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Filed Pursuant to Rule: 424(b)(3)
Registration No. 333-191294

 

The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. A registration statement relating to these securities has become effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. This preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus are not offers to sell these securities, nor are they soliciting offers to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to completion, dated April 28, 2014

Prospectus Supplement

(To Prospectus dated September 20, 2013)

10,000,000 shares

 

Forum Energy Technologies, Inc.

Common stock

The selling stockholders identified in this prospectus supplement are selling 10,000,000 shares of our common stock. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock by the selling stockholders.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “FET.” On April 25, 2014, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $32.06 per share.

 

		Per share				Total
Public offering price		$				$
Underwriting discounts and commissions		$				$
Proceeds to the selling stockholders, before expenses		$				$

The selling stockholders have granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1,500,000 shares on the same terms and conditions as set forth above solely to cover over-allotments.

Investing in our common stock involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 1 of the accompanying base prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The shares will be ready for delivery on or about                     , 2014.

 

J.P. Morgan		BofA Merrill Lynch

                    , 2014

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Table of contents

Prospectus supplement

 

Summary			S-1
The offering			S-3
Use of proceeds			S-4
Selling stockholders			S-5
Certain U.S. federal income and estate tax considerations to non-U.S. holders			S-6
Underwriting			S-11
Legal matters			S-18
Experts			S-18
Prospectus
About This Prospectus			i
About Forum Energy Technologies, Inc.			1
Risk Factors			1
Forward-Looking Statements			1
Use of Proceeds			3
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends to Earnings			3
Description of Debt Securities			4
Description of Capital Stock			12
Description of Warrants			16
Plan of Distribution			17
Legal Matters			19
Experts			19
Where You Can Find More Information			19

Neither we, the selling stockholders nor the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide any information or to make any representations other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus or any free writing prospectus we have prepared. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus constitute an offer to sell only the shares of common stock offered hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. You should assume that the information we have included in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus and that any information we have incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since these dates.

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and any free writing prospectus that we have prepared contain the terms of this offering. This prospectus supplement may add, update or change information contained or incorporated by reference in the accompanying base prospectus. In addition, the information incorporated by reference in the accompanying base prospectus may have added, updated or

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changed information in the accompanying base prospectus. If information in this prospectus supplement is inconsistent with any information in the accompanying base prospectus (or any information incorporated therein by reference), this prospectus supplement will apply and will supersede such information in the accompanying base prospectus.

It is important for you to read and consider all information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and the documents we have incorporated by reference before making your investment decision. You should also read and consider the additional information under the caption “Where You Can Find More Information” in the accompanying base prospectus.

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Use of proceeds

All of the shares of common stock covered by this prospectus supplement are being sold by the selling stockholders. See “Selling stockholders.” We will not receive any proceeds from these sales of shares of our common stock.

 

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Selling stockholders

SCF-V, L.P., SCF-VI, L.P., SCF-VII, L.P., SCF 2012A, L.P. and SCF 2012B, L.P. have agreed to sell an aggregate of 10,000,000 shares of our common stock pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus. The selling stockholders have also granted the underwriters an option for a period of 30 days to purchase up to an additional 1,500,000 shares of our common stock solely to cover over-allotments.

The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock by the selling stockholders. The amounts listed under “Ownership of Common Stock Before Offering” in the following table represent the number and percentage of shares of common stock beneficially owned by the selling stockholders as of April 25, 2014. We have prepared this table based on information given to us by, or on behalf of, the selling stockholders as of April 25, 2014. Please see the “Conflicts of Interest and Related Person Transactions” section of the proxy statement filed on Schedule 14A for our 2014 annual meeting of stockholders, which is incorporated herein by reference, for a description of material relationships and transactions between us and the selling stockholders. David C. Baldwin and Andrew L. Waite are members of our board of directors. Each of them also is a Managing Director of L.E. Simmons & Associates, Incorporated (“LESA”), the ultimate general partner of the selling stockholders.

We have determined beneficial ownership in accordance with SEC rules. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by each selling stockholder and the percentage ownership of the selling stockholder, the number of common shares subject to options or warrants held by the selling stockholder that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 25, 2014 are deemed outstanding.

 

		Ownership of common stock before offering								Number of shares being offered				Ownership of common stock after offering(2)
Selling stockholders		Number				Percentage(1)								Number				Percentage(1)
SCF-V, L.P.(3)			12,048,748				12.9%				3,369,543				8,679,205				9.3%
SCF 2012A, L.P.(3)			3,380,948				3.6%				945,515				2,435,433				2.6%
SCF-VI, L.P.(3)			7,046,989				7.6%				1,970,754				5,076,235				5.4%
SCF 2012B, L.P.(3)			1,939,232				2.1%				542,325				1,396,907				1.5%
SCF-VII, L.P.(3)			11,341,883				12.2%				3,171,863				8,170,020				8.8%

 

(1)

Based upon an aggregate of 93,173,052 shares outstanding as of April 25, 2014.

 

(2)

Assumes no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option to purchase 1,500,000 additional shares of our common stock from the selling stockholders. If the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, each of SCF-V, L.P., SCF 2012A, L.P., SCF-VI, L.P., SCF 2012B, L.P. and SCF-VII, L.P. will sell 3,874,974, 1,087,343, 2,266,367, 623,674 and 3,647,642 shares, respectively, and will own 8.8%, 2.5%, 5.1%, 1.4% and 8.3% of our common stock, respectively, following the sale of such shares.

 

(3)

L.E. Simmons is the natural person who has voting and investment control over the securities owned by the selling stockholders. Mr. Simmons serves as the President and sole member of the board of directors of LESA, the ultimate general partner of the selling stockholders. Because the selling stockholders are controlled by LESA, each of these entities may be considered to be a group for purposes of Section 13(d)(3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. As a group, prior to this offering, the selling stockholders beneficially own 35,757,800 shares of our common stock, or 38.4% of our common stock, in the aggregate.

 

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Certain U.S. federal income and estate tax considerations to non-U.S. holders

The following is a general discussion of certain U.S. federal income and estate tax considerations relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our common stock by non-U.S. holders (as defined below). The following discussion is based on current provisions of the Code, the U.S. Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, and administrative and judicial interpretations thereof, all as in effect on the date hereof, and all of which are subject to change or differing interpretations, possibly with retroactive effect. For the purpose of this discussion, a non-U.S. holder is any beneficial owner of our common stock that is not, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, any of the following:

 

•

an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States (as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes);

 

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a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

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an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source; or

 

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a trust (x) if a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) have authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (y) that has made a valid election to be treated as a U.S. person.

If a partnership (or an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships that hold our common stock, and partners in such partnerships, should consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our common stock.

This discussion is limited to non-U.S. holders that will hold our common stock as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment). This discussion does not address all of the U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences that may be relevant to a non-U.S. holder in light of such holder’s particular circumstances, nor does it deal with special situations, such as:

 

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tax consequences to non-U.S. holders that may be subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws, including, without limitation, U.S. expatriates, individuals who are present in the United States for 183 days or more in a year, but who maintain status as non-resident aliens for U.S. federal income tax purposes; insurance companies, tax-exempt or governmental organizations, mutual funds, dealers or traders in securities or currency, banks or other financial institutions, investors whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar, “controlled foreign corporations,” “passive foreign investment companies,” common trust funds, certain trusts, and hybrid entities;

 

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tax consequences to traders in securities that use the mark-to-market method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

 

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tax consequences to persons who hold our common stock as a result of a constructive sale or who acquired our common stock through the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation or through a tax-qualified investment plan;

 

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tax consequences to investors that hold our common stock as part of a hedge, straddle, synthetic security, conversion transaction or other integrated investment or risk reduction transaction;

 

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any gift tax consequences;

 

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any alternative minimum tax consequences; or

 

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any aspects of state, local or non-U.S. taxation.

Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences to them in light of their own particular circumstances, as well as any tax consequences arising under the U.S. federal gift or alternative minimum tax laws and the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction, the effect of any changes in applicable tax law and their entitlement to benefits under any applicable tax treaty.

