UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.          )

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRELIMINARY PROXY MATERIALS—SUBJECT TO COMPLETION

 

Letter to Shareholders

While commodity prices improved throughout 2017, customers continued to curtail spending on offshore exploration and development, further extending what has become one of the worst downturns in the offshore drilling market. Still, through our continued commitment to fleet quality, operational excellence and organizational and operating efficiency, Transocean delivered another strong year, producing financial results that once again exceeded expectations.

As we enter 2018, we are encouraged by improving macro conditions, with recent prices for both Brent and WTI surpassing $65 per barrel for the first time in over three years. This increase in oil prices, coupled with the efficiencies and resulting cost reductions that the offshore industry has realized over the past three years, has made a significant number of offshore projects around the world economically viable.

As a testament to this fact, the harsh environment markets of Northern Europe and Eastern Canada are now in recovery. Fixtures have increased over 70% from 2016, with utilization and dayrates for high-specification, harsh environment semisubmersibles increasing by approximately 20% and more than 50%, respectively. In fact, growing concern around asset availability in this market is driving customers to tender for multi-year programs.

While certainly not as promising as the harsh environment market, the world’s ultra-deepwater markets are also demonstrating signs of improvement. For the first time in over two years, customers are trying to secure some of the more technically capable assets by entering into multi-year contracts. Unfortunately, utilization rates for ultra-deepwater assets remain low; therefore, leading-edge dayrates in these markets continue to remain challenged.

In short, we enter 2018 with more optimism than we had in any of the past three years; however, since the precise timing and trajectory of the eventual recovery continues to elude us, we will continue to be prudent as we take the necessary actions to maintain our industry-leading position and strategically position Transocean to benefit from the recovery ahead.

We have added contracted rigs to the industry’s most competitive floating fleet, while removing our older, less competitive assets. Over the past six months, we welcomed to our fleet the fourth and fifth newbuild ultra-deepwater drillships, Deepwater Pontus and Deepwater Poseidon. All five of our newbuild assets added since 2016 are backed by long-term contracts, and represent some of the most technically capable rigs in the world. In January of 2018, we closed the acquisition of Songa Offshore, which added seven semisubmersibles, including four CAT-D high-specification, harsh environment floaters, the Equinox,  Endurance,  Encourage and Enabler. These four floaters were designed to the specification of our customer, Statoil, and the rigs are on long-term contracts extending out as far as 2024, with each asset including follow-on options for twelve additional years. We also opportunistically upgraded our drillship, the Discoverer India, which was recently awarded a new contract to work offshore Ivory Coast. The additions of our newbuild drillships and the harsh environment semisubmersibles, as well as the enhancement to the Discoverer India, have further strengthened our position as the industry’s largest and most capable ultra-deepwater and harsh environment drilling contractor.

We continued our fleet high-grading process with the recycling of nine older, less-competitive assets. In total, we have retired 39 floaters during the past four years. Also, through the sale of our jackup fleet, we have focused our efforts exclusively on the floating rig market, where we believe that we clearly differentiate our service offering as we continue to maintain and grow our market-leading position.

We are adding new contracts to our backlog. In both the improving harsh environment markets and the more challenged deep and ultra-deepwater markets throughout the rest of the world, we successfully added fixtures in 2017. Over the course of the year, Transocean added almost $900 million of backlog from 25 awards, winning approximately 20% of the global floater contracts awarded. Our contracting success is directly attributable to our recognized performance

in some of the most challenging harsh environment and ultra-deepwater basins around the world. In some situations, our success was due to our willingness to propose flexible contracting arrangements that include performance-driven models, tying our success to the success of our customers’ drilling programs. Our customers’ trust in our ability to execute enabled us to reactivate an additional four floaters during the year for new contracts. Going forward, these assets will be well-positioned for future opportunities. As of February 19, 2018, our backlog totaled $12.8 billion and includes the lion’s share of the industry’s above market, long-term contracts with the industry’s strongest customers.

We are focused on efficient well delivery. In 2017, we commenced a strategic initiative related to our asset and inventory management system. This initiative will focus on the key areas of well efficiency: inventory optimization, reliability-centered maintenance, and equipment condition, as well as ensuring the timely availability and precise use of parts. Through the thorough collection, evaluation and use of data, we are positioning the company to operate our equipment in the most efficient manner possible while executing our customer’s drilling plans better than previously possible. These actions support a robust condition-based monitoring program that pinpoints early detection of equipment issues to best enable us to address these in the most expedient manner, thus reducing downtime and improving our asset reliability. Our ability to identify root-causes improves our insight into maintenance planning and execution, as well as overall equipment health. This proactive management tool will enable Transocean to better demonstrate our value proposition to our customers.

We continue to identify and capitalize on opportunities to further differentiate Transocean. The downturn in the energy industry has driven change. It is imperative that we have the most capable assets and operate them in a manner that delivers more effectively and efficiently. Building on our prior success of supplier service arrangements related to the rigs’ most critical equipment, in 2017, we executed several more agreements again focusing on uptime performance. These new agreements cover some of the most important equipment on the rig, including the blowout preventers, thrusters, risers, iron roughnecks, top drives, and the drill floor. These agreements rely significantly on condition-based monitoring and help keep our rigs drilling while reducing costly downtime and maintenance expenditures. With the involvement of the original equipment manufacturers, these arrangements also lengthen the time between our costly periodic surveys and allow for the scheduling of maintenance as needed, as opposed to on a calendar basis. We are excited as we enter 2018. The strategic and operational improvements we have implemented and expanded upon over the last two years should continue to enhance our operating performance.

Enhancing our liquidity runway. Following our financing successes in 2016, we again executed financing transactions during the year that further strengthened our liquidity and balance sheet. These actions provide an extended runway that enables us to successfully navigate the current industry downturn, while continuing to provide strategic optionality. In 2017, we issued approximately $1.2 billion of debt maturing in 2022 and 2026, while retiring $1.8 billion of debt with maturities primarily between 2017 and 2020. We additionally removed approximately $1 billion of shipyard obligations with the sale of our five uncontracted jackups that were under construction. These transactions, along with our outstanding operational performance, positioned us with $3.0 billion of cash and short-term investments entering 2018 and a $3 billion undrawn, unsecured revolving credit facility.

We expect 2018 to continue to be challenging as the market remains uncertain and many of our customers remain cautious. However, we enter the year with more positive data points than we have seen in three years.

Needless to say, we believe that we could soon be approaching an inflection point in the offshore drilling industry. We appreciate your patience and trust as we have battled this downturn together. And we look forward to ultimately emerging from this downturn as the undisputed leader in deepwater and harsh environment drilling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

NOTICE TO SHAREHOLDERS

March [  ], 2018

Dear Shareholder:

The 2018 annual general meeting of the shareholders (the “2018 Annual General Meeting”) of Transocean Ltd. (the “Company”) will be held on Friday, May 18, 2018, at 6:30 p.m., Swiss time, at our offices at Turmstrasse 30, CH-6312, Steinhausen, Switzerland. Information regarding the matters to be acted upon at the meeting is set forth in the attached invitation to the 2018 Annual General Meeting and the proxy statement, which is available at: www.deepwater.com by selecting Financial Reports, Annual and Quarterly Reports in the dropdown of the Investors section.

At the 2018 Annual General Meeting, we will ask you to vote on the following items:

 

It is important that your shares be represented and voted at the meeting, whether you plan to attend or not. If you are a shareholder registered in our share register, you may submit voting instructions electronically over the internet, or, if you request that the proxy materials be mailed to you, by completing, signing and returning the proxy card enclosed with those materials. If you hold your shares in the name of a bank, broker or other nominee, please follow the instructions provided by your bank, broker or nominee for submitting voting instructions, including whether you may submit voting instructions by mail, telephone or over the internet.

Under rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), we have elected to provide access to our proxy materials over the internet. Accordingly, we are sending a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) to our shareholders as of the close of business on March 12, 2018. All shareholders will have the ability to access the proxy materials on the website referred to in the Notice or to request to receive a printed set of the proxy materials. Instructions on how to access the proxy materials over the internet or to request a printed copy may be found in the Notice. The Notice also instructs you on how you may submit your proxy over the internet or via mail. If you receive the Notice, you will not receive a printed copy of the proxy materials unless you request one in the manner set forth in the Notice or as otherwise described in the proxy statement.

A copy of the proxy materials, including a proxy card or voting instruction form, will also be sent to any additional shareholders who are registered in our share register as shareholders with voting rights, or who become beneficial owners through a nominee registered in our share register as a shareholder with voting rights, as of the close of business on April 30, 2018, and who were not registered as of March 12, 2018. The proxy statement and form of proxy are first being mailed to shareholders on or about March 20, 2018.

A note to Swiss and other European investors: Transocean Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, has issued registered shares and trades on the New York Stock Exchange; however, unlike some Swiss incorporated companies, share blocking and re‑registration are not requirements for any shares of Transocean Ltd. to be voted at the meeting, and all shares may be traded after the record date.

Thank you in advance for your vote.

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Proxy Statement Summary

2018 Annual General Meeting Details

 

Nominees to the Board of Directors

We are asking you to vote FOR all of the director nominees listed below. During 2017, each of the current directors attended at least 80% of the Board of Directors’ meetings and committee meetings held by committees on which he or she served during his or her elected term, except for Mr. Frederik Mohn, who was elected to the Board of Directors effective as of January 30, 2018. Detailed information regarding these individuals is provided under Agenda Item 5:

 

Swiss Minder Ordinance

Under the Swiss Ordinance Against Excessive Compensation At Public Companies (the “Minder Ordinance”) and our Articles of Association, the authority to elect the Chairman of the Board of Directors and the members of the Compensation Committee is vested in the general meeting of shareholders. The Board of Directors recommends that you elect Merrill A. “Pete” Miller, Jr. as Chairman of the Board of Directors (Agenda Item 6) and Frederico F. Curado, Vincent

J. Intrieri and Tan Ek Kia as members of the Compensation Committee (Agenda Item 7) to serve until completion of the 2019 annual general meeting of the shareholders (the “2019 Annual General Meeting”). Note that under the Minder Ordinance and our Articles of Association, if any of these individuals were to resign or there were vacancies in the office of the Chairman or the Compensation Committee for other reasons, the Board of Directors would have the authority to replace him or her with another member of the Board of Directors for a term expiring at the next Annual General Meeting.

