As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 28, 2018.

Registration No. 333-_____

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-8

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

 

LOGO

PACIFIC DRILLING S.A.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Grand Duchy of Luxembourg   Not Applicable

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

8-10, Avenue de la Gare

L-1610 Luxembourg

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Pacific Drilling S.A.

2018 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan

(Full title of the plan)

Lisa Manget Buchanan

Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

11700 Katy Freeway, Suite 175

Houston, Texas 77079

Phone (832) 225-0519

Fax (832) 201-9883

(Name, address and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer      Accelerated filer  
Non-accelerated filer      Smaller reporting company  
     Emerging growth company  

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.  ☐

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of securities

to be registered

 

Amount

to be

registered (1)

 

Proposed

maximum

offering price

per share

 

Proposed

maximum

aggregate

offering price

  Amount of
registration fee

Common Shares
(par value $0.01 per share)

  7,500,000 shares   $20.69 (2)   $155,175,000 (2)   $18,808

 

 

(1)  

Upon a recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split, combination of shares, or other similar transaction in the future during the effectiveness of this Registration Statement and involving our Common Shares, the number of shares registered shall be automatically increased to cover the additional securities in accordance with Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933.

(2)  

Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rules 457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933, based on the book value of the Common Shares as of September 30, 2018, the latest practicable date, as adjusted to reflect the restructing transactions related to the registrant’s emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings on November 19, 2018.

 

 

 

 

     


PART I

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS

Documents containing the information required by Part I of this Registration Statement will be sent or given to participants in the Pacific Drilling S.A. 2018 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan (the “ Plan ”) in accordance with Rule 428(b)(1) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”). In accordance with the Note to Part I of Form S-8, such documents are not filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) either as part of this Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule 424 of the Securities Act.

PART II

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.

The following documents, which have been filed by Pacific Drilling S.A. (the “ Company ” or the “ Registrant ”) with the Commission, are incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement:

(a)    The Company’s latest Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2017, filed pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”) on April 2, 2018 (File No. 001-35345);

(b)    All other reports filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act since the end of the fiscal year covered by the Annual Report referred to in (a);

(c)    The Company’s Reports on Form 6-K filed with the Commission on May 23, 2018 (quarterly report for the quarter ended March 31, 2018) and August 14, 2018 (quarterly report for the quarter ended June 30, 2018); and

(d)    The Company’s Reports on Form 6-K filed with the Commission on September 28, 2018 (relating to the 8.375% First Lien Notes due 2023 and 11.000% / 12.000% Second Lien PIK Notes due 2024); filed with the Commission on October 1, 2018 (relating to the Modified Third Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization); filed with the Commission on October 22, 2018 (relating to a contract award); filed with the Commission on October 24, 2018 (relating to the Plan Supplement); filed with the Commission on November 5, 2018 (relating to the Confirmation Order); and filed with the Commission on November 20, 2018 (relating to the Company’s emergency from Chapter 11 proceedings).

All documents filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, and 15(d) of the Exchange Act and all reports on Form 6-K subsequent to the date of this Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment that indicates that all securities offered have been sold or that deregisters all securities then remaining unsold shall, except to the extent otherwise provided by Regulation S-K or any other rule promulgated by the Commission, be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and except

 

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as otherwise provided in the relevant Commission filing, we are not incorporating by reference any document, portions of a document or information that is not deemed filed in accordance with Commission rules. Any statements contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference shall be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other document subsequently filed or incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.

Item 4. Description of Securities.

The class of securities to be registered hereby are the common shares, par value $0.01 per share (the “ common shares ”), of the Registrant (also referred to as “we” or “our”).

The Registrant has applied to list the common shares on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the trading symbol “PACD.”

Description of Securities

The following is a summary of our share capital and the rights of the holders of our common shares. The following summary may not be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the applicable provisions of Luxembourg law and the terms and provisions of our Articles of Association, as most recently amended at an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders of the Company on November 19, 2018 (the “ Articles ”). A copy of the coordinated Articles is attached as an Exhibit to this Form S-8 and incorporated herein by reference. The rights of the holders of our common shares may differ from those typically provided to shareholders of companies domiciled in the United States under applicable state and federal law. You should refer to, and read this summary together with, our Articles to review all provisions applicable to our common shares that may be important to you.

General

Pacific Drilling S.A. is registered with the Luxembourg Registry of Trade and Companies under the Number B159658. Our Company is formed for an unlimited period, and is not to be dissolved by reason of the death, suspension of civil rights, incapacity, insolvency, bankruptcy or any similar event affecting one or more shareholders.

Our corporate purpose, as stated in Article 3 (Corporate object) of our Articles, is as follows:

 

   

Our object is buying and selling, the chartering in and the chartering out, and the management of seagoing ships, as well as the financial and commercial operations that relate directly or indirectly to such activities.

 

   

We may also charter, hold, lease, operate and provide vessels and equipment used in contract drilling services in oil and gas drilling operations; acquire, hold, manage, sell or dispose of any such related equipment, and enter into, assist or participate in financial, commercial and other transactions relating to contract drilling services.

 

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In addition, we may acquire participations, in Luxembourg or abroad, in any company or enterprise in any form whatsoever, and the management of those participations. We may in particular acquire, by subscription, purchase and exchange or in any other manner, any stock, shares and other participation securities, bonds, debentures, certificates of deposit and other debt instruments and, more generally, any securities and financial instruments issued by any public or private entity. We may participate in the creation, development, management and control of any company or enterprise. Further, we may invest in the acquisition and management of a portfolio of patents or other intellectual property rights of any nature or origin.

 

   

We may borrow in any form. We may issue notes, bonds and any kind of debt and equity securities. We may lend funds, including, without limitation, the proceeds of any borrowings, to our subsidiaries, affiliated companies and any other companies. We may also give guarantees and pledge, transfer, encumber or otherwise create and grant security over some or all of our assets to guarantee our own obligations and those of any other company, and, generally, for our own benefit and that of any other company or person. We may not carry out any regulated financial sector activities without having obtained the requisite authorization.

 

   

We may use any techniques, legal means and instruments to manage our investments efficiently and protect ourselves against credit risks, currency exchange exposure, interest rate risks and other risks.

 

   

We may carry out any commercial, financial or industrial operation and any transaction with respect to real estate or movable property, which directly or indirectly, favors or relates to our corporate object.

Share Capital

We are authorized to issue up to 82.5 million common shares (including those shares which have already been issued), par value of $0.01 per share, and our share capital is $825,000. As of November 19, 2018, an aggregate of 82.5 million common shares were issued, of which 7.5 million shares are reserved for issuance under the Pacific Drilling S.A. 2018 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan and held by one of our wholly owned subsidiaries.

Our Articles provide that we may not issue non-voting equity securities (which shall not be deemed to include any warrants or options to purchase our shares). Our Articles also provide that no fractional shares may be issued. Holders of our common shares have no conversion or redemption rights, and there are no sinking fund provisions applicable to our common shares. We cannot subscribe for our own shares. We may redeem our own shares using a method approved by our Board of Directors which is in accordance with Luxembourg law and the rules of any stock exchange(s) on which our shares are listed from time to time.

All issued shares are fully paid. A shareholder in a Luxembourg société anonyme holding fully paid shares is not liable, solely because of his, her or its shareholder status, for additional payments to us or our creditors.

To our knowledge, as of November 19, 2018 there were no shareholders’ arrangements or agreements, the implementation or performance of which could, at a later date, result in a change in the control of us in favor of a third person. For information regarding the rights of certain shareholders to nominate directors, see “Governance Agreement,” below.

 

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Our common shares are governed by Luxembourg law and our Articles. More information concerning shareholders’ rights can be found in the Luxembourg law on commercial companies dated August 10, 1915, as amended from time to time, and our Articles.

Form and Transfer of Shares

Our common shares are issued in registered form only and are freely transferable, subject to any restrictions in our Articles and pursuant to applicable securities laws. Luxembourg law does not impose any limitations on the rights of Luxembourg or non-Luxembourg residents to hold or vote our shares.

Issuance of Shares; Capital Increase/Reduction

Our Articles provide that the share capital may be increased or reduced, subject to the approval by the shareholders at a general meeting acting in accordance with the conditions prescribed for the amendment of our Articles.

Pursuant to Luxembourg law, our shareholders may approve an authorized share capital and authorize our Board of Directors to issue shares up to the maximum amount of such approved share capital for a maximum period of five years from the date of publication in the Luxembourg official gazette of the amendments of the Articles or the minutes of the relevant general meeting. The shareholders may amend, renew or extend such authorized share capital and authorization to the Board of Directors to issue shares.

Under Luxembourg law, existing shareholders benefit from a preferential subscription right on the issuance of common shares. When authorizing the Board of Directors to issue common shares out of the authorized capital, the shareholders may also authorize the Board of Directors to withdraw or limit the preferential subscription right, subject to compliance with certain notice and information requirements under Luxembourg law.

Our Articles provide that the Board of Directors was authorized, for a period of five years from November 19, 2018, without prejudice to any renewals, to: (a) increase the share capital once or more up to $825,000 (such amount including the current share capital of the Company) by the issue of new shares having the same rights as the existing shares, or without any such issue; (b) determine the conditions of any such capital increase including through contributions in cash or in kind, by the incorporation of reserves, issue/share premiums or retained earnings, with or without issue of new shares to current shareholders or third parties (non-shareholders) or following the issue of any instrument convertible into common shares or any other instrument carrying an entitlement to, or the right to subscribe for, common shares; (c) limit or withdraw the shareholders’ preferential subscription rights to the new common shares, if any, and determine the persons who are authorized to subscribe to the new common shares; and (d) record each share capital increase by way of a notarial deed and amend the share register accordingly. The Board of Directors was expressly authorized to increase the Company’s share capital by incorporation of reserves, issue/share premiums or retained earnings and to issue the additional common shares resulting from such capital increase to a beneficiary under any stock incentive plan as agreed by the

 

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Company (such beneficiary being a shareholder of the Company or not, or, to an entity appointed by the Company as an administrator in connection with such plan) or under any equity rights offering, private placements or backstop fees. The Company reserved the right to place transfer and other restrictions on such common shares as determined by the Company pursuant to such stock incentive plan from time to time.

As of November 19, 2018, given that the available authorized capital has been completely used pursuant to Article 5.3 of our Articles, our Board of Directors is not authorized to increase our share capital without further authorization of our shareholders. See “Governance Agreement” below for a discussion of certain circumstances under which our authorized share capital may be increased.

General Meeting of Shareholders

In accordance with Luxembourg law and our Articles, any regularly constituted general meeting of shareholders represents the entire body of shareholders of the Company. At a general meeting, the shareholders have full power to adopt and ratify all acts and operations that are consistent with our corporate object.

Under our Articles, the annual general meeting of our shareholders is held in Luxembourg, on the fourth Tuesday of May of each year, at 10:00 a.m. (Luxembourg time). If that day is a public holiday or the day following a public holiday in the United States, the meeting will be held on Tuesday of the following week. Other general meetings of shareholders may be convened at any time.

Each of our common shares entitles the holder of record thereof to attend our general meeting of shareholders, either in person or by proxy, to address the general meeting of shareholders, and to exercise voting rights, subject to the provisions of our Articles. There is no minimum shareholding required to be able to attend or vote at a general meeting of shareholders.

Luxembourg law provides that our Board of Directors is obligated to convene a general meeting of shareholders if shareholders representing in the aggregate 10% of the issued share capital so request in writing with an indication of the agenda. In such case, the general meeting of shareholders must be held within one month of the request. If the requested general meeting of shareholders is not held within one month of the request, shareholders representing in the aggregate 10% of the issued share capital may petition the competent president of the district court in Luxembourg to have a court appointee convene the meeting. Luxembourg law provides that shareholders representing in the aggregate 10% of the issued share capital may request that additional items be added to the agenda of a general meeting of shareholders. Such a request must be made by registered mail sent to our registered office at least five days prior to the holding of the general meeting of shareholders.

Voting Rights

Each common share entitles the holder thereof to one vote at a general meeting of shareholders. Neither Luxembourg law nor our Articles contain any restrictions as to the voting of our common shares by non-Luxembourg residents.

 

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Luxembourg law distinguishes between “ordinary” general meetings of shareholders and “extraordinary” general meetings of shareholders.

Ordinary General Meetings of Shareholders . Ordinary general meetings of our shareholders may be convened, and a vote may be held, without a quorum present. Resolutions brought before such ordinary general meetings of our shareholders require the approval of a simple majority of the votes validly cast, irrespective of the number of shares present or represented. Abstentions will not be counted as “votes” at ordinary general meetings of our shareholders.

Extraordinary General Meetings of Shareholders . Extraordinary general meetings of our shareholders may be convened to amend our Articles and to address certain other limited matters. An extraordinary general meeting of shareholders convened for the purpose of (a) an increase or decrease of the issued share capital, (b) a limitation or exclusion of preemptive rights, (c) approving a legal merger or de-merger of the Company, (d) dissolution of the Company or (e) an amendment of our Articles must have a quorum of at least one half of our issued share capital, and such actions require approval of at least two-thirds of the votes validly cast at such extraordinary general meeting of shareholders. If such a quorum is not reached, the extraordinary general meeting of shareholders may be reconvened at a later date, pursuant to appropriate notification procedures, which reconvened meeting shall not require a quorum. Abstentions will not be counted as “votes” at extraordinary general meetings of our shareholders.

