fv4
As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 1, 2006
Registration No. 333-[]
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORMS F-4* and S-4*
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Compagnie Générale de Géophysique
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
General Geophysics Company
(Translation of Registrants Name Into English)
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Republic of France
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1382
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Not Applicable |
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
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(Primary Standard Industrial
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
Incorporation or Organization)
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Classification Code Number) |
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1, rue Léon Migaux
91341 Massy
France
(33) 1 64 47 3000
(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrants Principal Executive Offices)
CT Corporation System
111 Eighth Avenue
New York, New York 10011
(212) 894-8400
(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)
Copies to:
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Michel Ponthus
Senior Executive Vice President
Legal Affairs and Human Resources
and Secretary General
Compagnie Générale de Géophysique
1, rue Léon Migaux
91341 Massy
France
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Thomas N. ONeill III
Linklaters
25, rue de Marignan
75008 Paris
France |
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule
462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration
statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities
Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the
earliest effective registration statement for the same offering. o
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Proposed Maximum |
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Proposed Maximum |
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Title of Each Class |
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Amount to be |
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Offering Price |
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Aggregate |
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Amount of |
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of Securities to be Registered |
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Registered |
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Per Senior Note(1) |
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Offering Price(1) |
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Registration Fee(2) |
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71/2% Senior Notes due 2015 |
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165,000,000 |
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100% |
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$ |
165,000,000 |
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$ |
17,655.00 |
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Guarantees of 71/2% Senior Notes due 2015(3) |
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$ |
165,000000 |
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(4) |
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(1)
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The notes being registered are being offered in exchange for 71/2% Senior Notes due 2015
previously sold in transactions exempt from registration under the Securities Act. The
registration fee was computed based on the face value of the 71/2% Senior Notes due 2015 solely
for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457 under the Securities Act. |
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(2)
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Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(f) under the Securities Act of 1933. |
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(3)
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The 71/2% Senior Notes due 2015 are unconditionally guaranteed, on a joint and several basis,
by certain subsidiaries on a senior unsecured basis. No separate consideration will be paid in
respect of these guarantees. See inside facing page for the registrant guarantors. |
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(4)
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Pursuant to Rule 457(n) under the Securities Act, no registration fee is required with
respect to the guarantees. |
The Registrants hereby amend this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be
necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrants will file a further amendment which
specifically states that this Registration Statement will thereafter become effective in accordance
with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement will become
effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
Table of Additional Registrants
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Name and Address, Including Zip |
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Primary Standard |
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Code and Telephone Number, |
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State or Other |
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Industrial |
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Including Area Code, of Principal |
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Jurisdiction of |
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Classification Code |
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I.R.S. Employer |
Executive Offices |
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Incorporation |
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Number |
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Identification No. |
CGG Americas Inc.
16430 Park Ten Place
Houston, Texas 77084
(1) 281 646 2400
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Texas
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1382 |
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74-1596771 |
CGG Canada Services Ltd.
450, 808-4th Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta TP3 E8
Canada
(1) 403 266 1011
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Alberta, Canada
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1382 |
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CGG Marine Resources
Norge A/S
OH Bangs Vei 70
N-1363 Høvik
Norway
(47) 67 11 34 72
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Norway
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1382 |
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Sercel, Inc.
17200 Park Row
Houston, Texas 77084
(1) 281 492 6688
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Oklahoma
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1382 |
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73-1396603 |
Sercel Canada Ltd.
1108 55th Avenue, NE
Calgary, Alberta TZE 6Y
Canada
(1) 403 275 3544
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New Brunswick, Canada
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1382 |
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Sercel Australia Pty Ltd.
274 Victoria Road
Rydalmere, New South Wales 2116
Australia
(61) 2 8832 5500
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New South Wales, Australia
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1382 |
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* |
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This registration statement comprises a filing on Form F-4 with respect to the securities
of the registrants (other than CGG Americas Inc. and Sercel, Inc.) and a filing on Form S-4
with respect to the securities of CGG Americas Inc. and Sercel, Inc. |
Offer to Exchange All Outstanding
71/2%
Initial Senior Notes due 2015
Guaranteed on a senior basis by certain subsidiaries
($165,000,000 aggregate principal amount outstanding)
for
71/2%
Exchange Senior Notes due 2015
Guaranteed on a senior basis by certain subsidiaries
Compagnie Générale de Géophysique
(General Geophysics Company)
We
are offering to exchange all of our outstanding unregistered
71/2% Senior
Notes due 2015 issued on February 3, 2006 for new
registered
71/2
% Senior Notes due 2015. The outstanding notes and
the new notes are sometimes collectively referred to as the
notes. The terms of the new notes are identical to the terms of
the outstanding notes except that the new notes are registered
under the Securities Act of 1933 (the Securities
Act) and, therefore, are freely transferable.
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Please consider the following:
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Information about the Notes: |
You
should carefully review the Risk Factors beginning on
page 22 of this prospectus.
Our offer to exchange outstanding notes
for new note will be open until 5:00 p.m., New York City
time, on
[ l ],
2006, unless we extend the exchange offer.
The exchange offer is not conditional
upon any minimum aggregate principal amount of outstanding notes
being tendered.
Tenders of outstanding notes may be
withdrawn any time prior to the expiration of the exchange
offer.
The exchange of outstanding notes for
new notes will not be a taxable event for U.S. federal
income tax purposes.
You should also carefully review the
procedures for tendering the outstanding notes beginning on
page 41 of this prospectus.
If you fail to tender your outstanding
notes, you will continue to hold unregistered securities and
your ability to transfer them could be adversely affected.
No public market currently exists for
the notes. Application has been made for the new notes to be
listed on the Euro MTF market of the Luxembourg Stock
Exchange. |
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The notes will mature on May 15,
2015.
We will pay interest on the notes
semi-annually on May 15 and November 15 of each year, beginning,
with respect to the new notes, November 15, 2006, at the
rate of
71/2% per
annum.
The new notes will be fully fungible
with, rank pari passu with and form a single series with our
$164,500,000
71/2% Senior
Notes due 2015 that were originally issued in connection with a
registered exchange offer that was completed on November 9,
2005.
We may redeem the notes on or after
May 15, 2010 at the redemption prices set forth on
page 52 of this prospectus.
We have the option until May 15,
2008, to redeem up to 35% of the original aggregate principal
amount of the notes originally issued and the notes with the net
proceeds of certain types of equity offerings.
At any time prior to May 15, 2010,
we may also redeem all or a part of the notes at a redemption
price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes plus
the applicable premium described in this prospectus.
We may also redeem all, but not fewer
than all, of the notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of
the principal amount of the notes in the event of certain
changes affecting tax laws.
The notes are our senior unsecured
obligations and will rank equally in right of payment with all
of our other existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness
and senior in right of payment to all our existing and future
subordinated indebtedness.
The notes will be initially guaranteed
on a senior unsecured basis by certain of our subsidiaries. The
notes and the subsidiary guarantees will be effectively
subordinated to all our secured obligations, all secured
obligations of our subsidiaries that guarantee the notes and all
obligations of our subsidiaries that do not guarantee the
notes.
If we undergo a change of control or
sell some of our assets, we may be required to offer to purchase
notes from you. |
Neither
the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or
passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this Prospectus is
[ l ],
2006
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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F-1 |
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This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should rely
only on the information or representations provided in this
prospectus. We have not authorized any person to provide
information other than that provided in this prospectus. We have
not authorized anyone to provide you with different information.
We are not making an offer of these securities in any
jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. You should not
assume that the information in this prospectus is accurate as of
any date other than the date on the front of this document.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We are subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act) applicable
to foreign private issuers. In accordance with the Exchange Act,
we electronically file reports, including annual reports on
Form 20-F and
interim reports on
Form 6-K, and
other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
You may obtain these reports and other information by sending a
written request to Compagnie Générale de
Géophysique, 1, rue Léon Migaux, 91341 Massy,
France, Attention: Investor Relations Officer, Telephone:
(33) 1 64 47 3000.
2
You can inspect and copy these reports, and other information,
without charge, at the Public Reference Room of the Commission
located at 100 F. Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You
may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference
Room by calling the Commission at
1-800-SEC-0330. The
Commission also maintains an Internet site at http://www.sec.gov
that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and
other information regarding issuers that file electronically
with the Commission. In addition, you can inspect material filed
by us at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange,
20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005, on which
American Depositary Shares representing shares of our common
stock are listed. As a foreign private issuer, we are not
subject to the proxy rules under Section 14 or the
short-swing insider profit disclosure rules under
Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
All information referred to above will, for so long as the notes
are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, also be available,
without charge, at the specified office of the Paying Agent in
Luxembourg during usual business hours on any weekday
(Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays excepted) from the date
of this prospectus.
PRESENTATION OF INFORMATION
In this prospectus, references to United States or
U.S. are to the United States of America, references
to U.S. dollars, $ or
U.S.$ are to United States dollars, references to
France are to the Republic of France, references to
FF are to French francs, references to
Norway are to the Kingdom of Norway, references to
NOK are to Norwegian kroner and references to
euro or
are to the single currency introduced at the start
of the third stage of European Economic and Monetary Union
pursuant to the Treaty Establishing the European Union.
Unless otherwise indicated, statements in this prospectus
relating to market share, ranking and data are derived from
management estimates based, in part, on independent industry
publications, reports by market research firms or other
published independent sources. Any discrepancies in any table
between totals and the sums of the amounts listed in such table
are due to rounding.
As used in this prospectus CGG, we,
us and our refer to Compagnie
Générale de Géophysique and its subsidiaries,
except as otherwise indicated.
3
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
The Commission allows us to incorporate by reference
the information we file with the Commission in other documents,
which means:
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incorporated documents are considered part of this prospectus; |
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we can disclose important information to you by referring you to
those documents; and |
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information that we file with the Commission after the date of
this prospectus automatically updates and supersedes this
prospectus. |
We incorporate by reference each of the following documents:
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our annual report on
Form 20-F for the
financial year ended December 31, 2005 filed with the
Commission on May 9, 2006; |
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our report on
Form 6-K submitted
to the Commission on May 11, 2006 containing our unaudited
interim financial statements for the three months ended
March 31, 2006; |
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our report on
Form 6-K submitted
to the Commission on May 15, 2006 with respect to the
conversion of our remaining convertible bonds due 2012 issued in
November 2004; and |
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our report on
Form 6-K submitted
to the Commission on May 15, 2006 with respect to the free
allocation of shares to certain of our employees. |
In addition, we incorporate by reference each of the following
documents that we will file with the Commission after the date
of this prospectus from now until the first anniversary of the
effective date of the registration statement pertaining to the
new notes:
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reports filed under Section 13(a), 13(c) or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act; and |
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any future reports filed on
Form 6-K that
indicate that they are incorporated by reference in this
prospectus. |
You may obtain a copy of any of the documents referred to above
(excluding exhibits) at no cost by contacting us at the
following address:
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Compagnie Générale de Géophysique |
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1, rue Léon Migaux |
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91341 Massy, France |
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Attention: Investor Relations Officer |
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Tel: (33) 1 64 47 3000 |
To obtain timely delivery, you must request any document no
later than five days before the date of the expiration of this
exchange offer, meaning no later than
[ l ],
2006.
4
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus includes forward-looking statements. We have
based these forward-looking statements on our current views and
assumptions about future events.
These forward-looking statements are subject to risks,
uncertainties and assumptions we have made, including, among
other things:
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changes in international economic and political conditions, and
in particular in oil and gas prices; |
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our ability to reduce costs; |
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our ability to finance our operations on acceptable terms; |
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the timely development and acceptance of our new products and
services; |
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the effects of competition; |
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political, legal and other developments in foreign countries; |
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the timing and extent of changes in exchange rates for
non-U.S. currencies
and interest rates; |
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the accuracy of our assessment of risks related to acquisitions,
projects and contracts, and whether these risks materialize; |
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our ability to integrate successfully the businesses or assets
we acquire, including Exploration Resources ASA; |
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our ability to sell our seismic data library; |
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our ability to access the debt and equity markets during the
periods covered by the forward-looking statements, which will
depend on general market conditions and on our credit ratings
for our debt obligations; and |
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our success at managing the risks of the foregoing. |
We undertake no obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise. In light of these
risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events
discussed in this prospectus might not occur.
5
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This summary highlights selected information from this
prospectus to help you understand our business and the terms of
the notes. You should carefully read all of this prospectus,
including the consolidated financial statements and related
notes, to understand fully our business and the terms of the
notes, as well as some of the other considerations that may be
important to you in making your investment decision. You should
pay special attention to the Risk Factors section of
this prospectus to determine whether an investment in the notes
is appropriate for you.
Compagnie Générale de Géophysique
We believe we are a leading international provider of
geophysical services and manufacturer of geophysical equipment.
Founded in France in 1931, we provide geophysical services
principally to oil and gas companies that use seismic imaging to
help explore for, develop and manage oil and gas reserves by:
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identifying new areas where subsurface conditions are favorable
for the accumulation of oil and gas; |
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determining the size and structure of previously identified oil
and gas fields; and |
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optimizing development and production of oil and gas reserves
(reservoir management). |
We sell our geophysical equipment primarily to other geophysical
service companies.
Our operations are organized into two main segments: Services
and Products. Services accounted for 64% and Products accounted
for 36% of our consolidated revenues for the year ended
December 31, 2005. For the three months ended
March 31, 2006, Services accounted for 71% and Products for
29% of our consolidated revenues. We generate revenues (by
location of customers) on a worldwide basis. For the year ended
December 31, 2005, 34% of our consolidated revenues were
from the Americas, 34% from the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific
region, 22% from Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent
States (CIS), and 10% from Africa. For the three
months ended March 31, 2006, 35% of our consolidated
revenues were from the Americas, 41% from the Middle East and
Asia-Pacific region, 15% from Europe and CIS and 9% from Africa.
On September 1, 2005, we acquired Exploration Resources, a
Norwegian company that provides offshore geophysical services,
for a total cost of
301.7 million. The acquisition is the most recent
component of our strategy to enhance our position in the
offshore geophysical services market. The financial statements
of Exploration Resources are included in our consolidated
financial statements from September 1, 2005.
Industry Conditions
Overall demand for geophysical services and equipment is
dependent upon spending by oil and gas companies for
exploration, production development and field management
activities. This spending depends in part on present and
expected future oil and gas prices.
We believe that the medium-term outlook for the geophysical
services sector, particularly the offshore segment, and the
demand for geophysical products is fundamentally positive for a
number of reasons:
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Economic growth, particularly in more active regions such as
Asia (notably China and India), is generating increased energy
demand and leading to higher energy prices and increased
exploration efforts; |
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The need to replace depleting reserves and maximize the recovery
of oil in existing reservoirs should encourage capital
expenditures by companies engaged in exploration and production,
which we expect will benefit the seismic industry; |
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The scope of application of geophysical services has
considerably increased over the last several years as a result
of significant research and development efforts. Geophysical
services can now potentially be applied to the entire sequence
of exploration, development and production as opposed to
exploration only. This is particularly true with technologies
such as 4D (time lapse seismic data); and |
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Finally, the depth and duration of the contraction in the
geophysical sector between 1999 and 2004 may have increased
awareness among geophysical service providers of the risks
related to market overcapacity. |
Services
Our services are organized into the following three Strategic
Business Units (SBUs):
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the Land SBU for land and shallow water seismic acquisition
services; |
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the Offshore SBU for marine seismic acquisition, multi-client
library sales and related services; and |
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the Processing & Reservoir SBU for seismic data
processing, data management and reservoir studies. |
Land SBU
We believe we are a leading land seismic contractor outside of
North America, particularly in difficult terrain. At
March 31, 2006, we had twelve land crews performing
specialized 3D and 2D seismic surveys, all of which were
recording data. Land seismic acquisition includes all seismic
surveying techniques where the recording sensor is either in
direct contact with, or in close proximity to, the ground. Our
Land SBU offers integrated services, including the acquisition
and processing of seismic data on land, in transition zones and
on the ocean floor (seabed surveys). We have developed
partnerships with local seismic acquisition companies in several
countries, including Kazakhstan, Indonesia and Libya. We bring
to these partnerships our international expertise, technical
know-how, equipment and experienced key personnel as needed,
while local partners provide their logistical resources,
equipment and knowledge of the environment and local market.
Revenues from our Land SBU accounted for approximately 11% and
14% of our revenues in 2004 and 2005, respectively, and
approximately 10% of our revenues for the three months ended
March 31, 2006.
Offshore SBU
We provide a full range of 3D marine seismic services,
principally in the Gulf of Mexico, the North Sea and off the
coasts of West Africa and Brazil as well as in the Asia-Pacific
region. The capacity to both acquire and process marine seismic
data is an important element of our overall strategy to maintain
and develop our leading position in marine seismic data
acquisition and processing. Including the Exploration Resources
fleet of seven vessels, we currently operate a fleet of
13 vessels, seven of which we own and six of which we
operate under time charters. Time charters allow us to change
vessels in order to keep pace with market developments and
provide us with the security of continued access to vessels
without the significant investment required for ownership.
We undertake both exclusive and non-exclusive (multi-client)
marine surveys. When we acquire marine seismic data on an
exclusive basis, the customer contracts to pay for and directs
the scope and extent of the survey and retains ownership of the
data obtained. In regions where there is extensive petroleum
exploration, such as Brazil, the Gulf of Mexico, West Africa,
the Mediterranean Sea and the North Sea, we also undertake
multi-client (or non-exclusive) surveys whereby we fund the
survey ourselves and retain ownership of the seismic data. This
enables us to provide multiple companies access to the data by
way of license. As a result, we have the potential to obtain
multiple and higher revenues, while our customers who license
the data have the opportunity to pay lower prices.
Revenues from our Offshore SBU accounted for approximately 30%
and 37% of our revenues in 2004 and 2005, respectively, and
approximately 50% of our revenues for the three months ended
March 31, 2006. The results of Exploration Resources are
included in our consolidated results from September 1, 2005.
Processing & Reservoir SBU
We provide seismic data processing and reservoir services
through our network of 29 data processing centers and reservoir
teams located around the world. Our seismic data processing
operations transform seismic data acquired in the field into 2D
cross-sections or 3D images of the earths subsurface using
Geocluster, our proprietary seismic software. These images are
then interpreted by geophysicists and geologists for use by oil
and
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gas companies in evaluating prospective areas, selecting
drilling sites and managing producing reservoirs. We process
seismic data acquired by our own land and marine acquisition
crews as well as seismic data acquired by non-affiliated third
parties. Marine seismic data has been a significant source of
the growth in demand for our data processing services and
represents over two-thirds of the operating revenues generated
in our processing centers. In addition, we reprocess previously
processed data using new techniques to improve the quality of
seismic images.
We complement our network of international centers with regional
multi-client centers and dedicated centers that bring processing
facilities within our clients premises. Fourteen of our
data processing centers are dedicated centers that
are located in our clients offices. We believe that these
dedicated centers are responsive to the trend among oil and gas
companies to outsource processing work. They also allow us to
provide our clients with a high level of service. These centers
enable our geoscientists to work directly with clients and
tailor our services to meet individual clients needs.
Revenues from our Processing & Reservoir SBU accounted
for approximately 15% and 13% of our revenues in 2004 and 2005,
respectively, and approximately 11% of our revenues for the
three months ended March 31, 2006.
Exploration Resources Acquisition
We acquired Exploration Resources, a Norwegian company that
provides offshore geophysical services in September 2005, for a
total cost of
303.3 million. The acquisition is the most recent
component of our strategy to enhance our position in the
offshore geophysical services market. We believe the acquisition
places us among the top three companies worldwide in this sector
and gives us access to new seabed and electromagnetic seabed
logging technology. With a larger fleet, we believe we will be
able to respond better and more cost-effectively to customer
demand in periods of significant activity, while continuing to
develop our library of geophysical data that we sell to multiple
clients. We have begun to upgrade some of Exploration
Resources vessels with the latest technologies in order to
take advantage of what we believe are significant opportunities
for high-end offshore geophysical services.
We financed the acquisition of Exploration Resources with a
U.S.$375 million bridge credit facility, which we repaid
with the proceeds of our share capital increase by way of
preferential subscription rights, issued on December 16,
2005 and our offering of the outstanding notes on
February 3, 2006.
See Unaudited Condensed Pro Forma Consolidated Financial
Information and the audited combined financial statements
of Exploration Resources at and for the year ended
December 31, 2004 and unaudited consolidated financial
statements of Exploration Resources as of and for the six months
ended June 30, 2005 included elsewhere in this prospectus
for further information regarding Exploration Resources.
Products
We conduct our equipment development and production operations
through Sercel Holding S.A. and its subsidiaries (which we refer
to as Sercel). Sercel is the market leader in the
development and production of seismic acquisition systems and
specialized equipment in the land and offshore seismic markets.
Sercels principal product line is seismic recording
equipment, particularly the 408UL 24-bit recording systems.
Sercel is operated as an independent division and makes most of
its sales to purchasers other than CGG.
Sercel significantly expanded its product range and increased
its market share in the seismic equipment industry with the
acquisitions of GeoScience Corporation in 1999 and Mark Product
in 2000 and has continued its expansion through acquisitions in
2003 and 2004. In October 2003, Sercel acquired Sodera S.A., a
leading provider of air gun sources used mainly in marine
seismic data acquisition. In January 2004, Sercel acquired a
division of Thales Underwater Systems Pty Ltd that develops and
manufactures surface marine seismic acquisition systems,
particularly solid streamers, and seabed marine seismic
acquisition systems. Also in 2004, Sercel acquired a 51% stake
in the capital of Sercel-JunFeng Geophysical Equipment Co Ltd, a
Chinese company based in Hebei, China, to reinforce
Sercels manufacturing capabilities for geophones, cables
and connectors. Both Thales seismic equipment business and
Sercel-JunFeng have been consolidated within the CGG group
8
from January 2004. Sercel continued its expansion in 2004
through the acquisitions of Createch Industrie and Orca
Instrumentation, strengthening its position in two areas with
perceived growth potential: sea-floor seismic systems and
borehole seismic tools. In November 2005, Sercel announced the
launch of both the 428 XL, its new generation of its land
seismic acquisition systems, and the Sentinel solid streamer, a
new product in its SEAL line that is the outcome of the
technological synergies realized in recent acquisitions.
Revenues from our Products segment accounted for approximately
43% and 36% of our consolidated operating revenues in 2004 and
2005, respectively, and approximately 29% of our revenues for
the three months ended March 31, 2006.
Our Strategy
We intend to continue to strengthen our competitive position in
the global geophysical services and products markets by
capitalizing on growth opportunities resulting from both the
application of new technologies in every sector of the oil and
gas business from exploration to production and
reservoir management and from our diversified
geographic presence.
To achieve our objective, we have adopted the following
strategies:
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Focus on Growth Areas for Geophysical Services |
We believe that the continued development and enhancement of our
proprietary seismic data recording equipment and software will
help us to remain among the leading providers of 3D land seismic
surveys. We believe that our proprietary equipment and software
provide us with a competitive advantage in specific growth
markets, such as data acquisition in transition zones and
difficult terrain, where recent technological advances have made
seismic acquisition more feasible. We intend to focus on
developing our technological capabilities in emerging markets
for geophysical services, such as reservoir appraisal and
production monitoring. We believe that, due to our extensive
international experience, we also have a competitive advantage
in certain geographic markets such as Europe, Africa, the Middle
East and Latin America, where we have been operating longer than
many of our competitors and where we have developed partnerships
with local seismic acquisition companies in several countries in
these regions. We also believe that we have unique experience
and expertise in complex land acquisition projects.
Our acquisition of Exploration Resources in September 2005
following our previous significant acquisition of marine seismic
assets from Aker Geo in 2001 fits within the strategy we defined
in 1999 to strengthen our position in the marine seismic segment.
We also intend to maintain our position in the marine seismic
market for non-exclusive data by developing our non-exclusive
data library. We believe that a strong position in this market
segment enhances our global competitive position and may provide
opportunities for continuing future sales. In developing our
non-exclusive data library, we carefully select survey
opportunities in order to maximize our return on investment. In
2005, for example, we carried out several feasibility studies
for permanent seismic monitoring, most notably in Brazilian
basins. We also intend to apply the latest advances in depth
imaging technology to a selected part of our existing library.
Given the growing importance of geophysics in reservoir
characterization, we intend to further develop the synergies
between our data processing and reservoir services. This
approach places us in a better position to meet the requirements
of our clients with an extensive range of integrated services.
We also intend to increase our processing capability in
developing disciplines, such as applications relating to
reservoir description and monitoring, including 3D pre-stack
depth imaging, multi-component and 4D studies. We also plan to
continue promoting and developing our dedicated processing
centre services within our clients offices and to develop
our regional centers.
Develop Technological Synergies for Products and
Capitalize on New Generation Equipment
We believe Sercel is the leading producer of land, marine and
subsea geophysical equipment, particularly in difficult terrain.
We plan to continue developing synergies among the technologies
available within Sercel and to
9
capitalize fully on our position as a market leader. Through
internal expenditures on research and development, we seek to
improve existing products and maintain an active new product
development program in all segments of the geophysical equipment
market (land, marine and ocean-bottom).
Develop and Utilize Innovative Technology
We believe that growth in demand for geophysical services will
continue to be driven in part by the development of new
technologies. We expect multi-component (3C/4C) surveys and
time-lapse (4D) surveys to become increasingly important for new
production-related applications, particularly in the marine
sector, and expect specialized recording equipment for difficult
terrain to become more important in land seismic data
acquisition, particularly in transition zones and shallow water.
We believe that to remain competitive, geophysical services
companies will need to combine advanced data acquisition
technology with consistently improving processing capacity in
order to reduce further delivery times for seismic services. Our
strategy is to take advantage of our leading technology and our
ability to integrate our full range of services to enhance our
position as a market leader in:
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land and transition zone seismic data acquisition systems and
know-how; |
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innovative marine or subsea acquisition systems and services; |
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seismic data processing and reservoir services; and |
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manufacturing of land, marine and subsea data acquisition
equipment. |
In this respect, we intend to continue our high level of
research and development investment to reinforce our
technological leadership.
Emphasize Client Service
We believe it is important to operate in close proximity to our
clients to develop a better understanding of their individual
needs and to add measurable value to their business processes.
We respond to these needs by creating new products or product
enhancements that improve the quality of data and reduce the
data delivery time to clients. We believe that our regional
multi-client and dedicated data processing centers in our
clients offices provide us with an advantage in
identifying contract opportunities, optimizing service to
clients and developing products responsive to new market
demands, such as seismic techniques applied to reservoir
management. We believe that we are well positioned to benefit
from the industry trend towards increased outsourcing that is
leading oil and gas companies to place greater emphasis on
relationships and service quality, including health, safety and
protection of the environment, in their selection of third party
service providers, including geophysical services providers. We
plan to continue implementing our strategy towards service to
clients through:
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tailoring our data acquisition operations to meet specific
client demands; |
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expanding regional multi-client and dedicated
on-site processing
centers; |
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recruiting and training customer-oriented service staff; |
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organizing client training seminars focused on our products and
services; |
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developing easy access to our multi-client data library through
the increasing application of
e-business technologies; |
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developing corporate contracts with our main clients; and |
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gaining access to new data acquisition markets, such as subsea
and newly opening territories. |
10
Provide Integrated Services
We are committed to providing clients with a full array of
seismic data services, from acquisition and processing to data
interpretation and management. We believe that integration of
compatible technology and equipment increases the accuracy of
data acquisition and processing, enhances the quality of our
client service and thereby improves productivity in oil and gas
exploration and production. Our clients increasingly seek
integrated solutions to better evaluate known reserves and
improve the ratio of recoverable hydrocarbons from producing
fields. We are continuing to develop our ability to provide
geosciences solutions through a combination of various
exploration and production services, including technical data
management, reservoir characterization and interpretation of
well information.
11
Summary of the Exchange Offer
On April 28, 2005, we issued U.S.$1650,000,000 aggregate
principal amount of our
71/2
% Senior Notes due 2015 in a transaction not
registered under the Securities Act. We subsequently consummated
a registered exchange offer with respect to the original notes.
U.S.$164,500,000 aggregate principal amount of these notes were
exchanged for identical notes registered with the Commission. We
sometimes refer herein to such notes as the original notes.
On February 3, 2006, we completed a private offering of the
outstanding notes outside the United States in reliance on
Regulation S under the Securities Act and to certain
qualified institutional buyers within the United States in
reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act. We entered
into a registration rights agreement with the initial purchasers
in the private offering of the outstanding notes in which we
agreed to deliver to you this prospectus and to complete the
exchange offer within 210 days after the date we issued the
outstanding notes. You are entitled to exchange in the exchange
offer your outstanding notes for new notes with substantially
identical terms.
You should read the discussion under the headings
Summary of the Terms of the New Notes
beginning on page 15 and Description of the
Notes beginning on page 47 for further information
regarding the new notes.
We summarize the terms of the exchange offer below. You should
read the discussion under the heading The Exchange
Offer beginning on page 38 for further information
regarding the exchange offer and resale of the new notes.
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The Exchange Offer |
|
We are offering to exchange up to $165 million aggregate
principal amount of new notes for up to $165 million
aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes. Outstanding
notes may be exchanged only in integral multiples of $1,000. |
|
Expiration Date |
|
The Exchange Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City
time, on
[ l
], 2006, or
such later date and time to which we extend it. |
|
Withdrawal of Tenders |
|
You may withdraw your tender of outstanding notes prior to the
expiration date, unless previously accepted for exchange. We
will return to you, without charge, promptly after the
expiration or termination of the exchange offer any outstanding
notes that you tendered but that were not accepted for exchange. |
|
Conditions to the Exchange Offer |
|
We will not be required to accept outstanding notes for exchange
if the exchange offer would be unlawful or would violate any
interpretation of the staff of the Commission. The exchange
offer is not conditioned upon any minimum aggregate principal
amount of outstanding notes being tendered. Please read the
section The Exchange Offer Conditions to the
Exchange Offer beginning on page 40 for more
information regarding the conditions to the exchange offer. |
|
Procedures for Tendering Outstanding Notes |
|
If your outstanding notes are held through The Depository Trust
Company (DTC) and you wish to participate in the
exchange offer, you may do so through the automated tender offer
program of DTC. If you tender under this program, you will agree
to be bound by the letter of transmittal that we are providing
with this prospectus as though you had signed the letter of |
12
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transmittal. By signing or agreeing to be bound by the letter of
transmittal, you will represent to us that, among other things: |
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any new note you receive will be
acquired in the ordinary course of your business; |
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you have no arrangement or understanding
with any person to participate in the distribution of the
outstanding notes or the new notes; |
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if you are not a broker-dealer or are a
broker-dealer but will not receive new notes for your own
account in exchange for outstanding notes, you are not engaged
in and do not intend to engage in the distribution of the new
notes; |
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if you are a broker-dealer that will
receive new notes for your own account in exchange for
outstanding notes, that the outstanding notes to be exchanged
for new notes were acquired by you as a result of market- making
or other trading activities and that you will deliver a
prospectus, as required by law, in connection with any resale of
such new notes; and |
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you are not our affiliate,
as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act, nor a
broker-dealer tendering outstanding notes acquired directly from
us for your own account. |
|
Special Procedures for Beneficial Owners |
|
If you own a beneficial interest in outstanding notes that are
registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank,
trust company or other nominee, and you wish to tender the
outstanding notes in the exchange offer, you should contact the
registered holder promptly and instruct the registered holder to
tender on your behalf. |
|
Guaranteed Delivery
Procedures |
|
If you wish to tender your outstanding notes and cannot comply,
prior to the expiration date, with the applicable procedures
under the automated tender program of DTC, you must tender your
outstanding notes according to the guaranteed delivery
procedures described in The Exchange Offer
Guaranteed Delivery Procedures beginning on page 44. |
|
Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations |
|
The exchange of outstanding notes for new notes in the exchange
offer will not be a taxable event for U.S. federal income
tax purposes. Please read Certain U.S. Federal Income
Tax Consequences of the Exchange Offer beginning on
page 92. |
|
Use of Proceeds |
|
We will not receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of new
notes. |
13
The Exchange Agent
We have appointed JPMorgan Chase Bank as exchange agent for the
exchange offer. You should direct questions and requests for
assistance, requests for additional copies of this prospectus or
of the letter of transmittal and requests for the notice of
guaranteed delivery to the exchange agent addressed as follows:
For Delivery by Mail, Overnight Delivery or Delivery By
Hand:
JPMorgan Chase Bank
2001 Bryan Street, 10th Floor
Dallas, Texas 75201
Attn: Frank Ivins
For Facsimile Transmission
(for eligible institutions only):
+1 (214) 468-6494
Attn: Frank Ivins
For Information by Telephone:
+1 (800) 275-2048
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Right Under Registration Rights Agreement |
|
If we fail to complete the exchange offer as required by the
registration rights agreement, we will be obligated to pay
liquidated damages to holders of the outstanding notes. Please
read Outstanding Notes Registration Rights
Agreement beginning on page 88 for more information
regarding your rights as a holder of outstanding notes. |
|
Listing |
|
Application has been made for the new notes to be listed on the
Euro MTF market of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. |
|
Governing Law |
|
New York. |
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Trustee and Principal Paying Agent |
|
JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association. |
|
Luxembourg Paying Agent |
|
Dexia Banque Internationale à Luxembourg. |
For further information regarding the new notes, see
Description of the Notes.
14
Summary of the Terms of the New Notes
|
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Securities Offered |
|
U.S.$165,000,000 aggregate principal amount of
71/2
% Exchange Senior Notes due 2015. |
|
Maturity |
|
May 15, 2015. |
|
Interest Payment Dates |
|
We will pay interest on the notes semi-annually in arrears on
May 15 and November 15 of each year, commencing
November 15, 2006. |
|
Guarantees |
|
Initially, the notes will be guaranteed on a senior unsecured
basis by Sercel, Inc., Sercel Canada Ltd. and Sercel Australia
Pty Ltd (the Sercel Guarantors) and CGG Americas,
Inc., CGG Canada Services Ltd. and CGG Marine Resources Norge A/
S (together with the Sercel Guarantors, the Initial
Guarantors). Our other subsidiaries will not initially
guarantee the notes and, in certain circumstances, we may elect
to have the Sercel Guarantors released from their guarantees of
the notes. |
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The Initial Guarantors have fully and unconditionally
guaranteed, on a joint and several basis, the payment of all
interests, principal and other amounts, if any, under the notes
and the indenture for the notes. |
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The Initial Guarantors (excluding their subsidiaries that have
not guaranteed the notes) generated, before consolidation
entries,
307.5 million
of revenues,
60.7 million
of operating income and
37.0 million
of net income in the year ended December 31, 2005 31,
2005 and held
600.3 million
of total assets, before consolidation entries, as of
December 31, 2005. They generated, before consolidation
entries,
133.1 million
of revenues,
47.3 million
of operating income and
27.7 million
of net income in the three-month period ended March 31,
2006 and held
601.6 million of total assets, before consolidation
entries, as of March 31, 2006. |
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The Sercel Guarantors (excluding their subsidiaries that have
not guaranteed the notes) generated, before consolidation
entries,
146.5 million
of revenues,
11.0 million
of operating income and
6.3 million
of net income in the year ended December 31, 2005 and held
205.9 million
of total assets, before consolidation entries, as of
December 31, 2005. They generated, before consolidation
entries,
60.9 million
of revenues,
5.5 million
of operating income and
3.6 million
of net income in the three-month period ended March 31,
2006 and held
213.7 million of total assets, before consolidation
entries, as of March 31, 2006. The revenue, operating
income, net income and assets of the Sercel Guarantors are
included in those of the Initial Guarantors. |
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Ranking |
|
The notes will be our senior unsecured obligations, ranking
equally in right of payment with all our other existing and
future senior unsecured indebtedness and senior in right of
payment to all our existing and future subordinated
indebtedness. The notes and the subsidiary guarantees will be
effectively subordinated to all our secured obligations and all
secured obligations of the subsidiaries that guarantee the
notes, including any indebtedness under our syndicated credit
facility. The notes and the subsidiary guarantees also will be
effectively subordinated to all current and future indebtedness
of subsidiaries that do not guarantee the notes. As |
15
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of March 31, 2006, there was
407.0 million
of outstanding indebtedness, including accrued interest
effectively senior to the notes, of which
111.8 million was secured. The indenture permits us
and our subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness (including
additional secured indebtedness), subject to certain conditions. |
|
Optional Redemption |
|
We may redeem all or a part of the notes at any time on or after
May 15, 2010 at the redemption prices described in this
prospectus. We may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal
amount of the original notes, the notes and any additional notes
issued under the indenture (excluding for this purpose any new
notes) prior to May 15, 2008 using the proceeds of certain
equity offerings. At any time prior to May 15, 2010, we may
redeem all or part of the notes at a redemption price equal to
100% of the principal amount of the notes plus the applicable
premium described in this prospectus. We may also redeem all,
but not less than all, of the notes at a redemption price equal
to 100% of the principal amount of the notes in the event of
certain changes in tax laws. |
|
Change of Control |
|
If we undergo a change of control, each holder may require us to
repurchase all or a portion of the notes held by such holder at
101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid
interest. |
|
Redemption for Changes in Tax Law |
|
We will be required to pay additional amounts to the holders of
the notes to compensate them for any amounts deducted from
payments to them in respect of the notes on account of certain
taxes and other governmental charges. If we become obligated to
pay such additional amounts as a result of a change in law, the
notes will be subject to redemption, in whole but not in part,
at our option at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount
of the notes. |
|
Certain Covenants and Events of Default |
|
The indenture for the notes contains certain covenants and
events of default that, among other things, limit our ability
and that of certain of our subsidiaries to: |
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incur or guarantee
additional indebtedness or issue preferred shares; |
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pay dividends or make other
distributions; |
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purchase equity interests or
redeem subordinated indebtedness early; |
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create or incur certain
liens; |
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create or incur restrictions
on the ability to pay dividends or make other payments to us; |
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enter into transactions with
affiliates; |
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issue or sell capital stock
of subsidiaries; |
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engage in sale-and-leaseback
transactions; and |
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sell assets or merge or
consolidate with another company. |
16
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All of these limitations are subject to a number of important
qualifications. If at any time the notes receive ratings of BBB-
or higher from Standard & Poors and Baa3 or
higher from Moodys, and no default or event of default has
occurred and is continuing, certain restrictions, covenants and
events of default will cease to be applicable to the notes for
so long as the notes maintain such ratings. |
Principal Executive Office
Our headquarters are located at l, rue Léon Migaux, 91341
Massy, France, and our telephone number is
+33 1 64 47 30 00.
Risk Factors
See Risk Factors beginning on page 22 for a
discussion of certain factors to be considered in connection
with an investment in the new notes.
17
SUMMARY FINANCIAL AND OPERATING INFORMATION
The tables below set forth our summary historical consolidated
financial and operating information as of and for each of the
five years in the period ended December 31, 2005 and the
three-month periods ended March 31, 2006 and 2005. The
tables should be read in conjunction with, and are qualified in
their entirety by reference to, our consolidated annual
financial statements and Operating and Financial Review
and Prospects in our annual report on
Form 20-F for the
financial year ended December 31, 2005 filed with the
Commission on May 9, 2006, and our consolidated interim
financial statements and Managements Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
in our current report on
Form 6-K submitted
to the Commission on May 11, 2006, both incorporated by
reference in this prospectus.
The tables below set forth our selected consolidated financial
and operating data:
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as of and for each of the three month periods ended
March 31, 2006 and 2005; and |
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as of and for each of the two years in the period ended
December 31, 2005 in accordance with IFRS; and |
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as of and for each of the five years in the period ended
December 31, 2005 in accordance with U.S. GAAP. |
We adopted IFRS, as adopted by the EU, as our primary accounting
principles beginning January 1, 2005. Our audited
consolidated financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 2005 were prepared in accordance with IFRS,
and we presented restated financial statements under IFRS for
the year ended December 31, 2004. Our consolidated interim
financial statements for the three months ended March 31,
2006 and 2005 were prepared in accordance with IFRS. All interim
financial data are unaudited.
The differences between IFRS and U.S. GAAP as they relate
to us, and the reconciliation of net income and
shareholders equity to U.S. GAAP for the years ended
December 31, 2005 and 2004 and for the three months ended
March 31, 2006 and 2005 are described in note 31 to
our audited consolidated financial statements included in our
annual report on Form 20-F for the financial year ended
December 31, 2005 and note 3 to our unaudited interim
consolidated financial statements included in our current report
on Form 6-K
submitted to the Commission on May 11, 2006, respectively,
both incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
18
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As of and for the | |
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As of and for the | |
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three months ended | |
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year ended | |
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March 31, | |
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December 31, | |
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2006 | |
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2005 | |
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2005 | |
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2004 | |
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(in millions of euros except for number of | |
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shares and operational data) | |
Amounts in accordance with IFRS:
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Statement of Operations Data:
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Operating revenues
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322.1 |
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194.4 |
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869.9 |
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687.4 |
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Other revenues from ordinary activities
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0.4 |
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0.2 |
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1.9 |
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0.4 |
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Cost of operations
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(202.1 |
) |
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|
(152.5 |
) |
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(670.0 |
) |
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(554.0 |
) |
Gross profit
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120.4 |
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42.1 |
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201.8 |
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133.8 |
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Research and development expenses, net
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(8.8 |
) |
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(7.7 |
) |
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(31.1 |
) |
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(28.8 |
) |
Selling, general and administrative expenses
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(28.6 |
) |
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(19.8 |
) |
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(91.2 |
) |
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(78.6 |
) |
Other revenues (expenses)
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1.5 |
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0.9 |
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(4.4 |
) |
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19.3 |
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Operating income
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84.5 |
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15.5 |
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75.1 |
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45.7 |
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Cost of financial debt, net
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(7.0 |
) |
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(5.4 |
) |
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(42.3 |
) |
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(27.8 |
) |
Variance on derivative on convertible bonds
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(12.4 |
) |
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(15.0 |
) |
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(11.5 |
) |
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(23.5 |
) |
Other financial income (loss)
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(1.7 |
) |
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0.7 |
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(14.5 |
) |
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0.8 |
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Income taxes
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(19.6 |
) |
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(8.3 |
) |
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(26.6 |
) |
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(10.9 |
) |
Equity in income of affiliates
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2.7 |
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3.8 |
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13.0 |
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10.3 |
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Net loss
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46.5 |
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(8.7 |
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(6.8 |
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(5.4 |
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Attributable to shareholders
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46.2 |
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(8.8 |
) |
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(7.8 |
) |
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(6.4 |
) |
Attributable to minority interests
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0.3 |
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0.1 |
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1.0 |
|
|
|
1.0 |
|
Net income (loss) per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic(1)
|
|
|
2.70 |
|
|
|
(0.75 |
) |
|
|
(0.64 |
) |
|
|
(0.55 |
) |
|
Diluted(2)
|
|
|
2.64 |
|
|
|
(0.75 |
) |
|
|
(0.64 |
) |
|
|
(0.55 |
) |
Balance sheet:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
149.8 |
|
|
|
79.8 |
|
|
|
112.4 |
|
|
|
130.6 |
|
Working
capital(3)
|
|
|
178.8 |
|
|
|
142.9 |
|
|
|
154.1 |
|
|
|
116.4 |
|
Property, plant & equipment, net
|
|
|
501.5 |
|
|
|
206.4 |
|
|
|
480.1 |
|
|
|
204.1 |
|
Multi-client surveys
|
|
|
84.2 |
|
|
|
119.4 |
|
|
|
93.6 |
|
|
|
124.5 |
|
Total assets
|
|
|
1,625.7 |
|
|
|
554.9 |
|
|
|
1,565.1 |
|
|
|
971.2 |
|
Financial
debt(4)
|
|
|
407.0 |
|
|
|
206.8 |
|
|
|
400.3 |
|
|
|
249.6 |
|
Shareholders equity
|
|
|
744.1 |
|
|
|
442.8 |
|
|
|
698.5 |
|
|
|
393.2 |
|
Other financial historical data and other ratios:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ORBDA(5)
|
|
|
131.3 |
|
|
|
50.1 |
|
|
|
229.5 |
|
|
|
172.8 |
|
Capital expenditures (Property, plant &
equipment)(6)
|
|
|
56.0 |
|
|
|
12.2 |
|
|
|
125.1 |
|
|
|
49.8 |
|
Capital expenditures for multi-client surveys
|
|
|
10.4 |
|
|
|
6.3 |
|
|
|
32.0 |
|
|
|
51.1 |
|
Net financial
debt(7)
|
|
|
269.4 |
|
|
|
133.4 |
|
|
|
297.2 |
|
|
|
121.8 |
|
Financial
debt(4)/ORBDA(5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.7 |
x |
|
|
1.4x |
|
Net
indebtedness(7)/ORBDA(5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.3 |
x |
|
|
0.7x |
|
ORBDA(5)/Net
financial expenses
|
|
|
18.7 |
x |
|
|
9.3 |
x |
|
|
5.4 |
x |
|
|
6.2x |
|
19
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of and for the | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
three months | |
|
|
|
|
ended March 31, | |
|
As of and for the year ended December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2001 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(in millions of euros except for number of shares and operational data) | |
|
|
Restated | |
Amounts in accordance with U.S. GAAP:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Statement of Operations Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating revenues
|
|
|
322.6 |
|
|
|
195.7 |
|
|
|
860.8 |
|
|
|
709.5 |
|
|
|
645.6 |
|
|
|
719.0 |
|
|
|
795.0 |
|
Operating income
|
|
|
82.8 |
|
|
|
14.8 |
|
|
|
61.9 |
|
|
|
55.0 |
|
|
|
42.7 |
|
|
|
81.9 |
|
|
|
48.6 |
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
|
32.8 |
|
|
|
(0.2 |
) |
|
|
8.3 |
|
|
|
(20.2 |
) |
|
|
3.1 |
|
|
|
15.1 |
|
|
|
9.3 |
|
Per share amounts:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic common stock
holder(1)
|
|
|
1.90 |
|
|
|
(0.02 |
) |
|
|
0.69 |
|
|
|
(1.73 |
) |
|
|
0.27 |
|
|
|
1.29 |
|
|
|
0.80 |
|
|
Diluted common stock
holder(3)
|
|
|
1.86 |
|
|
|
(0.02 |
) |
|
|
0.67 |
|
|
|
(1.73 |
) |
|
|
0.26 |
|
|
|
1.29 |
|
|
|
0.80 |
|
Other ratios
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
|
|
|
9.8 |
x |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.6 |
x |
|
|
1.4 |
x |
|
|
0.5 |
x |
|
|
2.2 |
x |
|
|
2.0 |
x |
Balance sheet:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
1,625.0 |
|
|
|
965.2 |
|
|
|
1,573.8 |
|
|
|
975.8 |
|
|
|
924.2 |
|
|
|
1,036.8 |
|
|
|
1,008.0 |
|
Financial
debt(4)
|
|
|
426.6 |
|
|
|
222.5 |
|
|
|
416.7 |
|
|
|
266.5 |
|
|
|
232.4 |
|
|
|
307.8 |
|
|
|
279.5 |
|
Shareholders equity
|
|
|
721.1 |
|
|
|
416.9 |
|
|
|
689.5 |
|
|
|
372.2 |
|
|
|
413.4 |
|
|
|
431.0 |
|
|
|
456.4 |
|
Operational data (end of period):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Land teams in operations
|
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
12 |
|
Operational
streamers(9)
|
|
|
58 |
|
|
|
40 |
|
|
|
46 |
|
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
42 |
|
|
|
42 |
|
|
|
48 |
|
Data processing centers
|
|
|
29 |
|
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Basic per share amounts under IFRS and U.S. GAAP have been
calculated on the basis of 17,118,524 issued and outstanding
shares as of March 31, 2006, 11,742,580 issued and
outstanding shares of March 31, 2005, 12,095,925 issued and
outstanding shares in 2005 and 11,681,406 issued and outstanding
shares in 2004. Basic per share amounts under U.S. GAAP
have been calculated on the basis of 11,680,718 issued and
outstanding shares in 2003 and 2002 and 11,609,393 issued and
outstanding shares in 2001. |
|
(2) |
Diluted per share amounts under IFRS have been calculated on the
basis of 17,479,754 issued and outstanding shares as of
March 31, 2006, 11,742,580 issued and outstanding shares as
of March 31, 2006, 12,095,925 issued and outstanding shares
in 2005 and 11,681,406 issued and outstanding shares in 2004.