Pursuant to the Minder Ordinance, the Company is not permitted to appoint a corporate representative to act as the proxy for purposes of voting at the 2018 Annual General Meeting. Swiss companies may only appoint an independent proxy for these purposes. At the 2017 annual general meeting of the shareholders (the “2017 Annual General Meeting”), shareholders elected Schweiger Advokatur / Notariat to serve as our independent proxy for the 2018 Annual General Meeting. Agenda Item 8 asks that you again elect this firm to act as the independent proxy for the 2019 Annual General Meeting and any extraordinary general meeting of shareholders of the Company that may be held prior to the 2019 Annual General Meeting.

The Minder Ordinance and our Articles of Association also require that shareholders ratify the maximum aggregate amount of compensation of the Board of Directors for the period between the 2018 Annual General Meeting and the 2019 Annual General Meeting (Agenda Item 11A) and the maximum aggregate amount of compensation of the Executive Management Team for fiscal year 2019 (Agenda Item 11B). The shareholder vote is binding.

Features of Executive Compensation Program

Our executive compensation program reflects a commitment to retain and attract highly qualified executives. The elements of our program are designed to motivate our executives to achieve our overall business objectives and create sustainable shareholder value in a cost‑effective manner and reward executives for achieving superior financial, safety and operational performance, each of which is important to the long‑term success of the Company. We believe our executive

compensation program includes key features that align the interests of our executives with those of our shareholders and does not include features that could misalign those interests.

 

 

 

INVITATION TO 2018 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF TRANSOCEAN LTD.

Friday, May 18, 2018

6:30 p.m., Swiss time

at the Offices of Transocean Ltd.

Turmstrasse 30
CH-6312 Steinhausen, Switzerland

Agenda Items

(1)            Approval of the 2017 Annual Report, Including the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements of Transocean Ltd. for Fiscal Year 2017 and the Audited Statutory Financial Statements of Transocean Ltd. for Fiscal Year 2017.

Proposal of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors proposes that the 2017 Annual Report, including the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31 (“fiscal year”) 2017, and the audited statutory financial statements for fiscal year 2017, be approved.

Recommendation

The Board of Directors recommends you vote “FOR” this proposal number 1.

(2)          Discharge of the Members of the Board of Directors and the Executive Management Team from Liability for Activities During Fiscal Year 2017.

Proposal of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors proposes that the members of the Board of Directors and Messrs. Jeremy D. Thigpen, Mark L. Mey and John B. Stobart, who served as members of our Executive Management Team in 2017, be discharged from liability for activities during fiscal year 2017.

Recommendation

The Board of Directors recommends you vote “FOR” this proposal number 2.

(3)          Appropriation of Accumulated Loss for Fiscal Year 2017 and Release of CHF 1,500,000,000 of Statutory Capital Reserves from Capital Contribution and Allocation to Free Capital Reserves from Capital Contribution.  

Proposal of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors proposes that (i) the accumulated loss of the Company be carried forward, and (ii) CHF 1,500,000,000 of statutory capital reserves from capital contribution be released and allocated to free capital reserves from capital contribution.

 

 

 

 

 

Recommendation

The Board of Directors recommends you vote “FOR” this proposal number 3.

(4)        Renewal of Authorized Share Capital. 

Proposal of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors proposes that its authority to issue shares out of the Company’s authorized share capital be renewed for a further two-year period, expiring on May 18, 2020. Pursuant to the proposal, the Board of Directors’ authority to issue shares in one or several steps will be limited to a maximum of 27,703,889 shares, or approximately 6% of the Company’s share capital currently recorded in the Commercial Register. The Board of Directors does not currently have plans to issue shares under this authorization. The Board of Directors believes, however, that providing the flexibility to issue additional shares out of the authorized share capital quickly is a strategic benefit for the Company. The proposed amendments to the Company’s Articles of Association are included in Annex A.

Recommendation 

The Board of Directors recommends you vote “FOR” this proposal number 4.

(5)        Reelection of 11 Directors, Each for a Term Extending Until Completion of the Next Annual General Meeting.

Proposal of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors proposes that the following 11 candidates be reelected to the Board of Directors, each for a term extending until completion of the next Annual General Meeting.

 

Recommendation

The Board of Directors recommends you vote “FOR” the reelection of each of these nominees to the Board of Directors.

(6)          Election of the Chairman of the Board of Directors for a Term Extending Until Completion of the Next Annual General Meeting.

Proposal of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors proposes that Merrill A. “Pete” Miller, Jr. be elected as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for a term extending until completion of the next Annual General Meeting, subject to his re-election as a member of the Board of Directors.

Recommendation

The Board of Directors recommends you vote “FOR” this proposal number 6.

(7)          Election of the Members of the Compensation Committee, Each for a Term Extending Until Completion of the Next Annual General Meeting.

Proposal of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors proposes that the following three candidates be reelected as members of the Compensation Committee, each for a term extending until completion of the next Annual General Meeting, subject in each case to such candidate’s re-election as a member of the Board of Directors:

 

Recommendation

The Board of Directors recommends you vote “FOR” the election of each of these nominees as members of the Compensation Committee.

(8)         Reelection of the Independent Proxy for a Term Extending Until Completion of the Next Annual General Meeting.

Proposal of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors proposes that Schweiger Advokatur / Notariat be reelected to serve as independent proxy at (and until completion of) the 2019 Annual General Meeting and at any extraordinary general meeting of shareholders of the Company that may be held prior to the 2019 Annual General Meeting.

Recommendation

The Board of Directors recommends you vote “FOR” this proposal number 8.

(9)         Appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for Fiscal Year 2018 and Reelection of Ernst & Young Ltd, Zurich, as the Company’s Auditor for a Further One‑Year Term.

Proposal of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors proposes that Ernst & Young LLP be appointed as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2018 and that Ernst & Young Ltd, Zurich, be reelected as the Company’s auditor pursuant to the Swiss Code of Obligations for a further one‑year term, commencing on the date of the 2018 Annual General Meeting and terminating on the date of the 2019 Annual General Meeting.

Recommendation

The Board of Directors recommends you vote “FOR” this proposal number 9.

(10)        Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation for Fiscal Year 2018.

Proposal of the Board of Directors

Pursuant to Section 14A of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), shareholders are entitled to cast an advisory vote on the Company’s executive compensation program for the Company’s Named Executive Officers. Detailed information regarding the Company’s compensation program for its Named Executive Officers is set forth in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the accompanying compensation tables and the related narrative disclosure in this proxy statement. The Board of Directors believes the Company’s compensation program is designed to reward performance that creates long‑term value for the Company’s shareholders and has proposed the following resolution to provide shareholders with the opportunity to endorse or not endorse the Company’s Named Executive Officer compensation program by voting on the below resolution:

RESOLVED, that the compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers, as disclosed pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the accompanying compensation tables and the related narrative disclosure in the proxy statement for the Company’s 2018 Annual General Meeting, is hereby APPROVED.

Recommendation

The Board of Directors recommends you vote “FOR” this proposal number 10.

(11)       Prospective Vote on the Maximum Compensation of the Board of Directors and the Executive Management Team.

11A  Ratification of the Maximum Aggregate Amount of Compensation of the Board of Directors for the Period Between the 2018 Annual General Meeting and the 2019 Annual General Meeting.

Proposal of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors proposes that the shareholders ratify an amount of U.S. $4,121,000 as the maximum aggregate amount of compensation of the Board of Directors for the period between the 2018 Annual General Meeting and the 2019 Annual General Meeting.

Recommendation

The Board of Directors recommends you vote “FOR” this proposal number 11A.

11B  Ratification of the Maximum Aggregate Amount of Compensation of the Executive Management Team for Fiscal Year 2019.

Proposal of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors proposes that the shareholders ratify an amount of U.S. $24,000,000 as the maximum aggregate amount of compensation of the Executive Management Team for fiscal year 2019.

Recommendation

The Board of Directors recommends you vote “FOR” this proposal number 11B.

(12)       Approval of Amendment to Transocean Ltd. 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan for Additional Reserves

Proposal of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors proposes that the shareholders approve an increase of 12,000,000 shares in the aggregate amount of shares available for issuance pursuant to the Transocean Ltd. 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan.

Recommendation

The Board of Directors recommends you vote “FOR” this proposal number 12.

Organizational Matters

A copy of the Notice has been sent to each shareholder registered in Transocean Ltd.’s share register as of the close of business on March 12, 2018. Any additional shareholders who are registered in Transocean Ltd.’s share register as of the close of business on April 30, 2018, will receive after that date a copy of the proxy materials, including a proxy card. Shareholders not registered in Transocean Ltd.’s share register as of April 30, 2018, will not be entitled to attend, vote or grant proxies to vote at the 2018 Annual General Meeting. While no shareholder will be entered in Transocean Ltd.’s share register as a shareholder with voting rights between the close of business on April 30, 2018, and the opening of business on the day following the 2018 Annual General Meeting, share blocking and re‑registration are not requirements for any shares of Transocean Ltd. to be voted at the meeting, and all shares may be traded after the record date. Computershare, which maintains Transocean Ltd.’s share register, will continue to register transfers of Transocean Ltd. shares in the share register in its capacity as transfer agent during this period.

