e424b3
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration
No. 333-129942
PROSPECTUS
Whiting Petroleum Corporation
Offer to Exchange
All Outstanding
7% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014
$250,000,000 Aggregate Principal Amount
for
New 7% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014
$250,000,000 Aggregate Principal Amount
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We are offering to exchange new registered 7% senior
subordinated notes due 2014 for all of our outstanding
unregistered 7% senior subordinated notes due 2014. |
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The exchange offer expires at 11:59 p.m., New York City
time, on March 23, 2006, unless we extend it. |
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The terms of the new notes are substantially identical to those
of the old notes, except that the new notes will not have
securities law transfer restrictions and registration rights
relating to the old notes and the new notes will not provide for
the payment of additional interest under circumstances relating
to the timing of the exchange offer. |
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The new notes will be unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and
severally, by certain of our subsidiaries on a senior
subordinated basis. |
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All outstanding old notes that are validly tendered and not
validly withdrawn will be exchanged. |
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You may withdraw your tender of old notes any time before the
exchange offer expires. |
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We will not receive any proceeds from the exchange offer. |
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No established trading market for the new notes currently
exists. The new notes will not be listed on any securities
exchange or included in any automated quotation system. |
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The exchange of notes will not be a taxable event for
U.S. federal income tax purposes. |
See Risk Factors beginning on page 23 for a
discussion of risk factors that you should consider before
deciding to exchange your old notes for new notes.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state
securities commission has approved or disapproved of these
securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or
complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.
The date of this prospectus is February 23, 2006.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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A-1 |
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Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this
prospectus to Whiting, we,
us, our or ours refer to
Whiting Petroleum Corporation, together with its only operating
subsidiary, Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation. When the context
requires, we refer to these entities separately.
This prospectus incorporates important business and financial
information about us that is not included in or delivered with
this prospectus. We will provide you without charge upon your
request, a copy of any documents that we incorporate by
reference, other than exhibits to those documents that are not
specifically incorporated by reference into those documents. You
may request a copy of a document by writing to Bruce R. DeBoer,
Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Whiting
Petroleum Corporation, 1700 Broadway, Suite 2300, Denver,
Colorado 80290-2300, or by calling Mr. DeBoer at
(303) 837-1661. To ensure timely delivery, you must request
the information no later than five business days before the
completion of the exchange offer. Therefore, you must make any
request on or before March 16, 2006.
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This summary highlights selected information contained
elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary may not contain all
of the information that may be important to you. You should read
carefully this entire prospectus, including Risk
Factors, and the documents we incorporate by reference
into this prospectus. We have provided definitions for the oil
and natural gas terms used in this prospectus in the
Glossary of Oil and Natural Gas Terms included in
this prospectus.
About Our Company
We are an independent oil and natural gas company engaged in
exploitation, acquisition, exploration and production activities
primarily in the Permian Basin, Rocky Mountains, Mid-Continent,
Gulf Coast and Michigan regions of the United States.
Since our inception in 1980, we have built a strong asset base
and achieved steady growth through both property acquisitions
and exploitation activities. During 2005, we have completed four
separate acquisitions of producing properties for an aggregate
purchase price of $897.7 million. The proved reserves of
the acquired properties are estimated to be approximately
801.9 Bcfe as of the acquisition effective dates,
representing an average cost of $1.12 per Mcfe of estimated
proved reserves acquired. As of July 1, 2005 and on a pro
forma basis for these acquisitions, our estimated proved
reserves totaled 1,642.6 Bcfe, representing an 89.8%
increase in our proved reserves since January 1, 2005. Our
pro forma estimated September 2005 average daily production was
238.0 MMcfe/d, representing a 26.7% increase over our
December 2004 average daily production and implying a pro forma
average reserve life of approximately 18.9 years.
The following table summarizes our pro forma estimated proved
reserves and pre-tax PV10% value in our core areas and our pro
forma standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows
as of July 1, 2005, in each case giving effect to our
acquisitions of the Postle properties and the North Ward Estes
and ancillary properties, which closed on October 4, 2005,
as if such acquisitions had occurred as of July 1, 2005,
and our pro forma estimated September 2005 average daily
production, giving effect to our acquisition of the North Ward
Estes and ancillary properties. Pro forma September 2005 average
daily production includes the actual production for the North
Ward Estes and ancillary properties during September 2005, which
was prior to our acquisition of these properties.
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Pro Forma Proved Reserves | |
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Pro Forma | |
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September 2005 | |
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Pre-Tax | |
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Average Daily | |
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Oil | |
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Natural | |
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Total | |
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% Natural | |
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PV10% | |
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Production | |
Core Area |
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(MMbbl) | |
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Gas (Bcf) | |
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(Bcfe) | |
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Gas | |
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Value(4) | |
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(MMcfe) | |
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(In millions) | |
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Permian Basin(1)
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113.0 |
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85.6 |
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763.6 |
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11.2 |
% |
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1,741.9 |
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72.4 |
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Rocky Mountains(2)
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43.1 |
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121.8 |
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380.6 |
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32.0 |
% |
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963.3 |
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74.7 |
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Mid-Continent(3)
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41.4 |
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36.2 |
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284.7 |
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12.7 |
% |
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747.9 |
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32.4 |
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Gulf Coast
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3.9 |
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99.6 |
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123.3 |
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80.8 |
% |
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452.4 |
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39.0 |
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Michigan
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2.0 |
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78.2 |
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90.4 |
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86.5 |
% |
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249.4 |
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19.5 |
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Total
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203.5 |
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421.4 |
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1,642.6 |
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25.7 |
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$ |
4,154.9 |
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238.0 |
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Discounted Future Income Taxes
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$ |
(1,311.4 |
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Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows
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$ |
2,843.5 |
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(1) |
Pro forma to include estimated proved reserves of
76.9 MMbbl oil, 31.3 Bcf gas and 492.5 Bcfe
total, a pre-tax PV10% value of $922.5 million and
34.7 MMcfe of September 2005 average daily production for
the North Ward Estes and ancillary properties. |
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(2) |
Includes total estimated proved reserves of 10.1 Bcfe and a
pre-tax PV10% value of $32.0 million in California and
total estimated proved reserves of 5.6 Bcfe and a pre-tax
PV10% value of $19.5 million in Canada. |
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(3) |
Pro forma to include estimated proved reserves of
37.9 MMbbl oil, 14.2 Bcf gas and 241.5 Bcfe, a
pre-tax PV10% value of $643.1 million. |
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(4) |
Pre-tax PV10% value may be considered a non-GAAP financial
measure as defined by the SEC and is derived from the
standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows, which
is the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Pre-tax
PV10% value is computed on the same basis as the standardized
measure of discounted future net cash flows but without
deducting future income taxes. We believe pre-tax PV10% value is
a useful measure for investors for evaluating the relative
monetary significance of our oil and natural gas properties. We
further believe investors may utilize our pre-tax PV10% value as
a basis for comparison of the relative size and value of our
reserves to other companies because many factors that are unique
to each individual company impact the amount of future income
taxes to be paid. Our management uses this measure when
assessing the potential return on investment related to our oil
and natural gas properties and acquisitions. However, pre-tax
PV10% value is not a substitute for the standardized measure of
discounted future net cash flows. Our pre-tax PV10% value and
the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows do
not purport to present the fair value of our oil and natural gas
reserves. |
We expect to continue to build on our successful acquisition
track record and seek property acquisitions that complement our
existing core properties. Additionally, we believe that our
significant drilling inventory, combined with our operating
experience and efficient cost structure, provide us with
significant organic growth opportunities. We have budgeted
approximately $180 million for development drilling capital
expenditures in 2005. Through September 30, 2005, we have
invested $114.6 million of our budgeted expenditures for
the drilling of 171 gross (78.4 net) wells with 150
productive wells, representing an 88% success rate. Based on
current availability and access to drilling rigs in our areas of
operations, we anticipate significant drilling activity during
the remainder of the year.
Celero Acquisitions
In 2005, we acquired from Celero Energy, LP the operated
interests in two producing oil and gas fields as well as
positions in several other smaller fields, totaling
734.0 Bcfe of estimated proved reserves. On August 4,
2005, we acquired properties in the Postle Field, located in the
Oklahoma Panhandle, and on October 4, 2005, we acquired
properties in the North Ward Estes Field and certain other
smaller fields, located in the Permian Basin.
The effective date of both acquisitions was July 1, 2005.
The total purchase price was approximately $802.2 million
comprised of $343 million in cash paid at the closing of
the Postle properties and $442 million in cash paid at the
closing of the North Ward Estes properties along with
441,500 shares of our common stock. We funded the
acquisition of the Postle properties through borrowings under
the credit agreement of Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation, our
wholly-owned subsidiary. We funded the acquisition of the North
Ward Estes properties with the net proceeds from the private
placement of our 7% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014 and
our common stock offering, both of which closed on
October 4, 2005.
Postle Field. The Postle Field, located in Texas County,
Oklahoma, includes five producing units and one producing lease
covering a total of approximately 25,600 gross acres
(24,223 net) with working interests of 94% to 100%. Three
of the units are currently under
CO2
enhanced recovery projects. There are currently
88 producing wells and 78 injection wells completed in the
Morrow zone at 6,100 feet. The Postle properties produced
at an estimated average net daily rate of 4,122 barrels of
oil (including NGLs) and 1,025 Mcf of natural gas during
the month of September 2005. In the Postle Field, the estimated
proved reserves are 53% PDP, 4% PDNP and 43% PUD.
The Postle Field was initially developed in the early
1960s and unitized for waterflood in 1967. Enhanced
recovery projects using
CO2
were initiated in 1995 and continue in three of the five units.
We plan to expand the current
CO2
projects into the rest of the units. These expansion projects
include the restoration of shut-in
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wells and the drilling of new producing and injection wells.
This expansion work is underway, with two drilling rigs and six
workover rigs currently active in the field.
In connection with the acquisition of the Postle properties, we
acquired 100% ownership of the Dry Trails Gas Plant located in
the Postle field. This gas processing plant separates
CO2
gas from the produced wellhead mixture of hydrocarbon and
CO2
gas, so that the
CO2
gas can be reinjected into the producing formation. Plans are
underway to increase the plant capacity from its current
capacity of 43 MMcf/d to 83 MMcf/d by 2007 to support
the expanded
CO2
injection projects.
We also acquired a 60% interest in the 120 mile TransPetco
operated
CO2
transportation pipeline serving the Postle Field, thereby
assuring the delivery of
CO2
at a fair tariff. A long-term
CO2
purchase agreement was recently executed with a major integrated
oil and gas company to provide the necessary
CO2
for the expansion planned in the field.
North Ward Estes. The North Ward Estes Field includes six
base leases with 100% working interest in 58,000 gross and
net acres in Ward and Winkler Counties, Texas. There are
currently approximately 580 producing wells and 180
injection wells. The Yates formation at 2,600 feet is the
primary producing zone with additional production from other
zones including the Queen at 3,000 feet. As part of this
acquisition, we also acquired the rights to deeper horizons
under 34,590 gross acres in the North Ward Estes Field. The
North Ward Estes properties produced at an estimated average net
daily rate of 4,185 barrels of oil (including NGLs) and 2,974
Mcf of natural gas during the month of September 2005. In the
North Ward Estes Field, the estimated proved reserves are
approximately 16% PDP, 17% PDNP and 67% PUD.
The North Ward Estes Field was initially developed in the
1930s and full scale waterflooding was initiated in 1955.
A
CO2
enhanced recovery project was implemented in the core of the
field in 1989, but was terminated in 1996 after a successful top
lease by a third party. We plan to expand the waterflood
operations in the field as well as reinitiate a
CO2
project in 2007.
Included in the North Ward Estes acquisition were interests in
certain other fields encompassing approximately
51,200 gross acres (33,000 net). These other fields
include approximately 800 oil and gas wells within the Permian
Basin of Texas and New Mexico. These properties produced at an
estimated average net daily rate of 800 barrels of oil
(including NGLs) and 1,898 Mcf of natural gas during the
month of September 2005. Combining the North Ward Estes and
other fields, the estimated proved reserves of 492.5 Bcfe
are approximately 20% PDP, 16% PDNP and 64% PUD.
Low Cost Acquisition in Core Operational Areas. Based on
the purchase price of approximately $802.2 million and
estimated proved reserves of 734.0 Bcfe as of the effective
date of the acquisitions, we acquired the Celero properties for
approximately $1.09 per Mcfe of estimated proved reserves.
With the acquisition of the North Ward Estes properties, we
added estimated proved reserves of 492.5 Bcfe to our
Permian Basin region, making it our largest region comprising
46.5% of our pro forma total estimated proved reserves as of
July 1, 2005, up from 32% as of January 1, 2005. Our
addition of the Postle Field estimated proved reserves of
241.5 Bcfe increased our Mid-Continent region reserves to
17.3% of our pro forma total estimated proved reserves as of
July 1, 2005, up from 3% as of January 1, 2005.
Additional Near-Term Celero Property Development
Opportunities. The aggregate estimated total proved reserves
for the Celero properties are approximately 31% PDP, 12% PDNP
and 57% PUD. An active development program is underway, and we
expect to commit to capital expenditures of approximately
$197 million from July 2005 through 2006. Total capital
expenditures of approximately $533 million, including
$166 million for
CO2
purchases, are estimated to be required for future development
of the proved reserves. In total, we expect to spend
approximately 80% of the $533 million of total development
capital over the next
51/2 years.
The addition of the future $533 million capital
expenditures to the approximately $802.2 million
acquisition price would yield an all-in acquisition and
development cost of $1.82 per Mcfe.
Integration Plan. We hired 47 of Celeros field
level employees, many of whom have extensive experience in the
acquired fields. In addition, we assumed Celeros Midland,
Texas, office lease and hired 27 of Celeros technical and
support office staff. We expect that the acquired properties
will continue to be operated and managed by the current
personnel and the ongoing development activity to continue
without
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interruption. In addition to the benefits of field level
continuity, we believe that there are meaningful opportunities
to share technical expertise between our existing staff and
Celeros employees to the benefit of both the Celero
properties and our existing properties.
Other Recent Acquisitions
Institutional Partnerships Interests. On June 23,
2005, we completed our acquisition of all of the limited
partnership interests in three institutional partnerships
managed by our wholly-owned subsidiary Whiting Programs, Inc.
The purchase price was $30.5 million for estimated proved
reserves of approximately 17.4 Bcfe as of the acquisition
effective date, resulting in a cost of $1.75 per Mcfe of
estimated proved reserves. The partnership properties are
located in Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Wyoming. The
average daily production from the properties was
4.0 MMcfe/d as of the effective date of the acquisition. We
funded the acquisition using cash on hand.
Green River Basin. On March 31, 2005, we completed
our acquisition of operated interests in five producing gas
fields in the Green River Basin of Wyoming. The purchase price
was $65.0 million for estimated proved reserves of
approximately 50.5 Bcfe as of the acquisition effective
date, resulting in a cost of $1.29 per Mcfe of estimated
proved reserves. We operate approximately 95% of the average
daily production from the properties, which was 6.3 MMcfe/d
as of the effective date of the acquisition. We funded the
acquisition through borrowings under our wholly-owned subsidiary
Whiting Oil and Gas Corporations credit agreement.
Business Strategy
Our goal is to generate meaningful growth in both production and
free cash flow by investing in oil and gas projects with
attractive rates of return on capital employed. To date, we have
achieved this goal largely through the acquisition of additional
reserves in our core areas. Based on the extensive property base
we have built, we now have several economically attractive
opportunities to exploit and develop our oil and natural gas
properties and explore our acreage positions for production
growth and additional proved reserves. Specifically, we have
focused, and plan to continue to focus, on the following:
Developing and Exploiting Existing Properties. Our
existing property base and our acquisitions over the past two
years have provided us with significant low-risk opportunities
for exploitation and development drilling. Including the Celero
acquisitions, we currently have an identified drilling inventory
of approximately 1,300 gross wells that we believe will add
substantial production over the next five years. Our drilling
inventory consists largely of the development of our proved
undeveloped reserves for which we have spent significant time
evaluating the costs and expected results.
Additionally, we have several opportunities to apply enhanced
recovery techniques that we expect will increase proved reserves
and extend the productive lives of our mature fields. Once
integrated, we anticipate meaningfully increasing production
from the Celero properties through the use of secondary and
tertiary recovery techniques, including water and
CO2
floods. Our existing expertise, as well as the expertise of the
Celero field employees we expect to retain subsequent to the
acquisition, should enable us to effectively implement these
recovery techniques over the next several years.
Growing Through Accretive Acquisitions. Since our initial
public offering in November 2003, we have announced eleven
acquisitions totaling 1.2 Tcfe of estimated total proved
reserves. Our experienced team of management, engineering and
geoscience professionals has developed and refined an
acquisition program designed to increase reserves and complement
our existing properties, including identifying and evaluating
acquisition opportunities, negotiating and closing purchases,
and managing acquired properties. As a result of our disciplined
approach, we have achieved significant growth in our core areas
at an average cost of $1.16 per Mcfe of proved reserves
through these eleven acquisitions.
Pursuing High-Return Organic Reserve Additions. Our
strategy includes the allocation of 10% to 20% of our annual
drilling budget to higher risk projects, including step-out
development drilling, trend extensions and exploration, that we
believe will add substantially to our proved reserves and cash
flow. Although exploration
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has not been the most significant driver of our growth, we
believe that we can prudently and successfully grow in part
through exploratory activities given our technical teams
experience with advanced drilling techniques and our expanded
base of operations. Following the Celero acquisitions, we own
interests in approximately 555,100 gross (333,000 net)
undeveloped acres as well as additional rights to deeper
horizons within many of our developed acreage positions.
Disciplined Financial Approach. Our goal is to remain
financially strong, yet flexible, through the prudent management
of our balance sheet and active management of commodity price
volatility. We have historically funded our acquisitions and
growth activity through a combination of equity and debt
issuances, bank borrowings and internally generated cash flow,
as appropriate, to maintain our strong financial position. To
support cash flow generation on our existing properties and
secure acquisition economics, we periodically enter into
derivative contracts. Typically, we use no-cost collars to
provide an attractive base commodity price level while
maintaining the ability to benefit from improvements in
commodity prices.
Competitive Strengths
We believe that our key competitive strengths lie in our
balanced asset portfolio, our experienced management and
technical team and our commitment to effective application of
new technologies.
Balanced, Long-Lived Asset Base. As of October 1,
2005 and pro forma for the North Ward Estes acquisition, we had
interests in 8,583 productive wells across 1,050,540 gross
(483,630 net) developed acres in our five core geographical
areas. We believe this geographic mix of properties and organic
drilling opportunities, combined with our continuing business
strategy of acquiring and exploiting properties in these areas,
presents us with multiple opportunities for success in executing
our strategy because we are not dependent on any particular
producing regions or geological formations. As a result of the
Celero acquisitions, we have enhanced the production stability
and reserve life of our developed reserves. Additionally, the
Celero properties contain identifiable growth opportunities to
significantly increase production in the near- and
intermediate-term.
Experienced Management Team. Our management team averages
over 25 years of experience in the oil and natural gas
industry. Our personnel have extensive experience in each of our
core geographical areas and in all of our operational
disciplines. In addition, each of our acquisition professionals
has at least 20 years of experience in the evaluation,
acquisition and operational assimilation of oil and natural gas
properties.
Commitment to Technology. In each of our core operating
areas, we have accumulated detailed geologic and geophysical
knowledge and have developed significant technical and
operational expertise. In recent years, we have developed
considerable expertise in conventional and
3-D seismic imaging and
interpretation. Our technical team has access to approximately
1,294 square miles of
3-D seismic data,
digital well logs and other subsurface information. This data is
analyzed with state of the art geophysical and geological
computer resources dedicated to the accurate and efficient
characterization of the subsurface oil and gas reservoirs that
comprise our asset base. Computer applications, such as the
WellView®
software system, enable us to quickly generate reports and
schematics on our wells. In addition, our information systems
enable us to update our production databases through daily
uploads from hand held computers in the field. This commitment
to technology has increased the productivity and efficiency of
our field operations development activities.
Major Development Plans
We are engaged in drilling activities throughout our core
regions. The following tables set forth the number of productive
and non-productive wells we have drilled through
September 30, 2005, the estimated number of remaining wells
we expect to drill in 2005 and our estimated capital
expenditures during 2005 both for our company including the
Celero properties from their dates of acquisition and for the
Celero properties separately from their dates of acquisition.
The information should not be considered indicative of future
5
performance, nor should it be assumed that there is necessarily
any correlation between the number of productive wells drilled
and quantities of reserves found or economic value.
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Whiting Petroleum Corporation (Including Celero) | |
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Mid- | |
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Permian | |
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Rocky | |
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Continent/ | |
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Basin | |
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Mountains | |
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Gulf Coast | |
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Michigan | |
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Total | |
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Wells drilled during 2005 (gross/net)
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Productive
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36/23.6 |
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60/18.3 |
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19/10.0 |
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35/12.6 |
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150/64.5 |
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Non-productive
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6/4.8 |
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7/3.8 |
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3/2.1 |
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5/3.2 |
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21/13.9 |
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Estimated remaining wells to be drilled in 2005 (gross/net)
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|
|
105/84.9 |
|
|
|
58/51.6 |
|
|
|
25/11.5 |
|
|
|
32/14.2 |
|
|
|
220/162.2 |
|
Estimated maximum capital expenditures during 2005 (in millions)
|
|
$ |
54.0 |
|
|
$ |
54.0 |
|
|
$ |
39.0 |
|
|
$ |
33.0 |
|
|
$ |
180.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Celero | |
|
|
| |
|
|
North | |
|
|
|
|
Ward Estes | |
|
Postle | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Wells drilled during 2005 (gross/net)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Productive
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3/3.0 |
|
|
|
3/3.0 |
|
|
Non-productive
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1/1.0 |
|
|
|
1/1.0 |
|
Estimated remaining wells to be drilled in 2005 (gross/net)
|
|
|
74/74.0 |
|
|
|
5/5.0 |
|
|
|
79/79.0 |
|
Estimated maximum capital expenditures during 2005 (in millions)
|
|
$ |
37.0 |
|
|
$ |
12.9 |
|
|
$ |
49.9 |
|
North Ward Estes Field. An active workover and drilling
program is underway with five shallow drilling rigs, 15 workover
rigs and one intermediate depth rig active in the North Ward
Estes Field. Capital expenditures of approximately
$417 million are estimated to be required for future
development of the North Ward Estes Field, including
approximately $127 million for
CO2
purchases, which will be capitalized, and approximately
$290 million for tangible and intangible workover and
drilling costs.
An active refracturing program in the Yates formation in the
North Ward Estes Field is underway. The new stimulations have
been successful in repairing wellbore damage and opening
additional pay. Over 100 refracs have been performed during
2005 and they continue at a pace of approximately eight to ten
per week. Development projects, including waterflood
restoration, infill drilling and lateral extension of the Yates
reservoir, are also underway. The waterflood restoration program
includes reactivation of shut-in producing wells and injection
wells as well as the drilling of new wells to complete
waterflood patterns. Additional drilling plans include
10 acre infill wells and step-out wells extending the
Eastern edge of the Yates reservoir. Approximately 60 wells
have undergone workovers and about 50 new wells have been
drilled during 2005.
Development plans for future years include the reactivation and
expansion of the
CO2
flood in the Yates formation, which was active in the field from
1989 thru 1996. The
CO2
development plans are scheduled to begin in 2007 following the
restoration and expansion of the waterflood operation.
The intermediate depth drilling rig is active in the North Ward
Estes Field drilling deeper pays, primarily the Penn formation.
Three Penn wells have been drilled in 2005, with two on
production and the third completing. A fourth Penn well is
currently drilling. Other deeper horizons to be tested with
additional drilling target the Montoya and Ellenburger.
Parkway Field. We own a non-operated position in the
Parkway (Delaware) Unit located in Eddy County, New Mexico.
Production is from three sands within the Brushy Canyon, a sub
group of the Delaware. This field is under active waterflood,
and the operator is converting the 5 spot flood to a 9 spot
pattern. Six wells have been drilled during 2005 and additional
drilling is scheduled later in 2005 or early 2006.
Would Have Field. We have continued development of this
field with a total of nine wells drilled during 2005 targeting
the Clearfork Would Have, Dillard and the Canyon
Reef. We have purchased additional
6
interests on the east side of the property and are moving
forward with the expansion of the waterflood to the east side of
the field.
Keystone Field. Currently, two drilling rigs are drilling
Wichita Albany test wells in the Keystone Field. We have plans
to keep one to two rigs active in the field for the remainder of
the year drilling Wichita Albany, Devonian and possibly
Ellenburger objectives. We completed a
3-D seismic survey over
this field in June 2005 and are using this information to refine
these drilling targets and identify additional objectives in
this multi-pay field.
Parks Field. This field is located in Stephens County,
Texas and produces from several reservoirs, with primary
production from the Caddo Lime at a depth of approximately
3,200 feet. This reservoir in Parks Field was never
waterflooded and our plans are to re-drill the wells and install
a waterflood. During 2005, we have drilled a total of nine Caddo
formation wells. We are in the process of completing these wells.
Signal Peak Field. We have participated in the drilling
of four Wolfcamp wells in the Signal Peak Field during 2005. Two
of these wells have been completed, drilling operations on the
remaining two wells have just finished and completion operations
are underway. Additional drilling is scheduled later in 2005.
In the Williston Basin of North Dakota and Montana, we are
currently operating two rigs capable of drilling new wells. We
have also signed a contract for a third rig, which is scheduled
to be delivered in October 2005. In addition, we have been
utilizing a smaller rig to drill horizontal casing exits and the
horizontal sections on existing wells.
Big Stick (Madison) Unit. During early summer 2005, a
3-D seismic survey was
completed over the Big Stick Field. The objective of this survey
was to help us better understand the unitized formation, the
Madison, and to identify additional deeper drilling
opportunities in the Duperow and Red River. In early 2004, the
Egly 20-1 well was placed on production as a Red River gas
well. In May 2005, the Egly achieved a cumulative production of
over one Bcf of gas. Information from the
3-D seismic survey
indicates we have additional Red River opportunities in the
field.
Nisku A Drilling Program. During 2005, we have drilled a
total of eight casing exit and grassroot horizontal Nisku
A wells. Currently, we have 14 Nisku wells on
production and one is being completed.
Siberia Ridge Field. In the Siberia Ridge Field, we
currently have 21 approved permits. Drilling was initiated in
early September 2005. We plan to drill seven wells by the end of
2005. A total of 44 potential infill locations exist on our
leases in the Siberia Ridge Field.
Hiawatha West Field. Early in 2005, three wells were
drilled in the Hiawatha West Field. These wells could not be
completed at that time due to lease restrictions regarding
wildlife in the area. In July 2005, drilling operations resumed,
and in mid-August completion operations were initiated.
Currently, we have fracture stimulated five of the wells and we
are drilling our seventh well. We plan to have drilled and
completed a total of ten wells by the end of 2005.
Postle Field. An active workover and drilling program is
underway with two drilling rigs and six workover rigs currently
active in the Postle Field. Approximately $111 million of
capital expenditures are estimated to be required for future
development of the Postle Field, including $39 million for
CO2
purchases, which will be capitalized, and $1 million
related to the PDNP reserves, which includes returning wells to
production and workovers. Development of the PUD reserves will
require an estimated $93 million of capital expenditures,
including approximately $22 million of
CO2
purchases. The workovers are targeted at restoring production in
shut-in wells and improving production and injection volumes in
active wells. New wells are being drilled to optimize patterns
in the existing
CO2
projects as well as expand the waterflood and
CO2
floods into additional areas. Work has also commenced to expand
the capacity of the Dry Trails Gas Plant to handle the increased
volumes of wellhead
CO2
and hydrocarbon gas that will be associated with the expansion
plans.
7
South Midway Field. We are engaged in an active drilling
program in the South Midway Field. South Midway is operated by
EOG Resources, Inc. and a typical well targets multiple
geo-pressured Lower Frio sands below 10,000 feet. A typical
well will penetrate up to a dozen productive sands. Multiple
fracture stimulation treatments are performed to allow these
wells to produce. Additional pay exists behind pipe and will be
produced once the existing production drops off. This drilling
program has been aided by the use of a 25 square mile
3-D seismic survey that
was acquired prior to initiating the drilling. We estimate that
a total of ten wells will be drilled in South Midway during 2005.
Stuart City Reef Trend. We are continuing development of
both the Edwards Reservoir at approximately 14,000 feet and
the Wilcox reservoir at approximately 10,000 feet. The
Edwards is being accessed with high angle well bores. Currently,
we have one rig actively drilling Edwards wells. Our initial
well, the Julia Mott 7-H was productive. The second well, the
Pohl #3H is being completed and drilling operations have
just begun on the Eilers #3H. Seven Wilcox wells have been
drilled in 2005, of which four are productive and one well is
being completed. The first horizontal well, the Pinson Slaughter
2H, was drilled in March 2005. This well tested the Speary oil
reservoir at the base of the Wilcox.
Agua Dulce Field. Additional seismic information was
acquired last year over the Agua Dulce Field. Information
analyzed from this data has led to the selection of six
additional well locations in the Agua Dulce Field. Arrangements
have been made to move a rig into the field in October 2005 and
to initiate a continuous drilling program in the field that will
extend into 2006.
Clayton Field. Drilling operations are being completed on
the second of two wells drilled in the Clayton field. The target
reservoir for these wells is the Glenwood and the Prairie du
Chein. These wells were drilled utilizing a slight underbalance
condition while drilling the pay zones. Additional hydrocarbons
were encountered in a zone that had not previously produced. The
first well, the Clayton Unit 44-31 was completed in this new
zone and initial production rates and reservoir pressure have
been strong.
Credit Agreement
On August 31, 2005, Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation, our
wholly-owned subsidiary, entered into a $1.2 billion credit
agreement with a syndicate of lending institutions. Our
borrowing base under the credit agreement increased to
$850.0 million after the closing of our acquisition of the
North Ward Estes properties and was offset by a reduction in our
borrowing base of $62.5 million upon the closing of the
private placement of our 7% Senior Subordinated Notes due
2014, resulting in a borrowing base of $787.5 million. For
more information about our credit agreement, see our Current
Report on
Form 8-K, dated
August 31, 2005, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, or SEC.
Common Stock Offering
On October 4, 2004, we sold 6,612,500 shares of our
common stock in a public offering at a price of $43.60 per
share to the public. We used the net proceeds from the common
stock offering, in addition to the proceeds of from the private
placement of the old notes, to pay the cash portion of the
purchase price for the acquisition of the North Ward Estes
properties and to repay a portion of the debt currently
outstanding under Whiting Oil and Gas Corporations credit
agreement that we incurred in connection with the acquisition of
the Postle properties.
Corporate Information
Whiting Petroleum Corporation was incorporated in Delaware on
July 18, 2003 for the sole purpose of becoming a holding
company of Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation in connection with
our initial public offering. Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation was
incorporated in Delaware in 1983.
Our principal executive offices are located at 1700 Broadway,
Suite 2300, Denver, Colorado 80290-2300, and our telephone
number is (303) 837-1661.
8
The Exchange Offer
|
|
|
Old Notes |
|
We sold $250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of our
7% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014, which are
unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by some of
our subsidiaries on a senior subordinated basis, to the initial
purchasers on October 4, 2005. In this prospectus, we refer
to those notes as the old notes. The initial purchasers resold
the old notes to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to
Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 and to
non-U.S. persons
in transactions outside the United States pursuant to
Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933. |
|
Registration Rights Agreement |
|
When we sold the old notes, we entered into a registration
rights agreement with the initial purchasers in which we agreed,
among other things, to provide you and all other holders of the
old notes the opportunity to exchange your unregistered old
notes for a new series of substantially identical notes that we
have registered under the Securities Act. The exchange offer is
being made for that purpose. |
|
New Notes |
|
We are offering to exchange the old notes for 7% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2014 that we have registered under the
Securities Act, which are unconditionally guaranteed, jointly
and severally, by some of our subsidiaries on a senior
subordinated basis. In this prospectus, we refer to those
registered notes as the new notes. The terms of the new notes
and the old notes are substantially identical except: |
|
|
|
the new notes will be issued in a transaction that
will have been registered under the Securities Act; |
|
|
|
the new notes will not contain securities law
restrictions on transfer; and |
|
|
|
the new notes will not provide for the payment of
additional interest under circumstances relating to the timing
of the exchange offer. |
|
The Exchange Offer |
|
We are offering to exchange $1,000 principal amount of the new
notes for each $1,000 principal amount of your old notes. As of
the date of this prospectus, $250,000,000 aggregate principal
amount of the old notes are outstanding. For procedures for
tendering, see The Exchange Offer Procedures
for Tendering Old Notes. |
|
Expiration Date |
|
The exchange offer will expire at 11:59 p.m., New York City
time, on March 23, 2006, unless we extend it. |
|
Resales of New Notes |
|
We believe that the new notes issued pursuant to the exchange
offer in exchange for old notes may be offered for resale,
resold and otherwise transferred by you without compliance with
the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the
Securities Act if: |
|
|
|
you are not our affiliate within the
meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act; |
|
|
|
you are acquiring the new notes in the ordinary
course of your business; and |
9
|
|
|
|
|
you have not engaged in, do not intend to engage in,
and have no arrangement or understanding with any person to
participate in, a distribution of the new notes. |
|
|
|
If you are an affiliate of ours, or are engaging in or intend to
engage in, or have any arrangement or understanding with any
person to participate in, a distribution of the new notes, then: |
|
|
|
you may not rely on the applicable interpretations
of the staff of the SEC; |
|
|
|
you will not be permitted to tender old notes in the
exchange offer; and |
|
|
|
you must comply with the registration and prospectus
delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with
any resale of the old notes. |
|
|
|
Each participating broker dealer that receives new notes for its
own account under the exchange offer in exchange for old notes
that were acquired by the broker dealer as a result of market
making or other trading activity must acknowledge that it will
deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of the new
notes. See Plan of Distribution. |
|
|
|
Any broker-dealer that acquired old notes from us may not rely
on the applicable interpretations of the staff of the SEC and
must comply with registration and prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act (including being named as a
selling securityholder) in connection with any resales of the
old notes or the new notes. |
|
Acceptance of Old Notes and Delivery of New Notes |
|
We will accept for exchange any and all old notes that are
validly tendered in the exchange offer and not withdrawn before
the offer expires. The new notes will be delivered promptly
following the exchange offer. |
|
Withdrawal Rights |
|
You may withdraw your tender of old notes at any time before the
exchange offer expires. |
|
Conditions of the Exchange Offer |
|
The exchange offer is subject to the following conditions, which
we may waive: |
|
|
|
the exchange offer, or the making of any exchange by
a holder of old notes, will not violate any applicable law or
interpretation by the staff of the SEC; and |
|
|
|
no action may be pending or threatened in any court
or before any governmental agency with respect to the exchange
offer that may impair our ability to proceed with the exchange
offer. |
|
Consequences of Failure to
Exchange |
|
If you are eligible to participate in the exchange offer and you
do not tender your old notes, then you will not have further
exchange or registration rights and you will continue to hold
old notes subject to restrictions on transfer. |
10
|
|
|
Federal Income Tax Consequences |
|
The exchange of old notes for new notes will not be taxable to a
United States holder for federal income tax purposes.
Consequently, you will not recognize any gain or loss upon
receipt of the new notes. See United States Federal Income
Tax Considerations. |
|
Use of Proceeds |
|
We will not receive any proceeds from the exchange offer. |
|
Accounting Treatment |
|
We will not recognize any gain or loss on the exchange of notes.