For the period ended March 31, 2005, the effect of
stock-options was anti-dilutive. For the periods ended
March 31, 2006 and March 31, 2005, the effect of
convertible bonds was anti-dilutive. |
|
(3) |
Consists of trade accounts and notes receivable, inventories and
work-in-progress, tax
assets, other current assets and assets held for sale less trade
accounts and notes payable, accrued payroll costs, income tax
payable, advance billings to customers, current provisions and
other current liabilities. |
|
(4) |
Financial debt means total financial debt, including
current maturities, capital leases and accrued interest but
excluding bank overdrafts |
|
(5) |
A discussion of ORBDA (Operating Result Before
Depreciation and Amortization, previously denominated
Adjusted EBITDA), including a reconciliation to net
cash provided by operating activities, is found in
Item 5 Operating and Financial Review and
Prospects Liquidity and Capital Resource, of
our annual report on
Form 20-F for the
financial year ended December 31, 2005 incorporated by
reference in this prospectus. |
|
(6) |
Capital expenditures is defined as purchases of
property, plant and equipment plus equipment acquired under
capital lease. |
20
|
|
|
The following table presents a reconciliation of capital
expenditures to purchases of property, plant and equipment and
equipment acquired under capital lease for the periods indicated: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the three | |
|
For the | |
|
|
months ended | |
|
year ended | |
|
|
March 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(in millions of euros) | |
Purchase of Property, Plant and Equipment
|
|
|
55.9 |
|
|
|
12.0 |
|
|
|
107.7 |
|
|
|
41.1 |
|
Equipment acquired under capital lease
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
|
0.2 |
|
|
|
17.4 |
|
|
|
8.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital expenditures
|
|
|
56.0 |
|
|
|
12.2 |
|
|
|
125.1 |
|
|
|
49.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7) |
Net financial debt means bank overdrafts, financial
debt including current portion (including capital lease debt)
net of cash and cash equivalents. |
|
(8) |
Diluted per share amounts under U.S. GAAP have been
calculated on the basis of 12,378,209 issued and outstanding
shares in 2005, 11,681,406 issued and outstanding shares in
2004, 11,760,630 issued and outstanding shares in 2003,
11,680,718 issued and outstanding shares in 2002 and 11,609,393
issued and outstanding shares in 2001. In 2002 and 2001, the
effects of stock options were not dilutive (as a result of
applying the treasury stock method). |
|
(9) |
Data at March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005 include
Exploration Resources streamers. |
21
RISK FACTORS
An investment in the notes involves risks. Before
investing in the notes, you should carefully consider the
following risk factors and all information contained in this
prospectus. Additional risks and uncertainties of which we are
not aware or that we believe are immaterial may also adversely
affect our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of
operations or prospects. If any of these events occur, our
business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations
or prospects could be materially and adversely affected. If that
happens, we may not be able to pay interest or principal on the
notes when due and you could lose all or part of your
investment.
Risks Related to Our Business
|
|
|
Our results of operations can be significantly affected by
currency fluctuations. |
As a company that derives a substantial amount of its revenue
from sales internationally, we are subject to risks relating to
fluctuations in currency exchange rates. Over 80% of our
operating revenues in 2004 and 2005 and approximately two-thirds
of our operating expenses were denominated in currencies other
than the euro. These included the U.S. dollar and, to a
significantly lesser extent, other non-euro Western European
currencies, principally the British pound and the Norwegian
kroner. In addition, a significant portion of our revenues that
were invoiced in euros related to contracts that were
effectively priced in U.S. dollars, as the U.S. dollar
often serves as the reference currency when bidding for
contracts to provide geophysical services. Our exposure to
fluctuations in the euro/ U.S. dollar exchange rate has
increased considerably over the last few years due to increased
sales outside of Europe.
Fluctuations in the exchange rate of the euro against such other
currencies, particularly the U.S. dollar, have had in the
past and can be expected in future periods to have a significant
effect upon our results of operations. Since we participate in
competitive bids for data acquisition contracts that are
denominated in U.S. dollars, a depreciation of the
U.S. dollar against the euro harms our competitive position
against that of other companies whose costs and expenses are
denominated in U.S. dollars. For financial reporting
purposes, such depreciation negatively affects our reported
results of operations since U.S. dollar-denominated
earnings that are converted to euros are stated at a decreased
value. While we attempt to reduce the risks associated with such
exchange rate fluctuations through our hedging policy, we cannot
assure you that we will be effective or that fluctuations in the
value of the currencies in which we operate will not materially
adversely affect our results in the future.
|
|
|
We have had losses in the past and we cannot assure that
we will be profitable in the future |
Due to the accounting treatment under IFRS of our
7.75% subordinated convertible bonds due 2012 denominated
in U.S. dollars, we recorded net losses (attributable to
shareholders) in 2004 and 2005 of
6.4 million
and
7.8 million, respectively, although absent this
item, our net income would have been positive. We cannot assure
that we will be profitable in the future.
|
|
|
We are subject to risks related to our international
operations that could harm our business and results of
operations. |
With operations worldwide, and with a majority of our revenues
derived outside of the United States and Western Europe,
including emerging markets, our business and results of
operations are subject to various risks inherent in
international operations. These risks include:
|
|
|
|
|
instability of foreign economies and governments; |
|
|
|
risks of war, seizure, renegotiation or nullification of
existing contracts; and |
|
|
|
foreign exchange restrictions, sanctions
and other laws and policies affecting trade and investment. |
While we carry insurance against political risks associated with
such operations, in amounts we consider appropriate in
accordance with industry practices, we cannot assure you that we
will not be subject to material adverse developments with
respect to our international operations or that our coverage
will be adequate to cover us for any losses arising from such
risks.
22
We and certain of our subsidiaries and affiliated entities also
conduct business in countries known to experience government
corruption and in countries subject to U.S. government
sanctions. We are committed to doing business in accordance with
all laws and our code of ethics but there is a risk that we, our
subsidiaries or affiliated entities or their respective
officers, directors, employees and agents may take action in
violation of applicable laws, including the Foreign Corrupt
Practices Act of 1977 or laws administered by the
U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control. Any such violations
could result in substantial civil and/or criminal penalties and
might adversely affect our business and results of operations or
financial condition.
The nature of our business is subject to significant ongoing
operating risks for which we may not have adequate insurance or
for which we may not be able to procure adequate insurance on
economical terms, if at all.
Future businesses and technologies that we may acquire may
be difficult to integrate, disrupt our business, dilute
stockholder value or divert management attention.
An aspect of our current business strategy is to seek new
businesses, technologies and products to broaden the scope of
our existing and planned product lines and technologies. For
example, we acquired several manufacturers of seismic products
in 2004 in order to expand Sercels product line. We also
believe that the seismic industry should continue to consolidate
with the goal of exploiting synergies and promoting the
emergence of seismic operators possessing larger financial and
technological bases, a vision that we have pursued through our
acquisition of Exploration Resources in September 2005. Although
we regularly explore opportunities with respect to possible
acquisitions of businesses, technologies or products, we do not
currently have any understandings, commitments or agreements
relating to any such material transactions. Future transactions
of this type could result in the incurrence of debt and
contingent liabilities and an increase in amortization expenses
related to goodwill and other intangible assets, which could
have a material adverse effect upon us.
Risks we could face with respect to recent and future
acquisitions include:
|
|
|
|
|
difficulties in the integration of the operations, technologies,
products and personnel of the acquired company; |
|
|
|
diversion of managements attention away from other
business concerns; and |
|
|
|
expenses of any undisclosed or potential liabilities of the
acquired company. |
The risks associated with acquisitions could have a material
adverse effect upon our business, financial condition and
results of operations. We cannot assure that we will be
successful in consummating future acquisitions on favorable
terms, if at all.
Our acquisition of Exploration Resources exposes us to
additional risks and requires additional investments.
We believe that the acquisition of Exploration Resources
presents a number of potential risks. Our integration of
Exploration Resources is a challenging process to which we give
particular importance. The acquisition of Exploration Resources
will also increase our exposure to risks relating to the
offshore seismic data acquisition market, both in exclusive and
multi-client surveys. We are making significant investments in
connection with the modernization of certain of Exploration
Resources vessels, and there can be no assurance as to the
future financial returns on these investments. We also plan to
invest, depending on opportunities, in the development of high
resolution seabed seismic acquisition technologies belonging to
Multiwave, a subsidiary of Exploration Resources. These
technologies are relatively recent, and the market for the
providers of such services is not yet mature. The effectiveness
and profitability of these technologies remain to be determined.
23
We invest significant amounts of money in acquiring and
processing seismic data for multi-client surveys and for our
data library without knowing precisely how much of the data we
will be able to sell or when and at what price we will be able
to sell the data.
We invest significant amounts in acquiring and processing
seismic data that we own. By making such investments, we assume
the risk that:
|
|
|
|
|
we may not fully recover the costs of acquiring and processing
the data through future sales. The amounts of these data sales
are uncertain and depend on a variety of factors, many of which
are beyond our control. In addition, the timing of these sales
can vary greatly from period to period. Technological or
regulatory changes or other developments could also adversely
affect the value of the data; |
|
|
|
the value of our multi-client data could be significantly
adversely affected if any material adverse change occurred in
the general prospects for oil and gas exploration, development
and production activities in the areas where we acquire
multi-client data; and |
|
|
|
any reduction in the market value of such data will require us
to write down its recorded value, which could have a significant
adverse effect on our results of operations. |
Our working capital needs are difficult to forecast and
may vary significantly which could result in additional
financing requirements that we may not be able to obtain at all
or on satisfactory terms.
It is difficult for us to predict with certainty our working
capital needs. This is due primarily to working capital
requirements related to our marine seismic acquisition business
and related to the development and introduction of new lines of
geophysical equipment products. For example, under specific
circumstances, we may extend the length of payment terms we
grant to our customers or increase substantially our
inventories. We may therefore be subject to significant and
rapid increases in our working capital needs that we may have
difficulty financing on satisfactory terms or at all due to
limitations in our existing debt agreements.
Technological changes and new products and services are
frequently introduced in our market, and our technology could be
rendered obsolete by these introductions or we may not be able
to develop and produce new and enhanced products on a
cost-effective and timely basis.
Technology changes rapidly in our industry, and new and enhanced
products are frequently introduced in the market for our
products and services, particularly in our equipment
manufacturing and data processing and geosciences sectors. Our
success depends to a significant extent upon our ability to
develop and produce new and enhanced products and services on a
cost-effective and timely basis in accordance with industry
demands. While we commit substantial resources to research and
development, we cannot assure you that we will not encounter
resource constraints or technical or other difficulties that
could delay our introduction of new and enhanced products and
services in the future. In addition, our continuing development
of new products inherently carries the risk of obsolescence with
respect to our older products. We cannot assure you that new and
enhanced products and services, if introduced, will gain market
acceptance or will not be adversely affected by technological
changes or product or service introductions by one of our
competitors.
We depend on proprietary technology.
Our results of operations depend in part upon our proprietary
technology. We rely on a combination of patents, trademarks and
trade secret laws to establish and protect our proprietary
technology. We hold or have applied for 144 patents, in various
countries, for products and processes. These patents last
between four and twenty years, depending on the date of filing
and the protection accorded by each country. In addition, we
enter into confidentiality and license agreements with our
employees, customers and potential customers and limit access to
and distribution of our technology. However, we cannot assure
you that actions we take to protect our proprietary rights will
be adequate to deter the misappropriation or independent third
party development of our technology. Although we have not been
involved in any material litigation regarding our intellectual
property rights or the possible infringement of intellectual
property rights of others, we cannot assure you that such
litigation will not be brought in the future. In addition, the
laws of certain foreign countries do not protect
24
proprietary rights to the same extent as either the laws of
France or the laws of the United States, which may limit our
ability to pursue third parties that misappropriate our
proprietary technology.
We depend on attracting and retaining qualified employees
to develop our business know-how.
Our results of operations depend in part upon our business
know-how. We believe that development of our know-how depends in
large part on our ability to attract and retain highly skilled
and qualified personnel. We compete with other seismic products
and services companies and, to a lesser extent, the oil industry
majors and national oil companies for skilled geophysical and
seismic personnel, particularly in times, such as the present,
when demand for seismic services is relatively high. A limited
number of such skilled personnel is available, and demand from
other companies may limit our ability to fill our human
resources needs. Any inability of ours in the future to hire,
train and retain a sufficient number of qualified employees
could impair our ability to manage and maintain our business and
to develop and protect our know-how.
We rely on significant customers, so the loss of a single
or a few customers could have a material adverse impact on our
business.
A relatively small number of clients account for a significant
percentage of our revenues. During 2005, our two largest clients
accounted for 9.8% and 4.4% of our operating revenues,
respectively. During 2004, our two largest clients accounted for
6.8% and 5.4% of our operating revenues, respectively. The loss
of a substantial amount of the business of any of these clients
could have a material adverse effect on our operating revenues
and our business.
The nature of our business is subject to significant
ongoing operating risks for which we may not have adequate
insurance or for which we may not be able to procure adequate
insurance on economical terms, if at all.
Our seismic data acquisition activities, particularly in
deepwater marine areas, are often conducted under harsh weather
and other hazardous conditions and are subject to risks of loss
from business interruption, delay or equipment destruction. We
carry insurance against the destruction of or damage to our
seismic equipment and against business interruption for our data
processing activities in amounts we consider appropriate in
accordance with industry practice. However, we cannot assure you
that our insurance coverage will be adequate in all
circumstances or against all hazards, or that we will be able to
maintain adequate insurance coverage in the future at
commercially reasonable rates or on acceptable terms.
Compliance with internal controls procedures and
evaluations and attestation requirements will require
significant efforts and resources and may result in the
identification of significant deficiencies or material
weaknesses.
Beginning in fiscal year 2006, pursuant to Section 404 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, we will be required, as a
foreign private issuer to perform an evaluation of our internal
controls over financial reporting and have our independent
auditors publicly disclose their conclusions regarding such
evaluation. We are establishing procedures in order to comply
with Section 404 in the timeframe permitted under the
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, although
as of the date of this filing we have not yet finalized these
procedures. We expect that establishing procedures and ensuring
compliance with these requirements will be a substantial and
time-consuming process. If we fail to complete these procedures
and the required evaluation in a timely manner, or if our
independent auditors cannot attest to our evaluation in a timely
manner, we could be subject to regulatory review and penalties
which may result in a loss of public confidence in our internal
controls. In addition, we may uncover significant deficiencies
or material weaknesses in our internal controls. Measures taken
by us to remedy these issues may require significant efforts,
dedicated time and expenses, as well as the commitment of
significant managerial resources. Each of these circumstances
may have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition
and results of operations or on our share price.
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Risks Related to our Industry
We depend on capital expenditures by the oil and gas
industry, and reductions in such expenditures have had, and may
in the future have, a material adverse impact on our
business.
Demand for our products and services has historically been
dependent upon the level of capital expenditures by oil and gas
companies for exploration, production and development
activities. These expenditures are significantly influenced by
oil and gas prices and by expectations regarding future oil and
gas prices. Oil and gas prices may fluctuate based on relatively
minor changes in the supply and demand for oil and gas,
expectations regarding future supply and demand for oil and gas
and certain other factors beyond our control. Lower or volatile
oil and gas prices tend to limit the demand for our services and
products.
Factors affecting the prices of oil and gas include:
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level of demand for oil and gas; |
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worldwide political, military and economic conditions, including
political developments in the Middle East, economic growth
levels and the ability of OPEC to set and maintain production
levels and prices for oil; |
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level of oil and gas production; |
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policies of governments regarding the exploration for and
production and development of oil and gas reserves in their
territories; and |
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global weather conditions. |
Although oil and gas prices are currently at or near historical
highs, which generally increases demand for our products and
services, the markets for oil and gas historically have been
volatile and are likely to continue to be so in the future.
We believe that global geopolitical uncertainty or uncertainty
in the Middle Eastern producing regions (where we are
particularly active) could lead oil companies to suddenly delay
or cancel current geophysical projects. Any events that affect
worldwide oil and gas supply, demand or prices or that generate
uncertainty in the market could reduce exploration and
development activities and negatively affect our operations. We
cannot assure you as to future oil and gas prices or the
resulting level of industry spending for exploration, production
and development activities.
We are subject to intense competition, which could limit
our ability to maintain or increase our market share or to
maintain our prices at profitable levels.
Most of our contracts are obtained through a competitive bidding
process, which is standard for the industry in which we operate.
While no single company competes with us in all of our segments,
we are subject to intense competition with respect to each of
our segments. We compete with large, international companies as
well as smaller, local companies. In addition, we compete with
major service providers and government-sponsored enterprises and
affiliates. We are subject to particularly intense competition
in the land seismic acquisition market, notably from Chinese
companies that have entered the market and have expanded their
international market share. Some of our competitors operate more
data acquisition crews than we do and have substantially greater
financial and other resources. These and other competitors may
be better positioned to withstand and adjust more quickly to
volatile market conditions, such as fluctuations in oil and gas
prices and production levels, as well as changes in government
regulations. In addition, if geophysical service competitors
increase their capacity in the future (or fail to reduce
capacity if demand decreases), the excess supply in the seismic
services market could apply downward pressure on prices.
We have high levels of fixed costs that will be incurred
regardless of our level of business activity.
Our business has high fixed costs, and downtime or low
productivity due to reduced demand, weather interruptions,
equipment failures or other causes could result in significant
operating losses.
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Our land and marine seismic acquisition activities may
vary significantly during the year.
Our land and marine seismic acquisition activities are partially
seasonal, depending on whether they are operated in the Northern
or Southern Hemisphere for weather conditions reasons, or
because they depend on our important customers decision to
invest, such decision itself relying on internal budget
consideration: reluctance to take early in the year firm
commitments on specific projects which will significantly impact
their annual exploration budget; to the contrary, acceleration
of orders by year-end to use the remaining portion of the
exploration budget.
The offshore data acquisition business is, by nature, exposed to
non productive interim period repairs, transit
period from one operation zone to another during which there is
usually no revenue recognition.
Risks Related to our Indebtedness
Our substantial debt could adversely affect our financial
health and prevent us from fulfilling our obligations.
We have a significant amount of debt. As of March 31, 2006,
our total financial debt, consolidated total assets and
shareholders equity were
407.0 million,
1,625.7 million
and
744.1 million, respectively.
Our substantial debt could have important consequences. In
particular, it could:
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increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and
industry conditions; |
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require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow
from operations to payments on our indebtedness, thereby
reducing the availability of our cash flow to fund working
capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate
purposes; |
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limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes
in our businesses and the industries in which we operate; |
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place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our
competitors that have less debt; and |
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limit, along with the financial and other restrictive covenants
of our indebtedness, among other things, our ability to borrow
additional funds. |
Failing to comply with restrictive covenants in our loan
agreements or the indenture relating to our senior notes could
result in an event of default that, if not cured or waived,
could result in the acceleration of our outstanding debt and
other financial obligations or otherwise have a material adverse
effect on us.
The indenture governing the notes and our debt agreements
contain restrictive covenants that may limit our ability to
respond to changes in market conditions or pursue business
opportunities.
As of March 31, 2006, we had total financial debt of
407.0 million
and total shareholders equity of
744.1 million. The indenture governing the notes and
our syndicated credit facilities contain restrictive covenants
limiting our ability and the ability of certain of our
subsidiaries to:
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incur or guarantee additional indebtedness or issue preferred
shares; |
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pay dividends or make other distributions; |
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purchase equity interests or redeem subordinated indebtedness
early; |
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create or incur certain liens; |
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create or incur restrictions on the ability to pay dividends or
make other payments to us; |
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enter into transactions with affiliates; |
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issue or sell capital stock of subsidiaries; |
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engage in sale-and-leaseback transactions; and |
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sell assets or merge or consolidate with another company. |
Complying with the restrictions contained in some of these
covenants requires us to meet certain ratios and tests, notably
with respect to consolidated interest coverage, total assets,
net debt, equity and net income. The requirement that we comply
with these provisions may negatively affect our ability to react
to changes in market conditions, take advantage of business
opportunities we believe to be desirable, obtain future
financing, fund needed capital expenditures, finance its
equipment purchases, significantly increase research and
development expenditures, or withstand a continuing or future
downturn in our business.
If we are unable to comply with the restrictions and
covenants in the indenture governing the notes and our debt
agreements, there could be a default under the terms of these
agreements, which could result in an acceleration of payment of
funds that we have borrowed.
If we are unable to comply with the restrictions and covenants
in the indenture governing the notes or in our current or future
debt agreements, there could be a default under the terms of
these agreements. Our ability to comply with these restrictions
and covenants, including meeting our financial ratios and tests,
may be affected by events beyond our control. As a result, we
cannot assure you that we will be able to comply with these
restrictions and covenants or meet these tests. In the event of
a default under these agreements, our lenders could terminate
their commitments to lend to us or accelerate the loans and
declare all amounts borrowed due and payable. Borrowings under
other debt instruments that contain cross-acceleration or
cross-default provisions may also be accelerated and become due
and payable. If any of these events occur, we cannot assure you
that our assets would be sufficient to repay in full all of our
indebtedness, including the notes, or that we would be able to
find alternative financing. Even if we could obtain alternative
financing, we cannot assure you that it would be on terms that
are favorable or acceptable to us.
Despite current debt levels, we and our subsidiaries may
still be able to incur substantially more debt.
We and our subsidiaries may be able to incur substantial
additional debt (including secured debt) in the future. As of
March 31, 2006, we had no outstanding borrowings under our
U.S.$40 million syndicated credit facility (whose nominal
amount was reduced from U.S.$40 million pursuant to its
terms) and had availability under all other credit facilities of
78.3 million. We may need to borrow additional
amounts in the future to meet our anticipated working capital
and capital expenditure needs or to pursue attractive business
opportunities. If new debt is added to our and our
subsidiaries current debt levels, the related risks that
we, and they, now face could intensify.
To service our indebtedness, we will require a significant
amount of cash. Our ability to generate cash depends on many
factors beyond our control.
Our ability to make payments on and to refinance our
indebtedness, and to fund planned capital expenditures will
partly depend on our ability to generate cash in the future.
This, to a certain extent, is subject to general economic,
financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other
factors that are beyond our control.
We cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient
cash flow from operations, that we will realize operating
improvements on schedule, that we will find purchasers for the
assets we intend to sell or that future borrowings will be
available to us in an amount sufficient to enable us to service
and repay our indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity needs.
If we are unable to satisfy our debt obligations, we may have to
undertake alternative financing plans, such as refinancing or
restructuring our indebtedness, selling assets, reducing or
delaying capital investments or seeking to raise additional
capital. We cannot assure you that any refinancing or debt
restructuring would be possible, that any assets could be sold
or, if sold, the timing of the sales and the amount of proceeds
realized from those sales, or that additional financing could be
obtained on acceptable terms.
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Our results could be affected by changes in interest
rates.
Our sources of liquidity include credit facilities with
financial institutions charging variable interest rates over the
course of drawdown periods of from one to twelve months. As a
result, our interest expenses could increase if short-term
interest rates increase.
Risks Related to the Notes
Your right to receive payments on the notes is effectively
junior to some of our existing indebtedness and possibly all of
our future borrowings.
The notes effectively rank behind all of our secured
indebtedness, to the extent of the assets which secure such
indebtedness, including any future borrowings under our
syndicated credit facility.
The notes effectively rank behind all of the indebtedness of our
subsidiaries that are not guarantors. As a result, upon any
distribution to our creditors or the creditors of such
subsidiaries in a bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization or
similar proceeding relating to us, our subsidiaries or our
respective property, the holders of our secured debt and any
creditors of our subsidiaries that are not guarantors of the
notes will be entitled to be paid in full in cash before any
payment may be made with respect to the notes. As of
March 31, 2006, there was
407.0 million
of outstanding indebtedness, including accrued interest,
effectively senior to the notes, of which
111.8 million was secured.
In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization or
similar proceeding relating to us, our subsidiaries or our
respective properties, holders of the notes will participate
with our trade creditors and all other holders of our senior
unsecured indebtedness in the assets remaining. In any of these
cases, we may not have sufficient funds to pay all of our
creditors, and holders of the notes may receive less, ratably,
than the holders of secured debt.
If we are unable to comply with the restrictions and
covenants in the indenture governing the notes and our debt
agreements, there could be a default under the terms of these
agreements, which could result in an acceleration of payment of
funds that we have borrowed.
If we are unable to comply with the restrictions and covenants
in the indenture governing the notes or in our current or future
debt agreements, there could be a default under the terms of
these agreements. Our ability to comply with these restrictions
and covenants, including to meet our financial ratios and tests,
may be affected by events beyond our control. As a result, we
cannot assure you that we will be able to comply with these
restrictions and covenants or meet these tests. In the event of
a default under these agreements, our lenders could terminate
their commitments to lend to us or accelerate the loans and
declare all amounts borrowed due and payable. Borrowings under
other debt instruments that contain cross-acceleration or
cross-default provisions may also be accelerated and become due
and payable. If any of these events occur, we cannot assure you
that our assets would be sufficient to repay in full all of our
indebtedness, including the notes, or that we would be able to
find alternative financing. Even if we could obtain alternative
financing, we cannot assure you that it would be on terms that
are favorable or acceptable to us.
We will rely in part on our subsidiaries for funds
necessary to meet our financial obligations, including the
notes. Only certain of our subsidiaries will initially guarantee
the notes.
We conduct a significant proportion of our activities through
our subsidiaries. We will depend in part on those subsidiaries
for dividends and other payments to generate the funds necessary
to meet our financial obligations, including the payment of
principal and interest on the notes. We cannot assure you that
the earnings from, or other available assets of, these operating
subsidiaries, together with our own operations, will be
sufficient to enable us to pay principal or interest on the
notes when due.
Only certain of our subsidiaries will initially guarantee the
notes. Our other subsidiaries have no obligation to pay amounts
due on the notes and will not initially guarantee the notes. As
a result, the notes are effectively subordinated to existing and
future third party indebtedness and other liabilities of those
subsidiaries. Subsidiaries who have initially guaranteed the
notes (excluding their subsidiaries that have not guaranteed the
notes)
29
generated, before consolidation entries,
307.5 million
of revenue,
60.7 million
of operating income and
37.0 million
of net income in the year ended December 31, 2005 and held
600.3 million
of total assets (before consolidation entries) as of
December 31, 2005. Subsidiaries who have initially
guaranteed the notes generated, before consolidation entries,
133.1 million
of revenue,
47.3 million
of operating income and
27.7 million
of net income in the three months ended March 31, 2006 and
held
601.6 million of total assets (before consolidation
entries) as of March 31, 2006.
Although the occurrence of specific change of control
events affecting us will permit you to require us to repurchase
your notes, we may not be able to repurchase your notes.
Upon the occurrence of specific change of control events
affecting us, you will have the right to require us to
repurchase your notes at 101% of their principal amount, plus
accrued and unpaid interest and liquidated damages. Our ability
to repurchase your notes upon such a change of control event
would be limited by our access to funds at the time of the
repurchase and the terms of our debt agreements, which
agreements could restrict or prohibit such a repurchase. Upon a
change of control event, we may be required immediately to repay
the outstanding principal, any accrued interest on and any other
amounts owed by us under our credit facilities. The source of
funds for these repayments would be our available cash or cash
generated from other sources. However, we cannot assure you that
we will have sufficient funds available upon a change of control
to make these repayments and any required repurchases of
tendered notes.
A trading market for the notes may not continue to
exist.
Although there has been an established trading market for the
original notes and the outstanding notes, this market may cease
to exist, the liquidity of any market for the notes will depend
upon the number of holders of the notes, our performance, the
market for similar securities, the interest of securities
dealers in making a market in the notes and other factors.
Insolvency laws in France may not be as favorable to you
as U.S. or other insolvency laws.
We are incorporated under the laws of France. Consequently, we
and our French subsidiaries will be subject to French laws and
proceedings affecting creditors, including article 1244-1 of the
French Civil Code (Code civil), the conciliation
procedure (conciliation), the safeguard procedure
(procédure de sauvegarde) and insolvency
proceedings, which may be either judicial reorganization or
liquidation proceedings (redressement or liquidation
judiciaire).
Pursuant to article 1244-1 of the French Civil Code, French
courts may, in any civil proceeding involving the debtor,
whether initiated by the debtor or a creditor, taking into
account the debtors financial position and the
creditors financial needs, defer or otherwise reschedule
over a maximum period of two years the payment dates of payment
obligations. In addition, if a debtor specifically initiates
proceedings therefor, French courts may decide that any amounts,
the payment date of which is thus deferred or rescheduled, will
bear interest at a rate which is lower than the contractual rate
(but not lower than the legal rate) and that payments made shall
first be allocated to repayment of principal. If a court order
under article 1244-1 is made, it will suspend any pending
enforcement measures, and any contractual interest or penalty
for late payment will not accrue or be due during the period
ordered by the court.
A company may initiate, in its sole discretion, a safeguard
procedure (procédure de sauvegarde) with respect to
itself, provided it (i) has not become unable to pay its
debts as they come due out of its available assets and
(ii) experiences difficulties, which it is not able to
overcome, which may cause the company to become unable to pay
its debts. From the time of the court order initiating the
safeguard procedure until the end of an observation period,
which may last for up to 18 months in exceptional cases,
the company is prohibited from paying any prior debts and its
creditors are barred from pursuing any legal proceedings against
it to (i) obtain the payment of such debts,
(ii) terminate an agreement with the company or
(iii) seize or attach any of its assets. The purpose of the
observation period is to determine whether a safeguard plan
(which cannot exceed 10 years) can be adopted. This plan
(which can provide for debt deferrals or write-offs) may be
negotiated with two separate creditors committees, one
comprising the main suppliers of the company and the other
comprising its banks. For a plan to
30
be approved by the court, it must be adopted by each committee
with a majority in number of the creditors representing at least
two thirds of the claims of the committee members. The current
applicable legislation does not provide for the inclusion of
noteholders in the membership of any committee, thus they must
be consulted separately.
A company may initiate, in its sole discretion a conciliation
procedure (conciliation) with respect to itself whereby
it tries to reach a judicial amicable settlement of its debts,
provided it (i) has not become unable to pay its debts as
they come due out of its available assets for more than
45 days and (ii) experiences legal, economic or
financial difficulties. At the request of the company, the court
will enter an order appointing a conciliator
(conciliateur) to help the company reach an agreement
with its creditors for reducing or rescheduling its
indebtedness. Certain conditions must be satisfied for the
agreement to be approved by the court, and in particular, it
must permit the survival of the company as a going concern. The
court may impose, pursuant to article 1244-1 of the French Civil
Code, debt deferrals on creditors which, during the course of
the conciliation procedure, take any action against the company
for the payment of their claims.
A companys directors are required to petition for
insolvency proceedings within 45 days of becoming unable to
pay its debts as they come due. A companys creditors, the
relevant commercial court or the public prosecutor may also file
a petition for insolvency proceedings if the company becomes
unable to pay its debts as they come due. The date on which the
debtor became unable to pay its debts as they came due (i.e.,
the date of suspension of payments (date de cessation des
paiements)), is deemed to be the date of the court order
commencing insolvency proceedings (jugement
douverture). However, in this order or in a subsequent
order, a court may set the date of suspension of payments at an
earlier date of up to 18 months prior to the court order
commencing proceedings (but in any event at no earlier date than
the date on which the court approved any prior conciliation
agreement). If the proceedings are judicial reorganization
proceedings, an administrator appointed by the court
investigates the affairs of the debtor during an initial
observation period (période dobservation) and
makes proposals for the debtors reorganization, sale or
liquidation. The court can order the liquidation of the debtor
at any time during the observation period. There is no
observation period if the court directly opens judicial
liquidation proceedings against the debtor. The outcome of the
proceedings is decided by the court without a vote of the
creditors. During the observation period, a reorganization plan
may be negotiated and adopted by two creditors committees
under the same principles as those applicable to the safeguard
procedure described above.
The importance of the date of suspension of payments is that it
marks the beginning of the suspect period (période
suspecte). Certain transactions made during the suspect
period may be void or voidable. Void transactions include
transactions or payments entered into during the suspect period
that constitute voluntary preferences for the benefit of certain
creditors to the detriment of other creditors. These include
transfers of assets for no or nominal consideration (à
titre gratuit), contracts under which the reciprocal
obligations of the debtor significantly exceed those of the
other party, payments on debts not due at the time of payment,
payments of matured debts otherwise than through recognized
means of payment (e.g., checks, promissory notes, cash),
security granted for debts previously incurred, provisional
measures unless the writ of attachment or seizure predates the
date of suspension of payments. Voidable transactions include
transfers of assets for no or nominal consideration (à
titre gratuit) within six months prior to the commencement
of the suspect period and, if the party dealing with the debtor
knew or should have known that it had suspended payment of its
debts, transactions entered into, or payments made when due,
after the date of suspension of payments.
As a general rule, creditors domiciled in France whose debts
arose prior to the commencement of bankruptcy proceedings must
file a claim with the creditors representative within two
months of the publication of the court order in the
Bulletin Officiel des Annonces Civiles et
Commerciales. This period is extended to four months for
creditors domiciled outside France. Creditors who have not
submitted their claims during this period are barred from
receiving distributions made in connection with the bankruptcy
proceedings and their unasserted claims are extinguished.
Employees are not subject to such limitations.
From the date of the court order commencing insolvency
proceedings, a debtor is prohibited from paying debts
outstanding prior to that date, subject to limited exceptions.
During this period, creditors may not pursue
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any legal action against the debtor with respect to any claim
arising prior to the court order commencing insolvency
proceedings if the objective of the legal action is:
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to obtain an order for, or payment of, a sum of money by the
debtor to the creditor; |
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to terminate a contract for non-payment of amounts owed by the
debtor; or |
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to enforce the creditors rights against any asset of the
debtor. |
Contractual provisions to the effect that termination of
agreements with, or the acceleration of the payment obligations
of, a company which result from:
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the opening of judicial reorganization proceedings
(redressement judiciaire) against such company, or |
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the existence of the state of suspension of payments (i.e., the
inability to pay due debts out of available assets) against such
company |
shall not be enforceable; and termination of agreements with a
company shall result from the opening of judicial liquidation
proceedings (liquidation judiciaire) against such company
may not be enforceable.
An administrator may terminate executory contracts. If the
administrator elects to continue a contract, the administrator
must ensure that the debtor fully performs its post-petition
contractual obligations.
If the court adopts a judicial reorganization plan, it can
prohibit for a period of time the sale of an asset that it deems
to be essential to the continued business of the debtor and can
postpone the payment of debts owed by the debtor.
In general, French insolvency legislation favors the
continuation of a business and protection of employment over the
payment of creditors. It assigns priority to the payment of
certain creditors, including the employees, judicial expenses
and post-petition creditors.
Courts, under certain circumstances, may void the
guarantees of the notes provided by certain of our
subsidiaries.
Our creditors or the creditors of one or more guarantors of the
notes or a liquidator, administrator or other controller
appointed to the guarantor could challenge the guarantees as
fraudulent transfers, conveyances, preferences, insolvent
transactions or uncommercial transactions or on other grounds
(including because of the absence of a corporate benefit to the
guarantor or due to financial assistance principles) under
applicable U.S. federal or state law, applicable Canadian
federal or provincial law, applicable Australian law, applicable
Norwegian law or the applicable law governing the country of
incorporation of any future guarantors. While the relevant laws
vary from one jurisdiction to another, the entering into the
guarantees by certain of our subsidiaries could be found to be a
fraudulent transfer, conveyance, preference, insolvent
transaction or uncommercial transaction or otherwise void or
unenforceable if a court were to determine that, for example,
one or more of the following apply to the provision of the
guarantee:
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a guarantor delivered its guarantee with the intent to defeat,
hinder, delay, defraud or otherwise interfere with its existing
or future creditors; |
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the guarantor did not receive fair consideration or benefit for
the delivery of the guarantee and the guarantor was insolvent at
the time it delivered the guarantee; |
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the guarantor delivered its guarantee in contravention of laws
relating to the provision of financial assistance; |
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the guarantor was insolvent at the time of execution of the
guarantee or was rendered insolvent by reason of its execution
of the guarantee or the observance of its obligations under the
guarantee; |
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a reasonable person in the guarantors circumstances would
not have entered into the transaction having regard to the
benefits (if any) to the guarantor, the detriment to the
guarantor and the respective benefits to other parties; |
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the guarantor was engaged, or was about to engage, in a business
or transaction for which its remaining assets constituted
unreasonably small capital to carry on its business; |
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the guarantor intended to incur, or believed it would incur,
debts beyond its ability to pay the debts as they matured; |
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the guarantor was a defendant in an action for money damage, or
had a judgment for money damages docketed against it (if, in
either case, after final judgment, the judgment is
unsatisfied); or |
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the availability of certain equitable remedies that are in the
discretion of the courts. |
To the extent a court voids a guarantee as a fraudulent
transfer, preference, insolvent transaction or uncommercial
transaction or conveyance or holds it unenforceable for any
other reason, holders of notes would cease to have any direct
claim against the guarantor that delivered the guarantee. If a
court were to take this action, the guarantors assets
would, in certain jurisdictions, be applied first to satisfy the
guarantors liabilities, including trade payables and
preferred stock claims, if any, before any portion of its assets
could be distributed to us to be applied to the payment of the
notes. We cannot assure you that a guarantors remaining
assets would be sufficient to satisfy the claims of the holders
of notes relating to any voided portions of the guarantees. In
other jurisdictions (such as Australia), if a guarantee is so
voided or held unenforceable, you will cease to have any claim
against the guarantor.
33
EXCHANGE RATES
The European Monetary System
Under the Treaty on European Union negotiated at Maastricht, The
Netherlands, in 1991 (the Maastricht Treaty) and
signed by the then 12 EU Member States in early 1992, the
European Monetary Union (the EMU), with a single
European currency under the monetary control of the European
Central Bank, was introduced. On January 1, 1999, the last
stage of the EMU came into effect with the adoption of fixed
exchange rates between national currencies and the euro. On
January 1, 2002, the euro became the official currency of
the following 12 EU Member States: Austria, Belgium,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,
The Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. As a result, national
currencies (including the French franc) ceased to exist during
the first quarter of 2002, after transition periods during which
national currencies of such Member States and the euro
co-existed.
Exchange Rates
The following table sets forth, for the periods and dates
indicated, certain information concerning the exchange rates for
the euro expressed in U.S. dollars per euro. Information
concerning the U.S. dollar exchange rate is based on the
noon buying rate in New York City for cable transfers in foreign
currencies as certified for customs purposes by the Federal
Reserve Bank of New York (the Noon Buying Rate).
Such rates are provided solely for convenience and no
representation is made that French francs or euro were, could
have been, or could be, converted into U.S. dollars at
these rates or at any other rate. Such rates were not used by us
in the preparation of our audited consolidated financial
statements incorporated by reference in this prospectus. The
Noon Buying Rate on May 31, 2006 was U.S.$1.2833 per
euro.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dollars per euro exchange rate | |
|
|
| |
Year ended December 31, |
|
Period-end | |
|
High | |
|
Low | |
|
Average(1) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
2001
|
|
|
0.89 |
|
|
|
0.95 |
|
|
|
0.84 |
|
|
|
0.90 |
|
2002
|
|
|
1.05 |
|
|
|
1.05 |
|
|
|
0.86 |
|
|
|
0.95 |
|
2003
|
|
|
1.26 |
|
|
|
1.26 |
|
|
|
1.04 |
|
|
|
1.14 |
|
2004
|
|
|
1.35 |
|
|
|
1.36 |
|
|
|
1.18 |
|
|
|
1.24 |
|
2005
|
|
|
1.18 |
|
|
|
1.35 |
|
|
|
1.17 |
|
|
|
1.24 |
|
|
Three months ended March 31, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
1.30 |
|
|
|
1.35 |
|
|
|
1.28 |
|
|
|
1.31 |
|
2006
|
|
|
1.21 |
|
|
|
1.23 |
|
|
|
1.19 |
|
|
|
1.20 |
|
|
Month |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.20 |
|
|
|
1.17 |
|
|
|
|
|
January 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.23 |
|
|
|
1.20 |
|
|
|
|
|
February 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.21 |
|
|
|
1.19 |
|
|
|
|
|
March 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.22 |
|
|
|
1.19 |
|
|
|
|
|
April 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.26 |
|
|
|
1.21 |
|
|
|
|
|
May 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.29 |
|
|
|
1.26 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
The annual average rate is the average of the Noon Buying Rates
on the last business day of each month. |
34
OFFERING OF THE OUTSTANDING NOTES
On February 3, 2006, we issued $165,000,000 aggregate
principal amount of the outstanding notes to certain initial
purchasers of those notes (the Initial Purchasers)
at a price of 101.0% of the principal amount of those notes in a
private transaction not registered under the Securities Act. The
Initial Purchasers then offered and resold the outstanding notes
outside the United States in reliance on Regulation S under
the Securities Act and to qualified institutional buyers within
the United States in reliance on Rule 144A under the
Securities Act, at a price to such purchasers of 103.25% of the
principal amount of those notes. We used the approximately
$165 million of proceeds (after deducting the Initial
Purchasers discounts and commissions and fees and
expenses) to (i) repay the approximately
U.S.$140 million remaining outstanding under our
U.S.$375 million bridge credit facility, which we drew in
full to finance our acquisition of Exploration Resources and
(ii) for general corporate purposes.
USE OF PROCEEDS
We will not receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of the
new notes. In consideration for issuing the new notes, we will
receive in exchange a like principal amount of outstanding
notes. The outstanding notes surrendered in exchange for the new
notes will be retired and cancelled and cannot be reissued.
Accordingly, issuance of the new notes will not result in any
change in our capitalization.
35
UNAUDITED CONDENSED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
INFORMATION
The following unaudited condensed pro forma consolidated
financial information of CGG for the year ended
December 31, 2005 gives pro forma effect to our acquisition
of Exploration Resources, our share capital increase by way of
preferential subscription rights that occurred on
December 16, 2005, and the issuance of our outstanding
notes issued on February 3, 2006, as if such transactions
had occurred on January 1, 2005. The unaudited condensed
pro forma consolidated financial information is being furnished
solely for illustrative purposes and is not necessarily
indicative of our combined results of operations that might have
been achieved for the periods indicated had these events
occurred on January 1, 2005. Moreover, the information does
not reflect our financial position or results of operations for
any future date or period, including the impact of current
trends in our industry and the recent additions and upgrades to
the Exploration Resources fleet. The unaudited condensed pro
forma consolidated financial information has been prepared in
accordance with Article 11 of
Regulation S-X of
the Commission.
As of September 1, 2005, Exploration Resources was
consolidated into our consolidated financial statements included
elsewhere in this prospectus. For a more complete description of
our acquisition of Exploration Resources, please see
Note 2 Acquisitions and
divestitures to our consolidated financial statements
included in our annual report on
Form 20-F for the
financial year ended December 31, 2005 incorporated by
reference in this prospectus.
Our unaudited condensed pro forma consolidated financial
information for the year ended December 31, 2005 is derived
from the historical consolidated financial statements of CGG for
the year ended December 31, 2005, and the consolidated
financial statements of Exploration Resources for the eight
months ended August 31, 2005.
The following unaudited condensed pro forma consolidated
financial information is only a summary and should be read in
conjunction with our historical consolidated financial
statements and notes thereto, as well as the historical
financial statements and notes of Exploration Resources. The
consolidated historical financial statements of CGG were
prepared in accordance with IFRS as of and for the year ended
December 31, 2005, and have been reconciled to
U.S. GAAP. The consolidated financial statements of
Exploration Resources were prepared in accordance with
U.S. GAAP for the eight months ended August 31, 2005.
The consolidated financial statements of Exploration Resources
for the six months ended June 30, 2005, are included
elsewhere in this prospectus.
The pro forma income statement for the year ended
December 31, 2005 has been prepared using our restated
U.S. GAAP income statement for the year ended
December 31, 2005 and the U.S. GAAP income statement
of Exploration Resources for the eight months ended
August 31, 2005 converted at an average exchange rate of
NOK 8.0839 per euro.
The pro forma financial data have been prepared in accordance
with U.S. GAAP and according to the accounting principles
described in the notes to our annual consolidated IFRS financial
statements included in our annual report on
Form 20-F for the
financial year ended December 31, 2005 incorporated by
reference in this prospectus.