Shareholders registered in Transocean Ltd.’s share register as of April 30, 2018, have the right to attend the 2018 Annual General Meeting and vote their shares (in person or by proxy), or may grant a proxy to vote on each of the proposals in this invitation and any modification to any agenda item or proposal identified in this invitation or other matter on which voting is permissible under Swiss law and which is properly presented at the 2018 Annual General Meeting for consideration. Such shareholders may designate proxies to vote their shares electronically over the internet or, if they request that the proxy materials be mailed to them, by completing, signing and returning the proxy card enclosed with those materials at the 2018 Annual General Meeting. Even if you plan to attend the 2018 Annual General Meeting, we encourage you to submit your voting instructions prior to the meeting.

We urge you to submit your voting instructions electronically over the internet or return the proxy card as soon as possible. All electronic voting instructions or proxy cards must be received no later than 8:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (2:00 p.m. Swiss time), on Friday, May 18, 2018 unless extended by the Company.

If you have timely submitted electronic voting instructions or a properly executed proxy card, your shares will be voted by the independent proxy in accordance with your instructions. Holders of shares who have timely submitted their proxy, but have not specifically indicated how to vote their shares, will be deemed to have instructed the independent proxy to vote in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors with regard to the items listed in the notice of meeting. If any modifications to agenda items or proposals identified in this invitation or other matters on which voting is permissible under Swiss law are properly presented at the 2018 Annual General Meeting for consideration, you will be deemed to have instructed the independent proxy, in the absence of other specific instructions, to vote in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors.

As of the date of this proxy statement, the Board of Directors is not aware of any such modifications or other matters proposed to come before the 2018 Annual General Meeting.

Shareholders who hold their shares in the name of a bank, broker or other nominee should follow the instructions provided by their bank, broker or nominee for voting their shares, including whether they may submit voting instructions by mail, telephone or over the internet.

Shareholders may grant proxies to any third party. Such third party need not be a shareholder.

Directions to the 2018 Annual General Meeting can be obtained by contacting our Corporate Secretary at our registered office, Turmstrasse 30, CH‑6312 Steinhausen, Switzerland, telephone number +41 (41) 749 0500, or Investor Relations at our offices in the United States, at 4 Greenway Plaza, Houston, Texas 77046, USA, telephone number +1 (713) 232‑7500. If you plan to attend and vote at the 2018 Annual General Meeting in person, you are required to present either the Notice or any proxy card that is sent to you, together with proof of identification, or, if you own shares held in the name of a bank, broker or other nominee, a legal proxy issued by your bank, broker or other nominee in your name, together with proof of identification. If you plan to attend the 2018 Annual General Meeting in person, we urge you to arrive at the meeting location no later than 5:30 p.m., Swiss time on Friday, May 18, 2018. In order to determine attendance correctly, any shareholder leaving the 2018 Annual General Meeting early or temporarily, will be requested to present such shareholder’s admission card upon exit.

Annual Report, Consolidated Financial Statements, Statutory Financial Statements

A copy of the 2017 Annual Report (including the consolidated financial statements for fiscal year 2017, the statutory financial statements of Transocean Ltd. for fiscal year 2017 and the audit reports on such consolidated and statutory financial statements) and the 2017 Compensation Report is available for physical inspection at Transocean Ltd.’s registered office, Turmstrasse 30, CH‑6312 Steinhausen, Switzerland. Copies of these materials may be obtained without charge by contacting our Corporate Secretary at our registered office, Turmstrasse 30, CH‑6312 Steinhausen, Switzerland, telephone number +41 (41) 749 0500, or Investor Relations at our offices in the United States, at 4 Greenway Plaza, Houston, Texas 77046, USA, telephone number +1 (713) 232‑7500.

 

Steinhausen, Switzerland

March [16], 2018

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT

You may designate a proxy to vote your shares by submitting your voting instructions electronically over the internet or, if you requested a printed copy of the proxy materials, by completing, signing and returning by mail the proxy card you will receive in response to your request. Please review the instructions in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials and the proxy statement.

Shareholders who hold their shares in the name of a bank, broker or other nominee should follow the instructions provided by their bank, broker or nominee for voting their shares, including whether they may submit voting instructions by mail, telephone or over the internet.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE
2018 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING TO BE HELD ON MAY 18, 2018.

Our proxy statement and 2017 Annual Report are available at:

www.proxyvote.com

 

 

PRELIMINARY PROXY MATERIALS—SUBJECT TO COMPLETION

PROXY STATEMENT
FOR 2018 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF TRANSOCEAN LTD.
MAY 18, 2018

INFORMATION ABOUT THE MEETING AND VOTING

This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by Transocean Ltd., on behalf of the Board of Directors, to be voted at our 2018 Annual General Meeting to be held on May 18, 2018 at 6:30 p.m., Swiss time, at our offices at Turmstrasse 30, CH-6312, Steinhausen, Switzerland. This proxy statement and form of proxy are first being mailed to shareholders on or about March 20, 2018.

Record Date

Only shareholders of record on April 30, 2018, are entitled to notice of, to attend, and to vote or to grant proxies to vote at, the 2018 Annual General Meeting. No shareholder will be entered in Transocean Ltd.’s share register with voting rights between the close of business on April 30, 2018, and the opening of business on the day following the 2018 Annual General Meeting.

While no shareholder will be entered in Transocean Ltd.’s share register as a shareholder with voting rights between the close of business on April 30, 2018, and the opening of business on the day following the 2018 Annual General Meeting, share blocking and re‑registration are not requirements for any shares of Transocean Ltd. to be voted at the meeting, and all shares may be traded after the record date. Computershare, which maintains Transocean Ltd.’s share register, will continue to register transfers of Transocean Ltd. shares in the share register in its capacity as transfer agent during this period.

Quorum

Our Articles of Association provide that the presence of shareholders, in person or by proxy, holding at least a majority of all the shares entitled to vote at the meeting constitutes a quorum for purposes of convening the 2018 Annual General Meeting and voting on all of the matters described in the notice of meeting. Abstentions and “broker non‑votes” will be counted as present for purposes of determining whether there is a quorum at the meeting, so long as the broker has discretion to vote the shares on at least one matter before the 2018 Annual General Meeting.

Votes Required

The following table sets forth the applicable vote standard required to pass each enumerated agenda item:

 

Outstanding Shares

As of March 1, 2018, there were 458,915,193 Transocean Ltd. shares outstanding, which exclude 2,816,787 issued shares that are held by our subsidiaries. Only registered holders of our shares on April 30, 2018, the record date

established for the 2018 Annual General Meeting, are entitled to notice of, to attend and to vote at, the meeting. Holders of shares on the record date are entitled to one vote for each share held.

Voting Procedures

A copy of the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials has been sent to each shareholder registered in Transocean Ltd.’s share register as of the close of business on March 12, 2018. Any additional shareholders who are registered in Transocean Ltd.’s share register as of the close of business on April 30, 2018, but who were not registered in the share register as of March 12, 2018, will receive a copy of the proxy materials, including a proxy card, after April 30, 2018. Shareholders not registered in Transocean Ltd.’s share register as of April 30, 2018, will not be entitled to attend, vote or grant proxies to vote at, the 2018 Annual General Meeting.

If you are registered as a shareholder in Transocean Ltd.’s share register as of April 30, 2018, or if you hold shares of Transocean Ltd. in “street name” as of such date, you may grant a proxy to vote on each of the proposals and any modification to any of the proposals or other matter on which voting is permissible under Swiss law and which is properly presented at the meeting for consideration in one of the following ways:

By Internet: Go to www.proxyvote.com 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and follow the instructions. You will need the 12‑digit control number that is included in the Notice, proxy card or voting instructions form that is sent to you. The internet system allows you to confirm that the system has properly recorded your voting instructions. This method of submitting voting instructions will be available up until 8:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (2:00 p.m. Swiss time), on Friday, May 18, 2018 unless extended by the Company.

By Telephone (available only to beneficial owners of our shares): On a touch‑tone telephone, call toll‑free +1 (800) 690‑6903, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and follow the instructions. You will need the 12‑digit control number that is included in the Notice, proxy card or voting instructions form that is sent to you. As with the internet system, you will be able to confirm that the telephonic system has properly recorded your votes. This method of submitting voting instructions will be available up until 8:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (2:00 p.m. Swiss time), on Friday, May 18, 2018 unless extended by the Company. If you are a holder of record, you cannot vote by telephone.

By Mail: Mark, date and sign your proxy card exactly as your name appears on the card and return it by mail to:

 

All proxy cards must be received no later than 8:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (2:00 p.m. Swiss time), on Friday, May 18, 2018 unless extended by the Company. Do not mail the proxy card or voting instruction form if you are submitting voting instructions over the internet or (if you are a beneficial owner of our shares) by telephone.

Even if you plan to attend the 2018 Annual General Meeting, we encourage you to submit your voting instructions over the internet or by mail prior to the meeting.

If you hold your shares in the name of a bank, broker or other nominee, you should follow the instructions provided by your bank, broker or nominee for voting your shares, including whether you may submit voting instructions by mail, telephone or over the internet.

Many of our shareholders hold their shares in more than one account and may receive more than one Notice. To ensure that all of your shares are represented at the 2018 Annual General Meeting, please submit your voting instructions for each account.

Under New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) rules, brokers who hold shares in street name for customers, such that the shares are registered on the books of the Company as being held by the brokers, have the authority to vote on “routine” proposals when they have not received instructions from beneficial owners, but are precluded from exercising their voting discretion with respect to proposals for “non‑routine” matters. Proxies submitted by brokers without

instructions from customers for these non‑routine or contested matters are referred to as “broker non‑votes.” The following matters are non‑routine matters under NYSE Rules:

If you hold your shares in “street name,” your broker will not be able to vote your shares on the agenda items set forth above and may not be able to vote your shares on other matters at the 2018 Annual General Meeting unless the broker receives appropriate instructions from you. We recommend that you contact your broker to exercise your right to vote your shares.

