditions which include, in addition other customary closing
conditions, the following:
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completion of the spin-off in accordance with the distribution
agreement; |
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obtaining all material consents, approvals and authorizations of
any governmental authority legally required for the consummation
of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and the
other transaction agreements; |
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the expiration or termination of any applicable waiting period
under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act; |
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the SEC having declared effective the registration statements of
Mariner relating to the shares of Mariner common stock to be
issued in connection with the merger and the shares held by its
existing stockholders; |
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the approval for listing on the New York Stock Exchange or
Nasdaq of the shares of Mariner common stock and such other
shares required to be reserved for issuance in connection with
the merger, subject to official notice of issuance; |
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adoption of the merger agreement by the Mariner stockholders at
the meeting; |
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the absence of a final and non-appealable injunction or other
prohibition issued by a court or other governmental entity that
restrains, enjoins or prohibits the spin-off or the merger; |
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there being no action by a governmental authority pending to
restrain, enjoin, prohibit or delay consummation of the
transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, or to impose
any material restrictions or requirements on the transactions
contemplated by the merger agreement or on Forest Energy
Resources or Mariner with respect to the transactions; |
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there being no action taken and no statute, rule, regulation or
executive order enacted, entered, promulgated or enforced by any
governmental authority with respect to the merger that,
individually or in the aggregate, would restrain, prohibit or
delay the consummation of the merger or impose material |
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restrictions or requirements on consummation of the merger or on
Forest Energy Resources or Mariner with respect to the
transactions; |
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the performance by Forest, Forest Energy Resources and Mariner
in all material respects of their respective covenants and
agreements contained in the merger agreement and the
truthfulness and correctness of the representations and
warranties in the merger agreement in all respects, except in
each case where the failure to be true and correct, individually
or in the aggregate, would not have a material adverse effect or
to the extent specifically contemplated or permitted by the
merger agreement; and |
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Forest, Forest Energy Resources and Mariner having received an
opinion from their respective counsel to the effect that the
merger will be treated for federal income tax purposes as a
reorganization. |
Additionally, the obligation of Forest and Forest Energy
Resources to complete the merger is subject to the fulfillment
or waiver by Forest of the following additional conditions:
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Forest having received any consents required from its
bondholders; and |
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Forest having received the consents required pursuant to its
credit facility. |
Additionally, the obligation of Mariner and MEI Sub to complete
the merger is subject to the fulfillment or waiver by Mariner of
the following additional conditions:
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Mariner having received the consents required pursuant to its
credit facility; and |
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Forest Energy Resources and/or Mariner having entered into a new
or amended credit facility with available borrowing capacity
sufficient to operate the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations and
Mariners business after the closing of the merger
transaction consistent with past practice. |
None of Forest, Forest Energy Resources or Mariner may rely on
the failure of any condition set forth in the merger agreement
to be satisfied if such failure was caused by such partys
failure to act in good faith or to use its commercially
reasonable efforts to consummate the merger and the other
transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and the other
transaction agreements.
A material adverse effect is, with respect to any
person, any circumstance, change or effect that is or is
reasonably likely to be materially adverse to (i) the
business, operations, assets, liabilities, results of operations
or condition (financial or otherwise) of such person and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole (which may include damage
attributable, both directly and indirectly, to Hurricane
Katrina), except for such effects on or changes in general
economic or capital market conditions and effects and changes
that generally affect the U.S. domestic oil and gas
exploration and production business, or (ii) the ability of
such person to perform its obligations under the merger
agreement or under the other transaction agreements, in each
case other than any such circumstance, change or effect that
relates to or results primarily from (x) the announcement,
pendency or consummation of the transactions contemplated by the
merger agreement or the other transaction agreements or
(y) acts of war, insurrection, sabotage or terrorism.
Damages attributable to Hurricane Katrina disclosed in the
damage reports of Mariner and Forest will not be taken into
account in determining whether a material adverse effect exists
or has occurred.
On November 14, 2005, the waiting period under the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Act expired. On October 19, 2005, Forest
received the consent required pursuant to its credit facility.
On February 7, 2006, Mariners common stock was
approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange upon the
completion of the merger. As of February 7, 2006, no other
conditions to closing have been satisfied. Mariner is currently
negotiating the definitive documents for its new credit
facility, which documents also will grant the consent required
pursuant to its existing facility. Mariner and Forest are
actively working to obtain necessary consents, approvals and
authorizations from governmental authorities, including the
Minerals Management Service.
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Based on its current valuation of the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations and the current amount of distributions permitted by
the covenants contained in the indentures governing
Forests outstanding bonds, Forest believes that no
consents of its bondholders will be required for the spin-off
and the merger. If Forests belief that bondholder consents
are not necessary remains unchanged as the merger closing
approaches, it intends to waive conditions in the merger
agreement and distribution agreement related to such consents.
Neither Mariner nor Forest currently believes that any other
condition to closing is likely to be waived. Mariner and Forest
will recirculate revised proxy materials and resolicit proxies
if there are any material changes in the terms of the merger,
including those that result from waivers of conditions to
closing.
Termination of the Merger Agreement
The merger agreement may be terminated and the transactions
contemplated by the merger agreement may be abandoned at any
time prior to the effective time of the merger as follows:
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by mutual written consent of the parties; |
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by any party: |
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if the effective time of the merger has not occurred on or
before March 31, 2006, except that a party may not
terminate the merger agreement if the cause of the merger not
being completed on or before such date resulted from the
partys failure to fulfill its obligations; |
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if a court or other governmental entity issues a final and
non-appealable injunction or otherwise prohibits the merger and
the terminating party has used all commercially reasonable
efforts to remove such injunction or prohibition; or |
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if the adoption of the merger agreement and the approval of the
transactions contemplated by the merger agreement by the Mariner
stockholders is not obtained, except that Mariner may not
terminate the merger agreement if the cause of the approval not
being obtained resulted from the action or failure to act of
Mariner and such action or failure to act constitutes a breach
by Mariner of the provisions of the merger agreement relating to
non-solicitation in any respect or a material breach by Mariner
of any of the other covenants or agreements contained in the
merger agreement; |
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if either Forest or Forest Energy Resources fails to perform in
any material respect any of its respective covenants or
agreements contained in the merger agreement required to be
performed at or prior to the effective time of the merger, or
the respective representations and warranties of Forest or
Forest Energy Resources in the merger agreement are or will
become untrue in any respect at any time prior to the effective
time of the merger and the failure to be true and correct,
individually or in the aggregate, would have a material adverse
effect on the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations, Forest Energy
Resources or Mariner and has not been cured within 30 days
after written notice was given to Forest and Forest Energy
Resources of such failure or untruth; or |
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if the board of directors of Mariner changes its recommendation
that Mariner stockholders approve the merger in order to accept
a superior offer, provided that: |
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Mariner is not in breach of the provisions of the merger
agreement relating to non-solicitation or in material breach of
any other covenant or agreement contained in the merger
agreement, and has not breached any of its representations and
warranties contained in the merger agreement in any material
respect; |
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Forest has not made an offer that is at least favorable as the
superior offer within three business days after Forest receives
written notice of the superior offer; |
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the Mariner board of directors authorizes Mariner to enter into
a binding written agreement with respect to the superior offer
and notifies Forest and Forest Energy Resources of its intent to
do so and provides a copy of the most current version of the
agreement; and |
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Mariner pays the termination fee and expense reimbursement; |
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if Mariner fails to perform in any material respect any of its
covenants or agreements contained in the merger agreement
required to be performed at or prior to the effective time of
the merger, or the representations and warranties of Mariner in
the merger agreement are or will become untrue in any respect at
any time prior to the effective time of the merger and the
failure to be true and correct, individually or in the
aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on Mariner, the
Forest Gulf of Mexico operations or Forest Energy Resources and
has not been cured within 30 days after written notice was
given to Mariner of such failure or untruth; or |
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if the board of directors of Mariner (i) fails to reaffirm
publicly its approval of the merger, as soon as reasonably
practicable, and in no event within three business days after
Forests request, or resolves not to reaffirm the merger,
(ii) fails to include in this proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement its recommendation, without
modification or qualification, that Mariner stockholders approve
the merger, (iii) withholds, withdraws, amends or modifies
its recommendation that Mariner stockholders approve the merger,
(iv) changes its recommendation that Mariner stockholders
approve the merger or (v) within ten business days after
commencement, fails to recommend against acceptance of any
tender or exchange offer for shares of Mariner common stock or
takes no position with respect to any tender or exchange offer. |
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Termination Fees and Expenses |
If either Forest or Mariner terminates the merger agreement as a
result of:
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the other partys failure to perform in any material
respect any of its covenants or agreements contained in the
merger agreement; or |
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the representations and warranties of such other party in the
merger agreement being or becoming untrue; and |
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the failure to be true and correct, individually or in the
aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on Forest Energy
Resources, the Mariner business or Mariner and has not been
cured within 30 days after written notice was given to such
party of such failure or untruth, |
the terminating party will be entitled to reimbursement of all
of its documented
out-of-pocket expenses
and fees incurred by such terminating party up to
$5 million in the aggregate.
In addition to the reimbursement of
out-of-pocket expenses
and fees, Mariner has agreed to pay Forest a termination fee of
$25 million, together with the expense reimbursement
described above, if:
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(i) either Forest or Mariner terminates the merger
agreement as a result of the failure to obtain the requisite
stockholder approval from Mariner stockholders, (ii) either
Forest or Mariner terminates the merger agreement as a result of
the effective time of the merger not occurring on or before
March 31, 2006 or (iii) Forest terminates the merger
agreement as a result of the failure of Mariner to perform in
any material respect any of its covenants and agreements
contained in the merger agreement, plus an acquisition proposal
had been publicly announced prior to the termination and, within
twelve months of the date of termination, Mariner either
completes an acquisition proposal with a third party or enters
into an agreement or recommends approval of any acquisition
proposal that is subsequently completed (whether or not within
the twelve-month period); |
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Forest terminates the merger agreement as a result of the board
of directors of Mariner (i) having failed to reaffirm
publicly its approval of the merger, as soon as reasonably
practicable, and in no event later than three business days,
after request by Forest, or having resolved not to reaffirm the
merger, |
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(ii) having failed to include in this proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement its recommendation, without
modification or qualification, that Mariner stockholders approve
the merger, (iii) having withheld, withdrawn, amended or
modified its recommendation that Mariner stockholders approve
the merger, (iv) having changed its recommendation that
Mariner stockholders approve the merger or (v) within ten
business days after commencement, having failed to recommend
against acceptance of any tender or exchange offer for shares of
Mariner common stock or takes no position with respect to any
such tender or exchange offer; or |
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Mariner terminates the merger agreement as a result of the board
of directors of Mariner changing its recommendation that Mariner
stockholders approve the merger in order to permit Mariner to
accept a superior offer. |
Amendments and Waiver
Any provision of the merger agreement may, to the extent legally
allowed, be amended or waived at any time prior to the effective
time of the merger. However, if a provision of the merger
agreement is amended or waived after the Mariner stockholders
adopt the merger agreement, such amendment or waiver will be
subject to any necessary stockholder approval. Forest, Forest
Energy Resources, Mariner and MEI Sub must sign any amendments.
Any waiver must be signed by the party against whom the waiver
is to be effective. Mariner and Forest will recirculate revised
proxy materials and resolicit proxies if there are any material
changes in the terms of the merger, including those that result
from amendments or waivers.
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THE DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
The following is a summary of the material terms of the
distribution agreement. This summary is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the distribution agreement, a copy of
which is attached as Annex C to this proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement and is incorporated by
reference into this proxy statement/ prospectus-information
statement. We urge you to read the distribution agreement in its
entirety for a more complete description of the terms and
conditions of the spin-off.
Summary of the Transactions
In connection with the merger, Forest has contributed the Forest
Gulf of Mexico operations to Forest Energy Resources pursuant to
the terms and conditions of the distribution agreement
summarized below. Prior to the merger, Forest will spin-off
Forest Energy Resources by distributing all of the shares of
Forest Energy Resources common stock to Forest shareholders on a
pro rata basis.
Contribution of the Forest Gulf of Mexico Assets and
Assumption of Liabilities
Under the distribution agreement, Forest has taken or caused to
be taken all actions necessary to cause the transfer to Forest
Energy Resources of all of the ownership interest of Forest and
its subsidiaries in:
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all real property interests, overriding royalty interests,
reversionary interests, real or immovable property (including
use and occupation rights, rights to pooled, communitized or
unitized acreage, and platforms, pipelines and improvements),
easements, inventory, hydrocarbons, equipment, personal or
movable property, spare parts, contracts, books and records,
proceeds, refunds, settlements, claims and current assets to the
extent comprising a part of the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations; |
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other assets of Forest and the subsidiaries of Forest to the
extent specifically assigned by Forest or any subsidiaries
pursuant to the distribution agreement; and |
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all rights of Forest Energy Resources under the distribution
agreement and the other agreements entered into in connection
with the merger and the spin-off. |
Forest Energy Resources has assumed certain liabilities,
including:
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all of the liabilities of the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations
to the extent arising after June 30, 2005 and attributable
to the conduct of the business after that date; |
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legal obligations to plug, abandon, remove or retire platforms,
pipelines, improvements, equipment, personal or movable
property, fixtures and improvements comprising part of the
Forest Gulf of Mexico assets, to the extent the obligation was
previously disclosed to Mariner, arose after June 30, 2005
or was not known to Forest after due inquiry on the date of the
distribution agreement; |
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environmental liabilities arising from the conduct of the Forest
Gulf of Mexico operations (subject to a monetary cap with
respect to specified conditions), unless such liability was
required to have been disclosed to Mariner prior to the
execution of the merger agreement and was not so
disclosed; and |
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liabilities under specified derivatives contracts with an
estimated fair value of $50.8 million as of June 30,
2005. |
In connection with the spin-off, Forest Energy Resources will
also transfer a cash amount to Forest, which Forest will use to
reduce its indebtedness. The cash amount will equal
$200 million, plus or minus the following amounts:
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minus revenue derived from the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations
from June 30, 2005 through the date of the spin-off (which
period is referred to as the measurement period); |
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minus cash consideration from any sale of property, plant and
equipment related to the Forest Gulf of Mexico assets during the
measurement period; |
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plus certain net assets and liabilities specified on the date of
the distribution agreement; |
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plus or minus the net gas balancing assets or liabilities of the
Forest Gulf of Mexico operations as of June 30, 2005; |
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plus or minus the net settlement amounts in respect of
settlements of gas imbalances effected during the measurement
period; |
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plus capital and operating expenditures attributable to the
Forest Gulf of Mexico operations during the measurement period; |
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plus an amount equal to hypothetical income taxes attributable
to the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations during the measurement
period; |
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plus interest expense attributable to the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations during the measurement period; |
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plus $1.6 million per month during the measurement period
in respect of general and administrative expenses; |
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plus an amount, not to exceed $7 million, in respect of the
fees and expenses of Forest and Forest Energy Resources in
connection with the merger and related transactions; |
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plus or minus an amount equal to the change in working capital
accounts (other than cash) of the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations during the measurement period; |
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plus or minus an amount to adjust for the above items to the
extent they are settled through intercompany accounts prior to
the closing. |
To the extent that any transfers are not completed before the
spin-off, the parties will use their commercially reasonable
efforts to effect any remaining transfers as promptly as
practicable following the spin-off.
Spin-off
Before the merger, Forest will distribute
50,637,010 shares, which will represent all of the
then-outstanding shares of Forest Energy Resources common stock,
to Forests shareholders. As a result of the spin-off,
Forest Energy Resources will be a separate company that will own
and operate the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations.
Representations and Warranties
In the distribution agreement Forest represents to Mariner and
Forest Energy Resources that, at the time of the spin-off and on
June 30, 2005, the Forest Gulf of Mexico assets to be
contributed to Forest Energy Resources in connection with the
spin-off constitute all of Forests business and assets in
the offshore Gulf of Mexico, and that all such assets are owned
free and clear of all liens other than liens permitted under the
agreement.
Indemnification
Forest Energy Resources has agreed to indemnify, defend and hold
Forest and each of its affiliates and their representatives
harmless from and against all losses or liabilities arising out
of or related to any liabilities assumed by Forest Energy
Resources or from Forest Energy Resources failure to
perform its obligations under the distribution agreement.
Forest has agreed to indemnify, defend and hold Forest Energy
Resources and each of its affiliates and their representatives
harmless from and against all losses or liabilities arising out
of or related to the failure of Forest or any of its
subsidiaries:
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to pay, among other things, any losses or liabilities of Forest
or its subsidiaries (including liabilities under the agreements
entered into in connection with the merger and the spin-off); |
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to transfer to Forest Energy Resources or any of its
subsidiaries all of the assets to be transferred to Forest
Energy Resources; and |
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to perform any of its obligations under the distribution
agreement. |
Forest has agreed that it will use commercially reasonable
efforts to assist Forest Energy Resources in asserting claims
relating to the assets transferred to Forest Energy Resources or
liabilities assumed by Forest Energy Resources under
Forests insurance policies, to the extent such claims are
based on events prior to the spin-off date or were commenced
prior to the spin-off date.
Conditions to the Spin-off
The obligations of Forest under the distribution agreement are
subject to the fulfillment (or waiver by Forest) at or prior to
the spin-off of a number of conditions, including the following:
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obtaining all material consents, approvals and authorizations of
any governmental authority that are legally required for the
spin-off and other transactions contemplated by the other
agreements entered into in connection with the spin-off and the
merger; |
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the absence of an injunction or other prohibition issued by a
court or other governmental entity that restrains, enjoins or
prohibits or otherwise imposes material restrictions on the
spin-off or the merger; |
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the SEC having declared effective the registration statement of
Mariner relating to the shares of Mariner common stock to be
issued into which shares of Forest Energy Resources common stock
will be converted pursuant to the merger, of which this proxy
statement/ prospectus-information statement forms a part; |
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the approval for listing on the New York Stock Exchange or
Nasdaq of the Mariner common stock and the other shares required
to be reserved for issuance in connection with the merger,
subject to official notice of issuance; |
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the adoption of the merger agreement by the Mariner stockholders
at the meeting; |
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Forest having received an opinion from its tax counsel to the
effect that the contribution will constitute a reorganization
under Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code and the
distribution will qualify under Section 355 of the Internal
Revenue Code; |
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Forest having received the consents required from its
bondholders; |
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the performance by Mariner in all material respects of its
covenants and agreements contained in the merger agreement
required to be performed at or prior to the date of the
spin-off; and |
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the truthfulness and correctness of the representations and
warranties of Mariner in the merger agreement in all respects,
except as permitted by the merger agreement or where the failure
to be true and correct would not have a material adverse effect. |
Based on its current valuation of the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations and the current amount of distributions permitted by
the covenants contained in the indentures governing
Forests outstanding bonds, Forest believes that no
consents of bondholders will be required for the spin-off and
the merger. If Forests belief that bondholder consents are
not necessary remains unchanged as the merger closing
approaches, it intends to waive conditions in the merger
agreement and distribution agreement related to such consents.
90
ANCILLARY AGREEMENTS
Forest and Forest Energy Resources have entered into agreements
that will govern the ongoing relationships among Mariner, Forest
Energy Resources and Forest and provide for an orderly
transition after the spin-off and the merger. These agreements
are summarized below.
Tax Sharing Agreement
In order to allocate the responsibilities for payment of taxes
and certain other tax matters, Forest, Mariner and Forest Energy
Resources have entered into a tax sharing agreement. The
following is a summary of the material terms of the tax sharing
agreement. This summary is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the tax sharing agreement, a copy of which is
attached as Annex D to this proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement and which is filed as an
exhibit to this registration statement of which this proxy
statement/ prospectus-information statement is a part. We urge
you to read the tax sharing agreement in its entirety for a more
complete discussion of the tax matters.
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Preparation and Filing of Tax Returns |
Forest will prepare and file all tax returns (including any tax
returns reporting the results of Forest Energy Resources) for
periods ending on or prior to the date of the distribution of
Forest Energy Resources to the shareholders of Forest, as well
as any consolidated or combined returns of Forest that include
Forest Energy Resources or the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations.
Mariner and Forest Energy Resources will be responsible for
filing all tax returns with respect to Forest Energy
Resources operations for all other periods.
Each party has agreed to indemnify the other in respect of all
taxes for which it is responsible under the tax sharing
agreement. Forest is responsible for all taxes for all periods
arising from the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations prior to the
time that the common stock of Forest Energy Resources is
distributed to the Forest shareholders and agrees to hold Forest
Energy Resources and Mariner harmless in respect of those taxes.
Forest is entitled to receive all refunds of previously paid
taxes arising from the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations during
such time. Forest remains responsible for all taxes related to
the businesses of Forest other than the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations and has agreed to indemnify Forest Energy Resources
and Mariner in respect of any liability for any of such taxes.
Forest Energy Resources and Mariner are responsible for all
taxes for all periods arising from the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations subsequent to the time that Forest Energy Resources
is distributed to the Forest shareholders and agree to hold
Forest harmless in respect of those taxes.
If the spin-off fails to qualify as a tax-free transaction
because of an action by Mariner (or one of its affiliates) that
was not contemplated or permitted by the transaction agreements,
Mariner and Forest Energy Resources agree to indemnify and hold
Forest harmless for any resulting tax liability (or for the
utilization of any tax attributes used to absorb any resulting
taxable gain). In all other circumstances, Forest is liable for
and agrees to indemnify and hold Forest Energy Resources and
Mariner harmless for any tax liability if the spin-off fails to
qualify as a tax-free transaction.
Forest, Mariner and Forest Energy Resources each agrees not to
take (and each agrees to cause its respective affiliates to
refrain from taking) any position on a tax return that will be
inconsistent with the treatment of the spin-off and the merger
as tax-free transactions under the applicable provisions of the
Internal Revenue Code. In addition, Forest, Forest Energy
Resources and Mariner each agrees that, during the two-year
period following the spin-off, it will not take or fail to take
(or permit any affiliate to take or fail to take) any action
which would cause the spin-off to fail to qualify as a tax-free
spin-off.
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Moreover, Forest and Mariner each agrees that, during the
two-year period following the spin-off, prior to entering into
any agreement, or failing to take any action, that would result
in a more than immaterial possibility that the spin-off would be
treated as part of a plan pursuant to which one or more persons
acquire directly or indirectly Forest Energy Resources stock or
Forest stock representing a 50-percent or greater
interest within the meaning of Section 355(e)(4) of
the Internal Revenue Code, it will obtain:
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a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service to the effect that
the action contemplated would not affect the tax-free status of
the spin-off, |
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an opinion from a nationally recognized law firm both reasonably
acceptable to Forest and Mariner to the effect that the action
contemplated would not affect the tax-free status of the
spin-off, or |
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the agreement of both Forest and Mariner that such contemplated
action would not affect the tax-free status of the spin-off. |
Actions which may be restricted by these requirements include an
issuance of shares of Mariner (or any instrument that is
convertible or exchangeable into Mariner shares) in an
acquisition or public or private offering. Under
U.S. Treasury Regulations, certain safe harbors exist under
which certain issuances of shares of Mariner will not be deemed
part of the same plan as the spin-off and thus not restricted.
Among other safe harbors, safe harbors exist for transactions if
specific timing conditions are met as to when agreements or
substantial negotiations relating to such transactions occur and
a safe harbor exists for certain issuances pursuant to
compensatory employment-related arrangements.
The tax sharing agreement also provides that Forest and Forest
Energy Resources will cooperate with each other and exchange
necessary information in connection with tax audits and
examinations and the tax sharing agreement contains provisions
entitling the appropriate party to control particular tax audits
and controversies.
Employee Benefits Agreement
Forest and Forest Energy Resources have entered into an employee
benefits agreement that provides for the transfer of the
employees of the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations to Forest
Energy Resources, effective upon completion of the spin-off. The
employee benefits agreement is filed as an exhibit to this
registration statement of which this proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement is a part.
The employee benefits agreement also allocates the assets and
liabilities under certain existing Forest employee benefit plans
and other employment-related liabilities to Forest and Forest
Energy Resources, respectively. In general, at the time of the
spin-off, Forest Energy Resources will assume the liabilities
relating to the former employees of the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations arising after the date of the spin-off and other
specified liabilities, and Forest will retain the pre-spin-off
liabilities relating to the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations
employees and all liabilities relating to its continuing
employees. The employee benefits agreement also:
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sets forth the rights of the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations
employees under certain of the Forest plans in which they
previously participated, including with respect to the portion
of their stock options that are exercisable at the effective
time of the merger; and |
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provides for the assumption by Forest Energy Resources of
certain liabilities of Forest relating to employees who are
transferred to Forest Energy Resources, including the assumption
of liabilities under Forests educational assistance plan
and accrued vacation liabilities. |
Pursuant to the employee benefits agreement, each of Forest
Energy Resources and Forest has agreed that, without the prior
consent of the other, it will not solicit employees of the other
party for two years following the spin-off date.
Transition Services Agreement
Forest and Forest Energy Resources have entered into a
transition services agreement under which Forest will provide
services to Forest Energy Resources on an as-needed basis for a
limited period of time after the merger.
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FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS RELATING TO THE SPIN-OFF AND THE
MERGER
At the closing of the merger, Mariner and Mariner Energy
Resources expect to enter into a new $500 million senior
secured revolving credit facility, and Mariner also will obtain
a $40 million senior secured letter of credit facility. The
revolving credit facility will mature on the fourth anniversary
of the closing, and the letter of credit facility will mature on
the third anniversary of the closing. We may use the borrowings
under the revolving credit facility to retire existing debt, to
facilitate the merger and for general corporate purposes. The
letter of credit facility will be used to obtain a letter of
credit in favor of Forest to secure our performance of our
obligations under an existing
drill-to-earn program.
The outstanding principal balance of loans under the revolving
credit facility may not exceed the borrowing base, which
initially will be set at $400 million. The borrowing base
will be redetermined semi-annually by the lenders, subject to
reduction by Mariner. In addition, the agent and Mariner may
request one additional redetermination during the interval
between each scheduled redetermination, and the agent may
require redeterminations in connection with certain material
dispositions. If the borrowing base falls below the outstanding
balance under the revolving credit facility, we will be required
to prepay the deficit, pledge additional unencumbered collateral
or some combination of such prepayment and pledge.
Interest under the revolving credit facility will be determined
by reference to the following grid:
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Applicable Margin |
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Usage as a % |
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LIBOR |
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Reference |
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Unused |
Borrowing Base |
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Loans |
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Rate Loans |
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Fee |
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Less than 50%
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1.25% |
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0.00% |
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0.375% |
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51% to 75%
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1.50% |
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0.00% |
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0.375% |
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76% to 90%
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1.75% |
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0.25% |
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0.250% |
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Greater than 90%
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2.00% |
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0.50% |
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0.250% |
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Interest will be payable quarterly for Union Bank of California
Reference Rate loans and at the applicable maturity date for
LIBOR (London interbank offered rate) loans. The fee for letters
of credit issued under the revolving credit facility will be the
LIBOR margin indicated in the grid, per annum. The fee for
letters of credit under the letter of credit facility will be
1.50% due quarterly in advance.
The obligations under the credit facilities will be secured by
first priority liens on substantially all of our real and
personal property, including our existing and after-acquired oil
and gas properties and related real property interests.
Additionally, the obligations under the credit facilities will
be guaranteed by us and each of our subsidiaries.
The credit facilities will contain various covenants that limit
our ability to do the following, among other things:
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incur certain indebtedness; |
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grant certain liens; |
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merge or consolidate with another entity; |
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sell unmortgaged property or other assets which generate
proceeds in excess of 10% of the borrowing base; |
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sell assets comprising collateral pledged to the lenders; |
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make certain loans and investments; |
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enter new lines of business; and |
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permit certain trade payables to exceed 90 days. |
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The credit facilities also will contain covenants, which, among
other things, require us to maintain specified ratios or
conditions as follows:
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consolidated current assets plus the unused borrowing base to
consolidated current liabilities of not less than 1.0 to
1.0; and |
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total debt to EBITDA of not more than 2.5 to 1.0. |
If an event of default exists under the credit facilities, the
lenders will be able to accelerate the maturity of the credit
facilities and exercise other rights and remedies. Events of
default will include defaults in payment or performance under
the credit facilities, misrepresentations, cross-defaults to
other debt or material obligations, and insolvency, material
adverse judgments, change of control (including certain changes
in ownership and in the event Mr. Scott D. Josey ceases to
be involved in Mariners management, the failure to timely
replace him with someone with comparable qualifications) and any
material adverse change.
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UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED CONDENSED FINANCIAL
INFORMATION
The following unaudited pro forma combined financial information
and explanatory notes present how the combined financial
statements of Mariner and the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations
may have appeared had the businesses actually been combined as
of September 30, 2005 (with respect to the balance sheet
information using currently available fair value information) or
as of January 1, 2004 (with respect to statements of
operations information). The unaudited pro forma combined
financial information shows the impact of the merger on the
historical financial position and results of operations under
the purchase method of accounting with Mariner treated as the
acquirer. Under this method of accounting, the assets and
liabilities of the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations are recorded
by Mariner at their estimated fair values as of the date the
merger is completed.
The unaudited pro forma combined balance sheet as of
September 30, 2005 assumes the merger was completed on that
date. The unaudited pro forma combined statements of operations
gives effect to the merger as if it had been completed on
January 1, 2004. The merger agreement was executed on
September 9, 2005 and provides for Mariner to issue
approximately 50.6 million shares of common stock as
consideration to Forest Energy Resources common stockholders.
The unaudited pro forma combined financial information has been
derived from and should be read together with the historical
consolidated financial statements of Mariner and the statements
of revenues and direct operating expenses of the Forest Gulf of
Mexico operations, which are included herein. The statements of
revenues and direct operating expenses of the Forest Gulf of
Mexico operations do not include all of the costs of doing
business.
The Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Financial Information
is for illustrative purposes only. The financial results may
have been different had the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations
been an independent company and had the companies always been
combined. You should not rely on the Unaudited Pro Forma
Combined Condensed Financial Information as being indicative of
the historical results that would have been achieved had the
merger occurred in the past or the future financial results that
Mariner will achieve after the merger.
In addition, the purchase price allocation is preliminary and
will be finalized following the closing of the merger. The final
purchase price allocation will be determined after closing based
on the actual fair value of current assets, current liabilities,
indebtedness, long-term liabilities, proven and unproven oil and
gas properties, identifiable intangible assets and the final
number of shares of Mariner common stock issued in the merger
and for unvested stock options that are outstanding at closing.
We are continuing to evaluate all of these items; accordingly,
the final purchase price may differ in material respects from
that presented in the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed
Balance Sheet.
The combination of the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations with
Mariners is expected to cause the average reserve life of
Mariners oil and gas properties to decrease from current
levels and to result in a higher rate of depreciation,
depletion, and amortization for the combined operations. For
example, the estimated proved reserves of the Forest Gulf of
Mexico properties as of June 30, 2005 were 328 Bcfe and
production for the six months ended June 30, 2005 (prior to
hurricane related disruptions) was approximately 40.8 Bcfe, a
reserve life on an annualized basis of 4.0. This ratio is
indicative of the relatively higher productive rates of offshore
oil and gas properties when compared to most onshore fields.
While the higher productive rates generally result in a faster
return on investment than onshore fields, they also result in a
faster depletion of the underlying proved reserves and a
resulting higher rate of depreciation, depletion, and
amortization. As of June 30, 2005, Mariners proved
reserves totaled 328 Bcfe and production for the six months
ended June 30, 2005 (prior to hurricane disruptions) was
approximately 16.5 Bcfe, a reserve life on an annualized basis
of 9.9. For the combined operations, as of June 30, 2005,
proved reserves would have totaled approximately 599 Bcfe and
production for the six months ended June 30, 2005 would
have totaled 57.3 Bcfe, a reserve life on an annualized basis of
5.7. Mariner will also write-up the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations to estimated fair value as of the merger date, which
is also expected to cause the underlying DD&A rate to
increase for the combined operations.
96
In connection with the merger, Mariner and Mariner Energy
Resources expect to enter into a $500 million senior
secured revolving credit facility, and Mariner also expects to
obtain a $40 million senior secured letter of credit
facility. The initial borrowing base of the revolving credit
facility will be $400 million. The revolving credit
facility will mature on the fourth anniversary of the closing
and may be used for general corporate purposes. The letter of
credit facility will mature on the third anniversary of the
closing.
In connection with the spin-off and the payment of the cash
amount by Forest Energy Resources to Forest pursuant to the
distribution agreement, Forest Energy Resources intends to enter
into a new senior term loan facility with Union Bank of
California, or UBOC, as lender, in an amount equal to the lesser
of the cash amount, plus the amount of the arrangement and
upfront fees and expenses associated with the facility, and
$200 million, plus the amount of the arrangement and
upfront fees and expenses associated with the facility. At
Forest Energy Resources election, interest will be
determined by reference to (1) the UBOC Reference Rate or
(2) the London interbank offered rate, or LIBOR, plus 1.50%
per annum. In the event that any portion of the facility is
outstanding after 30 days, the interest rate will increase,
at Forest Energy Resources election, to (1) the UBOC
Reference Rate, plus 5% per annum or (2) LIBOR plus 6.50%
per annum. Interest will be payable at the applicable maturity
date for LIBOR-loans and quarterly for UBOC Reference Rate loans.
The Forest Energy Resources facility is expected to be repaid
with borrowings under Mariners and Mariner Energy
Resources $500 million revolving credit facility. The
facility will mature 90 days from closing of the spin-off
and merger and the principal will be due at maturity.
Prepayments will be permitted at any time without premium or
penalty (except for breakage and related costs associated with
prepayments of Eurodollar loans), subject to minimum amount
requirements. The facility will be unsecured with a negative
pledge on Forest Energy Resources existing oil and gas
properties and all other assets of Forest Energy Resources.
The facility will contain various covenants that limit Forest
Energy Resources ability to do the following, among other
things, except as contemplated by the distribution agreement and
the merger agreement:
|
|
|
|
|
incur indebtedness; |
|
|
|
grant certain liens; |
|
|
|
merge or consolidate with another entity; |
|
|
|
sell assets except in the ordinary course of business; |
|
|
|
make certain loans and investments; and |
|
|
|
permit trade payables to exceed 90 days. |
If an event of default exists under the facility, the lender
will be able to accelerate the maturity of the facility and
exercise other rights and remedies. Events of default include
defaults in payment or performance under the facility,
misrepresentations, cross-defaults to other debt or material
obligations of Forest Energy Resources, and insolvency, material
judgments, certain changes of ownership, and any material
adverse change affecting Forest Energy Resources.
97
MARINER ENERGY, INC.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET
As of September 30, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mariner | |
|
|
Mariner | |
|
Merger | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
Historical | |
|
Adjustments(1) | |
|
Combined | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands) | |
ASSETS |
Current Assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
4,564 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
4,564 |
|
|
Receivables
|
|
|
50,259 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
50,259 |
|
|
Deferred tax asset
|
|
|
30,480 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30,480 |
|
|
Prepaid expenses and other
|
|
|
18,732 |
|
|
|
2,874 |
(2) |
|
|
21,606 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets
|
|
|
104,035 |
|
|
|
2,874 |
|
|
|
106,909 |
|
Property and Equipment, net
|
|
|
393,258 |
|
|
|
1,463,846 |
(3) |
|
|
1,857,104 |
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
142,000 |
(3) |
|
|
142,000 |
|
Other Assets, net of amortization
|
|
|
4,916 |
|
|
|
7,597 |
(2) |
|
|
12,513 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL ASSETS
|
|
$ |
502,209 |
|
|
$ |
1,616,317 |
|
|
$ |
2,118,526 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY |
Current Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable
|
|
$ |
14,573 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
14,573 |
|
|
Accrued liabilities
|
|
|
88,993 |
|
|
|
32,491 |
(2) |
|
|
121,484 |
|
|
Accrued interest
|
|
|
141 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
141 |
|
|
Derivative liability
|
|
|
76,902 |
|
|
|
108,031 |
(2) |
|
|
184,933 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
|
180,609 |
|
|
|
140,522 |
|
|
|
321,131 |
|
Long-Term Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Abandonment liability
|
|
|
26,314 |
|
|
|
116,203 |
(2) |
|
|
142,517 |
|
|
Deferred income tax
|
|
|
6,468 |
|
|
|
168,852 |
(4) |
|
|
175,320 |
|
|
Derivative liability
|
|
|
28,221 |
|
|
|
17,203 |
(2) |
|
|
45,424 |
|
|
Bank debt
|
|
|
75,000 |
|
|
|
200,000 |
(5) |
|
|
275,000 |
|
|
Note payable
|
|
|
4,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,000 |
|
|
New debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other long-term liabilities
|
|
|
3,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total long-term liabilities
|
|
|
143,003 |
|
|
|
502,258 |
|
|
|
645,261 |
|
Stockholders Equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
5 |
(6) |
|
|
9 |
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
171,667 |
|
|
|
973,532 |
(3) |
|
|
1,145,199 |
|
|
Unearned compensation
|
|
|
(14,548 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(14,548 |
) |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)
|
|
|
(67,708 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(67,708 |
) |
|
Accumulated retained earnings
|
|
|
89,182 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
89,182 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
|
178,597 |
|
|
|
973,537 |
|
|
|
1,152,134 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
|
|
$ |
502,209 |
|
|
$ |
1,616,317 |
|
|
$ |
2,118,526 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
98
MARINER ENERGY, INC.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED CONDENSED STATEMENT OF
OPERATIONS
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forest Energy | |
|
|
|
Mariner | |
|
|
Mariner | |
|
Resources, Inc. | |
|
Merger | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
Historical | |
|
Historical(7) | |
|
Adjustments(1) | |
|
Combined | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands, except per share data) | |
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil & gas sales
|
|
$ |
148,492 |
|
|
$ |
326,722 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
475,214 |
|
|
Other revenues
|
|
|
2,753 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,753 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
151,245 |
|
|
|
326,722 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
477,967 |
|
Costs and Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lease operating expenses
|
|
|
20,170 |
|
|
|
59,379 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
79,549 |
|
|
Transportation expenses
|
|
|
1,697 |
|
|
|
2,484 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,181 |
|
|
General and administrative expenses
|
|
|
26,726 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26,726 |
|
|
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
|
|
|
43,457 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
201,255 |
(8) |
|
|
244,712 |
|
|
Impairment of production equipment held for use
|
|
|
498 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
498 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total costs and expenses
|
|
|
92,548 |
|
|
|
61,863 |
|
|
|
201,255 |
|
|
|
355,666 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OPERATING INCOME
|
|
|
58,697 |
|
|
|
264,859 |
|
|
|
(201,255 |
) |
|
|
122,301 |
|
Interest:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
|
|
|
696 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
696 |
|
|
Expense, net of amounts capitalized
|
|
|
(5,416 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(8,010 |
)(9) |
|
|
(13,426 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before taxes
|
|
|
53,977 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(209,265 |
) |
|
|
109,571 |
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
|
(18,414 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(19,936 |
)(10) |
|
|
(38,350 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET INCOME
|
|
|
35,563 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(229,201 |
) |
|
|
71,221 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Income per share basic
|
|
|
1.10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.86 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Income per share diluted
|
|
|
1.07 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.85 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average shares outstanding basic
|
|
|
32,438 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
50,637 |
|
|
|
83,075 |
|
Weighted average shares outstanding diluted
|
|
|
33,313 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
50,637 |
|
|
|
83,950 |
|
99
MARINER ENERGY, INC.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED CONDENSED STATEMENT OF
OPERATIONS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forest Energy | |
|
|
|
Mariner | |
|
|
Mariner | |
|
Resources, Inc. | |
|
Merger | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
Historical | |
|
Historical(7) | |
|
Adjustments(1) | |
|
Combined | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands, except per share data) | |
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil & gas sales
|
|
$ |
214,187 |
|
|
$ |
453,139 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
667,326 |
|
|
Other revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
214,187 |
|
|
|
453,139 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
667,326 |
|
Costs and Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lease operating expenses
|
|
|
25,484 |
|
|
|
81,627 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
107,111 |
|
|
Transportation expenses
|
|
|
3,029 |
|
|
|
2,175 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,204 |
|
|
General and administrative expenses
|
|
|
8,772 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,772 |
|
|
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
|
|
|
64,911 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
303,261 |
(8) |
|
|
368,172 |
|
|
Impairment of production equipment held for use
|
|
|
957 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
957 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total costs and expenses
|
|
|
103,153 |
|
|
|
83,802 |
|
|
|
303,261 |
|
|
|
490,216 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OPERATING INCOME
|
|
|
111,034 |
|
|
|
369,337 |
|
|
|
(303,261 |
) |
|
|
177,110 |
|
Interest:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
|
|
|
316 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
316 |
|
|
Expense, net of amounts capitalized
|
|
|
(6,050 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7,840 |
)(9) |
|
|
(13,890 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before taxes
|
|
|
105,300 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(311,101 |
) |
|
|
163,536 |
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
|
(36,855 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(20,383 |
)(10) |
|
|
(57,238 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET INCOME
|
|
|
68,445 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(331,484 |
) |
|
|
106,298 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Income per share basic
|
|
|
2.30 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.32 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Income per share diluted
|
|
|
2.30 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.32 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average shares outstanding basic
|
|
|
29,748 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
50,637 |
|
|
|
80,385 |
|
Weighted average shares outstanding diluted
|
|
|
29,748 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
50,637 |
|
|
|
80,385 |
|
100
Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Condensed Financial
Data
The unaudited Mariner Pro Forma Combined financial
data have been prepared to give effect to Mariners
acquisition of the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations, which will
be spun off to Forest shareholders. Information under the
heading Merger Adjustments gives effect to the
adjustments related to the acquisition of the Forest Gulf of
Mexico operations. The unaudited pro forma combined condensed
statements are not necessarily indicative of the results of
Mariners future operations.
The unaudited pro forma combined financial information has been
derived from and should be read together with the historical
consolidated financial statements of Mariner and the statements
of revenues and direct operating expenses of the Forest Gulf of
Mexico operations. The statements of revenues and direct
operating expenses of the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations do
not include all of the costs of doing business.
|
|
(1) |
Transaction costs consisting of accounting, consulting and legal
fees are anticipated to be approximately $12 million. These
costs are directly attributable to the transaction and have been
excluded from the pro forma financial statements as they
represent material nonrecurring charges. |
|
(2) |
To record other current and long-term assets that we will
receive in the spin-off and liabilities that we will assume as a
result of the spin-off
reflected at their estimated fair market values, including
inventory of $2.1 million, abandonment escrows of
$0.7 million, gas imbalances of $7.6 million, asset
retirement obligations of $146.6 million and derivative
liabilities of $125.2 million. |
|
(3) |
To record the preliminary purchase price allocation to the fair
value of assets acquired, including oil and gas properties and
goodwill. These adjustments also adjust depreciation, depletion
and amortization expense to give effect to the acquisition of
the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations and their
step-up in value using
the unit of production method under the full cost method of
accounting. |
|
(4) |
To record the deferred tax position of the combined company,
inclusive of the deferred tax
gross-up in connection
with the acquisition. |
|
(5) |
To record $200.0 million of debt that Forest Energy
Resources, Inc. will incur under the terms of the distribution
agreement. The actual amount of debt to be incurred will be
adjusted to reflect the net cash proceeds generated by the
Forest Gulf of Mexico operations since June 30, 2005
pursuant to the terms of the distribution agreement. Mariner
plans to refinance the debt, which will mature 90 days after the
closing, with a revolving credit facility that matures on the
fourth anniversary of the closing. Forest Energy Resources, Inc.
will be primarily liable for all indebtedness incurred in
connection with the spin-off or any refinancing thereof. |
|
(6) |
To record issuance of 50,637,010 shares of common stock at
par value of $.0001 per share. |
|
(7) |
The Forest Gulf of Mexico operations historically have been
operated as part of Forests total oil and gas operations.
No historical GAAP-basis financial statements exist for the
Forest Gulf of Mexico operations on a stand-alone basis;
however, statements of revenues and direct operating expenses
are presented for the year ended December 31, 2004
(audited) and for the nine months ended September 30,
2005 (unaudited). |
|
(8) |
To adjust depreciation, depletion and amortization expense to
give effect to the acquisition of the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations and their
step-up in value using
the unit of production method under the full cost method of
accounting. |
|
(9) |
To adjust interest expense to give effect to the financing
activities in connection with the organization of Forest Energy
Resources, Inc. assuming an interest rate of 5.34% for the nine
months ended September 30, 2005 and 3.92% for the year
ended December 31, 2004 based on the terms of the senior
term loan facility to be obtained by Forest Energy Resources.
The interest rates used reflect 30-day LIBOR plus 1.50%, or
5.34% as of September 30, 2005 and 3.92% as of
December 31, 2004. A change in interest rates of
1/8
percent would result in a change in interest expense of
approximately $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the
nine months ended September 30, 2005, and the year ended
December 31, 2004, respectively. |
|
|
(10) |
To record income tax expense on the combined company results of
operations based on a statutory combined federal and state tax
rate of 35%. |
101
Supplemental Pro Forma Combined Oil and Gas Reserve and
Standardized Measure Information (Unaudited)
The following unaudited supplemental pro forma oil and natural
gas reserve tables present how the combined oil and gas reserve
and standardized measure information of Mariner and the Forest
Gulf of Mexico operations may have appeared had the businesses
actually been combined as of December 31, 2004. The
Supplemental Pro Forma Combined Oil and Gas Reserve and
Standardized Measure Information is for illustrative purposes
only. You should refer to footnote 10 in Mariners
Notes to the Financial Statements beginning on page
F-30 and
footnote 3 in Forests Gulf of Mexico Operations Notes
to Statements of Revenues and Direct Operating Expenses
beginning on page F-37
for additional information presented in accordance with the
requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 69, Disclosures About Oil and Gas Producing Activities.
ESTIMATED PRO FORMA COMBINED QUANTITIES OF PROVED RESERVES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forest Energy Resources, Inc. | |
|
|
|
|
Mariner Historical | |
|
Historical | |
|
Mariner Pro Forma Combined | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Natural Gas | |
|
|
|
Natural Gas | |
|
|
|
Natural Gas | |
|
|
Oil | |
|
Natural Gas | |
|
Equivalent | |
|
Liquids | |
|
Natural Gas | |
|
Equivalent | |
|
Liquids | |
|
Natural Gas | |
|
Equivalent | |
|
|
(Mbbl) | |
|
(MMcf) | |
|
(Mmcfe) | |
|
(Mbbl) | |
|
(MMcf) | |
|
(Mmcfe) | |
|
(Mbbl) | |
|
(MMcf) | |
|
(Mmcfe) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
December 31, 2003
|
|
|
13,079 |
|
|
|
127,584 |
|
|
|
206,060 |
|
|
|
11,357 |
|
|
|
295,347 |
|
|
|
363,489 |
|
|
|
24,436 |
|
|
|
422,931 |
|
|
|
569,549 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revisions of previous estimates
|
|
|
1,249 |
|
|
|
19,797 |
|
|
|
27,291 |
|
|
|
1,693 |
|
|
|
(2,860 |
) |
|
|
7,298 |
|
|
|
2,942 |
|
|
|
16,937 |
|
|
|
34,589 |
|
Extensions, discoveries and other additions
|
|
|
2,225 |
|
|
|
28,334 |
|
|
|
41,684 |
|
|
|
630 |
|
|
|
14,449 |
|
|
|
18,229 |
|
|
|
2,855 |
|
|
|
42,783 |
|
|
|
59,913 |
|
Sales of reserves in place
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production
|
|
|
(2,298 |
) |
|
|
(23,782 |
) |
|
|
(37,570 |
) |
|
|
(3,230 |
) |
|
|
(61,684 |
) |
|
|
(81,064 |
) |
|
|
(5,528 |
) |
|
|
(85,466 |
) |
|
|
(118,634 |
) |
Purchases of reserves in place
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,200 |
|
|
|
24,556 |
|
|
|
31,756 |
|
|
|
1,200 |
|
|
|
24,556 |
|
|
|
31,756 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2004
|
|
|
14,255 |
|
|
|
151,933 |
|
|
|
237,465 |
|
|
|
11,650 |
(1) |
|
|
269,808 |
|
|
|
339,708 |
|
|
|
25,905 |
(1) |
|
|
421,741 |
|
|
|
577,173 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Includes 598 Mbbls of natural gas liquids. |
ESTIMATED PRO FORMA COMBINED QUANTITIES OF PROVED DEVELOPED
RESERVES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forest Energy Resources, Inc. | |
|
|
|
|
Mariner Historical | |
|
Historical | |
|
Mariner Pro Forma Combined | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Natural Gas | |
|
|
|
Natural Gas | |
|
|
|
Natural Gas | |
|
|
Oil | |
|
Natural Gas | |
|
Equivalent | |
|
Liquids | |
|
Natural Gas | |
|
Equivalent | |
|
Liquids | |
|
Natural Gas | |
|
Equivalent | |
|
|
(Mbbl) | |
|
(MMcf) | |
|
(Mmcfe) | |
|
(Mbbl) | |
|
(MMcf) | |
|
(Mmcfe) | |
|
(Mbbl) | |
|
(MMcf) | |
|
(Mmcfe) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
December 31, 2004
|
|
|
6,339 |
|
|
|
71,361 |
|
|
|
109,395 |
|
|
|
9,471 |
|
|
|
201,759 |
|
|
|
258,585 |
|
|
|
15,810 |
|
|
|
273,120 |
|
|
|
367,980 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
102
PRO FORMA COMBINED STANDARDIZED MEASURE OF DISCOUNTED
FUTURE NET CASH FLOWS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the Year Ending December 31, 2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Forest Energy | |
|
Mariner Pro | |
|
|
Mariner | |
|
Resources, Inc. | |
|
Forma | |
|
|
Historical | |
|
Historical | |
|
Combined | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Future cash inflows
|
|
$ |
1,601,240 |
|
|
$ |
2,155,217 |
|
|
$ |
3,756,457 |
|
Future production costs
|
|
|
(308,190 |
) |
|
|
(272,020 |
) |
|
|
(580,210 |
) |
Future development costs
|
|
|
(193,689 |
) |
|
|
(357,592 |
) |
|
|
(551,281 |
) |
Future income taxes
|
|
|
(285,701 |
) |
|
|
(412,477 |
) |
|
|
(698,178 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Future net cash flows
|
|
|
813,660 |
|
|
|
1,113,128 |
|
|
|
1,926,788 |
|
Discount of future net cash flows at 10% per annum
|
|
|
(319,278 |
) |
|
|
(187,291 |
) |
|
|
(506,569 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows
|
|
$ |
494,382 |
|
|
|
925,837 |
|
|
|
1,420,219 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, beginning of period
|
|
$ |
418,159 |
|
|
$ |
949,421 |
|
|
$ |
1,367,580 |
|
Increase (decrease) in discounted future net cash flows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales and transfers of oil and gas produced, net of production
costs
|
|
|
(185,673 |
) |
|
|
(426,405 |
) |
|
|
(612,078 |
) |
|
Net changes in prices and production costs
|
|
|
27,767 |
|
|
|
11,628 |
|
|
|
39,395 |
|
|
Extensions and discoveries, net of future development and
production costs
|
|
|
102,905 |
|
|
|
88,999 |
|
|
|
191,904 |
|
|
Development costs during period and net change in development
costs
|
|
|
44,417 |
|
|
|
79,642 |
|
|
|
124,059 |
|
|
Revision of previous quantity estimates
|
|
|
89,814 |
|
|
|
28,701 |
|
|
|
118,515 |
|
|
Sales of reserves in place
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net change in income taxes
|
|
|
(27,634 |
) |
|
|
(28,550 |
) |
|
|
(56,184 |
) |
|
Purchases of reserves in place
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100,681 |
|
|
|
100,681 |
|
|
Accretion of discount before income taxes
|
|
|
41,816 |
|
|
|
121,720 |
|
|
|
163,536 |
|
|
Changes in production rates (timing) and other
|
|
|
(17,189 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(17,189 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, end of period
|
|
$ |
494,382 |
|
|
$ |
925,837 |
|
|
$ |
1,420,219 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
103
SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA FOR
MARINER
The following table shows Mariners historical consolidated
financial data as of and for each of the four years ended
December 31, 2003, the period from January 1, 2004
through March 2, 2004, the period from March 3, 2004
through December 31, 2004, the period from March 3,
2004 through September 30, 2004 and the nine-month period
ended September 30, 2005. The historical consolidated
financial data as of and for the four years ended
December 31, 2003, the period from January 1, 2004
through March 2, 2004 and the period from March 3,
2004 through December 31, 2004 are derived from
Mariners audited financial statements included herein, and
the historical consolidated financial data for the period from
March 3, 2004 through September 30, 2004 and the
nine-month period ended September 30, 2005 are derived from
unaudited financial statements of Mariner. You should read the
following data in connection with Managements
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations of Mariner and the consolidated financial
statements included elsewhere in this proxy statement/
prospectus-information statement, where there is additional
disclosure regarding the information in the following table,
including pro forma information regarding the merger.
Mariners historical results are not necessarily indicative
of results to be expected in future periods.
On March 2, 2004, Mariners former indirect parent,
Mariner Energy LLC, merged with MEI Acquisitions, LLC, an
affiliate of the private equity funds, Carlyle/ Riverstone
Global Energy and Power Fund II, L.P. and ACON Investments
LLC. The financial information contained herein is presented in
the style of Pre-2004 Merger activity (for all periods prior to
March 2, 2004) and Post-2004 Merger activity (for the
March 3, 2004 through December 31, 2004 period and the
March 3, 2004 through September 30, 2004 period) to
reflect the impact of the restatement of assets and liabilities
to fair value as required by push-down purchase
accounting at the March 2, 2004 merger date.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post-2004 Merger | |
|
|
Pre-2004 Merger | |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Period from | |
|
|
Period from | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Period from | |
|
March 3, | |
|
|
January 1, | |
|
|
|
|
Nine Months | |
|
March 3, | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
2004 | |
|
|
|
|
Ended | |
|
2004 through | |
|
through | |
|
|
through | |
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
September 30, | |
|
September 30, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
March 2, | |
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2000 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions, except per share data) | |
Statement of Operations Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues(1)
|
|
$ |
151.2 |
|
|
$ |
122.5 |
|
|
$ |
174.4 |
|
|
|
$ |
39.8 |
|
|
$ |
142.5 |
|
|
$ |
158.2 |
|
|
$ |
155.0 |
|
|
$ |
121.1 |
|
|
Lease operating expenses
|
|
|
20.2 |
|
|
|
15.1 |
|
|
|
21.4 |
|
|
|
|
4.1 |
|
|
|
24.7 |
|
|
|
26.1 |
|
|
|
20.1 |
|
|
|
17.2 |
|
|
Transportation expenses
|
|
|
1.7 |
|
|
|
3.7 |
|
|
|
1.9 |
|
|
|
|
1.1 |
|
|
|
6.3 |
|
|
|
10.5 |
|
|
|
12.0 |
|
|
|
7.8 |
|
|
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
|
|
|
43.4 |
|
|
|
37.4 |
|
|
|
54.3 |
|
|
|
|
10.6 |
|
|
|
48.3 |
|
|
|
70.8 |
|
|
|
63.5 |
|
|
|
56.8 |
|
|
Impairment of production equipment held for use
|
|
|
0.5 |
|
|
|
1.0 |
|
|
|
1.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Derivative settlement
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Impairment of Enron related receivables
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.2 |
|
|
|
29.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
General and administrative expenses
|
|
|
26.7 |
|
|
|
6.2 |
|
|
|
7.6 |
|
|
|
|
1.1 |
|
|
|
8.1 |
|
|
|
7.7 |
|
|
|
9.3 |
|
|
|
6.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income
|
|
|
58.7 |
|
|
|
59.1 |
|
|
|
88.2 |
|
|
|
|
22.9 |
|
|
|
51.9 |
|
|
|
39.9 |
|
|
|
20.6 |
|
|
|
32.8 |
|
|
Interest income
|
|
|
0.7 |
|
|
|
0.2 |
|
|
|
0.2 |
|
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
|
0.8 |
|
|
|
0.4 |
|
|
|
0.7 |
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
(5.4 |
) |
|
|
(4.4 |
) |
|
|
(6.0 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7.0 |
) |
|
|
(10.3 |
) |
|
|
(8.9 |
) |
|
|
(11.0 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes
|
|
|
54.0 |
|
|
|
54.9 |
|
|
|
82.4 |
|
|
|
|
23.0 |
|
|
|
45.7 |
|
|
|
30.0 |
|
|
|
12.4 |
|
|
|
21.9 |
|
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
|
(18.4 |
) |
|
|
(19.2 |
) |
|
|
(28.8 |
) |
|
|
|
(8.1 |
) |
|
|
(9.4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting method
net of tax effects
|
|
|
35.6 |
|
|
|
35.7 |
|
|
|
53.6 |
|
|
|
|
14.9 |
|
|
|
36.3 |
|
|
|
30.0 |
|
|
|
12.4 |
|
|
|
21.9 |
|
|
Income before cumulative effect per common share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
1.10 |
|
|
|
1.20 |
|
|
|
1.80 |
|
|
|
|
.50 |
|
|
|
1.22 |
|
|
|
1.01 |
|
|
|
.42 |
|
|
|
.74 |
|
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
1.07 |
|
|
|
1.20 |
|
|
|
1.80 |
|
|
|
|
.50 |
|
|
|
1.22 |
|
|
|
1.01 |
|
|
|
.42 |
|
|
|
.74 |
|
|
Cumulative effect of changes in accounting method
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$ |
35.6 |
|
|
$ |
35.7 |
|
|
$ |
53.6 |
|
|
|
$ |
14.9 |
|
|
$ |
38.2 |
|
|
$ |
30.0 |
|
|
$ |
12.4 |
|
|
$ |
21.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income per common share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
1.10 |
|
|
|
1.20 |
|
|
|
1.80 |
|
|
|
|
.50 |
|
|
|
1.29 |
|
|
|
1.01 |
|
|
|
.42 |
|
|
|
.74 |
|
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
1.07 |
|
|
|
1.20 |
|
|
|
1.80 |
|
|
|
|
.50 |
|
|
|
1.29 |
|
|
|
1.01 |
|
|
|
.42 |
|
|
|
.74 |
|
Capital Expenditure and Disposal Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exploration, including leasehold/seismic
|
|
$ |
23.6 |
|
|
$ |
35.7 |
|
|
$ |
40.4 |
|
|
|
$ |
7.5 |
|
|
$ |
31.6 |
|
|
$ |
40.4 |
|
|
$ |
66.3 |
|
|
$ |
46.7 |
|
|
Development and other
|
|
|
106.8 |
|
|
|
50.2 |
|
|
|
93.2 |
|
|
|
|
7.8 |
|
|
|
51.7 |
|
|
|
65.7 |
|
|
|
98.2 |
|
|
|
61.4 |
|
|
Proceeds from property conveyances
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(121.6 |
) |
|
|
(52.3 |
) |
|
|
(90.5 |
) |
|
|
(29.0 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total capital expenditures net of proceeds from property
conveyances
|
|
$ |
130.4 |
|
|
$ |
85.9 |
|
|
$ |
133.6 |
|
|
|
$ |
15.3 |
|
|
$ |
(38.3 |
) |
|
$ |
53.8 |
|
|
$ |
74.0 |
|
|
$ |
79.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Includes effects of hedging. |
104
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post-2004 Merger | |
|
|
Pre-2004 Merger | |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
|
September 30, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2000 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Balance Sheet Data:(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property and equipment, net, full cost method
|
|
$ |
393.3 |
|
|
$ |
303.8 |
|
|
|
$ |
207.9 |
|
|
$ |
287.6 |
|
|
$ |
290.6 |
|
|
$ |
287.8 |
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
502.2 |
|
|
|
376.0 |
|
|
|
|
312.1 |
|
|
|
360.2 |
|
|
|
363.9 |
|
|
|
335.4 |
|
|
Long-term debt, less current maturities
|
|
|
79.0 |
|
|
|
115.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
99.8 |
|
|
|
99.8 |
|
|
|
129.7 |
|
|
Stockholders equity
|
|
|
178.6 |
|
|
|
133.9 |
|
|
|
|
218.2 |
|
|
|
170.1 |
|
|
|
180.1 |
|
|
|
141.9 |
|
|
Working capital (deficit)(2)
|
|
|
(30.2 |
) |
|
|
(18.7 |
) |
|
|
|
38.3 |
|
|
|
(24.4 |
) |
|
|
(19.6 |
) |
|
|
(15.4 |
) |
|
|
(1) |
Balance sheet data as of December 31, 2004 reflects
purchase accounting adjustments to oil and gas properties, total
assets and stockholders equity resulting from the
acquisition of our former indirect parent on March 2, 2004. |
|
(2) |
Working capital (deficit) excludes current derivative assets and
liabilities, deferred tax assets and restricted cash. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post-2004 Merger | |
|
|
Pre-2004 Merger | |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Period from | |
|
|
Period from | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Period from | |
|
March 3, | |
|
|
January 1, | |
|
|
|
|
Nine Months | |
|
March 3, | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
2004 | |
|
|
|
|
Ended | |
|
2004 through | |
|
through | |
|
|
through | |
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
September 30, | |
|
September 30, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
March 2, | |
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2000 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Other Financial Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EBITDA(1)
|
|
$ |
102.7 |
|
|
$ |
97.5 |
|
|
$ |
143.5 |
|
|
|
$ |
33.4 |
|
|
$ |
100.3 |
|
|
$ |
113.9 |
|
|
$ |
113.6 |
|
|
$ |
89.6 |
|
Net cash provided by operating activities
|
|
|
135.4 |
|
|
|
96.8 |
|
|
|
135.9 |
|
|
|
|
20.3 |
|
|
|
103.5 |
|
|
|
60.3 |
|
|
|
113.5 |
|
|
|
63.9 |
|
Net cash (used) provided by investing activities
|
|
|
(142.1 |
) |
|
|
(85.9 |
) |
|
|
(133.6 |
) |
|
|
|
(15.3 |
) |
|
|
38.3 |
|
|
|
(53.8 |
) |
|
|
(74.0 |
) |
|
|
(79.1 |
) |
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities
|
|
|
8.7 |
|
|
|
(74.9 |
) |
|
|
64.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(100.0 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(30.0 |
) |
|
|
17.4 |
|
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EBITDA(1)
|
|
$ |
102.7 |
|
|
$ |
97.5 |
|
|
$ |
143.5 |
|
|
|
$ |
33.4 |
|
|
$ |
100.3 |
|
|
$ |
113.9 |
|
|
$ |
113.6 |
|
|
$ |
89.6 |
|
Changes in working capital
|
|
|
25.1 |
|
|
|
9.7 |
|
|
|
6.9 |
|
|
|
|
(13.2 |
) |
|
|
21.8 |
|
|
|
(20.4 |
) |
|
|
7.5 |
|
|
|
(15.5 |
) |
Non-cash hedge gain(2)
|
|
|
(3.6 |
) |
|
|
(5.1 |
) |
|
|
(7.9 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2.0 |
) |
|
|
(23.2 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization/other
|
|
|
0.9 |
|
|
|
0.5 |
|
|
|
0.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.1 |
) |
|
|
0.6 |
|
|
|
0.7 |
|
Stock compensation expense
|
|
|
17.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net interest expense
|
|
|
(4.7 |
) |
|
|
(4.2 |
) |
|
|
(5.8 |
) |
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
|
(6.2 |
) |
|
|
(9.9 |
) |
|
|
(8.2 |
) |
|
|
(10.9 |
) |
Income tax expense
|
|
|
(2.6 |
) |
|
|
(1.6 |
) |
|
|
(1.6 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(10.4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities
|
|
$ |
135.4 |
|
|
$ |
96.8 |
|
|
$ |
135.9 |
|
|
|
$ |
20.3 |
|
|
$ |
103.5 |
|
|
$ |
60.3 |
|
|
$ |
113.5 |
|
|
$ |
63.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
EBITDA means earnings before interest, income taxes,
depreciation, depletion and amortization. For the nine months
ended September 30, 2005, EBITDA includes
$17.6 million in non-cash stock compensation expense
related to restricted stock and stock options granted in 2005.
We believe that EBITDA is a widely accepted financial indicator
that provides additional information about our ability to meet
our future requirements for debt service, capital expenditures
and working capital, but EBITDA should not be considered in
isolation or as a substitute for net income, operating income,
net cash provided by |
105
|
|
|
operating activities or any other measure of financial
performance presented in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles or as a measure of a companys
profitability or liquidity. |
|
(2) |
In accordance with SFAS No. 133 Accounting for
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended
by SFAS No. 137 and No. 138, we de-designated our
contracts effective December 2, 2001 after the counterparty
(an affiliate of Enron Corp.) filed for bankruptcy and
recognized all market value changes subsequent to such
de-designation in our earnings. The value recorded up to the
time of de-designation and included in Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income (AOCI), has reversed out of
AOCI and into earnings as the original corresponding production,
as hedged by the contracts, is produced. We have designated
subsequent hedge contracts as cash flow hedges with gains and
losses resulting from the transactions recorded at market value
in AOCI, as appropriate, until recognized as operating income in
our Statement of Operations as the physical production hedged by
the contracts is delivered. |
106
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS OF MARINER
Overview
On March 2, 2004, Mariners former indirect parent,
Mariner Energy LLC, merged with MEI Acquisitions, LLC, an
affiliate of the private equity funds, Carlyle/ Riverstone
Global Energy and Power Fund II, L.P. and ACON Investments
LLC. Prior to the merger, we were owned indirectly by JEDI,
which was an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Enron Corp. The
gross merger consideration was $271.1 million (which
excludes $7.0 million of acquisition costs and other
expenses paid directly by Mariner), $100 million of which
was provided as equity by our new owners. As a result of the
merger, we are no longer affiliated with Enron Corp. See
Mariner Enron Related Matters. The
merger did not result in a change in our strategic direction or
operations. The financial information contained herein is
presented in the style of Pre-2004 Merger activity (for all
periods prior to March 2, 2004) and Post-2004 Merger
activity (for the March 3, 2004 through December 31,
2004 period) to reflect the impact of the restatement of assets
and liabilities to fair value as required by
push-down purchase accounting at the March 2,
2004 merger date. The application of push-down accounting had no
effect on our 2004 results of operations other than immaterial
increases in depreciation, depletion and amortization expense
and interest expense and a related decrease in our provision for
income taxes. To facilitate managements discussion and
analysis of financial condition and results of operations, we
have presented 2004 financial information as Pre-2004 Merger
(for the January 1 through March 2, 2004 period), Post-2004
Merger (for the March 3, 2004 through December 31,
2004 period), Combined (for the full period from January 1
through December 31, 2004), Post-2004 Merger (for the
March 3, 2004 through September 30, 2004 period) and
Combined (for the full period from January 1, 2004 through
September 30, 2004). The combined presentation does not
reflect the adjustments to our statement of operations that
would be reflected in a pro forma presentation. However, because
such adjustments are not material, we believe that our combined
presentation presents a fair presentation and facilitates an
understanding of our results of operations.
In March 2005, we completed a private placement of
16,350,000 shares of our common stock to qualified
institutional buyers,
non-U.S. persons
and accredited investors, which generated approximately
$229 million of gross proceeds, or approximately
$211 million net of initial purchasers discount,
placement fee and offering expenses. Our former sole
stockholder, MEI Acquisitions Holdings, LLC, also sold
15,102,500 shares of our common stock in the private
placement. We used $166 million of the net proceeds from
the sale of 12,750,000 shares of common stock to purchase
and retire an equal number of shares of our common stock from
our former sole stockholder. We used $39 million of the
remaining net proceeds of approximately $45 million to
repay borrowings drawn on our credit facility, and the balance
to pay down $6 million of a $10 million promissory
note payable to JEDI. See Mariner Enron
Related Matters. As a result, after the private placement,
an affiliate of MEI Acquisitions Holdings, LLC beneficially
owned approximately 5.3% of our outstanding common stock. Please
see Election of Directors Transactions with
Directors, Officers and Affiliates for more information.
We are an independent oil and natural gas exploration,
development and production company with principal operations in
the Gulf of Mexico and the Permian Basin in West Texas. In the
Gulf of Mexico, our areas of operation include the deepwater and
the shelf area. We have been active in the Gulf of Mexico and
West Texas since the mid-1980s. During the last three years, as
a result of increased drilling of shelf prospects and
development drilling in our Aldwell Unit, we have evolved from a
company with primarily a deepwater focus to one with a balance
of exploitation and exploration of the Gulf of Mexico deepwater
and shelf, and longer-lived Permian Basin properties.
Our revenues, profitability and future growth depend
substantially on prevailing prices for oil and gas and our
ability to find, develop and acquire oil and gas reserves that
are economically recoverable while controlling and reducing
costs. The energy markets have historically been very volatile.
Commodity prices are currently at or near historical highs and
may fluctuate and decline significantly in the future. Although
we attempt to mitigate the impact of price declines through our
hedging strategy, a substantial or extended decline in oil and
natural gas prices or poor drilling results could have a
material adverse effect on our financial position, results
107
of operations, cash flows, quantities of natural gas and oil
reserves that we can economically produce and our access to
capital.
Approximately 29 Mmcfe per day of natural gas and
approximately 3,000 bbls per day of oil and condensate net
to our interest were initially shut-in as a result of the
effects of Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. The majority of
this production was returned within two weeks of the hurricane,
and substantially all within three weeks of the hurricane.
Additionally, we are experiencing delays in startup of three of
our projects primarily as a result of Hurricane Katrina which is
anticipated to defer commencement of production to as late as
the second quarter of 2006. Approximately 60 MMcfe per day
of production net to our interest was shut-in initially as a
result of the effects of Hurricane Rita in late September 2005.
Approximately 53 MMcfe per day of production, or
approximately 90% of our pre-hurricane production, was restored
within two weeks of the hurricane. Our operated platforms appear
to have sustained minimal damage attributable to the storm.
First reports from operators of other facilities handling our
production indicated varying degrees of damage to their
facilities, the full extent of which may not be known for some
time. Although a submersible rig engaged in drilling operations
on our East Cameron Block 79 property was moved off
location by Hurricane Rita, a substitute rig was subsequently
provided, the damage to the well was repaired and drilling
recommenced in the last quarter of 2005. Other planned
operations also are delayed as a result of the effects of both
hurricanes. We cannot estimate a range of loss arising from the
hurricanes until we are able to more completely assess the
impacts on our properties and the properties of our operational
partners. Until we are able to complete all the repair work and
submit costs to our insurance underwriters for review, the full
extent of our insurance recovery and the resulting net cost to
us for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita will be unknown. For the
insurance period ending September 30, 2005, we carry a
$3.0 million annual deductible and a $.375 million
single occurrence deductible.
We entered into an agreement effective in October 2005 covering
approximately 33,000 acres in West Texas, pursuant to
which, upon closing, we acquired an approximate 35% working
interest in approximately 200 existing producing wells effective
November 1, 2005, and committed to drill an additional 150
wells within a four year period, funding $36.5 million of
our partners share of drilling costs for such 150-well
drilling program. We will obtain an assignment of an approximate
35% working interest in the entire committed acreage upon
completion of the 150-well program.
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005
Highlights |
During the first nine months of 2005, we recognized net income
of $35.6 million on total revenues of $151.2 million
compared to net income of $50.5 million on total revenues of
$162.3 million in the first nine months of 2004. Net income
decreased 30% compared to the first nine months of 2004,
primarily due to recognizing $17.6 million of stock
compensation expense in the first nine months of 2005, and a 21%
decrease in production, partially offset by higher realized net
oil and gas prices. We produced approximately 22.5 Bcfe during
the first nine months of 2005 and our average daily production
rate was 82 Mmcfe compared to 28.4 Bcfe, or 104 Mmcfe
per day, for the same period in 2004. Production during the
third quarter of 2005 was negatively impacted by the effects of
the 2005 hurricane season. We invested approximately
$130.3 million in oil and natural gas properties in the
first nine months of 2005, compared to $101.0 million in
the same period in 2004.
Our first nine months 2005 results reflect the private placement
of an additional 3.6 million shares of stock in March. The
net proceeds of approximately $45 million generated by the
private placement were used to repay existing debt. We also
granted 2,267,270 shares of restricted stock and options to
purchase 809,000 shares of stock in the first nine months of
2005 and recorded compensation expense of $17.6 million in
the first nine months of 2005 related to the restricted stock
and options.
108
We recognized net income of $68.4 million in 2004 compared
to net income of $38.2 million in 2003. The increase in net
income was primarily the result of improvements in operating
results, including a 13% increase in production volumes, a 21%
improvement in the net commodity prices realized by us (before
the effects of hedging) and an 8% decrease in lease operating
expenses and transportation expenses on a per unit basis. These
improvements were partially offset by an 8% increase in general
and administrative expenses and a 34% increase in
depreciation, depletion, and amortization expenses. Our hedging
results also improved by $9.7 million to a
$19.8 million loss, from a $29.5 million loss in the
prior year. In addition, we recorded income tax expenses of
$36.9 million in 2004 compared to $9.4 million in 2003.
We have incurred and expect to continue to incur substantial
capital expenditures. However, for the three years ended
December 31, 2004, our capital expenditures of
$337.3 million have been below our combined cash flow from
operations and proceeds from property sales.
During 2004, we increased our proved reserves by approximately
69 Bcfe, bringing estimated proved reserves as of
December 31, 2004 to approximately 237.5 Bcfe after
2004 production of 37.6 Bcfe.
We had $2.5 million and $60.2 million in cash and cash
equivalents as of December 31, 2004 and December 31,
2003, respectively.
Three of our shelf properties, Ewing Bank 977 (Dice), West
Cameron 333 (Royal Flush) and High Island 46 (Green Pepper)
began producing in the first quarter of 2005. Our production for
the first nine months of 2005 averaged approximately
53 MMcf of natural gas per day and approximately
4,900 barrels of oil per day or a total of approximately
82 MMcfe per day.
In the third quarter of 2005 our production was negatively
impacted by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Production shut-in and
deferred because of the hurricanes impact totaled
approximately 1.3 Bcfe during the third quarter of 2005.
Currently approximately 7 MMcfe per day of production remains
shut-in awaiting repairs, primarily associated with our Baccarat
property. While we believe physical damage to our existing
platforms and facilities was relatively minor from both
hurricanes, the effects of the storms caused damage to onshore
pipeline and processing facilities that resulted in a portion of
our production being temporarily shut-in, or in the case of our
Viosca Knoll 917 (Swordfish) project, postponed. In addition,
Hurricane Katrina caused damage to platforms that host three of
our development projects: Mississippi Canyon 718 (Pluto),
Mississippi Canyon 296 (Rigel), and Mississippi Canyon 66
(Ochre). Repairs to these facilities may take up to six months,
pushing commencement of production on these projects into 2006.
Our December 2004 total production averaged approximately
58 MMcf of natural gas per day and approximately
5,700 barrels of oil per day or total equivalents of
approximately 92 MMcfe per day. Natural gas production
comprised approximately 63% of total production. In September
2004, Mariner incurred damage from Hurricane Ivan that affected
our Mississippi Canyon 66 (Ochre) and Mississippi
Canyon 357 fields. Production from Mississippi Canyon
357 was shut-in until March 2005, when necessary repairs were
completed and production recommenced. Production from
Mississippi Canyon 66 (Ochre) remains shut-in and is
expected to recommence in the first quarter of 2006. This field
was producing at a net rate of approximately 6.5 MMcfe per
day immediately prior to the hurricane.
Historically, a majority of our total production has been
comprised of natural gas. We anticipate that our concentration
in natural gas production will continue. As a result,
Mariners revenues, profitability and cash flows will be
more sensitive to natural gas prices than to oil and condensate
prices.
Generally, our producing properties in the Gulf of Mexico will
have high initial production rates followed by steep declines.
As a result, we must continually drill for and develop new oil
and gas reserves to replace those being depleted by production.
Substantial capital expenditures are required to find and
develop these reserves. Our challenge is to find and develop
reserves at economic rates and commence production of these
reserves as quickly and efficiently as possible.
109
Deepwater discoveries typically require a longer lead time to
bring to productive status. Since 2001, we have made several
deepwater discoveries that are in various stages of development.
We commenced production at our Green Canyon 178 (Baccarat)
project in the third quarter of 2005. However, damage sustained
by the host facility during Hurricane Rita caused production to
be shut-in, although production recommenced in the first quarter
of 2006. We commenced production at our Swordfish project in the
fourth quarter of 2005. We currently anticipate commencing
production in the second quarter of 2006 at our Pluto, Rigel and
Ewing Banks 921 (North Black Widow) projects. However, as
described above, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have delayed start
up of these projects from their original anticipated
commencement dates. Other uncertainties, including scheduling,
weather, and construction lead times, could cause further delays
in the start up of any one or all of the projects.
|
|
|
Oil and Gas Property Costs |
In the nine months ended September 30, 2005, we incurred
approximately $130.4 million in capital expenditures with
70% related to development activities primarily at our Aldwell
Unit and for our Viosca Knoll 917 (Swordfish), Mississippi
Canyon 718 (Pluto) and Mississippi Canyon 296 (Rigel) offshore
projects. We also expended $10.0 million for the
acquisition of oil and gas property interests in the first nine
months of 2005, comprised of $3.5 million for properties
located in the West Texas Permian Basin area, $5.0 million
for Atwater Valley 426 (Bass Lite) and $1.5 million for
East Breaks 513/514/558 (LaSalle). We incurred approximately
$23.6 million of exploration capital expenditures in the
first nine months of 2005.
During 2004, we incurred approximately $148.9 million in
capital expenditures with 60% related to development activities,
32% related to exploration activities, including the acquisition
of leasehold and seismic, and the remainder related to
acquisitions and other items (primarily capitalized overhead and
interest).
We spent approximately $88.6 million in development capital
expenditures in 2004 primarily on Aldwell Unit development and
for Viosca Knoll 917 (Swordfish), Mississippi Canyon 718
(Pluto), and West Cameron 333 (Royal Flush) offshore projects.
All capital expenditures for exploration activities relate to
offshore projects, and approximately 30% of exploration capital
expended during 2004 was for leasehold, seismic, and geological
and geophysical costs. During 2004 we participated in fourteen
exploration wells, with seven being successful. We incurred
approximately $47.9 million of exploration capital
expenditures in 2004.
We anticipate that, based on our current budget, capital
expenditures in 2005 will approximate $250 million with
approximately 48% allocated to development projects, 27% to
exploration activities, 21% to acquisitions and the remainder to
other items (primarily capitalized overhead and interest).
However, the effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita may delay
some planned operations into 2006.
We have maintained our reserve base through exploration and
exploitation activities despite selling 79.7 Bcfe of our
reserves since the fourth quarter of 2001. Historically, we have
not acquired significant reserves through acquisition
activities. As of December 31, 2004, Ryder Scott estimated
our net proved reserves at approximately 237.5 Bcfe, with a
PV10 of approximately $668 million and a standardized
measure of discounted future net cash flows attributable to our
estimated proved reserves of approximately $494.4 million.
Please see Mariner Estimated Proved
Reserves for a definition of PV10 and a reconciliation of
PV10 to the standardized measure of discounted future net cash
flows. To generate our net proved reserves as of June 30,
2005, our management reviewed and updated our historical lease
operating expenses, updated our transportation and basis
differentials, updated NYMEX prices, adjusted for roll-off and
production performance since December 31, 2004, added any
new proved undeveloped reserves (including those resulting from
our Bass Lite project), updated the categorization of our
projects as either proved undeveloped, proved developed
producing or proved behind pipe, and adjusted capital
expenditures and timing of cash outlays. See
Mariner Estimated Proved Reserves for
more information concerning our reserve estimates.
The development drilling at our West Texas Aldwell Unit and Gulf
of Mexico deepwater divestitures have significantly changed our
reserve profile since 2001. Proved reserves as of
December 31, 2004 were
110
comprised of 48% West Texas Permian Basin, 15% Gulf of Mexico
shelf and 37% Gulf of Mexico deepwater compared to 20% West
Texas Permian Basin, 15% Gulf of Mexico shelf and 65% Gulf of
Mexico deepwater as of December 31, 2001. Proved
undeveloped reserves were approximately 54% of total proved
reserves as of December 31, 2004. Approximately 39% of
proved undeveloped reserves were related to our West Texas
Aldwell Unit, where we had 100% development drilling success on
105 wells from 2002 through 2004.
Since December 31, 1997, we have added proved undeveloped
reserves attributable to 12 deepwater projects. Of those
projects, ten have either been converted to proved developed
reserves or sold as indicated in the following table.
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Proved | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Undeveloped | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reserves | |
|
Year | |
|
|
Property |
|
(Bcfe)(1) | |
|
Added | |
|
Year Converted to Proved Developed or Sold |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Mississippi Canyon 718 (Pluto)(2)
|
|
|
25.1 |
|
|
|
1998 |
|
|
2000 (100% converted to proved developed) |
Ewing Bank 966 (Black Widow)
|
|
|
14.0 |
|
|
|
1999 |
|
|
2000 (100% converted to proved developed) |
Mississippi Canyon 773 (Devils Tower)
|
|
|
28.0 |
|
|
|
2000 |
|
|
2001 (100% of Mariners interest sold) |
Mississippi Canyon 305 (Aconcagua)
|
|
|
19.2 |
|
|
|
2000 |
|
|
2001 (100% of Mariners interest sold) |
Green Canyon 472/473 (King Kong)
|
|
|
25.5 |
|
|
|
2000 |
|
|
2002 (100% converted to proved developed) |
Green Canyon 516 (Yosemite)
|
|
|
14.9 |
|
|
|
2001 |
|
|
2002 (100% converted to proved developed) |
East Breaks 579 (Falcon)
|
|
|
66.8 |
|
|
|
2001 |
|
|
2002 (50% of Mariners interest sold) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2003 (all of Mariners remaining interest sold) |
Viosca Knoll 917 (Swordfish)
|
|
|
13.4 |
|
|
|
2001 |
|
|
2005 (100% converted to proved developed) |
Green Canyon 178 (Baccarat)
|
|
|
4.0 |
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
2005 (100% converted to proved developed) |
Mississippi Canyon 296/252 (Rigel)
|
|
|
22.4 |
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
2005 (75% converted to proved developed/ 25% remains
undeveloped) |
|
|
(1) |
Net proved undeveloped reserves attributable to the project in
the year it was first added to our proved reserves. |
|
(2) |
This field was shut-in in April 2004 pending the drilling of a
new well and installation of an extension to the existing
infield flowline and umbilical. As a result, as of
December 31, 2004, 9.0 Bcfe of our net proved reserves
attributable to this project were classified as proved
undeveloped reserves. We expect production from Pluto to
recommence in the second quarter of 2006. |
The proved undeveloped reserves attributable to the remaining
two deepwater projects were added as follows:
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Proved | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Undeveloped | |
|
|
|
Year Expected to | |
|
|
Reserves | |
|
Year | |
|
Convert to Proved | |
Property |
|
(Bcfe)(1) | |
|
Added | |
|
Developed Status | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Green Canyon 646 (Daniel Boone)
|
|
|
16.4 |
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
Atwater Valley 380/381/382/425/426 (Bass Lite)
|
|
|
30.7 |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Net proved undeveloped reserves attributable to the project as
of June 30, 2005. |
|
|
|
Oil and Natural Gas Prices and Hedging Activities |
Prices for oil and natural gas can fluctuate widely, thereby
affecting the amount of cash flow available for capital
expenditures, our ability to borrow and raise additional capital
and the amount of oil and natural gas that we can economically
produce. Recently, oil and natural gas prices have been at or
near historical highs and very volatile as a result of various
factors, including weather, industrial demand, war and political
instability and uncertainty related to the ability of the energy
industry to provide supply to meet future demand.
111
Our revenues, profitability and future growth depend
substantially on prevailing prices for oil and gas and our
ability to find, develop and acquire oil and gas reserves that
are economically recoverable while controlling and reducing
costs. A substantial or extended decline in oil and natural gas
prices or poor drilling results could have a material adverse
effect on our financial position, results of operations, cash
flows, quantities of oil and natural gas reserves that we can
economically produce and access to capital.
We enter into hedging arrangements from time to time to reduce
our exposure to fluctuations in oil and natural gas prices.
Typically, our hedging strategy involves entering into commodity
price swap arrangements and costless collars with third parties.
Price swap arrangements establish a fixed price and an
index-related price for the covered commodity. When the
index-related price exceeds the fixed price, we pay the third
party the difference, and when the fixed price exceeds the
index-related prices, the third party pays us the difference.
Costless collars establish fixed cap (maximum) and floor
(minimum) prices as well as an index-related price for the
covered commodity. When the index-related price exceeds the
fixed cap price, we pay the third party the difference, and when
the index-related price is less than the fixed floor price, the
third party pays us the difference. While our hedging
arrangements enable us to achieve a more predictable cash flow,
these arrangements also limit the benefits of increased prices.
As a result of increased oil and natural gas prices, we incurred
cash hedging losses of $27.7 million in 2004, of which
$7.9 million relates to the hedge liability recorded at the
March 2, 2004 merger date. Major challenges related to our
hedging activities include a determination of the proper
production volumes to hedge and acceptable commodity price
levels for each hedge transaction. Our hedging activities may
also require that we post cash collateral with our
counterparties from time to time to cover credit risk. We had no
collateral requirements as of December 31, 2004 or
September 30, 2005.
In accordance with purchase price accounting implemented at the
time of the merger of our former indirect parent company on
March 2, 2004, we recorded the
mark-to-market
liability of our hedge contracts at such date totaling
$12.4 million as a liability on our balance sheet. As of
December 31, 2004, the amount of our
mark-to-market hedge
liabilities totaled $22.4 million. See
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Commodity Prices and Related Hedging Activities.
For the year ended December 31, 2004, assuming a totally
unhedged position, our price sensitivity for 2004 historical net
revenues for a 10% change in average oil prices and average gas
prices received is approximately $8.9 million and
$14.5 million, respectively. For the nine months ended
September 30, 2005, assuming a totally unhedged position,
our price sensitivity for net revenues in the first nine months
of 2005 for a 10% change in average oil prices and average gas
prices received is approximately $6.7 million and
$10.5 million, respectively.
We classify our operating costs as lease operating expense,
transportation expense, and general and administrative expenses.
Lease operating expenses are comprised of those costs and
expenses necessary to produce oil and gas after an individual
well or field has been completed and prepared for production.
These costs include direct costs such as field operations,
general maintenance expenses, work-overs, and the costs
associated with production handling agreements for most of our
deep water fields. Lease operating expenses also include
indirect costs such as oil and gas property insurance and
overhead allocations in accordance with joint operating
agreements. We also include severance, production, and ad
valorem taxes as lease operating expenses.
Transportation costs are generally variable costs associated
with transportation of product to sales meters from the wellhead
or field gathering point. General and administrative include
employee compensation costs (including stock compensation
expense), the costs of third party consultants and
professionals, rent and other costs of leasing and maintaining
office space, the costs of maintaining computer hardware and
software, and insurance and other items.
112
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our discussion and analysis of Mariners financial
condition and results of operations are based upon financial
statements that have been prepared in accordance with GAAP in
the U.S. The preparation of these financial statements
requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the
reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses.
Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 1
to our financial statements. We analyze our estimates, including
those related to oil and gas revenues, oil and gas properties,
fair value of derivative instruments, income taxes and
contingencies and litigation, and base our estimates on
historical experience and various other assumptions that we
believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results
may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or
conditions. We believe the following critical accounting
policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates
used in the preparation of our financial statements:
Oil and gas properties are accounted for using the full-cost
method of accounting. All direct costs and certain indirect
costs associated with the acquisition, exploration and
development of oil and gas properties are capitalized.
Amortization of oil and gas properties is provided using the
unit-of-production
method based on estimated proved oil and gas reserves. No gains
or losses are recognized upon the sale or disposition of oil and
gas properties unless the sale or disposition represents a
significant quantity of oil and gas reserves, which would have a
significant impact on depreciation, depletion and amortization.
The net carrying value of proved oil and gas properties is
limited to an estimate of the future net revenues (discounted at
10%) from proved oil and gas reserves based on period-end prices
and costs.
The costs of unproved properties are excluded from amortization
using the full-cost method of accounting. These costs are
assessed quarterly for possible inclusion in the full-cost
property pool based on geological and geophysical data. If a
reduction in value has occurred, costs being amortized are
increased. The majority of the costs relating to our unproved
properties will be evaluated over the next three years.
Our most significant financial estimates are based on estimates
of proved natural gas and oil reserves. Estimates of proved
reserves are key components of our unevaluated properties, our
rate for recording depreciation, depletion and amortization and
our full cost ceiling limitation. There are numerous
uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of proved
reserves and in projecting future revenues, rates of production
and timing of development expenditures, including many factors
beyond our control. The estimation process relies on assumptions
and interpretations of available geologic, geophysical,
engineering and production data, and the accuracy of reserve
estimates is a function of the quality and quantity of available
data. Our reserves are fully engineered on an annual basis by
Ryder Scott, our independent petroleum engineers.
As a result of the adoption of SFAS Statement
No. 123(R), we will record compensation expense for the
fair value of restricted stock and stock options that were
granted on March 11, 2005 pursuant to our Equity
Participation Plan and Stock Incentive Plan and for the fair
value of subsequent grants of stock options or restricted stock
made pursuant to our Stock Incentive Plan. In general,
compensation expense will be determined at the date of grant
based on the fair value of the stock or options granted.
The fair value of restricted stock that we granted following the
closing of the private equity placement pursuant to our Equity
Participation Plan was estimated to be $31.7 million. The
fair value will be amortized to compensation expense over the
applicable vesting periods. Stock options and restricted stock
granted under our Stock Incentive Plan will also result in
recognition of compensation expense in accordance with FASB
No. 123(R). For more information concerning our Equity
Participation Plan, see Management of Mariner
Equity Participation Plan.
113
We recognize oil and gas revenue from our interests in producing
wells as oil and gas from those wells is produced and sold under
the entitlements method. Oil and gas volumes sold are not
significantly different from our share of production.
Our taxable income through 2004 has been included in a
consolidated U.S. income tax return with our former
indirect parent company, Mariner Energy LLC. The intercompany
tax allocation policy provides that each member of the
consolidated group compute a provision for income taxes on a
separate return basis. We record income taxes using an asset and
liability approach which results in the recognition of deferred
tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax
consequences of temporary differences between the book carrying
amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities. Valuation
allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax
assets to the amount more likely than not to be recovered. In
February 2005, Mariner Energy LLC was merged into us, and we
will file our own income tax return following the effective date
of that merger.
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Capitalized Interest Costs |
We capitalize interest based on the cost of major development
projects which are excluded from current depreciation,
depletion, and amortization calculations.
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|
|
Accrual for Future Abandonment Costs |
SFAS No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement
Obligations, addresses accounting and reporting for
obligations associated with the retirement of tangible
long-lived assets and the associated asset retirement costs.
SFAS No. 143 requires that the fair value of a
liability for an assets retirement obligation be recorded
in the period in which it is incurred and the corresponding cost
capitalized by increasing the carrying amount of the related
long-lived asset. The liability is accreted to its then present
value each period, and the capitalized cost is depreciated over
the useful life of the related asset. If the liability is
settled for an amount other than the recorded amount, a gain or
loss is recognized.
In June 1998 the FASB issued SFAS No. 133,
Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging
Activities. In June 2000 the FASB issued
SFAS No. 138, Accounting for Certain Derivative
Instruments and Certain Hedging Activity, an Amendment of
SFAS No. 133. SFAS No. 133 and
SFAS No. 138 require that all derivative instruments
be recorded on the balance sheet at their respective fair values.
Mariner utilizes derivative instruments, typically in the form
of natural gas and crude oil price swap agreements and costless
collar arrangements, in order to manage price risk associated
with future crude oil and natural gas production. These
agreements are accounted for as cash flow hedges. Gains and
losses resulting from these transactions are recorded at fair
market value and deferred to the extent such amounts are
effective. Such gains or losses are recorded in AOCI as
appropriate, until recognized as operating income as the
physical production hedged by the contracts is delivered.
The net cash flows related to any recognized gains or losses
associated with these hedges are reported as oil and gas
revenues and presented in cash flows from operations. If the
hedge is terminated prior to expected maturity, gains or losses
are deferred and included in income in the same period as the
physical production hedged by the contracts is delivered.
The conditions to be met for a derivative instrument to qualify
as a cash flow hedge are the following: (i) the item to be
hedged exposes Mariner to price risk; (ii) the derivative
reduces the risk exposure and is designated as a hedge at the
time the derivative contract is entered into; and (iii) at
the inception of the hedge
114
and throughout the hedge period there is a high correlation of
changes in the market value of the derivative instrument and the
fair value of the underlying item being hedged.
When the designated item associated with a derivative instrument
matures, is sold, extinguished or terminated, derivative gains
or losses are recognized as part of the gain or loss on sale or
settlement of the underlying item. When a derivative instrument
is associated with an anticipated transaction that is no longer
expected to occur or if correlation no longer exists, the gain
or loss on the derivative is recognized in income to the extent
the future results have not been offset by the effects of price
or interest rate changes on the hedged item since the inception
of the hedge.
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|
Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial
Statements |
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP
requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of
the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could
differ from these estimates.
Results of Operations
For certain information with respect to our oil and natural gas
production, average sales price received and expenses per unit
of production for the three years ended December 31, 2004,
see Mariner Production.
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|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005 compared to Nine
Months Ended September 30, 2004 |
Operating and Financial Results for the Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2005 Compared
to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-GAAP | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Combined | |
|
Post-Merger | |
|
Pre-Merger | |
|
|
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| |
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| |
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| |
|
|
Nine Months Ended | |
|
Period from | |
|
Period from | |
|
|
September 30, | |
|
March 3, 2004 | |
|
January 1, 2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
through September 30, | |
|
through March 2, | |
Summary Operating Information: |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands, except average sales price) | |
Net production:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil (MBbls)
|
|
|
1,336 |
|
|
|
1,748 |
|
|
|
1,335 |
|
|
|
413 |
|
Natural gas (MMcf)
|
|
|
14,508 |
|
|
|
17,959 |
|
|
|
13,726 |
|
|
|
4,233 |
|
Total (Mmcfe)
|
|
|
22,521 |
|
|
|
28,444 |
|
|
|
21,731 |
|
|
|
6,713 |
|
Average daily production (Mmcfe/d)
|
|
|
82 |
|
|
|
104 |
|
|
|
102 |
|
|
|
112 |
|
Hedging activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil revenues (loss)
|
|
$ |
(13,421 |
) |
|
$ |
(6,874 |
) |
|
$ |
(6,188 |
) |
|
$ |
(686 |
) |
Gas revenues (loss)
|
|
|
(9,979 |
) |
|
|
(1,010 |
) |
|
|
(2,441 |
) |
|
|
1,431 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total hedging revenues (loss)
|
|
$ |
(23,400 |
) |
|
$ |
(7,884 |
) |
|
$ |
(8,629 |
) |
|
$ |
745 |
|
Average Sales Prices:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil (per Bbl) realized(1)
|
|
$ |
40.12 |
|
|
$ |
32.78 |
|
|
$ |
33.41 |
|
|
$ |
30.75 |
|
Oil (per Bbl) unhedged
|
|
|
50.17 |
|
|
|
36.71 |
|
|
|
38.05 |
|
|
|
32.41 |
|
Natural gas (per Mcf) realized(1)
|
|
|
6.54 |
|
|
|
5.85 |
|
|
|
5.68 |
|
|
|
6.39 |
|
Natural gas (per Mcf) unhedged
|
|
|
7.23 |
|
|
|
5.90 |
|
|
|
5.86 |
|
|
|
6.05 |
|
Total natural gas equivalent ($/Mcfe) realized(1)
|
|
|
6.59 |
|
|
|
5.71 |
|
|
|
5.64 |
|
|
|
5.92 |
|
Total natural gas equivalent ($/Mcfe) unhedged
|
|
|
7.63 |
|
|
|
5.98 |
|
|
|
6.04 |
|
|
|
5.81 |
|
115
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-GAAP | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Combined | |
|
Post-Merger | |
|
Pre-Merger | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Nine Months Ended | |
|
Period from | |
|
Period from | |
|
|
September 30, | |
|
March 3, 2004 | |
|
January 1, 2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
through September 30, | |
|
through March 2, | |
Summary Operating Information: |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands, except average sales price) | |
Oil and gas revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil sales
|
|
$ |
53,579 |
|
|
$ |
57,285 |
|
|
$ |
44,576 |
|
|
$ |
12,709 |
|
Gas sales
|
|
|
94,913 |
|
|
|
105,005 |
|
|
|
77,950 |
|
|
|
27,055 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total oil and gas revenues
|
|
$ |
148,492 |
|
|
$ |
162,290 |
|
|
$ |
122,526 |
|
|
$ |
39,764 |
|
Other revenues
|
|
|
2,753 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lease operating expenses
|
|
|
20,170 |
|
|
|
19,194 |
|
|
|
15,073 |
|
|
|
4,121 |
|
Transportation expenses
|
|
|
1,697 |
|
|
|
4,814 |
|
|
|
3,744 |
|
|
|
1,070 |
|
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
|
|
|
43,457 |
|
|
|
48,094 |
|
|
|
37,464 |
|
|
|
10,630 |
|
General and administrative expenses
|
|
|
26,726 |
|
|
|
7,305 |
|
|
|
6,174 |
|
|
|
1,131 |
|
Net interest expense (income)
|
|
|
4,720 |
|
|
|
4,127 |
|
|
|
4,213 |
|
|
|
(86 |
) |
Income before taxes
|
|
|
53,977 |
|
|
|
77,799 |
|
|
|
54,901 |
|
|
|
22,898 |
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
|
18,414 |
|
|
|
27,293 |
|
|
|
19,221 |
|
|
|
8,072 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Average realized prices include the effects of hedges. |
Net production during the nine months ended
September 30, 2005 decreased approximately 21% to
22.5 Bcfe from 28.4 Bcfe in the same period of 2004
primarily due to decreased Gulf of Mexico production, partially
offset by increased onshore production. Mariners
production was negatively impacted during the third quarter of
2005 due to hurricane activity, primarily Katrina and Rita.
Production shut-in and deferred because of the hurricanes
impact totaled approximately 1.3 Bcfe during the third
quarter of 2005. As of September 30, 2005, approximately
7 MMcfe per day of production remained shut-in awaiting
repairs, primarily associated with our Baccarat property
(although, production therefrom recommenced in January 2006).
Additionally, production that was anticipated to commence in the
third quarter of 2005 at our Swordfish, Pluto, and Rigel
development projects has been delayed until the fourth quarter
of 2005 for Swordfish, and into 2006 at Pluto and Rigel,
awaiting repairs to host facilities.
Increased development drilling at our Aldwell unit in West Texas
contributed to a 61% increase in onshore production to an
average of approximately 17.1 Mmcfe per day in the first
nine months of 2005 from an average of approximately
10.5 Mmcfe per day in the first nine months of 2004.
In the deepwater Gulf of Mexico, production decreased
approximately 30% to an average of approximately 33 Mmcfe
per day in the first nine months of 2005 compared to an average
of approximately 47 Mmcfe per day in the first nine months
of 2004. The decrease was largely due to reduced production at
our Black Widow, Yosemite and Pluto fields. Pluto was shut-in in
April 2004 pending drilling of the new Mississippi Canyon
674 #3 well and installation of an extension to the
existing subsea facilities. Production at Black Widow and
Yosemite are undergoing expected declines.
In the Gulf of Mexico shelf, production decreased by
approximately 30% to an average of approximately 32 Mmcfe
per day in the first nine months of 2005 from an average of
approximately 46 Mmcfe per day in the first nine months of
2004. About 6.2 Mmcfe per day of the decrease is
attributable to our Ochre field which remains shut-in due to the
effects of Hurricane Ivan in September 2004. Production from
three new shelf discoveries (Green Pepper, Royal Flush, and
Dice) and production from the 2004 acquisition of interests in
five offshore fields offset normal declines at our other Gulf of
Mexico shelf fields.
Hedging activities in the first nine months of 2005
decreased our average realized natural gas price received by
$0.69 per Mcf and revenues by $10.0 million, compared
with a decrease of $0.05 per Mcf and revenues of
$1.0 million for the same period in 2004. Our hedging
activities with respect to crude oil during the first nine
months of 2005 decreased the average sales price received by
$10.05 per barrel and revenues by
116
$13.4 million compared with a decrease of $3.93 per
barrel and revenues of $6.9 million for the same period in
2004.
Oil and gas revenues decreased 6% to $148.5 million
in the first nine months of 2005 when compared to first nine
months 2004 oil and gas revenues of $162.3 million, due to
the aforementioned 21% decrease in production, partially offset
by a 16% increase in realized prices (including the effects of
hedging) to $6.59 per Mcfe in the first nine months of 2005
from $5.71 per Mcfe in the same period in 2004.
Other revenues of $2.7 million in the first nine
months of 2005 represent an indemnity payment received from our
former stockholder related to the merger of $1.9 million
and $0.8 million generated by our West Texas Aldwell unit
gathering system.
Lease operating expenses increased 5% to
$20.2 million in the first nine months of 2005 from
$19.2 million in the first nine months of 2004. The
increased costs were primarily attributable to the addition of
new producing wells at our Aldwell Unit offset by reduced costs
on our Black Widow, King Kong/Yosemite, and Pluto deep water
fields. On a per unit basis, lease operating expenses were $0.90
per Mcfe in the first nine months of 2005 compared to $0.67 per
Mcfe in the first nine months of 2004. The increased per unit
costs also reflect lower production rates in the 2005 period,
including hurricane-related disruptions.
Transportation expenses were $1.7 million or
$0.08 per Mcfe in the first nine months of 2005, compared
to $4.8 million or $0.17 per Mcfe in the first nine
months of 2004. The reduction is primarily attributable to our
deepwater fields and includes reductions caused by the filing of
new and higher transportation allowances with the MMS on two of
our deepwater fields for purpose of royalty calculation.
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization expense
decreased 10% to $43.5 million during the first nine
months of 2005 from $48.1 million for the first nine months
of 2004 as a result of decreased production of 5.9 Bcfe in
the first nine months of 2005 compared to the first nine months
of 2004, partially offset by an increase in the
unit-of-production
depreciation, depletion and amortization rate to $1.93 per
Mcfe for the first nine months of 2005 from $1.69 per Mcfe
for the same period in 2004. The per unit increase was primarily
the result of an increase in future development costs on our
deepwater development fields.
General and administrative expenses
(G&A), which are net of $3.1 million
and $2.2 million of overhead reimbursements billed or
received from other working interest owners in the first nine
months of 2005 and 2004, respectively, increased 266% to
$26.7 million during the first nine months of 2005 compared
to $7.3 million in the first nine months of 2004. The
increase was primarily due to recognizing $17.6 million in
stock compensation expense related to restricted stock and
options granted in the first nine months of 2005. We also paid
$2.3 million to our former stockholders to terminate a
services agreement in the first nine months of 2005, compared to
$1.0 million under the same agreement in the first nine
months of 2004. In addition, G&A expenses increased by
$1.8 million due to a reduction in the amount of G&A
capitalized in the first nine months of 2005 compared to the
first nine months of 2004.
Net interest expense for the first nine months of 2005
increased 14% to $4.7 million from $4.1 million in the
first nine months of 2004, primarily due to lower average debt
levels in the first nine months of 2004 compared to the first
nine months of 2005. In connection with the Merger on
March 2, 2004, Mariner incurred $135 million in new
bank debt and issued a $10 million promissory note to JEDI.
For comparison purposes, approximately seven months of interest
related to such borrowings is reflected in the first nine months
of 2004 compared to nine months of interest in 2005.
Income before income taxes decreased to
$54.0 million for the first nine months of 2005 compared to
$77.8 million for the same period in 2004, attributable
primarily to the decrease in oil and gas revenues resulting from
the decreased production and increased G&A expenses, both as
noted above. Offsetting these factors were the receipt of other
income related to the indemnity payment and lower DD&A and
transportation expenses.
117
Provision for income taxes decreased to
$18.4 million for the first nine months of 2005 from
$27.3 million for the first nine months of 2004 as a result
of decreased operating income for the nine months ended
September 30, 2005 compared to the prior period.
