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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 25, 2009
WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL LTD.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
         
Switzerland   333-135244-02   98-0606750
(State of Incorporation)   (Commission File No.)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
Alpenstrasse 15, 6300 Zug, Switzerland
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
  Not applicable
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: +41-41-729-4242
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
o   Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o   Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
 

 


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Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
Item 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.
Item 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.
Item 3.03 Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.
Item 5.01 Changes in Control of Registrant.
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
Item 5.03 Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.
Item 8.01 Other Events.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX
EX-3.1
EX-3.2
EX-4.1
EX-4.2
EX-4.3
EX-5.1
EX-5.2
EX-10.1
EX-10.2
EX-10.3
EX-10.4
EX-10.5
EX-10.6
EX-99.1


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Item 1.01.   Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
Supplemental Indentures
     On February 26, 2009, Weatherford International Ltd., a Swiss joint stock corporation (“Weatherford-Switzerland”), Weatherford International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company (“Weatherford-Bermuda”), and Weatherford International Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Weatherford-Delaware”), entered into supplemental indentures (the “Supplemental Indentures”), with respect to the following indentures, pursuant to which Weatherford-Switzerland guarantees all of Weatherford-Bermuda’s and Weatherford-Delaware’s liabilities and obligations under the following:
    the Indenture, dated May 17, 1996, relating to $350,000,000 principal amount of 6.625% Senior Notes due 2011 issued by Weatherford-Delaware;
 
    Indenture, dated October 1, 2003, relating to the following debt securities issued by Weatherford-Bermuda: (i) $250,000,000 principal amount of 4.95% Senior Notes due 2013; (ii) $500,000,000 principal amount of 5.15% Senior Notes due 2013; (iii) $350,000,000 principal amount of 5.50% Senior Notes due 2016; (iv) $500,000,000 principal amount of 6.00% Senior Notes due 2018; (v) $600,000,000 principal amount of 6.50% Senior Notes due 2036; (vi) $500,000,000 principal amount of 7.00% Senior Notes due 2038; (vii) $1,000,000,000 principal amount of 9.625% Senior Notes due 2019; and (viii) $250,000,000 principal amount of 9.875% Senior Notes due 2039; and
 
    Indenture, dated June 18, 2007, relating to the following debt securities issued by Weatherford-Delaware: (i) $600,000,000 principal amount of 5.95% Senior Notes due 2012; (ii) $600,000,000 principal amount of 6.35% Senior Notes due 2017; and (iii) $300,000,000 principal amount of 6.80% Senior Notes due 2037.
     The Supplemental Indentures are filed as Exhibits 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and are incorporated herein by reference.
Warrant Assignment
     On February 26, 2009, Weatherford-Switzerland and Weatherford-Bermuda entered into a Warrant Assignment and Assumption Agreement (the “Assignment Agreement”) regarding outstanding warrants to purchase an aggregate of 12.9 million common shares of Weatherford-Bermuda, par value $1.00 per share (the “Weatherford-Bermuda Common Shares”), at an exercise price of $15.00 per share (collectively, the “Warrants”).
     Under the Assignment Agreement, Weatherford-Bermuda assigned to Weatherford-Switzerland, and Weatherford-Switzerland assumed, all of Weatherford-Bermuda’s rights and obligations under the Warrants. As a result, the holders of the Warrants are entitled to receive, in accordance with the terms of the Warrants, one Weatherford-Switzerland registered share (collectively, the “Weatherford-Switzerland Registered Shares”) on exercise of the Warrants in lieu of each Weatherford-Bermuda Common Share that they were entitled to receive upon

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exercise of the Warrants. The Assignment Agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
Credit Facilities
     Weatherford-Bermuda is a borrower under the following credit agreements (collectively, the “Credit Facilities”):
    the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of May 2, 2006, among Weatherford International Ltd., Weatherford International, Inc., Weatherford Liquidity Management Hungary Limited Liability Company, JPMorgan Chase Bank as Administrative Agent, and the other Lenders party thereto, which provides for a $1.5 billion revolving credit facility;
 
    the Credit Agreement dated as of March 19, 2008, among Weatherford International Ltd., Weatherford International, Inc., Deutsche Bank AG Cayman Islands Branch as Administrative Agent, and the other Lenders party thereto, which provides for a $250 million revolving credit facility; and
 
    the Credit Agreement dated as of October 20, 2008, among Weatherford International Ltd., Weatherford International, Inc., UBS AG, Stamford Branch as Administrative Agent, and the other Lenders party thereto, which provides for a $500 million revolving credit facility.
     Weatherford-Switzerland executed a guarantee of each of the Credit Facilities (the “Credit Facility Guarantees”). The Credit Facility Guarantees executed by Weatherford-Switzerland are filed as Exhibits 10.2, 10.3 and 10.4 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and are incorporated herein by reference.
Assumption and Amendment of Stock Plans
     On February 25, 2009, Weatherford-Switzerland and Weatherford-Bermuda entered into an Assumption and General Amendment Agreement pursuant to which, among others:
    Weatherford-Bermuda assigned to Weatherford-Switzerland, and Weatherford-Switzerland assumed, the following equity incentive plans of Weatherford-Bermuda, including all award or grant documents or agreements thereunder: Weatherford International Ltd. Non-Employee Director Stock Option Agreements; Weatherford International Ltd. 2006 Omnibus Incentive Plan; Weatherford International Ltd. Restricted Share Plan; and Weatherford International, Inc. 1998 Employee Stock Option Plan.
 
    Weatherford-Bermuda assigned to Weatherford-Switzerland, and Weatherford-Switzerland assumed, the employment agreements between Weatherford-Bermuda and each of Jessica Abarca, Andrew P. Becnel, M. David Colley, Bernard J. Duroc-Danner, Stuart E. Ferguson, Carel W. Hoyer, James M. Hudgins, Burt M. Martin and Keith R. Morley (the “Executives”), which agreements are dated effective as of December 31, 2008.

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    Weatherford-Bermuda assigned to Weatherford-Switzerland, and Weatherford-Switzerland assumed, the obligations to issue or cause to be issued shares under the following benefit plans of Weatherford-Bermuda: Weatherford International, Inc. Executive Deferred Compensation Stock Ownership Plan; Weatherford International, Inc. Foreign Executive Deferred Compensation Stock Plan; and Weatherford International Ltd. Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors. The plans remain plans of Weatherford-Bermuda and were not assumed by Weatherford-Switzerland.
     The Assumption and General Amendment Agreement also provides that references to Weatherford-Bermuda in the employment agreements between Weatherford-Delaware and each of the Executives, which agreements are dated effective as of January 1, 2009 (other than the agreements of Messrs. Hudgins and Hoyer, which are dated effective as of February 9, 2009), will be references to Weatherford-Switzerland. These employment agreements remain agreements of Weatherford-Delaware and were not assumed by Weatherford-Switzerland. Further, references to Weatherford-Bermuda in the equity-incentive plans, benefits plans and other employment agreements noted above were also changed to references to Weatherford-Switzerland. Also, all awards or grants under the equity-incentive plans continue to be exercisable, issuable, held, available or vest upon the same terms and conditions as under the previously-existing awards or grants, except that upon the exercise, issuance, holding, availability or vesting of those awards or grants, Weatherford-Switzerland Registered Shares are now issuable or available, or benefits or other amounts determined, in lieu of Weatherford-Bermuda Common Shares.
     This agreement is effective as of immediately prior to the effective time of the Transaction (as such term is defined in Item 8.01 below).
     The Assumption and General Amendment Agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.5 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference herein.
Item 2.03   Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.
     The descriptions of the Supplemental Indentures and the Credit Facility Guarantees under Item 1.01 are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 3.02   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.
     On February 26, 2009, pursuant to the Transaction, each holder of Weatherford-Bermuda Common Shares outstanding immediately before the Transaction received one Weatherford-Switzerland Registered Share, in exchange for each outstanding common share of Weatherford-Bermuda.
     In connection with the Transaction, Weatherford-Switzerland issued a total of 697,802,003 Weatherford-Switzerland Registered Shares (excluding Weatherford-Switzerland Registered Shares issued in exchange for Weatherford-Bermuda Common Shares held in treasury) to the holders of Weatherford-Bermuda Common Shares immediately prior to the effective time of the Transaction. The terms and conditions of the issuance and exchange of the securities were sanctioned by the Supreme Court of Bermuda, after a hearing upon the fairness of such terms and conditions at which all Weatherford-Bermuda shareholders had a right to appear and of which adequate notice had been given. The issuance was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), by virtue of Section 3(a)(10) of the Securities Act.

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Item 3.03   Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.
     The information included under Item 5.03 and Item 8.01 is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5.01   Changes in Control of Registrant.
     The description of the Transaction under Item 8.01 is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5.02   Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
     As of February 26, 2009, following the completion of the Transaction, the directors and executive officers of Weatherford-Bermuda immediately prior to the Transaction became the directors and executive officers of Weatherford-Switzerland. Weatherford-Bermuda’s directors carry their terms of office over to the Weatherford-Switzerland board of directors; but such terms will expire at the first general meeting of shareholders of Weatherford-Switzerland.
     In connection with the completion of the Transaction, all directors and executive officers of Weatherford-Switzerland will enter into indemnification agreements with each of its directors and executive officers that provide for indemnification and expense advancement and include related provisions intended to facilitate the indemnitee’s receipt of such benefits. A form of the indemnification agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.6 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5.03   Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.
     On February 26, 2009, in connection with and effective upon completion of the Transaction, Weatherford-Switzerland amended and restated its articles of association. The summary of the material terms of the articles of association, as amended and restated, and the organizational regulations and the comparison of the rights of shareholders under those documents described under the headings “Description of Weatherford-Switzerland Shares” and “Comparison of Rights of Shareholders” in Weatherford-Bermuda’s definitive proxy statement dated January 13, 2009 and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on January 15, 2009 is incorporated herein by reference. In addition, on February 26, 2009, in conjunction with the completion of the Transaction, Weatherford-Switzerland’s par value per Weatherford-Switzerland Registered Share was set at par value 1.16 Swiss francs per share, the Swiss franc equivalent to US$1 par value per Weatherford-Bermuda Common Share. The complete text of the articles of association and organizational regulations of Weatherford-Switzerland are filed as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K and are incorporated herein by reference. The summary of the articles of association and organizational regulations is qualified in its entirety by reference to Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2, respectively.
Item 8.01   Other Events.

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     On February 26, 2009, Weatherford-Bermuda and Weatherford-Switzerland completed a share exchange transaction under the terms of a share exchange agreement, dated as of December 10, 2008 (the “Share Exchange Agreement”), effected by way of a scheme of arrangement under Bermuda law (the “Scheme of Arrangement”), for purposes of changing our place of incorporation from Bermuda to Switzerland (collectively, the “Transaction”). In the Transaction, each holder of Weatherford-Bermuda Common Shares outstanding immediately prior to the Transaction received one Weatherford-Switzerland Registered Share in exchange for each outstanding Weatherford-Bermuda Common Share. As a result of the Transaction, Weatherford-Bermuda became a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Weatherford-Switzerland. On February 26, 2009, Weatherford-Switzerland issued a press release announcing the completion of the Transaction. The press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1.
     Prior to the Transaction, the Weatherford-Bermuda Common Shares were registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “WFT.” As a result of the Transaction, all of the Weatherford-Bermuda Common Shares were exchanged for Weatherford-Switzerland Registered Shares. Accordingly, Weatherford-Bermuda requested that the NYSE file with the Commission a Form 25 to remove the Weatherford-Bermuda Common Shares from listing on the NYSE. Weatherford-Bermuda expects to file a Form 15 with the Commission to terminate the registration of the Weatherford-Bermuda Common Shares and suspend its reporting obligations under Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
     Pursuant to Rule 12g-3(a) promulgated under the Exchange Act, the Weatherford-Switzerland Registered Shares are deemed registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act. The Weatherford-Switzerland Registered Shares were approved for listing on the NYSE and began trading under the symbol “WFT,” the same symbol under which the Weatherford-Bermuda Common Shares previously traded, on February 26, 2009.
     Set forth below is a description of the share capital of Weatherford-Switzerland. For purposes of the following description, references to the “Company,” “we” and “our” refer to Weatherford-Switzerland.
DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL OF WEATHERFORD-SWITZERLAND
     The following description of our share capital is a summary. This summary is not complete and is subject to the complete text of our articles of association and organizational regulations, which are filed as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference. We encourage you to read those documents carefully.
Capital Structure
     We only have one class of shares outstanding, so all references to “voting rights” in this “Description of Share Capital” mean the voting rights of Weatherford-Switzerland Registered Shares, unless another class of shares is subsequently created. Likewise, a “majority of the par value of the registered shares” will mean a majority of the par value of our registered shares, par value 1.16 Swiss francs per share.
      Issued Share Capital . Our registered share capital as of February 26, 2009 is approximately 845.5 million Swiss francs, comprised of approximately 728.9 million

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registered shares, each with a par value of 1.16 Swiss francs per share, including 31.1 million treasury shares.
      Authorized Share Capital. Our board of directors is authorized to issue new registered shares at any time during the two-year period beginning February 26, 2009 and thereby increase our share capital, by a maximum amount of 50% of the share capital registered in the commercial register (which registered share capital currently is approximately 845.5 million Swiss francs, or approximately 728.9 million registered shares) without obtaining additional shareholder approval. After the expiration of this two-year period, and each subsequent two-year period, authorized share capital will be available to the board of directors for issuance of additional registered shares only if new authorized capital is created to that effect by the shareholders.
     The board of directors determines the time of the issuance, the issuance price, the manner in which the new registered shares have to be paid in, the date from which the new registered shares carry the right to dividends and the conditions for the exercise of the preferential subscription rights with respect to the issuance and the allotment of preferential subscription rights that are not exercised. The board of directors may allow preferential subscription rights that are not exercised to expire, or it may place such rights or registered shares, the preferential subscription rights of which have not been exercised, at market conditions or use them otherwise in the interest of the Company.
     In an authorized capital increase, our shareholders would have preferential subscription rights to obtain newly issued registered shares in an amount proportional to the par value of the registered shares they already hold. However, the board of directors may withdraw or limit these preferential subscription rights in certain circumstances as set forth in our articles of association. For further details on these circumstances, see “— Preferential Subscription Rights and Advance Subscription Rights.”
      Conditional Share Capital. Our articles of association provide for a conditional share capital that permits the issuance of additional registered shares up to a maximum amount of 50% of the share capital registered in the commercial register (which registered share capital currently is approximately 728.9 million registered shares) without obtaining additional shareholder approval. These registered shares may be issued:
    through the exercise of conversion, exchange, option, warrant or similar rights for the subscription of shares granted to third parties or shareholders in connection with bonds, options, warrants or other securities newly or already issued in national or international capital markets or new or already existing contractual obligations by or of the Company, one or more of our subsidiaries, or any of their respective predecessors; or
 
    through the issuance of registered shares, options or other share-based awards to directors, employees, contractors, consultants or other persons providing services to us or our subsidiaries.
     The advance subscription rights and preferential subscription rights of shareholders shall be excluded in connection with the issuance of any shares or rights entitling their holders to receive or acquire any shares out of our conditional capital as set forth in our articles of association. See “— Preferential Subscription Rights and Advance Subscription Rights” below.

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      Other Classes or Series of Shares. The board of directors may not create shares with increased voting powers without the affirmative resolution adopted by shareholders holding at least 66 2/3% of the voting rights and a majority of the par value of the registered shares represented at a general meeting. The shareholders may create preferred shares with a relative majority of the votes cast at a general meeting.
Preferential Subscription Rights and Advance Subscription Rights
     Under the Swiss Code of Obligations, which we refer to as the Swiss Code, the prior approval of a general meeting of shareholders is required to authorize, for later issuance, the issuance of registered shares, or rights to subscribe for, or convert into, registered shares (which rights may be connected to debt instruments or other obligations). In addition, the existing shareholders will generally have preferential subscription rights in relation to such registered shares for authorized share capital and conditional share capital or advance subscription rights in relation to such rights for conditional share capital in proportion to the respective par values of their holdings.
     If the general meeting of shareholders has approved the creation of authorized capital, it may thereby delegate the decision whether to withdraw or limit the preferential subscription rights for cause to the board of directors. Our articles of association provide for this delegation with respect to our authorized share capital in the circumstances described below under “— Authorized Share Capital.” Furthermore, the advance subscription rights and preferential subscription rights of shareholders shall be excluded in connection with the issuance of any shares or rights with respect to our conditional share capital in the circumstances described below under “— Conditional Share Capital.”
      Authorized Share Capital. The board of directors is authorized to withdraw or limit the preferential subscription rights with respect to the issuance of registered shares from the authorized capital for cause, in particular if:
    the issue price of the new registered shares is determined by reference to the then-prevailing market conditions;
 
    the registered shares are issued in connection with the acquisition of an enterprise or business or any part of an enterprise or business, the financing or refinancing of any such transactions or the financing of new investment plans of the Company;
 
    the registered shares are issued in connection with the intended broadening of the shareholder constituency of the Company in certain financial or investor markets, for the purposes of the participation of strategic partners, or in connection with the listing of the registered shares on domestic or foreign stock exchanges;
 
    in connection with a placement or sale of registered shares, the grant of an over-allotment option (including options with respect to any security convertible into shares, such as convertible debt securities or otherwise) of up to 20% of the total number of registered shares in a placement or sale of registered shares to the initial purchasers or underwriters;

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    for the participation in a benefit or other plan by directors, employees, contractors, consultants and other persons performing services for our benefit or the benefit of any of our subsidiaries; or
 
    if the shares to be issued will be issued for any consideration (including debt, equity or assets of another company) other than for cash consideration.
      Conditional Share Capital. In connection with the issuance of bonds, notes, warrants or other financial instruments or contractual obligations convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for registered shares of the Company, the advance subscription rights and the preferential subscription rights of shareholders are excluded with respect to registered shares issued from our conditional share capital and to the relevant bond, note or other right issued by the Company.
Dividends
     Under Swiss law, dividends may be paid out only if the corporation has sufficient distributable profits from the previous fiscal year, or if the corporation has freely distributable reserves, each as will be presented on the audited annual stand-alone statutory balance sheet. Payments out of the registered share capital (in other words, the aggregate par value of our registered share capital) in the form of dividends are not allowed; however, payments out of registered share capital may be made by way of a capital reduction. The “freely distributable reserves” of a Swiss corporation consist of the portion of its general reserves, other free reserves, retained earnings and current net profits which is in excess of its “restricted equity” (the concept of “restricted equity” covering primarily (1) the corporation’s share capital and (2) its general reserve up to an amount equal to one half of the share capital or 20% in case of holding companies). See “— Reduction of Share Capital” for more information. Qualifying additional paid-in capital may only be paid out as dividends to shareholders following approval by the shareholders of a reclassification of such qualifying additional paid-in capital as freely distributable reserves (to the extent permissible under the Swiss Code). We may seek to reclassify part of our qualifying additional paid-in capital to freely distributable reserves, to the extent that it exceeds 50% of our share capital. The affirmative vote of shareholders representing a relative majority of the votes cast at a general meeting must approve reserve reclassifications and distributions of dividends. The board of directors may propose to shareholders that a dividend be paid but cannot itself authorize the dividend.
     Under the Swiss Code, if our general reserves amount to less than 20% of the share capital recorded in the commercial register (i.e., 20% of the aggregate par value of our registered capital), then at least 5% of our annual profit must be retained as general reserves. The Swiss Code and our articles of association permit us to accrue additional general reserves. In addition, we are required to create a special reserve on our stand-alone annual statutory balance sheet in the amount of the purchase price of registered shares that we or any of our subsidiaries repurchase, which amount may not be used for dividends or subsequent repurchases.
     Swiss companies generally must maintain a separate company, stand-alone “statutory” balance sheet for the purpose of, among other things, determining the amounts available for the return of capital to shareholders, including by way of a distribution of dividends. Our auditor must confirm that a dividend proposal made to shareholders conforms with the requirements of the Swiss Code and our articles of association. Dividends are usually due and payable shortly

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after the shareholders have passed a resolution approving the payment. Our articles of association provide that dividends that have not been claimed within five years after the due date become the property of the Company and are allocated to the general reserves.
     We are required under Swiss law to declare any dividends and other capital distributions in Swiss francs. We intend to make any dividend payments to holders of our shares in U.S. dollars, unless the holders provide notice to our transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, that they wish to receive dividend payments in Swiss francs. American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC will be responsible for paying the U.S. dollars or Swiss francs to registered holders of shares, less amounts subject to withholding for taxes.
Repurchases of Registered Shares
     The Swiss Code limits a company’s ability to hold or repurchase its own registered shares. We and our subsidiaries may only repurchase shares if and to the extent that sufficient freely distributable reserves are available, as described above under “— Dividends.” The aggregate par value of all registered shares held by us and our subsidiaries may not exceed 10% of our registered share capital. However, we may repurchase our own registered shares beyond the statutory limit of 10% if the shareholders have passed a resolution at a general meeting of shareholders authorizing the board of directors to repurchase registered shares in an amount in excess of 10% and the repurchased shares are dedicated for cancellation. Any registered shares repurchased pursuant to such an authorization will then be cancelled at the next general meeting upon the approval of shareholders representing a relative majority of the votes cast at the general meeting. Repurchased registered shares held by us or our subsidiaries do not carry any rights to vote at a general meeting of shareholders but are entitled to the economic benefits generally associated with the shares.
Reduction of Share Capital
     Capital distributions may also take the form of a distribution of cash or property that is based upon a reduction of our share capital recorded in the commercial register. Such a capital reduction requires the approval of shareholders representing a relative majority of the votes cast at the general meeting. A special audit report must confirm that creditors’ claims remain fully covered despite the reduction in the share capital recorded in the commercial register. Upon approval by the general meeting of shareholders of the capital reduction, the board of directors must give public notice of the capital reduction resolution in the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce three times and notify creditors that they may request, within two months of the third publication, satisfaction of or security for their claims.
General Meetings of Shareholders
     The general meeting of shareholders is our supreme corporate body. Ordinary and extraordinary shareholders meetings may be held. The following powers will be vested exclusively in the shareholders meeting:
    adoption and amendment of our articles of association;
 
    election of members of the board of directors and the auditor;

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    approval of the annual business report, the stand-alone statutory financial statements and the consolidated financial statements;
 
    payments of dividends and any other distributions of capital to shareholders (excluding share repurchases below 10% of the registered share capital, to the extent that sufficient freely distributable reserves are available);
 
    discharge of the members of the board of directors from liability for business conducted during the previous fiscal year; and
 
    any other resolutions that are submitted to a general meeting of shareholders pursuant to law, our articles of association or by voluntary submission by the board of directors (unless a matter is within the exclusive competence of the board of directors pursuant to the Swiss Code).
     Under the Swiss Code and our articles of association, we must hold an annual, ordinary general meeting of shareholders within six months after the end of our fiscal year for the purpose, among other things, of approving the annual financial statements and the annual business report, and the annual election of directors for the class whose term has expired. The invitation to general meetings must be published in the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce and sent to the shareholders of record at least 20 calendar days prior to the relevant general meeting of shareholders. The notice of a meeting must state the items on the agenda and the proposals of the board of directors and of the shareholders who demanded that a shareholders meeting be held or that an item be included on the agenda and, in case of elections, the names of the nominated candidates. No resolutions may be passed at a shareholders meeting concerning agenda items for which proper notice was not given. This does not apply, however, to proposals made during a shareholders meeting to convene an extraordinary shareholders meeting or to initiate a special investigation. No previous notification will be required for proposals concerning items included on the agenda or for debates as to which no vote is taken.
     Annual general meetings of shareholders may be convened by the board of directors or, under certain circumstances, by the auditor. A general meeting of shareholders must generally be held at or near the place of incorporation of the Company, as decided by the board of directors of the Company.
     An extraordinary general meeting of the Company may be called upon the resolution of the board of directors or, under certain circumstances, by the auditor. In addition, the board of directors is required to convene an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders if so resolved by the general meeting of shareholders, or if so requested by shareholders holding an aggregate of at least 10% of the registered shares, specifying the items for the agenda and their proposals, or if it appears from the stand-alone annual statutory balance sheet that half of the Company’s share capital and reserves are not covered by the Company’s assets. In the latter case, the board of directors must immediately convene an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders and propose financial restructuring measures.
     Under our articles of association, any shareholder satisfying the formal requirements of the Swiss Code may request that an item be included on the agenda of a general meeting of shareholders. Such shareholder may also nominate one or more directors for election.

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     Shareholder proposals to be included in the proxy materials for an annual general meeting must comply with Rule 14a-8 promulgated by the Commission to be considered for inclusion in the proxy statement for that meeting. For any matters submitted outside the process of Rule 14a-8, a request for inclusion of an item on the agenda or a nominee must be in writing and requested at least 60 and no more than 90 calendar days prior to the scheduled and announced date of the next general meeting of shareholders. The request must specify the relevant agenda items and motions, together with evidence of the required shares recorded in the share register, as well as any other information as would be required to be included in a proxy statement pursuant to the rules of the Commission.
     Under the Swiss Code, a general meeting of shareholders for which a notice of meeting has been duly published or communicated may not be adjourned without publishing or communicating a new notice of meeting.
     Our annual report and auditor’s report must be made available for inspection by the shareholders at our place of incorporation no later than 20 days prior to the meeting. Each shareholder is entitled to request immediate delivery of a copy of these documents free of charge. Shareholders of record will be notified of this in writing.
Voting
     Each registered share carries one vote at a general meeting of shareholders. Voting rights may be exercised by shareholders registered in our share register or by a duly appointed proxy of a registered shareholder, which proxy need not be a shareholder. Our articles of association do not limit the number of registered shares that may be voted by a single shareholder.
     Treasury shares, whether owned by us or one of our majority-owned subsidiaries, will not be entitled to vote at general meetings of shareholders.
     Pursuant to our articles of association, the shareholders generally take resolutions and decide elections upon a relative majority of the votes cast at the general meeting of shareholders (broker non-votes, abstentions and blank and invalid ballots and withdrawals shall be disregarded), unless otherwise provided by law or our articles of association. If the number of directors nominated for election is greater than the number of directors to be elected, the persons receiving the most votes (up to the number of directors to be elected) will be elected as directors. Our articles of association do not provide for cumulative voting for election of directors.
     The acting chair may direct that elections be held by use of an electronic voting system. Electronic resolutions and elections are considered equal to resolutions and elections taken by way of a written ballot.
     The Swiss Code and/or our articles of association require the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the voting rights and a majority of the par value of the registered shares, each as represented at a general meeting, to approve the following matters:
    the amendment to or the modification of the purpose of the Company;
 
    the creation or cancellation of shares with privileged voting rights;

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    the restriction on the transferability of shares and any amendment in relation thereto;
 
    the restriction on the exercise of the right to vote and any amendment in relation thereto;
 
    an authorized or conditional increase in the nominal share capital;
 
    an increase in the nominal share capital through (1) the conversion of capital surplus, (2) a contribution in kind for an acquisition of assets, or (3) a grant of special privileges;
 
    the limitation or withdrawal of preferential subscription rights or advance subscription rights;
 
    a change in the place of incorporation of the Company;
 
    the conversion of registered shares into bearer shares and vice versa;
 
    the dissolution of the Company; and
 
    the removal of a member of the board of directors.
     The same supermajority voting requirements apply to resolutions in relation to transactions among corporations based on Switzerland’s Federal Act on Mergers, Demergers, Transformations and the Transfer of Assets, which we refer to as the Merger Act, including a merger, demerger or conversion of a corporation (other than a cash-out or certain squeeze-out mergers, in which minority shareholders of the company being acquired may be compensated in a form other than through shares of the acquiring company, for instance, through cash or securities of a parent company of the acquiring company or of another company — in such a merger, an affirmative vote of 90% of the outstanding registered shares is required). Swiss law may also impose this supermajority voting requirement in connection with the sale of “all or substantially all of its assets” by us. See “— Appraisal Rights and Compulsory Acquisitions.”
Quorum for General Meetings
     The presence of shareholders, in person or by proxy, holding at least two-thirds of the registered shares recorded in our share register and generally entitled to vote at a meeting, is a quorum for the transaction of the following business:
    the adoption of a resolution with respect to the removal of a serving director; and
 
    the adoption of a resolution to amend Article 21 — which sets forth the quorum at a general meeting required for certain matters, Articles 18 and 20 — which set forth the level of shareholder approval required for certain matters, Article 23 — which sets forth the term of office of a director and Article 24 — which sets forth the organization and remuneration of the board of directors.
     The presence of shareholders, in person or by proxy, holding at least one-third of the registered shares recorded in our share register and generally entitled to vote at a meeting, is a quorum for the transaction of any other business.

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     Under the Swiss Code, the board of directors has no authority to waive quorum requirements stipulated in the articles of association.
Inspection of Books and Records
     Under the Swiss Code, a shareholder has a right to seek information from the board of directors with regard to the information in the share register concerning his own shares and otherwise to the extent necessary to exercise his shareholder rights. No other person has a right to inspect the share register. The books and correspondence of a Swiss company may be inspected with the express authorization of the general meeting of shareholders or by resolution of the board of directors and subject to the safeguarding of the Company’s business secrets. At a general meeting of shareholders, any shareholder is entitled to request information from the board of directors concerning the affairs of the Company. Shareholders may also ask the auditor questions regarding its audit of the Company. The board of directors and the auditor must answer shareholders’ questions to the extent necessary for the exercise of shareholders’ rights and subject to prevailing business secrets or other material interests of the Company.
Special Investigation
     If the shareholders’ inspection and information rights as outlined above prove to be insufficient, any shareholder may propose to the general meeting of shareholders that specific facts be examined by a special commissioner in a special investigation. If the general meeting of shareholders approves the proposal, we or any shareholder may, within 30 calendar days after the general meeting of shareholders, request the court at our registered office to appoint a special commissioner. If the general meeting of shareholders rejects the request, one or more shareholders representing at least 10% of the share capital or holders of registered shares in an aggregate par value of at least two million Swiss francs may request the court to appoint a special commissioner. The court will issue such an order if the petitioners can credibly establish that the board of directors, any member of the board or an officer of the Company infringed the law or our articles of association and thereby damaged the Company or the shareholders. The costs of the investigation would generally be allocated to the Company and only in exceptional cases to the petitioners.
Appraisal Rights and Compulsory Acquisitions
     Business combinations and other transactions that are binding on all shareholders are governed by the Merger Act. A statutory merger or demerger requires that at least 66 2/3% of the registered shares and a majority of the par value of the registered shares represented at the general meeting of shareholders vote in favor of the transaction. Under the Merger Act, a “demerger” may take two forms:
    a legal entity may divide all of its assets and transfer such assets to other legal entities, with the shareholders of the transferring entity receiving equity securities in the acquiring entities and the transferring entity dissolving upon deregistration in the commercial register; or
 
    a legal entity may transfer all or a portion of its assets to other legal entities, with the shareholders of the transferring entity receiving equity securities in the acquiring entities.

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If a transaction under the Merger Act receives all of the necessary consents, all shareholders would be compelled to participate in the transaction. See “— Voting.”
     Swiss companies may be acquired by an acquirer through the direct acquisition of the share capital of the Swiss company. With respect to corporations, such as the Company, that are limited by shares, the Merger Act provides for the possibility of a so-called “cash-out” or “squeeze-out” merger if the acquirer controls 90% of the outstanding registered shares. In these limited circumstances, minority shareholders of the company being acquired may be compensated in a form other than through shares of the acquiring company (for instance, through cash or securities of a parent company of the acquiring company or of another company). For business combinations effected in the form of a statutory merger or demerger and subject to Swiss law, the Merger Act provides that if the equity rights have not been adequately preserved or compensation payments in the transaction are unreasonable, a shareholder may request the competent court to determine a reasonable amount of compensation.
     In addition, under Swiss law, the sale of “all or substantially all of its assets” by the Company may require a resolution of the general meeting of shareholders passed by holders of at least two-thirds of the voting rights and a majority of the par value of the registered shares, each as represented at the general meeting of shareholders. Whether or not a shareholder resolution is required depends on the particular transaction, including whether the following test is satisfied:
    the Company sells a core part of its business, without which it is economically impracticable or unreasonable to continue to operate the remaining business;
 
    the Company’s assets, after the divestment, are not invested in accordance with the Company’s statutory business purpose; and
 
    the proceeds of the divestment are not earmarked for reinvestment in accordance with the Company’s business purpose but, instead, are intended for distribution to shareholders or for financial investments unrelated to the Company’s business.
     If all of the foregoing apply, a shareholder resolution would likely be required.
Anti-Takeover Provisions
     Our articles of association have provisions that could have an anti-takeover effect. These provisions are intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of the board of directors and in the policies formulated by the board of directors, and may have the effect of discouraging actual or threatened changes of control by limiting certain actions that may be taken by a potential acquirer prior to its having obtained sufficient control to adopt a special resolution amending our articles of association.
     Under the Swiss Code, directors may at any time, with or without cause, be removed from office by resolution of the shareholders at a general meeting of shareholders, provided that a proposal for such resolution has been put on the agenda for the meeting in accordance with the requirements of the Swiss Code and our articles of association. Our articles of association provide that a decision of the shareholders at a general meeting to remove a director requires the vote of shareholders holding at least 66 2/3% of the voting rights and the absolute majority of the registered shares represented at that meeting as well as a quorum of at least two-thirds of the registered shares recorded in our share register.

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     Under Swiss law, there is generally no prohibition of business combinations with interested shareholders. However, in certain circumstances, shareholders and members of the board of directors of Swiss companies, as well as certain persons associated with them, must refund any payments they receive that are not made on an arm’s length basis.
     Our articles of association include an authorized share capital, according to which the board of directors is authorized, at any time during a maximum two-year period, to issue a number of registered shares up to 50% of the share capital registered in the commercial register and to limit or withdraw the preferential subscription rights of the existing shareholders for a proper cause.
     For other provisions that could be considered to have an anti-takeover effect, see “— Preferential Subscription Rights and Advance Subscription Rights” “— General Meetings of Shareholders” and “— Voting” above.
Legal Name; Formation; Fiscal Year; Registered Office
     The legal and commercial name of the Company is Weatherford International Ltd. We were initially formed, and our articles of association registered, on November 26, 2008, which articles of association were amended and restated, as described herein, in conjunction with the completion of the Transaction. We are incorporated and domiciled in Zug, Canton of Zug, Switzerland and operate under the Swiss Code as a stock corporation (Aktiengesellschaft). We are recorded in the Commercial Register of the Canton of Zug with the registration number CH-170.3.032 888-3. Our fiscal year is the calendar year, but our first fiscal year following our formation will run from November 26, 2008 to December 31, 2009, as permitted by Swiss law.
     The address of our registered office is Weatherford International Ltd., Alpenstrasse 15, 6300 Zug, Switzerland, and the telephone number at that address is +41-41-729-4242.
Corporate Purpose
     Our business purpose is to acquire, hold, administer and transfer participations in entities in Switzerland and abroad, either directly or indirectly, in particular in entities which are active in the field of services providing with respect to the acquisition and production of natural energy and of the financing of such activities. We may also acquire, administer and transfer patents, trademarks and technical and industrial know-how as well as real estate assets, and engage in any commercial, financial or other activities which are directly or indirectly related to these purposes. We may also participate in the financing, including by providing of guarantees and sureties, of affiliates of the Company.
Duration; Dissolution; Rights upon Liquidation
     The duration of the Company is unlimited. We may be dissolved at any time with the approval of shareholders holding two-thirds of the voting rights and a majority of the par value of the registered shares represented at a general meeting. Dissolution by court order is possible in the event of our bankruptcy, or for cause at the request of shareholders holding at least 10% of our share capital. Under Swiss law, any surplus arising out of liquidation, after the settlement of all claims of all creditors, will be distributed to shareholders in proportion to the paid-up par value of registered shares held, subject to Swiss withholding tax requirements.

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Certificated and Uncertificated Shares
     We are authorized to issue registered shares in certificated or uncertificated form.
Stock Exchange Listing
     Our registered shares are listed for trading on the NYSE under the symbol “WFT.”
No Sinking Fund
     The registered shares have no sinking fund provisions.
No Redemption and Conversion
     The registered shares are not convertible into shares of any other class or series or subject to redemption either by us or the holder of the shares.
Transfer and Registration of Shares
     We have not imposed any restrictions applicable to the transfer of our registered shares. Our share register will initially be kept by American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, which acts as transfer agent and registrar. The share register reflects only record owners of our shares. Swiss law does not recognize fractional share interests.

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Item 9.01   Financial Statements and Exhibits.
  (d)   Exhibits.
         
Exhibit Number   Description
       
 
  3.1    
Articles of Association of Weatherford International Ltd., a Swiss joint stock corporation.
       
 
  3.2    
Organizational Regulations of Weatherford International Ltd., a Swiss joint stock corporation.
       
 
  4.1    
Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 26, 2009, among Weatherford International, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Weatherford International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company, Weatherford International Ltd., a Swiss joint stock corporation, and The Bank of New York, as successor trustee, to the Indenture dated as of May 17, 1996 (the “1996 Indenture”).
       
 
  4.2    
Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 26, 2009, among Weatherford International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company, Weatherford International, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Weatherford International Ltd., a Swiss joint stock corporation, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee, to the Indenture dated as of October 1, 2003 (the “2003 Indenture”).
       
 
  4.3    
Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 26, 2009, among Weatherford International, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Weatherford International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company, Weatherford International Ltd., a Swiss joint stock corporation, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee, to the Indenture dated as of June 18, 2007 (the “2007 Indenture”).
       
 
  5.1    
Opinion of Baker & McKenzie Geneva relating to the guarantees of Weatherford International Ltd., a Swiss joint stock corporation, with respect to the 9.625% Senior Notes due 2019 and 9.875% Senior Notes due 2039, issued by Weatherford International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company, under the 2003 Indenture.
       
 
  5.2    
Opinion of Andrews Kurth relating to the guarantees of Weatherford International Ltd., a Swiss joint stock corporation, with respect to the 9.625% Senior Notes due 2019 and 9.875% Senior Notes due 2039, issued by Weatherford International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company, under the 2003 Indenture.
       
 
  10.1    
Warrant Assignment and Assumption Agreement, dated February 26, 2009, between Weatherford International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company, and Weatherford International Ltd., a Swiss joint stock corporation.
       
 
  10.2    
Guaranty Agreement, dated as of February 26, 2009, by Weatherford International Ltd., a Swiss joint stock corporation, in favor of the lenders and certain other parties under the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of May 2, 2006, among Weatherford International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company, Weatherford

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International, Inc., Weatherford Liquidity Management Hungary Limited Liability Company, JPMorgan Chase Bank as Administrative Agent, and the other Lenders party thereto.
       
 
  10.3    
Guaranty Agreement, dated as of February 26, 2009, by Weatherford International Ltd., a Swiss joint stock corporation, in favor of the lenders and certain other parties under the Credit Agreement dated as of March 19, 2008, among Weatherford International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company, Weatherford International, Inc., Deutsche Bank AG Cayman Islands Branch as Administrative Agent, and the other Lenders party thereto.
       
 
  10.4    
Guaranty Agreement, dated as of February 26, 2009, by Weatherford International Ltd., a Swiss joint stock corporation, in favor of the lenders and certain other parties under the Credit Agreement dated as of October 20, 2008, among Weatherford International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company, Weatherford International, Inc., UBS AG, Stamford Branch as Administrative Agent, and the other Lenders party thereto.
       
 
  10.5    
Assumption and General Amendment Agreement, dated February 25, 2009, between Weatherford International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company, and Weatherford International Ltd., a Swiss joint stock corporation.
       
 
  10.6    
Form of Indemnification Agreement of Weatherford International Ltd., a Swiss joint stock corporation, for use with directors and executive officers.
       
 
  99.1    
Press Release dated February 26, 2009.
       
 

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SIGNATURES
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
         
     Date: February 26, 2009  WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL LTD.,
a Swiss corporation
 
 
  By:   /s/ Burt M. Martin    
  Name:   Burt M. Martin   
  Title:   Senior Vice President   
 

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EXHIBIT INDEX
         
Exhibit Number   Description
       
 
  3.1    
Articles of Association of Weatherford International Ltd., a Swiss joint stock corporation.
       
 
  3.2    
Organizational Regulations of Weatherford International Ltd., a Swiss joint stock corporation.
       
 
  4.1    
Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 26, 2009, among Weatherford International, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Weatherford International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company, Weatherford International Ltd., a Swiss joint stock corporation, and The Bank of New York, as successor trustee, to the Indenture dated as of May 17, 1996 (the “1996 joint stock Indenture”).
       
 
  4.2    
Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 26, 2009, among Weatherford International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company, Weatherford International, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Weatherford International Ltd., a Swiss joint stock corporation, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee, to the Indenture dated as of October 1, 2003 (the “2003 Indenture”).
       
 
  4.3    
Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 26, 2009, among Weatherford International, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Weatherford International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company, Weatherford International Ltd., a Swiss joint stock corporation, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee, to the Indenture dated as of June 18, 2007 (the “2007 Indenture”).
       