36
Unaudited Pro Forma Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended December 31, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Historical | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Purchase | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exploration | |
|
Accounting | |
|
Other | |
|
Pro | |
|
|
CGG | |
|
Resources | |
|
Adjustment | |
|
Adjustments | |
|
Forma | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(in millions, except share data) | |
Operating revenues
|
|
|
860.8 |
|
|
|
66.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2.5 |
) |
|
|
924.6 |
|
Cost of operations
|
|
|
(665.4 |
) |
|
|
(58.7 |
) |
|
|
(10.0 |
) (b) |
|
|
(0.1 |
) (c)(d) |
|
|
(734.2 |
) |
Gross profit
|
|
|
195.4 |
|
|
|
7.6 |
|
|
|
(10.0 |
) |
|
|
(2.6 |
) |
|
|
190.4 |
|
Research and development expenses, net
|
|
|
(39.3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(39.3 |
) |
Selling, general and administrative expenses
|
|
|
(92.7 |
) |
|
|
(8.4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(101.1 |
) |
Other revenues (expenses), net
|
|
|
(1.5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1.5 |
) |
Operating income
|
|
|
61.9 |
|
|
|
(0.8 |
) |
|
|
(10.0 |
) |
|
|
(2.6 |
) |
|
|
48.5 |
|
Variance on derivative on convertible bonds
|
|
|
(11.5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(11.5 |
) |
Interest, other financial income and expense, net and exchange
gains and losses, net
|
|
|
(31.9 |
) |
|
|
1.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5.7 |
)(e) |
|
|
(36.5 |
) |
Equity in income of affiliates
|
|
|
13.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13.0 |
|
Income (loss) before Income taxes and Minority interests
|
|
|
31.5 |
|
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
|
(10.0 |
) |
|
|
(8.3 |
) |
|
|
13.5 |
|
Income taxes
|
|
|
(22.2 |
) |
|
|
(1.2 |
) |
|
|
2.8 |
|
|
|
3.6 |
(f) |
|
|
(17.0 |
) |
Minority interests
|
|
|
(1.0 |
) |
|
|
0.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.4 |
) |
|
|
(0.8 |
) |
Net income
|
|
|
8.3 |
|
|
|
(0.3 |
) |
|
|
(7.2 |
) |
|
|
(5.1 |
) |
|
|
(4.3 |
) |
Weighted average number of shares outstanding
|
|
|
12,095,925 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,095,925 |
|
Dilutive potential shares from stock options
|
|
|
261,855 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
261,855 |
|
Dilutive potential shares from convertible
bonds(a)
|
|
|
252,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
252,500 |
|
Adjusted weighted average shares and assumed option exercises
when dilutive
|
|
|
12,357,780 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,095,925 |
|
Earnings per share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic for shareholder
|
|
|
0.69 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.36 |
) |
Diluted for shareholder
|
|
|
0.67 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.36 |
) |
Notes:
|
|
|
(a) |
|
The effects of convertible bonds were not dilutive. |
|
(b) |
|
Reflects the impact (depreciation adjustment and related income
tax adjustment) of the reassessment of the value of Exploration
Resources assets in accordance with the principles of
purchase method accounting, which reassessment resulted in
notably an increase in the book value of the vessels of
115 million as of September 1, 2005. |
|
(c) |
|
Reflects the elimination of material inter-company transactions
in which members of the CGG Group sold equipment to Exploration
Resources during the period presented but prior to
September 1, 2005. |
|
(d) |
|
Conforming Exploration Resources multi-client survey
amortization method in CGG accounting policies. |
|
(e) |
|
Reflects the interest on the outstanding notes as if such notes
were issued at par on January 1, 2004 and amortization of
related fees. |
|
(f) |
|
Recognition of the impact of deferred tax liabilities to the
adjustments set forth in the column Other
Adjustments. |
37
THE EXCHANGE OFFER
Purpose and Effect of the Exchange Offer
We entered into a registration rights agreement with the initial
purchasers of the outstanding notes in which we agreed to file a
registration statement relating to an offer to exchange the
outstanding notes for new notes. We also agreed to use our
reasonable best efforts to complete that offer within
210 days after February 3, 2006. We are offering the
new notes under this prospectus to satisfy those obligations
under the registration rights agreement.
Under the following circumstances, we will use our reasonable
best efforts to cause the Commission to declare effective a
shelf registration statement with respect to the resale of the
outstanding notes and keep the shelf registration statement
effective for up to two years after the date of issuance of the
outstanding notes:
|
|
|
|
|
if any changes in law or applicable interpretations by the staff
of the Commission do not permit us to effect the exchange offer
as contemplated by the registration rights agreement; or |
|
|
|
in certain limited circumstances, if any holder of the
outstanding notes so requests. |
If we fail to comply with deadlines for registering the issuance
of the new notes and completion of the exchange offer, we will
be required to pay liquidated damages to holders of the
outstanding notes. Please read the section captioned
Outstanding Notes Registration Rights Agreement
for more details regarding the registration rights agreement.
To exchange an outstanding note for transferable new notes in
the exchange offer, you will be required to make the following
representations:
|
|
|
|
|
any new notes will be acquired in the ordinary course of your
business; |
|
|
|
you have no arrangement or understanding with any person to
participate in the distribution of the new notes; |
|
|
|
if you are not a broker-dealer, that you are not engaged in and
do not intend to engage in the distribution of the new notes; |
|
|
|
if you are a broker-dealer that will receive new notes for its
own account in exchange for outstanding notes that were acquired
as a result of market-making or other trading activities, that
you will deliver a prospectus, as required by law, in connection
with any resale of such new notes; and |
|
|
|
you are not our affiliate, as defined in
Rule 405 of the Securities Act, or if you are our
affiliate, that you will comply with the applicable registration
and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act. |
Resale of New Notes
Based on interpretations of the Commission staff in no action
letters issued to third parties, we believe that new notes
issued under the exchange offer may be offered for resale,
resold and otherwise transferred by you without compliance with
the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the
Securities Act if:
|
|
|
|
|
you are not our affiliate within the meaning of
Rule 405 under the Securities Act; |
|
|
|
any new notes will be acquired in the ordinary course of your
business; |
|
|
|
you have no arrangement or understanding with any person to
participate in the distribution of the new notes; and |
|
|
|
you have not engaged in and do not intend to engage in the
distribution of the new notes. |
38
If you tender in the exchange offer with the intention of
participating in any manner in a distribution of the new notes,
you:
|
|
|
|
|
can not rely on such interpretations by the Commission
staff; and |
|
|
|
must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act in connection with a
secondary resale transaction. |
Unless an exemption from registration is otherwise available,
any security holder intending to distribute new notes should be
covered by an effective registration statement under the
Securities Act containing the selling securityholders
information required by Item 507 of
Regulation S-K
under the Securities Act. This prospectus may be used for an
offer to resell, resale or other retransfer of new notes only as
specifically described in this prospectus. Only broker-dealers
that acquired the outstanding notes as a result of market-making
activities or other trading activities may participate in the
exchange offer. Each broker-dealer that receives new notes for
its own account in exchange for outstanding notes, where such
outstanding notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a
result of market-making activities or other trading activities,
must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection
with any resale of new notes. Please read the section captioned
Plan of Distribution for more details regarding the
transfer of new notes.
Terms of the Exchange Offer
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions described in this
prospectus and in the letter of transmittal, we will accept for
exchange any outstanding notes properly tendered and not
withdrawn prior to the expiration date. We will issue $1,000
principal amount of new notes in exchange for each $1,000
principal amount of outstanding notes surrendered under the
exchange offer. Outstanding notes may be tendered only in
integral multiples of $1,000.
The exchange offer is not conditioned upon any minimum aggregate
principal amount of outstanding notes being tendered for
exchange.
As of the date of this prospectus, $165 million aggregate
principal amount of the outstanding notes are outstanding. This
prospectus and the letter of transmittal are being sent to all
registered holders of outstanding notes. There will be no fixed
record date for determining registered holders of outstanding
notes entitled to participate in the exchange offer.
We intend to conduct the exchange offer in accordance with the
provisions of the registration rights agreement, the applicable
requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the
rules and regulations of the Commission. Outstanding notes that
are not tendered for exchange in the exchange offer will remain
outstanding and continue to accrue interest and will be entitled
to the rights and benefits such holders have under the indenture
relating to the notes and the registration rights agreement.
We will be deemed to have accepted for exchange properly
tendered outstanding notes when we have given oral or written
notice of the acceptance to the exchange agent and complied with
the applicable provisions of the registration rights agreement.
The exchange agent will act as agent for the tendering holders
for the purposes of receiving the new notes from us.
If you tender outstanding notes in the exchange offer, you will
not be required to pay brokerage commissions or fees or, subject
to the instructions in the letter of transmittal, transfer
taxes, with respect to the exchange of outstanding notes. We
will pay all charges and expenses, other than certain applicable
taxes described below, in connection with the exchange offer. It
is important for noteholders to read the section entitled
Fees and Expenses for more details
regarding fees and expenses incurred in the exchange offer.
We will return any outstanding notes that we do not accept for
exchange for any reason without expense to the tendering holder
as promptly as practicable after the expiration or termination
of the exchange offer.
39
Expiration Date
The Exchange Offer Will Expire At 5:00 p.m., New York City
time on
[ l ],
2006, unless, in our sole discretion, we extend it.
Extensions, Delay in Acceptance, Termination or Amendment
We expressly reserve the right, at any time or at various times,
to extend the period of time during which the exchange offer is
open. We may delay acceptance of any outstanding notes by giving
oral or written notice of such extension to their holders.
During any such extensions, all outstanding notes previously
tendered will remain subject to the exchange offer, and we may
accept them for exchange.
In order to extend the exchange offer, we will notify the
exchange agent orally or in writing of any extension. We will
notify the registered holders of outstanding notes of the
extension no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on
the next business day after the previously scheduled expiration
date.
If any of the conditions described below under
Conditions to the Exchange offer have
not been satisfied, we reserve the right, in our sole
discretion, to delay accepting for exchange any outstanding
notes or to extend the exchange offer or to terminate the
exchange offer by giving oral or written notice of such delay,
extension or termination to the exchange agent. Subject to the
terms of the registration rights agreement, we also reserve the
right to amend the terms of the exchange offer in any manner.
Any such delay in acceptance, extension, termination or
amendment will be followed as promptly as practicable by oral or
written notice thereof to the registered holders of outstanding
notes. If we amend the exchange offer in a manner that we
determine to constitute a material change, we will promptly
disclose such amendment by means of a prospectus supplement. The
supplement will be distributed to the registered holders of the
outstanding notes. Depending upon the significance of the
amendment and the manner of disclosure to the registered
holders, we will extend the exchange offer if the exchange offer
would otherwise expire during such period.
Conditions to the Exchange Offer
Despite any other term of the exchange offer, we will not be
required to accept for exchange, or exchange any new notes for,
any outstanding notes, and we may terminate the exchange offer
as provided in this prospectus before accepting any outstanding
notes for exchange, if in our reasonable judgment the exchange
offer, or the making of any exchange by a holder of outstanding
notes, would violate applicable law or any applicable
interpretation of the staff of the Commission or any action or
proceeding has been instituted or threatened in any court or by
or before any governmental agency with respect to the exchange
offer that, in our judgment, would reasonably be expected to
impair our ability to proceed with the exchange offer.
In addition, we will not be obligated to accept for exchange the
outstanding notes of any holder that has not made to us
(1) the representations described under
Purpose and Effect of the Exchange
Offer, Procedures for Tendering
and Plan of Distribution and (2) such other
representations as may be reasonably necessary under applicable
Commission rules, regulations or interpretations to make
available to us an appropriate form for registration of the new
notes under the Securities Act.
We expressly reserve the right to amend or terminate the
exchange offer, and to reject for exchange any outstanding notes
not previously accepted for exchange, upon the occurrence of any
of the conditions to the exchange offer specified above. We will
give oral or written notice of any extension, amendment,
non-acceptance or termination to the holders of the outstanding
notes as promptly as practicable.
These conditions are for our sole benefit and we may assert them
or waive them in whole or in part at any time or at various
times in our sole discretion. If we fail at any time to exercise
any of these rights, this failure will not mean that we have
waived our rights. Each such right will be deemed an ongoing
right that we may assert at any time or at various times.
In addition, we will not accept for exchange any outstanding
notes tendered, and will not issue new notes in exchange for any
such outstanding notes, if at such time any stop order has been
threatened or is in effect with
40
respect to the registration statement of which this prospectus
constitutes a part or the qualification of the indenture
relating to the notes under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.
Procedures for Tendering
How to Tender Generally
Only a holder of outstanding notes may tender such outstanding
notes in the exchange offer. To tender in the exchange offer, a
holder must:
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complete, sign and date the letter of transmittal, or a
facsimile of the letter of transmittal; have the signature on
the letter of transmittal guaranteed if the letter of
transmittal so requires; and mail or deliver such letter of
transmittal or facsimile to the exchange agent prior to the
expiration date; and |
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comply with the automated tender offer program procedures of DTC
described below. |
In addition, either:
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the exchange agent must receive outstanding notes along with the
letter of transmittal; |
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the exchange agent must receive, prior to the expiration date, a
timely confirmation of book-entry transfer of such outstanding
notes into the exchange agents account at DTC according to
the procedure for book-entry transfer described below or a
properly transmitted agents message; or |
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the holder must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures
described below. |
To be tendered effectively, the exchange agent must receive any
physical delivery of the letter of transmittal and other
required documents at its address provided above under
Prospectus Summary The Exchange Agent
prior to the expiration date.
The tender by a holder that is not withdrawn prior to the
expiration date will constitute an agreement between the holder
and us in accordance with the terms and subject to the
conditions described in this prospectus and in the letter of
transmittal.
The method of delivery of outstanding notes, the letter of
transmittal and all other required documents to the exchange
agent is at the holders election and risk. Rather than
mail these items, we recommend that holders use an overnight or
hand delivery service. In all cases, you should allow sufficient
time to assure delivery to the exchange agent before the
expiration date. You should not send the letter of transmittal
or outstanding notes to us. You may request your brokers,
dealers, commercial banks, trust companies or other nominees to
effect the above transactions for you.
How to Tender if You Are a Beneficial Owner
If you beneficially own outstanding notes that are registered in
the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or
other nominee and you wish to tender these notes, you should
contact the registered holder promptly and instruct it to tender
on your behalf. If you are a beneficial owner and wish to tender
on your own behalf, you must, prior to completing and executing
the letter of transmittal and delivering your outstanding notes,
either:
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make appropriate arrangements to register ownership of the
outstanding notes in your name; or |
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obtain a properly completed bond power from the registered
holder of outstanding notes. |
The transfer of registered ownership may take considerable time
and may not be completed prior to the expiration date.
Signatures and Signature Guarantees
You must have signatures on a letter of transmittal or a notice
of withdrawal described below guaranteed by a member firm of a
registered national securities exchange or of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., a commercial bank or
trust company having an office or correspondent in the United
States, or an eligible
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guarantor institution within the meaning of
Rule 17Ad-15 under the Exchange Act, that is a member of
one of the recognized signature guarantee programs identified in
the letter of transmittal, unless the outstanding notes are
tendered:
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by a registered holder who has not completed the box entitled
Special Issuance Instructions or Special
Delivery Instructions on the letter of transmittal; or |
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for the account of a member firm of a registered national
securities exchange or of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc., a commercial bank or trust company having an
office or correspondent in the United States, or an eligible
guarantor institution. |
When You Need Endorsements or Bond Powers
If the letter of transmittal is signed by a person other than
the registered holder of any outstanding notes, the outstanding
notes must be endorsed or accompanied by a properly completed
bond power. The bond power must be signed by the registered
holder as the registered holders name appears on the
outstanding notes and a member firm of a registered national
securities exchange or of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc., a commercial bank or trust company having an
office or correspondent in the United States, or an eligible
guarantor institution must guarantee the signature on the bond
power.
If the letter of transmittal or any outstanding notes or bond
powers are signed by trustees, executors, administrators,
guardians,
attorneys-in-fact,
officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or
representative capacity, those persons should so indicate when
signing. Unless waived by us, they should also submit evidence
satisfactory to us of their authority to deliver the letter of
transmittal.
Tendering Through DTCs Automated Tender Offer
Program
The exchange agent and DTC have confirmed that any financial
institution that is a participant in DTCs system may use
DTCs automated tender offer program to tender.
Participants in the program may, instead of physically
completing and signing the letter of transmittal and delivering
it to the exchange agent, transmit their acceptance of the
exchange offer electronically. They may do so by causing DTC to
transfer the outstanding notes to the exchange agent in
accordance with its procedures for transfer. DTC will then send
an agents message to the exchange agent.
The term agents message means a message
transmitted by DTC, received by the exchange agent and forming
part of the book-entry confirmation, to the effect that:
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DTC has received an express acknowledgement from a participant
in its automated tender offer program that is tendering
outstanding notes that are the subject of such book-entry
confirmation; |
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such participant has received and agrees to be bound by the
terms of the letter of transmittal or, in the case of an
agents message relating to guaranteed delivery, that such
participant has received and agrees to be bound by the
applicable notice of guaranteed delivery; and |
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the agreement may be enforced against such participant. |
Determinations Under the Exchange Offer
We will determine in our sole discretion all questions as to the
validity, form, eligibility, time of receipt, acceptance of
tendered outstanding notes and withdrawal of tendered
outstanding notes. Our determination will be final and binding.
We reserve the absolute right to reject any outstanding notices
not properly tendered or any outstanding notes our acceptance of
which would, in the opinion of our counsel, be unlawful. We also
reserve the right to waive any defects, irregularities or
conditions of tender as to particular outstanding notes. Our
interpretation of the terms and conditions of the exchange
offer, including the instructions in the letter of transmittal,
will be final and binding on all parties. Unless waived, any
defects or irregularities in connection with tenders of
outstanding notes must be cured within such time as we shall
determine. Although we intend to notify holders of defects or
irregularities with respect to tenders of outstanding notes,
neither we, the exchange agent nor any other person will incur
any liability for failure to give such notification. Tenders of
outstanding notes will not
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be deemed made until such defects or irregularities have been
cured or waived. Any outstanding notes received by the exchange
agent that are not properly tendered and as to which the defects
or irregularities have not been cured or waived will be returned
to the tendering holder, unless otherwise provided in the letter
of transmittal, as soon as practicable following the expiration
date.
When we will issue New Notes
In all cases, we will issue new notes for outstanding notes that
we have accepted for exchange under the exchange offer only
after the exchange agent timely receives:
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outstanding notes or a timely book-entry confirmation of such
outstanding notes into the exchange agents account at
DTC; and |
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a properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal and
all other required documents or a properly transmitted
agents message. |
Return of Outstanding Notes Not Accepted or
Exchanged
If we do not accept any tendered outstanding notes for exchange
for any reason described in the terms and conditions of the
exchange offer or if outstanding notes are submitted for a
greater principal amount than the holder desires to exchange,
the unaccepted or non-exchanged outstanding notes will be
returned without expense to their tendering holder. In the case
of outstanding notes tendered by book-entry transfer into the
exchange agents account at DTC according to the procedures
described below, such non-exchanged outstanding notes will be
credited to an account maintained with DTC. These actions will
occur as promptly as practicable after the expiration or
termination of the exchange offer.
Your Representations to Us
By signing or agreeing to be bound by the letter of transmittal,
you will represent to us that, among other things:
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any new notes will be acquired in the ordinary course of your
business; |
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you have no arrangement or understanding with any person to
participate in the distribution of the new notes; |
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if you are not a broker-dealer, that you are not engaged in and
do not intend to engage in the distribution of the new notes; |
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if you are a broker-dealer that will receive new notes for your
own account in exchange for outstanding notes that were acquired
as a result of market-making or other trading activities, that
you will deliver a prospectus, as required by law, in connection
with any resale of such new notes; and |
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you are not our affiliate, as defined in
Rule 405 of the Securities Act, or, if you are our
affiliate, that you will comply with the applicable registration
and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act. |
Book-Entry Transfer
The exchange agent will make a request to establish an account
with respect to the outstanding notes at DTC for purposes of the
exchange offer promptly after the date of this prospectus. Any
financial institution participating in DTCs system may
make book-entry delivery of outstanding notes by causing DTC to
transfer such outstanding notes into the exchange agents
account at DTC in accordance with DTCs procedures for
transfer. Holders of outstanding notes who are unable to deliver
confirmation of the book-entry tender of their outstanding notes
into the exchange agents account at DTC or all other
documents required by the letter of transmittal to the exchange
agent on or prior to the expiration date must tender their
outstanding notes according to the guaranteed delivery
procedures described below.
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Guaranteed Delivery Procedures
If you wish to tender your outstanding notes but your
outstanding notes are not immediately available or you cannot
deliver your outstanding notes, the letter of transmittal or any
other required documents to the exchange agent or comply with
the applicable procedures under DTCs automated tender
offer program prior to the expiration date, you may tender if:
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the tender is made through a member firm of a registered
national securities exchange or of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc., a commercial bank or trust company
having an office or correspondent in the United States, or an
eligible guarantor institution; |
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prior to the expiration date, the exchange agent receives from
such member firm of a registered national securities exchange or
of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.,
commercial bank or trust company having an office or
correspondent in the United States, or eligible guarantor
institution either a properly completed and duly executed notice
of guaranteed delivery by facsimile transmission, mail or hand
delivery or a properly transmitted agents message and
notice of guaranteed delivery: |
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setting forth your name and address, the registered number(s) of
your outstanding notes and the principal amount of outstanding
notes tendered; |
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stating that the tender is being made thereby; |
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guaranteeing that, within three (3) New York Stock Exchange
trading days after the expiration date, the letter of
transmittal or facsimile thereof, together with the outstanding
notes or a book-entry confirmation, and any other documents
required by the letter of transmittal will be deposited by the
eligible guarantor institution with the exchange agent; and |
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the exchange agent receives such properly completed and executed
letter of transmittal or facsimile thereof, as well as all
tendered outstanding notes in proper form for transfer or a
book-entry confirmation, and all other documents required by the
letter of transmittal, within three (3) New York Stock
Exchange trading days after the expiration date. |
Upon request to the exchange agent, a notice of guaranteed
delivery will be sent to you if you wish to tender your
outstanding notes according to the guaranteed delivery
procedures described above.
Withdrawal of Tenders
Except as otherwise provided in this prospectus, you may
withdraw your tender at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New
York City time, on the expiration date.
For a withdrawal to be effective:
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the exchange agent must receive a written notice of withdrawal
at one of the addresses listed above under Prospectus
Summary The Exchange Agent; or |
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you must comply with the appropriate procedures of DTCs
automated tender offer program system. |
Any notice of withdrawal must:
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specify the name of the person who tendered the outstanding
notes to be withdrawn; and |
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identify the outstanding notes to be withdrawn, including the
principal amount of such outstanding notes. |
If outstanding notes have been tendered under the procedure for
book-entry transfer described above, any notice of withdrawal
must specify the name and number of the account at DTC to be
credited with the withdrawn outstanding notes and otherwise
comply with the procedures of DTC.
We will determine all questions as to the validity, form,
eligibility and time of receipt of notice of withdrawal, and our
determination shall be final and binding on all parties. We will
deem any outstanding notes so withdrawn not to have been validly
tendered for exchange for purposes of the exchange offer.
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Any outstanding notes that have been tendered for exchange but
that are not exchanged for any reason will be returned to their
holder without cost to the holder or, in the case of outstanding
notes tendered by book-entry transfer into the exchange
agents account at DTC according to the procedures
described above, such outstanding notices will be credited to an
account maintained with DTC for the outstanding notes. This
return or crediting will take place as soon as practicable after
withdrawal, rejection of tender or termination of the exchange
offer. You may retender properly withdrawn outstanding notes by
following one of the procedures described under
Procedures for Tendering above at any
time on or prior to the expiration date.
Fees and Expenses
We will bear the expenses of soliciting tenders. The principal
solicitation is being made by mail; however, we may make
additional solicitation by telegraph, telephone or in person by
our officers and regular employees and those of our affiliates.
We have not retained any dealer-manager in connection with the
exchange offer and will not make any payments to broker-dealers
or others soliciting acceptances of the exchange offer. We will,
however, pay the exchange agent reasonable and customary fees
for its services and reimburse it for its related reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses.
We will pay the cash expenses to be incurred in connection with
the exchange offer. They include:
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Commission registration fees; |
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fees and expenses of the exchange agent and trustee; |
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accounting and legal fees and printing costs; and |
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related fees and expenses. |
We will pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the
exchange of outstanding notes under the exchange offer. The
tendering holder, however, will be required to pay any transfer
taxes, whether imposed on the registered holder or any other
person, if:
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certificates representing outstanding notes for principal
amounts not tendered or accepted for exchange are to be
delivered to, or are to be issued in the name of, any person
other than the registered holder of outstanding notes tendered; |
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tendered outstanding notes are registered in the name of any
person other than the person signing the letter of
transmittal; or |
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a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the exchange
of outstanding notes under the exchange offer. |
If satisfactory evidence of payment of any transfer taxes
payable by a note holder is not submitted with the letter of
transmittal, the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed
directly to that tendering holder.
Transfer Taxes
If you tender your outstanding notes for exchange, you will not
be required to pay any transfer taxes. However, if you instruct
us to register new notes in the name of, or request that
outstanding notes not tendered or not accepted in the exchange
offer be returned to, a person other than you, in your capacity
as the registered tendering holder, you will be required to pay
any applicable transfer tax.
Consequences of Failure to Exchange
If you do not exchange your outstanding notes for new notes
under the exchange offer, you will remain subject to the
existing restrictions on transfer of the outstanding notes.
In general, you may not offer or sell the outstanding notes
unless they are registered under the Securities Act or the offer
or sale is exempt from registration under the Securities Act and
applicable state securities laws.
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Except as required by the registration rights agreement, we do
not intend to register resales of the outstanding notes under
the Securities Act. Based on interpretations of the Commission
staff, you may offer for resale, resell or otherwise transfer
new notes issued in the exchange offer without compliance with
the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the
Securities Act, if (1) you are not our
affiliate within the meaning of Rule 405 under
the Securities Act; (2) any new notes will be acquired in
the ordinary course of your business; (3) you have no
arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in
the distribution of the new notes; and (4) you are not
engaged in and do not intend to engage in the distribution of
the new notes. If you tender in the exchange offer with the
intention of participating in any manner in a distribution of
the new notes, you:
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cannot rely on the applicable interpretations of the Commission;
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must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act in connection with a
secondary resale transaction. |
Accounting Treatment
We recorded the new notes in our accounting records at the same
carrying value as the outstanding notes, which is the aggregate
principal amount as reflected in our accounting records on the
date of exchange. Accordingly, we will not recognize any gain or
loss for accounting purposes in connection with the exchange
offer.
Other
Participation in the exchange offer is voluntary, and you should
carefully consider whether to accept. You are urged to consult
your financial and tax advisors in making your own decision on
what action to take.
We may in the future seek to acquire untendered outstanding
notes in open market or privately negotiated transactions,
through subsequent exchange offers or otherwise. We have no
present plans to acquire any outstanding notes that are not
tendered in the exchange offer or to file a registration
statement to permit resales of any untendered outstanding notes.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES
General
You can find the definitions of certain terms used in this
description under Certain Definitions.
In this description, the word Company refers
only to Compagnie Générale de Géophysique, S.A.,
and not to any of its subsidiaries.
The following description is a summary of the material
provisions of the Indenture. It does not restate the Indenture
in its entirety. We urge you to read the Indenture because it,
and not this description, will define your rights as holders of
the Notes.
The Exchange Notes will be issued and the Offered Notes, the
Original Notes and the Original Exchange Notes were issued
pursuant to the Indenture dated as of the Issue Date among the
Company, the Guarantors and JPMorgan Chase Bank, National
Association, as trustee (the Trustee). See
Notice to Investors. The terms of the Notes include
those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the
Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended (the Trust Indenture Act).
The outstanding notes were issued on February 3, 2006 in an
aggregate principal amount of U.S.$165,000,000 (the
Offered Notes), and an equal aggregate
principal amount of new notes (the Exchange
Notes) may be issued in exchange for the Offered Notes
in connection with the exchange offer contemplated by this
prospectus (the Exchange Offer). The Company
issued U.S.$165,000,000 aggregate principal amount of
71/2% Senior
Notes due 2015 pursuant to the indenture on the Issue Date (the
Original Notes) and exchanged identical Notes
registered under the Securities Act and issued pursuant to the
indenture (the Original Exchange Notes) for
U.S.$164,500,000 aggregate principal amount of the Original
Notes in connection with an exchange offer that was completed on
November 9, 2005, as a result of which U.S.$500,000
aggregate principal amount of the Original Notes remains
outstanding.
If the Exchange Offer is consummated, holders of Offered Notes
who do not exchange those notes for Exchange Notes in the
Exchange Offer will vote together with holders of Exchange
Notes, the Original Notes and the Original Exchange Notes for
all relevant purposes under the Indenture. In that regard, the
Indenture requires that certain actions by the holders
thereunder, including acceleration following an Event of
Default, must be taken, and certain rights must be exercised, by
specified minimum percentages of the aggregate principal amount
of the outstanding securities issued under the Indenture. In
determining whether holders of the requisite percentage in
principal amount have given any notice, consent or waiver or
taken any other action permitted under the Indenture, any
Offered Notes that remain outstanding after the Exchange Offer
will be aggregated with the Exchange Notes, the Original Notes
and the Original Exchange Notes, and the holders of such Offered
Notes, the Exchange Notes, the Original Notes and the Original
Exchange Notes will vote together as a single series for all
such purposes. Accordingly, all references herein to specified
percentages in aggregate principal amount of the Notes
outstanding shall be deemed to mean, at any time after the
Exchange Offer is consummated, such percentages in aggregate
principal amount of Offered Notes, Exchange Notes, Original
Notes and Original Exchange Notes then outstanding.
Copies of the Indenture are available for inspection during
normal business hours at the office of the Company referred to
under Available Information, at the
corporate trust office of the Trustee at 600 Travis Street,
Suite 1150, Houston, Texas 77002, and at the specified
office of each Paying Agent, including, for so long as the Notes
are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, at the specified
office of the Paying Agent in Luxembourg. Holders of the Notes
are entitled to the benefit of, are bound by, and are deemed to
have notice of, all the provisions of the Indenture.
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Brief Description of the Notes
The Notes:
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are general unsecured obligations of the Company; |
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rank equally in right of payment to all existing and future
senior indebtedness of the Company, except for any liabilities
preferred by law; |
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rank senior in right of payment to all existing and future
subordinated indebtedness of the Company; |
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are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by certain
Subsidiaries of the Company as described below; and |
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are effectively subordinated to all existing and future
indebtedness of Subsidiaries of the Company that are not
Guarantors. |
Holders of existing and future secured indebtedness of the
Company and its Subsidiaries, including loans under the existing
Credit Facilities, will have claims with respect to the assets
constituting collateral for such secured indebtedness that are
superior to the claims of the holders of the Notes. Accordingly,
the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees are effectively
subordinated to claims of secured creditors of the Company and
the Guarantors to the extent of such collateral.
Only certain Subsidiaries of the Company will guarantee the
Notes. In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation or
reorganization of any Subsidiary of the Company that is not a
Guarantor, that Subsidiary will pay the holders of its debt and
its trade creditors before it will be able to distribute any of
its assets to the Company.
As of March 31, 2006, the Company and its Subsidiaries had
outstanding total Indebtedness of
407.0 million,
of which
111.8 million
was secured. As of March 31, 2006, the Initial Guarantors
(excluding their Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors) had
outstanding total Indebtedness of
14.8 million,
all of which was secured. Indebtedness of the Initial Guarantors
is included in the total Indebtedness of the Company and its
Subsidiaries. In addition, as of March 31, 2006 the Company
and its Subsidiaries had availability under their credit
facilities of
111.3 million, which if drawn would have been
secured. None of the Initial Guarantors are obligors on the
existing syndicated credit facility. The Indenture permits the
Company and its Subsidiaries (including the Guarantors) to incur
additional Indebtedness, including certain additional secured
Indebtedness.
As of the date of the Indenture, all of the Companys
Subsidiaries were Restricted Subsidiaries. Under certain
circumstances, the Company will be able to designate current or
future Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries. Unrestricted
Subsidiaries will not be subject to the restrictive covenants
set forth in the Indenture and will not guarantee the Notes.
The Indenture also provides the Company the flexibility of
issuing additional Notes in the future in an unlimited amount;
however, any issuance of such additional Notes would be subject
to the covenant described under Certain
Covenants Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of
Disqualified Stock. The Offered Notes, the Exchange Notes,
the Original Notes, the Original Exchange Notes and any such
additional Notes are collectively referred to as the
Notes in this Description of the Notes.
Any Offered Notes that remain outstanding after the completion
of the Exchange Offer, together with the Exchange Notes issued
in connection with the Exchange Offer, the Original Notes and
the Original Exchange Notes will be treated as a single class of
securities under the Indenture.
Whenever the covenants or default provisions or definitions in
the Indenture refer to an amount in U.S. dollars or euros,
that amount will be deemed to refer to the U.S. Dollar
Equivalent or the Euro Equivalent, respectively, of the amount
of any obligation denominated in any other currency or
currencies, including composite currencies.
Any other determination of the U.S. Dollar Equivalent or
the Euro Equivalent for any purpose under the Indenture will be
determined as of a date of determination as described in the
definitions of U.S. Dollar Equivalent and
Euro Equivalent under Certain
Definitions and, in any case, no subsequent change in
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the U.S. Dollar Equivalent or the Euro Equivalent after the
applicable date of determination will cause such determination
to be modified.
Principal, Maturity and Interest
The Exchange Notes will be limited in aggregate principal amount
to $165,000,000 and will mature on May 15, 2015. Interest
on the Notes will accrue at the rate of
71/2% per
annum and will be payable semi-annually in arrears on May 15 and
November 15 of each year, commencing on November 15, 2005,
to holders of record on the immediately preceding May 1 and
November 1. Interest on the Exchange Notes will accrue from the
most recent date to which interest has been paid on the Offered
Notes exchanged therefore or, if no interest has been paid, from
April 28, 2005. Interest will be computed on the basis of a
360-day year comprised
of twelve 30-day months.
Payment and Paying Agents
Principal of and premium, interest and Liquidated Damages (as
defined under Registration Rights; Liquidated
Damages), if any, on the Notes will be payable in
U.S. dollars at the office or agency of the Company
maintained for such purpose in the continental United States
and, subject to any fiscal or other laws and regulations
applicable thereto, at the specified offices of any other Paying
Agent appointed by the Company for such purpose, or, at the
option of the Company, payment of interest and Liquidated
Damages, if any, may be made by check mailed to holders of the
Notes at their respective addresses set forth in the register of
holders; provided, however, that all payments with
respect to Notes the holders of which have given wire transfer
instructions to the Company or a Paying Agent will be required
to be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to
the accounts specified by the holders thereof. The principal of
the Notes will be payable only upon surrender of any Note at the
Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or at the specified
offices of any other Paying Agent.
If the due date for payment of the principal in respect of any
Note is not a business day at the place in which it is presented
for payment, the holder thereof will not be entitled to payment
of the amount due until the next succeeding business day at such
place and will not be entitled to any further interest or other
payment in respect of any such delay.
The Indenture provides that any money deposited with the Trustee
or any Paying Agent in trust for the payment of the principal
of, premium, if any, interest or Liquidated Damages, if any, on
any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such
principal, premium, if any, interest or Liquidated Damages, if
any, have become due and payable will be paid to the Company,
and will be discharged from such trust; and the holder of such
Note will thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look
only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of
the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such money will
thereupon cease.
The Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee in Dallas, Texas
will initially be designated as the Companys Paying Agent
for payments with respect to the Notes. So long as the Notes are
listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and the rules of such
stock exchange so require, the Company will maintain a Paying
Agent in Luxembourg. Dexia Banque Internationale à
Luxembourg will initially be designated as the Companys
Paying Agent in Luxembourg and as the Companys agent where
Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer and
exchange. The Company may at any time designate one or more
additional Paying Agents or rescind the designation of any
Paying Agent or approve a change in the office through which any
Paying Agent acts, except that the Company will be required to
maintain a Paying Agent in the continental United States. The
Company will give notice to each holder of Notes, in the manner
described under Notices, of any change
in Paying Agents.
Subsidiary Guarantees
General
The obligations of each Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee
will be general unsecured obligations of such Guarantor, ranking
pari passu in right of payment with all other senior
indebtedness of such Guarantor and
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senior in right of payment to any subordinated indebtedness of
such Guarantor. The Subsidiary Guarantees will be joint and
several obligations of the Guarantors. Holders of existing and
future secured indebtedness of the Guarantors, including loans
under the existing Credit Facilities, will have claims with
respect to the assets constituting collateral for such secured
indebtedness that are superior to the claims of the holders of
the Notes.
The Indenture provides that the obligations of each Guarantor
under its Subsidiary Guarantee will be limited to the maximum
amount as will, after giving effect to such maximum amount and
all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor
that are relevant under bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance and
fraudulent transfer and similar laws, and after giving effect to
any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or
payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect
of the obligations of such other Guarantor under its Subsidiary
Guarantee, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its
Subsidiary Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent transfer or
conveyance. In addition, the obligations of each Guarantor under
its Subsidiary Guarantee shall be limited to the extent required
by applicable law.
Guarantors
Only certain Subsidiaries of the Company will guarantee the
Notes, including on the date of the Indenture Sercel Inc.,
Sercel Canada Ltd. and Sercel Australia Pty Ltd (the
Sercel Guarantors) and CGG Americas, Inc.,
CGG Canada Services Ltd. and CGG Marine Resources Norge A/S
(together with the Sercel Guarantors, the Initial
Guarantors). For more information about the Initial
Guarantors, see General Information and Note 29
to our consolidated annual financial statements, incorporated by
reference in this prospectus. The Companys other
Subsidiaries will not initially guarantee the Notes and, in
certain circumstances described below under
Release, the Company may elect to have
the Sercel Guarantors released from their Subsidiary Guarantees.
In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization of
any Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Guarantor, that
Subsidiary will pay the holders of its debt and its trade
creditors before it will be able to distribute any of its assets
to the Company. The Initial Guarantors (excluding their
subsidiaries that have not guaranteed the notes) generated, in
IFRS, before consolidation entries,
307.5 million
of revenues,
60.7 million
of operating income and
37.0 million
of net income in the year ended December 31, 2005 and held
600.3 million
of total assets before consolidation entries as of
December 31, 2005. The Initial Guarantors (excluding their
subsidiaries that have not guaranteed the notes) generated,
before consolidation entries,
133.1 million
of revenues,
47.3 million
of operating income and
27.7 million
of net income in the three-month period ended March 31,
2006 and held
601.6 million of total assets before consolidation
entries as of March 31, 2006.
The Sercel Guarantors (excluding their subsidiaries that have
not guaranteed the notes) generated, in IFRS, before
consolidation entries,
146.5 million
of revenues,
11.0 million
of operating income and
6.3 million
of net income in the year ended December 31, 2005 and held
205.9 million
of total assets before consolidation entries. The Sercel
Guarantors (excluding their subsidiaries that have not
guaranteed the notes) generated, before consolidation entries,
60.9 million
of revenues,
5.5 million
of operating income and
3.6 million
of net income in the three-month period ended March 31,
2006 and held
213.7 million of total assets before consolidation
entries as of March 31, 2006. The revenue, operating
income, net income and assets of the Sercel Guarantors are
included in those of the Initial Guarantors. In the
circumstances described under Certain
Covenants Guarantees of Certain Indebtedness by
Restricted Subsidiaries the Indenture will require certain
of the Companys other Subsidiaries to become Guarantors.
For more information about the Initial Guarantors, see
General Information.
In addition, a Restricted Subsidiary may become a Guarantor, at
its option, by executing a supplemental indenture providing for
a Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with the provisions of the
Indenture.
Release
The Indenture provides that, in the event of (a) a
transfer, conveyance, sale or other disposition of any Capital
Stock of Sercel SA or any Sercel Guarantor or (b) the issue
by Sercel SA or any Sercel Guarantor of any Equity Interests, in
either case to any Person other than the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company, the Company may elect to have the
Sercel Guarantors released and relieved of any obligations under
their
50
Subsidiary Guarantees, provided that the Net Proceeds of
such issuance, transfer, conveyance, sale or other disposition
are applied in accordance with the covenant described below
under Put Option of Holders Asset
Sales and the Sercel Guarantors have no other guarantees
of Indebtedness of the Company or any other Guarantors (other
than Permitted Guarantees) then outstanding. If a Restricted
Subsidiary has become a Guarantor at its option, it may
thereafter be released and relieved of its obligations under its
Subsidiary Guarantee at its option, provided that such
Guarantor has no guarantee of Indebtedness of the Company or any
Guarantor (other than Permitted Guarantees) then outstanding.
The Indenture further provides that, for purposes of the
covenant described under Certain
Covenants Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of
Disqualified Stock, the release of any Subsidiary
Guarantee pursuant to provisions described in this paragraph
shall be deemed to be an incurrence by the Restricted Subsidiary
whose Subsidiary Guarantee is being released of all Indebtedness
then held by such Restricted Subsidiary.
The Indenture provides that, in the event of a transfer,
conveyance, sale or other disposition (including by way of
merger or consolidation) of all or substantially all of the
assets or all of the Capital Stock of any Guarantor, then such
Guarantor will be released and relieved of any obligations under
its Subsidiary Guarantee and the Indenture, provided that
the Net Proceeds of such transfer, conveyance, sale or other
disposition are applied in accordance with the covenant
described below under Put Option of
Holders Asset Sales. A Guarantor will likewise
be released and relieved of its obligations under its Subsidiary
Guarantee upon the release of any guarantee of Indebtedness of
the Company that required such Guarantor to guarantee the Notes
pursuant to the covenant described below under
Certain Covenants Guarantees of
Certain Indebtedness by Restricted Subsidiaries except a
discharge or release by or as a result of direct payment under
such guarantee, provided that the Guarantor has no other
guarantee of Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor (other
than Permitted Guarantees) then outstanding. The Indenture also
provides that, if the Board of Directors designates a Guarantor
to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary, then such Guarantor will be
released and relieved of any obligations under its Subsidiary
Guarantee and the Indenture, provided that such
designation is conducted in accordance with the applicable
provisions of the Indenture.
Merger or Consolidation
The Indenture provides that, for so long as a Restricted
Subsidiary provides a Subsidiary Guarantee pursuant to the terms
of the Indenture, such Guarantor may not consolidate with or
merge with or into (whether or not such Guarantor is the
surviving Person) another Person (other than the Company or
another Guarantor), unless:
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(a) |
subject to the provisions of the following paragraph, the Person
formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if
other than such Guarantor) shall execute a Subsidiary Guarantee
and deliver an opinion of counsel in accordance with the terms
of the Indenture; |
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(b) |
immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default
or Event of Default exists; |
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(c) |
such Guarantor, or any Person formed by or surviving any such
consolidation or merger, would have a Consolidated Net Worth
(immediately after giving effect to such transaction) equal to
or greater than the Consolidated Net Worth of such Guarantor
immediately preceding the transaction; and |
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(d) |
the Company would be permitted by virtue of the Companys
pro forma Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio,
immediately after giving effect to such transaction, to incur at
least
1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the
Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio test set forth in the
covenant described under Certain
Covenants Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of
Disqualified Stock. |
Optional Redemption
At any time prior to May 15, 2010, the Company may redeem
the Notes at its option, in whole or in part, at a redemption
price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus the
Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest and
Liquidated Damages, if any, to, the date of redemption.
51
The Notes will also be redeemable at the Companys option
on or after May 15, 2010, in whole or in part, at the
redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount)
set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated
Damages, if any, thereon to the applicable redemption date, if
redeemed during the
12-month period
beginning May 15 of the years indicated below:
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Year |
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Percentage | |
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| |
2010
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103.75% |
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2011
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102.50% |
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2012
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101.25% |
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2013 and thereafter
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100.00% |
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Further, prior to May 15, 2008, the Company may redeem on
any one or more occasions Notes (including Exchange Notes)
representing up to 35% of the sum of the aggregate principal
amount of the Offered Notes, the Original Notes and the Original
Exchange Notes plus any other Notes originally issued under the
Indenture after the Issue Date (but excluding for this purpose
any Exchange Notes) at a redemption price of 107.5% of the
principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and
Liquidated Damages, if any, thereon to the redemption date, with
the net cash proceeds of one or more Qualified Equity Offerings,
provided that (a) Notes (including Exchange Notes)
representing at least 65% of the sum of the aggregate principal
amount of the Offered Notes, the Original Notes and the Original
Exchange Notes plus any other Notes originally issued under the
Indenture after the Issue Date (but excluding for this purpose
any Exchange Notes) remain outstanding immediately after the
occurrence of each such redemption and (b) such redemption
occurs within 90 days of the date of the closing of each
such Qualified Equity Offering.
Selection and Notice
If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time,
the Trustee will select Notes for redemption as follows:
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(a) |
if the Notes are listed, in compliance with the requirements of
the principal securities exchange on which the Notes are
listed; or |
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(b) |
if the Notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis, by
lot or by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and
appropriate. |
No Notes of $1,000 or less shall be redeemed in part.
Notices of redemption shall be mailed by first class mail at
least 30 but not more than 60 days before the redemption
date to each holder of Notes to be redeemed at its registered
address. For so long as the Notes are listed on the Luxembourg
Stock Exchange and for so long as the rules of such exchange
require, notices of redemption will be published once by the
Trustee, not less than five business days prior to the
redemption date, in a newspaper having general circulation in
Luxembourg, which is expected to be the Luxemburger Wort,
or if such newspaper ceases to be published or timely
publication in it will not be practicable, in such other
newspaper as the Trustee deems necessary to give fair and
reasonable notice to the holders of Notes.
Notices of redemption may not be conditional.
If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of
redemption that relates to that Note shall state the portion of
the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. A new Note in
principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original
Note will be issued in the name of the holder thereof upon
surrender of the original Note. Notes called for redemption
become due on the date fixed for redemption. On and after the
redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on Notes or
portions of them called for redemption.
Redemption for Taxation Reasons
The Indenture provides that the Company may at any time redeem,
in whole but not in part, the outstanding Notes at a redemption
price of 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and
unpaid interest and
52
Liquidated Damages, if any, thereon to the date of redemption if
it or any Guarantor has become or would become obligated to pay
any Additional Amounts in respect of the Notes as a result of:
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(a) |
(1) any change in or amendment to the laws or treaties (or
regulations or rulings promulgated thereunder) of a Relevant
Taxing Jurisdiction (as defined under
Additional Amounts) or (2) any
change in or amendment to any official position regarding the
application or interpretation of such laws, treaties,
regulations or rulings, which change or amendment is announced
or is effective on or after the date of the Indenture and |
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(b) |
such obligation cannot be avoided by the Company or any such
Guarantor taking reasonable measures available to it. |
Notwithstanding the preceding, no notice of redemption will be
given earlier than 60 days prior to the earliest date on
which the Company could be obligated to pay such Additional
Amounts if a payment in respect of the Notes was then due. Prior
to giving notice of any such redemption, the Company will
deliver to the Trustee (y) an Officers Certificate
stating that the obligation to pay Additional Amounts cannot be
avoided by the Company or any such Guarantor taking reasonable
measures available to it and (z) a written opinion of an
independent legal counsel to the Company to the effect that the
circumstances referred to above exist.
