Noble Corp false 0001458891 0001458891 2021-03-25 2021-03-25

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 25, 2021

 

 

NOBLE CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Cayman Islands   001-36211   98-1575532
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
 

(Commission

File Number)

  (IRS Employer
Identification No.)

13135 Dairy Ashford, Suite 800

Sugar Land, Texas 77478

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 281 276-6100

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2).

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 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

 

 

 


Item 1.01

Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

Agreement and Plan of Merger

On March 25, 2021, Noble Corporation (“Noble”) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Duke Merger Sub, LLC a wholly owned subsidiary of Noble (“Merger Sub”), and Pacific Drilling Company LLC (“Pacific Drilling”), pursuant to which Noble will acquire Pacific Drilling in an all-stock transaction. The board of directors of Noble and the board of directors of Pacific Drilling have unanimously approved and adopted the Merger Agreement.

The Merger Agreement provides that Merger Sub will merge with and into Pacific Drilling (the “Merger”), with Pacific Drilling continuing as the surviving company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Noble. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”), each (a) membership interest in Pacific Drilling (the “Membership Interests”) will be converted into the right to receive the number of shares of the common stock of Noble (the “Noble Shares”) equal to the Membership Interest Exchange Ratio (as defined below) and (b) each of Pacific Drilling’s warrants outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (the “Pacific Warrants”) will be converted into the right to receive a number of Noble Shares equal to the Warrant Exchange Ratio. For purposes of the Merger Agreement, the “Membership Interest Exchange Ratio” equals (y) 16,600,000, less the Pacific Warrant Consideration Shares (as defined below), divided by (z) 2,500,000 and the “Warrant Exchange Ratio” means (a) the aggregate number of Noble Shares issuable pursuant to Section 5.1(f)(iii) of that certain Warrant Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2020, between Pacific Drilling and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as reasonably determined by the board of directors of Pacific Drilling pursuant to the terms thereof (the “Pacific Warrant Consideration Shares”) divided by (b) 441,176.

The Merger Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants by Noble, Merger Sub and Pacific Drilling. The Merger Agreement also contains customary pre-closing covenants, including the obligation of Noble and Pacific Drilling to conduct their respective businesses in the ordinary course of business and to refrain from taking specified actions without the consent of the other party. Pacific Drilling has also agreed not to directly or indirectly solicit competing acquisition proposals or to enter into discussions concerning, or provide confidential information in connection with, any alternative business combinations.

Completion of the Merger is subject to certain customary conditions, including, that no injunction shall have been entered and continue to be in effect that prohibits the consummation of the Merger, the representations and warranties of the parties being true and correct to the standards applicable to such representations and warranties and each of the covenants of the parties having been performed or complied with in all material respects. Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of these conditions, the Merger is expected to close in the second quarter of 2021.

The foregoing description of the Merger Agreement and the Merger does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, reference to the full text of the Merger Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 2.1 hereto and incorporated by reference herein.

The Merger Agreement contains representations, warranties and covenants that the respective parties made to each other as of the date of the Merger Agreement or other specific dates. The assertions embodied in those representations, warranties and covenants were made for purposes of the contract among the respective parties and are subject to important qualifications and limitations agreed to by the parties in connection with negotiating such Merger Agreement. The representations, warranties and covenants in the Merger Agreement are also modified in important part by the underlying disclosure schedules which are not filed publicly and which are subject to a contractual standard of materiality different from that generally applicable to shareholders and were used for the purpose of allocating risk among the parties rather than establishing matters as facts. Noble does not believe that these schedules contain information that is material to an investment decision.

Voting and Support Agreement

Concurrently with the entry into the Merger Agreement, Noble and certain equityholders of Pacific Drilling (each a “Member” and, collectively the “Members”), which collectively represent approximately 66% of the issued and outstanding Membership Interests and 64% of the Pacific Warrants, entered into voting and support agreements (collectively, the “Voting Agreements”) in connection with the Merger Agreement.

Among other things, each Voting Agreement requires that each Member that is party to such Voting Agreement to (a) vote (or cause to be voted) its Membership Interests (i) in favor of the approval and adoption of the Merger, the Merger Agreement and all other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (ii) among other things, against any merger agreement or merger (other than the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the transactions contemplated thereby), any action or any other takeover proposal relating to Pacific Drilling, (b) be bound by certain other covenants and

 

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agreements relating to the Merger, including the delivery of any notices and documentation required to effect a “Drag-Along Sale” as defined in the Pacific Drilling limited liability company agreement and (c) be bound by certain transfer restrictions with respect to such securities subject to certain exceptions.

The Voting Agreements will terminate upon the earliest to occur of (a) the effective time of the Merger, (b) the termination of the Merger Agreement pursuant to its terms, (c) the date on which the Merger Agreement is modified or amended in a manner that (i) reduces the merger consideration to be paid pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement (including, without limitation, the Membership Interest Exchange Ratio or the Warrant Exchange Ratio), (ii) extends the end date of the Merger Agreement beyond June 30, 2021, or (iii) alters the allocation of liability among the parties to the Merger Agreement or the members of Pacific Drilling, including by adding or modifying any indemnification rights or obligations set forth in or contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (d) termination by mutual written consent of the Member and Noble and (e) at any time upon notice by Noble to the Members.

The foregoing summary of the Voting Agreements does not purport to be complete and are subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the full text of the form of Voting Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

Registration Rights Agreement

At the closing, Noble will enter into a Registration Rights Agreement (the “RRA”) with each of the holders identified therein (the “Holders”) pursuant to which, among other things, and subject to certain limitations set forth therein, certain Holders will have customary demand and piggyback registration rights. In addition, pursuant to the RRA, certain Holders have the right to require Noble, subject to certain limitations set forth therein, to effect a distribution of any or all of their Noble Shares by means of an underwritten offering. Noble is not obligated to effect any underwritten offering unless the dollar amount of the registrable securities of the Holder(s) demanding such underwritten offering to be included therein is reasonably likely to result in gross sale proceeds of at least $20 million.

The foregoing summary of the RRA does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by, the full text of the substantially final form RRA, which is filed as Exhibit 10.2 to this Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 3.02

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

The disclosure set forth above in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference herein. The securities that may be issued in connection with the Merger Agreement will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and/or Regulation D promulgated thereunder.

 

Item 7.01

Regulation FD Disclosure.

On March 25, 2021, Noble and Pacific Drilling issued a joint press release announcing the execution of the Merger Agreement. A copy of the joint press release is furnished hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

In addition, on March 25, 2021, Noble provided supplemental information regarding the Merger in connection with a presentation to investors. A copy of the investor presentation is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2.

The information in this Item 7.01, including Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2, is furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to liabilities under that section, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into the filings of Noble under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filings. This Current Report on Form 8-K shall not be deemed an admission as to the materiality of any information in this Item 7.01, including Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Current Report on Form 8-K includes “forward looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements may include, for example, statements about: the parties’ ability to effect the transaction; the benefits of the transaction; the future financial performance of Noble following the transaction; and changes in Pacific Drilling’s strategy,

 

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future operations, financial position, estimated revenues, and losses, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management. These forward-looking statements are based on information available as of the date of this Current Report on Form 8-K, and current expectations, forecasts and assumptions, and involve a number of judgments, risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the parties’ views as of any subsequent date, and Noble and Pacific Drilling do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. As a result of a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, actual results or performance may be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Some factors that could cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to: (1) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Merger Agreement; (2) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Noble or Pacific Drilling following announcement of the business combination; (3) the inability to complete the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement due to the failure to satisfy conditions to the closing of the proposed transaction; (4) the risk that the Merger disrupts the parties’ current plans and operations as a result of the announcement and consummation of the transactions described herein; (5) the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Merger, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of the combined company to grow and manage growth profitably, maintain relationships with customers and suppliers and retain its management and key employees; (6) costs related to the proposed transaction; (7) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (8) the possibility that Noble or Pacific Drilling may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; (9) the ability of the combined company to improve its operating structure, financial results and profitability and to maintain relationships with suppliers, customers, employees and other third parties; (10) the effects of public health threats, pandemics and epidemics, such as the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19, and the adverse impact thereof on the combined company; (11) the price of the combined company’s securities and trading markets with respect thereto, including the ability to access capital markets and the global economy and financial markets generally; (12) the effects of actions by or disputes among OPEC+ members with respect to production levels or other matters related to the price of oil, market conditions, factors affecting the level of activity in the oil and gas industry, supply and demand of drilling rigs, factors affecting the duration of contracts, the actual amount of downtime, factors that reduce applicable dayrates, operating hazards and delays, and risks associated with operations outside the US; (13) actions by regulatory authorities, credit rating agencies, customers, joint venture partners, contractors, lenders and other third parties, legislation and regulations affecting drilling operations (including as a result of the change in the US presidential administration); (14) compliance with or changes in regulatory requirements, violations of anti-corruption laws, shipyard risk and timing, delays in mobilization of rigs, hurricanes and other weather conditions, and (15) the future price of oil and gas, that could cause actual plans or results to differ materially from those included in any forward-looking statements; and other factors identified in Noble’s prior and future filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, available at www.sec.gov.

 

Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Description

  2.1*    Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 25, 2021, by and among Noble Corporation, Duke Merger Sub, LLC, and Pacific Drilling Company LLC.
10.1    Form of Voting and Support Agreement.
10.2    Form of Registration Rights Agreement.
99.1    Joint Press Release, dated as of March 25, 2021.
99.2    Investor Presentation, dated as of March 25, 2021.
104    Cover Page Interactive Data File – the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.

 

*

Certain exhibits and schedules to this Exhibit have been omitted in accordance with Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. Noble agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted exhibit or schedule to the SEC upon its request.

 

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

    NOBLE CORPORATION
    By:  

/s/ William E. Turcotte

    Name:   William E. Turcotte
    Title:   Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Dated: March 25, 2021      

 

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Exhibit 2.1

Execution Version

 

 

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

by and among

NOBLE CORPORATION,

DUKE MERGER SUB, LLC

and

PACIFIC DRILLING COMPANY LLC

Dated as of March 25, 2021

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  

ARTICLE I THE MERGER

     2  

Section 1.1

   The Merger      2  

Section 1.2

   Closing      2  

Section 1.3

   Effective Time      3  

Section 1.4

   Effects of the Merger      3  

Section 1.5

   Organizational Documents of the Surviving Company      3  

Section 1.6

   Directors and Officers of the Surviving Company      3  

ARTICLE II CONVERSION OF INTERESTS; EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES

     3  

Section 2.1

   Effect on Company Interests      3  

Section 2.2

   Exchange of Certificates      5  

Section 2.3

   Further Assurances      7  

ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

     8  

Section 3.1

   Qualification, Organization, Subsidiaries, Capitalization      8  

Section 3.2

   Company Authority Relative to this Agreement; No Violation      10  

Section 3.3

   Reports and Financial Statements      11  

Section 3.4

   Internal Controls and Procedures      11  

Section 3.5

   No Undisclosed Liabilities      12  

Section 3.6

   Compliance with Law; Permits      12  

Section 3.7

   Absence of Certain Changes or Events      13  

Section 3.8

   Environmental Laws and Regulations      13  

Section 3.9

   Investigations; Litigation      13  

Section 3.10

   Investment Company      14  

Section 3.11

   Intellectual Property      14  

Section 3.12

   Properties      14  

Section 3.13

   Ownership and Maintenance of Drilling Units      15  

Section 3.14

   Tax Matters      15  

Section 3.15

   Employment and Labor Matters      18  

Section 3.16

   Employee Benefit Plans      18  

Section 3.17

   Insurance      21  

Section 3.18

   Opinion of Financial Advisor      21  

Section 3.19

   Material Contracts      21  

Section 3.20

   Finders or Brokers      22  

Section 3.21

   Anti-Bribery      22  

Section 3.22

   Export Controls and Sanctions      23  

Section 3.23

   Takeover Statutes      24  

Section 3.24

   No Additional Representations      24  

ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND MERGER SUB

     25  

Section 4.1

   Qualification, Organization, Subsidiaries, Capitalization      25  

Section 4.2

   Company Authority Relative to this Agreement; No Violation      27  

 

- i -


Section 4.3

   Reports and Financial Statements      28  

Section 4.4

   Internal Controls and Procedures      29  

Section 4.5

   No Undisclosed Liabilities      30  

Section 4.6

   Compliance with Law; Permits      30  

Section 4.7

   Absence of Certain Changes or Events      31  

Section 4.8

   Environmental Laws and Regulations      31  

Section 4.9

   Investigations; Litigation      31  

Section 4.10

   Investment Company      31  

Section 4.11

   Intellectual Property      32  

Section 4.12

   Properties      32  

Section 4.13

   Ownership and Maintenance of Drilling Units      32  

Section 4.14

   Tax Matters      33  

Section 4.15

   Employment and Labor Matters      35  

Section 4.16

   Employee Benefit Plans      36  

Section 4.17

   Insurance      38  

Section 4.18

   Opinion of Financial Advisor      38  

Section 4.19

   Material Contracts      39  

Section 4.20

   Finders or Brokers      40  

Section 4.21

   Anti-Bribery      40  

Section 4.22

   Export Controls and Sanctions      40  

Section 4.23

   No Additional Representations      41  

ARTICLE V COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS

     42  

Section 5.1

   Conduct of Business by the Company      42  

Section 5.2

   Conduct of Business by Parent and Merger Sub      45  

Section 5.3

   Access      48  

Section 5.4

   No Solicitation      49  

Section 5.5

   Filings; Other Actions      50  

Section 5.6

   Efforts; Regulatory Approvals      50  

Section 5.7

   Takeover Statutes      52  

Section 5.8

   Public Announcements      52  

Section 5.9

   Indemnification and Insurance      52  

Section 5.10

   Control of Operations      54  

Section 5.11

   Transaction Litigation      54  

Section 5.12

   Tax Matters      55  

Section 5.13

   Employee Matters      55  

Section 5.14

   Financing Matters      56  

Section 5.15

   Registration Rights Agreement      56  

Section 5.16

   Obligations of Merger Sub and the Surviving Company      56  

Section 5.17

   Buyout Notice      57  

ARTICLE VI CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER

     57  

Section 6.1

   Conditions to Each Party’s Obligation to Effect the Merger      57  

Section 6.2

   Conditions to Obligation of the Company to Effect the Merger      57  

Section 6.3

   Conditions to Obligation of Parent and Merger Sub to Effect the Merger      58  

Section 6.4

   Frustration of Closing Conditions      58  

 

- ii -


ARTICLE VII TERMINATION

     58  

Section 7.1

   Termination or Abandonment      58  

Section 7.2

   Effect of Termination      59  

ARTICLE VIII MISCELLANEOUS

     59  

Section 8.1

   No Survival      59  

Section 8.2

   Expenses      60  

Section 8.3

   Counterparts; Effectiveness      60  

Section 8.4

   Governing Law      60  

Section 8.5

   Jurisdiction; Specific Performance      60  

Section 8.6

   WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL      61  

Section 8.7

   Notices      61  

Section 8.8

   Assignment; Binding Effect      62  

Section 8.9

   Severability      63  

Section 8.10

   Entire Agreement      63  

Section 8.11

   Amendments; Waivers      63  

Section 8.12

   Headings      63  

Section 8.13

   No Third-Party Beneficiaries      63  

Section 8.14

   Interpretation      64  

Section 8.15

   Definitions      64  

 

Annex I

  

Index of Defined Terms

Exhibit A

  

Plan of Merger

Exhibit B

  

Form of Registration Rights Agreement

 

- iii -


AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

This AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this “Agreement”), dated as of March 25, 2021, is by and among Noble Corporation, a Cayman Islands exempted company (“Parent”), Duke Merger Sub, LLC, a limited liability company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands (“Merger Sub”), and Pacific Drilling Company LLC, a limited liability company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands (“Company” and, together with the Parent and Merger Sub, the “Parties”).

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement and in accordance with the Limited Liability Companies Act (as amended) of the Cayman Islands (the “LLCA”), the Parties intend that Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company (the “Merger”), with the Company continuing as the surviving company in the Merger and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (sometimes referred to in such capacity as the “Surviving Company”);

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Parent (the “Parent Board”) has approved the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Share Issuance;

WHEREAS, Parent, as the sole member of Merger Sub, has approved the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger;

WHEREAS, the Board of Managers of the Company (the “Company Board”) has approved the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger;

WHEREAS, each of the Parties intends for U.S. federal income tax purposes that the Merger shall constitute a transaction treated as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code and that this Agreement constitutes a “plan of reorganization” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Sections 1.368-2(g) and 1.368-3(a);

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, certain Company Members (the “Selling Members”) have entered into one or more voting and support agreements (the “Voting and Support Agreements”) with Parent pursuant to which such Company Members have voted their respective Membership Interests in favor of the adoption and approval of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger;

WHEREAS, the Selling Members (i) intend for the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the Merger, to constitute a Drag-Along Sale (as defined in Section 9.5(a) of the Company LLC Agreement), and to require the other Company Members to sell all of their Membership Interests to Parent and to consent to and vote in favor of such Drag-Along Sale, and (ii) have agreed pursuant to the Voting and Support Agreements to cause the Company to deliver to each other Company Member a written notice (a “Buyout Notice”), in a form satisfying the requirements of Section 9.5(a) of the Company LLC Agreement and stating, among other things, that such Selling Members propose to effect the sale, pursuant to this Agreement, of all the Membership Interests for the Merger Consideration;


WHEREAS, upon receipt of the Buyout Notice and as provided in Section 9.5(a) of the Company LLC Agreement, each Company Member is obligated to sell all of its Membership Interests for the purchase price set forth in the Buyout Notice and upon the other terms and conditions of such Drag-Along Sale and to consent to and vote in favor of such Drag-Along Sale (and otherwise take all reasonably necessary action to cause consummation of the proposed Drag-Along Sale);

WHEREAS, by virtue of the approval by the Company Board of the Drag-Along Sale (an “Approved Sale”) and as provided in Section 9.5(b) of the Company LLC Agreement, each Company Member must (i) include its Membership Interests in the Approved Sale, (ii) vote in favor thereof and consent thereto, and (iii) use its best efforts to cooperate in the Approved Sale and will take all necessary and desirable actions (and if any Member fails to do so, the Company is automatically authorized, as a term of the Membership Interests in the Company LLC Agreement, to take such actions in respect of any such Membership Interests) in connection with the consummation of the Approved Sale as are reasonably requested by the Company Board, including by waiving any appraisal or similar rights with respect to the Approved Sale and executing any action by written consent of the Company Members; and

WHEREAS, the Parties desire to make certain representations, warranties, covenants and agreements specified herein in connection with this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, Parent, Merger Sub and the Company agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

THE MERGER

Section 1.1 The Merger. At the Effective Time, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the LLCA, Merger Sub shall be merged with and into the Company, whereupon the separate existence of Merger Sub shall cease, and the Company shall continue its existence under the LLCA as the Surviving Company in the Merger and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent.

Section 1.2 Closing. The closing of the Merger (the “Closing”) shall take place at the offices of Kirkland & Ellis LLP, 609 Main Street, Houston, Texas on the earliest to occur of (a) April 15, 2021, (b) if the conditions set forth in Article VI have not been satisfied by April 15, 2021 (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or waiver of such conditions), as soon as practicable (and in any event within two (2) business days) after the satisfaction or waiver (to the extent permitted by applicable Law) of such conditions, and (c) such other date and time as the Company and Parent may agree in writing. The date on which the Closing actually occurs is referred to as the “Closing Date.

 

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Section 1.3 Effective Time. On the Closing Date, the Company and Merger Sub shall file with the Registrar of Companies of the Cayman Islands a plan of merger, substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto (such plan of merger, together with such other amendments agreed between the Company and the Merger Sub, the “Plan of Merger”) and such documents as may be required in accordance with the applicable provisions of the LLCA (including a declaration and undertaking by a manager of Merger Sub and a manager of the Company made in accordance with Section 49(9) of the LLCA) (collectively, the “Cayman Merger Documents”), each executed in accordance with, and containing such information as is required by, the relevant provisions of the LLCA in order to effect the Merger. The Merger shall become effective at such time as the Plan of Merger has been registered by the Registrar of Limited Liability Companies of the Cayman Islands or at such other, later date and time as is agreed between the Parties and specified in the Plan of Merger in accordance with the relevant provisions of the LLCA (being no later than the ninetieth (90th) day after the date of such registration) (such date and time is hereinafter referred to as the “Effective Time”).

Section 1.4 Effects of the Merger. The effects of the Merger shall be as provided in this Agreement and in the applicable provisions of the LLCA. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and subject thereto, at the Effective Time, all of the property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of the Company and Merger Sub shall vest in the Surviving Company, and all debts, liabilities and duties of the Company and Merger Sub shall become the debts, liabilities and duties of the Surviving Company, all as provided under the LLCA.

Section 1.5 Organizational Documents of the Surviving Company. At the Effective Time, the limited liability company agreement of Merger Sub as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time will remain unchanged and will be the limited liability company agreement of the Surviving Company until duly amended in accordance with the terms thereof and applicable Law.

Section 1.6 Directors and Officers of the Surviving Company. Subject to applicable Law, the directors and officers of Merger Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the initial directors and officers of the Surviving Company and shall hold office until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified, or their earlier death, resignation or removal.

ARTICLE II

CONVERSION OF INTERESTS; EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATES

Section 2.1 Effect on Company Interests.

(a) At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of Parent, the Company, Merger Sub or the holder of any Company Interests or limited liability company interests of Merger Sub:

(i) Limited Liability Company Interests of Merger Sub. The limited liability company interests of Merger Sub issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into and become limited liability company interests of the Surviving Company and shall constitute the only outstanding limited liability company interests of the Surviving Company and the Surviving Company shall procure that its register of members shall be updated to reflect such issuance.

 

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(ii) Cancellation of Certain Company Interests. All Company Interests issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time that are owned by Parent or Merger Sub or any of their respective Subsidiaries shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be cancelled and shall cease to exist (the “Cancelled Company Interests”), no consideration shall be delivered in exchange therefor and the register of members of the Company shall be updated accordingly.

(iii) Conversion of Company Interests. Subject to the other provisions of Article II, (A) each Membership Interest issued and outstanding immediately prior to or upon the Effective Time, excluding any Cancelled Company Interests, shall be converted automatically into and shall thereafter represent the right to receive a number of Parent Shares equal to the Membership Interest Exchange Ratio, (B) each Company Warrant issued and outstanding immediately prior to or upon the Effective Time, excluding any Cancelled Company Interests, shall be converted automatically into and shall thereafter represent the right to receive a number of Parent Shares equal to the Warrant Exchange Ratio (the aggregate consideration paid pursuant to this subsection (iii), the “Merger Consideration”), and (C) any such Parent Shares to be newly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and the Parent shall procure that its register of members shall be updated to reflect the Share Issuance upon the issuance of such Parent Shares following the Effective Time upon receipt of an applicable Letter of Transmittal.

All Company Interests converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration pursuant to this Article II shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be cancelled and shall cease to exist as of the Effective Time, and the register of members shall be updated accordingly. Each registered holder a Company Interest immediately prior to the Effective Time shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except the right to receive the Merger Consideration into which the Company Interests have been converted pursuant to this Section 2.1, as well as any amounts to which holders of Company Interests become entitled in accordance with Section 2.2(e). Any certificate (“Certificate”) representing any Company Interest immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be automatically cancelled with effect from the Effective Time.

(b) Appraisal Rights. No appraisal rights or similar rights shall be available with respect to the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby by virtue of (i) the waiver thereof by the Selling Members the obligation of the other Company Members under Section 9.5(a) of the Company LLC Agreement to take all reasonably necessary action to cause consummation of the proposed Drag-Along Sale, which includes a waiver of such rights, and (ii) the Company Board’s approval of the Approved Sale and the consequent waiver of such rights as contemplated by Section 9.5(b) of the Company LLC Agreement.

(c) Certain Adjustments. If, between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Time (and as permitted by Article V), the outstanding Parent Shares shall have been changed into, or exchanged for, a different number of shares or a different class of shares by reason of any stock dividend, subdivision, reorganization, reclassification, recapitalization, share split, reverse share split, combination or exchange of shares, or a stock dividend shall be declared with a record date within such period, or any similar event shall have occurred, then the Membership Interest Exchange Ratio and the Warrant Exchange Ratio shall be equitably adjusted, without duplication, to proportionally reflect such change; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 2.1(c) shall be construed to permit the Parent to take any action with respect to its securities that is prohibited by Section 5.1 or the other terms of this Agreement.

 

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(d) No Fractional Shares. No certificates or scrip or shares representing fractional Parent Shares shall be issued upon the exchange of Company Interests and such fractional share interests will not entitle the owner thereof to vote or to have any rights of a shareholder of Parent or a holder of Parent Shares. In lieu of any fractional Parent Share to which each holder of Company Interests would otherwise be entitled, the Exchange Agent shall round up or down to the nearest whole Parent Share, with a fraction of 0.5 rounded up. No cash settlements shall be made with respect to fractional shares eliminated by rounding.

Section 2.2 Exchange of Certificates.

(a) Exchange Agent. Prior to the Closing Date, Parent shall appoint a bank or trust company that is reasonably acceptable to the Company to act as exchange agent (the “Exchange Agent”) for the payment of the Merger Consideration and shall enter into an agreement relating to the Exchange Agent’s responsibilities under this Agreement.

(b) Exchange Fund. As of the Effective Time, Parent shall allot to each holder of record of Company Interests such whole number of Parent Shares as such holder is entitled to receive under Section 2.1(a)(iii), which allotment shall be conditional only upon (and such Parent Shares shall be issuable upon) compliance with Section 2.2(d) (such Parent Shares as are allotted to the holders of record of Company Interests, together with any dividends or distributions with respect thereto, the “Exchange Fund”).

(c) Exchange Procedures. As soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Time and in any event within five (5) business days of the Closing Date, Parent shall cause the Exchange Agent to mail to each holder of record of Company Interests (i) a letter of transmittal (which shall specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to the Certificates shall pass (as applicable), only upon delivery of the Certificates to the Exchange Agent and shall be in such form and have such other provisions as Parent and the Company may reasonably agree upon prior to the Effective Time) (the “Letter of Transmittal”) and (ii) instructions for use in effecting the surrender of Company Interests in exchange for the Merger Consideration and any amounts to which such holders of Company Interests become entitled in accordance with Section 2.2(e).

(d) Surrender of Company Interests. Upon surrender of Company Interests to the Exchange Agent, if applicable, together with a Letter of Transmittal, duly completed and validly executed in accordance with the instructions thereto, and such other documents as may customarily be required by the Exchange Agent, the holder of such Company Interests shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor the Merger Consideration deliverable in respect of the shares represented by such Company Interests pursuant to this Agreement and amounts to which such Company Interests become entitled in accordance with Section 2.2(e). In the event of a transfer of ownership of Company Interests that is not registered in the register of members of the Company, any Parent Shares to be issued upon due surrender of the Certificate formerly representing such Company Interests may be issued to a transferee if such Company Interest is presented to the Exchange Agent, accompanied by all documents required to evidence and effect such transfer and to evidence that any applicable membership interests transfer or other similar Taxes have been paid or are not applicable. Until surrendered as contemplated by this Section 2.2, each Company Interest shall be deemed at any time after the Effective Time to represent only the right to receive, upon such surrender, the Merger Consideration deliverable in respect of the interests represented by such Company Interests pursuant to this Agreement and any amounts to which such Company Interests become entitled in accordance with Section 2.2(e).

 

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(e) Treatment of Unexchanged Equity. No dividends or other distributions, if any, with a record date after the Effective Time with respect to Parent Shares (or amounts in respect thereof), shall be paid to the holder of any unsurrendered Company Interests to be converted into Parent Shares pursuant to Section 2.1(a)(iii) until such holder shall surrender such share in accordance with this Section 2.2. After the surrender in accordance with this Section 2.2 of Company Interests to be converted into Parent Shares pursuant to Section 2.1(a)(iii), the holder thereof shall be entitled to receive (in addition to the Merger Consideration) an amount equal to any such dividends or other distributions, without any interest thereon, which had been paid upon a Parent Share prior to such time (or had been declared prior to such time but are unpaid at such time) multiplied by the number of Parent Shares being issued to such holder.

(f) No Further Ownership Rights in Company Interests. The Merger Consideration delivered in accordance with the terms of this Article II upon conversion of any Company Interests, together with any amounts to which such Company Interests become entitled in accordance with Section 2.2(e), shall be deemed to have been delivered and paid in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to such Company Interests. From and after the Effective Time, (i) all holders of Company Interests shall cease to have any rights as membership interest or warrant holders of the Company other than the right to receive the Merger Consideration into which the membership interests represented by such Company Interests have been converted pursuant to this Agreement in accordance with Section 2.2(d) (together with any amounts to which such Company Interests become entitled in accordance with Section 2.2(e)), without interest, and (ii) the register of members of the Company shall be closed with respect to all Company Interests outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and there shall be no further registration of transfers on the transfer books of the Surviving Company of Company Interests that were outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time. If, after the Effective Time, any Company Interests are presented to the Surviving Company, Parent or the Exchange Agent for any reason, such Company Interests shall be cancelled and exchanged as provided in this Article II.

(g) Investment of Exchange Fund. The Exchange Agent shall invest any cash included in the Exchange Fund, if any, as directed by Parent; provided, however, that no such investment or loss thereon shall affect the amounts payable to holders of Company Interests pursuant to this Article II, and following any losses from any such investment, Parent shall promptly provide additional funds to the Exchange Agent for the benefit of the holders of Company Interests at the Effective Time in the amount of such losses, which additional funds will be deemed to be part of the Exchange Fund. Any interest or other income resulting from such investments shall be paid to Parent, upon demand.

(h) Termination of Exchange Fund. Any portion of the Exchange Fund (including any interest or other amounts received with respect thereto) that remains unclaimed by, or otherwise undistributed to, the holders of Company Interests for two hundred seventy (270) days after the Effective Time shall be delivered to Parent, upon demand, and any holder of Company Interests who has not theretofore complied with this Article II shall thereafter look only to Parent or the Surviving Company (subject to abandoned property, escheat or other similar Laws), as general creditors thereof, for satisfaction of its claim for Merger Consideration and any dividends and distributions which such holder has the right to receive pursuant to this Article II without any interest thereon.

 

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(i) No Liability. None of Parent, the Company, the Surviving Company, Merger Sub or the Exchange Agent shall be liable to any person in respect of any portion of the Exchange Fund or the Merger Consideration delivered to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar Law. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, any portion of the Merger Consideration or any cash to be paid in accordance with this Article II that remains undistributed to the holders of Company Interests as of the second anniversary of the Effective Time (or immediately prior to such earlier date on which the Merger Consideration or such cash would otherwise escheat to or become the property of any Governmental Entity), shall, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, become the property of the Parent, free and clear of all claims or interest of any person previously entitled thereto.

(j) Withholding Rights. Each of the Surviving Company, the Company, Parent, Merger Sub and the Exchange Agent, and their respective affiliates (without duplication), shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from any consideration payable pursuant to this Agreement such amounts as it is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment under applicable Law; provided, however, that Parent shall provide at least five (5) days’ (or as soon as practical if such amount that is required to be deducted or withheld is due to a change in applicable Law) written notice to the Company if Parent intends to withhold any amounts under this Section 2.2(j) and Company and Parent shall cooperate in good faith to reduce or eliminate such withholding. To the extent that such amounts are so properly deducted or withheld and paid over to the relevant Tax authority, such deducted or withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the Person with respect to which such amounts would have been paid absent such deduction or withholding, and if withholding is taken in Parent Shares, the relevant withholding agent shall be treated as having sold such Parent Shares on behalf of such Person for an amount of cash equal to the fair market value thereof at the time of such deemed sale and paid such cash proceeds to the relevant Tax authority. To the extent that amounts are so withheld and paid over to the appropriate Tax authority, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the holder of the Company Interests in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made.

(k) Lost Certificates. If any Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming such Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if required by Parent or the Exchange Agent, the posting by such person of a bond in such amount as Parent or the Exchange Agent may determine is reasonably necessary as indemnity against any claim that may be made against it or the Surviving Company with respect to such Certificate, the Exchange Agent (or, if subsequent to the termination of the Exchange Fund and subject to Section 2.2(h), Parent) shall deliver, in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate, the Merger Consideration and any dividends and distributions deliverable in respect thereof pursuant to this Agreement.

Section 2.3 Further Assurances. If at any time before or after the Effective Time, Parent, the Surviving Company or the Company reasonably believes or is advised that any further instruments, deeds, assignments or assurances are reasonably necessary or desirable to consummate the Merger or to carry out the purposes and intent of this Agreement at or after the

 

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Effective Time, then Parent, Merger Sub, the Surviving Company and the Company and their respective officers, managers and directors shall execute and deliver all such proper instruments, deeds, assignments or assurances and do all other things reasonably necessary or desirable to consummate the Merger and to carry out the intent and purposes of this Agreement.

ARTICLE III

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

Except as disclosed in the disclosure schedule delivered by the Company to Parent immediately prior to the execution of this Agreement (the “Company Disclosure Schedule”) (each section of which qualifies the correspondingly numbered representation, warranty or covenant if specified therein and such other representations, warranties or covenants where its relevance as an exception to (or disclosure for purposes of) such other representation, warranty or covenant is reasonably apparent), the Company represents and warrants to Parent as follows:

Section 3.1 Qualification, Organization, Subsidiaries, Capitalization.

(a) The Company is a Cayman Islands limited liability company duly organized and validly existing under the Laws of the Cayman Islands. The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and assets and to carry on its business as presently conducted except for any such failures to have such power and authority as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Each of the Company’s Subsidiaries is a legal entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (where such concept is recognized under applicable Law) under the Laws of its jurisdiction of organization and has the requisite entity capacity, power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and assets and to carry on its business as presently conducted, except where the failure to be in good standing or to have such power or authority would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries is duly qualified or licensed, and has all necessary governmental approvals, to do business and is in good standing as a foreign entity (where such concept is recognized under applicable Law) in each jurisdiction in which the property owned, leased or operated by it or the nature of the business conducted by it makes such approvals, qualification or licensing necessary, except where the failure to be so duly approved, qualified or licensed and in good standing would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(b) The Company has made available to Parent, prior to the date hereof, true and complete copies of the certificate of incorporation, bylaws, articles of association, limited liability company agreement or comparable constituent or organizational documents for the Company and each of its material Subsidiaries as identified in Section 3.1(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule (the “Company Material Subsidiaries”), in each case as amended to and in effect as of the date hereof (collectively, the “Company Organizational Documents”). The Company is not in violation, and none of the Company’s Subsidiaries is in material violation, of any of the Company Organizational Documents.

 

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(c) The authorized Membership Interests consists of one class of equity interests. As of the close of business on March 24, 2021, 2,500,000 Membership Interests were issued and outstanding and 441,176 Company Warrants were issued and outstanding. All outstanding Company Interests are, and all such Company Interests that may be issued prior to the Effective Time, when issued in accordance with the respective terms thereof, will be, duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free of preemptive rights. Except as set forth in this Section 3.1(c) and Section 3.1(c) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, there are no outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, convertible securities, exchangeable securities or other similar rights, agreements or commitments to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party (A) obligating the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to (1) issue, transfer, exchange, sell or register for sale any equity interests of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or securities convertible into or exchangeable for such equity interests, (2) grant, extend or enter into any such subscription, option, warrant, call, convertible securities or other similar right, agreement or arrangement, (3) redeem or otherwise acquire any such equity interests, (4) provide a material amount of funds to, or make any material investment (in the form of a loan, capital contribution or otherwise) in, any Subsidiary or (5) make any payment to any person the value of which is derived from or calculated based on the value of any equity security issued by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (B) granting any preemptive or antidilutive or similar rights with respect to any publicly traded security issued by the Company or its Subsidiaries.

(d) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has outstanding bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness, the holders of which have the right to vote (or which are convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for securities having the right to vote) with the Company Members on any matter.

(e) Other than the Voting and Support Agreements and the Company Organizational Documents, there are no voting trusts or other agreements or understandings to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party with respect to the voting or registration of the equity interests of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

(f) Except as set forth on Section 3.1(f) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, (i) no Subsidiary of the Company owns any equity interests of the Company and (ii) the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company owns, directly or indirectly, all of the issued and outstanding equity interests of each Subsidiary of the Company, free and clear of any preemptive rights and any Liens other than the Company Permitted Liens, and all of such equity interests are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable (where such concept is applicable and recognized under applicable Law) and free of preemptive rights. Except for equity interests in the Company’s Subsidiaries, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries owns, directly or indirectly, any equity interest in any person (or any security or other right, agreement or commitment convertible or exercisable into, or exchangeable for, any equity interest in any person). Except for any obligations pursuant to this Agreement, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any obligation to acquire any equity interest, security, right, agreement or commitment or to provide funds to or make any investment (in the form of a loan, capital contribution or otherwise) in, any person. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any obligation to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any equity interests of the Company or any such Subsidiary.

 

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Section 3.2 Company Authority Relative to this Agreement; No Violation.

(a) The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, the Cayman Merger Documents to which it is a party and each other document to be entered into by the Company in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby (together with this Agreement, the “Company Transaction Documents”) and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including the Merger. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Company Transaction Documents and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly and validly authorized by the Company Board and no other corporate action on the part of the Company or vote of the Company Members is necessary to authorize the execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement and the other Company Transaction Documents and the consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The Company Board has unanimously duly and validly adopted resolutions approving this Agreement and the other Company Transaction Documents and the other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including the Merger. The Company Board has further approved this Agreement as an ‘Approved Sale’ as contemplated by Section 9.5(b) of the Company LLC Agreement. None of the aforementioned resolutions, as of the date hereof, have been rescinded, modified or withdrawn in any way. Each of the Company Transaction Documents has been or will be duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming each such Company Transaction Document has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each other counterparty thereto, each of the Company Transaction Documents constitutes or will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as such enforcement may be subject to (A) the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, administration, arrangement, moratorium or other Laws affecting or relating to creditors’ rights generally or (B) the rules governing the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies and general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law (the “Remedies Exceptions”).

(b) Other than in connection with or in compliance with (i) the CLCI, (ii) the filing of the Cayman Merger Documents with the Registrar of Limited Liability Companies of the Cayman Islands, and (iii) the approvals set forth in Section 3.2(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule (collectively, the “Company Approvals”), and, subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of Parent and Merger Sub in Section 4.2(b), no authorization, consent, Order, license, permit or approval of, or registration, declaration, notice or filing with, or notice to, any United States, state of the United States or non-United States governmental or regulatory agency, commission, court, body, entity or authority, independent system operator, regional transmission organization, other market administrator, international treaty or standards organization, or national, regional or state reliability organization (each, a “Governmental Entity”) is necessary, under applicable Law, for the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby, except for such authorizations, consents, Orders, licenses, permits, approvals or filings that, if not obtained or made, would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(c) The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement do not, and (assuming the Company Approvals are obtained) the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and compliance with the provisions hereof will not (i) result in any loss, suspension, limitation or impairment of any right of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to own or use any assets required for the conduct of their business or result in any violation of, or default (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both) under, or give rise to any

 

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right of termination, cancellation, first offer, first refusal, modification or acceleration of any material obligation or to the loss of a benefit under any loan, guarantee of indebtedness or credit agreement, note, bond, mortgage, indenture, lease, agreement, contract, instrument, permit, concession, franchise, right or license binding upon the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or by which or to which any of their respective properties, rights or assets are bound or subject, or result in the creation of any liens, claims, mortgages, encumbrances, pledges, security interests, equities or charges of any kind (each, a “Lien”) (other than the Company Permitted Liens and any Liens created in connection with any action taken by Parent or its affiliates), in each case, upon any of the properties or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any contract to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of their respective properties or assets are bound, (ii) conflict with or result in any violation of any provision of the Company Organizational Documents or (iii) conflict with or violate any applicable Laws, except in the case of clauses (i) and (iii) for such losses, suspensions, limitations, impairments, conflicts, violations, defaults, terminations, cancellations, accelerations, or Liens as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.

Section 3.3 Reports and Financial Statements.

(a) The Company Financial Statements (including all related notes and schedules thereto) of the Company provided by the Company to Parent (i) fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries, as at the respective dates thereof, and the consolidated results of their operations and their consolidated cash flows for the respective periods then ended (subject, in the case of the unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments and any other adjustments described therein), (ii) were prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may be indicated therein or in the notes thereto), and (iii) have been prepared from, and are in accordance with, the books and records of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries.

(b) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to, nor does it have any commitment to become a party to, any joint venture, off-balance sheet partnership or any similar contract (including any contract relating to any transaction or relationship between or among the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any unconsolidated affiliate, including any structured finance, special purpose or limited purpose entity or person, on the other hand) or any “off-balance sheet arrangements” (as defined in Item 303(a) of Regulation S-K of the SEC).

Section 3.4 Internal Controls and Procedures. The Company has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting (as such terms are defined in paragraphs (e) and (f), respectively, of Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act) as required by Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act. Based on its most recent evaluation of internal controls over financial reporting prior to the date hereof, which has been provided to Parent, management of the Company has disclosed to the Company’s auditors and the audit committee of the Company Board, if any, (a) any significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting that are reasonably likely to adversely affect in any material respect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information and (b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, and each such deficiency, weakness and fraud so disclosed to auditors, if any, has been disclosed to Parent prior to the date hereof.

