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): July 31, 2014

 

 

NOBLE CORPORATION plc

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

England and Wales   001-36211   98-0619597
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (Commission
file number)
  (I.R.S. employer
identification number)

 

Devonshire House, 1 Mayfair Place
London, England
  W1J8AJ
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: +44 20 3300 2300

 

 

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:

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 


Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

On August 1, 2014, Noble Corporation plc, a public limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales (“Noble”), completed the previously announced separation and spin-off of its standard specification offshore drilling business (the “Spin-off”) through a pro rata distribution of all of the ordinary shares of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Paragon Offshore plc, a public limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales (“Paragon Offshore”), to the holders of Noble ordinary shares (the “Distribution”).

In connection with the Spin-off, Noble or its subsidiaries entered into several definitive agreements with Paragon Offshore or its subsidiaries that, among other things, set forth the terms and conditions of the Spin-off and provide a framework for Paragon Offshore’s relationship with Noble after the Spin-off, including the following agreements:

 

    Master Separation Agreement;

 

    Tax Sharing Agreement;

 

    Employee Matters Agreement;

 

    Transition Services Agreement relating to services Noble and Paragon Offshore will provide to each other on an interim basis; and

 

    Transition Services Agreement relating to Noble’s offshore Brazil operations.

Master Separation Agreement

On July 31, 2014, Noble Corporation, a Cayman Islands company and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Noble (“Noble Cayman”), entered into a Master Separation Agreement with Paragon Offshore, which provides for, among other things, the Distribution and the transfer to Paragon Offshore of assets and the assumption by Paragon Offshore of liabilities relating to Paragon Offshore’s business and the responsibility of Noble for liabilities related to Noble’s, and in certain limited cases, Paragon Offshore’s, business. The Master Separation Agreement identifies which assets and liabilities constitute Paragon Offshore’s business and which assets and liabilities constitute Noble’s business. In general, the assets and liabilities of Paragon Offshore’s business are those related to the standard specification rigs that Paragon Offshore operates.

The Master Separation Agreement provides for cross-indemnities that generally will place the financial responsibility on Paragon Offshore and its subsidiaries for all liabilities associated with Paragon Offshore’s current and historical businesses and operations (other than certain specified excluded liabilities), and generally will place on Noble Cayman and its subsidiaries (other than Paragon Offshore) the financial responsibility for liabilities associated with all of Noble’s other current and historical businesses and operations, in each case regardless of the time those liabilities arise. The Master Separation Agreement also contains indemnification provisions under which Paragon Offshore and Noble Cayman each indemnify the other with respect to breaches of the Master Separation Agreement and certain ancillary agreements.

For liabilities arising from events occurring on or before the Distribution, the Master Separation Agreement contains a general release. Under this provision, Paragon Offshore will release Noble and its subsidiaries, successors and assigns, and Noble will release Paragon Offshore and its subsidiaries, successors and assigns, from any liabilities arising from events between Paragon Offshore or its subsidiaries on the one hand, and Noble or its subsidiaries (other than Paragon Offshore) on the other hand, occurring on or before the Distribution, including in connection with the activities to implement Paragon Offshore’s separation from Noble. The general release does not apply to liabilities allocated between the parties under the Master Separation Agreement, the other separation agreements or to specified ongoing contractual arrangements.

The Master Separation Agreement also contains provisions relating to, among other matters, allocation of out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the separation, confidentiality and the exchange of information, the use and preservation of books and records, the settlement of intercompany balances, guarantees and surety bonds, preservation of legal privileges, insurance coverage for claims occurring prior to the Distribution and the resolution and arbitration of disputes arising under the Master Separation Agreement and other separation agreements.


The foregoing description of the Master Separation Agreement is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Master Separation Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 2.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference into this Item 1.01.

Tax Sharing Agreement

On July 31, 2014, Noble entered into a Tax Sharing Agreement with Paragon Offshore, which governs the parties’ respective rights, responsibilities and obligations with respect to tax liabilities and benefits, tax attributes, the preparation and filing of tax returns, the control of audits and other tax proceedings and certain other matters regarding taxes.

Under the Tax Sharing Agreement, Noble generally will be liable for and indemnify Paragon Offshore against all taxes attributable to the high specification drilling business and will be allocated all tax benefits attributable to such business. Paragon Offshore generally will be liable for and indemnify Noble against all taxes attributable to the standard specification drilling business and will be allocated all tax benefits attributable to such business. Generally, Paragon Offshore must reimburse Noble, and Noble must reimburse Paragon Offshore, for the use by one party of tax benefits allocated to the other party, provided, however, that payment for any such tax benefits arising prior to the Distribution and utilized in a tax year beginning before the Distribution generally shall be required only if the creation or use of such tax benefits results from a tax contest resolved after the Distribution.

Noble generally is responsible for preparing and filing all U.S. tax returns that include both taxes or tax benefits allocable to Noble and taxes or tax benefits allocable to Paragon Offshore, and Paragon Offshore generally is responsible for preparing and filing certain non-U.S. tax returns that include taxes or tax benefits allocable to Noble and taxes or tax benefits allocable to Paragon Offshore. Paragon Offshore also generally is responsible for preparing and providing to Noble pro forma portions of such U.S. tax returns that include only taxes and tax benefits allocable to Paragon Offshore. Noble generally is responsible for preparing and filing all tax returns that include only taxes or tax benefits allocable to Noble, and Paragon Offshore generally is responsible for preparing and filing all tax returns that include only taxes or tax benefits allocable to Paragon Offshore. However, Paragon Offshore generally is not permitted to take a position on any such tax return that is inconsistent with Paragon Offshore’s or Noble’s past practice.

The party responsible for preparing and filing a tax return generally also has the authority to control all tax proceedings, including tax audits, involving any taxes or adjustment to taxes reported on such tax return, except that Paragon Offshore is entitled to control tax proceedings relating to tax returns prepared and filed by Noble to the extent that such taxes or adjustments are allocable exclusively to Paragon Offshore and are separable from taxes or adjustments relating to Noble. The Tax Sharing Agreement further provides for cooperation between Paragon Offshore and Noble with respect to tax matters, including the exchange of information and the retention of records that may affect their respective tax liabilities.

Finally, the Tax Sharing Agreement requires that neither Paragon Offshore nor any of its subsidiaries take or fail to take (i) any action that would be inconsistent with or cause to be untrue any material, information, covenant or representation in any representation letters, tax opinions or IRS private letter rulings obtained by Noble and (ii) any action that would be inconsistent with the tax-free treatment of the Spin-off or certain related transactions.

Moreover, in the event that the Spin-off or certain related transactions were to fail to qualify for tax-free treatment, Noble generally would be responsible for all of the taxes resulting from such failure. However, Paragon Offshore generally would be responsible for all of the taxes resulting from such failure if the Spin-off or certain related transactions were to fail to qualify for tax-free treatment because of certain actions or failures to act by Paragon Offshore or any of its subsidiaries that occur after the effective date of the Tax Sharing Agreement.

The foregoing description of the Tax Sharing Agreement is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Tax Sharing Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference into this Item 1.01.


Employee Matters Agreement

On July 31, 2014, Noble Cayman entered into an Employee Matters Agreement with Paragon Offshore to allocate liabilities and responsibilities relating to Paragon Offshore’s employees and their participation in certain compensation and benefit plans maintained by Noble or a subsidiary of Noble. The Employee Matters Agreement provides that, following the Distribution, most of Paragon Offshore’s employee benefits are provided under compensation and benefit plans adopted or assumed by Paragon Offshore. In general, Paragon Offshore’s plans are substantially similar to the plans of Noble or its subsidiaries that covered Paragon Offshore’s employees prior to the completion of the Distribution. With some exceptions, Paragon Offshore will indemnify Noble and its subsidiaries for benefit plan and employment liabilities that are the subject of the Employee Matters Agreement and that arise from any acts or omissions of Paragon Offshore’s or its subsidiaries’ employees or agents or breach of the Employee Matters Agreement. Noble Cayman will indemnify Paragon Offshore for similar acts, omissions breaches of Noble or its subsidiaries and their respective employees or agents, as well as, for liabilities arising out of certain defects that potentially could be discovered in the future relating to the design of its compensation and benefit plans that Paragon Offshore assumed or were used as a template for the plans Paragon Offshore adopted. The Employee Matters Agreement also addresses the treatment of outstanding Noble equity awards held by transferring employees, including the grant of Paragon Offshore equity awards or other rights with respect to Noble equity awards held by transferring employees that are cancelled in connection with the Spin-off.

The foregoing description of the Employee Matters Agreement is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Employee Matters Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference into this Item 1.01.

Transition Services Agreement

On July 31, 2014, Noble Cayman entered into a Transition Services Agreement with Paragon Offshore pursuant to which Noble Cayman and its subsidiaries will provide, on a transitional basis, certain administrative and other assistance, generally consistent with the services provided before the separation, and Paragon Offshore and its subsidiaries will provide certain transition services to Noble and its subsidiaries. The charges for the transition services are generally intended to allow the party providing the services to fully recover the costs directly associated with providing the services, plus all out-of-pocket costs and expenses, generally without profit. The charges for each of the transition services generally will be based on either a pre-determined flat fee or an allocation of the costs incurred, including certain fees and expenses of third-party service providers.

The services provided under the Transition Services Agreement will terminate at various times specified in the agreement (generally ranging from December 31, 2014 to December 31, 2015). Paragon Offshore may terminate certain specified services by giving prior written notice to the provider of such services and paying any applicable termination charge.

Subject to certain exceptions, the liabilities of either party under the Transition Services Agreement are generally limited to the aggregate charges (excluding any third-party costs and expenses included in such charges) actually paid to it pursuant to the Transition Services Agreement. The Transition Services Agreement also provides that the parties will not be liable to each other for any special, indirect, incidental or consequential damages.

The foregoing description of the Transition Services Agreement is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Transition Services Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference into this Item 1.01.

Transition Services Agreement (Brazil)

On July 31, 2014, Noble Cayman and certain other subsidiaries of Noble and Paragon Offshore and certain of its subsidiaries entered into a Transition Services Agreement (and a related rig charter) pursuant to which Paragon Offshore and its subsidiaries will provide certain transition services to Noble and its subsidiaries in connection with Noble’s offshore Brazil operations. Paragon Offshore and its subsidiaries will provide both rig-based and shore-based support services in respect of Noble’s remaining business through the term of the existing rig contracts. Noble Cayman will compensate Paragon Offshore and its subsidiaries on a cost-plus basis for providing such services and will also indemnify Paragon Offshore and its subsidiaries for all liabilities arising out of the services agreement.


The foregoing description of the Transition Services Agreement is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Transition Services Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.4 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference into this Item 1.01.

 

Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.

On August 1, 2014, in connection with the Spin-off, Noble shareholders received 100% of the outstanding ordinary shares (or 84,753,393 ordinary shares) of Paragon Offshore. Paragon Offshore is now an independent public company and its ordinary shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “PGN.” In the Distribution, Noble shareholders received one ordinary share of Paragon Offshore for every three ordinary shares of Noble held at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on July 23, 2014, the record date for the Distribution. The description of the Spin-off included under Item 1.01 and the Master Separation Agreement filed as Exhibit 2.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K are incorporated by reference into this Item 2.01.

 

Item 8.01 Other Events.

On August 4, 2014, Noble issued a press release announcing completion of the Spin-off. A copy of the press release is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference into this Item 8.01.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

  (b) Pro Forma Financial Information

The unaudited pro forma combined balance sheet of Noble as of March 31, 2014 and the unaudited pro forma combined statements of income of Noble for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013 and for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 are filed as Exhibit 99.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and are incorporated by reference into this Item 9.01.

 

  (d) Exhibits

 

EXHIBIT
NUMBER

      

DESCRIPTION

  2.1      Master Separation Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2014, between Noble Corporation and Paragon Offshore plc.
10.1      Tax Sharing Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2014, between Noble Corporation plc and Paragon Offshore plc.
10.2      Employee Matters Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2014, between Noble Corporation and Paragon Offshore plc.
10.3      Transition Services Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2014, between Noble Corporation and Paragon Offshore plc.
10.4      Transition Services Agreement (Brazil), dated as of July 31, 2014, among Paragon Offshore do Brasil Limitada, Paragon Offshore (Nederland) B.V., Paragon Offshore plc, Noble Corporation, Noble Dave Beard Limited and Noble Drilling (Nederland) II B.V.
99.1      Press Release issued by Noble Corporation plc dated August 4, 2014.
99.2      Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements of Noble Corporation plc.


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.

 

  Noble Corporation plc, a public limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales
Date: August 4, 2014    
  By:  

/s/ James A. MacLennan

  Name:   James A. MacLennan
  Title:   Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer


INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

EXHIBIT
NUMBER

      

DESCRIPTION

  2.1      Master Separation Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2014, between Noble Corporation and Paragon Offshore plc.
10.1      Tax Sharing Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2014, between Noble Corporation plc and Paragon Offshore plc.
10.2      Employee Matters Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2014, between Noble Corporation and Paragon Offshore plc.
10.3      Transition Services Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2014, between Noble Corporation and Paragon Offshore plc.
10.4      Transition Services Agreement (Brazil), dated as of July 31, 2014, among Paragon Offshore do Brasil Limitada, Paragon Offshore (Nederland) B.V., Paragon Offshore plc, Noble Corporation, Noble Dave Beard Limited and Noble Drilling (Nederland) II B.V.
99.1      Press Release issued by Noble Corporation plc dated August 4, 2014.
99.2      Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements of Noble Corporation plc.

Exhibit 2.1

EXECUTION COPY

MASTER SEPARATION AGREEMENT

BETWEEN

NOBLE CORPORATION

AND

PARAGON OFFSHORE PLC


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS

     1   

1.1 Definitions

     1   

1.2 Interpretation

     14   

ARTICLE II SEPARATION AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

     15   

2.1 Separation

     15   

2.2 Intellectual Property

     16   

2.2 Instruments of Transfer and Assumption

     17   

2.3 No Representations or Warranties

     18   

2.4 Agreements

     18   

2.5 Transfers Not Effected Prior to the Distribution Date

     19   

2.6 Additional Transfers of Assets

     20   

2.7 Bank Accounts

     21   

ARTICLE III MUTUAL RELEASES; INDEMNIFICATION

     21   

3.1 Release of Pre-Distribution Claims

     21   

3.2 Termination of Intercompany Agreements and Assumption of Intercompany Balances

     23   

3.3 Indemnification by Paragon

     23   

3.4 Indemnification by Noble

     24   

3.5 Indemnification Obligations Net of Insurance Proceeds

     25   

3.6 Indemnification Obligations Net of Taxes

     26   

3.7 Procedures for Indemnification of Third Party Claims

     26   

3.8 Additional Matters

     29   

3.9 Contribution

     30   

3.10 Remedies Cumulative

     30   

3.11 Survival of Indemnities

     31   

3.12 Indemnification of Directors and Officers

     31   

3.13 Limitation of Liability

     31   

ARTICLE IV THE DISTRIBUTION

     31   

4.1 Delivery to Distribution Agent

     31   

4.2 Mechanics of the Distribution

     31   

4.3 Conditions Precedent to Consummation of the Distribution

     32   

ARTICLE V ARBITRATION; DISPUTE RESOLUTION

     33   

5.1 Agreement to Arbitrate

     33   

5.2 Escalation

     34   

5.3 Demand for Arbitration

     35   

5.4 Arbitrators

     35   

5.5 Hearings

     36   

5.6 Discovery and Certain Other Matters

     36   

5.7 Certain Additional Matters

     37   

5.8 Continuity of Service and Performance

     37   

5.9 Law Governing Arbitration Procedures

     38   

 

- i -


ARTICLE VI COVENANTS AND OTHER MATTERS

     38   

6.1 Other Agreements

     38   

6.2 Further Instruments

     38   

6.3 Provision of Corporate Records

     39   

6.4 Agreement for Exchange of Information

     40   

6.5 Additional Financial Disclosure

     42   

6.6 Preservation of Legal Privileges

     42   

6.7 Payment of Expenses

     43   

6.8 Surety Instruments

     44   

6.9 Guarantee Obligations

     44   

6.10 Confidentiality

     45   

6.11 Insurance

     46   

6.12 Cooperation on Certain FCPA Matters

     48   

6.13 Cooperation on Other Litigation Matters

     50   

6.14 Paragon Board Representation

     50   

6.15 Allocation of Corporate Opportunities

     50   

ARTICLE VII MISCELLANEOUS

     51   

7.1 Entire Agreement

     51   

7.2 Governing Law

     51   

7.3 Termination

     51   

7.4 Notices

     51   

7.5 Counterparts

     51   

7.6 Binding Effect; Assignment

     51   

7.7 No Third Party Beneficiaries

     52   

7.8 Severability

     52   

7.9 Failure or Indulgence Not Waiver; Remedies Cumulative

     52   

7.10 Amendment

     52   

7.11 Authority

     52   

7.12 Specific Performance

     52   

7.13 Advisors

     53   

7.14 Construction

     53   

7.15 Exclusivity of Tax and Other Matters

     53   

 

- ii -


SCHEDULES

 

Schedule 1.1(a)    Insurance Policies
Schedule 1.1(b)    Excluded Intellectual Property
Schedule 1.1(c)    Paragon Drilling Rigs
Schedule 1.1(d)    Joint Venture Entities
Schedule 1.1(e)    Paragon Shore-Based Specific Assets
Schedule 1.1(f)    Paragon Labor Contracts
Schedule 1.1(g)    Paragon Service Contracts
Schedule 1.1(h)    Paragon Permits, Certifications and Licenses
Schedule 1.1(i)    Agency Agreements
Schedule 1.1(j)    Assets in Repair
Schedule 1.1(k)    Paragon Excluded Assets
Schedule 1.1(l)    Paragon Excluded Liabilities
Schedule 1.1(m)    Paragon Specified Liabilities
Schedule 1.1(n)    Specified Geographic Liabilities
Schedule 1.1(o)    Specified Legal Proceedings
Schedule 3.3    Noble Provided Information
Schedule 6.5    Certain Financial Information
Schedule 7.13    Noble Advisors

 

- iii -


MASTER SEPARATION AGREEMENT

THIS MASTER SEPARATION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of July 31, 2014, between Noble Corporation, a company organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands (“Noble”), and Paragon Offshore plc, a company organized under the laws of England and Wales (“Paragon”). Noble and Paragon are sometimes referred to herein individually as a “Party,” and collectively as the “Parties.” Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in Article I hereof.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Noble Corporation plc, the direct parent of Noble (“Parent”), has determined that it would be appropriate and desirable to separate the Paragon Business from the Noble Business; and

WHEREAS, in furtherance thereof, the Board of Directors of Parent has determined that, after the separation, it would be appropriate and desirable for Parent to distribute (the “Distribution”) on a pro-rata basis to the holders of its Noble Ordinary Shares all of the outstanding Paragon Ordinary Shares owned by Parent as of the Distribution Date in a transaction intended to qualify as a tax-free distribution under Section 355 of the Code or any corresponding provision of any successor statute; and

WHEREAS, the Parties intend in this Agreement, including the Schedules hereto, to set forth the principal arrangements between them regarding the separation of the Paragon Business from the Noble Business and the Distribution;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the covenants and agreements set forth below and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

1.1 Definitions . As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth in this Section 1.1:

“Action” means any claim, demand, action, suit, countersuit, arbitration, litigation, inquiry, proceeding or investigation by or before any Governmental Authority or any arbitration or mediation tribunal or authority.

“Affiliate” means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the specified Person. For this purpose “control” of a Person means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. For purposes of this definition only, the joint venture entities set forth on Schedule 1.1(e) shall be deemed to be Affiliates of Noble or of Paragon, as applicable. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, on or after the Distribution Date, no member of the Paragon Group shall be deemed an Affiliate of any member of the Noble Group and no member of the Noble Group shall be deemed an Affiliate of any member of the Paragon Group.

 

- 1 -


“Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement and includes all Schedules attached hereto or delivered pursuant hereto.

“Ancillary Agreements” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5.

“Appropriate Member of the Paragon Group” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3.

“Appropriate Member of the Noble Group” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.4.

“Arbitration Demand Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3(a).

“Asset” means all rights, properties or assets, whether real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible, of any kind, nature and description, whether accrued, contingent or otherwise, and wheresoever situated and whether or not carried or reflected, or required to be carried or reflected, on the books of any Person.

“Assets in Repair” mean those spare parts and equipment that as of the Distribution Date are undergoing repair.

“Brazil Transition Services Agreement” means the Transition Services Agreement (Brazil) dated the date hereof between certain members of the Noble Group and certain members of the Paragon Group, which is an Ancillary Agreement for purposes of this Agreement.

“Business Day” means a day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions located in New York, New York are authorized or obligated by applicable Law or executive order to close.

“Capital Stock” means, with respect to: (i) any corporation or limited liability company, any share, or any depositary receipt or other certificate representing any share, of an equity ownership interest in that corporation or limited liability company (whether certificated or not); and (ii) any other Person, any share, membership or other percentage interest, unit of participation or other equivalent (however designated) of an equity interest in that Person.

“Change of Control” shall mean, with respect to Paragon, the occurrence of any of the following after the Distribution Date:

(i) individuals who, as of the Distribution Date, constitute the members of Paragon’s Board of Directors (the “Incumbent Directors”) cease for any reason other than due to death or disability to constitute at least a majority of the members of Paragon’s Board of Directors, provided that any director who was nominated for election by, or was elected with the approval of, at least a majority of the members of Paragon’s Board of Directors who are at the time Incumbent Directors shall be considered an Incumbent Director, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or contests by or on behalf of a Person other than Paragon’s Board of Directors;

 

- 2 -


(iii) the consummation of any transaction (including any merger, amalgamation, scheme or consolidation), a result of which is that less than 50% of the total voting power of the surviving entity is held by the stockholders of Paragon immediately prior to such transaction; or

(iv) Paragon shall have sold, transferred or exchanged all, or substantially all, of its assets to another Person.

“Charter” means the Bareboat Charter Agreement dated the date hereof between Noble Drilling (Dave Beard) Ltd. and Paragon Offshore (Nederland) B.V.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

“Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Confidential Information” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.10.

“Consent” means any consents, waivers or approvals from, or notification requirements to, any third parties, including any notices or reports to be submitted to, filings to be made with, or consents, registrations, approvals, permits or authorizations to be obtained from, any Governmental Authority.

“Contract” means any written, oral, implied or other contract, agreement, lease, license, guaranty, indemnity, representation, warranty, assignment, sales order, purchase order, power of attorney, instrument or other commitment, assurance, undertaking or arrangement that is binding on any Person or entity or any part of its property under applicable Law.

“D&O Policy” means Parent’s directors and officers liability insurance policy on the date of this Agreement.

“Debt Financings” means the (i) entry of Paragon into a revolving credit facility and a term loan credit facility and the borrowing of funds thereunder and (ii) the issuance of debt securities, all in connection with the Separation and the Distribution.

“Distribution” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.

“Distribution Date” means the date on which the Distribution Time occurs.

“Distribution Information Statement” means the information statement included as an exhibit to the Form 10, including any final information statement or any supplement to or amendment of the same.

“Distribution Time” means the time at which the Distribution is effective. For purposes of this Agreement, the Distribution shall be deemed to be effective at 11:59 p.m., Central Time, on the Business Day preceding the Distribution Date.

 

- 3 -


“Employee Matters Agreement” means the Employee Matters Agreement dated the date hereof among Noble and Paragon.

“Escalation Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2(a).

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

“FCPA Matter” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.12(a).

“Form 10” means the Registration Statement on Form 10 (File No. 001-36465) of Paragon filed with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act, registering the Paragon Ordinary Shares to be distributed in the Distribution, together with all amendments thereto.

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States from time to time in effect as set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements, opinions and pronouncements by such other entity as may be approved by a significant segment of the United States accounting profession.

“Governmental Authority” shall mean any court, government, department, commission, board, bureau, agency, official or other regulatory, administrative or governmental authority.

“Group” means either of the Noble Group or the Paragon Group, as the context requires.

“Hibernia Business” means the Hibernia platform management and labor contract drilling services business conducted by the Noble Group prior to the Separation.

“Indebtedness” of any specified Person means (a) all obligations of such specified Person for borrowed money or arising out of any extension of credit to or for the account of such specified Person (including reimbursement or payment obligations with respect to surety bonds, letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances and similar instruments), (b) all obligations of such specified Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such specified Person upon which interest charges are customarily paid, (d) all obligations of such specified Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to Assets purchased by such specified Person, (e) all obligations of such specified Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services, (f) all liabilities secured by (or for which any Person to which any such liability is owed has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any mortgage, lien, pledge or other encumbrance on property owned or acquired by such specified Person (or upon any revenues, income or profits of such specified Person therefrom), whether or not the obligations secured thereby have been assumed by the specified Person or otherwise become liabilities of the specified Person, (g) all capital lease obligations of such specified Person, (h) all securities or other similar instruments convertible or exchangeable into any of the foregoing, but excluding daily cash overdrafts associated with routine cash operations, and (i) any liability of others of a type described in any of the preceding clauses (a) through (g) in respect of which the specified Person has incurred, assumed or acquired a liability by means of a guaranty.

 

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“Indemnifiable Loss” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.5(a).

“Indemnification Payment” means the amount an Indemnifying Party is required to pay to (or for the benefit of) an Indemnitee pursuant to this Agreement.

“Indemnifying Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.5(a).

“Indemnitee” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.5(a).

“Information” means information, whether or not patentable or copyrightable, in written, oral, electronic or other tangible or intangible forms, stored in any medium, including studies, reports, records, books, contracts, instruments, surveys, discoveries, ideas, concepts, know-how, techniques, designs, specifications, drawings, blueprints, diagrams, models, prototypes, samples, flow charts, data, computer data, disks, diskettes, tapes, computer programs or other software, marketing plans, customer names, communications by or to attorneys (including attorney-client privileged communications), memos and other materials prepared by attorneys or under their direction (including attorney work product), and other technical, financial, employee or business information or data.

“Insurance Policies” means the insurance policies (including any agreements related to such policies) set forth in Schedule 1.1(a) and any other insurance policy issued to any member of the Noble Group which is effective as of the Distribution Date, and any future insurance policies (including any agreements related to such policies) issued to any member of the Noble Group; provided however that any D&O Policies shall not constitute Insurance Policies.

“Insurance Proceeds” means those monies:

(a) received by an insured Person from any insurer, insurance underwriter, mutual protection and indemnity club or other risk collective; or

(b) paid on behalf of an insured Person by any insurer, insurance underwriter, mutual protection and indemnity club or other risk collective;

in any such case net of any out-of-pocket costs or expenses incurred in the collection thereof.

“Intellectual Property” means all industrial and intellectual property rights, including patents, copyrights, design rights, rights in know-how, trade secrets and other rights of a similar nature (excluding trademarks, service marks, trade names and domain names) subsisting anywhere in the world, in each case whether registered or unregistered, owned by or licensed to the Noble Group as of the date of this Agreement other than the Paragon Marks.

“Intercompany Agreement” means any Contract between any entities included within the Paragon Group, on the one hand, and any entities within the Noble Group, on the other hand, entered into prior to the Distribution Date, excluding any Contract to which a Person other than Parent, Paragon or one of their respective Subsidiaries is a party.

“Intercompany Payables” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2.

 

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“Intercompany Receivables” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2.

“Joint Claims” means any claims under any Insurance Policy or D&O Policy that (a) the insurance carrier claims or could reasonably be expected to claim relate to a single incident or occurrence and (b) results or could reasonably be expected to result in the payment of Insurance Proceeds to or for the benefit of both one or more members of the Noble Group and one or more members of the Paragon Group.

“Law” means any law, statute, ordinance, code, rule, regulation, order, writ, proclamation, judgment, injunction or decree of any Governmental Authority.

“Liabilities” shall mean any and all Indebtedness, liabilities and obligations (other than Taxes), whether accrued, fixed or contingent, mature or inchoate, known or unknown, whether or not reflected on a balance sheet, including those arising under any Law, Action or any judgment of any court of any kind or any award of any arbitrator of any kind, and those arising under any Contract.

“Licensed Intellectual Property” means all industrial and intellectual property rights, including patents, copyrights, design rights, rights in know-how, trade secrets and other rights of a similar nature (excluding trademarks, service marks, trade names and domain names) subsisting anywhere in the world, in each case whether registered or unregistered, owned by or licensed to the Noble Group as of the date of this Agreement that is used by any member of the Paragon Group for the conduct of the Paragon Business consistent with past practice as of the Distribution Date, but excluding (i) any licensed intellectual property that any member of the Paragon Group has licensed directly from a third party as of the Distribution Date and (ii) the items set forth in Schedule 1.1(b).

“Lien” means any interest in any property or asset in favor of a Person other than the owner of such property or asset and securing an obligation owed to, or a claim by, such Person, whether such interest is based on the common law, statute or contract, including the security interest lien arising from a mortgage, encumbrance, pledge, conditional sale, security agreement or trust receipt, or a lease (including a capital lease), consignment or bailment for security purposes.

“Losses” shall mean any and all damages, losses, deficiencies, Liabilities, obligations, penalties, judgments, settlements, claims, payments, interest costs, fines, and expenses (including the costs and expenses of any and all Actions and demands, assessments, judgments, settlements and compromises relating thereto and of attorneys’, accountants’, consultants’ and other professionals’ fees and expenses incurred in the investigation or defense thereof or the enforcement of rights hereunder), other than Taxes.

“Noble Assets” means all Assets of Parent, Paragon and their respective Subsidiaries and Affiliates, but excluding the Paragon Assets.

“Noble Books and Records” means the corporate books and records (in any medium and including all minute books, corporate charters and bylaws or comparable constitutive documents, records of share issuances and related corporate records) of any member of the Noble Group and such other books and records, including contracts, agreements, files and manuals, drilling rig

 

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related documentation and other similar materials (in any medium, including computer records and electronic copies of such information, including electronic mail and other computer-based communications), to the extent they relate to the Noble Business, the Noble Assets, or the Noble Liabilities and any other books and records of Noble and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates prior to the Distribution Date that do not constitute a Paragon Book and Record. Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Noble Books and Records” shall not include any Tax Returns or other information, documents or materials relating to Taxes. For the avoidance of doubt, no Information meeting the definition of “Noble Books and Records” shall be deemed not to be Noble Books and Records because it is provided by any member of the Noble Group to any member of the Paragon Group after the Distribution Date in connection with the provision of services by any member of the Paragon Group pursuant to the Transition Services Agreement or the Brazil Transition Services Agreement, or because it is generated, maintained or held in connection with the provision of services by any member of the Paragon Group pursuant to the Transition Services Agreement or the Brazil Transition Services Agreement after the Distribution Date. Furthermore, Paragon and Noble each acknowledge and agree that the Noble Books and Records described in the immediately preceding sentence shall belong solely to Noble and shall not be considered Privileged Information of Paragon.

“Noble Business” means any business of the Noble Group other than the Paragon Business.

“Noble Group” means Parent, all Persons that are Subsidiaries or Affiliates of Parent other than a member of the Paragon Group on the Distribution Date and each Person that becomes a Subsidiary of Parent after the Distribution Date. For purposes of Section 6.12, Noble Group shall include directors and officers of the Noble Group.

“Noble Indemnitees” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3.

“Noble Liabilities” means all Liabilities of Parent and its Subsidiaries, whether arising prior to, on or after the Distribution Date, other than the Paragon Liabilities. For the avoidance of doubt: (A) the designation in this Agreement of any Liability as a Noble Liability shall be binding on the Noble Group, notwithstanding that such Liability may arise out of, directly or indirectly, the negligence, gross negligence, strict liability or other legal fault of any one or more members of the Paragon Group; and (B) except as expressly set forth in this Agreement or an Ancillary Agreement, the designation in this Agreement of Liabilities as Noble Liabilities or Paragon Liabilities is only for purposes of allocating responsibility for such Liabilities as between the Parties and their respective Subsidiaries and shall not affect any obligations to, or give rise to any rights of, any third parties.

“Noble Marks” means trade names, registered and unregistered trademarks, service marks, domain names and e-mail addresses comprising or including the terms “Noble,” “Noble NEXT” or any translations or derivatives thereof, or any terms of a confusingly similar nature, and any goodwill embodied in the foregoing.

“Noble Ordinary Shares” means the ordinary shares, nominal value $0.01 per share, of Parent.

 

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“NYSE” means the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.

“Paragon Assets” means only the following Assets (other than Taxes):

(i) the drilling rigs and other vessels set forth on Schedule 1.1(c) hereto (collectively, the “Paragon Rigs”);

(ii) the drilling, charter, service, management, accommodation or similar Contracts with third party customers related to the Paragon Rigs and the Hibernia Business and any pending bids, proposals, letters of intent or similar opportunities related to the Paragon Rigs or the Hibernia platform;

(iii) all of the outstanding shares of Capital Stock of the members of the Paragon Group as of the Distribution Date, but excluding the Capital Stock of Paragon;

(iv) all of the ownership interests in the joint ventures and other operating structures set forth on Schedule 1.1(d) hereto;

(v) all Assets reflected on the Paragon Pro Forma Balance Sheet that are owned by Noble, Paragon or any of their respective Subsidiaries as of the Distribution Date;

(vi) all Assets owned by Noble, Paragon or any of their respective Subsidiaries as of the Distribution Date that were acquired or created after the date of the Paragon Pro Forma Balance Sheet and that are of a nature or type that would have resulted in them being reflected on a pro forma, as adjusted consolidated balance sheet of Paragon and its Subsidiaries as of the Distribution Date (were the balance sheet to be prepared as of that time) on a basis consistent with the determination of the Assets reflected on the Paragon Pro Forma Balance Sheet, including Assets allocated to Paragon in accordance with the definition of “Separation” herein, but excluding any such Assets that are primarily used by or related to the Noble Business;

(vii) spare parts, consumables and equipment, and open commitment purchase orders therefor (collectively, “Parts and Equipment”), in each case, that are exclusively related to the Paragon Rigs or the Hibernia Business, whether onshore or on board the Paragon Rigs or the Hibernia platform on the Distribution Date;

(viii) the shore-based Assets used exclusively in the Paragon Business and the shore-based Assets set forth on Schedule 1.1(e) hereto;

(ix) third-party labor contracts in respect of which any member of the Paragon Group is a party as of the Distribution Date and the labor contracts set forth on Schedule 1.1(f) hereto;

 

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(x) service Contracts (other than agency agreements) in respect of which any member of the Paragon Group is a party as of the Distribution Date and the service contracts set forth on Schedule 1.1(g) hereto;

(xi) permits, certifications and licenses held by any member of the Paragon Group as of the Distribution Date and the permits, certifications and licenses set forth on Schedule 1.1(h) hereto

(xii) agency agreements set forth on Schedule 1.1(i); and

(xii) As of the Distribution Date, (A) Parts and Equipment and shore-based Assets that may be used by both the Noble Group and the Paragon Group as to which Noble has or will have allocated ownership to Paragon in a written notice sent to Paragon by a representative of the Noble Group (holding the title of division manager or higher) specifically identifying the specific assets to be allocated to Paragon and referencing this paragraph (xii) and (B) Assets in Repair allocated to Paragon in accordance with Schedule 1.1(j);

(xiii) except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or one or more Ancillary Agreements, all other Assets held by a member of the Noble Group or the Paragon Group as of the Distribution Date and exclusively relating to the Paragon Business as of the Distribution Date.

For the avoidance of doubt, any Asset expressly scheduled pursuant to this definition shall be deemed to be a Paragon Asset whether or not such Asset would otherwise fall into any enumerated category in this definition. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the “Paragon Assets” specifically excludes the Assets set forth on Schedule 1.1(k) (the “Excluded Assets”).

“Paragon Auditors” means Paragon’s independent certified public accountants.

“Paragon Books and Records” means the corporate books and records (in any medium and including all minute books, corporate charters and bylaws or comparable constitutive documents, records of share issuances and related corporate records) of any member of the Paragon Group and such other books and records, including contracts, agreements, files and manuals, Paragon Rig related documentation and other similar materials (in any medium, including computer records and electronic copies of such information, including electronic mail and other computer-based communications), to the extent they primarily relate to the Paragon Business, the Paragon Assets or the Paragon Liabilities, including all such books and records exclusively relating to Persons who are employees of the Paragon Group as of the Distribution Date, the purchase of materials, supplies and services for the Paragon Business, dealings with customers of the Paragon Business that relate primarily to the Paragon Business, and all files relating to any Action the liability with respect to which is a Paragon Liability, except that no portion of the books and records of the Noble Group containing minutes of meetings of any board of directors of any of them shall be included. Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Paragon Books and Records” shall not include any Tax Returns or other information, documents or materials relating to Taxes.

 

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“Paragon Business” means the following businesses and activities:

(i) contract drilling, workover, production, accommodation, drilling management or similar services using the Paragon Rigs or relating to the Hibernia Business (including, without limitation, mobilization, preparation, transportation, maintenance, logistical, regulatory, management or advisory activities undertaken in preparation for, or in connection with, the foregoing);

(ii) construction, shipyard, engineering or similar activities (including, without limitation, activities involving or relating to any repair, survey, inspection, upgrade, or modification of a rig or platform) relating to the Paragon Rigs, the Hibernia Business or other assets owned or operated by a member of the Paragon Group on or after the Distribution Date;

(iii) maintenance, stacking and other similar activities relating to any Paragon Rig or the Hibernia Business;

(iv) marketing activities (including participation in bids or tenders) in connection with the Paragon Rigs, the Hibernia Business or other assets owned by a member of the Paragon Group on or after the Distribution Date;

(v) the Hibernia Business;

(vi) the operation of the Paragon Assets;

(vii) the business and activities conducted through, and ownership of the joint venture and similar operating structures set forth on Schedule 1.1(e);

(viii) any business, investment or other activity conducted by the Paragon Group on or after the Distribution Date; and

(ix) without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any activity undertaken in order to provide or conduct the services and activities described in clauses (i) through (vii) above, including, without limitation, drilling rig, marine, regulatory, administrative, on-shore, office and shipyard activities.

“Paragon Debt Obligations” means all Indebtedness of Paragon or any other member of the Paragon Group. Paragon Debt Obligations shall include, as of the date of the Paragon Pro Forma Balance Sheet, the Indebtedness of Paragon reflected on the Paragon Pro Forma Balance Sheet.

“Paragon Excluded Liabilities” shall mean any and all Liabilities that are expressly contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement as Liabilities to be retained or assumed by Noble or any other member of the Noble Group, and all agreements and obligations of any member of the Noble Group under this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements. “Paragon Excluded Liabilities” shall include the Liabilities relating to, arising out of or resulting from any of the matters set forth on Schedule 1.1(l) hereto.

 

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“Paragon Group” means Paragon and all Persons that are Subsidiaries of Paragon on the Distribution Date, including the Subsidiaries set forth in Exhibit 21 to the Form 10, and each Person that becomes a Subsidiary of Paragon after the Distribution Date. For purposes of Section 6.12, Paragon Group shall include directors and officers of the Paragon Group.

“Paragon Indemnitees” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.4.

“Paragon Liabilities” shall mean any Liability that falls within one or more of the following clauses:

(i) any and all Liabilities that are expressly contemplated by this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement to be delegated or allocated to, or assumed by, Paragon or any member of the Paragon Group, and all agreements, obligations and Liabilities of any member of the Paragon Group under this Agreement or any of the Ancillary Agreements;

(ii) all Liabilities (other than Taxes to the extent covered by the Tax Sharing Agreement or the Brazil Transition Services Agreement) to the extent relating to, arising out of or resulting from:

(A) the operation of the Paragon Business, as conducted at any time prior to, on or after the Distribution Date;

(B) the operation of any business conducted at any time after the Distribution Date by any member of the Paragon Group;

(C) the Paragon Assets, at any time prior to, on or after the Distribution Date; or

(D) any assets owned by Paragon or any other member of the Paragon Group on or after the Distribution Date;

(iii) all Liabilities reflected on the Paragon Pro Forma Balance Sheet;

(iv) other Liabilities that are incurred or accrued by Noble, Paragon or any of their respective Subsidiaries after the date of the Paragon Pro Forma Balance Sheet and that remain outstanding as of the Distribution Date that are of a nature or type that would have resulted in the Liabilities being reflected on a pro forma, as adjusted consolidated balance sheet of Paragon and its Subsidiaries as of the Distribution Date (were the balance sheet to be prepared as of that time) on a basis consistent with the determination of the Liabilities reflected on the Paragon Pro Forma Balance Sheet;

(v) the Paragon Debt Obligations; and

(vi) the specified Liabilities set forth on Schedule 1.1(m).

 

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Notwithstanding anything else in this definition, (x) the specified categories of Liabilities in the jurisdictions set forth on Schedule 1.1(n) shall be defined as Paragon Liabilities solely in accordance with such Schedule, (y) the Paragon Liabilities shall not include the Paragon Excluded Liabilities and (z) any Liabilities reflected on the Paragon Pro Forma Balance Sheet under clause (iii) or any Liabilities which would have been reflected on a Paragon pro forma balance sheet under clause (iv), shall not be allocated to Paragon solely on account of such Liability being so reflected, if such Liability was or would have been reflected on such pro forma balance sheet as a result of an arithmetic allocation of Liabilities between Paragon and its Subsidiaries and Noble and its Subsidiaries under any method permitted by GAAP.

For the sake of clarity, Schedule 1.1(o) sets forth certain legal proceedings and identifies whether or not such legal proceedings and any Liabilities associated therewith are Paragon Liabilities, Noble Liabilities or shared Liabilities. For the avoidance of doubt: (A) the designation in this Agreement of any Liability as a Paragon Liability shall be binding on the Paragon Group, notwithstanding that such Liability may arise out of, directly or indirectly, the negligence, gross negligence, strict liability or other legal fault of any one or more members of the Noble Group; and (B) except as expressly set forth in this Agreement or an Ancillary Agreement, the designation in this Agreement of Liabilities as Paragon Liabilities or Noble Liabilities is only for purposes of allocating responsibility for such Liabilities as between the Parties and their respective Subsidiaries and shall not affect any obligations to, or give rise to any rights of, any third parties.

“Paragon Marks” means trade names, registered and unregistered trademarks, service marks, domain names and e-mail addresses comprising or including the terms “Paragon,” “Paragon Offshore,” or any translations or derivatives thereof, or any terms of a confusingly similar nature, and any goodwill embodied in the foregoing.

“Paragon Ordinary Shares” means the Ordinary Shares, nominal value $0.01 per share, of Paragon.

“Paragon Pro Forma Balance Sheet” means the unaudited condensed pro forma consolidated balance sheet of Paragon and subsidiaries as of March 31, 2014 included in the Form 10.

“Party” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

“Person” means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, a union, an unincorporated organization or a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.

“Prior Transfer” means (i) a transfer prior to the date of this Agreement of any Paragon Asset from Parent or any of its Subsidiaries included in the Noble Group to Paragon or any other entity included in the Paragon Group, (ii) an assumption prior to the date of this Agreement by Paragon or any other entity included in the Paragon Group of any of the Paragon Liabilities from Parent or any of its Subsidiaries included in the Noble Group, (iii) a transfer prior to the date of this Agreement of any Noble Asset from Paragon or any other entity included in the Paragon

 

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Group to Parent or any of its Subsidiaries included in the Noble Group, (iv) an assumption prior to the date of this Agreement by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries included in the Noble Group of any of the Noble Liabilities from Paragon or any other entity included in the Paragon Group or (v) any reorganization step or action undertaken prior to the date of this Agreement in connection with clauses (i) through (iv) above.

“Privilege” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.6(a).

“Privileged Information” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.6(a).

“Regardless of Cause” means whether or not any Losses are asserted to have arisen by virtue of tort (including negligence, whether sole, joint or concurrent or active or passive), breach of statutory duty, breach of contract (including breach of condition) or quasi-contract, strict liability, misrepresentation, breach of any Law or otherwise, on the part of the Party or other Person seeking indemnity (or exclusion or limitation of liability) and whether or not any Losses are asserted to have arisen by virtue of gross negligence on the part of the Party or other Person seeking indemnity or contribution (or exclusion or limitation of liability).

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

“Separation” means (i) the transfer of the Paragon Assets that are contained in the Noble Group to the Paragon Group and the assumption by the Paragon Group of the Paragon Liabilities; (ii) the transfer of Noble Assets that are contained in the Paragon Group to Noble and its Subsidiaries and the assumption by Noble and its Subsidiaries of the Noble Liabilities and the Paragon Excluded Liabilities; and (iii) the settling of intercompany accounts (including by release or termination) between Noble or any other member of the Noble Group, on the one hand, and Paragon or any other member of the Paragon Group, on the other hand, as set forth in Section 3.2; all as more fully described in this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.

“Separation Notes” means those certain notes issued by a member of the Paragon Group in respect of the assets transferred by the Noble Group to the Paragon Group as part of the Separation.

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any specified Person, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other organization, whether incorporated or unincorporated, of which at least a majority of the securities or interests having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect at least a majority of the board of directors or others performing similar functions with respect to such corporation or other organization is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such specified Person or by any one or more of its Subsidiaries, or by such specified Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries.

“Taxes” has the meaning set forth in the Tax Sharing Agreement.

“Tax Sharing Agreement” means the Tax Sharing Agreement dated the date hereof between Noble and Paragon, which is an Ancillary Agreement for purposes of this Agreement.

“Tax Returns” has the meaning set forth in the Tax Sharing Agreement.

 

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“Third Party Claim” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.7(a).

“Transition Services Agreement” means the Transition Services Agreement dated the date hereof between Noble and Paragon, which is an Ancillary Agreement for purposes of this Agreement.

1.2 Interpretation . In this Agreement, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) words used in the singular include the plural and words used in the plural include the singular;

(b) if a word or phrase is defined in this Agreement, its other grammatical forms, as used in this Agreement, shall have a corresponding meaning;

(c) reference to any gender includes the other gender and the neuter;

(d) the words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”;

(e) the words “shall” and “will” are used interchangeably and have the same meaning;

(f) the word “or” shall have the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase “and/or”;

(g) relative to the determination of any period of time, “from” means “from and including,” “to” means “to but excluding” and “through” means “through and including”;

(h) all references to a specific time of day in this Agreement shall be based upon U.S. Central Standard Time or U.S. Central Daylight Savings Time, as applicable, on the date in question;

(i) whenever this Agreement refers to a number of days, such number shall refer to calendar days unless Business Days are specified;

(j) reference to any Article, Section or Schedule means such Article or Section of, or such Schedule to, this Agreement, as the case may be, and references in any Section or definition to any clause means such clause of such Section or definition;

(k) the words “this Agreement,” “herein,” “hereunder,” “hereof,” “hereto” and words of similar import shall be deemed references to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Section or other provision of this Agreement;

(l) reference to any agreement, instrument or other document means such agreement, instrument or other document as amended, supplemented and modified from time to time to the extent permitted by the provisions thereof and by this Agreement;

 

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(m) reference to any Law (including statutes and ordinances) means such Law (including any and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder) as amended, modified, codified or reenacted, in whole or in part, and in effect at the time of determining compliance or applicability;

(n) references to any Person include such Person’s successors and assigns but, if applicable, only if such successors and assigns are permitted by this Agreement; a reference to such Person’s “Affiliates” shall be deemed to mean such Person’s Affiliates on or after the Distribution Date and any reference to a third party shall be deemed to mean a Person who is not a Party or an Affiliate of a Party;

(o) if there is any conflict between the provisions of the main body of this Agreement and the Schedules hereto, the provisions of the main body of this Agreement shall control unless explicitly stated otherwise in such Schedule;

(p) if there is any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and any Ancillary Agreement, the provisions of such Ancillary Agreement shall control (but only with respect to the subject matter thereof and that Ancillary Agreement) unless explicitly stated otherwise therein;

(q) the titles to Articles and headings of Sections contained in this Agreement, in any Schedule and in the table of contents to this Agreement have been inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed to be a part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement; and

(r) any portion of this Agreement obligating a Party to take any action or refrain from taking any action, as the case may be, shall mean that such Party shall also be obligated to cause its relevant Subsidiaries to take such action or refrain from taking such action, as the case may be.

ARTICLE II

SEPARATION AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

2.1 Separation . Subject to the satisfaction or waiver (in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.3) of the conditions set forth in Section 4.3, each of Noble and Paragon will take, or cause to be taken, any actions, including the transfer of Assets and the assumption of Liabilities, necessary to effect the Separation on or before the Distribution Date. THE PARTIES AGREE THAT, AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE SEPARATION, THE PARAGON GROUP WILL OWN ALL OF THE PARAGON ASSETS, AND THE NOBLE GROUP WILL OWN ALL OF THE NOBLE ASSETS. AS OF AND AFTER THE DISTRIBUTION TIME, THE PARAGON GROUP SHALL, AS BETWEEN THE PARAGON GROUP AND THE NOBLE GROUP, BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL PARAGON LIABILITIES, REGARDLESS OF WHEN OR WHERE SUCH PARAGON LIABILITIES AROSE OR ARISE, OR WHETHER THE FACTS ON WHICH THEY ARE BASED OCCURRED PRIOR TO OR SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF, REGARDLESS OF WHERE OR AGAINST WHOM SUCH PARAGON LIABILITIES ARE ASSERTED OR DETERMINED OR

 

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WHETHER ASSERTED OR DETERMINED PRIOR TO, AT OR AFTER THE DATE HEREOF, AND REGARDLESS OF CAUSE. AS OF AND AFTER THE DISTRIBUTION TIME, THE NOBLE GROUP SHALL, AS BETWEEN THE NOBLE GROUP AND THE PARAGON GROUP, BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL NOBLE LIABILITIES, REGARDLESS OF WHEN OR WHERE SUCH NOBLE LIABILITIES AROSE OR ARISE, OR WHETHER THE FACTS ON WHICH THEY ARE BASED OCCURRED PRIOR TO OR SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF, REGARDLESS OF WHERE OR AGAINST WHOM SUCH NOBLE LIABILITIES ARE ASSERTED OR DETERMINED OR WHETHER ASSERTED OR DETERMINED PRIOR TO, AT OR AFTER THE DATE HEREOF, AND REGARDLESS OF CAUSE.

2.2 Intellectual Property

(a) Paragon, for itself and as representative of all other members of the Paragon Group, hereby assigns all right, title and interest, of itself and each member of the Paragon Group, in and to any Intellectual Property, including any and all Noble Marks, to Noble. Noble, for itself and as representative of all other members of the Noble Group, hereby assigns to Paragon all right, title and interest, held by Noble or any member of the Noble Group, in and to any and all Paragon Marks.

(b) Noble hereby grants to Paragon a perpetual, worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty free license to use the Licensed Intellectual Property for the purpose of enabling the Paragon Group to conduct the Paragon Business; provided, however, the foregoing license shall not extend to the Licensed Intellectual Property licensed by Noble or any member of the Noble Group from a third party if and to the extent the licensing of same to Paragon would constitute a breach of agreement with such third party or result in any expense to Noble or any member of the Noble Group.

(c) Paragon agrees and acknowledges that (i) as of the date of this Agreement, as between the Paragon Group and the Noble Group, all right, title and interest in and to any and all Noble Marks and, except as provided in Section 2.2(b), the Intellectual Property shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Noble Group and (ii) except as otherwise provided in Section 2.2(d) and except for the Licensed Intellectual Property, the Paragon Group shall cease and discontinue all use of the Intellectual Property Rights (including the Noble Marks) as of the Distribution Date.