Additional Amounts
The Indenture provides that payments made by or on behalf of the
Company or any Guarantor under or with respect to the Notes or
the Subsidiary Guarantees will be made free and clear of and
without withholding or deduction for or on account of any
present or future tax, duty, levy, interest, assessment or other
governmental charge (Taxes) imposed or levied
by or on behalf of any jurisdiction in which the Company or any
Guarantor (including any successor entities), is then organized
or resident for tax purposes or any political subdivision
thereof or therein or any jurisdiction by or through which
payment is made (each, a Relevant Taxing
Jurisdiction), unless the Company or any Guarantor (or
any Paying Agent) is required to withhold or deduct Taxes under
the laws of the Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction or by the
interpretation or administration thereof by the relevant taxing
authority. If the Company or any Guarantor (or any Paying Agent)
is so required to withhold or deduct any amount for or on
account of Taxes from any payment made under or with respect to
the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees, the Company or any such
Guarantor (and each Paying Agent) will pay to each holder of the
Notes that are outstanding on the date of the required payment,
such additional amounts (Additional Amounts)
as may be necessary so that the net amount received by such
holder (including the Additional Amounts) after such withholding
or deduction will not be less than the amount such holder would
have received if such Taxes had not been withheld or deducted,
provided that no Additional Amounts will be payable with
respect to any Note:
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(a) |
surrendered by the holder thereof for payment of principal more
than 30 days after the later of (1) the date on which
such payment first became due and (2) if the full amount
payable has not been received by or on behalf of the relevant
holder on or prior to such due date, the date on which, the full
amount having been so received, notice to that effect shall have
been given to the holders by the Trustee, except to the extent
that the holder would have been entitled to such Additional
Amounts on surrendering such Note for payment on the last day of
the applicable 30-day
period; |
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(b) |
if any tax, assessment or other governmental charge is imposed
or withheld by reason of the failure to comply by the holder or,
if different, the beneficial owner (ayant-droit) of the
Note with a request addressed to such holder or beneficial owner
to provide information, documents or other evidence concerning
the nationality, residence, identity or connection with the
Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction of such holder or beneficial owner
which is required or imposed by a statute, treaty, regulation or
administrative practice of the Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction as a
precondition to exemption from all or part of such tax,
assessment or governmental charge; |
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(c) |
held by or on behalf of a holder who is liable for Taxes in
respect of such Note by reason of having some connection with
the Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction other than the mere purchase,
holding or disposition of any Note, or the receipt of payments
made by or on behalf of the Company or any |
53
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Guarantor in respect thereof or any Subsidiary Guarantee,
including, without limitation, such holder being or having been
a citizen or resident thereof or being or having been present or
engaged in a trade or business therein or having had a permanent
establishment therein; |
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(d) |
on account of any estate, inheritance, gift, sale, transfer,
personal property or other similar tax, assessment or other
governmental charge; |
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(e) |
except in the case of the winding up of the Company or any
Guarantor, any Note surrendered for payment in the Republic of
France; |
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(f) |
any withholding or deduction imposed on a payment to an
individual which is required to be made pursuant to any law
implementing or complying with, or introduced in order to
conform to European Council Directive 2003/48/ EC or any other
Directive implementing the conclusions of the ECOFIN Council
meeting of 26 27 November 2000 on the taxation of
savings income or any agreement between the European Community
and any jurisdiction providing for equivalent measures; or |
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(g) |
as a result of any combination of (a), (b), (c), (d),
(e) or (f) or with respect to any payment made by or
on behalf of the Company or any Guarantor in respect of any Note
or Subsidiary Guarantee to any holder who is a fiduciary or
partnership or other than the sole beneficial owner of such
payment to the extent that a beneficiary or settlor or
beneficial owner would not have been entitled to any Additional
Amounts had such beneficiary or settlor or beneficial owner been
the holder. |
The Company or any Guarantor will also make such withholding or
deduction and remit the full amount deducted or withheld to the
relevant authority in accordance with applicable law. The
Company will furnish, within 60 days after the date the
payment of any Taxes is due pursuant to applicable law, to the
Trustee, copies of tax receipts (to the extent received from the
relevant tax authorities in the usual course or as generally
provided) evidencing that such payment has been made by the
Company or any Guarantor. The Trustee will make such evidence
available to the holders upon request.
At least 30 days prior to each date on which any payment
under or with respect to the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees
is due and payable, if the Company or any Guarantor becomes
obligated to pay Additional Amounts with respect to such
payment, the Company will deliver to each Paying Agent an
Officers Certificate stating the fact that such Additional
Amounts will be payable, and the amount so payable and will set
forth such other information as necessary to enable such Paying
Agent to pay such Additional Amounts to the holders of the Notes
on the payment date. Whenever in the Indenture or this
prospectus there is mentioned, in any context, (a) the
payment of principal (and premium, if any), (b) purchase
prices in connection with a purchase of the Notes,
(c) interest or (d) any other amount payable on or
with respect to any of the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees,
such mention is deemed to include mention of the payment of
Additional Amounts provided for in this section to the extent,
that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be
payable in respect thereof.
The Company or a Guarantor, as the case may be, will pay any
present or future stamp, court or documentary taxes or any other
excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies that arise
in the United States, the Republic of France or in any
jurisdiction in which a Paying Agent is located from the initial
issue or registration of the Notes or on the enforcement of any
payments with respect to the Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee.
The obligations of the Company or any Guarantor described in
this Additional Amounts section will
survive the satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture.
Mandatory Redemption
Except as set forth below under Put Option of
Holders, the Company will not be required to make
mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to
the Notes.
54
Put Option of Holders
Change of Control
The Indenture provides that, upon the occurrence of a Change of
Control, each holder will have the right to require the Company
to purchase all or any portion (equal to $1,000 or an integral
multiple thereof) of the holders Notes, pursuant to the
offer described below (the Change of Control
Offer), at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of
the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid
interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, thereon to the date of
purchase (the Change of Control Payment).
Within 30 days following a Change of Control, the Company
will give notice to each holder of Notes, in the manner
described under Notices, and the Trustee
describing the transaction that constitutes the Change of
Control and offering to purchase the Notes on the date specified
in such notice, which date shall be no earlier than 30 days
and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is
given (the Change of Control Payment Date),
pursuant to the procedures required by the Indenture and
described in such notice. The Company will comply with the
requirements of
Rule 14e-1 under
the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations
to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable in
connection with the purchase of the Notes as a result of a
Change of Control. To the extent that the provisions of any
securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of
Control provisions of the Indenture, the Company will comply
with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not
be deemed to have breached its obligations under the Change of
Control provisions of the Indenture by virtue of such conflict.
On or before the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company
will, to the extent lawful,
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(a) |
accept for payment all Notes or portions thereof properly
tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer; |
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(b) |
deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the Change of
Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions thereof so
tendered; and |
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(c) |
deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes so
accepted together with an Officers Certificate stating the
aggregate principal amount of the Notes or portions thereof
being purchased by the Company. |
The Paying Agent will promptly deliver to each holder of the
Notes so tendered the Change of Control Payment for such Notes,
and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to
be transferred by book entry) to each holder a new Note equal in
principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes
surrendered, if any; provided, however, that each such
new Note will be in a principal amount of $1,000 or an integral
multiple thereof. The Company will publicly announce the results
of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable
after the Change of Control Payment Date.
Except as described above with respect to a Change of Control,
the Indenture does not contain provisions that permit the
holders of the Notes to require that the Company purchase or
redeem the Notes in the event of a takeover, recapitalization or
similar transaction. In addition, the Company could enter into
certain transactions, including acquisitions, refinancings or
other recapitalizations, that could affect the Companys
capital structure or the value of the Notes, but that would not
constitute a Change of Control. The occurrence of a Change of
Control may result in a default under instruments governing
other senior indebtedness of the Company and give the lenders
thereunder the right to require the Company to repay all
outstanding obligations thereunder, possibly limiting the
Companys ability to purchase the Notes upon a Change of
Control. The Companys ability to purchase the Notes
following a Change of Control may also be limited by the
Companys then existing financial resources. Should a
Change of Control occur at a time when the Company lacks
sufficient funds to make the Change of Control Payments or is
prohibited from purchasing the Notes under instruments governing
other senior indebtedness (and the Company is unable to obtain
the consent of the holders of such senior indebtedness or to
prepay such senior indebtedness), an Event of Default would
occur under the Indenture. See Events of
Default and Remedies.
The provisions described above that require the Company to make
a Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control will be
applicable regardless of whether any other provisions of the
Indenture are applicable.
55
The Company will not be required to make a Change of Control
Offer following a Change of Control if a third party makes the
Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and
otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in the
Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the
Company and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not
withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer.
A Change of Control will be deemed to have
occurred upon the occurrence of any of the following:
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(a) |
the sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition
(other than by merger or consolidation), in one or a series of
related transactions, of all or substantially all of the
properties or assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken
as a whole, |
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(b) |
the adoption, by holders of Capital Stock of the Company, of a
voluntary plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the
Company, |
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|
(c) |
the consummation of any transaction (including, without
limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is
that any person (as such term is used in
Section 13(d) (3) of the Exchange Act) becomes the
beneficial owner (as such term is defined in
Rule 13d-3 and
Rule 13d-5 under
the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly through one or more
intermediaries, of more than 50% of the voting power of the
outstanding Voting Stock of the Company, or |
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(d) |
the first day on which more than a majority of the members of
the Board of Directors of the Company are not Continuing
Directors; |
provided, however, that a transaction in which the
Company becomes a Subsidiary of another Person (other than a
Person that is an individual) shall not constitute a Change of
Control if (1) the shareholders of the Company immediately
prior to such transaction beneficially own (as such
term is defined in
Rule 13d-3 and
Rule 13d-5 under
the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly through one or more
intermediaries, at least a majority of the voting power of the
outstanding Voting Stock of such other Person immediately
following the consummation of such transaction and
(2) immediately following the consummation of such
transaction, no person (as such term is defined
above), other than such other Person (but including the holders
of the Equity Interests of such other Person),
beneficially owns (as such term is defined above),
directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, more
than 50% of the voting power of the outstanding Voting Stock of
the Company.
Continuing Directors means, as of any date of
determination, any member of the Board of Directors who
(a) was a member of the Board of Directors on the Issue
Date or (b) was nominated for election to the Board of
Directors with the approval of, or whose election to the Board
of Directors was ratified by, at least a majority of the members
of the Board of Directors who were members of the Board of
Directors on the Issue Date or who were so elected to the Board
of Directors thereafter.
The definition of Change of Control includes an event by which
the Company sells, leases, transfers, conveys or otherwise
disposes of all or substantially all of the properties or assets
of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. Although
there is a limited body of case law interpreting the phrase
substantially all, there is no precise established
definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, the
ability of a holder of Notes to require the Company to
repurchase such Notes as a result of a sale, lease, transfer,
conveyance or other disposition of less than all of the
properties or assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken
as a whole, may be uncertain.
The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will not
permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, consummate an
Asset Sale (excluding for this purpose an Event of Loss) unless:
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(a) |
the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be,
receives consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least
equal to the fair market value (as determined in accordance with
the definition of such term set out below under
Certain Definitions, the results of
which determination shall be set forth in an Officers
Certificate delivered to the Trustee) of the assets or Equity
Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of and |
56
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(b) |
at least 75% of the consideration therefor received by the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash or
Cash Equivalents; |
provided, however, that the amount of (1) any
liabilities (as shown on the Companys or such Restricted
Subsidiarys most recent balance sheet) of the Company or
such Restricted Subsidiary (other than contingent liabilities
and liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the
Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantee) that are assumed by the
transferee of any such assets pursuant to a customary novation
agreement that releases the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary from further liability and (2) any securities,
notes or other obligations received by the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted
within 180 days by the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary into cash (to the extent of the cash received in that
conversion) shall be deemed to be cash for purposes of this
provision.
Within 365 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from
an Asset Sale (including, without limitation, any Event of
Loss), the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary may apply
such Net Proceeds to (a) permanently repay the principal of
any Indebtedness of the Company ranking in right of payment at
least pari passu with the Notes or any Indebtedness of
such Restricted Subsidiary (provided that if such
Restricted Subsidiary is a Guarantor, then such Indebtedness
shall rank in right of payment at least pari passu with
its Subsidiary Guarantee), (b) make capital expenditures in
respect of Strategic Assets or (c) acquire (including by
way of a purchase of assets or a majority of the Voting Stock of
a Person, by merger, by consolidation or otherwise) Strategic
Assets, provided that if the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary enters into a binding agreement to acquire such
Strategic Assets within such
365-day period, but the
consummation of the transactions under such agreement has not
occurred within such
365-day period and such
agreement has not been terminated, then such
365-day period will be
extended by 90 days to permit such consummation. If such
consummation does not occur, or such agreement is terminated
within such 90-day
extension period, then the Company may apply, or cause such
Restricted Subsidiary to apply, within 90 days after the
end of such initial
90-day extension period
or the effective date of such termination, whichever is earlier,
such Net Proceeds as provided in clauses (a) through
(c) of this paragraph. Pending the final application of any
such Net Proceeds, the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary
may temporarily reduce outstanding revolving credit borrowings
or otherwise invest such Net Proceeds in any manner that is not
prohibited by the Indenture. Any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales
that are not applied or invested as provided in clauses (a)
through (c) of this paragraph will be deemed to constitute
Excess Proceeds.
When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds
10,000,000, the
Company will be required to make an offer to all holders of the
Notes (an Asset Sale Offer) to purchase the
maximum principal amount of the Notes that may be purchased out
of the Excess Proceeds at an offer price in cash in an amount
equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and
unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, thereon to the
date of purchase, in accordance with the procedures set forth in
the Indenture; provided, however, that, if the
Company is required to apply such Excess Proceeds to purchase,
or to offer to purchase, any Pari Passu Indebtedness, the
Company shall only be required to offer to purchase the maximum
principal amount of the Notes that may be purchased out of the
amount of such Excess Proceeds multiplied by a fraction, the
numerator of which is the aggregate principal amount of the
Notes outstanding and the denominator of which is the aggregate
principal amount of the Notes outstanding plus the aggregate
principal amount of Pari Passu Indebtedness outstanding.
To the extent that the aggregate principal amount of the Notes
tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the amount
that the Company is required to purchase, the Company may use
any remaining Excess Proceeds for general corporate purposes in
any manner not prohibited by the Indenture. If the aggregate
principal amount of the Notes surrendered by holders thereof
exceeds the amount that the Company is required to purchase, the
Trustee shall select the Notes to be purchased on a pro rata
basis. Upon completion of such offer to purchase, the amount of
Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero.
The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted
Subsidiary to, enter into or suffer to exist any agreement
(other than any agreement governing the Companys or any
Restricted Subsidiarys Credit Facilities) that would place
any restriction of any kind (other than pursuant to law or
regulation) on the ability of the Company to make an Asset Sale
Offer. The agreements governing the Companys Credit
Facilities may contain prohibitions of certain events, including
events that would constitute a Change of Control or an Asset
Sale. In addition, the exercise by the holders of Notes of their
right to require the Company to repurchase the Notes upon
57
a Change of Control or an Asset Sale could cause a default under
these other agreements, even if the Change of Control or Asset
Sale itself does not, due to the financial effect of such
repurchases on the Company. Finally, the Companys ability
to pay cash to the holders of Notes upon a repurchase may be
limited by the Companys then existing financial resources.
See Risk Factors Risks Related to the
Notes.
The Company will comply with the requirements of
Rule 14e-1 under
the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations
to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable in
connection with the purchase of the Notes as a result of an
Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any
securities laws or regulations conflict with the Asset Sale
provisions of the Indenture, the Company will comply with the
applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be
deemed to have breached its obligations under the Asset Sale
provisions of the Indenture by virtue of such conflict.
Certain Covenants
The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will not
permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or
indirectly:
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(a) |
purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value
(including, without limitation, in connection with any merger or
consolidation involving the Company) any Equity Interests of the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than any
such Equity Interests owned by the Company or any Wholly Owned
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company); |
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(b) |
make any payment on or with respect to, or purchase, redeem,
defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value, any
Indebtedness that is subordinated in right of payment to the
Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees, except a payment of interest
or principal at Stated Maturity; or |
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(c) |
make any Restricted Investment |
(all such payments and other actions set forth in
clauses (a) through (c) above being collectively
referred to as Restricted Payments), unless,
at the time of and after giving effect to such Restricted
Payment:
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(1) |
no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof; |
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(2) |
the Company would, at the time of such Restricted Payment and
after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Restricted
Payment had been made at the beginning of the applicable
four-quarter period, have been permitted to incur at least
1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the
Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first
paragraph of the covenant described under the caption
Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of
Disqualified Stock; and |
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(3) |
such Restricted Payment, together with (x) the aggregate
amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and
its Restricted Subsidiaries after the date of the Indenture
(excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (b)
through (e) and, to the extent deducted in computing
Consolidated Net Income, (f) and (g) of the next
succeeding paragraph), and (y) the aggregate amount of all
dividends and other payments or distributions paid subsequent to
the Issue Date on account of the Companys or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries Equity Interests (including,
without limitation, any such payment in connection with any
merger or consolidation involving the Company) or to the direct
or indirect holders of the Companys Equity Interests in
their capacity as such (other than (i) dividends or
distributions payable in Equity Interests (other than
Disqualified Stock) of the Company, (ii) dividends or
distributions payable to the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries or (iii) if the Restricted Subsidiary making
such dividend is not a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary,
dividends to its shareholders on a pro rata basis), is less than
the sum (without duplication) of the following: |
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(A) |
50% of the cumulative Consolidated Net Income of the Company for
the period (taken as one accounting period) from January 1,
2005 to the end of the Companys most recently ended |
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fiscal quarter for which financial statements are available at
the time of such Restricted Payment (or, if such Consolidated
Net Income for such period is a deficit, less 100% of such
deficit), plus |
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(B) |
100% of the aggregate of (1) the net cash proceeds and
(2) the fair market value of Strategic Assets transferred
or conveyed to the Company (as valued at the time of transfer or
conveyance to the Company, and as determined in the manner
contemplated by the definition of the term fair market
value), in each case received by the Company since the
Issue Date as a contribution to its common equity capital or
from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of the Company (other
than Disqualified Stock) or from the issuance or sale of
Disqualified Stock or debt securities of the Company that have
been converted into, or exchanged or redeemed for, such Equity
Interests (other than any such Equity Interests, Disqualified
Stock or convertible debt securities sold to a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company and other than Disqualified Stock or
convertible debt securities that have been converted into, or
exchanged or redeemed for, Disqualified Stock), plus |
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(C) |
to the extent that any Restricted Investment that was made after
the date of the Indenture is sold for cash or otherwise
liquidated or repaid for cash, the cash return of capital with
respect to such Restricted Investment (less the cost of
disposition, if any), plus |
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(D) |
if any Unrestricted Subsidiary is redesignated as a Restricted
Subsidiary, the lesser of (1) an amount equal to the fair
market value of the Investments previously made by the Company
and its Restricted Subsidiaries in such Subsidiary as of the
date of redesignation and (2) the amount of such
Investments. |
The preceding provisions will not prohibit any of the following:
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(a) |
the payment of any dividend within 60 days after the date
of declaration thereof if at said date of declaration such
payment would have complied with the provisions of the Indenture; |
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(b) |
the redemption, repurchase, retirement, defeasance or other
acquisition of any subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or
any Guarantor or any Equity Interests of the Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries in exchange for, or out of the net
cash proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than
to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) of, other Equity
Interests of the Company (other than any Disqualified Stock),
provided that the amount of any such net cash proceeds
that are utilized for any such redemption, purchase, retirement,
defeasance or other acquisition shall be excluded from
clause (3)(B) of the preceding paragraph; |
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(c) |
the defeasance, redemption, purchase, retirement or other
acquisition of subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any
Guarantor with the net cash proceeds from an incurrence of, or
in exchange for, Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness; |
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(d) |
the payment of any dividend or distribution by a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or any of its Wholly
Owned Restricted Subsidiaries; |
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(e) |
repurchases of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon exercise of
stock options, if such Equity Interests represent a portion of
the exercise price of such stock options; |
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(f) |
so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing, the
repurchase or other acquisition for value of any Equity
Interests of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company for allocation (as a free allocation or otherwise) to
directors, officers and employees of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries not in excess of
2,500,000 in any twelve-month period; |
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(g) |
so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing, the
repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for
value of any Equity Interests of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company held by any member of the
Companys (or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries)
management pursuant to any management equity subscription
agreement or stock option agreement in effect as of the Issue
Date; provided that the aggregate price paid for all such
repurchased, redeemed, acquired or retired Equity Interests
shall not exceed
1,000,000 in any twelve-month period; |
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(h) |
loans or advances in the ordinary course of business to
Affiliates or Persons with which the Company or a Subsidiary may
have contractual arrangements in any jurisdiction reasonably
necessary to be made in connection with conducting the business
of the Company or a Subsidiary in such jurisdiction in a form
that is customary to address foreign investment regulation or
practice in such jurisdiction, in an aggregate amount not to
exceed
2,000,000 outstanding at any one time; |
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(i) |
so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing, advances
constituting Investments or loans to directors, officers and
employees of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the
ordinary course of business for bona fide business purposes not
in excess of
1,000,000 at any one time outstanding; and |
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(j) |
other Restricted Payments not to exceed
15,000,000 in the aggregate. |
The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) shall be
the fair market value on the date of the Restricted Payment of
the asset(s) or securities proposed to be transferred or issued
by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may
be, pursuant to the Restricted Payment. The fair market value of
any non-cash Restricted Payment shall be determined in the
manner contemplated by the definition of the term fair
market value, and the results of such determination shall
be evidenced by an Officers Certificate delivered to the
Trustee. Not later than 10 business days following the date
of making any Restricted Payment (other than a Restricted
Payment permitted by clauses (b) through (d) of the
preceding paragraph), the Company shall deliver to the Trustee
an Officers Certificate stating that such Restricted
Payment is permitted and setting forth the basis upon which the
calculations required by the covenant Restricted
Payments were computed.
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Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified
Stock |
The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will not
permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or
indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise
become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise,
with respect to (collectively, incur or an
incurrence) any Indebtedness (including,
without limitation, any Acquired Indebtedness) and that the
Company will not issue any Disqualified Stock and will not
permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to issue any shares of
preferred stock; provided, however, that the
Company or any Guarantor may incur Indebtedness or issue
Disqualified Stock, and any Restricted Subsidiary may incur
Acquired Indebtedness, in each case if the Consolidated Interest
Coverage Ratio for the Companys most recently ended four
full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are
available immediately preceding the date on which such
additional Indebtedness is incurred or such Disqualified Stock
is issued would have been at least 3.0 to 1, determined on
a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net
proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness or
Disqualified Stock had been issued or incurred, as the case may
be, at the beginning of such four-quarter period.
The preceding paragraph will not apply to the incurrence by the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any of the
following Indebtedness:
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(a) |
Indebtedness under Credit Facilities in an aggregate principal
amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the greater of
(x)
125,000,000, plus any fees, premiums, expenses (including
costs of collection), indemnities and similar amounts payable in
connection with such Indebtedness, and less any amounts derived
from Asset Sales and applied to the permanent reduction of
Indebtedness under Credit Facilities in accordance with the
covenant described under the caption Put
Option of Holders Asset Sales and (y) 10%
of the Companys Consolidated Total Assets; |
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(b) |
Existing Indebtedness; |
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(c) |
Hedging Obligations; |
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(d) |
Indebtedness represented by the Offered Notes, the Exchange
Notes issued in connection with the Exchange Offer or the
Subsidiary Guarantees; |
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(e) |
intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any
of its Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries, provided,
that (1) if the Company or any Guarantor is the
obligor on such Indebtedness, then the Indebtedness must be
unsecured and expressly subordinated to the prior payment in
full in |
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cash of all of the Companys obligations with respect to
the Notes or such Guarantors obligations under its
Subsidiary Guarantee, as the case may be, and (2) any
subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results
in any such Indebtedness being held by a Person other than the
Company or a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Company,
or any sale or other transfer of any such Indebtedness to a
Person that is neither the Company nor a Wholly Owned Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company, shall be deemed, in each case, to
constitute an incurrence of such Indebtedness by the Company or
such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, as of the date
of such issuance, sale or other transfer that is not permitted
by this clause (e); |
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(f) |
Indebtedness in respect of bid, performance or surety bonds
issued for the account of the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, including
guarantees or obligations of the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to letters of credit
supporting such bid, performance or surety obligations (in each
case other than for an obligation for money borrowed); |
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(g) |
Indebtedness represented by Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage
financings or purchase money obligations (or any guarantee
thereof or indemnity with respect thereto), in each case,
incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the
purchase price or cost of construction or improvement of
property, plant or equipment used in the business of the Company
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in an aggregate principal
amount, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness
incurred to refund, refinance or replace any Indebtedness
incurred pursuant to this clause (g), not to exceed
20,000,000 at any time outstanding; |
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(h) |
the guarantee by the Company of Indebtedness of any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries or by any Restricted Subsidiary of
Indebtedness of the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary, in
each case, that was permitted to be incurred by another
provision of this covenant; provided that if the
Indebtedness being guaranteed is subordinated in right of
payment to the Notes or a Subsidiary Guarantee then the
guarantee shall be subordinated to the same extent as the
Indebtedness guaranteed; |
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(i) |
intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course
of business in connection with cash pooling or other cash
management arrangements; |
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(j) |
Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred in exchange for, or
the net proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance, renew,
replace, defease or refund Indebtedness incurred pursuant to the
first paragraph and clauses (b), (d), (g) and
(j) of the second paragraph of this covenant; |
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(k) |
Indebtedness of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company (other
than Guarantors) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed
5% of the Companys Consolidated Total Assets minus the sum
of all Indebtedness of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company
(other than Guarantors) then outstanding; and |
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(l) |
any additional Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor in
an aggregate principal amount not in excess of
25,000,000 at any one time outstanding and any guarantee
thereof. |
The Indenture also provides that the Company will not, and will
not permit any Guarantor to, directly or indirectly, incur any
Indebtedness which by its terms (or by the terms of any
agreement governing such Indebtedness) is subordinated to any
other Indebtedness of the Company or of such Guarantor, as the
case may be, unless such Indebtedness is also by its terms (or
by the terms of any agreement governing such Indebtedness) made
expressly subordinate to the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees
of such Guarantor, as the case may be, to the same extent and in
the same manner as such Indebtedness is subordinated pursuant to
subordination provisions that are most favorable to the holders
of any other Indebtedness of the Company or of such Guarantor,
as the case may be; provided, however, that no
Indebtedness shall be deemed to be contractually subordinated in
right of payment to any other Indebtedness solely by virtue of
being unsecured.
For purposes of determining compliance with this
Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified
Stock covenant, if an item of proposed Indebtedness meets
the criteria of more than one of the categories of Indebtedness
described in clauses (a) through (l) of the second
paragraph, or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to
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the first paragraph, of this covenant, the Company will be
permitted to classify such item of Indebtedness on the date of
its incurrence, or later reclassify all or a portion of such
item of Indebtedness, in any manner that complies with this
covenant.
The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will not
permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or
indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien on
any property or asset now owned or hereafter acquired, or any
income or profits therefrom, except Permitted Liens, to secure
(a) any Indebtedness of the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary (if it is not also a Guarantor), unless prior to, or
contemporaneously therewith, the Notes are equally and ratably
secured, or (b) any Indebtedness of any Guarantor, unless
prior to, or contemporaneously therewith, the Subsidiary
Guarantee of such Guarantor is equally and ratably secured;
provided, however, that if such Indebtedness is
expressly subordinated to the Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee,
the Lien securing such Indebtedness will be subordinated and
junior to the Lien securing the Notes or the Subsidiary
Guarantee, as the case may be, with the same relative priority
as such Indebtedness has with respect to the Notes or the
Subsidiary Guarantee. The incurrence of secured Indebtedness by
the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries is subject to
further limitations on the incurrence of Indebtedness as
described under Incurrence of Indebtedness and
Issuance of Disqualified Stock.
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Sale-and-Leaseback Transactions |
The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will not
permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into any
sale-and-leaseback transaction; provided, however,
that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable,
may enter into a sale-and-leaseback transaction if:
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(a) the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary
could have (1) incurred Indebtedness in an amount equal to
the Attributable Indebtedness relating to such
sale-and-leaseback transaction pursuant to the Consolidated
Interest Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of
the covenant described above under the caption
Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of
Disqualified Stock and (2) incurred a Lien to secure
such Indebtedness pursuant to the covenant described under the
caption Liens, |
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(b) the gross cash proceeds of such
sale-and-leaseback transaction are at least equal to the fair
market value (as determined in accordance with the definition of
such term, the results of which determination shall be set forth
in an Officers Certificate delivered to the Trustee) of
the property that is the subject of such sale-and-leaseback
transaction, and |
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(c) the transfer of assets in such
sale-and-leaseback transaction is permitted by, and the Company
applies the proceeds of such transaction in compliance with, the
covenant described above under the caption Put
Option of Holders Asset Sales, if applicable. |
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Issuances and Sales of Capital Stock of Restricted
Subsidiaries |
The Indenture provides that the Company (a) will not, and
will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to,
transfer, convey, sell or otherwise dispose of any Capital Stock
of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to any Person other
than the Company or a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company, and (b) will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary
of the Company to issue any of its Equity Interests to any
Person other than to the Company or a Wholly Owned Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company, (except, in the case of both
clauses (a) and (b) above, as required in the manner
described in clause (b) under the definition of
Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary, provided,
that the business and management of the Restricted
Subsidiary is, by contract or otherwise, controlled by the
Company), unless
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(1) the Net Proceeds from such issuance,
transfer, conveyance, sale or other disposition are applied in
accordance with the covenant described above under
Put Option of Holders Asset
Sales and |
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(2) immediately after giving effect to such
transfer, conveyance, sale or other disposition, such Restricted
Subsidiary either continues to be a Restricted Subsidiary or, if
such Restricted Subsidiary would no |
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longer constitute a Restricted Subsidiary, any remaining
Investment in such Restricted Subsidiary would have been
permitted to be made under the Restricted Payments
covenant if made on the date of such transfer, conveyance, sale
or other disposition. |
For purposes of this covenant, the creation or perfection of a
Lien on any Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company to secure any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries will not be deemed to be a disposition
of such Capital Stock, provided that any sale by the
secured party of such Capital Stock following foreclosure of its
Lien will be subject to this covenant.
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Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting
Subsidiaries |
The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will not
permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or
indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or
become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on
the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to do any of the
following:
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(a) |
(1) pay dividends or make any other distributions to the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries on its Capital
Stock or (2) pay any Indebtedness owed to the Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, |
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(b) |
make loans or advances to the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries, or |
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(c) |
transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries, |
except for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or
by reason of
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(1) |
agreements governing Credit Facilities or Existing Indebtedness,
and any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals,
increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings
thereof, provided that such agreements and amendments,
modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements,
refundings, replacements or refinancings are not materially less
favorable to the holders of the Notes, taken as a whole, with
respect to such dividend and other payment restrictions, than
those contained, in the case of Credit Facilities, in agreements
governing Credit Facilities or, in the case of Existing
Indebtedness, in agreements governing such Existing
Indebtedness, in either case as in effect on the date of the
Indenture, |
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(2) |
the Indenture, the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees, |
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(3) |
any agreement for the sale or other disposition of Equity
Interests in a Restricted Subsidiary that restricts
distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary pending the sale or
other disposition, |
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(4) |
any instrument governing Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a
Person acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of such acquisition
(except to the extent such Indebtedness was incurred in
connection with or in contemplation of such acquisition), which
encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person or
the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person,
or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired,
provided that, in the case of Indebtedness, such
Indebtedness was permitted by the terms of the Indenture to be
incurred, |
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(5) |
by reason of customary provisions restricting the subletting or
assignment of any lease or the transfer of copyrighted or
patented materials, |
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(6) |
purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary
course of business that impose restrictions of the nature
described in clause (c) above on the property so acquired, |
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(7) |
customary provisions in agreements for the sale of property or
assets, |
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(8) |
customary provisions in agreements that restrict the assignment
of such agreements or rights thereunder, |
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(9) |
provisions with respect to the disposition or distribution of
assets or property in any joint venture agreement, assets sale
agreement, stock sale agreement or other similar agreement in
each case entered into in the ordinary course of business, but
in each case only to the extent such encumbrance |
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or restriction relates to the transfer of the property, or
encumbers or restricts the assets, subject to such agreement, |
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(10) |
restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by
customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of
business, |
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(11) |
Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, provided that the
encumbrances and restrictions contained in the agreements
governing such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness are not
materially less favorable to the holders of the Notes, taken as
a whole, than those contained in the agreements governing the
Indebtedness being refinanced, |
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(12) any Liens not prohibited by the
Liens covenant that limit the right of the debtor to
dispose of the assets subject to such Liens, or |
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(13) applicable law. |
Transactions with Affiliates
The Indenture provides that the Company will not, and will not
permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any payment
to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its
properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets
from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction, contract,
agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or
for the benefit of, any Affiliate (each of the foregoing, an
Affiliate Transaction), unless:
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(a) |
such Affiliate Transaction is in writing and on terms that, when
taken as a whole, are no less favorable to the Company or the
relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been
obtained in a comparable transaction by the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person or, if there is
no such comparable transaction, on terms that are fair and
reasonable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary and |
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(b) |
the Company delivers to the Trustee (1) with respect to any
Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate
Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of
2,000,000, an
Officers Certificate certifying that such Affiliate
Transaction complies with clause (a) above and
(2) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of
related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration
in excess of
5,000,000, a
resolution of the Board of Directors set forth in an
Officers Certificate certifying that such Affiliate
Transaction complies with clause (a) above and that such
Affiliate Transaction has been approved by a majority of the
disinterested members of the Board of Directors and
(3) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of
related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration
in excess of
15,000,000, an opinion as to the fairness to the Company
or the relevant Subsidiary of such Affiliate Transaction from a
financial point of view issued by an accounting, appraisal or
investment banking firm that is, in the judgment of the Board of
Directors, qualified to render such opinion and is independent
with respect to the Company; |
provided, however, that the following shall be
deemed not to be Affiliate Transactions:
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(A) |
any employment agreement or other employee compensation plan or
arrangement (including stock option plans) entered into by the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary
course of business of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary; |
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(B) |
transactions between or among the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries (including any Person that becomes a Restricted
Subsidiary as a result of any such transaction); |
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(C) |
loans or advances to officers, directors and employees of the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries made in the
ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices
of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate
amount not to exceed
1,000,000 outstanding at any one time; |
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(D) |
indemnities of officers, directors and employees of the Company
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries permitted by provisions of
the organizational documents of the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary or applicable law; |
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(E) |
the payment of reasonable and customary regular fees to
directors of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
who are not employees of the Company or any Subsidiary; |
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(F) |
any agreement or arrangement in effect as of the Issue Date or
any amendment thereto or replacement thereof or any transaction
contemplated thereby (including pursuant to any amendment or
replacement agreement) so long as any such amendment or
replacement agreement, taken as a whole, is no more
disadvantageous to the Holders in any material respect that the
original agreement as in effect on the Issue Date; and |
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(G) |
Restricted Payments and Permitted Investments that are permitted
by the provisions of the Indenture described above under the
caption Restricted Payments. |
Guarantees of Certain Indebtedness by Restricted
Subsidiaries
The Indenture provides that the Company will not permit any
Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to guarantee any
Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor (the Other
Company Indebtedness) other than Permitted Guarantees
unless such Restricted Subsidiary (if it is not already a
Guarantor) contemporaneously executes a Subsidiary Guarantee,
which Subsidiary Guarantee will be senior to such Restricted
Subsidiarys guarantee of such Other Company Indebtedness
if such Other Company Indebtedness so guaranteed is subordinated
Indebtedness.
Conduct of Business
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, engage in the conduct of any business other
than the business being conducted on the Issue Date and such
other businesses as are reasonably necessary or desirable to
facilitate the conduct and operation of, or ancillary or
reasonably related to, such businesses, except to the extent as
would not be material to the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
Anti Layering
The Indenture provides that the Company will not and will not
permit any Guarantor to incur, directly or indirectly, any
Indebtedness that is subordinated in right of payment to any
Indebtedness of the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may
be, unless the Indebtedness so incurred is either pari passu
with, or subordinated in right of payment to, the Notes or
the relevant Subsidiary Guarantee, as the case may be.
Unsecured Indebtedness will not be deemed to be subordinated in
right of payment to secured Indebtedness solely because it is
unsecured, and Indebtedness that is not guaranteed by a
particular Person is not deemed to be subordinated in right of
payment to Indebtedness that is so guaranteed solely because it
is not so guaranteed.
Reports
Whether or not the Company is required to do so by the rules and
regulations of the Commission, the Company will file with the
Commission (unless the Commission will not accept such a filing):
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(i) within the time periods specified in the
Commissions rules and regulations, all annual financial
and other information with respect to the Company and its
Subsidiaries that would be required to be contained in a filing
with the Commission on
Form 20-F,
including a Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations and a report
thereon by the Companys certified independent
accountants; and |
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(ii) within 60 days after the end of each of the first
and third quarters of each fiscal year (and within 75 days
after the end of the second quarter of each fiscal year),
reports on
Form 6-K, or any
successor form, attaching (a) unaudited consolidated
financial statements for the Company for the period then ended
(and the |
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comparable period in the prior year), in each case prepared in
accordance with GAAP (as in effect on the date of such report or
financial information) including either, to the extent permitted
under applicable law and SEC regulations (i) a
reconciliation to accounting principles generally accepted in
the United States (U.S. GAAP) in substantially
the form set out in the
Form 20-F of the
Company for the year ended December 31, 2004 dated on or
about April 18, 2005 or (ii) a reconciliation of
EBITDA to U.S. GAAP; provided that, in either case, such
reconciliation shall be made to U.S. GAAP as in effect on
the date of such report or financial information and
(b) the information relating to the Company described in
Item 5 of
Form 20-F (i.e.,
Operating and Financial Review and Prospects). |
Within 15 days of filing, or attempting to file, such
information with the Commission, the Company shall furnish such
information to the holders of the Notes.
For so long as the Notes are listed on the Luxembourg Stock
Exchange and the rules of such stock exchange so require, the
above information will also be made available in Luxembourg
through the offices of the Paying Agent in Luxembourg.
In addition, for so long as any Notes remain outstanding and
during any period during which the Company is not subject to
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act nor exempt
therefrom pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b), the Company and the
Guarantors will furnish to the holders of the Notes and
prospective purchasers of the Notes, upon their request, the
information required to be delivered pursuant to
Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.
Future Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted
Subsidiaries
The preceding covenants (including calculation of financial
ratios and the determination of limitations on the incurrence of
Indebtedness) may be affected by the designation by the Company
of any existing or future Subsidiary of the Company as an
Unrestricted Subsidiary, or by the redesignation by the Company
of an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary.
The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any
Restricted Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary if such
designation would not cause a Default. For purposes of making
such designation, all outstanding Investments by the Company and
its Restricted Subsidiaries in the Subsidiary so designated will
be deemed to be Restricted Payments at the time of such
designation, in an amount equal to the fair market value of such
Investments at the time of such designation. Such designation
will only be permitted if such Restricted Payments would be
permitted at such time and if such Restricted Subsidiary
otherwise meets the definition of Unrestricted
Subsidiary. The Company may not designate any Restricted
Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary at any time during
which the Company maintains Investment Grade Status.
The Board of Directors of the Company may also redesignate any
Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary if such
redesignation complies with the requirements of the Indenture
described in the definition of Unrestricted
Subsidiary. If the aggregate amount of all Restricted
Payments calculated for purposes of the first paragraph of the
covenant described under Restricted
Payments above includes an Investment in an Unrestricted
Subsidiary that subsequently becomes a Restricted Subsidiary
pursuant to the terms of this paragraph, then the aggregate
amount of such Restricted Payments will be reduced by the lesser
of (a) an amount equal to the fair market value of the
Investments previously made by the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries in such Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time it
becomes a Restricted Subsidiary and (b) the amount of such
Investments.
Any designation or redesignation pursuant to this covenant by
the Board of Directors will be evidenced by the filing with the
Trustee of a Board Resolution giving effect to such action and
evidencing the valuation of any Investment relating thereto (as
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors) and an
Officers Certificate certifying that such action and
valuation complied with the preceding requirements.
Effectiveness of Covenants and Events of Default
The covenants described under clauses (c) and
(d) under Subsidiary
Guarantees Merger or Consolidation,
Certain Covenants Restricted
Payments, Certain Covenants
Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified
Stock, Certain Covenants
Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions
66
Affecting Subsidiaries, Certain
Covenants Transactions with Affiliates,
Certain Covenants Conduct of
Business, Put Option of
Holders Asset Sales, clauses (a)(1),
(b) and (c) under Certain
Covenants Sale-and-Leaseback Transactions, and
Certain Covenants Issuances and
Sales of Equity Interests in Restricted Subsidiaries and
the Event of Defaults described under clauses (e) and
(f)(4) under Events of Default and
Remedies (collectively, the Suspended
Provisions) will no longer be in effect upon the Company
attaining Investment Grade Status. If at any time the
Companys credit rating is downgraded from Investment Grade
Status, then the Suspended Provisions will thereafter be
reinstated as if such covenants had never been suspended and be
applicable pursuant to the terms of the Indenture (including in
connection with performing any calculation or assessment to
determine compliance with the terms of the Indenture), unless
and until the Company subsequently attains Investment Grade
Status (in which event the Suspended Provisions shall again no
longer be in effect for such time that the Company maintains
Investment Grade Status); provided, however, that no
Default, Event of Default or breach of any kind shall be deemed
to exist under the Indenture with respect to the Suspended
Provisions based on, and none of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries shall bear any liability for, any actions taken or
events occurring after the Company attains Investment Grade
Status and before any reinstatement of such Suspended Provisions
as provided above, or any actions taken at any time pursuant to
any contractual obligation arising prior to such reinstatement,
regardless of whether such actions or events would have been
permitted if the applicable Suspended Provisions remained in
effect during such period. There can be no assurance that the
Notes will ever achieve Investment Grade Status or that any such
rating, if achieved, will be maintained.
Events of Default and Remedies
The Indenture provides that each of the following constitutes an
Event of Default:
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(a) |
default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest or
Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Notes; |
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(b) |
default in payment when due of the principal of or premium, if
any, on the Notes; |
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(c) |
failure by the Company to comply with the provisions described
under the caption Put Option of Holders; |
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(d) |
failure by the Company for 30 days after it receives
written notice from the Trustee or at least 25% in principal
amount of the then outstanding Notes to comply with any of its
other agreements in the Indenture or the Notes; |
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(e) |
the declaration or payment of any dividend or the making of any
other payment or distribution described in
subclause (y) of clause (3) under the caption
Certain Covenants Restricted
Payments, which declaration, payment or distribution would
not be permitted by the provisions described under the heading
Certain Covenants Restricted
Payments if it were treated as a Restricted Payment; |
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(f) |
the Company consolidates or merges (fusion) with or into
(whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation), or
sells, assigns, transfers, leases, conveys, demerges
(scission) or otherwise disposes of all or substantially
all of its properties or assets in one or more related
transactions, to another Person unless: |
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(1) |
the Company is the surviving corporation or the Person formed by
or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the
Company) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease,
conveyance, demerger or other disposition shall have been made
is a corporation organized or existing under the laws of the
United States (or any state thereof or the District of
Columbia), the Republic of France or any other member state of
the European Union (as constituted on the Issue Date), |
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(2) |
the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or
merger (if other than the Company) or the Person to which such
sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance, demerger or other
disposition shall have been made assumes all the obligations of
the Company under the Notes |
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and the Indenture pursuant to a supplemental indenture in a form
reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, |
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(3) |
immediately after such transaction no Default or Event of
Default exists, |
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(4) |
except in the case of a merger of the Company with or into a
Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, the Company
or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or
merger (if other than the Company), or to which such sale,
assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance, demerger or other
disposition shall have been made: |
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(A) |
will have Consolidated Net Worth immediately after the
transaction equal to or greater than the Consolidated Net Worth
of the Company immediately preceding the transaction and |
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(B) |
will, at the time of such transaction and after giving pro forma
effect thereto as if such transaction had occurred at the
beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, be permitted to
incur at least
1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the
Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first
paragraph of the covenant described above under the caption
Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of
Disqualified Stock, and |
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(5) |
the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that such
consolidation, merger or disposition and any supplemental
indenture in respect thereto comply with this provision and that
all conditions precedent in the Indenture relating to such
transaction or transactions have been complied with; |
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(g) |
default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which
there may be issued or by which there may be secured or
evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is
guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries), whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists
or is created after the date of the Indenture, which default
(1) is caused by a failure to pay principal of or premium
or interest on such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of any
grace period provided in such Indebtedness, including any
extension thereof (a Payment Default), or
(2) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior
to its express maturity and, in each case, the principal amount
of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of
any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment
Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated,
aggregates in excess of
10,000,000 and
provided, further, that if any such default is
cured or waived or any such acceleration rescinded, or such
Indebtedness is repaid, within a period of 10 days from the
continuation of such default beyond the applicable grace period
or the occurrence of such acceleration, as the case may be, such
Event of Default and any consequential acceleration of the Notes
shall be automatically rescinded, so long as such rescission
does not conflict with any judgment or decree; |
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(h) |
failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to
pay final judgments (not covered by insurance) aggregating in
excess of
10,000,000, which judgments are not paid, discharged or
stayed for a period of 60 days; |
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(i) |
failure by any Guarantor to perform any covenant set forth in
its Subsidiary Guarantee, or the repudiation by any Guarantor of
its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee or the
unenforceability of any Subsidiary Guarantee for any reason
other than as provided in the Indenture; and |
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(j) |
certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the
Company or any Significant Subsidiary. |
If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or
the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then
outstanding Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and
payable immediately. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case
of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy
or insolvency with respect to the Company or any Significant
Subsidiary, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable
without further action or notice. The holders of a majority in
principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by written notice
to the Trustee may on behalf of all of the holders rescind an
acceleration and its
68
consequences if the rescission would not conflict with any
judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default (except
nonpayment of principal, interest, premium or Liquidated Damages
that have become due solely because of such acceleration) have
been cured or waived. Holders of the Notes may not enforce the
Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture.
Subject to certain limitations, holders of a majority in
principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the
Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may
withhold from holders of the Notes notice of any continuing
Default or Event of Default (except a Default or Event of
Default relating to the payment of principal or interest) if it
determines that withholding notice is in their interest.
In the case of any Event of Default occurring by reason of any
willful action (or inaction) taken (or not taken) by or on
behalf of the Company with the intention of avoiding payment of
the premium that the Company would have had to pay if the
Company then had elected to redeem the Notes pursuant to the
optional redemption provisions of the Indenture, an equivalent
premium shall also become and be immediately due and payable to
the extent permitted by law upon the acceleration of the Notes.
The holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then
outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the
holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default or Event
of Default and its consequences under the Indenture except a
continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of the
principal of or interest or Liquidated Damages, if any, on the
Notes.
The Company will be required to deliver to the Trustee annually
a statement regarding compliance with the Indenture, and the
Company will be required, upon becoming aware of any Default or
Event of Default, to deliver to the Trustee a statement
specifying such Default or Event of Default.
No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and
Stockholders
No director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner or
stockholder or other owner of Capital Stock of the Company or
any Guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any
obligations of the Company or any Guarantor under the Notes, the
Subsidiary Guarantees or the Indenture or for any claim based
on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their
creation. Each holder of the Notes by accepting a Note waives
and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part
of the consideration for issuance of the Notes. Such waiver may
not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal
securities laws, and it is the view of the Commission that such
a waiver is against public policy.
Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
The Company may, at its option and at any time, elect to have
all of the obligations of itself and the Guarantors discharged
with respect to the outstanding Notes and the Subsidiary
Guarantees, respectively (Legal Defeasance),
except for:
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(a) |
the rights of holders of outstanding Notes to receive payments
in respect of the principal of and premium, if any, interest and
Liquidated Damages, if any, on such Notes when such payments are
due from the trust referred to below, |
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(b) |
the Companys obligations with respect to the Notes
concerning issuing temporary Notes, registration of transfer or
exchange of the Notes, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen
Notes and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and
money for security payments held in trust, |
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(c) |
the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the
Trustee, and the Companys and any Guarantors
obligations in connection with them and |
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(d) |
the Legal Defeasance provisions of the Indenture. |
In addition, the Company may, at its option and at any time,
elect to have the obligations of the Company and any Guarantor
released with respect to certain covenants that are described in
the Indenture (Covenant Defeasance), and
thereafter any omission to comply with such obligations shall
not constitute a Default or Event of Default with respect to the
Notes. If Covenant Defeasance occurs, certain other events (not
including
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non-payment, bankruptcy, receivership, rehabilitation and
insolvency events) described under Events of
Default and Remedies will no longer constitute an Event of
Default with respect to the Notes.
In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant
Defeasance,
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(1) |
the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust,
for the benefit of the holders of the Notes, cash in
U.S. dollars, non-callable U.S. Government Securities,
or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient,
in the opinion of an internationally recognized firm of
independent public accountants, to pay the principal of and
premium, interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the
outstanding Notes on the Stated Maturity or on the applicable
redemption date, as the case may be, and the Company must
specify whether the Notes are being defeased to maturity or to a
particular redemption date, |
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(2) |
in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Company shall have
delivered to the Trustee an opinion of counsel reasonably
acceptable to the Trustee confirming that (A) the Company
has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal
Revenue Service and the French tax authority a ruling or
(B) since the date of the Indenture, there has been a
change in the applicable income tax law, in either case to the
effect that, and based thereon such opinion of counsel shall
confirm that, the holders of the outstanding Notes will not
recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal or French
income tax purposes, respectively, as a result of such Legal
Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal or French
income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the
same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance
had not occurred, |
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(3) |
in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Company shall have
delivered to the Trustee an opinion of counsel reasonably
acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the holders of the
outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for
U.S. federal or French income tax purposes as a result of
such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to
U.S. federal or French income tax on the same amounts, in
the same manner and at the same times as would have been the
case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred, |
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(4) |
no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing either (A) on the date of such deposit (other
than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing
of funds to be applied to such deposit) or (B) insofar as
Events of Default from bankruptcy or insolvency events are
concerned, at any time in the period ending on the
550th day after the date of deposit, |
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(5) |
such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in
a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under any
material agreement or instrument (other than the Indenture) to
which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is a
party or by which the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries is bound, |
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(6) |
the Company must have delivered to the Trustee an opinion of
counsel to the effect that, after the 550th day following
the deposit, the trust funds will not be subject to the effect
of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or
similar laws affecting creditors rights generally, |
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(7) |
the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officers
Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company
with the intent of preferring the holders of the Notes over the
other creditors of the Company or with the intent of defeating,
hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors of the Company or
others, and |
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(8) |
the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officers
Certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that all
conditions precedent provided for relating to the Legal
Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with. |
Transfer and Exchange
A holder of the Notes may transfer or exchange the Notes in
accordance with the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may
require a holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate
endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require
a holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted
by the
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Indenture. The Company will not be required to transfer or
exchange any Note selected for redemption. Also, the Company
will not be required to transfer or exchange any Note for a
period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be
redeemed.
The registered holder of a Note will be treated as the owner of
it for all purposes, and all references to holders
in this Description of the Notes are to registered
holders unless otherwise indicated.
Amendment and Waiver
Except as provided below, the Indenture or the Notes may be
amended or supplemented with the consent of the holders of at
least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then
outstanding (including, without limitation, consents obtained in
connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer
for, the Notes), and any existing default or compliance with any
provision of the Indenture or the Notes may be waived with the
consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the
then outstanding Notes (including, without limitation, consents
obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for
the Notes).
Without the consent of each holder affected, an amendment,
supplement or waiver may not (with respect to any Notes held by
a non-consenting holder):
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(a) |
reduce the principal amount of the Notes whose holders must
consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver, |
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(b) |
reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any Note
or alter the provisions with respect to the redemption or
purchase of the Notes by the Company, |
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(c) |
reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest or
Liquidated Damages, if any, on any Note, |
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(d) |
waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal
of or premium, interest or Liquidated Damages, if any, on the
Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the
holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes
and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such
acceleration), |
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(e) |
make any Note payable in money other than that stated in the
Notes, |
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(f) |
make any change in the provisions of the Indenture relating to
waivers of past defaults or the rights of holders of the Notes
to receive payments of principal of or premium, interest or
Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Notes, |
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(g) |
waive a redemption or repurchase payment with respect to any
Note, |
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(h) |
make any change in the ranking of the Notes relative to other
Indebtedness of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantees
relative to other Indebtedness of the Guarantors, in either case
in a manner adverse to the holders, |
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(i) |
release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its
Subsidiary Guarantee or the Indenture, except in accordance with
the terms of the Indenture, |
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(j) |
make any change in the provisions described under
Additional Amounts in a manner adverse
to the holders, or |
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(k) |
make any change in the preceding amendment, supplement and
waiver provisions. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of any holder
of the Notes, the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee may
amend or supplement the Indenture or the Notes to cure any
ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, to provide for
uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated
Notes, to provide for the assumption of the Companys
obligations to holders of the Notes in the case of a merger or
consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the
Companys properties or assets, to make any change that
would provide any additional rights or benefits to the holders
of the Notes or that does not materially adversely affect the
legal rights under the Indenture of any such holder, to secure
the Notes pursuant to the requirements of the Liens
covenant,
71
to add any Guarantor or to release any Guarantor from its
Subsidiary Guarantee, in each case as provided in the Indenture,
or to comply with requirements of the Commission in order to
effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the
Trust Indenture Act.
Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall, directly
or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration,
whether by way of interest, fee or otherwise, to any holder of
any Notes for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver,
amendment or supplement of any terms or provisions of the
Indenture or the Notes, unless such consideration is offered to
be paid or agreed to be paid to all holders of the Notes which
so consent, waive or agree to amend or supplement in the time
frame set forth in solicitation documents relating to such
consent, waiver or agreement.
Satisfaction and Discharge
The Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further
effect as to all Notes issued thereunder, when:
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(a) |
all Notes that have been authenticated (except lost, stolen or
destroyed Notes that have been replaced or paid and Notes for
whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust and
thereafter repaid to the Company) have been delivered to the
Trustee for cancellation or |
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(b) |
all Notes that have not been delivered to the Trustee for
cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the giving
of a notice of redemption or otherwise or will become due and
payable within one year and the Company or any Guarantor has
irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with
the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of
the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable
U.S. Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in
such amounts as will be sufficient without consideration of any
reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire
indebtedness on the Notes not previously delivered to the
Trustee for cancellation, including principal, premium, if any,
and Liquidated Damages, if any, and accrued interest to the date
of maturity or redemption; |
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(2) |
no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing on the date of such deposit or shall occur as a
result of such deposit and such deposit will not result in a
breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other
instrument to which the Company or any Guarantor is a party or
by which the Company or any Guarantor is bound; |
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(3) |
the Company and each Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all
other sums payable by it under the Indenture; and |
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(4) |
the Company has delivered an Officers Certificate and an
Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions
precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied. |
The Trustee
JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association serves as trustee
under the Indenture.
The Indenture contains certain limitations on the rights of the
Trustee, should it become a creditor of the Company or any
Guarantor, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to
realize on certain property received in respect of any such
claim as security or otherwise. The Trustee will be permitted to
engage in other transactions; however, if it acquires any
conflicting interest and a Default occurs it must eliminate such
conflict within 90 days, apply to the Commission for
permission to continue or resign.
The holders of a majority in principal amount of the then
outstanding Notes will have the right to direct the time, method
and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy
available to the Trustee, subject to certain exceptions. The
Indenture provides that in case an Event of Default shall occur
(that is not cured), the Trustee will be required, in the
exercise of its power, to use the degree of care of a prudent
man in the conduct of his own affairs. Subject to such
provisions, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise
any of its rights or
72
powers under the Indenture at the request of any holder of
Notes, unless such holder has offered to the Trustee security
and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or
expense.
Governing Law
The Indenture, the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees provide
or will provide that they will be governed by the laws of the
State of New York.
Consent to Jurisdiction
The Indenture provides that any suit, action or proceeding with
respect to the Indenture, the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees
may be brought in any New York state or federal court located in
the Borough of Manhattan in the City of New York (New York
Court) and that the Company and the Guarantors will submit
to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts.
Enforceability of Judgments; Indemnification for Foreign
Currency Judgments
A significant portion of the assets of the Company and its
subsidiaries is outside the United States, so any judgment
obtained in the United States against the Company or any
Guarantor, including judgments relating to payments with respect
to the Notes, may not be fully collectible within the United
States.
The Company has been informed by its French counsel that a final
judgment for a sum of money in relation to the Indenture or the
Notes obtained in any New York Court would be recognized and
enforceable by the French courts without re-examination or
re-litigation of the matters adjudicated, through an action for
exequatur brought before the competent French court
provided that the court is satisfied that the
requirements developed by case law for the enforcement of
foreign judgments in France are met, and in particular provided
that:
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(a) |
the judgment concerned is enforceable in the State of New York; |
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(b) |
such judgment has been rendered by a court having jurisdiction
over the parties both under its own rules of jurisdiction and in
accordance with French rules of international conflicts of
jurisdiction and the French courts did not have exclusive
jurisdiction to hear the matter; |
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(c) |
the court that rendered such judgment has applied to the merits
of the case the laws of the jurisdiction which would have been
considered appropriate under French rules of international
conflicts of laws; |
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(d) |
the judgment is not contrary to French international public
policy (ordre public international), both pertaining to
the merits and to the procedure of the case; |
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(e) |
the judgment is not tainted with fraud; and |
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(f) |
the judgment does not conflict with a French judgment or a
foreign judgment which has become effective in France and there
is no risk of conflict with proceedings pending before the
French courts at the time enforcement of the judgment is sought. |
The Indenture also provides that obligations of the Company to
any holder of the Notes or the Trustee shall, notwithstanding
any judgment in a currency (the Judgment
Currency) other than United States dollars (the
Agreement Currency), be discharged only to
the extent that on the day following receipt by such holder of
the Notes or the Trustee, as the case may be, of any amount in
the Judgment Currency, such holder of the Notes or the Trustee
may in accordance with normal banking procedures purchase the
Agreement Currency with the Judgment Currency. If the amount of
the Agreement Currency so purchased is less than the amount
originally to be paid to such holder of the Notes or the
Trustee, as the case may be, in the Agreement Currency, the
Company agrees, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding
such judgment, to pay to such holder of Notes or the Trustee, as
the case may be, the difference, and if the amount of the
Agreement Currency so purchased exceeds the amount originally to
be paid to such holder of the Notes or the Trustee, as the case
may be, such holder of the Notes or the Trustee, as the case may
be, agrees to pay to or for the account of the Company such
excess, provided that such holder of the Notes or the
Trustee, as the case may be, shall not have any obligation to
pay any such excess as long as a default by the Company or any
Guarantor in its obligations under the Notes, the
73
Indenture or the Subsidiary Guarantees has occurred and is
continuing, in which case such excess may be applied by such
holder of the Notes or the Trustee, as the case may be, to such
obligations.
Additional Information
Anyone who receives this prospectus may obtain a copy of the
Indenture and the proposed form of the Registration Rights
Agreement without charge by contacting Compagnie
Générale de Géophysique, 1 rue Léon Migaux,
91300 Massy, France, Attention: Investor Relations Officer,
Telephone (33-1)
64-47-30-00.
Replacement, Transfer and Exchange
If any Note at any time is mutilated, destroyed, stolen or lost,
such Note may be replaced at the cost of the applicant at the
office of the Trustee or the office of the Registrar in
Luxembourg. The applicant for a new Note must, in the case of
any mutilated Note, surrender such Note to the Trustee or the
Registrar in Luxembourg, as applicable, and, in the case of any
lost, destroyed or stolen Note, furnish evidence satisfactory to
the Trustee or the Registrar in Luxembourg, as applicable, of
such loss, destruction or theft, together with such indemnity as
the Trustee or the Registrar in Luxembourg, as applicable, and
the Company may require.
Initially, the Trustee will act as Registrar in the continental
United States, and Notes may be presented for registration of
transfer and exchange at the office of the Trustee in Dallas,
Texas. Dexia Banque Internationale à Luxembourg will act
initially as Registrar in Luxembourg, and Notes may be presented
for registration of transfer and exchange at its office located
at 69, route dEsch, 2953 Luxembourg.
A holder may transfer or exchange Notes in accordance with the
Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a holder,
among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and
transfer documents and the Company may require a holder to pay
any transfer tax or similar governmental charge required by law.
The Company and the Registrar are not required to transfer or
exchange any Note selected for redemption. Also, the Company and
the Registrar are not required to transfer or exchange any Note
for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be
redeemed.
Purchase
The Company, the Trustee and their respective Affiliates may at
any time and from time to time purchase any Note or a beneficial
interest in any Note in the open market or otherwise at any
price.
Notices
Any notice to Noteholders will be mailed by first class mail or
delivered by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day
delivery, in each case to their respective registered addresses
shown on the register kept by the Registrar. In addition, for so
long as the Notes are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange
and its rules so require, any such notice (including notices of
redemption) will be published in a newspaper having general
circulation in Luxembourg, which is expected to be the
Luxemburger Wort, or if such newspaper ceases to be
published or timely publication in it will not be practicable,
in such other newspaper as the Trustee deems necessary to give
fair and reasonable notice to the Noteholders. Also for so long
as the Notes are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, the
Company will provide to the exchange a copy of all notices to
Noteholders.
Certain Definitions
Set forth below are certain defined terms used in the Indenture.
Reference is made to the Indenture for a full disclosure of all
such terms, as well as any other capitalized terms used herein
for which no definition is provided.
Acquired Indebtedness means with respect to a
specified Person (a) Indebtedness of any other Person
existing at the time such other Person is merged with or into or
becomes a Subsidiary of such specified Person or
(b) Indebtedness relating to properties or assets acquired
by such specified Person. Acquired Indebtedness shall be deemed
to be incurred on the date the acquired Person becomes a
Restricted Subsidiary or the date of the related acquisition of
properties or assets from such Person.
74
Affiliate of any specified Person means any
other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by
or under direct or indirect common control with such specified
Person. For purposes of the Indenture, control,
as used with respect to any Person, means 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 Stock, by agreement or
otherwise; provided, however, that beneficial ownership
of 10% or more of the Voting Stock of a Person shall be deemed
to be control. For purposes of the Indenture, the terms
controlling, controlled by
and under common control with have
correlative meanings.
Applicable Premium means, with respect to any
Note on any redemption date, the greater of:
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(a) |
1.0% of the principal amount of the Note and |
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(b) |
the excess of (1) the present value at such redemption date
of (A) the redemption price of the Note at May 15, 2010
(such redemption price being set forth in the table appearing
above under the caption Optional
Redemption) plus (B) all required interest payments
due on the Note during the period from such redemption date
through May 15, 2010 (excluding accrued but unpaid
interest), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury
Rate as of such redemption date plus 50 basis points over
(2) the principal amount of the Note, if greater. |
Asset Sale means
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(a) |
the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition (a
disposition) of any properties or assets
(including, without limitation, by way of a sale-and-leaseback),
excluding dispositions in the ordinary course of business
(provided that the disposition of all or substantially
all of the properties or assets of the Company and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole will be subject to the provisions
of the Indenture described above under the caption
Put Option of Holders Change of
Control and the provisions described above in
clause (f) under the caption Events of
Default and Remedies and not to the provisions of the
Asset Sales covenant), |
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(b) |
the issue or sale by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of Equity Interests of any of the Companys
Subsidiaries, and |
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(c) |
any Event of Loss, |
whether, in the case of clause (a), (b) or (c), in a
single transaction or a series of related transactions,
provided that such transaction or series of related
transactions (1) involves properties or assets having a
fair market value in excess of
2,500,000 or
(2) results in the payment of net proceeds (including
insurance proceeds from an Event of Loss) in excess of
2,500,000. Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of
this definition, the following transactions will be deemed not
to be Asset Sales:
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(A) |
a disposition of obsolete or excess equipment or other
properties or assets; |
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(B) |
a disposition of properties or assets (including Equity
Interests) by the Company to a Wholly Owned Restricted
Subsidiary or by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or to a
Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary; |
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(C) |
a disposition of cash or Cash Equivalents; |
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(D) |
a disposition of properties or assets (including Equity
Interests) that constitutes a Restricted Payment that is
permitted by the provisions of the Indenture described above
under the caption Certain
Covenants Restricted Payments; |
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(E) |
any trade or exchange by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary of equipment or other properties or assets for
equipment or other properties or assets owned or held by another
Person, provided that the fair market value of the
properties or assets traded or exchanged by the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary (together with any cash or Cash
Equivalents) is reasonably equivalent to the fair market value
of the properties or assets (together with any cash or Cash
Equivalents) to be received by the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary; |
75
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(F) |
the creation or perfection of a Lien on any properties or assets
(or any income or profits therefrom) of the Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries that is not prohibited by the
covenant described under the caption
Liens; |
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(G) |
a sale-and-leaseback of the Companys office facilities in
Massy, France replacing the sale-and-leaseback transaction
relating to such facilities that is outstanding on the Issue
Date; |
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(H) |
the surrender or waiver of contract rights or the settlement,
release or surrender of contractual, non-contractual or other
claims of any kind; |
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(I) |
the sale or discount, in each case without recourse, of accounts
receivable arising in the ordinary course of business, but only
in connection with the compromise of collection thereof; |
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(J) |
the factoring of accounts receivable arising in the ordinary
course of business pursuant to arrangements customary in the
region; and |
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(K) |
the grant in the ordinary course of business of any
non-exclusive license of patents, trademarks, registrations
therefor and other similar intellectual property. |
Attributable Indebtedness in respect of a
sale-and-leaseback transaction means, at the time of
determination, the present value (discounted at the rate of
interest implicit in such transaction, determined in accordance
with GAAP) of the obligation of the lessee for net rental
payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such
sale-and-leaseback transaction (including any period for which
such lease has been extended or may, at the option of the
lessor, be extended). As used in the preceding sentence, the
net rental payments under any lease for any such
period shall mean the sum of rental and other payments required
to be paid with respect to such period by the lessee thereunder,
excluding any amounts required to be paid by such lessee on
account of maintenance and repairs, insurance, taxes,
assessments, water rates or similar charges. In the case of any
lease that is terminable by the lessee upon payment of penalty,
such net rental payment shall also include the amount of such
penalty, but no rent shall be considered as required to be paid
under such lease subsequent to the first date upon which it may
be so terminated.
Capital Lease Obligation means, at the time
any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the
liability in respect of a capital lease that would at such time
be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in accordance
with GAAP.
Capital Stock means:
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(a) |
in the case of a corporation, corporate stock, |
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(b) |
in the case of an association or business entity, any and all
shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents
(however designated) of corporate stock, including preferred
stock, |
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(c) |
in the case of a partnership or limited liability company,
partnership or membership interests (whether general or
limited), and |
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(d) |
any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the
right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or
distributions of assets of, the issuing Person. |
Cash Equivalents means:
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(a) |
securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by
the government of the United States of America, the Republic of
France or any other country whose sovereign debt has a rating of
at least A3 from Moodys Investors Service, Inc. and at
least A from Standard & Poors Ratings
Services or any agency or instrumentality of any such government
(provided that the full faith and credit of such
government is pledged in support thereof), in each case having
maturities of not more than 12 months from the date of
acquisition, |
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(b) |
certificates of deposit, Eurodollar time deposits and French
negotiable debt instruments (titres de créances
négociables) with maturities of 12 months or less
from the date of acquisition, bankers acceptances with
maturities not exceeding six months and overnight bank deposits,
in each case with |
76
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or issued by any commercial bank organized under the laws of any
country that is a member of the Organization for Economic
Cooperation and Development having capital and surplus in excess
of
500,000,000 and whose long-term debt securities are rated
at least A3 by Moodys Investors Service, Inc. and at least
A by Standard & Poors Ratings
Services, |
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(c) |
repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days
for underlying securities of the types described in
clauses (a) and (b) above entered into with any
financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in
clause (b) above, |
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(d) |
commercial paper and French negotiable debt instruments
(titres de créances négociables) having a
rating of at least P-1 from Moodys Investors Service, Inc.
or at least A-1 from Standard & Poors Ratings
Services and in each case maturing within 12 months after
the date of acquisition, |
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(e) |
deposits available for withdrawal on demand with any commercial
bank not meeting the qualifications specified in clause (b)
above, provided that all such deposits are made in the
ordinary course of business, do not remain on deposit for more
than 30 consecutive days and do not exceed
25,000,000 in
the aggregate at any one time, with no more than
5,000,000 being deposited in commercial banks within a
single country, and |
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(f) |
money market mutual funds substantially all of the assets of
which are of the type described in any of the foregoing
clauses (a) through (d). |
Closing Date means the date of original
issuance of the Offered Notes.
Common Stock means the common or ordinary
shares of the Company.
Consolidated Cash Flow means, with respect to
any Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such
Person for such period plus, to the extent deducted or excluded
in calculating Consolidated Net Income for such period,
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(a) |
provision for taxes based on income or profits of such Person
and its Restricted Subsidiaries, |
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(b) |
Consolidated Interest Expense of such Person and its Restricted
Subsidiaries, |
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(c) |
depreciation and amortization (including amortization or
impairment, if any, of goodwill and of other intangibles but
excluding amortization of prepaid cash expenses that were paid
in a prior period) of such Person and its Restricted
Subsidiaries, |
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(d) |
other non-cash expenses (excluding any such non-cash expense to
the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash
expenses in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash
expense that was paid in a prior period) of such Person and its
Restricted Subsidiaries less any non-cash items increasing
Consolidated Net Income of such Person and its Restricted
Subsidiaries (other than items that will result in cash receipt), |
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(e) |
any expenses, fees, charges or other costs related to any equity
offering (other than of Disqualified Stock) permitted by the
indenture (whether or not successful), and, |
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(f) |
without duplication, an amount equal to any extraordinary loss
plus any net loss realized by such Person or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Sale, |
in each case, on a consolidated basis and determined in
accordance with GAAP.
Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio means
with respect to any Person for any period, the ratio of the
Consolidated Cash Flow of such Person for such period to the
Consolidated Interest Expense of such Person for such period;
provided, however, that the Consolidated Interest
Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to
each of the following transactions as if each such transaction
had occurred at the beginning of the applicable reference period:
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(a) |
any incurrence, assumption, guarantee, repayment, purchase or
redemption by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
of any Indebtedness (other than revolving credit borrowings)
subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the
Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio is being |
77
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calculated but prior to the date on which the event for which
the calculation of the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio is
made (the Calculation Date); |
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(b) |
any acquisition that has been made by such Person or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries, or approved and expected to be
consummated within 30 days of the Calculation Date,
including, in each case, through a merger or consolidation, and
including any related financing transactions, during the
reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on
or prior to the Calculation Date; and |
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(c) |
any other transaction that may be given pro forma effect in
accordance with Article 11 of
Regulation S-X
under the Securities Act as in effect from time to time; |
provided further, however, that (1) the Consolidated
Cash Flow attributable to discontinued operations, as determined
in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses disposed
of prior to the Calculation Date, shall be excluded and
(2) the Consolidated Interest Expense attributable to
discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP,
and operations or businesses disposed of prior to the
Calculation Date, shall be excluded, but only to the extent that
the obligations giving rise to such Consolidated Interest
Expense will not be obligations of the referent Person or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries following the Calculation Date.
Consolidated Interest Expense means, with
respect to any Person for any period, the sum, without
duplication, of the following:
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(a) |
the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its
Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued
(including, without limitation, amortization of original issue
discount, non-cash interest payments, the interest component of
any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all
payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, commissions,
discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of
letter of credit or bankers acceptance financings, and net
of all payments made or received (if any) pursuant to Hedging
Obligations in respect of interest rates but excluding
amortization of debt issuance costs and non-cash charges other
than non-cash interest expenses related to convertible
bonds) and |
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(b) |
the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its
Restricted Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period. |
Consolidated Net Income means, with respect
to any Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of
such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on
a consolidated basis, determined in accordance with GAAP,
provided that:
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(a) |
the Net Income (but not loss) of any Person that is not a
Restricted Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity
method of accounting shall be included only to the extent of the
amount of dividends or distributions paid in cash to the
referent Person or a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary thereof, |
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(b) |
the Net Income of any Restricted Subsidiary shall be excluded to
the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or
similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of that Net
Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any
prior governmental approval (that has not been obtained) or,
directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter
or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute,
rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Subsidiary or
its stockholders, and |
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(c) |
the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles shall
be excluded. |
Consolidated Net Worth means, with respect to
any Person as of any date, the consolidated stockholders
equity of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such
date less the amount of consolidated stockholders equity
attributable to Disqualified Stock or treasury stock of such
Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date, in each
case determined in accordance with GAAP.
Consolidated Tangible Net Worth means, at any
date, the Consolidated Net Worth of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries as shown on their most recent
consolidated balance sheet less, without duplication, all
goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt
discount and expense and other like intangibles, as determined
in accordance with GAAP.
78
Consolidated Total Assets means, with respect
to any Person as of any date, the consolidated total assets of
such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date, as
determined in accordance with GAAP.
Credit Facilities means, with respect to any
Person, one or more debt facilities or commercial paper
facilities with banks or other institutional lenders (including
with special purpose vehicles established by such banks or
lenders to provide such facilities) providing for revolving
credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including
through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special
purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such
receivables) or trade letters of credit, in each case, as
amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or
refinanced in whole or in part from time to time.
Default means any event that is, or with the
passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an
Event of Default.
Disqualified Stock means any Capital Stock
that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which
it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the
happening of any event, matures (excluding any maturity as a
result of an optional redemption by the issuer thereof) or is
mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or
otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in
whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is 91 days
after the date on which the Notes mature or are redeemed or
retired in full; provided, however, that any Capital
Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because
the holders thereof (or of any security into which it is
convertible or for which it is exchangeable) have the right to
require the issuer to purchase such Capital Stock (or such
security into which it is convertible or for which it is
exchangeable) upon the occurrence of any of the events
constituting an Asset Sale or a Change of Control shall not
constitute Disqualified Stock if such Capital Stock (and all
such securities into which it is convertible or for which it is
exchangeable) provides that the issuer thereof may not purchase
or redeem any such Capital Stock (or any such security into
which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable)
pursuant to such provisions prior to compliance by the Company
with the provisions of the Indenture described under the caption
Put Option of Holders Change of
Control or Put Option of
Holders Asset Sales, as the case may be.
Equity Interests means Capital Stock and all
warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but
excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or
exchangeable for, Capital Stock).
euro or
means
the single currency of participating member states of the
European Economic and Monetary Union as contemplated by the
Treaty Establishing the European Union.
Euro Equivalent means, with respect to any
monetary amount in a currency other than euros, at or as of any
time for the determination thereof, the amount of euros obtained
by converting such foreign currency involved in such computation
into euros at the spot rate for the purchase of euros with the
applicable foreign currency as quoted by Reuters (or, if Reuters
ceases to provide such spot quotations, by any other reputable
service as is providing such spot quotations, as selected by the
Company) at approximately 11:00 a.m. (New York City time)
on the date not more than two business days prior to such
determination.
Event of Loss means, with respect to any
property or asset of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary,
(a) any damage to such property or asset that results in an
insurance settlement with respect thereto on the basis of a
total loss or a constructive or compromised total loss or
(b) the confiscation, condemnation or requisition of title
to such property or asset by any government or instrumentality
or agency thereof.
Exchange Act means the U.S. Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Exchange Notes means Notes registered under
the Securities Act issued in exchange for unregistered Notes
pursuant to an Exchange Offer.
Exchange Offer means the offer that may be
made by the Company pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement
to issue Exchange Notes in exchange for unregistered Notes.
Existing Indebtedness means Indebtedness of
the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than
Indebtedness under the Credit Facilities) in existence on the
date of the Indenture, until such amounts are repaid, but shall
not include any Indebtedness that is repaid with the proceeds of
the Offered Notes.
79
The term fair market value means, with
respect to any asset or Investment, the fair market value of
such asset or Investment at the time of the event requiring such
determination, as determined in good faith by the Company, or,
with respect to any asset or Investment in excess of
15,000,000 (other than cash or Cash Equivalents), as
determined by a reputable investment banking, accounting or
appraisal firm that is, in the judgment of such Board of
Directors, qualified to perform the task for which such firm has
been engaged and independent with respect to the Company.
Foreign Restricted Subsidiary means each of
CGG Asia Pacific and CGG Pan India Ltd.
GAAP means International Financial Reporting
Standards, accounting principles adopted by the International
Accounting Standards Board and its predecessor, as in effect
from time to time.
guarantee means a guarantee other than by
endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the
ordinary course of business, direct or indirect, in any manner
including, without limitation, by way of pledge of assets or
through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect
thereof, of all or any part of any Indebtedness.
Guarantor means each of:
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(1) |
Sercel Inc., Sercel Canada Ltd., Sercel Australia Pty Ltd, CGG
Americas, Inc., CGG Canada Services Ltd. and CGG Marine
Resources Norge A/ S; and |
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(2) |
any other Subsidiary of the Company that executes a supplemental
indenture providing for a Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance
with the provisions of Indenture, |
and their respective successors and assigns, in each case, until
the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Person has been released in
accordance with the provisions of the Indenture.
Hedging Obligations means, with respect to
any Person, the obligations of such Person under:
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(a) |
interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap agreements and
interest rate collar agreements, |
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(b) |
other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person
against fluctuations in interest rates, and |
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(c) |
any foreign currency futures contract, option or similar
agreement or arrangement designed to protect such Person against
fluctuations in currency exchange rates or commodity prices, |
in each case to the extent such obligations are incurred in the
ordinary course of business of such Person and not for
speculative purposes.
Indebtedness means, with respect to any
Person, any indebtedness of such Person, without duplication,
whether or not contingent, in respect of borrowed money
including, without limitation, any guarantee thereof, or
evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or
letters of credit (or reimbursement agreements in respect
thereof) or bankers acceptances or representing Capital
Lease Obligations or the balance deferred and unpaid of the
purchase price of any property, except any such balance that
constitutes an accrued expense or trade account payable, or
representing any Hedging Obligations, if and to the extent any
of the preceding indebtedness (other than letters of credit,
guarantees and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability
upon a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with
GAAP. The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date
shall be (a) the accreted value thereof, in the case of any
Indebtedness that does not require current payments of interest,
and (b) the principal amount thereof, in the case of any
other Indebtedness (with letters of credit being deemed to have
a principal amount equal to the maximum potential liability of
the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries thereunder).
Institutional Accredited Investor means an
accredited investor as defined in
Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the
Securities Act.
Investment Grade Status shall occur when the
Notes receive a rating of BBB or higher
from S&P (or its equivalent under any successor rating
categories of S&P) and a rating of Baa3 or
higher from Moodys (or its equivalent under any successor
rating categories of Moodys) or, if either such entity
ceases to rate the
80
Notes for reasons outside the normal control of the Company, the
equivalent investment grade credit rating from any other
nationally recognized statistical rating
organization, as that term is used in
Rule 15c3-1 under
the Exchange Act, selected by the Company as a replacement
agency.
Investments means, with respect to any
Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons
(including Affiliates) in the forms of direct or indirect loans
(including guarantees by the referent Person of, and Liens on
any assets of the referent Person securing, Indebtedness or
other obligations of other Persons), advances or capital
contributions (excluding commission, travel and similar advances
to directors, officers and employees made in the ordinary course
of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration
of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities, together
with all items that are or would be classified as investments on
a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP; provided,
however, that the following shall not constitute
Investments: (1) extensions of trade credit or other
advances to customers on commercially reasonable terms in
accordance with normal trade practices or otherwise in the
ordinary course of business, (2) Hedging Obligations and
(3) endorsements of negotiable instruments and documents in
the ordinary course of business. If the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company sells or otherwise disposes
of any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company such that, after giving effect to any
such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company, the Company shall be deemed to have
made an Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition
equal to the fair market value of the Equity Interests of such
Restricted Subsidiary not sold or disposed of in an amount
determined as provided in the final paragraph of the covenant
described above under the caption Certain
Covenants Restricted Payments.
Issue Date means April 28, 2005, the
first date on which Notes were issued under the Indenture. The
Indenture is dated as of the Issue Date.
Lien means, with respect to any asset, any
mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance
of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed,
recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law (including
any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any
lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to
sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or
agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform
Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction
other than a precautionary financing statement respecting a
lease not intended as a security agreement) or any assignment
(or agreement to assign) any right to income or profits from any
assets by way of security.
Merger includes a fusion, an
amalgamation, a compulsory share exchange, a conversion of a
corporation into another business entity and any other
transaction having effects substantially similar to a merger
under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
Net Income means, with respect to any Person,
the net income (or loss) of such Person, determined in
accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of
preferred stock dividends, excluding, however,
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(a) |
any gain (but not loss), together with any related provision for
taxes on such gain (but not loss), realized in connection with
(1) any Asset Sale (including, without limitation,
dispositions pursuant to sale-and-leaseback transactions) or
(2) the disposition of any securities by such Person or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries or the extinguishment of any
Indebtedness of such Person or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries and |
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(b) |
any extraordinary or nonrecurring gain (but not loss), together
with any related provision for taxes on such extraordinary or
nonrecurring gain (but not loss). |
Net Proceeds means the aggregate cash
proceeds received by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without
limitation, any cash received upon the sale or other disposition
of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale), net
of (without duplication) the following:
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(a) |
the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale (including, without
limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees, sales
commissions, recording fees, title transfer fees, title
insurance premiums, appraiser fees, other
out-of-pocket expenses
and costs incurred in connection with preparing such asset for
sale) and any relocation expenses incurred as a result thereof, |
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(b) |
taxes paid or estimated to be payable as a result thereof (after
taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and
any tax sharing arrangements that will result in a reduction in
consolidated tax liability), |
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(c) |
amounts required to be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness
(other than under a revolving credit facility) secured by a Lien
on the asset or assets that were the subject of such Asset
Sale, and |
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(d) |
any reserve (including any reserve against any liabilities
associated with such Asset Sale and retained by the Company or
the relevant Restricted Subsidiary) established in accordance
with GAAP or any amount placed in escrow, in either case for
adjustment in respect of the sale price of such asset or assets,
until such time as such reserve is reversed or such escrow
arrangement is terminated, in which case Net Proceeds shall
include only the amount of the reserve so reversed or the amount
returned to the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries from such
escrow arrangement, as the case may be. |
Non-Recourse Debt means Indebtedness:
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(a) |
as to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries (1) provides credit support of any kind
(including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would
constitute Indebtedness) or is otherwise directly or indirectly
liable (as a guarantor or otherwise) or (2) constitutes the
lender, |
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(b) |
no default with respect to which (including any rights the
holders thereof may have to take enforcement action against an
Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit (upon notice, lapse of
time or both) the holders of Indebtedness of the Company or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than the Notes) to declare
a default on such Indebtedness or cause the payment thereof to
be accelerated or payable prior to its stated maturity, and |
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(c) |
as to which the lenders have been notified in writing that they
will not have any recourse to the stock or assets of the Company
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries. |
Offering means the offering of the Offered
Notes by the Company.
Pari Passu Indebtedness means, with respect
to any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales, Indebtedness of the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries the terms of which
require the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary to apply such
Net Proceeds to offer to purchase such Indebtedness.
Permitted Guarantees means any guarantee:
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(1) |
guaranteeing or securing the Notes or any Guarantee; |
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(2) |
in favor of the Company or a Guarantor; |
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(3) |
guaranteeing Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clause (a)
of the second paragraph of the covenant described under
Certain Covenants Incurrence of Indebtedness
and Issuance of Preferred Stock; or |
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(4) |
in existence on the date of the Indenture to the extent
guaranteeing, Existing Indebtedness and Permitted Refinancing
Indebtedness in respect thereof incurred in compliance with
clause (j) of the second paragraph of the covenant
described under Certain Covenants Incurrence
of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock. |
Permitted Investments means:
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(a) |
any Investment in the Company (including, without limitation,
any acquisition of the Notes) or in a Wholly Owned Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company, other than any Investment described
in clause (a) of the definition of Restricted
Payments, |
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(b) |
any Investment in Cash Equivalents, |
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(c) |
any Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of
the Company in a Person if as a result of such Investment
(1) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company or (2) such |
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Person is merged or consolidated with or into, or transfers or
conveys all or substantially all of its properties or assets to,
or is liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of
the Company, |
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(d) |
any Investment made as a result of the receipt of non-cash
consideration from (1) an Asset Sale that was made pursuant
to and in compliance with the covenant described above under the
caption Put Option of Holders
Asset Sales or (2) a disposition of assets that does
not constitute an Asset Sale, |
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(e) |
Investments in stock, obligations or securities received in
settlement of any claim or debts owing to the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary as a result of bankruptcy or insolvency
proceedings or received in satisfaction of any judgment or in
settlement of any claim in circumstances where the Company does
not expect it would receive cash payment in a timely manner, or
upon the foreclosure, perfection or enforcement of any Lien in
favor of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, in each case
as to any claim or debts owing to the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary that arose in the ordinary course of business of the
Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary, provided that
any stocks, obligations or securities received in settlement
of any claim or debts that arose in the ordinary course of
business (and received other than as a result of bankruptcy or
insolvency proceedings or received in satisfaction of any
judgment or in settlement of any claim in circumstances where
the Company does not expect it would receive cash payment in a
timely manner, or upon foreclosure, perfection or enforcement of
any Lien) that are, within 180 days of receipt, converted
into cash or Cash Equivalents shall be treated as having been
cash or Cash Equivalents at the time received, |
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(f) |
Investments in Argas Ltd. consisting of guarantees of its
obligations incurred in the ordinary course of its business,
provided that such Investments, when taken together with
all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (f) that
are at the time outstanding, do not exceed
50,000,000, |
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(g) |
Investments in Argas Ltd. (other than those described in
clause (f) above) and any other Affiliate organized in a
foreign jurisdiction that is required by the applicable laws and
regulations of such foreign jurisdiction or its governmental
agencies, authorities or state-owned businesses to be majority
owned by the government of such foreign jurisdiction or
individual or corporate citizens of such foreign jurisdiction or
another foreign jurisdiction in order for such Affiliate to
transact business in such foreign jurisdiction, provided that
such Investments, when taken together with all other
Investments made pursuant to this clause (g) that are at
the time outstanding, do not exceed 20% of Consolidated Tangible
Net Worth, |
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(h) |
Investments in any Person in exchange for, or out of the net
cash proceeds of, an issue or sale by the Company of Equity
Interests (other than Disqualified Stock), and |
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(i) |
other Investments in any Person having an aggregate fair market
value (measured on the date each such Investment was made and
without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when
taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this
clause (i) that are at the time outstanding, do not exceed
25,000,000. |
Permitted Liens means:
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(a) |
Liens securing Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clause (a)
of the second paragraph of the covenant entitled
Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of
Disqualified Stock, and Liens securing any other
Indebtedness under Credit Facilities incurred pursuant to the
first paragraph of such covenant, |
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(b) |
Liens in favor of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, |
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(c) |
Liens on any property or asset of a Person existing at the time
such Person is merged into or consolidated with the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, provided that
such Liens were in existence prior to such merger or
consolidation, were not created in contemplation of it and do
not extend to any property or asset of the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries other than those of the Person merged
into or consolidated with the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries, |
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(d) |
Liens on any property or asset existing at the time of
acquisition thereof by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
of the Company, provided that such Liens were in
existence prior to such acquisition, were not created in
contemplation of it and do not extend to any other property or
asset of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, |
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(e) |
Liens securing the performance of statutory obligations, surety
or appeal bonds, bid or performance bonds, insurance obligations
or other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary
course of business, |
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(f) |
Liens securing Hedging Obligations, |
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(g) |
Liens existing on the date of the Indenture, |
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(h) |
Liens securing Indebtedness (including Capital Lease
Obligations) permitted by clause (g) of the second
paragraph of the covenant described under
Certain Covenants Incurrence of
Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock,
provided that such Liens extend only to the property,
plant or equipment financed by such Indebtedness, |
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(i) |
any interest or title of a lessor under an operating lease, |
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(j) |
Liens arising by reason of deposits necessary to obtain standby
letters of credit in the ordinary course of business, |
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(k) |
Liens on real or personal property or assets of the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary thereof to secure Indebtedness incurred
for the purpose of (1) financing all or any part of the
purchase price of such property or assets incurred prior to, at
the time of, or within 90 days after, the acquisition of
such property or assets or (2) financing all or any part of
the cost of construction or improvement of any such property or
assets, provided that the amount of any such financing
shall not exceed the amount expended in the acquisition of, or
the construction of, such property or assets and such Liens
shall not extend to any other property or assets of the Company
or a Restricted Subsidiary (other than any associated accounts,
contracts and insurance proceeds), |
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(l) |
judgment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default so long as
any appropriate legal proceeding which may have been duly
initiated for the review of such judgment shall not have been
finally terminated or the period within which such proceeding
may be initiated shall not have expired, |
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(m) |
Liens securing Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company that does not exceed
10,000,000 at any one time outstanding, |
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(n) |
Liens securing Acquired Indebtedness incurred pursuant to the
first paragraph of the covenant entitled
Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of
Disqualified Stock, provided that such Liens
(1) secured such Acquired Indebtedness at the time of and
prior to the incurrence of such Acquired Indebtedness by the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and were not
granted in connection with, or in anticipation of, such
incurrence, and (2) do not extend to any property or asset
of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries other than
the property or asset that secured the Acquired Indebtedness
prior to the time that it became Acquired Indebtedness of the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, and |
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(o) |
Liens securing Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness with respect
to any Indebtedness secured by Liens referred to in
clauses (c), (d), (g), (h), (k) and (n) above and
in this clause (o). |
Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness means any
Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of
which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or
refund other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, however, that
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(a) |
the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such
Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal
amount of (or accreted value, if applicable), plus premium, if
any, and |
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accrued interest on, the Indebtedness so extended, refinanced,
renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded (plus the amount of
expenses incurred in connection therewith), |
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(b) |
such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity
date no earlier than the final maturity date of, and has a
Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the
Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being
extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded, |
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(c) |
if the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed,
replaced, defeased or refunded is subordinated in right of
payment to the Notes, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is
subordinated in right of payment to the Notes on terms at least
as favorable, taken as a whole, to the holders of the Notes as
those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness
being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or
refunded and |
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(d) |
if the Company is the obligor on the Indebtedness being
extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded,
then such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is solely
Indebtedness of the Company; |
provided, however, that a Restricted Subsidiary
that is also a Guarantor may guarantee Permitted Refinancing
Indebtedness incurred by the Company, whether or not such
Restricted Subsidiary was an obligor or guarantor of the
Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced,
defeased or refunded; provided further, however,
that if such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated
to the Notes, such guarantee shall be subordinated to such
Restricted Subsidiarys Subsidiary Guarantee to at least
the same extent.
Person means any individual, corporation,
partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company,
trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company or
government or other entity.
Qualified Equity Offering means:
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(a) |
any issuance and sale of Equity Interests (other than
Disqualified Stock) of the Company pursuant to an underwritten
offering registered under the Securities Act or |
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(b) |
any other issuance and sale of Equity Interests (other than
Disqualified Stock) of the Company so long as, at the time of
consummation of such sale, the Company has a class of common
equity securities (including American depositary shares)
registered pursuant to Section 12(b) or Section 12(g)
under the Exchange Act. |
Registration Rights Agreement means
(a) the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of
April 28, 2005, by and among the Company and the initial
purchasers party thereto relating to the Offered Notes, and
(b) any similar agreement that the Company may enter into
in relation to any other Notes, in each case as such agreement
may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.
Restricted Investment means an Investment
other than a Permitted Investment.
Restricted Subsidiary of a Person means any
Subsidiary of such Person that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
Securities Act means the U.S. Securities
Act of 1933, as amended.
Sercel Inc. means Sercel Inc., an Oklahoma
corporation with its head office in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and a
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as of the Issue Date.
Sercel SA means:
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(a) |
Sercel S.A., a French limited liability corporation with its
head office in Carquefou, France, and a Restricted Subsidiary of
the Company as of the Issue Date, and/or |
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(b) |
any company (including Sercel Holding S.A.) that holds all of
the outstanding Capital Stock of either or both of Sercel SA and
Sercel Inc. (other than directors qualifying shares and
Capital Stock held by other statutorily required minority
shareholders). |
85
Significant Subsidiary means any Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company that would be a significant
subsidiary as defined in Article 1,
Rule 1-02 of
Regulation S-X,
promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Regulation
is in effect on the date of the Indenture.
Stated Maturity means, with respect to any
mandatory sinking fund or other installment of interest or
principal on any series of Indebtedness, the date on which such
payment of interest or principal was scheduled to be paid in the
original documentation governing such Indebtedness, and shall
not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or
purchase any such interest or principal prior to the date
originally scheduled for the payment thereof.
Strategic Assets means assets or rights
(other than assets that would be classified as current assets in
accordance with GAAP) of the kind used or usable by the Company
or its Restricted Subsidiaries in the business of providing
services or software products to the oil and gas industry or
manufacturing equipment for use by the oil and gas industry (or
any business that is reasonably complementary or related thereto
as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors).
Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person,
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(a) |
any corporation, association or other business entity of which
more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital
Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any
contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or
trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or
indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other
Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof), |
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(b) |
any partnership (1) the sole general partner or the
managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary
of such Person or (2) the only general partners of which are
such Person or of one or more Subsidiaries of such Person (or
any combination thereof), and |
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any other Person whose results for financial reporting purposes
are consolidated with those of such Person in accordance with
GAAP. |
Subsidiary Guarantee means the guarantee by
each Guarantor of the Companys obligations under the
Indenture and the Notes (including any Additional Notes),
executed pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture.
Treasury Rate means, as of any redemption
date in respect of the Notes, the yield to maturity as of such
redemption date of United States Treasury securities with a
constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent
Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15(519) that has become
publicly available at least two business days prior to the
redemption date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer
published, any publicly available source of similar market
data)) most nearly equal to the period from the redemption date
to May 15, 2010; provided, however, that if
the period from the redemption date to May 15, 2010 is less
than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded
United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant
maturity of one year shall be used.