 

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Section 3.5 No Undisclosed Liabilities. There are no liabilities or obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, whether known or unknown and whether accrued, absolute, determined or contingent, that would be required by GAAP to be reflected on a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries (including the notes thereto), except for (a) liabilities or obligations disclosed and provided for in the most recent balance sheets included in the Company Financial Statements (or in the notes thereto) filed and publicly available prior to the date of this Agreement, (b) liabilities or obligations incurred in accordance with or in connection with this Agreement, (c) liabilities or obligations incurred since December 31, 2020 in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice since the date of such balance sheet, (d) liabilities or obligations that have been discharged or paid in full, and (v) liabilities or obligations that have not had and would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.

Section 3.6 Compliance with Law; Permits.

(a) The Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with, and are not in default under or in violation of, any applicable international, federal, state, local or foreign law, act, statute, code, ordinance, rule, common law principle, regulation (including the non-applicability of anti-takeover laws), convention, treaty, judgment, Order, injunction, decree or agency requirement of any Governmental Entity (collectively, “Laws” and each, a “Law”), except where such non-compliance, default or violation would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect. Since January 1, 2020, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any written notice or, to the Company’s knowledge, other communication from any Governmental Entity regarding any actual or possible violation of, or failure to comply with, any Law, except as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(b) The Company and its Subsidiaries are in possession of all franchises, grants, authorizations, licenses, concessions, permits, easements, variances, exceptions, consents, certificates, approvals, clearances, permissions, financial assurance instruments, qualifications and registrations and Orders of all applicable Governmental Entities necessary for the Company and its Subsidiaries to own, lease and operate their properties and assets and to carry on their businesses as they are now being conducted (the “Company Permits”) and have filed all necessary tariffs, reports, notices and other documents with all Governmental Entities, in each case, except where the failure to have such Company Permits or to have filed such tariffs, reports, notices or other documents would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect. All the Company Permits are valid and in full force and effect and are not subject to any administrative or judicial proceeding that could reasonably be expected to result in modification, termination or revocation thereof, except where the failure to be in full force and effect or any modification, termination or revocation thereof would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries is in compliance with the terms and requirements of all material Company Permits, except where the failure to be in compliance would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(c) Except as set forth in Section 3.6(c) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, each drilling unit owned or leased by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries which is subject to classification is in class and free of suspension or cancellation to class, and is registered under the flag of its flag jurisdiction.

Section 3.7 Absence of Certain Changes or Events.

(a) From December 31, 2020 through the date of this Agreement, except in connection with the negotiation and execution of this Agreement, the businesses of the Company and its Subsidiaries have been conducted in all material respects in the ordinary course of business.

(b) Since December 31, 2020, there has not been any event, change, effect, development, occurrence or state of facts that has had or would have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.

Section 3.8 Environmental Laws and Regulations. Except as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect (a) there are no investigations, actions, suits or proceedings (whether administrative or judicial) pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or related to their operations), alleging non-compliance with or other liability under any Environmental Law, (b) the Company and its Subsidiaries are, and since January 1, 2018 have been, in compliance with all Environmental Laws (which compliance includes the possession by the Company and each of its Subsidiaries of all franchises, grants, authorizations, licenses, concessions, permits, easements, variances, exceptions, consents, certificates, approvals, clearances, permissions, financial assurance instruments, qualifications and registrations required under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their respective business and operations, and compliance with the terms and conditions thereof), (c) none of the Company and its Subsidiaries is subject to any Order or is subject to any obligations or liabilities under applicable Environmental Laws or concerning Hazardous Materials or Releases of Hazardous Materials, and (d) none of the Company and its Subsidiaries has received any unresolved written claim, notice, complaint or request for information from a Governmental Entity or any other person relating to actual or alleged noncompliance with or liability under applicable Environmental Laws (including any such liability or obligation arising under, retained or assumed by contract or by operation of law).

Section 3.9 Investigations; Litigation. Except as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, (a) there is no investigation or review pending (or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened) by any Governmental Entity with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (b) there are no claims, actions, suits, charges, complaints, inquiries, investigations, arbitrations or administrative or other proceedings, or any subpoenas, civil investigative demands or other requests for information, relating to potential violations of Law pending (or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened) against, by or affecting the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective properties, (c) there are no Orders, injunctions, judgments or decrees of, or before, any Governmental Entity pending (or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened to be imposed) against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and (d) the Company Confirmation Order is in full force and effect and has not been reversed, modified, or stayed, except with the written consent of Parent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).

 

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Section 3.10 Investment Company. None of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company” within the meaning of the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Section 3.11 Intellectual Property.

(a) Except as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, either the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company owns, or is licensed or otherwise possesses valid rights to use, free and clear of Liens other than the Company Permitted Liens, all trademarks, trade names, service marks, service names, mark registrations, logos, assumed names, domain names, registered and unregistered copyrights, patents or applications and registrations, trade secrets and other intellectual property rights necessary to their respective businesses as currently conducted (collectively, the “Company Intellectual Property”), and no third party has ownership rights or license rights to improvements made by the Company in the Company Intellectual Property. Except as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, (i) there are no pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened claims by any person alleging infringement, misappropriation or other violation by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any intellectual property rights of any person, (ii) to the Company’s knowledge, the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries does not infringe, misappropriate or otherwise violate any intellectual property rights of any person, (iii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has made any claim of a violation, infringement or misappropriation by others of the Company’s or any its Subsidiaries’ rights to or in connection with the Company Intellectual Property and (iv) to the Company’s knowledge, no person is infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating any Company Intellectual Property.

(b) Except as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, the Company and its Subsidiaries have implemented (i) commercially reasonable measures to protect the confidentiality, integrity and security of the Company IT Assets (and all information and transactions stored or contained therein or transmitted thereby); and (ii) commercially reasonable data backup, data storage, system redundancy and disaster avoidance and recovery procedures, as well as a commercially reasonable business continuity plan, in each case consistent with customary industry practices.

Section 3.12 Properties.

(a) Except as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, the Company and its Subsidiaries have good and marketable title to all real property owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and good and valid leasehold interest to all real property which is leased, subleased, licensed or otherwise occupied by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (the “Company Leased Real Property”), in each case free and clear of all Liens (other than the Company Permitted Liens).

 

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(b) Except as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, the Company and its Subsidiaries have good and marketable title to, or have valid rights to lease or otherwise use, all items of personal property that are material to the respective businesses of the Company and its Subsidiaries, in each case free and clear of all Liens (other than the Company Permitted Liens).

Section 3.13 Ownership and Maintenance of Drilling Units.

(a) Except as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, either the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company has good and marketable title to the drilling units listed in the Company’s most recent fleet status report, a true and complete copy of which has been provided to Parent by Company (the “Company Fleet Report”), in each case free and clear of all Liens except for the Company Permitted Liens and no such drilling unit or any related asset is leased under an operating lease from a lessor that, to the Company’s knowledge, has incurred non-recourse indebtedness to finance the acquisition or construction of such asset.

(b) Except as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, the drilling units listed in the Company Fleet Report have been maintained consistent with general practice in the offshore drilling industry and are in good operating condition and repair, subject to ordinary wear and tear.

Section 3.14 Tax Matters.

(a) Except as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect or as set forth on Section 3.14(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule:

(i) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries and each affiliated, consolidated, combined, unitary or similar group that includes the Company or any of its Subsidiaries have duly and timely filed or caused to be filed (taking into account any valid extension of time within which to file) all Tax Returns required to be filed by any of them and all such Tax Returns are true, complete and accurate.

(ii) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have timely paid all Taxes that are required to be paid by any of them or that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries are obligated to withhold from amounts owing to any employee, independent contractor, creditor, shareholder or third party (in each case, whether or not shown on any Tax Return), except with respect to matters contested in good faith through appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP.

(iii) No Tax Return of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is the subject of an audit, examination investigation or other proceeding, and there are no audits, examinations, investigations or other proceedings pending or threatened in writing in respect of Taxes or Tax matters of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. No claim, assessment, deficiency, or proposed adjustment for Taxes has been assessed or asserted by any Governmental Entity, in each case, which has not been paid in full or finally resolved with no currently unpaid payment due.

 

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(iv) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is currently the beneficiary of any waivers of any limitation periods or agreements providing for an extension of time for the filing of any Tax Return, the assessment or collection thereof by any relevant Tax authority or the payment of any Tax by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. There are no requests for rulings or determinations in respect of any Tax pending between the Company, on the one hand, and any Governmental Entity, on the other hand.

(v) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liability for the Taxes of any person (other than Taxes of the Company or its Subsidiaries) (A) under Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. Tax Law), (B) as a transferee or successor or (C) by Contract (other than Contracts exclusively between or among one or more of the Company and its Subsidiaries and other than as customary Tax indemnifications contained in ordinary course commercial agreements or arrangements that are not primarily related to Taxes).

(vi) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liability pursuant to any Tax sharing, allocation or indemnification agreement or arrangement (other than such an agreement or arrangement exclusively between or among one or more of the Company and its Subsidiaries and other than as customary Tax indemnifications contained in ordinary course commercial agreements or arrangements that are not primarily related to Taxes).

(vii) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries will be required to include any item of income in, or exclude any item or deduction from, taxable income for any taxable period beginning after the Closing Date or, in the case of any taxable period beginning on or before and ending after the Closing Date, the portion of such period beginning after the Closing Date, as a result of: (i) an installment sale or open transaction disposition that occurred prior to the Closing; (ii) any change in or use of an improper method of accounting prior to the Closing, including by reason of the application of Section 481 of the Code (or any analogous provision of state, local or foreign Tax law); or (iii) a prepaid amount received or deferred revenue accrued on or prior to the Closing.

(viii) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has been a party to a transaction that is a “listed transaction,” as such term is defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.6011-4(b)(2), or any other transaction requiring disclosure under analogous provisions of state, local or non-U.S. Tax Law.

(ix) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any closing agreement described in Section 7121 of the Code or any predecessor provision thereof or any similar agreement under state, local or non-U.S. Tax Law, and, with respect to any of the past three taxable years, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has requested any private ruling issued by any Governmental Entity in respect of Taxes.

(x) There are no Liens for Taxes on any asset of the Company or its Subsidiaries, except for Liens for Taxes not yet due or delinquent.

 

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(xi) No written claim has been received by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries from a Governmental Entity in a jurisdiction where such entity does not file Tax Returns that it is or may be subject to taxation by such jurisdiction.

(xii) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any unpaid liability under Section 965(a) of the Code.

(b) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is or was a “surrogate foreign corporation” within the meaning of Section 7874(a)(2)(B) of the Code.

(c) The Company (i) is a corporation for U.S. federal income Tax purposes and (ii) is not a “United States person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries beneficially owns shares or other equity interests of Parent or any of Parent’s affiliates.

(d) Except as set forth on Section 3.14(d) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has ever been a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group filing for U.S. federal, state or local income Tax purposes, other than the group of which Pacific Drilling LLC, a New York limited liability company, is the common parent.

(e) The Company and each Subsidiary is not and, within the past three years, has not been either a passive foreign investment company within the meaning of Section 1297 of the Code or a controlled foreign corporation within the meaning of Section 957 of the Code.

(f) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries has (i) to the extent applicable, properly complied with all requirements of applicable Tax Law in order to defer the amount of the employer’s share of any “applicable employment taxes” under Section 2302 of the CARES Act, (ii) not deferred any payroll Tax obligations pursuant to any Payroll Tax Executive Order, (iii) to the extent applicable, properly complied with all requirements of applicable Tax Law and duly accounted for any available Tax credits under Sections 7001 through 7005 of the Families First Act and Section 2301 of the CARES Act, and (iv) not sought (nor has any Affiliate that would be aggregated with the Company and treated as one employer for purposes of Section 2301 of the CARES Act sought) a covered loan under paragraph (36) of Section 7(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(a)), as added by Section 1102 of the CARES Act.

(g) As of the date hereof, the Company has no knowledge of any facts or of any reason that (when taken together with the Company’s understanding of other relevant facts) would reasonably be expected to cause Parent to be treated, following the completion of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, as a domestic corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Section 7874 of the Code.

(h) Within the past three (3) years, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has been a “distributing corporation” or a “controlled corporation” (within the meaning of Section 355(a)(1)(A) of the Code) (i) in a distribution intended to qualify for tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the Code or so much of section 356 of the Code as relates to Section 355 of the Code (or a similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. Tax Law), or (ii) or as part of a “plan” or “series of related transactions” (within the meaning of Section 355(e) of the Code) in conjunction with the Merger.

 

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(i) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has taken or agreed to take any action not contemplated by this Agreement or any Company Transaction Document that could reasonably be expected to prevent the Merger from qualifying for the Intended Tax Treatment.

Section 3.15 Employment and Labor Matters. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any Collective Bargaining Agreement with respect to employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (each, a “Company Employee”) that has had or could have a Company Material Adverse Effect, other than those that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries may be deemed to be a party to or bound by as a result of doing business in a particular jurisdiction. To the Company’s knowledge, as of the date hereof, there are no activities or proceedings of any labor or trade union, staff association or other body to organize any Company Employee where such activities or proceedings could have a Company Material Adverse Effect. No material Collective Bargaining Agreement is being negotiated by the Company or, to the Company’s knowledge, any of its Subsidiaries with respect to any Company Employees. Since January 1, 2018, there has been no actual, or to the Company’s knowledge, threatened unfair labor practice charges, grievances, arbitrations, strikes, lockouts, work stoppages, slowdowns, picketing, hand billing or other labor disputes against or affecting the Company or any of its Subsidiaries involving the Company Employees that would, individually or in the aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse Effect and there are no circumstances which could or might give rise to any such dispute that would, individually or in the aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse Effect. The Company is, and has been, in compliance with all Laws regarding employment and employment practices, terms and conditions of employment and wages and hours (including classification of employees) and other Laws in respect of any reduction in force, including notice, information and consultation requirements, except where any such noncompliance would not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect. There are no outstanding assessments, penalties, fines, Liens, charges, surcharges, or other amounts due or owing by the Company pursuant to any workplace safety and insurance/workers’ compensation Laws, in each case, that had or could have a Company Material Adverse Effect. The Company has provided to Parent, as applicable, a schedule that sets forth, personnel number, personnel area, position title, and either (x) action date, action type and action reason or (y) the furlough start and end dates, as applicable, of each employee, if any, who has suffered an “employment loss” under the WARN Act or has been on furlough, temporary layoff or a reduced work schedule, within the past ninety (90) days prior to the date hereof, as well as the applicable termination date or commencement of any such furlough, temporary layoff or reduced work schedule.

Section 3.16 Employee Benefit Plans.

(a) For purposes of this Agreement, “Company Benefit Plan” means any employee benefit plan, program, agreement or arrangement, including pension, retirement, profit-sharing, deferred compensation, stock option, change in control, retention, equity or equity-based compensation, stock purchase, employee stock ownership, severance pay, long service award, vacation, bonus, any benefits received otherwise than in cash or related to sales, profits, turnover or performance, or which are otherwise variable (other than normal overtime) or other incentive plans, medical, retiree medical, vision, dental or other health plans, life insurance plans, and each other employee benefit plan or fringe benefit plan, including any “employee benefit plan” as that

 

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term is defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, in each case, (i) whether oral or written, funded or unfunded, insured or self-insured, tax approved or non-tax approved and (ii) (A) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any Subsidiary, or (B) to which the Company or any Subsidiary contributes or is obligated to contribute for the benefit of any current or former employees, directors, consultants or independent contractors or otherwise has any obligation or liability, contingent or otherwise.

(b) With respect to each material Company Benefit Plan, the Company has delivered or made available to Parent copies of (i) each Company Benefit Plan and amendments thereto and any trust agreement or other funding instrument relating to such plan, (ii) the most recent summary plan description, if any, required under ERISA with respect to such Company Benefit Plan, (iii) the most recent annual reports on Form 5500 and all attachments with respect to each Company Benefit Plan (if applicable), (iv) the most recent actuarial valuation (if applicable) relating to such Company Benefit Plan, (v) the most recent determination or opinion letter, if any, issued by the Internal Revenue Service with respect to any Company Benefit Plan, and (vi) any non-routine correspondence with any Governmental Authority within the last three (3) years.

(c) Each Company Benefit Plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code (a “Qualified Plan”) is so qualified and each trust maintained thereunder is exempt from taxation under Section 501(a) of the Code and, to the Company’s knowledge, there is no reason why tax approval under any local Law in any part of the world might be withdrawn or might cease to apply.

(d) No Company Benefit Plan is, and in the last six years, none of the Company and its Subsidiaries nor any of their respective ERISA Affiliates has maintained, established, contributed to or been obligated to contribute to or had any liability with respect to (i) a multiemployer plan (as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA or Section 4001(a)(3) of the Code) (a “Multiemployer Plan”), (ii) any benefit plan that is subject to Title IV or Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412, 430 or 4971 of the Code or (in each case) equivalent local Law, (iii) a “multiple employer plan” (within the meaning of Section 210 of ERISA or Section 413(c) of the Code), or (iv) a “multiple employer welfare arrangement” (as defined in Section 3(40) of ERISA).

(e) (i) There are no existing, pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened claims (other than routine claims for benefits in the ordinary course), lawsuits or arbitrations which have been asserted or instituted; and (ii) to the Company’s knowledge, no set of circumstances exists which may reasonably give rise to a claim or lawsuit against the Company with respect to any Company Benefit Plan. There have been no “prohibited transactions” within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code or Sections 406 or 407 of ERISA and not otherwise exempt under Section 408 of ERISA and no breaches of fiduciary duty (as determined under ERISA) with respect to any Company Benefit Plan.

(f) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any obligation or liability, contingent or otherwise, with respect to any pension or other employee benefit plan that is currently maintained or sponsored by a person other than the Company or its Subsidiaries that could have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(g) No Company Benefit Plan provides for any post-employment or post-retirement medical, life or welfare insurance benefits for retired, former or current employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or beneficiaries or dependents thereof and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liability with respect to any post-employment or post-retirement medical, life or welfare insurance benefits for any retired, former or current employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or beneficiaries or dependents thereof, except as required by Section 4980B of the Code or any other applicable Law. The Company has not incurred (whether or not assessed), nor is reasonably expected to incur or to be subject to, any Tax or other penalty under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, including the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, as amended and including any guidance issued thereunder, including with respect to the reporting requirements under Sections 6055 and 6056 of the Code, as applicable, or under Sections 4980B, 4980D or 4980H of the Code.

(h) Each Company Benefit Plan that constitutes in any part a “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” (as defined under Section 409A(d)(1) of the Code) subject to Section 409A of the Code has been operated and administered in all material respects in operational compliance with, and is in all material respects in documentary compliance with, Section 409A of the Code and its purpose, and no amount under any such plan, agreement or arrangement is or has been subject to the interest and additional Tax set forth under Section 409A(a)(1)(B) of the Code.

(i) The Company is not party to, or otherwise obligated under, any contract, agreement, plan or arrangement that provides for the gross-up or reimbursement of Taxes imposed by Section 409A(a)(1)(B) or 4999 of the Code or equivalent local Law.

(j) Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the consummation of the Merger and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not, either alone or in combination with another event (i) entitle any current or former employee, director, consultant or officer of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to severance pay, or other compensatory payment, (ii) accelerate the time of payment or vesting, or increase the amount of compensation due any such employee, director, consultant or officer, or (iii) trigger any funding obligation under any Company Benefit Plan or impose any restrictions or limitations on the Company’s rights to administer, amend or terminate any Company Benefit Plan.

(k) The consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not, either alone or in combination with another event, result in any payment (whether in cash or property or the vesting of property) to any “disqualified individual” (as such term is defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1) of the Company that could, individually or in combination with any other such payment, constitute an “excess parachute payment” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code).

(l) All contributions, premiums or other payments that are due with respect to any Company Benefit Plan have been made and all such amounts due for any period ending on or before the Closing Date have been made or properly accrued and reflected in the Company’s financial statements to the extent required by GAAP.

(m) Each Company Benefit Plan has, at all times, been established, maintained and administered in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws, regulations and requirements and the trusts, powers and provisions of the Company Benefit Plans.

 

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Section 3.17 Insurance. Except as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, (a) all insurance policies maintained by or on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as of the date of this Agreement are in full force and effect and are valid and enforceable, and all premiums due on such policies have been paid by the Company or its Subsidiaries, as applicable, and (b) the Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms and provisions of all insurance policies maintained by or on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as of the date of this Agreement, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in breach or default under, or has taken any action that could permit termination or material modification of, any material insurance policies.

Section 3.18 Opinion of Financial Advisor. Each of the Special Committee of the Company Board and the Company Board has received the opinion of Houlihan Lokey Capital, Inc. to the effect that, as of the date of such opinion and based upon and subject to the assumptions, limitations, considerations and other matters set forth therein, the Merger Consideration to be received, in the aggregate, by the Company Members and the holders of the Company Warrants (collectively, the “Holders”) is fair to the Holders from a financial point of view (other than Parent and its affiliates).

Section 3.19 Material Contracts.

(a) Except for this Agreement, the Company Benefit Plans, the Company Organizational Documents, the Warrant Agreement, agreements with customers for the provision of drilling and related services or for integrated services with respect to such customers, or as set forth on the applicable subsection of Section 3.19(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, as of the date hereof, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or bound by:

(i) any “material contract” (as such term is defined in Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K of the SEC);

(ii) any Contract that (A) imposes any restriction on the right or ability of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to compete with any other person or acquire or dispose of the securities of another person or (B) contains an exclusivity or “most favored nation” clause that restricts the business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in a material manner;

(iii) any joint venture, partnership or limited liability company agreement or other similar Contract relating to the formation, creation, operation, management or control of any joint venture, partnership or limited liability company, other than any such Contract solely between the Company and its Subsidiaries or among the Company’s Subsidiaries;

(iv) any Contract expressly limiting or restricting the ability of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to make distributions or declare or pay dividends in respect of their capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests or other equity interests, as the case may be;

 

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(v) any Contract that by its terms calls for aggregate payments by or to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of more than $5.0 million in the aggregate over the remaining term of such Contract, except for (A) Contracts with a customer (B) any such Contract that may be cancelled by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with a penalty or other liability of less than $1.0 million to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, upon notice of 60 days or less and (C) Contracts solely between or among the Company Subsidiaries; and

(vi) any Contract that contains “earn out” or other contingent payment obligations, or remaining indemnity or similar obligations, that could reasonably be expected to result in payments after the date hereof by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in excess of $5.0 million.

All Contracts of the types referred to in clauses (i) through (vi) above are referred to herein as “Company Material Contracts.” As used herein, “Contract” shall mean any agreement, contract, license, obligation, promise, understanding or undertaking (whether written or oral) that is legally binding.

(b) The Company has delivered or made available to Parent true and complete copies of all the Company Material Contracts, subject to certain redactions made in order to comply with legal requirements.

(c) Except as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, (i) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary of the Company is in breach of or default under the terms of any Company Material Contract, (ii) to the Company’s knowledge, no other party to any Company Material Contract is in breach of or default under the terms of any Company Material Contract and (iii) each Company Material Contract is a valid and binding obligation of the Company or the Subsidiary of the Company that is party thereto and, to the Company’s knowledge, of each other party thereto, and is in full force and effect, subject to the Remedies Exceptions.

Section 3.20 Finders or Brokers. Except for Houlihan Lokey Capital, Inc., neither the Company nor any of the Company’s Subsidiaries has employed any investment banker, broker or finder in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement who would be entitled to or may receive any fee or any commission in connection with or upon consummation of the Merger.

Section 3.21 Anti-Bribery. Within the past five (5) years, neither (a) the Company, nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any director, officer, or employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries nor (b) to the Company’s knowledge, any Representative while acting on behalf of any of the foregoing, and authorized to act on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, has directly or indirectly (i) made any unlawful payment to foreign or domestic government officials or employees or to any foreign or domestic political parties or campaigns or violated any provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (collectively, the “FCPA”), the UK Bribery Act 2010 (the “UKBA”), the Cayman Islands Anti-Corruption Act (as amended) (the “Anti-Corruption Act”), or any other applicable anti-bribery Laws (collectively, “Anti-Bribery Laws”) or (ii) taken any action on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that would constitute a violation of any Anti-Bribery Laws, including the FCPA, UKBA and the Anti-Corruption Act, including making use of the mails

 

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or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the FCPA. The Company has for the past five (5) years implemented and maintained, and continues to maintain policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure, and that are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance with Anti-Bribery Laws by the Company and its Subsidiaries. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer or employee of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, are, or in the past (5) years have been, subject to any actual, pending, or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened civil, criminal, or administrative actions or governmental investigations, inquiries or enforcement actions, or made any voluntary disclosures to any governmental authority, involving the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company’s alleged violations of Anti-Bribery Laws, including the FCPA, UKBA and the Anti-Corruption Act.

Section 3.22 Export Controls and Sanctions.

(a) Neither the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, nor to the Company’s knowledge any employee, officer, or director of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is currently or has been within the past five (5) years the target of Trade Sanctions (including by being designated on the list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons or on any other sanctions list maintained by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”), the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union or Her Majesty’s Treasury). Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries (A) is or has been within the past five (5) years operating, organized or resident in a country or territory that itself is the target of comprehensive Trade Sanctions (specifically, Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria) in violation of Trade Sanctions; or (B) has, directly or, to the knowledge of the Company, indirectly, participated in the past five (5) years in any transaction or dealing involving a person or entity that is the target of Trade Sanctions, or with any person or entity operating, organized, or resident in a country or territory that is the target of Trade Sanctions, in each case, in material violation of Trade Sanctions.

(b) Except as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect on such party, in the past five (5) years, each of the Company, the Company’s Subsidiaries and, to the Company’s knowledge, any employee, officer, or director of the foregoing (i) has conducted its business in compliance with all applicable Trade Sanctions and Export Control Laws; (ii) have obtained, and are in compliance with, all required export and import licenses, license exceptions and other consents, notices, approvals, orders, permits, authorizations, declarations, classifications and filings with any Governmental Entity required for the import, export and re-export of products, software and technology under applicable Export Control Laws; and (iii) has for the past five (5) years implemented and maintained, and continues to maintain policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure, and that are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance with Trade Sanctions and Export Control Laws by the Company and its Subsidiaries. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer or employee of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, are, or in the past five (5) years have been, subject to any actual, pending, or, to

 

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the Company’s knowledge, threatened civil, criminal, or administrative actions or governmental investigations, inquiries or enforcement actions, or made any voluntary disclosures to any governmental authority, involving the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company’s alleged violations of Trade Sanctions or Export Control Laws

Section 3.23 Takeover Statutes. The Company Board has taken all action necessary to render inapplicable to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including the Voting and Support Agreements) all potentially applicable anti-takeover statutes or regulations.

Section 3.24 No Additional Representations.

(a) The Company acknowledges that Parent and Merger Sub do not make any representation or warranty as to any matter whatsoever except as expressly set forth in Article IV or in any certificate delivered by Parent or Merger Sub to the Company in accordance with the terms hereof, and specifically (but without limiting the generality of the foregoing) that Parent and Merger Sub make no representation or warranty with respect to (i) any projections, estimates or budgets delivered or made available to the Company, any of its affiliates or any of their respective officers, directors, employees or Representatives of future revenues, results of operations (or any component thereof), cash flows or financial condition (or any component thereof) of Parent and its Subsidiaries or (ii) the future business and operations of Parent and its Subsidiaries, and the Company has not relied on such information or any other representations or warranties not set forth in Article IV.

(b) The Company has conducted its own independent review and analysis of the business, operations, assets, liabilities, results of operations, financial condition and prospects of Parent and its Subsidiaries and acknowledges that the Company has been provided access for such purposes. Except for the representations and warranties expressly set forth in Article IV or in any certificate delivered to the Company by Parent or Merger Sub in accordance with the terms hereof, in entering into this Agreement, the Company has relied solely upon its independent investigation and analysis of Parent and Parent’s Subsidiaries, and the Company acknowledges and agrees that it has not been induced by and has not relied upon any representations, warranties or statements, whether express or implied, made by Parent or Merger Sub, their Subsidiaries, or any of their respective affiliates, shareholders, controlling persons or Representatives that are not expressly set forth in Article IV or in any certificate delivered to the Company by Parent or Merger Sub, whether or not such representations, warranties or statements were made in writing or orally. The Company acknowledges and agrees that, except for the representations and warranties expressly set forth in Article IV or in any certificate delivered by Parent or Merger Sub to the Company (i) Parent and Merger Sub do not make, and have not made, any representations or warranties relating to themselves or their business or otherwise in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and the Company is not relying on any representation or warranty except for those expressly set forth in this Agreement, (ii) no person has been authorized by Parent or Merger Sub to make any representation or warranty relating to themselves or their business or otherwise in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and if made, such representation or warranty may not be relied upon by the Company as having been authorized by Parent or Merger Sub and (iii) any estimates, projections, predictions, data, financial information, memoranda, presentations or any other materials or information provided or addressed to the Company, any of

 

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its affiliates or any of their respective officers, directors, employees or Representatives are not and shall not be deemed to be or include representations or warranties of Parent or Merger Sub unless any such materials or information is the subject of any express representation or warranty set forth in Article IV.

ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND MERGER SUB

Except as disclosed (a) in the Parent SEC Documents filed after February 5, 2021 and prior to the date hereof (without giving effect to any amendment to any such Parent SEC Document filed on or after the date hereof and excluding any disclosures set forth in any such Parent SEC Document in any risk factor section, any disclosure in any section relating to forward-looking statements or any other statements that are non-specific, predictive or primarily cautionary in nature other than historical facts included therein), where the relevance of the information as an exception to (or disclosure for purposes of) a particular representation is reasonably apparent on the face of such disclosure, or (b) in the disclosure schedule delivered by Parent to the Company immediately prior to the execution of this Agreement (the “Parent Disclosure Schedule”) (each section of which qualifies the correspondingly numbered representation, warranty or covenant if specified therein and such other representations, warranties or covenants where its relevance as an exception to (or disclosure for purposes of) such other representation, warranty or covenant is reasonably apparent), Parent and Merger Sub represent and warrant to the Company as follows:

Section 4.1 Qualification, Organization, Subsidiaries, Capitalization.

(a) Parent is an exempted company duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the Cayman Islands and Merger Sub is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the Cayman Islands. Merger Sub is a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Parent. Each of Parent and Merger Sub has the requisite corporate capacity, power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and assets and to carry on its business as presently conducted except for any such failures to have such power and authority as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Parent Material Adverse Effect. Each of Parent’s Subsidiaries is a legal entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (where such concept is recognized under applicable Law) under the Laws of its jurisdiction of organization and has the requisite capacity, power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and assets and to carry on its business as presently conducted, except where the failure to be in good standing or to have such power or authority would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect. Each of Parent and its Subsidiaries is duly qualified or licensed, and has all necessary governmental approvals, to do business and is in good standing as a foreign entity (where such concept is recognized under applicable Law) in each jurisdiction in which the property owned, leased or operated by it or the nature of the business conducted by it makes such approvals, qualification or licensing necessary, except where the failure to be so duly approved, qualified or licensed and in good standing would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(b) Parent has made available to the Company, prior to the date hereof, true and complete copies of the memorandum and articles of association, certificate of incorporation, certificate of limited partnership, certificate of formation, bylaws, limited partnership agreement, limited liability company agreement or comparable constituent or organizational documents for Parent, the Merger Sub and each of its material Subsidiaries as identified in Section 4.1(b) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule (the “Parent Material Subsidiaries”), in each case as amended to and in effect as of the date hereof (collectively, the “Parent Organizational Documents”). Parent and the Merger Sub is not in violation, and none of Parent’s other Subsidiaries is in material violation, of any of the Parent Organizational Documents.

(c) As of the close of business on March 24, 2021 (i) 43,536,636 Parent Shares were issued and outstanding, (ii) no Parent Shares were held in treasury, (iii) 25,906,700 warrants to purchase Parent Shares were issued and outstanding, (iv) up to 7,716,049 Parent Shares were available for future issuance under the Parent Stock Plan, of which amount (A) no Parent Shares were subject to outstanding option awards under the Parent Stock Plan, (B) 1,724,493 Parent Shares were subject to outstanding time-vested restricted stock unit awards under the Parent Stock Plan, and (C) 1,409,562 Parent Shares (at the “target level”) were subject to outstanding performance-vested restricted stock unit awards under the Parent Stock Plan. All outstanding Parent Shares are, and all such Parent Shares that may be issued prior to the Effective Time or pursuant to the Merger Consideration, when issued in accordance with the respective terms thereof, will be, duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free of preemptive rights. Except as set forth in this Section 4.1(c) (and other than the Parent Shares issuable pursuant to the terms of awards issued under the Parent Stock Plan (collectively, “Parent Stock Awards”)), there are no outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, convertible securities, exchangeable securities or other similar rights, agreements or commitments to which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries is a party (A) obligating Parent or any of its Subsidiaries to (1) issue, transfer, exchange, sell or register for sale any equity interests of Parent or any Subsidiary of Parent or securities convertible into or exchangeable for such equity interests, (2) grant, extend or enter into any such subscription, option, warrant, call, convertible securities or other similar right, agreement or arrangement, (3) redeem or otherwise acquire any such equity interests, (4) provide a material amount of funds to, or make any material investment (in the form of a loan, capital contribution or otherwise) in, any Subsidiary or (5) make any payment to any person the value of which is derived from or calculated based on the value of any equity security issued by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or (B) granting any preemptive or antidilutive or similar rights with respect to any publicly traded security issued by Parent or its Subsidiaries. With respect to each grant of Parent Stock Awards, each such grant was made in accordance with the terms of the Parent Stock Plan, the CLCI, the Exchange Act, the Securities Act and all other applicable Laws.

(d) Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has outstanding bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness, the holders of which have the right to vote (or which are convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for securities having the right to vote) with the Parent Shareholders on any matter.

(e) There are no voting trusts or other agreements or understandings to which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries is a party with respect to the voting or registration of the equity interests of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

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(f) No Subsidiary of Parent owns any equity interests of Parent, and Parent or a Subsidiary of Parent owns, directly or indirectly, all of the issued and outstanding equity interests of each Subsidiary of Parent, free and clear of any preemptive rights and any Liens other than Parent Permitted Liens, and all of such equity interests are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable (where such concept is applicable and recognized under applicable Law) and free of preemptive rights. Except for equity interests in Parent’s Subsidiaries, neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries owns, directly or indirectly, any equity interest in any person (or any security or other right, agreement or commitment convertible or exercisable into, or exchangeable for, any equity interest in any person). Except for any obligations pursuant to this Agreement, neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has any obligation to acquire any equity interest, security, right, agreement or commitment or to provide funds to or make any investment (in the form of a loan, capital contribution or otherwise) in, any person. Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has any obligation, other than pursuant to the Parent Stock Plan, to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any equity interests of Parent or any such Subsidiary.

(g) Since the date of its formation, Merger Sub has not engaged in any activities other than in connection with this Agreement.

Section 4.2 Company Authority Relative to this Agreement; No Violation.

(a) Each of Parent and Merger Sub has the requisite corporate power and authority, as applicable, to execute and deliver this Agreement, the Cayman Merger Documents to which any of the Parent or Merger Sub are a party and each other document to be entered into by Parent and/or Merger Sub in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby (together with this Agreement, the “Parent Transaction Documents”) and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including the Merger. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Parent Transaction Documents and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly and validly authorized by the Parent Board and the sole member of the Merger Sub, and no other company action or vote of the Parent Shareholders on the part of Parent or Merger Sub and members of Merger Sub is necessary to authorize the execution and delivery by Parent and Merger Sub of this Agreement and the other Parent Transaction Documents and the consummation of the Merger. The Parent Board and the sole member of the Merger Sub have duly and validly adopted resolutions approving this Agreement and the other Parent Transaction Documents, including the Share Issuance and the other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. None of the aforementioned resolutions, as of the date hereof, have been rescinded, modified or withdrawn in any way. Each of the Parent Transaction Documents has been or will be duly and validly executed and delivered by Parent and the Merger Sub, as applicable, and, assuming each such Parent Transaction Document has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each other counterparty thereto, each of the Parent Transaction Documents constitutes or will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of Parent and the Merger Sub, as applicable, enforceable against Parent and the Merger Sub, as applicable, in accordance with its terms, except as such enforcement may be subject to (A) the effect of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, administration, arrangement, moratorium or other Laws affecting or relating to creditors’ rights generally or (B) the Remedies Exceptions.

(b) Other than in connection with or in compliance with (i) the filing of the Cayman Merger Documents with the Registrar of Company of the Cayman Islands and (ii) the approvals set forth in Section 4.2(b) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule (collectively, the “Parent Approvals”), and, subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company in

 

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Section 3.2(b), no authorization, consent, Order, license, permit or approval of, or registration, declaration, notice or filing with, or notice to, any Governmental Entity is necessary, under applicable Law, for the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or the consummation by Parent and Merger Sub of the transactions contemplated hereby, except for such authorizations, consents, Orders, licenses, permits, approvals or filings that, if not obtained or made, would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

(c) The execution, delivery and performance by Parent and Merger Sub of this Agreement do not, and (assuming the Parent Approvals are obtained) the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and compliance with the provisions hereof will not (i) result in any loss, suspension, limitation or impairment of any right of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries to own or use any assets required for the conduct of their business or result in any violation of, or default (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both) under, or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation, first offer, first refusal, modification or acceleration of any material obligation or to the loss of a benefit under any loan, guarantee of indebtedness or credit agreement, note, bond, mortgage, indenture, lease, agreement, contract, instrument, permit, concession, franchise, right or license binding upon Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or by which or to which any of their respective properties, rights or assets are bound or subject, or result in the creation of any Lien (other than Parent Permitted Liens), in each case, upon any of the properties or assets of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or any contract to which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of their respective properties or assets are bound, (ii) conflict with or result in any violation of any provision of the Parent Organizational Documents or (iii) conflict with or violate any applicable Laws, except in the case of clauses (i) and (iii) for such losses, suspensions, limitations, impairments, conflicts, violations, defaults, terminations, cancellations, accelerations, or Liens as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.3 Reports and Financial Statements.

(a) Parent and each of its Subsidiaries has filed with or furnished to the SEC all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed or furnished by it since January 1, 2020 (all such documents and reports filed or furnished by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, the “Parent SEC Documents”). As of their respective dates of filing or, in the case of Parent SEC Documents that are registration statements filed pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, their respective dates of effectiveness, or, if amended prior to the date hereof, as of the date of the last such amendment, the Parent SEC Documents complied, as to form, in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, as the case may be, and none of the Parent SEC Documents contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except that information set forth in the Parent SEC Documents as of a later date (but before the date hereof) will be deemed to modify information as of an earlier date.

(b) The consolidated financial statements (including all related notes and schedules thereto) of Parent included in the Parent SEC Documents (i) fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial position of Parent and its consolidated Subsidiaries, as at the respective dates thereof, and the consolidated results of their operations and their consolidated cash flows for the respective periods then ended (subject, in the case of the unaudited statements, to

 

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normal year-end audit adjustments and any other adjustments described therein), (ii) were prepared in conformity with GAAP (except, in the case of the unaudited statements, as permitted by applicable rules and regulations of the SEC) applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may be indicated therein or in the notes thereto), (iii) have been prepared from, and are in accordance with, the books and records of Parent and its consolidated Subsidiaries and (iv) comply, as to form, in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements and with the rules and regulations of the SEC, the Exchange Act and the Securities Act.

(c) There are no outstanding or unresolved comments from, or unresolved issues raised by, the staff of the SEC relating to the Parent SEC Documents. Parent has heretofore made available to the Company true, correct and complete copies of all written correspondence between Parent and the SEC occurring since January 1, 2020. None of the Parent SEC Documents is, to the knowledge of Parent, the subject of ongoing SEC review, and no enforcement action has been initiated against Parent relating to disclosures contained in or omitted from any Parent SEC Document.

(d) Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to, nor does it have any commitment to become a party to, any joint venture, off-balance sheet partnership or any similar contract (including any contract relating to any transaction or relationship between or among Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any unconsolidated affiliate, including any structured finance, special purpose or limited purpose entity or person, on the other hand) or any “off-balance sheet arrangements” (as defined in Item 303(a) of Regulation S-K of the SEC), where the result, purpose or effect of such contract is to avoid disclosure of any material transaction involving, or material liabilities of, Parent or any of its Subsidiaries in Parent’s financial statements or other Parent SEC Documents.