 
  5.1    
Opinion of Baker & McKenzie Geneva relating to the guarantees of Weatherford International Ltd., a Swiss joint stock corporation, with respect to the 9.625% Senior Notes due 2019 and 9.875% Senior Notes due 2039, issued by Weatherford International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company, under the 2003 Indenture.
       
 
  5.2    
Opinion of Andrews Kurth relating to the guarantees of Weatherford International Ltd., a Swiss joint stock corporation, with respect to the 9.625% Senior Notes due 2019 and 9.875% Senior Notes due 2039, issued by Weatherford International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company, under the 2003 Indenture.
       
 
  10.1    
Warrant Assignment and Assumption Agreement, dated February 26, 2009, between Weatherford International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company, and Weatherford International Ltd., a Swiss joint stock corporation.
       
 
  10.2    
Guaranty Agreement, dated as of February 26, 2009, by Weatherford International Ltd., a Swiss joint stock corporation, in favor of the lenders and certain other parties under the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of May 2, 2006, among Weatherford International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company, Weatherford International, Inc., Weatherford Liquidity Management Hungary Limited Liability Company, JPMorgan Chase Bank as Administrative Agent, and the other Lenders party thereto.

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  10.3    
Guaranty Agreement, dated as of February 26, 2009, by Weatherford International Ltd., a Swiss joint stock corporation, in favor of the lenders and certain other parties under the Credit Agreement dated as of March 19, 2008, among Weatherford International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company, Weatherford International, Inc., Deutsche Bank AG Cayman Islands Branch as Administrative Agent, and the other Lenders party thereto.
       
 
  10.4    
Guaranty Agreement, dated as of February 26, 2009, by Weatherford International Ltd., a Swiss joint stock corporation, in favor of the lenders and certain other parties under the Credit Agreement dated as of October 20, 2008, among Weatherford International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company, Weatherford International, Inc., UBS AG, Stamford Branch as Administrative Agent, and the other Lenders party thereto.
       
 
  10.5    
Assumption and General Amendment Agreement, dated February 25, 2009, between Weatherford International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company, and Weatherford International Ltd., a Swiss joint stock corporation.
       
 
  10.6    
Form of Indemnification Agreement of Weatherford International Ltd., a Swiss joint stock corporation, for use with directors and executive officers.
       
 
  99.1    
Press Release dated February 26, 2009.
       
 

21

Exhibit 3.1
     
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION   STATUTEN
of   der
Weatherford International Ltd.   Weatherford International Ltd.
in Zug   in Zug
     
___   ___
     
     
SECTION 1 NAME, PLACE OF
INCORPORATION, PURPOSE AND DURATION
OF THE COMPANY
  ABSCHNITT 1 FIRMA, SITZ, DAUER UND
ZWECK DER GESELLSCHAFT
 
   
Article 1 Name, Place of Incorporation
  Artikel 1 Firma, Sitz
 
   
Under the name Weatherford International Ltd. (the Company ) there exists a corporation with its place of incorporation in Zug, Canton of Zug, Switzerland.
  Unter der Firma Weatherford International Ltd. (die Gesellschaft ) besteht eine Aktiengesellschaft mit Sitz in Zug, Kanton Zug, Schweiz.
 
   
Unless otherwise defined in these Articles of Association, capitalized terms shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in Article 35 hereof.
  Sofern in diesen Statuten nichts anderes bestimmt wird, haben definierte Begriffe die in Artikel 35 festgelegte Bedeutung.
 
   
Article 2 Purpose
  Artikel 2 Zweck
 
   
1. The purpose of the Company is to acquire, hold, administer and transfer participations in entities in Switzerland and abroad, either directly or indirectly, in particular in entities which are active in the field of services providing with respect to the acquisition and production of natural energy and of the financing of such activities.
  1. Zweck der Gesellschaft ist der Erwerb, das Halten, die Verwaltung, die Veräusserung von direkten oder indirekten Beteiligungen an Unternehmen im In- und Ausland, die im Bereich der Erbringung von Dienstleistungen zum Erwerb und zur Produktion von natürlichen Energiequellen und der Finanzierung dieser Aktivitäten tätig sind.

 


 

     
 
   
2. The Company may establish branch offices and subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad.
  2. Die Gesellschaft kann Zweigniederlassungen und Tochtergesellschaften im In- un Ausland errichten.
 
   
3. The Company may acquire, administer and transfer patents, trademarks and technical and industrial know-how as well as real estate assets. The Company may engage in any commercial, financial or other activities which are directly or indirectly related to the purpose of the Company.
  3. Die Gesellschaft kann Patente, Handelsmarken, technische und industrielle Kenntnisse sowie Grundstücke erwerben, verwalten und übertragen. Die Gesellschaft kann alle finanziellen, kommerziellen und anderen Tätigkeiten ausüben, welche mit dem Zweck der Gesellschaft direkt oder indirekt in Zusammenhang stehen.
 
   
4. The Company may also participate in the financing, including by means of the providing of guarantees and sureties of any kind, of other entities of the group to which the Company belongs in the general interest of such group.
  4. Die Gesellschaft kann im Übrigen im Rahmen des allgemeinen Gruppeninteresses an Finanzierungen von mittelbaren und unmittelbaren Tochtergesellschaften teilnehmen, namentlich Garantien und Bürgschaften jeglicher Art eingehen, solange dies im Interesse der Gruppe liegt.
 
   
5. The Company may generally engage in all types of transactions and may take all measures that appear appropriate to promote the purpose of the Company or that are related thereto.
  5. Die Gesellschaft kann grundsätzlich alle Tätigkeiten ausüben und Massnahmen ergreifen, die geeignet erscheinen, den Zweck der Gesellschaft zu fördern, oder die mit diesem zusammenhängen.
 
   
Article 3 Duration
  Artikel 3 Dauer
 
   
The duration of the Company is unlimited.
  Die Dauer der Gesellschaft ist unbeschränkt.
 
   
SECTION 2 SHARE CAPITAL
  ABSCHNITT 2 AKTIENKAPITAL
 
   
Article 4 Share Capital
  Artikel 4 Aktienkapital
 
   
The share capital of the Company is CHF 845,487,611.96 and is divided into 728,868,631 fully paid up registered shares. Each registered share has a par value of CHF 1.16 (each such registered share hereinafter a Share and collectively the Shares ).
  Das Aktienkapital der Gesellschaft beträgt CHF 845’487’611.96 und ist eingeteilt in 728’868’631 voll liberierte Namenaktien. Jede Namenaktie hat einen Nennwert von CHF 1.16 (jede Namenaktie nachfolgend bezeichnet als Aktie bzw. die Aktien ).

 


 

     
 
   
Article 5 Authorized Share Capital
  Artikel 5 Genehmigtes Kapital
 
   
1. The Board of Directors is authorized to increase the share capital, at anytime until February 25, 2011, by a maximum amount of CHF 422,743,805.40 by issuing a maximum of 364,434,315 fully paid up Shares with a par value of CHF 1.16 each.
  1. Der Verwaltungsrat ist ermächtigt, das Aktienkapital jederzeit bis zum 25. Februar 2011 im Maximalbetrag von CHF 422’743’805.40 durch Ausgabe von höchstens 364’434’315 vollständig zu liberierenden Aktien mit einem Nennwert von je CHF 1.16 zu erhöhen.
 
   
2. The Board of Directors shall determine the time of the issuance, the issue price, the manner in which the new Shares have to be paid up, the date from which the Shares carry the right to dividends, the conditions for the exercise of the preferential subscription rights and the allotment of preferential subscription rights that have not been exercised. The Board of Directors may allow the preferential subscription rights that have not been exercised to expire, or it may place such rights or Shares, the preferential subscription rights of which have not been exercised, at market conditions or use them otherwise in the interest of the Company.
  2. Der Verwaltungsrat legt den Zeitpunkt der Ausgabe, den Ausgabebetrag, die Art, wie die neuen Aktien zu liberieren sind, den Beginn der Dividendenberechtigung, die Bedingungen für die Ausübung der Bezugsrechte sowie die Zuteilung der Bezugsrechte, welche nicht ausgeübt wurden, fest. Nicht-ausgeübte Bezugsrechte kann der Verwaltungsrat verfallen lassen, oder er kann diese bzw. Aktien, für welche Bezugsrechte eingeräumt, aber nicht ausgeübt werden, zu Marktkonditionen platzieren oder anderweitig im Interesse der Gesellschaft verwenden.
 
   
3. The Board of Directors is authorized to withdraw or limit the preferential subscription rights of the shareholders, and to allot them to third parties, for cause, which shall include the following:
  3. Der Verwaltungsrat ist ermächtigt, die Bezugsrechte der Aktionäre aus nachfolgenden wichtigen Gründen zu entziehen oder zu beschränken und Dritten zuzuweisen:
 
   
(a) if the issue price of the new Shares is determined by reference to the market price; or
  (a) wenn der Ausgabebetrag der neuen Aktien unter Berücksichtigung des Marktpreises festgesetzt wird; oder

 


 

     
 
   
(b) for the acquisition of an enterprise, part(s) of an enterprise or participations, or for the financing or refinancing of any of such transactions, or for the financing of new investment plans of the Company; or
  (b) für die Übernahme von Unternehmen, Unternehmensteilen oder Beteiligungen oder für die Finanzierung oder Refinanzierung solcher Transaktionen oder die Finanzierung von neuen Investitionsvorhaben der Gesellschaft; oder
 
   
(c) for purposes of broadening the shareholder constituency of the Company in certain financial or investor markets, for purposes of the participation of strategic partners, or in connection with the listing of new Shares on domestic or foreign stock exchanges; or
  (c) zum Zwecke der Erweiterung des Aktionärskreises in bestimmten Finanz- oder Investoren-Märkten, zur Beteiligung von strategischen Partnern, oder im Zusammenhang mit der Kotierung von neuen Aktien an inländischen oder ausländischen Börsen; oder
 
   
(d) for purposes of granting an over-allotment option (including options with respect to any security convertible into Shares, such as convertible debt securities or otherwise) (Greenshoe) of up to 20% of the total number of Shares in a placement or sale of Shares to the respective initial purchaser(s) or underwriter(s); or
  (d) für die Einräumung einer Mehrzuteilungsoption (einschliesslich Optionen im Hinblick auf Wertpapiere, die in Aktien umwandelbar sind, wie etwa wandelbare Schuldverschreibungen oder andere) (Greenshoe) von bis zu 20% der zu platzierenden oder zu verkaufenden Aktien an die betreffenden Erstkäufer oder Festübernehmer im Rahmen einer Aktienplatzierung oder eines Aktienverkaufs; oder
 
   
(e) for the participation in a benefit or other plan by members of the Board of Directors, members of the executive management, employees, contractors, consultants or other Persons performing services for the benefit of the Company or any of its subsidiaries; or
  (e) für die Teilnahme an einem Beteiligungs- oder anderem Plan von Mitgliedern des Verwaltungsrates, Mitgliedern der Geschäftsleitung, Mitarbeitern, Beauftragten, Beratern oder anderen Personen, die für die Gesellschaft oder eine ihrer Tochtergesellschaften Leistungen erbringen; oder

 


 

     
 
   
(f) if the Shares to be issued will be issued for any consideration (including debt, equity or assets of another company) other than for cash consideration.
  (f) wenn die Aktien anders als in bar (d.h. durch Einlage von Fremdkapital, Eigenkapital oder Sacheinlage von Vermögensteilen eines anderen Unternehmens) liberiert werden.
 
   
4. The new Shares shall be subject to the limitations for registration in the share register pursuant to Articles 7 and 9.
  4. Die neuen Aktien unterliegen den Eintragungsbeschränkungen in das Aktienbuch von Artikel 7 und 9.
 
   
Article 6 Conditional Share Capital
  Artikel 6 Bedingtes Aktienkapital
 
   
1. The share capital may be increased in an amount not to exceed CHF 422,743,805.40 through the issuance of up to 364,434,315 fully paid up Shares with a par value of CHF 1.16 per Share through:
  1. Das Aktienkapital kann sich durch Ausgabe von höchstens 364’434’315 voll zu liberierenden Aktien im Nennwert von je CHF 1.16 um höchstens CHF 422’743’805.40 aus folgenden Gründen erhöhen:
 
   
(a) the exercise of conversion, exchange, option, warrant or similar rights for the subscription of Shares (hereinafter the Rights ) granted to third parties or shareholders in connection with bonds, options, warrants or other securities newly or already issued in national or international capital markets or new or already existing contractual obligations by or of the Company, one or more of its group companies, or any of their respective predecessors (hereinafter collectively, the Rights-Bearing Obligations ); and/or
  (a) die Ausübung von Wandel-, Tausch-, Options-, Bezugs- oder ähnlichen Rechten auf den Bezug von Aktien (nachfolgend die Rechte ), die Dritten oder Aktionären in Verbindung mit auf nationalen oder internationalen Kapitalmärkten neu oder bereits ausgegebenen Anleihensobligationen, Optionen, Warrants oder anderen Finanzmarktinstrumenten oder in Verbindung mit neuen oder bereits bestehenden vertraglichen Verpflichtungen der Gesellschaft oder anderen Gesellschaften der Gruppe respektive deren Rechtsvorgängern (nachfolgend zusammen die mit Rechten verbundenen Obligationen ) erteilt wurden; und/oder durch

 


 

     
 
   
(b) the issuance of Shares (including shares of restricted stock) or Rights-Bearing Obligations granted to members of the Board of Directors, members of the executive management, employees, contractors, consultants or other Persons providing services to the Company or its subsidiaries.
  (b) die Ausgabe von Aktien (einschliesslich vinkulierter Aktien) oder mit Rechten verbundenen Obligationen an Mitglieder des Verwaltungsrates, Mitglieder der Geschäftsleitung, Arbeitnehmer, Beauftragte, Berater oder andere Personen, welche Dienstleistungen für die Gesellschaft oder ihre Tochtergesellschaften erbringen.
 
   
2. The preferential subscription rights and advance subscription rights of the shareholders shall be excluded in connection with the issuance of any Shares, Rights or Rights-Bearing Obligations pursuant to Article 6 para 1(a) and (b).
  2. Die Bezugsrechte und die Vorwegzeichnungsrechte der Aktionäre sind ausgeschlossen, im Zusammenhang mit der Ausgabe von Aktien, Rechten oder mit Rechten verbundenen Obligationen gemäss Artikel 6 Absatz 1(a) und (b).
 
   
3. The new Shares acquired through the exercise of Rights-Bearing Obligations shall be subject to the limitations for registration in the share register pursuant to Articles 7 and 9.
  3. Die neuen Aktien, welche über die Ausübung von mit Rechten verbundenen Obligationen erworben werden, unterliegen den Eintragungsbeschränkungen in das Aktienbuch gemäss Artikel 7 und 9.
 
   
Article 7 Share Register, Exercise of Rights, Restriction on Registration, Nominees, Transfer Restrictions
  Artikel 7 Aktienbuch, Rechtsausübung, Eintragungsbeschränkungen, Nominees, Vinkulierung
 
   
1. The Company shall maintain, itself or through a third party, a share register that lists the surname, first name, address and citizenship (in the case of legal entities, the company name and company seat) of the holders and usufructuaries of the Shares as well as the nominees. A Person recorded in the share register shall notify the share registrar of any change in address. Until such notification shall have occurred, all written communication from the Company to Persons of record shall be deemed to have validly been made if sent to the address recorded in the share register.
  1. Die Gesellschaft oder von ihr beauftragte Dritte führen ein Aktienbuch. Darin werden die Eigentümer und Nutzniesser der Aktien sowie Nominees mit Namen und Vornamen, Wohnort, Adresse und Staatsangehörigkeit (bei juristischen Personen mit Firma und Sitz) eingetragen. Ändert eine im Aktienbuch eingetragene Person ihre Adresse, so hat sie dies dem Aktienbuchführer mitzuteilen. Solange dies nicht geschehen ist, gelten alle brieflichen Mitteilungen der Gesellschaft an die im Aktienbuch eingetragenen Personen als rechtsgültig an die bisher im Aktienbuch eingetragene Adresse erfolgt.

 


 

     
 
   
2. An acquirer of Shares shall be recorded upon request in the share register as a shareholder with voting rights; provided, however, that any such acquirer expressly declares to have acquired the Shares in its own name and for its own account, save that the Board of Directors may record nominees who hold Shares in their own name, but for the account of third parties, as shareholders of record in the share register of the Company. Beneficial owners of Shares who hold Shares through a nominee exercise the shareholders’ rights through the intermediation of such nominee.
  2. Ein Erwerber von Aktien wird auf Gesuch als Aktionär mit Stimmrecht im Aktienbuch eingetragen, vorausgesetzt, dass ein solcher Erwerber ausdrücklich erklärt, die Aktien im eigenen Namen und auf eigene Rechnung erworben zu haben. Der Verwaltungsrat kann Nominees, welche Aktien im eigenen Namen aber auf fremde Rechnung halten, als Aktionäre mit Stimmrecht im Aktienbuch der Gesellschaft eintragen. Die an den Aktien wirtschaftlich Berechtigten, welche die Aktien über einen Nominee halten, üben Aktionärsrechte mittelbar über den Nominee aus.
 
   
3. After hearing the registered shareholder concerned, the Board of Directors may cancel the registration of such shareholder as a shareholder with voting rights in the share register with retroactive effect as of the date of registration, if such registration was made based on false or misleading information. The relevant shareholder shall be informed promptly of the cancellation.
  3. Der Verwaltungsrat kann nach Anhörung des eingetragenen Aktionärs dessen Eintragung im Aktienbuch als Aktionär mit Stimmrecht rückwirkend auf das Datum der Eintragung streichen, wenn diese durch falsche oder irreführende Angaben zustande gekommen ist. Der Betroffene muss über die Streichung sofort informiert werden.
 
   
Article 8 Share Certificates
  Artikel 8 Aktienzertifikate
 
   
1. A shareholder may at any time request an attestation of the number of Shares held by it. The shareholder is not entitled, however, to request that certificates representing the Shares be printed and delivered.
  1. Ein Aktionär kann von der Gesellschaft jederzeit eine Bescheinigung über die von ihm gehaltenen Aktien verlangen. Der Aktionär hat jedoch keinen Anspruch, den Druck und die Auslieferung von Aktienzertifikaten zu verlangen.
 
   
2. The Company may at any time print and deliver certificates for the Shares, and may, with the consent of the shareholder, cancel issued certificates that are delivered to it without replacement.
  2. Die Gesellschaft kann jederzeit Zertifikate für Aktien drucken und ausliefern und mit Zustimmung des Aktionärs ausgegebene Urkunden, die bei ihr eingeliefert werden, ersatzlos annullieren.

 


 

     
 
   
3. Uncertificated Shares and the appurtenant rights associated therewith may be transferred only by written assignment. For the assignment to be valid against the Company, notification to the Company shall be required. If uncertificated Shares are administered by a transfer agent, trust company, bank or similar entity (the Transfer Agent ), such Shares and the appurtenant rights associated therewith may be transferred only with the cooperation of the Transfer Agent or such other Person or Persons as determined by the Board of Directors.
  3. Aktien, für die keine Aktientitel ausgegeben wurden, und die damit verbundenen Rechte können nur durch Zession übertragen werden. Eine solche Zession bedarf der Anzeige an die Gesellschaft, um ihr gegenüber Wirkungen zu entfalten. Werden Aktien, für die keine Aktientitel ausgegeben wurden, im Auftrag des Aktionärs von einem Transfer Agenten, einer Trust Gesellschaft, Bank oder ähnlicher Gesellschaft verwaltet (der Transfer Agent ), so können diese Aktien und die damit verbundenen Rechte nur unter Mitwirkung des Transfer Agenten oder einer anderen derartigen Person oder einer durch den Verwaltungsrat gewählten Personen, übertragen werden.
 
   
4. If uncertificated Shares are pledged in favor of any Person other than the Transfer Agent, notification to such Transfer Agent shall be required for the pledge to be effective.
  4. Werden Aktien, für die keine Aktientitel ausgegeben wurden, zugunsten von jemand anderem als dem Transfer Agenten verpfändet, so ist zur Gültigkeit der Verpfändung eine Anzeige an den Transfer Agenten erforderlich.
 
   
5. If the Company decides to print and deliver share certificates, the share certificates shall bear the signatures of two duly authorized signatories of the Company, at least one of which shall be a member of the Board of Directors. These signatures may be facsimile signatures.
  5. Für den Fall, dass die Gesellschaft beschliesst, Aktienzertifikate zu drucken und auszugeben, müssen die Aktienzertifikate die Unterschrift von zwei zeichnungsberechtigten Personen tragen. Mindestens eine dieser Personen muss ein Mitglied des Verwaltungsrates sein. Faksimile-Unterschriften sind erlaubt.
 
   
6. The Company may in any event issue share certificates representing more than one Share.
  6. Die Gesellschaft kann in jedem Fall Aktienzertifikate ausgeben, die mehr als eine Aktie verkörpern.

 


 

     
 
   
7. The Board of Directors or any officer of the Company to whom the Board of Directors has delegated authority may authorize any Transfer Agent to issue, and any registrar of the Company to register, at any time and from time to time unless otherwise directed, a new certificate or certificates of stock in place of a certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the Company, alleged to have been lost or destroyed, upon receipt by the Transfer Agent of evidence of such loss or destruction, which may be the affidavit of the applicant; a bond indemnifying the Company and any Transfer Agent and registrar of the class of stock involved against claims that may be made against it or them on account of the lost or destroyed certificate or the issuance of a new certificate, of such kind and in such amount as the Board of Directors shall have authorized the Transfer Agent to accept generally or as the Board of Directors or an authorized officer shall approve in particular cases; and any other documents or instruments that the Board of Directors or an authorized officer may require from time to time to protect adequately the interest of the Company.
  7. Der Verwaltungsrat oder jedes Mitglied der Geschäftsführung, dem der Verwaltungsrat die Kompetenz dazu eigeräumt hat, darf jeden Transfer Agenten und jeden Registerführer des Unternehmens ermächtigen, jederzeit ein neues Aktienzertifikat oder ein bereits ausgebenes Aktienzertifikat, dessen Verlust oder Zerstörung behauptet wird, auszugeben bzw. zu registrieren, wenn ein Beweis für den Verlust oder die Zerstörung vorliegt, wobei der Beweis für Verlust oder Zerstörung in Form einer beglaubigten Erklärung des Antragstellers erbracht werden kann, wenn eine Sicherheit für mögliche Klagen aufgrund der verlorenen oder zerstörten Zertifikate oder der Ausgabe neuer Zertifikate gestellt wird, wobei Art und Betrag der Sicherheit den Weisungen und der Ermächtigung des Verwaltungsrats entsprechen müssen, und wenn alle anderen Dokumente oder Instrumente vorliegen, die der Verwaltungsrat oder ein ermächtigtes Mitglied der Geschäftsführung zu gegebener Zeit benötigt, um die Interessen des Unternehmens adäquat zu schützen.
 
   
Article 9 Exercise of Rights
  Artikel 9 Rechtsausübung
 
   
1. The Company shall only accept one representative per Share.
  1. Die Gesellschaft anerkennt nur einen Vertreter pro Aktie.
 
   
2. Voting rights and appurtenant rights associated therewith may be exercised in relation to the Company by a shareholder, usufructuary of Shares or nominee only to the extent that such Person is recorded in the share register with the right to exercise his voting rights.
  2. Stimmrechte und die damit verbundenen Rechte können der Gesellschaft gegenüber von einem Aktionär, Nutzniesser der Aktien oder Nominee jeweils nur im Umfang ausgeübt werden, wie dieser mit Stimmrecht im Aktienbuch eingetragen ist.

 


 

     
 
   
SECTION 3 CORPORATE BODIES
  ABSCHNITT 3 GESELLSCHAFTS-ORGANE
 
   
A. General Meeting of Shareholders
  A. Generalversammlung
 
   
Article 10 Authority
  Artikel 10 Zuständigkeit
 
   
The General Meeting of Shareholders is the supreme corporate body of the Company.
  Die Generalversammlung ist das oberste Organ der Gesellschaft.
 
   
Article 11 Annual General Meeting
  Artikel 11 Ordentliche Generalversammlung
 
   
The Annual General Meeting shall be held each year within six months after the close of the fiscal year of the Company. The Annual Report and the Auditor’s Report shall be made available for inspection by the shareholders at the registered office of the Company no later than twenty calendar days prior to the Annual General Meeting. Each shareholder is entitled to request prompt delivery of a copy of the Annual Report and the Auditor’s Report free of charge. Shareholders of record will be notified of the availability of the Annual Report and the Auditor’s Report in writing.
  Die ordentliche Generalversammlung findet alljährlich innerhalb von sechs Monaten nach Abschluss des Geschäftsjahres statt. Spätestens zwanzig Kalendertage vor der Versammlung sind der Geschäftsbericht und der Revisionsbericht den Aktionären am Gesellschaftssitz zur Einsicht vorzulegen. Jeder Aktionär kann verlangen, dass ihm unverzüglich eine Ausfertigung des Geschäftsberichts und des Revisionsberichts ohne Kostenfolge zugesandt wird. Die im Aktienbuch eingetragenen Aktionäre werden über die Verfügbarkeit des Geschäftsberichts und des Revisionsberichts durch schriftliche Mitteilung unterrichtet.
 
   
Article 12 Extraordinary General Meetings
  Artikel 12 Ausserordentliche
Generalversammlung
 
   
1. Extraordinary General Meetings shall be held in the circumstances provided by law, in particular when deemed necessary or appropriate by the Board of Directors or if so requested by the Auditor.
  1. Ausserordentliche Generalversammlungen finden in den vom Gesetz vorgesehenen Fällen statt, insbesondere, wenn der Verwaltungsrat es für notwendig oder angezeigt erachtet oder die Revisionsstelle dies verlangt.
 
   
2. An Extraordinary General Meeting shall further be convened by the Board of Directors upon resolution of a General Meeting of Shareholders or if so requested by one or more shareholders who, in the aggregate, represent at least one-tenth of the share capital recorded in the share register of the Company and who submit (a)(1) a request signed by such shareholder(s) that specifies the item(s) to be included on the agenda, (2) the respective proposals of the shareholders and (3) evidence of the required shareholdings recorded in the share register and (b) such other information as would be required to be included in a proxy statement pursuant to the rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ( SEC ).
  2. Ausserdem muss der Verwaltungsrat eine ausserordentliche Generalversammlung einberufen, wenn es eine Generalversammlung so beschliesst oder wenn ein oder mehrere Aktionäre, welche zusammen mindestens ein Zehntel des im Aktienbuch der Gesellschaft eingetragenen Aktienkapitals vertreten, dies verlangen, unter der Voraussetzung, dass folgende Angabe gemacht werden: (a)(1) die Verhandlungsgegenstände, schriftlich unterzeichnet von dem/den antragstellenden Aktionär(en), (2) die Anträge sowie (3) der Nachweis der erforderlichen Anzahl der im Aktienbuch eingetragenen Aktien; und (b) die weiteren Informationen, die von der Gesellschaft nach den Regeln der U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ( SEC ) in einem sog. Proxy Statement aufgenommen und veröffentlicht werden müssen.

 


 

     
 
   
Article 13 Notice of Shareholders’ Meeting
  Artikel 13 Einberufung
 
   
1. Notice of a General Meeting of Shareholders shall be given by the Board of Directors or, if necessary, by the Auditor, no later than 20 calendar days prior to the date of the General Meeting of Shareholders.
  1. Die Generalversammlung wird durch den Verwaltungsrat, nötigenfalls die Revisionsstelle, spätestens 20 Kalendertage vor dem Tag der Generalversammlung einberufen.
 
   
2. Notice of the General Meeting of Shareholders shall be given by way of a one-time announcement in the official means of publication of the Company pursuant to Article 33. The notice period shall be deemed to have been observed if notice of the General Meeting of Shareholders is published in such official means of publication, it being understood that the date of publication is not to be included for purposes of computing the notice period. Shareholders of record shall in addition be informed of the General Meeting of Shareholders by ordinary mail or such other means as determined by the Board of Directors, which additional notification may contain such information as determined by the Board of Directors.
  2. Die Einberufung erfolgt durch einmalige Bekanntmachung im Publikationsorgan der Gesellschaft gemäss Artikel 33. Für die Einhaltung der Einberufungsfrist ist der Tag der Veröffentlichung der Einberufung im Publikationsorgan massgeblich, wobei der Tag der Veröffentlichung nicht mitzuzählen ist. Die im Aktienbuch eingetragenen Aktionäre sollen zudem auf dem ordentlichen Postweg oder auf anderem durch den Verwaltungsrat festlegtem Weg über die Generalversammlung informiert werden. Die zusätzliche Benachrichtigung enhält Informationen, die vom Verwaltungsrat bestimmt wurden.

 


 

     
 
   
3. The notice of a General Meeting of Shareholders shall specify the items on the agenda and the proposals of the Board of Directors and, subject to Articles 12 and 14, the shareholder(s) who requested that a General Meeting of Shareholders be held or an item be included on the agenda, and, in the event of elections, the name(s) of the candidate(s) that has or have been put on the ballot for election.
  3. Die Einberufung muss die Verhandlungsgegenstände sowie die Anträge des Verwaltungsrates und des oder der Aktionäre, gemäss Artikeln 12 und 14, welche die Durchführung einer Generalversammlung oder die Traktandierung eines Verhandlungsgegenstandes verlangt haben, und bei Wahlgeschäften die Namen des oder der zur Wahl vorgeschlagenen Kandidaten enthalten.
 
   
Article 14 Agenda
  Artikel 14 Traktandierung
 
   
1. Any shareholder satisfying the requirements of article 699 of the Swiss Code of Obligations ( CO ) may request that an item be included on the agenda of a General Meeting of Shareholders. An inclusion of an item on the agenda must be requested in writing at least 60 and no more than 90 calendar days prior to the scheduled and announced date of the next General Meeting of Shareholders and shall specify the relevant agenda items and proposals, together with evidence of the required shareholdings recorded in the share register.
  1. Jeder Aktionär, der die Voraussetzungen von Art. 699 des Schweizerischen Obligationenrechts ( OR ) erfüllt, kann die Traktandierung eines Verhandlungsgegenstandes verlangen. Das Traktandierungsbegehren muss mindestens 60 und nicht später als 90 Kalendertage vor dem Datum der Generalversammlung, schriftlich unter Angabe des Verhandlungsgegenstandes und der Anträge sowie unter Nachweis der erforderlichen Anzahl im Aktienbuch eingetragenen Aktien eingereicht werden.
 
   
2. No resolution may be passed at a General Meeting of Shareholders concerning an agenda item in relation to which due notice was not given. Proposals made during a General Meeting of Shareholders to (i) convene an Extraordinary General Meeting or (ii) initiate a special investigation in accordance with article 697a CO are not subject to the due notice requirement set forth herein.
  2. Zu nicht gehörig angekündigten Verhandlungsgegenständen können keine Beschlüsse gefasst werden. Hiervon ausgenommen sind jedoch der Beschluss über den in einer Generalversammlung gestellten Antrag auf (i) Einberufung einer ausserordentlichen Generalversammlung sowie (ii) Durchführung einer Sonderprüfung gemäss Artikel 697a OR.
 
   
3. No prior notice is required to bring motions related to items already on the agenda or for the discussion of matters on which no resolution is to be taken.
  3. Zur Stellung von Anträgen im Rahmen der Verhandlungsgegenstände und zu Verhandlungen ohne Beschlussfassung bedarf es keiner vorgängigen Ankündigung.

 


 

     
 
   
Article 15 Acting Chair, Minutes, Vote Counters
  Artikel 15 Vorsitz der Generalver-sammlung, Protokoll, Stimmenzähler
 
   
1. At the General Meeting of Shareholders, the Chairman of the Board of Directors or, in his absence, the Vice-Chairman or any other person designated by the Board of Directors shall take the chair.
  1. An der Generalversammlung führt der Präsident des Verwaltungsrates oder, bei dessen Verhinderung, der Vizepräsident oder eine andere vom Verwaltungsrat bezeichnete Person den Vorsitz.
 
   
2. The acting chair of the General Meeting of Shareholders shall appoint the secretary and the vote counters, none of whom need be shareholders. The minutes of the General Meeting of Shareholders shall be signed by the acting chair and the secretary.
  2. Der Vorsitzende der Generalversammlung bestimmt den Protokollführer und die Stimmenzähler, die alle nicht Aktionäre sein müssen. Das Protokoll ist vom Vorsitzenden und vom Protokollführer zu unterzeichnen.
 
   
3. The acting chair of the General Meeting of Shareholders shall have all powers and authority necessary and appropriate to ensure the orderly conduct of the General Meeting of Shareholders.
  3. Der Vorsitzende der Generalversammlung hat sämtliche Leitungsbefugnisse, die für die ordnungsgemässe Durchführung der Generalversammlung nötig und angemessen sind.
 
   
Article 16 Right to Participation and Representation
  Artikel 16 Recht auf Teilnahme, Vertretung der Aktionäre
 
   
Each shareholder recorded in the share register as of the record date for the meeting is entitled to participate at the General Meeting of Shareholders and in any vote taken. The shareholders may be represented by proxies who need not be shareholders. The Board of Directors shall issue the particulars of the right to representation and participation at the General Meeting of Shareholders in procedural rules.
  Jeder im Aktienbuch eingetragene Aktionär ist ab dem Datum der Eintragung berechtigt, an der Generalversammlung und deren Beschlüssen teilzunehmen. Ein Aktionär kann sich an der Generalversammlung vertreten lassen, wobei der Vertreter nicht Aktionär sein muss. Der Verwaltungsrat regelt die Einzelheiten über die Vertretung und Teilnahme an der Generalversammlung in Verfahrensvorschriften.
 
   
Article 17 Voting Rights
  Artikel 17 Stimmrecht
 
   
Each Share shall convey the right to one vote. The right to vote is subject to the conditions of Articles 7 and 9.
  Jede Aktie berechtigt zu einer Stimme. Das Stimmrecht untersteht den Bedingungen von Artikel 7 und 9.

 


 

     
 
   
Article 18 Resolutions and Elections
  Artikel 18 Beschlüsse und Wahlen
 
   
1. Unless otherwise required by law or these Articles of Association, the General Meeting of Shareholders shall take resolutions and decide elections upon a relative majority of the votes cast at the General Meeting of Shareholders (whereby abstentions, broker nonvotes, blank or invalid ballots and withdrawals shall be disregarded for purposes of establishing the majority).
  1. Die Generalversammlung fasst Beschlüsse und entscheidet Wahlen, soweit das Gesetz oder diese Statuten es nicht anders bestimmen, mit der relativen Mehrheit der abgegebenen Aktienstimmen (wobei Enthaltungen, sog. Broker Nonvotes, leere oder ungültige Stimmen für die Bestimmung des Mehrs nicht berücksichtigt werden).
 
   
2. Where the number of persons validly proposed for election as a member of the Board of Directors is greater than the number of Directors to be elected, the persons receiving the most votes (up to the number of Directors to be elected) shall be elected as members of the Board of Directors. Votes against any candidate, abstentions, broker nonvotes, blank or invalid ballots and withdrawals shall have no impact on the election of members of the Board of Directors.
  2. Die Generalversammlung entscheidet über die Wahl von Mitgliedern des Verwaltungsrates nach dem proportionalen Wahlverfahren, wonach diejenige Person, welche die grösste Zahl der abgegebenen Aktienstimmen für einen Verwaltungsratssitz erhält, als für den betreffenden Verwaltungsratssitz gewählt gilt. Aktienstimmen gegen einen Kandidaten, Stimmenthaltungen, sog. Broker Nonvotes, ungültige oder leere Stimmen und Rücknahmen haben für die Zwecke keine Auswirkungen auf die Wahl von Mitgliedern des Verwaltungsrates.
 
   
3. For the removal of a serving member of the Board of Directors, the voting requirement set forth in Article 20 para. 1(k) and the presence quorum set forth in Article 21 para. 1(a) shall apply.
  3. Für die Abwahl von amtierenden Mitgliedern des Verwaltungsrates gilt das Mehrheitserfordernis gemäss Artikel 20 Abs. 1(k) sowie das Präsenzquorum von Artikel 21 Abs. 1(a).
 
   
4. Unless otherwise required by law, resolutions and elections at General Meeting of Shareholders shall be decided by a written ballot. The acting chair may also hold resolutions and elections by use of an electronic voting system, which shall be considered equal to resolutions and elections taken by way of a written ballot.
  4. Unter Vorbehalt anderer gesetzlicher Vorschriften werden Beschlüsse und Wahlen an der Generalversammlung durch schriftliche Abstimmung getroffen. Der Vorsitzende kann Abstimmungen und Wahlen auch mittels elektronischem Verfahren durchführen lassen, wobei dieses schriftlichen Abstimmungen und Wahlen gleichgestellt ist.

 


 

     
 
   
Article 19 Powers of the General Meeting of Shareholders
  Artikel 19 Befugnisse der Generalver-sammlung
 
   
The following powers shall be vested exclusively in the General Meeting of Shareholders:
  Der Generalversammlung sind folgende Geschäfte vorbehalten:
 
   
(a) The adoption and amendment of these Articles of Association;
  (a) Die Festsetzung und Änderung dieser Statuten;
 
   
(b) the election of the members of the Board of Directors and the Auditor;
  (b) die Wahl der Mitglieder des Verwaltungsrates und der Revisionsstelle;
 
   
(c) the approval of the Annual Report and the Consolidated Financial Statements;
  (c) die Genehmigung des Jahresberichtes und der Konzernrechnung;
 
   
(d) the approval of the Annual Statutory Financial Statements of the Company and the resolution on the allocation of profit shown on the Annual Statutory Balance Sheet, in particular the determination of any dividend;
  (d) die Genehmigung der Jahresrechnung sowie die Beschlussfassung über die Verwendung des Bilanzgewinnes, insbesondere die Festsetzung der Dividende;
 
   
(e) the discharge from liability of the members of the Board of Directors; and
  (e) die Entlastung der Mitglieder des Verwaltungsrates;
 
   
(f) the adoption of resolutions on matters that are reserved to the General Meeting of Shareholders by law, these Articles of Association or, subject to article 716a CO, that are submitted to the General Meeting of Shareholders by the Board of Directors.
  (f) die Beschlussfassung über die Gegenstände, die der Generalversammlung durch das Gesetz oder die Statuten vorbehalten sind oder ihr, vorbehältlich Artikel 716a OR, durch den Verwaltungsrat vorgelegt warden.
 
   
Article 20 Special Vote
  Artikel 20 Besonderes Quorum
 
   
1. The approval of at least two-thirds of the votes and the absolute majority of the par value of Shares, each as represented at a General Meeting of Shareholders, shall be required for resolutions with respect to:
  1. Ein Beschluss der Generalversammlung, der mindestens zwei Drittel der an der Generalversammlung vertretenen Stimmen und die absolute Mehrheit der an der Generalversammlung vertretenen Aktiennennwerte auf sich vereinigt, ist erforderlich für:

 


 

     
 
   
(a) The amendment or modification of the purpose of the Company as described in Article 2;
  (a) Die Ergänzung oder Änderung des Gesellschaftszweckes gemäss Artikel 2;
 
   
(b) the creation and the cancellation of shares with privileged voting rights;
  (b) die Einführung und Abschaffung von Stimmrechtsaktien;
 
   
(c) the restriction on the transferability of Shares and the cancellation of such restriction;
  (c) die Beschränkung der Übertragbarkeit der Aktien und die Aufhebung einer solche Beschränkung;
 
   
(d) the restriction on the exercise of the right to vote and the cancellation of such restriction;
  (d) die Beschränkung der Ausübung des Stimmrechts und die Aufhebung einer solchen Beschränkung;
 
   
(e) an authorized or conditional increase in share capital;
  (e) eine genehmigte oder bedingte Kapitalerhöhung;
 
   
(f) an increase in share capital through (i) the conversion of capital surplus, (ii) contribution in kind or for purposes of an acquisition of assets, or (iii) the granting of special privileges;
  (f) die Kapitalerhöhung (i) aus Eigenkapital, (ii) gegen Sacheinlage oder zwecks Sachübernahme oder (iii) die Gewährung von besonderen Vorteilen;
 
   
(g) the limitation on or withdrawal of preferential subscription rights and advance subscription rights;
  (g) die Einschränkung oder Aufhebung von Bezugsrechten und Vorwegzeichnungsrechten;
 
   
(h) the relocation of the place of incorporation of the Company;
  (h) die Verlegung des Sitzes der Gesellschaft;
 
   
(i) the conversion of Shares into bearer shares and vice versa;
  (i) die Umwandlung von Namen- in Inhaberaktien und umgekehrt;
 
   
(j) the dissolution of the Company; and
  (j) die Auflösung der Gesellschaft; und
 
   
(k) a resolution with respect to the removal of a serving member of the Board of Directors.
  (k) die Beschlussfassung über die Abwahl eines amtierenden Verwaltungsratsmitglieds.