Distributions on our common stock

We have not made any distributions on our common stock, and we do not plan to make any distributions in the foreseeable future. However, if we do make distributions of cash or other property on our common stock, those distributions will constitute dividends for U.S. tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. To the extent those distributions exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits, the distributions will constitute a return of capital and will first reduce a non-U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in our common stock, but not below zero, and then will be treated as gain from the sale of our common stock (see “Gain on disposition of common stock”).

Any dividends paid to a non-U.S. holder of our common stock generally will be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30%, or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable tax treaty, of the gross amount of the dividend. To receive the benefit of a reduced treaty rate, a non-U.S. holder must provide us with an Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) Form W-8BEN (or successor form) or other appropriate version of IRS Form W-8 certifying qualification for the reduced rate. Special rules apply to foreign partnerships, estates and trusts, and in certain circumstances certifications as to foreign status of partners, trust owners or beneficiaries may have to be provided to the withholding agent. In addition, special rules apply to qualified intermediaries that enter into withholding agreements with the IRS. A non-U.S. holder of our common stock that is eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. federal withholding tax under an income tax treaty may obtain a refund from the IRS of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS.

Dividends received by a non-U.S. holder that are effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by the non-U.S. holder in the United States (and, if an applicable tax treaty so provides, are attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base maintained by the non-U.S. holder in the United States) generally will be exempt from the withholding tax described above and instead will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the same graduated rates generally applicable to U.S. persons. To obtain this exemption from withholding tax, the non-U.S. holder must provide us with a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI certifying eligibility for such exemption. In addition to the income tax described above, dividends received by a corporate non-U.S. holder that are effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by the corporate non-U.S. holder in the United States (and, if an applicable tax treaty so provides, are attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base maintained by the corporate non-U.S. holder in the United States) may be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable tax treaty.

Gain on disposition of common stock

A non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain realized upon the sale or other disposition of our common stock unless:

 

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the non-U.S. holder is an individual who is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the calendar year in which the sale or disposition occurs and certain other

 

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conditions are met, in which case the non-U.S. holder generally will be subject to tax at a flat rate of 30% (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on the amount of such gain (which may be offset by U.S. source capital losses);

 

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the gain is effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by the non-U.S. holder in the United States (and, if an applicable tax treaty so provides, is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base maintained by the non-U.S. holder in the United States), in which case the non-U.S. holder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain realized upon the sale or other disposition on a net income basis at the same graduated rates generally applicable to U.S. persons (furthermore, the branch profits tax described above also may apply to a corporate non-U.S. holder); or

 

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we are or have been a “U.S. real property holding corporation” (“USRPHC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes at any time within the shorter of the five-year period preceding the date of the sale or other disposition and the non-U.S. holder’s holding period.

Generally, a corporation is a USRPHC if the fair market value of its “United States real property interests” equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market value of its worldwide real property interests and its other assets used or held for use in a trade or business (all as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes). For this purpose, real property interests include land, improvements and associated personal property. We believe that we are not presently, and have not been within the preceding five year period, a USRPHC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If we are a USRPHC at any time during the applicable testing period described above, then, provided that our common stock is considered to be “regularly traded on an established securities market” (within the meaning of Section 897 of the Code and the applicable Treasury regulations) at any time during the calendar year in which the future sale or other disposition occurs, and the non-U.S. holder does not own (directly, indirectly or constructively) at any time during the five-year period ending on the date of the sale or other disposition more than 5% of our common stock, gains realized upon the sale or other disposition of our common stock generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax pursuant to the third bullet point above. If we are a USRPHC at any time during the applicable testing period described above and (x) the non-U.S. holder held more than 5% of our common stock during the five-year period ending on the date of the sale or other disposition, or (y) our common stock is not considered to be “regularly traded on an established securities market,” upon a sale or other disposition of our common stock, a non-U.S. holder will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the same graduated rates generally applicable to U.S. persons and, if our common stock is not considered to be “regularly traded on an established securities market,” generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax withholding on the amount realized from such sale or other disposition at a 10% rate. Non-U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the application of the foregoing rules to their ownership and disposition of our common stock.

U.S. federal estate tax

Our common stock owned or treated as owned by an individual who is not a citizen or resident of the United States (as specifically defined for U.S. federal estate tax purposes) at the time of death will be included in the individual’s gross estate for U.S. federal estate tax purposes and may be subject to U.S. federal estate tax unless an applicable estate tax treaty provides otherwise.

Information reporting and backup withholding

Generally, we must report annually to the IRS the amount of dividends paid to each non-U.S. holder, the name and address of the recipient, and the amount, if any, of tax withheld with respect to those dividends, regardless of whether withholding was required. In addition, except as described below, payments of the proceeds from

 

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the sale or other disposition of our common stock are potentially subject to information reporting to the IRS. Pursuant to tax treaties or other agreements, the IRS may make its reports available to tax authorities in the recipient’s country of residence.

Dividends and the proceeds from the sale or other disposition of our common stock are potentially subject to backup withholding (at the applicable rate, which is currently 28%). In general, backup withholding (and information reporting with respect to the proceeds of a sale or other disposition of our common stock) will not apply to payments to a non-U.S. holder if the holder has provided the required certification that it is a non-U.S. holder, such as providing an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W8-ECI (or appropriate substitute or successor form). Notwithstanding the foregoing, backup withholding (and information reporting) may apply if either we or a broker or other paying agent has actual knowledge, or reason to know, that the beneficial owner is a U.S. person.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or credit against a holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS in a timely manner.

Non-U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of the information reporting and backup withholding rules to them.

Additional medicare tax on net investment income

An additional 3.8% tax will be imposed on the “net investment income” of certain U.S. citizens and resident aliens, and on the undistributed “net investment income” of certain estates and trusts. Among other items, “net investment income” generally includes gross income from dividends and net gain from the disposition of property, such as our common stock, less certain deductions. You should consult your tax advisor with respect to this additional tax.

Foreign account tax compliance act withholding

Legislation enacted in 2010 imposes a 30% withholding tax on any dividends on our common stock and on the gross proceeds from a disposition of our common stock in each case if paid to a foreign financial institution or a non-financial foreign entity (including, in some cases, when such foreign financial institution or entity is acting as an intermediary), unless (i) in the case of a foreign financial institution, such institution enters into an agreement with the U.S. government to withhold on certain payments, and to collect and provide to the U.S. tax authorities substantial information regarding U.S. account holders of such institution (which includes certain equity and debt holders of such institution, as well as certain account holders that are foreign entities with U.S. owners), (ii) in the case of a non-financial foreign entity, such entity certifies that it does not have any substantial U.S. owners or provides the withholding agent with a certification identifying the direct and indirect substantial U.S. owners of the entity, or (iii) the foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity otherwise qualifies for an exemption from these rules. The foregoing rules may be modified by an intergovernmental agreement between the United States and the resident country of the foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity. Under certain circumstances, a holder might be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes.

Under final Treasury regulations and related guidance, this withholding tax only applies to payments of dividends made after June 30, 2014 and payments of gross proceeds made after December 31, 2016. Under certain circumstances, a non-U.S. holder of our common stock might be eligible for refunds or credits of such withholding taxes. Non-U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the implications of this legislation on their investment in our common stock.

 

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THE FOREGOING DISCUSSION IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND SHOULD NOT VIEWED AS TAX ADVICE. INVESTORS CONSIDERING THE PURCHASE OF OUR COMMON STOCK ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME AND ESTATE TAX LAWS TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS AND THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN TAX LAWS AND TREATIES.

 

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Underwriting

The selling stockholders are offering the shares of common stock described in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus through J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated. We and the selling stockholders have entered into an underwriting agreement with the underwriters. Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement, the selling stockholders have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and each underwriter has severally agreed to purchase, at the public offering price less the underwriting discount set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement, the number of shares of common stock listed next to its name in the following table.

 

Name		Number of shares
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith                   Incorporated
			10,000,000

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement, the underwriters are committed to purchase all the shares of our common stock offered by the selling stockholders if they purchase any shares. The underwriting agreement also provides that if an underwriter defaults, the purchase commitments of non-defaulting underwriters may also be increased or the offering may be terminated.

The underwriters propose to offer the common stock directly to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement and to certain dealers at that price less a concession not in excess of $ per share. After the public offering of the shares, the offering price and other selling terms may be changed by the underwriters.