(d) Paragon shall have a royalty-free, nonsublicensable right to use the Noble Marks in connection with the operation of the Paragon Business for a limited period of 180 days following the Distribution Date. After such 180-day period, Paragon shall discontinue all use of the Noble Marks, including any use on stationery or letterhead and any use on other Paragon Assets (including the rigs specified in clause (i) of the definition thereof and including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, changing the names of those rigs and repainting those rigs to remove any Noble Marks and Noble color scheme) other than in respect of the Noble Marks using the name “Frontier” which Paragon may continue to use until the one-year anniversary of the Distribution Date. All of Paragon’s use of the Noble Marks shall inure to the benefit of Noble. Paragon agrees to use the Noble Marks in accordance with such quality standards as may be established by Noble and communicated to Paragon, it being understood

 

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that the products and services used in association with the Noble Marks immediately before the Distribution Date are of a quality that is acceptable to Noble and justifies the license granted herein and that Paragon shall maintain such quality while using the Noble Marks. Except as set forth in this Section 2.2(d), it is expressly agreed that Paragon is not obtaining any right, title or interest in the Noble Marks. Paragon will not contest the ownership, validity or enforceability of the Noble Marks, nor use or attempt to register any marks similar to the Noble Marks, and nothing in this Section 2.2(d) shall be construed to limit Noble’s ability to use the Noble Marks following the Distribution Date.

(e) The Parties agree that Noble may terminate the licenses contained in this Section 2.2 if Paragon or any of its sublicensees violate any provision of this Section 2.3, or, with respect to the Noble Marks, upon a Change of Control of Paragon. Upon termination or expiration of any of these licenses, Paragon shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries and sublicensees to, immediately cease and desist all use of the Licensed Intellectual Property and the Noble Marks.

(f) Nothing contained in this Section 2.2 shall be construed as (i) a warranty or representation by the Noble Group as to the validity or scope of the Licensed Intellectual Property, the Paragon Marks or the Noble Marks; (ii) a warranty or representation that the Licensed Intellectual Property, the Paragon Marks and Noble Marks will not infringe the intellectual property rights of a third party; (iii) a warranty or representation that the Licensed Intellectual Property and Paragon Marks constitute all intellectual property the Paragon Group may need for the conduct of the Paragon Business; or (iv) an agreement to defend any member of the Paragon Group against actions or suits of any nature brought by any third parties regarding the Licensed Intellectual Property, the Paragon Marks or Noble Marks.

2.3 Instruments of Transfer and Assumption . Noble and Paragon agree that (a) transfers of Assets required to be transferred by this Agreement shall be effected by delivery by the transferring entity to the transferee of (i) with respect to those Assets that constitute shares of Capital Stock, certificates endorsed in blank or evidenced or accompanied by stock powers or other instruments of transfer endorsed in blank, against receipt, (ii) with respect to any real property interest or any improvements thereon, a general warranty deed with general warranty of limited application limiting recourse and remedies to title insurance and warranties by predecessors in title and (iii) with respect to all other Assets, such good and sufficient instruments of contribution, conveyance, assignment and transfer, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Noble and Paragon, as shall be necessary, in each case, to vest in the designated transferee all of the title and ownership interest of the transferor in and to any such Asset, and (b) to the extent necessary, the assumption of the Liabilities contemplated pursuant to Section 2.1 shall be effected by delivery by the transferee to the transferor of such good and sufficient instruments of assumption, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Noble and Paragon, as shall be necessary for the assumption by the transferee of such Liabilities. Noble and Paragon agree that, to the extent that the documents described in clause (a)(i), (ii) and (iii) and clause (b) of the immediately preceding sentence have not previously been delivered in connection with any Prior Transfers, the documents relating to such Prior Transfers shall be delivered by the appropriate Party or Subsidiary thereof. Each of the parties hereto also agrees to deliver to any other party hereto such other documents, instruments and writings as may be reasonably requested by such other parties hereto in connection with the transactions

 

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contemplated hereby or by Prior Transfers. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement to the contrary, (x) THE TRANSFERS AND ASSUMPTIONS REFERRED TO IN THIS ARTICLE II (INCLUDING PRIOR TRANSFERS) HAVE BEEN, OR WILL BE, MADE WITHOUT ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY NATURE, INCLUDING (A) AS TO THE VALUE OR FREEDOM FROM ENCUMBRANCE OF ANY ASSETS, (B) AS TO ANY WARRANTY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF SEAWORTHINESS, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OF, OR ANY OTHER MATTER CONCERNING, ANY ASSETS OR (C) AS TO THE LEGAL SUFFICIENCY TO CONVEY TITLE TO ANY ASSETS, and (y) the instruments of transfer or assumption referred to in this Section 2.3 shall not include any representations and warranties other than as specifically provided herein. Noble and Paragon hereby acknowledge and agree that ALL ASSETS TRANSFERRED PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE II AND ALL ASSETS INCLUDED IN ANY PRIOR TRANSFERS WILL BE, ARE OR WERE TRANSFERRED “AS IS, WHERE IS.” To the extent that the instruments of transfer and assumption with respect to any Prior Transfers are inconsistent with this Section 2.3, the Paragon Group and the Noble Group agree that the inconsistent provisions of such instruments are hereby amended and superseded by the provisions of this Section 2.3. To the extent reasonably requested by a member of either Group, each Party will, or will cause its Subsidiaries to, execute any documents necessary to evidence such amendment.

2.4 No Representations or Warranties . Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement or in an Ancillary Agreement, Paragon and Noble understand and agree that no member of the Noble Group is representing or warranting to Paragon or any member of the Paragon Group in any way as to the Paragon Business, the Paragon Assets or the Paragon Liabilities. Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement or in an Ancillary Agreement, Noble and Paragon understand and agree that no member of the Paragon Group is representing or warranting to Noble or any member of the Noble Group in any way as to the Noble Business, the Noble Assets or the Paragon Excluded Liabilities.

2.5 Agreements . On the date of this Agreement, Noble and Paragon shall execute and deliver (or shall cause their appropriate Affiliates to execute and deliver, as applicable) the agreements between them designated as follows:

(a) the Transition Services Agreement;

(b) the Employee Matters Agreement;

(c) the Tax Sharing Agreement;

(d) the Brazil Transition Services Agreement and associated Charter; and

such other written agreements, documents or instruments as the Parties may agree are necessary or desirable and which specifically state that they are Ancillary Agreements within the meaning of this Agreement (collectively, the “Ancillary Agreements”).

 

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2.6 Transfers Not Effected Prior to the Distribution Date .

(a) To the extent that any transfers contemplated by this Article II shall not have been consummated as of the Distribution Date, the Parties shall cooperate to effect such transfers as promptly following the Distribution Date as shall be practicable. Nothing herein shall be deemed to require the transfer of any Assets or the assumption of any Liabilities that by their terms or operation of Law cannot be transferred or assumed; provided that the Paragon Group and the Noble Group shall cooperate and use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any necessary Consents for the transfer of all Assets and the assumption of all Liabilities contemplated to be transferred or assumed pursuant to this Article II and shall, even in the absence of necessary Consents, transfer the equitable ownership of Assets or effect the equitable assumption of Liabilities when such a transfer or assumption is permitted. In the event that any such transfer of Assets or assumption of Liabilities has not been consummated effective as of the Distribution Date, the Party retaining such Asset or Liability shall thereafter hold such Asset in trust for the use and benefit of the Party entitled thereto (at the expense of the Party entitled thereto) and retain such Liability for the account of the Party by whom such Liability is to be assumed pursuant hereto, and take such other action as may be reasonably requested by the Party to which such Asset is to be transferred, or by whom such Liability is to be assumed, as the case may be, in order to place such Party, insofar as reasonably possible, in the same position as would have existed had such Asset or Liability been transferred or assumed as contemplated hereby. Without limiting any other duty of a Party holding any Asset in trust for the use and benefit of the Party entitled thereto or retaining any Liability for the account of the other Party, such Party shall take all reasonable actions necessary to preserve the value of that Asset and to minimize the Liability. As and when any such Asset becomes transferable or such Liability can be assumed, such transfer or assumption shall be effected forthwith, without the payment of any additional consideration therefor (except in respect of any payments in respect of a Liability made by a Party retaining such Liability for the account of the other Party, which payments shall be promptly reimbursed by the Party assuming the Liability pursuant hereto). Subject to the foregoing, the Parties agree that, as of the Distribution Date (or such earlier time as any such Asset may have been acquired or Liability assumed pursuant to a Prior Transfer), each Party shall be deemed to have acquired complete and sole beneficial ownership over all of the Assets, together with all rights, powers and privileges incident thereto, and shall be deemed to have assumed in accordance with the terms of this Agreement all of the Liabilities, and all duties, obligations and responsibilities incident thereto, which such Party is entitled to acquire or required to assume pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

(b) At any time after the Distribution Date, a beneficial owner may, in respect of any Asset that remains subject to an arrangement described in Section 2.6(a), (i) direct the Party acting as trustee to transfer the Asset to the beneficial owner, at the sole risk of such beneficial owner (who will thereafter indemnify the trustee/transferor and its Affiliates from all Losses arising as a result of such transfer), (ii) direct the Party acting as trustee to sell or liquidate the subject Asset for the account of, and at the sole risk and expense of, such beneficial owner, who shall be entitled to receive all of the net proceeds of such sale or liquidation (and who will thereafter indemnify the trustee/transferor and its Affiliates from all Losses arising as a result of such sale or liquidation) or (iii) continue the arrangement described in Section 2.6(a); provided, however, that any time after the second anniversary of the Distribution Date, the legal owner of such Asset may require that the beneficial owner of such Asset chose between the option in clause (i) or clause (ii), above.

 

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(c) For the first six months after the Distribution Date, and thereafter as the Parties may agree is necessary, representatives of the Parties will meet once a month to identify Assets and Liabilities that were not transferred as of the Distribution Date. Upon such identification, the Parties will cooperate to transfer such Assets and Liabilities, including any such financial Assets and Liabilities, which shall be totaled and netted prior to settlement. The parties will cooperate to minimize the tax consequences of any transfer effected in accordance with this Section 2.6

2.7 Additional Transfers of Assets .

(a) Without limiting the generality of Section 2.1, for a period beginning on the Distribution Date and ending on the date one year following the Distribution Date, if Noble in its good faith judgment, after reasonable consultation with the General Counsel of Paragon, or other person designated by Paragon, identifies any Asset owned by a member of the Noble Group or a member of the Paragon Group, as applicable, that (i) during the twelve (12) month period prior to the date of this Agreement was used primarily in the Paragon Business and is then owned by a member of the Noble Group or (ii) during the twelve (12) month period prior to the date of this Agreement was used primarily in the Noble Business and is then owned by a member of the Paragon Group, and Noble determines that it is appropriate under the then existing circumstances that such a conveyance, assignment, transfer and delivery of such Asset should be effected, then Noble and Paragon shall cause any such Asset to be conveyed, assigned, transferred and delivered in accordance with Section 2.3 to the entity identified by Paragon or Noble, as the case may be, as the appropriate transferee with its Group.

(b) The Parties acknowledge and agree that any transfers pursuant to this Section 2.7 are to be made without payment of any additional consideration therefor.

(c) All conveyances, assignments, transfers and deliveries of Assets occurring after the Distribution Date pursuant to this Section 2.7 shall be governed by the terms of this Agreement. In furtherance of the foregoing, any Asset transferred pursuant to this Section 2.7 to a member of the Paragon Group shall be deemed a Paragon Asset, and any Asset transferred to a member of the Noble Group shall be deemed a Noble Asset. The Parties agree that, as of the Distribution Date (or such earlier time as any such Asset may have been acquired or Liability assumed pursuant to a Prior Transfer), each Party shall be deemed to have acquired complete and sole beneficial ownership over all of the Assets transferred pursuant to this Section 2.7, together with all rights, powers and privileges incident thereto, and shall be deemed to have assumed in accordance with the terms of this Agreement all of the Liabilities, and all duties, obligations and responsibilities incident thereto, which such Party is entitled to acquire or required to assume pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

 

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2.8 Bank Accounts .

(a) To the extent not completed prior to the Distribution Date, Noble and Paragon each agrees to take, or cause the respective members of their respective Groups to take, after the Distribution Date, all actions necessary to (i) amend all Contracts governing each bank and brokerage account owned by Paragon or any other member of the Paragon Group so that such accounts, if then linked (whether by automatic withdrawal, automatic deposit or any other authorization to transfer funds from or to) to any bank or brokerage account owned by Noble or any other member of the Noble Group are de-linked from the Noble Group accounts and (ii) amend all Contracts governing each bank and brokerage account owned by Noble or any other member of the Noble Group so that such accounts, if then linked (whether by automatic withdrawal, automatic deposit or any other authorization to transfer funds from or to) to any bank or brokerage account owned by Paragon or any other member of the Paragon Group are de-linked from the Paragon Group accounts.

(b) It is intended that, following consummation of the actions contemplated by Section 2.8(a), Paragon and Noble will maintain separate bank accounts and separate cash management processes.

ARTICLE III

MUTUAL RELEASES; INDEMNIFICATION

3.1 Release of Pre-Distribution Claims .

(a) Except as provided in Section 3.1(c), effective as of the Distribution Date, Paragon does hereby, for itself and each other member of the Paragon Group, their respective Affiliates, successors and assigns, and all Persons who at any time prior to the Distribution Date have been shareholders, directors, officers, agents or employees of any member of the Paragon Group (in each case, in their respective capacities as such), remise, release and forever discharge Noble, each member of the Noble Group and their respective Affiliates, successors and assigns, and all shareholders, directors, officers, agents or employees of any member of the Noble Group (in each case, in their respective capacities as such), and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, from any and all Losses whatsoever to Paragon and each other member of the Paragon Group, whether at law or in equity (including any right of contribution), whether arising under any Contract, by operation of Law or otherwise, existing or arising from any acts or events occurring or failing to occur or alleged to have occurred or to have failed to occur or any conditions existing or alleged to have existed on or before the Distribution Date, including in connection with the transactions and all other activities to implement any Prior Transfers, the Separation and the Distribution.

(b) Except as provided in Section 3.1(c), effective as of the Distribution Date, Noble does hereby, for itself and each other member of the Noble Group, their respective Affiliates, successors and assigns, and all Persons who at any time prior to the Distribution Date have been shareholders, directors, officers, agents or employees of any member of the Noble Group (in each case, in their respective capacities as such), remise, release and forever discharge Paragon, each member of the Paragon Group, and their respective Affiliates, successors and assigns, and all shareholders, directors, officers, agents or employees of any member of the Paragon Group (in each case, in their respective capacities as such), and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, from any and all Losses whatsoever to Noble and each other member of the Noble Group, whether at law or in equity (including any right of

 

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contribution), whether arising under any Contract, by operation of Law or otherwise, existing or arising from any acts or events occurring or failing to occur or alleged to have occurred or to have failed to occur or any conditions existing or alleged to have existed on or before the Distribution Date, including in connection with the transactions and all other activities to implement any Prior Transfers, the Separation and the Distribution.

(c) Nothing contained in Section 3.1(a) or (b) shall impair any right of any Person to enforce this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or any agreements, arrangements, commitments or understandings that are specified in, or contemplated to continue pursuant to, this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement. Nothing contained in Section 3.1(a) or (b) shall release (A) any member of the Paragon Group from any Loss with respect to the Paragon Debt Obligations and (B) any Person from:

(i) any Loss, contingent or otherwise, assumed, transferred, assigned or allocated to the Group of which such Person is a member in accordance with, or any other Loss of any member of that Group under, this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement;

(ii) any Loss that the parties may have with respect to indemnification or contribution pursuant to this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement for claims brought against the parties by third Persons, which Liability shall be governed by the provisions of this Article III and, if applicable, the appropriate provisions of the Ancillary Agreements; or

(iii) any Loss the release of which would result in the release of any Person other than an Indemnitee; provided that the Parties agree not to bring suit or permit any of their Subsidiaries to bring suit against any Indemnitee with respect to such Loss.

(d) Paragon shall not make, and shall not permit any member of the Paragon Group to make, any claim or demand, or commence any Action asserting any claim or demand, including any claim of contribution or indemnification, against Parent or any member of the Noble Group, or any other Person released pursuant to Section 3.1(a), with respect to any Losses released pursuant to Section 3.1(a). Noble shall not make, and shall not permit any member of the Noble Group to make, any claim or demand, or commence any Action asserting any claim or demand, including any claim of contribution or any indemnification, against Paragon or any member of the Paragon Group, or any other Person released pursuant to Section 3.1(b), with respect to any Losses released pursuant to Section 3.1(b).

(e) It is the intent of each of Noble and Paragon by virtue of the provisions of this Section 3.1 to provide for a full and complete release and discharge of all Losses existing or arising from all acts and events occurring or failing to occur or alleged to have occurred or to have failed to occur and all conditions existing or alleged to have existed on or before the Distribution Date, between or among Paragon or any member of the Paragon Group, on the one hand, and Noble or any member of the Noble Group, on the other hand (including any Contract existing or alleged to exist between or among any such members on or before the Distribution Date), except as expressly set forth in Section 3.1(c). At any time, at the reasonable request of the other Party, each Party shall cause each member of its respective Group to execute and deliver releases reflecting the provisions hereof.

 

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3.2 Termination of Intercompany Agreements and Assumption of Intercompany Balances .

(a) Without limiting the generality of Section 3.1(e) and subject to the terms of Section 3.1, each of the Parties agrees that, except for (i) this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements (including any amounts owed with respect to such agreements) and any Separation Notes or any agreement providing for the repayment of the Separation Notes by Paragon, (ii) any amounts owed by (other than amounts owed with respect to any agreement in clause (i)) any member of the Paragon Group to any member of the Noble Group immediately prior to the Distribution Date (the “Intercompany Payables”), and (iii) any amounts owed (other than amounts owed with respect to any agreement in clause (i)) by any member of the Noble Group to any member of the Paragon Group immediately prior to the Distribution Date (the “Intercompany Receivables”), all Intercompany Agreements and all other intercompany arrangements and course of dealings whether or not in writing and whether or not binding or in effect immediately prior to the Distribution Date shall terminate immediately prior to the Distribution Date unless the parties thereto otherwise agree in writing after the date of this Agreement.

3.3 Indemnification by Paragon . Subject to Sections 3.5 and 3.6, Paragon shall, and in the case of clauses (a), (b) and (c) below shall in addition cause the Appropriate Member of the Paragon Group to, indemnify, defend and hold harmless Noble, each member of the Noble Group and their respective Affiliates, successors and assigns, and all shareholders, directors, officers, agents or employees of any member of the Noble Group (in each case, in their respective capacities as such), and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns (collectively, the “Noble Indemnitees”) from and against any and all Losses of the Noble Indemnitees relating to, arising out of or resulting from any of the following (without duplication):

(a) the failure of Paragon or any other member of the Paragon Group or any other Person to pay, perform or otherwise promptly discharge any Paragon Liabilities in accordance with their respective terms, whether prior to, on or after the Distribution Date;

(b) the Paragon Business or any Paragon Asset or Paragon Liability;

(c) any breach by Paragon or any member of the Paragon Group of any provision of this Agreement or of any of the Ancillary Agreements, subject (in the case of each of the Ancillary Agreements) to any limitations of liability provisions and other provisions applicable to any such breach set forth therein; and

(d) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, with respect to all Information contained in the Form 10 or any Distribution Information Statement (other than Information regarding Noble provided by Noble in writing to Paragon expressly for inclusion in the Form 10 or any Distribution Information Statement set forth on Schedule 3.3);

 

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in each case, regardless of when or where the loss, claim, accident, occurrence, event or happening giving rise to the Loss took place, or whether any such loss, claim, accident, occurrence, event or happening is known or unknown, or reported or unreported and regardless of whether such loss, claim, accident, occurrence, event or happening giving rise to the Loss existed prior to, on or after the date of this Agreement or relates to, arises out of or results from actions, inactions, events, omissions, conditions, facts or circumstances occurring or existing prior to, on or after the date of this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of clause (d) of the first sentence of this Section 3.3 and clause (d) of the first sentence of Section 3.4, the only information provided by Parent to Paragon expressly for inclusion in the Form 10 or the Distribution Information Statement is the information set forth on Schedule 3.3. As used in this Section 3.3, “Appropriate Member of the Paragon Group” means the member or members of the Paragon Group, if any, whose acts, conduct or omissions or failures to act caused, gave rise to or resulted in the Loss from and against which indemnity is provided.

3.4 Indemnification by Noble . Subject to Sections 3.5 and 3.6, Noble shall, and in case of clauses (a), (b) and (c) below shall in addition cause the Appropriate Member of the Noble Group to, indemnify, defend and hold harmless Paragon, each member of the Paragon Group and their respective Affiliates, successors and assigns, and all shareholders, directors, officers, agents or employees of any member of the Paragon Group (in each case, in their respective capacities as such), and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns (collectively, the “Paragon Indemnitees”) from and against any and all Losses of the Paragon Indemnitees relating to, arising out of or resulting from any of the following (without duplication):

(a) the failure of Noble or any other member of the Noble Group or any other Person to pay, perform or otherwise promptly discharge any Noble Liabilities in accordance with their respective terms, whether prior to, on or after the Distribution Date or the date hereof;

(b) the Noble Business or any Noble Asset or Noble Liability;

(c) the Paragon Excluded Liabilities;

(d) any breach by Noble or any member of the Noble Group of any provision of this Agreement or of any of the Ancillary Agreements, subject (in the case of each of the Ancillary Agreements) to any limitations of liability provisions and other provisions applicable to any such breach set forth therein; and

(e) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, with respect to Information regarding Noble provided by Noble to Paragon expressly for inclusion in the Form 10 or any Distribution Information Statement set forth on Schedule 3.3.

 

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in each case, regardless of when or where the loss, claim, accident, occurrence, event or happening giving rise to the Loss took place, or whether any such loss, claim, accident, occurrence, event or happening is known or unknown, or reported or unreported and regardless of whether such loss, claim, accident, occurrence, event or happening giving rise to the Loss existed prior to, on or after the date of this Agreement or relates to, arises out of or results from actions, inactions, events, omissions, conditions, facts or circumstances occurring or existing prior to, on or after the date of this Agreement. As used in this Section 3.4, “Appropriate Member of the Noble Group” means the member or members of the Noble Group, if any, whose acts, conduct or omissions or failures to act caused, gave rise to or resulted in the Loss from and against which indemnity is provided.

3.5 Indemnification Obligations Net of Insurance Proceeds .

(a) The parties intend that any Loss subject to indemnification or reimbursement pursuant to this Article III (an “Indemnifiable Loss”) will be net of Insurance Proceeds that actually reduce the amount of the Loss. Accordingly, the amount which any Party (an “Indemnifying Party”) is required to pay to any Person entitled to indemnification hereunder (an “Indemnitee”) will be reduced by any Insurance Proceeds actually recovered by or on behalf of the Indemnitee in reduction of the related Loss. If an Indemnitee receives a payment (an “Indemnity Payment”) required by this Agreement from an Indemnifying Party in respect of any Loss and subsequently receives Insurance Proceeds covering the related Loss, then the Indemnitee will pay to the Indemnifying Party an amount equal to the excess of the Indemnity Payments received over the amount of the Indemnity Payments that would have been due if the Insurance Proceeds recovery had been received, realized or recovered before the Indemnity Payments were made. The Indemnitee shall use and cause its Affiliates to use commercially reasonable efforts to recover any proceeds of insurance policies to which the Indemnitee is directly or indirectly entitled with respect to any Indemnifiable Loss. The existence of a claim by an Indemnitee for insurance in respect of any Indemnifiable Loss shall not, however, delay any payment pursuant to the indemnification provisions contained in this Article III and otherwise determined to be due and owing by an Indemnifying Party; rather the Indemnifying Party shall make payment in full of such amount so determined to be due and owing by it against an assignment by the Indemnitee to the Indemnifying Party of the portion of the claim of the Indemnitee for such insurance equal to the amount of such payment. The Indemnitee shall use and cause its Affiliates to use commercially reasonable efforts to assist the Indemnifying Party in recovering or to recover on behalf of the Indemnifying Party, any Insurance Proceeds to which the Indemnifying Party is directly or indirectly entitled with respect to any Indemnifiable Loss as a result of such assignment. Subject to Section 7.3, the Indemnitee shall make available to the Indemnifying Party and its counsel all employees, books and records, communications, documents, items or matters within its knowledge, possession or control that are necessary, appropriate or reasonably deemed relevant by the Indemnifying Party with respect to the recovery of such Insurance Proceeds; provided, however, that subject to Section 7.7 hereof, nothing in this sentence shall be deemed to require a Party to make available books and records, communications, documents or items which (i) in such Party’s good faith judgment could result in a waiver of any Privilege or (ii) such Party is not permitted to make available because of any Law or any confidentiality obligation to a third party, in which case such Party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to seek a waiver of or other relief from such confidentiality restriction. Unless the Indemnifying Party has made payment in full of any Indemnifiable Loss, such Indemnifying Party shall use and cause its Affiliates to use commercially reasonable efforts to recover any Insurance Proceeds to which it or such Affiliate is entitled with respect to any Indemnifiable Loss.

 

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(b) An insurer who would otherwise be obligated to pay any claims shall not be relieved of the responsibility with respect thereto or, solely by virtue of the indemnification provisions hereof, or have any subrogation rights with respect thereto, it being expressly understood and agreed that no insurer or any other third party shall be entitled to a “windfall” (i.e., a benefit it would not be entitled to receive in the absence of the indemnification provisions set forth in this Agreement) by virtue of the indemnification provisions hereof.

3.6 Indemnification Obligations Net of Taxes . The Parties intend that any Loss subject to indemnification or reimbursement pursuant to this Article III will be net of Taxes. Accordingly, the amount which an Indemnifying Party is required to pay to an Indemnitee will be adjusted to reflect any tax benefit to the Indemnitee from the underlying Loss and to reflect any Taxes imposed upon the Indemnitee as a result of the receipt of such payment. Such an adjustment will first be made at the time that the indemnity payment is made and will further be made, as appropriate, to take into account any change in the liability of the Indemnitee for Taxes that occurs in connection with the final resolution of an audit by a taxing authority. For purposes of this Section 3.6, the value of any Tax benefit to the Indemnitee from the underlying Loss shall be an amount equal to the product of (x) the amount of any present or future deduction allowed or allowable to the Indemnitee by the Code, or other applicable Law, as a result of such Loss and (y) the highest statutory rate applicable under such laws. To the extent permitted by applicable Law, the Parties will treat the character of any indemnity payment in the same manner as if such payment were a capital contribution made by Noble to Paragon or as a distribution made by Paragon to Noble, as the case may be, immediately prior to the date recited above on which the Parties entered into the Agreement.

3.7 Procedures for Indemnification of Third Party Claims .

(a) If an Indemnitee shall receive notice or otherwise learn of the assertion by a Person (including any Governmental Authority) who is not a member of the Noble Group or the Paragon Group of any claims or of the commencement by any such Person of any Action (each such claim or Action, a “Third Party Claim”) with respect to which an Indemnifying Party may be obligated to provide indemnification to such Indemnitee pursuant to Section 3.3 or 3.4, or any other Section of this Agreement, such Indemnitee shall promptly give such Indemnifying Party written notice thereof. Any such notice shall describe the Third Party Claim in reasonable detail. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the failure of any Indemnitee or other Person to give notice as provided in this Section 3.7(a) shall not relieve the applicable Indemnifying Party of its obligations under this Article III, except to the extent that such Indemnifying Party is actually prejudiced by such failure to give notice.

(b) An Indemnifying Party may elect to defend (and, unless the Indemnifying Party has specified any reservations or exceptions, to seek to settle or compromise), at such Indemnifying Party’s own expense and by such Indemnifying Party’s own counsel, any Third Party Claim. Within 30 days after the receipt of notice from an Indemnitee in accordance with Section 3.7(a) (or sooner, if the nature of such Third Party Claim so requires), the Indemnifying Party shall notify the Indemnitee of its election whether the Indemnifying Party will assume

 

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responsibility for defending such Third Party Claim, which election shall specify any reservations or exceptions. The failure to give such notice of election by the end of the 30-day period shall be deemed a rejection of the opportunity to assume responsibility. After notice from an Indemnifying Party to an Indemnitee of its election to assume the defense of a Third Party Claim (or in the case where Noble, as the Indemnitee or on behalf of a member of the Noble Group as the Indemnitee, elects to defend a Third Party Claim pursuant to paragraph (c)(i) or (c)(ii), after notice from Noble to the Indemnifying Party), such non-defending party shall have the right to employ separate counsel and to participate in (but not control) the defense, compromise or settlement thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such non-defending party.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 3.7(b), Noble, in its sole discretion, upon written notice delivered to Paragon at any point during the pendency of a Third Party Claim (which notice shall include Noble’s basis for electing to defend such Third Party Claim and whether or not Noble has specified, and continues to assert, any reservations or exceptions with respect to such Third Party Claim), may elect to defend or assume the defense of (and to settle or compromise or to reject any proposed settlement or compromise) any Third Party Claim (or series of related Third Party Claims):

(i) that relates in any way to the Paragon Business or the Paragon Liabilities if a member of the Noble Group is named a party thereto and if (x) Noble’s general counsel determines in good faith that the ability of a member of the Noble Group to conduct its business could be impaired in any significantly adverse manner as a result of any injunctive relief sought or (y) an adverse resolution of such Third Party Claim (or series of related Third Party Claims) presents in the good faith judgment of Noble’s General Counsel a reasonable risk of having a material adverse effect on the business, operations, financial condition, results of operations or prospects of the Noble Group, taken as a whole, in which case (A) Noble or one of its Subsidiaries shall pay all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the defense of such Third Party Claim if Noble or one of its Subsidiaries is the Indemnifying Party with respect to such Third Party Claim or (B) such costs and expenses shall be included in Noble’s or one of its Subsidiaries’ Losses if Paragon or one of its Subsidiaries is the Indemnifying Party with respect to such Third Party Claim; or

(ii) with respect to which both Parties, or a member of the Paragon Group and a member of the Noble Group, may be Indemnifying Parties, and to which paragraph (i) above does not apply and as to which, in the good faith judgment of the General Counsel of Noble the portion of the aggregate Liability that is the responsibility of the Noble Group (after taking into account indemnification obligations hereunder) equals or exceeds the portion of such Liability that is the responsibility of the Paragon Group.

Noble shall have the right to settle or compromise (or the right to approve or reject any proposed settlement or compromise) any Third Party Claim described above in clause (c)(i) or (ii) even if it does not elect to defend or assume the defense of such Third Party Claim. Regardless of whether Noble elects to defend or assume the defense of the Third Party Claim described in this

 

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Section 3.7(c), (x) Paragon shall provide Noble with copies of all pleadings, briefs, correspondence and other documents related to the Third Party Claim, and shall provide Noble an opportunity to review, discuss, comment on and approve any such documents prepared by Paragon or its counsel prior to their submission, (y) Noble shall have the right to participate in any discussions regarding strategy or planning with respect to such Third Party Claim, and (z) Noble shall be entitled to approve the retention of any expert witnesses or consultants with respect to such Third Party Claim; provided, however, that subject to Section 6.7 hereof, nothing in this Section 3.7(c) shall be deemed to require Paragon to make available to Noble or its advisors any Privileged Information of Paragon unrelated to the dispute with the third party forming the basis of the applicable Third Party Claim or not otherwise reasonably necessary or advisable for the defense of such Third Party Claim.

(d) A Party’s defense of any Third Party Claim pursuant to Section 3.7(b) or (c) includes the right (after consultation with the other Party following at least five Business Days’ written notice thereof) to compromise, settle or consent to the entry of any judgment or determination of liability concerning such Third Party Claim; provided, however, that the Indemnifying Party shall not compromise, settle or consent to the entry of judgment or determination of liability concerning any Third Party Claim without prior written approval by the Indemnitee (which may not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) if the terms or conditions of such compromise, settlement or consent would, in the reasonable judgment of the Indemnitee, have a material adverse financial impact or a material adverse effect upon the ongoing operations of the Indemnitee. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 3.7, unless otherwise agreed to by the Parties in writing (which agreement may not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), neither Party shall enter into any compromise or settlement or consent to the entry of any judgment which does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the third party of a release of both the Indemnitee and the Indemnifying Party from all further liability concerning such Third Party Claim.

(e) If the Party having the right to elect to defend a particular Third Party Claim pursuant to Section 3.7(b) or (c) elects, or is deemed to have elected, not to defend a particular Third Party Claim, the other Party may defend such Third Party Claim without any prejudice to its rights to indemnification from the Indemnifying Party pursuant to this Article III. In such case, (i) such other Party shall have the right to compromise, settle or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to such Third Party Claim as provided for and subject to the conditions in Section 3.7(c) and (d) and (ii) the amount of such compromise, settlement or judgment shall be determinative of the amount of the Loss (but such compromise, settlement or judgment shall not necessarily be determinative of which party hereunder is entitled to indemnification).

(f) The Indemnifying Party shall bear all costs and expenses of defending any Third Party Claim; provided, however, that (A) if Noble elects to defend any Third Party Claim or series of related Third Party Claims pursuant to the last sentence of Section 3.7(b) and Noble is not an Indemnifying Party with respect thereto, Paragon shall reimburse Noble promptly upon demand by Noble for all out-of-pocket costs and expenses reasonably incurred in connection with Noble’s defense of such Third Party Claim and (B) if both Parties may be Indemnifying Parties with respect to such Third Party Claim, the non-defending Party shall reimburse the defending Party promptly upon demand by the defending party for the non-defending Party’s proportionate share, allocated based on each Party’s proportionate responsibility for the Indemnifiable Loss pursuant to this Agreement, of all out-of-pocket costs and expenses reasonably incurred in connection with the defending Party’s defense of such Third Party Claim.

 

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(g) The non-defending Party shall make available to the defending Party and its counsel all employees, books and records, communications, documents, items or matters within its knowledge, possession or control that are necessary, appropriate or reasonably deemed relevant by the defending Party with respect to such defense; provided, however, that subject to Section 3.7(c) and Section 6.7 hereof, nothing in this Section 3.7(g) shall be deemed to require a Party to make available books and records, communications, documents or items which (i) in such Party’s good faith judgment could result in a waiver of any Privilege with respect to a third party even if Paragon and Noble cooperated to protect such Privilege as contemplated by this Agreement or (ii) such Party is not permitted to make available because of any Law or any confidentiality obligation to a third party, in which case such Party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to seek a waiver of or other relief from such confidentiality restriction.

(h) Upon final judgment, determination, settlement or compromise of any Third Party Claim, and unless otherwise agreed by the Parties in writing, the Indemnifying Party shall pay promptly on behalf of the Indemnitee, or to the Indemnitee in reimbursement of any amount theretofore required to be paid by it, all amounts required to be paid by the Indemnifying Party pursuant to this Article III with respect to such claim as determined by such final judgment, determination, settlement or compromise.

(i) Notwithstanding the foregoing, for any legal proceeding which has been allocated as a “shared” Liability on Schedule 1.1(o), the Parties shall cooperate to identify which Party shall assume responsibility for the defense of such claim and subparagraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 3.7 shall not apply to such claim.

3.8 Additional Matters .

(a) Any claim for indemnification hereunder on account of a Loss which does not result from a Third Party Claim shall be asserted by written notice given by the Indemnitee to the Indemnifying Party. Any such notice shall describe the claim in reasonable detail. Such Indemnifying Party shall have a period of 30 days after the receipt of such notice within which to respond thereto. If such Indemnifying Party does not respond within such 30-day period, such Indemnifying Party shall be deemed to have refused to accept responsibility to make payment. If such Indemnifying Party does not respond within such 30-day period or rejects such claim in whole or in part, such Indemnitee shall be free to pursue such remedies as may be available to such Party as contemplated by this Agreement.

(b) In the event of payment by or on behalf of any Indemnifying Party to any Indemnitee in connection with any Third Party Claim, such Indemnifying Party shall be subrogated to and shall stand in the place of such Indemnitee in respect of any rights, defenses or claims of such Indemnitee relating to such Third Party Claim. Such Indemnitee shall cooperate with such Indemnifying Party as may reasonably be required in connection with the prosecution of any subrogated right, defense or claim, and its reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses in connection therewith shall be reimbursed by the Indemnifying Party.

 

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(c) In the event of an Action involving a Third Party Claim in which the Indemnitee is a named defendant, if either the Indemnitee or Indemnifying Party shall so request, the Parties shall endeavor to cause the Indemnitee not to remain a named defendant, if reasonably practicable.

(d) Except as expressly provided herein, the indemnity obligations under this Article III shall apply notwithstanding any investigation made by or on behalf of any Indemnitee and shall apply without regard to whether the Loss for which indemnity is claimed hereunder is based on strict liability, absolute liability or any other theory of liability or arises as an obligation for contribution.

(e) THE PARTIES UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT THE RELEASE FROM LIABILITIES AND INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER AND IN THE ANCILLARY AGREEMENTS ARE INTENDED TO APPLY REGARDLESS OF CAUSE AND MAY INCLUDE RELEASE FROM LIABILITIES, INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION FOR LOSSES RESULTING FROM, OR ARISING OUT OF, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, AND IN WHOLE OR IN PART, AN INDEMNITEE’S OWN NEGLIGENCE (WHETHER SOLE, JOINT OR CONCURRENT OR ACTIVE OR PASSIVE), GROSS NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHER LEGAL FAULT.

(f) The provisions of Sections 3.2 through 3.8 shall not apply to Taxes (which are governed by the Tax Sharing Agreement), to employee benefits matters expressly provided for under the Employee Matters Agreement (which are governed by the Employee Matters Agreement) or to services provided under the Transition Services Agreement or the Brazil Transition Services Agreement (which are governed, respectively, by the Transition Services Agreement and the Brazil Transition Services Agreement.

3.9 Contribution . If the indemnification provided for in this Article III is unavailable to an Indemnitee in respect of any Losses for which indemnification is provided for herein, then the Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnitee, shall contribute to the Losses paid or payable by such Indemnitee as a result of such Indemnifiable Loss, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of Paragon and each other member of the Paragon Group, on the one hand, and Noble and each other member of the Noble Group, on the other hand, in connection with the circumstances which resulted in such Indemnifiable Loss. For purposes of this Section 3.9, with respect to any Loss relating to matters covered by Section 3.3(d) or Section 3.4(e) or otherwise relating to misstatements or omissions under securities or antifraud laws, the relative fault of a member of the Paragon Group, on the one hand, and of a member of the Noble Group, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact (i) relates to a member of the Paragon Group or a member of the Noble Group and (ii) relates to information that was supplied by a member of the Paragon Group or a member of the Noble Group.

3.10 Remedies Cumulative . The remedies provided in this Article III shall be cumulative and, subject to the provisions of Article VI, shall not preclude assertion by any Indemnitee of any other rights or the seeking of any and all other remedies against any Indemnifying Party.

 

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3.11 Survival of Indemnities . The rights and obligations of each of Noble and Paragon and their respective Indemnitees under this Article III shall survive the sale or other transfer by any party of any Assets or businesses or the assignment by it of any Liabilities.

3.12 Indemnification of Directors and Officers . For purpose of Sections 3.3 through 3.11, inclusive, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Persons who serve as officers or directors of both Paragon and Noble shall be deemed both Paragon Indemnitees and Noble Indemnitees.

3.13 Limitation of Liability . EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT SPECIFICALLY PROVIDED IN ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT, IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY MEMBER OF THE NOBLE GROUP OR THE PARAGON GROUP OR THEIR RESPECTIVE DIRECTORS, OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES BE LIABLE TO ANY OTHER MEMBER OF THE NOBLE GROUP OR THE PARAGON GROUP UNDER, IN CONNECTION WITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, SPECIAL, INDIRECT, REMOTE OR SPECULATIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING LOST PROFITS OR REVENUE, HOWEVER CAUSED AND REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OF THE ACTION OR THE THEORY OF RECOVERY (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), EVEN IF SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE FOREGOING LIMITATIONS SHALL NOT LIMIT EACH PARTY’S INDEMNIFICATION OBLIGATIONS FOR LIABILITIES TO THIRD PARTIES AS SET FORTH IN THIS ARTICLE III OR ANY ANCILLARY AGREEMENT.

ARTICLE IV

THE DISTRIBUTION

4.1 Delivery to Distribution Agent . Subject to Section 4.3, on or prior to the Distribution Date, Noble will deliver to Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as distribution agent (the “Distribution Agent”), for the benefit of holders of record of Noble Ordinary Shares at the close of business on the Record Date (the “Record Holders”) a stock certificate representing (or authorize the related book-entry transfer of) all outstanding shares of Paragon Ordinary Shares and will order the Distribution Agent to effect the Distribution at the Distribution Time in the manner set forth in Section 4.2.

4.2 Mechanics of the Distribution .

(a) On the Distribution Date, Noble will direct the Distribution Agent to distribute, at the Distribution Time, to each Record Holder one Paragon Ordinary Share for each three Noble Ordinary Shares held by such Record Holder; except that the Distribution Agent will not issue any fractional shares of Paragon Ordinary Shares and will distribute cash in lieu of fractional shares as provided in Section 4.2(b). All of the shares of Paragon Ordinary Shares so issued will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. The Distribution will be effective as of the Distribution Time.

 

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(b) Noble will direct the Distribution Agent to determine, as soon as is practicable after the Distribution Date, the number of fractional shares, if any, of Paragon Ordinary Shares allocable to each Record Holder entitled to receive Paragon Ordinary Shares in the Distribution and to promptly aggregate all the fractional shares and sell the whole shares obtained thereby, in open market transactions or otherwise, at the then-prevailing trading prices, and to cause to be distributed to each Record Holder, in lieu of any fractional share, each Record Holder’s ratable share of the proceeds of the sale, after making appropriate deductions of the amounts required to be withheld for federal income tax purposes and after deducting an amount equal to all brokerage charges, commissions and transfer taxes attributed to the sale.

(c) Any Paragon Ordinary Shares or cash in lieu of fractional shares with respect to Paragon Ordinary Shares that remains unclaimed by any Record Holder on the first anniversary of the Distribution Date will be delivered to Paragon. Paragon will hold the Paragon Ordinary Shares or cash for the account of the Record Holder and any Record Holder will look only to Paragon for the Paragon Ordinary Shares or cash, if any, in lieu of fractional shares, subject in each case to applicable escheat or other abandoned property Laws.

(d) Noble shall mail or cause to be mailed to the Record Holders, on or prior to the Distribution Date, the Distribution Information Statement.

4.3 Conditions Precedent to Consummation of the Distribution . The Parties shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to satisfy the conditions listed below for the consummation of the Distribution as soon as practicable. The obligations of the Parties to use their commercially reasonable efforts to consummate the Distribution shall be conditioned on the satisfaction, or waiver by Noble, of the following conditions:

(a) The consummation of the Separation shall have been completed.

(b) The Form 10 shall have been filed with and declared effective by the Commission, and there shall be no stop order in effect with respect thereto.

(c) The actions and filings with regard to state securities and blue sky laws of the United States (and any comparable laws under any foreign jurisdictions) shall have been taken and, where applicable, have become effective or been accepted.

(d) The Paragon Ordinary Shares to be distributed in the Distribution shall have been accepted for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance.

(e) The Paragon Ordinary Shares shall have been accepted for inclusion for Depository Trust Company’s depository and book-entry transfer services.

(f) Noble shall be satisfied, in its sole discretion, that to Noble’s actual knowledge (with no duty to investigate), (i) all other conditions to permit the Distribution to qualify as a tax-free distribution to Parent’s shareholders shall, to the extent applicable as of the time of the Distribution, be satisfied, and (ii) there shall be no event or condition that is likely to cause any of such conditions not to be satisfied as of the time of the Distribution or thereafter.

 

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(g) Paragon shall have been re-registered as a public limited company.

(h) Any material Consents necessary to consummate the Distribution shall have been obtained and be in full force and effect.

(i) No preliminary or permanent injunction or other order, decree, or ruling issued by a Governmental Authority, and no statute (as interpreted through orders or rules of any Governmental Authority duly authorized to effectuate the statute), rule, regulation or executive order promulgated or enacted by any Governmental Authority will be in effect preventing, or materially limiting the benefits of, the Separation or the Distribution.

(j) Such other actions as the parties hereto may, based upon the advice of counsel, reasonably request to be taken prior to the Distribution in order to assure the successful completion of the Distribution shall have been taken.

(k) This Agreement and all Ancillary Agreements shall have been executed and delivered by each of the parties thereto, shall not have been terminated, shall not violate, conflict with or result in a breach (with or without the passage of time) of any Law or any material agreements of Noble or any of its Subsidiaries, and Paragon shall not be in material breach of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement.

(l) The Board of Directors of Parent shall have approved the Distribution.

Each of the conditions set forth in this Section 4.3 is for the benefit of Noble, and Noble may, in its sole and absolute discretion, determine whether to waive any condition, in whole or in part. Any determination made by Noble concerning the satisfaction or waiver of any or all of the conditions in this Section 4.3 will be conclusive and binding on the Parties.

ARTICLE V

ARBITRATION; DISPUTE RESOLUTION

5.1 Agreement to Arbitrate . Except as otherwise specifically provided in any Ancillary Agreement, the procedures for discussion, negotiation and arbitration set forth in this Article V shall apply to any dispute, controversy or claim (whether sounding in contract, tort or otherwise) that arises out of or relates to, this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, any alleged breach hereof or thereof, or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (including all actions taken in furtherance of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby on or prior to the date hereof), the construction, interpretation, enforcement or validity hereof or thereof (a “Dispute”). Each Party agrees on behalf of itself and each member of its respective Group that the procedures set forth in this Article V shall be the sole and exclusive remedy in connection with any Dispute and irrevocably waives any right to commence any Action in or before any Governmental Authority, except (i) as expressly provided in Section 5.7(b), (ii) to the extent provided for under the Federal Arbitration Act and (iii) as required by applicable Law. Each Party on behalf of itself and each member of its respective Group irrevocably waives any right to any trial by jury with respect to any Dispute to which this Section 5.1 applies. As used in the following provisions of this Article V, any reference to “party” or “parties” shall mean and refer to a party or parties involved in a Dispute.

 

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5.2 Escalation .

(a) It is the intent of the Parties to use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to resolve expeditiously any Dispute that may arise on a mutually acceptable negotiated basis. In furtherance of the foregoing, any party involved in a Dispute shall deliver a notice (an “Escalation Notice”) demanding an in-person meeting involving representatives of the parties at a senior level of management of the parties (or if the parties agree, of the appropriate strategic business unit or division within such entity). A copy of any such Escalation Notice shall be given to the General Counsel, or if one does not exist, the President or Chief Executive Officer, of each party involved in the Dispute (which copy shall state that it is an Escalation Notice pursuant to this Agreement). Any agenda, location or procedures for such discussions or negotiations between the parties may be established by the parties from time to time; provided, however, that the parties shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to meet within 30 days of the delivery of the Escalation Notice.

(b) The parties may, by mutual consent, select a mediator to aid the parties in their discussions and negotiations. Any opinion expressed by the mediator shall be strictly advisory and shall not be binding on the parties, nor shall any opinion expressed by the mediator be admissible in any arbitration proceedings. Costs of the mediation shall be borne equally by the parties involved in the Dispute, except that each party shall be responsible for its own expenses. Mediation is not a prerequisite to a demand for arbitration under Section 5.3.

 

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5.3 Demand for Arbitration . Any Dispute that has not been resolved within 45 days after the delivery of an Escalation Notice shall be resolved by final and binding arbitration pursuant to the then current Commercial Arbitration Rules (the “AAA Rules”) of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”), except as modified by the provisions of this Article V. At any time 45 days after the delivery of an Escalation Notice, any party involved in the related Dispute (regardless of whether such party delivered the Escalation Notice) may deliver a notice demanding arbitration of such Dispute (an “Arbitration Demand Notice”). In the event that any party shall deliver an Arbitration Demand Notice to the other party, such other party may itself deliver an Arbitration Demand Notice to such first party. No party may assert that the failure to resolve any matter during any discussions or negotiations, the course of conduct during the discussions or negotiations or the failure to agree on a mutually acceptable time, agenda, location or procedures for the meeting, in each case, as contemplated by Section 5.2, precludes a demand for arbitration under this Section 5.3. In the event that any party delivers an Arbitration Demand Notice with respect to any Dispute that is the subject of any then pending arbitration proceeding or of a previously delivered Arbitration Demand Notice, all such Disputes shall be resolved in the arbitration proceeding for which an Arbitration Demand Notice was first delivered unless the arbitrators in their sole discretion determine that it is impracticable or otherwise inadvisable to do so.

5.4 Arbitrators .

(a) The Party delivering the Arbitration Demand Notice shall notify the AAA and the other Party in writing describing in reasonable detail the nature of the dispute. Within 20 days of the date of the Arbitration Demand Notice, each party to the dispute shall select one neutral AAA arbitrator to serve on the panel and provide written notice of that selection to the other Party. Neutral shall mean impartial and independent under Rule 18 of the AAA Rules. The party-selected arbitrators shall select the third arbitrator who shall be neutral, experienced in complex commercial arbitration, and the chair of the panel. If the party-selected arbitrators are unable to agree upon the selection of the third arbitrator, then the third arbitrator shall be selected by the AAA within 45 days of the date of the Arbitration Demand Notice. In the event an arbitrator is unable to serve, his replacement will be selected in the same manner as the arbitrator to be replaced. The parties may engage in ex parte communications with their party-selected arbitrator to the extent necessary to facilitate the selection of that arbitrator. In addition, the parties may engage in ex parte communications with their party-selected arbitrator relating to the selection of the third arbitrator. All other ex parte communications between the parties and any member of the arbitration panel are prohibited. A vote of two of the three arbitrators shall be required for any decision under this Article V.

(b) The arbitrators will set a time for the hearing of the matter, which will commence no later than 180 days after the date of appointment of the third arbitrator and which hearing will be no longer than 15 days (unless in the judgment of the arbitrator the matter is unusually complex and sophisticated and thereby requires a longer time, in which event such hearing shall be no longer than 30 days). The arbitrators shall use their best efforts to reach a final decision and render the same in writing to the parties not later than 60 days after the last hearing date, unless otherwise agreed by the parties in writing. Failure of the arbitrators to do so, however, shall not be a basis for challenging the decision.

 

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(c) The place of any arbitration hereunder will be Houston, Texas and the language of any arbitration hereunder will be in English, unless otherwise agreed by the parties. Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, the arbitration hearing will be conducted on consecutive weekdays.

5.5 Hearings . Within the time period specified in Section 5.4(b), the matter shall be presented to the arbitrators at a hearing, which may include live cross-examination or direct examination, and through post-hearing briefs, if deemed helpful by the Arbitrators or both the parties. If the arbitrators deem it to be essential to a fair resolution of the dispute, live cross-examination or direct examination may be permitted, but it is not generally contemplated to be necessary. The arbitrators shall actively manage the arbitration with a view to achieving a just, speedy and cost-effective resolution of the Dispute (including appropriate consideration of summary judgment style disposition). The arbitrators may, in their discretion, set time and other limits on the presentation of each party’s case, any memoranda or other submissions, and refuse to receive any proffered evidence, which the arbitrators, in their discretion, find to be cumulative, unnecessary, irrelevant or of low probative nature. The decision of the arbitrators will be final and binding on the parties, and judgment thereon may be had and will be enforceable in any court having jurisdiction over the parties. Arbitration awards will bear interest at an annual rate of the Prime Rate plus 2% per annum, subject to any maximum amount permitted by applicable Law. To the extent that the provisions of this Agreement and the AAA Rules conflict, the provisions of this Agreement shall govern.