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, 2004 compared to Year Ended
December 31, 2003 |
Operating and Financial Results for the Year Ended
December 31, 2004 Compared to
the Year Ended December 31, 2003
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-GAAP | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Combined | |
|
Post-Merger | |
|
Pre-Merger | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Period from | |
|
Period from | |
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
March 3, 2004 | |
|
January 1, 2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
through December 31, | |
|
through March 2, | |
Summary Operating Information: |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands, except average sales price) | |
Net production:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil (MBbls)
|
|
|
1,600 |
|
|
|
2,298 |
|
|
|
1,885 |
|
|
|
413 |
|
Natural gas (MMcf)
|
|
|
23,772 |
|
|
|
23,782 |
|
|
|
19,549 |
|
|
|
4,233 |
|
Total (Mmcfe)
|
|
|
33,374 |
|
|
|
37,569 |
|
|
|
30,856 |
|
|
|
6,713 |
|
Average daily production (Mmcfe/d)
|
|
|
91 |
|
|
|
103 |
|
|
|
101 |
|
|
|
112 |
|
Hedging activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil revenues (loss)
|
|
$ |
(4,969 |
) |
|
$ |
(12,299 |
) |
|
$ |
(11,613 |
) |
|
$ |
(686 |
) |
Gas revenues (loss)
|
|
|
(24,494 |
) |
|
|
(7,498 |
) |
|
|
(8,929 |
) |
|
|
1,431 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total hedging revenues (loss)
|
|
$ |
(29,463 |
) |
|
$ |
(19,797 |
) |
|
$ |
(20,542 |
) |
|
$ |
745 |
|
Average Sales Prices:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil (per Bbl) realized(1)
|
|
$ |
23.74 |
|
|
$ |
33.17 |
|
|
$ |
33.69 |
|
|
$ |
30.75 |
|
Oil (per Bbl) unhedged
|
|
|
26.85 |
|
|
|
38.52 |
|
|
|
39.85 |
|
|
|
32.41 |
|
Natural gas (per Mcf) realized(1)
|
|
|
4.40 |
|
|
|
5.80 |
|
|
|
5.67 |
|
|
|
6.39 |
|
Natural gas (per Mcf) unhedged
|
|
|
5.43 |
|
|
|
6.12 |
|
|
|
6.13 |
|
|
|
6.05 |
|
Total natural gas equivalent ($/Mcfe) realized(1)
|
|
|
4.27 |
|
|
|
5.70 |
|
|
|
5.65 |
|
|
|
5.92 |
|
Total natural gas equivalent ($/Mcfe) unhedged
|
|
|
5.15 |
|
|
|
6.23 |
|
|
|
6.32 |
|
|
|
5.81 |
|
Oil and gas revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil sales
|
|
$ |
37,992 |
|
|
$ |
76,207 |
|
|
$ |
63,498 |
|
|
$ |
12,709 |
|
Gas sales
|
|
|
104,551 |
|
|
|
137,980 |
|
|
|
110,925 |
|
|
|
27,055 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total oil and gas revenues
|
|
$ |
142,543 |
|
|
$ |
214,187 |
|
|
$ |
174,423 |
|
|
$ |
39,764 |
|
Lease operating expenses
|
|
|
24,719 |
|
|
|
25,484 |
|
|
|
21,363 |
|
|
|
4,121 |
|
Transportation expenses
|
|
|
6,252 |
|
|
|
3,029 |
|
|
|
1,959 |
|
|
|
1,070 |
|
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
|
|
|
48,339 |
|
|
|
64,911 |
|
|
|
54,281 |
|
|
|
10,630 |
|
General and administrative expenses
|
|
|
8,098 |
|
|
|
8,772 |
|
|
|
7,641 |
|
|
|
1,131 |
|
Impairment of production equipment held for use
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
957 |
|
|
|
957 |
|
|
|
|
|
Net interest expense (income)
|
|
|
6,225 |
|
|
|
5,734 |
|
|
|
5,820 |
|
|
|
(86 |
) |
Income before taxes and change in accounting method
|
|
|
45,688 |
|
|
|
105,300 |
|
|
|
82,402 |
|
|
|
22,898 |
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
|
9,387 |
|
|
|
36,855 |
|
|
|
28,783 |
|
|
|
8,072 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Average realized prices include the effects of hedges. |
118
Net production during 2004 increased to 37.6 Bcfe
from 33.4 Bcfe during 2003 primarily due to the
commencement of production on our Roaring Fork and Ochre
projects, offset by normal production declines on existing
fields.
Hedging activities in 2004 decreased our average realized
natural gas price received by $0.32 per Mcf and revenues by
$7.5 million, compared with a decrease of $1.03 per
Mcf and revenues of $24.5 million for 2003. Our hedging
activities with respect to crude oil during 2004 decreased the
average sales price received by $5.35 per bbl and revenues
by $12.3 million compared with a decrease of $3.11 per
bbl and revenues of $5.0 million for 2003.
Oil and gas revenues increased 50% to $214.2 million
during 2004 when compared to 2003 oil and gas revenues of
$142.5 million, due to a 13% increase in production and a
33% increase in realized prices (including the effects of
hedging) to $5.70 per Mcfe in 2004 from $4.27 per Mcfe
in 2003.
Lease operating expenses increased 3% to
$25.5 million in 2004 from $24.7 million in 2003 due
to increased activity in our West Texas Aldwell project,
partially offset by lower compression costs on our
King Kong and Yosemite projects and the shut-in of our
Pluto project for a large portion of 2004 pending the drilling
and completion of the Mississippi Canyon 674 No. 3 well,
which has been drilled and awaits installation of flowlines and
related facilities.
Transportation expenses were $3.0 million for 2004,
compared to $6.3 million for 2003. In the fourth quarter of
2004, we filed new transportation allowances with the MMS for
purpose of royalty calculation. This resulted in a
$3.2 million decrease in transportation expense in 2004
compared to 2003. In addition, transportation expense from our
new Roaring Fork field was offset by declines from our existing
fields.
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization expense
increased 34% to $64.9 million during 2004 from
$48.3 million for 2003 as a result of an increase in the
unit-of-production
depreciation, depletion and amortization rate to $1.73 per
Mcfe from $1.45 per Mcfe for the comparable period and a
production increase of 4.2 Bcfe in 2004 compared to 2003.
The per unit increase is primarily attributable to non-cash
purchase accounting adjustments resulting from the merger.
G&A, which is net of $4.4 million of overhead
reimbursements received from other working interest owners,
increased 8% to $8.8 million during 2004 compared to
$8.1 million in 2003 primarily due to increased
compensation costs paid in connection with the merger and
payments made pursuant to services contracts with affiliates of
our sole stockholder, offset by increased overhead recoveries
from our partners and amounts capitalized.
Impairment of production equipment held for use reflects
the reduction of the carrying cost of our inventory as of
December 31, 2004 by $1.0 million to account for a
reduction in estimated value primarily related to subsea trees
held in inventory.
Net interest expense for 2004 decreased 8% to
$5.7 million from $6.2 million for 2003, primarily due
to the repayment of our senior subordinated notes in August
2003, replaced by lower-cost bank debt in March 2004.
Income before income taxes and change in accounting method
increased to $105.3 million for 2004 compared to
$45.7 million in 2003, attributable primarily to the
increase in oil and gas revenues resulting from the increased
production and realized prices noted above.
Provision for income taxes increased to
$36.9 million for 2004 from $9.4 million for 2003 as a
result of increased current year operating income.
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, 2003 Compared to Year Ended
December 31, 2002 |
Net production decreased during 2003 to 33.4 Bcfe
from 39.8 Bcfe in 2002. Production from new drilling in our
onshore Aldwell project and offshore Roaring Fork and Vermilion
143 projects was offset by production declines in other fields
and loss of production from our offshore Pluto project during
the first seven months of 2003 as a result of a flowline
mechanical problem that required extended maintenance.
119
Hedging activities in 2003 decreased our average realized
natural gas price received by $1.03 per Mcf and revenues by
$24.5 million, compared with an increase of $0.68 per
Mcf and revenues of $20.3 million in 2002. Our hedging
activities with respect to crude oil during 2003 decreased the
average sales price received by $3.11 per bbl and revenues
by $5.0 million compared with an increase of $1.25 per
bbl and revenues of $2.1 million in 2002.
Oil and gas revenues decreased 10% to $142.5 million
in 2003 from $158.2 million in 2002 (including the effects
of hedge gains and losses), due to a 16% decrease in production
offset by an 8% increase in average realized prices to
$4.27 per Mcfe in 2003 from $3.97 per Mcfe in 2002
including the effects of hedging gains and losses.
Lease operating expenses decreased 5% to
$24.7 million in 2003 from $26.1 million in 2002 due
to the reduced chemical requirements at our King Kong and
Yosemite projects offset by higher chemical costs at our Pluto
field.
Transportation expenses decreased 40% to
$6.3 million for 2003 from $10.5 million for 2002. The
decrease was primarily attributable to lower minimum fees
required under the transportation agreement for our Pluto
project.
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization expense
decreased 32% to $48.3 million for 2003 from
$70.8 million for 2002 as a result of the decrease in the
unit-of-production
depreciation, depletion and amortization rate to $1.45 per
Mcfe from $1.78 per Mcfe and 6.4 Bcfe of less
production in 2003 compared to 2002. The primary driver behind
the reduced DD&A rate per Mcfe was the reduction of our full
cost pool and concurrent reduction of proved reserves by the
proceeds from the sale of an interest in the Falcon and Harrier
properties in 2003.
Early derivative settlements of non hedge designated
instruments resulted in a loss of $3.2 million in 2003.
There were no similar transactions in 2002.
G&A, which is net of $1.8 million of overhead
reimbursements received from other working interest owners,
increased 5% to $8.1 million for 2003 from
$7.7 million for 2002. The increase was comprised of an 11%
reduction in gross G&A (before capitalized items and
overhead recoveries) driven primarily by reduced professional
service costs and office rent, offset by higher employee
compensation costs, which included retention payments. The
reduction in gross G&A was offset by reduced overhead
recoveries and capitalized items compared to 2002.
Net interest expense for 2003 decreased 37% to
$6.2 million from $9.9 million for 2002, primarily due
to mid-year retirement of our senior subordinated notes.
Income before income taxes and change in accounting method
increased to a net income of $45.7 million for 2003
from $30.0 million in 2002, primarily as a result of 30%
higher operating income (primarily driven by lower DD&A
partially offset by lower oil and gas revenues) all as described
more fully above.
Provision for income taxes increased to $9.4 million
in 2003 as a result of Mariner utilizing all of its net
operating losses. The provision for income taxes in 2002 was $0.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Working capital at September 30, 2005 was negative
$30.2 million, excluding current derivative liabilities and
related tax effects. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities at
September 30, 2005 increased by approximately 23% over
levels at December 31, 2004 primarily due to increased
current obligations for our Swordfish and Pluto development
projects at quarter end. As of December 31, 2004, we had
negative working capital of approximately $18.7 million
compared to positive working capital of $38.3 million at
December 31, 2003, in each case excluding current
derivative liabilities and restricted cash. The reduction in
working capital from the prior year is primarily the result of a
change in the manner Mariner utilizes excess cash. At year-end
2003, Mariner operated with no debt and consequently accumulated
cash (approximately $60 million at year-
120
end 2003) generated by operations and asset sales in order to
fund future obligations and business activities. In March 2004,
Mariner entered into a revolving credit facility, and since then
has utilized excess cash to pay down outstanding advances to
maintain debt levels as low as possible. In addition, our
accounts payable and accrued liabilities at December 31,
2004 increased by about 32% over levels at December 31,
2003 primarily as a result of funding for development of our
deepwater projects in progress at year end.
Our 2004 capital expenditures were $148.9 million.
Approximately 60% of our capital expenditures were incurred for
development projects, 32% for exploration activities and the
remainder for acquisitions and other items (primarily
capitalized overhead and interest).
We anticipate that our capital expenditures for 2005 will
approximate $250 million with approximately 48%
allocated to development projects, 27% to exploration
activities, 21% to acquisitions and the remainder to other items
(primarily capitalized overhead and interest). This is an
increase of approximately $98 million over our original
2005 budget. The increase is primarily driven by acquisitions of
interests in properties, by new drilling projects at LaSalle/ NW
Nansen, and by the cost of remediating a flow line obstruction
at our Pluto project.
With the anticipated increase in capital expenditures and
reduced production, partially from the impact of hurricanes,
cash flows generated by operations for 2005 will not be
sufficient to fund our 2005 capital expenditures. Any
requirements for funding that exceed our cash flows will be
funded through additional borrowings under our existing
revolving credit facility. We currently have a borrowing base of
$185 million with approximately $75 million drawn as
of September 30, 2005. Because of increased capital
expenditures in the fourth quarter of 2005 (including about $40
million for acquisitions) and reduced cash flows, borrowings
under the revolving credit facility increased to approximately
$152.0 million by year-end 2005.
However, the timing of expenditures (especially regarding
deepwater projects) is unpredictable. Also, our cash flows are
heavily dependent on the oil and natural gas commodity markets
and our ability to hedge oil and natural gas prices is limited
by our revolving credit facility to no more than 80% of our
expected production from proved developed producing reserves. If
either oil or natural gas commodity prices decrease from their
current levels, our ability to finance our planned capital
expenditures could be affected negatively. Furthermore, amounts
available for borrowing under our revolving credit facility are
largely dependent on our level of proved reserves and current
oil and natural gas prices. If either our proved reserves or
commodity prices decrease, amounts available to us to borrow
under our revolving credit facility could be negatively
affected. If our cash flows are less than anticipated or amounts
available for borrowing under our revolving credit facility are
reduced, we may be forced to defer planned capital expenditures.
In addition, our future oil and natural gas production depends
on our success in finding or acquiring additional reserves. If
we fail to replace reserves through drilling or acquisitions,
our cash flows will be affected adversely. In general,
production from oil and natural gas properties declines as
reserves are depleted, with the rate of decline depending on
reservoir characteristics. Our total proved reserves decline as
reserves are produced unless we conduct other successful
exploration and development activities or acquire properties
containing proved reserves, or both. Our ability to make the
necessary capital investment to maintain or expand our asset
base of oil and natural gas reserves would be impaired to the
extent cash flow from operations is reduced and external sources
of capital become limited or unavailable. We may not be
successful in exploring for, developing or acquiring additional
reserves.
Our existing proved reserves are comprised of West Texas and
Gulf of Mexico properties. The West Texas properties are
relatively long-life in nature characterized by relatively low
decline rates (lower productive rates) while the Gulf of Mexico
properties are shorter-life in nature characterized by
relatively high decline rates (higher productive rates). For the
nine months ended September 30, 2005, our Gulf of Mexico
properties comprised about 79% of our total production. We plan
to maintain an active drilling program on our onshore properties
with the intention of maintaining or increasing production in
those areas. Although production from our existing offshore
wells will decline more rapidly over time than our onshore
wells, the percentage of production attributable to our offshore
wells is expected to increase in the coming years as more of our
undeveloped deep water projects commence production. While we
expect this trend to continue for the near future, oil and gas
production (especially for our offshore properties) can be
heavily affected by reservoir
121
characteristics and unforeseen events (such as hurricanes and
other casualties), so we can not predict with any certainty the
timing of declines in production or the commencement of
production from new projects.
In conjunction with the March 2004 merger, we established a new
credit facility maturing on March 2, 2007. The new credit
facility was fully drawn at inception for $135 million. See
Credit Facility. In addition, we issued
a $10 million promissory note to JEDI as part of the merger
consideration. See Mariner Enron Related
Matters and JEDI Term Promissory
Note. This note matures in March 2006. Net proceeds from a
private equity placement were approximately $45 million, of
which $6 million was used to pay down the JEDI promissory
note with the remainder used to pay down the credit facility.
For the year ended December 31, 2004 and the nine months
ended September 30, 2005, our interest rate sensitivity for
a change in interest rates of
1/8
percent on average outstanding debt under our credit facility is
approximately $0.2 million and $0.1 million,
respectively. The LIBOR rate on which our bank borrowings are
primarily based was 4.19% as of November 23, 2005.
We had a net cash outflow of $57.6 million in 2004,
compared to a net cash inflow of $41.8 million in 2003 and
a net cash inflow of $6.5 million in 2002. A discussion of
the major components of cash flows for these periods follows.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pre-Merger | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Combined | |
|
Post-Merger | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
Year Ended | |
|
|
|
|
Period from | |
|
Period from | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
Year Ended | |
|
March 3, 2004 to | |
|
January 1, 2004 to | |
|
| |
|
|
December 31, 2004 | |
|
December 31, 2004 | |
|
March 2, 2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Cash flows provided by operating activities
|
|
$ |
156.2 |
|
|
$ |
135.9 |
|
|
$ |
20.3 |
|
|
$ |
103.5 |
|
|
$ |
60.3 |
|
Cash flows provided by operating activities in 2004 increased by
$52.7 million compared to 2003 primarily due to improved
operating results and net income driven by increased production
volumes and higher net oil and natural gas prices realized by
Mariner.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pre-Merger | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Combined | |
|
Post-Merger | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
Year Ended | |
|
|
|
|
Period from | |
|
Period from | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
Year Ended | |
|
March 3, 2004 to | |
|
January 1, 2004 to | |
|
| |
|
|
December 31, 2004 | |
|
December 31, 2004 | |
|
March 2, 2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Cash flows used in (provided by) investing activities
|
|
$ |
148.9 |
|
|
$ |
133.6 |
|
|
$ |
15.3 |
|
|
$ |
(38.3 |
) |
|
$ |
53.8 |
|
Cash flows used in investing activities in 2004 increased by
$187.2 million compared to 2003 due to increased capital
expenditures in 2004 and the sale of assets in prior years.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pre-Merger | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Combined | |
|
Post-Merger | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
Year Ended | |
|
|
|
|
Period from | |
|
Period from | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
Year Ended | |
|
March 3, 2004 to | |
|
January 1, 2004 to | |
|
| |
|
|
December 31, 2004 | |
|
December 31, 2004 | |
|
March 2, 2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Cash flows used in financing activities
|
|
$ |
(64.9 |
) |
|
$ |
(64.9 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(100.0 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Cash flows used in financing activities in 2004 decreased by
$35.1 million compared to 2003 as a result of a
$166 million dividend to our former indirect parent used to
help repay a term loan to an affiliate of Enron Corp. and
the placement of our revolving credit facility.
|
|
|
Commodity Prices and Related Hedging Activities |
The energy markets have historically been very volatile, and
there can be no assurance that oil and gas prices will not be
subject to wide fluctuations in the future. In an effort to
reduce the effects of the volatility of the price of oil and
natural gas on our operations, management has adopted a policy
of hedging oil and natural
122
gas prices from time to time primarily through the use of
commodity price swap agreements and costless collar
arrangements. While the use of these hedging arrangements limits
the downside risk of adverse price movements, it also limits
future gains from favorable movements.
As of September 30, 2005, Mariner had the following hedge
contracts outstanding:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 30, 2005 | |
|
|
|
|
Fixed | |
|
Fair Value | |
Fixed Price Swaps |
|
Quantity | |
|
Price | |
|
Gain/(Loss) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In millions) | |
Crude Oil (Bbls)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
October 1 December 31, 2005
|
|
|
138,000 |
|
|
$ |
25.22 |
|
|
$ |
(5.7 |
) |
|
January 1 December 31, 2006
|
|
|
140,160 |
|
|
|
29.56 |
|
|
|
(5.2 |
) |
Natural Gas (MMBtus)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
October 1 December 31, 2005
|
|
|
1,352,400 |
|
|
|
5.00 |
|
|
|
(12.3 |
) |
|
January 1 December 31, 2006
|
|
|
1,827,547 |
|
|
|
5.53 |
|
|
|
(13.6 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(36.8 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 30, 2005 | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair Value | |
Costless Collars |
|
Quantity | |
|
Floor | |
|
Cap | |
|
Gain/(Loss) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In millions) | |
Crude Oil (Bbls)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
October 1 December 31, 2005
|
|
|
57,960 |
|
|
$ |
35.60 |
|
|
$ |
44.77 |
|
|
$ |
(1.2 |
) |
|
January 1 December 31, 2006
|
|
|
251,850 |
|
|
|
32.65 |
|
|
|
41.52 |
|
|
|
(6.2 |
) |
|
January 1 December 31, 2007
|
|
|
202,575 |
|
|
|
31.27 |
|
|
|
39.83 |
|
|
|
(4.8 |
) |
Natural Gas (MMBtus)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
October 1 December 31, 2005
|
|
|
2,189,600 |
|
|
|
6.01 |
|
|
|
8.02 |
|
|
|
(12.3 |
) |
|
January 1 December 31, 2006
|
|
|
7,347,450 |
|
|
|
5.78 |
|
|
|
7.85 |
|
|
|
(29.1 |
) |
|
January 1 December 31, 2007
|
|
|
5,310,750 |
|
|
|
5.49 |
|
|
|
7.22 |
|
|
|
(14.7 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(68.3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, 2004, Mariner had the following hedge
contracts outstanding:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2004 | |
|
|
|
|
Fixed | |
|
Fair Value | |
Fixed Price Swaps |
|
Quantity | |
|
Price | |
|
Gain/(Loss) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In millions) | |
Crude Oil (Bbls)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
January 1 December 31, 2005
|
|
|
606,000 |
|
|
$ |
26.15 |
|
|
$ |
(10.0 |
) |
|
January 1 December 31, 2006
|
|
|
140,160 |
|
|
|
29.56 |
|
|
|
(1.5 |
) |
Natural Gas (MMBtus)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
January 1 December 31, 2005
|
|
|
8,670,159 |
|
|
|
5.41 |
|
|
|
(7.0 |
) |
|
January 1 December 31, 2006
|
|
|
1,827,547 |
|
|
|
5.53 |
|
|
|
(1.9 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(20.4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
123
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2004 | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair Value | |
Costless Collars |
|
Quantity | |
|
Floor | |
|
Cap | |
|
Gain/(Loss) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In millions) | |
Crude Oil (Bbls)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
January 1 December 31, 2005
|
|
|
229,950 |
|
|
$ |
35.60 |
|
|
$ |
44.77 |
|
|
$ |
(0.4 |
) |
|
January 1 December 31, 2006
|
|
|
251,850 |
|
|
|
32.65 |
|
|
|
41.52 |
|
|
|
(0.7 |
) |
|
January 1 December 31, 2007
|
|
|
202,575 |
|
|
|
31.27 |
|
|
|
39.83 |
|
|
|
(0.6 |
) |
Natural Gas (MMBtus)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
January 1 December 31, 2005
|
|
|
2,847,000 |
|
|
|
5.73 |
|
|
|
7.80 |
|
|
|
0.4 |
|
|
January 1 December 31, 2006
|
|
|
3,514,950 |
|
|
|
5.37 |
|
|
|
7.35 |
|
|
|
(0.3 |
) |
|
January 1 December 31, 2007
|
|
|
1,806,750 |
|
|
|
5.08 |
|
|
|
6.26 |
|
|
|
(0.4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(2.0 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We have reviewed the financial strength of our hedge
counterparties and believe our credit risk to be minimal. Under
the terms of some of these transactions, from time to time we
may be required to provide security in the form of cash or
letters of credit to our counterparties. As of December 31,
2004 and September 30, 2005, we had no deposits for
collateral.
The following table sets forth the results of third party
hedging transactions during the periods indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars in millions) | |
Natural Gas
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quantity settled (MMBtus)
|
|
|
18,823,063 |
|
|
|
25,520,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Increase (Decrease) in Natural Gas Sales
|
|
$ |
(10.8 |
) |
|
$ |
(27.1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Crude Oil
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quantity settled (Mbbls)
|
|
|
1,554 |
|
|
|
730 |
|
|
|
353 |
|
Increase (Decrease) in Crude Oil Sales
|
|
$ |
(16.9 |
) |
|
$ |
(5.0 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.8 |
) |
In accordance with purchase price accounting implemented at the
time of the merger of our former indirect parent on
March 2, 2004, we recorded the
mark-to-market
liability of our hedge contracts at such date totaling
$12.4 million as a liability on our balance sheet. See
Critical Accounting Policies and
Estimates Hedging Program. For the year ended
December 31, 2004, $7.9 million of the
$27.7 million of cash hedge losses relate to the liability
recorded at the time of the merger.
Borrowings under our revolving credit the facility, discussed
below, mature on March 2, 2007, and bear interest at either
a LIBOR-based rate or a prime-based rate, at our option, plus a
specified margin. Both options expose us to risk of earnings
loss due to changes in market rates. We have not entered into
interest rate hedges that would mitigate such risk.
We have a revolving credit facility which provides up to
$200 million of revolving borrowing capacity, subject to a
borrowing base limitation. We currently expect to replace this
credit facility when the merger is completed. See
Financing Arrangements Relating to the Spin-Off and the
Merger beginning on page 94. The borrowing capacity
is currently subject to a borrowing base of $185 million.
The borrowing base is subject to redetermination by the lenders
quarterly; provided however, if at least $10 million of
unused availability exists, the borrowing base will be
redetermined semi-annually. The borrowing base is based upon the
evaluation by the lenders of our oil and gas reserves and other
factors. Any increase in the borrowing base requires the consent
of all lenders.
124
Borrowings under the facility bear interest, at our option, at a
rate of (i) LIBOR plus 2.00% to 2.75% depending upon
utilization, or (ii) the greater of (a) the Federal
Funds Rate plus 0.50% or (b) the Reference Rate, plus 0.00%
to 0.50% depending upon utilization.
Substantially all of our assets, other than the assets securing
the term promissory note issued to JEDI, are pledged to secure
the credit facility and obligations under hedging arrangements
with members of our bank group. In addition, both of our
subsidiaries, Mariner Energy Texas LP and Mariner LP LLC, have
guaranteed our obligations under the credit facility. We must
pay a commitment fee of 0.25% to 0.50% per year on the
unused availability under the credit facility, depending upon
utilization.
The credit facility contains various restrictive covenants and
other usual and customary terms and conditions of a revolving
credit facility, including limitations on the payment of cash
dividends and other restricted payments, limitations on the
incurrence of additional debt, prohibitions on the sale of
assets, and requirements for hedging a portion of our oil and
natural gas production. Financial covenants require us to, among
other things:
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maintain a ratio, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, of
(a) current assets (excluding cash posted as collateral to
secure hedging obligations) plus unused availability under the
credit facility to (b) current liabilities (excluding the
current portion of debt and current portion of hedge
liabilities) of not less than 1.00 to 1.00; |
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maintain a ratio, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, of
(a) EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation,
amortization and depletion) to (b) the sum of interest
expense and maintenance capital expenditures for such period and
20% (on an annualized basis) of outstanding advances, of not
less than 1.20 to 1.00; and |
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maintain a ratio, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, of
(a) total debt to (b) EBITDA of not greater than 1.75
to 1.00 prior to the issuance of bonds as described in the
credit agreement and 3.00 to 1.00 thereafter. |
The credit facility also contains customary events of default,
including the occurrence of a change of control or default by us
in the payment or performance of any other indebtedness equal to
or exceeding $2.0 million.
As of September 30, 2005, $75.0 million was
outstanding under the credit facility, and the weighted average
interest rate was 5.84%. This debt matures on March 2,
2007. Because of increased capital expenditures in the fourth
quarter of 2005 (including about $40 million for
acquisitions) and reduced cash flows, borrowings under the
revolving credit facility increased to approximately
$152.0 million by year-end 2005.
Our management is considering a possible sale in a private
placement of between $150 and $250 million in aggregate
principal amount of notes. The notes would not be registered
under the Securities Act or any state securities laws and may
not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration
or an applicable exemption from registration. We expect that the
notes would be offered only to qualified institutional buyers
under Rule 144A and non-U.S. persons under
Regulation S. We anticipate that the net proceeds from the
offering would be used to repay borrowings under our credit
facility, and that the terms of the notes would be no more
restrictive than the terms of our credit facility.
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JEDI Term Promissory Note |
As part of the merger consideration payable to JEDI, we issued a
term promissory note to JEDI in the amount of $10 million.
The note matures on March 2, 2006, and bears interest,
payable in kind at our option, at a rate of 10% per annum
until March 2, 2005, and 12% per annum thereafter
unless paid in cash in which event the rate remains 10% per
annum. We have chosen to pay the interest in cash rather than in
kind. The JEDI note is secured by a lien on three of our
properties with no proved reserves located in the Gulf of
Mexico. We can offset against the note the amount of certain
claims for indemnification that can be asserted against JEDI
under the terms of the merger agreement. The JEDI term
promissory note contains customary
125
events of default, including an event of default triggered by
the occurrence of an event of default under our credit facility.
We used $6 million of the proceeds from the recent private
equity placement to repay a portion of the JEDI note. As of
September 30, 2005, $4 million was still outstanding
under the JEDI note.
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Capital Expenditures and Capital Resources |
The following table presents major components of our capital
expenditures for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 2004.
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Pre-Merger | |
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|
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| |
|
|
Combined | |
|
Post-Merger | |
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|
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|
|
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| |
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| |
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|
|
Year Ended | |
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|
Period from | |
|
Period from | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
Year Ended | |
|
March 3, 2004 to | |
|
January 1, 2004 | |
|
| |
|
|
December 31, 2004 | |
|
December 31, 2004 | |
|
to March 2, 2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
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| |
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| |
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| |
|
| |
|
| |
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|
(In millions) | |
Capital expenditures:
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Leasehold acquisition
|
|
$ |
4.8 |
|
|
$ |
4.4 |
|
|
$ |
0.4 |
|
|
$ |
4.8 |
|
|
$ |
14.9 |
|
|
Oil and natural gas exploration
|
|
|
43.0 |
|
|
|
35.9 |
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|
|
7.1 |
|
|
|
26.8 |
|
|
|
25.5 |
|
Oil and natural gas development
|
|
|
88.6 |
|
|
|
82.0 |
|
|
|
6.6 |
|
|
|
44.3 |
|
|
|
55.3 |
|
Proceeds from property conveyances
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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(121.6 |
) |
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|
(52.3 |
) |
Acquisitions
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4.9 |
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4.9 |
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Other items (primarily capitalized overhead and interest)
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|
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7.6 |
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|
|
6.4 |
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|
|
1.2 |
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|
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7.4 |
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|
|
10.4 |
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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Total capital expenditures, net of proceeds from property
conveyances
|
|
$ |
148.9 |
|
|
$ |
133.6 |
|
|
$ |
15.3 |
|
|
$ |
(38.3 |
) |
|
$ |
53.8 |
|
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Our net capital expenditures for 2004 increased by
$187.2 million, as compared to 2003, as a result of
increased exploration and development expenditures with no
offsetting proceeds from property conveyances in 2004.
Our net capital expenditures for 2003 decreased
$92.1 million as compared to 2002 as a result of higher
proceeds from property conveyances and overall lower capital
expenditures as result of our shift to a more balanced portfolio
among Gulf of Mexico deepwater and shelf and onshore properties.
We had no long-term debt outstanding as of December 31,
2003. As of December 31, 2004, long-term debt was
$115 million. See Credit Facility.
126
Contractual Commitments
We have numerous contractual commitments in the ordinary course
of business, debt service requirements and operating lease
commitments. The following table summarizes these commitments at
December 31, 2004:
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Less | |
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Than One | |
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More Than | |
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Total | |
|
Year | |
|
1-3 Years | |
|
3-5 Years | |
|
5 Years | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Long-term debt obligations(1)
|
|
$ |
115.0 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
115.0 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Interest obligations(2)
|
|
|
0.6 |
|
|
|
0.5 |
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
Operating leases
|
|
|
1.1 |
|
|
|
0.6 |
|
|
|
0.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Abandonment liabilities
|
|
|
24.0 |
|
|
|
4.7 |
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|
|
7.2 |
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|
|
7.7 |
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|
4.4 |
|
Derivative liability(3)
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|
22.4 |
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|
|
17.0 |
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|
5.4 |
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Other long-term liabilities
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3.0 |
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|
|
2.0 |
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|
1.0 |
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Total contractual cash commitments
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|
$ |
166.1 |
|
|
$ |
24.8 |
|
|
$ |
129.2 |
|
|
$ |
7.7 |
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|
$ |
4.4 |
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|
(1) |
As of December 31, 2004, we had incurred debt obligations
under our credit facility and the JEDI promissory note that are
due as follows: $10 million in 2006; and $105 million
in 2007. However, we used a portion of the net proceeds of the
private equity placement to repay a portion of amounts
outstanding under our credit facility and $6 million under
the JEDI promissory note. As of November 30, 2005, we had
incurred debt obligations under our credit facility of
$75 million and under the JEDI promissory note of
$4 million. |
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(2) |
Interest obligations represent approximately 14 months of
interest due on the JEDI promissory note at 10%. Future interest
obligations under our credit facility are uncertain, due to the
variable interest rate on fluctuating balances. Based on a 5.2%
weighted average interest rate on amounts outstanding under our
credit facility as of December 31, 2004, $5.5 million,
$5.5 million and $0.9 million would be due under the
credit facility in 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively. |
|
(3) |
As of September 30, 2005, the fair value of the derivative
liabilities was $105.1 million, including
$76.9 million due in less than one year. |
MMS Appeal Mariner operates numerous
properties in the Gulf of Mexico. Two of such properties were
leased from the MMS subject to the Outer Continental Shelf Deep
Water Royalty Relief Act (the RRA). The RRA relieved
the obligation to pay royalties on certain predetermined leases
until a designated volume is produced. These two leases
contained language that limited royalty relief if commodity
prices exceeded predetermined levels. For the years 2000, 2001,
2003 and 2004, commodity prices exceeded the predetermined
levels. Management believes the MMS did not have the authority
to set pricing limits, and Mariner filed an administrative
appeal with the MMS and has withheld royalties regarding this
matter. The MMS filed a motion to dismiss our appeal with the
Department of the Interiors Board of Land Appeals. On
April 6, 2005, the Board of Land Appeals granted the
MMS motion and dismissed our appeal. On October 3,
2005, we filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of Texas seeking judicial review of the
dismissal of our appeal by the Board of Land Appeals. Mariner
has recorded a liability for 100% of the exposure on this matter
which on September 30, 2005 was $14.6 million. For
additional information concerning the contested royalty payments
and the MMSs demands, see Mariner Legal
Proceedings below.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Transportation Contract In 1999, Mariner
constructed a 29-mile
flowline from a third party platform to the Mississippi Canyon
674 subsea well. After commissioning, MEGS LLC, an Enron
affiliate, purchased the flowline from Mariner and its joint
interest partner. In addition, Mariner entered into a firm
transportation contract with MEGS LLC at a rate of
$0.26 per MMBtu to transport Mariners share of
approximately 130,000,000 MMbtus of natural gas from the
commencement of production through March 2009. Mariners
working interest in the well is 51%. For the year ended
December 31, 2003, Mariner paid $1.9 million on this
127
contract. The remaining volume commitment was
14,707,107 MMbtus or $3.8 million net to Mariner.
Pursuant to the contract, Mariner was required to deliver
minimum quantities through the flowline or be subject to minimum
monthly payment requirements.
On May 10, 2004, Mariner and the other 49% working interest
owner in the Mississippi Canyon 674 well purchased the
flowline from MEGS LLC for an adjusted purchase price of
approximately $3.8 million, of which approximately
$1.9 million was paid by Mariner, and terminated the
transportation contract and associated liability. Accordingly,
we currently have no off-balance sheet arrangements.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
On December 16, 2004, the FASB issued FASB Statement
No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment,
(FASB No. 123(R)) that addresses the accounting for
share-based payment transactions (for example, stock options and
awards of restricted stock) in which an employer receives
employee-services in exchange for equity securities of Mariner
or liabilities that are based on the fair value of
Mariners equity securities. The new standard replaces FASB
Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation (FASB No. 123) and supersedes APB
Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to
Employees, and generally requires such transactions be
accounted for using a fair-value-based method that recognizes
compensation expense rather than the optional pro forma
disclosure allowed under FASB No. 123. Mariner adopted the
provisions of the new standard on January 1, 2005.
As a result of the adoption of the above described
SFAS No. 123(R), we recorded compensation expense for
the fair value of restricted stock that was granted pursuant to
our Equity Participation Plan (see Management of
Mariner Equity Participation Plan) and for
subsequent grants of stock options or restricted stock made
pursuant to the Mariner Energy, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan (see
Management of Mariner Stock Incentive
Plan). We recorded compensation expense for the restricted
stock grants equal to their fair value at the time of the grant,
amortized pro rata over the restricted period. General and
administrative expense for the nine months ended
September 30, 2005 includes $17.2 million of
compensation expense related to restricted stock granted in 2005
and $0.4 million of compensation expense related to stock
options outstanding as of September 30, 2005.
On September 2, 2004, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position
No. FAS 142-2, Application of FASB Statement
No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, to Oil and
Gas Producing Entities, addressing whether the scope
exception within SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and
Other Intangible Assets includes the balance sheet
classification and disclosures for drilling and mineral rights
of oil and gas producing properties. The FASB staff concluded
that the accounting framework for oil and gas entities is based
on the level of established reserves, not whether an asset is
tangible or intangible, and thus the scope exception extended to
the balance sheet classification and disclosure provisions for
such assets.
On September 28, 2004, the SEC released Staff Accounting
Bulletin (SAB) 106 regarding the application of
SFAS 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations
(AROs), by oil and gas producing companies
following the full cost accounting method. Pursuant to
SAB 106, oil and gas producing companies that have adopted
SFAS 143 should exclude the future cash outflows associated
with settling AROs (ARO liabilities) from the computation of the
present value of estimated future net revenues for the purposes
of the full cost ceiling calculation. In addition, estimated
dismantlement and abandonment costs, net of estimated salvage
values, that have been capitalized (ARO assets) should be
included in the amortization base for computing depreciation,
depletion and amortization expense. Disclosures are required to
include discussion of how a companys ceiling test and
depreciation, depletion and amortization calculations are
impacted by the adoption of SFAS 143. SAB 106 is
effective prospectively as of the beginning of the first fiscal
quarter beginning after October 4, 2004. Since our adoption
of SFAS 143 on January 1, 2003, we have calculated the
ceiling test and our depreciation, depletion and amortization
expense in accordance with the interpretations set forth in
SAB 106; therefore, the adoption SAB 106 had no effect
on our financial statements.
128
On December 16, 2004, the FASB issued Statement 153,
Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets, an amendment of APB
Opinion No. 29, to clarify the accounting for nonmonetary
exchanges of similar productive assets. SFAS 153 eliminates
the exception from the fair value measurement for nonmonetary
exchanges of similar productive assets and replaces it with a
general exception for exchanges of nonmonetary assets that do
not have commercial substance. The statement will be applied
prospectively and is effective for nonmonetary asset exchanges
occurring in fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2005.
We do not have any nonmonetary transactions for any period
presented to which this statement would apply. We do not expect
the adoption of SFAS 153 to have a material impact on our
financial statements.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market
Risk.
For a discussion of our market risk, See
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Commodity Prices and Related Hedging Activities.
129
MARINER
We are an independent oil and gas exploration, development and
production company with principal operations in the Gulf of
Mexico and the Permian Basin in West Texas. As of
December 31, 2004, we had 237.5 Bcfe of estimated
proved reserves, of which approximately 64% were natural gas and
36% were oil and condensate. The estimated pre-tax PV10 value of
our estimated proved reserves as of December 31, 2004 was
approximately $668 million, and the standardized measure of
discounted future net cash flows attributable to our estimated
proved reserves was approximately $494.4 million. Please
see Mariner Estimated Proved Reserves
for a definition of PV10 and a reconciliation of PV10 to the
standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows. As of
December 31, 2004, approximately 46% of our estimated
proved reserves were classified as proved developed. For the
year ended December 31, 2004, our total net production was
37.6 Bcfe. Our estimated proved reserve base is balanced,
with 48% of the reserves located in the Permian Basin of West
Texas, 37% in the Gulf of Mexico deepwater and 15% on the Gulf
of Mexico shelf as of December 31, 2004.
The distribution of our proved reserves reflects our efforts
over the last three years to diversify our asset base, which in
prior years had been focused primarily in the Gulf of Mexico
deepwater. We have shifted some of our focus on deepwater
activities to increased exploration and development on the Gulf
of Mexico shelf and exploitation of our West Texas Permian Basin
properties. By allocating our resources among these three areas,
we expect to balance the risks associated with the exploration
and development of our asset base. We intend to continue to
pursue moderate-risk exploratory and development drilling
projects in the Gulf of Mexico deepwater and on the Gulf of
Mexico shelf, including select deep shelf prospects, and also
target low-risk infill drilling projects in West Texas. It is
our practice to generate most of our prospects internally, but
from time to time we also acquire third-party generated
prospects. We then drill to find oil and natural gas reserves, a
process that we refer to as growth through the drill
bit.
The following discussion includes statements that may be deemed
forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. See
Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking
Statements for more details. Also, the discussion uses
terms that pertain to the oil and gas industry, and you should
see Glossary of Oil and Natural Gas Terms for the
definition of certain terms.
130
Significant Properties
We own oil and gas properties, producing and non-producing,
onshore in Texas and offshore in the Gulf of Mexico, primarily
in federal waters. Our largest properties, based on the present
value of estimated future net proved reserves as of
December 31, 2004, are shown in the following table.
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Approximate | |
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|
Date | |
|
Estimated | |
|
|
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|
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|
Mariner | |
|
Water | |
|
Gross | |
|
Production | |
|
Proved | |
|
|
|
Standardized | |
|
|
|
|
Working | |
|
Depth | |
|
Producing | |
|
Commenced/ | |
|
Reserves | |
|
PV10 Value | |
|
Measure | |
|
|
Operator | |
|
Interest | |
|
(Feet) | |
|
Wells(1) | |
|
Expected | |
|
(Bcfe) | |
|
(In $ Millions)(2) | |
|
(In $ Millions) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
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|
% | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
West Texas Permian Basin:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aldwell Unit
|
|
|
Mariner |
|
|
|
66.5 |
(3) |
|
|
Onshore |
|
|
|
185 |
|
|
|
1949 |
|
|
|
112.7 |
|
|
$ |
203.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
Gulf of Mexico Deepwater:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mississippi Canyon 296/252 (Rigel)
|
|
|
Dominion |
|
|
|
22.5 |
|
|
|
5,200 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
Second Quarter 2006 |
|
|
22.4 |
|
|
|
82.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Viosca Knoll 917/961/962 (Swordfish)
|
|
|
Mariner(4) |
|
|
|
15.0 |
|
|
|
4,700 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
Fourth Quarter 2005 |
|
|
13.4 |
|
|
|
59.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Green Canyon 516 (Yosemite)
|
|
|
ENI |
|
|
|
44.0 |
|
|
|
3,900 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
2002 |
|
|
|
15.1 |
|
|
|
66.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mississippi Canyon 718 (Pluto)(5)
|
|
|
Mariner |
|
|
|
51.0 |
|
|
|
2,830 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
1999 |
|
|
|
9.0 |
|
|
|
31.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Green Canyon 178 (Baccarat)
|
|
|
W&T |
|
|
|
40.0 |
|
|
|
1,400 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
Third Quarter 2005 |
|
|
4.0 |
|
|
|
14.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Green Canyon 472/473 (King Kong)
|
|
|
ENI |
|
|
|
50.0 |
|
|
|
3,850 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
2002 |
|
|
|
1.2 |
|
|
|
2.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
Gulf of Mexico Shelf:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mississippi Canyon 66 (Ochre)(6)
|
|
|
Mariner |
|
|
|
75.0 |
|
|
|
1,150 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
3.6 |
|
|
|
11.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Properties
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
43 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
56.1 |
|
|
|
195.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
231 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
237.5 |
|
|
$ |
668.0 |
|
|
$ |
494.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Wells producing or capable of producing as of December 31,
2004. |
|
(2) |
Please see Mariner Estimated Proved
Reserves for a definition of PV10 and a reconciliation of
PV10 to the standardized measure of discounted future net cash
flows. |
|
(3) |
We operate the field and own working interests in individual
wells ranging from approximately 33% to 84%. |
|
(4) |
Mariner served as operator until December 2005, at which
time pursuant to certain contractual arrangements, Noble Energy,
Inc., a 60% partner in the project, began serving as operator. |
|
(5) |
This field was shut-in in April 2004 pending the drilling of a
new well and installation of an extension to the existing
infield flowline and umbilical. As a result, as of
December 31, 2004, 9.0 Bcfe of our net proved reserves
attributable to this project were classified as proved
undeveloped reserves. We expect production from Pluto to
recommence in the second quarter of 2006. |
|
(6) |
Field has been shut in since September 2004 due to destruction
of host platform by Hurricane Ivan. |
Aldwell Unit. We operate and own working interests in
individual wells ranging from 33% to 84% (with an average
working interest of approximately 66.5%), in the
18,500-acre Aldwell
Unit. The field is located in the heart of the Spraberry
geologic trend southeast of Midland, Texas, and has produced oil
and gas since 1949. We began our recent redevelopment of the
Aldwell Unit by drilling eight wells in the fourth quarter of
2002, 43 wells in 2003, and 54 wells in 2004. As of
December 31, 2004, there were a total of 185 wells
producing or capable of producing in the field. Our aggregate
net capital expenditures for the 2004 drilling
131
program in the field were approximately $20.3 million, and
we added 27 Bcfe of proved reserves, while producing
4.0 Bcfe.
During 2005, we have accelerated our development program in West
Texas. Through September 30, 2005, we had drilled 65 new
wells at our Aldwell and North Stiles Units. All of our drilling
in the Aldwell and North Stiles Units has resulted in
commercially successful wells that are expected to produce in
quantities sufficient to exceed costs of drilling and
completion. Our net production from onshore wells for the nine
months ended September 30, 2005 averaged approximately
17 MMcfe per day.
We have completed construction of our own oil and gas gathering
system and compression facilities in the Aldwell Unit. We began
flowing gas production through the new facilities on
June 1, 2005. We have also entered into new contracts with
third parties to provide processing of our natural gas and
transportation of our oil produced in the unit. The new gas
arrangement also provides us with the option to sell our gas to
one of four firm or five interruptible sales pipelines versus a
single outlet under the former arrangement. We expect these
arrangements to improve the economics of production from the
Aldwell Unit.
In December 2004, we acquired an approximate 45% working
interest in two Permian Basin fields containing over
4,000 acres. We believe the fields contain more than twenty
80-acre infill drilling
locations and that either or both may also have
40-acre infill drilling
opportunities. We have commenced drilling operations in one of
the fields. In February 2005, we acquired five producing wells
located in Howard County, Texas, approximately 50 miles
north of our Aldwell Unit. The purchase price was
$3.5 million, subject to post-closing adjustments.
In August 2005, but effective in October 2005, we entered into
an agreement covering approximately 33,000 acres in West
Texas, pursuant to which, upon closing, we acquired an
approximate 35% working interest in approximately 200 existing
producing wells effective November 1, 2005, and committed
to drill an additional 150 wells within a four year period,
funding $36.5 million of our partners share of
drilling costs for such
150-well drilling
program. We will obtain an assignment of an approximate 35%
working interest in the entire committed acreage upon completion
of the 150-well program.
Mississippi Canyon 296 (Rigel). Mariner generated the
Rigel prospect and acquired its interest in Mississippi Canyon
block 296 at a federal offshore Gulf lease sale in March
1999. Pursuant to an agreement with third parties, in September
1999 we cross-assigned leasehold interests in Mississippi Canyon
blocks 208, 252 and 296 with the result that our working
interest in all three blocks is now 22.5%. The project is
located approximately 130 miles southeast of New Orleans,
Louisiana, in water depth of approximately 5,200 feet. A
successful exploration well was drilled on the prospect in 1999.
In September 2003, a successful appraisal well was drilled. This
project is currently under development with a single subsea well
and a planned 12-mile
subsea tie back to an existing subsea manifold that is connected
to an existing platform. We expect production to begin in the
second quarter of 2006.
Viosca Knoll 917/961/962 (Swordfish). Mariner generated
the Swordfish prospect and entered into a farm-out agreement
with BP in September 2001. We operated Swordfish until
December 2005 and own a 15% working interest in this
project, which is located in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico
105 miles southeast of New Orleans, Louisiana, in a water
depth of approximately 4,700 feet. In November and December
of 2001, we drilled two successful exploration wells on
blocks 917 and 962. In August 2004, a successful appraisal
well found additional reserves on block 961. All wells have
been completed. Due to the impact of Hurricane Katrina on the
host facility, initial production was delayed until the fourth
quarter of 2005.
Green Canyon 516 (Yosemite). Mariner generated the
Yosemite prospect and acquired the prospect at a Gulf of Mexico
federal lease sale in 1998. We have a 44% working interest in
this project, located in approximately 3,900 feet of water,
approximately 150 miles southeast of New Orleans. In 2001,
we drilled an exploratory well on the prospect, and in February
2002, we commenced production via a joint King Kong/ Yosemite
16 mile subsea tieback to an existing platform.
132
Mississippi Canyon 718 (Pluto). Mariner initially
acquired an interest in this project in 1997, two years after
gas was discovered on the project. We operate the property and
own a 51% working interest in the project and the
29-mile flowline that
connects to a third-party production platform. We developed the
field with a single subsea well which is located in the Gulf of
Mexico approximately 150 miles southeast of New Orleans,
Louisiana, at a water depth of approximately 2,830 feet.
The field was shut-in in April 2004 pending the drilling of a
new well and completion of the installation of an extension to
the existing infield flowline and umbilical. Installation of the
subsea facilities is now complete. During startup
operations, a paraffin plug was discovered in the flowline
between the Pluto field and the host facility. Remediation
efforts are in progress and nearing completion. Production is
expected to recommence in the second quarter of 2006, following
completion of repairs to the host facilities necessitated by
damage inflicted by Hurricane Katrina.
Green Canyon 178 (Baccarat). Mariner generated the
Baccarat prospect and acquired a 100% working interest in Green
Canyon block 178 at a Gulf of Mexico federal offshore lease
sale in July 2003. The project is located in approximately
1,400 feet of water approximately 145 miles southwest
of New Orleans, Louisiana. Subsequent to the acquisition,
Mariner entered into a farmout agreement, retaining a 40%
working interest in the project. A successful exploration well
was drilled in May 2004. The project is under development as a
subsea tieback to an existing host platform and was brought
online in the third quarter of 2005. The host platform sustained
damage during Hurricane Rita, resulting in production being
shut-in. Production recommenced in January 2006.
Green Canyon 472/473 (King Kong). In July 2000, Mariner
acquired a 50% working interest in the King Kong Gulf of Mexico
project. The project is located in approximately 3,850 feet
of water, approximately 150 miles southeast of New Orleans.
Mariner completed the project as a joint King Kong/ Yosemite
16 mile subsea tieback to an existing platform. Production
began in February 2002.
|
|
|
Other Prospects and Activity |
In late 2004, we participated in a successful exploratory well
in our North Black Widow prospect in Ewing Banks 921, which is
located approximately 125 miles south of New Orleans in
approximately 1,700 feet of water. We have a 35% working
interest in this project. A development plan for the North Black
Widow prospect has been approved and the operator of this
project currently anticipates production from this project to
begin in the second quarter of 2006. At June 30, 2005
approximately 4.5 Bcfe of estimated proved reserves have
been assigned net to Mariners interest.
In May 2005, we acquired an additional 18.75% working interest
in the Bass Lite project for approximately $5.0 million,
bringing our total working interest to 38.75%. The Bass Lite
project is located in Atwater Valley blocks 380, 381, 382,
425 and 426, approximately 200 miles southeast of New
Orleans in approximately 6,500 feet of water. We were
elected operator of this project, subject to MMS approval, and
negotiations continue with third party host facilities and
partners to establish firm development plans. At June 30,
2005 approximately 30.7 Bcfe of estimated proved reserves
have been assigned net to Mariners interest.
In June 2005, we increased our working interest in the LaSalle
project (East Breaks 558, 513, and 514) to 100% by acquiring the
remaining working interest owned by a third party for
$1.5 million. The blocks contain an undeveloped discovery,
as well as exploration potential. As of December 31, 2004,
we have booked no proved reserves to this project. We have
recently executed a participation agreement with Kerr McGee to
jointly develop the LaSalle project and Kerr McGees nearby
NW Nansen exploitation project (East Breaks 602). Under the
proposed participation agreement, Mariner owns a 33% working
interest in the NW Nansen project and a 50% working
interest in the LaSalle project. The LaSalle and NW Nansen
projects are located approximately 150 miles south of
Galveston, Texas in water depths of approximately 3,100 and
3,300 feet, respectively. The development of these projects
may require the drilling of up to four wells in 2005 and 2006
and related completion and facility capital in 2006.
At the King Kong/ Yosemite field (Green Canyon blocks 516,
472, and 473) we have planned, in conjunction with the operator,
a two well drilling program to exploit potential new reserve
additions. We anticipate drilling one development well and one
exploration well the first on block 473 and the
second on
133
block 472, both in the first quarter of 2006. We own a 50%
working interest in blocks GC 472 and 473 and a 44% working
interest in block 516.
Mississippi Canyon 66 (Ochre). Mariner acquired its Ochre
prospect at a Gulf of Mexico federal lease sale in March 2002.
We operate and own a 75% working interest in this project, which
is located in the Gulf of Mexico approximately 100 miles
southeast of New Orleans, Louisiana, in a water depth of
approximately 1,150 feet. In late 2002, we drilled a
successful exploration well on the prospect and commenced
production in the first quarter of 2004 via subsea tieback of
approximately 7 miles to the Taylor Mississippi Canyon 20
platform. In September 2004, Hurricane Ivan destroyed the Taylor
platform. We recently entered into a production handling
agreement with the operator of a nearby replacement host
facility, and production is expected to recommence in the first
quarter of 2006, following completion of repairs to the host
facility necessitated by damage inflicted by Hurricane Katrina
and the installation of the flowline and umbilical.
In connection with the March 2005 Central Gulf of Mexico federal
lease sale, we were awarded West Cameron block 386 located
in water depth of approximately 85 feet. In connection with
the August 2005 Western Gulf of Mexico lease sale, we were
awarded one shelf block (High Island A2) and four deepwater
blocks (East Breaks 344, East Breaks 843, East Breaks 844
and East Breaks 709).
In May 2005 we drilled the Capricorn discovery well, which
encountered over 100 net feet of pay in four zones. The
Capricorn project is located in High Island block A341
approximately 115 miles south southwest of Cameron,
Louisiana in approximately 240 feet of water. We anticipate
drilling an appraisal well and installing the necessary platform
and facilities in the first quarter of 2006, with first
production anticipated in 2006. We are the operator and own a
60% working interest in the project.
Estimated Proved Reserves
The following tables set forth certain information with respect
to our estimated proved reserves by geographic area as of
December 31, 2004. Reserve volumes and values were
determined under the method prescribed by the SEC which requires
the application of period-end prices and costs held constant
throughout the projected reserve life. The reserve information
as of December 31, 2004 is based on estimates made in a
reserve report prepared by Ryder Scott. A summary of Ryder
Scotts report on our proved reserves as of
December 31, 2004 is attached to this proxy
statement/prospectus-information statement as Annex F and
is consistent with filings we make with federal agencies.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated Proved | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reserve Quantities | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural | |
|
|
|
PV10 Value(3) | |
|
|
|
|
Oil | |
|
Gas | |
|
Total | |
|
| |
|
Standardized | |
Geographic Area |
|
(MMbbls) | |
|
(Bcf) | |
|
(Bcfe) | |
|
Developed | |
|
Undeveloped | |
|
Total | |
|
Measure | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Millions) | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Millions) | |
|
|
West Texas Permian Basin
|
|
|
8.7 |
|
|
|
62.8 |
|
|
|
114.8 |
|
|
$ |
141.1 |
|
|
$ |
64.4 |
|
|
$ |
205.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
Gulf of Mexico Deepwater(1)
|
|
|
4.5 |
|
|
|
59.8 |
|
|
|
86.7 |
|
|
|
91.1 |
|
|
|
219.6 |
|
|
|
310.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
Gulf of Mexico Shelf(2)
|
|
|
1.1 |
|
|
|
29.3 |
|
|
|
36.0 |
|
|
|
103.2 |
|
|
|
48.6 |
|
|
|
151.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
14.3 |
|
|
|
151.9 |
|
|
|
237.5 |
|
|
$ |
335.4 |
|
|
$ |
332.6 |
|
|
$ |
668.0 |
|
|
$ |
494.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proved Developed Reserves
|
|
|
6.3 |
|
|
|
71.4 |
|
|
|
109.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Deepwater refers to water depths greater than 1,300 feet
(the approximate depth of deepwater designation for royalty
purposes by the U.S. Minerals Management Service). |
|
(2) |
Shelf refers to water depths less than 1,300 feet and
includes an insignificant amount of Gulf Coast onshore
properties. |
134
|
|
(3) |
Please see Mariner Estimated Proved
Reserves for a definition of PV10 and a reconciliation of
PV10 to the standardized measure of discounted future net cash
flows. |
Uncertainties are inherent in estimating quantities of proved
reserves, including many factors beyond the control of Mariner.
Reserve engineering is a subjective process of estimating
subsurface accumulations of oil and gas that cannot be measured
in an exact manner, and the accuracy of any reserve estimate is
a function of the quality of available data and the
interpretation thereof. As a result, estimates by different
engineers often vary, sometimes significantly. In addition,
physical factors such as the results of drilling, testing, and
production subsequent to the date of an estimate, as well as
economic factors such as change in product prices, may require
revision of such estimates. Accordingly, oil and gas quantities
ultimately recovered will vary from reserve estimates.
PV10 is our estimated present value of future net revenues from
proved reserves before income taxes. PV10 may be considered a
non-GAAP financial measure under SEC regulations because it does
not include the effects of future income taxes, as is required
in computing the standardized measure of discounted future net
cash flows. We believe PV10 to be an important measure for
evaluating the relative significance of our natural gas and oil
properties and that PV10 is widely used by professional analysts
and investors in evaluating oil and gas companies. Because many
factors that are unique to each individual company impact the
amount of future income taxes to be paid, the use of a pre-tax
measure provides greater comparability of assets when evaluating
companies. We believe that most other companies in the oil and
gas industry calculate PV10 on the same basis. Management also
uses PV10 in evaluating acquisition candidates. PV10 is computed
on the same basis as the standardized measure of discounted
future net cash flows but without deducting income taxes. The
table below provides a reconciliation of PV10 to the
standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
PV10
|
|
$ |
667,975 |
|
|
$ |
533,544 |
|
|
$ |
514,995 |
|
Future income taxes, discounted at 10%
|
|
|
173,593 |
|
|
|
115,385 |
|
|
|
51,423 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows
|
|
$ |
494,382 |
|
|
$ |
418,159 |
|
|
$ |
463,572 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Producing oil and natural gas reservoirs generally are
characterized by declining production rates that vary depending
upon reservoir characteristics and other factors. Therefore,
without reserve additions in excess of production through
successful exploration and development activities or
acquisitions, Mariners reserves and production will
decline. See Risk Factors and Note 10 to the
Mariner financial statements included elsewhere in this
prospectus for a discussion of the risks inherent in oil and
natural gas estimates and for certain additional information
concerning the proved reserves.
The weighted average prices of oil and natural gas at
December 31, 2004 used in the proved reserve and future net
revenues estimates above were calculated using NYMEX prices at
December 31, 2004, of $43.45 per bbl of oil and
$6.15 per MMBtu of gas, adjusted for our price
differentials but excluding the effects of hedging.
135
Production
The following table presents certain information with respect to
net oil and natural gas production attributable to our
properties, average sales price received and expenses per unit
of production during the periods indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
Nine Months Ended | |
|
| |
|
|
September 30, 2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Production:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural Gas (Bcf)
|
|
|
14.5 |
|
|
|
23.8 |
|
|
|
23.8 |
|
|
|
29.6 |
|
|
Oil (MMbbls)
|
|
|
1.3 |
|
|
|
2.3 |
|
|
|
1.6 |
|
|
|
1.7 |
|
|
Total natural gas equivalent (Bcfe)
|
|
|
22.5 |
|
|
|
37.6 |
|
|
|
33.4 |
|
|
|
39.8 |
|
Average realized sales price per unit (excluding effects of
hedging):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas ($/Mcf)
|
|
$ |
7.23 |
|
|
$ |
6.12 |
|
|
$ |
5.43 |
|
|
$ |
3.35 |
|
|
Oil ($/bbl)
|
|
|
50.17 |
|
|
|
38.52 |
|
|
|
26.85 |
|
|
|
21.60 |
|
|
Total natural gas equivalent ($/Mcfe)
|
|
|
7.63 |
|
|
|
6.23 |
|
|
|
5.15 |
|
|
|
3.41 |
|
Average realized sales price per unit (including effects of
hedging):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas ($/Mcf)
|
|
$ |
6.54 |
|
|
$ |
5.80 |
|
|
$ |
4.40 |
|
|
$ |
4.03 |
|
|
Oil ($/bbl)
|
|
|
40.12 |
|
|
|
33.17 |
|
|
|
23.74 |
|
|
|
22.85 |
|
|
Total natural gas equivalent ($/Mcfe)
|
|
|
6.59 |
|
|
|
5.70 |
|
|
|
4.27 |
|
|
|
3.97 |
|
Expenses ($/Mcfe):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lease operating
|
|
$ |
0.90 |
|
|
$ |
0.68 |
|
|
$ |
0.74 |
|
|
$ |
0.65 |
|
|
Transportation
|
|
|
0.08 |
|
|
|
0.08 |
|
|
|
0.19 |
|
|
|
0.26 |
|
|
General and administrative, net(1)
|
|
|
1.18 |
|
|
|
0.23 |
|
|
|
0.24 |
|
|
|
0.19 |
|
|
Depreciation, depletion and amortization (excluding impairments)
|
|
|
1.93 |
|
|
|
1.73 |
|
|
|
1.45 |
|
|
|
1.78 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Net of overhead reimbursements received from other working
interest owners and amounts capitalized under the full cost
accounting method. General and administrative expenses for the
nine months ended September 30, 2005 include compensation
expense of $17.6 million for restricted stock and options
granted in March 2005. |
Productive Wells
The following table sets forth the number of productive oil and
gas wells in which we owned a working interest at
December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2004.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Productive Wells at | |
|
|
| |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Gross | |
|
Net | |
|
Gross | |
|
Net | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Oil
|
|
|
197 |
|
|
|
127.9 |
|
|
|
141 |
|
|
|
101.3 |
|
Gas
|
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
9.5 |
|
|
|
37 |
|
|
|
10.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
231 |
|
|
|
137.4 |
|
|
|
178 |
|
|
|
111.4 |
|
136
Acreage
The following table sets forth certain information with respect
to the developed and undeveloped acreage as of December 31,
2004.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Developed Acres(1) | |
|
Undeveloped Acres(2) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Gross | |
|
Net | |
|
Gross | |
|
Net | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
West Texas
|
|
|
22,413 |
|
|
|
14,448 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gulf of Mexico Deepwater(3)
|
|
|
79,200 |
|
|
|
30,275 |
|
|
|
224,640 |
|
|
|
124,588 |
|
Gulf of Mexico Shelf(4)
|
|
|
130,302 |
|
|
|
36,979 |
|
|
|
130,186 |
|
|
|
84,242 |
|
Other Onshore
|
|
|
3,232 |
|
|
|
732 |
|
|
|
856 |
|
|
|
243 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
235,147 |
|
|
|
82,434 |
|
|
|
355,682 |
|
|
|
209,073 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Developed acres are acres spaced or assigned to productive wells. |
|
(2) |
Undeveloped acres are acres on which wells have not been drilled
or completed to a point that would permit the production of
commercial quantities of oil and natural gas regardless of
whether such acreage contains proved reserves. |
|
(3) |
Deepwater refers to water depths greater than 1,300 feet
(the approximate depth of deepwater designated for royalty
purposes by the U.S. Minerals Management Service). |
|
(4) |
Shelf refers to water depths less than 1,300 feet. |
The following table sets forth our offshore undeveloped acreage
as of December 31, 2004 that is subject to expiration
during the three years ended December 31, 2007. The amount
of onshore undeveloped acreage subject to expiration is not
material.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Undeveloped Acreage | |
|
|
Subject to Expiration in the Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2006 | |
|
2007 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Gross | |
|
Net | |
|
Gross | |
|
Net | |
|
Gross | |
|
Net | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Gulf of Mexico Deepwater
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
46,080 |
|
|
|
12,988 |
|
|
|
28,800 |
|
|
|
9,360 |
|
Gulf of Mexico Shelf
|
|
|
9,298 |
|
|
|
3,100 |
|
|
|
10,760 |
|
|
|
6,260 |
|
|
|
46,000 |
|
|
|
31,183 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
9,298 |
|
|
|
3,100 |
|
|
|
56,840 |
|
|
|
19,248 |
|
|
|
74,800 |
|
|
|
40,543 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Drilling Activity
Certain information with regard to our drilling activity during
the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003, and 2004 is set
forth below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Gross | |
|
Net | |
|
Gross | |
|
Net | |
|
Gross | |
|
Net | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Exploratory wells:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Producing
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
3.34 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
2.03 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
1.00 |
|
|
Dry
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
2.65 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
2.35 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
2.10 |
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
5.99 |
|
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
4.38 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
3.10 |
|
Development wells:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Producing
|
|
|
56 |
|
|
|
34.84 |
|
|
|
45 |
|
|
|
30.07 |
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
6.65 |
|
|
Dry
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
0.68 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
57 |
|
|
|
35.52 |
|
|
|
45 |
|
|
|
30.07 |
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
6.65 |
|
Total wells:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Producing
|
|
|
63 |
|
|
|
38.18 |
|
|
|
51 |
|
|
|
32.10 |
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
7.65 |
|
|
Dry
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
3.33 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
2.35 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
2.10 |
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
71 |
|
|
|
41.51 |
|
|
|
57 |
|
|
|
34.45 |
|
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
9.75 |
|
We were in the process of drilling 2 gross (1.16 net)
wells as of December 31, 2004.
137
Property Dispositions
When appropriate, we consider the sale of discoveries that are
not yet producing or have recently begun producing when we
believe we can obtain acceptable returns on our investment
without holding the investment through depletion. Such sales
enable us to maintain and redeploy the proceeds to activities
that we believe have a higher potential financial return. No
property dispositions of producing properties were made during
the three years ended December 31, 2004. However, we sold
an aggregate 50% working interest in our non-producing deepwater
Falcon and Harrier projects in two separate sales for
$48.8 million in 2002 and $121.6 million in 2003,
respectively.
Marketing and Customers
We market substantially all of the oil and natural gas
production from the properties we operate as well as the
properties operated by others where our interest is significant.
The majority of our natural gas, oil and condensate production
is sold to a variety of purchasers under short-term (less than
12 months) contracts at market-based prices. The following
table lists customers accounting for more than 10% of our total
revenues for the year indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage of | |
|
|
Total Revenues | |
|
|
for Year Ended | |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
|
| |
Customer |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Sempra
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
34 |
% |
|
|
|
|
Bridgeline Gas Distributing Company
|
|
|
27 |
% |
|
|
19 |
% |
|
|
42 |
% |
Trammo Petroleum Inc.
|
|
|
9 |
% |
|
|
14 |
% |
|
|
|
|
Conoco Phillips
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
14 |
% |
Duke Energy
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
6 |
% |
|
|
9 |
% |
Genesis Crude Oil LP
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
4 |
% |
|
|
4 |
% |
Chevron Texaco
|
|
|
18 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BP Energy
|
|
|
12 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title to Properties
Substantially all of our properties currently are subject to
liens securing either our credit facility and obligations under
hedging arrangements with members of our bank group or the
promissory note payable to JEDI. In addition, our properties are
subject to customary royalty interests, liens incident to
operating agreements, liens for current taxes and other typical
burdens and encumbrances. We do not believe that any of these
burdens or encumbrances materially interferes with the use of
such properties in the operation of our business. Our properties
may also be subject to obligations or duties under applicable
laws, ordinances, rules, regulations and orders of governmental
authorities.
We believe that we have satisfactory title to or rights in all
of our producing properties. As is customary in the oil and
natural gas industry, minimal investigation of title is made at
the time of acquisition of undeveloped properties. Title
investigation is made usually only before commencement of
drilling operations. We believe that title issues generally are
not as likely to arise on offshore oil and gas properties as on
onshore properties.
Competition
We believe that our leasehold acreage, exploration, drilling and
production capabilities, large 3-D seismic database and
technical and operational experience generally enable us to
compete effectively. However, our competitors include major
integrated oil and natural gas companies and numerous
independent oil and natural gas companies, individuals and
drilling and income programs. Many of our larger competitors
possess and
138
employ financial and personnel resources substantially greater
than those available to us. Such companies may be able to pay
more for productive oil and natural gas properties and
exploratory prospects and to define, evaluate, bid for and
purchase a greater number of properties and prospects than our
financial or personnel resources permit. Our ability to acquire
additional prospects and discover reserves in the future is
dependent upon our ability to evaluate and select suitable
properties and consummate transactions in a highly competitive
environment. In addition, there is substantial competition for
capital available for investment in the oil and natural gas
industry. Larger competitors may be better able to withstand
sustained periods of unsuccessful drilling and absorb the burden
of changes in laws and regulations more easily than we can,
which would adversely affect our competitive position.
Royalty Relief
The RRA, signed into law on November 28, 1995, provides
that all tracts in the Gulf of Mexico west of 87 degrees, 30
minutes West longitude in water more than 200 meters deep
offered for bid within five years of the RRA will be relieved
from normal federal royalties as follows:
|
|
|
Water Depth |
|
Royalty Relief |
|
|
|
200-400 meters
|
|
no royalty payable on the first 105 Bcfe produced |
400-800 meters
|
|
no royalty payable on the first 315 Bcfe produced |
800 meters or deeper
|
|
no royalty payable on the first 525 Bcfe produced |
Leases offered for bid within five years of the RRA are referred
to as post-Act leases. The RRA also allows mineral
interest owners the opportunity to apply for discretionary
royalty relief for new production on leases acquired before the
RRA was enacted (pre-Act leases) and on leases
acquired after November 28, 2000 (post-2000
leases). If the MMS determines that new production under a
pre-Act lease or post-2000 lease would not be economical without
royalty relief, then the MMS may relieve a portion of the
royalty to make the project economical.
In addition to granting discretionary royalty relief, the MMS
has elected to include automatic royalty relief provisions in
many post-2000 leases, even though the RRA no longer applies.
For each post-2000 lease sale that has occurred to date, the MMS
has specified the water depth categories and royalty suspension
volumes applicable to production from leases issued in the sale.
In 2004, the MMS adopted additional royalty relief incentives
for production of natural gas from reservoirs located deep under
shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico. These incentives apply to
gas produced in water depths of less than 200 meters and from
deep gas accumulations located at depths of greater than
15,000 feet below the shelf. Drilling of qualified wells
must have started on or after March 26, 2003, and
production must begin prior to January 26, 2009.
The impact of royalty relief can be significant. The normal
royalty due for leases in water depths of 400 meters or
less is 16.7% of production, and the normal royalty for leases
in water depths greater than 400 meters is 12.5% of
production. Royalty relief can substantially improve the
economics of projects located in deepwater or in shallow water
and involving deep gas.
Many of our leases from the MMS contain language suspending
royalty relief if commodity prices exceed predetermined
threshold levels for a given calendar year. As a result, royalty
relief for a lease in a particular calendar year may be
contingent upon average commodity prices staying below the
threshold price specified for that year. In 2000, 2001, 2003 and
2004 natural gas prices exceeded the applicable price thresholds
for a number of our projects, and we have been required to pay
royalties for natural gas produced in those years. However, we
contested the MMS authority to include price thresholds in two
of our post-Act leases, Black Widow and Garden Banks 367. We
believe that post-Act leases are entitled to automatic royalty
relief under the RRA regardless of commodity prices, and have
pursued administrative and judicial remedies in this dispute
with the MMS. For more information concerning the contested
royalty payments and the MMSs demands, see
Legal Proceedings below.
139
Regulation
Our operations are subject to extensive and continually changing
regulation affecting the oil and natural gas industry. Many
departments and agencies, both federal and state, are authorized
by statute to issue, and have issued, rules and regulations
binding on the oil and natural gas industry and its individual
participants. The failure to comply with such rules and
regulations can result in substantial penalties. The regulatory
burden on the oil and natural gas industry increases our cost of
doing business and, consequently, affects our profitability. We
do not believe that we are affected in a significantly different
manner by these regulations than are our competitors.
|
|
|
Transportation and Sale of Natural Gas |
Historically, the transportation and sale for resale of natural
gas in interstate commerce have been regulated pursuant to the
Natural Gas Act of 1938, the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 and
the regulations promulgated thereunder by the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (FERC). In the past, the federal
government has regulated the prices at which natural gas could
be sold. Deregulation of natural gas sales by producers began
with the enactment of the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978. In
1989, Congress enacted the Natural Gas Wellhead Decontrol Act,
which removed all remaining Natural Gas Act of 1938 and Natural
Gas Policy Act of 1978 price and non-price controls affecting
producer sales of natural gas effective January 1, 1993.
Congress could, however, re-enact price controls in the future.
The FERC regulates interstate natural gas pipeline
transportation rates and service conditions, which affect the
marketing of gas produced by us and the revenues received by us
for sales of such natural gas. The FERC requires interstate
pipelines to provide open-access transportation on a
non-discriminatory basis for all natural gas shippers. The FERC
frequently reviews and modifies its regulations regarding the
transportation of natural gas with the stated goal of fostering
competition within all phases of the natural gas industry. In
addition, with respect to production onshore or in state waters,
the intra-state transportation of natural gas would be subject
to state regulatory jurisdiction as well.
In August, 2005, Congress enacted the Energy Policy Act of 2005
(EP Act 2005). Among other matters, EP Act 2005
amends the Natural Gas Act (NGA) to make it unlawful
for any entity, including otherwise
non-jurisdictional producers such as Mariner and Forest, to use
any deceptive or manipulative device or contrivance in
connection with the purchase or sale of natural gas or the
purchase or sale of transportation services subject to
regulation by the FERC, in contravention of rules prescribed by
the FERC. On January 19, 2006, the FERC issued regulations
implementing this provision. The regulations make it unlawful in
connection with the purchase or sale of natural gas subject to
the jurisdiction of the FERC, or the purchase or sale of
transportation services subject to the jurisdiction of the FERC,
for any entity, directly or indirectly, to use or employ any
device, scheme or artifice to defraud; to make any untrue
statement of material fact or omit to make any such statement
necessary to make the statements made not misleading; or to
engage in any act or practice that operates as a fraud or deceit
upon any person. EP Act 2005 also gives the FERC authority
to impose civil penalties for violations of the NGA up to
$1,000,000 per day per violation. The new anti-manipulation rule
does not apply to activities that relate only to intrastate or
other non-jurisdictional sales or gathering, but does apply to
activities of otherwise non-jurisdictional entities to the
extent the activities are conducted in connection
with gas sales, purchases or transportation subject to
FERC jurisdiction. It therefore reflects a significant expansion
of the FERCs enforcement authority. We do not anticipate
we will be affected any differently than other producers of
natural gas.
Additional proposals and proceedings that might affect the
natural gas industry are considered from time to time by
Congress, the FERC, state regulatory bodies and the courts. We
cannot predict when or if any such proposals might become
effective or their effect, if any, on our operations. The
natural gas industry historically has been closely regulated;
thus, there is no assurance that the less stringent regulatory
approach recently pursued by the FERC and Congress will continue
indefinitely into the future.
140
The production of oil and natural gas is subject to regulation
under a wide range of state and federal statutes, rules, orders
and regulations. State and federal statutes and regulations
require permits for drilling operations, drilling bonds, and
reports concerning operations. Texas and Louisiana, the states
in which we own and operate properties, have regulations
governing conservation matters, including provisions for the
unitization or pooling of oil and natural gas properties, the
establishment of maximum rates of production from oil and
natural gas wells, the spacing of wells, and the plugging and
abandonment of wells and removal of related production
equipment. Texas and Louisiana also restrict production to the
market demand for oil and natural gas and several states have
indicated interests in revising applicable regulations. These
regulations can limit the amount of oil and natural gas we can
produce from our wells, limit the number of wells, or limit the
locations at which we can conduct drilling operations. Moreover,
each state generally imposes a production or severance tax with
respect to production and sale of crude oil, natural gas and gas
liquids within its jurisdiction.
Most of our offshore operations are conducted on federal leases
that are administered by the MMS. Such leases require compliance
with detailed MMS regulations and orders pursuant to the Outer
Continental Shelf Lands Act that are subject to interpretation
and change by the MMS. Among other things, we are required to
obtain prior MMS approval for our exploration plans and
development and production plans at each lease. MMS regulations
also impose construction requirements for production facilities
located on federal offshore leases, as well as detailed
technical requirements for plugging and abandonment of wells,
and removal of platforms and other production facilities on such
leases. The MMS requires lessees to post surety bonds, or
provide other acceptable financial assurances, to ensure all
obligations are satisfied on federal offshore leases. The cost
of these surety bonds or other financial assurances can be
substantial, and there is no assurance that bonds or other
financial assurances can be obtained in all cases. We are
currently in compliance with all MMS financial assurance
requirements. Under certain circumstances, the MMS is authorized
to suspend or terminate operations on federal offshore leases.
Any suspension or termination of operations on our offshore
leases could have an adverse effect on our financial condition
and results of operations.
In 2000, the MMS issued a final rule that governs the
calculation of royalties and the valuation of crude oil produced
from federal leases. That rule amended the way that the MMS
values crude oil produced from federal leases for determining
royalties by eliminating posted prices as a measure of value and
relying instead on arms-length sales prices and spot
market prices as indicators of value. On May 5, 2004, the
MMS issued a final rule that changed certain components of its
valuation procedures for the calculation of royalties owed for
crude oil sales. The changes include changing the valuation
basis for transactions not at arms-length from spot to
NYMEX prices adjusted for locality and quality differentials,
and clarifying the treatment of transactions under a joint
operating agreement. We believe that the changes will not have a
material impact on our financial condition, liquidity or results
of operations.
|
|
|
Environmental Regulations |
Our operations are subject to numerous stringent and complex
laws and regulations at the federal, state and local levels
governing the discharge of materials into the environment or
otherwise relating to human health and environmental protection.
These laws and regulations may, among other things:
|
|
|
|
|
require acquisition of a permit before drilling commences; |
|
|
|
restrict the types, quantities and concentrations of various
materials that can be released into the environment in
connection with drilling and production activities; and |
|
|
|
limit or prohibit construction or drilling activities in certain
ecologically sensitive and other protected areas. |
Failure to comply with these laws and regulations or to obtain
or comply with permits may result in the assessment of
administrative, civil and criminal penalties, imposition of
remedial requirements and the imposition of injunctions to force
future compliance. Offshore drilling in some areas has been
opposed by environmental groups and, in some areas, has been
restricted. Our business and prospects could be adversely
141
affected to the extent laws are enacted or other governmental
action is taken that prohibits or restricts our exploration and
production activities or imposes environmental protection
requirements that result in increased costs to us or the oil and
natural gas industry in general.
Spills and Releases. The Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA),
also known as Superfund, and analogous state laws,
impose joint and several liability, without regard to fault or
the legality of the original act, on certain classes of persons
that contributed to the release of a hazardous
substance into the environment. These persons include the
owner and operator of the site where the
release occurred, past owners and operators of the site, and
companies that disposed or arranged for the disposal of the
hazardous substances found at the site. Responsible parties
under CERCLA may be liable for the costs of cleaning up
hazardous substances that have been released into the
environment and for damages to natural resources. Additionally,
it is not uncommon for neighboring landowners and other third
parties to file tort claims for personal injury and property
damage allegedly caused by the release of hazardous substances
into the environment. In the course of our ordinary operations,
we may generate waste that may fall within CERCLAs
definition of a hazardous substance.
We currently own, lease or operate, and have in the past owned,
leased or operated, numerous properties that for many years have
been used for the exploration and production of oil and gas.
Many of these properties have been operated by third parties
whose actions with respect to the treatment and disposal or
release of hydrocarbons or other wastes were not under our
control. It is possible that hydrocarbons or other wastes may
have been disposed of or released on or under such properties,
or on or under other locations where such wastes may have been
taken for disposal. These properties and wastes disposed thereon
may be subject to CERCLA and analogous state laws. Under such
laws, we could be required to remove or remediate previously
disposed wastes (including wastes disposed of or released by
prior owners or operators), to clean up contaminated property
(including contaminated groundwater) or to perform remedial
plugging operations to prevent future contamination, or to pay
the costs of such remedial measures. Although we believe we have
utilized operating and disposal practices that are standard in
the industry, during the course of operations hydrocarbons and
other wastes have been released on some of the properties we
own, lease or operate. We are not presently aware of any pending
clean-up obligations
that could have a material impact on our operations or financial
condition.
The Oil Pollution Act. The OPA and regulations thereunder
impose strict, joint and several liability on responsible
parties for damages, including natural resource damages,
resulting from oil spills into or upon navigable waters,
adjoining shorelines or in the exclusive economic zone of the
U.S. A responsible party includes the owner or
operator of an onshore facility and the lessee or permittee of
the area in which an offshore facility is located. The OPA
establishes a liability limit for onshore facilities of
$350 million, while the liability limit for offshore
facilities is equal to all removal costs plus up to
$75 million in other damages. These liability limits may
not apply if a spill is caused by a partys gross
negligence or willful misconduct, the spill resulted from
violation of a federal safety, construction or operating
regulation, or if a party fails to report a spill or to
cooperate fully in a clean-up.
The OPA also requires the lessee or permittee of an offshore
area in which a covered offshore facility is located to provide
financial assurance in the amount of $35 million to cover
liabilities related to an oil spill. The amount of financial
assurance required under the OPA may be increased up to
$150 million depending on the risk represented by the
quantity or quality of oil that is handled by a facility. The
failure to comply with the OPAs requirements may subject a
responsible party to civil, criminal, or administrative
enforcement actions. We are not aware of any action or event
that would subject us to liability under the OPA, and we believe
that compliance with the OPAs financial assurance and
other operating requirements will not have a material impact on
our operations or financial condition.
Water Discharges. The Federal Water Pollution Control Act
of 1972, (the Clean Water Act), imposes restrictions
and controls on the discharge of produced waters and other oil
and gas pollutants into navigable waters. These controls have
become more stringent over the years, and it is possible that
additional restrictions may be imposed in the future. Permits
must be obtained to discharge pollutants into state and federal
waters. Certain state regulations and the general permits issued
under the Federal National Pollutant
142
Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program
prohibit the discharge of produced waters and sand, drilling
fluids, drill cuttings and certain other substances related to
the oil and gas industry into certain coastal and offshore
water. The Clean Water Act provides for civil, criminal and
administrative penalties for unauthorized discharges of oil and
other pollutants, and imposes liability on parties responsible
for those discharges for the costs of cleaning up any
environmental damage caused by the release and for natural
resource damages resulting from the release. Comparable state
statutes impose liabilities and authorize penalties in the case
of an unauthorized discharge of petroleum or its derivatives, or
other pollutants, into state waters.
In furtherance of the Clean Water Act, the EPA promulgated the
Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure, or SPCC,
regulations, which require facilities that possess certain
threshold quantities of oil that could impact navigable waters
or adjoining shorelines to prepare SPCC plans and meet specified
construction and operating standards. The SPCC regulations were
revised in 2002 and required the amendment of SPCC plans before
February 18, 2006, if necessary, and requires compliance
with the implementation of such amended plans by August 18,
2006. We may be required to prepare SPCC plans for some of our
facilities where a spill or release of oil could reach or impact
jurisdictional waters of the U.S.
Air Emissions. The Federal Clean Air Act, and associated
state laws and regulations, restrict the emission of air
pollutants from many sources, including oil and natural gas
operations. New facilities may be required to obtain permits
before operations can commence, and existing facilities may be
required to obtain additional permits and incur capital costs in
order to remain in compliance. Federal and state regulatory
agencies can impose administrative, civil and criminal penalties
for non-compliance with air permits or other requirements of the
Clean Air Act and associated state laws and regulations. We
believe that compliance with the Clean Air Act and analogous
state laws and regulations will not have a material impact on
our operations or financial condition.
Waste Handling. The Resource Conservation and Recovery
Act (RCRA) and analogous state and local laws and
regulations govern the management of wastes, including the
treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous wastes. RCRA
imposes stringent operating requirements, and liability for
failure to meet such requirements, on a person who is either a
generator or transporter of hazardous
waste or an owner or operator of a
hazardous waste treatment, storage or disposal facility. RCRA
specifically excludes from the definition of hazardous waste
drilling fluids, produced waters, and other wastes associated
with the exploration, development, or production of crude oil
and natural gas. A similar exemption is contained in many of the
state counterparts to RCRA. As a result, we are not required to
comply with a substantial portion of RCRAs requirements
because our operations generate minimal quantities of hazardous
wastes. However, these wastes may be regulated by EPA or state
agencies as solid waste. In addition, ordinary industrial
wastes, such as paint wastes, waste solvents, laboratory wastes,
and waste compressor oils, may be regulated under RCRA as
hazardous waste. We do not believe the current costs of managing
our wastes, as they are presently classified, to be significant.
However, any repeal or modification of the oil and natural gas
exploration and production exemption, or modifications of
similar exemptions in analogous state statutes, would increase
the volume of hazardous waste we are required to manage and
dispose of and would cause us, as well as our competitors, to
incur increased operating expenses.
Employees
As of February 1, 2006, we had 80 full-time employees.
Our employees are not represented by any labor unions. We
consider relations with our employees to be satisfactory. We
have never experienced a work stoppage or strike.
Legal Proceedings
Mariner operates numerous properties in the Gulf of Mexico. Two
of these properties were leased from the MMS subject to the RRA.
The RRA relieved the obligation to pay royalties on certain
predetermined leases until a designated volume is produced.
These two leases contained language that limited royalty relief
if commodity prices exceeded predetermined levels. In 2000,
2001, 2003 and 2004 commodity prices exceeded the predetermined
levels. Management believes the MMS did not have the authority
to set pricing limits and we filed an administrative appeal
contesting the MMS order and have withheld royalties
regarding this
143
matter. The MMS filed a motion to dismiss our appeal with the
Board of Land Appeals of the Department of the Interior. On
April 6, 2005, the Board of Land Appeals granted MMS
motion and dismissed our appeal. On October 3, 2005, we
filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern
District of Texas seeking judicial review of the dismissal of
our appeal by the Board of Land Appeals. Mariner has recorded a
liability for 100% of the potential exposure on this matter,
which on September 30, 2005 was $14.6 million.
In addition to the foregoing, by letter dated December 2,
2005, the MMS notified Mariner that 2004 commodity prices
exceeded the predetermined levels and, accordingly, that
royalties were due on natural gas and oil produced in calendar
year 2004 from federal offshore leases with confirmed royalty
suspension volumes as defined by the RRA. On December 29,
2005, Mariner filed a notice of intent to appeal this royalty
demand from the MMS. Mariner has paid royalties on calendar year
2004 production from federal offshore leases in which it owns an
interest except for 2004 production from Ewing Bank 966 and
Garden Banks 367, being the two leases at issue in the lawsuit
discussed above.
In the ordinary course of business, we are a claimant and/or a
defendant in various legal proceedings, including proceedings as
to which we have insurance coverage, in which the exposure,
individually and in the aggregate, is not considered material to
us.
Insurance Matters
In September 2004, we incurred damage from Hurricane Ivan that
affected our Mississippi Canyon 66 (Ochre) and
Mississippi Canyon 357 fields. Production from Mississippi
Canyon 357 was shut-in until March 2005, when necessary repairs
were completed and production recommenced. Production from Ochre
is currently shut-in awaiting rerouting of umbilical and flow
lines to another host platform. Prior to Hurricane Ivan, this
field was producing at a net rate of approximately
6.5 MMcfe per day. Production from Ochre is expected to
recommence by the end of the first quarter of 2006. In addition,
a semi-submersible rig on location at Mariners Viosca
Knoll 917 (Swordfish) field was blown off location by the
hurricane and incurred damage. Until we are able to complete all
the repair work and submit costs to the insurance underwriters
for review, the full extent of our insurance recovery and the
resulting net cost to Mariner is unknown. For the insurance
period ending September 30, 2004, we carried an annual
deductible of $1.25 million and a single occurrence
deductible of $.375 million.
In August 2005 and September 2005, Mariner incurred damage from
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita that affected several of its
offshore fields. Hurricane Katrina caused minor damage to our
owned platforms and facilities. Production that was shut-in by
the hurricane was recommenced within three weeks of the
hurricane, with the exception of two minor non-operated fields.
However, Hurricane Katrina inflicted damage to host facilities
for our Pluto, Rigel and Ochre projects that has delayed
start-up of these
projects until 2006. Hurricane Rita caused minor damage to our
owned platforms and some damage to certain host facilities of
our development projects. Production shut-in as a result of
Hurricane Rita fully recommenced within three weeks of the
hurricane, with the exception of our Baccarat field.
Until we are able to complete all the repair work and submit
costs to our insurance underwriters for review, the full extent
of our insurance recovery and the resulting net cost to us for
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita will be unknown. For the insurance
period ending September 30, 2005, we carried a
$3.0 million annual deductible and a $.375 million
single occurrence deductible.
Enron Related Matters
In 1996, JEDI, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Enron
Corp., acquired approximately 96% of Mariner Energy LLC, which
at the time of acquisition indirectly owned 100% of Mariner
Energy, Inc. After JEDI acquired us, we continued our prior
business as an independent oil and natural gas exploration,
development and production company. In 2001, Enron Corp. and
certain of its subsidiaries (excluding JEDI) became debtors in
Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. Mariner Energy, Inc. was
not one of the debtors in those proceedings. While the
bankruptcy proceedings were ongoing, we continued to operate our
business as an indirect subsidiary of JEDI. We remained an
indirect subsidiary of JEDI until March of 2004 when our former
indirect parent company, Mariner Energy LLC, merged with an
affiliate of the private equity funds Carlyle/ Riverstone Global
Energy and Power Fund II, L.P. and ACON Investments LLC. In
the merger, all
144
the shares of common stock in Mariner Energy LLC were converted
into the right to receive cash and certain other consideration.
As a result, since March 2004, JEDI no longer owns any direct or
indirect interest in Mariner, and we are no longer affiliated
with JEDI or Enron Corp. Also in connection with the merger,
warrants to purchase common stock of Mariner Energy LLC that
were held by another Enron Corp. affiliate were exercised and
the holders received their pro rata portion of the merger
consideration, and a term loan owed by Mariner Energy LLC to the
same Enron Corp. affiliate was repaid in full.
Prior to the merger, we filed two proofs of claim in the Enron
Corp. bankruptcy proceedings. These claims, aggregating
$10.7 million, were for unpaid amounts owed to us by Enron
Corp. subsidiaries under the terms of various physical commodity
contracts and hedging contracts entered into prior to the Enron
Corp. bankruptcy filing. We assigned these claims to JEDI as
part of the merger consideration payable to JEDI under the terms
of the merger agreement. Thus, as of this date, we have no
claims pending in the Enron Corp. bankruptcy proceedings.
As part of the merger consideration payable to JEDI, we also
issued a term promissory note to JEDI in the amount of
$10 million. The note matures on March 2, 2006, and
bears interest, paid in kind, at a rate of 10% per annum
until March 2, 2005, and 12% per annum thereafter
unless paid in cash in which event the rate remains at
10% per annum. The JEDI promissory note is secured by a
lien on three of our properties located in the Outer Continental
Shelf of the Gulf of Mexico. We can offset against the note the
amount of certain claims for indemnification that can be
asserted against JEDI under the terms of the merger agreement.
We used a portion of proceeds from the common stock we sold in
our March 2005 private equity placement to repay $6 million
of the JEDI Note.
Under the merger agreement, JEDI and the other former
stockholders of our parent company were entitled to receive on
or before February 28, 2005, additional contingent merger
consideration based upon the results of a five-well drilling
program. In September 2004, we prepaid, with a 10% prepayment
discount, approximately $161,000 as the additional contingent
merger consideration due with respect to the program.
145
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF REVENUES AND
DIRECT OPERATING EXPENSES OF THE FOREST GULF OF MEXICO
OPERATIONS
The selected consolidated statements of revenues and direct
operating expenses for the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations for
the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 and the
years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 were derived
from the historical records of Forest. For additional
information concerning this financial data, see
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations of the Forest Gulf of Mexico
Operations. Complete financial and operating information
related to the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations, including
balance sheet and cash flow information, are not presented below
because the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations were not maintained
as a separate business unit, and therefore the assets,
liabilities or indirect operating costs applicable to the
operations were not segregated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended | |
|
Years Ended | |
|
|
September 30, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars in thousands) | |
Oil and natural gas revenues(1)
|
|
$ |
326,722 |
|
|
|
324,426 |
|
|
|
453,139 |
|
|
|
342,019 |
|
|
|
228,896 |
|
Direct Operating Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lease operating expenses
|
|
|
57,431 |
|
|
|
63,022 |
|
|
|
80,079 |
|
|
|
45,716 |
|
|
|
52,076 |
|
|
Transportation
|
|
|
2,484 |
|
|
|
1,424 |
|
|
|
2,175 |
|
|
|
2,652 |
|
|
|
3,855 |
|
|
Production taxes
|
|
|
1,948 |
|
|
|
1,243 |
|
|
|
1,548 |
|
|
|
1,521 |
|
|
|
947 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total direct operating expenses
|
|
|
61,863 |
|
|
|
65,689 |
|
|
|
83,802 |
|
|
|
49,889 |
|
|
|
56,878 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues in excess of direct operating expenses
|
|
$ |
264,859 |
|
|
|
258,737 |
|
|
|
369,337 |
|
|
|
292,130 |
|
|
|
172,018 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas (MMcf)
|
|
|
41,442 |
|
|
|
46,036 |
|
|
|
61,684 |
|
|
|
58,785 |
|
|
|
50,566 |
|
Oil and condensate (MBbls)
|
|
|
1,845 |
|
|
|
2,004 |
|
|
|
2,624 |
|
|
|
2,143 |
|
|
|
1,974 |
|
Natural gas liquids (MBbls)
|
|
|
628 |
|
|
|
186 |
|
|
|
606 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
Total (MMcfe)
|
|
|
56,280 |
|
|
|
59,176 |
|
|
|
81,064 |
|
|
|
71,655 |
|
|
|
62,446 |
|
Average daily production (MMcfe/d)
|
|
|
206 |
|
|
|
216 |
|
|
|
221 |
|
|
|
196 |
|
|
|
171 |
|
Per Mcfe:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average realized sales price(1)
|
|
$ |
5.81 |
|
|
|
5.48 |
|
|
|
5.59 |
|
|
|
4.77 |
|
|
|
3.67 |
|
Lease operating expenses
|
|
$ |
1.02 |
|
|
|
1.06 |
|
|
|
0.99 |
|
|
|
0.64 |
|
|
|
0.83 |
|
Transportation
|
|
$ |
0.04 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
0.03 |
|
|
|
0.04 |
|
|
|
0.06 |
|
Production taxes
|
|
$ |
0.03 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Includes effects of hedging. |
146
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS OF THE FOREST GULF OF MEXICO
OPERATIONS
Overview
The accompanying historical statements of revenues and direct
operating expenses are presented using accrual basis, full cost
accounting and relate to Forests interests in certain
producing oil and gas properties located offshore in the Gulf of
Mexico. These historical statements may not be representative of
future operations. The historical statements were prepared from
the historical accounting records of Forest. The historical
statements do not include Federal and state income taxes,
interest expenses, depletion, depreciation and amortization,
accretion, or general and administrative expenses. The
historical statements include oil and natural gas revenues and
direct lease operating and production expenses, including
transportation and production taxes, for all the periods
presented.
Complete financial statements, including a balance sheet, are
not presented. The Forest Gulf of Mexico operations were not
maintained as a separate business unit within Forest, and
assets, liabilities or indirect operating costs applicable to
the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations were not segregated.
Accordingly, it was not practicable to identify all assets,
liabilities or indirect operating costs applicable to the Forest
Gulf of Mexico operations.
Recent Developments
Hurricane Impact
Forests Gulf of Mexico operations were adversely affected
by one of the most active hurricane seasons in recorded history.
As of December 31, 2005, Forest had approximately 70
MMcfe/d of net production
shut-in relating to the
Forest Gulf of Mexico operations. Forest estimates that as of
January 25, 2006, approximately 51 MMcfe/d net remains shut
in. The majority of the production that remains
shut-in is due to
repairs necessary to platforms as well as
third-party processing
facilities and infrastructure. The timetable for restoring full
production is uncertain as it is dependent on repairs to
transportation and processing facilities that are owned by
others. Forest estimates that total production associated with
the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations deferred for hurricanes
Katrina and Rita during the fourth quarter of 2005 was
approximately 9.3 Bcfe, while total production deferred in the
third and fourth quarters of 2005 was approximately 13.3 Bcfe.
Forest carries property and casualty insurance to insure against
property damages such as those caused by hurricanes. The
insurance has a $5 million deductible for each occurrence.
Forests estimated uninsured liability for the repair of
its facilities damaged by hurricanes in the third quarter of
2005 will be $10 million, the majority of which will be
incurred in the fourth quarter of 2005 as the related repairs
are made. Forests insurance does not insure against losses
or deferrals of production caused by shut-in production.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005 Highlights
Revenues in excess of direct operating expenses of
$264.9 million for the nine months ended September 30,
2005 were 2% higher than revenues in excess of direct operating
expenses of $258.7 million for the same period in 2004. The
period-over-period revenues in excess of direct operating
expenses were primarily driven by the following factors:
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|
|
|
|
Sales volumes decreased 5% to 56.3 Bcfe in the nine months
ended September 30, 2005 from 59.2 Bcfe in 2004. |
|
|
|
Average realized prices increased 6% to $5.81 per Mcfe in
2005 from $5.48 per Mcfe in 2004. |
|
|
|
Higher realized prices partially offset by decreased sales
volumes resulted in oil and natural gas revenues increasing 1%
to $326.7 million in the nine months ended
September 30, 2005 from $324.4 million in the
corresponding period in 2004. |
|
|
|
Lease operating expense declined 4% from $1.06 per Mcfe for
2004 to $1.02 per Mcfe for 2005. |
147
Production from the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations for the
nine months ended September 30, 2005 averaged approximately
152 MMcf of natural gas per day and approximately
9,000 barrels of oil per day or total equivalents of
approximately 206 MMcfe per day. Natural gas production
comprised approximately 74% of the total production.
Historically, a majority of the production from the Forest Gulf
of Mexico operations has been comprised of natural gas, and the
concentration of natural gas production is expected to continue.
As a result, the revenues, profitability and cash flows of the
Forest Gulf of Mexico operations will be more sensitive to
natural gas prices than to oil and condensate prices.
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|
Oil and Gas Property Costs |
In the nine months ended September 30, 2005,
$104.7 million in capital expenditures were made with
respect to the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations, with 55% and
45% related to development activities and exploration
activities, respectively. The exploration activities consisted
of drilling and completion of new wells in the Brazos, South
Marsh Island, South Timbalier, Vermillion and West Cameron
fields. The development activities consisted of development
drilling and recompletions in the Eugene Island, South Timbalier
and West Cameron fields.
During 2004, $185.5 million in capital expenditures were
made with respect to the Forest Gulf of Mexico properties,
including $28.3 million in exploration activities,
$70.0 million in development activities, and
$87.2 million in acquisitions. The exploration activities
primarily were related to drilling and completion of new wells
in the High Island, Main Pass and Vermillion fields. The
development activities primarily were related to recompletions,
drilling and completion of development wells, as well as
installation of production facilities in the West Cameron field
and in the Eugene Island, High Island, Ship Shoal, South Marsh
Island and West Cameron fields. The $87.2 million in
acquisition costs related primarily to the offshore Gulf of
Mexico properties acquired in connection with Forests
acquisition of the Wiser Oil Company in June 2004 and the
acquisition of BPs interest in the Vermillion 14
field in the fourth quarter of 2004.
Estimated net proved reserves related to the Forest Gulf of
Mexico operations have been maintained between approximately
330 Bcfe to 370 Bcfe from 2002 through 2004 primarily
through acquisition activities. During the same time period, a
total of 215 Bcfe was produced. Approximately 140 Bcfe
of estimated proved reserves were acquired from 2001 to 2004 and
were augmented by additions from exploration and development
activities of approximately 53 Bcfe during the same period.
As of December 31, 2004, estimated net proved reserves
related to the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations were
approximately 340 Bcfe, with a PV10 of approximately
$1.2 billion and a standardized measure of discounted
future net cash flows attributable to estimated proved reserves
of approximately $925.8 million. Please see The
Forest Gulf of Mexico Operations Estimated Proved
Reserves for a definition of PV10 and a reconciliation of
PV10 to the standardized measure of discounted future net cash
flows. See The Forest Gulf of Mexico
Operations Estimated Proved Reserves for more
information concerning the net reserve estimates for the Forest
Gulf of Mexico operations.
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|
|
Oil and Natural Gas Prices and Hedging Activities |
Prices for oil and natural gas can fluctuate widely, thereby
affecting the amount of cash flow generated from the Forest Gulf
of Mexico operations which is available to cover operating costs
and capital expenditures, and the amount of oil and natural gas
that can be economically produced. Recently, oil and natural gas
prices have been at or near historical highs and very volatile
as a result of various factors, including weather, industrial
demand, war and political instability and uncertainty related to
the ability of the energy industry to provide supply to meet
future demand.
The revenues, profitability and future growth of the Forest Gulf
of Mexico operations depend substantially on prevailing prices
for oil and gas and the ability to find, exploit and develop oil
and gas reserves that are
148
economically recoverable while controlling and reducing costs. A
substantial or extended decline in oil and natural gas prices or
poor drilling results could have a material adverse effect on
the results of operations and quantities of oil and natural gas
reserves that can economically be produced.
Hedging arrangements have been utilized from time to time to
reduce exposure to fluctuations in oil and natural gas prices.
Historically, the hedging strategy has involved entering into
commodity price swaps and costless collars with third parties.
Price swaps establish a fixed price and an index-related price
for the covered commodity. When the index-related price exceeds
the fixed price, the third party is paid the difference, and
when the fixed price exceeds the index-related prices, the third
party pays the difference. Costless collars establish fixed cap
(maximum) and floor (minimum) prices as well as an
index-related price for the covered commodity. When the
index-related price exceeds the fixed cap price, the third party
is paid the difference, and when the index-related price is less
than the fixed floor price, the third party pays the difference.
While hedging arrangements provide a more predictable cash flow,
they also limit the benefits of increased prices. As a result of
increased oil and natural gas prices throughout 2004 and 2005,
hedging losses totaling $57.1 million were incurred during
the year ended December 31, 2004 and $83.8 million
during the nine months ended September 30, 2005.
The following table sets forth information regarding the
commodity swap agreements that will be transferred to Forest
Energy Resources in the spin-off. The fair value of the
commodity swaps based on the futures prices quoted on
September 30, 2005 was a liability of approximately
$125.2 million.
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural Gas (NYMEX HH) | |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Weighted Average | |
|
|
Bbtu per | |
|
Hedged Price per | |
|
|
Day | |
|
MMBtu | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Fourth Quarter 2005
|
|
|
55.0 |
|
|
$ |
4.88 |
|
First Quarter 2006
|
|
|
40.0 |
|
|
|
6.15 |
|
Second Quarter 2006
|
|
|
40.0 |
|
|
|
6.15 |
|
Third Quarter 2006
|
|
|
40.0 |
|
|
|
6.15 |
|
Fourth Quarter 2006
|
|
|
40.0 |
|
|
|
6.15 |
|
Results of Operations
For certain information with respect to oil and natural gas
production, average sales price received and expenses per unit
of production related to the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations
for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 and
the three years ended December 31, 2004, see Selected
Consolidated Statements of Revenues and Direct Operating
Expenses of the Forest Gulf of Mexico Operations beginning
on page 146.
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005 compared to Nine
Months Ended September 30, 2004 |
Net production during the nine months ended
September 30, 2005 decreased approximately 5% to
56.3 Bcfe from 59.2 Bcfe in the same period of 2004.
The decrease in production volumes was primarily attributable to
approximately 6 Bcfe of production shut-in during the third
quarter of 2005 due to hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico
partially offset by offshore oil and gas properties purchased in
connection with Forests acquisition of Wiser in June of
2004 and deep shelf discoveries in 2004.
Oil and natural gas revenues increased 1% to
$326.7 million for the nine months ended September 30,
2005 from $324.4 million in the corresponding period of
2004. The increase in oil and natural gas revenues was due to a
6% increase in average sales price received per Mcfe from $5.48
in 2004 to $5.81 in 2005 partially offset by the 5% decrease in
production.