If you have timely submitted electronic or telephonic voting instructions or a properly executed proxy card, your shares will be voted by the independent proxy according to your instructions. Holders of shares who have timely submitted their proxy, but have not specifically indicated how to vote their shares will be deemed to have instructed the independent proxy to vote in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors with regard to the items listed in the notice of meeting.

If any modifications to agenda items or proposals identified in this invitation or other matters on which voting is permissible under Swiss law are properly presented at the 2018 Annual General Meeting for consideration, you will be deemed to have instructed the independent proxy, in the absence of other specific instructions, to vote in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors.

As of the date of this proxy statement, the Board of Directors is not aware of any such modifications or other matters to come before the 2018 Annual General Meeting.

You may revoke your proxy card at any time prior to its exercise by:

 

 

Your presence without voting at the meeting will not automatically revoke your proxy, and any revocation during the meeting will not affect votes in relation to agenda items that have already been voted on. If you hold your shares in the name of a bank, broker or other nominee, you should follow the instructions provided by your bank, broker or nominee in revoking your previously granted proxy.

Shareholders may grant proxies to any third party. Such third party need not be a shareholder.

If you wish to attend and vote at the 2018 Annual General Meeting in person, you are required to present either the Notice or any proxy card that is sent to you, together with proof of identification, or, if you own shares held in the name of a bank, broker or other nominee, a legal proxy issued by your bank, broker or other nominee in your name, together with proof of identification. If you plan to attend the 2018 Annual General Meeting in person, we urge you to arrive at the meeting location no later than 5:30 p.m. Swiss time on Friday, May 18, 2018. In order to determine attendance correctly, any shareholder leaving the 2018 Annual General Meeting early or temporarily will be requested to present such shareholder’s admission card upon exit.

References to “Transocean,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” include Transocean Ltd. together with its subsidiaries and predecessors, unless the context requires otherwise.

AGENDA ITEM 1

Approval of the 2017 Annual Report, Including the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements of Transocean Ltd. for Fiscal Year 2017 and the Audited Statutory Financial Statements of Transocean Ltd. for Fiscal Year 2017

Proposal of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors proposes that the 2017 Annual Report, including the audited consolidated financial statements of Transocean Ltd. for fiscal year 2017 and the audited statutory financial statements of Transocean Ltd. for fiscal year 2017, be approved.

Explanation

The audited consolidated financial statements of Transocean Ltd. for fiscal year 2017 and the audited Swiss statutory financial statements of Transocean Ltd. for fiscal year 2017 are contained in the 2017 Annual Report, which, along with this proxy statement, is available at: www.deepwater.com by selecting Financial Reports, Annual and Quarterly Reports in the Investors section dropdown. In addition, these materials will be available for physical inspection at the Company’s registered office, Turmstrasse 30, CH‑6312 Steinhausen, Switzerland. The 2017 Annual Report also contains information on the Company’s business activities and the Company’s business and financial situation, and the reports of Ernst & Young Ltd, Zurich, the Company’s auditors pursuant to the Swiss Code of Obligations, on the Company’s consolidated financial statements for fiscal year 2017 and statutory financial statements for fiscal year 2017. In its reports, Ernst & Young Ltd recommended without qualification that the Company’s consolidated financial statements and statutory financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017, be approved. Ernst & Young Ltd expresses its opinion that the “consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 present fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial position of Transocean Ltd. and subsidiaries at December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the consolidated results of operations and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and comply with Swiss law.” Ernst & Young Ltd further expresses its opinion and confirms that the statutory financial statements for fiscal year 2017 comply with Swiss law and the Articles of Association of the Company.

Under Swiss law, the annual report, the consolidated financial statements and Swiss statutory financial statements must be submitted to shareholders for approval at each annual general meeting.

If the shareholders do not approve this proposal, the Board of Directors may call an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders for reconsideration of this proposal by shareholders.

Recommendation

The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” this Agenda Item 1.

AGENDA ITEM 2

Discharge of the Members of the Board of Directors and the Executive Management Team from Liability for Activities During Fiscal Year 2017

Proposal of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors proposes that the members of the Board of Directors and Messrs. Jeremy D. Thigpen, Mark L. Mey and John B. Stobart, who served as members of our Executive Management Team in 2017, be discharged from liability for activities during fiscal year 2017.

Explanation

As is customary for Swiss corporations and in accordance with Article 698, subsection 2, item 5 of the Swiss Code of Obligations, shareholders are requested to discharge the members of the Board of Directors and our Executive Management Team from liability for their activities during the past fiscal year.

Discharge pursuant to the proposed resolution is only effective with respect to facts that have been disclosed to shareholders (including through any publicly available information, whether or not included in our filings with the SEC) and only binds shareholders who either voted in favor of the proposal or who subsequently acquired shares with knowledge that shareholders have approved this proposal. In addition, shareholders who vote against this proposal, abstain from voting on this proposal, do not vote on this proposal, or acquire their shares without knowledge of the approval of this proposal, may bring, as a plaintiff, any claims in a shareholder derivative suit within six months after the approval of the proposal. After the expiration of the six‑month period, such shareholders will generally no longer have the right to bring, as a plaintiff, claims in shareholder derivative suits against members of the Board of Directors or Executive Management Team with respect to activities during fiscal year 2017.

Recommendation

The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” this Agenda Item 2.

AGENDA ITEM 3

Appropriation of the Accumulated Loss for Fiscal Year 2017 and Release of CHF 1,500,000,000 of Statutory Capital Reserves from Capital Contribution and Allocation to Free Capital Reserves from Capital Contribution

Proposal of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors proposes that (1) the accumulated loss of the Company be carried forward and (2) CHF 1,500,000,000 of statutory capital reserves from capital contribution be released and allocated to free capital reserves from capital contribution.

 

 

Explanation

Under Swiss law, the appropriation of available earnings or accumulated loss, as the case may be, as set forth in the Swiss statutory financial statements must be submitted to shareholders for approval at each annual general meeting. The accumulated loss subject to the vote of the Company’s shareholders at the 2018 Annual General Meeting is the accumulated loss of Transocean Ltd., on a standalone basis.

The total accumulated loss as of December 31, 2017, has resulted in our net assets covering about 53% of our statutory share capital and statutory capital reserves. Under Swiss law, if assets cover less than 50% of our statutory share capital and statutory capital reserves, the Board of Directors must propose measures to address such a capital loss. In light of the continuing market uncertainty the Board of Directors believes it is advisable and in the best interest of the Company to ensure now that it maintains excess coverage. The Board of Directors proposes that CHF 1,500,000,000 of statutory capital reserves from capital contribution be released and allocated to free capital reserves from capital contribution, thereby reducing the statutory capital reserves from capital contribution which, unlike free capital reserves, are part of the equity capital against which excess coverage is measured. The Board of Directors believes such a release and reallocation is in the best interest of shareholders.

Recommendation

The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” this Agenda Item 3.

AGENDA ITEM 4

Renewal of Authorized Share Capital

Proposal of the Board of Directors 

The Board of Directors proposes that its authority to issue shares out of the Company’s authorized share capital be renewed for an additional two-year period, expiring on May 18, 2020. Pursuant to the proposal, the Board of Directors’ authority to issue shares in one or several steps under this authorization will be limited to a maximum of 27,703,889 shares, or approximately 6% of the Company’s share capital currently recorded in the Commercial Register. The Board of Directors does not currently have plans to issue shares under this authorization. The Board of Directors believes, however, that providing the flexibility to issue shares out of the authorized share capital quickly is a strategic benefit for the Company. 

 

The proposed amendments to the Articles of Association are included in Annex A.

Explanation 

Under the Swiss Code of Obligations, the authority of the Board of Directors to issue shares out of the Company’s authorized share capital is limited to a maximum two-year period. The Company’s Articles of Association currently include authorized share capital in Articles 5 and 5 bis.

The authorized share capital in Article 5 is limited to a maximum of 22,258,043 common shares, par value CHF 0.10, which will expire on May 12, 2018. At the time of shareholder approval in connection with the Company’s 2016 annual general meeting of shareholders, the authorized share capital pursuant to the current Article 5 represented approximately 6% of the Company’s share capital recorded in the Commercial Register. The proposal of the Board of Directors maintains the approximately 6% authorized share capital approved by the shareholders at the Company’s 2016 annual general meeting of shareholders. Although the Board of Directors has not issued, and does not currently have plans to issue, shares from this portion of the authorized share capital, it believes the proposed renewal of authorized share capital will provide the Company with the flexibility to make acquisitions and access equity capital markets when opportunities arise, rather than being subject to the delays and cost associated with the need to call a shareholders’ meeting and obtain further shareholder approval, except as may be required by applicable laws or regulations, including the rules of the NYSE. Without the Board of Directors’ authority to issue shares, the Company would be required to first call a general meeting of the Company’s shareholders and obtain the favorable vote of shareholders to increase the Company’s share capital and amend our Articles of Association. Such a meeting would require us, among other things, to prepare and distribute a proxy statement in accordance with the rules of the SEC. This could result in a substantial delay in the ability of the Company to issue shares. The Board of Directors believes that providing the flexibility to issue shares out of the authorized share capital quickly is a strategic benefit for the Company.

The separate authorized share capital in Article 5bis was approved at the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders convened by the Company on January 16, 2018, related to the previously-disclosed acquisition of Songa Offshore SE that closed on January 30, 2018. Article 5bis was approved by our shareholders solely for use in connection with the compulsory acquisition of or mandatory offer for the shares of Songa Offshore SE that were not acquired by the Company in the voluntary tender offer for all issued and outstanding shares of Songa Offshore SE. It is therefore unrelated to the proposed renewal of authorized share capital in Article 5.

 

If the proposed renewal of authorized share capital is approved, and the Board of Directors resolves to use the authorized share capital in one or several steps, the Board of Directors will determine the time of the issuance, the issuance price, the manner in which the shares have to be paid, the date from which the shares carry the right to dividends and, subject to the provisions of our Articles of Association, the conditions for the exercise of the preemptive rights with respect to the issuance and the allotment of preemptive rights that are not exercised. Further authorization for the issuance of the shares by a vote of our shareholders will not be solicited prior to such issuance.