5.6 Discovery and Certain Other Matters .

(a) Any party involved in a Dispute subject to this Article V may request limited document production from the other party or parties of specific and expressly relevant documents, with the reasonable expenses of the producing party incurred in such production paid by the requesting party. Any such discovery (which right to documents shall be substantially less than document discovery rights prevailing under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure) shall be conducted expeditiously and shall not cause the hearing provided for in Section 5.5 to be adjourned except upon consent of all parties involved in the applicable Dispute or upon an extraordinary showing of cause demonstrating that such adjournment is necessary to permit discovery essential to a party to the proceeding. Depositions, interrogatories or other forms of discovery (other than the document production set forth above) shall not occur except by consent of the parties involved in the applicable Dispute or upon determination by the arbitrators that depositions are essential to a fair resolution of the Dispute. Disputes concerning the scope of document production and enforcement of the document production requests will be determined by written agreement of the parties involved in the applicable dispute or, failing such agreement, will be referred to the arbitrators for resolution. All discovery requests will be subject to the parties’ rights to claim any applicable privilege. The arbitrators will adopt procedures to protect the proprietary rights of the parties and to maintain the confidential treatment of the arbitration proceedings (except as may be required by applicable Law). Subject to the foregoing, the arbitrators shall have the power to issue subpoenas to compel the production of documents and the appearance of witnesses relevant to the Dispute.

 

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(b) The arbitrators shall have full power and authority to determine issues of arbitrability but shall otherwise be limited to interpreting or construing the applicable provisions of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, and will have no authority or power to limit, expand, alter, amend, modify, revoke or suspend any condition or provision of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement; it being understood, however, that the arbitrators will have full authority to implement the provisions of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, and to fashion appropriate remedies for breaches of this Agreement (including interim or permanent injunctive relief). It is the intention of the parties that in rendering a decision the arbitrators give effect to the applicable provisions of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and follow applicable Law (it being understood and agreed that this sentence shall not give rise to a right of judicial review of the arbitrators’ award).

(c) If a party fails or refuses to appear at and participate in an arbitration hearing after due notice, the arbitrators may hear and determine the Dispute upon evidence produced by the appearing party.

(d) Without limiting the generality of Section 6.7, each party shall bear its own expenses in connection with any arbitration under this Article V, including attorney fees and the costs of witnesses selected by such party; provided, that the parties shall share equally the fees and expenses of the arbitrators.

5.7 Certain Additional Matters .

(a) Any arbitration award shall be an award with a holding in favor of or against a party and shall include findings as to facts, issues or conclusions of Law (including with respect to any matters relating to the validity or infringement of patents or patent applications) and shall include a statement of the reasoning on which the award rests. The award must also be in adequate form so that a judgment of a court may be entered thereupon. Judgment upon any arbitration award hereunder may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.

(b) Regardless of whether an Escalation Notice has been delivered, at any time prior to the time at which the arbitrator panel has been appointed pursuant to Section 5.4, any party may seek one or more temporary restraining orders or other injunctive relief in a court of competent jurisdiction if necessary in order to preserve and protect the status quo. Neither the request for, nor the grant or denial of, any such temporary restraining order or other injunctive relief shall be deemed a waiver of the obligation to arbitrate as set forth herein, and the arbitrators may dissolve, continue or modify any such order. Any such temporary restraining order or other injunctive relief shall remain in effect until the first to occur of the expiration of the order in accordance with its terms or the dissolution thereof by the arbitrators.

(c) Except as required by applicable Law, the parties shall hold, and shall cause their respective officers, directors, employees, agents and other representatives to hold, the existence, content and result of discussions, negotiations, mediation or arbitration in confidence under this Article in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.10 and except as may be required in order to enforce any award. Each of the parties shall request that any mediator or arbitrator comply with such confidentiality requirement.

5.8 Continuity of Service and Performance . Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the parties will continue to provide service and honor all other commitments under this Agreement and each Ancillary Agreement during the course of dispute resolution pursuant to the provisions of this Article V.

 

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5.9 Law Governing Arbitration Procedures . The interpretation of the provisions of this Article V, only insofar as they relate to the agreement to arbitrate and any procedures pursuant thereto, shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act and other applicable U.S. federal Law. In all other respects, the interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed as set forth in Section 7.2.

ARTICLE VI

COVENANTS AND OTHER MATTERS

6.1 Other Agreements . In addition to the specific agreements, documents and instruments annexed to this Agreement, Noble and Paragon agree to execute or cause to be executed by the appropriate parties and deliver, as appropriate, such other agreements, instruments and other documents as may be reasonably requested by any Party and necessary or desirable in order to effect the purposes of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.

6.2 Further Instruments . Subject to Section 2.4, at the request of either Paragon or Noble and without payment of any further consideration, the other Party will execute and deliver, and will cause the members of their applicable Groups to execute and deliver, to the requesting Party and members of the applicable Group such other instruments of transfer, conveyance, assignment, substitution and confirmation and to make all filings with, and to obtain all consents, approvals or authorizations of, any Governmental Authority or any other Person under any permit, license, agreement, indenture or other instrument, and take such other actions as the requesting Party may reasonably deem necessary or desirable in order more effectively to transfer, convey and assign to the requesting Party and its applicable Group and confirm the requesting Party’s and its applicable Group’s title to all of the Assets contemplated to be transferred to the requesting Party and its applicable Group pursuant to this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements, any documents referred to therein and any Prior Transfers, to put the requesting Party and its applicable Group in actual possession and operating control thereof and to permit the requesting Party and its applicable Group to exercise all rights with respect thereto (including rights under Contracts and other arrangements as to which the consent of any third party to the transfer thereof shall not have previously been obtained), free and clear of any security interest, if and to the extent it is practicable to do so. At the request of either Paragon or Noble and without payment of any further consideration, the other Party will execute and deliver, and will cause the members of its applicable Group to execute and deliver, to the requesting Party and its applicable Group all instruments, assumptions, novations, undertakings, substitutions or other documents and take such other action as the requesting Party may reasonably deem necessary or desirable in order to have the other Party fully and unconditionally assume and discharge the Liabilities contemplated to be assumed by such Party under this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement, any document in connection herewith or the Prior Transfers and to relieve the Paragon Group or the Noble Group, as applicable, of any Liability or obligation with respect thereto and evidence the same to third parties. Neither Noble nor Paragon (or their respective Groups) shall be obligated, in connection with the foregoing, to expend money other than reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, attorneys’ fees and recording or

 

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similar fees. Furthermore, each Party, at the request of any other Party, shall execute and deliver such other instruments and do and perform such other acts and things as may be necessary or desirable for effecting completely the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or by the Prior Transfers.

6.3 Provision of Corporate Records .

As soon as practicable after the Distribution Date, subject to the provisions of this Section 6.3, and subject to the provisions of the Transition Services Agreement, Noble shall use commercially reasonable efforts to deliver or make available for Paragon to take possession of or cause to be delivered to Paragon all Paragon Books and Records in the possession of Noble or any of its Subsidiaries, and Paragon shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to deliver or make available for Noble to take possession of or cause to be delivered to Noble all Noble Books and Records in the possession of Paragon or any of its Subsidiaries. All such book and records delivered or made available under this Section 6.3 shall be in the form and media existing on the Distribution Date. The foregoing shall be limited by, and subject to, the following:

(a) For purposes of this Section 6.3, “commercially reasonable efforts” shall require only deliveries of specific and discrete books and records or a reasonably limited class of items requested by the other Party that can be subdivided without unreasonable effort or cost into two portions, one of which constitutes a Paragon Book and Record and the other of which constitutes a Noble Book and Record. To the extent any book or record cannot be so separated without unreasonable effort or cost, (i) there shall be no delivery requirement under this Section 6.3 (although Paragon may request access to such book or record in accordance with Section 6.4), (ii) Noble shall retain such book and record and (iii) Paragon may request that any Paragon Book and Record be copied if Paragon reimburses Noble for the reasonable out-of-pocket costs, if any, of creating, gathering and copying such books and records, including the costs of having a third party perform such creating, gathering and copying.

(b) Each Party may retain copies of books and records delivered to the other, subject to holding in confidence in accordance with Section 6.10 information contained in such books and records.

(c) Each Party may in good faith refuse to furnish any Information if it believes in good faith that doing so could result in a waiver of any Privilege with respect to a third party even if Paragon and Noble cooperated to protect such Privilege as contemplated by this Agreement.

(d) Neither Party shall be required to deliver or make available to the other books and records or portions thereof which are subject to any applicable Law or confidentiality agreements which would by their terms prohibit such delivery; provided, however, if requested by one Party, the other Party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to seek a waiver of or other relief from any such confidentiality restriction.

(e) To the extent any Noble Books and Records or Paragon Books and Records are subject to restrictions or limitations set forth the Employee Matters Agreement or the Tax Sharing Agreement, such restrictions and limitations shall apply to such Noble Books and Records or Paragon Books and Records, notwithstanding any provisions of this Agreement.

 

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6.4 Agreement for Exchange of Information . Subject to any limitations or restrictions pursuant to any applicable Law, from and after the Distribution Date for a period of ten years, each of Noble and Paragon agrees to provide or make available, or cause to be provided or make available, to each other as soon as reasonably practicable after written request therefor (except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or in any Ancillary Agreement, at the sole cost and expense of the requesting party), any Information in the possession or under the control of such Party or a member of its applicable Group that the requesting Party reasonably needs (i) to comply with reporting, disclosure, filing or other requirements, requests or Laws imposed on the requesting Party (including under applicable securities Laws) by a Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the requesting Party, (ii) for use in any pending or threatened judicial, regulatory, arbitration, mediation or other proceeding or investigation or in order to satisfy audit requirements (whether in connection with audits conducted by independent accounting firms, internal audits, or audits conducted by third parties entitled to do so by Contract, including customers and vendors), or in connection with accounting, claims, insurance, regulatory, litigation or other similar requirements, except in the case of a Dispute subject to Article V (which shall be governed by such discovery rules as may be applicable under Article V), or (iii) to comply with its obligations under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement; provided, however, that in the event that any Party determines that any such provision (or making available) of Information is reasonably likely to be commercially detrimental, violate any Law or Contract, or waive any Privilege with respect to a third party, the Parties shall take all reasonable measures to permit the compliance with such obligations in a manner that avoids any such harm or consequence.

(a) After the Distribution Date, (i) each Party shall maintain in effect at its own cost and expense adequate systems and controls for its business to the extent necessary to enable the other Party to satisfy its reporting, accounting, audit and other obligations, and (ii) each Party shall as soon as reasonably practicable, provide, or cause to be provided, to the other Party and its Subsidiaries (in such form as the providing Party retains such Information for its own use), all financial and other data and Information in such Party’s possession or control as the requesting Party determines necessary or advisable in order to prepare its financial statements and reports or filings with any Governmental Authority. The Party requesting Information agrees to reimburse the Party providing Information for the reasonable out-of-pocket and internal allocated costs, if any, of creating, gathering and copying such Information (other than information provided pursuant to Section 6.5), including the costs of having a third party perform such creating, gathering and copying.

(b) Any Information owned by a Party that is provided to a requesting Party pursuant to this Section 6.4 shall be deemed to remain the property of the providing Party. Unless specifically set forth herein, nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as granting or conferring rights of license or otherwise in any such Information.

(c) To facilitate the possible exchange of Information pursuant to this Section 6.4 and other provisions of this Agreement after the Distribution Date, except as otherwise provided in any Ancillary Agreement, each Party agrees to use its commercially

 

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reasonable efforts to retain all Information in its respective possession or control on the Distribution Date substantially in accordance with its policies as in effect on the Distribution Date (which, for Paragon and its Subsidiaries, shall be deemed to be Noble’s policies). Except as set forth in the Tax Sharing Agreement, in the event that Paragon amends its retention policy within three (3) years after the Distribution Date, Paragon must give thirty days’ prior written notice of such change in the policy to Noble. No Party will destroy, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to destroy, any Information that exists on the Distribution Date (other than Information that is permitted to be destroyed under the current record retention policy described above) prior to the tenth anniversary of the date of this Agreement without first using its commercially reasonable efforts to notify the other Party of the proposed destruction and giving the other Party the opportunity to take possession of such Information prior to such destruction.

(d) Except as otherwise provided for herein or in any Ancillary Agreement, neither Party shall have any liability to the other Party or any member of its respective Group or other Affiliates in the event that any Information exchanged or provided pursuant to this Section 6.4 is found to be inaccurate or incomplete (including by misstatement or omission), in the absence of willful misconduct or fraud by the Party providing such Information; provided, that Paragon shall be strictly liable for any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, with respect to all Information contained in Information supplied to Noble in connection with its filings under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other applicable securities Laws, the preparation of its financial statements or the preparation of any other public disclosures (as well as for the failure to provide such Information). Except as provided in the foregoing sentence, no Party shall have any liability to any other Party if any Information is destroyed or lost after commercially reasonable efforts by such Party to comply with the provisions of Section 6.4(c).

(e) The rights and obligations granted under this Section 6.4 are subject to any specific limitations, qualifications or additional provisions on the sharing, exchange or confidential treatment of Information set forth in this Agreement and any Ancillary Agreement and to such procedures for the handling of Information as a Party may reasonably impose to meet legal requirements under data privacy or similar laws.

(f) Each Party hereto shall, except in the case of a dispute subject to Article V brought by one Party against the other Party (which shall be governed by such discovery rules as may be applicable under Article V or otherwise), use its commercially reasonable efforts to make available to each other Party, upon written request, (i) the former, current and future directors, officers, employees, other personnel and agents of such Party for fact finding, consultation and interviews and as witnesses to the extent such Persons may reasonably be required in connection with any Actions (other than Actions in which both Noble or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and Paragon or any of its Subsidiaries, on the other hand, as the case may be, are Parties and may be adverse to one another in such Action) in which the requesting Party may from time to time be involved relating to the conduct of the Paragon Business or the Noble Business and (ii) any books, records or other documents within its control or which it otherwise has the ability to make available, to the extent that any such person (giving consideration to business demands of such directors, officers, employees, other personnel and agents) or books, records or other documents may reasonably be required in connection with any judicial proceeding or other

 

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proceeding in which the requesting Party may from time to time be involved, regardless of whether such judicial proceeding or other proceeding is a matter with respect to which indemnification may be sought hereunder. The requesting Party shall bear all costs and expenses in connection therewith.

6.5 Additional Financial Disclosure . Paragon will provide financial information to Noble so long as Noble or any other member of the Noble Group is required to include the results of operations and financial position of Paragon as part of such party’s financial statements filed with the Commission or filed with any statutory jurisdiction (determined in accordance with GAAP and/or IFRS, as applicable and consistent with Commission or statutory jurisdiction reporting requirements). Schedule 6.5 sets forth the particular items of information to be provided by Paragon in accordance with this Section 6.5 in respect of such periods.

6.6 Preservation of Legal Privileges .

(a) Noble and Paragon recognize that the members of their respective Groups possess and will possess information and advice that has been previously developed but is legally protected from disclosure under legal privileges, such as the attorney-client privilege or work product exemption and other concepts of legal privilege (“Privilege”). Each Party recognizes that it shall be jointly entitled to the Privilege with respect to such privileged information and that each shall be entitled to maintain and use for its own benefit all such information and advice, but both Parties shall ensure that such information is maintained so as to protect the Privileges with respect to the other Party’s interest. Noble and Paragon agree that their respective rights and obligations to maintain, preserve, assert or waive any or all Privileges belonging to either Party with respect to the Paragon Business or the Noble Business shall be governed by the provisions of this Section 6.6. With respect to matters relating to the Noble Business, Noble shall have sole authority in perpetuity to determine whether to assert or waive any or all Privileges, and Paragon shall take no action (or permit any of the members of its Group to take action) without the prior written consent of Noble that could result in any waiver of any Privilege that could be asserted by any member of the Noble Group under applicable Law and this Agreement. With respect to matters relating to the Paragon Business, Paragon shall have sole authority in perpetuity to determine whether to assert or waive any or all Privileges, and Noble shall take no action (or permit any of the members of its Group to take action) without the prior written consent of Paragon that could result in any waiver of any Privilege that could be asserted by any member of the Paragon Group under applicable Law and this Agreement. The rights and obligations created by this Section 6.6 shall apply to all Information as to which Noble or Paragon or their respective Groups would be entitled to assert or has asserted a Privilege without regard to the effect, if any, of the Separation (“Privileged Information”). Privileged Information of Noble includes (i) any and all Information existing prior to the Separation regarding the Noble Business but which after the Separation is in the possession of any member of the Paragon Group; (ii) all communications subject to a Privilege occurring prior to the Separation between counsel for any member of the Noble Group (including in-house counsel and former in-house counsel who are employees of any member of the Paragon Group) and any person who, at the time of the communication, was an employee of any member of the Noble Group, regardless of whether such employee is or becomes an employee of any member of the Paragon Group; and (iii) all Privileged Information generated, received or arising after the Distribution Date that refers or relates to Privileged Information generated, received or arising prior to the Distribution

 

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Date. Privileged Information of Paragon includes (i) any and all Privileged Information existing prior to the Separation regarding the Paragon Business but which after the Separation is in the possession of any member of the Noble Group; (ii) all communications subject to a Privilege occurring prior to the Separation between counsel for any member of the Paragon Group (including in-house counsel and former in-house counsel who are employees of any member of the Noble Group) and any person who, at the time of the communication, was an employee of any member of the Paragon Group, regardless of whether such employee is or becomes an employee of any member of the Noble Group; and (iii) all Privileged Information generated, received or arising after the Distribution Date that refers or relates to Privileged Information generated, received or arising prior to the Distribution Date.

(b) Upon receipt by Noble or Paragon, as the case may be, of any subpoena, discovery or other request from any third party that actually or arguably calls for the production or disclosure of Privileged Information of the other or if Noble or Paragon, as the case may be, obtains knowledge that any current or former employee of Noble or Paragon, as the case may be, has received any subpoena, discovery or other request from any third party that actually or arguably calls for the production or disclosure of Privileged Information of the other, Noble or Paragon, as the case may be, shall promptly notify the other of the existence of the request and shall provide the other a reasonable opportunity to review the Information and to assert any rights it may have under this Section 6.6 or otherwise to prevent the production or disclosure of Privileged Information. Noble or Paragon, as the case may be, will not produce or disclose to any third party any of the other’s Privileged Information under this Section 6.6 unless (A) the other has provided its express written consent to such production or disclosure, or (B) a court of competent jurisdiction has entered an order not subject to interlocutory appeal or review finding that the Information is not entitled to protection from disclosure under any applicable Privilege, doctrine or rule.

(c) Noble’s transfer of Paragon Books and Records and other Information to Paragon, Noble’s agreement to permit Paragon to obtain Information existing prior to the Separation, Paragon’s transfer of Noble Books and Records and other Information and Paragon’s agreement to permit Noble to obtain Information existing prior to the Separation are made in reliance on Noble’s and Paragon’s respective agreements, as set forth in Section 6.10 and this Section 6.6, to maintain the confidentiality of such Information and to take the steps provided herein for the preservation of all Privileges that may belong to or be asserted by Noble or Paragon, as the case may be. The access to Information being granted pursuant to Section 6.3 hereof, the agreement to provide witnesses and individuals pursuant to Section 6.4(f) hereof and the disclosure to Paragon and Noble of Privileged Information relating to the Paragon Business or the Noble Business pursuant to this Agreement in connection with the Separation shall not be asserted by Noble or Paragon to constitute, or otherwise be deemed, a waiver of any Privilege that has been or may be asserted under this Section 6.6 or otherwise. Nothing in this Agreement shall operate to reduce, minimize or condition the rights granted to Noble and Paragon in, or the obligations imposed upon Noble and Paragon by, this Section 6.6.

6.7 Payment of Expenses . Paragon shall pay all underwriting fees, discounts, including original issuance discounts, and commissions and any transfer Taxes and any other out-of-pocket costs and expenses costs incurred in connection with the Debt Financings. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements or any other agreement

 

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between the Parties relating to the Separation and the Distribution, all other out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Parties in connection with the preparation of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, the Separation and the Distribution shall be paid by Noble. Except as may otherwise be expressly set forth herein or in an Ancillary Agreement, the Paragon Group and the Noble Group shall perform their respective obligations under this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements at their own respective cost and expense.

6.8 Surety Instruments . On or after the Distribution Date, if any letters of credit, customs bonds, financial or surety bonds issued by third parties or other similar financial instruments issued by third Parties (collectively, “Surety Instruments”) for the account of Noble or any other member of the Noble Group issued on behalf of or for the benefit of the Paragon Business remain outstanding, or any Surety Instruments for the account of Paragon or any other member of the Paragon Group issued on behalf of or for the benefit of the Noble Business remain outstanding, the party benefiting from the Surety Instruments shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, use their respective best efforts to replace such Surety Instruments as promptly as practicable with Surety Instruments that are issued for its own account or the account of any of its Subsidiaries (or any combination thereof). Following the Distribution Date, (i) the party benefiting from such Surety Instruments shall indemnify and hold harmless the other party’s group for any Losses arising from or relating to such unreplaced Surety Instruments as set forth in Section 3.3 or 3.4, as applicable and (ii) the party benefiting from such Surety Instruments shall not, and shall not permit any members of its Group to, enter into, renew or extend the term of, increase its obligations under, or transfer to a third Party, any loan, lease, contract or other obligation in connection with which Noble or any other member of the Noble Group has issued, or caused to be issued, any Surety Instruments which remain outstanding. The Parties agree that neither party nor any members of their respective Groups will have any obligation to renew any Surety Instruments issued on behalf of a member of the other party’s group after the expiration of any such Surety Instruments, provided that nothing in this Section 6.8 shall prevent a party from renewing any Surety Instrument.

6.9 Guarantee Obligations .

(a) Noble and Paragon shall cooperate and Paragon shall use its best efforts to terminate, or to cause Paragon, one of its Subsidiaries, or one of its Affiliates to be substituted in all respects for Noble and any other member of the Noble Group in respect of, all obligations of Noble or any other member of the Noble Group under any Contract (other than Surety Instruments governed by Section 6.8) in existence as of the Distribution Date pertaining to the Paragon Business for which Noble or any other member of the Noble Group is or may be liable as guarantor (“Noble Guarantees”). If such a termination or substitution is not effected by the Distribution Date, (i) Paragon shall indemnify and hold harmless the Noble Group for any Losses arising from or relating to Noble Guarantees, and (ii) neither Noble nor any other member of the Noble Group will have any obligation to renew any Noble Guarantees after the expiration of such Noble Guarantees. To the extent that Noble or any other member of the Noble Group have performance obligations under any Noble Guarantee, Paragon will use its best efforts to (i) perform such obligations on behalf of Noble and the other member of the Noble Group or (ii) otherwise take such action as requested by Noble so as to put Noble and the other member of the Noble Group in the same position as if Paragon, and not Noble and the other member of the Noble Group, had performed or were performing such obligations. If Paragon is unable to be

 

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substituted in all respects for any of the Noble Guarantees within 10 days after a Change of Control of Paragon, upon the request of Noble, Paragon will cause letters of credit to be issued to Noble (or, as applicable, the other member of the Noble Group that are directly or contingently liable with respect thereto) by one or more financial institutions reasonably acceptable to Noble to provide, in each case, Noble (or, as applicable, any member of the Noble Group) with prompt cash reimbursement, in full, in the event of any event giving rise to any payment obligation on the part of Noble or any other member of the Noble Group with respect to any such Noble Guarantee, for so long as such Noble Guarantees remain outstanding or in effect.

(b) To the extent covenants and agreements contained in any Contract (including any loan or credit agreement, indenture or other financing document) in effect on the date of this Agreement (or any successor agreement) to which any member of the Noble Group is a party require, or require such party to cause, any member of the Paragon Group to take or refrain from taking any action, or provides for a default or event of default or would result in the creation or maintenance of any Lien on any Noble Asset or Paragon Asset if any member of the Paragon Group takes or refrains from taking any action, such member of the Paragon Group shall at all times prior to the Distribution Date, take or refrain from taking any such action as would result in a breach or violation of, or a default, or the creation or maintenance of any such Lien, under such agreement.

6.10 Confidentiality .

(a) Noble and Paragon shall hold and shall cause the members of the Noble Group and the Paragon Group, respectively, to hold, and shall each cause their respective officers, employees, agents, consultants and advisors to hold, in strict confidence, and not to disclose or release without the prior written consent of the other Party, any and all Confidential Information (as defined herein); provided, that the Parties may disclose, or may permit disclosure of, Confidential Information (i) to their respective auditors, attorneys, financial advisors, bankers and other appropriate consultants and advisors who have a need to know such information and are informed of their obligation to hold such information confidential to the same extent as is applicable to the Parties and in respect of whose failure to comply with such obligations, Noble or Paragon, as the case may be, will be responsible or (ii) to the extent any member of the Noble Group or the Paragon Group is compelled to disclose any such Confidential Information by judicial or administrative process or, in the opinion of legal counsel, by other requirements of Law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any demand or request for disclosure of Confidential Information is made pursuant to clause (ii) above, Noble or Paragon, as the case may be, shall promptly notify the other of the existence of such request or demand and shall provide the other a reasonable opportunity to seek an appropriate protective order or other remedy, which both Parties will cooperate in seeking to obtain. In the event that such appropriate protective order or other remedy is not obtained, the Party whose Confidential Information is required to be disclosed shall or shall cause the other Party to furnish, or cause to be furnished, only that portion of the Confidential Information that is legally required to be disclosed. As used in this Section 6.10, “Confidential Information” shall mean all proprietary, technical or operational information, data or material of one Party which, prior to or following the Distribution Date, has been disclosed by Noble or members of the Noble Group, on the one hand, or Paragon or members of the Paragon Group, on the other hand, in written, oral (including by recording), electronic, or visual form to, or otherwise has come into the possession of, the

 

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other, including pursuant to the access provisions of Section 6.4 hereof or any other provision of this Agreement (except to the extent that such Information can be shown to have been (a) in the public domain through no fault of such Party (or, in the case of Noble, any other member of the Noble Group or, in the case of Paragon, any other member of the Paragon Group) or (b) later lawfully acquired from other sources by the Party (or, in the case of Noble, such member of the Noble Group or, in the case of Paragon, such member of the Paragon Group) to which it was furnished; provided, however, in the case of (b) that such sources did not provide such Information in breach of any confidentiality obligations).

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, (i) Noble and the other members of the Noble Group, on the one hand, and Paragon and the other members of the Paragon Group, on the other hand, shall be deemed to have satisfied their obligations hereunder with respect to Confidential Information if they exercise the same degree of care (but no less than a reasonable degree of care) as they take to preserve confidentiality for their own similar Information and (ii) confidentiality obligations provided for in any agreement between Noble or any other member of the Noble Group, or Paragon or any other members of the Paragon Group, on the one hand, and any employee of Noble or any other member of the Noble Group, or Paragon or any other members of the Paragon Group, on the other hand, shall remain in full force and effect. Confidential Information of Noble or any other member of the Noble Group, on the one hand, or Paragon or any other member of the Paragon Group, on the other hand, in the possession of and used by the other as of the Distribution Date may continue to be used by such Person in possession of the Confidential Information in and only in the operation of the Noble Business or the Paragon Business, as the case may be, and may be used only so long as the Confidential Information is maintained in confidence and not disclosed in violation of Section 6.10(a).

6.11 Insurance .

(a) The Parties have agreed that as of the Distribution Date (i) Paragon will obtain its own insurance policies for all periods on or after the Distribution Date and (ii) Noble will cause the D&O Policy to be converted into a 10-year “run-off” policy covering all the Parties’ directors and officers (including any persons who will become directors or officers on or after the Distribution Date) liability claims for wrongful acts committed or alleged to have been committed prior to the Distribution Date (the “Converted D&O Policy”) and that the fee for such conversion shall be borne equally by Noble and Paragon. The Parties intend by this Agreement that each member of the Paragon Group be successors-in-interest to all rights that such member of the Paragon Group may have as of the Distribution Date as a Subsidiary or Affiliate of Noble prior to the Distribution Date under any Insurance Policy or under the Converted D&O Policy in effect as of the date of this Agreement, including any rights such member of the Paragon Group may have as an insured or additional insured, Subsidiary or Affiliate, to avail itself of any such policy of insurance as in effect prior to the Distribution Date. At the request of Paragon, Noble shall take all reasonable steps, including the execution and delivery of any instruments, to effect the foregoing; provided, however, that Noble shall not be required to pay any amounts, waive any rights or incur any Liabilities in connection therewith.

 

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(b) The parties to this Agreement acknowledge that members of the Paragon Group shall be responsible for any deductibles and coinsurance for claims under the Insurance Policies and the Converted D&O Policy with respect to members of the Paragon Group, and members of the Noble Group shall be responsible for any deductibles and coinsurance for claims under the Insurance Policies and the Converted D&O Policy with respect to members of the Noble Group. The parties to this Agreement further acknowledge that any claims made under any Insurance Policies or the Converted D&O Policy after any applicable coverage limit is met shall be subject to the limitations on coverage specified in such policies, and members of the Paragon Group and members of the Noble Group shall not be restricted by this Agreement from making claims under such policies under which such members have coverage prior to any applicable coverage limit being met (for the sake of clarity, it being understood that claims shall not be restricted by this Agreement based on a pre-claim allocation of such limit between members of the Paragon Group and members of the Noble Group). Each party shall undertake to report all insurance claims promptly in accordance with the provisions of the applicable insurance policy.

(c) Each of the Parties acknowledges that members of the Paragon Group will cease to have coverage under the Insurance Policies and the D&O Policy in effect as of or after the Distribution Date other than the Converted D&O Policy and to the extent set forth in Section 6.11(a). Except to the extent set forth in Section 6.11(a), in no event shall Noble, any other member of the Noble Group or any Noble Indemnitee have any liability or obligation whatsoever to any member of the Paragon Group in the event that any Insurance Policy, D&O Policy, including the Converted D&O Policy or other contract or policy of insurance (1) shall be terminated or otherwise cease to be in effect for any reason, (2) shall be unavailable or inadequate to cover any Liability of any member of the Paragon Group for any reason whatsoever or (3) shall not be renewed or extended beyond the current expiration date.

(d) Noble will be responsible for the administration of claims under the Insurance Policies and the Converted D&O Policy with respect to members of the Noble Group and any Joint Claims. Paragon will be responsible for the administration of claims under the Insurance Policies and the Converted D&O Policy with respect to members of the Paragon Group. The Parties understand and agree that administration of claims includes the administration of risk management functions that are directly associated with such claims. Paragon will provide such information as is reasonably necessary in order to permit Noble to manage and conduct all insurance and Joint Claims matters in an orderly fashion. Paragon will provide Noble with any assistance that is reasonably necessary or beneficial in connection with such insurance and Joint Claims matters. Paragon will also provide Noble with information on a reasonably current basis regarding insurance and claims under the Insurance Policies and the Converted D&O Policy relating to members of the Paragon Group.

(e) This Agreement shall not be considered as an attempted assignment of any policy of insurance or as a contract of insurance and shall not be construed to waive any right or remedy of any member of the Noble Group in respect of any Insurance Policy, the Converted D&O Policy or any other contract or policy of insurance.

(f) Paragon does hereby, for itself and each other member of the Paragon Group, agree that no member of the Noble Group or any Noble Indemnitee shall have any Liability whatsoever as a result of the insurance policies and practices of Noble and its Affiliates as in effect at any time prior to the Distribution Date or at any time thereafter, including as a

 

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result of the level or scope of any such insurance, the creditworthiness of any insurance carrier, the terms and conditions of any policy, the adequacy or timeliness of any notice to any insurance carrier with respect to any claim, any action taken in connection with the administration of any claims or potential claim or otherwise, including any claim by any member of the Paragon Group as a successor-in-interest or otherwise.

(g) Each of the Parties agree that until the fifth anniversary of the Distribution Date they will maintain in effect without interruption insurance coverages, including Hull & Machinery, P&I and War and Political Risk coverages, for all general Liabilities, including D&O Liabilities, as are consistent with industry practice and adequate, in the opinion of senior management of the applicable Group, to protect the properties and business of the applicable Group.

6.12 Cooperation on Certain FCPA Matters .

(a) Cooperation . At all times during the term of this Agreement, Paragon, at Noble’s expense, shall use its best efforts to assist with (i) the Noble Group’s compliance with the SEC Consent entered into on November 4, 2010; (ii) the Noble Group’s cooperation with the SEC in connection with any FCPA investigation or claim, whether civil or criminal, whether against any member of the Noble Group or any other parties, relating to the FCPA matter in Nigeria and which was settled between Parent, the U.S. Department of Justice and the SEC on November 4, 2010 involving operations in Nigeria (the “FCPA Matter”), including but not limited to SEC v. Jackson & Ruehlen, Civil Action No. 4:12-cv-00563 (S.D. Tex); and (iii) the Noble Group’s investigation and defense of any prospective claim by any governmental authority or other litigant relating to the FCPA Matter. Paragon’s best efforts to assist the Noble Group contemplated by the preceding sentence shall include, in addition to all other obligations set forth in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement:

(i) Full cooperation with the SEC Consent dated November 4, 2010 by Paragon as if bound by it.

(ii) At the request of Noble, the voluntary and truthful disclosure to Noble or the SEC all information in the Paragon Group’s possession, custody or control (in any form or medium, including documents) respecting the activities of any member of the Noble Group or their current and former directors, officers, employees, agents, distributors and affiliates relating to the FCPA Matter about which Noble inquires.

(iii) At the written request of Noble, the voluntary production to Noble or the SEC of all documents, records or other tangible evidence in the Paragon Group’s possession, custody or control relating to the FCPA Matter. Without limiting the foregoing, Paragon will maintain and retain, or cause the maintenance and retention, all such documents, records and other tangible evidence related to the FCPA Matter. Paragon shall provide Noble access to all electronic mail, metadata, computer hard drives, computer tape or other electronic data necessary to answer a subpoena of the SEC.

 

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(iv) At the request of Noble, the provision of access to copies of original documents and records relating to the FCPA Matter in the Paragon Group’s possession, custody or control and, using reasonable best efforts, in the custody or control of all current and former directors, officers, employees, agents, distributors, attorneys and affiliates of any member of the Noble Group.

(v) At the written request of Noble, using reasonable best efforts, (A) making available any of current and former directors, officers, employees, agents, distributors, attorneys and Affiliates of any member of the Noble Group who may have been involved in the FCPA Matter and whose cooperation is requested by Noble or the SEC; (B) recommending orally and in writing that any and all such persons cooperate fully (including by appearing for interviews with the SEC or for testimony) with (x) any investigation conducted by the SEC with respect to the FCPA Matter, or (y) any suit against individuals (including without limitation the cooperation of current or former directors, officers or employees of Paragon or any of its Subsidiaries who are not defendants in the prosecution) or entities; and (C) taking appropriate disciplinary action with respect to such of current and former directors, officers, employees, agents, distributors and Affiliates of Paragon or any of its Subsidiaries who do not cooperate, or who cease to cooperate, fully as contemplated herein.

(vi) At the written request of Noble, the provision of testimony and other information deemed necessary by Noble to identify or establish the original location, authenticity or other evidentiary foundation necessary to admit into evidence documents in any proceeding related to the FCPA Matter.

(vii) At the written request of Noble, using reasonable best efforts, the provision of access to the outside accounting and legal consultants of Paragon whose work includes or relates to the FCPA Matter, as well as the records, reports and documents of those outside consultants related to the FCPA Matter.

(b) Communication . Each of Noble and Paragon agrees to provide, or cause to be provided, to each other as soon as reasonably practicable after written request therefor, any documents or other information relating to the FCPA Matter in the possession or under the control of such party that the requesting party reasonably needs (i) to comply with reporting, disclosure, filing or other requirements imposed on the requesting party (including under applicable securities laws) by a Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the requesting party, (ii) for use in any regulatory proceeding, judicial proceeding or other proceeding or in order to satisfy audit, accounting, claims, regulatory, litigation or other similar requirements, (iii) to allow the other party to investigate, defend and/or settle any claim brought by any Governmental Authority or third party relating to the FCPA Matter, or (iv) to comply with its obligations under this Agreement; provided, however, that in the event that any party determines that any such provision of Information could violate any Law or agreement, or waive any attorney-client or work-product privilege, the parties shall take all reasonable measures to permit the compliance with such obligations in a manner that avoids any such harm or consequence.

 

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6.13 Cooperation on Other Litigation Matters . Each Party shall, at the expense of the other Party, use its reasonable best efforts to assist with any litigation or arbitration that arises out of, or is affected by, events or actions occurring in the period prior to the Distribution. A Party’s best efforts contemplated by the preceding sentence shall include, in addition to all other obligations set forth in this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, (i) the production of information, documents, records or other tangible evidence in such Party’s possession or control as reasonably requested by the other Party, (ii) the maintenance and retention of all such documents, records and other tangible evidence related to such matters, and (iii) at such other Party’s request, using reasonable best efforts to make current and former directors, officers, employees, agents, distributors, attorneys and Affiliates of the applicable Group available for interviews, deposition, testimony and proceedings. The foregoing rights and obligations relating to pending litigations and arbitrations shall be without prejudice to either Party’s rights and obligations with respect to any other Third Party Claim.

6.14 Paragon Board Representation . Until the one-year anniversary of the Distribution Date, Noble shall be entitled to present to the Paragon Board or any nominating committee thereof one designee (the “Noble Designee”) for election to the Paragon Board. Paragon shall exercise all authority under applicable Law and shall use its best efforts to cause the Noble Designee to be elected to the Paragon Board effective as of the Distribution Date and to use its best efforts to cause the designee to be nominated as a Board member by the nominating committee of the Paragon Board. Paragon shall cause the Noble Designee for election to the Paragon Board to be included in the slate of designees recommended by the Paragon Board to holders of Paragon Ordinary Shares (including at any special meeting of shareholders held for the election of directors) and shall use its best efforts to cause the election of such Noble Designee, including soliciting proxies in favor of the election of such persons. In the event that the Noble Designee elected to the Paragon Board shall cease to serve as a director for any reason, the vacancy resulting therefrom shall be filled by the Paragon Board with a substitute Noble Designee. On the one-year anniversary of the Distribution Date, the Noble Designee shall resign from the Paragon Board.

6.15 Allocation of Corporate Opportunities .

(a) In the event that a director, officer or employee of any member of the Paragon Group who is also a director, officer or employee of any member of the Noble Group acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or matter which may be a corporate opportunity for both a member of the Paragon Group and a member of the Noble Group, Noble and Paragon shall act, and shall cause such director, officer or employee to act, in a manner consistent with the following: a corporate opportunity offered to any person who is a director, officer or employee of any member of the Paragon Group, and who is also a director, officer or employee of any member of the Noble Group shall belong to the Noble Group, and the Paragon Group shall not pursue such opportunity, unless such opportunity is expressly offered to such person primarily in his or her capacity as a director, officer or employee of any member of the Paragon Group, in which case such opportunity shall belong to the Paragon Group, and the Noble Group shall not pursue such opportunity.

 

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(b) The Parties agree that any corporate opportunity that belongs to the Noble Group or to the Paragon Group pursuant to the foregoing policy shall not be pursued by the other, unless and until the party to whom the opportunity belongs determines not to pursue the opportunity and so informs the other party.

(c) The Parties agree that the allocation provisions of this Section 6.15 are a key component of the Separation, and shall follow, and shall cause their respective directors, officers and employees to follow, such allocations.

ARTICLE VII

MISCELLANEOUS

7.1 Entire Agreement . This Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements and the Schedules referenced or attached hereto and thereto, constitute the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and shall supersede all prior written and oral and all contemporaneous oral agreements and understandings with respect to the subject matter hereof.

7.2 Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to principles of conflicts of laws thereof that would result in the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction.

7.3 Termination . This Agreement may be terminated at any time by mutual consent of Noble and Paragon. In the event of termination pursuant to this Section, no Party shall have any Liability of any kind to any other Party by reason of this Agreement or such termination.

7.4 Notices . Unless expressly provided herein, all notices, claims, certificates, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to be duly given (i) when personally delivered or (ii) if mailed registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, on the date the return receipt is executed or the letter is refused by the addressee or its agent or (iii) if sent by overnight courier which delivers only upon the signed receipt of the addressee, on the date the receipt acknowledgment is executed or refused by the addressee or its agent or (iv) if sent by facsimile or electronic mail, on the date confirmation of transmission is received (provided that a copy of any notice delivered pursuant to this clause (iv) shall also be sent pursuant to clause (i), (ii) or (iii)), addressed to the attention of the addressee’s General Counsel at the address of its principal executive office or to such other address or facsimile number for a party as it shall have specified by like notice.

7.5 Counterparts . This Agreement, including the Schedules hereto and the other documents referred to herein, may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement.

7.6 Binding Effect; Assignment . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Parties and their respective legal representatives and successors. This Agreement may not be assigned by any Party, except that Noble may assign any or all of its rights, interests and obligations hereunder to any Affiliate, as the case may be, provided that any such Affiliate agrees in writing to be bound by all of the terms, conditions and provisions contained herein.

 

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7.7 No Third Party Beneficiaries . This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective Groups and is not intended to confer upon any other Person except the Parties and their respective Groups any rights or remedies hereunder, and except for any Indemnitee under Article III.

7.8 Severability . If any term or other provision of this Agreement or the Schedules attached hereto is determined by a nonappealable decision by a court, administrative agency or arbitrator to be invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any Party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the court, administrative agency or arbitrator shall interpret this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner to the end that transactions contemplated hereby are fulfilled to the fullest extent possible. If any sentence in this Agreement is so broad as to be unenforceable, the provision shall be interpreted to be only so broad as is enforceable.

7.9 Failure or Indulgence Not Waiver; Remedies Cumulative . No failure or delay on the part of any Party in the exercise of any right hereunder shall impair such right or be construed to be a waiver of, or acquiescence in, any breach of any representation, warranty or agreement herein, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right preclude other or further exercise thereof or of any other right. All rights and remedies existing under this Agreement or the Schedules attached hereto are cumulative to, and not exclusive of, any rights or remedies otherwise available.

7.10 Amendment . No change or amendment will be made to this Agreement except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the Parties; provided, that Noble may, in its sole discretion, amend this Agreement to conform the text of this Agreement to any provision contained in the Distribution Information Statement that purports to describe this Agreement.

7.11 Authority . Each of the Parties represents to the other that (a) it has the corporate or other requisite power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, (b) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements by it have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other actions, (c) it has duly and validly executed and delivered this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to be executed and delivered on the date of this Agreement, and (d) this Agreement and such Ancillary Agreements are legal, valid and binding obligations, enforceable against it in accordance with their respective terms subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and general equity principles.

7.12 Specific Performance . In the event of any actual or threatened default in, or breach of, any of the terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, the Party or the Parties who are or are to be thereby aggrieved shall have the right to specific performance and injunctive or other equitable relief of their rights under this Agreement or such Ancillary Agreement, in addition to any and all other rights and remedies at law or in equity, and all such rights and remedies shall be cumulative. The Parties agree that the remedies

 

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at law for any breach or threatened breach, including monetary damages, are inadequate compensation for any loss and that any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate is waived. Any requirements for the securing or posting of any bond with such remedy are waived.

7.13 Advisors . It is acknowledged and agreed by each of the parties hereto that Noble, on behalf of itself and the other members of the Noble Group, has retained each of the Persons identified on Schedule 7.13 to act as counsel in connection with this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements, the Separation, the Distribution and the other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and that the Persons listed on Schedule 7.13 have not acted as counsel for Paragon or any other member of the Paragon Group in connection with this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements, the Separation, the Distribution and the other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and that none of Paragon or any member of the Paragon Group has the status of a client of the Persons listed on Schedule 7.13 for conflict of interest or any other purposes as a result thereof. Paragon hereby agrees, on behalf of itself and each other member of the Paragon Group that, in the event that a dispute arises after the Distribution Date in connection with this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements, the Separation, the Distribution and the other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby between Noble and Paragon or any of the members of their respective Groups, each of the Persons listed on Schedule 7.13 may represent any or all of the members of the Noble Group in such dispute even though the interests of the Noble Group may be directly adverse to those of the Paragon Group. Paragon further agrees, on behalf of itself and each other member of the Paragon Group that, with respect to this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements, the Separation, the Distribution and the other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, the attorney-client privilege and the expectation of client confidence belongs to Noble or the applicable member of the Noble Group and may be controlled by Noble or such member of the Noble Group and shall not pass to or be claimed by Paragon or any member of the Paragon Group. Furthermore, Paragon acknowledges and agrees that Baker Botts, LLP is representing Noble, and not Paragon or any member of the Paragon Group, in connection with this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements, the Separation, the Distribution and the other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

7.14 Construction . This Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements shall be construed as if jointly drafted by Paragon and Noble and no rule of construction or strict interpretation shall be applied against any Party.

7.15 Exclusivity of Tax and Other Matters . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement (other than Sections 3.6 and 6.7), the provisions of the Tax Sharing Agreement or the Brazil Transition Services Agreement, as applicable, shall exclusively govern all matters related to Taxes. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, employee benefits matters expressly provided for under the Employee Matters Agreement shall be exclusively governed by the Employee Matters Agreement and matters related to the services provided under the Transition Services Agreement or the Brazil Transition Services Agreement shall be exclusively governed, respectively, by the Transition Services Agreement and the Brazil Transition Services Agreement.

 

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WHEREFORE, the Parties have signed this Master Separation Agreement effective as of the date first set forth above.

 

NOBLE CORPORATION
By:   /s/ David W. Williams
  Name: David W. Williams
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

PARAGON OFFSHORE PLC
By:   /s/ Steven A. Manz
  Name: Steven A. Manz
 

Title: Senior Vice President and

          Chief Financial Officer

 

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Exhibit 10.1

Execution Version

TAX SHARING AGREEMENT

between

NOBLE CORPORATION PLC

and

PARAGON OFFSHORE PLC

dated as of

July 31, 2014


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND EXAMPLES

     1   

Section 1.1

   Definitions      1   

Section 1.2

   Examples      7   

ARTICLE II TAX LIABILITIES AND TAX BENEFITS

     7   

Section 2.1

   Noble Taxes      7   

(a)

   Liability for Taxes      7   

(b)

   Payment for Paragon Tax Benefits      8   

Section 2.2

   Paragon Taxes      8   

(a)

   Liability for Taxes      8   

(b)

   Payment for Noble Tax Benefits      8   

Section 2.3

   Rules for Determining from which Business a Tax Item Arises      8   

(a)

   General Rule      8   

(b)

   Brazil      9   

(c)

   Mexico      9   

(d)

   Norway      9   

(e)

   Netherlands      9   

(f)

   Standard Specification Jurisdictions      9   

(g)

   High Specification Jurisdictions      9   

(h)

   Overhead Costs      9   

(i)

   Tax Benefits Arising from Equity Awards      9   

Section 2.4

   Special Rules      10   

(a)

   Pro Forma Stand-Alone Basis      10   

(b)

   Allocation in Straddle Periods      10   

(c)

   Differences between Taxes Shown on Joint Return and Taxes Computed on a Pro Forma Stand-Alone Basis      10   

ARTICLE III PREPARATION AND FILING OF TAX RETURNS

     11   

Section 3.1

   Joint Returns      11   

(a)

   Preparer of Joint Returns      11   

(b)

   Procedures Governing Joint Returns      11   

Section 3.2

   Separate Returns      11   

(a)

   Preparer of Separate Returns—General Rule      11   

(b)

   Special Rule for Certain Mexican Returns      11   

Section 3.3

   Special Rules Relating to the Preparation of Tax Returns      11   

(a)

   General Rule      11   

(b)

   Paragon Returns      12   

(c)

   Reimbursement for Costs Incurred by Preparer      12   

(d)

   Allocation of Tax Items Between Joint Return and Related Separate Return      12   

(e)

   Standard of Performance      12   

Section 3.4

   Financial Accounting Reports      12   

 

i


ARTICLE IV TAX PAYMENTS

     12   

Section 4.1

   Payment of Taxes to Tax Authorities      12   

Section 4.2

   Indemnification Payments      12   

(a)

   Tax Payments Made by the Paragon Group      12   

(b)

   Tax Payments Made by the Noble Group      13   

(c)

   Credit for Prior Deemed Tax Payments      13   

(d)

   Payments for Tax Benefits      13   

Section 4.3

   Special Rule for Payment of Certain Mexican Tax Receivables      13   

Section 4.4

   Special Rule for 2013 Brazilian Taxes and Refunds      13   

Section 4.5

   Special Rule for Brazilian Judicial Deposit      14   

Section 4.6

   Special Rule for U.S. Refunds      14   

Section 4.7

   Initial Determinations and Subsequent Adjustments      14   

Section 4.8

   Interest on Late Payments      14   

Section 4.9

   Payments by or to Other Group Members      15   

Section 4.10

   Procedural Matters      15   

Section 4.11

   Tax Consequences of Payments      15   
ARTICLE V TAX CONTESTS      16   

Section 5.1

   Notices      16   

Section 5.2

   Control of Tax Contests      16   

(a)

   General Rule      16   

(b)

   Tax Contests Involving Certain Taxes Reported on a Joint Return      16   

(c)

   Tax Contests Involving Taxes Reported on Certain Brazilian Tax Returns      16   

(d)

   Tax Contests Involving Mexican Tax Receivables      17   

(e)

   Non-Controlling Party Participation Rights      17   
ARTICLE VI ASSISTANCE AND COOPERATION      17   

Section 6.1

   Provision of Information      17   

(a)

   Information with Respect to Joint Returns      17   

(b)

   Information with Respect Tax Payments      18   

(c)

   Information with Respect to Separate Returns      18   

(d)

   Information with Respect to Tax Contests      19   

Section 6.2

   Reliance on Exchanged Information      19   

Section 6.3

   Provision of Assistance and Cooperation      19   

(a)

   Assistance with Respect to Joint Returns      19   

(b)

   Assistance with Respect to Tax Contests      19   

(c)

   Cooperation      20   

Section 6.4

   Supplemental Rulings and Supplemental Tax Opinions      20   

Section 6.5

   Withholding and Reporting      20   

Section 6.6

   Retention of Tax Records      20   

Section 6.7

   Confidentiality      20   
ARTICLE VII RESTRICTION ON CERTAIN ACTIONS OF THE GROUPS      21   

Section 7.1

   General Restrictions      21   

Section 7.2

   Restricted Actions Relating to Tax Materials      21   

Section 7.3

   Certain Paragon Actions Following the Spin-off      21   

(a)

   General Rule      21   

(b)

   Opinion of Counsel with Respect to Restricted Actions      22   

 

ii


ARTICLE VIII MISCELLANEOUS

     22   

Section 8.1

   Entire Agreement      22   

Section 8.2

   Governing Law      22   

Section 8.3

   Termination      22   

Section 8.4

   Notices      22   

Section 8.5

   Counterparts      22   

Section 8.6

   Binding Effect; Assignment      23   

Section 8.7

   No Third party Beneficiaries      23   

Section 8.8

   Severability      23   

Section 8.9

   Failure or Indulgence Not Waiver; Remedies Cumulative      23   

Section 8.10

   Amendment      23   

Section 8.11

   Authority      23   

Section 8.12

   Specific Performance      24   

Section 8.13

   Construction      24   

Section 8.14

   Performance Guarantees      24   

Section 8.15

   Limitation of Liability      24   

Section 8.16

   Predecessors or Successors      24   

Section 8.17

   Expenses      24   

Section 8.18

   Effective Date      24   

Section 8.19

   Change in Law      24   

Section 8.20

   Disputes      24   

 

iii


TAX SHARING AGREEMENT

This TAX SHARING AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is entered into as of July 31, 2014, between Noble Corporation plc, a public limited company organized under the laws of England and Wales (“ Noble ”) and Paragon Offshore plc, a public limited company organized under the laws of England and Wales (“ Paragon ”). Paragon and Noble sometimes are referred to herein individually as a “ Party ,” and collectively as the “ Parties .” Unless otherwise indicated, all “Article” and “Section” references in this Agreement are to the articles and sections of this Agreement.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Paragon is an indirect, wholly-owned Subsidiary of Noble;

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Noble has determined it would be in the best interests of Noble and its stockholders for Noble to separate the Paragon Business from the Noble Business (the “ Separation ”);

WHEREAS, Noble and Paragon expect to enter into the Master Separation Agreement as of the date hereof in order to set forth the principal arrangements between them regarding the terms of the Separation;

WHEREAS, Noble intends to distribute to its shareholders all of the shares of Paragon stock in a transaction (the “ Spin-off ”) intended to qualify as a transaction described under Sections 368(a)(1)(D) and 355 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”); and

WHEREAS, the Parties desire to provide for and agree upon the allocation between the Parties of Taxes and Tax Benefits arising prior to, and as a result of, and subsequent to the Separation, and provide for and agree upon other matters relating to Taxes.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the covenants and agreements set forth below and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND EXAMPLES

Section 1.1 Definitions . For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, Controls, is Controlled by or is under common Control with, such first Person.

Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

1


Brazilian High Specification Rig Days ” means, with respect to a Tax Year, the total number of days during such Tax Year that High Specification Rigs are present in Brazil, provided that (i) any single day in which multiple High Specification Rigs are present will be counted as a number of days equal to the number of such rigs present on such day and (ii) any High Specification Rig that is present in Brazil on any day in which services are being provided with respect to such rig pursuant to the Brazilian Services Agreement will, solely for purposes of this definition, not be treated as a High Specification Rig on such day. For this purpose, a rig shall be treated as “present in Brazil” beginning on the record date of importation of such rig for Brazilian customs purposes and shall cease to be so treated on the record date of exportation of such rig for Brazilian customs purposes.

Brazilian Services Agreement ” means that certain Transition Services Agreement, dated the date hereof, entered into among Paragon Offshore do Brasil Limitada, Paragon Offshore (Nederland) B.V., Paragon, Noble Corporation, Noble Dave Beard Limited, and Noble Drilling (Nederland) II B.V. in connection with the Separation.

Brazilian Standard Specification Rig Days ” means, with respect to a Tax Year, the total number of days during such Tax Year that Standard Specification Rigs are present in Brazil, provided that (i) any single day in which multiple Standard Specification Rigs are present will be counted as a number of days equal to the number of such rigs present on such day and (ii) any High Specification Rig that is present in Brazil on any day in which services are being provided with respect to such rig pursuant to the Brazilian Services Agreement will, solely for purposes of this definition, be treated as a Standard Specification Rig on such day. For this purpose, a rig shall be treated as “present in Brazil” beginning on the record date of importation of such rig for Brazilian customs purposes and shall cease to be so treated on the record date of exportation of such rig for Brazilian customs purposes.

Business ” means the Noble Business or the Paragon Business, as the context requires.

Business Day ” means a day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions located in London, England, are authorized or obligated by applicable law or executive order to close.

Code ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

Control ” means, with respect to any Person, the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through ownership of securities or partnership, membership, limited liability company or other ownership interests, by contract or otherwise. “ Controlled ” has a meaning correlative to the foregoing.

Controlling Party ” means the Party that has primary responsibility, control and discretion in handling, settling or conducting a Tax Contest pursuant to Section 5.2.

Due Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.8.

 

2


Effective Date ” means the date recited above on which the parties entered into this Agreement.

Governmental Authority ” shall mean any U.S. federal, state, local or non-U.S. court, government (or political subdivision thereof), department, commission, board, bureau, agency, official or other regulatory, administrative or governmental authority.

Group ” means the Noble Group or the Paragon Group, as the context requires.

High Specification Rigs ” means those drilling rigs owned or leased by Noble Group or Paragon Group that are not Standard Specification Rigs.

IRS ” means the Internal Revenue Service.

IRS Submission ” means the Ruling Request and any other correspondence or supplemental materials submitted to the IRS in connection with obtaining the Rulings.

Joint Return ” means any Tax Return that includes Tax Items attributable to both the Noble Business and the Paragon Business; provided, however, that (i) Tax Items carried forward from a Tax Year beginning on or before the Spin-off Date to a Tax Year beginning after the Spin-off Date and (ii) Tax Items described in Section 2.3(i) shall be ignored for purposes of this determination.

Master Separation Agreement ” means that certain Master Separation Agreement, dated the date hereof, entered into between Noble and Paragon in connection with the Separation.

Noble ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

Noble Business ” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.1 of the Master Separation Agreement.

Noble Group ” means Noble and each Subsidiary of Noble (but only while such Subsidiary is a Subsidiary of Noble) other than any Person that is a member of the Paragon Group.

Noble Taxes ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a).

Non-Controlling Party ” means the Party that does not have primary responsibility, control and discretion in handling, settling or conducting a Tax Contest pursuant to Section 5.2.

Non-Preparer ” means the Party that is not responsible for the preparation and filing of a Joint Return or a Separate Return, as applicable, pursuant to Section 3.1 and Section 3.2.

Paragon ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

3


Paragon Business ” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.1 of the Master Separation Agreement.

Paragon Group ” means (i) with respect to any Pre-Spin Period, Paragon and each other Subsidiary of Noble that is (or will be) a Subsidiary of Paragon on the Spin-off Date and (ii) with respect to any Post-Spin Period, Paragon and each Subsidiary of Paragon (but only while such Subsidiary is a Subsidiary of Paragon).

Paragon Taxes ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a).

Party ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

Payment Date ” means (i) with respect to any U.S. federal income tax return, any of (A) the due date for any required installment of estimated taxes determined under Section 6655 of the Code, (B) the due date (determined without regard to extensions) for filing the return determined under Section 6072 of the Code, or (C) the date the return is filed, as applicable, and (ii) with respect to any other Tax Return, any of the corresponding dates determined under the applicable Tax Law.

Person ” means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, a union, an unincorporated organization or a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.

Post-Spin Period ” means any Tax Year (or portion thereof) beginning after the Spin-off Date.

Pre-Spin Period ” means any Tax Year (or portion thereof) ending on or before the Spin-off Date.

Preparer ” means the Party that is responsible for the preparation and filing of a Joint Return or a Separate Return, as applicable, pursuant to Section 3.1 or Section 3.2.

Prime Rate ” means the fluctuating commercial loan rate announced by JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association from time to time at its New York, NY office as its prime rate or base rate for U.S. Dollar loans in the United States of America in effect on the date of determination.

Related Separation Transactions ” means the transactions described in Schedule 1.1.

Requesting Party ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.4.

Rulings ” mean (i) PLR-128740-13 issued to Noble and dated October 21, 2013, and (ii) PLR-128741-13, issued to Noble Holding (U.S.) Corporation and dated October 21, 2013.

 

4


Ruling Request ” means Noble’s and Noble Holding (U.S.) Corporation’s request for substantially identical rulings filed with the IRS, dated June 24, 2013 (which incorporates prior submissions dated January 23, 2013, March 8, 2013, May 3, 2013, and May 29, 2013), as supplemented on July 11, 2013, and October 18, 2013 (in each case, including all appendices, schedules, attachments, and exhibits thereto), and additional related email correspondence with the IRS.

Separate Return ” means any Tax Return that is not a Joint Return.

Separation ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

Spin-off ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

Spin-off Date ” means the date on which the Spin-off occurs.

Standard Specification Rigs ” means the drilling rigs set forth on Schedule 1.1(c) of the Master Separation Agreement.

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any specified Person, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or other organization, whether incorporated or unincorporated, of which at least a majority of the securities or interests having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect at least a majority of the board of directors or others performing similar functions with respect to such corporation or other organization is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such specified Person or by any one or more of its Subsidiaries, or by such specified Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries.

Supplemental IRS Submission ” means any request for a Supplemental Ruling, each supplemental submission and any other correspondence or supplemental materials submitted to the IRS in connection with obtaining any Supplemental Ruling.

Supplemental Ruling ” means any private letter ruling obtained by Noble or Paragon from the IRS which supplements or otherwise modifies the Rulings.

Supplemental Tax Opinion ” means, with respect to a specified action, an opinion (other than the Tax Opinion) from Tax Counsel to the effect that (subject to any customary assumptions, qualifications, and limitations set forth therein), (i) such action will not preclude the Spin-off from qualifying as a Tax-free transaction described under Sections 368(a)(1)(D) and 355 of the Code to Noble and its shareholders (except with respect to cash received in lieu of fractional shares) and (ii) any Tax imposed on any part of the Related Separation Transactions will not be increased.

Tax ” or “ Taxes ” means any income, gross income, gross receipts, profits, capital stock, franchise, withholding, payroll, social security, workers compensation, unemployment, disability, property, ad valorem, stamp, excise, severance, occupation, service, sales, use, license, lease, transfer, import, export, value added, alternative minimum, estimated or other similar tax (including any fee, assessment or other charge in the nature of or in lieu of any tax) imposed by any Governmental Authority and any interest, penalties, additions to tax or additional amounts in respect of the foregoing.

 

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Tax Authority ” means, with respect to any Tax, the Governmental Authority that imposes such Tax, and the Governmental Authority (if any) charged with the assessment, determination or collection of such Tax for such Governmental Authority.

Tax Benefit ” means any credit, deduction or other attribute that may have the effect of decreasing any Tax.

Tax Contest ” means an audit, review, examination or any other administrative or judicial proceeding with the purpose or effect of redetermining or recovering Taxes of any member of either Group (including any administrative or judicial review of any claim for refund).

Tax Counsel ” means (i) with respect to the Tax Opinion, Baker Botts L.L.P. or (ii) with respect to a Supplemental Tax Opinion, a nationally recognized law firm or accounting firm designated by the Party to whom such opinion is delivered.

Tax Detriment ” means any income, gain or other attribute that may have the effect of increasing any Tax.

Tax Item ” means any Tax Benefit or Tax Detriment.

Tax Law ” means the law of any Governmental Authority and any controlling judicial or administrative interpretations of such law, relating to any Tax.

Tax Materials ” means (i) the Rulings, (ii) each IRS Submission, (iii) the representation letters delivered to Tax Counsel in connection with the delivery of the Tax Opinion or Supplemental Tax Opinion, and (iv) any other materials delivered or deliverable by Noble, Paragon and others in connection with the rendering by Tax Counsel of the Tax Opinion or Supplemental Tax Opinion or the issuance by the IRS of the Rulings or any Supplemental Ruling.

Tax Opinion ” means the opinion to be delivered by Tax Counsel to Noble in connection with the Spin-off and Related Separation Transactions substantially to the effect that (subject to the assumptions, qualifications and limitations set forth therein) for U.S. federal income tax purposes (i) the Spin-off will qualify as a Tax-free transaction described under Sections 368(a)(1)(D) and 355 of the Code to Noble, its shareholders (except with respect to cash received in lieu of fractional shares), and Paragon and (ii) certain Related Separation Transactions will be Tax-free to the parties involved.

Tax Records ” means Tax Returns, Tax Return work papers, documentation relating to any Tax Contests and any other books of account or records required to be maintained under applicable Tax Laws (including but not limited to Section 6001 of the Code) or under any record retention agreement with any Tax Authority.

Tax Return ” means any report of Taxes due (including estimated Taxes), any claims for refund of Taxes paid, any information return with respect to Taxes, or any other similar report, statement, declaration or document required to be filed (by paper, electronically or otherwise) under any applicable Tax Law, including any attachments, exhibits or other materials submitted with any of the foregoing, and including any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing.

 

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Tax Year ” means, with respect to any Tax, the year, or other period, if applicable, for which the Tax is reported as provided under applicable Tax Law.

Treasury Regulations ” means the regulations promulgated from time to time under the Code as in effect for the relevant Tax Year.

Section 1.2 Examples . The operation of various provisions of this Agreement is illustrated by examples in Schedule 1.2 hereto, and this Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with such examples.

ARTICLE II

TAX LIABILITIES AND TAX BENEFITS

Except as otherwise provided in Section 5.1 (Notices) and Article VI (Assistance and Cooperation), the Parties shall be liable for and indemnify each other against Taxes and reimburse each other for the use of Tax Benefits as prescribed in this Article II and shall make payments with respect to such Taxes and Tax Benefits in accordance with Article IV (Tax Payments).

Section 2.1 Noble Taxes .

(a) Liability for Taxes . For any Tax Year (or portion thereof), Noble shall be liable for and indemnify the Paragon Group against Noble’s allocable portion of Taxes imposed on the Noble Group and the Paragon Group (“ Noble Taxes ”). Such portion shall be determined by taking into account the following Tax Items on a pro forma stand-alone basis (as determined pursuant to Section 2.4(a)):

(i) Tax Detriments resulting from the Spin-off or the Related Separation Transactions, except to the extent that such Tax Detriments are directly attributable to Paragon’s breach of any covenant or representation under Article VII,

(ii) Tax Benefits resulting from the Spin-off or the Related Separation Transactions,

(iii) Tax Detriments (other than Tax Detriments resulting from the Spin-off or the Related Separation Transactions) arising from the operation or ownership of the Noble Business,

(iv) Tax Benefits (other than Tax Benefits resulting from the Spin-off or the Related Separation Transactions) arising from the operation or ownership of the Noble Business, and

(v) Tax Benefits (other than Tax Benefits resulting from the Spin-off or the Related Separation Transactions) arising from the operation or ownership of the Paragon Business, but only to the extent such Tax Benefits are not taken into account in calculating Paragon Taxes under Section 2.2(a)(iii).

 

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(b) Payment for Paragon Tax Benefits . Noble shall pay Paragon for any Tax Benefit that is taken into account in calculating Noble Taxes pursuant to Section 2.1(a)(v); provided, however, that payment for any such Tax Benefit arising in a Pre-Spin Period and utilized in a Tax Year beginning before the Spin-off Date shall be required only if the creation or use of such Tax Benefit results from a Tax Contest resolved after the Spin-off Date.

Section 2.2 Paragon Taxes .

(a) Liability for Taxes . For any Tax Year (or portion thereof), Paragon shall be liable for and indemnify the Noble Group against Paragon’s allocable portion of Taxes imposed on the Noble Group and the Paragon Group (“ Paragon Taxes ”). Such portion shall be determined by taking into account the following Tax Items on a pro forma stand-alone basis (as determined pursuant to Section 2.4(a)):

(i) Tax Detriments resulting from the Spin-off or the Related Separation Transactions to the extent that such Tax Detriments are directly attributable to Paragon’s breach of any covenant or representation under Article VII,

(ii) Tax Detriments (other than Tax Detriments resulting from the Spin-off or the Related Separation Transactions) arising from the operation or ownership of the Paragon Business,

(iii) Tax Benefits (other than Tax Benefits resulting from the Spin-off or the Related Separation Transactions) arising from the operation or ownership of the Paragon Business, and

(iv) Tax Benefits (other than Tax Benefits resulting from the Spin-off or the Related Separation Transactions) arising from the operation or ownership of the Noble Business, but only to the extent such Tax Benefits are not taken into account in calculating Noble Taxes under Section 2.1(a)(iv).

(b) Payment for Noble Tax Benefits . Paragon shall pay Noble for any Tax Benefit that is taken into account in calculating Paragon Taxes pursuant to Section 2.2(a)(iv); provided, however, that payment for any such Tax Benefit arising in a Pre-Spin Period and utilized in a Tax Year beginning before the Spin-off Date shall be required only if the creation or use of such Tax Benefit results from a Tax Contest resolved after the Spin-off Date.

Section 2.3 Rules for Determining from which Business a Tax Item Arises . For purposes of Article II, the following rules shall apply to determine from which Business a Tax Item arises:

(a) General Rule . Except to the extent otherwise provided in this Section 2.3, Tax Items shall be deemed to arise from the operation or ownership of the Business to which such items are most closely related.

 

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(b) Brazil . Tax Items related to Taxes imposed by a Tax Authority in Brazil for a Tax Year shall be deemed to arise from the operation or ownership of the Noble Business and the Paragon Business in the same proportion as the number of Brazilian High Specification Rig Days bears to the number of Brazilian Standard Specification Rig Days, respectively, for such Tax Year. For the avoidance of doubt, the Parties agree that the allocation of Tax Benefits set forth on Schedule 2.3(b) is consistent with this Section 2.3(b).

(c) Mexico . Tax Items related to Taxes imposed on any member of the Noble Group or the Paragon Group (other than Paragon Offshore Contracting GmbH or Noble Mexico Limited ) by any Governmental Authority in Mexico with respect to a Pre-Spin Period shall be deemed to arise from the operation or ownership of the Paragon Business; provided , however , that any Taxes resulting from the restructuring or dissolution of any Person listed on Schedule 2.3(c) shall be deemed to arise from the operation or ownership of the Noble Business.

(d) Norway . Net operating losses incurred by Paragon Offshore Drilling AS, Paragon Offshore AS, or Paragon Seillean AS during a Pre-Spin Period shall be deemed to arise from the operation or ownership of the Paragon Business, provided , however , that any such net operating losses shall be deemed to arise from the operation or ownership of the Noble Business to the extent such losses are used to offset any deferred gains arising in Norway from the operation or ownership of the Noble Business.

(e) Netherlands . Tax Items related to Taxes imposed on Noble-Neddrill International Limited by any Governmental Authority in the Netherlands shall be deemed to arise from the operation or ownership of the Paragon Business. Tax Items related to Taxes imposed on Noble Drilling (Nederland) II B.V. and Noble Resources Limited by any Governmental Authority in the Netherlands shall be deemed to arise from the operation or ownership of the Noble Business.

(f) Standard Specification Jurisdictions . Tax Items related to Taxes imposed by any Governmental Authority in Brunei, Cameroon, Congo, Denmark, Gabon, India, Ivory Coast, Labuan, Malaysia, Nigeria, or Qatar with respect to a Pre-Spin Period shall be deemed to arise from the operation or ownership of the Paragon Business.

(g) High Specification Jurisdictions . Tax Items related to Taxes imposed by any Governmental Authority in Argentina, Australia, China, Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Libya, New Zealand, or Saudi Arabia with respect to a Pre-Spin Period shall be deemed to arise from the operation or ownership of the Noble Business.

(h) Overhead Costs . Tax Items related to overhead costs and expenses that do not directly relate to either Business shall be allocated between the Noble Business and the Paragon Business in a manner that is consistent with the practice of the Groups before the Spin-off Date.

(i) Tax Benefits Arising from Equity Awards . Tax Benefits arising from the vesting or payment of an equity award shall be deemed to arise from the operation or ownership of the Business that received the benefit of the services to which such equity award relates, regardless of whether such equity award is paid in the form of Noble stock, Paragon stock, or other consideration. Schedule 2.3(i) sets forth the allocation of specific equity awards in a manner that the Parties agree is consistent with this Section 2.3(i).

 

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Section 2.4 Special Rules .

(a) Pro Forma Stand-Alone Basis . For purposes of computing Noble Taxes and Paragon Taxes on a pro forma stand-alone basis, Tax Items shall be taken into account:

(i) only to the extent required or allowable under applicable Tax Law on a pro forma stand-alone basis,

(ii) by using all applicable elections, accounting methods, and conventions used on the Tax Return on which such Tax Items are actually reported,

(iii) by applying the average Tax rate on such Tax Return, provided , however , if any category of Tax Items is subject to a different rate of Tax than other categories of Tax Items on such Tax Return, the average Tax rate applicable to such category of Tax Items reported on the Tax Return shall apply with respect to such Tax Items, and

(iv) by treating Tax Benefits as used in the order specified under applicable Tax Law or, to the extent that such Tax Law does not specify the order of use, used pro rata.

(b) Allocation in Straddle Periods . For purposes of Section 2.1(b) and Section 2.2(b), Tax Benefits arising during any Tax Year that begins on or before and ends after the Spin-off Date shall be treated as arising during the Pre-Spin Period or the Post-Spin Period based on an interim closing of the books as of and including the day of the Spin-off Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Tax Items attributable to any such Tax Year that are calculated on an annualized basis (including depreciation, amortization and depletion deductions) shall be apportioned between the Pre-Spin Period and the Post-Spin Period on a daily pro rata basis.

(c) Differences between Taxes Shown on Joint Return and Taxes Computed on a Pro Forma Stand-Alone Basis . If, without regard to this Section 2.4(c), the sum of Noble Taxes and Paragon Taxes relating to a Joint Return is different from the amount of Tax shown on such Joint Return, then the Tax shown on such Joint Return shall be allocated between the Parties in the same proportion as the amount of Noble Taxes or Paragon Taxes, as appropriate, bears to the sum of Noble Taxes and Paragon Taxes relating to such Joint Return.

 

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ARTICLE III

PREPARATION AND FILING OF TAX RETURNS

Section 3.1 Joint Returns .

(a) Preparer of Joint Returns . Noble shall be responsible for preparing and timely filing (or causing to be prepared and filed) all Joint Returns required to be filed under applicable Tax Law by a member of the Noble Group. Paragon shall be responsible for preparing and timely filing (or causing to be prepared and filed) all Joint Returns required to be filed under applicable Tax Law by a member of the Paragon Group.

(b) Procedures Governing Joint Returns . The Preparer shall make any Joint Return, or relevant portion thereof, available to the Non-Preparer within a reasonable time period before the Joint Return is due, taking into account any extensions that the Preparer files, and shall consider in good faith any comments on such Tax Return that are provided in writing by the Non-Preparer, which comments shall be provided within a reasonable time period after such Tax Return is made available to the Non-Preparer. Furthermore, with respect to any Joint Return, the Preparer shall not take (and shall cause the members of the Preparer’s Group not to take) any position that it knows, or reasonably should know, is inconsistent with the past practice of the Groups.

Section 3.2 Separate Returns.

(a) Preparer of Separate Returns—General Rule . Except as provided in Section 3.2(b), Noble shall be responsible for preparing and timely filing (or causing to be prepared and filed) all Separate Returns that include Tax Items attributable to the Noble Business. Paragon shall be responsible for preparing and timely filing (or causing to be prepared and filed) all Separate Returns that include Tax Items attributable to the Paragon Business. For purposes of this Section 3.2(a), (i) Tax Items carried forward from a Tax Year beginning on or before the Spin-off Date to a Tax Year beginning after the Spin-off Date and (ii) Tax Items described in Section 2.3(i) shall be ignored.

(b) Special Rule for Certain Mexican Returns . Noble shall have full control over the filing of any Separate Returns to the extent related to Mexican tax receivables described in Section 4.3.

Section 3.3 Special Rules Relating to the Preparation of Tax Returns .

(a) General Rule . Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Party responsible for filing (or causing to be filed) a Tax Return pursuant to Section 3.1 or Section 3.2 shall have the exclusive right, in its sole discretion, with respect to such Tax Return to determine (i) the manner in which such Tax Return shall be prepared and filed, including the elections, methods of accounting, positions, conventions and principles of taxation to be used, and the manner in which any Tax Item shall be reported, (ii) whether any extensions may be requested, (iii) whether an amended Tax Return shall be filed, (iv) whether any claims for refund shall be made, (v) whether any refunds shall be paid by way of refund or credited against any liability for the related Tax and (vi) whether to retain outside firms to prepare or review such Tax Return.

 

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(b) Paragon Returns . With respect to any Separate Return Paragon is obligated to file pursuant to Section 3.2, Paragon shall not take (and shall cause the members of the Paragon Group not to take) any position that it knows, or reasonably should know, would adversely affect any member of the Noble Group. Furthermore, with respect to any such Separate Return, Paragon shall not take (and shall cause the members of the Paragon Group not to take) any position that it knows, or reasonably should know, is inconsistent with the past practice of the Noble Group or the Paragon Group.

(c) Reimbursement for Costs Incurred by Preparer . The Non-Preparer of a given Tax Return may request that the Preparer amend such Tax Return for the benefit of the Non-Preparer. If the Preparer agrees, in its sole discretion, to amend such Tax Return, the Preparer shall be entitled to reimbursement from the Non-Preparer for any reasonable third-party costs that are attributable to the Non-Preparer’s request, to the extent those costs exceed $50,000.

(d) Allocation of Tax Items Between Joint Return and Related Separate Return . Notwithstanding Section 3.3(a), if Tax Items are allocated between a Joint Return and any related Separate Return, then the Preparer of such Separate Return shall (and shall cause the members of its Group to) file the related Separate Return in a manner that is consistent with the reporting of such Tax Items on the Joint Return.

(e) Standard of Performance . The Parties shall prepare (or cause to be prepared) Joint Returns with the same general degree of care used in preparing Separate Returns.

Section 3.4 Financial Accounting Reports . With respect to Tax Items that are reflected on Noble’s financial accounting books, Paragon shall not prepare its financial accounting books in a manner that is inconsistent with Noble’s reporting of such Tax Items.

ARTICLE IV

TAX PAYMENTS

Section 4.1 Payment of Taxes to Tax Authorities . Noble shall be responsible for remitting (or causing to be remitted) to the proper Tax Authority all Tax shown (including Taxes for which Paragon is wholly or partially liable pursuant to Section 2.2) on any Tax Return for which it is responsible for the preparation and filing pursuant to Section 3.1 or Section 3.2, and Paragon shall be responsible for remitting (or causing to be remitted) to the proper Tax Authority all Tax shown (including Taxes for which Noble is wholly or partially liable pursuant to Section 2.2) on any Tax Return for which it is responsible for the preparation and filing pursuant to Section 3.1 or Section 3.2.

Section 4.2 Indemnification Payments .

(a) Tax Payments Made by the Paragon Group . If any member of the Paragon Group remits a payment to a Tax Authority for Taxes for which Noble is wholly or partially liable under this Agreement, Noble shall remit the amount for which it is liable to Paragon within 30 Business Days after receiving written notification requesting such amount.

 

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(b) Tax Payments Made by the Noble Group . If any member of the Noble Group remits a payment to a Tax Authority for Taxes for which Paragon is wholly or partially liable under this Agreement, Paragon shall remit the amount for which it is liable to Noble within 30 Business Days after receiving written notification requesting such amount.

(c) Credit for Prior Deemed Tax Payments . For purposes of Section 4.2, (i) the portion of Taxes paid by the Noble Group to a Tax Authority for which Paragon is wholly or partially liable and (ii) the portion of Taxes paid by the Paragon Group to a Tax Authority for which Noble is wholly or partially liable will be determined by assuming that Paragon and Noble, as appropriate, previously paid the amounts specified in Schedule 4.2(c) with respect to Taxes.

(d) Payments for Tax Benefits .

(i) If a member of the Noble Group uses a Tax Benefit for which Paragon is entitled to reimbursement pursuant to Section 2.1(b), Noble shall pay to Paragon, within 30 Business Days following the use of such Tax Benefit, an amount equal to the deemed value of such Tax Benefit, as determined in Section 4.2(d)(iv).

(ii) If a member of the Paragon Group uses a Tax Benefit for which Noble is entitled to reimbursement pursuant to Section 2.2(b), Paragon shall pay to Noble, within 30 Business Days following the use of such Tax Benefit, an amount equal to the deemed value of such Tax Benefit, as determined in Section 4.2(d)(iv).

(iii) For purposes of this Agreement, a Tax Benefit will be considered used (A) in the case of a Tax Benefit that generates a Tax refund, at the time such Tax refund is received and (B) in all other cases, at the time the Tax Return is filed with respect to such Tax Benefit or, if no Tax Return is filed, at the time the Tax would have been due in the absence of such Tax Benefit.

(iv) The deemed value of any such Tax Benefit will be (A) in the case of a Tax credit, the amount of such credit or (B) in the case of a Tax deduction, an amount equal to the product of (1) the amount of such deduction and (2) the highest statutory rate applicable under Section 11 of the Code or other applicable rate under state, local or foreign law, as appropriate.

Section 4.3 Special Rule for Payment of Certain Mexican Tax Receivables . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, Paragon shall pay to Noble any amounts received from (or utilized as an offset or credit against Taxes imposed by) any Tax Authority in Mexico that relate to the aggregate tax receivables found on the statutory books of the Persons listed in Schedule 4.3 as of June 30, 2014.

Section 4.4 Special Rule for 2013 Brazilian Taxes and Refunds . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, any additional Tax due to any Tax Authority in Brazil with respect to the 2013 Tax Year shall be the responsibility of Paragon, and

 

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Paragon shall reimburse Noble for any such Taxes paid by the Noble Group to any Tax Authority in Brazil. Likewise, and notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, Paragon shall be entitled to any refund of Taxes previously paid by the Noble Group or the Paragon Group to any Tax Authority in Brazil with respect to the 2013 Tax Year, and Noble shall remit to Paragon any such refund received by the Noble Group.

Section 4.5 Special Rule for Brazilian Judicial Deposit . Notwithstanding any other provision in the Agreement, Paragon shall pay to Noble any amounts, including accrued interest, arising out of lawsuit number 0018408-55.2009.4.02.5101 filed before the 15th Federal Court of Rio de Janeiro against the Principal of Itaguai Port Customs Office in Brazil that relate to the guarantee deposit for the Noble Dave Beard. Any such payment by Paragon shall be net of any Brazilian tax expense related to the interest income (on the Judicial Deposit), so that Paragon is made whole for the interest income.

Section 4.6 Special Rule for U.S. Refunds . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, Noble shall be entitled to any refund of Taxes previously paid by the Noble Group or the Paragon Group to any Tax Authority in the United States to the extent such refund arises as the result of the payment of additional Taxes in Mexico for Tax Years 2002 through 2006 under Mexico’s amnesty program.

Section 4.7 Initial Determinations and Subsequent Adjustments . The initial determination of the amount of any payment that one Party is required to make to another under this Agreement shall be made on the basis of the Tax Return as filed, or, if the Tax to which the payment relates is not reported in a Tax Return, on the basis of the amount of Tax initially paid to the Tax Authority. The amounts paid under this Agreement will be redetermined, and additional payments relating to such redetermination will be made, as appropriate, if as a result of an audit by a Tax Authority, an amended Tax Return, an actual or deemed payment under Section 4.2 in excess of the amounts owed thereunder, or for any other reason (i) additional Taxes to which such redetermination relates are subsequently paid, (ii) a refund of such Taxes is received, (iii) the Group to which a Tax Item is allocated changes or (iv) the amount or character of any Tax Item is adjusted or redetermined. Each payment required by the immediately preceding sentence (i) as a result of a payment of additional Taxes will be due 30 Business Days after the date on which the additional Taxes were paid, (ii) as a result of the receipt of a refund will be due 30 Business Days after the refund was received, (iii) as a result of a change in the allocation of a Tax Item will be due 30 Business Days after the date on which the final action resulting in such change is taken by a Tax Authority or either Party or any member of its Group or (iv) as a result of an adjustment or redetermination of the amount or character of a Tax Item will be due 30 Business Days after the date on which the final action resulting in such adjustment or redetermination is taken by a Tax Authority or either Party or any member of its Group. If a payment is made as a result of an audit by a Tax Authority which does not conclude the matter, further adjusting payments will be made, as appropriate, to reflect the outcome of subsequent administrative or judicial proceedings.

Section 4.8 Interest on Late Payments . Payments pursuant to this Agreement that are not made by the date prescribed in this Agreement or, if no such date is prescribed, within 30 Business Days after written demand for payment is made (the “ Due Date ”) shall bear interest for the period from and including the date immediately following the Due Date through

 

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and including the date of payment at a per annum rate fixed at the Prime Rate plus 2% per annum, subject to any maximum amount permitted by applicable Law, on the Due Date (or, if the Due Date is not a business day, as of 11:00 a.m. New York, NY time on the first business day following the Due Date). Such rate shall be redetermined at the beginning of each calendar quarter following such Due Date. Such interest will be payable at the same time as the payment to which it relates and shall be calculated on the basis of a year of 365 days and the actual number of days for which due.

Section 4.9 Payments by or to Other Group Members . When appropriate under the circumstances to reflect the underlying liability for a Tax or entitlement to a Tax refund or Tax Benefit, a payment which is required to be made by or to Noble or Paragon may be made by or to another member of the Noble Group or the Paragon Group, as appropriate, but nothing in this Section 4.9 shall relieve Noble or Paragon of its obligations under this Agreement.

Section 4.10 Procedural Matters . Any written notice for indemnification delivered to the indemnifying Party in accordance with Section 8.4 shall state the amount due and owing together with a schedule calculating in reasonable detail such amount (and shall include any relevant Tax Records, statement, bill or invoice related to such Taxes, costs, expenses or other amounts due and owing). All payments required to be made by one Party to the other Party pursuant to this Article IV shall be made in U.S. Dollars by electronic, same day wire transfer. Payments shall be deemed made when received. If the indemnifying Party fails to make a payment to the indemnified Party within the time period set forth in this Article IV, the indemnifying Party shall pay to the indemnified Party, in addition to interest that accrues pursuant to Section 4.8, any costs or expenses incurred by the indemnified Party to secure such payment or to satisfy the indemnifying Party’s portion of the obligation giving rise to the indemnification payment.

Section 4.11 Tax Consequences of Payments . For all Tax purposes and to the extent permitted by applicable Tax Law, the Parties shall characterize any payment made pursuant to this Agreement in the same manner as if such payment were a capital contribution by Noble to Paragon or a distribution by Paragon to Noble, as the case may be, immediately prior to the Spin-off Date. If any such payment (or portion thereof) causes, directly or indirectly, an increase in the Taxes owed by the recipient (or any of the members of its Group) under one or more applicable Tax Laws through withholding or otherwise, the payor’s payment obligation (or portion thereof) under this Agreement shall be grossed up to take into account any additional Taxes that may be owed by the recipient (or any of the members of its Group) as a result of such payment. In the event that a Tax Authority asserts that Noble’s or Paragon’s treatment of a payment pursuant to this Agreement should be other than as required pursuant to this Section 4.11, Noble or Paragon, as appropriate, shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to contest such assertion.

 

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ARTICLE V

TAX CONTESTS

Section 5.1 Notices . Each Party shall provide prompt notice to the other Party of any pending or threatened Tax Contest of which it becomes aware relating to (i) Taxes for which it may be indemnified by the other Party hereunder, (ii) the qualification of the Spin-off as a Tax-free transaction described under Sections 368(a)(1)(D) and 355 of the Code to Noble, its shareholders (except with respect to cash received in lieu of fractional shares), and Paragon, or (iii) any change in the Tax treatment of the Related Separation Transactions. Such notice shall contain factual information (to the extent known by the notifying Party or its agents or representatives) describing any asserted Tax liability in reasonable detail and shall be accompanied by copies of any notice and other documents received from any Tax Authority in respect of any such matters. If (i) an indemnified Party has knowledge of an asserted Tax liability with respect to a matter for which it is to be indemnified hereunder, (ii) such Party fails to give the indemnifying Party prompt notice of such asserted Tax liability, and (iii) the indemnifying Party has the right, pursuant to Section 5.2, to control the Tax Contest relating to such Tax liability, then (A) if the indemnifying Party is precluded from contesting the asserted Tax liability as a result of the failure to give prompt notice, the indemnifying Party shall have no obligation to indemnify the indemnified Party for any Taxes arising out of such asserted Tax liability and (B) if the indemnifying Party is not precluded from contesting the asserted Tax liability, but such failure to give prompt notice results in a monetary detriment to the indemnifying Party, then any amount which the indemnifying Party is otherwise required to pay the indemnified Party pursuant to this Agreement shall be reduced by the amount of such detriment.

Section 5.2 Control of Tax Contests .

(a) General Rule . Except as otherwise provided in this Section 5.2, the Preparer of any Tax Return shall be the Controlling Party with respect to any Tax Contest involving a Tax reported on such Tax Return.

(b) Tax Contests Involving Certain Taxes Reported on a Joint Return . The Non-Preparer shall be the Controlling Party with respect to that portion of any Tax Contest involving a Tax or Tax Benefit reported on a Joint Return where the Non-Preparer is liable for such Tax or entitled to reimbursement for such Tax Benefit under this Agreement and such Tax or Tax Benefit is separable from all other Taxes or Tax Benefits reported on such Joint Return; provided, however , that Noble shall be the Controlling Party with respect to any Tax Contest involving Separation Tax Items.

(c) Tax Contests Involving Taxes Reported on Certain Brazilian Tax Returns . The Parties shall use all commercially reasonable means to mitigate the assessment of Taxes by any Tax Authority in Brazil and shall share all reasonable third-party costs that are attributable to such mitigation in the same proportion as the number of Brazilian High Specification Rig Days bears to the number of Brazilian Standard Specification Rig Days, respectively, for such Tax Year.

 

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(d) Tax Contests Involving Mexican Tax Receivables . Noble shall be the Controlling Party with respect to any Tax Contest to the extent related to Mexican tax receivables described in Section 4.3. Noble shall reimburse Paragon for any reasonable third-party costs incurred by the Paragon Group in connection with such contest.

(e) Non-Controlling Party Participation Rights . With respect to any Tax Contest involving a Tax for which the Non-Controlling Party may be liable, or a Tax Benefit to which the Non-Controlling Party may be entitled to reimbursement under this Agreement, (i) the Non-Controlling Party shall, at its own cost and expense, be entitled to participate in such Tax Contest, (ii) the Controlling Party shall keep the Non-Controlling Party reasonably informed and consult in good faith with the Non-Controlling Party and its Tax advisors with respect to any issue relating to such Tax Contest, (iii) the Controlling Party shall provide the Non-Controlling Party with copies of all correspondence, notices and other written materials received from any Tax Authority and shall otherwise keep the Non-Controlling Party and its Tax advisors advised of significant developments in the Tax Contest and of significant communications involving representatives of the Tax Authority, (iv) the Non-Controlling Party may request that the Controlling Party take a position in respect of such Tax Contest, and the Controlling Party shall do so provided that (A) there exists substantial authority for such position (within the meaning of the accuracy-related penalty provisions of Section 6662 of the Code), (B) the adoption of such position would not reasonably be expected to increase the Taxes for which the Controlling Party is liable, or decrease the Tax Benefit for which it is entitled to reimbursement, under this Agreement (unless the Non-Controlling Party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Controlling Party from such increase in Taxes or reduction in Tax Benefits), and (C) the Non-Controlling Party agrees to reimburse the Controlling Party for any reasonable third-party costs that are attributable to the Non-Controlling Party’s request, to the extent those costs exceed $50,000, (v) the Controlling Party shall provide the Non-Controlling Party with a copy of any written submission to be sent to a Taxing Authority prior to the submission thereof and shall give good faith consideration to any comments or suggested revisions that the Non-Controlling Party or its Tax advisors may have with respect thereto, and (vi) there will be no settlement, resolution or closing or other agreement with respect thereto without the consent of the Non-Controlling Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

ARTICLE VI

ASSISTANCE AND COOPERATION

Section 6.1 Provision of Information .

(a) Information with Respect to Joint Returns . At the written request of the Preparer, the Non-Preparer shall provide the Preparer with (A) all Tax Records or other information then in the possession of the Non-Preparer’s Group that are reasonably necessary for the Preparer to properly and timely file all Joint Returns and (B) to the extent applicable Tax Law permits Tax Items allocable to the Non-Preparer pursuant to Article II to be taken into account separately from Tax Items allocable to the Preparer pursuant to Article II, pro forma portions of such Joint Returns, prepared in a format reasonably acceptable to the Preparer and which include only Tax Items allocable to the Non-Preparer pursuant to Article II. The Non-Preparer shall provide the materials described in subclauses (A) and (B) of the preceding

 

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sentence no later than thirty days after the date of the Preparer’s written request. However, if the Preparer requests any such information within the thirty day period ending on the due date of such Joint Return, taking into account applicable extensions, the Non-Preparer shall provide such information as soon as commercially reasonable. If the Non-Preparer fails to provide such materials within the time period described in this Section 6.1 and in the form reasonably requested by the Preparer to permit the timely filing of any Joint Return, then, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Non-Preparer shall be liable for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless each member of the Preparer’s Group from and against, any penalties, interest or additional amounts in respect of Taxes (but excluding any Taxes underlying such amounts) assessed against any member of either Group by reason of any resulting delay in filing such return, to the extent such penalties, interest or additional amounts in respect of Taxes are directly attributable to the delay in providing such information. If the Non-Preparer provides such materials within the time period described in this Section 6.1(a) in the form reasonably requested by the Preparer to permit the timely filing of a Joint Return, then, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Preparer shall be liable for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless each member of the Non-Preparer’s Group from and against, any penalties, interest or additional amounts in respect of Taxes (but excluding any Taxes underlying such amounts) assessed against any member of either Group by reason of any delay in filing such return.

(b) Information with Respect Tax Payments . At the written request of the Preparer, the Non-Preparer shall provide the Preparer with all Tax Records or other information then in the possession of the Non-Preparer’s Group that the Preparer reasonably requests in order to determine the amount of Taxes due on any Payment Date with respect to a Joint Return. The Non-Preparer shall provide such information no later than thirty days from the date of the Preparer’s written request. However, if the Preparer requests any such information within the thirty day period ending on the Payment Date, the Non-Preparer shall provide such information as soon as commercially reasonable. If the Non-Preparer fails to provide such information within the time period described in this Section 6.1(b) and in the form reasonably requested by the Preparer to permit the timely payment of such Taxes, the indemnification principles of Section 6.1(a) shall apply with respect to any penalties, interest or additional amounts in respect of Taxes (but excluding any Taxes underlying such amounts) assessed against any member of either Group by reason of any resulting delay in paying such Taxes, to the extent such penalties, interest, or additional amounts in respect of Taxes are directly attributable to the delay in providing such information.

(c) Information with Respect to Separate Returns . At the written request of the Preparer, the Non-Preparer shall provide the Preparer with all Tax Records or other information then in the possession of the Non-Preparer’s Group that the Preparer reasonably requests in order to properly and timely file all Separate Returns for which the Preparer is responsible pursuant to Section 3.2. Such information shall be provided within the time period prescribed by Section 6.1(a) for the provision of information for Joint Returns. If the Non-Preparer fails to provide such information within the time period described in Section 6.1(a) and in the form reasonably requested by the Preparer to permit the timely filing of a Separate Return, the indemnification principles of Section 6.1(a) shall apply with respect to any penalties, interest or additional amounts in respect of Taxes (but excluding any Taxes underlying such amounts) assessed against any member of either Group by reason of any resulting delay in filing such return, to the extent such penalties, interest, or additional amounts in respect of Taxes are directly attributable to the delay in providing such information.

 

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(d) Information with Respect to Tax Contests . At the written request of the Controlling Party, the Non-Controlling Party shall provide the Controlling Party with all Tax Records or other information then in the possession of the Non-Controlling Party’s Group that the Controlling Party reasonably requests in order to handle, settle or conduct the Tax Contest.

Section 6.2 Reliance on Exchanged Information . If a member of the Paragon Group supplies Tax Records or other information to a member of the Noble Group, or a member of the Noble Group supplies Tax Records or other information to a member of the Paragon Group, and an officer of the requesting Group member intends to sign a statement or other document under penalties of perjury in reliance upon the accuracy of such Tax Records or other information, then a duly authorized officer of the Group member supplying such Tax Records or other information shall certify, to such officer’s knowledge and belief, the accuracy and completeness of the Tax Records or other information so supplied.

Section 6.3 Provision of Assistance and Cooperation .

(a) Assistance with Respect to Joint Returns . At the written request of the Preparer, the Non-Preparer shall take (and shall cause its Subsidiaries to take), at the Preparer’s own cost and expense, any action ( e.g., filing a ruling request with the relevant Tax Authority or executing a limited power of attorney) that is reasonably necessary in order for the Preparer’s Group to prepare, file, amend or take any other action with respect to a Joint Return. If the Non-Preparer fails to take, or cause to be taken, any such requested action, the indemnification principles of Section 6.1(a) shall apply with respect to any penalties, interest, or additional amounts in respect of Taxes (but excluding any Taxes underlying such amounts) assessed against any member of either Group by reason of a failure to take any such requested action, to the extent such penalties, interest, or additional amounts in respect of Taxes are directly attributable to the failure to take such action.

(b) Assistance with Respect to Tax Contests . At the request of the Controlling Party, the Non-Controlling Party shall take (and shall cause its Subsidiaries to take) any action ( e.g. , executing a limited power of attorney) that is reasonably necessary in order for the Controlling Party’s Group to handle, settle or conduct the Tax Contest. Each Party shall assist the other Party in taking (or causing to be taken) any remedial actions that are necessary or desirable to minimize the effects of any adjustment made by a Tax Authority. The Controlling Party shall reimburse the Non-Controlling Party for any reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in complying with this Section 6.3(b). The Controlling Party shall have no obligation to indemnify the Non-Controlling Party for any additional Taxes resulting from the Tax Contest, if the Non-Controlling Party fails to provide assistance in accordance with this Section 6.3(b), to the extent such additional Taxes are directly attributable to the Non-Controlling Party’s failure to provide such assistance.

 

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(c) Cooperation . In addition to the obligations enumerated elsewhere in this Article VI, Noble and Paragon shall cooperate (and shall cause their respective Subsidiaries to cooperate) with each other and with each other’s agents and representatives, including their respective accounting firms and legal counsel, in connection with Tax matters, including, making available to each other, as reasonably requested and available, personnel (including officers, employees and agents of the Parties or their Subsidiaries) responsible for preparing, maintaining, and interpreting information and documents relevant to Taxes, and personnel reasonably required as witnesses or for purposes of providing information or documents in connection with any Tax Contest. Furthermore, the Parties shall cooperate (and cause their respective Subsidiaries to cooperate) to ensure compliance with the obligations listed in Schedule 6.3(c) hereto by the Party responsible for such obligation under this Agreement.

Section 6.4 Supplemental Rulings and Supplemental Tax Opinions . Each of the Parties agrees that at the reasonable request of the other Party (the “ Requesting Party ”), such Party shall cooperate and use reasonable efforts to (and shall cause its Subsidiaries to cooperate and use reasonable efforts to) assist the Requesting Party in obtaining, as expeditiously as reasonably practicable, a Supplemental Ruling from the IRS and/or a Supplemental Tax Opinion from Tax Counsel. Within 30 Business Days after receiving an invoice from the other Party therefor, the Requesting Party shall reimburse such Party for all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by such Party and the members of its Group in connection with assisting the Requesting Party in obtaining any Supplemental Ruling or Supplemental Tax Opinion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Party shall be required to file any Supplemental IRS Submission unless the other Party represents to the filing Party that (i) it has reviewed the Supplemental IRS Submission and (ii) all information and representations, if any, relating to any member of the other Party’s Group contained in the Supplemental IRS Submissions are true, correct and complete in all material respects.

Section 6.5 Withholding and Reporting . With respect to stock of Noble delivered to any Person, Noble and Paragon shall cooperate (and shall cause their respective Subsidiaries to cooperate) so as to permit Noble to discharge any applicable Tax withholding and Tax reporting obligations, including the appointment of Paragon or one or more of its Subsidiaries as the withholding and reporting agent if Noble or one or more of its Subsidiaries is not otherwise required or permitted to withhold and report under applicable Tax Law.

Section 6.6 Retention of Tax Records . Each of Noble and Paragon shall preserve (and shall cause their respective Subsidiaries to preserve) all Tax Records that are in their possession (or in the possession of their respective Subsidiaries), and that could affect the liability of any member of the other Group for Taxes, for as long as the contents thereof may become material in the administration of any matter under applicable Tax Law, but in any event until the later of (i) the expiration of any applicable statutes of limitation, as extended and (ii) 7 years after the Spin-off Date.

Section 6.7 Confidentiality . The provisions of Section 7.13 of the Master Separation Agreement shall govern the confidentiality, disclosure, and use of Confidential Information (as defined therein) relating to Taxes.

 

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ARTICLE VII

RESTRICTION ON CERTAIN ACTIONS OF THE GROUPS

Section 7.1 General Restrictions . Following the Effective Date, Noble and Paragon shall not (and shall cause their respective Subsidiaries not to) take any action that, or fail to take any action the failure of which would be inconsistent with (i) the qualification of the Spin-off as a Tax-free transaction described under Sections 368(a)(1)(D) and 355 of the Code to Noble, its shareholders (except with respect to cash received in lieu of fractional shares), and Paragon or (ii) the Tax-free treatment of the Related Separation Transactions.

Section 7.2 Restricted Actions Relating to Tax Materials . Without limiting the other provisions of this Article VII, following the Effective Date, Noble and Paragon shall not (and shall cause their respective Subsidiaries not to) take any action that, or fail to take any action the failure of which to take, would be reasonably likely to be inconsistent with, or cause any Person to be in breach of, any representation or covenant, or any material statement, made in the Tax Materials.

Section 7.3 Certain Paragon Actions Following the Spin-off .

(a) General Rule . Except as provided in Section 7.3(b), and without limiting the other provisions of this Article VII, during the two-year period beginning on the Spin-off Date, Paragon shall not take or enter into a binding agreement to take (and shall cause its Subsidiaries not to take or enter into a binding agreement to take) any of the following actions:

(i) the liquidation of Paragon;

(ii) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets that constitute the Paragon Business to any Person other than an entity that is and will be wholly-owned, directly or indirectly, by Paragon;

(iii) the transfer of any assets in a transaction described in subparagraphs (A), (C), (D), (F), or (G) of Section 368(a)(1) to another entity, other than an entity that is and will be wholly-owned, directly or indirectly, by Paragon;

(iv) the transfer of all or substantially all of the assets that constitute the Paragon Business in a transaction described in Section 351 or Section 721 other than a transfer to a corporation or partnership that is and will be wholly-owned, directly or indirectly, by Paragon;

(v) the issuance of stock (or any instrument that is convertible or exchangeable into any such stock) other than an issuance to which Treasury Regulations §§ 1.355-7(d)(8) or (9) applies;

(vi) the facilitation of or other participation in any acquisition (or deemed acquisition) of stock of Paragon that would result in any shareholder owning (or being deemed to own after applying the rules of Sections 355(e)(4)(C) and 355(e)(3)(B) of the Code) forty percent (40%) or more (by vote or value) of the outstanding stock of Paragon; or

 

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(vii) the redemption or other repurchase of any stock other than pursuant to open market stock repurchase programs meeting the requirements of Section 4.05(1)(b) of Rev. Proc. 96-30, 1996-1 C.B. 696, as in effect prior to its amendment by Rev. Proc. 2003-48, 2003-2 C.B. 86.

(b) Opinion of Counsel with Respect to Restricted Actions . Paragon may take (or cause its Subsidiaries to take) one or more of the actions listed in Section 7.3(a) if Paragon obtains from Tax Counsel a Supplemental Tax Opinion that is reasonably satisfactory to Noble.

ARTICLE VIII

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 8.1 Entire Agreement . This Agreement, together with the Master Separation Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements, and the Schedules referenced or attached hereto and thereto, constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between Noble and Paragon with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior written and oral and all contemporaneous oral agreements and understandings with respect to the subject matter hereof.