See The Exchange Offer Accounting
Treatment. |
|
Exchange Agent |
|
J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association, is the
exchange agent. See The Exchange Offer
Exchange Agent. |
The New Notes
The following is a brief summary of some of the terms of the new
notes. For a more complete description of the terms of the new
notes, see Description of the New Notes in this
prospectus.
|
|
|
Issuer |
|
Whiting Petroleum Corporation |
|
Notes offered |
|
$250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 7% senior
subordinated notes due 2014. |
|
Maturity date |
|
February 1, 2014. |
|
Interest payment dates |
|
April 1 and October 1, beginning April 1, 2006. |
|
Ranking |
|
The new notes will be unsecured senior subordinated obligations
and will be subordinated to all of our senior debt. The new
notes will rank equally with our outstanding
71/4% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2012 and
71/4% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2013 and any senior subordinated debt we
may incur in the future and will rank senior to any subordinated
debt we may incur in the future. See Description of Other
Indebtedness for a description of our other indebtedness. |
|
|
|
As of September 30, 3005, on a pro forma basis giving
effect to our acquisition of the North Ward Estes properties and
after giving effect to the private placement of the old notes,
the common stock offering and the application of the net
proceeds therefrom as described under Use of
Proceeds, we would have had total senior debt of
approximately $3.3 million (excluding our guarantee of
Whiting Oil and Gas Corporations credit agreement), senior
subordinated debt of approximately $615.6 million
consisting of the old notes and our outstanding senior
subordinated notes, no debt subordinated to the notes, and our
operating subsidiary, Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation, would
have had senior debt of approximately $270.0 million
consisting of borrowings under its credit agreement and no other
debt. |
|
Optional redemption |
|
Before October 1, 2008, we may, at any time or from time to
time, redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the
new notes with the net proceeds of a public or private equity
offering at 107% of the principal amount of the new notes, plus
any accrued and unpaid interest, if at least 65% of the
aggregate principal amount of the new notes issued under the
indenture remains outstanding after such redemption and the
redemption occurs |
11
|
|
|
|
|
within 120 days of the date of the closing of such equity
offering. In addition, we may redeem the new notes at any time
prior to maturity at a price equal to the principal amount plus
a make whole premium, plus accrued and unpaid
interest. |
|
Change of control |
|
When a change of control event occurs, each holder of new notes
may require us to repurchase all or a portion of its new notes
at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount of such new
notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest. |
|
Guarantees |
|
The new notes will be unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and
severally, by certain of our subsidiaries on a senior
subordinated basis. All of our existing subsidiaries are
restricted subsidiaries. |
|
Certain Covenants |
|
The indenture governing the new notes contains covenants that,
among other things, limit our ability and the ability of our
restricted subsidiaries to: |
|
|
|
pay dividends on, redeem or repurchase our capital
stock or redeem or repurchase our subordinated debt, |
|
|
|
make investments, |
|
|
|
incur additional indebtedness or issue preferred
stock, |
|
|
|
create certain liens, |
|
|
|
sell assets, |
|
|
|
enter into agreements that restrict dividends or
other payments from our restricted subsidiaries to us, |
|
|
|
consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially
all of the assets of us and our restricted subsidiaries taken as
a whole, |
|
|
|
engage in transactions with affiliates, |
|
|
|
create unrestricted subsidiaries, and |
|
|
|
enter into sale and leaseback transactions. |
|
|
|
These covenants are subject to important exceptions and
qualifications that are described under the heading
Description of the New Notes in this prospectus. In
addition, certain of these covenants will fall away if the new
notes achieve any investment rating. |
|
Absence of a public market for the notes |
|
The new notes are new securities and there is currently no
established market for the new notes. We do not intend to apply
for a listing of the new notes on any securities exchange or for
the inclusion of the new notes on any automated dealer quotation
system. Accordingly, we cannot assure you as to the development
or liquidity of any market for the new notes. See Plan of
Distribution. |
|
Risk factors |
|
See Risk Factors and the other information in this
prospectus for a discussion of factors you should carefully
consider before deciding to exchange your old notes for new
notes. |
12
Summary Historical and Unaudited Pro Forma Financial
Information
The following summary historical financial information for the
year ended December 31, 2004 has been derived from, and is
qualified by reference to, our audited consolidated financial
statements and related notes. The following summary historical
financial information for the nine months ended
September 30, 2005 has been derived from, and is qualified
by reference to, our unaudited consolidated financial statements
and related notes. This information is only a summary and you
should read it in conjunction with our financial statements and
related notes incorporated by reference in this prospectus. The
unaudited interim period financial information, in our opinion,
includes all adjustments, which are normal and recurring in
nature, necessary for a fair presentation for the periods shown.
Results for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 are
not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the
full fiscal year. Our historical financial information includes
the results of our recent acquisitions beginning on the
following dates: Green River Basin, March 31, 2005;
Institutional Partnership Interests, June 23, 2005;
and Postle properties, August 4, 2005.
The following summary unaudited pro forma financial information
for the year ended December 31, 2004 and the nine months
ended September 30, 2005 has been derived from our
unaudited pro forma financial statements and related notes
included elsewhere in this prospectus. This information is only
a summary and you should read it in conjunction with material
contained in Unaudited Pro Forma Financial
Statements in this prospectus and our and Celeros
historical financial statements and related notes incorporated
by reference in this prospectus. This summary unaudited pro
forma financial information gives effect to our acquisition of
the Green River Basin properties (through March 31, 2005),
our acquisition of the Institutional Partnership Interests
(though June 23, 2005), our acquisition of the Postle
properties (through August 4, 2005), our acquisition of the
North Ward Estes properties, our private placement of the old
notes, the common stock offering and the use of the net proceeds
from the private placement and the common stock offering to pay
the cash portion of the purchase price for the acquisition of
the North Ward Estes properties and to repay a portion of the
debt we incurred in connection with the acquisition of the
Postle properties as if such transactions had occurred as of
January 1, 2004.
13
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|
Whiting | |
|
|
|
|
Whiting | |
|
|
|
Petroleum | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
Petroleum | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
Corporation | |
|
for the | |
|
|
Corporation | |
|
for the | |
|
Nine Months | |
|
Nine Months | |
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|
Year Ended | |
|
Year Ended | |
|
Ended | |
|
Ended | |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
September 30, | |
|
September 30, | |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions, except per share data) | |
Consolidated Income Statement Information:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues and other income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil and gas sales
|
|
$ |
281.1 |
|
|
$ |
402.6 |
|
|
$ |
374.8 |
|
|
$ |
485.7 |
|
|
Loss on oil and gas hedging activities
|
|
|
(4.9 |
) |
|
|
(4.9 |
) |
|
|
(20.7 |
) |
|
|
(20.7 |
) |
|
Gain on sale of marketable securities
|
|
|
4.8 |
|
|
|
4.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain on sale of oil and gas properties
|
|
|
1.0 |
|
|
|
1.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest income and other
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues and other income
|
|
$ |
282.1 |
|
|
$ |
403.6 |
|
|
$ |
354.4 |
|
|
$ |
465.3 |
|
Costs and expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lease operating
|
|
$ |
54.2 |
|
|
$ |
84.8 |
|
|
$ |
70.7 |
|
|
$ |
97.2 |
|
|
Production taxes
|
|
|
16.8 |
|
|
|
24.1 |
|
|
|
24.6 |
|
|
|
32.1 |
|
|
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
|
|
|
54.0 |
|
|
|
81.8 |
|
|
|
64.4 |
|
|
|
82.5 |
|
|
Exploration and impairment
|
|
|
6.3 |
|
|
|
6.3 |
|
|
|
12.0 |
|
|
|
12.0 |
|
|
General and administrative
|
|
|
20.9 |
|
|
|
21.1 |
|
|
|
21.6 |
|
|
|
21.8 |
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
15.9 |
|
|
|
50.8 |
|
|
|
25.0 |
|
|
|
45.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total costs and expenses
|
|
|
168.1 |
|
|
|
268.9 |
|
|
|
218.3 |
|
|
|
291.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes
|
|
|
114.0 |
|
|
|
134.7 |
|
|
|
136.1 |
|
|
|
174.2 |
|
Income tax expense
|
|
|
(44.0 |
) |
|
|
(52.0 |
) |
|
|
(52.5 |
) |
|
|
(67.2 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$ |
70.0 |
|
|
$ |
82.7 |
|
|
$ |
83.6 |
|
|
$ |
107.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income per common share, basic
|
|
$ |
3.38 |
|
|
$ |
2.98 |
|
|
$ |
2.82 |
|
|
$ |
2.91 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income per common share, diluted
|
|
$ |
3.38 |
|
|
$ |
2.97 |
|
|
$ |
2.81 |
|
|
$ |
2.91 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Financial Information:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EBITDA(1)
|
|
$ |
183.9 |
|
|
$ |
267.3 |
|
|
$ |
225.5 |
|
|
$ |
302.2 |
|
|
|
(1) |
We define EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation, depletion and amortization. EBITDA is not a
measure of performance calculated in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles in the United States, or GAAP.
Although not prescribed under GAAP, we believe the presentation
of EBITDA is relevant and useful because it helps our investors
to understand our operating performance and makes it easier to
compare our results with other companies that have different
financing and capital structures or tax rates. EBITDA should not
be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, net
income as an indicator of operating performance or cash flows
from operating activities as a measure of liquidity. EBITDA, as
we calculate it, may not be comparable to EBITDA measures
reported by other companies. In addition, EBITDA does not
represent funds available for discretionary use. |
The following table presents a reconciliation of net income to
EBITDA:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Whiting | |
|
|
|
|
Whiting | |
|
|
|
Petroleum | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
Petroleum | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
Corporation | |
|
for the | |
|
|
Corporation | |
|
for the | |
|
Nine Months | |
|
Nine Months | |
|
|
Year Ended | |
|
Year Ended | |
|
Ended | |
|
Ended | |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
September 30, | |
|
September 30, | |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Net income
|
|
$ |
70.0 |
|
|
$ |
82.7 |
|
|
$ |
83.6 |
|
|
$ |
107.0 |
|
Income tax expense
|
|
|
44.0 |
|
|
|
52.0 |
|
|
|
52.5 |
|
|
|
67.2 |
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
15.9 |
|
|
|
50.8 |
|
|
|
25.0 |
|
|
|
45.5 |
|
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
|
|
|
54.0 |
|
|
|
81.8 |
|
|
|
64.4 |
|
|
|
82.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EBITDA
|
|
$ |
183.9 |
|
|
$ |
267.3 |
|
|
$ |
225.5 |
|
|
$ |
302.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14
Summary Historical and Pro Forma Reserve and Operating
Data
The following tables present summary information regarding our
estimated net proved oil and natural gas reserves as of
December 31, 2004 and as of July 1, 2005, and our
operating data for the year ended December 31, 2004 and the
nine months ended September 30, 2005. All calculations of
estimated net proved reserves have been made in accordance with
the rules and regulations of the SEC and, except as otherwise
indicated, give no effect to federal or state income taxes. Our
historical operating data includes results from our recent
acquisitions beginning on the following dates: Green River
Basin, March 31, 2005; Institutional
Partnership Interests, June 23, 2005; and Postle
properties, August 4, 2005. Our historical reserve data as
of July 1, 2005 includes reserves from the Green River
Basin and Institutional Partnership Interests acquisitions.
The summary pro forma reserve data below gives effect to our
acquisition of the Postle properties, which closed on
August 4, 2005, and our acquisition of the North Ward Estes
properties, which closed on October 4, 2005, as if such
acquisitions had occurred as of July 1, 2005. The summary
pro forma operating data below gives effect to our acquisitions
of the Postle properties (through August 4, 2005), the
North Ward Estes properties, and our other recent acquisitions
(through their respective acquisition dates), as if such
acquisitions had occurred as of January 1, 2004.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Whiting | |
|
Whiting | |
|
|
|
|
Petroleum | |
|
Petroleum | |
|
|
|
|
Corporation | |
|
Corporation | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
as of | |
|
as of | |
|
as of | |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
July 1, | |
|
July 1, | |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Reserve Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total estimated net proved reserves:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas (Bcf)
|
|
|
339.9 |
|
|
|
375.9 |
|
|
|
421.4 |
|
|
Oil (MMbbls)
|
|
|
87.6 |
|
|
|
88.8 |
|
|
|
203.5 |
|
|
|
Total (Bcfe)
|
|
|
865.4 |
|
|
|
908.6 |
|
|
|
1,642.6 |
|
Estimated net proved developed reserves:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas (Bcf)
|
|
|
242.6 |
|
|
|
271.0 |
|
|
|
299.0 |
|
|
Oil (MMbbls)
|
|
|
60.6 |
|
|
|
64.7 |
|
|
|
112.5 |
|
|
|
Total (Bcfe)
|
|
|
606.4 |
|
|
|
659.4 |
|
|
|
974.1 |
|
Estimated future net revenues before income taxes (in millions)
|
|
$ |
3,424.8 |
|
|
$ |
4,930.4 |
|
|
$ |
8,789.6 |
|
Present value of estimated future net revenues before income
taxes (in millions)(1)(2)
|
|
$ |
1,851.6 |
|
|
$ |
2,589.4 |
|
|
$ |
4,154.9 |
|
Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows (in
millions)(3)
|
|
$ |
1,312.1 |
|
|
$ |
1,752.1 |
|
|
$ |
2,843.5 |
|
15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Whiting | |
|
|
|
|
Whiting | |
|
|
|
Petroleum | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
Petroleum | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
Corporation | |
|
for the | |
|
|
Corporation | |
|
for the | |
|
Nine Months | |
|
Nine Months | |
|
|
Year Ended | |
|
Year Ended | |
|
Ended | |
|
Ended | |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
September 30, | |
|
September 30, | |
|
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Operating Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net production:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas (Bcf)
|
|
|
25.1 |
|
|
|
28.9 |
|
|
|
22.4 |
|
|
|
24.4 |
|
|
Oil (MMbbls)
|
|
|
3.7 |
|
|
|
6.3 |
|
|
|
4.7 |
|
|
|
6.7 |
|
|
|
Total (Bcfe)
|
|
|
47.0 |
|
|
|
66.8 |
|
|
|
50.4 |
|
|
|
64.5 |
|
Net sales (in millions)(4):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas
|
|
$ |
139.4 |
|
|
$ |
160.7 |
|
|
$ |
139.8 |
|
|
$ |
152.2 |
|
|
Oil
|
|
$ |
141.7 |
|
|
$ |
241.8 |
|
|
$ |
235.0 |
|
|
$ |
333.5 |
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
281.1 |
|
|
$ |
402.5 |
|
|
$ |
374.8 |
|
|
$ |
485.7 |
|
Average sales price:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas (per Mcf)
|
|
$ |
5.56 |
|
|
$ |
5.56 |
|
|
$ |
6.25 |
|
|
$ |
6.24 |
|
|
Effect of natural gas hedges on average price (per Mcf)
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
(0.08 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.07 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas net of hedging (per Mcf)
|
|
$ |
5.56 |
|
|
$ |
5.56 |
|
|
$ |
6.17 |
|
|
$ |
6.17 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil (per Bbl)
|
|
$ |
38.72 |
|
|
$ |
38.29 |
|
|
$ |
50.37 |
|
|
$ |
49.87 |
|
|
Effect of oil hedges on average price (per Bbl)
|
|
$ |
(1.33 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.77 |
) |
|
$ |
(4.05 |
) |
|
$ |
(2.83 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil net of hedging (per Bbl)
|
|
$ |
37.39 |
|
|
$ |
37.52 |
|
|
$ |
46.32 |
|
|
$ |
47.04 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional data (per Mcfe):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lease operating expenses
|
|
$ |
1.15 |
|
|
$ |
1.27 |
|
|
$ |
1.40 |
|
|
$ |
1.51 |
|
|
Production taxes
|
|
$ |
0.36 |
|
|
$ |
0.36 |
|
|
$ |
0.49 |
|
|
$ |
0.50 |
|
|
Depreciation, depletion and amortization expenses
|
|
$ |
1.15 |
|
|
$ |
1.22 |
|
|
$ |
1.28 |
|
|
$ |
1.27 |
|
|
General and administrative expenses
|
|
$ |
0.45 |
|
|
$ |
0.32 |
|
|
$ |
0.43 |
|
|
$ |
0.34 |
|
|
|
(1) |
The present value of estimated future net revenues attributable
to our reserves was prepared using constant prices, as of the
calculation date, discounted at 10% per year on a pre-tax
basis. |
|
(2) |
Average wellhead prices, inclusive of adjustments for quality
and location used in determining future net revenues, were
$40.58 per barrel for oil and $5.56 per Mcf for
natural gas at December 31, 2004 and $53.27 per barrel
and $6.92 per Mcf at July 1, 2005. |
|
(3) |
The standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows
represents the present value of future cash flows after income
taxes discounted at 10%. |
|
(4) |
Before consideration of hedging transactions. |
16
Pro Forma Proved Reserves
The following table summarizes our pro forma estimated proved
reserves in our core areas as of July 1, 2005 and the pro
forma future capital expenditures estimated to be required to
develop these reserves, in each case giving effect to our
acquisitions of the Postle properties and the North Ward Estes
and ancillary properties, which closed on October 4, 2005,
as if such acquisitions had occurred as of July 1, 2005.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro Forma Proved Reserves | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
Oil | |
|
Natural Gas | |
|
Total | |
|
% of Total | |
|
Future Capital | |
|
|
(MMbbl) | |
|
(Bcf) | |
|
(Bcfe) | |
|
Proved | |
|
Expenditures | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In millions) | |
Permian Basin:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PDP
|
|
|
33.3 |
|
|
|
49.8 |
|
|
|
249.9 |
|
|
|
15.2 |
% |
|
$ |
0.4 |
|
|
PDNP
|
|
|
13.7 |
|
|
|
8.0 |
|
|
|
90.2 |
|
|
|
5.5 |
% |
|
|
68.0 |
|
|
PUD
|
|
|
66.0 |
|
|
|
27.8 |
|
|
|
423.5 |
|
|
|
25.8 |
% |
|
|
413.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Proved(1):
|
|
|
113.0 |
|
|
|
85.6 |
|
|
|
763.6 |
|
|
|
46.5 |
% |
|
$ |
482.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rocky Mountains:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PDP
|
|
|
35.4 |
|
|
|
77.2 |
|
|
|
289.8 |
|
|
|
17.6 |
% |
|
$ |
2.7 |
|
|
PDNP
|
|
|
1.3 |
|
|
|
5.1 |
|
|
|
12.9 |
|
|
|
0.8 |
% |
|
|
2.7 |
|
|
PUD
|
|
|
6.4 |
|
|
|
39.5 |
|
|
|
77.9 |
|
|
|
4.7 |
% |
|
|
79.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Proved(2):
|
|
|
43.1 |
|
|
|
121.8 |
|
|
|
380.6 |
|
|
|
23.2 |
% |
|
$ |
84.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mid-Continent:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PDP
|
|
|
23.5 |
|
|
|
29.9 |
|
|
|
170.9 |
|
|
|
10.4 |
% |
|
$ |
17.3 |
|
|
PDNP
|
|
|
1.5 |
|
|
|
1.4 |
|
|
|
10.4 |
|
|
|
0.6 |
% |
|
|
2.0 |
|
|
PUD
|
|
|
16.4 |
|
|
|
4.9 |
|
|
|
103.4 |
|
|
|
6.3 |
% |
|
|
92.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Proved(3):
|
|
|
41.4 |
|
|
|
36.2 |
|
|
|
284.7 |
|
|
|
17.3 |
% |
|
$ |
112.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gulf Coast:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PDP
|
|
|
2.5 |
|
|
|
56.3 |
|
|
|
71.4 |
|
|
|
4.3 |
% |
|
$ |
3.1 |
|
|
PDNP
|
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
|
10.1 |
|
|
|
11.7 |
|
|
|
0.7 |
% |
|
|
2.3 |
|
|
PUD
|
|
|
1.2 |
|
|
|
33.2 |
|
|
|
40.1 |
|
|
|
2.4 |
% |
|
|
43.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Proved:
|
|
|
3.9 |
|
|
|
99.6 |
|
|
|
123.3 |
|
|
|
7.5 |
% |
|
$ |
49.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michigan:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PDP
|
|
|
0.7 |
|
|
|
58.6 |
|
|
|
63.1 |
|
|
|
3.8 |
% |
|
$ |
0.0 |
|
|
PDNP
|
|
|
0.2 |
|
|
|
2.6 |
|
|
|
3.8 |
|
|
|
0.2 |
% |
|
|
0.8 |
|
|
PUD
|
|
|
1.1 |
|
|
|
16.9 |
|
|
|
23.5 |
|
|
|
1.4 |
% |
|
|
14.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Proved:
|
|
|
2.0 |
|
|
|
78.2 |
|
|
|
90.4 |
|
|
|
5.5 |
% |
|
$ |
14.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Corporate:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PDP
|
|
|
95.5 |
|
|
|
271.8 |
|
|
|
845.1 |
|
|
|
51.4 |
% |
|
$ |
23.5 |
|
|
PDNP
|
|
|
17.0 |
|
|
|
27.2 |
|
|
|
129.1 |
|
|
|
7.9 |
% |
|
|
75.9 |
|
|
PUD
|
|
|
91.0 |
|
|
|
122.4 |
|
|
|
668.5 |
|
|
|
40.7 |
% |
|
|
643.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Proved:
|
|
|
203.5 |
|
|
|
421.4 |
|
|
|
1,642.6 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
$ |
742.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Pro forma to include estimated proved reserves of
76.9 MMbbl oil, 31.3 Bcf gas and 492.5 Bcfe total. |
|
(2) |
Includes total estimated proved reserves of 10.1 Bcfe in
California and total estimated proved reserves of 5.6 Bcfe
in Canada. |
|
(3) |
Pro forma to include estimated proved reserves of
37.9 MMbbl oil, 14.2 Bcf gas and 241.5 Bcfe total. |
17
Summary Historical Financial Information
The following summary historical financial information as for
the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 and as of
December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 has been derived from, and
is qualified by reference to, our audited consolidated financial
statements and related notes. The following summary historical
financial information for the nine months ended
September 30, 2004 and 2005 and as of September 30,
2004 and 2005 has been derived from, and is qualified by
reference to, our unaudited consolidated financial statements
and related notes. This information is only a summary and you
should read it in conjunction with our financial statements and
related notes incorporated by reference in this prospectus. The
unaudited interim period financial information, in our opinion,
includes all adjustments, which are normal and recurring in
nature, necessary for a fair presentation for the periods shown.
Results for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 are
not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the
full fiscal year. Our historical financial information includes
the results of our recent acquisitions beginning on the
following dates: Green River Basin, March 31, 2005;
Institutional Partnership Interests, June 23, 2005;
and Postle properties, August 4, 2005. Our historical
financial information does not include the results of our
acquisition of the North Ward Estes properties, which closed on
October 4, 2005.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months | |
|
|
|
|
Ended | |
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
September 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In millions) | |
|
|
|
|
Consolidated Income Statement Information:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues and other income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil and gas sales
|
|
$ |
122.7 |
|
|
$ |
175.7 |
|
|
$ |
281.1 |
|
|
$ |
166.4 |
|
|
$ |
374.8 |
|
|
Loss on oil and gas hedging activities
|
|
|
(3.2 |
) |
|
|
(8.7 |
) |
|
|
(4.9 |
) |
|
|
(3.6 |
) |
|
|
(20.7 |
) |
|
Gain on sale of oil and gas properties
|
|
|
1.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.0 |
|
|
|
1.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain on sale of marketable securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.8 |
|
|
|
4.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest income and other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
|
0.2 |
|
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues and other income
|
|
$ |
120.5 |
|
|
$ |
167.3 |
|
|
$ |
282.1 |
|
|
$ |
168.7 |
|
|
$ |
354.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs and expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lease operating
|
|
$ |
32.9 |
|
|
$ |
43.2 |
|
|
$ |
54.2 |
|
|
$ |
34.6 |
|
|
$ |
70.7 |
|
|
Production taxes
|
|
|
7.4 |
|
|
|
10.7 |
|
|
|
16.8 |
|
|
|
10.2 |
|
|
|
24.6 |
|
|
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
|
|
|
43.6 |
|
|
|
41.2 |
|
|
|
54.0 |
|
|
|
34.5 |
|
|
|
64.4 |
|
|
Exploration and impairment
|
|
|
1.8 |
|
|
|
3.2 |
|
|
|
6.3 |
|
|
|
4.7 |
|
|
|
12.0 |
|
|
Phantom equity plan(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General and administrative
|
|
|
12.0 |
|
|
|
12.8 |
|
|
|
20.9 |
|
|
|
14.2 |
|
|
|
21.6 |
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
10.9 |
|
|
|
9.2 |
|
|
|
15.9 |
|
|
|
9.6 |
|
|
|
25.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total costs and expenses
|
|
$ |
108.6 |
|
|
$ |
131.2 |
|
|
$ |
168.1 |
|
|
$ |
107.8 |
|
|
$ |
218.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes and cumulative change in accounting
principle
|
|
$ |
11.9 |
|
|
$ |
36.1 |
|
|
$ |
114.0 |
|
|
$ |
60.9 |
|
|
$ |
136.1 |
|
Income tax expense(2)
|
|
|
(4.2 |
) |
|
|
(13.9 |
) |
|
|
(44.0 |
) |
|
|
(23.5 |
) |
|
|
(52.5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before cumulative change in accounting principle
|
|
|
7.7 |
|
|
|
22.2 |
|
|
|
70.0 |
|
|
|
37.4 |
|
|
|
83.6 |
|
Cumulative change in accounting principle(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3.9 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$ |
7.7 |
|
|
$ |
18.3 |
|
|
$ |
70.0 |
|
|
$ |
37.4 |
|
|
$ |
83.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Financial Information:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities
|
|
$ |
62.6 |
|
|
$ |
96.4 |
|
|
$ |
135.5 |
|
|
$ |
96.3 |
|
|
$ |
211.4 |
|
Net cash used in investing activities(4) (5)
|
|
$ |
157.5 |
|
|
$ |
52.0 |
|
|
$ |
525.9 |
|
|
$ |
491.4 |
|
|
$ |
607.6 |
|
Net cash provided by financing activities
|
|
$ |
98.7 |
|
|
$ |
4.4 |
|
|
$ |
338.4 |
|
|
$ |
358.9 |
|
|
$ |
402.0 |
|
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(6)
|
|
|
2.08 |
x |
|
|
4.85 |
x |
|
|
8.01 |
x |
|
|
7.27 |
x |
|
|
6.40 |
x |
EBITDA(7)
|
|
$ |
66.4 |
|
|
$ |
82.6 |
|
|
$ |
183.9 |
|
|
$ |
105.0 |
|
|
$ |
225.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, | |
|
As of September 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(In millions) | |
|
|
|
|
Balance Sheet Information:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$ |
448.5 |
|
|
$ |
536.3 |
|
|
$ |
1,092.2 |
|
|
$ |
1,054.6 |
|
|
$ |
1,705.4 |
|
Long-term debt
|
|
$ |
265.5 |
|
|
$ |
188.0 |
|
|
$ |
325.3 |
|
|
$ |
538.8 |
|
|
$ |
735.6 |
|
Stockholders equity
|
|
$ |
122.8 |
|
|
$ |
259.6 |
|
|
$ |
612.4 |
|
|
$ |
334.9 |
|
|
$ |
635.9 |
|
18
|
|
(1) |
The completion of our initial public offering in November 2003
constituted a triggering event under our phantom equity plan,
pursuant to which our employees received payments valued at
$10.9 million in the form of shares of our common stock
valued at approximately $6.5 million after withholding of
shares for payroll and income taxes. As a result, in the fourth
quarter of 2003, we recorded a one-time non-cash charge of
$6.5 million and a one-time cash charge of
$4.4 million, of which Alliant Energy Corporation, our
former parent company, funded the substantial majority. The
phantom equity plan is now terminated. |
|
(2) |
We generated Section 29 tax credits of $5.4 million in
2002. Section 29 tax credit provisions of the Internal
Revenue Code expired as of December 31, 2002. In 2002, we
were able to use our $5.4 million of Section 29 tax
credits in the consolidated federal income tax return filed by
Alliant Energy, but since these credits would not have been used
in a stand-alone filing, they were recorded as additional
paid-in capital as opposed to a reduction in income tax expense. |
|
(3) |
In 2003, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement
Obligations. The adoption of SFAS 143 included a
one-time cumulative effect adjustment to net income. |
|
(4) |
During the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and the
year ended December 31, 2003, we acquired limited
partnership interests in partnerships in which our wholly-owned
subsidiary is the general partner. Though disclosed as
acquisitions of limited partnership interests in our
consolidated statements of cash flows, these amounts are
recorded as oil and natural gas properties on our consolidated
balance sheets and are included in net cash used in investing
activities in this summary historical financial information. |
|
(5) |
During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, we paid
$45.9 million as a deposit on the North Ward Estes
acquisition, as disclosed in our statement of cash flows for
that period. This amount is recorded as oil and natural gas
properties on our consolidated balance sheets upon closing at
the North Ward Estes acquisition and is included in net cash
used in investing activities in this summary historical
information. |
|
(6) |
For purposes of calculating the ratios of consolidated earnings
to fixed charges, earnings consist of interest before income
taxes and income from equity investee, fixed charges,
distributed income from equity investee and amortization of
capitalized interest, less capitalized interest. Fixed charges
consist of interest expensed, interest capitalized, amortized
premiums, discounts and capitalized expenses related to
indebtedness and an estimate of interest within rental expense.
The ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the years ended
December 31, 2000 and 2001 were 6.93x and 6.10x,
respectively. |
|
(7) |
We define EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation, depletion and amortization. EBITDA is not a
measure of performance calculated in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles in the United States, or GAAP.
Although not prescribed under GAAP, we believe the presentation
of EBITDA is relevant and useful because it helps our investors
to understand our operating performance and makes it easier to
compare our results with other companies that have different
financing and capital structures or tax rates. EBITDA should not
be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, net
income as an indicator of operating performance or cash flows
from operating activities as a measure of liquidity. EBITDA, as
we calculate it, may not be comparable to EBITDA measures
reported by other companies. In addition, EBITDA does not
represent funds available for discretionary use. In evaluating
EBITDA, you should be aware that our EBITDA for the year ended
December 31, 2003 included one-time charges to net income
of (i) $10.9 million for payments to our employees
under our phantom equity plan in connection with our initial
public offering in November 2003 and (ii) $3.9 million
(non-cash) related to our adoption of Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 143, Accounting for Asset
Retirement Obligations. |
19
|
|
|
The following table presents a reconciliation of our
consolidated net income to our consolidated EBITDA for the
periods presented: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months | |
|
|
|
|
Ended | |
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
September 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Net income
|
|
$ |
7.7 |
|
|
$ |
18.3 |
|
|
$ |
70.0 |
|
|
$ |
37.4 |
|
|
$ |
83.6 |
|
Income tax expense
|
|
|
4.2 |
|
|
|
13.9 |
|
|
|
44.0 |
|
|
|
23.5 |
|
|
|
52.5 |
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
10.9 |
|
|
|
9.2 |
|
|
|
15.9 |
|
|
|
9.6 |
|
|
|
25.0 |
|
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
|
|
|
43.6 |
|
|
|
41.2 |
|
|
|
54.0 |
|
|
|
34.5 |
|
|
|
64.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EBITDA
|
|
$ |
66.4 |
|
|
$ |
82.6 |
|
|
$ |
183.9 |
|
|
$ |
105.0 |
|
|
$ |
225.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20
Summary Historical Reserve and Operating Data
The following tables present summary information regarding our
estimated net proved oil and natural gas reserves as of
December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 and as of July 1,
2005 and our historical operating data for the years ended
December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004 and the nine months ended
September 30, 2004 and 2005. All calculations of estimated
net proved reserves have been made in accordance with the rules
and regulations of the SEC and, except as otherwise indicated,
give no effect to federal or state income taxes. Our historical
operating data includes results from our recent acquisitions
beginning on the following dates: Green River Basin,
March 31, 2005; Institutional Partnership Interests,
June 23, 2005; and Postle properties, August 4, 2005.
Our historical reserve data as of July 1, 2005 includes
reserves from the Green River Basin and Institutional
Partnership Interests acquisitions. Our historical reserve
data does not include the results of our acquisition of the
Postle Properties, which closed on August 4, 2005, or our
acquisition of the North Ward Estes properties, which closed on
October 4, 2005.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, | |
|
As of | |
|
|
| |
|
July 1, | |
|
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Reserve Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total estimated net proved reserves: Natural gas (Bcf)
|
|
|
236.0 |
|
|
|
231.0 |
|
|
|
339.9 |
|
|
|
375.9 |
|
|
Oil (MMbbls)
|
|
|
29.5 |
|
|
|
34.6 |
|
|
|
87.6 |
|
|
|
88.8 |
|
|
|
Total (Bcfe)
|
|
|
412.7 |
|
|
|
438.8 |
|
|
|
865.4 |
|
|
|
908.6 |
|
Estimated net proved developed reserves: Natural gas (Bcf)
|
|
|
167.6 |
|
|
|
171.9 |
|
|
|
242.6 |
|
|
|
271.0 |
|
|
Oil (MMbbls)
|
|
|
23.8 |
|
|
|
26.2 |
|
|
|
60.6 |
|
|
|
64.7 |
|
|
|
Total (Bcfe)
|
|
|
310.4 |
|
|
|
328.9 |
|
|
|
606.4 |
|
|
|
659.4 |
|
Estimated future net revenues before income taxes (in millions)
|
|
$ |
1,112.4 |
|
|
$ |
1,352.2 |
|
|
$ |
3,424.8 |
|
|
$ |
4,930.4 |
|
Present value of estimated future net revenues before income
taxes (in millions)(1)(2)
|
|
$ |
638.6 |
|
|
$ |
784.6 |
|
|
$ |
1,851.6 |
|
|
$ |
2,589.4 |
|
Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows (in
millions)(3)
|
|
$ |
476.0 |
|
|
$ |
589.6 |
|
|
$ |
1,312.1 |
|
|
$ |
1,752.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months | |
|
|
|
|
Ended | |
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
September 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Operating Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net production:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas (Bcf)
|
|
|
21.4 |
|
|
|
21.6 |
|
|
|
25.1 |
|
|
|
17.1 |
|
|
|
22.4 |
|
|
Oil (MMbbls)
|
|
|
2.3 |
|
|
|
2.6 |
|
|
|
3.7 |
|
|
|
2.2 |
|
|
|
4.7 |
|
|
|
Total (Bcfe)
|
|
|
35.2 |
|
|
|
37.2 |
|
|
|
47.0 |
|
|
|
30.0 |
|
|
|
50.4 |
|
Net sales (in millions)(4):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas
|
|
$ |
68.6 |
|
|
$ |
104.4 |
|
|
$ |
139.4 |
|
|
$ |
90.6 |
|
|
$ |
139.8 |
|
|
Oil
|
|
$ |
54.1 |
|
|
$ |
71.3 |
|
|
$ |
141.7 |
|
|
$ |
75.8 |
|
|
$ |
235.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
122.7 |
|
|
$ |
175.7 |
|
|
$ |
281.1 |
|
|
$ |
166.4 |
|
|
$ |
374.8 |
|
Average sales prices:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas (per Mcf)
|
|
$ |
3.21 |
|
|
$ |
4.78 |
|
|
$ |
5.56 |
|
|
$ |
5.30 |
|
|
$ |
6.25 |
|
|
Effect of natural gas hedges on average price (per Mcf)
|
|
$ |
(0.01 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.30 |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
(0.08 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Natural gas net of hedging (per Mcf)
|
|
$ |
3.20 |
|
|
$ |
4.48 |
|
|
$ |
5.56 |
|
|
$ |
5.30 |
|
|
$ |
6.17 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil (per Bbl)
|
|
$ |
23.35 |
|
|
$ |
27.50 |
|
|
$ |
38.72 |
|
|
$ |
35.13 |
|
|
$ |
50.37 |
|
|
Effect of oil hedges on average price (per Bbl)
|
|
$ |
(1.27 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.37 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.33 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.68 |
) |
|
$ |
(4.05 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil net of hedging (per Bbl)
|
|
$ |
22.08 |
|
|
$ |
27.13 |
|
|
$ |
37.39 |
|
|
$ |
33.45 |
|
|
$ |
46.32 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months | |
|
|
|
|
Ended | |
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
September 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Additional data (per Mcfe):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lease operating expenses
|
|
$ |
0.93 |
|
|
$ |
1.16 |
|
|
$ |
1.15 |
|
|
$ |
1.15 |
|
|
$ |
1.40 |
|
|
Production taxes
|
|
$ |
0.21 |
|
|
$ |
0.29 |
|
|
$ |
0.36 |
|
|
$ |
0.34 |
|
|
$ |
0.49 |
|
|
Depreciation, depletion and amortization expenses
|
|
$ |
1.24 |
|
|
$ |
1.11 |
|
|
$ |
1.15 |
|
|
$ |
1.15 |
|
|
$ |
1.28 |
|
|
General and administrative expenses
|
|
$ |
0.34 |
|
|
$ |
0.34 |
|
|
$ |
0.45 |
|
|
$ |
0.47 |
|
|
$ |
0.43 |
|
|
|
(1) |
The present value of estimated future net revenues attributable
to our reserves was prepared using constant prices, as of the
calculation date, discounted at 10% per year on a pre-tax
basis. |
|
(2) |
The December 31, 2004 amount was calculated using a period
end average realized oil price of $40.58 per barrel and a
period end average realized natural gas price of $5.56 per
Mcf, the December 31, 2003 amount was calculated using a
period end average realized oil price of $29.43 per barrel
and a period end average realized natural gas price of
$5.52 per Mcf, the December 31, 2002 amount was
calculated using a period end average realized oil price of
$28.21 per barrel and a period end average realized natural
gas price of $4.39 per Mcf, and the July 1, 2005
amount was calculated using a period end average realized oil
price of $53.27 per barrel and a period end average
realized natural gas price of $6.92 per Mcf. |
|
(3) |
The standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows
represents the present value of future cash flows after income
taxes discounted at 10%. |
|
(4) |
Before consideration of hedging transactions. |
22
RISK FACTORS
You should carefully consider each of the risks described below,
together with all of the other information contained in this
prospectus, before deciding to exchange your old notes for new
notes. If any of the following risks develop into actual events,
our business, financial condition or results of operations could
be materially adversely affected and you may lose all or part of
your investment.