 

To the extent that shares are issued out of the authorized share capital in the future, the issuance may decrease the existing shareholders’ percentage of equity ownership and, depending on the price at which such shares are issued, could be dilutive to the existing shareholders up to the amount of the authorized capital proposed above.

 

The Board of Directors may allow preemptive rights that are not exercised to expire, or it may place such rights or shares, the preemptive rights of which have not been exercised, at market conditions or use them otherwise in the Company’s interest. Further, under our Articles of Association, in connection with the issuance of shares from authorized capital, the Board of Directors is authorized to limit or withdraw the preemptive rights of the existing shareholders in various circumstances, including financing and acquisitions purposes.

 

Recommendation 

The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” this Agenda Item 4.

AGENDA ITEM 5

Reelection of 11 Directors, Each for a Term Extending Until Completion of the Next Annual General Meeting

Nominations of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors has nominated Glyn A. Barker, Vanessa C.L. Chang, Frederico F. Curado, Chadwick C. Deaton, Vincent J. Intrieri, Samuel J. Merksamer, Merrill A. “Pete” Miller, Jr., Frederik W. Mohn, Edward R. Muller, Tan Ek Kia and Jeremy D. Thigpen for reelection to the Board of Directors of the Company, each for a term extending until completion of the next Annual General Meeting.

The Board of Directors does not have a specific policy regarding diversity in the selection of director nominees. However, the Board of Directors does consider diversity in the director nominee selection process. The Board of Directors takes an expansive view of the diversity of its members, with the goal of having directors who bring diverse expertise in environmental, health, safety, industry, market and financial matters and who reflect the global diversity of our workforce, our customers and the cultures in which we operate. We are a multinational company with six different nationalities represented in our director and executive officer group and over 55 in our global workforce. We have a presence in over 25 countries worldwide.

 

Voting Requirement to Elect Nominees

The election of each nominee requires the affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast in person or by proxy at the 2018 Annual General Meeting. The plurality requirement means that the nominee who receives the largest number of votes for a board seat is elected. Shareholders are entitled to one vote per share for each of the directors to be elected.

We have adopted a majority vote policy in the election of directors as part of our Corporate Governance Guidelines. This policy provides that the Board of Directors may nominate only those candidates for director who have submitted an irrevocable letter of resignation, which would be effective upon and only in the event that (1) such nominee fails to receive more votes cast “FOR” than “AGAINST” his or her election in an uncontested election and (2) the Board of Directors accepts the resignation. If a nominee who has submitted such a letter of resignation does not receive more votes cast for than against the nominee’s election, the Corporate Governance Committee must promptly review the letter of resignation and recommend to the Board of Directors whether to accept the tendered resignation or reject it. The Board of Directors must then act on the Corporate Governance Committee’s recommendation within 90 days following the certification of the shareholder vote. The Board of Directors must promptly disclose its decision regarding whether or not to accept the nominee’s resignation letter in a Form 8‑K furnished to the SEC or other broadly disseminated means of communication. Full details of this policy are set out in our Corporate Governance Guidelines, which are available on our website at: www.deepwater.com by selecting the Governance page in the Investors section dropdown.

The Board of Directors has received from each nominee for election at the 2018 Annual General Meeting listed below an executed irrevocable letter of resignation consistent with these guidelines described above. Each letter of resignation is effective only in the event that (1) such director fails to receive a sufficient number of votes from shareholders in an uncontested election of such director and (2) the Board of Directors accepts such resignation.

The information regarding the nominees presented below is as of March 1, 2018.

Nominees for Director

MERRILL A. “PETE” MILLER, JR.,  age 67, U.S. citizen, has served as a director of the Company since 2014, as Vice Chairman from 2014 to 2015 and as Chairman of the Board of Directors since 2015. Mr. Miller previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of National Oilwell Varco, Inc. (NYSE: NOV), a supplier of oilfield services and equipment to the oil and gas industry from 2001 to 2014, and as Chairman of NOV’s Board from 2002 to 2014. Mr. Miller also served as Executive Chairman of NOW Inc., a spinoff of the distribution business of National Oilwell Varco, Inc. from 2014 to 2017. Before joining NOV in 1996, Mr. Miller served as President of Anadarko Drilling Company from 1995 to 1996. Prior to that, he spent 15 years at Helmerich & Payne International Drilling Company (NYSE: HP) in Tulsa, Oklahoma, serving in various senior management positions, including Vice President, U.S. Operations. Mr. Miller currently is the chairman of the Board of Directors of Ranger Energy Services, Inc. (NYSE: RNGR) (since 2017), a

provider of well service rigs and associated onshore services in the United States, and a director of Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NYSE: CHK) (since 2007), one of the largest producers of natural gas, oil and natural gas liquids in the U.S., where he served as Lead Independent Director from 2010 to 2012. Mr. Miller is also a director of Borets International Limited (since 2016) and serves on the Board of Directors for the Offshore Energy Center, Petroleum Equipment Suppliers Association and Spindletop International. He is a member of the National Petroleum Council. Mr. Miller graduated from the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York in 1972 and, upon graduation, served five years in the United States Army. Mr. Miller received his Master’s in Business Administration from Harvard Business School in 1980.

The Board of Directors has concluded that Mr. Miller should remain on the Board of Directors and has recommended that he serve an additional term. Mr. Miller has significant experience in the oilfield services industry, is highly knowledgeable and provides both customer and supplier perspectives to matters directly relevant to the Company. Mr. Miller served as a chief executive officer and thus adds helpful executive perspective to the Board of Directors’ deliberations in advising the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. The Board of Directors believes that these qualities, as well as his demonstrated leadership on boards and in executive roles, will enhance the Board’s effectiveness and performance.

GLYN A. BARKER, age 64, United Kingdom citizen, has served as a director of the Company since 2012. Mr. Barker served as Vice Chairman-U.K. of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) from 2008 to 2011. He was also responsible for PwC’s strategy and business development for the geographic areas of Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India. Mr. Barker joined PwC in 1975 and became an audit partner in 1987. He then established PwC’s private equity-focused Transactions Services business and led it globally. He joined the Management Board of PwC in the United Kingdom as Head of the Assurance Practice in 2002. In 2006, he became U.K. Managing Partner and served in that role until 2008. Mr. Barker is a director of Berkeley Group Holdings plc (LON: BKG) (since 2012), Aviva plc (LON: AV) (since 2012) and Interserve plc (LON: IRV) (since 2016), and the Chairman of Irwin Mitchell Holdings Ltd (since 2012). He served as a director (from 2014 to 2016) and the Chairman (from 2015 to 2016) of Transocean Partners LLC (“Transocean Partners”). Mr. Barker was Deputy Chairman of the English National Opera Company from 2009 to 2016. Mr. Barker received his Bachelor of Science degree in Economics & Accounting from the University of Bristol in 1975 and is a Chartered Accountant.

The Board of Directors has concluded that Mr. Barker should remain on the Board of Directors and has recommended that he serve an additional term. Mr. Barker’s experience in international business and financial and strategic expertise enhance the Board of Directors’ understanding of key issues in its global business operations.

VANESSA C.L. CHANG, age 65, Canadian and U.S. citizen, has served as a director of the Company since 2012. Ms. Chang has been a director and shareholder of EL & EL Investments, a privately held real estate investment business, since 1998. She previously served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Resolveitnow.com from 2000 until 2002 and was the Senior Vice President of Secured Capital Corp in 1998. From 1986 until 1997, Ms. Chang was the West Coast partner in charge of Corporate Finance for KPMG Peat Marwick LLP. Ms. Chang is a director or trustee of 17 funds advised by Capital Group and its subsidiaries, seven of which are members of the American Funds family and ten of which are members of Capital Group’s Private Client Services (since 2000). Ms. Chang is also a director of Edison International (NYSE: EIX) and its wholly owned subsidiary, Southern California Edison Company (each since 2007), and of Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated (NASDAQ: SYKES) (since 2016). She is also a director of Forest Lawn Memorial Parks Association, a non-profit organization (since 2005) and SCO America, Inc., a non-profit organization (since 2013).  She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the California State Board of Accountancy and Women Corporate Directors. Ms. Chang received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of British Columbia in 1973 and is an inactive Certified Public Accountant.

The Board of Directors has concluded that Ms. Chang should remain on the Board of Directors and has recommended that she serve an additional term. The Board of Directors believes that Ms. Chang’s experience and background in diverse industries, along with her financial and accounting background, will enhance the Board of Directors’ ability to assess and guide the Company’s financial strategy.

FREDERICO F. CURADO,  age 56, Brazilian citizen, has served as a director of the Company since 2013. Mr. Curado is the Chief Executive Officer of Ultrapar S.A. (NYSE: UGP) since 2017 and previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Embraer S.A. (NYSE: ERJ) from 2007 to 2016. He joined Embraer in 1984 and served in a variety of management positions during his career, including Executive Vice President, Airline Market from 1998 to 2007 and Executive Vice President, Planning and Organizational Development from 1995 to 1998. Mr. Curado has been

a director of ABB Ltd (NYSE: ABB) since 2016 and a member of the Executive Board of the ICC - International Chamber of Commerce since 2013. Mr. Curado was a director of Iochpe-Maxion S.A. from 2015 to 2016, served as the President of the Brazilian Chapter of the Brazil-United States Business Council from 2011 to 2016 and was a director of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum from 2014 to 2017. Mr. Curado received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical-Aeronautical Engineering from the Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica in Brazil in 1983 and an Executive Master’s in Business Administration from the University of São Paulo, Brazil, in 1997.

The Board of Directors has concluded that Mr. Curado should remain on the Board of Directors and has recommended that he serve an additional term. The Board of Directors believes Mr. Curado’s significant senior management experience operating an international corporation, including experience with Brazilian business and governmental sectors, will benefit the Board of Directors’ ability to guide the Company with respect to its global operations.