Hedging activities in the first nine months of 2005
decreased the average realized natural gas price received by
$1.13 per Mcf and revenues by $47.0 million, compared
with a decrease of $0.45 per Mcf and revenues of
$20.9 million for the same period in 2004. The hedging
activities with respect to crude oil during the first nine
months of 2005 decreased the average sales price received by
$19.95 per barrel and revenues by
149
$36.8 million, compared with a decrease of $6.61 per
barrel and revenues of $13.2 million for the same period in
2004.
Lease operating expenses (LOE) decreased 9%
from $63.0 million in the first nine months of 2004 to
$57.4 million in the first nine months of 2005. On a
per-Mcfe basis, LOE decreased 4% from $1.06 in 2004 to $1.02 in
2005. The reduced costs were primarily attributable to cost
control efforts implemented in the third quarter of 2004,
specifically focusing on helicopter, boat and crane charges, as
well as catering and paramedic charges.
Transportation expenses were $2.5 million or
$0.04 per Mcfe for the nine months ended September 30,
2005, compared to $1.4 million or $0.02 per Mcfe in
the first nine months of 2004. The increase in transportation
expenses in total and on a per unit of production basis is
attributable to a large discovery which had initial production
in June 2004 and had higher-than-average transportation costs.
In addition, beginning in 2005, equity gas production is being
used and transported to processing plants for the replacement of
plant thermal reduction in lieu of buying third party gas, as
had been done through 2004.
Production taxes were $1.9 million or $0.03 per
Mcfe for the nine months ended September 30, 2005, compared
to $1.2 million or $0.02 per Mcfe in the first quarter
of 2004. The increase was primarily attributable to the increase
in the average realized prices of oil and natural gas before
hedging losses.
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, 2004 compared to Year Ended
December 31, 2003 |
Net production for 2004 increased approximately 13% to
81.1 Bcfe from 71.7 Bcfe in 2003, primarily due the
acquisition of additional offshore oil and gas properties in
late 2003 and during 2004, exploration of these properties and
deep shelf discoveries.
Oil and natural gas revenues increased 32% to
$453.1 million for 2004 from $342.0 million in 2003.
The increase in oil and natural gas revenues was due to a 17%
increase in average sales price received per Mcfe, from $4.77 in
2003 to $5.59 in 2004, and a 13% increase in production.
Hedging activities in 2004 decreased the average realized
natural gas price received by $0.56 per Mcf and revenues by
$34.6 million, compared with a decrease of $0.63 per
Mcf and revenues of $36.8 million for 2003. The hedging
activities with respect to crude oil during 2004 decreased the
average sales price received by $8.55 per barrel and
revenues by $22.4 million, compared with a decrease of
$1.90 per barrel and revenues of $4.1 million for 2003.
Lease operating expenses were $80.1 million in 2004
and $45.7 million in 2003. On a per-Mcfe basis, LOE
increased 55% from $0.64 in 2003 to $0.99 in 2004. The increase
was primarily attributable to properties purchased in late 2003
and during 2004. These properties had higher initial LOE due
primarily to deferred maintenance of the properties at the time
of acquisition.
Transportation expenses were $2.2 million or
$0.03 per Mcfe for 2004, compared to $2.7 million or
$0.04 per Mcfe in 2003.
Production taxes were comparable at $1.5 million or
$0.02 per Mcfe for 2004 and $1.5 million or
$0.02 per Mcfe in 2003, despite higher average realized oil
and natural gas prices on a per Mcfe basis, due to a change in
the mix of offshore production subject to production taxes.
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, 2003 Compared to Year Ended
December 31, 2002 |
Net production for 2003 increased approximately 15% to
71.7 Bcfe from 62.4 Bcfe for 2002, primarily due the
acquisition of offshore oil and gas properties in late 2003.
Oil and natural gas revenues increased 49% to
$342.0 million for 2003 from $228.9 million in 2002.
The increase in oil and natural gas revenues was due to a 30%
increase in average sales price received per Mcfe from $3.67 in
2002 to $4.77 in 2003, and a 15% increase in production.
Hedging activities in 2003 decreased the average realized
natural gas price received by $0.63 per Mcf and revenues by
$36.8 million, compared with an increase of $0.17 per Mcf
and revenues of $8.4 million for the
150
same period in 2002. The hedging activities with respect to
crude oil during 2003 decreased the average sales price received
by $1.90 per barrel and revenues by $4.1 million. There was
no hedge activity with respect to crude oil during 2002.
Lease operating expenses were $45.7 million in 2003
and $52.1 million in 2002. On a per-Mcfe basis, LOE
decreased 23%, from $0.83 in 2002 to $0.64 in 2003. The reduced
costs were primarily attributable to less workover costs and
hurricane repairs in 2003 compared to 2002.
Transportation expenses were $2.7 million or
$0.04 per Mcfe for 2003, compared to $3.9 million or
$0.06 per Mcfe in 2002. The change is primarily due to
improvements in marketing arrangements and cost control.
Production taxes were $1.5 million and
$0.9 million for 2003 and 2002, respectively. Production
taxes were $0.02 per Mcfe for each period.
Capital Expenditures
Expenditures for property acquisitions, exploration, and
development related to the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations were
as follows:
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|
Nine Months Ended | |
|
Years Ended | |
|
|
September 30, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
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| |
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Property acquisitions
|
|
$ |
25 |
|
|
|
85,546 |
|
|
|
87,165 |
|
|
|
168,485 |
|
|
|
3,263 |
|
Exploration
|
|
|
47,418 |
|
|
|
23,261 |
|
|
|
28,331 |
|
|
|
39,683 |
|
|
|
17,503 |
|
Development
|
|
|
57,248 |
|
|
|
57,145 |
|
|
|
70,027 |
|
|
|
74,690 |
|
|
|
70,833 |
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|
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|
|
|
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|
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|
|
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Total Capital Expenditures
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|
$ |
104,691 |
|
|
|
165,952 |
|
|
|
185,523 |
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|
|
282,858 |
|
|
|
91,599 |
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151
THE FOREST GULF OF MEXICO OPERATIONS
As of December 1, 2005, Forest has transferred and
contributed the assets and certain liabilities associated with
the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations to Forest Energy Resources.
The following discussion describes the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations that Forest has contributed to Forest Energy
Resources, and does not reflect Mariners business
integration plans after the merger.
As of December 31, 2004, the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations included estimated proved reserves of
339.7 Bcfe, of which approximately 79% were natural gas and
21% were oil and condensate. Approximately 76% of these
estimated proved reserves were classified as proved developed as
of December 31, 2004. For the year ended December 31,
2004, the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations had total net
production of 81.1 Bcfe, or an average of 221 MMcfe
per day. During 2004, capital expenditures for exploration and
development and property acquisitions associated with the Forest
Gulf of Mexico operations totaled $185.5 million.
The following discussion includes statements that may be deemed
forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. See
Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking
Statements for more details. Also, the discussion uses
terms that pertain to the oil and gas industry, and you should
see Glossary of Oil and Natural Gas Terms for the
definition of certain terms.
Significant Properties
The oil and gas properties, including producing and
non-producing properties, that are included in the Forest Gulf
of Mexico operations are located primarily in federal waters.
Based on the present value of estimated future net proved
reserves as of December 31, 2004, the largest offshore Gulf
of Mexico properties include the following:
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Approximate | |
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Water | |
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Gross | |
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Date Production | |
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Estimated | |
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PV10 Value | |
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Standardized | |
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Working | |
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Depth | |
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Producing | |
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Commenced/ | |
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Proved Reserves | |
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(In $ | |
|
Measure | |
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|
Operator | |
|
Interest | |
|
(Feet) | |
|
Wells(a) | |
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Expected | |
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(Bcfe)(b) | |
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Millions)(b) | |
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(In $ Millions) | |
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| |
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| |
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| |
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% | |
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Gulf of Mexico Shelf:
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East Cameron 14
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FOC |
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50.0 |
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25 |
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|
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2 |
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1969 |
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17.2 |
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|
$ |
81.0 |
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Eugene Island 273
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FOC |
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77.7 |
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|
175 |
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7 |
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1970 |
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5.4 |
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27.9 |
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Eugene Island 292
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FOC |
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45.0 |
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|
195 |
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4 |
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1970 |
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|
8.5 |
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|
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39.0 |
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|
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|
|
Eugene Island 53
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|
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FOC |
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|
|
50.0 |
(c) |
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|
40 |
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|
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5 |
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|
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1964 |
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|
|
12.6 |
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|
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68.9 |
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High Island 116
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FOC |
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|
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98.9 |
(d) |
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45 |
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2 |
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1986 |
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10.2 |
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44.9 |
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High Island 195
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Apache |
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23.5 |
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50 |
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6 |
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1989 |
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3.8 |
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20.9 |
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Main Pass 166
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FOC |
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100.0 |
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125 |
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0 |
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2006 |
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5.1 |
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18.0 |
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Ship Shoal 26
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FOC |
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100.0 |
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|
10 |
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1 |
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1969 |
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5.5 |
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24.6 |
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South Marsh Isl 149
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Unocal |
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50.0 |
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|
150 |
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4 |
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1979 |
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5.5 |
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31.7 |
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South Marsh Isl 18
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FOC |
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100.0 |
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75 |
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1 |
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1993 |
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9.8 |
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32.7 |
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South Pass 24NCOC
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FOC |
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100.0 |
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|
10 |
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37 |
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1957 |
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22.8 |
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73.7 |
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South Timbalier 72
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FOC |
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100.0 |
(e) |
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65 |
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4 |
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1963 |
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6.8 |
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39.1 |
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Vermilion 14
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FOC |
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100.0 |
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20 |
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21 |
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1959 |
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35.4 |
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129.4 |
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Vermilion 380
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FOC |
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100.0 |
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|
320 |
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3 |
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1982 |
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11.5 |
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40.7 |
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West Cameron 110
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BP/Amoco |
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37.5 |
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40 |
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1 |
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1958 |
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7.7 |
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36.8 |
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West Cameron 112
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FOC |
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55% |
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43 |
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|
1 |
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2004 |
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3.7 |
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|
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22.8 |
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|
|
West Cameron 205
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|
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FOC |
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|
100.0 |
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|
50 |
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|
3 |
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1982 |
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5.9 |
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30.0 |
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Other Properties
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871 |
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146.1 |
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392.3 |
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Gulf of Mexico Deepwater:
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East Breaks 420
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Samedan |
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50.0 |
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2,560 |
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|
1 |
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2002 |
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16.2 |
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67.8 |
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Total:
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|
|
974 |
|
|
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|
|
339.7 |
|
|
$ |
1,222.2 |
|
|
$ |
925.8 |
|
|
|
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|
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|
|
|
|
(a) |
Wells producing or capable of producing as of December 31,
2004. |
152
|
|
(b) |
As of December 31, 2004. Please see The Forest Gulf of
Mexico Operations Estimated Proved Reserves
for a definition of PV10 and a reconciliation of PV10 to the
standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows. |
|
(c) |
Forest operates the field and owns working interests in
individual wells ranging from approximately 50% to 100%. |
|
(d) |
Forest operates the field and owns working interests in
individual wells ranging from approximately 98.9% to 100%. |
|
(e) |
Forest operates the field and owns working interests in
individual wells ranging from approximately 37.5% to 100%. |
|
|
|
Gulf of Mexico Shelf Properties |
East Cameron 14. Forest acquired a 50% working interest
in this property through Forests acquisition of Forcenergy
Inc in 2000. This property is located in approximately
25 feet of water, approximately 30 miles southeast of
Cameron, Louisiana.
Eugene Island 273. This is a legacy Forest property
installed in 1970 in approximately 175 feet of water,
approximately 142 miles southeast of Cameron, Louisiana.
Forest owns a 77.7% working interest in this field.
Redevelopment of this property occurred in 2004 with the
installation of a new platform.
Eugene Island 292. This is a legacy Forest property
installed in 1967, with first production commencing in 1970.
Forest owns a 45% working interest in this field. The property
consists of a hub for the complex including six platforms. The
property is located in approximately 195 feet of water,
approximately 140 miles southeast of Cameron, Louisiana.
Eugene Island 53. Forest acquired the shallow rights to
this property in 1993 from Sandefer Offshore Operating.
Subsequently, Forest acquired the deep rights from Pennzoil in
1995 and 1997. Forest owns between 50% and 100% working
interests in various wells in the field. The property is located
in approximately 40 feet of water, approximately
111 miles southeast of Cameron, Louisiana.
High Island 116. Forest acquired this property in 1993
from Arco. Forest farmed out a prospect to Zilkha Energy in
1996, subsequently acquiring 44% of Zilkhas working
interest and participating in the drilling of the discovery well
in deeper horizons as a 44% working interest owner. In 2000
Forest purchased the remaining working interests in this
property and now owns a 100% working interest. The property is
located in approximately 45 feet of water, approximately
49 miles southwest of Cameron, Louisiana.
High Island 195. Forest acquired its 23.5% working
interest in this property, operated by Apache, through its
acquisition of Forcenergy Inc in 2000. The property is located
in approximately 50 feet of water, approximately
66 miles southwest of Cameron, Louisiana.
Main Pass 166. Forest acquired this property in an Outer
Continental Shelf Lease Sale in 2004. The property was acquired
to drill a well to exploit bypassed pay in the 2,800-foot and
3,600-foot sands. Forest owns a 100% working in this property,
which is located approximately 96 miles southeast of New
Orleans, Louisiana.
Ship Shoal 26. Forest acquired this property through its
acquisition of Forcenergy Inc in 2000. Forest owns a 100%
working interest in the property. The property is located in
approximately 10 feet of water, approximately 97 miles
southwest of New Orleans, Louisiana.
South Marsh Island 149. Forest acquired this property
through its acquisition of Forcenergy Inc in 2000. Forest
subsequently sold a 50% working interest in the property to
Unocal in 2001. This property is located in approximately
150 feet of water, approximately 130 miles southeast
of Cameron, Louisiana.
South Marsh Island 18. Forest acquired this property
through its acquisition of Forcenergy Inc in 2000. Forest
subsequently sold a 50% working interest in the property to
Unocal in 2001. As part of an acquisition of properties from
Union Oil of California (Unocal) in 2003, Forest repurchased
Unocals 50% working interest,
153
and Forest currently holds a 100% working interest. The
property is located in approximately 75 feet of water,
approximately 101 miles southeast of Cameron, Louisiana.
South Pass 24 NCOC. Forest acquired this property through
its acquisition of Forcenergy Inc in 2000. Forest acquired the
remaining working interest (approximately 25%) from Pogo in
2004. The property is located approximately 82 miles south
of New Orleans, Louisiana in approximately 10 feet of water.
South Timbalier 72. Forest acquired this property through
its acquisition of Forcenergy Inc in 2000. Redevelopment
occurred in 2003, 2004 and 2005. Forest operates the property
and owns working interests in individual wells ranging from 75%
to 100%. The property is located in approximately 65 feet
of water, approximately 100 miles southwest of New Orleans,
Louisiana.
Vermillion 14. Forest acquired a 50% working interest in
this property from Unocal in 2003. In 2004, Forest acquired
BPs 50% working interest and now owns a 100% working
interest. The property is located in approximately 20 feet
of water, approximately 63 miles southeast of New Orleans,
Louisiana.
Vermillion 380. Forest acquired this property through its
acquisition of Forcenergy Inc in 2000. Forest subsequently sold
a 50% working interest to Unocal in 2001. As part of the Unocal
acquisition in 2003, Forest repurchased Unocals 50%
working interest. Forest operates the property and owns working
interests in the individual wells ranging from approximately 55%
to 100%. The property is located in approximately 320 of water,
approximately 135 miles southeast of Cameron, Louisiana.
West Cameron 110. Forest acquired a 37.5% working
interest in this property through its acquisition of Forcenergy
Inc in 2000. BP operates the property. The property is located
in approximately 320 feet of water, approximately
21 miles south of Cameron, Louisiana.
West Cameron 112. Forest acquired this property through
the acquisition of Forcenergy Inc in 2000. Forest initially held
a 100% working interest in the property and sold a portion of
its working interest in 2003 and, as a result, Forest owns a 55%
working interest. The property is located in approximately
40 feet of water, approximately 45 miles southeast of
Cameron, Louisiana.
West Cameron 205. Forest acquired this property through
its acquisition of Forcenergy Inc in 2000. Forest owns a 100%
working interest in the property, which is located in
approximately 50 feet of water, approximately 36 miles
south of Cameron, Louisiana.
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|
Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Property |
East Breaks 420. Forest leased three blocks located on
this property in 1996, and an additional block in 1998. Forest
subsequently sold a 50% working interest to Noble. The property
is located in approximately 2,560 feet of water,
approximately 174 miles southwest of Cameron, Louisiana.
Estimated Proved Reserves
The following tables set forth certain information with respect
to the estimated proved reserves attributable to the Forest Gulf
of Mexico operations as of December 31, 2004. Reserve
volumes and values were estimated using the method prescribed by
the SEC which requires the application of period-end prices and
costs held constant throughout the projected reserve life. The
reserve information as of December 31, 2004 is based on
reserve estimates prepared by the internal staff of engineers at
Forest. A substantial portion of Forests reserves are
audited by independent petroleum engineers engaged by Forest.
These reserve audits are conducted in accordance with
Forests reserve audit procedures that require the
independent reserve engineers to prepare their own independent
estimates of proved reserves for fields comprising at least 80%
of Forests year-end PV10 value of the fields, and a
minimum of 80% of the PV10 value of the reserves added during
the year through discoveries, extensions, and acquisitions.
Forest may also include fields that fall outside of the top 80%
of the PV10 value that represent material volumes of proved
reserves, have experienced material revisions to prior estimates
of proved reserve volumes or value, or have experienced changes
as a result of new operational activity. Forests
procedures prohibit exclusions of any fields, or any part of a
field, that comprises part of the top 80% of the PV10 value. The
independent reserve engineers then compare their estimates to
154
those prepared by Forest. The independent reserve audits
prepared for Forest are not financial audits and are not
performed in accordance with the established generally accepted
financial audit procedures. Instead, a reserve audit is
conducted based on rules and regulations, reserve definitions
and costs, and price parameters specified by the SEC.
For the year-end 2004, Forest engaged two independent petroleum
engineering firms to perform reserve audit services for the
properties included in the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations.
Ryder Scott Company and DeGolyer and MacNaughton audited the
estimates of reserves attributable to properties included in the
Forest Gulf of Mexico operations. When compared on a
field-by-field basis, some of Forests estimates of net
proved reserves are greater and some are less than the estimates
prepared by Forests independent petroleum engineers.
However, there was no material difference, in the aggregate,
between Forests internal estimates of total net proved
reserves and the estimates prepared by the independent petroleum
engineers.
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated Proved | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reserve Quantities | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural | |
|
|
|
PV10 Value(3) | |
|
|
|
|
Oil | |
|
Gas | |
|
Total | |
|
| |
|
Standardized | |
Geographic Area |
|
(MMbbls) | |
|
(Bcf) | |
|
(Bcfe) | |
|
Developed | |
|
Undeveloped | |
|
Total | |
|
Measure | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Millions) | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Millions) | |
|
|
Gulf of Mexico Shelf(1)
|
|
|
11.7 |
|
|
|
253.6 |
|
|
|
323.5 |
|
|
$ |
907.8 |
|
|
$ |
246.6 |
|
|
$ |
1,154.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
Gulf of Mexico Deepwater(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16.2 |
|
|
|
16.2 |
|
|
|
67.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
67.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
11.7 |
|
|
|
269.8 |
|
|
|
339.7 |
|
|
$ |
975.6 |
|
|
$ |
246.6 |
|
|
$ |
1,222.2 |
|
|
$ |
925.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proved Developed Reserves
|
|
|
9.5 |
|
|
|
201.8 |
|
|
|
258.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Shelf refers to water depths less than 1,300 feet. |
|
(2) |
Deepwater refers to water depths greater than 1,300 feet
(the approximate depth of deepwater designated for royalty
purposes by the U.S. Minerals Management Service). |
|
(3) |
Please see below for a definition of PV10 and a reconciliation
of PV10 to the standardized measure of discounted future net
cash flows. |
Uncertainties are inherent in estimating quantities of proved
reserves, including many factors beyond the control of Forest.
Reserve engineering is a subjective process of estimating
subsurface accumulations of oil and gas that cannot be measured
in an exact manner, and the accuracy of any reserve estimate is
a function of the quality of available data and the
interpretation thereof. As a result, estimates by different
engineers often vary, sometimes significantly. In addition,
physical factors such as the results of drilling, testing, and
production subsequent to the date of an estimate, as well as
economic factors such as change in product prices, may require
revision of such estimates. Accordingly, oil and gas quantities
ultimately recovered will vary from reserve estimates.
PV10 is an estimated present value of future net revenues from
proved reserves before income taxes. PV10 may be considered a
non-GAAP financial measure under SEC regulations because it does
not include the effects of future income taxes, as is required
in computing the standardized measure of discounted future net
cash flows. Forest and Forest Energy Resources believe PV10 to
be an important measure for evaluating the relative significance
of the natural gas and oil properties included in the Forest
Gulf of Mexico operations and that PV10 is widely used by
professional analysts and investors in evaluating oil and gas
companies. Because many factors that are unique to each
individual company impact the amount of future income taxes to
be paid, the use of a pre-tax measure provides greater
comparability of assets when evaluating companies. Forest and
Forest Energy Resources believe that most other companies in the
oil and gas industry calculate PV10 on the same basis. The
management of Forest and Forest Energy Resources also use PV10
in evaluating acquisition candidates.
155
PV10 is computed on the same basis as the standardized measure
of discounted future net cash flows but without deducting income
taxes. The table below provides a reconciliation of PV10 to the
standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Millions) | |
PV10
|
|
$ |
1,222.2 |
|
|
$ |
1,217.2 |
|
|
$ |
828.1 |
|
Future income taxes, discounted at 10%
|
|
|
296.4 |
|
|
|
267.8 |
|
|
|
180.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows
|
|
$ |
925.8 |
|
|
$ |
949.4 |
|
|
$ |
648.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Producing oil and natural gas reservoirs generally are
characterized by declining production rates that vary depending
upon reservoir characteristics and other factors. Therefore,
without reserve additions in excess of production through
successful exploration and development activities or
acquisitions, the reserves and production of the Forest Gulf of
Mexico operations will decline. See Risk Factors for
a discussion of the risks inherent in oil and natural gas
estimates and for certain additional information concerning the
proved reserves.
The weighted average prices of oil and natural gas at
December 31, 2004 used in the proved reserve and future net
revenues estimates above were calculated using NYMEX prices at
December 31, 2004, of $43.45 per bbl of oil and
$6.15 per MMBtu of gas, adjusted for price differentials
but excluding the effects of hedging.
Production
The following table presents certain information with respect to
net oil and natural gas production attributable to the
properties included in the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations,
average sales price received and expenses per unit of production
during the periods indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months | |
|
|
|
|
Ended | |
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
September 30, | |
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Unaudited) | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas (Bcf)
|
|
|
41.4 |
|
|
|
61.7 |
|
|
|
58.8 |
|
|
|
50.6 |
|
|
Oil (MMbbls)
|
|
|
1.8 |
|
|
|
2.6 |
|
|
|
2.1 |
|
|
|
2.0 |
|
|
Natural gas liquids (MMbbls)
|
|
|
.6 |
|
|
|
.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total natural gas equivalent (Bcfe)
|
|
|
56.3 |
|
|
|
81.1 |
|
|
|
71.7 |
|
|
|
62.4 |
|
Average realized sales price per unit:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas ($/Mcf):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales price received
|
|
$ |
7.14 |
|
|
$ |
6.30 |
|
|
$ |
5.41 |
|
|
$ |
3.39 |
|
|
|
Effects of hedging
|
|
|
(1.13 |
) |
|
|
(0.56 |
) |
|
|
(0.63 |
) |
|
|
0.17 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net sales price received
|
|
|
6.01 |
|
|
|
5.74 |
|
|
|
4.78 |
|
|
|
3.56 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil ($/bbl):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales price received
|
|
$ |
51.97 |
|
|
$ |
40.06 |
|
|
$ |
30.19 |
|
|
$ |
24.85 |
|
|
|
Effects of hedging
|
|
|
(19.95 |
) |
|
|
(8.55 |
) |
|
|
(1.90 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net sales price received
|
|
|
32.02 |
|
|
|
31.51 |
|
|
|
28.29 |
|
|
|
24.85 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas liquids ($/bbl)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales price received
|
|
$ |
29.54 |
|
|
$ |
27.28 |
|
|
$ |
19.00 |
|
|
$ |
12.33 |
|
Average realized sales price per Mcfe (including effects of
hedging) ($/Mcfe)
|
|
$ |
5.81 |
|
|
$ |
5.59 |
|
|
$ |
4.77 |
|
|
$ |
3.67 |
|
156
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months | |
|
|
|
|
Ended | |
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
September 30, | |
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Unaudited) | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses ($/Mcfe):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lease operating
|
|
$ |
1.02 |
|
|
$ |
0.99 |
|
|
$ |
0.64 |
|
|
$ |
0.83 |
|
|
Transportation
|
|
|
0.04 |
|
|
|
0.03 |
|
|
|
0.04 |
|
|
|
0.06 |
|
|
Production taxes
|
|
|
0.03 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
|
0.02 |
|
Productive Wells
The following table shows the number of productive oil and gas
wells included in the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations in which
Forest Energy Resources will own a working interest, as of
December 31, 2004.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total | |
|
|
Productive | |
|
|
Wells at | |
|
|
| |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
Gross | |
|
Net | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Oil
|
|
|
338 |
|
|
|
163 |
|
Gas
|
|
|
636 |
|
|
|
366 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
974 |
|
|
|
529 |
|
Acreage
The following table shows the developed and undeveloped acreage
included in the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations as of
December 31, 2004.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Developed Acres(1) | |
|
Undeveloped Acres(2) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Location |
|
Gross | |
|
Net | |
|
Gross | |
|
Net | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Gulf of Mexico Shelf(3)
|
|
|
906,448 |
|
|
|
402,094 |
|
|
|
341,976 |
|
|
|
215,675 |
|
Gulf of Mexico Deepwater(4)
|
|
|
11,520 |
|
|
|
5,760 |
|
|
|
46,080 |
|
|
|
40,320 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
917,968 |
|
|
|
407,854 |
|
|
|
388,056 |
|
|
|
255,995 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Developed acres are acres spaced or assigned to productive wells. |
|
(2) |
Undeveloped acres are acres on which wells have not been drilled
or completed to a point that would permit the production of
commercial quantities of oil and natural gas regardless of
whether such acreage contains proved reserves. |
|
(3) |
Shelf refers to water depths less than 1,300 feet. |
|
(4) |
Deepwater refers to water depths greater than 1,300 feet
(the approximate depth of deepwater designated for royalty
purposes by the U.S. Minerals Management Service). |
At December 31, 2004, approximately 24%, 30%, and 4.4% of
the net undeveloped acreage included in the Forest Gulf of
Mexico operations was subject to leases that have terms that
expired in 2005 and will expire in 2006 and 2007, respectively,
if not extended by exploration or production activities. All of
the properties that are subject to expiration terms that have
not been extended by exploration or production activities are
located in the Gulf of Mexico shelf.
157
Drilling Activity
The following table summarizes the drilling activity performed
on the oil and gas properties included in the Forest Gulf of
Mexico operations during the years ended December 31, 2002,
2003, and 2004, excluding wells in which Forest Energy Resources
will not have a working interest. As of December 31, 2004,
there were no wells in progress involving the Forest Gulf of
Mexico operations.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Gross | |
|
Net | |
|
Gross | |
|
Net | |
|
Gross | |
|
Net | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Exploratory wells:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Producing
|
|
|
11.0 |
|
|
|
6.15 |
|
|
|
4.0 |
|
|
|
2.92 |
|
|
|
1.0 |
|
|
|
0.72 |
|
|
Dry holes
|
|
|
3.0 |
|
|
|
2.62 |
|
|
|
2.0 |
|
|
|
2.00 |
|
|
|
2.0 |
|
|
|
0.68 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
14.0 |
|
|
|
8.77 |
|
|
|
6.0 |
|
|
|
4.92 |
|
|
|
3.0 |
|
|
|
1.40 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Development wells:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Producing
|
|
|
6.0 |
|
|
|
4.37 |
|
|
|
6.0 |
|
|
|
4.20 |
|
|
|
13.0 |
|
|
|
7.30 |
|
|
Dry holes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.0 |
|
|
|
0.50 |
|
|
|
1.0 |
|
|
|
0.17 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
6.0 |
|
|
|
4.37 |
|
|
|
7.0 |
|
|
|
4.70 |
|
|
|
14.0 |
|
|
|
7.47 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total wells:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Producing
|
|
|
17.0 |
|
|
|
10.52 |
|
|
|
10.0 |
|
|
|
7.12 |
|
|
|
14.0 |
|
|
|
8.02 |
|
|
Dry holes
|
|
|
3.0 |
|
|
|
2.62 |
|
|
|
3.0 |
|
|
|
2.50 |
|
|
|
3.0 |
|
|
|
0.85 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
20.0 |
|
|
|
13.14 |
|
|
|
13.0 |
|
|
|
9.62 |
|
|
|
17.0 |
|
|
|
8.87 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title to Properties
A portion of the oil and natural gas properties included in the
Forest Gulf of Mexico operations are subject to liens securing
Forests credit facility. As a condition to the merger,
these liens will be released. In addition, Forest Energy
Resources title to these oil and gas properties will be
subject to customary royalty, overriding royalty, carried, net
profits, working and similar interests and liens incident to
operating agreements and customary in the oil and gas industry.
These properties may also be subject to liens for current taxes
not yet due and other typical burdens and encumbrances. Forest
does not believe that any of the burdens or encumbrances
unrelated to Forests credit facility materially interfere
with the use of such properties.
With respect to the oil and gas properties included in the
Forest Gulf of Mexico operations, Forests general practice
has been to conduct a title examination on all material property
acquisitions. Further, prior to commencing drilling operations,
title examination and, if necessary, curative work is performed.
Forest believes that title issues generally are not as likely to
arise on offshore oil and gas properties as on onshore
properties, and that the methods of title examination utilized
in connection with the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations are
reasonable and are designed to insure that production from these
operations and properties, if obtained, will be salable for
Forest Energy Resources account.
Employees
As of February 1, 2006, approximately 120 employees
currently work directly with the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations. These employees are not currently represented by any
labor unions.
Offices
The business activities of the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations
are conducted out of offices located in Denver, Colorado and
Lafayette and Metairie, Louisiana. Forest believes that these
facilities are adequate for these operations as currently
conducted.
158
Legal Proceedings
Forest Energy Resources currently is not a party, claimant
and/or a defendant in any pending legal proceedings.
In August and September 2005, Forest incurred damage from
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita that affected certain properties and
facilities included in the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations.
Hurricane Katrina did not cause significant damage to the assets
of the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations, although it resulted in
shut-in production that has not fully recommenced, primarily as
a result of damage to third-party pipeline and plants in South
Louisiana. Hurricane Rita damaged third-party pipeline and gas
processing plants offshore and in Louisiana and damaged a number
of Forests offshore platforms, thereby resulting in
shut-in production for the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations. The
shut-in production has not fully recommenced and Forest
continues to assess the damage. Until it is able to complete all
investigations and the repair work and submit the costs to
Forests insurance underwriters for review, Forest will not
be able to identify the net losses and costs of the two
hurricanes, but Forest currently estimates damages of
approximately $50 million net to the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations. Forest carries property and casualty insurance with
a $5 million deductible for each occurrence, which would
indicate that approximately $40 million of the
approximately $50 million in estimated damages would be
reimbursed through insurance. Forest does not have insurance for
losses in revenue caused by shut-in production.
For more information on the marketing and customers,
competition, and environmental and other regulatory matters
which would impact the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations
following the merger, see Mariner Marketing
and Customers, Mariner
Competition, Mariner Regulation
and Mariner Environmental Regulations.
159
FOREST OIL CORPORATION
Forest is an independent oil and gas company engaged in the
acquisition, exploration, development and production of natural
gas and liquids in North America and selected international
locations. Forest was incorporated in New York in 1924, as the
successor to a company formed in 1916, and has been a publicly
held company since 1969. Forest operates from offices located in
Denver, Colorado; Lafayette and Metairie, Louisiana; Anchorage,
Alaska; and Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Following the spin-off and merger of the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations, Forest will be a long-lived onshore resource
company. Forest believes the onshore resource company resulting
from the spin-off and merger will provide for enhanced strategic
clarity and management focus. In order to achieve its objectives
as an onshore focused resource company, Forest intends to
continue to pursue a modified four-point strategy that calls for
continued growth through operations, pursuit of acquisition
opportunities, reduced costs, and preserving financial
flexibility. Forest expects to continue to conduct its
operations through five business units, including the Western
Business Unit, the Alaska Business Unit, a new Southern Business
Unit that will conduct operations onshore in Louisiana and South
Texas, the Canadian Business Unit and the International Business
Unit.
160
MANAGEMENT OF MARINER
Directors and Executive Officers
The board of directors of Mariner following the merger will be
composed initially of seven directors, five of whom will be the
current directors of Mariner and two of whom will be mutually
agreed by Mariner and Forest prior to the completion of the
merger.
The following table sets forth the names, ages (as of
February 1, 2006) and titles of the individuals who would
be the directors and executive officers of Mariner following the
effective time of the merger, other than the two additional
directors to be mutually agreed by Mariner and Forest prior to
the completion of the merger. All directors are elected for
terms in accordance with their class, as described in
Board of Directors below. All executive
officers hold office until their successors are elected and
qualified.
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Name |
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Age | |
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Position with Company |
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Scott D. Josey
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|
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48 |
|
|
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President |
Dalton F. Polasek
|
|
|
54 |
|
|
Chief Operating Officer |
Rick G. Lester
|
|
|
54 |
|
|
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer |
Jesus G. Melendrez
|
|
|
47 |
|
|
Vice President Corporate Development |
Mike C. van den Bold
|
|
|
43 |
|
|
Vice President and Chief Exploration Officer |
Teresa G. Bushman
|
|
|
56 |
|
|
Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary |
Judd A. Hansen
|
|
|
50 |
|
|
Vice President Shelf and Onshore |
Cory L. Loegering
|
|
|
50 |
|
|
Vice President Deepwater |
Bernard Aronson
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
Director |
Jonathan Ginns
|
|
|
41 |
|
|
Director |
John F. Greene
|
|
|
65 |
|
|
Director |
John L. Schwager
|
|
|
57 |
|
|
Director |
Scott D. Josey Mr. Josey has served as
Chairman of the Board since August 2001. Mr. Josey was
appointed Chief Executive Officer in October 2002 and President
in February 2005. From 2000 to 2002, Mr. Josey served as
Vice President of Enron North America Corp. and
co-managed its Energy
Capital Resources group. From 1995 to 2000, Mr. Josey
provided investment banking services to the oil and gas industry
and portfolio management services. From 1993 to 1995,
Mr. Josey was a Director with Enron Capital &
Trade Resources Corp. in its energy investment group. From 1982
to 1993, Mr. Josey worked in all phases of drilling,
production, pipeline, corporate planning and commercial
activities at Texas Oil and Gas Corp. Mr. Josey is a member
of the Society of Petroleum Engineers and the Independent
Producers Association of America.
Dalton F. Polasek Mr. Polasek was
appointed Chief Operating Officer in February 2005. From April
2004 to February 2005, Mr. Polasek served as Executive Vice
President Operations and Exploration. From February
2001 to October 2001, Mr. Polasek was self-employed. From
October 2001 to April 2004, Mr. Polasek served as Senior
Vice President Operations. Prior to joining Mariner,
Mr. Polasek served as: Vice President of Gulf Coast
Engineering for Basin Exploration, Inc. from 1996 until February
2001; Vice President of Engineering for SMR Energy from 1994 to
1996; director of Gulf Coast Acquisitions and Engineering for
General Atlantic Resources, Inc. from 1991 to 1994; and manager
of planning and business development for Mark Producing Company
from 1983 to 1991. He began his career in 1975 as a reservoir
engineer for Amoco Production Company. Mr. Polasek is a
Registered Professional Engineer in Texas and a member of the
Independent Producers Association of America, the American
Association of Drilling Engineers and the American Petroleum
Institute.
161
Rick G. Lester Mr. Lester joined Mariner
as Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer in
October 2004. From January 2004 to October 2004, Mr. Lester
was self-employed as a consultant. From 1998 to 2003,
Mr. Lester was the Executive Vice President, CFO and
Treasurer of Contour Energy Company (which filed for
Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in July 2002 and emerged
from bankruptcy in December 2002). From 1991 to 1998,
Mr. Lester held the positions of Vice President, CFO and
Treasurer for Domain Energy Corporation and its Tenneco Ventures
predecessor. Prior to 1991, he held various positions with
Tenneco, Inc. and Tenneco Exploration and Production including
Corporate Finance Manager, International Tax Manager and
Business Division Accounting Manager. Mr. Lester has over
30 years of industry experience and is a Certified Public
Accountant.
Jesus G. Melendrez Mr. Melendrez has
served as Vice President Corporate Development since
July 2003. Mr. Melendrez also served as a director of
Mariner from April 2000 to July 2003. From February 2000 until
July 2003, Mr. Melendrez was a Vice President of Enron
North America Corp. in the Energy Capital Resources group where
he managed the groups portfolio of oil and gas
investments. He was a Senior Vice President of Trading and
Structured Finance with TXU Energy Services from 1997 to 2000,
and from 1992 to 1997, Mr. Melendrez was employed by Enron
in various commercial positions in the areas of domestic oil and
gas financing and international project development. From 1980
to 1992, Mr. Melendrez was employed by Exxon in various
reservoir engineering and planning positions.
Mike C. van den Bold Mr. van den Bold was
appointed Vice President and Chief Exploration Officer in April
2004. From October 2001 to April 2004, he served as Vice
President Exploration. Mr. van den Bold joined
Mariner in July 2000 as Senior Development Geologist. From 1996
to 2000, Mr. van den Bold worked for British-Borneo
Oil & Gas plc. He began his career at British
Petroleum. Mr. van den Bold has over 17 years of
industry experience. He is a Certified Petroleum Geologist,
Texas Board Certified Geologist and member of the American
Association of Petroleum Geologists.
Teresa G. Bushman Ms. Bushman joined
Mariner as Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary in June
2003. From 1996 until joining Mariner in 2003, Ms. Bushman
was employed by Enron North America Corp., most recently as
Assistant General Counsel representing the Energy Capital
Resources group, which provided debt and equity financing to the
oil and gas industry. Prior to joining Enron, Ms. Bushman
was a partner with Jackson Walker, LLP, in Houston.
Judd A. Hansen Mr. Hansen has served as
Vice President Shelf and Onshore since February
2002. From October 2001 to February 2002, Mr. Hansen was
self-employed as a consultant. From 1997 until March 2001,
Mr. Hansen was employed as Operations Manager of the Gulf
Coast Division for Basin Exploration, Inc. From 1991 to 1997, he
was employed in various engineering positions at Greenhill
Petroleum Corporation, including Senior Production Engineer and
Workover/ Completion Superintendent. Mr. Hansen started his
career with Shell Oil Company in 1978 and has 27 years of
experience in conducting operations in the oil and gas industry.
Cory L. Loegering Mr. Loegering has
served as Vice President Deepwater since August
2002. Mr. Loegering joined Mariner in July 1990 and since
1998 has held various positions including Vice President of
Petroleum Engineering and Director of Deepwater development.
Mr. Loegering was employed by Tenneco from 1982 to 1989, in
various positions including as senior engineer in the economic,
planning and analysis group in Tennecos corporate offices.
Mr. Loegering began his career with Conoco in 1977 and held
positions in the construction, production and reservoir
departments responsible for Gulf of Mexico production and
development. Mr. Loegering has 29 years of experience in the
industry.
Bernard Aronson Mr. Aronson was elected
as a director in March 2004. He is a founding partner of ACON
Investments, a private equity fund. Prior to founding ACON
Investments in 1996, Mr. Aronson was International Advisor
to Goldman Sachs & Co. for Latin America from 1994 to
1996. From 1989 through 1993, Mr. Aronson served as
Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs. He is a
member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the
Presidents Advisory Commission on Trade Promotions and
Negotiations. Mr. Aronson currently serves on the boards of
directors of Liz Claiborne, Inc., Royal Caribbean International
Inc., Tropigas S.A. and Hyatt International Corp.
162
Jonathan Ginns Mr. Ginns was elected as
a director in March 2004. He is a founding partner of ACON
Investments. Prior to founding ACON Investments, a private
equity fund, in 1996, Mr. Ginns served as a Senior
Investment Officer for the Global Environment-Emerging Markets
Fund, part of the GEF Funds group, from 1994 to 1995.
Mr. Ginns currently serves on the boards of directors of
The Optimal Group, Signal International, Tropigas S.A. and The
Commonwealth Broadcasting Corporation.
John F. Greene Mr. Greene was elected as
a director in August 2005. He served as Executive Vice President
of Worldwide Exploration, Production and Natural Gas Marketing
at Louisiana Land & Exploration Company before his
retirement in 1995. Prior to joining Louisiana Land &
Exploration Company, Mr. Greene was the President and Chief
Executive Officer of Milestone Petroleum, Inc. (today,
Burlington Resources, Inc.) from 1981 to 1985. Mr. Greene
served on the board of directors of Colorado-Wyoming Reserves
Company from 1998 through 2004 and as a director and member of
the compensation committee of Basin Exploration, Inc. from 1996
through 2001. Mr. Greene began his career at Conoco and
served in the United States Navy from 1963 until 1986. He is
currently a partner and director of The Shoreline Company and
Leaf River Resources.
John L. Schwager Mr. Schwager was
elected as a director in August 2005. Prior to his retirement in
2004, Mr. Schwager served as Chief Executive Officer and
President of Belden & Blake Corporation. Before joining
Belden & Blake Corporation in 1999, Mr. Schwager
was the founder and served as President of AnnaCarol
Enterprises, Inc., a consulting firm that provided planning,
advisory, evaluation and management services to the energy
industry. From 1984 until 1997 he served in several management
roles, including President and Chief Executive Officer at
Alamco, Inc. From 1970 through 1984, Mr. Schwager held
various engineering, operations, management and executive
officer positions with Callon Petroleum Company and Shell Oil
Company.
Board of Directors
Under the terms of the merger agreement, the board of directors
of Mariner after completion of the merger will be composed
initially of seven individuals, five of whom will be the current
directors of Mariner and two of whom will be mutually agreed
upon by Mariner and Forest prior to the completion of the merger.
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide for a
classified board of directors consisting of three classes of
directors, each serving staggered three-year terms. As a result,
stockholders will elect a portion of our board of directors each
year. The Class I directors term will expire at this
annual meeting of stockholders, Class II directors
terms will expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be
held in 2007 and Class III directors terms will
expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2008.
Currently, the Class I director is Mr. Aronson, the
Class II directors are Messrs. Greene and Schwager,
and the Class III directors are Messrs. Ginns and
Josey. Pursuant to provisions in our certificate of
incorporation regarding vacancies on the board of directors,
Messrs. Greene and Schwager (in addition to Mr. Aronson, as
the Class I director) must stand for reelection at this
annual stockholders meeting. At each annual meeting of
stockholders held after the initial classification, the
successors to directors whose terms will then expire will be
elected to serve from the time of election until the third
annual meeting following election. The division of our board of
directors into three classes with staggered terms may delay or
prevent a change of our management or a change in control. See
Election of Directors of Mariner and
Description of Mariner Capital Stock
Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of Delaware Law, Our
Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws Amendments
to our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws.
In addition, our bylaws provide that the authorized number of
directors, which shall constitute the whole board of directors,
may be changed by resolution duly adopted by the board of
directors. Any additional directorships resulting from an
increase in the number of directors will be distributed among
the three classes so that, as nearly as possible, each class
will consist of one-third of the total number of directors.
Vacancies and newly created directorships may be filled by the
affirmative vote of a majority of our directors then in office,
even if less than a quorum.
163
Committees of the Board
Our board of directors intends to establish three committees,
the audit committee, the compensation committee and the
nominating and corporate governance committee.
Messrs. Aronson, Ginns and Schwager will be the initial
members of our audit committee. Mr. Schwager is
independent under the listing standards of
New York Stock Exchange and SEC rules. In addition, the
board of directors has determined that Mr. Ginns is an
audit committee financial expert, as defined under
the rules of the SEC. Within 90 days of the effectiveness
of the registration statement, at least a majority of our audit
committee will be independent, and within one year all audit
committee members will be independent. The audit committee will
recommend to the board of directors the independent public
accountants to audit our financial statements and will oversee
the annual audit. The committee will also approve any other
services provided by public accounting firms. The audit
committee will provide assistance to the board of directors in
fulfilling its oversight responsibility to the stockholders, the
investment community and others relating to the integrity of our
financial statements, our compliance with legal and regulatory
requirements, the independent auditors qualifications and
independence and the performance of our internal audit function.
The committee will oversee our system of disclosure controls and
procedures and system of internal controls regarding financial,
accounting, legal compliance and ethics that management and the
board of directors have established. In doing so, it will be the
responsibility of the committee to maintain free and open
communication between the committee and our independent
auditors, the internal accounting function and management of
Mariner.
Messrs. Aronson and Greene will serve on the nominating and
corporate governance committee of our board of directors. Mr.
Greene is independent under the listing standards of
the New York Stock Exchange and SEC rules. This committee will
nominate candidates to serve on our board of directors and
approves director compensation. The committee will also be
responsible for monitoring a process to assess board
effectiveness, developing and implementing our corporate
governance guidelines and in taking a leadership role in shaping
the corporate governance of Mariner. Within 90 days of the
effectiveness of the registration statement, at least a majority
of the committee will be independent, and within one year all
committee members will be independent.
Messrs. Ginns, Greene and Schwager will serve on the
compensation committee of our board of directors. Messrs. Greene
and Schwager are independent under the listing
standards of the New York Stock Exchange and SEC rules. The
compensation committee will review the compensation and benefits
of our executive officers, establish and review general policies
related to our compensation and benefits and administers our
Equity Participation Plan and Stock Incentive Plan. Under the
compensation committee charter, the compensation committee will
determine the compensation of our CEO. Within 90 days of
the effectiveness of the registration statement, at least a
majority of the committee will be independent, and within one
year all committee members will be independent.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation
None of our executive officers serves as a member of the board
of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has
one or more of its executive officers serving as a member of our
board of directors or compensation committee.
During the fiscal year 2005, the board of directors determined
executive compensation.
Director Compensation
Officers and employees who also serve as directors will not
receive additional compensation. To date, Messrs. Aronson and
Ginns have not received compensation for their services as
directors. Messrs. Greene and Schwager have received and
will receive annual cash compensation of $40,000, and received a
grant of 4,500 stock options upon their appointment to the
board, which options will vest in
1/3
increments on the dates of each of the three successive annual
meetings of Mariners stockholders following the date of
grant. In addition, each director will be reimbursed for
out-of-pocket expenses
in connection with attending meetings of
164
the board of directors or committees. Each director will be
fully indemnified by us for actions associated with being a
director to the extent permitted under Delaware law.
Indemnification
We maintain directors and officers liability
insurance. Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws include
provisions limiting the liability of directors and officers and
indemnifying them under certain circumstances, as described
under Description of Mariner Capital Stock
Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors.
We have also entered into indemnification agreements with our
executive officers and directors providing our executive
officers and directors with additional assurances in a manner
consistent with Delaware law.
Executive Compensation
The following table shows the annual compensation for our chief
executive officer and the four other most highly compensated
executive officers for the three fiscal years ended
December 31, 2005.
Summary Compensation Table
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Annual Compensation | |
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Long-Term Compensation | |
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| |
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Awards | |
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Payouts | |
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Securities | |
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Restricted Stock | |
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Underlying | |
|
LTIP | |
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All Other | |
Name and Principal Position |
|
Year | |
|
Salary($) | |
|
Bonuses(1)($) | |
|
Awards($)(2) | |
|
Options(#) | |
|
Payouts($) | |
|
Compensation($)(3) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Scott D. Josey
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
375,000 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
16,210 |
|
|
Chairman of the Board, |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
350,000 |
|
|
|
550,000 |
|
|
|
9,522,534 |
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
575,000 |
|
|
|
15,133 |
|
|
Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
300,290 |
|
|
|
850,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
514,895 |
|
|
and President |
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
Dalton F. Polasek
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,626 |
|
|
Chief Operating Officer |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
215,000 |
|
|
|
300,000 |
|
|
|
4,316,886 |
|
|
|
102,000 |
|
|
|
248,400 |
|
|
|
15,236 |
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
176,698 |
|
|
|
325,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
280,677 |
|
Mike C. van den Bold
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,819 |
|
|
Vice President and |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
192,500 |
|
|
|
215,000 |
|
|
|
3,174,178 |
|
|
|
74,000 |
|
|
|
322,000 |
|
|
|
14,949 |
|
|
Chief Exploration Officer |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
170,150 |
|
|
|
350,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
45,430 |
|
Rick G. Lester
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,363 |
|
|
Vice President, |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
43,352 |
|
|
|
120,000 |
|
|
|
428,512 |
|
|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,502 |
|
|
Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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and Treasurer |
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
Teresa G. Bushman
|
|
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2005 |
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,197 |
|
|
Vice President, General |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
190,000 |
|
|
|
215,000 |
|
|
|
1,920,380 |
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|
|
40,000 |
|
|
|
59,800 |
|
|
|
14,834 |
|
|
Counsel and Secretary |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
97,750 |
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23,270 |
|
|
|
(1) |
As of January 31, 2006, bonuses for 2005 have not yet been
paid. |
|
(2) |
Dollar amounts are calculated by multiplying the number of
shares of common stock awarded by $14, the trading price of our
common stock on the business day immediately preceding the date
the award was granted. Grantees are entitled to vote, and accrue
dividends on, the restricted stock prior to vesting; provided,
that any dividends that accrue on the restricted stock prior to
vesting will only be paid to grantees to the extent the
restricted stock vests. Except in specified circumstances, the
restricted shares will be automatically forfeited in the event a
grantees employment terminates prior to the vesting date
of the awards. The restricted stock granted will vest, and
restrictions will terminate, on the later of (i) the first
anniversary of the grant date, which was March 11, 2005,
and (ii) the occurrence of a Public Sale Date,
as defined in our Equity Participation Plan; but in no event
later than the second anniversary of the date of grant.
Notwithstanding this vesting schedule, the unvested shares of
restricted stock will become fully vested upon death or
disability of the employee, or if employment is terminated by us
for reasons other than for cause, or if the employee
elects to terminate employment with good reason, or |
165
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|
upon the occurrence of a change of control, as those
terms are defined in the agreement with us governing the grant.
In connection with the merger, each of Mariners executive
officers has agreed, in exchange for a cash payment of $1,000,
that his or her shares of restricted stock will not vest before
the later of March 11, 2006 or ninety days after the
effective date of the merger. For additional information
regarding these special long-term grants, please see
Equity Participation Plan. |
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|
At December 31, 2005, the value of all restricted stock
held by each named executive (based on the $17.75 trading price
of our common stock on December 31, 2005) was as follows: |
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Name |
|
No. of Shares | |
|
Value | |
|
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| |
|
| |
Scott D. Josey
|
|
|
680,181 |
|
|
$ |
12,073,213 |
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Dalton F. Polasek
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|
|
308,349 |
|
|
|
5,473,195 |
|
Mike C. van den Bold
|
|
|
226,727 |
|
|
|
4,024,404 |
|
Rick G. Lester
|
|
|
30,608 |
|
|
|
543,292 |
|
Teresa G. Bushman
|
|
|
137,170 |
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|
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2,434,768 |
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|
(3) |
Amounts shown reflect insurance premiums paid by us with respect
to term life insurance for the benefit of the named executive
officers and retention payments paid during the year. The
amounts for 2005 for Messrs. Josey, Polasek, van den Bold,
and Lester and Ms. Bushman include $7,000 of employer
matching contributions made pursuant to our 401(k) plan and
$8,400 made pursuant to the profit sharing portion of our 401(k)
plan. In addition, the 2005 amount for Mr. Josey includes
$810 of insurance premiums under our group term life insurance.
The 2005 amount for Mr. Polasek also includes $1,226 of
insurance premiums under our group term life insurance. The 2005
amount for Mr. van den Bold also includes $419 of insurance
premiums under our group term life insurance. The 2005 amount
for Mr. Lester also includes $963 of insurance premiums
under our group term life insurance. The 2005 amount for
Ms. Bushman includes $1,797 of insurance premiums under our
group term life insurance. |
Employment Agreements and Other Arrangements
We have entered into an employment agreement with each of the
current executive officers named in the above compensation
table. Each employment agreement has an initial term that runs
through March 2, 2007. The employment agreements
automatically renew each March 3 for an additional one-year
period unless prior notice is given. Each employment agreement
provides for a base salary, a discretionary bonus, and
participation in our benefit plans and programs.
Mr. Joseys agreement also provides for life insurance
equal to two times his base salary.
Under the employment agreements, the officers are entitled to
the following severance benefits in the event of a resignation
for good reason, a termination without cause or, in the case of
Mr. Joseys agreement, our non-renewal of the
agreement: (i) a payment equal to 18 months of salary
continuation (two years for Mr. Josey and Mr. Polasek)
at the highest rate in effect prior to termination,
(ii) health care coverage for a period of eighteen months
(two years for Mr. Josey and Mr. Polasek),
(iii) an amount equal to the sum of all bonuses paid to the
officer in the year prior to the year in which termination
occurs, (iv) 100% vesting of all restricted shares under
our Equity Participation Plan, and (v) 50% vesting of all
other rights under any other equity plans, including our Stock
Incentive Plan.
The employment agreements also provide for certain change of
control benefits. Upon termination for any reason other than
cause at any time within nine months after a change of control
that occurs while the executive is employed, or upon the
occurrence of a change of control within nine months following
resignation of employment for good reason or termination without
cause, the agreements provide for the following benefits:
(i) a lump sum payment equal to 2.0 (2.5 for
Mr. Polasek and 2.99 for Mr. Josey) times the sum of
the officers base salary and three year average annual
bonus, and (ii) 100% vesting of all rights under any equity
plans, including our Equity Participation Plan and our Stock
Incentive Plan. The officers are entitled to a full tax
gross-up payment if the
aggregate payments and benefits to be provided constitute a
parachute payment subject to a Federal excise tax.
166
The executive officers of Mariner will receive cash payments of
$1,000 each in exchange for the waiver of certain rights under
their employment agreements, including the automatic vesting or
acceleration of restricted stock and options upon the completion
of the merger and the right to receive a lump sum cash payment
if the officer voluntarily terminates employment without good
reason within nine months following the completion of the merger.
The agreements also include confidentiality and non-solicitation
provisions.
Overriding Royalty Arrangements
Mariners geologist and geophysicist employees are eligible
to participate in Mariners Amended and Restated Gulf of
Mexico Overriding Royalty Interest Plan. Pursuant to the terms
of the plan, overriding royalty interests (ORRIs)
may be awarded to participants in the plan for prospects in the
Gulf of Mexico that are generated or identified and acquired
during the term of the participants employment at Mariner.
The maximum ORRI for all participants is 1.8% for shelf leases
and 0.9% for deepwater leases, subject to proportionate
reduction. The maximum ORRI per participant is
1/2
of one percent for shelf leases and
1/4
of one percent for deepwater leases, subject to proportionate
reduction. Unless approved by Mariners overriding royalty
interest committee, no ORRIs are awarded for developed or
undeveloped reserve acquisitions. Certain of the Forest Gulf of
Mexico leases not covering developed or undeveloped reserves may
become burdened by ORRIs under the plan as determined by such
committee in accordance with the terms of the plan. None of the
members of the committee is eligible to participate in the plan.
To avoid potential conflicts of interest, Mariners
geologist and geophysicist employees that participate in the
Overriding Royalty Interest Plan (the ORRI Plan
Participants) do not make decisions with respect to the
pursuit of the acquisition, exploration or development of
prospects. When an ORRI Plan Participant develops a lead for a
prospect, executive management makes the decision whether to
pursue to the acquisition, exploration or development of the
prospect. In addition, ORRI Plan Participants are required at
the time they become eligible for participation in the plan and
periodically thereafter to disclose oil and gas properties in
which they or their immediate family members have any interest
and to abstain from participation in the evaluation of any
property in which they or their immediate family members have
any interest.
Currently nine employees are participants in the plan. None of
Mariners officers or managers are eligible to participate
in the plan. Since the inception of the plan in July 2002
through December 31, 2004, approximately $252,000 has been
distributed to participants with respect to ORRIs granted to
them under the plan.
In 2002, two of our current executive officers, Dalton F.
Polasek, Executive Vice President Operations and
Exploration and Judd A. Hansen, Vice President Shelf
and Onshore, received assignments of ORRIs in certain leases
acquired by us under a consulting arrangement. A consulting
company owned in part by Mr. Polasek was assigned a 2% ORRI
from us in four federal offshore leases as partial consideration
for having brought the related prospect to us. With our
knowledge and consent, the consulting company subsequently
assigned portions of the ORRIs to Mr. Hansen and a company
owned by Mr. Polasek. At the time of the assignments,
Messrs. Polasek and Hansen served Mariner as officers and
consultants but were not employed by Mariner. No payments were
made in respect of these ORRIs until 2004, when each received
less than $60,000 with respect to his ORRI.
We may have obligations under previously terminated employment
and consulting agreements to assign additional ORRIs in some of
our oil and natural gas prospects to current and former
employees and consultants. Cory L. Loegering, Vice President of
Deepwater, is the only current executive officer who may be
entitled to receive ORRIs under any of these agreements.
All ORRIs assigned to these parties are excluded from
Mariners interests evaluated in our reserve report.
Equity Participation Plan
We have adopted an Equity Participation Plan that provided for
the one-time grant at the closing of our private equity
placement on March 11, 2005 of 2,267,270 restricted shares
of our common stock to certain of our employees. No further
grants will be made under the Equity Participation Plan,
although persons who
167
receive such a grant will be eligible for future awards of
restricted stock or stock options under our Stock Incentive Plan
described below.
We intended the grants of restricted stock under the Equity
Participation Plan to serve as a means of incentive compensation
for performance and not primarily as an opportunity to
participate in the equity appreciation of our common stock.
Therefore, Equity Participation Plan grantees did not pay any
consideration for the common stock they received, and we
received no remuneration for the stock.
The table below includes information regarding the restricted
stock awards granted in March of 2005 under the Equity
Participation Plan to our chief executive officer, our four
other most highly compensated executive officers as of the year
2005, and all officers as a group. Grantees are entitled to
vote, and accrue dividends on, the restricted stock prior to
vesting; provided, however that any dividends that accrue on the
restricted stock prior to vesting will only be paid to grantees
to the extent the restricted stock vests.
Equity Participation Plan
Restricted Stock Awards
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Officer or Group |
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No. of Shares | |
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Value at Grant(1) | |
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Scott D. Josey
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680,181 |
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$ |
9,522,534 |
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Dalton F. Polasek
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308,349 |
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4,316,886 |
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Mike C. van den Bold
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226,727 |
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3,174,178 |
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Rick G. Lester
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30,608 |
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428,512 |
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Teresa G. Bushman
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137,170 |
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1,920,380 |
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Officers as a group (8 persons)
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1,803,613 |
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25,250,582 |
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(1) |
Based on a price of $14.00 per share. |
Except as described below, the restricted shares will be
automatically forfeited in the event a grantees employment
terminates prior to the vesting date of the awards. The
restricted stock granted will vest, and restrictions will
terminate, on the later of (i) the first anniversary of the
grant date, which was March 11, 2005, and (ii) the
occurrence of a Public Sale Date; but in no event
later than the second anniversary of the date of grant. For
purposes of grants under the Equity Participation Plan,
Public Sale Date means the earlier to occur of:
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the 90th day following the date on which our common stock
is listed on the New York Stock Exchange or admitted to trading
and quoted on the Nasdaq National Market or Nasdaq SmallCap
Market; and |
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the first date on which both of the following conditions are
met: (a) a registration statement covering the resale of
the restricted stock has been declared effective by the SEC, and
no stop order suspending the effectiveness of such registration
statement is in effect and (b) the common stock is listed
on the New York Stock Exchange or admitted to trading and quoted
on the Nasdaq National Market or Nasdaq SmallCap Market; |
provided, however, that if either of the above events occurs and
the restricted shares are subject to restrictions on resale as a
result of any lock-up
agreement or arrangement in connection with a public offering,
the Public Sale Date shall be the earlier of the first business
day following the date of expiration of the
lock-up period and a
date 181 days from the date the
lock-up period
commences.
Notwithstanding the above vesting schedule, the unvested shares
of restricted stock will become fully vested upon death or
disability of the employee, or if employment is terminated by us
for reasons other than for cause, or if the employee
elects to terminate employment with good reason, or
upon the occurrence of a change of control, as those
terms are defined in the agreement with us governing the grant.
In connection with the merger, each of Mariners executive
officers has agreed, in exchange for a cash payment of $1,000,
that his or her shares of restricted stock will not vest before
the later of March 11, 2006 or ninety days after the
effective date of the merger.
168
In accordance with GAAP, we expect to incur significant
compensation expense as a result of the grants of restricted
stock under the Equity Participation Plan. See
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations of Mariner
Critical Accounting Policies Deferred Compensation
Expense for a discussion of these charges.
Stock may be withheld by us upon vesting to satisfy our tax
withholding obligations with respect to the vesting of the
restricted stock. Participants in the Equity Participation Plan
will have the right to elect to have us withhold and cancel
shares of the restricted stock to satisfy withholding
obligations. In such events, we would be required to pay any tax
withholding obligation in cash.
The Equity Participation Plan will be administered by our board
of directors. The board of directors may delegate administration
of the plan to a committee of the board of directors. The Equity
Participation Plan will expire upon the vesting or forfeiture of
all shares granted thereunder.
169
PROPOSAL TO AMEND AND RESTATE MARINER STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
Mariner proposes to amend and restate its Stock Incentive Plan
to add 4.5 million shares of common stock to the plan, to
extend the plan through October 12, 2015, and to limit the
number of shares subject to stock options or shares of
restricted stock issuable under the plan to any individual to
2.85 million, subject to the completion of the merger. The
following summary of the principal features of the Stock
Incentive Plan is qualified in its entirety by the specific
language of the amended and restated Stock Incentive Plan, a
copy of which is attached as Annex G to this proxy
statement/prospectus-information statement. The Stock Incentive
Plan was also filed electronically with the Securities and
Exchange Commission with the registration statement of which
this proxy statement/prospectus-information statement is a part,
and is available at www.sec.gov.
The Stock Incentive Plan became effective March 11, 2005.
The objectives of the Stock Incentive Plan are to encourage
employees and directors to acquire or increase their equity
interest with Mariner and to provide a means whereby they may
develop a sense of proprietorship and personal involvement in
the development and financial success of Mariner. The Stock
Incentive Plan is also designed to enhance Mariners
ability to attract and retain the services of individuals who
are essential for the growth and profitability of Mariner.
Awards to participants under the Stock Incentive Plan may be
made in the form of incentive stock options, or ISOs,
non-qualified stock options or restricted stock. The
participants to whom awards are granted, the type or types of
awards granted to a participant, the number of shares covered by
each award, the purchase price, conditions and other terms of
each award are determined by the Board of Directors or the
committee appointed by the Board of Directors to administer the
Stock Incentive Plan (the Committee).
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Shares Subject to the Stock Incentive Plan |
At the inception of the Stock Incentive Plan, a maximum of two
million shares of common stock of Mariner could be issued to
participants. Pursuant to the proposed addition of shares to the
Stock Incentive Plan, the maximum number of shares would, if the
proposal is approved, be increased to 6.5 million shares.
As of September 30, 2005, approximately 1.2 million
shares remained available under the Stock Incentive Plan for
future issuance to participants.
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Administration and Eligibility |
The Committee has the authority to administer the Stock
Incentive Plan and to take all actions that are specifically
contemplated by the Stock Incentive Plan or are necessary or
appropriate in connection with the administration of the Stock
Incentive Plan. The Committee has the full power and authority
to designate participants, determine the type or types of
awards, the number of shares to be covered by awards, and the
terms and conditions of any award. The Committee also determines
whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances awards may
be settled or exercised in cash, shares or other securities,
other awards or other property, or canceled, forfeited or
suspended and the method or methods by which awards may be
settled, exercised, canceled, forfeited or suspended. The
Committee has the authority to establish, amend, suspend or
waive such rules and regulations, and appoint such agents as it
shall deem appropriate, and make any other determination or take
any other action the Committee deems necessary for the proper
administration of the Stock Incentive Plan.
Any employee of Mariner (or any parent entity or subsidiary) and
any non-employee director of Mariner is eligible to be
designated a participant by the Committee. As of
December 31, 2005, two non-employee directors and
51 employees had been granted awards under the Stock
Incentive Plan.
170
Awards may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted
either alone or in addition to, or in tandem with, any other
award granted under the Stock Incentive Plan or any award
granted under any other plan of Mariner or any parent entity or
subsidiary. Awards granted in addition to or in tandem with
other awards or awards granted under any other plan of Mariner
or any parent entity or subsidiary may be granted either at the
same time as or at a different time from the grant of such other
awards. All or part of an award may be subject to conditions
established by the Committee.
The types of awards to participants that may be made under the
Stock Incentive Plan are as follows:
Options. Options are rights to purchase a specified
number of shares of common stock at a specified price. The
Committee will determine the participants to whom options are
granted, the number of shares to be covered by each option, the
purchase price and the conditions, which of the options is an
ISO or a non-qualified stock option, and limitations applicable
to the exercise of the option. To the extent that the aggregate
fair market value, determined at the time the respective ISO is
granted, of common stock with respect to which ISOs are
exercisable for the first time by an individual during any
calendar year under all incentive stock option plans of Mariner
and its parent and subsidiary corporations exceeds $100,000, or
such option fails to constitute an ISO for any reason, such
purported ISOs will be treated as non-qualified stock options.
ISOs may be granted only to an individual who is an employee of
Mariner or any parent or subsidiary corporation at the time the
option is granted. The Committee determines the exercise price
at the time each option is granted, but the exercise price shall
never be less than the fair market value per share on the
effective date of such grant. The Committee determines the time
or times at which each option may be exercised, the method or
methods by which, and the form or forms in which, payment of the
exercise price may be made or deemed to have been made.
An ISO must be granted within 10 years from the date the
Stock Incentive Plan was approved by the Board or the
shareholders, whichever is earlier. No ISO shall be granted to
an individual if, at the time the ISO is granted, such
individual owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total
combined voting power of all classes of stock of Mariner or of
its parent or subsidiary corporation, unless
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at the time the ISO is granted, the option price is at least
110% of the fair market value of the common stock subject to the
option and |
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such ISO, by its terms, is not exercisable after the expiration
of five years from the date of grant. |
Options are not transferable, other than by will or the laws of
descent and distribution, and are exercisable during the
participants lifetime only by the participant or the
participants guardian or legal representative.
Restricted Stock. Restricted stock is stock that has
limitations placed on it. Dividends paid on restricted stock may
be paid directly to the participant, sequestered and held in a
bookkeeping account, or reinvested in additional shares, which
may be subject to the same restrictions as the underlying award
or other restrictions, as determined by the Committee.
Restricted stock is evidenced in such manner as deemed
appropriate by the Committee, but any stock certificate that is
issued in respect of restricted stock granted under the Stock
Incentive Plan must be registered under the participants
name and bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms,
conditions and restrictions applicable to the restricted stock.
Unless otherwise determined by the Committee or provided in an
award agreement, upon termination of a participants
employment for any reason during the applicable restricted
period, which is the period established by the Committee with
respect to an award during which the award either remains
subject to forfeiture or is not transferable by the participant,
all restricted stock is forfeited without payment and reacquired
by Mariner. The Committee may waive in whole or in part any or
all remaining restrictions on such participants restricted
stock, but if such award was intended to qualify as
performance-based compensation, then only upon an event
permitted under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue
Code. Restricted stock is subject to such limitations on
transfer as are necessary to comply with Section 83 of the
Internal Revenue Code.
171
Unless sooner terminated, no award may be granted under the
Stock Incentive Plan after October 12, 2015. The Board or
the Committee may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or
terminate the Stock Incentive Plan without the consent of any
stockholder, participant, other holder or beneficiary of an
award or any other person. However, no amendment may materially
adversely affect the rights of a participant under an award
without the consent of such participant.
In the event of any distribution, recapitalization,
reorganization, merger, spin-off, split-off, split-up,
consolidation, combination, repurchase, or exchange of shares or
other securities of Mariner or any other relevant corporate
transaction or event or any unusual or nonrecurring transactions
or events affecting Mariner, the Committee may, in its sole
discretion and on such terms and conditions as it deems
appropriate:
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provide for either the termination of any such award in exchange
for cash in the amount that would have been attained upon the
exercise of such award or the replacement of such award with
other rights or property selected by the Committee; |
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provide that such award be assumed by the successor or survivor
corporation or its parent or be substituted for by similar
options, rights or awards; or |
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make adjustments in the number and type of shares or other
property subject to outstanding awards. |
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Stock Incentive Plan Benefits |
Because the granting of awards under the Stock Incentive Plan is
at the discretion of the Committee, it is not now possible to
determine which persons may be granted awards. Also, it is not
now possible to estimate the number of shares of common stock
that may be awarded under the Stock Incentive Plan.
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U.S. Federal Tax Consequences |
The following is a general discussion of the current Federal
income tax consequences of awards under the Stock Incentive Plan
to participants who are classified as U.S. residents for
Federal income tax purposes. Different or additional rules may
apply to participants who are subject to income tax in a foreign
jurisdiction and/or are subject to state or local income tax in
the United States. Each participant should rely on his or her
own tax advisors regarding federal income tax treatment under
the Stock Incentive Plan.
The grant of restricted stock does not result in taxable income
to the participant. At each vesting event, the participant will
recognize taxable ordinary income equal to the excess of the
fair market value of the shares of common stock that become
vested over the purchase price (if any) paid for such common
stock. However, if a participant makes a timely election under
Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code, the participant
will recognize taxable ordinary income in the taxable year of
the grant equal to the excess of the fair market value of the
shares of common stock underlying the restricted stock award at
the time of the grant over the purchase price (if any) paid for
such common stock. Furthermore, the participant will not
recognize ordinary income on such restricted stock when it
subsequently vests.
In all cases, the participants ordinary income is subject
to applicable withholding taxes. Mariner will be allowed an
income tax deduction in the taxable year the participant
recognizes ordinary income, in an amount equal to such ordinary
income.
The grant of a non-qualified stock option will not result in
taxable income to the participant and Mariner will not be
entitled to an income tax deduction. Upon the exercise of a
non-qualified stock option, a participant will realize ordinary
taxable income on the date of exercise. Such taxable income will
equal the difference between the option price and the fair
market value of the common stock purchased under option on the
date of
172
exercise. Mariner will be entitled to an income tax deduction
equal to the amount included in the participants ordinary
income.
Upon the grant or exercise of an ISO, a participant will not
recognize taxable income and Mariner will not be entitled to an
income tax deduction. However, the exercise of an ISO will
result in an amount being included in the participants
alternative minimum taxable income for the year in which the
exercise occurs equal to the excess of the fair market value of
the common stock purchased under the ISO at the time of exercise
over the option price.
The optionee will recognize taxable income in the year in which
the shares of common stock underlying the ISO are sold or
disposed of. Dispositions are divided into two categories:
qualifying and disqualifying. A qualifying disposition occurs if
the sale or disposition is made more than two years from the
option grant date and more than one year from the exercise date.
If the participant sells or disposes of the shares of common
stock in a qualifying disposition, any gain recognized by the
participant on such sale or disposition will be a long-term
capital gain.
If either of the two holding periods described above are not
satisfied, then a disqualifying disposition will occur. If the
optionee makes a disqualifying disposition of the shares of
common stock that have been acquired through the exercise of the
option, then the optionee will have ordinary taxable income for
the taxable year in which the sale or disposition occurs equal
to the lesser of:
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the excess of the fair market value of such shares on the option
exercise date over the exercise price paid for the
shares, or |
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the amount realized on the sale or disposition over the exercise
price paid for the shares. |
If the optionee makes a qualifying disposition, Mariner will not
be entitled to an income tax deduction. However, if the optionee
makes a disqualifying disposition, Mariner will be entitled to
an income tax deduction equal to the amount included in ordinary
income to the participant.
The table below includes information regarding stock options
under the Stock Incentive Plan granted in our last fiscal year
to our chief executive officer and our four other most highly
compensated executive officers.
Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year
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Potential Realizable | |
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Value of Assumed | |
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Annual Rates of Stock | |
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Price Appreciation for | |
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% of Total Options | |
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Option Term (a) | |
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No. of Securities | |
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Granted to Employees | |
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Exercise | |
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Expiration | |
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Name |
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Underlying Options | |
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in Fiscal Year | |
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Price | |
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Date | |
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5%($) | |
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10%($) | |
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Scott D. Josey
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200,000 |
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24.7 |
% |
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$ |
14.00 |
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3/11/2015 |
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$ |
1,760,905 |
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$ |
4,462,479 |
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Dalton F. Polasek
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102,000 |
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12.6 |
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14.00 |
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3/11/2015 |
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898,062 |
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2,275,864 |
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Mike C. van den Bold
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74,000 |
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9.1 |
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14.00 |
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3/11/2015 |
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651,535 |
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1,651,117 |
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Rick G. Lester
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40,000 |
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4.9 |
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14.00 |
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3/11/2015 |
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352,181 |
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892,496 |
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Teresa G. Bushman
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40,000 |
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4.9 |
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14.00 |
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3/11/2015 |
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352,181 |
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892,496 |
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(a) |
In accordance with SEC rules, these columns show gain that could
accrue for the listed options, assuming that the market price
per share of our common stock appreciates from the date of grant
over a period of 10 years at an annualized rate of 5% and
10%, respectively. If the stock price does not increase above
the exercise price at the time of exercise, the realized value
from these options will be zero. |
173
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS OF MARINER
The board of directors of Mariner following the merger will be
composed initially of seven directors, five of whom will be the
current directors of Mariner and two of whom will be mutually
agreed by Mariner and Forest prior to the completion of the
merger.
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide for a
classified board of directors consisting of three classes of
directors, each serving staggered three-year terms. As a result,
stockholders will elect a portion of our board of directors each
year. The Class I directors term will expire at this
annual meeting of stockholders, Class II directors
terms will expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be
held in 2007 and Class III directors terms will
expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2008.
Currently, the Class I director is Mr. Aronson, the
Class II directors are Messrs. Greene and Schwager,
and the Class III directors are Messrs. Ginns and
Josey. Pursuant to provisions in our certificate of
incorporation regarding vacancies on the board of directors,
Messrs. Greene and Schwager (in addition to
Mr. Aronson, as the Class I director) will stand for
reelection at this stockholders meeting. At each annual meeting
of stockholders held after the initial classification, the
successors to directors whose terms will then expire will be
elected to serve from the time of election until the third
annual meeting following election. The division of our board of
directors into three classes with staggered terms may delay or
prevent a change of our management or a change in control. See
Description of Mariner Capital Stock Anti-Takeover
Effects of Provisions of Delaware Law, Our Certificate of
Incorporation and Bylaws Amendments to our
Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws.
In addition, our bylaws provide that the authorized number of
directors, which shall constitute the whole board of directors,
may be changed by resolution duly adopted by the board of
directors. Any additional directorships resulting from an
increase in the number of directors will be distributed among
the three classes so that, as nearly as possible, each class
will consist of one-third of the total number of directors.
Vacancies and newly created directorships may be filled by the
affirmative vote of a majority of our directors then in office,
even if less than a quorum.
Set forth below is information concerning the persons nominated
for election as directors.
Our board of directors recommends a vote FOR the election of
these nominees.
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Class I Nominee for Election as Director to Serve
Until the Annual Meeting in 2009: |
Bernard Aronson Mr. Aronson was elected
as a director in March 2004. He is a founding partner of ACON
Investments, a private equity fund. Prior to founding ACON
Investments in 1996, Mr. Aronson was International Advisor
to Goldman Sachs & Co. for Latin America from 1994 to 1996.
From 1989 through 1993, Mr. Aronson served as Assistant
Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs. He is a member of
the Council on Foreign Relations and the Presidents
Advisory Commission on Trade Promotions and Negotiations.
Mr. Aronson currently serves on the boards of directors of
Liz Claiborne, Inc., Royal Caribbean International Inc.,
Tropigas S.A. and Hyatt International Corp. Mr. Aronson,
who serves on the board of managers of our former sole
stockholder, MEI Acquisitions Holdings, LLC, was elected to the
board of directors in connection with the merger in March 2004
pursuant to which MEI Acquisitions Holdings, LLC became our sole
stockholder. Mr. Aronson, who served on the Board of
Mangers of our former sole stockholder, MEI Acquisitions
Holdings, LLC, was elected to the board of directors in
connection with the merger in March 2004 pursuant to which MEI
Acquisitions Holdings, LLC became our sole stockholder. As of
February 1, 2006, MEI Acquisitions Holdings, LLC is the
record holder of approximately 5.3% of the outstanding common
stock and Mr. Aronson is a managing member of ACON
Investments. ACON Investments is the beneficial owner of an
additional 4.3% of the outstanding common stock. See
Mariner Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
and Management.
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Class II Nominees for Election as Director to Serve
Until the Annual Meeting in 2007: |
John F. Greene Mr. Greene was elected as
a director in August 2005. He served as Executive Vice President
of Worldwide Exploration, Production and Natural Gas Marketing
at Louisiana Land & Exploration Company before his
retirement in 1995. Prior to joining Louisiana Land &
Exploration Company, Mr. Greene
174
was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Milestone
Petroleum, Inc. (today, Burlington Resources, Inc.) from 1981 to
1985. Mr. Greene served on the board of directors of
Colorado-Wyoming Reserves Company from 1998 through 2004 and as
a director and member of the compensation committee of Basin
Exploration, Inc. from 1996 through 2001. Mr. Greene began
his career at Conoco and served in the United States Navy
from 1963 until 1986. He is currently a partner and director of
The Shoreline Company and Leaf River Resources.
John L. Schwager Mr. Schwager was
elected as a director in August 2005. Prior to his retirement in
2004, Mr. Schwager served as Chief Executive Officer and
President of Belden & Blake Corporation. Before joining
Belden & Blake Corporation in 1999, Mr. Schwager was
the founder and served as President of AnnaCarol Enterprises,
Inc., a consulting firm that provided planning, advisory,
evaluation and management services to the energy industry. From
1984 until 1997 he served in several management roles, including
President and Chief Executive Officer at Alamco, Inc. From 1970
through 1984, Mr. Schwager held various engineering,
operations, management and executive officer positions with
Callon Petroleum Company and Shell Oil Company.
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Directors Remaining in Office |
Information regarding the members of our board of directors who
do not stand for reelection this year can be found in
Management of Mariner Directors and Executive
Officers.
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Advance Notice Requirements for Stockholder Proposals and
Director Nominations |
Our bylaws provide that stockholders seeking to bring business
before or to nominate candidates for election as directors at an
annual meeting of stockholders must provide timely notice of
their proposal in writing to the corporate secretary. With
respect to the nomination of directors, to be timely, a
stockholders notice must be delivered to or mailed and
received at our principal executive offices (i) with
respect to an election of directors to be held at the annual
meeting of stockholders, not later than 120 days prior to
the anniversary date of the proxy statement for the immediately
preceding annual meeting of the stockholders and (ii) with
respect to an election of directors to be held at a special
meeting of stockholders, not later than the close of business on
the 10th day following the day on which such notice of the date
of the special meeting was first mailed to Mariners
stockholders or public disclosure of the date of the special
meeting was first made, whichever first occurs. With respect to
other business to be brought before a meeting of stockholders,
to be timely, a stockholders notice must be delivered to
or mailed and received at our principal executive offices not
less than 120 days prior to the anniversary date of the
proxy statement for the immediately preceding annual meeting of
the stockholders. Our bylaws also specify requirements as to the
form and content of a stockholders notice. These
provisions may preclude stockholders from bringing matters
before an annual meeting of stockholders or from making
nominations for directors at an annual meeting of stockholders
or may discourage or defer a potential acquirer from conducting
a solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors or
otherwise attempting to obtain control of us.
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Communications with Mariners Board of
Directors |
Any stockholder or interested party who wishes to communicate
with our board of directors or any specific directors, including
non-management directors, may write to:
Board of Directors
Mariner Energy, Inc.
One BriarLake Plaza, Suite 2000
2000 West Sam Houston Parkway South
Houston, Texas 77042
Facsimile: (713) 954-5555
Telephone: (713) 954-5500
175
Depending on the subject matter, management will:
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forward the communication to the director or directors to whom
it is addressed (for example, if the communication received
deals with questions, concerns or complaints regarding
accounting, internal accounting controls and auditing matters,
it will be forwarded by management to the Chairman of the Audit
Committee for review); |
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attempt to handle the inquiry directly, for example where it is
a request for information about us or our operations or it is a
stock-related matter that does not appear to require direct
attention by our board of directors or an individual director; or |
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not forward the communication if it is primarily commercial in
nature or if it relates to an improper or irrelevant topic (in
accordance with the explicit instructions of our non-management
directors). |
At each meeting of the board of directors, our Chairman of the
Board will present a summary of all communications received
since the last meeting of the board of directors that were not
forwarded and will make those communications available to any
director on request.
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Transactions with Directors, Officers and
Affiliates |
With respect to transactions between us and Messrs. Josey,
Polasek, Lester, Melendrez, van den Bold, Hansen and Loegering,
and Ms. Bushman, please see Management of
Mariner.
Messrs. Aronson and Ginns, both of whom served on the board
of managers of our former sole stockholder, MEI Acquisitions
Holdings, LLC, were elected to the board in connection with the
merger in March 2004 with our former sole stockholder, MEI
Acquisitions Holdings, LLC. As of February 1, 2006, MEI
Acquisitions Holdings, LLC is the record holder of approximately
5.3% of the outstanding common stock and ACON Investments is the
beneficial owner of an additional 4.3% of the outstanding common
stock. Until February 2006, Messrs. Aronson and Ginns were
managers of ACON E&P. Messrs. Aronson and Ginns are
managing members of ACON Investments LLC. With respect to
transactions between us and MEI Acquisitions Holdings, LLC and
ACON E&P, please see Certain Transactions with
Affiliates and Management of Mariner.
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Submission of Future Stockholder Proposals |
In order for a stockholder proposal to have been properly
submitted for presentation at this annual meeting, we must have
received such proposal a reasonable time before we began to
print and mail our proxy materials. We received no such notice,
and therefore no stockholder proposals will be presented at this
annual meeting.
If you wish to present a proposal for inclusion in our proxy
material for consideration at our annual meeting to be held in
2007, you must submit the proposal in writing to our Secretary
at the address shown on the first page of this proxy statement,
and we must receive your proposal not later than
October 13, 2006 (the 120th day prior to February 10, 2007,
the anniversary of the date on which this years proxy was
mailed to you). That proposal, if it is to be included in our
proxy materials, must comply with Rule 14a-8 under the
Exchange Act. If a stockholder intends to present a proposal for
consideration or make a nomination for director at the 2007
annual meeting outside the processes of Rule 14a-8, the
stockholder must meet the requirements of Mariners by-laws
which require, in general, that notice be delivered to Mariner
no earlier than January 1, 2007 nor later than
January 31, 2007; provided, however, that if the date of
the 2007 annual meeting is advanced by more than 30 days or
delayed by more than 60 days from the anniversary date of
our 2006 annual meeting, notice by the stockholder to be timely
must be delivered not earlier than the 90th day prior to the
2007 annual meeting and not later than the close of business on
the later of (i) the 60th day prior to the 2007 annual
meeting or (ii) the 10th day following the day on which
public announcement of the date of the 2007 annual meeting is
first made. You may obtain a copy of the relevant by-law
provision by following the instructions under Where You
can Find More Information; Incorporation by Reference.
176
MARINER SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth information as of
February 1, 2006 with respect to the beneficial ownership
of Mariners common stock by (i) 5% stockholders,
(ii) current directors, (iii) five most highly
compensated executive officers during 2005 and
(iv) executive officers and directors as a group.
Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes to this table, each
of the stockholders named in this table has sole voting and
investment power with respect to the shares indicated as
beneficially owned.
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Percent | |
Name of Beneficial Owner |
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Amount(1) | |
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of Class | |
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5% Stockholder:
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FMR Corp.(2)
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4,999,200 |
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14.0 |
% |
SAB Capital Advisors, L.L.C.(3)
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2,217,700 |
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6.2 |
% |
ACON E&P, LLC(4)
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1,895,630 |
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5.3 |
% |
Officers and Directors(5):
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Scott D. Josey
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680,181 |
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1.9 |
% |
Dalton F. Polasek
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308,349 |
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* |
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Mike C. van den Bold
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226,727 |
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* |
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Rick G. Lester
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30,608 |
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* |
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Teresa G. Bushman
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137,170 |
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* |
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Bernard Aronson(6)
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3,405,207 |
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9.6 |
% |
Jonathan Ginns(7)
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3,405,207 |
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9.6 |
% |
John F. Greene
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John L. Schwager
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Executive officers and directors as a group (12 persons)
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3,699,244 |
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10.4 |
% |
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(1) |
Includes grants of restricted stock to executive officers under
our Equity Participation Plan. These shares may be voted, but
not disposed of, prior to vesting. |
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(2) |
Of the amount shown, 1,847,200 shares are held by Fidelity
Contrafund, 1,828,700 shares are held by Fidelity Puritan
Fund: Fidelity Low-Priced Stock Fund, 527,600 shares are
held by Variable Insurance Products Fund II:
Contra-Fund Portfolio, 516,300 shares are held by
Fidelity Puritan Trust: Fidelity Balanced Fund,
200,000 shares are held by Fidelity Securities Fund:
Fidelity Small Cap Value Fund, 75,000 shares are held by
Fidelity Securities Fund: Fidelity Small Cap Growth Fund, and
4,400 shares are held by Fidelity Management Trust Company
on behalf of accounts managed by it. Fidelity may be deemed a
beneficial owner of these shares by virtue of its affiliation
with these holders of record. |
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(3) |
The address of SAB Capital Advisors, L.L.C. is
712 Fifth Avenue, 42nd Floor, New York, New York
10019. Of the amount shown, 1,060,083 shares are held by
SAB Capital Partners, L.P. and 1,157,617 shares are
held by SAB Overseas Master Fund, L.P. |
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(4) |
The address of ACON E&P, LLC is c/o ACON Investments
LLC, 1133 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 700,
Washington, D.C. 20036. The shares beneficially owned by
ACON E&P, LLC are held of record by MEI Acquisitions
Holdings, LLC. |
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(5) |
The address of each officer and director is c/o Mariner
Energy, Inc., One BriarLake Plaza, Suite 2000,
2000 West Sam Houston Parkway South, Houston, Texas 77042. |
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(6) |
Mr. Aronson may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of
1,895,630 shares and 1,509,577 shares that are beneficially
owned by ACON E&P, LLC and ACON Investments LLC,
respectively. MEI Investment Holdings, LLC is the record
holder of the shares beneficially owned by ACON
Investments LLC. Mr. Aronson is a manager of ACON
E&P, LLC and a managing member of ACON Investments LLC, the
managing member of MEI Investment Holdings, LLC.
Mr. Aronson disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares
except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.
Mr. Aronsons address is c/o ACON Investments, LLC,
1133 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 700, Washington, D.C.
20036. |
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(7) |
Mr. Ginns may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of
1,895,630 shares and 1,509,577 shares that are beneficially
owned by ACON E&P, LLC and ACON Investments LLC,
respectively. MEI Investment Holdings, LLC is the record
holder of the shares beneficially owned by ACON
Investments LLC. Mr. Ginns is a managing member of
Burns Park Investments LLC, a manager of ACON E&P, LLC.
Mr. Ginns is a managing member of ACON Investments LLC, the
managing member of MEI Investment Holdings, LLC. Mr. Ginns
disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares except to the
extent of his pecuniary interest therein. Mr. Ginns
address is c/o ACON Investments, LLC, 1133 Connecticut Avenue,
N.W., Suite 700, Washington, D.C. 20036. |
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES AND MANAGEMENT OF
MARINER
In connection with Mariners merger in March 2004, Mariner
Energy LLC, our former indirect parent, entered into management
agreements with each of Carlyle/ Riverstone Energy
Partners II, L.P. (C/R Energy Partners)
and ACON E&P III, LLC (ACON E&P),
pursuant to which C/R Energy Partners and ACON E&P
received aggregate fees in the amount of $2.5 million.
C/R Energy Partners was, and ACON E&P is, an
affiliate of MEI Acquisitions Holdings, LLC, our former sole
stockholder. No additional fees are payable under these
agreements.
Under a C/R Monitoring Agreement with C/R Energy
Partners and under an ACON Monitoring Agreement with ACON
E&P, each dated as of March 2, 2004, we were obligated
to pay monitoring fees in the aggregate amount of 1% of our
annual consolidated EBITDA to C/R Energy Partners and ACON
E&P payable on a calendar quarter basis. Under the terms of
the monitoring agreements, the affiliates provided financial
advisory services in connection with the ongoing operations of
Mariner subsequent to the merger. We accrued $1.4 million
in monitoring fees under these agreements for 2004. The parties
terminated these agreements on February 7, 2005 in return
for lump sum cash payments by Mariner totalling
$2.3 million. We intend to engage in transactions with our
affiliates in the future only when the terms of any such
transactions are no less favorable than transactions that could
be obtained from third parties.
We used $166 million of the net proceeds from our sale of
12,750,000 share of common stock in our 2005 private
placement to purchase and retire an equal number of shares of
our common stock shares then held by MEI Acquisitions Holdings,
LLC, our former sole stockholder.
The estimated $1.9 million in expenses related to the
recent private placement included approximately
$0.8 million of expenses incurred by our former sole
stockholder, MEI Acquisitions Holdings, LLC, and its members in
connection with the offering.
We currently have obligations concerning ORRI arrangements with
two of our officers who received assignments of ORRIs in certain
leases acquired by us under a consulting agreement and with
another officer who may be entitled to assignments of ORRIs
under a previously terminated employment agreement, as described
in Management of MarinerOverriding Royalty
Arrangements.
178
DESCRIPTION OF MARINER CAPITAL STOCK
The authorized capital stock of Mariner consists of
70 million shares of common stock, par value of $.0001
each, and 20 million shares of preferred stock, par value
of $.0001 each. If the proposed amendment to Mariners
certificate of incorporation is approved by the Mariner
stockholders, the authorized capital stock of Mariner would
consist of 180 million shares of common stock and
20 million shares of preferred stock.
The following summary of the capital stock and certificate of
incorporation and bylaws of Mariner does not purport to be
complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
provisions of applicable law and to our certificate of
incorporation and bylaws.
Common Stock
There are a total of 35,615,400 shares of our common stock
outstanding, including 2,267,270 shares of restricted stock
issued to employees pursuant to our Equity Participation Plan.
In addition, our board of directors has reserved
2,000,000 shares for issuance upon the exercise of stock
options granted or that may be granted under our Stock Incentive
Plan, approximately 809,000 of which have been granted to
certain of our employees and directors. Pursuant to the proposed
addition of shares to the Stock Incentive Plan, the maximum
number of shares would, if the proposal is approved, be
increased to 6.5 million shares. Holders of our common or
restricted stock are entitled to one vote for each share held on
all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders and do not have
cumulative voting rights. Holders of a majority of the shares of
our common stock entitled to vote in any election of directors
may elect all of the directors standing for election. Except as
otherwise provided in our certificate of incorporation and
bylaws or required by law, all matters to be voted on by our
stockholders must be approved by a majority of the votes
entitled to be cast by all shares of common stock. Our
certificate of incorporation requires approval of 80% of the
shares entitled to vote for the removal of a director or to
adopt, repeal or amend certain provisions in our certificate of
incorporation and bylaws. See Anti-Takeover
Effects of Provisions of Delaware Law, Our Certificate of
Incorporation and Bylaws.
Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive
proportionately any dividends if and when such dividends are
declared by our board of directors, subject to any preferential
dividend rights of outstanding preferred stock. Upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company, the
holders of our common stock are entitled to receive ratably our
net assets available after the payment of all debts and other
liabilities and subject to the prior rights of any outstanding
preferred stock. Holders of our common stock have no preemptive,
subscription, redemption or conversion rights. The rights,
preferences and privileges of holders of our common stock are
subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the
holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that we may
designate and issue in the future.
Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors
Our certificate of incorporation provides that our directors
will not be personally liable to us or our stockholders for
monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director,
except for liability (1) for any breach of a
directors duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders,
(2) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which
involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law,
(3) under Section 174 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law, or (4) for any transaction from which the
director derives an improper personal benefit. If the Delaware
General Corporation Law is amended to authorize the further
elimination or limitation of directors liability, then the
liability of our directors will automatically be limited to the
fullest extent provided by law. Our certificate of incorporation
and bylaws also contain provisions to indemnify our directors
and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware
General Corporation Law. These provisions may have the practical
effect in certain cases of eliminating the ability of
stockholders to collect monetary damages from our directors and
officers. We believe that these contractual agreements and the
provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws are
necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors
and officers.
Preferred Stock
Our certificate of incorporation authorizes the issuance of up
to 20 million shares of preferred stock and no preferred
shares are outstanding. The preferred stock may carry such
relative rights, preferences and designations as may be
determined by our board of directors in its sole discretion upon
the issuance of any
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shares of preferred stock. The shares of preferred stock could
be issued from time to time by the board of directors in its
sole discretion (without further approval or authorization by
the stockholders), in one or more series, each of which series
could have any particular distinctive designations as well as
relative rights and preferences as determined by the board of
directors. The existence of authorized but unissued shares of
preferred stock could have anti-takeover effects because we
could issue preferred stock with special dividend or voting
rights that could discourage potential bidders.
Approval by the stockholders of the authorization of the
preferred stock gave the board of directors the ability, without
stockholder approval, to issue these shares with rights and
preferences determined by the board of directors in the future.
As a result, Mariner may issue shares of preferred stock that
have dividend, voting and other rights superior to those of the
common stock, or that convert into shares of common stock,
without the approval of the holders of common stock. This could
result in the dilution of the voting rights, ownership and
liquidation value of current stockholders.
Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of Delaware Law, Our
Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain the
following additional provisions, some of which are intended to
enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the
composition of our board of directors and in the policies
formulated by our board of directors. In addition, some
provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, if
applicable to us, may hinder or delay an attempted takeover
without prior approval of our board of directors. Provisions of
the Delaware General Corporation Law and of our certificate of
incorporation and bylaws could discourage attempts to acquire us
or remove incumbent management even if some or a majority of our
stockholders believe this action is in their best interest.
These provisions could, therefore, prevent stockholders from
receiving a premium over the market price for the shares of
common stock they hold.
Our certificate of incorporation provides that our board of
directors will be divided into three classes of directors, with
the classes to be as nearly equal in number as possible. As a
result, approximately one-third of our board of directors will
be elected each year. The classification of directors will have
the effect of making it more difficult for stockholders to
change the composition of our board of directors. Our
certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that the number
of directors will be fixed from time to time exclusively
pursuant to a resolution adopted by the board of directors.
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Filling Board of Directors Vacancies; Removal |
Our certificate of incorporation provides that vacancies and
newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the
authorized number of directors may be filled by the affirmative
vote of a majority of our directors then in office, though less
than a quorum. Each director will hold office until his or her
successor is elected and qualified, or until the directors
earlier death, resignation, retirement or removal from office.
Any director may resign at any time upon written notice to us.
Our certificate of incorporation provides, in accordance with
Delaware General Corporation Law, that the stockholders may
remove directors only by a super-majority vote and for cause. We
believe that the removal of directors by the stockholders only
for cause, together with the classification of the board of
directors, will promote continuity and stability in our
management and policies and that this continuity and stability
will facilitate long-range planning.
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No Stockholder Action by Written Consent |
Our certificate of incorporation precludes stockholders from
initiating or effecting any action by written consent and
thereby taking actions opposed by the board of directors.
Our bylaws provide that special meetings of our stockholders may
be called at any time only by the board of directors acting
pursuant to a resolution adopted by the board and not the
stockholders.
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Advanced Notice Requirements for Stockholder Proposals and
Director Nominations |
Our bylaws provide that stockholders seeking to bring business
before or to nominate candidates for election as directors at an
annual meeting of stockholders must provide timely notice of
their proposal in writing to the corporate secretary. With
respect to the nomination of directors, to be timely, a
stockholders notice must be delivered to or mailed and
received at our principal executive offices (i) with
respect to an election of directors to be held at the annual
meeting of stockholders, not later than 120 days prior to
the anniversary date of the proxy statement for the immediately
preceding annual meeting of the stockholders and (ii) with
respect to an election of directors to be held at a special
meeting of stockholders, not later than the close of business on
the 10th day following the day on which such notice of the
date of the special meeting was first mailed to Mariners
stockholders or public disclosure of the date of the special
meeting was first made, whichever first occurs. With respect to
other business to be brought before a meeting of stockholders,
to be timely, a stockholders notice must be delivered to
or mailed and received at our principal executive offices not
less than 120 days prior to the anniversary date of the
proxy statement for the immediately preceding annual meeting of
the stockholders. Our bylaws also specify requirements as to the
form and content of a stockholders notice. These
provisions may preclude stockholders from bringing matters
before an annual meeting of stockholders or from making
nominations for directors at an annual meeting of stockholders
or may discourage or defer a potential acquirer from conducting
a solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors or
otherwise attempting to obtain control of us.
The Delaware General Corporation Law provides that stockholders
are not entitled to the right to cumulate votes in the election
of directors unless our certificate of incorporation provides
otherwise. Under cumulative voting, a majority stockholder
holding a sufficient percentage of a class of shares may be able
to ensure the election of one or more directors. Our certificate
of incorporation expressly precludes cumulative voting.
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Authorized but Unissued Shares |
Our certificate of incorporation provides that the authorized
but unissued shares of preferred stock are available for future
issuance without stockholder approval and does not preclude the
future issuance without stockholder approval of the authorized
but unissued shares of our common stock. These additional shares
may be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including
future public offerings to raise additional capital, corporate
acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of
authorized but unissued shares of common stock and preferred
stock could make it more difficult or discourage an attempt to
obtain control of Mariner by means of a proxy contest, tender
offer, merger or otherwise.
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Delaware Business Opportunity Statute |
As permitted by Section 122(17) of the Delaware General
Corporation Law, our certificate of incorporation provides that
Mariner renounces any interest or expectancy in any business
opportunity or transaction in which any of our original
institutional investors or their affiliates participate or seek
to participate. Nothing contained in our certificate of
incorporation, however, is intended to change any obligation or
duty that a director may have with respect to confidential
information of Mariner or prohibit Mariner from pursuing any
corporate opportunity.
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Amendments to our Certificate of Incorporation and
Bylaws |
Pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law and our
certificate of incorporation, certain anti-takeover provisions
of our certificate of incorporation may not be repealed or
amended, in whole or in part, without the approval of at least
80% of the outstanding stock entitled to vote.
181
Our certificate of incorporation permits our board of directors
to adopt, amend and repeal our bylaws. Our certificate of
incorporation also provides that our bylaws can be amended by
the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the
voting power of the outstanding shares of our common stock.
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|
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Delaware Anti-Takeover Statute |
We are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law, an anti-takeover law. In general, this section
prevents certain Delaware companies under certain circumstances,
from engaging in a business combination with
(1) a stockholder who owns 15% or more of our outstanding
voting stock (otherwise known as an interested
stockholder); (2) an affiliate of an interested
stockholder; or (3) an associate of an interested
stockholder, for three years following the date that the
stockholder became an interested stockholder. A
business combination includes a merger or sale of
10% or more of our assets.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
Our transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is The
Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.
182
COMPARISON OF STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS
Mariner is a Delaware corporation subject to the provisions of
the Delaware General Corporation Law, which we refer to as
Delaware law. Forest is a New York corporation subject to the
provisions of the New York Business Corporation Law, which we
refer to as New York law. Forest shareholders, whose rights are
currently governed by Forests restated certificate of
incorporation, as amended, Forests by-laws, as amended,
and New York law, will, if the merger is completed, also become
stockholders of Mariner and their rights will be governed by
Mariners amended and restated certificate of
incorporation, Mariners amended and restated by-laws and
Delaware law. Please see The Spin-Off and
Merger Certificate of Incorporation and
By-laws for a discussion of the proposed amendment to
Mariners certificate of incorporation that will be
effected in conjunction with the completion of the merger.
The following table summarizes the material differences that may
affect the rights of stockholders of Mariner and shareholders of
Forest but does not purport to be a complete statement of all
those differences, or a complete description of the specific
provisions referred to in this summary. The identification of
specific differences is not intended to indicate that other
equally or more significant differences do not exist.
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|
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MARINER |
|
FOREST |
Voting |
|
One vote for each share of common stock held of record on all
matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders. No cumulative
voting is permitted. If a quorum is present, the affirmative
vote of a majority of those present constitutes action of the
stockholders, except when a greater or lesser vote is required
by law, the certificate of incorporation or by-laws. However,
the affirmative vote of a plurality of those stockholders
present, when a quorum is present, is used to elect directors. |
|
One vote for each share of common stock held of record on all
matters submitted to a vote of the shareholders. No cumulative
voting is permitted. If a quorum is present the affirmative vote
of the holders of a majority of those present constitutes action
of the shareholders, except when a greater or lesser vote is
required by law, the certificate of incorporation or the by-laws. |
Stockholder Action by Written Consent |
|
Any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders
must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of
stockholders and may not be effected by any consent in writing
by the stockholders. |
|
Any action required or permitted to be taken by the shareholders
may be taken without a meeting on unanimous written consent. |
Quorum |
|
The holders of a majority of the stock issued and outstanding
and entitled to vote, either present in person or represented by
proxy, will constitute a quorum at all meetings of stockholders. |
|
The holders of a majority of the stock issued and outstanding
and entitled to vote, either present in person or represented by
proxy, will constitute a quorum at all meetings of shareholders. |
Notice of Stockholder Meetings |
|
Written notice of the place, date and hour of all meetings must
be given to each stockholder entitled to vote not less than 10
nor more than 60 days before the meeting. In the case of a
special meeting, notice of the purpose or purposes for which the
special meeting has been called must also be provided. Notice
may be delivered personally or by mail. |
|
Written notice of the place, date and hour of all meetings must
be given to each shareholder entitled to vote thereat
personally, by electronic transmission or by mail, not less than
10 nor more than 60 days before the meeting. In the case of a
special meeting, notice must include the purposes for which the
meeting has been called and the identity of the person or the
persons calling the meeting. |
183
|
|
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MARINER |
|
FOREST |
Special Stockholder Meetings |
|
Special meetings of stockholders may be called at any time only
by the board of directors acting pursuant to a resolution
adopted by the board. |
|
Special meetings of shareholders may be called by the board of
directors, the chairman of the board, the chief executive
officer, or, in special circumstances prescribed by New York
law, by at least ten percent of the shareholders entitled to
vote in the election of a director (meeting may only be called
for the election of directors). |
Amendments to Charter |
|
The approval of at least 80% of the outstanding stock entitled
to vote in the election of directors is required to amend or
repeal, among other things, articles relating to the
classification, election and removal of directors, the amendment
of the by-laws, the inability of stockholders to act by written
consent, provisions governing how to fill vacancies in
directorships, restrictions on business combinations with
interested stockholders, the liability of directors,
indemnification provisions, provisions related to corporate
opportunities, the issuance of rights and the 80% supermajority
voting requirement. |
|
The vote of at least two-thirds of all outstanding shares
entitled to vote on the following issues is required (i) to
adopt, amend or repeal any provision of the by-laws or the
certificate of incorporation relating to the number,
classification and terms of office of directors, the removal of
directors without cause and the power of the board of directors
to adopt, amend or repeal the by-laws or the vote of the board
of directors required for any such adoption, amendment or repeal
and (ii) any amendment or repeal of the two-thirds supermajority
voting requirement. |
Amendments to By-laws |
|
The by-laws may be adopted, amended or repealed by the board of
directors or by the affirmative vote of holders of at least 80%
of the voting power of the outstanding shares of common stock. |
|
The board of directors may amend, repeal or adopt by-laws at any
regular or special meeting of the board of directors. Please see
Amendments to Charter above for information related
to the shareholders rights to amend, repeal or adopt
by-laws. |
Rights Agreement |
|
Mariner does not have a stockholder rights plan. |
|
Each shareholder has a preferred share purchase right which can
be exercised only if a person or group acquires 20% or more of
Forests common stock or announces a tender offer that
would result in ownership by a person or group of 20% or more of
the common stock. |
184
|
|
|
MARINER |
|
FOREST |
Board of Directors |
Number |
|
Five members currently; must always be at least three directors;
number of directors may be changed from time to time by a
resolution of the board of directors.