Appointment and Removal of Directors; Vacancies . Members of our Board of Directors may be elected by simple majority of the votes validly cast at any general meeting of shareholders. Any director may be removed with or without cause by a simple majority vote at any general meeting of shareholders. If the office of a director becomes vacant, our Articles provide that the remaining directors, acting by simple majority, may fill such vacancy on a provisional basis until a new director is elected at the next general meeting of shareholders. See “Governance Agreement” below for a discussion of certain provisions pursuant to which our Class B directors are nominated prior to the Nomination Termination Time (as defined therein).

Minority Action Right. Luxembourg law provides that the shareholders holding in the aggregate 10% of the issued share capital who have a right to vote at the general meeting may act on our behalf to discharge the members of the Board of Directors for misconduct against our interests, a violation of the law, or a violation of our Articles.

Board of Directors

All powers not expressly reserved to the shareholder(s) by law or the Articles fall within the competence of the Board of Directors, which has full power to carry out and approve all acts and operations consistent with the Company’s corporate object.

The Board of Directors is authorized to delegate the day-to-day management and the power to represent the Company in this respect, to one or more directors, officers, managers or other agents, whether shareholders or not, acting either individually or jointly, provided that, prior to the Nomination Termination Time (as defined in the Governance Agreement) any appointment, delegation or power-of-attorney granted in respect of any Acquisition Proposal Matters (as defined below), or any revocation of the foregoing, shall only be effective if a Class B Majority (as defined below) votes in favor of such appointment, delegation or power-of-attorney, or revocation of the foregoing, as the case may be.

 

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Except as otherwise provided in our Articles, the total number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall be at least seven directors, who need not be shareholders.

From and after November 19, 2018 (the “ Effective Time ”) until the occurrence of the Nomination Termination Time (as defined in the Governance Agreement described below), the Board of Directors shall be divided into two classes, designated Class A (composed of four directors) and Class B (composed of three directors), with all Class A directors and Class B directors elected to terms of one year in length; provided, that the initial term of office of the Class A directors following the Effective Time shall expire at the general meeting of the shareholders of the Company at which the annual accounts for the 2018 financial year will be approved and the initial term of office of the Class B directors following the Effective Time shall expire at the general meeting of the shareholders of the Company at which the annual accounts for the 2019 financial year will be approved. All directors, whether assigned to Class A or Class B, shall be elected by the shareholders at the general meeting in accordance with law and shall have one vote each at all meetings of the Board of Directors. From and after the Nomination Termination Time (as defined in the Governance Agreement), the Board of Directors shall cease to be classified and each director then in office previously designated as a Class A director or Class B director shall remain in office as a director until his or her term expires or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal by the shareholders.

The Board of Directors meets at the request of the chairperson or the majority of the Board of Directors. A director may grant another director a power of attorney in order to be represented at any meeting of the Board of Directors. A quorum of the Board of Directors is a majority of its members and resolutions are adopted by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors voting in their favor, except as otherwise provided in the Articles. In the event of a tie vote, the chairman has the right to cast the deciding vote. The Board of Directors may also act by means of resolutions in writing signed by all directors. There is no mandatory retirement age for directors under Luxembourg law.

A director who has an interest in a transaction carried out other than in the ordinary course of business which conflicts with the interests of the Company must advise the Board of Directors accordingly and have the statement recorded in the minutes of the meeting. The director concerned may not take part in the deliberations concerning that transaction. A special report on the relevant transaction is submitted to the shareholders at the next general meeting, before any vote on the matter.

Authority of Class B Directors Regarding Acquisition Proposals Prior to Nomination Termination Time

Until the Nomination Termination Time (as defined in the Governance Agreement described below), the following provisions of our Articles apply, and after the Nomination Termination Time, these provisions shall have no further force or effect:

 

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(1)      Representative Authority of the Class  B Directors Regarding Acquisition Proposals . Any two Class B directors acting in their capacities as such (a “ Class  B Majority ”) shall have the authority to act on the Company’s behalf (including to bind the Company with respect to clauses (e) through (g)) with respect to the following matters: (a) to review and evaluate the terms and conditions of any Acquisition Proposal, (b) to negotiate with any party the Class B Majority deems appropriate with respect to any Acquisition Proposal; (c) to solicit prospective Acquisition Proposals and/or explore the ability to obtain on behalf of the Company prospective Acquisition Proposals, (d) to determine whether any Acquisition Proposal is beneficial to the Company and its shareholders, (e) to make recommendations to the Board of Directors and shareholders as to what actions, if any, should be taken with respect to any Acquisition, Acquisition Contract or Acquisition Proposal, including to recommend that the Board of Directors or the shareholders, as applicable, approve any Acquisition, Acquisition Contract or Acquisition Proposal, (f) to retain, at the Company’s expense, such consultants, legal counsel and other advisors as a Class B Majority may from time to time deem appropriate to assist the Class B directors in the performance of their duties with respect to Acquisition Proposals, (g) subject to paragraph (2) below, to execute and deliver on behalf of the Company definitive documentation providing for the consummation of an Acquisition (an “Acquisition Contract”) and (h) to take, or to cause the Company to take, any and all actions ancillary or related to any actual or prospective Acquisition Proposal or the other matters referred to in the preceding clauses (a)-(g), including without limitation to authorize and enter into contracts of any nature (other than an Acquisition Contract except in accordance with paragraph (2) below) (the foregoing clauses (a)-(h), “ Acquisition Proposal Matters ”). As used in our Articles: (x) “ Acquisition Proposal ” means a proposal received by the Company, any of its subsidiaries, or any of its or their respective directors, officers or outside consultants, counsel or other advisors providing for an Acquisition; and (y) “Acquisition” means a transaction or series of related transactions resulting in the acquisition (whether by merger, consolidation, sale or transfer of the Company’s shares, other equity interests or assets or otherwise) by any natural or legal person or group of such persons, directly or indirectly, (i) of a majority of (A) the outstanding shares of the Company or (B) the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis and (ii) upon the consummation of which, the shareholders of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition collectively do not own (beneficially or of record) a majority of the voting power of such person or the ultimate parent entity of such person (or, in the case of a group of such persons, a majority of the voting power of the largest member of such group, determined by reference to the respective equity financing contributions of such members, or ultimate parent entity of such largest member).

(2)     Approval of Acquisition Contracts . No Class B director, acting singularly or with any one or more other Class B directors, shall have the power to cause the Company to enter into any Acquisition Contract or otherwise consummate an Acquisition unless such Acquisition Contract (a) provides by its terms that consummation of the Acquisition that is the subject thereof is conditioned upon either (I) the shareholder vote, under the conditions of quorum and vote, required by law or other provision of the Articles for such Acquisition or (II) shareholder approval by the vote of a majority of the outstanding share capital, whichever voting standard in the foregoing clauses (I) or (II) is higher (such condition, as applicable, a “ Shareholder Approval Condition ”) and (b) does not impose any obligations or penalties on the Company if the Shareholder Approval Condition is not obtained by the conclusion of the general meeting or extraordinary general meeting, as applicable, convened to vote on such Acquisition Contract or Acquisition other than reimbursement of the reasonable expenses incurred by the counterparty

 

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thereto (provided, that, for avoidance of doubt, this clause (b) shall not preclude the imposition of any obligation or penalty on the Company due to any cause or event other than the failure in and of itself to satisfy the Shareholder Approval Condition at such general meeting or extraordinary general meeting). If a proposed Acquisition Contract satisfies clauses (a) and (b) of the immediately preceding sentence, then a Class B Majority shall be authorized to represent the Company by executing and delivering, or causing any person authorized by the Class B Majority to execute and deliver, on the Company’s behalf, such Acquisition Contract, to convene a general meeting or an extraordinary general meeting, as applicable, to seek shareholder approval of the Acquisition in accordance with the Shareholder Approval Condition, and, if such shareholder approval is obtained, to carry out all other powers vested under paragraph (1) above with respect to such Acquisition Contract (including to cause the Company to consummate the Acquisition and the other transactions contemplated thereby or, subject to the terms of the Acquisition Contract, terminate such Acquisition Contract and abandon such Acquisition).

(3)     Limitation on Representative Authority of the Class  A Directors Regarding Acquisition Proposals. No Class A director, acting singularly or with any one or more other directors, in his or her capacity as such, shall have any representative authority to bind the Company or otherwise act on the Company’s behalf, nor shall the Board of Directors take any action, in either case with respect to any Acquisition, Acquisition Contract or Acquisition Proposal Matters, except with the prior approval of a Class B Majority. Notwithstanding the immediately prior sentence, this paragraph (3) shall not be interpreted to limit the rights of the Class A directors to attend meetings of the Class B directors, receive information received by the Class B directors or to provide ongoing input to the Class B directors, in each case, regarding Acquisitions, Acquisition Contracts, Acquisition Proposals or other Acquisition Proposal Matters, and the Class B directors shall so extend such rights to the Class A directors.

(4)     Amendments . The Board of Directors shall not propose to the shareholders or recommend that the shareholders approve any amendment to provisions to the Articles described in this section “Authority of Class B Directors Regarding Acquisition Proposals Prior to Nomination Termination Time” and/or any other provisions of the Articles directly or indirectly amending or limiting the application of the provisions described in this section, without the favorable vote of a Class B Majority.

Committees of the Board of Directors

Under our Articles, our Board of Directors may establish committees for certain specific purposes, which may include, but are not limited to, an audit committee and a compensation committee. As of the date of this registration statement, our Board of Directors has established an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

Amendments to Our Articles

Under Luxembourg law, we are required to convene an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders to amend our Articles. The proposed amendments to our Articles must be included in the agenda of the extraordinary general meeting of shareholders. Any resolutions to amend our Articles must be taken before a Luxembourg notary and such amendments must be published in accordance with Luxembourg law.

 

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Merger and De-Merger

Our shareholders must approve any merger involving the Company at an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders, which must be held before a notary. Similarly, the de-merger of the Company is generally subject to the approval of our shareholders at an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders.

Liquidation

In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, the assets remaining after allowing for the payment of all liabilities will be paid out to the shareholders pro rata to their respective shareholdings. The decision to voluntarily liquidate, dissolve or wind-up requires the approval of our shareholders at an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders to be held before a notary.

No Appraisal Rights

Neither Luxembourg law nor our Articles provide for any appraisal rights of dissenting shareholders.

Distributions

Subject to Luxembourg law, each share is entitled to participate equally in distributions if, and when, declared by shareholders out of funds legally available for such purposes. Pursuant to our Articles, at a general meeting, our shareholders may approve distributions, and our Board of Directors may declare interim distributions, to the extent permitted by Luxembourg law.

Declared and unpaid distributions held by us for the account of the shareholders will not bear interest. Under Luxembourg law, claims for unpaid distributions will lapse in our favor five years after the date such distribution is declared.

Limitation of Liability; Indemnification

Pursuant to our Articles, the members of our Board of Directors cannot be held personally liable by reason of their mandate for any commitment validly made in the Company’s name, provided such commitments comply with the Articles and Luxembourg law.

Pursuant to our Articles, we must, to the fullest extent permitted by Luxembourg law, indemnify any director or officer, as well as any former director or officer, against any damages and/or compensation to be paid and any costs, charges and expenses, reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of any civil, criminal or administrative action, suit or proceeding to which he may be made a party by reason of his being or having been a director or officer of the Company, if (a) he acted honestly and in good faith, and (b) in the case of criminal or administrative proceedings, he had reasonable grounds for believing that conduct was lawful. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the current or former director or officer will not be entitled to indemnification in case of an action, suit or proceeding brought against him by the Company or in case he shall be finally adjudged in an action, suit or proceeding to be liable for gross negligence, willful misconduct, fraud, dishonesty or any other criminal offence.

 

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Furthermore, in case of settlement, the current or former director or officer will only be entitled to indemnification under our Articles, provided that (a) the Board of Directors shall have determined in good faith that the defendant’s actions did not constitute willful and deliberate violations of the law and shall have obtained the relevant legal advice to that effect; and (b) notice of the intention of settlement of such action, suit or proceeding is given to us at least 10 business days prior to such settlement.

Annual Accounts; Auditors

Our Articles provide that our financial year begins on January 1 and ends on December 31 each year. Each year our Board of Directors must prepare annual accounts of the Company, including an inventory of our assets and liabilities, and a balance sheet and a profit and loss account. Our Board of Directors must also prepare a consolidated management report each year on the consolidated financial statements of the Company. The annual accounts, the consolidated financial statements of the Company, the consolidated management report and the auditor’s reports must be available for inspection by shareholders at our registered office at least 15 calendar days prior to the date of the annual general meeting of shareholders.

Luxembourg law requires that the operation of the Company be supervised by one or more statutory auditors. The general meeting of shareholders must appoint the statutory auditor(s) and determine the term of their office, which may not exceed six years, without prejudice to any renewals. However, because the Company has exceeded certain thresholds, it is required to have its accounts audited by an independent auditor, which is responsible for advising whether the management report is in line with the financial statements for the year and has been prepared in accordance with legal requirements. The appointment of the independent auditor follows the same rules as the appointment of the statutory auditor, and a statutory auditor is no longer required if an independent auditor has been appointed. KPMG LLP is the independent auditor duly appointed by the annual general meeting of shareholders as of May 22, 2018 for a one year mandate.