Risks Relating to the Exchange Offer and the New Notes
|
|
|
You may have difficulty selling the old notes that you do
not exchange. |
If you do not exchange your old notes for the new notes offered
in the exchange offer, then you will continue to be subject to
the restrictions on transfer of your old notes. Those transfer
restrictions are described in the indenture governing the new
notes and in the legend contained on the old notes, and arose
because we originally issued the old notes under exemptions
from, and in transactions not subject to, the registration
requirements of the Securities Act.
In general, you may offer or sell your old notes only if they
are registered under the Securities Act and applicable state
securities laws, or if they are offered and sold under an
exemption from those requirements. We do not intend to register
the old notes under the Securities Act.
If a large number of old notes are exchanged for new notes
issued in the exchange offer, then it may be more difficult for
you to sell your unexchanged old notes. In addition, if you do
not exchange your old notes in the exchange offer, then you will
no longer be entitled to have those notes registered under the
Securities Act.
See The Exchange Offer Consequences of Failure
to Exchange Old Notes for a discussion of the possible
consequences of failing to exchange your old notes.
|
|
|
Our debt level and the covenants in the agreements
governing our debt could negatively impact our financial
condition, results of operations and business prospects and
prevent us from fulfilling our obligations under the
notes. |
As of September 30, 2005, on a pro forma basis giving
effect to our acquisition of the North Ward Estes properties and
after giving effect to our private placement of the old notes,
the common stock offering and the application of the net
proceeds therefrom, we would have had approximately
$888.9 million in outstanding consolidated indebtedness and
$517.5 million of available borrowing capacity under
Whiting Oil and Gas Corporations credit agreement. We are
permitted to incur additional indebtedness, provided we meet
certain requirements in the indentures governing the new notes
and our outstanding
71/4% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2012 and
71/4% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2013 and Whiting Oil and Gas
Corporations credit agreement.
Our level of indebtedness, and the covenants contained in the
agreements governing our debt, could have important consequences
for our operations, including:
|
|
|
|
|
making it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations under
the new notes or other debt and increasing the risk that we may
default on our debt obligations; |
|
|
|
increasing our vulnerability to general adverse economic and
industry conditions and detracting from our ability to withstand
successfully a downturn in our business or the economy generally; |
|
|
|
requiring us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow
from operations to required payments on debt, thereby reducing
the availability of cash flow for working capital, capital
expenditures and other general business activities; |
|
|
|
limiting our ability to obtain additional financing in the
future for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions
and general corporate and other activities; |
|
|
|
limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to,
changes in our business and the industry in which we operate; |
23
|
|
|
|
|
placing us at a competitive disadvantage relative to other less
leveraged competitors; and |
|
|
|
making us vulnerable to increases in interest rates, because
debt under Whiting Oil and Gas Corporations credit
agreement may be at variable rates. |
We may be required to repay all or a portion of our debt on an
accelerated basis in certain circumstances. If we fail to comply
with the covenants and other restrictions in the agreements
governing our debt, it could lead to an event of default and the
acceleration of our repayment of outstanding debt. Our ability
to comply with these covenants and other restrictions may be
affected by events beyond our control, including prevailing
economic and financial conditions. Moreover, the borrowing base
limitation on Whiting Oil and Gas Corporations credit
agreement is periodically redetermined based on an evaluation of
our reserves. Upon a redetermination, if borrowings in excess of
the revised borrowing capacity were outstanding, we could be
forced to repay a portion of our bank debt.
We may not have sufficient funds to make such repayments. If we
are unable to repay our debt out of cash on hand, we could
attempt to refinance such debt, sell assets or repay such debt
with the proceeds from an equity offering. We cannot assure you
that we will be able to generate sufficient cash flow to pay the
interest on our debt or that future borrowings, equity
financings or proceeds from the sale of assets will be available
to pay or refinance such debt. The terms of our debt, including
Whiting Oil and Gas Corporations credit agreement, may
also prohibit us from taking such actions. Factors that will
affect our ability to raise cash through an offering of our
capital stock, a refinancing of our debt or a sale of assets
include financial market conditions and our market value and
operating performance at the time of such offering or other
financing. We cannot assure you that any such offering,
refinancing or sale of assets can be successfully completed.
|
|
|
The instruments governing our indebtedness contain various
covenants limiting the discretion of our management in operating
our business. |
The indentures governing the new notes and our outstanding
71/4% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2012 and
71/4% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2013 and Whiting Oil and Gas
Corporations credit agreement contain various restrictive
covenants that limit our managements discretion in
operating our business. In particular, these agreements will
limit our and our subsidiaries ability to, among other
things:
|
|
|
|
|
pay dividends on, redeem or repurchase our capital stock or
redeem or repurchase our subordinated debt; |
|
|
|
make loans to others; |
|
|
|
make investments; |
|
|
|
incur additional indebtedness or issue preferred stock; |
|
|
|
create certain liens; |
|
|
|
sell assets; |
|
|
|
enter into agreements that restrict dividends or other payments
from our restricted subsidiaries to us; |
|
|
|
consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of the
assets of us and our restricted subsidiaries taken as a whole; |
|
|
|
engage in transactions with affiliates; |
|
|
|
enter into hedging contracts; |
|
|
|
create unrestricted subsidiaries; and |
|
|
|
enter into sale and leaseback transactions. |
In addition, Whiting Oil and Gas Corporations credit
agreement also requires us to maintain a certain working capital
ratio and a certain debt to EBITDAX (as defined in the credit
agreement) ratio.
24
If we fail to comply with the restrictions in the indentures
governing the new notes and our outstanding
71/4% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2012 and
71/4% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2013 or Whiting Oil and Gas
Corporations credit agreement or any other subsequent
financing agreements, a default may allow the creditors, if the
agreements so provide, to accelerate the related indebtedness as
well as any other indebtedness to which a cross-acceleration or
cross-default provision applies. In addition, lenders may be
able to terminate any commitments they had made to make
available further funds.
|
|
|
As a holding company, we rely on payments from our
operating subsidiary in order for us to make payments on the new
notes. |
Whiting Petroleum Corporation is a holding company with no
significant operations of its own. Because our operations are
conducted through our operating subsidiaries, we depend on
dividends, advances and other payments from our subsidiary in
order to allow us to satisfy our financial obligations. Our
subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have
no obligation to pay any amounts to us, whether by dividends,
advances or other payments. The ability of our subsidiaries to
pay dividends and make other payments to us depends on their
earnings, capital requirements and general financial conditions
and is restricted by, among other things, Whiting Oil and Gas
Corporations credit agreement, applicable corporate and
other laws and regulations as well as agreements to which our
subsidiaries may be a party. Specifically, Whiting Oil and Gas
Corporations credit agreement allows it to make payments
to us so that we may pay interest on the new notes, but does not
allow for payments from it to us to pay principal on the new
notes. Whiting Oil and Gas Corporations credit agreement
also prohibits Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation from allowing us
to make any principal payments on the new notes. Although our
subsidiary guarantors are guaranteeing the new notes, each
guarantee is subordinated to all senior debt of the relevant
subsidiary guarantor.
|
|
|
We may not be able to repurchase the new notes upon a
change of control. |
Upon the occurrence of certain change of control events, holders
of the new notes may require us to repurchase all or any part of
their notes. The occurrence of these same change of control
events would also obligate us to offer to repurchase our
outstanding
71/4% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2012 and
71/4% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2013. We may not have sufficient funds at
the time of the change of control to make the required
repurchases of the new notes. Additionally, certain events that
would constitute a change of control (as defined in
the indenture) would constitute an event of default under
Whiting Oil and Gas Corporations credit agreement that
would, if it should occur, permit the lenders to accelerate the
debt outstanding under such credit agreement and that, in turn,
would cause an event of default under the indenture. We would
not be permitted to repurchase the new notes prior to
termination of and payment in full of the obligations under
Whiting Oil and Gas Corporations credit agreement.
The source of funds for any repurchase required as a result of
any change of control will be our available cash or cash
generated from oil and gas operations or other sources,
including borrowings, sales of assets, sales of equity or funds
provided by a new controlling entity. We cannot assure you,
however, that sufficient funds would be available at the time of
any change of control to make any required repurchases of the
new notes,
71/4% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2012 and
71/4% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2013 tendered and to repay debt under
Whiting Oil and Gas Corporations credit agreement.
Furthermore, using available cash to fund the potential
consequences of a change of control may impair our ability to
obtain additional financing in the future. Any future credit
agreements or other agreements relating to debt to which we may
become a party will most likely contain similar restrictions and
provisions.
|
|
|
The new notes and the subsidiary guarantees are
subordinated to the senior debt of us and the subsidiary
guarantors, respectively, and are effectively subordinated to
our and the subsidiary guarantors secured debt. |
The new notes will be our senior subordinated obligations.
Accordingly, the new notes will be subordinated to all of our
existing and future senior debt, including our guarantee of
borrowings under Whiting Oil and Gas Corporations credit
agreement. We and our subsidiaries expect to incur additional
senior debt from time to time in the future, whether under
Whiting Oil and Gas Corporations credit agreement or
otherwise. The indenture governing the new notes limits, but
does not prohibit, the incurrence of any other
25
debt by us or our subsidiaries, including senior debt. As a
result of such subordination, upon any distribution to our
creditors in a liquidation, dissolution, bankruptcy,
reorganization or any similar proceeding by or relating to us or
our property, the holders of our senior debt would be entitled
to receive payment in full before the holders of the new notes
would be entitled to receive any payment. In addition, all
payments on the new notes could be blocked in the event of a
default on our senior debt. See Description of the New
Notes Subordination.
The new notes will not be secured. The borrowings under Whiting
Oil and Gas Corporations credit agreement are secured by
liens on Whiting Oil and Gas Corporations and Equity Oil
Companys assets, and the guarantees of those borrowings by
Equity Oil Company and us are secured by liens on each
guarantors assets. If we, Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation
or any of our other subsidiary guarantors liquidates, dissolves
or declares bankruptcy, or if payment under the credit agreement
or any of our other secured debt is accelerated, our secured
lenders would be entitled to exercise the remedies available to
a secured lender under applicable law and will have a claim on
those assets before the holders of the new notes. As a result,
the new notes and the subsidiary guarantees are effectively
subordinated to our and the subsidiary guarantors secured
debt to the extent of the value of the assets securing that
debt, and the holders of the new notes would in all likelihood
recover ratably less than the lenders of such secured debt in
the event of our bankruptcy, liquidation or dissolution. As of
September 30, 2005, on a pro forma basis giving effect to
our acquisition of the North Ward Estes properties and after
giving effect to private placement of the old notes, the common
stock offering and the application of the net proceeds
therefrom, we and the subsidiary guarantors would have had
$270.0 million of secured debt outstanding under Whiting
Oil and Gas Corporations credit agreement to which the new
notes and the subsidiary guarantees would have been effectively
subordinated. Approximately $517.5 million of secured debt
would have been available for borrowing under the credit
agreement.
The new notes will also be effectively subordinated to claims of
creditors (other than us) of any of our subsidiaries that are
not subsidiary guarantors of the new notes, including lessors,
trade creditors, taxing authorities, creditors holding
guarantees and tort claimants. In the event of a liquidation,
reorganization or similar proceeding relating to a subsidiary
that is not a guarantor of the new notes, these persons
generally will have priority as to the assets of that subsidiary
over our claims and equity interest and, thereby indirectly,
holders of our debt, including the new notes.
|
|
|
Your ability to transfer the new notes may be limited by
the absence of an active trading market, and there is no
assurance that any active trading market will develop for the
notes. |
The new notes are a new issue of securities for which there is
no established public market. We do not intend to have the notes
listed on a national securities exchange or included on any
automated dealer quotation system. The initial purchasers have
advised us that they intend to make a market in the new notes as
permitted by applicable laws and regulations; however, the
initial purchasers are not obligated to make a market in the new
notes, and they may discontinue their market-making activities
at any time without notice. Therefore, we cannot assure you that
an active market for the new notes will develop or, if
developed, that it will continue. Historically, the market for
noninvestment grade debt has been subject to disruptions that
have caused substantial volatility in the prices of securities
similar to the new notes. We cannot assure you that the market,
if any, for the new notes will be free from similar disruptions
or that any such disruptions may not adversely affect the prices
at which you may sell your notes. In addition, the new notes may
trade at a discount from their initial offering price, depending
upon prevailing interest rates, the market for similar notes,
our performance and other factors.
|
|
|
Any subsidiary guarantees of the new notes may be further
subordinated or avoided by a court. |
Certain of our subsidiaries will jointly, severally and
unconditionally guarantee the new notes on a senior subordinated
basis. Various applicable fraudulent conveyance laws have been
enacted for the protection of creditors. A court may use those
laws to further subordinate or avoid any guarantee of the new
notes issued by any of our subsidiaries.
26
A court could avoid or further subordinate the guarantee of the
new notes by any of our subsidiaries in favor of that
subsidiarys other debts or liabilities to the extent that
the court determined either of the following were true at the
time the subsidiary issued the guarantee:
|
|
|
|
|
that subsidiary incurred the guarantee with the intent to
hinder, delay or defraud any of its present or future creditors
or that such subsidiary contemplated insolvency with a design to
favor one or more creditors to the total or partial exclusion of
others; or |
|
|
|
that subsidiary did not receive fair consideration or reasonably
equivalent value for issuing the guarantee and, at the time it
issued the guarantee, that subsidiary: |
|
|
|
|
|
was insolvent or rendered insolvent by reason of the issuance of
the guarantee; |
|
|
|
was engaged or about to engage in a business or transaction for
which the remaining assets of that subsidiary constituted
unreasonably small capital; or |
|
|
|
intended to incur, or believed that it would incur, debts beyond
its ability to pay such debts as they matured. |
Among other things, a legal challenge of a subsidiarys
guarantee of the new notes on fraudulent conveyance grounds may
focus on the benefits, if any, realized by that subsidiary as a
result of our issuance of the new notes. To the extent a
subsidiarys guarantee of the new notes is avoided as a
result of fraudulent conveyance or held unenforceable for any
other reason, the note holders would cease to have any claim in
respect of that guarantee and would be creditors solely of ours.
Risks Relating to the Oil and Natural Gas Industry and Our
Business
|
|
|
A substantial or extended decline in oil and natural gas
prices may adversely affect our business, financial condition or
results of operations. |
The price we receive for our oil and natural gas production
heavily influences our revenue, profitability, access to capital
and future rate of growth. Oil and natural gas are commodities
and, therefore, their prices are subject to wide fluctuations in
response to relatively minor changes in supply and demand.
Historically, the markets for oil and natural gas have been
volatile. These markets will likely continue to be volatile in
the future. The prices we receive for our production, and the
levels of our production, depend on numerous factors beyond our
control. These factors include the following:
|
|
|
|
|
changes in global supply and demand for oil and natural gas; |
|
|
|
the actions of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries; |
|
|
|
the price and quantity of imports of foreign oil and natural gas; |
|
|
|
political and economic conditions, including embargoes, in oil
producing countries or affecting other oil-producing activity; |
|
|
|
the level of global oil and natural gas exploration and
production activity; |
|
|
|
the level of global oil and natural gas inventories; |
|
|
|
weather conditions; |
|
|
|
technological advances affecting energy consumption; |
|
|
|
domestic and foreign governmental regulations; |
|
|
|
proximity and capacity of oil and gas pipelines and other
transportation facilities; and |
|
|
|
the price and availability of alternative fuels. |
Lower oil and natural gas prices may not only decrease our
revenues on a per unit basis but also may reduce the amount of
oil and natural gas that we can produce economically. A
substantial or extended decline in oil or natural gas prices may
materially and adversely affect our future business, financial
condition, results
27
of operations, liquidity or ability to finance planned capital
expenditures. Lower oil and natural gas prices may also reduce
the amount of our borrowing base under our credit agreement,
which is determined in the discretion of the lenders based on
the collateral value of our proved reserves that have been
mortgaged to the lenders.
|
|
|
Drilling for and producing oil and natural gas are high
risk activities with many uncertainties that could adversely
affect our business, financial condition or results of
operations. |
Our future success will depend on the success of our
exploitation, exploration, development and production
activities. Our oil and natural gas exploration and production
activities are subject to numerous risks beyond our control,
including the risk that drilling will not result in commercially
viable oil or natural gas production. Our decisions to purchase,
explore, develop or otherwise exploit prospects or properties
will depend in part on the evaluation of data obtained through
geophysical and geological analyses, production data and
engineering studies, the results of which are often inconclusive
or subject to varying interpretations. Please read
Reserve estimates depend on many assumptions
that may turn out to be inaccurate . . . for a discussion
of the uncertainty involved in these processes. Our cost of
drilling, completing and operating wells is often uncertain
before drilling commences. Overruns in budgeted expenditures are
common risks that can make a particular project uneconomical.
Further, many factors may curtail, delay or cancel drilling,
including the following:
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delays imposed by or resulting from compliance with regulatory
requirements; |
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pressure or irregularities in geological formations; |
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shortages of or delays in obtaining equipment, including
drilling rigs, and qualified personnel; |
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equipment failures or accidents; |
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adverse weather conditions, such as hurricanes and tropical
storms; |
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reductions in oil and natural gas prices; |
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title problems; and |
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limitations in the market for oil and natural gas. |
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Our acquisition activities may not be successful. |
As part of our growth strategy, we have made and may continue to
make acquisitions of businesses and properties. However,
suitable acquisition candidates may not continue to be available
on terms and conditions we find acceptable, and acquisitions
pose substantial risks to our business, financial condition and
results of operations. In pursuing acquisitions, we compete with
other companies, many of which have greater financial and other
resources to acquire attractive companies and properties. The
following are some of the risks associated with acquisitions,
including any future acquisitions and our recently completed
acquisitions, including the Celero acquisitions:
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some of the acquired businesses or properties may not produce
revenues, reserves, earnings or cash flow at anticipated levels; |
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we may assume liabilities that were not disclosed to us or that
exceed our estimates; |
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we may be unable to integrate acquired businesses successfully
and realize anticipated economic, operational and other benefits
in a timely manner, which could result in substantial costs and
delays or other operational, technical or financial problems; |
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acquisitions could disrupt our ongoing business, distract
management, divert resources and make it difficult to maintain
our current business standards, controls and procedures; and |
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we may incur additional debt related to future acquisitions. |
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The development of the proved undeveloped reserves in the
North Ward Estes Field may take longer and may require higher
levels of capital expenditures than we currently
anticipate. |
Of the reserves that we acquired from Celero in the North Ward
Estes Field, 67% are proved undeveloped reserves. Development of
these reserves may take longer and require higher levels of
capital expenditures than we currently anticipate. In addition,
the development of these reserves will require the use of
enhanced recovery techniques, including water flood and
CO2
injection installations, the success of which is less
predictable than traditional development techniques. Therefore,
ultimate recoveries from these fields may not match current
expectations.
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Substantial acquisitions or other transactions could
require significant external capital and could change our risk
and property profile. |
In order to finance acquisitions of additional producing
properties, we may need to alter or increase our capitalization
substantially through the issuance of debt or equity securities,
the sale of production payments or other means. These changes in
capitalization may significantly affect our risk profile.
Additionally, significant acquisitions or other transactions can
change the character of our operations and business. The
character of the new properties may be substantially different
in operating or geological characteristics or geographic
location than our existing properties. Furthermore, we may not
be able to obtain external funding for future acquisitions or
other transactions or to obtain external funding on terms
acceptable to us.
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Properties that we acquire may not produce as projected,
and we may be unable to identify liabilities associated with the
properties or obtain protection from sellers against
them. |
Our business strategy includes a continuing acquisition program.
During 2005, we completed four separate acquisitions of
producing properties with a combined purchase price of
$897.7 million for estimated proved reserves as of the
effective dates of the acquisitions of approximately
801.9 Bcfe, representing an average cost of approximately
$1.12 per Mcfe of estimated proved reserves. The successful
acquisition of producing properties requires assessments of many
factors, which are inherently inexact and may be inaccurate,
including the following:
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the amount of recoverable reserves; |
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future oil and natural gas prices; |
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estimates of operating costs; |
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estimates of future development costs; |
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estimates of the costs and timing of plugging and
abandonment; and |
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potential environmental and other liabilities. |
Our assessment will not reveal all existing or potential
problems, nor will it permit us to become familiar enough with
the properties to assess fully their capabilities and
deficiencies. In the course of our due diligence, we may not
inspect every well, platform or pipeline. Inspections may not
reveal structural and environmental problems, such as pipeline
corrosion or groundwater contamination, when they are made. We
may not be able to obtain contractual indemnities from the
seller for liabilities that it created. We may be required to
assume the risk of the physical condition of the properties in
addition to the risk that the properties may not perform in
accordance with our expectations.
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If oil and natural gas prices decrease, we may be required
to take write-downs of the carrying values of our oil and
natural gas properties. |
Accounting rules require that we review periodically the
carrying value of our oil and natural gas properties for
possible impairment. Based on specific market factors and
circumstances at the time of prospective impairment reviews, and
the continuing evaluation of development plans, production data,
economics and other factors, we may be required to write down
the carrying value of our oil and natural gas
29
properties. A write-down constitutes a non-cash charge to
earnings. We may incur impairment charges in the future, which
could have a material adverse effect on our results of
operations in the period taken.
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Our development and exploration operations require
substantial capital and we may be unable to obtain needed
capital or financing on satisfactory terms, which could lead to
a loss of properties and a decline in our natural gas and oil
reserves. |
The oil and natural gas industry is capital intensive. We make
and expect to continue to make substantial capital expenditures
in our business and operations for the exploration for and
development, production and acquisition of oil and natural gas
reserves. To date, we have financed capital expenditures
primarily with bank borrowings and cash generated by operations.
We intend to finance our future capital expenditures with cash
flow from operations and our existing financing arrangements.
Our cash flow from operations and access to capital are subject
to a number of variables, including:
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our proved reserves; |
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the level of oil and natural gas we are able to produce from
existing wells; |
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the prices at which oil and natural gas are sold; and |
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our ability to acquire, locate and produce new reserves. |
If our revenues or the borrowing base under our bank credit
agreement decreases as a result of lower oil and natural gas
prices, operating difficulties, declines in reserves or for any
other reason, then we may have limited ability to obtain the
capital necessary to sustain our operations at current levels.
We may, from time to time, need to seek additional financing.
There can be no assurance as to the availability or terms of any
additional financing.
If additional capital is needed, then we may not be able to
obtain debt or equity financing on terms favorable to us, or at
all. If cash generated by operations or available under our
revolving credit facility is not sufficient to meet our capital
requirements, the failure to obtain additional financing could
result in a curtailment of our operations relating to
exploration and development of our prospects, which in turn
could lead to a possible loss of properties and a decline in our
natural gas and oil reserves.
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Reserve estimates depend on many assumptions that may turn
out to be inaccurate. Any material inaccuracies in these reserve
estimates or underlying assumptions will materially affect the
quantities and present value of our reserves. |
The process of estimating oil and natural gas reserves is
complex. It requires interpretations of available technical data
and many assumptions, including assumptions relating to economic
factors. Any significant inaccuracies in these interpretations
or assumptions could materially affect the estimated quantities
and present value of reserves shown or incorporated by reference
in this prospectus.
In order to prepare our estimates, we must project production
rates and timing of development expenditures. We must also
analyze available geological, geophysical, production and
engineering data. The extent, quality and reliability of this
data can vary. The process also requires economic assumptions
about matters such as oil and natural gas prices, drilling and
operating expenses, capital expenditures, taxes and availability
of funds. Therefore, estimates of oil and natural gas reserves
are inherently imprecise.
Actual future production, oil and natural gas prices, revenues,
taxes, development expenditures, operating expenses and
quantities of recoverable oil and natural gas reserves most
likely will vary from our estimates. Any significant variance
could materially affect the estimated quantities and present
value of reserves shown or incorporated by reference in this
prospectus. In addition, we may adjust estimates of proved
reserves to reflect production history, results of exploration
and development, prevailing oil and natural gas prices and other
factors, many of which are beyond our control.
You should not assume that the present value of future net
revenues from our proved reserves referred to in this prospectus
is the current market value of our estimated oil and natural gas
reserves. In accordance with
30
SEC requirements, we generally base the estimated discounted
future net cash flows from our proved reserves on prices and
costs on the date of the estimate. Actual future prices and
costs may differ materially from those used in the present value
estimate. If natural gas prices decline by $0.10 per Mcf,
then the standardized measure of discounted future net cash
flows of our estimated proved reserves as of July 1, 2005
on a pro forma basis giving effect to our acquisition of the
North Ward Estes properties would have decreased from
$2,843.5 million to $2,829.7 million. If oil prices
decline by $1.00 per barrel, then the standardized measure
of discounted future net cash flows of our proved reserves as of
July 1, 2005 on a pro forma basis giving effect to our
acquisition of the North Ward Estes properties would have
decreased from $2,843.5 million to $2,795.1 million.
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Seasonal weather conditions and lease stipulations
adversely affect our ability to conduct drilling activities in
some of the areas where we operate. |
Oil and natural gas operations in the Rocky Mountains are
adversely affected by seasonal weather conditions and lease
stipulations designed to protect various wildlife. In certain
areas drilling and other oil and natural gas activities can only
be conducted during the spring and summer months. This limits
our ability to operate in those areas and can intensify
competition during those months for drilling rigs, oil field
equipment, services, supplies and qualified personnel, which may
lead to periodic shortages. Resulting shortages or high costs
could delay our operations and materially increase our operating
and capital costs.
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Prospects that we decide to drill may not yield oil or
natural gas in commercially viable quantities. |
We describe some of our current prospects and our plans to
explore those prospects in our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2004, which is incorporated by
reference in this prospectus. A prospect is a property on which
we have identified what our geoscientists believe, based on
available seismic and geological information, to be indications
of oil or natural gas. Our prospects are in various stages of
evaluation, ranging from a prospect which is ready to drill to a
prospect that will require substantial additional seismic data
processing and interpretation. There is no way to predict in
advance of drilling and testing whether any particular prospect
will yield oil or natural gas in sufficient quantities to
recover drilling or completion costs or to be economically
viable. The use of seismic data and other technologies and the
study of producing fields in the same area will not enable us to
know conclusively prior to drilling whether oil or natural gas
will be present or, if present, whether oil or natural gas will
be present in commercial quantities. We cannot assure you that
the analogies we draw from available data from other wells, more
fully explored prospects or producing fields will be applicable
to our drilling prospects.
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We may incur substantial losses and be subject to
substantial liability claims as a result of our oil and natural
gas operations. |
We are not insured against all risks. Losses and liabilities
arising from uninsured and underinsured events could materially
and adversely affect our business, financial condition or
results of operations. Our oil and natural gas exploration and
production activities are subject to all of the operating risks
associated with drilling for and producing oil and natural gas,
including the possibility of:
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environmental hazards, such as uncontrollable flows of oil,
natural gas, brine, well fluids, toxic gas or other pollution
into the environment, including groundwater and shoreline
contamination; |
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abnormally pressured formations; |
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mechanical difficulties, such as stuck oil field drilling and
service tools and casing collapse; |
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fires and explosions; |
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personal injuries and death; and |
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natural disasters. |
Any of these risks could adversely affect our ability to conduct
operations or result in substantial losses to our company. We
may elect not to obtain insurance if we believe that the cost of
available insurance is
31
excessive relative to the risks presented. In addition,
pollution and environmental risks generally are not fully
insurable. If a significant accident or other event occurs and
is not fully covered by insurance, then it could adversely
affect us.
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We have limited control over activities on properties we
do not operate, which could reduce our production and
revenues. |
If we do not operate the properties in which we own an interest,
we do not have control over normal operating procedures,
expenditures or future development of underlying properties. The
failure of an operator of our wells to adequately perform
operations, or an operators breach of the applicable
agreements, could reduce our production and revenues. The
success and timing of our drilling and development activities on
properties operated by others therefore depends upon a number of
factors outside of our control, including the operators
timing and amount of capital expenditures, expertise and
financial resources, inclusion of other participants in drilling
wells, and use of technology. Because we do not have a majority
interest in most wells we do not operate, we may not be in a
position to remove the operator in the event of poor performance.
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Our use of 3-D
seismic data is subject to interpretation and may not accurately
identify the presence of natural gas and oil, which could
adversely affect the results of our drilling operations. |
Even when properly used and interpreted,
3-D seismic data and
visualization techniques are only tools used to assist
geoscientists in identifying subsurface structures and
hydrocarbon indicators and do not enable the interpreter to know
whether hydrocarbons are, in fact, present in those structures.
In addition, the use of
3-D seismic and other
advanced technologies requires greater predrilling expenditures
than traditional drilling strategies, and we could incur losses
as a result of such expenditures. As a result, some of our
drilling activities may not be successful or economical and our
overall drilling success rate or our drilling success rate for
activities in a particular area could decline. We often gather
3-D seismic over large
areas. Our interpretation of seismic data delineates for us
those portions of an area that we believe are desirable for
drilling. Therefore, we may chose not to acquire option or lease
rights prior to acquiring seismic data and, in many cases, we
may identify hydrocarbon indicators before seeking option or
lease rights in the location. If we are not able to lease those
locations on acceptable terms, it would result in our having
made substantial expenditures to acquire and analyze
3-D data without having
an opportunity to attempt to benefit from those expenditures.
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Market conditions or operational impediments may hinder
our access to oil and natural gas markets or delay our
production. |
Market conditions or the unavailability of satisfactory oil and
natural gas transportation arrangements may hinder our access to
oil and natural gas markets or delay our production. The
availability of a ready market for our oil and natural gas
production depends on a number of factors, including the demand
for and supply of oil and natural gas and the proximity of
reserves to pipelines and terminal facilities. Our ability to
market our production depends in substantial part on the
availability and capacity of gathering systems, pipelines and
processing facilities owned and operated by third parties. Our
failure to obtain such services on acceptable terms could
materially harm our business. We may be required to shut in
wells for a lack of a market or because of inadequacy or
unavailability of natural gas pipeline or gathering system
capacity. If that were to occur, then we would be unable to
realize revenue from those wells until production arrangements
were made to deliver to market.
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We are subject to complex laws that can affect the cost,
manner or feasibility of doing business. |
Exploration, development, production and sale of oil and natural
gas are subject to extensive federal, state, local and
international regulation. We may be required to make large
expenditures to comply with governmental regulations. Matters
subject to regulation include:
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discharge permits for drilling operations; |
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drilling bonds; |
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reports concerning operations; |
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the spacing of wells; |
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unitization and pooling of properties; and |
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taxation. |
Under these laws, we could be liable for personal injuries,
property damage and other damages. Failure to comply with these
laws also may result in the suspension or termination of our
operations and subject us to administrative, civil and criminal
penalties. Moreover, these laws could change in ways that
substantially increase our costs. Any such liabilities,
penalties, suspensions, terminations or regulatory changes could
materially adversely affect our financial condition and results
of operations.
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Our operations may incur substantial liabilities to comply
with the environmental laws and regulations. |
Our oil and natural gas operations are subject to stringent
federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the
release or disposal of materials into the environment or
otherwise relating to environmental protection. These laws and
regulations may require the acquisition of a permit before
drilling commences, restrict the types, quantities, and
concentration of materials that can be released into the
environment in connection with drilling and production
activities, limit or prohibit drilling activities on certain
lands lying within wilderness, wetlands, and other protected
areas, and impose substantial liabilities for pollution
resulting from our operations. Failure to comply with these laws
and regulations may result in the assessment of administrative,
civil, and criminal penalties, incurrence of investigatory or
remedial obligations, or the imposition of injunctive relief.
Changes in environmental laws and regulations occur frequently,
and any changes that result in more stringent or costly material
handling, storage, transport, disposal or cleanup requirements
could require us to make significant expenditures to maintain
compliance, and may otherwise have a material adverse effect on
our results of operations, competitive position, or financial
condition as well as those of the oil and natural gas industry
in general. Under these environmental laws and regulations, we
could be held strictly liable for the removal or remediation of
previously released materials or property contamination
regardless of whether we were responsible for the release or if
our operations were standard in the industry at the time they
were performed. Federal law and some state laws also allow the
government to place a lien on real property for costs incurred
by the government to address contamination on the property.
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Unless we replace our oil and natural gas reserves, our
reserves and production will decline, which would adversely
affect our cash flows and income. |
Unless we conduct successful development, exploitation and
exploration activities or acquire properties containing proved
reserves, our proved reserves will decline as those reserves are
produced. Producing oil and natural gas reservoirs generally are
characterized by declining production rates that vary depending
upon reservoir characteristics and other factors. Our future oil
and natural gas reserves and production, and, therefore our cash
flow and income, are highly dependent on our success in
efficiently developing and exploiting our current reserves and
economically finding or acquiring additional recoverable
reserves. We may not be able to develop, exploit, find or
acquire additional reserves to replace our current and future
production.
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The loss of senior management or technical personnel could
adversely affect us. |
To a large extent, we depend on the services of our senior
management and technical personnel. The loss of the services of
our senior management or technical personnel, including James J.
Volker, our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer,
James T. Brown, our Vice President, Operations, J. Douglas Lang,
our Vice President, Reservoir Engineering/ Acquisitions, David
M. Seery, our Vice President of Land, Michael J. Stevens, our
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, or Mark R. Williams,
our Vice President, Exploration and Development, could have a
material adverse effect on our operations. We do not maintain,
nor do we plan to obtain, any insurance against the loss of any
of these individuals.
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The unavailability or high cost of additional drilling
rigs, equipment, supplies, personnel and oil field services
could adversely affect our ability to execute on a timely basis
our exploration and development plans within our budget. |
Shortages or the high cost of drilling rigs, equipment, supplies
or personnel could delay or adversely affect our development and
exploration operations, which could have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition, results of
operations or cash flows.
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Competition in the oil and natural gas industry is
intense, which may adversely affect our ability to
compete. |
We operate in a highly competitive environment for acquiring
properties, marketing oil and natural gas and securing trained
personnel. Many of our competitors possess and employ financial,
technical and personnel resources substantially greater than
ours, which can be particularly important in the areas in which
we operate. Those companies may be able to pay more for
productive oil and natural gas properties and exploratory
prospects and to evaluate, bid for and purchase a greater number
of properties and prospects than our financial or personnel
resources permit. Our ability to acquire additional prospects
and to find and develop reserves in the future will depend on
our ability to evaluate and select suitable properties and to
consummate transactions in a highly competitive environment.
Also, there is substantial competition for capital available for
investment in the oil and natural gas industry. We may not be
able to compete successfully in the future in acquiring
prospective reserves, developing reserves, marketing
hydrocarbons, attracting and retaining quality personnel and
raising additional capital.
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Our use of oil and natural gas price hedging contracts
involves credit risk and may limit future revenues from price
increases and result in significant fluctuations in our net
income. |
We enter into hedging transactions for our oil and natural gas
production to reduce our exposure to fluctuations in the price
of oil and natural gas. Our hedging transactions have to date
consisted of financially settled crude oil and natural gas
forward sales contracts with major financial institutions. As of
September 30, 2005, we have contracts maturing in 2005
covering the sale of 1,500,000 MMbtu of natural gas per
month and 410,000 barrels of oil per month and contracts
maturing in 2006 covering the sale of between 1,500,000 and
1,600,000 MMbtu of natural gas per month and between
410,000 and 450,000 barrels of oil per month. Whiting Oil
and Gas Corporations credit agreement requires us to hedge
at least 55% of our total forecasted PDP production from the
Postle properties and the North Ward Estes properties for the
period through March 31, 2007 for natural gas and
December 31, 2008 for oil. See Managements
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure
about Market Risk in our Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended September 30, 2005, which is incorporated by
reference into this prospectus, for pricing and a more detailed
discussion of our hedging transactions.