Section 8.2 Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to principles of conflicts of laws thereof that would result in the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction.

Section 8.3 Termination . This Agreement may be terminated at any time by mutual consent of Noble and Paragon. In the event of termination pursuant to this Section, no Party shall have any Liability of any kind to any other Party by reason of this Agreement or such termination.

Section 8.4 Notices . Unless expressly provided herein, all notices, claims, certificates, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to be duly given (i) when personally delivered or (ii) if mailed registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, on the date the return receipt is executed or the letter is refused by the addressee or its agent or (iii) if sent by overnight courier which delivers only upon the signed receipt of the addressee, on the date the receipt acknowledgment is executed or refused by the addressee or its agent or (iv) if sent by facsimile or electronic mail, on the date confirmation of transmission is received (provided that a copy of any notice delivered pursuant to this clause (iv) shall also be sent pursuant to clause (i), (ii) or (iii)), addressed to the attention of the addressee’s General Counsel at the address of its principal executive office or to such other address or facsimile number for a party as it shall have specified by like notice.

Section 8.5 Counterparts . This Agreement, including the Schedules hereto and the other documents referred to herein, may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

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Section 8.6 Binding Effect; Assignment . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Parties and their respective legal representatives and successors. This Agreement may not be assigned by any Party, except that Noble may assign any or all of its rights, interests and obligations hereunder to any Affiliate, as the case may be, provided that any such Affiliate agrees in writing to be bound by all of the terms, conditions and provisions contained herein

Section 8.7 No Third party Beneficiaries . This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Parties and their respective Groups and is not intended to confer upon any other Person except the Parties and their respective Groups any rights or remedies hereunder.

Section 8.8 Severability . If any term or other provision of this Agreement or the Schedules attached hereto is determined by a nonappealable decision by a court, administrative agency or arbitrator to be invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any Party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the court, administrative agency or arbitrator shall interpret this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner to the end that transactions contemplated hereby are fulfilled to the fullest extent possible. If any sentence in this Agreement is so broad as to be unenforceable, the provision shall be interpreted to be only so broad as is enforceable.

Section 8.9 Failure or Indulgence Not Waiver; Remedies Cumulative . No failure or delay on the part of any Party in the exercise of any right hereunder shall impair such right or be construed to be a waiver of, or acquiescence in, any breach of any representation, warranty or agreement herein, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right preclude other or further exercise thereof or of any other right. All rights and remedies existing under this Agreement or the Schedules attached hereto are cumulative to, and not exclusive of, any rights or remedies otherwise available.

Section 8.10 Amendment . No change or amendment will be made to this Agreement except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the Parties; provided, that Noble may, in its sole discretion, amend this Agreement to conform the text of this Agreement to any provision contained in the Distribution Information Statement (as defined in the Master Separation Agreement) that purports to describe this Agreement.

Section 8.11 Authority . Each of the Parties represents to the other that (a) it has the corporate or other requisite power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement, (b) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by it has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other actions, (c) it has duly and validly executed and delivered this Agreement on or prior to the Spin-off Date and (d) this Agreement creates legal, valid and binding obligations, enforceable against it in accordance with its respective terms subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and general equity principles.

 

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Section 8.12 Specific Performance . In the event of any actual or threatened default in, or breach of, any of the terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement, the Party or the Parties who are or are to be thereby aggrieved shall have the right to specific performance and injunctive or other equitable relief of their rights under this Agreement or such Ancillary Agreement, in addition to any and all other rights and remedies at law or in equity, and all such rights and remedies shall be cumulative. The Parties agree that the remedies at law for any breach or threatened breach, including monetary damages, are inadequate compensation for any loss and that any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate is waived. Any requirements for the securing or posting of any bond with such remedy are waived.

Section 8.13 Construction . This Agreement shall be construed as if jointly drafted by Paragon and Noble and no rule of construction or strict interpretation shall be applied against any Party.

Section 8.14 Performance Guarantees . Noble and Paragon shall cause to be performed, and hereby guarantee the performance of, all actions, agreements and obligations set forth herein to be performed by their respective Affiliates.

Section 8.15 Limitation of Liability . IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY MEMBER OF THE NOBLE GROUP OR THE PARAGON GROUP OR THEIR RESPECTIVE DIRECTORS, OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES BE LIABLE FOR ANY EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, SPECIAL, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, REMOTE OR SPECULATIVE DAMAGES (INCLUDING IN RESPECT OF LOST PROFITS OR REVENUES), HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), WHETHER OR NOT SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

Section 8.16 Predecessors or Successors . Any reference to Noble, Paragon, a Person or a Subsidiary in this Agreement shall include any predecessors or successors ( e.g. , by merger or other reorganization, liquidation or conversion) of Noble, Paragon, such Person or such Subsidiary, respectively.

Section 8.17 Expenses . Except as otherwise expressly provided for herein, each Party and its Subsidiaries shall bear their own expenses incurred in connection with the preparation of Tax Returns and other matters related to Taxes under the provisions of this Agreement for which they are liable.

Section 8.18 Effective Date . This Agreement shall become effective on the date recited above on which the Parties entered into this Agreement.

Section 8.19 Change in Law . Any reference to a provision of the Code or any other Tax Law shall include a reference to any applicable successor provision or law.

Section 8.20 Disputes . The procedures for discussion, negotiation and arbitration set forth in Article V of the Master Separation Agreement, once executed, shall apply to all disputes, controversies or claims (whether sounding in contract, tort or otherwise) that may arise out of or relate to, or arise under or in connection with this Agreement.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date set forth above.

 

NOBLE CORPORATION PLC
By:   /s/ David W. Williams
Name:   David W. Williams
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

 

PARAGON OFFSHORE PLC
By:   /s/ Steven A. Manz
Name:   Steven A. Manz
Title:  

Senior Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 10.2

EMPLOYEE MATTERS AGREEMENT

BETWEEN

NOBLE CORPORATION

AND

PARAGON OFFSHORE PLC


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

 

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS      1   
ARTICLE II GENERAL PRINCIPLES      6   
        2.1    Paragon Plans      6   
        2.2    Noble Plans      8   
        2.3    Cooperation On Compliance And Information Sharing      8   
        2.4    Effect of Transactions      10   
        2.5    Seconded Employees      12   
        2.6    Reimbursement of Liabilities      12   
ARTICLE III DEFINED BENEFIT PLANS      13   
        3.1    U.S. Plans      13   
        3.2    Non-U.S. Plans      13   
ARTICLE IV DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS      13   
        4.1    Provisions Governing Assumed And Replicated Plans      13   
        4.2    Provisions Governing Noble Successor Plans      14   
ARTICLE V WELFARE PLANS      14   
        5.1    Medical Plans      14   
        5.2    Protective Plans      16   
        5.3    Adjustment of Liabilities      16   
ARTICLE VI OTHER PLANS      17   
        6.1    Miscellaneous Fringe Benefits And Policies      17   
        6.2    Other Compensation Arrangements      19   
ARTICLE VII EQUITY COMPENSATION      20   
        7.1    Awards Under Parent 1991 and 1992 Plan      20   
        7.2    New Paragon Plans      23   
ARTICLE VIII CERTAIN TRANSITION AND TAX MATTERS      23   
        8.1    Transition Services Agreement      23   
        8.2    Tax Cooperation      23   
        8.3    Plan Returns      24   
ARTICLE IX EMPLOYMENT RELATED MATTERS      24   
        9.1    Terms Of Paragon Employment      24   
        9.2    No Employee Third Party Beneficiaries      24   
        9.3    Employees On Leave Of Absence      24   
        9.4    Workers’ Compensation      25   
ARTICLE X GENERAL PROVISIONS      26   
        10.1    Effect if Distribution Does Not Occur      26   

 

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        10.2    Limitation Of Liability      26   
        10.3    Relationship Of Parties      26   
        10.4    Affiliates      27   
        10.5    Incorporation Of Separation Agreement Provisions      27   
        10.6    Governing Law      27   
        10.7    Severability      27   
        10.8    Amendment      28   
        10.9    Termination      28   
        10.10    Conflict      28   
        10.11    Counterparts      28   

 

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EMPLOYEE MATTERS AGREEMENT

This EMPLOYEE MATTERS AGREEMENT is entered into as of July 31, 2014 between Noble Corporation, an exempted company limited by shares incorporated and existing under the laws of the Cayman Islands (“ Noble ”), and Paragon Offshore plc, a public limited company registered in England and Wales (“ Paragon ”). Noble and Paragon are sometimes hereinafter collectively referred to as the “ Parties ” and each individually as a “ Party .”

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Noble and Paragon have entered into a Master Separation Agreement, dated on or about the date hereof (as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms, the “ Separation Agreement ”);

WHEREAS, Noble and Paragon currently contemplate that Noble Corporation plc, a company incorporated in England and Wales and the parent company of Noble (“ Parent ”), will distribute all of Paragon’s ordinary shares, nominal value $0.01 per share, as a special dividend to the shareholders of Noble plc on a pro rata basis; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Separation Agreement, the Parties have agreed to allocate among them the assets, liabilities and responsibilities with respect to certain employee compensation, benefit plans and programs, and other employment matters in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the agreements set forth in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Wherever used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated below, unless a different meaning is plainly required by the context. In this Agreement, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the principles of interpretation set forth in Section 1.2 of the Separation Agreement and construction set forth in Section 7.4 of the Separation Agreement (of which this Agreement is an Ancillary Agreement, as defined therein) shall apply.

2012 PVRSU Grants ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1(b)(iii)(2).

Agreement ” means this Employee Matters Agreement, including schedules, and all amendments made hereto from time to time.

Ancillary Agreements ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement.

 

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APM ” means the employment-related provisions of the Noble Administrative Policy Manual.

Assumed Plans ” means the Noble Plans listed in Schedule 2.1(a) to this Agreement.

Brazil Services Agreement ” means that certain Transition Services Agreement with respect to Brazil entered into by Noble, Paragon and certain affiliates of each of Noble and Paragon, dated on or about the date hereof, as the same may be amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms.

Cancelled Award ” means an award of Parent TVRSUs or the portion of an award of Parent PVRSUs that is cancelled pursuant to Section 7.1(b).

COBRA ” means the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended, as codified in Section 4980B of the Code and Sections 601 through 608 of ERISA, and any similar Law, together with all regulations and proposed regulations promulgated thereunder.

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Continuation Period ” means the period from the date Paragon assumes responsibility for any Assumed Plan or Replicated Plan through the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Distribution Date occurs.

Dispute ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.6.

Distribution ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals hereof, as the same is further described in the Separation Agreement.

Distribution Date ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement.

DOL ” means the United States Department of Labor.

ERISA ” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

FMLA ” means the U.S. Family and Medical Leave Act, as amended.

Government Authority ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement.

HIPAA ” means the U.S. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, as it may be amended from time to time.

IRS ” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

Law ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement.

 

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Noble ” means Noble Corporation, a company organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands; provided, that references to Noble hereunder shall include, when appropriate, references to Parent.

Noble 401(k) Plan ” means the Noble Drilling Services Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan.

Noble Business ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement.

Noble Defined Benefit Listed Plans ” means the Noble Plans, if any, described in Schedule 3.2, which constitute non-U.S. defined benefit pension arrangements.

Noble Defined Contribution Transferor Plans ” means the Noble Plans described in Schedule 4.1, which constitute defined contribution pension arrangements, whether qualified for tax purposes or nonqualified.

Noble Employee ” means any individual who is employed in the Noble Business during the relevant time period.

Noble End of Service Benefits ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2(b).

Noble Group ” means Parent and each direct or indirect Subsidiary (but only while such Subsidiary is a Subsidiary of Parent) other than any Subsidiary that is a member of the Paragon Group.

Noble Legacy Compensation Obligation ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2(a)(ii).

Noble Seconded Employees ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5(a).

Noble Successor Plan ” means a plan adopted and maintained by Noble to replicate the benefits under an Assumed Plan for employees who are intended to be Retained Employees, it being understood that a Noble Successor Plan may also be maintained for the benefit of other Noble Employees in addition to any Retained Employees.

NYSE ” means the New York Stock Exchange.

Paragon ” means Paragon Offshore plc, a public limited company registered under the laws of England and Wales. In all such instances in which Paragon is referred to in this Agreement, it shall also be deemed to include a reference to each member of the Paragon Group, unless it specifically provides otherwise; Paragon shall be solely responsible for ensuring that each member of the Paragon Group complies with the applicable terms of this Agreement.

Paragon 401(k) Plan ” means the Replicated Plan that comprises Paragon’s tax-qualified U.S. 401(k) defined contribution plan.

Paragon Business ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement.

 

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Paragon Defined Contribution Transferor Plan ” means any Assumed Plans for purposes of Section 4.2, which constitute defined contribution pension arrangements, whether qualified for tax purposes or nonqualified.

Paragon Director Plan ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.2(b).

Paragon Employee ” means any individual who is employed in the Paragon Business during the relevant time period, whether as a Transferred Employee or otherwise.

Paragon Group ” (i) with respect to any pre-Distribution period, means Paragon and each other Subsidiary of Parent that is (or will be) a Subsidiary of Paragon on the Distribution Date and (ii) with respect to any post-Distribution period, has the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement.

Paragon LTIP ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.2(a).

Paragon Price Ratio ” means (i) the “regular way” average closing price of a share of Parent stock during the ten (10) trading-day period ending on the Distribution Date to (ii) the average closing price of a share of Paragon stock during the ten (10) trading-day period after the Distribution Date, as reported on the NYSE.

Paragon PVRSUs ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1(b)(iii)(2).

Paragon Seconded Employees ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5(b).

Paragon TVRSUs ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1(b)(ii).

Parent ” means Noble Corporation plc, a public limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales.

Parent 1991 Plan ” means the Noble Corporation 1991 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan, as amended.

Parent 1992 Plan ” means the Sixth Amended and Restated Noble Corporation 1992 Nonqualified Stock Option and Share Plan for Non-Employee Directors.

Parent PVRSUs ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1(b)(iii)(1).

Parent TVRSUs ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1(b)(ii).

Participating Company ” means, with respect to a Plan, any Noble Group or Paragon Group member that has been approved for participation in, has accepted participation in, or which is otherwise participating in, such Plan, whether by the terms of such Plan or otherwise.

Participation Period ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(f).

Person ” means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization or a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

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Plan ,” depending on the context, may mean any plan, policy, program, payroll practice, arrangement, contract, trust, insurance policy, or any agreement or funding vehicle providing compensation or benefits to employees, former employees or directors of Noble or Paragon or any member of the Noble Group or the Paragon Group. “Plan,” when immediately preceded by “Noble,” means a Plan sponsored by Noble or a member of the Noble Group. When immediately preceded by “Paragon,” “Plan” means a Plan sponsored by Paragon or a member of the Paragon Group.

Plan Returns ” means any return, report, certificate, form or similar statement or document required to be filed with a government agency with respect to an employee benefit plan governed by the ERISA, or a program governed by Section 6039D of the Code.

Price Ratio ” means the ratio of (i) the “regular way with due bills” average closing price of a share of Parent stock during the ten (10) trading-day period ending on the Distribution Date to (ii) the average closing price of a share of Parent stock during the (10) trading-day period after the Distribution Date, as reported on the NYSE.

PSP ” means the Noble Drilling Services Inc. Profit Sharing Plan.

PVRSUs ” means performance-vested restricted stock units.

SEC ” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Replicated Compensation Plan ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2(a).

Replicated Plan ” means any Plan adopted by Paragon in accordance with Section 2.1(b) that shall be substantially similar to the Noble Plan described in the applicable Schedules hereunder.

Replicated Medical Plans ” means a Replicated Plan replicating a Noble Plan described in Schedule 5.1.

Replicated Protective Plans ” means a Replicated Plan replicating a Noble Plan described in Schedule 5.2.

Replicated Retiree Medical Plan ” means a Replicated Plan that provides medical coverage to, or with respect to, retirees.

Retained Employee ” means individuals who are Noble Employees prior to the Distribution and are intended to be retained as employees of the Noble Business for periods on and after the Distribution.

Separation ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement.

Separation Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Subsidiary ” has the meaning set forth in the Separation Agreement.

 

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Tax Sharing Agreement ” means the Tax Sharing Agreement which is identified as an Ancillary Agreement as defined in the Separation Agreement.

Transferrable Days Off ” means paid days off that are earned and unused by Transferred Employees who are offshore workers as of such time that is immediately prior to the Distribution Date.

Transferred Employee ” means, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, a Noble Employee whose employment is transferred to the Paragon Business effective, generally, as of such time that is on or prior to the Transferred Employee Deadline, regardless of whether such individual is actively employed or on leave of absence, short-term disability, FMLA, vacation or other leave as of the time of such transfer.

Transferred Employee Deadline ” shall mean such time that is immediately prior to the effective time of the Distribution.

Transition Services Agreement ” means the Transition Services Agreement which is identified as an Ancillary Agreement as defined in the Separation Agreement.

TVRSUs ” means time-vested restricted stock units.

ARTICLE II

GENERAL PRINCIPLES

2.1 Paragon Plans.

(a) Noble Plans Assumed by Paragon . The Noble Plans listed in Schedule 2.1(a) to this Agreement shall be assumed as Assumed Plans by Paragon as of the Distribution Date. For all periods on and after such time the Assumed Plans shall be Paragon Plans, under which Paragon shall assume sponsorship, administrative responsibility, and all financial obligations of such plans, it being understood that, except as otherwise described in the notes to Schedule 2.1(a) no additional benefits shall accrue under such plans for Retained Employee services for periods on or after the Distribution Date (and their dependents and beneficiaries, as applicable); provided, that the Assumed Plans relating to Paragon’s Brazil operations shall continue to provide ongoing benefits to the Noble workforce that remains in Brazil following the Distribution Date until the termination of the Brazil Services Agreement; provided, further, that such continued benefits shall be provided at no additional charge pursuant to this Agreement and any charges relating to the provision of such benefits shall be accounted for as part of the payments under the Brazil Services Agreement. Paragon hereby agrees to pay, perform, fulfill and discharge, in due course in full all Liabilities under such Assumed Plans. Any assets held in trust or by insurance companies or otherwise set apart for the benefit of such Assumed Plans shall, to the extent not already segregated, be segregated from such assets of other plans and continue to be held for the benefit of such Assumed Plans. For the avoidance of doubt, (i) the responsibility for maintaining, or otherwise overseeing the service provider that maintains, the funding vehicles for such Assumed Plans shall be transferred to Paragon, and (ii) Paragon and shall also be responsible for maintaining the Assumed Plans as Paragon Plans for the benefit of the Transferred Employees and for the benefit of other individuals (and their dependents and beneficiaries, as applicable) who first become Paragon Employees after the Distribution Date.

 

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(b) New Plans Adopted by Paragon . Effective as of the Distribution Date, Paragon shall adopt new Plans as Replicated Plans as the plan sponsor thereof for the benefit of the Paragon Employees (and their dependents and beneficiaries, as applicable) which, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or as otherwise agreed to by Noble, are substantially similar to the Noble Plans listed in the applicable Schedules hereunder that are in effect as of the time of the Distribution. For all periods on and after such time the Replicated Plans shall be Paragon Plans, under which Paragon shall sponsor, administer, and be responsible for all financial obligations of such plans for the benefit of the Paragon Employees (and their dependents and beneficiaries, as applicable). Paragon hereby agrees to pay, perform, fulfill and discharge, in due course in full all Liabilities under the Replicated Plans. Any assets held in trust or by insurance companies for the benefit of such Replicated Plans or otherwise set apart for the benefit of such Replicated Plans shall, to the extent not already segregated, be segregated from such assets of other plans and continue to be held for the benefit of such Replicated Plans. For the avoidance of doubt, (i) the responsibility for maintaining, or otherwise overseeing the service provider that maintains, the funding vehicles for such Replicated Plans shall be transferred to Paragon, and (ii) Paragon shall also be responsible for maintaining the Replicated Plans as Paragon Plans for the benefit of the Transferred Employees and for the benefit of other individuals (and their dependents and beneficiaries, as applicable) who first become Paragon Employees after the Distribution Date.

(c) Paragon Obligation to Maintain Plans . Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or as otherwise agreed to by Noble, Paragon shall continue every Assumed Plan and Replicated Plan in accordance with the terms of such Paragon Plan that are in effect as of the date of its assumption or replication hereunder, as applicable, without significant modification (except as may be required by Law) until, at least, the close of the Continuation Period. After the end the Continuation Period, nothing in this Agreement shall preclude Paragon at any time from amending, merging, modifying, terminating, eliminating, reducing, or otherwise altering in any respect any Paragon Plan or any benefit under any Paragon Plan or any trust, insurance policy or funding vehicle related to any Paragon Plan.

(d) Comparable Compensation and Benefits . Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or as otherwise agreed to by Noble, and for the avoidance of doubt, Paragon initially intends, and shall use commercially reasonable efforts, to maintain the compensation strategy and payroll processes of the Noble Group during the Continuation Period and provide Transferred Employees with compensation opportunities (including salary, wages, allowances, perquisites and bonus opportunities) and fringe benefits (i.e., benefits that are not otherwise provided pursuant to an Assumed Plan or Replicated Plan) that are no less generous, in the aggregate, than such compensation opportunities and fringe benefits that applied to such Transferred Employees immediately prior to the Distribution Date.

 

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2.2 Noble Plans.

(a) Paragon Participation in Noble Plans . Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or in Schedule 2.2(a), for all periods on and after the Distribution Date, Paragon shall cease to be a Participating Company in, and the Transferred Employees (and their dependents and beneficiaries, as applicable) shall cease to participate in, or otherwise benefit under, the Noble Plans.

(b) Noble’s Obligations under Noble Plans . For all periods after the Distribution Date, the Noble Group or applicable member thereof shall, or shall sponsor, administer, and be responsible for all financial obligations of such Noble Plans for the benefit of any Noble Employee (and their dependents and beneficiaries, as applicable). Noble hereby agrees to pay, perform, fulfill and discharge, in due course in full all Liabilities under the Noble Plans with respect to such Noble Employees (and their dependents and beneficiaries, as applicable); provided, that Noble shall, in accordance with this Agreement, continue to pay claims of Transferred Employees (and their dependents and beneficiaries, as applicable) incurred under such plans prior to the Distribution Date. For the avoidance of doubt, (i) the responsibility for maintaining, or otherwise overseeing the service provider that maintains, the funding vehicles for such Noble Plans shall be retained by Noble, and (ii) Noble shall also be responsible for maintaining the Noble Plans for the benefit of the Noble Employees who are Retained Employees and for the benefit of other individuals (and their dependents and beneficiaries, as applicable) who first become Noble Employees after the Distribution Date.

(c) Noble Replication of Assumed Plans . If any participants in any Plan that is intended to be an Assumed Plan are Retained Employees, Noble shall replicate the benefits to such participants and their beneficiaries under the Assumed Plan either under a new plan or under an existing Noble Plan (in either case, a “ Noble Successor Plan ”) effective as of the Distribution Date. Such Noble Successor Plan shall provide benefits to such participants and their beneficiaries in the same manner as if the Assumed Plan had continued to be maintained by the Noble Group or applicable member thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Assumed Plans relating to Paragon’s Brazil operations shall continue to provide ongoing benefits to the Noble workforce that remains in Brazil following the Distribution Date until the termination of the Brazil Services Agreement; provided, that such continued benefits shall be provided at no additional charge pursuant to this Agreement and any charges relating to the provision of such benefits shall be accounted for as part of any payments made under the Brazil Services Agreement.

(d) Noble Plans not Assumed or Replicated by Paragon . The Noble Plans listed in Schedule 2.2(d) shall be retained by the Noble Group, and shall not be assumed or replicated by Paragon, and, for the avoidance of doubt, Paragon shall have no obligation to pay the benefits associated with respect to such Plans.

(e) Noble Obligation to Maintain Plans . Nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit the Noble Group or applicable member thereof from amending, modifying or terminating any Noble Plan at any time within its sole discretion.

2.3 Cooperation On Compliance And Information Sharing.

(a) Information Requests and Sharing; HIPAA . Subject to applicable confidentiality, data protection and other applicable Laws, Noble and Paragon shall provide information (including contact information of representatives of businesses or governmental

 

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entities who have a connection with respect to any of the Plans) reasonably requested by the other Party (or its agents and vendors) to enable the requesting Party to administer efficiently and accurately each of its benefit plans and to determine the scope of, as well as fulfill, its obligations under this Agreement. Such information shall, to the extent reasonably practicable, be provided in the format and at the times and places requested, but in no event shall the Party providing such information be obligated to incur any out-of-pocket expenses not reimbursed by the Party making such request or make such information available outside of its normal business hours and premises, it being understood that to the extent a copy of an original document cannot be prepared, no Party shall be under the obligation to provide the original document to the other Party. Any information shared or exchanged pursuant to this Agreement shall also be subject to the confidentiality requirements set forth in the Separation Agreement. On or before the Distribution Date, the Parties shall enter into reciprocal business associate agreements providing for the confidentiality of protected health information in compliance with the requirements of HIPAA, and shall enter into similar arrangements to the extent required under other applicable Law.

(b) Termination of Employment Disclosure Requirements . Paragon acknowledges that certain Transferred Employees may continue participating in or be eligible to earn benefits in connection with the Noble Plans that are listed in Schedule 2.3(b) and that the timing of benefit payments and the effect of applicable Law on such arrangements and payments may be subject to whether such Transferred Employees have incurred a termination of employment with the Paragon Group. To the extent any Transferred Employee participates in the Noble Plans that are listed in Schedule 2.3(b), Paragon shall report in writing on a monthly basis to Noble, and at such other times as reasonably requested by Noble, with respect to disclosing whether such Transferred Employee’s employment or other service with the Paragon Group remains in effect or has been terminated as further described in Schedule 2.3(b).

(c) Reasonable Efforts and Cooperation . Each of the Parties hereto shall use commercially reasonable efforts to promptly take, or cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable Laws and regulations to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including adopting plans or plan amendments. During the Continuation Period, each of the Parties hereto shall cooperate fully on any issue relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement for which the other Party seeks consent or approval with respect to or by a Governmental Authority or other applicable regulatory agency, including, but not limited to obtaining a determination letter from the IRS and filing the Form 5500, including any “top-hat” filing or any other Plan Return with the DOL, the IRS or otherwise, as applicable.

(d) Ownership of Employee Information . All records, data and other employee-related information in any form relating to Paragon Employees shall be owned by and the property of the Paragon Group solely to the extent such records pertain to his or her period of service with the Paragon Group during periods on and after the Distribution Date or to the extent such records pertain to his or her participation in a Paragon Plan. For the avoidance of doubt, all records, data and other employee-related information in any form relating to Paragon Employees shall be owned by and the property of the Noble Group, to the extent that such records, data and other information relates to any period that such employee

 

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was (i) employed by the Noble Group or (ii) covered under any employee benefit plan sponsored by any member of the Noble Group (to the extent that such records or data relate to such coverage). All records, data and other employee-related information in any form relating to Noble Employees shall be the property of the Noble Group.

(e) Consent Of Third Parties; Third-Party Vendors . If any provision of this Agreement is dependent on the consent of any third party and such consent is withheld, the Parties hereto shall use their reasonable best efforts to implement the applicable provisions of this Agreement to the fullest extent practicable. If any provision of this Agreement cannot be implemented due to the failure of such third party to consent, the Parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to implement the provision in a mutually satisfactory manner. Except as provided below, to the extent any Noble Plan is administered by a third-party vendor, the Parties will cooperate and use their commercially reasonable efforts to replicate any contract with such third-party vendor and to maintain any pricing discounts or other preferential terms for both Noble and Paragon for a reasonable term. Neither Party shall be liable for failure to obtain such pricing discounts or other preferential terms for the other Party.

(f) Access To Employees . During the one-year period after the Distribution Date, the Parties shall make available to each other those of their employees who may reasonably be needed in order to defend or prosecute any legal or administrative action (other than a legal action between the Parties) to which any employee, director or Plan of the Noble Group or Paragon Group is a party and which relates to their respective Plans. The Party to whom an employee is made available in accordance with this Section 2.3(f) shall reimburse the other Party for all reasonable expenses which may be incurred by such employee in connection therewith, including all reasonable travel, lodging, and meal expenses, but excluding any amount for such employee’s time spent in connection herewith.

(g) Effect on Analogous Separation Agreement Provisions . Nothing in this Section 2.3 shall be deemed to limit in any manner a Party’s rights or obligations under Article VII of the Separation Agreement.

2.4 Effect of Transactions.

(a) Effect on Employment . Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or under applicable Law, the Parties hereto acknowledge and agree the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Separation Agreement, this Agreement and the other Ancillary Agreements, without more, shall not cause any employee to incur, or otherwise be deemed to have incurred, a termination of employment which entitles such individual to the commencement of benefits under any Noble Plan or Paragon Plan or a change in status which entitles such individual to make different benefits elections, when applicable, under any Noble Plan or Paragon Plan. Furthermore, nothing in the Separation Agreement, this Agreement or the other Ancillary Agreements is intended to confer upon any employee or former employee of Noble, Paragon, or the respective affiliates of either Party any right to continued employment, or any recall or similar rights to an individual on layoff or any type of approved leave.

 

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(b) Not A Change In Control . The Parties hereto acknowledge and agree that the transactions contemplated by the Separation Agreement, this Agreement and the other Ancillary Agreements do not constitute a “change in control” or “change of control” or similar event for purposes of any Noble Plan or Paragon Plan.

(c) Annual Limits . Any annual limits on contributions, deferrals or benefits payable that are applicable to any Replicated Plan described in this Agreement shall be applied in the year of the Distribution Date on a combined basis with the applicable Noble Plan being replicated, and the Parties shall cooperate in the establishment of recordkeeping systems and the communication of information to effect the requirements of this Section 2.4(c).

(d) Sections 162(m)/409A . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary (including the treatment of supplemental and deferred compensation plans, outstanding long-term incentive awards and annual incentive awards as described herein), the Parties agree to cooperate in good faith regarding the need for any treatment different from that otherwise provided herein to ensure that (i) any supplemental or deferred compensation or long-term incentive award, annual incentive award or other compensation constitutes, when appropriate, qualified performance-based compensation for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code, and (ii) the treatment of such supplemental or deferred compensation or long-term incentive award, annual incentive award or other compensation does not cause the imposition of a tax under Section 409A of the Code.

(e) Service Credit . Except as specified otherwise in this Agreement or as required by applicable Law, the Assumed Plans, Replicated Plans and the Noble Successor Plans, as applicable, shall recognize service of any Transferred Employee or Retained Employee, as applicable, that was provided for the Noble Group for periods prior to the Distribution Date for purposes of seniority, eligibility, vesting, level of benefits, and benefit accrual to the same extent such service was recognized under the applicable Plan being assumed or replicated hereunder; provided, that such service shall not be recognized to the extent that such recognition would result in the duplication of benefits, and this provision shall not be interpreted, to result in a reduction of accrued benefits of any Transferred Employee or Retained Employee. Any applicable “break in service” or “service bridging” rules shall be applied as if the Noble Group and the Paragon Group had not separated and continued to be Participating Companies in a single plan. The Parties shall mutually agree, if necessary, on methods and procedures, including amending the respective Plan documents, to prevent employees from receiving any such duplicative benefits.

(f) Beneficiary Designations, Garnishments and other Elections . Except as otherwise provided under applicable Law, all beneficiary designations, garnishments and provisions therefor (including with respect to any alternate payee or similarly situated individual under any non-U.S. plan), form of payment elections and deferral elections that are in effect with respect to a Transferred Employee or Retained Employee at the time of the Distribution Date with respect to the Noble Plans or otherwise shall continue in full force and effect under the corresponding Assumed Plans, Replicated Plans, Noble Successor Plans or otherwise, as applicable, until such time, if ever, that any such beneficiary designation, garnishment or other election is replaced or revoked by (or with respect to) the applicable Transferred Employee or Retained Employee to whom the beneficiary designation, garnishment or other election relates.

 

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2.5 Seconded Employees.

(a) Noble Seconded Employees . Certain Noble Employees may be, from time to time, leased or seconded to work in the Paragon Business (collectively “ Noble Seconded Employees ”), it being understood that, except as otherwise provided herein, the terms of any such secondment shall be set forth in a separate agreement. Any such Noble Seconded Employees shall continue to be treated as Noble Employees, and not Paragon Employees, for all purposes, to the extent provided in any applicable leasing or secondment agreement, and as otherwise permitted by Law.

(b) Paragon Seconded Employees . Certain Paragon Employees (including Transferred Employees) may be, from time to time, leased or seconded to work in the Noble Business (“ Paragon Seconded Employees ”), it being understood that, except as otherwise provided herein, the terms of any such secondment shall be set forth in a separate agreement. Any such Seconded Employees shall continue to be treated as Paragon Employees, and not Noble Employees, for all purposes, to the extent provided in any applicable leasing or secondment agreement, and as otherwise permitted by Law.

2.6 Reimbursement of Liabilities.

(a) Noble Reimbursements from Paragon . From time to time after the Distribution Date and except to the extent a reimbursable amount is described in, or otherwise paid pursuant to, the Transition Services Agreement, Paragon shall promptly reimburse Noble, upon Noble’s reasonable request and the presentation by Noble of an invoice describing in detail the amount and matter relating to, and basis for, reimbursement and such substantiating documentation as Paragon shall reasonably request, for the cost of any obligations or Liabilities satisfied or assumed by Noble that are expressly required to be reimbursed by Paragon under this Agreement, including but not limited to any expense incurred by Noble for services rendered by a vendor for Paragon’s benefit. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, any such request for reimbursement must be made by Noble not later than ninety (90) days after close of the Continuation Period.

(b) Paragon Reimbursements from Noble . From time to time after the Distribution Date, Noble shall promptly reimburse Paragon, upon Paragon’s reasonable request and the presentation by Paragon of an invoice describing in detail the amount and matter relating to, and basis for, the reimbursement and such substantiating documentation as Noble shall reasonably request, for the cost of any obligations or Liabilities satisfied or assumed by Paragon that are expressly required to be reimbursed by Noble under this Agreement. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, any such request for reimbursement must be made by Paragon not later than ninety (90) days after the close of the Continuation Period.

(c) Any amount required to be reimbursed between the Parties hereunder shall be determined on a net-of-tax basis, following the principles of Section 3.6 of the Separation Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE III

DEFINED BENEFIT PLANS

3.1 U.S. Plans. Paragon shall not assume or replicate any U.S. defined benefit pension arrangement (whether qualified for tax purposes or nonqualified) covering Transferred Employees or otherwise be required under Section 2.1(d) to provide any benefit in lieu of the benefits provided to Transferred Employees under any such U.S. defined benefit pension arrangement prior to the Distribution Date, it being understood that the eligibility requirement Section 4.1(c) shall apply with respect to such Transferred Employees who participate in the Replicated Plan that relates to the PSP. Transferred Employees will continue to participate in the U.S. Noble defined benefit pension arrangements (qualified and, as applicable, nonqualified) until the Distribution Date. Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, and subject to applicable Law, Transferred Employees, shall cease to accrue any further benefits under such arrangements, based on compensation or service for periods on or after the Distribution Date and Noble shall take such actions as are necessary to remove or otherwise prevent Paragon from being (or otherwise being deemed as) a Participating Company in such arrangements for periods on or after the Distribution Date.

3.2 Non-U.S. Plans. The Parties agree that the Noble Defined Benefit Listed Plans, if any, listed in Schedule 3.2 shall be replicated as Replicated Plans of Paragon in accordance with this Agreement.

ARTICLE IV

DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS

4.1 Provisions Governing Assumed And Replicated Plans.

The Parties agree that each Noble Defined Contribution Transferor Plan, described in Schedule 4.1, shall be replicated as a Replicated Plan of Paragon in accordance with this Agreement.

(a) The Parties intend that the accounts in any Noble Defined Contribution Transferor Plan that are attributable to a Transferred Employee’s participation therein shall be transferred to the applicable Replicated Plan at such time that is not later than sixty (60) days following the Distribution Date (or such later time as mutually agreed by the Parties) and Paragon shall cause such Replicated Plan to accept such transfer of accounts. To the extent any such accounts are funded and to the extent permitted by applicable Law, Noble shall cause the assets in the applicable Noble Defined Contribution Transferor Plan that are attributable to Transferred Employee participation therein to be transferred in-kind to the applicable Replicated Plan, and Paragon shall cause such Replicated Plan to accept such transfer of assets. The transfer of accounts and assets under this Section 4.1(a) shall be conducted in accordance with applicable Law.

 

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(b) The Paragon 401(k) Plan shall also accept transfers of outstanding loan balances in connection with the transfer of the accounts and assets attributable to Transferred Employee participation in the Noble 401(k) Plan, and Paragon shall adopt payroll processes and other procedures, whether under the Paragon 401(k) Plan, or otherwise, to continue to administer any such outstanding loans with respect to such Paragon Employee. The Parties agree to cooperate during the period prior to any such transfer to adopt withholding and payment procedures to minimize the likelihood of such a plan loan from defaulting before its transfer to, and administration under, the Paragon 401(k) Plan.

(c) In the case of the Replicated Plan that relates to the PSP, (i) at the time of the Distribution Date, Paragon shall expand eligibility to all applicable Paragon Employees (including Transferred Employees), who were previously excluded therefrom by virtue of participating in certain U.S. defined benefit arrangements described in the PSP’s Covered Employee definition, and (ii) Paragon shall be responsible for making contributions to such Replicated Plan for the 2014 plan year with respect to periods of Transferred Employee service with both the Noble Group and the Paragon Group during such year. Noble will reimburse Paragon for any amounts contributed by Paragon to such Replicated Plan in respect of the 2014 plan year to the extent such contributions relate to periods of Transferred Employee service with the Noble Group during the portion of such plan year that precedes the Distribution Date and based on (x) each such Transferred Employee’s rate of pay at such time that is immediately prior to the Distribution Date and (y) the percentage of “Basic Compensation” (within the meaning of the PSP) that is contributed by the applicable Noble Group member to the PSP with respect Noble Employees who participate in the PSP for such plan year.

4.2 Provisions Governing Noble Successor Plans.

The Parties intend that the accounts in any Paragon Defined Contribution Transferor Plan described in Schedule 4.2 that are attributable to a Retained Employee’s participation therein shall be transferred to the applicable Noble Successor Plan at such time that is not later than sixty (60) days following the Distribution Date (or such later time as mutually agreed by the Parties) and Noble shall cause such Noble Successor Plan to accept such transfer of accounts in a manner consistent with the transfer described in Section 4.1.

ARTICLE V

WELFARE PLANS

5.1 Medical Plans.

The Parties agree that the Noble Plans described in Schedule 5.1, which constitute health, dental or vision arrangements, shall be replicated as Replicated Medical Plans of Paragon in accordance with this Agreement.

(a) Terms and Conditions of Replicated Medical Plans . Paragon shall cause all Replicated Medical Plans to (i) waive all limitations as to exclusions and service conditions with respect to participation and coverage requirements applicable to Transferred Employees (and their dependents and beneficiaries), and (ii) waive any waiting period limitations or

 

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evidence of insurability requirements that would otherwise be applicable to any of the Transferred Employees (and their dependents and beneficiaries) as of the Distribution Date to the extent such Transferred Employees (and their dependents and beneficiaries) have satisfied any similar limitations under the analogous Noble Plan.

(b) Insurance Premiums and Other Transferred Employee Costs . For periods on and after the Distribution Date until, at least, the close of the Continuation Period, insurance premium costs for participation in the Assumed Plans or Replicated Medical Plans described in Schedule 5.1(b) shall be subsidized by Paragon to the same extent as they had been subsidized by Noble during the period prior to the Distribution Date, such that Transferred Employees shall pay the substantially the same amount for the level of coverage under such Assumed Plans and Replicated Medical Plans as they paid (or would have paid) under the analogous Noble Plan. Deductibles and out of pocket costs incurred under such Noble Plans will count toward the limits under the corresponding Paragon Plans in the year in which any Transferred Employee’s coverage is transferred from such Noble Plans to Paragon Plans.

(c) Retiree Medical . Paragon shall take all actions necessary to ensure that applicable Transferred Employees (and their dependents and beneficiaries) shall be eligible to participate in, and receive benefits under, any retiree medical arrangement of Paragon, which shall be established by Paragon as a Replicated Retiree Medical Plan, on the same basis under which they were eligible to participate in, and receive benefits under, the analogous Noble Plan retiree medical arrangement immediately prior to the Distribution Date, it being understood that the total service with the Noble Group and Paragon Group shall be counted for determining whether the eligibility requirements under the Replicated Retiree Medical Plan are satisfied.

(d) Stop Loss Rate Adjustment . The Parties acknowledge that the stop loss insurance cost per employee under the Noble Plan(s) described in Schedule 5.1(d) shall remain the same for 2014 and be recomputed for 2015, which recomputation shall initially establish (among other things) the 2015 stop loss rates for Paragon Employee participation in the Replicated Medical Plan(s) described in Schedule 5.1(d).

(e) COBRA Beneficiaries . Noble shall continue to be responsible for compliance with the health care continuation coverage requirements of COBRA for any individual entitled to such coverage with respect to the applicable Noble Plans immediately prior to the Distribution Date; provided, that in all events, Paragon (acting directly or through its affiliates) shall assume, or shall have caused any applicable Assumed Plan to assume, responsibility for compliance with the health care continuation coverage requirements of COBRA with respect to any individual entitled to such coverage under such Plan immediately prior to the Distribution Date. Paragon acknowledges that it shall be responsible for compliance with the health care continuation coverage requirements of COBRA with respect to Transferred Employees (and their dependents and beneficiaries), including without limitation, Paragon Employees (and their dependents and beneficiaries) who become entitled to such coverage under an Assumed Plan or Replicated Medical Plan on or after the Distribution Date.

 

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5.2 Protective Plans.

The Parties agree that the Noble Plans described in Schedule 5.2, which constitute life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment, business travel accident insurance (or as described in such Schedule as supplemental AD&D), disability and similar Plans, shall be replicated as Replicated Protective Plans of Paragon in accordance with this Agreement.

(a) Terms and Conditions of Replicated Protective Plans . Paragon shall cause all Replicated Protective Plans to (i) waive all limitations as to exclusions and service conditions with respect to participation and coverage requirements applicable to Transferred Employees (and their dependents and beneficiaries), and (ii) waive any waiting period limitations or evidence of insurability requirements that would otherwise be applicable to any of the Transferred Employees (and their dependents and beneficiaries) as of the Distribution Date to the extent such Transferred Employees (and their dependents and beneficiaries) have satisfied any similar limitations under the analogous Noble Plan.

(b) Insurance Premiums and Other Transferred Employee Costs . For the period on and after the Distribution Date and until, at least, the close of the Continuation Period insurance premium costs for participation in the Assumed Plans or Replicated Protective Plans described in Schedule 5.2(b) shall be subsidized by Paragon to the same extent as they had been subsidized by Noble, such that Transferred Employees shall pay the substantially the same amount for the level of coverage under such Assumed Plans and Replicated Medical Plans as they paid (or would have paid) under the analogous Noble Plan. Deductibles and out of pocket costs incurred under such Noble Plans will count toward the limits under the corresponding Paragon Plan in the year in which any Transferred Employee’s coverage is transferred from such Noble Plans to Paragon Plans.

(c) Long-Term Disability Pre-Funding . For the avoidance of doubt, the Parties agree that any reserves or insurance policies that are intended to fund the benefits to participants who commenced receiving or became entitled to receive long-term disability benefits before otherwise becoming Transferred Employees shall be retained by Noble (except in the case of Assumed Plans for which Paragon takes over the liability for these benefits).

(d) Crediting Work Days and Disability Periods . For purposes of administering Paragon Plans that are disability plans, whether as an Assumed Plan or Replicated Plan, periods of Noble active work and Noble disability absence for any Transferred Employee for periods prior to the Distribution Date shall be credited respectively as Paragon work days and Paragon disability absence.

5.3 Adjustment of Liabilities.

(a) Insured Benefits . With respect to employee welfare benefits that are provided through the purchase of insurance, Noble shall cause the applicable Noble Plans to fully perform, pay and discharge each Transferred Employee claim that is incurred prior to the Distribution Date, and Paragon shall cause the Assumed Plans, Replicated Medical Plans, Replicated Protective Plans and any other applicable Paragon Plans to fully perform, pay and discharge all Transferred Employee claims that are incurred on or after the Distribution Date.

 

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(b) Self-Insured Benefits . With respect to employee welfare benefits that are provided on a self-insured basis, (i) Noble (acting directly or through its affiliates) shall fully perform, pay and discharge, under the Noble Plans, all Transferred Employee claims thereunder that are incurred but not paid prior to the Distribution Date, and (ii) Paragon (acting directly or through its affiliates) shall fully perform, pay and discharge, under the Assumed Plans, Replicated Medical Plans, Replicated Protective Plans and any other applicable Paragon Plans, all Transferred Employee claims that are incurred on or after the Distribution Date.

(c) Incurred Claim Definition . For purposes of this Section 5.3, a claim or Liability is deemed to be incurred (i) with respect to medical, dental, vision and/or prescription drug benefits, upon the rendering of health services giving rise to such claim or Liability; (ii) with respect to life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment and business travel accident insurance, upon the occurrence of the event giving rise to such claim or Liability; and (iii) with respect to disability benefits, upon the date of an individual’s disability, as determined by the disability benefit insurance carrier or claim administrator, giving rise to such claim or Liability.

(d) Claim Experience . Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parties (acting directly or through their affiliates) shall take any action necessary to ensure that any claims experience under the Noble Plans attributable to the Transferred Employees (and their dependents and beneficiaries) shall be allocated with respect, or otherwise available, to the applicable Paragon Plans, subject to any applicable privacy protection Laws or privacy contracts.

ARTICLE VI

OTHER PLANS

6.1 Miscellaneous Fringe Benefits And Policies.

(a) Administrative Policy Manual and Pay Practices . The APM arrangements and other pay practices of Noble described in Schedule 6.1(a), shall be continued by Paragon until, at least, the close of the Continuation Period, and the Parties agree that the APM shall continue to apply, whenever appropriate, with respect to any drilling rigs owned or operated by a Noble Group member after the Distribution Date.

(b) Payroll System . In the event (and to the extent) that Noble makes a payroll run with respect to any Transferred Employee for the next applicable payroll date following the date on which the Distribution Date occurs, Paragon shall reimburse Noble for the portion of the Transferred Employee’s payroll cost attributable to his or her post-Distribution Date service with the Paragon Group.

(c) Travel Expenses . Travel expenses booked by Noble prior to the Distribution Date for Transferred Employee travel on or after such date shall be paid by Paragon or reimbursed by Paragon to Noble; provided that Paragon shall only pay or reimburse fifty percent (50%) of such expenses to the extent such Transferred Employee is in transit at the time of the Distribution Date.

 

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(d) Travel Leave Program . The July 2014 costs of the Noble travel leave program with respect to individuals who are expected to become Transferred Employees and their qualified dependents shall be allocated to Paragon and Paragon shall be responsible for the payment of such costs. To the extent such costs are paid by Paragon with respect individuals who ultimately do not become Transferred Employees (and their qualified dependents), Noble shall reimburse Paragon for such costs.

(e) Earned Paid Days Off for Offshore Workers . The effect of the Separation on the Noble earned paid days off for offshore workers who are Transferred Employees shall be as follows: (i) all Transferrable Days Off shall be assumed by Paragon as a Paragon Liability; (ii) the Transferrable Days Off shall cease to be a Paragon Liability to the extent the reimbursement payment described in Section 6.1(b) is attributable to the payroll that relates to such Transferrable Days Off, and (iii) for the avoidance of doubt, the assumption of such Transferrable Days Off as a Paragon Liability with respect to the Transferred Employees described herein shall relate to (x) any additional number of Transferrable Days Off that were earned by the performance of additional services during a work rotation period, and (y) any reduced number of Transferrable Days Off that were so reduced due to the performance of reduced services during a work rotation or the use of additional days off outside of a work rotation.

(f) Service Award Program . Noble’s employee service award program shall be continued by Paragon with respect to the Transferred Employees until, at least, the close of the Continuation Period. Service with Noble shall be credited in determining service anniversaries under Paragon’s service program, as continued hereunder.

(g) Employee Referral Program . To the extent an employee who makes the referral under Noble’s employee referral program becomes a Paragon Employee, Paragon shall be responsible for any remaining payments under its referral program (regardless of whether the employee hired under the program becomes a Paragon Employee). To the extent an employee who makes the referral under Noble’s employee referral program remains a Noble Employee, Noble shall be responsible for any remaining payments under its referral program (regardless of whether the employee hired under the program becomes a Paragon Employee).

(h) Expatriate Policies and Practices . With respect to any Transferred Employee on expatriate assignment as of the Distribution Date, Noble’s arrangements and practices with respect to expatriate employee compensation, including, but not limited to such arrangements and practices of paying taxes on behalf of such an expatriate employee, shall be continued by Paragon until, at least, the earlier of the Transferred Employee’s repatriation or the close of the Continuation Period, it being understood that this Section 6.1(h) shall not apply with respect to any Transferred Employee who is not on expatriate assignment as of the Distribution Date.

 

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(i) Training Practices . Training and related expenses (e.g., travel, lodging, etc.) incurred by Noble prior to the Distribution Date in respect of any Transferred Employee training that is to occur on or after such date shall be paid by Paragon or reimbursed by Paragon to Noble, it being understood that Paragon shall pay or reimburse one hundred percent (100%) of such expenses.

6.2 Other Compensation Arrangements.

(a) Short-Term Incentives and Retention . The Parties intend that separate short-term incentive and retention Plans shall be adopted by Paragon as Replicated Plans prior to the Distribution Date in respect of the Noble Plans listed in Schedule 6.2(a) (“ Replicated Compensation Plans ”) for eligible employees associated with the Paragon Business and shall be maintained by Paragon until, at least, the remaining term that relates to such Plans, it being understood that there shall be no requirement that Paragon continue the Replicated Compensation Plans for any period after the expiration of the remaining term that relates to such Plans.

(i) Effective as of the Distribution Date, Paragon shall assume responsibility for all Liabilities and fully perform, pay and discharge all obligations, when such obligations become due, relating to any Replicated Compensation Plans that any Transferred Employee is eligible to receive with respect to periods of Transferred Employee service during the portion of the 2014 calendar year (and any relevant period thereafter) that occurs on and after July 1, 2014.

(ii) Effective as of the Distribution Date, Noble shall retain, as applicable, responsibility for all Liabilities and fully perform, pay and discharge all obligations relating to any of the Noble Plans listed in Schedule 6.2(a) solely in respect of Transferred Employee service during the portion of the 2014 calendar year that occurs prior to July 1, 2014, based on each such Transferred Employee’s salary and bonus target at such time that is immediately prior to the Distribution Date (“ Noble Legacy Compensation Obligation ”). Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, the Parties acknowledge that Noble is to calculate short-term incentive awards for eligible Transferred Employees pursuant to the terms of the 2014 Noble Corporation Short-Term Incentive Plan; provided, that the year-end calculated financial and safety goal award factors that apply for Noble Employees will also apply for Transferred Employees, that Paragon is to provide individual achievement factors (ranging from 0% to 100%) as soon as practical once known for eligible employees to be utilized in the award calculation, and that Noble is to issue a payment to Paragon in respect of the Noble Legacy Compensation Obligation on or around February 28, 2015, and Paragon shall be responsible for providing such payment to the eligible Transferred Employees as soon as practicable thereafter.