After approval by the shareholders at an annual general meeting, the annual accounts must be filed within seven months of the close of the financial year with the Luxembourg Registry of Trade and Companies.

Information Rights

Luxembourg law gives shareholders limited rights to inspect certain corporate records 15 calendar days prior to the date of the annual general meeting of shareholders, including the annual accounts, the consolidated financial statements of the Company, a list of directors and independent auditors, a list of shareholders whose shares are not fully paid-up, the management consolidated report and the auditor’s reports.

The annual accounts, the consolidated financial statements of the Company, the consolidated management report and the auditor’s reports are sent to registered shareholders at the same time as the convening notice for the annual general meeting of shareholders. In addition, any registered shareholder is entitled to receive a copy of these documents free of charge 15 calendar days prior to the date of the annual general meeting of shareholders upon request.

 

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Under Luxembourg law, it is generally accepted that a shareholder has the right to receive responses to questions concerning items on the agenda for a general meeting of shareholders if such responses are necessary or useful for a shareholder to make an informed decision concerning such agenda item, unless a response to such questions could be detrimental to our interests.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

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

Material Luxembourg Tax Considerations for U.S. Holders of Common Shares

The following is a summary discussion of certain Luxembourg tax considerations that may be applicable to U.S. Holders (defined below) as a result of owning or disposing of our common shares. This does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to any of our common shares, and does not purport to include tax considerations that arise from rules of general application or that are generally assumed to be known to holders. This discussion is not a complete analysis or listing of all of the possible tax consequences of such transactions and does not address all tax considerations that might be relevant to particular holders in light of their personal circumstances or to persons that are subject to special tax rules.

It is not intended to be, nor should it be construed to be, legal or tax advice. The summary is not exhaustive and we strongly encourage shareholders to consult their own tax advisors as to the Luxembourg tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of our common shares. The summary applies only to U.S. Holders who will own our common shares as capital assets and does not apply to other categories of shareholders, such as dealers in securities, trustees, insurance companies, collective investment schemes and shareholders who have, or who are deemed to have, acquired their common shares in the capital of our common shares by virtue of an office or employment.

This discussion is based on the laws of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg, including the Income Tax Act of December 4, 1967, as amended, the Municipal Business Tax Act of December 1, 1936, as amended, and the Net Wealth Tax Act of October 16, 1934, as amended, to which we jointly refer to as the laws of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg, including the regulations promulgated thereunder, and published judicial decisions and administrative pronouncements, each as in effect on the date of this report or with a known future effective date and is subject to any change in law or regulations or changes in interpretation or application thereof (and which may possibly have a retroactive effect). However, there can be no assurance that the Luxembourg tax authorities will not challenge any of the Luxembourg tax considerations described below; in particular, changes in law and/or administrative practice, as well as changes in relevant facts and circumstances, may alter the tax considerations described below. Prospective investors are encouraged to consult their own professional advisors as to the effects of state, local or foreign laws and regulations, including Luxembourg tax law and regulations, to which they may be subject.

 

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For purposes of this summary, a “U.S. Holder” means any investor in our common shares who is a United States (“ U.S. ”) resident within the meaning of Article 4 of the double tax treaty of 3 April 1996 concluded between Luxembourg and the United States (the “ Treaty ”) and entitled to all the benefits of the Treaty pursuant to Article 24 of the Treaty.

Tax Regime Applicable to Realized Capital Gains

U.S. Holders will be subject to the following Luxembourg tax treatment in relation to capital gains in the cases described below (among others):

 

   

An individual who is a U.S. Holder of common shares (and who does not have a permanent establishment, a permanent representative or a fixed place of business in Luxembourg to which the common shares are attributable) will not be subject to Luxembourg taxation on capital gains arising upon disposal of such common shares pursuant to Article 14(5) of the Treaty.

 

   

A corporate U.S. Holder, which has a permanent establishment, a permanent representative or a fixed place of business in Luxembourg to which our common shares are attributable, will be required to recognize capital gains (or losses as the case may be) on the sale of such common shares, which will be subject to Luxembourg corporate income tax and municipal business tax. However, gains realized on the sale of the common shares may benefit from the exemption provided for by Article 166 of the Luxembourg Income Tax and the Grand-Ducal Decree of December 21, 2001 (as amended) provided that at the time of the disposal of the common shares (a) the corporate U.S. Holder (acting through its permanent representative or fixed place of business in Luxembourg) of common shares holds a stake representing at least 10% of our total share capital or a cost price of at least 6.0 million Euros (“€”) and (b) such qualifying shareholding has been held for an uninterrupted period of at least 12 months or the corporate U.S. Holder (acting through its permanent representative or fixed place of business in Luxembourg) undertakes to continue to own such qualifying shareholding until such time as the corporate U.S. Holder (acting through its permanent representative or fixed place of business in Luxembourg) has held our common shares for an uninterrupted period of at least 12 months. In certain circumstances, the exemption may not apply in part or in full; for example, the capital gains exemption (for gains arising on an alienation of the common shares) does not apply up to the aggregate amount of previously tax deducted expenses and write-offs related to these common shares.

 

   

A corporate U.S. Holder, which has no permanent establishment in Luxembourg to which the common shares are attributable, will not be subject to Luxembourg taxation on capital gains arising upon disposal of such common shares pursuant to Article 14 (5) of the Treaty.

 

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Tax Regime Applicable to Distributions

Luxembourg Withholding Tax. A Luxembourg withholding tax of 15% (17.65% if the dividend tax is not withheld from the shareholder) is due on dividends and similar distributions to U.S. Holders (subject to the exceptions discussed under “—Exemption from Luxembourg Withholding Tax” and “—Reduction of Luxembourg Withholding Tax” below). Absent an exception, we will be required to withhold at such rate from distributions to U.S. Holders and pay such withheld amounts to the Luxembourg tax authorities.

Exemption from Luxembourg Withholding Tax. Dividends and similar distributions paid to U.S. Holders may be exempt from Luxembourg dividend withholding tax if: (a) the U.S. Holder is a qualifying corporate entity holding a stake representing at least 10% of our total share capital or which acquired the common shares for at least €1.2 million (or its equivalent amount in a foreign currency); and (b) the U.S. Holder has either held this qualifying stake in our capital for an uninterrupted period of at least 12 months at the time of the payment of the dividend or undertakes to continue to own such qualifying shareholding until such time as it has held the common shares for an uninterrupted period of at least 12 months. Based on the above, the U.S. Holder will be a qualifying corporate entity for the exemption if it is a collective entity fully subject to a tax in the U.S. that corresponds to Luxembourg corporate income tax.

Under current Luxembourg tax law, payments to shareholders in relation to a reduction of share capital or share premium are not subject to Luxembourg dividend withholding tax if certain conditions are met, including, for example, the condition that we do not have distributable reserves or profits. If we have, at the time of the payment to U.S. Holders with respect to their common shares, distributable reserves or profits, a distribution of share capital or share premium will be recharacterized for Luxembourg tax purposes as a distribution of such reserves or earnings subject to withholding tax. Based on this treatment under Luxembourg law, if certain conditions are met, it can be expected that a substantial amount of potential future payments to be made by us to U.S. Holders may not be subject to Luxembourg withholding tax.

Reduction of Luxembourg Withholding Tax. Corporate U.S. Holders may claim application of a reduced Luxembourg dividend withholding tax at a rate of 5% under Article 10(2)(a)(i) of the Treaty, if such U.S. Holders beneficially own at least 10% of our voting stock without any minimum holding period.

Net Wealth Tax

Luxembourg net wealth tax will not be levied on a U.S. Holder with respect to the common shares unless the common shares are attributable to an enterprise or part thereof that is carried on through a permanent establishment, a fixed place of business or a permanent representative in Luxembourg, in which case an exemption may apply based on Paragraph 60 of the Law of October 16, 1934 on the valuation of assets (Bewertungsgesetz),

Registration Tax/Stamp Duty

No registration tax or stamp duty will be payable by a U.S. Holder of common shares in Luxembourg solely upon the disposal of common shares by sale or exchange.

 

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Estate and Gift Taxes

No estate or inheritance tax is levied on the transfer of common shares upon the death of a U.S. Holder of common shares in cases where the deceased was not a resident of Luxembourg for inheritance tax purposes, and no gift tax is levied upon a gift of common shares if the gift is not passed before a Luxembourg notary or recorded in a deed registered in Luxembourg.

The Luxembourg tax considerations summarized above are for general information only. Each Pacific Drilling S.A. shareholder is encouraged to consult his, her or its tax advisor as to the particular consequences that may apply to such shareholder.

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations for Holders of Common Shares

The following is a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to the purchase, ownership and disposition of our common shares. This discussion is based upon the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”), existing and proposed Treasury Regulations thereunder, judicial authority and administrative interpretations, as of the date of this report, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect, or are subject to different interpretations. There can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service (“ IRS ”) will take a similar view of such consequences, and we have not obtained, nor do we intend to obtain, a ruling from the IRS with respect to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the common shares. This discussion is limited to beneficial owners that hold our common shares as “capital assets” (generally, property held for investment).

This discussion does not address all U.S. federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to a particular holder based on its particular circumstances, and you are encouraged to consult your own independent tax advisor regarding your specific tax situation. For example, the discussion does not address the tax considerations that may be relevant to U.S. Holders (defined below) in special tax situations, such as:

 

   

dealers in securities or currencies;

 

   

insurance companies;

 

   

regulated investment companies and real estate investment trusts;

 

   

tax-exempt organizations;

 

   

brokers or dealers in securities or currencies and traders in securities that elect to mark to market;

 

   

certain financial institutions;

 

   

partnerships or other pass-through entities and holders of interests therein;

 

   

holders whose functional currency for U.S. federal income tax purposes is not the U.S. dollar;

 

   

U.S. expatriates;

 

   

individual retirement accounts and other tax deferred accounts;

 

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holders that acquired our common shares in compensatory transactions;

 

   

holders that hold our common shares as part of a hedge, straddle or conversion or other integrated transaction; or

 

   

holders that own, directly, indirectly, or constructively, 10% or more of the total combined voting power of the Company.

This discussion does not address the alternative minimum tax consequences of holding common shares. Moreover, this discussion does not address the state, local or non-U.S. tax consequences of holding our common shares, or any aspect of U.S. federal tax law other than U.S. federal income taxation.

You are a “U.S. Holder” if you are a beneficial owner of our common shares and you are, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

   

an individual who is a citizen or resident of the U.S.;

 

   

a corporation, or any other entity taxable as a corporation, created or organized in or under the laws of the U.S. or any State thereof, including the District of Columbia;

 

   

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

 

   

a trust (a) if a court within the U.S. is able to exercise primary supervision over its administration and one or more U.S. persons (as defined in the Code) have the authority to control all of its substantial decisions or (b) that has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

You are a “Non-U.S. Holder” for purposes of this discussion if you are a beneficial owner of our common shares that is an individual, corporation, estate or trust that is not a U.S. Holder.

If a partnership (or an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds our common shares, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and upon the activities of the partnership. A partner of a partnership considering the purchase of our common shares is encouraged to consult its own independent tax advisor.

You are encouraged to consult your own independent tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. income and other tax consequences of purchasing, owning and disposing of our common shares in your particular circumstances.

U.S. Holders

Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules. A U.S. Holder generally will be subject to a special, adverse tax regime that would differ in certain respects from the tax treatment described below if we are, at any time during the U.S. Holder’s holding period with respect to our common shares, a passive foreign investment company (“ PFIC ”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A U.S. Holder of a PFIC is also subject to special reporting requirements.

 

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In general, we will be a PFIC for any taxable year if either (i) at least 75% of our gross income for the taxable year is “passive income” or (ii) at least 50% of the average value of all our assets (determined on the basis of a quarterly average) produce or are held for the production of passive income. For this purpose, passive income generally includes, among other things, dividends, interest, certain rents and royalties, annuities and gains from assets that produce passive income. If a foreign corporation owns at least 25% by value of the stock of another corporation, the foreign corporation is treated for purposes of the PFIC tests as owning its proportionate share of the assets of the other corporation, and as receiving directly its proportionate share of the other corporation’s income. Based on our operations as of the date of this report, all or a substantial portion of our income from offshore contract drilling services should be treated as services income and not as passive income, and thus all or a substantial portion of the assets that we own and operate in connection with the production of that income should not constitute passive assets, for purposes of determining whether we are a PFIC. However, this involves a facts and circumstances analysis and it is possible that the IRS would not agree with this conclusion.

We believe that we will not be a PFIC in the current taxable year and that we will not become a PFIC in any future taxable year. The determination of whether a corporation is a PFIC is made annually and thus may be subject to change. Therefore, we can give investors no assurance as to our PFIC status. U.S. Holders are encouraged to consult their own independent tax advisors about the PFIC rules, including the availability of certain elections and reporting requirements. The remainder of this discussion assumes that we will not be a PFIC for the current taxable year or for any future taxable year.

Taxation of Dividends. Any distributions made with respect to our common shares (including amounts withheld on account of foreign taxes) will, to the extent made from current or accumulated earnings and profits as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles, constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes. To the extent that any distribution exceeds the amount of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, it will be treated as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common shares, and thereafter as capital gain. Such dividends generally would be treated as foreign-source income for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes.