The underwriters have an option to buy up to 1,500,000 additional shares of common stock from the selling stockholders solely to cover over-allotments. The underwriters have 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement to exercise this option. If any shares are purchased with this option, the underwriters will purchase shares in approximately the same proportion as shown in the table above. If any additional shares of common stock are purchased, the underwriters will offer the additional shares on the same terms as those on which the shares are being offered.

The underwriting fee is equal to the public offering price per share of common stock, less the amount paid by the underwriters to the selling stockholders per share of common stock. The underwriting fee is $ per share. The following table shows the per share and total underwriting discounts and commissions to be paid to the underwriters, assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares.

 

		No exercise				Full exercise
Per share		$				$
Total		$				$

We estimate that the total expenses of this offering to us, excluding the underwriting discounts and commissions payable by the selling stockholders, will be approximately $700,000.

In connection with this offering, certain of the underwriters or securities dealers may distribute prospectuses by electronic means, such as e-mail.

 

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We have agreed that we will not (1) offer, pledge, announce the intention to sell, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right, or warrant to purchase, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, or file with the SEC a registration statement under the Securities Act (other than any registration statement on Form S-8) relating to, any shares of our common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any shares of our common stock, or publicly disclose the intention to make any offer, sale, pledge, disposition, or filing, or (2) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers all or a portion of the economic consequences associated with the ownership of any shares of common stock or any such other securities (regardless of whether any of these transactions are to be settled by the delivery of shares of common stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise), in each case without the prior written consent of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, for a period of 90 days after the date of this prospectus supplement, other than the shares of our common stock to be sold hereunder, common stock issued in connection with future acquisitions (subject to a cap of 10% of the shares outstanding upon completion of this offering and provided that the recipients of any shares of common stock agree to be bound by the same restrictions on sales), any stock options, restricted stock awards, phantom stock awards, and other equity-based incentive awards to be issued to our directors, officers, employees or consultants in accordance with our stock incentive plan and in compliance with the requirements of the NYSE, and any shares of our common stock to be issued upon the exercise of options or other awards or the vesting or other equity-based incentive awards granted under our stock-based compensation plans or upon exercise of any warrants outstanding on the date of this prospectus supplement.

The selling stockholders have agreed that each of them will not, with limited exceptions, for a period of 90 days after the date of this prospectus supplement, without the prior written consent of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, (1) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of our common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock (including, without limitation, common stock or such other securities which may be deemed to be beneficially owned by such persons in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and securities which may be issued upon exercise of a stock option or warrant), or publicly disclose the intention to make any offer, sale, pledge, or disposition, (2) enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the common stock or such other securities, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of common stock or such other securities, in cash, or otherwise, or (3) make any demand for or exercise any right with respect to the registration of any shares of our common stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock. The lock-up agreements will not restrict the shares of common stock sold by the selling stockholders in this offering or the transfer of common stock as bona fide gifts, so long as, among other things, the transferee agrees to be bound by the restrictions in the lock-up agreements. Subject to certain restrictions, the lock-up agreements also will not restrict the establishment of a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act for the transfer of shares of our common stock. In addition, the lock-up agreements will permit the selling stockholders to distribute an aggregate of 1.5 million shares of our common stock to their respective partners.

We and the selling stockholders have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

Our common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “FET.”

In connection with this offering, the underwriters may engage in stabilizing transactions, which involves making bids for, purchasing, and selling shares of common stock in the open market for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the common stock while this offering is in progress. These stabilizing transactions may include making short sales of the common stock, which involves the sale by the underwriters

 

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of a greater number of shares of common stock than they are required to purchase in this offering, and purchasing shares of common stock on the open market to cover positions created by short sales. Short sales may be “covered” shorts, which are short positions in an amount not greater than the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares referred to above, or may be “naked” shorts, which are short positions in excess of that amount. The underwriters may close out any covered short position either by exercising their option to purchase additional shares, in whole or in part, or by purchasing shares in the open market. In making this determination, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market compared to the price at which the underwriters may purchase shares through the option to purchase additional shares. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the common stock in the open market that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering. To the extent that the underwriters create a naked short position, they will purchase shares in the open market to cover the position.

The underwriters have advised us that, pursuant to Regulation M of the Securities Act, they may also engage in other activities that stabilize, maintain, or otherwise affect the price of the common stock, including the imposition of penalty bids. This means that if the representatives of the underwriters purchase common stock in the open market in stabilizing transactions or to cover short sales, the representatives can require the underwriters that sold those shares as part of this offering to repay the underwriting discount received by them.

These activities may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of the common stock or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the common stock, and, as a result, the price of the common stock may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. If the underwriters commence these activities, they may discontinue them at any time. The underwriters may carry out these transactions on the NYSE, in the over-the-counter market, or otherwise.

Notice to prospective investors in Australia

No placement document, prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document has been lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (“ASIC”), in relation to the offering. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus does not constitute a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act 2001 (the “Corporations Act”), and does not purport to include the information required for a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act.

Any offer in Australia of the shares may only be made to persons (the “Exempt Investors”) who are “sophisticated investors” (within the meaning of section 708(8) of the Corporations Act), “professional investors” (within the meaning of section 708(11) of the Corporations Act) or otherwise pursuant to one or more exemptions contained in section 708 of the Corporations Act so that it is lawful to offer the shares without disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act.

The shares applied for by Exempt Investors in Australia must not be offered for sale in Australia in the period of 12 months after the date of allotment under the offering, except in circumstances where disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act would not be required pursuant to an exemption under section 708 of the Corporations Act or otherwise or where the offer is pursuant to a disclosure document which complies with Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act. Any person acquiring shares must observe such Australian on-sale restrictions.

This prospectus supplement contains general information only and does not take account of the investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person. It does not contain any securities recommendations or financial product advice. Before making an investment decision, investors need to

 

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consider whether the information in this prospectus supplement is appropriate to their needs, objectives and circumstances, and, if necessary, seek expert advice on those matters.

European economic area

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a “Relevant Member State”), each underwriter has represented and agreed that with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that Relevant Member State (the “Relevant Implementation Date”) it has not made and will not make an offer of shares to the public in that Relevant Member State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the shares which has been approved by the competent authority in that Relevant Member State or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant Member State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant Member State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Directive and the 2010 PD Amending Directive to the extent implemented, except that it may, with effect from and including the Relevant Implementation Date, make an offer of shares to the public in that Relevant Member State at any time:

 

(1)

to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive or the 2010 PD Amending Directive if the relevant provision has been implemented;

 

(2)

to fewer than (i) 100 natural or legal persons per Relevant Member State (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive or the 2010 PD Amending Directive if the relevant provision has been implemented) or (ii) if the Relevant Member State has implemented the relevant provision of the 2010 PD Amending Directive, 150 natural or legal persons per Relevant Member State (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive or the 2010 PD Amending Directive if the relevant provision has been implemented), subject to obtaining the prior consent of the relevant Dealer or Dealers nominated by the Issuer for any such offer; or

 

(3)

in any circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive or Article 3(2) of the 2010 PD Amending Directive to the extent implemented.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer of shares to the public,” in relation to any shares in any Relevant Member State, means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the shares, as the same may be varied in that Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Member State and the expression Prospectus Directive means Directive 2003/71/EC and includes any relevant implementing measure in each Relevant Member State and the expression 2010 PD Amending Directive means Directive 2010/73/EC.

Each underwriter has represented and agreed that:

 

(1)

it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (UK) (“FSMA”)) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of the shares in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to us; and

 

(2)

it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the shares in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

 

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Notice to prospective investors in Switzerland

This document does not constitute an issue prospectus within the meaning of Art. 652a of the Swiss Code of Obligations. The shares of common stock may not be sold directly or indirectly in or into Switzerland except in a manner which will not result in a public offering within the meaning of the Swiss Code of Obligations. Our common stock will not be listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange and, therefore, the documents relating to our common stock, including, but not limited to, this document, do not claim to comply with the disclosure standards of the listing rules of SWX Swiss Exchange and corresponding prospectus schemes annexed to the listing rules of the SWX Swiss Exchange. This document as well as any other material relating to our common stock is personal and confidential and does not constitute an offer to any other person. This document may only be used in Switzerland by those investors to whom it has been handed out in connection with the offering described herein and may neither directly nor indirectly be distributed or made available to other persons without our express consent. It may not be used in connection with any other offer and shall in particular not be copied and/or distributed to the public in (or from) Switzerland. Neither this document nor any other offering materials relating to the shares of common stock may be distributed, published, or otherwise made available in Switzerland except in a manner which will not constitute a public offer of the shares of common stock in Switzerland.