(b) End of Service Benefit . Paragon shall be responsible for all end of service gratuity obligations for each Transferred Employee whose employment as a Paragon Employee terminates after the Separation. The period of service of the applicable Transferred Employees with Noble and Paragon shall be included in the determination of the amount of such end of service benefits. The anticipated value of any end of service benefits that are attributable to such Transferred Employees’ period of service with Noble for all periods prior to the Distribution Date (“ Noble End of Service Benefits ”) shall be calculated by Noble within a reasonable time after the Distribution Date and paid from Noble to Paragon promptly thereafter. The calculation of such Noble End of Service Benefits shall be made as if a

 

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termination of service occurred on the Distribution Date and end of service benefits were payable upon such deemed termination, without regard to any offset that may otherwise apply with respect to such payment. No true-up payment or other adjustment shall be made between the Parties in the event the anticipated value of such Noble End of Service Benefits differs from the actual amount of such end of service benefits that are attributable to the period of service with Noble for all periods prior to the Distribution Date.

(c) Change of Control Arrangements . The Change of Control Agreements between Noble and the officers that become Transferred Employees, if any, as set forth in Schedule 6.2(c), shall be replaced with agreements between Paragon and such officers effective as of or prior to the Distribution Date, with benefits based on a future change of control of Paragon and guaranteed by Paragon. For all periods on and after the Distribution Date, (i) any Noble Change of Control Agreement that related to any Transferred Employee shall be null and void, and (ii) Noble shall have no Liability with respect to any such Noble Change of Control Agreement (or with respect to any Paragon Change of Control Agreement or other Paragon obligation related thereto, including the obligations of Paragon under this Section 6.2(c)).

(d) Other Employment Agreements . Effective as of the Distribution Date, European Union rank and file employment agreements covering a Transferred Employee or Retained Employee shall, when applicable, be assumed by Paragon or Noble, respectively, or when such an assumption is otherwise necessary but not reasonably practicable, such agreements shall be replaced by Paragon or Noble, as applicable, with substantially similar agreements. Collective bargaining agreements with Noble that relate to Transferred Employees shall be assumed by Paragon or replaced with new agreements with Paragon with respect to such Transferred Employees and Paragon shall be responsible for all Liabilities under such assumed or replaced agreements, whether with respect to Transferred Employees or other Paragon Employees.

ARTICLE VII

EQUITY COMPENSATION

7.1 Awards Under Parent 1991 and 1992 Plan.

(a) Employees Remaining as Noble Employees . Neither the Separation, nor the Distribution shall affect vesting or cause forfeiture of any outstanding award to any employee who continues in the employ of Noble Group. Such outstanding awards shall be adjusted, as of the close of business on the Distribution Date, as follows:

(i) Shares Subject to Awards . The number of shares covered by any such award shall be multiplied by the Price Ratio, with the resulting number of shares rounded down to the nearest whole number.

(ii) Stock Option Exercise Price . The exercise price (as applicable) for any such awards shall be divided by the Price Ratio, with the resulting exercise price rounded to up to the nearest whole cent.

 

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(iii) Adjustment of Performance Terms . With respect to employees continuing in the employ of the Noble Group, the Parent Compensation Committee shall determine the appropriate adjustments, if any, to the performance vesting criteria for performance vested awards outstanding as of the Distribution Date.

(b) Transferred Employees . The Distribution shall affect such outstanding awards as follows:

(i) Stock Options . For Transferred Employees, options that are outstanding under the Parent 1991 Plan as of the Distribution Date shall remain outstanding as Parent options under the Parent 1991 Plan for five (5) years from the Distribution Date or, if less, the remaining term of the options, and the exercise price and number of shares subject to such options shall be adjusted as set forth in paragraph (a) above.

(ii) Time-Vested Restricted Stock Units (TVRSUs). Each award of TVRSUs outstanding under the Parent 1991 Plan as of the Distribution Date (“ Parent TVRSUs ”) shall be cancelled as a Cancelled Award, Paragon shall grant a new award of TVRSUs that are subject to the Paragon LTIP (“ Paragon TVRSUs ”) with respect to such Cancelled Award, and the number of shares subject to such Paragon TVRSUs shall be adjusted as set forth in paragraph (c) below.

(iii) Performance-Vested Restricted Stock Units (PVRSUs) .

 

  (1) In the case of a Transferred Employee, each of his or her outstanding awards of PVRSU grants under the Parent 1991 Plan as of the Distribution Date (“ Parent PVRSUs ”) shall, in part, remain outstanding under the Parent 1991 Plan and shall, in part, be cancelled as a Cancelled Award. The portion of each PVRSU grant that shall be a Cancelled Award is the number of PVRSUs originally granted multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of calendar months remaining in the performance period that end after the Distribution Date and the denominator of which is thirty-six (36), the resulting number of shares being rounded up to the nearest whole number; and the remaining portion of such PVRSU grant shall remain outstanding as Parent PVRSUs subject to the following paragraphs. The number of shares that shall relate to such Parent PVRSU grant after the Distribution Date shall be determined in accordance with paragraph (a), above, and shall be subject to the performance condition determined pursuant to paragraph (a), above.

 

  (2)

Paragon shall grant new awards of PVRSUs that are subject to the Paragon LTIP (“ Paragon PVRSUs ”) with respect to the Parent PVRSUs grants that are Cancelled Awards described in Section 7.2(b)(iii)(1) above; provided, that

 

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  there shall be no such grants with respect to the Cancelled Awards of Parent PVRSUs that were made in 2012 (“ 2012 PVRSU Grants ”). The number of shares and the performance condition that shall relate to such Paragon PVRSUs shall be determined pursuant to paragraph (c) below. For the avoidance of doubt, the termination of employment provisions in the Parent 1991 Plan shall, when applicable, be deemed to relate to the Transferred Employee’s termination of employment with the Paragon Group.

 

  (3) In the case of 2012 PVRSU Grants, a bonus, if earned, shall be payable by Paragon with respect to the portion of each such 2012 PVRSU Grant that constitutes a Cancelled Award. If earned, the amount of such bonus shall equal the value of the Noble ordinary shares that would have otherwise been issued with respect to the cancelled portion of such 2012 PVRSU Grant, if the cancelled portion had remained in effect. The form of the bonus may, in Paragon’s discretion, be paid in cash or Paragon ordinary shares. The bonus shall be earned if Noble satisfies the performance metrics that apply to its 2012 PVRSU Grants.

(c) Adjustment of Paragon Awards Granted with respect to Cancelled Awards . Paragon awards that are granted with respect to Cancelled Awards shall have the same vesting dates, exercise periods and other terms and conditions of such Cancelled Awards, subject to the following:

(i) Shares Subject to Awards . The number of shares covered by any such Cancelled Award shall be multiplied by the Paragon Price Ratio, with the resulting number of shares rounded down to the nearest whole number;

(ii) Adjustment of Performance Terms . The performance metrics and peer group for the Paragon PVRSUs that are granted with respect to Cancelled Awards shall be determined in the discretion of the Paragon Compensation Committee.

(d) Dividend Equivalent Matters . To the extent a dividend equivalent payment would have otherwise been paid by Noble after the Distribution Date for the third quarter of 2014 with respect to a Cancelled Award had such Cancelled Award remained in effect, Paragon shall pay a cash bonus to the officer or employee of Paragon who held such Cancelled Award. To the extent the Cancelled Award relates to a 2012 PVRSU Grant, the foregoing cash bonus payment requirement shall also apply to the dividend equivalent payment that would have otherwise been paid by Noble after the Distribution Date for the fourth quarter of 2014 with respect to such Cancelled Award had such Cancelled Award remained in effect. The amount of the bonus payment shall equal the dividend equivalent payment that would have otherwise been paid by Noble with respect to such Cancelled Award, if such Cancelled Award had remained in effect.

 

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(e) 1992 Plan : Neither the Separation, nor the Distribution shall affect the vesting conditions or the period for exercise of any stock option held by a Noble Director pursuant to the Parent 1992 Plan. Such outstanding stock options shall be adjusted, effective as of the close of business on the Distribution Date in accordance with the method described in Sections 7.1(a)(i) and (ii).

7.2 New Paragon Plans.

(a) Long-Term Incentive Plan . Paragon shall prepare its own form of equity incentive plan (“ Paragon LTIP ”) to provide for (among other things) the granting and administration of any new Paragon awards for periods on and after the Distribution Date, it being understood that there shall be no requirement that the Paragon LTIP be substantially similar to the Parent 1991 Plan or that any new award issued thereunder (other than awards that are granted with respect to any Cancelled Award) be substantially similar in form, amount or value to any award under the Parent 1991 Plan.

(b) Director Plan . Paragon shall prepare its own form of plan (“ Paragon Director Plan ”) to provide for equity and other compensation for its outside directors for periods on and after the Distribution Date, it being understood that there shall be no requirement that the Paragon Director Plan be substantially similar to the Parent 1992 Plan or any other form of Parent equity plan, or that any new award issued thereunder be substantially similar in form, amount or value to any award under the Parent 1992 Plan or any other form of Parent equity plan.

(c) Approval As Sole Stockholder . The Paragon LTIP and Paragon Director Plan adopted by Paragon in accordance with Sections 7.2(a) and (b) of this Agreement shall be approved prior to the Distribution Date by the then applicable member of the Noble Group as Paragon’s sole shareholder.

ARTICLE VIII

CERTAIN TRANSITION AND TAX MATTERS

8.1 Services Agreements. On or about the date hereof, Noble and Paragon shall enter into the Transition Services Agreement and Brazil Services Agreement covering the provisions of various services to be provided between Noble and Paragon. The provisions of this Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of such Transition Services Agreement and Brazil Services Agreement and to the extent that any provision in this Agreement is inconsistent with a provision in the Transition Services Agreement or Brazil Services Agreement the provision in the Transition Services Agreement or Brazil Services Agreement shall control.

8.2 Tax Cooperation. In connection with the interpretation and administration of this Agreement, the Parties shall take into account the agreements and policies established pursuant to the Separation Agreement and the Tax Sharing Agreement. Notwithstanding any provision the Separation Agreement or the Tax Sharing Agreement to the contrary, the Parties hereby agree to cooperate for purposes of utilizing, when appropriate, the procedure for United States employment tax withholding and reporting as provided Rev. Proc. 2004-53, I.R.B. 2004-35

 

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such that, Paragon will generally provide a single 2014 Form W-2 to each applicable Transferred Employee in respect of his or her 2014 compensation from Noble International Limited and Paragon Offshore International Limited (due to Noble International Limited’s name change to Paragon Offshore International Limited as of the Distribution and its unchanged federal employer identification number for periods on and after the Distribution). Any tax notices received by Paragon that relate to a period on or prior to the Distribution Date with respect to Noble International Limited or Paragon Offshore International Limited shall be sent to Noble for resolution, it being understood that such notice shall be sent (for resolution) electronically to payrollcorporate@noblecorp.com on the day it is received by Paragon.

8.3 Plan Returns. Plan Returns shall be filed or caused to be filed by (and the responsibility of) Noble with respect to Noble Plans and by (and the responsibility of) Paragon with respect to Paragon Plans, it being understood that the principles of Section 2.3(c) shall apply during the Continuation Period.

ARTICLE IX

EMPLOYMENT RELATED MATTERS

9.1 Terms Of Paragon Employment. Each of the Parties agrees to execute, and to seek to have the applicable employees execute, such documentation as may be necessary to reflect their transfer to the Paragon Group, including but not limited to, agreements regarding confidential information and proprietary developments in a form approved by Paragon. For the avoidance of doubt, to the extent such employee is not transferred to the Paragon Group prior to the close of the Transferred Employee Deadline, such employee shall not be treated as a Transferred Employee for purposes of this Agreement.

9.2 No Employee Third Party Beneficiaries. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no provision of this Agreement shall be construed to create any right, or accelerate entitlement, to any compensation or benefit whatsoever on the part of any Paragon Employee or Noble Employee or former employee. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Agreement shall create any obligation on the part of any member of the Noble Group or the Paragon Group to continue the employment of any employee for any period following the date of this Agreement or to change the employment status of any employee from “at will,” to the extent such employee is an “at will” employee under applicable Law.

9.3 Employees On Leave Of Absence. Paragon hereby acknowledges that Paragon shall be solely responsible for administering leaves of absence and complying with all applicable Law relating to leaves of absence with respect to Paragon Employees for all periods on and after the Distribution Date. During the Continuation Period, Paragon shall honor all terms and conditions of leaves of absence that have been granted by Noble to any individual who becomes a Transferred Employee under a Noble leave of absence program or FMLA or other applicable Law regarding leave of absence that is applicable to such individual immediately prior to the Distribution Date, including such leaves that are to commence after the individual’s employment is transferred to the Paragon Business.

 

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9.4 Workers’ Compensation.

(a) In General . Effective as of the Distribution Date, Paragon shall assume all Liabilities relating to, arising out of, or resulting from any workers’ compensation claim by a Transferred Employee that results from an accident, incident or event occurring, or from an occupational disease which becomes manifest, before, on or after the Distribution Date. If Paragon is unable to assume any such Liability (or any portion thereof) or the administration of any such claim because of the operation of applicable Law or for any other reason, Noble shall retain such Liability and Paragon shall reimburse and otherwise fully indemnify Noble for such Liability, including the costs of administering the plans, programs or arrangements under which any such Liabilities have accrued or otherwise arisen. Similarly, as of the Distribution Date, Noble shall assume all Liabilities relating to, arising out of, or resulting from any workers’ compensation claim by a Retained Employee that results from an accident, incident or event occurring, or from an occupational disease which becomes manifest, before, on or after the Distribution Date. If Noble is unable to assume any such Liability (or any portion thereof) or the administration of any such claim because of the operation of applicable Law or for any other reason, Paragon shall retain such Liability and Noble shall reimburse and otherwise fully indemnify Paragon for such Liability, including the costs of administering the plans, programs or arrangements under which any such Liabilities have accrued or otherwise arisen.

(b) Jones Act Matters . Effective as of the Distribution Date, Paragon shall assume all Liabilities relating to, arising out of, or resulting from any claim by a Transferred Employee pursuant to the Merchant Marine Act of 1920 that results from an accident, incident or event occurring, or from an occupational disease which becomes manifest, before, on or after the Distribution Date. If Paragon is unable to assume any such Liability (or any portion thereof) or the administration of any such claim because of the operation of applicable Law or for any other reason, Noble shall retain such Liability and Paragon shall reimburse and otherwise fully indemnify Noble for such Liability, including the costs of administering the plans, programs or arrangements under which any such Liabilities have accrued or otherwise arisen. Similarly, as of the Distribution Date, Noble shall assume all Liabilities relating to, arising out of, or resulting from any claim by a Retained Employee pursuant to the Merchant Marine Act of 1920 that results from an accident, incident or event occurring, or from an occupational disease which becomes manifest, before, on or after the Distribution Date. If Noble is unable to assume any such Liability (or any portion thereof) or the administration of any such claim because of the operation of applicable Law or for any other reason, Paragon shall retain such Liability and Noble shall reimburse and otherwise fully indemnify Paragon for such Liability, including the costs of administering the plans, programs or arrangements under which any such Liabilities have accrued or otherwise arisen.

(c) Miscellaneous Matters . The Parties shall cooperate in good faith with respect to the notification to appropriate governmental agencies of the Distribution and the issuance of new, or the transfer of existing, workers’ compensation insurance policies and claims handling contracts.

 

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ARTICLE X

GENERAL PROVISIONS

10.1 Effect if Distribution Does Not Occur. Subject to Section 10.8, if the Distribution does not occur, then all actions and events that are, under this Agreement, to be taken or occur effective as of the Distribution Date, or otherwise in connection with the Distribution, shall not be taken or occur except to the extent specifically agreed by the parties.

10.2 Limitation Of Liability.

(a) In General . To the extent that Noble or any member of the Noble Group provides services under this Agreement to Paragon, and such services are not otherwise addressed in the Transition Services Agreement, such services shall be performed with the same general degree of care as when performed within the Noble Group. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN PARAGRAPH (B), BELOW, PARAGON HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT PARAGON MAY OTHERWISE HAVE FOR ANY LOSSES, TO ENFORCE SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE OR TO PURSUE ANY OTHER REMEDY AVAILABLE IN CONTRACT, AT LAW, OR IN EQUITY IN THE EVENT OF ANY NON-PERFORMANCE, INADEQUATE PERFORMANCE, FAULTY PERFORMANCE OR OTHER FAILURE OR BREACH BY NOBLE OR ANY MEMBER OF THE NOBLE GROUP UNDER OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, NOTWITHSTANDING THE NEGLIGENCE (WHETHER SOLE, JOINT OR CONCURRENT OR ACTIVE OR PASSIVE) OR GROSS NEGLIGENCE OF NOBLE OR ANY MEMBER OF THE NOBLE GROUP OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY INVOLVED IN THE PROVISION OF SERVICES AND WHETHER DAMAGES ARE ASSERTED IN CONTRACT OR TORT, UNDER FEDERAL, STATE OR FOREIGN LAWS OR OTHER STATUTE OR OTHERWISE.

(b) Noble Indemnity for Latent Non-Compliance . To the extent that any of the Assumed Plans or Replicated Plans may contain terms or conditions that are non-compliant with applicable Law, Noble shall indemnify Paragon for any material consequential costs that exceed $50,000, and which could not reasonably be avoided by Paragon (for example, by Plan amendment) after the noncompliance was first made known to Paragon, by Noble or otherwise. As a condition of any such obligation to provide indemnity, Paragon must: (a) notify Noble within 60 days of its knowledge of any notice of a noncompliant provision in any Plan; and (b) provide Noble with an opportunity to defend or participate in the defense of any claim for of noncompliance that could give rise to an indemnifiable cost. For purposes of the foregoing indemnity, a Plan provision that is noncompliant based on a change in Law or a clarification in Law that was promulgated after the Distribution Date shall not considered noncompliant if it was based on a reasonable interpretation of the Law prior to the Distribution Date.

10.3 Relationship Of Parties. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed or construed as creating a fiduciary relationship, a relationship of principal and agent, partnership or joint venture between the parties, the understanding and agreement being that no provision contained herein, and no act of the parties, shall be deemed to create any relationship between the parties other than the relationship set forth herein. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other person, including any Noble Employee, Paragon Employee or Transferred Employee, any right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

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10.4 Affiliates. Each of the Parties shall cause to be performed, and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements and obligations set forth in this Agreement to be performed by each of their affiliates, respectively.

10.5 Incorporation Of Separation Agreement Provisions. The provisions of Sections 3.13 (Limitation of Liability), 7.4 (Notices) 7.6 (Binding Effect; Assignment), 7.9 (Failure of Indulgence Not Waiver; Remedies Cumulative), 7.11 (Authority) and 7.12 (Specific Performance) of the Separation Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference, and unless otherwise expressly specified herein, such provisions shall apply as if fully set forth herein (references in this Section 10.5 to an “Article” or a “Section” shall mean Articles or Sections of the Separation Agreement, and, except as expressly set forth herein, references in the material incorporated herein by reference shall be references to the Separation Agreement).

10.6 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to principles of conflicts of laws thereof that would result in the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction. The procedures for discussion, negotiation and arbitration set forth in Article VI of the Separation Agreement shall apply to any dispute, controversy or claim (whether sounding in contract, tort or otherwise) that arises out of or relates to, this Agreement any alleged breach hereof, or the transactions contemplated hereby (including all actions taken in furtherance of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby on or prior to the date hereof), the construction, interpretation, enforcement or validity hereof or thereof (a “ Dispute ”). Each Party agrees on behalf of itself and the respective members of the Noble Group or Paragon Group, as applicable, that the procedures set forth in Article VI of the Separation Agreement shall be the sole and exclusive remedy in connection with any Dispute and irrevocably waives any right to commence any Action in or before any Governmental Authority, except as set forth in Section 5.1 of the Separation Agreement. Each Party on behalf of itself and the respective members of the Noble Group or Paragon Group, as applicable, irrevocably waives any right to any trial by jury with respect to any Dispute to which this Section 10.6 applies.

10.7 Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement or the Schedules attached hereto is determined by a nonappealable decision by a court, administrative agency or arbitrator to be invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of Law or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to either Party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the court, administrative agency or arbitrator shall interpret this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner to the end that transactions contemplated hereby are fulfilled to the fullest extent possible. If any sentence in this Agreement is so broad as to be unenforceable, the provision shall be interpreted to be only so broad as is enforceable.

 

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10.8 Amendment. No change or amendment will be made to this Agreement except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the Parties.

10.9 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time after the Distribution Date by mutual consent of Noble and Paragon. In the event of termination pursuant to this Section, no party shall have any liability of any kind under this Agreement to the other party.

10.10 Conflict. This Agreement, together with the Separation Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements, and the Schedules referenced or attached hereto and thereto, constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between Noble and Paragon with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior written and oral and all contemporaneous oral agreements and understandings with respect to the subject matter hereof. The foregoing notwithstanding, the provisions of this Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of such Transition Services Agreement and Brazil Services Agreement and to the extent that any provision in this Agreement is inconsistent with a provision in the Transition Services Agreement or Brazil Services Agreement, such provision in the Transition Services Agreement or Brazil Services Agreement shall control.

10.11 Counterparts. This Agreement, including Schedules hereto and the other documents referred to herein, may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement.

[ Remainder of Page intentionally Blank; Signature Page Follows ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date set forth above.

 

NOBLE CORPORATION
By:   /s/ David W. Williams
Name:   David W. Williams
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

 

PARAGON OFFSHORE PLC
By:   /s/ Steven A. Manz
Name:   Steven A. Manz
Title:  

Senior Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 10.3

EXECUTION COPY

TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT

This TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT (the “ Agreement ”) is entered into as of July 31, 2014 between Noble Corporation, an exempted company limited by shares incorporated and existing under the laws of the Cayman Islands (“ Noble ”), and Paragon Offshore plc, a public limited company registered in England and Wales (“ Paragon ”). Noble and Paragon are sometimes hereinafter collectively referred to as the “ Parties ” and each individually as a “ Party .”

WHEREAS, Noble and Paragon have entered into a Master Separation Agreement, dated on or about the date hereof (as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms, the “ Master Separation Agreement ”);

WHEREAS, Noble and Paragon currently contemplate that Noble Corporation plc, a company incorporated in England and Wales and the parent company of Noble (“ Noble plc ”), will distribute all of Paragon’s ordinary shares, nominal value $0.01 per share, as a special dividend to the shareholders of Noble plc on a pro rata basis; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Master Separation Agreement, the Parties have agreed that (a) Noble will provide or cause to be provided to Paragon (and/or its Affiliates) certain services and other assistance on a transitional basis during the Transition Period and (b) Paragon will provide or cause to be provided to Noble (and/or its Affiliates) certain services and other assistance on a transitional basis during the Transition Period, in each case in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the agreements set forth in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1 Definitions . Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined elsewhere in this Agreement shall have the respective meanings given to such terms in the Master Separation Agreement. The following terms shall have the meaning ascribed thereto for purposes of this Agreement, including all Schedules hereto:

Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with, such Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

Brazil Services Agreement ” means that certain Transition Services Agreement with respect to Brazil entered into by Noble, Paragon and certain affiliates of each of Noble and Paragon, dated on or about the date hereof, as the same may be amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms.


Business ” means either the Noble Business or the Paragon Business (as applicable).

Business Day ” means any day, other than a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which banking institutions located in New York, New York shall be authorized or required by any Government Requirement to close.

Employee Matters Agreement ” means that certain Employee Matters Agreement entered into by Noble and Paragon dated on or about the date hereof, as the same may be amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms.

Governmental Authority ” means any instrumentality, subdivision, court, administrative or other agency, commission, official or other authority of any country or any state, province, prefect, municipality, locality or other government or political subdivision thereof, or any governmental, quasi-governmental or private body exercising any executive, regulatory, taxing, importing or other governmental or quasi-governmental authority.

Governmental Requirement ” means at any time (i) any law, statute, code, ordinance, order, rule, regulation, judgment, decree, injunction, writ, edict, award, authorization or other requirement of any Governmental Authority in effect at that time or (ii) any obligation included in any certificate, certification, franchise, permit or license issued by any Governmental Authority or resulting from binding arbitration, including any requirement under common law.

Group ” means either the Noble Group or the Paragon Group (as applicable).

Late Interest Rate ” means the lesser of (i) the one month LIBOR rate plus 2.00% or (ii) the maximum rate of interest permitted to be charged by applicable Governmental Requirements.

Noble Business ” means the ownership and operation of the Noble Rigs.

Noble Group ” means Noble plc and each direct or indirect Subsidiary of Noble plc (other than Paragon and any Subsidiary of Paragon).

Noble Rigs ” means the drilling rigs identified in Exhibit A to this Agreement.

Paragon Business ” means the ownership and operation of the Paragon Rigs.

Paragon Group ” means Paragon and each direct or indirect Subsidiary of Paragon (other than Noble and any Subsidiary of Noble).

Paragon Rigs ” means the drilling rigs identified in Exhibit B to this Agreement.

Person ” means any individual, partnership, joint venture, corporation, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, trust, unincorporated organization or association or a Governmental Authority.

 

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Regardless of Cause ” means, whether or not any Damages are asserted to have arisen by virtue of tort (including negligence), breach of statutory duty, breach of contract (including breach of condition) or quasi-contract, strict liability, misrepresentation, breach of any laws, regulations, rules or orders of any Governmental Requirements or otherwise, on the part of the Party or other Person seeking indemnity (or exclusion or limitation of liability). Regardless of Cause means whether or not any Damages are asserted to have been caused by or arisen by virtue of gross negligence on the part of the Party or other Person seeking indemnity (or exclusion or limitation of liability).

Service Provider ” means the Party (or its Subsidiary or Affiliate) providing a Service under this Agreement.

Service Receiver ” means the Party (or its Subsidiary or Affiliate) to whom a Service is being provided under this Agreement.

Service Receiver Group ” means the applicable Noble Group or Paragon Group receiving the Services from the Service Provider.

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any specified Person, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other organization, whether incorporated or unincorporated, of which at least a majority of the securities or interests having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect at least a majority of the board of directors or others performing similar functions with respect to such corporation or other organization is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such specified Person or by any one or more of its Subsidiaries, or by such specified Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries.

Tax Sharing Agreement ” means the Tax Sharing Agreement, dated on or about the date hereof, between Paragon and Noble Parent.

Transition Period ” means the period from the Effective Date until December 31, 2015.

ARTICLE II

SERVICES

Section 2.1 Services. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, (a) Noble, acting through its own or procured through its Affiliates’ and their respective employees, agents, contractors or independent third parties, agrees to provide or cause to be provided to Paragon and its Subsidiaries (solely with respect to the Paragon Business) the services set forth in Schedules A-1 to A-8 hereto and any additional services provided to Paragon or its Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 2.3 of this Agreement (the “ Noble Services ”), and (b) Paragon, acting through its own or procured through its Affiliates’ and their respective employees, agents, contractors or independent third parties, agrees to provide or cause to be provided to Noble and its Subsidiaries (solely with respect to the Noble Business) the services set forth in Schedule B-1 hereto and any additional services provided to Noble or its Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 2.3 of this Agreement (the “ Paragon Services ” and, collectively with the Noble Services, the “ Services ”). At all times during the performance of the Services, all Persons performing such Services (including agents, temporary employees, independent third parties and consultants of the Service Provider, collectively, the “ Service Provider Group ”) shall be construed as being independent from the Service Receiver Group, and no such Person shall be considered or deemed to be an employee of any member of the Service Receiver Group nor entitled to any employee benefits of the Service Receiver as a result of this Agreement.

 

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The Service Receiver acknowledges and agrees that, except as may be expressly set forth herein as a Service (including additional Services to be provided pursuant to Section 2.3 below), no member of the Service Provider Group shall be obligated to provide, or cause to be provided, any service or goods to any member of the Service Receiver Group.

Section 2.2 Service Coordinators . Each of Noble and Paragon will nominate a representative to act as the primary contact with respect to the provision of the Services as contemplated by this Agreement (the “ Service Coordinators ”). The initial Service Coordinators shall be Alan Hay for Noble and David Organ for Paragon. Unless Noble and Paragon otherwise agree, Noble and Paragon agree that all notices and communications relating to this Agreement other than those day-to-day communications and billings relating to the actual provision of the Services shall be directed to the Service Coordinators in accordance with Section 11.4 hereof. The Service Coordinators shall meet as expeditiously as possible to resolve any dispute hereunder; and any dispute that is not resolved by the Service Coordinators within forty-five (45) calendar days shall be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolution procedures set forth in Section 11.3. Each of Noble and Paragon may treat an act of a Service Coordinator of the other Party which is consistent with the provisions of this Agreement as being authorized by such other Party without inquiring behind such act or ascertaining whether such Service Coordinator had authority to so act; provided, however , that no such Service Coordinator shall have authority to amend this Agreement. Unless otherwise provided herein, Noble and Paragon shall advise each other promptly (in any case no more than three Business Days) in writing of any change in their respective Service Coordinators, setting forth the name of the replacement, and stating that the replacement Service Coordinator is authorized to act for such Party in accordance with this Section 2.2.

Section 2.3 Additional Services . During the period from August 1, 2014 (the “ Effective Date ”) until the date that is ninety (90) days after the Effective Date, Noble and Paragon may, each acting in its sole discretion, mutually agree that a Service Provider will provide additional Services to a Service Receiver. Upon the mutual written agreement as to the nature, cost, duration and scope of such additional Services, Noble and Paragon shall supplement in writing the Schedules hereto to include such additional Services.

For the avoidance of doubt, no additional Services shall extend past the end of the Transition Period.

Section 2.4 Third-Party Services . The Service Provider shall have the right, whenever it deems necessary or advisable, to hire third-party subcontractors or acquire rights from third parties to provide all or part of any Service hereunder. The Service Provider will provide to the Service Receiver all reasonably requested information regarding such third-party subcontractors. The cost of such additional third-party Services or acquisition of such rights shall be billed to and paid for by the applicable Service Receiver in the manner set forth in the applicable Schedule and Article IV.

 

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Section 2.5 Standard of Performance . The Services to be provided hereunder shall be performed in accordance with good oilfield practice for offshore drilling and with the same general degree of care as when the Service Provider and its Affiliates performed such services within the Service Provider organization prior to the Effective Date. It is understood and agreed that the employees of the Service Provider and the other members of the Service Provider Group performing the Services are not professional providers to third parties of the types of services included in the Services and that Service Provider Group employees performing Services have other responsibilities and will not be dedicated full-time to performing Services hereunder. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION 2.5, NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED (INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF NON-INFRINGEMENT, MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, SEAWORTHINESS OR CONFORMITY TO ANY REPRESENTATION OR DESCRIPTION), ARE MADE BY THE APPLICABLE SERVICE PROVIDER OR ANY MEMBER OF THE SERVICE PROVIDER GROUP WITH RESPECT TO THE SERVICES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT AND, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE GOVERNMENTAL REQUIREMENTS, ALL SUCH REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES ARE HEREBY WAIVED AND DISCLAIMED, REGARDLESS OF CAUSE, BY THE APPLICABLE SERVICE RECEIVER.

Section 2.6 Service Boundaries and Scope . Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or a Schedule for a specific Service: (a) the Service Provider shall be required to provide, or cause to be provided, the Services only to the extent and only at the locations such Services are being provided by any member of the Service Provider Group for the applicable Business immediately prior to the Effective Date; and (b) the Services shall be available only for purposes of conducting the applicable Business substantially in the manner it was conducted immediately prior to the Effective Date. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or a Schedule for a specific Service, in providing, or causing to be provided, the Services, the Service Provider shall not be obligated to: (i) maintain the employment of any specific employee or hire additional employees or third-party service providers; (ii) purchase, lease or license any additional equipment (including computer equipment, furniture, furnishings, fixtures, machinery, vehicles, tools and other tangible personal property), software or other assets, rights or properties; (iii) make modifications to its existing systems or software; (iv) provide any member of the Service Receiver Group with access to any systems or software; (v) provide or cause to be provided any training, licensing or similar services to any person; (vi) provide any marketing, promotional, bid inquiry or similar services; (vii) provide any transportation or shipping services; or (viii) pay any costs related to the transfer or conversion of data of any member of the Service Receiver Group. Each Party in its capacity as a Service Receiver acknowledges (on its own behalf and on behalf of the other members of its respective Group) that the employees of the Service Provider or any other members of the Service Provider Group who may be assisting in the provision of Services hereunder are or may be at-will employees and, in any event, may terminate or be terminated from employment with the Service Provider or any of the other members of the Service Provider Group providing Services hereunder at any time for any reason. For the avoidance of doubt, the Services do not include any services required for or as the result of any business acquisitions, divestitures, start-ups or terminations by either Party or any other member of such Party’s Group or any similar transactions.

 

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Section 2.7 Noble Documents and Other Information .

 

  (A) Except for software licensed from third parties that are not Affiliates of Noble, all software used on or in connection with any of the Noble Business (the “ Noble Software ”), is proprietary to Noble or its Affiliates and is hereby licensed or sublicensed non-exclusively, royalty-free to Paragon solely for use in connection with the Paragon Business and only until the earlier of the termination of this Agreement or the time at which the Service to which such Noble Software relates terminates or ceases to be provided under this Agreement. Paragon agrees not to use the licensed or sublicensed Noble Software or related documentation (other than in connection with the Paragon Business during the term of this Agreement) or to copy, modify, reverse engineer, reverse compile, or reverse assemble it. Irrespective of any terms to the contrary in this Agreement, any and all such licenses and sublicenses shall terminate as of the termination of this Agreement. Paragon shall, during the term of this Agreement and for two years thereafter, upon Noble’s reasonable request and upon reasonable prior notice from Noble, make the Paragon Rigs (or Paragon’s other places of business) available for inspection by Noble or its designated representatives (at Noble’s sole expense) for the sole purpose of confirming Paragon’s compliance with this Section 2.7(A) and subject to Noble’s obligation to keep information confidential pursuant to Article IX.

 

  (B) As a result of the provision of Noble Services, certain employees of the Paragon Group may receive access to computer, software, communications or information networks or systems of Noble or its Affiliates, and any related electronic or written documentation (collectively, “ Noble Systems ”). Paragon shall access and use only those Noble Systems for which it has been granted the right to access and use. Paragon’s right to access and use is provided for the limited purpose of supporting the Noble Services provided hereunder. Individual access to such Noble Systems is strictly limited to those employees of Paragon approved by Noble. With respect to all Noble Systems to which any employee of the Paragon Group has access as a result of the Noble Services being provided, Paragon (i) shall use such Noble Systems internally and for their intended purpose only, shall not distribute, publish, transfer, sublicense or in any manner make such Noble Systems available to other organizations or persons, and shall not act as a service bureau or consultant in connection with such Noble Systems; (ii) shall comply with applicable laws governing information security and privacy and with all of Noble’s system security policies, procedures and requirements that have been provided to Paragon (“ Noble Security Regulations ”); and (iii) shall not tamper with, compromise or circumvent any security or audit measures employed by Noble. Paragon shall ensure that only those employees acting on its behalf who are specifically authorized to have access to the Noble Systems gain such access and prevent unauthorized access, use, destruction, alteration or loss of information contained therein, including notifying its employees who might have access to such Noble Systems of the restrictions set forth in this Agreement and of the Noble Security Regulations.

 

  (C)

If, at any time, (i) any employee of the Paragon Group or other Person acting on its behalf seeks to circumvent, or circumvents, the Noble Security Regulations, (ii) any unauthorized employee of the Paragon Group or Person acting on its behalf accesses the Noble Systems, or (iii) any employee or representative of the Paragon Group engages in activities that may lead to the unauthorized access, use, destruction, alteration or loss of data, information or software of Noble, Paragon shall promptly terminate any such employee’s or Person’s access to the Noble Systems and immediately notify Noble. In

 

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  addition, Noble shall have the right to deny any employee of the Paragon Group or other Person acting on the Paragon Group’s behalf access to the Noble Systems in the event that Noble reasonably believes that such employee has engaged in any of the activities set forth above in this Section 2.7(C) or otherwise poses a security concern. Paragon shall cooperate with Noble in investigating any apparent unauthorized access to the Noble Systems.

 

  (D) Without limiting the generality of any other provision hereof, the Paragon Group shall have responsibility under this Agreement for the actions and omissions of both its employees and any other Person acting on its behalf.

 

  (E) To the extent Paragon no longer requires access to the Noble Systems with respect to specific software, functions, systems or services, Paragon’s access will be terminated.

Section 2.8 Paragon Documents and Other Information .

 

  (A) Except for software licensed from third parties that are not Affiliates of Paragon, all software used on or in connection with any of the Paragon Business (the “ Paragon Software ”), is proprietary to Paragon or its Affiliates and is hereby licensed or sublicensed non-exclusively, royalty-free to Noble solely for use in connection with the Noble Business and only until the earlier of the termination of this Agreement or the time at which the Service to which such Paragon Software relates terminates or ceases to be provided under this Agreement. Noble agrees not to use the licensed or sublicensed Paragon Software or related documentation (other than in connection with the Noble Business during the term of this Agreement) or to copy, modify, reverse engineer, reverse compile, or reverse assemble it. Irrespective of any terms to the contrary in this Agreement, any and all such licenses and sublicenses shall terminate as of the termination of this Agreement. Noble shall, during the term of this Agreement and for two years thereafter, upon Paragon’s reasonable request and upon reasonable prior notice from Paragon, make the Noble Rigs (or Noble’s other places of business) available for inspection by Paragon or its designated representatives (at Paragon’s sole expense) for the sole purpose of confirming Noble’s compliance with this Section 2.8(A) and subject to Paragon’s obligation to keep information confidential pursuant to Article IX.

 

  (B)

As a result of the provision of Paragon Services, certain employees of the Noble Group may receive access to computer, software, communications or information networks or systems of Paragon or its Affiliates, and any related electronic or written documentation (collectively, “ Paragon Systems ”). Noble shall access and use only those Paragon Systems for which it has been granted the right to access and use. Noble’s right to access and use is provided for the limited purpose of supporting the Paragon Services provided hereunder. Individual access to such Paragon Systems is strictly limited to those employees of Noble approved by Paragon. With respect to all Paragon Systems to which any employee of the Noble Group has access as a result of the Paragon Services being provided, Noble (i) shall use such Paragon Systems internally and for their intended purpose only, shall not distribute, publish, transfer, sublicense or in any manner make such Paragon Systems available to other organizations or persons, and shall not act as a service bureau or consultant in connection with such Paragon Systems; (ii) shall comply

 

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  with applicable laws governing information security and privacy and with all of Paragon’s system security policies, procedures and requirements that have been provided to Noble (“ Paragon Security Regulations ”); and (iii) shall not tamper with, compromise or circumvent any security or audit measures employed by Paragon. Noble shall ensure that only those employees acting on its behalf who are specifically authorized to have access to the Paragon Systems gain such access and prevent unauthorized access, use, destruction, alteration or loss of information contained therein, including notifying its employees who might have access to such Paragon Systems of the restrictions set forth in this Agreement and of the Paragon Security Regulations.

 

  (C) If, at any time, (i) any employee of the Noble Group or other Person acting on its behalf seeks to circumvent, or circumvents, the Paragon Security Regulations, (ii) any unauthorized employee of the Noble Group or Person acting on its behalf accesses the Paragon Systems, or (iii) any employee or representative of the Noble Group engages in activities that may lead to the unauthorized access, use, destruction, alteration or loss of data, information or software of Paragon, Noble shall promptly terminate any such employee’s or Person’s access to the Paragon Systems and immediately notify Paragon. In addition, Paragon shall have the right to deny any employee of the Noble Group or other Person acting on the Noble Group’s behalf access to the Paragon Systems in the event that Paragon reasonably believes that such employee has engaged in any of the activities set forth above in this Section 2.8(C) or otherwise poses a security concern. Noble shall cooperate with Paragon in investigating any apparent unauthorized access to the Paragon Systems.

 

  (D) Without limiting the generality of any other provision hereof, the Noble Group shall have responsibility under this Agreement for the actions and omissions of both its employees and any other Person acting on its behalf.

 

  (E) To the extent Noble no longer requires access to the Paragon Systems with respect to specific software, functions, systems or services, Noble’s access will be terminated.

Section 2.9 Transitional Nature of Services; Changes . The Parties acknowledge the transitional nature of the Services and that the applicable Service Provider may make changes from time to time in the manner of performing the Services.

Section 2.10 Conflict with Laws; Business Ethics . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, (a) no Service Provider nor any of its Affiliates shall undertake any actions that would or may place such Service Provider in violation of any Governmental Requirements and (b) (i) Paragon acknowledges receipt from Noble of Noble’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “ Noble Code ”), and (ii) Noble acknowledges receipt from Paragon of Paragon’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “ Paragon Code ” and, together with the Noble Code, the “ Business Codes ”), and each of the Parties agrees that the other Party shall not be required to take any actions that would place such Party or any other member of such Party’s Group in violation of its Business Code or any other governance or other policies of its Group, as they may be amended from time to time. Each Party agrees to notify each other Party in writing of any amendment or modification of such Party’s Business Code and provide a copy of the same within three (3) Business Days of such amendment or modification.

 

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Section 2.11 Local Implementing Agreements; Access . The Parties recognize and agree that there may be a need to document the Services provided hereunder in or with respect to various countries from time to time. Consequently, the Parties shall enter into, or cause their respective Subsidiaries to enter into, local implementing agreements (“ Local Agreements ”) for Services to be provided hereunder in or with respect to such countries or geographical regions as either Noble or Paragon may reasonably request from time to time; provided , however , that the execution or performance of any such Local Agreement shall in no way alter or modify any term or condition hereof nor the effect thereof. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, should there be any conflict between any term or condition of a Local Agreement and this Agreement, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall prevail.

During the term of this Agreement and for so long as any Services are being provided, the Noble Group will provide the Paragon Group and its authorized representatives such access to Noble and any other member of the Noble Group and their respective employees, representatives, facilities, premises, rigs and other equipment and books and records as Paragon and its representatives may reasonably require in order to perform the Services or fulfill their respective obligations hereunder. During the term of this Agreement and for so long as any Services are being provided, the Paragon Group will provide the Noble Group and its authorized representatives such access to Paragon and any other member of the Paragon Group and their respective employees, representatives, facilities, premises, rigs and other equipment and books and records as Noble and its representatives may reasonably require in order to perform the Services or fulfill their respective obligations hereunder.

ARTICLE III

CHARGES

Section 3.1 Charges . Subject to Section 8.4(A) , each Service will be provided at the price indicated in the corresponding Schedule hereto.

ARTICLE IV

PAYMENT

Section 4.1 Payment . Charges for Services shall be invoiced monthly or at such other times as provided in the applicable Schedules hereunder in one or more statements (the “ Monthly Statements ”) prepared by the applicable Service Provider or one or more of its Affiliates and in the form set forth in Exhibit C hereto (with Noble as Service Provider) or Exhibit D hereto (with Paragon as Service Provider). The recipient of such invoice shall make the corresponding payment no later than thirty (30) calendar days after receipt of the Monthly Statement. Each Monthly Statement shall be directed to the applicable Service Coordinator or such other person designated in writing from time to time by such Service Coordinator. The Monthly Statement shall set forth in reasonable detail, for the period covered by such Monthly Statement: (i) the Services rendered and (ii) the basis for the calculation of the costs as set forth in Section 3.1, if applicable. If the Service

 

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Provider or one or more of its Affiliates incurs any out-of-pocket expenses (including any incremental license fees incurred by the Service Provider in connection with the performance of the Services and any travel expenses incurred at the request or with the consent of the Service Receiver) or remits funds to a third party on behalf of the Service Receiver, in either case in connection with the rendering of the Services, then the Service Provider or one or more of its Affiliates shall include such amount on a Monthly Statement to the Service Receiver, with reasonable supporting documentation, and the Service Receiver shall reimburse that amount to the Service Provider or its Affiliate (as applicable) pursuant to this Section 4.1 as part of its next monthly payment. In the event there is any dispute with respect to a Monthly Statement, the Service Receiver shall make the payment for all non-disputed portions in accordance herewith. The Service Receiver will withhold an amount that the Service Provider or its Affiliate (as applicable) is entitled to, together with interest thereon at the Late Interest Rate, as if such amount were past due. In the event it is determined that the Service Receiver is entitled to a refund of amounts actually paid by the Service Receiver hereunder, the Service Provider or its Affiliate (as applicable) shall pay the Service Receiver such overpaid amount with interest at the Late Interest Rate.

Any amount due from the Service Receiver under this Agreement that is not paid in full on or before the date such payment is due will incur a delayed payment charge on the unpaid amount from the original due date until the date paid at a per annum rate of interest equal to the Late Interest Rate.

The Service Receiver shall be responsible for all transfer taxes, excises, fees or other charges (including any sales, use, goods and services, value added or similar taxes) imposed or assessed on the Service Provider or its Affiliates as a result of the provision of Services under this Agreement. The Service Receiver shall be entitled to deduct and withhold taxes required by any Governmental Requirements to be withheld on payments made pursuant to this Agreement. To the extent any amounts are so withheld, the Service Receiver shall (i) pay, in addition to the amount otherwise due to the Service Provider under this Agreement, such additional amount as is necessary to ensure that the net amount actually received by the Service Provider will equal the full amount the Service Provider would have received had no such deduction or withholding been required, (ii) pay such deducted and withheld amount to the proper Governmental Authority, and (iii) promptly provide to the Service Provider evidence of such payment to such Governmental Authority.

Section 4.2 Reconciliation of Expenses . As expenses to provide the Services may be reconciled over time, the reconciled amounts (together with interest at the Late Interest Rate from the date such amounts were due and payable to a Party had the reconciliation not been required until the date such amounts are actually paid to such Party, if applicable), shall be included in the next applicable Monthly Statement.

ARTICLE V

TERM

Section 5.1 Term . The term of this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall continue in force until the termination of all Services in accordance with the duration of such Services set forth in the Schedules hereto or as otherwise set forth herein. Each Party shall undertake to provide to itself (either directly or through third parties other than the other Party and its Affiliates), and to terminate as soon as reasonably practicable, the Services provided to such Party hereunder. Except as otherwise provided in a Schedule with respect to a specific Service, all Services shall terminate at the end of the Transition Period.

 

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ARTICLE VI

DISCONTINUATION OF SERVICES

Section 6.1 Discontinuation of Services . Except for those Services for which a minimum duration has been set in this Agreement or the Schedules hereto, the Service Receiver may, upon thirty (30) calendar days’ advance written notice to the Service Provider, elect to discontinue any individual Service from time to time or this Agreement in its entirety; provided , that any discontinuation of any Service will not affect the amounts payable to the Service Provider hereunder unless (and then only to the extent that) the charges for the discontinued Services are separately identified in this Agreement or the applicable Schedule. The Service Receiver shall be liable to the Service Provider for all costs and expenses the Service Provider or any member of the Service Provider Group remains obligated to pay in connection with any discontinued Service or Services, except in the case of a Service terminated by the Service Receiver pursuant to clause (ii) of the first sentence of Section 7.1.

ARTICLE VII

DEFAULT

Section 7.1 Termination for Default . In the event (i) of a failure of the Service Receiver to pay for Services in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, or (ii) of a failure of the Service Provider to perform, or cause to be performed, the Services in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, which failure described in clause (ii) above results or could reasonably result in a material adverse impact on the applicable Business of the Service Receiver, then in the case of either clause (i) or clause (ii) the non-defaulting Party shall have the right, at its sole discretion, to terminate this Agreement if the defaulting Party has (A) failed to cure the default within forty five (45) days of receipt of the written notice of default or, (B) if such default is not reasonably susceptible to cure within a 45-day period, failed to take action within forty five (45) days of receipt of the written notice of default reasonably designed to cure such default as soon as is reasonably practicable. The Service Receiver’s right to terminate this Agreement set forth in clause (ii) above and the rights set forth in Section 8.4 shall constitute the Service Receiver’s sole and exclusive rights and remedies for a breach by the Service Provider hereunder (including any breach caused by an Affiliate of the Service Provider or other third party providing a Service hereunder).

Section 7.2 Termination for Bankruptcy . In the event that a Party shall (i) file a petition in bankruptcy, (ii) become or be declared insolvent, or become the subject of any proceedings (not dismissed within sixty (60) calendar days) related to its liquidation, insolvency or the appointment of a receiver, (iii) make an assignment on behalf of all or substantially all of its creditors, or (iv) take any corporate action for its winding up or dissolution, then the other Party shall have the right to terminate this Agreement by providing written notice in accordance with Section 11.4.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

INDEMNIFICATION

Section 8.1 Liabilities and Indemnities .

 

  (A) Indemnity by the Service Receiver . EACH PARTY IN ITS CAPACITY AS A SERVICE RECEIVER SHALL FULLY INDEMNIFY AND DEFEND THE OTHER PARTY IN ITS CAPACITY AS A SERVICE PROVIDER AND ITS AFFILIATES (THE “ SERVICE PROVIDER INDEMNIFIED PARTIES ”) FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL LIABILITY, DEMANDS, CLAIMS, ACTIONS OR CAUSES OF ACTION, ASSESSMENTS, LOSSES, DAMAGES, FINES, PENALTIES, COSTS AND EXPENSES (INCLUDING REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND EXPENSES BUT EXCLUDING TAXES, AS DEFINED IN THE TAX SHARING AGREEMENT) (“ DAMAGES ”) DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY RELATED TO THE PROVISION OF SERVICES BY THE SERVICE PROVIDER UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING DAMAGES CAUSED BY THE SERVICE RECEIVER’S BREACH OF THIS AGREEMENT AND DAMAGES CAUSED BY ANY SERVICE PROVIDER INDEMNIFIED PARTY TO ANY OF THE RIGS, RELATED EQUIPMENT OR OTHER ASSETS OR PERSONNEL OF THE SERVICE RECEIVER, EXCEPT ONLY TO THE EXTENT CAUSED BY THE WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF THE APPLICABLE SERVICE PROVIDER OR ITS AFFILIATES. EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING SENTENCE, THIS INDEMNIFICATION IS EXPRESSLY INTENDED TO APPLY REGARDLESS OF CAUSE. THIS INDEMNIFICATION SHALL SURVIVE AND CONTINUE IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT NOTWITHSTANDING THE EXPIRATION OR TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT FOR ANY REASON WHATSOEVER.

 

  (B) Indemnity by the Service Provider . EACH PARTY IN ITS CAPACITY AS A SERVICE PROVIDER SHALL FULLY INDEMNIFY AND DEFEND THE OTHER PARTY IN ITS CAPACITY AS A SERVICE RECEIVER AND ITS AFFILIATES FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL DAMAGES DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT ONLY TO THE EXTENT CAUSED BY THE WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF THE APPLICABLE SERVICE PROVIDER OR ITS AFFILIATES. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT TO THE CONTRARY, IN NO EVENT (REGARDLESS OF CAUSE) SHALL A SERVICE PROVIDER BE LIABLE TO A SERVICE RECEIVER AND ITS AFFILIATES WITH RESPECT TO CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT FOR AMOUNTS IN THE AGGREGATE EXCEEDING THE AGGREGATE SERVICE CHARGES PAID TO THE APPLICABLE PARTY AS A SERVICE PROVIDER UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IN THE ONE-MONTH PERIOD PRIOR TO THE OCCURRENCE GIVING RISE TO THE DAMAGES (OR IF OCCURRING IN THE FIRST MONTH FOLLOWING THE EFFECTIVE DATE, SUCH AMOUNTS SHALL EQUAL THE AMOUNTS EXPECTED TO BE PAID TO THE SERVICE PROVIDER IN SUCH MONTH BY WAY OF EXTRAPOLATION ON THE AMOUNTS PAID DURING SUCH SHORTER PERIOD).