Dividends (including amounts withheld on account of foreign taxes) paid with respect to our common shares generally will be includible in the gross income of a U.S. Holder as ordinary income on the day on which the dividends are received by the U.S. Holder. A non-corporate U.S. Holder would be entitled to a preferential rate of U.S. federal income taxation (with the applicable rate based on the income and filing status of the U.S. Holder) with respect to any dividends paid on our common shares only if we are a “qualified foreign corporation.” We will be treated as a qualified foreign corporation if the common shares are readily tradable on an established securities market or if we are eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the U.S. If our common shares are traded on an established securities market (such as the NYSE) or Pacific Drilling S.A. is eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the U.S., we will be a qualified foreign corporation and therefore non-corporate U.S. Holders should be eligible for a preferential tax rate if the holders meet certain holding period and other requirements. The determination of whether we are a qualified foreign corporation will be made at the time of the dividend payment, and will be made based on the facts and circumstances at that time. There is no guarantee that we will be treated as a qualified foreign corporation at the time of paying dividends and that dividends will be subject to preferential tax rates for non-corporate U.S. Holders. A preferential tax rate will not apply to amounts that the U.S. Holder takes into account as “investment income,” which may be offset by investment expense. Dividends on our common shares will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction generally allowed to U.S. corporations under the Code. You are encouraged to consult your independent tax advisor regarding qualification for a preferential rate on dividend income and the rules related to investment income.

 

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Subject to limitations under U.S. federal income tax law concerning credits or deductions for foreign taxes, a Luxembourg withholding tax imposed on dividends described above under “—Material Luxembourg Tax Considerations for U.S. Holders of Common Shares—Tax Regime Applicable to Distributions—Luxembourg Withholding Tax” generally would be treated as a foreign income tax eligible for credit against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability (or at a U.S. Holder’s election, may be deducted in computing taxable income if the U.S. Holder has elected to deduct all foreign income taxes for the taxable year). The rules with respect to foreign tax credits are complex and U.S. Holders are encouraged to consult their independent tax advisors regarding the availability of the foreign tax credit under their particular circumstances.

Taxation of Capital Gains. Gain or loss realized by a U.S. Holder on the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of common shares will be subject to U.S. federal income taxation as capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized (including the gross amount of the proceeds before the deduction of any foreign tax) on the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition and such U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common shares. The capital gains of a U.S. Holder that is an individual, estate or trust currently will be subject to a reduced rate of U.S. federal income tax (with the applicable rate based on the income and filing status of the U.S. Holder) if the holder’s holding period for the common shares exceeded one year as of the time of the disposition. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to certain limitations. Capital gain or loss, if any, realized by a U.S. Holder on the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of common shares generally will be treated as U.S. source income or loss for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes. Consequently, in the case of a disposition of shares that is subject to Luxembourg or other foreign income tax imposed on the gain, the U.S. Holder may not be able to benefit from the foreign tax credit for that foreign income tax (i.e., because gain on the disposition would be U.S. source). Alternatively, the U.S. Holder may take a deduction for the foreign income tax if such holder does not take a credit for any foreign income tax during the taxable year.

Reporting Requirements Regarding Foreign Financial Accounts. Certain U.S. Holders who are individuals and who hold “specified foreign financial assets” (as defined in section 6038D of the Code) with values in excess of certain dollar thresholds, as prescribed by applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations, are required to report such assets on IRS Form 8938 with their U.S. federal income tax returns. Specified foreign financial assets include stock of a non-U.S. corporation (such as our common shares) that is not held in an account maintained by a “financial institution” (as defined in section 1471(d)(5) of the Code). An individual who fails to timely furnish the required information may be subject to a penalty. Additionally, in the event a U.S. Holder does not file the required information, the statute of limitations may not close until three years after such information is filed. Under certain circumstances, an entity may be treated as an individual for purposes of the foregoing rules. Investors are urged to consult their tax advisor regarding these reporting requirements and any other reporting requirements that may be applicable to their particular circumstances.

 

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Additional Medicare Tax on Net Investment Income. An additional 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on the “net investment income” of certain U.S. citizens and resident aliens and on the undistributed “net investment income” of certain estates and trusts. Among other items, “net investment income” generally includes dividends and certain net gain from the disposition of property, less certain deductions. Investors are encouraged to consult their independent tax advisors with respect to this additional tax.

Non-U.S. Holders

Dividends. A Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on dividends received on our common shares, unless the dividends are effectively connected with the holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the U.S. and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the dividends are attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the holder in the U.S. or unless the holder is subject to backup withholding, as discussed below. Except to the extent otherwise provided under an applicable income tax treaty, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will be taxed in the same manner as a U.S. Holder on dividends that are effectively connected with the Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the U.S. Effectively connected dividends received by a corporate Non-U.S. Holder may also, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate (or, if applicable, a lower treaty rate), subject to certain adjustments.

Taxation of Capital Gains. In general, a Non-U.S. Holder of common shares will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax with respect to any gain recognized on a sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of such common shares unless:

 

   

the gain is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the U.S. (and if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is also attributable to a permanent establishment that the Non-U.S. Holder maintains in the U.S.), in which case, the Non-U.S. Holder will generally be subject to regular graduated rates in the same manner as a U.S. Holder, and if the Non-U.S. Holder is a corporation, may be subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30% (or such lower rate provided by an applicable income tax treaty) of its effectively connected earnings and profits for the taxable year, subject to certain adjustments;

 

   

the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the U.S. for 183 or more days in the taxable year of the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition and meets certain other requirements, in which case the gain generally will be subject to a flat 30% tax that may be offset by U.S. source capital losses (even though the Non-U.S. Holder is not considered a resident of the U.S.); or

 

   

the Non-U.S. Holder is subject to backup withholding, as discussed below.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting. In general, dividends on common shares, and the proceeds of a sale, exchange or other disposition of common shares for cash, paid within the U.S. or through certain U.S. related financial intermediaries to a U.S. Holder or a Non-U.S. Holder are subject to information reporting to the IRS and may be subject to backup withholding unless the holder is an exempt recipient, is an exempt foreign person or, in the case of backup withholding, provides an accurate taxpayer identification number and certifies under penalty of perjury that the holder is a U.S. person and is not subject to backup withholding.

 

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Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Generally, a holder may obtain a refund of any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules that exceed such holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability by timely filing a refund claim with the IRS. The amount of any backup withholding withheld from a payment to a holder will be allowed as a credit against the holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS. Holders are encouraged to consult their independent tax advisors regarding the application of information reporting and backup withholding in their particular situations, the availability of exemptions and the procedures for obtaining exemptions.

You are encouraged to consult with your own independent tax advisor regarding the application of the U.S. federal income tax laws to your particular circumstances, as well as any additional tax consequences resulting from an investment in our common shares, including the applicability and effect of the tax laws of any state, local or non-U.S. jurisdiction, including estate, gift and inheritance tax laws.

Governance Agreement

The Company has entered into a Governance Agreement dated as of November 19, 2018 with certain holders of its shares, defined therein as the Avenue Parties, the SVP Parties, and the Other Lenders (which consists of the Abrams Parties, the Fidelity Parties, the Highbridge Parties and the Whitebox Parties, each as defined in the Governance Agreement).

Nomination Provisions

Pursuant to the Governance Agreement, until the Nomination Termination Time, defined below, the Avenue Parties have the right to nominate one Class B Director, the SVP Parties have the right to nominate one Class B Director and the Other Lenders have the right to nominate one Class B Director. Each of such parties also has the right to fill a vacancy with respect to its Class B Director nominee.

The “Nomination Termination Time” means the first such time that it becomes known to the Company that any of (a) the Avenue Parties (collectively and in the aggregate with each other), (b) the SVP Parties (collectively and in the aggregate with each other) or (c) the Other Lenders (collectively and in the aggregate with each other), hold, beneficially or of record, and have the power to vote or direct the voting of, 10% or less (the “ Ownership Threshold ”) of the then issued and outstanding shares of the Company. Whichever of the Avenue Parties, SVP Parties or Other Lenders, as applicable, whose holdings of shares of the Company first becomes known to the Company to cease to exceed the Ownership Threshold is referred to as the “Triggering Party.”

During the period beginning at the Nomination Termination Time and ending at the convening of the first general meeting after the Nomination Termination Time, if the Board of Directors requests in writing the resignation of the former Class B Director who was nominated by the Triggering Party, then each of the Avenue Parties, SVP Parties and Other Lenders has agreed to take all necessary actions to cause such director to resign or otherwise be removed from office as a director.

 

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Board Observer Rights

The following parties (each, an “ Observer Shareholder ”) each have the right to designate a Board of Directors observer until the first such time that it becomes known to the Company that an Observer Shareholder (together with its Permitted Transferees as defined in the agreement) ceases to hold beneficially or of record, and have the power to vote or direct the voting of, at least such Observer Shareholder’s Original Percentage Threshold: the Abrams Parties, the Avenue Parties, the Fidelity Parties, the Highbridge Parties, the SVP Parties and the Whitebox Parties. “Original Percentage Threshold” means, with respect to any Observer Shareholder, the lesser of (a) five percent (5%) of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company or (b) fifty percent (50%) of the shares of the Company such Observer Shareholder together with its Permitted Transferees collectively held, beneficially or of record, and had the power to vote or direct the voting of, at the close of business on the date of the Governance Agreement.

Additional Share Capital Authorization

Each of the Company, the Avenue Parties and the SVP Parties has agreed with one another that it will take all necessary actions to cause the Articles to be amended as promptly as practicable, following a request therefor by any of the Company, the Avenue Parties or the SVP Parties, to provide for the authority of the Board of Directors to increase the Company’s then current share capital once or more up to $1.0 million (represented by up to an aggregate of 100.0 million authorized shares) (such amount including the current share capital of the Company of $825,000) by the issue of new shares having the same rights as the existing shares, or without any such issue.

Waiver of Corporate Opportunity

The agreement contains a broad corporate opportunity waiver by the Company in favor of the shareholders party to the agreement and certain related persons as described in the agreement.

Confidential Information

The Class B Directors and Observers may, upon request of the party that designated them, share Company confidential information with the designating party, subject to the designating party entering into a confidentiality agreement with the Company.

The foregoing description of the Governance Agreement is only a summary, does not purport to be complete, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Governance Agreement, which is attached as an Exhibit to this Form S-8 and incorporated herein by reference.

Registration Rights Agreement

The Company has entered into a Registration Rights Agreement dated as of November 19, 2018 with Quantum Pacific (Gibraltar) Limited and the shareholders party to the Governance Agreement, with respect to the Registrable Securities as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company will prepare a shelf registration statement, and include in it the Registrable Securities of each holder who requests inclusion therein of some or all of such holder’s Registrable Securities no later than five business days after the date that the Company furnishes or files with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“ SEC ”) interim financial statements

 

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for the third quarter of fiscal 2018. The Company agreed to file the shelf registration statement with the SEC on or prior to the tenth business day following the date that the Company furnishes or files with the SEC interim financial statements for the third quarter of fiscal 2018. The shelf registration statement may be amended, among other things, under the circumstances specified in the agreement, to register Registrable Securities that were not previously included in the shelf registration statement, and must be amended or replaced by an automatic shelf registration statement if and after the Company becomes eligible to use one. The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to cause the shelf registration statement to be declared effective as promptly as practicable and to keep it continuously effective. The agreement also contains provisions permitting underwritten shelf resale transactions with an anticipated aggregate offering price to the public of at least $150.0 million.

In addition, the agreement grants certain demand registration rights to parties beneficially owning at least 10% of the Company’s shares, provided that the anticipated aggregate offering price to the public is at least $150.0 million or at least 20% of the then-outstanding Registrable Securities (for the party exercising the demand registration right along with other holders entitled to have their shares registered along with the initiating holder). The agreement also contains customary “piggyback” registration rights if the Company proposes to file a registration statement with respect to an offering of its shares.

The agreement contains customary conditions, restrictions, suspension periods, blackout periods and ancillary requirements and customary indemnification and contribution provisions. The Company will generally pay all registration expenses other than underwriting fees, discounts, commissions, transfer taxes or similar taxes or charges. Upon the Company becoming aware that it fails to qualify as a foreign private issuer on the last business day of a second fiscal quarter, the Company must so notify the holders no later than 10 business days thereafter. The agreement terminates with respect to any holder when the holder ceases to hold Registrable Securities (except with respect to certain indemnification and information rights).

The foregoing description of the Registration Rights Agreement is only a summary, does not purport to be complete, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Registration Rights Agreement, which is attached as an Exhibit to this Form S-8 and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.

Not applicable.

Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Pursuant to Luxembourg law on agency, agents are entitled to be reimbursed any advances or expenses made or incurred in the course of their duties, except in cases of fault or negligence on their part. Luxembourg law on agency is applicable to the mandate of directors and agents of the Company.

Pursuant to Luxembourg law, a company is generally liable for any violations committed by employees in the performance of their functions except where such violations are not in any way linked to the duties of the employee.

 

   II-22   


Our articles of association (art. 9) provide that our directors may not be held personally liable by reason of their mandate for any commitment they have validly made in the Company’s name, provided those commitments comply with the articles of association and applicable law.