Unrestricted Subsidiary means any Subsidiary
of the Company that is designated by the Board of Directors as
an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a Board Resolution and
any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Board of
Directors may designate a Subsidiary as an Unrestricted
Subsidiary only to the extent that such Subsidiary at the time
of such designation
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(a) |
has no Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt, |
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(b) |
is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or
understanding with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of
the Company unless such agreement, contract, arrangement or
understanding does not violate the terms of the Indenture
described under the caption Certain
Covenants Transactions with
Affiliates, and |
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(c) |
is a Person with respect to which neither the Company nor any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect
obligation (1) to subscribe for additional Equity Interests
or (2) to maintain or preserve such Persons financial
condition or to cause such Person to achieve any specified
levels of operating results. |
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Any such designation by the Board of Directors shall be
evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee the Board
Resolution giving effect to such designation and an
Officers Certificate certifying that such designation
complied with the foregoing conditions and was permitted by the
covenant described above under the caption
Certain Covenants Restricted
Payments. If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary
would fail to meet the preceding requirements as an Unrestricted
Subsidiary, it shall thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted
Subsidiary for purposes of the Indenture and any Indebtedness of
such Subsidiary shall be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company as of such date (and, if such
Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred as of such date
under the covenant described under the caption
Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of
Disqualified Stock, the Company shall be in default of
such covenant). The Board of Directors of the Company may at any
time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted
Subsidiary, provided that such designation shall be
deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company of any outstanding Indebtedness of
such Unrestricted Subsidiary and such designation shall only be
permitted if:
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(1) |
such Indebtedness is permitted under the covenant described
under the caption Incurrence of Indebtedness
and Issuance of Disqualified Stock, calculated on a pro
forma basis as if such designation had occurred at the beginning
of the four-quarter reference period and |
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no Default or Event of Default would be in existence following
such designation. |
U.S. Dollar Equivalent means, with
respect to any monetary amount in a currency other than
U.S. dollars, at or as of any time for the determination
thereof, the amount of U.S. dollars obtained by converting
such foreign currency involved in such computation into
U.S. dollars at the spot rate for the purchase of
U.S. dollars with the applicable foreign currency as quoted
by Reuters (or, if Reuters ceases to provide such spot
quotations, by any other reputable service as is providing such
spot quotations, as selected by the Company) at approximately
11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the date not more than
two business days prior to such determination.
Voting Stock of any Person as of any date
means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time
entitled to vote in the election of the board of directors,
managers or trustees of such Person.
Weighted Average Life to Maturity means, when
applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years
obtained by dividing (a) the sum of the products obtained
by multiplying (1) the amount of each then remaining
installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required
payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in
respect thereof, by (2) the number of years (calculated to
the nearest one twelfth) that will elapse between such date and
the making of such payment, by (b) the then outstanding
principal amount of such Indebtedness.
Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of any
Person means a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person to the
extent that
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all of the outstanding Capital Stock or other ownership
interests of which (other than directors qualifying shares
and Capital Stock held by other statutorily required minority
shareholders) shall at the time be owned directly or indirectly
by such Person or |
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such Restricted Subsidiary is organized in a foreign
jurisdiction and is required by the applicable laws and
regulations of such foreign jurisdiction or its governmental
agencies, authorities or state-owned businesses to be partially
owned by the government of such foreign jurisdiction or
individual or corporate citizens of such foreign jurisdiction or
another foreign jurisdiction in order for such Restricted
Subsidiary to transact business in such foreign jurisdiction,
provided that such Person, by contract or otherwise,
controls the business and management of such Restricted
Subsidiary. |
Further, in relation to the Company, the term Wholly
Owned Restricted Subsidiary includes any Foreign
Restricted Subsidiary so long as the direct or indirect
ownership interest of the Company in its Capital Stock is no
less than at the Issue Date.
87
OUTSTANDING NOTES REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
In connection with the sale of the outstanding notes, we entered
into a registration rights agreement. Under that agreement, we
agreed to:
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file a registration statement with the Commission with respect
to an offer to exchange the outstanding notes for new notes
having substantially identical terms as the outstanding notes
(except that the new notes will not contain terms with respect
to transfer restrictions or liquidated damages); |
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use our reasonable best efforts to cause that registration
statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act
within 180 days of the date of original issuance of the
outstanding notes; |
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use our reasonable best efforts to keep that registration
statement effective until the first anniversary of the closing
of the exchange offer; and |
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use our reasonable best efforts to cause the exchange offer to
be consummated within 210 days following the original
issuance of the outstanding notes. |
Promptly after the exchange offer registration statement has
been declared effective, we will offer the new notes in exchange
for surrender of the outstanding notes.
Under the following circumstances, we will file with the
Commission a shelf registration statement to cover resales of
the outstanding notes by those holders who provide required
information in connection with the shelf registration statement:
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if any changes in law or applicable interpretations by the staff
of the Commission do not permit us to effect the exchange offer
as contemplated by the registration rights agreement; or |
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in certain limited circumstances, if any holder of the
outstanding notes so requests. |
A Registration Default will occur if, among other
things:
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the exchange offer registration statement is not declared
effective on or prior to the 180th day following the date
of original issuance of the outstanding notes; |
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the exchange offer is not consummated on or prior to the
210th day following the date of original issuance of the
outstanding notes; or |
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we file the exchange offer registration statement or shelf
registration statement and the Commission declares it effective,
but thereafter it ceases to be effective or fails to be usable
for its intended purpose (except as specifically permitted in
the registration rights agreement) without being succeeded
within 10 business days by a post-effective amendment to
such registration statement that cures such failure and that is
itself declared effective within 10 business days of the date of
filing of such post-effective amendment. |
If any Registration Default occurs, we will be obligated to pay
liquidated damages to each holder of outstanding notes in an
amount equal of $.05 per week per $1,000 principal amount
of outstanding notes held by each such holder for each week or
portion thereof that the Registration Default continues with
respect to the first
90-day period
immediately following the occurrence of such Registration
Default. The amount of the liquidated damages shall increase by
an additional $.05 per week per $1,000 principal amount of
outstanding notes with respect to each subsequent
90-day period until all
Registration Defaults have been cured, up to a maximum amount of
liquidated damages of $.30 per week per $1,000 principal
amount of outstanding notes, provided that we will in no
event be required to pay liquidated damages for more than one
Registration Default at any given time.
Holders who desire to tender their outstanding notes will be
required to make to us the representations described under
The Exchange Offer Purpose and Effect of the
Exchange Offer and Procedures for
Tendering in order to participate in the exchange offer.
In addition, we may require holders to deliver information to be
used in connection with the shelf registration statement in
order to have their notes included in the shelf registration
statement and benefit from the provisions regarding liquidated
damages described in the
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preceding paragraph. A holder who sells outstanding notes under
the shelf registration statement generally will be required to
be named as a selling securityholder in the related prospectus
and to deliver a prospectus to purchasers. Such a holder will
also be subject to the civil liability provisions under the
Securities Act in connection with such sales and will be bound
by the provisions of the registration rights agreement that are
applicable to such holder, including indemnification obligations.
The description of the registration rights agreement contained
in this section is a summary only. For more information, you may
review the provisions of the registration rights agreement that
we filed with the Commission as an exhibit to the registration
statement of which this prospectus is a part.
89
BOOK ENTRY; DELIVERY AND FORM
The new notes will initially be represented by one or more
permanent global notes in definitive, fully registered
book-entry form (the Global Securities) that will be
registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of
DTC. The Global Securities will be deposited on behalf of the
acquirors of the new notes represented thereby with a custodian
for DTC for credit to the respective accounts of the acquirors
or to such other accounts as they may direct at DTC. See
The Exchange Offer Book-Entry Transfer.
The Global Securities
We expect that under procedures established by DTC:
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upon deposit of the Global Securities with DTC or its custodian,
DTC will credit on its internal system portions of the Global
Securities that shall be comprised of the corresponding
respective amounts of the Global Securities to the respective
accounts of persons who have accounts with such
depositary; and |
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ownership of the notes will be shown on, and the transfer of
ownership thereof will be effected only through, records
maintained by DTC or its nominee, with respect to interests of
persons who have accounts with DTC (participants),
and the records of participants, with respect to interests of
persons other than participants. |
So long as DTC or its nominee is the registered owner or holder
of any of the notes, DTC or such nominee will be considered the
sole owner or holder or such notes represented by the Global
Securities for all purposes under the indenture and under the
notes represented thereby. No beneficial owner of an interest in
the Global Securities will be able to transfer such interest
except in accordance with the applicable procedures of DTC in
addition to those provided for under the indenture.
Payments on the notes represented by the Global Securities will
be made to DTC or its nominee, as the registered owner thereof.
None of the Company, the trustee or any paying agent under the
indenture will have any responsibility or liability for any
aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of
beneficial ownership interests in the Global Securities or for
maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to
such beneficial ownership interest.
We expect that DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment
on the notes represented by the Global Securities, will credit
participants accounts with payments in amounts
proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the
Global Securities as shown in the records of DTC or its nominee.
We also expect that payments by participants to owners of
beneficial interests in the Global Securities held through such
participants will be governed by standing instructions and
customary practice as is now the case with securities held for
the accounts of customers registered in the names of nominees
for such customers. Such payment will be the responsibility of
such participants.
Transfers between participants in DTC will be effected in
accordance with DTC rules and will be settled in immediately
available funds. If a holder requires physical delivery of a
certificated security for any reason, including to sell notes to
persons in states that require physical delivery of such
security or to pledge such securities, such holder must transfer
its interest in the Global Securities in accordance with the
normal procedures of DTC and the procedures in the indenture.
DTC has advised us that DTC will take any action permitted to be
taken by a holder of notes, including the presentation of notes
for exchange as described below, only at the direction of one or
more participants to whose account the DTC interests in the
Global Securities are credited and only in respect of the
aggregate principal amount as to which such participant or
participants has or have given such direction. However, if there
is an event of default under the indenture, DTC will exchange
the Global Securities for certificated securities that it will
distribute to its participants.
DTC has advised us as follows:
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DTC is a limited-purpose company organized under the New York
Banking Law, a banking organization within the
meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal
Reserve |
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System, a clearing corporation within the meaning of
the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a clearing
agency registered under the provisions of Section 17A
of the Exchange Act; |
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DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC and
facilitates the settlement among participants of securities
transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited
securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in
participants accounts, thereby eliminating the need for
physical movement of securities certificates; |
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Direct participants include securities brokers and dealers,
banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other
organizations; |
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DTC is owned by a number of its participants and by the New York
stock Exchange, Inc., the American Stock Exchange, Inc. and the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.; |
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Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as
securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that
clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct
participant, either directly or indirectly; and |
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The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file
with the Commission. |
Although DTC is expected to follow these procedures in order to
facilitate transfers of interests in the Global Securities among
participants of DTC, it is under no obligation to perform such
procedures, and such procedures may be discontinued at any time.
Neither CGG nor the trustee will have any responsibility for the
performance by DTC or its direct or indirect participants on
their respective obligations under the rules and procedures
governing their operations.
Certificated Securities
Interests in the Global Securities will be exchanged for
certificated securities if:
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DTC or any successor depositary (the Depositary)
notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as
depositary for the Global Securities, or has ceased to be a
clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act,
and, in either case, we fail to appoint a successor depositary
within 90 days after the date of such notice; or |
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we determine not to have the notes represented by Global
Securities. |
Upon the occurrence of either of the events described in the
preceding sentence, we will cause the appropriate certified
securities to be delivered.
Neither CGG nor the trustee will be liable for any delay by the
Depositary or its nominee in identifying the beneficial owners
of the related notes. Each such person may conclusively rely on,
and will be protected in relying on, instructions from such
Depositary or nominee for all purposes, including the
registration and delivery, and the respective principal amounts,
of the notes to be issued.
91
CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE
EXCHANGE OFFER
To ensure compliance with Internal Revenue Service Circular
230, U.S. Holders are hereby notified that: (a) any
discussion of federal tax issues in this document is not
intended or written by us to be relied upon, and cannot be
relied upon by U.S. Holders for the purpose of avoiding
penalties that may be imposed on U.S. Holders under the
Internal Revenue Code; (b) such discussion is written to
support the promotion or marketing of the transactions or
matters addressed herein; and (c) U.S. Holders should
seek advice based on their particular circumstances from an
independent tax advisor.
The following discussion is based on the current provisions of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
Code), applicable Treasury regulations, judicial
authority and administrative rulings and practice. There can be
no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service (the
Service) will not take a contrary view, and no
ruling from the Service has been or will be sought. Legislative,
judicial or administrative changes or interpretations may be
forthcoming that could alter or modify the statements and
conditions set forth herein. Any such changes or interpretations
may or may not be retroactive and could affect the tax
consequences to holders. Certain holders (including insurance
companies, tax-exempt organizations, financial institutions,
broker-dealers, foreign corporations and persons who are not
citizens or residents of the United States) may be subject to
special rules not discussed below.
WE RECOMMEND THAT EACH HOLDER CONSULT ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR AS TO
THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES TO IT OF EXCHANGING OUTSTANDING
NOTES FOR NEW NOTES, INCLUDING THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT
OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN TAX LAWS.
We believe that the exchange of outstanding notes for new notes
pursuant to the exchange offer will not be treated as an
exchange for federal income tax purposes because the
new notes will not be considered to differ materially in kind or
extent from the outstanding notes. Rather, the new notes
received by a holder will be treated as a continuation of the
outstanding notes in the hands of the holder. As a result, there
will be no United States federal income tax consequences to
holders exchanging outstanding notes for new notes pursuant to
the exchange offer.
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Based on interpretations of the Commission staff in no action
letters issued to third parties, we believe that each new note
issued under the exchange offer may be offered for resale,
resold and otherwise transferred by the holder of that new note
without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery
provisions of the Securities Act if:
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you are not our affiliate within the meaning of
Rule 405 under the Securities Act; |
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any new notes will be acquired in the ordinary course of your
business; |
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you have no arrangement or understanding with any person to
participate in the distribution of the new notes; and |
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you are not engaged in and do not intend to engage in the
distribution of the new notes. |
Broker-dealers receiving notes in the exchange offer will be
subject to a prospectus delivery requirement with respect to
resales of the new notes.
We believe that you may not transfer new notes issued under the
exchange offer in exchange for outstanding notes if you are:
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our affiliate within the meaning of Rule 405
under the Securities Act; |
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a broker-dealer that acquired outstanding notes directly from
us; or |
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a broker-dealer that acquired outstanding notes as a result of
market-making or other trading activities unless you acknowledge
that, in connection with any resale of new notes acquired in
exchange for such outstanding notes, you will deliver a
prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act. |
To date, the staff of the Commission has taken the position that
participating broker-dealers may fulfill their prospectus
deliver requirements with respect to transactions involving an
exchange of securities such as this exchange offer, other than a
resale of an unsold allotment from the original sale of the
outstanding notes, with the prospectus contained in the exchange
offer registration statement. In the registration rights
agreement, we have agreed to permit participating broker-dealers
to use this prospectus in connection with the resale of new
notes. We have agreed that, for a period of up to one year after
the expiration of the exchange offer, we will make this
prospectus, and any amendment of supplement to this prospectus,
available to any broker-dealer that requests such documents in
the letter of transmittal.
If you wish to exchange your outstanding notes for new notes in
the exchange offer, you will be required to make representations
to us as described in The Exchange Offer
Purpose and Effect of the Exchange Offer and
Procedures for Tendering Your
Representations to Us of this prospectus and in the letter
of transmittal. In addition, if you are a broker-dealer who
receives new notes for your own account in exchange for
outstanding notes that were acquired by it as a result of
market-making activities or other trading activities, you will
be required to acknowledge that you will deliver a prospectus in
connection with any resale by you of such new notes.
We will not receive any proceeds from any sale of notes by
broker-dealers. Broker-dealers who receive new notes for their
own account in the exchange offer may sell them from time to
time in one or more transactions in the
over-the-counter market:
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in negotiated transactions; |
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through the writing of options on the new notes or a combination
of such methods of resale; |
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at market prices prevailing at the time of resale; or |
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at prices related to such prevailing market prices or negotiated
prices. |
Any resale may be made directly to purchasers or to or through
brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in the form of
commissions or concessions from any broker-dealer or the
purchasers of any new notes. Any broker-dealer that resells new
notes it received for its own account in the exchange offer and
any
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broker or dealer that participates in a distribution of such new
notes may be deemed to be an underwriter within the
meaning of the Securities Act. Any profit on any resale of new
notes and any commissions or concessions received by any such
persons may be deemed to be underwriting compensation under the
Securities Act. The letter of transmittal states that by
acknowledging that it will deliver and be delivering a
prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it
is an underwriter within the meaning of the
Securities Act.
We have agreed to pay all expenses incidental to the exchange
offer other than commissions and concessions of any brokers or
dealers. We will indemnify holders of the outstanding notes,
including any broker-dealers, against certain liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act, as provided in
the registration rights agreement.
Transfer Restrictions on Outstanding Notes
The outstanding notes were not registered under the Securities
Act. Those outstanding notes may not be offered or sold in the
United States or to, or for the account or benefit of,
U.S. persons except in accordance with an exemption from
the Securities Act registration requirements. Accordingly, the
outstanding notes were offered and sold in the United States
only to qualified institutional buyers under
Rule 144A under the Securities Act in transactions exempt
from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.
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LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the notes will be passed on for us by
Linklaters, Paris, France, who are acting as our special United
States counsel and our French legal advisors. Certain legal
matters with respect to the guarantees will be passed on for us
by Andrews Kurth LLP, who are acting as our special Texas
counsel, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, who are acting
as our special Alberta, Canadian counsel, Wiersholm
Mellbye & Bech, who are acting as our special Norwegian
counsel, Gable & Gotwals, who are acting as our special
Oklahoma counsel, McInes Cooper, who are acting as our special
New Brunswick, Canadian, counsel and Mallesons Stephen Jaques,
who are acting as our special Australian counsel.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of CGG as of and for the
years ended December 31, 2004 and 2005 incorporated by
reference in this prospectus and in the registration statement
of which this prospectus is a part have been audited by Barbier
Frinault & Autres Ernst & Young and
Mazars & Guerard, independent registered public
accounting firms, as set forth in their reports thereon
incorporated by reference herein. Such consolidated financial
statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon
their reports given on the authority of these firms as experts
in accounting and auditing.
The consolidated financial statements of Exploration Resources
as of and for the year ended December 31, 2004 included in
this prospectus and in the registration statement of which this
prospectus is a part have been audited by Ernst & Young
AS, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth
in their report thereon appearing herein. Such consolidated
financial statements are included herein in reliance upon their
report given on the authority of this firm as experts in
accounting and auditing.
The financial statements of Arabian Geophysical and Surveying
Company (Argas) for the year ended December 31, 2005
incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in the
registration statement of which this prospectus is a part have
been audited by Ernst & Young, independent registered
public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon
incorporated by reference herein. Such consolidated financial
statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon
their report given on the authority of this firm as experts in
accounting and auditing.
SERVICE OF PROCESS AND ENFORCEMENT OF LIABILITIES
We are a company organized under the laws of France with our
registered office and principal place of business in France. A
majority of our directors and officers named herein are not
residents of the United States, and all or a substantial portion
of their assets are located outside the United States.
Substantially all of our assets are located outside the United
States. We have agreed, in accordance with the terms of the
indenture relating to the notes, to accept service of process in
any suit, action or proceeding with respect to the indenture or
the notes brought in any federal or state court located in New
York City by an agent designated for such purpose, and to submit
to the jurisdiction of such courts in connection with such
suits, actions or proceedings. However, it may not be possible
for you to effect service of process within the United States
upon our directors and officers or to enforce against these
persons, or us, judgments of United States courts predicated
upon civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws
of the United States.
We have been advised by our French counsel, Linklaters, Paris,
France, that if an original action is brought in France,
predicated solely upon the United States federal securities
laws, French courts may not have the requisite jurisdiction to
grant the remedies sought and that actions for enforcement in
France of a judgment by courts in the United States, rendered
against any of the French persons referred to in the second
sentence of the preceding paragraph, would require such French
person to waive their rights under Article 15 of the French
Civil Code to be sued in France only. We believe that no such
French person has waived such right with respect to actions
predicated solely upon the United States federal securities
laws. In addition, actions in the United States under United
States federal securities laws could be affected under certain
circumstances by the French Law of 16 July 1980, which may
preclude or restrict the obtaining of evidence in France or from
French persons in connection with such actions.
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GENERAL INFORMATION
Share Capital
As of December 31, 2005, CGG had authorized share capital
of 57,877,671
and issued share capital of
34,163,360,
divided into 17,081,680 ordinary shares of
2 nominal value
each, all of which were fully paid. As of December 31,
2004, CGG had authorized share capital of
56,581,647 and
issued and fully
paid-up share capital
of 23,364,436,
divided into 11,682,218 ordinary shares of
2 nominal value each, all of which were fully paid.
Corporate Authorizations
The issue of the new notes was authorized pursuant to a
resolution of the Board of Directors (Conseil
dAdministration) of CGG adopted on January 17,
2006. The guarantee of the new notes was authorized by the Board
of Directors of each Initial Guarantor.
Listing of the Notes
Application has been made for the new notes to be listed on the
Euro MTF market of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange.
Clearing of the Notes
The new notes will be accepted for clearance with the following
securities codes: CUSIP number is 204386 AF 3, the Common
Code is 023143186 and the ISIN is US204386AF39.
No Material Adverse Change
Except as disclosed in this prospectus, there has been no
significant change in the financial or trading position of CGG
since December 31, 2005 and no material adverse change in
the financial position or prospects of CGG since
December 31, 2005.
Litigation
Except as disclosed in this prospectus, neither CGG nor any of
its subsidiaries is involved in any litigation, arbitration or
administrative proceedings relating to amounts which,
individually or in the aggregate, are material in the context of
the issue of the notes and, to the best of the knowledge of CGG,
there are no such litigation, arbitration or administrative
proceedings pending or threatened.
Significant Subsidiaries
For the year ended December 31, 2005, three subsidiaries of
CGG (Sercel S.A., CGG Marine SAS and CGG Americas, Inc.)
represented more than 10% of the consolidated revenues of CGG.
Sercel S.A., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sercel Holding S.A.,
had operating revenues of
303.7 million
in the year ended December 31, 2005 and had
shareholders equity of
99.4 million
as of December 31, 2005. Sercel S.A. paid a dividend of
0.1 million to CGG in 2005. Sercel S.A.s
registered office is at 16, rue de Bel Air, 44470
Carquefou, France.
CGG Marine SAS, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CGG, had operating
revenues of
150.2 million
in the year ended December 31, 2005 and had
shareholders equity of
42.3 million as of December 31, 2005. CGG
Marine did not pay any dividends to CGG in 2005. CGG
Marines registered office is at 1, rue Léon
Migaux, 91300 Massy, France.
CGG Americas, Inc. is described below under the heading
Initial Guarantors.
As of December 31, 2005, none of CGGs subsidiaries
represented more than 10% of the consolidated assets of CGG.
96
Initial Guarantors
CGG Americas, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of CGG, is
primarily engaged in the production and sale of our multi-client
data library in the Gulf of Mexico and the processing of data
for clients in the United States. CGG Americas, Inc. had
operating revenues of
113.1 million
in the year ended December 31, 2005 and had
shareholders equity of
95.4 million as of December 31, 2005. CGG
Americas, Inc. did not pay any dividends to CGG in 2005. CGG
Americas, Inc.s registered office is at 16430 Park Ten
Place, Houston, Texas 77084, United States of America.
CGG Canada Services Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CGG, is
primarily engaged in the processing of seismic data in our
Calgary center. CGG Canada Services had operating revenues of
2.9 million
in the year ended December 31, 2005 and had
shareholders equity of
1.5 million as of December 31, 2005. CGG Canada
Services registered office is at 450, 808-4th avenue
Southwest, SW, Calgary ABTP3E8, Canada.
CGG Marine Resources Norge A/ S, a wholly-owned subsidiary of
CGG, is the owner of the CGG Amadeus and CGG Symphony
seismic vessels. CGG Marine Resources Norge A/ S had
operating revenues of
45.0 million
in the year ended December 31, 2005 and had
shareholders equity of
59.4 million as of December 31, 2005. CGG
Marine Resources Norge A/ Ss registered office is at OH
BANGS VEI 70, 1363 Hovik, Norway.
Sercel Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sercel Holding S.A.,
is primarily engaged in the production and distribution of
marine seismic equipment, geophones and other products. Sercel
Inc. had operating revenues of
116.5 million
in the year ended December 31, 2005 and had
shareholders equity of
115.0 million as of December 31, 2005. Sercel
Inc.s registered office is at 17200 Park Row, Houston,
Texas 77084, United States of America.
Sercel Australia Pty Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sercel
Holding S.A., is primarily engaged in the production and
distribution of marine seismic products. Sercel Australia had
operating revenues of
14.4 million
in the year ended December 31, 2005 and had
shareholders equity of
19.4 million as of December 31, 2005. Sercel
Australias registered office is at 274 Victoria Road,
Rydalmere, New South Wales, Australia.
Sercel Canada Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sercel Inc., is
primarily engaged in the rental and sale of products for the
geophysical land market. Sercel Canada has operating revenues of
15.7 million
in the year ended December 31, 2005 and had
shareholders equity of
7.8 million as of December 31, 2005. Sercel
Canadas registered office is at 1108 55th Avenue NE,
Calgary, Alberta, T2E 6Y, Canada.
For more information on the Subsidiary Guarantors, see
note 31D to our consolidated annual financial statements
for the year ended December 31,2005 incorporated by
reference in this prospectus.
Documents Available
Copies of the annual reports of CGG for 2003, 2004 and 2005, the
constitutive documents of CGG, the indenture and the
registration rights agreement and copies of the most recently
published report and consolidated and non-consolidated financial
statements of CGG will, for so long as the notes are listed on
the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, be available free of charge
during usual business hours on any weekday (except Saturdays,
Sundays and public holidays) at the specified offices of the
Paying Agent in Luxembourg. CGG publishes a semi-annual
consolidated statement of operations, statement of cash flow and
balance sheet, each of which will be delivered to, and copies of
which may be obtained free of charge from, the specified offices
of the Paying Agent in Luxembourg. CGG does not publish interim
non-consolidated statements. All published interim statements
are unaudited.
CGG has undertaken to the holders of the notes that it will
submit certain quarterly financial information to the
Commission. Any such quarterly information will also be
delivered to, and copies of such information may be obtained
free of charge from, the specified offices of the Paying Agent
in Luxembourg.
97
EXPLORATION RESOURCES ASA
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Financial statements incorporated by reference are so indicated.
|
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Page | |
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F-2 |
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F-3 |
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F-4 |
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F-5 |
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F-6 |
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F-16 |
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F-17 |
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F-18 |
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F-19 |
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F-20 |
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F-21 |
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F-1
EXPLORATION RESOURCES ASA
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED
BALANCE SHEETS
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
|
June 30, | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
Audited(1) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(in millions of NOK) | |
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
167.7 |
|
|
|
14.4 |
|
Restricted cash
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.1 |
|
Receivables
|
|
|
221.5 |
|
|
|
176.5 |
|
Inventories
|
|
|
7.3 |
|
|
|
5.9 |
|
Total current assets
|
|
|
396.5 |
|
|
|
198.9 |
|
Vessels
|
|
|
242.4 |
|
|
|
148.2 |
|
Machinery and equipment
|
|
|
71.8 |
|
|
|
52.4 |
|
Multiclient seismic library
|
|
|
13.2 |
|
|
|
9.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL ASSETS
|
|
|
723.9 |
|
|
|
409.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities
|
|
|
198.7 |
|
|
|
204.9 |
|
Long-term liabilities
|
|
|
158.4 |
|
|
|
84.2 |
|
Deferred tax liabilities
|
|
|
38.3 |
|
|
|
38.7 |
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
395.4 |
|
|
|
327.8 |
|
Minority interests
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.4 |
|
Shareholders equity & owners net
investment
|
|
|
328.5 |
|
|
|
76.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL LIABILITIES SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY &
OWNERS NET INVESTMENT
|
|
|
723.9 |
|
|
|
409.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) Combined Balance sheet
See notes to consolidated financial statements
F-2
EXPLORATION RESOURCES ASA
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
|
|
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|
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Six months ended | |
|
Year ended | |
|
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|
June 30, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
2004 | |
|
|
Note | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004(1) | |
|
Audited(1) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
(in millions of NOK) | |
Operating revenues
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
379.5 |
|
|
|
212.1 |
|
|
|
497.3 |
|
Cost of operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(286.7 |
) |
|
|
(136.1 |
) |
|
|
(504.2 |
) |
Gross profit (loss)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
92.8 |
|
|
|
76.0 |
|
|
|
(6.9 |
) |
Selling, general & administrative expenses, net
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(65.9 |
) |
|
|
(64.0 |
) |
|
|
(15.6 |
) |
Other revenues (expenses), net
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2.9 |
) |
|
|
21.0 |
|
|
|
20.0 |
|
Operating income (loss)
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
24.0 |
|
|
|
33.0 |
|
|
|
(2.5 |
) |
Interest and other financial income (expenses), net
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(8.2 |
) |
|
|
8.2 |
|
|
|
10.5 |
|
Exchange gain (losses), net
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12.2 |
|
|
|
3.7 |
|
|
|
(3.4 |
) |
Equity in income of affiliates
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4.1 |
) |
|
|
5.9 |
|
Income (loss) before income taxes & minority
interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
28.0 |
|
|
|
40.8 |
|
|
|
10.5 |
|
Income taxes (expense)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4.8 |
) |
|
|
(10.2 |
) |
|
|
(5.3 |
) |
Minority interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
28.0 |
|
|
|
30.6 |
|
|
|
16.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number of shares outstanding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,618,693 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dilutive potential shares from stock-options
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
72,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted weighted average shares and assumed option exercises
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,690,693 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,98 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,92 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Combined Statement of Operations |
See notes to consolidated financial statements
F-3
EXPLORATION RESOURCES ASA
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED
CASH-FLOW STATEMENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
|
|
|
June 30, | |
|
June 30, | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
Note | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004(a) | |
|
Audited(a) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
(in thousand of NOK) | |
Net income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
28.0 |
|
|
|
27.9 |
|
|
|
16.5 |
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
40.9 |
|
|
|
14.7 |
|
|
|
75.2 |
|
Gain on sale of assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(21.0 |
) |
|
|
(20.0 |
) |
Deferred income taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.9 |
|
|
|
(6.7 |
) |
|
|
5.3 |
|
Minority interests
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4.8 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(11.4 |
) |
Equity in income of investees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.1 |
|
|
|
5.2 |
|
Non cash items
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.0 |
|
Increase (decrease) in operating assets and liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.6 |
|
|
|
32.4 |
|
|
|
(1.1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash-flow from operating activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
70.6 |
|
|
|
51.4 |
|
|
|
71.7 |
|
Cash-flow from investing activities
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
(154.0 |
) |
|
|
16.2 |
|
|
|
(48.1 |
) |
Cash-flow from financing
activities(b)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
236.7 |
|
|
|
(35.1 |
) |
|
|
(15.9 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash flow
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
153.3 |
|
|
|
32.5 |
|
|
|
7.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.7 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14.4 |
|
|
|
29.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
167.7 |
|
|
|
61.5 |
|
|
|
14.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
|
Combined accounts |
(b) |
|
See Unaudited consolidated statement of changes in
Shareholders equity and Combined Statement of Owners
net investment |
F-4
EXPLORATION RESOURCES ASA
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN
SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
AND COMBINED STATEMENT OF OWNERS NET INVESTMENT
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of | |
|
|
|
Additional | |
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated | |
|
Total | |
|
|
shares | |
|
Common | |
|
paid-in | |
|
Comprehensive | |
|
Retained | |
|
comprehensive | |
|
shareholders | |
|
|
Issued(a) | |
|
stock(b) | |
|
capital(b) | |
|
income | |
|
earnings | |
|
income | |
|
equity(b) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(in millions of NOK, except for number of shares) | |
As of December 31, 2003
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
59.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital increase
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends paid
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7.8 |
) |
Net income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16.5 |
|
Other comprehensive
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign currency translation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, 2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
76.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of January 1, 2005
|
|
|
4,464,614 |
|
|
|
53.6 |
|
|
|
81.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(66.8 |
) |
|
|
8.4 |
|
|
|
76.8 |
|
Capital
increase(a)
|
|
|
2,138,102 |
|
|
|
25.6 |
|
|
|
205.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
230.6 |
|
Dividends paid
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(8.7 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(8.7 |
) |
Own shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1.4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1.4 |
) |
Stock-options
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
Net income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
28.0 |
|
|
|
28.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
28.0 |
|
Other comprehensive income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
Foreign currency translation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.1 |
|
|
|
3.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of June 30, 2005
|
|
|
6,602,716 |
|
|
|
79.2 |
|
|
|
286.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(48.8 |
) |
|
|
11.5 |
|
|
|
328.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
|
Capital increases dated March 8, 2005 of 1,739,130 shares
as part of the Public Offering and dated April 9, 2005 of
398,972 shares as part of the Green shoe. |
(b) |
|
At December 31, 2004, as Exploration Resources was not
incorporated as a group from a legal point of view, Common stock
and Additional paid-in capital were presented as Owners
net investment. |
F-5
EXPLORATION RESOURCES ASA
NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
Description of Exploration Resources
Exploration Resources is a focused marine seismic company. The
Group owns four seismic vessels: Polar Princess, Polar Search,
Polar Duke, and Polar Venturer. Exploration Resources also holds
interests in a multiclient library as well as 52.7 per cent
shareholding in Multiwave, a seismic company with special
competence and experience in technology for seabed seismic
operations.
Exploration Resources was incorporated on 17 August 2004
under the name Polar Seismikk ASA, for the purpose of
participating in the Demerger of Rieber Shipping.
Prior to the Demerger, Exploration Resources was part of the
Rieber Shipping group. Since the completion of the Demerger,
Exploration Resources was developed as a separate seismic
entity. Key milestones in recent history of Exploration
Resources within Rieber Shipping Group are as follows:
In 2000, Rieber Shipping became a 49.5 per cent shareholder
in Multiwave, a seismic company focusing on seabed seismic
operations with high-tech project-based assignments.
In 2001, Rieber Shipping started to invest in towed streamer
equipment on its seismic vessels. Polar Duke and Polar Princess
were upgraded with state of the art equipment.
In 2002, the seismic vessel Polar Search was upgraded with a new
generation of seismic streamer technology and fully rigged with
all new seismic equipment. The vessel commenced a charter to TGS
Nopec in the US Gulf of Mexico, and its seismic operation was
handled by Multiwave.
In 2003, Rieber Shipping entered into JV charters with Fugro
Geoteam bringing the two seismic vessels Polar Princess and
Polar Duke to market under a profit split agreement. Towards the
end of the year, Rieber Shipping acquired the seismic vessel
Polar Venturer, which had been upgraded in 2001 with new Sercel
seismic Seal streamers. Polar Venturer was taken into the same
agreement with Fugro.
In 2004 the JV agreement with Fugro was extended for a period of
3 years starting from 1 January 2005, being a fixed
contract for 2005, subject to that the aggregate result for the
vessels is showing a profit. For the years 2006 and 2007 both
parties can terminate the JV with a 100 days written notice.
In 2004, the Group increased its holding in Multiwave to
52.7 per cent. Furthermore, in December the Boards of
Rieber Shipping and the Group signed the Demerger Plan for the
proposed Demerger of Rieber Shipping, after having considered
Rieber Shippings changing business portfolio, where marine
seismic gradually had become a larger and more important part.
Moreover, the Boards considered the fact that the risk profile
of the marine seismic business was different from the remaining
business portfolio, due to shorter contract duration and more
volatile earnings. It was thus expected that the seismic
business would be better positioned relative to future
development opportunities as a separate entity, rather than as
part of a joint shipping and offshore company. It was also
expected that the seismic business could be developed as an
attractive investment object on Oslo Børs. On
6 January 2005 shareholders of the two companies approved
the Demerger Plan for the Demerger. Polar Seismikk ASA was
incorporated 17 August 2004 for the purpose of
participating in the Demerger. On 3 February 2005 its name
was changed to Exploration Resources ASA.
F-6
As a result of the demerger, Exploration Resources current
legal structure is as follows:
Exploration Vessel Resources AS, created on January 1,
2005, was previously named Polar Duke AS, Exploration
Vessel Resources II AS was previously named Polar
Search AS, and Exploration Investment
Resources II AS was previously named Polar
Explorer II AS.
Note 1 Summary of Significant Accounting
Policies
The accompanying interim unaudited consolidated financial
statements have been prepared in accordance with generally
accounting principles in United States
(US GAAP).
The accompanying interim unaudited consolidated financial
statements include comparative combined information using the
same standards for the comparable period of 2004 due to the fact
that Exploration Resources ASA resulted from the demerger
of Rieber Shipping ASA effective January 2005.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles 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 amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting
period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Basis of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of
the Company and all majority-owned subsidiaries. Investments in
which the Groups ownership interest ranges from 20% to 50%
and the Group exercises significant influence over operating and
financial policies are accounted for using the equity method.
Certain investments where the Groups ownership is below
20% may be accounted for using the equity method when
significant influence (Board membership or equivalent) of the
business is exercised.
All inter-company transactions and accounts are eliminated in
consolidation.
The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximate
fair value. Cash and cash equivalents that are restricted from
the Groups use are classified as restricted cash as part
of current or long term assets depending on the nature of the
restrictions.
Foreign currency translation
The accounts of all the Groups subsidiaries are maintained
in the local currency and some of the accounts of the
Groups subsidiaries are remeasured in the functional
currency, i.e the currency in which these subsidiaries primarily
conduct their business. With the exception of certain
subsidiaries, the functional currency of the Groups
subsidiaries is the U.S. dollar. The companies reporting
currency is the Norwegian Kroner (NOK).
F-7
Transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional
currency of a given entity are recorded at the exchange rate
prevailing on the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and
liabilities denominated in foreign currencies other than the
functional currency are re-evaluated at year-end exchange rates
and any resulting unrealized exchange gains and losses are
included in income.
When translating the foreign currency financial statements of
foreign subsidiaries to NOK, year-end exchange rates are applied
to asset and liability accounts, while average annual exchange
rates are applied to income statement accounts. Adjustments
resulting from this process are recorded in a separate component
of shareholders equity.
With respect to foreign affiliates accounted for using the
equity method, the effects of exchange rate changes on the net
assets of the affiliate are recorded in a separate component of
shareholders equity.
Revenues
The Group recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of a sale
arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services has been
rendered, the sales price is fixed or determinable and
collectibility is reasonably assured. The Group defers the
unearned component of payments received from customers for which
the revenue recognition requirements have not been met. The
Groups revenue recognition policy is described in more
details below.
Revenue from services rendered is recognized in the income
statement in proportion to the stage of completion of the
transaction at the closing date.
Multi-client surveys
Multi-client surveys consist of seismic surveys to be licensed
to customers on a non-exclusive basis. Revenues related to
multi-client surveys result from licenses after completion of
the surveys. Generally the Group grants a license entitling
non-exclusive access to a complete and ready for use,
specifically defined portion of the Companys multi-client
data library in exchange for a fixed and determinable payment.
The Group recognizes after sales revenue upon the client
executing a valid license agreement and having been granted
access to the data.
Exclusive surveys
In exclusive surveys, the Group performs seismic services for a
specific customer. The Group recognizes proprietary/contract
revenue as the services are rendered. The Group performs seismic
survey for a specific customer, in which case the seismic data
is the exclusive property of that customer. The Group recognizes
propriety on the revenues as the services are performed and
become chargeable to the customer on a proportionate performance
basis over the term of the contract. Progress is measured in a
manner generally consistent with the physical progress of the
project and revenue is based on the ratio of the project
progress to date to the total project revenues, provided that
all other revenue recognition criteria is satisfied. The Group
believes this ratio to be generally consistent with the physical
progress of the project.
Intangible and tangible assets
Certain costs with reliably measurable and probable future
economic benefits are capitalized.
Under SFAS No. 142, goodwill should be tested for
impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently if events or
changes in circumstances indicated that goodwill might be
impaired. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting
unit level. Accordingly, goodwill, together with all assets and
liabilities which are to be considered for purpose of
determining the fair value of the reporting unit, should be
assigned to reporting units defined as either operating segments
or one level below an operating segment (components)
depending on whether a component constitutes a business for
which discrete financial information is available and for which
segment management regularly reviews the operating results of
that component unless such component has similar economic
characteristics with other components. Components with similar
economic characteristics should be aggregated into one
reporting unit.
The carrying value of each reporting unit is then compared to
its fair value in order to determine whether this reporting unit
has been impaired. For each reporting unit the fair value of
which exceeds its carrying amount,
F-8
goodwill impairment if any is measured by allocating the fair
value of the reporting unit to its identifiable assets and
liabilities, including the value of any unrecognized intangible
assets, in a manner similar to a purchase accounting. This
allocation results in an implied fair value of goodwill. Any
excess of the carrying amount of recorded goodwill over the
implied fair value of goodwill is recorded as a definitive
write-off of the carrying value of goodwill.
Under SFAS No. 142, intangible assets with an indefinite
useful life are required to be tested for impairment separately
from goodwill. Indefinite life intangibles are required at least
annually or more frequently if events or changes in
circumstances indicated that the asset might be impaired.
Impairment tests are performed by comparing the fair value of
the intangible asset to its carrying amount. If the carrying
value exceeds the fair value of the intangible asset, an
impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the excess,
as a definitive write-off of the carrying amount of the
intangible asset.
Under SFAS No. 144 Accounting for the impairment or
Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, intangible assets with definite
useful lives and other long-lived assets (including property,
plant and equipment) that are held for use are tested for
impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate
that their carrying value might not be recoverable. For purposes
of recognition and measurement of impairment loss, a long-lived
asset should be grouped with other assets and liabilities at the
lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely
independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities.
Then the carrying value of the asset/group of assets is compared
to the sum of the future net undiscounted cash flows expected to
be generated from the use of the long-lived asset/group and its
eventual disposal. If the carrying value of the asset/group of
assets exceeds the future net undiscounted cash flows expected
to be generated from the use of the
long-lived asset/group
and its eventual disposal, the asset (group) is not
recoverable and an impairment loss is recognized equal to the
excess of the carrying value of the asset/group over its fair
value as a definitive write-off of the carrying value of
the asset.
Fair value is measured based on quoted market prices in an
active market, or absent such quoted market prices, prices for
similar assets and the results of using other valuation
techniques such as the present value of estimates of future cash
flows to be generated by the asset/group of assets incorporating
assumptions that marketplace participants would use in their
estimates of such fair value.
Impairment losses are recognized in the income statement.
Impairment losses recognized in respect of cash-generating units
are allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any
goodwill allocated to cash-generating units (group of units) and
then, to reduce the carrying amount of the other assets in the
unit (group of units) on a pro rata basis.
Multi-client survey library
The multi-client survey library consists of seismic surveys to
be licensed to customers on a non-exclusive basis. All costs
directly incurred in acquiring, processing and otherwise
completing seismic surveys are capitalized into the multi-client
library. The value of our multi-client library is stated on our
balance sheet at the aggregate of those costs less accumulated
amortization or at fair value if lower. The Group reviews the
library for potential impairment of our independent surveys on
an ongoing basis.
The Group amortizes the multi-client surveys over the period
during which the data is expected to be marketed.
A minimum amortization charge of 40% of the acquisition costs
the year after acquisition, and 20% annually thereafter, so that
the data fully amortize after five years. On every sale of data,
an amortization is generally recorded in proportion to revenue
recognized to date as a percentage of the total expected
revenue. In determining the annual amortization rates applied to
the multi-client library, the management considers expected
future sales and market developments as well as past experience.
These expectations include consideration of geographic location,
prospects, political risk, exploration license periods and
generate economic conditions. Management estimates at least
annually the total expected revenue for each survey or group of
surveys of the multi-client library. Because of the inherent
difficulty in estimating future sales and market developments,
it is possible that the amortization rates could deviate
significantly from year to year. The Group however has adopted a
policy of estimating future revenues based on its knowledge of
the business.
F-9
Tangible assets
Property, plant and equipment are valued at historical cost less
accumulated depreciation and impairment charges. Depreciation
and amortization are calculated based on cost less estimated
residual values using the straight-line method for all property
and equipment:
|
|
|
|
|
equipment:
|
|
3 to 5 years |
|
|
seismic
vessels:
|
|
25 years |
|
|
Depreciation expense is determined using the straight-line
method. Residual value, if considered to be significant, is
included when calculating the depreciable amount.
Docking expenses are recognized as operating cost in the income
statement when incurred.
Capital leases
The Group has significant capital lease agreements. The Group
accounts for capital lease arrangements as if it had acquired
the assets by recognizing the asset against a capital lease
obligation for an amount equal to the present value of the
future lease payments or the asset s fair market value
if lower.
The assets are depreciated over their expected useful lives or
over the related lease terms, if shorter. When the lease is for
75% or more of the assets estimated economic life or the
present value of lease payments was greater or equal to 90% of
the fair value of the asset at the inception of the lease.
Inventories
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (including indirect
production costs where applicable) or net realizable value. The
cost of inventories is calculated using the first-in first-out
method (FIFO).
Pension and other post-employment benefits
Defined contribution plans
Obligations for contributions to defined contribution pension
plans are recognized as an expense in the income statement as
incurred.
Defined benefit plans
The Groups net obligation in respect of defined benefit
pension plans is calculated separately for each plan by
estimating the amount of future benefit that employees have
earned in return for their service in the current and prior
periods; that benefit is discounted to determine its present
value, and the fair value of any plan assets is deducted. The
calculation is performed by using the projected unit credit
method.
When the benefits of a plan are increased, the portion of the
increased benefit relating to past service by employees is
recognized as an expense in the income statement on a
straight-line basis over the average period until the benefits
become vested. To the extent that the benefits vest immediately,
the expense is recognized immediately in the income statement.
Shipping company taxation system
Some of Exploration Resources vessel owning subsidiaries
are under the Norwegian tonnage tax system. For companies under
this regime, taxes are assessed only when the vessel owning
company pays a dividend to its shareholders or no longer
complies with the conditions for the regime. Deferred taxes on
temporary differences are frozen on entering the regime and
remain frozen unless there is a withdrawal from the tonnage tax
system.
When the conditions are no longer met, taxes become payable on
the market value of the companys equity at that point in
time and on previously frozen deferred taxes.
Under US Gaap, provisions have to be made for deferred tax at a
rate of 28% on the undistributed earnings. of the Groups
subsidiaries included in the tonnage tax system.
F-10
Financial instruments
Derivative financial instruments are used to hedge our exposure
to changes in foreign exchange (principally between the
Norwegian Kroner and the U.S. dollar) from operational,
financing and investment activities. In accordance with our
treasury policy, derivative financial instruments are not held
or entered into for trading or speculative purposes. However,
derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are
accounted for as trading instruments in Other financial
income (loss).
Derivative financial instruments are stated at fair value. The
change in fair value of fair value hedges is recognized
immediately in the income statement.