 


 

     
Article 21 Presence Quorum
  Artikel 21 Präsenzquorum
 
   
1. The matters set forth in para 1(a) and 1(b) below require that a quorum of shareholders of record holding in person or by proxy at least two-thirds of the share capital recorded in the share register of the Company are present at the time when the General Meeting of Shareholders proceeds to business:
  1. Die nachfolgend in Absatz 1(a) und 1(b) aufgeführten Angelegenheiten erfordern zum Zeitpunkt der Konstituierung der Generalversammlung ein Präsenzquorum von Aktionären oder deren Vertretern, welche mindestens zwei Drittel des im Aktienbuch der Gesellschaft eingetragenen Aktienkapitals vertreten, damit die Generalversammlung beschlussfähig ist:
 
   
(a) The adoption of a resolution with respect to the removal of a serving Director; and
  (a) Die Beschlussfassung über die Abwahl eines amtierenden Verwaltungsratsmitglieds; und
 
   
(b) The adoption of a resolution to amend, vary, suspend the operation of, disapply or cancel this Article 21 or Articles 18, 20, 22, 23 or 24.
  (b) die Beschlussfassung, diesen Artikel 21 oder Artikel 18, 20, 22, 23 oder 24 zu ergänzen, zu ändern, nicht anzuwenden oder ausser Kraft zu setzen.
 
   
2. The adoption of any other resolution or election requires that at least a one-third of all the Shares entitled to vote be represented at the time when the General Meeting of Shareholders proceeds to business.
  2. Jede andere Beschlussfassung oder Wahl setzt zu ihrer Gültigkeit voraus, dass zum Zeitpunkt der Konstituierung der Generalversammlung zumindest ein Drittel aller stimmberechtigten Aktien anwesend ist.
 
   
B. Board of Directors
  B. Verwaltungsrat
 
   
Article 22 Number of Directors
  Artikel 22 Anzahl der Verwaltungsräte
 
   
The Board of Directors shall consist of no less than three and no more than 18 members.
  Der Verwaltungsrat besteht aus mindestens drei und höchstens 18 Mitgliedern.

 


 

     
Article 23 Term of Office
  Artikel 23 Amtsdauer
 
   
1. The Directors shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders or at any General Meeting of Shareholders called for the purpose of electing Directors. Directors shall hold office for such term as the shareholders may determine or, in the absence of such determination, until the next Annual General Meeting of Shareholders or until their successors are elected or their office is otherwise vacated.
  1. Der Verwaltungsrat wird von der jährlich stattfindenden Generalversammlung oder einer zu diesem Zweck einberufenen Generalversammlung gewählt. Die Amtsdauer wird von der Generalversammlung bestimmt, bzw. läuft, falls nichts festgelegt wird, bis zur nächsten jährlichen Generalversammlung oder bis Nachfolger gewählt werden oder der Verwaltungsrat aus einem anderen Grunde von seinem Amt befreit wird.
 
   
2. If, before the expiration of his term of office, a Director should be replaced for whatever reason, the term of office of the newly elected member of the Board of Directors shall expire at the end of the term of office of his predecessor.
  2. Wenn ein Verwaltungsratsmitglied vor Ablauf seiner Amtsdauer aus welchen Gründen auch immer ersetzt wird, endet die Amtsdauer des an seiner Stelle gewählten neuen Verwaltungsratsmitgliedes mit dem Ende der Amtsdauer seines Vorgängers.
 
   
Article 24 Organization of the Board of Directors, Remuneration
  Artikel 24 Organisation des Verwaltungs-rates, Entschädigung
 
   
1. The Board of Directors shall elect from among its members a Chairman. It may elect one or more Vice-Chairmen. It shall further appoint a Secretary, who need not be a member of the Board of Directors. Subject to applicable law and these Articles of Association, the Board of Directors shall establish the particulars of its organization in organizational regulations.
  1. Der Verwaltungsrat wählt aus seiner Mitte einen Vorsitzenden. Er kann einen oder mehrere Vizepräsidenten wählen. Er bestellt weiter einen Sekretär, welcher nicht Mitglied des Verwaltungsrates sein muss. Der Verwaltungsrat regelt unter Vorbehalt der Bestimmungen des Gesetzes und dieser Statuten die Einzelheiten seiner Organisation in einem Organisationsreglement.
 
   
2. The members of the Board of Directors shall be entitled to reimbursement of all expenses incurred in the interest of the Company, as well as remuneration for their services that is appropriate in view of their functions and responsibilities. The amount of the remuneration shall be determined by the Board of Directors upon recommendation by a committee of the Board of Directors. Members of the Board of Directors may also participate in the Company’s benefit and other plans.
  2. Die Mitglieder des Verwaltungsrates haben Anspruch auf Ersatz ihrer im Interesse der Gesellschaft aufgewendeten Auslagen sowie auf eine ihrer Tätigkeit und Verantwortung entsprechende Entschädigung, die der Verwaltungsrat auf Antrag eines Ausschusses des Verwaltungsrates festlegt. Der Verwaltungsrat kann auch an Beteiligungs- und anderen Plänen der Gesellschaft teilnehmen.

 


 

     
3. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the existing and former members of the Board of Directors and officers, and their heirs, executors and administrators, out of the assets of the Company from and against all threatened, pending or completed actions, suits or proceedings — whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative — and all costs, charges, losses, damages and expenses which they or any of them, their heirs, executors or administrators, shall or may incur or sustain by or by reason of any act done or alleged to be done, concurred or alleged to be concurred in or omitted or alleged to be omitted in or about the execution of their duty, or alleged duty, or by reason of the fact that he is or was a member of the Board of Director or officer of the Company, or while serving as a member of the Board of Director or officer of the Company is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise; provided, however, that this indemnity shall not extend to any matter in which any of said persons is found, in a final judgment or decree of a court or governmental or administrative authority of competent jurisdiction not subject to appeal, to have committed an intentional or grossly negligent breach of his statutory duties as a member of the Board of Director or officer.
  3. Soweit gesetzlich zulässig, hält die Gesellschaft aktuelle und ehemalige Mitglieder des Verwaltungsrates und der Geschäftsleitung sowie deren Erben, Konkurs- oder Nachlassmassen aus Gesellschaftsmitteln für Schäden, Verluste und Kosten aus drohenden, hängigen oder abgeschlossenen Klagen, Verfahren oder Untersuchungen zivil-, straf- oder verwaltungsrechtlicher oder anderer Natur schadlos, welche ihnen oder ihren Erben, Konkurs- oder Nachlassmassen entstehen aufgrund von tatsächlichen oder behaupteten Handlungen, Zustimmungen oder Unterlassungen im Zusammenhang mit der Ausübung ihrer Pflichten oder behaupteten Pflichten oder aufgrund der Tatsache, dass sie Mitglied des Verwaltungsrates oder der Geschäftsleitung der Gesellschaft sind oder waren oder auf Aufforderung der Gesellschaft als Mitglied des Verwaltungsrates, der Geschäftsleitung oder als Arbeitnehmer oder Agent eines anderen Unternehmens, einer anderen Gesellschaft, einer nicht-rechtsfähigen Personengesellschaft oder eines Trusts sind oder waren. Diese Pflicht zur Schadloshaltung besteht nicht, soweit in einem endgültigen, nicht weiterziehbaren Entscheid eines zuständigen Gerichts bzw. einer zuständigen Verwaltungsbehörde entschieden worden ist, dass eine der genannten Personen ihre Pflichten als Mitglied des Verwaltungsrates oder der Geschäftsleitung absichtlich oder grobfahrlässig verletzt hat.
 
   
4. Without limiting the foregoing paragraph 3 of this Article 24, the Company shall advance court costs and attorneys’ fees to the existing
  4. Ohne den vorangehenden Absatz 3 dieses Artikels 24 einzuschränken, bevorschusst die Gesellschaft Mitgliedern des Verwaltungsrates und

 


 

     
and former members of the Board of Directors and officers. The Company may however recover such advanced costs if any of said persons is found, in a final judgment or decree of a court or governmental or administrative authority of competent jurisdiction not subject to appeal, to have committed an intentional or grossly negligent breach of his statutory duties as a Director or officer.
  der Geschäftsleitung Gerichts- und Anwaltskosten. Die Gesellschaft kann solche Vorschüsse zurückfordern, wenn ein zuständiges Gericht oder eine zuständige Verwaltungsbehörde in einem endgültigen, nicht weiterziehbaren Urteil bzw. Entscheid zum Schluss kommt, dass eine der genannten Personen ihre Pflichten als Mitglied des Verwaltungsrates oder der Geschäftsleitung absichtlich oder grobfahrlässig verletzt hat.
 
   
5. The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred in this Article 24 shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute or regulation, these Articles of Association, any agreement, vote of the shareholders or otherwise.
  5. Der Anspruch auf Ersatz und Bevorschussung von Kosten gemäss diesem Artikel 24 besteht oder entsteht ungeachtet anderer Ansprüche, kraft Gesetz, Statuten, Vereinbarung, Beschluss der Aktionäre oder aus anderem Grund wird durch diese Bestimmung nicht berührt.
 
   
Article 25 Specific Powers of the Board of Directors
  Artikel 25 Befugnisse des Verwaltungs-rates
 
   
1. The Board of Directors has the non-delegable and inalienable duties as specified in article 716a CO, in particular:
  1. Der Verwaltungsrat hat die in Artikel 716a OR statuierten unübertragbaren und unentziehbaren Aufgaben, insbesondere:
 
   
(a) the ultimate direction of the business of the Company and the issuance of the required directives;
  (a) die Oberleitung der Gesellschaft und die Erteilung der nötigen Weisungen;
 
   
(b) the determination of the organization of the Company;
  (b) die Festlegung der Organisation;
 
   
(c) the administration of the accounting system and of the financial controls, as well as the financial planning to the extent necessary to manage the Company;
  (c) die Ausgestaltung des Rechnungswesens, der Finanzkontrolle sowie der Finanzplanung, sofern diese für die Führung der Gesellschaft notwendig ist;
 
   
(d) the appointment and removal of the persons responsible for the management and representation of the Company;
  (d) die Ernennung und Abberufung der mit der Geschäftsführung und der Vertretung betrauten Personen und die Regelung ihrer Zeichungsberechtigung

 


 

     
(e) the ultimate supervision of the persons entrusted with management duties, in particular with regard to compliance with law, these Articles of Association, regulations and directives;
  (e) die Oberaufsicht über die mit der Geschäftsführung betrauten Personen, namentlich im Hinblick auf die Befolgung der Gesetze, Statuten, Reglemente und Weisungen;
 
   
(f) the preparation of the annual business report and the General Meeting of Shareholders and to carry out the resolutions adopted by the General Meeting of Shareholders; and
  (f) die Erstellung des Geschäftsberichtes sowie die Vorbereitung der Generalversammlung und die Ausführung ihrer Beschlüsse; und
 
   
(g) the notification of the court in case of insolvency.
  (g) die Benachrichtigung des Richters im Falle der Überschuldung.
 
   
2. In addition, the Board of Directors may pass resolutions with respect to all matters that are not reserved to the General Meeting of Shareholders by law or under these Articles of Association.
  2. Der Verwaltungsrat kann überdies in allen Angelegenheiten Beschluss fassen, die nicht nach Gesetz oder Statuten der Generalversammlung zugeteilt sind.
 
   
3. The Board of Directors may submit benefit or incentive plans of the Company to the General Meeting of Shareholders for approval.
  3. Der Verwaltungsrat kann Beteiligungspläne der Gesellschaft der Generalversammlung zur Genehmigung vorlegen.
 
   
Article 26 Delegation of Powers
  Artikel 26 Übertragung von Befugnissen
 
   
Subject to Article 25 para. 1 and the applicable provisions of the CO, the Board of Directors may delegate the management of the Company in whole or in part to individual Directors, one or more committees of the Board of Directors or to Persons other than Directors pursuant to organizational regulations.
  Der Verwaltungsrat kann unter Vorbehalt von Artikel 25 Abs. 1 sowie der Vorschriften des OR die Geschäftsführung nach Massgabe eines Organisationsreglements ganz oder teilweise an eines oder mehrere seiner Mitglieder, an einen oder mehrere Ausschüsse des Verwaltungsrates oder an Dritte übertragen.

 


 

     
Article 27 Meeting of the Board of Directors
  Artikel 27 Sitzungen des Verwaltungsrats
 
   
1. Except as otherwise set forth in organizational regulations of the Board of Directors, the attendance quorum necessary for the transaction of the business of the Board of Directors shall be the greater of two Directors, and not less than one-third of the total number of Directors. No attendance quorum shall be required for resolutions of the Board of Directors providing for the confirmation of a capital increase or for the amendment of the Articles of Association in connection therewith.
  1. Sofern das vom Verwaltungsrat erlassene Organisationsreglement nichts anderes festlegt, sind zur gültigen Beschlussfassung über Geschäfte des Verwaltungsrates wenigstens zwei Verwalungsräte nötig und nicht weniger als ein Drittel aller Mitglieder des Verwalungsrates. Kein Präsenzquorum ist erforderlich für die Anpassungs- und Feststellungsbeschlüsse des Verwaltungsrates im Zusammenhang mit Kapitalerhöhungen.
 
   
2. The Board of Directors shall pass its resolutions with the majority of the votes cast by the Directors present at a meeting at which the attendance quorum of para. 1 of this Article 27 is satisfied.
  2. Der Verwaltungsrat fasst seine Beschlüsse mit einer Mehrheit der von den anwesenden Verwaltungsräten abgegebenen Stimmen, vorausgesetzt, das Präsenzquorum von Absatz 1 dieses Artikels 27 ist erfüllt.
 
   
3. Resolutions of the Board of Directors may be passed without a meeting by way of written consent by a majority of the Directors, provided that no Director requests oral deliberations. A resolution in writing (in one or more counterparts) signed by the Directors that voted for such resolution (including signed copies sent by facsimile or email) shall be valid and effectual as if it had been passed at a meeting of the Board of Directors, duly convened and held.
  3. Beschlüsse des Verwaltungsrates können auf schriftlichem Wege von der Mehrheit der Mitglieder getroffen werden, sofern nicht ein Mitglied mündliche Beratung verlangt. Ein schriftlicher Beschluss (in einer oder mehreren Ausfertigungen), der von den Verwaltungsräten unterzeichnet ist, die für einen solchen Beschluss gestimmt haben (einschliesslich unterschriebenen Kopien per Telefax oder E-Mail gesendet) hat die gleiche Gültigkeit wie die an einer Sitzung gefassten Beschlüsse.
 
   
Article 28 Signature Power
  Artikel 28 Zeichnungs-berechtigung
 
   
The due and valid representation of the Company by members of the Board of Directors and other Persons shall be set forth in organizational regulations.
  Die rechtsverbindliche Vertretung der Gesellschaft durch Mitglieder des Verwaltungsrates und durch Dritte wird in einem Organisationsreglement festgelegt.
 
   
C. Auditor
  C. Revisionsstelle

 


 

     
Article 29 Term, Powers and Duties
  Artikel 29 Amtsdauer, Befugnisse und Pflichten
 
   
1. The Board of Directors shall propose the nomination of the Auditor of the Company for election by the General Meeting of Shareholders. The Auditor shall have the powers and duties vested in it by law.
  1. Die Revisionsstelle wird von der Generalversammlung gewählt und es obliegen ihr die vom Gesetz zugewiesenen Befugnisse und Pflichten.
 
   
2. The term of office of the Auditor shall be one year, commencing on the day of election at an Annual General Meeting of Shareholders and terminating on the day of the next Annual General Meeting of Shareholders.
  2. Die Amtsdauer der Revisionsstelle beträgt ein Jahr, beginnend am Tage der Wahl an einer ordentlichen Generalversammlung und endend am Tage der nächsten ordentlichen Generalversammlung.
 
   
SECTION 4 ANNUAL STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND PROFIT ALLOCATION
  ABSCHNITT 4 JAHRESRECHNUNG,KONZERN-RECHNUNG UND GEWINN-VERTEILUNG
 
   
Article 30 Fiscal Year
  Artikel 30 Geschäftsjahr
 
   
The Board of Directors determines the fiscal year.
  Der Verwaltungsrat legt das Geschäftsjahr fest.
 
   
Article 31 Allocation of Profit Shown on the Annual Statutory Balance Sheet, Reserves
  Artikel 31 Verteilung des Bilanzgewinns, Reserven
 
   
1. The profit shown on the Annual Statutory Balance Sheet shall be allocated by the General Meeting of Shareholders in accordance with applicable law. The Board of Directors shall submit its proposals to the General Meeting of Shareholders.
  1. Über den Bilanzgewinn verfügt die Generalversammlung im Rahmen der anwendbaren gesetzlichen Vorschriften. Der Verwaltungsrat unterbreitet ihr seine Vorschläge.
 
   
2. Further reserves may be taken in addition to the reserves required by law.
  2. Neben der gesetzlichen Reserve können weitere Reserven geschaffen werden.

 


 

     
3. Dividends that have not been collected within five years after their payment date shall enure to the Company and be allocated to the general statutory reserves.
  3. Dividenden, welche nicht innerhalb von fünf Jahren nach ihrem Auszahlungsdatum bezogen werden, fallen an die Gesellschaft und werden in die allgemeinen gesetzlichen Reserven verbucht.
 
   
SECTION 5 WINDING-UP AND LIQUIDATION
  ABSCHNITT 5 AUFLÖSUNG UND LIQUIDATION
 
   
Article 32 Winding-up and Liquidation
  Artikel 32 Auflösung und Liquidation
 
   
1. The General Meeting of Shareholders may at any time resolve on the winding-up and liquidation of the Company pursuant to applicable law and the provisions set forth in these Articles of Association.
  1. Die Generalversammlung kann jederzeit die Auflösung und Liquidation der Gesellschaft nach Massgabe der gesetzlichen und statutarischen Vorschriften beschliessen.
 
   
2. The liquidation shall be effected by the Board of Directors, unless the General Meeting of Shareholders shall appoint other Persons as liquidators.
  2. Die Liquidation wird durch den Verwaltungsrat durchgeführt, sofern sie nicht durch die Generalversammlung anderen Personen übertragen wird.
 
   
3. The liquidation of the Company shall be effectuated pursuant to the statutory provisions.
  3. Die Liquidation der Gesellschaft erfolgt nach Massgabe der gesetzlichen Vorschriften.
 
   
4. Upon discharge of all liabilities, the assets of the Company shall be distributed to the shareholders pursuant to the amounts paid in, unless these Articles of Association provide otherwise.
  4. Nach erfolgter Tilgung der Schulden wird das Vermögen unter die Aktionäre nach Massgabe der eingezahlten Beträge verteilt, soweit diese Statuten nichts anderes vorsehen.
 
   
SECTION 6 ANNOUNCEMENTS,
COMMUNICATIONS
  ABSCHNITT 6 BEKANNT-MACHUNGEN, MITTEILUNGEN
 
   
Article 33 Announcements, Communications
  Artikel 33 Bekanntmachungen, Mitteilungen
 
   
1. The official means of publication of the Company shall be the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce.
  1. Publikationsorgan der Gesellschaft ist das Schweizerische Handelsamtsblatt.
 
   
2. To the extent that individual notification is not required by law, stock exchange regulations or these Articles of Association, all
  2. Soweit keine individuelle Benachrichtigung durch das Gesetz, börsengesetzliche Bestimmungen oder diese Statuten verlangt wird,

 


 

     
communications to the shareholders shall be deemed valid if published in the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce. Written communications by the Company to its shareholders shall be sent by ordinary mail to the last address of the shareholder or authorized recipient recorded in the share register. Financial institutions holding Shares for beneficial owners and recorded in such capacity in the share register shall be deemed to be authorized recipients.
  gelten sämtliche Mitteilungen an die Aktionäre als gültig erfolgt, wenn sie im Schweizerischen Handelsamtsblatt veröffentlicht worden sind. Schriftliche Bekanntmachungen der Gesellschaft an die Aktionäre werden auf dem ordentlichen Postweg an die letzte im Aktienbuch verzeichnete Adresse des Aktionärs oder des bevollmächtigten Empfängers geschickt. Finanzinstitute, welche Aktien für wirtschaftlich Berechtigte halten und als solches im Aktienbuch eingetragen sind, gelten als bevollmächtigte Empfänger.
 
   
SECTION 7 ORIGINAL LANGUAGE
  ABSCHNITT 7 VERBINDLICHER ORIGINALTEXT
 
   
Article 34 Original Language
  Artikel 34 Verbindlicher Originaltext
 
   
In the event of deviations between the German and English version of these Articles of Association, the German text shall prevail.
  Falls sich zwischen der deutschen und englischen Fassung dieser Statuten Differenzen ergeben, hat die deutsche Fassung Vorrang.
 
   
SECTION 8 DEFINITIONS
  ABSCHNITT 8 DEFINITIONEN
 
   
Article 35
  Artikel 35
 
   
1. CO
  1. OR
The term CO has the meaning assigned to it in Article 14 para. 1. To the extent the CO is amended, references herein to the articles or provisions of the CO shall be deemed to be references to the relevant replacement or amended provisions of the CO.
  Der Begriff OR hat die in Artikel 14 Abs. 1 aufgeführte Bedeutung. Im Fall von Revisionen des OR gelten die hierin enthaltenen Bezugnahmen zu Bestimmungen des OR als Bezugnahmen auf die Ersatzbestimmungen oder geänderten Bestimmungen des OR.
 
   
2. Company
  2. Gesellschaft
The term Company has the meaning assigned to it in Article 1.
  Der Begriff Gesellschaft hat die in Artikel 1 aufgeführte Bedeutung.

 


 

     
3. Person
  3. Person
Person means any individual, company, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity. When two or more Persons act as a partnership, limited partnership, syndicate, or other group for the purpose of acquiring, holding, or disposing of securities of the Company, such syndicate or group shall be deemed a “Person” for the purposes of this definition.
  Person bedeutet jede natürliche Person, Kapitalgesellschaft, rechts- oder nicht-rechtsfähige Personengesellschaft oder jeder andere Rechtsträger. Wenn zwei oder mehr Personen als Personengesellschaft, Kommanditgesellschaft, Syndikat oder andere Gruppe mit dem Zweck des Erwerbs, des Haltens oder der Zurverfügungstellung von Sicherheiten der Gesellschaft handeln, soll ein solches Syndikat als “Person” im Sinne dieser Definition gelten.
 
   
4. Rights
  4. Rechte
The term Rights has the meaning assigned to it in Article 6 para. 1.
  Der Begriff Rechte hat die in Artikel 6 Abs. 1 aufgeführte Bedeutung.
 
   
5. Rights-Bearing Obligations
  5. Mit Rechten verbundenen
The term Rights-Bearing Obligations has the meaning assigned to it in Article 6 para. 1.
  Obligationen Der Begriff mit Rechten verbundenen Obligationen hat die in Artikel 6 Abs. 1 aufgeführte Bedeutung.
 
   
6. SEC
The term SEC has the meaning assigned to it in Article 12 para. 2.
  6. SEC
Der Begriff SEC hat die in Artikel 12 Abs. 2 aufgeführte Bedeutung.
 
   
7. Share(s)
  7. Aktie(n)
The term Share(s) has the meaning assigned to it in Article 4.
  Der Begriff Aktie(n) hat die in Artikel 4 aufgeführte Bedeutung.
 
   
8. Transfer Agent
  8. Transfer Agent
The term Transfer Agent has the meaning assigned to it in Article 8 para. 3.
  Der Begriff Transfer Agent hat die in Artikel 8 Abs. 3 aufgeführte Bedeutung.

 


 

     
SECTION 9 TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS
  ABSCHNITT 9 ÜBERGANGS-BESTIMMUNGEN
 
   
Article 36 Contribution in Kind
  Artikel 36 Sacheinlage
 
   
The Company acquires, in connection with the capital increase of February 26, 2009, and in accordance with the order issued by the Supreme Court of Bermuda on February 20, 2009 sanctioning the scheme of arrangement of February 17, 2009 between Weatherford International Ltd., an exempted company with limited liability under the laws of Bermuda with registered office in Bermuda and listed on the New York Stock Exchange ( Weatherford Bermuda ), and its shareholders, as approved by the shareholders of Weatherford Bermuda (the Scheme of Arrangement ), in relation with an agreement dated December 10, 2008, all of the 728,782,425 common shares of Weatherford Bermuda, which have a total value of CHF 7,922,062,403.82. As consideration for this contribution, the Company issues to a nominee, acting on behalf and for the account of the holders of common shares of Weatherford Bermuda, a total of 728,782,425 Shares with a total par value of CHF 845,387,613. The difference between the aggregate par value of the issued Shares and the total value of the contribution, in the amount of CHF 7,076,674,790.82, is allocated to the reserves of the Company.
  Die Gesellschaft übernimmt bei der Kapitalerhöhung vom 26. Februar 2009 gemäss einem Vertrag von 10. Dezember 2008 in Verbindung mit einem Urteil des Supreme Court von Bermuda vom 20. Februar 2009 zum Umstrukturierungsplan (“scheme of arrangement”) vom 17. Februar 2009 zwischen der Weatherford International Ltd., einer Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung gemäss Bermuda Recht mit Sitz in Bermuda und Kotierung an der New York Stock Exchange ( Weatherford Bermuda ), und ihren Aktionären, der von den Aktionären der Weatherford Bermuda genehmigt wurde ( der Plan ), alle 728’782’425 Aktien der Weatherford Bermuda, welche einen Wert von insgesamt CHF 7’922’062’403.82 haben. Als Gegenleistung für diese Sacheinlage gibt die Gesellschaft einem Umtauschagenten (“nominee”), handelnd auf Rechnung der Aktionäre der Weatherford Bermuda, insgesamt 728’782’425 voll einbezahlte Aktien mit einem Nennwert von insgesamt CHF 845’387’613 aus. Die Gesellschaft weist die Differenz zwischen dem totalen Nennwert der ausgegebenen Aktien und dem Übernahmewert der Sacheinlage im Gesamtbetrag von CHF 7’076’674’790.82 den Reserven der Gesellschaft zu.

 

 
Exhibit 3.2


 
 
ORGANIZATIONAL REGULATIONS
 
dated as of February 25, 2009
 
of
 
Weatherford International Ltd.,
 
a Swiss corporation with its registered office in Zug
 


 

ARTICLE 1
 
SCOPE AND BASIS
 
Section  1.01.   Basis .   These Organizational Regulations (the Organizational Regulations ) are enacted by the Board of Directors of Weatherford International Ltd. (the Company ) pursuant to article 716b of the Swiss Code of Obligations ( CO ) and Article 26 of the Company’s articles of association (the Articles of Association ). The Organizational Regulations govern the internal organization and the duties, powers and responsibilities of the Board of Directors, Board Committees and officers of the Company (collectively, the Executive Bodies ).
 
Section  1.02.   Group Companies .   The Company is an operating and holding company with international subsidiaries active in businesses that are involved in providing equipment and related services used for drilling, evaluation, completion, production and intervention of oil and natural gas wells. The Executive Bodies of the Company shall duly respect the legal independence of all subsidiary companies and the local laws applicable to them. To ensure proper functioning among the Company and its subsidiaries, in the interests of the Company and its shareholders and to comply with various requirements imposed by relevant laws and regulatory authorities, the Board of Directors shall supervise and, where necessary and appropriate, coordinate the business of the Company and its subsidiaries by providing overall guidance and support.
 
Section  1.03.   Interpretation .
 
(a) Words importing the singular number shall also include the plural number and vice-versa.
 
(b) Words importing the masculine gender shall also include the feminine gender.
 
ARTICLE 2
 
CORPORATE ORGANIZATION
 
The Company shall have the following functions and committees:
 
(a) the Board of Directors (the Board );
 
(b) the chairman of the Board (the Chairman );
 
(c) the board committees established from time to time pursuant to these Organizational Regulations (the Board Committees );
 
(d) the chief executive officer of the Company (the Chief Executive Officer ); and
 
(e) the officers and other management of the Company.
 
ARTICLE 3
 
THE BOARD
 
Section  3.01.   Constitution .   The Board shall elect from among its members one Chairman. It may elect one or more Vice-Chairmen. It shall further appoint a Secretary who need not be a member of the Board. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of the General Meetings of Shareholders and the meetings of the Board and give notice of such meetings and shall perform like duties for the committees of the Board when so required. In the case of the absence or inability to act of the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary (or, in the case of keeping minutes of the General Meeting of Shareholders or the meetings of the Board, any other person designated by the presiding officer of such meeting) may act in the Secretary’s place.
 
Section  3.02.   Board Composition .   In selecting candidates for Board membership the Board shall give due consideration to the governance framework set forth in the Corporate Governance Principles of the Company.


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Section  3.03.   Powers and Duties .
 
(a) The Board is the ultimate executive body of the Company and shall determine the principles of the business strategy and policies. The Board shall exercise its function as required by law, the Articles of Association and these Organizational Regulations.
 
(b) The Board shall be authorized to pass resolutions on all matters that are not reserved to the General Meeting of Shareholders or to other Executive Bodies by applicable law, the Articles of Association or these Organizational Regulations.
 
(c) In particular, the Board has the following powers and duties:
 
(i) the ultimate direction of the Company and the issuance of the necessary guidelines in accordance with applicable law and regulations;
 
(ii) the determination of the Company’s organizational structure, including the promulgation and the amendment of these Organizational Regulations;
 
(iii) the determination of the Company’s accounting principles, financial control and financial planning;
 
(iv) the appointment and removal of the persons responsible for the management and representation of the Company;
 
(v) the ultimate supervision of the persons entrusted with the management of the Company, in particular with regard to their compliance with applicable law, the Articles of Association, these Organizational Regulations and other applicable instructions and guidelines;
 
(vi) the review and approval of the business report and the financial statements of the Company as well as the preparation of the General Meeting of Shareholders and the implementation of its resolutions;
 
(vii) the notification of the court if the liabilities of the Company exceed the assets of the Company (article 725 CO);
 
(viii) the adoption of resolutions concerning an increase in the share capital of the Company to the extent that such power is vested in the Board (article 651 para. 4 CO) and of resolutions concerning the confirmation of capital increases and corresponding amendments to the Articles of Association, as well as making the required report on the capital increase;
 
(ix) the establishment of the Company’s dividend policy;
 
(x) the proposal to the General Meeting of Shareholders of candidates for election or re-election to the Board, upon recommendation of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee;
 
(xi) the response to any takeover offer for the Company;
 
(xii) the establishment of any code of ethics, code of conduct and business practice;
 
(xiii) the determination of any membership and terms of reference of any Board Committees;
 
(xiv) the approval of any agreements to which the Company is a party relating to mergers, demergers, transformations and/or transfer of assets, to the extent required pursuant to the Swiss Merger Act and/or unless approval by the General Meeting of Shareholders is required pursuant to the Swiss Merger Act;
 
(xv) the appointment and removal of the Chairman (giving due consideration to the Corporate Governance Guidelines of the Company) and the Secretary, the members of Board Committees and the officers, as well as the determination of their signatory power (see Section 9.01);
 
(xvi) the approval of the annual investment and operating budget;
 
(xvii) the approval of share buybacks of the Company; and


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(xviii) the determination for the Company to enter into new areas of activity and withdrawal from existing areas of business, each within the purpose of the Company as specified in the Company’s Articles of Association.
 
Section  3.04.   Delegation of Management .   To the extent permitted by applicable law and stock exchange rules and except as otherwise provided herein, the Board herewith delegates, in the sense of article 716b CO, all other duties, including the implementation of the Board and committee resolutions as well as the supervision of particular aspects of the business and the management of the Company, to the Chief Executive Officer. Subject to Section 3.07, Directors will have complete and open access to the officers of the Company, including the Chief Executive Officer.
 
Section  3.05.   Meetings .
 
(a) The Board shall meet together for the transaction of business, convening, adjourning and otherwise regulating its meetings as it thinks fit. The Board shall give due consideration to the governance framework set forth in the Corporate Governance Guidelines of the Company.
 
(b) Regularly scheduled meetings of the Board may be held at such time and at such place as shall from time to time be determined by the Chairman. Special meetings of the Board may be called by the Chairman or any two members of the Board. Any member of the Board may request that the Chairman convene a meeting as soon as practicable, subject to providing a reason for so requesting a meeting.
 
(c) No notice need be given of any regular meeting of the Board or of any adjourned meeting of the Board. No notice need be given to any Director who signs a written waiver thereof or who attends the meeting without protesting the lack of notice. Notices need not state the purpose of the meeting. Attendance of a Director at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when a Director attends and makes it known that he is attending for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the grounds that the meeting is not lawfully convened, and such purpose is duly recorded in the minutes of such meeting.
 
(d) Notice of each special meeting of the Board shall be given to each Director either by first class mail or by a mail service equivalent to first class mail, at least three days before the meeting, by “overnight” or other express delivery service at least two days before the meeting, or by telecopy, facsimile, personal written delivery, e-mail (or other electronic means of communication) or telephone at least one day before the meeting. Any notice given by telephone shall be immediately confirmed by telecopy, facsimile, or e-mail (or other electronic means of communication). Notices are deemed to have been given: by mail, when deposited in the mail with postage prepaid; by “overnight” or other express delivery service, the day after sending; by telecopy or facsimile, upon receipt of a transmittal confirmation; and by personal delivery, e-mail or telephone, at the time of delivery. Written notices shall be sent to a Director at the address or e-mail address designated by such Director for that purpose or, if none has been so designated, at such Director’s last known residence, business or e-mail address.
 
(e) Any one or more Directors or any committee thereof may participate in a meeting of the Board or committee by conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting by such means shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
 
Section  3.06.   Attendance Quorum; Resolutions and Minutes .
 
(a) The attendance quorum necessary for the transaction of the business of the Board shall be the greater of two Directors, and not less than one-third of the total number of Directors. No attendance quorum shall be required for resolutions of the Board providing for the confirmation of a capital increase or for the amendment of the Articles of Association in connection therewith.
 
(b) The Board shall pass its resolutions with the majority of the votes cast by the Directors present at a meeting at which the attendance quorum of Section 3.06(a) above is satisfied. The Chairman shall have the same vote as each other Director.


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(c) Resolutions of the Board may be passed without a meeting by way of written consent by a majority of the whole Board, provided that no member of the Board requests oral deliberations. In such a case, a resolution in writing (in one or more counterparts) signed by a majority the Directors or all the members of a committee of the Directors (including signed copies sent by facsimile or email) shall be as valid and effectual as if it had been passed at a meeting of the Board or committee, as the case may be, duly convened and held.
 
(d) The Board shall cause minutes to be made for the purpose of recording the proceedings at all meetings of the Company and the Directors and of committees of the Board. The minutes of Board meetings shall be signed by the acting chairman and the secretary and must be approved by the Board. The minutes of committee meetings shall be signed by the acting chairman and must be approved by such committee.
 
Section  3.07.   Information and Reporting .
 
(a) At Board meetings, each member of the Board is entitled to request and receive from other Directors and from the Chief Executive Officer information on all affairs of the Company.
 
(b) Outside of Board meetings, each Director may request information from the Chief Executive Officer on the general course of business and, upon approval of the Chairman, each Director may obtain information on specific transactions and/or access to business documents.
 
Section  3.08.   Compensation .   Each Director shall be entitled to receive as compensation for such Director’s services as a Director or committee member or for attendance at meetings of the Board or committees, or both, such amounts and type of compensation (if any) as shall be fixed from time to time by the Board or the Compensation Committee. In determining Directors’ compensation, the Board shall give due consideration to the governance framework set forth in the Corporate Governance Guidelines of the Company as well as the recommendations of the Compensation Committee. Each Director shall be entitled to reimbursement for reasonable traveling expenses incurred by such Director in attending any such meeting.
 
Section  3.09.   Conflicts of Interest .
 
(a) Any Director, or any Director’s firm, partner or any company with whom any Director is associated, may act in a professional capacity for the Company and such Director or such Director’s firm, partner or such company shall be entitled to remuneration for professional services as if such Director were not a Director, provided that nothing herein shall authorize a Director or Director’s firm, partner or company to act as auditor of the Company.
 
(b) A Director who is directly or indirectly interested in a contract or proposed contract or arrangement with the Company shall disclose the nature of such interest as required by applicable law.
 
(c) The Director facing a conflict of interests shall not participate in the deliberations and resolutions on matters involving such conflict of interests.
 
Section  3.010.   Participation by Non-Members .   Persons who are not members of the Board of Directors or committees of the Board may participate in meetings of such bodies if their expertise is required and they have been invited by the chairperson of such body. Such persons shall not vote upon any resolutions.
 
ARTICLE 4
 
CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN
 
Section  4.01.   Power and Duties .   The Chairman of the Board shall preside at all meetings of the Board. Further, the Chairman has the following powers and duties:
 
(a) contact with the officers and management of the Company between Board meetings in order to be informed about important business developments;
 
(b) preparing the agenda for the General Meetings of Shareholders and Board meetings;
 
(c) presiding over the General Meetings of Shareholders and Board meetings;


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(d) informing the full Board without delay of material extraordinary events; and
 
(e) any other matters reserved by law, the Articles of Association or these Organizational Regulations to the Chairman.
 
Section  4.02.   Authority .   Should the Chairman be unable or unavailable to exercise his functions, his functions shall be assumed by the Vice-Chairman, if one has been elected, or if the latter has not been elected or should be unable or unavailable, another Director appointed by the Board.
 
ARTICLE 5
 
BOARD COMMITTEES
 
Section  5.01.   General .
 
(a) The Board may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the Directors, as designated by the Board. The Board may designate one or more alternate Directors as members of any committee, who may replace any absent member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not constituting a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent member. At all meetings of any committee, a majority of its members (or the member, if only one) shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the act of a majority of the members present shall be the act of any such committee, unless otherwise specifically provided by law, the Articles of Association or these Organizational Regulations. The Board shall have the power at any time to change the number and members of any such committee, to fill vacancies and to discharge any such committee.
 
(b) Sections 3.05 and 3.06(b) through (d) above with respect to notice of, and participation in, meetings of the Board shall apply also to meetings of committees, unless different provisions shall be prescribed by the Board. Each committee shall serve at the discretion of the Board. It shall keep minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board when required and shall observe such procedures as are prescribed by the Board.
 
(c) Any committee of the Board, to the extent provided by the provisions set forth herein and in such committee’s charter, but subject to any limitation imposed by the Swiss Code of Obligations, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board in the management of the affairs of the Company that are assigned to it by the Board, and may further assist the Board in implementing its resolutions. The Board may delegate to any such committee the necessary powers to that effect pursuant to the provisions of such committee’s charter.
 
(d) The committees have the right, at any time and in their discretion, to make or request inquiries in all matters within their responsibilities as specified in such committee’s charter. They may hire independent legal advisors, auditors and other experts, in particular to establish a comparison with general principles of best practice or otherwise. The expenses shall be borne by the Company.
 
Section  5.02.   Individual Committees .   The committees of the Board shall be the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and any other committees designated by the Board.
 
ARTICLE 6
 
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
 
Section  6.01.   Powers and Duties .   Subject to applicable law, regulations and stock exchange rules, the day-to-day executive management of the Company shall be the responsibility of the Chief Executive Officer. If the President (as described below) shall not be designated the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, such President shall have such authority and perform such duties as may be prescribed from time to time by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall have the primary responsibility for the management of the Company, and shall directly report to the Board.


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Section  6.02.   Reporting .   The Chief Executive Officer shall regularly inform the Board at the Board meetings on the current course of business and all major business matters of the Company.
 
ARTICLE 7
 
OFFICERS
 
Section  7.01.   Composition .   The officers of the Company shall be chosen by the Board and shall include a Chief Executive Officer, a President and one or more Vice Presidents (who may be further classified by such descriptions as “Executive,” “Senior” or “Assistant” as determined by the Board), and such other officers, as the Board may deem necessary or appropriate. The Board may from time to time authorize any officer to appoint and remove any other officer or agent and to prescribe such person’s authority and duties. Any person may hold at one time two or more offices. Each officer shall have such authority and perform such duties, in addition to those specified in these Articles, as may be prescribed by the Board from time to time.
 
Section  7.02.   Term of Office .   Each officer shall hold office for the term for which appointed by the Board, and until the person’s successor has been appointed and qualified or until such person’s earlier resignation or removal. Any officer may be removed by the Board, with or without cause. The election or appointment of an officer shall not in and of itself create contractual rights to bind the Company. Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Board or the Secretary. Any such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein or, if such time is not specified therein, then upon receipt of such notice, and, unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
 
ARTICLE 8
 
FISCAL YEAR
 
Section  8.01.   Determination .   The fiscal year of the Company shall start on January 1 and end on December 31.
 
ARTICLE 9
 
GENERAL PROVISIONS
 
Section  9.01.   Signatory Power .   The Directors, officers and other persons authorized to represent the Company and its subsidiaries have individual or joint signatory power, as determined appropriate by the Board from time to time or as otherwise required by applicable law.
 
Section  9.02.   Insurance .   The Company may procure directors’ and officers’ liability insurance for the Directors and for officers of the Company. Any costs of insurance shall be charged to the Company or its subsidiaries.
 