 

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  (C) Indemnification Procedures .

 

  (i) Third-Party Claim . The indemnification obligation pursuant to Section 8.1(A) for each Party as a Service Receiver and the indemnification obligation pursuant to Section 8.1(B) for each party as a Service Provider, in each case, with respect to Damages claimed or asserted against a person claiming indemnification under this Agreement (an “ Indemnified Party ”) by a third party (that third-party claim or assertion, a “ Claim ”), are subject to the following terms and conditions:

 

  (1) The Indemnified Party shall, with reasonable promptness after the Indemnified Party has notice of a Claim, (A) notify the Party from whom indemnification is sought (the “ Indemnifying Party ”) of the existence of that Claim and (B) transmit to the Indemnifying Party a notice (a “ Claim Notice ”) describing, in reasonable detail, the nature of the Claim, and copies of any papers served with respect to such Claim. Within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt of any Claim Notice (the “ Election Period ”), the Indemnifying Party shall notify the Indemnified Party (A) whether the Indemnifying Party disputes its potential liability to the Indemnified Party under this Article VIII with respect to such Claim and (B) whether the Indemnifying Party desires, at its sole cost and expense, to defend the Indemnified Party against such Claim. If the Indemnifying Party does not notify the Indemnified Party within the Election Period that the Indemnifying Party disputes its potential liability with respect to such Claim, any Damages resulting from such Claim shall be payable by the Indemnifying Party under this Agreement. The Indemnified Party is hereby authorized, at the sole cost and expense of the Indemnifying Party (but only if the Indemnified Party is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement), to file, during the Election Period, any motion, answer or other pleadings that the Indemnified Party shall reasonably deem necessary or appropriate to protect its interests or those of the Indemnifying Party.

 

  (2)

If the Indemnifying Party notifies the Indemnified Party within the Election Period that the Indemnifying Party elects to assume the defense of the Claim, then this Section 8.1(C)(i)(2) shall apply (but not otherwise) and the Indemnifying Party shall have the right to defend, at its sole

 

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  cost and expense (if it is determined that the Indemnified Party is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement), such Claim by all appropriate proceedings, which proceedings shall be prosecuted diligently by the Indemnifying Party to a final conclusion or settled at the discretion of the Indemnifying Party in accordance with this Section 8.1(C)(i)(2). The Indemnified Party may, at its own cost and expense, participate in, but not control, any defense or settlement of any Claim controlled by the Indemnifying Party pursuant to this Section 8.1(C)(i)(2). Notwithstanding anything in this Section 8.1(C)(i)(2) to the contrary, the Indemnifying Party may not, without the express written consent of the Indemnified Party, agree to any compromise or settlement which does not include an unconditional release of the Indemnified Party from all Damages.

 

  (3) If the Indemnifying Party fails to notify the Indemnified Party within the Election Period that the Indemnifying Party elects to assume the defense of the Claim or if the Indemnifying Party elects to assume the defense of the Claim but fails to satisfy its obligations under Section 8.1(C)(i)(2), then this Section 8.1(C)(i)(3) shall apply (but not otherwise) and the Indemnified Party shall have the right to defend, at the sole cost and expense of the Indemnifying Party (if it is determined that the Indemnified Party is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement), the Claim by all appropriate proceedings, which proceedings shall be prosecuted diligently by the Indemnified Party to a final conclusion or settled at the discretion of the Indemnified Party. The Indemnified Party shall have full control of such defense and proceedings, including any compromise or settlement of such defense and proceedings, provided that the Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any such compromise or settlement unless such compromise or settlement is made with the Indemnifying Party’s express written consent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). The Indemnifying Party may, at its own cost and expense, participate in, but not control, any defense or settlement of any Claim controlled by the Indemnified Party pursuant to this Section 8.1(C)(i)(3).

 

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  (4) Notwithstanding anything in this Section 8.1(C)(i) to the contrary, to the extent (A) the Indemnifying Party has delivered a notice to the Indemnified Party that the Indemnifying Party disputes its potential liability to the Indemnified Party under this Article VIII and (B) such dispute is resolved in favor of the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnifying Party shall not be required to bear the costs and expenses of the Indemnifying Party’s defense pursuant to Section 8.1(C)(i)(2) or the Indemnified Party’s defense pursuant to Section 8.1(C)(i)(3), and the Indemnified Party shall reimburse the Indemnifying Party in full for all of those costs and expenses.

 

  (ii) No Third-Party Claim . In the event any Indemnified Party claims indemnification against any Indemnifying Party under this Agreement but that claim for indemnification does not involve a Claim, the Indemnified Party shall (A) notify the Indemnifying Party and (B) transmit to the Indemnifying Party a notice (an “ Indemnity Notice ”) describing, in reasonable detail, the nature of the claim. Within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt of any Indemnity Notice, the Indemnifying Party shall notify the Indemnified Party whether the Indemnifying Party disputes its potential liability to the Indemnified Party under this Article VIII. If the Indemnifying Party does not notify the Indemnified Party within such 30-day period that the Indemnifying Party disputes its potential liability with respect to such Indemnity Notice, any Damages resulting from such Indemnity Notice shall be payable by the Indemnifying Party under this Agreement.

 

  (iii) The provisions of this Section 8.1(C) are in all cases subject to the limitations set forth in Sections 8.1 and 8.2 and elsewhere in this Agreement.

Section 8.2 Limitations on Damages . NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY IN THIS AGREEMENT, IN NO EVENT SHALL EITHER PARTY, THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE DIRECTORS, OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES BE LIABLE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF ANY PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT, WHETHER OR NOT SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE FOREGOING LIMITATIONS SHALL NOT LIMIT EACH PARTY’S INDEMNIFICATION OBLIGATIONS FOR LIABILITIES TO THIRD PARTIES AS SET FORTH IN THIS ARTICLE VIII. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE VIII, “CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES” MEANS ANY EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, SPECIAL, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, REMOTE OR SPECULATIVE DAMAGES (INCLUDING IN RESPECT OF LOST PROFITS OR REVENUES).

 

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Section 8.3 Limited Recourse . EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THIS AGREEMENT, (A) NO AFFILIATE OF ANY PARTY WILL HAVE ANY LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR, RELATING TO OR IN CONNECTION WITH A PARTY’S FAILURE TO PERFORM ANY TERM, COVENANT, CONDITION OR PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT AND (B) IN PURSUING ANY REMEDY FOR ANY PARTY’S BREACH OF ANY TERM, COVENANT, CONDITION OR PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT OR OF ANY DUTY OR STANDARD OF CONDUCT BASED ON NEGLIGENCE, GROSS NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY OR PERSONAL INJURY OR OTHER TORT OR VIOLATION OF APPLICABLE GOVERNMENTAL REQUIREMENTS, OR OTHERWISE, THE OTHER PARTY WILL NOT HAVE RECOURSE AGAINST ANY PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEFAULTING OR BREACHING PARTY ITSELF NOR AGAINST ANY ASSETS OTHER THAN THE ASSETS OF THE DEFAULTING OR BREACHING PARTY ITSELF.

Section 8.4 Limitation on Remedies . The Parties hereby acknowledge and agree that:

 

  (A)

In the event Noble fails to provide the Noble Services (or a portion thereof) in accordance herewith, the sole and exclusive remedy of Paragon shall be (i) to make a claim for indemnification pursuant to Section 8.1(B) (if available), (ii) to have the Service (or relevant portion) reperformed, without having to reimburse Noble for its direct internal cost of such reperformance, (iii) to withhold payment for such Service, (iv) to the extent applicable, to have the right to terminate the Agreement under Section 6.1 or (v) pursue its rights under Section 11.12. In the event Paragon fails to provide the Paragon Services (or a portion thereof) in accordance herewith, the sole and exclusive remedy of Noble shall be (i) to make a claim for indemnification pursuant to Section 8.1(B) (if available), (ii) to have the Service (or relevant portion) reperformed, without having to reimburse Paragon for its direct internal cost of such reperformance, (iii) to withhold payment for such Service, (iv) to the extent applicable, to have the right to terminate the Agreement under Section 6.1 or (v) pursue its rights under Section 11.12. Either Party may pursue more than one remedy at the same time but ultimately may not recover more than once. Such rights are the Parties’ sole remedy for any non-performance, inadequate performance, faulty performance or other failure or breach by a Service Provider under or relating to this Agreement. EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THE FIRST SENTENCE OF THIS SECTION 8.4(A), PARAGON HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO CLAIM, COLLECT OR RECEIVE DAMAGES, TO ENFORCE SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE OR TO PURSUE ANY OTHER REMEDY AVAILABLE IN CONTRACT, AT LAW OR IN EQUITY IN THE EVENT OF ANY NON-PERFORMANCE, INADEQUATE PERFORMANCE, FAULTY PERFORMANCE OR OTHER FAILURE OR BREACH BY NOBLE UNDER OR RELATING TO THE NOBLE SERVICES, REGARDLESS OF CAUSE EXCEPT ONLY TO THE EXTENT CAUSED BY THE WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF NOBLE OR ITS AFFILIATES. EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THE SECOND SENTENCE OF THIS SECTION 8.4(A),

 

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  NOBLE HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO CLAIM, COLLECT OR RECEIVE DAMAGES, TO ENFORCE SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE OR TO PURSUE ANY OTHER REMEDY AVAILABLE IN CONTRACT, AT LAW OR IN EQUITY IN THE EVENT OF ANY NON-PERFORMANCE, INADEQUATE PERFORMANCE, FAULTY PERFORMANCE OR OTHER FAILURE OR BREACH BY PARAGON UNDER OR RELATING TO THE PARAGON SERVICES, REGARDLESS OF CAUSE EXCEPT ONLY TO THE EXTENT CAUSED BY THE WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF PARAGON OR ITS AFFILIATES.

 

  (B) Without limiting the generality of any other provision hereof, it is not the intent of either Party (or their Affiliates) in its capacity as a Service Provider to render professional advice or opinions, whether with regard to tax, legal, treasury, finance, intellectual property, employment or other matters; no Party in its capacity as a Service Receiver shall rely on any Service rendered by or on behalf of the Service Provider or its Affiliates for such professional advice or opinions; and notwithstanding the Service Receiver’s receipt of any proposal, recommendation or suggestion in any way relating to tax, legal, treasury, finance, intellectual property, employment or any other subject matter, the Service Receiver shall seek all third-party professional advice and opinions as it may desire or need, and in any event the Service Receiver shall be solely responsible for and assume all risks associated with the Services, except to the limited extent set forth in this Section; and, with respect to any software or documentation within the Services, the Service Receiver shall use such software and documentation internally and for their intended purpose only, shall not distribute, publish, transfer, sublicense or in any manner make such software or documentation available to other organizations or persons, and shall not act as a service bureau or consultant in connection with such software.

 

  (C) A material inducement to the provision of the Noble Services is the limitation of liability, damages and recourse set forth herein and the release and indemnity provided by Paragon. A material inducement to the provision of the Paragon Services is the limitation of liability, damages and recourse set forth herein and the release and indemnity provided by Noble.

 

  (D) Without limiting the generality of any other provision hereof, none of Noble nor its Affiliates shall have any liability or responsibility for any loss of or Damage to any of the Paragon Rigs or any related equipment or parts, which such liability, responsibility and risk shall be for the account of Paragon and its Affiliates, Regardless of Cause. Without limiting the generality of any other provision hereof, none of Paragon nor its Affiliates shall have any liability or responsibility for any loss of or Damage to any of the Noble Rigs or any related equipment or parts, which such liability, responsibility and risk shall be for the account of Noble and its Affiliates, Regardless of Cause.

 

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Section 8.5 Express Negligence . EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSED THEREIN, THE INDEMNITY, RELEASES AND LIMITATIONS ON DAMAGES, RECOURSE AND LIABILITIES IN THIS AGREEMENT (INCLUDING ARTICLES II AND VIII) ARE INTENDED TO BE ENFORCEABLE AGAINST THE PARTIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE EXPRESS TERMS AND SCOPE THEREOF, REGARDLESS OF CAUSE.

ARTICLE IX

CONFIDENTIALITY

Section 9.1 Confidentiality . The Parties each acknowledge and agree that the terms of the Master Separation Agreement shall apply to information, documents, plans and other data made available or disclosed by one Party to the other in connection with this Agreement, including any such information Paragon may gain from access to the Noble Systems or that Noble may gain from access to the Paragon Systems.

ARTICLE X

FORCE MAJEURE

Section 10.1 Effect and Definition . No failure or omission by either Party to perform or carry out its obligations in accordance with this Agreement (other than the obligation to make payment) shall give rise to any claim by the other Party or be deemed a breach of this Agreement if such failure or omission arises from a Force Majeure Event. “ Force Majeure Event ” shall mean any event or circumstance that is beyond the reasonable control of the Party affected thereby, including lightning, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, wash outs, storms, fires, explosions, epidemics, acts of God, other natural disasters, acts of the public enemy, computer crimes, cyber terrorism, actions by any Governmental Authority or other governmental interference, insurrections, riots, civil disturbance, sabotage, terrorism, threats of sabotage or terrorism, vandalism, wars and war like actions (whether declared or undeclared and whether actual, pending or expected), confiscation, seizure, arrests or other restraints by a Governmental Authority, blockades, embargoes, boycotts, strikes, lockouts, labor unrest and other labor disputes, and any shortage of adequate power or transportation facilities.

Section 10.2 Notification Requirements . The Party claiming to be affected by a Force Majeure Event shall, as soon as reasonably practicable, notify the other Party of the beginning and end of any event claimed to be a Force Majeure Event and use commercially reasonable efforts to resume performance in accordance with this Agreement as soon as is reasonably practicable after the end of the Force Majeure Event.

Section 10.3 Cooperation . The Parties shall cooperate in reasonable respects with each other to find alternative means and methods for the provision of any suspended Service with respect to a Force Majeure Event.

 

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ARTICLE XI

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 11.1 Construction Rules .

 

  (A) A reference to an Article, Section, Exhibit or Schedule shall mean an Article or Section of, or a Schedule or Exhibit to, this Agreement unless otherwise explicitly set forth. The titles and headings herein are for reference purposes only and shall not in any manner limit the construction of this Agreement which shall be considered as a whole.

 

  (B) The words “include,” “includes” and “including” when used in this Agreement shall be deemed in each case to be followed by the words “without limitation.”

 

  (C) The words “hereof,” “herein” and “herewith” and words of similar import will, unless otherwise stated, be construed to refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement.

 

  (D) The word “or” when used in this Agreement will not be exclusive.

 

  (E) Words in the singular when used in this Agreement will be held to include the plural.

 

  (F) Unless specifically stated otherwise, all dollar amounts referred to in this Agreement or required to be paid pursuant to this Agreement are expressed in and shall be paid in United States Dollar funds.

Section 11.2 Entire Agreement . This Agreement, the Master Separation Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements (as defined in the Master Separation Agreement) and the Schedules referenced or attached hereto and thereto, constitute the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and shall supersede all prior written and oral and all contemporaneous oral agreements and understandings with respect to the subject matter hereof.

Section 11.3 Governing Law .

 

  (A) This Agreement shall be governed and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to principles of conflicts of laws thereof that would result in the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction.

 

  (B)

The procedures for discussion, negotiation and arbitration set forth in Article VI of the Master Separation Agreement shall apply to any dispute, controversy or claim (whether sounding in contract, tort or otherwise) that arises out of or relates to, this Agreement any alleged breach hereof, or the transactions contemplated hereby (including all actions taken in furtherance of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby on or prior to the date hereof), the construction, interpretation, enforcement or validity hereof or thereof (a “ Dispute ”). Each Party agrees on behalf of itself and

 

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  each member of its respective Group that the procedures set forth in Article VI of the Master Separation Agreement shall be the sole and exclusive remedy in connection with any Dispute and irrevocably waives any right to commence any Action in or before any Governmental Authority, except as set forth in Section 6.1 of the Master Separation Agreement.

 

  (C) Each Party on behalf of itself and each member of its respective Group irrevocably waives any right to any trial by jury with respect to any Dispute to which this Section 11.3 applies.

Section 11.4 Notices . Unless expressly provided herein, all notices, claims, certificates, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to be duly given (i) when personally delivered or (ii) if mailed registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, on the date the return receipt is executed or the letter is refused by the addressee or its agent or (iii) if sent by overnight courier which delivers only upon the signed receipt of the addressee, on the date the receipt acknowledgment is executed or refused by the addressee or its agent or (iv) if sent by facsimile or electronic mail, on the date confirmation of transmission is received (provided that a copy of any notice delivered pursuant to this clause (iv) shall also be sent pursuant to clause (i), (ii) or (iii)), addressed to the attention of the addressee’s General Counsel at the address of its principal executive office or to such other address or facsimile number for a party as it shall have specified by like notice.

Section 11.5 Counterparts . This Agreement, including the Exhibits and Schedules hereto and the other documents referred to herein, may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement.

Section 11.6 Binding Effect; Assignment . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Parties and their respective legal representatives and successors. This Agreement may not be assigned by any Party, except that either Party in its capacity as a Service Provider may assign any or all of its rights, interests and obligations hereunder to an Affiliate in order to provide any Service hereunder, provided that any such Affiliate agrees in writing to be bound by all of the terms, conditions and provisions contained herein, and provided further that no such assignment shall release Noble or Paragon, as the case may be, from any liability or obligation under this Agreement.

Section 11.7 No Third Party Beneficiaries . This Agreement is solely for the benefit of Noble, Paragon and any Affiliate of either Party providing Services hereunder and is not intended to confer upon any other Person except such Persons any rights or remedies hereunder, and except for any Indemnified Party under Article VIII.

Section 11.8 Severability . If any term or other provision of this Agreement or the Exhibits or Schedules attached hereto is determined by a nonappealable decision by a court, administrative agency or arbitrator to be invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the

 

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transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to either Party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the court, administrative agency or arbitrator shall interpret this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner to the end that transactions contemplated hereby are fulfilled to the fullest extent possible. If any sentence in this Agreement is so broad as to be unenforceable, the provision shall be interpreted to be only so broad as is enforceable.

Section 11.9 Failure or Indulgence Not Waiver; Remedies Cumulative . No failure or delay on the part of any Party in the exercise of any right hereunder shall impair such right or be construed to be a waiver of, or acquiescence in, any breach of any representation, warranty or agreement herein, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right preclude other or further exercise thereof or of any other right. All rights and remedies existing under this Agreement or the Schedules attached hereto are cumulative to, and not exclusive of, any rights or remedies otherwise available.

Section 11.10 Amendment . No change or amendment will be made to this Agreement except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the Parties.

Section 11.11 Authority . Each of the Parties represents to the other that (a) it has the corporate or other requisite power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement, (b) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by it have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other actions, (c) it has duly and validly executed and delivered this Agreement, and (d) this Agreement is a legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with their respective terms subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and general equity principles.

Section 11.12 Specific Performance . In the event of any actual or threatened default in, or breach of, any of the terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement, the Party or the Parties who are or are to be thereby aggrieved shall have the right to specific performance and injunctive or other equitable relief of their rights under this Agreement, in addition to any and all other rights and remedies at law or in equity, and all such rights and remedies shall be cumulative. The Parties agree that the remedies at law for any breach or threatened breach, including monetary damages, are inadequate compensation for any loss and that any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate is waived. Any requirements for the securing or posting of any bond with such remedy are waived.

Section 11.13 Construction . This Agreement shall be construed as if jointly drafted by Noble and Paragon and, except as set forth in this Section 11.13, no rule of construction or strict interpretation shall be applied against any Party.

Section 11.14 Relationship of Parties . Each Party in its capacity as a Service Receiver understands and agrees that the Service Provider’s relationship to such Party as a Service Receiver under this Agreement is strictly a contractual arrangement on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, that no fiduciary, trust, partnership, joint venture, agency or advisory relationship exists between either Party as a Service Provider and the other Party as a Service

 

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Receiver, that all Services are provided by the Service Provider as an independent contractor and that each Party in its capacity as a Service Receiver hereby waives any and all rights that it may otherwise have under applicable Governmental Requirements to make any claims or take any action against the other Party (or any of its Affiliates) as a Service Provider based on any theory of agency, fiduciary duty, relationship of trust or other special standard of care.

Section 11.15 Further Assurances . From time to time, each Party agrees to execute and deliver such additional documents, and will provide such additional information and assistance as either Party may reasonably require to carry out the terms of this Agreement.

Section 11.16 Survival . The Parties agree that Articles IV, VIII, IX, and XI and any limitations on liability or responsibility and any exculpatory, disclaimer, waiver or similar provisions will survive the termination of this Agreement and that any such termination shall not affect any obligation for the payment of Services rendered or any other amounts due to the Service Provider under this Agreement prior to termination.

[ Remainder of Page intentionally Blank; Signature Pages Follow ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

NOBLE CORPORATION
By:   /s/ David W. Williams
Name:   David W. Williams
Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer

 

PARAGON OFFSHORE PLC
By:   /s/ Steven A. Manz
Name:   Steven A. Manz
Title:  

Senior Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 10.4

EXECUTION COPY

TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT

(BRAZIL)

This TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT for Brazil (the “ Agreement ”) is entered into as of July 31, 2014 among Paragon Offshore do Brasil Limitada, a company organized under the laws of Brazil (“ Limitada ” or the “ Service Provider ”), Paragon Offshore (Nederland) B.V., a company organized under the laws of the Netherlands (“ PONBV ”), Paragon Offshore PLC, a public limited company registered in England and Wales (“ Paragon ”), Noble Corporation, an exempted company limited by shares incorporated and existing under the laws of the Cayman Islands (“ Noble Cayman ”), Noble Dave Beard Limited, an exempted company limited by shares incorporated and existing under the laws of the Cayman Islands (“ NDBL ”) and Noble Drilling (Nederland) II B.V., a company organized under the laws of the Netherlands (“ NDNBV II ”). Limitada, PONBV, Paragon, Noble Cayman, NDBL and NDNBV II are sometimes hereinafter collectively referred to as the “ Parties ” and each individually as a “ Party .”

WHEREAS the current holding company of the Noble group of companies, Noble Corporation PLC, a public limited company registered in England and Wales (“ Noble Parent ”), will transfer ownership of the majority of its standard specification drilling business to Paragon (such transfer, the “ Separation ”) and, thereafter, will distribute all of the ordinary shares of Paragon to Noble Parent’s shareholders (the “ Distribution ”);

WHEREAS, after the Separation, NDNBV II, NDBL, the owners of the Noble Rigs (as defined below), Noble Cayman and Bully 2 (Switzerland) GmbH, a company organized under the laws of Switzerland (“ Bully 2 (Swiss) ”), will each be indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of Noble Parent and Limitada and PONBV will each be indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of Paragon.

WHEREAS, prior to the Distribution, Limitada, as a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Noble Parent, has provided certain local administrative, maintenance and operational support services in Brazil in connection with the performance of the Local Services Agreements (as defined below); and

WHEREAS, Noble Cayman, NDBL, NDNBV II, Bully 2 (Swiss) and the owners of the Noble Rigs (as defined below) desire to ensure that the services continue to be provided in respect of the Noble Rigs following the Distribution.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the agreements set forth in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1 Definitions . Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined elsewhere in this Agreement shall have the respective meanings given to such terms in the Master Separation Agreement, dated on or about the date hereof, between Noble Cayman and Paragon (the “ Master Separation Agreement ”). The following terms shall have the meaning ascribed thereto for purposes of this Agreement, including all Schedules hereto:


Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with, such Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

Allocated Shore-Based Costs ” means the shore-based costs allocated for a Noble Rig in accordance with the Allocation Method.

Allocation Method ” means for each day for which Services are provided under this Agreement, the allocation of the total allocable at the time shore-based costs among all of the Noble Rigs, other than the Noble Bully II , and any Paragon rigs operating in Brazil (the “ Aggregate Rigs ”) based upon (i) first allocating all amounts to the Noble Bully II as required under the Bully II Shell Charter, and (ii) then allocating the remaining costs based upon each other rig’s pro rata portion of such remaining costs based on the ratio of each such rig to the number of Aggregate Rigs (other than the Noble Bully II ), for the avoidance of doubt, no shore-based costs that relate solely to Paragon Rigs shall be allocated to the Noble Rigs.

Brazilian Indirect Taxes ” means any payroll, social security, workers compensation, unemployment, disability, property, ad valorem, stamp, excise, severance, occupation, service, sales, use, license, lease, currency transfer, transfer import, export, value added or other similar taxes imposed by any Governmental Authority in Brazil; provided that Brazilian Indirect Taxes shall not include any income taxes.

Business Day ” means any day, other than a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which banking institutions located in New York, New York or Rio de Janeiro, Brazil shall be authorized or required by any Government Requirement to close.

Customer Revenues ” means all amounts paid during any calendar month with respect to services provided on or after the Effective Date by (x) Petrobras or Shell, as the case may be, under the Local Services Agreements or (y) any customer under a New Local Services Agreement.

Charters ” means the Petrobras Charters, the Shell Charters and any New Noble Charter.

Client Debit Notes ” means any client debit notes relating to expenses incurred and eventually paid by Petrobras on behalf of the Noble Rigs under the Petrobras Charters and the Petrobras Local Services Agreement.

Delayed Accrued Expenses ” means (i) all contingent liabilities, including any third-party claims arising from the provision of the Services and any increase in Brazilian Indirect Taxes resulting from an audit or assessment by a Governmental Authority in Brazil, and (ii) Client Debit Notes.

 

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Effective Date ” means the Distribution Date.

Employee Matters Agreement ” means the Employee Matters Agreement, dated on or about the date hereof, between Paragon and Noble Parent.

Governmental Authority ” means any instrumentality, subdivision, court, administrative or other agency, commission, official or other authority of any country or any state, province, prefect, municipality, locality or other government or political subdivision thereof, or any governmental, quasi-governmental or private body exercising any executive, regulatory, taxing, importing or other governmental or quasi-governmental authority.

Governmental Requirement ” means at any time (i) any law, statute, code, ordinance, order, rule, regulation, judgment, decree, injunction, writ, edict, award, authorization or other requirement of any Governmental Authority in effect at that time or (ii) any obligation included in any certificate, certification, franchise, permit or license issued by any Governmental Authority or resulting from binding arbitration, including any requirement under common law.

Late Interest Rate ” means the lesser of (i) the one month LIBOR rate plus 2.00% or (ii) the maximum rate of interest permitted to be charged by applicable Governmental Requirements.

Local Services Agreements ” means the Petrobras Local Services Agreement, the Shell Local Services Agreements and any New Local Services Agreement.

New Local Services Agreements ” means the local services agreements in respect of a new Noble Rig brought into Brazilian waters during the terms of this Agreement (excluding for the avoidance of doubt, the local services agreements in respect of the Noble Dave Beard , the Noble Paul Wolff , the Noble Max Smith and the Noble Bully II ).

New Noble Charter ” means the charter in respect of a new Noble Rig brought into Brazilian waters during the term of this Agreement (excluding for the avoidance of doubt, the charters in respect of the Noble Dave Beard , the Noble Paul Wolff , the Noble Max Smith and the Noble Bully II ).

Noble Group ” means each direct or indirect Subsidiary of Noble Parent after the Effective Date, including Noble Cayman, NDBL, Bully 2 (Swiss), the owners of the Noble Rigs and NDNBV II.

Noble Rig ” means any drilling or other offshore oilfield rig owned by a Subsidiary or Affiliate of Noble Parent and for which the Service Provider is providing Services under this Agreement. At the date of this Agreement, such Noble Rigs are the Noble Dave Beard , the Noble Paul Wolff , the Noble Max Smith and the Noble Bully II .

Non-Brazilian Rig Personnel ” has the meaning set forth on Exhibit B .

Non-Brazilian Rig Personnel Charge ” has the meaning set forth on Exhibit B .

Paragon Group ” means each direct or indirect Subsidiary of Paragon after the Effective Date, including Limitada and PONBV.

 

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Payable Accrued Expenses ” means all accrued expenses reflected on rig operating statements for the Noble Rigs other than Delayed Accrued Expenses.

Person ” means any individual, partnership, joint venture, corporation, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, trust, unincorporated organization or association or a Governmental Authority.

Petrobras ” means Pertroleo Brasileiro S.A. and any of its subsidiaries which are conducting operations in Brazil.

Petrobras Charters ” means (i) that certain Chartering Contract No. 2050.0013073.05.2 by and between Petrobras and PONBV dated January 2, 2006, as the same may be amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time (the “ Dave Beard Charter ”), and (ii) that certain Charter Contract No. 101.2.038.97-5 by and between Petrobras and PONBV, dated July 2, 1997, including all annexes thereto and as the same has been or may be amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

Petrobras Local Services Agreement ” means (i) that certain Provision of Services Contract No. 2050.0013073.05.2 by and between Petrobras and the Service Provider dated January 2, 2006, as the same may be amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, and (ii) that certain Service Contract No. 101.2.039.97-8 by and between Petrobras and the Service Provider, dated July 2, 1997, including all annexes thereto and as the same has been or may be amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

Regardless of Cause ” means whether or not any Damages are asserted to have arisen by virtue of tort (including negligence), gross negligence on the part of the Party or other Person seeking indemnity, breach of statutory duty, breach of contract (including breach of condition) or quasi-contract, strict liability, misrepresentation, breach of any laws, regulations, rules or orders of any Governmental Requirements or otherwise, on the part of the Party or other Person seeking indemnity (or exclusion or limitation of liability).

Service Recipient ” means NDBL or NDNBV II, as applicable.

Shell ” means Royal Dutch Shell plc and any of its subsidiaries which are conducting operations in Brazil.

Shell Charters ” means (i) that certain Contract No. 4610035274 for the charter of the mobile offshore drilling unit Noble Max Smith by and between Shell Brasil Petroleo Ltda. (“ Shell Brasil ”) and PONBV, dated May 8, 2012, which has been duly assigned from PONBV to NDNBV II and as the same may be amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, and (ii) that certain Contract No. 4610032698 for the charter of the mobile offshore drilling unit Noble Bully II by and between Shell Brasil and Bully 2 (Luxembourg) S.à r.l., dated November 22, 2011, as the same may be amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time (the “ Bully II Shell Charter ”).

 

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Shell Local Services Agreements ” means (i) that certain Contract No. 4610035275 for the provision of services onboard the mobile offshore drilling unit Noble Max Smith by and between Shell Brasil and the Service Provider, dated May 8, 2012, as the same may be amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, and (ii) that certain Contract No. 4610032699 for the provision of services onboard the mobile offshore drilling unit Noble Bully II by and between Shell Brasil and the Service Provider, dated November 22, 2011, as the same may be amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time (the “ Bully II Shell Local Services Agreement ”).

Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any specified Person, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other organization, whether incorporated or unincorporated, of which at least a majority of the securities or interests having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect at least a majority of the board of directors or others performing similar functions with respect to such corporation or other organization is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such specified Person or by any one or more of its Subsidiaries, or by such specified Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries.

Supervisory Employees ” means any of the Paragon employees specified on Exhibit F, or their respective successors.

Tax Sharing Agreement ” means the Tax Sharing Agreement, dated on or about the date hereof, between Paragon and Noble Parent.

Transition Services Agreement ” means the Transition Services Agreement, dated on or about the date hereof, between Paragon and Noble Cayman.

ARTICLE II

SERVICES

Section 2.1 Services . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Service Provider agrees to provide or cause to be provided under this Agreement, services in Brazil in support of the Noble Rigs, all as further set forth in Exhibit A hereto. In addition, the Service Provider agrees to provide or cause to be provided under this Agreement the services set forth in Exhibit B for rigs outside of Brazil or with respect to rigs in transport described in Exhibit B . At the request of the Service Recipient, the Service Provider also shall provide the Services hereunder in respect of any additional Noble Rig operating under a New Noble Charter. At all times during the performance of the Services, all Persons performing such Services (including agents, temporary employees, independent third parties and consultants) shall be construed as being independent from the Noble Group, and no such Person shall be considered or deemed to be an employee of any member of the Noble Group nor entitled to any employee benefits of any member of the Noble Group as a result of this Agreement. No actions of Service Provider employees who are solely associated with the business of Paragon shall be included in the Services. All of such services described in this Section 2.1 are collectively referred to herein as the “ Services ”.

Section 2.2 Service Coordinators . Each of the Noble Group and the Paragon Group will nominate a representative to act as the primary contact with respect to the provision of the Services as contemplated by this Agreement (the “ Service Coordinators ”). The initial Noble

 

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Group Service Coordinator shall be Ronald James and the initial Paragon Group Service Coordinator shall be Rafael Andrade. Unless the Parties otherwise agree, all notices and communications relating to this Agreement other than those day-to-day communications and billings relating to the actual provision of the Services shall be directed to the Service Coordinators in accordance with Section 11.4 hereof. The Service Coordinators shall meet as expeditiously as possible to resolve any dispute hereunder; and any dispute that is not resolved by the Service Coordinators within forty-five (45) calendar days shall be resolved in accordance with the dispute resolution procedures set forth in Section 11.3. Each of the Noble Group and the Paragon Group may treat an act of a Service Coordinator of the other Group which is consistent with the provisions of this Agreement as being authorized by such other Group without inquiring behind such act or ascertaining whether such Service Coordinator had authority to so act; provided, however , that no such Service Coordinator shall have authority to amend this Agreement. Unless otherwise provided herein, the Noble Group and the Paragon Group shall advise each other promptly (in any case no more than seven Business Days) in writing of any change in their respective Service Coordinators, setting forth the name of the replacement, and stating that the replacement Service Coordinator is authorized to act for such Group in accordance with this Section 2.2, provided that any new or replacement Paragon Group Service Coordinator shall be subject to the approval of the Noble Group (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld).

Section 2.3 Third-Party Services . Without the prior written consent of the Noble Group Service Coordinator, the Service Provider shall not have the right to hire third-party subcontractors to provide all or part of any Service hereunder unless (i) the service to be so subcontracted was previously performed by a third-party prior to the Effective Date or (ii) the Paragon Group will also use such third-party subcontractor to provide such service for its own rigs in Brazil and the subcontracting will not increase the cost of the service to the Noble Group. The Paragon Group Service Coordinator will provide to the Noble Group Service Coordinator all reasonably requested information regarding any such third-party subcontractors.

Section 2.4 Standard of Performance . The Services to be provided hereunder shall be performed in accordance with good oilfield practice for offshore drilling and at the higher of (i) the level and general degree of care provided when the Service Provider and its Affiliates performed such Services within the Noble Group organization prior to the Effective Date and (ii) any service levels required under the Local Services Agreements. To the extent reasonably possible, the Service Provider shall maintain the crews employed on the Noble Rigs that provided the Services prior to the Effective Date; provided, however , that the Service Provider shall be entitled to terminate any such employees that are a part of such crews in its sole discretion. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION 2.4, NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED (INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF NON-INFRINGEMENT, MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, SEAWORTHINESS OR CONFORMITY TO ANY REPRESENTATION OR DESCRIPTION), ARE MADE BY THE SERVICE PROVIDER WITH RESPECT TO THE SERVICES UNDER THIS AGREEMENT AND, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE GOVERNMENTAL REQUIREMENTS, ALL SUCH REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES ARE HEREBY WAIVED AND DISCLAIMED, REGARDLESS OF CAUSE.

 

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Section 2.5 Service Boundaries and Scope . Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or a Schedule for a specific Service, the Service Provider shall be required to provide, or cause to be provided, the Services only at the fixed office locations from which the Services were provided prior to the Effective Date and will not be required to open any additional offices. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or a Schedule for a specific Service, in providing, or causing to be provided, the Services, the Service Provider shall not be obligated to maintain the employment of any specific employee. The Service Recipient acknowledges (respectively on its own behalf and on behalf of the other members of the Noble Group) that the employees of the Service Provider or any other members of the Paragon Group who may be assisting in the provision of Services hereunder are or may be at-will employees and, in any event, may terminate or be terminated from employment with the Service Provider or any of the other members of the Paragon Group providing Services hereunder at any time for any reason. The Noble Group Service Coordinator may require, on behalf of the Service Recipient, that any person providing Services to the Noble Group under this Agreement (whether or not an employee of the Service Provider or any other member of the Paragon Group) be replaced with another person reasonably acceptable to the Noble Group Coordinator.

Section 2.6 Conflict with Laws; Business Ethics . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, (a) none of the Parties nor any Affiliate of any Party shall be required to undertake any actions that would or may place such Party or Affiliate in violation of any Governmental Requirements (including, without limitation, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act) and (b) the Service Provider acknowledges receipt from the Service Recipient of Noble’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “ Business Code ”), and the Service Provider agrees to comply, and to cause any Affiliate or Permitted Subcontractor performing any Services to comply, with the Business Code and other governance or other policies of the Noble Group, as they may be amended from time to time, throughout the Service Provider’s performance of the Services. The Service Recipient agrees to notify the Service Provider in writing of any amendment or modification of the Business Code and provide a copy of the same within three (3) Business Days of such amendment or modification.

Section 2.7 Access . During the term of this Agreement and for a period of three (3) years thereafter, (a) the Service Provider will provide, and cause any Permitted Subcontractor to provide, the Service Recipient and its authorized representatives such access to the Service Provider, any other member of the Paragon Group and any Permitted Subcontractor, and their respective employees, representatives, facilities, premises and other equipment and books and records as the Service Recipient and its representatives may reasonably require in order to, among other things, monitor the performance of the Services, verify the calculations of the Charges (as defined below) and any other payments due to Service Provider hereunder, verify compliance with the standards of conduct set forth in Section 2.6 above; and (b) the Service Recipient will provide the Service Provider and its authorized representatives such access to the Service Recipient and any other member of the Noble Group and their respective employees, representatives, facilities, premises, rigs and other equipment and books and records as the Service Provider and its representatives may reasonably require in order to perform the Services or fulfill their respective obligations hereunder. The Parties agree that they will retain their books and records during the period set forth in the first sentence of this Section 2.7 in order to allow sufficient access to undertake any review pursuant to this Section 2.7 and to cause their document retention policies to be consistent with such retention requirements.

 

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ARTICLE III

CHARGES

Section 3.1 Charges . Charges for Services rendered under this Agreement will be calculated in accordance with this Article and paid monthly in accordance with Article IV. The Charges will consist of (a) charges calculated by reference to a rig operating statement for each applicable Noble Rig, reflecting the contract drilling and Allocated Shore-Based Costs for such Noble Rig during a calendar month (which, for the avoidance of doubt, will not include any Delayed Accrued Expenses) including the Payable Accrued Expenses for such calendar month (the “ Rig Invoices ”) which will be in the form set forth in Exhibit C attached hereto, and (b) the applicable Non-Brazilian Rig Personnel Charge for such calendar month (collectively, the “ Charges ”). Subject to any adjustments provided for in this Agreement, the Service Provider shall be entitled to retain any Customer Revenues paid under the Local Services Agreements. The Charges with respect to each Noble Rig for any calendar month will equal the excess of ( A ) one hundred six percent (106%) of the total amount reflected on the applicable Rig Invoice less ( B ) Customer Revenues received with respect to such Noble Rig during such calendar month (as so calculated, the “ Noble Rig Monthly Charges ”). The Charges with respect to any applicable Non-Brazilian Rig Personnel Charges for any calendar month will equal one hundred six percent (106%) of the Non-Brazilian Rig Personnel Charges for such calendar month (as so calculated, the “ Other Rig Monthly Charges ” and, together with the Noble Rig Monthly Charges, the “ Monthly Charges ”). For the avoidance of doubt, (i) no Charges relating to any services provided with respect to periods prior to the Effective Date will be passed through under this Agreement and (ii) Noble shall not be responsible for any costs or expenses related to the termination of any Paragon employees. In the event that the Noble Dave Beard enters a shipyard prior to the assignment of the Dave Beard Charter from PONBV to NDNBV II, PONBV shall enter into any shipyard contract reasonably requested by Noble Cayman and shall pass through all costs under such contract to the Service Recipient as Charges pursuant to this Agreement. For any shipyard contract entered into pursuant to this Section 3.1, the Parties will cooperate to ensure that such shipyard contract provides indemnification obligations on substantially the same terms as those provided in Article VIII of this Agreement.

Section 3.2 Taxes . The contract drilling and shore-based costs reflected on the Rig Invoices for any calendar month shall include all Brazilian Indirect Taxes (grossed-up for any incremental indirect taxes as a result of the reimbursement) imposed on the Service Provider or its Affiliates to the extent such Taxes accrue in such month and are attributable to the performance of the Services or receipt of the Charges, but shall in no case include (i) any Brazilian Indirect Taxes allocable to Noble under Article II of the Tax Sharing Agreement or (ii) any Brazilian Indirect Taxes that are Delayed Accrued Expenses.

ARTICLE IV

PAYMENT

Section 4.1 Payment Matters . The Monthly Charges shall be invoiced monthly, within fifteen (15) days after the end of the applicable month, in arrears in a single statement for each applicable Noble Rig and separate statements for any Non-Brazil Rig Personnel Charges (each a “ Monthly Statement ” and, collectively, the “ Monthly Statements ”) prepared by the Service Provider or an Affiliate and shall be in the form set forth in Exhibit D hereto. Service

 

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Recipient (as specified in the applicable Monthly Statement) shall pay the amount set forth in the applicable Monthly Statement to a Paragon Group entity designated by the Paragon Group Service Coordinator in the applicable invoice (which shall initially be PONBV or Limitada, as applicable) no later than thirty (30) days after the Noble Group’s receipt of such Monthly Statement (each date of such payment, a “ Monthly Payment Date ”). Each Monthly Statement shall set forth in reasonable detail, for the calendar month covered by such Monthly Statement: (i) the applicable Rig Invoice for such calendar month, (ii) any applicable credit or debit for exchange rate differences in respect of the preceding Monthly Statement and (iii) any Advance Amounts received with respect to such calendar month (as defined below) that are to be credited against the Monthly Charges. In addition, a Monthly Statement shall be provided that includes an invoice for any applicable Non-Brazil Rig Personnel Charges for such calendar month. All amounts shown on the Monthly Statements will be denominated in Brazilian Reals and paid in either Brazilian Reals or US Dollars, at the Service Recipient’s option, by wire transfer of immediately available funds. If payment is made in US Dollars, the Service Provider shall, or shall cause, all amounts received in payment to be to be converted into Brazilian Reals within three (3) Business Days of receipt of the payment. To the extent that the Real to Dollar conversion rate on the date the Service Provider converts the applicable payment into Brazilian Reals differs from the conversion rate on the applicable Monthly Payment Date, the Service Provider shall reflect such difference as an additional charge (if the value of the Real against the Dollar rises) or credit (if the value of the Dollar against the Real rises), as the case may be, on the following month’s Monthly Statement; provided, however , that the Service Provider will not be entitled to add any additional charges (if applicable) in respect of any conversion rate differences on the following Monthly Statement if the Service Provider has not converted the applicable payment into Brazilian Reals within the time set forth herein and, in the event that such conversion would have resulted in a positive adjustment for the Noble Group, the Noble Group will be entitled to a credit or refund (as applicable) as if the Service Provider had converted the applicable payment within the allotted time.

The Service Provider will provide Noble Cayman with a funding request every two weeks on the applicable Monday (the “ Advance Requests ”) for reasonably projected cash needs for the Services to be provided in the following two weeks with respect to each Noble Rig (the “ Advance Amounts ”). All amounts shown on the Advance Requests will be denominated in Brazilian Reals and Noble Cayman shall cause such amounts to be paid in either Brazilian Reals or US Dollars, at Noble Cayman’s option, by wire transfer of immediately available funds within three (3) Business Days of receipt of such Advance Request (each date of such payment, an “ Advance Payment Date ”). If payment is made in US Dollars, the Service Provider shall, or shall cause, all amounts received in payment to be to be converted into Brazilian Reals within three (3) Business Days of receipt of the payment. To the extent that the Real to Dollar conversion rate on the date the Service Provider converts the applicable payment into Brazilian Reals differs from the conversion rate on the applicable Advance Payment Date, the Service Provider shall reflect such difference as an additional charge (if the value of the Real against the Dollar rises) or credit (if the value of the Dollar against the Real rises), as the case may be, on the subsequent Advance Request; provided, however , that the Service Provider will not be entitled to add any additional charges (if applicable) in respect of any conversion rate differences on the subsequent Advance Request if the Service Provider has not converted the applicable payment into Brazilian Reals within the time set forth herein and, in the event that such conversion would have resulted in a positive adjustment for the Noble Group, the Noble Group will be entitled to a

 

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credit or refund (as applicable) as if the Service Provider had converted the applicable payment within the allotted time. In the event any Advance Amounts received by the Service Provider or any amounts collected under the Local Services Agreements that relate to periods prior to the Effective Date were in excess of the amounts needed by the Service Provider for such periods, Noble Cayman may, in its sole discretion, require the Service Provider to offset such amounts against the Charges to be paid hereunder in the next applicable Monthly Statement or promptly refund such amounts.

Each Rig Invoice shall reflect any Delayed Accrued Expenses with respect to the applicable Noble Rig, but such amounts shall only be payable by the Noble Group pursuant to Section 4.2.

Section 4.2 Delayed Accrued Expenses and Payable Accrued Expenses.

Upon payment of any Delayed Accrued Expenses by the Service Provider, the Service Provider shall invoice Noble Cayman providing reasonable evidence of the payment by the Service Provider of such Delayed Accrued Expenses. Noble Cayman, or its applicable Affiliate, shall pay the amount set forth in such invoice no later than thirty (30) days after Noble Cayman’s receipt of such invoice. Ninety (90) days following the exit of each Noble Rig from Brazilian waters and upon the termination of this Agreement, Paragon shall credit on the next following invoice for the other Noble Rigs still in Brazil (or refund, as applicable) the Noble Group for any Payable Accrued Expenses that any member of the Noble Group has paid to the Service Provider but that the Service Provider has not actually paid. Such credit or refund shall be without prejudice to the Service Provider’s right to indemnity with respect to any future payment of the liability associated therewith.

Section 4.3 Payment Procedures.

Any amount due from the Service Recipient under this Agreement that is not paid in full on or before the date such payment is due will incur a delayed payment charge on the unpaid amount from the original due date until the date paid at a per annum rate of interest equal to the Late Interest Rate.

In the event there is any dispute with respect to a Monthly Statement, the Service Recipient shall make the payment for all non-disputed amounts in accordance herewith. The Service Recipient will be entitled to withhold any disputed amounts without interest until such dispute is resolved and the Service Provider shall continue to provide the Services during the pendency of any dispute. When such dispute is resolved, the Service Provider will issue a credit/debit memo in accordance with the outcome of the dispute resolution.

Except as provided on Exhibit D , the Service Recipient shall be responsible for all transfer taxes, excises, fees or other charges (including any sales, use, goods and services, value added or similar taxes) imposed or assessed on the Service Recipient or its Affiliates on payments made pursuant to this Agreement. The Service Recipient shall be entitled to deduct and withhold taxes required by any Governmental Requirements to be withheld on payments made pursuant to this Agreement. To the extent any amounts are so withheld, the Service Recipient shall (i) pay, in addition to the amount otherwise due to the Service Provider under this

 

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Agreement, such additional amount as is necessary to ensure that the net amount actually received by the Service Provider will equal the full amount the Service Provider would have received had no such deduction or withholding been required, (ii) pay such deducted and withheld amount to the proper Governmental Authority, and (iii) promptly provide to the Service Provider evidence of such payment to such Governmental Authority.

ARTICLE V

TERM, DISCONTINUATION OF SERVICES

Section 5.1 Term . The term of this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall continue in force until the last to occur of (i) the expiration of the term of the last of the Petrobras Local Services Agreements (without giving effect to any extensions of the term of such agreements following the date of this Agreement), (ii) the expiration of the term of the last of the Shell Local Services Agreements (without giving effect to any extensions of the term of such agreements following the date of this Agreement), (iii) the end of any period of time required to complete the export or transition to the next contract of any Noble Rig after the termination of the Petrobras Local Services Agreement or the Shell Local Services Agreement, as applicable (the “ Termination Date ”). The Noble Group may terminate any Services provided by Non-Brazilian Rig Personnel at any time upon thirty (30) days advance written notice to the Service Provider. Except as otherwise provided in a Schedule with respect to a specific Service, all Services shall terminate on the Termination Date. Subject to not providing Services past the Termination Date, the Parties agree that the Service Provider will provide applicable Services in respect of any Noble Rig for as long as such Noble Rig is under contract (or being exported or transitioned to the next contract, as the case may be) (such period, the “ Contracted Time Period ”), and shall discontinue providing applicable Services after the Contracted Time Period, without prior notice from, or any excess payment by, the Service Recipient. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Service Recipient will also have the right to terminate all or any portion of the Services with respect to any Noble Rig prior to the end of the Contracted Time Period upon six (6) months advance notice to the Service Provider.

ARTICLE VI

COVENANTS

Section 6.1 Insurance . Each of the Parties will maintain insurance coverage customary for offshore drilling contractors in Brazil.

Section 6.2 Noble Employees . During the term of this Agreement, the Service Recipient will provide, or cause to be provided to the Service Provider (or otherwise provide in a manner consistent with past practice) expatriate employees of the Noble Group in order to fill certain positions on the Noble Rigs as set forth on Exhibit E (each, a “ Rig Position ”). During the term of the Agreement, the Service Recipient will be responsible for providing “backfill” replacements for each such Rig Position; provided, that, if the Service Recipient is unable to provide, or cause to be provided, any such replacement (as a result of visa issues or otherwise), the Service Provider will use its commercially reasonable efforts to provide such backfill replacement. During the term of the Agreement, the Noble Group will continue to pay all salary and benefits of each person in a Rig Position (including any such person provided by the Service Provider as a backfill replacement) and otherwise be responsible for such person’s conduct and performance.

 

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Section 6.3 Engineering Services. During the term of this Agreement, the Service Recipient will provide, or cause an Affiliate to provide, engineering services in respect of the Noble Rigs in the same manner and to the same extent as such services were provided by a member of the Noble Group prior to the Effective Date. Such engineering services shall be provided without any charge to the Service Provider.

ARTICLE VII

DEFAULT

Section 7.1 Termination for Default . In the event of (i) a failure of a Service Recipient to pay for Services in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, or (ii) a failure of the Service Provider to perform, or cause to be performed, the Services in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, which failure described in this clause (ii) results or could reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse impact on the Services, then in the case of either clause (i) or clause (ii) the non-defaulting Party shall have the right, at its sole discretion, to terminate this Agreement if the defaulting Party has (A) failed to cure the default within forty five (45) days of receipt of the written notice of default or, (B) if such default is not reasonably susceptible to cure within a 45-day period, failed to take action within forty five (45) days of receipt of the written notice of default reasonably designed to cure such default as soon as is reasonably practicable. The Service Recipient’s right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to a failure described in clause (ii) above and the rights set forth in Section 8.4 shall constitute the Service Recipient’s sole and exclusive rights and remedies for a breach by the Service Provider hereunder (including any breach caused by an Affiliate of the Service Provider or any Permitted Subcontractor). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Service Recipient shall have the right, at its sole discretion, to terminate this Agreement immediately upon notice to the Service Provider if the Service Recipient has a good faith reason to believe that the Service Provider has breached any of the provisions of Section 2.6.