CHADWICK C. DEATON, age 65, U.S. citizen, has served as a director of the Company since 2012. Mr. Deaton served as Executive Chairman of Baker Hughes Incorporated from 2012 to 2013, prior to which he served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since 2004. He began his career with Schlumberger in 1976 and served in a variety of international capacities, including as Executive Vice President, Oilfield Services from 1998 to 1999 and as a Senior Advisor from 1999 until 2001. From 2002 until 2004, Mr. Deaton was the President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Hanover Compressor Company. Mr. Deaton is a director of Ariel Corporation (since 2005), Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE: APD) (since 2010), CARBO Ceramics Inc. (NYSE: CRR) (since 2013; and previously from 2004 to 2009), and Marathon Oil Corporation (NYSE: MRO) (since 2014). Mr. Deaton is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (since 1980) and has served on its Industrial Advisory Council. He is also a director of the University of Wyoming Foundation and of the Houston Achievement Place. Mr. Deaton served as co-chair of the Wyoming Governor’s Task Force for the build out of the University of Wyoming’s new Engineering and Applied Sciences Center. He was a member of the National Petroleum Council (from 2007 to 2013). Mr. Deaton received his Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from the University of Wyoming in 1976.

The Board of Directors has concluded that Mr. Deaton should remain on the Board of Directors and has recommended that he serve an additional term. Mr. Deaton has significant experience in the oilfield services industry. This experience and the perspective it brings benefit the Board of Directors’ understanding of the Company’s industry and its customers.

VINCENT J. INTRIERI,  age 61, U.S. citizen, has served as a director of the Company since 2014. Mr. Intrieri is the Founder and CEO of VDA Capital Management LLC, a private investment fund founded in January 2017. Mr. Intrieri was previously employed by Carl C. Icahn-related entities in various investment-related capacities from 1998 to 2016. From 2008 to 2016, Mr. Intrieri served as Senior Managing Director of Icahn Capital LP, the entity through which Carl C. Icahn manages private investment funds. In addition, from 2004 to 2016, Mr. Intrieri was a Senior Managing Director of Icahn Onshore LP, the general partner of Icahn Partners LP, and Icahn Offshore LP, the general partner of Icahn Partners Master Fund LP, entities through which Mr. Icahn invests in securities. Mr. Intrieri is a director of Conduent Incorporated (NYSE: CNDT) (since 2017), Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: HTZ) (since 2014) and Navistar International Corporation (NYSE: NAV) (since 2012). Mr. Intrieri previously served as a director of Chesapeake Energy Corporation from 2012 to 2016, CVR Refining, GP, LLC, the general partner of CVR Refining, LP, from 2012 to 2014, Ferrous Resources Limited from 2015 to 2016, Forest Laboratories Inc. from 2013 to 2014, CVR Energy, Inc. from 2012 to 2014, Federal-Mogul Holdings Corporation from 2007 to 2013, Icahn Enterprises L.P. from 2006 to 2012, and was Senior Vice President of Icahn Enterprises L.P. from 2011 to 2012. Mr. Intrieri was also a director of Dynegy Inc. from 2011 to 2012, and Chairman and a director of PSC Metals Inc. from 2007 to 2012. He served as a director of Motorola Solutions, Inc. from 2011 to 2012, XO Holdings from 2006 to 2011, National Energy Group, Inc. from 2006 to 2011, American Railcar Industries, Inc. from 2005 to 2011, WestPoint Home LLC from 2005 to 2011, and as Chairman and a director of Viskase Companies, Inc. from 2003 to 2011. Ferrous Resources Limited, CVR Refining, CVR Energy, American Railcar Industries, Federal-Mogul, Icahn Enterprises, XO Holdings, National Energy Group, WestPoint Home, Viskase Companies and PSC Metals each are or previously were indirectly controlled by Carl C. Icahn. Mr. Icahn also has or previously had a noncontrolling interest in Dynegy, Hertz, Forest Laboratories, Navistar, Chesapeake Energy, Motorola Solutions and Transocean through the ownership of securities. Mr. Intrieri graduated, with Distinction, from The Pennsylvania State University (Erie Campus) with a B.S. in Accounting in 1984. Mr. Intrieri was a certified public accountant.

The Board of Directors has concluded that Mr. Intrieri should remain on the Board of Directors and has recommended that he serve an additional term. The Board of Directors believes Mr. Intrieri’s significant financial, corporate transactions, executive management and board of directors’ experience will benefit the Board of Directors’ decision‑making process.

SAMUEL J. MERKSAMER,  age 37, U.S. citizen, has served as a director of the Company since 2013. Mr. Merksamer was a Managing Director of Icahn Capital LP, a subsidiary of Icahn Enterprises L.P., from 2008 to 2016. From 2003 until 2008, Mr. Merksamer was an analyst at Airlie Opportunity Capital Management. Mr. Merksamer is a director of American International Group, Inc. (NYSE: AIG) (since 2016). Mr. Merksamer previously served as a director of Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: HTZ) from 2014 to 2017, Navistar International Corporation (NYSE: NAV) from 2012 to 2017, Cheniere Energy Inc. (NYSE: LNG) from 2015 to 2017, Transocean Partners from 2014 to 2016, Hologic Inc. from 2013 to 2016, Talisman Energy Inc. from 2013 to 2015, Ferrous Resources Limited from 2012 to 2016, CVR Refining, GP, LLC, the general partner of CVR Refining, LP, from 2012 to 2014, CVR Energy, Inc. from 2012 to 2014, American Railcar Industries, Inc. from 2011 to 2013, Dynegy Inc. from 2011 to 2012, Viskase Companies, Inc. from 2010 to 2013, Federal-Mogul Holdings Corporation from 2010 to 2014, and PSC Metals Inc. from 2009 to 2012. Ferrous Resources Limited, CVR Refining, CVR Energy, American Railcar Industries, Federal-Mogul, Viskase Companies and PSC Metals are each indirectly controlled by Carl C. Icahn. Mr. Icahn also has or previously had a noncontrolling interest in Dynegy, Hologic, Talisman Energy, Navistar, Hertz, Cheniere Energy, Transocean, Transocean Partners and American International Group, Inc. through the ownership of securities. Mr. Merksamer received an A.B. in Economics from Cornell University in 2002.

The Board of Directors has concluded that Mr. Merksamer should remain on the Board of Directors and has recommended that he serve an additional term. The Board of Directors believes that Mr. Merksamer’s expertise in finance aids the Board of Directors in reviewing financial strategies for the Company.

FREDERIK W. MOHN, age 41, Norwegian citizen, has served as a director of the Company since January 30, 2018, when Transocean acquired Songa Offshore SE (OSE: SONG). Previously, Mr. Mohn served as a director of Songa Offshore SE from 2013 to 2014, and as Chairman of the Songa Board from 2014 to 2018. Mr. Mohn is the sole owner and managing director of Perestroika, a Norwegian investment company with investments in oil and gas, shipping, infrastructure, real estate development and financial services. From 2011 to 2013, Mr. Mohn served as managing director of the worldwide family business Frank Mohn AS, a supplier of pumping systems to the oil and gas industry. Mr. Mohn also currently serves on the board of directors of public companies Dof ASA (OSE: DOF), a Norwegian shipping company, and Fjord 1 (OSE: FJORD), a Norwegian transport company, and private companies Viken Crude AS, Gjettumgrenda AS, Fornebu Sentrum AS, Fornebu Sentrum Utvikling AS and Høvik Stasjonsby AS og KS. Mr. Mohn received his Bachelor of Science degree from Royal Holloway, University of London in 2001.

Mr. Mohn was proposed as a nominee to serve on the Board of Directors by Perestroika pursuant to the terms of the Transaction Agreement entered into between the Company and Songa Offshore SE on August 13, 2017, pursuant to which the Company also acquired Songa. The Board of Directors has concluded that Mr. Mohn should remain on the Board of Directors and has recommended that he serve an additional term. The Board of Directors believes that Mr. Mohn’s knowledge of the oil and gas industry, his previous position as Chairman of the Board of Songa Offshore SE and his expertise in finance aids the Board of Directors in reviewing financial and other strategic decisions for the Company.

EDWARD R. MULLER, age 65, U.S. citizen, has served as a director of the Company since 2007. He served as a director of GlobalSantaFe Corporation from 2001 to 2007 and of Global Marine, Inc. from 1997 to 2001. Mr. Muller served as Vice Chairman of NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NRG) after the merger of NRG Energy, Inc. with GenOn Energy, Inc. from 2012 until 2017. Prior to the merger, he served as GenOn Energy, Inc.’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (since 2010) and President (since 2011). Mr. Muller previously served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mirant Corporation from 2005 to 2010 when Mirant Corporation merged with RRI Energy, Inc. to form GenOn Energy, Inc. Mr. Muller is a director of AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) (since 2013). He was a private investor from 2000 until 2005. Mr. Muller served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Edison Mission Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary of Edison International, from 1993 until 2000. During his tenure, Edison Mission Energy was engaged in developing, owning and operating independent power production facilities worldwide. Since 2004, Mr. Muller has been a trustee of the Riverview School and is currently its Chairman, a position he also held from 2008 to 2012. Mr. Muller received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Dartmouth College in 1973 and his law degree from Yale Law School in 1976.

The Board of Directors has concluded that Mr. Muller should remain on the Board of Directors and has recommended that he serve an additional term. Mr. Muller is an attorney by education with extensive executive experience in a capital‑intensive energy business. His previous experience as a chief executive officer adds helpful executive perspective in advising Company management. Mr. Muller’s background and education assist the Board of Directors in assessing key strategies for the Company.