Notice to prospective investors in Hong Kong

The shares may not be offered or sold by means of any document other than (1) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), or (2) to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap.571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder or (3) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap.32, Laws of Hong Kong), and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the shares may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to shares which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder.

Notice to prospective investors in Singapore

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus have not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus, the accompanying base prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the shares may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the shares be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (1) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “SFA”), (2) to a relevant person, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (3) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

Where the shares are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 by a relevant person which is: (1) a corporation (which is not an accredited investor) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or (2) a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary is an accredited investor, shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that corporation

 

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or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest in that trust shall not be transferable for 6 months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the shares under Section 275 except: (1) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the SFA or to a relevant person, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA; (2) where no consideration is given for the transfer; or (3) by operation of law.

Notice to prospective investors in Japan

The securities have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (the “Financial Instruments and Exchange Law”) and each underwriter has agreed that it will not offer or sell any securities, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to a resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.

Notice to prospective investors in the Dubai International Finance Centre

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus relate to an Exempt Offer in accordance with the Offered Securities Rules of the Dubai Financial Services Authority (“DFSA”). This prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus are intended for distribution only to persons of a type specified in the Offered Securities Rules of the DFSA. They must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other person. The DFSA has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with Exempt Offers. The DFSA has not approved this prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus nor taken steps to verify the information set forth herein and has no responsibility for this prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus. The securities to which this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus relate may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective purchasers of the securities offered should conduct their own due diligence on the securities. If you do not understand the contents of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus you should consult an authorized financial advisor.

Relationships with underwriters and their affiliates

The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. The underwriters and their affiliates have provided in the past to us and our affiliates and may provide from time to time in the future certain commercial banking, financial advisory, investment banking, and other services in the ordinary course of their business, including in connection with acquisitions, dispositions and other corporate transactions, for which they have received and may continue to receive customary fees and commissions. Affiliates of each of the underwriters are lenders under our credit agreement.

In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and securities activities may involve our securities and/or instruments. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or

 

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express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments. In addition, from time to time, certain of the underwriters and their affiliates may at any time hold, on behalf of themselves or their customers, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long or short positions in our equity or debt securities or loans.

 

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Legal matters

Certain legal matters related to the offering will be passed upon for us and the selling stockholders by Baker Botts L.L.P., Houston, Texas. Certain legal matters in connection with the offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., Houston, Texas. Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. represents us and the selling stockholders from time to time in matters unrelated to this offering.

Experts

The consolidated financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this prospectus supplement by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

 

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Prospectus

 

Forum Energy Technologies, Inc.

Debt Securities

Preferred Stock

Common Stock

Warrants

 

 

We may issue and sell from time to time securities described in this prospectus. This prospectus contains summaries of the general terms of the securities. At the time of each offering, we will provide the specific terms of the offering and the securities in supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement carefully before you invest. Our shares of common stock are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “FET.”

 

 

Investing in our securities involves risks. Please carefully review the information under the heading “Risk Factors ” on page 1. In addition, risks associated with any investment in our securities may be described in the applicable prospectus supplement and certain of our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as described in “Risk Factors.”

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined whether this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

The date of this prospectus is September 20, 2013.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

		Page
About This Prospectus			i
About Forum Energy Technologies, Inc.			1
Risk Factors			1
Forward-Looking Statements			1
Use of Proceeds			3
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends to Earnings			3
Description of Debt Securities			4
Description of Capital Stock			12
Description of Warrants			16
Plan of Distribution			17
Legal Matters			19
Experts			19
Where You Can Find More Information			19

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may offer any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. In addition, other persons identified in a prospectus supplement may, from time to time, sell securities described in this prospectus. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we or others may offer. Each time we or others use this prospectus to offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering and the securities being offered. The prospectus supplement may also add to, update or change the information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with additional or different information. This prospectus may only be used where it is legal to sell the offered securities. You should assume that the information in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus and that the information incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date the respective information was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

 

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ABOUT FORUM ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

We are a global oilfield products company, serving the subsea, drilling, completion, production and infrastructure sectors of the oil and natural gas industry. We design, manufacture and distribute products, and engage in aftermarket services, parts supply and related services that complement our product offering. Our product offering includes a mix of highly engineered capital products and frequently replaced items that are consumed in the exploration, development, production and transportation of oil and natural gas.

Our executive offices are located at 920 Memorial City Way, Suite 1000, Houston, Texas 77024, and our telephone number is (281) 949-2500.

RISK FACTORS

An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described in our filings with the SEC referred to under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information,” including our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other reports and documents we file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus that are incorporated by reference herein, together with all of the other information included in this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and the documents we incorporate by reference.

If any of these risks were to occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows could be adversely affected. You could lose all or part of your investment. When we offer and sell any securities pursuant to a prospectus supplement, we may include additional risk factors relevant to that offering in the prospectus supplement.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements included in this prospectus, including the information we incorporate by reference, regarding future financial performance, capital sources and results of operations and other statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that we expect, believe or anticipate will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). Such statements are those concerning strategic plans, expectations and objectives for future operations and performance. When used in this prospectus, the words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “intends,” “estimates,” “projects,” “could,” “should,” “may,” or similar expressions are intended to be among the statements that identify forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements may include statements about:

 

•

business strategy;

 

•

cash flows and liquidity;

 

•

the volatility of oil and natural gas prices;

 

•

our ability to successfully manage our growth, including risks and uncertainties associated with integrating and retaining key employees of the businesses we acquire;

 

•

the availability of raw materials and specialized equipment;

 

•

availability of skilled and qualified labor;

 

•

our ability to accurately predict customer demand;

 

•

competition in the oil and gas industry;

 

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•

governmental regulation and taxation of the oil and natural gas industry;

 

•

environmental liabilities;

 

•

political, social and economic issues affecting the countries in which we do business;

 

•

our ability to deliver our backlog in a timely fashion;

 

•

our ability to implement new technologies and services;

 

•

availability and terms of capital;

 

•

general economic conditions;

 

•

benefits of our acquisitions;

 

•

availability of key management personnel;

 

•

operating hazards inherent in our industry;

 

•

the continued influence of our largest shareholder;

 

•

the ability to establish and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting;

 

•

the ability to operate effectively as a publicly traded company;

 

•

financial strategy, budget, projections and operating results;

 

•

uncertainty regarding our future operating results; and

 

•

plans, objectives, expectations and intentions contained in this report that are not historical.

Such statements are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are beyond our ability to control, including, but not limited to, the risks and uncertainties described under “Risk Factors” above and in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.

Forward-looking statements are made based upon management’s current plans, expectations, estimates, assumptions and beliefs concerning future events impacting us and therefore involve a number of risks and uncertainties. We caution that forward-looking statements are not guarantees and that actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, which are applicable only on the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless we inform you otherwise in an applicable prospectus supplement, we expect to use the net proceeds from the sale of securities offered by us under this prospectus for general corporate purposes. These purposes may include:

 

•

capital expenditures;

 

•

acquisitions;

 

•

working capital; and

 

•

repayment, refinancing or redemption of indebtedness or other securities.