Section 4.4 Internal Controls and Procedures. Parent has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting (as such terms are defined in paragraphs (e) and (f), respectively, of Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act) as required by Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act. Parent’s disclosure controls and procedures are reasonably designed to ensure that all material information required to be disclosed by Parent in the reports that it files or furnishes under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, and that all such material information is accumulated and communicated to Parent’s management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and to make the certifications required pursuant to Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Parent’s management has completed an assessment of the effectiveness of Parent’s internal control over financial reporting in compliance with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act for the year ended December 31, 2020, and such assessment concluded that such controls were effective. Based on its most recent evaluation of internal controls over financial reporting prior to the date hereof, which has been provided to the Company, management of Parent has disclosed to Parent’s auditors and the audit committee of the Parent Board (a) any significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting that are reasonably likely to adversely affect in any material respect Parent’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information and (b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in Parent’s internal control over financial reporting, and each such deficiency, weakness and fraud so disclosed to auditors, if any, has been disclosed to the Company prior to the date hereof.

 

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Section 4.5 No Undisclosed Liabilities. There are no liabilities or obligations of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, whether known or unknown and whether accrued, absolute, determined or contingent, that would be required by GAAP to be reflected on a consolidated balance sheet of Parent and its consolidated Subsidiaries (including the notes thereto), except for (a) liabilities or obligations disclosed and provided for in the most recent balance sheets included in the Parent Financial Statements (or in the notes thereto) filed and publicly available prior to the date of this Agreement, (b) liabilities or obligations incurred in accordance with or in connection with this Agreement, (c) liabilities or obligations incurred since December 31, 2020 in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice since the date of such balance sheet, (d) liabilities or obligations that have been discharged or paid in full, and (e) liabilities or obligations that have not had and would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.6 Compliance with Law; Permits.

(a) Parent and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with, and are not in default under or in violation of, any applicable Law, except where such non-compliance, default or violation would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect. Since December 31, 2020, neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any written notice or, to Parent’s knowledge, other communication from any Governmental Entity regarding any actual or possible violation of, or failure to comply with, any Law, except as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Parent and its Subsidiaries are in possession of all franchises, grants, authorizations, licenses, concessions, permits, easements, variances, exceptions, consents, certificates, approvals, clearances, permissions, financial assurance instruments, qualifications and registrations and Orders of all applicable Governmental Entities necessary for Parent and its Subsidiaries to own, lease and operate their properties and assets and to carry on their businesses as they are now being conducted (the “Parent Permits” and, together with the Company Permits, the “Permits”) and have filed all necessary tariffs, reports, notices and other documents with all Governmental Entities, in each case, except where the failure to have such Parent Permits or to have filed such tariffs, reports, notices or other documents would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect. All Parent Permits are valid and in full force and effect and are not subject to any administrative or judicial proceeding that could reasonably be expected to result in modification, termination or revocation thereof, except where the failure to be in full force and effect or any modification, termination or revocation thereof would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect. Parent and each of its Subsidiaries is in compliance with the terms and requirements of all material Parent Permits, except where the failure to be in compliance would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

(c) Except as set forth in Section 4.6 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, each drilling unit owned or leased by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries which is subject to classification is in class and free of suspension or cancellation to class, and is registered under the flag of its flag jurisdiction.

 

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Section 4.7 Absence of Certain Changes or Events.

(a) From December 31, 2020 through the date of this Agreement, except in connection with the negotiation and execution of this Agreement, the businesses of Parent and its Subsidiaries have been conducted in all material respects in the ordinary course of business.

(b) Since December 31, 2020, there has not been any event, change, effect, development, occurrence or state of facts that has had or would have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.8 Environmental Laws and Regulations. Except as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect (a) there are no investigations, actions, suits or proceedings (whether administrative or judicial) pending or, to Parent’s knowledge, threatened against Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (or related to their operations), alleging non-compliance with or other liability under any Environmental Law, (b) Parent and its Subsidiaries are, and since January 1, 2018 have been, in compliance with all Environmental Laws (which compliance includes the possession by Parent and each of its Subsidiaries of all franchises, grants, authorizations, licenses, concessions, permits, easements, variances, exceptions, consents, certificates, approvals, clearances, permissions, financial assurance instruments, qualifications and registrations required under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their respective business and operations, and compliance with the terms and conditions thereof), (c) none of Parent and its Subsidiaries is subject to any Order or is subject to any obligations or liabilities under applicable Environmental Laws or concerning Hazardous Materials or Releases of Hazardous Materials, and (d) none of Parent and its Subsidiaries has received any unresolved written claim, notice, complaint or request for information from a Governmental Entity or any other person relating to actual or alleged noncompliance with or liability under applicable Environmental Laws (including any such liability or obligation arising under, retained or assumed by contract or by operation of law).

Section 4.9 Investigations; Litigation. Except as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect, (a) there is no investigation or review pending (or, to Parent’s knowledge, threatened) by any Governmental Entity with respect to Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, (b) there are no claims, actions, suits, inquiries, investigations, arbitrations or administrative or other proceedings, or any subpoenas, civil investigative demands or other requests for information, relating to potential violations of Law pending (or, to Parent’s knowledge, threatened) against or affecting Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective properties and (c) there are no Orders, injunctions, judgments or decrees of, or before, any Governmental Entity pending (or, to Parent’s knowledge, threatened to be imposed) against Parent or any of its Subsidiaries.

Section 4.10 Investment Company. None of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries is an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company” within the meaning of the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

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Section 4.11 Intellectual Property.

(a) Except as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect, either Parent or a Subsidiary of Parent owns, or is licensed or otherwise possesses valid rights to use, free and clear of Liens other than Parent Permitted Liens, all trademarks, trade names, service marks, service names, mark registrations, logos, assumed names, domain names, registered and unregistered copyrights, patents or applications and registrations, trade secrets and other intellectual property rights necessary to their respective businesses as currently conducted (collectively, the “Parent Intellectual Property”), and no third party has ownership rights or license rights to improvements made by Parent in the Parent Intellectual Property. Except as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect, (i) there are no pending or, to Parent’s knowledge, threatened claims by any person alleging infringement, misappropriation or other violation by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries of any intellectual property rights of any person, (ii) to Parent’s knowledge, the conduct of the business of Parent and its Subsidiaries does not infringe, misappropriate or otherwise violate any intellectual property rights of any person, (iii) neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has made any claim of a violation, infringement or misappropriation by others of Parent’s or any its Subsidiaries’ rights to or in connection with Parent Intellectual Property and (iv) to Parent’s knowledge, no person is infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating any Parent Intellectual Property.

(b) Except as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect, Parent and its Subsidiaries have implemented (i) commercially reasonable measures to protect the confidentiality, integrity and security of the Parent IT Assets (and all information and transactions stored or contained therein or transmitted thereby); and (ii) commercially reasonable data backup, data storage, system redundancy and disaster avoidance and recovery procedures, as well as a commercially reasonable business continuity plan, in each case consistent with customary industry practices.

Section 4.12 Properties.

(a) Except as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect, Parent and its Subsidiaries have good and marketable title to all real property owned by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries and good and valid leasehold interest to all real property which is leased, subleased, licensed or otherwise occupied by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (the “Parent Leased Real Property”), in each case free and clear of all Liens (other than Parent Permitted Liens).

(b) Except as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect, Parent and its Subsidiaries have good and marketable title to, or have valid rights to lease or otherwise use, all items of personal property that are material to the respective businesses of Parent and its Subsidiaries, in each case free and clear of all Liens (other than Parent Permitted Liens).

Section 4.13 Ownership and Maintenance of Drilling Units.

(a) Except as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect, either Parent or a Subsidiary of Parent has good and marketable title to the drilling units listed in Parent’s most recent fleet status report, a true and complete copy of which has been provided to the Company (the “Parent Fleet Report”), in each case free and clear of all Liens except for Parent Permitted Liens and no such drilling unit or any related asset is leased under an operating lease from a lessor that, to Parent’s knowledge, has incurred non-recourse indebtedness to finance the acquisition or construction of such asset.

 

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(b) Except as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect, the drilling units listed in the Parent Fleet Report have been maintained consistent with general practice in the offshore drilling industry and are in good operating condition and repair, subject to ordinary wear and tear.

Section 4.14 Tax Matters.

(a) Except as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect:

(i) Parent and each of its Subsidiaries and each affiliated, consolidated, combined, unitary or similar group that includes Parent or any of its Subsidiaries have duly and timely filed or caused to be filed (taking into account any valid extension of time within which to file) all Tax Returns required to be filed by any of them and all such Tax Returns are true, complete and accurate.

(ii) Parent and each of its Subsidiaries have timely paid all Taxes that are required to be paid by any of them or that Parent or any of its Subsidiaries are obligated to withhold from amounts owing to any employee, independent contractor, creditor, shareholder or third party (in each case, whether or not shown on any Tax Return), except with respect to matters contested in good faith through appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP.

(iii) No Tax Return of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries is the subject of an audit, examination investigation or other proceeding, and there are no audits, examinations, investigations or other proceedings pending or threatened in writing in respect of Taxes or Tax matters of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries. No claim, assessment, deficiency, or proposed adjustment for Taxes has been assessed or asserted by any Governmental Entity, in each case, which has not been paid in full and finally resolved with no currently unpaid payment due.

(iv) Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries is currently the beneficiary of any waivers of any limitation periods or agreements providing for an extension of time for the filing of any Tax Return, the assessment or collection thereof by any relevant Tax authority or the payment of any Tax by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries. There are no requests for rulings or determinations in respect of any Tax pending between Parent, on the one hand, and any Governmental Entity, on the other hand.

(v) Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liability for the Taxes of any person (other than Taxes of Parent or its Subsidiaries) (A) under Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. Tax Law), (B) as a transferee or successor or (C) by Contract (other than Contracts exclusively between or among one or more of the Parent and its Subsidiaries and other than as customary Tax indemnifications contained in ordinary course commercial agreements or arrangements that are not primarily related to Taxes).

 

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(vi) Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liability pursuant to any Tax sharing, allocation or indemnification agreement or arrangement (other than such an agreement or arrangement exclusively between or among one or more of the Parent and its Subsidiaries and other than as customary Tax indemnifications contained in ordinary course commercial agreements or arrangements that are not primarily related to Taxes).

(vii) Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries will be required to include any item of income in, or exclude any item or deduction from, taxable income for any taxable period beginning after the Closing Date or, in the case of any taxable period beginning on or before and ending after the Closing Date, the portion of such period beginning after the Closing Date, as a result of: (A) an installment sale or open transaction disposition that occurred prior to the Closing; (B) any change in or use of an improper method of accounting prior to the Closing, including by reason of the application of Section 481 of the Code (or any analogous provision of state, local or foreign Tax law); or (C) a prepaid amount received or deferred revenue accrued on or prior to the Closing.

(viii) Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any closing agreement described in Section 7121 of the Code or any predecessor provision thereof or any similar agreement under state, local or non-U.S. Tax Law, and, with respect to any of the past three taxable years, neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has requested any private ruling issued by any Governmental Entity in respect of Taxes.

(ix) There are no Liens for Taxes on any asset of Parent or its Subsidiaries, except for Liens for Taxes not yet due or delinquent.

(x) Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has been a party to a transaction that is a “listed transaction,” as such term is defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.6011-4(b)(2), or any other transaction requiring disclosure under analogous provisions of state, local or non-U.S. Tax Law.

(xi) No written claim has been received by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries from a Governmental Entity in a jurisdiction where such entity does not file Tax Returns that it is or may be subject to taxation by such jurisdiction.

(xii) Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has any unpaid liability under Section 965(a) of the Code.

(b) Parent (i) is a corporation for U.S. federal income Tax purposes and (ii) is not a “United States person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code. Neither the Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries is or was a “surrogate foreign corporation” within the meaning of Section 7874(a)(2)(B) of the Code.

 

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(c) As of the date hereof, Parent has no knowledge of any facts or of any reason that (when taken together with Parent’s understanding of other relevant facts) would reasonably be expected to cause Parent to be treated, following the completion of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, as a domestic corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Section 7874 of the Code.

(d) Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries beneficially owns shares or other equity interests of the Company or any of the Company’s affiliates.

(e) Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has ever been a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group filing for U.S. federal, state or local income Tax purposes, other than the group of which Noble Holding (U.S.) LLC (f/k/a Noble Holding (U.S.) Corporation), a Delaware limited liability company, Noble Eagle LLC (f/k/a Noble Eagle Corporation), a Delaware limited liability company, or Noble Drilling (U.S.) LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, is the common parent.

(f) Parent and each Subsidiary is not and, within the past three years, has not been either a passive foreign investment company within the meaning of Section 1297 of the Code or a controlled foreign corporation within the meaning of Section 957 of the Code.

(g) Parent and each of its Subsidiaries has (i) to the extent applicable, properly complied with all requirements of applicable Tax Law in order to defer the amount of the employer’s share of any “applicable employment taxes” under Section 2302 of the CARES Act, (ii) not deferred any payroll Tax obligations pursuant to any Payroll Tax Executive Order, (iii) to the extent applicable, properly complied with all requirements of applicable Tax Law and duly accounted for any available Tax credits under Sections 7001 through 7005 of the Families First Act and Section 2301 of the CARES Act, and (iv) not sought (nor has any Affiliate that would be aggregated with Parent and treated as one employer for purposes of Section 2301 of the CARES Act sought) a covered loan under paragraph (36) of Section 7(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(a)), as added by Section 1102 of the CARES Act.

(h) Within the past three (3) years, neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has been a “distributing corporation” or a “controlled corporation” (within the meaning of Section 355(a)(1)(A) of the Code) (A) in a distribution intended to qualify for tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the Code or so much of Section 356 of the Code as relates to Section 355 of the Code (or a similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. Tax Law), or (B) as part of a “plan” or “series of related transactions” (within the meaning of Section 355(e) of the Code) in conjunction with the Merger.

(i) Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has taken or agreed to take any action not contemplated by this Agreement or any Parent Transaction Document that could reasonably be expected to prevent the Merger from qualifying for the Intended Tax Treatment.

Section 4.15 Employment and Labor Matters. Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any Collective Bargaining Agreement with respect to employees of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (each, an “Parent Employee”) that has had or could have a Parent Material Adverse Effect, other than those that Parent or any of its Subsidiaries may be deemed to be a party to or bound by as a result of doing business in a particular jurisdiction. To Parent’s knowledge, as of the date hereof, there are no activities or proceedings of any labor or trade union, staff association

 

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or other body to organize any Parent Employee where such activities or proceedings could have a Parent Material Adverse Effect. No material Collective Bargaining Agreement is being negotiated by Parent or, to Parent’s knowledge, any of its Subsidiaries with respect to any Parent Employees. Since January 1, 2018, there has been no actual, or to Parent’s knowledge, threatened unfair labor practice charges, grievances, arbitrations, strikes, lockouts, work stoppages, slowdowns, picketing, hand billing or other labor disputes against or affecting Parent or any of its Subsidiaries involving Parent Employees that would, individually or in the aggregate, have a Parent Material Adverse Effect and there are no circumstances which could or might give rise to any such dispute that would, individually or in the aggregate, have a Parent Material Adverse Effect. Parent is, and has been, in compliance with all Laws regarding employment and employment practices, terms and conditions of employment and wages and hours (including classification of employees) and other Laws in respect of any reduction in force, including notice, information and consultation requirements, except where any such noncompliance would not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect. There are no material outstanding assessments, penalties, fines, Liens, charges, surcharges, or other amounts due or owing by Parent pursuant to any workplace safety and insurance/workers’ compensation Laws, in each case, that could have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.16 Employee Benefit Plans.

(a) For purposes of this Agreement, “Parent Benefit Plan” means any employee benefit plan, program, agreement or arrangement, including pension, retirement, profit-sharing, deferred compensation, stock option, change in control, retention, equity or equity-based compensation, stock purchase, employee stock ownership, severance pay, long service award, vacation, bonus, any benefits received otherwise than in cash or related to sales, profits, turnover or performance, or which are otherwise variable (other than normal overtime) or other incentive plans, medical, retiree medical, vision, dental or other health plans, life insurance plans, and each other employee benefit plan or fringe benefit plan, including any “employee benefit plan” as that term is defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, in each case, (i) whether oral or written, funded or unfunded, insured or self-insured, tax approved or non-tax approved and (ii) (A) sponsored or maintained by Parent or any Subsidiary, or (B) to which Parent or any Subsidiary contributes or is obligated to contribute for the benefit of any current or former employees, directors, consultants or independent contractors or otherwise has any obligation or liability, contingent or otherwise.

(b) With respect to each material Parent Benefit Plan, the Parent has delivered or made available to Company copies of (i) each Parent Benefit Plan and amendments thereto and any trust agreement or other funding instrument relating to such plan, (ii) the most recent summary plan description, if any, required under ERISA with respect to such Parent Benefit Plan, (iii) the most recent annual reports on Form 5500 and all attachments with respect to each Parent Benefit Plan (if applicable), (iv) the most recent actuarial valuation (if applicable) relating to such Parent Benefit Plan, (v) the most recent determination or opinion letter, if any, issued by the Internal Revenue Service with respect to any Parent Benefit Plan, and (vi) any non-routine correspondence with any Governmental Authority within the last three (3) years.

(c) Each Parent Benefit Plan that is intended to be a Qualified Plan is so qualified and each trust maintained thereunder is exempt from taxation under Section 501(a) of the Code and, to Parent’s knowledge, there is no reason why tax approval under any local Law in any part of the world might be withdrawn or might cease to apply.

 

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(d) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.16(d) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, no Parent Benefit Plan is, and in the last six years, none of Parent and its Subsidiaries nor any of their respective ERISA Affiliates has maintained, established, contributed to or been obligated to contribute to or had any liability with respect to (i) a multiemployer plan (as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA or Section 4001(a)(3) of the Code) (a “Multiemployer Plan”), (ii) any benefit plan that is subject to Title IV or Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412, 430 or 4971 of the Code or (in each case) equivalent local Law, (iii) a “multiple employer plan” (within the meaning of Section 210 of ERISA or Section 413(c) of the Code), or (iv) a “multiple employer welfare arrangement” (as defined in Section 3(40) of ERISA) .

(e) (i) There are no existing, pending or, to Parent’s knowledge, threatened claims (other than routine claims for benefits in the ordinary course), lawsuits or arbitrations which have been asserted or instituted; and (ii) to Parent’s knowledge, no set of circumstances exists which may reasonably give rise to a claim or lawsuit against Parent with respect to any Parent Benefit Plan. There have been no “prohibited transactions” within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code or Sections 406 or 407 of ERISA and not otherwise exempt under Section 408 of ERISA and no breaches of fiduciary duty (as determined under ERISA) with respect to any Parent Benefit Plan.

(f) Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has any obligation or liability, contingent or otherwise, with respect to any pension or other employee benefit plan that is currently maintained or sponsored by a person other than Parent or its Subsidiaries that could have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

(g) No Parent Benefit Plan provides for any post-employment or post-retirement medical, life or welfare insurance benefits for retired, former or current employees of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or beneficiaries or dependents thereof and neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liability with respect to any post-employment or post-retirement medical, life or welfare insurance benefits for any retired, former or current employees of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or beneficiaries or dependents thereof, except as required by Section 4980B of the Code or any other applicable Law. Parent has not incurred (whether or not assessed), nor is reasonably expected to incur or to be subject to, any Tax or other penalty under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, including the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, as amended and including any guidance issued thereunder, including with respect to the reporting requirements under Sections 6055 and 6056 of the Code, as applicable, or under Sections 4980B, 4980D or 4980H of the Code.

(h) Each Parent Benefit Plan that constitutes in any part a “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” (as defined under Section 409A(d)(1) of the Code) subject to Section 409A of the Code has been operated and administered in all material respects in operational compliance with, and is in all material respects in documentary compliance with, Section 409A of the Code and its purpose, and no amount under any such plan, agreement or arrangement is or has been subject to the interest and additional Tax set forth under Section 409A(a)(1)(B) of the Code.

 

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(i) Parent is not party to, or otherwise obligated under, any contract, agreement, plan or arrangement that provides for the gross-up or reimbursement of Taxes imposed by Section 409A(a)(1)(B) or 4999 of the Code or equivalent local Law.

(j) Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the consummation of the Merger and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not, either alone or in combination with another event (i) entitle any current or former employee, director, consultant or officer of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries to severance pay or other compensatory payment, (ii) accelerate the time of payment or vesting, or increase the amount of compensation due any such employee, director, consultant or officer, or (iii) trigger any funding obligation under any Parent Benefit Plan or impose any restrictions or limitations on Parent’s rights to administer, amend or terminate any Parent Benefit Plan.

(k) The consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not, either alone or in combination with another event, result in any payment (whether in cash or property or the vesting of property) to any “disqualified individual” (as such term is defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1) of Parent that could, individually or in combination with any other such payment, constitute an “excess parachute payment” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code).

(l) All contributions, premiums or other payments that are due with respect to any Parent Benefit Plan have been made and all such amounts due for any period ending on or before the Closing Date have been made or properly accrued and reflected in Parent’s financial statements to the extent required by GAAP.

(m) Each Parent Benefit Plans has, at all times, been established, maintained and administered in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws, regulations and requirements and the trusts, powers and provisions of the Parent Benefit Plans.

Section 4.17 Insurance. Except as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect, (a) all insurance policies maintained by or on behalf of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries as of the date of this Agreement are in full force and effect and are valid and enforceable, and all premiums due on such policies have been paid by Parent or its Subsidiaries, as applicable, and (b) Parent and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms and provisions of all insurance policies maintained by or on behalf of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries as of the date of this Agreement, and neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries is in breach or default under, or has taken any action that could permit termination or material modification of, any material insurance policies.

Section 4.18 Opinion of Financial Advisor. The Parent Board has received the opinion of Ducera Securities LLC to the effect that, as of the date thereof and subject to the assumptions, limitations, qualifications and other matters set forth therein, the Membership Interest Exchange Ratio is fair, from a financial point of view, to Parent.

 

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Section 4.19 Material Contracts.

(a) Except for this Agreement, the Parent Benefit Plans, agreements with customers for the provision of drilling and related services, agreements filed as exhibits to the Parent SEC Documents or as set forth on the applicable subsection of Section 4.19(a) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, as of the date hereof, neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or bound by:

(i) any “material contract” (as such term is defined in Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K of the SEC);

(ii) any Contract that (A) imposes any restriction on the right or ability of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries to compete with any other person or acquire or dispose of the securities of another person or (B) contains an exclusivity or “most favored nation” clause that restricts the business of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries in a material manner;

(iii) any joint venture, partnership or limited liability company agreement or other similar Contract relating to the formation, creation, operation, management or control of any joint venture, partnership or limited liability company, other than any such Contract solely between Parent and its Subsidiaries or among Parent’s Subsidiaries;

(iv) any Contract expressly limiting or restricting the ability of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries to make distributions or declare or pay dividends in respect of their capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests or other equity interests, as the case may be;

(v) any Contract that by its terms calls for aggregate payments by or to Parent or any of its Subsidiaries of more than $5.0 million in the aggregate over the remaining term of such Contract, except for (A) Contracts with a customer and (B) any such Contract that may be cancelled by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries with a penalty or other liability of less than $1.0 million to Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, upon notice of 60 days or less; and

(vi) any Contract that contains “earn out” or other contingent payment obligations, or remaining indemnity or similar obligations, that could reasonably be expected to result in payments after the date hereof by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries in excess of $5.0 million.

All Contracts of the types referred to in clauses (i) through (vi) above are referred to herein as (“Parent Material Contracts”).

(b) Parent has delivered or made available to the Company true and complete copies of all Parent Material Contracts, subject to certain redactions made in order to comply with legal requirements.

(c) Except as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect, (i) neither Parent nor any Subsidiary of Parent is in breach of or default under the terms of any Parent Material Contract, (ii) to Parent’s knowledge, no other party to any Parent Material Contract is in breach of or default under the terms of any Parent Material Contract and (iii) each Parent Material Contract is a valid and binding obligation of Parent or the Subsidiary of Parent that is party thereto and, to Parent’s knowledge, of each other party thereto, and is in full force and effect, subject to the Remedies Exceptions.

 

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Section 4.20 Finders or Brokers. Except for Ducera Securities LLC, neither Parent nor any of Parent’s Subsidiaries has employed any investment banker, broker or finder in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement who would be entitled to or may receive any fee or any commission in connection with or upon consummation of the Merger.

Section 4.21 Anti-Bribery. Within the past five (5) years, neither (a) Parent, nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor, to Parent’s knowledge, any director, officer, or employee of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries nor (b) to Parent’s knowledge, any Representative while acting on behalf of any of the foregoing, and authorized to act on behalf of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, has directly or indirectly (i) made any unlawful payment to foreign or domestic government officials or employees or to any foreign or domestic political parties or campaigns or violated any provisions of any Anti-Bribery Laws, or (ii) taken any action on behalf of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries that would constitute a violation of any Anti-Bribery Laws, including the FCPA, UKBA and the Anti-Corruption Act, including making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the FCPA. Parent has for the past five (5) years implemented and maintained, and continues to maintain policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure, and that are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance with Anti-Bribery Laws by Parent and its Subsidiaries. Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of Parent, any director, officer or employee of Parent or any Subsidiary of Parent, are, or in the past five (5) years have been, subject to any actual, pending, or, to Parent’s knowledge, threatened civil, criminal, or administrative actions or governmental investigations, inquiries or enforcement actions, or made any voluntary disclosures to any governmental authority, involving Parent or any Subsidiary of Parent’s alleged violations of Anti-Bribery Laws, including the FCPA, UKBA and the Anti-Corruption Act.

Section 4.22 Export Controls and Sanctions.

(a) Neither Parent, any of its Subsidiaries, nor to Parent’s knowledge any employee, officer, or director of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries is currently or has been within the past five (5) years the target of Trade Sanctions (including by being designated on the list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons or on any other sanctions list maintained by OFAC, the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union or Her Majesty’s Treasury). Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries (A), is or has been within the past five (5) years operating, organized or resident in a country or territory that itself is the target of comprehensive Trade Sanctions (specifically, Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria) in violation of Trade Sanctions; or (B) has, directly or, to the knowledge of Parent, indirectly, participated in the past five (5) years in any transaction or dealing involving a person or entity that is the target of Trade Sanctions, or with any person or entity operating, organized, or resident in a country or territory that is the target of Trade Sanctions, in each case, in material violation of Trade Sanctions.

 

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(b) Except as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect on such party, in the past five (5) years, each of Parent, Parent’s Subsidiaries and, to Parent’s knowledge, any employee, officer, or director of any of the foregoing (i) has conducted its business in compliance with all applicable Trade Sanctions and Export Control Laws; (ii) have obtained, and are in compliance with, all required export and import licenses, license exceptions and other consents, notices, approvals, orders, permits, authorizations, declarations, classifications and filings with any Governmental Entity required for the import, export and re-export of products, software and technology under applicable Export Control Laws; and (iii) has for the past five (5) years implemented and maintained, and continues to maintain policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure, and that are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance with Trade Sanctions and Export Control Laws by Parent and its Subsidiaries. Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of Parent, any director, officer or employee of Parent or any Subsidiary of Parent, are, or in the past five (5) years have been, subject to any actual, pending, or, to Parent’s knowledge, threatened civil, criminal, or administrative actions or governmental investigations, inquiries or enforcement actions, or made any voluntary disclosures to any governmental authority, involving Parent or any Subsidiary of Parent’s alleged violations of Trade Sanctions or Export Control Laws

Section 4.23 No Additional Representations.

(a) Each of Parent and Merger Sub acknowledges that the Company does not make any representation or warranty as to any matter whatsoever except as expressly set forth in Article III or in any certificate delivered by the Company to Parent and Merger Sub in accordance with the terms hereof, and specifically (but without limiting the generality of the foregoing) that the Company makes no representation or warranty with respect to (i) any projections, estimates or budgets delivered or made available to Parent, any of its affiliates or any of their respective officers, directors, employees or Representatives of future revenues, results of operations (or any component thereof), cash flows or financial condition (or any component thereof) of the Company and its Subsidiaries or (ii) the future business and operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, and neither Parent nor Merger Sub has relied on such information or any other representations or warranties not set forth in Article III.

(b) Each of Parent and Merger Sub has conducted its own independent review and analysis of the business, operations, assets, liabilities, results of operations, financial condition and prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries and acknowledges that Parent and Merger Sub have been provided access for such purposes. Except for the representations and warranties expressly set forth in Article III or in any certificate delivered to Parent and Merger Sub by the Company in accordance with the terms hereof, in entering into this Agreement, each of Parent and Merger Sub has relied solely upon its independent investigation and analysis of the Company and the Company’s Subsidiaries, and each of Parent and Merger Sub acknowledges and agrees that it has not been induced by and has not relied upon any representations, warranties or statements, whether express or implied, made by the Company, its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective affiliates, shareholders, controlling persons or Representatives that are not expressly set forth in Article III or in any certificate delivered to Parent and Merger Sub by the Company, whether or not such representations, warranties or statements were made in writing or orally. Each of Parent and Merger Sub acknowledges and agrees that, except for the representations and warranties expressly set forth in Article III or in any certificate delivered by the Company to Parent and

 

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Merger Sub (i) the Company does not make, and has not made, any representations or warranties relating to itself or its business or otherwise in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and neither Parent nor Merger Sub is relying on any representation or warranty except for those expressly set forth in this Agreement, (ii) no person has been authorized by the Company to make any representation or warranty relating to itself or its business or otherwise in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, and if made, such representation or warranty may not be relied upon by Parent and Merger Sub as having been authorized by the Company and (iii) any estimates, projections, predictions, data, financial information, memoranda, presentations or any other materials or information provided or addressed to Parent or Merger Sub, any of their affiliates or any of their respective officers, directors, employees or Representatives are not and shall not be deemed to be or include representations or warranties of the Company unless any such materials or information is the subject of any express representation or warranty set forth in Article III.

ARTICLE V

COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS

Section 5.1 Conduct of Business by the Company.

(a) From and after the date hereof until the earlier of the Effective Time or the date, if any, on which this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 7.1 (the “Termination Date”), and except (i) as may be required by applicable Law or the regulations or requirements of any stock exchange or regulatory organization applicable to the Company and its Subsidiaries, (ii) with the prior written consent of Parent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), (iii) as may be expressly contemplated or required by this Agreement or (iv) as set forth in Section 5.1(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company covenants and agrees that the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries shall be conducted in the ordinary course of business in all material respects, and the Company and its Subsidiaries shall use commercially reasonable efforts to preserve substantially intact their respective present lines of business, maintain their respective material rights, franchises and Permits and preserve their respective relationships with key customers and key suppliers; provided, however, that no action by the Company and its Subsidiaries with respect to matters specifically addressed by any provision of Section 5.1(b) shall be deemed a breach of this sentence unless such action would constitute a breach of such provision of Section 5.1(b).

(b) The Company agrees with Parent and Merger Sub, on behalf of itself and its Subsidiaries, that from the date hereof and prior to the earlier of the Effective Time and the Termination Date, except (i) as may be required by applicable Law or the regulations or requirements of any stock exchange or regulatory organization applicable to the Company or its Subsidiaries, (ii) with the prior written consent of Parent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), (iii) as may be expressly contemplated or required by this Agreement or (iv) as set forth in Section 5.1(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company:

(i) shall not amend the Company LLC Agreement, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to adopt any amendments to its articles of association or limited liability company agreement or similar applicable organizational documents;

 

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(ii) shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, split, combine or reclassify any of its membership interests or issue or authorize the issuance of any other securities in respect of, in lieu of or in substitution for shares of its membership interests, except for any such transaction by a wholly owned Subsidiary which remains a wholly owned Subsidiary after consummation of such transaction or for issuances pursuant to the Company Warrants;

(iii) shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries that is not directly or indirectly wholly owned to, authorize, make, declare or pay distribution with respect to its outstanding membership interest (whether in cash, assets, stock or other securities of the Company or its Subsidiaries), except (A) distributions by any Subsidiaries only to the Company or to any wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, and (B) distributions by any non-wholly owned Subsidiary or joint venture that are consistent with past practice or required under such entity’s organizational documents in effect on the date of this Agreement;

(iv) shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization or other reorganization, other than the Merger and other than any liquidations, dissolutions, mergers, consolidations, restructurings or reorganizations solely among the Company and its wholly owned Subsidiaries or among wholly owned Subsidiaries of the Company;

(v) shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make any acquisition of any other person or business, or make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any other person, with a value in excess of $100,000 in the aggregate except as made in connection with any transaction among the Company and its wholly owned Subsidiaries or the Company’s wholly owned Subsidiaries;

(vi) shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, sell, lease, license, transfer, exchange or swap, or otherwise dispose of or encumber (other than with a Company Permitted Lien) any properties or non-cash assets with a value in excess of $2.0 million in the aggregate;

(vii) shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, authorize any capital expenditures in excess of $1.0 million individually or $2.5 million in the aggregate, except for (A) expenditures made in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice, or (B) expenditures made in response to any emergency, whether caused by war, terrorism, weather events, public health events, outages, operational incidents or otherwise;

(viii) except as required by Law, under the terms of any Company Benefit Plan or other contract entered into prior to the date of this Agreement, or in connection with ordinary course hiring and firing of offshore employees with annual compensation levels below $150,000 and with compensation and benefits consistent with the Company’s existing pay schedule and Company Benefit Plans, shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (A) establish, adopt, materially amend or modify, or terminate any

 

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Collective Bargaining Agreement or material Company Benefit Plan, (B) increase the compensation of any current or former director, manager, officer or employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries other than on a limited, case-by-case basis as in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice with respect to any employee with an annual base compensation or annual fee less than $125,000, (C) pay or award, or commit to pay or award, any bonuses or incentive compensation to any director, manager, officer or employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (D) hire or terminate (other than for cause or due to death or disability) any officer, director, manager or employee of the Company, other than hiring or terminations of an individual with an annual base compensation or annual fee that is less than $125,000, (E) implement or announce any employee layoffs, plant closings, reductions in force, furloughs, temporary layoffs, salary or wage reductions, or other actions that would implicate the WARN Act, (F) waive any post-employment restrictive covenant with any of the current or former directors, officers or employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries or any current or former independent contractors of the Company or its Subsidiaries, or (G) grant or materially amend any equity or equity based incentive awards; provided, however, that, in each case, any hiring of offshore employees shall be permitted to the extent required by Law, customer contracts or regulatory health and safety standards;

(ix) shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, materially change financial accounting policies or procedures or any of its methods of reporting income, deductions or other material items for financial accounting purposes, except as required by GAAP or other applicable accounting standards or applicable Law;

(x) shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, issue, sell, pledge, dispose of, grant or encumber, or authorize the issuance, sale, pledge, disposition, grant or encumbrance of, any membership interests in the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for any such shares or ownership interest, or any rights, warrants or options to acquire any such membership interests, ownership interest or convertible or exchangeable securities, other than (A) for transactions among the Company and its wholly owned Subsidiaries or among the Company’s wholly owned Subsidiaries or (B) issuances or conversions pursuant to the terms of the Company Warrants;

(xi) shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any membership interests of any of them or any rights, warrants or options to acquire any such shares, except for (A) transactions among the Company and its Subsidiaries or among the Company’s wholly owned Subsidiaries or (B) issuances or conversions pursuant to the terms of the Company Warrants;

(xii) shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, incur, assume, guarantee or otherwise become liable for any indebtedness for borrowed money or any guarantee of such indebtedness, except for any indebtedness among the Company and its wholly owned Subsidiaries or among the Company’s wholly owned Subsidiaries;

 

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(xiii) shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (A) other than in the ordinary course of business, enter into, or modify or amend in any material respect, terminate or waive any material rights under any Company Material Contract, (B) other than in the ordinary course of business, modify or amend in any material respect, or terminate or waive any material rights under any material Permit, or (C) other than in the ordinary course of business, enter into any new contract which would reasonably be expected to, after the Effective Time, restrict or limit in any material respect Parent or any of its affiliates from engaging in any business or competing in any geographic location with any person;

(xiv) shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, waive, release, assign, settle or compromise any claim, action or proceeding, other than waivers, releases, assignments, settlements or compromises that do not exceed $1.0 million in the aggregate or as set forth on Section 5.1(b)(xiv) of the Company Disclosure Schedule for amounts equal to or less than the settlement authority listed therein and, in all cases, do not obligate it or any of its Subsidiaries to take any material action (other than make a payment) or impose any material restrictions on its business or the business of any of its Subsidiaries;

(xv) shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (A) make, change or revoke any Tax election; (B) change any Tax accounting method; (C) file any amended Tax Return; (D) enter into any material Tax allocation agreement, Tax sharing agreement, Tax indemnity agreement, advance pricing agreement or closing agreement; (E) request any Tax ruling; (F) settle or compromise any Tax proceeding; (G) consent to any extension or waiver of the statute of limitations period applicable to any Tax claim or assessment; (H) change its jurisdiction of Tax residence; or (I) surrender any claim for a refund of Taxes , if, in the case of clauses (A) through (G), such action would have a Company Material Adverse Effect;

(xvi) except for transactions between the Company and its Subsidiaries or among the Company’s Subsidiaries, shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries, to prepay, redeem, repurchase, defease, cancel or otherwise acquire any indebtedness for borrowed money or guarantees thereof of the Company or its Subsidiaries, other than any required amortization payments and mandatory prepayments (including mandatory prepayments arising from any change of control put rights to which holders of such indebtedness or guarantees thereof may be entitled), in each case in accordance with the terms of the instrument governing such indebtedness as in effect on the date hereof; and

(xvii) shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, agree, consent, resolve or propose, in writing or otherwise, to take any of the foregoing actions that are prohibited pursuant to sub-clauses (i) through (xvi) of this Section 5.1.

Section 5.2 Conduct of Business by Parent and Merger Sub.

(a) From and after the date hereof until the earlier of the Effective Time or the Termination Date, and except (i) as may be required by applicable Law or the regulations or requirements of any stock exchange or regulatory organization applicable to Parent and its Subsidiaries, (ii) with the prior written consent of the Company (such consent not to be

 

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unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), (iii) as may be expressly contemplated or required by this Agreement or (iv) as set forth in Section 5.2(a) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, Parent and Merger Sub covenant and agree that the business of Parent and its Subsidiaries shall be conducted in the ordinary course of business in all material respects, and Parent and its Subsidiaries shall use commercially reasonable efforts to preserve substantially intact their respective material present lines of business, maintain their respective rights, franchises and Permits and preserve their respective relationships with key customers and key suppliers; provided, however, that no action by Parent and its Subsidiaries with respect to matters specifically addressed by any provision of Section 5.2(b) shall be deemed a breach of this sentence unless such action would constitute a breach of such provision of Section 5.2(b).