We may in the future enter into these and other types of hedging
arrangements to reduce our exposure to fluctuations in the
market prices of oil and natural gas. Hedging transactions
expose us to risk of financial loss in some circumstances,
including if production is less than expected, the other party
to the contract defaults on its obligations or there is a change
in the expected differential between the underlying price in the
hedging agreement and actual prices received. Hedging
transactions may limit the benefit we would have otherwise
received from increases in the price for oil and natural gas.
Furthermore, if we do not engage in hedging transactions, then
we may be more adversely affected by declines in oil and natural
gas prices than our competitors who engage in hedging
transactions. Additionally, hedging transactions may expose us
to cash margin requirements.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus contains statements that we believe to be
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements
other than historical facts, including, without limitation,
statements regarding our future financial position, business
strategy, projected revenues, earnings, costs, capital
expenditures and debt levels, and plans and objectives of
management for future operations, are forward-looking
statements. When used in this prospectus, words such as we
expect,
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intend, plan, estimate,
anticipate, believe or
should or the negative thereof or variations thereon
or similar terminology are generally intended to identify
forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are
subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied
by, such statements. Some, but not all, of the risks and
uncertainties include:
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declines in oil or natural gas prices; |
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our level of success in exploitation, exploration, development
and production activities; |
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the timing of our exploration and development expenditures,
including our ability to obtain drilling rigs; our ability to
obtain external capital to finance acquisitions; |
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our ability to identify and complete acquisitions and to
successfully integrate acquired businesses and properties,
including our ability to realize cost savings from completed
acquisitions, including the properties acquired from Celero; |
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unforeseen underperformance of or liabilities associated with
acquired properties, including the properties acquired from
Celero; |
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inaccuracies of our reserve estimates or our assumptions
underlying them; |
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failure of our properties to yield oil or natural gas in
commercially viable quantities; |
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uninsured or underinsured losses resulting from our oil and
natural gas operations; |
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our inability to access oil and natural gas markets due to
market conditions or operational impediments; |
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the impact and costs of compliance with laws and regulations
governing our oil and natural gas operations; |
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risks related to our level of indebtedness and periodic
redeterminations of our borrowing base under our credit facility; |
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our ability to replace our oil and natural gas reserves; any
loss of our senior management or technical personnel; |
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competition in the oil and natural gas industry; |
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risks arising out of our hedging transactions; and |
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other risks described under the caption Risk Factors. |
We assume no obligation, and disclaim any duty, to update the
forward-looking statements in this prospectus.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The exchange offer is intended to satisfy our obligations under
the registration rights agreement entered into in connection
with the issuance of the old notes. We will not receive any cash
proceeds from the issuance of the new notes. We used the net
proceeds of approximately $244.5 million from the private
placement of the old notes, in addition to approximately
$277.0 million of net proceeds from the common stock
offering, to pay the $442 million cash portion of the
purchase price for the acquisition of the North Ward Estes
properties and to repay a portion of the debt currently
outstanding under Whiting Oil and Gas Corporations credit
agreement that we incurred in connection with the acquisition of
the Postle properties.
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CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth our capitalization as of
September 30, 2005:
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on an actual basis; |
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on a pro forma basis giving effect to the issuance of
$250.0 million in the private placement of the old notes
and the application of the net proceeds therefrom; |
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on a pro forma as adjusted basis giving effect to the
transaction referred to in the immediately preceding bullet
point and as further adjusted giving effect to the sale of
6,612,500 shares of our common stock in the common stock
offering at the public offering price of $43.60 per share,
after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated offering
expenses, and the application of $100 million of the net
proceeds therefrom to repay a portion of the debt under our
credit facility; and |
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on a pro forma as further adjusted basis giving effect to the
transactions referred to in the two immediately preceding bullet
points and our acquisition of the North Ward Estes properties,
including the issuance of 441,500 shares of our common
stock to Celero. |
You should read this table in conjunction with the information
contained in Unaudited Pro Forma Financial
Statements in this prospectus and our historical financial
statements and related notes incorporated by reference in this
prospectus.
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September 30, 2005 | |
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Ward Estes | |
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for the Private | |
|
Adjusted for | |
|
Acquisitions, | |
|
|
|
|
Placement of | |
|
the Common | |
|
as Further | |
|
|
Actual | |
|
the Old Notes | |
|
Stock Offering | |
|
Adjusted | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
(In thousands) | |
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
7,542 |
|
|
$ |
252,042 |
|
|
$ |
429,036 |
|
|
$ |
32,936 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term debt:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation credit agreement
|
|
$ |
370,000 |
|
|
$ |
370,000 |
|
|
$ |
270,000 |
|
|
$ |
270,000 |
|
|
71/4% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2012(1)
|
|
|
148,668 |
|
|
|
148,668 |
|
|
|
148,668 |
|
|
|
148,668 |
|
|
71/4% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2013(2)
|
|
|
216,955 |
|
|
|
216,955 |
|
|
|
216,955 |
|
|
|
216,955 |
|
|
7% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
Note payable to Alliant Energy Corporation
|
|
|
3,280 |
|
|
|
3,280 |
|
|
|
3,280 |
|
|
|
3,280 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
738,903 |
|
|
|
988,903 |
|
|
|
888,903 |
|
|
|
888,903 |
|
|
Current portion of long-term debt
|
|
|
(3,280 |
) |
|
|
(3,280 |
) |
|
|
(3,280 |
) |
|
|
(3,280 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term debt
|
|
|
735,623 |
|
|
$ |
985,623 |
|
|
$ |
885,623 |
|
|
$ |
885,623 |
|
Stockholders equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock: $0.001 par value, 75,000,000 shares
authorized, 29,788,723 shares issued and outstanding
|
|
$ |
30 |
|
|
$ |
30 |
|
|
$ |
37 |
|
|
$ |
37 |
|
|
Preferred Stock: $0.001 par value, 5,000,000 shares
authorized, no shares issued or outstanding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
458,837 |
|
|
|
458,837 |
|
|
|
735,824 |
|
|
|
753,000 |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
|
|
|
(63,198 |
) |
|
|
(63,198 |
) |
|
|
(63,198 |
) |
|
|
(63,198 |
) |
Deferred compensation
|
|
|
(2,707 |
) |
|
|
(2,707 |
) |
|
|
(2,707 |
) |
|
|
(2,707 |
) |
Retained earnings
|
|
|
243,036 |
|
|
|
243,036 |
|
|
|
243,036 |
|
|
|
243,036 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
|
635,998 |
|
|
|
635,998 |
|
|
|
912,992 |
|
|
|
930,168 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total capitalization
|
|
$ |
1,371,621 |
|
|
$ |
1,621,621 |
|
|
$ |
1,798,615 |
|
|
$ |
1,815,791 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Represents $150.0 million of
71/4% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2012 issued May 11, 2004. |
|
(2) |
Represents $220.0 million of
71/4% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2013 issued April 19, 2005. |
|
(3) |
Represents $250.0 million of 7% Senior Subordinated
Notes due 2014 issued October 4, 2005. |
36
THE EXCHANGE OFFER
Purpose and Effect; Registration Rights
We issued and sold the old notes on October 4, 2005 in
transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the
Securities Act. Therefore, the old notes are subject to
significant restrictions on resale. In connection with the
issuance of the old notes, we entered into a registration rights
agreement, which required that we and the subsidiary guarantors:
|
|
|
|
|
file with the SEC a registration statement under the Securities
Act relating to the exchange offer and the issuance and delivery
of new notes in exchange for the old notes; |
|
|
|
use our reasonable best efforts to cause the SEC to declare the
exchange offer registration statement effective under the
Securities Act; and |
|
|
|
consummate the exchange offer not later than 40 days
following the effective date of the exchange offer registration
statement. |
If you participate in the exchange offer, then you will, with
limited exceptions, receive new notes that are freely tradable
and not subject to restrictions on transfer. You should read
this prospectus under the heading Resales of
New Notes for more information relating to your ability to
transfer new notes.
If you are eligible to participate in the exchange offer and do
not tender your old notes, then you will continue to hold the
untendered old notes, which will continue to be subject to
restrictions on transfer under the Securities Act.
The exchange offer is intended to satisfy our exchange offer
obligations under the registration rights agreement. The above
summary of the registration rights agreement is not complete.
You are encouraged to read the full text of the registration
rights agreement, which has been filed as an exhibit to the
registration statement that includes this prospectus.
Terms of the Exchange Offer
We are offering to exchange $250,000,000 in aggregate principal
amount of our 7% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014 that we
have registered under the Securities Act for a like principal
amount of our outstanding unregistered 7% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2014.
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this
prospectus and in the accompanying letter of transmittal, we
will accept all old notes validly tendered and not withdrawn
before 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration
date of the exchange offer. We will issue $1,000 principal
amount of new notes in exchange for each $1,000 principal amount
of outstanding old notes we accept in the exchange offer. You
may tender some or all of your old notes under the exchange
offer. However, the old notes are issuable in authorized
denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof.
Accordingly, old notes may be tendered only in denominations of
$1,000 and integral multiples thereof. The exchange offer is not
conditioned upon any minimum amount of old notes being tendered.
The form and terms of the new notes will be the same as the form
and terms of the old notes, except that:
|
|
|
|
|
the new notes will be registered under the Securities Act and
thus will not be subject to the restrictions on transfer or bear
legends restricting their transfer; |
|
|
|
all of the new notes will be represented by global notes in
book-entry form unless exchanged for notes in definitive
certificated form under the limited circumstances described
under Description of the New Notes Book-Entry,
Delivery and Form; and |
|
|
|
the new notes will not provide for the payment of additional
interest under circumstances relating to the timing of the
exchange offer. |
The new notes will evidence the same debt as the old notes and
will be issued under, and be entitled to the benefits of, the
indenture governing the old notes.
37
The new notes will accrue interest from the most recent date to
which interest has been paid on the old notes or, if no interest
has been paid, from the date of issuance of the old notes.
Accordingly, registered holders of new notes on the record date
for the first interest payment date following the completion of
the exchange offer will receive interest accrued from the most
recent date to which interest has been paid on the old notes or,
if no interest has been paid, from the date of issuance of the
old notes. However, if that record date occurs prior to
completion of the exchange offer, then the interest payable on
the first interest payment date following the completion of the
exchange offer will be paid to the registered holders of the old
notes on that record date.
In connection with the exchange offer, you do not have any
appraisal or dissenters rights under the Delaware General
Corporation Law or the indenture. We intend to conduct the
exchange offer in accordance with the registration rights
agreement and the applicable requirements of the Securities Act
of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and
regulations of the SEC. The exchange offer is not being made to,
nor will we accept tenders for exchange from, holder of the old
notes in any jurisdiction in which the exchange offer or the
acceptance of it would not be in compliance with the securities
or blue sky laws of the jurisdiction.
We will be deemed to have accepted validly tendered old notes
when we have given oral or written notice of our acceptance to
the exchange agent. The exchange agent will act as agent for the
tendering holders for the purpose of receiving the new notes
from us.
If we do not accept any tendered old notes because of an invalid
tender or for any other reason, then we will return certificates
for any unaccepted old notes without expense to the tendering
holder as promptly as practicable after the expiration date.
Expiration Date; Amendments
The exchange offer will expire at 11:59 p.m., New York City
time, on March 23, 2006, unless we, in our sole discretion,
extend the exchange offer.
If we determine to extend the exchange offer, then we will
notify the exchange agent of any extension by oral or written
notice and give each registered holder notice of the extension
by means of a press release or other public announcement before
9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day
after the previously scheduled expiration date.
We reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to delay accepting
any old notes, to extend the exchange offer or to amend or
terminate the exchange offer if any of the conditions described
below under Conditions have not been
satisfied or waived by giving oral or written notice to the
exchange agent of the delay, extension, amendment or
termination. Further, we reserve the right, in our sole
discretion, to amend the terms of the exchange offer in any
manner. We will notify you as promptly as practicable of any
extension, amendment or termination. We will also file a
post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which
this prospectus is a part with respect to any fundamental change
in the exchange offer.
Procedures for Tendering Old Notes
Any tender of old notes that is not withdrawn prior to the
expiration date will constitute a binding agreement between the
tendering holder and us upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in this prospectus and in the accompanying
letter of transmittal. A holder who wishes to tender old notes
in the exchange offer must do either of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
properly complete, sign and date the letter of transmittal,
including all other documents required by the letter of
transmittal; have the signature on the letter of transmittal
guaranteed if the letter of transmittal so requires; and deliver
that letter of transmittal and other required documents to the
exchange agent at the address listed below under
Exchange Agent on or before the
expiration date; or |
38
|
|
|
|
|
if the old notes are tendered under the book-entry transfer
procedures described below transmit to the exchange agent on or
before the expiration date an agents message. |
In addition, one of the following must occur:
|
|
|
|
|
the exchange agent must receive certificates representing your
old notes along with the letter of transmittal on or before the
expiration date, or |
|
|
|
the exchange agent must receive a timely confirmation of
book-entry transfer of the old notes into the exchange
agents account at The Depository Trust Company of New York
City, or DTC, under the procedure for book-entry transfers
described below along with the letter of transmittal or a
properly transmitted agents message, on or before the
expiration date; or |
|
|
|
the holder must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures
described below. |
The term agents message means a message,
transmitted by a book-entry transfer facility to and received by
the exchange agent and forming a part of the book-entry
confirmation, which states that the book-entry transfer facility
has received an express acknowledgement from the tendering DTC
participant stating that the participant has received and agrees
to be bound by the letter of transmittal and that we may enforce
the letter of transmittal against the participant.
The method of delivery of old notes, the letter of transmittal
and all other required documents to the exchange agent is at
your election and risk. Rather than mail these items, we
recommend that you use an overnight or hand delivery service. In
all cases, you should allow sufficient time to assure timely
delivery to the exchange agent before the expiration date. Do
not send letters of transmittal or old notes to us.
Generally, an eligible institution must guarantee signatures on
a letter of transmittal or a notice of withdrawal unless the old
notes are tendered:
|
|
|
|
|
by a registered holder of the old notes who has not completed
the box entitled Special Issuance Instructions or
Special Delivery Instructions on the letter of
transmittal; or |
|
|
|
for the account of an eligible institution. |
If signatures on a letter of transmittal or a notice of
withdrawal are required to be guaranteed, the guarantee must be
by a firm which is:
|
|
|
|
|
a member of a registered national securities exchange; |
|
|
|
a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.; |
|
|
|
a commercial bank or trust company having an office or
correspondent in the United States; or |
|
|
|
another eligible institution within the meaning of
Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act. |
If the letter of transmittal is signed by a person other than
the registered holder of any outstanding old notes, the original
notes must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate powers of
attorney. The power of attorney must be signed by the registered
holder exactly as the registered holder(s) name(s) appear(s) on
the old notes and an eligible institution must guarantee the
signature on the power of attorney.
If the letter of transmittal, or any old notes or powers of
attorney are signed by trustees, executors, administrators,
guardians,
attorneys-in-fact,
officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or
representative capacity, these persons should so indicate when
signing. Unless waived by us, they should also submit evidence
satisfactory to us of their authority to so act.
If you wish to tender old notes that are registered in the name
of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other
nominee, you should promptly instruct the registered holder to
tender on your behalf. If you wish to tender on your behalf, you
must, before completing the procedures for tendering old notes,
either register ownership of the old notes in your name or
obtain a properly completed bond power from the registered
holder. The transfer of registered ownership may take
considerable time.
39
We will determine in our sole discretion all questions as to the
validity, form, eligibility, including time of receipt, and
acceptance of old notes tendered for exchange. Our determination
will be final and binding on all parties. We reserve the
absolute right to reject any and all tenders of old notes not
properly tendered or old notes our acceptance of which might, in
the judgment of our counsel, be unlawful. We also reserve the
absolute right to waive any defects, irregularities or
conditions of tender as to any particular old notes. Our
interpretation of the terms and conditions of the exchange
offer, including the instructions in the letter of transmittal,
will be final and binding on all parties. Unless waived, any
defects or irregularities in connection with tenders of old
notes must be cured within the time period we determine. Neither
we, the exchange agent nor any other person will incur any
liability for failure to give you notification of defects or
irregularities with respect to tenders of your old notes.
By tendering, you will represent to us that:
|
|
|
|
|
any new notes that the holder receives will be acquired in the
ordinary course of its business; |
|
|
|
the holder has no arrangement or understanding with any person
or entity to participate in the distribution of the new notes; |
|
|
|
if the holder is not a broker dealer, that it is not engaged in
and does not intend to engage in the distribution of the new
notes; |
|
|
|
if the holder is a broker dealer, that the holders old
notes were acquired as a result of market making activities or
other trading activities; and |
|
|
|
the holder is not our affiliate, as defined in
Rule 405 of the Securities Act, or, if the holder is our
affiliate, it will comply with any applicable registration and
prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act. |
If any holder or any such other person is our
affiliate, or is engaged in or intends to engage in
or has an arrangement or understanding with any person to
participate in a distribution of the new notes to be acquired in
the exchange offer, then that holder or any such other person:
|
|
|
|
|
may not rely on the applicable interpretations of the staff of
the SEC; |
|
|
|
is not entitled and will not be permitted to tender old notes in
the exchange offer; and |
|
|
|
must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale
transaction. |
Each broker dealer who acquired its old notes as a result of
market making activities or other trading activities and
thereafter receives new notes issued for its own account in the
exchange offer, must acknowledge that it will deliver a
prospectus in connection with any resale of such new notes
issued in the exchange offer. The letter of transmittal states
that by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a
broker dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an
underwriter within the meaning of the Securities
Act. See Plan of Distribution for a discussion of
the exchange and resale obligations of broker dealers in
connection with the exchange offer.
Any broker-dealer that acquired old notes directly from us may
not rely on the applicable interpretations of the staff of the
SEC and must comply with the registration and delivery
requirements of the Securities Act (including being named as a
selling securityholder) in connection with any resales of the
old notes or the new notes.
Acceptance of Old Notes for Exchange; Delivery of New
Notes
Upon satisfaction of all conditions to the exchange offer, we
will accept, promptly after the expiration date, all old notes
properly tendered and will issue the new notes promptly after
acceptance of the old notes.
For purposes of the exchange offer, we will be deemed to have
accepted properly tendered old notes for exchange when we have
given oral or written notice of that acceptance to the exchange
agent. For each old note accepted for exchange, you will receive
a new note having a principal amount equal to that of the
surrendered old note.
40
In all cases, we will issue new notes for old notes that we have
accepted for exchange under the exchange offer only after the
exchange agent timely receives:
|
|
|
|
|
certificates for your old notes or a timely confirmation of
book-entry transfer of your old notes into the exchange
agents account at DTC; and |
|
|
|
a properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal and
all other required documents or a properly transmitted
agents message. |
If we do not accept any tendered old notes for any reason set
forth in the terms of the exchange offer or if you submit old
notes for a greater principal amount than you desire to
exchange, we will return the unaccepted or non-exchanged old
notes without expense to you. In the case of old notes tendered
by book-entry transfer into the exchange agents account at
DTC under the book-entry procedures described below, we will
credit the non-exchanged old notes to your account maintained
with DTC.
Book-Entry Transfer
We understand that the exchange agent will make a request within
two business days after the date of this prospectus to establish
accounts for the old notes at DTC for the purpose of
facilitating the exchange offer, and any financial institution
that is a participant in DTCs system may make book-entry
delivery of old notes by causing DTC to transfer the old notes
into the exchange agents account at DTC in accordance with
DTCs procedures for transfer. Although delivery of old
notes may be effected through book-entry transfer at DTC, the
exchange agent must receive a properly completed and duly
executed letter of transmittal with any required signature
guarantees, or an agents message instead of a letter of
transmittal, and all other required documents at its address
listed below under Exchange Agent on or
before the expiration date, or if you comply with the guaranteed
delivery procedures described below, within the time period
provided under those procedures.
Guaranteed Delivery Procedures
If you wish to tender your old notes and your old notes are not
immediately available, or you cannot deliver your old notes, the
letter of transmittal or any other required documents or comply
with DTCs procedures for transfer before the expiration
date, then you may participate in the exchange offer if:
|
|
|
|
|
the tender is made through an eligible institution; |
|
|
|
before the expiration date, the exchange agent receives from the
eligible institution a properly completed and duly executed
notice of guaranteed delivery, substantially in the form
provided by us, by facsimile transmission, mail or hand
delivery, containing: |
|
|
|
|
|
the name and address of the holder and the principal amount of
old notes tendered, |
|
|
|
a statement that the tender is being made thereby, and |
|
|
|
a guarantee that within three New York Stock Exchange trading
days after the expiration date, the certificates representing
the old notes in proper form for transfer or a book-entry
confirmation and any other documents required by the letter of
transmittal will be deposited by the eligible institution with
the exchange agent; and |
|
|
|
|
|
the exchange agent receives the properly completed and executed
letter of transmittal as well as certificates representing all
tendered old notes in proper form for transfer, or a book-entry
confirmation, and all other documents required by the letter of
transmittal within three New York Stock Exchange trading days
after the expiration date. |
41
Withdrawal Rights
You may withdraw your tender of old notes at any time before the
exchange offer expires.
For a withdrawal to be effective, the exchange agent must
receive a written notice of withdrawal at its address listed
below under Exchange Agent. The notice
of withdrawal must:
|
|
|
|
|
specify the name of the person who tendered the old notes to be
withdrawn; |
|
|
|
identify the old notes to be withdrawn, including the principal
amount, or, in the case of old notes tendered by book-entry
transfer, the name and number of the DTC account to be credited,
and otherwise comply with the procedures of DTC; and |
|
|
|
if certificates for old notes have been transmitted, specify the
name in which those old notes are registered if different from
that of the withdrawing holder. |
If you have delivered or otherwise identified to the exchange
agent the certificates for old notes, then, before the release
of these certificates, you must also submit the serial numbers
of the particular certificates to be withdrawn and a signed
notice of withdrawal with the signatures guaranteed by an
eligible institution, unless the holder is an eligible
institution.
We will determine in our sole discretion all questions as to the
validity, form and eligibility, including time of receipt, of
notices of withdrawal. Our determination will be final and
binding on all parties. Any old notes so withdrawn will be
deemed not to have been validly tendered for purposes of the
exchange offer. We will return any old notes that have been
tendered but that are not exchanged for any reason to the
holder, without cost, as soon as practicable after withdrawal,
rejection of tender or termination of the exchange offer. In the
case of old notes tendered by book-entry transfer into the
exchange agents account at DTC, the old notes will be
credited to an account maintained with DTC for the old notes.
You may retender properly withdrawn old notes by following one
of the procedures described under Procedures
for Tendering Old Notes at any time on or before the
expiration date.
Conditions
Notwithstanding any other term of the exchange offer, we will
not be required to accept for exchange, or to exchange new notes
for, any old notes if:
|
|
|
|
|
the exchange offer, or the making of any exchange by a holder of
old notes, would violate any applicable law or applicable
interpretation by the staff of the SEC; or |
|
|
|
any action or proceeding is instituted or threatened in any
court or by or before any governmental agency with respect to
the exchange offer which, in our judgment, would reasonably be
expected to impair our ability to proceed with the exchange
offer. |
The conditions listed above are for our sole benefit and we may
assert them regardless of the circumstances giving rise to any
condition. Subject to applicable law, we may waive these
conditions in our discretion in whole or in part at any time and
from time to time.
We expressly reserve the right, at any time or at various times,
to extend the period of time during which the exchange offer is
open. Consequently, we may delay acceptance of any old notes by
giving oral or written notice of an extension to their holders.
During an extension, all old notes previously tendered will
remain subject to the exchange offer, and we may accept them for
exchange.
42
Exchange Agent
J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association, is the
exchange agent for the exchange offer. You should direct any
questions and requests for assistance and requests for
additional copies of this prospectus, the letter of transmittal
or the notice of guaranteed delivery to the exchange agent
addressed as follows:
By Hand, Overnight Mail, Courier, or Registered or Certified
Mail:
|
|
|
J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association |
|
Institutional Trust Services |
|
2001 Bryan Street, 9th Floor |
|
Dallas, Texas 75201 |
|
Attention: Mr. Frank Ivins |
By Facsimile:
|
|
|
(214) 468-6122 |
|
Attention: Institutional Trust Services |
Delivery of the letter of transmittal to an address other than
as listed above or transmission via facsimile other than as
listed above will not constitute a valid delivery of the letter
of transmittal.
Fees and Expenses
We will pay the expenses of the exchange offer. We will not make
any payments to brokers, dealers or others soliciting
acceptances of the exchange offer. We are making the principal
solicitation by mail; however, our officers and employees may
make additional solicitations by facsimile transmission,
e-mail, telephone or in
person. You will not be charged a service fee for the exchange
of your notes, but we may require you to pay any transfer or
similar government taxes in certain circumstances.
Transfer Taxes
You will not be obligated to pay any transfer taxes, unless you
instruct us to register new notes in the name of, or request
that old notes not tendered or not accepted in the exchange
offer be returned to, a person other than the registered
tendering holder.
Accounting Treatment
We will record the new notes at the same carrying values as the
old notes, as reflected in our accounting records on the date of
exchange. Accordingly, we will not recognize any gain or loss on
the exchange of notes. We will amortize the expenses of the
offer over the term of the new notes.
Consequences of Failure to Exchange Old Notes
If you are eligible to participate in the exchange offer but do
not tender your old notes, you will not have any further
registration rights, except in limited circumstances with
respect to specific types of holders of old notes. Old notes
that are not tendered or are tendered but not accepted will,
following the consummation of the exchange offer, continue to be
subject to the provisions in the indenture regarding the
transfer and exchange of the old notes and the existing
restrictions on transfer set forth in the legend on the old
notes and in the offering memorandum dated September 28,
2005, relating to the old notes. Accordingly, you may resell the
old notes that are not exchanged only:
|
|
|
|
|
to us; |
|
|
|
so long as the old notes are eligible for resale under
Rule 144A under the Securities Act, to a person whom you
reasonably believe is a qualified institutional
buyer within the meaning of Rule 144A purchasing for
its own account or for the account of a qualified institutional
buyer in a transaction meeting the requirements of
Rule 144A; |
43
|
|
|
|
|
in accordance with another exemption from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act; or |
|
|
|
under an effective registration statement under the Securities
Act; |
in each case in accordance with all other applicable securities
laws. We do not intend to register the old notes under the
Securities Act.
Old notes that are not exchanged in the exchange offer will
remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest and will be
entitled to the rights and benefits their holders have under the
indenture relating to the old notes and the new notes. Holders
of the new notes and any old notes that remain outstanding after
consummation of the exchange offer will vote together as a
single class for purposes of determining whether holders of the
requisite percentage of the class have taken certain actions or
exercised certain rights under the indenture.
Resales of New Notes
Based on interpretations of the staff of the SEC, as set forth
in no action letters to third parties, we believe that new notes
issued under the exchange offer in exchange for old notes may be
offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by any old
note holder without further registration under the Securities
Act and without delivery of a prospectus that satisfies the
requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act if:
|
|
|
|
|
the holder is not our affiliate within the meaning
of Rule 405 under the Securities Act; |
|
|
|
the new notes are acquired in the ordinary course of the
holders business; and |
|
|
|
the holder does not intend to participate in a distribution of
the new notes. |
Any holder who exchanges old notes in the exchange offer with
the intention of participating in any manner in a distribution
of the new notes must comply with the registration and
prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in
connection with a secondary resale transaction.
This prospectus may be used for an offer to resell, resale or
other retransfer of new notes. With regard to broker dealers,
only broker dealers that acquire the old notes as a result of
market making activities or other trading activities may
participate in the exchange offer. Each broker dealer that
receives new notes for its own account in exchange for old
notes, where the old notes were acquired by the broker dealer as
a result of market making activities or other trading
activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus
in connection with any resale of the new notes. Please see
Plan of Distribution for more details regarding the
transfer of new notes.
44
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
On October 4, 2005, we completed our acquisition of the
operated interest in the North Ward Estes field in the Permian
Basin of West Texas and certain other fields (North Ward
Estes and Ancillary Properties) from Celero Energy, LP
(Celero). The purchase price for the North Ward
Estes and Ancillary Properties was approximately
$459.2 million, which was comprised of $442 million in
cash and 441,500 shares of the our common stock. On
August 4, 2005, we completed our acquisition of the
operated interest in the Postle field in Texas County, Oklahoma
(the Postle Properties) from Celero for
$343 million in cash. The effective date of both purchases
was July 1, 2005.
During 2005, we also completed two other property acquisitions
(collectively, Other Properties). On March 31,
2005, we acquired operated interests in five producing gas
fields in the Green River Basin of Wyoming for a purchase price
of $65 million, which was funded by borrowings under the
our credit agreement. On June 23, 2005, we acquired all of
the limited partnership interests in three institutional
partnerships, having properties in Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas,
Oklahoma and Wyoming, for a purchase price of
$30.5 million, which was funded using cash on hand.
The following unaudited pro forma financial information shows
the pro forma effects of i) the consummation of the North
Ward Estes and Ancillary Properties acquisition, ii) the public
offering of 6,612,500 shares of our common stock that
closed on October 4, 2005 (the Common Stock
Offering), iii) the private placement of the old notes
that also closed on October 4, 2005 (the Senior
Subordinated Notes Private Placement), iv) the use of
the net proceeds from the Common Stock Offering and Senior
Subordinated Notes Private Placement to pay the remaining
cash portion of the purchase price for the North Ward Estes and
Ancillary Properties and related fees and expenses, and
v) the use of the remaining net proceeds from the Common
Stock Offering and Senior Subordinated Notes Private
Placement to repay $100 million of the Companys debt
under its credit facility (collectively, the
Transactions).
The unaudited pro forma combined statement of operations for the
nine months ended September 30, 2005 was prepared as if the
Transactions and the acquisitions of the Postle Properties and
Other Properties all occurred on January 1, 2005 and
includes the pro forma results of the Postle Properties through
August 4, 2005 and the pro forma results of the Other
Properties from January 1, 2005 up to their respective
acquisition dates. The unaudited pro forma combined statement of
operations for the year ended December 31, 2004 was
prepared as if the Transactions and the acquisitions of the
Postle Properties and Other Properties all occurred at
January 1, 2004. The unaudited pro forma combined balance
sheet as of September 30, 2005 assumes that the
Transactions all occurred on September 30, 2005. Our
historical results include the results from our recent
acquisitions beginning on the following dates: Green River Basin
of Wyoming, March 31, 2005; limited partnership interests,
June 23, 2005; and Postle Properties, August 4, 2005.
The historical financial information for the Postle Properties
and the North Ward Estes and Ancillary Properties, which is
presented in the unaudited pro forma combined statements of
operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and
the year ended December 31, 2004, has been derived from
statements of direct revenues and operating expenses, which in
turn have been derived from the historical accounting records of
the sellers and prior operators and which do not include all
costs of doing business. Although the statements do not include
depreciation, depletion and amortization, general administrative
expenses, income taxes or interest expense, as described in
Notes 3 and 4, these costs have been included on a pro
forma basis. The pro forma statements of operations, however,
are not necessarily indicative of our operations going forward,
because these statements necessarily exclude various operating
expenses attributable to the North Ward Estes and Ancillary
Properties and the Postle Properties.
The pro forma financial information also includes the effects of
the Companys $1.2 billion bank credit agreement,
which was entered into on August 31, 2005 in connection
with the acquisitions of the North Ward Estes and Ancillary
Properties and the Postle Properties. The credit agreement had
an initial borrowing base of $675 million, which increased
to $850 million upon the closing of the North Ward Estes
and Ancillary Properties and was then offset by a reduction of
$62.5 million upon the closing of the Senior Subordinated
Notes Private Placement, thereby resulting in a borrowing
base of $787.5 million.
The unaudited pro forma combined financial statements reflect
pro forma adjustments that are described in the accompanying
notes and are based on available information and certain
assumptions we believe are reasonable but are subject to change.
In our opinion, all adjustments that are necessary to present
fairly the pro forma information have been made. The following
unaudited pro forma financial statements do not purport to
represent what our financial position or results of operations
would have been if the Transactions or the acquisitions of the
Postle Properties or Other Properties had occurred on
September 30, 2005, January 1, 2005 or January 1,
2004, respectively. These unaudited pro forma financial
statements should be read in conjunction with our historical
financial statements and related notes for the periods presented.
45
UNAUDITED CONDENSED PRO FORMA COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
As of September 30, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Whiting | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Petroleum | |
|
North Ward Estes | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
Corporation | |
|
and Ancillary | |
|
Combined | |
|
|
September 30, | |
|
Properties | |
|
September 30, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
(Note 2) | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions, except share and per share data) | |
ASSETS |
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS
|
|
$ |
127.1 |
|
|
$ |
25.4 |
|
|
$ |
152.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil and gas properties, successful efforts method:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proved properties
|
|
|
1,775.9 |
|
|
|
463.3 |
|
|
|
2,239.2 |
|
|
|
Unproved properties
|
|
|
18.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18.6 |
|
|
Deposit on North Ward Estes acquisition
|
|
|
45.9 |
|
|
|
(45.9 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
Other property and equipment
|
|
|
13.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total property and equipment
|
|
|
1,854.3 |
|
|
|
417.4 |
|
|
|
2,271.7 |
|
|
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization
|
|
|
(306.9 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(306.9 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total property and equipment, net
|
|
|
1,547.4 |
|
|
|
417.4 |
|
|
|
1,964.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DEBT ISSUANCE COSTS
|
|
|
19.1 |
|
|
|
5.5 |
|
|
|
24.6 |
|
OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS
|
|
|
11.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL
|
|
$ |
1,705.4 |
|
|
$ |
448.3 |
|
|
$ |
2,153.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY |
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES
|
|
$ |
159.1 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
159.1 |
|
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
|
|
|
36.9 |
|
|
|
4.1 |
|
|
|
41.0 |
|
PRODUCTION PARTICIPATION PLAN LIABILITY
|
|
|
11.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11.5 |
|
TAX SHARING LIABILITY
|
|
|
28.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
28.8 |
|
LONG-TERM DEBT
|
|
|
735.6 |
|
|
|
150.0 |
|
|
|
885.6 |
|
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES
|
|
|
63.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
63.5 |
|
LONG-TERM DERIVATIVE LIABILITY
|
|
|
34.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
34.1 |
|
STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock, $.001 par value; 75,000,000 shares
authorized, 29,788,723 shares issued and outstanding as of
September 30, 2005 (36,842,723 shares issued and
outstanding on a combined pro forma basis)
|
|
|
0.0 |
|
|
|
0.0 |
|
|
|
0.0 |
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
458.8 |
|
|
|
294.2 |
|
|
|
753.0 |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
|
|
|
(63.2 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(63.2 |
) |
Deferred compensation
|
|
|
(2.7 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2.7 |
) |
Retained earnings
|
|
|
243.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
243.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholders equity
|
|
|
635.9 |
|
|
|
294.2 |
|
|
|
930.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL
|
|
$ |
1,705.4 |
|
|
$ |
448.3 |
|
|
$ |
2,153.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma combined financial
statements.
46
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
North Ward | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Postle | |
|
Estes and | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Whiting | |
|
Properties | |
|
Ancillary | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Petroleum | |
|
Period | |
|
Properties | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporation | |
|
January 1, | |
|
Nine Months | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months | |
|
2005 to | |
|
Ended | |
|
|
|
|
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
Ended | |
|
August 4, | |
|
September 30, | |
|
Other | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
Combined | |
|
|
September 30, | |
|
2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
Properties | |
|
Adjustments | |
|
September 30, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
(Note 1) | |
|
(Note 1) | |
|
(Note 1) | |
|
(Note 3) | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions, except per share data) | |
REVENUES AND OTHER INCOME
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil and gas sales
|
|
$ |
374.8 |
|
|
$ |
46.1 |
|
|
$ |
56.1 |
|
|
$ |
8.7 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
485.7 |
|
|
Loss on oil and gas hedging activities
|
|
|
(20.7 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(20.7 |
) |
|
Interest income and other
|
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues and other income
|
|
|
354.4 |
|
|
|
46.1 |
|
|
|
56.1 |
|
|
|
8.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
465.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lease operating
|
|
|
70.7 |
|
|
|
11.1 |
|
|
|
13.4 |
|
|
|
2.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
97.2 |
|
|
Production taxes
|
|
|
24.6 |
|
|
|
3.2 |
|
|
|
3.8 |
|
|
|
0.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32.1 |
|
|
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
|
|
|
64.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18.1 |
|
|
|
82.5 |
|
|
Exploration and impairment
|
|
|
12.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12.0 |
|
|
General and administrative
|
|
|
21.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.2 |
|
|
|
21.8 |
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
25.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20.5 |
|
|
|
45.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total costs and expenses
|
|
|
218.3 |
|
|
|
14.3 |
|
|
|
17.2 |
|
|
|
2.5 |
|
|
|
38.8 |
|
|
|
291.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
|
|
|
136.1 |
|
|
$ |
31.8 |
|
|
$ |
38.9 |
|
|
$ |
6.2 |
|
|
|
(38.8 |
) |
|
|
174.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INCOME TAX EXPENSE
|
|
|
(52.5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(14.7 |
) |
|
|
(67.2 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET INCOME
|
|
$ |
83.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(53.5 |
) |
|
$ |
107.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE, BASIC
|
|
$ |
2.82 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2.91 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE, DILUTED
|
|
$ |
2.81 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2.91 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING, BASIC
|
|
|
29.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.1 |
|
|
|
36.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING, DILUTED
|
|
|
29.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.1 |
|
|
|
36.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma combined financial
statements.