Section 7.2 Termination for Bankruptcy . In the event that a Party shall (i) file a petition in bankruptcy, (ii) become or be declared insolvent, or become the subject of any proceedings (not dismissed within sixty (60) calendar days) related to its liquidation, insolvency or the appointment of a receiver, (iii) make an assignment on behalf of all or substantially all of its creditors, or (iv) take any corporate action for its winding up or dissolution, then a Party from the other Group shall have the right to terminate this Agreement by providing written notice in accordance with Section 11.4.

ARTICLE VIII

INDEMNIFICATION

Section 8.1 Liabilities and Indemnities .

 

  (A) Indemnity by the Service Recipient.

 

  (i)

THE SERVICE RECIPIENT SHALL FULLY INDEMNIFY AND DEFEND THE SERVICE PROVIDER AND ITS AFFILIATES (THE “ PARAGON INDEMNIFIED PARTIES ”) FROM AND

 

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  AGAINST ANY AND ALL LIABILITY, DEMANDS, CLAIMS, ACTIONS OR CAUSES OF ACTION, ASSESSMENTS, LOSSES, DAMAGES, FINES, PENALTIES, COSTS AND EXPENSES (INCLUDING REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES, EXPENSES AND BRAZILIAN INDIRECT TAXES, BUT EXCLUDING TAXES, AS DEFINED IN THE TAX SHARING AGREEMENT) (“ DAMAGES ”) DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT, EXCEPT ONLY TO THE EXTENT CAUSED BY THE WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF ANY OF THE PARAGON INDEMNIFIED PARTIES. EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING SENTENCE, THIS INDEMNIFICATION IS EXPRESSLY INTENDED TO APPLY REGARDLESS OF CAUSE. THIS INDEMNIFICATION SHALL SURVIVE AND CONTINUE IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT NOTWITHSTANDING THE EXPIRATION OR TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT FOR ANY REASON WHATSOEVER.

 

  (ii) THE SERVICE RECIPIENT SHALL FULLY INDEMNIFY AND DEFEND THE PARAGON INDEMNIFIED PARTIES FROM AND AGAINST ANY DAMAGES OR LOSS TO ANY OF THE NOBLE RIGS OR ANY RELATED EQUIPMENT OR PARTS, EXCEPT ONLY TO THE EXTENT CAUSED BY THE WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF ANY OF THE PARAGON INDEMNIFIED PARTIES. EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING SENTENCE, THIS INDEMNIFICATION IS EXPRESSLY INTENDED TO APPLY REGARDLESS OF CAUSE. THIS INDEMNIFICATION SHALL SURVIVE AND CONTINUE IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT NOTWITHSTANDING THE EXPIRATION OR TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT FOR ANY REASON WHATSOEVER.

 

  (B)

Indemnity by the Service Provider . THE SERVICE PROVIDER SHALL FULLY INDEMNIFY AND DEFEND THE SERVICE RECIPIENT AND ITS AFFILIATES (THE “ NOBLE INDEMNIFIED PARTIES ”) FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL DAMAGES DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT ONLY TO THE EXTENT CAUSED BY THE WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF THE SERVICE PROVIDER OR ITS AFFILIATES. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT TO THE CONTRARY, IN NO EVENT (REGARDLESS OF CAUSE) SHALL THE SERVICE PROVIDER BE LIABLE TO THE NOBLE INDEMNIFIED PARTIES WITH RESPECT TO CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT (A) RELATED TO THE ACTIONS OF ANY SUPERVISORY

 

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  EMPLOYEE, FOR AMOUNTS IN THE AGGREGATE EXCEEDING THE AGGREGATE CHARGES PAID TO THE SERVICE PROVIDER UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IN THE TWELVE MONTH PERIOD PRIOR TO THE DATE ON WHICH THE ACTION GIVING RISE TO SUCH CLAIM OCCURRED (OR, IF SUCH TWELVE MONTH PERIOD HAS NOT FULLY RUN, THE AMOUNT EXPECTED TO BE PAID TO THE SERVICE PROVIDER DURING SUCH TWELVE MONTH PERIOD BY WAY OF EXTRAPOLATION ON THE AMOUNTS PAID DURING SUCH SHORTER PERIOD) AND (B) RELATED TO THE ACTIONS OF ANY PARAGON PERSON OTHER THAN A SUPERVISORY EMPLOYEE, FOR AMOUNTS IN THE AGGREGATE EXCEEDING THE AGGREGATE CHARGES PAID TO THE SERVICE PROVIDER UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IN THE FIRST FULL MONTH AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE.

 

  (C) Special Note on Allocation of Liabilities.

 

  (i) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, (A) any Liability, whether of the Noble Group, the Paragon Group or any third-party, arising (i) prior to the Effective Date or (ii) outside the scope of this Agreement shall be subject solely to the provisions of the Master Separation Agreement, the Employee Matters Agreement, the Transition Services Agreement and/or the Tax Sharing Agreement, as applicable, and shall not be subject to indemnification or other remedy hereunder and (B) any Liability whether of the Noble Group, the Paragon Group or any third-party, arising (i) after the Effective Date and (ii) within the scope of this Agreement and which relates both to the Noble Group and the Paragon Group or their respective assets or businesses shall, prior to being subject to the indemnification provisions of this Section 8.1, be allocated between the Noble Group and the Paragon Group in proportion to the number of Rigs of each Group bears to the total number of Rigs in Brazil of both Groups (in each case, irrespective of operational status) at the time the Liability arose.

 

  (ii) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that the Service Provider or any member of the Paragon Group seeks to enforce any indemnification obligation of the Service Recipient or any member of the Noble Group pursuant to this Article VIII with respect to the Bully II, the Service Provider or such applicable member of the Paragon Group shall be obligated to seek indemnification or other satisfaction pursuant to the Bully II Shell Charter or the Bully II Shell Local Services Agreement to the fullest extent provided under such agreements and any recovery pursuant to the Bully II Shell Charter or the Bully II Shell Local Services Agreement shall offset any amounts owed by the Service Recipient or any member of the Noble Group under this Agreement or result in a refund to the Service Recipient or applicable member of the Noble Group for any amount previously paid pursuant to such matter.

 

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  (D) Indemnification Procedures.

 

  (i) Third-Party Claim . The Service Recipient’s indemnification obligation pursuant to Section 8.1(A) and the Service Provider’s indemnification obligation pursuant to Section 8.1(B), in each case, with respect to Damages claimed or asserted against a person claiming indemnification under this Agreement (an “ Indemnified Party ”) by a third party (that third-party claim or assertion, a “ Claim ”), are subject to the following terms and conditions:

 

  (1) The Indemnified Party shall, with reasonable promptness after the Indemnified Party has notice of a Claim, (A) notify the Party from whom indemnification is sought (the “ Indemnifying Party ”) of the existence of that Claim and (B) transmit to the Indemnifying Party a notice (a “ Claim Notice ”) describing, in reasonable detail, the nature of the Claim, and copies of any papers served with respect to such Claim. Within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt of any Claim Notice (the “ Election Period ”), the Indemnifying Party shall notify the Indemnified Party (A) whether the Indemnifying Party disputes its potential liability to the Indemnified Party under this Article VIII with respect to such Claim and (B) whether the Indemnifying Party desires, at its sole cost and expense, to defend the Indemnified Party against such Claim. If the Indemnifying Party does not notify the Indemnified Party within the Election Period that the Indemnifying Party disputes its potential liability with respect to such Claim, any Damages resulting from such Claim shall be payable by the Indemnifying Party under this Agreement. The Indemnified Party is hereby authorized, at the sole cost and expense of the Indemnifying Party (but only if the Indemnified Party is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement), to file, during the Election Period, any motion, answer or other pleadings that the Indemnified Party shall reasonably deem necessary or appropriate to protect its interests or those of the Indemnifying Party.

 

  (2)

If the Indemnifying Party notifies the Indemnified Party within the Election Period that the Indemnifying Party elects to assume the defense of the Claim, then this Section 8.1(D)(i)(2) shall apply (but not otherwise) and the Indemnifying Party shall have the right to defend, at its sole

 

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  cost and expense (if it is determined that the Indemnified Party is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement), such Claim by all appropriate proceedings, which proceedings shall be prosecuted diligently by the Indemnifying Party to a final conclusion or settled at the discretion of the Indemnifying Party in accordance with this Section 8.1(D)(i)(2). The Indemnified Party may, at its own cost and expense, participate in, but not control, any defense or settlement of any Claim controlled by the Indemnifying Party pursuant to this Section 8.1(D)(i)(2). Notwithstanding anything in this Section 8.1(D)(i)(2) to the contrary, the Indemnifying Party may not, without the express written consent of the Indemnified Party, agree to any compromise or settlement which does not include an unconditional release of the Indemnified Party from all Damages.

 

  (3) If the Indemnifying Party fails to notify the Indemnified Party within the Election Period that the Indemnifying Party elects to assume the defense of the Claim or if the Indemnifying Party elects to assume the defense of the Claim but fails to satisfy its obligations under Section 8.1(D)(i)(2), then this Section 8.1(D)(i)(3) shall apply (but not otherwise) and the Indemnified Party shall have the right to defend, at the sole cost and expense of the Indemnifying Party (if it is determined that the Indemnified Party is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement), the Claim by all appropriate proceedings, which proceedings shall be prosecuted diligently by the Indemnified Party to a final conclusion or settled at the discretion of the Indemnified Party. The Indemnified Party shall have full control of such defense and proceedings, including any compromise or settlement of such defense and proceedings, provided that the Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any such compromise or settlement unless such compromise or settlement is made with the Indemnifying Party’s express written consent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). The Indemnifying Party may, at its own cost and expense, participate in, but not control, any defense or settlement of any Claim controlled by the Indemnified Party pursuant to this Section 8.1(D)(i)(3).

 

  (4)

Notwithstanding anything in this Section 8.1(D)(i) to the contrary, to the extent (A) the Indemnifying Party has delivered a notice to the Indemnified Party that the Indemnifying Party disputes its potential liability to the

 

16


  Indemnified Party under this Article VIII and (B) such dispute is resolved in favor of the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnifying Party shall not be required to bear the costs and expenses of the defense pursuant to Section 8.1(D)(i)(2) or Section 8.1(D)(i)(3), and the Indemnified Party shall reimburse the Indemnifying Party in full for all of those costs and expenses.

 

  (ii) No Third-Party Claim . In the event any Indemnified Party claims indemnification against any Indemnifying Party under this Agreement but that claim for indemnification does not involve a Claim, the Indemnified Party shall (A) notify the Indemnifying Party and (B) transmit to the Indemnifying Party a notice (an “ Indemnity Notice ”) describing, in reasonable detail, the nature of the claim. Within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt of any Indemnity Notice, the Indemnifying Party shall notify the Indemnified Party whether the Indemnifying Party disputes its potential liability to the Indemnified Party under this Article VIII. If the Indemnifying Party does not notify the Indemnified Party within such 30-day period that the Indemnifying Party disputes its potential liability with respect to such Indemnity Notice, any Damages resulting from such Indemnity Notice shall be payable by the Indemnifying Party under this Agreement.

 

  (iii) The provisions of this Section 8.1(D) are in all cases subject to the limitations set forth in Sections 8.1 and 8.2 and elsewhere in this Agreement.

Section 8.2 Limitations on Damages. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY IN THIS AGREEMENT, IN NO EVENT SHALL EITHER PARTY, THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE DIRECTORS, OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES BE LIABLE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF ANY PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT, WHETHER OR NOT SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE FOREGOING LIMITATIONS SHALL NOT LIMIT EACH PARTY’S INDEMNIFICATION OBLIGATIONS FOR LIABILITIES TO THIRD PARTIES AS SET FORTH IN THIS ARTICLE VIII. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE VIII, “CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES” MEANS ANY EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, SPECIAL, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, REMOTE OR SPECULATIVE DAMAGES (INCLUDING IN RESPECT OF LOST PROFITS OR REVENUES).

Section 8.3 Limited Recourse. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THIS AGREEMENT, (A) NO AFFILIATE OF ANY PARTY WILL HAVE ANY LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR, RELATING TO OR IN CONNECTION WITH A PARTY’S FAILURE TO PERFORM ANY TERM, COVENANT, CONDITION OR

 

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PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT AND (B) IN PURSUING ANY REMEDY FOR ANY PARTY’S BREACH OF ANY TERM, COVENANT, CONDITION OR PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT OR OF ANY DUTY OR STANDARD OF CONDUCT BASED ON NEGLIGENCE, GROSS NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY OR PERSONAL INJURY OR OTHER TORT OR VIOLATION OF APPLICABLE GOVERNMENTAL REQUIREMENTS, OR OTHERWISE, THE OTHER PARTY WILL NOT HAVE RECOURSE AGAINST ANY PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEFAULTING OR BREACHING PARTY ITSELF NOR AGAINST ANY ASSETS OTHER THAN THE ASSETS OF THE DEFAULTING OR BREACHING PARTY ITSELF.

Section 8.4 Limitation on Remedies . The Parties hereby acknowledge and agree that:

 

  (A) In the event the Service Provider fails to provide the Services (or a portion thereof) in accordance herewith, the sole and exclusive remedy of the Service Recipient shall be (i) to make a claim for indemnification pursuant to Section 8.1(D) (if available), (ii) to have the Service (or relevant portion) reperformed, without having to reimburse the Service Provider for its direct internal cost of such reperformance, (iii) to withhold payment for such Service (or relevant portion thereof), (iv) to the extent applicable, to have the right to terminate the Agreement under Section 7.1 or (v) pursue its rights under Section 11.12. The Service Recipient may pursue more than one remedy at the same time but ultimately may not recover more than once. Such rights are the Service Recipient’s sole remedy for any non-performance, inadequate performance, faulty performance or other failure or breach by the Service Provider under or relating to this Agreement. EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THE FIRST SENTENCE OF THIS SECTION 8.4(a), THE SERVICE RECIPIENT HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT THE SERVICE RECIPIENT MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO CLAIM, COLLECT OR RECEIVE DAMAGES, TO ENFORCE SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE OR TO PURSUE ANY OTHER REMEDY AVAILABLE IN CONTRACT, AT LAW OR IN EQUITY IN THE EVENT OF ANY NON-PERFORMANCE, INADEQUATE PERFORMANCE, FAULTY PERFORMANCE OR OTHER FAILURE OR BREACH BY THE SERVICE PROVIDER UNDER OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, REGARDLESS OF CAUSE EXCEPT ONLY TO THE EXTENT CAUSED BY THE WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF THE SERVICE PROVIDER OR ITS AFFILIATES.

 

  (B)

Without limiting the generality of any other provision hereof, it is not the intent of the Service Provider or its Affiliates to render professional advice or opinions, whether with regard to tax, legal, treasury, finance, intellectual property, employment or other matters; the Service Recipient shall not rely on any Service rendered by or on behalf of the Service Provider or its Affiliates for such professional advice or opinions; and notwithstanding the Service Recipient’s receipt of any proposal,

 

18


  recommendation or suggestion in any way relating to tax, legal, treasury, finance, intellectual property, employment or any other subject matter, the Service Recipient shall seek all third-party professional advice and opinions as it may desire or need, and in any event the Service Recipient shall be solely responsible for and assume all risks associated with the Services, except to the limited extent set forth in this Section; and, with respect to any software or documentation within the Services, the Service Recipient shall use such software and documentation internally and for their intended purpose only, shall not distribute, publish, transfer, sublicense or in any manner make such software or documentation available to other organizations or persons, and shall not act as a service bureau or consultant in connection with such software.

 

  (C) A material inducement to the provision of the Services is the limitation of liability, damages and recourse set forth herein and the release and indemnity provided by the Service Recipient.

Section 8.5 Express Negligence. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSED THEREIN, THE INDEMNITY, RELEASES AND LIMITATIONS ON DAMAGES, RECOURSE AND LIABILITIES IN THIS AGREEMENT (INCLUDING ARTICLES II AND VIII) ARE INTENDED TO BE ENFORCEABLE AGAINST THE PARTIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE EXPRESS TERMS AND SCOPE THEREOF, REGARDLESS OF CAUSE.

ARTICLE IX

CONFIDENTIALITY

Section 9.1 Confidentiality . The Parties each acknowledge and agree that the terms of the Master Separation Agreement shall apply to information, documents, plans and other data made available or disclosed by one Party to the other in connection with this Agreement, including any such information the Service Recipient may gain from access to the Service Provider Systems.

ARTICLE X

FORCE MAJEURE

Section 10.1 Effect and Definition . No failure or omission by either Party to perform or carry out its obligations in accordance with this Agreement (other than the obligation to make payment or submit currencies for exchange) shall give rise to any claim by the other Party or be deemed a breach of this Agreement if such failure or omission arises from a Force Majeure Event. “ Force Majeure Event ” shall mean any event or circumstance that is beyond the reasonable control of the Party affected thereby, including lightning, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, wash outs, storms, fires, explosions, epidemics, acts of God, other natural disasters, acts of the public enemy, computer crimes, cyber terrorism, actions by any Governmental Authority or other governmental interference, insurrections, riots, civil disturbance, sabotage, terrorism, threats of sabotage or terrorism, vandalism, wars and war like actions (whether declared or undeclared and whether actual, pending or expected), confiscation, seizure, arrests or other restraints by a Governmental Authority, blockades, embargoes, boycotts, strikes, lockouts, labor unrest and other labor disputes, and any shortage of adequate power or transportation facilities.

 

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Section 10.2 Notification Requirements . The Party claiming to be affected by a Force Majeure Event shall, as soon as reasonably practicable, notify the other Party of the beginning and end of any event claimed to be a Force Majeure Event and use commercially reasonable efforts to resume performance in accordance with this Agreement as soon as is reasonably practicable after the end of the Force Majeure Event.

Section 10.3 Cooperation . The Parties shall cooperate in reasonable respects with each other to find alternative means and methods for the provision of any suspended Service with respect to a Force Majeure Event.

ARTICLE XI

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 11.1 Construction Rules .

 

  (A) A reference to an Article, Section or Schedule shall mean an Article or Section of, or a Schedule to, this Agreement unless otherwise explicitly set forth. The titles and headings herein are for reference purposes only and shall not in any manner limit the construction of this Agreement which shall be considered as a whole.

 

  (B) The words “include,” “includes” and “including” when used in this Agreement shall be deemed in each case to be followed by the words “without limitation.”

 

  (C) The words “hereof,” “herein” and “herewith” and words of similar import will, unless otherwise stated, be construed to refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement.

 

  (D) The word “or” when used in this Agreement will not be exclusive.

 

  (E) Words in the singular when used in this Agreement will be held to include the plural.

 

  (F) Unless specifically stated otherwise, all dollar amounts referred to in this Agreement or required to be paid pursuant to this Agreement are expressed in and shall be paid in United States Dollar funds.

Section 11.2 Entire Agreement . This Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements (other than the Master Separation Agreement, the Transition Services Agreement, the Employee Matters Agreement and the Tax Sharing Agreement) and the Schedules referenced or attached hereto and thereto, constitute the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and shall supersede all prior written and oral and all contemporaneous oral agreements and understandings with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

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Section 11.3 Governing Law .

 

  (A) This Agreement shall be governed and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to principles of conflicts of laws thereof that would result in the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction.

 

  (B) The procedures for discussion, negotiation and arbitration set forth in Article V of the Master Separation Agreement shall apply to any dispute, controversy or claim (whether sounding in contract, tort or otherwise) that arises out of or relates to, this Agreement any alleged breach hereof, or the transactions contemplated hereby (including all actions taken in furtherance of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby on or prior to the date hereof), the construction, interpretation, enforcement or validity hereof or thereof (a “ Dispute ”). Each Party agrees on behalf of itself and each member of its respective Group that the procedures set forth in the Master Separation Agreement shall be the sole and exclusive remedy in connection with any Dispute and irrevocably waives any right to commence any Action in or before any Governmental Authority, except as set forth in Section 5.1 of the Master Separation Agreement.

 

  (C) Each Party on behalf of itself and each member of its respective Group irrevocably waives any right to any trial by jury with respect to any Dispute to which this Section 11.3 applies.

Section 11.4 Notices . Unless expressly provided herein, all notices, claims, certificates, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to be duly given (i) when personally delivered or (ii) if mailed registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, on the date the return receipt is executed or the letter is refused by the addressee or its agent or (iii) if sent by overnight courier which delivers only upon the signed receipt of the addressee, on the date the receipt acknowledgment is executed or refused by the addressee or its agent or (iv) if sent by facsimile or electronic mail, on the date confirmation of transmission is received (provided that a copy of any notice delivered pursuant to this clause (iv) shall also be sent pursuant to clause (i), (ii) or (iii)), addressed to the attention of the addressee’s General Counsel at the address of its principal executive office or to such other address or facsimile number for a party as it shall have specified by like notice.

Section 11.5 Counterparts . This Agreement, including the Schedules hereto and the other documents referred to herein, may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which shall constitute one and the same agreement.

Section 11.6 Binding Effect; Assignment . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Parties and their respective legal representatives and successors. This Agreement may not be assigned by any Party, except that the Service Provider may assign any or all of its rights, interests and obligations hereunder to an Affiliate of the Service Provider, provided that any such Affiliate agrees in writing to be bound by all of the terms, conditions and provisions contained herein.

 

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Section 11.7 No Third Party Beneficiaries . This Agreement is solely for the benefit of the Service Recipient, the Service Provider and any Affiliate of the Service Provider providing Services hereunder and is not intended to confer upon any other Person except such Persons any rights or remedies hereunder, and except for any Indemnified Party under Article VIII.

Section 11.8 Severability . If any term or other provision of this Agreement or the Schedules attached hereto is determined by a nonappealable decision by a court, administrative agency or arbitrator to be invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law or public policy, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to either Party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the court, administrative agency or arbitrator shall interpret this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner to the end that transactions contemplated hereby are fulfilled to the fullest extent possible. If any sentence in this Agreement is so broad as to be unenforceable, the provision shall be interpreted to be only so broad as is enforceable.

Section 11.9 Failure or Indulgence Not Waiver; Remedies Cumulative . No failure or delay on the part of any Party in the exercise of any right hereunder shall impair such right or be construed to be a waiver of, or acquiescence in, any breach of any representation, warranty or agreement herein, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right preclude other or further exercise thereof or of any other right. All rights and remedies existing under this Agreement or the Schedules attached hereto are cumulative to, and not exclusive of, any rights or remedies otherwise available.

Section 11.10 Amendment . No change or amendment will be made to this Agreement except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the Parties.

Section 11.11 Authority . Each of the Parties represents to the other that (a) it has the corporate or other requisite power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement, (b) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by it have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other actions, (c) it has duly and validly executed and delivered this Agreement, and (d) this Agreement is a legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with their respective terms subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and general equity principles.

Section 11.12 Specific Performance . In the event of any actual or threatened default in, or breach of, any of the terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement, the Party or the Parties who are or are to be thereby aggrieved shall have the right to specific performance and injunctive or other equitable relief of their rights under this Agreement, in addition to any and all other rights and remedies at law or in equity, and all such rights and remedies shall be cumulative. The Parties agree that the remedies at law for any breach or threatened breach, including monetary damages, are inadequate compensation for any loss and that any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate is waived. Any requirements for the securing or posting of any bond with such remedy are waived.

 

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Section 11.13 Construction . This Agreement shall be construed as if jointly drafted by the Service Provider and the Service Recipient and, except as set forth in this Section 11.13, no rule of construction or strict interpretation shall be applied against any Party.

Section 11.14 Relationship of Parties . The Service Recipient understands and agrees that the Service Provider’s relationship to the Service Recipient under this Agreement is strictly a contractual arrangement on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, that no fiduciary, trust, partnership, joint venture, agency or advisory relationship exists between the Service Provider and the Service Recipient, that all Services are provided by the Service Provider as an independent contractor and that each of the Service Recipient hereby waives any and all rights that it may otherwise have under applicable Governmental Requirements to make any claims or take any action against the Service Provider or any of its Affiliates based on any theory of agency, fiduciary duty, relationship of trust or other special standard of care.

Section 11.15 Further Assurances . From time to time, each Party agrees to execute and deliver such additional documents, and will provide such additional information and assistance as either Party may reasonably require to carry out the terms of this Agreement.

Section 11.16 Survival . The Parties agree that Articles IV, VIII, IX, and XI and any limitations on liability or responsibility and any exculpatory, disclaimer, waiver or similar provisions will survive the termination of this Agreement and that any such termination shall not affect any obligation for the payment of Services rendered or any other amounts due to the Service Provider under this Agreement prior to termination.

[ Signature Page Follows ]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

PARAGON DO BRASIL LIMITADA
By:   /s/ Rafael Andrade
  Name: Rafael Andrade
  Title: General Manager

 

PARAGON DRILLING NEDERLAND B.V.
By:   /s/ Oliver L. Betschart
  Name: Oliver L. Betschart
  Title: Authorized Signatory

 

PARAGON OFFSHORE PLC
By:   /s/ Steven A. Manz
  Name: Steven A. Manz
  Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

NOBLE CORPORATION
By:   /s/ David W. Williams
  Name: David W. Williams
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

NOBLE DAVE BEARD LIMITED
By:   /s/ Alan R. Hay
  Name: Alan R. Hay
  Title: Senior Vice President

 

NOBLE DRILLING NEDERLAND BV II
By:   /s/ Alan P. Duncan
  Name: Alan P. Duncan
  Title: Managing Director B

Exhibit 99.1

 

Noble Corporation plc

Devonshire House

1 Mayfair Place

London W1J 8AJ

England

   LOGO

 

 

PRESS RELEASE

NOBLE CORPORATION COMPLETES SPIN-OFF OF PARAGON OFFSHORE

LONDON, August 4, 2014 – Noble Corporation plc (“Noble”) (NYSE: NE) announced today that it has completed the spin-off of all of the outstanding shares of Paragon Offshore plc (“Paragon”) (NYSE: PGN), which owns most of Noble’s standard specification drilling business. As a result, Noble and Paragon are now two separate, publicly-traded companies.

On August 1, 2014, Noble distributed to its shareholders one ordinary share of Paragon for every three ordinary shares of Noble held at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the record date of the distribution, July 23, 2014. No fractional Paragon shares were issued; however, shareholders who would otherwise have been entitled to receive a fractional Paragon share in the distribution instead received cash in lieu of that fractional share.

Paragon ordinary shares will begin “regular-way” trading under the symbol “PGN” on the New York Stock Exchange on August 4, 2014. Noble ordinary shares will continue to trade on the NYSE under the symbol “NE.”

About Noble Corporation

Noble is a leading offshore drilling contractor for the oil and gas industry. The Company owns and operates one of the most modern, versatile and technically advanced fleets in the offshore drilling industry. Noble performs, through its subsidiaries, contract drilling services with a fleet of 35 offshore drilling units, consisting of 20 semisubmersibles and drillships and 15 jackups, that focus largely on ultra-deepwater and high-specification jack-up drilling opportunities in both established and emerging regions worldwide. Noble is a public limited company registered in England and Wales with company number 08354954 and registered office at Devonshire House, 1 Mayfair Place, London, W1J 8AJ England. Additional information on Noble is available at www.noblecorp.com.


Forward-Looking Disclosure Statement

This release contains forward-looking statements. Statements regarding the development and timing of any markets for Noble shares or Paragon shares, as well as any other statements that are not historical facts in this release, are forward-looking statements that involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. These include but are not limited to actions by governmental and regulatory authorities, costs and difficulties related to the separation, employee relations, market and business conditions, the companies’ financial results and performance, changes in law, availability and terms of any financing, satisfaction of regulatory conditions, actions by customers and other third parties, factors affecting the level of activity in the oil and gas industry, supply and demand of drilling rigs, factors affecting the duration of contracts, the actual amount of downtime, factors that reduce applicable dayrates, violations of anti-corruption laws, weather conditions, the future price of oil and gas and other factors detailed in Noble’s most recent Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated.

For additional information, contact:

 

For Investors:   Jeffrey L. Chastain,
  Vice President – Investor Relations and Corporate Communications,
  Noble Drilling Services Inc., 281-276-6383
For Media:   John S. Breed,
  Director of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications,
  Noble Drilling Services Inc., 281-276-6729

 

2

Exhibit 99.2

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

On August 1, 2014, Noble Corporation plc, a public limited company organized under the laws of England and Wales (“Noble” or “the Company”), completed its previously announced plan to reorganize by means of a spin-off of Paragon Offshore plc, a public limited company organized under the laws of England and Wales (“Paragon Offshore”), to Noble shareholders (the “Spin-Off”). On August 1, 2014 (the “Distribution Date”), shareholders of record as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on July 23, 2014 (the “Record Date”) received one ordinary share of Paragon Offshore for every three ordinary shares of Noble owned as of the Record Date. After the Distribution Date, Noble will not own any equity interest in Paragon Offshore and, following such date, will not include the financial results of Paragon Offshore for the purpose of its own financial reporting.

Prior to the completion of the Spin-Off, Noble and Paragon Offshore entered into a series of agreements (“separation agreements”) that provide the terms and conditions of the Spin-Off and related transactions, and that govern the relationship of Noble and Paragon Offshore after the Spin-Off. In connection with the Spin-Off, Paragon Offshore repaid approximately $1.7 billion in intercompany promissory notes, which were issued to Noble as consideration for the business contributed to Paragon Offshore. Noble will use these funds to repay certain amounts outstanding under its commercial paper program.

In July 2013, Noble sold the Noble Lewis Dugger to an unrelated third party for approximately $61 million, and in January 2014, Noble sold its submersible fleet to an unrelated third party for approximately $7 million. Together these standard specification rigs are referred to as the “Disposed rigs” and are included in the “Historical” column in the consolidated financial statements for periods before their sales.

The unaudited pro forma combined financial information includes pro forma adjustments that are based on the best information available and assumptions that management believes are reasonable, factually supportable and are expected to have a continuing impact to Noble. The unaudited pro forma combined financial information is provided for illustrative and informational purposes only and is not intended to reflect Noble’s financial position and results of operations had the Spin-Off and related transactions occurred as of the dates indicated, and is not necessarily indicative of Noble’s future financial position and results of operations.

The unaudited pro forma combined financial information was derived from Noble’s historical consolidated financial statements and gives effect to the Spin-Off and related transactions listed below. The unaudited pro forma combined balance sheet as of March 31, 2014 is presented as if the Spin-Off and related transactions had occurred as of March 31, 2014. The unaudited pro forma combined statements of income for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 and each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013 give effect to the Spin-Off, the sale of the Disposed rigs and related transactions as if all transactions had occurred as of January 1, 2011. The following unaudited pro forma combined financial information should be read in conjunction with the historical financial statements and accompanying notes included in Noble’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 and Noble’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2014.

The “Historical” columns of the unaudited pro forma combined financial information reflect the historical unaudited combined statements of income for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the unaudited consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2014 and the audited consolidated statements of income for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013. The Spin-Off of Paragon Offshore, the Disposed rigs, the Financing adjustments and Other adjustments columns remove


all of the assets, liabilities, and results of operations comprising Paragon Offshore and the Disposed rigs and also give effect to the Spin-Off and the following items:

 

    the reversal of the allocation of debt outstanding under Noble’s commercial paper program to Paragon Offshore’s balance sheet;

 

    the distribution of Noble’s net investment in Paragon Offshore as a reduction in the Company’s historical consolidated retained earnings;

 

    the removal of certain general corporate overhead expenses previously allocated to Paragon Offshore and the Disposed rigs;

 

    the allocation of interest expense relating to the debt outstanding under Noble’s commercial paper program to Paragon Offshore on a basis deemed reasonable by Noble;

 

    the allocation of assets and liabilities pursuant to the separation agreements that will govern the post-spin relationship; and

 

    the removal of non-recurring Spin-Off transaction costs incurred by Noble.

Transaction costs incurred by Noble to effect the Spin-Off were $12 million and $4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $18 million and $7 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. These costs are reflected as a pro forma adjustment in the unaudited pro forma combined statements of income in the “Other adjustments” column. There are no Spin-Off transaction costs included in the consolidated statements of income for the year ended December 31, 2011.

See the notes to the unaudited pro forma combined financial information for a more detailed discussion of these transactions.

 

2


Noble Corporation plc and Subsidiaries

Unaudited Pro Forma Statement of Income

For the three months ended March 31, 2014

(In thousands)

 

           Spin-Off of           Noble  
           Paragon     Other     pro  
     Historical     Offshore     adjustments     forma  
           Note 1     Note 5        

Operating revenues

        

Contract drilling services

   $ 1,206,304      $ (435,668   $ —        $ 770,636   

Reimbursables

     36,653        (12,103     —          24,550   

Labor contract drilling services

     8,212        (8,212     —          —     

Other

     1        —          —          1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     1,251,170        (455,983     —          795,187   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating costs and expenses

        

Contract drilling services

     561,131        (208,854     —          352,277   

Reimbursables

     30,606        (9,102     —          21,504   

Labor contract drilling services

     6,226        (6,226     —          —     

Depreciation and amortization

     245,905        (99,558     —          146,347   

General and administrative

     25,637        (11,966     11,966        25,637   

Non-recurring spin-off related costs

     12,405        —          (12,405     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     881,910        (335,706     (439     545,765   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     369,260        (120,277     439        249,422   

Other income (expense)

        

Interest expense, net of amount capitalized

     (40,392     3,300        —          (37,092

Interest income and other, net

     (1,190     (187     —          (1,377
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     327,678        (117,164     439        210,953   

Income tax provision

     (54,436     17,952        —          (36,484
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     273,242        (99,212     439        174,469   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (16,916     —          —          (16,916
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Noble

   $ 256,326      $ (99,212   $ 439      $ 157,553   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income per share attributable to Noble

        

Basic

   $ 0.99        N/A        N/A      $ 0.61   

Diluted

   $ 0.99        N/A        N/A      $ 0.61   

Weighted average shares outstanding

        

Basic

     253,940        N/A        N/A        253,940   

Diluted

     254,075        N/A        N/A        254,075   

(See accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma combined financial statements)

 

3


Noble Corporation plc and Subsidiaries

Unaudited Pro Forma Statement of Income

For the three months ended March 31, 2013

(In thousands)

 

           Spin-off of                 Noble  
           Paragon     Disposed     Other     pro  
     Historical     Offshore     rigs     adjustments     forma  
           Note 1     Note 2     Note 5        

Operating revenues

          

Contract drilling services

   $ 928,737      $ (385,074   $ (7,100   $ —        $ 536,563   

Reimbursables

     21,174        (11,058     —          —          10,116   

Labor contract drilling services

     21,054        (8,782     —          —          12,272   

Other

     10        —          —          —          10   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     970,975        (404,914     (7,100     —          558,961   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating costs and expenses

          

Contract drilling services

     480,126        (204,963     (3,304     —          271,859   

Reimbursables

     14,922        (8,012     —          —          6,910   

Labor contract drilling services

     12,249        (5,713     —          —          6,536   

Depreciation and amortization

     206,156        (87,450     (653     —          118,053   

General and administrative

     25,569        (13,867     (218     14,085        25,569   

Non-recurring spin-off related costs

     3,962        —          —          (3,962     —     

Gain on contract extinguishment, net

     (1,800     1,800        —          —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     741,184        (318,205     (4,175     10,123        428,927   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     229,791        (86,709     (2,925     (10,123     130,034   

Other income (expense)

          

Interest expense, net of amount capitalized

     (27,301     1,138        —          —          (26,163

Interest income and other, net

     (425     (80     (23     —          (528
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     202,065        (85,651     (2,948     (10,123     103,343   

Income tax provision

     (34,352     17,798        307        —          (16,247
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     167,713        (67,853     (2,641     (10,123     87,096   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (17,653     —          —          —          (17,653
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Noble

   $ 150,060      $ (67,853   $ (2,641   $ (10,123   $ 69,443   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income per share attributable to Noble

          

Basic

   $ 0.59        N/A        N/A        N/A      $ 0.27   

Diluted

   $ 0.59        N/A        N/A        N/A      $ 0.27   

Weighted average shares outstanding

          

Basic

     253,073        N/A        N/A        N/A        253,073   

Diluted

     253,341        N/A        N/A        N/A        253,341   

(See accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma combined financial statements)

 

4


Noble Corporation plc and Subsidiaries

Unaudited Pro Forma Statement of Income

For the year ended December 31, 2013

(In thousands)

 

           Spin-off of                 Noble  
           Paragon     Disposed     Other     pro  
     Historical     Offshore     rigs     adjustments     forma  
           Note 1     Note 2     Note 5        

Operating revenues

          

Contract drilling services

   $ 4,070,070      $ (1,615,326   $ (14,528   $ —        $ 2,440,216   

Reimbursables

     111,874        (45,583     —          —          66,291   

Labor contract drilling services

     52,241        (35,146     —          —          17,095   

Other

     105        (94     —          —          11   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     4,234,290        (1,696,149     (14,528     —          2,523,613   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating costs and expenses

          

Contract drilling services

     2,014,217        (835,444     (9,440     —          1,169,333   

Reimbursables

     85,548        (35,140     —          —          50,408   

Labor contract drilling services

     36,604        (24,333     —          —          12,271   

Depreciation and amortization

     879,422        (367,304     (2,385     —          509,733   

General and administrative

     117,997        (58,430     (512     58,942        117,997   

Non-recurring spin-off related costs

     17,702        —          —          (17,702     —     

Loss on impairment

     43,688        (40,103     (3,585     —          —     

Gain on disposal of assets, net

     (35,646     —          35,646        —          —     

Gain on contract settlements/extinguishments, net

     (46,800     16,182        —          —          (30,618
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     3,112,732        (1,344,572     19,724        41,240        1,829,124   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     1,121,558        (351,577     (34,252     (41,240     694,489   

Other income (expense)

          

Interest expense, net of amount capitalized

     (106,300     5,938        —          —          (100,362

Interest income and other, net

     2,754        2,306        (311     —          4,749   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     1,018,012        (343,333     (34,563     (41,240     598,876   

Income tax provision

     (167,606     71,243        11,149        —          (85,214
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     850,406        (272,090     (23,414     (41,240     513,662   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (67,709     —          —          —          (67,709
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Noble

   $ 782,697      $ (272,090   $ (23,414   $ (41,240   $ 445,953   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income per share attributable to Noble

          

Basic

   $ 3.05        N/A        N/A        N/A      $ 1.74   

Diluted

   $ 3.05        N/A        N/A        N/A      $ 1.74   

Weighted average shares outstanding

          

Basic

     253,288        N/A        N/A        N/A        253,288   

Diluted

     253,547        N/A        N/A        N/A        253,547   

(See accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma combined financial statements)

 

5


Noble Corporation plc and Subsidiaries

Unaudited Pro Forma Statement of Income

For the year ended December 31, 2012

(In thousands)

 

           Spin-off of                 Noble  
           Paragon     Disposed     Other     pro  
     Historical     Offshore     rigs     adjustments     forma  
           Note 1     Note 2     Note 5        

Operating revenues

          

Contract drilling services

   $ 3,349,362      $ (1,259,741   $ (30,755   $ —        $ 2,058,866   

Reimbursables

     115,495        (49,727     —          —          65,768   

Labor contract drilling services

     81,890        (36,591     —          —          45,299   

Other

     265        (253     —          —          12   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     3,547,012        (1,346,312     (30,755     —          2,169,945   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating costs and expenses

          

Contract drilling services

     1,769,428        (793,548     (15,564     —          960,316   

Reimbursables

     94,096        (38,672     —          —          55,424   

Labor contract drilling services

     46,752        (22,006     —          —          24,746   

Depreciation and amortization

     758,621        (317,742     (7,938     —          432,941   

General and administrative

     99,990        (54,187     (1,059     55,246        99,990   

Non-recurring spin-off related costs

     7,196        —          —          (7,196     —     

Loss on impairment

     20,384        —          (12,719     —          7,665   

Gain on contract settlements/extinguishment, net

     (33,255     —          —          —          (33,255
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2,763,212        (1,226,155     (37,280     48,050        1,547,827   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     783,800        (120,157     6,525        (48,050     622,118   

Other income (expense)

          

Interest expense, net of amount capitalized

     (85,763     3,746        —          —          (82,017

Interest income and other, net

     5,188        (1,721     (238     —          3,229   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     703,225        (118,132     6,287        (48,050     543,330   

Income tax provision

     (147,088     45,650        (3,822     —          (105,260
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     556,137        (72,482     2,465        (48,050     438,070   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (33,793     —          —          —          (33,793
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Noble

   $ 522,344      $ (72,482   $ 2,465      $ (48,050   $ 404,277   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income per share attributable to Noble

          

Basic

   $ 2.05        N/A        N/A        N/A      $ 1.59   

Diluted

   $ 2.05        N/A        N/A        N/A      $ 1.58   

Weighted average shares outstanding

          

Basic

     252,435        N/A        N/A        N/A        252,435   

Diluted

     252,791        N/A        N/A        N/A        252,791   

(See accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma combined financial statements)

 

6


Noble Corporation plc and Subsidiaries

Unaudited Pro Forma Statement of Income

For the year ended December 31, 2011

(In thousands)

 

           Spin-off of                 Noble  
           Paragon     Disposed     Other     pro  
     Historical     Offshore     rigs     adjustments     forma  
           Note 1     Note 2     Note 5        

Operating revenues

          

Contract drilling services

   $ 2,556,758      $ (1,193,635   $ (18,899   $ —        $ 1,344,224   

Reimbursables

     79,195        (34,987     —          —          44,208   

Labor contract drilling services

     59,004        (37,269     —          —          21,735   

Other

     875        (496     —          —          379   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2,695,832        (1,266,387     (18,899     —          1,410,546   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating costs and expenses

          

Contract drilling services

     1,384,200        (716,503     (11,820     —          655,877   

Reimbursables

     58,439        (24,781     —          —          33,658   

Labor contract drilling services

     33,885        (24,801     —          —          9,084   

Depreciation and amortization

     658,640        (299,781     (9,303     —          349,556   

General and administrative

     91,377        (55,030     (856     55,886        91,377   

Gain on contract extinguishment, net

     (21,202     19,846        —          —          (1,356
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2,205,339        (1,101,050     (21,979     55,886        1,138,196   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     490,493        (165,337     3,080        (55,886     272,350   

Other income (expense)

          

Interest expense, net of amount capitalized

     (55,727     1,986        —          —          (53,741

Interest income and other, net

     1,484        (124     218        —          1,578   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     436,250        (163,475     3,298        (55,886     220,187   

Income tax provision

     (72,625     34,801        (1,283     —          (39,107
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     363,625        (128,674     2,015        (55,886     181,080   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

     7,273        —          —          —          7,273   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Noble

   $ 370,898      $ (128,674   $ 2,015      $ (55,886   $ 188,353   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income per share attributable to Noble

          

Basic

   $ 1.46        N/A        N/A        N/A      $ 0.74   

Diluted

   $ 1.46        N/A        N/A        N/A      $ 0.74   

Weighted average shares outstanding

          

Basic

     251,405        N/A        N/A        N/A        251,405   

Diluted

     251,989        N/A        N/A        N/A        251,989   

(See accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma combined financial statements)

 

7


Noble Corporation plc and Subsidiaries

Unaudited Cobined Pro Forma Balance Sheet

As of March 31, 2014

(In thousands)

 

     Historical     Spin-off of
Paragon
Offshore
    Removal of
commercial paper
program
    Financing adjustments     Other
adjustments
    Noble
pro forma
 
           Note 1     Note 3     Note 4     Note 5        

ASSETS

               

Current assets

               

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 114,735      $ (32,225   $ —        $ 1,710,736       $ (1,710,736   $ (40,000   $ 42,510   

Accounts receivable

     877,127        (323,018     —          —           —          —          554,109   

Prepaid and other current assets

     379,674        (60,511     —          —           —          25,398        344,561   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     1,371,536        (415,754     —          1,710,736         (1,710,736     (14,602     941,180   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Property and equipment, at cost

     19,691,578        (5,417,869     —          —           —          —          14,273,709   

Accumulated depreciation

     (4,866,009     2,501,326        —          —           —          —          (2,364,683
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

     14,825,569        (2,916,543     —          —           —          —          11,909,026   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other assets

     247,392        (59,117     —          —           —          10,656        198,931   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 16,444,497      $ (3,391,414   $ —        $ 1,710,736       $ (1,710,736   $ (3,946   $ 13,049,137   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

               

Current liabilities

               

Accounts payable

   $ 323,593      $ (88,013   $ —        $ —         $ —        $ (8,200   $ 227,380   

Accrued payroll and related costs

     117,153        (40,314     —          —           —          —          76,839   

Other current liabilities

     453,769        (39,841     —          —           —          (40,749     373,179   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     894,515        (168,168     —          —           —          (48,949     677,398   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term debt

     5,728,782        (1,983,543     1,983,543        —           (1,710,736     —          4,018,046   

Other liabilities

     538,488        (182,198     —          —           —          13,237        369,527   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     7,161,785        (2,333,909     1,983,543        —           (1,710,736     (35,712     5,064,971   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

               

Shareholders’ equity

               

Shares

     2,542        —          —          —           —          —          2,542   

Additional paid-in capital

     814,868        —          —          —           —          —          814,868   

Retained earnings

     7,815,082        (1,057,547     (1,983,543     1,710,736         —          (8,155     6,476,573   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (74,446     42        —          —           —          39,921        (34,483
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

     8,558,046        (1,057,505     (1,983,543     1,710,736         —          31,766        7,259,500   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Noncontrolling interests

     724,666        —          —          —           —          —          724,666   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity

     9,282,712        (1,057,505     (1,983,543     1,710,736         —          31,766        7,984,166   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

   $ 16,444,497      $ (3,391,414   $ —        $ 1,710,736       $ (1,710,736   $ (3,946   $ 13,049,137   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(See accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma combined financial statements)

 

8


Note 1. Removal of Paragon Offshore as a Pro forma adjustment

The pro forma adjustments included in the accompanying unaudited pro forma combined financial statements include adjustments to assets, liabilities, revenues and costs that are specifically identifiable or have been allocated directly to Paragon Offshore. The reduction of Shareholders’ equity represents Noble’s interest in Paragon Offshore, which was ultimately distributed to Noble shareholders on the Distribution Date.

Note 2. Removal of Disposed rigs as a Pro forma adjustment

The pro forma adjustments included in the accompanying unaudited pro forma combined financial statements include adjustments to revenues and costs that are specifically identifiable or have been allocated directly to the Disposed rigs, which were sold in July 2013 and January 2014, respectively.

Note 3. Removal of commercial paper program as a Pro forma adjustment

In connection with the preparation of Paragon Offshore’s pro forma combined financial statements, certain debt of Noble was allocated to Paragon Offshore because it was to be repaid with proceeds received from Paragon Offshore. Such debt is shown as “Long-term debt” in the “Spin-off of Paragon Offshore” column in the unaudited pro forma combined balance sheet. The pro forma adjustment included in the accompanying unaudited pro forma combined balance sheet removes the debt allocated to Paragon Offshore and the corresponding equity of Noble in Paragon Offshore’s business.

Note 4. Financing adjustments

In connection with the Spin-Off, Paragon Offshore repaid approximately $1.7 billion in an intercompany promissory note issued to Noble as consideration for the business contributed to Paragon Offshore. Noble, in turn, will use the proceeds received from these notes to repay a portion of the outstanding amounts under its commercial paper program. For purposes of the unaudited pro forma combined balance sheet, an adjustment has been made to reduce the total long-term debt outstanding to the amount outstanding following such repayment. No adjustments have been made to interest expense in the unaudited pro forma combined statements of income because the interest on Noble’s commercial paper program has been allocated to the “Spin-off of Paragon Offshore” column discussed in Note 1 “Removal of Paragon Offshore as a Pro forma adjustment” above.

Note 5. Other adjustments

General and administrative expenses

The “Other adjustments” column reflects the removal of certain general corporate overhead expenses previously allocated to Paragon Offshore and the Disposed rigs.

Non-recurring Spin-Off related costs

The “Other adjustments” column reflects the removal of costs incurred by Noble that are specifically related to the completion of the Spin-Off transaction.

 

9


Income tax provision

No adjustments to the income tax provision have been made to give effect to the changes to the unaudited pro forma combined income statement noted above as no tax provision or benefit is associated with these costs. Noble’s effective tax rate may be greater than the historical tax rate due to a change in the geographic mix of revenues, discrete one-time events or changes in tax regulation.

Cash and cash equivalents

Prior to the Spin-Off, Noble paid Paragon Offshore $40 million in cash as an adjustment to working capital. The “Other Adjustments” column in the unaudited pro forma combined balance sheet reflects a corresponding reduction in cash.

Other Assets and liabilities (current and long-term) and Accumulated other comprehensive income

The “Other adjustment” column primarily consists of adjustments for income taxes and pension assets and liabilities undertaken by Paragon Offshore pursuant to the separation agreements.

Income taxes for the “Spin-off of Paragon Offshore” column were prepared on a separate return basis as if Paragon Offshore had been a standalone company. For purposes of the unaudited pro forma combined financial statements, adjustments have been made to Noble’s balance sheet to reflect the assets, liabilities and related indemnities which Noble ultimately received from Paragon Offshore pursuant to the Tax Sharing Agreement.

Cumulative currency translation adjustments of $18 million were transferred to Paragon Offshore at the Spin-Off, and are shown as a reduction in Noble’s “Accumulated other comprehensive loss.” Actuarial losses and prior service costs of $22 million related to Noble-sponsored pension plans and other employee benefit arrangements located in certain countries outside of the United States were transferred to Paragon Offshore at the Spin-Off, and are shown as a reduction in Noble’s “Accumulated other comprehensive loss.” The assets and liabilities related to these pension plans and other employee benefit arrangements assumed by Paragon Offshore are shown as an adjustment to “Other assets” and “Other liabilities.”

 

10


Note 6. Earnings per share from continuing operations

The following details the unaudited pro forma earnings per share for Noble pro forma:

 

     Three months ended     Twelve months ended  
     March 31,     December 31,  
     2014     2013     2013     2012     2011  

Allocation of net income from continuing operations

          

Basic

          

Net income attributable to Noble

   $ 157,553      $ 69,443      $ 445,953      $ 404,277      $ 188,353   

Earnings allocated to unvested share-based payment awards

     (2,671     (771     (5,282     (4,109     (1,893
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income to common shareholders - basic

   $ 154,882      $ 68,672      $ 440,671      $ 400,168      $ 186,460   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

          

Net income attributable to Noble

   $ 157,553      $ 69,443      $ 445,953      $ 404,277      $ 188,353   

Earnings allocated to unvested share-based payment awards

     (2,671     (769     (5,277     (4,103     (1,888
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income to common shareholders - diluted

   $ 154,882      $ 68,674      $ 440,676      $ 400,174      $ 186,465   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding - basic

     253,940        253,073        253,288        252,435        251,405   

Incremental shares issuable from assumed exercise of stock options

     135        268        259        356        584   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted

     254,075        253,341        253,547        252,791        251,989   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average unvested share-based payment awards

     4,188        2,844        3,036        2,592        2,552   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Income per share attributable to Noble

          

Basic

   $ 0.61      $ 0.27      $ 1.74      $ 1.59      $ 0.74   

Diluted

   $ 0.61      $ 0.27      $ 1.74      $ 1.58      $ 0.74   

 

11