Under the terms of the merger agreement, the board of directors
of Mariner after the completion of the merger will be composed
initially of seven directors, five of whom will be current
directors of Mariner and two of whom will be mutually agreed
upon by Mariner and Forest prior to the completion of the merger. |
|
Eight currently; must always be at least six directors but no
more than 15; number of directors may be changed from time to
time by a resolution of the board of directors. |
Election and Classification |
|
The board of directors is divided into three classes of
directors, with the classes to be as nearly equal in number as
possible. One-third of the directors are elected each year to
hold office until the third succeeding annual meeting of
stockholders and until their respective successors are duly
elected and qualified. |
|
The board of directors is divided into three classes of
directors as established by action of the shareholders or of the
board of directors. At each annual meeting of shareholders,
directors to replace those whose terms expire at such annual
meeting are elected to hold office until the third succeeding
annual meeting. |
Removal |
|
A director may only be removed for cause by at least 80% of
stockholders entitled to vote at an election of directors. |
|
Directors may be removed for cause by a majority vote of all
directors then in office. A director may be removed without
cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of
all the outstanding shares entitled to vote at a meeting of
shareholders called for the purpose of removing such director. |
Vacancies |
|
Vacancies and newly created directorships may be filled by the
affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office. |
|
Vacancies occurring in the board of directors are filled in the
following manner: (i) if the vacancy is caused by the removal of
the director without cause, it will be filled by an election at
a special meeting of shareholders or at any annual meeting, (ii)
if the vacancy is caused in any other way, or if new
directorships are created, all of the directors then in office,
although less than a quorum, may, by majority vote, fill each
vacant or newly created directorship; or (iii) if the entire
board resigns or become unable to act, any shareholder may call
a special meeting and directors may be elected in the same
manner prescribed for the election of directors at annual
meetings. |
185
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of Mariner Energy, Inc. as
of December 31, 2004 (Post-2004 Merger), December 31,
2003 (Pre-2004 Merger)
and for the period from January 1, 2004 through
March 2, 2004
(Pre-2004 Merger), for
the period from March 3, 2004 through December 31,
2004 (Post-2004
Merger), and for each of the two years in the period ended
December 31, 2003 included in this proxy
statement/prospectus-information
statement, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP,
an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in
their report (which report expresses an unqualified opinion and
includes explanatory paragraphs relating to the adoption in 2003
of SFAS No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement
Obligations and the merger in 2004 of the Mariners
parent) included in this proxy
statement/prospectus-information
statement, and has been so included in reliance upon the report
of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting
and auditing.
The statements of revenues and direct operating expenses of the
Forest Gulf of Mexico operations for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 2004 have been included
herein in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent
registered public accounting firm, appearing elsewhere in this
proxy statement/ prospectus-information statement, and upon the
authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The information included in this proxy
statement/prospectus-information
statement regarding estimated quantities of proved reserves, the
future net revenues from those reserves and their present value
is based, in part, on estimates of the proved reserves and
present values of proved reserves of Mariner as of
December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 and prepared by or derived
from estimates prepared by Ryder Scott Company, L.P.,
independent petroleum engineers. Their report is included in
this offering as Annex F. These estimates are included in
this proxy
statement/prospectus-information
statement in reliance upon the authority of the firm as experts
in these matters.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the shares of Mariner common stock offered
pursuant to this proxy statement/ prospectus-information
statement will be passed upon by Baker Botts L.L.P. It is a
condition to the merger that Mariner and Forest receive opinions
from Baker Botts L.L.P. and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP,
respectively, concerning the federal income tax consequences of
the merger.
186
GLOSSARY OF OIL AND NATURAL GAS TERMS
The following is a description of the meanings of some of the
oil and gas industry terms used in this proxy
statement/prospectus-information statement. The definitions of
proved developed reserves, proved reserves and proved
undeveloped reserves have been abbreviated from the applicable
definitions contained in
Rule 4-10(a)(2-4)
of Regulation S-X.
The entire definitions of those terms can be viewed on the
website at
http://www.sec.gov/divisions/corpfin/forms/regsx.htm#gas.
3-D seismic.
(Three-Dimensional Seismic Data) Geophysical data that depicts
the subsurface strata in three dimensions.
3-D seismic data
typically provides a more detailed and accurate interpretation
of the subsurface strata than two dimensional seismic data.
Appraisal well. A well drilled several spacing locations
away from a producing well to determine the boundaries or extent
of a productive formation and to establish the existence of
additional reserves.
bbl. One stock tank barrel, or 42 U.S. gallons
liquid volume, of crude oil or other liquid hydrocarbons.
Bcf. Billion cubic feet of natural gas.
Bcfe. Billion cubic feet equivalent, determined using the
ratio of six Mcf of natural gas to one bbl of crude oil,
condensate or natural gas liquids.
Block. A block depicted on the Outer Continental Shelf
Leasing and Official Protraction Diagrams issued by the
U.S. Minerals Management Service or a similar depiction on
official protraction or similar diagrams issued by a state
bordering on the Gulf of Mexico.
Btu or British Thermal Unit. The quantity of heat
required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one
degree Fahrenheit.
Completion. The installation of permanent equipment for
the production of oil or natural gas, or in the case of a dry
hole, the reporting of abandonment to the appropriate agency.
Condensate. Liquid hydrocarbons associated with the
production of a primarily natural gas reserve.
Deep shelf well. A well drilled on the outer continental
shelf to subsurface depths greater than 15,000 feet.
Deepwater. Depths greater than 1,300 feet (the
approximate depth of deepwater designation for royalty purposes
by the U.S. Minerals Management Service).
Developed acreage. The number of acres that are allocated
or assignable to productive wells or wells capable of production.
Development well. A well drilled within the proved
boundaries of an oil or natural gas reservoir with the intention
of completing the stratigraphic horizon known to be productive.
Dry hole. A well found to be incapable of producing
hydrocarbons in sufficient quantities such that proceeds from
the sale of such production exceed production expenses and taxes.
Dry hole costs. Costs incurred in drilling a well,
assuming a well is not successful, including plugging and
abandonment costs.
Exploitation. Ordinarily considered to be a form of
development within a known reservoir.
Exploratory well. A well drilled to find and produce oil
or gas reserves not classified as proved, to find a new
reservoir in a field previously found to be productive of oil or
gas in another reservoir or to extend a known reservoir.
Farm-in or farm-out. An agreement under which the owner
of a working interest in an oil or gas lease assigns the working
interest or a portion of the working interest to another party
who desires to drill on the leased acreage. Generally, the
assignee is required to drill one or more wells in order to earn
its interest in the
187
acreage. The assignor usually retains a royalty or reversionary
interest in the lease. The interest received by an assignee is a
farm-in while the interest transferred by the
assignor is a farm-out.
Field. An area consisting of either a single reservoir or
multiple reservoirs, all grouped on or related to the same
individual geological structural feature and/or stratigraphic
condition.
Gross acres or gross wells. The total acres or wells, as
the case may be, in which a working interest is owned.
Infill well. A well drilled between known producing wells
to better exploit the reservoir.
Lease operating expenses. The expenses of lifting oil or
gas from a producing formation to the surface, and the
transportation and marketing thereof, constituting part of the
current operating expenses of a working interest, and also
including labor, superintendence, supplies, repairs, short-lived
assets, maintenance, allocated overhead costs, ad valorem taxes
and other expenses incidental to production, but not including
lease acquisition or drilling or completion expenses.
Mbbls. Thousand barrels of crude oil or other liquid
hydrocarbons.
Mcf. Thousand cubic feet of natural gas.
Mcfe. Thousand cubic feet equivalent, determined using
the ratio of six Mcf of natural gas to one bbl of crude oil,
condensate or natural gas liquids.
MMBls. Million barrels of crude oil or other liquid
hydrocarbons.
MMBtu. Million British Thermal Units.
MMcf. Million cubic feet of natural gas.
MMcfe. Million cubic feet equivalent, determined using
the ratio of six Mcf of natural gas to one bbl of crude oil,
condensate or natural gas liquids.
Net acres or net wells. The sum of the fractional working
interests owned in gross acres or wells, as the case may be.
Net revenue interest. An interest in all oil and natural
gas produced and saved from, or attributable to, a particular
property, net of all royalties, overriding royalties, net
profits interests, carried interests, reversionary interests and
any other burdens to which the persons interest is subject.
Payout. Generally refers to the recovery by the incurring
party to an agreement of its costs of drilling, completing,
equipping and operating a well before another partys
participation in the benefits of the well commences or is
increased to a new level.
PV10 or present value of estimated future net revenues.
An estimate of the present value of the estimated future net
revenues from proved oil and gas reserves at a date indicated
after deducting estimated production and ad valorem taxes,
future capital costs and operating expenses, but before
deducting any estimates of federal income taxes. The estimated
future net revenues are discounted at an annual rate of 10%, in
accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commissions
practice, to determine their present value. The
present value is shown to indicate the effect of time on the
value of the revenue stream and should not be construed as being
the fair market value of the properties. Estimates of future net
revenues are made using oil and natural gas prices and operating
costs at the date indicated and held constant for the life of
the reserves.
Productive well. A well that is found to be capable of
producing hydrocarbons in sufficient quantities such that
proceeds from the sale of such production exceed production
expenses and taxes.
Prospect. A specific geographic area which, based on
supporting geological, geophysical or other data and also
preliminary economic analysis using reasonably anticipated
prices and costs, is deemed to have potential for the discovery
of commercial hydrocarbons.
Proved developed non-producing reserves. Proved developed
reserves expected to be recovered from zones behind casing in
existing wells.
188
Proved developed producing reserves. Proved developed
reserves that are expected to be recovered from completion
intervals currently open in existing wells and capable of
production to market.
Proved developed reserves. Proved reserves that can be
expected to be recovered from existing wells with existing
equipment and operating methods. This definition of proved
developed reserves has been abbreviated from the applicable
definitions contained in Rule 4-10(a)(2-4) of
Regulation S-X.
The entire definition of this term can be viewed on the website
at
http://www.sec.gov/divisions/corpfin/forms/regsx.htm#gas.
Proved reserves. The estimated quantities of crude oil,
natural gas and natural gas liquids that geological and
engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be
recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing
economic and operating conditions. This definition of proved
reserves has been abbreviated from the applicable definitions
contained in Rule 4-10(a)(2-4) of
Regulation S-X.
The entire definition of this term can be viewed on the website
at
http://www.sec.gov/divisions/corpfin/forms/regsx.htm#gas.
Proved undeveloped reserves. Proved reserves that are
expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage or
from existing wells where a relatively major expenditure is
required for recompletion. This definition of proved undeveloped
reserves has been abbreviated from the applicable definitions
contained in Rule 4-10(a)(2-4) of
Regulation S-X.
The entire definition of this term can be viewed on the website
at
http://www.sec.gov/divisions/corpfin/forms/regsx.htm#gas.
Reservoir. A porous and permeable underground formation
containing a natural accumulation of producible oil and/or gas
that is confined by impermeable rock or water barriers and is
individual and separate from other reservoirs.
Shelf. Areas in the Gulf of Mexico with depths less than
1,300 feet. Our shelf area and operations also includes a
small amount of properties and operations in the onshore and bay
areas of the Gulf Coast.
Subsea tieback. A method of completing a productive well
by connecting its wellhead equipment located on the sea floor by
means of control umbilical and flow lines to an existing
production platform located in the vicinity.
Subsea trees. Wellhead equipment installed on the ocean
floor.
Undeveloped acreage. Lease acreage on which wells have
not been drilled or completed to a point that would permit the
production of commercial quantities of oil or gas regardless of
whether or not such acreage contains proved reserves.
Working interest. The operating interest that gives the
owner the right to drill, produce and conduct operating
activities on the property and receive a share of production.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION; INCORPORATION BY
REFERENCE
Forest files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy
statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and
copy this information at the SECs Public Reference Room at
100 F Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549. Please call the
SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330
for further information about its public reference facilities.
The SEC also maintains a public Internet web site that contains
reports, proxy and registration statements and other information
about issuers, like Forest, who file electronically with the
SEC. The address of that site is http://www.sec.gov.
You may also obtain information about Mariner and Forest at
http://www.mariner-energy.com and http://www.forestoil.com,
respectively. The information contained on these websites does
not form a part of this proxy statement/ prospectus-information
statement.
You can also inspect reports, proxy and registration statements
and other information about Forest at the offices of the New
York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York,
10005.
189
Certain documents, including the merger agreement discussed
herein, are incorporated by reference to this proxy
statement/prospectus-information statement. These documents are
available, without charge, excluding all exhibits unless the
exhibit has been specifically incorporated by reference in this
proxy statement/prospectus-information statement. You can obtain
copies of the documents relating to Mariner by contacting
Mariner at:
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Mariner Energy, Inc. |
|
Attention: Investor Relations |
|
One BriarLake Plaza, Suite 2000
2000 West Sam Houston Parkway South
Houston, Texas 77042
Facsimile:
(713) 954-5555
Telephone: (713) 954-5500
|
|
|
or by contacting Forest at: |
|
|
Forest Oil Corporation
Attention: Investor Relations
707 17th Street, Suite 3600
Denver, Colorado 80202
Facsimile: (303) 812-1510
Telephone: (303) 812-1400 |
Mariner has filed a registration statement on
Form S-4 under the
Securities Act to register with the SEC the shares of Mariner
common stock to be issued pursuant to the merger agreement. This
proxy statement/prospectus-information statement is a part of
that registration statement. As allowed by SEC rules, this proxy
statement/prospectus-information statement does not contain all
the information you can find in the registration statement or
the exhibits to the registration statement. You may obtain
copies of the
Form S-4 (and any
amendments to those documents) by following the instructions
above.
You should rely only on the information contained in this
proxy statement/prospectus-information statement to vote on the
adoption of the merger agreement. Neither Mariner, Forest Energy
Resources nor Forest has authorized anyone to provide you with
information that is different from what is contained in this
proxy statement/prospectus-information statement. This proxy
statement/prospectus-information statement is dated as of the
date set forth on the cover page. You should not assume that the
information contained in this proxy
statement/prospectus-information statement is accurate as of any
date other that this date and neither the mailing of this proxy
statement/prospectus-information statement to stockholders nor
the delivery of shares of Mariner common stock pursuant to the
merger shall create any implications to the contrary.
190
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
MARINER ENERGY, INC.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-2 |
|
|
|
|
|
F-3 |
|
|
|
|
|
F-4 |
|
|
|
|
|
F-5 |
|
|
|
|
|
F-7 |
|
|
|
|
|
F-8 |
|
FOREST GULF OF MEXICO OPERATIONS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-35 |
|
|
|
|
|
F-36 |
|
|
|
|
|
F-37 |
|
F-1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Board of Directors and Stockholder
Mariner Energy, Inc.
Houston, Texas
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Mariner
Energy, Inc. (the Company) as of December 31,
2004 (Post-merger) and December 31, 2003 (Pre-merger) and
the related statements of operations, stockholders equity
and comprehensive income and cash flows for the period from
January 1, 2004 through March 2, 2004 (Pre-merger),
for the period from March 3, 2004 through December 31,
2004 (Post merger), and for each of the two years in the period
ended December 31, 2003 (Pre-merger). These financial
statements are the responsibility of the Companys
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those
standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are
free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to
have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal
control over financial reporting. Our audits included
consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a
basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the
circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion
on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over
financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An
audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating
the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that
our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such financial statements present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of Mariner Energy,
Inc. as of December 31, 2004 (Post-merger) and
December 31, 2003 (Pre-merger), and the results of its
operations and cash flows for the period from January 1,
2004 through March 2, 2004 (Pre-merger), for the period
from March 3, 2004 through December 31, 2004
(Post-merger), and for each of the two years in the period ended
December 31, 2003 (Pre-merger) in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America.
The Company changed its method of accounting for asset
retirement obligations in 2003. This change is discussed in
Note 1 to the financial statements.
As described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial
statements, on March 2, 2004, Mariner Energy LLC, the
Companys parent company, merged with an affiliate of the
private equity funds Carlyle/ Riverstone Global Energy and Power
Fund II, L.P. and ACON Investments LLC.
|
|
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/s/ DELOITTE &
TOUCHE LLP
|
Houston, Texas
May 11, 2005
F-2
MARINER ENERGY, INC.
BALANCE SHEETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post-Merger | |
|
|
Pre-Merger | |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
September 30, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
(Unaudited) | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands except | |
|
|
|
|
share data) | |
Current Assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
4,564 |
|
|
$ |
2,541 |
|
|
|
$ |
60,174 |
|
|
Restricted cash
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
621 |
|
|
Receivables
|
|
|
50,259 |
|
|
|
52,734 |
|
|
|
|
33,272 |
|
|
Deferred tax asset
|
|
|
30,480 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prepaid expenses and other
|
|
|
18,732 |
|
|
|
10,471 |
|
|
|
|
9,014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets
|
|
|
104,035 |
|
|
|
65,746 |
|
|
|
|
103,081 |
|
Property and Equipment:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil and gas properties, full cost method:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proved
|
|
|
446,868 |
|
|
|
319,553 |
|
|
|
|
599,762 |
|
|
|
Unproved, not subject to amortization
|
|
|
31,126 |
|
|
|
36,245 |
|
|
|
|
36,619 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
477,994 |
|
|
|
355,798 |
|
|
|
|
636,381 |
|
|
Other property and equipment
|
|
|
10,074 |
|
|
|
960 |
|
|
|
|
5,651 |
|
|
Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization
|
|
|
(94,810 |
) |
|
|
(52,985 |
) |
|
|
|
(434,160 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total property and equipment, net
|
|
|
393,258 |
|
|
|
303,773 |
|
|
|
|
207,872 |
|
Deferred Tax Asset
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,029 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Assets, Net of Amortization
|
|
|
4,916 |
|
|
|
3,471 |
|
|
|
|
1,151 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL ASSETS
|
|
$ |
502,209 |
|
|
$ |
376,019 |
|
|
|
$ |
312,104 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY |
Current Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable
|
|
$ |
14,573 |
|
|
$ |
2,526 |
|
|
|
$ |
28,640 |
|
|
Accrued liabilities
|
|
|
88,993 |
|
|
|
81,831 |
|
|
|
|
35,486 |
|
|
Accrued interest
|
|
|
141 |
|
|
|
79 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Derivative liability
|
|
|
76,902 |
|
|
|
16,976 |
|
|
|
|
2,464 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
|
180,609 |
|
|
|
101,412 |
|
|
|
|
66,590 |
|
Long-Term Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Abandonment liability
|
|
|
26,314 |
|
|
|
19,268 |
|
|
|
|
15,027 |
|
|
Taxes payable to parent company
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,664 |
|
|
Deferred income tax
|
|
|
6,468 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,769 |
|
|
Derivative liability
|
|
|
28,221 |
|
|
|
5,432 |
|
|
|
|
1,897 |
|
|
Bank debt
|
|
|
75,000 |
|
|
|
105,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note payable
|
|
|
4,000 |
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other long-term liabilities
|
|
|
3,000 |
|
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total long-term liabilities
|
|
|
143,003 |
|
|
|
140,700 |
|
|
|
|
27,357 |
|
Stockholders Equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock, $.0001 par value; 70,000,000 shares
authorized, issued and outstanding, 35,615,400, 29,748,130 and
29,748,130 shares at September 30, 2005,
December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
Additional paid-in-capital
|
|
|
171,667 |
|
|
|
91,917 |
|
|
|
|
227,318 |
|
|
Unearned compensation
|
|
|
(14,548 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)
|
|
|
(67,708 |
) |
|
|
(11,630 |
) |
|
|
|
(4,360 |
) |
|
Accumulated retained earnings (deficit)
|
|
|
89,182 |
|
|
|
53,619 |
|
|
|
|
(4,802 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
|
178,597 |
|
|
|
133,907 |
|
|
|
|
218,157 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
|
|
$ |
502,209 |
|
|
$ |
376,019 |
|
|
|
$ |
312,104 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial
statements
F-3
MARINER ENERGY, INC.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post-Merger | |
|
|
Pre-Merger | |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Period from | |
|
Period from | |
|
|
Period from | |
|
|
|
|
Nine Months | |
|
March 3, 2004 | |
|
March 3, 2004 | |
|
|
January 1, 2004 | |
|
|
|
|
Ended | |
|
through | |
|
through | |
|
|
through | |
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
September 30, | |
|
September 30, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
March 2, | |
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Unaudited) | |
|
(Unaudited) | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands except per share data) | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil sales
|
|
$ |
53,579 |
|
|
$ |
44,576 |
|
|
$ |
63,498 |
|
|
|
$ |
12,709 |
|
|
$ |
37,992 |
|
|
$ |
38,792 |
|
|
Gas sales
|
|
|
94,913 |
|
|
|
77,950 |
|
|
|
110,925 |
|
|
|
|
27,055 |
|
|
|
104,551 |
|
|
|
119,436 |
|
|
Other revenues
|
|
|
2,753 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
151,245 |
|
|
|
122,526 |
|
|
|
174,423 |
|
|
|
|
39,764 |
|
|
|
142,543 |
|
|
|
158,228 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs and Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lease operating expense
|
|
|
20,170 |
|
|
|
15,073 |
|
|
|
21,363 |
|
|
|
|
4,121 |
|
|
|
24,719 |
|
|
|
26,076 |
|
|
Transportation expense
|
|
|
1,697 |
|
|
|
3,744 |
|
|
|
1,959 |
|
|
|
|
1,070 |
|
|
|
6,252 |
|
|
|
10,480 |
|
|
General and administrative expense
|
|
|
26,726 |
|
|
|
6,174 |
|
|
|
7,641 |
|
|
|
|
1,131 |
|
|
|
8,098 |
|
|
|
7,716 |
|
|
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
|
|
|
43,457 |
|
|
|
37,464 |
|
|
|
54,281 |
|
|
|
|
10,630 |
|
|
|
48,339 |
|
|
|
70,821 |
|
|
Derivative settlements
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,222 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Impairment of Enron-related receivables
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,234 |
|
|
Impairment of production equipment held for use
|
|
|
498 |
|
|
|
957 |
|
|
|
957 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total costs and expenses
|
|
|
92,548 |
|
|
|
63,412 |
|
|
|
86,201 |
|
|
|
|
16,952 |
|
|
|
90,630 |
|
|
|
118,327 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OPERATING INCOME
|
|
|
58,697 |
|
|
|
59,114 |
|
|
|
88,222 |
|
|
|
|
22,812 |
|
|
|
51,913 |
|
|
|
39,901 |
|
Interest:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
|
|
|
696 |
|
|
|
168 |
|
|
|
225 |
|
|
|
|
91 |
|
|
|
756 |
|
|
|
390 |
|
|
Expense, net of amounts capitalized
|
|
|
(5,416 |
) |
|
|
(4,381 |
) |
|
|
(6,045 |
) |
|
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
(6,981 |
) |
|
|
(10,298 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before taxes
|
|
|
53,977 |
|
|
|
54,901 |
|
|
|
82,402 |
|
|
|
|
22,898 |
|
|
|
45,688 |
|
|
|
29,993 |
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
|
(18,414 |
) |
|
|
(19,221 |
) |
|
|
(28,783 |
) |
|
|
|
(8,072 |
) |
|
|
(9,387 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting
method, net of tax effects
|
|
|
35,563 |
|
|
|
35,680 |
|
|
|
53,619 |
|
|
|
|
14,826 |
|
|
|
36,301 |
|
|
|
29,993 |
|
Cumulative effect of change in accounting method, net of tax
effects
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,943 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET INCOME
|
|
$ |
35,563 |
|
|
|
35,680 |
|
|
$ |
53,619 |
|
|
|
$ |
14,826 |
|
|
$ |
38,244 |
|
|
$ |
29,993 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income per share basic
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting
method, net of tax effects
|
|
$ |
1.10 |
|
|
$ |
1.20 |
|
|
$ |
1.80 |
|
|
|
$ |
.50 |
|
|
$ |
1.22 |
|
|
$ |
1.01 |
|
|
Cumulative effect of change in accounting method, net of tax
effects
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.07 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income per share basic
|
|
$ |
1.10 |
|
|
$ |
1.20 |
|
|
$ |
1.80 |
|
|
|
$ |
.50 |
|
|
$ |
1.29 |
|
|
$ |
1.01 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income per share diluted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting
method, net of tax effects
|
|
$ |
1.07 |
|
|
$ |
1.20 |
|
|
$ |
1.80 |
|
|
|
$ |
.50 |
|
|
$ |
1.22 |
|
|
$ |
1.01 |
|
|
Cumulative effect of change in accounting method, net of tax
effects
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.07 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income per share diluted
|
|
$ |
1.07 |
|
|
$ |
1.20 |
|
|
$ |
1.80 |
|
|
|
$ |
.50 |
|
|
$ |
1.29 |
|
|
$ |
1.01 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average shares outstanding basic
|
|
|
32,438,240 |
|
|
|
29,748,130 |
|
|
|
29,748,130 |
|
|
|
|
29,748,130 |
|
|
|
29,748,130 |
|
|
|
29,748,130 |
|
Weighted average shares outstanding diluted
|
|
|
33,312,831 |
|
|
|
29,748,130 |
|
|
|
29,748,130 |
|
|
|
|
29,748,130 |
|
|
|
29,748,130 |
|
|
|
29,748,130 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial
statements
F-4
MARINER ENERGY, INC.
STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE
INCOME
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated | |
|
Accumulated | |
|
|
|
|
Common Stock | |
|
Additional | |
|
|
|
Other | |
|
Retained | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
Paid-In | |
|
Unearned | |
|
Comprehensive | |
|
Earnings | |
|
Stockholders | |
|
|
Shares | |
|
Amount | |
|
Capital | |
|
Compensation | |
|
Income (Loss) | |
|
(Deficit) | |
|
Equity | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands) | |
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2001
|
|
|
29,748 |
|
|
$ |
1 |
|
|
$ |
227,318 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
25,803 |
|
|
$ |
(73,039 |
) |
|
$ |
180,083 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29,993 |
|
|
|
29,993 |
|
|
Change in fair value of derivative hedging instruments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(17,105 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(17,105 |
) |
|
Hedge settlements reclassified to income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(22,875 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(22,875 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total comprehensive income (loss)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(9,987 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2002
|
|
|
29,748 |
|
|
$ |
1 |
|
|
$ |
227,318 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(14,177 |
) |
|
$ |
(43,046 |
) |
|
$ |
170,096 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
38,244 |
|
|
|
38,244 |
|
|
Change in fair value of derivative hedging instruments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
39,280 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
39,280 |
|
|
Hedge settlements reclassified to income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(29,463 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(29,463 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total comprehensive income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
48,061 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2003
|
|
|
29,748 |
|
|
$ |
1 |
|
|
$ |
227,318 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(4,360 |
) |
|
$ |
(4,802 |
) |
|
$ |
218,157 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pre-Merger Net Income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,826 |
|
|
|
14,826 |
|
|
Change in fair value of derivative hedging instruments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7,312 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7,312 |
) |
|
Hedge settlements reclassified to income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(745 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(745 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total comprehensive income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,769 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pre-Merger Balance at March 2, 2004
|
|
|
29,748 |
|
|
$ |
1 |
|
|
$ |
227,318 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(12,417 |
) |
|
$ |
10,024 |
|
|
$ |
224,926 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post-Merger
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividend
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(166,432 |
) |
|
|
(166,432 |
) |
|
Merger adjustments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(135,401 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,417 |
|
|
|
156,408 |
|
|
|
33,424 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at March 3, 2004
|
|
|
29,748 |
|
|
$ |
1 |
|
|
$ |
91,917 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
91,918 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
53,619 |
|
|
|
53,619 |
|
|
Change in fair value of derivative hedging
instruments net of income taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(32,171 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(32,171 |
) |
|
Hedge settlements reclassified to income net of
income taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,541 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,541 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total comprehensive income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
41,989 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2004
|
|
|
29,748 |
|
|
$ |
1 |
|
|
$ |
91,917 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(11,630 |
) |
|
$ |
53,619 |
|
|
$ |
133,907 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated | |
|
Accumulated | |
|
|
|
|
Common Stock | |
|
Additional | |
|
|
|
Other | |
|
Retained | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
Paid-In | |
|
Unearned | |
|
Comprehensive | |
|
Earnings | |
|
Stockholders | |
|
|
Shares | |
|
Amount | |
|
Capital | |
|
Compensation | |
|
Income (Loss) | |
|
(Deficit) | |
|
Equity | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands) | |
|
|
|
Common shares issued private equity offering
(unaudited)
|
|
|
3,600 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
44,532 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
44,534 |
|
|
Common shares issued restricted stock (unaudited)
|
|
|
2,267 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
31,741 |
|
|
|
(31,742 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization of unearned compensation net of income
taxes (unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,194 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,194 |
|
|
Stock compensation expense stock options
net of income taxes (unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
420 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
420 |
|
Contributed capital Mariner Energy, LLC and Mariner
Holdings, Inc. (unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,057 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,057 |
|
Comprehensive income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
35,563 |
|
|
|
35,563 |
|
|
Other comprehensive income (loss):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in fair value of derivative hedging
instruments net of income taxes (unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(79,479 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(79,479 |
) |
|
Hedge settlements reclassified to income net of
income taxes (unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23,401 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23,401 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total comprehensive income (loss) (unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(20,515 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at September 30, 2005 (unaudited)
|
|
|
35,615 |
|
|
$ |
4 |
|
|
$ |
171,667 |
|
|
$ |
(14,548 |
) |
|
$ |
(67,708 |
) |
|
$ |
89,182 |
|
|
$ |
178,597 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial
statements
F-6
MARINER ENERGY, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post-Merger | |
|
|
Pre-Merger | |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Period from | |
|
Period from | |
|
|
Period from | |
|
|
|
|
Nine Months | |
|
March 3, 2004 | |
|
March 3, 2004 | |
|
|
January 1, 2004 | |
|
Year Ended | |
|
|
Ended | |
|
through | |
|
through | |
|
|
through | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
September 30, | |
|
September 30, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
March 2, | |
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Unaudited) | |
|
(Unaudited) | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands) | |
Operating Activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$ |
35,563 |
|
|
$ |
35,680 |
|
|
$ |
53,619 |
|
|
|
$ |
14,826 |
|
|
$ |
38,244 |
|
|
$ |
29,993 |
|
|
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by
operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred income tax
|
|
|
15,862 |
|
|
|
17,601 |
|
|
|
27,162 |
|
|
|
|
8,072 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
|
|
|
44,321 |
|
|
|
37,964 |
|
|
|
55,067 |
|
|
|
|
10,630 |
|
|
|
48,414 |
|
|
|
70,588 |
|
|
Stock compensation expense
|
|
|
17,614 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hedge activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,030 |
) |
|
|
(23,200 |
) |
|
Impairment of Enron-related receivables
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,234 |
|
|
Impairment of production equipment held for use
|
|
|
498 |
|
|
|
957 |
|
|
|
957 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss on sale of fixed assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
69 |
|
|
Cumulative effect of changes in accounting method
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,988 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Receivables
|
|
|
2,476 |
|
|
|
7,707 |
|
|
|
(10,615 |
) |
|
|
|
(8,847 |
) |
|
|
(3,599 |
) |
|
|
4,449 |
|
|
|
Prepaid expenses and other
|
|
|
418 |
|
|
|
2,100 |
|
|
|
(965 |
) |
|
|
|
551 |
|
|
|
(2,257 |
) |
|
|
3,249 |
|
|
|
Other assets
|
|
|
(629 |
) |
|
|
(636 |
) |
|
|
321 |
|
|
|
|
(963 |
) |
|
|
1,485 |
|
|
|
344 |
|
|
|
Restricted cash
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7,800 |
) |
|
|
620 |
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
14,574 |
|
|
|
(15,195 |
) |
|
|
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
|
|
|
19,251 |
|
|
|
3,261 |
|
|
|
9,697 |
|
|
|
|
(3,974 |
) |
|
|
1,208 |
|
|
|
(13,256 |
) |
|
|
Taxes payable to parent company and deferred income tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,432 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities
|
|
|
135,374 |
|
|
|
96,834 |
|
|
|
135,863 |
|
|
|
|
20,296 |
|
|
|
103,483 |
|
|
|
60,275 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investing Activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additions to oil and gas properties
|
|
|
(132,988 |
) |
|
|
(85,699 |
) |
|
|
(133,425 |
) |
|
|
|
(15,264 |
) |
|
|
(83,228 |
) |
|
|
(105,360 |
) |
|
Proceeds from property conveyances
|
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
121,625 |
|
|
|
52,329 |
|
|
Additions to other property and equipment
|
|
|
(9,114 |
) |
|
|
(169 |
) |
|
|
(172 |
) |
|
|
|
(78 |
) |
|
|
(50 |
) |
|
|
(738 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
|
|
|
(142,084 |
) |
|
|
(85,868 |
) |
|
|
(133,597 |
) |
|
|
|
(15,342 |
) |
|
|
38,347 |
|
|
|
(53,769 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financing Activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Initial borrowings from revolving credit facility, net of fees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
131,579 |
|
|
|
131,579 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Repayment of subordinated notes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(100,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
Repayment of term note
|
|
|
(6,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Credit facility borrowings (repayments), net
|
|
|
(30,000 |
) |
|
|
(40,000 |
) |
|
|
(30,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from private equity offering
|
|
|
44,534 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred offering costs
|
|
|
(2,680 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital contribution from affiliates
|
|
|
2,879 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividend to Mariner Energy LLC
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(166,431 |
) |
|
|
(166,432 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
|
|
|
8,733 |
|
|
|
(74,852 |
) |
|
|
(64,853 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(100,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents
|
|
|
2,023 |
|
|
|
(63,886 |
) |
|
|
(62,587 |
) |
|
|
|
4,954 |
|
|
|
41,830 |
|
|
|
6,506 |
|
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period
|
|
|
2,541 |
|
|
|
65,128 |
|
|
|
65,128 |
|
|
|
|
60,174 |
|
|
|
18,344 |
|
|
|
11,838 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period
|
|
$ |
4,564 |
|
|
$ |
1,242 |
|
|
$ |
2,541 |
|
|
|
$ |
65,128 |
|
|
$ |
60,174 |
|
|
$ |
18,344 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial
statements
F-7
MARINER ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Nine Month Period Ended September 30, 2005
(Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through September 30,
2004 (Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through
December 31, 2004
(Post-Merger),
for the Period from January 1, 2004 through
March 2, 2004
(Pre-Merger),
and For the Years Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002
|
|
1. |
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies |
Operations Mariner Energy, Inc. (the
Company) is an independent oil and gas exploration,
development and production company with principal operations in
the Gulf of Mexico, both shelf and deepwater, and the Permian
Basin in West Texas.
Unaudited Interim Financial Statements The
accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements as of
September 30, 2005 and for the nine months ended
September 30, 2005 and the period from March 3, 2004
through September 30, 2004 have been prepared in accordance
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States for interim financial information and with
Article 10 of
Regulation S-X.
Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and
footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted
in the United States for complete financial statements. In the
opinion of management, all material adjustments (consisting only
of normal and recurring adjustments) necessary to present a fair
statement of our financial position and results of operations
for the interim periods included herein have been made, and the
disclosures contained herein are adequate to make the
information presented not misleading. Quarterly results are not
necessarily indicative of expected annual results because of the
impact of commodity price fluctuations and other factors.
Organization On March 2, 2004, Mariner
Energy LLC, the parent company of Mariner Energy, Inc. (the
Company), merged with a subsidiary of MEI
Acquisitions Holdings, LLC, an affiliate of the private equity
funds Carlyle/ Riverstone Global Energy and Power Fund II,
L.P. and ACON Investments LLC (the Merger) (See
Note 2). Prior to the Merger, Joint Energy Development
Investments Limited Partnership (JEDI), which is an
indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Enron Corp.
(Enron), owned approximately 96% of the common stock
of Mariner Energy LLC (see Note 3). In the Merger, all the
shares of common stock in Mariner Energy LLC were converted into
the right to receive cash and certain other consideration. As a
result, JEDI no longer owns any interest in Mariner Energy LLC,
and the Company is no longer affiliated with JEDI or Enron.
Simultaneously with the Merger, the Company obtained a revolving
line of credit with initial advances of $135 million from a
group of banks. The loan proceeds and an additional
$31.2 million of Company funds distributed to Mariner
Energy LLC were used to pay a portion of the gross Merger
consideration (which included repayment of $197.6 million
of Mariner Energy LLC debt outstanding at the time of the
Merger) and estimated transaction costs and expenses associated
with the Merger and bank financing. The Company also issued a
$10 million note and assigned a fully reserved receivable
valued at $1.9 million to Joint Energy Development
Investments Limited Partnership (JEDI), an Enron
Corp. affiliate and the majority owner of Mariner Energy LLC
prior to the Merger, as part of JEDIs Merger
consideration. In addition, pursuant to the Merger agreement,
JEDI agreed to indemnify the Company from certain liabilities
and the Company agreed to pay additional Merger consideration
contingent upon the outcome of a certain five well drilling
program that was completed in the second quarter of 2004. In
September 2004, the Company paid approximately $161,000 as
additional Merger consideration related to the five well
drilling program, and the Company believes it has fully
discharged its obligations thereunder.
F-8
MARINER ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the Nine Month Period Ended September 30, 2005
(Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through September 30,
2004 (Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through
December 31, 2004
(Post-Merger),
for the Period from January 1, 2004 through
March 2, 2004
(Pre-Merger),
and For the Years Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002
The sources and uses of funds related to the Merger were as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mariner Energy, Inc. bank loan proceeds
|
|
$ |
135.0 |
|
Note payable issued by Mariner Energy, Inc. to former parent
|
|
|
10.0 |
|
Equity from new owners
|
|
|
100.0 |
|
Distributions from Mariner Energy, Inc.
|
|
|
31.2 |
|
Assignment by Mariner Energy, Inc. of receivables
|
|
|
1.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
278.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Repayment of former parent debt obligation
|
|
$ |
197.6 |
|
Merger consideration to stockholders and warrant holders
|
|
|
73.5 |
|
Acquisition costs and other expenses
|
|
|
7.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
278.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
As a result of the change in control, accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States requires the Merger and
the resulting acquisition of Mariner Energy LLC by MEI
Acquisitions Holdings, LLC to be accounted for as a purchase
transaction in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 141, Business Combinations. Staff
Accounting bulletin No. 54 (SAB 54)
requires the application of push down accounting in
situations where the ownership of an entity has changed, meaning
that the post-transaction financial statements of the Company
reflect the new basis of accounting. Accordingly, the financial
statements as of December 31, 2004 reflect the
Companys fair value basis resulting from the acquisition
that has been pushed down to the Company. The aggregate purchase
price has been allocated to the underlying assets and
liabilities based upon the respective estimated fair values at
March 2, 2004 (date of Merger). The allocation of the
purchase price has been finalized. Carryover basis accounting
applies for tax purposes. All financial information presented
prior to March 2, 2004 represents the basis of accounting
used by the pre-Merger entity. The period January 1, 2004
through March 2, 2004 is referred to as 2004 Pre-Merger and the
period March 3, 2004 through December 31, 2004 is referred to as
2004 Post-Merger.
F-9
MARINER ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the Nine Month Period Ended September 30, 2005
(Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through September 30,
2004 (Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through
December 31, 2004
(Post-Merger),
for the Period from January 1, 2004 through
March 2, 2004
(Pre-Merger),
and For the Years Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002
The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the
assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the March 2,
2004 acquisition:
ALLOCATION OF PURCHASE PRICE TO MARINER ENERGY, INC.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 2, 2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Oil and natural gas properties proved
|
|
$ |
203.5 |
|
Oil and natural gas properties unproved
|
|
|
25.2 |
|
Other property and equipment and other assets
|
|
|
0.7 |
|
Current assets
|
|
|
83.2 |
|
Deferred tax asset(1)
|
|
|
9.1 |
|
Other assets
|
|
|
4.6 |
|
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
|
|
|
(62.2 |
) |
Long-Term Liability
|
|
|
(14.7 |
) |
Fair value of oil and natural gas derivatives
|
|
|
(12.4 |
) |
Debt
|
|
|
(145.0 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
Total Allocation
|
|
$ |
92.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Represents deferred income taxes recorded at the date of the
Merger due to differences between the book basis and the tax
basis of assets. For book purposes, we had a
step-up in basis
related to purchase accounting while our existing tax basis
carried over. |
The following reflects the unaudited pro forma results of
operations as though the Merger had been consummated at
January 1, 2004.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Twelve Months | |
|
|
Ending | |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Revenues and other income
|
|
$ |
214.2 |
|
Income before taxes and change in accounting method
|
|
|
103.0 |
|
Net income
|
|
|
67.0 |
|
On February 10, 2005, in anticipation of the Companys
private placement of 31,452,500 shares of common stock (the
Private Equity Offering), Mariner Holdings, Inc.
(the direct parent of Mariner Energy, Inc.) and Mariner Energy
LLC (the direct parent of Mariner Holdings, Inc.) were merged
into Mariner Energy, Inc. and ceased to exist. The mergers of
Mariner Holdings, Inc. and Mariner Energy LLC into the Company
had no operational or financial impact on the Company; however,
intercompany receivables of $0.2 million and
$2.9 million in cash held by the affiliates were
transferred to the Company in February 2005 and accounted
for as additional
paid-in capital.
Net Income Per Share Basic earnings per share
is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average
number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period.
No dilution for any potentially dilutive securities is included.
Fully diluted earnings per share assumes the conversion of all
potentially dilutive securities and is calculated by dividing
net income by the sum of the weighted average number of shares
of common stock outstanding plus all potentially dilutive
securities.
F-10
MARINER ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the Nine Month Period Ended September 30, 2005
(Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through September 30,
2004 (Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through
December 31, 2004
(Post-Merger),
for the Period from January 1, 2004 through
March 2, 2004
(Pre-Merger),
and For the Years Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post-Merger | |
|
|
Pre-Merger | |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Period from | |
|
Period from | |
|
|
Period from | |
|
|
|
|
Nine Months | |
|
March 3, 2004 | |
|
March 3, 2004 | |
|
|
January 1, 2004 | |
|
Years Ended | |
|
|
Ended | |
|
through | |
|
through | |
|
|
through | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
September 30, | |
|
September 30, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
March 2, | |
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Unaudited) | |
|
(Unaudited) | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Numerator:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting method,
net of tax effects
|
|
$ |
35,563 |
|
|
$ |
35,680 |
|
|
$ |
53,619 |
|
|
|
$ |
14,826 |
|
|
$ |
36,301 |
|
|
$ |
29,993 |
|
Cumulative effect of change in accounting method, net of tax
effects
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,943 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$ |
35,563 |
|
|
$ |
35,680 |
|
|
$ |
53,619 |
|
|
|
$ |
14,826 |
|
|
$ |
38,244 |
|
|
$ |
29,993 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Denominator:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average shares outstanding
|
|
|
32,438 |
|
|
|
29,748 |
|
|
|
29,748 |
|
|
|
|
29,748 |
|
|
|
29,748 |
|
|
|
29,748 |
|
Add dilutive securities: Restricted shares
|
|
|
875 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total weighted average shares outstanding and dilutive securities
|
|
|
33,313 |
|
|
|
29,748 |
|
|
|
29,748 |
|
|
|
|
29,748 |
|
|
|
29,748 |
|
|
|
29,748 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per share basic:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting method,
net of tax effects
|
|
$ |
1.10 |
|
|
$ |
1.20 |
|
|
$ |
1.80 |
|
|
|
$ |
.50 |
|
|
$ |
1.22 |
|
|
$ |
1.01 |
|
Cumulative effect of change in accounting method, net of tax
effects
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.07 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income per share basic
|
|
$ |
1.10 |
|
|
$ |
1.20 |
|
|
$ |
1.80 |
|
|
|
$ |
.50 |
|
|
$ |
1.29 |
|
|
$ |
1.01 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per share diluted:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting method,
net of tax effects
|
|
$ |
1.07 |
|
|
$ |
1.20 |
|
|
$ |
1.80 |
|
|
|
$ |
.50 |
|
|
$ |
1.22 |
|
|
$ |
1.01 |
|
Cumulative effect of change in accounting method, net of tax
effects
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.07 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income per share diluted
|
|
$ |
1.07 |
|
|
$ |
1.20 |
|
|
$ |
1.80 |
|
|
|
$ |
.50 |
|
|
$ |
1.29 |
|
|
$ |
1.01 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effective March 3, 2005, we effected a stock split
increasing our authorized shares from 2,000,000 to 70,000,000
and our outstanding shares from 1,380 to 29,748,130. We also
changed the stated par value of our stock from $1 to
$.0001 per share. The accompanying financial and earnings
per share information has been restated utilizing the post-split
shares. Effective with our merger on March 2, 2004, all
company stock option plans and associated outstanding stock
options were canceled.
For the periods presented prior to 2005, Mariner Energy, Inc.
had no outstanding stock options so the basic and diluted
earnings per share were the same. In March 2005, 2,267,270
restricted stock awards were granted under the Equity
Participation Plan and 787,360 stock options were granted under
the Stock Incentive Plan. During the second and third quarters
of 2005, an additional 21,640 stock options were granted under
the Stock Incentive Plan for a total of 809,000 stock options
outstanding as of September 30, 2005. Outstanding
restricted stock and unexercised stock options diluted earnings
by $0.03 per share for the nine months ended
September 30, 2005.
Cash and Cash Equivalents All short-term,
highly liquid investments that have an original maturity date of
three months or less are considered cash equivalents.
F-11
MARINER ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the Nine Month Period Ended September 30, 2005
(Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through September 30,
2004 (Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through
December 31, 2004
(Post-Merger),
for the Period from January 1, 2004 through
March 2, 2004
(Pre-Merger),
and For the Years Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002
Receivables Substantially all of the
Companys receivables arise from sales of oil or natural
gas, or from reimbursable expenses billed to the other
participants in oil and gas wells for which the Company serves
as operator.
Oil and Gas Properties Oil and gas properties
are accounted for using the full-cost method of accounting. All
direct costs and certain indirect costs associated with the
acquisition, exploration and development of oil and gas
properties are capitalized. Amortization of oil and gas
properties is provided using the
unit-of-production
method based on estimated proved oil and gas reserves. No gains
or losses are recognized upon the sale or disposition of oil and
gas properties unless the sale or disposition represents a
significant quantity of oil and gas reserves, which would have a
significant impact on the depreciation, depletion and
amortization rate. The net carrying value of proved oil and gas
properties is limited to an estimate of the future net revenues
(discounted at 10%) from proved oil and gas reserves based on
period-end prices and costs plus the lower of cost or estimated
fair value of unproved properties.
Under full cost accounting rules, total capitalized costs are
limited to a ceiling equal to the present value of future net
revenues, discounted at 10% per annum, plus the lower of
cost or fair value of unproved properties less income tax
effects (the ceiling limitation). We perform a
quarterly ceiling test to evaluate whether the net book value of
our full cost pool exceeds the ceiling limitation. If
capitalized costs (net of accumulated depreciation, depletion
and amortization) less related deferred taxes are greater than
the discounted future net revenues or ceiling limitation, a
write-down or impairment of the full cost pool is required. A
write-down of the carrying value of the full cost pool is a
non-cash charge that reduces earnings and impacts
stockholders equity in the period of occurrence and
typically results in lower depreciation, depletion and
amortization expense in future periods. Once incurred, a
write-down is not reversible at a later date.
The ceiling test is calculated using natural gas and oil prices
in effect as of the balance sheet date and adjusted for
basis or location differential, held constant over
the life of the reserves. We use derivative financial
instruments that qualify for cash flow hedge accounting under
SFAS 133 to hedge against the volatility of natural gas
prices, and in accordance with SEC guidelines, we include
estimated future cash flows from our hedging program in our
ceiling test calculation. In addition, subsequent to the
adoption of SFAS 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement
Obligations, the future cash outflows associated with
settling asset retirement obligations are not included in the
computation of the discounted present value of future net
revenues for the purposes of the ceiling test calculation.
Unproved Properties The costs associated with
unevaluated properties and properties under development are not
initially included in the full cost amortization base and relate
to unproved leasehold acreage, seismic data, wells and
production facilities in progress and wells pending
determination together with interest costs capitalized for these
projects. Unevaluated leasehold costs are transferred to the
amortization base once determination has been made or upon
expiration of a lease. Geological and geophysical costs,
including 3-D seismic data costs, are included in the full cost
amortization base as incurred when such costs cannot be
associated with specific unevaluated properties for which we own
a direct interest. Seismic data costs are associated with
specific unevaluated properties if the seismic data is acquired
for the purpose of evaluating acreage or trends covered by a
leasehold interest owned by us. We make this determination based
on an analysis of leasehold and seismic maps and discussions
with our Chief Exploration Officer. Geological and geophysical
costs included in unproved properties are transferred to the
full cost amortization base along with the associated leasehold
costs on a specific project basis. Costs associated with wells
in progress and wells pending determination are transferred to
the amortization base once a determination is made whether or not
F-12
MARINER ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the Nine Month Period Ended September 30, 2005
(Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through September 30,
2004 (Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through
December 31, 2004
(Post-Merger),
for the Period from January 1, 2004 through
March 2, 2004
(Pre-Merger),
and For the Years Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002
proved reserves can be assigned to the property. Costs of dry
holes are transferred to the amortization base immediately upon
determination that the well is unsuccessful. All items included
in our unevaluated property balance are assessed on a quarterly
basis for possible impairment or reduction in value. We estimate
these costs will be evaluated within a three-year period.
Other Property and Equipment Depreciation of
other property and equipment is provided on a straight-line
basis over their estimated useful lives, which range from three
to twenty-two years.
Prepaid Expenses and Other Prepaid expenses
and other includes $3.6 million of oil and gas lease and
well equipment held in inventory at December 31, 2004. In
2004 and the nine months ended September 30, 2005, we reduced
the carrying cost of our inventory by $957,000 and $498,000,
respectively, to account for a reduction in the estimated value,
primarily related to subsea trees held in inventory.
Other Assets Other assets as of
September 30, 2005 were primarily comprised of
$1.7 million of amortizable bank fees and $3.0 million
of prepaid seismic costs. Other assets as of December 31,
2004 were primarily comprised of $2.5 million of
amortizable bank fees and various deposits held by third
parties. Other assets as of December 31, 2003 were
primarily comprised of a $977,000 receivable from Mariner Energy
LLC and various deposits held by third parties. Accumulated
amortization as of September 30, 2005, December 31, 2004
and 2003 was $1.8 million, $0.9 million and
$6.6 million, respectively.
Production Costs All costs relating to
production activities, including workover costs incurred to
maintain production, are charged to expense as incurred.
General and Administrative Costs and Expenses
Under the full cost method of accounting, a portion of our
general and administrative expenses that are attributable to our
acquisition, exploration and development activities are
capitalized as part of our full cost pool. These capitalized
costs include salaries, employee benefits, costs of consulting
services and other costs directly identified with acquisition
exploration and development activities. We capitalized general
and administrative costs related to our acquisition, exploration
and development activities, during 2004, 2003 and 2002, of
$6.9 million, $6.6 million and $9.5 million,
respectively.
We receive reimbursement for administrative and overhead
expenses incurred on behalf of other working interest owners on
properties we operate. These reimbursements totaling
$4.4 million, $1.8 million and $2.8 million for
the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002,
respectively, were allocated as reductions to general and
administrative expenses incurred. Generally, we do not receive
any reimbursements or fees in excess of the costs incurred;
however, if we did, we would credit the excess to the full cost
pool to be recognized through lower cost amortization as
production occurs.
Income Taxes The Companys taxable
income is included in a consolidated United States income tax
return with Mariner Energy LLC. The intercompany tax allocation
policy provides that each member of the consolidated group
compute a provision for income taxes on a separate return basis.
The Company records its income taxes using an asset and
liability approach which results in the recognition of deferred
tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax
consequences of temporary differences between the book carrying
amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities. Valuation
allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax
assets to the amount more likely than not to be recovered.
Capitalized Interest Costs The Company
capitalizes interest based on the cost of major development
projects which are excluded from current depreciation,
depletion, and amortization calculations. Capitalized
F-13
MARINER ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the Nine Month Period Ended September 30, 2005
(Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through September 30,
2004 (Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through
December 31, 2004
(Post-Merger),
for the Period from January 1, 2004 through
March 2, 2004
(Pre-Merger),
and For the Years Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002
interest costs were approximately $-0- and $434,000 for 2004
Pre-merger and 2004
Post-merger,
respectively, and $727,000, and $1,022,000 for the years ended
December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.
Accrual for Future Abandonment Costs
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
(SFAS) No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement
Obligations, addresses accounting and reporting for
obligations associated with the retirement of tangible
long-lived assets and the associated asset retirement costs.
SFAS No. 143 was adopted on January 1, 2003.
SFAS No. 143 requires that the fair value of a
liability for an assets retirement obligation be recorded
in the period in which it is incurred and the corresponding cost
capitalized by increasing the carrying amount of the related
long-lived asset. The liability is accreted to its then present
value each period, and the capitalized cost is depreciated over
the useful life of the related asset. If the liability is
settled for an amount other than the recorded amount, a gain or
loss is recognized.
The adoption of SFAS 143 resulted in a January 1, 2003
cumulative effect adjustment to record (i) an
$11.3 million increase in the carrying values of proved
properties, and (ii) a $4.5 million increase in
current abandonment liabilities. The net impact of these items
was to record a pre-tax gain of $3.0 million as a
cumulative effect adjustment of a change in accounting principle
in the Companys statements of operations upon adoption on
January 1, 2003.
The following roll forward is provided as a reconciliation of
the beginning and ending aggregate carrying amounts of the asset
retirement obligation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In millions) | |
Abandonment liability as of January 1, 2003 (Pre-Merger)
|
|
$ |
15.7 |
|
Liabilities incurred
|
|
|
1.8 |
|
Claims settled
|
|
|
(3.9 |
) |
Accretion expense
|
|
|
1.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
Abandonment liability as of December 31, 2003 (Pre-Merger)
|
|
$ |
15.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities Incurred
|
|
|
|
|
Claims Settled
|
|
|
(1.5 |
) |
Accretion Expense
|
|
|
0.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
Abandonment Liability as of March 2, 2004 (Pre-merger)
|
|
$ |
13.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
Abandonment Liability as of March 3, 2004 (Post-merger)
|
|
$ |
13.7 |
|
Liabilities Incurred
|
|
|
11.5 |
|
Claims Settled
|
|
|
(2.7 |
) |
Accretion Expense
|
|
|
1.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
Abandonment Liability as of December 31, 2004
(Post-merger)(1)
|
|
$ |
24.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities Incurred (unaudited)
|
|
|
9.4 |
|
Claims Settled (unaudited)
|
|
|
(1.9 |
) |
Accretion Expense (unaudited)
|
|
|
1.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
Abandonment Liability as of September 30, 2005
(Post-merger) (unaudited)(2)
|
|
$ |
33.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
F-14
MARINER ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the Nine Month Period Ended September 30, 2005
(Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through September 30,
2004 (Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through
December 31, 2004
(Post-Merger),
for the Period from January 1, 2004 through
March 2, 2004
(Pre-Merger),
and For the Years Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002
|
|
(1) |
Includes $4.7 million classified as a current accrued
liability at December 31, 2004. |
|
(2) |
Includes $6.8 million classified as a current accrued
liability at September 30, 2005. |
Hedging Program The Company utilizes
derivative instruments in the form of natural gas and crude oil
price swap agreements and costless collar arrangements in order
to manage price risk associated with future crude oil and
natural gas production and fixed-price crude oil and natural gas
purchase and sale commitments. Such agreements are accounted for
as hedges using the deferral method of accounting. Gains and
losses resulting from these transactions, recorded at market
value, are deferred and recorded in Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income (AOCI) as appropriate, until
recognized as operating income in the Companys Statement
of Operations as the physical production hedged by the contracts
is delivered.
The net cash flows related to any recognized gains or losses
associated with these hedges are reported as oil and gas
revenues and presented in cash flows from operations. If the
hedge is terminated prior to expected maturity, gains or losses
are deferred and included in income in the same period as the
physical production hedged by the contracts is delivered.
The conditions to be met for a derivative instrument to qualify
as a cash flow hedge are the following: (i) the item to be
hedged exposes the Company to price risk; (ii) the
derivative reduces the risk exposure and is designated as a
hedge at the time the derivative contract is entered into; and
(iii) at the inception of the hedge and throughout the
hedge period there is a high correlation of changes in the
market value of the derivative instrument and the fair value of
the underlying item being hedged.
When the designated item associated with a derivative instrument
matures, is sold, extinguished or terminated, derivative gains
or losses are recognized as part of the gain or loss on sale or
settlement of the underlying item. When a derivative instrument
is associated with an anticipated transaction that is no longer
expected to occur or if correlation no longer exists, the gain
or loss on the derivative is recognized in income to the extent
the future results have not been offset by the effects of price
or interest rate changes on the hedged item since the inception
of the hedge.
Revenue Recognition We use the entitlements
method of accounting for the recognition of natural gas and oil
revenues. Under this method of accounting, income is recorded
based on our net revenue interest in production or nominated
deliveries. We incur production gas volume imbalances in the
ordinary course of business. Net deliveries in excess of
entitled amounts are recorded as liabilities, while net under
deliveries are reflected as assets. Imbalances are reduced
either by subsequent recoupment of over-and-under deliveries or
by cash settlement, as required by applicable contracts.
Production imbalances are
marked-to-market at the
end of each month at the lowest of (i) the price in effect
at the time of production; (ii) the current market price;
or (iii) the contract price, if a contract is in hand.
Oil and gas volumes sold are not significantly different from
the Companys share of production.
Financial Instruments The Companys
financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents,
receivables, payables and outstanding debt. The carrying amount
of the Companys other instruments noted above approximate
fair value due to the short-term nature of these investments.
The carrying amount of our
long-term debt
approximates fair value as the interest rates are generally
indexed to current market rates.
Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial
Statements The preparation of financial
statements in conformity with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America requires manage-
F-15
MARINER ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the Nine Month Period Ended September 30, 2005
(Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through September 30,
2004 (Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through
December 31, 2004
(Post-Merger),
for the Period from January 1, 2004 through
March 2, 2004
(Pre-Merger),
and For the Years Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002
ment to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported
amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent
assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements
and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from these
estimates.
Major Customers During the twelve months
ended December 31, 2004, sales of oil and gas to three
purchasers, including an Enron affiliate, accounted for 27%, 18%
and 12% of total revenues. During the year ended
December 31, 2003, sales of oil and gas to three
purchasers, including an Enron affiliate, accounted for 34%, 19%
and 14% of total revenues. During the year ended
December 31, 2002, sales of oil and gas to three
purchasers, including an Enron affiliate, accounted for 42%, 14%
and 9% of total revenues. Management believes that the loss of
any of these purchasers would not have a material impact on the
Companys financial condition or results of operations.
Stock Options The Company (as allowed by
SFAS No. 123 Accounting for Stock Based
Compensation as amended by SFAS No. 148
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
Transition and Disclosure) has historically applied APB
Opinion No. 25 Accounting for Stock Issued to
Employees for its grants made pursuant to its employee
stock option plans. The Company applies APB Opinion 25 and
related interpretations in accounting for the Stock Option Plan.
Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for the
Stock Option Plan. Had compensation cost for the Stock Option
Plan been determined based on the fair value at the grant date
for awards under the Stock Option Plan consistent with the
method of SFAS No. 123, the Companys net income
for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 would
not have changed. Effective January 1, 2005, we adopted the
fair value expense recognition provisions of SFAS 123(R).
Using the modified retrospective application, the Company would
be required to give effect to the fair-value based method of
accounting for awards granted, modified, or settled in cash in
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1994 on a basis
consistent with the pro forma disclosures required for those
periods by Statement 123, as amended by FASB Statement
No. 14 Accounting for Stock Based
Compensation Transition and Disclosure. Since
the Company had no employee stock options plans in effect at
January 1, 2005, adoption of this method is expected to
have no impact on historical information presented by the
Company.
As a result of the adoption of the above described
SFAS No. 123(R), we recorded compensation expense for
the fair value of restricted stock that was granted pursuant to
our Equity Participation Plan (see Management of
Mariner Equity Participation Plan) and for
subsequent grants of stock options or restricted stock made
pursuant to the Mariner Energy, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan (see
Management of Mariner Stock Incentive
Plan). We recorded compensation expense for the
restricted stock grants equal to their fair value at the time of
the grant, amortized pro rata over the restricted period.
General and administrative expense for the nine months
ended September 30, 2005 includes $17.2 million of
compensation expense related to restricted stock granted in 2005
and $0.4 million of compensation expense related to stock
options outstanding as of September 30, 2005. For the
comparable period in 2004, we recorded no stock compensation
expense related to either restricted stock or stock options.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements In May 2003,
the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 150 Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments
with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity, or
SFAS No. 150. SFAS No. 150 establishes
standards on how a company classifies and measures certain
financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities
and equity. The statement requires that the Company classify as
liabilities the fair value of all mandatorily redeemable
financial instruments that had previously been recorded as
equity or elsewhere in the consolidated financial statements.
F-16
MARINER ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the Nine Month Period Ended September 30, 2005
(Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through September 30,
2004 (Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through
December 31, 2004
(Post-Merger),
for the Period from January 1, 2004 through
March 2, 2004
(Pre-Merger),
and For the Years Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002
This statement is effective for financial instruments entered
into or modified after May 31, 2003, and is otherwise
effective for all existing financial instruments beginning in
the third quarter of 2003. SFAS No. 150 did not impact
the Company.
On September 2, 2004, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position
No. FAS 142-2,
Application of FASB Statement No. 142, Goodwill
and Other Intangible Assets, to Oil and Gas Producing
Entities, (FSP
FAS 142-2)
addressing whether the scope exception within Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142,
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
(SFAS 142) includes the balance sheet
classification and disclosures for drilling and mineral rights
of oil and gas producing properties. The FASB staff concluded
that the accounting framework for oil and gas entities is based
on the level of established reserves, not whether an asset is
tangible or intangible, and thus the scope exception extended to
the balance sheet classification and disclosure provisions for
such assets.
On September 28, 2004, the SEC released Staff Accounting
Bulletin (SAB) 106 regarding the application of
SFAS 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations
(AROs), by oil and gas producing companies
following the full cost accounting method. Pursuant to
SAB 106, oil and gas producing companies that have adopted
SFAS 143 should exclude the future cash outflows associated
with settling AROs (ARO liabilities) from the computation of the
present value of estimated future net revenues for the purposes
of the full cost ceiling calculation. In addition, estimated
dismantlement and abandonment costs, net of estimated salvage
values, that have been capitalized (ARO assets) should be
included in the amortization base for computing depreciation,
depletion and amortization expense. Disclosures are required to
include discussion of how a companys ceiling test and
depreciation, depletion and amortization calculations are
impacted by the adoption of SFAS 143. SAB 106 is
effective prospectively as of the beginning of the first fiscal
quarter beginning after October 4, 2004. Since our adoption
of SFAS 143 on January 1, 2003, we have calculated the
ceiling test and our depreciation, depletion and amortization
expense in accordance with the interpretations set forth in
SAB 106; therefore, the adoption SAB 106 had no effect
on our financial statements.
On December 16, 2004, the FASB issued Statement 153,
Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets, an amendment of APB
Opinion No. 29, to clarify the accounting for nonmonetary
exchanges of similar productive assets. SFAS 153 eliminates
the exception from the fair value measurement for nonmonetary
exchanges of similar productive assets and replaces it with a
general exception for exchanges of nonmonetary assets that do
not have commercial substance. The statement will be applied
prospectively and is effective for nonmonetary asset exchanges
occurring in fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2005.
We do not have any nonmonetary transactions for any period
presented to which this statement would apply. We do not expect
the adoption of SFAS 153 to have a material impact on our
financial statements.
|
|
2. |
Related Party Transactions |
Organization and Ownership of the Company
Until February 10, 2005, the Company was a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Mariner Holdings, Inc., which was a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Mariner Energy LLC. From April 1, 1996, until
October 1998, Mariner Holdings, Inc. was a majority-owned
subsidiary of JEDI, an affiliate of Enron. In October 1998, JEDI
and other stockholders of Mariner Holdings, Inc. exchanged all
of their common shares of Mariner Holdings, Inc. for an
equivalent ownership percentage in Mariner Energy LLC. From
October 1998 until the Merger, Mariner Energy LLC was a
majority-owned subsidiary of JEDI.
F-17
MARINER ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the Nine Month Period Ended September 30, 2005
(Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through September 30,
2004 (Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through
December 31, 2004
(Post-Merger),
for the Period from January 1, 2004 through
March 2, 2004
(Pre-Merger),
and For the Years Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002
During the period of JEDIs ownership of the Company,
Mariner Energy LLC and the Company entered into various
financing and operating transactions, such as oil and gas sale
transactions, commodity price hedge transactions, and financial
transactions with affiliates of Enron. Below is a summary of key
transactions between the Company or Mariner Energy LLC and
Enron-affiliated entities.
On February 10, 2005, in anticipation of the Private Equity
Offering, Mariner Holdings, Inc. (the direct parent of Mariner
Energy, Inc.) and Mariner Energy LLC (the direct parent of
Mariner Holdings, Inc.) were merged into Mariner Energy, Inc.
and ceased to exist. The mergers of Mariner Holdings, Inc. and
Mariner Energy LLC into the Company had no operational or
financial impact on the Company.
Enron Affiliate Term Loan In March 2000,
Mariner Energy LLC established an unsecured term loan with Enron
North America Corp. (ENA), an affiliate of Enron, to
repay amounts outstanding under various affiliate credit
facilities at Mariner Energy LLC and the Company and provide
additional working capital. The loan bore interest at 15%, which
interest accrued and was added to the loan principal. In
conjunction with the loan, warrants were issued to ENA providing
the right to purchase up to 900,000 common shares of Mariner
Energy LLC for $0.01 per share. The loan and warrants were
subsequently assigned by ENA to another Enron affiliate. In
connection with the Merger, the loan balance, which was
approximately $192.8 million as of December 31, 2003,
was repaid in full, and the warrants were exercised and the
holders received their pro rata portion of the Merger
consideration.
Oil and Gas Production Sales to Enron
Affiliates During the three years ending
December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, sales of oil and gas
production to Enron affiliates were $62.6 million,
$32.6 million and $56.4 million, respectively. These
sales were generally made on one to three month contracts. At
the time Enron filed its petition for bankruptcy protection in
December 2001, the Company immediately ceased selling its
physical production to Enron Upstream Company, LLC, an Enron
affiliate; however, it continued to sell its production to
Bridgeline Gas Marketing, LLC, another Enron affiliate. No
default in payment by Bridgeline has occurred. As of
December 31, 2001, after Enron filed for bankruptcy
protection, the Company had an outstanding receivable of
$3.0 million from ENA Upstream related to sales of
production. This amount was not paid as scheduled. In 2001, we
fully allowed for its uncollectability and reduced the
outstanding receivable to $-0-. The Company submitted a proof of
claim to the bankruptcy court presiding over the Enron
bankruptcy for amounts owed to it by ENA Upstream. As part of
the Merger consideration, the Company assigned this and another
receivable to JEDI at an agreed value of approximately
$1.9 million.
Price Risk Management Activities The Company
engages in price risk management activities from time to time.
These activities are intended to manage its exposure to
fluctuations in commodity prices for natural gas and crude oil.
The Company primarily utilizes price swaps as a means to manage
such risk. Prior to the Enron bankruptcy, all of the
Companys hedging contracts were with ENA. As a result of
ENAs bankruptcy, the November 2001 through April 30,
2002 settlements for oil and gas were not paid when due. On
May 14, 2002, the Company elected under its ISDA Master
Agreement with ENA to terminate all open hedge contracts. The
effect of this termination was to fix the nominal value on all
remaining contracts on May 14, 2002. Subsequent to this
termination, the value of all oil and natural gas unpaid hedge
contracts was $7.7 million. In accordance with Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 133
F-18
MARINER ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the Nine Month Period Ended September 30, 2005
(Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through September 30,
2004 (Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through
December 31, 2004
(Post-Merger),
for the Period from January 1, 2004 through
March 2, 2004
(Pre-Merger),
and For the Years Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002
Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities, as amended by SFAS No. 137 and
No. 138, the Company de-designated its contracts effective
December 2, 2001 and recognized all market value changes
subsequent to such
de-designation in its
earnings. The value recorded up to the time of
de-designation and
included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
(AOCI), was reclassified out of AOCI and into
earnings as the original corresponding production, as hedged by
the contracts was produced. As of December 31, 2003,
approximately $25.8 million was reclassified to earnings.
The following table sets forth the results of hedging
transactions during the periods indicated that were made with
ENA (all amounts shown are non-cash items):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ending | |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Natural gas quantity hedged (MMbtu)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,650,000 |
|
Increase (decrease) in natural gas sales (thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,603 |
|
Crude oil quantity hedged (MBbls)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase (decrease) in crude oil sales (thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental ENA Affiliate Data provided
below is supplemental balance sheet and income statement
information for affiliate entities reflecting net balances, net
of any allowances:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2004 |
|
2003 | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
(Amount in millions) | |
Balance Sheet Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Related Party Receivable:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Derivative Asset
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
Settled Hedge Receivable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil and Gas Receivable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Transportation Contract
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
Service Agreement
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.4 |
|
Stockholders Equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Stock
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
.001 |
|
|
Additional Paid in Capital
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
227.3 |
|
|
Accumulated other Comprehensive Income
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
227.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended | |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2004 |
|
2003 | |
|
|
|
|
| |
Income Statement Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil and Gas Sales
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
32.6 |
|
General and Administrative Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.4 |
|
Transportation Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.9 |
|
Unrealized gain and other non-cash derivative instrument
adjustments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-19
MARINER ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the Nine Month Period Ended September 30, 2005
(Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through September 30,
2004 (Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through
December 31, 2004
(Post-Merger),
for the Period from January 1, 2004 through
March 2, 2004
(Pre-Merger),
and For the Years Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002
|
|
|
Post-Merger Related Party Transactions |
In connection with the Merger, Mariner Energy LLC entered into
management agreements with two affiliates of MEI Acquisitions
Holdings, LLC, the Companys post-Merger parent company.
These agreements provided for the payment by Mariner Energy LLC
of an aggregate of $2.5 million to the affiliates in
connection with the provision of management services. Such
payments have been made. Mariner Energy LLC also entered into
monitoring agreements with two affiliates of MEI Acquisitions
Holdings, LLC, providing for the payment by Mariner Energy LLC
of an aggregate of one percent of its annual EBITDA to the
affiliates in connection with certain monitoring activities.
Under the terms of the monitoring agreements, the affiliates
provided financial advisory services in connection with the
ongoing operations of Mariner subsequent to the Merger.
Effective February 7, 2005, these contracts were terminated
in consideration of lump sum cash payments by Mariner totalling
$2.3 million. The Company recorded the termination payments
as general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended
September 30, 2005.
In April 2002, the Company sold 50% of its working interest in
its Falcon discovery and surrounding blocks, located in East
Breaks Block 579 in the western Gulf of Mexico, for
$48.8 million. After the sale, the Company had a 25%
working interest in the discovery and surrounding blocks. No
gain or loss was recognized as a result of this sale, as the
sale did not significantly affect the Companys depletion
rate.
In March 2003, the Company sold its remaining 25% working
interest in its Falcon and Harrier discoveries and surrounding
blocks, located in East Breaks area in the western Gulf of
Mexico, for $121.6 million. The Company retained a
41/4 percent
overriding royalty interest on seven
non-producing blocks.
The proceeds from the sale were used for debt reduction, capital
expenditures, and other corporate purposes. At March 31,
2003, the Falcon and Harrier projects had approximately
44 Bcfe assigned as proven oil and gas reserves to the
Companys interest. No gain or loss was recognized as a
result of this sale, as the sale did not significantly affect
the Companys depletion rate.
101/2% Senior
Subordinated Notes On August 14, 1996, the
Company sold $100 million principal amount of
101/2% Senior
Subordinated Notes Due 2006 (the Notes). The Notes
bore interest at
101/2%
payable semiannually in arrears on February 1 and August 1
of each year and were unsecured obligations of the Company. On
August 1, 2003, the Company repaid the Notes at par value.
Bank Credit Facility On March 2, 2004,
simultaneously with the closing of the Merger, the Company
obtained a revolving line of credit with initial advances of
$135 million from a group of seven banks (since reduced to
six banks) led by Union Bank of California, N.A. and BNP
Paribas. Proceeds of these advances were used to pay a portion
of the Merger consideration (which included repayment of the
debt of Mariner Energy LLC) and transaction costs and expenses
associated with the Merger. The bank credit facility provides up
to $150 million of revolving borrowing capacity, subject to
a borrowing base, and a $25 million term loan. The initial
advance was made in two tranches: a $110 million
Tranche A and a $25 million Tranche B.
The Tranche A revolving note matures on March 2, 2007.
The borrowing capacity under the Tranche A note is subject
to a borrowing base initially set at $110 million. The
borrowing base initially is subject to
F-20
MARINER ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the Nine Month Period Ended September 30, 2005
(Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through September 30,
2004 (Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through
December 31, 2004
(Post-Merger),
for the Period from January 1, 2004 through
March 2, 2004
(Pre-Merger),
and For the Years Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002
redetermination by the lenders quarterly. After the
Tranche B note is repaid, provided that at least
$10 million of unused availability exists under
Tranche A, the borrowing base will be redetermined
semi-annually. The borrowing base is based upon the evaluation
by the lenders of the Companys oil and gas reserves and
other factors. Any increase in the borrowing base requires the
consent of all lenders. On August 5, 2005, the lenders
agreed to increase the borrowing base to $170 million. On
January 20, 2006, the lenders agreed to increase the
borrowing base to $185 million.
Borrowings under the Tranche A note bear interest, at the
option of the Company, at a rate of (i) LIBOR plus 2.00% to
2.75% depending upon utilization, or (ii) the greater of
(a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50% or (b) the
Reference Rate (prime rate), plus 0.00% to 0.50% depending upon
utilization.
Borrowings under the Tranche B note bear interest at a rate
equal to the greater of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus
0.50% or (b) the Reference Rate, plus 3.00%. In July 2004
(prior to its December 2, 2004 maturity date) the
outstanding Tranche B note was converted to a
Tranche A note, and all subsequent advances under the
credit facility are Tranche A advances. Once repaid, the
Tranche B advances may not be reborrowed.
Substantially all of the Companys assets, other than the
assets securing the term Promissory Note issued to JEDI, are
pledged to secure the bank credit facility. In addition, the
Companys parent entities, Mariner Energy LLC and Mariner
Holdings, Inc., have guaranteed the Companys obligations
under the bank credit facility. The Company must pay a
commitment fee of 0.25% to 0.50% per year on the unused
availability under the bank credit facility, depending upon
utilization.
The bank credit facility contains various restrictive covenants
and other usual and customary terms and conditions of a
revolving bank credit facility, including limitations on the
payment of cash dividends and other restricted payments,
limitations on the incurrence of additional debt, prohibitions
on the sale of assets, and requirements for hedging a portion of
the Companys oil and natural gas production. Financial
covenants require the Company to, among other things:
maintain a ratio, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, of
(a) current assets (excluding cash posted as collateral to
secure hedging obligations) plus unused availability under the
credit facility to (b) current liabilities (excluding the
current portion of debt and the current portion of hedge
liabilities) of not less than (i) 0.75 to 1.00 until
June 30, 2004 and (ii) 1.00 to 1.00 thereafter;
maintain a ratio, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, of
(a) EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation,
amortization and depletion) to (b) the sum of interest
expense and maintenance capital expenditures for the period and
20% (on an annualized basis) of outstanding Tranche A
advances, of not less than 1.20 to 1.00; and
maintain a ratio, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, of
(a) total debt to (b) EBITDA of not greater than 1.75
to 1.00 prior to the issuance by the Company of bonds as
described in the credit agreement and 3.00 to 1.00 thereafter.
The bank credit facility also contains customary events of
default, including the occurrence of a change of control or
default in the payment or performance of any other indebtedness
equal to or exceeding $2.0 million.
As of December 31, 2004, $105.0 million was
outstanding under the bank credit facility, and the weighted
average interest rate was 5.20%. The borrowing base under the
bank credit facility is $135 million at December 31,
2004.
F-21
MARINER ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the Nine Month Period Ended September 30, 2005
(Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through September 30,
2004 (Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through
December 31, 2004
(Post-Merger),
for the Period from January 1, 2004 through
March 2, 2004
(Pre-Merger),
and For the Years Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002
As of September 30, 2005, $75.0 million was
outstanding under the bank credit facility, and the weighted
average interest rate was 5.84%. Net proceeds of approximately
$39.0 million generated by the private placement in
March 2005 were used to repay existing bank debt.
|
|
|
JEDI Term Promissory Note |
As part of the Merger consideration payable to JEDI, the Company
issued a term Promissory Note to JEDI in the amount of
$10 million. The note matures on March 2, 2006, and
bears interest, payable in kind at our option, at a rate of
10% per annum until March 2, 2005, and 12% per
annum thereafter unless paid in cash in which event the rate
remains 10% per annum. We chose to pay interest in cash
rather than in kind. The JEDI note is secured by a lien on three
of the Companys non-proven, non-producing properties
located in the Outer Continental Shelf of the Gulf of Mexico.
The Company can offset against the note the amount of certain
claims for indemnification that can be asserted against JEDI
under the terms of the Merger agreement. The JEDI term
Promissory Note contains customary events of default, including
the occurrence of an event of default under the Companys
bank credit facility.
In March 2005, the Company repaid $6.0 million of the note
utilizing proceeds from the private placement in March 2005.
Cash paid for interest was -0- million and $5.4 million for
2004 Pre-Merger and 2004 Post-Merger, respectively, and
$4.0 million and $6.2 million for the years ending
December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.
Stock Option Plan During June 1996, Mariner
Holdings, Inc. established the Mariner Holdings, Inc. 1996 Stock
Option Plan (as amended, the Stock Option Plan)
providing for the granting of stock options to key employees and
consultants. In connection with the Merger, all outstanding
options were cancelled in accordance with the Stock Option Plan.
No payments were due to the holders of the options.
The exercise price of options granted under the Stock Option
Plan could not be less than the fair market value of the shares
at the date of grant. The maximum number of common shares of
Mariner Holdings, Inc. that could be issued under the Stock
Option Plan was 142,800. In May 1998, the Stock Option Plan was
amended to increase the number of eligible shares to be issued
to 202,800. In September 1998, concurrent with the exchange of
each common share of Mariner Holdings for twelve common shares
of Mariner Energy LLC, the Stock Option Plan was amended to make
Mariner Energy LLC the Stock Option Plan sponsor. The maximum
number of shares of common shares that could have been issued
under the Stock Option Plan was correspondingly increased to
2,433,600.
During the three years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and
2002, no options were granted under the Stock Option Plan. No
options were exercised, but 212,882 options were canceled during
the three-year period ended December 30, 2003. At
December 31, 2003, options to
purchase 437,940 shares were outstanding and
exercisable. The exercise price for the outstanding options was
$14.58 per share. The options would have expired in various
months between 2008 through 2010. In connection with the Merger,
all outstanding options were cancelled in accordance with the
Stock Option Plan and no payments were due to the holders of the
options.
F-22
MARINER ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the Nine Month Period Ended September 30, 2005
(Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through September 30,
2004 (Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through
December 31, 2004
(Post-Merger),
for the Period from January 1, 2004 through
March 2, 2004
(Pre-Merger),
and For the Years Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002
For the three years ended December 31, 2004, 2003, and
2002, Mainer Energy, Inc. had no outstanding stock options.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, we granted
2,267,270 shares of restricted stock and options to
purchase 809,000 shares of stock. We also issued
3.6 million shares of common stock in March 2005 in
connection with our private placement offering. We recorded
compensation expense of $17.2 million in the nine months
ended September 30, 2005 related to the restricted stock,
and in the nine months ended September 30, 2005, we
recorded $0.4 million of compensation expense related to
stock options outstanding as of September 30, 2005. For the
comparable period in 2004, we recorded no stock compensation
expense related to either restricted stock or stock options.
|
|
6. |
Employee Benefit And Royalty Plans |
Employee Capital Accumulation Plan The
Company provides all full-time employees (who are at least
18 years of age) participation in the Employee Capital
Accumulation Plan (the Plan) which is comprised of a
contributory 401(k) savings plan and a discretionary profit
sharing plan. Under the 401(k) feature, the Company, at its sole
discretion, may contribute an employer-matching contribution
equal to a percentage not to exceed 50% of each eligible
participants matched salary reduction contribution as
defined by the Plan. Under the discretionary profit sharing
contribution feature of the Plan, the Companys
contribution, if any, must be determined annually and must be 4%
of the lesser of the Companys operating income or total
employee compensation and shall be allocated to each eligible
participant pro rata to his or her compensation. During the
years ended 2004, 2003 and 2002, the Company contributed
$193,521, $159,241 and $190,792, respectively, to the Plan
related to the discretionary feature. Currently there are no
plans to terminate the Plan.
Overriding Royalty Interests Pursuant to
agreements, certain employees and consultants of the Company are
entitled to receive, as incentive compensation, overriding
royalty interests (Overriding Royalty Interests) in
certain oil and gas prospects acquired by the Company. Such
Overriding Royalty Interests entitle the holder to receive a
specified percentage of the gross proceeds from the future sale
of oil and gas (less production taxes), if any, applicable to
the prospects. Cash payments made by the Company to current
employees and consultants with respect to Overriding Royalty
Interests were $.2 million and $2.5 million for 2004
Pre-Merger and 2004 Post-Merger, respectively, and for the two
years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 were $2.0 and
$1.2 million, respectively.
|
|
7. |
Commitments And Contingencies |
Minimum Future Lease Payments The Company
leases certain office facilities and other equipment under
long-term operating lease arrangements. Minimum rental
obligations under the Companys operating leases in effect
at December 31, 2004 are as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
$ |
561 |
|
2006
|
|
|
446 |
|
2007
|
|
|
148 |
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
|
Rental expense, before capitalization, was approximately $78,000
and $486,000 for 2004 Pre-Merger and 2004 Post-Merger,
respectively, and $569,000 and $1,723,000 for the years ended
December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.
F-23
MARINER ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the Nine Month Period Ended September 30, 2005
(Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through September 30,
2004 (Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through
December 31, 2004
(Post-Merger),
for the Period from January 1, 2004 through
March 2, 2004
(Pre-Merger),
and For the Years Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002
Hedging Program The energy markets have
historically been very volatile, and there can be no assurance
that oil and gas prices will not be subject to wide fluctuations
in the future. In an effort to reduce the effects of the
volatility of the price of oil and natural gas on the
Companys operations, management has elected to hedge oil
and natural gas prices from time to time through the use of
commodity price swap agreements and costless collars. While the
use of these hedging arrangements limits the downside risk of
adverse price movements, it also limits future gains from
favorable movements.
As of September 30, 2005, the Company had the following
fixed price swaps outstanding:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 30, | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
|
|
|
Fixed | |
|
Fair Value | |
Fixed Price Swaps |
|
Quantity | |
|
Price | |
|
Gain/(Loss) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In millions) | |
Crude Oil (Bbls)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
October 1 December 31, 2005
|
|
|
138,000 |
|
|
$ |
25.22 |
|
|
$ |
(5.7 |
) |
|
January 1 December 31, 2006
|
|
|
140,160 |
|
|
|
29.56 |
|
|
|
(5.2 |
) |
Natural Gas (MMbtus)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
October 1 December 31, 2005
|
|
|
1,352,400, |
|
|
|
5.00 |
|
|
|
(12.3 |
) |
|
January 1 December 31, 2006
|
|
|
1,827,547 |
|
|
|
5.53 |
|
|
|
(13.6 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(36.8 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of September 30, 2005, the Company had the following
costless collars outstanding:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 30, | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair Value | |
Costless Collars |
|
Quantity | |
|
Floor | |
|
Cap | |
|
Gain/(Loss) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In millions) | |
Crude Oil (Bbls)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
October 1 December 31, 2005
|
|
|
57,960 |
|
|
$ |
35.60 |
|
|
$ |
44.77 |
|
|
$ |
(1.2 |
) |
|
January 1 December 31, 2006
|
|
|
251,850 |
|
|
|
32.65 |
|
|
|
41.52 |
|
|
|
(6.2 |
) |
|
January 1 December 31, 2007
|
|
|
202,575 |
|
|
|
31.27 |
|
|
|
39.83 |
|
|
|
(4.8 |
) |
Natural Gas (MMbtus)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
October 1 December 31, 2005
|
|
|
2,189,600 |
|
|
|
6.01 |
|
|
|
8.02 |
|
|
|
(12.3 |
) |
|
January 1 December 31, 2006
|
|
|
7,347,450 |
|
|
|
5.78 |
|
|
|
7.85 |
|
|
|
(29.1 |
) |
|
January 1 December 31, 2007
|
|
|
5,310,750 |
|
|
|
5.49 |
|
|
|
7.22 |
|
|
|
(14.7 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(68.3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-24
MARINER ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the Nine Month Period Ended September 30, 2005
(Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through September 30,
2004 (Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through
December 31, 2004
(Post-Merger),
for the Period from January 1, 2004 through
March 2, 2004
(Pre-Merger),
and For the Years Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002
The Company has not entered into any hedge transactions
subsequent to September 30, 2005.
As of December 31, 2004, the Company had the following
fixed price swaps outstanding:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2004 | |
|
|
|
|
Fixed | |
|
Fair Value | |
Fixed Price Swaps |
|
Quantity | |
|
Price | |
|
Gain/(Loss) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In millions) | |
Crude Oil (Bbls)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
January 1 December 31, 2005
|
|
|
606,000 |
|
|
$ |
26.15 |
|
|
$ |
(10.0 |
) |
|
January 1 December 31, 2006
|
|
|
140,160 |
|
|
|
29.56 |
|
|
|
(1.5 |
) |
Natural Gas (MMbtus)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
January 1 December 31, 2005
|
|
|
8,670,159 |
|
|
|
5.41 |
|
|
|
(7.0 |
) |
|
January 1 December 31, 2006
|
|
|
1,827,547 |
|
|
|
5.53 |
|
|
|
(1.9 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(20.4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, 2004, the Company had the following
costless collars outstanding:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2004 | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair Value | |
Costless Collars |
|
Quantity | |
|
Floor | |
|
Cap | |
|
Gain/(Loss) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In millions) | |
Crude Oil (Bbls)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
January 1 December 31, 2005
|
|
|
229,950 |
|
|
$ |
35.60 |
|
|
$ |
44.77 |
|
|
$ |
(0.4 |
) |
|
January 1 December 31, 2006
|
|
|
251,850 |
|
|
|
32.65 |
|
|
|
41.52 |
|
|
|
(0.7 |
) |
|
January 1 December 31, 2007
|
|
|
202,575 |
|
|
|
31.27 |
|
|
|
39.83 |
|
|
|
(0.6 |
) |
Natural Gas (MMbtus)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
January 1 December 31, 2005
|
|
|
2,847,000 |
|
|
|
5.73 |
|
|
|
7.80 |
|
|
|
0.4 |
|
|
January 1 December 31, 2006
|
|
|
3,514,950 |
|
|
|
5.37 |
|
|
|
7.35 |
|
|
|
(0.3 |
) |
|
January 1 December 31, 2007
|
|
|
1,806,750 |
|
|
|
5.08 |
|
|
|
6.26 |
|
|
|
(0.4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(2.0 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Company has reviewed the financial strength of its
counterparties and believes the credit risk associated with
these swaps and costless collars to be minimal.
F-25
MARINER ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the Nine Month Period Ended September 30, 2005
(Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through September 30,
2004 (Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through
December 31, 2004
(Post-Merger),
for the Period from January 1, 2004 through
March 2, 2004
(Pre-Merger),
and For the Years Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002
The following table sets forth the results of hedging
transactions during the periods indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post-Merger | |
|
Pre-Merger | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Period from | |
|
Period from | |
|
|
|
|
March 3, 2004 | |
|
January 1 | |
|
|
|
|
through | |
|
through | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
March 2, | |
|
| |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Natural Gas
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quantity hedged (MMbtu)
|
|
|
16,723,063 |
|
|
|
2,100,000 |
|
|
|
25,520,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase (Decrease) in Natural Gas Sales (in thousands)
|
|
$ |
(12,223 |
) |
|
$ |
1,431 |
|
|
$ |
(27,097 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Crude Oil
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quantity hedged (MBbls)
|
|
|
1,375 |
|
|
|
179 |
|
|
|
730 |
|
|
|
353 |
|
|
Increase (Decrease) in Crude Oil Sales (in thousands)
|
|
$ |
(16,221 |
) |
|
$ |
(686 |
) |
|
$ |
(4,969 |
) |
|
$ |
(762 |
) |
The Companys hedge transactions resulted in a
$.7 million gain for 2004 Pre-Merger and a
$28.4 million loss for 2004 Post-Merger. $7.9 million
of the Post-Merger loss relates to the hedge liability recorded
at the merger date. In addition, in 2003 the Company recorded
$3.2 million of expense related to the settlement of
derivatives that were not accounted for as hedges.
Other Commitments In the ordinary course of
business, the Company enters into long-term commitments to
purchase seismic data. The minimum annual payments under these
contracts are $2.0 and $1.0 million in 2005 and 2006,
respectively.
Deepwater Rig In February 2000, the Company
and Noble Drilling Corporation entered into an agreement whereby
the Company committed to using a Noble deepwater rig for a
minimum of 660 days over a five-year period. The Company
assigned to Noble working interests in seven of the
Companys deepwater exploration prospects and agreed to pay
Nobles share of certain costs of drilling the initial test
well on the prospects. As of December 31, 2003, the Company
had no further obligation under the agreement for the use of the
rig and had drilled five of the seven prospects. Subsequent to
year end 2003, the Company and Noble Drilling Corporation agreed
to exchange Nobles interest in one of the two remaining
undrilled prospects for an interest in another prospect drilled
in the first quarter of 2004 and exchange Nobles carried
working interest in the other remaining undrilled prospect for a
larger un-carried working interest in the prospect, and the
Company agreed to use one of two Noble drilling rigs for an
aggregate of 75 days. Mariner has no further obligations
under this agreement.
MMS Appeal Mariner operates numerous
properties in the Gulf of Mexico. Two of such properties were
leased from the Mineral Management Service subject to the 1996
Royalty Relief Act. This Act relieved the obligation to pay
royalties on certain leases until a designated volume is
produced. These leases contained language that limited royalty
relief if commodity prices exceeded predetermined levels. For
the years 2000, 2001, 2003 and 2004, commodity prices exceeded
the predetermined levels. The Company believes the MMS did not
have the authority to set pricing limits in these leases and has
filed an administrative appeal with the MMS regarding this
matter and withheld payment of royalties on the leases. The
Company has recorded a liability for 100% of the exposure on
this matter which on September 30, 2005 was
$14.6 million. In April 2005, the MMS denied the
administrative appeal. On October 3, 2005, we filed suit in the
U.S. District Court
F-26
MARINER ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the Nine Month Period Ended September 30, 2005
(Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through September 30,
2004 (Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through
December 31, 2004
(Post-Merger),
for the Period from January 1, 2004 through
March 2, 2004
(Pre-Merger),
and For the Years Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002
for the Southern District of Texas seeking judicial review of
the dismissal of our appeal by the Board of Land Appeals.
Flowline Commitment The Company entered into
a firm transportation contract with MEGS LLC at a rate of
$0.26 per Mmbtu to transport the Companys share of
133 Bcf of natural gas through the MEGS flowline from the
Companys Mississippi Canyon 718 well from the
commencement of production through March 2009. The
Companys working interest in the well at December 31,
2003 was 51%. The remaining volume commitment is
14,707,107 mmbtu or $3.8 million net to the Company.
Pursuant to the contract, the Company must deliver minimum
quantities through the flowline or be subject to minimum monthly
payment requirements. Subsequent to year end 2003, the Company
and the other 49% working interest owner in the well entered
into an agreement to acquire the flowline for approximately
$1.9 million net to the Company. The acquisition also
extinguished a $2.3 million minimum throughput liability.
Insurance Matters In September 2004, the
Company incurred damage from Hurricane Ivan that affected its
Mississippi Canyon 66 (Ochre) and Mississippi
Canyon 357 fields. Production from Mississippi
Canyon 357 was shut-in until March 2005, when necessary
repairs were completed and production recommenced. Production
from Ochre is currently shut-in awaiting rerouting of umbilical
and flow lines to another host platform. Prior to Hurricane
Ivan, this field was producing at a net rate of approximately
6.5 MMcfe per day. Production from Ochre is expected to
recommence in the first quarter of 2006. In addition, a
semi-submersible rig on location at the Companys Viosca
Knoll 917 (Swordfish) field was blown off location by the
hurricane and incurred damage. Until we are able to complete all
the repair work and submit costs to the insurance underwriters
for review, the full extent of our insurance recovery and the
resulting net cost to the Company is unknown. We expect the net
cost to the Company to be at least equal to the amount of our
annual deductible of $1.25 million plus the single
occurrence deductible of $.375 million.
In August 2005 and September 2005, Mariner incurred damage from
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita that affected several of its
offshore fields. Hurricane Katrina caused minor damage to our
owned platforms and facilities. Production that was shut-in by
the hurricane was recommenced within three weeks of the
hurricane, with the exception of two minor non-operated fields.
However, Hurricane Katrina inflicted damage to host facilities
for our Pluto, Rigel and Ochre projects that is expected to
delay start-up of these
projects until 2006. Hurricane Rita caused minor damage to our
owned platforms and some damage to certain host facilities of
our development projects. Production shut-in as a result of
Hurricane Rita fully recommenced within three weeks of the
hurricane, with the exception of one minor field. We cannot
estimate a range of loss arising from the hurricanes until we
are able to more completely assess the impacts on our properties
and the properties of our operational partners. Until we are
able to complete all the repair work and submit costs to our
insurance underwriters for review, the full extent of our
insurance recovery and the resulting net cost to us for
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita will be unknown. For the insurance
period ending September 30, 2005, we carried a
$3.0 million annual deductible and a $.375 million
single occurrence deductible.
Litigation The Company, in the ordinary
course of business, is a claimant and/or a defendant in various
legal proceedings, including proceedings as to which the Company
has insurance coverage. The Company does not consider its
exposure in these proceedings, individually and in the
aggregate, to be material.
F-27
MARINER ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the Nine Month Period Ended September 30, 2005
(Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through September 30,
2004 (Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through
December 31, 2004
(Post-Merger),
for the Period from January 1, 2004 through
March 2, 2004
(Pre-Merger),
and For the Years Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002
The components of the federal income tax provision are:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post-Merger | |
|
Pre-Merger | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Period from | |
|
Period from | |
|
|
|
|
March 3, 2004 | |
|
January 1 | |
|
Year Ending | |
|
|
through | |
|
through | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
March 2, | |
|
| |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
$ | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Current
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred
|
|
|
28,783 |
|
|
|
8,072 |
|
|
|
10,432 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
28,783 |
|
|
|
8,072 |
|
|
|
10,432 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following table sets forth a reconciliation of the statutory
federal income tax with the income tax provision (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post-Merger | |
|
Pre-Merger | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Period from | |
|
Period from | |
|
|
|
|
March 3, 2004 | |
|
January 1 | |
|
Year Ending December 31, | |
|
|
through | |
|
through | |
|
| |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
March 2, | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
$ | |
|
% | |
|
$ | |
|
% | |
|
$ | |
|
% | |
|
$ | |
|
% | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Income before income taxes including change in accounting in 2003
|
|
|
82,402 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22,898 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
48,676 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29,993 |
|
|
|
|
|
Income tax expense (benefit) computed at statutory rates
|
|
|
28,841 |
|
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
8,014 |
|
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
17,037 |
|
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
10,498 |
|
|
|
35 |
|
Change in valuation allowance
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7,090 |
) |
|
|
(14 |
) |
|
|
(11,507 |
) |
|
|
(38 |
) |
Other
|
|
|
(58 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
58 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
485 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,009 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax Expense
|
|
|
28,783 |
|
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
8,072 |
|
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
10,432 |
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal income taxes of $1.6 million were paid by the
Company for the 2004 Post-Merger period for alternative minimum
tax liability, and no federal income taxes were paid by the
Company in the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002. An
income tax benefit of $1,045,000 was included as a reduction in
Change in Accounting Principle for the adoption of
SFAS No. 143 in 2003. The increase in federal income
tax expense for 2003 is a direct result of the Company utilizing
100% of its stand alone entity net operating losses.
F-28
MARINER ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the Nine Month Period Ended September 30, 2005
(Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through September 30,
2004 (Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through
December 31, 2004
(Post-Merger),
for the Period from January 1, 2004 through
March 2, 2004
(Pre-Merger),
and For the Years Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002
The Companys deferred tax position reflects the net tax
effects of the temporary differences between the carrying
amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting
purposes and the amounts used for income tax reporting.
Significant components of the deferred tax assets and
liabilities are as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ending | |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Deferred Tax Assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net operating loss carry forwards
|
|
$ |
15,639 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
Alternative minimum Tax Credit
|
|
|
1,606 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Differences between book and tax basis of receivables
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
676 |
|
|
Other comprehensive income-derivative instruments
|
|
|
6,262 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Valuation allowance
|
|
|
(5,909 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total net deferred tax assets
|
|
|
17,598 |
|
|
|
676 |
|
Deferred Tax Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Differences between book and tax basis of properties
|
|
|
(14,569 |
) |
|
|
(5,445 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total net deferred asset (liability)
|
|
$ |
3,029 |
|
|
$ |
(4,769 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9. |
Oil and Gas Producing Activities and Capitalized Costs
(Unaudited) |
The results of operations from the Companys oil and gas
producing activities were as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ending December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Oil and gas sales
|
|
$ |
214,187 |
|
|
$ |
142,543 |
|
|
$ |
158,228 |
|
Lease operating costs
|
|
|
(25,484 |
) |
|
|
(24,719 |
) |
|
|
(26,076 |
) |
Transportation
|
|
|
(3,029 |
) |
|
|
(6,252 |
) |
|
|
(10,480 |
) |
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
|
|
|
(64,911 |
) |
|
|
(48,339 |
) |
|
|
(70,821 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Results of operations
|
|
$ |
120,763 |
|
|
$ |
63,233 |
|
|
$ |
50,851 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following table summarizes the Companys capitalized
costs of oil and gas properties.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Unevaluated properties, not subject to amortization
|
|
$ |
36,245 |
|
|
$ |
36,619 |
|
|
$ |
44,630 |
|
Properties subject to amortization
|
|
|
319,553 |
|
|
|
599,762 |
|
|
|
620,949 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capitalized costs
|
|
|
355,798 |
|
|
|
636,381 |
|
|
|
665,579 |
|
Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization
|
|
|
(52,680 |
) |
|
|
(429,323 |
) |
|
|
(379,543 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net capitalized costs
|
|
$ |
303,118 |
|
|
$ |
207,058 |
|
|
$ |
286,036 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-29
MARINER ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the Nine Month Period Ended September 30, 2005
(Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through September 30,
2004 (Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through
December 31, 2004
(Post-Merger),
for the Period from January 1, 2004 through
March 2, 2004
(Pre-Merger),
and For the Years Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002
Costs incurred in property acquisition, exploration and
development activities were as follows (in thousands, except per
equivalent mcf amounts):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ending December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Property acquisition costs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unproved properties
|
|
$ |
4,844 |
|
|
$ |
4,746 |
|
|
$ |
14,813 |
|
Exploration costs
|
|
|
43,022 |
|
|
|
26,823 |
|
|
|
25,545 |
|
Development costs
|
|
|
100,823 |
|
|
|
51,659 |
|
|
|
65,002 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total costs incurred
|
|
|
148,689 |
|
|
$ |
83,228 |
|
|
$ |
105,360 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation, depletion and amortization rate per equivalent Mcf
before impairment
|
|
$ |
1.73 |
|
|
$ |
1.45 |
|
|
$ |
1.78 |
|
The Company capitalizes internal costs associated with
exploration activities in progress. These capitalized costs were
approximately $7,334,000, $7,360,000 and $10,508,000 for the
years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.
The following table summarizes costs related to unevaluated
properties which have been excluded from amounts subject to
amortization at December 31, 2004. Two relatively
significant projects were included in unproved properties with
balances of $8.0 million and $5.3 million at
December 31, 2004. These projects are expected to be
evaluated within the next twelve months. The Company regularly
evaluates these costs to determine whether impairment has
occurred. The majority of these costs are expected to be
evaluated and included in the amortization base within three
years.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Period Incurred | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
|
|
Total at | |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
Prior | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Unproved leasehold acquisition and geological and geophysical
costs
|
|
$ |
4,354 |
|
|
$ |
76 |
|
|
$ |
10,251 |
|
|
$ |
7,324 |
|
|
$ |
22,005 |
|
Unevaluated exploration and development costs
|
|
|
8,955 |
|
|
|
(51 |
) |
|
|
(209 |
) |
|
|
5,150 |
|
|
|
13,845 |
|
Capitalized interest
|
|
|
267 |
|
|
|
118 |
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
395 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
13,576 |
|
|
$ |
143 |
|
|
$ |
10,052 |
|
|
$ |
12,474 |
|
|
$ |
36,245 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All of the excluded costs at December 31, 2004 relate to
activities in the Gulf of Mexico.
|
|
10. |
Supplemental Oil and Gas Reserve and Standardized Measure
Information (Unaudited) |
Estimated proved net recoverable reserves as shown below include
only those quantities that are expected to be commercially
recoverable at prices and costs in effect at the balance sheet
dates under existing regulatory practices and with conventional
equipment and operating methods. Proved developed reserves
represent only those reserves expected to be recovered through
existing wells. Proved undeveloped reserves include those
reserves expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled
acreage or from existing wells on which a relatively major
expenditure is required for recompletion. Also included in the
Companys proved undeveloped reserves as of
December 31, 2004 were reserves expected to be recovered
from wells for which
F-30
MARINER ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the Nine Month Period Ended September 30, 2005
(Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through September 30,
2004 (Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through
December 31, 2004
(Post-Merger),
for the Period from January 1, 2004 through
March 2, 2004
(Pre-Merger),
and For the Years Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002
certain drilling and completion operations had occurred as of
that date, but for which significant future capital expenditures
were required to bring the wells into commercial production.
Reserve estimates are inherently imprecise and may change as
additional information becomes available. Furthermore, estimates
of oil and gas reserves, of necessity, are projections based on
engineering data, and there are uncertainties inherent in the
interpretation of such data as well as in the projection of
future rates of production and the timing of development
expenditures. Reserve engineering is a subjective process of
estimating underground accumulations of oil and natural gas that
cannot be measured exactly, and the accuracy of any reserve
estimate is a function of the quality of available data and of
engineering and geological interpretation and judgment.
Accordingly, estimates of the economically recoverable
quantities of oil and natural gas attributable to any particular
group of properties, classifications of such reserves based on
risk of recovery and estimates of the future net cash flows
expected therefrom prepared by different engineers or by the
same engineers at different times may vary substantially. There
also can be no assurance that the reserves set forth herein will
ultimately be produced or that the proved undeveloped reserves
set forth herein will be developed within the periods
anticipated. It is likely that variances from the estimates will
be material. In addition, the estimates of future net revenues
from proved reserves of the Company and the present value
thereof are based upon certain assumptions about future
production levels, prices and costs that may not be correct when
judged against actual subsequent experience. The Company
emphasizes with respect to the estimates prepared by independent
petroleum engineers that the discounted future net cash flows
should not be construed as representative of the fair market
value of the proved reserves owned by the Company since
discounted future net cash flows are based upon projected cash
flows which do not provide for changes in oil and natural gas
prices from those in effect on the date indicated or for
escalation of expenses and capital costs subsequent to such
date. The meaningfulness of such estimates is highly dependent
upon the accuracy of the assumptions upon which they are based.
Actual results will differ, and are likely to differ materially,
from the results estimated.