As at December 31, 2004 did not have any outstanding
derivative financial instruments that qualified for hedge
accounting.
Embedded derivatives in long-term contracts in foreign
currencies (primarily U.S. dollar) are recorded in the
balance sheet at fair value and revenues and expenses with a
non-U.S. client or supplier are recognized at the forward
exchange rate negotiated at the beginning of the contract. The
variation of fair market value of the embedded derivative
foreign exchange contracts is recognized in earnings.
Stock-options
As permitted by SFAS 123, the Group applies the recognition
and measurement principles of APB Opinion 25.
The stock-based compensation plans qualify as fixed plans under
APB 25 and compensation cost is equal to the excess, if
any, of the market price of the underlying shares at the date of
grant over the exercise price of the option.
The accounting policy for the method of recognizing compensation
costs for fixed awards with an intrinsic value with pro rata
vesting is the straight-line method.
Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income
(loss) by the weighted average number of the Companys
shares outstanding during the period.
Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income
by the weighted average number of shares including the effect of
dilutive securities (stock options).
New accounting standards
The Group considers that the following new U.S. accounting
standards
EITF 02-14
Whether an Investor Should Apply the Equity Method of
Accounting to Investments Other than Common Stocks,
EITF 03-13
Applying the Conditions of Paragraph 42 of
SFAS 144 Accounting for the Impairment or
Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,
EITF 04-08
The Effect of Contingently Instruments on Diluted Earnings
per Share, SFAS 123R Share-based
Payment An Amendment of Statement 123,
SFAS 151 Inventory Costs, an Amendment of
ARB 43, Chapter 4 and SFAS 153
Exchange of Non-Monetary Assets are not expected to
bear a significant impact on its 2004 financial statements.
Note 2 Significant Events
On January 6, 2005, the Extraordinary Shareholders meetings
of Rieber Shipping and the company approved the demerger plan.
Through the demerger, the previous Rieber Shipping company was
dissolved and its business was transferred partly in Exploration
Resources (seismic activities) and in the new Rieber Shipping
company (shipping company).
On February 17, 2005, Exploration Resources launched a
Public Offering, which conducted to a capital increase of
NOK 233.8 million (including the
Green Shoe).
F-11
On March 8, 2005, Exploration Resources was listed on the
Oslo Stock Market under the ticker code ExRe.
Note 3 Tangible Assets
During the six months ended June 30, 2005, we acquired a
new seismic vessel C-Orion and equipments for a
total amount of NOK 118 million. The C-Orion
has been converted to 3D vessels.
In the six months ended June 30, 2004, acquisitions under
capital leases amounted to NOK 18 million.
Note 4 Investment In Multiwave Geophysical
Company
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, | |
|
June 30, | |
|
Dec. 31, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(in millions of NOK) | |
Current assets
|
|
|
93.1 |
|
|
|
57.4 |
|
|
|
60.7 |
|
Fixed assets
|
|
|
75.7 |
|
|
|
27.4 |
|
|
|
52.4 |
|
Current liabilities
|
|
|
94.6 |
|
|
|
36.9 |
|
|
|
84.7 |
|
Non current liabilities
|
|
|
48.7 |
|
|
|
19.8 |
|
|
|
35.9 |
|
Gross revenue
|
|
|
179.3 |
|
|
|
153.2 |
|
|
|
270.0 |
|
Operating profit
|
|
|
(3.3 |
) |
|
|
14.9 |
|
|
|
(11.1 |
) |
Income from continuing operations
|
|
|
(5.5 |
) |
|
|
8.8 |
|
|
|
(13.1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
(5.5 |
) |
|
|
8.8 |
|
|
|
(7.7 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note 5 Segment Reporting Information
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six months ended | |
|
|
|
|
June 30, | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(in thousand of NOK) | |
Towed seismic
|
|
|
277.5 |
|
|
|
81.8 |
|
|
|
378.8 |
|
Multi-client
|
|
|
6.5 |
|
|
|
2.6 |
|
|
|
15.8 |
|
4C/4D/ OBS
|
|
|
95.5 |
|
|
|
127.7 |
|
|
|
102.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating revenues
|
|
|
379.5 |
|
|
|
212.1 |
|
|
|
497.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Towed seismic
|
|
|
15.1 |
|
|
|
23.1 |
|
|
|
2.2 |
|
Multi-client
|
|
|
3.6 |
|
|
|
(1.6 |
) |
|
|
6.8 |
|
4C/4D/ OBS
|
|
|
5.4 |
|
|
|
11.5 |
|
|
|
(11.5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income (loss)
|
|
|
24.1 |
|
|
|
33.0 |
|
|
|
(2.5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(in thousand of NOK) | |
Towed seismic
|
|
|
435.4 |
|
|
|
290.9 |
|
Multi-client
|
|
|
13.1 |
|
|
|
9.5 |
|
4C/4D/ OBS
|
|
|
107.7 |
|
|
|
107.7 |
|
Unallocated
|
|
|
167.7 |
|
|
|
0.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Assets
|
|
|
723.9 |
|
|
|
409.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note 6 Stock-Option Plans
Stock-option plans were granted to the CEO and CFO on
May 2, 2005, 40,000 and 32,000, respectively, with an
exercise price of 163 NOK/share. The options vest over
4 years and have a term of 7 years. At the grant date,
there was no difference between the market price of the
underlying shares and the exercise price of the option.
F-12
The CEO and CFO also received on May 2, 2005, 11,779 and
9,423 Restricted Shares with a four year vesting period. An
expense of
0.1 million was recognized for the Restricted shares
granted.
The fair value for the options was estimated at the date of
grant using a
Black-Scholes option.
The fair value was estimated to be NOK 6.1 millions.
For purposes of pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value
of the options is amortized to expense on a straight-line basis
over the options vesting period. The Companys pro
forma information follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
(in millions of NOK except for income | |
|
|
(loss) per share information) | |
Net income, as reported
|
|
|
28.0 |
|
Add: total stock-based employee compensation expense included in
reported net income, net of related tax effect
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
Deduct: total stock-based employee compensation expense
determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of
related tax effects
|
|
|
(0.4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Pro forma U.S. GAAP net income (loss)
|
|
|
27.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic as reported
|
|
|
4.98 |
|
|
Basic pro forma
|
|
|
4.93 |
|
|
Diluted as reported
|
|
|
4.98 |
|
|
Diluted pro forma
|
|
|
4.88 |
|
Note 7 Related Party Transactions
Reiber Shipping ASA provides maritime and ship management
services to Exploration Resources ASA. Total charges recorded
during the six months ended June 30, 2005 were
approximately NOK 7 million. Related debt at June 30,
2005 is not significant.
Note 8 Subsequent Events
On August 15, 2005, we entered into a new time charter for
the seismic vessel Geo-challenger, which led to its
recognition as a financial lease. The total lease obligation is
U.S.$46.5 million. The lease has a five years term and the
vessel has a residual value of NOK 230 million. As part of
the lease agreement, the company is obliged to pay for the new
and the operating expenses. Such payments are accounted for as
operating expenses incurred.
On September 1, 2005, Compagnie Générale de
Géophysique (CGG), a French public company listed in the
United States, acquired a controlling stake of approximately 60%
of Exploration Resources, as a Norwegian provider of marine
seismic acquisition services, then listed on the Oslo Stock
Exchange. CGG continued to acquire shares of Exploration
Resources and, by September 15, 2005, CGG had acquired
approximately 92% of issued shares and 94% of voting rights of
Exploration Resources. All shares were acquired at a purchase
price of approximately NOK 340 per share. On September 30,
2005, CGG acquired all of the remaining shares in Exploration
Resources in a combined mandatory offer, in accordance with the
Norwegian Securities Trading Act, and squeeze-out , in
accordance with the Norwegian Public Limited Companies Act, both
at a price of NOK 340 per share for 529,113 shares. The
mandatory offer period expired on October 14, 2005, and was
accepted by holders of 314,426 shares. Holders of the remaining
214,687 shares had the right to object to or reject the offer
redemption price of NOK 340 by November 16, 2005. As no
holders did so by that date, they received the offered
redemption price within the following two weeks in exchange for
their shares. On October 19, 2005, CGG also purchased for
NOK 340 per share all of the shares that had been issued by
Exploration Resources to its CEO and CFO further to
(i) their exercise of stock options for 72,000 shares and
(ii) a free grant to them of 21,200 shares.
F-13
Prior to the acquisition, Multiwave Geophysical Company ASA
(Multiwave), Exploration Resources subsidiary
focusing on seabed acquisition, and Exploration Seismic AS, a
fully owned subsidiary of Exploration Resources, had agree to
merge, with minority shareholders of Multiwave receiving newly
issued shares of Exploration Resources in exchange for their
shares. The merger became effective on October 19, 2005 and
CGG purchased all of the new Exploration Resources shares issued
to former Multiwave shareholders at a price of NOK 340 per share.
The total cost of the acquisition for CGG was
301.7 million.
CGGs investment has been reflected on the stand alone
accounts of Exploration Resources as of September 15, 2005,
the date at which CGG obtained ownership of substantially all of
the equity of Exploration Resources. The reassessment of
Exploration Resources net assets on September 1, 2005
led primarily to increase the value of the vessels (by
116.8 million
at September 1, 2005) and to recognize the corresponding
deferred tax liabilities. The reassessment of Exploration
Resources assets resulted in preliminary goodwill of
183.2 million. The preliminary purchase accounting
is subject to change as it is in the process of being finalized.
On September 1, 2005, Compagnie Générale de
Géophysique (CGG), a French company listed on
the Paris and the New-York Stock Exchange, acquired a
controlling stake of approximately 60% of Exploration Resources
ASA (Exploration Resources). CGG continued to
acquire shares of Exploration Resources and, by
September 15, CGG had acquired approximately 92% of issued
shares and 94% of voting rights of Exploration Resources. All
shares were acquired at a purchase price of approximately
NOK 340 per share.
On September 30, 2005, CGG acquired all of the remaining
shares in Exploration Resources in a combined mandatory offer,
in accordance with the Norwegian Securities Trading Act, and
squeeze-out, in accordance with the Norwegian Public Limited
Companies Act, both at a price of NOK 340 per share for
529,113 shares. This price represented a premium of 8.3% to
the closing price of NOK 314 for the shares of Exploration
Resources on August 26, 2005, the latest date before the
acquisition was announced.
The cost of the acquisition was
301.7 million,
which included
8.0 million
of acquisition fees and
13.4 million
related to the purchases of Exploration Resources equity
interests on October 17, 2005. The Group was irrevocably
committed to the purchase of such equity interests as of
September 30, 2005. The reassessment of Exploration
Resources net assets led us primarily to increase the
value of the vessels
(by
116.8 million as of September 1, 2005) and to
recognize the corresponding deferred tax liabilities. The value
of the vessels has been assessed in accordance with a method
that integrates several factors, with an emphasis on the
discounted cash flow value that will be generated by such
vessels.
Based on the facts above, the preliminary purchase price
allocation in U.S. GAAP is presented as follows
(in millions of U.S. dollars and Norwegian Kroners using
6.5413 NOK / 1 US$ exchange rate):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
USD | |
|
NOK | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Acquired net assets:
|
|
|
45.4 |
|
|
|
297.0 |
|
Realized Allotment:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation of multi-client surveys after deferred tax impact
|
|
|
(1.7 |
) |
|
|
11.1 |
|
Reassessment of the value of vessels
|
|
|
142.5 |
|
|
|
932.1 |
|
Deferred tax liabilities
|
|
|
(39.9 |
) |
|
|
261.0 |
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
221.8 |
|
|
|
1,450.9 |
|
Cost of the acquisition
|
|
|
368.1 |
|
|
|
2,407.9 |
|
The Group is in the process of finalizing its allocation of the
purchase price of Exploration Resources and thus the preliminary
purchase price allocation above is subject to change.
In accordance with SAB 54, this purchase price allocation
has been pushed down to the separate U.S. GAAP consolidated
financial statements of Exploration Resources as of
September 15, 2005 the date CGG obtained the ownership of
substantially all of Exploration Resources.
F-14
On October 12, 2005, Multiwave Geophysical Company renewed
its multi-currency overdraft facility and guarantee facility for
respective amounts of NOK 35 and 5 million.
This overdraft facility agreement requires that the following
ratios be maintained:
|
|
|
|
(a) |
positive working capital |
|
|
(b) |
ratio of equity over total assets should not be less than 30% |
|
|
(c) |
ratio of debt over EBITDA shall be less than 6 times the annual
EBITDA |
The ratios calculated at June 30, 2005 did not meet the
covenant Debt/ EBITDA. Thus, on December 21, 2005,
Multiwave Geophysical Company obtained the waiver of the
financial covenant Debt/ EBITDA. The remaining conditions
(positive working capital and Equity/ Total assets) shall be
upheld.
On October 14, 2005, in connection with the remaining
shares acquired by CGG, the mandatory offer period expired, and
was accepted by holders of 314,426 shares. Holders of the
remaining 214,687 shares had the right to object to or
reject the offered redemption price of NOK 340 by
November 16, 2005. As they did not do so by that date, they
received the offered redemption price within the following two
weeks in exchange for their shares.
On October 19, 2005, the merge between Multiwave
Geophysical Company ASA (Multiwave) and Exploration
Seismic AS with minority shareholders of Multiwave became
effective and CGG purchased all of the new Exploration Resources
shares issued to former Multiwave shareholders at a price of
NOK 340 per share.
On October 19, 2005, CGG also purchased from the CEO and
CFO of Exploration Resources stock options for a total of 93,202
shares, representing all of the stock options currently
outstanding in Exploration Resources, for NOK 340 per share.
Exploration Resources was listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange
under the ticker code EXRE until October 19,
2005. Exploration Resources was part of the Rieber Shipping
Group, which was listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange, until
March 2005, when the two companies demerged and Exploration
Resources shares were distributed in an initial public offering
and listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange.
F-15
Audited Annual Combined U.S. GAAP Financial Statements
of Exploration Resources
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Exploration Resources
ASA
We have audited the accompanying combined balance sheet of
Exploration Resources companies listed in Note 1
(predecessor to Exploration Resources ASA, the
Company) as of December 31, 2004, and the
related combined statements of income, changes in owners
investment, and cash flows for the year ended December 31,
2004. These combined financial statements are the responsibility
of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to
express an opinion on these financial statements based on our
audit.
We conducted our audit 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. We were not engaged to perform an
audit of the companies 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, and evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable
basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the combined financial statements referred to
above present fairly, in all material respects, the combined
financial position of Exploration Resources companies listed in
Note 1 at December 31, 2004, and the combined results
of their operations and their combined cash flows for the year
ended December 31, 2004, in conformity with
U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Bergen, Norway
January 26, 2006
ERNST & YOUNG AS
Karl Erik Svanevik
Statsautorisert revisor
F-16
EXPLORATION RESOURCES ASA
COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
|
Notes | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
(in millions of NOK) | |
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14.4 |
|
Restricted cash
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.1 |
|
Trade accounts and notes receivable
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
92.0 |
|
Inventories
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
5.9 |
|
Other current assets
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
84.5 |
|
Total current assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
198.9 |
|
Investment in associated companies
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment, net
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
200.6 |
|
Intangible assets, net
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
9.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
409.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND OWNERS NET INVESTMENT |
Bank overdrafts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
38.2 |
|
Current portion of long-term debt
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
54.6 |
|
Trade accounts and notes payable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
73.0 |
|
Income taxes payable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other current liabilities
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
39.1 |
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
204.9 |
|
Long-term debt less current portion
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
83.8 |
|
Other long-term liabilities
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
39.1 |
|
Total long-term liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
122.9 |
|
Minority interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.4 |
|
Owners net investment
|
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
76.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and owners net investment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
409.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See notes to combined financial statements
F-17
EXPLORATION RESOURCES ASA
COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended | |
|
|
Notes | |
|
December 31, 2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
(amounts in millions | |
|
|
|
|
of NOK) | |
Operating revenues
|
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
497.3 |
|
Cost of operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(504.2 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6.9 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling, general & administrative expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(15.6 |
) |
Other revenues net
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
20.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income
|
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
(2.5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest and other financial income &
expense net
|
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
10.5 |
|
Exchange gain (loss) net
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3.4 |
) |
Equity in income of affiliates
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes and Minority interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income taxes
|
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
(5.3 |
) |
Minority interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See notes to combined financial statements
F-18
EXPLORATION RESOURCES ASA
COMBINED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
(in millions of NOK) | |
Cash flows from operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
16.5 |
|
Adjustments to reconcile Net income to Net cash provided by
operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
75.2 |
|
Net gain on sale of assets
|
|
|
(20.0 |
) |
Deferred income taxes
|
|
|
5.3 |
|
Minority interest
|
|
|
(11.4 |
) |
Equity in income of investees, net of dividends
|
|
|
5.2 |
|
Non-cash items
|
|
|
2.0 |
|
Increase/decrease in operating assets and liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase in trade accounts and notes receivable
|
|
|
8.1 |
|
|
Increase in inventories
|
|
|
(4.2 |
) |
|
Decrease in other current assets
|
|
|
4.1 |
|
|
Increase in trade accounts and notes payable
|
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
Decrease in other current liabilities
|
|
|
(9.4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities
|
|
|
71.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from investing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
|
|
|
(96.3 |
) |
Investments in multi-client surveys
|
|
|
(6.3 |
) |
Investments in equity-method companies
|
|
|
(1.8 |
) |
Proceeds from sale of assets
|
|
|
61.2 |
|
Cash paid for acquired businesses, net of cash acquired
|
|
|
(4.9 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
(48.1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from financing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
Repayment of long-term debt
|
|
|
(21.0 |
) |
Issuance of long-term debt
|
|
|
33.4 |
|
Repayment of capital lease obligations
|
|
|
(28.0 |
) |
Increase in bank overdrafts
|
|
|
7.8 |
|
Increase in restricted cash
|
|
|
(0.3 |
) |
Dividends paid
|
|
|
(7.8 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by financing activities
|
|
|
(15.9 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash
|
|
|
6.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
14.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
|
|
|
14.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental cashflow information is provided in Note 22 to
the combined financial statements.
F-19
EXPLORATION RESOURCES ASA
COMBINED STATEMENT OF OWNERS NET INVESTMENT
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Owners | |
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated | |
|
Total | |
|
|
initial | |
|
Comprehensive | |
|
Retained | |
|
Comprehensive | |
|
Owners | |
|
|
investment | |
|
income | |
|
earnings | |
|
income | |
|
Investment | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(in millions NOK) | |
As of December 31, 2003
|
|
|
135.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(75.5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
59.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16.5 |
|
|
|
16.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16.5 |
|
Dividends
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7.8 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7.8 |
) |
Other comprehensive income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign currency translation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.4 |
|
|
|
8.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, 2004
|
|
|
135.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(66.8 |
) |
|
|
8.4 |
|
|
|
76.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-20
EXPLORATION RESOURCES ASA
NOTES TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Description of Exploration Resources
Exploration Resources is a focused marine seismic company. The
Group owns four seismic vessels: Polar Princess, Polar Search,
Polar Duke, and Polar Venturer. Exploration Resources also holds
interests in a multi client library as well as 52.7 per
cent shareholding in Multiwave, a seismic company with special
competence and experience in technology for seabed seismic
operations.
Exploration Resources was incorporated on 17 August 2004
under the name Polar Seismikk ASA, for the purpose of
participating in the Demerger of Rieber Shipping.
Prior to the Demerger, Exploration Resources was part of the
Rieber Shipping group. Since the completion of the Demerger,
Exploration Resources was developed as a separate seismic
entity. Key milestones in recent history of Exploration
Resources within Rieber Shipping Group are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
In 2000, Rieber Shipping became a 49.5 per cent shareholder
in Multiwave, a seismic company focusing on seabed seismic
operations with high-tech project-based assignments. |
|
|
|
In 2001, Rieber Shipping started to invest in towed streamer
equipment on its seismic vessels. Polar Duke and Polar
Princess were upgraded with state of the art equipment. |
|
|
|
In 2002, the seismic vessel Polar Search was upgraded
with a new generation of seismic streamer technology and fully
rigged with all new seismic equipment. The vessel commenced a
charter to TGS Nopec in the US Gulf of Mexico, and its seismic
operation was handled by Multiwave. |
|
|
|
In 2003, Rieber Shipping entered into time charter party
agreements with Fugro Geoteam for two of its seismic vessels
Polar Princess and Polar Duke. Under the terms of
the agreements were that Fugro Geoteam would be responsible for
the exclusive marketing of the vessels and that profits earned
or losses incurred on their utilization, would be split between
the two parties. Towards the end of the year, Rieber Shipping
acquired the seismic vessel Polar Venturer, which was chartered
to Fugro under a similar arrangement. |
|
|
|
In 2004 the charter party agreement with Fugro were transferred
from Rieber to the Exploration Resources Group and extended for
a period of 3 years starting from 1 January 2005,
being a fixed contract for 2005, subject to that the aggregate
result for the vessels is showing a profit. For the years 2006
and 2007 both parties can terminate the agreements providing
100 days written notice. |
|
|
|
In 2004, the Group increased its holding in Multiwave to
52.7 per cent. Furthermore, in December the Boards of
Rieber Shipping and the Group signed the Demerger Plan for the
proposed Demerger of Rieber Shipping, after having considered
Rieber Shippings changing business portfolio, where marine
seismic gradually had become a larger and more important part.
Moreover, the Boards considered the fact that the risk profile
of the marine seismic business was different from the remaining
business portfolio, due to shorter contract duration and more
volatile earnings. It was thus expected that the seismic
business would be better positioned relative to future
development opportunities as a separate entity, rather than as
part of a joint shipping and offshore company. It was also
expected that the seismic business could be developed as an
attractive investment object on Oslo Børs. On
January 6, 2005 shareholders of the two companies
approved the Demerger Plan for the Demerger. Polar Seismikk ASA
was incorporated 17 August 2004 for the purpose of
participating in the Demerger. On February 3, 2005 its name
was changed to Exploration Resources ASA. |
F-21
As a result of the demerger, Exploration Resources current
legal structure is as follows:
Exploration Vessel Resources AS was previously named Polar Duke
AS, Exploration Vessel Resources II AS was previously named
Polar Search AS, and Exploration Investment Resources II AS
was previously named Polar Explorer II AS. Exploration
Investment Resources AS was founded 1 January, 2005.
Combined financial statements
Exploration Resources was a part of Rieber Shipping ASA until
Exploration Resourcess initial public offering on the Oslo
Stock Exchange in February 2005, and Rieber Shipping did not
prepare separate financial statements for Exploration
Resourcess business prior to that time. As a result, the
combined financial statements of Exploration Resources as of and
for the year ended December 31, 2004 have been carved out
from the consolidated financial statements of Rieber Shipping.
Although Exploration Resources did not operate as a stand-alone
business prior to January 2005, the combined financial
statements of Exploration Resources for the year ended
December 31, 2004 are intended to represent the historical
revenues and expenses of the business of Exploration Resources.
The combined income statement of Exploration Resources reflects
the business of operating units comprising the business
transferred from Rieber Shipping ASA to Exploration Resources in
January 2005 and the income statement of Multiwave accounted for
under the equity method from January 1, 2004 to
August 17, 2004 and consolidated from August 18, 2004
to December 31, 2004.
Furthermore, as described above in the note on the description
of Exploration Resources, the time charter agreements between
Fugro Geostream and Rieber were amended in early January 2005
and transferred to Exploration Resources Group Companies. As
Exploration Resources vessels were used to fulfill these
agreements, the revenues and expenses related to Riebers
interest in the agreements have been reflected in the combined
financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2004.
Note 1 Summary of Significant Accounting
Policies
The accompanying combined financial statements have been
prepared in accordance with generally accounting principles in
United States (US GAAP).
The combined financial statements have been carved out of the
consolidated financial statements of Rieber Shipping, and
include all costs and expenses relating to the Rieber Shipping
Seismic Division incurred or assumed. Although Exploration
Resources did not operate as a stand-alone business prior to
January 2005, the combined financial statements of Exploration
Resources for the year ended December 31, 2004 are intended
to represent the historical revenues and expenses of the
business of Exploration Resources.
The combined income statement of Exploration Resources reflects
the business of operating units comprising the business
transferred from Rieber Shipping ASA to Exploration Resources in
January 2005, the effective date such operating units were
legally transferred to Exploration Resources ASA. Multiwave was
F-22
accounted for under the equity method from January 1, 2004
to August 17, 2004 and consolidated from August 18,
2004 to December 31, 2004.
List of entities included in the combined financial
statements as of December 31, 2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
% of | |
Entities |
|
Head Office | |
|
interest | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Exploration Resources ASA
|
|
|
Bergen, Norway |
|
|
|
100.0 |
|
Exploration Vessel Resources AS
|
|
|
Bergen, Norway |
|
|
|
100.0 |
|
Exploration Vessel Resources II AS
|
|
|
Bergen, Norway |
|
|
|
100.0 |
|
Exploration Investment Resources II AS
|
|
|
Bergen, Norway |
|
|
|
100.0 |
|
Multiwave Geophysical Company AS
|
|
|
Bergen, Norway |
|
|
|
52.8 |
|
Multiwave Geophysical Company ApS
|
|
|
Denmark |
|
|
|
52.8 |
|
Multiwave Exploration Ltd.
|
|
|
London, UK |
|
|
|
51.7 |
|
Multiwave Geophysical Company Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd
|
|
|
Singapore |
|
|
|
52.8 |
|
Presented below are the assumptions used in performing the
carve-out of the seismic operation of Rieber Shipping and
preparing the predecessor financial statements for the period
presented.
Balance sheet
Assets and liabilities have been attributed to each business
based on a detailed analysis and consistent with the legal
documentation of the seismic business spin off at
January 1, 2004.
Statement of income
The combined statements of operations include the revenues and
costs specifically attributable to the seismic operations of
Rieber Shipping.
All of Rieber Shippings revenues and costs are
specifically identifiable and attributable to its seismic
division.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US
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 amounts of revenues
and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may
differ materially from those estimates, due to changes in
general economic conditions, changes in laws and regulations,
changes in future operating plans and the inherent imprecision
associated with estimates.
Basis of consolidation
The combined financial statements include the accounts of the
Group and all majority-owned subsidiaries.
Investments in which the Groups ownership interest ranges
from 20% to 50% and the Group exercises significant influence
over operating and financial policies are accounted for using
the equity method.
All inter-company transactions and accounts are eliminated in
consolidation.
Foreign currency translation
The accounts of all the Groups subsidiaries are maintained
in the local currency and some of the accounts of the
Groups subsidiaries are remeasured in the functional
currency, i.e. the currency in which these subsidiaries
primarily conduct their business. With the exception of certain
subsidiaries, the functional currency of the Groups
subsidiaries is the U.S. dollar. The companies reporting
currency is the Norwegian Kroner (NOK).
Transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional
currency of a given entity are recorded at the exchange rate
prevailing on the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and
liabilities denominated in foreign
F-23
currencies other than the functional currency are re-evaluated
at year-end exchange rates and any resulting unrealized exchange
gains and losses are included in income.
When translating the foreign currency financial statements of
foreign subsidiaries to the reporting currency NOK, year-end
exchange rates are applied to asset and liability accounts,
while average annual exchange rates are applied to income
statement accounts. Adjustments resulting from this process are
recorded in a separate component of shareholders equity.
With respect to foreign affiliates accounted for using the
equity method, the effects of exchange rate changes on the net
assets of the affiliate are recorded as a separate component of
shareholders equity.
Revenues
The Group recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of a sale
arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been
rendered, the sales price is fixed or determinable and
collectibility is reasonably assured. The Group defers the
unearned component of payments received from customers for which
the revenue recognition requirements have not been met. The
Groups revenue recognition policy is described in more
details below.
Multi-client surveys consist of seismic surveys to be licensed
to customers on a non-exclusive basis.
Revenues related to multi-client surveys result from licenses
granted to customers after completion of the surveys.
Generally the Group grants a license entitling non-exclusive
access to a complete and ready for use, specifically defined
portion of the Groups multi-client data library in
exchange for a fixed and determinable payment. The Group
recognizes after sales revenue upon the client executing a valid
license agreement and having been granted access to the data.
In exclusive surveys, the Group performs seismic services for a
specific customer. The Group recognizes proprietary/contract
revenue as the services are rendered. The Group performs seismic
survey for a specific customer, in which case the seismic data
is the exclusive property of that customer. The Group recognizes
propriety on the revenues as the services are performed and
become chargeable to the customer on a proportionate performance
basis over the term of the contract. Progress is measured in a
manner generally consistent with the physical progress of the
project and revenue is based on the ratio of the project
progress to date to the total project revenues, provided that
all other revenue recognition criteria is satisfied. The Group
believes this ratio to be generally consistent with the physical
progress of the project.
Revenues related to profit split agreement are recognized when
they are fixed and determinable.
Cash and cash equivalents
The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximate
fair value. Cash and cash equivalents that are restricted from
the Groups use are classified as restricted cash as part
of current or long term assets depending on the value of the
restrictions. Such restrictions primarily relate to employee tax
withholdings.
Intangible and tangible assets
Certain costs with reliably measurable and probable future
economic benefits are capitalized.
Under SFAS No. 142, goodwill should be tested for
impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently, if events or
changes in circumstances indicated that goodwill might be
impaired. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting
unit level. Accordingly, goodwill, together with all assets and
liabilities which are to be considered for purpose of
determining the fair value of the reporting unit, should be
assigned to reporting units defined as either operating segments
or one level below an operating segment (components)
depending on
F-24
whether a component constitutes a business for which discrete
financial information is available and for which segment
management regularly reviews the operating results of that
component unless such component has similar economic
characteristics with other components. Components with similar
economic characteristics should be aggregated into one reporting
unit.
The carrying value of each reporting unit is then compared to
its fair value in order to determine whether this reporting unit
has been impaired. For each reporting unit the fair value of
which exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill impairment if any is
measured by allocating the fair value of the reporting unit to
its identifiable assets and liabilities, including the value of
any unrecognized intangible assets, in a manner similar to a
purchase accounting. This allocation results in an implied fair
value of goodwill. Any excess of the carrying amount of recorded
goodwill over the implied fair value of goodwill is recorded as
a definitive write-off of the carrying value of goodwill.
Under SFAS No. 142, intangible assets with an
indefinite useful life are required to be tested for impairment
separately from goodwill. Indefinite life intangibles are
required at least annually or more frequently if events or
changes in circumstances indicated that the asset might be
impaired. Impairment tests are performed by comparing the fair
value of the intangible asset to its carrying amount. If the
carrying value exceeds the fair value of the intangible asset,
an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the
excess, as a definitive write-off of the carrying amount of the
intangible asset.
Under SFAS No. 144 Accounting for the impairment or
Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, intangible assets with definite
useful lives and other long-lived assets (including property,
plant and equipment) that are held for use are tested for
impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate
that their carrying value might not be recoverable. For purposes
of recognition and measurement of impairment loss, a long-lived
asset should be grouped with other assets and liabilities at the
lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely
independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities.
Then the carrying value of the asset/group of assets is compared
to the sum of the future net undiscounted cash flows expected to
be generated from the use of the long-lived asset/group and its
eventual disposal. If the carrying value of the asset/group of
assets exceeds the future, net undiscounted cash flows expected
to be generated from the use of the long-lived asset/group and
its eventual disposal, the asset (group) is not recoverable
and an impairment loss is recognized equal to the excess of the
carrying value of the asset/group over its fair value as a
definitive write-off of the carrying value of the asset.
Fair value is measured based on quoted market prices in an
active market, or absent such quoted market prices, prices for
similar assets and the results of using other valuation
techniques such as the present value of estimates of future cash
flows to be generated by the asset (group) incorporating
assumptions that marketplace participants would use in their
estimates of such fair value.
Impairment losses are recognized in the income statement.
Impairment losses recognized in respect of cash-generating units
are allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any
goodwill allocated to cash-generating units (group of units) and
then, to reduce the carrying amount of the other assets in the
unit (group of units) on a pro rata basis.
Multi-client survey library
The multi-client survey library consists of seismic surveys to
be licensed to customers on a non-exclusive basis. All costs
directly incurred in acquiring, processing and otherwise
completing seismic surveys are capitalized into the multi-client
library. The value of our multi-client library is stated on our
balance sheet at the aggregate of those costs less accumulated
amortization or at fair value if lower. The Group reviews the
library for potential impairment of our independent surveys on
an ongoing basis.
The Group amortizes the multi-client surveys over the period
during which the data is expected to be marketed.
On every sale of data, an amortization is generally recorded in
proportion to revenue recognized to date as a percentage of the
total expected revenue. In determining the annual amortization
rates applied to the multi-client library, the Companys
management considers expected future sales and market
developments as well as past experience. These expectations
include consideration of geographic location, prospects,
political risk, exploration
F-25
license periods and general economic conditions. Management
estimates at least annually the total expected revenue for each
survey or group of surveys of the multi-client library. Because
of the inherent difficulty in estimating future sales and market
developments, it is possible that the amortization rates could
deviate significantly from year to year. The Group however has
adopted a policy of estimating future revenues based on its
knowledge of the business.
In any event, the Group applies a minimum amortization charge of
40% of the acquisition costs the year after acquisition, and 20%
annually thereafter, so that the data is fully amortized after
five years.
Tangible assets
Property, plant and equipment are valued at historical cost less
accumulated depreciation and impairment charges. Depreciation
and amortization are calculated based on cost less estimated
residual values using the straight-line method for all property
and equipment:
|
|
|
|
|
equipment
|
|
|
3 to 5 years |
|
seismic vessels
|
|
|
25 years |
|
Dry-docking expenses are recognized as operating cost in the
income statement as incurred.
Capital leases
The Group has significant capital lease agreement. The Group
accounts for capital lease arrangements as if it had acquired
the assets by recognizing the asset against a capital lease
obligation for an amount equal to the present value of the
future lease payments or the assets fair market value if
lower.
The assets are depreciated over their expected useful lives or
over the related lease term if shorter.
When the lease is for 75% or more of the assets estimated
economic life or the present value of lease payments is greater
than or equal to 90% of the fair value of the asset at the
inception of the lease.
Inventories
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (including indirect
production costs where applicable) or net realizable value. The
cost of inventories is calculated using the
first-in first-out
method (FIFO).
Pension and other post-employment benefits
|
|
|
|
|
Defined contribution plans |
Contributions to defined contribution pension plans are
recognized as an expense as incurred.
The Groups net obligation in respect of defined benefit
pension plans is calculated separately for each plan by
estimating the amount of future benefit that employees have
earned in return for their service in the current and prior
periods; the benefit is discounted to determine its present
value, and the fair value of any plan assets is deducted. The
calculation is performed by using the projected unit credit
method.
When the benefits of a plan are increased, the portion of the
increased benefit relating to past service by employees is
recognized as an expense in the income statement on a
straight-line basis over the average period until the benefits
become vested. To the extent that the benefits vest immediately,
the expense is recognized immediately in the income statement.
Shipping company taxation system
Some of Exploration Resources subsidiaries are under the
Norwegian tonnage tax system. For companies under this regime,
taxes are assessed only when the ship owning company pays
dividend to its shareholders or no
F-26
longer complies with the conditions for the regime. Untaxed
income related to net tax increasing temporary differences when
entering the regime, remains untaxed until dividend payment or
withdrawal from the regime.
Under US Gaap, provisions have to be made for deferred tax on
earned pre-taxed income.
Financial instruments
Derivative financial instruments are used to hedge our exposure
to changes in foreign exchange (principally between the
Norwegian Kroner and the U.S. dollar) from operational,
financing and investment activities. In accordance with our
treasury policy, derivative financial instruments are not held
or entered into for trading or speculative purposes. However,
derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are
accounted for as trading instruments in Other financial
income (loss).
Derivative financial instruments are stated at fair value. The
change in fair value of fair value hedges is recognized
immediately in the income statement.
On December 31, 2004, the Company did not have any
outstanding derivative financial instruments which qualified for
hedge accounting.
Embedded derivatives in long-term contracts in foreign
currencies (primarily U.S. dollars) are recorded in the
balance sheet at fair value and revenues and expenses with a
non-U.S. client or
supplier are recognized at the forward exchange rate negotiated
at the beginning of the contract. The variation of fair market
value of the embedded derivative foreign exchange contract is
recognized in earnings.
Segment reporting
The Group is operating in three business segments:
|
|
|
|
|
the Towed seismic segment performs seismic
services for a specific customer; |
|
|
|
the Multi-client segment sells seismic
surveys to be licensed to customers on a non-exclusive basis;
and, |
|
|
|
the 4C/4D/ OBS segment performs seabed
seismic operations with high-tech project-based assignments. |
Each of the business segments is managed separately because each
business segment performs distinct services.
Group management internally evaluates its performance based upon
those four segments, for which operating revenues, operating
income, total assets and capital expenditures are disclosed in
note 15.
New accounting standards
The Group considers that the following new U.S. accounting
standards
EITF 02-14
Whether an Investor Should Apply the Equity Method of
Accounting to Investments Other than Common Stocks,
EITF 03-13
Applying the Conditions of Paragraph 42 of
SFAS 144 Accounting for the Impairment or
Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,
EITF 04-08
The Effect of Contingently Instruments on Diluted Earnings
per Share, SFAS 123R Share-based
Payment An Amendment of Statement 123,
SFAS 151 Inventory Costs, an Amendment of ARB 43,
Chapter 4 and SFAS 153 Exchange of
Non-Monetary Assets are not expected to have a significant
impact on its 2004 financial statements.
Note 2 Significant Events, Acquisitions and
Divestitures
Exploration Resources ASA, formerly named Polar Seismikk ASA,
was incorporated on August 17, 2004 for the purpose of
being the parent of the Group, following demerger of Rieber
Shippings seismic activities.
On August 17, 2004, Exploration Resources ASA acquired 3.3%
of Multiwave Geophysical Company AS leading to a total ownership
of 52.8%. As a result, the investment in Multiwave Geophysical
Company AS was
F-27
accounted for using the equity method for the period from
January 1, 2004 to August 17, 2004 and consolidated
from August 18, 2004 to December 31, 2004 at the
percentage of interest of 52.8%.
On January 6, 2005, the Extraordinary Shareholders meetings
of Rieber Shipping and the Exploration Resources ASA approved
the demerger of Rieber Shippings seismic activities.
Through the demerger, the previous Rieber Shipping company was
dissolved and its business was transferred partly in Exploration
Resources (seismic activities) and in the new Rieber Shipping
company (shipping company). Certain operations, namely the time
charter party agreements with Fugro, have been reflected in
operations for the year ended December 31, 2004.
Note 3 Trade Accounts and
Notes Receivable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
(in millions | |
|
|
of Nok) | |
Trade accounts and notes receivable
|
|
|
101.2 |
|
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts
|
|
|
(9.2 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Trade accounts and notes receivable net
|
|
|
92.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
Note 4 Inventories
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
Cost | |
|
|
| |
|
|
(in millions | |
|
|
of Nok) | |
Bunkers oil
|
|
|
4.7 |
|
Supplies
|
|
|
1.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
Inventories
|
|
|
5.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
Note 5 Other Current Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
(in millions | |
|
|
of Nok) | |
Prepaid tax
|
|
|
3.1 |
|
Prepaid expenses
|
|
|
4.0 |
|
Derivative on sales contract
|
|
|
7.7 |
|
Other receivable Rieber
Shipping(a)
|
|
|
60.0 |
|
Other(b)
|
|
|
9.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other current assets
|
|
|
84.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
|
Other receivables include receivables from Rieber Shipping and
cash held by Rieber Shipping companies for
NOK 37.4 million and NOK 22.6 million
respectively, which at the year-end had not been paid to the
Group as part of the demerger process. These amounts were paid
in full to the Group in February 2005. |
|
(b) |
|
includes mainly short-term deposits and advances to suppliers. |
F-28
Note 6 Investments in Multiwave Geophysical
Company AS
|
|
|
|
|
Roll-forward |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
(in millions | |
|
|
of Nok) | |
Balance at beginning of year
|
|
|
10.9 |
|
Investments made during the year
|
|
|
1.7 |
|
Equity in income
|
|
|
5.8 |
|
Dividends received during the year, reduction in share capital
|
|
|
(0.7 |
) |
Changes in exchange rates
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
Impact of change in consolidation method on Multiwave
|
|
|
(17.8 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Balance at end of year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The key figures relating to Multiwave Geophysical Companys
financial statements are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
(in millions | |
|
|
of Nok) | |
Current assets
|
|
|
72.8 |
|
Fixed assets
|
|
|
59.6 |
|
Current liabilities
|
|
|
84.7 |
|
Non current liabilities
|
|
|
35.9 |
|
Gross revenues
|
|
|
290.4 |
|
Operating profit
|
|
|
(7.5 |
) |
Income before income taxes and minority interest
|
|
|
(8.6 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
(7.2 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Note 7 Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Analysis of Property, plant and equipment is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
(in millions | |
|
|
of Nok) | |
Machinery and equipment
|
|
|
64.8 |
|
Less: accumulated depreciation
|
|
|
(12.4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Machinery and equipment net
|
|
|
52.4 |
|
Vessels
|
|
|
409.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
Less: accumulated depreciation
|
|
|
(261.5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Vessels net
|
|
|
148.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total property, plant and equipment net
|
|
|
200.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
F-29
|
|
|
|
|
Roll-forward |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
(in millions | |
|
|
of Nok) | |
Balance at beginning of year
|
|
|
186.4 |
|
Additions
|
|
|
62.9 |
|
Additions through capital lease
|
|
|
33.4 |
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
(66.1 |
) |
Disposals
|
|
|
(41.2 |
) |
Changes in exchange rates
|
|
|
5.8 |
|
Impact of change in consolidation method on Multiwave
|
|
|
19.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at end of year
|
|
|
200.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
Details of assets held under capital leases are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
Cost | |
|
Acc. Dep. | |
|
Net | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(in millions of Nok) | |
Geophysical equipment
|
|
|
64.8 |
|
|
|
(12.4 |
) |
|
|
52.4 |
|
Vessels
|
|
|
104.1 |
|
|
|
(60.4 |
) |
|
|
43.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
168.9 |
|
|
|
(72.8 |
) |
|
|
96.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
An impairment test was performed on the carrying value of
long-term assets. The impairment test of the seismic vessels was
carried out comparing the total of the undiscounted future
cash-flow generated by each vessel to its net book value at the
year-end. No impairment charge was booked as a result of this
analysis.
Repairs and maintenance expenses
Included in cost of operations was an amount of
NOK 1.3 million in 2004 representing repairs and
maintenance expense.
Note 8 Intangible Assets, Net
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
(in millions of Nok) | |
Multi-client surveys
|
|
|
73.2 |
|
Less: accumulated amortization
|
|
|
(63.7 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Multi-client surveys net
|
|
|
9.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total Intangible assets net
|
|
|
9.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Roll-forward |
|
Year 2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
(in millions of Nok) | |
Balance at beginning of period
|
|
|
12.2 |
|
Additions
|
|
|
6.3 |
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
(9.0 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Balance at end of period
|
|
|
9.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
F-30
Note 9 Other Current Liabilities
The analysis of other current liabilities is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
(in millions of Nok) | |
Debt to Rieber Shipping
|
|
|
21.1 |
|
Value added tax and other taxes payable
|
|
|
4.9 |
|
Unrealized exchange losses on forward contracts
|
|
|
1.9 |
|
Other liabilities
|
|
|
11.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other current liabilities
|
|
|
39.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Note 10 Long Term Debt
Analysis of long-term debt by type is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
Current | |
|
Long-term | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(in millions of Nok) | |
Bank loans
|
|
|
25.1 |
|
|
|
37.0 |
|
|
|
62.1 |
|
Capital lease obligations
|
|
|
29.3 |
|
|
|
46.8 |
|
|
|
76.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sub-total
|
|
|
54.4 |
|
|
|
83.8 |
|
|
|
138.2 |
|
Accrued interest
|
|
|
0.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
54.6 |
|
|
|
83.8 |
|
|
|
138.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bank loans
At December 31, 2004, NOK 94.4 million of bank
loans were secured by tangible assets and receivables.
Analysis of long-term debt (including amounts due within one
year) by currency is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
(in millions of Nok) | |
U.S. dollar
|
|
|
138.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
138.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
Analysis of long-term debt (including amounts due within one
year) by interest rate is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
(in millions of Nok) | |
Variable rates bank loans (effective rate December 31,
2004: LIBOR + 0.9%
|
|
|
62.3 |
|
Variable rate on lease Polar Search: (effective rate
December 31, 2004: LIBOR + 1.25%)
|
|
|
40.7 |
|
Variable rate on leases in MGC: (effective rate
December 31, 2004: 3.455% 4.310%)
|
|
|
35.4 |
|
Fixed rates
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
138.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
Variable interest rates generally are based on inter-bank
offered rates of the related currency. The impact of hedging
instruments has not been considered in the above table.
Capital lease debts are secured by the underlying assets.
The annual maturities of long-term debt are set forth in
Note 14.
F-31
The covenants under the USD 10.6 million DnB Nor
loans to Exploration Vessel Resources II AS (formerly named
Polar Search AS) and the USD 5 million DnB
Nor loan to Exploration Vessel Resources AS (formerly named
Polar Duke AS) require that:
|
|
|
|
|
the guarantors working capital on a consolidated basis
should not be less than the higher of the sum of one years
ordinary installments and NOK 25 million. |
|
|
|
the guarantors reported (book) equity on consolidated
basis should not fall below 30% of the book value of the total
assets in the group. |
These financial covenants were guaranteed by Rieber
Shipping ASA for the year ended December 31, 2004 and
as such the covenants apply to their consolidated financial
statements as of December 31, 2004.
The NOK 20 million bank overdraft facility granted by
DnB Nor to Multiwave is secured by accounts receivable and
tangible assets. Book value of assets pledged as security was
NOK 67.7 million at December 31, 2004. The
covenant on this bank overdraft facility requires the equity
ratio to be at least 17% at December 31, 2004. The required
ratio was not fulfilled at year end. The equity is further
reduced in March 31, 2005 to NOK 7.4 million,
which gives an equity ratio of 5.4%.
On October 12, 2005, Multiwave Geophysical Company renewed
its multi-currency overdraft facility and guarantee facility for
respective amounts of NOK 35 and 5 million.
This overdraft facility agreement requires that the following
ratios be respected:
(a) positive working capital;
(b) ratio of equity over total
assets should not be less than 30%; and
(c) ratio of debt over EBITDA shall
be less than 6 times the annual EBITDA.
The ratios calculated at September 30, 2005 did not meet
the conditions required.
On December 21, 2005, Multiwave Geophysical Company
obtained a waiver of the financial covenant Debt/EBITDA. The
remaining conditions (positive working capital and Equity/Total
assets) must still be upheld.