ARTICLE 10
 
FINAL PROVISIONS
 
Section  10.01.   Change of or Amendments to these Organizational Regulations .   Any change of or amendment to these Organizational Regulations shall only be valid if the Board approved such change or amendment with the attendance quorum and the majority as set forth in Section 3.06(a), (b) and (c), respectively.
 
SO RESOLVED as of February 25, 2009.


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EXHIBIT 4.1
 
FIFTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
among
WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL, INC.,
a Delaware corporation,
WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL LTD.,
a Bermuda exempted company,
WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL LTD.,
a Swiss corporation,
and
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
as Trustee
 
Dated as of
February 26, 2009
to Indenture dated as of May 17, 1996
 
 

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
         
ARTICLE ONE AMENDMENTS TO THE INDENTURE
    2  
 
       
SECTION 101 Applicability of Amendments
    2  
SECTION 102 Definitions
    2  
SECTION 103 Notices
    3  
SECTION 104 Additional Events of Default
    3  
SECTION 105 Trustee Matters
    3  
SECTION 106 Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
    4  
SECTION 107 Guarantee
    4  
 
       
ARTICLE TWO SECURITIES TO WHICH ARTICLE ONE APPLICABLE
    9  
 
       
SECTION 201 Securities to which Article One Applicable
    9  
 
       
ARTICLE THREE MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
    9  
 
       
SECTION 301 Integral Part
    9  
SECTION 302 General Definitions
    10  
SECTION 303 Adoption, Ratification and Confirmation
    10  
SECTION 304 Trust Indenture Act Controls
    10  
SECTION 305 Governing Law
    10  
SECTION 306 Severability
    10  
SECTION 307 Counterpart Originals
    10  
SECTION 308 Successors
    10  
SECTION 309 Table of Contents and Headings
    10  
SECTION 310 Benefit of Fifth Supplemental Indenture
    11  
SECTION 311 Acceptance by Trustee
    11  

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     THIS FIFTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of February 26, 2009, among Weatherford International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), Weatherford International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company (“ Weatherford Bermuda ”), Weatherford International Ltd., a Swiss corporation (“ Weatherford Switzerland ”), and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (as successor in interest to Bank of Montreal Trust Company) (the “ Trustee ”).
RECITALS OF THE COMPANY
     WHEREAS, the Company has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an Indenture, dated as of May 17, 1996, as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture thereto, dated as of May 27, 1998, the Second Supplemental Indenture thereto, dated as of June 30, 2000 (the “ Second Supplemental Indenture ”), the Third Supplemental Indenture thereto, dated as of November 16, 2001 (the “ Third Supplemental Indenture ”), and the Fourth Supplemental Indenture thereto, dated as of June 26, 2002 (the “ Fourth Supplemental Indenture ”, and such indenture as so supplemented, the " Indenture ”), providing for the issuance from time to time of one or more series of the Company’s Securities; and
     WHEREAS, the Company, in accordance with an Officer’s Certificate dated as of May 28, 1996, previously issued $200 million original aggregate principal amount of its 7 1 / 4 % Notes due May 15, 2006, none of which notes remain outstanding as of the date hereof; and
     WHEREAS, the Company, in accordance with the Second Supplemental Indenture, previously issued $910 million aggregate original principal amount of its Zero Coupon Convertible Debentures due June 30, 2020, none of which debentures remain outstanding as of the date hereof; and
     WHEREAS, the Company has, in accordance with the Third Supplemental Indenture, previously issued $350 million aggregate original principal amount of its 6 5 / 8 % Notes due 2011 (the “ 6 5 / 8 % Notes ”), which 6 5 / 8 % Notes remain outstanding as of the date hereof; and
     WHEREAS, Weatherford Bermuda has, in accordance with the Fourth Supplemental Indenture, previously provided a guarantee of the 6 5 / 8 % Notes; and
     WHEREAS, pursuant to a share exchange transaction effected by a scheme of arrangement, in connection with a share exchange agreement, between Weatherford Bermuda and Weatherford Switzerland, pursuant to which each holder of common shares of Weatherford Bermuda issued and outstanding immediately before the transaction transferred such common shares to Weatherford Switzerland solely in exchange for (through a nominee acting on behalf and for the account of the shareholders) the same number of shares of Weatherford Switzerland (the “ Redomestication ”), the Company has, contemporaneously with the effectiveness of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture, become an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Weatherford Switzerland and Weatherford Bermuda has become a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Weatherford Switzerland; and
     WHEREAS, in connection with such Redomestication, Weatherford Switzerland has determined that it will be in the best interests of and beneficial to Weatherford Switzerland to

 


 

enter into this Fifth Supplemental Indenture for the purposes of providing a guarantee of the 6 5 / 8 % Notes in accordance with the terms of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture; and
     WHEREAS, Sections 901(2) and 901(3) of the Indenture permit the execution of supplemental indentures without the consent of any Holders to add any additional Events of Default with respect to, and to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of, all or any series of Securities; and
     WHEREAS, Section 901(5) of the Indenture permits the execution of supplemental indentures without the consent of any Holders to add to, change or eliminate any provisions of the Indenture in respect of one or more series of Securities; provided, that any such change or elimination does not adversely affect in any material respect any outstanding Security of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture; and
     WHEREAS, the Company, pursuant to the foregoing authority, proposes in and by this Fifth Supplemental Indenture to supplement and amend the Indenture in certain respects; and
     WHEREAS, the changes contained herein do not adversely affect in any material respect any Holder of any outstanding Security; and
     WHEREAS, the Trustee is hereby authorized and directed to execute this Fifth Supplemental Indenture; and
     WHEREAS, all things necessary have been done to make this Fifth Supplemental Indenture a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company, Weatherford Bermuda and Weatherford Switzerland, in accordance with its terms.
     NOW THEREFORE:
     In consideration of the premises provided for herein, the Company, Weatherford Bermuda, Weatherford Switzerland and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree as follows:
ARTICLE ONE
AMENDMENTS TO THE INDENTURE
     SECTION 101 Applicability of Amendments .
The amendments contained in this Article ONE of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture shall apply only to any series of Securities issued under the Indenture which have specifically been made subject to such amendments, and not to any other series of Securities issued under the Indenture, and any covenants provided in this Article ONE of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such Securities and not for the benefit of any other series of Securities issued under the Indenture. These amendments shall be effective for so long as there remain Outstanding any Securities of a series to which the provisions of this Article ONE apply.
     SECTION 102 Definitions .
Section 101 of the Indenture is hereby amended, subject to Section 201 of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture, to add Weatherford Switzerland to the definition of the term “Guarantor” by replacing the current definition of such term with the following:

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     “Guarantors” shall mean Weatherford International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company, until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture (and thereafter shall mean such successor Person), and Weatherford International Ltd., a Swiss corporation, until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture (and thereafter shall mean such successor Person), and “Guarantor” shall mean either (i) Weatherford International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company, or its successor Person, or (ii) Weatherford International Ltd., a Swiss corporation, or its successor Person.
     SECTION 103 Notices.
Section 105 of the Indenture is hereby amended, subject to Section 201 of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture, by replacing the current subsection (3) with the following:
     “(3) a Guarantor by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to such Guarantor addressed to it at: Weatherford International Ltd., c/o Weatherford International, Inc., 515 Post Oak Blvd., Houston, Texas 77027, to the attention of its Treasurer, or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by such Guarantor.”
     SECTION 104 Additional Events of Default.
Section 501 of the Indenture is hereby amended, subject to Section 201 of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture, by (a) replacing the words “and the Guarantor” each time said words appear in subsections (4) and (7) thereof with the words “and the Guarantors”, (b) replacing the words “the Guarantor” each time said words appear in subsections (9), (10) and (11) thereof with the words “any Guarantor”, and (c) replacing the existing subsection (8) thereof with the following:
     “(8) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty of any Guarantor in this Indenture, and continuation of such default or breach for a period of 90 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company and such Guarantor by the Trustee or to the Company and such Guarantor and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or”
     SECTION 105 Trustee Matters.
Section 605 of the Indenture is hereby amended, subject to Section 201 of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture, by replacing the words “the Guarantor” each time said words appear therein, with the words “any Guarantor”.

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     SECTION 106 Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance.
Article THIRTEEN of the Indenture is hereby amended, subject to Section 201 of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture, by replacing the existing Section 1307 with the following:
     “SECTION 1307 Effects of Defeasance on Guarantors .
     Upon any defeasance in accordance with Section 1302 hereof of the Securities of a series to which this Section 1307 has been made applicable, all Guarantors shall be discharged from their obligations hereunder in respect of the Securities of such series to the same extent and subject to the same conditions as the Company is released from its obligations hereunder in respect of the Securities of such series. Upon any covenant defeasance in accordance with Section 1303 hereof of the Securities of a series to which this Section 1307 has been made applicable, all Guarantors shall be discharged from their obligations under Section 1905(a) hereof in respect of the Securities of such series to the same extent and subject to the same conditions as the Company is released from its obligations in respect of the Securities of such series under Section 801 hereof.”
     SECTION 107 Guarantee.
Article NINETEEN of the Indenture is hereby amended, subject to Section 201 of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture, by replacing the current Article NINETEEN with the following:
“ARTICLE NINETEEN
GUARANTEES OF SECURITIES
SECTION 1901 Unconditional Guarantees .
     (a) For value received, each Guarantor hereby fully, irrevocably, unconditionally and absolutely guarantees to the Holders of Securities of each series to which this Article NINETEEN has been made applicable and to the Trustee the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on such Securities, Liquidated Damages, if any, and all other amounts due and payable under this Indenture and such Securities by the Company to the Trustee or such Holders (including, without limitation, all costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and disbursements) incurred by the Trustee or such Holders in connection with the enforcement of this Indenture and the Guarantees) (collectively, the ‘ Indenture Obligations’ ), when and as such principal, premium, if any, interest, Liquidated Damages, if any, and other amounts shall become due and payable, whether at the Stated Maturity, upon redemption or by declaration of acceleration or otherwise, according to the terms of such Securities and this Indenture. The guarantees by the Guarantors set forth in this Article NINETEEN are referred to herein as the ‘ Guarantees’. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Guarantors’ liability shall extend to all amounts that constitute part of the

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Indenture Obligations and would be owed by the Company to the Trustee or such Holders under this Indenture and such Securities but for the fact that they are unenforceable, reduced, limited, impaired, suspended or not allowable due to the existence of a bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding involving the Company.
     (b) Failing payment when due of any amount guaranteed pursuant to the Guarantees, for whatever reason, each Guarantor will be obligated to pay the same, without duplication, immediately to the Trustee, without set-off or counterclaim or other reduction whatsoever (whether for taxes, withholding or otherwise). Each Guarantee hereunder is intended to be a general, unsecured, senior obligation of the applicable Guarantor and will rank pari passu in right of payment with all indebtedness of such Guarantor that is not, by its terms, expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Guarantee of such Guarantor. Each Guarantor hereby agrees that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, its obligations hereunder shall be full, irrevocable, unconditional and absolute, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of such Securities, the Guarantees or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of such Guarantor. Each Guarantor hereby agrees that in the event of a default in payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on such Securities, or Liquidated Damages, if any, or any other amounts payable under this Indenture and such Securities by the Company to the Trustee or the Holders thereof, whether at the Stated Maturity, upon redemption or by declaration of acceleration or otherwise, legal proceedings may be instituted by the Trustee on behalf of such Holders or, subject to Section 5.06 hereof, by such Holders, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Indenture, directly against such Guarantor to enforce its Guarantee without first proceeding against the Company or any other Guarantor.
     (c) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the obligations of the Guarantors under this Article NINETEEN shall be as aforesaid full, irrevocable, unconditional and absolute and shall not be impaired, modified, discharged, released or limited by any occurrence or condition whatsoever, including, without limitation, (i) any compromise, settlement, release, waiver, renewal, extension, indulgence or modification of, or any change in, any of the obligations and liabilities of the Company or any Guarantor contained in any of such Securities or this Indenture, (ii) any impairment, modification, release or limitation of the liability of the Company, any Guarantor or any of their estates in bankruptcy, or any remedy for the enforcement thereof, resulting from the operation of any present or future provision of any applicable Bankruptcy Law, as

5


 

amended, or other statute or from the decision of any court, (iii) the assertion or exercise by the Trustee or any such Holder of any rights or remedies under any of such Securities or this Indenture or their delay in or failure to assert or exercise any such rights or remedies, (iv) the assignment or the purported assignment of any property as security for any of such Securities, including all or any part of the rights of the Company or any Guarantor under this Indenture, (v) the extension of the time for payment by the Company or any Guarantor of any payments or other sums or any part thereof owing or payable under any of the terms and provisions of any of such Securities or this Indenture or of the time for performance by the Company or any Guarantor of any other obligations under or arising out of any such terms and provisions or the extension or the renewal of any thereof, (vi) the modification or amendment (whether material or otherwise) of any duty, agreement or obligation of the Company or any Guarantor set forth in this Indenture, (vii) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets, marshaling of assets and liabilities, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or readjustment, rehabilitation or relief of, or other similar proceeding affecting, the Company or any Guarantor or any of their respective assets, or the disaffirmance of any of such Securities, the Guarantees or this Indenture in any such proceeding, (viii) the release or discharge of the Company or any Guarantor from the performance or observance of any agreement, covenant, term or condition contained in any of such instruments by operation of law, (ix) the unenforceability of any of such Securities, the Guarantees or this Indenture, (x) any change in the name, business, capital structure, corporate existence, or ownership of the Company or any Guarantor, or (xi) any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a legal or equitable discharge of, a surety or any Guarantor.
     (d) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Guarantor hereby (i) waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, notice of acceptance, filing of claims with a court in the event of the merger, insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company or any Guarantor, and all demands and notices whatsoever, (ii) acknowledges that any agreement, instrument or document evidencing the Guarantees may be transferred and that the benefit of its obligations hereunder shall extend to each holder of any agreement, instrument or document evidencing the Guarantees without notice to them and (iii) covenants that its Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the Guarantees. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Guarantor further agrees that if at any time all or any part of any payment theretofore applied by any Person to any Guarantee is, or must be, rescinded or returned for any reason whatsoever, including without limitation, the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any Guarantor, such Guarantee shall, to

6


 

the extent that such payment is or must be rescinded or returned, be deemed to have continued in existence notwithstanding such application, and the Guarantees shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, as though such application had not been made.
     (e) The Guarantors shall be subrogated to all rights of the Holders and the Trustee against the Company in respect of any amounts paid by the Guarantors pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture; provided, however, that the Guarantors shall not be entitled to enforce or to receive any payments arising out of, or based upon, such right of subrogation with respect to any of such Securities until all of such Securities and the Guarantees thereof shall have been indefeasibly paid in full or discharged.
     (f) A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of a Guarantor shall not have any liability for any obligations of such Guarantor under this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation.
     (g) No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising, on the part of the Trustee or the Holders, any right, power, privilege or remedy under this Article NINETEEN and the Guarantees shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any rights, power, privilege or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof, or the exercise of any other rights, powers, privileges or remedies. The rights and remedies herein provided for are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided in law or equity. Nothing contained in this Article NINETEEN shall limit the right of the Trustee or the Holders to take any action to accelerate the maturity of such Securities pursuant to Article Five or to pursue any rights or remedies hereunder or under applicable law.
          SECTION 1902 Execution and Delivery of Notation of Guarantees .
          To further evidence the Guarantees, each Guarantor hereby agrees that a notation of its Guarantee may be endorsed on each Security of a series to which this Article NINETEEN has been made applicable authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and executed by either manual or facsimile signature of an officer of such Guarantor.
          Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on any such Security a notation relating to the Guarantees thereof.
          If an officer of a Guarantor whose signature is on this Indenture or a Security no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates such

7


 

Security or at any time thereafter, such Guarantor’s Guarantee of such Security shall be valid nevertheless.
          The delivery by the Trustee of any Security of a series to which this Article NINETEEN has been made applicable, after the authentication thereof under this Indenture, shall constitute due delivery of the Guarantees set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the applicable Guarantor.
          SECTION 1903 Reports by Guarantors .
          In addition to the certificates delivered to the Trustee pursuant to Section 1904, the Guarantors shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, and transmit to Holders of Outstanding Securities of each series to which this Article NINETEEN has been made applicable, such information, documents and other reports, and such summaries thereof, as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto; provided that any such information, documents or reports required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, shall be filed with the Trustee within 15 days after the same is so required to be filed with the Commission.
          SECTION 1904 Statement by Officer as to Default .
          Each Guarantor shall, so long as any Securities of a series to which this Article NINETEEN has been made applicable are Outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company beginning in 2002, a brief certificate from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer as to his or her knowledge of such Guarantor’s compliance with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture. For purposes of this Section 1904, such compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice under this Indenture. Such certificate shall comply with Section 314(a)(4) of the Trust Indenture Act.
          SECTION 1905 Limitations on Merger and Consolidation of Guarantors .
     (a) No Guarantor shall, so long as any Securities to which this Article NINETEEN has been made applicable are Outstanding, consolidate with or merge into any other Person or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any other Person, unless:
     (1) The Person formed by such consolidation or into which such Guarantor is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, the properties and assets of such Guarantor substantially as an entirety shall be an exempted company, corporation, partnership, limited liability company or trust and shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental

8


 

hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, the obligations of such Guarantor hereunder;
     (2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and
     (3) such Guarantor has delivered to the Trustee an officers’ certificate of such Guarantor and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and such supplemental indenture comply with this Section 1905(a) and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.
     (b) Upon any consolidation of a Guarantor with, or merger of a Guarantor into, any other Person or any conveyance, transfer or lease of the properties and assets of a Guarantor substantially as an entirety to any other Person in accordance with Section 1905(a), the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which such Guarantor is merged or to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, such Guarantor under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as a Guarantor herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and such Securities and coupons and may liquidate and dissolve.”
ARTICLE TWO
SECURITIES TO WHICH ARTICLE ONE APPLICABLE
     SECTION 201 Securities to which Article One Applicable .
The Company and the Guarantors hereby agree in accordance with Sections 901(2), 901(3) and 901(5) of the Indenture that the amendments to the Indenture set forth in Article ONE of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture are hereby made applicable to the 6 5 / 8 % Notes, and only to the Securities of this specified series.
ARTICLE THREE
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
     SECTION 301 Integral Part .
This Fifth Supplemental Indenture constitutes an integral part of the Indenture to the extent provided in Section 201 hereof.

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     SECTION 302 General Definitions .
For all purposes of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture, capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings specified in the Indenture.
     SECTION 303 Adoption, Ratification and Confirmation .
The Indenture, as supplemented and amended by this Fifth Supplemental Indenture, is in all respects hereby adopted, ratified and confirmed, and this Fifth Supplemental Indenture shall be deemed part of the Indenture in the manner and to the extent herein and therein provided. The provisions of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture shall, subject to the terms hereof, supersede the provisions of the Indenture to the extent the Indenture is inconsistent herewith.
     SECTION 304 Trust Indenture Act Controls .
If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by operation of TIA § 318(c), the imposed duties shall control.
     SECTION 305 Governing Law .
THIS FIFTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
     SECTION 306 Severability .
In case any provision in this Fifth Supplemental Indenture shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
     SECTION 307 Counterpart Originals .
The parties may sign any number of copies of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.
     SECTION 308 Successors .
All agreements of the Company or any Guarantor in this Fifth Supplemental Indenture shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Fifth Supplemental Indenture shall bind its successors.
     SECTION 309 Table of Contents and Headings .
The table of contents and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

10


 

     SECTION 310 Benefit of Fifth Supplemental Indenture .
Nothing in this Fifth Supplemental Indenture, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent and their successors hereunder, and the Holders of Securities of any series to which the amendments of the Indenture set forth in Article ONE hereof have been made applicable, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Fifth Supplemental Indenture.
     SECTION 311 Acceptance by Trustee .
The Trustee accepts the amendments to the Indenture effected by this Fifth Supplemental Indenture and agrees to execute the trusts created by the Indenture as hereby amended, but only upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Fifth Supplemental Indenture and the Indenture. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the recitals contained herein, which shall be taken as the statements of the Company and the Guarantors, and, except as provided in the Indenture, the Trustee shall not be responsible or accountable in any way whatsoever for or with respect to the validity or execution or sufficiency of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture, and the Trustee makes no representation with respect thereto.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

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     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Fifth Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first written above.
         
  WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL, INC.,
a Delaware corporation
 
 
  By:   /s/ Burt M. Martin    
    Name:   Burt M. Martin   
    Title:   Senior Vice President   
 
  WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL LTD.,
a Bermuda exempted company
 
 
  By:   /s/ Burt M. Martin    
    Name:   Burt M. Martin   
    Title:   Senior Vice President   
 
  WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL LTD.,
a Swiss corporation
 
 
  By:   /s/ Burt M. Martin    
    Name:   Burt M. Martin   
    Title:   Senior Vice President   
 
  THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,
as Trustee

 
 
  By:   /s/ Mauri J. Cowen  
    Name:   Mauri J. Cowen  
    Title:   Vice President  
 

12

EXHIBIT 4.2
 
THIRD SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
among
WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL LTD.,
a Bermuda exempted company,
WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL, INC.,
a Delaware corporation,
WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL LTD.,
a Swiss corporation,
and
DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS,
as Trustee
 
Dated as of
February 26, 2009
to Indenture dated as of October 1, 2003
 
 

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
         
ARTICLE 1 Amendments to the Indenture
    2  
 
       
SECTION 1.01. Definitions
    2  
SECTION 1.02. Certain References to “the Guarantor”
    3  
SECTION 1.03. Additional References to “the Guarantor”
    3  
SECTION 1.04. Certain References to “the Guarantee”
    3  
SECTION 1.05. Certain Cross-References in the Indenture
    4  
SECTION 1.06. Compliance Certificates and Opinions
    4  
SECTION 1.07. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee
    4  
SECTION 1.08. Notices
    5  
SECTION 1.09. Governing Law
    5  
SECTION 1.10. Incorporators, Shareholders, Officers and Directors of the Company and Guarantor Exempt from Individual
       
Liability
    6  
SECTION 1.11. Forms Generally
    6  
SECTION 1.12. Form of Reverse of Security
    6  
SECTION 1.13. The Securities
    9  
SECTION 1.14. Trustee Matters
    10  
SECTION 1.15. Consolidation, Amalgamation, Merger and Sale
    12  
SECTION 1.16. Supplemental Indentures
    13  
SECTION 1.17. Covenants
    13  
SECTION 1.18. Guarantee
    14  
 
       
ARTICLE 2 Miscellaneous Provisions
    18  
 
       
SECTION 2.01. General Definitions
    18  
SECTION 2.02. Continued Effect
    18  
SECTION 2.03. Governing Law
    18  
SECTION 2.04. Severability
    18  
SECTION 2.05. Counterparts
    18  
SECTION 2.06. Successors
    19  
SECTION 2.07. Table of Contents and Headings
    19  
SECTION 2.08. Benefit of Third Supplemental Indenture
    19  
SECTION 2.09. Acceptance by Trustee
    19  

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     This THIRD SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of February 26, 2009, among Weatherford International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company (the “ Company ”), Weatherford International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Weatherford U.S. ”), Weatherford International Ltd., a Swiss corporation (“ Weatherford Switzerland ”), and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”).
RECITALS OF THE COMPANY
     WHEREAS, the Company has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an Indenture, dated as of October 1, 2003, as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture thereto, dated as of March 25, 2008 (the “ First Supplemental Indenture ”), and the Second Supplemental Indenture thereto, dated as of January 8, 2009 (the “ Second Supplemental Indenture ”, and such indenture as so supplemented, the “ Indenture ”), providing for the issuance from time to time of one or more series of the Company’s Securities; and
     WHEREAS, the Company, in accordance with an Officer’s Certificate dated as of October 7, 2003, previously issued $250 million original aggregate principal amount of its 4.95% Senior Notes due 2013 (the “ 4.95% 2013 Notes ”); and
     WHEREAS, the Company, in accordance with an Officer’s Certificate dated as of January 17, 2006, previously issued $350 million original aggregate principal amount of its 5.50% Senior Notes due 2016 (the “ 2016 Notes ”); and
     WHEREAS, the Company, in accordance with an Officer’s Certificate dated as of August 7, 2006, previously issued $600 million original aggregate principal amount of its 6.50% Senior Notes due 2036 (the “ 2036 Notes ”); and
     WHEREAS, the Company, in accordance with the First Supplemental Indenture, previously issued $500 million aggregate original principal amount of its 5.15% Senior Notes due 2013 (the “ 5.15% 2013 Notes ”), $500 million aggregate original principal amount of its 6.00% Senior Notes due 2018 (the “ 2018 Notes ”) and $500 million aggregate original principal amount of its 7.00% Senior Notes due 2038 (the “ 2038 Notes ”); and
     WHEREAS, the Company, in accordance with the Second Supplemental Indenture, previously issued $1 billion original aggregate principal amount of its 9.625% Senior Notes due 2019 (the “ 2019 Notes ”) and $250 million original aggregate principal amount of its 9.875% Senior Notes due 2039 (the “ 2039 Notes ” and collectively with the 4.95% 2013 Notes, the 2016 Notes, the 2036 Notes, the 5.15% 2013 Notes, the 2018 Notes, the 2038 Notes and the 2019 Notes, the “ Notes ”)); and
     WHEREAS, the Notes remain Outstanding as of the date hereof; and
     WHEREAS, Weatherford U.S. has, in accordance with the Indenture, previously provided a guarantee of the Notes; and
     WHEREAS, pursuant to a share exchange transaction effected by a scheme of arrangement, in connection with a share exchange agreement, between the Company and Weatherford Switzerland, pursuant to which each holder of common shares of the Company

 


 

issued and outstanding immediately before the transaction transferred such common shares to Weatherford Switzerland solely in exchange for (through a nominee acting on behalf and for the account of the shareholders) the same number of shares of Weatherford Switzerland (the “ Redomestication ”), the Company, contemporaneously with the effectiveness of this Third Supplemental Indenture, has become a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Weatherford Switzerland, and Weatherford U.S. has become an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Weatherford Switzerland; and
     WHEREAS, in connection with such Redomestication, Weatherford Switzerland has determined that it will be in the best interests of and beneficial to Weatherford Switzerland to enter into this Third Supplemental Indenture for the purposes of providing a guarantee of the Notes in accordance with the terms of this Third Supplemental Indenture; and
     WHEREAS, Section 9.1(3) of the Indenture permits the execution of supplemental indentures without the consent of any Holders to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of all or any series of Securities; and
     WHEREAS, Section 9.1(6) of the Indenture permits the execution of supplemental indentures without the consent of any Holders to change or eliminate any of the provisions of the Indenture; provided, that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no Security Outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture which is entitled to the benefit of such provision; and
     WHEREAS, the Company, pursuant to the foregoing authority, proposes in and by this Third Supplemental Indenture to supplement and amend the Indenture in certain respects; and
     WHEREAS, all things necessary have been done to make this Third Supplemental Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, Weatherford U.S. and Weatherford Switzerland, in accordance with its terms.
     NOW THEREFORE:
     In consideration of the premises provided for herein, the Company, Weatherford U.S., Weatherford Switzerland and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
Amendments to the Indenture
      SECTION 1.01. Definitions .
Section 1.1 of the Indenture is hereby amended by (a) replacing the words “the Guarantor” each time said words appear in the defined terms “Board of Directors”, “Board Resolution”, “Opinion of Counsel”, “Outstanding” and “Vice President” with the words “a Guarantor” and (b) replacing the definitions of “Bankruptcy Law”, “Company Request” or “Company Order”, “Guarantee”, “Guarantor” and “Officer’s Certificate” with the following, respectively:
     ““Bankruptcy Law” means any applicable Federal, State, Bermuda or Swiss bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law.”

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     ““Company Request” or “Company Order” means, in the case of the Company, a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its President, any of its Vice Presidents or any other duly authorized officer of the Company or any person duly authorized by any of them, and delivered to the Trustee and, in the case of a Guarantor, a written request or order signed in the name of such Guarantor by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its President, any of its Vice Presidents or any other duly authorized officer of such Guarantor or any person duly authorized by any of them, and delivered to the Trustee.”
     ““Guarantees” has the meaning specified in Section 14.1.”
     ““Guarantors” shall mean Weatherford International, Inc., a Delaware corporation, until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture (and thereafter shall mean such successor Person), and Weatherford International Ltd., a Swiss corporation, until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture (and thereafter shall mean such successor Person), and “Guarantor” shall mean either (i) Weatherford International, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or its successor Person, or (ii) Weatherford International Ltd., a Swiss corporation, or its successor Person.”
     ““Officer’s Certificate” means, in the case of the Company, a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President or any other duly authorized officer of the Company, or a person duly authorized by any of them, and delivered to the Trustee and, in the case of a Guarantor, a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President or any other duly authorized officer of such Guarantor, or a person duly authorized by any of them, and delivered to the Trustee.”
      SECTION 1.02. Certain References to the Guarantor ”.
Sections 1.2, 1.5, 3.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 6.3 and 6.6, subsections (1) and (2) of Section 1.6, subsection (c) of Section 3.3 and the fourth paragraph of Section 6.14 of the Indenture are each hereby amended by replacing the words “the Guarantor” each time said words appear therein with the words “a Guarantor”.
      SECTION 1.03. Additional References to the Guarantor ”.
Sections 1.10, 1.16, 3.5, 3.6, 3.8, 5.9, 5.15, 6.4, 7.2, 9.2, 10.3, 13.2 and 13.3, the third paragraph of Section 6.14 and the first and last paragraphs of Section 9.1 of the Indenture are each hereby amended by replacing the words “the Guarantor” each time said words appear therein with the words “the Guarantors”.
      SECTION 1.04. Certain References to the Guarantee ”.

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Sections 1.11, 1.12, 1.14, 3.1, 3.5, 3.6, 5.4 and 5.7 of the Indenture are each hereby amended by replacing the words “the Guarantee” each time said words appear therein with the words “the Guarantees”.
      SECTION 1.05. Certain Cross-References in the Indenture .
The Indenture is hereby amended by (a) replacing the phrase “Section 1.2” each time said phrase appears in Sections 3.1 and 3.5 of the Indenture and in the definition of “Place of Payment” with the phrase “Section 10.2”, (b) replacing the phrase “Section 1.3” appearing in Section 4.1 of the Indenture with the phrase “Section 10.3” and (c) replacing the phrase “Section 1303” appearing in Section 13.5 of the Indenture with the phrase “Section 13.3”.
      SECTION 1.06. Compliance Certificates and Opinions .
     Section 1.3 of the Indenture is hereby amended by replacing the first paragraph thereof with the following:
     “Upon any application or request by the Company or a Guarantor to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished except as required under Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act.”
      SECTION 1.07. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee .
Section 1.4 of the Indenture is hereby amended by replacing the second paragraph thereof with the following:
     “Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company or a Guarantor may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows or, in the exercise of reasonable care, should know that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such certificate or opinion of counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, unless such counsel knows that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.”

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      SECTION 1.08. Notices .
Section 1.6 of the Indenture is hereby amended by replacing subsection (3) thereof with the following:
     “(3) a Guarantor by the Company, the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to such Guarantor addressed to it at: Weatherford International, Inc. or Weatherford International Ltd., c/o Weatherford International, Inc., as applicable, 515 Post Oak Blvd., Houston, Texas 77027, to the attention of its Corporate Secretary, or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by such Guarantor.”
      SECTION 1.09. Governing Law .
Section 1.13 of the Indenture is hereby amended by replacing such Section 1.13 with the following:
     “ THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES AND THE GUARANTEES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
     To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each of the Company and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of any Federal or state court located in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York, New York in any suit, action or proceeding based on or arising out of or relating to this Indenture or any Securities and irrevocably agrees that all claims in respect of such suit or proceeding may be determined in any such court. Each of the Company and the Guarantors irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection which it may have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in an inconvenient forum. Each of the Company and the Guarantors agrees that final judgment in any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such a court shall be conclusive and binding and may be enforced in the courts of Bermuda (or any other courts of any other jurisdiction to which either of them is subject) by a suit upon such judgment, provided that service of process is effected upon the Company. Each of the Company and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably designates and appoints CT Corporation Systems, New York, New York (the “Process Agent”) as its authorized agent for purposes of this Section 1.13, it being understood that the designation and appointment of the Process Agent as such authorized agent shall become effective immediately without any further action on the part of the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be. Each of the Company and the Guarantors further agrees that, unless otherwise required by law, service of process upon the Process Agent and written notice of said service to the Company or a Guarantor, as the case may be, mailed by prepaid registered first class mail or delivered to the Process Agent at its principal office, shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, in any such suit or

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proceeding. Each of the Company and the Guarantors further agrees to take any and all action, including the execution and filing of any and all such documents and instruments as may be necessary, to continue such designation and appointment of the Process Agent in full force and effect so long as the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, has any outstanding obligations under this Indenture. To the extent the Company or a Guarantor, as the case may be, has or hereafter may acquire any immunity from jurisdiction of any court or from any legal process (whether through service of notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution, executor or otherwise) with respect to itself or its property, each of the Company and such Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives such immunity in respect of its obligations under this Indenture to the extent permitted by law.”
      SECTION 1.10. Incorporators, Shareholders, Officers and Directors of the Company and Guarantor Exempt from Individual Liability .
Section 1.18 of the Indenture is hereby amended by (a) replacing the words “the Guarantee” each time said words appear therein with “any Guarantee” and (b) replacing the words “the Guarantor” each time said words appear therein with the words “any Guarantor”.
      SECTION 1.11. Forms Generally .
The first paragraph of Section 2.1 of the Indenture is hereby amended by replacing such paragraph with the following:
“The Securities of each series and, if applicable, the notation thereon relating to the Guarantees, shall be in substantially the form set forth in this Article Two, or in such other form or forms as shall be established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with the rules of any securities exchange or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Securities and, if applicable, such Guarantees, as evidenced by their execution thereof.”
      SECTION 1.12. Form of Reverse of Security .
The first, second, eleventh, seventeenth, eighteenth, nineteenth, twenty-first and twenty-second paragraphs of Section 2.3 of the Indenture are hereby amended by replacing such paragraphs with the following, respectively:
“This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of senior securities of the Company (herein called the “Securities”), issued and to be issued in one or more series under an Indenture, dated as of October 1, 2003 (herein called the “Indenture”), between the Company, Weatherford International, Inc. and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee”,

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which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement, of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. As provided in the Indenture, the Securities may be issued in one or more series, which different series may be issued in various aggregate principal amounts, may mature at different times, may bear interest, if any, at different rates, may be subject to different redemption provisions, if any, may be subject to different sinking, purchase or analogous funds, if any, may be subject to different covenants and Events of Default and may otherwise vary as in the Indenture provided or permitted. This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof [, limited in aggregate principal amount to $. . . . . . . . . . ].”
“This Security is the general, unsecured, senior obligation of the Company [ if applicable, insert— and is guaranteed pursuant to a guarantee (the “Guarantee”) by each of Weatherford International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Weatherford U.S.”) and Weatherford International Ltd., a Swiss corporation (“Weatherford Switzerland” and collectively with Weatherford U.S., the “Guarantors”). The Guarantees are the general, unsecured, senior obligation of the Guarantors.]”
“The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company [ If applicable, insert— and the Guarantors] and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company [ If applicable, insert— and the Guarantors] and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of each series to be affected. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company [ If applicable, insert— and the Guarantors] with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.”
“Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Company, [ If applicable, insert— the Guarantors,] the Trustee and any agent of the Company [ If applicable, insert— , the Guarantors] or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and none of the Company, [ If applicable, insert— the Guarantors,] the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.”

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“No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of or contained in the Indenture or of or contained in any Security, [ If applicable, insert— , or any Guarantee endorsed thereon,] or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, or in any Security [ If applicable, insert— or in any Guarantee], or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, shareholder, member, officer, manager or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company [ If applicable, insert— or any Guarantor] or of any successor Person, either directly or through the Company [ If applicable, insert— or any Guarantor] or any successor Person, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment, penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released by the acceptance hereof and as a condition of, and as part of the consideration for, the Securities and the execution of the Indenture.”
“The Indenture provides that the Company [ If applicable, insert— and the Guarantors] (a) will be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the Securities (except for certain obligations described in the Indenture), or (b) need not comply with certain restrictive covenants of the Indenture, in each case if the Company [ If applicable, insert— or a Guarantor] deposits, in trust, with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations (or a combination thereof) which through the payment of interest thereon and principal thereof in accordance with their terms will provide money, in an amount sufficient to pay all the principal of and interest on the Securities, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.”
“[ If a Definitive Security, insert as a separate page—
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto
                                                                                                                                                                              
(Please Print or Typewrite Name and Address of Assignee)
the within instrument of WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL, LTD., a Bermuda exempted Company, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint                                                                Attorney to transfer said instrument on the books of the within-named Company, with full power of substitution in the premises.
Please Insert Social Security or Other Identifying Number of Assignee:
         
     
 
       
Dated:
       
 
       
 
      (Signature)
NOTICE: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the within instrument in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.]”

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“[ If a Security to which Article Fourteen has been made applicable, insert the following Form of Notation on such Security relating to the Guarantee—
Each Guarantor (which term includes any successor Person in such capacity under the Indenture), has fully, unconditionally and absolutely guaranteed, to the extent set forth in the Indenture and subject to the provisions in the Indenture, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities and all other amounts due and payable under the Indenture and the Securities by the Company.
The obligations of the Guarantors to the Holders of Securities and to the Trustee pursuant to the Guarantees and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article Fourteen of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the precise terms of the Guarantees.
 Guarantors:
             
 
           
    WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL, INC.,
a Delaware corporation
   
 
           
 
  By:        
 
           
 
           
 
           
 
           
    WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL LTD.,
a Swiss corporation
   
 
           
 
  By:        
 
           
 
     
 
] ”
   
 
     
 
   
      SECTION 1.13. The Securities .
Section 3.3 of the Indenture is hereby amended by replacing the first and second paragraphs thereof with the following, respectively:
     “The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its President, its Chief Financial Officer or any of its Vice Presidents and need not be attested. The signature of any of these officers on the Securities may be manual or facsimile. Any Guarantee endorsed on the Securities shall be executed on behalf of the applicable Guarantor by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its President, its Chief Financial Officer or any of its Vice Presidents and need not be attested. The signature of any of these officers on any Guarantee may be manual or facsimile.”

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     “Securities and any Guarantee bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company or a Guarantor, as the case may be, shall bind the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities.”
      SECTION 1.14. Trustee Matters .
Article Six of the Indenture is hereby amended by replacing Sections 6.5, 6.11 and 6.13 with the following, respectively:
     “Section 6.5. May Hold Securities .
     “The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar or any other agent of the Company or, if applicable, any Guarantor, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections 310(b) and 311 of the Trust Indenture Act and Sections 6.8, 6.9 and 6.13, may otherwise deal with the Company or, if applicable, such Guarantor with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other agent.”
     “Section 6.11. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor .
     (a) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company, the Guarantors (if applicable) and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company or, if applicable, a Guarantor or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder.
     (b) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the Guarantors (if applicable), the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept

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such appointment and which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company, a Guarantor (if applicable) or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates.
     (c) Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, as the case may be.
     (d) No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article and the Trust Indenture Act.”
     “Section 6.13. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company .