Pending any specific application, we may initially invest funds in short-term marketable securities or apply them to the reduction of short-term indebtedness.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS TO EARNINGS

The table below sets forth our ratios of earnings to fixed charges and combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends to earnings on a consolidated basis for each of the periods indicated:

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2013

Years Ended December 31,

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

11.1x

11.2x

7.1x

3.0x

2.4x

3.5x

Ratio of combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends to earnings

11.1x

11.2x

7.1x

2.9x

2.3x

3.4x

For purposes of this table, “earnings” consists of income before income taxes plus fixed charges. “Fixed charges” consists of interest expense and the portion of rent expense we believe is representative of the interest factor. We had preferred stock outstanding during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008. We had no preferred stock outstanding for any other period presented, and accordingly, the ratio of combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends to earnings is the same as the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for those periods.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

The debt securities covered by this prospectus will be our general unsecured obligations. We will issue senior debt securities under an indenture to be entered into between us and a trustee we will name in the prospectus supplement relating to senior debt securities. We refer to this indenture as the senior indenture. We will issue subordinated debt securities under an indenture to be entered into between us and a trustee we will name in the prospectus supplement relating to subordinated debt securities. We refer to this indenture as the subordinated indenture. We refer to the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture collectively as the indentures. The indentures will be substantially identical, except for provisions relating to subordination.

We have summarized material provisions of the indentures and the debt securities below. This summary is not complete. We have filed the forms of indentures with the SEC as exhibits to the registration statement, and you should read the indentures for provisions that may be important to you. Please read “Where You Can Find More Information.”

In this summary description of the debt securities, unless we state otherwise or the context clearly indicates otherwise, all references to “we,” “us” or “our” refer to Forum Energy Technologies, Inc. only and not to any of its subsidiaries.

General

Neither indenture limits the amount of debt securities that may be issued under that indenture, and neither limits the amount of other unsecured debt or securities that we may issue. We may issue debt securities under the indentures from time to time in one or more series, each in an amount authorized prior to issuance.

The senior debt securities will constitute our senior unsecured indebtedness and will rank equally in right of payment with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt and senior in right of payment to all of our subordinated indebtedness. The senior debt securities will be effectively subordinated to, and thus have a junior position to, our secured indebtedness with respect to the assets securing that indebtedness. The subordinated debt securities will rank junior to all of our senior indebtedness and may rank equally with or senior to other subordinated indebtedness we may issue from time to time.

We currently conduct our operations through both U.S. and foreign subsidiaries, and our operating income and cash flow are generated by our subsidiaries. As a result, cash we obtain from our subsidiaries is the principal source of funds necessary to meet our debt service obligations. Contractual provisions or laws, as well as our subsidiaries’ financial condition and operating requirements, may limit our ability to obtain cash from our subsidiaries that we require to pay our debt service obligations, including payments on the debt securities. In addition, holders of the debt securities will have a junior position to the claims of creditors, including trade creditors and tort claimants, of our subsidiaries on their assets and earnings.

Neither indenture contains any covenants or other provisions designed to protect holders of the debt securities in the event we participate in a highly leveraged transaction or upon a change of control. The indentures also do not contain provisions that give holders of the debt securities the right to require us to repurchase their securities in the event of a decline in our credit rating for any reason, including as a result of a takeover, recapitalization or similar restructuring or otherwise.

Terms

The prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities being offered will include specific terms relating to the offering. These terms will include some or all of the following:

 

•

whether the debt securities will be senior or subordinated debt securities;

 

•

the price at which we will issue the debt securities;

 

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•

the title of the debt securities;

 

•

the total principal amount of the debt securities;

 

•

whether we will issue the debt securities in individual certificates to each holder or in the form of temporary or permanent global securities held by a depositary on behalf of holders;

 

•

the date or dates on which the principal of and any premium on the debt securities will be payable;

 

•

any interest rate, the date from which interest will accrue, interest payment dates and record dates for interest payments;

 

•

whether and under what circumstances we will pay any additional amounts with respect to the debt securities;

 

•

the place or places where payments on the debt securities will be payable;

 

•

any provisions for optional redemption or early repayment;

 

•

any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate us to redeem, purchase or repay the debt securities;

 

•

the denominations in which we will issue the debt securities if other than $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000;

 

•

whether payments on the debt securities will be payable in foreign currency or currency unit or another form and whether payments will be payable by reference to any index or formula;

 

•

the portion of the principal amount of debt securities that will be payable if the maturity is accelerated, if other than the entire principal amount;

 

•

any additional means of defeasance of the debt securities, any additional conditions or limitations to defeasance of the debt securities or any changes to those conditions or limitations;

 

•

any changes or additions to the events of default or covenants described in this prospectus;

 

•

any restrictions or other provisions relating to the transfer or exchange of debt securities;

 

•

any terms for the conversion or exchange of the debt securities for other securities;

 

•

with respect to the subordinated indenture, any changes to the subordination provisions for the subordinated debt securities; and

 

•

any other terms of the debt securities not inconsistent with the applicable indenture.

We may sell the debt securities at a discount, which may be substantial, below their stated principal amount. These debt securities may bear no interest or interest at a rate that at the time of issuance is below market rates. If we sell these debt securities, we will describe in the prospectus supplement any material United States federal income tax consequences and other special considerations.

If we sell any of the debt securities for any foreign currency or currency unit or if payments on the debt securities are payable in any foreign currency or currency unit, we will describe in the prospectus supplement the restrictions, elections, tax consequences, specific terms and other information relating to those debt securities and the foreign currency or currency unit.

Subordination

Under the subordinated indenture, payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on the subordinated debt securities will generally be subordinated and junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Debt (as defined below). Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, we may not make any payment of principal of or any premium or interest on the subordinated debt securities if:

 

•

we fail to pay the principal, interest, premium or any other amounts on any Senior Debt when due; or

 

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•

we default in performing any other covenant (a “covenant default”) on any Senior Debt that we have designated if the covenant default allows the holders of that Senior Debt to accelerate the maturity of the Senior Debt they hold.

Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, a covenant default will prevent us from paying the subordinated debt securities only for up to 179 days after holders of the designated Senior Debt give the trustee for the subordinated debt securities notice of the covenant default.

The subordination does not affect our obligation, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay, when due, the principal of and any premium and interest on the subordinated debt securities. In addition, the subordination does not prevent the occurrence of any default under the subordinated indenture.

The subordinated indenture does not limit the amount of Senior Debt that we may incur. As a result of the subordination of the subordinated debt securities, if we become insolvent, holders of subordinated debt securities may receive less on a proportionate basis than other creditors.

Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, “Senior Debt” will mean all of our indebtedness, including guarantees, unless the indebtedness states that it is not senior to the subordinated debt securities or our other junior debt. Senior Debt with respect to a series of subordinated debt securities could include other series of debt securities issued under the subordinated indenture.

Consolidation, Merger and Sales of Assets

The indentures generally permit a consolidation or merger involving us. They also permit us to sell, lease, convey, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets. We have agreed, however, that we will not consolidate with or merge into any entity or sell, lease, convey, assign, transfer or dispose of all or substantially all of our assets to any entity unless:

 

(1)

either

 

•

we are the continuing entity, or

 

•

if we are not the continuing entity, the resulting entity is organized under the laws of any United States jurisdiction and assumes by a supplemental indenture the due and punctual payments on the debt securities and the performance of our covenants and obligations under the indentures, and

 

(2)

immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no default or event of default under the indentures has occurred and is continuing or would result from the transaction.

This covenant will not apply to any merger of another entity into us. Upon any transaction of the type described in and effected in accordance with this section, the resulting entity will succeed to and be substituted for us and may exercise all of our rights and powers under the applicable indenture and the debt securities with the same effect as if the resulting entity had been named as us in the indenture. In the case of any asset transfer or disposition other than a lease, when the resulting entity assumes all of our obligations and covenants under the applicable indenture and the debt securities, we will be relieved of all such obligations.

Events of Default

Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the following are events of default with respect to a series of debt securities:

 

•

our failure to pay interest on any debt security of that series for 30 days when due;

 

•

our failure to pay principal of or any premium on any debt security of that series when due;

 

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•

our failure to deposit any sinking fund payment for 30 days when due;

 

•

our failure to comply with any covenant or agreement in that series of debt securities or the applicable indenture (other than an agreement or covenant that has been included in the indenture solely for the benefit of other series of debt securities) for 90 days after written notice by the trustee or by the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities issued under that indenture that are affected by that failure;

 

•

specified events involving bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of us; and

 

•

any other event of default provided for that series of debt securities.