Pursuant to our articles of association (art. 10.2), the Company must, to the fullest extent permitted by Luxembourg law, indemnify any director or officer, as well as any former director or officer, against any damages and/or compensation to be paid and any costs, charges and expenses, reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of any civil, criminal or administrative action, suit or proceeding to which he may be made a party by reason of his being or having been a director or officer of the Company, if (i) he acted honestly and in good faith, and (ii) in the case of criminal or administrative proceedings, he had reasonable grounds for believing that conduct was lawful. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the current or former director or officer will not be entitled to indemnification in case of an action, suit or proceeding brought against him by the Company or in case he shall be finally adjudged in an action, suit or proceeding to be liable for gross negligence, willful misconduct, fraud, dishonesty or any other criminal offence.

In case of settlement, the current or former director or officer will only be entitled to indemnification under our articles of association, provided that (i) the board of the Company shall have determined in good faith that the defendant’s actions did not constitute willful and deliberate violations of the law and shall have obtained relevant legal advice to that effect; and (ii) notice of the intention of settlement of such action, suit or proceeding is given to the Company at least 10 business days prior to such settlement.

We have indemnity agreements with each of the Company’s directors and senior management. The indemnity agreements supplement the indemnification rights for the directors and officers under the Company’s articles of association, and provide, among other things, for mandatory indemnification against liabilities as well as mandatory advancement and reimbursement of all reasonable expenses that may be incurred by the indemnitees in various legal proceedings arising out of their service as directors and officers to the fullest extent authorized by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and as permitted by Luxembourg law, including any amendments thereto. The indemnity agreements also set out the process for determining entitlement to indemnification, the conditions to advancement of expenses, the procedures for enforcement of indemnification rights, the limitations on indemnification and requirements relating to the notice and defense of claims for which indemnification is sought.

In addition, the terms of the Plan provide for the indemnification of the officers and directors of the Company for any claims arising out of any action taken or omitted to be taken or any determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any awards granted thereunder.

The indemnification rights set forth above shall not be exclusive of any other right which an indemnified person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of our articles of association, agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

We currently have and expect to maintain standard policies of insurance that provide coverage (1) to our directors and officers against loss arising from claims made by reason of breach of duty or other wrongful act and (2) to us with respect to indemnification payments that we may make to such directors and officers.

 

   II-23   


Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.

Not applicable.

Item 8. Exhibits.

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description of Exhibits

4.1    Coordinated Articles of Association of Pacific Drilling, S.A., dated November 19, 2018 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to the Registrant’s Form 6-K filed on November 20, 2018).
4.2    Governance Agreement, dated as of November  19, 2018, by and among Pacific Drilling S.A. and certain shareholders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant’s Form 6-K filed November 20, 2018).
4.3    Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of November  19, 2018, by and among the Company and the shareholders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the Registrant’s Form 6-K filed November 20, 2018).
4.4    Indenture, dated September  26, 2018, between Pacific Drilling First Lien Escrow Issuer Limited and Wilmington Trust, National Association as Trustee and Collateral Agent relating to the Company’s 8.375% First Lien Notes due 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Registrant’s Form 6-K filed on September 28, 2018).
4.5    Form of 8.375% First Lien Note due 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to Appendix of Exhibit 99.1 of the Registrant’s Form 6-K filed on September 28, 2018).
4.6    First Supplemental Indenture, dated November  19, 2018, between Pacific Drilling S.A. and Wilmington Trust, National Association as Trustee and Collateral Agent relating to the Company’s 8.375% First Lien Notes due 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.3 to the Registrant’s Form 6-K filed on November 20, 2018).
4.7    Second Supplemental Indenture, dated November  19, 2018, between Pacific Drilling S.A., the Guarantors named therein and Wilmington Trust, National Association as Trustee relating to the Company’s 8.375% First Lien Notes due 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.4 to the Registrant’s Form 6-K filed on November 20, 2018).
4.8    Indenture, dated September  26, 2018, between Pacific Drilling Second Lien Escrow Issuer Limited and Wilmington Trust, National Association as Trustee and Junior Lien Collateral Agent relating to the Company’s 11.000% / 12.000% Second Lien PIK Notes due 2024 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to the Registrant’s Form 6-K filed on September 28, 2018).

 

   II-24   


4.9    Form of 11.000% / 12.000% Second Lien PIK Note due 2024 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to Appendix of Exhibit 99.3 of the Registrant’s Form 6-K filed on September 28, 2018).
4.10    First Supplemental Indenture, dated November  19, 2018, between Pacific Drilling S.A. and Wilmington Trust, National Association as Trustee and Junior Lien Collateral Agent relating to the Company’s 11.000% / 12.000% Second Lien PIK Notes due 2024 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.5 to the Registrant’s Form 6-K filed on November 20, 2018).
4.11    Second Supplemental Indenture, dated November  19, 2018, between Pacific Drilling S.A., the Guarantors named therein and Wilmington Trust, National Association as Trustee relating to the Company’s 11.000% / 12.000% Second Lien PIK Notes due 2024 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.6 to the Registrant’s Form 6-K filed on November 20, 2018).
4.12    Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of November  19, 2018, between Wilmington Trust, National Association, in its capacity as First Lien Collateral Agent, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, in its capacity as Junior Lien Collateral Agent, and acknowledged and agreed to by the Company and the Grantors named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.7 to the Registrant’s Form 6-K filed on November 20, 2018).
5.1*    Opinion of Wildgen S.A., as to the legality of the securities being registered.
23.1*    Consent of KPMG LLP.
23.2*    Consent of Wildgen S.A. (included in Exhibit 5.1).
24.1*    Powers of Attorney pursuant to which this Registration Statement has been signed on behalf of certain of our officers and directors (included in the signature pages of this Registration Statement).
99.1*    Pacific Drilling S.A. 2018 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan.

 

*

Filed with this Registration Statement.

Item 9. Undertakings.

(a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

 

   II-25   


(i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective Registration Statement;

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to such information in this Registration Statement;

Provided, however , that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(b) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

   II-26   


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on November 28, 2018.

 

PACIFIC DRILLING S.A.
By:  

/s/ Bernie G. Wolford, Jr.

  Bernie G. Wolford, Jr.
  Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Bernie G. Wolford, Jr. or Johannes P. Boots, or either one of them (with full power in each to act alone), as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place, and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Commission, granting unto such attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact and agent or his or her substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on November 28, 2018.

 

Signature    Title

/s/ Bernie G. Wolford, Jr.

   Chief Executive Officer and Director
Bernie G. Wolford, Jr.    ( Principal Executive Officer )
   Senior Vice President,

/s/ Johannes P. Boots

   Chief Financial Officer
Johannes P. Boots    ( Principal Financial Officer )
   Senior Vice President,

/s/ Richard E. Tatum

   Chief Accounting Officer
Richard E. Tatum    ( Principal Accounting Officer )

/s/ W. Matthew Ralls

   Chairman of the Board of Directors
W. Matthew Ralls   

 

   S-1   


/s/ Daniel Han

   Director
Daniel Han   

/s/ Donald Platner

   Director
Donald Platner   

/s/ Kiran Ramineni

   Director
Kiran Ramineni   

/s/ David Weinstein

   Director
David Weinstein   

 

 

   S-2   

EXHIBIT 5.1

[Wildgen S.A. Letterhead]

November 28, 2018

Pacific Drilling S.A.

8-10 Avenue de la Gare

L-1610 Luxembourg

Pacific Drilling S.A. / Registration Statement on Form S-8

INTRODUCTION

Dear Sirs,

We are acting as Luxembourg counsel to Pacific Drilling S.A., a Luxembourg company ( société anonyme) with registered office at 8-10 Avenue de la Gare L-1610 Luxembourg, registered with the Luxembourg Register of Commerce and Companies ( RCS ) under number B 159658 (the Company ), in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-8 being filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the Registration Statement ) relating to the registration by the Company of 7,500,000 common shares, with an accounting par value of $0.01 per share (the Shares ).

 

1

BASIS OF THE OPINION

 

1.1

This opinion is based on Luxembourg law and Luxembourg public policy, ordre public , as at the date hereof. It is therefore limited to the laws of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and we express no opinion as to any laws other than the laws of Luxembourg.

 

1.2

Save as set out herein we have made no independent investigation and we do not express or imply any opinion as to the laws of any other jurisdiction and we have assumed, without enquiry, that there is nothing in the laws of any such other jurisdiction which would or might affect our opinion as stated herein.

 

2

DOCUMENTATION

We have examined a copy of and relied upon the following documents (together the Document(s) ):

 

2.1

The coordinated articles of association of the Company (the Articles );

 

2.2

The electronic copy of an excerpt of the Company’s shareholders register at July 6, 2018 together with the minutes of the general meeting of the shareholders of the Company dated November 19, 2018 (the Register );

 

2.3

The circular resolutions of the Company dated November 19, 2018 where the share capital increase was authorized subject to – inter alia – receipt of the relevant subscription monies (the Directors Resolutions );

 

     


2.4

An excerpt from the Luxembourg Trade and Company Register ( Registre de Commerce et des Sociétés de Luxembourg) for the Company dated November 28, 2018 (the RCS Extract );

 

2.5

A certificate of non-inscription of judicial decision ( certificat de non-inscription d’une decision judiciaire ) for the Company dated November 28, 2018 and up-to-date on November 27, 2018 and (hereafter the Non-Inscription Certificates );

 

2.6

The notarial deed dated November 19, 2018 drawn up by Maître Blanche Moutrier, Notary in Esch-sur-Alzette, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg recording the share capital increase (the Notarial Deed ); and

 

2.7

A confirmation letter executed on behalf of the board of directors of the Company with respect to certain factual matters, dated November 19, 2018 (the Confirmation Letter ).

 

3

ASSUMPTIONS

For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed each of the following without any further verification:

 

3.1

the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity to the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies;

 

3.2

that all factual matters and statements relied upon or assumed herein were true and complete on the date of the execution of the Documents (and any documents in connection therewith);

 

3.3

the Documents are complete and up to date;

 

3.4

that “non-assessable shares” has the established meaning in the U.S. where the shareholders do not have to pay more than the original investment; and

 

3.5

all factual statements in the Directors Resolutions referred to under point 2.2 and in the Confirmation Letter under 2.6 are correct.

 

4

OPINION

Based on the foregoing, and subject of the qualifications stated herein, we are of the opinion that insofar as Luxembourg law is concerned as the date hereof and without regard to any change in facts and circumstances which may occur subsequent to the issuance of this opinion:

 

4.1

The Company is a validly existing société anonyme under the laws of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

 

4.2

The issuance of Shares has been duly authorized in accordance with the Articles and the laws of Luxembourg. The issuance of such Shares was subject to a preferential subscription right which has been withdrawn. After having been duly subscribed, fully paid up and issued in accordance with the Directors Resolutions and reflected in the Register, the Shares – when sold – will be validly issued and non-assessable (based on the meaning of those terms as understood under U.S. law).

 

   2   


5

QUALIFICATIONS

This opinion is subject to the following qualifications:

 

5.1

For the purposes of this opinion, we have not reviewed any documents other than the Documents and we have not reviewed any documents referred to therein or incorporated by reference into any document reviewed by us. We have not conducted any independent factual investigation of our own but have relied solely upon the Documents, the states and information set forth therein and the additional matters recited or assumed herein, all of which we have assumed to be true, complete and accurate in all material aspects.

 

5.2

This legal opinion is as of this date and we undertake no obligation to update it or to advise of changes hereafter occurring.

 

5.3

Legal concepts used in this opinion are translations in English language of the original Luxembourg legal concepts defined in French terms so that may not be identical to the same terms in English language as defined in other laws than Luxembourg laws.

 

6

MISCELLANEOUS

 

6.1

We express no opinion, nor do we imply any opinion, as to any laws other than Luxembourg laws and this Opinion is given on the express condition, accepted by each person entitled to rely on it, that this Opinion and all rights, obligations, issues of interpretation and liabilities in relation to it are governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, Luxembourg law and any actions or claims in relation to it can be brought exclusively before the Luxembourg courts.

 

6.2

This Opinion is strictly limited to the matters expressly set forth at clause 4 above. No other opinion is, or may be, implied or inferred therefrom.

 

6.3

We hereby consent to the filing of this Opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. The giving of this Opinion does not constitute acceptance or agreement that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under section 7 of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

This opinion shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Luxembourg law. The courts of Luxembourg shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute arising in connection with this opinion.

 

Yours faitfully
Samia RABIA
Avocat à la Cour - Partner
/s/ Samia Rabia

 

 

   3   

EXHIBIT 23.1

Consent of Independent Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors

Pacific Drilling S.A.:

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statement on Form S-8 of Pacific Drilling S.A. of our report dated April 2, 2018, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of Pacific Drilling S.A. (Debtor in Possession) and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes (collectively, the “consolidated financial statements”), which report appears in the December 31, 2017 annual report on Form 20-F of Pacific Drilling S.A.

Our report contains an explanatory paragraph that states that the Company has suffered recurring losses from operations, is in violation of its debt covenants, and is facing risks and uncertainties surrounding its Chapter 11 proceedings that raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern.

 

(Signed) KPMG LLP

Houston, Texas

November 28, 2018

 

     

Exhibit 99.1

PACIFIC DRILLING S.A.