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     Reference is made to Section 311 of the Trust Indenture Act. For purposes of Section 311(b) of the Trust Indenture Act,
     (1) the term “cash transaction” means any transaction in which full payment for goods or securities sold is made within seven days after delivery of the goods or securities in currency or in checks or other orders drawn upon banks or bankers and payable upon demand; and
     (2) the term “self-liquidating paper” means any draft, bill of exchange, acceptance or obligation which is made, drawn, negotiated or incurred by the Company or, if applicable, a Guarantor for the purpose of financing the purchase, processing, manufacturing, shipment, storage or sale of goods, wares or merchandise and which is secured by documents evidencing title to, possession of, or a lien upon, the goods, wares or merchandise or the receivables or proceeds arising from the sale of the goods, wares or merchandise previously constituting the security, provided the security is received by the Trustee simultaneously with the creation of the creditor relationship with the Company or, if applicable, such Guarantor arising from the making, drawing, negotiating or incurring of the draft, bill of exchange, acceptance or obligation.”
      SECTION 1.15. Consolidation, Amalgamation, Merger and Sale
Article Eight of the Indenture is hereby amended by replacing Article Eight with the following:
ARTICLE EIGHT
CONSOLIDATION, AMALGAMATION, MERGER AND SALE
     Section 8.1. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms .
     The Company and, if any Securities of a series to which Article Fourteen has been made applicable are Outstanding, each Guarantor shall not consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into any other Person or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as, or substantially as, an entirety to any Person unless:
     (1) the Person formed by such consolidation or amalgamation or into which the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, the properties and assets of the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, as, or substantially as, an entirety shall be a corporation and shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on all the Securities and the performance or observance of every other covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, to be performed or observed and shall have expressly provided for conversion rights in respect of any series of Outstanding Securities with conversion rights;

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     (2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and
     (3) the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, conveyance, sale, transfer or lease and such supplemental indenture, if any, comply with this Article Eight and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.
     Section 8.2. Successor Substituted .
     Upon any consolidation or amalgamation of the Company or a Guarantor, as the case may be, with or merger of the Company or a Guarantor, as the case may be, into, any other Person or any conveyance, transfer or lease of the properties and assets of the Company or a Guarantor, as the case may be, as, or substantially as, an entirety in accordance with Section 8.1, the successor or resulting Person formed by or resulting upon such consolidation or amalgamation or into which the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, is merged or to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities and may liquidate and dissolve.”
      SECTION 1.16. Supplemental Indentures .
Section 9.1 of the Indenture is hereby amended by replacing subsection (2) of Section 9.1 with the following:
     “(2) to evidence the succession of another Person to a Guarantor and the assumption by any such successor of the Guarantee of such Guarantor herein and, to the extent applicable, endorsed upon any Securities; or”
      SECTION 1.17. Covenants.
Article Ten of the Indenture is hereby amended by replacing Sections 10.4 and 10.7 with the following, respectively:
     “Section 10.4. Existence .
     Subject to Article Eight, the Company and, if any Securities of a series to which Article Fourteen has been made applicable are Outstanding, each Guarantor will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in

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full force and effect its existence, rights (charter and statutory) and franchises; provided, however, that the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors shall not be required to preserve any such right or franchise if the Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be.”
     “Section 10.7. Statement by Officers as to Default .
     Annually, within 150 days after the close of each fiscal year beginning with the first fiscal year during which one or more series of Securities are Outstanding, the Company and, if any Securities of a series to which Article Fourteen has been made applicable are Outstanding, each Guarantor will deliver to the Trustee a brief certificate (which need not include the statements set forth in Section 1.3) from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Company and, if applicable, such Guarantor as to his or her knowledge of the Company’s or such Guarantor’s, as the case may be, compliance (without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided herein) with all conditions and covenants under the Indenture and, if the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall be in Default, specifying all such Defaults and the nature and status thereof of which such officer has knowledge.”
      SECTION 1.18. Guarantee .
Article Fourteen of the Indenture is hereby amended by replacing Article Fourteen with the following:
ARTICLE FOURTEEN
GUARANTEES OF SECURITIES
     Section 14.1. Unconditional Guarantees .
     For value received, each Guarantor hereby fully, irrevocably, unconditionally and absolutely guarantees to the Holders of Securities of each series to which this Article Fourteen has been made applicable as provided in Section 3.1(22) and to the Trustee the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on such Securities, and all other amounts due and payable under this Indenture and such Securities by the Company to the Trustee or such Holders (including, without limitation, all costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and disbursements) incurred by the Trustee or such Holders in connection with the enforcement of this Indenture and the Guarantees) (collectively, the “Indenture Obligations”), when and as such principal, premium, if any, interest, if any, and other amounts shall become due and payable, whether at the Stated Maturity, upon redemption or by declaration of acceleration or otherwise, according to the terms of such Securities and this Indenture. The guarantees by the Guarantors set forth in this Article Fourteen are referred to herein as the “Guarantees” . Without limiting the generality of the

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foregoing, the Guarantors’ liability shall extend to all amounts that constitute part of the Indenture Obligations and would be owed by the Company to the Trustee or such Holders under this Indenture and such Securities but for the fact that they are unenforceable, reduced, limited, impaired, suspended or not allowable due to the existence of a bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding involving the Company.
     Failing payment when due of any amount guaranteed pursuant to the Guarantees, for whatever reason, each Guarantor will be obligated (to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law) to pay the same immediately to the Trustee, without set-off or counterclaim or other reduction whatsoever (whether for taxes, withholding or otherwise). Each Guarantee hereunder is intended to be a general, unsecured, senior obligation of the applicable Guarantor and will rank pari passu in right of payment with all unsecured indebtedness of such Guarantor that is not, by its terms, expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Guarantee of such Guarantor. Each Guarantor hereby agrees that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, its obligations hereunder shall be full, irrevocable, unconditional and absolute, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of such Securities, the Guarantees or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of such Guarantor. Such Guarantor hereby agrees that in the event of a default in payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on such Securities, or any other amounts payable under this Indenture and such Securities by the Company to the Trustee or the Holders thereof, whether at the Stated Maturity, upon redemption or by declaration of acceleration or otherwise, legal proceedings may be instituted by the Trustee on behalf of such Holders or, subject to Section 5.7 hereof, by such Holders, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Indenture, directly against such Guarantor to enforce its Guarantee without first proceeding against the Company or any other Guarantor.
     To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the obligations of the Guarantors under this Article Fourteen shall be as aforesaid full, irrevocable, unconditional and absolute and shall not be impaired, modified, discharged, released or limited by any occurrence or condition whatsoever, including, without limitation, (i) any compromise, settlement, release, waiver, renewal, extension, indulgence or modification of, or any change in, any of the obligations and liabilities of the Company or any Guarantor contained in any of such Securities or this Indenture, (ii) any impairment, modification, release or limitation of the liability of the Company, any Guarantor or any of their estates in bankruptcy, or any remedy for the enforcement thereof, resulting from the operation of any present or future provision of any applicable Bankruptcy Law, as amended, or other statute or from the decision of any court, (iii) the assertion or exercise by the Trustee or any such Holder of any rights or remedies under any of such Securities or this Indenture or their delay in or failure to assert or exercise any such rights or

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remedies, (iv) the assignment or the purported assignment of any property as security for any of such Securities, including all or any part of the rights of the Company or any Guarantor under this Indenture, (v) the extension of the time for payment by the Company or any Guarantor of any payments or other sums or any part thereof owing or payable under any of the terms and provisions of any of such Securities or this Indenture or of the time for performance by the Company or any Guarantor of any other obligations under or arising out of any such terms and provisions or the extension or the renewal of any thereof, (vi) the modification or amendment (whether material or otherwise) of any duty, agreement or obligation of the Company or any Guarantor set forth in this Indenture, (vii) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets, marshaling of assets and liabilities, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or readjustment, rehabilitation or relief of, or other similar proceeding affecting, the Company or any Guarantor or any of their respective assets, or the disaffirmance of any of such Securities, the Guarantees or this Indenture in any such proceeding, (viii) the release or discharge of the Company or any Guarantor from the performance or observance of any agreement, covenant, term or condition contained in any of such instruments by operation of law, (ix) the unenforceability of any of such Securities, the Guarantees or this Indenture, (x) any change in the name, business, capital structure, corporate existence, or ownership of the Company or any Guarantor, or (xi) any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a legal or equitable discharge of, a surety or any Guarantor.
     To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Guarantor hereby (i) waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, notice of acceptance, filing of claims with a court in the event of the merger, insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company or any Guarantor, and all demands and notices whatsoever, (ii) acknowledges that any agreement, instrument or document evidencing the Guarantees may be transferred and that the benefit of its obligations hereunder shall extend to each holder of any agreement, instrument or document evidencing the Guarantees without notice to them and (iii) covenants that its Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the Guarantees. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Guarantor further agrees that if at any time all or any part of any payment theretofore applied by any Person to any Guarantee is, or must be, rescinded or returned for any reason whatsoever, including without limitation, the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any Guarantor, such Guarantee shall, to the extent that such payment is or must be rescinded or returned, be deemed to have continued in existence notwithstanding such application, and the Guarantees shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, as though such application had not been made.
     The Guarantors shall be subrogated to all rights of the Holders and the Trustee against the Company in respect of any amounts paid by the Guarantors pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture; provided, however , that the

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Guarantors shall not be entitled to enforce or to receive any payments arising out of, or based upon, such right of subrogation with respect to any of such Securities until all of such Securities and the Guarantees thereof shall have been indefeasibly paid in full or discharged.
     A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of a Guarantor shall not have any liability for any obligations of such Guarantor under this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation.
     To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, no failure to exercise and no delay in exercising, on the part of the Trustee or the Holders, any right, power, privilege or remedy under this Article Fourteen and the Guarantees shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any rights, power, privilege or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof, or the exercise of any other rights, powers, privileges or remedies. The rights and remedies herein provided for are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided in law or equity. Nothing contained in this Article Fourteen shall limit the right of the Trustee or the Holders to take any action to accelerate the maturity of such Securities pursuant to Article Five or to pursue any rights or remedies hereunder or under applicable law.
     Section 14.2. Execution and Delivery of Notation of Guarantees .
     To further evidence the Guarantees, each Guarantor hereby agrees that a notation of its Guarantee may be endorsed on each Security of a series to which this Article Fourteen has been made applicable authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and executed by either manual or facsimile signature of an officer of such Guarantor.
     Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Guarantee of Securities of a series to which this Article Fourteen has been made applicable shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on any such Security a notation relating to any Guarantee thereof.
     If an officer of a Guarantor whose signature is on this Indenture or a Security no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates such Security or at any time thereafter, such Guarantor’s Guarantee of such Security shall be valid nevertheless.
     The delivery by the Trustee of any Security of a series to which this Article Fourteen has been made applicable, after the authentication thereof under this Indenture, shall constitute due delivery of the Guarantees set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the applicable Guarantor.
     Section 14.3. Reports by Guarantors .

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     In addition to the certificates delivered to the Trustee pursuant to Section 10.7, the Guarantors shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, and transmit to Holders of Outstanding Securities of each series to which this Article Fourteen has been made applicable, such information, documents and other reports, and such summaries thereof, as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto; provided that any such information, documents or reports required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, shall be filed with the Trustee within 15 days after the same is so required to be filed with the Commission.
     The receipt by the Trustee of any reports, documents or information pursuant to this Section 14.3 shall not constitute notice or constructive notice of any information contained in such reports or documents or determinable from information contained in such reports or documents.”
ARTICLE 2
Miscellaneous Provisions
      SECTION 2.01. General Definitions .
For all purposes of this Third Supplemental Indenture, capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings specified in the Indenture.
      SECTION 2.02. Continued Effect .
Except as expressly supplemented and amended by this Third Supplemental Indenture, the Indenture shall continue in full force and effect in accordance with the provisions thereof, and the Indenture is in all respects hereby ratified and confirmed. This Third Supplemental Indenture and all of its provisions shall be deemed a part of the Indenture in the manner and to the extent herein and therein provided.
      SECTION 2.03. Governing Law .
THIS THIRD SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
      SECTION 2.04. Severability .
In case any provision in this Third Supplemental Indenture shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
      SECTION 2.05. Counterparts .

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This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
      SECTION 2.06. Successors .
All agreements of the Company or any Guarantor in this Third Supplemental Indenture shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Third Supplemental Indenture shall bind its successors.
      SECTION 2.07. Table of Contents and Headings .
The table of contents and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Third Supplemental Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
      SECTION 2.08. Benefit of Third Supplemental Indenture .
Nothing in this Third Supplemental Indenture, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent and their successors hereunder, and the Holders of Securities of any series to which the amendments of the Indenture set forth in Article 1 hereof have been made applicable, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Third Supplemental Indenture.
      SECTION 2.09. Acceptance by Trustee .
The Trustee accepts the amendments to the Indenture effected by this Third Supplemental Indenture and agrees to execute the trusts created by the Indenture as hereby amended, but only upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Third Supplemental Indenture and the Indenture. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the recitals contained herein, which shall be taken as the statements of the Company and the Guarantors, and, except as provided in the Indenture, the Trustee shall not be responsible or accountable in any way whatsoever for or with respect to the validity or execution or sufficiency of this Third Supplemental Indenture, and the Trustee makes no representation with respect thereto.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

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     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Third Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first written above.
         
    WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL LTD.,
    a Bermuda exempted company
 
       
 
  By:   /s/ Burt M. Martin
 
       
 
      Name: Burt M. Martin
 
      Title: Senior Vice President
 
       
    WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL, INC.,
    a Delaware corporation
 
       
 
  By:   /s/ Burt M. Martin
 
       
 
      Name: Burt M. Martin
 
      Title: Senior Vice President
 
       
    WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL LTD.,
    a Swiss corporation
 
       
 
  By:   /s/ Burt M. Martin
 
       
 
      Name: Burt M. Martin
 
      Title: Senior Vice President
 
       
    DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as Trustee
 
       
 
  By:   DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL
TRUST COMPANY
 
       
 
  By:   /s/ Irina Golovashchuk
 
       
 
      Name: Irina Golovashchuk
 
      Title: Assistant Vice President
 
       
 
  By:   /s/ David Contino
 
       
 
      Name: David Contino
 
      Title: Vice President

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EXHIBIT 4.3
 
SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
among
WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL, INC.,
a Delaware corporation,
WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL LTD.,
a Bermuda exempted company,
WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL LTD.,
a Swiss corporation,
and
DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS,
as Trustee
 
Dated as of
February 26, 2009
to Indenture dated as of June 18, 2007
 
 

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
         
ARTICLE 1 Amendments to the Indenture
    2  
 
       
SECTION 1.01. Definitions
    2  
SECTION 1.02. Certain References to “the Guarantor”
    3  
SECTION 1.03. Additional References to “the Guarantor”
    3  
SECTION 1.04. Certain References Regarding Weatherford Bermuda
    3  
SECTION 1.05. Certain References to “the Guarantee”
    3  
SECTION 1.06. Compliance Certificates and Opinions
    4  
SECTION 1.07. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee
    4  
SECTION 1.08. Notices
    4  
SECTION 1.09. Governing Law
    5  
SECTION 1.10. Incorporators, Shareholders, Officers and Directors of the Company and Guarantor Exempt from Individual
       
Liability
    6  
SECTION 1.11. Forms Generally
    6  
SECTION 1.12. Form of Reverse of Security
    6  
SECTION 1.13. The Securities
    9  
SECTION 1.14. Events of Default
    9  
SECTION 1.15. Trustee Matters
    9  
SECTION 1.16. Reports by the Guarantors and the Company
    12  
SECTION 1.17. Consolidation, Amalgamation, Merger and Sale
    13  
SECTION 1.18. Supplemental Indentures
    14  
SECTION 1.19. Covenants
    14  
SECTION 1.20. Guarantee
    15  
 
       
ARTICLE 2 Miscellaneous Provisions
    19  
 
       
SECTION 2.01. General Definitions
    19  
SECTION 2.02. Continued Effect
    19  
SECTION 2.03. Governing Law
    19  
SECTION 2.04. Severability
    19  
SECTION 2.05. Counterparts
    19  
SECTION 2.06. Successors
    19  
SECTION 2.07. Table of Contents and Headings
    20  
SECTION 2.08. Benefit of Second Supplemental Indenture
    20  
SECTION 2.09. Acceptance by Trustee
    20  

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     This SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of February 26, 2009, among Weatherford International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), Weatherford International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company (“ Weatherford Bermuda ”), Weatherford International Ltd., a Swiss corporation (“ Weatherford Switzerland ”), and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee (the “ Trustee ”).
RECITALS OF THE COMPANY
     WHEREAS, the Company has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an Indenture, dated as of June 18, 2007, as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture thereto, dated as of June 18, 2007 (the “ First Supplemental Indenture ”, and such indenture as so supplemented, the “ Indenture ”), providing for the issuance from time to time of one or more series of the Company’s Securities; and
     WHEREAS, the Company, in accordance with the First Supplemental Indenture, previously issued $600 million aggregate original principal amount of its 5.95% Senior Notes due 2012 (the “ 2012 Notes ”), $600 million aggregate original principal amount of its 6.35% Senior Notes due 2017 (the “ 2017 Notes ”) and $300 million aggregate original principal amount of its 6.80% Senior Notes due 2037 (the “ 2037 Notes ” and collectively with the 2012 Notes and the 2017 Notes, the “ Notes ”), which Notes remain Outstanding as of the date hereof; and
     WHEREAS, Weatherford Bermuda has, in accordance with the Indenture, previously provided a guarantee of the Notes; and
     WHEREAS, pursuant to a share exchange transaction effected by a scheme of arrangement, in connection with a share exchange agreement, between Weatherford Bermuda and Weatherford Switzerland, pursuant to which each holder of common shares of Weatherford Bermuda issued and outstanding immediately before the transaction transferred such common shares to Weatherford Switzerland solely in exchange for (through a nominee acting on behalf and for the account of the shareholders) the same number of shares of Weatherford Switzerland (the “ Redomestication ”), the Company, contemporaneously with the effectiveness of this Second Supplemental Indenture, has become an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Weatherford Switzerland, and Weatherford Bermuda has become a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Weatherford Switzerland; and
     WHEREAS, in connection with such Redomestication, Weatherford Switzerland has determined that it will be in the best interests of and beneficial to Weatherford Switzerland to enter into this Second Supplemental Indenture for the purposes of providing a guarantee of the Notes in accordance with the terms of this Second Supplemental Indenture; and
     WHEREAS, Section 9.1(3) of the Indenture permits the execution of supplemental indentures without the consent of any Holders to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of all or any series of Securities; and
     WHEREAS, Section 9.1(6) of the Indenture permits the execution of supplemental indentures without the consent of any Holders to change or eliminate any of the provisions of the Indenture; provided, that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there

 


 

is no Security Outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture which is entitled to the benefit of such provision; and
     WHEREAS, the Company, pursuant to the foregoing authority, proposes in and by this Second Supplemental Indenture to supplement and amend the Indenture in certain respects; and
     WHEREAS, all things necessary have been done to make this Second Supplemental Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, Weatherford Bermuda and Weatherford Switzerland, in accordance with its terms.
     NOW THEREFORE:
     In consideration of the premises provided for herein, the Company, Weatherford Bermuda, Weatherford Switzerland and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
Amendments to the Indenture
      SECTION 1.01. Definitions .
Section 1.1 of the Indenture is hereby amended by (a) replacing the words “the Guarantor” each time said words appear in the defined terms “Board of Directors”, “Board Resolution”, “Opinion of Counsel”, “Outstanding” and “Vice President” with the words “a Guarantor”, (b) adding the definitions of “Weatherford Bermuda” and “Weatherford Switzerland” as indicated below, and (c) replacing the definitions of “Bankruptcy Law”, “Company Request” or “Company Order”, “Guarantee”, “Guarantor” and “Officer’s Certificate” with the following, respectively:
     ““Bankruptcy Law” means any applicable Federal, State, Bermuda or Swiss bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law.”
     ““Company Request” or “Company Order” means, in the case of the Company, a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its President, any of its Vice Presidents or any other duly authorized officer of the Company or any person duly authorized by any of them, and delivered to the Trustee and, in the case of a Guarantor, a written request or order signed in the name of such Guarantor by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its President, any of its Vice Presidents or any other duly authorized officer of such Guarantor or any person duly authorized by any of them, and delivered to the Trustee.”
     ““Guarantees” has the meaning specified in Section 14.1.”
     ““Guarantors” shall mean Weatherford Bermuda, until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture (and thereafter shall mean such successor Person), and Weatherford Switzerland, until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture (and thereafter shall mean such successor Person),

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and “Guarantor” shall mean either (i) Weatherford Bermuda or its successor Person, or (ii) Weatherford Switzerland or its successor Person.”
     ““Officer’s Certificate” means, in the case of the Company, a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President or any other duly authorized officer of the Company, or a person duly authorized by any of them, and delivered to the Trustee and, in the case of a Guarantor, a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President or any other duly authorized officer of such Guarantor, or a person duly authorized by any of them, and delivered to the Trustee.”
     ““Weatherford Bermuda” means Weatherford International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company.”
     ““Weatherford Switzerland” means Weatherford International Ltd., a Swiss corporation.”
      SECTION 1.02. Certain References to " the Guarantor ”.
Sections 1.2, 1.5, 3.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 6.3 and 6.6, subsections (1) and (2) of Section 1.6, subsection (c) of Section 3.3, subsections (4) and (5) of Section 5.1 and the fourth paragraph of Section 6.14 of the Indenture are each hereby amended by replacing the words “the Guarantor” each time said words appear therein with the words “a Guarantor”.
      SECTION 1.03. Additional References to " the Guarantor ”.
Sections 1.10, 1.16, 3.5, 3.6, 3.8, 5.9, 5.15, 6.4, 7.2, 9.2, 10.3, 10.8, 13.2 and 13.3, the third paragraph of Section 6.14, subsection (3) of Section 9.1 and the first and last paragraphs of Section 9.1 of the Indenture are each hereby amended by replacing the words “the Guarantor” each time said words appear therein with the words “the Guarantors”.
      SECTION 1.04. Certain References Regarding Weatherford Bermuda
Sections 10.5 and 10.6 of the Indenture and the definitions of “Consolidated Net Worth”, “Permitted Liens”, “Sale-Leaseback Transaction” and “Subsidiary” in Section 1.1 of the Indenture are each hereby amended by replacing the words “the Guarantor” each time said words appear therein with the words “Weatherford Bermuda”.
      SECTION 1.05. Certain References to the Guarantee ”.
Sections 1.11, 1.12, 1.14, 3.1, 3.5, 3.6, 5.4 and 5.7 of the Indenture are each hereby amended by replacing the words “the Guarantee” each time said words appear therein with the words “the Guarantees”.

-3-


 

      SECTION 1.06. Compliance Certificates and Opinions .
Section 1.3 of the Indenture is hereby amended by replacing the first paragraph thereof with the following:
     “Upon any application or request by the Company or a Guarantor to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished except as required under Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act.”
      SECTION 1.07. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee .
Section 1.4 of the Indenture is hereby amended by replacing the second paragraph thereof with the following:
     “Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company or a Guarantor may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows or, in the exercise of reasonable care, should know that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such certificate or opinion of counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, unless such counsel knows that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.”
      SECTION 1.08. Notices .
Section 1.6 of the Indenture is hereby amended by replacing subsection (3) thereof with the following:
     “(3) a Guarantor by the Company, the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to such Guarantor addressed to it at: Weatherford International Ltd., 515 Post Oak Blvd., Houston, Texas 77027, to the attention of its Corporate Secretary, or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by such Guarantor.”

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      SECTION 1.09. Governing Law .
Section 1.13 of the Indenture is hereby amended by replacing such Section 1.13 with the following:
     “ THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES AND THE GUARANTEES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
     To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each of the Company and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of any Federal or state court located in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York, New York in any suit, action or proceeding based on or arising out of or relating to this Indenture or any Securities and irrevocably agrees that all claims in respect of such suit or proceeding may be determined in any such court. Each of the Company and the Guarantors irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection which it may have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in an inconvenient forum. Each of the Company and the Guarantors agrees that final judgment in any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such a court shall be conclusive and binding and may be enforced in the courts of Bermuda (or any other courts of any other jurisdiction to which either of them is subject) by a suit upon such judgment, provided that service of process is effected upon the Company. Each of the Company and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably designates and appoints CT Corporation Systems, New York, New York (the “Process Agent”) as its authorized agent for purposes of this Section 1.13, it being understood that the designation and appointment of the Process Agent as such authorized agent shall become effective immediately without any further action on the part of the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be. Each of the Company and the Guarantors further agrees that, unless otherwise required by law, service of process upon the Process Agent and written notice of said service to the Company or a Guarantor, as the case may be, mailed by prepaid registered first class mail or delivered to the Process Agent at its principal office, shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, in any such suit or proceeding. Each of the Company and the Guarantors further agrees to take any and all action, including the execution and filing of any and all such documents and instruments as may be necessary, to continue such designation and appointment of the Process Agent in full force and effect so long as the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, has any outstanding obligations under this Indenture. To the extent the Company or a Guarantor, as the case may be, has or hereafter may acquire any immunity from jurisdiction of any court or from any legal process (whether through service of notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution, executor or otherwise) with respect to itself or its property, each of the Company and such Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives such immunity in respect of its obligations under this Indenture to the extent permitted by law.”

-5-


 

      SECTION 1.10. Incorporators, Shareholders, Officers and Directors of the Company and Guarantor Exempt from Individual Liability .
Section 1.18 of the Indenture is hereby amended by (a) replacing the words “the Guarantee” each time said words appear therein with “any Guarantee” and (b) replacing the words “the Guarantor” each time said words appear therein with the words “any Guarantor”.
      SECTION 1.11. Forms Generally .
The first paragraph of Section 2.1 of the Indenture is hereby amended by replacing such paragraph with the following:
     “The Securities of each series and, if applicable, the notation thereon relating to the Guarantees, shall be in substantially the form set forth in this Article Two, or in such other form or forms as shall be established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with the rules of any securities exchange or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Securities and, if applicable, such Guarantees, as evidenced by their execution thereof.”
      SECTION 1.12. Form of Reverse of Security .
The first, second, eleventh, seventeenth, eighteenth, nineteenth, twenty-first and twenty-second paragraphs of Section 2.3 of the Indenture are hereby amended by replacing such paragraphs with the following, respectively:
“This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of senior securities of the Company (herein called the “Securities”), issued and to be issued in one or more series under an Indenture, dated as of June 18, 2007 (herein called the “Indenture”), between the Company, Weatherford International Ltd. and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee”, which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement, of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. As provided in the Indenture, the Securities may be issued in one or more series, which different series may be issued in various aggregate principal amounts, may mature at different times, may bear interest, if any, at different rates, may be subject to different redemption provisions, if any, may be subject to different sinking, purchase or analogous funds, if any, may be subject to different covenants and Events of Default and may otherwise vary as in the Indenture

-6-


 

provided or permitted. This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof [, limited in aggregate principal amount to $. . . . . . . . . . ].”
“This Security is the general, unsecured, senior obligation of the Company [ if applicable, insert— and is guaranteed pursuant to a guarantee (the “Guarantee”) by each of Weatherford International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company (“Weatherford Bermuda”) and Weatherford International Ltd., a Swiss corporation (“Weatherford Switzerland” and collectively with Weatherford Bermuda, the “Guarantors”). The Guarantees are the general, unsecured, senior obligation of the Guarantors.]”
“The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company [ If applicable, insert— and the Guarantors] and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company [ If applicable, insert— and the Guarantors] and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of each series to be affected. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company [ If applicable, insert— and the Guarantors] with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.”
“Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Company, [ If applicable, insert— the Guarantors,] the Trustee and any agent of the Company [ If applicable, insert— , the Guarantors] or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and none of the Company, [ If applicable, insert— the Guarantors,] the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.”
“No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of or contained in the Indenture or of or contained in any Security, [ If applicable, insert— , or any Guarantee endorsed thereon,] or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, or in any Security [ If applicable, insert— or in any Guarantee], or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, shareholder, member, officer, manager or director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company [ If applicable, insert— or any Guarantor] or of any successor Person, either directly or through the Company [ If applicable, insert— or any Guarantor] or any successor Person, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment, penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that all

-7-


 

such liability is hereby expressly waived and released by the acceptance hereof and as a condition of, and as part of the consideration for, the Securities and the execution of the Indenture.”
“The Indenture provides that the Company [ If applicable, insert— and the Guarantors] (a) will be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the Securities (except for certain obligations described in the Indenture), or (b) need not comply with certain restrictive covenants of the Indenture, in each case if the Company [ If applicable, insert— or a Guarantor] deposits, in trust, with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations (or a combination thereof) which through the payment of interest thereon and principal thereof in accordance with their terms will provide money, in an amount sufficient to pay all the principal of and interest on the Securities, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.”
“[ If a Definitive Security, insert as a separate page—
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto                                                                                                                                 
(Please Print or Typewrite Name and Address of Assignee)
the within instrument of WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Delaware corporation, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint                                           Attorney to transfer said instrument on the books of the within-named Company, with full power of substitution in the premises.
Please Insert Social Security or Other Identifying Number of Assignee:
                 
             
 
               
 
  Dated:            
 
               
 
          (Signature)    
NOTICE: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the within instrument in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.]”
“[ If a Security to which Article Fourteen has been made applicable, insert the following Form of Notation on such Security relating to the Guarantee—
Each Guarantor (which term includes any successor Person in such capacity under the Indenture), has fully, unconditionally and absolutely guaranteed, to the extent set forth in the Indenture and subject to the provisions in the Indenture, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities and all other amounts due and payable under the Indenture and the Securities by the Company.

-8-


 

The obligations of the Guarantors to the Holders of Securities and to the Trustee pursuant to the Guarantees and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article Fourteen of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the precise terms of the Guarantees.
             
 
  Guarantors:    
 
           
    WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL LTD.,    
    a Bermuda exempted company    
 
           
 
  By:        
 
     
 
   
 
           
 
           
    WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL LTD.,    
    a Swiss corporation    
 
           
 
  By:        
 
     
 
  ]”
 
           
      SECTION 1.13. The Securities .
Article Three of the Indenture is hereby amended by (a) replacing the words “the Guarantor” appearing in the first paragraph of Section 3.3 with the words “the applicable Guarantor” and (b) replacing the second paragraph of Section 3.3 with the following:
     “Securities and any Guarantee bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company or a Guarantor, as the case may be, shall bind the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities.”
      SECTION 1.14. Events of Default.
Section 5.1 of the Indenture is hereby amended by replacing the words “the Guarantor” appearing in subsection (3) thereof with the words “any Guarantor”.
      SECTION 1.15. Trustee Matters .
Article Six of the Indenture is hereby amended by replacing Sections 6.5, 6.11 and 6.13 with the following, respectively:
     “Section 6.5. May Hold Securities .
     “The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar or any other agent of the Company or, if applicable, any Guarantor, in

-9-


 

its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections 310(b) and 311 of the Trust Indenture Act and Sections 6.8, 6.9 and 6.13, may otherwise deal with the Company or, if applicable, such Guarantor with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other agent.”
     “Section 6.11. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor .
     (a) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company, the Guarantors (if applicable) and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company or, if applicable, a Guarantor or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder.
     (b) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the Guarantors (if applicable), the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such

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Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company, a Guarantor (if applicable) or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates.
     (c) Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, as the case may be.
     (d) No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article and the Trust Indenture Act.”
     “Section 6.13. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company .
     Reference is made to Section 311 of the Trust Indenture Act. For purposes of Section 311(b) of the Trust Indenture Act,
     (1) the term “cash transaction” means any transaction in which full payment for goods or securities sold is made within seven days after delivery of the goods or securities in currency or in checks or other orders drawn upon banks or bankers and payable upon demand; and
     (2) the term “self-liquidating paper” means any draft, bill of exchange, acceptance or obligation which is made, drawn, negotiated or incurred by the Company or, if applicable, a Guarantor for the purpose of financing the purchase, processing, manufacturing, shipment, storage or sale of goods, wares or merchandise and which is secured by documents evidencing title to, possession of, or a lien upon, the goods, wares or merchandise or the receivables or proceeds arising from the sale of the goods, wares or merchandise previously constituting the security, provided the security is received by the Trustee simultaneously with the creation of

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the creditor relationship with the Company or, if applicable, such Guarantor arising from the making, drawing, negotiating or incurring of the draft, bill of exchange, acceptance or obligation.”
      SECTION 1.16. Reports by the Guarantors and the Company .
Section 7.4 of the Indenture is hereby amended by replacing such Section 7.4 with the following:
     “Section 7.4. Reports by the Guarantors and the Company .
Each Guarantor and the Company shall:
     (a) file with the Trustee, within 15 days after such Guarantor or the Company, as applicable, is required to file the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which such Guarantor or the Company, as applicable, may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; or, if such Guarantor or the Company, as applicable, is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of said Sections, then it shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations;
     (b) file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Guarantors and the Company with the conditions and covenants of this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations; and
     (c) transmit by mail to all Holders, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Guarantors and the Company pursuant to clauses (a) and (b) of this Section as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission.

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     The receipt by the Trustee of any reports, documents or information pursuant to (a) and (b) of this Section 7.4 shall not constitute notice or constructive notice of any information contained in such reports or documents or determinable from information contained in such reports or documents, including a Guarantor’s and the Company’s compliance with any covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on a certificate pursuant to Section 10.7 hereof).”
      SECTION 1.17. Consolidation, Amalgamation, Merger and Sale .
Article Eight of the Indenture is hereby amended by replacing Article Eight with the following:
ARTICLE EIGHT
CONSOLIDATION, AMALGAMATION, MERGER AND SALE
     Section 8.1. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms .
     The Company and, if any Securities of a series to which Article Fourteen has been made applicable are Outstanding, each Guarantor shall not consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into any other Person or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as, or substantially as, an entirety to any Person unless:
     (1) the Person formed by such consolidation or amalgamation or into which the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, the properties and assets of the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, as, or substantially as, an entirety shall be a corporation and shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on all the Securities and the performance or observance of every other covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, to be performed or observed and shall have expressly provided for conversion rights in respect of any series of Outstanding Securities with conversion rights;
     (2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and
     (3) the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, conveyance, sale, transfer or lease and such supplemental indenture, if any, comply with this Article Eight and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

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     Section 8.2. Successor Substituted .
     Upon any consolidation or amalgamation of the Company or a Guarantor, as the case may be, with or merger of the Company or a Guarantor, as the case may be, into, any other Person or any conveyance, transfer or lease of the properties and assets of the Company or a Guarantor, as the case may be, as, or substantially as, an entirety in accordance with Section 8.1, the successor or resulting Person formed by or resulting upon such consolidation or amalgamation or into which the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, is merged or to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities and may liquidate and dissolve.”
      SECTION 1.18. Supplemental Indentures .
Section 9.1 of the Indenture is hereby amended by replacing subsection (2) of Section 9.1 with the following:
     “(2) to evidence the succession of another Person to a Guarantor and the assumption by any such successor of the Guarantee of such Guarantor herein and, to the extent applicable, endorsed upon any Securities; or”
      SECTION 1.19. Covenants.
Article Ten of the Indenture is hereby amended by replacing Sections 10.4 and 10.7 with the following, respectively:
     “Section 10.4. Existence .
     Subject to Article Eight, the Company and, if any Securities of a series to which Article Fourteen has been made applicable are Outstanding, each Guarantor will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence, rights (charter and statutory) and franchises; provided, however, that the Company and, if applicable, the Guarantors shall not be required to preserve any such right or franchise if the Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be.”
     “Section 10.7. Statement by Officers as to Default .
     Annually, within 150 days after the close of each fiscal year beginning with the first fiscal year during which one or more series of Securities are Outstanding, the Company and, if any Securities of a series to which Article Fourteen has been made applicable are Outstanding, each Guarantor will deliver

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to the Trustee a brief certificate (which need not include the statements set forth in Section 1.3) from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Company and, if applicable, such Guarantor as to his or her knowledge of the Company’s or such Guarantor’s, as the case may be, compliance (without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided herein) with all conditions and covenants under the Indenture and, if the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall be in Default, specifying all such Defaults and the nature and status thereof of which such officer has knowledge.”
      SECTION 1.20. Guarantee .
Article Fourteen of the Indenture is hereby amended by replacing Article Fourteen with the following:
ARTICLE FOURTEEN
GUARANTEES OF SECURITIES
     Section 14.1. Unconditional Guarantees .
     For value received, each Guarantor hereby fully, irrevocably, unconditionally and absolutely guarantees to the Holders of Securities of each series to which this Article Fourteen has been made applicable as provided in Section 3.1(22) and to the Trustee the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on such Securities, and all other amounts due and payable under this Indenture and such Securities by the Company to the Trustee or such Holders (including, without limitation, all costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and disbursements) incurred by the Trustee or such Holders in connection with the enforcement of this Indenture and the Guarantees) (collectively, the “Indenture Obligations”), when and as such principal, premium, if any, interest, if any, and other amounts shall become due and payable, whether at the Stated Maturity, upon redemption or by declaration of acceleration or otherwise, according to the terms of such Securities and this Indenture. The guarantees by the Guarantors set forth in this Article Fourteen are referred to herein as the “Guarantees" . Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Guarantors’ liability shall extend to all amounts that constitute part of the Indenture Obligations and would be owed by the Company to the Trustee or such Holders under this Indenture and such Securities but for the fact that they are unenforceable, reduced, limited, impaired, suspended or not allowable due to the existence of a bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding involving the Company.
     Failing payment when due of any amount guaranteed pursuant to the Guarantees, for whatever reason, each Guarantor will be obligated (to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law) to pay the same immediately to the Trustee, without set-off or counterclaim or other reduction whatsoever (whether for taxes, withholding or otherwise). Each Guarantee hereunder is intended to be a general,

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unsecured, senior obligation of the applicable Guarantor and will rank pari passu in right of payment with all unsecured indebtedness of such Guarantor that is not, by its terms, expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Guarantee of such Guarantor. Each Guarantor hereby agrees that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, its obligations hereunder shall be full, irrevocable, unconditional and absolute, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of such Securities, the Guarantees or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of such Guarantor. Such Guarantor hereby agrees that in the event of a default in payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on such Securities, or any other amounts payable under this Indenture and such Securities by the Company to the Trustee or the Holders thereof, whether at the Stated Maturity, upon redemption or by declaration of acceleration or otherwise, legal proceedings may be instituted by the Trustee on behalf of such Holders or, subject to Section 5.7 hereof, by such Holders, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Indenture, directly against such Guarantor to enforce its Guarantee without first proceeding against the Company or any other Guarantor.
     To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the obligations of the Guarantors under this Article Fourteen shall be as aforesaid full, irrevocable, unconditional and absolute and shall not be impaired, modified, discharged, released or limited by any occurrence or condition whatsoever, including, without limitation, (i) any compromise, settlement, release, waiver, renewal, extension, indulgence or modification of, or any change in, any of the obligations and liabilities of the Company or any Guarantor contained in any of such Securities or this Indenture, (ii) any impairment, modification, release or limitation of the liability of the Company, any Guarantor or any of their estates in bankruptcy, or any remedy for the enforcement thereof, resulting from the operation of any present or future provision of any applicable Bankruptcy Law, as amended, or other statute or from the decision of any court, (iii) the assertion or exercise by the Trustee or any such Holder of any rights or remedies under any of such Securities or this Indenture or their delay in or failure to assert or exercise any such rights or remedies, (iv) the assignment or the purported assignment of any property as security for any of such Securities, including all or any part of the rights of the Company or any Guarantor under this Indenture, (v) the extension of the time for payment by the Company or any Guarantor of any payments or other sums or any part thereof owing or payable under any of the terms and provisions of any of such Securities or this Indenture or of the time for performance by the Company or any Guarantor of any other obligations under or arising out of any such terms and provisions or the extension or the renewal of any thereof, (vi) the modification or amendment (whether material or otherwise) of any duty, agreement or obligation of the Company or any Guarantor set forth in this Indenture, (vii) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets, marshaling of assets and

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liabilities, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or readjustment, rehabilitation or relief of, or other similar proceeding affecting, the Company or any Guarantor or any of their respective assets, or the disaffirmance of any of such Securities, the Guarantees or this Indenture in any such proceeding, (viii) the release or discharge of the Company or any Guarantor from the performance or observance of any agreement, covenant, term or condition contained in any of such instruments by operation of law, (ix) the unenforceability of any of such Securities, the Guarantees or this Indenture, (x) any change in the name, business, capital structure, corporate existence, or ownership of the Company or any Guarantor, or (xi) any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a legal or equitable discharge of, a surety or any Guarantor.
     To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Guarantor hereby (i) waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, notice of acceptance, filing of claims with a court in the event of the merger, amalgamation, insolvency, winding up or bankruptcy of the Company or any Guarantor, and all demands and notices whatsoever, (ii) acknowledges that any agreement, instrument or document evidencing the Guarantees may be transferred and that the benefit of its obligations hereunder shall extend to each holder of any agreement, instrument or document evidencing the Guarantees without notice to them and (iii) covenants that its Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the Guarantees. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Guarantor further agrees that if at any time all or any part of any payment theretofore applied by any Person to any Guarantee is, or must be, rescinded or returned for any reason whatsoever, including without limitation, the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any Guarantor, such Guarantee shall, to the extent that such payment is or must be rescinded or returned, be deemed to have continued in existence notwithstanding such application, and the Guarantees shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, as though such application had not been made.
     The Guarantors shall be subrogated to all rights of the Holders and the Trustee against the Company in respect of any amounts paid by the Guarantors pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture; provided, however , that the Guarantors shall not be entitled to enforce or to receive any payments arising out of, or based upon, such right of subrogation with respect to any of such Securities until all of such Securities and the Guarantees thereof shall have been indefeasibly paid in full or discharged.
     A director, officer, employee or shareholder, as such, of a Guarantor shall not have any liability for any obligations of such Guarantor under this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation.