TAN EK KIA, age 69, Malaysian citizen, has served as a director of the Company since 2011. Mr. Tan is the retired Vice President, Ventures and Developments, Asia Pacific and Middle East Region of Shell Chemicals, a position in which he served from 2003 to 2006. Mr. Tan joined the Shell group of companies in 1973 as an engineer and served in a variety of positions in Asia, the United States and Europe during his career, including as Chairman, Shell Companies, Northeast Asia from 2000 to 2003, Managing Director of Shell Nanhai from 1997 to 2000 and Managing Director of Shell Malaysia Exploration and Production from 1994 to 1997. Mr. Tan also served as the Interim Chief Executive Officer of SMRT Corporation Ltd from January to October 2012. Mr. Tan is a director of Dialog Systems Asia Pte Ltd (since 2008), Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd (since 2009), SMRT Corporation Ltd (since 2009), Keppel Corporation Ltd (SGX: KPELY) (since 2010), PT Chandra Asri Petrochemical Tbk (IDX: TPIA) (since 2011) and Singapore LNG Corporation Pte Ltd. (since 2013). He is also a director (since 2013) and the Chairman of KrisEnergy Ltd (SGX: SK3) (since 2017), the Chairman of Star Energy Group Holdings Pte Ltd (since 2012) and a director of two of Star Energy Group Holdings’ subsidiaries, Star Energy Oil and Gas Pte Ltd and Star Energy Geothermal Pte Ltd. Mr. Tan served as Chairman of City Gas Pte Ltd from 2009 to 2015 and as a director of City Spring Infrastructure Trust Pte Ltd. from 2010 to 2014, InterGlobal Offshore Pte Ltd from 2007 to 2012 and PowerSeraya Ltd and Orchard Energy Pte Ltd from 2007 to 2009. Mr. Tan received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Nottingham in 1973. He is a Chartered Engineer with the UK Engineering Council and a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers Malaysia.

The Board of Directors has concluded that Mr. Tan should remain on the Board of Directors and has recommended that he serve an additional term. Mr. Tan has significant senior management, large project and engineering experience in the international energy sector, particularly in Asia. This international energy experience and the perspective it brings benefit the Board of Directors’ ability to assess opportunities in the international energy sector.

JEREMY D. THIGPEN, age 43, U.S. citizen, is President and Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Company since 2015. Mr. Thigpen served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at National Oilwell Varco, Inc. (NYSE: NOV) from 2012 to 2015. During his tenure at National Oilwell Varco, Mr. Thigpen spent five years from 2007 to 2012 as the company’s President of Downhole and Pumping Solutions business, and four years from 2003 to 2007 as President of its Downhole Tools group. He also served in various management and business development capacities, including Director of Business Development and Special Assistant to the Chairman for National Oilwell Varco. Mr. Thigpen earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Managerial Studies from Rice University in 1997, and he completed the Program for Management Development at Harvard Business School in 2001.

The Board of Directors has concluded that Mr. Thigpen should remain on the Board of Directors and has recommended that he serve an additional term. The Board of Directors believes that it is important for the Chief Executive Officer of the Company to serve on the Board of Directors, as it ensures an efficient flow of information between the Board of Directors and executive management. In addition, Mr. Thigpen has substantial industry experience and a competitive perspective, which assists the Board of Directors in considering strategic decisions for the Company.

Recommendation

The Board of Directors recommends you vote “FOR” the reelection of these candidates as directors.

AGENDA ITEM 6

Election of the Chairman of the Board of Directors for a Term Extending Until Completion of the Next Annual General Meeting

Nomination of the Board of Directors

Pursuant to the Minder Ordinance and our Articles of Association, the authority to elect the Chairman of the Board of Directors is vested with the general meeting of shareholders. The term of office of the Chairman of the Board of Directors is the same as the other directors’ terms and extends until completion of the next Annual General Meeting. The Chairman elected at the 2018 Annual General Meeting will have the powers and duties as provided for in our Articles of Association and organizational regulations.

Upon the recommendation of the Corporate Governance Committee, the Board of Directors has nominated Merrill A. “Pete” Miller, Jr. for election by the shareholders as the Chairman of the Board of Directors. Mr. Miller has served as a director since the extraordinary general meeting held on September 22, 2014, as Vice‑Chairman of the Board of Directors from November 2014 to May 2015, and as Chairman of the Board since May 2015. Biographical information regarding Mr. Miller may be found above under Agenda Item 5.

Recommendation

The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” the election of the nominee for the Chairman of the Board of Directors.

AGENDA ITEM 7

Election of the Members of the Compensation Committee, Each for a Term Extending Until Completion of the Next Annual General Meeting

Nominations of the Board of Directors

Pursuant to the Minder Ordinance and our Articles of Association, the authority to elect the members of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors is vested with the general meeting of shareholders. The term of office of the members of the Compensation Committee is the same as the other directors’ term and extends until completion of the next Annual General Meeting.

Upon the recommendation of the Corporate Governance Committee, the Board of Directors has nominated for election by the shareholders at the 2018 Annual General Meeting Frederico F. Curado, Vincent J. Intrieri and Tan Ek Kia as members of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Biographical information regarding the nominees may be found above under Agenda Item 5.

Recommendation

The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” the election of the nominees of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.

AGENDA ITEM 8

Reelection of the Independent Proxy for a Term Extending Until Completion of the Next Annual General Meeting

Pursuant to the Minder Ordinance and our Articles of Association, the authority to elect the independent proxy is vested with the general meeting of shareholders. The independent proxy elected at the 2018 Annual General Meeting will serve as independent proxy at the 2019 Annual General Meeting and at any extraordinary general meeting of shareholders of the Company that may be held prior to the 2019 Annual General Meeting.

The Board of Directors has nominated for reelection as independent proxy Schweiger Advokatur / Notariat, Dammstrasse 19, CH‑6300 Zug, Switzerland. Schweiger Advokatur / Notariat was elected at the 2017 Annual General Meeting to serve as independent proxy at the 2018 Annual General Meeting and any extraordinary general meeting of shareholders of the Company held prior to the 2018 Annual General Meeting.

Recommendation

The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” this Agenda Item 8.

AGENDA ITEM 9

Appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for Fiscal Year 2018 and Reelection of Ernst & Young Ltd, Zurich, as the Company’s Auditor for a Further One‑Year Term

Proposal of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors proposes that Ernst & Young LLP be appointed as Transocean Ltd.’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year 2018 and that Ernst & Young Ltd, Zurich, be reelected as Transocean Ltd.’s auditor pursuant to the Swiss Code of Obligations for a further one‑year term, commencing on the day of election at the 2018 Annual General Meeting and terminating on the day of the 2019 Annual General Meeting.

Representatives of Ernst & Young Ltd will be present at the 2018 Annual General Meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement and will be available to respond to questions you may ask. Information regarding the fees paid by the Company to Ernst & Young appears below.

Recommendation

The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” this Agenda Item 9.

FEES PAID TO ERNST & YOUNG

Audit fees for Ernst & Young LLP and its affiliates for each of the fiscal years 2017 and 2016 and audit‑related fees, tax fees and total of all other fees for services rendered in 2017 and 2016 are as follows:

 

 

Audit Committee Pre‑Approval of Audit and Non‑Audit Services

The Audit Committee pre‑approves all auditing services, review or attest engagements and permitted non‑audit services to be performed by our independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of services rendered in 2017 other than the audit of our financial statements and reviews of quarterly financial statements was compatible with maintaining the independence of Ernst & Young LLP and determined that the provision of such services was compatible with maintaining such independence.

The Audit Committee has adopted policies and procedures for pre‑approving all audit and non‑audit services performed by the independent registered public accounting firm. The policy requires advance approval by the Audit Committee of all audit and non‑audit work; provided, that the Chairman of the Audit Committee may grant pre‑approvals of audit or non‑audit work, so long as such pre‑approvals are presented to the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. Unless the specific service has been previously pre‑approved with respect to the 12‑month period following the advance approval, the Audit Committee must approve a service before the independent registered public accounting firm is engaged to perform the service. The Audit Committee has given advance approval for specified audit, audit‑related and other services for 2018. Requests for services that have received this pre‑approval are subject to specified fee or budget restrictions, as well as internal management controls.

AGENDA ITEM 10

Advisory Vote to Approve Named Executive Officer Compensation

Proposal of the Board of Directors

At the Company’s 2017 Annual General Meeting, the Company’s shareholders followed the Board of Directors’ recommendation to hold an advisory vote on executive compensation every year for the Company’s Named Executive Officers. In light of these results, the Board of Directors determined that the Company will hold an advisory vote on executive compensation once every year until the next required vote on the frequency of shareholder votes on compensation of Named Executive Officers of the Company, which in accordance with applicable law, will occur no later than the Company’s annual general meeting of shareholders in 2023. Accordingly, and as required by Section 14A of the Exchange Act, the Company is providing its shareholders the opportunity to vote on an advisory basis to approve the compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers. The Board of Directors recommends that you vote for the approval of the compensation of the Named Executive Officers as described in this proxy statement.

Accordingly, you may vote on the following resolution:

RESOLVED, that the compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers, as disclosed pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables, and the narrative disclosure in the proxy statement for the Company’s 2018 Annual General Meeting is hereby APPROVED.

Our compensation program for our Named Executive Officers is designed to reward performance that creates long‑term value for the Company’s shareholders through the following features, which are discussed in more detail in our Compensation Discussion and Analysis:

The vote on this proposal is advisory and therefore not binding on the Company, the Compensation Committee or the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee value the opinions of our shareholders. Following the 2018 Annual General Meeting, we will consider our shareholders’ feedback and the Compensation Committee will evaluate whether any actions are necessary to address this feedback.

Recommendation

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote “FOR” approval of the compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers, as disclosed pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables, and the narrative disclosure in this proxy statement.

AGENDA ITEM 11

Prospective Vote on the Maximum Compensation of the Board of Directors and the Executive Management Team

11A       Ratification of the Maximum Aggregate Amount of Compensation of the Board of Directors for the Period Between the 2018 Annual General Meeting and the 2019 Annual General Meeting.