F-31
MARINER ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the Nine Month Period Ended September 30, 2005
(Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through September 30,
2004 (Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through
December 31, 2004
(Post-Merger),
for the Period from January 1, 2004 through
March 2, 2004
(Pre-Merger),
and For the Years Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002
ESTIMATED QUANTITIES OF PROVED RESERVES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural Gas | |
|
|
Oil | |
|
Natural Gas | |
|
Equivalent | |
|
|
(Mbbl) | |
|
(MMcf) | |
|
(MMcfe) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands) | |
December 31, 2001
|
|
|
10,101 |
|
|
|
176,461 |
|
|
|
237,069 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revisions of previous estimates
|
|
|
541 |
|
|
|
5,523 |
|
|
|
8,769 |
|
|
Extensions, discoveries and other additions
|
|
|
2,108 |
|
|
|
18,791 |
|
|
|
31,439 |
|
|
Sale of reserves in place
|
|
|
(35 |
) |
|
|
(35,088 |
) |
|
|
(35,298 |
) |
|
Production
|
|
|
(1,697 |
) |
|
|
(29,632 |
) |
|
|
(39,814 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2002
|
|
|
11,018 |
|
|
|
136,055 |
|
|
|
202,165 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revisions of previous estimates
|
|
|
900 |
|
|
|
(3,076 |
) |
|
|
2,324 |
|
|
Extensions, discoveries and other additions
|
|
|
2,795 |
|
|
|
62,609 |
|
|
|
79,379 |
|
|
Sale of reserves in place
|
|
|
(34 |
) |
|
|
(44,233 |
) |
|
|
(44,437 |
) |
|
Production
|
|
|
(1,600 |
) |
|
|
(23,771 |
) |
|
|
(33,371 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2003
|
|
|
13,079 |
|
|
|
127,584 |
|
|
|
206,060 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revisions of previous estimates
|
|
|
1,249 |
|
|
|
19,797 |
|
|
|
27,291 |
|
|
Extensions, discoveries and other additions
|
|
|
2,225 |
|
|
|
28,334 |
|
|
|
41,684 |
|
|
Sale of reserves in place
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production
|
|
|
(2,298 |
) |
|
|
(23,782 |
) |
|
|
(37,570 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2004
|
|
|
14,255 |
|
|
|
151,933 |
|
|
|
237,465 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ESTIMATED QUANTITIES OF PROVED DEVELOPED RESERVES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural Gas | |
|
|
Oil | |
|
Natural Gas | |
|
Equivalent | |
|
|
(Mbbl) | |
|
(MMcf) | |
|
(MMcfe) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands) | |
December 31, 2002
|
|
|
3,609 |
|
|
|
64,586 |
|
|
|
86,240 |
|
December 31, 2003
|
|
|
5,951 |
|
|
|
60,881 |
|
|
|
96,587 |
|
December 31, 2004
|
|
|
6,339 |
|
|
|
71,361 |
|
|
|
109,395 |
|
The following is a summary of a Standardized Measure of
discounted net future cash flows related to the Companys
proved oil and gas reserves. The information presented is based
on a valuation of proved reserves using discounted cash flows
based on year-end prices, costs and economic conditions and a
10% discount rate. The additions to proved reserves from new
discoveries and extensions could vary significantly from year to
year. Additionally, the impact of changes to reflect current
prices and costs of reserves proved in prior years could also be
significant. Accordingly, the information presented below should
not be viewed as an estimate of the fair value of the
Companys oil and gas properties, nor should it be
considered indicative of any trends.
F-32
MARINER ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the Nine Month Period Ended September 30, 2005
(Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through September 30,
2004 (Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through
December 31, 2004
(Post-Merger),
for the Period from January 1, 2004 through
March 2, 2004
(Pre-Merger),
and For the Years Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002
STANDARDIZED MEASURE OF DISCOUNTED FUTURE NET CASH FLOWS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ending December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands) | |
Future cash inflows
|
|
$ |
1,601,240 |
|
|
$ |
1,182,509 |
|
|
$ |
992,700 |
|
Future production costs
|
|
|
(308,190 |
) |
|
|
(196,695 |
) |
|
|
(154,661 |
) |
Future development costs
|
|
|
(193,689 |
) |
|
|
(138,694 |
) |
|
|
(110,474 |
) |
Future income taxes
|
|
|
(285,701 |
) |
|
|
(183,199 |
) |
|
|
(72,648 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Future net cash flows
|
|
|
813,660 |
|
|
|
663,921 |
|
|
|
654,917 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discount of future net cash flows at 10% per annum
|
|
|
(319,278 |
) |
|
|
(245,762 |
) |
|
|
(191,345 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows
|
|
$ |
494,382 |
|
|
$ |
418,159 |
|
|
$ |
463,572 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
During recent years, there have been significant fluctuations in
the prices paid for crude oil in the world markets and in the
United States, including the posted prices paid by purchasers of
the Companys crude oil. The NYMEX prices of oil and gas at
December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, used in the above table,
were $43.45, $32.52 and $31.20 per Bbl, respectively, and
$6.15, $5.96 and $4.74 per Mmbtu, respectively, and do not
include the effect of hedging contracts in place at period end.
The following are the principal sources of change in the
Standardized Measure of discounted future net cash flows (in
thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ending December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Sales and transfers of oil and gas produced, net of production
costs
|
|
$ |
(185,673 |
) |
|
$ |
(111,572 |
) |
|
$ |
(125,610 |
) |
Net changes in prices and production costs
|
|
|
27,767 |
|
|
|
27,403 |
|
|
|
331,085 |
|
Extensions and discoveries, net of future development and
production costs
|
|
|
102,905 |
|
|
|
180,237 |
|
|
|
50,085 |
|
Development costs during period and net change in development
costs
|
|
|
44,417 |
|
|
|
31,709 |
|
|
|
28,474 |
|
Revision of previous quantity estimates
|
|
|
89,814 |
|
|
|
6,276 |
|
|
|
7,480 |
|
Sales of reserves in place
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(138,016 |
) |
|
|
(25,887 |
) |
Net change in income taxes
|
|
|
(27,634 |
) |
|
|
(63,962 |
) |
|
|
(51,423 |
) |
Accretion of discount before income taxes
|
|
|
41,816 |
|
|
|
51,500 |
|
|
|
29,488 |
|
Changes in production rates (timing) and other
|
|
|
(17,189 |
) |
|
|
(28,988 |
) |
|
|
(12,148 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net change
|
|
$ |
76,223 |
|
|
$ |
(45,413 |
) |
|
$ |
231,544 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-33
MARINER ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
For the Nine Month Period Ended September 30, 2005
(Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through September 30,
2004 (Unaudited),
for the Period from March 3, 2004 through
December 31, 2004
(Post-Merger),
for the Period from January 1, 2004 through
March 2, 2004
(Pre-Merger),
and For the Years Ended December 31, 2003 and 2002
|
|
11. |
Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information |
The following table presents Mariners unaudited quarterly
financial information for 2004 and 2003:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post-Merger | |
|
|
Pre-Merger | |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Period from | |
|
|
Period from | |
|
|
|
|
2004 Quarter Ended | |
|
March 3, 2004 | |
|
|
January 1, 2004 | |
|
2003 Quarter Ended | |
|
|
| |
|
through | |
|
|
through | |
|
| |
|
|
December 31 | |
|
September 30 | |
|
June 30 | |
|
March 31, 2004 | |
|
|
March 2, 2004 | |
|
December 31 | |
|
September 30 | |
|
June 30 | |
|
March 31 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands, except per share data) | |
Total revenues
|
|
$ |
51,897 |
|
|
$ |
50,202 |
|
|
$ |
51,086 |
|
|
$ |
21,238 |
|
|
|
$ |
39,764 |
|
|
$ |
33,231 |
|
|
$ |
29,002 |
|
|
$ |
35,099 |
|
|
$ |
45,211 |
|
Operating income
|
|
$ |
29,108 |
|
|
$ |
24,403 |
|
|
$ |
25,045 |
|
|
$ |
9,666 |
|
|
|
$ |
22,812 |
|
|
$ |
14,474 |
|
|
$ |
4,428 |
|
|
$ |
9,681 |
|
|
$ |
23,330 |
|
Income before income taxes
|
|
$ |
27,501 |
|
|
$ |
22,804 |
|
|
$ |
23,071 |
|
|
$ |
9,026 |
|
|
|
$ |
22,898 |
|
|
$ |
14,453 |
|
|
$ |
2,758 |
|
|
$ |
7,583 |
|
|
$ |
20,894 |
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
|
9,562 |
|
|
|
8,498 |
|
|
|
7,630 |
|
|
|
3,093 |
|
|
|
|
8,072 |
|
|
|
10,432 |
|
|
|
(1,045 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting method,
net of tax effects
|
|
|
17,939 |
|
|
|
14,306 |
|
|
|
15,441 |
|
|
|
5,933 |
|
|
|
|
14,826 |
|
|
|
4,021 |
|
|
|
3,803 |
|
|
|
7,583 |
|
|
|
20,894 |
|
Cumulative effect of change in accounting method, net of tax
effects
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,045 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,988 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Income
|
|
$ |
17,939 |
|
|
$ |
14,306 |
|
|
$ |
15,441 |
|
|
$ |
5,933 |
|
|
|
$ |
14,826 |
|
|
$ |
4,021 |
|
|
$ |
2,758 |
|
|
$ |
7,583 |
|
|
$ |
23,882 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income per share basic
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting method,
net of tax effects
|
|
$ |
0.60 |
|
|
$ |
0.48 |
|
|
$ |
0.52 |
|
|
$ |
0.20 |
|
|
|
$ |
0.50 |
|
|
$ |
0.14 |
|
|
$ |
0.13 |
|
|
$ |
0.25 |
|
|
$ |
0.70 |
|
|
Cumulative effect of change in accounting method, net of tax
effects
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.04 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income per share basic
|
|
$ |
0.60 |
|
|
$ |
0.48 |
|
|
$ |
0.52 |
|
|
$ |
0.20 |
|
|
|
$ |
0.50 |
|
|
$ |
0.14 |
|
|
$ |
0.09 |
|
|
$ |
0.25 |
|
|
$ |
0.80 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income per share diluted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before cumulative effect of change in accounting method,
net of tax effects
|
|
$ |
0.60 |
|
|
$ |
0.48 |
|
|
$ |
0.52 |
|
|
$ |
0.20 |
|
|
|
$ |
0.50 |
|
|
$ |
0.14 |
|
|
$ |
0.13 |
|
|
$ |
0.25 |
|
|
$ |
0.70 |
|
|
Cumulative effect of change in accounting method, net of tax
effects
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.04 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income per share diluted
|
|
$ |
0.60 |
|
|
$ |
0.48 |
|
|
$ |
0.52 |
|
|
$ |
0.20 |
|
|
|
$ |
0.50 |
|
|
$ |
0.14 |
|
|
$ |
0.09 |
|
|
$ |
0.25 |
|
|
$ |
0.80 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average shares outstanding basic
|
|
|
29,748,130 |
|
|
|
29,748,130 |
|
|
|
29,748,130 |
|
|
|
29,748,130 |
|
|
|
|
29,748,130 |
|
|
|
29,748,130 |
|
|
|
29,748,130 |
|
|
|
29,748,130 |
|
|
|
29,748,130 |
|
Weighted average shares outstanding diluted
|
|
|
29,748,130 |
|
|
|
29,748,130 |
|
|
|
29,748,130 |
|
|
|
29,748,130 |
|
|
|
|
29,748,130 |
|
|
|
29,748,130 |
|
|
|
29,748,130 |
|
|
|
29,748,130 |
|
|
|
29,748,130 |
|
F-34
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors
Forest Oil Corporation:
We have audited the statements of revenues and direct operating
expenses of the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations (as defined in
note 1) for each of the years in the three-year period
ended December 31, 2004 (Historical Statements). These
Historical Statements are the responsibility of the
Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards
generally accepted in the United States. Those standards require
that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable
assurance about whether the Historical Statements are free of
material misstatement. Our audits include consideration of
internal control over financial reporting as a basis for
designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the
circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion
on the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over
financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An
audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the Historical Statements. An
audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating
the overall presentation of the Historical Statements. We
believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
The accompanying statements were prepared for purposes of
complying with the rules and regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission and for inclusion in the registration
statement on
Form S-4 of
Mariner Energy, Inc. The presentation is not intended to be a
complete presentation of the revenues and expenses of the Forest
Gulf of Mexico operations.
In our opinion, the Historical Statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the revenues and
direct operating expenses described in note 1 of the Forest
Gulf of Mexico operations for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 2004 in conformity
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States of America.
Denver, Colorado
October 12, 2005
F-35
FOREST GULF OF MEXICO OPERATIONS
STATEMENTS OF REVENUES AND DIRECT OPERATING EXPENSES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended | |
|
|
|
|
September 30, | |
|
Years Ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Unaudited) | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In thousands) | |
Oil and natural gas revenues
|
|
$ |
326,722 |
|
|
$ |
324,426 |
|
|
$ |
453,139 |
|
|
$ |
342,019 |
|
|
$ |
228,896 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Direct Operating Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lease operating expenses
|
|
|
57,431 |
|
|
|
63,022 |
|
|
|
80,079 |
|
|
|
45,716 |
|
|
|
52,076 |
|
|
Transportation
|
|
|
2,484 |
|
|
|
1,424 |
|
|
|
2,175 |
|
|
|
2,652 |
|
|
|
3,855 |
|
|
Production taxes
|
|
|
1,948 |
|
|
|
1,243 |
|
|
|
1,548 |
|
|
|
1,521 |
|
|
|
947 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total direct operating expenses
|
|
|
61,863 |
|
|
|
65,689 |
|
|
|
83,802 |
|
|
|
49,889 |
|
|
|
56,878 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues in excess of direct operating expenses
|
|
$ |
264,859 |
|
|
$ |
258,737 |
|
|
$ |
369,337 |
|
|
$ |
292,130 |
|
|
$ |
172,018 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to statements of revenues and direct
operating expenses.
F-36
FOREST GULF OF MEXICO OPERATIONS
NOTES TO STATEMENTS OF REVENUES AND DIRECT OPERATING
EXPENSES
For the Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002
and for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005 and
2004
(Information as of and for the nine months ended September
30, 2005 and 2004 is unaudited)
The accompanying historical statements of revenues and direct
operating expenses (the historical statements) are
presented using accrual basis, and represent the revenues and
direct operating expenses attributable to Forest Oil
Corporations (Forest Oil) interests in certain
producing oil and gas properties located offshore in the Gulf of
Mexico (the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations). The
historical statements were prepared from the historical
accounting records of Forest Oil. The historical statements
include only oil and natural gas revenues and direct lease
operating and production expenses, including transportation and
production taxes. The historical statements do not include
Federal and state income taxes, interest expenses, depletion,
depreciation and amortization, accretion, or general and
administrative expenses. Oil and gas revenues include gains or
losses on derivative instruments designated as hedges of oil and
gas production from these properties.
Complete financial statements, including a balance sheet, are
not presented as the oil and gas properties were not operated as
a separate business unit within Forest Oil. Accordingly, it is
not practicable to identify all assets and liabilities, or the
indirect operating costs applicable to these oil and gas
properties. As such, the historical statements of oil and gas
revenues and direct operating expenses have been presented in
lieu of the financial statements prescribed by Rule 3-05 of
Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X.
|
|
2. |
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS |
In order to reduce the impact of fluctuations in oil and gas
prices, or to protect the economics of property acquisitions,
from time to time Forest Oil entered into derivative instruments
designed to hedge future production from its oil and gas
properties, including future production from the properties
constituting the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations. Forest Oil
entered into derivative instruments, including commodity swaps,
collars, and other financial instruments with counterparties
who, in general, are participants in Forest Oils credit
facilities. These arrangements, which are based on prices
available in the financial markets at the time the contracts are
entered into, are settled in cash and do not require physical
deliveries.
Net losses related to hedging activities of $57.1 million
and $40.9 million were recognized for the years ended
December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, and net gains of
$8.4 million were recognized for the year ended
December 31, 2002. Net losses related to hedging activities
of $83.8 million and $34.1 million were recognized for
the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004,
respectively. Gains and losses recognized on hedging activities
are included in oil and natural gas revenues in the statements
of revenues and direct operating expenses.
|
|
3. |
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION REGARDING PROVED OIL AND GAS
RESERVES (UNAUDITED) |
Supplemental oil and natural gas reserve information related to
the Forest Gulf of Mexico operations is presented in accordance
with the requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 69, Disclosures about Oil and Gas
Producing Activities (FAS 69). There are
numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of
proved reserves and in projecting the future rates of production
and timing of development expenditures.
|
|
|
Estimated Proved Reserves |
Proved oil and gas reserves are the estimated quantities of
crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids that geological
and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be
recoverable in future years
F-37
FOREST GULF OF MEXICO OPERATIONS
NOTES TO STATEMENTS OF REVENUES AND DIRECT OPERATING
EXPENSES (Continued)
For the Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002
and for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005 and
2004
(Information as of and for the nine months ended September
30, 2005 and 2004 is unaudited)
from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating
conditions; i.e., prices and costs as of the date the estimate
is made.
Prices include consideration of changes in existing prices
provided only by contractual arrangement, but not on escalations
based on future conditions. Purchases of reserves in place
represent volumes recorded on the closing dates of the
acquisitions for financial accounting purposes.
Proved developed oil and gas reserves are reserves that can be
expected to be recovered through existing wells with existing
equipment and operating methods. Additional oil and gas expected
to be obtained through the application of fluid injection or
other improved recovery techniques for supplementing the natural
forces and mechanisms of primary recovery are included as
proved developed reserves only after testing by a
pilot project or after the operation of an installed program has
confirmed through production response that increased recovery
will be achieved.
An analysis of the estimated changes in quantities of proved
natural gas reserves attributed to the Forest Gulf of Mexico
operations for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and
2002 is shown below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liquids | |
|
Gas | |
|
Total | |
|
|
(MBbls) | |
|
(MMcf) | |
|
(MMcfe) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Balance at January 1, 2002
|
|
|
12,767 |
|
|
|
296,497 |
|
|
|
373,099 |
|
Revisions of previous estimates
|
|
|
(280 |
) |
|
|
12,671 |
|
|
|
10,991 |
|
Extensions and discoveries
|
|
|
481 |
|
|
|
5,557 |
|
|
|
8,443 |
|
Production
|
|
|
(1,980 |
) |
|
|
(50,566 |
) |
|
|
(62,446 |
) |
Purchases of reserves in place
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,009 |
|
|
|
2,009 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2002
|
|
|
10,988 |
|
|
|
266,168 |
|
|
|
332,096 |
|
Revisions of previous estimates
|
|
|
(2,492 |
) |
|
|
(14,565 |
) |
|
|
(29,517 |
) |
Extensions and discoveries
|
|
|
357 |
|
|
|
23,714 |
|
|
|
25,856 |
|
Production
|
|
|
(2,145 |
) |
|
|
(58,785 |
) |
|
|
(71,655 |
) |
Purchases of reserves in place
|
|
|
4,649 |
|
|
|
78,815 |
|
|
|
106,709 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2003
|
|
|
11,357 |
|
|
|
295,347 |
|
|
|
363,489 |
|
Revisions of previous estimates
|
|
|
1,693 |
|
|
|
(2,860 |
) |
|
|
7,298 |
|
Extensions and discoveries
|
|
|
630 |
|
|
|
14,449 |
|
|
|
18,229 |
|
Production
|
|
|
(3,230 |
) |
|
|
(61,684 |
) |
|
|
(81,064 |
) |
Purchases of reserves in place
|
|
|
1,200 |
|
|
|
24,556 |
|
|
|
31,756 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2004
|
|
|
11,650 |
|
|
|
269,808 |
|
|
|
339,708 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proved developed reserves at:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2002
|
|
|
7,644 |
|
|
|
208,904 |
|
|
|
254,768 |
|
December 31, 2003
|
|
|
7,920 |
|
|
|
205,334 |
|
|
|
252,854 |
|
December 31, 2004
|
|
|
9,471 |
|
|
|
201,759 |
|
|
|
258,585 |
|
F-38
FOREST GULF OF MEXICO OPERATIONS
NOTES TO STATEMENTS OF REVENUES AND DIRECT OPERATING
EXPENSES (Continued)
For the Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002
and for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005 and
2004
(Information as of and for the nine months ended September
30, 2005 and 2004 is unaudited)
|
|
|
Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash
Flows |
Future oil and gas sales and production and development costs
have been estimated using prices and costs in effect at the end
of the years indicated. The weighted average prices used for the
December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 calculations were $43.45,
$32.55 and $31.23 per barrel of oil and $6.15, $5.97 and
$4.60 per Mcf of gas, respectively. Future cash inflows
were reduced by estimated future development, abandonment and
production costs based on period-end costs. Future income tax
expenses are estimated using the statutory federal rate of 35%.
No deductions were made for general overhead, depletion,
depreciation, and amortization, or any indirect costs. All cash
flow amounts are discounted at 10%.
Changes in the demand for oil and natural gas, inflation, and
other factors make such estimates inherently imprecise and
subject to substantial revision. This table should not be
construed to be an estimate of the current market value of the
companys proved reserves.
The estimated standardized measure of discounted future net cash
flows relating to proved reserves at December 31, 2004,
2003 and 2002 is shown below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands) | |
Future cash inflows
|
|
$ |
2,155,217 |
|
|
|
2,105,447 |
|
|
|
1,539,033 |
|
Future production costs
|
|
|
(272,020 |
) |
|
|
(272,335 |
) |
|
|
(237,876 |
) |
Future development costs
|
|
|
(357,592 |
) |
|
|
(372,139 |
) |
|
|
(213,020 |
) |
Future income taxes
|
|
|
(412,477 |
) |
|
|
(360,707 |
) |
|
|
(257,647 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Future net cash flows
|
|
|
1,113,128 |
|
|
|
1,100,266 |
|
|
|
830,490 |
|
10% annual discount
|
|
|
(187,291 |
) |
|
|
(150,845 |
) |
|
|
(182,450 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows
relating to proved reserves
|
|
$ |
925,837 |
|
|
|
949,421 |
|
|
|
648,040 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-39
FOREST GULF OF MEXICO OPERATIONS
NOTES TO STATEMENTS OF REVENUES AND DIRECT OPERATING
EXPENSES (Continued)
For the Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002
and for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005 and
2004
(Information as of and for the nine months ended September
30, 2005 and 2004 is unaudited)
An analysis of the sources of changes in the standardized
measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to proved
reserves on the pricing basis described above for the years
ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 is shown below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In thousands) | |
Balance, beginning of period
|
|
$ |
949,421 |
|
|
|
648,040 |
|
|
|
434,955 |
|
Increase (decrease) in discounted future net cash flows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales of oil and gas, net of production costs
|
|
|
(426,405 |
) |
|
|
(333,029 |
) |
|
|
(163,604 |
) |
|
Net changes in prices and future production costs
|
|
|
11,628 |
|
|
|
345,947 |
|
|
|
373,243 |
|
|
Net changes in future development costs
|
|
|
9,615 |
|
|
|
(82,874 |
) |
|
|
(43,636 |
) |
|
Extensions, discoveries and improved recovery
|
|
|
88,999 |
|
|
|
98,561 |
|
|
|
24,292 |
|
|
Previously estimated development costs incurred during the period
|
|
|
70,027 |
|
|
|
74,690 |
|
|
|
70,833 |
|
|
Revisions of previous quantity estimates
|
|
|
28,701 |
|
|
|
(104,674 |
) |
|
|
31,446 |
|
|
Purchases of reserves in place
|
|
|
100,681 |
|
|
|
307,686 |
|
|
|
3,741 |
|
|
Accretion of discount
|
|
|
121,720 |
|
|
|
82,808 |
|
|
|
48,343 |
|
Net change in income taxes
|
|
|
(28,550 |
) |
|
|
(87,734 |
) |
|
|
(131,573 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, end of period
|
|
$ |
925,837 |
|
|
|
949,421 |
|
|
|
648,040 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-40
Annex A
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 9, 2005
AMONG
FOREST OIL CORPORATION,
SML WELLHEAD CORPORATION,
MARINER ENERGY, INC.
AND
MEI SUB, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE I
|
|
DEFINITIONS
|
|
ARTICLE II
|
|
THE MERGER
|
|
SECTION 2.1
|
|
Distribution and Merger |
|
Annex A-8 |
SECTION 2.2
|
|
Effect on Capital Stock |
|
Annex A-9 |
SECTION 2.3
|
|
Cancellation of Stock |
|
Annex A-9 |
SECTION 2.4
|
|
Stockholders Meeting |
|
Annex A-9 |
SECTION 2.5
|
|
Closing |
|
Annex A-9 |
SECTION 2.6
|
|
Effective Time |
|
Annex A-10 |
SECTION 2.7
|
|
Closing of Transfer Books |
|
Annex A-10 |
SECTION 2.8
|
|
Exchange of Certificates |
|
Annex A-10 |
SECTION 2.9
|
|
Certain Stock Options |
|
Annex A-11 |
|
ARTICLE III
|
|
REPRESENTATIONS AND
WARRANTIES OF FOREST
|
|
SECTION 3.1
|
|
Organization; Qualification |
|
Annex A-12 |
SECTION 3.2
|
|
Corporate Authority; No Violation |
|
Annex A-12 |
SECTION 3.3
|
|
Information Supplied |
|
Annex A-13 |
SECTION 3.4
|
|
Brokers or Finders |
|
Annex A-13 |
SECTION 3.5
|
|
Forest Rights Plan |
|
Annex A-13 |
|
ARTICLE IV
|
|
REPRESENTATIONS AND
WARRANTIES OF FOREST AND SPINCO
|
|
SECTION 4.1
|
|
Organization, Qualification |
|
Annex A-14 |
SECTION 4.2
|
|
Capital Stock and Other Matters |
|
Annex A-14 |
SECTION 4.3
|
|
Corporate Authority; No Violation |
|
Annex A-15 |
SECTION 4.4
|
|
Spinco Financial Statements; Liabilities |
|
Annex A-15 |
SECTION 4.5
|
|
Absence of Certain Changes or Events |
|
Annex A-16 |
SECTION 4.6
|
|
Investigations; Litigation |
|
Annex A-16 |
SECTION 4.7
|
|
Licenses; Compliance with Laws |
|
Annex A-16 |
SECTION 4.8
|
|
Proxy Statement/ Prospectus; Registration Statements |
|
Annex A-16 |
SECTION 4.9
|
|
Information Supplied |
|
Annex A-17 |
SECTION 4.10
|
|
Environmental Matters |
|
Annex A-17 |
SECTION 4.11
|
|
Tax Matters |
|
Annex A-18 |
SECTION 4.12
|
|
Benefit Plans |
|
Annex A-19 |
SECTION 4.13
|
|
Labor Matters |
|
Annex A-20 |
SECTION 4.14
|
|
Intellectual Property Matters |
|
Annex A-20 |
SECTION 4.15
|
|
Material Contracts |
|
Annex A-21 |
SECTION 4.16
|
|
Brokers or Finders |
|
Annex A-21 |
SECTION 4.17
|
|
Certain Board Findings |
|
Annex A-21 |
SECTION 4.18
|
|
Vote Required |
|
Annex A-21 |
Annex A-i
|
|
|
|
|
SECTION 4.19
|
|
Stockholder Approval |
|
Annex A-21 |
SECTION 4.20
|
|
Certain Payments |
|
Annex A-22 |
SECTION 4.21
|
|
Assets |
|
Annex A-22 |
SECTION 4.22
|
|
Loans |
|
Annex A-22 |
SECTION 4.23
|
|
Oil and Gas Reserves |
|
Annex A-22 |
SECTION 4.24
|
|
Derivative Transactions |
|
Annex A-23 |
SECTION 4.25
|
|
No Other Representations and Warranties |
|
Annex A-23 |
|
ARTICLE V
|
|
REPRESENTATIONS AND
WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
|
|
SECTION 5.1
|
|
Organization, Qualification |
|
Annex A-24 |
SECTION 5.2
|
|
Capital Stock and Other Matters |
|
Annex A-24 |
SECTION 5.3
|
|
Corporate Authority; No Violation |
|
Annex A-25 |
SECTION 5.4
|
|
Company Financial Statements; Liabilities |
|
Annex A-25 |
SECTION 5.5
|
|
Absence of Certain Changes or Events |
|
Annex A-26 |
SECTION 5.6
|
|
Investigations; Litigation |
|
Annex A-26 |
SECTION 5.7
|
|
Licenses; Compliance with Laws |
|
Annex A-26 |
SECTION 5.8
|
|
Proxy Statement/ Prospectus; Registration Statements |
|
Annex A-26 |
SECTION 5.9
|
|
Information Supplied |
|
Annex A-27 |
SECTION 5.10
|
|
Environmental Matters |
|
Annex A-27 |
SECTION 5.11
|
|
Tax Matters |
|
Annex A-28 |
SECTION 5.12
|
|
Benefit Plans |
|
Annex A-29 |
SECTION 5.13
|
|
Labor Matters |
|
Annex A-30 |
SECTION 5.14
|
|
Intellectual Property Matters |
|
Annex A-30 |
SECTION 5.15
|
|
Material Contracts |
|
Annex A-30 |
SECTION 5.16
|
|
Opinion of Company Financial Advisor |
|
Annex A-31 |
SECTION 5.17
|
|
Brokers or Finders |
|
Annex A-31 |
SECTION 5.18
|
|
Takeover Statutes |
|
Annex A-31 |
SECTION 5.19
|
|
Certain Board Findings |
|
Annex A-31 |
SECTION 5.20
|
|
Vote Required |
|
Annex A-31 |
SECTION 5.21
|
|
Certain Payments |
|
Annex A-31 |
SECTION 5.22
|
|
Assets |
|
Annex A-31 |
SECTION 5.23
|
|
Loans |
|
Annex A-32 |
SECTION 5.24
|
|
Oil and Gas Reserves |
|
Annex A-32 |
SECTION 5.25
|
|
Derivative Transactions |
|
Annex A-32 |
SECTION 5.26
|
|
No Other Representations and Warranties |
|
Annex A-32 |
|
ARTICLE VI
|
|
COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS
|
|
SECTION 6.1
|
|
Conduct of Business by the Company Pending the Merger |
|
Annex A-33 |
SECTION 6.2
|
|
Conduct of Business by Spinco and Forest Pending the Merger |
|
Annex A-36 |
SECTION 6.3
|
|
Proxy Statement/ Prospectus |
|
Annex A-40 |
SECTION 6.4
|
|
Cooperation |
|
Annex A-41 |
SECTION 6.5
|
|
Letter of Spincos Accountants |
|
Annex A-41 |
SECTION 6.6
|
|
Letter of the Companys Accountants |
|
Annex A-41 |
Annex A-ii
|
|
|
|
|
SECTION 6.7
|
|
Forest/ Spinco Employee Stock Options, Incentive and Benefit
Plans |
|
Annex A-42 |
SECTION 6.8
|
|
Employee Benefit Plans |
|
Annex A-42 |
SECTION 6.9
|
|
Investigation |
|
Annex A-45 |
SECTION 6.10
|
|
Reasonable Efforts; Further Assurances |
|
Annex A-45 |
SECTION 6.11
|
|
No Solicitation by the Company |
|
Annex A-45 |
SECTION 6.12
|
|
Director and Officer Indemnification; Insurance |
|
Annex A-48 |
SECTION 6.13
|
|
Rule 145 Affiliates |
|
Annex A-49 |
SECTION 6.14
|
|
Public Announcements |
|
Annex A-49 |
SECTION 6.15
|
|
Defense of Litigation |
|
Annex A-49 |
SECTION 6.16
|
|
Notification |
|
Annex A-49 |
SECTION 6.17
|
|
Obligations of Merger Sub |
|
Annex A-50 |
SECTION 6.18
|
|
Accounting Matters |
|
Annex A-50 |
SECTION 6.19
|
|
Reorganization Treatment |
|
Annex A-50 |
SECTION 6.20
|
|
Performance Bond |
|
Annex A-50 |
SECTION 6.21
|
|
Estimated Basis |
|
Annex A-50 |
|
ARTICLE VII
|
|
CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER
|
|
SECTION 7.1
|
|
Conditions to the Obligations of Spinco, Forest, the Company and
Merger Sub to Effect the Merger |
|
Annex A-50 |
SECTION 7.2
|
|
Additional Conditions to the Obligations of Forest and Spinco |
|
Annex A-51 |
SECTION 7.3
|
|
Additional Conditions to the Obligations of the Company and
Merger Sub |
|
Annex A-52 |
|
ARTICLE VIII
|
|
TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND
WAIVERS
|
|
SECTION 8.1
|
|
Termination |
|
Annex A-52 |
SECTION 8.2
|
|
Effect of Termination |
|
Annex A-54 |
SECTION 8.3
|
|
Termination Fee; Expenses |
|
Annex A-54 |
SECTION 8.4
|
|
Amendment |
|
Annex A-55 |
SECTION 8.5
|
|
Waivers |
|
Annex A-55 |
|
ARTICLE IX
|
|
MISCELLANEOUS
|
|
SECTION 9.1
|
|
Survival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements;
Indemnification |
|
Annex A-55 |
SECTION 9.2
|
|
Expenses |
|
Annex A-56 |
SECTION 9.3
|
|
Notices |
|
Annex A-56 |
SECTION 9.4
|
|
Certain Construction Rules |
|
Annex A-57 |
SECTION 9.5
|
|
Severability |
|
Annex A-57 |
SECTION 9.6
|
|
Assignment; Binding Effect |
|
Annex A-57 |
SECTION 9.7
|
|
No Third Party Beneficiaries |
|
Annex A-57 |
SECTION 9.8
|
|
Limited Liability |
|
Annex A-58 |
SECTION 9.9
|
|
Entire Agreement |
|
Annex A-58 |
SECTION 9.10
|
|
Governing Law |
|
Annex A-58 |
SECTION 9.11
|
|
Counterparts |
|
Annex A-58 |
SECTION 9.12
|
|
Specific Performance |
|
Annex A-58 |
Annex A-iii
|
|
|
|
|
SECTION 9.13
|
|
Waiver of Jury Trial |
|
Annex A-58 |
SECTION 9.14
|
|
Confidentiality |
|
Annex A-59 |
Schedules
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit A Distribution Agreement
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit B Initial Officers of the Company
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit C Certificate of Incorporation of
the Company
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit D Bylaws of the Company
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit E Relocation and Severance Benefits
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit F Rule 145 Affiliate Agreement
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit G Form of Forest Officers
Certificate
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit H Form of Company Officers
Certificate
|
|
|
|
|
Annex A-iv
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated as of September 9,
2005, is among Forest Oil Corporation, a New York corporation
(Forest), SML Wellhead Corporation, a Delaware
corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Forest
(Spinco), Mariner Energy, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the Company), and MEI Sub, Inc., a
Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of the
Company (Merger Sub).
WHEREAS, prior to the Distribution Date (as such term and other
capitalized terms are defined in Article I hereof), and
subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the
Distribution Agreement of even date herewith by and between
Forest and Spinco, in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit A (the Distribution Agreement),
Forest intends to transfer or cause to be transferred to Spinco
all of the Spinco Assets, and Spinco intends to assume all of
the Spinco Liabilities, as contemplated by the Distribution
Agreement (such transfer and assumption collectively, the
Contribution);
WHEREAS, subject to the conditions set forth in the Distribution
Agreement, on the Distribution Date, Forest intends to
distribute all of the issued and outstanding shares of Spinco
Common Stock on a pro rata basis to the holders as of the Record
Date (as defined in the Distribution Agreement) of the
outstanding Forest Common Stock (the Distribution);
WHEREAS, at the Effective Time, the parties intend to effect a
merger of Merger Sub with and into Spinco, with Spinco being the
surviving corporation of the Merger;
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (i) has
determined that the Merger is fair to, and in the best interests
of, the Company and its stockholders and has approved this
Agreement and the Merger, and (ii) has recommended the
adoption of this Agreement by the stockholders of the Company,
and the Company, as the sole stockholder of Merger Sub, has
adopted this Agreement;
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Merger Sub has approved this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including
the Merger;
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Forest (i) has approved
this Agreement and the Distribution Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including the
Contribution, the Distribution and the Merger, and (ii) has
determined that the Merger is fair to, and in the best interests
of, Forest and its shareholders;
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Spinco (i) has
determined that the Merger is fair to, and in the best interests
of, Spinco and its stockholder and has approved this Agreement,
and Forest, as the sole stockholder of Spinco, has adopted this
Agreement, and (ii) has approved the Distribution Agreement
and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including
the Contribution and the Distribution; and
WHEREAS, the parties to this Agreement intend that the
Contribution and the Distribution qualify under
Sections 368(a) and 355 of the Code, respectively, and that
the Merger qualify as a reorganization under Section 368(a)
of the Code, and the parties intend, by executing this
Agreement, to adopt a plan of reorganization within the meaning
of Section 368 of the Code;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements set forth in this
Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the
parties, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
2004 Spinco IDC shall have the meaning specified in
Section 6.21.
Acquisition Proposal shall have the meaning
specified in Section 6.11(g).
Acquisition Group shall have the meaning specified
in Section 6.11(g).
Annex A-1
Action shall mean any litigation, claim, action,
suit, arbitration, inquiry, proceeding or investigation by or
before any Governmental Authority.
Affiliate shall mean, with respect to any specified
Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, controls,
is controlled by or is under common control with, such specified
Person. For purposes of this definition, control
(including, with correlative meanings, the terms
controlled by and under common control
with), as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the
possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or
cause the direction of the management or policies of such
Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by
contract or otherwise; provided, however, that for purposes of
this Agreement, from and after the Distribution Date, no member
of either Group shall be deemed an Affiliate of any member of
the other Group.
Agreement shall mean this Agreement and Plan of
Merger.
Approved for Listing shall mean, with respect to
shares of Spinco Common Stock, that such shares have been
approved for listing on the NYSE or Nasdaq, subject to official
notice of issuance.
Certificate of Merger shall have the meaning
specified in Section 2.6.
Certificates shall have the meaning specified in
Section 2.3.
Change of Recommendation shall have the meaning
specified in Section 6.11(d).
Closing shall have the meaning specified in
Section 2.5.
Code shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended.
Company shall have the meaning specified in the
preamble hereof.
Company Benefit Plans shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 5.12(a).
Company Common Stock shall mean the common stock,
par value $.0001 per share, of the Company.
Company Consent shall mean the consent of the
Company.
Company Disclosure Schedule shall mean the schedule
prepared and delivered by the Company to Forest and Spinco as of
the date of this Agreement, setting forth, among other things,
certain information that, to the extent provided herein,
qualifies certain representations, warranties and agreements of
the Company made in this Agreement.
Company Employee shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 5.12(a).
Company Financial Statements shall have the meaning
specified in Section 5.4(b).
Company Preferred Stock shall mean the Preferred
Stock, par value $.0001 per share, of the Company.
Company Reserve Report shall have the meaning
specified in Section 5.24.
Company Savings Plan shall have the meaning
specified in Section 6.8(d).
Company Stock Plans shall mean the Mariner Energy,
Inc. Stock Incentive Plan, effective as of March 11, 2005,
and the Mariner Energy, Inc. Equity Participation Plan,
effective March 11, 2005.
Company Stockholders Meeting shall have the meaning
specified in Section 2.4(a).
Company Subsidiaries shall mean all direct and
indirect Subsidiaries of the Company.
Company Voting Debt shall have the meaning specified
in Section 5.2.
Company Welfare Plans shall have the meaning
specified in Section 6.8(c).
Confidentiality Agreement shall mean the
Confidentiality Agreement, dated as of May 23, 2005,
between Forest and the Company.
Continuing Company Employees shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 6.8(a).
Annex A-2
Continuing Spinco Employees shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 6.8(a).
Contract shall mean any loan or credit agreement,
note, bond, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, lease,
franchise, permit, authorization, license, contract, instrument
or other binding agreement, obligation or commitment.
Contribution shall have the meaning set forth in the
Recitals hereto.
Controlling Person shall have the meaning specified
in Section 9.1(b).
Derivative Transaction shall mean a derivative
transaction within the coverage of Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 133, including any swap
transaction, option, warrant, forward purchase or sale
transaction, futures transaction, cap transaction, floor
transaction or collar transaction relating to one or more
currencies, commodities, bonds, equity securities, loans,
interest rates, credit-related events or conditions or any
indexes, or any other similar transaction (including any option
with respect to any of such transactions) or combination of any
of such transactions, including collateralized mortgage
obligations or other similar instruments or any debt or equity
instruments evidencing or embedding any such types of
transactions, and any related credit support, collateral,
transportation or other similar arrangements or agreements
related to such transactions.
DGCL shall mean the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware.
Disclosure Schedules shall mean, collectively, the
Forest Disclosure Schedule, the Spinco Disclosure Schedule and
the Company Disclosure Schedule.
Distribution shall have the meaning set forth in the
Recitals hereto.
Distribution Agreement shall have the meaning set
forth in the Recitals hereto.
Distribution Date shall mean the date and time that
the Distribution shall become effective.
Effective Time shall have the meaning specified in
Section 2.6.
Employee Benefits Agreement shall mean the Employee
Benefits Agreement of even date herewith between Forest and
Spinco, in the form attached to the Distribution Agreement.
Environmental Laws shall mean any and all federal,
state or local statute, rule, regulation or ordinance, and any
judicial or administrative interpretation thereof, including any
guidance document, cleanup standard, Order or determination
issued, promulgated, approved or entered thereunder by any
Governmental Authority, relating to pollution or the protection,
cleanup or restoration of the environment, protection of species
or ecosystems, or to human health, safety or natural resources,
including those established by or promulgated under the Federal
Clean Air Act, the Federal Oil Pollution Act, the Federal Water
Pollution Control Act, the Federal Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act, the Federal Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act, the Federal Toxic Substances
Control Act, the Federal Coastal Zone Management Act, the
Federal Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, the Federal
Endangered Species Act, the Federal Marine Mammal Protection
Act, the Federal National Environmental Policy Act, and similar
state laws.
ERISA shall mean the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, as amended.
ERISA Affiliate shall mean, with respect to any
Person, any other Person or any trade or business, whether or
not incorporated, that, together with such first Person would be
deemed a single employer within the meaning of
section 4001(b) of ERISA. For all purposes under this
Agreement, Forest shall be deemed to be an ERISA Affiliate of
Spinco, regardless of whether the Distribution has occurred.
Estimated Basis shall have the meaning specified in
Section 6.21.
Exchange Act shall mean the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended, together with the rules and regulations of
the SEC promulgated thereunder.
Exchange Agent shall have the meaning specified in
Section 2.8(a).
Annex A-3
Exchange Fund shall have the meaning specified in
Section 2.8(a).
Forest shall have the meaning specified in the
preamble hereof.
Forest Common Stock shall mean the common stock, par
value $.10 per share, of Forest.
Forest Disclosure Schedule shall mean the schedule
prepared and delivered by Forest to the Company as of the date
of this Agreement, setting forth, among other things, certain
information that, to the extent provided herein, qualifies
certain representations, warranties and agreements of Forest
made in this Agreement.
Forest Group shall mean Forest and the Forest
Subsidiaries.
Forest Incentive Plans shall mean the Forcenergy
Inc. 1999 Stock Plan and the Forest 2001 Stock Incentive Plan.
Forest Rights shall mean the common stock purchase
rights issued pursuant to the First Amended and Restated Rights
Agreement, dated as of October 17, 2003, by and between
Forest and Mellon Investor Services LLC.
Forest Savings Plan shall have the meaning specified
in Section 6.8(d).
Forest Stock Option shall mean an option to acquire
Forest Common Stock granted pursuant to a Forest Incentive Plan
that is held by a Continuing Spinco Employee as of the Effective
Time.
Forest Subsidiaries shall mean all direct and
indirect Subsidiaries of Forest immediately after the
Distribution Date.
GAAP shall mean United States generally accepted
accounting principles.
Governmental Authority shall mean any federal, state
or local court, administrative agency, board, bureau or
commission or other governmental department, authority or
instrumentality or any subdivision, agency, commission or
authority thereof.
Group shall mean the Forest Group or the Spinco
Group, as the case may be.
Hazardous Material shall mean any substance,
material or waste regulated under Environmental Laws, and
includes petroleum and any derivative thereof.
HSR Act shall mean the Hart-Scott-Rodino
Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and the
rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
HSR Agencies shall mean the Federal Trade Commission
and the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice.
Indemnified Party shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 6.12(a).
Information shall mean all records, books,
contracts, instruments, computer data and other data and
information.
IRS shall mean the United States Internal Revenue
Service or any successor thereto, including, but not limited to
its agents, representatives and attorneys.
Knowledge of any Person or person shall mean the
knowledge after due inquiry of the executive officers of such
Person (including, with respect to Forests or
Spincos knowledge, the head of the Spinco Business unit).
Licenses shall mean any license, authorization,
permit, certificate, variance, exemption, Order, franchise or
approval from any Governmental Authority.
Liens has the meaning set forth in Section 4.21.
Losses shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 9.1(b).
Annex A-4
Material Adverse Effect, with respect to any Person,
shall mean any circumstance, change or effect that is or is
reasonably likely to be materially adverse to (i) the
business, operations, assets, liabilities, results of operations
or condition (financial or otherwise) of such Person and its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole (which may include damage
attributable, both directly and indirectly, to Hurricane
Katrina), except for such effects on or changes in general
economic or capital market conditions and effects and changes
that generally affect the U.S. domestic oil and gas
exploration and production business, or (ii) the ability of
such Person to perform its obligations hereunder or under the
other Transaction Agreements, in each case other than any such
circumstance, change or effect that relates to or results
primarily from (x) the announcement, pendency or
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
or the other Transaction Agreements or (y) acts of war,
insurrection, sabotage or terrorism; provided, however, that
damages attributable to Hurricane Katrina disclosed in the
September 9, 2005 written damage report of the Company and
in the September 9, 2005 written damage report of Forest,
respectively, shall not be taken into account in determining
whether a Material Adverse Effect exists or has occurred.
Merger shall have the meaning specified in
Section 2.1(b).
Merger Consideration shall mean the number of shares
of Company Common Stock issuable at the Effective Time in
exchange for one share of Spinco Common Stock in accordance with
the provisions of Section 2.2(a).
Merger Sub shall have the meaning specified in the
preamble hereto.
Nasdaq shall mean The Nasdaq Stock Market.
NYBCL shall mean the Business Corporation Law of the
State of New York.
NYSE shall mean the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
Offshore Gulf of Mexico shall mean (i) the
Outer Continental Shelf, as defined at 43 U.S.C. 1331(a),
located in the Gulf of Mexico, and (ii) lands submerged in
offshore waters within the jurisdiction of Alabama, Florida,
Louisiana, Mississippi or Texas.
Option Exchange Ratio shall have the meaning
specified in Section 2.9(b).
Order shall mean any decree, judgment, injunction,
writ, rule or other order of any Governmental Authority.
Out-of-Pocket
Expenses shall have the meaning specified in
Section 8.3(a).
PBGC shall mean the U.S. Pension Benefit
Guaranty Corporation.
Permitted Liens of any Person shall mean any
(a) purchase money Liens and Liens in connection with
capital leases, in each case upon or in any equipment acquired
or held by such Person in the ordinary course of business;
provided that, the indebtedness secured by such Liens
(i) was incurred solely for the purpose of financing the
acquisition of such equipment, and does not exceed the aggregate
purchase price of such equipment, (ii) is secured only by
such equipment and not by any other assets of such Person or its
Subsidiaries, (iii) is not increased in amount and
(iv) is not described in the Forest Disclosure Schedule,
Spinco Disclosure Schedule or Company Disclosure Schedule;
(b) Liens for Taxes, assessments, or other governmental
charges or levies not yet due or that (provided that
foreclosure, sale, or other similar proceedings shall not have
been initiated) are being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings; (c) Liens in favor of vendors, carriers,
warehousemen, repairmen, mechanics, workmen, materialmen,
construction, or similar Liens arising by operation of law in
the ordinary course of business in respect of obligations that
are not yet due or that are being contested in good faith by
appropriate proceedings; (d) Liens to operators and
non-operators under joint operating agreements arising in the
ordinary course of the business of such Person to secure amounts
owing, which amounts are not yet due or are being contested in
good faith by appropriate proceedings; (e) royalties,
overriding royalties, net profits interests, production
payments, reversionary interests, calls on production,
preferential purchase rights and other burdens on or deductions
from the proceeds of production, that do not secure indebtedness
for borrowed money; (f) Liens arising in the ordinary
course of business out of pledges or deposits under
workers compensation laws, unemployment insurance, old
Annex A-5
age pensions or other social security or retirement benefits, or
similar legislation or to secure public or statutory obligations
of such Person; (g) operating agreements, unitization and
pooling agreements and orders, production handling agreements,
processing agreements, transportation agreements, sales
agreements, farmout agreements, gas balancing agreements and
other agreements, in each case that are customary in the oil,
gas and mineral exploration and production business and that are
entered into in the ordinary course of business, to the extent
that such Liens do not materially impair the use of the property
covered by such Lien for the purposes for which such property is
held by such Person; (h) consents to assignments, rights
reserved to or vested in any Governmental Authority or lessor,
and rights of set-off and bankers liens in each case that
do not secure indebtedness; and (i) easements,
rights-of-way,
restrictions, and other similar encumbrances, and minor defects
in the chain of title that are customary in the oil and gas
industry, none of which interfere with the ordinary conduct of
the business of such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person or
materially detract from the value or use of the property to
which they apply.
Person or person shall mean a natural
person, corporation, company, partnership, limited partnership,
limited liability company or other entity, including a
Governmental Authority.
Privileged Information shall have the meaning
specified in the Distribution Agreement.
Proxy Statement/Prospectus shall mean the proxy
statement/prospectus to be distributed to the stockholders of
the Company in connection with the Merger and the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, including any preliminary proxy
statement/prospectus or definitive proxy statement/prospectus
filed with the SEC in accordance with the terms and provisions
hereof. The Proxy Statement/Prospectus shall constitute a part
of the Registration Statement on
Form S-4.
Registration Statements shall mean the Registration
Statement on
Form S-4 to be
filed by the Company with the SEC to effect the registration
under the Securities Act of the issuance of the shares of
Company Common Stock into which shares of Spinco Common Stock
will be converted pursuant to the Merger, the Registration
Statement on
Form S-1 to be
filed by the Company with the SEC to effect the registration
under the Securities Act of the resale of the shares of Company
Common Stock by certain selling stockholders and the
registration statement on Form 10 (or, if such form is not
appropriate, the appropriate form pursuant to the Exchange Act)
to be filed by Spinco with the SEC to effect the registration
under the Exchange Act of Spinco Common Stock in connection with
the Distribution.
Representative shall mean, with respect to any
Person, any of such Persons directors, officers,
employees, agents, consultants, advisors, accountants, attorneys
and representatives.
Requisite Approval shall have the meaning specified
in Section 5.20.
Retention Benefit shall have the meaning specified
in Section 6.8(g).
Retention Period shall have the meaning specified in
Section 6.8(e).
Rule 145 Affiliate shall have the meaning
specified in Section 6.13.
Rule 145 Affiliate Agreement shall have the
meaning specified in Section 6.13.
SEC shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission.
Securities Act shall mean the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, together with the rules and regulations of the
SEC promulgated thereunder.
Significant Subsidiary shall have the meaning set
forth in Rule 1-02 of
Regulation S-X of
the Exchange Act.
Spinco shall have the meaning specified in the
preamble hereof.
Spinco 2004 Financial Statements shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 4.4.
Spinco Assets shall have the meaning specified in
the Distribution Agreement.
Spinco Benefit Plans shall have the meaning
specified in Section 4.12(a).
Annex A-6
Spinco Business shall have the meaning specified in
the Distribution Agreement.
Spinco Common Stock shall mean the Common Stock, par
value $.10 per share, of Spinco.
Spinco Disclosure Schedule shall mean the schedule
prepared and delivered by Spinco to the Company as of the date
of this Agreement, setting forth, among other things, certain
information that, to the extent provided herein, qualifies
certain representations, warranties and agreements of Forest and
Spinco made in this Agreement.
Spinco Employee shall have the meaning specified in
Section 4.12(a).
Spinco Financial Statements shall have the meaning
specified in Section 4.4.
Spinco Group shall mean Spinco and the Spinco
Subsidiaries.
Spinco Liabilities shall have the meaning specified
in the Distribution Agreement.
Spinco Preferred Stock shall mean the Preferred
Stock of Spinco.
Spinco Reserve Report shall have the meaning
specified in Section 4.23.
Spinco Subsidiaries shall mean all direct and
indirect Subsidiaries of Spinco immediately after the
Distribution Date and prior to the Effective Time.
Spinco Voting Debt shall have the meaning specified
in Section 4.2.
Subsidiary shall mean, with respect to any Person, a
corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other
entity in which such Person, a Subsidiary of such Person or such
Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, directly or
indirectly, has either (i) a majority ownership in the
equity thereof, (ii) the power, under ordinary
circumstances, to elect, or to direct the election of, a
majority of the board of directors or other governing body of
such entity, or (iii) the title or function of general
partner or manager, or the right to designate the Person having
such title or function.
Superior Offer shall have the meaning specified in
Section 6.11(g).
Surviving Corporation shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 2.1(b).
Taxes shall mean all taxes, charges, fees, duties,
levies, imposts, rates or other assessments imposed by any
federal, state, local or foreign Taxing Authority, including,
but not limited to, income, gross receipts, excise, property,
sales, use, license, capital stock, transfer, franchise,
payroll, withholding, social security, value added or other
taxes (including any interest, penalties or additions
attributable thereto) and a Tax shall mean any one
of such Taxes.
Tax Return means any return, report, certificate,
form or similar statement or document (including any related or
supporting information or schedule attached thereto and any
information return, amended tax return, claim for refund or
declaration of estimated Tax) required to be supplied to, or
filed with, a Taxing Authority in connection with the
determination, assessment or collection of any Tax or the
administration of any laws, regulations or administrative
requirements relating to any Tax.
Tax Sharing Agreement shall mean the Tax Sharing
Agreement of even date herewith between Forest, Spinco and the
Company.
Taxing Authority means any Governmental Authority or
any quasi-governmental or private body having jurisdiction over
the assessment, determination, collection or imposition of any
Tax (including the IRS).
Termination Date shall mean the date, if any, on
which this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 8.1.
Termination Fee shall have the meaning specified in
Section 8.3(b).
Termination for Cause shall have the meaning
assigned to such term in Forests Severance Plan as in
effect on the date of this Agreement.
Annex A-7
Third Party Provisions shall have the meaning
specified in Section 9.7.
Transaction Agreements shall mean this Agreement,
the Distribution Agreement, the Employee Benefits Agreement, the
Transition Services Agreement and the Tax Sharing Agreement.
Transition Services Agreement shall mean the
Transition Services Agreement of even date herewith between
Forest and its affiliates and Spinco and its affiliates in the
form attached to the Distribution Agreement.
Unvested Forest Stock Option shall mean the portion
of a Forest Stock Option representing the shares of Forest
Common Stock for which such option is not exercisable as of the
Effective Time.
ARTICLE II
THE MERGER
Section 2.1 Distribution
and Merger.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of the Distribution
Agreement, prior to or on the Distribution Date, the parties
thereto shall effect the various transactions contemplated by
the Distribution Agreement.
(b) At the Effective Time: (i) Merger Sub shall be
merged with and into Spinco (the Merger), the
separate existence of Merger Sub shall cease and Spinco shall
continue as the surviving corporation of the Merger (sometimes
referred to herein as the Surviving Corporation);
(ii) the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
of Spinco as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time
shall be the Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving
Corporation until thereafter duly amended in accordance with
applicable law and such Certificate of Incorporation; and
(iii) the Amended and Restated Bylaws of Spinco as in
effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the
Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter duly
amended in accordance with applicable law, the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation and such Bylaws.
(c) The Board of Directors of the Company from and after
the Effective Time shall be increased to seven
(7) directors, five of whom shall be the directors of the
Company immediately prior to the Effective Time, and two of whom
shall be mutually agreed by Forest and the Company prior to the
Effective Time. The initial officers of the Company from and
after the Effective Time shall be as set forth in
Exhibit B hereto. Such directors and officers of the
Company shall serve until their successors have been duly
elected or appointed and qualified or until their earlier death,
resignation or removal in accordance with the Companys
Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws. The Board of Directors
of the Company shall also appoint committees as appropriate,
including an audit committee, a compensation committee and a
nominating committee. The Certificate of Incorporation and
Bylaws of the Company at the Effective Time shall be
substantially in the forms attached hereto as
Exhibit C and Exhibit D, respectively.
The corporate and operational headquarters of the Company will
be located in Houston, Texas.
(d) The directors of Merger Sub shall, from and after the
Effective Time, be the directors of the Surviving Corporation.
The officers of Merger Sub shall, from and after the Effective
Time, be the officers of the Surviving Corporation. Such
directors and officers of the Surviving Corporation shall serve
until their successors have been duly elected or appointed and
qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal
in accordance with the Surviving Corporations Certificate
of Incorporation and Bylaws.
(e) The Merger shall have the effects set forth in this
Article II and the applicable provisions of the DGCL.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and subject
thereto, at the Effective Time, all the property, rights,
privileges, powers and franchises of Spinco and Merger Sub shall
vest in the Surviving Corporation, and all debts, liabilities,
obligations, restrictions, disabilities and duties of each of
Spinco and Merger Sub shall become the debts, liabilities,
obligations, restrictions, disabilities and duties of the
Surviving Corporation.
Annex A-8
Section 2.2 Effect
on Capital Stock. At the Effective Time, by virtue of the
Merger and without any action on the part of Merger Sub, Spinco
or any holder of any Spinco Common Stock:
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(a) Each share of Spinco Common Stock issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than
shares to be canceled in accordance with Section 2.2(b))
shall be automatically converted into the right to receive one
fully paid and nonassessable share of Company Common Stock;
provided, however, that in the event that, subsequent to the
date hereof but prior to the Effective Time, the outstanding
shares of Spinco Common Stock shall have been changed into a
different number of shares as a result of a stock split, reverse
stock split, stock dividend, subdivision, reclassification,
combination, exchange, recapitalization or other similar
transaction, the Merger Consideration shall be appropriately
adjusted to provide the holders of the Spinco Common Stock the
same economic effect contemplated by this Agreement prior to
such event. |
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(b) Each share of Spinco Common Stock held by Spinco as
treasury stock and each share of Spinco Common Stock owned by
the Company or Merger Sub, in each case immediately prior to the
Effective Time, shall be canceled and shall cease to exist and
no stock or other consideration shall be delivered in exchange
therefor. |
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(c) Each share of common stock, par value $.0001 per
share, of Merger Sub issued and outstanding immediately prior to
the Effective Time shall be converted into one fully paid and
nonassessable share of common stock, par value $.10 per
share, of the Surviving Corporation. |
Section 2.3 Cancellation
of Stock. Each share of Spinco Common Stock issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, when
converted in accordance with Section 2.2, shall no longer
be outstanding and shall automatically be canceled and shall
cease to exist. Each holder of a certificate that, immediately
prior to the Effective Time, represented outstanding shares of
Spinco Common Stock (collectively, the Certificates)
shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except the
right to receive, upon the surrender of any such Certificate, a
certificate representing the shares of Company Common Stock to
which such holder is entitled pursuant to Section 2.2 and
any dividends or other distributions to which such holder is
entitled pursuant to Section 2.8(c).
Section 2.4 Stockholders
Meeting.
(a) As promptly as practicable following the date hereof
and the effectiveness of the Registration Statements, the
Company, subject to Section 6.11, shall call a special
meeting of its stockholders (the Company Stockholders
Meeting) to be held as promptly as practicable for the
purpose of voting upon (i) the adoption of this Agreement
and (ii) any related matters. Subject to Section 6.11,
this Agreement shall be submitted for adoption to the
stockholders of the Company at such special meeting. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company shall
cause the Company Stockholders Meeting to be held and such vote
taken within 60 days following the effectiveness of
Spincos Registration Statement on
Form S-4. The
Company shall deliver to the Companys stockholders the
Proxy Statement/Prospectus in definitive form in connection with
the Company Stockholders Meeting at the time and in the manner
provided by the applicable provisions of the DGCL, the Exchange
Act and the Companys Second Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation and Fourth Amended and Restated
Bylaws and shall conduct the Company Stockholders Meeting and
the solicitation of proxies in connection therewith in
compliance with such statutes, charter and bylaws.
(b) Subject to Section 6.11 and its fiduciary duty
under applicable law, the Board of Directors of the Company
shall recommend that the Companys stockholders adopt this
Agreement and approve the transactions contemplated hereby, and
such recommendations shall be set forth in the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus. The Company shall comply with its
obligations under Section 2.4(a) whether or not its Board
of Directors withdraws, modifies or changes its recommendation
regarding this Agreement or recommends any other offer or
proposal.
Section 2.5 Closing.
Unless the transactions herein contemplated shall have been
abandoned and this Agreement terminated pursuant to
Section 8.1, the closing of the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated hereby (the Closing) shall
take place at the offices of Baker Botts L.L.P., in Houston,
Texas
Annex A-9
at 10:00 a.m., Central time, as promptly as practicable and
in no event later than the second business day following the
satisfaction or, if permissible, waiver of the conditions set
forth in Article VII (except for those conditions that, by
the express terms thereof, are not capable of being satisfied
until the Effective Time), or at such other time and place as
Spinco and the Company shall agree in writing.
Section 2.6 Effective
Time. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this
Agreement, as soon as practicable at or after the Closing, a
certificate of merger shall be filed with the Secretary of State
of the State of Delaware with respect to the Merger (the
Certificate of Merger), in such form as is required
by, and executed in accordance with, the applicable provisions
of the DGCL. The Merger shall become effective at the time of
filing of the Certificate of Merger or at such later time as the
parties hereto may agree and as is provided in the Certificate
of Merger. The date and time at which the Merger shall become so
effective is herein referred to as the Effective
Time.
Section 2.7 Closing
of Transfer Books. From and after the Effective Time, the
stock transfer books of Spinco shall be closed and no transfer
shall be made of any shares of capital stock of Spinco that were
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time.
Section 2.8 Exchange
of Certificates.
(a) Exchange Agent. Prior to the Effective Time, the
Company shall deposit with such bank or trust company as shall
be agreed upon by Spinco and the Company (the Exchange
Agent), for the benefit of holders of shares of Spinco
Common Stock and for exchange in accordance with this
Article II, through the Exchange Agent, certificates
representing the shares of Company Common Stock issuable
pursuant to Section 2.2 in exchange for outstanding shares
of Spinco Common Stock as of the Effective Time (such
certificates for shares of Company Common Stock, together with
any dividends or distributions with respect thereto to which the
holders thereof may be entitled pursuant to Section 2.8(c),
being hereinafter referred to as the Exchange Fund).
The Exchange Agent shall, pursuant to irrevocable instructions,
deliver the Company Common Stock contemplated to be issued
pursuant to Section 2.2 from the shares of stock held in
the Exchange Fund. The Exchange Fund shall not be used for any
other purpose.
(b) Exchange Procedures. As promptly as practicable
after the Effective Time, the Company shall cause the Exchange
Agent to mail or deliver to each holder of record of a
Certificate or Certificates whose shares were converted pursuant
to Section 2.2 into the right to receive shares of Company
Common Stock (i) a letter of transmittal (which shall
specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and
title to the Certificates shall pass, only upon delivery of the
Certificates to the Exchange Agent and shall be in such form and
have such other provisions as Spinco and the Company may
reasonably specify) and (ii) instructions for the use of
such letter of transmittal in effecting the surrender of the
Certificates in exchange for certificates representing the
shares of Company Common Stock that such holder has the right to
receive pursuant to this Article II. Upon surrender of a
Certificate for cancellation to the Exchange Agent or to such
other agent or agents as may be appointed by Spinco and the
Company, together with such letter of transmittal, duly
executed, and any other required documents, the holder of such
Certificate shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor a
certificate representing the number of whole shares of Company
Common Stock that such holder has the right to receive pursuant
to this Article II (and any dividends or distributions
pursuant to Section 2.8(c)), and the Certificate so
surrendered shall forthwith be canceled. In the event of a
transfer of ownership of shares of Spinco Common Stock that is
not registered in the transfer records of Spinco, a certificate
representing the proper number of shares of Company Common Stock
(and any dividends or distributions pursuant to
Section 2.8(c)) may be issued to a transferee only on the
condition that the Certificate formerly representing such shares
of Spinco Common Stock is presented to the Exchange Agent,
properly endorsed, and accompanied by all documents required to
evidence and effect such transfer and by evidence that any
applicable stock transfer taxes have been paid or that no such
taxes are applicable. Until surrendered as contemplated by this
Section 2.8, each Certificate shall be deemed at any time
after the Effective Time to represent only the right to receive
upon such surrender a certificate representing shares of Company
Common Stock (and any dividends or distributions pursuant to
Section 2.8(c)). The Exchange Agent shall not be entitled
to vote or exercise any rights of ownership with respect to the
Company Common
Annex A-10
Stock held by it from time to time hereunder, except that it
shall receive and hold all dividends or other distributions paid
or distributed with respect thereto for the account of persons
entitled thereto.
If any Certificate shall have been lost, stolen, mislaid or
destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the
person claiming such Certificate to be lost, stolen, mislaid or
destroyed, the Company shall cause to be delivered in exchange
for such lost, stolen, mislaid or destroyed Certificate the
consideration deliverable in respect thereof as determined in
accordance with this Article II. When authorizing the
delivery of such consideration in exchange therefor, the Company
may, in its sole discretion and as a condition precedent to the
delivery thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen,
mislaid or destroyed Certificate to give the Company a bond, in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company, and
in such sum as the Company may reasonably direct, as indemnity
against any claim that may be made against the Company or the
Exchange Agent with respect to the Certificate alleged to have
been lost, stolen, mislaid or destroyed.
(c) Distributions with Respect to Unexchanged
Shares. No dividends or other distributions declared or made
after the Effective Time with respect to Company Common Stock
with a record date after the Effective Time shall be paid to the
holder of any unsurrendered Certificate with respect to the
shares of Company Common Stock which such holder is entitled to
receive pursuant to the terms hereof, until the holder of record
of such Certificate shall surrender such Certificate. Subject to
the effect of applicable laws, following the surrender of any
such Certificate, there shall be paid to the record holder of
the certificates representing shares of Company Common Stock
issued in exchange therefor, without interest (i) at the
time of such surrender, the amount of dividends or other
distributions with a record date after the Effective Time
theretofore paid with respect to such whole shares of Company
Common Stock and (ii) at the appropriate payment date
therefor, the amount of dividends or other distributions with a
record date after the Effective Time but prior to the surrender
of such Certificate and a payment date subsequent to the
surrender of such Certificate payable with respect to such whole
shares of Company Common Stock. Spinco shall deposit in the
Exchange Fund all such dividends and distributions.
(d) No Further Ownership Rights in Spinco Common
Stock. All shares of Company Common Stock issued upon the
surrender for exchange of Certificates formerly representing
shares of Spinco Common Stock (including any cash paid pursuant
to Section 2.8(c)) shall be deemed to have been issued in
full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to such shares of
Spinco Common Stock. If, after the Effective Time, Certificates
are presented to the Company or the Surviving Corporation for
any reason, they shall be canceled and exchanged as provided in
this Article II.
(e) Termination of Exchange Fund. Any portion of the
Exchange Fund made available to the Exchange Agent that remains
undistributed to the holders of Spinco Common Stock on the
eighteen-month anniversary of the Effective Time shall be
delivered to the Company, upon demand, and any stockholders of
Spinco who have not theretofore complied with this
Article II shall thereafter look only to the Company for
payment of their claim for Company Common Stock and any
dividends or distributions with respect to Company Common Stock
to which they are entitled pursuant to Section 2.8(c).
(f) No Liability. Neither the Company nor the
Surviving Corporation shall be liable to any holder of a
Certificate or any holder of shares of Company Common Stock for
shares of Company Common Stock (or dividends or distributions
with respect thereto or with respect to Spinco Common Stock) or
cash delivered to a public official pursuant to any applicable
abandoned property, escheat or similar law.
Section 2.9 Certain
Stock Options.
(a) Not later than immediately before the Effective Time,
Forest and the Company shall take such actions as may be
required to provide that, effective as of the Effective Time,
each Unvested Forest Stock Option shall be converted into an
option to acquire (from the Company), on the same terms and
conditions as were applicable under such Unvested Forest Stock
Option immediately before the Effective Time, the number of
shares of Company Common Stock determined by multiplying the
number of shares of Forest Common Stock subject to such Unvested
Forest Stock Option immediately before the Effective Time by the
Option Exchange Ratio (rounded to the nearest whole number of
shares), at a price per share (rounded to the nearest whole
cent) equal to the exercise price per share of Forest Common
Stock otherwise purchasable pursuant to
Annex A-11
such Unvested Forest Stock Option divided by the Option Exchange
Ratio; provided, however, that with respect to any Unvested
Forest Stock Option, such conversion shall be effected such that
(i) the aggregate intrinsic value of the award immediately
after the conversion is not greater than the aggregate intrinsic
value (as determined pursuant to GAAP) of the Unvested Forest
Stock Option immediately before the conversion, (ii) the
ratio of the exercise price per share to the market value per
share is not reduced as a result of the conversion and
(iii) the substitution requirements of Q&A 4(d)(ii) of
Internal Revenue Service
Notice 2005-1 are
otherwise met.
(b) For purposes of Section 2.9(a) above, Option
Exchange Ratio shall mean the quotient (rounded to the
third decimal place) determined by dividing (i) the average
of the daily closing prices per share of Forest Common Stock on
the NYSE Composite Transactions Reporting System (regular way),
as reported in The Wall Street Journal, for the last five
trading days immediately preceding the Effective Time by
(ii) the average of the daily closing prices per share of
Company Common Stock on the NYSE Composite Transactions
Reporting System (regular way) or on Nasdaq (regular way), as
applicable and as reported in The Wall Street Journal,
for the first five trading days following the Effective Time.
The Option Exchange Ratio shall be subject to appropriate
adjustment in the event of any stock split, stock dividend or
recapitalization after the date of this Agreement applicable to
shares of Forest Common Stock or Company Common Stock. The
Company shall take all actions necessary to reserve for
issuance, from and after the Effective Time, a sufficient number
of shares of Company Common Stock for delivery pursuant to the
options described in Section 2.9(a). On or as soon as
practicable after the Effective Time, the Company (x) shall
cause to be filed with the SEC a registration statement on an
appropriate form under the Securities Act with respect to shares
of Company Common Stock subject to the options described in
Section 2.9(a) and shall use reasonable efforts to maintain
the current status of the prospectus contained therein, as well
as to comply with any applicable state securities or blue
sky laws, for so long as such options remain outstanding
and (y) shall cause the shares of Company Common Stock
subject to the options described in Section 2.9(a) to be
listed on the NYSE or quoted on Nasdaq.
(c) The provisions of this Section 2.9 shall not apply
to any Forest Stock Option (or portion thereof) that is subject
to Section 3.1 of the Employee Benefits Agreement.
(d) By adopting or approving this Agreement, (i) the
Board of Directors of the Company shall be deemed to have
approved and authorized each and every amendment to any of the
Company Stock Plans as the officers of the Company may deem
necessary or appropriate to give effect to the preceding
provisions of this Section 2.9, and (ii) the Board of
Directors of Forest shall be deemed to have approved and
authorized each and every amendment to any of the Forest
Incentive Plans and the Forest Stock Options as the officers of
Forest may deem necessary or appropriate to give effect to the
preceding provisions of this Section 2.9.
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF FOREST
Except as set forth in the Forest Disclosure Schedule (with
specific reference to the particular Section of this Agreement
to which the information set forth in such disclosure schedule
relates; provided, that any information set forth in one section
of the Forest Disclosure Schedule shall be deemed to apply to
each other Section thereof to which it is relevant), Forest
represents and warrants to the Company as follows:
Section 3.1 Organization;
Qualification. Forest is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
State of New York.
Section 3.2 Corporate
Authority; No Violation. Forest has the corporate power and
authority to enter into this Agreement and each other
Transaction Agreement and to carry out its obligations hereunder
and thereunder. The execution, delivery and performance by
Forest of this Agreement and each other Transaction Agreement
and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate
action on the part of Forest and no other corporate proceedings
on the part of Forest are necessary to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. This Agreement has
been duly executed and delivered by Forest and, assuming the due
authorization, execution
Annex A-12
and delivery by the Company, constitutes a legal, valid and
binding agreement of Forest, enforceable against Forest in
accordance with its terms (except insofar as such enforceability
may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting
creditors rights generally, or by principles governing the
availability of equitable remedies). Each other Transaction
Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Forest and,
assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by the
other parties thereto, constitutes a legal, valid and binding
agreement of Forest, enforceable against Forest in accordance
with its terms (except insofar as such enforceability may be
limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent
transfer, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting
creditors rights generally, or by principles governing the
availability of equitable remedies). Except for matters
expressly contemplated by this Agreement and for such matters
described in clauses (b), (c) and (d) below as
would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material
Adverse Effect on Forest, the Spinco Business or Spinco, neither
the execution and delivery by Forest of this Agreement and each
other Transaction Agreement, nor the consummation by Forest of
the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby and the
performance by Forest of this Agreement and each other
Transaction Agreement will (a) violate or conflict with any
provisions of Forests Certificate of Incorporation or
Bylaws; (b) require any consent, approval, authorization or
permit of, registration, declaration or filing with, or
notification to, any Governmental Authority or any other Person;
(c) result in any breach of or constitute a default (or an
event that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become a
default) under, or give to others any right of termination,
cancellation, amendment or acceleration of any obligation or the
loss of any benefit under, any Contract to which Forest or any
of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which Forest or any of its
Subsidiaries is bound or affected; (d) result in the
creation of a lien, pledge, security interest, claim or other
encumbrance on any of the issued and outstanding shares of
Spinco Common Stock, capital stock of any Spinco Subsidiary or
on any of the Spinco Assets pursuant to any Contract to which
Forest or any of its Subsidiaries (including Spinco and its
Subsidiaries) is a party or by which Forest or its Subsidiaries
is bound or affected; or (e) violate or conflict with any
Order, law, ordinance, rule or regulation applicable to Forest
or any of its Subsidiaries (including Spinco and its
Subsidiaries), or any of the properties, business or assets of
any of the foregoing. Section 3.2 of the Forest Disclosure
Schedule identifies all material consents, approvals and
authorizations of any Governmental Authority that are legally
required to be obtained by Forest for the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreements.
Section 3.3 Information
Supplied. All documents that Forest is responsible for
filing with any Governmental Authority in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby and by each other Transaction
Agreement will comply in all material respects with the
provisions of applicable law.
Section 3.4 Brokers
or Finders. No agent, broker, investment banker, financial
advisor or other similar Person is or will be entitled, by
reason of any agreement, act or statement by Forest or any of
its Subsidiaries, directors, officers or employees, to any
financial advisory, brokers, finders or similar fee
or commission, to reimbursement of expenses or to
indemnification or contribution, in each case, by Spinco or any
of its Subsidiaries, in connection with any of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or the other Transaction
Agreements.
Section 3.5 Forest
Rights Plan. Forest has taken all action necessary, if any,
to render the Forest Rights inapplicable to this Agreement, the
Distribution Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby
and thereby.
Section 3.6 No
Other Representations and Warranties. Except for the
representations and warranties contained in this
Article III and in Article IV and except for any
representations and warranties specifically set forth in the
other Transaction Agreements, the Company acknowledges that
neither Forest nor any other Person makes any express or implied
representation or warranty with respect to Forest and its
Subsidiaries, the Spinco Assets, the Spinco Business or
otherwise or with respect to any other information provided to
the Company, whether on behalf of Forest or such other Persons.
Neither Forest nor any other Person will have or be subject to
any liability or indemnification obligation to the Company or
any other Person to the extent resulting from the distribution
to the Company or the Companys use of, any information
related to Forest and any other information, document, financial
information or projections or material made available to the
Annex A-13
Company in certain data rooms, management
presentations or in any other form in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF FOREST AND SPINCO
Except as set forth in the Spinco Disclosure Schedule (with
specific reference to the particular Section of this Agreement
to which the information set forth in such disclosure schedule
relates; provided, that any information set forth in one section
of the Spinco Disclosure Schedule shall be deemed to apply to
each other Section thereof to which it is relevant), Forest and
Spinco, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to the
Company as follows:
Section 4.1 Organization,
Qualification. Spinco is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
State of Delaware. Spinco has all requisite power and authority
to own, lease and operate its properties and assets and to carry
on the Spinco Business as presently conducted and as proposed to
be conducted and at the Distribution Date and the Effective Time
will be duly qualified and licensed to do business and in good
standing in each jurisdiction in which the ownership or leasing
of its property or the conduct of the Spinco Business, as
presently conducted and as proposed to be conducted, requires
such qualification, except for jurisdictions in which the
failure to be so qualified or to be in good standing,
individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material
Adverse Effect on the Spinco Business or Spinco. The copies of
the Spinco Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws in existence
on the date hereof are included as part of Section 4.1 of
the Spinco Disclosure Schedule and are complete and correct and
in full force and effect on the date hereof. Spinco is not in
violation of any of the provisions of its Certificate of
Incorporation or Bylaws. All of the Subsidiaries of Spinco and
their respective jurisdictions of incorporation or organization
(together with a designation of those Subsidiaries constituting
Significant Subsidiaries of Spinco) are identified in
Section 4.1 of the Spinco Disclosure Schedule. Spinco was
formed solely for the purpose of engaging in the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, has engaged in no other business
activities and has conducted its operations only as contemplated
by this Agreement.
Section 4.2 Capital
Stock and Other Matters. The authorized capital stock of
Spinco consists of 100,000 shares of Spinco Common Stock
and no shares of Spinco Preferred Stock. As of the date hereof,
100 shares of Spinco Common stock were issued and
outstanding. At the Distribution Date and immediately prior to
the Closing, (i) there will be issued and outstanding
50,637,010 shares of Spinco Common Stock, subject to
adjustment as set forth on Section 4.2 of the Spinco
Disclosure Schedule and as provided in Section 2.4 of the
Distribution Agreement; (ii) no shares of Spinco Common
Stock will be held by Spinco in its treasury; (iii) no
shares of Spinco Preferred Stock will be issued and outstanding;
and (iv) no bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness
of Spinco or any of its Subsidiaries having the right to vote
(or convertible into securities having the right to vote) on any
matters on which holders of shares of capital stock of Spinco
(including Spinco Common Stock) may vote (Spinco Voting
Debt) will be issued or outstanding. None of such shares
of Spinco Common Stock are, nor at the Distribution Date will
they be, subject to preemptive rights. All of the issued and
outstanding shares of Spinco Common Stock are, and all of the
issued and outstanding shares of Spinco Common Stock at the
Distribution Date will be, validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable. Except as set forth in this Section 4.2,
there are no outstanding, (i) shares of capital stock of
Spinco, Spinco Voting Debt or other voting securities of Spinco,
(ii) securities of Spinco or any of its Subsidiaries
convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of
Spinco, Spinco Voting Debt or other voting securities of Spinco
or Spinco Common Stock or (iii) options, warrants, calls,
rights (including preemptive rights), commitments or other
Contracts (other than certain Transaction Agreements) to which
Spinco or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which Spinco
or any of its Subsidiaries will be bound obligating Spinco or
any of its Subsidiaries to issue, deliver, sell, purchase,
redeem or acquire, or cause to be issued, delivered, sold,
purchased, redeemed or acquired, or otherwise relating to,
shares of capital stock of Spinco or any Spinco Voting Debt or
other voting securities of Spinco or any of its Subsidiaries or
obligating Spinco or any of its Subsidiaries to grant, extend or
enter into any such option, warrant, call, right, commitment or
Contract. There are no stockholder agreements, voting trusts or
other Contracts (other than
Annex A-14
the Distribution Agreement) to which Spinco is a party or by
which it is bound relating to the voting or transfer of any
shares of capital stock of Spinco. Spinco has no direct or
indirect Subsidiaries.
Section 4.3 Corporate
Authority; No Violation. Spinco has the corporate power and
authority to enter into this Agreement and each other
Transaction Agreement and to carry out its obligations hereunder
and thereunder. The execution, delivery and performance by
Spinco of this Agreement and each other Transaction Agreement
and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate
action on the part of Spinco, and no other corporate proceedings
are necessary to consummate the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreements. This
Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Spinco and,
assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by the
Company and Merger Sub, constitutes a legal, valid and binding
agreement of Spinco, enforceable against Spinco in accordance
with its terms (except insofar as such enforceability may be
limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent
transfer, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting
creditors rights generally, or by principles governing the
availability of equitable remedies). Each other Transaction
Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Spinco and,
assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by the
other parties thereto, constitutes a legal, valid and binding
agreement of Spinco, enforceable against Spinco in accordance
with its terms (except insofar as such enforceability may be
limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors rights
generally, or by principles governing the availability of
equitable remedies). Except for matters expressly contemplated
by this Agreement and for such matters described in
clauses (b), (c) and (d) below as would not,
individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect
on Forest, the Spinco Business or Spinco, neither the execution
and delivery by Spinco of this Agreement and each other
Transaction Agreement, nor the consummation by Spinco of the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby and the performance
by Spinco of this Agreement and each other Transaction Agreement
will (a) violate or conflict with any provision of
Spincos Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws;
(b) require any consent, approval, authorization or permit
of, registration, declaration or filing with, or notification
to, any Governmental Authority or any other Person;
(c) result in any breach of or constitute a default (or an
event that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become a
default) under, or give to others any right of termination,
cancellation, amendment or acceleration of any obligation or the
loss of any benefit under any Contract to which Spinco or any of
its Subsidiaries is a party or by which Spinco or any of its
Subsidiaries or any of the Spinco Assets is bound or affected;
(d) result in the creation of a lien, pledge, security
interest, claim or other encumbrance on any of the issued and
outstanding shares of Spinco Common Stock or capital stock of
any Spinco Subsidiaries or on any of the Spinco Assets pursuant
to any Contract to which Spinco or any of its Subsidiaries is a
party or by which Spinco or any of its Subsidiaries or any of
the Spinco Assets is bound or affected; or (e) violate or
conflict with any Order, law, ordinance, rule or regulation
applicable to Spinco or any of its Subsidiaries, or any of the
properties, businesses or assets of any of the foregoing.
Section 4.3 of the Spinco Disclosure Schedule identifies
all material consents, approvals and authorizations of any
Governmental Authority that are legally required to be obtained
by Spinco for the consummation of the transactions contemplated
by the Transaction Agreements.
Section 4.4 Spinco
Financial Statements; Liabilities. Forest and Spinco have
previously made available to the Company complete and correct
copies of unaudited financial statements for the Spinco
Business, comprised solely of statements of revenues and direct
operating expenses, for the years ended December 31, 2004
(the Spinco 2004 Financial Statements),
December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002, and unaudited
interim financial statements for the Spinco Business, comprised
solely of statements of revenues and expenses, for the
three-month periods ended March 31, 2005 and June 30,
2005 (together with the Spinco 2004 Financial Statements, the
Spinco Financial Statements), and Forest and Spinco
will make available to the Company any and all other financial
statements for the Spinco Business required to be included by
Regulation S-X of
the Exchange Act in the Registration Statements and the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus. The Spinco Financial Statements fairly
present in all material respects, on the basis set forth
therein, the revenues and direct operating expenses for the
respective periods, and any other financial statements prepared
in accordance with this Section 4.4 will fairly present in
all material respects, as applicable, on the basis set forth
therein, the financial position of the Spinco Business as of the
respective dates thereof, and the results of operations and
changes in financial position or other information included
Annex A-15
therein for the respective periods or as of the respective dates
then ended, in each case except as otherwise noted therein and
subject, where appropriate, to normal year-end audit
adjustments. The Spinco Financial Statements and such other
financial statements have been or will be prepared in accordance
with past practice and GAAP, and on a consistent basis, except
as otherwise noted therein. Spinco and the Spinco Business do
not have any liability or obligation (whether accrued, absolute,
contingent or otherwise), other than (i) liabilities
incurred in the ordinary course of business since June 30,
2005, (ii) liabilities that, individually or in the
aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the
Spinco Business or Spinco and (iii) liabilities and
obligations under the Transaction Agreements.
Section 4.5 Absence
of Certain Changes or Events. Except as specifically
contemplated by this Agreement or the other Transaction
Agreements, since June 30, 2005, the Spinco Business has
been conducted only in the ordinary course and in a manner
consistent with past practice and, since such date, there has
not been, occurred or arisen any change, or any event (including
any damage, destruction or loss whether or not covered by
insurance), condition or state of facts of any character that,
individually or in the aggregate, would have a Material Adverse
Effect on the Spinco Business or Spinco, whether or not arising
in the ordinary course of business.
Section 4.6 Investigations;
Litigation.
(a) To Forests or Spincos Knowledge, no
investigation or review by any Governmental Authority with
respect to Forest, Spinco or any of their respective
Subsidiaries or the Spinco Business is pending or threatened,
nor has any Governmental Authority indicated to Forest or Spinco
or any of their respective Subsidiaries an intention to conduct
the same.
(b) There is no Action pending or, to Forests or
Spincos Knowledge, threatened against or affecting Forest,
Spinco or any of their respective Subsidiaries, properties or
assets or the Spinco Business at law or in equity, or before any
Governmental Authority or arbitrator, that (i) if adversely
determined, individually or in the aggregate, would have a
Material Adverse Effect on the Spinco Business or Spinco or
(ii) seeks to delay or prevent the consummation of the
Merger or any other transaction contemplated by this Agreement
or any other Transaction Agreement. There is no Order of any
Governmental Authority or arbitrator outstanding against Forest,
Spinco or any of their respective Subsidiaries or with respect
to their respective properties or assets or the Spinco Business
that, individually or in the aggregate, would have a Material
Adverse Effect on the Spinco Business or Spinco.
Section 4.7 Licenses;
Compliance with Laws. As of the date hereof Forest or a
Subsidiary of Forest holds, and as of the Distribution Date and
the Effective Time Spinco and its Subsidiaries will hold, all
Licenses that are required for the conduct of the Spinco
Business, as presently conducted, except such Licenses for which
the failure to so hold, individually or in the aggregate, would
not have a Material Adverse Effect on the Spinco Business or
Spinco. As of the date hereof Forest or a Subsidiary of Forest
is, and as of the Distribution Date and the Effective Time
Spinco and its Subsidiaries will be, in compliance with the
terms of all such Licenses so held, except where the failure so
to comply, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a
Material Adverse Effect on the Spinco Business or Spinco. No
suspension or cancellation of any of the Licenses relating to
the Spinco Business is pending or, to Forests or
Spincos Knowledge, threatened, except where the failure to
have, or the suspension or cancellation of, any of such Licenses
would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the Spinco Business
or Spinco. Except with respect to Environmental Laws, ERISA and
laws relating to Taxes, Forest, Spinco and their respective
Subsidiaries are in compliance with all, and have received no
notice of any violation (as yet unremedied) of any laws,
ordinances or regulations of any Governmental Authority
applicable to the Spinco Business, except for such instances of
noncompliance which, individually or in the aggregate, would not
have a Material Adverse Effect on the Spinco Business or Spinco.
Section 4.8 Proxy
Statement/Prospectus; Registration Statements. None of the
information regarding Forest or its Subsidiaries or Spinco or
its Subsidiaries or the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement or any other Transaction Agreement provided by Forest
or Spinco specifically for inclusion in the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus or the Registration Statements will, in the
case of the definitive Proxy Statement/Prospectus or any
amendment or supplement thereto, at the time of the mailing of
the definitive Proxy
Annex A-16
Statement/Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto and
at the time of the Company Stockholders Meeting, or, in the case
of each Registration Statement, at the time it becomes
effective, at the time of the Company Stockholders Meeting, at
the Distribution Date and at the Effective Time contain an
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in
order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. The
Registration Statements will comply in all material respects
with the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act,
as the case may be, and the rules and regulations thereunder,
except that no representation is made by Forest or Spinco with
respect to information provided by the Company specifically for
inclusion in the Registration Statements. All factual
information (excluding estimates and projections) previously
furnished by Forest to the Company with regard to the Spinco
Assets and the Spinco Business was (taken as a whole) true and
correct in all material respects on the date on which such
information was furnished and did not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
relevant to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement or necessary to make the statements contained
therein not misleading.
Section 4.9 Information
Supplied. All documents that Spinco or Forest is responsible
for filing with any Governmental Authority in connection with
the transactions contemplated hereby or by any other Transaction
Agreement will comply in all material respects with the
provisions of applicable law.
Section 4.10 Environmental
Matters. Except as would not, individually or in the
aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on the Spinco Business
or Spinco:
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(i) As of the date hereof Forest or a Subsidiary of Forest
has obtained, and as of the Distribution Date and the Effective
Time each of Spinco and its Subsidiaries shall have obtained,
all Licenses, permits and other authorizations under
Environmental Laws (Environmental Permits) required
for the conduct and operation of the Spinco Business. Each of
Spinco, its Subsidiaries and the Spinco Business is in
compliance and at all times has been in compliance with the
terms and conditions contained in its Environmental Permits, and
each of them and the Spinco Business is, and for the past one
year has been, in compliance with all applicable Environmental
Laws; |
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(ii) Neither Spinco nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject
to any environmental indemnification obligation regarding
businesses currently operated by Forest, Spinco or the Spinco
Business or any of their respective Subsidiaries or regarding
properties currently owned or leased by Forest, Spinco or the
Spinco Business or any of their respective Subsidiaries; |
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(iii) To Forests and Spincos Knowledge there is
no condition on, at, under or related to any property (including
any release of a Hazardous Material into the air, soil, surface
water, sediment or ground water at, under or migrating to or
from such property) currently owned, leased or used by Forest,
Spinco or any of their respective Subsidiaries or created by
Spincos or any Spinco Subsidiarys operations or the
Spinco Business that would create liability for Spinco or any of
its Subsidiaries under applicable Environmental Laws and, to
Forests and Spincos Knowledge, the foregoing
representation is true and correct with regard to property
formerly owned, leased or used either by Forest, Spinco or any
of their respective Subsidiaries, or in connection with the
Spinco Business; |
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(iv) There are no past or present actions, activities,
circumstances, conditions, events or incidents (including the
release, emission, discharge, presence or disposal of any
Hazardous Material) that form or are reasonably likely to form
the basis of a claim against Forest, Spinco or any of their
respective Subsidiaries under Environmental Laws, including any
claims based on the alleged exposure of any Person or property
to any Hazardous Material; |
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(v) Spinco has made available to the Company all material
site assessments, compliance audits, and other similar studies
prepared since January 1, 2002 in the possession or custody
of Forest, Spinco or any of their respective Subsidiaries
relating to (A) the environmental conditions on, under or
about the properties or assets currently owned, leased, operated
or used by Spinco, the Spinco Business, any of its Subsidiaries
or any predecessor in interest thereto and (B) any
Hazardous Materials used, managed, handled, transported,
treated, generated, stored, discharged, emitted, or otherwise
released by Spinco, the |
Annex A-17
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Spinco Business, any of its Subsidiaries or, to Forests
and Spincos Knowledge, any other Person, on, under, about
or from any of the properties currently owned or leased by, or
otherwise in connection with the use or operation of any of the
properties owned or leased by, or otherwise in connection with
the use or operation of any of the properties and assets of,
Spinco or any of its Subsidiaries, or their respective
businesses and operations; |
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(vi) Since January 1, 2002, neither Spinco nor Forest
in connection with the Spinco Business nor any Spinco Subsidiary
has received any communication that has not been resolved,
whether from a Governmental Authority, citizens group,
employee or otherwise, alleging that it is liable under, or not
in compliance with, any Environmental Law; and |
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(vii) To Spincos and Forests Knowledge, there
is no requirement anticipated or formally proposed for notice,
comment, adoption or implementation under any Environmental Law
or any Environmental Permit issued pursuant thereto that is
reasonably expected to result in liability or material increases
in either capital or operating costs for Spinco or any of its
Subsidiaries. |
(b) Insofar as the representations set forth in subsections
(a)(i), (a)(ii), (a)(iii), (a)(iv) and (a)(vii) relate to Spinco
Assets operated by a Person other than Spinco or any of its
respective Subsidiaries, such representations are given only to
the Knowledge of Forest and Spinco.
Section 4.11 Tax
Matters.
(a) (i) All material Tax Returns relating to Forest,
the Subsidiaries of Forest, Spinco, the Spinco Subsidiaries and
the Spinco Business required to be filed have been duly and
timely filed, (ii) all such Tax Returns are true, correct
and complete in all material respects, (iii) all Taxes
shown as due and payable on such Tax Returns, relating to
Forest, any Subsidiary of Forest, Spinco, any of the Spinco
Subsidiaries or the Spinco Business required to be paid, have
been duly and timely paid, (iv) no adjustment relating to
such Tax Returns has been proposed in writing by any
Governmental Authority (insofar as it relates to the activities
or income of Forest, the Subsidiaries of Forest, Spinco, the
Spinco Subsidiaries or the Spinco Business), (v) all
material Taxes relating to Forest, any of the Subsidiaries of
Forest, Spinco, any of the Spinco Subsidiaries or the Spinco
Business for any taxable period (or a portion thereof) beginning
on or prior to the date of the Closing (which are not yet due
and payable) have been properly reserved for in the Spinco 2004
Financial Statements (or, with respect to Forest and its
Subsidiaries, on Forests audited financial statements as
of and for the year ended December 31, 2004) whether or not
shown as being due on any Tax Returns and (vi) all material
Taxes required to be withheld by or with respect to Forest, the
Subsidiaries of Forest, Spinco, the Spinco Subsidiaries and the
Spinco Business have been withheld and such withheld Taxes have
been either duly and timely paid to the proper Governmental
Authority or properly set aside in accounts for such purpose and
will be duly and timely paid to the proper Governmental
Authority.
(b) No written agreement or other written document waiving
or extending, or having the effect of waiving or extending, the
statute of limitations or the period of assessment or collection
of any Taxes relating to Forest or the Spinco Business and no
power of attorney with respect to any such Taxes, in each case
that is currently outstanding and in effect, has been filed or
entered into with any Governmental Authority.
(c) No (i) audits or other administrative proceedings
or court proceedings are presently pending with regard to any
Taxes or Tax Return of Spinco, any Spinco Subsidiary or with
respect to the Spinco Business as to which any Taxing Authority
has asserted in writing any claim which, if adversely
determined, would have a Material Adverse Effect on Spinco or
the Spinco Business, and (ii) Governmental Authority has
asserted in writing any deficiency or claim for Taxes (including
any adjustment to Taxes) with respect to income or any other
material Tax relating to the Spinco Business or for which Spinco
or any Spinco Subsidiary may be liable which has not been fully
paid or finally settled.
(d) Neither Spinco nor any Spinco Subsidiary (i) is a
party to or bound by or has any obligation or liability under
any written Tax separation, sharing or similar agreement or
arrangement other than the Tax Sharing Agreement, (ii) is
or has been a member of any consolidated, combined or unitary
group for purposes of filing Tax Returns or paying Taxes,
(iii) has entered into a closing agreement pursuant to
Section 7121 of the Code, or any predecessor provision or
any similar provision of state or local law, (iv) is
required to include
Annex A-18
in income any amount in respect of an adjustment pursuant to
Section 481 of the Code by reason of a change in accounting
method, or (v) has filed any consents under
Section 341(f) of the Code.
(e) No asset of Spinco or any Spinco Subsidiary and no
asset of the Spinco Business is subject to any Tax lien (other
than liens for Taxes that are not yet due or that are being
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and which
have been properly reserved for in the books and records of
Spinco).
(f) To Forests and Spincos Knowledge, neither
Forest nor Spinco, nor any of their respective Affiliates, has
taken or agreed to take any action that would prevent the Merger
from constituting a transaction qualifying under
Section 368(a) of the Code. Neither Forest nor Spinco is
aware of any agreement, plan or other circumstance that would
prevent the Merger from qualifying under Section 368(a) of
the Code.
(g) None of the assets of Forest, any Subsidiary of Forest,
Spinco, any Spinco Subsidiary or the Spinco Business are
tax-exempt use property within the meaning of
Section 168(h) of the Code.
(h) Neither Forest, any Subsidiary of Forest, Spinco nor
any Spinco Subsidiary has consummated, has participated in or is
currently participating in any transaction which was or is a
listed transaction as defined in Treasury
Regulation Section 1.6011-4(b)(2).
Section 4.12 Benefit
Plans.
(a) Section 4.12(a) of the Spinco Disclosure Schedule
lists each employee benefit plan (as defined in
Section 3(3) of ERISA), and all other employee benefit,
bonus, incentive, deferred compensation, stock option (or other
equity-based), severance, change in control, welfare (including
post-retirement medical and life insurance), vacation, retention
and fringe benefit plans, whether or not subject to ERISA and
whether written or oral, sponsored, maintained or contributed to
or required to be contributed to by Forest (to the extent
affecting Spinco or the Spinco Business), Spinco or any of their
respective Subsidiaries, or to which Forest (to the extent
affecting Spinco or the Spinco Business), Spinco or any of their
respective Subsidiaries is a party, for the benefit of any
Person who is currently, has been or, on or prior to the
Effective Time, is expected to become an employee of Spinco or
any of its Subsidiaries (a Spinco Employee) (the
Spinco Benefit Plans). Except as provided in
Section 2.9 or in the Employee Benefits Agreement, neither
Spinco, any of its Subsidiaries nor any ERISA Affiliate of any
of them has any commitment or formal plan, whether legally
binding or not, to create any additional employee benefit plan
or modify or change any existing Spinco Benefit Plan that would
affect any Spinco Employee. Spinco has heretofore delivered or
made available to the Company true and complete copies of each
Spinco Benefit Plan and any amendments thereto (or if the plan
is not a written plan, a description thereof), any related trust
or other funding vehicle, any reports or summaries required
under ERISA or the Code for the most recent reporting period and
the most recent determination letter received from the IRS (if
any) with respect to each such plan intended to qualify under
Section 401(a) of the Code.
(b) No liability under Title IV (including
Sections 4069 and 4212(c) of ERISA) or Section 302 of
ERISA has been incurred by Spinco, any of its Subsidiaries or
any ERISA Affiliate of any of them that has not been satisfied
in full, and no condition exists that presents a material risk
to Spinco, any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate of any
of them of incurring any such liability, other than liability
for premiums due the PBGC (which premiums have been paid when
due). Except for the plan established under the Forest Oil
Corporation Pension Trust Agreement, no Spinco Benefit Plan
is subject to Title IV of ERISA, Section 302 of ERISA
or Section 412 of the Code.
(c) No Spinco Benefit Plan is a multiemployer pension
plan, as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA, and none
of Spinco, any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate of any
of them has made or suffered a complete withdrawal
or a partial withdrawal, as such terms are
respectively defined in Sections 4203 and 4205 of ERISA,
which has not been satisfied in full.
(d) Each Spinco Benefit Plan has been operated and
administered in all material respects in accordance with its
terms and applicable law, including ERISA and the Code. All
contributions required to be made with respect to any Spinco
Benefit Plan have been timely made. There are no pending or, to
Spincos and Forests Knowledge, threatened claims by,
on behalf of or against any of the Spinco Benefit Plans or any
assets thereof,
Annex A-19
other than routine benefit claim matters, that, if adversely
determined could, individually or in the aggregate, result in a
material liability for Spinco or any of its Subsidiaries and no
matter is pending (other than routine qualification
determination filings, copies of which have been furnished to
the Company or will be promptly furnished to the Company when
made) with respect to any of the Spinco Benefit Plans before the
IRS, the United States Department of Labor or the PBGC.
(e) Each Spinco Benefit Plan intended to be
qualified within the meaning of Section 401(a)
of the Code is so qualified and the trusts maintained thereunder
are exempt from taxation under Section 501(a) of the Code,
each trust maintained under any Spinco Benefit Plan intended to
satisfy the requirements of Section 501(c)(9) of the Code
has satisfied such requirements and, in either such case, no
event has occurred or condition is known to exist that would
reasonably be expected to adversely affect such tax-qualified
status for any such Spinco Benefit Plan or any such trust.
(f) Except for a Spinco Benefit Plan that provides retiree
medical benefits, no Spinco Benefit Plan provides medical,
surgical, hospitalization, death or similar benefits (whether or
not insured) for employees or former employees of Spinco or any
Subsidiary of Spinco for periods extending beyond their
retirement or other termination of service, other than
(i) coverage mandated by applicable law, (ii) death
benefits under any pension plan, or
(iii) benefits the full cost of which is borne by the
current or former employee (or his beneficiary). With respect to
any Spinco Benefit Plan maintained at the Effective Time, Spinco
will have the right at and after the Effective Time to terminate
or terminate participation in such Spinco Benefit Plan or to
amend such Spinco Benefit Plan to reduce future benefits without
incurring or otherwise being responsible for any material
liability with respect thereto.
(g) In connection with the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, no payment of money or other
property, acceleration of benefits or provision of other rights
has been or will be made hereunder, under any agreement
contemplated herein, or under any Spinco Benefit Plan or any
Contract listed in Section 4.15 of the Spinco Disclosure
Schedule that could reasonably be expected to be nondeductible
under Section 280G 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.
Section 4.13 Labor
Matters. None of Forest, Spinco or any of their respective
Subsidiaries is a party to, or bound by, any collective
bargaining agreement or other Contract with a labor union or
labor organization that would affect the Spinco Business and no
collective bargaining agreement is being negotiated by Forest,
Spinco or any of their respective Subsidiaries that would affect
the Spinco Business. With respect to Spinco Employees, none of
Forest, Spinco or any of their respective Subsidiaries is the
subject of any proceeding asserting that it has committed an
unfair labor practice or is seeking to compel it to bargain with
any labor organization as to wages or conditions of employment
nor is there any strike, work stoppage or other labor dispute
involving Forest, Spinco or any of their respective Subsidiaries
or the Spinco Business pending or, to Spincos or
Forests Knowledge, threatened, that, individually or in
the aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect on the
Spinco Business or Spinco. There are no labor controversies
pending or, to Spincos or Forests Knowledge,
threatened against Forest, Spinco or any of their respective
Subsidiaries that, individually or in the aggregate, would have
a Material Adverse Effect on the Spinco Business or Spinco.
There have been no claims initiated by any labor organization to
represent any Spinco Employees not currently represented by a
labor organization.
Section 4.14 Intellectual
Property Matters. As of the date hereof Forest or a
Subsidiary of Forest owns or possesses, and as of the
Distribution Date and the Effective Time Spinco and its
Subsidiaries will own or possess, adequate licenses or other
valid rights to use all seismic data, patents, patent rights,
trademarks, trademark rights, trade names, trade name rights,
copyrights, service marks, trade secrets, applications for
trademarks and service marks, know-how and other proprietary
rights and information used or held for use in connection with
the Spinco Business as currently conducted, except where the
failure to own or possess such items, individually or in the
aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the
Spinco Business or Spinco. To Forests or Spincos
Knowledge, there is no assertion or claim challenging the
validity of any of the foregoing that, individually or in the
aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect on the Spinco
Business or Spinco. The conduct of the Spinco Business as
currently conducted does not and will not conflict in any way
Annex A-20
with any seismic data license, patent, patent right, license,
trademark, trademark right, trade name, trade name right,
copyright, service mark, trade secret, know-how or other
proprietary rights or information of any third party that,
individually or in the aggregate, would have a Material Adverse
Effect on the Spinco Business or Spinco.
Section 4.15 Material
Contracts.
(a) Section 4.15 of the Spinco Disclosure Schedule
sets forth all Contracts, other than benefit plans maintained by
Forest, Spinco Benefit Plans and oil and gas leases and
assignments entered into in the ordinary course of business, to
which Forest or any of its Subsidiaries is a party relating to
the Spinco Business or to which Spinco or any Spinco Subsidiary
is a party (i) relating to indebtedness for borrowed money,
(ii) that is a material contract (as such term
is defined in Item 601(b)(10) of
Regulation S-K of
the SEC), (iii) that obligates Forest or Spinco or any of
their respective Subsidiaries to make any payments or issue or
pay anything of value to any director, officer, employee or
consultant, (iv) that limit or purport to limit the ability
of Forest or Spinco or any of their respective Subsidiaries to
compete in the U.S. domestic oil and gas exploration,
production and marketing business with any Person in any
geographic area or during any period of time, (v) that
includes any material indemnification, contribution or guarantee
obligations (other than such obligations entered into in the
ordinary course of business in offshore oil and gas operations),
(vi) that relate to capital expenditures involving total
payments of more than $1 million, (vii) requiring
annual or remaining payments in excess of $1 million after
the date hereof, (viii) that is a seismic license agreement
or rig or drilling contract, (ix) that is a fixed price
commodity sales agreement with a remaining term of more than
60 days, (x) that is a material Contract relating to
any of the properties specified in Section 4.15 of the
Spinco Disclosure Schedule or (xi) that obligates Forest or
Spinco or any of their Subsidiaries to provide funds to, or make
any investment (in the form of a loan, capital contribution or
otherwise) in, any other Person. Neither Forest nor Spinco, nor
any of their respective Subsidiaries, has received notice that
any party to any such Contract is in default, and each such
Contract (x) is freely assignable to Spinco without penalty
or other adverse consequences and (y) upon consummation of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other
Transaction Agreements shall continue in full force and effect
without penalty or other adverse consequence (other than the
termination or expiration thereof in accordance with its terms,
for reasons other than the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction
Agreements).