A default under one series of debt securities will not necessarily be a default under any other series. If a default or event of default for any series of debt securities occurs, is continuing and is known to the trustee, the trustee will notify the holders of applicable debt securities within 90 days after it occurs. The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of the debt securities of any default or event of default, except in any payment on the debt securities, if the trustee in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interests of the holders of those debt securities.

If an event of default for any series of debt securities occurs and is continuing, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the series affected by the default (or, in some cases, 25% in principal amount of all debt securities issued under the applicable indenture that are affected, voting as one class) may declare the principal of and all accrued and unpaid interest on those debt securities to be due and payable immediately. If an event of default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of our company occurs, the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on all the debt securities issued under the applicable indenture will become immediately due and payable without any action on the part of the trustee or any holder. At any time after a declaration of acceleration has been made, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the series affected by the default (or, in some cases, of all debt securities issued under the applicable indenture that are affected, voting as one class) may in some cases rescind this accelerated payment requirement and its consequences.

A holder of a debt security of any series issued under an indenture may pursue any remedy under that indenture only if:

 

•

the holder gives the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default with respect to that series;

 

•

the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series make a written request to the trustee to pursue the remedy;

 

•

the holders offer to the trustee indemnity satisfactory to the trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

 

•

the trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and offer of indemnity; and

 

•

during that 60-day period, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of that series do not give the trustee a direction inconsistent with the request.

This provision does not, however, affect the right of a holder of a debt security to sue for enforcement of any overdue payment.

In most cases, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders unless those holders have offered to the trustee indemnity satisfactory to it. Subject to this provision for indemnification, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series (or of all debt securities issued under the applicable indenture that are affected, voting as one class) generally may direct the time, method and place of:

 

•

conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee; or

 

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exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee relating to or arising as a result of an event of default.

If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee will be required to use the degree of care and skill of a prudent person in the conduct of his own affairs.

The indentures require us to furnish to the trustee annually a statement as to our performance of certain of our obligations under the indentures and as to any default in performance.

Modification and Waiver

We and the trustee may supplement or amend each indenture with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all series issued under that indenture that are affected by the amendment or supplement (voting as one class). Without the consent of the holder of each debt security affected, however, no modification may:

 

•

reduce the amount of debt securities whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

 

•

reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on the debt security;

 

•

reduce the principal of the debt security or change its stated maturity;

 

•

reduce any premium payable on the redemption of the debt security or change the time at which the debt security may or must be redeemed;

 

•

change any obligation to pay additional amounts on the debt security;

 

•

make payments on the debt security payable in currency other than as originally stated in the debt security;

 

•

impair the holder’s right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to the debt security;

 

•

make any change in the percentage of principal amount of debt securities necessary to waive compliance with certain provisions of the indenture or to make any change in the provision related to modification;

 

•

with respect to the subordinated indenture, modify the provisions relating to the subordination of any subordinated debt security in a manner adverse to the holder of that security;

 

•

waive a continuing default or event of default regarding any payment on the debt securities; or

 

•

if applicable, make any change that materially and adversely affects the right to convert any debt security.

We and the trustee may supplement or amend each indenture or waive any provision of that indenture without the consent of any holders of debt securities issued under that indenture in certain circumstances, including:

 

•

to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

 

•

to provide for the assumption of our obligations under the indenture by a successor upon any merger, consolidation or asset transfer permitted under the indenture;

 

•

to provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities or to provide for bearer debt securities;

 

•

to provide any security for, or to add any guarantees of or obligors on, any series of debt securities;

 

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to comply with any requirement to effect or maintain the qualification of that indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939;

 

•

to add covenants that would benefit the holders of any debt securities or to surrender any rights we have under the indenture;

 

•

to add events of default with respect to any series of debt securities;

 

•

to make any change that does not adversely affect any outstanding debt securities of any series issued under that indenture in any material respect; and

 

•

to establish the form or terms of any debt securities and to accept the appointment of a successor trustee, each as permitted under the indenture.

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series (or, in some cases, of all debt securities issued under the applicable indenture that are affected, voting as one class) may waive any existing or past default or event of default with respect to those debt securities. Those holders may not, however, waive any default or event of default in any payment on any debt security or compliance with a provision that cannot be amended or supplemented without the consent of each holder affected.

Defeasance and Discharge

Defeasance. When we use the term defeasance, we mean discharge from some or all of our obligations under an indenture. If we deposit with the trustee under an indenture any combination of money or government securities sufficient to make payments on the debt securities of a series issued under that indenture on the dates those payments are due, then, at our option, either of the following will occur:

 

•

we will be discharged from our obligations with respect to the debt securities of that series (“legal defeasance”); or

 

•

we will no longer have any obligation to comply with specified restrictive covenants with respect to the debt securities of that series, the covenant described under “—Consolidation, Merger and Sales of Assets” and other specified covenants under the applicable indenture, and the related events of default will no longer apply (“covenant defeasance”).

If a series of debt securities is defeased, the holders of the debt securities of that series will not be entitled to the benefits of the applicable indenture, except for obligations to register the transfer or exchange of debt securities, replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities or maintain paying agencies and hold money for payment in trust. In the case of covenant defeasance, our obligation to pay principal, premium and interest on the debt securities will also survive.

Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, we will be required to deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel that the deposit and related defeasance would not cause the holders of the debt securities to recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes and that the holders would be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit and related defeasance had not occurred. If we elect legal defeasance, that opinion of counsel must be based upon a ruling from the United States Internal Revenue Service or a change in law to that effect.

Under current U.S. federal income tax law, legal defeasance would likely be treated as a taxable exchange of debt securities to be defeased for interests in the defeasance trust. As a consequence, a United States holder would recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the holder’s cost or other tax basis for the debt securities and the value of the holder’s interest in the defeasance trust, and thereafter would be required to include in income a share of the income, gain or loss of the defeasance trust. Under current U.S. federal income tax law, covenant defeasance would not be treated as a taxable exchange of such debt securities.

 

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Satisfaction and Discharge. In addition, an indenture will cease to be of further effect with respect to the debt securities of a series issued under that indenture, subject to exceptions relating to compensation and indemnity of the trustee under that indenture and repayment to us of excess money or government securities, when:

 

•

either

 

•

all outstanding debt securities of that series have been delivered to the trustee for cancellation; or

 

•

all outstanding debt securities of that series not delivered to the trustee for cancellation either:

 

•

have become due and payable,

 

•

will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year, or

 

•

are to be called for redemption within one year; and

 

•

we have deposited with the trustee any combination of money or government securities in trust sufficient to pay the entire indebtedness on the debt securities of that series when due; and

 

•

we have paid all other sums payable by us with respect to the debt securities of that series.

Governing Law

New York law will govern the indentures and the debt securities.

The Trustees

We will name the trustee under the applicable indenture in the prospectus supplement. Each indenture contains limitations on the right of the trustee, if it or any of its affiliates is then our creditor, to obtain payment of claims or to realize on certain property received for any such claim, as security or otherwise. The trustee and its affiliates are permitted to engage in other transactions with us. If, however, the trustee acquires any conflicting interest, it must eliminate that conflict or resign within 90 days after ascertaining that it has a conflicting interest and after the occurrence of a default under the applicable indenture, unless the default has been cured, waived or otherwise eliminated within the 90-day period.

Payment and Paying Agents

Unless we inform you otherwise in a prospectus supplement, we will make payments on the debt securities in U.S. dollars at the office of the trustee and any paying agent. At our option, however, payments may be made by wire transfer for global debt securities or by check mailed to the address of the person entitled to the payment as it appears in the security register. Unless we inform you otherwise in a prospectus supplement, we will make interest payments to the person in whose name the debt security is registered at the close of business on the record date for the interest payment.

Unless we inform you otherwise in a prospectus supplement, the trustee under the applicable indenture will be designated as the paying agent for payments on debt securities issued under that indenture. We may at any time designate additional paying agents or rescind the designation of any paying agent or approve a change in the office through which any paying agent acts.

If the principal of or any premium or interest on debt securities of a series is payable on a day that is not a business day, the payment will be made on the following business day. For these purposes, unless we inform you otherwise in a prospectus supplement, a “business day” is any day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in either of New York, New York or a place of payment on the debt securities of that series is authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed.