(b) Parent and Merger Sub agree with the Company, on behalf of themselves and Parent’s Subsidiaries, that from the date hereof and prior to the earlier of the Effective Time and the Termination Date, except (i) as may be required by applicable Law or the regulations or requirements of any stock exchange or regulatory organization applicable to Parent and its Subsidiaries, (ii) with the prior written consent of the Company (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), (iii) as may be expressly contemplated or required by this Agreement or (iv) as set forth in Section 5.2(b) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, Parent and Merger Sub:

(i) shall not amend its memorandum of association, articles of association or limited liability company agreement, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to adopt any amendments to its certificate of incorporation, memorandum of association, articles of association, limited liability company agreement or bylaws or similar applicable organizational documents, other than, in the case of Subsidiaries (other than the Merger Sub), in connection with internal restructurings among the Subsidiaries;

(ii) shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, split, combine or reclassify any of its capital stock or issue or authorize the issuance of any other securities in respect of, in lieu of or in substitution for shares of its capital stock, except (A) for any such transaction by a wholly owned Subsidiary which remains a wholly owned Subsidiary after consummation of such transaction or (B) with respect to Subsidiaries only, as would not reasonably be expected to prevent, materially impede or materially delay the consummation of the Merger;

(iii) shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries that is not directly or indirectly wholly owned to, authorize, make, declare or pay any dividends on or make any distribution with respect to its outstanding shares of capital stock (whether in cash, assets, stock or other securities of Parent or its Subsidiaries), except (A) dividends or distributions by any Subsidiaries only to Parent or to any wholly owned Subsidiary of Parent in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or (B) dividends or distributions by any non-wholly owned Subsidiary or joint venture that are consistent with past practice or required under such entity’s organizational documents in effect on the date of this Agreement;

 

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(iv) shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization or other reorganization, other than the Merger and other than any liquidations, dissolutions, mergers, consolidations, restructurings or reorganizations solely among Parent and its wholly owned Subsidiaries or among wholly owned Subsidiaries of Parent;

(v) shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make any acquisition of any other person or business, or make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any other person, except as made in connection with any transaction among Parent and its wholly owned Subsidiaries or Parent’s wholly owned Subsidiaries;

(vi) shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, materially change financial accounting policies or procedures or any of its methods of reporting income, deductions or other material items for financial accounting purposes, except as required by GAAP or other applicable accounting standards, or applicable Law;

(vii) shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, issue, sell, pledge, dispose of, grant or encumber, any shares of its capital stock or other ownership interest in Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for any such shares or ownership interest, or any rights, warrants or options to acquire any such shares of capital stock, ownership interest or convertible or exchangeable securities, other than (A) issuances of Parent Shares under the Parent Stock Plan in respect of the exercise, vesting or settlement of any Parent Stock Awards approved or outstanding on the date of this Agreement, (B) the vesting of Parent Shares or for withholding of Taxes with respect to any Parent Stock Awards to the extent provided by the terms of such awards or (C) for transactions among Parent and its wholly owned Subsidiaries or among Parent’s wholly owned Subsidiaries, in each case, subject to the continued accuracy of the representation set forth in Section 4.1(c);

(viii) shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, incur, assume, guarantee or otherwise become liable for any indebtedness for borrowed money in excess of the amount of available borrowing capacity existing as of the date hereof under Parent’s revolving credit facility or any guarantee of such indebtedness, except for (A) any indebtedness among Parent and its wholly owned Subsidiaries or among Parent’s wholly owned Subsidiaries, (B) any indebtedness incurred to replace, renew, extend, refinance or refund any existing indebtedness on substantially the same or more favorable terms to Parent than such existing indebtedness; provided, however, that the principal amount of such indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of such existing indebtedness and any premiums, interest and reasonable fees incurred in connection with such renewal, extension or refinance, and (C) any guarantees by Parent of indebtedness of its Subsidiaries or guarantees by such Subsidiaries of indebtedness of Parent or any Subsidiary of Parent, which indebtedness is incurred in compliance with this Section 5.2(b);

(ix) except as required by Law or under the terms of any Parent Benefit Plan or other contract entered into prior to the date of this Agreement, shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (A) establish, adopt, materially amend or modify, or terminate any material Parent Benefit Plan, except in connection with adopting and entering into a broad-based employee severance plan which includes terms consistent with Section 5.13(a) for Affected Employees or (B) grant or materially amend any equity or equity based incentive awards;

 

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(x) shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, waive, release, assign, settle or compromise any claim, action or proceeding, other than waivers, releases, assignments, settlements or compromises that do not exceed $1.0 million in the aggregate or as set forth on Section 5.2(b)(x) of the Parent Disclosure Schedule and, in all cases, do not obligate it or any of its Subsidiaries to take any material action (other than make a payment) or impose any material restrictions on its business or the business of any of its Subsidiaries;

(xi) shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (A) make, change or revoke any Tax election; (B) change any Tax accounting method; (C) file any amended Tax Return; (D) enter into any Tax allocation agreement, Tax sharing agreement, Tax indemnity agreement, advance pricing agreement or closing agreement; (E) request any Tax ruling; (F) settle or compromise any Tax proceeding; (G) consent to any extension or waiver of the statute of limitations period applicable to any Tax claim or assessment; (H) change its jurisdiction of Tax residence; or (I) surrender any claim for a material refund of Taxes, if, in the case of clauses (A) through (G), such action would have a Parent Material Adverse Effect; and

(xii) shall not agree, in writing or otherwise, to take any of the foregoing actions that are prohibited pursuant to sub-clauses (i) through (ix) of this Section 5.2(b).

Section 5.3 Access.

(a) For purposes of furthering the transactions contemplated hereby, each Party shall afford the other Parties and the directors, managers, officers, employees, accountants, consultants, legal counsel, financial advisors and agents and other representatives of such other Party reasonable access during normal business hours, throughout the period prior to the earlier of the Effective Time and the Termination Date, to its and its Subsidiaries’ personnel and properties, facilities, contracts, commitments, books and records and any report, schedule or other document filed or received by it pursuant to the requirements of applicable Laws and with such additional accounting, financing, operating, environmental and other data and information regarding such Party as such other Party may reasonably request. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Party shall be required to afford such access if it would unreasonably disrupt the operations of such Party or any of its Subsidiaries, would cause a material violation of any agreement to which such Party or any of its Subsidiaries is a party, would cause a risk of a loss of privilege to such Party or any of its Subsidiaries or would constitute a violation of any applicable Law. No Party, nor any of their respective officers, employees or Representatives, shall be permitted to perform any onsite environmental testing or sampling (including any invasive testing or sampling) with respect to any property or facility of any Party or any of their respective Subsidiaries without the prior written consent of such other Party.

 

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(b) The Parties hereto hereby agree that all information provided to them or their respective officers, managers, directors, employees or Representatives in connection with this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby shall be governed in accordance with the confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement, dated as of January 22, 2021, between the Parent and the Company and, as applicable, the clean team agreement dated, as of February 10, 2021, between the Parent and the Company (collectively, the “Confidentiality Agreement”).

Section 5.4 No Solicitation. The Company shall, shall cause each of its affiliates and its and their respective officers, directors and employees to, and shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause its and their respective agents, financial advisors, investment bankers, attorneys, accountants and other representatives (a person’s officers, directors, employees, agents, financial advisors, investment bankers, attorneys, accountants and other representatives being collectively its “Representatives”) to: (a) immediately cease any solicitation, knowing encouragement, discussions or negotiations with any persons that may be ongoing with respect to or may reasonably be expected to lead to a Takeover Proposal, and promptly instruct (to the extent it has contractual authority to do so and has not already done so prior to the date of this Agreement) or otherwise request, any person that has executed a confidentiality or non-disclosure agreement within the 24-month period prior to the date of this Agreement in connection with any actual or potential Takeover Proposal to return or destroy all such information or documents or material incorporating confidential information in the possession of such person or its Representatives and (b) until the Effective Time or, if earlier, the termination of this Agreement in accordance with Article VII, not, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate or knowingly facilitate or knowingly encourage (including by way of furnishing non-public information) any inquiries regarding, or the making of any proposal or offer that constitutes, or could reasonably be expected to lead to, a Takeover Proposal, (ii) engage in, continue or otherwise participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding, or furnish to any other person any non-public information in connection with or for the purpose of encouraging or facilitating, a Takeover Proposal (other than, solely in response to an unsolicited inquiry, to refer the inquiring person to this Section 5.4 and to limit its conversation or other communication exclusively to such referral), or (iii) approve, recommend or enter into, or propose to approve, recommend or enter into, any letter of intent or similar document, agreement, commitment or agreement in principle (whether written or oral, binding or nonbinding) with respect to a Takeover Proposal. The Company and its Subsidiaries shall not release any third party from, or waive, amend or modify any provision of, or grant permission under, (x) any standstill provision in any agreement to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or (y) any confidentiality provision in any agreement to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party other than, with respect to this clause (y), any confidentiality provision, the waiver, amendment, modification or permission of which does not, and would not be reasonably likely to, facilitate, encourage or relate in any way to a Takeover Proposal or a potential Takeover Proposal. The Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, enforce such confidentiality and standstill provisions of any such agreement, and the Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, immediately take all steps within their power necessary to terminate any waiver that may have been heretofore granted, to any person other than Parent or any of Parent’s affiliates, under any such provisions. Neither the Company Board nor any committee thereof shall (i) (A) change, qualify, withhold, withdraw or modify, or authorize or publicly propose to change, qualify, withhold, withdraw or modify, in a manner adverse to Parent the Company Board’s approval of this Agreement, (B) take any formal action or make any recommendation or public statement in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer, or (C) adopt, approve or recommend, or publicly propose to adopt, approve or recommend, to the Company Members a Takeover Proposal, or (ii) authorize, cause or permit the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to enter into any letter of intent, agreement, commitment or agreement in principle with respect to any Takeover Proposal.

 

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Section 5.5 Filings; Other Actions.

(a) As promptly as reasonably practicable following the date of this Agreement, the Company and Parent shall prepare agreed upon materials to be supplied to the holders of Company Interests. Parent shall also take any action required to be taken under any applicable securities laws, the Parent Organizational Documents and/or the CLCI in connection with the issuance and reservation of the Parent Shares in the Merger, and the Company shall furnish all information concerning the Company and the holders of Company Interests, or holders of a beneficial interest therein, as may be reasonably requested in connection with any such action.

(b) As promptly as practicable after the date of this Agreement, Parent and the Company shall prepare and make such filings as are required under applicable state securities or “blue sky” laws in connection with the Merger, and the Company shall assist Parent as may be necessary to comply with such state securities or “blue sky” laws.

Section 5.6 Efforts; Regulatory Approvals.

(a) Prior to the Closing, Parent, Merger Sub and the Company shall use their respective reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under any applicable Laws to consummate and make effective the Merger, including (i) the preparation and filing of all forms, registrations and notices required to be filed to consummate the Merger and the provision of information in connection therewith, (ii) the satisfaction of the conditions to consummating the Merger, (iii) taking all reasonable actions necessary to obtain (and cooperating with each other in obtaining) any consent, authorization, Order or approval of, or any exemption by, any third party, including any Governmental Entity required to be obtained or made by the Parent, Merger Sub, the Company or any of their respective Subsidiaries in connection with the Merger or the taking of any action contemplated by this Agreement, and (iv) the execution and delivery of any additional instruments necessary to consummate the Merger and to fully carry out the purposes of this Agreement. Additionally, Parent, Merger Sub and the Company shall use reasonable best efforts to fulfill all conditions precedent to the Merger and shall not take any action after the date of this Agreement that would reasonably be expected to materially delay the obtaining of, or result in not obtaining, any consent, authorization, Order or approval of, or any exemption by, any such Governmental Entity necessary to be obtained prior to Closing. To the extent that transfers of any Permits issued by any Governmental Entity are required as a result of the execution of this Agreement or the consummation of the Merger (including Permits required pursuant to Environmental Laws), the Parties hereto shall use reasonable best efforts to effect such transfers.

(b) In furtherance and not in limitation of the other covenants contained in this Section 5.6, each of the Parent, Merger Sub, and the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, any and all steps and to make, or cause to be made any and all undertakings necessary to resolve objections, if any, that any relevant authority may assert under any federal, state or foreign law designed to prohibit, restrict or regulate actions for the purpose or effect of monopolization or restraint of trade or reduction of competition (collectively, “Antitrust

 

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Laws”) or that regulates foreign investment (“Foreign Investment Laws”), with respect to this Agreement, and to avoid or eliminate each and every impediment under any Antitrust Law or Foreign Investment Laws that may be asserted by any relevant authority with respect to this Agreement, in each case, so as to enable the Closing to occur as promptly as practicable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event will Parent be required to propose, negotiate, commit to or effect, by consent decree, hold separate order, or otherwise, (i) the sale, divestiture or disposition of any businesses, assets, equity interests, product lines or properties of the Parent, Merger Sub and the Company (or any of their respective Subsidiaries) or any equity interest in any joint venture held by Parent, Merger Sub and the Company (or any of their respective Subsidiaries), (ii) creating, terminating, or divesting relationships, ventures, contractual rights or obligations of the Parent, Merger Sub and the Company or their respective Subsidiaries and (iii) otherwise taking or committing to take any action that would limit the Parent’s or the Merger Sub’s freedom of action with respect to, or its ability to retain or hold, directly or indirectly, any businesses, assets, equity interests, product lines or properties of the Parent, Merger Sub and the Company (including any of their respective Subsidiaries) or any equity interest in any joint venture held by the Parent, Merger Sub and the Company (or any of their respective Subsidiaries).

(c) The Company and Parent shall each keep the other apprised of the status of matters relating to the completion of the Merger and work cooperatively in connection with obtaining all required consents, authorizations, Orders or approvals of, or any exemptions by, any Governmental Entity undertaken pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5.6. In that regard, prior to the Closing, each Party shall promptly consult with one another with respect to, and provide any necessary information with respect to (and, in the case of correspondence, provide the other Parties (or their counsel) copies of), all filings made by such Party with any Governmental Entity or any other information supplied by such Party to, or correspondence with, a Governmental Entity in connection with this Agreement and the Merger. Each Party to this Agreement shall promptly inform the other Parties to this Agreement, and if in writing, furnish the other Party (or their counsel) with copies of (or, in the case of oral communications, advise the other Party (or their counsel) orally of) any communication from any Governmental Entity regarding the Merger, and permit the other Party to review and discuss in advance, and consider in good faith the views of the other Party in connection with, any proposed communication with any such Governmental Entity. If any Party or any Representative of such Party receives a request for additional information or documentary material, or other request for information, from any Governmental Entity with respect to the Merger, then such Party will use reasonable best efforts to make, or cause to be made, promptly and after consultation with the other Party, an appropriate response to such request. Neither Party shall participate in any meeting or teleconference with any Governmental Entity where material issues would likely be discussed in connection with this Agreement and the Merger unless, so long as reasonably practicable, it consults with the other Party in advance and, to the extent permitted by such Governmental Entity, gives the other Party the opportunity to attend and participate thereat. Each Party shall furnish the other Party with copies of all correspondence, filings and communications (and memoranda setting forth the substance thereof) between it and any such Governmental Entity with respect to this Agreement and the Merger, and furnish the other Party with such necessary information and reasonable assistance as the other Party may reasonably request in connection with its preparation of necessary filings or submissions of information to any such Governmental Entity; provided, however, that materials provided pursuant to this Section 5.6 may be redacted (i) to remove references concerning the valuation of the Company and the Merger or other confidential information, (ii) as necessary to comply with contractual arrangements, and (iii) as necessary to address reasonable privilege concerns.

 

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Section 5.7 Takeover Statutes. If any “moratorium,” “control share acquisition,” “fair price,” “supermajority,” “affiliate transactions,” or “business combination statute or regulation” or other similar state or other anti-takeover Laws and regulations may become, or may purport to be, applicable to the Merger or any other transactions contemplated hereby, each of the Company, the Merger Sub and Parent shall grant such approvals and take such actions as are reasonably necessary so that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement may be consummated as promptly as practicable on the terms contemplated hereby and otherwise act to eliminate or minimize the effects of such statute or regulation on the transactions contemplated hereby.

Section 5.8 Public Announcements. Parent, the Merger Sub and the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to develop a joint communications plan and each Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that all press releases and other public statements with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby, to the extent they have not been previously issued or disclosed, shall be consistent with such joint communications plan. Unless otherwise required by applicable Law or by obligations pursuant to any listing agreement with or rules of any securities exchange, each Party shall consult with each other before issuing any press release or public statement with respect to the Merger and, subject to the requirements of applicable Law or the rules of any securities exchange, shall not issue any such press release or public statement prior to such consultation. Parent, the Merger Sub and the Company agree to issue a mutually acceptable initial joint press release announcing this Agreement.

Section 5.9 Indemnification and Insurance.

(a) Parent agrees that, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Law, all rights to exculpation, indemnification and advancement of expenses for acts or omissions occurring at or prior to the Effective Time, whether asserted or claimed prior to, at or after the Effective Time, existing as at the date of this Agreement in favor of the current or former directors, managers, officers or employees, as the case may be, of the Company or its Subsidiaries as provided in their respective certificate of formation or bylaws or other organizational documents or in any agreement shall survive the Merger and shall continue in full force and effect in accordance with their terms. For a period of six years from the Effective Time, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Law, Parent shall, and shall cause the Surviving Company to, maintain in effect any and all exculpation, indemnification and advancement of expenses provisions of the certificate of formation, bylaws or similar organizational documents of the Company and its Subsidiaries in effect as at the date of this Agreement or in any indemnification agreements of the Company or its Subsidiaries with any of their respective current or former directors, managers, officers or employees in effect as at the date of this Agreement, and to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Law shall not amend, repeal or otherwise modify any such provisions or the exculpation, indemnification or advancement of expenses provisions of the organizational documents of the Company or its Subsidiaries in any manner that would adversely affect the rights thereunder of any individuals who immediately before the Effective Time were current or former directors, managers, officers or employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that all rights to exculpation, indemnification and advancement of expenses in respect of any Action pending or asserted or any claim made within such period shall continue until the disposition of such Action or resolution of such claim.

 

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(b) Parent shall, and shall cause the Surviving Company to, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Law, indemnify and hold harmless (and advance funds in respect of each of the foregoing) each current and former director, manager, officer or employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and each person who served as a director, manager, officer, member, trustee or fiduciary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, pension or other employee benefit plan or enterprise if such service was at the request or for the benefit of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (each, together with such person’s heirs, executors or administrators, an “Indemnified Party”), in each case against any costs or expenses (including advancing attorneys’ fees and expenses in advance of the final disposition of any claim, suit, proceeding or investigation to each Indemnified Party to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law; provided, however, that the Indemnified Party to whom expenses are advanced provides an undertaking consistent with applicable Law and the Company Organizational Documents to repay such amounts if it is ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to indemnification), judgments, fines, losses, claims, damages, liabilities and amounts paid in settlement in connection with any actual or threatened claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (an “Action”), arising out of, relating to or in connection with any action or omission by them in their capacities as such occurring or alleged to have occurred whether before or after the Effective Time (including acts or omissions in connection with such Indemnified Party serving as an officer, director, employee or other fiduciary of any entity if such service was at the request or for the benefit of the Company). In the event of any such Action, Parent and the Surviving Company shall cooperate with the Indemnified Party in the defense of any such Action.

(c) For a period of six years from the Effective Time, Parent and the Surviving Company shall cause to be maintained in effect the coverage provided by the policies of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance and fiduciary liability insurance in effect as of the date hereof by the Company and its Subsidiaries with respect to matters existing or arising on or before the Effective Time (provided that Parent may substitute these for policies with a carrier with reasonably comparable credit ratings to the existing carrier of at least the same coverage and amounts and containing terms and conditions that it reasonably considers are no less favorable to the insured or, if insurance coverage that is no less favorable is unavailable, the best available coverage); provided, however, that Parent shall not be required to pay an annual premium in excess of 300% of the last annual premium paid by the Company prior to the date hereof in respect of the coverages (the “Maximum Amount”) required to be obtained pursuant hereto, but in such case shall purchase as much coverage as reasonably practicable for such amount. If the Company or Parent elects, then the Company or Parent, as applicable, may, prior to the Effective Time, purchase a “tail policy” with respect to acts or omissions occurring or alleged to have occurred prior to the Effective Time that were committed or alleged to have been committed by such Indemnified Parties in their capacity as such; provided, however, that in no event shall the cost of such policy, if purchased by the Company, exceed six (6) times the Maximum Amount and, if such a “tail policy” is purchased, Parent shall have no further obligations under this Section 5.9(c).

 

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(d) Parent shall, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Law, pay all reasonable expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, that may be incurred by any Indemnified Party in enforcing the indemnity and other obligations provided in this Section 5.9.

(e) The rights of each Indemnified Party under this Section 5.9 shall be in addition to, and not in limitation of, any other rights such Indemnified Party may have under the certificate of incorporation or bylaws or other organizational documents of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or the Surviving Company, any other indemnification arrangement,

(f) In the event that Parent, the Surviving Company or any of its successors or assigns shall (i) consolidate with or merge into any other person and shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such consolidation or merger or (ii) transfer all or substantially all its properties and assets to any person, then, and in each such case, Parent shall cause proper provision to be made so that the successor and assign of Parent or the Surviving Company assumes the obligations set forth in this Section 5.9.

(g) The obligations of Parent under this Section 5.9 shall not be terminated, amended or modified in any manner so as to adversely affect any Indemnified Party (including their successors, heirs and legal representatives) to whom this Section 5.9 applies without the consent of such Indemnified Party. It is expressly agreed that, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement that may be to the contrary, (i) the Indemnified Parties to whom this Section 5.9 applies shall be third-party beneficiaries of this Section 5.9, and (ii) this Section 5.9 shall survive consummation of the Merger and shall be enforceable by such Indemnified Parties and their respective successors, heirs and legal representatives against Parent and its successors and assigns.

Section 5.10 Control of Operations. Without in any way limiting any Party’s rights or obligations under this Agreement, the Parties understand and agree that (a) nothing contained in this Agreement shall give Parent or the Company, directly or indirectly, the right to control or direct the other Party’s operations prior to the Effective Time and (b) prior to the Effective Time, each of Parent and the Company shall exercise, consistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, complete control and supervision over its operations.

Section 5.11 Transaction Litigation. Each Party shall provide the other Party prompt written notice of any litigation brought by any shareholder or member, as applicable, of that Party against such Party, any of its Subsidiaries and/or any of their respective directors relating to the Merger, this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby. The Company shall give Parent the opportunity to participate (at Parent’s expense) in the defense or settlement of any Confirmation Challenge or any member litigation against the Company and/or its directors or executive officers relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the Merger. The Company agrees that it shall not settle or offer to settle any Confirmation Challenge or any litigation commenced prior to or after the date of this Agreement against the Company or its directors, executive officers or similar persons by this Agreement, the Merger or any other transaction contemplated hereby without the prior written consent of Parent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).

 

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Section 5.12 Tax Matters. The Parties intend that, for United States federal income tax purposes, the Merger will qualify as a “reorganization” pursuant to Section 368(a) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder to which each of Parent and the Company are to be parties under Section 368(b) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder and this Agreement is intended to be, and is adopted as, a plan of reorganization for purposes of Sections 354, 361 and 368 of the Code and within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.368-2(g) and 1.368(a) (the “Intended Tax Treatment”). Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, none of the Company, Surviving Company or Parent will take, or omit to take, any action that would, or could reasonably be expected to, prevent or impede the Merger from qualifying as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code or otherwise achieving the Intended Tax Treatment. At the request of Parent or the Company, each of Parent, Merger Sub and the Company will use its reasonable best efforts and will cooperate with one another to enable the Company to obtain any opinion of counsel to be issued in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement regarding the Intended Tax Treatment, which cooperation shall include, for the avoidance of doubt, the delivery by Parent, Merger Sub and the Company of duly executed certificates containing such representations, warranties and covenants as may be reasonably necessary or appropriate to enable such counsel to render any such opinion.

Section 5.13 Employee Matters.

(a) At the Effective Time, Parent and its Subsidiaries will continue the employment of all of the employees who are employed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as of immediately prior to the Effective Time (the “Affected Employees”) at the same salary and wage level for each such employee immediately prior to the Effective Time. During the period from the Effective Time to and including the one-year anniversary of the Closing Date (the “Transition Period”), Parent and its Subsidiaries shall provide Affected Employees, with employee compensation and benefits (excluding equity compensation and long-term cash incentives) that are substantially comparable, in the aggregate, to those provided by the Company or its Subsidiaries immediately prior to the Effective Time; provided, however, that (i) Parent may transition Affected Employees to Parent’s bonus and incentive compensation plans at any time in Parent’s discretion; (ii) Parent may transition Affected Employees to the pay scale and other compensation and benefit plans providing compensation and benefits that are substantially comparable to those provided to Parent’s other similarly situated employees; (iii) Parent shall honor, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to honor, each change in control, severance, termination or separation agreement, plan, policy, practice or arrangement of the Company and its Subsidiaries that covers any Affected Employee and to perform the obligations of the Company or its Subsidiaries thereunder subject to the reservation of rights to amend as may be provided pursuant to the terms of such arrangements; and (iv) Parent shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, maintain Benefit Plans with terms and benefits consistent with or exceeding those set forth on Section 5.13(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule for the Affected Employees during the period from the Effective Time to and including the six-month anniversary of the Closing Date. Nothing in this Agreement shall be considered a contract between Parent and its Subsidiaries and any Affected Employee or consideration for, or inducement with respect to, any such employee’s continued employment and, without limitation, all such employees are and will continue to be considered to be employees at will pursuant to the applicable employment at will laws or doctrines, subject to any express written agreement to the contrary with such employee.

 

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(b) With respect to each Affected Employee, Parent shall credit, or cause its Subsidiaries to credit, the period of employment and service recognized by the applicable employer immediately prior to the Effective Time (for purposes of its corresponding plans, programs, policies or similar employment-related arrangements) for purposes of determining the Affected Employee’s eligibility to join (subject to satisfaction of all non-service related eligibility criteria) and vesting (but not benefit accrual for any purpose other than vacation pay, severance and termination pay and sick leave) under all employee benefit plans, programs, policies or similar employment related arrangements of Parent and its Subsidiaries in which the Affected Employee is eligible to participate; provided, however, that no such credit shall be provided to the extent that it would result in a duplication of credit or benefits. Parent shall use commercially reasonable efforts to (i) waive, and to the extent necessary to effect the terms hereof, shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the relevant insurance carriers and other third parties to waive, any restrictions and limitations for pre-existing conditions of those Affected Employees and their spouses and dependents under the health plans applicable to Affected Employees and (ii) recognize for purposes of annual deductible and out of pocket limits under the health plans applicable to Affected Employees, deductible and out of pocket expenses paid by Affected Employees and their respective spouses and dependents under the health plans of the Company or its Subsidiaries during the plan year in which the Closing Date occurs.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement, whether express or implied, shall be treated as an amendment or other modification of any Company Benefit Plan, Parent Benefit Plan or other compensation or benefit plan, program or arrangement of the Company, Parent or their Subsidiaries, or shall limit the right of the Company, Parent or any of their Subsidiaries, to amend, terminate or otherwise modify any such plan or arrangement or to terminate the employment of any Affected Employee at any time. No Affected Employee or other individual is an intended third party of this Section 5.13 and no such person shall have any right to enforce any provision of this Section 5.13.

Section 5.14 Financing Matters. The Company shall deliver to Parent at least two business days prior to the Closing Date payoff letters from any third-party lenders (or agents therefor), trustees, or other holders of indebtedness of the Company or its Subsidiaries (or representatives therefor), as applicable, in the customary forms of such lenders, trustees or other holder of indebtedness or otherwise in form reasonably satisfactory to Parent, with respect to the indebtedness or obligations of the Company and its Subsidiaries set forth in Section 5.14 of the Company Disclosure Schedule. At the sole cost and expense of Parent, the Company shall reasonably cooperate with Parent in replacing any letters of credit issued pursuant to the facilities evidencing the above referenced indebtedness or obligations.

Section 5.15 Registration Rights Agreement. On the Closing Date, Parent and such Company Members as have delivered their consent and approval of the transactions contemplated hereby and have delivered the Letter of Transmittal shall enter into the Registration Rights Agreement; provided, however, that any Company Member that on or prior to the two hundred seventy (270) day anniversary of the Closing Date delivers a Letter of Transmittal, including a consent to the transaction contemplated thereby, shall be entitled to enter into a joinder to the Registration Rights Agreement.

Section 5.16 Obligations of Merger Sub and the Surviving Company. Parent shall take all action necessary to cause Merger Sub and the Surviving Company to perform their respective obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.

 

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Section 5.17 Buyout Notice. The Company shall deliver the Buyout Notice as contemplated by Section 9.5 of the Company LLC Agreement within five (5) business days of the date of this Agreement.

ARTICLE VI

CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER

Section 6.1 Conditions to Each Partys Obligation to Effect the Merger. The respective obligations of each Party to effect the Merger shall be subject to the fulfillment (or waiver by all Parties, to the extent permissible under applicable Law) at or prior to the Effective Time of the following conditions:

(a) No injunction by any court or other tribunal of competent jurisdiction shall have been entered and shall continue to be in effect and no Law shall have been adopted or be effective, in each case that prohibits the consummation of the Merger.

Section 6.2 Conditions to Obligation of the Company to Effect the Merger. The obligation of the Company to effect the Merger is further subject to the fulfillment (or waiver by the Company) at or prior to the Effective Time of the following conditions:

(a) The representations and warranties of Parent and Merger Sub set forth in (i) this Agreement (other than in Section 4.1(c), Section 4.1(d) and Section 4.7(b)) shall be true and correct both at and as of the date of this Agreement and at and as of the Closing Date as though made at and as of the Closing Date, except where such failures to be so true and correct (without regard to “materiality,” Parent Material Adverse Effect and similar qualifiers contained in such representations and warranties) would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Parent Material Adverse Effect, (ii) Section 4.1(c) and Section 4.1(d) shall be true and correct at and as of the date of this Agreement and at and as of the Closing Date as though made at and as of the Closing Date, except for any de minimis inaccuracies, and (iii) Section 4.7(b) shall be true and correct both at and as of the date of this Agreement and at and as of the Closing Date as though made at and as of the Closing Date; provided, however, that representations and warranties that are made as of a particular date or period need be true and correct (in the manner set forth in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), as applicable) only as of such date or period.

(b) Each of Parent and Merger Sub shall have, in all material respects, performed all obligations and complied with all covenants required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it prior to the Effective Time.

(c) Parent shall have delivered to the Company a certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by the Chief Executive Officer or another senior officer, certifying to the effect that the conditions set forth in Section 6.2(a) and Section 6.2(b) have been satisfied.

 

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Section 6.3 Conditions to Obligation of Parent and Merger Sub to Effect the Merger. The obligation of Parent and Merger Sub to effect the Merger is further subject to the fulfillment (or the waiver by Parent) at or prior to the Effective Time of the following conditions:

(a) The representations and warranties of the Company set forth in (i) this Agreement (other than in Section 3.1(c), Section 3.1(d) and Section 3.7(b)) shall be true and correct both at and as of the date of this Agreement and at and as of the Closing Date as though made at and as of the Closing Date, except where such failures to be so true and correct (without regard to “materiality,” the Company Material Adverse Effect and similar qualifiers contained in such representations and warranties) would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse Effect, (ii) Section 3.1(c) and Section 3.1(d) shall be true and correct at and as of the date of this Agreement and at and as of the Closing Date as though made at and as of the Closing Date, except for any de minimis inaccuracies, and (iii) Section 3.7(b) shall be true and correct both at and as of the date of this Agreement and at and as of the Closing Date as though made at and as of the Closing Date; provided, however, that representations and warranties that are made as of a particular date or period need be true and correct (in the manner set forth in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), as applicable) only as of such date or period.

(b) The Company shall have in all material respects performed all obligations and complied with all covenants required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it prior to the Effective Time.

(c) The Company shall have delivered to Parent a certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by its Chief Executive Officer or another senior officer, certifying to the effect that the conditions set forth in Section 6.3(a) and Section 6.3(b) have been satisfied.

Section 6.4 Frustration of Closing Conditions. Neither the Company nor Parent or Merger Sub may rely, either as a basis for not consummating the Merger or terminating this Agreement and abandoning the Merger, on the failure of any condition set forth in Section 6.1, Section 6.2 or Section 6.3, as the case may be, to be satisfied if such failure was caused by such Party’s willful and intentional material breach of any material provision of this Agreement.

ARTICLE VII

TERMINATION

Section 7.1 Termination or Abandonment. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, this Agreement may be terminated and abandoned at any time prior to the Effective Time:

(a) by the mutual written consent of the Company, Parent and Merger Sub;

(b) by either the Company or Parent, if the Merger shall not have been consummated on or prior to June 30, 2021 (the “End Date”); provided, however, that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.1(b) shall not be available to a Party if the failure of the Closing to occur by such date shall be due to the material breach by such Party of any representation, warranty, covenant or other agreement of such Party set forth in this Agreement;

(c) by either the Company or Parent, if an injunction shall have been entered permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the consummation of the Merger and such injunction shall have become final and nonappealable; provided, however, that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 7.1(c) shall not be available to a Party if such injunction was primarily due to the failure of such Party to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement;

 

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(d) by the Company, if either Parent or Merger Sub shall have breached or failed to perform any of its representations, warranties, covenants or other agreements contained in this Agreement, which breach or failure to perform (i) if it occurred or was continuing to occur on the Closing Date, would result in a failure of a condition set forth in Section 6.2(a) or Section 6.2(b) and (ii) by its nature, cannot be cured prior to the End Date or, if such breach or failure is capable of being cured by the End Date, has not been cured within the earlier of (x) thirty (30) calendar days after receipt of notice thereof from the Company describing such breach or failure in reasonable detail or (y) three (3) business days before the End Date (provided that the Company is not then in breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or other agreement contained herein such that the conditions set forth in Section 6.3(a) and Section 6.3(b) shall not be satisfied);

(e) by Parent, if the Company shall have breached or failed to perform any of its representations, warranties, covenants or other agreements contained in this Agreement, which breach or failure to perform (i) if it occurred or was continuing to occur on the Closing Date, would result in a failure of a condition set forth in Section 6.3(a) or Section 6.3(b) and (ii) by its nature, cannot be cured prior to the End Date or, if such breach or failure is capable of being cured by the End Date, has not been cured within the earlier of (x) thirty (30) calendar days after receipt of notice thereof from Parent describing such breach or failure in reasonable detail or (y) three (3) business days before the End Date (provided that neither Parent nor Merger Sub is then in breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or other agreement contained herein such that the conditions set forth in Section 6.2(a) and Section 6.2(b) shall not be satisfied);

Any termination pursuant to this Section 7.1 (other than pursuant to Section 7.1(a)) shall be effected by written notice from the terminating Party to the other Parties.

Section 7.2 Effect of Termination. In the event of the valid termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1, this Agreement shall terminate (except for the provisions of this Section 7.2 and Article VIII), and there shall be no other liability on the part of any Party to the other, except for any liability arising out of, or the result of, fraud or any willful or intentional breach of any covenant or agreement or willful or intentional breach of any representation or warranty in this Agreement occurring prior to termination or as provided for in the Confidentiality Agreement, in which case the aggrieved Party shall be entitled to all rights and remedies available at Law or in equity.

ARTICLE VIII

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 8.1 No Survival. None of the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in this Agreement or in any instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the Merger, except for: (a) the covenants and agreements of the Parties in Section 7.2 and this Article VIII; (b) the covenants and agreements of Parent in Section 5.9; and (c) any covenants and agreements which contemplate performance after the Effective Time or otherwise expressly by their terms survive the Effective Time.

 

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Section 8.2 Expenses. Whether or not the Merger is consummated, all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the Merger, this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be paid by the Party incurring or required to incur such expenses.

Section 8.3 Counterparts; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties and delivered (by telecopy, electronic delivery or otherwise) to the other Parties. Signatures to this Agreement transmitted by facsimile transmission, by electronic mail in “portable document format” (“.pdf”) form, or by any other electronic means intended to preserve the original graphic and pictorial appearance of a document, will have the same effect as physical delivery of the paper document bearing the original signature.

Section 8.4 Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action (whether at Law, in contract or in tort or otherwise) that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement or the negotiation, execution or performance hereof, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the Cayman Islands or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following matters arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be construed, performed and enforced in accordance with the LLCA and CLCI, as applicable: the Merger, the vesting of the rights, property, choses in action, business, undertaking, goodwill, benefits, immunities and privileges, contracts, obligations, claims, debts and liabilities of Merger Sub and the Company in the Surviving Company, the cancellation of the Company Interests, the rights provided in Section 52 of the LLCA, the fiduciary or other duties of the Company Board and the board of managers of Merger Sub and the internal corporate affairs of the Company and Merger Sub.

Section 8.5 Jurisdiction; Specific Performance. The Parties agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed, or were threatened to be not performed, in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that, in addition to any other remedy that may be available to it, including monetary damages, each of the Parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement exclusively in any Delaware Chancery Court (except that if jurisdiction is not then available in the Delaware Chancery Court, then any such legal Action may be brought in any federal court located in the State of Delaware or any other Delaware state court) and all such rights and remedies at law or in equity shall be cumulative. The Parties further agree that no Party to this Agreement shall be required to obtain, furnish or post any bond or similar instrument in connection with or as a condition to obtaining any remedy referred to in this Section 8.5 and each Party waives any objection to the imposition of such relief or any right it may have to require the obtaining, furnishing or posting of any such bond or similar instrument. In addition, each of the Parties hereto irrevocably agrees that any legal action or proceeding with respect to this Agreement and the rights and obligations arising hereunder, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect of this Agreement and the rights and obligations arising hereunder brought by the other Party hereto or its successors or assigns, shall be brought and determined exclusively in any such court in Delaware as described herein. Each of the Parties hereto hereby irrevocably submits with regard

 

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to any such action or proceeding for itself and in respect of its property, generally and unconditionally, to the personal jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts and agrees that it will not bring any action relating to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement in any court other than the aforesaid courts. Each of the Parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense, counterclaim or otherwise, in any action or proceeding with respect to this Agreement, (a) any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the above named courts, (b) any claim that it or its property is exempt or immune from jurisdiction of any such court or from any legal process commenced in such courts (whether through service of notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution of judgment, execution of judgment or otherwise) and (c) to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, any claim that (i) the suit, action or proceeding in such court is brought in an inconvenient forum, (ii) the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper or (iii) this Agreement, or the subject matter hereof, may not be enforced in or by such courts. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, each of the Parties hereto hereby consents to the service of process in accordance with Section 8.7; provided, however, that nothing herein shall affect the right of any party to serve legal process in any other manner permitted by Law.

Section 8.6 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THE ACTIONS OF THE COMPANY OR PARENT IN THE NEGOTIATION, ADMINISTRATION, PERFORMANCE OR ENFORCEMENT THEREOF.

Section 8.7 Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given (a) upon personal delivery to the Party to be notified; (b) when received when sent by email or facsimile by the Party to be notified; provided, however, that notice given by email or facsimile shall not be effective unless either (i) a duplicate copy of such email or fax notice is promptly given by one of the other methods described in this Section 8.7 or (ii) the receiving Party delivers a written confirmation of receipt for such notice either by email or fax or any other method described in this Section 8.7; or (c) when delivered by a courier (with confirmation of delivery); in each case to the Party to be notified at the following address:

 

To the Company:

Pacific Drilling Company LLC

800 Town and Country Blvd., Suite 500

Houston, Texas 77024
Attention:    Bernie G. Wolford; Lisa Buchanan
Email:    b.wolford@pacificdrilling.com; l.buchanan@pacificdrilling.com
with copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
One Bryant Park
Bank of America Tower

 

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New York, NY 10036-6745

Attention:

  

Daniel Fisher

Email:

  

dfisher@akingump.com

and
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
Robert S. Strauss Tower 2001 K Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20006-1037

Attention:

  

Iain Wood

Email:

  

iwood@akingump.com

To Parent or Merger Sub:

Noble Corporation

13135 Dairy Ashford, Suite 800

Sugar Land, TX 77478
Facsimile: 281-491-2092

Attention:

  

Robert W. Eifler

with copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

609 Main Street, Suite 4700

Houston, Texas 77002
Facsimile: (713) 836-3601

Attention:

  

Sean T. Wheeler, P.C.

  

Debbie P. Yee, P.C.

  

Cephas Sekhar

Email:

  

sean.wheeler@kirkland.com

  

debbie.yee@kirkland.com

cephas.sekhar@kirkland.com

or to such other address as any Party shall specify by written notice so given, and such notice shall be deemed to have been delivered as of the date so telecommunicated or personally delivered. Any Party may notify any other Party of any changes to the address or any of the other details specified in this paragraph; provided, however, that such notification shall only be effective on the date specified in such notice or five (5) business days after the notice is given, whichever is later. Rejection or other refusal to accept or the inability to deliver because of changed address of which no notice was given shall be deemed to be receipt of the notice as of the date of such rejection, refusal or inability to deliver.

Section 8.8 Assignment; Binding Effect. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned or delegated by a Party hereto without the prior written consent of the other Party. Subject to the first sentence of this Section 8.8, this Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Any purported assignment not permitted under this Section 8.8 shall be null and void ab initio.

 

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Section 8.9 Severability. Any term or provision of this Agreement which is invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to that jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining terms and provisions of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction. If any provision of this Agreement is so broad as to be unenforceable, such provision shall be interpreted to be only so broad as is enforceable.

Section 8.10 Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including the Confidentiality Agreement and the Voting and Support Agreements) together with the exhibits hereto, schedules hereto and the Confidentiality Agreement constitute the entire agreement, and supersede all other prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the Parties, or any of them, with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof, and, subject to Section 5.9, this Agreement is not intended to grant standing to any person other than the Parties hereto.

Section 8.11 Amendments; Waivers. At any time prior to the Effective Time, any provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived if, and only if, such amendment or waiver is in writing and signed, in the case of an amendment, by the Company, Parent and Merger Sub; provided, however, that if any such amendment or waiver shall by applicable Law require further approval of the Company Members or the Parent Shareholders, as the case may be, the effectiveness of such amendment or waiver shall be subject to the approval of the Company Members or the Parent Shareholders, as the case may be. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no failure or delay by any Party hereto in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise of any other right hereunder.

Section 8.12 Headings. Headings of the Articles and Sections of this Agreement are for convenience of the Parties only and shall be given no substantive or interpretive effect whatsoever. The table of contents to this Agreement is for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

Section 8.13 No Third-Party Beneficiaries.

(a) Each of the Company, Parent and Merger Sub agrees that (i) their respective representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth herein are solely for the benefit of the other Party hereto, in accordance with and subject to the terms of this Agreement, and (ii) except for the provisions of Section 5.9 (the “Third Party Rights Clause”), this Agreement is not intended to, and does not, confer upon any person other than the Parties hereto any rights or remedies hereunder, including the right to rely upon the representations and warranties set forth herein.

(b) The Third Party Rights Clause confers a benefit on certain persons named in Section 5.9 who are not a Party (each for the purposes of this clause a “Third Party”) and, subject to the remaining provisions of this clause, is intended to be enforceable by the Third Party.

 

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(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of clauses (a) and (b) above, this Agreement may be rescinded or varied in any way and at any time by the Parties without the consent of any Third Party.