(b) Neither Forest, Spinco nor any of their respective
Subsidiaries is in default in any respect under any Contract to
which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties or
assets is bound, which default, individually or in the
aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect on the Spinco
Business or Spinco, and there has not occurred any event that,
with the lapse of time or the giving of notice or both, would
constitute such a default.
Section 4.16 Brokers
or Finders. No agent, broker, investment banker, financial
advisor or other similar Person is or will be entitled, by
reason of any agreement, act or statement by Forest, Spinco or
any of their respective Subsidiaries, directors, officers or
employees, to any financial advisory, brokers,
finders or similar fee or commission, to reimbursement of
expenses or to indemnification or contribution in connection
with any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or
any other Transaction Agreement.
Section 4.17 Certain
Board Findings. The Board of Directors of each of Forest and
Spinco, by unanimous written consent or at a meeting duly called
and held, has approved this Agreement and each other Transaction
Agreement.
Section 4.18 Vote
Required. The only vote of stockholders of Forest or Spinco
required under any of the NYBCL, DGCL, NYSE rules, Forests
Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws or Spincos
Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws to approve the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and each other
Transaction Agreement is the affirmative vote of the sole holder
of the outstanding shares of Spinco Common Stock prior to the
Distribution Date. Such affirmative vote has been obtained on or
prior to the date hereof.
Section 4.19 Stockholder
Approval. As of the date hereof, the sole stockholder of
Spinco is Forest. On the date of this Agreement Forest shall
deliver to Spinco a written consent of Spincos sole
stockholder in
Annex A-21
compliance with Section 228 of the DGCL with respect to all
aspects of this Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements
and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby which
require the consent of Spincos stockholders under the
DGCL, NYSE rules, Spincos Certificate of Incorporation or
Spincos Bylaws. The approval of Forests shareholders
is not required to effect the transactions contemplated by the
Distribution Agreement, this Agreement or any other Transaction
Agreement. Upon delivery of such written consent, the approval
of Spincos stockholders after the Distribution Date will
not be required to effect the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, including the Merger, unless this Agreement is
amended in accordance with Section 251(d) of the DGCL after
the Distribution Date and such approval is required, solely as a
result of such amendment, under the DGCL, NYSE rules,
Spincos Certificate of Incorporation or Spincos
Bylaws or by the IRS.
Section 4.20 Certain
Payments. Except as contemplated by the Transaction
Agreements, no Spinco Benefit Plan or employment arrangement, no
similar plan or arrangement sponsored or maintained by Forest in
which any Spinco Employee is a participant and no contractual
arrangement between Spinco and any third party exists that could
result in the payment to any current, former or future director,
officer, stockholder or employee of Spinco or any of its
Subsidiaries, or of any entity the assets or capital stock of
which have been acquired by Spinco or a Spinco Subsidiary, of
any money or other property or rights or accelerate or provide
any other rights or benefits to any such individual as a result
of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the
Transaction Agreements (including the Distribution), whether or
not (a) such payment, acceleration or provision would
constitute a parachute payment (within the meaning
of Section 280G of the Code), or (b) some other
subsequent action or event would be required to cause such
payment, acceleration or provision to be triggered.
Section 4.21 Assets.
As of the date hereof, Forest, a Subsidiary of Forest, Spinco or
a Spinco Subsidiary has, and as of the Effective Time, Spinco or
a Spinco Subsidiary will have, good and marketable title to all
oil and gas properties forming the basis for the reserves
reflected in the Spinco Reserve Report as attributable to
interests owned by Spinco or any Spinco Subsidiary and, as of
the date hereof, Forest, a Subsidiary of Forest, Spinco or a
Spinco Subsidiary has, and as of the Effective Time, Spinco or a
Spinco Subsidiary will have, good and valid title to or valid
leasehold interests or other contractual rights in, all other
Spinco Assets, with respect to both the oil and gas properties
and all other Spinco Assets, free and clear of all mortgages,
deeds of trust, liens, security interests, pledges, leases,
conditional sale contracts, claims, charges, liabilities,
obligations, privileges, easements, rights of way, limitations,
reservations, restrictions, options, rights of first refusal and
other encumbrances of every kind (Liens) except for
Permitted Liens and Liens associated with obligations reflected
in the Spinco Reserve Report. The oil and gas leases and other
agreements that provide Forest and its Subsidiaries, and that as
of the Effective Time will provide Spinco and its Subsidiaries,
with operating rights in the oil and gas properties reflected in
the Spinco Reserve Report are legal, valid and binding and in
full force and effect, the rentals, royalties and other payments
due thereunder have been properly paid and, to Forests and
Spincos Knowledge, there is no existing default (or event
that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become a
default) under any of such oil and gas leases or other
agreements, except as would not, individually or in the
aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on the Spinco Business
or Spinco. Each of Spinco and Forest and their respective
Subsidiaries (as the case may be) has maintained all the Spinco
Assets owned on the date hereof in working order and operating
condition, subject only to ordinary wear and tear. The Spinco
Assets constitute all the assets, properties and rights related
to or required for the conduct of the Spinco Business as
currently conducted, except for the services to be provided
pursuant to the Transition Services Agreement. The Spinco Assets
include all properties reflected in the Spinco Reserve Report.
Section 4.22 Loans.
There are no outstanding loans made to any Person by Forest,
Spinco or any of their respective Subsidiaries that are or will
be Spinco Assets.
Section 4.23 Oil
and Gas Reserves. Forest has furnished to the Company
reserve reports prepared by Forest containing estimates of the
oil and gas reserves, as of December 31, 2004 and
June 30, 2005 (collectively, the Spinco Reserve
Report), that will be owned by Spinco and the Spinco
Subsidiaries upon completion of the Contribution. The factual,
non-interpretive data on which the Spinco Reserve Report was
based for purposes of estimating the oil and gas reserves set
forth therein was accurate in all material respects,
Annex A-22
and to the Knowledge of Forest no errors in such information
existed at the time such information was provided. The Spinco
Reserve Report conforms to the guidelines with respect thereto
of the SEC. Except for changes (including changes in hydrocarbon
commodity prices) generally affecting the oil and gas industry
and normal depletion by production, there has been no change in
respect of the matters addressed in the Spinco Reserve Report
that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect on the Spinco Business or Spinco. Since January 1,
2003 all wells included in the Spinco Assets have been drilled
and (if completed) completed, operated and produced in
compliance in all respects with applicable oil and gas leases
and applicable laws, except where any such failure or violation
would not have a Material Adverse Effect on Spinco, the Spinco
Assets or the Spinco Business. To the Knowledge of Forest and
Spinco, there are no wells included in the Spinco Assets that
Forest, Spinco or any of their respective Subsidiaries are
(i) currently obligated by applicable law or Contract to
plug and abandon, or (ii) obligated by applicable law or
Contract to plug and abandon with the lapse of time or notice or
both because the well is not currently capable of producing in
commercial quantities. No Person has any call on, option to
purchase or similar rights with respect to the production of
hydrocarbons attributable to the Spinco Assets, except any such
call, option or similar right at market prices. Except for gas
imbalances between Forest, Spinco or any of their respective
Subsidiaries and any third party working interest owners,
marketers or pipelines relative to the Spinco Assets that have
accrued since June 30, 2005, neither Forest, Spinco nor any
of their respective Subsidiaries is obligated by any gas
prepayment arrangement or by any take-or-pay
requirement, advance payment or other similar arrangement to
deliver any gas at a future time without then or thereafter
receiving payment therefor. With respect to any oil and gas
interests comprising Spinco Assets that are not operated by
Forest, Spinco or any of their respective Subsidiaries, Forest
and Spinco make the representations and warranties set forth in
this Section 4.23 only to Forests and Spincos
Knowledge.
Section 4.24 Derivative
Transactions. Neither Forest nor Spinco nor any of their
respective Subsidiaries has entered into any Derivative
Transaction pursuant to which Spinco, any Spinco Subsidiary or
the Spinco Business has or will have a continuing financial
liability or obligation. All Derivative Transactions entered
into by Forest, Spinco or any of their respective Subsidiaries
that are currently open and pursuant to which Spinco, any Spinco
Subsidiary or the Spinco Business has or will have a continuing
financial liability or obligation were entered into in material
compliance with applicable rules, regulations and policies of
all regulatory authorities.
Section 4.25 No
Other Representations and Warranties. Except for the
representations and warranties contained in Article III and
in this Article IV and except for any representations and
warranties specifically set forth in the other Transaction
Agreements, the Company acknowledges that neither Forest nor
Spinco nor any other Person makes any express or implied
representation or warranty with respect to Spinco or its
Subsidiaries, the Spinco Business or otherwise or with respect
to any other information provided to the Company, whether on
behalf of Forest, Spinco or such other Persons, including as to
(i) merchantability or fitness for any particular use or
purpose, (ii) the use of the Spinco Assets and the assets
of the Spinco Business and the operation of the Spinco Business
after the Closing in any manner or (iii) the success or
profitability of the ownership, use or operation of the Spinco
Business after the Closing. Neither Forest, Spinco nor any other
Person will have or be subject to any liability or
indemnification obligation to the Company or any other Person to
the extent resulting from the distribution to the Company, or
the Companys use of, any information related to the Spinco
Business and any other information, document or material made
available to the Company in certain data rooms,
management presentations or in any other form in connection with
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other
Transaction Agreements.
ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
Except as set forth in the Company Disclosure Schedule (with
specific reference to the particular Section of this Agreement
to which the information set forth in such disclosure schedule
relates; provided, that any information set forth in one section
of the Company Disclosure Schedule shall be deemed to apply to
each
Annex A-23
other Section thereof to which it is relevant), the Company
represents and warrants to Forest and Spinco as follows:
Section 5.1 Organization,
Qualification. Each of the Company and Merger Sub is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, has all
requisite power and authority to own, lease and operate its
properties and assets and to carry on its business as presently
conducted and is duly qualified and licensed to do business and
is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the ownership
or leasing of its property or the conduct of its business
requires such qualification, except for jurisdictions in which
the failure to be so qualified or to be in good standing,
individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material
Adverse Effect on the Company. The copies of the Companys
Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and
Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws in existence on the date
hereof included as part of Section 5.1 of the Company
Disclosure Schedule are complete and correct and in full force
and effect on the date hereof. The Company is not in violation
of any of the provisions of its Second Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation or Fourth Amended and Restated
Bylaws. All of the Company Subsidiaries and their respective
jurisdictions of incorporation or organization (together with a
designation of those Subsidiaries constituting Significant
Subsidiaries of the Company) are identified in Section 5.1
of the Company Disclosure Schedule. Merger Sub was formed solely
for the purpose of engaging in the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, has engaged in no other business activities and
has conducted its operations only as contemplated by this
Agreement.
Section 5.2 Capital
Stock and Other Matters. The authorized capital stock of the
Company consists of 70,000,000 shares of Company Common
Stock and 20,000,000 shares of Company Preferred Stock. At
the close of business on September 9, 2005,
(i) 35,615,400 shares of Company Common Stock were
issued and outstanding, including 2,267,270 shares of
restricted stock issued to employees pursuant to the
Companys Equity Participation Plan, and
2,000,000 shares of Company Common Stock were reserved for
issuance as restricted stock or upon the exercise of stock
options granted or that may be granted under the Companys
Stock Incentive Plan, and none of such shares have been issued
as restricted stock and 807,960 of such shares are subject to
stock options that have been granted to employees and directors;
(ii) no shares of Company Common Stock were held by the
Company in its treasury or by its Subsidiaries; (iii) no
shares of Company Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding;
and (iv) no bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness
of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries having the right to
vote (or convertible into securities having the right to vote)
on any matters on which holders of shares of capital stock of
the Company may vote (Company Voting Debt) were
issued or outstanding. All of the issued and outstanding shares
of Company Common Stock are validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable and are not subject to preemptive rights. Except
as set forth in this Section 5.2, there are no outstanding
(i) shares of Company Common Stock, Company Voting Debt or
other voting securities of the Company, (ii) securities of
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries convertible into or
exchangeable for shares of capital stock, Company Voting Debt or
other voting securities of the Company or (iii) except as
specified in Section 2.9, options, warrants, calls, rights
(including preemptive rights), commitments or other Contracts
(other than certain Transaction Agreements) to which the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries is bound obligating the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries to issue, deliver, sell, purchase, redeem or
acquire, or cause to be issued, delivered, sold, purchased,
redeemed or acquired, or otherwise relating to, shares of
capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any
Company Voting Debt or other voting securities of the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries or obligating the Company or any Company
Subsidiary to grant, extend or enter into any such option,
warrant, call, right, commitment or Contract. There are no
stockholder agreements, voting trusts or other Contracts to
which the Company is a party or by which it is bound relating to
the voting or transfer of any shares of capital stock of the
Company. The authorized capital stock of Merger Sub consists of
1,000 shares of common stock, par value $.0001 per
share, all of which are owned by the Company. Each outstanding
share of capital stock of Merger Sub is duly authorized, validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable and each such share owned
by the Company is free and clear of all security interests,
liens, claims, pledges, options, rights of first refusal,
agreements, limitations on the voting rights of the Company or
such Company Subsidiary, charges and other encumbrances of any
nature whatsoever.
Annex A-24
Section 5.3 Corporate
Authority; No Violation. The Company has the corporate power
and authority to enter into this Agreement and, subject to
obtaining the Requisite Approval, to carry out its obligations
hereunder. The execution, delivery and performance by the
Company of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by
all requisite corporate action on the part of the Company,
subject to obtaining the Requisite Approval, and no other
corporate proceedings are necessary to consummate the Merger.
Merger Sub has the corporate power and authority to enter into
this Agreement and to carry out its obligations hereunder. The
execution, delivery and performance by Merger Sub of this
Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate
action on the part of Merger Sub. This Agreement has been duly
executed and delivered by Merger Sub and, assuming the due
authorization, execution and delivery by Forest and Spinco,
constitutes a legal, valid and binding agreement of Merger Sub,
enforceable against Merger Sub in accordance with its terms
(except insofar as such enforceability may be limited by
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or
similar laws affecting creditors rights generally, or by
principles governing the availability of equitable remedies).
This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the
Company and, assuming the due authorization, execution and
delivery by Forest and Spinco, constitutes a legal, valid and
binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the
Company in accordance with its terms (except insofar as such
enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium or
similar laws affecting creditors rights generally, or by
principles governing the availability of equitable remedies).
Merger Sub is not a party to any Contract except this Agreement,
and has no obligations or liabilities except under this
Agreement and costs incidental to its incorporation in the State
of Delaware. Except for matters expressly contemplated by this
Agreement and except for such matters described in
clauses (b), (c) and (d) below as would not,
individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect
on the Company, neither the execution and delivery by the
Company and Merger Sub of this Agreement, nor the consummation
by the Company and Merger Sub of the transactions contemplated
hereby and the performance by the Company and Merger Sub of this
Agreement will (a) violate or conflict with any provision
of the Companys Second Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation or Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws or any
provision of Merger Subs Certificate of Incorporation or
Bylaws; (b) require any consent, approval, authorization or
permit of, registration, declaration or filing with, or
notification to, any Governmental Authority or any other Person;
(c) result in any breach of or constitute a default (or an
event that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become a
default) under, or give to others any right of termination,
cancellation, amendment or acceleration of any obligation or the
loss of any benefit under any Contract 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 is bound or affected; (d) result in the creation
of a lien, pledge, security interest, claim or other encumbrance
on any of the issued and outstanding shares of Company Common
Stock or on any of the assets of the Company or its Subsidiaries
pursuant to any Contract 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 the assets of the Company or its
Subsidiaries is bound or affected; or (e) violate or
conflict with any Order, law, ordinance, rule or regulation
applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any of
the properties, businesses or assets of any of the foregoing.
Section 5.3 of the Company Disclosure Schedule identifies
all material consents, approvals and authorizations of any
Governmental Authority that are legally required to be obtained
by the Company for the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
Section 5.4 Company
Financial Statements; Liabilities. The Company has
previously made available to Forest complete and correct copies
of audited consolidated financial statements for the Company as
of and for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and
2002, and unaudited consolidated interim financial statements
for the Company as of and for the three-month periods ended
March 31, 2005 and June 30, 2005 (including any
related notes and schedules thereto, the Company Financial
Statements). The Company Financial Statements fairly
present in all material respects the financial position of the
Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the respective
dates thereof and the results of operations and changes in
financial position or other information included therein for the
respective periods or as of the respective dates then ended, in
each case except as otherwise noted therein and subject, where
appropriate, to normal year-end audit adjustments, in each case
in accordance with past practice and GAAP, consistently applied,
during the
Annex A-25
periods involved (except as otherwise stated therein). Except as
set forth in the Company Financial Statements, the Company and
its Subsidiaries do not have any liability or obligation
(whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise) of a nature
or character required to be reflected in the consolidated
balance sheet of the Company or in the footnotes thereto, in
each case prepared in conformity with GAAP, other than
(i) liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business
since June 30, 2005, (ii) liabilities that
individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material
Adverse Effect on the Company and (iii) liabilities and
obligations under the Transaction Agreements.
Section 5.5 Absence
of Certain Changes or Events. Except as specifically
contemplated by this Agreement, since June 30, 2005, each
of the Company and its Subsidiaries has conducted its business
only in the ordinary course and in a manner consistent with past
practice, and, since such date, there has not been, occurred or
arisen any change, or any event (including any damage,
destruction or loss whether or not covered by insurance),
condition or state of facts of any character that, individually
or in the aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect on the
Company, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of
business.
Section 5.6 Investigations;
Litigation.
(a) To the Companys Knowledge, no investigation or
review by any Governmental Authority with respect to the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries is pending or threatened, nor has any
Governmental Authority indicated to the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries an intention to conduct the same.
(b) There is no Action pending or, to the Companys
Knowledge, threatened against or affecting the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries at law or in equity, or before any Governmental
Authority or arbitrator, that, (i) if adversely determined,
individually or in the aggregate, would have a Material Adverse
Effect on the Company or (ii) seeks to delay or prevent the
consummation of the Merger or any other transaction contemplated
by this Agreement. There is no Order of any Governmental
Authority or arbitrator outstanding against the Company or any
Company Subsidiary or with respect to any of their properties or
assets that, individually or in the aggregate, would have a
Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
Section 5.7 Licenses;
Compliance with Laws. The Company and its Subsidiaries hold
all Licenses that are required for the conduct of the businesses
of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as
presently conducted, except such Licenses for which the failure
to so hold, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a
Material Adverse Effect on the Company. The Company and its
Subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms of all such
Licenses so held, except where the failure so to comply,
individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material
Adverse Effect on the Company. No suspension or cancellation of
any of the Companys Licenses is pending or, to the
Companys Knowledge, threatened, except where the failure
to have, or the suspension or cancellation of, any of the
Companys Licenses would not have a Material Adverse Effect
on the Company. Except with respect to Environmental Laws, ERISA
and laws relating to Taxes, the Company and its Subsidiaries are
in compliance with all, and have received no notice of any
violation (as yet unremedied) of any, laws, ordinances or
regulations of any Governmental Authority applicable to any of
them or their respective operations, except for such instances
of noncompliance which, individually or in the aggregate, would
not have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
Section 5.8 Proxy
Statement/Prospectus; Registration Statements. None of the
information regarding the Company or its Subsidiaries or the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement provided by the
Company specifically for inclusion in the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus or the Registration Statements will, in the
case of the definitive Proxy Statement/Prospectus or any
amendment or supplement thereto, at the time of the mailing of
the definitive Proxy Statement/Prospectus and any amendment or
supplement thereto and at the time of the Company Stockholders
Meeting, or, in the case of each Registration Statement, at the
time it becomes effective, at the time of the Company
Stockholders Meeting, at the Distribution Date and at the
Effective Time, contain an untrue statement of a material fact
or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the
light of the circumstances under which they are made, not
misleading. The Registration Statements (other than the
Registration Statement on Form 10) will comply in all
material respects with the provisions of the Securities Act and
the Exchange Act, as the case may be, and the rules and
regulations thereunder, except that no representation is made by
the Company with respect to information provided by Forest and
Spinco specifically for inclusion in the
Annex A-26
Registration Statements. All factual information (excluding
estimates and projections) previously furnished by the Company
to Forest relating to the Company or its business was (taken as
a whole, including disclosures set forth in the Companys
Registration Statement on
Form S-1 filed
with the SEC, as amended) true and correct in all material
respects on the date on which such information was furnished and
did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit
to state a material fact relevant to the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or necessary to make
the statements contained therein not misleading.
Section 5.9 Information
Supplied. All documents that the Company is responsible for
filing with any Governmental Authority in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby or by any other Transaction
Agreement will comply in all material respects with the
provisions of applicable law.
Section 5.10 Environmental
Matters. Except as would not, individually or in the
aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company:
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(i) Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has obtained
all Environmental Permits required for the conduct and operation
of its business and is in compliance and at all times has been
in compliance with the terms and conditions contained in its
Environmental Permits, and is, and for the past one year has
been, in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws; |
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(ii) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is
subject to any environmental indemnification obligation
regarding businesses currently operated by the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries or regarding properties currently owned or
leased by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; |
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(iii) To the Companys Knowledge there is no condition
on, at, under or related to any property (including any release
of a Hazardous Material into the air, soil, surface water,
sediment or ground water at, under or migrating to or from such
property) currently owned, leased or used by the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries or created by the Companys or any of
the Company Subsidiarys operations that would create
liability for the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under
applicable Environmental Laws and, to the Companys
Knowledge, the foregoing representation is true and correct with
regard to property formerly owned, leased or used by the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries; |
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(iv) There are no past or present actions, activities,
circumstances, conditions, events or incidents (including the
release, emission, discharge, presence or disposal of any
Hazardous Material) that form or are reasonably likely to form
the basis of a claim against the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries under Environmental Laws, including any claims
based on the alleged exposure of any Person or property to any
Hazardous Material; |
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(v) The Company has made available to Spinco and Forest all
material site assessments, compliance audits, and other similar
studies prepared since January 1, 2002 in the
Companys possession or custody relating to (A) the
environmental conditions on, under or about the properties or
assets currently owned, leased, operated or used by the Company,
any of its Subsidiaries or any predecessor in interest thereto
and (B) any Hazardous Materials used, managed, handled,
transported, treated, generated, stored, discharged, emitted, or
otherwise released by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or,
to the Companys Knowledge, any other Person, on, under,
about or from any of the properties currently owned or leased
by, or otherwise in connection with the use or operation of any
of the properties owned or leased by, or otherwise in connection
with the use or operation of any of the properties and assets
of, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or their respective
businesses and operations; |
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(vi) Since January 1, 2002, neither the Company nor
any of its Subsidiaries has received any communication that has
not been resolved, whether from a Governmental Authority,
citizens group, employee or otherwise, alleging that it is
liable under, or not in compliance with, any Environmental
Law; and |
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(vii) To the Companys Knowledge, there is no
requirement anticipated or formally proposed for notice,
comment, adoption or implementation under any Environmental Law
or Environmental Permit |
Annex A-27
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issued pursuant thereto that is reasonably expected to result in
liability or material increases in either capital or operating
costs for the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. |
(b) Insofar as the representations set forth in subsections
(a)(i), (a)(ii), (a)(iii), (a)(iv) and (a)(vii) relate to assets
of the Company operated by a Person other than the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries, such representations are given only to
the Knowledge of the Company.
Section 5.11 Tax
Matters.
(a) (i) All material Tax Returns relating to the
Company and the Company Subsidiaries required to be filed have
been duly and timely filed, (ii) all such Tax Returns are
true, correct and complete in all material respects,
(iii) all Taxes shown as due and payable on such Tax
Returns, relating to the Company or any Company Subsidiary
required to be paid, have been duly and timely paid,
(iv) no adjustment relating to such Tax Returns has been
proposed in writing by any Governmental Authority, (v) all
material Taxes relating to the Company and the Company
Subsidiaries for any taxable period (or a portion thereof)
beginning on or prior to the date of the Closing (which are not
yet due and payable) have been properly reserved for in the
books and records of the Company whether or not shown as being
due on any Tax Return, and (vi) the Company and the Company
Subsidiaries have duly and timely withheld all material Taxes
required to be withheld and such withheld Taxes have been either
duly and timely paid to the proper Governmental Authority or
properly set aside in accounts for such purpose and will be duly
and timely paid to the proper Governmental Authority.
(b) No written agreement or other written document waiving
or extending, or having the effect of waiving or extending, the
statute of limitations or the period of assessment or collection
of any Taxes relating to the Company or any Company Subsidiary
and no power of attorney with respect to any such Taxes, in each
case that is currently outstanding and in effect, has been filed
or entered into with any Governmental Authority.
(c) (i) No audits or other administrative proceedings
or court proceedings are presently pending with regard to any
Taxes or Tax Return of the Company or any Company Subsidiary as
to which any Taxing Authority has asserted in writing any claim
which, if adversely determined, would have a Material Adverse
Effect on the Company, and (ii) no Governmental Authority
has asserted in writing any deficiency or claim for Taxes
(including any adjustment to Taxes) with respect to which the
Company or any Company Subsidiary may be liable with respect to
income or any other material Tax which has not been fully paid
or finally settled.
(d) Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary
(i) is a party to or bound by or has any obligation or
liability under any written Tax separation, sharing or similar
agreement or arrangement, (ii) is or has been a member of
any consolidated, combined or unitary group for purposes of
filing Tax Returns or paying Taxes, (iii) has entered into
a closing agreement pursuant to Section 7121 of the Code,
or any predecessor provision or any similar provision of state
or local law, (iv) is required to include in income any
amount in respect of an adjustment pursuant to Section 481
of the Code by reason of a change in accounting method, or
(v) has filed any consents under Section 341(f) of the
Code.
(e) None of the assets of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries are subject to any Tax lien (other than liens for
Taxes that are not yet due or that are being contested in good
faith by appropriate proceedings and which have been properly
reserved for in the books and records of the Company).
(f) To the Companys Knowledge, neither the Company
nor any of its Affiliates has taken or agreed to take any action
that would prevent the Merger from constituting a transaction
qualifying under Section 368(a) of the Code. The Company is
not aware of any agreement, plan or other circumstance that
would prevent the Merger from qualifying under
Section 368(a) of the Code.
(g) None of the assets of the Company or any of the Company
Subsidiaries are tax-exempt use property within the meaning of
Section 168(h) of the Code.
Annex A-28
(h) Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has
consummated, has participated in or is currently participating
in any transaction which was or is a listed transaction as
defined in Treasury
Regulation Section 1.6011-4(b)(2).
Section 5.12 Benefit
Plans.
(a) Section 5.12(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule
lists each employee benefit plan (as defined in
Section 3(3) of ERISA), and all other employee benefit,
bonus, incentive, deferred compensation, stock option (or other
equity-based), severance, change in control, welfare (including
post-retirement medical and life insurance), vacation, retention
and fringe benefit plans, whether or not subject to ERISA and
whether written or oral, sponsored, maintained or contributed to
or required to be contributed to by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, or to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
is a party for the benefit of any Person who is currently, has
been or, prior to the Effective Time, is expected to become an
employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (a
Company Employee) (the Company Benefit
Plans). Neither the Company, any of its Subsidiaries nor
any ERISA Affiliate of any of them has any commitment or formal
plan, whether legally binding or not, to create any additional
employee benefit plan or modify or change any existing Company
Benefit Plan that would affect any Company Employee. The Company
has heretofore delivered or made available to Forest and Spinco
true and complete copies of each Company Benefit Plan and any
amendments thereto (or if the plan is not a written plan, a
description thereof), any related trust or other funding
vehicle, any reports or summaries required under ERISA or the
Code for the most recent reporting period and the most recent
determination letter received from the IRS (if any) with respect
to each such plan intended to qualify under Section 401(a)
of the Code.
(b) No liability under Title IV (including
Sections 4069 and 4212(c) of ERISA) or Section 302 of
ERISA has been incurred by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries
or any ERISA Affiliate of any of them that has not been
satisfied in full, and no condition exists that presents a
material risk to the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any
ERISA Affiliate of any of them of incurring any such liability,
other than liability for premiums due the PBGC (which premiums
have been paid when due). No Company Benefit Plan is subject to
Title IV of ERISA, Section 302 of ERISA or
Section 412 of the Code.
(c) No Company Benefit Plan is a multiemployer
pension plan, as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA
and none of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA
Affiliate of any of them has made or suffered a complete
withdrawal or a partial withdrawal, as such
terms are respectively defined in Sections 4203 and 4205 of
ERISA, which has not been satisfied in full.
(d) Each Company Benefit Plan has been operated and
administered in all material respects in accordance with its
terms and applicable law, including, but not limited to, ERISA
and the Code. All contributions required to be made with respect
to any Company Benefit Plan have been timely made. There are no
pending or, to the Companys Knowledge, threatened claims
by, on behalf of or against any of the Company Benefit Plans or
any assets thereof, other than routine benefit claim matters,
that, if adversely determined could, individually or in the
aggregate, result in a material liability for the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries and no matter is pending (other than routine
qualification determination filings, copies of which have been
furnished to Forest and Spinco or will be promptly furnished to
Forest and Spinco when made) with respect to any of the Company
Benefit Plans before the IRS, the United States Department of
Labor or the PBGC.
(e) Each Company Benefit Plan intended to be
qualified within the meaning of Section 401(a)
of the Code is so qualified and the trusts maintained thereunder
are exempt from taxation under Section 501(a) of the Code,
each trust maintained under any Company Benefit Plan intended to
satisfy the requirements of Section 501(c)(9) of the Code
has satisfied such requirements and, in either such case, no
event has occurred or condition is known to exist that would
reasonably be expected to adversely affect such tax-qualified
status for any such Company Benefit Plan or any such trust.
(f) No Company Benefit Plan provides medical, surgical,
hospitalization, death or similar benefits (whether or not
insured) for employees or former employees of Company or any
Company Subsidiary for periods extending beyond their retirement
or other termination of service, other than (i) coverage
mandated
Annex A-29
by applicable law, (ii) death benefits under any
pension plan, or (iii) benefits the full cost
of which is borne by the current or former employee (or his
beneficiary). The Company has the right, and will have the right
after the Effective Time to terminate any Company Benefit Plan
or to amend any such Company Benefit Plan to reduce future
benefits (including any Company Benefit Plan that provides
post-retirement medical and life insurance benefits) without
incurring or otherwise being responsible for any material
liability with respect thereto.
(g) In connection with the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, no payment of money or other
property, acceleration of benefits or provision of other rights
has been or will be made hereunder, under any agreement
contemplated herein, or under any Company Benefit Plan or any
Contract listed in Section 5.15 of the Company Disclosure
Schedule that could reasonably be expected to be nondeductible
under Section 280G 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.
Section 5.13 Labor
Matters. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is
a party to, or bound by, any collective bargaining agreement or
other Contract with a labor union or labor organization and no
collective bargaining agreement is being negotiated by the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Neither the Company nor any
of its Subsidiaries is the subject of any proceeding asserting
that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has committed an
unfair labor practice or is seeking to compel it to bargain with
any labor organization as to wages or conditions of employment
nor is there any strike, work stoppage or other labor dispute
involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries pending or, to
the Companys Knowledge, threatened, that, individually or
in the aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect on the
Company. There are no labor controversies pending or, to the
Companys Knowledge, threatened against the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries that, individually or in the aggregate,
would have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. There have
been no claims initiated by any labor organization to represent
any Company Employees not currently represented by a labor
organization.
Section 5.14 Intellectual
Property Matters. The Company and its Subsidiaries own or
possess adequate licenses or other valid rights to use all
seismic data, patents, patent rights, trademarks, trademark
rights, trade names, trade name rights, copyrights, service
marks, trade secrets, applications for trademarks and service
marks, know-how and other proprietary rights and information
used or held for use in connection with the business of the
Company and its Subsidiaries as currently conducted, except
where the failure to own or possess such items, individually or
in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect on
the Company. To the Companys Knowledge, there is no
assertion or claim challenging the validity of any of the
foregoing that, individually or in the aggregate, would have a
Material Adverse Effect on the Company. The conduct of the
business of the Company and its Subsidiaries as currently
conducted does not and will not conflict in any way with any
seismic data license, patent, patent right, license, trademark,
trademark right, trade name, trade name right, copyright,
service mark, trade secret, know-how or other proprietary rights
or information of any third party that, individually or in the
aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
Section 5.15 Material
Contracts.
(a) Section 5.15 of the Company Disclosure Schedule
sets forth all Contracts, other than Company Benefit Plans and
oil and gas leases and assignments entered into in the ordinary
course of business, to which the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries is a party (i) relating to indebtedness for
borrowed money, (ii) that is a material
contract (as such term is defined in Item 601(b)(10)
of Regulation S-K
of the SEC), (iii) that obligates the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries to make any payments or issue or pay anything of
value to any director, officer, key employee or consultant,
(iv) that limit or purport to limit the ability of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries to compete in the
U.S. domestic oil and gas exploration, production and
marketing business with any Person in any geographic area or
during any period of time, (v) that includes any material
indemnification, contribution or guarantee obligations (other
than such obligations entered into in the ordinary course of
business in offshore oil and gas operations), (vi) that
relate to capital expenditures involving total payments of more
than $1 million, (vii) requiring annual or remaining
payments in excess of $1 million after the date hereof,
(viii) that is a seismic license agreement or rig or
drilling contract material to the Company,
Annex A-30
(ix) that is a fixed price commodity sales agreement with a
remaining term of more than 60 days, (x) that is a
material Contract relating to any of the properties specified in
Section 5.15 of the Company Disclosure Schedule or
(xi) that obligate the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
to provide funds to, or make any investment (in the form of a
loan, capital contribution or otherwise) in, any other Person.
Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received
notice that any party to any such Contract is in default, and
each such Contract, upon consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and the other Transaction
Agreements, shall continue in full force and effect without
penalty or other adverse consequence (other than the termination
or expiration thereof in accordance with its terms, for reasons
other than the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements).
(b) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in
default in any respect under any Contract to which it is a party
or by which it or any of its properties or assets is bound,
which default, individually or in the aggregate, would have a
Material Adverse Effect on the Company, and there has not
occurred any event that, with the lapse of time or the giving of
notice or both, would constitute such a default.
Section 5.16 Opinion
of Company Financial Advisor. The Company has received the
written opinion of Lehman Brothers Inc., to the effect that, as
of the date of such opinion, the Exchange Ratio (as defined in
such opinion) is fair, from a financial point of view, to the
Company. The Company has previously delivered a complete copy of
such opinion to Forest.
Section 5.17 Brokers
or Finders. No agent, broker, investment banker, financial
advisor or other similar Person is or will be entitled, by
reason of any agreement, act or statement by the Company, or any
of its Subsidiaries, directors, officers or employees, to any
financial advisory, brokers, finders or similar fee
or commission, to reimbursement of expenses or to
indemnification or contribution in connection with any of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other
Transaction Agreement.
Section 5.18 Takeover
Statutes. The Board of Directors of the Company has
unanimously approved the terms of this Agreement and the
consummation of the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, and such approval represents all
the action necessary to render inapplicable to this Agreement,
the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement the restrictions on business combinations
set forth in Section 203 of the DGCL to the extent such
restrictions would otherwise be applicable to this Agreement,
the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
Section 5.19 Certain
Board Findings. The Board of Directors of the Company, at a
meeting duly called and held, (i) has determined that the
Merger is fair to, and in the best interests of, the Company and
its stockholders and (ii) has resolved, subject to
Section 6.11, to recommend the adoption of this Agreement
by the stockholders of the Company.
Section 5.20 Vote
Required. The only vote of the stockholders of the Company
required under any of the DGCL or the Companys Second
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation for adoption
of this Agreement and the approval of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement is the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Company
Common Stock entitled to vote (sometimes referred to herein as
the Requisite Approval).
Section 5.21 Certain
Payments. No Company Benefit Plan or employment arrangement,
and no contractual arrangements between the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries and any third party, exists that could result
in the payment to any current, former or future director,
officer, stockholder or employee of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, or of any entity the assets or capital stock of
which have been acquired by the Company or a Company Subsidiary,
of any money or other property or rights or accelerate or
provide any other rights or benefits to any such individual as a
result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
the Transaction Agreements whether or not (a) such payment,
acceleration or provision would constitute a parachute
payment (within the meaning of Section 280G of the
Code), or (b) some other subsequent action or event would
be required to cause such payment, acceleration or provision to
be triggered.
Section 5.22 Assets.
The Company has good and marketable title to all oil and gas
properties forming the basis for the reserves reflected in the
Company Reserve Report as attributable to interests owned
Annex A-31
by the Company or any Company Subsidiary and has good and valid
title to, or valid leasehold interests or other contractual
rights in, all other Company assets, with respect to both the
oil and gas properties and all other Company assets, free and
clear of all Liens except for Permitted Liens and Liens
associated with obligations reflected in the Company Reserve
Report. The oil and gas leases and other agreements that provide
the Company and its Subsidiaries with operating rights in the
oil and gas properties reflected in the Company Reserve Report
are legal, valid and binding and in full force and effect, the
rentals, royalties and other payments due thereunder have been
properly paid and, to the Companys Knowledge, there is no
existing default (or event that, with notice or lapse of time or
both, would become a default) under any of such oil and gas
leases or other agreements, except as would not, individually or
in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
The Company and its Subsidiaries (as the case may be) have
maintained all of their respective assets owned on the date
hereof in working order and operating condition, subject only to
ordinary wear and tear.
Section 5.23 Loans.
Section 5.23 of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth
each currently outstanding loan exceeding $1 million in
principal amount made by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
to any Person.
Section 5.24 Oil
and Gas Reserves. The Company has furnished to Forest
reserve reports prepared by the Company containing estimates of
the oil and gas reserves, as of December 31, 2004 and
June 30, 2005 (collectively, the Company Reserve
Report), that are owned by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries. The factual, non-interpretive data on which the
Company Reserve Report was based for purposes of estimating the
oil and gas reserves set forth therein was accurate in all
material respects, and to the Knowledge of the Company no errors
in such information existed at the time such information was
provided. The Company Reserve Report conforms to the guidelines
with respect thereto of the SEC. Except for changes (including
changes in hydrocarbon commodity prices) generally affecting the
oil and gas industry and normal depletion by production, there
has been no change in respect of the matters addressed in the
Company Reserve Report that would reasonably be expected to have
a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. Since January 1,
2003 all of the Companys and its Subsidiaries wells
have been drilled and (if completed) completed, operated and
produced in compliance in all respects with applicable oil and
gas leases and applicable laws, except where any such failure or
violation would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the
Company. To the Companys Knowledge, there are no wells of
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries are (i) currently obligated by
applicable law or Contract to plug and abandon, or
(ii) obligated by applicable law or Contract to plug and
abandon with the lapse of time or notice or both because the
well is not currently capable of producing in commercial
quantities. No Person has any call on, option to purchase or
similar rights with respect to the production of hydrocarbons
attributable to any of the Companys or its
Subsidiaries assets, except any such call, option or
similar right at market prices. Except for gas imbalances
between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and any third
party working interest owners, marketers or pipelines relative
to its assets that have accrued since June 30, 2005,
neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is obligated by
any gas prepayment arrangement or by any take-or-pay
requirement, advance payment or other similar arrangement to
deliver any gas at a future time without then or thereafter
receiving payment therefor. With respect to any oil and gas
interests of the Company and its Subsidiaries that are not
operated by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the Company
makes the representations and warranties set forth in this
Section 5.24 only to its Knowledge.
Section 5.25 Derivative
Transactions. Neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries has entered into any Derivative Transaction
pursuant to which it has a continuing financial liability or
obligation. All Derivative Transactions entered into by the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries that are currently open were
entered into in material compliance with applicable rules,
regulations and policies of all regulatory authorities.
Section 5.26 No
Other Representations and Warranties. Except for the
representations and warranties contained in this Article V,
Forest and Spinco acknowledge that neither the Company nor any
other Person makes any express or implied representation or
warranty with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries or
otherwise or with respect to any other information provided to
Forest or Spinco, whether on behalf of the Company or such other
Persons. Neither the Company nor any other Person will have or
be subject to any liability or indemnification obligation to
Forest or Spinco or any other Person to the extent
Annex A-32
resulting from the distribution to Forest or Spinco, or Forest
or Spincos use of, any information related to the Company
and any other information, document or material made available
to Forest or Spinco in certain data rooms,
management presentations or in any other form in connection with
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
ARTICLE VI
COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS
Section 6.1 Conduct
of Business by the Company Pending the Merger. Following the
date of this Agreement and prior to the earlier of the Effective
Time and the Termination Date, except as specifically
contemplated or permitted by this Agreement or the other
Transaction Agreements or described in Section 6.1 of the
Company Disclosure Schedule or to the extent that Forest shall
otherwise consent in writing (such consent not to be
unreasonably withheld or delayed), the Company agrees as to
itself and its Subsidiaries as follows:
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(a) Ordinary Course. Each of the Company and its
Subsidiaries shall conduct its operations in accordance with its
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and
use all commercially reasonable efforts to preserve intact its
present business organization, maintain its material rights and
franchises, keep available the services of its current officers
and key employees and preserve its relationships with material
customers, suppliers and others having business dealings with it
in such a manner that its goodwill and ongoing businesses are
not impaired in any material respect. The Company shall not, nor
shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any new
material line of business. Prior to the Effective Time and
except as specifically contemplated by this Agreement or as
mutually approved in writing by Spinco and the Company, the
Company shall cause Merger Sub not to conduct any business
operations, enter into any Contract (other than this Agreement),
acquire any assets or incur any liabilities. |
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(b) Dividends; Changes in Stock. The Company shall
not, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, nor shall
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries propose to,
(i) declare or pay any dividends on or make other
distributions in respect of any shares of its capital stock or
partnership interests (whether in cash, securities or property),
except for the declaration and payment of cash dividends or
distributions paid on or with respect to a class of capital
stock all of which shares of capital stock or partnership
interests (with the exception of directors qualifying
shares and other similarly nominal holdings required by law to
be held by Persons other than the Company or its wholly owned
Subsidiaries), as the case may be, of the applicable corporation
or partnership are owned directly or indirectly by the Company;
(ii) split, combine or reclassify any of its capital stock
or issue or authorize or propose the issuance of any other
securities in respect of, in lieu of, or in substitution for,
shares of its capital stock; or (iii) redeem, repurchase or
otherwise acquire, or permit any Subsidiary to redeem,
repurchase or otherwise acquire, any shares of its capital stock
(including any securities convertible or exchangeable into such
capital stock). |
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(c) Issuance of Securities. The Company shall not,
nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, issue, deliver
or sell, or authorize or propose to issue, deliver or sell, any
shares of its capital stock of any class, any Company Voting
Debt or any securities convertible into, or any rights, warrants
or options to acquire, any such shares, Company Voting Debt or
convertible securities, other than (i) the issuance of
shares of Company Common Stock upon the exercise of stock
options that are outstanding on the date hereof pursuant to the
Company Stock Plans; (ii) the issuance of stock options
with three year vesting and restricted stock to existing
employees and directors and newly-hired employees and directors
of the Company or its Subsidiaries, not to exceed
300,000 shares of Company Common Stock reserved for
issuance under the Company Stock Plans on the date hereof; and
(iii) issuances by a wholly owned Subsidiary of its capital
stock to the Company. |
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(d) Governing Documents. The Company shall not amend
or propose to amend its Second Amended and Restated Certificate
of Incorporation or Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws, nor shall |
Annex A-33
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it permit any of its Subsidiaries to amend or propose to amend
its charter or bylaws in any manner that would hinder the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. |
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(e) Acquisitions. Other than (i) purchases from
vendors or suppliers in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice, (ii) exercises of
preferential rights, (iii) any single or series of
acquisitions whether or not related, where the fair market value
of the total consideration payable in all such acquisitions does
not exceed $25.0 million in the aggregate or (iv) with
respect to the transaction described in Section 4.2 of the
Spinco Disclosure Schedule, the Company shall not, nor shall it
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, in a single transaction or a
series of transactions, acquire or agree to acquire by merging
or consolidating with, or by purchasing a substantial equity
interest in or a substantial portion of the assets of, or by any
other manner, any business or any corporation, partnership,
association or other business organization or division thereof;
provided, however, that in any event, the Company shall not, nor
shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make any such
acquisition, agreement or purchase if it would hinder in any
material respect the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or the other Transaction
Agreements. |
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(f) Dispositions. Subject to Section 6.11, and
other than product sales and other dispositions in connection
with normal equipment maintenance or salvage in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice and Permitted
Liens, the Company shall not, nor shall it permit any of its
Subsidiaries to, in a single transaction or a series of related
or unrelated transactions, sell (including sale-leaseback),
lease, pledge, encumber or otherwise dispose of, or agree to
sell (or engage in a sale-leaseback), lease (whether such lease
is an operating or capital lease), pledge, encumber or otherwise
directly or indirectly dispose of, any of its assets that in the
aggregate have a fair market value in excess of
$10 million; provided, that the Company shall not
consummate or agree to consummate any such transaction with
respect to any securities of any of its Subsidiaries. |
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(g) Indebtedness; Leases. The Company shall not, nor
shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, incur any
indebtedness for borrowed money or guarantee or otherwise become
contingently liable for any such indebtedness or issue or sell
any debt securities or warrants or rights to acquire any debt
securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or
guarantee any debt securities of others or enter into any
material lease (whether such lease is an operating or capital
lease, but excluding compressor leases) or otherwise incur any
material obligation or liability (absolute or contingent) other
than indebtedness to the Company or a wholly owned Subsidiary of
the Company, or under the Credit Agreement dated as of
March 2, 2004, among the Company and the lenders party
thereto, as amended from time to time, or any replacement
thereof; provided, however, that the aggregate outstanding
indebtedness under such credit agreement shall not exceed
$170 million (exclusive of indebtedness incurred to fund
(A) costs related to the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and (B) payments made to Company executives
pursuant to non-compete, employment and severance agreements and
similar agreements and arrangements). |
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(h) Capital Expenditures. Except as required by law,
the Company shall continue its 2005 budgeted capital expenditure
program for exploration and development as described in the
capital expenditure budget dated as of September 8, 2005
provided to Forest prior to the date hereof, and shall perform,
to the extent reasonably practicable, all scheduled capital
expenditures set forth in such capital expenditure program at an
aggregate cost not exceeding 120% of the aggregate costs set
forth therein (it being understood that particular projects set
forth on such budget may be substituted with other projects, so
long as the aggregate maximum set forth above is not exceeded).
In the event that the Effective Time does not occur in 2005, the
parties shall reasonably consult regarding the Companys
capital expenditure budget for 2006. |
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(i) Employee Arrangements. The Company and its
Subsidiaries shall not: |
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(i) grant any material increases in the compensation of any
of its directors, officers or employees, except in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice; |
Annex A-34
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(ii) pay or agree to pay to any director, officer or
employee, whether past or present, any pension, retirement
allowance or other employee benefit not required or contemplated
by any of the existing benefit, severance, termination, pension
or employment plans, Contracts or arrangements as in effect on
the date hereof; |
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(iii) except in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practice, enter into any new, or materially amend any
existing, employment or severance or termination Contract with
any director or officer; or |
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(iv) except (x) in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice or (y) as may be required to
comply with applicable law, become obligated under any new
pension plan, welfare plan, multiemployer plan, employee benefit
plan, severance plan, benefit arrangement or similar plan or
arrangement that was not in existence on the date hereof, or
amend any such plan or arrangement in existence on the date
hereof if such amendment would have the effect of materially
enhancing any benefits thereunder. |
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(j) Compliance with Laws; Licenses. Except as would
not individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse
Effect on the Company, the Company shall not, nor shall it
permit any of its Subsidiaries to: (i) fail to comply with
any laws, ordinances or regulations applicable to it or to the
conduct of its business or (ii) permit to expire or
terminate without renewal any License that is necessary to the
operation of the business of such party, any facilities
associated therewith or any other business. |
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(k) No Liquidation or Dissolution. The Company shall
not authorize, recommend, propose or announce an intention to
adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation or dissolution
of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. |
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(l) Accounting Methods. The Company shall not make
any material change in its methods of accounting in effect at
December 31, 2004, except (i) as required by the
Financial Accounting Standards Board or changes in GAAP as
agreed to by the Companys independent auditors,
(ii) in response to comments made by the SEC with respect
to any Registration Statement or (iii) as otherwise agreed
to in this Agreement. The Company and Merger Sub shall not
change their respective fiscal years. |
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(m) Affiliate Transactions. The Company shall not,
nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into or
amend any agreement or arrangement with any of their respective
Affiliates (including any Company Employees), other than with
wholly owned Subsidiaries of the Company, on terms materially
less favorable to the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case
may be, than could be reasonably expected to have been obtained
with an unaffiliated third party on an arms-length basis. |
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(n) Contracts. The Company shall not, nor shall it
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, except in the ordinary course
of business consistent with past practice, modify, amend,
terminate or renew any material Contract to which it or any of
its Subsidiaries is a party or waive, release or assign any
material rights or claims, in each case if such action would
have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company or impair in any
material respect the Companys ability to perform its
obligations under this Agreement and the other Transaction
Agreements. The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of
its Subsidiaries to, waive any preferential rights. The Company
shall not, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter
into any Contract not in the ordinary course of business
involving total consideration of $2 million or more with a
term longer than one year which is not terminable by the Company
or any such Subsidiary of the Company without penalty upon no
more than 30 days prior notice. |
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(o) Insurance. The Company shall, and shall cause
its Subsidiaries to, maintain with financially responsible
insurance companies insurance in such amounts and against such
risks and losses as are customary for companies engaged in their
respective businesses; provided, however, that the Company may
self-insure with respect to operators extra expense
insurance, physical damage to well site real and personal
property insurance and business interruption insurance. |
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(p) Tax Matters. The Company shall not (i) make
or rescind any material express or deemed election relating to
Taxes unless such action will not materially and adversely
affect the Company or any |
Annex A-35
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of its Affiliates, or the Surviving Corporation on a
going-forward basis after the Effective Date, including
elections for any and all joint ventures, partnerships, limited
liability companies, working interests or other investments
where the Company has the capacity to make such binding
election, (ii) settle or compromise any material claim,
action, suit, litigation, proceeding, arbitration,
investigation, audit or controversy relating to Taxes, except
where such settlement or compromise will not result in a
Material Adverse Effect on the Company, (iii) amend any
material Tax Returns, except where such amendment would not
adversely affect the Company or any of its Affiliates, or the
Surviving Corporation on a going-forward basis after the
Effective Date or (iv) change in any material respect any
of its methods of reporting income or deductions for federal
income tax purposes from those expected to be employed in the
preparation of its federal income tax return for the taxable
year ended December 31, 2004, except as may be required by
applicable law or except for such changes that are reasonably
expected not to result in a Material Adverse Effect on the
Company; provided, however, that the Company may make or rescind
any such election, settle or compromise any such claim, action,
suit, litigation, proceeding, arbitration, investigation, audit
or controversy, change any such method of reporting or amend any
such Tax Return without Forests prior written consent if
the amount of Tax liabilities relating to such action does not
exceed $500,000. |
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(q) Discharge of Liabilities. Unless otherwise
provided in this Agreement or required by applicable law, the
Company shall not, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries
to, pay, discharge or satisfy any material claims, liabilities
or obligations (absolute, accrued, asserted or unasserted,
contingent or otherwise), other than the payment, discharge or
satisfaction, in the ordinary course of business (which includes
the payment of final and unappealable judgments) or in
accordance with their terms, of liabilities reflected or
reserved against in, or contemplated by, the most recent
consolidated financial statements (or the notes thereto) of the
Company as of and for the twelve months ended December 31,
2004, or incurred in the ordinary course of business. |
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(r) Tax Treatment. Neither the Company nor Merger
Sub shall take or cause or permit to be taken any action
(i) that would disqualify the Distribution from
constituting a tax-free distribution under Section 355 of
the Code or the Contribution from constituting a tax-free
reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Code or
(ii) that would disqualify the Merger from constituting a
tax-free reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Code. |
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(s) Advice of Changes. Subject to the provisions of
the Confidentiality Agreement, the Company shall promptly advise
Forest and Spinco orally and in writing of any change or event
having, or that, insofar as can reasonably be foreseen, could
have, either individually or together with other changes or
events, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. |
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(t) No Action. Subject to the terms and conditions
of this Agreement, the Company shall not, nor will it permit any
of its Subsidiaries to, intentionally take or agree or commit to
take any action that would result in any of the conditions set
forth in Article VII not being satisfied at the Effective
Time. |
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(u) Hedging Activities. The Company shall not, nor
shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into
(i) any Derivative Transaction or (ii) any fixed price
commodity sales agreement with a term of more than 60 days. |
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(v) Lender Consent. The Company shall use reasonable
commercial efforts to obtain the lender consent referenced in
Section 5.3 of the Company Disclosure Schedule and to enter
into the new credit facility referenced in Section 7.3(b). |
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(w) Agreements. The Company shall not, nor shall it
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, agree in writing or otherwise
to take any action inconsistent with the foregoing. |
Section 6.2 Conduct
of Business by Spinco and Forest Pending the Merger.
Following the date of this Agreement and prior to the earlier of
the Effective Time and the Termination Date, except as
specifically contemplated or permitted by this Agreement or the
other Transaction Agreements or described in Section 6.2
Annex A-36
of the Spinco Disclosure Schedule or to the extent that the
Company shall otherwise consent in writing (such consent not to
be unreasonably withheld or delayed), Forest and Spinco
severally agree as follows:
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(a) Ordinary Course. Forest (in regard to the Spinco
Business only) and each of Spinco and its Subsidiaries shall
conduct its operations in accordance with its ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice and use all commercially
reasonable efforts to preserve intact its present business
organization, maintain its material rights and franchises, keep
available the services of its current officers and key employees
and preserve its relationships with material customers,
suppliers and others having business dealings with it in such a
manner that its goodwill and ongoing businesses are not impaired
in any material respect. Spinco shall not, nor shall it permit
any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any new material line of
business. |
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(b) Dividends; Changes in Stock. Except as expressly
permitted in the Tax Sharing Agreement, Spinco shall not, nor
shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, nor shall it or any
of its Subsidiaries propose to, (i) declare or pay any
dividends on or make other distributions in respect of any
shares of its capital stock or partnership interests (whether in
cash, securities or property), except for the declaration and
payment of cash dividends or distributions paid on or with
respect to a class of capital stock or partnership interests all
of which shares of capital stock or partnership interests (with
the exception of directors qualifying shares and other
similarly nominal holdings required by law to be held by Persons
other than Spinco or its wholly owned Subsidiaries), as the case
may be, of the applicable corporation or partnership are owned
directly or indirectly by Spinco; (ii) split, combine or
reclassify any of its capital stock or issue or authorize or
propose the issuance of any other securities in respect of, in
lieu of, or in substitution for, shares of its capital stock,
except as contemplated by the Distribution Agreement or
(iii) redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire, or permit
any Subsidiary to redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire, any
shares of its capital stock (including any securities
convertible or exchangeable into such capital stock). Forest
shall not, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, nor
shall it or any of its Subsidiaries propose to, declare or pay
any dividends on or make other distributions in respect of any
shares of its capital stock or partnership interests (whether in
cash, securities or property), to the extent such dividend or
distribution would impact Spinco or the Spinco Business, or
would prevent Forest from consummating the Contribution or the
Distribution. None of Forest, Spinco or any of their respective
Subsidiaries shall form or propose to form a new Subsidiary of
Spinco. |
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(c) Issuance of Securities. Spinco shall not, nor
shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, issue, deliver or
sell, or authorize or propose to issue, deliver or sell, any
shares of Spincos capital stock or capital stock of any
Spinco Subsidiary of any class, any Spinco Voting Debt or any
securities convertible into, or any rights, warrants or options
to acquire, any such shares, Spinco Voting Debt or convertible
securities, other than (i) pursuant to this Agreement and
pursuant to the other Transaction Agreements; and
(ii) issuances by a wholly owned Subsidiary of Spinco of
its capital stock to Spinco. Without limiting the foregoing,
Forest shall not issue, deliver or sell, or authorize or propose
to issue, deliver or sell, any additional options or other
equity-based awards that could be converted into any option to
acquire Spinco Common Stock, pursuant to the Employee Benefits
Agreement or otherwise. |
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(d) Governing Documents. Spinco shall not amend or
propose to amend Spincos Certificate of Incorporation or
Bylaws, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to amend or
propose to amend its charter or bylaws except as explicitly
provided herein or in the Distribution Agreement, in each case
with a Company Consent. |
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(e) Acquisitions. Other than (i) purchases from
vendors or suppliers in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice, (ii) exercises of
preferential rights, or (iii) any single or series of
acquisitions, whether or not related, where the fair market
value of the total consideration payable in all such
acquisitions does not exceed $25 million in the aggregate,
Forest (in regard to the Spinco Business only) shall not, and
Spinco shall not, nor shall they permit any of their respective
Subsidiaries to, in a single transaction or a series of
transactions, acquire or agree to acquire by merging or
consolidating with, or by purchasing a substantial equity
interest in or a substantial portion of the assets of, or by any
other manner, any business or any corporation, partnership,
association or other business organization or |
Annex A-37
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division thereof; provided, however, that in any event, Forest
shall not, and Spinco shall not, nor shall they permit any of
their respective Subsidiaries to, make any such acquisition,
agreement or purchase if it would hinder in any material respect
the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement or the other Transaction Agreements. |
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(f) Dispositions. Other than product sales and other
dispositions in connection with normal equipment maintenance or
salvage in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice and Permitted Liens, Forest (in regard to the Spinco
Business only) shall not, and Spinco shall not, nor shall they
permit any of their respective Subsidiaries to, in a single
transaction or a series of related or unrelated transactions,
sell (including sale-leaseback), lease, pledge, encumber or
otherwise dispose of, or agree to sell (or engage in a
sale-leaseback), lease (whether such lease is an operating or
capital lease), pledge, encumber or otherwise directly or
indirectly dispose of, any of its assets that in the aggregate
have a fair market value in excess of $10 million, except
as otherwise provided in this Agreement and the other
Transaction Agreements; provided, that Forest shall not
consummate or agree to consummate any such transaction with
respect to any securities of Spinco or any of its Subsidiaries. |
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(g) Indebtedness; Leases. Forest (in regard to the
Spinco Business only) shall not, and Spinco shall not, nor shall
they permit any of their respective Subsidiaries to, incur any
indebtedness for borrowed money or guarantee or otherwise become
contingently liable for any such indebtedness or issue or sell
any debt securities or warrants or rights to acquire any debt
securities of Spinco or any of its Subsidiaries or guarantee any
debt securities of others or enter into any material lease
(whether such lease is an operating or capital lease, but
excluding compressor leases) or otherwise incur any material
obligation or liability (absolute or contingent) other than
indebtedness of Spinco to be incurred by Spinco and obligations
or liabilities to be assumed by Spinco in connection with the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by the
Distribution Agreement. |
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(h) Capital Expenditures. Except as required by law,
Forest and Spinco shall continue the capital expenditure program
for exploration and development with respect to the Spinco
Assets as described in the capital expenditure budget dated as
of September 8, 2005 provided to the Company prior to the
date hereof, and shall perform, to the extent reasonably
practicable, such capital expenditures at an aggregate cost not
exceeding 120% of the aggregate costs set forth therein (it
being understood that particular projects set forth in such
budget may be substituted with other projects, so long as the
aggregate maximum set forth above is not exceeded). In the event
that the Effective Time does not occur in 2005, the parties
shall reasonably consult regarding the Spinco Business
capital expenditure budget for 2006. |
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(i) Employee Arrangements. Forest (in regard to the
Spinco Employees only) shall not, and Spinco shall not, nor
shall Forest (in regard to the Spinco Employees only) or Spinco
permit any of their respective Subsidiaries to: |
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(i) grant any material increases in the compensation of any
of its directors, officers or employees, except in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice; |
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(ii) pay or agree to pay to any director, officer or
employee, whether past or present, any pension, retirement
allowance or other employee benefit not required or contemplated
by any of the existing benefit, severance, termination, pension
or employment plans, Contracts or arrangements as in effect on
the date hereof; |
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(iii) hire any new director, officer or, except in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice,
employee, or enter into any new, or materially amend any
existing, employment or severance or termination Contract with
any director, officer or employee; or |
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(iv) except as may be required to comply with applicable
law, become obligated under any new pension plan, welfare plan,
multiemployer plan, employee benefit plan, severance plan,
benefit arrangement or similar plan or arrangement that was not
in existence on the date hereof, or amend any such plan or
arrangement in existence on the date hereof solely with respect
to Spinco Employees if such amendment would have the effect of
enhancing any benefits thereunder. |
Annex A-38
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(j) Compliance with Laws; Licenses. Except as would
not individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse
Effect on Spinco or the Spinco Assets, Forest (in regard to the
Spinco Business only) shall not, and Spinco shall not, nor shall
they permit any of their respective Subsidiaries to,
(i) fail to comply with any laws, ordinances or regulations
applicable to it or to the conduct of its business or
(ii) permit to expire or terminate without renewal any
License that is necessary to the operation of the business of
Spinco or its Subsidiaries, any facilities associated therewith,
the Spinco Business, or any other business. |
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(k) No Liquidation or Dissolution. Neither Forest
nor Spinco shall authorize, recommend, propose or announce an
intention to adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation or
dissolution of Spinco or any of its Subsidiaries. |
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(l) Accounting Methods. Neither Forest (in regard to
the Spinco Business only) nor Spinco shall make any material
change in Forests methods of accounting in effect at
December 31, 2004, except (i) as required by the
Financial Accounting Standards Board or changes in GAAP as
agreed to by Forests or Spincos independent
auditors, (ii) in response to comments made by the SEC with
respect to any Registration Statement or (iii) as otherwise
agreed to in this Agreement. Spinco shall not change its fiscal
year. |
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(m) Affiliate Transactions. Forest (in regard to the
Spinco Business only) shall not, and Spinco shall not, nor shall
Forest (in regard to the Spinco Business only) or Spinco permit
any of their respective Subsidiaries to, enter into or amend any
agreement or arrangement with any of their respective Affiliates
(including any Spinco Employees), other than with wholly owned
Subsidiaries of Spinco, on terms materially less favorable to
Spinco or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, than could be
reasonably expected to have been obtained with an unaffiliated
third party on an arms-length basis. |
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(n) Contracts. Neither Forest nor Spinco shall, nor
shall they permit any of their respective Subsidiaries to,
except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice, modify, amend, terminate or renew any material
Contract to which Spinco or any of its Subsidiaries is a party
or which otherwise is or will be, a Spinco Asset, or waive,
release or assign any material rights or claims which is or will
be a Spinco Asset, in each case if such action would have a
Material Adverse Effect on Spinco or the Spinco Business, or
impair in any material respect Forests or Spincos
ability to perform their respective obligations under this
Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements. Forest, Spinco
or their respective Subsidiaries shall reasonably consult with
the Company before entering into any new Contract material to
Spinco or the Spinco Business. Neither Forest nor Spinco shall,
nor shall they permit any of their respective Subsidiaries to,
waive any preferential rights that constitute Spinco Assets.
Neither Forest nor Spinco shall, nor shall they permit any of
their respective Subsidiaries to, enter into any Contract to
which Spinco or any of its Subsidiaries will be a party or which
otherwise will be a Spinco Asset, which Contract is not in the
ordinary course of business, involves total consideration of
$2 million or more, has a term longer than one year and
which is not terminable by Spinco or any such Subsidiary of
Spinco without penalty upon no more than 30 days
prior notice. |
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(o) Insurance. Forest and Spinco shall, and shall
cause their respective Subsidiaries to, maintain with
financially responsible insurance companies insurance for the
Spinco Business and the Spinco Assets in such amounts and
against such risks and losses as are customary for companies
engaged in their respective businesses. |
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(p) Tax Matters. Forest and Spinco shall not
(i) make or rescind any material express or deemed election
relating to Taxes of Spinco or the Spinco Business unless such
action will not materially and adversely affect Spinco or the
Surviving Corporation on a going-forward basis after the
Effective Date, including elections for any and all joint
ventures, partnerships, limited liability companies, working
interests or other investments where Forest or Spinco has the
capacity to make such binding election, (ii) settle or
compromise any material claim, action, suit, litigation,
proceeding, arbitration, investigation, audit or controversy
relating to Taxes of Spinco or the Spinco Business, except where
such settlement or compromise will not result in a Material
Adverse Effect on Spinco or the Spinco Business,
(iii) amend any material Tax Returns of Spinco or relating
to the Spinco Business or (iv) change in any material |
Annex A-39
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respect any method of reporting income or deductions of Spinco
or the Spinco Business for federal income tax purposes from
those expected to be employed in the preparation of its federal
income tax return for the taxable year ended December 31,
2004, except as may be required by applicable law or except for
such changes that are reasonably expected not to result in a
Material Adverse Effect on Spinco or the Spinco Business,
provided, however, that Spinco may make or rescind any such
election, settle or compromise any such claim, action, suit,
litigation, proceeding, arbitration, investigation, audit or
controversy, change any such method of reporting or amend any
such Tax Return without the Companys prior written consent
if the amount of Tax liabilities relating to such action does
not exceed $500,000. |
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(q) Discharge of Liabilities. Unless otherwise
provided in this Agreement or required by applicable law, Forest
(in regard to the Spinco Business only) shall not, and Spinco
shall not, nor shall Forest (in regard to the Spinco Business
only) or Spinco permit any of their respective Subsidiaries to,
pay, discharge or satisfy any material claims, liabilities or
obligations (absolute, accrued, asserted or unasserted,
contingent or otherwise), other than the payment, discharge or
satisfaction, in the ordinary course of business (which includes
the payment of final and unappealable judgments). |
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(r) Tax Treatment. Neither Forest nor Spinco shall
take or cause or permit to be taken any action (i) that
would disqualify the Distribution from constituting a tax-free
distribution under Section 355 of the Code or the
Contribution from constituting a tax-free reorganization under
Section 368(a) of the Code or (ii) that would
disqualify the Merger from constituting a tax-free
reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Code. |
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(s) Advice of Changes. Subject to the provisions of
the Confidentiality Agreement, Forest and Spinco shall promptly
advise the Company orally and in writing of any change or event
having, or that, insofar as can reasonably be foreseen, could
have, either individually or together with other changes or
events, a Material Adverse Effect on the Spinco Business or
Spinco. |
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(t) No Action. Neither Forest nor Spinco shall, nor
will they permit any of their respective Subsidiaries to,
intentionally take or agree or commit to take any action that
would result in any of the conditions set forth in
Article VII not being satisfied at the Effective Time. |
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(u) Hedging Activities. Forest (in regard to the
Spinco Business only) shall not, and Spinco shall not, nor shall
they permit any of their respective Subsidiaries to, enter into
(i) any Derivative Transaction or (ii) any fixed price
commodity sales agreement with a term of more than 60 days. |
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(v) Agreements. Neither Forest nor Spinco shall, nor
shall they permit any of their respective Subsidiaries to, agree
in writing or otherwise to take any action inconsistent with the
foregoing. |
Section 6.3 Proxy
Statement/Prospectus.
(a) As promptly as practicable following the date hereof,
the Company shall prepare and file with the SEC the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus and the Registration Statement on
Form S-4 (the
Proxy Statement/Prospectus will be included as a prospectus in
the Registration Statement on
Form S-4) with
respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. As
promptly as practicable following the date hereof, the Company
shall prepare and file with the SEC an amendment to its
Registration Statement on
Form S-1 to
reflect the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The
Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to have such Proxy
Statement/Prospectus cleared by the SEC under the Exchange Act
and the Registration Statements declared effective by the SEC
under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, as the case may
be, as promptly as practicable after such filings. The status or
timing of the adjustment condition described in Section 4.2
of the Spinco Disclosure Schedule shall not serve as a basis for
delaying the Companys efforts to seek effectiveness of the
Registration Statements and mail to its stockholders the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus.
(b) As promptly as practicable after the Registration
Statements shall have become effective, the Company shall mail
the Proxy Statement/Prospectus to its stockholders.
(c) No amendment or supplement to the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus or any Registration Statement will be made
by the Company without the approval of Forest and Spinco (such
approval not to be
Annex A-40
unreasonably withheld or delayed). The Company will advise
Forest and Spinco, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of
the time when any Registration Statement has become effective or
any supplement or amendment has been filed, of the issuance of
any stop order, of the suspension of the qualification of the
Company Common Stock issuable in connection with the Merger for
offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or of any request by the
SEC for amendment of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus or any
Registration Statement or comments thereon and responses thereto
or requests by the SEC for additional information.
(d) If, at any time prior to the Effective Time, any event
or circumstance should occur that results in the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus or the Registration Statements containing
an untrue statement of a material fact or omitting to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under
which they are made, not misleading, or that otherwise should be
described in an amendment or supplement to the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus or the Registration Statements, Forest,
Spinco and the Company shall promptly notify each other of the
occurrence of such event and then promptly prepare, file and
clear with the SEC and mail to the Companys stockholders
each such amendment or supplement.
Section 6.4 Cooperation.
Forest, Spinco and the Company shall together, or pursuant to
the allocation of responsibility set forth below or otherwise to
be agreed upon between them, take action as follows:
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(a) The Company shall take all such action as may
reasonably be required under state securities or blue
sky laws in connection with the issuance of shares of
Company Common Stock pursuant to the Merger; |
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(b) Forest, Spinco and the Company shall cooperate with one
another to the extent reasonably necessary or commercially
appropriate in promptly making any filings with, and seeking any
consents or approvals from, Governmental Authorities necessary
for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement; |
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(c) As promptly as practicable, the Company shall make
application to the NYSE or Nasdaq for the listing or quotation
of the shares of Company Common Stock to be issued pursuant to
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the
Distribution Agreement and use all commercially reasonable
efforts to cause such shares to be Approved for Listing; |
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(d) Forest, Spinco and the Company shall, as promptly as
practicable, make any required filings and any other required or
requested submissions under the HSR Act, promptly respond to any
requests for additional information from either the Federal
Trade Commission or the Department of Justice; and cooperate in
the preparation of, and coordinate, such filings, submissions
and responses (including the exchange of drafts between each
partys outside counsel) so as to reduce the length of any
review periods; and |
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(e) Forest, Spinco and the Company shall promptly provide
outside counsel for the other parties for their confidential
review copies of all filings proposed to be made by such party
with any Governmental Authority in connection with this
Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements and the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. |
Section 6.5 Letter
of Spincos Accountants. In connection with the
information regarding Spinco or its Subsidiaries or the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement provided by Spinco
specifically for inclusion in, or incorporation by reference
into, the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the Registration
Statements, Spinco shall use all commercially reasonable efforts
to cause to be delivered to the Company a letter of KPMG, LLP,
dated the date on which the Registration Statement on
Form S-4 shall
become effective and as of the Effective Time and addressed to
the Company, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
the Company and customary in scope and substance for letters
delivered by independent public accountants in connection with
registration statements similar to the Registration Statement on
Form S-4.
Section 6.6 Letter
of the Companys Accountants. In connection with the
information regarding the Company or its Subsidiaries or the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement provided by the
Company
Annex A-41
specifically for inclusion in, or incorporation by reference
into, the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the Registration
Statements, the Company shall use all commercially reasonable
efforts to cause to be delivered to Spinco a letter of
Deloitte & Touche LLP, dated the date on which the
Registration Statements shall become effective and as of the
Effective Time and addressed to Forest and Spinco, in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to Forest and Spinco and
customary in scope and substance for letters delivered by
independent public accountants in connection with registration
statements similar to the Registration Statement on
Form S-4.
Section 6.7 Forest/Spinco
Employee Stock Options, Incentive and Benefit Plans. Spinco
and the Company shall take all such steps as may be required to
cause any dispositions of Company Common Stock (including
derivative securities with respect to Company Common Stock) and
any acquisitions of Spinco Common Stock, as the case may be,
resulting from the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
by each officer or director of the Company or Spinco who is
subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of
the Exchange Act to be exempt under
Rule 16b-3
promulgated under the Exchange Act, such steps to be taken in
accordance with the No-Action Letter, dated January 12,
1999, issued by the SEC to Skadden, Arps, Slate,
Meagher & Flom LLP.
Section 6.8 Employee
Benefit Plans.
(a) Subject to the remaining provisions of this
Section 6.8, Spinco and the Company shall take all acts
necessary to cause Spinco Employees who remain employed by
Spinco, the Company or their Subsidiaries from and after the
Effective Time (Continuing Spinco Employees) to
participate in the Company Benefit Plans maintained by the
Company as of the Effective Time on a basis no less favorable
than that applicable to similarly situated Company Employees who
remain employed by the Company or its Affiliates as of the
Effective Time (the Continuing Company Employees).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Effective Time occurs in
2006, then Spinco and the Company shall cause each Continuing
Spinco Employee to receive vacation benefits for the period
beginning on the Effective Time and ending on December 31,
2006, that are equal to (i) such employees accrued
and unused vacation under Forests vacation policy as of
the Effective Time plus (ii) if the Companys vacation
policy is more generous than Forests vacation policy with
respect to such Continuing Spinco Employee based on his years of
service recognized by Forest as of the Effective Time for
purposes of such policy, any additional vacation entitlement
earned by such employee under the terms of the Companys
vacation policy. In the event the employment of a Spinco
Employee is terminated by Forest with the Companys consent
prior to the Effective Time (other than pursuant to a
Termination for Cause), (i) such employee shall not receive
a Retention Benefit, (ii) Forest shall provide such
employee with the severance benefits described on
Exhibit E, Part B (provided such employee
executes a release of claims in favor of Forest, Spinco, the
Company and their respective Affiliates (which release shall be
in a form agreed to by Forest, Spinco and the Company)), and
(iii) as soon as practicable after the Effective Time, the
Company shall reimburse Forest for such severance benefits
actually paid by Forest to such employee; provided that the
Company shall not be responsible for any reimbursement of
severance amounts paid to any such Spinco Employee who is
subsequently re-hired by Forest or any Forest Subsidiary during
the six-month period following the Effective Time (in which case
Forest shall refund any reimbursement so made by the Company).
(b) Neither Spinco nor the Company shall establish or
maintain effective as of the Effective Time (i) any plan
providing supplemental executive retirement benefits that is not
an individual account plan, (ii) any plan providing retiree
medical benefits or (iii) any defined benefit pension plan.
(c) Spinco and the Company shall cause each Continuing
Spinco Employee to be given full credit for all service with
Forest, Spinco and their Affiliates before the Effective Time
for all purposes under each Company Benefit Plan (except to the
extent necessary to avoid the duplication of benefits). Such
service credit for each such purpose shall be in an amount equal
to the service credit recognized under the corresponding Spinco
Benefit Plan as of the Effective Time for such purpose. For
purposes of determining the terms and conditions of a Continuing
Spinco Employees participation in any Company Benefit Plan
that is an employee welfare benefit plan (the Company
Welfare Plans), the Company shall, and shall cause its
Affiliates to, (i) waive all limitations as to pre-existing
condition exclusions and waiting periods with respect
Annex A-42
to the Continuing Spinco Employee or his or her dependents under
the Company Welfare Plans, other than to the extent limitations
or waiting periods that are already in effect with respect to
the Continuing Spinco Employee or his or her dependents have not
been satisfied as of the Effective Time under the corresponding
welfare benefit plans maintained for the Continuing Spinco
Employee immediately before the Effective Time, and
(ii) provide each Continuing Spinco Employee with credit
for any co-payments and deductibles paid in the year of the
Closing before the Effective Time in satisfying any deductible
or out-of-pocket
requirements under the Company Welfare Plans (on a pro-rata
basis in the event of a difference in plan years).
(d) As soon as practicable following the Effective Time,
Forest shall cause to be transferred from the trustee of
Forests Retirement Savings Plan (the Forest Savings
Plan) to the trustee of the Companys Employee
Capital Accumulation Plan (the Company Savings Plan)
an amount in cash equal to the aggregate account balances of the
Continuing Spinco Employees under the Forest Savings Plan
determined as of the transfer date; provided, however, that to
the extent any Continuing Spinco Employee owes any amount to the
Forest Savings Plan pursuant to the terms of a loan from such
plan to such Continuing Spinco Employee, an in-kind transfer of
such loan shall be made in addition to the transfer of cash for
the remaining account balance. All account investments (other
than any such loan amounts), including investments in shares of
Forest Common Stock and/or Company Common Stock, shall be
converted to cash prior to the account transfer to the Company
Savings Plan. From and after the date of such transfer, Spinco
and the Company shall cause the Company Savings Plan to assume
the obligations of the Forest Savings Plan with respect to
benefits accrued by the Continuing Spinco Employees under the
Forest Savings Plan, and the Forest Savings Plan shall cease to
be responsible therefor. Spinco, the Company and Forest shall
cooperate in making all appropriate arrangements and filings, if
any, in connection with the transfer described above. Further,
Spinco, the Company and Forest shall cooperate and take such
actions as are necessary to permit the continuation of loan
repayments by Continuing Spinco Employees to the Forest Savings
Plan by payroll deductions during the period beginning on the
Effective Time and ending on the date of the transfer described
in this paragraph. Forest represents, covenants and agrees with
respect to the Forest Savings Plan, and the Company represents,
covenants and agrees with respect to the Company Savings Plan,
that, as of the date of the transfer described in this
paragraph, such plan will satisfy the requirements of Code
Sections 401(a), (k), and (m) and will have received,
or a pending application has been timely filed for, a favorable
determination letter from the IRS regarding such qualified
status and covering amendments required to have been adopted
prior to the expiration of the GUST remedial amendment period.
(e) If, during the period beginning on the Effective Time
and ending on the later of June 30, 2006 or the date which
is six months after the Effective Time (the Retention
Period), the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company
desires to relocate the principal place of employment of a
Continuing Spinco Employee (other than a scheduled rotational
employee) by 50 miles or more from the location of his
principal place of employment immediately prior to the Effective
Time, then Spinco and the Company shall cause any such employee
who accepts such relocation to receive the relocation benefits
described on Exhibit E, Part A. If, during the
Retention Period, (i) a Continuing Spinco Employee
voluntarily terminates his employment with the Company and its
Subsidiaries within 30 days after the date of a reduction
in his base salary or base wages from that in effect immediately
prior to the Effective Time, (ii) a Continuing Spinco
Employee voluntarily terminates his employment with the Company
and its Subsidiaries after the date upon which he is notified
that the principal place of his employment is changing to a
location that is 50 miles or more from the location of his
principal place of employment immediately prior to the Effective
Time (provided, however, that if the Company or a Subsidiary of
the Company permits the employee to continue to work at his
original location, then such termination of employment may not
occur prior to a date determined by the Company, which date
shall be no later than the last day of the Retention Period), or
(iii) the employment of a Continuing Spinco Employee is
involuntarily terminated by the Company or a Subsidiary of the
Company other than pursuant to a Termination for Cause, then, in
any such case, Spinco and the Company shall cause such employee
to receive the severance benefits described on
Exhibit E, Part B, provided (A) such
employee executes a release of claims in favor of Forest,
Spinco, the Company and their respective Affiliates (which
release shall be in a form agreed to by Forest, Spinco and the
Company), (B) such employee is not subsequently re-hired by
Forest or any Forest Subsidiary during the Retention Period (in
which case Forest shall refund any severance so paid by the
Company), and (C) the amount of such severance benefit paid
to such employee shall be
Annex A-43
reduced by the portion, if any, of such employees
Retention Benefit that was paid to such employee in accordance
with Section 6.8(g). Exhibit E, Part B
sets forth the maximum aggregate severance amount payable by
the Company to the Continuing Spinco Employees pursuant to this
Section 6.8. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement, except as specifically provided in the preceding
provisions of this Section 6.8(e), neither Spinco nor the
Company shall be responsible for the payment of, or
reimbursement of Forest for, severance paid to any Spinco
Employee who voluntarily resigns employment from Spinco or the
Company if such Spinco Employee was not required to relocate in
order to maintain such employment. No Continuing Spinco Employee
shall be eligible for severance pursuant to the Companys
severance plan at any time while the provisions of this
Section 6.8(e) apply to such Continuing Spinco Employee.
(f) The Company shall implement in all material respects
(without any enhancement) the agreements with its officers
described in Section 6.8(f) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule. The Company shall obtain the written agreement of the
officers described in Section 6.8(f) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule on or before the Effective Time.
(g) In lieu of the payment of any annual bonuses for 2005
to the Continuing Spinco Employees under the annual incentive
and bonus plans maintained by Forest, the Company and Spinco
shall provide the Continuing Spinco Employees with the retention
benefits described in this Section 6.8(g). Each Continuing
Spinco Employees aggregate potential retention benefit
(Retention Benefit) shall be in an amount equal to
250% of such employees target annual bonus for 2005 under
the annual incentive or bonus plan maintained by Forest and
applicable to such employee (with such target annual bonus
determined as of the Effective Time based upon such Continuing
Spinco Employees annual base salary in effect as of such
time). Retention Benefits shall be paid by Spinco (prior to the
Effective Time) or the Company (after the Effective Time) in
four installments, the first of which will equal 25% of the
employees target annual bonus for 2005, and the remaining
three of which will each equal 75% of the employees target
annual bonus for 2005; provided, however, that (i) any
payment of an installment of a Retention Benefit prior to the
Effective Time shall be made to each individual who is a Spinco
Employee on the date of the payment of such installment and such
payment shall be based on such Spinco Employees annual
base salary in effect on such payment date and (ii) if such
Spinco Employees annual base salary changes between the
date of any such payment and the Effective Time, the first
installment of a Retention Benefit paid to such employee on or
after the Effective Time shall be adjusted so that, immediately
after the payment of such installment, the employee will have
received the correct amount of his or her Retention Benefit
through the date of payment of such installment determined based
on his or her annual base salary in effect as of the Effective
Time. The first such installment shall be paid on
October 14, 2005, the second such installment shall be paid
on February 15, 2006, the third such installment shall be
paid on May 1, 2006, and the fourth such installment shall
be paid on June 30, 2006. Retention Benefits shall be
subject to applicable withholding of taxes. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, except as hereinafter provided, in order for a
Continuing Spinco Employee to be eligible to receive an
installment payment of his or her Retention Benefit, such
Continuing Spinco Employee must remain in the employ of the
Company, Spinco or any of their Subsidiaries with at least a
satisfactory performance rating until the date of the payment of
such installment. If the employment of a Continuing Spinco
Employee is involuntarily terminated after the Effective Time by
the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company (other than pursuant
to a Termination for Cause), then, in addition to any severance
benefit to which such employee may be entitled pursuant to
Section 6.8(e), the Company shall pay or cause to be paid
to such employee, within 10 days after the date of such
termination of employment, an amount equal to the next unpaid
installment, if any, of such employees Retention Benefit
that would have been paid to such employee if his or her
employment had not terminated; provided, that in no event shall
any such involuntarily terminated Continuing Spinco Employee
receive less (in the aggregate) than 100% of such
employees target annual bonus for 2005 pursuant to this
Section 6.8(g), unless the employment of such Continuing
Spinco Employee was terminated pursuant to a Termination for
Cause. If a Continuing Spinco Employee voluntarily terminates
his or her employment after the Effective Time or if the
employment of a Continuing Spinco Employee is involuntarily
terminated after the Effective Time by the Company or a
Subsidiary of the Company pursuant to a Termination for Cause,
then no further installments of such employees Retention
Benefit shall be paid to such employee. Notwithstanding any
other provision of this Agreement, neither Spinco nor the
Company shall be responsible
Annex A-44
for the payment of, or reimbursement of Forest for, Retention
Benefits in excess of the aggregate amount set forth on
Exhibit E, Part C.
(h) The Company hereby acknowledges that it consents to,
and shall cause any action required on its behalf to implement,
the transactions and agreements contemplated by the Employee
Benefits Agreement.
Section 6.9 Investigation.
Upon reasonable notice, each of Forest, Spinco, the Company and
Merger Sub shall afford to each other and to its respective
officers, employees, accountants, counsel and other authorized
representatives, reasonable access during normal business hours,
throughout the period prior to the earlier of the Effective Time
or the Termination Date, to its and its Subsidiaries
plants, properties, Contracts, commitments, books, records and
any report, schedule or other document filed or received by it
pursuant to the requirements of the federal or state securities
laws, and shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause
its respective representatives to furnish promptly to the other
such additional financial and operating data and other
information, including environmental information, as to its and
its Subsidiaries respective businesses and properties as
the other or its duly authorized representatives, as the case
may be, may reasonably request. The parties hereby agree that
the provisions of the Confidentiality Agreement shall apply to
all information and material furnished by any party or its
representatives thereunder and hereunder. No investigation made
at any time by or on behalf of any of the Company, Merger Sub,
Forest or Spinco shall affect the representations and warranties
of the parties hereto.
Section 6.10 Reasonable
Efforts; Further Assurances.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
each of Forest, Spinco, the Company and Merger Sub shall use all
commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken,
all actions and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary
under applicable laws and regulations to consummate and make
effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and
the other Transaction Agreements, including providing
information and using all commercially reasonable efforts to
obtain all necessary exemptions, rulings, consents,
authorizations, approvals and waivers to effect all necessary
registrations and filings and to lift any injunction or other
legal bar to the Merger and the other transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby as promptly as practicable, and to take all
other actions necessary to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby in a manner consistent with
applicable law. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, Forest, Spinco, the Company and Merger Sub agree to
cooperate and to use their respective commercially reasonable
efforts to obtain any government clearances required to
consummate the Merger (including through any required compliance
with the HSR Act and any applicable foreign government reporting
requirements) and to respond to any government requests for
information. The parties hereto will consult and cooperate with
one another, and consider in good faith the views of one
another, in connection with any analyses, appearances,
presentations, memoranda, briefs, arguments, opinions and
proposals made or submitted by or on behalf of any party hereto
in connection with proceedings under or relating to the HSR Act
or any other federal, state or foreign antitrust or fair trade
law.
(b) Subject to Section 6.10(a), in case at any time
any further action is reasonably necessary to carry out the
purposes of this Agreement, Forest, Spinco and the Company shall
take all such commercially reasonable necessary action.
Section 6.11 No
Solicitation by the Company.
(a) The Company agrees that neither it nor any of its
Subsidiaries nor any of the officers and directors of it or its
Subsidiaries shall, and that it shall use all reasonable efforts
to cause its and its Subsidiaries employees, agents and
representatives (including any investment banker, attorney or
accountant retained by it or any of its Subsidiaries) not to
(and shall not authorize any of them to), directly or
indirectly: (i) solicit, initiate, encourage, facilitate or
induce any inquiry with respect to, or the making, submission or
announcement of, any Acquisition Proposal with respect to
itself, (ii) participate in any discussions or negotiations
regarding, or furnish to any person or entity any nonpublic
information with respect to, or take any other action to
facilitate any inquiries or the making of any proposal that
constitutes or may reasonably be expected to lead to, any
Acquisition Proposal with respect to itself, (iii) engage
in discussions with any person or entity with respect to any
Acquisition Proposal with respect to itself, except as to the
existence of these provisions,
Annex A-45
(iv) approve, endorse or recommend any Acquisition Proposal
with respect to itself (except to the extent specifically
permitted pursuant to Section 6.11 and
Section 8.1(g)), or (v) enter into any letter of
intent or similar document or any contract, agreement or
commitment contemplating or otherwise relating to any
Acquisition Proposal or transaction contemplated thereby with
respect to itself (except as permitted pursuant to
Section 6.11 and Section 8.1(g)). The Company and its
Subsidiaries shall, and the Company shall use all reasonable
efforts to cause its and its Subsidiaries officers,
directors, employees, agents and representatives (including any
investment banker, attorney or accountant retained by it or any
of its Subsidiaries) to, immediately cease any and all existing
activities, discussions or negotiations with any third parties
conducted heretofore with respect to any Acquisition Proposal
with respect to itself. The Company shall ensure that its
officers, directors and key employees and its investment
bankers, attorneys and other representatives are aware of the
provisions of this Section.
(b) (i) As promptly as practicable after receipt of
any Acquisition Proposal or any request for nonpublic
information or inquiry which it reasonably believes could lead
to an Acquisition Proposal, the Company shall provide Forest and
Spinco with oral and written notice of the material terms and
conditions of such Acquisition Proposal, request or inquiry, and
the identity of the person, entity or Acquisition Group making
any such Acquisition Proposal, request or inquiry and a copy of
all written materials provided in connection with such
Acquisition Proposal, request or inquiry. Upon receipt of the
Acquisition Proposal, request or inquiry, the Company shall
provide Forest and Spinco as promptly as practicable oral and
written notice setting forth all such information as is
reasonably necessary to keep Forest and Spinco informed in all
material respects of the status and details (including material
amendments or proposed material amendments) of any such
Acquisition Proposal, request or inquiry and shall promptly
provide to Forest and Spinco (A) a copy of all written
materials subsequently provided by the person making the
Acquisition Proposal in connection with such Acquisition
Proposal, request or inquiry and (B) a copy of all material
written materials subsequently provided to the person making the
Acquisition Proposal in connection with such Acquisition
Proposal, request or inquiry to the extent not previously
provided to Forest and Spinco.
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(ii) The Company shall provide Forest and Spinco with forty
eight (48) hours prior notice (or such lesser prior notice
as is provided to the members of its Board of Directors) of any
meeting of its Board of Directors at which its Board of
Directors is reasonably expected to consider any Acquisition
Proposal. |
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in
Section 6.11 and under circumstances in which the Company
has complied with all of its obligations under
Section 6.11(a) and (b), in the event that, prior to
the approval of the Merger and this Agreement by the
stockholders of the Company as provided herein, the Company
receives an unsolicited, bona fide written Acquisition Proposal
with respect to itself from a third party that its Board of
Directors has in good faith concluded (following the receipt of
the advice of its outside legal counsel and its financial
advisor) is, or is reasonably likely to result in, a Superior
Offer, it may then take the following actions: (i) furnish
nonpublic information to the third party making such Acquisition
Proposal, provided that (A) (1) concurrently with
furnishing any such nonpublic information to such party, its
gives Forest and Spinco written notice of its intention to
furnish nonpublic information and (2) it receives from the
third party an executed confidentiality agreement containing
customary limitations on the use and disclosure of all nonpublic
written and oral information furnished to such third party on
its behalf, the terms of which are at least as restrictive as
the terms contained in the Confidentiality Agreement (and
containing additional provisions that expressly permit the
Company to comply with the provisions of this Section 6.11)
and (B) contemporaneously with furnishing any material
nonpublic information to such third party, it furnishes such
material nonpublic information to Forest and Spinco (to the
extent such nonpublic information has not been previously so
furnished); and (ii) engage in negotiations with the third
party with respect to the Acquisition Proposal, provided that
concurrently with entering into negotiations with such third
party, it gives Forest and Spinco written notice of its
intention to enter into negotiations with such third party.
(d) In response to the receipt of a Superior Offer, the
Board of Directors of the Company may withhold, withdraw, amend
or modify, or propose or resolve to withdraw, amend or modify,
its recommendation in favor of the Merger, and, in the case of a
Superior Offer that is a tender or exchange offer made directly
to its stockholders, may recommend that its stockholders accept
the tender or exchange offer (any of the foregoing actions,
whether by a Board of Directors or a committee thereof, a
Change of Recommendation), if all of
Annex A-46
the following conditions in clauses (i) through
(iv) are met: (i) a Superior Offer with respect to it
has been made and has not been withdrawn; (ii) approval of
the Merger and this Agreement by the stockholders of the Company
as provided herein has not occurred; (iii) it shall have
(A) provided to Forest and Spinco written notice which
shall state expressly (1) that it has received a Superior
Offer, (2) the material terms and conditions of the
Superior Offer (including the most current version of any
definitive agreement proposed to be entered into in connection
therewith) and the identity of the person, entity or Acquisition
Group making the Superior Offer, and (3) that it intends to
effect a Change of Recommendation and the manner in which it
intends to do so, (B) provided to Forest and Spinco a copy
of all material written materials delivered to the person,
entity or Acquisition Group making the Superior Offer in
connection with such Superior Offer that were not previously
provided to Forest and Spinco, and (C) made available to
Forest and Spinco all materials and information made available
to the person, entity or Acquisition Group making the Superior
Offer in connection with such Superior Offer; and (iv) it
shall not have breached in any material respect any of the
provisions set forth in Section 6.11.
(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in
this Agreement, and subject to Section 2.4, the obligation
of the Company to call, give notice of, convene and hold its
stockholders meeting as contemplated in Section 2.4
shall not be limited or otherwise affected by the commencement,
disclosure, announcement or submission to it of any Acquisition
Proposal with respect to it unless this Agreement is terminated.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
Agreement, prior to the termination of this Agreement, the
Company shall not (i) submit to the vote of its
stockholders any Acquisition Proposal other than the Merger, or
(ii) enter into any agreement, agreement in principle or
letter of intent (other than the confidentiality agreement
referenced in Section 6.11) with respect to or accept any
Acquisition Proposal other than the Merger (or resolve to or
publicly propose to do any of the foregoing).
(f) Nothing contained in this Agreement shall prohibit the
Company or its Board of Directors from taking and disclosing to
its stockholders a position with respect to a tender or exchange
offer by a third party pursuant to Rules 14d 9 and 14e 2(a)
promulgated under the Exchange Act to the extent required by
applicable law; provided that the content of any such disclosure
thereunder shall be governed by the terms of this Agreement; and
provided further that the Board of Directors or the Company
shall not recommend that the stockholders of the Company tender
their Company Common Stock in connection with any such tender or
exchange offer unless the Board of Directors of the Company
determines in good faith (after receiving the advice of its
outside legal counsel and its financial adviser) that such
Acquisition Proposal is a Superior Offer. Without limiting the
foregoing sentence, the Company shall not make a Change of
Recommendation to recommend that its stockholders accept a
tender or exchange offer unless specifically permitted pursuant
to the terms of Section 6.11.
(g) For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms
shall have the following meanings: (i) Acquisition
Proposal shall mean any inquiry, offer or proposal
relating to any transaction or series of related transactions
involving: (A) any purchase from the Company or acquisition
by any person, entity or Acquisition Group (as
Group is defined under Section 13(d) of the
Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder) of more
than a fifteen percent (15%) interest in the total outstanding
voting securities of the Company or any tender offer or exchange
offer that if consummated would result in any person, entity or
Acquisition Group beneficially owning fifteen percent (15%) or
more of the total outstanding voting securities of the Company
or any merger, consolidation, business combination or similar
transaction involving the Company, (B) any sale, lease
(other than in the ordinary course of business), exchange,
transfer, license (other than in the ordinary course of
business), acquisition or disposition of more than fifteen
percent (15%) of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries,
taken as a whole, or (C) any liquidation or dissolution of
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; and
(ii) Superior Offer shall mean an unsolicited,
bona fide written proposal made by a third party to acquire,
directly or indirectly, pursuant to a tender offer, exchange
offer, merger, consolidation or other business combination, all
or substantially all of the assets of the Company or
substantially all of the total outstanding voting securities of
the Company on terms that the Board of Directors of the Company
has in good faith concluded (following the receipt of advice of
its outside legal counsel and its financial adviser), taking
into account, among other things, all legal, financial,
regulatory and other aspects of the offer and the person, entity
or Acquisition Group making the offer, to be more favorable,
from a financial
Annex A-47
point of view, to the Companys stockholders (in their
capacities as stockholders) than the terms of the Merger and is
reasonably capable of being consummated.
Section 6.12 Director
and Officer Indemnification; Insurance.
(a) From and after the Effective Time, Spinco shall
indemnify, defend and hold harmless to the fullest extent
permitted under applicable law each person who is, or has been
at any time prior to the Effective Time, an officer or director
of the Company and each Subsidiary of the Company and each
person who served at the request of the Company or any Company
Subsidiary as a director, officer, trustee, partner, employee,
agent or fiduciary of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust, pension or other employee benefit plan or
enterprise (individually, an Indemnified Party and,
collectively, the Indemnified Parties) against all
losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses
(including attorneys fees), judgments, fines, penalties
and amounts paid in settlement with approval of the indemnifying
party (which approval shall not be unreasonably delayed or
withheld) in connection with any Action arising out of or
pertaining to acts or omissions, or alleged acts or omissions,
by them in their capacities as such, whether commenced, asserted
or claimed before or after the Effective Time. In the event of
any such Action: (i) Spinco shall pay, as incurred, the
reasonable fees and expenses of counsel selected by the
Indemnified Party, which counsel shall be reasonably acceptable
to Spinco, in advance of the final disposition of any such
Action to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law and, if
required, upon receipt of any undertaking required by applicable
law, and (ii) Spinco will cooperate in the defense of any
such Action; provided, however, Spinco shall not be liable for
any settlement effected without its written consent (which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), and
provided further, that Spinco shall not be obligated pursuant to
this Section 6.12(a) to pay the fees and disbursements of
more than one counsel for all Indemnified Parties in a single
Action, unless, in the good faith judgment of any of the
Indemnified Parties, there is or may be a conflict of interests
between two or more of such Indemnified Parties, in which case
there may be separate counsel for each similarly situated group
(which counsel shall be reasonably acceptable to Spinco). In the
event of any Action, any Indemnified Party wishing to claim
indemnification will promptly notify Spinco thereof (provided,
that failure to so notify Spinco will not affect the obligations
of Spinco except to the extent that Spinco shall have been
materially prejudiced as a result of such failure).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained in this
Section 6.12 shall be deemed to grant any right to any
Indemnified Party which is not permitted to be granted to an
officer or director of Spinco under Delaware law, assuming for
such purposes that Spincos Certificate of Incorporation
and Bylaws provide for the maximum indemnification permitted by
law.
(b) Without limiting the rights that any indemnified person
may have under applicable law, the parties agree that all rights
of indemnification existing as of the date hereof as provided in
the respective charter and bylaws of the Company and Spinco
shall survive the Merger and shall continue in full force and
effect in accordance with their terms.
(c) For a period of six years following the Effective Time,
Spinco shall cause to be maintained directors and
officers liability insurance policies covering the
Indemnified Parties who are or at any time prior to the
Effective Time were covered by the Companys existing
directors and officers liability insurance policies
on terms substantially no less advantageous to the Indemnified
Parties than such insurance with respect to claims arising from
facts or events that occurred up to and including the Effective
Time to the extent available; provided, however, that Spinco may
substitute therefor policies of at least the same coverage and
amounts containing terms and conditions that are no less
advantageous to the covered persons; provided further, that
Spinco shall not be required to pay an annual premium for such
insurance in excess of 500% of the last annual premium paid by
the Company prior to the date hereof and, if such insurance is
not available within such limit, Spinco shall be required to
obtain only such insurance as is available within such limit.
(d) This Section 6.12 is intended to be for the
benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, the Indemnified
Parties, their heirs and personal representatives, and shall be
binding on Spinco and the Company and their respective
successors and assigns. In the event Spinco or the Company or
any of their respective successors or assigns
(i) consolidates with or merges into any other Person and
shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation or entity
in such consolidation or merger or (ii) transfers all or
substantially all its properties and assets to any Person, then,
and in each case, proper provision shall be made so that the
successors and assigns
Annex A-48
of Spinco or the Company, as the case may be, honor the
indemnification obligations set forth in this Section 6.12.
Section 6.13 Rule 145
Affiliates. Spinco shall, at least 10 days prior to the
Effective Time, cause to be delivered to the Company a list,
reviewed by its counsel, identifying all persons who, in its
reasonable judgment, are at such time, or will be at the
Effective Time, affiliates of Spinco for purposes of
Rule 145 promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act
(each, a Rule 145 Affiliate). Spinco shall
furnish such information and documents as the Company may
reasonably request for the purpose of reviewing such list.
Spinco shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to cause
each person who is identified as a Rule 145 Affiliate in
the list furnished pursuant to this Section 6.13 to execute
a written agreement (each, a Rule 145 Affiliate
Agreement), substantially in the form of Exhibit F
to this Agreement, at or prior to the Effective Time.
Section 6.14 Public
Announcements. Except with respect to a Change in
Recommendation, Forest and the Company shall consult with each
other and shall mutually agree upon any press release or public
announcement relating to the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and neither of them shall issue any such press release
or make any such public announcement prior to such consultation
and agreement, except as may be required by applicable law or by
obligations pursuant to any listing agreement with any national
securities exchange, in which case the party proposing to issue
such press release or make such public announcement shall use
all commercially reasonable efforts to consult in good faith
with the other party before issuing any such press release or
making any such public announcement.
Section 6.15 Defense
of Litigation. Each of Forest, Spinco, the Company and
Merger Sub shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to
defend against all Actions in which such party is named as a
defendant that challenge or otherwise seek to enjoin, restrain
or prohibit the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or
seek damages with respect to such transactions. None of Forest,
Spinco, the Company or Merger Sub shall settle any such Action
or fail to perfect on a timely basis any right to appeal any
judgment rendered or order entered against such party therein
without having previously consulted with the other parties. Each
of Forest, Spinco and the Company shall use all commercially
reasonable efforts to cause each of its Affiliates, directors
and officers to use all commercially reasonable efforts to
defend any such Action in which such Affiliate, director or
officer is named as a defendant and which seeks any such relief
to comply with this Section 6.15 to the same extent as if
such Person was a party.
Section 6.16 Notification.
(a) From time to time prior to the Effective Time, each of
Forest, Spinco and the Company shall supplement or amend its
respective Disclosure Schedule with respect to any matter
hereafter arising that, if existing or occurring at the date of
this Agreement, would have been required to be set forth or
described in such Disclosure Schedule or that is necessary to
complete or correct (i) any information in such Disclosure
Schedule that is or has been rendered untrue, inaccurate,
incomplete or misleading, (ii) any representation or
warranty of such party in this Agreement that contains a
qualification as to materiality or Material Adverse Effect that
has been rendered untrue or inaccurate, in any respect, thereby
or (iii) any representation or warranty of such party in
this Agreement that is not so qualified and that has been
rendered untrue or inaccurate, in any material respect, thereby.
Delivery of such supplements shall be for informational purposes
only and shall not expand or limit the rights or affect the
obligations of any party hereunder. Such supplements shall not
constitute a part of the Forest Disclosure Schedule, the Spinco
Disclosure Schedule or the Company Disclosure Schedule, as the
case may be, for purposes of this Agreement.
(b) Each of Forest, Spinco, the Company and Merger Sub
shall give prompt notice to the other of the occurrence or
nonoccurrence of any event the occurrence or nonoccurrence of
which has caused or is reasonably likely to cause (i) any
covenant or agreement of such party contained in this Agreement
not to be performed or complied with, in any material respect or
(ii) any condition contained in Article VII to become
incapable of being fulfilled at or prior to the Effective Time;
provided, however, that the delivery of any notice pursuant to
this Section 6.16(b) shall not cure such breach or
noncompliance or limit or otherwise affect the remedies
available hereunder to the party receiving such notice.
Annex A-49
(c) Each of the parties hereto shall keep the others
informed on a timely basis as to the status of the transactions
contemplated by the Transaction Agreements and the obtaining of
all necessary and appropriate exemptions, rulings, consents,
authorizations and waivers related thereto.
Section 6.17 Obligations
of Merger Sub. The Company shall take all action necessary
to cause Merger Sub to perform its obligations under this
Agreement and to consummate the Merger on the terms and subject
to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.
Section 6.18 Accounting
Matters. The parties will use their commercially reasonable
efforts to ensure that, following the Effective Time, the
Company will establish a fiscal year ending on December 31.
Section 6.19 Reorganization
Treatment
(a) Forest (with respect to Spinco) and the Company (on its
behalf and on behalf of Merger Sub) shall execute and deliver to
each of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, special tax counsel
to Forest and Spinco, and Baker Botts L.L.P., counsel to the
Company, certificates substantially in the forms attached hereto
as Exhibits G and H at such time or times as
reasonably requested by each such law firm in connection with
its delivery of the opinion referred to in Section 7.2(c)
or Section 7.3(c), as the case may be. Prior to the
Effective Time, neither Forest, Spinco, the Company or Merger
Sub shall take or cause to be taken any action which would cause
to be untrue any of the representations in such certificates.
