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): August 25, 2016
SAEXPLORATION HOLDINGS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

001-35471
(Commission file number)

27-4867100
(IRS Employer Identification No.)

1160 Dairy Ashford Rd., Suite 160, Houston, Texas 77079
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(281) 258-4400
(Company's telephone number, including area code)


(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

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 14(d)-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
¨      Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

_____________________________________________________________________________________________





Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
As previously reported, on July 27, 2016, SAExploration Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with parties who received newly issued common stock of the Company on July 27, 2016 (the “RRA Holders”). The Registration Rights Agreement requires that the Company use its commercially reasonable efforts to prepare and file a shelf registration statement (the “Initial Shelf Registration Statement”) registering the offering and sale on a delayed or continuous basis of Registrable Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement), and to keep such Shelf Registration Statement effective until the earliest of (i) the date as of which all Registrable Securities have been sold pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement, (ii) the date on which the Registration Rights Agreement terminates and (iii) such shorter period as the RRA Holders of a specified percentage (the “Specified Percentage”) of Registrable Securities with respect to the Shelf Registration shall agree in writing.

The Company and holders of greater than a majority of the outstanding Registrable Securities have entered into a First Amendment, dated as of August 25, 2016 (the “First Amendment”), to the Registration Rights Agreement.

The First Amendment establishes the Specified Percentage to be 60% and provides that BlueMountain Capital Management, LLC, together with its affiliates, and Whitebox Advisors LLC, together with its affiliates, (collectively, the “Principal Holders”) may withhold a portion of their respective Registrable Securities from the Initial Shelf Registration Statement, and subsequently require that the Company file additional shelf registration statements to register such additional Registrable Securities.

The First Amendment also provides that commencing on February 1, 2017 through, and including, July 31, 2017, the Principal Holders may, acting jointly, effectuate the distribution of any or all of their Registrable Securities by means of an underwritten offering pursuant to the applicable shelf registration statement (a “Shelf Take-Down”) and commencing on August 1, 2017, each Principal Holder, acting separately, may initiate a Shelf Take-Down. At any time, individual RRA Holders (other than the Principal Holders) that together own Registrable Securities representing at least 50% of the outstanding Registrable Securities have the right to initiate a Shelf Take-Down.

No individual holder of Registrable Securities may join more than two requests for Shelf Take-Downs. The Company is not obligated to effect a Shelf Take-Down within 90 days of closing another Shelf Take-Down.

Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, as amended, RRA Holders continue to have customary piggyback registration rights, subject to the limitations set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement. Under their piggyback registration rights, if at any time the Company proposes to conduct an underwritten offering, the Company must allow RRA Holders to include their Registrable Securities in the offering.

RRA Holders’ rights under the Registration Rights Agreement are subject to certain conditions and limitations, including certain rights to limit the number of Registrable Securities to be included in Shelf Take-Downs or in a registration statement pursuant to the exercise of piggyback rights and the Company’s right to delay or withdraw a registration statement or an offer and sale of Registrable Securities under certain circumstances. The rights granted in the Registration Rights Agreement are subject to customary indemnification and contribution provisions.

The summary of the Registration Rights Agreement, as amended by the First Amendment, set forth in this Item 1.01 does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the First Amendment, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference, and the text of the Registration Rights Agreement, a copy of which was filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on August 1, 2016 and is incorporated herein by reference.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws, with respect to the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and business, and expectations or beliefs concerning future events. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified by phrases such as

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“expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans to,” “ought,” “could,” “will,” “should,” “likely,” “appears,” “projects,” “forecasts,” “outlook” or other similar words or phrases. There are inherent risks and uncertainties in any forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that its expectations are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct, and actual results may vary materially. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update, amend or clarify any forward-looking statements to reflect events, new information or otherwise. Some of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations are discussed below. All written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the Company, or persons acting on its behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements.
You should refer to the risk factors from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 12, 2016, for the period ended June 30, 2016 for specific risks which would cause actual results to be significantly different from those expressed or implied by any of the Company’s forward-looking statements. It is not possible to identify all of the risks, uncertainties and other factors that may affect future results. In light of these risks and uncertainties, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this report may not occur and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers of this report are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
Exhibit No.
Description
10.1
First Amendment dated as of August 25, 2016 to Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July 27, 2016.


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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.
Date: August 25, 2016                SAExploration Holdings, Inc.
    
By:
/s/ Brent Whiteley
Name:
Brent Whiteley
Title:
Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel and Secretary

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
Description
10.1
First Amendment dated as of August 25, 2016 to Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July 27, 2016.