Section 8.14 Interpretation. When a reference is made in this Agreement to an Article or Section, such reference shall be to an Article or Section of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. Whenever the words “include,” “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.” The words “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires. If this Agreement requires the Parties to “agree” or requires an “agreement” between the Parties, such “agreements” must be in writing, unless specifically indicated otherwise. All terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined meanings when used in any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant thereto unless otherwise defined therein. The definitions contained in this Agreement are applicable to the singular as well as the plural forms of such terms and to the masculine as well as to the feminine and neuter genders of such term. References in this Agreement to specific Laws or to specific provisions of Laws shall include all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and any statute defined or referred to herein or in any agreement or instrument referred to herein shall mean such statute as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, including by succession of comparable successor statutes. Each of the Parties has participated in the drafting and negotiation of this Agreement. If an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement must be construed as if it is drafted by all the Parties, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any Party by virtue of authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement.

Section 8.15 Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings set forth below:

affiliates” means, as to any person, any other person which, directly or indirectly, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such person. As used in this definition, “control” (including, with its correlative meanings, “controlled by” and “under common control with”) means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies of a person, whether through the ownership of securities or partnership or other ownership interests, by contract or otherwise.

Benefit Plan” means a Parent Benefit Plan or a Company Benefit Plan, as applicable.

business day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which the banks in the State of New York are authorized by Law or executive order to remain closed.

CARES Act” shall mean the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (as may be amended or modified), together with all rules and regulations and guidance issued by any Governmental Entity with respect thereto.

CLCI” means the Companies Act (2021 Revision) of the Cayman Islands.

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

 

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Collective Bargaining Agreement” means any collective bargaining agreement, labor union contract, trade union agreement, or agreements, customs, practices or arrangements (whether legally binding or not) for collective bargaining or recognition with any trade union, works council, staff association, labor organization or other representative body.

Company Confirmation Order” means the Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Order Approving Debtors’ Disclosure Statement and Confirming the Modified First Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization of Pacific Drilling S.A. and Its Debtor Affiliates Pursuant to Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code, entered December 21, 2020 at docket number 266, in the chapter 11 cases of Pacific Drilling S.A., et al., jointly administered under Case No. 20-35212 (DRJ), by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division.

Company Credit Agreement” means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2020, by and among the Company, certain Subsidiaries of the Company party thereto as guarantors, each lender from time to time party thereto and Cantor Fitzgerald Securities, as administrative agent, collateral agent and security trustee for the lenders party thereto.

Company Financial Statements” means the consolidated financial statements (including all related notes and schedules thereto) of the Company as of and for the period ended December 31, 2020 provided by Company to Parent.

Company IT Assets” means the computers, software, servers, routers, hubs, switches, circuits, networks, data communications lines and all other information technology infrastructure and equipment of the Company and its Subsidiaries that are required in connection with the current operation of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

Company Interests” means the Membership Interests and the Company Warrants.

Company LLC Agreement” means that certain Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company, dated December 31, 2020.

Company Material Adverse Effect” means an event, state of facts, circumstance, change, effect, development, occurrence or combination of the foregoing that has had, or would be reasonably expected to have, a material adverse effect on (A) the ability of the Company to consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement or (B) the business, condition (financial or otherwise) or results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, excluding for purposes of this clause (B) any effect resulting from or arising out of: (1) changes in general economic, financial or other capital market conditions (including prevailing interest rates and access to capital markets), (2) any changes or developments generally in the industries in which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries conducts its business, (3) the announcement or the existence of, compliance with or performance under, this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby (including, subject to the following proviso, the impact thereof on the relationships, contractual or otherwise, of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with employees, labor unions, customers, suppliers or partners, and including any lawsuit, action or other proceeding by members or otherwise with respect to the Merger or any of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement) (provided, however, that the exceptions in this clause (3) shall not apply to any representation or warranty contained in Section 3.2(c) (or any

 

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portion thereof) to the extent that the purpose of such representation or warranty (or portion thereof) is to address the consequences resulting from the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the performance of obligations or satisfaction of conditions under this Agreement), (4) any taking of any action at the request of Parent, (5) any changes or developments in prices for oil, natural gas or other commodities, (6) any adoption, implementation, promulgation, repeal or modification, or announced intention to do any of the foregoing, following the date of this Agreement of any rule, regulation, ordinance, Order, protocol or any other Law of or by any national, regional, state or local Governmental Entity, or market administrator, (7) any changes in GAAP or accounting standards following the date of this Agreement, (8) earthquakes, any weather-related event, natural disasters, pandemics (including with respect to COVID-19) or outbreak or escalation of hostilities or acts of war or terrorism, or (9) any failure by the Company in and of itself to meet any financial projections or forecasts or estimates of revenues, earnings or other financial metrics for any period (provided that the exception in this clause (9) shall not prevent or otherwise affect a determination that any event, change, effect, development or occurrence underlying such failure has resulted in, or contributed to, a Company Material Adverse Effect so long as it is not otherwise excluded by this definition); except, in each case with respect to clauses (1), (2), (6), (7) and (8) to the extent disproportionately affecting the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, relative to other similarly situated companies in the industries in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate; provided, however, that, for the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding anything to the contrary above, any blowout, spill, explosion, or similar occurrence with respect to any equipment operated by the Company may be taken into account in determining whether there has been a Company Material Adverse Effect.

Company Member” means a holder of Membership Interests.

Company Member Approval” means the approval of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger, by Company Members holding Membership Interests representing at least a majority of all then outstanding Membership Interests.

Company Permitted Liens” means (A) any Lien for Taxes not yet due or delinquent or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been established in the applicable financial statements in accordance with GAAP, (B) vendors’, mechanics’, materialmens’, carriers’, workers’, landlords’, repairmen’s, warehousemen’s, construction, maritime and other similar Liens arising or incurred in the ordinary and usual course of business and consistent with past practice or with respect to liabilities that are not yet due and payable or, if due, are not delinquent or are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves (based on good faith estimates of management) have been set aside for the payment thereof, (C) Liens imposed or promulgated by applicable Law or any Governmental Entity with respect to real property, including survey exceptions, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights of way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning, building or similar restrictions, (D) inchoate Liens arising under ERISA and pledges or deposits in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, and other social security legislation, (E) Liens relating to intercompany borrowings among the Company and its wholly owned Subsidiaries, (F) Liens securing interest rate protection agreements, currency rate protection agreements or obligations under any cash or treasury management arrangements, in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes, (G) banker’s Liens

 

66


and customary rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies as to deposit or brokerage accounts or other funds and assets maintained with a depository institution or brokerage, (H) Liens securing obligations under the Company Credit Agreement, (I) pledges and Liens to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, drilling contracts and leases (other than indebtedness), statutory obligations, surety bonds (other than bonds related to judgments or litigation), appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business (including Liens on cash and cash equivalents to secure letters of credit or bank guarantees issued to support such obligations), (K) Liens arising under a contract over goods, documents of title to and related documents and insurances and their proceeds, in each case in respect of documentary credit transactions entered into with customers of the Company and/or its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, (L) Liens arising under any retention of title or conditional sale arrangement or arrangements having similar effect in respect of goods supplied in the ordinary course of business and not as a result of any default or omission by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (M) Liens for charters or subcharters or leases or subleases, (N) the Liens set forth on Section 8.15 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, or (O) other non-monetary Liens that do not, individually or in the aggregate, materially interfere with the present use, or materially detract from the value of, the property encumbered thereby.

Company Warrants” means each warrant to purchase Membership Interests issued pursuant to the Company Warrant Agreement.

Company Warrant Agreement” means the Warrant Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2020, between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as warrant agent.

Confirmation Challenge” means any appeal of, or any petition for certiorari or motion for reconsideration, amendment, clarification, modification, vacation, stay, rehearing or reargument with respect to, the Company Confirmation Order, including the pending appeal before the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Civil Action No. 4:21-cv-13.

COVID-19” means the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19 (and all related strains and sequences), including any intensification, resurgence or any evolutions or mutations thereof, and/or related or associated epidemics, pandemics, disease outbreaks or public health emergencies.

Environmental Law” means any Law relating to (a) human health and safety as it relates to the handling of, or exposure to, Hazardous Materials, (b) protection, preservation or restoration of the environment (including air, surface water, groundwater, drinking water supply, surface land, subsurface land, plant and animal life or any other natural resource), or (c) any exposure to or release of, or the management, use, storage, recycling, treatment, testing, generation, transportation, processing, handling, labeling, production, disposal, Release, cleanup or control of any Hazardous Materials.

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

 

67


ERISA Affiliate” means, with respect to any entity, trade or business, any other entity, trade or business that is, or was at the relevant time, a member of a group described in Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code or Section 4001 (b)(1) of ERISA that includes or included the first entity, trade or business, or that is, or was at the relevant time, a member of the same “controlled group” as the first entity, trade or business pursuant to Section 4001(a)(14) of ERISA.

Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Export Control Laws” means all Laws related to the regulation of imports, exports, re-exports, transfers, releases, shipments, transmissions or any other provision or receipt of goods, technology, software or services, including (a) the United States International Traffic in Arms Regulations administered by the United States State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls; (b) the Export Administration Regulations administered by the United States Commerce Department (including the antiboycott regulations administered by the Office of Antiboycott Compliance); (c) United States customs regulations administered by the United States Customs and Border Protection; (d) the EU Dual-Use Regulation, Council Regulation (EC) No 428/2009 (and associated amendments); and (e) any other applicable import and export control Laws.

Hazardous Materials” means any and all (a) materials, substances or wastes defined, classified or listed as a “hazardous material,” “hazardous substance,” “hazardous waste,” “solid waste,” “pollutant or contaminant,” “toxic substance,” or “toxic waste” under any Environmental Law or otherwise regulated by any Governmental Entity under any Environmental Law, including any regulated pollutant or contaminant, and (b) petroleum or natural gas hydrocarbons or any liquid or fraction thereof, asbestos or asbestos-containing material, polychlorinated biphenyls, lead paint, radioactive material (including naturally occurring radioactive material), radon and per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances

knowledge” means (i) with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries, the actual knowledge of the individuals listed on Section 8.15 of the Company Disclosure Schedule and (ii) with respect to Parent and its Subsidiaries, the actual knowledge of the individuals listed in Section 8.15 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule.

Membership Interest Exchange Ratio” means (a) 16,600,000, less the Warrant Consideration Shares, divided by (b) 2,500,000.

Membership Interests” means the membership interests of the Company as described in the Company LLC Agreement.

Order” means any charge, order, writ, injunction, judgment, decree, ruling, determination, directive, award or settlement, whether civil, criminal or administrative and whether formal or informal.

Parent Financial Statements” means the consolidated financial statements (including all related notes and schedules thereto) of Parent included in the Parent SEC Documents.

Parent IT Assets” means the computers, software, servers, routers, hubs, switches, circuits, networks, data communications lines and all other information technology infrastructure and equipment of Parent and its Subsidiaries that are required in connection with the current operation of the business of Parent and its Subsidiaries.

 

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Parent Material Adverse Effect” means an event, state of facts, circumstance, change, effect, development, occurrence or combination of the foregoing that has had, or would be reasonably expected to have, a material adverse effect on (A) the ability of Parent to consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement or (B) the business, condition (financial or otherwise) or results of operations of Parent and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, excluding for purposes of this clause (B) any effect resulting from or arising out of: (1) changes in general economic, financial or other capital market conditions (including prevailing interest rates and access to capital markets), (2) any changes or developments generally in the industries in which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries conducts its business, (3) the announcement or the existence of, compliance with or performance under, this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby (including, subject to the following proviso, the impact thereof on the relationships, contractual or otherwise, of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries with employees, labor unions, customers, suppliers or partners, and including any lawsuit, action or other proceeding by shareholders or otherwise with respect to the Merger or any of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement) (provided, however, that the exceptions in this clause (3) shall not apply to any representation or warranty contained in Section 4.2(c) (or any portion thereof) to the extent that the purpose of such representation or warranty (or portion thereof) is to address the consequences resulting from the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the performance of obligations or satisfaction of conditions under this Agreement), (4) any taking of any action at the request of the Company, (5) any changes or developments in prices for oil, natural gas or other commodities, (6) any adoption, implementation, promulgation, repeal or modification, or announced intention to do any of the foregoing, following the date of this Agreement of any rule, regulation, ordinance, Order, protocol or any other Law of or by any national, regional, state or local Governmental Entity, or market administrator, (7) any changes in GAAP or accounting standards following the date of this Agreement, (8) earthquakes, any weather-related event, natural disasters, pandemics (including with respect to COVID-19) or outbreak or escalation of hostilities or acts of war or terrorism, or (9) any failure by Parent in and of itself to meet any financial projections or forecasts or estimates of revenues, earnings or other financial metrics for any period (provided that the exception in this clause (9) shall not prevent or otherwise affect a determination that any event, change, effect, development or occurrence underlying such failure has resulted in, or contributed to, a Parent Material Adverse Effect so long as it is not otherwise excluded by this definition); except, in each case with respect to clauses (1), (2), (6), (7) and (8) to the extent disproportionately affecting Parent and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, relative to other similarly situated companies in the industries in which Parent and its Subsidiaries operate; provided, however, that, for the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding anything to the contrary above, any blowout, spill, explosion, or similar occurrence with respect to any equipment operated by Parent may be taken into account in determining whether there has been a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

Parent Permitted Lien” means (A) any Lien for Taxes not yet due or delinquent or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been established in the applicable financial statements in accordance with GAAP, (B) vendors’, mechanics’, materialmens’, carriers’, workers’, landlords’, repairmen’s, warehousemen’s, construction, maritime and other similar Liens arising or incurred in the ordinary and usual course of business and consistent with past practice or with respect to liabilities that are not yet due and

 

69


payable or, if due, are not delinquent or are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves (based on good faith estimates of management) have been set aside for the payment thereof, (C) Liens imposed or promulgated by applicable Law or any Governmental Entity with respect to real property, including survey exceptions, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights of way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning, building or similar restrictions, (D) inchoate Liens arising under ERISA and pledges or deposits in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, and other social security legislation, (E) Liens relating to intercompany borrowings among Parent and its wholly owned Subsidiaries, (F) Liens securing interest rate protection agreements, currency rate protection agreements or obligations under any cash or treasury management arrangements, in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes, (G) banker’s Liens and customary rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies as to deposit or brokerage accounts or other funds and assets maintained with a depository institution or brokerage, (H) pledges and Liens to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, drilling contracts and leases (other than indebtedness), statutory obligations, surety bonds (other than bonds related to judgments or litigation), appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business (including Liens on cash and cash equivalents to secure letters of credit or bank guarantees issued to support such obligations), (I) Liens arising under a contract over goods, documents of title to and related documents and insurances and their proceeds, in each case in respect of documentary credit transactions entered into with customers of Parent and/or its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, (J) Liens arising under any retention of title or conditional sale arrangement or arrangements having similar effect in respect of goods supplied in the ordinary course of business and not as a result of any default or omission by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, (K) Liens for charters or subcharters or leases or subleases, (L) the Liens set forth on Section 8.15 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, or (M) other non-monetary Liens that do not, individually or in the aggregate, materially interfere with the present use, or materially detract from the value of, the property encumbered thereby.

Parent Shareholder” means a holder of Parent Shares from time to time.

Parent Shares” means the shares in Parent.

Parent Stock Plans” means, collectively, the Parent 2021 Long-Term Incentive Plan, effective February 18, 2021.

Payroll Tax Executive Order” means any U.S. presidential memorandum, executive order or similar publication or document permitting or requiring the deferral of any payroll Taxes (including those imposed by Section 3101(a) and 3201 of the Code).

person” means an individual, a public limited company, a corporation, a partnership, a limited liability company, an association, a trust or any other entity, group (as such term is used in Section 13 of the Exchange Act) or organization, including a Governmental Entity, and any permitted successors and assigns of such person.

Release” means any release, spill, emission, discharge, leaking, pumping, pouring, emptying, escaping, dumping, injection, disposal, leaching or migration into or through the indoor or outdoor environment (including ambient air, surface water, groundwater and surface or subsurface strata).

 

70


Registration Rights Agreement” means that certain Registration Rights Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit B, to be entered into by Parent and certain of the Company Members.

SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Share Issuance” means the issuance of Parent Shares as Merger Consideration and as contemplated by this Agreement.

Subsidiaries” of any Party means any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, trust or other form of legal entity of which (i) fifty percent (50%) or more of the voting power of the outstanding voting securities are on the date hereof directly or indirectly owned by such Party or (ii) such Party or any Subsidiary of such Party is a general partner on the date hereof.

Takeover Proposal” means, with respect to the Company or Parent, (A) any inquiry, proposal or offer for or with respect to (or expression by any person that it is considering or may engage in) a merger, consolidation, business combination, recapitalization, binding share exchange, liquidation, dissolution, joint venture, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction involving such Party or any of its Subsidiaries whose assets, taken together, constitute 20% or more of such Party’s consolidated assets, (B) any inquiry, proposal or offer (including tender or exchange offers) to (or expression by any person that it is considering or may seek to) acquire in any manner, directly or indirectly, in one or more transactions, more than 20% of the outstanding shares of securities of such Party representing more than 20% of the voting power of such Party or (C) any inquiry, proposal or offer to (or expression by any person that it is considering or may seek to) acquire in any manner (including the acquisition of equity securities in any Subsidiary of such Party), directly or indirectly, in one or more transactions, assets or businesses of such Party or its Subsidiaries, including pursuant to a joint venture, representing more than 20% of the consolidated assets, revenues or net income of such Party, in each case, other than the Merger.

Tax” or “Taxes” means any and all U.S. and non-U.S. federal, state, local or provincial taxes, imposts, levies, duties, fees or other assessments, including all net income, gross receipts, capital, sales, use, ad valorem, value added, transfer, franchise, profits, inventory, capital stock, license, withholding, payroll, employment, social security, unemployment, excise, environmental, severance, stamp, occupation, property and estimated taxes, customs duties, and other taxes of any kind whatsoever, including any and all interest, penalties, additions to tax or additional amounts imposed by any Governmental Entity with respect thereto.

Tax Return” means any return, report or similar filing (including any attached schedules, supplements and additional or supporting material) filed or required to be filed with respect to Taxes, including any information return, claim for refund, or declaration of estimated Taxes (and including any amendments with respect thereto).

 

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Trade Sanctions” means economic or trade sanctions administered by OFAC, the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, or Her Majesty’s Treasury.

Treasury Regulations” means the regulations (including temporary regulations) promulgated by the U.S. Department of Treasury with respect to the Code.

WARN Act” means the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988, as amended, or any similar Laws.

Warrant Consideration Shares” means the aggregate number of Parent Shares issuable to the holders of Warrants pursuant to Section 5.1(f)(iii) of the Company Warrant Agreement, as reasonably determined by the Company pursuant to the terms thereof.

Warrant Exchange Ratio” means (i) the Warrant Consideration Shares, divided by (ii) 441,176.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

 

NOBLE CORPORATION
By:   /s/ Robert W. Eifler
  Name: Robert W. Eifler
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
DUKE MERGER SUB, LLC
By: Noble Corporation, its sole member
By:   /s/ Robert W. Eifler
  Name: Robert W. Eifler
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
PACIFIC DRILLING COMPANY LLC
By:   /s/ Andrew E. Schultz
  Name: Andrew E. Schultz
  Title: Manager
By:  

/s/ Bernie G. Wolford Jr.

  Name: Bernie G. Wolford
  Title: Manager

[Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Merger]


ANNEX I

INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS

 

Action    Section 5.9(b)
Affected Employee    Section 5.16(a)
affiliates    Section 8.15
Agreement    Preamble
Anti-Corruption Act    Section 3.21
Antitrust Laws    Section 5.6(b)
Approved Sale    Recitals
Benefit Plan    Section 8.15
business day    Section 8.15
Cancelled Company Interests    Section 2.1(a)(ii)
CARES Act    Section 8.15,
Cayman Merger Documents    Section 1.3
Certificates    Section 2.1(a)
CLCI    Section 8.15
Closing    Section 1.2
Closing Date    Section 1.2
Code    Section 8.15
Collective Bargaining Agreement    Section 8.15
Company    Preamble
Company Approvals    Section 3.2(b)
Company Benefit Plan    Section 3.16(a)
Company Board    Recitals
Company Board Recommendation    Section 3.2(a)
Company Disclosure Schedule    Article III
Company Employee    Section 3.15
Company Financial Statements    Section 8.15
Company Fleet Report    Section 3.13(a)
Company Intellectual Property    Section 3.11(a)
Company Interests    Section 8.15
Company IT Assets    Section 8.15
Company Leased Real Property    Section 3.12(a)
Company Material Adverse Effect    Section 8.15
Company Material Contracts    Section 3.19(a)
Company Material Subsidiaries    Section 3.1(b)
Company Members    Section 8.15
Company Organizational Documents    Section 3.1(b)
Company Permits    Section 3.6(b)
Company Permitted Liens    Section 8.15
Company Transaction Documents    Section 3.2(a)
Confidentiality Agreement    Section 5.3(b)
Contract    Section 3.19(a)
control    Section 8.15
Effective Time    Section 1.3
End Date    Section 7.1(b)


Environmental Law    Section 8.15
ERISA    Section 8.15
ERISA Affiliate    Section 8.15
Exchange Act    Section 3.2(b)
Exchange Agent    Section 2.2(a)
Exchange Fund    Section 2.2(b)
Export Control Laws    Section 8.15
FCPA    Section 3.21
Foreign Investment Laws    Section 5.6(b)
GAAP    Section 3.3(a)
Governmental Entity    Section 3.2(b)
Hazardous Materials    Section 8.15
Holders    Section 3.18
Indemnified Party    Section 5.9(b)
Intended Tax Treatment    Section 5.12
knowledge    Section 8.15
Law or Laws    Section 3.6(a)
Letter of Transmittal    Section 2.2(c)
Lien    Section 3.2(c)
LLCA    Recitals
Maximum Amount    Section 5.9(c)
Membership Approval    Section 8.15
Membership Interest Exchange Ratio    Section 2.1(a)(iii)
Merger    Recitals
Merger Consideration    Section 2.1(a)(iii)
Merger Sub    Preamble
OFAC    Section 3.22(a)
Order    Section 8.15
Parent    Preamble
Parent Approvals    Section 4.2(b)
Parent Benefit Plan    Section 4.16(a)
Parent Board    Recitals
Parent Disclosure Schedule    Article IV
Parent Employee    Section 4.15
Parent Financial Statements    Section 8.15
Parent Fleet Report    Section 4.13(a)
Parent Intellectual Property    Section 4.11(a)
Parent Leased Real Property    Section 4.12(a)
Parent Material Adverse Effect    Section 8.15
Parent Material Contracts    Section 4.19(a)
Parent Material Subsidiaries    Section 4.1(b)
Parent Organizational Documents    Section 4.1(b)
Parent Permits    Section 4.6(b)
Parent Permitted Lien    Section 8.15
Parent Shareholder    Section 8.15
Parent Shares    Section 8.15


Parent SEC Documents    Section 4.3(a)
Parent Stock Awards    Section 4.1(c)
Parent Stock Plan    Section 8.15
Parent Transaction Documents    Section 4.2(a)
Parties    Preamble
Payroll Tax Executive Order    Section 8.15
Permits    Section 4.6(b)
person    Section 8.15
Plan of Merger    Section 1.3
Qualified Plan    Section 3.16(b)
Release    Section 8.15
Remedies Exceptions    Section 3.2(a)
Representatives    Section 5.4(a)
Sarbanes-Oxley Act    Section 3.3(a)
SEC    Section 8.15
Securities Act    Section 3.2(b)
Share Issuance    Section 8.15
Subsidiaries    Section 8.15
Surviving Company    Recitals
Takeover Proposal    Section 8.15
Tax or Taxes    Section 8.15
Tax Return    Section 8.15
Termination Date    Section 5.1(a)
Third Party    Section 8.13(b)
Third Party Rights Clause    Section 8.13(a)
Trade Sanctions    Section 8.15
Transaction Material    Section 3.24
Transfer Taxes    Section 8.2
Treasury Regulations    Section 8.15
UKBA    Section 3.21
Voting and Support Agreement    Recitals
Warrant Agreement    Section 8.15
Warrant Exchange Ratio    Section 8.15


EXHIBIT A

PLAN OF MERGER


The Limited Liability Companies Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands

Plan of Merger

This plan of merger (the “Plan of Merger”) is made on [•], 2021 between Pacific Drilling Company LLC (the “Surviving Entity”) and Duke Merger Sub, LLC (the “Merging Entity” and together with the Surviving Entity, the “Constituent Entities”).

Whereas the Merging Entity is a Cayman Islands limited liability company and is entering into this Plan of Merger pursuant to the provisions of Part 10 of the Limited Liability Companies Act (As Revised) (the “Statute”).

Whereas the Surviving Entity is a Cayman Islands limited liability company and is entering into this Plan of Merger pursuant to the provisions of Part 10 of the Statute.

Whereas the manager of the Merging Entity and the managers of the Surviving Entity deem it desirable and in the commercial interests of the Merging Entity and the Surviving Entity, respectively, that the Merging Entity be merged with and into the Surviving Entity and that the undertaking, property and liabilities of the Merging Entity vest in the Surviving Entity (the “Merger”).

Terms not otherwise defined in this Plan of Merger shall have the meanings given to them under the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated March 25, 2021 and made between, amongst others, the Surviving Entity and the Merging Entity (the “Merger Agreement”) a copy of which is annexed at Annexure 1 hereto.

Now therefore this Plan of Merger provides as follows:

 

1

The constituent limited liability companies (as defined in the Statute) to this Merger are the Surviving Entity and the Merging Entity.

 

2

The surviving entity (as defined in the Statute) is the Surviving Entity.

 

3

The registered office of the Surviving Entity is c/o Appleby Global Services (Cayman) Limited of 71 Fort Street, PO Box 500, Grand Cayman, KY1-1106, Cayman Islands and the registered office of the Merging Entity is c/o Maples Corporate Services Limited of PO Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands. Effective upon the Merger, the registered office of the Surviving Entity shall be c/o Maples Corporate Services Limited of PO Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands.

 

4

Each Constituent Entity has a single class of LLC Interests.

 

5

The date on which it is intended that the Merger is to take effect is [•], 2021 (the “Effective Date”).


6

The terms and conditions of the Merger, including the manner and basis of converting interests in the Surviving Entity into interests in the parent of the Merging Entity, are set out in the Merger Agreement in the form annexed at Annexure 1 hereto.

 

7

The Registration Statement of the Surviving Entity shall be amended in the form annexed at Annexure 2 hereto on the Effective Date.

 

8

There are no amounts or benefits which are or shall be paid or payable to any manager of either Constituent Entity consequent upon the Merger.

 

9

The Merging Entity has granted no fixed or floating security interests that are outstanding as at the date of this Plan of Merger.

 

10

The Surviving Entity has granted fixed and floating security interests that are outstanding as at the date of this Plan of Merger, in each case to Cantor Fitzgerald Securities, as collateral agent (the “Collateral Agent”), of 110 East 59th Street, New York, NY 10022, United States of America pursuant to: (i) a Gibraltar-law governed mortgage of shares agreement dated 31 December 2020 and entered into between the Surviving Entity and the Collateral Agent; and (ii) a US-law governed pledge and security agreement dated 31 December 2020 and entered into between, among others, the Surviving Entity and the Collateral Agent (the “Charge Documents”). The Collateral Agent has provided its written consent to the Merger pursuant to section 46(8) of the Statute.

 

11

The names and addresses of each manager of the Surviving Entity are:

 

  11.1

[Insert name and address]

 

  11.2

[Insert name and address]

 

12

This Plan of Merger has been approved by the managers of the Surviving Entity and the Merging Entity pursuant to section 46(3) of the Statute.

 

13

This Plan of Merger has been authorised by no less than a two thirds majority in number of the members of the Surviving Entity and by the sole member of the Merging Entity pursuant to section 46(6) of the Statute.

 

14

At any time prior to the Effective Date and subject to the terms of the Merger Agreement, this Plan of Merger may be:

 

  14.1

terminated by the managers of either the Surviving Entity or the Merging Entity;


  14.2

amended by the managers of both the Surviving Entity and the Merging Entity to:

 

  (a)

change the Effective Date provided that such changed date shall not be a date later than the ninetieth day after the date of registration of this Plan of Merger with the Registrar of Limited Liability Companies; and

 

  (b)

effect any other changes to this Plan of Merger which the managers of both the Surviving Entity and the Merging Entity deem advisable, provided that such changes do not materially adversely affect any rights of the members of the Surviving Entity or the Merging Entity, as determined by the managers of both the Surviving Entity and the Merging Entity, respectively.

 

15

This Plan of Merger may be executed in counterparts.

 

16

This Plan of Merger shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Cayman Islands.


In witness whereof the parties hereto have caused this Plan of Merger to be executed on the day and year first above written.

 

SIGNED by                                                                       

   )

and                                                                  

   )   

Duly authorised for

   )     

and on behalf of

   )    Manager

Pacific Drilling Company LLC

   )   
     )     
     )      
     )    Manager

SIGNED by                                                                       

   )

Duly authorised for

   )     

and on behalf of

   )    Manager

Duke Merger Sub, LLC

   )   

Exhibit 10.1

Final Form

VOTING AND SUPPORT AGREEMENT

This VOTING AND SUPPORT AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”), dated as of March 25, 2021, is entered into by and among Noble Corporation, a Cayman exempted company (“Acquiror”) and each entity listed on the signature page hereof in its capacity as a member (each, a “Member” and, collectively, the “Members”) of Pacific Drilling Company LLC, a Cayman Islands limited liability company (the “Company”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Acquiror, Duke Merger Sub, LLC, a limited liability company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands (“Merger Sub”) and the Company, have entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of the date hereof (as it may be amended from time to time in accordance with its terms, the “Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, and the Company will be the surviving entity (the “Merger”);

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, each Member owns of record the number of membership interests and warrants in the Company set forth opposite such Member’s name on Schedule A hereto (all such membership interests and any membership interests of which ownership of record is hereafter acquired by the Members or any of their respective Affiliates prior to the termination of this Agreement being referred to herein as the “Membership Interests”);

WHEREAS, the board of directors of the Company has determined that the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are advisable and fair to and in the best interests of the Company and the Members and resolved to recommend that the Members adopt and approve the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby; and

WHEREAS, the Members are entering into this Agreement in order to induce the Acquiror to enter into the Merger Agreement and cause the Merger to be consummated.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth below and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged and agreed, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:

Section 1. Definitions. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Merger Agreement.

Section 2. Voting Agreement.

(a) Until the termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 5, each Member hereby agrees that at each annual, special or other meeting of the members of the Company, however called, or at any adjournment thereof or in any other circumstances upon which a resolution, vote, consent or other approval (including by written resolution) is sought, each Member shall (i) when a meeting is held, appear (whether in person or by valid proxy) at such meeting and cause its Membership Interests to be counted as present thereat for the purpose of establishing a quorum and (ii) vote (or cause to be voted) its Membership Interests: (A) in favor of the approval and adoption of the Merger, the Merger Agreement and all other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (including this Agreement) if a vote, consent or other approval (including by written consent) with respect to any of the foregoing is sought, (B) against any (1) merger agreement or merger (other than the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the transactions contemplated thereby), or any action, agreement, arrangement, proposal, consolidation,


combination, sale of substantial assets, reorganization, recapitalization, dissolution, liquidation or winding up of or by the Company or any other takeover proposal relating to the Company or its Subsidiaries or (2) amendment of the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company, effective as of December 31, 2020 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or modified from time to time, the “LLC Agreement”) or other proposal or transaction involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that would in any manner reasonably be expected to impede, delay, frustrate, prevent or nullify the Merger, the Merger Agreement or any of the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement or result in a breach in any material respect of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement of the Company under the Merger Agreement or change in any manner the voting rights of any units of equity of the Company, and (C) in favor of any other matter necessary to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms, including the execution of any documents and delivery of any written consents which are necessary or appropriate in order to effectuate any of the foregoing, including, but not limited to, the Letter of Transmittal. In furtherance of the foregoing, each Member has executed and delivered the member written consent (the “Written Consent”) to the Acquiror and the Company in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A in respect of the Membership Interests beneficially owned by each such Member.

(b) Each Member hereby agrees that such Member shall elect (with the other Members party hereto or any other Members that have entered into a voting and support agreement in substantially the same form as this Agreement, which Members hold in the aggregate more than fifty percent (50%) of the Membership Interests of the Company in issue, the “Dragging Members”) to take all required actions and submit and provide all required documentation and notices to any person so as to immediately effect a “Drag-Along Sale” (as defined in the LLC Agreement) with respect to the Transfer (as defined below) of the Membership Interests, so as to require that each other member of the Company holding any class of Membership Interests (each a “Dragged Member”) (1) to Transfer 100% of such Dragged Member’s Membership Interests and (2) to consent to and vote in favor of such Drag-Along Sale, in each case, in connection with such Drag-Along Sale and otherwise on the same terms as such Dragging Members selling such Membership Interests.

(c) From and after the date hereof and until the termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 5, each Member hereby agrees not to sell, transfer (any right, option, profit participation or other interest), assign, gift, pledge, grant a security interest in, distribute, encumber, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of (including, without limitation, the foreclosure or other acquisition by any lender with respect to the Membership Interests pledged to such lender by the Member), whether directly or indirectly (including, without limitation, by means of a Transfer of any security issued by a person that holds, directly or indirectly, an interest in the Membership Interests), such Membership Interests, either voluntarily or involuntarily and with or without consideration (other than pursuant to the Merger) (collectively, “Transfer”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Member may Transfer such Member’s Membership Interest to (i) an Affiliate (as defined in and subject to the additional terms and conditions set forth in the LLC Agreement); provided that such Affiliate has entered into, prior to the date of such Transfer, a voting and support agreement on substantially the same terms as the terms of this Agreement or (ii) another Member; provided that such other Member has entered into, is, and as of the date of such Transfer remains a party to, a voting and support agreement on substantially the same terms as the terms of this Agreement and entered into such voting and support agreement contemporaneously with the date of the Merger Agreement.

(d) In the event (i) of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization, reclassification, combination or exchange of equity interests of the Company on, of or affecting any Member’s Membership Interests or (ii) any Member becomes the beneficial owner of any additional equity interests of the Company or other securities entitling the holder thereof to vote or give consent with respect to the

 

2


matters set forth in Section 2(a) hereof, then the terms of this Agreement shall apply to the equity interests or other securities of the Company held by such Member immediately following the effectiveness of the events described in clause (i) or the Member becoming the beneficial owner thereof, as described in clause (ii), without further action of the parties, as though they were included in the Member’s Membership Interests hereunder as of the date hereof. The Member hereby agrees, while this Agreement is in effect, to notify Acquiror of the number of any new equity interests of the Company acquired by such Member, if any, after the date hereof and the number of Membership Interests set forth on the signature page hereto will be deemed amended accordingly.

(e) Each Member that will hold in excess of ten percent (10%) of the Parent Shares hereby agrees to provide all identification and due diligence information to the registered office provider of the Acquiror and the Acquiror as may be reasonably necessary to enable the registered office provider of the Acquiror to register the Member as a holder of the Parent Shares to be allocated to it in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement.

(f) Members may vote the Membership Interests on all other matters not referred to in this Agreement.

Section 3. Representations and Warranties of Members. Each Member hereby represents and warrants to Acquiror as follows:

(a) Authority. (i) The Member is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation, (ii) the Member has the legal capacity and all necessary power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and the Written Consent, to perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions to be consummated by it as contemplated hereby and thereby, (iii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Written Consent by the Member and the consummation by the Member of the transactions to be consummated by it as contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary action, and no other proceedings on the part of the Member or any of its Affiliates are necessary to authorize this Agreement and the Written Consent, to perform such obligations or to consummate such transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and (iv) this Agreement and the Written Consent have each been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Member and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement by Acquiror, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Member, enforceable against the Member in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or other similar laws relating to creditors rights generally and by general equitable principles (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

(b) No Conflicts. The execution and delivery of this Agreement or the Written Consent by the Member does not, and the performance of its obligations under this Agreement by the Member and the consummation of the transactions to be consummated by it as contemplated hereby will not, (i) conflict with or violate the organizational documents of the Member, (ii) conflict with or violate any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree applicable to the Member or by which any property or asset of such Member, including the Membership Interests, are bound or affected, (iii) result in any breach of or constitute a default (or an event that with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, or result in the creation of a lien or encumbrance on any property or asset of the Member, including the Membership Interests, pursuant to, any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement, lease, license, permit, franchise or other instrument or obligation to which the Member is a party or by which any property or asset of the Member, including the Membership Interests, are bound or affected, or (iv) require any consent, approval, authorization or permit of, or filing with or notification to, any court or

 

3


arbitrator or any governmental entity, agency or official, except where the failure to obtain such consents, approvals, authorizations or permits, or to make such filings or notifications, would not prevent or delay the performance by the Member of its obligations under this Agreement.

(c) The Membership Interests. Schedule A sets forth opposite the Member’s name, the number of Membership Interests and Warrants (as defined in the LLC Agreement) over which the Member has beneficial and record ownership as of the date hereof. As of the date of this Agreement, except as otherwise noted on Schedule A, the Member is the sole record or beneficial owner of the Membership Interests denoted as being owned by the Member on Schedule A, and has the sole power to direct the voting of such Membership Interests. If a Member is the beneficial owner, but not the holder of record, of any Membership Interests, such Member agrees to take all actions necessary to cause the holder of record and any nominees to take all actions required by this Agreement, including consenting and voting of all of such Membership Interests in accordance with this Agreement. As of the date of this Agreement, the Membership Interests represent all of the voting equity interests of the Company owned, beneficially or of record, by the Member. Except as set forth on Schedule A, neither the Member nor any controlled affiliate of the Member owns or holds any right to acquire any additional voting equity interests of the Company or other securities of the Company or any interest therein or any voting rights with respect thereto. The Member has good and valid title to the Membership Interests and the Warrants denoted as being owned by the Member on Schedule A, free and clear of any and all pledges, mortgages, liens, charges, proxies, voting agreements, encumbrances, adverse claims, options, security interests and demands of any nature or kind whatsoever, other than those (i) created by this Agreement, (ii) pursuant to the LLC Agreement and (iii) any transfer restrictions that may apply under the Securities Act of 1933 (as amended) and “blue sky” laws.

Section 4. Representations and Warranties of Acquiror. Acquiror hereby represents and warrants to each Member as follows:

(a) Authority. (i) Acquiror is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation, (ii) has the legal capacity and all necessary power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, to perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions to be consummated by it as contemplated hereby, (iii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Acquiror and the consummation by Acquiror of the transactions to be consummated by it as contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate or other action, and no other corporate action or other proceedings on the part of Acquiror or any of its Affiliates are necessary to authorize this Agreement, to perform such obligations or to consummate such transactions contemplated hereby, and (iv) this Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by Acquiror and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by the Members, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of Acquiror, enforceable against Acquiror in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium or other similar laws relating to creditors rights generally and by general equitable principles (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

(b) No Conflict. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by Acquiror does not, and the performance of its obligations under this Agreement by Acquiror and the consummation of the transactions to be consummated by Acquiror as contemplated hereby will not, (i) conflict with or violate the organizational documents of Acquiror, (ii) conflict with or violate any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree applicable to Acquiror or by which any property or asset of Acquiror is bound or affected, (iii) result in any breach of or constitute a default (or an event that with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, or result in the creation of a lien or encumbrance on any property or asset of Acquiror pursuant to, any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement, lease, license, permit, franchise or

 

4


other instrument or obligation to which Acquiror is a party or by which any property or asset of Acquiror is bound or affected, or (iv) require any consent, approval, authorization or permit of, or filing with or notification to, any court or arbitrator or any governmental entity, agency or official, except where the failure to obtain such consents, approvals, authorizations or permits, or to make such filings or notifications, would not prevent or delay the performance by Acquiror of its obligations under this Agreement.

Section 5. Termination. This Agreement will terminate automatically, without any action on the part of any party hereto, on the earliest to occur of (a) the Effective Time, (b) the termination of the Merger Agreement pursuant to its terms, (c) the date on which the Merger Agreement is modified or amended in a manner that (i) reduces the Merger Consideration to be paid pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement (including, without limitation, the Membership Interest Exchange Ratio or the Warrant Exchange Ratio), (ii) extends the End Date beyond June 30, 2021, or (iii) alters the allocation of liability among the Parties or the Members, including by adding or modifying any indemnification rights or obligations set forth in or contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (d) the termination of this Agreement by mutual written consent of the Member and Parent, and (e) at any time upon notice by Acquiror to the Members; provided, however, that (i) this Section 5 and Section 6 shall survive any termination of this Agreement; and (ii) termination of this Agreement shall not relieve any party from liability for any breach of its obligations hereunder committed prior to such termination.

Section 6. Miscellaneous.

(a) Appraisal Rights. The Members hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waive, and agree not to exercise, any rights of appraisal, any dissenter’s rights and any similar rights relating to the Merger or any related transaction that the Members may directly or indirectly have by virtue of the ownership of the Membership Interests (including without limitation any rights under Section 52 of the LLCA).