 

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Subject to the requirements of any applicable abandoned property laws, the trustee and paying agent will pay to us upon written request any money held by them for payments on the debt securities that remains unclaimed for two years after the date upon which that payment has become due. After payment to us, holders entitled to the money must look to us for payment. In that case, all liability of the trustee or paying agent with respect to that money will cease.

Form, Exchange, Registration and Transfer

We will issue the debt securities in registered form, without interest coupons. Debt securities of any series will be exchangeable for other debt securities of the same series, the same total principal amount and the same terms but in different authorized denominations in accordance with the applicable indenture. Holders may present debt securities for registration of transfer at the office of the security registrar or any transfer agent designated by us. The security registrar or transfer agent will effect the transfer or exchange if its requirements and the requirements of the applicable indenture are met. We will not charge a service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange of the debt securities. We may, however, require payment of any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable for that registration.

We will appoint the trustee as security registrar for the debt securities. If a prospectus supplement refers to any transfer agents we initially designate, we may at any time rescind that designation or approve a change in the location through which any transfer agent acts. We are required to maintain an office or agency for transfers and exchanges in each place of payment. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents for any series of debt securities.

In the case of any redemption of debt securities of a series or any repurchase of debt securities of a series required under the terms of the series, we will not be required to register the transfer or exchange of:

 

•

any debt security of that series during a period beginning 15 business days prior to the mailing of the relevant notice of redemption or repurchase and ending on the close of business on the day of mailing of such notice; or

 

•

any debt security of that series that has been called for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any debt security being redeemed in part.

Book-Entry Debt Securities

We may issue the debt securities of a series in the form of one or more global debt securities that would be deposited with a depositary or its nominee identified in the prospectus supplement. We may issue global debt securities in either temporary or permanent form. We will describe in the prospectus supplement the terms of any depositary arrangement and the rights and limitations of owners of beneficial interests in any global debt security.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

Our authorized capital stock consists of 296 million shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 3.7 million shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. The following describes our common stock, preferred stock, amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws. This description is a summary only. We encourage you to read the complete text of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, which we have filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

Common Stock

Except as provided by law or in a preferred stock designation, holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders. Because holders of our common stock have the exclusive right to vote for the election of directors and do not have cumulative voting rights, the holders of a majority of the shares of our common stock can elect all of the members of the board of directors standing for election, subject to the rights, powers and preferences of any outstanding series of preferred stock. Subject to the rights and preferences of any preferred stock that we may issue in the future, the holders of our common stock are entitled to receive:

 

•

dividends as may be declared by our board of directors; and

 

•

all of our assets available for distribution to holders of our common stock in liquidation, pro rata, based on the number of shares held.

There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to our common stock.

Preferred Stock

Subject to the provisions of our certificate of incorporation and legal limitations, our board of directors will have the authority, without further vote or action by our stockholders:

 

•

to issue up to 3,700,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series; and

 

•

to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of our preferred stock, including provisions related to dividends, conversion, voting, redemption, liquidation and the number of shares constituting the series or the designation of that series, which may be superior to those of our common stock.

The prospectus supplement relating to any series of preferred stock we offer will include specific terms relating to the offering and the name of any transfer agent for that series. We will file the form of the preferred stock with the SEC before we issue any of it, and you should read it for provisions that may be important to you. The prospectus supplement will include some or all of the following terms:

 

•

the title of the preferred stock;

 

•

the maximum number of shares of the series;

 

•

the dividend rate or the method of calculating the dividend, the date from which dividends will accrue and whether dividends will be cumulative;

 

•

any terms for the conversion or exchange of the preferred stock for other securities of us or any other entity;

 

•

any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate us to redeem or purchase the preferred stock;

 

•

any redemption provisions;

 

•

any liquidation preference;

 

•

any voting rights; and

 

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any other preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights or any qualifications, limitations or restrictions on the rights of the shares.

The issuance of shares of preferred stock by our board of directors as described above may adversely affect the rights of the holders of our common stock. For example, preferred stock may rank prior to our common stock as to dividend rights, liquidation preference or both, may have full or limited voting rights and may be convertible into shares of our common stock. The issuance of shares of preferred stock may discourage third-party bids for our common stock or may otherwise adversely affect the market price of our common stock. In addition, preferred stock may enable our board of directors to make it more difficult or to discourage attempts to obtain control of us through a hostile tender offer, proxy contest, merger or otherwise, or to make changes in our management.

Anti-takeover effects of provisions of our certificate of incorporation, our bylaws and Delaware law

Some provisions of Delaware law, our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws could make certain change of control transactions more difficult, including acquisitions of us by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise, as well as removal of our incumbent officers and directors. These provisions may also have the effect of preventing changes in our management. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish or could deter transactions that stockholders may otherwise consider to be in their best interest or in our best interests, including transactions that might result in a premium over the market price for our shares.

These provisions, summarized below, are intended to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are also designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with our board of directors. We believe that the benefits of increased protection and our potential ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure us outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging these proposals because, among other things, negotiation of these proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.

Opt out of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law

In our certificate of incorporation, we have elected not to be subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) regulating corporate takeovers until the date on which the SCF group (as defined below) is no longer the holder of at least 15% of our outstanding common stock. On and after such date, we will be subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL. In general, those provisions prohibit a Delaware corporation, including those whose securities are listed for trading on the NYSE, from engaging in any business combination with any interested stockholder for a period of three years following the date that the stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless:

 

•

the transaction is approved by the board of directors before the date the interested stockholder attained that status;

 

•

upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced; or

 

•

on or after the date the interested stockholder attained that status, the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at a meeting of stockholders by at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

Among other things, our certificate of incorporation and bylaws:

 

•

establish advance notice procedures with regard to stockholder proposals relating to the nomination of candidates for election as directors or new business to be brought before meetings of our stockholders.

 

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These procedures provide that notice of stockholder proposals must be timely given in writing to our corporate secretary prior to the meeting at which the action is to be taken. Generally, to be timely, notice must be received at our principal executive offices not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary date of the annual meeting for the preceding year. Our bylaws specify the requirements as to form and content of all stockholders’ notices. These requirements may preclude stockholders from bringing matters before the stockholders at an annual or special meeting to the extent they do not comply with the requirements in these advance notice procedures;

 

•

provide our board of directors the ability to authorize the issuance of undesignated preferred stock. This makes it possible for our board of directors to issue, without stockholder approval, preferred stock with voting or other rights or preferences that could impede the success of any attempt to change control of us;

 

•

provide that the authorized number of directors may be changed only by resolution of the board of directors;

 

•

provide that all vacancies, including newly created directorships, may, except as otherwise required by law, be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of directors then in office, even if less than a quorum;

 

•

provide that any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders and may not be effected by any consent in writing in lieu of a meeting of such stockholders, subject to the rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock;

 

•

provide that our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may be amended by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of our then outstanding common stock;

 

•

provide that special meetings of our stockholders may only be called by the board of directors, the chief executive officer, the president, the secretary, the chairman of the board or by stockholders holding a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote generally in the election of directors;

 

•

provide for our board of directors to be divided into three classes of directors, with each class as nearly equal in number as possible, serving staggered three year terms, other than directors who may be elected by holders of preferred stock, if any. This system of electing and removing directors may tend to discourage a third party from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us, because it generally makes it more difficult for stockholders to replace a majority of the directors;

 

•

provide that a member of our board of directors may only be removed for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of our then outstanding common stock; and

 

•

provide that we renounce any interest in the business opportunities of the SCF group or any of their officers, directors, agents, stockholders, members, partners, affiliates and subsidiaries (other than our directors that are presented business opportunities in their capacity as our directors) and that they have no obligation to offer us those opportunities.

Renouncement of Business Opportunities

SCF-V, L.P., SCF-VI, L.P. and SCF-VII, L.P. (collectively, “SCF”) have investments in other oilfield service companies that may compete with us, and SCF and its affiliates, other than us, may invest in such other companies in the future. SCF, its other affiliates and its portfolio companies are referred to as the “SCF group.” Our certificate of incorporation provides that, until we have had no directors that are directors or officers affiliated with SCF (each, an “SCF Nominee”) for a continuous period of one year, we renounce any interest in any business opportunity in which any member of the SCF group participates or desires or seeks to participate in and that involves any aspect of the energy equipment or services business or industry, other than:

 

•

any business opportunity that is brought to the attention of an SCF Nominee solely in such person’s capacity as our director or officer and with respect to which no other member of the SCF group independently receives notice or otherwise identifies such opportunity; or

 

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any business opportunity that is identified by the SCF group solely through the disclosure of information by or on behalf of us.