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Exhibit 10.1

FIRST AMENDMENT
dated as of August 25, 2016
TO
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
dated as of July 27, 2016
among
SAExploration Holdings, Inc.
and
the Supporting Holders Party Thereto
on behalf of themselves and the other Holders









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This FIRST AMENDMENT TO REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “ First Amendment ”) is entered into as of August 25, 2016, by and among SAExploration Holdings, Inc. (“ SAE ”) and the Supporting Holders listed on the signature pages hereto, as holders of greater than a majority of the outstanding Registrable Securities as of the date hereof (the “ Majority Holders ”). Capitalized terms, unless otherwise defined in this First Amendment, have the meanings used in the Registration Rights Agreement.
RECITALS
WHEREAS , SAE and the Supporting Holders identified therein entered into a Registration Rights Agreement (the “ Registration Rights Agreement ”) dated as of July 27, 2016;
WHEREAS , pursuant to Section 8(b) of the Registration Rights Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement may be amended by a written instrument signed by SAE and the Holders holding at least a majority of the then outstanding Registrable Securities (the “ Amendment Parties ”);
WHEREAS , the Majority Holders hold more than a majority of the currently outstanding Registrable Securities as of the date hereof; and
WHEREAS , the Amendment Parties intend to enter into this First Amendment;
NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the covenants and agreements contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, each Amendment Party, intending to be legally bound hereby, agrees as follows:
AGREEMENT
Section 1. First Amendment Effective Date
This First Amendment shall be effective and binding with respect to the Company and each of the Holders of Registrable Securities as of the date hereof (the “ First Amendment Effective Date ”).
Section 2.    Amendments to Registration Rights Agreement
2.01.     Amendments to Section 1. Section 1 (Definitions) is amended to insert the following definitions in the appropriate alphabetical location within Section 1:

“ BlueMountain ” means BlueMountain Capital Management, LLC and its Affiliates.
“ Principal Holders ” means each of BlueMountain and Whitebox for so long as each of the foregoing holds Registrable Securities.
“ Subsequent Shelf Demand ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(iv) .




“ Whitebox ” means Whitebox Advisors LLC and its Affiliates.
“ Withheld Shares ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(i) .
2.02.     Amendments to Section 2(a)(i). Section 2 (Registration) is amended by deleting the first sentence of Section 2(a)(i) and inserting in its place the following:

“The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to prepare and file with the Commission a Shelf Registration Statement by September 2, 2016 (except if the Company is not then eligible to use Form S-3, in which case, within 60 days of the Closing Date) registering the offering and sale on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 of all of the Registrable Securities other than such Shares held by Principal Holders that the Principal Holders shall agree with the Company to withhold from registration on such initial Shelf Registration Statement (the “ Withheld Shares ”).”
2.03.     Amendments to Section 2(a)(ii). Section 2 (Registration) is amended by deleting “50%” in clause (iii) of Section 2(a)(ii) and inserting in its place “60%”.

2.04.      New Section 2(a)(iv). Section 2 (Registration) is amended by inserting a new Section 2(a)(iv), which shall read as follows:

“To the extent that Withheld Shares are not included in the Shelf Registration Statement described in Section 2(a)(i), each of the Principal Holders shall have the right to request in writing (a “ Subsequent Shelf Demand ”) that the Company file an additional Shelf Registration Statement registering the offering and sale on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 of all such Principal Holder’s Withheld Shares that are Registrable Securities. The provisions of Section 2(a)(i) through (iii) shall equally apply to the Shelf Registration Statement provided for in this Section 2(a)(iv) with respect to the Withheld Shares, provided that, with respect to the Shelf Registration Statement provided for in this Section 2(a)(iv), references to (1) the Closing Date shall be understood to refer to the date on

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which the Company receives the Subsequent Shelf Demand and (2) references to October 15, 2016 shall be understood to refer to the date that is 60 days following the receipt of the Subsequent Shelf Demand.”
2.05.     Amendments to Section 2(b)(i). Section 2 (Registration) is amended by deleting Section 2(b)(i) in its entirety and inserting in its place the following:

“An offering or sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration (each, a “ Shelf Take-Down ”) may be initiated (1) commencing on February 1, 2017 through, and including, July 31, 2017, by the Principal Holders acting jointly, (2) commencing on August 1, 2017 by each Principal Holder, acting separately and (3) at any time, by Holders (other than the Principal Holders) of at least an aggregate of 50% of the Registrable Securities (each, an “ Initiating Shelf Take-Down Holder ”) by written notice (an “ Underwritten Shelf Take-Down Notice ”), which Shelf Take-Down shall be in the form of an Underwritten Offering, and the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to amend or supplement the applicable Shelf Registration, if necessary, for such purpose as soon as practicable; provided, however, that in no event shall (a) any Holder be entitled to join in more than two Underwritten Shelf Take-Down Notices or (b) the Company be required to effect more than one Shelf Take-Down during any consecutive 90 day period. Subject to Section 2(b)(ii) and (iii) below, such Initiating Shelf Take-Down Holders shall have the right to select the managing underwriter or underwriters to administer such offering, as specified in Section 2(b)(ii) and (iii) below, which managing underwriter or underwriters shall be reasonably acceptable to the Company.”
2.06.     Amendments to Section 2(b)(ii). Section 2 (Registration) is amended by (i) making the last two sentences of Section 2(b)(ii) a stand-alone paragraph within Section 2(b)(ii) and (ii) inserting the following language in Section 2(b)(ii) immediately following the words “which number shall be allocated”:

“, as follows:

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If the Initiating Shelf Take-Down Holder is a Principal Holder, (i) first, to the Registrable Securities requested to be included in such Marketed Underwritten Shelf Take-Down by the Principal Holders on a pro rata basis and (ii) second, to the Registrable Securities requested to be included in such Marketed Underwritten Shelf Take-Down by any Holder who is not one of the Principal Holders on a pro rata basis.  The Principal Holders shall have the right to select the managing underwriter or underwriters to administer such offering, which managing underwriter or underwriters shall be reasonably acceptable to the Company.

If the Initiating Shelf Take-Down Holder is other than a Principal Holder,”
2.07.     New Section 2(b)(iii). Section 2 (Registration) is amended by inserting a new Section 2(b)(iii), which shall read as follows:

“If the Underwritten Shelf Take-Down Notice delivered by a Principal Holder provides for a Shelf Take-Down other than a Marketed Underwritten Shelf Take-Down, such Principal Holder shall also deliver such Underwritten Shelf Take-Down Notice to each other Principal Holder, and the Company shall include in such Shelf Take-Down all such Registrable Securities of such Principal Holders that are Registered on the Shelf Registration for which the Company has received written requests from such Principal Holders, which requests must specify the aggregate amount of such Registrable Securities of such Principal Holder to be offered and sold pursuant to such Shelf Take-Down, for inclusion therein within 1 Business Day after the date that such Underwritten Shelf Take-Down Notice has been delivered; provided , that if the managing underwriter or underwriters of such proposed Underwritten Shelf Take-Down informs the Principal Holders that have requested to participate in such Underwritten Shelf Take-Down in writing that, in its or their good-faith opinion, the number of Registrable Securities which such Principal Holders intend to include in such offering exceeds the number of Registrable Securities which can be sold in such offering without being likely to have a significant adverse effect on the price, timing or distribution of the

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securities offered or the market for the securities offered, then the Registrable Securities to be included in such Underwritten Shelf Take-Down shall be the number of Registrable Securities that, in the opinion of such managing underwriter or underwriters, can be sold without having such adverse effect in such Underwritten Shelf Take-Down, which number shall be allocated to the Registrable Securities requested to be included in such Underwritten Shelf Take-Down by the Principal Holders on a pro rata basis. The Principal Holders shall have the right to select the managing underwriter or underwriters to administer such offering, which managing underwriter or underwriters shall be reasonably acceptable to the Company.”
2.08.     Amendments to Section 8(c). Section 8 (Miscellaneous) is amended by inserting the following language at the end of Section 8(c):

If to BlueMountain:


BlueMountain Capital Management, LLC
Attention: General Counsel
280 Park Avenue, 12th Floor
New York, NY 10017
Phone: (212) 905-3900
Electronic mail: legalnotices@bmcm.com

If to Whitebox:

Whitebox Advisors LLC
Attention: Jake Mercer  
3033 Excelsior Boulevard, Suite 300
Minneapolis, MN 55416
Phone: (612) 253-6001
Electronic mail: JMercer@whiteboxadvisors.com

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2.09.     No Other Changes. Except as explicitly amended by this First Amendment, all of the terms and conditions of the Registration Rights Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 3.    Miscellaneous
3.01.     Execution and Counterparts . This First Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same First Amendment. In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile or electronic mail transmission, such signature shall create a valid binding obligation of the Party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) the same with the same force and effect as if such signature delivered by facsimile or electronic mail transmission were the original thereof.
3.02.     Governing Law . This First Amendment shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York.


[Signatures on Following Page]


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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, SAE and the Supporting Holders party hereto have caused this First Amendment to be executed and delivered by their respective and duly authorized officers or other agents as of the date first set forth above.

SAEXPLORATION HOLDINGS, INC.
By:      /s/ Brent Whiteley____________________
Name: _Brent Whiteley______________________
Title: CFO & General Counsel_____________





BlueMountain Capital Management, LLC, as investment manager on behalf of certain funds and accounts:
By: _/s/ Kyle Brady________________
Name: ___Kyle Brady______________
Title: ___Assistant General Counsel___________

    



Whitebox Advisors LLC, as investment manager on behalf of certain funds and accounts:
By: /s/ Mark Sterling _________________
Name: ___Mark Sterling______________
Title: General Counsel & Chief Operating Officer