47
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
North Ward | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estes and | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Whiting | |
|
Postle | |
|
Ancillary | |
|
Other | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Petroleum | |
|
Properties | |
|
Properties | |
|
Properties | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporation | |
|
Year Ended | |
|
Year Ended | |
|
Year Ended | |
|
|
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
Year Ended | |
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
Combined | |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
Adjustments | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2004 | |
|
(Note 1) | |
|
(Note 1) | |
|
(Note 1) | |
|
(Note 4) | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions, except per share data) | |
REVENUES AND OTHER INCOME
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil and gas sales
|
|
$ |
281.1 |
|
|
$ |
60.7 |
|
|
$ |
37.6 |
|
|
$ |
23.2 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
402.6 |
|
|
Loss on oil and gas hedging activities
|
|
|
(4.9 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4.9 |
) |
|
Gain on sale of marketable securities
|
|
|
4.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.8 |
|
|
Gain on sale of oil and gas properties
|
|
|
1.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.0 |
|
|
Interest income and other
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues and other income
|
|
|
282.1 |
|
|
|
60.7 |
|
|
|
37.6 |
|
|
|
23.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
403.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COSTS AND EXPENSES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lease operating
|
|
|
54.2 |
|
|
|
14.6 |
|
|
|
11.0 |
|
|
|
5.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
84.8 |
|
|
Production taxes
|
|
|
16.8 |
|
|
|
3.1 |
|
|
|
2.2 |
|
|
|
2.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24.1 |
|
|
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
|
|
|
54.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27.8 |
|
|
|
81.8 |
|
|
Exploration
|
|
|
6.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.3 |
|
|
General and administrative
|
|
|
20.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.2 |
|
|
|
21.1 |
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
15.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
34.9 |
|
|
|
50.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total costs and expenses
|
|
|
168.1 |
|
|
|
17.7 |
|
|
|
13.2 |
|
|
|
7.0 |
|
|
|
62.9 |
|
|
|
268.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
|
|
|
114.0 |
|
|
$ |
43.0 |
|
|
$ |
24.4 |
|
|
$ |
16.2 |
|
|
|
(62.9 |
) |
|
|
134.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INCOME TAX EXPENSE
|
|
|
(44.0 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(8.0 |
) |
|
|
(52.0 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET INCOME
|
|
$ |
70.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(70.9 |
) |
|
$ |
82.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE, BASIC
|
|
$ |
3.38 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2.98 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE, DILUTED
|
|
$ |
3.38 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2.97 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING, BASIC
|
|
|
20.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.1 |
|
|
|
27.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING, DILUTED
|
|
|
20.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.1 |
|
|
|
27.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma combined financial
statements.
48
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
On October 4, 2005, Whiting Petroleum Corporation (the
Company) completed its acquisition of the operated
interest in the North Ward Estes field in the Permian Basin of
West Texas and certain other fields (North Ward Estes and
Ancillary Properties) from Celero Energy, LP
(Celero). The purchase price for the North Ward
Estes and Ancillary Properties was approximately
$459.2 million, which was comprised of $442 million in
cash and 441,500 shares of the Companys common stock.
On August 4, 2005, the Company completed its acquisition of
the operated interest in the Postle field in Texas County,
Oklahoma (the Postle Properties) from Celero for
$343 million in cash. The effective date of both purchases
was July 1, 2005.
During 2005, the Company also completed two other property
acquisitions (collectively, Other Properties). On
March 31, 2005, the Company acquired operated interests in
five producing gas fields in the Green River Basin of Wyoming
for a purchase price of $65 million (Green River
Basin), which was funded by borrowings under the
Companys credit agreement. On June 23, 2005, the
Company acquired all of the limited partnership interests in
three institutional partnerships, having properties in
Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Wyoming, for a purchase
price of $30.5 million, which was funded using cash on hand.
The following unaudited pro forma financial information shows
the pro forma effects of i) the consummation of the North
Ward Estes and Ancillary Properties acquisition, ii) the
offering of 6,612,500 shares of the Companys common
stock that closed on October 4, 2005 (the Common
Stock Offering), iii) the private placement of
$250 million of the Companys senior subordinated
notes that also closed on October 4, 2005 (the Senior
Subordinated Notes Private Placement), iv) the use of
the net proceeds from the Common Stock Offering and Senior
Subordinated Notes Private Placement to pay the remaining
cash portion of the purchase price for the North Ward Estes and
Ancillary Properties and related fees and expenses, and
v) the use of the remaining net proceeds from the Common
Stock Offering and Senior Subordinated Notes Private
Placement to repay a portion of the Companys debt under
its credit facility (collectively, the Transactions).
The unaudited pro forma combined statement of operations for the
nine months ended September 30, 2005 was prepared as if the
Transactions and the acquisitions of the Postle Properties and
Other Properties all occurred on January 1, 2005 and
includes the pro forma results of the Postle Properties through
August 4, 2005 and the pro forma results of the Other
Properties from January 1, 2005 up to their respective
acquisition dates. The unaudited pro forma combined statement of
operations for the for the year ended December 31, 2004 was
prepared as if the Transactions and the acquisitions of the
Postle Properties and Other Properties all occurred at
January 1, 2004. The unaudited pro forma combined balance
sheet as of September 30, 2005 assumes that the
Transactions all occurred on September 30, 2005. The
Companys historical results include the results from its
recent acquisitions beginning on the following dates: Green
River Basin of Wyoming, March 31, 2005; limited partnership
interests, June 23, 2005; and Postle Properties,
August 4, 2005.
The Company has prepared the unaudited combined pro forma
financial statements to give effect to the following:
|
|
|
|
|
the sale of 6,612,500 shares of the Companys common
stock at the public offering price of $43.60 per share,
generating net proceeds of approximately $277.0 million,
after deducting approximately $11.3 million of estimated
offering related fees and expenses, including the underwriting
discount and commissions; and |
|
|
|
the sale of $250 million aggregate principal amount of the
Companys senior subordinated notes maturing in 2014
bearing interest at 7%, generating net proceeds of approximately
$244.5 million, after deducting approximately
$5.5 million of estimated offering related fees and
expenses, including the underwriting discount and commissions. |
The historical financial information for the Postle Properties
and the North Ward Estes and Ancillary Properties, which is
presented in the unaudited pro forma combined statements of
operations for the nine
49
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
months ended September 30, 2005 and the year ended
December 31, 2004, has been derived from statements of
direct revenues and operating expenses, which in turn have been
derived from the historical accounting records of the sellers
and prior operators and which do not include all costs of doing
business. Although the statements do not include depreciation,
depletion and amortization, general administrative expenses,
income taxes or interest expense, as described in Notes 3
and 4, these costs have been included on a pro forma basis.
The pro forma statements of operations, however, are not
necessarily indicative of the Companys operations going
forward, because these statements necessarily exclude various
operating expenses attributable to the North Ward Estes and
Ancillary Properties and the Postle Properties.
The pro forma financial information also includes the effects of
the Companys $1.2 billion bank credit agreement,
which was entered into on August 31, 2005 in connection
with the acquisitions of the North Ward Estes and Ancillary
Properties and the Postle Properties. The credit agreement had
an initial borrowing base of $675 million, which increased
to $850 million upon the closing of the North Ward Estes
and Ancillary Properties and was then offset by a reduction of
$62.5 million upon the closing of the Senior Subordinated
Notes Private Placement, thereby resulting in a borrowing
base of $787.5 million.
The Company believes that the assumptions used provide a
reasonable basis for presenting the significant effects directly
attributable to such transactions.
These unaudited pro forma financial statements do not purport to
represent what the Companys financial position or results
of operations would have been if the Transactions or the
acquisitions of the Postle Properties or Other Properties had
occurred on September 30, 2005, January 1, 2005 or
January 1, 2004, respectively. These unaudited pro forma
financial statements should be read in conjunction with the
Companys historical financial statements and related notes
for the periods presented.
Earnings Per Share Basic net income per
common share of stock is calculated by dividing net income by
the weighted average of common shares outstanding during each
period. Diluted net income per common share of stock is
calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average of
common shares outstanding and other dilutive securities. The
only securities considered dilutive are unvested restricted
stock awards.
|
|
2. |
PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS TO THE BALANCE SHEET AS OF
SEPTEMBER 30, 2005 |
The following adjustments have been made to the accompanying
unaudited condensed pro forma balance sheet as of
September 30, 2005:
Current Assets To reflect the net cash
remaining from the aggregate Common Stock Offering and Senior
Subordinated Notes Private Placement proceeds of
$521.5 million, after i) the cash portion of
$396.1 million for the North Ward Estes and Ancillary
Properties purchase was funded, and ii) repayment of
$100 million in debt under the Companys credit
facility.
Proved Properties To record the acquisition
of the North Ward Estes and Ancillary Properties for a purchase
price of approximately $459.2 million, and to also record
the estimated asset retirement cost of $4.2 million related
to the properties acquired.
Deposit On North Ward Estes Acquisition To
reclassify the $45.9 million purchase price deposit paid in
August 2005 to proved properties upon the closing of the North
Ward Estes and Ancillary Properties acquisition on
October 4, 2005.
Debt Issuance Costs To record the
capitalization of approximately $5.5 million in financing
costs and related fees associated with the Senior Subordinated
Notes Private Placement. The net proceeds from Senior
Subordinated Notes Private Placement were used to fund the
acquisition of the North Ward Estes and Ancillary Properties and
to repay a portion of the Companys debt under its credit
facility.
Asset Retirement Obligations To record the
estimated asset retirement obligation related to the acquired
North Ward Estes and Ancillary Properties.
50
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Long-Term Debt To record the
$250 million aggregate principal amount due as a result of
the Senior Subordinated Notes Private Placement that was
used to fund the North Ward Estes and Ancillary Properties
acquisition. Further, to reflect repayment of $100 million
in debt under the Companys credit facility using the net
proceeds available from the Common Stock Offering and Senior
Subordinated Notes Private Placement, after the North Ward
Estes and Ancillary Properties acquisition was fully funded.
Additional Paid-In Capital and Common Stock
To record the issuance of 6,612,500 shares of the
Companys common stock at the public offering price of
$43.60 per share, generating net proceeds of
$277.0 million, after deducting approximately
$11.3 million of estimated offering related fees and
expenses, including the underwriting discount and commissions.
To also record the Companys issuance of
441,500 shares of the Companys common stock to Celero
at the closing of the North Ward Estes and Ancillary Properties.
|
|
3. |
PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS FOR NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2005 |
The following adjustments have been made to the accompanying
unaudited condensed pro forma statement of operations for the
nine months ended September 30, 2005:
Depletion, Depreciation and Amortization To
record pro forma depletion expense giving effect to the
acquisition of the Postle Properties (through August 4,
2005), the North Ward Estes and Ancillary Properties, and Other
Properties (through the respective acquisition dates). The
expense was calculated using the
unit-of-production
method, based on estimated proved reserves and production by
field, the capitalized purchase price for each acquisition, and
asset retirement costs related to the properties acquired. To
also record accretion of discount expense related to the
estimated asset retirement obligations for wells and facilities
acquired. Accretion expense has been adjusted to reflect the
Companys credit adjusted risk free rate.
General and Administrative To record rent
expense from January 1, 2005 to September 30, 2005 for
a lease contract, which was assumed by the Company based on the
terms of the North Ward Estes and Ancillary Properties purchase
and sale agreement, for its field office in Midland, Texas.
Interest Expense To record interest expense
and amortization of debt issuance costs for debt incurred under
the Companys credit facility to fund the acquisitions of
the Postle Properties (through August 4, 2005) and the
Green River Basin (through March 31, 2005), less all
repayments of debt under the credit facility relating to net
proceeds remaining from the Common Stock Offering and Senior
Subordinated Notes Private Placement, after the North Ward
Estes and Ancillary Properties acquisition was fully funded. The
Company used current interest rates for borrowings under its
facility. Each 1/8% change in the credit facility interest rate
would affect income before income taxes by $0.2 million for
the nine months ended September 30, 2005. Further, to
record interest expense and amortization of debt issuance costs
and fees related to the $250 million Senior Subordinated
Notes Private Placement bearing interest at 7%.
Income Taxes To record income tax expense on
pretax income from the Postle Properties (through August 4,
2005), the North Ward Estes and Ancillary Properties for the
nine months ended September 30, 2005, and Other Properties
(through respective acquisition dates), based on the
Companys statutory tax rate of 38.6%.
|
|
4. |
PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS FOR YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
2004 |
The following adjustments have been made to the accompanying
unaudited pro forma statement of operations for the year ended
December 31, 2004:
Depletion, Depreciation and Amortization To
record pro forma depletion expense giving effect to the
acquisition of the Postle Properties, the North Ward Estes and
Ancillary Properties, and Other Properties. The expense was
calculated using the
unit-of-production
method, based on estimated proved reserves and production by
field, the capitalized purchase price for each acquisition, and
asset retirement costs related to the properties acquired. To
also record accretion of discount expense related to the
estimated asset retirement
51
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
obligations for wells and facilities acquired. Accretion expense
has been adjusted to reflect the Companys credit adjusted
risk free rate.
General and Administrative To record rent
expense from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2004 for
a lease contract, which was assumed by the Company based on the
terms of the North Ward Estes and Ancillary Properties purchase
and sale agreement, for its field office in Midland, Texas.
Interest Expense To record interest expense
and amortization of debt issuance costs for debt incurred under
the Companys credit facility to fund the acquisitions of
the Postle Properties and the Green River Basin, less all
repayments of debt under the credit facility relating to net
proceeds remaining from the Common Stock Offering and Senior
Subordinated Notes Private Placement, after the North Ward
Estes and Ancillary Properties acquisition was fully funded. The
Company used current interest rates for borrowings under its
facility. Each 1/8% change in the credit facility interest rate
would affect income before income taxes by $0.4 million for
the year ended December 31, 2004. Further, to record
interest expense and amortization of debt issuance costs and
fees related to the $250 million Senior Subordinated
Notes Private Placement bearing interest at 7%.
Income Taxes To record income tax expense on
pretax income from the Postle Properties, the North Ward Estes
and Ancillary Properties, and Other Properties, based on the
Companys statutory tax rate of 38.6%.
52
SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The following selected historical financial information as of
and for each of the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001,
2002, 2003 and 2004 has been derived from, and is qualified by
reference to, our audited consolidated financial statements and
related notes. The following selected historical financial
information as of and for the nine months ended
September 30, 2004 and 2005 has been derived from, and is
qualified by reference to, our unaudited consolidated financial
statements. This information is only a summary and you should
read it in conjunction with our financial statements and related
notes incorporated by reference in this prospectus. The
unaudited interim period financial information, in our opinion,
includes all adjustments, which are normal and recurring in
nature, necessary for a fair presentation for the periods shown.
Results for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 are
not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the
full fiscal year. Our historical financial information includes
the results of our recent acquisitions beginning on the
following dates: Green River Basin, March 31, 2005;
Institutional Partnership Interests, June 23, 2005;
and Postle properties, August 4, 2005. Our historical
financial information does not include the North Ward Estes
properties, which we closed on October 4, 2005.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended | |
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
September 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2000 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions except per share data) | |
Consolidated Income Statement Information:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues and other income:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oil and gas sales
|
|
$ |
107.0 |
|
|
$ |
125.2 |
|
|
$ |
122.7 |
|
|
$ |
175.7 |
|
|
$ |
281.1 |
|
|
$ |
166.4 |
|
|
$ |
374.8 |
|
|
Gain (loss) on oil and gas hedging activities
|
|
|
(3.8 |
) |
|
|
2.3 |
|
|
|
(3.2 |
) |
|
|
(8.7 |
) |
|
|
(4.9 |
) |
|
|
(3.6 |
) |
|
|
(20.7 |
) |
|
Gain on sale of oil and gas properties
|
|
|
7.7 |
|
|
|
11.7 |
|
|
|
1.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.0 |
|
|
|
1.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain on sale of marketable securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.8 |
|
|
|
4.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest income and other
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
|
0.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
|
0.1 |
|
|
|
0.2 |
|
|
|
0.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues and other income
|
|
$ |
111.0 |
|
|
$ |
139.4 |
|
|
$ |
120.5 |
|
|
$ |
167.3 |
|
|
$ |
282.1 |
|
|
$ |
168.7 |
|
|
$ |
354.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs and expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lease operating
|
|
$ |
23.8 |
|
|
$ |
29.8 |
|
|
$ |
32.9 |
|
|
$ |
43.2 |
|
|
$ |
54.2 |
|
|
$ |
34.6 |
|
|
$ |
70.7 |
|
|
Production taxes
|
|
|
5.4 |
|
|
|
6.5 |
|
|
|
7.4 |
|
|
|
10.7 |
|
|
|
16.8 |
|
|
|
10.2 |
|
|
|
24.6 |
|
|
Depreciation, depletion and amortization(1)
|
|
|
21.5 |
|
|
|
26.9 |
|
|
|
43.6 |
|
|
|
41.2 |
|
|
|
54.0 |
|
|
|
34.5 |
|
|
|
64.4 |
|
|
Exploration and impairment
|
|
|
1.1 |
|
|
|
0.8 |
|
|
|
1.8 |
|
|
|
3.2 |
|
|
|
6.3 |
|
|
|
4.7 |
|
|
|
12.0 |
|
|
Phantom equity plan(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General and administrative
|
|
|
6.3 |
|
|
|
10.9 |
|
|
|
12.0 |
|
|
|
12.8 |
|
|
|
20.9 |
|
|
|
14.2 |
|
|
|
21.6 |
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
7.5 |
|
|
|
10.2 |
|
|
|
10.9 |
|
|
|
9.2 |
|
|
|
15.9 |
|
|
|
9.6 |
|
|
|
25.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total costs and expenses
|
|
$ |
65.6 |
|
|
$ |
85.1 |
|
|
$ |
108.6 |
|
|
$ |
131.2 |
|
|
$ |
168.1 |
|
|
$ |
107.8 |
|
|
$ |
218.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes and cumulative change in accounting
principle
|
|
$ |
45.4 |
|
|
$ |
54.3 |
|
|
$ |
11.9 |
|
|
$ |
36.1 |
|
|
$ |
114.0 |
|
|
$ |
60.9 |
|
|
$ |
136.1 |
|
Income tax expense(3)
|
|
|
(11.7 |
) |
|
|
(13.1 |
) |
|
|
(4.2 |
) |
|
|
(13.9 |
) |
|
|
(44.0 |
) |
|
|
(23.5 |
) |
|
|
(52.5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before cumulative change in accounting principle
|
|
|
33.7 |
|
|
|
41.2 |
|
|
|
7.7 |
|
|
|
22.2 |
|
|
|
70.0 |
|
|
|
37.4 |
|
|
|
83.6 |
|
Cumulative change in accounting principle(4)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3.9 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$ |
33.7 |
|
|
$ |
41.2 |
|
|
$ |
7.7 |
|
|
$ |
18.3 |
|
|
$ |
70.0 |
|
|
$ |
37.4 |
|
|
$ |
83.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income per common share from continuing operations, basic
and diluted
|
|
$ |
1.80 |
|
|
$ |
2.20 |
|
|
$ |
0.41 |
|
|
$ |
1.18 |
|
|
$ |
3.38 |
|
|
$ |
1.93 |
|
|
$ |
2.81 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income per common share, basic and diluted
|
|
$ |
1.80 |
|
|
$ |
2.20 |
|
|
$ |
0.41 |
|
|
$ |
0.98 |
|
|
$ |
3.38 |
|
|
$ |
1.93 |
|
|
$ |
2.81 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Financial Information:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities
|
|
$ |
42.3 |
|
|
$ |
62.3 |
|
|
$ |
62.6 |
|
|
$ |
96.4 |
|
|
$ |
135.5 |
|
|
$ |
96.3 |
|
|
$ |
211.4 |
|
Net cash used in investing activities(5)(6)
|
|
$ |
109.7 |
|
|
$ |
86.5 |
|
|
$ |
157.5 |
|
|
$ |
52.0 |
|
|
$ |
525.9 |
|
|
$ |
491.4 |
|
|
$ |
607.6 |
|
Net cash provided by financing activities
|
|
$ |
63.1 |
|
|
$ |
23.9 |
|
|
$ |
98.7 |
|
|
$ |
4.4 |
|
|
$ |
338.4 |
|
|
$ |
358.9 |
|
|
$ |
402.0 |
|
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(7)
|
|
|
6.93 |
x |
|
|
6.10 |
x |
|
|
2.08 |
x |
|
|
4.85 |
x |
|
|
8.01 |
x |
|
|
7.27 |
x |
|
|
6.40 |
x |
EBITDA(8)
|
|
$ |
74.4 |
|
|
$ |
91.4 |
|
|
$ |
66.4 |
|
|
$ |
82.6 |
|
|
$ |
183.9 |
|
|
$ |
105.0 |
|
|
$ |
225.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, | |
|
As of September 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2000 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Balance Sheet Information:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$ |
256.4 |
|
|
$ |
319.8 |
|
|
$ |
448.5 |
|
|
$ |
536.3 |
|
|
$ |
1,092.2 |
|
|
$ |
1,054.6 |
|
|
$ |
1,705.4 |
|
Total debt
|
|
$ |
139.7 |
|
|
$ |
163.6 |
|
|
$ |
265.5 |
|
|
$ |
188.0 |
|
|
$ |
325.3 |
|
|
$ |
538.8 |
|
|
$ |
735.6 |
|
Stockholders equity
|
|
$ |
70.0 |
|
|
$ |
111.5 |
|
|
$ |
122.8 |
|
|
$ |
259.6 |
|
|
$ |
612.4 |
|
|
$ |
334.9 |
|
|
$ |
635.9 |
|
53
|
|
(1) |
We reduced the amount of our abandonment liability estimate from
approximately $13.0 million at December 31, 2000 to
$4.0 million at December 31, 2001 as a result of
receiving a revised and more detailed dismantlement plan from
our dismantlement operator. This $9.0 million change in
estimate reduced our depreciation, depletion and amortization
expense in our 2001 financial statements as the expense for the
abandonment liability had originally been recorded as a
depreciation, depletion and amortization expense. |
|
(2) |
The completion of our initial public offering in November 2003
constituted a triggering event under our phantom equity plan,
pursuant to which our employees received payments valued at
$10.9 million in the form of shares of our common stock
valued at approximately $6.5 million after withholding of
shares for payroll and income taxes. As a result, in the fourth
quarter of 2003, we recorded a one-time non-cash charge of
$6.5 million and a one-time cash charge of
$4.4 million, of which Alliant Energy Corporation funded
the substantial majority. The phantom equity plan is now
terminated. |
|
(3) |
We generated Section 29 tax credits of $5.2 million in
2000, $6.6 million in 2001 and $5.4 million in 2002.
Section 29 tax credit provisions of the Internal Revenue
Code expired as of December 31, 2002. In 2002, we were able
to use our $5.4 million of Section 29 tax credits in
the consolidated federal income tax return filed by Alliant
Energy, but since these credits would not have been used in a
stand-alone filing, they were recorded as additional paid-in
capital as opposed to a reduction in income tax expense. |
|
(4) |
In 2003, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement
Obligations. This was a one-time charge to net income. |
|
(5) |
During the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and the
year ended December 31, 2003, we acquired limited
partnership interests in partnerships in which our wholly owned
subsidiary is the general partner. Though disclosed as
acquisitions of limited partnership interests in our
consolidated statements of cash flows, these amounts are
recorded as oil and natural gas properties on our consolidated
balance sheets and are included in net cash used in investing
activities in this summary historical financial information. |
|
(6) |
During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, we paid
$45.9 million as a deposit on the North Ward Estes
acquisition, as disclosed in our statement of cash flows for
that period. This amount is recorded as oil and natural gas
properties on our consolidated balance sheets upon closing at
the North Ward Estes acquisition and is included in net cash
used in investing activities in this summary historical
information. |
|
(7) |
For the purpose of calculating the ratio of earnings to fixed
charges, earnings consist of income before income taxes and
income from equity investee, fixed charges, distributed income
from equity investee and amortization of capitalized interest,
less capitalized interest. Fixed charges consist of interest
expensed, interest capitalized, amortized premiums, discounts
and capitalized expenses related to indebtedness and an estimate
of interest within rental expense. |
|
(8) |
We define EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation, depletion and amortization. EBITDA is not a
measure of performance calculated in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles in the United States, or GAAP.
Although not prescribed under GAAP, we believe the presentation
of EBITDA is relevant and useful because it helps our investors
to understand our operating performance and makes it easier to
compare our results with other companies that have different
financing and capital structures or tax rates. EBITDA should not
be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, net
income as an indicator of operating performance or cash flows
from operating activities as a measure of liquidity. EBITDA, as
we calculate it, may not be comparable to EBITDA measures
reported by other companies. In addition, EBITDA does not
represent funds available for discretionary use. In evaluating
EBITDA, you should be aware that our EBITDA for the year ended
December 31, 2003 included one-time charges to net income
of (i) $10.9 million for payments to our employees
under our phantom equity plan in connection with our initial
public offering in November 2003 and (ii) $3.9 million
(non-cash) related to our adoption of Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 143, Accounting for Asset
Retirement Obligations. |
The following table presents a reconciliation of our
consolidated net income to consolidated EBITDA:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended | |
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
September 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2000 | |
|
2001 | |
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(In millions) | |
Net income
|
|
$ |
33.7 |
|
|
$ |
41.2 |
|
|
$ |
7.7 |
|
|
$ |
18.3 |
|
|
$ |
70.0 |
|
|
$ |
37.4 |
|
|
$ |
83.6 |
|
Income tax expense
|
|
|
11.7 |
|
|
|
13.1 |
|
|
|
4.2 |
|
|
|
13.9 |
|
|
|
44.0 |
|
|
|
23.5 |
|
|
|
52.5 |
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
7.5 |
|
|
|
10.2 |
|
|
|
10.9 |
|
|
|
9.2 |
|
|
|
15.9 |
|
|
|
9.6 |
|
|
|
25.0 |
|
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
|
|
|
21.5 |
|
|
|
26.9 |
|
|
|
43.6 |
|
|
|
41.2 |
|
|
|
54.0 |
|
|
|
34.5 |
|
|
|
64.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EBITDA
|
|
$ |
74.4 |
|
|
$ |
91.4 |
|
|
$ |
66.4 |
|
|
$ |
82.6 |
|
|
$ |
183.9 |
|
|
$ |
105.0 |
|
|
$ |
225.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
54
DESCRIPTION OF OTHER INDEBTEDNESS
Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation, our wholly-owned subsidiary,
has a $1.2 billion credit agreement with a syndicate of
lending institutions. Our borrowing base under the credit
agreement increased to $850.0 million after the closing of
our acquisition of the North Ward Estes properties and was
offset by a reduction in our borrowing base of
$62.5 million upon the completion of our private placement
of the old notes, resulting in a borrowing base of
$787.5 million. The borrowing base under the credit
agreement is determined in the discretion of the lenders based
on the collateral value of the proved reserves that have been
mortgaged to the lenders, and is subject to regular
redeterminations on May 1 and November 1 of each year
as well as special redeterminations described in the credit
agreement. As of September 30, 2005, on a pro forma basis
giving effect to our acquisition of the North Ward Estes
properties and after giving effect to the private placement of
the old notes, the common stock offering (at the public offering
price of $43.60 per share) and the application of the net
proceeds thereof, Whiting Oil and Gas would have had an
outstanding principal balance of $270.0 million under the
credit agreement.
The credit agreement provides for interest only payments until
August 31, 2010, when the entire amount borrowed is due.
Whiting Oil and Gas may, throughout the five-year term of the
credit agreement, borrow, repay and reborrow up to the borrowing
base in effect from time to time. Interest accrues, at Whiting
Oil and Gas option, at either (1) the base rate plus
a margin where the base rate is defined as the higher of the
prime rate or the federal funds rate plus 0.5% and the margin
varies from 0% to 0.5% depending on the utilization percentage
of the borrowing base, or (2) at the LIBOR rate plus a
margin where the margin varies from 1.00% to 1.75% depending on
the utilization percentage of the borrowing base. Commitment
fees of 0.25% to 0.375% accrue on the unused portion of the
borrowing base, depending on the utilization percentage.
The credit agreement contains restrictive covenants that may
limit our ability to, among other things, pay cash dividends,
incur additional indebtedness, sell assets, make loans to
others, make investments, enter into mergers, enter into hedging
contracts, change material agreements, incur liens and engage in
certain other transactions without the prior consent of the
lenders and requires us to maintain a debt to EBITDAX (as
defined in the credit agreement) ratio of less than 3.5 to 1 and
a working capital ratio of greater than 1 to 1. In addition,
while the credit agreement allows our subsidiaries to make
payments to us so that we may pay interest on the notes, the
credit agreement generally does not allow our subsidiaries to
make payments to us to pay principal on the notes. The credit
agreement is secured by a first lien on all of Whiting Oil and
Gas properties included in the borrowing base for the
credit agreement. We and our wholly-owned subsidiary Equity Oil
Company have guaranteed the obligations of Whiting Oil and Gas
under the credit agreement, we have pledged the stock of Whiting
Oil and Gas and Equity Oil Company as security for our guarantee
and Equity Oil Company has mortgaged all of its properties
included in the borrowing base for the credit agreement as
security for its guarantee.
We have outstanding $150.0 million aggregate principal
amount of our
71/4% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2012 and $220.0 million aggregate
principal amount of our
71/4% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2013, which we sometimes refer to in this
prospectus collectively as our outstanding senior subordinated
notes. Our outstanding senior subordinated notes are unsecured
obligations and are subordinated to all of our senior debt. The
new notes will rank equally with our outstanding senior
subordinated notes. The indentures governing our outstanding
senior subordinated notes contain restrictive covenants that may
limit our and our subsidiaries ability to, among other
things, pay cash dividends, redeem or repurchase our capital
stock or our subordinated debt, make investments, incur
additional indebtedness or issue preferred stock, sell assets,
consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of the
assets of ours and our restricted subsidiaries taken as a whole
and enter into hedging contracts. Three of our wholly-owned
subsidiaries, Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation, Whiting Programs,
Inc. and Equity Oil Company, have fully, unconditionally,
jointly and severally guaranteed our obligations under our
outstanding senior subordinated notes.
In conjunction with our initial public offering in November
2003, we issued a promissory note payable to Alliant Energy in
the aggregate principal amount of $3.0 million. The note
bears interest at an annual rate of 5%. All principal and
interest on the promissory note are due on November 25,
2005.
55
DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW NOTES
You can find the definitions of certain terms used in this
description under the subheading Certain
Definitions. In this description, the term
Company, us or we refers
only to Whiting Petroleum Corporation and not to any of its
subsidiaries. The term notes refers to the old notes
and the new notes collectively.
The old notes were, and the new notes will be, issued under and
governed by an indenture, dated October 4, 2005, among the
Company, the Guarantors and J.P. Morgan Trust Company,
National Association, as trustee. The terms of the notes include
those stated in the indenture and those made part of the
indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.
The following description is a summary of the material
provisions of the indenture. It does not restate that agreement
in its entirety. We urge you to read the indenture because it,
and not this description, defines your rights as holders of the
notes. Certain defined terms used in this description but not
defined below under Certain Definitions
have the meanings assigned to them in the indenture.
The registered Holder of a note will be treated as the owner of
it for all purposes. Only registered Holders will have rights
under the indenture.
Brief Description of the Notes and the Subsidiary
Guarantees
The Notes. The notes:
|
|
|
|
|
are general unsecured obligations of the Company; |
|
|
|
are subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future
Senior Debt (as defined below) of the Company; |
|
|
|
are pari passu in right of payment with our outstanding senior
subordinated notes and any future senior subordinated
Indebtedness of the Company; and |
|
|
|
are unconditionally guaranteed by the Guarantors on a senior
subordinated basis. |
The Subsidiary Guarantees. Initially, the notes are
guaranteed by the Companys only operating subsidiaries,
Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation, which we call
Whiting in this description, and Equity Oil Company,
as well as by one of the Companys other existing
subsidiaries.
Each guarantee of the notes:
|
|
|
|
|
is a general unsecured obligation of the Guarantor; |
|
|
|
is subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future
Senior Debt of that Guarantor; and |
|
|
|
is pari passu in right of payment with its guarantee of our
outstanding senior subordinated notes and any future senior
subordinated Indebtedness of that Guarantor. |
As of September 30, 2005, on a pro forma basis giving
effect to our acquisition of the North Ward Estes properties and
after giving effect to the private placement of the old notes,
the common stock offering (at the public offering price of
$43.60 per share) and the application of the net proceeds
thereof, the Company (excluding its subsidiaries) would have had:
|
|
|
|
|
total Senior Debt of approximately $3.3 million (excluding
its guarantee of Whiting Oil and Gas Corporations credit
agreement), consisting of a note payable; |
|
|
|
total senior subordinated Indebtedness of approximately
$615.6 million, consisting of the notes and our outstanding
senior subordinated notes; and |
|
|
|
no Indebtedness contractually subordinated to the notes. |
56
On the same basis, the Guarantors would have had:
|
|
|
|
|
total Senior Debt of approximately $270.0 million
consisting of borrowings under Whitings credit agreement; |
|
|
|
no other senior subordinated Indebtedness (other than guarantees
of our outstanding senior subordinated notes); and |
|
|
|
no Indebtedness contractually subordinated to their guarantees
of the notes. |
As indicated above and as discussed in detail below under the
caption Subordination, payments on the
new notes and under these guarantees will be subordinated to the
payment of Senior Debt. The indenture will permit us and the
Guarantors to incur additional Indebtedness, including
additional Senior Debt.
Initially, not all of our existing subsidiaries will guarantee
the notes. Furthermore, under the circumstances described below
under the subheading Certain
Covenants Additional Subsidiary Guarantees, in
the future one or more of our newly created or acquired
subsidiaries may not guarantee the notes. In the event of a
bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization of any of these
non-guarantor subsidiaries, the non-guarantor subsidiaries will
pay the holders of their debt and their trade creditors before
they will be able to distribute any of their assets to us. The
non-guarantor subsidiaries have no outstanding Indebtedness
(other than intercompany Indebtedness). They generated less than
1% of our pro forma consolidated revenues for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2004 and held less than 1% of our pro
forma consolidated assets as of September 30, 2005.
As of the date of the indenture, all of our subsidiaries will be
Restricted Subsidiaries. However, under the
circumstances described below under the subheading
Certain Covenants Designation of
Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries, we will be
permitted to designate certain of our subsidiaries as
Unrestricted Subsidiaries. Our Unrestricted
Subsidiaries will not be subject to many of the restrictive
covenants in the indenture. Our Unrestricted Subsidiaries will
not guarantee the new notes.
Principal, Maturity and Interest
On October 4, 2005, the Company issued the old notes with
an aggregate principal amount of $250 million. The Company
may issue additional notes from time to time. Any offering of
additional notes is subject to the covenant described below
under the caption Certain
Covenants Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of
Preferred Stock. The notes and any additional notes
subsequently issued under the indenture will be treated as a
single class for all purposes under the indenture, including,
without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers
to purchase. The Company will issue notes in denominations of
$1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000. The notes will mature
on February 1, 2014.
Interest on the notes will accrue at the rate of 7% per
annum and will be payable semi-annually in arrears on
April 1 and October 1, commencing on April 1,
2006. The Company will make each interest payment to the Holders
of record on the immediately preceding March 15 and September 15.