In addition, L.E. Simmons & Associates, Incorporated (“LESA”), the ultimate general partner of SCF, has an internal policy that discourages it from investing in two or more portfolio companies with substantially overlapping industry segments and geographic areas. However, LESA’s internal policy does not restrict the management or operation of its other individual portfolio companies from competing with us. Pursuant to LESA’s policy, LESA may allocate any potential opportunities to the existing portfolio company where LESA determines, in its discretion, such opportunities are the most logical strategic and operational fit. Thus, members of the SCF group, which includes any SCF Nominees, may pursue opportunities in the oilfield services industry for their own account or present such opportunities to us or one of SCF’s other portfolio companies. Our certificate of incorporation provides that the SCF group, which includes any SCF Nominees, has no obligation to offer such opportunities to us, even if the failure to provide such opportunity would have a competitive impact on us. We are not prohibited from pursuing any business opportunity with respect to which we have renounced any interest.

Our certificate of incorporation further provides that any amendment to or adoption of any provision inconsistent with the certificate of incorporation’s provisions governing the renouncement of business opportunities must be approved by the holders of at least 80% of the voting power of the outstanding stock of the corporation entitled to vote thereon.

Amendment of the Bylaws

Our board of directors may amend or repeal the bylaws and adopt new bylaws by the affirmative vote of a majority of the whole board of directors. The stockholders may amend or repeal the bylaws and adopt new bylaws by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of our then outstanding common stock at any annual meeting or special meeting for which notice of the proposed amendment, repeal or adoption was contained in the notice for such special meeting.

Limitation of Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors

Our directors will not be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except, if required by Delaware law, for liability:

 

•

for any breach of the duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders;

 

•

for acts or omissions not in good faith or involving intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

 

•

for unlawful payment of a dividend or unlawful stock purchases or redemptions; or

 

•

for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

As a result, neither we nor our stockholders have the right, through stockholders’ derivative suits on our behalf, to recover monetary damages against a director for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, including breaches resulting from grossly negligent behavior, except in the situations described above. We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our other current directors and officers.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC.

Market Information

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “FET.”

 

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue warrants to purchase any combination of debt securities, common stock, preferred stock or other securities of our company or any other entity. We may issue warrants independently or together with other securities. Warrants sold with other securities may be attached to or separate from the other securities. We will issue warrants under one or more warrant agreements between us and a warrant agent that we will name in the prospectus supplement.

The prospectus supplement relating to any warrants we are offering will include specific terms relating to the offering. We will file the form of any warrant agreement with the SEC, and you should read the warrant agreement for provisions that may be important to you. The prospectus supplement will include some or all of the following terms:

 

•

the title of the warrants;

 

•

the aggregate number of warrants offered;

 

•

the designation, number and terms of the debt securities, common stock, preferred stock or other securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants, and procedures by which those numbers may be adjusted;

 

•

the exercise price of the warrants;

 

•

the dates or periods during which the warrants are exercisable;

 

•

the designation and terms of any securities with which the warrants are issued;

 

•

if the warrants are issued as a unit with another security, the date, if any, on and after which the warrants and the other security will be separately transferable;

 

•

if the exercise price is not payable in U.S. dollars, the foreign currency, currency unit or composite currency in which the exercise price is denominated;

 

•

any minimum or maximum amount of warrants that may be exercised at any one time; and

 

•

any terms, procedures and limitations relating to the transferability, exchange or exercise of the warrants.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities on a delayed or continuous basis in and outside the United States through underwriters or dealers as designated from time to time, directly to purchasers, through agents or through a combination of these methods.

Sale Through Underwriters or Dealers

If we use underwriters in the sale of securities, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. Underwriters may offer securities to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to conditions, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the offered securities if they purchase any of them. The underwriters may change from time to time any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.

During and after an offering through underwriters, the underwriters may purchase and sell the securities in the open market. These transactions may include overallotment and stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover syndicate short positions created in connection with the offering. The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid, which means that selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers for the offered securities sold for their account may be reclaimed by the syndicate if the offered securities are repurchased by the syndicate in stabilizing or covering transactions. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the offered securities, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue these activities at any time.

If we use dealers in the sale of securities, we will sell the securities to them as principals. They may then resell those securities to the public at varying prices determined by the dealers at the time of resale. The dealers participating in any sale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any sale of those securities. We will include in the prospectus supplement the names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction.

Direct Sales and Sales Through Agents

We may sell the securities directly. In that event, no underwriters or agents would be involved. We may also sell the securities through agents we designate from time to time. In the prospectus supplement, we will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the offered securities, and we will describe any commissions payable by us to the agent. Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, any agent will agree to use its reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of its appointment.

We may sell the securities directly to institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any sale of those securities. We will describe the terms of any such sales in the prospectus supplement.

Delayed Delivery Contracts

If we so indicate in the prospectus supplement, we may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers from certain types of institutions to purchase securities from us at the public offering price under delayed delivery contracts. These contracts would provide for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts would be subject only to those conditions described in the prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement will describe the commission payable for solicitation of those contracts.

 

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Remarketing

We may offer and sell any of the securities in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment by their terms or otherwise, by one or more remarketing firms acting as principals for their own accounts or as our agents. We will identify any remarketing firm, the terms of any remarketing agreement and the compensation to be paid to the remarketing firm in the prospectus supplement. Remarketing firms may be deemed underwriters under the Securities Act.

Derivative Transactions

We may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third parties may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third parties in these sale transactions will be underwriters and will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement or in a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

General Information

We may have agreements with the agents, dealers and underwriters to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute with respect to payments that the agents, dealers or underwriters may be required to make. Agents, dealers and underwriters may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of their businesses.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for us by Baker Botts L.L.P., Houston, Texas. Any underwriters will be advised about other issues relating to any offering by their own legal counsel.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report (which contains an explanatory paragraph relating to the Company’s combination as described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements) of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You can read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. You can obtain information about the operation of the SEC’s public reference room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains a Web site that contains information we file electronically with the SEC, which you can access over the Internet at http://www.sec.gov. You can obtain information about us at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

This prospectus is part of a registration statement we have filed with the SEC relating to the securities we may offer. As permitted by SEC rules, this prospectus does not contain all of the information we have included in the registration statement and the accompanying exhibits and schedules we file with the SEC. You may refer to the registration statement, the exhibits and the schedules for more information about us and our securities. The registration statement, exhibits and schedules are available at the SEC’s public reference room or through its Web site.

We are incorporating by reference information we file with the SEC, which means that we are disclosing important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information we incorporate by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and later information that we file with the SEC automatically will update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we make with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 until the termination of the offering:

 

•

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012;

 

•

our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2013 and June 30, 2013;

 

•

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 21, 2013, May 29, 2013 and August 2, 2013; and

 

•

the description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on April 11, 2012, as that description may be updated from time to time.

 

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You may request a copy of these filings, other than an exhibit to these filings unless we have specifically incorporated that exhibit by reference into the filing, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address:

Forum Energy Technologies, Inc.

920 Memorial City Way, Suite 1000

Houston, Texas 77024

Attention: Investor Relations

Telephone: (281) 949-2500

 

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10,000,000 shares

 

Common stock

Prospectus supplement

 

J.P. Morgan		BofA Merrill Lynch

                    , 2014

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. Neither we, the selling stockholders nor the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and any free writing prospectus. The selling stockholders are offering to sell shares of common stock and seeking offers to buy shares of common stock only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The information in this prospectus supplement is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus supplement, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus supplement or any sale of the common stock.

No action is being taken in any jurisdiction outside the United States to permit a public offering of the common stock or possession or distribution of this prospectus supplement in that jurisdiction. Persons who come into possession of this prospectus supplement in jurisdictions outside the United States are required to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions as to this offering and the distribution of this prospectus supplement applicable to that jurisdiction.