2018 OMNIBUS STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

SECTION 1. Purpose . The purpose of this Pacific Drilling S.A. 2018 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan is to promote the interests of Pacific Drilling S.A., a limited liability company ( société anonyme ) organized under the laws of Luxembourg, having its registered office located at 8-10 Avenue de la Gare, L-1610 Luxembourg, and registered with the Luxembourg register of commerce and companies under number B 159658, organized under the laws of Luxembourg (the “Company” ), and its shareholders by (a) attracting and retaining exceptional directors, officers, employees and consultants (including prospective directors, officers, employees and consultants) of the Company and its Affiliates (as defined below) and (b) enabling such individuals to participate in the long-term growth and financial success of the Company.

SECTION 2. Definitions . As used herein, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

Affiliate means (a) any entity that, directly or indirectly, is controlled by, controls or is under common control with, the Company (including any Subsidiary) and (b) any entity in which the Company has a significant equity interest, in either case as determined by the Committee.

Award means any award that is permitted under Section 6 and granted under the Plan.

Award Agreement means any written agreement, contract or other instrument or document evidencing any Award which shall contain such terms and conditions with respect to such Award as the Committee shall determine consistent with the Plan, and which may, but need not, require execution or acknowledgment by a Participant.

Board means the Board of Directors of the Company.

Change of Control

For purposes of this Plan and Awards hereunder, “Change of Control” means (capitalized terms not otherwise defined will have the meanings ascribed to them in paragraph (ii) below):

(A) the acquisition by any Person together with all Affiliates of such Person, of Beneficial Ownership of 60% or more of the outstanding Shares, or 60% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities; provided, however, that for purposes of this paragraph (i)(A), the following will not constitute a Change of Control:

(1) any acquisition (other than a “Business Combination,” as defined below, that constitutes a Change of Control under paragraph (i)(B) hereof) of Shares directly from the Company,

(2) any acquisition of Shares by the Company or its subsidiaries,

 

   1   


(3) any acquisition of Shares by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation or other entity controlled by the Company, or

(4) any acquisition of Shares pursuant to a Business Combination that does not constitute a Change of Control under paragraph (i)(B) hereof; or

(B) the consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation (including a merger or consolidation of the Company or any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company), or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (a “Business Combination”), in each case, unless, immediately following such Business Combination:

(1) the individuals and entities who were the Beneficial Owners of the Company Voting Stock immediately prior to such Business Combination have direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership of more than 50% of the then outstanding shares of common stock, and more than 50% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, of the Post-Transaction Corporation, and

(2) no Person together with all Affiliates of such Person (excluding the Company and any employee benefit plan or related trust of the Post-Transaction Corporation or any subsidiary of the Company, the Post-Transaction Corporation or any subsidiary of either), Beneficially Owns 60% or more of the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Post-Transaction Corporation or 60% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation (provided that for purposes of this paragraph 1(B)(2), if prior to the Business Combination a Person with its Affiliates owns more than 60%, then references to 60% shall refer to such higher percentage), and

(3) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the Post-Transaction Corporation were members of the Board at the time of the Board’s execution of the initial agreement approving the Business Combination (or approved by a majority of the members of the Board at the time of such initial agreement) , or

(C) approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a “Change of Control” shall not be deemed to have occurred if immediately after the occurrence of any of the events described in clauses (A) and (B) above, (x) a Designated Holder or Designated Holders, directly or indirectly, has/have Beneficial Ownership of more than 30% of the Combined Voting Stock of the Company or any successor or (y) a Designated Holder or Designated Holders can appoint a majority of the members of the Board.

(ii) As used in this definition of Change of Control, the following terms have the meanings indicated:

(A) “Affiliate” means a Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, another specified Person.

 

  

2

  


(B) “Avenue Europe Funds” means, collectively, the following Holders: Avenue-ASRS Europe Opportunities Fund, L.P.; Avenue Europe Special Situations Fund III (U.S.), L.P.; Avenue Europe Special Situations Fund III (Euro), L.P.; and Avenue Europe Opportunities Master Fund, L.P.

(C) “Avenue Parties” means, collectively, Avenue Capital, Management II, L.P., Avenue Europe International Management L.P., the Avenue Europe Funds, and the Avenue US Funds together with each of their respective successors, permitted transferees and permitted assigns.

(D) “Avenue US Funds” means, collectively, the following Holders: Avenue Energy Opportunities Fund II, L.P.; Avenue PPF Opportunities Fund, L.P.; Avenue Energy Opportunities Fund, L.P.; Avenue Special Opportunities Fund II, L.P.; and Avenue Strategic Opportunities Fund, L.P.

(E) “Beneficial Owner” (and variants thereof), with respect to a security, means a Person who, directly or indirectly (through any contract, understanding, relationship or otherwise), has or shares (1) the power to vote, or direct the voting of, the security, and/or (2) the power to dispose of, or to direct the disposition of, the security.

(F) “Company Voting Stock” means any capital stock of the Company that is then entitled to vote for the election of directors.

(G) “Designated Holder” means any of the following, or any of their respective controlled Affiliates, or any fund or account managed, advised, or controlled by any of the following or any of their respective controlled Affiliates: the SVP Parties and the Avenue Parties.

(H) “Effective Date” means the date of the Board’s adoption of this Plan.

(I) “Majority Shares” means the number of shares of Company Voting Stock that could elect a majority of the directors of the Company if all directors were to be elected at a single meeting.

(J) “Person” means a natural person or entity, and will also mean the group or syndicate created when two or more Persons act as a syndicate or other group (including without limitation a partnership, limited partnership, joint venture or other joint undertaking) for the purpose of acquiring, holding, or disposing of a security, except that “Person” will not include an underwriter temporarily holding a security pursuant to an offering of the security.

(K) “Post-Transaction Corporation” means (1) unless a Change of Control includes a Business Combination, the Company after the Change of Control; or (2) if a Change of Control includes a Business Combination, the corporation resulting from the Business Combination unless, as a result of such Business Combination, an ultimate parent corporation controls the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or indirectly, in which case, “Post-Transaction Corporation” shall mean such ultimate parent corporation.

 

   3   


(L) “SVP Parties” means, collectively, Kings Forest S.a.r.l., Yellow Sapphire S.a.r.l., Queens Gate S.a.r.l., and Rathgar S.a.r.l. together with each of their respective successors, permitted transferees and permitted assigns.

Notwithstanding the above and solely with respect to any Award that constitutes “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code and that is payable on account of a Change of Control (including any installments or stream of payments that are accelerated on account of a Change of Control), a Change of Control shall occur only if such event also constitutes a “change in the ownership”, “change in effective control”, and/or a “change in the ownership of a substantial portion of assets” of the Company as those terms are defined under Treasury Regulation §1.409A-3(i)(5), but only to the extent necessary to establish a time or form of payment that complies with Section 409A of the Code, without altering the definition of Change of Control for purposes of determining whether a Participant’s rights to such Award become vested or otherwise unconditional upon the Change of Control.

Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

Committee means the full Board, the compensation committee of the Board, or such other committee of the Board as may be designated by the Board from time to time to administer the Plan.

Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor statute thereto.

Exercise Price means (i)  in the case of Options, the price specified in the applicable Award Agreement as the price-per-Share at which Shares may be purchased pursuant to such Option or (ii)  in the case of SARs, the price specified in the applicable Award Agreement as the reference price-per-Share used to calculate the amount payable to the Participant.

Fair Market Value shall be determined as follows: (i)  with respect to any property other than Shares, the fair market value of such property determined by such methods or procedures as shall be established from time to time by the Committee, and (ii)  with respect to the Shares, except as provided below in connection with a cashless exercise through a broker, it shall be determined as follows: (a)  if the Shares are listed on an established stock exchange or any automated quotation system that provides sale quotations, the closing sale price for a Share on such exchange or quotation system on the date as of which fair market value is to be determined; (b)  if the Shares are not listed on any exchange or quotation system, but bid and asked prices are quoted and published, the mean between the quoted bid and asked prices on the date as of which fair market value is to be determined, and if bid and asked prices are not available on such day, on the next preceding day on which such prices were available; and (c)  if the Shares are not regularly quoted, the fair market value of a Share on the date as of which fair market value is to be determined, as established by the Committee in good faith. In the context of a cashless exercise through a broker, the Fair Market Value shall be the price at which a Share subject to the stock option is actually sold in the market to pay the option exercise price.

 

   4   


Incentive Stock Option means an option to purchase Shares from the Company that (i) is granted under Section 6 and (ii) is intended to qualify for special Federal income tax treatment pursuant to Sections 421 and 422 of the Code, as now constituted or subsequently amended, or pursuant to a successor provision of the Code, and which is so designated in the applicable Award Agreement.

IRS means the Internal Revenue Service or any successor thereto and includes the staff thereof.

Nonqualified Stock Option means an option to purchase Shares from the Company that (i)  is granted under Section  6 and (ii)  is not an Incentive Stock Option.

Option means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option or both, as the context requires.

Participant means any director, officer, employee or consultant (including any prospective director, officer, employee or consultant) of the Company or its Affiliates who is eligible for an Award under Section 5 and who is selected by the Committee to receive an Award under the Plan or who receives a Substitute Award pursuant to Section 4(c).

Plan means this Pacific Drilling S.A. 2018 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan, as in effect from time to time.

Restricted Share means a Share Award delivered under the Plan that is subject to certain transfer restrictions, forfeiture provisions and/or other terms and conditions specified herein and in the applicable Award Agreement.

RSU means a restricted stock unit Award that is designated as such in the applicable Award Agreement and that represents an unfunded and unsecured promise to deliver Shares, cash, other securities, other Awards or other property in accordance with the terms of the applicable Award Agreement.

SAR means a stock appreciation right Award that represents an unfunded and unsecured promise to deliver Shares, cash, other securities, other Awards or other property equal in value to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value per Share over the Exercise Price per Share of the SAR, subject to the terms of the applicable Award Agreement.

SEC means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor thereto and shall include the staff thereof.

Shares means the shares representing the share capital of the Company, par value $0.01 per share, or such other securities of the Company (i)  into which such shares shall be changed by reason of a recapitalization, merger, consolidation, split-up, combination, exchange of shares or other similar transaction or (ii)  as may be determined by the Committee pursuant to Section 4(b).

Subsidiary means any entity in which the Company, directly or indirectly, possesses 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of its stock.

 

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Substitute Awards shall have the meaning specified in Section 4(c).

SECTION 3. Administration .

(a) Composition of Committee . The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, which shall be composed of one or more individuals, as determined by the Board.

(b) Authority of Committee . Subject to the terms of the Plan and applicable law, and in addition to other express powers and authorizations conferred on the Committee by the Plan, the Committee shall have sole and plenary authority to administer the Plan, including, but not limited to, the authority to (i) designate Participants, (ii)  determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to a Participant, (iii)  determine the number or Shares to be covered by, or with respect to which payments, rights or other matters are to be calculated in connection with, Awards, (iv)  determine the terms and conditions of any Awards, (v)  determine the vesting schedules of Awards and, if certain performance criteria must be attained in order for an Award to vest or be settled or paid, establish such performance criteria and certify whether, and to what extent, such performance criteria have been attained, (vi)  determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances Awards may be settled or exercised in cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards or other property, or canceled, forfeited or suspended and the method or methods by which Awards may be settled, exercised, canceled, forfeited or suspended, (vii)  determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards, other property and other amounts payable with respect to an Award shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the holder thereof or of the Committee, (viii)  interpret, administer, reconcile any inconsistency in, correct any default in and supply any omission in, the Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to, or Award made under, the Plan, (ix)  establish, amend, suspend or waive such rules and regulations and appoint such agents as it shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan, (x)  accelerate the vesting or exercisability of, payment for or lapse of restrictions on, Awards, (xi)  amend an outstanding Award or grant a replacement Award for an Award previously granted under the Plan if, in its sole discretion, the Committee determines that (A)  the tax consequences of such Award to the Company or the Participant differ from those consequences that were expected to occur on the date the Award was granted or (B)  clarifications or interpretations of, or changes to, tax law or regulations permit Awards to be granted that have more favorable tax consequences than initially anticipated and (xii)  make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan.

(c) Committee Decisions . Unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, all designations, determinations, interpretations and other decisions under or with respect to the Plan or any Award shall be within the sole and plenary discretion of the Committee, may be made at any time and shall be final, conclusive and binding upon all persons, including the Company, any Affiliate, any Participant, any holder or beneficiary of any Award and any shareholder.

(d) Indemnification . No member of the Board, the Committee or any employee of the Company (each such person, a Covered Person ) shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken or any determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Award hereunder. Each Covered Person shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against and from (i)  any loss, cost, liability or expense (including attorneys’ fees) that may be imposed

 

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upon or incurred by such Covered Person in connection with or resulting from any action, suit or proceeding to which such Covered Person may be a party or in which such Covered Person may be involved by reason of any action taken or omitted to be taken under the Plan or any Award Agreement and (ii) any and all amounts paid by such Covered Person, with the Company’s approval, in settlement thereof, or paid by such Covered Person in satisfaction of any judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding against such Covered Person; provided that the Company shall have the right, at its own expense, to assume and defend any such action, suit or proceeding, and, once the Company gives notice of its intent to assume the defense, the Company shall have sole control over such defense with counsel of the Company’s choice. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be available to a Covered Person to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction in a final judgment or other final adjudication, in either case not subject to further appeal, determines that the acts or omissions of such Covered Person giving rise to the indemnification claim resulted from such Covered Person’s bad faith, fraud or willful criminal act or omission or that such right of indemnification is otherwise prohibited by law or by the Company’s Articles of Incorporation. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which Covered Persons may be entitled under the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any other power that the Company may have to indemnify such persons or hold them harmless.