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     To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, no failure to exercise and no delay in exercising, on the part of the Trustee or the Holders, any right, power, privilege or remedy under this Article Fourteen and the Guarantees shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any rights, power, privilege or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof, or the exercise of any other rights, powers, privileges or remedies. The rights and remedies herein provided for are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided in law or equity. Nothing contained in this Article Fourteen shall limit the right of the Trustee or the Holders to take any action to accelerate the maturity of such Securities pursuant to Article Five or to pursue any rights or remedies hereunder or under applicable law.
     Section 14.2. Execution and Delivery of Notation of Guarantees .
     To further evidence the Guarantees, each Guarantor hereby agrees that a notation of its Guarantee may be endorsed on each Security of a series to which this Article Fourteen has been made applicable authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and executed by either manual or facsimile signature of an officer of such Guarantor.
     Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Guarantee of Securities of a series to which this Article Fourteen has been made applicable shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on any such Security a notation relating to any Guarantee thereof.
     If an officer of a Guarantor whose signature is on this Indenture or a Security no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates such Security or at any time thereafter, such Guarantor’s Guarantee of such Security shall be valid nevertheless.
     The delivery by the Trustee of any Security of a series to which this Article Fourteen has been made applicable, after the authentication thereof under this Indenture, shall constitute due delivery of the Guarantees set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the applicable Guarantor.
     Section 14.3. Reports by Guarantors .
     In addition to the certificates delivered to the Trustee pursuant to Section 10.7, the Guarantors shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, and transmit to Holders of Outstanding Securities of each series to which this Article Fourteen has been made applicable, such information, documents and other reports, and such summaries thereof, as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto; provided that any such information, documents or reports required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act shall be filed with the Trustee within 15 days after the same is so required to be filed with the Commission.

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     The receipt by the Trustee of any reports, documents or information pursuant to this Section 14.3 shall not constitute notice or constructive notice of any information contained in such reports or documents or determinable from information contained in such reports or documents.”
ARTICLE 2
Miscellaneous Provisions
      SECTION 2.01. General Definitions .
For all purposes of this Second Supplemental Indenture, capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings specified in the Indenture.
      SECTION 2.02. Continued Effect .
Except as expressly supplemented and amended by this Second Supplemental Indenture, the Indenture shall continue in full force and effect in accordance with the provisions thereof, and the Indenture is in all respects hereby ratified and confirmed. This Second Supplemental Indenture and all of its provisions shall be deemed a part of the Indenture in the manner and to the extent herein and therein provided.
      SECTION 2.03. Governing Law .
THIS SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
      SECTION 2.04. Severability .
In case any provision in this Second Supplemental Indenture shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
      SECTION 2.05. Counterparts .
This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
      SECTION 2.06. Successors .
All agreements of the Company or any Guarantor in this Second Supplemental Indenture shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Second Supplemental Indenture shall bind its successors.

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      SECTION 2.07. Table of Contents and Headings
The table of contents and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Second Supplemental Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
      SECTION 2.08. Benefit of Second Supplemental Indenture .
Nothing in this Second Supplemental Indenture, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Security Registrar, any Paying Agent and their successors hereunder, and the Holders of Securities of any series to which the amendments of the Indenture set forth in Article 1 hereof have been made applicable, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Second Supplemental Indenture.
      SECTION 2.09. Acceptance by Trustee .
The Trustee accepts the amendments to the Indenture effected by this Second Supplemental Indenture and agrees to execute the trusts created by the Indenture as hereby amended, but only upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Second Supplemental Indenture and the Indenture. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the recitals contained herein, which shall be taken as the statements of the Company and the Guarantors, and, except as provided in the Indenture, the Trustee shall not be responsible or accountable in any way whatsoever for or with respect to the validity or execution or sufficiency of this Second Supplemental Indenture, and the Trustee makes no representation with respect thereto.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

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     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Second Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first written above.
             
    WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL, INC.,    
    a Delaware corporation    
 
           
 
  By:   /s/ Burt M. Martin
 
Name: Burt M. Martin
   
 
      Title: Senior Vice President    
 
           
    WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL LTD.,    
    a Bermuda exempted company    
 
           
 
  By:   /s/ Burt M. Martin
 
Name: Burt M. Martin
   
 
      Title: Senior Vice President    
 
           
    WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL LTD.,    
    a Swiss corporation    
 
           
 
  By:   /s/ Burt M. Martin
 
Name: Burt M. Martin
   
 
      Title: Senior Vice President    
             
    DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as Trustee    
 
           
 
  By:   DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL
TRUST COMPANY
   
 
           
 
  By:   /s/ Irina Golovashchuk
 
Name: Irina Golovashchuk
   
 
      Title: Assistant Vice President    
 
           
 
  By:   /s/ David Contino
 
Name: David Contino
   
 
      Title: Vice President    

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Exhibit 5.1
Geneva, February 26, 2009

MA/RFE
Board of Directors
Weatherford International Ltd.
(a Swiss joint-stock corporation)
     
Re:
  USD 1,000,000,000 9.625% Senior Notes due 2019
USD 250,000,000 9.875% Senior Notes due 2039
(Guaranteed by Weatherford International Ltd., a Swiss joint-stock corporation)
Gentlemen,
A. CAPACITY
We have acted as special counsel to Weatherford International Ltd., a Swiss joint-stock corporation (“ SwissCo ”), in connection with the respective full and unconditional guarantees by SwissCo (the “ SwissCo Guarantees ”) of the following notes of Weatherford International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company and a subsidiary of SwissCo (the “ Issuer ”): (i) $1,000,000,000 principal amount of 9.625% Senior Notes due 2019 and (ii) $250,000,000 principal amount of 9.875% Senior Notes due 2039 (collectively, the “ Notes ”). The Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture dated as of October 1, 2003, by and among the Issuer, Weatherford International, Inc., a Delaware corporation and subsidiary of the Issuer, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee (as amended by a Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 8, 2009, the “ Indenture ”) and, as regards the SwissCo Guarantees, a Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 26, 2009 (the “ SwissCo Supplemental Indenture ”). The capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein have the meanings specified in the SwissCo Supplemental Indenture.

 


 

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We have acted as special Swiss counsel to SwissCo in connection with the execution and delivery of the SwissCo Guarantees and the SwissCo Supplemental Indenture. We have not, however, acted as legal advisers to SwissCo in connection with the preparation and negotiation of the SwissCo Guarantees and the SwissCo Supplemental Indenture or any other document referred to therein.
B. DOCUMENTS EXAMINED
In acting as such counsel, we have examined:
(a)   a copy of the Indenture;
 
(b)   a copy of the SwissCo Supplemental Indenture executed by SwissCo;
 
(b)   the SwissCo Guarantees, consisting of two guarantee notations executed by SwissCo relating to the Notes;
 
(d)   a copy of the board resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors as of January 2, 2009 and February 25, 2009; and
 
(e)   an opinion back-up certificate dated February 26, 2009 and signed by Mr. Andrew P. Becnel, Principal Financial Officer of SwissCo.
The SwissCo Supplemental Indenture and the SwissCo Guarantees are collectively referred to herein as the “ Documents ”.
Except as stated above, we have not, for the purposes of this opinion, examined any other contract, instrument or other document affecting or relating to the Documents or any document entered into by or affecting any of the parties to the Documents or any of the corporate records of any such party, and we have not made any other inquiries concerning any such party.
C. SEARCHES
For the purpose of giving this opinion we have caused to be made in the Register of Commerce of Zug on February 26, 2009 a company search for any pending corporate actions with respect to SwissCo, to the exclusion of any other searches or inquiries.
D. ASSUMPTIONS
In giving this opinion, we have assumed:
(a)   the genuineness of all signatures (other than signatures of officers of SwissCo);

 


 

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(b)   the authenticity and completeness of all documents submitted to us as originals;
 
(c)   the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified copies or photocopies and the authenticity and completeness of the original documents where certified copies or photocopies have been submitted;
 
(d)   the conformity to original documents and the completeness of all documents received by us by facsimile transmission and the authenticity of the originals of such documents;
 
(e)   that each person expressed to be a party to any of the Documents (other than SwissCo) has all the requisite corporate, state, sovereign or other power to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the relevant Document(s), has duly authorized such execution, delivery and performance by appropriate corporate, state, sovereign or other action and has duly executed and entered into the relevant Document(s);
 
(f)   that no laws other than those of Switzerland would affect any of the conclusions stated in this opinion; and
 
(g)   that all certificates and other documents which we have examined or on which we have expressed reliance remain accurate, in force and unrevoked, and that no additional matters would have been disclosed by a company search at the Register of Commerce of the Canton of Zug if carried out since the carrying out of the searches referred to above.
In rendering our opinion, we have relied, to the extent we deem necessary and proper, on warranties and representations as to certain factual matters contained in the Documents. We have no actual knowledge of any material inaccuracies in any of the facts stated in such Documents.
E. OPINION
Based on the foregoing, and subject to the limitations and qualifications made herein, we are of the following opinion:
SwissCo has taken all corporate actions required to authorize its execution, delivery and performance of the Documents. The Documents have been duly executed and delivered by or on behalf of SwissCo.

 


 

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F. QUALIFICATIONS
This opinion is subject to the following qualifications:
(a)   The enforcement of the Documents may be limited or affected by applicable bankruptcy, liquidation, arrangement, insolvency, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), including, without limitation, the possible unavailability of specific performance, injunctive relief or any other equitable remedy and concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing.
(b)   A company search is not capable of revealing whether a winding-up petition has been presented; a notice of a winding-up order or of the appointment of a receiver may not be filed immediately at the Register of Commerce; in addition, there may be administrative delays at the Register of Commerce after submission of notices for filing.
(c)   The opinions expressed in the present letter are only made at the date thereof and cannot be relied upon for events, changes in law or new enactments of law which occur subsequent to the issuance of this letter. We undertake no obligation to update such opinion in connection with events occurring or coming to our attention after the date hereof.
(d)   Except as explicitly stated herein, we express no opinion in relation to the factual nature of any undertaking, representation or warranty contained in any of the Documents, nor upon the commercial terms of the transactions contemplated thereby.
 
(e)   Except as explicitly stated herein, we express no opinion with regard to tax matters.
(f)   Equitable remedies such as injunctions or orders for specific performance are discretionary and will not be granted automatically by a court in Switzerland. Nothing in this opinion is to be taken as indicating that such a remedy would be available in respect of obligations under the Agreements.
(g)   Any provision in the Documents providing that any calculation or determination is to be conclusive and binding will not be effective if such calculation or determination is fraudulent, and such provision will not necessarily prevent judicial enquiry into the merits of any claim by any party hereto.
(h)   Where obligations are to be performed in a jurisdiction outside Switzerland, they may not be enforceable under the laws of Switzerland to the extent that such performance would be contrary to public policy under the laws of that jurisdiction.

 


 

5
(i)   Any claim or judgment expressed in a currency other than Swiss francs must be converted into Swiss francs at the exchange rate applicable at the time of filing the claim for the purpose of enforcement against companies in Switzerland.
(j)   No attachment order prior to judgement can generally be obtained in Switzerland on the assets of SwissCo which are located in Switzerland.
In this opinion, Swiss legal concepts are expressed in English terms and not in their original French, German or Italian terms. The concepts concerned may not be identical to the concepts described by the same English terms as they exist under the laws of other jurisdictions. This opinion may, therefore, only be relied upon under the express condition that any issues of interpretation or liability arising thereunder will be governed by Swiss law and be brought before a Swiss court.
This opinion is given only on behalf of Baker & McKenzie Geneva and not on behalf of any other member firms of Baker & McKenzie International. In this opinion, the expression “we”, “us” and “our” and like expressions should be construed accordingly.
Very truly yours,

/s/ Martin Anderson

 

Exhibit 5.2
     
(ANDREWS KURTH LLP LOGO)
   
 
  600 Travis, Suite 4200
 
  Houston, Texas 77002
 
  713.220.4200 Phone
 
  713.220.4285 Fax
 
  andrewskurth.com
February 26, 2009
Board of Directors
Weatherford International Ltd.
 (a Bermuda exempted company)
Weatherford International Ltd.
 (a Swiss joint-stock corporation)
Weatherford International, Inc.
515 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 600
Houston, Texas 77027-3415
Gentlemen:
     We have acted as special counsel to Weatherford International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company (the “ Issuer ”), its wholly owned indirect subsidiary, Weatherford International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Guarantor ”), and the Issuer’s parent, Weatherford International Ltd., a Swiss joint-stock corporation (“ SwissCo ” and together with the Issuer and the Guarantor, the “ Obligors ”), in connection with the full and unconditional guarantee (the “ New Guarantee ”) by SwissCo in the form included in the Base Indenture (as defined below) of the following notes of the Issuer (collectively, the “ Notes ”): (i) $1,000,000,000 principal amount of 9.625% Senior Notes due 2019 and (ii) $250,000,000 principal amount of 9.875% Senior Notes due 2039. The Notes were issued under the Indenture, dated as of October 1, 2003, by and among the Issuer, the Guarantor and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee (the “ Base Indenture ”), as supplemented by (a) a Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 8, 2009 and (b) a Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 26, 2009 (the “ Third Supplemental Indenture ” and together with the document in clause (a) and the Base Indenture, the “ Indenture ”). The Notes were previously fully and unconditionally guaranteed (the “ Original Guarantees ”) by the Guarantor in the form of the guarantee included in the Base Indenture.
     This opinion is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Act ”).
     In connection with this opinion, we have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of:
     (i) the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-135244), as amended by post-effective Amendment No. 1 thereto, including the form of base prospectus included therein and the documents incorporated by reference therein (as amended to date, the “ Registration Statement ”);
     (ii) the Indenture;
Austin    Beijing     Dallas     Houston     London     Los Angeles     New York     The Woodlands     Washington, DC

 


 

Board of Directors
Weatherford International Ltd.
 (a Bermuda exempted company)
Weatherford International Ltd.
 (a Swiss joint-stock corporation)
Weatherford International, Inc.
February 26, 2009
Page 2
     (iii) the New Guarantee;
     (iv) the Form T-1 of the Trustee, filed on January 5, 2009 with the Commission by the Issuer; and
     (v) the form of the Notes included in the Indenture.
     We have also examined originals or copies, certified, or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such records of the Obligors and such other agreements, certificates of public officials, certificates of officers and other representatives of the Obligors and others, and such other documents, certificates and records as we have deemed necessary or appropriate, and we have made such investigations of law, as we have deemed appropriate as a basis for the opinion expressed below.
     In rendering the opinion expressed below, we have assumed and have not verified (i) the legal capacity of all natural persons, (ii) the genuineness of the signatures on all documents that we have examined, (iii) the conformity to the originals of all documents supplied to us as certified or photostatic or faxed copies and (iv) the authenticity of the originals of such documents. In conducting our examination of executed documents or documents to be executed, we have assumed, without independent investigation, that all parties thereto had or will have the power, corporate or other, to enter into and perform all obligations thereunder, and we have also assumed, without independent investigation, the due authorization by all requisite action, corporate or other, and execution and delivery by such parties of such documents and, except as set forth below with respect to SwissCo, the validity and binding effect thereof on such parties. As to any facts material to the opinion expressed herein which we have not independently established or verified, we have relied upon oral or written statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Obligors and others.
     Based upon the foregoing, and having due regard for such legal considerations as we deem relevant, and subject to the limitations, qualifications, exceptions and assumptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that when the Third Supplemental Indenture (in the form examined by us) has been duly executed and delivered by the Obligors and the Trustee in accordance with the terms of the Base Indenture and the Third Supplemental Indenture, the New Guarantee will constitute a valid and binding obligation of SwissCo, enforceable against SwissCo in accordance with its terms, under the applicable laws of the State of New York, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency (including, without limitation, all laws relating to, fraudulent conveyance or transfers), moratorium, reorganization or similar laws affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and except as enforcement thereof is subject to general principles of equity (regardless whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), including, without limitation, the possible unavailability of specific performance, injunctive

 


 

Board of Directors
Weatherford International Ltd.
 (a Bermuda exempted company)
Weatherford International Ltd.
 (a Swiss joint-stock corporation)
Weatherford International, Inc.
February 26, 2009
Page 3
relief or any other equitable remedy and concepts of reasonableness, good faith, materiality and fair dealing.
     In rendering the opinion set forth above, we have assumed, without independent investigation, that (a) the execution and delivery by the Issuer of the Indenture and the Notes, (b) the execution and delivery by SwissCo of the Third Supplemental Indenture and the notations on the Notes relating to the New Guarantee and (c) the performance by each of the Obligors of its respective obligations under the Indenture, the Notes, the Original Guarantees and the New Guarantee, do not and will not violate, conflict with or constitute a default under any agreement or instrument to which any Obligor or its properties is subject and (b) each of the Obligors is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of formation and has complied with all aspects of such laws in connection with the issuance of the Notes and the related transactions. In addition, our opinion set forth above as to SwissCo is subject to possible judicial action giving effect to foreign governmental actions or foreign laws affecting creditors’ rights.
     We express no opinion other than as to the applicable laws of the United States of America to the extent specifically referred to herein and the applicable laws of the State of New York. References herein to “applicable laws” mean those laws, rules and regulations that, in our experience, are normally applicable to transactions of the type contemplated by the Indenture, the Notes and the New Guarantee, without our having made any special investigation as to the applicability of any specific law, rule or regulation, and that are not the subject of a specific opinion herein referring expressly to a particular law or laws; provided, however, that such references do not include any municipal or other local laws, rules or regulations, or any antifraud, environmental, labor, securities, tax, insurance or antitrust, laws, rules or regulations. We hereby consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or under the general rules and regulations promulgated under the Act.
     
 
  Very truly yours,
 
   
 
  /s/ ANDREWS KURTH LLP

 

Exhibit 10.1
WARRANT ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT
     This WARRANT ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT (the “ Agreement ”) is dated and effective as of February 26, 2009, by and between Weatherford International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company (“ Assignor ”), and Weatherford International Ltd., a Swiss joint-stock corporation (“ Assignee ”).
R E C I T A L S :
     WHEREAS, Assignor is a party to those certain amended and restated warrants to purchase an aggregate of 12,982,856 common shares of Assignor (each, a “ Warrant ” and collectively, the “ Warrants ”); and
     WHEREAS, pursuant to a share exchange transaction effected by a scheme of arrangement, in connection with a share exchange agreement, between Assignor and Assignee, pursuant to which each holder of common shares of Assignor before the transaction transferred such common shares to Assignee in exchange for the same number of shares of Assignee (the “ Redomestication ”), Assignor has become a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Assignee; and
     WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 5(b) of each Warrant, upon consummation of a Reincorporation Transaction (as defined in the Warrants), which includes the Redomestication, all of the rights and obligations of Assignor under each Warrant shall immediately be assigned to Assignee, and the holder of a Warrant shall thereafter be entitled to receive, in accordance with the terms of such Warrant, registered shares of Assignee upon exercise of such Warrant; and
     WHEREAS, Assignor desires to assign, transfer and deliver all of its rights and obligations under each Warrant to Assignee, and Assignee desires to acquire and assume all such rights and obligations.
AGREEMENT
     NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the forgoing and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:
     1. Assignor hereby assigns, transfers, conveys and delivers to Assignee all of Assignor’s rights and obligations in and under each Warrant, and Assignee does hereby accept the same.
     2. Assignee hereby agrees to assume and to pay or perform, or to cause to be paid or performed (including with respect to the delivery of shares pursuant to the Warrants, whether delivered by Assignor, Assignee or another subsidiary of Assignee), promptly as they

 


 

become due, and to indemnify Assignor and its successors and permitted assigns from and against, all liabilities and obligations of Assignor accruing under each Warrant.
     3. Effective as of and after the date of this Agreement, each Warrant shall be read and construed in all respects as if references therein to “Weatherford” are references to Assignee hereunder.
     4. Assignor represents and warrants that the recitals to this Agreement are true and correct.
     5. This Agreement is binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of Assignor and Assignee and their respective legal representatives, successors and assigns.
     6. Assignor agrees to execute and deliver such instruments, agreements, certificates and other documents as shall be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the assignment and assumption contemplated hereby.
     7. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas.
     8. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which, when taken together, shall be deemed to be one original.
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

-2-


 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed as of the date first written above.
             
    Assignor:    
 
           
    WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL LTD.,    
    a Bermuda exempted company    
 
           
 
  By:
Name:
/s/ Burt M. Martin
 
Burt M. Martin
   
 
  Title: Senior Vice President    
 
           
    Assignee:    
 
           
    WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL LTD.,    
    a Swiss joint-stock corporation    
 
           
 
  By:
Name:
/s/ Burt M. Martin
 
Burt M. Martin
   
 
  Title: Senior Vice President    

-3-

Exhibit 10.2
GUARANTY AGREEMENT
      THIS GUARANTY AGREEMENT (this “ Guaranty ”), dated as of February 26, 2009, is made by WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL LTD., a Swiss joint stock corporation (“ WIL-Switzerland ”) and, after the Share Exchange (as such term is defined in the Amendment (as hereinafter defined)), the sole shareholder of Weatherford International, Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company (“ WIL ”), in favor of (i) the banks and other financial institutions that are parties to the Credit Agreement (as hereinafter defined) and each assignee thereof becoming a “ Lender ” as provided therein (collectively, the “ Lenders ”), (ii) JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as administrative agent (the “ Administrative Agent ”) under the terms of the Credit Agreement, and (iii) JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as issuer of letters of credit (the “ Issuing Bank ”) under the terms of the Credit Agreement;
W I T N E S S E T H :
      WHEREAS, WIL, Weatherford International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ WII ”), as a guarantor, Weatherford Capital Management Services Limited Liability Company, a Hungarian limited liability company (“ WCMS ”), Weatherford Liquidity Management Hungary Limited Liability Company, a Hungarian limited liability company (“ HOC ”, and together with WIL and WCMS, collectively, the “ Borrowers ”), WIL-Switzerland, certain Lenders and the Administrative Agent have entered into that certain Omnibus Consent and Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of January 9, 2009 (the “ Amendment ”) in order to amend that certain Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of May 2, 2006 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”; terms defined therein and not otherwise defined herein being used herein as therein defined) among the Borrowers, WII, as a guarantor, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders party thereto; and
      WHEREAS, it is a condition precedent to the effectiveness of the Amendment that WIL-Switzerland execute and deliver this Guaranty, and WIL-Switzerland desires to execute and deliver this Guaranty to satisfy such requirement;
      NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and in order to satisfy the requirements of the Credit Agreement and the Amendment, and for other good and valuable consideration, WIL-Switzerland hereby agrees as follows:
      SECTION 1. Guaranty .
          (a) In consideration of, and in order to induce the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to enter into the Amendment and to make Loans to, and the Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit for the account of, the Borrowers (including, without limitation, any additional Persons becoming Borrowers under the Credit Agreement after the date hereof), WIL-Switzerland hereby absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees in favor of all of the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank, the punctual payment and performance when due, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, of the Obligations and all covenants of the Borrowers and the other Guarantors, now or hereafter existing under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which any Borrower or any Guarantor is a party,

 


 

whether for principal, LC Exposure, interest (including interest accruing or becoming owing both prior to and subsequent to the commencement of any proceeding against or with respect to any Borrower or any Guarantor under any applicable bankruptcy or insolvency law (including the Bankruptcy Code), fees, commissions, expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses)), indemnities, or otherwise (all such obligations being, as applicable, the “ Guaranteed Obligations ”). WIL-Switzerland agrees to pay any and all expenses incurred by each Lender, the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank in enforcing this Guaranty against WIL-Switzerland.
          (b) This Guaranty is an absolute, unconditional, present and continuing guaranty of payment and not of collection and is in no way conditioned upon any attempt to collect from any Borrower or any Guarantor or any other action, occurrence or circumstance whatsoever.
          (c) The obligations of WIL-Switzerland under this Guaranty shall be limited to an aggregate amount equal to the largest amount that would not render this Guaranty subject to avoidance under Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code or any comparable provisions of applicable law.
      SECTION 2. Continuing Guaranty .
          (a) WIL-Switzerland guarantees that the Guaranteed Obligations shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents; provided that if payment in respect of any Guaranteed Obligations shall be due in a currency other than Dollars and if, by reason of any legal prohibition, disruption of currency or foreign exchange markets, war or civil disturbance or other event, payment of such Guaranteed Obligations in such currency shall be impossible or, in the reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender, not consistent with the protection of its rights or interests, then, at the election of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or such Lender, WIL-Switzerland shall make payment of the Dollar Equivalent of such Guaranteed Obligations and shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or such Lender against any losses or expenses (including losses or expenses resulting from fluctuations in exchange rates) that it shall sustain as a result of such alternative payment. WIL-Switzerland agrees that, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, the Guaranteed Obligations and Loan Documents to which any Borrower is a party may be extended or renewed, and indebtedness thereunder repaid and reborrowed in whole or in part, without notice to or assent by WIL-Switzerland, and that WIL-Switzerland shall remain bound upon this Guaranty notwithstanding any extension, renewal or other alteration of any of the Guaranteed Obligations or such Loan Documents or any repayment and reborrowing of Loans to the Borrowers. The obligations of WIL-Switzerland under this Guaranty are absolute and unconditional irrespective of the value, genuineness, validity, regularity or enforceability of the obligations of the Borrowers under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document or any substitution, release or exchange of any other guarantee of or security for the Obligations. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, except as otherwise expressly provided in the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document to which WIL-Switzerland is a party, the obligations of WIL-Switzerland under this Guaranty shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms hereof under any circumstances whatsoever, including:

 


 

     (i) any modification, amendment, supplement, renewal, extension for any period, increase, decrease, alteration or rearrangement of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, or of the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document executed in connection therewith, or any contract or understanding among the Borrowers, any Guarantor, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Lenders, or any other Person, pertaining to the Guaranteed Obligations;
     (ii) any adjustment, indulgence, forbearance or compromise that might be granted or given by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Lenders to WIL-Switzerland, any other Guarantor, any Borrower or any other Person liable on the Guaranteed Obligations;
     (iii) the insolvency, bankruptcy, arrangement, adjustment, composition, liquidation, disability, dissolution or lack of power of WIL-Switzerland, any other Guarantor, any Borrower or any other Person at any time liable for the payment of all or part of the Guaranteed Obligations; or any dissolution or winding up of WIL-Switzerland, any other Guarantor or any Borrower, or any sale, lease or transfer of any or all of the assets of WIL-Switzerland, any other Guarantor or any Borrower, or any changes in the shareholders of WIL-Switzerland, any other Guarantor or any Borrower, or any reorganization of WIL-Switzerland, any other Guarantor or any Borrower;
     (iv) the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any document or agreement executed in connection with the Guaranteed Obligations, for any reason whatsoever, including the fact that (A) the Guaranteed Obligations, or any part thereof, exceed the amount permitted by law, (B) the act of creating the Guaranteed Obligations, or any part thereof is ultra vires , (C) the officers or representatives executing the documents or otherwise creating the Guaranteed Obligations acted in excess of their authority, (D) the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof violate applicable usury laws, (E) WIL-Switzerland, any other Guarantor or any Borrower has valid defenses, claims, and offsets (whether at law or in equity, by agreement or by statute) which render the Guaranteed Obligations wholly or partially uncollectible from WIL-Switzerland, any other Guarantor or any Borrower, (F) the creation, performance, or repayment of the Guaranteed Obligations (or execution, delivery and performance of any document or instrument representing any part of the Guaranteed Obligations or executed in connection with any of the Guaranteed Obligations, or given to secure the repayment of the Guaranteed Obligations) is illegal, uncollectible, legally impossible or unenforceable, or (G) the Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any other document or instrument pertaining to any of the Guaranteed Obligations has been forged or otherwise is irregular or not genuine or authentic;
     (v) any full or partial release of the liability of WIL-Switzerland, any other Guarantor or any Borrower on the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof, or any other Person now or hereafter liable, whether directly or indirectly, jointly, severally, or jointly and severally, to pay, perform, guarantee, or assure the payment of the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof; it being recognized, acknowledged, and agreed by WIL-Switzerland that WIL-Switzerland may be required to pay the Guaranteed Obligations in

 


 

full without assistance or support of any other Person, and that WIL-Switzerland has not been induced to enter into this Guaranty on the basis of a contemplation, belief, understanding or agreement that any other Person shall be liable to perform the Guaranteed Obligations or that the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender shall look to any other Person to perform the Guaranteed Obligations;
     (vi) the taking or accepting of any other security, collateral or guaranty, or other assurance of payment, for all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations;
     (vii) any release, surrender, exchange, subordination, deterioration, waste, loss or impairment of any collateral, property or security, at any time existing in connection with, or assuring or securing payment of, all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations;
     (viii) the failure of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the Issuing Bank or any other Person to exercise diligence or reasonable care in the preservation, protection, enforcement, sale or other handling or treatment of all or any part of such collateral, property or security;
     (ix) the fact that any collateral, security or Lien contemplated or intended to be given, created or granted as security for the repayment of the Guaranteed Obligations shall not be properly perfected or created, or shall prove to be unenforceable or subordinate to any other Lien; it being recognized and agreed by WIL-Switzerland that WIL-Switzerland is not entering into this Guaranty in reliance on, or in contemplation of the benefits of, the validity, enforceability, collectibility or value of any of the collateral for the Guaranteed Obligations;
     (x) any payment by any Borrower, WIL-Switzerland or any other Guarantor to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender is held to constitute a preference under bankruptcy or insolvency laws, or for any other reason either the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender is required to refund such payment or pay such amount to any Borrower, WIL-Switzerland, any other Guarantor or any other Person; or
     (xi) any other action taken or omitted to be taken with respect to the Credit Agreement, this Guaranty, any other Loan Document, the Guaranteed Obligations, or the security and collateral therefor, whether or not such action or omission prejudices WIL-Switzerland or increases the likelihood that WIL-Switzerland shall be required to pay the Guaranteed Obligations pursuant to the terms hereof;
it being the unambiguous and unequivocal intention of WIL-Switzerland that WIL-Switzerland shall be obligated to pay the Guaranteed Obligations when due, notwithstanding any occurrence, circumstance, event, action, or omission whatsoever, whether contemplated or uncontemplated, and whether or not otherwise or particularly described herein, except for the full and final payment and satisfaction of the Guaranteed Obligations after the termination of all of the Commitments.
          (b) WIL-Switzerland further agrees that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, as between WIL-Switzerland, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank

 


 

and the Lenders, on the other hand, (i) the maturity of the Obligations may be accelerated as provided in Section 9.01 of the Credit Agreement for the purposes of this Guaranty, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing the acceleration of the Obligations as against any Borrower and (ii) in the event of any purported acceleration (whether by declaration or automatic) of the Obligations as provided in Section 9.01 of the Credit Agreement, the Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by WIL-Switzerland for the purpose of this Guaranty.
      SECTION 3. Effect of Debtor Relief Laws . If after receipt of any payment of, or proceeds of any security applied (or intended to be applied) to the payment of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender is for any reason compelled to surrender or voluntarily surrenders, such payment or proceeds to any Person (a) because such payment or application of proceeds is or may be avoided, invalidated, declared fraudulent, set aside, determined to be void or voidable as a preference, fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer, impermissible set-off or a diversion of trust funds or (b) for any other reason, including (i) any judgment, decree or order of any court or administrative body having jurisdiction over the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, any Lender or any of their respective properties or (ii) any settlement or compromise of any such claim effected by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender with any such claimant (including any Borrower or any other Guarantor), then the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof intended to be satisfied shall be reinstated and continue, and this Guaranty shall continue in full force as if such payment or proceeds had not been received, notwithstanding any revocation thereof or the cancellation of any instrument evidencing any of the Guaranteed Obligations or otherwise; and WIL-Switzerland shall be liable to pay the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders, and hereby does indemnify the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders and hold them harmless for the amount of such payment or proceeds so surrendered and all reasonable expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees, court costs and expenses attributable thereto) incurred by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any such Lender in the defense of any claim made against it that any payment or proceeds received by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any such Lender in respect of all or part of the Guaranteed Obligations must be surrendered. The provisions of this paragraph shall survive the termination of this Guaranty and any satisfaction and discharge of the Borrowers by virtue of any payment, court order, or any law.
      SECTION 4. Waiver . WIL-Switzerland hereby waives promptness, diligence, notice of acceptance and any other notice with respect to any of the Guaranteed Obligations and this Guaranty and waives presentment, demand for payment, notice of intent to accelerate, notice of dishonor or nonpayment and any requirement that the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender institute suit, collection proceedings or take any other action to collect any of the Guaranteed Obligations, including any requirement that the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender protect, secure, perfect or insure any Lien against any property subject thereto or exhaust any right or take any action against any Borrower, any Guarantor or any other Person or any collateral (it being the intention of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, the Lenders, and WIL-Switzerland that this Guaranty is to be a guaranty of payment and not of collection). It shall not be necessary for the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender, in order to enforce any payment by WIL-Switzerland hereunder, to institute suit or exhaust its rights and remedies against WIL-Switzerland, any other Guarantor, any Borrower or

 


 

any other Person, including others liable to pay the Guaranteed Obligations, or to enforce its rights against any security ever given to secure payment thereof. WIL-Switzerland hereby expressly waives to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law each and every right to which it may be entitled by virtue of the suretyship laws of the State of Texas or any other state in which it may be located, including any and all rights it may have pursuant to Rule 31, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, Section 17.001 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code and Chapter 34 of the Texas Business and Commerce Code. WIL-Switzerland hereby waives marshaling of assets and liabilities, notice by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender of any indebtedness or liability to which such Person applies or may apply any amounts received by it, and of the creation, advancement, increase, existence, extension, renewal, rearrangement or modification of the Guaranteed Obligations. WIL-Switzerland expressly waives, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the benefit of any and all laws providing for exemption of property from execution or for valuation and appraisal upon foreclosure.
      SECTION 5. Agreement to Defer Exercise of Subrogation . Notwithstanding any payment or payments made by WIL-Switzerland hereunder, or any setoff or application by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender of any security or of any credits or claims, WIL-Switzerland will not assert or exercise any rights of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender or of itself against any other Guarantor or any Borrower to recover the amount of any payment made hereunder by WIL-Switzerland to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender by way of any claim, remedy or subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, contribution, indemnity, participation or otherwise arising by contract, by statute, under common law or otherwise, and WIL-Switzerland shall not have any right to exercise any right of recourse to or any claim against assets or property of any Borrower or of any other Guarantor for such amounts, in each case unless and until the Obligations of such Borrower or obligations of such Guarantor guaranteed hereby have been fully and finally satisfied. Until such time (but not thereafter), WIL-Switzerland hereby agrees not to exercise any claim, right or remedy which it may now have or hereafter acquire against any other Guarantor or any Borrower that arises under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document or from the performance by WIL-Switzerland of the Guaranty hereunder including any claim, remedy or right of subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, contribution, indemnification or participation in any claim, right or remedy of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender against any Borrower or any Guarantor, or any security that the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender now has or hereafter acquires pursuant hereto securing the Obligations of the Borrowers or obligations of any Guarantor under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, whether or not such claim, right or remedy arises in equity, under contract, by statute, under common law or otherwise. If any amount shall be paid to WIL-Switzerland by any Borrower or any Guarantor after payment in full of the Obligations, and the Obligations shall thereafter be reinstated in whole or in part and the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender forced to repay any sums received by any of them in payment of the Obligations, this Guaranty shall be automatically reinstated and such amount shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders and shall forthwith be paid to the Administrative Agent to be credited and applied to the Guaranteed Obligations, whether matured or unmatured. The provisions of this paragraph shall survive the termination of this Guaranty, and any satisfaction and discharge of any Borrower or any Guarantor by virtue of any payment, court order or any federal or state law.

 


 

      SECTION 6. Full Force and Effect . This Guaranty is a continuing guaranty and shall remain in full force and effect until all of the Guaranteed Obligations under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which any Borrower or any Guarantor is a party and all other amounts payable under this Guaranty have been paid in full (after the termination of the Commitments). All rights, remedies and powers provided in this Guaranty may be exercised, and all waivers contained in this Guaranty may be enforced, only to the extent that the exercise or enforcement thereof does not violate any provisions of applicable law which may not be waived.
      SECTION 7. Severability . Any provision of this Guaranty held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof, and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.
      SECTION 8. Amendments, Etc . No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Guaranty nor consent to any departure by WIL-Switzerland therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing executed by the Administrative Agent.
      SECTION 9. Notices . All notices and other communications provided for hereunder shall be given in the manner specified in the Credit Agreement (i) in the case of the Administrative Agent, at the address specified for the Administrative Agent in the Credit Agreement, and (ii) in the case of WIL-Switzerland, at the address specified therefor in this Guaranty.
      SECTION 10. No Waiver; Remedies . No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders hereunder are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Guaranty or consent to any departure by WIL-Switzerland therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by Section 8 hereof, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given.
      SECTION 11. Right of Set Off . Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and each Lender is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, without notice to WIL-Switzerland (any such notice being expressly waived by WIL-Switzerland), to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final but excluding the funds held in accounts clearly designated as escrow or trust accounts held by WIL-Switzerland for the benefit of Persons which are not Affiliates of WIL-Switzerland), whether or not such setoff results in any loss of interest or other penalty, and including all certificates of deposit, at any time held and other obligations at any time owing by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or such Lender to or for the credit or the account of WIL-Switzerland against any and all of the

 


 

Guaranteed Obligations irrespective of whether or not the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or such Lender shall have made any demand under the Credit Agreement, this Guaranty, the Notes or any other Loan Document. The rights of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) which the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Lenders may have. This Section is subject to the terms and provisions of Section 4.01(a) of the Credit Agreement.
      SECTION 12. Transfer Of Obligations . This Guaranty shall (i) be binding upon WIL-Switzerland, its successors and assigns and (ii) inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of itself, the Lenders and the Issuing Bank.
      SECTION 13. Governing Law . This Guaranty and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York.
      SECTION 14. Submission to Jurisdiction; Consent To Service Of Process; Waiver of Jury Trial .
          (a) ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS GUARANTY OR OTHERWISE RELATED HERETO MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN OR THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND, BY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS GUARANTY, WIL-SWITZERLAND HEREBY CONSENTS, FOR ITSELF AND IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSE OF ADJUDICATING ITS RIGHTS OR THE RIGHTS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE LENDERS AND THE ISSUING BANK WITH RESPECT TO THIS GUARANTY OR ANY DOCUMENT RELATED HERETO. WIL-SWITZERLAND HEREBY IRREVOCABLY DESIGNATES CT CORPORATION SYSTEM, 111 8TH AVENUE, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10011, AS THE DESIGNEE, APPOINTEE AND AGENT OF WIL-SWITZERLAND TO RECEIVE, FOR AND ON BEHALF OF WIL-SWITZERLAND, SERVICE OF PROCESS IN SUCH JURISDICTION IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS GUARANTY OR ANY DOCUMENT RELATED HERETO AND SUCH SERVICE SHALL BE DEEMED COMPLETED THIRTY DAYS AFTER MAILING THEREOF TO SAID AGENT. IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT A COPY OF SUCH PROCESS SERVED ON SUCH AGENT WILL BE PROMPTLY FORWARDED BY MAIL TO WIL-SWITZERLAND AT ITS ADDRESS SET FORTH HEREIN, BUT THE FAILURE OF WIL-SWITZERLAND TO RECEIVE SUCH COPY SHALL NOT, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, AFFECT IN ANY WAY THE SERVICE OF SUCH PROCESS. IF FOR ANY REASON SERVICE OF PROCESS CANNOT PROMPTLY BE MADE ON EITHER SUCH LOCAL AGENT, WIL-SWITZERLAND FURTHER IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS OF ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED COURTS IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING BY THE MAILING OF COPIES THEREOF BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, TO WIL-SWITZERLAND AT ITS SAID ADDRESS, SUCH SERVICE TO BECOME EFFECTIVE 30 DAYS AFTER SUCH

 


 

MAILING. WIL-SWITZERLAND HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OR BASED ON THE GROUNDS OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS , WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE BRINGING OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN SUCH RESPECTIVE JURISDICTIONS IN RESPECT OF THIS GUARANTY OR ANY DOCUMENT RELATED HERETO. NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO COMMENCE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS OR OTHERWISE PROCEED AGAINST WIL-SWITZERLAND IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.
          (b) TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, WIL-SWITZERLAND HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT OF TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS GUARANTY OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR ANY MATTER ARISING IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THEREWITH.
      SECTION 15. Payments by Guarantor .
          (a) Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of WIL-Switzerland hereunder shall be understood to be minimum payment obligations. When entering into this Agreement, WIL-Switzerland has assumed that any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of WIL-Switzerland hereunder will not be subject to any deduction for Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes (collectively, the “ Covered Taxes ”). WIL-Switzerland agrees that if it shall be required to deduct any Covered Taxes from such payments, then (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Lender (as the case may be) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) WIL-Switzerland shall make such deductions and (iii) WIL-Switzerland shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law. If requested by the Administrative Agent, WIL-Switzerland shall provide to the Administrative Agent those documents which are required by law and applicable double taxation treaties to be provided by the payer of such tax, for each relevant Lender to prepare a claim for refund of Swiss withholding tax. WIL-Switzerland shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and each Lender, within 20 days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Covered Taxes directly assessed against and paid by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or such Lender, as the case may be, on or with respect to any payment by or on account of the Guaranteed Obligations (including Covered Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Covered Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to WIL-Switzerland by a Lender or the Issuing Bank, or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender or the Issuing Bank, shall be presumed correct absent manifest error.
          (b) WIL-Switzerland will remit to the appropriate Governmental Authority, prior to delinquency (assuming WIL-Switzerland has received notification of a claim for

 


 

Covered Taxes within 10 Business Days prior to the date the delinquency commences), all Covered Taxes payable in respect of any payment by or on account of any obligations of WIL-Switzerland hereunder. Within 30 days after the date of any payment of Covered Taxes, WIL-Switzerland will furnish to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt evidencing payment of such Covered Taxes or such other evidence thereof as may be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. At the reasonable request of WIL-Switzerland, the Administrative Agent will request the Lenders to provide any reasonable tax forms, certifications or other documents that would result in a reduction in the amount of Covered Taxes hereunder; provided, however, the obligation of WIL-Switzerland to make payments for Covered Taxes hereunder shall not be conditioned upon any Lender providing any such tax forms, certifications or other documents.
      SECTION 16. Judgment Currency . The obligation of WIL-Switzerland to make payments on any Guaranteed Obligation to the Lenders, to the Issuing Bank or to the Administrative Agent hereunder in any currency (the “ first currency ”) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender or recovery pursuant to any judgment expressed in or converted into any other currency (the “ second currency ”) except to the extent to which such tender or recovery shall result in the effective receipt by the applicable Lender, Issuing Bank or the Administrative Agent of the full amount of the first currency payable, and accordingly the primary obligation of WIL-Switzerland shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovery in the second currency of the amount (if any) by which such effective receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the full currency payable and shall not be affected by a judgment being obtained for any other sum due hereunder.
      SECTION 17. Automatic Acceleration in Certain Events . Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default specified in Section 9.01(f) or (g) of the Credit Agreement, all Guaranteed Obligations shall automatically become immediately due and payable by WIL-Switzerland, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by WIL-Switzerland, and regardless of whether payment of the Guaranteed Obligations by the Borrowers has then been accelerated.
      SECTION 18. Information . WIL-Switzerland assumes all responsibility for being and keeping itself informed of the Borrowers’ financial condition and assets, and of all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Guaranteed Obligations and the nature, scope and extent of the risks that WIL-Switzerland assumes and incurs hereunder, and agrees that the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders will not have any duty to advise WIL-Switzerland of information known to any of them regarding such circumstances or risks.
      SECTION 19. Survival of Agreement . All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by WIL-Switzerland herein shall be considered to have been relied upon by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Guaranty and the other Loan Documents and the making of any Loans and issuance of any Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by any party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended under the Credit Agreement, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as any amount payable under this Guaranty is outstanding and unpaid.