Interest on the notes will accrue from the date of original
issuance or, if interest has already been paid, from the date it
was most recently paid. Interest will be computed on the basis
of a 360-day year
comprised of twelve
30-day months.
Methods of Receiving Payments on the Notes
If a Holder has given wire transfer instructions to the Company,
the Company will pay all principal, interest and premium, if
any, on that Holders notes in accordance with those
instructions. All other payments on notes will be made at the
office or agency of the paying agent and registrar within the
City and State of New York unless the Company elects to make
interest payments by check mailed to the Holders at their
address set forth in the register of Holders.
57
Paying Agent and Registrar for the Notes
The trustee will initially act as paying agent and registrar.
The Company may change the paying agent or registrar without
prior notice to the Holders of the notes, and the Company or any
of its Domestic Subsidiaries may act as paying agent or
registrar.
Transfer and Exchange
A Holder may transfer or exchange notes in accordance with the
indenture. The Company or the trustee may require a Holder to
furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents in
connection with a transfer of notes. No service charge will be
imposed for any registration of transfer or exchange of notes,
but the Company may require Holders to pay all taxes due on
transfer. The Company is not required to transfer or exchange
any note selected for redemption. Also, the Company is not
required to transfer or exchange any note for a period of
15 days before mailing a notice of redemption.
Subsidiary Guarantees
Initially, Whiting and two other of our wholly-owned
Subsidiaries, Equity Oil Company and Whiting Programs, Inc.,
will guarantee the notes. In the future, the notes will be
guaranteed by each of the Companys newly created or
acquired Material Domestic Subsidiaries and by any other
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that guarantees its other
Indebtedness. See Certain
Covenants Additional Subsidiary Guarantees.
These Subsidiary Guarantees will be joint and several
obligations of the Guarantors. Each Subsidiary Guarantee will be
subordinated to the prior payment in full of all Senior Debt of
that Guarantor. The obligations of each Guarantor under its
Subsidiary Guarantee will be limited as necessary to prevent
that Subsidiary Guarantee from constituting a fraudulent
conveyance under applicable law. See Risk
Factors Risks Relating to the Exchange Offer and the
New Notes Any subsidiary guarantees of the new notes
may be further subordinated or avoided by a court.
A Guarantor may not sell or otherwise dispose of all or
substantially all of its properties or assets to, or consolidate
with or merge with or into (whether or not such Guarantor is the
surviving Person), another Person, other than the Company or
another Guarantor, unless:
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(1) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no
Default or Event of Default exists; and |
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(2) either: |
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(a) the Person acquiring the properties or assets in any
such sale or other disposition or the Person formed by or
surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the
Guarantor) unconditionally assumes all the obligations of that
Guarantor, pursuant to a supplemental indenture substantially in
the form specified in the indenture, under the notes, the
indenture and its Subsidiary Guarantee on terms set forth
therein; or |
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(b) the Net Proceeds of such sale or other disposition are
applied in accordance with the Asset Sale provisions
of the indenture. |
The Subsidiary Guarantee of a Guarantor will be released:
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(1) in connection with any sale or other disposition of all
or substantially all of the properties or assets of that
Guarantor (including by way of merger or consolidation) to a
Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such
transaction) a Subsidiary of the Company, if the sale or other
disposition complies with the Asset Sale provisions
of the indenture; or |
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(2) in connection with any sale or other disposition of all
of the Capital Stock of that Guarantor to a Person that is not
(either before or after giving effect to such transaction) a
Subsidiary of the Company, if the sale or other disposition
complies with the Asset Sale provisions of the
indenture; or |
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(3) if the Company designates any Restricted Subsidiary
that is a Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance
with the applicable provisions of the indenture; or |
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(4) upon Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance as
described below under the caption Legal
Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance or upon satisfaction
and discharge of the indenture as described below under the
caption Satisfaction and Discharge. |
See Repurchase at the Option of
Holders Asset Sales.
Subordination
The payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on
the notes will be subordinated in right of payment, as set forth
in the indenture, to the prior payment in full in cash of all
Obligations in respect of Senior Debt of the Company, whether
outstanding on the date of the indenture or thereafter incurred.
Upon any distribution to creditors of the Company:
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(1) in a liquidation or dissolution of the Company; |
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(2) in a bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency,
receivership or similar proceeding relating to the Company or
its property; |
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(3) in an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or |
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(4) in any marshaling of the Companys assets and
liabilities, |
the holders of Senior Debt of the Company will be entitled to
receive payment in full in cash of all Obligations due in
respect of such Senior Debt (including interest after the
commencement of any bankruptcy proceeding at the rate specified
in the applicable Senior Debt, whether or not an allowable claim
in any such proceeding) before the Holders of notes will be
entitled to receive any payment with respect to the notes, and
until all Obligations with respect to such Senior Debt are paid
in full in cash, any distribution to which the Holders of notes
would be entitled shall be made to the holders of such Senior
Debt (except, in each case, that Holders of notes may receive
and retain Permitted Junior Securities and payments made from a
trust described under Legal Defeasance and
Covenant Defeasance or Satisfaction and
Discharge).
The Company also may not make any payment with respect to the
notes (other than Permitted Junior Securities or from a trust
described under Legal Defeasance and Covenant
Defeasance or Satisfaction and
Discharge) if:
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(1) a default in the payment of the principal of, premium,
if any, or interest on, or any other Obligation in respect of,
any Designated Senior Debt occurs and is continuing beyond any
applicable grace period; or |
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(2) any other default occurs and is continuing with respect
to any Designated Senior Debt that permits holders of such
Designated Senior Debt to accelerate its maturity (or that would
permit such holders to accelerate with the giving of notice or
the passage of time or both) and the trustee receives a notice
of such default (a Payment Blockage Notice) from the
Company or the holders of such Designated Senior Debt. |
Except as provided in the second preceding paragraph, payments
on the notes may and will be resumed:
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(1) in the case of a payment default, upon the date on
which such default is cured or waived; and |
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(2) in the case of a nonpayment default, upon the earlier
of the date on which such nonpayment default is cured or waived
or 179 days after the date on which the applicable Payment
Blockage Notice is received, unless the maturity of any
Designated Senior Debt has been accelerated. |
No new Payment Blockage Notice may be delivered unless and until
360 days have elapsed since the delivery of the immediately
prior Payment Blockage Notice.
No nonpayment default that existed or was continuing with
respect to any Designated Senior Debt on the date of delivery of
any Payment Blockage Notice to the trustee with respect to such
Designated Senior Debt will be, or be made, the basis for a
subsequent Payment Blockage Notice unless such default has been
cured or waived for a period of not less than 90 days.
59
In the event that the trustee or any Holder receives any payment
of any Obligations with respect to the notes (other than
Permitted Junior Securities or from the trust described under
Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
or Satisfaction and Discharge) at a time
when such payment is prohibited by these subordination
provisions, such payment shall be held by the trustee or such
Holder, in trust for the benefit of, and will be paid over and
delivered, as provided in the indenture, to the holders of
Senior Debt or their proper representative.
The indenture further requires the Company to promptly notify
holders of Designated Senior Debt if payment of the notes is
accelerated because of an Event of Default.
The Subsidiary Guarantee of each Guarantor will be subordinated
to the Senior Debt of such Guarantor generally to the same
extent and in the same manner as the notes are subordinated to
the Senior Debt of the Company.
As a result of the subordination provisions described above, in
the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization or
similar proceeding of the Company, Holders of notes may recover
less ratably than creditors of the Company who are holders of
its Senior Debt. See Risk Factors Risks
Relating to the Exchange Offer and the New Notes The
new notes and the subsidiary guarantees are subordinated to the
senior debt of us and the subsidiary guarantors, respectively,
and are effectively subordinated to our and the subsidiary
guarantors secured debt.
Optional Redemption
At any time prior to October 1, 2008, the Company may on
any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate
principal amount of notes issued under the indenture at a
redemption price of 107% of the principal amount, plus accrued
and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to
the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to
receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or
prior to the redemption date), with the net cash proceeds of one
or more Equity Offerings by the Company, provided that:
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(1) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of notes
issued under the indenture remains outstanding immediately after
the occurrence of such redemption (excluding notes held by the
Company and its Subsidiaries); and |
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(2) the redemption occurs within 120 days of the date
of the closing of such Equity Offering. |
In addition, at any time prior to the final maturity of the
notes, the notes may be redeemed in whole or in part at the
option of the Company upon not less than 30 nor more than
60 days prior notice at a redemption price equal to
100% of the principal amount thereof plus the Applicable Premium
as of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, the date of
redemption (subject to the right of holders of record on the
relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest
payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date).
Applicable Premium means, with respect to a note at
any redemption date, the greater of (x) 1.0% of the
principal amount of such note and (y) the excess of
(A) the present value at such time of (1) the
principal amount of such note plus (2) all required
interest payments due on such note through the final maturity
thereof (without regard to accrued and unpaid interest),
computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus
50 basis points, over (B) the principal amount of such
note.
Treasury Rate means the yield to maturity at the
time of computation of United States Treasury securities with a
constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent
Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has
become publicly available at least two business days prior to
the redemption date (or, if such Statistical Release is no
longer published, any publicly available source or similar
market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the
redemption date to the final maturity of the notes; provided,
however, that if the period from the redemption date to the
final maturity of the notes is not equal to the constant
maturity of a United States Treasury security for which a weekly
average yield is given, the Treasury Rate shall be obtained by
linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a
year) from the weekly average yields of United States Treasury
securities for which such yields are given, except that if the
period
60
from the redemption date to the final maturity of the notes is
less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded
United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant
maturity of one year shall be used.
Except as provided above, the notes will not be redeemable at
the Companys option prior to their final maturity.
If less than all of the notes are to be redeemed at any time,
the trustee will select notes for redemption as follows:
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(1) if the notes are listed on any national securities
exchange, in compliance with the requirements of the principal
national securities exchange on which the notes are
listed; or |
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(2) if the notes are not listed on any national securities
exchange, on a pro rata basis. |
No notes of $1,000 or less can be redeemed in part. Notices of
redemption will be mailed by first class mail at least 30 but
not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each
Holder of notes to be redeemed at its registered address, except
that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days
prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection
with a defeasance of the notes or a satisfaction and discharge
of the indenture. Notices of redemption may not be conditional.
If any note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of
redemption that relates to that note will state the portion of
the principal amount of that note that is to be redeemed. A new
note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the
original note will be issued in the name of the Holder of notes
upon cancellation of the original note. Notes called for
redemption become due on the date fixed for redemption. On and
after the redemption date, interest ceases to accrue on notes or
portions of them called for redemption.
Mandatory Redemption
Except as set forth below under Repurchase at
the Option of Holders, the Company is not required to make
mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to
the notes or to repurchase the notes at the option of the
Holders.
Repurchase at the Option of Holders
If a Change of Control occurs, each Holder of notes will have
the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part
(equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000) of that
Holders notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer on the
terms set forth in the indenture. In the Change of Control
Offer, the Company will offer a Change of Control Payment in
cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of notes
repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the
notes repurchased, to the date of settlement (the Change
of Control Settlement Date), subject to the right of
Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive
interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to
the Change of Control Settlement Date. Within 30 days
following any Change of Control, the Company will mail a notice
to each Holder and the Trustee describing the transaction or
transactions that constitute the Change of Control and offering
to repurchase notes as of the Change of Control Purchase Date
specified in the notice, which date will be no earlier than
30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such
notice is mailed, pursuant to the procedures required by the
indenture and described in such notice.
The Company will comply with the requirements of
Rule 14e-1 under
the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations
thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are
applicable in connection with the repurchase of the notes as a
result of a Change of Control. To the extent that the provisions
of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change
of Control provisions of the indenture, the Company will comply
with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not
be deemed to have breached its obligations under the Change of
Control provisions of the indenture by virtue of such conflict.
61
On the Change of Control Purchase Date, the Company will, to the
extent lawful, accept for payment all notes or portions of notes
properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer.
Promptly thereafter on the Change of Control Settlement Date the
Company will:
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(1) deposit with the paying agent an amount equal to the
Change of Control Payment in respect of all notes or portions of
notes properly tendered; and |
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(2) deliver or cause to be delivered to the trustee the
notes properly accepted together with an officers
certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of notes or
portions of notes being purchased by the Company. |
On the Change of Control Settlement Date, the paying agent will
mail to each Holder of notes properly tendered the Change of
Control Payment for such notes (or, if all the notes are then in
global form, make such payment through the facilities of DTC),
and the trustee will authenticate and mail (or cause to be
transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new note equal in
principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the notes
surrendered, if any; provided that each new note will be in a
principal amount of $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000.
The Company will publicly announce the results of the Change of
Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of
Control Payment Date.
Prior to complying with any of the provisions of this
Change of Control covenant, but in any event no
later than the Change of Control Purchase Date, the Company will
either repay all outstanding Senior Debt or obtain the requisite
consents, if any, under all agreements governing outstanding
Senior Debt to permit the repurchase of notes required by this
covenant.
The provisions described above that require the Company to make
a Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control will be
applicable whether or not any other provisions of the indenture
are applicable. Except as described above with respect to a
Change of Control, the indenture does not contain provisions
that permit the Holders of the notes to require that the Company
repurchase or redeem the notes in the event of a takeover,
recapitalization or similar transaction.
The Company will not be required to make a Change of Control
Offer upon a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change
of Control Offer in the manner, at the time and otherwise in
compliance with the requirements set forth in the indenture
applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Company and
purchases all notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under
the Change of Control Offer.
The definition of Change of Control includes a phrase relating
to the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or
other disposition of all or substantially all of the
properties or assets of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries taken as a whole. Although there is a limited body
of case law interpreting the phrase substantially
all, there is no precise established definition of the
phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, the ability of a
Holder of notes to require the Company to repurchase its notes
as a result of a sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other
disposition of less than all of the assets of the Company and
its Subsidiaries taken as a whole to another Person or group may
be uncertain.
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale unless:
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(1) the Company (or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case
may be) receives consideration at the time of the Asset Sale at
least equal to the fair market value of the assets or Equity
Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of; |
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(2) the fair market value is determined by the
Companys Board of Directors and evidenced by a resolution
of the Board of Directors set forth in an officers
certificate delivered to the trustee; and |
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(3) at least 75% of the consideration received in the Asset
Sale by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form
of cash. For purposes of this provision, each of the following
will be deemed to be cash: |
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(a) any liabilities, as shown on the Companys or such
Restricted Subsidiarys most recent balance sheet, of the
Company or any Subsidiary (other than contingent liabilities and
liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the notes or
any Subsidiary Guarantee) that are assumed by the transferee of
any such assets pursuant to a customary novation agreement that
releases the Company or such Subsidiary from further
liability; and |
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(b) any securities, notes or other obligations received by
the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such
transferee that are contemporaneously, subject to ordinary
settlement periods, converted by the Company or such Subsidiary
into cash, to the extent of the cash received in that conversion. |
Within 360 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from
an Asset Sale, the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary may
apply those Net Proceeds at its option to any combination of the
following:
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(I) to repay Senior Debt or the notes or other Indebtedness
ranking on parity with the notes; |
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(II) to acquire all or substantially all of the properties
or assets of one or more other Persons primarily engaged in the
Oil and Gas Business, and, for this purpose, a division or line
of business of a Person shall be treated as a separate Person; |
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(III) to acquire a majority of the Voting Stock of one or
more other Persons primarily engaged in the Oil and Gas Business; |
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(IV) to make one or more capital expenditures; or |
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(V) to acquire other long-term assets that are used or
useful in the Oil and Gas Business. |
Pending the final application of any Net Proceeds, the Company
or any such Restricted Subsidiary may temporarily reduce
revolving credit borrowings or otherwise invest the Net Proceeds
in any manner that is not prohibited by the indenture. Any Net
Proceeds from Asset Sales that are not applied or invested as
provided in the preceding paragraph will constitute Excess
Proceeds.
On the 361st day after the Asset Sale (or, at the
Companys option, any earlier date), if the aggregate
amount of Excess Proceeds then exceeds $50.0 million, the
Company will make an Asset Sale Offer to all Holders of notes,
and all holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu with
the notes containing provisions similar to those set forth in
the indenture with respect to offers to purchase or redeem with
the proceeds of sales of assets, to purchase the maximum
principal amount of notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness
that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds. The offer
price in any Asset Sale Offer will be equal to 100% of principal
amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of
settlement, subject to the right of Holders of record on the
relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest
payment date that is on or prior to the date of settlement, and
will be payable in cash. If any Excess Proceeds remain after
consummation of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company may use those
Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by the
indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of notes and other
pari passu Indebtedness tendered into such Asset Sale Offer
exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the trustee will select
the notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness to be purchased
on a pro rata basis. Upon completion of each Asset Sale Offer,
the amount of Excess Proceeds will be reset at zero.
The Company will comply with the requirements of
Rule 14e-1 under
the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations
thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are
applicable in connection with each repurchase of notes pursuant
to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any
securities laws or regulations conflict with the Asset Sale
provisions of the indenture, the Company will comply with the
applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be
deemed to have breached its obligations under the Asset Sale
provisions of the indenture by virtue of such conflict.
63
The Companys Credit Agreement will generally prohibit the
Company from purchasing any notes, and also provides that
certain change of control or asset sale events with respect to
the Company would constitute a default or require repayment of
the Senior Debt. Any future credit agreements or other
agreements relating to Senior Debt to which the Company becomes
a party may contain similar restrictions and provisions. In the
event a Change of Control or Asset Sale occurs at a time when
the Company is prohibited from purchasing notes, the Company
could seek the consent of its senior lenders to the purchase of
notes or could attempt to refinance the borrowings that contain
such prohibition. If the Company does not obtain such a consent
or repay such borrowings, the Company will remain prohibited
from purchasing notes. In such case, the Companys failure
to purchase tendered notes would constitute an Event of Default
under the indenture which would, in turn, constitute a default
under such Senior Debt. In such circumstances, the subordination
provisions in the indenture would likely restrict payments to
the Holders of notes.
Certain Covenants
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:
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(1) declare or pay any dividend or make any other payment
or distribution on account of the Companys or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries Equity Interests (including,
without limitation, any payment in connection with any merger or
consolidation involving the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries) or to the direct or indirect holders of the
Companys or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
Equity Interests in their capacity as such (other than dividends
or distributions payable in Equity Interests (other than
Disqualified Stock) of the Company or payable to the Company or
a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company); |
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(2) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for
value (including, without limitation, in connection with any
merger or consolidation involving the Company) any Equity
Interests of the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the
Company; |
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(3) make any payment on or with respect to, or purchase,
redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any
Indebtedness that is subordinated to the notes or the Subsidiary
Guarantees, except a payment of interest or principal at the
Stated Maturity thereof; or |
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(4) make any Restricted Investment (all such payments and
other actions set forth in these clauses (1) through
(4) above being collectively referred to as
Restricted Payments), |
unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such
Restricted Payment:
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(1) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing or would occur as a consequence of such Restricted
Payment; |
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(2) the Company would, at the time of such Restricted
Payment and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such
Restricted Payment had been made at the beginning of the
applicable four-quarter period, have been permitted to incur at
least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed
Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of
the covenant described below under the caption
Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of
Preferred Stock; and |
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(3) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate
amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and
its Restricted Subsidiaries after the date of the indenture
(excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (2),
(3), (4), (6) and (7) of the next succeeding
paragraph), is less than the sum, without duplication, of: |
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(a) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income of the Company for
the period (taken as one accounting period) from April 1,
2004 to the end of the Companys most recently ended fiscal
quarter for which internal financial statements are available at
the time of such Restricted Payment (or, if such Consolidated
Net Income for such period is a deficit, less 100% of such
deficit), plus |
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(b) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds received by the
Company (including the fair market value of any Additional
Assets to the extent acquired in consideration of Equity
Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock)) since
May 11, 2004 as a contribution to its common equity capital
or from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of the Company
(other than Disqualified Stock) or from the issue or sale of
convertible or exchangeable Disqualified Stock or convertible or
exchangeable debt securities of the Company that have been
converted into or exchanged for such Equity Interests (other
than Equity Interests (or Disqualified Stock or debt securities)
sold to a Subsidiary of the Company), plus |
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(c) to the extent that any Restricted Investment that was
made after May 11, 2004 is sold for cash or otherwise
liquidated or repaid for cash, the lesser of (i) the cash
return of capital with respect to such Restricted Investment
(less the cost of disposition, if any) and (ii) the initial
amount of such Restricted Investment, plus |
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(d) to the extent that any Unrestricted Subsidiary of the
Company is redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary after
May 11, 2004, the lesser of (i) the fair market value
of the Companys Investment in such Subsidiary as of the
date of such redesignation or (ii) such fair market value
as of the date on which such Subsidiary was originally
designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary. |
As of September 30, 2005, after giving effect to the common
stock offering and the issuance of common stock in connection
with the acquisition of the North Ward Estes properties, the
amount available for Restricted Payments under the foregoing
would total approximately $649.5 million.
So long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing or would be caused thereby, the preceding provisions
will not prohibit:
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(1) the payment of any dividend within 60 days after
the date of declaration of the dividend, if at the date of
declaration the dividend payment would have complied with the
provisions of the indenture; |
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(2) the redemption, repurchase, retirement, defeasance or
other acquisition of any subordinated Indebtedness of the
Company or any Guarantor or of any Equity Interests of the
Company in exchange for, or out of the net cash proceeds of the
substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the
Company) of, Equity Interests of the Company (other than
Disqualified Stock); provided that the amount of any such net
cash proceeds that are utilized for any such redemption,
repurchase, retirement, defeasance or other acquisition will be
excluded from clause (3)(b) of the preceding paragraph; |
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(3) the defeasance, redemption, repurchase, retirement or
other acquisition of subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or
any Guarantor with the net cash proceeds from an incurrence of,
or in exchange for, Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness; |
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(4) the payment of any dividend by a Restricted Subsidiary
of the Company to the holders of its Equity Interests on a pro
rata basis; |
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(5) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or
retirement for value of any Equity Interests of the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company held by any current or
former director or employee of the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to any director or employee
equity subscription agreement or plan, stock option agreement or
similar agreement or plan; provided that the aggregate price
paid for all such repurchased, redeemed, acquired or retired
Equity Interests may not exceed $1.0 million in any
twelve-month period; |
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(6) the acquisition of Equity Interests by the Company in
connection with the exercise of stock options or stock
appreciation rights by way of cashless exercise; |
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(7) the payment of cash in lieu of fractional shares of
Capital Stock in connection with any transaction otherwise
permitted under this covenant; or |
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(8) other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount since
May 11, 2004 not to exceed $25.0 million. |
65
The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) will be
the fair market value on the date of the Restricted Payment of
the asset(s) or securities proposed to be transferred or issued
by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may
be, pursuant to the Restricted Payment. The fair market value of
any assets or securities that are required to be valued by this
covenant will be determined by the Board of Directors, whose
determination shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution. The
Board of Directors determination must be based upon an
opinion or appraisal issued by an accounting, appraisal or
investment banking firm of national standing if the fair market
value exceeds $25.0 million. Not later than the date of
making any Restricted Payment (excluding any Restricted Payment
described in the preceding clause (2), (3), (4),
(6) or (7)) the Company will deliver to the trustee an
officers certificate stating that such Restricted Payment
is permitted and setting forth the basis upon which the
calculations required by this Restricted Payments
covenant were computed, together with a copy of any fairness
opinion or appraisal required by the indenture. For purposes of
determining compliance with this Restricted Payments
covenant, in the event that a Restricted Payment meets the
criteria of more than one of the categories of Restricted
Payments described in the preceding clauses (1) (8),
the Company will be permitted to classify (or later classify or
reclassify in whole or in part in its sole discretion) such
Restricted Payment in any manner that complies with this
covenant.
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Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred
Stock |
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue,
assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly
liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to
(collectively, incur) any Indebtedness (including
Acquired Debt), neither the Company nor any Guarantor will issue
any Disqualified Stock, and the Company will not permit any of
its other Restricted Subsidiaries to issue any shares of
preferred stock; provided, however, that the Company and any
Guarantor may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) or
issue Disqualified Stock, if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for
the Companys most recently ended four full fiscal quarters
for which internal financial statements are available
immediately preceding the date on which such additional
Indebtedness is incurred or such Disqualified Stock is issued
would have been at least 2.0 to 1.0, determined on a pro forma
basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds
therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been incurred
or Disqualified Stock had been issued, as the case may be, at
the beginning of such four-quarter period.
The first paragraph of this covenant will not prohibit the
incurrence of any of the following items of Indebtedness
(collectively, Permitted Debt):
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(1) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of additional Indebtedness (including letters of
credit) under one or more Credit Facilities in an aggregate
principal amount at any one time outstanding under this
clause (1) (with letters of credit being deemed to have a
principal amount equal to the maximum potential liability of the
Company and its Subsidiaries thereunder) not to exceed an amount
equal to the greater of (a) $800.0 million and
(b) 20% of ACNTA as of the date of such incurrence;; |
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(2) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of the Existing Indebtedness; |
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(3) the incurrence by the Company and the Guarantors of
Indebtedness represented by the notes and the related Subsidiary
Guarantees; |
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(4) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of Indebtedness represented by Capital Lease
Obligations, mortgage financings or purchase money obligations,
in each case, incurred for the purpose of financing all or any
part of the purchase price or cost of construction or
improvement of property, plant or equipment used in the business
of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, in an aggregate
principal amount, including all Permitted Refinancing
Indebtedness incurred to refund, refinance or replace any
Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (4), not to
exceed $25.0 million at any time outstanding; |
66
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(5) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in exchange
for, or the net proceeds of which are used to refund, refinance
or replace Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness)
that was permitted by the indenture to be incurred under the
first paragraph of this covenant or clause (2) or
(3) of this paragraph or this clause (5); |
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(6) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of intercompany Indebtedness between or among the
Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided,
however, that: |
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(a) if the Company is the obligor on such Indebtedness and
a Guarantor is not the obligee, such Indebtedness must be
expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of
all Obligations with respect to the notes, or if a Guarantor is
the obligor on such Indebtedness and neither the Company nor
another Guarantor is the obligee, such Indebtedness must be
expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of
all Obligations with respect to the Subsidiary Guarantee of such
Guarantor; and |
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(b) (i) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity
Interests that results in any such Indebtedness being held by a
Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company and (ii) any sale or other transfer of any such
Indebtedness to a Person that is neither the Company nor a
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company will be deemed, in each
case, to constitute an incurrence of such Indebtedness by the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, that
was not permitted by this clause (6); |
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(7) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of Hedging Obligations; |
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(8) the guarantee by the Company or any of the Guarantors
of Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor that was
permitted to be incurred by another provision of this covenant; |
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(9) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of obligations relating to net gas balancing
positions arising in the ordinary course of business and
consistent with past practice; |
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(10) the incurrence by the Companys Unrestricted
Subsidiaries of Non-Recourse Debt, provided, however,
that if any such Indebtedness ceases to be Non-Recourse Debt of
an Unrestricted Subsidiary, such event will be deemed to
constitute an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company that was not permitted by this
clause (10); |
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(11) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of Indebtedness in respect of bid, performance,
surety and similar bonds issued for the account of the Company
and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of
business, including guarantees and obligations of the Company
and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to letters
of credit supporting such obligations (in each other than an
obligation for money borrowed); |
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(12) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of Indebtedness arising from agreements of the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries providing for
indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar
obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection
with the disposition of any business, assets or Capital Stock of
a Subsidiary, provided that the maximum aggregate liability in
respect of all such Indebtedness shall at no time exceed the
gross proceeds actually received by the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such
disposition; and |
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(13) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of additional Indebtedness in an aggregate
principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) at any time
outstanding, not to exceed $50.0 million. |
For purposes of determining compliance with this
Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred
Stock covenant, in the event that an item of Indebtedness
(including Acquired Debt) meets the criteria of more than one of
the categories of Permitted Debt described in clauses (1)
through (13) above, or is entitled to be incurred pursuant
to the first paragraph of this covenant, the Company will be
permitted to classify (or
67
later classify or reclassify in whole or in part in its sole
discretion) such item of Indebtedness in any manner that
complies with this covenant.
The accrual of interest, the accretion or amortization of
original issue discount, the payment of interest on any
Indebtedness in the form of additional Indebtedness with the
same terms, and the payment of dividends on Disqualified Stock
in the form of additional shares of the same class of
Disqualified Stock will not be deemed to be an incurrence of
Indebtedness or an issuance of Disqualified Stock for purposes
of this covenant; provided, in each such case, that the amount
thereof is included in Fixed Charges of the Company as accrued.
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No Senior Subordinated Debt |
The Company will not incur, create, issue, assume, guarantee or
otherwise become liable for any Indebtedness that is subordinate
or junior in right of payment to any Senior Debt of the Company
and senior in any respect in right of payment to the notes. No
Guarantor will incur, create, issue, assume, guarantee or
otherwise become liable for any Indebtedness that is subordinate
or junior in right of payment to the Senior Debt of such
Guarantor and senior in any respect in right of payment to such
Guarantors Subsidiary Guarantee.
The Company will not and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or otherwise cause or
suffer to exist or become effective any Lien of any kind (other
than Permitted Liens) securing Indebtedness or Attributable Debt
upon any of their property or assets, now owned or hereafter
acquired, unless the notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee of such
Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, is secured on an equal and
ratable basis (or on a senior basis to, in the case of
obligations subordinated in right of payment to the notes or
such Subsidiary Guarantee, as the case may be) with the
obligations so secured until such time as such obligations are
no longer secured by a Lien.
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Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting
Subsidiaries |
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or permit to
exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or
restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:
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(1) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its
Capital Stock to the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries, or pay any Indebtedness or other obligations owed
to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; |
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(2) make loans or advances to the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries; or |
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(3) transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries. |
However, the preceding restrictions will not apply to
encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:
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(1) agreements governing Existing Indebtedness and Credit
Facilities as in effect on the date of the indenture and any
amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases,
supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of those
agreements, provided that the amendments, modifications,
restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings,
replacement or refinancings are not materially more restrictive,
taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend and other
payment restrictions than those contained in those agreements on
the date of the indenture; |
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(2) the indenture, the notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees; |
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(3) applicable law; |
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(4) any instrument governing Indebtedness or Capital Stock
of a Person acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of such acquisition, which
encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or
the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, |
68
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or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired, provided
that, in the case of Indebtedness, such Indebtedness was
permitted by the terms of the indenture to be incurred; |
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(5) customary non-assignment provisions in leases entered
into in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past
practices; |
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(6) purchase money obligations for property acquired in the
ordinary course of business that impose restrictions on that
property of the nature described in clause (3) of the
preceding paragraph; |
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(7) any agreement for the sale or other disposition of a
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that restricts
distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary pending its sale or
other disposition; |
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(8) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, provided that the
restrictions contained in the agreements governing such
Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness are not materially more
restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in the
agreements governing the Indebtedness being refinanced; |
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(9) Liens securing Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be
incurred under the provisions of the covenant described above
under the caption Liens that limit the
right of the debtor to dispose of the assets subject to such
Liens; |
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(10) provisions with respect to the disposition or
distribution of assets or property in joint venture agreements,
asset sale agreements, stock sale agreements, agreements
respecting Permitted Business Investments and other similar
agreements entered into in the ordinary course of
business; and |
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(11) restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth
imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the
ordinary course of business. |
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Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets |
The Company may not, directly or indirectly:
(1) consolidate or merge with or into another Person
(whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation); or
(2) sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise
dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets
of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole,
in one or more related transactions, to another Person, unless:
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(1) either: (a) the Company is the surviving
corporation; or (b) the Person formed by or surviving any
such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or to
which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or
other disposition has been made is a corporation organized or
existing under the laws of the United States, any state of the
United States or the District of Columbia; |
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(2) the Person formed by or surviving any such
consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or the
Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease,
conveyance or other disposition has been made assumes all the
obligations of the Company under the notes, the indenture and
the registration rights agreement pursuant to agreements
reasonably satisfactory to the trustee; |
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(3) immediately after such transaction no Default or Event
of Default exists; |
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(4) the Company or the Person formed by or surviving any
such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to
which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or
other disposition has been made will, on the date of such
transaction after giving pro forma effect thereto and any
related financing transactions as if the same had occurred at
the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, be
permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness
pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in
the first paragraph of the covenant described above under the
caption Incurrence of Indebtedness and
Issuance of Preferred Stock; and |
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(5) the Company shall have delivered to the trustee an
officers certificate and an opinion of counsel, each
stating that such consolidation, merger or disposition and such
supplemental indenture (if any) comply with the indenture. |
Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting the
phrase substantially all, there is no precise
established definition of the phrase under applicable law.
Accordingly, in certain circumstances there may be a
69
degree of uncertainty as to whether a particular transaction
would involve all or substantially all of the
properties or assets of a Person.
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Transactions with Affiliates |
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer
or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or
purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or
amend any transaction, contract, agreement, understanding, loan,
advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate
(each, an Affiliate Transaction), unless:
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(1) the Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are no less
favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary
than those that would have been obtained in a comparable
transaction by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with an
unrelated Person; and |
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(2) the Company delivers to the trustee: |
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(a) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of
related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration
in excess of $30.0 million, a resolution of the Board of
Directors set forth in an officers certificate certifying
that such Affiliate Transaction complies with this covenant and
that such Affiliate Transaction has been approved by a majority
of the disinterested members of the Board of Directors; and |
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(b) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of
related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration
in excess of $50.0 million, a written opinion as to the
fairness to the Holders of such Affiliate Transaction from a
financial point of view issued by an accounting, appraisal or
investment banking firm of national standing. |
The following items will not be deemed to be Affiliate
Transactions and, therefore, will not be subject to the
provisions of the prior paragraph:
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(1) any employment or severance agreement or other employee
compensation agreement, arrangement or plan, or any amendment
thereto, entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business; |
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(2) transactions between or among any of the Company and
its Restricted Subsidiaries; |
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(3) transactions with a Person that is an Affiliate of the
Company solely because the Company owns an Equity Interest in
such Person; |
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(4) payment of reasonable directors fees and other
benefits to persons who are not otherwise Affiliates of the
Company; |
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(5) provision of officers and directors
indemnification and insurance in the ordinary course of business
to the extent permitted by law; |
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(6) sales of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified
Stock) to Affiliates of the Company; and |
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(7) Restricted Payments that are permitted by the
provisions of the indenture described above under the caption
Restricted Payments. |
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Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted
Subsidiaries |
The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to be an Unrestricted
Subsidiary if that designation would not cause a Default. If a
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company is designated as an
Unrestricted Subsidiary, the aggregate fair market value of all
outstanding Investments owned by the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries in the Subsidiary properly designated will be
deemed to be an Investment made as of the time of the
designation and will reduce the amount available for Restricted
Payments under the first paragraph of the covenant described
above under the caption Restricted
Payments or represent Permitted Investments, as determined
by the Company. That
70
designation will only be permitted if the Investment would be
permitted at that time and if the Subsidiary so designated
otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
The Board of Directors of the Company may at any time designate
any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company; provided that such designation will be deemed to be an
incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company of any outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted
Subsidiary and such designation will only be permitted if
(1) such Indebtedness is permitted under the covenant
described above under the caption Incurrence
of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock,
calculated on a pro forma basis as if such designation had
occurred at the beginning of the four-quarter reference period,
and (2) no Default or Event of Default would be in
existence following such designation.
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Additional Subsidiary Guarantees |
If the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries acquires or
creates another Material Domestic Subsidiary after the date of
the indenture, or if any Restricted Subsidiary that is not
already a Guarantor guarantees any other Indebtedness of the
Company after such date, then in either case that Subsidiary
will become a Guarantor by executing a supplemental indenture
and delivering it to the trustee within 20 Business Days of the
date on which it was acquired or created or guaranteed
Indebtedness of the Company, as the case may be; provided,
however, that the foregoing shall not apply to Subsidiaries of
the Company that have properly been designated as Unrestricted
Subsidiaries in accordance with the indenture for so long as
they continue to constitute Unrestricted Subsidiaries.