(b) Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the Written Consent and the Merger Agreement (together with the Schedules and Annexes hereto and thereto) constitutes the entire agreement among the parties relating to the transactions contemplated hereby and supersedes any other agreements, whether written or oral, that may have been made or entered into by or among any of the parties hereto or any of their respective Subsidiaries relating to the transactions contemplated hereby. No representations, warranties, covenants, understandings, agreements, oral or otherwise, relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement exist between the parties except as expressly set forth in this Agreement or the Written Consent.

(c) Assignment. No party hereto shall assign this Agreement or any part hereof without the prior written consent of the other parties. Subject to the foregoing, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns.

(d) Notices. All notices and other communications among the parties shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (i) when delivered in person, (ii) when delivered after posting in the U.S. mail having been sent registered or certified mail return receipt requested, postage prepaid, (iii) when delivered by FedEx or other nationally recognized overnight delivery service, or (iv) when delivered by telecopy or email (in each case in this clause (iv), solely if receipt is confirmed), addressed as follows:

If to Acquiror, to:

Noble Corporation

 

5


13135 Dairy Ashford, Suite 800

Sugar Land, Texas 77478

Email: wturcotte@noblecorp.com

Attn: William E. Turcotte

with copies to (which shall not constitute notice):

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

609 Main Street, Suite 4700

Houston, Texas 77002

Attention: Sean T. Wheeler, P.C.

                           Debbie Yee, P.C.

Email:   sean.wheeler@kirkland.com

              debbie.yee@kirkland.com

If to the Member, to the contact information for

the Member set forth on Schedule A hereto with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, LLP

One Bryant Park

Bank of America Tower

New York, New York 10036-6745

Facsimile: (212) 872-1002

Email: dfisher@akingump.com

Attention: Daniel I. Fisher

(e) Enforcement. The parties agree that irreparable damage for which monetary damages, even if available, would not be an adequate remedy, would occur in the event that the parties do not perform their obligations under the provisions of this Agreement or the Written Consent (including failing to take such actions as are required of them hereunder to consummate this Agreement or the Written Consent) in accordance with its specified terms or otherwise breach such provisions. The parties acknowledge and agree that (i) the parties shall be entitled to an injunction, specific performance, or other equitable relief, to prevent breaches of this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and/or the Written Consent and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof, without proof of damages, prior to the valid termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 5, this being in addition to any other remedy at Law or in equity to which they are entitled under this Agreement or the Written Consent, and (ii) the right of specific enforcement is an integral part of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and without that right, Acquiror would not have entered into this Agreement. Each party agrees that it will not oppose the granting of specific performance and other equitable relief on the basis that the other parties have an adequate remedy at Law or that an award of specific performance is not an appropriate remedy for any reason at Law or equity. The parties acknowledge and agree that any party seeking an injunction to prevent breaches of this Agreement and the Written Consent and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement and the Written Consent in accordance with this Section 6(e) shall not be required to provide any bond or other security in connection with any such injunction.

(f) Jurisdiction. Any proceeding or action based upon, arising out of or related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby may be brought in the state and/or federal courts located in the State of Delaware, and each of the parties irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of each such court in any such proceeding or action, waives any objection it may now or hereafter have to

 

6


personal jurisdiction, venue or to convenience of forum, agrees that all claims in respect of the proceeding or action shall be heard and determined only in any such court, and agrees not to bring any proceeding or action arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby in any other court. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to affect the right of any party to serve process in any manner permitted by Law or to commence legal proceedings or otherwise proceed against any other party in any other jurisdiction, in each case, to enforce judgments obtained in any action, suit or proceeding brought pursuant to this Section 6(f).

(g) Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, AND WHETHER ARISING AT LAW OR IN EQUITY) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

(h) Headings. The article and section headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and will not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

(i) Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action based upon, arising out of, or related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the Laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to principles or rules of conflict of laws to the extent such principles or rules would require or permit the application of Laws of another jurisdiction, except that the voting of the Membership Interests, the Merger and the drag-along transaction, solely to the extent required by the Laws of the Cayman Islands, will be governed by the Laws of the Cayman Islands.

(j) Amendment. Except as set forth in Section 2(d), no amendments, changes or modifications to this Agreement or the Written Consent shall be valid unless in writing, specifically referencing the term(s) to be amended, modified or supplemented. No such amendment, change or modification shall be effective against any party hereto until signed by a duly authorized representative of each of the parties hereto.

(k) Waiver. Any party to this Agreement may, at any time prior to the termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 5 waive any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement by an agreement in writing executed in the same manner (but not necessarily by the same Persons) as this Agreement. No failure or delay by any party in exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise of any other right hereunder.

(l) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the Written Consent is held invalid or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, the other provisions of this Agreement or Written Consent, as applicable, shall remain in full force and effect. The parties further agree that if any provision contained herein is, to any extent, held invalid or unenforceable in any respect under the Laws governing this Agreement or the Written Consent, they shall take any actions necessary to render the remaining provisions of this Agreement or the Written Consent, as applicable, valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by Law and, to the extent necessary, shall amend or otherwise modify this Agreement and the Written Consent to replace any provision contained herein that is held invalid or unenforceable with a valid and enforceable provision giving effect to the intent of the parties.

(m) Counterparts; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts (including by facsimile or portable document format (pdf)), each of which will be deemed an

 

7


original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement and any other signed agreement or instrument entered into in connection with this Agreement (including the Written Consent), and any amendments hereto or thereto, to the extent delivered by means of a facsimile machine or electronic mail (any such delivery, an “Electronic Delivery”) shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original agreement or instrument and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effect as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. At the request of any party to any such agreement or instrument, each other party hereto or thereto shall re-execute original forms hereof or thereof and deliver them to all other parties hereto. No party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument shall raise (i) the use of Electronic Delivery to deliver a signature or (ii) the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of Electronic Delivery as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party hereto forever waives any such defense, except to the extent such defense relates to lack of authenticity. This Agreement will become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties, which delivery may be made by exchange of copies of the signature page by facsimile or electronic mail transmission.

(n) Construction. This Agreement and the Written Consent has been freely and fairly negotiated among the parties. If an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement or the Written Consent will be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties and no presumption or burden of proof will arise favoring or disfavoring any party because of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement and the Written Consent.

(o) Expenses. Unless otherwise agreed, each party hereto will pay its own expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement, whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated.

(p) Member Capacity. The parties acknowledge that this Agreement and the Written Consent is entered into by or on behalf of the Member in the Member’s capacity as the record and beneficial owner of the Membership Interests. To the extent the Member is a corporation, limited partnership, limited liability company or other entity, nothing in this Agreement restricts or limits any action taken by such Member’s or its Affiliates’ representatives, members, shareholders or limited partners, solely in their capacity as a director or officer of the Company (but not on its own behalf as a Member) and the taking of any actions (or failure to act) that is necessary for him or her to comply with his or her fiduciary duties as a director or officer of the Company and such actions will be deemed not to constitute a breach of this Agreement or the Written Consent. Any Person that is not a Member shall have no liability under this Agreement and no recourse shall be had against any such Person under this Agreement, whether by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding, or by virtue of any applicable Law.

(q) Limitations on Damages. In no event shall any party have any liability for indirect, incidental, special or punitive damages, arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the subject matter hereof, no matter what theory of liability, and even if advised of the possibility or probability of such damages.

(r) No Third Party Beneficiaries. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to or shall confer upon any person other than the parties and each such party’s respective heirs, successors and permitted assigns any rights or remedies of any nature.

(s) Several, Not Joint and Several, Obligations. The agreements, representations, warranties, liabilities and obligations of the Members under this Agreement are, in all respects, several and not joint and several. No Member shall, as a result of its entering into and performing its obligations under this

 

8


Agreement, be deemed to be part of a “group” (as that term is used in section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder) with any of the other Members.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

9


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to be signed as of the date first written above.

 

NOBLE CORPORATION
By:    
Name:    
Title:    

Signature Page to Voting and Support Agreement


MEMBERS:
[_____________]
By:    
Name:    
Title:    

Signature Page to Voting and Support Agreement


SCHEDULE A

TO

VOTING AND SUPPORT AGREEMENT

 

Name and Contact Information of Member

   Number of Membership
Interests
    Number of Warrants  

Member: [•]

Address: [•]

     [•]       [•]  

Total

    

 

A-1

Exhibit 10.2

FORM OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (including all exhibits hereto and as may be amended, supplemented or amended and restated from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof, this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of [•], 2021 by and among Noble Corporation, an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability (the “Company”), and the Holders (as defined below) of Company Ordinary Shares (as defined below) listed on Schedule I hereto. The Company and the Holders are referred to herein collectively as the “Parties” and each, individually, a “Party.” Capitalized terms used herein have the meanings set forth in Section 1.

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, the Company has entered into that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 25, 2021 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among the Company, Duke Merger Sub, LLC, a limited liability company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands (“Merger Sub”), and Pacific Drilling Company LLC, a limited liability company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands (“PACD”), pursuant to which Merger Sub merged with and into PACD, with PACD surviving as a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company (the “Merger”);

WHEREAS, in connection with, and effective upon, the date of the closing of the Merger (the “Closing Date”), the Company has issued Company Ordinary Shares to the Holders; and

WHEREAS, the Holders and the Company desire to enter into this Agreement to provide the Holders with certain rights relating to the registration of the resale of certain Registrable Securities (as defined below).

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged by each Party, and intending to be legally bound, the Parties agree as follows:

1. Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the respective meanings set forth in this Section 1:

Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, such Person as of the date on which, or at any time during the period for which, the determination of affiliation is being made (including any Affiliated Funds of such Person). For purposes of this definition, the term “control” (including the correlative meanings of the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise.

Affiliated Fund” means, with respect to any Person, (a) any investment funds, managed accounts or other entities who are advised by such Person or the same investment advisor or manager or by investment advisors which are Affiliates of such Person or (b) any investment advisor with respect to an investment fund, managed account or entity it advises.

Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.

Automatic Shelf Registration Statement” means an “automatic shelf registration statement” as defined in Rule 405.

beneficially owned”, “beneficial ownership” and similar phrases have the same meanings as such terms have under Rule 13d-3 (or any successor rule then in effect) promulgated under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any Holder, such Holder shall be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such Holder has the right to acquire, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable upon the occurrence of a subsequent event or passage of time.


Board of Directors” means the board of directors or any committee thereof (or any comparable successor governing body) of the Company.

Bought Deal” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(v).

Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday or other day on which banks are required or authorized by law to be closed in New York, New York.

Capital Stock” means with respect to a corporation, any and all shares, interests or equivalents of capital stock of such corporation (whether voting or nonvoting and whether common or preferred) and any and all options, warrants and other securities that at such time are convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for, any such shares, interests or equivalents (including, without limitation, any note or debt security convertible into or exchangeable for Company Ordinary Shares).

Closing Date” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other federal agency then administering the Securities Act or Exchange Act.

Company” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

Company Ordinary Shares” means the ordinary shares, each with a nominal value of $0.00001 per share, of the Company.

Covered Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(x).

Demand Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(b)(i).

Demand Registration” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(b)(i).

Demand Registration Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(b)(i).

Demand Request” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(b)(i).

Due Diligence Information” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(p).

Effectiveness Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(b)(iv).

End of Suspension Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(e).

Equity Securities” has the meaning set forth in Section 5(b).

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Existing Registration Rights Agreement” means that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of February 5, 2021, among the Company and the Company’s shareholders party thereto.

FINRA” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority or any successor regulatory authority agency.

Form S-1 Shelf” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(i).

 

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Form S-3 Shelf” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(i).

Free Writing Prospectus” means any “free writing prospectus” as defined in Rule 405.

Holdback Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 5(b).

Holder” and “Holder of Registrable Securities” means each Person that is party to this Agreement on the date hereof and any Person who hereafter becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to Section 7(g) of this Agreement. A Person shall cease to be a Holder hereunder at such time as it ceases to beneficially own any Registrable Securities.

Holder Indemnified Persons” has the meaning set forth in Section 6(a).

Holders of a Majority of Included Registrable Securities” means Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities included in a Demand Registration or an Underwritten Shelf Takedown, as applicable. For the avoidance of doubt, only Registrable Securities held by Persons who are party to this Agreement as of the date hereof or who thereafter execute a joinder in accordance with Section 7(g) shall be considered in calculating a majority of the Registrable Securities.

Holders of a Majority of Registrable Securities” means Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities. For the avoidance of doubt, only Registrable Securities held by Persons who are party to this Agreement as of the date hereof or who thereafter execute a joinder in accordance with Section 7(g) shall be considered in calculating a majority of the Registrable Securities.

Indemnified Persons” has the meaning set forth in Section 6(b).

indemnifying party” has the meaning set forth in Section 6(c).

Issuer Free Writing Prospectus” means an “issuer free writing prospectus”, as defined in Rule 433, relating to an offer of the Registrable Securities.

Lock-Up Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 5(a).

Losses” has the meaning set forth in Section 6(a).

Maximum Offering Size” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(vi).

Merger” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Merger Sub” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

National Securities Exchange” means the meaning set forth in the Existing Registration Rights Agreement.

Opt-Out Election” has the meaning set forth in Section 3(x).

Other Registrable Securities” means (a) Company Ordinary Shares (including Company Ordinary Shares beneficially owned as a result of, or issuable upon, the conversion, exercise or exchange of any other Capital Stock), (b) any securities issued or issuable with respect to, on account of or in exchange for Company Ordinary Shares, whether by stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other reorganization, charter amendment or otherwise, (c) any options, warrants or other rights to acquire Company Ordinary Shares, and (d) any securities received as a dividend or distribution in respect of any of the securities described in clauses (a) and (b) above, in each case beneficially owned by any other Person who has rights to participate in the applicable offering of securities by the Company pursuant to a registration rights agreement or other similar arrangement (other than this Agreement) with the Company relating to the Company Ordinary Shares; provided that in the case of an Underwritten Shelf Takedown or an Underwritten Demand, Other Registrable Securities shall be limited to the securities of the class and series being offered in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown or Demand Registration.

 

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PACD” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

Parties” and “Party” have the meanings set forth in the Preamble.

PDF” means portable document format (.pdf).

Person” means any individual, partnership, corporation, company, association, trust, joint venture, limited liability company, unincorporated organization, any government or governmental department or agency (or political subdivision thereof), or other entity of any kind, and shall include any successor (by merger or otherwise) of any such entity.

Piggyback Eligible Holders” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(c)(i).

Piggyback Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(c)(i).

Piggyback Offering” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(c)(i).

Piggyback Registration” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(c)(i).

Piggyback Request” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(c)(i).

Proceeding” means any action, claim, suit, proceeding or investigation (including a preliminary investigation or partial proceeding, such as a deposition) pending or known to the Company to be threatened.

Prospectus” means the prospectus or prospectuses included in any Registration Statement (including, without limitation, a prospectus that includes any information previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A promulgated under the Securities Act), all amendments and supplements to the prospectus, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such prospectus or prospectuses.

Public Offering” means any sale or distribution to the public of Capital Stock of the Company pursuant to an offering registered under the Securities Act, whether by the Company, by Holders and/or by any other holders of the Company’s Capital Stock.

Qualified Holder” means, on any date, one or more Holders who, together with their Affiliates, beneficially own in the aggregate at least 10% of the Company Ordinary Shares constituting those Registrable Securities issued on the date hereof.

Questionnaire” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(ii).

Registrable Securities” means (a) the Company Ordinary Shares received by Holders pursuant to the Merger Agreement or Company Ordinary Shares otherwise acquired (including, for the avoidance of doubt, in open market or other purchases) or held by (or deemed to be held by) Holders that are on the date hereof or subsequently become Affiliates of the Company and (b) any securities issued or issuable with respect to, on account of or in exchange for the securities referred to in clause (a), whether by way of split, dividend, distribution, combination, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other reorganization, charter amendment or otherwise (it being understood that, for purposes of this Agreement, a Person shall be deemed to be a Holder of Registrable Securities whenever such Person has the right to then acquire or obtain from the Company any Registrable Securities, whether or not such acquisition has actually been effected), in each case that are beneficially owned on or after the date hereof by the Holders and their Affiliates or any transferee or assignee of any Holder or its Affiliates after giving effect to a transfer made in compliance with Section 7(g), all of which securities are subject to the rights provided herein until such rights terminate pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement. As to any particular Registrable Securities, such

 

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securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities when (i) a Registration Statement registering such Registrable Securities under the Securities Act has been declared effective and such Registrable Securities have been sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of by the Holder thereof pursuant to such effective Registration Statement, (ii) such Registrable Securities are sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of pursuant to Rule 144 and such Registrable Securities are thereafter freely transferable by such recipient (without limitations on volume) without registration under the Securities Act, (iii) such Registrable Securities cease to be outstanding, or (iv) such Registrable Securities are eligible for sale pursuant to Rule 144 without volume or manner-of-sale restrictions and without the requirement for the Company to be in compliance with the current public information requirement under Rule 144(c)(1).

Registration Expenses” means, without limitation, (i) all registration, qualification and filing fees and expenses (including fees and expenses (A) of the Commission or FINRA, (B) incurred in connection with the listing of the Registrable Securities on the Trading Market, and (C) in compliance with applicable state securities or “Blue Sky” laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the underwriters in connection with blue sky qualifications of the Registrable Securities as may be set forth in any underwriting agreement)); (ii) expenses in connection with the preparation, printing, mailing and delivery of any registration statements, prospectuses and other documents in connection therewith and any amendments or supplements thereto (including expenses of printing certificates for the Company’s Registrable Securities and printing prospectuses); (iii) analyst or investor presentation or road show expenses of the Company; (iv) messenger, telephone and delivery expenses; (v) reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel (including any local counsel), auditors and accountants for the Company (including the expenses incurred in connection with “comfort letters” required by or incident to such performance and compliance); (vi) the reasonable fees and disbursements of underwriters to the extent customarily paid by issuers or sellers of securities (including, if applicable, the fees and expenses of any “qualified independent underwriter” (and its counsel)) that is required to be retained in accordance with the rules and regulations of FINRA and the other reasonable fees and disbursements of underwriters (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the underwriters) in connection with any FINRA qualification; (vii) fees and expenses of any special experts retained by the Company; (viii) Securities Act liability insurance, if the Company so desires such insurance; (ix) fees and expenses payable in connection with any ratings of the Registrable Securities, including expenses relating to any presentations to rating agencies; (x) internal expenses of the Company (including all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties); (xi) transfer agents’ and registrars’ fees and expenses and the fees and expenses of any other agent or trustee appointed in connection with such offering. In addition, the Company shall be responsible for all of its expenses incurred in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including expenses payable to third parties and including all salaries and expenses of the Company’s officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expense of any annual audit and any underwriting fees, discounts, selling commissions and stock transfer taxes and related legal and other fees applicable to securities sold by the Company and in respect of which proceeds are received by the Company.

Registration Statement” means any registration statement of the Company filed with or to be filed with the Commission under the Securities Act and other applicable law, including an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement, and including any Prospectus, amendments and supplements to each such registration statement or Prospectus, including pre- and post-effective amendments, all exhibits thereto, and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such registration statement.

Related Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 7(q).

Representatives” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s directors, officers, members, partners, limited partners, general partners, shareholders, subsidiaries, managed accounts or funds, managers, management company, investment manager, affiliates, principals, employees, agents, investment bankers, attorneys, accountants, advisors, consultants, fund advisors, financial advisor and other professionals of such Person, in each case, in such capacity, serving on or after the date of this Agreement.

road show” has the meaning set forth in Section 6(a).

Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same effect as such Rule.

 

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Rule 158” means Rule 158 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same effect as such Rule.

Rule 405” means Rule 405 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same effect as such Rule.

Rule 415” means Rule 415 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same effect as such Rule.

Rule 424” means Rule 424 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same effect as such Rule.

Rule 433” means Rule 433 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same effect as such Rule.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Selling Expenses” means all underwriting fees, discounts, brokerage fees, selling commissions and stock transfer taxes applicable to the sale of Registrable Securities and related legal and other fees (including, without limitation, fees and disbursements of counsel) of a Holder, other than those listed in the definition of Registration Expenses.

Shelf Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(i).

Shelf Registrable Securities” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(v).

Shelf Registration” means the registration of an offering of Registrable Securities on a Form S-1 Shelf or a Form S-3 Shelf (or the then appropriate form), as applicable, on a delayed or continuous basis under Rule 415, pursuant to Section 2(a)(i).

Shelf Registration Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(i).

Shelf Takedown Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(v).

Shelf Takedown Request” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(v).

Subsidiary” means, when used with respect to any Person, any corporation or other entity, whether incorporated or unincorporated, (a) of which such Person or any other Subsidiary of such Person is a general partner (excluding partnerships, the general partnership interests of which held by such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person do not have a majority of the voting interests in such partnership) or (b) at least a majority of the securities or other interests of which having by their terms ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other governing body performing similar functions with respect to such corporation or other entity is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such Person or by any one or more of its Subsidiaries, or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries.

Suspension Event” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(e).

Suspension Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(e).

Suspension Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(e).

Trading Market” means the principal National Securities Exchange in the United States on which Registrable Securities are (or are to be) listed.

 

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Underwritten Demand” means a Demand Registration conducted as an underwritten Public Offering.

Underwritten Shelf Takedown” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(iv).

WKSI” means a “well known seasoned issuer” as defined under Rule 405.

2. Registration.

(a) Shelf Registration.

(i) Filing of Shelf Registration Statement. As promptly as practicable after the Closing Date, and in any event within thirty (30) days following the Closing Date if the Company is then eligible to use Form S-3 or sixty (60) days following the Closing Date if the Company is not then eligible to use Form S-3, the Company shall file a Registration Statement for a Shelf Registration on Form S-3 (the “Form S-3 Shelf”) or Form S-1 (the “Form S-1 Shelf” and, together with the Form S-3 Shelf, the “Shelf Registration Statement”), as applicable, covering the resale of all Registrable Securities beneficially owned as of the date of filing such Shelf Registration Statement by the Holders on a delayed or continuous basis. If the Company files a Form S-1 Shelf, then as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company becomes eligible to use Form S-3 with respect to the registration of the Registrable Securities, the Company shall convert the Form S-1 Shelf to a Form S-3 Shelf (or other appropriate short form registration statement then permitted by the Commission’s rules and regulations) covering the resale of all Registrable Securities beneficially owned as of the date of filing such Shelf Registration Statement by the Holders (which shall be an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement if the Company is a WKSI and otherwise eligible to use such Automatic Shelf Registration Statement). Subject to the terms of this Agreement, including any applicable Suspension Period, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable following the filing of the Shelf Registration Statement. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to keep such Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective under the Securities Act until the date that all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement cease to be Registrable Securities, including, to the extent a Form S-1 Shelf is converted to a Form S-3 Shelf and the Company thereafter becomes ineligible to use Form S-3, by using commercially reasonable efforts to file a Form S-1 Shelf or other appropriate form specified by the Commission’s rules and regulations as promptly as reasonably practicable after the date of such ineligibility and using its commercially reasonable efforts to have such Shelf Registration Statement declared effective as promptly as reasonably practicable after the filing thereof (the period during which the Company is required to keep the Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective under the Securities Act in accordance with this clause (i), the “Shelf Period”). For so long as any Registrable Securities covered by any Form S-1 Shelf remain unsold, the Company will file any supplements to the Prospectus or post-effective amendments required to be filed by applicable law in order to incorporate or include into such Prospectus any Current Reports on Form 8-K necessary or required to be filed by applicable law, any Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or any Annual Reports on Form 10-K filed by the Company with the Commission, or any other information necessary so that (x) such Form S-1 Shelf shall not include any untrue statement of material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading, and (y) the Company complies with its obligations under Item 512(a)(1) of Regulation S-K. The Company shall promptly notify the Holders named in the Shelf Registration Statement via e-mail to the addresses set forth on Schedule I hereof of the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement. The Company shall file a final Prospectus in respect of such Shelf Registration Statement with the Commission to the extent required by Rule 424. The “Plan of Distribution” section of such Shelf Registration Statement shall include a plan of distribution, which includes the means of distribution substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit B hereto.

(ii) Holder Information. Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, no Holder of Registrable Securities shall be entitled to include any of its Registrable Securities in any Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to this Agreement unless and until such Holder agrees in writing to be bound by all of the provisions of this Agreement applicable to such Holder, and the Holder furnishes to the Company a fully completed notice and questionnaire in a reasonable and customary form provided by counsel to the Company (the “Questionnaire”) and such other information in writing as the Company may reasonably request in writing for use in connection with the Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus included therein and in any application to be filed with or under state securities laws. In order to be named as a selling shareholder in the Shelf Registration Statement at the time it is first made available for use, a Holder must furnish the completed Questionnaire and such other information that the

 

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Company may reasonably request in writing, if any, to the Company in writing no later than the fifth (5th) Business Day prior to the targeted initial filing date; provided that any holder providing a completed Questionnaire within that time period may provide updated information regarding such Holder’s beneficial ownership and the number of Registrable Securities requested to be included up to the fifth (5th) Business Day prior to the effective date of the Shelf Registration Statement. Each Holder as to which any Shelf Registration is being effected agrees to furnish to the Company as promptly as practicable all information with respect to such Holder necessary to make the information previously furnished to the Company by such Holder not materially misleading.

(iii) Supplements. From and after the effective date of the Shelf Registration Statement, upon receipt of a completed Questionnaire and such other information that the Company may reasonably request in writing, if any, the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to file as promptly as reasonably practicable, but in any event on or prior to the tenth (10th) Business Day after receipt of such information (or, if a Suspension Period is then in effect or initiated within five (5) Business Days following the date of receipt of such information, the tenth (10th) Business Day following the end of such Suspension Period) either (i) if then permitted by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder (or then-current Commission interpretations thereof), a supplement to the Prospectus contained in the Shelf Registration Statement naming such Holder as a selling shareholder and containing such other information as necessary to permit such Holder to deliver the Prospectus to purchasers of the Holder’s Registrable Securities, or (ii) if it is not then permitted under the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder (or then-current Commission interpretations thereof) to name such Holder as a selling shareholder in a supplement to the Prospectus, a post-effective amendment to the Shelf Registration Statement or an additional Shelf Registration Statement as necessary for such Holder to be named as a selling shareholder in the Prospectus contained therein to permit such Holder to deliver the Prospectus to purchasers of the Holder’s Registrable Securities (subject, in the case of either clause (i) or clause (ii), to the Company’s right to delay filing or suspend the use of the Shelf Registration Statement as described in Section 2(e) hereof). If the Company is not eligible to add additional selling shareholders by means of a prospectus supplement, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to file more than one (1) post-effective amendment or additional Shelf Registration Statements in any fiscal quarter for all Holders pursuant to this Section 2(a)(iii); provided that the foregoing limitation shall not apply if the Registrable Securities to be added represent beneficial ownership of more than $10 million of the Company Ordinary Shares (as determined in good faith by the Company to the extent the Company Ordinary Shares are not then listed on a National Securities Exchange). If the Company is eligible to add additional selling shareholders by means of a prospectus supplement, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to file more than two (2) prospectus supplements for all Holders pursuant to this Section 2(a)(iii) in any fiscal quarter; provided that the foregoing limitation shall not apply if the Registrable Securities to be added represent beneficial ownership of more than $10 million of the Company Ordinary Shares (as determined in good faith by the Company to the extent the Company Ordinary Shares are not then listed on a National Securities Exchange).

(iv) Underwritten Shelf Takedown. At any time during the Shelf Period (subject to any Suspension Period), any one or more Holders of Registrable Securities may request to sell all or any portion of their Registrable Securities in an underwritten Public Offering that is registered pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement (each, an “Underwritten Shelf Takedown”); provided, that, and subject to Section 2(a)(vii) below, the Company shall not be obligated to effect (x) an Underwritten Shelf Takedown for any Registrable Securities other than Company Ordinary Shares; (y) more than four (4) Underwritten Shelf Takedowns (together with any Demand Registrations) in aggregate; or (z) any Underwritten Shelf Takedown if the aggregate proceeds expected to be received from the sale of the Registrable Securities requested to be sold in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown, in the good faith judgment of the managing underwriter(s) therefor, is less than $20,000,000 as of the date the Company receives a Shelf Takedown Request.

(v) Notice of Underwritten Shelf Takedown. All requests for Underwritten Shelf Takedowns shall be made by giving written notice to the Company (the “Shelf Takedown Request”). In addition to providing the information required pursuant to Section 2(d) of this Agreement, each Shelf Takedown Request shall specify the approximate number of Company Ordinary Shares to be sold in the Underwritten Shelf Takedown and the expected price range (net of underwriting discounts and commissions) of such Underwritten Shelf Takedown. Subject to Section 2(e) below, after receipt of any Shelf Takedown Request, the Company shall give written notice (the “Shelf Takedown Notice”) of such requested Underwritten Shelf Takedown (which notice shall state the material terms of such proposed Underwritten Shelf Takedown, to the extent known) to all other Holders of Registrable Securities that

 

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have Registrable Securities registered for sale under a Shelf Registration Statement (“Shelf Registrable Securities”). Such notice shall be given not more than ten (10) Business Days and not less than five (5) Business Days, in each case prior to the expected date of commencement of marketing efforts for such Underwritten Shelf Takedown. Subject to Section 2(a)(vi), the Company shall include in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown all Shelf Registrable Securities that are Company Ordinary Shares with respect to which the Company has received written requests for inclusion therein within (x) in the case of a “bought deal” or “overnight transaction” (a “Bought Deal”), two (2) Business Days; or (y) in the case any other Underwritten Shelf Takedown, five (5) Business Days, in each case after the giving of the Shelf Takedown Notice. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company shall not be required to provide a Shelf Takedown Notice with respect to a Public Offering utilizing a Shelf Registration Statement other than an Underwritten Shelf Takedown, and Holders shall not have rights to participate therein under this Section 2(a)(v).

(vi) Priority of Registrable Securities. If the managing underwriters for such Underwritten Shelf Takedown advise the Company and the Holders of Shelf Registrable Securities proposed to be included in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown that in their reasonable view the number of Shelf Registrable Securities proposed to be included in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown exceeds the number of Shelf Registrable Securities which can be sold in an orderly manner in such offering within a price range acceptable to the Holders of a Majority of Included Registrable Securities requested to be included in the Underwritten Shelf Takedown (the “Maximum Offering Size”), then the Company shall promptly give written notice to all Holders of Shelf Registrable Securities proposed to be included in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown of such Maximum Offering Size, and shall include in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown the number of Shelf Registrable Securities which can be so sold in the following order of priority, up to the Maximum Offering Size: (A) first, the Shelf Registrable Securities requested to be included in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown by the Holders of such Shelf Registrable Securities, allocated, if necessary for the offering not to exceed the Maximum Offering Size, pro rata among such Holders on the basis of the number of Shelf Registrable Securities requested to be included therein by each such Holder, (B) second, any securities proposed to be offered by the Company and (C) third, Other Registrable Securities requested to be included in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown to the extent permitted hereunder, allocated, if necessary for the offering not to exceed the Maximum Offering Size, in priority as may be determined by the Company and the holders of such Other Registrable Securities.

(vii) Restrictions on Timing of Underwritten Shelf Takedowns. The Company shall not be obligated to effect an Underwritten Shelf Takedown (A) within ninety (90) days (or such longer period specified in any applicable lock-up agreement entered into with underwriters) after the “pricing” of a previous Underwritten Shelf Takedown or Demand Registration, the “pricing” of a Company-initiated Public Offering or the “pricing” of an “Underwritten Shelf Takedown” or “Demand Registration” (as such terms are defined in the Existing Registration Rights Agreement) or (B) within sixty (60) days prior to the Company’s good faith estimate of the date of filing of a Company-initiated registration statement.

(viii) Selection of Bankers and Counsel. The Holders of a Majority of Included Registrable Securities requested to be included in an Underwritten Shelf Takedown shall have the right to: (A) select the investment banker(s) and manager(s) to administer the offering (which shall consist of one (1) or more reputable nationally recognized investment banks, subject to the Company’s approval (which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed)) and one (1) firm of legal counsel to represent all of the Holders (along with one (1) local counsel, to the extent reasonably necessary, for any applicable jurisdiction), in connection with such Underwritten Shelf Takedown, and (B) determine the price at which the Registrable Securities are to be sold and the underwriting commissions, discounts and fees for the Registrable Securities included in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown; provided that the Company shall select such investment banker(s), manager(s) and counsel (including local counsel) if such Holders of a Majority of Included Registrable Securities cannot so agree on the same within a reasonable time period.

(ix) Withdrawal from Registration. Any Holder whose Registrable Securities were to be included in any such registration pursuant to Section 2(a) may elect to withdraw any or all of its Registrable Securities therefrom, without liability to any of the other Holders and without prejudice to the rights of any such Holder or Holders to include Registrable Securities in any future registration (or registrations), by written notice to the Company delivered prior to the “pricing” date of the relevant Underwritten Shelf Takedown; provided, however, that upon withdrawal by a majority-in-interest of the Holders whose Registrable Securities were to be included in any registration pursuant to Section 2(a), the Company shall be permitted to terminate such Underwritten Shelf

 

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Takedown and the request for such registration shall constitute a request for an Underwritten Shelf Takedown for purposes of Section 2(a)(iv), unless the withdrawing Holder or Holders reimburse the Company for all Registration Expenses with respect to such Underwritten Shelf Takedown (if there is more than one withdrawing Holder, the reimbursement amount shall be allocated among such Holders on a pro rata basis based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each withdrawing Holder had requested be included in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown relative to the other withdrawing Holders).

(x) WKSI Filing. Upon the Company first becoming a WKSI and otherwise being eligible to use an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement for such purposes, if requested by a Qualified Holder with securities registered on an existing Shelf Registration Statement, the Company will convert such existing Shelf Registration Statement to an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement.

(b) Demand Registration.

(i) If the Company (i) is in violation of its obligation to file a Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) or (ii) following the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement contemplated by Section 2(a), thereafter ceases to have an effective Shelf Registration Statement during the Shelf Period (other than during any Suspension Period), subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement (including Section 2(b)(iii)), upon written notice to the Company (a “Demand Request”) delivered by a Qualified Holder requesting that the Company effect the registration (a “Demand Registration”) under the Securities Act of any or all of the Registrable Securities beneficially owned by such Qualified Holder, the Company shall give a notice of the receipt of such Demand Request (a “Demand Notice”) to all other Holders of Registrable Securities (which notice shall state the material terms of such proposed Demand Registration, to the extent known). Such Demand Notice shall be given not more than ten (10) Business Days and not less than five (5) Business Days, in each case prior to the expected date of the public filing of the registration statement (the “Demand Registration Statement”) for such Demand Registration. Subject to the provisions of Section 2(a)(iv) through (vii) and Section 2(e) below, the Company shall include in such Demand Registration all Registrable Securities that are Company Ordinary Shares with respect to which the Company has received written requests for inclusion therein within five (5) Business Days after the later of the Company (i) the giving the Demand Notice and (ii) five (5) Business Days prior to the actual public filing of the Demand Registration Statement. Nothing in this Section 2(b) shall relieve the Company of its obligations under Section 2(a).

(ii) Demand Registration Using Form S-3. The Company shall effect any requested Demand Registration using a Registration Statement on Form S-3 whenever the Company is a WKSI, and is otherwise eligible to use an Automatic Shelf Registration Statement.

(iii) Limitations on Demand Registration. The Company shall not be required to effect more than five (5) Underwritten Demands (together with any Underwritten Shelf Takedowns) in the aggregate. The Company shall not be required to effect an Underwritten Demand if the aggregate proceeds expected to be received from the sale of the Registrable Securities requested to be registered in such Underwritten Demand, in the good faith judgment of the managing underwriter(s) therefor, is less than the lesser of (x) $20,000,000 and (y) such amount as would enable all remaining Registrable Securities to be included in such Underwritten Demand, in each case as of the date the Company receives a written request for an Underwritten Demand. The Company shall not be obligated to effect a Demand Registration (A) within ninety (90) days (or such longer period specified in any applicable lock-up agreement entered into with underwriters) after the “pricing” of a previous Demand Registration or Underwritten Shelf Takedown, the “pricing” of a Company-initiated Public Offering or the “pricing” of a previous “Demand Registration” or “Underwritten Shelf Takedown” (each as defined in the Existing Registration Rights Agreement) or (B) within sixty (60) days prior to the Company’s good faith estimate of the date of filing of a Company-initiated registration statement.

(iv) Effectiveness of Demand Registration Statement. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to have the Demand Registration Statement declared effective by the Commission as promptly as practicable after filing and keep the Demand Registration Statement continuously effective under the Securities Act for the period of time necessary for the underwriters or Holders to sell all the Registrable Securities covered by such Demand Registration Statement or such shorter period which will terminate when all Registrable Securities covered by such Demand Registration Statement have been sold pursuant thereto (including, if necessary, by filing with the

 

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Commission a post-effective amendment or a supplement to the Demand Registration Statement or the related Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference or by filing any other required document or otherwise supplementing or amending the Demand Registration Statement, if required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Company for such Demand Registration Statement or by the Securities Act, any state securities or “blue sky” laws, or any other rules and regulations thereunder) (the “Effectiveness Period”). A Demand Registration shall not be deemed to have occurred (A) if the Registration Statement is withdrawn without becoming effective, (B) if the Registration Statement does not remain effective in compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act and the laws of any state or other jurisdiction applicable to the disposition of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement for the Effectiveness Period, (C) if, after it has become effective, such Registration Statement is subject to any stop order, injunction or other order or requirement of the Commission or other governmental or regulatory agency or court for any reason other than a violation of applicable law solely by any selling Holder and has not thereafter become effective, (D) in the event of an Underwritten Demand, if the conditions to closing specified in the underwriting agreement entered into in connection with such registration are not satisfied or waived other than by reason of some act or omission by a Qualified Holder, or (E) if the number of Registrable Securities included on the applicable Registration Statement is reduced in accordance with Section 2(b)(v) such that less than 66 2/3% of the Registrable Securities of the Holders of Registrable Securities who sought to be included in such registration are so included in such Registration Statement.

(v) Priority of Registration. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2(b), if (A) a Demand Registration is an Underwritten Demand and (B) the managing underwriters advise the Company that in their reasonable view, the number of Registrable Securities proposed to be included in such offering (including Registrable Securities requested by Holders to be included in such Public Offering and any securities that the Company or any other Person proposes to be included that are Other Registrable Securities) exceeds the Maximum Offering Size, then the Company shall so advise the Holders with Registrable Securities proposed to be included in such Underwritten Demand, and shall include in such offering the number of Registrable Securities which can be so sold in the following order of priority, up to the Maximum Offering Size: (A) first, the Registrable Securities requested to be included in such Underwritten Demand by the Holders, allocated, if necessary for the offering not to exceed the Maximum Offering Size, pro rata among the Holders on the basis of the number of Registrable Securities requested to be included therein by each such Holder, (B) second, any securities proposed to be offered by the Company and (C) third, Other Registrable Securities requested to be included in such underwritten Public Offering to the extent permitted hereunder, allocated, if necessary for the offering not to exceed the Maximum Offering Size, in priority as may be determined by the Company and the holders of such Other Registrable Securities. For purposes of this Section 2(b)(v), the pro rata portion of Registrable Securities of each participating Holder shall be the product of (i) the total number of Registrable Securities which the managing underwriter agrees to include in the public offering and (ii) the ratio which such participating Holder’s total Registrable Securities bears to the total number of Registrable Securities of all participating Holders to be included in such Registration Statement.

(vi) Underwritten Demand. The determination of whether any Public Offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Demand Registration will be an Underwritten Demand shall be made in the sole discretion of the Holders of a Majority of Included Registrable Securities included in such Demand Registration, and such Holders of a Majority of Included Registrable Securities included in such Underwritten Demand shall have the right to (A) determine the plan of distribution, the price at which the Registrable Securities are to be sold and the underwriting commissions, discounts and fees and other financial terms, and (B) select the investment banker(s) and manager(s) to administer the offering (which shall consist of one (1) or more reputable nationally recognized investment banks, subject to the Company’s approval (which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed)) and one (1) firm of legal counsel to represent all of the Holders (along with one (1) local counsel, to the extent reasonably necessary, for any applicable jurisdiction), in connection with such Demand Registration; provided that the Company shall select such investment banker(s), manager(s) and counsel (including local counsel) if the Holders of a Majority of Included Registrable Securities cannot so agree on the same within a reasonable time period.

(vii) Withdrawal of Registrable Securities. Any Holder whose Registrable Securities were to be included in any such registration pursuant to Section 2(b) may elect to withdraw any or all of its Registrable Securities therefrom, without liability to any of the other Holders and without prejudice to the rights of any such Holder to include Registrable Securities in any future registration (or registrations), by written notice to the

 

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Company delivered on or prior to the effective date of the relevant Demand Registration Statement; provided, however, that upon withdrawal by a majority-in-interest of the Holders whose Registrable Securities were to be included in any registration pursuant to Section 2(b), the Company shall be permitted to terminate such Underwritten Demand and the request for such registration shall constitute a Demand Request for purposes of Section 2(b)(iii), unless the withdrawing Holder or Holders reimburse the Company for all Registration Expenses with respect to such Underwritten Demand (if there is more than one withdrawing Holder, the reimbursement amount shall be allocated among such Holders on a pro rata basis based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each withdrawing Holder had requested be included in such Underwritten Demand relative to the other withdrawing Holders).