(e) Delegation . Subject to the terms of the Plan and applicable law, the Committee may delegate to one or more officers or directors of the Company the authority, subject to such terms and limitations as the Committee shall determine, to grant and set the terms of, to cancel, modify, or waive rights with respect to, or to alter, discontinue, suspend, or terminate Awards held by Participants who are not members of “senior management” as disclosed in the Company’s annual reports on Form 20-F, or if applicable, are not officers or directors of the Company for purposes of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, or any successor section thereto; provided, however , that the Exercise Price of any Option or SAR granted hereunder by such officer or director shall be equal to or greater than the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant.

(f) Awards to Committee Members . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Board may, in its sole and plenary discretion, at any time and from time to time, grant Awards to members of the Committee or the Board, or administer the Plan with respect to such Awards. In any such case, the Board shall have all the authority and responsibility granted to the Committee herein.

SECTION 4. Shares Available for Awards; Other Limits .

(a) Shares Available . Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4(b), the aggregate number of Shares that may be delivered pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan shall be 7.5  million. The maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be delivered pursuant to Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan shall be 7.5  million. If, after the effective date of the Plan, any Award granted under the Plan is forfeited, or otherwise expires, terminates or is canceled without the delivery of Shares, then the Shares covered by such forfeited, expired, terminated or canceled Award shall again become available to be delivered pursuant to Awards under the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Shares subject to an Award under the Plan shall not be available again for issuance or delivery under the Plan if such Shares were (i)  tendered in payment of the

 

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Exercise Price of an Option; (ii) covered by, but not issued upon settlement of, stock-settled SARs; or (iii)  delivered or withheld by the Company to satisfy any tax withholding obligation. If an Award, by its terms, may be settled only in cash, then the grant, vesting, payout, settlement, or forfeiture of such Award shall have no impact on the number of Shares available for grant under the Plan.

(b) Adjustments for Changes in Capitalization and Similar Events . In the event that the Committee determines that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares, other securities or other property), recapitalization, capital contribution, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase or exchange of Shares or other securities of the Company, issuance of warrants or other rights to purchase Shares or other securities of the Company, or other similar corporate transaction or event affects the Shares such that an adjustment is determined by the Committee in its discretion to be appropriate or desirable, then the Committee will (i) in such manner as it may deem equitable or desirable, adjust any or all of (A)  the number of Shares or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or property) with respect to which Awards may be granted, including the aggregate number of Shares that may be delivered pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan, as provided in Section  4(a) and (B)  the terms of any outstanding Award, including (1)  the number of Shares or other securities of the Company (or number and kind of other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards or to which outstanding Awards relate and (2)  the Exercise Price with respect to any Award, (ii)  if deemed appropriate or desirable by the Committee, make provision for a cash payment to the holder of an outstanding Award in consideration for the cancellation of such Award, including, in the case of an outstanding Option or SAR, a cash payment to the holder of such Option or SAR in consideration for the cancellation of such Option or SAR in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value (as of a date specified by the Committee) of the Shares subject to such Option or SAR over the aggregate Exercise Price of such Option or SAR, and (iii)  if deemed appropriate or desirable by the Committee, in its sole and plenary discretion, by canceling and terminating any Option or SAR having a per Share Exercise Price equal to, or in excess of, the Fair Market Value (as of a date specified by the Committee) of a Share subject to such Option or SAR without any payment or consideration therefor.

(c) Substitute Awards . Awards may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted under the Plan in assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by the Company or any of its Affiliates or a company acquired by the Company or any of its Affiliates or with which the Company or any of its Affiliates combines ( Substitute Awards ). The number of Shares underlying any Substitute Awards shall be counted against the aggregate number of Shares available for Awards under the Plan; provided, however , that, unless otherwise required under applicable law, Substitute Awards issued in connection with the assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by an entity that is acquired by the Company or any of its Affiliates or with which the Company or any of its Affiliates combines shall not be counted against the aggregate number of Shares available for Awards under the Plan; provided further , however , that Substitute Awards issued in connection with the assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding stock options intended to qualify for special tax treatment under Sections 421 and 422 of the Code that were previously granted by an entity that is acquired by the Company or any of its Affiliates or with which the Company or any of its Affiliates combines shall be counted against the aggregate number of Shares available for Incentive Stock Options under the Plan.

 

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(d) Sources of Shares Deliverable Under Awards . Any Shares delivered pursuant to an Award may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued Shares or of treasury Shares.

SECTION 5. Eligibility . Any director, officer, employee or consultant (including any prospective director, officer, employee or consultant) of the Company or any of its Affiliates shall be eligible to be designated a Participant.

SECTION 6. Awards .

(a) Types of Awards . Awards may be made under the Plan in the form of (i) Options, (ii)  SARs, (iii)  Restricted Shares, (iv)  RSUs, and (v)  other equity-based or equity-related Awards that the Committee determines are consistent with the purpose of the Plan and the interests of the Company. Awards may be granted in tandem with other Awards. No Incentive Stock Option (other than an Incentive Stock Option that may be assumed or issued by the Company in connection with a transaction to which Section  424(a) of the Code applies) may be granted to a person who is ineligible to receive an Incentive Stock Option under the Code.

(b) Options .

(i) Grant . Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have sole and plenary authority to determine the Participants to whom Options shall be granted, the number of Shares to be covered by each Option, whether the Option will be an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option and the conditions and limitations applicable to the vesting and exercise of the Option. In the case of Incentive Stock Options, the terms and conditions of such grants shall be subject to and comply with such rules as may be prescribed by Section 422 of the Code and any regulations related thereto, as may be amended from time to time, including the requirement that this Plan be approved by the Company’s shareholders. All Options granted under the Plan shall be Nonqualified Stock Options unless the applicable Award Agreement expressly states that the Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option. If an Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option, and if for any reason such Option (or any portion thereof) shall not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, then, to the extent of such nonqualification, such Option (or portion thereof) shall be regarded as a Nonqualified Stock Option appropriately granted under the Plan; provided that such Option (or portion thereof) otherwise complies with the Plan’s requirements relating to Nonqualified Stock Options.

(ii) Exercise Price . The Exercise Price shall be determined by the Committee, subject to adjustment under Section 4(b) or 7(c), provided that in no event shall the Exercise Price be less than the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant, except in the case of an Option granted in assumption of or substitution for an outstanding award of a company acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines in accordance with the requirements of Section  409A of the Code.

 

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(iii) Vesting and Exercise . Each Option shall be vested and exercisable at such times, in such manner and subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee may, in its sole and plenary discretion, specify in the applicable Award Agreement or thereafter. Except as otherwise specified by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement, an Option may only be exercised to the extent that it has already vested at the time of exercise. An Option shall be deemed to be exercised when written or electronic notice of such exercise has been given to the Company in accordance with the terms of the Award and the Award Agreement by the person entitled to exercise the Award and full payment pursuant to Section 6(b)(iv) for the Shares with respect to which the Award is exercised has been received by the Company. Exercise of an Option in any manner shall result in a decrease in the number of Shares that thereafter may be available for purchase under the Option and, except as expressly set forth in Section  4(c), in the number of Shares that may be available for purposes of the Plan, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised. The Committee may impose such conditions with respect to the exercise of Options, including, without limitation, any relating to the application of Federal, state, local or foreign securities laws, as it may deem necessary or advisable.

(iv) Payment .

(A) No Shares shall be delivered pursuant to any exercise of an Option until payment in full of the aggregate Exercise Price therefor is received by the Company, and the Participant has paid to the Company an amount equal to any Federal, state, local and foreign income and employment taxes required to be withheld. Such payments shall be made in cash or by instructing the Company to withhold a portion of the Shares to be acquired by exercise of the Option with a Fair Market Value equal to the Exercise Price plus any Federal, state, local and foreign income and employment taxes required to be withheld. However, in the Committee’s sole and plenary discretion, payment for the Exercise Price may be made by exchanging Shares owned by the Participant (which are not the subject of any pledge or other security interest) with a Fair Market Value equal to the Exercise Price and Federal, state, local and foreign income and employment taxes required to be withheld; provided that the combined value of all cash and cash equivalents and the Fair Market Value of any such Shares so tendered to the Company or withheld from such Option as of the date of such tender or withholding is at least equal to such aggregate Exercise Price and the amount of any Federal, state, local or foreign income or employment taxes required to be withheld.

(B) Wherever in the Plan or any Award Agreement a Participant is permitted to pay the Exercise Price of an Option or taxes relating to the exercise of an Option by delivering Shares, the Participant may, subject to procedures satisfactory to the Committee, satisfy such delivery requirement by presenting proof of beneficial ownership of such Shares. Such Shares must be in good form to transfer and shall be valued at their Fair Market Value on the date of Option exercise. Once the Participant has established its ownership of the Shares and that the Shares are in good form for transfer, the Company shall treat the Option as exercised (to the extent the Shares so presented are sufficient to cover the Exercise Price and all Federal, state, local and foreign income and employment taxes required to be withheld thereon) without further payment and shall withhold such number of Shares from the Shares acquired by the exercise of the Option.

 

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(v) Expiration . Except as otherwise set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, each Option shall expire immediately, without any payment, upon the earlier of (A) the tenth anniversary of the date the Option is granted and (B)  either (x)  90 days after the date the Participant who is holding the Option ceases to be a director, officer, employee or consultant of the Company or one of its Affiliates for any reason other than the Participant’s death or (y)  six months after the date the Participant who is holding the Option ceases to be a director, officer, employee or consultant of the Company or one of its Affiliates by reason of the Participant’s death. In no event may an Option be exercisable after the tenth anniversary of the date the Option is granted.

(c) SARs .

(i) Grant . Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have sole and plenary authority to determine the Participants to whom SARs shall be granted, the number of Shares to be covered by each SAR, the Exercise Price thereof and the conditions and limitations applicable to the exercise thereof. SARs may be granted in tandem with another Award, in addition to another Award or freestanding and unrelated to another Award. SARs granted in tandem with, or in addition to, an Award may be granted either at the same time as the Award or at a later time.

(ii) Exercise Price . The Exercise Price of a SAR shall be determined by the Committee, subject to adjustment under Section 4(b) or 7(c); provided that in no event shall the Exercise Price be less than the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant, except in the case of a SAR granted in assumption of or substitution for an outstanding award of a company acquired by the Company or with which the Company combines in accordance with the requirements of Section  409A of the Code.

(iii) Exercise . A SAR shall entitle the Participant to receive an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise of the SAR over the Exercise Price thereof. The Committee shall determine, in its sole and plenary discretion, whether a SAR shall be settled in cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards, other property or a combination of any of the foregoing.

(iv) Other Terms and Conditions . Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, the Committee shall determine, at or after the grant of a SAR, the vesting criteria, term, methods of exercise, methods and form of settlement and any other terms and conditions of any SAR. Any such determination by the Committee may be changed by the Committee from time to time and may govern the exercise of SARs granted or exercised thereafter. The Committee may impose such conditions or restrictions on the exercise of any SAR as it shall deem appropriate or desirable.

(d) Restricted Shares and RSUs .

 

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(i) Grant . Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have sole and plenary authority to determine the Participants to whom Restricted Shares and RSUs shall be granted, the number of Restricted Shares and RSUs to be granted to each Participant, the duration of the period during which, and the conditions, if any, under which, the Restricted Shares and RSUs may vest or may be forfeited to the Company and the other terms and conditions of such Awards.

(ii) Transfer Restrictions . Restricted Shares and RSUs may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered except as provided in the Plan or as may be provided in the applicable Award Agreement. Restricted Shares shall be registered in the Company’s share register in the name of the Participant or such custodian as may be designated by the Committee or the Company, or if the shares are held through a central depositary, in an account opened with a broker in the name of the Participant or such custodian, and shall be held by the Participant or such custodian until such time as the restrictions applicable to such Restricted Shares lapse. Upon the lapse of the restrictions applicable to such Restricted Shares, the Company or other custodian, as applicable, shall deliver such certificates to the Participant or the Participant’s legal representative.

(iii) Payment/Lapse of Restrictions . Each RSU shall be granted with respect to one Share or shall have a value equal to the Fair Market Value of one Share. RSUs shall be paid in cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards or other property, as determined in the sole and plenary discretion of the Committee, upon the lapse of restrictions applicable thereto, or otherwise in accordance with the applicable Award Agreement.

(e) Other Stock-Based Awards . Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have the sole and plenary authority to grant to Participants other equity-based or equity-related Awards (including, but not limited to, fully-vested Shares) in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine.

(f) Dividend Equivalents . In the sole and plenary discretion of the Committee, an Award, other than an Option or SAR, may provide the Participant with dividends or dividend equivalents, payable in cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards or other property, on a current or deferred basis, on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Committee in its sole and plenary discretion, including, without limitation, (i) payment directly to the Participant, (ii)  withholding of such amounts by the Company subject to vesting of the Award or (iii)  reinvestment in additional Shares, Restricted Shares or other Awards.

SECTION 7. Amendment and Termination .