 


 

      SECTION 20. Counterparts . This Guaranty may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract.
( Remainder of this page intentionally left blank.)

 


 

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF , WIL-Switzerland and the Administrative Agent have caused this Guaranty to be duly executed and delivered by their respective duly authorized officers as of the date first above written.

Address for Notices:
Weatherford International Ltd.
c/o Weatherford International, Inc.
515 Post Oak Blvd.
Houston, Texas 77027
Attention: General Counsel
         
WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL LTD. ,
a Swiss joint stock corporation
 
By:   /s/ Andrew P. Becnel
  Name:   Andrew P. Becnel
  Title:   Senior Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
 
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. ,
as Administrative Agent
 
By:   /s/ Helen A. Carr
  Name:   Helen A. Carr
  Title:   Managing Director
 


Signature Page to Guaranty Agreement

 

Exhibit 10.3
GUARANTY AGREEMENT
      THIS GUARANTY AGREEMENT (this “ Guaranty ”), dated as of February 26, 2009, is made by WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL LTD., a Swiss joint stock corporation (“ WIL-Switzerland ”) and, after the Share Exchange (as such term is defined in the Amendment (as hereinafter defined)), the sole shareholder of Weatherford International, Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company (“ WIL ” or the “ Borrower ”), in favor of (i) the banks and other financial institutions that are parties to the Credit Agreement (as hereinafter defined) and each assignee thereof becoming a “ Lender ” as provided therein (collectively, the “ Lenders ”), (ii) Deutsche Bank AG Cayman Islands Branch, in its capacity as administrative agent (the “ Administrative Agent ”) under the terms of the Credit Agreement, and (iii) Deutsche Bank AG Cayman Islands Branch, in its capacity as issuer of letters of credit (the “ Issuing Bank ”) under the terms of the Credit Agreement;
W I T N E S S E T H :
      WHEREAS, WIL, Weatherford International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ WII ”), as a guarantor, WIL-Switzerland, certain Lenders and the Administrative Agent have entered into that certain Omnibus Consent and Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of January 9, 2009 (the “ Amendment ”) in order to amend that certain Credit Agreement dated as of March 19, 2008 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”; terms defined therein and not otherwise defined herein being used herein as therein defined) among the Borrower, WII, as a guarantor, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders party thereto; and
      WHEREAS, it is a condition precedent to the effectiveness of the Amendment that WIL-Switzerland execute and deliver this Guaranty, and WIL-Switzerland desires to execute and deliver this Guaranty to satisfy such requirement;
      NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and in order to satisfy the requirements of the Credit Agreement and the Amendment, and for other good and valuable consideration, WIL-Switzerland hereby agrees as follows:
      SECTION 1. Guaranty .
          (a) In consideration of, and in order to induce the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to enter into the Amendment and to make Loans to, and the Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit for the account of, the Borrower (including, without limitation, any additional Persons becoming Borrowers under the Credit Agreement after the date hereof), WIL-Switzerland hereby absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees in favor of all of the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank, the punctual payment and performance when due, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, of the Obligations and all covenants of the Borrower and the other Guarantors, now or hereafter existing under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which the Borrower or any Guarantor is a party, whether for principal, LC Exposure, interest (including interest accruing or becoming owing both prior to and subsequent to the commencement of any proceeding against or with respect to the Borrower or any Guarantor under any applicable bankruptcy or insolvency law (including the

 


 

Bankruptcy Code), fees, commissions, expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses)), indemnities, or otherwise (all such obligations being, as applicable, the “ Guaranteed Obligations ”). WIL-Switzerland agrees to pay any and all expenses incurred by each Lender, the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank in enforcing this Guaranty against WIL-Switzerland.
          (b) This Guaranty is an absolute, unconditional, present and continuing guaranty of payment and not of collection and is in no way conditioned upon any attempt to collect from the Borrower or any Guarantor or any other action, occurrence or circumstance whatsoever.
          (c) The obligations of WIL-Switzerland under this Guaranty shall be limited to an aggregate amount equal to the largest amount that would not render this Guaranty subject to avoidance under Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code or any comparable provisions of applicable law.
      SECTION 2. Continuing Guaranty .
          (a) WIL-Switzerland guarantees that the Guaranteed Obligations shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents; provided that if payment in respect of any Guaranteed Obligations shall be due in a currency other than Dollars and if, by reason of any legal prohibition, disruption of currency or foreign exchange markets, war or civil disturbance or other event, payment of such Guaranteed Obligations in such currency shall be impossible or, in the reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender, not consistent with the protection of its rights or interests, then, at the election of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or such Lender, WIL-Switzerland shall make payment of the Dollar Equivalent of such Guaranteed Obligations and shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or such Lender against any losses or expenses (including losses or expenses resulting from fluctuations in exchange rates) that it shall sustain as a result of such alternative payment. WIL-Switzerland agrees that, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, the Guaranteed Obligations and Loan Documents to which the Borrower is a party may be extended or renewed, and indebtedness thereunder repaid and reborrowed in whole or in part, without notice to or assent by WIL-Switzerland, and that WIL-Switzerland shall remain bound upon this Guaranty notwithstanding any extension, renewal or other alteration of any of the Guaranteed Obligations or such Loan Documents or any repayment and reborrowing of Loans to the Borrower. The obligations of WIL-Switzerland under this Guaranty are absolute and unconditional irrespective of the value, genuineness, validity, regularity or enforceability of the obligations of the Borrower under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document or any substitution, release or exchange of any other guarantee of or security for the Obligations. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, except as otherwise expressly provided in the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document to which WIL-Switzerland is a party, the obligations of WIL-Switzerland under this Guaranty shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms hereof under any circumstances whatsoever, including:
     (i) any modification, amendment, supplement, renewal, extension for any period, increase, decrease, alteration or rearrangement of all or any part of the Guaranteed

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Obligations, or of the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document executed in connection therewith, or any contract or understanding among the Borrower, any Guarantor, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Lenders, or any other Person, pertaining to the Guaranteed Obligations;
     (ii) any adjustment, indulgence, forbearance or compromise that might be granted or given by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Lenders to WIL-Switzerland, any other Guarantor, the Borrower or any other Person liable on the Guaranteed Obligations;
     (iii) the insolvency, bankruptcy, arrangement, adjustment, composition, liquidation, disability, dissolution or lack of power of WIL-Switzerland, any other Guarantor, the Borrower or any other Person at any time liable for the payment of all or part of the Guaranteed Obligations; or any dissolution or winding up of WIL-Switzerland, any other Guarantor or the Borrower, or any sale, lease or transfer of any or all of the assets of WIL-Switzerland, any other Guarantor or the Borrower, or any changes in the shareholders of WIL-Switzerland, any other Guarantor or the Borrower, or any reorganization of WIL-Switzerland, any other Guarantor or the Borrower;
     (iv) the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any document or agreement executed in connection with the Guaranteed Obligations, for any reason whatsoever, including the fact that (A) the Guaranteed Obligations, or any part thereof, exceed the amount permitted by law, (B) the act of creating the Guaranteed Obligations, or any part thereof is ultra vires , (C) the officers or representatives executing the documents or otherwise creating the Guaranteed Obligations acted in excess of their authority, (D) the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof violate applicable usury laws, (E) WIL-Switzerland, any other Guarantor or the Borrower has valid defenses, claims, and offsets (whether at law or in equity, by agreement or by statute) which render the Guaranteed Obligations wholly or partially uncollectible from WIL-Switzerland, any other Guarantor or the Borrower, (F) the creation, performance, or repayment of the Guaranteed Obligations (or execution, delivery and performance of any document or instrument representing any part of the Guaranteed Obligations or executed in connection with any of the Guaranteed Obligations, or given to secure the repayment of the Guaranteed Obligations) is illegal, uncollectible, legally impossible or unenforceable, or (G) the Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any other document or instrument pertaining to any of the Guaranteed Obligations has been forged or otherwise is irregular or not genuine or authentic;
     (v) any full or partial release of the liability of WIL-Switzerland, any other Guarantor or the Borrower on the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof, or any other Person now or hereafter liable, whether directly or indirectly, jointly, severally, or jointly and severally, to pay, perform, guarantee, or assure the payment of the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof; it being recognized, acknowledged, and agreed by WIL-Switzerland that WIL-Switzerland may be required to pay the Guaranteed Obligations in full without assistance or support of any other Person, and that WIL-Switzerland has not been induced to enter into this Guaranty on the basis of a contemplation, belief,

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understanding or agreement that any other Person shall be liable to perform the Guaranteed Obligations or that the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender shall look to any other Person to perform the Guaranteed Obligations;
     (vi) the taking or accepting of any other security, collateral or guaranty, or other assurance of payment, for all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations;
     (vii) any release, surrender, exchange, subordination, deterioration, waste, loss or impairment of any collateral, property or security, at any time existing in connection with, or assuring or securing payment of, all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations;
     (viii) the failure of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the Issuing Bank or any other Person to exercise diligence or reasonable care in the preservation, protection, enforcement, sale or other handling or treatment of all or any part of such collateral, property or security;
     (ix) the fact that any collateral, security or Lien contemplated or intended to be given, created or granted as security for the repayment of the Guaranteed Obligations shall not be properly perfected or created, or shall prove to be unenforceable or subordinate to any other Lien; it being recognized and agreed by WIL-Switzerland that WIL-Switzerland is not entering into this Guaranty in reliance on, or in contemplation of the benefits of, the validity, enforceability, collectibility or value of any of the collateral for the Guaranteed Obligations;
     (x) any payment by the Borrower, WIL-Switzerland or any other Guarantor to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender is held to constitute a preference under bankruptcy or insolvency laws, or for any other reason either the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender is required to refund such payment or pay such amount to the Borrower, WIL-Switzerland, any other Guarantor or any other Person; or
     (xi) any other action taken or omitted to be taken with respect to the Credit Agreement, this Guaranty, any other Loan Document, the Guaranteed Obligations, or the security and collateral therefor, whether or not such action or omission prejudices WIL-Switzerland or increases the likelihood that WIL-Switzerland shall be required to pay the Guaranteed Obligations pursuant to the terms hereof;
it being the unambiguous and unequivocal intention of WIL-Switzerland that WIL-Switzerland shall be obligated to pay the Guaranteed Obligations when due, notwithstanding any occurrence, circumstance, event, action, or omission whatsoever, whether contemplated or uncontemplated, and whether or not otherwise or particularly described herein, except for the full and final payment and satisfaction of the Guaranteed Obligations after the termination of all of the Commitments.
          (b) WIL-Switzerland further agrees that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, as between WIL-Switzerland, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders, on the other hand, (i) the maturity of the Obligations may be accelerated as provided in Section 9.01 of the Credit Agreement for the purposes of this Guaranty,

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notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing the acceleration of the Obligations as against the Borrower and (ii) in the event of any purported acceleration (whether by declaration or automatic) of the Obligations as provided in Section 9.01 of the Credit Agreement, the Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by WIL-Switzerland for the purpose of this Guaranty.
      SECTION 3. Effect of Debtor Relief Laws . If after receipt of any payment of, or proceeds of any security applied (or intended to be applied) to the payment of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender is for any reason compelled to surrender or voluntarily surrenders, such payment or proceeds to any Person (a) because such payment or application of proceeds is or may be avoided, invalidated, declared fraudulent, set aside, determined to be void or voidable as a preference, fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer, impermissible set-off or a diversion of trust funds or (b) for any other reason, including (i) any judgment, decree or order of any court or administrative body having jurisdiction over the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, any Lender or any of their respective properties or (ii) any settlement or compromise of any such claim effected by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender with any such claimant (including the Borrower or any other Guarantor), then the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof intended to be satisfied shall be reinstated and continue, and this Guaranty shall continue in full force as if such payment or proceeds had not been received, notwithstanding any revocation thereof or the cancellation of any instrument evidencing any of the Guaranteed Obligations or otherwise; and WIL-Switzerland shall be liable to pay the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders, and hereby does indemnify the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders and hold them harmless for the amount of such payment or proceeds so surrendered and all reasonable expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees, court costs and expenses attributable thereto) incurred by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any such Lender in the defense of any claim made against it that any payment or proceeds received by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any such Lender in respect of all or part of the Guaranteed Obligations must be surrendered. The provisions of this paragraph shall survive the termination of this Guaranty and any satisfaction and discharge of the Borrower by virtue of any payment, court order, or any law.
      SECTION 4. Waiver . WIL-Switzerland hereby waives promptness, diligence, notice of acceptance and any other notice with respect to any of the Guaranteed Obligations and this Guaranty and waives presentment, demand for payment, notice of intent to accelerate, notice of dishonor or nonpayment and any requirement that the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender institute suit, collection proceedings or take any other action to collect any of the Guaranteed Obligations, including any requirement that the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender protect, secure, perfect or insure any Lien against any property subject thereto or exhaust any right or take any action against the Borrower, any Guarantor or any other Person or any collateral (it being the intention of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, the Lenders, and WIL-Switzerland that this Guaranty is to be a guaranty of payment and not of collection). It shall not be necessary for the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender, in order to enforce any payment by WIL-Switzerland hereunder, to institute suit or exhaust its rights and remedies against WIL-Switzerland, any other Guarantor, the Borrower or any other Person, including others liable to pay the Guaranteed Obligations, or to enforce its rights against any security ever given to secure payment thereof. WIL-Switzerland hereby

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expressly waives to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law each and every right to which it may be entitled by virtue of the suretyship laws of the State of Texas or any other state in which it may be located, including any and all rights it may have pursuant to Rule 31, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, Section 17.001 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code and Chapter 34 of the Texas Business and Commerce Code. WIL-Switzerland hereby waives marshaling of assets and liabilities, notice by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender of any indebtedness or liability to which such Person applies or may apply any amounts received by it, and of the creation, advancement, increase, existence, extension, renewal, rearrangement or modification of the Guaranteed Obligations. WIL-Switzerland expressly waives, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the benefit of any and all laws providing for exemption of property from execution or for valuation and appraisal upon foreclosure.
      SECTION 5. Agreement to Defer Exercise of Subrogation . Notwithstanding any payment or payments made by WIL-Switzerland hereunder, or any setoff or application by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender of any security or of any credits or claims, WIL-Switzerland will not assert or exercise any rights of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender or of itself against any other Guarantor or the Borrower to recover the amount of any payment made hereunder by WIL-Switzerland to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender by way of any claim, remedy or subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, contribution, indemnity, participation or otherwise arising by contract, by statute, under common law or otherwise, and WIL-Switzerland shall not have any right to exercise any right of recourse to or any claim against assets or property of the Borrower or of any other Guarantor for such amounts, in each case unless and until the Obligations of such Borrower or obligations of such Guarantor guaranteed hereby have been fully and finally satisfied. Until such time (but not thereafter), WIL-Switzerland hereby agrees not to exercise any claim, right or remedy which it may now have or hereafter acquire against any other Guarantor or the Borrower that arises under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document or from the performance by WIL-Switzerland of the Guaranty hereunder including any claim, remedy or right of subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, contribution, indemnification or participation in any claim, right or remedy of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender against the Borrower or any Guarantor, or any security that the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender now has or hereafter acquires pursuant hereto securing the Obligations of the Borrower or obligations of any Guarantor under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, whether or not such claim, right or remedy arises in equity, under contract, by statute, under common law or otherwise. If any amount shall be paid to WIL-Switzerland by the Borrower or any Guarantor after payment in full of the Obligations, and the Obligations shall thereafter be reinstated in whole or in part and the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender forced to repay any sums received by any of them in payment of the Obligations, this Guaranty shall be automatically reinstated and such amount shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders and shall forthwith be paid to the Administrative Agent to be credited and applied to the Guaranteed Obligations, whether matured or unmatured. The provisions of this paragraph shall survive the termination of this Guaranty, and any satisfaction and discharge of the Borrower or any Guarantor by virtue of any payment, court order or any federal or state law.
      SECTION 6. Full Force and Effect . This Guaranty is a continuing guaranty and shall remain in full force and effect until all of the Guaranteed Obligations under the Credit

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Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which the Borrower or any Guarantor is a party and all other amounts payable under this Guaranty have been paid in full (after the termination of the Commitments). All rights, remedies and powers provided in this Guaranty may be exercised, and all waivers contained in this Guaranty may be enforced, only to the extent that the exercise or enforcement thereof does not violate any provisions of applicable law which may not be waived.
      SECTION 7. Severability . Any provision of this Guaranty held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof, and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.
      SECTION 8. Amendments, Etc . No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Guaranty nor consent to any departure by WIL-Switzerland therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing executed by the Administrative Agent.
      SECTION 9. Notices . All notices and other communications provided for hereunder shall be given in the manner specified in the Credit Agreement (i) in the case of the Administrative Agent, at the address specified for the Administrative Agent in the Credit Agreement, and (ii) in the case of WIL-Switzerland, at the address specified therefor in this Guaranty.
      SECTION 10. No Waiver; Remedies . No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders hereunder are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Guaranty or consent to any departure by WIL-Switzerland therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by Section 8 hereof, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given.
      SECTION 11. Right of Set Off . Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and each Lender is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, without notice to WIL-Switzerland (any such notice being expressly waived by WIL-Switzerland), to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final but excluding the funds held in accounts clearly designated as escrow or trust accounts held by WIL-Switzerland for the benefit of Persons which are not Affiliates of WIL-Switzerland), whether or not such setoff results in any loss of interest or other penalty, and including all certificates of deposit, at any time held and other obligations at any time owing by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or such Lender to or for the credit or the account of WIL-Switzerland against any and all of the Guaranteed Obligations irrespective of whether or not the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or such Lender shall have made any demand under the Credit Agreement, this Guaranty,

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the Notes or any other Loan Document. The rights of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) which the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Lenders may have. This Section is subject to the terms and provisions of Section 4.01(a) of the Credit Agreement.
      SECTION 12. Transfer Of Obligations . This Guaranty shall (i) be binding upon WIL-Switzerland, its successors and assigns and (ii) inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of itself, the Lenders and the Issuing Bank.
      SECTION 13. Governing Law . This Guaranty and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York.
      SECTION 14. Submission to Jurisdiction; Consent To Service Of Process; Waiver of Jury Trial .
          (a) ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS GUARANTY OR OTHERWISE RELATED HERETO MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN OR THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND, BY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS GUARANTY, WIL-SWITZERLAND HEREBY CONSENTS, FOR ITSELF AND IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSE OF ADJUDICATING ITS RIGHTS OR THE RIGHTS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE LENDERS AND THE ISSUING BANK WITH RESPECT TO THIS GUARANTY OR ANY DOCUMENT RELATED HERETO. WIL-SWITZERLAND HEREBY IRREVOCABLY DESIGNATES CT CORPORATION SYSTEM, 111 8TH AVENUE, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10011, AS THE DESIGNEE, APPOINTEE AND AGENT OF WIL-SWITZERLAND TO RECEIVE, FOR AND ON BEHALF OF WIL-SWITZERLAND, SERVICE OF PROCESS IN SUCH JURISDICTION IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS GUARANTY OR ANY DOCUMENT RELATED HERETO AND SUCH SERVICE SHALL BE DEEMED COMPLETED THIRTY DAYS AFTER MAILING THEREOF TO SAID AGENT. IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT A COPY OF SUCH PROCESS SERVED ON SUCH AGENT WILL BE PROMPTLY FORWARDED BY MAIL TO WIL-SWITZERLAND AT ITS ADDRESS SET FORTH HEREIN, BUT THE FAILURE OF WIL-SWITZERLAND TO RECEIVE SUCH COPY SHALL NOT, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, AFFECT IN ANY WAY THE SERVICE OF SUCH PROCESS. IF FOR ANY REASON SERVICE OF PROCESS CANNOT PROMPTLY BE MADE ON EITHER SUCH LOCAL AGENT, WIL-SWITZERLAND FURTHER IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS OF ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED COURTS IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING BY THE MAILING OF COPIES THEREOF BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, TO WIL-SWITZERLAND AT ITS SAID ADDRESS, SUCH SERVICE TO BECOME EFFECTIVE 30 DAYS AFTER SUCH MAILING. WIL-SWITZERLAND HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE

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OR BASED ON THE GROUNDS OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS , WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE BRINGING OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN SUCH RESPECTIVE JURISDICTIONS IN RESPECT OF THIS GUARANTY OR ANY DOCUMENT RELATED HERETO. NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO COMMENCE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS OR OTHERWISE PROCEED AGAINST WIL-SWITZERLAND IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.
          (b) TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, WIL-SWITZERLAND HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT OF TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS GUARANTY OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR ANY MATTER ARISING IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THEREWITH.
      SECTION 15. Payments by Guarantor .
          (a) Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of WIL-Switzerland hereunder shall be understood to be minimum payment obligations. When entering into this Agreement, WIL-Switzerland has assumed that any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of WIL-Switzerland hereunder will not be subject to any deduction for Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes (collectively, the “ Covered Taxes ”). WIL-Switzerland agrees that if it shall be required to deduct any Covered Taxes from such payments, then (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Lender (as the case may be) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) WIL-Switzerland shall make such deductions and (iii) WIL-Switzerland shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law. If requested by the Administrative Agent, WIL-Switzerland shall provide to the Administrative Agent those documents which are required by law and applicable double taxation treaties to be provided by the payer of such tax, for each relevant Lender to prepare a claim for refund of Swiss withholding tax. WIL-Switzerland shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and each Lender, within 20 days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Covered Taxes directly assessed against and paid by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or such Lender, as the case may be, on or with respect to any payment by or on account of the Guaranteed Obligations (including Covered Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Covered Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to WIL-Switzerland by a Lender or the Issuing Bank, or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender or the Issuing Bank, shall be presumed correct absent manifest error.
          (b) WIL-Switzerland will remit to the appropriate Governmental Authority, prior to delinquency (assuming WIL-Switzerland has received notification of a claim for Covered Taxes within 10 Business Days prior to the date the delinquency commences), all Covered Taxes payable in respect of any payment by or on account of any obligations of WIL-

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Switzerland hereunder. Within 30 days after the date of any payment of Covered Taxes, WIL-Switzerland will furnish to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt evidencing payment of such Covered Taxes or such other evidence thereof as may be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. At the reasonable request of WIL-Switzerland, the Administrative Agent will request the Lenders to provide any reasonable tax forms, certifications or other documents that would result in a reduction in the amount of Covered Taxes hereunder; provided, however, the obligation of WIL-Switzerland to make payments for Covered Taxes hereunder shall not be conditioned upon any Lender providing any such tax forms, certifications or other documents.
      SECTION 16. Judgment Currency . The obligation of WIL-Switzerland to make payments on any Guaranteed Obligation to the Lenders, to the Issuing Bank or to the Administrative Agent hereunder in any currency (the “ first currency ”) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender or recovery pursuant to any judgment expressed in or converted into any other currency (the “ second currency ”) except to the extent to which such tender or recovery shall result in the effective receipt by the applicable Lender, Issuing Bank or the Administrative Agent of the full amount of the first currency payable, and accordingly the primary obligation of WIL-Switzerland shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovery in the second currency of the amount (if any) by which such effective receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the full currency payable and shall not be affected by a judgment being obtained for any other sum due hereunder.
      SECTION 17. Automatic Acceleration in Certain Events . Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default specified in Section 9.01(f) or (g) of the Credit Agreement, all Guaranteed Obligations shall automatically become immediately due and payable by WIL-Switzerland, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by WIL-Switzerland, and regardless of whether payment of the Guaranteed Obligations by the Borrower has then been accelerated.
      SECTION 18. Information . WIL-Switzerland assumes all responsibility for being and keeping itself informed of the Borrower’s financial condition and assets, and of all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Guaranteed Obligations and the nature, scope and extent of the risks that WIL-Switzerland assumes and incurs hereunder, and agrees that the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders will not have any duty to advise WIL-Switzerland of information known to any of them regarding such circumstances or risks.
      SECTION 19. Survival of Agreement . All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by WIL-Switzerland herein shall be considered to have been relied upon by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Guaranty and the other Loan Documents and the making of any Loans and issuance of any Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by any party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended under the Credit Agreement, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as any amount payable under this Guaranty is outstanding and unpaid.

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      SECTION 20. Counterparts . This Guaranty may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract.
( Remainder of this page intentionally left blank.)

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , WIL-Switzerland and the Administrative Agent have caused this Guaranty to be duly executed and delivered by their respective duly authorized officers as of the date first above written.

Address for Notices:
Weatherford International Ltd.
c/o Weatherford International, Inc.
515 Post Oak Blvd.
Houston, Texas 77027
Attention: General Counsel
         
WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL LTD. ,
a Swiss joint stock corporation
 
By:   /s/ Andrew P. Becnel
Name: Andrew P. Becnel
Title: Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
 
DEUTSCHE BANK AG CAYMAN ISLANDS
BRANCH,
as Administrative Agent
 
By:   /s/ Marcus Tarkington
Name:   Marcus Tarkington
Title:   Director
 
     
By:   /s/ Rainer Meier
Name:   Rainer Meier
Title:   Director
 


Signature Page to Guaranty Agreement

Exhibit 10.4
GUARANTY AGREEMENT
      THIS GUARANTY AGREEMENT (this “ Guaranty ”), dated as of February 26, 2009, is made by WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL LTD., a Swiss joint stock corporation (“ WIL-Switzerland ”) and, after the Share Exchange (as such term is defined in the Amendment (as hereinafter defined)), the sole shareholder of Weatherford International, Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company (“ WIL ”), in favor of (i) the banks and other financial institutions that are parties to the Credit Agreement (as hereinafter defined) and each assignee thereof becoming a “ Lender ” as provided therein (collectively, the “ Lenders ”), and (ii) UBS AG, Stamford Branch, in its capacity as administrative agent (the “ Administrative Agent ”) under the terms of the Credit Agreement, and (iii) UBS AG, Stamford Branch, in its capacity as issuer of letters of credit (the “ Issuing Bank ”) under the terms of the Credit Agreement.
W I T N E S S E T H :
      WHEREAS, WIL, Weatherford International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ WII ”), as a guarantor, WIL-Switzerland, the Lenders party thereto and the Administrative Agent have entered into a certain Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of January 9, 2009 (the “ Amendment ”) in order to amend that certain Credit Agreement dated as of October 20, 2008 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”; terms defined therein and not otherwise defined herein being used herein as therein defined) among WIL, the other Persons from time to time Borrowers thereunder (together with WIL, collectively, the “ Borrowers ”), WII, as a guarantor, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders party thereto; and
      WHEREAS, it is a condition precedent to the effectiveness of the Amendment that WIL-Switzerland execute and deliver this Guaranty, and WIL-Switzerland desires to execute and deliver this Guaranty to satisfy such requirement;
      NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and in order to satisfy the requirements of the Credit Agreement and the Amendment, and for other good and valuable consideration, WIL-Switzerland hereby agrees as follows:
      SECTION 1. Guaranty .
          (a) In consideration of, and in order to induce the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to enter into the Amendment and to make Loans to, and the Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit for the account of, the Borrowers (including, without limitation, any additional Persons becoming Borrowers under the Credit Agreement after the date hereof), WIL-Switzerland hereby absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees in favor of all of the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank, the punctual payment and performance when due, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, of the Obligations and all covenants of the Borrowers and the other Guarantors, now or hereafter existing under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which any Borrower or any Guarantor is a party, whether for principal, LC Exposure, interest (including interest accruing or becoming owing both prior to and subsequent to the commencement of any proceeding against or with respect to any Borrower or any Guarantor under any applicable bankruptcy or insolvency law (including the

 


 

Bankruptcy Code), fees, commissions, expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses)), indemnities, or otherwise (all such obligations being, as applicable, the “ Guaranteed Obligations ”). WIL-Switzerland agrees to pay any and all expenses incurred by each Lender, the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank in enforcing this Guaranty against WIL-Switzerland.
          (b) This Guaranty is an absolute, unconditional, present and continuing guaranty of payment and not of collection and is in no way conditioned upon any attempt to collect from any Borrower or any Guarantor or any other action, occurrence or circumstance whatsoever.
          (c) The obligations of WIL-Switzerland under this Guaranty shall be limited to an aggregate amount equal to the largest amount that would not render this Guaranty subject to avoidance under Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code or any comparable provisions of applicable law.
      SECTION 2. Continuing Guaranty .
          (a) WIL-Switzerland guarantees that the Guaranteed Obligations shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents. WIL-Switzerland agrees that, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, the Guaranteed Obligations and Loan Documents to which any Borrower is a party may be extended or renewed, and indebtedness thereunder repaid and reborrowed in whole or in part, without notice to or assent by WIL-Switzerland, and that WIL-Switzerland shall remain bound upon this Guaranty notwithstanding any extension, renewal or other alteration of any of the Guaranteed Obligations or such Loan Documents or any repayment and reborrowing of Loans to the Borrowers. The obligations of WIL-Switzerland under this Guaranty are absolute and unconditional irrespective of the value, genuineness, validity, regularity or enforceability of the obligations of the Borrowers under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document or any substitution, release or exchange of any other guarantee of or security for the Obligations. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, except as otherwise expressly provided in the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document to which WIL-Switzerland is a party, the obligations of WIL-Switzerland under this Guaranty shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms hereof under any circumstances whatsoever, including:
     (i) any modification, amendment, supplement, renewal, extension for any period, increase, decrease, alteration or rearrangement of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, or of the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document executed in connection therewith, or any contract or understanding among the Borrowers, any Guarantor, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Lenders, or any other Person, pertaining to the Guaranteed Obligations;
     (ii) any adjustment, indulgence, forbearance or compromise that might be granted or given by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Lenders to WIL-Switzerland, any other Guarantor, any Borrower or any other Person liable on the Guaranteed Obligations;

 


 

     (iii) the insolvency, bankruptcy, arrangement, adjustment, composition, liquidation, disability, dissolution or lack of power of WIL-Switzerland, any other Guarantor, any Borrower or any other Person at any time liable for the payment of all or part of the Guaranteed Obligations; or any dissolution or winding up of WIL-Switzerland, any other Guarantor or any Borrower, or any sale, lease or transfer of any or all of the assets of WIL-Switzerland, any other Guarantor or any Borrower, or any changes in the shareholders of WIL-Switzerland, any other Guarantor or any Borrower, or any reorganization of WIL-Switzerland, any other Guarantor or any Borrower;
     (iv) the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any document or agreement executed in connection with the Guaranteed Obligations, for any reason whatsoever, including the fact that (A) the Guaranteed Obligations, or any part thereof, exceed the amount permitted by law, (B) the act of creating the Guaranteed Obligations, or any part thereof is ultra vires , (C) the officers or representatives executing the documents or otherwise creating the Guaranteed Obligations acted in excess of their authority, (D) the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof violate applicable usury laws, (E) WIL-Switzerland, any other Guarantor or any Borrower has valid defenses, claims, and offsets (whether at law or in equity, by agreement or by statute) which render the Guaranteed Obligations wholly or partially uncollectible from WIL-Switzerland, any other Guarantor or any Borrower, (F) the creation, performance, or repayment of the Guaranteed Obligations (or execution, delivery and performance of any document or instrument representing any part of the Guaranteed Obligations or executed in connection with any of the Guaranteed Obligations, or given to secure the repayment of the Guaranteed Obligations) is illegal, uncollectible, legally impossible or unenforceable, or (G) the Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any other document or instrument pertaining to any of the Guaranteed Obligations has been forged or otherwise is irregular or not genuine or authentic;
     (v) any full or partial release of the liability of WIL-Switzerland, any other Guarantor or any Borrower on the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof, or any other Person now or hereafter liable, whether directly or indirectly, jointly, severally, or jointly and severally, to pay, perform, guarantee, or assure the payment of the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof; it being recognized, acknowledged, and agreed by WIL-Switzerland that WIL-Switzerland may be required to pay the Guaranteed Obligations in full without assistance or support of any other Person, and that WIL-Switzerland has not been induced to enter into this Guaranty on the basis of a contemplation, belief, understanding or agreement that any other Person shall be liable to perform the Guaranteed Obligations or that the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender shall look to any other Person to perform the Guaranteed Obligations;
     (vi) the taking or accepting of any other security, collateral or guaranty, or other assurance of payment, for all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations;
     (vii) any release, surrender, exchange, subordination, deterioration, waste, loss or impairment of any collateral, property or security, at any time existing in connection with, or assuring or securing payment of, all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations;

 


 

     (viii) the failure of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the Issuing Bank or any other Person to exercise diligence or reasonable care in the preservation, protection, enforcement, sale or other handling or treatment of all or any part of such collateral, property or security;
     (ix) the fact that any collateral, security or Lien contemplated or intended to be given, created or granted as security for the repayment of the Guaranteed Obligations shall not be properly perfected or created, or shall prove to be unenforceable or subordinate to any other Lien; it being recognized and agreed by WIL-Switzerland that WIL-Switzerland is not entering into this Guaranty in reliance on, or in contemplation of the benefits of, the validity, enforceability, collectibility or value of any of the collateral for the Guaranteed Obligations;
     (x) any payment by any Borrower, WIL-Switzerland or any other Guarantor to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender is held to constitute a preference under bankruptcy or insolvency laws, or for any other reason either the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender is required to refund such payment or pay such amount to any Borrower, WIL-Switzerland, any other Guarantor or any other Person; or
     (xi) any other action taken or omitted to be taken with respect to the Credit Agreement, this Guaranty, any other Loan Document, the Guaranteed Obligations, or the security and collateral therefor, whether or not such action or omission prejudices WIL-Switzerland or increases the likelihood that WIL-Switzerland shall be required to pay the Guaranteed Obligations pursuant to the terms hereof;
it being the unambiguous and unequivocal intention of WIL-Switzerland that WIL-Switzerland shall be obligated to pay the Guaranteed Obligations when due, notwithstanding any occurrence, circumstance, event, action, or omission whatsoever, whether contemplated or uncontemplated, and whether or not otherwise or particularly described herein, except for the full and final payment and satisfaction of the Guaranteed Obligations after the termination of all of the Commitments.
          (b) WIL-Switzerland further agrees that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, as between WIL-Switzerland, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders, on the other hand, (i) the maturity of the Obligations may be accelerated as provided in Section 9.01 of the Credit Agreement for the purposes of this Guaranty, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing the acceleration of the Obligations as against any Borrower and (ii) in the event of any purported acceleration (whether by declaration or automatic) of the Obligations as provided in Section 9.01 of the Credit Agreement, the Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by WIL-Switzerland for the purpose of this Guaranty.
      SECTION 3. Effect of Debtor Relief Laws . If after receipt of any payment of, or proceeds of any security applied (or intended to be applied) to the payment of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender is for any reason compelled to surrender or voluntarily surrenders, such payment or proceeds to any Person

 


 

(a) because such payment or application of proceeds is or may be avoided, invalidated, declared fraudulent, set aside, determined to be void or voidable as a preference, fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer, impermissible set-off or a diversion of trust funds or (b) for any other reason, including (i) any judgment, decree or order of any court or administrative body having jurisdiction over the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, any Lender or any of their respective properties or (ii) any settlement or compromise of any such claim effected by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender with any such claimant (including any Borrower or any other Guarantor), then the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof intended to be satisfied shall be reinstated and continue, and this Guaranty shall continue in full force as if such payment or proceeds had not been received, notwithstanding any revocation thereof or the cancellation of any instrument evidencing any of the Guaranteed Obligations or otherwise; and WIL-Switzerland shall be liable to pay the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders, and hereby does indemnify the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders and hold them harmless for the amount of such payment or proceeds so surrendered and all reasonable expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees, court costs and expenses attributable thereto) incurred by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any such Lender in the defense of any claim made against it that any payment or proceeds received by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any such Lender in respect of all or part of the Guaranteed Obligations must be surrendered. The provisions of this paragraph shall survive the termination of this Guaranty and any satisfaction and discharge of the Borrowers by virtue of any payment, court order, or any law.
      SECTION 4. Waiver . WIL-Switzerland hereby waives promptness, diligence, notice of acceptance and any other notice with respect to any of the Guaranteed Obligations and this Guaranty and waives presentment, demand for payment, notice of intent to accelerate, notice of dishonor or nonpayment and any requirement that the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender institute suit, collection proceedings or take any other action to collect any of the Guaranteed Obligations, including any requirement that the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender protect, secure, perfect or insure any Lien against any property subject thereto or exhaust any right or take any action against any Borrower, any Guarantor or any other Person or any collateral (it being the intention of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank, the Lenders, and WIL-Switzerland that this Guaranty is to be a guaranty of payment and not of collection). It shall not be necessary for the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender, in order to enforce any payment by WIL-Switzerland hereunder, to institute suit or exhaust its rights and remedies against WIL-Switzerland, any other Guarantor, any Borrower or any other Person, including others liable to pay the Guaranteed Obligations, or to enforce its rights against any security ever given to secure payment thereof. WIL-Switzerland hereby expressly waives to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law each and every right to which it may be entitled by virtue of the suretyship laws of the State of Texas or any other state in which it may be located, including any and all rights it may have pursuant to Rule 31, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, Section 17.001 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code and Chapter 34 of the Texas Business and Commerce Code. WIL-Switzerland hereby waives marshaling of assets and liabilities, notice by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender of any indebtedness or liability to which such Person applies or may apply any amounts received by it, and of the creation, advancement, increase, existence, extension, renewal, rearrangement or modification of the Guaranteed Obligations. WIL-Switzerland expressly waives, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the benefit of any and all laws providing for exemption of property from execution or for valuation and appraisal upon foreclosure.