(c) Piggyback Registration.

(i) Registration Statement on behalf of the Company. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, if at any time the Company proposes to file a Registration Statement or conduct an Underwritten Shelf Takedown (other than a Shelf Registration pursuant to Section 2(a) or a Demand Registration pursuant to Section 2(b)) in connection with an underwritten Public Offering of Capital Stock (other than registrations on Form S-8 or Form S-4) (a “Piggyback Offering”), and the registration form to be used may be used for the registration of Registrable Securities, the Company shall give prompt written notice (the “Piggyback Notice”) to all Holders (collectively, the “Piggyback Eligible Holders”) of the Company’s intention to conduct such underwritten Public Offering; provided that, in the case of an Underwritten Shelf Takedown from an existing effective shelf registration statement, the Company shall not be required to provide a Piggyback Notice or include any Registrable Securities in such Public Offering unless either (i) such registration statement with respect to which the Company is conducting an Underwritten Shelf Takedown may be used for the registration and offering of Registrable Securities without the need to file a post-effective amendment thereto, (ii) the Company is eligible to file an automatically effective registration statement or automatically effective post-effective amendment or (iii) if the Company is not eligible to file an automatically effective registration statement or automatically effective post-effective amendment, the need to file any such post-effective amendment or new registration statement would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the timing of the Company’s primary offering, in the good faith determination of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Piggyback Notice shall be given, (i) in the case of a Piggyback Offering that is an Underwritten Shelf Takedown, not earlier than ten (10) Business Days and not less than five (5) Business Days, in each case under this clause (i), prior to the expected date of commencement of marketing efforts for such Underwritten Shelf Takedown; or (ii) in the case of any other Piggyback Registration, not less than five (5) Business Days after the public filing of such Registration Statement. The Piggyback Notice shall offer the Piggyback Eligible Holders the opportunity to include for registration in such Piggyback Offering the number of Registrable Securities of the same class and series as those proposed to be registered as they may request, subject to Section 2(c)(ii) (a “Piggyback Registration”). Subject to Section 2(c)(ii), the Company shall include in each such Piggyback Offering such Registrable Securities constituting Company Ordinary Shares for which the Company has received written requests (each, a “Piggyback Request”) for inclusion therein from Piggyback Eligible Holders within (x) in the case of a Bought Deal, two (2) Business Days; (y) in the case any other Underwritten Shelf Takedown, three (3) Business Days; or (z) otherwise, five (5) Business Days, in each case after the date of the Company’s notice; provided that the Company may not commence marketing efforts for such Public Offering until such periods have elapsed and the inclusion of all such securities so requested, subject to Section 2(c)(ii). If a Piggyback Eligible Holder decides not to include all of its Registrable Securities in any Piggyback Offering thereafter filed by the Company, such Piggyback Eligible Holder shall nevertheless continue to have the right to include any Registrable Securities in any subsequent Piggyback Offerings or Registration Statements as may be filed by the Company with respect to offerings of Registrable Securities, all upon the terms and conditions set forth herein. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect the registration under the Securities Act of all Registrable Securities which the Company has been so requested to register pursuant to the Piggyback Requests, to the extent required to permit the disposition of the Registrable Securities so requested to be registered.

(ii) Priority of Registration. If the managing underwriter or managing underwriters of such Piggyback Offering (as selected pursuant to Section 2(c)(iv)) advise the Company and the Piggyback Eligible Holders that, in their reasonable view the amount of securities requested to be included in such registration (including Registrable Securities requested by the Piggyback Eligible Holders to be included in such offering and any securities that the Company or any other Person proposes to be included that are not Registrable Securities) exceeds the Maximum Offering Size (which, for the purposes of a Piggyback Registration relating to a primary offering of the Company’s

 

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Capital Stock, shall be within a price range acceptable to the Company), then the Company shall so advise all Piggyback Eligible Holders with Registrable Securities proposed to be included in such Piggyback Registration, and shall include in such offering the number which can be so sold in the following order of priority, up to the Maximum Offering Size: (A) first, (x) if the Piggyback Registration includes a primary offering of the Company’s Capital Stock, such securities that the Company proposes to sell up to the Maximum Offering Size, or (y) if the Piggyback Registration is an offering at the demand of the holders of Other Registrable Securities, the securities that such holders propose to sell and thereafter any securities proposed to be offered by the Company, in each case up to the Maximum Offering Size, and (B) second, the Company Ordinary Shares constituting Registrable Securities or Other Registrable Securities requested to be included in such Piggyback Registration by each Piggyback Eligible Holder and any holder of Other Registrable Securities with rights to participate in such offering, allocated, if necessary for the offering not to exceed the Maximum Offering Size, pro rata on the basis of the amount of Company Ordinary Shares or other Capital Stock constituting Registrable Securities and Other Registrable Securities requested in aggregate to be included therein. For purposes of Section 2(c)(ii)(B), the pro rata portion of Registrable Securities of each participating Holder shall be the product of (i) the total number of Registrable Securities which the managing underwriter agrees to include in the Public Offering and (ii) the ratio which such participating Holder’s total Registrable Securities bears to the total number of Registrable Securities of all participating Holders to be included in such Registration Statement. All Piggyback Eligible Holders requesting to be included in the Piggyback Registration must sell their Registrable Securities to the underwriters selected as provided in Section 2(c)(iv) on the same terms and conditions as apply to the Company.

(iii) Withdrawal from Registration. The Company shall have the right to terminate, withdraw or postpone any registration initiated by it under this Section 2(c), whether or not any Piggyback Eligible Holder has elected to include Registrable Securities in such Registration Statement, in its sole discretion; provided, however, that any such termination, withdrawal or postponement shall not prejudice the right of the Holders to request that such registration be effected as a registration under Section 2(b) to the extent permitted thereunder and subject to the terms set forth therein. The Registration Expenses of such terminated, withdrawn or postponed registration shall be borne by the Company in accordance with Section 4 hereof. Any Holder that has elected to include Registrable Securities in a Piggyback Offering may elect to withdraw such Holder’s Registrable Securities at any time prior to the Business Day prior to the execution of the underwriting agreement entered into in connection therewith.

(iv) Selection of Bankers and Counsel. If a Piggyback Registration pursuant to this Section 2(c) involves an underwritten Public Offering, the Company shall have the right to (A) determine the plan of distribution, including the price at which the Registrable Securities are to be sold and the underwriting commissions, discounts and fees and (B) select the investment banker or bankers and managers to administer the Public Offering, including the lead managing underwriter or underwriters, each of which shall be a nationally recognized investment bank. Holders of a Majority of Included Registrable Securities included in such underwritten Public Offering shall have the right to select one (1) firm of legal counsel to represent all of the Holders (along with one (1) local counsel, to the extent reasonably necessary, for any applicable jurisdiction), in connection with such Piggyback Registration; provided that the Company shall select such counsel (including local counsel) if the Holders of a Majority of Included Registrable Securities cannot so agree on the same within a reasonable time period.

(v) Effect of Piggyback Registration. No registration effected under this Section 2(c) shall relieve the Company of its obligations to effect any registration of the offer and sale of Registrable Securities upon request under Section 2(a) or Section 2(b) hereof, and no registration effected pursuant to this Section 2(c) shall be deemed to have been effected pursuant to Section 2(a) or Section 2(b) hereof.

(d) Notice Requirements. Any Demand Request, Piggyback Request or Shelf Takedown Request shall (i) specify the maximum number or class or series of Registrable Securities intended to be offered and sold by the Holder making the request, (ii) express such Holder’s bona fide intent to offer up to such maximum number of Registrable Securities for distribution, (iii) describe the nature or method of the proposed offer and sale of Registrable Securities (to the extent applicable), and (iv) contain the undertaking of such Holder to provide all such information and materials and take all action as may reasonably be required in order to permit the Company to comply with all applicable requirements in connection with the registration of such Registrable Securities.

 

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(e) Suspension Period. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2, the Company shall have the right but not the obligation to defer the filing of (but not the reasonable preparation of), or suspend the use by the Holders of, any Demand Registration or Shelf Registration (whether prior to or after receipt by the Company of a Shelf Takedown Request or Demand Request) if the Company determines in good faith, after consultation with its external legal counsel expert in such matters, that: (i) such registration or offering would require the disclosure, under applicable securities laws and other laws, of material nonpublic information that would not otherwise be required to be disclosed at that time and the Company believes in good faith that such disclosures at that time would materially affect the Company in an adverse manner; provided that the exception in clause (i) shall continue to apply only during the time in which such material nonpublic information has not been disclosed and remains material; (ii) such registration or offering would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on any proposal or plan by the Company or any of the Company’s subsidiaries to engage in any material acquisition of assets or stock (other than in the ordinary course of business) or any material plan or proposal of a significant financing, acquisition, disposition, merger, corporate reorganization, securities offering, segment reclassification or discontinuation of operations or other material transaction or any negotiations or discussions with respect thereto involving the Company or any of the Company’s subsidiaries; (iii) such registration or offering would render the Company unable to comply with requirements under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act; or (iv) the Company has a bona fide business purpose for deferring or suspending such registration or offering; provided that the period of any delay or suspension under exceptions (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) shall not exceed a period of seventy-five (75) days and any such delays or extensions shall not in aggregate exceed one hundred-five (105) days in any twelve (12) month period (any such period, a “Suspension Period”, and any event triggering any such delay or suspension, a “Suspension Event”); provided, however, that in such event, a Qualified Holder will be entitled to withdraw any request for a Demand Registration or an Underwritten Shelf Takedown and, if such request is withdrawn, such Demand Registration or Underwritten Shelf Takedown will not count as a Demand Registration or an Underwritten Shelf Takedown and the Company will pay all Registration Expenses in connection with such registration, regardless of whether such registration is effected. The Company shall promptly give written notice to the Holders of Registrable Securities registered under or pursuant to any Shelf Registration Statement or any Demand Registration with respect to its declaration of a Suspension Period and of the expiration of the relevant Suspension Period (a “Suspension Notice”). If the filing of any Demand Registration is suspended or an Underwritten Shelf Takedown is delayed pursuant to this Section 2(e), once the Suspension Period ends, any Qualified Holder may request a new Demand Registration or a new Underwritten Shelf Takedown (and such request shall not be counted as an additional Underwritten Shelf Takedown or Demand Registration for purposes of either Section 2(a)(iv) or Section 2(b)(i)). The Company shall not include any material non-public information in the Suspension Notice and or otherwise provide such information to a Holder unless specifically requested by a Holder in writing. A Holder shall not effect any sales of the Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement at any time after it has received a Suspension Notice and prior to receipt of an End of Suspension Notice. Holders may recommence effecting sales of the Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement following further written notice from the Company to such effect (an “End of Suspension Notice”), which End of Suspension Notice shall be given by the Company to the Holders with Registrable Securities included on any suspended Registration Statement and counsel to the Holders, if any, promptly (but in no event later than two (2) Business Days) following the conclusion of any Suspension Event. Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, if the Company gives a Suspension Notice with respect to any Registration Statement pursuant to this Section 2(e), the Company agrees that it shall (i) extend the period which such Registration Statement shall be maintained effective pursuant to this Agreement by the number of days during the period from the date of receipt by the Holders of the Suspension Notice to and including the date of receipt by the Holders of the End of Suspension Notice; and (ii) provide copies of any supplemented or amended prospectus necessary to resume sales, if requested by any Holder; provided that such period of time shall not be extended beyond the date that there are no longer Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement.

(f) Required Information. In addition to any other information required pursuant to Section 2(a)(ii), and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Company may require each Holder of Registrable Securities as to which any Registration Statement is being filed or sale is being effected to furnish to the Company such information regarding the distribution of such securities and such other information relating to such Holder and its ownership of Registrable Securities as the Company may from time to time reasonably request in writing (provided that such information shall be subject to Section 3(v)), and the Company may exclude from such registration or sale the Registrable Securities of any such Holder who fails to furnish such information within a reasonable time after receiving such request or who does not consent to the inclusion in a Registration Statement or Prospectus related to such registration or sale of such information related to such Holder that is required by the rules and regulations of the Commission. Each Holder agrees to furnish such information to the Company and to cooperate with the Company as reasonably necessary to enable the Company to comply with the provisions of this Agreement, the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and any state securities or “blue sky” laws.

 

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(g) Other Registration Rights Agreements. The Company represents and warrants to each Holder that, as of the date of this Agreement, except for the Existing Registration Rights Agreement, it has not entered into any agreement with respect to any of its securities granting any registration rights to any Person with respect to the Registrable Securities. The Company will not enter into on or after the date of this Agreement, unless this Agreement is modified or waived as provided in Section 7(c), any agreement that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders with respect to Registrable Securities in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof, in each case, in any material respect. Other than as set forth in this Agreement, if the Company enters into any agreement that would allow any holder of Company Ordinary Shares or other Capital Stock of the Company to include such Capital Stock in any Registration Statement of the Company on a basis more favorable than the rights of the Holders under this Agreement (as determined in good faith by the Company), this Agreement shall be automatically amended to provide for such more favorable terms and, to the extent the Company enters into any agreement that would allow any holder of Company Ordinary Shares or other Capital Stock of the Company to include such Capital Stock in any Registration Statement or Underwritten Shelf Takedown under Section 2(a) or 2(b) of this Agreement, such other agreement shall similarly provide for the Holders to have reciprocal rights with respect to any demand registrations or underwritten offerings thereunder.

(h) Cessation of Registration Rights. All registration rights granted under this Section 2 shall continue to be applicable with respect to any Holder until such time as such Holder no longer holds any Registrable Securities.

(i) Confidentiality. Each Holder agrees that such Holder shall treat as confidential the receipt of a Demand Notice, Shelf Takedown Notice, Piggyback Notice or Suspension Notice and shall not disclose or use the information contained in any such notice, or the existence of such notice without the prior written consent of the Company until such time as the information contained therein is or becomes available to the public generally, other than as a result of disclosure by the Holder in breach of the terms of this Agreement.

3. Registration Procedures. If and whenever registration of Registrable Securities is required pursuant to this Agreement, subject to the express terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the procedures to be followed by the Company and each participating Holder to register the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement, and the respective rights and obligations of the Company and such Holders with respect to the preparation, filing and effectiveness of such Registration Statement, are as follows:

(a) The Company will (i) prepare and file a Registration Statement or a prospectus supplement, as applicable, with the Commission (within the time period specified in Section 2(a) or Section 2(b), as applicable, in the case of a Shelf Registration, an Underwritten Shelf Takedown or a Demand Registration) which Registration Statement (A) shall be on a form selected by the Company for which the Company qualifies, (B) shall be available for the sale of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution, and (C) shall comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the applicable form and include and/or incorporate by reference all financial statements required by the Commission to be filed therewith, and (ii) use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective for the periods provided under Section 2(a) or Section 2(b), as applicable, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement or a Demand Registration Statement. The Company will furnish to any Qualified Holder named as a selling shareholder (or selling shareholders) therein, any counsel designated by such Qualified Holder, counsel for the Holders of a Majority of Included Registrable Securities (selected as provided herein) and the managing underwriter or underwriters (selected as provided herein) of an underwritten Public Offering of Registrable Securities, if applicable, copies of all substantive correspondence from the Commission received in connection with such Public Offering, subject in each case to such foregoing Persons entering into a customary confidentiality agreement with respect thereto if requested by the Company. The Company will (I) at least two (2) Business Days (or such shorter period as shall be reasonably practicable under the circumstances) prior to the anticipated filing of the Shelf Registration Statement, a Demand Registration Statement or any related Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, or before using any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, furnish to any Qualified Holder named as a selling shareholder (or selling shareholders) therein, any counsel designated by such Qualified Holder and counsel for the Holders of a Majority of Included Registrable Securities (selected as provided herein) and the managing underwriter or underwriters (selected as provided herein) of an underwritten Public Offering of Registrable Securities, if applicable,

 

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copies of all such documents proposed to be filed (subject in each case to such foregoing Persons entering into a customary confidentiality agreement with respect thereto if requested by the Company), (II) use its commercially reasonable efforts to address in each such document prior to being so filed with the Commission such comments as any of the foregoing Persons reasonably shall propose and (III) without limiting the Company’s rights under Section 2(f), not include in any Registration Statement or any related Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto information regarding a participating Holder to which a participating Holder reasonably objects; provided, however, the Company shall not be required to provide copies of any amendment or supplement filed solely to incorporate in any Form S-1 (or other form not providing for incorporation by reference) any filing by the Company under the Exchange Act or any amendment or supplement filed for the purpose of adding additional selling shareholders thereunder.

(b) The Company will as promptly as reasonably practicable (i) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments, including post-effective amendments, and supplements to each Registration Statement and the Prospectus used in connection therewith as (A) may be reasonably requested by any Holder of Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement necessary to permit such Holder to sell in accordance with its intended method of distribution, to the extent consistent such intended method of distribution is consistent with Exhibit B hereto, or (B) may be necessary under applicable law to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities covered thereby for the periods provided under Section 2(a) or Section 2(b), as applicable, in accordance with the intended method of distribution.

(c) The Company will make all required filing fee payments in respect of any Registration Statement or Prospectus used under this Agreement (and any Public Offering covered thereby) within the deadlines specified by the Securities Act.

(d) The Company will notify each Holder of Registrable Securities named as a selling shareholder in any Registration Statement and the managing underwriter or underwriters of an underwritten Public Offering of Registrable Securities, if applicable, (i) as promptly as reasonably practicable when any Registration Statement or post-effective amendment thereto has been declared effective; (ii) of the issuance or threatened issuance by the Commission or any other governmental or regulatory authority of any stop order, injunction or other order or requirement suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement covering any or all of the Registrable Securities or the initiation or threatening of any Proceedings for that purpose; (iii) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation or threatening of any Proceeding for such purpose; or (iv) of the discovery that, or upon the happening of any event the result of which, such Registration Statement or Prospectus or Issuer Free Writing Prospectus relating thereto or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference contains an untrue statement in any material respect or omits any material fact necessary to make the statements in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or Issuer Free Writing Prospectus relating thereto (in the case of a Prospectus or an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, or when any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus includes information that may conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement or Prospectus, or if, for any other reason, it shall be necessary during such time period to amend or supplement such Registration Statement or Prospectus in order to comply with the Securities Act, correct such misstatement or omission or effect such compliance.

(e) Upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by Section 3(d)(iv), as promptly as reasonably practicable, the Company will (x) prepare a supplement or amendment, including a post-effective amendment, if required by applicable law, to the affected Registration Statement or a supplement to the related Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference or to the applicable Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, (y) furnish, if requested, a reasonable number of copies of such supplement or amendment to the selling Holders, their counsel and the managing underwriter or underwriters of an underwritten Public Offering of Registrable Securities, if applicable, and (z) file such supplement, amendment and any other required document with the Commission so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of any Registrable Securities, such Registration Statement, such Prospectus or such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus shall not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of a Prospectus or an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, and such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus shall not include information that conflicts with information contained in the Registration Statement or Prospectus, in each case such that each selling Holder can

 

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resume disposition of such Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement or Prospectus. Following receipt of notice of any event contemplated by Section 3(d)(ii) through (iv), a Holder shall suspend sales of the Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement and shall not resume sales until such time as it has received written notice from the Company to such effect. The Company shall provide any supplemented or amended prospectus necessary to resume sales, if requested by any Holder.

(f) The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to avoid the issuance of, or, if issued, obtain the withdrawal of (i) any stop order or other order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or the use of any Prospectus filed pursuant to this Agreement, or (ii) any suspension of the qualification (or exemption from qualification) of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction, as promptly as practicable, or if any such order or suspension is made effective during any Suspension Period, as promptly as practicable after the Suspension Period is over.

(g) During the Effectiveness Period or the Shelf Period, as applicable, the Company will furnish to each selling Holder, its counsel and the managing underwriter or underwriters of an underwritten Public Offering of Registrable Securities, if applicable, upon their request, without charge, at least one conformed copy of each Registration Statement and each amendment thereto and all exhibits to the extent requested by such selling Holder or underwriter (including those incorporated by reference) promptly after the filing of such documents with the Commission.

(h) The Company will promptly deliver to each selling Holder and the managing underwriter or underwriters of an underwritten Public Offering of Registrable Securities, if applicable, without charge, as many copies of the applicable Registration Statement, each amendment and supplement thereto, the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary Prospectus, final Prospectus, and any other Prospectus (including any Prospectus filed under Rule 424, Rule 430A or Rule 430B promulgated under the Securities Act and any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus)), all exhibits and other documents filed therewith and such other documents as such selling Holder or underwriter may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities by such selling Holder or underwriter, and upon request, subject to any confidentiality undertaking as the Company shall reasonably request, a copy of any and all transmittal letters or other correspondence to or received from the Commission or any other governmental authority relating to such offer. Subject to Section 2(e) hereof, the Company consents to the use of such Prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders and any applicable underwriter in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by such Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto.

(i) [Reserved.]

(j) The Company will cooperate with the Holders and the underwriter or managing underwriter of an underwritten Public Offering of Registrable Securities, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates or book-entry statements representing Registrable Securities to be delivered to a transferee pursuant to a Registration Statement, which certificates or book-entry statements shall be free of all restrictive legends, indicating that the Registrable Securities are unregistered or unqualified for resale under the Securities Act, Exchange Act or other applicable securities laws, and to enable such Registrable Securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as any such Holders or the underwriter or managing underwriter of an underwritten Public Offering, as applicable, may reasonably request and instruct any transfer agent and registrar of Registrable Securities, if any, may request. In connection therewith, if required by the Company’s transfer agent, the Company will promptly, after the effective date of the Registration Statement, cause an opinion of counsel as to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement to be delivered to and maintained with such transfer agent, together with any other authorizations, certificates and directions required by the transfer agent which authorize and direct the transfer agent to issue such Registrable Securities without any such legend upon the sale by any Holder or the underwriter or managing underwriter of an underwritten Public Offering of Registrable Securities, if any, of such Registrable Securities under the Registration Statement and to release any stop transfer orders in respect thereof. At the request of any Holder or the managing underwriter, if any, the Company will promptly deliver or cause to be delivered an opinion or instructions to the transfer agent in order to allow the Registrable Securities to be sold from time to time free of all restrictive legends.

 

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(k) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the right of any Holder to include such Holder’s Registrable Securities in an underwritten offering shall be conditioned upon (x) such Holder’s participation in such underwriting and the inclusion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in the underwriting to the extent provided herein, (y) such Holder entering into customary agreements, including an underwriting agreement in customary form and sell such Holder’s Registrable Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Holders entitled to select the managing underwriter or managing underwriters hereunder (provided that (I) any such Holder shall not be required to make any representations or warranties to the Company or the underwriters (other than (A) representations and warranties regarding (1) such Holder’s ownership of its Registrable Securities to be sold or transferred, (2) such Holder’s power and authority to effect such transfer, (3) such matters pertaining to compliance with securities laws as may be reasonably requested by the Company or the underwriters, (4) the accuracy of information concerning such Holder as provided by or on behalf of such Holder, and (5) any other representations required to be made by the Holder under applicable law, and (B) such other representations, warranties and other provisions relating to such Holder’s participation in such Public Offering as may be reasonably requested by the underwriters) or to undertake any indemnification obligations to the Company with respect thereto, except as otherwise provided in Section 6(b) hereof, or to the underwriters with respect thereto, except to the extent of the indemnification being given to the underwriters and their controlling Persons in Section 6(b) hereof and (II) the aggregate amount of the liability of such Holder in connection with such offering shall not exceed such Holder’s net proceeds from the disposition of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such offering and (z) such Holder completing and executing all questionnaires, powers of attorney, custody agreements and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements or by the Company in connection with such underwritten Public Offering.

(l) The Company agrees with each Holder that, in connection with any underwritten Public Offering (including an Underwritten Shelf Takedown), the Company shall: (i) enter into and perform under such customary agreements (including underwriting agreements in customary form, including customary representations and warranties and provisions with respect to indemnification and contribution) and take all such other actions as the Holders of a Majority of Included Registrable Securities being sold or the underwriters, if any, reasonably request in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities and provide reasonable cooperation, including causing appropriate officers to attend and participate in “road shows” and analyst or investor presentations and such other selling or other informational meetings organized by the underwriters, if any (taking into account the needs of the Company’s businesses and the responsibilities of such officers with respect thereto). The Company and its management shall not be required to participate in any marketing effort that lasts longer than five (5) Business Days.

(m) The Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain for delivery to the underwriter or underwriters of an underwritten Public Offering of Registrable Securities (i) a signed counterpart of one or more comfort letters from independent public accountants of the Company in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by comfort letters and (ii) an opinion or opinions from counsel for the Company (including any local counsel reasonably requested by the underwriters) dated the date of the closing under the underwriting agreement, in customary form, scope and substance, covering the matters customarily covered in opinions requested in sales of securities in an underwritten Public Offering, which opinions shall be reasonably satisfactory to such underwriters and their counsel.

(n) The Company will (i) provide and cause to be maintained a transfer agent and registrar for all Registrable Securities covered by the applicable Registration Statement from and after a date not later than the effective date of such Registration Statement and provide and enter into any reasonable agreements with a custodian for the Registrable Securities and (ii) no later than the effective date of the applicable Registration Statement, provide a CUSIP number for all Registrable Securities.

(o) The Company will cooperate with each Holder of Registrable Securities and each underwriter or agent, if any, participating in the disposition of Registrable Securities and their respective counsel in connection with any filings required to be made with FINRA.

(p) The Company will, upon reasonable notice and at reasonable times during normal business hours, make available for inspection by a representative appointed by the Holders of a Majority of Included Registrable Securities, counsel selected by such Holders in accordance with this Agreement, any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to such registration, as applicable, and any other attorney or accountant retained by such underwriter, all financial and other records and pertinent corporate documents of the Company, and cause the

 

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Company’s officers, directors, employees and independent accountants to supply all information reasonably requested by any such Holder, underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with such Registration Statement or Underwritten Shelf Takedown, as applicable, and make themselves available at mutually convenient times to discuss the business of the Company and other matters reasonably requested by any such Holders, sellers, underwriter or agent thereof in connection with such Registration Statement as shall be necessary to enable them to exercise their due diligence responsibility with respect to such Registration Statement or offering, as applicable (any information provided under this Section 3(p), “Due Diligence Information”), subject in each case to the foregoing persons entering into customary confidentiality and non-use agreements with respect to any confidential information of the Company. The Company shall not provide any Due Diligence Information to a Holder unless such Holder explicitly requests such Due Diligence Information in writing.

(q) The Company will comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, the Trading Market, FINRA and any state securities authority, and make available to each Holder, as soon as reasonably practicable after the effective date of the Registration Statement, an earnings statement covering at least twelve (12) months but not more than eighteen 18 months beginning with the first (1st) full calendar month after the effective date of such Registration Statement, which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 promulgated thereunder (or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same effect as such rule).

(r) The Company will ensure that any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus utilized in connection with any Prospectus complies in all material respects with the Securities Act, is filed in accordance with the Securities Act to the extent required thereby, and is retained in accordance with the Securities Act to the extent required thereby.

(s) Each Holder represents that it has not prepared or had prepared on its behalf or used or referred to, and agrees that it will not prepare or have prepared on its behalf or used or refer to, any Free Writing Prospectus without the prior written consent of the Company and, in connection with any underwritten Public Offering, the underwriters.

(t) Following the listing of the Company Ordinary Shares, if any, the Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Registrable Securities of the same class, to the extent any further action is required, to be similarly listed and to maintain such listing until such time as the securities cease to constitute Registrable Securities.

(u) The Company shall, if such registration for an underwritten Public Offering is pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-3 or any similar short-form registration, include in such Registration Statement such additional information for marketing purposes as the managing underwriter(s) reasonably request(s).

(v) The Company shall hold in confidence and not use or make any disclosure of information concerning a Holder provided to the Company without such Holder’s consent, unless the Company reasonably determines (i) disclosure of such information is necessary to comply with federal or state securities laws, (ii) the disclosure of such information is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in any Registration Statement, (iii) the release of such information is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other final, non-appealable order from a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction, or (iv) such information has been made generally available to the public other than by disclosure in violation of this Agreement or any other agreement known to the Company. The Company agrees that it shall, upon learning that disclosure of such information concerning a Holder is sought in or by a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction or through other means or otherwise determining that any such disclosure is required under the foregoing clauses (i) through (iii), to the extent permitted by applicable law, give prompt written notice to such Holder and allow such Holder, at the Holder’s expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain a protective order for, such information.

(w) The Company agrees that nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit the Holders, at any time and from time to time, from selling or otherwise transferring Registrable Securities pursuant to a private placement or other transaction which is not registered pursuant to the Securities Act.

 

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(x) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any Holder may make a written election (an “Opt-Out Election”) to no longer receive from the Company any Demand Notice, Shelf Takedown Notice, Piggyback Notice or Suspension Notice (other than a Suspension Notice with respect to a Registration Statement as to which such Holder’s Registrable Securities are, or have been requested to be, included in) (each, a “Covered Notice”), and, following receipt of such Opt-Out Election, the Company shall not be required to, and shall not, deliver any such Covered Notice to such Holder from the date of receipt of such Opt-Out Election and such Holder shall have no right to participate in any Registration Statement or Public Offering as to which such Covered Notices pertain. An Opt-Out Election shall remain in effect until it has been revoked in writing and received by the Company. A Holder who previously has given the Company an Opt-Out Election may revoke such election at any time in writing, and there shall be no limit on the ability of a Holder to issue and revoke subsequent Opt-Out Elections.

(y) For so long as the Company is subject to the requirements of Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company covenants that it will file, in a timely manner, all reports required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act (or, if the Company is subject to the requirements of Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act but is not required to file such reports, it will, upon the request of any Holder, make publicly available such information), and, whether or not the Company is then subject to the requirements of Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company covenants that it will make and keep public information available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144, and take such further action as any Holder may reasonably request so as to enable such Holder to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by (a) Rule 144, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or (b) any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC. Upon the reasonable request of a Holder, the Company will deliver to such Holder a written statement that it has complied with the reporting requirements of Rule 144, the Securities Act and the Exchange Act.

(z) (i) Until such time as the Company Ordinary Shares are registered under Section 12(b) or Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act, the Company covenants that it will file, and (ii) thereafter at any time when the Company is not required to make such filings by the rules and regulations of the Commission, the Company covenants that it will use commercially reasonable efforts to file, in each case with the Commission in a timely manner (which shall include any extensions obtained or any applicable grace periods) to the extent such filings are accepted by the Commission, all quarterly and annual reports and current reports on Form 8-K that would be required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act if the Company were required to file under such section as a non-accelerated filer; provided, that in the case of current reports on Form 8-K, any such filing shall be made within five (5) Business Days of when such filing would otherwise be required to be made with the Commission. In addition, the Company will make such information available to prospective purchasers of the Registrable Securities, securities analysts and broker-dealers who request it in writing (it being understood that the availability of such information or reports on the Commission’s EDGAR system shall satisfy this requirement).

4. Registration Expenses. Except as otherwise contained herein, the Company shall bear all reasonable Registration Expenses incident to the Parties’ performance of or compliance with their respective obligations under this Agreement or otherwise in connection with any Demand Registration, Shelf Registration, Shelf Takedown Request or Piggyback Registration (excluding any Selling Expenses), whether or not any Registrable Securities are sold pursuant to a Registration Statement. Each Holder shall pay any Selling Expenses applicable to the sale or disposition of such Holder’s Registrable Securities pursuant to any Demand Registration Statement or Piggyback Offering, or pursuant to any Shelf Registration Statement under which such selling Holder’s Registrable Securities were sold, and any other fees and expenses not constituting Registration Expenses in proportion to the amount of such selling Holder’s shares of Registrable Securities sold in any offering under such Demand Registration Statement, Piggyback Offering or Shelf Registration Statement.

5. Lock-Up Agreements.

(a) Holder Lock-Up. In connection with any underwritten Public Offering of Company Ordinary Shares expected to result in gross proceeds of at least $75,000,000, if requested by (i) the managing underwriters of such Public Offering and (ii) the Company, in the case of a Company-initiated Public Offering, or the Holders of a Majority of Included Registrable Securities, in the case of any Underwritten Shelf Takedown or Underwritten Demand pursuant to Section 2(a) or 2(b), each Holder of Registrable Securities participating in such Public Offering and, if requested by the managing underwriters of such Public Offering, each other Holder of Registrable Securities shall enter into a customary lock-up agreement with the managing underwriters of such Public Offering to not make

 

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any sale or other disposition of any of the Company’s Capital Stock owned by such Holder (a “Lock-Up Agreement”); provided that all executive officers and directors of the Company and the Holders requesting such Lock-Up Agreements are bound by and have entered into substantially similar Lock-Up Agreements; provided, further, that nothing herein shall prevent any Holder from making a distribution of Registrable Securities to any of its partners, members or stockholders thereof or a transfer of Registrable Securities to an Affiliate that is otherwise in compliance with the applicable securities laws, so long as such distributees or transferees, as applicable, agree to be bound by the restrictions set forth in this Section 5(a); provided, further, that the foregoing provisions shall only be applicable to the Holders if all shareholders, officers and directors are treated similarly with respect to any release prior to the termination of the lock-up period such that if any such persons are released, then all Holders shall also be released to the same extent on a pro rata basis. The Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to the shares of Capital Stock (or other securities) subject to the restrictions set forth in this Section 5(a) until the end of the applicable period of the Lock-Up Agreement. The provisions of this Section 5(a) shall cease to apply to such Holder once such Holder no longer beneficially owns any Registrable Securities.

(b) Lock-Up Agreements. The Lock-Up Agreement shall provide that, unless the underwriters managing such underwritten Public Offering otherwise agree in writing, such Holder shall not (A) offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of (including sales pursuant to Rule 144), directly or indirectly, any Capital Stock of the Company (including Capital Stock of the Company that may be deemed to be owned beneficially by such Holder in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission) (collectively, “Equity Securities”), (B) enter into a transaction which would have the same effect as described in clause (A) above, (C) enter into any swap, hedge or other arrangement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences or ownership of any Equity Securities, whether such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such Equity Securities, in cash or otherwise, in each case commencing on the date requested by the managing underwriters (which shall be no earlier than seven (7) days prior to the anticipated “pricing” date for such Public Offering) and continuing to the date that is ninety (90) days following the date of the final prospectus for such Public Offering (a “Holdback Period”).

(c) Company Lock-Up. In connection with any underwritten Public Offering, and upon the reasonable request of the managing underwriters, the Company shall: (i) agree to a customary lock-up provision applicable to the Company in an underwriting agreement as reasonably requested by the managing underwriters during any Holdback Period; and (ii) cause each of its executive officers and directors to enter into Lock-Up Agreements, in each case, in customary form and substance, and with exceptions that are customary, for an underwritten Public Offering of such type and size.

6. Indemnification.

(a) The Company shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless each Holder, its partners, shareholders, equityholders, general partners, limited partners, managers, members, and Affiliates and each of their respective officers and directors and any Person who controls any such Holder (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) and any agent or employee of any of the foregoing (collectively, “Holder Indemnified Persons”), and any underwriter that facilitates the sale of the Registrable Securities and any Person who controls such underwriter (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act), to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, costs (including reasonable costs of preparation and investigation and reasonable attorneys’, accountants’ and experts’ fees, whether or not the Indemnified Person is a party to any Proceeding) and expenses, judgments, fines, penalties, interest, settlements or other amounts arising from any and all Proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, in which any Indemnified Person may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, under the Securities Act or otherwise (collectively, “Losses”), as incurred, arising out of, based upon, resulting from or relating to (i) any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement under which any Registrable Securities were registered, Prospectus, preliminary prospectus, road show, as defined in Rule 433(h)(4) under the Securities Act (a “road show”), or in any summary or final prospectus or Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any documents incorporated by reference in any of the foregoing or (ii) any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary, in the case of any Prospectus, preliminary prospectus, road show or Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, to make the statements therein not misleading, or (iii) any violation or alleged violation by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any federal, state or common law rule or regulation relating to action or

 

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inaction in connection with any Company-provided information in such registration, disclosure document or related document or report, and the Company will reimburse such Indemnified Person for any legal or other documented expenses reasonably incurred by it in connection with investigating or defending any such Proceeding; provided, however, that the Company shall not be liable to any Indemnified Person to the extent that any such Losses arise out of, are based upon or results from an untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in such Registration Statement, such preliminary, summary or final prospectus or Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or such amendment or supplement, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of such Indemnified Person specifically for use in the preparation thereof.

(b) In connection with any Registration Statement filed by the Company pursuant to Section 2 hereof in which a Holder has registered for sale its Registrable Securities, each such selling Holder agrees (severally and not jointly) to indemnify, defend and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company, its directors and officers, Affiliates, employees, members, managers, agents and each Person who controls the Company (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) and any agent or employee of any of the foregoing (together with Holder Indemnified Persons, collectively, “Indemnified Persons”), from and against any Losses resulting from (i) any untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement under which such Registrable Securities were registered, Prospectus, preliminary prospectus, road show, Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any documents incorporated by reference therein, or (ii) any omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary, in the case of any Prospectus, preliminary prospectus, road show, Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or omission is contained in any information furnished in writing by or on behalf of such selling Holder to the Company specifically for inclusion therein and has not been corrected in a subsequent writing prior to the sale of the Registrable Securities. In no event shall the liability of any selling Holder hereunder be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the net proceeds (after deducting underwriters’ discounts, fees and commissions) received by such Holder under the sale of Registrable Securities giving rise to such indemnification obligation less any amounts paid (including such Holder’s share of any other Selling Expenses) by such Holder in connection with such sale and any amounts paid by such Holder as a result of liabilities incurred under the underwriting agreement, if any, related to such sale.

(c) Any Indemnified Person shall give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification under this Section 6 (provided that any delay or failure to so notify the Person obligated to indemnify the Indemnified Person with respect to such claim (the “indemnifying party”) shall not relieve the indemnifying party of its obligations hereunder except to the extent, if at all, that it is actually and materially prejudiced by reason of such delay or failure). The indemnifying party shall be entitled to assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person; provided, however, that any Indemnified Person shall have the right to select and employ its own counsel (and one local counsel in each relevant jurisdiction), and the indemnifying party shall bear the reasonable documented fees, costs and expenses of such separate counsel if (A) the Indemnified Person has reasonably concluded (based upon advice of its counsel) that there may be legal defenses available to it or other Indemnified Persons that are different from or in addition to those available to the indemnifying party, or (B) in the reasonable judgment of any such Indemnified Person (based upon advice of its counsel) a conflict of interest may exist between such Indemnified Person and the indemnifying party with respect to such claims; (C) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel satisfactory to the Indemnified Person to represent the Indemnified Person within a reasonable time after notice of the institution of such action; (D) the indemnifying party shall authorize the Indemnified Person to employ separate counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party; or (E) the indemnifying party shall have failed to assume the defense of such claim within a reasonable time after receipt of notice of such claim from the Indemnified Person and employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Person. An indemnifying party shall not be liable under this Section 6(c) to any Indemnified Person regarding any settlement or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the Indemnified Person is an actual or potential party to such claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise or consent is consented to by such indemnifying party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. No action may be settled without the written consent of the Indemnified Person, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, provided that the consent of the Indemnified Person shall not be required if (A) such settlement includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Person in form and substance satisfactory to such Indemnified Person

 

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from all liability on the claims that are the subject matter of such settlement, (B) such settlement provides for the payment by the indemnifying party of money as the sole relief for such action, and (C) such settlement does not include any statement as to or any admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any Indemnified Person. It is understood that the indemnifying party or parties shall not, except as specifically set forth in this Section 6(c), in connection with any Proceeding or related Proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the reasonable fees, disbursements or other charges of more than one separate firm admitted to practice in such jurisdiction at any one time.

(d) In the event that the indemnity provided in Section 6(a) or Section 6(b) above is unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an Indemnified Person for any reason, then each applicable indemnifying party agrees to contribute to the aggregate Losses (including reasonable costs of preparation and investigation and reasonable attorneys’, accountants’ and experts’ fees, whether or not the Indemnified Person is a party to any Proceeding) to which such indemnifying party may be subject in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the indemnifying party on the one hand and by the Indemnified Person on the other from the Public Offering of the Company Ordinary Shares; provided, however, that the maximum amount of liability in respect of such contribution shall be limited in the case of any Holder to the net proceeds (after deducting underwriters’ discounts, fees and commissions and other Selling Expenses) received by such Holder in connection with such registration. If, however, the allocation provided by the immediately preceding sentence is not permitted by applicable law, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to such amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Person in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the indemnifying party on the one hand and the Indemnified Person on the other in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such Losses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the indemnifying party on the one hand or the Indemnified Person on the other and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

(e) The Parties agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to Section 6(d) were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Holders of Registrable Securities or any agents or underwriters or all of them were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in Section 6(d). The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Person as a result of the Losses referred to above in Section 6(d) shall be deemed to include any reasonable legal or other reasonable documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by such Indemnified Person in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim.

(f) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6(d), no Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

(g) For purposes of Section 6(d), each Person who controls any Holder, agent or underwriter (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act), and each director, officer, employee and agent of any such Holder, agent or underwriter, shall have the same rights to contribution as such Holder, agent or underwriter, and each Person who controls the Company (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) and each officer and director of the Company shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company subject in each case to the applicable terms and conditions of this Section 6(g).