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Sale and Leaseback Transactions |
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, enter into any sale and leaseback transaction;
provided that the Company or any Guarantor may enter into a sale
and leaseback transaction if:
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(1) the Company or that Guarantor, as applicable, could
have (a) incurred Indebtedness in an amount equal to the
Attributable Debt relating to such sale and leaseback
transaction under the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test in the
first paragraph of the covenant described above under the
caption Incurrence of Indebtedness and
Issuance of Preferred Stock and (b) incurred a Lien
to secure such Indebtedness pursuant to the covenant described
above under the caption Liens; |
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(2) the gross cash proceeds of that sale and leaseback
transaction are at least equal to the fair market value, as
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors and set forth
in an officers certificate delivered to the trustee, of
the property that is the subject of that sale and leaseback
transaction; and |
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(3) the transfer of assets in that sale and leaseback
transaction is permitted by, and the Company applies the
proceeds of such transaction in compliance with, the covenant
described above under the caption Repurchase
at the Option of Holders Asset Sales. |
The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted
Subsidiary to, engage in any business other than the Oil and Gas
Business, except to such extent as would not be material to the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
Whether or not required by the Commission, so long as any notes
are outstanding, the Company will file with the Commission for
public availability within the time periods specified in the
Commissions rules and regulations (unless the Commission
will not accept such a filing), and the Company will furnish to
the trustee
71
and, upon its request, to any of the Holders of notes, within
five Business Days of filing, or attempting to file, the same
with the Commission:
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(1) all quarterly and annual financial and other
information with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries
that would be required to be contained in a filing with the
Commission on
Forms 10-Q
and 10-K if the
Company were required to file such Forms, including a
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations and, with respect to
the annual information only, a report on the annual financial
statements by the Companys certified independent
accountants; and |
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(2) all current reports that would be required to be filed
with the Commission on
Form 8-K if the
Company were required to file such reports. |
If the Company has designated any of its Subsidiaries as
Unrestricted Subsidiaries, then the quarterly and annual
financial information required by the preceding paragraph will
include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face
of the financial statements or in the footnotes thereto, and in
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations, of the financial condition and
results of operations of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results
of operations of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries of the Company.
In addition, the Company and the Guarantors have agreed that,
for so long as any notes remain outstanding, they will furnish
to the Holders and to securities analysts and prospective
investors in the notes, upon their request, the information
required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under
the Securities Act.
If at any time (a) the rating assigned to the notes by both
S&P and Moodys is an Investment Grade Rating and
(b) no Default has occurred and is continuing under the
indenture, then upon delivery by the Company to the trustee of
an officers certificate to the foregoing effect, the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will no longer be
subject to the provisions of the indenture described above under
the caption Repurchase at the Option of
Holders Asset Sales and the following
provisions of the indenture described above under the caption
Certain Covenants:
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Restricted Payments, |
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Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of
Preferred Stock, |
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Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions
Affecting Subsidiaries, |
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Transactions with Affiliates, and |
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Business Activities. |
However, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will remain
subject to the provisions of the indenture described above under
the caption Repurchase at the Option of
Holders Change of Control, and the following
provisions of the indenture described above under the caption
Covenants:
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No Senior Subordinated Debt, |
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Liens, |
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Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets
(other than the financial test set forth in clause (4) of
such covenant), |
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Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted
Subsidiaries, |
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Additional Subsidiary Guarantees, |
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Sale and Leaseback Transactions (other
than clauses (1)(a) and (3) of such covenant), and |
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Reports. |
72
Events of Default and Remedies
Each of the following is an Event of Default:
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(1) default for 30 days in the payment when due of
interest on the notes, whether or not prohibited by the
subordination provisions of the indenture; |
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(2) default in payment when due of the principal of, or
premium, if any, on the notes, whether or not prohibited by the
subordination provisions of the indenture; |
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(3) failure by the Company to comply with the provisions
described under the captions Certain
Covenants Restricted Payments,
Certain Covenants Incurrence of
Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock or
Certain Covenants Merger,
Consolidation or Sale of Assets; |
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(4) failure by the Company to comply with the provisions
described under the captions Repurchase at the
Option of Holders Asset Sales or
Repurchase at the Option of
Holders Change of Control; |
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(5) failure by the Company for 60 days after notice to
comply with any of the other agreements in the indenture; |
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(6) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument
under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured
or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which
is guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries), whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now
exists, or is created after the date of the indenture, if that
default: |
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(a) is caused by a failure to pay principal of, or interest
or premium, if any, on such Indebtedness prior to the expiration
of the grace period provided in such Indebtedness (a
Payment Default); or |
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(b) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior
to its Stated Maturity, |
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and, in each case, the principal amount of any such
Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other
such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default
or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates
$50.0 million or more; |
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(7) failure by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to
pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $50.0 million,
which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed (including a
stay pending appeal) for a period of 60 days after the date
of such final judgment (or, if later, the date when payment is
due pursuant to such judgment); |
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(8) except as permitted by the indenture, any Subsidiary
Guarantee shall be held in any judicial proceeding to be
unenforceable or invalid or shall cease for any reason to be in
full force and effect or any Guarantor, or any Person acting on
behalf of any Guarantor, shall deny or disaffirm its obligations
under its Subsidiary Guarantee; and |
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(9) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization described in the indenture with respect to the
Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or any group of
Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken as a whole, would
constitute a Significant Subsidiary. |
In the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events
of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, with respect to the
Company, any Subsidiary of the Company that is a Significant
Subsidiary or any group of Subsidiaries of the Company that,
taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, all
outstanding notes will become due and payable immediately
without further action or notice. If any other Event of Default
occurs and is continuing, the trustee or the Holders of at least
25% in principal amount of the then outstanding notes may
declare all the notes to be due and payable immediately.
Holders of the notes may not enforce the indenture or the notes
except as provided in the indenture. Subject to certain
limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
then outstanding notes may
73
direct the trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The
trustee may withhold notice of any continuing Default or Event
of Default from Holders of the notes if it determines that
withholding notice is in their interest, except a Default or
Event of Default relating to the payment of principal of, or
interest or premium, if any, on, the notes.
The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the notes then
outstanding by notice to the trustee may on behalf of the
Holders of all of the notes waive any past Default or Event of
Default and its consequences under the indenture except a
continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of
principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on the notes or in
respect of a covenant that cannot be amended without the consent
of each Holder.
The Company is required to deliver to the trustee annually a
statement regarding compliance with the indenture. Upon becoming
aware of any Default or Event of Default, the Company is
required to deliver to the trustee a statement specifying such
Default or Event of Default.
No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and
Stockholders
No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder or
other owner of Capital Stock of the Company or any Guarantor, as
such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Company
or any Guarantor under the notes, the indenture or the
Subsidiary Guarantees, or for any claim based on, in respect of,
or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder
of notes by accepting a note waives and releases all such
liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration
for issuance of the notes. The waiver may not be effective to
waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.
Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
The Company may, at its option and at any time, elect to have
all of its obligations discharged with respect to the
outstanding notes and all obligations of the Guarantors
discharged with respect to their Subsidiary Guarantees
(Legal Defeasance) except for:
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(1) the rights of Holders of outstanding notes to receive
payments in respect of the principal of, and interest or
premium, if any, on such notes when such payments are due from
the trust referred to below; |
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(2) the Companys obligations with respect to the
notes concerning issuing temporary notes, registration of notes,
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen notes and the maintenance
of an office or agency for payment and money for security
payments held in trust; |
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(3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of
the trustee, and the Companys obligations in connection
therewith; and |
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(4) the Legal Defeasance provisions of the indenture. |
In addition, the Company may, at its option and at any time,
elect to have its obligations released with respect to certain
covenants that are described in the indenture (Covenant
Defeasance) and thereafter any omission to comply with
those covenants will not constitute a Default or Event of
Default with respect to the notes. In the event Covenant
Defeasance occurs, certain events (not including non payment,
bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization events) described under
Events of Default and Remedies will no
longer constitute an Event of Default with respect to the notes.
If the Company exercises either its Legal Defeasance or Covenant
Defeasance option, each Guarantor will be released and relieved
of any obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee and any
security for the notes (other than the trust) will be released.
In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant
Defeasance:
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(1) the Company must irrevocably deposit with the trustee,
in trust, for the benefit of the Holders of the notes, cash in
U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a
combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable
Government Securities, in amounts as will be sufficient, in the
opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public
accountants, to pay the principal of, and interest and premium,
if any, on the outstanding notes on the date of fixed maturity
or on the applicable redemption |
74
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date, as the case may be, and the Company must specify whether
the notes are being defeased to the date of fixed maturity or to
a particular redemption date; |
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(2) in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Company has
delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel reasonably
acceptable to the trustee confirming that: |
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(a) the Company has received from, or there has been
published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling; or |
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(b) since the date of the indenture, there has been a
change in the applicable federal income tax law, |
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in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such
opinion of counsel will confirm that, the Holders of the
outstanding notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for
federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance
and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts,
in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the
case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred; |
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(3) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Company has
delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel reasonably
acceptable to the trustee confirming that the Holders of the
outstanding notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for
federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant
Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same
amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have
been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred; |
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(4) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or
Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be
applied to such deposit) or insofar as Events of Default from
bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization events are concerned,
at any time in the period ending on the 91st day after the
day of deposit; |
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(5) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not
result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default
under, any material agreement or instrument (other than the
indenture) to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a
party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is
bound; |
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(6) the Company must have delivered to the trustee an
opinion of counsel to the effect that after the 91st day
following the deposit (or, if any Holder or Beneficial Owner of
notes is an insider of the Company, such later date as counsel
may specify in such opinion), the trust funds will not be
subject to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors rights
generally; |
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(7) the Company must deliver to the trustee an
officers certificate stating that the deposit was not made
by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of
notes over the other creditors of the Company with the intent of
defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors of the
Company or others; and |
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(8) the Company must deliver to the trustee an
officers certificate and an opinion of counsel, each
stating that all conditions precedent relating to the Legal
Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with. |
Amendment, Supplement and Waiver
Except as provided in the next three succeeding paragraphs, the
indenture or the notes may be amended or supplemented with the
consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal
amount of the notes then outstanding (including, without
limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of,
or tender offer or exchange offer for, notes), and any existing
default or compliance with any provision of the indenture or the
notes may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the then outstanding notes
(including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection
with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for,
notes).
75
Without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment,
supplement or waiver may not (with respect to any notes held by
a non-consenting Holder):
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(1) reduce the principal amount of notes whose Holders must
consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver; |
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(2) reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of
any note or alter the provisions with respect to the redemption
or repurchase of the notes (other than provisions relating to
the covenants described above under the caption
Repurchase at the Option of Holders); |
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(3) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of
interest on any note; |
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(4) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of
principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on the notes
(except a rescission of acceleration of the notes by the Holders
of at least a majority in principal amount of the notes and a
waiver of the payment default that resulted from such
acceleration); |
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(5) make any note payable in currency other than that
stated in the notes; |
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(6) make any change in the provisions of the indenture
relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders of
notes to receive payments of principal of, or interest or
premium, if any, on the notes (other than as permitted in
clause (7) below); |
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(7) waive a redemption or repurchase payment with respect
to any note (other than a payment required by one of the
covenants described above under the caption
Repurchase at the Option of Holders); |
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(8) release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under
its Subsidiary Guarantee or the indenture, except in accordance
with the terms of the indenture; or |
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(9) make any change in the preceding amendment, supplement
and waiver provisions. |
In addition, any amendment or supplement to, or waiver of, the
provisions of the indenture relating to subordination that
adversely affects the rights of the Holders of the notes will
require the consent of the Holders of at least 75% in principal
amount of notes then outstanding.
Notwithstanding the preceding, without the consent of any Holder
of notes, the Company, the Guarantors and the trustee may amend
or supplement the indenture or the notes:
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(1) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency; |
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(2) to provide for uncertificated notes in addition to or
in place of certificated notes; |
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(3) to provide for the assumption of the Companys
obligations to Holders of notes in the case of a merger or
consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the
Companys properties or assets; |
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(4) to make any change that would provide any additional
rights or benefits to the Holders of notes or that does not
adversely affect the legal rights under the indenture of any
Holder, provided that any change to conform the indenture to
this prospectus will not be deemed to adversely affect the legal
rights under the indenture of any holder; |
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(5) to secure the notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees
pursuant to the requirements of the covenant described above
under the subheading Certain
Covenants Liens; |
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(6) to provide for the issuance of additional notes in
accordance with the limitations set forth in the indenture; |
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(7) to add any additional Guarantor or to evidence the
release of any Guarantor from its Subsidiary Guarantee, in each
case as provided in the indenture; |
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(8) to comply with requirements of the Commission in order
to effect or maintain the qualification of the indenture under
the Trust Indenture Act; or |
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(9) to evidence or provide for the acceptance of
appointment under the indenture of a successor trustee. |
Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall, directly
or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration,
whether by way of interest, fee or otherwise, to any Beneficial
Owner or Holder of any notes for or as an inducement to any
consent to any waiver, supplement or amendment of any terms or
provisions of the indenture or the notes, unless such
consideration is offered to be paid or agreed to be paid to all
Beneficial Owners and Holders of the notes which so consent in
the time frame set forth in solicitation documents relating to
such consent.
Satisfaction and Discharge
The indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further
effect as to all notes issued thereunder (except as to surviving
rights of registration of transfer or exchange of the notes and
as otherwise specified in the indenture), when:
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(a) all notes that have been authenticated, except lost,
stolen or destroyed notes that have been replaced or paid and
notes for whose payment money has been deposited in trust and
thereafter repaid to the Company, have been delivered to the
trustee for cancellation; or |
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(b) all notes that have not been delivered to the trustee
for cancellation have become due and payable or will become due
and payable within one year by reason of the mailing of a notice
of redemption or otherwise and the Company or any Guarantor has
irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the trustee
as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders,
cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities,
or a combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable
Government Securities, in amounts as will be sufficient without
consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and
discharge the entire indebtedness on the notes not delivered to
the trustee for cancellation for principal, premium, if any, and
accrued interest to the date of fixed maturity or redemption; |
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(2) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing on the date of the deposit or will occur as a result
of the deposit and the deposit will not result in a breach or
violation of, or constitute a default under, any material
agreement or instrument (other than the indenture) to which the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound; |
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(3) the Company or any Guarantor has paid or caused to be
paid all sums payable by it under the indenture; and |
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(4) the Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to
the trustee under the indenture to apply the deposited money
toward the payment of the notes at fixed maturity or the
redemption date, as the case may be. |
In addition, the Company must deliver an officers
certificate and an opinion of counsel to the trustee stating
that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have
been satisfied.
Concerning the Trustee
The trustee, J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National
Association, also acts as trustee under the indentures for our
outstanding senior subordinated notes.
If the trustee becomes a creditor of the Company or any
Guarantor, the indenture limits its right to obtain payment of
claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property
received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise.
The trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions;
however, if it acquires any conflicting interest (as defined in
the Trust Indenture Act) after a Default has occurred and is
continuing, it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days,
apply to the Commission for permission to continue or resign.
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The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then
outstanding notes will have the right to direct the time, method
and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy
available to the trustee, subject to certain exceptions. The
indenture provides that in case an Event of Default occurs and
is continuing, the trustee will be required, in the exercise of
its power, to use the degree of care of a prudent man in the
conduct of his own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the
trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its
rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any
Holder of notes, unless such Holder has offered to the trustee
security or indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss,
liability or expense.
Governing Law
The indenture, the notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees will be
governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the
State of New York.
Additional Information
Anyone who receives this prospectus may obtain a copy of the
indenture and registration rights agreement without charge by
writing to Whiting Petroleum Corporation, 1700 Broadway,
Suite 2300, Denver, Colorado 80290-2300, Attention: Vice
President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer.
Book-Entry, Delivery and Form
Except as set forth below, notes will be represented by one or
more permanent, global notes in registered form without interest
coupons (the Global Notes).
The Global Notes will be deposited upon issuance with the
trustee as custodian for The Depository Trust Company
(DTC), in New York, New York, and registered in the
name of DTCs nominee, Cede & Co., in each case
for credit to an account of a direct or indirect participant in
DTC as described below. Beneficial interests in the Global Notes
may be held through the Euroclear System (Euroclear)
and Clearstream Banking, S.A. (Clearstream) (as
indirect participants in DTC).
Except as set forth below, the Global Notes may be transferred,
in whole but not in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a
successor of DTC or its nominee. Beneficial interests in the
Global Notes may not be exchanged for Certificated Notes except
in the limited circumstances described below. See
Exchange of Global Notes for Certificated
Notes. Except in the limited circumstances described
below, owners of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will
not be entitled to receive physical delivery of Certificated
Notes.
Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be
subject to the applicable rules and procedures of DTC and its
direct or indirect participants (including, if applicable, those
of Euroclear and Clearstream), which may change from time to
time.
Depository Procedures
The following description of the operations and procedures of
DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream are provided solely as a matter
of convenience. These operations and procedures are solely
within the control of the respective settlement systems and are
subject to changes by them. We take no responsibility for these
operations and procedures and urge investors to contact the
system or their participants directly to discuss these matters.
DTC has advised us that DTC is a limited-purpose trust company
created to hold securities for its participating organizations
(collectively, the Participants) and to facilitate
the clearance and settlement of transactions in those securities
between Participants through electronic book-entry changes in
accounts of its Participants. The Participants include
securities brokers and dealers (including the initial
purchasers), banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and
certain other organizations. Access to DTCs system is also
available to other entities such as banks, brokers, dealers and
trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial
relationship with a Participant, either directly or indirectly
(collectively, the Indirect Participants). Persons
who are not Participants may beneficially own securities held by
or on behalf of DTC only through the Participants or the
Indirect Participants. The ownership interests in, and transfers
of ownership
78
interests in, each security held by or on behalf of DTC are
recorded on the records of the Participants and Indirect
Participants.
DTC has also advised us that, pursuant to procedures established
by it:
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(1) upon deposit of the Global Notes, DTC will credit the
accounts of Participants designated by the initial purchasers
with portions of the principal amount of the Global
Notes; and |
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(2) ownership of these interests in the Global Notes will
be shown on, and the transfer of ownership of these interests
will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with
respect to the Participants) or by the Participants and the
Indirect Participants (with respect to other owners of
beneficial interests in the Global Notes). |
Investors in the Global Notes who are Participants in DTCs
system may hold their interests therein directly through DTC.
Investors in the Global Notes who are not Participants may hold
their interests therein indirectly through organizations
(including Euroclear and Clearstream) which are Participants in
such system. Euroclear and Clearstream may hold interests in the
Global Notes on behalf of their participants through
customers securities accounts in their respective names on
the books of their respective depositories, which are Euroclear
Bank S.A./ N.V., as operator of Euroclear, and Citibank, N.A.,
as operator of Clearstream. All interests in a Global Note,
including those held through Euroclear or Clearstream, may be
subject to the procedures and requirements of DTC. Those
interests held through Euroclear or Clearstream may also be
subject to the procedures and requirements of such systems.
The laws of some states require that certain Persons take
physical delivery in definitive form of securities that they
own. Consequently, the ability to transfer beneficial interests
in a Global Note to such Persons will be limited to that extent.
Because DTC can act only on behalf of Participants, which in
turn act on behalf of Indirect Participants, the ability of a
Person having beneficial interests in a Global Note to pledge
such interests to Persons that do not participate in the DTC
system, or otherwise take actions in respect of such interests,
may be affected by the lack of a physical certificate evidencing
such interests.
Except as described below, owners of an interest in the
Global Notes will not have notes registered in their names, will
not receive physical delivery of Certificated Notes and will not
be considered the registered owners or Holders
thereof under the indenture for any purpose.
Payments in respect of the principal of, and interest and
premium, if any, on a Global Note registered in the name of DTC
or its nominee will be payable to DTC in its capacity as the
registered Holder under the indenture. Under the terms of the
indenture, the Company and the trustee will treat the Persons in
whose names the notes, including the Global Notes, are
registered as the owners of the notes for the purpose of
receiving payments and for all other purposes. Consequently,
neither the Company, the trustee nor any agent of the Company or
the trustee has or will have any responsibility or liability for:
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(1) any aspect of DTCs records or any
Participants or Indirect Participants records
relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership
interests in the Global Notes or for maintaining, supervising or
reviewing any of DTCs records or any Participants or
Indirect Participants records relating to the beneficial
ownership interests in the Global Notes; or |
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(2) any other matter relating to the actions and practices
of DTC or any of its Participants or Indirect Participants. |
DTC has advised us that its current practice, at the due date of
any payment in respect of securities such as the notes, is to
credit the accounts of the relevant Participants with the
payment on the payment date unless DTC has reason to believe it
will not receive payment on such payment date. Each relevant
Participant is credited with an amount proportionate to its
beneficial ownership of an interest in the principal amount of
the notes as shown on the records of DTC. Payments by the
Participants and the Indirect Participants to the beneficial
owners of notes will be governed by standing instructions and
customary practices and will be the responsibility of the
Participants or the Indirect Participants and will not be the
responsibility of DTC, the trustee or the Company. Neither the
Company nor the trustee will be liable for any delay by DTC or
any of its
79
Participants in identifying the beneficial owners of the notes,
and the Company and the trustee may conclusively rely on and
will be protected in relying on instructions from DTC or its
nominee for all purposes.
Transfers between Participants in DTC will be effected in
accordance with DTCs procedures, and will be settled in
same-day funds, and transfers between participants in Euroclear
and Clearstream will be effected in accordance with their
respective rules and operating procedures.
Cross-market transfers between the Participants in DTC, on the
one hand, and Euroclear or Clearstream participants, on the
other hand, will be effected through DTC in accordance with
DTCs rules on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, as the
case may be, by its depositary; however, such cross-market
transactions will require delivery of instructions to Euroclear
or Clearstream, as the case may be, by the counterparty in such
system in accordance with the rules and procedures and within
the established deadlines (Brussels time) of such system.
Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, will, if the
transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver
instructions to its respective depositary to take action to
effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving
interests in the relevant Global Note in DTC, and making or
receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for
same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Euroclear
participants and Clearstream participants may not deliver
instructions directly to the depositories for Euroclear or
Clearstream.
DTC has advised us that it will take any action permitted to be
taken by a Holder of notes only at the direction of one or more
Participants to whose account DTC has credited the
interests in the Global Notes and only in respect of such
portion of the aggregate principal amount of the notes as to
which such Participant or Participants has or have given such
direction. However, if there is an Event of Default under the
notes, DTC reserves the right to exchange the Global Notes for
definitive notes in registered certificated form
(Certificated Notes), and to distribute such notes
to its Participants.
Although DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream have agreed to the
foregoing procedures to facilitate transfers of interests in the
Global Notes among participants in DTC, Euroclear and
Clearstream, they are under no obligation to perform or to
continue to perform such procedures, and may discontinue such
procedures at any time. None of the Company, the trustee or any
of their respective agents will have any responsibility for the
performance by DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream or their respective
participants or indirect participants of their respective
obligations under the rules and procedures governing their
operations.
Exchange of Global Notes for Certificated Notes
A Global Note is exchangeable for Certificated Notes in minimum
denominations of $1,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000, if:
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(1) DTC (a) notifies us that it is unwilling or unable
to continue as depositary for the Global Notes or (b) has
ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act
and in either event the Company fails to appoint a successor
depositary within 90 days; or |
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(2) there has occurred and is continuing an Event of
Default and DTC notifies the trustee of its decision to exchange
the Global Note for Certificated Notes. |
Beneficial interests in a Global Note also may be exchanged for
Certificated Notes in the limited other circumstances permitted
by the indenture. In all cases, Certificated Notes delivered in
exchange for any Global Note or beneficial interests in Global
Notes will be registered in the names, and issued in any
approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of the
depositary (in accordance with its customary procedures).
Same-Day Settlement and Payment
The Company will make payments in respect of the notes
represented by the Global Notes (including principal, premium,
if any, and interest) by wire transfer of immediately available
funds to the accounts specified by the Global Note Holder.
The Company will make all payments of principal, interest and
premium, if any, with respect to Certificated Notes by wire
transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts
specified by the Holders of the Certificated Notes or, if no
such account is specified, by mailing a
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check to each such Holders registered address. The notes
represented by the Global Notes are expected to be eligible to
trade in DTCs Same-Day Funds Settlement System, and any
permitted secondary market trading activity in such notes will,
therefore, be required by DTC to be settled in immediately
available funds. The Company expects that secondary trading in
any Certificated Notes will also be settled in immediately
available funds.
Because of time zone differences, the securities account of a
Euroclear or Clearstream participant purchasing an interest in a
Global Note from a Participant in DTC will be credited, and any
such crediting will be reported to the relevant Euroclear or
Clearstream participant, during the securities settlement
processing day (which must be a business day for Euroclear and
Clearstream) immediately following the settlement date of DTC.
DTC has advised us that cash received in Euroclear or
Clearstream as a result of sales of interests in a Global Note
by or through a Euroclear or Clearstream participant to a
Participant in DTC will be received with value on the settlement
date of DTC but will be available in the relevant Euroclear or
Clearstream cash account only as of the business day for
Euroclear or Clearstream following DTCs settlement date.
Certain Definitions
Set forth below are certain defined terms used in the indenture.
Reference is made to the indenture for a full disclosure of all
such terms, as well as any other capitalized terms used herein
for which no definition is provided.
ACNTA (Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible
Assets) means (without duplication), as of the date of
determination:
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(a) discounted future net revenue from proved crude oil and
natural gas reserves of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines before
any state or federal income taxes, as estimated in a reserve
report prepared as of the end of the Companys most
recently completed fiscal year, which reserve report is prepared
or reviewed by independent petroleum engineers as to reserves
accounting for at least 80% of all such discounted future net
revenue and by the Companys petroleum engineers with
respect to any other such reserves covered by such report, as
increased by, as of the date of determination, the discounted
future net revenue from: |
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(i) estimated proved crude oil and natural gas reserves of
the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries attributable to
acquisitions consummated since the date of such year-end reserve
report, and |
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(ii) estimated crude oil and natural gas reserves of the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries attributable to
extensions, discoveries and other additions and upward
determinations of estimates of proved crude oil and natural gas
reserves (including previously estimated development costs
incurred during the period and the accretion of discount since
the prior year end) due to exploration, development or
exploitation, production or other activities which reserves were
not reflected in such year-end reserve report, |
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in each case calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines
(utilizing the prices utilized in such year-end reserve report),
and decreased by, as of the date of determination, the
discounted future net revenue attributable to |
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(iii) estimated proved crude oil and natural gas reserves
of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected in such
year-end reserve report produced or disposed of since the date
of such year-end reserve report and |
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(iv) reductions in the estimated proved crude oil and
natural gas reserves of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries reflected in such year-end reserve report since the
date of such year-end reserve report attributable to downward
determinations of estimates of proved crude |
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oil and natural gas reserves due to exploration, development or
exploitation, production or other activities conducted or
otherwise occurring since the date of such year-end reserve
report, |
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in each case calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines
(utilizing the prices utilized in such year-end reserve report);
provided, however, that, in the case of each of the
determinations made pursuant to clauses (i) through (iv),
such increases and decreases shall be as estimated by the
Companys engineers, except that if as a result of such
acquisitions, dispositions, discoveries, extensions or
revisions, there is a Material Change, then such increases and
decreases in the discounted future net revenue shall be
confirmed in writing by an independent petroleum engineer; |
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(b) the capitalized costs that are attributable to crude
oil and natural gas properties of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries to which no proved crude oil and natural gas
reserves are attributed, based on the Companys books and
records as of a date no earlier than the date of the
Companys latest annual or quarterly financial statements; |
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(c) the Net Working Capital on a date no earlier than the
date of the Companys latest annual or quarterly financial
statements; and |
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(d) the greater of (I) the net book value on a date no
earlier than the date of the Companys latest annual or
quarterly financial statements and (II) the appraised
value, as estimated by independent appraisers, of other tangible
assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of a
date no earlier than the date of the Companys latest
audited financial statements; |
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(2) minus, to the extent not otherwise taken into account
in the immediately preceding clause (1), the sum of: |
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(a) minority interests; |
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(b) any net gas balancing liabilities of the Company and
its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected in the Companys
latest audited financial statements; |
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(c) the discounted future net revenue, calculated in
accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the same prices
utilized in the Companys year-end reserve report),
attributable to reserves subject to participation interests,
overriding royalty interests or other interests of third
parties, pursuant to participation, partnership, vendor
financing or other agreements then in effect, or which otherwise
are required to be delivered to third parties; |
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(d) the discounted future net revenue, calculated in
accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the same prices
utilized in the Companys year-end reserve report),
attributable to reserves that are required to be delivered to
third parties to fully satisfy the obligations of the Company
and its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to Volumetric
Production Payments on the schedules specified with respect
thereto; and |
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(e) the discounted future net revenue, calculated in
accordance with SEC guidelines, attributable to reserves subject
to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments that, based on the
estimates of production included in determining the discounted
future net revenue specified in the immediately preceding
clause (1)(a) (utilizing the same prices utilized in the
Companys year-end reserve report), would be necessary to
satisfy fully the obligations of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries with respect to Dollar-Denominated Production
Payments on the schedules specified with respect thereto. |
If the Company changes its method of accounting for its oil and
gas properties from the successful efforts method to the full
cost method or a similar method of accounting, ACNTA will
continue to be calculated as if the Company were still using the
successful efforts method of accounting.
Acquired Debt means, with respect to any
specified Person:
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(1) Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time
such other Person was merged with or into or became a Subsidiary
of such specified Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is
incurred in |
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connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person
merging with or into, or becoming a Subsidiary of, such
specified Person; and |
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(2) Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset
acquired by such specified Person. |
Additional Assets means:
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(1) any assets used or useful in the Oil and Gas Business; |
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(2) the Capital Stock of a Person that becomes a Restricted
Subsidiary as a result of the acquisition of such Capital Stock
by the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary; or |
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(3) Capital Stock constituting a minority in any Person
that at such time is a Restricted Subsidiary; |
provided, however, that any such Restricted Subsidiary
described in clause (2) or (3) is primarily engaged in
the Oil and Gas Business.
Affiliate of any specified Person means any
other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by
or under direct or indirect common control with such specified
Person. For purposes of this definition, control, as
used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly
or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of
the management or policies of such Person, whether through the
ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise;
provided that beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the Voting
Stock of a Person will be deemed to be control. For purposes of
this definition, the terms controlling,
controlled by and under common control
with have correlative meanings.
Asset Sale means:
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(1) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of any
properties or assets (including by way of a Production Payment
or sale and leaseback transaction); provided that the
disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or
assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a
whole will be governed by the provisions of the indenture
described above under the caption Repurchase
at the Option of Holders Change of Control
and/or the provisions described above under the caption
Certain Covenants Merger,
Consolidation or Sale of Assets and not by the provisions
of the Asset Sale covenant; and |
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(2) the issuance of Equity Interests in any of the
Companys Restricted Subsidiaries or the sale of Equity
Interests in any of its Restricted Subsidiaries. |
Notwithstanding the preceding, the following items will not be
deemed to be Asset Sales:
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(1) any single transaction or series of related
transactions that involves properties or assets having a fair
market value of less than $10.0 million; |
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(2) a transfer of assets between or among any of the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, |
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(3) an issuance or sale of Equity Interests by a Restricted
Subsidiary to the Company or to another Restricted Subsidiary; |
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(4) the sale, lease or other disposition of equipment,
inventory, accounts receivable or other properties or assets in
the ordinary course of business, including, without limitation,
any abandonment, farm-in, farm-out, lease or sublease of any oil
and gas properties or the forfeiture or other disposition of
such properties pursuant to standard form operating agreements,
in each case in the ordinary course of business in a manner
customary in the Oil and Gas Business; |
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(5) the sale or other disposition of cash or Cash
Equivalents; |
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(6) a Restricted Payment that is permitted by the covenant
described above under the caption Certain
Covenants Restricted Payments or a Permitted
Investment; |
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(7) any trade or exchange by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary of oil and gas properties or other properties or
assets for oil and gas properties or other properties or assets
owned or held by another Person, provided that the fair market
value of the properties or assets traded or exchanged by the |
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Company or such Restricted Subsidiary (together with any cash)
is reasonably equivalent to the fair market value of the
properties or assets (together with any cash) to be received by
the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, and provided further
that any net cash received must be applied in accordance with
the provisions described above under the caption
Repurchase at the Option of
Holders Asset Sales; |
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(8) the creation or perfection of a Lien (but not the sale
or other disposition of the properties or assets subject to such
Lien); and |
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(9) surrender or waiver of contract rights or the
settlement, release or surrender of contract, tort or other
claims of any kind. |
Attributable Debt in respect of a sale and
leaseback transaction means, at the time of determination, the
present value of the obligation of the lessee for net rental
payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such
sale and leaseback transaction including any period for which
such lease has been extended or may, at the option of the
lessor, be extended. Such present value shall be calculated
using a discount rate equal to the rate of interest implicit in
such transaction, determined in accordance with GAAP.
Beneficial Owner has the meaning assigned to
such term in
Rule 13d-3 and
Rule 13d-5 under
the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial
ownership of any particular person (as that term is
used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), such
person will be deemed to have beneficial ownership
of all securities that such person has the right to
acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether
such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only upon
the occurrence of a subsequent condition. The terms
Beneficially Owns and Beneficially Owned
have correlative meanings.
Board of Directors means:
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(1) with respect to a corporation, the board of directors
of the corporation; |
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(2) with respect to a partnership, the Board of Directors
of the general partner of the partnership; and |
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(3) with respect to any other Person, the board or
committee of such Person serving a similar function. |
Board Resolution means a copy of a resolution
certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the
applicable Person to have been duly adopted by the Board of
Directors of such Person and to be in full force and effect on
the date of such certification, and delivered to the trustee.
Business Day means each day that is not a
Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in
Denver, Colorado or in New York, New York or another place of
payment are authorized or required by law to close.
Capital Lease Obligation means, at the time
any determination is to be made, the amount of the liability in
respect of a capital lease that would at that time be required
to be capitalized on a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP.
Capital Stock means:
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(1) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock; |
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(2) in the case of an association or business entity, any
and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other
equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock; |
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(3) in the case of a partnership or limited liability
company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or
limited); and |
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(4) any other interest or participation that confers on a
Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses
of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person. |
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Cash Equivalents means:
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(1) United States dollars; |
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(2) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or
insured by the United States government or any agency or
instrumentality of the United States government (provided that
the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in
support of those securities) having maturities of not more than
six months from the date of acquisition; |
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(3) certificates of deposit and eurodollar time deposits
with maturities of six months or less from the date of
acquisition, bankers acceptances with maturities not
exceeding six months and overnight bank deposits, in each case,
with any lender party to the Credit Agreement or with any
domestic commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of
$500.0 million and a Thomson Bank Watch Rating of
B or better; |
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(4) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than
seven days for underlying securities of the types described in
clauses (2) and (3) above entered into with any financial
institution meeting the qualifications specified in
clause (3) above; |
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(5) commercial paper having the highest rating obtainable
from Moodys Investors Service, Inc. or Standard &
Poors Ratings Services and in each case maturing within
six months after the date of acquisition; and |
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(6) money market funds at least 95% of the assets of which
constitute Cash Equivalents of the kinds described in
clauses (1) through (5) of this definition. |
Change of Control means the occurrence of any
of the following:
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(1) the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer,
conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or
consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of
all or substantially all of the properties or assets (including
Capital Stock of the Restricted Subsidiaries) of the Company and
its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, to any
person (as that term is used in
Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act); |
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(2) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or
dissolution of the Company; |
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(3) the consummation of any transaction (including, without
limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is
that any person (as that term is used in
Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) becomes the
Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of
the Voting Stock of the Company, measured by voting power rather
than number of shares; or |
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(4) the first day on which a majority of the members of the
Board of Directors of the Company are not Continuing Directors. |
Commission or SEC means
the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Consolidated Cash Flow means, with respect to
any specified Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income
of such Person for such period plus:
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(1) an amount equal to any extraordinary loss plus any net
loss realized by such Person or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Sale, to the extent
such losses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net
Income; plus |
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(2) provision for taxes based on income or profits of such
Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the
extent that such provision for taxes was deducted in computing
such Consolidated Net Income; plus |
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(3) consolidated interest expense of such Person and its
Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued
and whether or not capitalized (excluding any interest
attributable to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments but
including, without limitation, amortization of debt issuance
costs and original issue discount, non-cash interest payments,
the interest component of any deferred payment |
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obligations, the interest component of all payments associated
with Capital Lease Obligations, imputed interest with respect to
Attributable Debt, commissions, discounts and other fees and
charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers
acceptance financings), and net of the effect of all payments
made or received pursuant to Hedging Obligations, to the extent
that any such expense was deducted in computing such
Consolidated Net Income; plus |
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(4) depreciation, depletion and amortization (including
amortization of intangibles but excluding amortization of
prepaid cash expenses that were paid in a prior period),
impairment and other non-cash expenses (excluding any such
non-cash expense to the extent that it represents an accrual of
or reserve for cash expenses in any future period or
amortization of a prepaid cash expense that was paid in a prior
period) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such
period to the extent that such depreciation, depletion and
amortization, impairment and other non-cash expenses were
deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus |
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(5) unrealized non-cash losses resulting from foreign
currency balance sheet adjustments required by GAAP to the
extent such losses were deducted in computing such Consolidated
Net Income; minus |
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(6) non-cash items increasing such Consolidated Net Income
for such period, other than items that were accrued in the
ordinary course of business; minus (to the extent included in
determining Consolidated Net Income): |
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(7) the sum of (x) the amount of deferred revenues
that are amortized during such period and are attributable to
reserves that are subject to Volumetric Production Payments and
(y) amounts recorded in accordance with GAAP as repayments
of principal and interest pursuant to Dollar-Denominated
Production Payments, |
in each case, on a consolidated basis and determined in
accordance with GAAP.