Note 11 Other Long-Term Liabilities
Other long-term liabilities consist of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
(in millions of Nok) | |
Retirement indemnity provisions
|
|
|
0.4 |
|
|
Deferred income tax
|
|
|
38.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other long-term liabilities
|
|
|
39.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Defined benefit plan
The Group records retirement indemnity provisions based on the
following actuarial assumptions:
|
|
|
|
|
historical staff turnover and standard mortality schedule; |
|
|
|
age of retirement: 60 years old; and |
|
|
|
actuarial rate: 5.00% and average rate of increase in future
compensation: 3.50%. |
F-32
The status of the defined benefit retirement indemnity plans is
as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
(in millions of Nok) | |
Accumulated benefit obligation (unvested)
|
|
|
|
|
Projected benefit obligation
|
|
|
2.4 |
|
Fair value of plan assets
|
|
|
2.0 |
|
Unrecognized loss arising from change in assumed discount rate
|
|
|
0.0 |
|
Accrued provision
|
|
|
0.4 |
|
Service cost
|
|
|
0.9 |
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
Amortization of transition amount
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
Expected return on plan assets
|
|
|
(0.1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Net pension cost (net of administration charge)
|
|
|
1.0 |
|
Administration charge
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
Benefit payments
|
|
|
0.0 |
|
Curtailment
|
|
|
0.0 |
|
Contribution to plan net of administration charge
|
|
|
(0.7 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Net changes
|
|
|
0.3 |
|
Key assumptions used in estimating the Groups retirement
obligations are:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discount rate
|
|
|
5.00 |
% |
|
Average rate of increase in future compensation
|
|
|
3.50 |
% |
Defined contribution plan
The Group paid and recorded as personnel costs in 2004
NOK 0.3 million as part of the contribution plan for
the On-shore and office employees.
Note 12 Dividends and Stock Option Plans
Dividend rights
Dividends may be distributed from the statutory retained
earnings, subject to the requirements of Norwegian law and the
Groups articles of incorporation.
NOK 7.8 millions dividends were paid to the
shareholders of Rieber Shipping ASA in 2004.
Stock options
There are no stock options outstanding to employees, executive
officers or directors of the Group as of December 31, 2004.
Note 13 Financial Instruments
Foreign currency exposure management
The reporting currency for the Groups combined financial
statements is the NOK. However, as a result of having primarily
customers that operate in the oil and gas industry, a
significant portion of the Groups operating revenues are
denominated in currencies other than the NOK, primarily the
U.S. dollar.
As a result, the Groups sales and operating income are
exposed to the effects of fluctuations in the value of the NOK
versus other currencies, primarily the U.S. dollar.
F-33
The Group maintains a portion of its financing in
U.S. dollars. At December 31, 2004, the Groups
debt denominated in U.S. dollars amounted to
U.S.$17 million. The Group is a party to certain forward
exchange contracts as of December 31, 2004, designed to
hedge against foreign currency exchange fluctuations.
In order to protect against the reduction in the value of future
foreign currency cash flows, the Group follows a policy of
selling U.S. dollars forward at average contract maturity
dates that the Group attempts to match with future net
U.S. dollar cash flows (revenues less costs in
U.S. dollars) to be generated by firm contract commitments
in its backlog generally over the ensuing six months. This
foreign currency risk management strategy has enabled the Group
to reduce, but not eliminate, the positive or negative effects
of exchange movements with respect to these currencies.
Details of forward exchange contracts and of other foreign
exchange hedging instruments as of and for the year ended
December 31, 2004 are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2004 | |
|
|
| |
Notional amount (in millions of U.S.$)
|
|
|
2.1 |
|
of which forward sales qualifying as cash-flow
hedges
|
|
|
|
|
of which forward sales not qualifying as cash-flow
hedges
|
|
|
2.1 |
|
Weighted average maturity
|
|
|
106 days |
|
Weighted average forward NOK/U.S.$ exchange rate
|
|
|
6.4043 |
|
Unrealized exchange gains (in millions of NOK)
|
|
|
0.8 |
|
As of December 31, 2004, we did not have any outstanding
derivative financial instruments that qualified for hedge
accounting.
Interest rate risk management
The Group maintained interest rate swap agreements to reduce the
sensitivity to increases in interest rates of its interest
expense on variable-rate debt.
Fair value of financial instruments
The carrying amounts and fair values of the Groups
financial instruments are as follows (positive amounts are
assets, amounts in parenthesis are liabilities):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
Carrying | |
|
Fair | |
|
|
Amount | |
|
Value | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(in millions of Nok) | |
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
14.4 |
|
|
|
14.4 |
|
Restricted cash
|
|
|
2.1 |
|
|
|
2.1 |
|
Bank overdraft facilities
|
|
|
(38.2 |
) |
|
|
(38.2 |
) |
Bank loans, vendor equipment financing and shareholder loans:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Variable rate
|
|
|
(138.4 |
) |
|
|
(138.4 |
) |
|
Fixed rate
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign currency exchange contracts
|
|
|
0.8 |
|
|
|
0.8 |
|
Interest rate swaps
|
|
|
(2.2 |
) |
|
|
(2.2 |
) |
Commodity swap Brent Blend
|
|
|
(0.5 |
) |
|
|
(0.5 |
) |
The Group considers the carrying value for loans receivable and
other investments, trade accounts and notes receivable, other
receivables, trade accounts and notes payable and other current
liabilities to be the most representative estimate of fair value.
For variable-rate bank loans, vendor equipment financing and the
shareholder loans, fair values approximate carrying values.
F-34
The fair values of foreign currency exchange contracts are
estimated based on current forward exchange rates for contracts
with comparable maturities.
Note 14 Contractual Obligations, Commitments
and Contingencies
Contractual obligations
The Group leases vessels and geophysical equipment under capital
lease agreements expiring at various dates during the next five
years.
Other lease agreements relate primarily to operating leases for
offices and computer equipment.
Rental expense, including time charter expenses, amounted to
NOK 101 million in 2004.
The following table presents payments in future periods relating
to contractual obligations as of December 31, 2004:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payments due by period | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Less than | |
|
|
|
After | |
|
|
|
|
1 year | |
|
1-3 years | |
|
4-5 years | |
|
5 years | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(in million of Nok) | |
Long-term debt
|
|
|
25.3 |
|
|
|
37.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
62.3 |
|
Capital Lease Obligations
|
|
|
29.3 |
|
|
|
32.9 |
|
|
|
13.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
76.1 |
|
Operating Leases
|
|
|
88.3 |
|
|
|
17.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
105.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Contractual Obligations
|
|
|
142.9 |
|
|
|
87.0 |
|
|
|
13.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
243.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other commitments
Outstanding commitments at December 31, 2004 include the
following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
(in millions of Nok) | |
Guarantees issued in favor of
clients(a)
|
|
|
0.9 |
|
Guarantees issued in favor of banks
|
|
|
|
|
Other
guarantees(b)
|
|
|
1.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
2.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
|
Guarantees issued in favor of clients relate primarily to
performance bonds, direct guarantees given for bids at the
bidder level. |
|
(b) |
|
Other guarantees relate primarily to guarantees given to third
parties for payment of rents. |
There are no significant commitments for capital expenditures at
December 31, 2004.
The duration of the guarantees is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Due date | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Less than | |
|
|
|
After | |
|
|
|
|
1 year | |
|
1-3 years | |
|
4-5 years | |
|
5 years | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(in million of Nok) | |
Guarantees issued in favor of clients
|
|
|
0.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.9 |
|
Guarantees issued in favor of banks
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other guarantees
|
|
|
1.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
2.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
These guarantees are not reflected in the accompanying
consolidated financial statements.
F-35
Legal proceedings, claims and other contingencies
The Group is a defendant in a number of legal proceedings
arising in the ordinary course of business and has various
unresolved claims pending. The outcome of these lawsuits and
claims is not known at this time. The Group believes that the
resulting liability, if any, net of amounts recoverable from
insurance or other sources, will not have a material adverse
effect on its consolidated results of operations, financial
position, or cash flows.
Note 15 Analysis by Operating Segment and
Geographic Zone
The following tables present revenues, operating income,
depreciation & amortization, capital expenditures and
identifiable assets by operating segment, revenues by geographic
zone (by origin) as well as net sales by geographic zone based
on the location of the customer. The Group principally services
the oil and gas exploration and production industry and
currently operates in three industry segments:
|
|
|
|
|
Towed seismic, which consist of marine seismic acquisition; |
|
|
|
Multi-client, which consist of acquiring and selling seismic
library; |
|
|
|
4C/4D/OBS, which consist of seabed marine seismic acquisition. |
In 2004, the Groups two most significant customers
accounted for 45% and 32% of the Groups combined revenues.
Analysis by operating segment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
(in millions of Nok) | |
Towed seismic
|
|
|
378.8 |
|
Multi-client
|
|
|
15.8 |
|
4C/4D/OBS
|
|
|
102.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
Operating revenues
|
|
|
497.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
Towed seismic
|
|
|
2.2 |
|
Multi-client
|
|
|
6.8 |
|
4C/4D/OBS
|
|
|
(11.5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Operating income (loss)
|
|
|
(2.5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Towed seismic
|
|
|
52.7 |
|
Multi-client
|
|
|
9.0 |
|
4C/4D/OBS
|
|
|
13.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
75.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
Towed seismic
|
|
|
49.1 |
|
Multi-client
|
|
|
6.3 |
|
4C/4D/OBS
|
|
|
40.0 |
|
Unallocated
|
|
|
0.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
Capital expenditures
|
|
|
96.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
Towed seismic
|
|
|
290.9 |
|
Multi-client
|
|
|
9.5 |
|
4C/4D/OBS
|
|
|
107.7 |
|
Unallocated
|
|
|
0.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total Assets
|
|
|
409.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
F-36
Analysis by geographic zone
Analysis of operating revenues by location of
customers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
(in millions | |
|
|
of Nok) | |
Europe
|
|
|
410.5 |
|
|
|
83 |
% |
Asia-Pacific/Middle East
|
|
|
60.8 |
|
|
|
12 |
% |
Africa
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
% |
Americas
|
|
|
26.0 |
|
|
|
5 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Combined total
|
|
|
497.3 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Analysis of operating revenues by origin
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
(in millions of Nok) | |
Europe
|
|
|
497.3 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
Asia-Pacific/Middle East
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
% |
Africa
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
% |
Americas
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Combined total
|
|
|
497.3 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
When the Group charters vessels to a charterer, the charterer is
free to trade the vessel worldwide and as of a result the
geographical information for assets is impracticable.
Note 16 Other Revenues and Expenses, Net
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year 2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
(in millions of Nok) | |
Other revenues (expenses)
|
|
|
|
|
Non-recurring revenues (expenses) net
|
|
|
|
|
Gains (losses) on sale of assets
|
|
|
20.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other revenues (expenses) net
|
|
|
20.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
The gain on sale of assets resulted from the sale of the seismic
vessel Geo Explorer in April 2004. The vessel was acquired
in February 2004. The net proceeds for sale of this vessel
is NOK 61.2 millions.
Note 17 Financial Expenses, Net
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year 2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
(in millions of Nok) | |
Financial income on derivatives
|
|
|
16.0 |
|
Financial expense
|
|
|
(7.4 |
) |
Financial income
|
|
|
1.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
Financial expense net
|
|
|
10.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
F-37
Note 18 Income Taxes
Income tax
Income tax expense consisted of:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year 2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
(in millions of Nok) | |
Current income taxes
|
|
|
(0.9 |
) |
Deferred taxes and other
|
|
|
(4.4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Total income tax expense
|
|
|
(5.3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
During the year 2004, income tax expenses recognized was
NOK 0.9 million since companies under the tax tonnage
scheme do not pay income tax on operational income (only certain
financial items and dividends distributed are taxable) and
companies outside the tax tonnage scheme had taxable results
that were approximately break-even.
Deferred taxes related primarily to undistributed reserves from
companies under the tonnage tax regime.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities
Net deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
(in millions of Nok) | |
Deferred tax assets temporary differences
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax assets tax losses carried forward
|
|
|
0.5 |
|
Total Deferred tax assets
|
|
|
|
|
Total Deferred tax liabilities
|
|
|
(39.2 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Total deferred tax, net
|
|
|
(38.7 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Net operating loss carryforwards
The net operating loss carryforward of NOK 1.8 million
was available as of December 31, 2004 and can only be used
within the tonnage tax regime.
Note 19 PERSONNEL
The analysis of personnel is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
(in millions of Nok) | |
Personnel employed under Norwegian contracts 4C/4D/ OBC
|
|
|
67 |
|
Towed seismic
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
67
|
|
The total compensation expense of personnel employed by
consolidated subsidiaries was NOK 79.7 million in 2004.
Note 20 Directors Remuneration
In 2004, directors remuneration was
NOK 1.6 million. This remuneration includes only
Multiwave Geophysical Company directors remuneration.
F-38
Note 21 Related Party Transactions
Operating transactions
As of December 31, 2004, NOK 37.4 million
corresponding to the net difference between assets and
liabilities transferred through the demerger of Rieber Shipping,
which Rieber Shipping owed to Exploration Resources, are
presented as Other current assets.
As of December 31, 2004, NOK 22.6 million
corresponding to cash balances on seismic activities that were
legally owned by Rieber Shipping are also presented as
Other current assets.
Also as part of the demerger, Rieber Shipping transferred a
receivable on Electro Silica for an amount of MNOK 18.0,
presented as Trade receivables. Contra entry with
new Rieber Shipping ASA is presented as
Current liabilities.
In 2004, Multiwave paid NOK 22.3 million to Rieber
Shipping in time charter hire charges.
Financing
No credit facility or loan was granted to the Group by the
owners during the period presented.
Note 22 Supplementary Cash Flow
Information
Cash paid for income taxes and interest was as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
(in millions of Nok) | |
Interest
|
|
|
5.2 |
|
Income taxes
|
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
Payment of income taxes is linked to previous year.
Note 23 Subsequent Events
On February 17, 2005, Exploration Resources launched a
Public Offering, which conducted in a capital increase of
NOK 233.8 million (including the Green
Shoe).
On March 8, 2005, Exploration Resources was listed on the
Oslo Stock Market under the ticker code ExRe.
On July 17, 2005, Multiwave Geophysical Company ASA
(Multiwave), Exploration Resourcess subsidiary
focusing on seabed acquisition, and Exploration Seismic AS, a
fully owned subsidiary of Exploration Resources, agreed to merge
with minority shareholders of Multiwave receiving newly issued
shares of Exploration Resources in exchange for their shares.
Due to completion of legal period, the merger effectively took
place on October 17, 2005.
On August 29, 2005, Compagnie Générale de
Géophysique (CGG), a French company listed on
the Paris and the
New-York Stock
Exchange, acquired a controlling stake of approximately 60% of
Exploration Resources ASA (Exploration
Resources). CGG continued to acquire shares of Exploration
Resources and, by September 15, CGG had acquired
approximately 92% of issued shares and 94% of voting rights of
Exploration Resources. All shares were acquired at a purchase
price of approximately NOK 340 per share.
On September 30, 2005, CGG acquired all of the remaining
shares in Exploration Resources in a combined mandatory offer,
in accordance with the Norwegian Securities Trading Act, and
squeeze-out, in accordance with the Norwegian Public Limited
Companies Act, both at a price of NOK 340 per share
for 529,113 shares. This price represented a premium of
8.3% to the closing price of NOK 314 for the shares of
Exploration Resources on August 26, 2005, the latest date
before the acquisition was announced.
On October 14, 2005, in connection with the remaining
shares acquired by CGG, the mandatory offer period expired, and
was accepted by holders of 314,426 shares. Holders of the
remaining 214,687 shares have the right
F-39
to object to or reject the offered redemption price of
NOK 340 by November 16, 2005. If they do not do so by
that date, they will receive the offered redemption price within
the following two weeks in exchange for their shares.
On October 19, 2005, the merger of Multiwave Geophysical
Company ASA (Multiwave) and Exploration
Seismic AS became effective and CGG purchased all of the
new Exploration Resources shares issued to former Multiwave
minority shareholders at a price of NOK 340 per share.
On October 19, 2005, CGG also purchased from the CEO and
CFO of Exploration Resources stock options for a total of
93,202 shares, representing all of the stock options
currently outstanding in Exploration Resources, for
NOK 340 per share.
Exploration Resources was listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange
under the ticker code EXRE until October 19,
2005.
F-40
You should rely only on the information contained or
incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We have not
authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We
are not offering the new notes in any jurisdiction where the
offer is not permitted. We do not claim the accuracy of the
information in this prospectus as of any date other than the
date stated on the cover.
$165,000,000
COMPAGNIE GÉNÉRALE DE GÉOPHYSIQUE
Offer to Exchange
71/2%
Initial Senior Notes due 2015
Guaranteed on a senior basis by certain subsidiaries
for
71/2%
Exchange Senior Notes due 2015
Guaranteed on a senior basis by certain subsidiaries
PROSPECTUS
We have not authorized anyone to give you any information or to
make any representations about the transactions we discuss in
this prospectus other than those contained herein or in the
documents we incorporate herein by reference. If you are given
any information or representations about these matters that is
not discussed or incorporated in this prospectus, you must not
rely on that information. This prospectus is not an offer to
sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy securities anywhere or
to anyone where or to whom we are not permitted to offer or sell
securities under applicable law. The delivery of this prospectus
offered hereby does not, under any circumstances, mean that
there has not been a change in our affairs since the date
hereof. It also does not mean that the information in this
prospectus or in the documents we incorporate herein by
reference is correct after this date.
Part II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS
ITEM 20. Indemnification of
Directors and Officers
As used in this Item 20, we, us and
our refer to the entity in the corresponding heading.
Compagnie Générale de Géophysique
The French Commercial Code prohibits provisions of statuts
that limit the liability of directors. The French Commercial
Code also prohibits a company from indemnifying its directors
against liability. However, if a director is sued by a third
party and ultimately prevails in the litigation on all counts,
but is nevertheless required to bear attorneys fees and
costs, the company may reimburse those fees and costs pursuant
to an indemnification arrangement with the director.
Our statuts do not expressly provide for indemnification
by us of liabilities of our directors or officers in their
capacity as such. However, we maintain officers and
directors liability insurance, which insures against
certain liabilities that officers and directors in our group
companies may incur in such capacities, including liabilities
arising under the U.S. securities laws, subject to certain
exceptions.
CGG Americas Inc.
Article 2.02-1 of the Texas Business Corporation Act, as
amended, authorizes us to indemnify certain persons, including
any person who was, is or is threatened to be made a named
defendant or respondent in a threatened, pending, or completed
action, suit or proceeding because the person is or was a
director or officer, against judgments, penalties (including
excise and similar taxes), fines, settlements and reasonable
expenses (including court costs and attorneys fees)
actually incurred by the person in connection with the
threatened, pending, or completed action, suit or proceeding, if
it is determined that the person conducted himself in good
faith, reasonably believed, in the case of conduct in his
official capacity, that his conduct was in our best interests,
or in all other cases, that his conduct was not opposed to our
best interests, and in the case of any criminal proceeding, had
no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful. We
are required by Article 2.02-1 to indemnify a director or
officer against reasonable expenses (including court costs and
attorneys fees) incurred by him in connection with a
threatened, pending, or completed action, suit or proceeding in
which he is a named defendant or respondent because he is or was
a director or officer if he has been wholly successful, on the
merits or otherwise, in the defense of the action, suit or
proceeding. Article 2.02-1 provides that indemnification
pursuant to its provisions is not exclusive of other rights of
indemnification to which a person may be entitled under the
corporations articles of incorporation or any bylaw,
agreement vote of shareholders or disinterested directors, or
otherwise.
Our revised bylaws state that we will indemnify any person who
was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
(a) threatened, pending, or completed action, suit,
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
administrative (other than an action by us or in our right), by
reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer,
employee, fiduciary or agent of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise against
expenses (including attorneys fees), judgments, fines, and
amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by
him in connection with such action, suit, or proceeding if he
acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be
in our best interest and, with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, has no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was
unlawful and (b) threatened, pending, or completed action
or suit by us or in our right to procure a judgment in our favor
by reason of the fact that he is or was our director, officer,
employee, fiduciary, or agent or is or was serving at our
request as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary, or agent of
another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or
another enterprise against expenses (including attorneys
fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him or in connection
with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he
acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be
in our best interest; but no indemnification will be made in
respect of any claim, issue, or matter as to which such person
has been adjudged to be liable for negligence or misconduct in
the performance of his duty to us unless and only to the extent
that the court in which such action or suit was brought
determines upon application that such person is fairly and
II-1
reasonably entitled to indemnification for such expenses which
such court deems proper. To the extent that our director,
officer, employee, fiduciary, or agent has been successful on
the merits, he will be indemnified against expenses (including
attorneys fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him. A
determination that indemnification is proper will be made by a
majority vote of a quorum of our board of directors, consisting
of a majority of uninterested directors or, in some
circumstances, by independent legal counsel in a written
opinion, or by the shareholders. These provisions may be
sufficiently broad to indemnify such persons for liabilities
arising under the U.S. securities laws.
CGG Canada Services Ltd.
Under the Business Corporations Act (Alberta), we may indemnify
a present or former director or officer or a person who acts or
acted at our request as a director or officer of a body
corporate of which we are or were a shareholder or creditor, and
his heirs and legal representatives, against all costs, charges
and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or
satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by him in respect of any
civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding to which
he is made a party by reason of being or having been a director
or officer of us or that body corporate, if the director or
officer acted honestly and in good faith with a view to our best
interests, and, in the case of a criminal or administrative
action or proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, had
reasonable grounds for believing that his conduct was lawful.
Such indemnification may be in connection with an action by or
on behalf of us or that body corporate to procure a judgement in
our or its favor, as applicable, only with court approval. A
director or officer is entitled to indemnification from us as a
matter of right if he or she was substantially successful on the
merits, fulfilled the conditions set forth above, and is fairly
and reasonably entitled to indemnity. In addition, we may
advance funds to a person in order to defray the costs, charges
and expenses of a proceeding referred to above. However, such
person will be required to repay the funds advanced if he or she
is not substantially successful on the merits, does not fulfill
the conditions set forth above and is not fairly and reasonably
entitled to the indemnity.
Subject to the limitations in the Business Corporations Act
(Alberta), our revised by-law no. 1 provides that we will
indemnify a director, or a former director or officer, or a
person who acts or acted at our request as a director or officer
of a body corporate of which we are or were a shareholder or
creditor and his heirs and legal representatives, against all
costs, charges and expenses, including an amount paid to settle
an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by him in
respect of any civil, criminal or administrative action or
proceeding to which he is made a party by reason of being of
having been our director or officer of such body corporate, if
(a) he acted honestly in good faith with a view to our best
interests; and (b) in the case of a criminal or
administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by a
monetary penalty, he had reasonable grounds for believing that
his conduct was lawful. These provisions may be sufficiently
broad to indemnify such persons for liabilities arising under
the U.S. securities laws.
CGG Marine Resources Norge A/ S
Norwegian law provides that a director or the chief executive
officer of a Norwegian company is liable for any loss or damage
he has intentionally or negligently caused the company in the
performance of his duties. The shareholders may, by a majority
resolution at the general meeting, either hold liable or
discharge from liability such director or chief executive
officer. Notwithstanding a decision at the general meeting to
discharge a person from liability or to reject a proposal to
hold a person liable, shareholders owning at least 10% of the
share capital may within a limited period of time bring a claim
predicated on such liability on behalf of the company.
Our articles of association do not expressly provide for
indemnification by us of liabilities of our directors or
officers in their capacity as such.
Sercel, Inc.
The Oklahoma General Corporation Act allows us to indemnify each
of our officers and directors against expenses, including
attorneys fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in
settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in
connection with any action, suit or proceeding brought by reason
of the fact that such person is or has been our director,
officer, employee or agent, or of any other corporation,
partnership, joint
II-2
venture, trust or other enterprise at our request, other than an
action by us or in our right. Such indemnification may only be
provided if the individual acted in good faith and in a manner
he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to our best
interest, and with respect to any criminal action, the person
seeking indemnification had no reasonable cause to believe that
the conduct was unlawful. The Oklahoma General Corporation Act
also allows us to indemnify our officers and directors for
expenses, including attorneys fees, actually and
reasonably incurred in connection with the defense or settlement
of any action or suit by us or in our right brought by reason of
the person seeking indemnification being or having been our
director, officer, employee, or of any other corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise at our
request, provided the actions were in good faith and were
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to our best
interest. No indemnification shall be made in respect of any
claim, issue or matter as to which the individual shall have
been adjudged liable to us, unless and only to the extent that
the court in which such action was decided has determined that,
despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the
circumstances of the case, the person is fairly and reasonably
entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the court deems
proper.
Our bylaws provide that, to the extent and in the manner
permitted by the laws of the State of Oklahoma and specifically
as is permitted under Section 1031 of Title 18 of the
Oklahoma Statutes, we will indemnify any person who was or is a
party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened,
pending or completed action, suit or proceeding whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative, other than an action
by us or in our right, by reason of the fact that such person is
or was our director, officer, employee or agent, or is or was
serving at our request as a director, officer, employee or agent
of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or
other enterprise against expenses, including attorneys
fees, judgment, fines and amounts paid in settlement. These
provisions may be sufficiently broad to indemnify such persons
for liabilities arising under the U.S. securities laws.
Sercel Australia Pty Ltd.
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|
Corporations Act of Australia |
Section 199A(1) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Commonwealth)
(the Corporations Act) provides that a company or a
related body corporate must not exempt a person (whether
directly or through an interposed entity) from a liability to
the company incurred as an officer of the company.
Section 199A(2) of the Corporations Act provides that a
company or a related body corporate must not indemnify a person
(whether by agreement or by making a payment and whether
directly or through an interposed entity) against any of the
following liabilities incurred as an officer of the company:
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|
a liability owed to the company or a related body corporate; |
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|
a liability for a pecuniary penalty order or compensation order
under sections 1317G, 1317H or 1317HA of the Corporations
Act; or |
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|
a liability that is owed to someone other than the company or a
related body corporate that did not arise out of conduct in good
faith. |
Section 199A(2) does not apply to a liability for legal
costs.
Indemnification (as opposed to exemption) which falls outside
this provision is permissible.
Section 199A(3) provides that a company or a related body
corporate must not indemnify a person (whether by agreement or
by making a payment and whether directly or through an
interposed entity) against legal costs incurred in defending an
action for a liability incurred as an officer of the company if
the costs are incurred:
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in defending or resisting proceedings in which the person is
found to have a liability for which they could not be
indemnified under section 199A(2); or |
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in defending or resisting criminal proceedings in which the
person is found guilty; or |
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|
in defending or resisting proceedings brought by the Australian
Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) or a
liquidator for a court order if the grounds for making the order
are found by the court to |
II-3
|
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|
|
have been established (but this does not apply to costs incurred
in responding to actions taken by ASIC or a liquidator as part
of an investigation before commencing proceedings for the court
order); or |
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in connection with proceedings for relief to the person under
the Corporations Act in which the court denies the relief. |
Section 199B of the Corporations Act provides that a
company or a related body corporate must not pay, or agree to
pay, a premium for a contract insuring a person who is or has
been an officer of the company against a liability (other than
one for legal costs) arising out of:
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conduct involving a willful breach of any duty in relation to
the company; or |
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a contravention of the officers duties under the
Corporations Act not to improperly use their position or make
improper use of information obtained as an officer. |
A contract will be void to the extent to which it purports to
provide such insurance.
For the purpose of sections 199A and 199B, an
officer of a company includes:
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a director or secretary; |
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a person who makes, or participates in making, decisions that
affect the whole, or a substantial part, of the business of the
company; |
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a person who has the capacity to significantly affect the
companys financial standing; and |
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a person in accordance with whose instructions or wishes the
directors of the company are accustomed to act. |
Our constitution provides that, to the extent permitted by law
and without limiting our powers, we must indemnify each person
who is, or has been, our director or secretary against any
liability which results from facts or circumstances relating to
the person serving or having served as a director, secretary or
employee of us or any of our subsidiaries (a) other than a
liability owed to us or a related body corporate, a liability
for a pecuniary penalty order under section 1317G or a
compensation order under section 1317H of the Corporation
Act or a liability this is owed to someone (other than us or a
related body corporate) and did not arise out of conduct in good
faith (but this does not apply to a liability for legal costs)
or (b) other than for legal costs incurred in defending an
action for liability if the costs are incurred:
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(i) |
in defending or resisting civil proceedings in which the person
is found to have a liability for which they could not be
indemnified under paragraph (a); or |
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(ii) |
is defending or resisting criminal proceedings in which the
person is found guilty; |
|
|
(iii) |
in defending or resisting proceedings brought by ASIC or a
liquidator for a court order if the grounds for making the order
are found by the court to be established; |
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(iv) |
in connection with proceedings for relief to the person under
the Corporations Act in which the Court denies relief. |
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Paragraph (iii) does not apply to costs incurred in
responding to actions brought by ASIC or a liquidator as part of
an investigation before commencing proceedings for the court
order. |
These provisions may be sufficiently broad to indemnify such
persons for liabilities arising under the U.S. securities
laws.
Sercel Canada Ltd.
Under the Business Corporations Act (New Brunswick) we may
indemnify a present or former director or officer or a person
who acts or acted at our request as a director or officer of a
body corporate of which we are or were a shareholder or
creditor, and his heirs and legal representatives, against all
costs, charges and expenses, including an amount paid to settle
an action or satisfy a judgement, reasonably incurred by him in
respect of any civil, criminal or administrative action or
proceeding to which he is made a party by reason of being or
having
II-4
been a director or officer of us or that body corporate, if the
director or officer acted honestly and in good faith with a view
to our best interests, and, in the case of a criminal or
administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by a
monetary penalty, had reasonable ground for believing that his
conduct was lawful. Such indemnification may be in connection
with an action by or on behalf of our corporation or body
corporate only with court approval. A director or officer is
entitled to indemnification from us as a matter of right if he
or she was substantially successful on the merits, fulfilled the
conditions set forth above, and is fairly and reasonably
entitled to indemnity..
Our by-law no. 1 provides that, subject to
subsections 81(2) and 81(3) of the Business Corporations
Act (New Brunswick), except in respect to an action by or on
behalf of us to procure a judgment in our favor, we will
indemnify a director or officer, or a former director or
officer, and each person who acts or acted at our request as a
director or officer of a body corporate of which we are or were
a shareholder or creditor, and his heirs and legal
representatives, against all costs, charges and expenses,
including any amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a
judgment reasonably incurred by him in respect of any civil,
criminal or administrative action or proceeding to which he is
made a party by reason of being of having been our director or
officer of such corporation or body corporate, if (a) he
acted honestly in good faith with a view to our best interests;
and (b) in the case of a criminal or administrative action
or proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, he had
reasonable grounds for believing that his conduct was lawful.
These provisions may be sufficiently broad to indemnify such
persons for liabilities arising under the U.S. securities
laws.
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ITEM 21. |
Exhibits and Financial Schedules |
The following instruments and documents are included as Exhibits
to this Registration Statement. Exhibits incorporated by
reference are so indicated.
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Exhibit No |
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Exhibit |
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1.1 |
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Purchase Agreement dated January 27, 2006 among the
Registrants, Credit Suisse Securities (Europe) Limited and BNP
Paribas Securities
Corp.(1) |
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3.1 |
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English translation of the Articles of Association
(status) of Compagnie Générale de
Geophysique.(1) |
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3.2 |
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Articles of Incorporation of CGG Americas Inc., dated
May 15,
1998.(2) |
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3.3 |
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Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of CGG
Americas, Inc., dated December 1,
1999.(2) |
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3.4 |
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Articles of Amendment by the Sole Shareholder to the Articles of
Incorporation of CGG Americas Inc., dated December 22,
2001.(2) |
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3.5 |
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Articles of Amendment by the Sole Shareholder to the Articles of
Incorporation of CGG Americas, Inc., dated December 15,
2004.(2) |
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3.6 |
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Revised bylaws of Georex, Inc. (CGG Americas
Inc.)(2) |
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3.7 |
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Articles of Amalgamation of CGG Canada Services
Ltd.(2) |
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3.8 |
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CGG Canada Services Ltd. Resolution of the Sole Shareholder
(2) |
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3.9 |
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By-law No. 1 of CGG Canada Services
Ltd.(2) |
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3.10 |
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Articles of Association of CGG Marine Resources Norge A/S
(2) |
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3.11 |
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Amended Certificate of Incorporation of Opseis, Inc. (Sercel,
Inc.), dated February 24,
1993(2) |
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3.12 |
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Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of
Opseis, Inc. (Sercel, Inc.), dated December 23,
1996(2) |
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3.13 |
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Bylaws of Opseis, Inc. (Sercel,
Inc.)(2) |
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3.14 |
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Constitution of Sercel Australia Pty
Ltd.(2) |
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3.15 |
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Articles of Incorporation of Sercel Canada
Ltd.(2) |
II-5
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Exhibit No |
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Exhibit |
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3.16 |
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By-Law No. 1 of Sercel Canada
Ltd.(2) |
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4.1 |
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Indenture dated as of April 28, 2005 among the Registrants
and JP Morgan Chase Bank, National Association, as Trustee,
which includes the form of the
71/2% Senior
Notes due 2015 as an exhibit
thereto.(2) |
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4.2 |
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Registration Rights Agreement dated February 3, 2006 among
the Registrants, Credit Suisse Securities (Europe) Limited and
BNP Paribas Securities
Corp.(1) |
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5.1* |
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Opinion of Linklaters, special U.S. counsel to the
Registrants, as to the legality of the notes and the guarantees. |
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5.2* |
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Opinion of Linklaters, French legal advisor to Compagnie
Générale de Géophysique, as to the legality of
the notes. |
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5.3* |
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|
|
Opinion of Andrews Kurth LLP, special Texas counsel to CGG
Americas Inc., as to the legality of its guarantee. |
|
|
5.4* |
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|
|
Opinion of Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, special
Alberta, Canadian counsel to CGG Canada Services Ltd., as to the
legality of its guarantee. |
|
|
5.5* |
|
|
|
|
Opinion of Wiersholm Mellbye & Bech, special Norwegian
counsel to CGG Marine Resources Norge A/ S, as to the legality
of its guarantee. |
|
|
5.6* |
|
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|
|
Opinion of Gable & Gotwals, special Oklahoma counsel to
Sercel, Inc. as to the legality of its guarantee. |
|
|
5.7* |
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|
|
Opinion of McInnes Cooper, special New Brunswick, Canadian
counsel to Sercel Canada Ltd., as to the legality of its
guarantee |
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5.8* |
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|
|
Opinion of Mallesons Stephen Jaques, special Australian counsel
to Sercel Australia Pty Ltd., as to the legality of its
guarantee. |
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12.1* |
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Statement re Computation of Ratios. |
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23.1* |
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Consent of Linklaters, special U.S. counsel to the
Registrants (included in Exhibit 5.1). |
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23.2* |
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Consent of Linklaters, French legal advisor to Compagnie
Générale de Géophysique (included in
Exhibit 5.2). |
|
|
23.3* |
|
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|
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Consent of Andrews Kurth LLP, special Texas counsel to CGG
Americas Inc. (included in Exhibit 5.3.) |
|
|
23.4* |
|
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|
|
Consent of Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, special
Alberta, Canadian counsel to CGG Canada Services Ltd. (included
in Exhibit 5.4.) |
|
|
23.5* |
|
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|
|
Consent of Wiersholm Mellbye & Bech, special Norwegian
counsel to CGG Marine Resources Norge A/ S (included in
Exhibit 5.5.) |
|
|
23.6* |
|
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|
|
Consent of Gable & Gotwals, special Oklahoma counsel to
Sercel, Inc. (included in Exhibit 5.6.) |
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|
23.7* |
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|
|
|
Consent of McInnes Cooper, special New Brunswick, Canadian
counsel to Sercel Canada Ltd. (included in Exhibit 5.7.) |
|
|
23.8* |
|
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|
|
Consent of Mallesons Stephen Jaques, special Australian counsel
to Sercel Australia Pty Ltd. (included in Exhibit 5.8.) |
|
|
23.9* |
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|
Consent of Barbier Frinault & Autres Ernst &
Young Audit and Mazars & Guérard. |
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|
23.10* |
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|
Consent of Ernst & Young. |
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|
23.11* |
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|
Consent of Ernst & Young AS. |
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|
99.1* |
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|
|
|
Form of Letter of Transmittal. |
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|
99.2* |
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Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery. |
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99.3* |
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|
|
Instructions to Registered Holder or DTC Participant. |
II-6
|
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Exhibit No |
|
Exhibit |
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|
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|
|
99.4* |
|
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|
|
Form of Letter to Registered Holders and Depositary Trust
Company Participants. |
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99.5* |
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|
|
Form of Letter to Clients. |
|
|
(1) |
Incorporated by reference to CGGs Annual Report on
Form 20-F for the
year ended December 31, 2005, dated May 9, 2006. |
|
(2) |
Incorporated by reference to the Registrants Registration
Statement on Forms F-4 and S-4 (SEC File
No. 333-126556),
dated July 13, 2005, as amended. |
The undersigned Registrants hereby undertake:
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|
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|
To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: |
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|
To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of
the Securities Act; |
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|
To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
the effective date of the registration statement (or the most
recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or
in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the
information set forth in the registration statement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in
volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of
securities offered would not exceed that which was registered)
and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of
prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to
Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act if, in the aggregate,
the changes in volume and price represent no more than a
20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price
set forth in the Calculation of Registration Fee
table in the effective registration statement; |
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|
|
To include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in the registration
statement or any material change to such information in the
registration statement: |
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|
That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide
offering thereof. |
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|
|
To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
amendment any of the securities being registered which remain
unsold at the termination of the offering. |
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|
For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities
Act, each filing of the Registrants annual report pursuant
to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Exchange Act
(and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit
plans annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the
Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
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|
To (i) respond to requests for information that is
incorporated by reference into the Prospectus pursuant to
Item 4, 10(b), 11, or 13 of
Form F-4, within
one business day of receipt of such request, and to send the
incorporated documents by first class mail or other equally
prompt means; and (ii) arrange or provide for a facility in
the United States for the purpose of responding to such
requests. The undertaking in subparagraph (i) above
includes information contained in documents filed subsequent to
the effective date of the Registration Statement through the
date of responding to the request. |
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|
To supply by means of a post-effective amendment all information
concerning a transaction, and the company being acquired
involved therein, that was not the subject of and included in
the Registration Statement when it became effective. |
II-7
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and
controlling persons of the Registrants, the Registrants have
been advised that, in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer
or controlling person of the Registrants in the successful
defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the
securities being registered, the Registrants will, unless, in
the opinion of their counsel, the matter has been settled by
controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
II-8
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the city of Paris, France, on June 1, 2006.
|
|
|
Compagnie
Générale de Géophysique
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert Brunck |
|
Chairman of the Board and |
|
Chief Executive Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement has been signed by the following persons
in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person
whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Robert
Brunck, Thierry Le Roux, Michel Ponthus, Gérard Chambovet,
Christophe Pettenati-Auzière and Stephane-Paul Frydman, and
each of them acting individually as his or her true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact and
agents, with full and several power of substitution and
resubstitution, in any and all capacities, to sign on his or her
behalf any or all amendments, (including post-effective
amendments) and supplements to this registration statement and
any registration statements filed by the registrant pursuant to
Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act of 1933 relating thereto,
and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, granting to said
attorneys-in-fact and
agents, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and
about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as they
might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that said
attorneys-in-fact and
agents or any of them, or their or his substitutes, may lawfully
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
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|
|
Signatures |
|
Title |
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
|
/s/ Robert Brunck
Robert Brunck |
|
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (Principal
executive officer) |
|
June 1, 2006 |
|
By: |
|
/s/ Thierry Le Roux
Thierry Le Roux |
|
Group President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal financial
and accounting officer) |
|
June 1, 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Signatures |
|
Title |
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
|
/s/ Olivier Appert
Olivier Appert |
|
Director |
|
June 1, 2006 |
|
By: |
|
/s/ Remi Dorval
Remi Dorval |
|
Director |
|
June 1, 2006 |
|
By: |
|
/s/ Jean Dunand
Jean Dunand |
|
Director |
|
June 1, 2006 |
|
By: |
|
/s/ Gerard Fries
Gerard Fries |
|
Director |
|
June 1, 2006 |
|
By: |
|
/s/ Yves Lesage
Yves Lesage |
|
Director |
|
June 1, 2006 |
|
By: |
|
/s/ Christian Marbach
Christian Marbach |
|
Director |
|
June 1, 2006 |
|
By: |
|
/s/ Robert Semmens
Robert Semmens |
|
Director |
|
June 1, 2006 |
|
By: |
|
/s/ Daniel Valot
Daniel Valot |
|
Director |
|
June 1, 2006 |
|
By: |
|
/s/ Jonathan Miller
Jonathan Miller |
|
Duly Authorized Representative of Compagnie Générale
de Géophysique in the United States |
|
June 1, 2006 |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the city of Houston, State of Texas, on
June 1, 2006.
|
|
|
|
|
Jonathan Miller |
|
President |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement has been signed by the following persons
in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person
whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Robert
Brunck, Thierry Le Roux, Michel Ponthus, Gérard Chambovet,
Christophe Pettenati-Auzière and Stephane-Paul Frydman, and
each of them acting individually as his or her true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact and
agents, with full and several power of substitution and
resubstitution, in any and all capacities, to sign on his or her
behalf any or all amendments, (including post-effective
amendments) and supplements to this registration statement and
any registration statements filed by the registrant pursuant to
Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act of 1933 relating thereto,
and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, granting to said
attorneys-in-fact and
agents, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and
about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as they
might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that said
attorneys-in-fact and
agents or any of them, or their or his substitutes, may lawfully
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Signatures |
|
Title |
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
|
/s/ Jonathan Miller
Jonathan Miller |
|
President (Principal Executive Officer), Director and Duly
Authorized Representative of CGG Canada Services Ltd. in the
United States |
|
June 1, 2006 |
|
By: |
|
/s/ Kay Pratt
Kay Pratt |
|
Treasurer (Principal financial officer and accounting officer) |
|
June 1, 2006 |
|
By: |
|
/s/ Leslie Patrick
Leslie Patrick |
|
Director |
|
June 1, 2006 |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the city of Paris, France, on June 1, 2006.
|
|
|
CGG Marine Resources Norge
A/S.
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Christophe
Pettenati-Auziere
|
|
|
|
|
|
Christophe Pettenati-Auziere |
|
Chairman of the Board |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement has been signed by the following persons
in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person
whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Robert
Brunck, Thierry Le Roux, Michel Ponthus, Gérard Chambovet,
Christophe Pettenati-Auzière and Stephane-Paul Frydman, and
each of them acting individually as his or her true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact and
agents, with full and several power of substitution and
resubstitution, in any and all capacities, to sign on his or her
behalf any or all amendments, (including post-effective
amendments) and supplements to this registration statement and
any registration statements filed by the registrant pursuant to
Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act of 1933 relating thereto,
and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, granting to said
attorneys-in-fact and
agents, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and
about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as they
might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that said
attorneys-in-fact and
agents or any of them, or their or his substitutes, may lawfully
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Signatures |
|
Title |
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
|
/s/ Christophe
Pettenati-Auziere
Christophe Pettenati-Auziere |
|
Chairman of the Board |
|
June 1, 2006 |
|
By: |
|
/s/ Luc Benoit-Cattin
Luc Benoit-Cattin |
|
Managing Director (Principal executive officer) and Director |
|
June 1, 2006 |
|
By: |
|
/s/ Geir F. Landsend
Geir F. Landsend |
|
General Manager (Principal financial officer and accounting
officer) |
|
June 1, 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Signatures |
|
Title |
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
|
/s/ Jean-Pierre Michel
Degez
Jean-Pierre Michel Degez |
|
Director |
|
June 1, 2006 |
|
By: |
|
/s/ Torgier Nilsen
Torgier Nilsen |
|
Director |
|
June 1, 2006 |
|
By: |
|
/s/ Jonathan Miller
Jonathan Miller |
|
Duly Authorized Representative of
CGG Marine Resources Norge A/S in the United States |
|
June 1, 2006 |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the city of Nantes, France, on June 1, 2006.
|
|
|
|
|
Pascal Rouiller |
|
President |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement has been signed by the following persons
in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person
whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Robert
Brunck, Thierry Le Roux, Michel Ponthus, Gérard Chambovet,
Christophe Pettenati-Auzière and Stephane-Paul Frydman, and
each of them acting individually as his or her true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact and
agents, with full and several power of substitution and
resubstitution, in any and all capacities, to sign on his or her
behalf any or all amendments, (including post-effective
amendments) and supplements to this registration statement and
any registration statements filed by the registrant pursuant to
Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act of 1933 relating thereto,
and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, granting to said
attorneys-in-fact and
agents, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and
about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as they
might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that said
attorneys-in-fact and
agents or any of them, or their or his substitutes, may lawfully
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Signatures |
|
Title |
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
|
/s/ Pascal Rouiller
Pascal Rouiller |
|
President (Principal executive officer) and Director |
|
June 1, 2006 |
|
By: |
|
/s/ Kenneth O. Fitts
Kenneth O. Fitts |
|
Principal financial officer and Director |
|
June 1, 2006 |
|
By: |
|
/s/ Jason Boulay
Jason Boulay |
|
Controller (Principal accounting officer) |
|
June 1, 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Signatures |
|
Title |
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
|
/s/ Jean-Maurice
Dalongeville
Jean-Maurice Dalongeville |
|
Director |
|
June 1, 2006 |
|
By: |
|
/s/ George Wood
George Wood |
|
Director and Duly Authorized Representative of Sercel Canada
Ltd. in the United States |
|
June 1, 2006 |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the city of Rydalmere, Australia, on June 1,
2006.
|
|
|
Sercel Australia Pty Ltd.
|
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement has been signed by the following persons
in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person
whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Robert
Brunck, Thierry Le Roux, Michel Ponthus, Gérard Chambovet,
Christophe Pettenati-Auzière and Stephane-Paul Frydman, and
each of them acting individually as his or her true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact and
agents, with full and several power of substitution and
resubstitution, in any and all capacities, to sign on his or her
behalf any or all amendments, (including post-effective
amendments) and supplements to this registration statement and
any registration statements filed by the registrant pursuant to
Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act of 1933 relating thereto,
and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other
documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, granting to said
attorneys-in-fact and
agents, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and
about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as they
might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that said
attorneys-in-fact and
agents or any of them, or their or his substitutes, may lawfully
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Signatures |
|
Title |
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
|
/s/ Gérard
Dufoulon
Gérard Dufoulon |
|
Managing Director (Principal executive officer) and Director |
|
June 1, 2006 |
|
By: |
|
/s/ Sharon Weir
Sharon Weir |
|
Finance and Commercial Manager (Principal financial officer and
accounting officer) |
|
June 1, 2006 |
|
By: |
|
/s/ Pascal Rouiller
Pascal Rouiller |
|
Director |
|
June 1, 2006 |
|
By: |
|
/s/ George Wood
George Wood |
|
Duly Authorized Representative of Sercel Australia Pty Ltd. in
the United States |
|
June 1, 2006 |