(h) The provisions of this Section 6 will remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Holder or the Company or any of the officers, directors or controlling Persons referred to in this Section 6 hereof, and will survive the transfer of Registrable Securities.

(i) The remedies provided for in this Section 6 are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be available to any Indemnified Person at law or in equity.

 

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7. Miscellaneous.

(a) Specific Performance; Remedies. Each Party acknowledges and agrees that the other Parties would be damaged irreparably if any provision of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with its specific terms or were otherwise breached and each Party further agrees that it shall not oppose any such demand for specific performance on the basis that monetary damages are available. Accordingly, the Parties will be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of the provisions of this Agreement and to enforce specifically this Agreement and its provisions in any action or proceeding instituted in any court of the United States or any state thereof having jurisdiction over the parties and the matter, in addition to any other remedy to which they may be entitled, at law or in equity. Except as expressly provided herein, the rights, obligations and remedies created by this Agreement are cumulative and in addition to any other rights, obligations or remedies otherwise available at law or in equity. Except as expressly provided herein, nothing herein will be considered an election of remedies. The Parties agree that monetary damages would not provide adequate compensation for any losses incurred by reason of a breach by it of any of the provisions of this Agreement and further agree that, in the event of any action for specific performance in respect of such breach, it shall waive the defense that a remedy at law would be adequate and shall waive any requirement for the posting of a bond or other security.

(b) Discontinued Disposition. Each Holder agrees by its acquisition of Registrable Securities that, upon receipt of a notice from the Company of the occurrence of any event of the kind described in clauses (ii) through (iv) of Section 3(d) or the occurrence of a Suspension Period, such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of such Registrable Securities under the Registration Statement until such Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemental Prospectus or amended Registration Statement or until it is advised in writing by the Company that the use of the applicable Prospectus may be resumed, and, in either case, has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus or Registration Statement. The Company may provide appropriate stop orders to enforce the provisions of this Section 7(b). In the event the Company shall give any such notice, the period during which the applicable Registration Statement is required to be maintained effective shall be extended by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the giving of such notice to and including the date when each seller of Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement either receives the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus or is advised in writing by the Company that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed.

(c) Amendments. This Agreement may be amended, modified, extended or terminated, and the provisions hereof may be waived, only with (i) the prior written consent of the Company and (ii) the affirmative vote of Holders of a Majority of Registrable Securities; provided that (1) in no event shall the obligations of any Holder of Registrable Securities be increased or the rights of any Holder be materially adversely affected (without similarly increasing or adversely affecting the rights of all Holders), except with the written consent of such Holder; (2) Section 3(y) shall not be amended except with the affirmative vote of Holders of 75% of Registrable Securities; (3) any amendment, modification or waiver that would adversely affect in any respect (other than in de minimis respects) the rights or obligations of any Holder (or group of Holders relative to other Holders) without similarly and proportionally affecting the rights or obligations hereunder of all other Holders (for the avoidance of doubt, without giving effect to any Holder’s specific holdings of Registerable Securities, specific tax or economic position, any other matters personal to a Holder or any rights given to Holder s owning a certain level of Registrable Securities and not, in each case, such affected Holder specifically), shall not be effective as to such Holder without such Holder’s prior written consent; and (4) to the extent any waiver, amendment, modification or termination has the purpose or effect of (x) delaying the requirement that the Company file a Shelf Registration Statement or cause the Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective, in each case, until a date that is ninety (90) days or more from the applicable due date with respect thereto or (y) modifying or amending the requirement that the Company keep the Shelf Registration Statement effective, such amendment, modification or termination must be approved by all Holders of Registrable Securities hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to depart from the provisions hereof with respect to a matter that relates exclusively to the rights of Holders of Registrable Securities whose securities are being sold pursuant to a Registration Statement and that does not directly or indirectly affect the rights of other Holders of Registrable Securities may be given by Holders of at least a majority of the Registrable Securities being sold by such Holders pursuant to such Registration Statement.

(d) Waivers. No waiver by any Party of any default, misrepresentation or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder, whether intentional or not, may be deemed to extend to any prior or subsequent default, misrepresentation or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder or affect in any way any rights arising because of any such prior or subsequent occurrence. Neither the failure nor any delay on the part of any Party to exercise any right or remedy under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right or remedy preclude any other or further exercise of the same or of any other right or remedy.

 

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(e) Termination and Effect of Termination. This Agreement shall terminate with respect to each Holder when such Holder no longer holds any Registrable Securities and will terminate in full when no Holder holds any Registrable Securities, except for the provisions of Section 6, which shall survive any such termination. No termination under this Agreement shall relieve any Person of liability for breach or Registration Expenses incurred prior to termination. In the event this Agreement is terminated, each Person entitled to indemnification rights pursuant to Section 6 shall retain such indemnification rights with respect to any matter that (i) may be an indemnified liability thereunder and (ii) occurred prior to such termination.

(f) Notices. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries required or permitted to be provided hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given and effective on the earliest of (i) the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via facsimile (with confirmation of delivery) or electronic mail in PDF or similar electronic or digital format (with confirmation of receipt) at or prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York time) on a Business Day in the place of receipt, (ii) the Business Day after the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via facsimile (with confirmation of delivery) or electronic mail in PDF or similar electronic or digital format (with confirmation of receipt) later than 5:00 p.m. (New York time) on any date and at or prior to 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on such date, (iii) the Business Day following the date of mailing, if sent by nationally recognized overnight courier service and (iv) upon actual receipt by the Party to whom such notice is required to be given. The address for such notices and communications shall be as follows (or at such other address as shall be given in writing by any Party to the other Parties):

If to the Company:

Noble Corporation

13135 Dairy Ashford Rd. Ste. 800

Sugar Land, TX 77478

Attention: William Turcotte

E-Mail: wturcotte@noblecorp.com

If to any other Person who is then a Holder, to the address of such Holder as it appears on the signature pages hereto or such other address as may be designated in writing hereafter by such Person.

(g) Successors and Assigns; Transfers; New Issuances. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties hereto and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and legal representatives. Each holder of a Company Interest (as defined in the Merger Agreement) that receives Company Ordinary Shares pursuant to the Merger Agreement shall be entitled to become a Holder hereunder by executing and delivering to the Company a joinder agreement in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A agreeing to become subject to and bound by the terms of this Agreement. The rights of a Holder hereunder may be transferred, assigned, or otherwise conveyed on a pro rata basis in connection with any transfer, assignment, or other conveyance of Registrable Securities to any transferee or assignee; provided that all of the following additional conditions are satisfied with respect to any transfer, assignment or conveyance of rights hereunder: (i) such transfer or assignment is made in compliance with the Securities Act, any other applicable securities or “blue sky” laws, or rules or regulations promulgated by FINRA, and the terms and conditions of the organizational documents of the Company; (ii) such transferee or assignee shall have delivered to the Company a joinder agreement in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A agreeing to become subject to and bound by the terms of this Agreement; and (iii) the Company is given written notice by such Holder of such transfer or assignment, stating the name and address of the transferee or assignee, identifying the Registrable Securities with respect to which such rights are being transferred or assigned and the total number of Registrable Securities and other Capital Stock of the Company beneficially owned by such transferee or assignee. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall not transfer or assign its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Holder.

(h) Governing Law. This Agreement, and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Agreement, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

 

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(i) Submission to Jurisdiction. Each of the Parties, by its execution of this Agreement, (i) hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and the state courts sitting in the State of New York, County of New York for the purpose of any Proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement or relating to the subject matter hereof, (ii) hereby waives to the extent not prohibited by applicable law, and agrees not to assert, and agrees not to allow any of its Subsidiaries to assert, by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, in any such action, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that any such Proceeding brought in one of the above-named courts is improper, or that this Agreement or the subject matter hereof or thereof may not be enforced in or by such court and (iii) hereby agrees not to commence or maintain any Proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement or relating to the subject matter hereof or thereof other than before one of the above-named courts nor to make any motion or take any other action seeking or intending to cause the transfer or removal of any such Proceeding to any court other than one of the above-named courts whether on the grounds of inconvenient forum or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that any party hereto is or becomes a party in any litigation in connection with which it may assert indemnification rights set forth in this Agreement, the court in which such litigation is being heard shall be deemed to be included in clause (i) above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any party to this Agreement may commence and maintain an action to enforce a judgment of any of the above-named courts in any court of competent jurisdiction. Each party hereto hereby consents to service of process in any such Proceeding in any manner permitted by New York law, and agrees that service of process by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, at its address specified pursuant to Section 7(f) hereof is reasonably calculated to give actual notice.

(j) Waiver of Venue. The Parties irrevocably and unconditionally waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, (i) any objection that they may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement in any court referred to in Section 7(i) and (ii) the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such Proceeding in any such court.

(k) WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT ANY DISPUTE THAT MAY ARISE OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE SUCH PARTY HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ITS RIGHT TO JURY TRIAL OF ANY DISPUTE BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER AGREEMENTS RELATING HERETO OR ANY DEALINGS AMONG THEM RELATING TO THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. THE SCOPE OF THIS WAIVER IS INTENDED TO ENCOMPASS ANY AND ALL ACTIONS, SUITS AND PROCEEDINGS THAT RELATE TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, INCLUDING CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS, AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW AND STATUTORY CLAIMS. EACH PARTY REPRESENTS THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT IN THE EVENT OF ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (ii) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND WITH THE ADVICE OF COUNSEL HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (iii) SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY AND (iv) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND REPRESENTATIONS IN THIS SECTION 7(k).

(l) Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the Parties shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such term, provision, covenant or restriction. It is hereby stipulated and declared to be the intention of the Parties that they would have executed the remaining terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.

(m) Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior contracts or agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any and all prior or contemporaneous discussions, agreements and understandings, whether oral or written, that may have been made or entered into by or among any of the Parties or any of their respective Affiliates relating to the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

26


(n) Execution of Agreement. This Agreement may be executed and delivered (by facsimile, by electronic mail PDF or otherwise) in any number of counterparts, each of which, when executed and delivered, shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute the same agreement.

(o) Determination of Ownership. In determining ownership of Company Ordinary Shares hereunder for any purpose, the Company may rely solely on the records of the transfer agent for the Company Ordinary Shares, other Capital Stock from time to time, or, if no such transfer agent exists, the Company’s ledger.

(p) Headings; Section References. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

(q) No Recourse. Notwithstanding anything that may be expressed or implied in this Agreement, and notwithstanding the fact that certain of the Holders may be partnerships or limited liability companies, each of the Holders and the Company agrees and acknowledges that no recourse under this Agreement or any documents or instruments delivered in connection with this Agreement shall be had against any of the Company’s or the Holder’s former, current or future direct or indirect equity holders, controlling persons, stockholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, Representatives, Affiliates, members, financing sources, managers, general or limited partners or assignees (each, a “Related Party” and collectively, the “Related Parties”), in each case other than the Company, the current or former Holders or any of their respective assignees under this Agreement, whether by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable Proceeding, or by virtue of any applicable law, it being expressly agreed and acknowledged that no personal liability whatsoever shall attach to, be imposed on or otherwise be incurred by any of the Related Parties, as such, for any obligation or liability of the Company or the Holders under this Agreement or any documents or instruments delivered in connection herewith for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or liabilities or their creation; provided, however, nothing in this Section 7(q) shall relieve or otherwise limit the liability of the Company or any current or former Holder, as such, for any breach or violation of its obligations under this Agreement or such agreements, documents or instruments.

(r) Descriptive Headings; Interpretation; No Strict Construction. Unless the context requires otherwise: (i) any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms; (ii) references to Sections, paragraphs and clauses refer to Sections, paragraphs and clauses of this Agreement; (iii) the terms “include,” “includes,” “including” or words of like import shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”; (iv) the terms “hereof,” “herein” or “hereunder” refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; (v) unless the context otherwise requires, the term “or” is not exclusive and shall have the inclusive meaning of “and/or”; (vi) defined terms herein will apply equally to both the singular and plural forms and derivative forms of defined terms will have correlative meanings; (vii) references to any law or statute shall be deemed to refer to such law or statute as amended or supplemented from time to time and shall include all rules and regulations and forms promulgated thereunder, and references to any law, rule, form or statute shall be construed as including any legal and statutory provisions, rules or forms consolidating, amending, succeeding or replacing the applicable law, rule, form or statute; (viii) references to any agreement or contract are to that agreement or contract as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; (ix) references to any Person include such Person’s successors and permitted assigns; (x) references to “days” are to calendar days unless otherwise indicated; and (xi) references to “writing”, “written” and comparable terms refer to printing, typing and other means of reproducing words (including electronic media) in a visible form. Each of the Parties hereto acknowledges that each Party was actively involved in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement and agrees that no law or rule of construction shall be raised or used in which the provisions of this Agreement shall be construed in favor or against any Party hereto because one is deemed to be the author thereof. All references to laws, rules, regulations and forms in this Agreement shall be deemed to be references to such laws, rules, regulations and forms, as amended from time to time or, to the extent replaced, the comparable successor thereto in effect at the time. All references to agencies, self-regulatory organizations or governmental entities in this Agreement shall be deemed to be references to the comparable successors thereto from time to time.

 

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(s) Recapitalizations, Exchanges, etc. The provisions of this Agreement shall apply to the fullest extent set forth herein with respect to (i) the Company Ordinary Shares, (ii) any and all securities into which Company Ordinary Shares are converted, exchanged or substituted in any recapitalization or other capital reorganization by the Company and (iii) any and all equity securities of the Company or any successor or assign of the Company (whether by merger, consolidation, sale of assets or otherwise) which may be issued in respect of, in conversion of, in exchange for or in substitution of, the Company Ordinary Shares and shall be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividends, splits, reverse splits, combinations, recapitalizations and the like occurring after the date hereof. The Company shall cause any successor or assign (whether by merger, consolidation, sale of assets or otherwise) to assume the obligations of the Company under this Agreement or enter into a new registration rights agreement with the Holders on terms substantially the same as this Agreement as a condition of any such transaction.

(t) Aggregation. All Registrable Securities owned or acquired by any Holder or its Affiliated entities or Persons (assuming full conversion, exchange and exercise of all convertible, exchangeable and exercisable securities into Registrable Securities) shall be aggregated together for the purpose of determining the availability of any right under this Agreement, and for purposes concerning any underwriting cutback provision, any such Holder and its Affiliates shall be deemed to be a single participating Holder, and any proportionate reduction with respect to such participating Holder shall be based upon the aggregate number of Registrable Securities owned by all Persons included in such participating Holder.

(u) Further Assurances. Each of the Parties to this Agreement shall, and shall cause their Affiliates to, execute and deliver such additional documents, instruments, conveyances and assurances and take such further actions as may be reasonably required to carry out the provisions hereof and to give effect to the transactions contemplated hereby.

(v) No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is for the sole benefit of the Parties hereto (including any future parties pursuant to Section 7(g)) and their respective successors and permitted assigns and nothing herein, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever, under or by reason of this Agreement.

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Registration Rights Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

NOBLE CORPORATION
By:    
Name:   Richard B. Barker
Title:  

Senior Vice President and Chief

Financial Officer

[HOLDERS]
By:    
Name:  
Title:  

 

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]


SCHEDULE I

Holders

[To come.]

Schedule I-1


EXHIBIT A

Form of Joinder Agreement

The undersigned hereby agrees, effective as of the date set forth below, to become a party to that certain Registration Rights Agreement (as amended, restated and modified from time to time, the “Agreement”) dated as of [•], 2021, by and among Noble Corporation, an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability (the “Company”), and the holders of the Company Ordinary Shares and Warrants named therein, and for all purposes of the Agreement the undersigned will be included within the term “Holder” (as defined in the Agreement). The address, facsimile number and email address to which notices may be sent to the undersigned are as follows:

 

Address:    
   
   
Facsimile No.:    
Email:    
Date:    

 

[If entity]
[ENTITY NAME]
By:    
  Name:
  Title:
[If individual]
 
Individual Name:

Exhibit A-1


EXHIBIT B

Form of Plan of Distribution1

The selling shareholders, or their pledgees, donees, transferees, or any of their successors in interest selling shares received from a named selling shareholder as a gift, partnership distribution or other permitted transfer after the date of the applicable prospectus (all of whom may be selling shareholders), may sell some or all of the securities covered by this prospectus from time to time on any stock exchange or automated interdealer quotation system on which our ordinary shares are listed, in the over-the-counter market, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise, at fixed prices that may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at prices otherwise negotiated. The selling shareholders may sell the securities by one or more of the following methods, without limitation:

 

   

block trades in which the broker or dealer so engaged will attempt to sell the securities as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;

 

   

purchases by a broker or dealer as principal and resale by the broker or dealer for its own account pursuant to this prospectus;

 

   

an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of any stock exchange on which our ordinary shares are listed;

 

   

ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker solicits purchases;

 

   

privately negotiated transactions;

 

   

“at-the-market” offering transactions;

 

   

short sales, either directly or with a broker-dealer or affiliate thereof;

 

   

through the writing of options on the ordinary shares, whether or not the options are listed on an options exchange;

 

   

through loans or pledges of the ordinary shares to a broker-dealer or an affiliate thereof;

 

   

by entering into transactions with third parties who may (or may cause others to) issue securities convertible or exchangeable into, or the return of which is derived in whole or in part from the value of, our ordinary shares;

 

   

through the distribution by any selling shareholder to its partners, members or equity holders;

 

   

one or more underwritten offerings on a firm commitment or best efforts basis; and

 

   

any combination of any of these methods of sale.

For example, the selling shareholders may engage brokers and dealers, and any brokers or dealers may arrange for other brokers or dealers to participate in effecting sales of our ordinary shares. These brokers, dealers or underwriters may act as principals, or as an agent of a selling shareholder. Broker-dealers may agree with a selling shareholder to sell a specified number of ordinary shares at a stipulated price. If the broker-dealer is unable to sell the ordinary shares acting as agent for a selling shareholder, it may purchase as principal any unsold securities at the stipulated price. Broker-dealers who acquire ordinary shares as principals may thereafter resell the ordinary shares from time to time in transactions on any stock exchange or automated interdealer quotation system on which the ordinary shares are then listed, at prices and on terms then prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to the then-current market price or in negotiated transactions. Broker-dealers may use block transactions and sales to and through broker-dealers, including transactions of the nature described above.

A selling shareholder may also enter into hedging and/or monetization transactions. For example, a selling shareholder may:

 

   

enter into transactions with a broker-dealer or affiliate of a broker-dealer or other third party in connection with which that other party will become a selling shareholder and engage in short sales of our ordinary shares under this prospectus, in which case the other party may use ordinary shares received from the selling shareholder to close out any short position;

 

   

sell short our ordinary shares under this prospectus and use ordinary shares held by the selling shareholder to close out any short position;

 

1 

The Plan of Distribution will be appropriately modified in the event that any securities other than ordinary shares are offered for distribution in accordance with the terms of the Agreement.

 

Exhibit B-1


   

enter into options, forwards or other transactions that require the selling shareholder to deliver, in a transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act, ordinary shares to a broker-dealer or an affiliate of a broker-dealer or other third party who may then become a selling shareholder and publicly resell or otherwise transfer ordinary shares under this prospectus;

 

   

loan or pledge ordinary shares to a broker-dealer or affiliate of a broker-dealer or other third party who may then become a selling shareholder and sell the loaned shares or, in an event of default in the case of a pledge, become a selling shareholder and sell the pledged shares, under this prospectus. As and when a selling shareholder takes such actions, the number of securities offered under this prospectus on behalf of such selling shareholder will decrease. The plan of distribution for that selling shareholder’s ordinary shares will otherwise remain unchanged; or

 

   

enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by the selling shareholder or borrowed from the selling shareholder or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of ordinary shares, and may use securities received from the selling shareholder in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of ordinary shares. The third party in such sale transactions may be an underwriter and, if applicable, will be identified as such in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment).

The selling shareholders may also sell ordinary shares pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

We do not know of any arrangements by the selling shareholders for the sale of our ordinary shares.

To the extent required under the Securities Act, the aggregate amount of selling shareholders’ ordinary shares being offered and the terms of the offering, the names of any agents, brokers, dealers or underwriters and any applicable commission with respect to a particular offer will be set forth in an accompanying prospectus supplement. Any underwriters, dealers, brokers or agents participating in the distribution of the ordinary shares may receive compensation in the form of underwriting discounts, concessions, commissions or fees from a selling shareholder and/or purchasers of selling shareholders’ ordinary shares for whom they may act (which compensation as to a particular broker-dealer might be in excess of customary commissions).

The selling shareholders and any underwriters, brokers, dealers or agents that participate in the distribution of the ordinary shares may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any discounts, concessions, commissions or fees received by them and any profit on the resale of the ordinary shares sold by them may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions.

The selling shareholders and other persons participating in the sale or distribution of the ordinary shares will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, including Regulation M. This regulation may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of the ordinary shares by the selling shareholders and any other person. The anti-manipulation rules under the Exchange Act may apply to sales of ordinary shares in the market and to the activities of the selling shareholders and their affiliates. Furthermore, Regulation M may restrict the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of the ordinary shares to engage in market-making activities with respect to the particular ordinary shares being distributed for a period of up to five (5) Business Days before the distribution. These restrictions may affect the marketability of the ordinary shares and the ability of any person or entity to engage in market-making activities with respect to the ordinary shares.

To the extent permitted by applicable law, this plan of distribution may be modified in a prospectus supplement or otherwise.

We agreed to register the ordinary shares under the Securities Act and to keep the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part effective for a specified period of time. We have also agreed to indemnify the selling shareholders against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. The selling shareholders have agreed to indemnify us in certain circumstances against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

Exhibit B-2


We will not receive any proceeds from sales of any ordinary shares by the selling shareholders.

We cannot assure you that the selling shareholders will sell all or any portion of the ordinary shares offered hereby. All of the foregoing may affect the marketability of the securities offered hereby.

 

Exhibit B-3

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO    LOGO

PRESS RELEASE

NOBLE CORPORATION AND PACIFIC DRILLING

ANNOUNCE AGREEMENT TO COMBINE

SUGAR LAND and HOUSTON, March 25, 2021 – Noble Corporation (“Noble”) and Pacific Drilling Company LLC (“Pacific Drilling”) announced today that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Noble will acquire Pacific Drilling in an all-stock transaction. The definitive merger agreement was unanimously approved by each company’s Board of Directors. The transaction has also been approved by a majority of Pacific Drilling’s equity holders, and no shareholder vote is required for Noble to close the transaction. As part of the transaction, Pacific Drilling’s equity holders will receive 16.6 million shares of Noble, or approximately 24.9% of the outstanding shares of Noble at closing. Noble expects to realize annual pre-tax cost synergies of at least $30 million, and additionally, will move to dispose of the Pacific Bora and Pacific Mistral expeditiously. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to be completed in April 2021.

Noble’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Robert Eifler, said, “The acquisition of Pacific Drilling will enhance our position in the ultra-deepwater market through the addition of its technologically-advanced ultra-deepwater drillships, which are highly complementary to Noble’s existing fleet. By bringing these modern drillships into the Noble fleet, we will be able to better serve the needs of our customers globally and to participate in a wider range of drillship tender activity. The combination brings together two companies who share a common culture prioritizing safety and operational excellence. Additionally, the acquisition expands and further solidifies our relationship with certain key customers, facilitates re-entry into both the West African and Mexican regions, and strengthens our presence in the US Gulf of Mexico.”

Mr. Eifler continued, “This acquisition is a positive strategic step for Noble, and we will work expeditiously to close the transaction and integrate the two companies. We remain committed to generating shareholder value through safety and operational excellence, capital discipline and customer satisfaction. As the offshore drilling landscape evolves, we look forward to maintaining our leadership role as we continue to grow in concert with the needs of our customers.”

 

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Bernie Wolford, Pacific Drilling’s Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Bringing together the Pacific Drilling and Noble fleets creates a stronger and more stable combined company with the scale to provide solutions for our clients on a global basis. This combination will advance the ongoing recovery in the industry and will allow Pacific Drilling equity holders to fully participate in that recovery. I would like to personally thank the entire Pacific Drilling team for their unwavering commitment to delivering safe, efficient and reliable services to our customers, and we look forward to working with Noble to successfully integrate the two companies.”

Significant Value Creation Potential for Noble Shareholders and Pacific Drilling Equity Holders

 

   

Pacific Drilling’s high specification UDW drillships are complementary to Noble’s high specification fleet: The combined fleet will be one of the youngest and most technologically advanced fleets in the industry. The complementary nature of both drillship fleets will permit sharing of expertise, capital spares and equipment across the rigs. For example, both companies utilize the same original equipment manufacturers for engines, thrusters, well control and drilling equipment.

 

   

Shared culture and commitment to operational excellence: Noble and Pacific Drilling both operate with a commitment to best-in-class safety performance and environmental stewardship. A key component of both companies’ value proposition also includes delivering the most efficient and reliable drilling performance to the customer.

 

   

Expansion of Noble’s customer relationships and geographic footprint: The acquisition facilitates Noble’s reentry into the growing West Africa and Mexico regions, and broadens its customer relationships. Given Noble’s fully contracted drillship fleet, these additional assets will also allow participation in key drillship tendering activity.

 

   

Meaningful cost synergies: Noble expects to realize annual pre-tax cost synergies of at least $30 million, with the full amount of cost synergies being realized by the end of 2021.

 

   

Strengthens balance sheet: Pacific Drilling will be acquired on a debt free basis and with approximately $30 million of anticipated cash and cash equivalents, after adjusting for certain anticipated transaction related expenses. Noble remains committed to maintaining a conservative balance sheet.

 

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Noble – Customer Focused, Global Provider of High-Specification Rigs

Pro forma for the acquisition, Noble will own and operate a high specification fleet of 24 rigs, with 11 drillships, 1 semisubmersible, and 12 jackups. Additionally, Noble will have pro forma backlog of approximately $1.7 billion, split across a diverse set of customers and regions of operation. Noble remains focused on serving the needs of its customers and delivering best-in-class operational excellence that is consistent across all geographies.

No changes to Noble’s Board of Directors or executive management team are anticipated as a result of the acquisition. Noble will continue to have its principal executive offices in Sugar Land, Texas.

Advisors

Ducera Partners LLC and DNB Markets, a part of DNB Bank ASA, are acting as financial advisors, and Kirkland & Ellis LLP is acting as legal advisor to Noble.

Houlihan Lokey Capital, Inc. is acting as financial advisor and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is acting as legal advisor to Pacific Drilling.

Conference Call

Noble has scheduled a conference call and webcast to discuss this transaction on Thursday, March 25, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. U.S. Central Time. Noble will not be hosting a question and answer session as part of this call. Interested parties are invited to listen to the call by dialing 1-877-680-4232, or internationally 1-647-689-5432, using access code: 3014907, or by asking for the Noble Corporation conference call. Interested parties may also listen over the Internet through a link posted in the Investor Relations section of Noble’s Website, which will also include an investor presentation.

A replay of the conference call will be available on Thursday, March 25, 2021, beginning at 1:00 p.m. U.S. Central Time, through Saturday, April 24, 2021, ending at 11:00 p.m. U.S. Central Time. The phone number for the conference call replay is 1-800-585-8367, or for calls from outside of the U.S., 1-416-621-4642, using access code: 3014907. The replay will also be available on Noble’s Website following the end of the scheduled call.

 

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About Noble Corporation

Noble is a leading offshore drilling contractor for the oil and gas industry. Noble owns and operates one of the most modern, versatile and technically advanced fleets in the offshore drilling industry. Noble and its predecessors have been engaged in the contract drilling of oil and gas wells since 1921. Currently, Noble performs, through its subsidiaries, contract drilling services with a fleet of 19 offshore drilling units, consisting of 7 drillships and semisubmersibles and 12 jackups, focused largely on ultra- deepwater and high-specification jackup drilling opportunities in both established and emerging regions worldwide. Noble is an exempted company incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability with registered office at P.O. BOX 31327, Ugland House, S. Church Street, Georgetown, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104. Additional information on Noble is available at www.noblecorp.com.

About Pacific Drilling

With its best-in-class drillships and highly experienced team, Pacific Drilling is committed to exceeding its customers’ expectations by delivering the safest, most efficient and reliable deepwater drilling services in the industry. Pacific Drilling’s fleet of seven drillships represents one of the youngest and most technologically advanced fleets in the world. For more information about Pacific Drilling please visit its website at www.pacificdrilling.com.

Forward-looking Disclosure Statement

This communication includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this communication or in the documents incorporated by reference, including those regarding the proposed transaction, the benefits, expected synergies, and other expense savings and operational and administrative efficiencies, opportunities, timing, expense and effects of the transaction, and those regarding rig demand, the offshore drilling market, contract backlog, fleet status, the parties’ future financial position, business strategy, liquidity, borrowings under the parties’ credit facility or other instruments, sources of funds, future capital expenditures, contract commitments, contract commencements, extension or renewals, contract tenders, plans and objectives of management for future operations, industry conditions,

 

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access to financing, impact of competition, worldwide economic conditions, and timing for compliance with any new regulations are forward-looking statements. When used in this report, or in the documents incorporated by reference, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “project,” “should,” “shall” and “will” and similar expressions are intended to be among the statements that identify forward-looking statements. Although the parties believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, the parties cannot assure you that such expectations will prove to be correct. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this communication and neither party undertakes any obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement for any reason, except as required by law. The parties have identified factors, including, but not limited to, the risks and uncertainties inherent in the transaction, including, among other things, the ability to obtain requisite approvals relating to the acquisition, potential costs and difficulties related to integration, the possibility that anticipated synergies and other benefits of the transaction will not be realized in the amounts anticipated, within the expected timeframe or at all, delays, costs and difficulties related to the transaction, market conditions, the combined company’s financial results and performance following the completion of the transaction, and the ability to satisfy closing conditions, as well as other factors including, but not limited to, the effects of the Chapter 11 Cases on Noble’s, Pacific Drilling’s or the combined company’s liquidity or results of operations or business prospects, the effects of the Chapter 11 Cases on Noble’s, Pacific Drilling’s or the combined company’s business and the interests of various constituents, the effects of public health threats, pandemics and epidemics, such as the recent and ongoing outbreak of COVID-19, and the adverse impact thereof on the parties’ business, financial condition and results of operations (including but not limited to the parties’ growth, operating costs, supply chain, availability of labor, logistical capabilities, customer demand for the parties’ services and industry demand generally, the parties’ liquidity, the price of the parties’ securities and trading markets with respect thereto, the parties’ ability to access capital markets, and the global economy and financial markets generally), the effects of actions by, or disputes among OPEC+ members with respect to production levels or other matters related to the price of oil, market conditions, factors affecting the level of activity in the oil and gas industry, supply and demand of drilling rigs, factors affecting the duration of contracts, the actual amount of downtime, factors that reduce applicable dayrates, operating hazards and delays, risks associated with operations outside the US, actions by

 

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regulatory authorities, credit rating agencies, customers, joint venture partners, contractors, lenders and other third parties, legislation and regulations affecting drilling operations, compliance with regulatory requirements, violations of anti-corruption laws, shipyard risk and timing, delays in mobilization of rigs, hurricanes and other weather conditions, and the future price of oil and gas, that could cause actual plans or results to differ materially from those included in any forward-looking statements. These factors include those “Risk Factors” referenced or described in Noble’s most recent Form 10-K, Form 10-Q’s, and other filings with the Commission. The parties cannot control such risk factors and other uncertainties, and in many cases, the parties cannot predict the risks and uncertainties that could cause the parties’ actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. You should consider these risks and uncertainties when you are evaluating us.

NC-923

03/25/2021

For additional information, contact:

Noble Corporation:

Craig Muirhead

Vice President – Investor Relations and Treasurer

investors@noblecorp.com

Pacific Drilling:

Investor Contact: James Harris

+713 334 6662

Investor@pacificdrilling.com

Media Contact: Amy L. Roddy

+713 334 6662

Media@pacificdrilling.com

Sources: Noble Corporation and Pacific Drilling Company LLC

 

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Exhibit 99.2

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Noble Drilling Announces Combination with Pacific Trusted Partner Company Presentation | 25 March 2021


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Transaction Overview [Graphic Appears Here] Summary ï,§ All- stock transaction Transaction Structure     ï,§ Pacific Drilling (“PACD”) to receive 16.6 mm newly-issued Noble Corporation (“Noble”) shares Pro-Forma ï,§ Noble shareholders: 75.1% Ownership(1) ï,§ PACD shareholders: 24.9% Leadership and ï,§ Noble’s board of directors and senior executive leadership will continue Governance     Key Approvals / Closing ï,§ Already approved by majority of PACD shareholders Conditions ï,§ Customary closing conditions Financing / Capital ï,§ PACD to be acquired on a debt-free basis Structure ï,§ Noble to receive PACD cash balance at closing Timeline ï,§ Targeted closing: April 2021 (1): Ownership is calculated using 50mm shares for Noble. Share count excludes dilution from outstanding Noble warrant tranch es and MIP.


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Strong Strategic Rationale [Graphic Appears Here] 1 High specification UDW drillship fleet 2 Shared culture of safety and operational excellence 3 Expands customer relationships and geographic footprint 4 Ability to integrate quickly and realize meaningful cost synergies 5 Strengthens balance sheet


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High Specification UDW Drillship Fleet Pacific Drilling Fleet Overview 7th Generation Drillships 6th Generation Drillships Rig Name Khamsin Sharav Meltem Santa Ana Scirocco Rig Design Samsung 12,000 Samsung 10,000 Year In Service 2013 2014 2014 2011 2011 Max Water Depth – 12,000 ft Main Hookload – 2,000,000 lbs 2,500,000 lbs Dual BOP Dual BOP capable Dual Activity  Customer(1) Note: Excludes Bora and Mistral 4 (1): Currently (or will be) under contract


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Ability Committed to Realize to Capital Meaningful Discipline Synergies; Noble [Graphic Appears Here] Expect to realize at least $30 million of annual pre-tax cost synergies 1 • Ability to integrate Pacific Drilling assets into Noble quickly; run rate achieved by end of 2021 Capex synergies given the complementary nature of the two drillship fleets 2 • Sharing of capital spares / efficiencies gained through improved inventory management The Bora and Mistral will be divested quickly to eliminate stacking costs 3 • Represents over $10 million per year at current run rate


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Rig Demand Expected to Bottom in 2021

Historical and Estimated Floater Demand Historical and Estimated Jack-up Demand

Rig years Rig years

190 360

180

350

+38

170

340 338 160 155

+38 330

150 324 140 321 140 320 318 314 130 129 124 308 120 120 310 307 120 111 300 109 110 300 296 110 102 291

0 0

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025

Source: Rystad Energy UCube; Rystad Energy research and analysis

Number of rigs operated will exceed number of rig years of demand 6


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The Noble Platform  


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Unique Investment Opportunity and Timing  

[Graphic Appears Here]

[Graphic Appears Here]

1 Premium fleet of 24 offshore drilling rigs (1)

2 Strategic and diverse customer relationships supported by strong backlog

3 Unwavering commitment to safety and operational excellence

4 Cash flow focused

5 Strong, resilient and flexible balance sheet

6 Ideal platform to capture value in a changing offshore drilling landscape

(1): Pro Forma for the Pacific Drilling fleet


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High Specification Fleet  

The Noble Fleet

(7) 7G Floaters (4) 6G Floaters (9) High-Spec Jack-Ups (“HS JU”) (1) Ultra HS JU





(2) Premium Jackups



(1) Semisubmersible



 Contract / future contract

 Young fleet (average fleet age of 8 years) Strategically positioned Technically advanced  Strong contract coverage

Note: Pro Forma for the Pacific Drilling fleet


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Strong Customer Relationships, Diverse Footprint

Expanding Existing Geographical Footprint and Customer Roster

Noble Floaters

Noble Jack-ups

Region US GOM Region North Sea

Select Customers

Select

Customers

5

Noble Floaters

Region Malaysia

Pacific Drilling

US GOM / Mexico Select Region Customers

2 2

Select 5 Noble Jack-ups

Customers 2

1

1 Region Far East / Australia

1

Noble Jack-ups 4 Select

Customers Region Trinidad & Tobago

Select Customers

1

Noble Floaters Pacific Drilling Noble Jack-ups

Region Guyana / Suriname Region West Africa Region Middle East

Select Select Select Customers Customers Customers

Noble Floaters Noble Jack-ups Pacific Drilling Pacific Drilling Stacked

Note: Pro Forma for the Pacific Drilling fleet, Excludes Bora and Mistral


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Acquisition and Strategic Enhances Customer Already Relationships Strong Backlog Position  

Revenue Backlog By Contractor Pacific Drilling’s Customer History

$b Rig Years

$10.2

$1.9 3% 7%

10%

$1.7

$1.3

20% 60%

$1.2

$1.2

Pacific Drilling

$1.7b of revenue backlog with blue chip customers such as Exxon, Shell, Equinor and Saudi Combination with Pacific Drilling enhances relationships with customers with significant Aramco drillship demand

Note: Noble backlog as of emergence date, backlog for other companies as of latest company fillings. Pro Forma for the Pacifi c Drilling fleet, and Pacific Drilling customer history is sourced for all rig years worked from IHS Rigbase.

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Track Record for Beating the Market  

Jack-Up & Modern Drillship Contract Awards & Utilization

Noble Competitors % Noble % Competitors

4 500 100

2% 90

4 000

3%

80

3 500

7%

70

3 000

(months) 60 Total

2 500 d 6%

Fixe 50

2 000 10% Utilization Term 40

3% (%) Contract 1 500 30 12%

1 000

20

500 10

0 0 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Noble Ownership of

Global Rig Fleet 5%                 4%                 4%                4%                4%                 4%                 4%                

89% Noble fleet utilization vs. 65% competitor utilization in 2014-2020

Note: Average total utilization for all jack-ups excluding owner operated, and those rigs working in China and Iran and 6th and 7th generation drillships. Contract term fixed includes only new, mutually agreed contracts, excluding owner operated, Iranian & Chinese fixtures 12


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Culture of Operational Excellence  

[Graphic Appears Here]

Key Drivers

Invest in our people

Relationship driven

Core Values

• Honesty and Integrity

• Safety

• Environmental Stewardship

• Respect

• Performance Problem solvers

Committed and accountable

Top Quartile UtilizationBest in class cost efficiency

 Zero Process Safety Events in 2020Top Quartile Subsea Downtime2020 LTI FreeLong Term Customer Partnerships

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Cash Flow Focused [Graphic Appears Here] Disciplined Disciplined Reduced Improved Capital Reduced Rig Operating Approach to Fleet Approach to Shorebased Costs Structure Mgmt Bidding  Reduced labor costs through standard manning and nationalization  Improved inventory management and realized maintenance program efficiencies  Centralized support functions  Significantly rationalized onshore resources  Dispose of rigs to eliminate stacking costs when rig has unfavorable outlook  Continue to evaluate new tenders based on “fully burdened” costs  Appropriately highlight the value of Noble’s assets, people and brand  Meaningfully reduced interest expense  Appropriately priced liquidity through new credit facility Noble is laser focused on cost structure optimization 14


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Meaningful Dayrate Reduction in “Fully Burdened” Breakeven “Fully Burdened” Breakeven Dayrate Drillship Jack-up (JU-3000N) $k/day ~35% reduction $k/day ~35% reduction Sub $200k Sub $100k 2 Years Ago Current 2 Years Ago Current  “Fully Burdened” includes all direct costs and allocations of indirect costs (all of Noble’s indirect costs are allocated to rigs)  Includes handrail costs, capex, downtime, and allocations for shorebased burden, interest expense and cash taxes Note: Allocations based on expected operating days for 2021, including a higher allocation for a Drillship than a Jackup. 15


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Strong Balance Sheet and Ample Liquidity [Graphic Appears Here] Best-in-Class Balance Sheet with M&A Flexibility Strong balance sheet supported by significant liquidity position Pacific Drilling assets are being acquired on a debt-free basis Noble to receive approximately $30 million in cash from PACD at closing (net of estimated transaction costs) Capital structure has built in flexibility to facilitate M&A Pacific Drilling will be in separate credit silo (1) Pro forma for PACD acquisition Pro Forma Capital Structure Highlights Total Debt (1) Total Liquidity (1) Sub $400 million $600+ million Backlog (1) First Debt Maturity $1.7 billion 2025 16


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High Cash Generation Potential [Graphic Appears Here] Illustrative EBITDA generation from active fleet(1) Floater Dayrates $200k    $250k $300k Jackup Dayrates $75k $100k $125k Fleet Utilization 80% 90% 95% EBITDA ~$130mm ~$520mm ~$880mm (1): Annual EBITDA calculation for 11 active floaters (assumes 1 floater is stacked/scrapped) and 12 active jack-ups under Noble’s current cost structure. Noble Lloyd Noble dayrate is illustratively assumed at $300k for all cases. 17


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Why Noble? Premium Fleet Operational Excellence Noble is the platform for investment in offshore Cash Flow Focused drilling Strong Balance Sheet Solid Backlog, Customers 18


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