(a) Amendments to or Termination of the Plan . The Board may from time to time and in any respect, amend, modify, suspend, or terminate the Plan; provided, however, that no amendment, modification, suspension, or termination of the Plan shall materially and adversely affect any Award theretofore granted without the consent of the Participant or the permitted transferee of the Award. The Board may seek the approval of any amendment, modification, suspension, or termination by the Company’s shareholders to the extent that it deems such approval necessary in its discretion for purposes of compliance with Section  422 of the Code or

 

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for any other purpose, and shall seek such approval to the extent that it deems such approval necessary in its discretion to comply with applicable law or listing requirements of any national stock exchange on which the Shares are traded. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board shall have broad authority to amend the Plan or any Award under the Plan without the consent of a Participant to the extent that it deems such amendment necessary or desirable in its discretion to comply with or to take into account changes in, or interpretations of, applicable tax laws, securities laws, employment laws, accounting rules and other applicable laws, rules and regulations.

(b) Amendments to Awards . The Committee may waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or alter, suspend, discontinue, cancel or terminate any Award theretofore granted, prospectively or retroactively; provided, however, that, except as set forth in the Plan (including, without limitation, any adjustment of Awards made pursuant to Section  4(b) or 7(c)), unless otherwise provided by the Committee in the applicable Award Agreement, any such waiver, amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance, cancellation or termination that would materially and adversely impair the rights of any Participant or any holder or beneficiary of any Award theretofore granted shall not to that extent be effective without the consent of the impaired Participant, holder or beneficiary.

(c) Adjustment of Awards Upon the Occurrence of Certain Unusual or Nonrecurring Events . The Committee is hereby authorized to make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, Awards in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, the events described in Section 4(b) or the occurrence of a Change of Control) affecting the Company, any Affiliate, or the financial statements of the Company or any Affiliate, or of changes in applicable rules, rulings, regulations or other requirements of any governmental body or securities exchange, accounting principles or law (i)  whenever the Committee, in its sole and plenary discretion, determines that such adjustments are appropriate or desirable, including, without limitation, providing for a substitution or assumption of Awards, accelerating the exercisability of, lapse of restrictions on, or termination or cancellation of, Awards or providing for a period of time for exercise prior to the occurrence of such event, (ii)  if deemed appropriate or desirable by the Committee, in its sole and plenary discretion, by providing for a cash payment to the holder of an Award in consideration for the cancellation of such Award, including, in the case of an outstanding Option or SAR, a cash payment to the holder of such Option or SAR in consideration for the cancellation of such Option or SAR in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value (as of a date specified by the Committee) of the Shares subject to such Option or SAR over the aggregate Exercise Price of such Option or SAR and (iii)  if deemed appropriate or desirable by the Committee, in its sole and plenary discretion, by canceling and terminating any Option or SAR having a per Share Exercise Price equal to, or in excess of, the Fair Market Value (as of a date specified by the Committee) of a Share subject to such Option or SAR without any payment or consideration therefor.

SECTION 8. Change of Control . Except to the extent otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, or any applicable employment, consulting, change-in-control, severance or other agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate which specifically references this Plan, in the event of a Change of Control, notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary:

 

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(a) The Committee may in its sole discretion provide that all Options and SARs held by such Participant shall become immediately exercisable with respect to 100% of the shares subject to such Options and SARS, and that the restricted period (and any other conditions) shall expire immediately with respect to 100% of the shares of Restricted Shares and RSUs and any other Awards held by such Participant (including a waiver of any performance conditions); provided, that if the vesting or exercisability of any Award would otherwise be subject to the achievement of performance conditions, the Committee may provide that the portion of such Award, if any, that shall become fully vested and immediately exercisable may be based on (i) the assumed achievement of target performance as determined by the Committee and prorated for the number of days elapsed from the grant date of such Award through the date of termination of employment or service, (ii)  the Committee’s determination that the actual achievement of performance has been obtained or (iii)  on such other basis as determined by the Committee.

(b) In addition, the Committee may upon at least five (5) days’ advance notice to the affected persons, cancel any outstanding Award and pay to the holders of any vested Award thereof, in cash, securities or other property (including of the acquiring or successor company), or any combination thereof, the value of such Awards based upon the price per Share received or to be received by other shareholders of the Company in the event, and for the avoidance of doubt any Awards which are unvested may be cancelled without payment. Notwithstanding the above, the Committee shall exercise such discretion over the timing of settlement of any Award subject to Section  409A of the Code at the time such Award is granted.

SECTION 9. General Provisions.

(a) Nontransferability . Except as otherwise specified in the applicable Award Agreement, during each Participant’s lifetime each Award (and any rights and obligations thereunder) shall be exercisable only by the Participant, or, if permissible under applicable law, by the Participant’s legal guardian or representative, and no Award (or any rights and obligations thereunder) may be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by a Participant otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and any such purported assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance shall be void and unenforceable against the Company or any Affiliate; provided that (i)  the designation of a beneficiary shall not constitute an assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance and (ii)  the Board or the Committee may permit further transferability, on a general or specific basis, and may impose conditions and limitations on any permitted transferability; provided, however , that Incentive Stock Options granted under the Plan shall not be transferable in any way that would violate Section  1.422-2(a)(2) of the Treasury Regulations. All terms and conditions of the Plan and all Award Agreements shall be binding upon any permitted successors and assigns.

(b) No Rights to Awards . No Participant or other Person shall have any claim to be granted any Award, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Participants or holders or beneficiaries of Awards. The terms and conditions of Awards and the Committee’s determinations and interpretations with respect thereto need not be the same with respect to each Participant and may be made selectively among Participants, whether or not such Participants are similarly situated.

 

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(c) Participant Representations . The Committee, in its sole discretion, may require a Participant to make certain representations or acknowledgements, on or prior to the purchase or receipt of any Shares pursuant to Awards granted under this Plan including, without limitation, that the Participant is acquiring the Shares for an investment purpose and not for resale and, if the Participant is an Affiliate, additional acknowledgements regarding when and to what extent any transfers of such Shares may occur.

(d) Certificates . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no Shares shall be issued under the Plan pursuant to any Award unless the Committee determines, in its sole discretion, that the issuance and delivery of such Shares complies with (or is exempt from) the requirements of applicable law including, without limitation, the Luxembourg law of 10 August 1915 on commercial companies, as amended, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder), and any state, local and foreign securities laws and regulations. Any certificates for Shares or other securities of the Company or any Affiliate delivered under the Plan pursuant to any Award or the exercise thereof shall be subject to such restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the Plan, the applicable Award Agreement or any applicable Federal, state, local or foreign laws, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions and may appropriately instruct any transfer agent in respect of registered Shares. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company may, at its discretion, retain custody of registered Shares until such time as all applicable restrictions lapse.

(e) Restrictions on Shares . Any Shares received by a Participant pursuant to an Award shall be subject to such rights of repurchase, rights of first refusal or other restrictions as the Committee may determine. Such restrictions shall be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement and shall apply in addition to any general restriction that may apply to holders of Shares.

(f) Withholding . A Participant may be required to pay to the Company or any Affiliate, and the Company or any Affiliate shall have the right and is hereby authorized to withhold from any Award, from any payment due or transfer made under any Award or under the Plan or from any compensation or other amount owing to a Participant, the amount (in cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards or other property) of any applicable withholding taxes in respect of an Award, its exercise, vesting or any payment or transfer under an Award or under the Plan and to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Committee or the Company to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such taxes.

(g) Section 409A of the Code . It is intended that the provisions of the Plan and the Award Agreements comply with or be exempt from Section  409A of the Code, and all provisions of the Plan and the Award Agreements shall be construed and interpreted in a manner consistent with the requirements for avoiding taxes or penalties under Section  409A. To the extent that the Committee determines that any Award granted under the Plan is subject to Section  409A of the Code, the Award Agreement evidencing such Award shall incorporate the terms and conditions required by Section  409A of the Code. To the extent applicable, the Plan and Award Agreements shall be interpreted in accordance with Section  409A of the Code and Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the adoption of the Plan. With respect

 

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to any Award that is subject to Section 409A of the Code, the provisions of Sections 4(b) and 7 shall be applied in a manner that is consistent with Section  409A of the Code and Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in the event that following the adoption of the Plan, the Committee determines that any Award may be subject to Section  409A of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance (including such Department of Treasury guidance as may be issued after the adoption of the Plan), the Committee may adopt such amendments to the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, that the Committee determines are necessary or appropriate to (a)  exempt the Award from Section  409A of the Code and/or preserve the intended tax treatment of the benefits provided with respect to the Award, or (b)  comply with the requirements of Section  409A of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance and thereby avoid application of penalty taxes under Section  409A. Participants are solely responsible and liable for the satisfaction of all taxes and penalties that may arise in connection with Awards (including any taxes arising under Section  409A of the Code), and the Company shall not have any obligation to indemnify or otherwise hold any Participant harmless from any or all of such taxes.

(h) Award Agreements . Each Award hereunder shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement, which shall be delivered to the Participant and shall specify the terms and conditions of the Award and any rules applicable thereto, including, but not limited to, the effect on such Award of the death, disability or termination of employment or service of a Participant and the effect, if any, of such other events as may be determined by the Committee.

(i) No Limit on Other Compensation Arrangements . Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Company or any Affiliate from adopting or continuing in effect other compensation arrangements, which may, but need not, provide for the grant of options, restricted stock, shares and other types of equity-based awards (subject to shareholder approval if such approval is required), and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.

(j) No Right to Employment . The grant of an Award shall not be construed as giving a Participant the right to be retained as a director, officer, employee or consultant of or to the Company or any Affiliate, nor shall it be construed as giving a Participant any rights to continued service on the Board. Further, the Company or an Affiliate may at any time dismiss a Participant from employment or discontinue any consulting relationship, free from any liability or any claim under the Plan, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or in any Award Agreement.

(k) No Rights as a Shareholder . No Participant or holder or beneficiary of any Award shall have any rights as a shareholder with respect to any Shares to be distributed under the Plan until he or she has become the holder of such Shares. The rights of the Participant or holder or beneficiary shall be described in the Award Agreement or such separate agreement as shall be approved by the Committee for such purpose. Except as otherwise provided in Section 4(b), Section  7(c) or the applicable Award Agreement, no adjustments shall be made for dividends or distributions on (whether ordinary or extraordinary, and whether in cash, Shares, other securities or other property), or other events relating to, Shares subject to an Award for which the record date is prior to the date such Shares are delivered.

 

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(l) No Effect on Right or Power . The existence of the Plan and the Awards granted hereunder shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Board or the shareholders of the Company to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization, or other change in the Company’s or any Affiliate’s capital structure or its business, any merger or consolidation of the Company or any Affiliate, any issue of debt or equity securities ahead of or affecting shares representing the Company’s share capital or the rights thereof, the dissolution or liquidation of the Company or any Affiliate, any sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition of all or any part of its assets or business, or any other corporate act or proceeding.

(m) Governing Law . The validity, construction and effect of the Plan and any rules and regulations relating to the Plan and any Award Agreement shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, without giving effect to the conflict of laws provisions thereof.

(n) Severability . If any provision of the Plan or any Award is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any Person or Award, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to the applicable laws, or if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be construed or deemed stricken as to such jurisdiction, Person or Award and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.

(o) No Trust or Fund Created . Neither the Plan nor any Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company or any Affiliate, on one hand, and a Participant or any other Person, on the other hand. To the extent that any Person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company or any Affiliate pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Company or such Affiliate.

(p) No Fractional Shares . No fractional Shares shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award, and the Committee shall determine whether cash, other securities or other property shall be paid or transferred in lieu of any fractional Shares or whether such fractional Shares or any rights thereto shall be canceled, terminated or otherwise eliminated.

(q) Requirement of Consent and Notification of Election Under Section 83(b) of the Code or Similar Provision . No election under Section  83(b) of the Code (to include in gross income in the year of transfer the amounts specified in Section  83(b) of the Code) or under a similar provision of law may be made unless expressly permitted by the terms of the applicable Award Agreement or by action of the Committee in writing prior to the making of such election. If an Award recipient, in connection with the acquisition of Shares under the Plan or otherwise, is expressly permitted under the terms of the applicable Award Agreement or by such Committee action to make such an election and the Participant makes the election, the Participant shall notify the Committee of such election within ten days of filing notice of the election with the IRS or other governmental authority, in addition to any filing and notification required pursuant to regulations issued under Section  83(b) of the Code or other applicable provision.

 

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(r) Requirement of Notification Upon Disqualifying Disposition Under Section 421(b) of the Code . If any Participant shall make any disposition of Shares delivered pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option under the circumstances described in Section  421(b) of the Code (relating to certain disqualifying dispositions) or any successor provision of the Code, such Participant shall notify the Company of such disposition within ten days of such disposition.

(s) Headings . Headings are given to the Sections and subsections of the Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. Such headings shall not be deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction or interpretation of the Plan or any provision thereof.

SECTION 10. Term of the Plan .

(a) Effective Date . The Plan shall be effective as of the date of its adoption by the Board; provided, however, that no Incentive Stock Options may be granted under the Plan unless it is approved by the Company’s shareholders within twelve (12)  months before or after the date the Plan is adopted by the Board.

(b) Expiration Date . No Award shall be granted under the Plan after the tenth anniversary of the date the Plan is approved under Section 10(a). Unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or in an applicable Award Agreement, any Award granted hereunder may, and the authority of the Board or the Committee to amend, alter, adjust, suspend, discontinue or terminate any such Award or to waive any conditions or rights under any such Award shall, nevertheless continue thereafter.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company on November 28, 2018.

 

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