(b) Forest, Spinco, the Company and Merger Sub intend that
the Merger will qualify as a reorganization within the meaning
of Section 368(a) of the Code and the parties will take the
position for all Tax purposes that the Merger so qualifies
unless a contrary position is required by a final determination
within the meaning of Section 1313 of the Code. Forest,
Spinco, the Company and Merger Sub shall each use their
respective commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Merger
to qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Code, and shall not take actions,
cause actions to be taken or fail to take actions that are
reasonably likely to prevent such result.
Section 6.20 Performance
Bond. The Company shall obtain and maintain the performance
bond as described on Section 6.20 of the Company Disclosure
Schedule.
Section 6.21 Estimated
Basis. Forest has provided the Company with an estimate of
the tax basis of the Spinco Assets as of June 30, 2005 (the
Estimated Basis.) The Estimated Basis included
capitalized intangible drilling costs incurred with respect to
the Spinco Business in Forests tax year ended
December 31, 2004 (the 2004 Spinco IDC). In
respect of this Section 6.21, and for the sake of clarity,
Forest agrees that it will capitalize the 2004 Spinco IDC in its
Tax Return filing for the year ended December 31, 2004
pursuant to Section 59(e) of the Code and in a manner
consistent with the computation of the estimated basis. Forest
intends to deduct all 2005 IDC with respect to all of its
U.S. assets, including the Spinco Assets in 2005.
ARTICLE VII
CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER
Section 7.1 Conditions
to the Obligations of Spinco, Forest, the Company and Merger Sub
to Effect the Merger. The respective obligations of Spinco,
Forest, the Company and Merger Sub to consummate the Merger
shall be subject to the fulfillment (or waiver by Forest and the
Company) at or prior to the Effective Time of the following
conditions:
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(a) Prior to the Effective Time, the Distribution shall
have been consummated in accordance with the Distribution
Agreement and the conditions to the consummation of the
Distribution set forth in Section 9.1 of the Distribution
Agreement shall have been satisfied or shall have been waived
with a Company Consent; |
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(b) All material consents, approvals and authorizations of
any Governmental Authority legally required for the consummation
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other
Transaction Agreements shall have been obtained and be in effect
at the Effective Time; |
Annex A-50
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(c) Any applicable waiting period (including any extended
waiting period arising as a result of a request for additional
information by either HSR Agency) under the HSR Act shall have
expired or been terminated; |
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(d) The Registration Statements shall have become effective
in accordance with the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and
shall not be the subject of any stop order or proceedings
seeking a stop order; all necessary permits and authorizations
under state securities or blue sky laws, the
Securities Act and the Exchange Act relating to the issuance and
trading of shares of Company Common Stock to be issued in
connection with the Merger shall have been obtained and shall be
in effect; and such shares of Company Common Stock and such
other shares required to be reserved for issuance in connection
with the Merger shall have been Approved for Listing; |
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(e) The Requisite Approval shall have been obtained; |
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(f) No court of competent jurisdiction or other
Governmental Authority shall have issued an Order that is still
in effect restraining, enjoining or prohibiting the Distribution
or the Merger; |
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(g) No Action by any Governmental Authority with respect to
the Merger shall be pending that seeks to restrain, enjoin,
prohibit or delay consummation of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement or to impose any material restrictions or
requirements thereon or on Spinco or the Company with respect
thereto; |
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(h) The Company Common Stock shall have been approved for
listing on the NYSE or Nasdaq, subject only to official notice
of issuance; and |
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(i) No action shall have been taken, and no statute, rule,
regulation or executive order shall have been enacted, entered,
promulgated or enforced, by any Governmental Authority with
respect to the Merger that, individually or in the aggregate,
would (i) restrain, prohibit or delay the consummation of
the Merger or (ii) impose material restrictions or
requirements thereon or on Spinco or the Company with respect
thereto. |
Section 7.2 Additional
Conditions to the Obligations of Forest and Spinco. The
obligation of Forest and Spinco to consummate the Merger shall
be subject to the fulfillment (or waiver by Forest) at or prior
to the Effective Time of the following additional conditions:
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(a) The Company shall have performed in all material
respects its covenants and agreements contained in this
Agreement required to be performed at or prior to the Effective
Time and the representations and warranties of the Company
contained in this Agreement (which for purposes of this
Section 7.2(a) shall be read as though none of them
contained any materiality or material adverse effect
qualifications) shall be true and correct in all respects as of
the date of this Agreement and as of the Effective Time as if
made at and as of the Effective Time (except to the extent such
representations and warranties address matters as of a
particular date), except in each case (i) where the failure
to be true and correct, individually or in the aggregate, would
not have a Material Adverse Effect on Spinco or the Company or
(ii) to the extent specifically contemplated or permitted
by this Agreement; |
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(b) The Company shall have delivered to Forest a
certificate, dated as of the Effective Time, of a senior officer
of the Company certifying the satisfaction by the Company of the
conditions set forth in subsection (a) of this
Section 7.2; |
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(c) Forest and Spinco shall have received an opinion of
Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP to the effect that the
Merger will constitute a reorganization under
Section 368(a) of the Code. In rendering such opinion,
Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP may require and rely upon
representations contained in certificates of officers of Forest
(with respect to Spinco) and the Company (on its behalf and on
behalf of Merger Sub) substantially in the forms attached hereto
in Exhibits G and H; |
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(d) Forest shall have received the bondholder consents
referenced in Section 3.2 of the Forest Disclosure
Schedule; and |
Annex A-51
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(e) Forest shall have received the consents of its lenders
under its credit facility referenced in Section 3.2 of the
Forest Disclosure Schedule. |
Section 7.3 Additional
Conditions to the Obligations of the Company and Merger Sub.
The obligation of the Company and Merger Sub to consummate the
Merger shall be subject to the fulfillment (or waiver by the
Company) at or prior to the Effective Time of the following
additional conditions:
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(a) Spinco and Forest shall have performed in all material
respects their respective covenants and agreements contained in
this Agreement required to be performed at or prior to the
Effective Time and the representations and warranties of Spinco
and Forest contained in this Agreement (which for purposes of
this Section 7.3(a) shall be read as though none of them
contained any materiality or material adverse effect
qualifications) shall be true and correct in all respects as of
the date of this Agreement and as of the Effective Time as if
made at and as of the Effective Time (except to the extent such
representations and warranties address matters as of a
particular date), except in each case (i) where the failure
to be true and correct, individually or in the aggregate, would
not have a Material Adverse Effect on the Spinco Business,
Spinco or the Company or (ii) to the extent specifically
contemplated or permitted by this Agreement; |
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(b) The Company shall have received the consent of the
lenders under its credit facility referenced in Section 5.3
of the Company Disclosure Schedule, and Spinco and/or the
Company shall have entered into a new or amended credit facility
with available borrowing capacity sufficient to operate the
Spinco Business and the Companys business after the
Closing consistent with past practice; |
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(c) Spinco shall have delivered to the Company a
certificate, dated as of the Effective Time, of a senior officer
of Forest certifying the satisfaction of the conditions set
forth in subsection (a) of this Section 7.3; |
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(d) The Company shall have received an opinion from Baker
Botts L.L.P. to the effect that the Merger will constitute a
reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Code. In
rendering such opinion, Baker Botts L.L.P. may require and rely
upon representations contained in certificates of officers of
Forest (with respect to Spinco) and the Company (on its behalf
and on behalf of Merger Sub) substantially in the forms attached
hereto in Exhibits H and I; and |
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(e) The Company shall be reasonably satisfied that the
Contribution and Distribution have taken place in accordance
with the terms set forth in the Distribution Agreement. |
Section 7.4 Frustration
of Conditions. None of Forest, Spinco or the Company may
rely on the failure of any condition set forth in this
Article VII to be satisfied if such failure was caused by
such partys failure to act in good faith or to use its
commercially reasonable efforts to consummate the Merger and the
other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other
Transaction Agreements.
ARTICLE VIII
TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVERS
Section 8.1 Termination.
This Agreement may be terminated and the transactions
contemplated hereby may be abandoned prior to the Effective Time
(notwithstanding the Requisite Approval) as follows:
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(a) by the mutual written consent of each party hereto,
which consent shall be effected by action of the Board of
Directors of each such party; |
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(b) by any party hereto if the Effective Time shall not
have occurred on or before March 31, 2006 provided that the
right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this
clause (b) shall not be available to any party whose
failure to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement
required to be performed by it at or prior to such date has been
a cause of, or contributed to, the failure of the Merger to have
become effective on or before such date; |
Annex A-52
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(c) by any party hereto if (i) any court of competent
jurisdiction or any other Governmental Authority shall have
issued an Order restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting
the Merger and such Order shall have become final and
nonappealable, provided that, if the party seeking to terminate
this Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.1(c)(i) is a
party to the applicable proceeding, such party shall have used
all commercially reasonable efforts to remove such Order; or
(ii) the Requisite Approval is not obtained; provided, that
the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this
Section 8.1(c)(ii) shall not be available to the Company
where the failure to obtain the Requisite Approval shall have
been caused by the action or failure to act by the Company and
such action or failure to act constitutes a breach by the
Company of Section 6.11 in any respect or a material breach
by the Company of any of the other covenants or agreements
contained in this Agreement; |
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(d) by the Company if (i) either Forest or Spinco
shall have failed to perform in any material respect any of its
respective covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement
required to be performed at or prior to the Effective Time, or
(ii) the respective representations and warranties of
Forest or Spinco contained in this Agreement are or shall become
untrue (without giving effect to any materiality qualification
or standard contained in any such representations and
warranties) in any respect at any time prior to the Effective
Time (except to the extent such representations and warranties
address matters as of a particular date), except where the
failure to be true and correct, individually or in the
aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the
Spinco Business, Spinco or the Company; provided that the right
of the Company to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this
subsection (d) shall not be available unless such
failure or untruth is incapable of cure or Forest and Spinco
shall have been unable to cure such failure or such untruth for
30 calendar days after the Company shall have given Forest and
Spinco notice of such failure or such untruth; |
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(e) by Forest if (i) the Company shall have failed to
perform in any material respect any of its covenants and
agreements contained in this Agreement required to be performed
at or prior to the Effective Time, or (ii) the
representations and warranties of the Company contained in this
Agreement are or shall become untrue (without giving effect to
any materiality qualification or standard contained in any such
representations and warranties) in any respect at any time prior
to the Effective Time (except to the extent such representations
and warranties address matters as of a particular date), except
where the failure to be true and correct, individually or in the
aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the
Company, the Spinco Business or Spinco; provided that the right
of Forest to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this
subsection (e) shall not be available unless such
failure or untruth is incapable of cure or the Company shall
have been unable to cure such failure or such untruth for
30 calendar days after Forest shall have given the Company
notice of such failure or such untruth; |
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(f) by Forest in the event that (i) the Board of
Directors of the Company shall have failed to reaffirm publicly
its approval, as soon as reasonably practicable, and in no event
later than three business days, after Forests request for
such reaffirmation, of the Merger and the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, or shall have resolved not to
reaffirm the Merger, (ii) the Board of Directors of the
Company shall have failed to include in the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus its recommendation, without modification or
qualification, that the Company stockholders approve and adopt
this Agreement and approve the Merger, (iii) the Board of
Directors of the Company shall have withheld, withdrawn, amended
or modified, or proposed publicly to withdraw, amend or modify,
in a manner adverse to Forest and Spinco, the recommendation of
such Board of Directors to the Company stockholders that they
approve and adopt this Agreement and approve the Merger,
(iv) the Board of Directors of the Company shall have a
Change of Recommendation or (v) the Board of Directors of
the Company, within ten business days after commencement of any
tender or exchange offer for any shares of Company Common Stock,
shall have failed to recommend against acceptance of such tender
or exchange offer by its stockholders or takes no position with
respect to the acceptance of such tender or exchange offer by
its stockholders; or |
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(g) by the Company if the Board of Directors of the Company
has made a Change of Recommendation in order to approve and
permit the Company to accept a Superior Offer; provided,
however, that (i) the Company is not then in breach of
Section 6.11 or material breach of any other covenant or
other |
Annex A-53
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agreement contained in this Agreement and has not breached any
of its representations and warranties contained in this
Agreement in any material respect, (ii) Forest does not
make, within three (3) business days after receipt of the
Companys written notice pursuant to Section 6.11(d),
an offer that the Board of Directors of the Company shall have
concluded in good faith (following consultation with its
financial advisor and outside legal counsel) is at least as
favorable, from a financial point of view, to the Company
stockholders as such Superior Offer, (iii) the Board of
Directors of the Company authorizes the Company, subject to
complying with the terms of Section 6.11 and this
clause (g), to enter into a binding written agreement
concerning a transaction that constitutes a Superior Offer and
the Company notifies Forest and Spinco in writing that it
intends to enter into such an agreement, attaching the most
current version of such agreement to such notice, and
(iv) the Company shall have tendered to Forest payment in
full of the amount specified in Section 8.3 concurrently
with delivery of notice of termination pursuant to this
Section 8.1(g). |
Section 8.2 Effect
of Termination. In the event of termination of this
Agreement pursuant to Section 8.1, this Agreement shall
terminate (except to the extent set forth in the last sentence
of Section 9.1(a) and in Section 9.2), without any
liability on the part of any party or its directors, officers or
stockholders except as set forth in Section 8.3; provided,
that nothing in this Agreement shall relieve any party of
liability for breach of this Agreement or prejudice the ability
of the non-breaching party to seek damages from any other party
for any breach of this Agreement, including attorneys fees
and the right to pursue any remedy at law or in equity.
Section 8.3 Termination
Fee; Expenses
(a) Expenses Payable upon Breach. If this Agreement is
terminated pursuant to one (but not both) of Section 8.1(d)
or Section 8.1(e), then the breaching party shall promptly
(but not later than five (5) business days after receipt of
notice of the amount due from the other party) pay to the
terminating party an amount equal to all documented
out-of-pocket expenses
and fees incurred by such terminating party (including fees and
expenses payable to all legal, accounting, financial, public
relations and other professional advisors arising out of, in
connection with or related to the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement and the Transaction Documents) not to exceed
$5 million in the aggregate
(Out-of-Pocket
Expenses).
(b) Termination Fee Payable in Certain Circumstances.
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(i) If (x) this Agreement is terminated by Forest or
the Company pursuant to Section 8.1(c)(ii) (as it relates
to failure to obtain the Requisite Approval), (y) Forest or
the Company terminates this Agreement pursuant to
Section 8.1(b), or (z) Forest terminates this
Agreement pursuant to Section 8.1(e)(i); and |
as to any of clauses (x), (y) or (z) above, prior
to the termination of this Agreement, there has been publicly
announced an Acquisition Proposal (other than the Merger) and
within twelve months of such termination the Company shall
either (1) consummate an Acquisition Proposal (whether or
not such Acquisition Proposal is the same Acquisition Proposal
that had been publicly announced prior to termination of this
Agreement) or (2) enter into an agreement with respect to
an Acquisition Proposal or recommend approval of an Acquisition
Proposal (whether or not such Acquisition Proposal is the same
Acquisition Proposal that had been publicly announced prior to
termination of this Agreement), which Acquisition Proposal is
subsequently consummated (whether or not such consummation
occurs within such twelve-month period); or
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(ii) If Forest shall terminate this Agreement pursuant to
Section 8.1(f); or |
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(iii) If the Company shall terminate this Agreement
pursuant to Section 8.1(g); |
then the Company shall pay to Forest an amount equal to
$25 million (the Termination Fee), plus Out of
Pocket Expenses. The Company hereby waives its right to set off
or counterclaim against such amount. If the Termination Fee
shall be payable pursuant to subsection (b)(i) of this
Section 8.3, the Termination Fee shall be paid in same day
funds at or prior to the date of consummation of such
Acquisition Proposal. If the Termination Fee shall be payable
pursuant to subsection (b)(ii) of this Section 8.3,
the Termination Fee shall be paid in same day funds no later
than one business day after the date of termination of this
Agreement. If
Annex A-54
the Termination Fee shall be payable pursuant to
subsection (b)(iii) of this Section 8.3, the
Termination Fee shall be paid in same day funds concurrently
with the delivery of the notice of termination of this Agreement
pursuant to Section 8.1(g).
(c) The parties hereto acknowledge that the agreements
contained in paragraph (b) of this Section 8.3
are an integral part of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, and that without these agreements, they would not
enter into this Agreement. Accordingly, if the Company fails to
pay promptly any fee payable by it pursuant to this
Section 8.3, then the Company shall pay to Forest all of
Forests costs and expenses (including attorneys
fees) in connection with collecting such fee, together with
interest on the amount of the fee at the rate of 5% from the
date such payment was due under this Agreement until the date of
payment.
Section 8.4 Amendment.
This Agreement may be amended by Forest, Spinco, the Company and
Merger Sub at any time before or after adoption of this
Agreement by the stockholders of the Company; provided, however,
that after such adoption, no amendment shall be made that by law
requires further approval by such stockholders without such
further approval. This Agreement may not be amended except by an
instrument in writing signed by Forest, Spinco, the Company and
Merger Sub.
Section 8.5 Waivers.
At any time prior to the Effective Time, Forest, Spinco and the
Company may, to the extent legally allowed, (i) extend the
time for the performance of any of the obligations or acts of
the other party; (ii) waive any inaccuracies in the
representations and warranties of the other party contained
herein or in any document delivered pursuant to this Agreement;
and (iii) waive compliance with any of the agreements or
conditions of the other party contained herein; provided,
however, that no failure or delay by Forest, Spinco or the
Company in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a
waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof
preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise
of any other right hereunder. Any agreement on the part of
Forest, Spinco or the Company to any such extension or waiver
shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing
signed on behalf of such party.
ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 9.1 Survival
of Representations, Warranties and Agreements;
Indemnification
(a) The covenants and agreements in this Agreement or in
any certificate or instrument delivered pursuant to this
Agreement shall survive the Effective Time in accordance with
their respective terms. None of the representations or
warranties in this Agreement or in any certificate or instrument
delivered pursuant to this Agreement (except for the
certificates substantially in the forms attached hereto in
Exhibits G and H) shall survive the Effective
Time. Subject to Section 9.14, the Confidentiality
Agreement shall survive the execution and delivery of this
Agreement and any termination of this Agreement, and the
provisions of the Confidentiality Agreement shall apply to all
information and material furnished by any party or its
representatives thereunder or hereunder.
(b) Following the Effective Time, Forest will indemnify,
defend and hold harmless Spinco, the Company and each Person, if
any, who controls, within the meaning of Section 15 of the
Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (any such
person being hereinafter referred to as a Controlling
Person), Spinco or the Company from and against, and pay
or reimburse each of the foregoing for, all losses, claims,
damages, liabilities, actions, costs and expenses, joint or
several, including reasonable attorneys fees
(collectively, Losses), arising out of or resulting
from, directly or indirectly, or in connection with any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in or incorporated by reference into either of the
Registration Statements or in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus (or
any amendment or supplement thereto) or any omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
provided, however, that Forest shall not be responsible for
information provided by the Company as to itself and its
Subsidiaries specifically for inclusion in, or incorporation by
reference into, any such Proxy Statement/Prospectus or
Registration Statement.
Annex A-55
(c) Following the Effective Time, Spinco will indemnify,
defend and hold harmless Forest and each Controlling Person of
Forest from and against, and pay or reimburse each of the
foregoing for, all Losses arising out of or resulting from,
directly or indirectly, or in connection with any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in or incorporated by reference into either of the
Registration Statements or in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus (or
any amendment or supplement thereto) or any omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading,
but only with respect to information provided by the Company as
to itself and its Subsidiaries specifically for inclusion in, or
incorporation by reference into, any such Proxy
Statement/Prospectus or Registration Statement.
Section 9.2 Expenses.
Except as otherwise provided in the Distribution Agreement or in
Section 8.3, whether or not the Merger or the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement are consummated, all
costs and expenses incurred by Forest or Spinco in connection
with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby
shall be paid by Spinco (provided that Spinco shall not be
obligated to pay more than $7 million, exclusive of the
expenses described in the exception below), and all costs and
expenses incurred by the Company in connection with this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be paid
by the Company, except that the Company and Spinco each shall
pay one-half of all expenses relating to printing, filing and
mailing the Registration Statements and the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus and all SEC and other regulatory filing
fees incurred in connection with the Registration Statements and
the Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
Section 9.3 Notices.
All notices and other communications required or permitted to be
given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given
upon (a) a transmitters confirmation of a receipt of
a facsimile transmission (but only if followed by confirmed
delivery of a standard overnight courier the following business
day or if delivered by hand the following business day),
(b) confirmed delivery of a standard overnight courier or
when delivered by hand or (c) the expiration of five
business days after the date mailed by certified or registered
mail (return receipt requested), postage prepaid, to the parties
at the following addresses (or at such other addresses for a
party as shall be specified by like notice):
If to Spinco (prior to the Effective Time) or Forest, to:
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SML Wellhead Corporation or Forest Oil Corporation |
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707 17th Street, Suite 3600 |
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Denver, Colorado 80202 |
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Attn: General Counsel |
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Facsimile: (303) 812-1510 |
with a copy to (which shall not constitute effective
notice) to:
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Vinson & Elkins LLP |
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666 Fifth Avenue |
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New York, New York 10103 |
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Attn: Alan P. Baden |
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Facsimile: (212) 849-5337 |
If to Spinco (following the Effective Time), to:
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SML Wellhead Corporation |
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c/o Mariner Energy, Inc. |
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2101 CityWest Boulevard |
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Building 4, Suite 900 |
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Houston, Texas 77042 |
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Attn: General Counsel |
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Facsimile: (713) 954-3820 |
Annex A-56
with a copy (which shall not constitute effective notice)
to:
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Baker Botts L.L.P. |
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One Shell Plaza |
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Houston, Texas 77002 |
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Attn: Kelly B. Rose |
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Facsimile: (713) 229-7996 |
If to the Company, to:
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Mariner Energy, Inc. |
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2101 CityWest Boulevard |
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Building 4, Suite 900 |
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Houston, Texas 77042 |
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Attn: General Counsel |
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Facsimile: (713) 954-3820 |
with a copy (which shall not constitute effective notice)
to:
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Baker Botts L.L.P. |
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One Shell Plaza |
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Houston, Texas 77002 |
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Attn: Kelly B. Rose |
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Facsimile: (713) 229-7996 |
Section 9.4 Certain
Construction Rules. The article and section headings and the
table of contents contained in this Agreement are for reference
purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement. As used in this Agreement,
unless otherwise provided to the contrary, (a) all
references to days or months shall be deemed references to
calendar days or months and (b) any reference to a
Section, Article, Exhibit or
Schedule shall be deemed to refer to a section or
article of this Agreement or an exhibit or schedule to this
Agreement. The words hereof, herein and
hereunder and words of similar import referring to
this Agreement refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any
particular provision of this Agreement. Whenever the words
include, includes or
including are used in this Agreement, they shall be
deemed to be followed by the words without
limitation. Unless otherwise specifically provided for
herein, the term or shall not be deemed to be
exclusive. Any matter disclosed in any particular Section or
Subsection of the Spinco Disclosure Schedule, the Forest
Disclosure Schedule or the Company Disclosure Schedule shall be
deemed to have been disclosed in any other Section or Subsection
of Articles III, IV, V or VI of this Agreement, as
applicable, with respect to which such matter is relevant so
long as the applicability of such matter to such Section or
Subsection is reasonably apparent. For avoidance of doubt,
consistent with past practice when used with respect
to Spinco, any of its Subsidiaries, any Spinco Asset or the
Spinco Business shall mean the past practice of Forest.
Section 9.5 Severability.
If any provision of this Agreement or the application of any
such provision to any Person or circumstance, shall be declared
judicially to be invalid, unenforceable or void, such decision
shall not have the effect of invalidating or voiding the
remainder of this Agreement, it being the intent and agreement
of Spinco, Forest, the Company and Merger Sub that this
Agreement shall be deemed amended by modifying such provision to
the extent necessary to render it valid, legal and enforceable
while preserving its intent or, if such modification is not
possible, by substituting therefor another provision that is
legal and enforceable and that achieves the same objective.
Section 9.6 Assignment;
Binding Effect. Neither this Agreement nor any of the
rights, benefits or obligations hereunder may be assigned by
Spinco, Forest, the Company or Merger Sub (whether by operation
of law or otherwise) without the prior written consent of all of
the other parties. Subject to the preceding sentence, this
Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be
enforceable by Spinco, Forest, the Company and Merger Sub and
their respective successors and permitted assigns.
Section 9.7 No
Third Party Beneficiaries. Except as provided in
Sections 2.2, 2.8, 2.9 and 6.12 (collectively, the
Third Party Provisions), nothing in this Agreement,
express or implied, is intended to or
Annex A-57
shall confer upon any Person (other than Forest, Spinco and the
Company and their respective successors and permitted assigns)
any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature
whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement, and no Person
(other than as so specified) shall be deemed a third party
beneficiary under or by reason of this Agreement. The Third
Party Provisions may be enforced by the beneficiaries thereof
after the Effective Time. Subject to Section 6.12, Spinco
shall reimburse all expenses, including reasonable
attorneys fees, that are incurred by any Person who
prevails in any litigation or other proceeding required to
enforce the obligations of the Surviving Corporation and Spinco
under the Third Party Provisions.
Section 9.8 Limited
Liability. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement, no stockholder, director, officer, Affiliate, agent
or representative of Spinco, Forest, the Company or Merger Sub,
in its capacity as such, shall have any liability in respect of
or relating to the covenants, obligations, representations or
warranties of such party under this Agreement or in respect of
any certificate delivered with respect hereto or thereto and, to
the fullest extent legally permissible, each of Spinco, Forest,
the Company and Merger Sub, for itself and its stockholders,
directors, officers and Affiliates, waives and agrees not to
seek to assert or enforce any such liability that any such
Person otherwise might have pursuant to applicable law.
Section 9.9 Entire
Agreement. This Agreement (together with the other
Transaction Agreements, the Confidentiality Agreement, the
exhibits and the Disclosure Schedules and the other documents
delivered pursuant hereto) constitutes the entire agreement of
all the parties hereto and supersedes all prior and
contemporaneous agreements and understandings, both written and
oral, between the parties, or any of them, with respect to the
subject matter hereof. All exhibits attached to this Agreement
and the Disclosure Schedules are expressly made a part of, and
incorporated by reference into, this Agreement. Each section of
the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Forest Disclosure Schedule
and the Spinco Disclosure Schedule qualifies the corresponding
numbered representation and warranty or covenant to the extent
specified therein, and any other representation, warranty or
covenant to which such matter is relevant so long as the
applicability of such matter to any such representation,
warranty or covenant is reasonably apparent.
Section 9.10 Governing
Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware without
giving effect to the conflicts of law principles thereof. EACH
OF THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND
UNCONDITIONALLY (i) AGREES TO BE SUBJECT TO, AND HEREBY
CONSENTS AND SUBMITS TO, THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE
STATE OF DELAWARE AND OF THE FEDERAL COURTS SITTING IN THE STATE
OF DELAWARE, (ii) TO THE EXTENT SUCH PARTY IS NOT OTHERWISE
SUBJECT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE, HEREBY
APPOINTS THE CORPORATION TRUST COMPANY, AS SUCH PARTYS
AGENT IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE FOR ACCEPTANCE OF LEGAL PROCESS
AND (iii) AGREES THAT SERVICE MADE ON ANY SUCH AGENT SET
FORTH IN (ii) ABOVE SHALL HAVE THE SAME LEGAL FORCE AND
EFFECT AS IF SERVED UPON SUCH PARTY PERSONALLY WITHIN THE STATE
OF DELAWARE.
Section 9.11 Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one agreement binding on Spinco,
Forest, the Company and Merger Sub, notwithstanding that not all
parties are signatories to the original or the same counterpart.
Section 9.12 Specific
Performance. The parties hereto agree that irreparable
damage would occur in the event any provision of this Agreement
was not performed in accordance with the terms hereof and that
the parties shall be entitled to specific performance of the
terms hereof, in addition to any other remedy at law or in
equity.
Section 9.13 Waiver
of Jury Trial. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably and
unconditionally waives all right to trial by jury in any Action
or counterclaim (whether based in contract, tort or otherwise)
arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the actions of
the parties hereto in the negotiation, administration,
performance and enforcement thereof.
Annex A-58
Section 9.14 Confidentiality.
Subject to Section 7.2 and Section 7.5 of the
Distribution Agreement, for a period of eighteen months
following the Effective Time, each of Forest and the Company
shall hold, and shall cause its Affiliates and Representatives
to hold, in strict confidence all Information concerning the
other party and its Affiliates obtained by it prior to the
Effective Date or furnished to it by such other party and its
Affiliates pursuant to this Agreement or the other Transaction
Agreements (including, with respect to Forest and its Affiliates
and Representatives, Information of Forest, its Affiliates and
Representatives to the extent related to Spinco, the Spinco
Assets or the Spinco Business) and shall not release or disclose
such Information to any other Person, except its Affiliates and
Representatives, who shall be advised of the provisions of this
Section 9.14, and shall not use such Information except as
required pursuant to the terms of the Transaction Agreements,
and each party shall be responsible for a breach by any of its
Affiliates or Representatives; provided, however, that any
member of the Forest Group or the Company and its Affiliates may
disclose such Information to the extent that (a) disclosure
is compelled by judicial or administrative process or, based on
advice of such Persons counsel, by other requirements of
law, or (b) such party can show that such Information was
(i) in the public domain through no fault of such Person or
(ii) lawfully acquired by such Person from another source
after the time that it was furnished to such Person by the other
party or its Affiliates, and not acquired from such source
subject to any confidentiality obligation on the part of such
source known to the acquiror. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
each of Forest and the Company shall be deemed to have satisfied
its obligations under this Section 9.14 with respect to any
Information (other than Privileged Information) if it exercises
the same care with regard to such Information as it takes to
preserve confidentiality for its own similar Information.
Annex A-59
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this
Agreement as of the date first above written.
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Name: H. Craig
Clark |
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Title: President
and CEO |
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SML WELLHEAD CORPORATION |
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Name: Cyrus Marter |
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Title: Vice
President and Secretary |
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MARINER ENERGY, INC. |
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Name: Scott D.
Josey |
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Title: Chief
Executive Officer and President |
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MEI SUB, INC. |
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Name: Scott D.
Josey |
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Title: Chief
Executive Officer and President |
Annex A-60
Annex B
Lehman
Brothers
September 9, 2005
Board of Directors
Mariner Energy, Inc.
2101 City West Boulevard
Building Four, Suite 900
Houston, Texas 77042
Members of the Board:
We understand that Mariner Energy, Inc. (Mariner),
Forest Oil Corporation (Forest), MEI Sub, Inc.,
a wholly owned subsidiary of Mariner (Merger Sub),
and SML Wellhead Corporation (Spinco), a wholly
owned subsidiary of Forest formed by Forest to hold
Forests Gulf of Mexico exploration and production business
(the Gulf of Mexico Business) intend to enter into
an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September 9,
2005 (the Merger Agreement), pursuant to which
Merger Sub will be merged with and into Spinco (the
Merger). We further understand that Mariner has
entered into a Participation Agreement pursuant to which, upon
closing of the transaction contemplated therein (the West
Texas Closing), Mariner will acquire interests in certain
properties in West Texas from a third party for
$36.5 million in cash. We further understand that
immediately prior to the Merger, pursuant to the Distribution
Agreement, dated as of September 9, 2005, between Forest
and Spinco (the Distribution Agreement)
(i) Forest will contribute the Gulf of Mexico Business to
Spinco, (ii) Spinco will be capitalized with
(a) $200 million in debt should the West Texas Closing
occur prior to the Merger or (b) $275 million in debt
should the West Texas Closing not occur prior to the Merger,
(iii) Spinco will assume certain other liabilities relating
to the Gulf of Mexico Business including derivative liabilities,
and (iv) Forest will distribute to the shareholders of
Forest (the Spin-off, together with the Merger, the
Proposed Transaction)
(a) 50,637,010 shares of the common stock of Spinco
(the Spinco Common Stock) should the West Texas
Closing occur prior to the Merger or
(b) 51,368,707 shares of Spinco Common Stock should
the West Texas Closing not occur prior to the Merger (as
applicable, the Distributed Shares). The Distributed
Shares in the Spin-off will constitute 100% of the then issued
and outstanding shares of Spinco Common Stock immediately prior
to the Merger. In addition, we further understand that upon
consummation of the Merger, each then issued and outstanding
share of Spinco Common Stock will be converted into the right to
receive one share (the Exchange Ratio) of the common
stock of Mariner (Mariner Common Stock) and that
immediately following the effective time of the Merger,
Mariners stockholders will hold (i) 41.8% of the
issued and outstanding shares of Mariner Common Stock should the
West Texas Closing occur prior to the Merger or (ii) 41.5%
of the issued and outstanding shares of Mariner Common Stock
should the West Texas Closing not occur prior to the Merger. The
terms and conditions of the Proposed Transaction are set forth
in more detail in the Merger Agreement and Distribution
Agreement (together, the Agreements).
We have been requested by the Board of Directors of Mariner to
render our opinion as to the fairness, from a financial point of
view, to Mariner of the Exchange Ratio in the Proposed
Transaction. We have not been requested to opine as to, and our
opinion does not in any manner address, Mariners
underlying business decision to proceed with or effect the
Proposed Transaction.
lehman brothers inc.
600 travis street 7200 jp
morgan chase tower houston, texas 77002 telephone 713 236 3950
facsimile 713 222 8908
Annex B-1
In arriving at our opinion, we reviewed and analyzed:
(1) the Agreements and the specific terms of the Proposed
Transaction; (2) publicly available information concerning
Mariner that we believe to be relevant to our analysis,
including, without limitation, the Amendment No. 1 to the
Registration Statement on
Form S-1 filed on
July 26, 2005; (3) publicly available information
concerning Forest that we believe to be relevant to our
analysis, including, without limitation, the Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2004 and the Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q for the
periods ended March 31, 2005 and June 30, 2005;
(4) financial and operating information with respect to the
business, operations and prospects of Mariner as furnished to us
by Mariner, including (i) financial projections and
(ii) oil and gas reserve estimates as of June 30, 2005
for Mariner prepared by the management of Mariner;
(5) financial and operating information with respect to the
businesses, operations and prospects of the Gulf of Mexico
Business as furnished to us by Forest, including
(i) financial projections and (ii) oil and gas reserve
estimates as of June 30, 2005 for the Gulf of Mexico
Business prepared by the management of Forest; (6) a
comparison of the historical financial results and present
financial condition of Mariner and the Gulf of Mexico Business
with each other and with those of other companies that we deemed
relevant; (7) a comparison of the financial terms of the
Proposed Transaction with the financial terms of certain other
transactions that we deemed relevant; (8) commodity prices
assumptions used by the management of Mariner, commodity prices
assumptions published by Lehman Brothers equity research, and
commodity prices as quoted on the NYMEX on August 19, 2005
(collectively, the Commodity Price Assumptions);
(9) estimates of certain proved reserves generated by
third-party reserve engineers as of December 31, 2004 for
Mariner and the Gulf of Mexico Business; (10) the potential
pro forma impact of the Proposed Transaction on the current
financial condition and future financial performance of Mariner,
including the impact on Mariners reserve levels and
ratios; (11) the relative contributions of Mariner and the
Gulf of Mexico Business to the current and future financial
performance of the combined company on a pro forma basis;
(12) the report dated as of September 9, 2005,
prepared by the management of Mariner, assessing the damage to
the Gulf of Mexico assets of Mariner caused by Hurricane
Katrina; and (13) report dated as of September 9, 2005,
prepared by the management of Forest, assessing the damage to
the Gulf of Mexico assets of the Gulf of Mexico Business caused
by Hurricane Katrina. In addition, we have (i) had
discussions with the managements of Mariner and Forest
concerning the businesses, operations, assets, financial
conditions, reserves, production profiles, hedging levels,
exploration programs and prospects of Mariner and the Gulf of
Mexico Business, respectively, and (ii) have undertaken
such other studies, analyses and investigations as we deemed
appropriate.
In arriving at our opinion, we have assumed and relied upon the
accuracy and completeness of the financial and other information
used by us without assuming any responsibility for independent
verification of such information and have further relied upon
the assurances of the managements of Mariner and Forest that
they are not aware of any facts or circumstances that would make
such information inaccurate or misleading. With respect to the
financial projections of Mariner, upon advice of Mariner we have
assumed that such projections have been reasonably prepared on a
basis reflecting the best currently available estimates and
judgments of the management of Mariner as to the future
financial performance of Mariner and that Mariner will perform
substantially in accordance with such projections. With respect
to the financial projections of the Gulf of Mexico Business,
upon advice of Forest we have assumed that such projections have
been reasonably prepared on a basis reflecting the best
currently available estimates and judgments of the management of
Forest as to the future financial performance of the Gulf of
Mexico Business and that the Gulf of Mexico Business will
perform substantially in accordance with such projections.
However, for the purposes of our analysis, we also considered
the Commodity Price Assumptions which resulted in certain
adjustments to the projections of Mariner and the Gulf of Mexico
Business. We have discussed these adjusted projections with the
management of the Mariner and they have agreed with the
appropriateness of the use of such adjusted projections, as well
as Forests management projections, in performing our
analysis. In arriving at our opinion, we have not conducted a
physical inspection of the properties and facilities of Mariner
and the Gulf of Mexico Business and have not made or obtained
from third parties any evaluations or appraisals of the assets
and liabilities of Mariner or the Gulf of Mexico Business. Our
opinion necessarily is based upon the market, economic and other
conditions as they exist on, and can be evaluated as of, the
date of this letter.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion
as of the date hereof that, from a financial point of view, the
Exchange Ratio in the Proposed Transaction is fair to Mariner.
Annex B-2
We have acted as financial advisor to Mariner in connection with
the Proposed Transaction and will receive a fee for our
services, a substantial portion of which is contingent upon the
consummation of the Proposed Transaction. In addition, Mariner
has agreed to indemnify us for certain liabilities that may
arise out of the rendering of this opinion. We also have
performed various investment banking services for Mariner and
Forest in the past and have received customary fees for such
services. In the ordinary course of our business, we actively
trade in the securities of Forest for our own account and for
the accounts of our customers and, accordingly, may at any time
hold a long or short position in such securities.
This opinion is for the use and benefit of the Board of
Directors of Mariner and is rendered to the Board of Directors
in connection with its consideration of the Proposed
Transaction. This opinion is not intended to be and does not
constitute a recommendation to any stockholder of Mariner as to
how such stockholder should vote with respect to the Proposed
Transaction.
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Very truly yours, |
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LEHMAN BROTHERS |
Annex B-3
Annex C
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 9, 2005
BETWEEN
FOREST OIL CORPORATION
AND
SML WELLHEAD CORPORATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS |
Section 1.1
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General |
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Annex C-1 |
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Section 1.2
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References to Time |
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Annex C-9 |
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ARTICLE II
PRELIMINARY TRANSACTIONS |
Section 2.1
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Business Separation |
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Annex C-9 |
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Section 2.2
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Conveyancing and Assumption Agreements |
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Annex C-10 |
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Section 2.3
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Certificate of Incorporation; By-laws |
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Annex C-10 |
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Section 2.4
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Issuance of Stock |
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Annex C-10 |
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Section 2.5
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Other Agreements |
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Annex C-10 |
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Section 2.6
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Transfers Not Effected Prior to the Distribution; Transfers
Deemed Effective as of the Distribution Date |
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Annex C-10 |
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ARTICLE III
THE DISTRIBUTION |
Section 3.1
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Record Date and Distribution Date |
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Annex C-11 |
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Section 3.2
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The Agent |
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Annex C-11 |
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Section 3.3
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Delivery of Share Certificates to the Agent |
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Annex C-11 |
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Section 3.4
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The Distribution |
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Annex C-11 |
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ARTICLE IV
CASH AMOUNT |
Section 4.1
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Estimated Cash Amount |
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Annex C-12 |
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Section 4.2
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Actual Cash Amount |
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Annex C-12 |
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Section 4.3
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Incremental Tax Amount |
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Annex C-12 |
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Section 4.4
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Dispute Resolution Procedure |
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Annex C-12 |
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Section 4.5
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Payment of Cash Amount |
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Annex C-13 |
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ARTICLE V
SURVIVAL AND INDEMNIFICATION |
Section 5.1
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Survival of Agreements |
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Annex C-13 |
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Section 5.2
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Indemnification |
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Annex C-13 |
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Section 5.3
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Procedures for Indemnification for Third-Party Claims |
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Annex C-13 |
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Section 5.4
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Reductions for Insurance Proceeds and Other Recoveries |
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Annex C-14 |
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Section 5.5
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Remedies Cumulative |
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Annex C-15 |
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Section 5.6
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Tax Treatment of Indemnity and Other Payments |
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Annex C-15 |
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Section 5.7
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Survival of Indemnities |
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Annex C-15 |
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ARTICLE VI
CERTAIN ADDITIONAL COVENANTS |
Section 6.1
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Notices to Third Parties |
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Annex C-15 |
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Section 6.2
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Licenses and Permits |
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Annex C-15 |
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Section 6.3
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Intercompany Agreements |
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Annex C-15 |
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Section 6.4
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Further Assurances |
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Annex C-16 |
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Section 6.5
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Guarantee Obligations and Liens |
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Annex C-16 |
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Annex C-i
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Section 6.6
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Insurance |
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Annex C-17 |
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Section 6.7
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Cooperation |
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Annex C-18 |
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ARTICLE VII
ACCESS TO INFORMATION |
Section 7.1
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Provision of Corporate Records |
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Annex C-18 |
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Section 7.2
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Access to Information |
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Annex C-18 |
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Section 7.3
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Production of Witnesses |
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Annex C-19 |
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Section 7.4
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Retention of Records |
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Annex C-19 |
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Section 7.5
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Confidentiality |
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Annex C-20 |
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Section 7.6
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Cooperation with Respect to Government Reports and Filings |
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Annex C-20 |
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Section 7.7
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Tax Sharing Agreement |
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Annex C-20 |
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ARTICLE VIII
NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES |
Section 8.1
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No Representations or Warranties |
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Annex C-20 |
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ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS |
Section 9.1
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Conditions to the Distribution |
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Annex C-21 |
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Section 9.2
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Complete Agreement |
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Annex C-22 |
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Section 9.3
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Expenses |
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Annex C-22 |
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Section 9.4
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Governing Law |
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Annex C-22 |
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Section 9.5
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Notices |
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Annex C-22 |
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Section 9.6
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Amendment and Modification |
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Annex C-23 |
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Section 9.7
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Successors and Assigns; No Third-Party Beneficiaries |
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Annex C-23 |
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Section 9.8
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Counterparts |
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Annex C-23 |
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Section 9.9
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Interpretation |
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Annex C-23 |
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Section 9.10
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Severability |
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Annex C-23 |
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Section 9.11
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References; Construction |
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Annex C-24 |
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Section 9.12
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Termination |
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Annex C-24 |
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Section 9.13
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Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of Process |
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Annex C-24 |
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Section 9.14
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Waivers |
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Annex C-24 |
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Section 9.15
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Specific Performance |
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Annex C-24 |
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Section 9.16
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Waiver of Jury Trial |
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Annex C-24 |
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Exhibit A Certificate of Incorporation of Spinco
Exhibit B Bylaws of Spinco
Exhibit C Certificate of Officers of Forest
Exhibit D Certificate of Officers of Spinco
Exhibit E Certificate of Officers of the Company
Annex C-ii
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
THIS DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT, dated as of September 9, 2005,
is between Forest Oil Corporation, a New York corporation
(Forest), and SML Wellhead Corporation, a Delaware
corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Forest
(Spinco).
WHEREAS, Forest, Spinco, Mariner Energy, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the Company), and MEI Sub, Inc., a
Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of the Company
(Merger Sub), have entered into an Agreement and
Plan of Merger, dated as of September 9, 2005 (the
Merger Agreement), pursuant to which, at the
Effective Time (as such term and other capitalized terms are
defined in Article I hereof), Merger Sub will merge with
and into Spinco, with Spinco being the surviving corporation,
and Spinco becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company
(the Merger);
WHEREAS, this Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements set
forth certain transactions that are conditions to consummation
of the Merger;
WHEREAS, prior to the Distribution Date, and subject to the
terms and conditions set forth herein, Forest intends to
transfer or cause to be transferred to Spinco all of the Spinco
Assets, which represent substantially all of Forests
Offshore Gulf of Mexico assets, and Spinco intends to assume all
of the Spinco Liabilities, as contemplated by this Agreement
(the Contribution);
WHEREAS, subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement,
all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of
Spinco, par value $0.10 per share (Spinco Common
Stock), will be distributed on a pro rata basis (the
Distribution) to the holders as of the Record Date
of the outstanding common stock of Forest, par value
$0.10 per share (Forest Common Stock); and
WHEREAS, the parties to this Agreement intend that the
Contribution and the Distribution qualify under
Sections 368(a) and 355 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the Code), respectively, and that
the Merger qualify as a reorganization under Section 368(a)
of the Code;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements set forth in this
Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the
parties, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 General.
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following meanings (such meanings to be equally applicable to
both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined):
Actual Cash Amount shall have the meaning specified
in Section 4.2.
Affiliate shall mean, with respect to any specified
Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly, controls,
is controlled by or is under common control with, such specified
Person. For purposes of this definition, control
(including, with correlative meanings, the terms
controlled by and under common control
with), as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the
possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or
cause the direction of the management or policies of such
Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by
contract or otherwise; provided, however, that for purposes of
this Agreement, from and after the Distribution Date, no member
of either Group shall be deemed an Affiliate of any member of
the other Group.
Agent shall mean the distribution agent to be
appointed by Forest to distribute the shares of Spinco Common
Stock pursuant to the Distribution.
Agreement shall mean this Distribution Agreement.
Assets shall mean the Spinco Assets or the Forest
Assets, as the case may be.
Assumed Abandonment Liabilities shall mean
Liabilities arising from legal obligations to plug, abandon,
remove, or otherwise retire (a) to the extent constituting
Spinco Assets, all real or immovable
Annex C-1
property, including without limitation all platforms, pipelines
and improvements located or situated on, related to, or used in
connection with the Properties; (b) to the extent
constituting Spinco Assets, all equipment, personal or movable
property, fixtures and improvements located on or to the extent
reasonably necessary in connection with the operation of the
Properties, the Easements and all other Spinco Assets including
without limitation all wells (whether producing or shut-in and
whether for production, injection or disposal), flowlines,
gathering systems, processing plants, piping, tanks, buildings,
boat docks, treatment facilities, injection facilities, disposal
facilities, compression facilities, production units, tank
batteries; and (c) all other assets constituting a Spinco
Asset, in each case (with respect to each of clauses (a),
(b) and (c) above) to the extent such Liabilities are
either (i) described in the FAS 143 disclosure in
respect of the Spinco Assets provided by Forest to the Company
prior to the date hereof, (ii) arising after the
Measurement Date, or (iii) not within the Knowledge of
Forest as of the date hereof; provided, however, that the extent
of an Assumed Abandonment Liability shall not be limited by the
specific dollar amounts contained in the FAS 143 disclosure.
Assumed Derivative Liabilities shall mean
Liabilities under the derivatives contracts set forth in
Section 1.1(A) of the Disclosure Schedule.
Assumed Environmental Liabilities shall mean
Liabilities, to the extent arising from the conduct of the
Spinco Business (whether prior to or after the Measurement Date)
(i) as the result of an Environmental Condition or
(ii) as a result of a claim by a Governmental Authority for
property damage, damage to natural resources, remediation, or
payment or reimbursement of response costs incurred or expended
by such Governmental Authority pursuant to Environmental Law;
provided, that Assumed Environmental Liabilities shall not
include any Liability (i) arising from the conduct of the
Spinco Business prior to the Measurement Date that was required
to have been set forth on Section 4.10 of the Spinco
Disclosure Schedule, but that was omitted from such schedule, or
(ii) in excess of $10.0 million in the aggregate, as
actually incurred by Spinco, in connection with the conditions
described in clauses (ii) and (iv) of
Section 4.10 of the Spinco Disclosure Schedule.
Business shall mean the Spinco Business or the
Forest Business, as the case may be.
Business Day shall mean any day other than a
Saturday, Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the
City of New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive
order to close.
Cash Amount shall mean an amount calculated as
follows:
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(i) Two hundred million dollars ($200 million);
provided, however, that if the condition described in
Section 4.2 of the Spinco Disclosure Schedule has not been
satisfied, such amount shall equal two hundred seventy-five
million dollars ($275 million); less |
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(ii) All revenue recognized by Forest in accordance with
GAAP applied on a consistent basis (or as otherwise agreed by
Forest, Spinco and the Company), derived from the Spinco Assets
during the Measurement Period (including, without limitation,
oil and gas revenue, settled gains and losses from Assumed
Derivative Liabilities, gas processing revenue and gas marketing
revenue, but excluding gains on sales of property, plant and
equipment related to the Spinco Assets); less |
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(iii) Cash consideration of any sale during the Measurement
Period of property, plant and equipment related to the Spinco
Assets recognized by Forest in accordance with GAAP; plus |
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(iv) The net assets and liabilities described in
Section 1.1(B) of the Disclosure Schedule; plus or minus,
as determined below, |
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(v) An amount equal to net gas balancing assets or
liabilities, as the case may be, based on a gas price of
$6.50 per mmbtu, of the Spinco Business as of the
Measurement Date (it being understood and agreed that if the net
amount is positive, such amount shall be added to the Cash
Amount, and if negative, shall be deducted from the Cash
Amount); plus or minus, as determined below, |
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(vi) An amount equal to the net settlement amount in
respect of settlements of gas imbalances effected during the
Measurement Period (it being understood and agreed that if the
net amount is |
Annex C-2
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positive, such amount shall be deducted from the Cash Amount,
and if negative, shall be added to the Cash Amount); plus |
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(vii) All capital and operating expenditures of Forest
attributable to the Spinco Assets during the Measurement Period
calculated by Forest in accordance with GAAP, other than
expenditures (A) in connection with repairs or remediation
to any Properties damaged in Hurricane Ivan or Hurricane Lilly,
(B) in connection with any environmental Liabilities that
do not constitute Assumed Environmental Liabilities or
(C) amounts described in paragraph (x) below; plus |
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(viii) An amount equal to hypothetical income taxes, which
amount shall be calculated by applying a rate of 35% to an
amount calculated as follows: |
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(a) Item (ii) of the Cash Amount; less |
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(b) Item (vii) of the Cash Amount; less |
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(c) Item (x) of the Cash Amount; less |
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(d) Item (xi) of the Cash Amount; plus |
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(e) Capital expenditures in item (vii) of the Cash
Amount to the extent they represent tangible assets; less |
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(f) An amount representing estimated cost depletion
computed at a rate of $1.20 per mcfe produced during the
Measurement Period, subject to the adjustment as provided in
Section 4.3; plus |
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(ix) An amount equal to interest expense, which amount
shall be calculated, for each calendar month during the
Measurement Period (or partial month, if applicable with respect
to the last month of the Measurement Period), at a rate of
6.5% per annum on the aggregate amount of indebtedness of
the Spinco Business based on the average for such month, which
indebtedness shall be assumed to have equaled two hundred
million dollars ($200 million) on the Measurement Date and
to have been reduced on the last day of each calendar month
after the Measurement Date by net cash provided by operating
activities, and increased by net cash used in investing
activities, in each case in accordance with GAAP; plus |
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(x) $1.6 million per month (prorated for any partial
month) for general and administrative expenses, plus any
Retention Benefits paid to Spinco Employees during the
Measurement Period pursuant to Section 6.8(g) of the Merger
Agreement; plus |
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(xi) A cash amount for costs and expenses incurred by
Forest or Spinco in connection with the Transaction Agreements
and the transactions contemplated thereby (including, without
limitation, fees and expenses of legal and financial advisors),
such costs and expenses not to exceed seven million dollars
($7 million); plus or minus, as determined below, |
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(xii) An amount equal to the change in working capital
accounts, other than cash (accounts receivable plus inventories
plus other current assets less accounts payable and other
current liabilities, but excluding gas imbalances), excluding
the effects of FAS 143 and FAS 133, related to the
Spinco Assets during the Measurement Period (it being understood
and agreed that working capital related to the Spinco Assets at
the Measurement Date shall be assumed to be zero and that if the
net amount is positive, such amount shall be added to the Cash
Amount, and if negative, shall be deducted from the Cash Amount). |
Claims Administration shall mean the processing of
claims made under the Policies, including the reporting of
claims to the insurance carrier, management and defense of
claims, and providing for appropriate releases upon settlement
of claims.
Claims Made Policies shall have the meaning
specified in Section 6.6(a).
Code shall have the meaning specified in the
Recitals hereof.
Company shall have the meaning specified in the
Recitals hereof.
Annex C-3
Company Common Stock shall have the meaning
specified in the Merger Agreement.
Company Consent shall have the meaning specified in
the Merger Agreement.
Contribution shall have the meaning specified in the
Recitals hereof.
Disclosure Schedule shall mean the schedule prepared
and delivered by Forest to Spinco as of the date of this
Agreement.
Dispute Notification shall have the meaning
specified in Section 4.4.
Distribution shall have the meaning specified in the
Recitals hereof.
Distribution Date shall mean the date and time that
the Distribution shall become effective.
Easement shall mean any easement, right of way,
servitude, permit, license, franchise, right of ingress or
egress, property use agreement or other estate or similar right
or privilege.
Effective Time shall have the meaning specified in
the Merger Agreement.
Employee Benefits Agreement shall mean the Employee
Benefits Agreement of even date herewith between Forest and
Spinco.
Environmental Condition shall mean soil or water
contamination, other types of environmental damage or
contamination, or other consequences of releases of Hazardous
Materials in, on, under or migrating from the Spinco Assets, in
each case in violation of Environmental Law.
Environmental Law shall have the meaning specified
in the Merger Agreement.
Estimated Cash Amount shall have the meaning
specified in Section 4.1.
Exchange Act shall mean the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended, together with the rules and regulations of
the SEC promulgated thereunder.
Forest shall have the meaning specified in the
preamble hereof.
Forest Assets shall mean, collectively, all of the
right, title and interest of Forest and the Forest Subsidiaries
in all their respective assets and properties, tangible or
intangible, other than the Spinco Assets.
Forest Business shall mean all of the businesses and
operations conducted by Forest and the Forest Subsidiaries
(other than the Spinco Business) at any time, whether prior to,
on or after the Distribution Date.
Forest Common Stock shall have the meaning specified
in the Recitals hereof.
Forest Group shall mean Forest and the Forest
Subsidiaries.
Forest Indemnitees shall mean Forest, each Affiliate
of Forest immediately after the Distribution Date and each of
their respective present and former Representatives and each of
the heirs, executors, successors and assigns of any of the
foregoing.
Forest Liabilities shall mean, collectively,
(i) all Liabilities of Forest and all Liabilities of the
Forest Subsidiaries, including the Liabilities of Forest under
the Transaction Agreements, and (ii) all Liabilities set
forth on Section 1.1(C) of the Disclosure Schedule;
provided that Forest Liabilities shall not include the Spinco
Liabilities.
Forest Subsidiaries shall mean all direct and
indirect Subsidiaries of Forest immediately after the
Distribution Date.
GAAP shall have the meaning specified in the Merger
Agreement.
Governmental Authority shall have the meaning
specified in the Merger Agreement.
Group shall mean the Forest Group or the Spinco
Group, as the case may be.
Hazardous Material shall have the meaning specified
in the Merger Agreement.
Annex C-4
Indemnifiable Losses shall mean all Losses,
Liabilities, damages, claims, demands, judgments or settlements
of any nature or kind, including all reasonable costs and
expenses (legal, accounting or otherwise as such costs are
incurred) relating thereto, suffered by an Indemnitee, including
any reasonable costs or expenses of enforcing any indemnity
hereunder.
Indemnifying Party shall mean a Person that is
obligated under this Agreement to provide indemnification.
Indemnitee shall mean a Person that may seek
indemnification under this Agreement.
Independent Accounting Firm shall mean Grant
Thornton or BDO Seidman, LLP or, if either of such firms is not
independent and available, such other independent accounting
firm of national reputation mutually acceptable to Forest and
Spinco (or, if Forest and Spinco are unable to agree upon such a
firm, then either party shall select one such firm and those two
firms shall select a third firm, in which event
Independent Accounting Firm shall mean such third
firm).
Information shall mean all records, books,
contracts, instruments, computer data and other data and
information.
Knowledge of any Person or person shall mean the
knowledge after due inquiry of the executive officers of such
Person (including, with respect to Forests or
Spincos knowledge, the head of the Spinco Business unit).
Liability or Liabilities shall mean all
debts, liabilities and obligations whether absolute or
contingent, matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated,
accrued or unaccrued, known or unknown, whenever arising, and
whether or not the same would properly be reflected on a balance
sheet.
Liens shall have the meaning specified in the Merger
Agreement.
Litigation Matters shall mean actual, threatened or
future litigation, investigations, claims or other legal matters
that have been or may be asserted against, or otherwise
adversely affect, Forest and/or Spinco (or members of either
Group).
Losses shall have the meaning specified in the
Merger Agreement.
Material Adverse Effect shall have the meaning
specified in the Merger Agreement.
Measurement Date shall mean 12:01 a.m. Central
time on July 1, 2005.
Measurement Period shall mean the period from the
Measurement Date through the Distribution Date.
Merger shall have the meaning specified in the
preamble hereof.
Merger Agreement shall have the meaning specified in
the Recitals hereof.
Occurrence Basis Policies shall have the meaning
specified in Section 6.6(a).
Offshore Gulf of Mexico shall have the meaning
specified in the Merger Agreement.
Permitted Liens shall have the meaning specified in
the Merger Agreement.
Person or person shall mean a natural person,
corporation, company, partnership, limited partnership, limited
liability company, or any other entity, including a Governmental
Authority.
Policies shall mean all insurance policies,
insurance contracts and claim administration contracts of any
kind of Forest and its Subsidiaries (including members of the
Spinco Group) and their predecessors which were or are in effect
at any time at or prior to the Distribution Date, including
primary, excess and umbrella, commercial general liability,
fiduciary liability, product liability, automobile, aircraft,
property and casualty, business interruption, directors and
officers liability, employment practices liability,
workers compensation, crime, errors and omissions, special
accident, cargo, employee dishonesty and operators extra
expense
Annex C-5
insurance policies and captive insurance company arrangements,
together with all rights, benefits and privileges thereunder.
Privileged Information shall mean, with respect to
either Group, Information regarding a member of such Group, or
any of its operations, Assets or Liabilities (whether in
documents or stored in any other form or known to its employees
or agents) that is or may be protected from disclosure pursuant
to the attorney-client privilege, the work product doctrine or
another applicable privilege, that a member of the other Group
may come into possession of or obtain access to pursuant to this
Agreement or otherwise.
Reconciliation Statement shall have the meaning
specified in Section 4.2.
Record Date shall mean the close of business on the
date to be determined by the Board of Directors of Forest as the
record date for determining stockholders of Forest entitled to
receive the Distribution, which date shall be a business day
preceding the day of the Effective Time.
Registration Statements shall mean the Registration
Statement on Form 10 (or, if such form is not appropriate,
the appropriate form pursuant to the Exchange Act) to be filed
by Spinco with the SEC to effect the registration of the Spinco
Common Stock pursuant to the Exchange Act in connection with the
Distribution, the Registration Statement on
Form S-4 to be
filed by the Company with the SEC to effect the registration
under the Securities Act of the issuance of the shares of
Company Common Stock into which shares of Spinco Common Stock
will be converted pursuant to the Merger and the Registration
Statement on
Form S-1 to be
filed by the Company with the SEC to effect the registration
under the Securities Act of the resale of the shares of Company
Common Stock by certain selling stockholders.
Representative shall mean, with respect to any
Person, any of such Persons directors, officers,
employees, agents, consultants, advisors, accountants, attorneys
and representatives.
Requisite Approval shall have the meaning specified
in the Merger Agreement.
Retention Benefits shall have the meaning specified
in the Merger Agreement.
Review Period shall have the meaning specified in
Section 4.2.
SEC shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission.
Securities Act shall mean the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, together with the rules and regulations of the
SEC promulgated thereunder.
Spinco shall have the meaning specified in the
preamble hereof.
Spinco Assets shall mean, collectively, all of the
right, title and interest of Forest and the Forest Subsidiaries
prior to the Contribution in and to:
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(a) (i) all real property interests of Forest and the
Forest Subsidiaries in the Offshore Gulf of Mexico, including
without limitation the leasehold estates in and to the oil, gas
and mineral leases described on Schedule 1.1(D)(a)(i) (and
any extensions, renewals, |
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ratifications or amendments to such interests whether or not
such extensions, renewals, ratifications or amendments are
described on Schedule 1.1(D)(a)(i) (collectively, the
Properties, or singularly, a Property)),
(ii) the overriding royalty interests and reversionary
interests described on Schedule 1.1(D)(a)(ii) and
(iii) the other assets described on
Schedule 1.1(D)(a)(iii); |
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(b) all real or immovable property and rights incident to
or used in conjunction with the Properties, including
(i) all rights with respect to the use and occupation of
the surface of and the subsurface depths under the Properties;
(ii) all rights with respect to any pooled, communitized or
unitized acreage by virtue of any Property being a part thereof,
including all production from such pool or unit allocated to any
such Property; (iii) all platforms, pipelines and
improvements located or situated on, related to, or used in
connection with the Properties; and (iv) all surplus,
materials stocks and inventory listed on
Schedule 1.1(D)(b)(iv); |
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(c) all Easements to the extent related to or used in
connection with the Properties; |
Annex C-6
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(d) all oil, gas, condensate and other hydrocarbons
produced from or attributable to the Properties from and after
the Measurement Date or in storage on the Measurement Date (the
Hydrocarbons) and all equipment, personal or movable
property, fixtures, inventory and improvements located on or to
the extent reasonably necessary in connection with the operation
of the Properties and the Easements or with the production,
treatment, sale, or disposal of the Hydrocarbons, byproducts or
waste produced therefrom or attributable thereto, including all
wells (whether producing, shut in or abandoned, and whether for
production, injection or disposal), wellhead equipment, pumps,
pumping units, flowlines, gathering systems, interests in
processing plants, platforms, pipelines, vessels, computer
software and hardware, piping, tanks, buildings, boat docks,
treatment facilities, injection facilities, disposal facilities,
compression facilities, spare parts, tools, production units,
heaters, separators, dehydrators, tank batteries, abandoned
property, offices and office equipment and supplies at
Forests Metairie and Lafayette offices, and other
materials, supplies, equipment, facilities, appurtenances and
machinery; |
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(e) all contracts and instruments, including but not
limited to those listed on Schedule 1.1(D)(e)(i), to the
extent the same relate to the Properties after the Measurement
Date (collectively, the Contracts); |
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(f) any and all books and records (including without
limitation those referred to in Section 7.1), files,
muniments of title, reports, intellectual property (including
without limitation patents, trade secrets and copyrights), state
and MMS compliance information, logs core samples, geological,
geophysical (to the extent not subject to third party consents
or restriction on transfer) and engineering data and information
(including blueprints, maps, diagrams, annotated logs, cross
sections and all data room material) and interpretive data,
analysis and similar information, whether or not of a
proprietary nature (including without limitation seismic
processing methods) to the extent related to the Properties; |
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(g) the rights of Spinco and its Subsidiaries under this
Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements; |
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(h) all noncash consideration of any sale after the
Measurement Date of property, plant and equipment related to the
assets described in paragraphs (a) through
(g) above; |
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(i) any and all proceeds, benefits, refunds, settlements,
income or revenue accruing and attributable to the Spinco Assets
prior to the Measurement Date to the extent they are in
connection with any Assumed Abandonment Liability, any Assumed
Environmental Liability or any Assumed Derivative Liability; |
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(j) any and all proceeds from the settlements of contract
disputes with purchasers of Hydrocarbons or byproducts from the
Properties, insofar as said disputes are attributable to periods
after the Measurement Date; |
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(k) any and all rights, titles, claims and interests of
Forest and its Subsidiaries to or under any policy or agreement
of insurance or indemnity, any bond, or to any insurance
proceeds or awards, to the extent attributable to
pre-Measurement Date events and to the extent they are in
connection with any Assumed Abandonment Liability or any Assumed
Environmental Liability; |
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(l) any and all claims and causes of action of Forest and
its Subsidiaries arising from acts, omissions or events, or
damages to or destruction of property, occurring prior to the
Measurement Date to the extent they are in connection with any
Assumed Abandonment Liability or any Assumed Environmental
Liability; and |
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(m) all accounts receivable, inventories and other current
assets (other than cash) attributable to the assets described in
paragraphs (a) through (l) above from and after
the Measurement Date. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Spinco Assets shall not
include, and there is excepted, reserved and excluded from the
Contribution contemplated hereby: (a) those certain
interests in and to the Properties described on
Schedule 1.1(D)(x) and the assets described in
paragraphs (b) through (i) above related to such
Properties (the Excluded Properties), (b) all
furniture, fixtures and equipment located in and all contracts
relating to, Forests office at 707 Seventeenth Street,
Suite 3600, Denver, Colorado 80202,
Annex C-7
(c) subject to Section 7.1, all corporate, financial,
legal and Tax records of Forest and the Forest Subsidiaries
which are related to the Forest Business, (d) any and all
business models, analyses, memoranda or similar documents
generated by Forest or its advisers during or in the context of
the consideration, negotiations or approvals of any of the
Transaction Agreements, (e) any and all proceeds, benefits,
refunds, settlements, income or revenue accruing and
attributable to the Spinco Assets prior to the Measurement Date
(other than in connection with any Assumed Abandonment
Liability, any Assumed Environmental Liability or any Assumed
Derivative Liability), (f) any and all claims of Forest and
its Subsidiaries for refunds of or loss carry forwards with
respect to Taxes attributable to the Spinco Assets for any
period prior to the Distribution Date, (g) any and all
proceeds from the settlements of contract disputes with
purchasers of Hydrocarbons or byproducts from the Properties,
insofar as said disputes are attributable to periods prior to
the Measurement Date, (h) any and all rights to use
Forests name, marks trade dress or insignia, or to use the
name of any other Forest Subsidiary, (i) any and all
rights, titles, claims and interests of Forest and the Forest
Subsidiaries to or under any policy or agreement of insurance or
indemnity, any bond, or to any insurance proceeds or awards, to
the extent attributable to pre-Measurement Date events and to
the extent that Forest has remediated or otherwise resolved
without liability to Spinco any associated Spinco Liability
(other than in connection with any Assumed Abandonment Liability
or any Assumed Environmental Liability), (j) any
employment, consulting, office lease or accounting service
contracts listed on Schedule 1.1(D)(y), and (k) any
and all claims and causes of action of Forest and the Forest
Subsidiaries arising from acts, omissions or events, or damages
to or destruction of property, occurring prior to the
Measurement Date (other than in connection with any Assumed
Abandonment Liability or any Assumed Environmental Liability).
Spinco Business shall mean the business conducted by
Forest and its Subsidiaries on the Measurement Date related to
the Spinco Assets.
Spinco Common Stock shall have the meaning specified
in the Recitals hereof.
Spinco Disclosure Schedule shall have the meaning
specified in the Merger Agreement.
Spinco Group shall mean Spinco and the Spinco
Subsidiaries.
Spinco Indemnitees shall mean Spinco, the Company,
each Affiliate of Spinco and the Company immediately after the
Distribution Date and each of their respective present and
former Representatives and each of the heirs, executors,
successors and assigns of any of the foregoing.
Spinco Liabilities shall mean (i) all
Liabilities of the Spinco Business to the extent arising after
the Measurement Date and attributable to the conduct of the
Spinco Business after the Measurement Date, including without
limitation the liabilities of Spinco under the Transaction
Agreements, (ii) the Assumed Environmental Liabilities,
(iii) the Assumed Abandonment Liabilities and (iv) the
Assumed Derivative Liabilities, but excluding (x) Taxes
(which shall be governed by the Tax Sharing Agreement) and
(y) the Liabilities set forth on Schedule 1.1(E).
Spinco Subsidiaries shall mean all direct and
indirect Subsidiaries of Spinco.
Subsidiary shall have the meaning specified in the
Merger Agreement.
Taxes shall mean all taxes, charges, fees, duties,
levies, imposts, rates or other assessments imposed by any
federal, state, local or foreign Taxing Authority, including,
but not limited to, income, gross receipts, excise, property,
sales, use, license, capital stock, transfer, franchise,
payroll, withholding, social security, value added or other
taxes (including any interest, penalties or additions
attributable thereto); and Tax shall mean any of
such Taxes.
Tax Sharing Agreement shall mean the Tax Sharing
Agreement of even date herewith among Forest, Spinco and the
Company.
Taxing Authority shall mean any Governmental
Authority or any quasi-governmental or private body having
jurisdiction over the assessment, determination, collection or
imposition of any Tax (including the United States Internal
Revenue Service or any successor thereto, including, but not
limited to its agents, representatives and attorneys).
Annex C-8
Third-Party Claim shall mean any claim, suit,
derivative suit, arbitration, inquiry, proceeding or
investigation by or before any court, any governmental or other
regulatory or administrative agency or commission or any
arbitration tribunal asserted by a Person who or which is
neither a party hereto nor an Affiliate of a party hereto.
Transaction Agreements shall mean this Agreement,
the Employee Benefits Agreement, the Merger Agreement, the Tax
Sharing Agreement and the Transition Services Agreement.
Transition Services Agreement shall mean the
Transition Services Agreement of even date herewith between
Forest and Spinco.
Section 1.2 References
to Time. All references in this Agreement to times of the
day shall be to New York City time.
ARTICLE II
PRELIMINARY TRANSACTIONS
Section 2.1 Business
Separation.
(a) On or prior to the Distribution Date, Forest shall take
or cause to be taken all actions necessary to cause the
transfer, assignment, delivery and conveyance to Spinco of all
of the Spinco Assets, free and clear of all Liens other than
Permitted Liens, and Spinco shall assume, and thereafter timely
pay, perform and discharge when due, all of the Spinco
Liabilities.
(b) The separation of the Forest Assets and the Spinco
Assets, as contemplated by this Agreement shall be effected in a
manner that does not unreasonably disrupt either the Forest
Business or the Spinco Business. Subject to Section 2.6, to
the extent the separation of any of the Assets cannot be
achieved in a reasonably practicable manner, Spinco and Forest
will enter into appropriate arrangements regarding the shared
Asset, subject to Company Consent not to be unreasonably
withheld. Any costs related to the use of a shared Asset that is
not separated as of the Distribution Date shall be allocated in
a reasonable manner as agreed by Spinco and Forest, subject to
Company Consent not to be unreasonably withheld.
(c) On or prior to the Distribution Date, Forest and Spinco
will use their commercially reasonable efforts to amend, in form
and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company, all
contractual arrangements between or among Forest, Spinco, their
respective Affiliates and any other Person (other than the
contractual arrangements relating to the Distribution and the
Merger) that either (i) relate to the Forest Business but
relate predominantly to the Spinco Business or (ii) relate
solely to the Spinco Business, but, by their terms, contain
provisions relating to a member of the Forest Group, so that,
after the Distribution Date, such contractual arrangements
(x) will relate solely to the Spinco Business and
(y) will eliminate any provisions relating to a member of
the Forest Group and, in either event, will inure to the benefit
of the Spinco Group on substantially the same economic terms as
such arrangements exist as of the date hereof. On or prior to
the Distribution Date, Forest and Spinco will use their
commercially reasonable efforts to amend, in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Company, all contractual
arrangements between or among Forest, Spinco, their respective
Affiliates and any other Person (other than the contractual
arrangements relating to the Distribution and the Merger) that
either (i) relate to the Spinco Business but relate
predominantly to the Forest Business or (ii) relate solely
to the Forest Business, but, by their terms, contain provisions
relating to a member of the Spinco Group, so that, after the
Distribution Date, such contractual arrangements (x) will
relate solely to the Forest Business and (y) will eliminate
any provisions relating to a member of the Spinco Group and, in
either event, will inure to the benefit of the Forest Group on
substantially the same economic terms as such arrangements exist
as of the date hereof. If, in any case, such amendment cannot be
obtained, or if an attempted amendment thereof would be
ineffective or would adversely affect the rights of Forest or
Spinco thereunder, Forest and Spinco will, subject to
Section 2.6, cooperate in negotiating a mutually agreeable
arrangement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
the Company, under which Forest or Spinco, as applicable, will
obtain the benefits and assume the obligations thereunder.
Annex C-9
(d) Forest hereby represents and warrants to Spinco and the
Company that at the time of the Distribution and at the
Measurement Date, the Spinco Assets, together with the Assets
set forth on Schedule 1.1(D)(x), constitute all of
Forests, Spincos and their respective
Subsidiaries business and assets in the Offshore Gulf of
Mexico and property related thereto, and Forest, Spinco or such
Subsidiary owns the Spinco Assets free and clear of all Liens
other than Permitted Liens.
Section 2.2 Conveyancing
and Assumption Agreements. In connection with the transfer
of the Spinco Assets and the assumption of the Spinco
Liabilities contemplated by Section 2.1, Forest and Spinco
shall execute, or cause to be executed by the appropriate
entities, conveyancing and assumption instruments in such forms
(as special warranty deeds, where applicable) as shall be
reasonably acceptable to Forest, Spinco and the Company.
Section 2.3 Certificate
of Incorporation; By-laws. The Certificate of Incorporation
and Bylaws of Spinco immediately prior to the Distribution Date
will be in the forms attached as Exhibits A and
B, respectively.
Section 2.4 Issuance
of Stock. Prior to the Distribution Date, the parties hereto
shall take all steps necessary so that the number of shares of
Spinco Common Stock outstanding and held by Forest shall equal
50,637,010; provided, however, that if the condition described
in Section 4.2 of the Spinco Disclosure Schedule has not
been satisfied, such number of shares shall equal 51,368,707.
Section 2.5 Other
Agreements. Each of Forest and Spinco shall, prior to the
Distribution Date, enter into, and cause the appropriate members
of the Group of which it is a member to enter into, the other
Transaction Agreements.
Section 2.6 Transfers
Not Effected Prior to the Distribution; Transfers Deemed
Effective as of the Distribution Date. To the extent that
any transfers contemplated by this Article II shall not
have been consummated on or prior to the Distribution Date, the
parties shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to
effect such transfers as promptly following the Distribution
Date as shall be practicable. Nothing herein shall be deemed to
require the transfer of any Assets or the assumption of any
Liabilities which by their terms or operation of law cannot be
transferred or assumed; provided, however, that Forest and
Spinco shall and shall cause their respective Subsidiaries to
use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any necessary
consents or approvals for the transfer of all Assets and the
assumption of all Liabilities contemplated to be transferred or
assumed pursuant to this Article II. In the event that any
such transfer of Assets or assumption of Liabilities has not
been consummated, effective on or before the Distribution Date,
the party retaining such Asset or Liability shall thereafter
hold such Asset in trust for the use and benefit of the party
entitled thereto (at the expense of the party entitled thereto)
and retain such Liability for the account of the party by whom
such Liability is to be assumed pursuant hereto, and take such
other action as may be reasonably requested by the party to
which such Asset is to be transferred, or by whom such Liability
is to be assumed, as the case may be, in order to place such
party, to the extent reasonably possible, in the same position
as would have existed had such Asset or Liability been
transferred or assumed as contemplated hereby. As and when any
such Asset becomes transferable or such Liability can be
assumed, such transfer or assumption shall be effected
forthwith. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the
parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to allow
Spinco or the Company to retain operatorship of any Property or
other Spinco Asset following the Distribution Date. Subject to
the foregoing, the parties agree that, as of the Distribution
Date (or such earlier time as any such Asset may have been
acquired or Liability assumed), each party hereto shall be
deemed to have acquired complete and sole beneficial ownership
over all of the Assets, together with all rights, powers and
privileges incident thereto, and shall be deemed to have assumed
in accordance with the terms of this Agreement all of the
Liabilities, and all duties, obligations and responsibilities
incident thereto, which such party is entitled to acquire or
required to assume pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. If
the transfer of any seismic licenses to Spinco in connection
with the Contribution is subject to a transfer, assignment or
consent fee, Forest and the Forest Subsidiaries shall provide
notice to Spinco and the Company of the existence of such fee
and, if requested by the Company, shall cooperate reasonably
(without the obligation to incur any expense) with Spinco and
the Company to minimize the amount of such fee, which shall (if
such transfer was requested by the Company) be paid by Spinco.
Spinco shall not, without Company Consent, bear
Annex C-10
the costs of any transfer, assignment or consent fees, or fees
in connection with filings with the MMS or with any state agency
or authority, in connection with the transfer of any Spinco
Assets in the Contribution, other than seismic licenses as
provided in the immediately preceding sentence; and other than
any transfer, assignment or consent fees payable to any Taxing
Authority, which shall be governed by the Tax Sharing Agreement.
Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, with
respect to all seismic licenses for which the Company does not
request that Spinco pay an applicable transfer, assignment or
consent fee or that cannot otherwise be transferred to Spinco in
accordance with this Section 2.6, Forest shall retain all
rights a nd obligations under such seismic licenses and shall
owe no further obligation to the Company or Spinco with respect
thereto. Further, notwithstanding any other provision in this
Agreement, with respect to computer software that Forest
currently uses for any of the Forest Assets, Forest shall not be
obligated to transfer such software to Spinco to the extent such
transfer would adversely affect Forests ability to
continue use of such software for the Forest Assets. The parties
acknowledge and agree that the payment of any transfer or
assignment fees by Forest, Spinco, the Company or any of their
respective Subsidiaries in connection with the transfer of any
assets to Spinco or in connection with the Merger shall not
constitute costs and expenses incurred in connection with the
Transaction Agreements and the transactions contemplated thereby
for purposes of paragraph (xi) of the definition of
Cash Amount.
ARTICLE III
THE DISTRIBUTION
Section 3.1 Record
Date and Distribution Date. Subject to the satisfaction of
the conditions set forth in Section 9.1, the Board of
Directors of Forest, consistent with the Merger Agreement and
New York law, shall establish the Record Date and the
Distribution Date and any appropriate procedures in connection
with the Distribution. The Distribution Date shall be no earlier
than the Business Day on which the Effective Time occurs.
Section 3.2 The
Agent. Prior to the Distribution Date, Forest shall enter
into an agreement with the Agent providing for, among other
things, the Distribution to the holders of Forest Common Stock
in accordance with this Article III.
Section 3.3 Delivery
of Share Certificates to the Agent. Prior to the
Distribution Date, Forest shall deliver to the Agent a share
certificate representing (or authorize the related book-entry
transfer of) all of the outstanding shares of Spinco Common
Stock to be distributed in connection with the Distribution.
After the Distribution Date and Effective Time, upon the request
of the Agent, Spinco shall provide all certificates for shares
(or book-entry transfer authorizations) of Spinco Common Stock
that the Agent shall require in order to effect the Distribution.
Section 3.4 The
Distribution.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
Spinco shall instruct the Agent to distribute on a pro rata
basis, as of the Distribution Date, a total of
50,637,010 shares of Spinco Common Stock in respect of the
outstanding shares of Forest Common Stock held by holders of
record of Forest Common Stock on the Record Date; provided,
however, that if the condition described in Section 4.2 of
the Spinco Disclosure Schedule has not been satisfied, such
number of shares shall equal 51,368,707. All shares of Spinco
Common Stock distributed in the Distribution shall be duly
authorized, validly issued, fully paid, non-assessable and free
of preemptive rights.
(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no
certificate or scrip representing fractional shares of Spinco
Common Stock shall be distributed in the Distribution. All
fractional shares of Spinco Common Stock that a holder of Forest
Common Stock would otherwise be entitled to receive as a result
of the Distribution shall be aggregated and if a fractional
share results from such aggregation, such fractional share shall
be treated in accordance with the procedure set forth in the
following sentence. Spinco shall instruct the Agent to aggregate
all fractional shares of Spinco Common Stock, sell such shares
in the public market and distribute to holders of Forest Common
Stock who otherwise would have been entitled to such fractional
shares of Spinco Common Stock a pro rata portion of the net
proceeds of such sale.
Annex C-11
(c) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
on the Distribution Date and in connection with the
Contribution, Spinco shall pay to Forest the Estimated Cash
Amount determined pursuant to Section 4.1 (if such amount
is positive), or Forest shall pay to Spinco the Estimated Cash
Amount determined pursuant to Section 4.1 (if such amount
is negative), in either case by wire transfer in immediately
available funds to a bank previously designated by the payee.
ARTICLE IV
CASH AMOUNT
Section 4.1 Estimated
Cash Amount. At least ten (10) Business Days prior to
the Distribution Date, Forest shall prepare and deliver to the
Company a calculation of Forests estimate of the Cash
Amount (the Estimated Cash Amount), together with a
statement setting forth in reasonable detail the basis and
calculation thereof.
Section 4.2 Actual
Cash Amount. On or prior to the sixtieth (60th) calendar day
after the Distribution Date, Forest shall prepare and deliver to
Spinco and the Company a revised calculation of the Cash Amount
based to the extent applicable on the actual operations of
Spinco during the Measurement Period (the Actual Cash
Amount), together with a statement setting forth in
reasonable detail the basis and calculation thereof. In
preparing the Actual Cash Amount, Forest shall consult with the
Company and its Representatives. During the ninety
(90) calendar days after receipt by Spinco of the Actual
Cash Amount statement (the Review Period), Spinco
shall review the Actual Cash Amount statement in order to
determine whether the Actual Cash Amount statement should be
adjusted. If Spinco so determines, Spinco shall, within five
(5) Business Days after the end of the Review Period,
deliver to Forest a reconciliation of the calculation of the
Actual Cash Amount to Spincos proposed adjustment (the
Reconciliation Statement), together with a statement
setting forth in reasonable detail the basis of its calculation.
Unless Forest delivers the Dispute Notification referred to in
Section 4.4 below, the Reconciliation Statement shall be
deemed to be final, binding and conclusive on the parties hereto.
Section 4.3 Incremental
Tax Amount. On or prior to June 30, 2006, Forest shall
prepare and deliver to Spinco and the Company a calculation of
estimated income taxes included in the calculation of the Actual
Cash Amount, revised only to reflect actual depreciation,
depletion, and amortization deductions to be claimed by Forest
with respect to Spinco Assets during the Measurement Period,
together with a statement setting forth in reasonable detail the
basis and calculation thereof. Within 15 Business Days of
receipt of the calculation, (a) if the revised calculation
exceeds the hypothetical income taxes included in the
calculation of the Actual Cash Amount, then Spinco shall pay to
Forest an amount equal to such excess and (b) if the
revised calculation is less than the hypothetical income taxes
included in the calculation of the Actual Cash Amount, then
Forest shall pay to Spinco an amount equal to such difference.
In either case, payment shall be made in cash by wire transfer
in immediately available funds to a bank previously designated
by Forest or Spinco, as the case may be.
Section 4.4 Dispute
Resolution Procedure. Within five (5) Business Days
after receipt of the Reconciliation Statement, Forest shall
notify Spinco of any dispute thereof, specifying the amount in
dispute thereof and, in reasonable detail, the basis for and its
calculation thereof (the Dispute Notification).
Thereafter, Forest and Spinco shall attempt to resolve the
dispute, and any such resolution shall be final, binding and
conclusive on the parties hereto. If Forest and Spinco are
unable to reach a resolution within thirty (30) Business
Days after the receipt by Spinco of the Dispute Notification,
Forest and Spinco shall submit the items remaining in dispute
for resolution to the Independent Accounting Firm. The
Independent Accounting Firm shall, within thirty
(30) Business Days after such submission, determine and
report to Forest and Spinco upon such remaining disputed items,
and such report shall be final, binding and conclusive on the
parties hereto. The fees and disbursement of the Independent
Accounting Firm shall be allocated between Forest and Spinco in
the same proportion that the aggregate amount of such remaining
disputed items so submitted to the Independent Accounting Firm
that is unsuccessfully disputed by each such party (as finally
determined by the Independent Accounting Firm) bears to the
total amount of such remaining disputed items so submitted.
Annex C-12
Section 4.5 Payment
of Cash Amount. Not later than three (3) Business Days
following the date on which the Cash Amount is deemed to be
final, binding and conclusive, (a) if the Cash Amount
exceeds the Estimated Cash Amount, then Spinco shall pay to
Forest an amount equal to such excess, with interest accrued
thereon from the Distribution Date to the payment date at the
rate of 6.5% per annum, and (b) if the Cash Amount is
less than the Estimated Cash Amount, then Forest shall pay to
Spinco an amount equal to such difference, with interest accrued
thereon from the Distribution Date to the payment date at the
rate of 6.5% per annum, in either case in cash by wire
transfer in immediately available funds to a bank previously
designated by Forest or Spinco, as the case may be.
ARTICLE V
SURVIVAL AND INDEMNIFICATION
Section 5.1 Survival
of Agreements. All representations, warranties, covenants
and agreements of the parties hereto contained in this Agreement
shall survive the Distribution Date.
Section 5.2 Indemnification.
(a) Except as specifically otherwise provided in the other
Transaction Agreements, Spinco shall indemnify, defend and hold
harmless the Forest Indemnitees from and against all
Indemnifiable Losses arising out of or due to the failure of any
member of the Spinco Group (i) to pay or satisfy any Spinco
Liabilities, whether such Indemnifiable Losses relate to events,
occurrences or circumstances occurring or existing, or whether
such Indemnifiable Losses are asserted, before, on or after the
Distribution Date, or (ii) to perform any of its
obligations under this Agreement.
(b) Except as specifically otherwise provided in the other
Transaction Agreements, Forest shall indemnify, defend and hold
harmless the Spinco Indemnitees from and against all
Indemnifiable Losses arising out of or due to the failure of any
member of the Forest Group (i) to pay or satisfy any Forest
Liabilities, whether such Indemnifiable Losses relate to events,
occurrences or circumstances occurring or existing, or whether
such Indemnifiable Losses are asserted, before, on or after the
Distribution Date, (ii) to transfer to Spinco or any member
of the Spinco Group all of the Spinco Assets, or (iii) to
perform any of its obligations under this Agreement. In addition
to and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Forest
shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Spinco Indemnitees
from and against all Indemnifiable Losses (including
Indemnifiable Losses arising from the Spinco Indemnitees
efforts to collect from other potentially responsible parties)
in excess of $10.0 million in the aggregate, as actually
incurred by Spinco, arising in connection with the conditions
described in clauses (ii) and (iv) of
Section 4.10 of the Spinco Disclosure Schedule, provided
that Spinco shall have used commercially reasonable efforts to
collect from other potentially responsible parties their share
of costs associated with such conditions, including without
limitation the pursuit of litigation against such potentially
responsible parties at Forests reasonable request.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth
herein, indemnification relating to any arrangements between any
member of the Forest Group and any member of the Spinco Group
(which arrangements, if entered into on or after the date
hereof, shall have been executed subject to Company Consent) for
the provision after the Distribution Date of goods and services
in the ordinary course shall be governed by the terms of such
arrangements and not by this Section or as otherwise set forth
in this Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements.
(d) Indemnification for matters subject to the Tax Sharing
Agreement is governed by the terms, provisions and procedures of
the Tax Sharing Agreement and not by this Article V.
Section 5.3 Procedures
for Indemnification for Third-Party Claims.
(a) Forest shall, and shall cause the other Forest
Indemnitees to, notify Spinco in writing promptly after learning
of any Third-Party Claim for which any Forest Indemnitee intends
to seek indemnification from Spinco under this Agreement. Spinco
shall, and shall cause the other Spinco Indemnitees to, notify
Forest in writing promptly after learning of any Third-Party
Claim for which any Spinco Indemnitee intends to seek
indemnification from Forest under this Agreement. The failure of
any Indemnitee to give such notice shall not
Annex C-13
relieve any Indemnifying Party of its obligations under this
Article V except to the extent that such Indemnifying Party
is actually prejudiced by such failure to give notice. Such
notice shall describe such Third-Party Claim in reasonable
detail considering the Information provided to the Indemnitee
and shall indicate the amount (estimated if necessary) of the
Indemnifiable Loss that has been claimed against or may be
sustained by such Indemnitee.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in
paragraph (c) of this Section 5.3, an
Indemnifying Party may, by notice to the Indemnitee and to
Forest, if Spinco is the Indemnifying Party, or to the
Indemnitee and Spinco, if Forest is the Indemnifying Party, at
any time after receipt by such Indemnifying Party of such
Indemnitees notice of a Third-Party Claim, undertake
(itself or through another member of the Group of which the
Indemnifying Party is a member) the defense or settlement of
such Third-Party Claim, at such Indemnifying Partys own
expense and by counsel reasonably satisfactory to the
Indemnitee. If an Indemnifying Party undertakes the defense of
any Third-Party Claim, such Indemnifying Party shall control the
investigation and defense or settlement thereof, and the
Indemnitee may not settle or compromise such Third-Party Claim,
except that such Indemnifying Party shall not (i) require
any Indemnitee, without its prior written consent, to take or
refrain from taking any action in connection with such
Third-Party Claim, or make any public statement, which such
Indemnitee reasonably considers to be against its interests, or
(ii) without the prior written consent of the Indemnitee
and of Forest, if the Indemnitee is a Forest Indemnitee, or the
Indemnitee and of Spinco, if the Indemnitee is a Spinco
Indemnitee, consent to any settlement that does not include as a
part thereof an unconditional release of the relevant
Indemnitees from liability with respect to such Third-Party
Claim or that requires the Indemnitee or any of its
Representatives or Affiliates to make any payment that is not
fully indemnified under this Agreement or to be subject to any
non-monetary remedy. Subject to the Indemnifying Partys
control rights, as specified herein, the Indemnitees may
participate in such investigation and defense, at their own
expense. Following the provision of notices to the Indemnifying
Party, until such time as an Indemnifying Party has undertaken
the defense of any Third-Party Claim as provided herein, such
Indemnitee shall control the investigation and defense or
settlement thereof, without prejudice to its right to seek
indemnification hereunder.
(c) If an Indemnitee reasonably determines that there may
be legal defenses available to it that are different from or in
addition to those available to its Indemnifying Party which make
it inappropriate for the Indemnifying Party to undertake the
defense or settlement thereof, then such Indemnifying Party
shall not be entitled to undertake the defense or settlement of
such Third-Party Claim; and counsel for the Indemnifying Party
shall be entitled to conduct the defense of such Indemnifying
Party and counsel for the Indemnitee (selected by the
Indemnitee) shall be entitled to conduct the defense of such
Indemnitee, in which case the reasonable fees, costs and
expenses of such counsel for the Indemnitee (but not more than
one counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnifying Party)
shall be paid by such Indemnifying Party, it being understood
that both such counsel shall cooperate with each other to
conduct the defense or settlement of such action as efficiently
as possible.
(d) In no event shall an Indemnifying Party be liable for
the fees and expenses of more than one counsel for all
Indemnitees (in addition to local counsel and its own counsel,
if any) in connection with any one action, or separate but
similar or related actions, in the same jurisdiction arising out
of the same general allegations or circumstances.
(e) If the Indemnifying Party undertakes the defense or
settlement of a Third-Party Claim, the Indemnitee shall make
available to the Indemnifying Party and its counsel all
information and documents reasonably available to it which
relate to any Third-Party Claim, and otherwise cooperate as may
reasonably be required in connection with the investigation,
defense and settlement thereof, subject to the terms and
conditions of a mutually acceptable joint defense agreement.
Section 5.4 Reductions
for Insurance Proceeds and Other Recoveries. The amount that
any Indemnifying Party is or may be required to pay to any
Indemnitee pursuant to this Article V shall be reduced
(retroactively or prospectively) by any insurance proceeds or
other amounts actually recovered from third parties by or on
behalf of such Indemnitee in respect of the related
Indemnifiable Losses. The existence of a claim by an Indemnitee
for insurance or against a third party in respect of any
Indemnifiable Loss shall not,
Annex C-14
however, delay or reduce any payment pursuant to the
indemnification provisions contained herein and otherwise
determined to be due and owing by an Indemnifying Party. Rather
the Indemnifying Party shall make payment in full of such amount
so determined to be due and owing by it and, if, and to the
extent that, there exists a claim against any third party (other
than an insurer) in respect of such Indemnifiable Loss, the
Indemnitee shall assign such claim against such third party to
the Indemnifying Party. Notwithstanding any other provisions of
this Agreement, it is the intention of the parties hereto that
no insurer or any other third party shall be (i) entitled
to a benefit it would not be entitled to receive in the absence
of the foregoing indemnification provisions or
(ii) relieved of the responsibility to pay any claims for
which it is obligated. If an Indemnitee shall have received the
payment required by this Agreement from an Indemnifying Party in
respect of any Indemnifiable Losses and shall subsequently
actually receive insurance proceeds or other amounts in respect
of such Indemnifiable Losses, then such Indemnitee shall hold
such insurance proceeds in trust for the benefit of such
Indemnifying Party and shall pay to such Indemnifying Party a
sum equal to the amount of such insurance proceeds or other
amounts actually received, up to the aggregate amount of any
payments received from such Indemnifying Party pursuant to this
Agreement in respect of such Indemnifiable Losses.
Section 5.5 Remedies
Cumulative. The remedies provided in this Article V
shall be cumulative and shall not preclude assertion by any
Indemnitee of any other rights or the seeking of any other
remedies against any Indemnifying Party. However, the procedures
set forth in Section 5.3 shall be the exclusive procedures
governing any indemnity action brought under this Agreement,
except as otherwise specifically provided in any of the other
Transaction Agreements.
Section 5.6 Tax
Treatment of Indemnity and Other Payments. For all Tax
purposes, the parties agree to treat any payment to the other
party required by this Agreement (including any payment with
respect to the Cash Amount) as either a contribution by Forest
to Spinco or a distribution by Spinco to Forest, as the case may
be, occurring immediately prior to the Distribution, except as
otherwise mandated by applicable law.
Section 5.7 Survival
of Indemnities. The obligations of each of Forest and Spinco
under this Article V shall survive the sale or other
transfer by it of any of its Assets or Business or the
assignment by it of any of its Liabilities, with respect to any
Indemnifiable Loss of the other related to such Assets, Business
or Liabilities.
ARTICLE VI
CERTAIN ADDITIONAL COVENANTS
Section 6.1 Notices
to Third Parties. In addition to the actions described in
Section 6.2, the members of the Forest Group and the
members of the Spinco Group shall cooperate to make all other
filings and give notice to and obtain consents from all third
parties that may reasonably be required to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other
Transaction Agreements, including, without limitation, to cause
a member of the Spinco Group to succeed Forest as operator of
any of the Spinco Assets (both of record and under contractual
arrangements).
Section 6.2 Licenses
and Permits. Each party hereto shall cause the appropriate
members of its Group to prepare and file with the appropriate
licensing and permitting authorities applications for the
transfer or issuance, as may be necessary or advisable in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
and the other Transaction Agreements, to its Group of all
material governmental licenses and permits required for the
members of its Group to operate its Business after the
Distribution Date. The members of the Spinco Group and the
members of the Forest Group shall cooperate and use commercially
reasonable efforts to secure the transfer or issuance of the
licenses and permits.
Section 6.3 Intercompany
Agreements. Except as set forth on Section 6.3 of the
Disclosure Schedule, all contracts, licenses, agreements,
commitments and other arrangements, formal and informal, between
any member of the Forest Group, on the one hand, and any member
of the Spinco Group, on the other hand, in existence as of the
Distribution Date, pursuant to which any member of either Group
makes
Annex C-15
payments in respect of Taxes to any member of the other Group or
provides to any member of the other Group goods or services
(including management, administrative, legal, financial,
accounting, data processing, insurance and technical support),
or the use of any Assets of any member of the other Group, or
the secondment of any employee, or pursuant to which rights,
privileges or benefits are afforded to members of either Group
as Affiliates of the other Group, shall terminate as of the
close of business on the day prior to the Distribution Date,
except as specifically provided herein or in the other
Transaction Agreements. From and after the Distribution Date, no
member of either Group shall have any rights under any such
contract, license, agreement, commitment or arrangement with any
member of the other Group, except as specifically provided
herein or in the other Transaction Agreements.
Section 6.4 Further
Assurances. In addition to the actions specifically provided
for elsewhere in this Agreement, each of the parties hereto
shall use commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause to
be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all
things reasonably necessary, proper or advisable under
applicable laws, regulations and agreements to consummate and
make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
and the other Transaction Agreements. Without limiting the
foregoing, each party hereto shall cooperate with the other
party, and execute and deliver, or use commercially reasonable
efforts to cause to be executed and delivered, all instruments,
and to make all filings with, and to obtain all consents,
approvals or authorizations of, any governmental or regulatory
authority or any other Person under any permit, license,
agreement, indenture or other instrument, and take all such
other actions as such party may reasonably be requested to take
by any other party hereto from time to time, consistent with the
terms of this Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements, in
order to effectuate the provisions and purposes of this
Agreement.
Section 6.5 Guarantee
Obligations and Liens.
(a) Forest and Spinco shall use their commercially
reasonable efforts, and shall cause their respective Groups to
use their commercially reasonable efforts: (x) to
terminate, or to cause a member of the Spinco Group to be
substituted in all respects for any member of the Forest Group
in respect of, all obligations of any member of the Forest Group
under any Spinco Liabilities for which such member of the Forest
Group may be liable, as guarantor, original tenant, primary
obligor or otherwise, and (y) to terminate, or to cause
Spinco Assets to be substituted in all respects for any Forest
Assets in respect of, any liens or encumbrances on Forest Assets
which are securing any Spinco Liabilities. If such a termination
or substitution is not effected by the Distribution Date:
(i) Spinco shall indemnify and hold harmless the Forest
Indemnitees for any Indemnifiable Loss arising from or relating
thereto, and (ii) without the prior written consent of
Forest, from and after the Distribution Date, Spinco shall not,
and shall not permit any member of the Spinco Group to, renew or
extend the term of, increase its obligations under, or transfer
to a third party, any loan, lease, contract or other obligation
for which a member of the Forest Group is or may be liable or
for which any Forest Asset is or may be encumbered unless all
obligations of the Forest Group and all liens and encumbrances
on any Forest Asset with respect thereto are thereupon
terminated by documentation reasonably satisfactory in form and
substance to Forest.
(b) Forest and Spinco shall use their commercially
reasonable efforts, and shall cause their respective Groups to
use their commercially reasonable efforts: (x) to
terminate, or to cause a member of the Forest Group to be
substituted in all respects for any member of Spinco Group in
respect of, all obligations of any member of the Spinco Group
under any Forest Liabilities for which such member of the Spinco
Group may be liable, as guarantor, original tenant, primary
obligor or otherwise, and (y) to terminate, or to cause
Forest Assets to be substituted in all respects for any Spinco
Assets in respect of, any liens or encumbrances on Spinco Assets
which are securing any Forest Liabilities. If such a termination
or substitution is not effected by the Distribution Date:
(i) Forest shall indemnify and hold harmless the Spinco
Indemnitees for any Indemnifiable Loss arising from or relating
thereto, and (ii) without the prior written consent of
Spinco, from and after the Distribution Date, Forest shall not,
and shall not permit any member of the Forest Group to, renew or
extend the term of, increase its obligations under, or transfer
to a third party, any loan, lease, contract or other obligation
for which a member of the Spinco Group is or may be liable or
for which any Spinco Asset is or may be encumbered unless all
obligations of the Spinco Group and all liens and encumbrances
on any Spinco Asset with respect thereto are thereupon
terminated by documentation reasonably satisfactory in form and
substance to Spinco.
Annex C-16
Section 6.6 Insurance.
(a) Rights Under Policies. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Agreement, from and after the Distribution
Date, Spinco and the Spinco Subsidiaries will have no rights
with respect to any Policies, except that (i) Forest will
use commercially reasonable efforts to assist Spinco in
asserting claims for any loss, liability or damage with respect
to the Spinco Assets or Spinco Liabilities under Policies with
third-party insurers which are occurrence basis
insurance policies (Occurrence Basis Policies)
arising out of insured incidents occurring from the date
coverage thereunder first commenced until the Distribution Date
to the extent that the terms and conditions of any such
Occurrence Basis Policies and agreements relating thereto so
allow and (ii) Forest will use commercially reasonable
efforts to assist Spinco to continue to prosecute claims with
respect to Spinco Assets or Spinco Liabilities properly asserted
with an insurer prior to the Distribution Date under Policies
with third-party insurers which are insurance policies written
on a claims made basis (Claims Made
Policies) arising out of insured incidents occurring from
the date coverage thereunder first commenced until the
Distribution Date to the extent that the terms and conditions of
any such Claims Made Policies and agreements relating thereto so
allow; provided, that in the case of both clauses (i) and
(ii) above, (A) all of Forests and each Forest
Subsidiarys reasonable costs and expenses incurred in
connection with the foregoing are promptly paid by Spinco,
(B) Forest and the Forest Subsidiaries may, at any time,
without liability or obligation to Spinco or any Spinco
Subsidiary (other than as set forth in Section 6.6(c)),
amend, commute, terminate, buy-out, extinguish liability under
or otherwise modify any Occurrence Basis Policies or Claims Made
Policies (and such claims shall be subject to any such
amendments, commutations, terminations, buy-outs,
extinguishments and modifications), and (C) any such claim
will be subject to all of the terms and conditions of the
applicable Policy. Forests obligation to use commercially
reasonable efforts to assist Spinco in asserting claims under
applicable Policies will include using commercially reasonable
efforts in assisting Spinco to establish its right to coverage
under such Policies (so long as all of Forests reasonable
costs and expenses in connection therewith are promptly paid by
Spinco). In the event that the terms and conditions of any
Policy do not allow Spinco the right to assert or prosecute a
claim as set forth in clause (i) or (ii) above, then
in such case, Forest shall use commercially reasonable efforts
to pursue such claim under such Policy and Spinco shall promptly
pay all of Forests and each Forest Subsidiarys
reasonable costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith.
(b) Assistance by Forest. Until the second
anniversary of the Distribution Date, Forest will use
commercially reasonable efforts to assist Spinco in connection
with any efforts by Spinco to acquire insurance coverage with
respect to the Spinco Business for incidents occurring prior to
the Distribution Date; provided, that all of Forests
reasonable costs and expenses incurred in connection with the
foregoing are promptly paid by Spinco.
(c) Forest Actions. In the event that after the
Distribution Date, Forest or any Forest Subsidiary proposes to
amend, commute, terminate, buy-out, extinguish liability under
or otherwise modify any Policies under which Spinco has rights
to assert claims pursuant to Section 6.6(a) in a manner
that would adversely affect any such rights of Spinco
(i) Forest will give Spinco prior written notice thereof
(it being understood that the decision to take any such action
will be in the sole discretion of Forest) and (ii) Forest
will pay to Spinco its equitable share (which shall be
determined by Forest in good faith based on the amount of
premiums paid or allocated to the Spinco business in respect of
the applicable Policy) of any net proceeds actually received by
Forest from the insurer under the applicable Policy as a result
of such action by Forest (after deducting Forests
reasonable costs and expenses incurred in connection with such
action).
(d) Administration. From and after the Distribution
Date:
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(i) Forest or a Forest Subsidiary, as appropriate, will be
responsible for the Claims Administration with respect to claims
of Forest and the Forest Subsidiaries under the
Policies; and |
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(ii) Spinco or a Spinco Subsidiary, as appropriate, will be
responsible for the Claims Administration with respect to claims
of Spinco and the Spinco Subsidiaries under the Policies. |
(e) Insurance Premiums. Subject to
clause (B) of the proviso to Section 6.6(a), from
and after the Distribution Date, Forest will pay, if so directed
by Spinco, all premiums (retrospectively-rated or otherwise)
Annex C-17
as required under the terms and conditions of the respective
Policies in respect of periods prior to the Distribution Date,
whereupon Spinco will upon the request of Forest, promptly
reimburse Forest for that portion of such premiums paid by
Forest as are reasonably determined by Forest (and reasonably
approved by Spinco) to be attributable to the Spinco Business.
(f) Agreement for Waiver of Conflict and Shared
Defense. In the event that a Policy provides coverage for
both Forest and/or a Forest Subsidiary, on the one hand, and
Spinco and/or a Spinco Subsidiary, on the other hand, relating
to the same occurrence, Forest and Spinco agree to defend
jointly and to waive any conflict of interest necessary to the
conduct of that joint defense.
(g) Nothing in this Section 6.6 will be construed to
limit or otherwise alter in any way the indemnity obligations of
the parties to this Agreement, including those created by this
Agreement, by operation of law or otherwise.