Consolidated Net Income means, with respect
to any specified Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net
Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such
period, on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance with
GAAP; provided that:
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(1) the Net Income (but not loss) of any Person that is not
a Restricted Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity
method of accounting will be included, but only to the extent of
the amount of dividends or distributions paid in cash to the
specified Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Person; |
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(2) the Net Income of any Restricted Subsidiary will be
excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of
dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary
of that Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted
without any prior governmental approval (that has not been
obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms
of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree,
order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to
that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders, partners or
members; |
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(3) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting
principles will be excluded; |
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(4) income resulting from transfers of assets (other than
cash) between the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries,
on the one hand, and an Unrestricted Subsidiary, on the other
hand, will be excluded; |
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(5) any write-downs of non-current assets will be excluded;
provided that any ceiling limitation write-downs under
Commission guidelines shall be treated as capitalized costs, as
if such write-downs had not occurred; and |
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(6) any unrealized non-cash gains or losses or charges in
respect of hedge or non-hedge derivatives (including those
resulting from the application of FAS 133) will be excluded. |
In addition, notwithstanding the preceding, for the purposes of
the covenant described under Certain
Covenants Restricted Payments only, there
shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income any
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nonrecurring charges relating to any premium or penalty paid,
write off of deferred finance costs or other charges in
connection with redeeming or retiring any Indebtedness prior to
its Stated Maturity.
Continuing Directors means, as of any date of
determination, any member of the Board of Directors of the
Company who:
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(1) was a member of such Board of Directors on the date of
the indenture; or |
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(2) was nominated for election or elected to such Board of
Directors with the approval of a majority of the Continuing
Directors who were members of such Board at the time of such
nomination or election. |
Credit Agreement means that certain Third
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of
August 31, 2005, among the Company, Whiting, JP Morgan
Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the other
financial institutions party thereto, providing for revolving
credit borrowings, including any related notes, guarantees,
collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in
connection therewith, and in each case as amended, restated,
modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced from time to
time.
Credit Facilities means one or more debt
facilities (including, without limitation, the Credit
Agreement), commercial paper facilities or secured capital
markets financings, in each case with banks or other
institutional lenders or institutional investors providing for
revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing
(including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to
special purpose entities formed to borrow from (or sell
receivables to) such lenders against such receivables), letters
of credit or secured capital markets financings, in each case,
as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or
refinanced (including refinancing with any capital markets
transaction) in whole or in part from time to time.
Default means any event that is, or with the
passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an
Event of Default.
Designated Senior Debt means:
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(1) any Indebtedness outstanding from time to time under
the Credit Facilities; and |
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(2) any other Senior Debt permitted under the indenture the
principal amount of which is $50.0 million or more and that
is from time to time designated by the Company as
Designated Senior Debt. |
Disqualified Stock means any Capital Stock
that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which
it is convertible, or for which it is exchangeable, in each case
at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock), or upon the
happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable,
pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or
redeemable at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock, in
whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is 91 days
after the date on which the notes mature. Notwithstanding the
preceding sentence, any Capital Stock that would constitute
Disqualified Stock solely because the holders of the Capital
Stock have the right to require the Company to repurchase or
redeem such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a change of
control or an asset sale will not constitute Disqualified Stock
if the terms of such Capital Stock provide that the Company may
not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock pursuant to such
provisions unless such repurchase or redemption complies with
the covenant described above under the caption
Certain Covenants Restricted
Payments.
Dollar-Denominated Production Payments means
production payment obligations recorded as liabilities in
accordance with GAAP, together with all undertakings and
obligations in connection therewith.
Domestic Subsidiary means any Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company other than a Foreign Subsidiary.
Equity Interests means Capital Stock and all
warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but
excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or
exchangeable for, Capital Stock).
Equity Offering means any public or private
sale of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) made for
cash on a primary basis by the Company after the date of the
indenture.
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Exchange Notes means the notes issued in a
Registered Exchange Offer pursuant to the indenture.
Existing Indebtedness means the aggregate
principal amount of Indebtedness of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries in existence on the date of the
indenture, until such amounts are repaid.
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio means with
respect to any specified Person for any four-quarter reference
period, the ratio of the Consolidated Cash Flow of such Person
for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such
period. In the event that the specified Person or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries incurs, assumes, guarantees, repays,
repurchases or redeems any Indebtedness (other than ordinary
working capital borrowings) or issues, repurchases or redeems
preferred stock subsequent to the commencement of the applicable
four-quarter reference period and on or prior to the date on
which the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge
Coverage Ratio is made (the Calculation Date), then
the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio will be calculated giving pro
forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, guarantee,
repayment, repurchase or redemption of Indebtedness, or such
issuance, repurchase or redemption of preferred stock, and the
use of the proceeds therefrom as if the same had occurred at the
beginning of such period.
In addition, for purposes of calculating the Fixed Charge
Coverage Ratio:
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(1) acquisitions that have been made by the specified
Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including through
mergers or consolidations and including any related financing
transactions, subsequent to the commencement of the applicable
four-quarter reference period and on or prior to the Calculation
Date will be given pro forma effect as if they had occurred on
the first day of such period, including any Consolidated Cash
Flow and any pro forma expense and cost reductions that have
occurred or are reasonably expected to occur, in the reasonable
judgment of the chief financial or accounting officer of the
Company (regardless of whether those cost savings or operating
improvements could then be reflected in pro forma financial
statements in accordance with
Regulation S-X
promulgated under the Securities Act or any other regulation or
policy of the Commission related thereto); |
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(2) the Consolidated Cash Flow attributable to discontinued
operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and
operations or businesses disposed of prior to the Calculation
Date, will be excluded; and |
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(3) the Fixed Charges attributable to discontinued
operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and
operations or businesses disposed of prior to the Calculation
Date, will be excluded, but only to the extent that the
obligations giving rise to such Fixed Charges will not be
obligations of the specified Person or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries following the Calculation Date. |
Fixed Charges means, with respect to any
specified Person for any period, the sum, without duplication,
of:
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(1) the consolidated interest expense of such Person and
its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or
accrued (excluding any interest attributable to
Dollar-Denominated Production Payments but including, without
limitation, amortization of debt issuance costs and original
issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the interest
component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest
component of all payments associated with Capital Lease
Obligations, imputed interest with respect to Attributable Debt,
commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in
respect of letter of credit or bankers acceptance
financings), and net of the effect of all payments made or
received pursuant to Hedging Obligations; plus |
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(2) the consolidated interest expense of such Person and
its Restricted Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such
period; plus |
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(3) any interest expense on Indebtedness of another Person
that is guaranteed by such Person or one of its Restricted
Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of such Person or
one of its Restricted Subsidiaries, whether or not such
guarantee or Lien is called upon; plus |
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(4) the product of (a) all dividends, whether paid or
accrued and whether or not in cash, on any series of preferred
stock of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries,
other than dividends on Equity Interests payable solely in
Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock)
or to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company,
times (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the
denominator of which is one minus the then current combined
federal, state and local statutory tax rate of such Person,
expressed as a decimal, |
in each case, on a consolidated basis and in accordance with
GAAP.
Foreign Subsidiary means any Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company that was not formed under the laws of
the United States or any state of the United States or the
District of Columbia and that conducts substantially all of its
operations outside the United States.
GAAP means generally accepted accounting
principles in the United States, which are in effect on the date
of the indenture.
The term guarantee means a guarantee other
than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in
the ordinary course of business, direct or indirect, in any
manner including, without limitation, by way of a pledge of
assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements
in respect thereof, of all or any part of any Indebtedness. When
used as a verb, guarantee has a correlative meaning.
Guarantors means each of:
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(1) Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation and Whiting Programs,
Inc., each a Delaware corporation, and Equity Oil Company, a
Colorado corporation; and |
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(2) any other Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that
becomes a Guarantor in accordance with the provisions of the
indenture; |
and their respective successors and assigns.
Hedging Obligations means, with respect to
any specified Person, the obligations of such Person incurred in
the normal course of business and consistent with past practices
and not for speculative purposes under:
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(1) interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap
agreements and interest rate collar agreements entered into with
one of more financial institutions and designed to protect the
Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries entering into the
agreement against fluctuations in interest rates with respect to
Indebtedness incurred and not for purposes of speculation; |
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(2) foreign exchange contracts and currency protection
agreements entered into with one of more financial institutions
and designed to protect the Person or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries entering into the agreement against fluctuations in
currency exchanges rates with respect to Indebtedness incurred
and not for purposes of speculation; |
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(3) any commodity futures contract, commodity option or
other similar agreement or arrangement designed to protect
against fluctuations in the price of oil, natural gas or other
commodities used, produced, processed or sold by that Person or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries at the time; and |
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(4) other agreements or arrangements designed to protect
such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries against
fluctuations in interest rates, commodity prices or currency
exchange rates. |
Holder means a Person in whose name a Note is
registered.
Indebtedness means, with respect to any
specified Person, any indebtedness of such Person, whether or
not contingent:
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(1) in respect of borrowed money; |
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(2) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar
instruments or letters of credit (or reimbursement agreements in
respect thereof); |
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(3) in respect of bankers acceptances; |
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(4) representing Capital Lease Obligations; |
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(5) representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the
purchase price of any property, except any such balance that
constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable; or |
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(6) representing any Hedging Obligations, |
if and to the extent any of the preceding items (other than
letters of credit and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a
liability upon a balance sheet of the specified Person prepared
in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the term
Indebtedness includes all Indebtedness of others
secured by a Lien on any asset of the specified Person (whether
or not such Indebtedness is assumed by the specified Person)
and, to the extent not otherwise included, the guarantee by the
specified Person of any Indebtedness of any other Person
(including, with respect to any Production Payment, any
warranties or guarantees of production or payment by such Person
with respect to such Production Payment, but excluding other
contractual obligations of such Person with respect to such
Production Payment). Subject to the preceding sentence, neither
Dollar-Denominated Production Payments nor Volumetric Production
Payments shall be deemed to be Indebtedness.
The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date will
be:
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(1) the accreted value of the Indebtedness, in the case of
any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount; |
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(2) in the case of any Hedging Obligation, the termination
value of the agreement or arrangement giving rise to such
Hedging Obligation that would be payable by such Person at such
date; and |
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(3) the principal amount of the Indebtedness, together with
any interest on the Indebtedness that is more than 30 days
past due, in the case of any other Indebtedness. |
Investment Grade Rating means a rating equal
to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moodys and
BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P.
Investments means, with respect to any
Person, all direct or indirect investments by such Person in
other Persons (including Affiliates) in the forms of loans
(including guarantees or other obligations), advances or capital
contributions (excluding commission, travel and similar advances
to officers and employees made in the ordinary course of
business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of
Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities, together
with all items that are or would be classified as investments on
a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP. If the Company
or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company sells or otherwise
disposes of any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company such that, after giving
effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer
a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, the Company will be
deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale
or disposition in an amount equal to the fair market value of
the Equity Interests of such Restricted Subsidiary not sold or
disposed of in an amount determined as provided in the final
paragraph of the covenant described above under the caption
Certain Covenants Restricted
Payments. The acquisition by the Company or any Subsidiary
of the Company of a Person that holds an Investment in a third
Person will be deemed to be an Investment made by the Company or
such Subsidiary in such third Person in an amount equal to the
fair market value of the Investment held by the acquired Person
in such third Person on the date of any such acquisition in an
amount determined as provided in the final paragraph of the
covenant described above under the caption
Certain Covenants Restricted
Payments.
Lien means, with respect to any asset, any
mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance
of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed,
recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including
any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any
lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to
sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or
agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform
Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction
other than a precautionary financing statement not intended as a
security agreement.
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Material Change means an increase or decrease
(excluding changes that result solely from changes in prices and
changes resulting from the incurrence of previously estimated
future development costs) of more than 25% during a fiscal
quarter in the discounted future net revenues from proved crude
oil and natural gas reserves of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries, calculated in accordance with clause (1)(a)
of the definition of ACNTA; provided, however, that the
following will be excluded from the calculation of Material
Change:
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(1) any acquisitions during the fiscal quarter of oil and
gas reserves that have been estimated by independent petroleum
engineers and with respect to which a report or reports of such
engineers exist; and |
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(2) any disposition of properties existing at the beginning
of such fiscal quarter that have been disposed of in compliance
with the covenant described under Repurchase
of the Option of Holders Assets Sales. |
Material Domestic Subsidiary means any one
Domestic Subsidiary, or any group of two or more Domestic
Subsidiaries, that is not a Guarantor at the time of
determination and that at such time has either assets or
quarterly revenues in excess of 3.0% of the consolidated assets
or quarterly revenues of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries, in each case based upon the most recent quarterly
financial statements available to the Company.
Moodys means Moodys Investors
Service, Inc. or any successor to the rating agency business
thereof.
Net Income means, with respect to any
specified Person, the net income (loss) of such Person,
determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in
respect of preferred stock dividends, excluding, however:
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(1) any gain (but not loss), together with any related
provision for taxes on such gain (but not loss), realized in
connection with: (a) any Asset Sale; or (b) the
disposition of any securities by such Person or any of its
Subsidiaries or the extinguishment of any Indebtedness of such
Person or any of its Subsidiaries; and |
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(2) any extraordinary gain (but not loss), together with
any related provision for taxes on such extraordinary gain (but
not loss). |
Net Proceeds means the aggregate cash
proceeds received by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without
limitation, any cash received upon the sale or other disposition
of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale), net
of:
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(1) the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale,
including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment
banking fees, and sales commissions, and any relocation expenses
incurred as a result of the Asset Sale, |
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(2) taxes paid or payable as a result of the Asset Sale, in
each case, after taking into account any available tax credits
or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements, |
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(3) amounts required to be applied to the repayment of
Indebtedness, other than under the Credit Facilities, secured by
a Lien on the properties or assets that were the subject of such
Asset Sale, and |
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(4) any reserve for adjustment in respect of the sale price
of such properties or assets established in accordance with GAAP. |
Net Working Capital means:
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(1) all current assets of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries, minus |
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(2) all current liabilities of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries, except current liabilities included in
Indebtedness; |
in each case, on a consolidated basis and determined in
accordance with GAAP.
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Non-Recourse Debt means Indebtedness:
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(1) as to which neither the Company nor any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries (a) provides credit support of any
kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that
would constitute Indebtedness), (b) is directly or
indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise, or (c) is
the lender; |
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(2) no default with respect to which (including any rights
that the holders of the Indebtedness may have to take
enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would
permit upon notice, lapse of time or both any holder of any
other Indebtedness (other than the notes) of the Company or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries to declare a default on such
other Indebtedness or cause the payment of the Indebtedness to
be accelerated or payable prior to its Stated Maturity; and |
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(3) as to which the lenders have been notified in writing
that they will not have any recourse to the stock or assets of
the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries. |
Obligations means any principal, premium, if
any, interest (including interest accruing on or after the
filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization,
whether or not a claim for post-filing interest is allowed in
such proceeding), penalties, fees, charges, expenses,
indemnifications, reimbursement obligations, damages,
guarantees, and other liabilities or amounts payable under the
documentation governing any Indebtedness or in respect thereto.
Oil and Gas Business means:
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(1) the acquisition, exploration, development, operation
and disposition of interests in oil, natural gas and other
hydrocarbon properties; |
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(2) the gathering, marketing, treating, processing (but not
refining), storage, selling and transporting of any production
from those interests; and |
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(3) any activity necessary, appropriate or incidental to
the activities described above. |
Permitted Business Investments means
Investments made in the ordinary course of, and of a nature that
is or shall have become customary in, the Oil and Gas Business,
including through agreements, transactions, interests or
arrangements that permit one to share risk or costs, comply with
regulatory requirements regarding local ownership or satisfy
other objectives customarily achieved through the conduct of the
Oil and Gas Business jointly with third parties, including
without limitation:
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(1) direct or indirect ownership of crude oil, natural gas,
other related hydrocarbon and mineral properties or any interest
therein or gathering, transportation, processing, storage or
related systems; and |
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(2) the entry into operating agreements, joint ventures,
processing agreements, working interests, royalty interests,
mineral leases, farm-in agreements, farm-out agreements,
development agreements, production sharing agreements, area of
mutual interest agreements, contracts for the sale,
transportation or exchange of crude oil and natural gas and
related hydrocarbons and minerals, unitization agreements,
pooling arrangements, joint bidding agreements, service
contracts, partnership agreements (whether general or limited),
or other similar or customary agreements, transactions,
properties, interests or arrangements and Investments and
expenditures in connection therewith or pursuant thereto, in
each case made or entered into in the ordinary course of the Oil
and Gas Business, excluding, however, Investments in
corporations and publicly traded limited partnerships. |
Permitted Investments means:
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(1) any Investment in the Company or in a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company; |
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(2) any Investment in Cash Equivalents; |
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(3) any Investment by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company in a Person, if as a result of such
Investment: |
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(a) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company; or |
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(b) such Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with
or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its
properties or assets to, or is liquidated into, the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; |
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(4) any Investment made as a result of the receipt of
non-cash consideration from an Asset Sale that was made pursuant
to and in compliance with the covenant described above under the
caption Repurchase at the Option of
Holders Asset Sales; |
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(5) any Investment in any Person solely in exchange for the
issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of
the Company; |
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(6) any Investments received in compromise of obligations
of trade creditors or customers that were incurred in the
ordinary course of business, including pursuant to any plan of
reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or
insolvency of any trade creditor or customer; |
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(7) Hedging Obligations permitted to be incurred under the
Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred
Stock covenant; |
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(8) Permitted Business Investments; and |
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(9) other Investments in any Person having an aggregate
fair market value (measured on the date each such Investment was
made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value),
when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to
this clause (9) that are at the time outstanding, not to
exceed the greater of $40.0 million and 2.5% of ACNTA. |
Permitted Junior Securities means:
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(1) Equity Interests in the Company or any
Guarantor; or |
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(2) debt securities that are subordinated to all Senior
Debt and any debt securities issued in exchange for Senior Debt
to substantially the same extent as, or to a greater extent
than, the notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees are subordinated
to Senior Debt pursuant to the indenture. |
Permitted Liens means:
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(1) Liens securing any Indebtedness under any of the Credit
Facilities or any other Senior Debt; |
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(2) Liens in favor of the Company or the Guarantors; |
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(3) Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such
Person is merged with or into or consolidated with the Company
or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, provided that such
Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such
merger or consolidation and do not extend to any assets other
than those of the Person merged into or consolidated with the
Company or the Restricted Subsidiary; |
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(4) Liens on property existing at the time of acquisition
of the property by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of
the Company, provided that such Liens were in existence prior to
the contemplation of such acquisition; |
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(5) Liens to secure Indebtedness (including Capital Lease
Obligations) permitted by clause (4) of the second
paragraph of the covenant entitled Certain
Covenants Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of
Preferred Stock covering only the assets acquired with
such Indebtedness and proceeds and products thereof; |
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(6) Liens existing on the date of the indenture; and |
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(7) Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business of
the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company with
respect to obligations that do not exceed $25.0 million at
any one time outstanding. |
Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness means any
Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of
which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or
refund other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries (other than intercompany Indebtedness);
provided that:
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(1) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable)
of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the
principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the
Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced,
defeased or refunded (plus all accrued interest on the
Indebtedness and the amount of all expenses and premiums
incurred in connection therewith); |
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(2) such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final
maturity date later than the final maturity date of, and has a
Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the
Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being
extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded; |
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(3) if the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced,
renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded is subordinated in right
of payment to the notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees, such
Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated in right of
payment to the notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees on terms at
least as favorable to the Holders of notes as those contained in
the documentation governing the Indebtedness being extended,
refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded; and |
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(4) such Indebtedness is not incurred by a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company if the Company is the obligor on the
Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced,
defeased or refunded; provided, however, that a
Restricted Subsidiary that is also a Guarantor may guarantee
Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred by the Company,
whether or not such Restricted Subsidiary was an obligor or
guarantor of the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced,
renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded. |
Notwithstanding the preceding, any Indebtedness incurred under
Credit Facilities pursuant to the covenant Incurrence of
Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock shall be
subject only to the refinancing provision in the definition of
Credit Facilities and not pursuant to the requirements set forth
in the definition of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness.
Person means any individual, corporation,
partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company,
trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company or
government or other entity.
Production Payments means, collectively,
Dollar-Denominated Production Payments and Volumetric Production
Payments.
Registered Exchange Offer has the meaning set
forth for such term in the applicable registration rights
agreement.
Restricted Investment means an Investment
other than a Permitted Investment.
Restricted Subsidiary of a Person means any
Subsidiary of the referent Person that is not an Unrestricted
Subsidiary.
S&P refers to Standard &
Poors Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill
Companies, Inc., or any successor to the rating agency business
thereof.
Senior Debt means
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(1) all Indebtedness of the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding under Credit Facilities and
all Hedging Obligations with respect thereto; |
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(2) any other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries permitted to be incurred under the terms
of the indenture, unless the instrument under which such
Indebtedness is |
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incurred expressly provides that it is on a parity with or
subordinated in right of payment to the notes or any Subsidiary
Guarantee; and |
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(3) all Obligations with respect to the items listed in the
preceding clauses (1) and (2). |
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding
sentence, Senior Debt will not include:
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(a) any intercompany Indebtedness of the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries to the Company or any of its Affiliates; |
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(b) The Companys
71/4% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2012 or the Companys
71/4% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2013 outstanding on the Issue Date or any
guarantees thereof; or |
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(c) any Indebtedness that is incurred in violation of the
indenture. |
For the avoidance of doubt, Senior Debt will not
include any trade payables or taxes owed or owing by the Company
or any Restricted Subsidiary.
Significant Subsidiary means any Subsidiary
that would be a significant subsidiary as defined in
Article 1, Rule 1-02 of
Regulation S-X,
promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Regulation
is in effect on the date of the indenture.
Stated Maturity means, with respect to any
installment of interest or principal on any series of
Indebtedness, the date on which the payment of interest or
principal was scheduled to be paid in the original documentation
governing such Indebtedness, and will not include any contingent
obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or
principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment
thereof.
Subsidiary means, with respect to any
specified Person:
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(1) any corporation, association or other business entity
(other than a partnership) of which more than 50% of the total
voting power of Voting Stock is at the time owned or controlled,
directly or through another Subsidiary, by that Person or one or
more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination
thereof); and |
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(2) any partnership (a) the sole general partner or
the managing general partner of which is such Person or a
Subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners
of which are that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that
Person (or any combination thereof), but only if such Person and
its Subsidiaries are entitled to receive more than 20% of the
assets of such partnership upon its dissolution. |
Subsidiary Guarantee means any guarantee by a
Guarantor of the Companys payment Obligations under the
indenture and on the notes.
Unrestricted Subsidiary means any Subsidiary
of the Company (other than Whiting) that is designated by the
Board of Directors as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a
Board Resolution, but only to the extent that such Subsidiary:
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(1) has no Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt; |
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(2) is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or
understanding with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of
the Company unless the terms of any such agreement, contract,
arrangement or understanding are no less favorable to the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be
obtained at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of the
Company; |
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(3) is a Person with respect to which neither the Company
nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or
indirect obligation (a) to subscribe for additional Equity
Interests or (b) to maintain or preserve such Persons
financial condition or to cause such Person to achieve any
specified levels of operating results; and |
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(4) has not guaranteed or otherwise directly or indirectly
provided credit support for any Indebtedness of the Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries. |
Any designation of a Subsidiary of the Company as an
Unrestricted Subsidiary will be evidenced to the trustee by
filing with the trustee the Board Resolution giving effect to
such designation and an officers
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certificate certifying that such designation complied with the
preceding conditions and was permitted by the covenant described
above under the caption Certain
Covenants Restricted Payments. If, at any
time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the
preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it will
thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes
of the indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary will be
deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company
as of such date and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be
incurred as of such date under the covenant described under the
caption Certain Covenants
Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred
Stock, the Company will be in default of such covenant.
Volumetric Production Payments means
production payment obligations recorded as deferred revenue in
accordance with GAAP, together with all related undertakings and
obligations.
Voting Stock of any Person as of any date
means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time
entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency)
to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.
Weighted Average Life to Maturity means, when
applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years
obtained by dividing:
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(1) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying
(a) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking
fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal,
including payment at final maturity, in respect of the
Indebtedness, by (b) the number of years (calculated to the
nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the
making of such payment; by |
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(2) the then outstanding principal amount of such
Indebtedness. |
UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
This summary is of a general nature and is included herein
solely for informational purposes. It is not intended to be, nor
should it be construed as being, legal or tax advice. No
representation with respect to the consequences to any
particular purchaser of the new notes is made. Prospective
purchasers should consult their own tax advisors with respect to
their particular circumstances.
The following is a summary of certain material U.S. federal
income tax consequences of the exchange offer to holders of the
old notes. The discussion does not consider the aspects of the
ownership and disposition of the old notes or the new notes. A
discussion of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of
holding and disposing of the notes is contained in the
prospectus with respect to the old notes.
The following summary deals only with notes held as capital
assets by purchasers at the issue price who are
U.S. holders and not with special classes of holders, such
as dealers in securities or currencies, financial institutions,
partnerships or other entities treated as partnerships for
U.S. federal income tax purposes, life insurance companies,
tax-exempt entities, persons holding senior notes as part of a
hedge, conversion, constructive sale transaction, straddle or
other risk reduction strategy, and persons whose functional
currency is not the U.S. dollar. Persons considering the
exchanging old notes for new notes should consult their own tax
advisors concerning these matters and as to the tax treatment
under foreign, state and local tax laws and regulations. We
cannot provide any assurance that the Internal Revenue Service
will not challenge the conclusions stated below. We have not
sought and will not seek a ruling from the IRS on any of the
matters discussed below.
This summary is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
Treasury Regulations, IRS rulings and pronouncements and
judicial decisions now in effect, all of which are subject to
change at any time. Changes in this area of law may be applied
retroactively in a manner that could cause the income tax
consequences to vary substantially from the consequences
described below, possibly adversely affecting a
U.S. holder. The authorities on which this discussion is
based are subject to various interpretations, and it is
therefore possible that the federal income tax treatment of the
purchase, ownership and disposition of the notes may differ from
the treatment described below.
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The exchange of old notes for the new notes under the terms of
the exchange offer should not constitute a taxable exchange. As
a result:
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A holder should not recognize taxable gain or loss as a result
of exchanging old notes for the new notes under the terms of the
exchange offer; |
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The holders holding period of the new notes should include
the holding period of the old notes exchanged for the new
notes; and |
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A holders adjusted tax basis in the new notes should be
the same as the adjusted tax basis, immediately before the
exchange, of the old notes exchanged for the new notes. |
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Each broker-dealer that receives new notes for its own account
pursuant to the exchange offer must acknowledge that it will
deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such new
notes. This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented
from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection
with resales of new notes received in exchange for old notes
where such old notes were acquired as a result of market-making
activities or other trading activities. We have agreed that, for
a period of 180 days after the expiration date, we will
make this prospectus, as amended or supplemented, available to
any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale.
We will not receive any proceeds from any sale of new notes by
broker-dealers. New notes received by broker-dealers for their
own account pursuant to the exchange offer may be sold from time
to time in one or more transactions in the
over-the-counter
market, in negotiated transactions, through the writing of
options on the new notes or a combination of such methods of
resale, at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at
prices related to such prevailing market prices or negotiated
prices. Any such resale may be made directly to purchasers or to
or through brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in
the form of commissions or concessions from any such
broker-dealer or the purchasers of any such new notes. Any
broker-dealer that resells new notes that were received by it
for its own account pursuant to the exchange offer and any
broker or dealer that participates in a distribution of such
Exchange Securities may be deemed to be an
underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act
and any profit on any such resale of new notes and any
commission or concessions received by any such persons may be
deemed to be underwriting compensation under the Securities Act.
The accompanying letter of transmittal states that, by
acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a
prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it
is an underwriter within the meaning of the
Securities Act.
For a period of 180 days after the expiration date, we will
promptly send additional copies of this prospectus and any
amendment or supplement to this prospectus to any broker-dealer
that requests such documents in the accompanying letter of
transmittal. We have agreed to pay all expenses incident to the
exchange offer (including the expenses of one counsel for the
holders of the notes) other than commissions or concessions of
any brokers or dealers and will indemnify the holders of the
notes (including any broker-dealers) against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the new notes and guarantees will be passed upon
by Foley & Lardner LLP.
EXPERTS
The financial statements, financial statement schedule, and
managements report on the effectiveness of internal
control over financial reporting incorporated in this prospectus
by reference from Whiting Petroleum Corporations Annual
Report on
Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2004 have been audited by
Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public
accounting firm, as stated in their reports which are
incorporated herein by reference (which reports (1) express
an unqualified opinion on the financial statements
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and financial statement schedule and include an explanatory
paragraph referring to a change in Whiting Petroleum
Corporations method of accounting for asset retirement
obligations effective January 1, 2003, (2) express an
unqualified opinion on managements assessment regarding
the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting,
and (3) express an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness
of internal control over financial reporting) and have been so
incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon
their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
The statements of revenues and direct operating expenses of the
oil and gas properties (the North Ward Estes and Ancillary
Properties) acquired in October 2004 by Celero Energy, LP for
the six months ended June 30, 2005, year ended
December 31, 2004, and three months ended December 31,
2003, have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance
upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent accountants,
incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said
firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The statements of revenues and direct operating expenses of the
oil and gas properties (the Postle Properties) acquired in July
2004 by Celero Energy, LP for the six months ended June 30,
2005 and each of the years in the three-year period ended
December 31, 2004, have been incorporated by reference
herein in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent
accountants, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the
authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
Certain information with respect to our oil and natural gas
reserves derived from the reports of Cawley Gillespie &
Associates, Inc., R.A. Lenser & Associates, Inc. and
Ryder Scott Company, L.P., each independent petroleum
engineering consultants, has been incorporated in this
prospectus by reference from Whiting Petroleum
Corporations Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2004 on the authority of said firms
as experts in petroleum engineering.
Certain information with respect to the oil and natural gas
reserves of the Postle properties we acquired on August 4,
2005 and the North Ward Estes properties we acquired on
October 4, 2005 derived from the report of Netherland,
Sewell & Associates, Inc., independent petroleum
engineering consultants, has been incorporated in this
prospectus by reference from Whiting Petroleum
Corporations Current Report on
Form 8-K, dated
August 4, 2005, as amended by Whiting Petroleum
Corporations Current Report on
Form 8-K/ A filed
with the SEC on September 19, 2005, on the authority of
said firm as experts in petroleum engineering.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements
and other information with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, or SEC. You may read and copy any document that we
file at the SECs public reference room at 100 F Street,
N.E., Washington D.C. You can call the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330 for
further information on the operation of the public reference
room. You can also find our public filings with the SEC on the
internet at a web site maintained by the SEC located at
http://www.sec.gov.
We are incorporating by reference specified
documents that we file with the SEC, which means:
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incorporated documents are considered part of this prospectus; |
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we are disclosing important information to you by referring you
to those documents; and |
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information we file with the SEC will automatically update and
supersede information contained in this prospectus. |
We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any
future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a),
13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 after
the date of this prospectus and before the end of the offering
of the notes:
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our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2004; |
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our Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q for the
quarters ended March 31, 2005, June 30, 2005 and
September 30, 2005; |
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our Current Reports on
Form 8-K, dated
January 25, 2005, April 11, 2005, July 26, 2005,
August 4, 2005 (as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto
on Form 8-K/A
filed on September 19, 2005 and Amendment No. 2
thereto on
Form 8-K/A filed
on September 29, 2005), August 31, 2005,
September 19, 2005, September 28, 2005,
October 4, 2005 (as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto
on Form 8-K/A
filed on November 16, 2005) and December 22, 2005. |
You may request a copy of any of these filings, at no cost, by
request directed to us at the following address or telephone
number:
Whiting Petroleum Corporation
1700 Broadway, Suite 2300
Denver, Colorado 80290
(303) 837-1661
Attention: Corporate Secretary
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GLOSSARY OF OIL AND NATURAL GAS TERMS
We have included below the definitions for certain oil and
natural gas terms used in this prospectus:
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3-D
seismic Geophysical data that depict the subsurface
strata in three dimensions.
3-D seismic typically
provides a more detailed and accurate interpretation of the
subsurface strata than
2-D, or
two-dimensional, seismic. |
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Bbl One stock tank barrel, or 42
U.S. gallons liquid volume, used in this prospectus in
reference to oil and other liquid hydrocarbons. |
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Bcf One billion cubic feet of natural gas. |
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Bcfe One billion cubic feet equivalent,
determined using the ratio of six Mcf of natural gas to one Bbl
of crude oil, condensate or NGLs. |
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completion The installation of permanent
equipment for the production of oil or natural gas, or in the
case of a dry hole, the reporting of abandonment to the
appropriate agency. |
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frac The process of creating a hydraulic
fracture by pumping fluid down an oil or gas well at high
pressures for short periods of time. The hydraulic fracture
allows hydrocarbons to move more freely through the rocks in
which they are trapped. |
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Mcf One thousand cubic feet of natural gas. |
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Mcfe One thousand cubic feet equivalent,
determined using the ratio of six Mcf of natural gas to one Bbl
of crude oil, condensate or NGLs. |
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Mcfe/d One Mcfe per day. |
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MMbbl One million barrels of oil or other
liquid hydrocarbons. |
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MMbtu One million British Thermal Units. |
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MMcf One million cubic feet of natural gas. |
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MMcf/d One MMcf per day. |
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MMcfe One million cubic feet equivalent,
determined using the ratio of six Mcf of natural gas to one Bbl
of crude oil, condensate or NGLs. |
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MMcfe/d One MMcfe per day. |
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NGLs Natural gas liquids. |
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PDNP Proved developed nonproducing. |
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PDP Proved developed producing. |
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plugging and abandonment Refers to the
sealing off of fluids in the strata penetrated by a well so that
the fluids from one stratum will not escape into another or to
the surface. Regulations of many states require plugging of
abandoned wells. |
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pre-tax PV10% The present value of estimated
future revenues to be generated from the production of proved
reserves calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines, net of
estimated lease operating expense, production taxes and future
development costs, using price and costs as of the date of
estimation without future escalation, without giving effect to
non-property related expenses such as general and administrative
expenses, debt service and depreciation, depletion and
amortization, or Federal income taxes and discounted using an
annual discount rate of 10%. Pre-tax PV10% may be |
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considered a non-GAAP financial measure as defined by the SEC.
See footnote (4) to the Pro Forma Proved Reserves table in
Prospectus Summary About Our Company for
more information. |
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PUD Proved undeveloped. |
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reservoir A porous and permeable underground
formation containing a natural accumulation of producible oil
and/or natural gas that is confined by impermeable rock or water
barriers and is individual and separate from other reservoirs. |
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Tcfe One trillion cubic feet equivalent,
determined using the ratio of six Mcf of natural gas to one Bbl
of crude oil, condensate or NGLs. |
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working interest The interest in an oil and
natural gas property (normally a leasehold interest) that gives
the owner the right to drill, produce and conduct operations on
the property and a share of production, subject to all
royalties, overriding royalties and other burdens and to all
costs of exploration, development and operations and all risks
in connection therewith. |
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$250,000,000
Whiting Petroleum Corporation
7% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014
PROSPECTUS
February 23, 2006