 


 

      SECTION 5. Agreement to Defer Exercise of Subrogation . Notwithstanding any payment or payments made by WIL-Switzerland hereunder, or any setoff or application by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender of any security or of any credits or claims, WIL-Switzerland will not assert or exercise any rights of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender or of itself against any other Guarantor or any Borrower to recover the amount of any payment made hereunder by WIL-Switzerland to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender by way of any claim, remedy or subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, contribution, indemnity, participation or otherwise arising by contract, by statute, under common law or otherwise, and WIL-Switzerland shall not have any right to exercise any right of recourse to or any claim against assets or property of any Borrower or of any other Guarantor for such amounts, in each case unless and until the Obligations of such Borrower or obligations of such Guarantor guaranteed hereby have been fully and finally satisfied. Until such time (but not thereafter), WIL-Switzerland hereby agrees not to exercise any claim, right or remedy which it may now have or hereafter acquire against any other Guarantor or any Borrower that arises under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document or from the performance by WIL-Switzerland of the Guaranty hereunder including any claim, remedy or right of subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, contribution, indemnification or participation in any claim, right or remedy of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender against any Borrower or any Guarantor, or any security that the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender now has or hereafter acquires pursuant hereto securing the Obligations of the Borrowers or obligations of any Guarantor under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, whether or not such claim, right or remedy arises in equity, under contract, by statute, under common law or otherwise. If any amount shall be paid to WIL-Switzerland by any Borrower or any Guarantor after payment in full of the Obligations, and the Obligations shall thereafter be reinstated in whole or in part and the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender forced to repay any sums received by any of them in payment of the Obligations, this Guaranty shall be automatically reinstated and such amount shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders and shall forthwith be paid to the Administrative Agent to be credited and applied to the Guaranteed Obligations, whether matured or unmatured. The provisions of this paragraph shall survive the termination of this Guaranty, and any satisfaction and discharge of any Borrower or any Guarantor by virtue of any payment, court order or any federal or state law.
      SECTION 6. Full Force and Effect . This Guaranty is a continuing guaranty and shall remain in full force and effect until all of the Guaranteed Obligations under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which any Borrower or any Guarantor is a party and all other amounts payable under this Guaranty have been paid in full (after the termination of the Commitments). All rights, remedies and powers provided in this Guaranty may be exercised, and all waivers contained in this Guaranty may be enforced, only to the extent that the exercise or enforcement thereof does not violate any provisions of applicable law which may not be waived.
      SECTION 7. Severability . Any provision of this Guaranty held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such

 


 

invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof, and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.
      SECTION 8. Amendments, Etc . No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Guaranty nor consent to any departure by WIL-Switzerland therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing executed by the Administrative Agent.
      SECTION 9. Notices . All notices and other communications provided for hereunder shall be given in the manner specified in the Credit Agreement (i) in the case of the Administrative Agent, at the address specified for the Administrative Agent in the Credit Agreement, and (ii) in the case of WIL-Switzerland, at the address specified therefor in this Guaranty.
      SECTION 10. No Waiver; Remedies . No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders hereunder are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Guaranty or consent to any departure by WIL-Switzerland therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by Section 8 hereof, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given.
      SECTION 11. Right of Set Off . Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and each Lender is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, without notice to WIL-Switzerland (any such notice being expressly waived by WIL-Switzerland), to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final but excluding the funds held in accounts clearly designated as escrow or trust accounts held by WIL-Switzerland for the benefit of Persons which are not Affiliates of WIL-Switzerland), whether or not such setoff results in any loss of interest or other penalty, and including all certificates of deposit, at any time held and other obligations at any time owing by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or such Lender to or for the credit or the account of WIL-Switzerland against any and all of the Guaranteed Obligations irrespective of whether or not the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or such Lender shall have made any demand under the Credit Agreement, this Guaranty, the Notes or any other Loan Document. The rights of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) which the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Lenders may have. This Section is subject to the terms and provisions of Section 4.01(a) of the Credit Agreement.
      SECTION 12. Transfer Of Obligations . This Guaranty shall (i) be binding upon WIL-Switzerland, its successors and assigns and (ii) inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of itself, the Lenders and the Issuing Bank.

 


 

      SECTION 13. Governing Law . This Guaranty and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York.
      SECTION 14. Submission to Jurisdiction; Consent To Service Of Process; Waiver of Jury Trial .
          (a) ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS GUARANTY OR OTHERWISE RELATED HERETO MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN OR THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND, BY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS GUARANTY, WIL-SWITZERLAND HEREBY CONSENTS, FOR ITSELF AND IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSE OF ADJUDICATING ITS RIGHTS OR THE RIGHTS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE LENDERS AND THE ISSUING BANK WITH RESPECT TO THIS GUARANTY OR ANY DOCUMENT RELATED HERETO. WIL-SWITZERLAND HEREBY IRREVOCABLY DESIGNATES CT CORPORATION SYSTEM, 111 8TH AVENUE, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10011, AS THE DESIGNEE, APPOINTEE AND AGENT OF WIL-SWITZERLAND TO RECEIVE, FOR AND ON BEHALF OF WIL-SWITZERLAND, SERVICE OF PROCESS IN SUCH JURISDICTION IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS GUARANTY OR ANY DOCUMENT RELATED HERETO AND SUCH SERVICE SHALL BE DEEMED COMPLETED THIRTY DAYS AFTER MAILING THEREOF TO SAID AGENT. IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT A COPY OF SUCH PROCESS SERVED ON SUCH AGENT WILL BE PROMPTLY FORWARDED BY MAIL TO WIL-SWITZERLAND AT ITS ADDRESS SET FORTH HEREIN, BUT THE FAILURE OF WIL-SWITZERLAND TO RECEIVE SUCH COPY SHALL NOT, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, AFFECT IN ANY WAY THE SERVICE OF SUCH PROCESS. IF FOR ANY REASON SERVICE OF PROCESS CANNOT PROMPTLY BE MADE ON EITHER SUCH LOCAL AGENT, WIL-SWITZERLAND FURTHER IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS OF ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED COURTS IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING BY THE MAILING OF COPIES THEREOF BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, TO WIL-SWITZERLAND AT ITS SAID ADDRESS, SUCH SERVICE TO BECOME EFFECTIVE 30 DAYS AFTER SUCH MAILING. WIL-SWITZERLAND HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OR BASED ON THE GROUNDS OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS , WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE BRINGING OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN SUCH RESPECTIVE JURISDICTIONS IN RESPECT OF THIS GUARANTY OR ANY DOCUMENT RELATED HERETO. NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO COMMENCE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS OR OTHERWISE PROCEED AGAINST WIL-SWITZERLAND IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.
          (b) TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, WIL-SWITZERLAND HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT OF TRIAL BY JURY IN

 


 

ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS GUARANTY OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR ANY MATTER ARISING IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THEREWITH.
      SECTION 15. Payments by Guarantor .
          (a) Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of WIL-Switzerland hereunder shall be understood to be minimum payment obligations. When entering into this Agreement, WIL-Switzerland has assumed that any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of WIL-Switzerland hereunder will not be subject to any deduction for Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes (collectively, the “ Covered Taxes ”). WIL-Switzerland agrees that if it shall be required to deduct any Covered Taxes from such payments, then (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the Lender (as the case may be) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) WIL-Switzerland shall make such deductions and (iii) WIL-Switzerland shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law. If requested by the Administrative Agent, WIL-Switzerland shall provide to the Administrative Agent those documents which are required by law and applicable double taxation treaties to be provided by the payer of such tax, for each relevant Lender to prepare a claim for refund of Swiss withholding tax. WIL-Switzerland shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and each Lender, within 20 days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Covered Taxes directly assessed against and paid by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or such Lender, as the case may be, on or with respect to any payment by or on account of the Guaranteed Obligations (including Covered Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Covered Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to WIL-Switzerland by a Lender or the Issuing Bank, or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender or the Issuing Bank, shall be presumed correct absent manifest error.
          (b) WIL-Switzerland will remit to the appropriate Governmental Authority, prior to delinquency (assuming WIL-Switzerland has received notification of a claim for Covered Taxes within 10 Business Days prior to the date the delinquency commences), all Covered Taxes payable in respect of any payment by or on account of any obligations of WIL-Switzerland hereunder. Within 30 days after the date of any payment of Covered Taxes, WIL-Switzerland will furnish to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt evidencing payment of such Covered Taxes or such other evidence thereof as may be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. At the reasonable request of WIL-Switzerland, the Administrative Agent will request the Lenders to provide any reasonable tax forms, certifications or other documents that would result in a reduction in the amount of Covered Taxes hereunder; provided, however, the obligation of WIL-Switzerland to make payments for Covered Taxes hereunder shall not be conditioned upon any Lender providing any such tax forms, certifications or other documents.

 


 

      SECTION 16. Judgment Currency . WIL-Switzerland’s obligation hereunder to make payments shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender or recovery pursuant to any judgment expressed in or converted into any currency other than U.S. Dollars, except to the extent that such tender or recovery results in the effective receipt by the applicable Lender, Issuing Bank or the Administrative Agent of the full amount of U.S. Dollars expressed to be payable under this Guaranty or the Credit Agreement. If for the purpose of obtaining or enforcing judgment against WIL-Switzerland in any court or in any jurisdiction, it becomes necessary to convert into or from any currency other than U.S. Dollars an amount due in U.S. Dollars, such amount shall be converted into the currency required hereunder at the rate determined by the Administrative Agent as the rate quoted by it in accordance with methods customarily used by the Administrative Agent for such or similar purposes as the spot rate for the purchase by the Administrative Agent of the required currency with the currency of actual payment through its principal foreign exchange trading office at approximately 11:00 A.M. (local time at such office) two Business Days prior to the effective date of such conversion, provided that the Administrative Agent may obtain such spot rate from another financial institution actively engaged in foreign currency exchange if the Administrative Agent does not then have a spot rate for the required currency. The parties hereto hereby agree, to the fullest extent that they may effectively do so under applicable law, that (i) if for the purposes of obtaining any judgment or award it becomes necessary to convert from any currency other than the currency required hereunder into the currency required hereunder any amount in connection with the Guaranteed Obligations, then the conversion shall be made as provided above on the Business Day before the day on which the judgment or award is given, (ii) in the event that there is a change in the applicable conversion rate prevailing between the Business Day before the day on which the judgment or award is given and the date of payment, WIL-Switzerland will pay to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, such additional amounts (if any) as may be necessary, and the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, will pay to WIL-Switzerland such excess amounts (if any) as result from such change in the rate of exchange, to assure that the amount paid on such date is the amount in such other currency, which when converted at the conversion rate described herein on the date of payment, is the amount then due in the currency required hereunder, and (iii) any amount due from WIL-Switzerland under this Section shall be due as a separate debt and shall not be affected by judgment or award being obtained for any other sum due.
      SECTION 17. Automatic Acceleration in Certain Events . Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default specified in Section 9.01(f) or (g) of the Credit Agreement, all Guaranteed Obligations shall automatically become immediately due and payable by WIL-Switzerland, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by WIL-Switzerland, and regardless of whether payment of the Guaranteed Obligations by the Borrowers has then been accelerated.
      SECTION 18. Information . WIL-Switzerland assumes all responsibility for being and keeping itself informed of the Borrowers’ financial condition and assets, and of all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Guaranteed Obligations and the nature, scope and extent of the risks that WIL-Switzerland assumes and incurs hereunder, and agrees that the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders will not have any duty to advise WIL-Switzerland of information known to any of them regarding such circumstances or risks.

 


 

      SECTION 19. Survival of Agreement . All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by WIL-Switzerland herein shall be considered to have been relied upon by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Guaranty and the other Loan Documents and the making of any Loans and issuance of any Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by any party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended under the Credit Agreement, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as any amount payable under this Guaranty is outstanding and unpaid.
      SECTION 20. Counterparts . This Guaranty may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract.
      SECTION 21. Currency of Payment . All payments to be made by WIL-Switzerland hereunder shall be made in U.S. Dollars and, in the case of any required conversion of any currency, shall be determined, and the related amounts calculated, in the manner provided in Section 16 .
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      IN WITNESS WHEREOF , WIL-Switzerland and the Administrative Agent have caused this Guaranty to be duly executed and delivered by their respective duly authorized officers as of the date first above written.

Address for Notices:
Weatherford International Ltd.
c/o Weatherford International, Inc.
515 Post Oak Blvd.
Houston, Texas 77027
Attention: General Counsel
         
WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL LTD. ,
a Swiss joint stock corporation
 
By:   /s/ Andrew P. Becnel
  Name:   Andrew P. Becnel
  Title:   Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
 
UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH ,
as Administrative Agent
 
By:   /s/ Mary E. Evans
  Name:   Mary E. Evans
  Title:   Associate Director
Banking Product Services US
 
     
By:   /s/ Irja R. Otsa
  Name:   Irja R. Otsa
  Title:   Associate Director
Banking Product Services US
 


Signature Page to Guaranty Agreement

 

Exhibit 10.5
ASSUMPTION AND GENERAL AMENDMENT AGREEMENT
     This Assumption and General Amendment Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is made as of February 25, 2009, by and between Weatherford International Ltd., an exempted company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of Bermuda (“ Weatherford Bermuda ”), and Weatherford International Ltd., a joint stock company registered in Switzerland, canton of Zug (“ Weatherford Switzerland ”).
RECITALS
      WHEREAS , the boards of directors of Weatherford Bermuda and Weatherford Switzerland have previously approved a series of transactions to be effected pursuant to a share exchange agreement (the “ Exchange Agreement ”) and by way of a scheme of arrangement in accordance with the laws of Bermuda and Switzerland, pursuant to which Weatherford Switzerland will become the parent holding company of Weatherford Bermuda as a result of the remittance of Weatherford Switzerland’s registered shares (“ Registered Shares ”) in exchange for Weatherford Bermuda common shares (“ Common Shares ”) (such transactions are collectively referred to as the “ Redomestication ”);
      WHEREAS , in accordance with Swiss law, the Redomestication will become effective at the time that the Swiss Register of Commerce registers the capital increase of the Company, as contemplated in connection with the Redomestication (the “ Effective Time ”);
      WHEREAS , each of Weatherford Bermuda and Weatherford International, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Weatherford Bermuda (“ Weatherford Delaware ”) (i) maintains and sponsors those certain equity compensation-related plans, and certain other plans, agreements, awards and arrangements listed on Exhibit A hereto (collectively, the “ Assumed Stock Plans ”), providing for the grant or award to its directors, officers and employees and other persons of (a) options, restricted shares or other rights to purchase or receive Common Shares or (b) the right to receive benefits or other amounts by reference to Common Shares (individually, an “ Assumed Stock Award ” and collectively, the “ Assumed Stock Awards ”), and (ii) maintains and sponsors those certain equity compensation-related plans, and certain other plans, agreements, awards and arrangements listed on Exhibit B hereto (collectively, the “ Other Stock Plans ”), providing for the grant or award to its directors, officers and employees and other persons of (a) options, restricted shares or other rights to purchase or receive Common Shares or (b) the right to receive benefits or other amounts by reference to Common Shares (individually, an “ Other Stock Award ” and collectively, the “ Other Stock Awards ”);
      WHEREAS , Weatherford Bermuda has previously entered into those certain employment agreements listed on Exhibit C hereto (collectively, the “ Assumed Employment Agreements ”);
      WHEREAS , Weatherford Delaware has previously entered into those certain employment agreements listed on Exhibit D hereto (collectively, the “ Other Employment Agreements ”); and

 


 

      WHEREAS , in connection with the Redomestication and pursuant to the Exchange Agreement, Weatherford Switzerland desires (i) to assume and adopt the Assumed Stock Plans and the Assumed Stock Awards, and to issue or cause to be issued Registered Shares (from Weatherford Switzerland or through one of its subsidiaries) in lieu of Common Shares being issued in connection with such Assumed Stock Plans and Assumed Stock Awards, (ii) to assume the obligations of Weatherford Bermuda to issue or cause to be issued Registered Shares (from Weatherford Switzerland or through one of its subsidiaries) in lieu of Common Shares being issued in connection with the Other Stock Plans and the related Other Stock Awards, but not assume the Other Stock Plans or Other Stock Awards, (iii) to assume and adopt the Assumed Employment Agreements, and (iv) the Other Employment Agreements to be amended such that references to Weatherford Bermuda are replaced with references to Weatherford Switzerland.
      NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the foregoing and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, at and as of the Effective Time:
1. Pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and the Exchange Agreement, Weatherford Bermuda hereby assigns to Weatherford Switzerland, and Weatherford Switzerland hereby accepts from Weatherford Bermuda and hereby assumes, the Assumed Stock Plans and the related Assumed Stock Awards and the rights and obligations of Weatherford Bermuda under the Assumed Stock Plans and Assumed Stock Awards. As a result of such assignment and assumption, Weatherford Switzerland will be the sponsor of the Assumed Stock Plans and Registered Shares will be issued under the Assumed Stock Plans in lieu of Common Shares being issued thereunder.
2. Pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and the Exchange Agreement, Weatherford Bermuda hereby assigns to Weatherford Switzerland, and Weatherford Switzerland hereby accepts from Weatherford Bermuda and hereby assumes, the obligations to issue or cause to be issued, Registered Shares in connection with the Other Stock Plans and related Other Stock Awards. As a result of such assignment and assumption, Weatherford Switzerland will issue or cause to be issued Registered Shares (from Weatherford Switzerland or through one of its subsidiaries) in lieu of Common Shares being issued in connection with such Other Stock Plans and Other Stock Awards.
3. Pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and the Exchange Agreement, Weatherford Bermuda hereby assigns to Weatherford Switzerland, and Weatherford Switzerland hereby accepts and assumes from Weatherford Bermuda, the Assumed Employment Agreements, including the rights and obligations of Weatherford Bermuda thereunder. The registered address of Weatherford Switzerland for purposes of the Assumed Employment Agreements is Alpenstrasse 15, 6300 Zug, Switzerland.
4. To the extent any Assumed Stock Plan, Assumed Stock Award, Other Stock Plan or Other Stock Award (each, a “ Benefit Document ”, and collectively, the “ Benefit Documents ”) provides for the issuance, acquisition, holding or purchase of, or otherwise relates to or references, Common Shares, then, pursuant to the terms hereof and thereof, such Benefit

 


 

Document is hereby amended to provide for the issuance, acquisition, purchase or holding of, or otherwise relate to or reference, Registered Shares (or benefits or other amounts determined in accordance with the Benefit Documents).
5. All references in the Assumed Stock Plans and Assumed Stock Awards to Weatherford Bermuda or its predecessors are hereby amended to be references to Weatherford Switzerland. Only with respect to the obligations to issue Common Shares, all references in the Other Stock Plans and Other Stock Awards to Weatherford Bermuda or its predecessors are hereby amended to be references to Weatherford Switzerland. All references in the Assumed Employment Agreements and the Other Employment Agreements to Weatherford Bermuda or its predecessors are hereby amended to be references to Weatherford Switzerland; no other changes or amendments are hereby made to the Other Employment Agreements.
6. All outstanding Assumed Stock Awards and Other Stock Awards or any other benefits available which are based on Common Shares and which have been granted under the Assumed Stock Plans or Other Stock Plans (including, as applicable, any Common Shares exchanged in connection with the Redomestication) shall remain outstanding pursuant to the terms hereof and thereof.
7. Each Assumed Stock Award and each Other Stock Award shall, pursuant to the terms hereof and thereof, be exercisable, issuable, held, available or vest upon the same terms and conditions as under the applicable Benefit Document, except that upon the exercise, issuance, holding, availability or vesting of such Assumed Stock Awards or Other Stock Awards, as applicable, Registered Shares are hereby issuable or available, or benefits or other amounts determined, in lieu of Common Shares.
8. Each Assumed Stock Award and Other Stock Award that is a stock option (i) is hereby assumed by Weatherford Switzerland, or (ii) the obligations thereunder are hereby assumed by Weatherford Switzerland, as applicable, in such manner that Weatherford Switzerland would be a corporation “assuming a stock option in a transaction to which section 424(a) applies” within the meaning of Section 424 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”), were Section 424 of the Code applicable to such Assumed Stock Award or Other Stock Award, with regard to the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.424-1(a)(5)(iii) for options that are intended to qualify under Section 422 of the Code, and with regard to the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(5)(v)(D) for other options.
9. The parties hereto acknowledge that the benefit and other plans (and the obligations to issue Common Shares provided therein) of Weatherford Bermuda, Weatherford Delaware or any of their affiliates that are not listed on Exhibit A , Exhibit B , or Exhibit C are not assigned to or assumed or otherwise adopted by Weatherford Switzerland as provided hereby. For the avoidance of doubt, the Other Employment Agreements are not being assumed by Weatherford Switzerland.

 


 

10. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, as amended hereby, each Benefit Document is specifically ratified and reaffirmed by Weatherford Switzerland.
11. This Agreement will be effective immediately prior to the Effective Time subject to effective completion of the Redomestication by the Effective Time.
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      IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the undersigned have executed this Agreement, which may be executed in multiple counterparts, but when taken together make one and the same instrument, as of the date first set forth above.
WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL LTD.
a Bermuda exempted company
     
By:
  /s/ Burt M. Martin
 
   
Name:
  Burt M. Martin
 
   
Title:
  Senior Vice President
 
   
WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL LTD.
a joint stock company registered in Switzerland
     
By:
  /s/ Burt M. Martin
 
   
Name:
  Burt M. Martin
 
   
Title:
  Director
 
   
Solely for purposes of the last sentence of Section 5, Weatherford International, Inc. also executes this Agreement.
WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL, INC.
a Delaware corporation
     
By:
  /s/ Burt M. Martin
 
   
Name:
  Burt M. Martin
 
   
Title:
  Senior Vice President
 
   
[Signature page to Stock Plan Assumption and General Amendment Agreement]

 


 

EXHIBIT A
Assumed Stock Plans
1. Weatherford International Ltd. Non-Employee Director Stock Option Agreements
2. Weatherford International Ltd. 2006 Omnibus Incentive Plan
3. Weatherford International Ltd. Restricted Share Plan
4. Weatherford International, Inc. 1998 Employee Stock Option Plan

 


 

EXHIBIT B
Other Stock Plans
1. Weatherford International, Inc. Executive Deferred Compensation Stock Ownership Plan
2. Weatherford International, Inc. Foreign Executive Deferred Compensation Stock Plan
3. Weatherford International Ltd. Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors

 


 

EXHIBIT C
Weatherford International Ltd.
Assumed Employment Agreements
1. Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated December 31, 2008, between Weatherford International Ltd. and Jessica Abarca
2. Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated December 31, 2008, between Weatherford International Ltd. and Andrew P. Becnel
3. Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated December 31, 2008, between Weatherford International Ltd. and M. David Colley
4. Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated December 31, 2008, between Weatherford International Ltd. and Bernard J. Duroc-Danner
5. Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated December 31, 2008, between Weatherford International Ltd. and Stuart E. Ferguson
6. Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated December 31, 2008, between Weatherford International Ltd. and Burt M. Martin
7. Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated December 31, 2008, between Weatherford International Ltd. and Keith R. Morley
8. Amended and Restated Employment Agreement effective as of December 31, 2008, between Weatherford International Ltd. and James M. Hudgins
9. Amended and Restated Employment Agreement effective as of December 31, 2008, between Weatherford International Ltd. and Carel W. Hoyer

 


 

EXHIBIT D
Weatherford International, Inc.
Other Employment Agreements
1. Employment Agreement effective as of January 1, 2009, between Weatherford International, Inc. and Jessica Abarca
2. Employment Agreement effective as of January 1, 2009, between Weatherford International, Inc. and Andrew P. Becnel
3. Employment Agreement effective as of January 1, 2009, between Weatherford International, Inc. and M. David Colley
4. Employment Agreement effective as of January 1, 2009, between Weatherford International, Inc. and Bernard J. Duroc-Danner
5. Employment Agreement effective as of January 1, 2009, between Weatherford International, Inc. and Stuart E. Ferguson
6. Employment Agreement effective as of January 1, 2009, between Weatherford International, Inc. and Burt M. Martin
7. Employment Agreement effective as of January 1, 2009, between Weatherford International, Inc. and Keith R. Morley
8. Employment Agreement effective as of February 9, 2009, between Weatherford International, Inc. and James M. Hudgins
9. Employment Agreement effective as of February 9, 2009, between Weatherford International, Inc. and Carel W. Hoyer

 

Exhibit 10.6
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
     THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT is made on the [___], 2009, between Weatherford International Ltd., a corporation incorporated under the laws of Switzerland with its registered address at Alpenstrasse 15, in 6304 Zug, Switzerland (the “ Company ”); and [___] (“ Indemnitee ”).
     WHEREAS Indemnitee is a director and/or an officer of the Company;
     WHEREAS highly skilled and competent persons are becoming more reluctant to serve public companies as directors or officers unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance and indemnification against inordinate risks of claims and actions against them arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of such companies;
     WHEREAS uncertainties relating to indemnification increase the difficulty of attracting and retaining such persons;
     WHEREAS the Board has determined that an inability to attract and retain such persons is detrimental to the best interests of the Company and that the Company should act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of such protection in the future;
     WHEREAS, it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company contractually to obligate itself to indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by Swiss law so that Indemnitee will serve or continue to serve the Company free from undue concern that Indemnitee will not be so indemnified; and
     WHEREAS, Indemnitee is willing to serve, continue to serve and to take on additional service for or on behalf of the Company on the condition that Indemnitee be so indemnified.
     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:
1. INTERPRETATION
     1.1 In this Agreement unless the context otherwise requires, the following words and expressions shall have the following meanings:
     “ Agreement ” means this Indemnification Agreement;
     “ Board ” means the board of directors of the Company;
     “ Business Day ” means any day on which banks in Switzerland are open for business;
     “ Corporate Status ” means the status of a person who is or was a director, officer, employee, agent, or fiduciary of the Company or any other Group Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of any other company, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other entity or enterprise;

 


 

     “ Disinterested Director ” means a director of the Company who is not or was not a party to a Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee;
     “ Group Companies ” means the Company and each subsidiary of the Company (wherever incorporated or organized);
     “ Independent Counsel ” means a law firm or a member of a law firm that neither is presently nor in the past five years has been retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party, or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s right to indemnification under this Agreement;
     “ Parties ” means the parties to this Agreement collectively, and “ Party ” means any one of them; and
     “ Proceeding ” means any action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, administrative hearing or any other proceeding whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative and whether formal or informal;
     1.2 In this Agreement unless the context otherwise requires:
          1.2.1 references to statutory provisions shall be construed as references to those provisions as amended or re-enacted or as their application is modified by other provisions from time to time and shall include references to any provisions of which they are re-enactments (whether with or without modification);
          1.2.2 references to clauses and schedules are references to clauses hereof and schedules hereto; references to sub-clauses or paragraphs are, unless otherwise stated, references to sub-clauses of the clause or paragraphs of the schedule in which the reference appears;
          1.2.3 references to the singular shall include the plural and vice versa and references to the masculine shall include the feminine and/or neuter and vice versa; and
          1.2.4 references to persons shall include companies, partnerships, associations and bodies of persons, whether incorporated or unincorporated.
2. AGREEMENT TO SERVE
     Indemnitee agrees to serve as a director and/or an officer of the Company. This Agreement does not create or otherwise establish any right on the part of Indemnitee to be and continue to be elected or appointed a director and/or an officer of the Company or any other Group Company and does not create an employment contract between the Company and Indemnitee.

 


 

3. INDEMNITY OF DIRECTOR/OFFICER
     3.1 Subject to clause 10, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee if Indemnitee is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed Proceeding, including a Proceeding brought by or in the right of the Company, by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director, officer, employee, agent, or fiduciary of the Company or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, agent, or fiduciary of any other company, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other entity or enterprise or by reason of anything done or not done by Indemnitee in any such capacity. Subject to clause 10, pursuant to this sub-clause 3.1 Indemnitee shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements), judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding (including, but not limited to, the investigation, defense, settlement or appeal thereof).
     3.2 Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement other than clause 10, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in defending any Proceedings referred to in clause 3.1 in which judgment is given in his favour, in which he is acquitted, or in respect of which relief is granted to him.
Subject to clause 10, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee for such portion of the expenses (including attorneys’ fees), witness fees, damages, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement and any other amounts that Indemnitee becomes legally obligated to pay in connection with any Proceeding referred to in clause 3.1 in respect of which Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification hereunder, even if Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification hereunder for the total amount thereof.
4. INDEMNIFICATION FOR EXPENSES OF A WITNESS
     Subject to clause 10, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, a witness in any proceeding, Indemnitee shall be indemnified by the Company against all expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection therewith.
5. DETERMINATION OF ENTITLEMENT TO INDEMNIFICATION
     5.1 Indemnitee shall request indemnification pursuant to this Agreement by notice in writing to the secretary of the Company. The secretary shall, promptly upon receipt of Indemnitee’s request for indemnification, advise in writing the Board or such other person or persons empowered to make the determination as provided in sub-clause 5.2 that Indemnitee has made such request for indemnification. Subject to clause 10, upon making such request for indemnification, Indemnitee shall be presumed to be entitled to indemnification hereunder and the Company shall have the burden of proof in the making of any determination contrary to such presumption.

 


 

     5.2 Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to sub-clause 3.1, the entitlement of Indemnitee to indemnification pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be determined by the following person or persons who shall be empowered to make such determination:
          5.2.1 the Board, by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors; or
          5.2.2 if such vote is not obtainable or, even if obtainable, if such Disinterested Directors so direct by majority vote, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee; or
          5.2.3 by a majority vote of the shareholders.
     5.3 For purposes of sub-clause 5.2, Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Board and approved by Indemnitee. Upon failure of the Board to so select such Independent Counsel or upon failure of Indemnitee to so approve, either the Board or Indemnitee may request the International Chamber of Commerce (the “ ICC ”) to appoint an Independent Counsel in accordance with the provisions regarding the appointment of experts contained in the ICC’s Rules for Expertise. Such determination of entitlement to indemnification shall be made not later than 60 days after receipt by the Company of a written request for indemnification. Such request shall include documentation or information which is necessary for such determination and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee. Subject to clause 10, any expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by Indemnitee in connection with Indemnitee’s request for indemnification hereunder shall be borne by the Company irrespective of the outcome of the determination of Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification. If the person or persons making such determination shall determine that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification as to part (but not all) of the application for indemnification, such persons may reasonably prorate such partial indemnification among such claims, issues or matters in respect of which indemnification is requested.
6. ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES
     All reasonable expenses incurred by Indemnitee (including attorneys’ fees, retainers and advances of disbursements required of Indemnitee) shall be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of any Proceeding at the request of Indemnitee as promptly as possible, and in any event within twenty days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements from Indemnitee requesting such advance or advances from time to time. Indemnitee’s entitlement to such expenses shall include those incurred in connection with any Proceeding by Indemnitee seeking an adjudication or award in arbitration pursuant to this Agreement. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection therewith and shall include or be accompanied by an undertaking by or on behalf of Indemnitee to repay such amount if it is ultimately determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified against such expenses by the Company as provided by this Agreement or otherwise. Subject to clause 10, the Company shall have the burden of proof in any determination under this clause 6. No amounts advanced hereunder shall be deemed an extension of credit by the Company to Indemnitee.

 


 

7. REMEDIES OF INDEMNITEE IN CASES OF DETERMINATION NOT TO INDEMNIFY OR TO ADVANCE EXPENSES
     7.1 In the event that: (a) a determination is made that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification hereunder; (b) payment has not been timely made following a determination of entitlement to indemnification pursuant to clause 5; or (c) expenses are not advanced pursuant to clause 6, Indemnitee shall be entitled to apply to a court of competent jurisdiction at the place of incorporation of the Company for a determination of Indemnitee’s entitlement to such indemnification or advance.
     7.2 Alternatively to sub-clause 7.1, Indemnitee, at Indemnitee’s option, may seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by an arbitral tribunal administered by the Swiss Chambers of Commerce in accordance with the Swiss Rules of International Arbitration in force on the date when the notice of arbitration is submitted in accordance with the rules set out in this Agreement. The seat of the arbitration shall be at the place of incorporation of the Company. The arbitral proceedings shall be conducted in the English language. The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration or any other claim.
     7.3 Subject to clause 10, if a determination is made pursuant to the terms of clause 5 that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination and is precluded from asserting that such determination has not been made or that the procedure by which such determination was made is not valid, binding and enforceable. If the court or arbitral tribunal shall determine that Indemnitee is entitled to any indemnification hereunder, the Company shall pay all reasonable expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements) actually incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such adjudication or award in arbitration (including, but not limited to, any appellate proceedings).
8. OTHER RIGHTS TO INDEMNIFICATION
     The indemnification and advancement of expenses (including attorneys’ fees) provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other right to which Indemnitee may now or in the future be entitled under any provision of the Company’s articles of association or organizational regulations or any agreement, vote of shareholders, the Board or Disinterested Directors, provision of law, or otherwise, provided, however, that where the Company may indemnify Indemnitee pursuant to either this Agreement or the articles of association or organizational regulations of the Company, the Company may indemnify Indemnitee under either this Agreement or the articles of association or organizational regulations of the Company but Indemnitee shall, in no case, be indemnified by the Company in

 


 

respect of any expense, liability or cost of any type for which payment is or has been actually made to Indemnitee under any insurance policy, indemnity clause, articles of association or organizational regulations of the Company or agreement, except in respect of any excess beyond such payment. This Agreement shall not supersede any indemnification or other agreements previously entered into between Indemnitee and Weatherford International Ltd., a Bermuda company, and/or Weatherford International, Inc., a Delaware corporation, it being the intention of the Parties that Indemnitee shall be entitled to the indemnification provided under any or all agreements to the fullest extent permitted by Swiss or other applicable law.
9. ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND OTHER EXPENSES TO ENFORCE AGREEMENT
     In the event that Indemnitee is subject to or intervenes in any Proceeding in which the validity or enforceability of this Agreement is at issue or seeks an adjudication or award in arbitration to enforce Indemnitee’s rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement, Indemnitee, if Indemnitee prevails in whole or in part in such action, shall be entitled to recover from the Company and shall be indemnified by the Company against, any actual expenses for attorneys’ fees and disbursements reasonably incurred by Indemnitee, provided that in bringing such action, Indemnitee acted in good faith.
10. LIMITATION OF INDEMNIFICATION
     10.1 Notwithstanding any other terms of this Agreement, nothing herein shall indemnify Indemnitee against, or exempt Indemnitee from, any liability in respect of Indemnitee’s gross negligence and willful intent pursuant to Art. 100 § 1 of the Swiss Code of Obligations; provided however, that to the extent Swiss applicable law changes after the date of this Agreement so that the Company may, under such law, at the applicable time, indemnify Indemnitee to an extent greater than provided in this clause 10 (as a result of the restrictions contained in this clause 10), the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee without regard to the restrictions contained in this clause 10 to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law at such time.
     10.2 In addition, notwithstanding any other terms of this Agreement, nothing herein shall indemnify Indemnitee against, or exempt Indemnitee from, any liability in respect of Indemnitee’s fraud and dishonesty.
11. LIABILITY INSURANCE
     To the extent the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies, in accordance with its or their terms, to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any Company director or officer and to the fullest extent permitted by Swiss law.
12. DURATION OF AGREEMENT
     This Agreement shall apply with respect to Indemnitee’s occupation of any of the position(s) described in sub-clause 3.1 of this Agreement prior to the date of this Agreement and with respect to all periods of such service after the date of this Agreement, even though Indemnitee may have ceased to occupy such positions(s).

 


 

13. NOTICE OF PROCEEDINGS BY INDEMNITEE
     13.1 Indemnitee agrees promptly to notify the Company in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding which may be subject to indemnification hereunder, provided, however, that the failure to so notify the Company will not relieve the Company from any liability it may have to Indemnitee except to the extent that such failure materially prejudices the Company’s ability to defend such claim. With respect to any such Proceeding as to which Indemnitee notifies the Company of the commencement thereof:
          13.1.1 the Company will be entitled to participate therein at its own expense; and
          13.1.2 except as otherwise provided below, to the extent that it may wish, the Company jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified will be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to Indemnitee. After notice from the Company to Indemnitee of its election so to assume the defense thereof, the Company will not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation or as otherwise provided below. Indemnitee shall have the right to employ Indemnitee’s own counsel in such Proceeding, but the fees and expenses of such counsel incurred after notice from the Company of its assumption of the defense thereof shall be at the expense of Indemnitee and not subject to indemnification hereunder unless: (a) the employment of counsel by Indemnitee has been authorized by the Company; (b) in the reasonable opinion of counsel to Indemnitee there is or may be a conflict of interest between the Company and Indemnitee in the conduct of the defense of such Proceeding; or (c) the Company shall not in fact have employed counsel to assume the defense of such action, in each of which cases, subject to clause 10, the fees and expenses of counsel shall be at the expense of the Company.
     13.2 Neither the Company nor Indemnitee shall settle any claim without the prior written consent of the other (which shall not be unreasonably withheld).
14. NOTICES
     Any notice required to be given hereunder shall be in writing in the English language and shall be served by sending the same by prepaid recorded post, facsimile or by delivering the same by hand to the address of the Party or Parties in question as set out below (or such other address as such Party or Parties shall notify the other Parties of in accordance with this clause). Any notice sent by post as provided in this clause shall be deemed to have been served five Business Days after dispatch and any notice sent by facsimile as provided in this clause shall be deemed to have been served at the time of dispatch and in proving the service of the same it will be sufficient to prove in the case of a letter that such letter was properly stamped, addressed and placed in the post; and in the case of a facsimile that such facsimile was duly dispatched to a current facsimile number of the addressee.

 


 

Company
Weatherford International Ltd.
Alpenstrasse 15
6304 Zug
Switzerland
Attn: Secretary
Indemnitee
[                      ]
15. MISCELLANEOUS
     15.1 Notwithstanding the expiration or termination of this Agreement howsoever arising, such expiration or termination shall not operate to affect such of the provisions hereof as are expressed or intended to remain in full force and effect.
     15.2 If any of the clauses, conditions, covenants or restrictions of this Agreement or any deed or document emanating from it shall be found to be void but would be valid if some part thereof were deleted or modified, then such clause, condition, covenant or restriction shall apply with such deletion or modification as may be necessary to make it valid and effective so as to give effect as nearly as possible to the intent manifested by such clause, condition, covenant or restriction.
     15.3 This Agreement shall be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns (including any transferee of all or substantially all of its assets and any successor or resulting company by merger, amalgamation or operation of law) and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and Indemnitee’s spouse, assigns, heirs, estate, devises, executors, administrators or other legal representatives.
     15.4 This Agreement (together with any documents referred to herein) constitutes the whole agreement between the Parties relating to its subject matter and supersedes any prior indemnification arrangement between the Company (or its predecessor) and Indemnitee (except as specifically set forth in clause 8).
     15.5 No provision in this Agreement may be amended unless such amendment is agreed to in writing, signed by Indemnitee and by a duly authorized officer of the Company. No waiver by either Party of any breach by the other Party of any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other Party shall be deemed a waiver of a similar or dissimilar condition or provision at the same or any prior or subsequent time. Any waiver must be in writing and signed by Indemnitee or a duly authorized officer of the Company, as the case may be.
     15.6 The headings in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not affect the construction of this Agreement.

 


 

     15.7 This Agreement may be executed in counterparts each of which when executed and delivered shall constitute an original but all such counterparts together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
     15.8 The terms and conditions of this Agreement and the rights of the parties hereunder shall be governed by and construed in all respects in accordance with the laws of Switzerland. The Parties to this Agreement hereby irrevocably agree that the court at the place of incorporation of the Company shall have non-exclusive jurisdiction in respect of any dispute, suit, action, arbitration or proceedings (“ Agreement Proceedings ”) which may arise out of or in connection with this Agreement and waive any objection to Agreement Proceedings in such court on the grounds of venue or on the basis that the Agreement Proceedings have been brought in an inconvenient forum.
     15.9 All payments made by the Company to Indemnitee hereunder shall be deemed to have been made in the ordinary course of business of the Company, and shall not be deemed to be extraordinary payments.
(Remainder of page intentionally left blank)

 


 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, intending to be bound hereby, have duly executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
SIGNED by and on behalf of:
THE COMPANY
     
By:
   
 
   
Name:
   
 
   
Title:
   
 
   
SIGNED by:
INDEMNITEE
 
 
[NAME]
[Signature page to Indemnification Agreement]

 

Exhibit 99.1
(WEATHERFORD)
Weatherford Completes Redomestication to Switzerland
HOUSTON, Feb. 26/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Weatherford International Ltd. (NYSE: WFT) announced that it has completed its redomestication to Switzerland. In the redomestication, each outstanding common share of Weatherford International Ltd., the Bermuda company, was exchanged for one registered share of Weatherford International Ltd., the Swiss company. The shares of the Swiss Weatherford parent company are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “WFT”, the same symbol under which the common shares of the Bermuda company were listed.
Shareholders who hold Weatherford shares in book entry form or in “street name” through a brokerage do not need to take any action to effect the exchange. Shareholders of record who hold Weatherford share certificates should receive a letter of transmittal by mail in the coming weeks that will allow them to surrender their certificates and apply for enrollment in the share register of the Swiss Weatherford parent.
Weatherford is one of the largest global providers of innovative mechanical solutions, technology and services for the drilling and production sectors of the oil and gas industry. Weatherford operates in over 100 countries and employs approximately 45,000 people worldwide.
                 
 
 
Contact:
  Andrew P. Becnel
Chief Financial Officer
  713-693-4136        
 
 
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 concerning, among other things, Weatherford’s prospects for its operations which are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. These risks and uncertainties, which are more fully described in Weatherford International Ltd.’s reports and registration statements filed with the SEC, include the impact of oil and natural gas prices and worldwide economic conditions on drilling activity, the outcome of pending government investigations, the demand for and pricing of Weatherford’s products and services, domestic and international economic and regulatory conditions and changes in tax and other laws affecting our business. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should the assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those currently anticipated.