Section 6.7 Cooperation.
Spinco and its Affiliates shall cooperate and assist Forest, at
Forests expense, in all reasonable efforts by Forest to
pursue claims related to any gas imbalance at High Island 469.
ARTICLE VII
ACCESS TO INFORMATION
Section 7.1 Provision
of Corporate Records. Prior to or as promptly as practicable
after the Distribution Date, Forest shall deliver or make
available to Spinco all corporate books and records (including
Tax records) of the Spinco Group in its possession and complete
and accurate copies of all relevant portions of all corporate
books and records of the Forest Group relating directly and
predominantly to the Spinco Assets, the Spinco Business, or the
Spinco Liabilities. Forest may retain complete and accurate
copies of such books and records. From and after the
Distribution Date, all such books, records and copies shall be
the property of Spinco. Prior to or as promptly as practicable
after the Distribution Date, Spinco shall deliver or make
available to Forest all corporate books and records (including
Tax records) of the Forest Group in its possession and complete
and accurate copies of all relevant portions of all corporate
books and records of the Spinco Group relating directly and
predominantly to the Forest Assets, the Forest Business, or the
Forest Liabilities. Spinco may retain complete and accurate
copies of such books and records. From and after the
Distribution Date, all such books, records and copies shall be
the property of Forest. The costs and expenses incurred in the
provision of records or other information to a party shall be
paid for (including reimbursement of costs incurred by the
receiving party) by the delivering party.
Section 7.2 Access
to Information. From and after the Distribution Date, each
of Forest and Spinco shall afford to the other and to the
others Representatives reasonable access and duplicating
rights during normal business hours to all Information within
the possession or control of such partys Group relating to
the other partys Groups pre-Distribution business,
Assets or Liabilities or relating to or arising in connection
with the relationship between the Groups on or prior to the
Distribution Date, to the extent such access is reasonably
required for a reasonable purpose (including, without
limitation, for the purpose of calculating the Cash Amount
pursuant to Article IV of this Agreement), subject to the
provisions below regarding Privileged Information. Without
limiting the foregoing, Information may be requested under this
Section 7.2 for audit, accounting, regulatory, claims,
litigation and Tax purposes, as well as for purposes of
fulfilling disclosure and reporting obligations.
In furtherance of the foregoing:
(a) Each party hereto acknowledges that: (i) each of
Forest and Spinco (and the members of the Forest Group and the
Spinco Group, respectively) has or may obtain Privileged
Information; (ii) there are and/or may be a number of
Litigation Matters affecting each or both of Forest and Spinco;
(iii) both Forest and Spinco have a common legal interest
in Litigation Matters, in the Privileged Information and in the
preservation of the confidential status of the Privileged
Information, in each case relating to the pre-Distribution
business of the Forest Group or the Spinco Group or relating to
or arising in connection with the relationship between the
Groups on or prior to the Distribution Date; and (iv) both
Forest and Spinco intend
Annex C-18
that the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Merger
Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements and any transfer
of Privileged Information in connection therewith shall not
operate as a waiver of any potentially applicable privilege.
(b) Each of Forest and Spinco agrees, on behalf of itself
and each member of the Group of which it is a member, not to
disclose or otherwise waive any privilege attaching to any
Privileged Information relating to the pre-Distribution business
of the other Group or relating to or arising in connection with
the relationship between the Groups on or prior to the
Distribution Date, without providing prompt written notice to
and obtaining the prior written consent of the other, which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided, however,
that Forest and Spinco shall not be required to give any such
notice or obtain any such consent and may make such disclosure
or waiver with respect to Privileged Information if such
Privileged Information relates solely to the pre-Distribution
business of the Forest Group in the case of Forest or the Spinco
Group in the case of Spinco. In the event of a disagreement
between any member of the Forest Group and any member of the
Spinco Group concerning the reasonableness of withholding such
consent, no disclosure shall be made prior to a resolution of
such disagreement by a court of competent jurisdiction, provided
that the limitations in this sentence shall not apply in the
case of disclosure required by law and so certified as provided
in the first sentence of this paragraph.
(c) Upon any member of the Forest Group or any member of
the Spinco Group receiving any subpoena or other compulsory
disclosure notice from a court, other governmental agency or
otherwise which requests disclosure of Privileged Information,
in each case relating to pre-Distribution business of the Spinco
Group or the Forest Group, respectively, or relating to or
arising in connection with the relationship between the Groups
on or prior to the Distribution Date, the recipient of the
notice shall promptly provide to the other Group (following the
notice provisions set forth herein) a copy of such notice, the
intended response, and all materials or information relating to
the other Group that might be disclosed. In the event of a
disagreement as to the intended response or disclosure, unless
and until the disagreement is resolved as provided in
paragraph (b) of this Section, the parties shall
cooperate to assert all defenses to disclosure claimed by either
partys Group, and shall not disclose any disputed
documents or information until all legal defenses and claims of
privilege have been finally determined, except as otherwise
required by a court order requiring such disclosure.
Section 7.3 Production
of Witnesses. Subject to Section 7.2, after the
Distribution Date, each of Forest and Spinco shall, and shall
cause each member of its respective Group to make available to
Spinco or Forest or any member of the Spinco Group or of the
Forest Group, as the case may be, upon written request, such
Groups directors, officers, employees and agents as
witnesses to the extent that any such Person may reasonably be
required in connection with any Litigation Matters,
administrative or other proceedings in which the requesting
party may from time to time be involved and relating to the
pre-Distribution business of the Forest Group or the Spinco
Group or relating to or in connection with the relationship
between the Groups on or prior to the Distribution Date. The
costs and expenses incurred in the provision of such witnesses
shall be paid by the party requesting the availability of such
persons.
Section 7.4 Retention
of Records. Except as otherwise agreed in writing, or as
otherwise provided in the other Transaction Agreements, each of
Forest and Spinco shall, and shall cause the members of the
Group of which it is a member to, retain all Information in such
partys Groups possession or under its control,
relating directly and predominantly to the pre-Distribution
business, Assets or Liabilities of the other partys Group
until such Information is at least ten years old or until such
later date as may be required by law, except that if, prior to
the expiration of such period, any member of either partys
Group wishes to destroy or dispose of any such Information that
is at least three years old, prior to destroying or disposing of
any of such Information, (a) the party whose Group is
proposing to dispose of or destroy any such Information shall
provide no less than 30 days prior written notice to
the other party, specifying the Information proposed to be
destroyed or disposed of, and (b) if, prior to the
scheduled date for such destruction or disposal, the other party
requests in writing that any of the Information proposed to be
destroyed or disposed of be delivered to such other party, the
party whose Group is proposing to dispose of or destroy such
Information promptly shall arrange for the delivery of the
requested Information to a location specified by, and at the
expense of, the requesting party.
Annex C-19
Section 7.5 Confidentiality.
Subject to Section 7.2, which shall govern Privileged
Information, from and after the Distribution Date, each of
Forest and Spinco shall hold, and shall use reasonable best
efforts to cause its Affiliates and Representatives to hold, in
strict confidence all Information concerning the other
partys Group obtained by it prior to the Distribution Date
or furnished to it by such other partys Group pursuant to
this Agreement or the other Transaction Agreements and shall not
release or disclose such Information to any other Person, except
its Affiliates and Representatives, who shall be advised of the
provisions of this Section 7.5, and each party shall be
responsible for a breach by any of its Affiliates or
Representatives; provided, however, that any member of the
Forest Group or the Spinco Group may disclose such Information
to the extent that (a) disclosure is compelled by judicial
or administrative process or, based on advice of such
Persons counsel, by other requirements of law, or
(b) such party can show that such Information was
(i) in the public domain through no fault of such Person or
(ii) lawfully acquired by such Person from another source
after the time that it was furnished to such Person by the other
partys Group, and not acquired from such source subject to
any confidentiality obligation on the part of such source known
to the acquiror. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each of Forest
and Spinco shall be deemed to have satisfied its obligations
under this Section 7.5 with respect to any Information
(other than Privileged Information) if it exercises the same
care with regard to such Information as it takes to preserve
confidentiality for its own similar Information.
Section 7.6 Cooperation
with Respect to Government Reports and Filings. Forest, on
behalf of itself and each member of the Forest Group, agrees to
provide any member of the Spinco Group, and Spinco, on behalf of
itself and each member of the Spinco Group, agrees to provide
any member of the Forest Group, with such cooperation and
Information as may be reasonably requested by the other in
connection with the preparation or filing of any government
report or other government filing contemplated by this Agreement
or in conducting any other government proceeding relating to the
business of the Forest Group or the Spinco Group, Assets or
Liabilities of either Group or relating to or in connection with
the relationship between the Groups prior to, on or after the
Distribution Date. Each party shall promptly forward copies of
appropriate notices, forms and other communications received
from or sent to any government authority which relate to the
Forest Group, in the case of the Spinco Group, or the Spinco
Group, in the case of the Forest Group. Each party shall make
its employees and facilities available during normal business
hours and on reasonable prior notice to provide explanation of
any documents or Information provided hereunder.
Section 7.7 Tax
Sharing Agreement. None of the provisions of this
Article VII are intended to supercede any provision in the
Tax Sharing Agreement with respect to matters related to Taxes.
ARTICLE VIII
NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES
Section 8.1 No
Representations or Warranties. Except as expressly set forth
herein or in any other Transaction Agreement, Spinco and Forest
understand and agree that no member of the Forest Group is
representing or warranting to Spinco or any member of the Spinco
Group in any way as to the Spinco Assets, the Spinco Business or
the Spinco Liabilities. Except as expressly set forth herein or
in any other Transaction Agreement, Forest and Spinco understand
and agree that no member of the Spinco Group is representing or
warranting to Forest or any member of the Forest Group in any
way as to the Forest Assets, the Forest Business or the Forest
Liabilities.
Annex C-20
ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 9.1 Conditions
to the Distribution. The obligations of Forest pursuant to
this Agreement to effect the Distribution shall be subject to
the fulfillment (or waiver by Forest with Company Consent) at or
prior to the Distribution Date of the following conditions:
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(a) All material consents, approvals and authorizations of
any Governmental Authority legally required for the making of
the Distribution and the consummation of the other transactions
contemplated by the Transaction Agreements shall have been
obtained and be in effect in all material respects at the
Distribution Date; |
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(b) Any waiting period applicable to the Distribution or
the Merger (including any extended waiting period arising as a
result of a request for additional information by either the
Federal Trade Commission or the Antitrust Division of the
Department of Justice) under the Hart-Scott-Rodino
Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and the
rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, shall have expired
or been terminated and no court of competent jurisdiction or
other Governmental Authority shall have issued any decree,
judgment, injunction, writ, rule or other order that is in
effect restraining, enjoining, prohibiting or otherwise imposing
any material restrictions or limitations on the Distribution or
the Merger; |
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(c) The Registration Statements shall have become effective
in accordance with the Exchange Act and the Securities Act and
shall not be the subject of any stop order or proceedings
seeking a stop order; all necessary permits and authorizations
under state securities or blue sky laws, the
Securities Act and the Exchange Act relating to the issuance and
trading of shares of Spinco Common Stock to be issued in
connection with the Distribution and the Merger, respectively,
shall have been obtained and shall be in effect; and such shares
of Spinco Common Stock and such other shares required to be
reserved for issuance in connection with the Merger shall have
been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.,
subject to official notice of issuance; |
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(d) The Requisite Approval shall have been obtained; |
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(e) No action, proceeding or investigation by any
Governmental Authority with respect to the Distribution or the
Merger shall be pending that seeks to restrain, enjoin, prohibit
or delay the making of the Distribution, the consummation of the
Merger or the consummation of the other transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement or to impose any material
restrictions or requirements thereon or on any of the parties
with respect thereto; |
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(f) No action shall have been taken, and no statute, rule,
regulation or executive order shall have been enacted, entered,
promulgated or enforced by any Governmental Authority with
respect to the Distribution or the Merger that, individually or
in the aggregate, would (i) restrain, prohibit or delay the
making of the Distribution or the consummation of the Merger or
(ii) impose any material restrictions or requirements
thereon or on any of the parties with respect thereto; |
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(g) Forest shall have received an opinion of Weil,
Gotshal & Manges LLP to the effect that the
Contribution will constitute a reorganization under
Section 368(a) of the Code and the Distribution will
qualify under Section 355 of the Code. In rendering such
opinion, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP may require and
rely upon representations contained in certificates of officers
of Forest, Spinco and the Company substantially in the forms
attached as Exhibits C, D and E hereto; |
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(h) The Company shall have performed in all material
respects its covenants and agreements contained in the Merger
Agreement required to be performed at or prior to the
Distribution Date; |
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(i) The representations and warranties of the Company
contained in the Merger Agreement shall have been true and
correct in all respects when made and as of the Distribution
Date as if made at such time (except to the extent such
representations and warranties address matters as of a
particular date), except in each case (i) where the failure
to be true and correct, individually or in the aggregate, would |
Annex C-21
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not have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company or
(ii) to the extent specifically contemplated by the Merger
Agreement; |
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(j) Forest shall have received the bondholder consent
referenced in Section 3.2 of the Forest Disclosure Schedule
to the Merger Agreement; and |
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(k) Spinco and the Company shall have irrevocably confirmed
to Forest and each other that each condition of the Merger
Agreement to Spincos and the Companys respective
obligations to effect the Merger has been fulfilled or will be
fulfilled at the Effective Time or is or has been waived by
Spinco or the Company, as the case may be. |
Section 9.2 Complete
Agreement. This Agreement, the Exhibits and the Disclosure
Schedule hereto, the other Transaction Agreements and other
documents referred to herein shall constitute the entire
agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject
matter hereof and shall supersede all previous negotiations,
commitments and writings with respect to such subject matter.
The Disclosure Schedule delivered pursuant hereto is expressly
made a part of, and incorporated by reference into, this
Agreement. In the case of any conflict between the terms of this
Agreement and the terms of any other Transaction Agreement, the
terms of such other Transaction Agreement shall be applicable.
Section 9.3 Expenses.
Except as otherwise set forth herein or in the Merger Agreement,
whether or not the Distribution or the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement are consummated, all costs and
expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby (including costs and expenses
attributable to the separation of the Assets as contemplated
herein) shall be paid by the party incurring such costs or
expenses.
Section 9.4 Governing
Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without
reference to its conflicts of laws principles.
Section 9.5 Notices.
All notices and other communications required or permitted to be
given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given
upon (a) a transmitters confirmation of a receipt of
a facsimile transmission (but only if followed by confirmed
delivery of a standard overnight courier the following business
day or if delivered by hand the following business day),
(b) confirmed delivery of a standard overnight courier or
when delivered by hand or (c) the expiration of five
business days after the date mailed by certified or registered
mail (return receipt requested), postage prepaid, to the parties
at the following addresses (or at such other addresses for a
party as shall be specified by like notice):
If to Forest or any member of the Forest Group, to:
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Forest Oil Corporation |
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1600 Broadway, Suite 2200 |
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Denver, Colorado 80202 |
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Attention: General Counsel |
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Facsimile: (303) 812-1510 |
with a copy (which shall not constitute effective notice)
to:
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Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. |
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666 Fifth Avenue, 26th Floor |
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New York, NY 10103-0040 |
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Attention: Alan P. Baden |
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Facsimile: (917) 849-5337 |
Annex C-22
If to Spinco or any member of the Spinco Group prior to
the Distribution Date, to:
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SML Wellhead Corporation |
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c/o Forest Oil Corporation |
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1600 Broadway, Suite 2200 |
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Denver, Colorado 80202 |
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Attention: General Counsel |
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Facsimile: (303) 812-1510 |
If to Spinco or any member of the Spinco Group after the
Distribution Date, to:
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SML Wellhead Corporation |
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c/o Mariner Energy, Inc. |
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2101 CityWest Blvd. |
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Building 4, Suite 900 |
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Houston, TX 77042 |
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Attention: General Counsel |
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Facsimile: (713) 954-5555 |
with a copy (which shall not constitute effective notice)
to:
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Baker Botts L.L.P. |
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910 Louisiana Street |
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Houston, Texas 77002 |
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Attn: Kelly B. Rose |
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Facsimile: (713) 229-7996 |
or to such other address as any party hereto may have furnished
to the other parties by a notice in writing in accordance with
this Section. Any notices or other communications required or
permitted to be given hereunder to the Company shall be given
pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement.
Section 9.6 Amendment
and Modification. This Agreement may be amended, modified or
supplemented only by a written agreement signed by all of the
parties hereto, with a Company Consent.
Section 9.7 Successors
and Assigns; No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement
and all of the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and inure
to the benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and
permitted assigns, but neither this Agreement nor any of the
rights, interests and obligations hereunder shall be assigned by
any party hereto without the prior written consent of the other
party and Company Consent. Except for the provisions of
Sections 5.2 and 5.3 relating to indemnities, which
are also for the benefit of the Indemnitees, this Agreement is
solely for the benefit of Forest, Spinco and the Company and
their respective Subsidiaries, Affiliates, successors and
assigns, and is not intended to confer upon any other Persons
any rights or remedies hereunder. For the avoidance of doubt,
the parties agree that the Company shall be a third party
beneficiary of this Agreement.
Section 9.8 Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.
Section 9.9 Interpretation.
The Article and Section headings contained in this Agreement are
solely for the purpose of reference, are not part of the
agreement of the parties hereto and shall not in any way affect
the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
Section 9.10 Severability.
If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to
any person or circumstance is determined by a court of competent
jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remaining
provisions hereof, or the application of such provision to
persons or circumstances other than those as to which it has
been held invalid or unenforceable, shall remain in full force
and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or
invalidated thereby, so long as the economic or legal substance
of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any
manner adverse to any party.
Annex C-23
Section 9.11 References;
Construction. References to any Article,
Exhibit, Schedule or
Section, without more, are to Articles, Exhibits,
Schedules and Sections to or of this Agreement. Unless otherwise
expressly stated, clauses beginning with the term
including or similar words set forth examples only
and in no way limit the generality of the matters thus
exemplified.
Section 9.12 Termination.
Notwithstanding any provision hereof, following termination of
the Merger Agreement, this Agreement may be terminated and the
Distribution abandoned at any time prior to the Distribution
Date by and in the sole discretion of the Board of Directors of
Forest. In the event of such termination, no party hereto or to
any other Transaction Agreement (other than the Merger
Agreement) shall have any Liability to any Person by reason of
this Agreement or any other Transaction Agreement (other than
the Merger Agreement).
Section 9.13 Consent
to Jurisdiction and Service of Process. Each of the parties
to this Agreement hereby irrevocably and unconditionally
(i) agrees to be subject to, and hereby consent and submits
to, the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware and
of the federal courts sitting in the State of Delaware,
(ii) to the extent such party is not otherwise subject to
service of process in the State of Delaware, hereby appoints the
Corporation Trust Company as such partys agent in the
State of Delaware for acceptance of legal process and
(iii) agrees that service made on any such agent set forth
in (ii) above shall have the same legal force and effect as
if served upon such party personally within the State of
Delaware.
Section 9.14 Waivers.
Except as provided in this Agreement, no action taken pursuant
to this Agreement, including, without limitation, any
investigation by or on behalf of any party, shall be deemed to
constitute a waiver by the party taking such action of
compliance with any representations, warranties, covenants or
agreements contained in this Agreement. The waiver by any party
hereto of a breach of any provision hereunder shall not operate
or be construed as a waiver of any prior or subsequent breach of
the same or any other provision hereunder.
Section 9.15 Specific
Performance. The parties hereto agree that irreparable
damage would occur in the event any provision of this Agreement
was not performed in accordance with the terms hereof and that
the parties shall be entitled to specific performance of the
terms hereof, in addition to any other remedy at law or in
equity.
Section 9.16 Waiver
of Jury Trial. Each of the parties hereto irrevocably and
unconditionally waives all right to trial by jury in any
litigation, claim, action, suit, arbitration, inquiry,
proceeding, investigation or counterclaim (whether based in
contract, tort or otherwise) arising out of or relating to this
Agreement or the actions of the parties hereto in the
negotiation, administration, performance and enforcement thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
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Name: H. Craig
Clark |
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Title: President
and Chief Executive Officer |
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SML WELLHEAD CORPORATION |
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Name: Cyrus Marter |
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Title: Vice
President and Secretary |
Annex C-24
Annex D
TAX SHARING AGREEMENT
between
FOREST OIL CORPORATION,
SML WELLHEAD CORPORATION
and
MARINER ENERGY, INC.
Dated as of September 9, 2005
TAX SHARING AGREEMENT
TAX SHARING AGREEMENT (the Agreement), dated as of
September 9, 2005, by and between Forest Oil Corporation, a
New York corporation (Forest), SML Wellhead
Corporation, a Delaware corporation (Spinco) and
Mariner Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(Mariner).
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, Spinco is currently a member of the Forest Consolidated
Group (as defined herein);
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Distribution Agreement entered into
between Forest and Spinco dated September 9, 2005 (the
Distribution Agreement), (a) Forest shall
transfer or cause to be transferred to Spinco all of the Spinco
Assets (as defined in the Distribution Agreement), as a result
of which Spinco shall directly own the Spinco Business (as
defined in the Distribution Agreement) (the
Contribution) and (b) Forest shall distribute
all of the outstanding capital stock of Spinco to its
stockholders (the Distribution);
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger entered
into between Forest, Spinco, Mariner and MEI Sub, Inc., a
Delaware corporation and a direct wholly-owned Subsidiary of
Mariner (Merger Sub) dated September 9, 2005
(the Merger Agreement), Merger Sub shall merge with
and into Spinco (the Merger);
WHEREAS, the parties intend that for United States federal
income Tax purposes the Contribution, the Distribution and the
Merger shall qualify as tax-free transactions pursuant to
Sections 355 and 368(a) of the Code (as defined herein);
WHEREAS, the parties wish to (a) provide for the payment of
Tax Liabilities and entitlement to refunds thereof, allocate
responsibility for, and cooperation in, the filing of Tax
Returns and provide for certain other matters relating to Taxes
and (b) set forth certain covenants and indemnities
relating to the preservation of the tax-free status of the
Contribution, the Distribution and the Merger.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and
undertakings contained herein and in any other document executed
in connection with this Agreement, the parties agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS; CERTAIN OPERATING CONVENTIONS
1.1 For the purposes of this
Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth
below:
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Affiliated Group shall mean an affiliated group of
corporations, within the meaning of Section 1504(a) of the
Code, including the common parent corporation, and any member of
such group. |
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Code shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended. |
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Counsel means Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP and
Baker Botts L.L.P. |
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Distribution Date shall mean the date and time as of
which the Distribution shall be effected. |
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Final Determination shall have the meaning given to the
term determination by Section 1313 of the Code
with respect to United States federal Tax matters; and with
respect to foreign, state and local Tax matters Final
Determination shall mean any final settlement with a relevant
Tax Authority that does not provide a right to appeal or any
final decision by a court with respect to which no timely appeal
is pending and as to which the time for filing such appeal has
expired. For the avoidance of doubt, a Final Determination with
respect to United States federal Tax matters shall include any
formal or informal settlement entered into with the IRS with
respect to which the taxpayer has no right to appeal. |
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Forest Consolidated Group shall mean the Affiliated Group
of which Forest is the common parent corporation. |
Annex D-1
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Forest Group shall mean, individually and collectively,
as the case may be, each member of the Forest Consolidated
Group, other than Spinco. |
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Indemnifying Party shall mean any Person from which an
Indemnified Party is seeking indemnification pursuant to the
provisions of this Agreement. |
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Indemnified Party shall mean any Person which is seeking
indemnification from an Indemnifying Party pursuant to the
provisions of this Agreement. |
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IRS shall mean the United States Internal Revenue Service. |
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Merger Opinions shall mean the opinions of Counsel with
respect to certain Tax aspects of the Merger. |
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Person shall mean and includes any individual,
corporation, company, association, partnership, joint venture,
limited liability company, joint stock company, trust,
unincorporated organization, or other entity. |
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Post-Distribution Taxable Period shall mean a taxable
period or portion thereof that begins after the Distribution
Date. |
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Pre-Distribution Taxable Period shall mean a taxable
period or portion thereof that ends on or before the
Distribution Date. |
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Spinco Group shall mean, individually and collectively,
as the case may be, Spinco and its present and future direct and
indirect Subsidiaries. |
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Spin-Off Opinion shall mean the opinion of Weil,
Gotshal & Manges LLP with respect to certain Tax
aspects of the Contribution and the Distribution. |
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Straddle Period shall mean a taxable period that
includes, but does not end on, the Distribution Date. |
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Tax or Taxes shall mean all taxes, charges, fees,
imposts, levies or other assessments, including all net income,
gross receipts, capital, sales, use, gains, ad valorem, value
added, transfer, franchise, profits, inventory, capital stock,
license, withholding, payroll, employment, social security,
unemployment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, property and
estimated taxes, custom duties, fees, assessments and charges of
any kind whatsoever, together with any interest and any
penalties, fines, additions to tax or additional amounts imposed
by any Tax Authority and shall include any transferee liability
in respect of Taxes. |
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Tax Authority shall mean the IRS and any other domestic
or foreign governmental authority responsible for the
administration and collection of Taxes. |
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Tax Benefit shall mean a reduction in the Tax Liability
(or increase in refund or credit or any item of deduction or
expense) of a taxpayer (or of the Affiliated Group of which it
is a member) for any taxable period. Except as otherwise
provided in this Agreement, a Tax Benefit shall be deemed to
have been realized or received from a Tax Item in a taxable
period only if and to the extent that the Tax Liability of the
taxpayer (or of the Affiliated Group of which it is a member)
for such period, after taking into account the effect of the Tax
Item on the Tax Liability of such taxpayer in the current period
and all prior periods, is less than it would have been had such
Tax Liability been determined without regard to such Tax Item. |
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Tax Detriment shall mean an increase in the Tax Liability
(or reduction in refund or credit or item of deduction or
expense) of a taxpayer (or of the Affiliated Group of which it
is a member) for any taxable period. Except as otherwise
provided in this Agreement, a Tax Detriment shall be deemed to
have been realized or received from a Tax Item in a taxable
period only if and to the extent that the Tax Liability of the
taxpayer (or of the Affiliated Group of which it is a member)
for such period, after taking into account the effect of the Tax
Item on the Tax Liability of such taxpayer in the current period
and all prior periods, is more than it would have been had such
Tax Liability been determined without regard to such Tax Item. |
Annex D-2
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Tax Item shall mean any item of income, gain, loss,
deduction, expense or credit, or other attribute that may have
the effect of increasing or decreasing any Tax. |
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Tax Liabilities shall mean all liabilities for Taxes. |
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Tax Returns shall mean all reports, returns, declaration
forms and statements (including amendments thereto) filed or
required to be filed with respect to Taxes, and any attachments
thereto. |
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Transaction Taxes shall mean (i) any Tax or Tax
Detriment (without regard to the second sentence in the
definition thereof and applying a 38% rate) resulting from any
income or gain recognized by Forest, Spinco or their Affiliates
as a result of the Contribution or the Distribution failing to
qualify for tax-free treatment under Sections 355 and 368
and related provisions of the Code or corresponding provisions
of other applicable Tax laws and (ii) any Tax resulting
from any income or gain recognized by Forest or its Affiliates
under Treasury Regulation Sections 1.1502-13 or
1.1502-19 (or any corresponding provisions of other applicable
Tax laws) as a result of the Contribution or the Distribution. |
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Treasury Regulations shall mean the regulations under the
Code promulgated by the United States Department of the Treasury. |
1.2 Other Definitional Provisions.
(a) Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this
Agreement shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the
Distribution Agreement.
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(b) The words hereof, herein, and
hereunder and words of similar import, when used in
this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not
to any particular provision of this Agreement. |
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(c) The terms defined in the singular shall have a
comparable meaning when used in the plural, and vice versa. |
1.3 Termination of Taxable
Years. For federal income Tax purposes, the taxable year of
Spinco shall end as of the close of the Distribution Date.
Forest, Spinco and their respective Affiliates shall, unless
prohibited by applicable law, take all action necessary or
appropriate to close the taxable year of Spinco for all other
Tax purposes as of the close of the Distribution Date.
ARTICLE II
ALLOCATION; PAYMENT AND INDEMNIFICATION
2.1 Responsibility for Taxes;
Indemnification. (a) Forest shall indemnify and hold
harmless each of Spinco, Mariner and their respective Affiliates
for all Tax Liabilities (and any loss, cost, damage or expense,
including reasonable attorneys fees and costs, incurred in
connection therewith) attributable to (i) any Taxes (or the
non-payment thereof) of Spinco or attributable to the Spinco
Business for all Pre-Distribution Taxable Periods and for the
Pre-Distribution Tax Period portion (determined pursuant to
Section 2.2) of any Straddle Period Taxes; (ii) any
Taxes of Forest or any member of the Forest Consolidated Group
imposed upon Spinco by reason of Spinco being severally liable
for such Taxes pursuant to Treasury
Regulation Section 1.1502-6 or any analogous provision
of state or local law; (iii) all Transaction Taxes, except
as otherwise specifically provided in Section 2.1(b)(iii);
(iv) its portion of any Transfer Taxes determined pursuant
to Section 2.4; (v) any Taxes of Spinco, Mariner or
their Affiliates resulting from the breach of any obligation or
covenant of Forest under this Agreement; and (vi) any Taxes
of Forest or the Forest Group for any Post-Distribution Taxable
Period.
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(b) Spinco and Mariner, jointly and severally, shall
indemnify and hold harmless each of Forest and its Affiliates
for all Tax Liabilities (and any loss, cost, damage or expense,
including reasonable attorneys fees and costs, incurred in
connection therewith) attributable to (i) any Taxes of
Spinco or the Spinco Group for any Post-Distribution Taxable
Period other than Taxes described in Section 2.1(a);
(ii) any Taxes of Forest or its Affiliates resulting from
the breach of any obligation or covenant of Spinco or Mariner
under this Agreement; (iii) Transaction Taxes, but only to
the extent such Transaction Taxes arise from (w) a breach
by Spinco, Mariner or any of their respective Affiliates of the
representations or |
Annex D-3
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covenants under Article III, (x) a Disqualifying
Action of Spinco, Mariner or any of their respective Affiliates,
(y) the inaccuracy of any factual statements or
representations made by Mariner or Spinco in its representations
letters to Counsel and (z) an action taken by Spinco,
Mariner or any of their respective Affiliates which is not
required or permitted by the Merger Agreement and which causes
the Contribution, the Distribution or the Merger to be taxable;
(iv) Mariners or Spincos portion of any
Transfer Taxes determined pursuant to Section 2.4; and
(v) any Taxes of Mariner and its Subsidiaries other than
Taxes described in Section 2.1(a). |
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(c) If the Indemnifying Party is required to indemnify the
Indemnified Party pursuant to this Article II, the
Indemnified Party shall submit its calculations of the amount
required to be paid pursuant to this Article II, showing
such calculations in sufficient detail so as to permit the
Indemnifying Party to understand the calculations. Subject to
the following two sentences, the Indemnifying Party shall pay to
the Indemnified Party, no later than ten (10) business days
after the Indemnifying Party receives the Indemnified
Partys calculations, the amount that the Indemnifying
Party is required to pay the Indemnified Party under this
Article II. If the Indemnifying Party disagrees with such
calculations, it must notify the Indemnified Party of its
disagreement in writing within thirty (30) business days of
receiving such calculations. |
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(d) Any claim under this Article II with respect to a
Tax Liability must be made no later than thirty (30) days
after the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations
for assessment of such Tax Liability. |
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(e) For all Tax purposes, the Forest Group and the Spinco
Group agree to treat (i) any payment required by this
Agreement as either a contribution by Forest to Spinco or a
distribution by Spinco to Forest, as the case may be, occurring
immediately prior to the Distribution and (ii) any payment
of interest or non-federal Taxes by or to a Tax Authority as
taxable or deductible, as the case may be, to the party entitled
under this Agreement to retain such payment or required under
this Agreement to make such payment, in either case except as
otherwise mandated by applicable law or by a Final Determination. |
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(f) The amount of any indemnification payment with respect
to any Tax Liability shall be reduced by any current Tax
Benefits actually realized by the Indemnified Party in respect
of such Tax Liability by the end of the taxable year in which
the indemnity payment is made. The calculation of such Tax
Benefit shall be included in the calculation required to be
submitted pursuant to Section 2.1(c). If, notwithstanding
the treatment required by Section 2.1(e), any
indemnification payment hereunder is determined to be taxable to
the Indemnified Party by any Tax Authority, the indemnity
payment payable by the Indemnifying Party shall be increased as
necessary to ensure that, after all required Taxes on the
indemnity payment are paid (including Taxes applicable to any
increases in the indemnity payment under this
Section 2.1(f)), the Indemnified Party receives the amount
it would have received if the indemnity payment was not taxable. |
2.2 Straddle Periods. In the
case of any Straddle Period, the amount of any Taxes based on or
measured by income or receipts of Spinco for the
Pre-Distribution Taxable Period shall be determined based on an
interim closing of the books as of the close of business on the
Distribution Date and the amount of other Taxes of Spinco for a
Straddle Period which relate to the Pre-Distribution Taxable
Period shall be deemed to be the amount of such Tax for the
entire taxable period in which the Straddle Period occurs
multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of
days in the taxable period ending on the Distribution Date and
the denominator of which is the total number of days in the
Straddle Period. If the Distribution Date is not the last day of
a month, the closing of the books computation shall be performed
as if the Distribution Date did occur on the last day of such
month and the computation shall be adjusted on a pro rata basis
to reflect the number of days of such month between the
Distribution Date and the last day of the month.
Annex D-4
2.3 Preparation of Tax
Returns. (a) Forest shall prepare or cause to be
prepared, and shall file or cause to be filed, all Tax Returns
of Spinco for any Pre-Distribution Taxable Period (other than a
Straddle Period).
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(b) Spinco shall prepare or cause to be prepared and file
or cause to be filed all Tax Returns of Spinco for any Straddle
Period (each a Straddle Period Return) on a basis
consistent with the past practice of Forest with respect to the
Spinco Business, except that Spinco may complete such Straddle
Period Return in a manner that is not consistent with past
practice if such Straddle Period Return preparation is allowed
by law and such Straddle Period Return preparation does not
adversely affect the Tax Liability of Forest or any of its
Affiliates. If the Straddle Period Return reflects Taxes
attributable to the Pre-Distribution Taxable Period, Spinco
shall provide a copy of each such Straddle Period Return
together with a computation of the pre-Distribution Taxes
reflected in such Straddle Period Return (such computation, the
Statement) to Forest for its review and comment not
later than 30 days prior to the deadline for filing each
such Straddle Period Return. Forest shall provide comments, if
any, to Spinco at least 15 days prior to the deadline for
filing such Straddle Period Return (the 15-Day Review
Period). Forests failure to notify Spinco of any
disagreement prior to the end of the 15-Day Review Period shall
indicate its concurrence with such Straddle Period Return and
Statement. If Forest disagrees with the allocation in such
Straddle Period Return and Statement, Forest shall notify Spinco
in writing of such disagreement prior to the close of the 15-Day
Review Period, and Forest and Spinco shall consult and attempt
to resolve in good faith the disagreement. |
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(c) Unless otherwise required by a Tax Authority, the
parties hereby agree to prepare and file all Tax Returns, and to
take all other actions, in a manner consistent with this
Agreement. All Tax Returns shall be filed on a timely basis
(taking into account applicable extensions) by the party
responsible for filing such returns under this Agreement. |
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(d) The party responsible for filing a Tax Return under
this Section 2.3 is also responsible for paying to the
relevant Tax Authority the amount of Tax Liability reflected on
such Tax Return, subject to any indemnification rights it may
have against the other party. |
2.4 Payment of Sales, Use or
Similar Taxes. All sales, use, transfer, real property
transfer, intangible, recordation, registration, documentary,
stamp or similar Taxes (Transfer Taxes),
(i) applicable to, or resulting from, the Contribution and
the Distribution, to the extent of $200,000, shall be borne
equally by Forest on the one hand and Mariner and Spinco,
jointly and severally, on the other, and any such Transfer Taxes
in excess of $200,000 shall be borne solely by Forest, and
(ii) applicable to, or resulting from, the Merger, to the
extent of $200,000, shall be borne equally by Forest on the one
hand and Mariner and Spinco, jointly and severally, on the
other, and any such Transfer Taxes in excess of $200,000 shall
be borne solely by Mariner and Spinco, jointly and severally.
Notwithstanding anything in Section 2.3 to the contrary,
the party required by applicable law shall remit payment for any
Transfer Taxes and duly and timely file such Tax Returns,
subject to any indemnification rights it may have against the
other party, which shall be paid in accordance with
Section 2.1(c). Spinco, Mariner, Forest and their
respective Affiliates shall cooperate in (i) determining
the amount of such Taxes, (ii) providing all requisite
exemption certificates and (iii) preparing and timely
filing any and all required Tax Returns for or with respect to
such Taxes with any and all appropriate Tax Authorities.
2.5 Audits and Proceedings.
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(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions hereof, if after
the Distribution Date, an Indemnified Party or any of its
Affiliates receives any notice, letter, correspondence, claim or
decree from any Tax Authority (a Tax Notice) and,
upon receipt of such Tax Notice, believes it has suffered or
potentially could suffer any Tax Liability for which it is
indemnified, the Indemnified Party shall promptly deliver such
Tax Notice to the Indemnifying Party; provided, however, that
the failure of the Indemnified Party to provide the Tax Notice
to the Indemnifying Party shall not affect the indemnification
rights of the Indemnified Party pursuant to this
Article II, except to the extent that the Indemnifying
Party is more than insignificantly prejudiced by the Indemnified
Partys failure to deliver such Tax Notice. The
Indemnifying Party shall have the right to handle, defend,
conduct and control, at its own expense, any Tax audit or other
proceeding that relates to such Tax Notice (except to the extent
that such Tax Notice, |
Annex D-5
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Tax audit or other proceeding relates to a Straddle Period, in
which case there shall be joint control of the Tax audit);
provided that, in all events, Forest shall have the right to
participate, at its own expense, in any Tax audit or proceeding
relating to Transaction Taxes. The Indemnifying Party shall also
have the right to compromise or settle any such Tax audit or
other proceeding that it has the authority to control pursuant
to the preceding sentence subject, in the case of a compromise
or settlement that would have a Material Adverse Effect on the
Indemnified Party, to the Indemnified Partys consent,
which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. If the
Indemnifying Party fails within a reasonable time after notice
to defend any such Tax Notice or the resulting audit or
proceeding as provided herein, the Indemnifying Party shall be
bound by the results obtained by the Indemnified Party in
connection therewith. The Indemnifying Party shall pay to the
Indemnified Party the amount of any Tax Liability within
15 days after a Final Determination of such Tax Liability. |
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(b) If any adjustments shall be made to any Tax Returns
related to Spinco or the Forest Group for any Pre-Distribution
Taxable Period as a result of or in settlement of any audit,
other administrative proceeding or judicial proceeding or as the
result of the filing of an amended return to reflect the
consequences of any determination made in connection with any
such audit or proceeding or as required by an intervening change
of law, Forest shall be liable for any additional Tax Liability
and Forest shall be entitled to retain any Tax refund obtained. |
2.6 Amended Returns;
Carrybacks.
(a) Except as required by law, without the prior written
consent of Forest, neither Spinco nor any of its Affiliates
shall file any amended Tax Return with respect to any
Pre-Distribution Taxable Period of Spinco. Except as required by
law, without the prior written consent of Spinco or one of its
Affiliates, Forest may not amend any Tax Return with respect to
any Pre-Distribution Taxable Period to the extent such amendment
materially adversely affects the Tax Liability of Spinco,
Mariner or any of their Affiliates.
(b) To the extent permitted by applicable law, neither
Spinco nor any of its Affiliates shall carry back any Tax Item
to a Pre-Distribution Taxable Period. To the extent any such Tax
Item is carried back to a Pre-Distribution Taxable Period,
Forest agrees to pay to Spinco the amount of the Tax Benefit
Forest or the Forest Group realizes in connection with such Tax
Item.
2.7 Tax Assistance.
Following the Distribution, Mariner, Spinco, Forest and their
respective Affiliates shall provide each other with such
assistance as may reasonably be requested by any of them, and
agree to execute any document that may be necessary or
reasonably helpful, in connection with the preparation of any
Tax Return, any audit or other examination by any Tax Authority,
or any judicial or administrative proceedings relating to Tax
Liability of Mariner, Spinco, Forest or any of their respective
Affiliates. The party requesting assistance hereunder shall
reimburse the other for reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses
incurred in providing such assistance. Mariner, Spinco, Forest
and their respective Affiliates shall (i) preserve and
cause to be preserved (and provide to another such party upon
request) all information, returns, books, records and documents,
including accompanying schedules and related work papers,
relating to any Tax Liabilities (including information regarding
ownership and Tax basis of property) of the Spinco Group with
respect to a taxable period until the later of (x) five
years after the Distribution and (y) 60 days after the
expiration of all applicable statutes of limitation and
extensions thereof, or the conclusion of all litigation with
respect to Taxes for such period and (ii) give reasonable
written notice to the other party prior to transferring,
destroying or discarding any such information, returns, books,
records or documents and, if the other party so requests, allow
the other party to take possession of such information, returns,
books, records or documents.
2.8 Refunds. If Spinco or
any of its Affiliates receives a refund of Taxes (or any
reduction in Tax Liability by means of a credit, offset or
otherwise) attributable to Pre-Distribution Taxable Periods (a
Forest Tax Refund), Spinco shall pay to Forest an
amount that is equal to the Forest Tax Refund, plus any interest
paid by the applicable Tax Authority with respect to such Forest
Tax Refund, less any Taxes payable by Spinco or its Affiliate in
connection with the receipt of such Forest Tax Refund. If Forest
or any of its Affiliates receives a refund of Taxes (or any
reduction in Tax Liability by means of a credit, offset or
otherwise) attributable to Spinco for a Post-Distribution
Taxable Period (a Spinco Tax Refund), Forest shall
pay to Spinco an amount that is equal to the Spinco Tax Refund,
plus any interest paid by the applicable
Annex D-6
Tax Authority with respect to such Spinco Tax Refund, less any
Taxes payable by Forest or its Affiliate in connection with the
receipt of such Spinco Tax Refund.
2.9 Earnings and Profits
Allocation. Forest will advise Spinco in writing of the
decrease in Forest earnings and profits attributable to the
Distribution under Section 312(h) of the Code on or before
the first anniversary of the Distribution.
ARTICLE III
TAX-FREE STATUS OF THE DISTRIBUTION
3.1 Representations and
Warranties.
(a) Forest. Forest hereby represents and warrants or
covenants and agrees, as appropriate, that (i) it has
examined (A) drafts of the representation letters
supporting the Spin-Off Opinion and drafts of the representation
letters supporting the Merger Opinions and (B) any other
materials delivered by Forest, Spinco and Mariner in connection
with the rendering by Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP of the
Spin-Off Opinion and by Counsel of the Merger Opinions (all of
the foregoing in (A) and (B), collectively, the Draft
Tax Materials), (ii) it will update through and
including the Distribution Date the Draft Tax Materials
deliverable by Forest and Spinco (as updated, the Final
Forest Tax Materials), (iii) the facts to be
presented and the representations to be made in the Final Forest
Tax Materials, to the extent descriptive of the Forest Group,
the Spinco Business, the formation of Spinco or Spinco while it
is a member of the Forest Consolidated Group (including the
business purposes for the Distribution and the representations
in the Final Forest Tax Materials to the extent that they relate
to the Forest Group, the Spinco Business, the formation of
Spinco or Spinco while it is a member of the Forest Consolidated
Group and the plans, proposals, intentions and policies of
Forest), will be from the time presented or made through and
including the time of the Distribution, true, correct and
complete in all respects, and (iv) it has delivered to
Mariner copies of any Draft Tax Materials that were delivered by
Forest and Spinco and will deliver to Mariner a copy of the
Spin-Off Opinion and copies of any Final Forest Tax Materials.
(b) Mariner. Mariner hereby represents and warrants
or covenants and agrees, as appropriate, that (i) it has
examined the Draft Tax Materials, (ii) it will update
through and including the Distribution Date the Draft Tax
Materials deliverable by Mariner (as updated, the Final
Mariner Tax Materials), (iii) the facts to be
presented and the representations to be made in the Final
Mariner Tax Materials, to the extent descriptive of Spinco
immediately after the Merger and Mariner (including the business
purposes for the Distribution and the representations to be made
in the Final Mariner Tax Materials to the extent that they
relate to Spinco immediately after the Merger and to Mariner,
and the plans, proposals, intentions and policies of Spinco
immediately after the Merger and of Mariner), will be from the
time presented or made through and including the time of the
Distribution, true, correct and complete in all respects, and
(iv) it has delivered to Forest copies of any Draft Tax
Materials that were delivered by Mariner and will deliver to
Forest copies of any Final Mariner Tax Materials.
(c) No Contrary Knowledge. Each of Spinco, Mariner
and Forest represents that, as of the date of this Agreement, it
knows of no fact (after due inquiry) that may cause the Tax
treatment of the Contribution, the Distribution or the Merger to
be other than that contemplated in the Distribution Agreement
and Merger Agreement.
(d) No Contrary Plan. Forest represents and warrants
that neither it, nor any of its Affiliates, has any plan or
intent to take any action which is inconsistent with any factual
statements or representations it makes in the Final Forest Tax
Materials. Each of Spinco and Mariner represents and warrants
that neither it, nor any of its Affiliates, has any plan or
intent to take any action which is inconsistent with any factual
statements or representations it makes in the Final Mariner Tax
Materials.
3.2 Restrictions Relating to the
Distribution.
(a) General. The parties intend the Distribution to qualify
as a distribution of Spinco stock to Forest stockholders with
respect to which gain or loss is not recognized by Forest,
Spinco or their respective
Annex D-7
stockholders pursuant to Section 355 and related provisions
of the Code (such non-recognition, the Tax-Free Status of
the Distribution).
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(i) Mariner or Spinco shall not take any action within its
control, nor shall Mariner or Spinco permit any of its
Affiliates to take any action within their control (including
entering into any agreement, understanding or arrangement or any
negotiations with respect to any transaction or series of
transactions) that, or fail to take any action within its or
their control the failure of which, would cause the Distribution
to fail so to qualify (any such action or failure to act, a
Disqualifying Action); provided, however, that the
term Disqualifying Action as applied to Spinco or
any of its Affiliates shall not include (x) any action, or
failure to act, that is contemplated by the terms of the
Distribution Agreement or the Merger Agreement or (y) any
failure to take action to mitigate the effects of a breach by
Spinco, occurring prior to the time of the Distribution, of a
representation, warranty or covenant contained in the
Distribution Agreement, regardless of whether such breach or its
effects continue after the time of the Distribution. |
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(ii) Forest shall not take, or fail to take any action that
would result in, a Disqualifying Action; provided, however, that
the term Disqualifying Action as applied to Forest
shall not include any action, or failure to act, that is
contemplated by the terms of the Distribution Agreement or the
Merger Agreement. |
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(iii) Prior to the first day following the second
anniversary of the Distribution and except as otherwise provided
in this Agreement, neither Spinco, Mariner, nor Forest shall
take any action within its control, and neither Spinco, Mariner,
nor Forest shall permit any of its Affiliates to take any action
within their control (including entering into any agreement,
understanding or arrangement or any negotiations with respect to
any transaction or series of transactions) that, or fail to take
any action within its or their control the failure of which (in
both cases, including an action or failure to act that would be
reasonably likely to be inconsistent with any representation
made in the Tax Materials), would result in a more than
immaterial possibility that the Distribution would be treated as
part of a plan pursuant to which one or more persons acquire
directly or indirectly Spinco stock or Forest stock representing
a 50-percent or
greater interest within the meaning of
Section 355(e)(4) of the Code (any such action or failure
to act, a Potential Disqualifying Action), unless,
prior to the taking of the Potential Disqualifying Action,
(i) Mariner delivers to Forest, or Forest delivers to
Mariner (as the case may be), either a ruling from the IRS (a
Ruling) or an opinion from a nationally recognized
law firm both reasonably acceptable to Forest (or to Mariner) (a
Subsequent Opinion), in either case, to the effect
that the Potential Disqualifying Action would not cause the
Tax-Free Status of the Distribution to cease to apply to the
Distribution, or (ii) Mariner and Forest mutually agree
that such Potentially Disqualifying Action would not cause the
Tax-Free Status of the Distribution to cease to apply to the
Distribution. |
(b) Continuation of the Forest and Gulf of Mexico
Business. Until the first day after the second anniversary
of the Distribution, (i) Forest and Spinco shall,
respectively, continue the active conduct of the portion of the
Forest Business owned by Forest and the Spinco Business
conducted immediately prior to the Distribution and
(ii) neither Forest nor Spinco shall voluntarily dissolve
or liquidate.
(c) Certain Presumptions. Solely for the purposes of
Section 3.2(a), but without creating any implication that
any of the following is true, it shall be presumed that
(i) shares of Spinco stock distributed with respect to
Forest stock which Forest stock had been sold, exchanged or
otherwise disposed of by Animal or any of his Affiliates that
would be treated as a ten-percent shareholder (within the
meaning of Treasury
Regulation Section 1.355-7(h)(14))
and (ii) shares of Spinco stock distributed with respect to
Forest stock which Forest stock was covered by a written option
(within the meaning of Treasury
Regulation Section 1.355-7(e))
to sell or other written agreement to sell (whether by forward
contract or otherwise), in both cases entered into by Animal or
any of his Affiliates that would be treated as a ten-percent
shareholder (within the meaning of Treasury
Regulation Section 1.355-7(h)(14))
with respect to Forest shares held by Animal or any of his
Affiliates that would be treated as a ten-percent shareholder
(within the meaning of Treasury
Regulation Section 1.355-7(h)(14))
and which shares are not described in clause (i) of this
Section 3.2(c), in each of clause (i) and
(ii) within the two-year period ending on the Distribution
Date, are
Annex D-8
shares the acquisition of which will be treated as if such
acquisition were part of a plan or series of related
transactions that includes the Distribution. In no event will
the presumption contained in this Section 3.2(c) apply to
more than the number of shares of Spinco stock distributed with
respect to 7,905,575 shares of Forest stock.
3.3 Cooperation and Other
Covenants.
(a) Notice of Subsequent Information. Each of Forest
and its Affiliates, on the one hand, and Spinco, Mariner and
their respective Affiliates, on the other hand, shall furnish
the other with a copy of any document or information that
reasonably could be expected to have an impact on the Tax-Free
Status of the Distribution.
(b) Post-Closing Cooperation.
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(i) Forest and its Affiliates shall cooperate with Mariner,
and Mariner and its Affiliates shall cooperate with Forest (as
the case may be), and shall take (or refrain from taking) all
such actions as Mariner (or Forest) may reasonably request in
connection with obtaining any ruling or opinion referred to in
Section 3.2. Such cooperation shall include providing any
information, representations and/or covenants reasonably
requested by Mariner (or Forest) (or counsel for Mariner or
Forest) to enable Mariner (or Forest) to obtain and maintain
either a Subsequent Opinion or a Ruling. From and after any date
on which Forest, Spinco, Mariner or any of their respective
Affiliates makes any representation or covenant to counsel for
purposes of obtaining a Subsequent Opinion or to the IRS for the
purpose of obtaining a Ruling and (with respect solely to any
representation given) until the first day after the second
anniversary (or such later date as may be agreed upon at the
time such representation is made) of the date of such Subsequent
Opinion or Ruling, the party making such representation or
covenant shall take no action that would have caused such
representation to be untrue or covenant to be breached unless
both parties determine, in their reasonable discretion, which
discretion shall be exercised in good faith solely to preserve
the Tax-Free Status of the Distribution, that such action would
not cause the Tax-Free Status of the Distribution to cease to
apply to the Distribution. Such representations and warranties,
once made in writing, shall be considered Tax Materials subject
to the provisions of Section 3.1. |
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(ii) Neither Spinco, Mariner nor any of their respective
Affiliates shall file any request for a Ruling with respect to
the Tax-Free Status of the Distribution without the prior
written consent of Forest, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed, if a favorable Ruling would be
reasonably likely to have an adverse effect on Forest or any of
its Affiliates. |
(c) Notice.
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(i) Subject to clause (iii) of this
Section 3.3(c), until the first day after the second
anniversary of the Distribution, Mariner shall give Forest, or
Forest shall give Mariner (as the case may be), at least ten
(10) days prior written notice of its or any of its
Affiliates intention to effect any transaction with
respect to such Persons capital structure, whether through
issuance, redemption or otherwise; provided, that Forest
shall only be required to give Mariner notice of such a
contemplated transaction if such transaction would result in
more than an immaterial possibility of a Potential Disqualifying
Action. Each such notice shall set forth the necessary terms and
conditions of the proposed transaction, including, as
applicable, the nature of any related action proposed to be
taken, the approximate number of shares proposed to be issued,
redeemed or transferred (directly or indirectly, in accordance
with the provisions of Section 355(e) of the Code), the
timetable for such action or transaction, and the number of
shares otherwise then owned by the other party to the action or
transaction (directly or indirectly, in accordance with the
provisions of Section 355(e) of the Code), all with
sufficient particularity to enable Forest (or Mariner) to review
and comment on the effect of such transaction with respect to
Section 355(e) of the Code. All information provided by any
of the parties to the other parties pursuant to this
Section 3.3 shall be kept confidential by the receiving
parties to the same extent as that provided in Section 7.5
of the Distribution Agreement. |
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(ii) If Mariner or any of its Affiliates, or Forest or any
of its Affiliates (as the case may be), receives a Subsequent
Opinion or Ruling, Mariner (or Forest) shall notify Forest (or
Mariner) (if Forest |
Annex D-9
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or Mariner is not otherwise provided with a copy of |
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the Subsequent Opinion or Ruling) promptly, but in any event
within two (2) business days, after the receipt of the
Subsequent Opinion or Ruling. |
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(iii) Notice shall not be required under (i) of this
Section 3.3(c) with respect to the grant and/or exercise of
any stock option, stock, stock-based compensation or other
employment related arrangements arising in the ordinary course
of business that have customary terms and conditions consistent
with past practice (Compensatory Transaction) if the
Compensatory Transaction satisfies the requirements of Treasury
Regulation Section 1.355-7(d)(8), or, if in the case
of options, if (A) the exercise price is equal to or greater
than the fair market value of the stock subject to the option on
the date of grant or issuance and (B) such option does not have
a readily ascertainable fair market value within the meaning of
Treasury Regulation Section 1.83-7. |
(d) Each of Forest, Spinco and Mariner covenants and agrees
that it will not take, and will cause its respective Affiliates
to refrain from taking, any position on a Tax Return that is
inconsistent with (i) the treatment of the Contribution and
the Distribution as tax free under Sections 368(a)(1)(D)
and 355, respectively and related provisions of the Code and
(ii) the treatment of the Merger as a reorganization under
Section 368(a) and related provisions of the Code.
(e) Each of Forest (for itself and its Affiliates) and
Mariner or Spinco (for itself and its Affiliates) agrees
(i) not to take any action reasonably expected to result in
an increased Tax Liability to the other under this Agreement and
(ii) to take any action reasonably requested by the other
that would reasonably be expected to result in a Tax Benefit or
avoid a Tax Detriment to the other, provided, in either
such case, that the taking or refraining to take such action
does not result in any additional cost not fully compensated for
by the other party or any other adverse effect to such party.
The parties hereby acknowledge that the preceding sentence is
not intended to limit, and therefore shall not apply to, the
rights of the parties with respect to matters otherwise covered
by this Agreement.
(f) With respect to any Forest Stock Options (as defined in
the Employee Matters Agreement) which become options to acquire
Mariner stock (Converted Mariner Options) in
connection with the Distribution and Merger, any deduction for
Tax purposes with respect to such Forest Stock Options and
Converted Mariner Options shall belong solely to and be claimed
on a Tax Return only by Mariner and its Affiliates. Forest,
Spinco and Mariner agree not to take a position on any Tax
Return inconsistent with the prior sentence unless mandated by a
Final Determination.
(g) With respect to any Forest Stock Options (as defined in
the Employee Matters Agreement) which remain options to acquire
Forest stock (Unconverted Forest Options) in
connection with the Distribution and Merger, any deduction for
Tax purposes with respect to such Unconverted Forest Options
shall belong solely to and be claimed on a Tax Return only by
Forest and its Affiliates. Forest, Spinco and Mariner agree not
to take a position on any Tax Return inconsistent with the prior
sentence unless mandated by a Final Determination.
ARTICLE IV
MISCELLANEOUS
4.1 Termination of Prior Tax
Sharing Agreements and of this Agreement. This Agreement
shall take effect on the Distribution Date and shall replace all
other agreements, whether or not written, in respect of any
Taxes between or among any member of the Forest Group on the one
hand and any member of the Spinco Group on the other. All such
replaced agreements shall be canceled as of the Distribution to
the extent they relate to the Spinco Group, and any rights or
obligations of the Forest Group or the Spinco Group existing
thereunder thereby shall be fully and finally settled without
any payment by any party thereto. This Agreement shall
automatically terminate, without further action by any party
hereto, upon the termination of the Merger Agreement if such
termination occurs prior to the consummation of the Merger.
4.2 Merger or Consolidation.
Neither Forest, Mariner nor Spinco (in each case, the
Transaction Party) shall (i) consolidate with
or merge into any Person or permit any Person to consolidate
with or merge
Annex D-10
into the Transaction Party (other than a merger or consolidation
in which the Transaction Party is the surviving or continuing
corporation) or (ii) sell, assign, transfer, lease or
otherwise dispose of, in one transaction or a series of related
transactions, all or substantially all of the assets of the
Transaction Party, unless the resulting, surviving or transferee
Person shall expressly assume, by instrument in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the other party, all of the
obligations of the Transaction Party under this Agreement. The
parties agree that no action required or permitted under the
Merger Agreement violates this Section 4.2.
4.3 Governing Law. This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to its
conflicts of laws principles.
4.4 Amendment and
Modification. This Agreement may be amended, modified or
supplemented only by a written agreement signed by all of the
parties hereto.
4.5 Notices. All notices and
other communications required or permitted to be given hereunder
shall be in writing and shall be deemed given upon (a) a
transmitters confirmation of a receipt of a facsimile
transmission (but only if followed by confirmed delivery of a
standard overnight courier the following business day or if
delivered by hand the following business day),
(b) confirmed delivery of a standard overnight courier or
when delivered by hand or (c) the expiration of five
business days after the date mailed by certified or registered
mail (return receipt requested), postage prepaid, to the parties
at the following addresses (or at such other addresses for a
party as shall be specified by like notice):
If to Forest or any member of the Forest Group, to:
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Forest Oil Corporation |
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1600 Broadway, Suite 2200 |
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Denver, Colorado 80202 |
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Attention: General Counsel |
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Facsimile: (303) 812-1510 |
with a copy (which shall not constitute effective notice)
to:
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Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. |
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666 Fifth Avenue, 26th Floor |
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New York, NY 10103-0040 |
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Attention: Alan P. Baden |
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Facsimile: (917) 849-5337 |
If to Spinco or any member of the Spinco Group, to:
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SML Wellhead Corporation |
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c/o Mariner Energy, Inc. |
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2101 CityWest Blvd. |
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Building 4, Suite 900 |
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Houston, TX 77042 |
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Attention: General Counsel |
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Facsimile: (713) 954-5555 |
with a copy (which shall not constitute effective notice)
to:
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Baker Botts L.L.P. |
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910 Louisiana Street |
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Houston, Texas 77002 |
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Attn: Kelly B. Rose |
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Facsimile: (713) 229-7996 |
Annex D-11
If to Mariner, to:
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Mariner Energy, Inc. |
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2101 CityWest Blvd. |
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Building 4, Suite 900 |
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Houston, TX 77042 |
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Attention: General Counsel |
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Facsimile: (713) 954-5555 |
with a copy (which shall not constitute effective notice)
to:
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Baker Botts L.L.P. |
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910 Louisiana Street |
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Houston, Texas 77002 |
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Attn: Kelly B. Rose |
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Facsimile: (713) 229-7996 |
or to such other address as any party hereto may have furnished
to the other parties by a notice in writing in accordance with
this Section 4.5.
4.6 Complete Agreement. This
Agreement, the other Transaction Agreements and other documents
referred to herein shall constitute the entire agreement between
the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and
shall supersede all previous negotiations, commitments and
writings with respect to such subject matter. In the case of any
conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the terms of
any other Transaction Agreement, the terms of this Agreement
shall be applicable.
4.7 Interpretation. The
Article and Section headings contained in this Agreement are
solely for the purpose of reference, are not part of the
agreement of the parties hereto and shall not in any way affect
the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
4.8 Counterparts. This
Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall
be deemed an original, but all of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.
4.9 Successors and Assigns; No
Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement and all of the
provisions hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit
of the parties hereto and their successors and permitted
assigns, but neither this Agreement nor any of the rights,
interests and obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any
party hereto without the prior written consent of the other
parties. This Agreement is solely for the benefit of Forest,
Spinco and Mariner and their respective Subsidiaries,
Affiliates, successors and assigns, and is not intended to
confer upon any other Persons any rights or remedies hereunder.
4.10 Consent to Jurisdiction and
Service of Process. Each of the parties to this Agreement
hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) agrees to be
subject to, and hereby consents and submits to, the jurisdiction
of the courts of the State of Delaware and of the federal courts
sitting in the State of Delaware, (ii) to the extent such
party is not otherwise subject to service of process in the
State of Delaware, hereby appoints the Corporation Trust Company
as such partys agent in the State of Delaware for
acceptance of legal process and (iii) agrees that service
made on any such agent set forth in (ii) above shall have
the same legal force and effect as if served upon such party
personally within the State of Delaware.
4.11 Waiver of Jury Trial.
Each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally
waives all right to trial by jury in any litigation, claim,
action, suit, arbitration, inquiry, proceeding, investigation or
counterclaim (whether based in contract, tort or otherwise)
arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the actions of
the parties hereto in the negotiation, administration,
performance and enforcement thereof.
4.12 References;
Construction. References to any Article or
Section, without more, are to Articles and Sections
to or of this Agreement. Unless otherwise expressly stated,
clauses beginning with the term including or similar
words set forth examples only and in no way limit the generality
of the matters thus exemplified.
Annex D-12
4.13 Waivers. Except as
provided in this Agreement, no action taken pursuant to this
Agreement, including any investigation by or on behalf of any
party, shall be deemed to constitute a waiver by the party
taking such action of compliance with any representations,
warranties, covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement.
The waiver by any party hereto of a breach of any provision
hereunder shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any
prior or subsequent breach of the same or any other provision
hereunder.
4.14 Specific Performance.
The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur in
the event any provision of this Agreement was not performed in
accordance with the terms hereof and that the parties shall be
entitled to specific performance of the terms hereof, in
addition to any other remedy at law or in equity.
4.15 Severability. If any
provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any
Person or circumstance is determined by a court of competent
jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remaining
provisions hereof, or the application of such provision to
Persons or circumstances other than those as to which it has
been held invalid or unenforceable, shall remain in full force
and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or
invalidated thereby, so long as the economic or legal substance
of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any
manner adverse to any party.
4.16 Effective Date. This
Agreement shall become effective only upon the occurrence of the
Distribution.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Tax
Sharing Agreement to be executed on its behalf by its officers
thereunto duly authorized, all as of the day and year first
written above.
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Name: H. Craig
Clark |
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Title: President
and Chief Executive Officer |
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SML WELLHEAD CORPORATION |
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Name: Cyrus Marter |
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Title: Vice
President and Secretary |
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MARINER ENERGY, INC. |
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Name: Scott D.
Josey |
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Title: Chief
Executive Officer and President |
Annex D-13
Annex E
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT OF
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF
MARINER ENERGY, INC.
Mariner Energy, Inc., a corporation duly organized and existing
under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the
Corporation), does hereby certify that:
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First: The amendment to the Corporations Second
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation set forth
below was duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of
Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware and has been authorized by the stockholders in
accordance with Section 242 of the General Corporation Law
of the State of Delaware. |
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Second: The first sentence of Article Four of the
Corporations Certificate of Incorporation is amended to
read in its entirety as follows: |
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The total number of shares of all classes of capital stock
which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is
200 million shares, of which 180 million shares shall
be shares of Common Stock, par value $.0001 per share
(Common Stock), and 20 million shares shall be
shares of Preferred Stock, par value $.0001 per share
(Preferred Stock). |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Mariner Energy, Inc. has caused this
Certificate to be executed by its duly authorized officer on
this day
of , .
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MARINER ENERGY, INC. |
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By: |
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Name: |
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Title: |
E-1
Annex F
MARINER ENERGY, INC.
Estimated
Future Reserves and Income
Attributable to Certain
Leasehold and Royalty Interests
(SEC Parameters)
As of
December 31, 2004
January 28, 2005
Mariner Energy, Inc.
2101 CityWest Blvd., Suite 1900
Houston, Texas 77042-3020
Gentlemen:
At your request, we have prepared an estimate of the reserves,
future production, and cash flow attributable to certain
leasehold and royalty interests of Mariner Energy, Inc.
(Mariner) as of December 31, 2004. The subject properties
are located in the states of Mississippi and Texas and in the
federal waters offshore Louisiana and Texas. The cash flow data
were estimated using the Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC) guidelines for future price and cost parameters.
The estimated reserves and future cash flow amounts presented in
this report are related to hydrocarbon prices. December 2004
hydrocarbon prices were used in the preparation of this report
as required by SEC guidelines; however, actual future prices may
vary significantly from December 2004 prices. Therefore, volumes
of reserves actually recovered and amounts of income actually
received may differ significantly from the estimated quantities
presented in this report. The results of this study are
summarized below.
SEC PARAMETERS
Estimated Net Reserves and Cash Flow Data
Certain Leasehold and Royalty Interests of
Mariner Energy, Inc.
As of December 31, 2004
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Proved | |
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Developed | |
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Total | |
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Producing | |
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Non-Producing | |
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Undeveloped | |
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Proved | |
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Net Remaining Reserves
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Oil/ CondensateBarrels
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6,171,886 |
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167,142 |
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7,916,458 |
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14,255,486 |
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GasMMCF
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57,788 |
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13,573 |
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80,572 |
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151,933 |
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Cash Flow Data (M$)
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Future Gross Revenue
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$ |
621,366.9 |
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$ |
91,410.3 |
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$ |
836,425.2 |
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$ |
1,549,202.4 |
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Deductions
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143,343.3 |
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27,769.0 |
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278,728.5 |
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449,840.8 |
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Future Net Cash Flow
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$ |
478,023.6 |
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$ |
63,641.3 |
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$ |
557,696.7 |
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$ |
1,099,361.6 |
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(Before Taxes)
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Present Value @ 10%
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$ |
281,479.0 |
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$ |
53,887.8 |
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$ |
332,608.3 |
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$ |
667,975.1 |
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(PV10)
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Liquid hydrocarbons are expressed in standard 42 gallon barrels.
All gas volumes are sales gas expressed in millions of cubic
feet (MMCF) at the official temperature and pressure bases
of the areas in which the gas reserves are located.
Annex F-1
Mariner Energy, Inc.
January 28, 2005
Page 2
The estimates of the reserves, future production, and cash flow
attributable to properties in this report were prepared using
the economic software package Aries for Windows, a copyrighted
program of Landmark. The program was used solely at the request
of Mariner. Ryder Scott has found this program to be generally
acceptable, but notes that certain summaries and calculations
may vary due to rounding and may not exactly match the sum of
the properties being summarized. Furthermore, one line economic
summaries may vary slightly from the more detailed cash flow
projections of the same properties, also due to rounding. The
rounding differences are not material.
The future gross revenue is after the deduction of production
taxes. The deductions are comprised of the normal direct costs
of operating the wells, ad valorem taxes, recompletion costs,
development costs, and certain abandonment costs net of salvage.
The future net cash flow is before the deduction of state and
federal income taxes and general administrative overhead, and
has not been adjusted for outstanding loans that may exist nor
does it include any adjustment for cash on hand or undistributed
income. Gas reserves account for approximately 63 percent
and liquid hydrocarbons account for approximately
37 percent of total future gross revenue from proved
reserves.
The present value shown above was calculated using a discount
rate of 10 percent per annum compounded monthly. Future
cash flow was discounted at four other discount rates which were
also compounded monthly. These results are shown on each
estimated projection of future production and cash flow
presented in a later section of this report and in summary form
as follows.
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Present Value | |
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As of December 31, 2004 | |
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(M$) | |
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Discount Rate | |
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Total | |
Percent | |
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Proved | |
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5 |
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$ |
815,643.4 |
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15 |
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$ |
575,781.8 |
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20 |
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$ |
511,036.7 |
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25 |
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$ |
462,061.6 |
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The results shown above are presented for your information and
should not be construed as our estimate of fair market value.
Reserves Included in This Report
The proved reserves included herein conform to the
definition as set forth in the Securities and Exchange
Commissions
Regulation S-X
Part 210.4-10(a)
as clarified by subsequent Commission Staff Accounting
Bulletins. The definitions of proved reserves are included under
the tab Petroleum Reserves Definitions in this
report.
Because of the direct relationship between volumes of proved
undeveloped reserves and development plans, we include in the
proved undeveloped category only reserves assigned to
undeveloped locations that we have been assured will definitely
be drilled.
The proved developed non-producing reserves included herein are
comprised of the behind pipe and shut in categories. The various
reserve status categories are defined under the tab
Petroleum Reserves Definitions in this report.
Annex F-2
Mariner Energy, Inc.
January 28, 2005
Page 3
Estimates of Reserves
In general, the reserves included herein were estimated by
performance methods or the volumetric method; however, other
methods were used in certain cases where characteristics of the
data indicated such other methods were more appropriate in our
opinion. The reserves estimated by the performance method
utilized extrapolations of various historical data in those
cases where such data were definitive. Reserves were estimated
by the volumetric method in those cases where there were
inadequate historical performance data to establish a definitive
trend or where the use of production performance data as a basis
for the reserve estimates was considered to be inappropriate.
The reserves included in this report are estimates only and
should not be construed as being exact quantities. They may or
may not be actually recovered, and if recovered, the revenues
therefrom and the actual costs related thereto could be more or
less than the estimated amounts. Moreover, estimates of reserves
may increase or decrease as a result of future operations.
Future Production Rates
Initial production rates are based on the current producing
rates for those wells now on production. Test data and other
related information were used to estimate the anticipated
initial production rates for those wells or locations which are
not currently producing. If no production decline trend has been
established, future production rates were held constant, or
adjusted for the effects of curtailment where appropriate, until
a decline in ability to produce was anticipated. An estimated
rate of decline was then applied to depletion of the reserves.
If a decline trend has been established, this trend was used as
the basis for estimating future production rates. For reserves
not yet on production, sales were estimated to commence at an
anticipated date furnished by Mariner.
The future production rates from wells now on production may be
more or less than estimated because of changes in market demand
or allowables set by regulatory bodies. Wells or locations which
are not currently producing may start producing earlier or later
than anticipated in our estimates of their future production
rates.
Hydrocarbon Prices
Mariner furnished us with hydrocarbon prices of $43.45 per
barrel for oil and $6.149 per MMBTU for gas in effect at
December 31, 2004. In accordance with FASB Statement
No. 69, December 31, 2004 market prices were
determined using the daily oil price or daily gas sales price
(spot price) adjusted for oilfield or gas gathering
hub and wellhead price differences (e.g. grade, transportation,
gravity, sulfur and BS&W) as appropriate. Also in accordance
with SEC and FASB specifications, changes in market prices
subsequent to December 31, 2004 were not considered in this
report.
Costs
Operating costs were supplied by Mariner. We did not review
these costs and make no assurances of their accuracy.
Development costs were furnished to us by Mariner and are based
on authorizations for expenditure for the proposed work or
actual costs for similar projects. The estimated net cost of
abandonment after salvage was included for the offshore
properties where abandonment costs net of salvage were
significant. At the request of Mariner, their estimate of zero
abandonment costs after salvage value for onshore properties was
used in this report. Ryder Scott has not performed a detailed
study of the abandonment costs or the salvage value and makes no
warranty for Mariners estimates.
Annex F-3
Mariner Energy, Inc.
January 28, 2005
Page 4
Current costs were held constant throughout the life of the
properties.
Reversion Interests
Mariner furnished us with the dates of interest reversions on
all of the applicable properties. We did not verify these dates
and make no assurances of their accuracy. We used these dates
presented by Mariner in our evaluations.
Royalty Relief
Mariner has also furnished us with the ownership interests in
the subject properties and we used these without independent
verification. In the deepwater areas of the Gulf of Mexico, it
is not uncommon for the Mineral Management Service (MMS) to
grant leases which are subject to Federal royalty relief. This
relief is commonly suspended when a certain amount of
hydrocarbons are recovered from the lease or when product prices
rise above a predetermined amount. Mariner states the lease they
signed with the MMS for Mississippi Canyon block 296 allows
for royalty relief without regard to hydrocarbon prices.
General
Table A presents a one line summary of proved reserve and
cash flow for each of the subject properties which are ranked
according to their present value discounted at 10 percent
per year. Table B presents a one line summary of gross and
net reserves and cash flow data for each of the subject
properties. Table C presents a one line summary of initial
basic data for each of the subject properties. Tables 1
through 653 present our estimated projection of production and
cash flow by years beginning January 1, 2005, by state,
field, and lease or well.
While it may reasonably be anticipated that the future prices
received for the sale of production and the operating costs and
other costs relating to such production may also increase or
decrease from existing levels, such changes were, in accordance
with rules adopted by the SEC, omitted from consideration in
making this evaluation.
The estimates of reserves presented herein were based upon a
detailed study of the properties in which Mariner owns an
interest; however, we have not made any field examination of the
properties. No consideration was given in this report to
potential environmental liabilities which may exist nor were any
costs included for potential liability to restore and clean up
damages, if any, caused by past operating practices. Mariner has
informed us that they have furnished us all of the accounts,
records, geological and engineering data, and reports and other
data required for this investigation. The ownership interests,
prices, and other factual data furnished by Mariner were
accepted without independent verification. The estimates
presented in this report are based on data available through
December 2004.
Mariner has assured us of their intent and ability to proceed
with the development activities included in this report, and
that they are not aware of any legal, regulatory or political
obstacles that would significantly alter their plans.
Neither we nor any of our employees have any interest in the
subject properties and neither the employment to make this study
nor the compensation is contingent on our estimates of reserves
and future income for the subject properties.
Annex F-4
Mariner Energy, Inc.
January 28, 2005
Page 5
This report was prepared for the exclusive use and sole benefit
of Mariner Energy, Inc. The data, work papers, and maps used in
this report are available for examination by authorized parties
in our offices. Please contact us if we can be of further
service.
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Very truly yours, |
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RYDER SCOTT COMPANY, L.P. |
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Timothy J. Torres, P.E. |
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Vice President |
TJT/pl
Annex F-5
PETROLEUM RESERVES DEFINITIONS
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
INTRODUCTION
Reserves are those quantities of petroleum which are anticipated
to be commercially recovered from known accumulations from a
given date forward. All reserve estimates involve some degree of
uncertainty. The uncertainty depends chiefly on the amount of
reliable geologic and engineering data available at the time of
the estimate and the interpretation of these data. The relative
degree of uncertainty may be conveyed by placing reserves into
one of two principal classifications, either proved or unproved.
Unproved reserves are less certain to be recovered than proved
reserves and may be further sub-classified as probable and
possible reserves to denote progressively increasing uncertainty
in their recoverability. It should be noted that Securities and
Exchange Commission
Regulation S-K
prohibits the disclosure of estimated quantities of probable or
possible reserves of oil and gas and any estimated value thereof
in any documents publicly filed with the Commission.
Reserves estimates will generally be revised as additional
geologic or engineering data become available or as economic
conditions change. Reserves do not include quantities of
petroleum being held in inventory, and may be reduced for usage
or processing losses if required for financial reporting.
Reserves may be attributed to either natural energy or improved
recovery methods. Improved recovery methods include all methods
for supplementing natural energy or altering natural forces in
the reservoir to increase ultimate recovery. Examples of such
methods are pressure maintenance, cycling, waterflooding,
thermal methods, chemical flooding, and the use of miscible and
immiscible displacement fluids. Other improved recovery methods
may be developed in the future as petroleum technology continues
to evolve.
PROVED RESERVES (SEC DEFINITIONS)
Securities and Exchange Commission
Regulation S-X
Rule 4-10
paragraph (a) defines proved reserves as follows:
Proved oil and gas reserves. Proved oil and gas reserves
are the estimated quantities of crude oil, natural gas, and
natural gas liquids which geological and engineering data
demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in
future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and
operating conditions, i.e., prices and costs as of the date the
estimate is made. Prices include consideration of changes in
existing prices provided only by contractual arrangements, but
not on escalations based upon future conditions.
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(i) Reservoirs are considered proved if economic
producibility is supported by either actual production or
conclusive formation test. The area of a reservoir considered
proved includes: |
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(A) that portion delineated by drilling and defined by
gas-oil and/or oil-water contacts, if any; and |
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(B) the immediately adjoining portions not yet drilled, but
which can be reasonably judged as economically productive on the
basis of available geological and engineering data. In the
absence of information on fluid contacts, the lowest known
structural occurrence of hydrocarbons controls the lower proved
limit of the reservoir. |
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(ii) Reserves which can be produced economically through
application of improved recovery techniques (such as fluid
injection) are included in the proved classification
when successful testing by a pilot project, or the operation of
an installed program in the reservoir, provides support for the
engineering analysis on which the project or program was based. |
Annex F-6
PETROLEUM RESERVES DEFINITIONS
Page 2
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(iii) Estimates of proved reserves do not include the
following: |
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(A) oil that may become available from known reservoirs but
is classified separately as indicated additional
reserves; |
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(B) crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids, the
recovery of which is subject to reasonable doubt because of
uncertainty as to geology, reservoir characteristics, or
economic factors; |
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(C) crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids, that
may occur in undrilled prospects; and |
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(D) crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids, that
may be recovered from oil shales, coal, gilsonite and other such
sources. |
Proved developed oil and gas reserves. Proved developed
oil and gas reserves are reserves that can be expected to be
recovered through existing wells with existing equipment and
operating methods. Additional oil and gas expected to be
obtained through the application of fluid injection or other
improved recovery techniques for supplementing the natural
forces and mechanisms of primary recovery should be included as
proved developed reserves only after testing by a
pilot project or after the operation of an installed program has
confirmed through production response that increased recovery
will be achieved.
Proved undeveloped reserves. Proved undeveloped oil and
gas reserves are reserves that are expected to be recovered from
new wells on undrilled acreage, or from existing wells where a
relatively major expenditure is required for recompletion.
Reserves on undrilled acreage shall be limited to those drilling
units offsetting productive units that are reasonably certain of
production when drilled. Proved reserves for other undrilled
units can be claimed only where it can be demonstrated with
certainty that there is continuity of production from the
existing productive formation. Under no circumstances should
estimates for proved undeveloped reserves be attributable to any
acreage for which an application of fluid injection or other
improved recovery technique is contemplated, unless such
techniques have been proved effective by actual tests in the
area and in the same reservoir.
Certain Staff Accounting Bulletins published subsequent to the
promulgation of
Regulation S-X
have dealt with matters relating to the application of financial
accounting and disclosure rules for oil and gas producing
activities. In particular, the following interpretations
extracted from Staff Accounting Bulletins set forth the
Commission staffs view on specific questions pertaining to
proved oil and gas reserves.
Economic producibility of estimated proved reserves can be
supported to the satisfaction of the Office of Engineering if
geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable
certainty that those reserves can be recovered in future years
under existing economic and operating conditions. The relative
importance of the many pieces of geological and engineering data
which should be evaluated when classifying reserves cannot be
identified in advance. In certain instances, proved reserves may
be assigned to reservoirs on the basis of a combination of
electrical and other type logs and core analyses which indicate
the reservoirs are analogous to similar reservoirs in the same
field which are producing or have demonstrated the ability to
produce on a formation test. (extracted from SAB-35)
In determining whether proved undeveloped reserves
encompass acreage on which fluid injection (or other
improved recovery technique) is contemplated, is it appropriate
to distinguish between (i) fluid injection used for
pressure maintenance during the early life of a field and
(ii) fluid injection used to effect secondary recovery when
a field is in the late stages of depletion? ... The Office of
Engineering believes that the distinction identified in the
above question may be appropriate in a few limited
circumstances, such as in the case of certain fields in the
North Sea. The staff will review estimates of proved reserves
attributable to fluid injection in the light of the strength of
the evidence presented by the registrant in support of a
contention that enhanced recovery will be achieved. (extracted
from SAB-35)
Annex F-7
PETROLEUM RESERVES DEFINITIONS
Page 3
Companies should report reserves of natural gas liquids which
are net to their leasehold interest, i.e., that portion
recovered in a processing plant and allocated to the leasehold
interest. It may be appropriate in the case of natural gas
liquids not clearly attributable to leasehold interests
ownership to follow instruction (b) of Item 2(b)(3) of
Regulation S-K and
report such reserves separately and describe the nature of the
ownership. (extracted from SAB-35)
The staff believes that since coalbed methane gas can be
recovered from coal in its natural and original location, it
should be included in proved reserves, provided that it complies
in all other respects with the definition of proved oil and gas
reserves as specified in Rule 4-10(a)(2) including the
requirement that methane production be economical at current
prices, costs, (net of the tax credit) and existing operating
conditions. (extracted from SAB-85)
Statements in Staff Accounting Bulletins are not rules or
interpretations of the Commission nor are they published as
bearing the Commissions official approval; they represent
interpretations and practices followed by the Division of
Corporation Finance and the Office of the Chief Accountant in
administering the disclosure requirements of the Federal
securities laws.
SUB-CATEGORIZATION OF DEVELOPED RESERVES (SPE/ WPC
DEFINITIONS)
In accordance with guidelines adopted by the Society of
Petroleum Engineers (SPE) and the World Petroleum Congress
(WPC), developed reserves may be sub-categorized as producing or
non-producing.
Producing. Reserves sub-categorized as producing are
expected to be recovered from completion intervals which are
open and producing at the time of the estimate. Improved
recovery reserves are considered producing only after the
improved recovery project is in operation.
Non-Producing. Reserves sub-categorized as non-producing
include shut-in and behind pipe reserves. Shut-in reserves are
expected to be recovered from (1) completion intervals
which are open at the time of the estimate but which have not
started producing, (2) wells which were shut-in awaiting
pipeline connections or as a result of a market interruption, or
(3) wells not capable of production for mechanical reasons.
Behind pipe reserves are expected to be recovered from zones in
existing wells, which will require additional completion work or
future recompletion prior to the start of production.
Annex F-8
Annex G
MARINER ENERGY, INC.
AMENDED AND RESTATED STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
Section 1. Purpose
of the Plan.
The Mariner Energy, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan effective as of
March 11, 2005 (the Original Plan), is hereby
amended and restated in its entirety. The Original Plan, as
hereby amended and restated (the Plan or the
Amended and Restated Plan) is intended to promote
the interests of Mariner Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the Company), by encouraging Employees and
Directors to acquire or increase their equity interest in the
Company and to provide a means whereby they may develop a sense
of proprietorship and personal involvement in the development
and financial success of the Company, and to encourage them to
remain with and devote their best efforts to the business of the
Company, thereby advancing the interests of the Company and its
stockholders. The Plan is also contemplated to enhance the
ability of the Company and its Subsidiaries to attract and
retain the services of individuals who are essential for the
growth and profitability of the Company.
Section 2. Definitions.
As used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings
set forth below:
Award shall mean an Option or Restricted Stock.
Award Agreement shall mean any written or electronic
agreement, contract, instrument or document evidencing any
Award, which may, but need not, be executed or acknowledged by a
Participant.
Board shall mean the Board of Directors of the
Company.
Code shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations
thereunder.
Committee shall mean the Board or any committee of
the Board designated, from time to time, by the Board to act as
the Committee under the Plan.
Director shall mean any member of the Board who is
not an Employee.
Employee shall mean any employee of the Company, a
Subsidiary or a Parent Entity.
Exchange Act shall mean the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended.
Fair Market Value shall mean, as of any applicable
date, the last reported sales price for a Share on the principal
securities exchange on which the Shares are traded on the
applicable date as reported by such reporting service approved
by the Committee; provided, however, that if Shares shall not
have been quoted or traded on such applicable date, Fair Market
Value shall be determined based on the next preceding date on
which they were quoted or traded, or, if deemed appropriate by
the Committee, in such other manner as it may determine to be
appropriate. In the event the Shares are not publicly traded at
the time a determination of its Fair Market Value is required to
be made hereunder, the determination of Fair Market Value shall
be made in good faith by the Committee.
Incentive Stock Option or ISO shall mean
an option granted under Section 6(a) of the Plan that is
intended to qualify as an incentive stock option
under Section 422 of the Code or any successor provision
thereto.
Non-Qualified Stock Option or NQO shall
mean an option granted under Section 6(a) of the Plan that
is not intended to be an Incentive Stock Option.
Option shall mean an Incentive Stock Option or a
Non-Qualified Stock Option.
Annex G-1
Parent Entity means any entity that owns a majority
of the voting power of the Company, directly or indirectly,
except with respect to the grant of an ISO the term Parent
Entity shall mean any parent corporation as defined
in Section 424 of the Code.
Participant shall mean any Employee or Director
granted an Award under the Plan.
Person shall mean individual, corporation,
partnership, limited liability company, association, joint-stock
company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or
political subdivision thereof or other entity.
Restricted Period shall mean the period established
by the Committee with respect to an Award during which the Award
either remains subject to forfeiture or is not exercisable by
the Participant.
Restricted Stock shall mean any Share, prior to the
lapse of restrictions thereon, granted under Section 6(b)
of the Plan.
Rule 16b-3
shall mean
Rule 16b-3
promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act, or any successor
rule or regulation thereto as in effect from time to time.
SEC shall mean the Securities and Exchange
Commission, or any successor thereto.
Shares or Common Shares or Common
Stock shall mean the common stock of the Company,
$.0001 par value, and such other securities or property as
may become the subject of Awards of the Plan.
Subsidiary shall mean any entity (whether a
corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability
company or other entity) in which the Company owns a majority of
the voting power of the entity directly or indirectly, except
with respect to the grant of an ISO the term Subsidiary shall
mean any subsidiary corporation of the Company as
defined in Section 424 of the Code.
Section 3. Administration.
The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. A majority of
the Committee shall constitute a quorum, and the acts of the
members of the Committee who are present at any meeting thereof
at which a quorum is present, or acts unanimously approved by
the members of the Committee in writing, shall be the acts of
the Committee. Subject to the terms of the Plan and applicable
law, and in addition to other express powers and authorizations
conferred on the Committee by the Plan, the Committee shall have
full power and authority to: designate Participants; determine
the type or types of Awards to be granted to a Participant;
determine the number of Shares to be covered by, or with respect
to which payments, rights, or other matters are to be calculated
in connection with, Awards; determine the terms and conditions
of any Award; determine whether, to what extent, and under what
circumstances Awards may be settled or exercised in cash,
Shares, other securities, other Awards or other property, or
canceled, forfeited, or suspended and the method or methods by
which Awards may be settled, exercised, canceled, forfeited, or
suspended; interpret and administer the Plan and any instrument
or agreement relating to an Award made under the Plan;
establish, amend, suspend, or waive such rules and regulations
and appoint such agents as it shall deem appropriate for the
proper administration of the Plan; and make any other
determination and take any other action that the Committee deems
necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan.
Unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, all
designations, determinations, interpretations, and other
decisions under or with respect to the Plan or any award shall
be within the sole discretion of the Committee, may be made at
any time and shall be final, conclusive, and binding upon all
Persons, including the Company, any Subsidiary, any Parent
Entity, any Participant, any holder or beneficiary of any Award,
any stockholder and any other Person.
Section 4. Shares
Available for Awards.
(a) Shares Available. Subject to adjustment as
provided in Section 4(c), (i) the number of Shares
that may be issued with respect to Awards granted under the Plan
shall be 6,500,000, and (ii) the maximum number of shares
with respect to which Options or Restricted Stock may be granted
to an Employee during the term of the Plan shall be 2,850,000.
If an Award is forfeited or otherwise lapses, expires,
terminates or is canceled without the actual delivery of Shares,
then the Shares covered by such Award, to the extent of such
forfeiture, expiration, lapse, termination or cancellation,
shall again be Shares that may be issued with respect to Awards
granted under the Plan. Shares withheld by the Company to
satisfy tax withholding or exercise
Annex G-2
price obligations shall not be considered delivered under the
Plan and shall again be available for issuance under future
Awards.
(b) Sources of Shares Deliverable Under Awards. Any
Shares delivered pursuant to an Award may consist, in whole or
in part, of authorized and unissued Shares or of treasury Shares.
(c) Adjustments. In the event of a stock dividend or
stock split with respect to Shares, the number of Shares with
respect to which Awards may be granted, the maximum number of
shares with respect to which Options or Restricted Stock may be
granted to an Employee during the term of the Plan, the number
of Shares subject to outstanding Awards, and the grant or
exercise price with respect to outstanding Awards automatically
shall be proportionately adjusted, without action by the
Committee, which adjustment will be evidenced by written
addendums to the Plan and Award Agreements prepared by the
Company and, with respect to Options, shall be in accordance
with the Treasury Regulations concerning Incentive Stock Options.
Section 5. Eligibility.
Any Employee or Director shall be eligible to be designated a
Participant by the Committee.
Section 6. Awards.
(a) Options. Subject to the provisions of the Plan,
the Committee shall have the authority to determine Participants
to whom Options shall be granted, the number of Shares to be
covered by each Option, the purchase price therefor and the
conditions, whether the Option is an ISO or a Non-Qualified
Stock Option, and limitations applicable to the exercise of the
Option, including the following terms and conditions and such
additional terms and conditions, as the Committee shall
determine, that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the
Plan.
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(i) Exercise Price. Subject to adjustment pursuant
to Section 4(c) of the Plan, the purchase price per Share
purchasable under an Option shall be determined by the Committee
at the time the Option is granted, but shall not be less than
the Fair Market Value per Share on the effective date of such
grant. |
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(ii) Time and Method of Exercise. The Committee
shall determine and provide in the Award Agreement the time or
times at which an Option may be exercised in whole or in part,
and the method or methods by which, and the form or forms (which
may include, without limitation, cash, check acceptable to the
Company, Shares already-owned by the Participant for more than
six months (unless such holding requirement is waived by the
Committee), if the Shares are publicly traded, a
cashless-broker exercise through procedures approved
by the Company, or any combination thereof) in which payment of
the exercise price with respect thereto may be made or deemed to
have been made. |
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(iii) Incentive Stock Options. An Incentive Stock
Option may be granted only to an individual who is an employee
of the Company or any parent or subsidiary corporation (as
defined in section 424 of the Code) at the time the Option
is granted and must be granted within 10 years from the
date the Plan was approved by the Board or the shareholders,
whichever is earlier. To the extent that the aggregate Fair
Market Value (determined at the time the respective Incentive
Stock Option is granted) of Common Stock with respect to which
Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by an
individual during any calendar year under all incentive stock
option plans of the Company and its parent and subsidiary
corporations exceeds $100,000, or such Option fails to
constitute an Incentive Stock Option for any reason, such
purported Incentive Stock Options shall be treated as
Non-Qualified Stock Options. The Committee shall determine, in
accordance with applicable provisions of the Code, Treasury
Regulations and other administrative pronouncements, which of a
Participants purported Incentive Stock Options do not
constitute Incentive Stock Options and shall notify the
Participant of such determination as soon as reasonably
practicable after such determination. No Incentive Stock Option
shall be granted to an individual if, at the time the Option is
granted, such individual owns stock possessing more than 10% of
the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the
Company or of its parent or subsidiary corporation, within the
meaning of section 422(b)(6) of the Code, unless
(i) at the time such Option is granted the option price is
at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock
subject to the Option and (ii) such Option by its terms is
not exercisable after the |
Annex G-3
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expiration of five years from the date of grant. An Incentive
Stock Option shall not be transferable otherwise than by will or
the laws of descent and distribution, and shall be exercisable
during the Participants lifetime only by such Participant
or the Participants guardian or legal representative. The
terms of any Incentive Stock Option granted under the Plan shall
comply in all respects with the provisions of Section 422
of the Code, or any successor provision, and any regulations
promulgated thereunder. |
(b) Restricted Stock. Subject to the provisions of
the Plan, the Committee shall have the authority to determine
the Participants to whom Restricted Stock shall be granted, the
number of Shares of Restricted Stock to be granted to each such
Participant, the duration of the Restricted Period, the
conditions, including such performance criteria, if any, under
which the Restricted Stock may be forfeited to the Company, and
the other terms and conditions of such Awards.
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(i) Dividends. Dividends paid on Restricted Stock
may be paid directly to the Participant, may be subject to risk
of forfeiture and/or transfer restrictions during any period
established by the Committee or sequestered and held in a
bookkeeping cash account (with or without interest) or
reinvested on an immediate or deferred basis in additional
shares of Common Stock, which credit or shares may be subject to
the same restrictions as the underlying Award or such other
restrictions, all as determined by the Committee in its
discretion, as provided in the Award Agreement. |
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(ii) Registration. Any Restricted Stock may be
evidenced in such manner as the Committee shall deem
appropriate, including, without limitation, book-entry
registration or issuance of a stock certificate or certificates.
In the event any stock certificate is issued in respect of
Restricted Stock granted under the Plan, such certificate shall
be registered in the name of the Participant and shall bear an
appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and
restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock. |
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(iii) Forfeiture and Restrictions Lapse. Except as
otherwise determined by the Committee or the terms of the Award
Agreement that granted the Restricted Stock, upon termination of
a Participants employment for any reason during the
applicable Restricted Period, all Restricted Stock shall be
forfeited by the Participant without payment and re-acquired by
the Company. The Committee may, when it finds that a waiver
would be in the best interests of the Company, waive in whole or
in part any or all remaining restrictions with respect to such
Participants Restricted Stock, provided, however, if the
Award is intended to qualify as performance based compensation
under Section 162(m) of the Code, such waiver may be only
upon an event permitted under Section 162(m) of the Code or
the regulations thereunder. Unrestricted Shares, evidenced in
such manner as the Committee shall deem appropriate, shall be
issued to the holder of Restricted Stock promptly after the
applicable restrictions have lapsed or otherwise been satisfied. |
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(iv) Transfer Restrictions. During the Restricted
Period, Restricted Stock will be subject to such limitations on
transfer as necessary to comply with Section 83 of the Code. |
(c) General.
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(i) Awards May Be Granted Separately or Together.
Awards may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted
either alone or in addition to, in tandem with, any other Award
granted under the Plan or any award granted under any other plan
of the Company or any Parent Entity or Subsidiary. Awards
granted in addition to or in tandem with other Awards or awards
granted under any other plan of the Company or any Parent Entity
or Subsidiary may be granted either at the same time as or at a
different time from the grant of such other Awards or awards. |
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(ii) Limits on Transfer of Awards. |
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(A) Except as provided in paragraph (C) below,
each Award, and each right under any Award, shall be exercisable
only by the Participant during the Participants lifetime,
or if permissible under applicable law, by the
Participants guardian or legal representative as
determined by the Committee. |
Annex G-4
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(B) Except as provided in paragraph (C) below, no
Award and no right under any such Award may be assigned,
alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or
encumbered by a Participant other than by will or by the laws of
descent and distribution, and any such purported prohibited
assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or
encumbrance shall be void and unenforceable against the Company
or any Parent Entity or Subsidiary. |
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(C) To the extent specifically approved in writing by the
Committee, an Award (other than an Incentive Stock Option) may
be transferred to immediate family members or related family
trusts, limited partnerships or similar entities or other
Persons on such terms and conditions as the Committee may
establish or approve in its sole discretion. |
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(iii) Terms of Awards. The term of each Award shall
be for such period as may be determined by the Committee,
provided the term of an Incentive Stock Option shall be limited
as provided in Section 6(a)(iii). |
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(iv) Share Restrictions. All Shares or other
securities of the Company or any Subsidiary delivered under the
Plan pursuant to any Award or the exercise thereof shall be
subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as
the Committee may deem advisable under the Plan or the rules,
regulations, and other requirements of the SEC, any stock
exchange upon which such Shares or other securities are then
listed, and any applicable federal or state laws, and if
certificates are issued for the Shares, the Committee may cause
a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make
appropriate reference to such restrictions. |
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(v) Consideration for Grants. Awards may be granted
for no cash consideration or for such consideration as the
Committee determines including, without limitation, such minimal
cash consideration as may be required by applicable law. |
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(vi) Delivery of Shares or other Securities and Payment
by Participant of Consideration. No Shares or other
securities shall be delivered pursuant to any Award until
payment in full of any amount required to be paid pursuant to
the Plan or the applicable Award Agreement (including, without
limitation, any exercise price or tax withholding) is received
by the Company. Such payment may be made by such method or
methods and in such form or forms as the Committee shall
determine, including, without limitation, cash, Shares, other
securities, other Awards or other property, withholding of
Shares, cashless exercise with simultaneous sale, or any
combination thereof, provided that the combined value, as
determined by the Committee, of all cash and cash equivalents
and the Fair Market Value of any such Shares or other property
so tendered to the Company, as of the date of such tender, is at
least equal to the full amount required to be paid pursuant to
the Plan or the applicable Award Agreement to the Company. |
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(vii) Unusual Transactions or Events. In the event
of any distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares, other
securities, or other property), recapitalization,
reorganization, merger, spin-off, split-off, split-up,
consolidation, combination, repurchase, or exchange of Shares or
other securities of the Company, or other relevant corporate
transaction or event or any unusual or nonrecurring transactions
or events affecting the Company or any affiliate of the Company,
and whenever the Committee determines that action is appropriate
in order to prevent the dilution or enlargement of the benefits
or potential benefits intended to be made available under the
Plan or with respect to any Award under the Plan, to facilitate
such transactions or events, the Committee, in its sole
discretion and on such terms and conditions as it deems
appropriate, may take any one or more of the following actions: |
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(A) To provide for either (i) the termination of any
such Award in exchange for an amount of cash, if any, equal to
the amount that would have been attained upon the exercise of
such Award or realization of the Participants rights (and,
for the avoidance of doubt, if as of the date of the occurrence
of such transaction or event the Committee determines in good
faith that no amount would have been attained upon the exercise
of such Award or realization of the Participants rights,
then such Award may be terminated by the Company without
payment) or (ii) the replacement of such Award with other
rights or property selected by the Committee in its sole
discretion; |
Annex G-5
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(B) To provide that such Award be assumed by the successor
or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, or
shall be substituted for by similar options, rights or awards
covering the stock of the successor or survivor corporation, or
a parent or subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as
to the number and kind of shares and prices; |
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(C) To make adjustments in the number and type of shares of
common Stock (or other securities or property) subject to
outstanding Awards, and in the number and kind of outstanding
Awards and/or in the terms and conditions of (including the
grant or exercise price), and the criteria included in,
outstanding Awards and Awards which may be granted in the
future, and in the maximum number of shares with respect to
which Options or Restricted Stock may be granted to an Employee
during the term of the Plan; and |
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(D) To provide that such Award shall be exercisable or
payable or fully vested with respect to all Shares covered
thereby, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or
the applicable Award Agreement. |
Section 7. Amendment
and Termination.
Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law and unless
otherwise expressly provided in an Award Agreement or in the
Plan:
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(i) Amendments to the Plan. The Board or the
Committee may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate
the Plan without the consent of any stockholder, Participant,
other holder or beneficiary of an Award, or other Person;
provided, however, notwithstanding any other provision of the
Plan or any Award Agreement, without the approval of the
stockholders of the Company (i) no such amendment,
alteration, suspension, discontinuation, or termination shall be
made that would increase the total number of Shares that may be
issued under Awards granted under the Plan, except as provided
in Section 4(c) of the Plan, or (ii) permit the
exercise price of any outstanding Option that is
underwater to be reduced or for an
underwater Option to be cancelled and replaced with
a new Award; provided further, however, no such amendment,
alteration, suspension, discontinuation, or termination shall
materially adversely affect the rights of a Participant under an
Award without the consent of such Participant. |
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(ii) Amendments to Awards. Subject to
clause (i) above, the Committee may waive any conditions or
rights under, amend any terms of, or alter any Award theretofore
granted, provided no change in any Award shall materially
adversely affect the rights of a Participant under the Award
without the consent of such Participant. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, with respect to any Award intended to qualify as
performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the
Code, no adjustment other than an acceleration of vesting or
payment upon the Participants death, disability or change
of control of the Company, shall be authorized to the extent
such adjustment would cause the Award to fail to so qualify. |
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(iii) Compliance. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Committee may make any amendment to the Plan or an Award
Agreement that it believes necessary or helpful to comply with
any applicable law, including without limitation,
Section 409A of the Code. |
Section 8. General
Provisions.
(a) No Rights to Awards. No Participant or other
Person shall have any claim to be granted any Award, there is no
obligation for uniformity of treatment of Participants, or
holders or beneficiaries of Awards and the terms and conditions
of Awards need not be the same with respect to each recipient.
(b) No Right to Employment or Retention. The grant
of an Award shall not be construed as giving a Participant the
right to be retained in the employ of the Company or any Parent
Entity or Subsidiary or under any other service contract with
the Company or any Parent Entity or Subsidiary, or to remain on
the Board. Further, the Company or a Parent Entity or Subsidiary
may at any time dismiss a Participant from employment free from
any liability or any claim under the Plan, unless otherwise
expressly provided in the Plan, in any Award Agreement or any
other agreement or contract between the Company or a Parent
Entity or
Annex G-6
Subsidiary and the affected Participant. If a Participants
employer was a Parent Entity or Subsidiary and ceases to be a
Parent Entity or Subsidiary, such Participant shall be deemed to
have terminated employment for purposes of the Plan, unless
specifically provided otherwise in the Award Agreement.
(c) Governing Law. The validity, construction, and
effect of the Plan and any rules and regulations relating to the
Plan shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the
State of Delaware and applicable federal law.
(d) Severability. If any provision of the Plan or
any Award is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or
unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any Person or Award,
or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed
applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed
or deemed amended to conform to the applicable laws, or if it
cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the
determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent
of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to
such jurisdiction, Person or Award and the remainder of the Plan
and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.
(e) Other Laws. The Committee may refuse to issue or
transfer any Shares or other consideration under an Award,
permit the exercise of an Award and/or the satisfaction of its
tax withholding obligation in the manner elected by the
Participant, holder or beneficiary if, acting in its sole
discretion, it determines that the issuance of transfer or such
Shares or such other consideration, the manner of exercise or
satisfaction of the tax withholding obligation might violate any
applicable law or regulation, including without limitation, the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act, or entitle the Company to recover the same
under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, and any payment
tendered to the Company by a Participant, other holder or
beneficiary in connection with the exercise of such Award shall
be promptly refunded or refused, as the case may be, to the
relevant Participant, holder or beneficiary.
(f) No Trust or Fund Created. Neither the Plan
nor the Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or
separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between
the Company or any Parent Entity or Subsidiary and a Participant
or any other Person. To the extent that any Person acquires a
right to receive payments from the Company or any Parent Entity
or Subsidiary pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no
greater than the right of any general unsecured creditor of the
Company or any Parent Entity or Subsidiary.
(g) No Fractional Shares. No fractional Shares shall
be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award, and
the Committee shall determine whether cash, other securities, or
other property shall be paid or transferred in lieu of any
fractional Shares or whether such fractional Shares or any
rights thereto shall be cancelled, terminated, or otherwise
eliminated.
(h) Headings. Headings are given to the Section and
subsections of the Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate
reference. Such headings shall not be deemed in any way material
or relevant to the construction or interpretation of the plan or
any provision thereof.
Section 9. Effective
Date.
This Amended and Restated Plan shall become effective as of the
Effective Time, as such term is defined in the Agreement and
Plan of Merger dated as of September 9, 2005, among Forest
Oil Corporation, SML Wellhead Corporation, the Company and MEI
Sub, Inc.
Section 10. Term
of the Plan.
No Award shall be granted under this Amended and Restated Plan
after the 10th anniversary of the earlier of the date this
Amended and Restated Plan is adopted by the Board or is approved
by the stockholders of the Company. However, unless otherwise
expressly provided in the Plan or in an applicable Award
Agreement, any Award granted prior to such termination, and the
authority of the Committee to amend, alter, adjust, suspend,
discontinue, or terminate any such Award or to waive any
conditions or rights under such Award, shall extend beyond such
termination date.
Annex G-7