Proposal of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors proposes that the shareholders ratify an amount of U.S. $4,121,000 as the maximum aggregate amount of compensation of the Board of Directors for the period between the 2018 Annual General Meeting and the 2019 Annual General Meeting.

Explanation

As required by our Articles of Association and the Minder Ordinance, the shareholders are provided the opportunity to vote on the maximum aggregate amount of compensation that can be paid or granted to the members of the Board of Directors for the period between the 2018 Annual General Meeting and the 2019 Annual General Meeting (the “2018/2019 Term”). The shareholder vote is of binding nature.

Directors’ Compensation Principles

The general principles of the compensation for our Board of Directors are described in article 29b of our Articles of Association.

We use a combination of cash and equity compensation to attract and retain qualified candidates to serve on our Board of Directors. Our directors’ compensation consists of (1) cash retainers, (2) grants of restricted share units and (3) dividend equivalents on vested and unvested restricted share units.

Set forth below is an overview of the non‑employee director compensation elements for the term of office between the 2016 Annual General Meeting and the 2017 Annual General Meeting (the “2016/2017 Term”), and the term of office

between the 2017 Annual General Meeting and the 2018 Annual General Meeting (the “2017/2018 Term”). Additionally, the compensation elements currently contemplated for the 2018/2019 Term are also provided:

 

(1)    Currently, the Company does not have any director serving in a Vice Chairman role.

 

A more detailed description of the compensation principles currently in effect for our Board of Directors can be found under “Board Meetings and Committees—Director Compensation Strategy.” The actual amounts paid to each member of the Board of Directors for fiscal year 2017 are disclosed under “2017 Director Compensation” and in our Swiss Compensation Report under the caption “Board of Directors’ Compensation.”

Proposal for Ratification of Maximum Aggregate Amount

The Board of Directors proposes that the shareholders ratify an amount of U.S. $4,121,000 as the maximum aggregate amount of compensation of the Board of Directors for the 2018/2019 Term. This amount is the maximum amount that the Company can pay or grant to the members of the Board of Directors for the 2018/2019 Term. The proposed aggregate maximum amount has been calculated based on the directors’ compensation elements as outlined above.

The table below shows the aggregate compensation paid to our Board of Directors for the 2016/2017 Term, and the shareholder-approved, maximum aggregate compensation payable to our Board of Directors for the 2017/2018 Term. The 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 Terms include 10 non-employee directorships, one of whom was Chairman of the Board of Directors. Further, the table explains our proposal for the maximum aggregate amount of compensation for our Board of Directors for the 2018/2019 Term. This proposal is unchanged from the maximum aggregate compensation proposed for the 2016/2017 Term and the 2017/2018 Term, which were previously approved by our shareholders, and includes consideration in the 2018/2019 Term for 10 non-employee directors, one of whom will be Chairman and one of whom may be Vice-Chairman.

 

 

 

The aggregate compensation paid to date and expected to be paid to the members of the Board of Directors during the 2017/2018 Term is within the maximum aggregate amount approved by shareholders at the 2017 Annual General Meeting. The actual payout and grants will be disclosed in the 2019 and 2020 Proxy Statements, respectively, and the Swiss Compensation Report for fiscal years 2018 and 2019, respectively.

Recommendation

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote “FOR” this Agenda Item 11A.

11BRatification of the Maximum Aggregate Amount of Compensation of the Executive Management Team for Fiscal Year 2019.

Proposal of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors proposes that the shareholders ratify an amount of U.S. $24,000,000 as the maximum aggregate amount of compensation of the Executive Management Team for fiscal year 2019.

Explanation

As required by our Articles of Association and the Minder Ordinance, our shareholders are provided the opportunity to vote on the maximum aggregate amount of compensation that can be paid or granted to the members of the Executive Management Team for fiscal year 2019. The shareholder vote is of binding nature.

Executive Management Team Compensation Principles

The general principles of the compensation for the Executive Management Team are described in article 29b of our Articles of Association.

We use a combination of cash and equity compensation to attract, motivate and retain leaders from the global executive talent market within and outside our highly competitive industry and to achieve our objective of pay and performance alignment by delivering the vast majority of our Executive Management Team’s compensation opportunity as performance‑based, ‘at‑risk’ compensation. Our Executive Management Team’s compensation consists of (1) base salary, (2) annual performance bonus, (3) long‑term incentives, which may comprise grants of restricted share units, performance share units and stock options and (4) other compensation, including Company contributions to savings and pension plans, life insurance premiums, dividend equivalents on vested and unvested restricted share units, expatriate assignment allowances and expatriate relocation pay.

Our Executive Management Team comprises our President and Chief Executive Officer, our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and our Executive Vice President and Chief Operating and Performance Officer.

For a detailed description of our compensation principles currently in effect for the Executive Management Team (and our other Named Executive Officers who are not members of the Executive Management Team), please refer to the section of this proxy statement under the caption “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.” We recommend that our shareholders read our Articles of Association and the Compensation Discussion and Analysis to understand our Executive Management Team compensation principles and process when considering this proposal. The actual amounts paid to each member of the Executive Management Team for fiscal years 2015‑2017 are disclosed in this proxy statement under the caption “Executive Compensation—Summary Compensation Table,” and in our Swiss Compensation Report under the caption “Executive Management Team Compensation.”

In addition to this binding prospective vote on maximum Executive Management Team compensation, shareholders have had the opportunity since 2011 under U.S. law, subject to an advisory vote by shareholders and a determination by the board of directors as to the frequency of such opportunity, to cast a retrospective advisory vote to approve the compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers (including our Executive Management Team members) for the fiscal year preceding the Annual General Meeting. Since 2011, our shareholders have consistently expressed their strong support for the Company’s executive compensation principles. For fiscal years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016, the shareholder approval levels have been 86%, 81%, 92%, 80%, 87%, and 96%, respectively. Our shareholders are again provided the opportunity to cast a retrospective advisory vote to approve the compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers (including our Executive Management Team members) for fiscal year 2017, as is explained in detail in Agenda Item No. 10.

The proposed maximum aggregate amount of compensation for the Executive Management Team for fiscal year 2019 is derived substantially from the Company’s executive compensation principles receiving strong historical shareholder support as noted above. Consistent with the Company’s historical practice in setting executive compensation, as reflected in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, we do not anticipate that the aggregate amount actually paid to our Executive Management Team members for fiscal year 2019 will be at the proposed maximum aggregate amount.

Proposal for Ratification of Maximum Aggregate Amount

The Board of Directors proposes that the shareholders ratify an amount of U.S. $24,000,000, excluding employer-paid social taxes, as the maximum aggregate amount of compensation of the Executive Management Team for fiscal year 2019. This amount is unchanged from the approved maximum aggregate amount of compensation for fiscal year 2018, and is the maximum amount that the Company can pay or grant to its members of the Executive Management Team for fiscal year 2019, subject to the authority of the Board of Directors to grant or pay a “supplementary amount” pursuant to article 29c of our Articles of Association without additional shareholder ratification to persons who newly assume an Executive Management Team function after the prospective vote at the 2018 Annual General Meeting.

The table below shows the maximum aggregate amount of compensation that could have been paid or granted in the fiscal year 2017 under our compensation principles and plans, the maximum aggregate amount of compensation available to be paid or granted for fiscal year 2018 under our compensation principles and plans currently in effect, and our proposed maximum aggregate amount of compensation for fiscal year 2019.

The proposed maximum aggregate amount of compensation for fiscal year 2019 is based on our estimated compensation levels and is unchanged from the maximum aggregate amount of compensation for fiscal year 2018, which was approved by shareholders at last year’s annual general meeting.

 

 

 

Shareholder approval is based on the maximum aggregate amounts that could be payable in accordance with our compensation principles as set out in the 2018 Proxy Statement’s “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.” Therefore, actual aggregate amounts paid to our Executive Management Team members for fiscal year 2019 will fall within the range that may be payable. And although historical compensation paid to our Executive Management Team, as disclosed in the Compensation Report, has been substantially less (2017: U.S. $18,130,016) than the maximum amount payable (2017: U.S. $29,023,000) we request our shareholders approve the proposed maximum aggregate amount in order to comply with our Articles of Association and to ensure that the authorized compensation is set at a level that allows us to honor our compensation obligations and promises under our compensation principles and plans if the Executive Management Team or its individual members deliver superior performance and achieve all of the performance objectives at maximum performance level.

The 2019 Executive Management Team compensation will be disclosed in the proxy statement for our 2020 annual general meeting and the Swiss Compensation Report for fiscal year 2019.

Recommendation

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote “FOR” this Agenda Item 11B.

AGENDA ITEM 12

Approval of Amendment to Transocean Ltd. 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan for Additional Reserves

Proposal of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors proposes that the shareholders approve an amendment to the Transocean Ltd. 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan for additional reserves in the aggregate amount of 12,000,000 shares issuable pursuant to the Transocean Ltd. 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“2015 LTIP”), which was originally approved by shareholders on May 15, 2015.

Background and Purpose of the Proposal

The use of share-based awards is a key component of our compensation program and the 2015 LTIP is designed to attract and retain employees of the Company and its subsidiaries, to attract and retain qualified non-employee directors of the Company, to encourage the sense of proprietorship of such employees and directors and to stimulate the active interest of such persons in the development and financial success of the Company and its subsidiaries. These objectives are to be accomplished by making awards under the 2015 LTIP and thereby providing award recipients with a proprietary interest in the growth and performance of the Company and its subsidiaries.

At the time of our shareholders’ approval of the 2015 LTIP, we estimated based on granting practices and the trading price of the Company’s shares that the 2015 LTIP would cover awards for at least three years. As of March 1, 2018, following the 2018 annual equity grant cycle, approximately 3.25 million shares remain available under the 2015 LTIP, from the 20,712,966 shares available for awards under the 2015 LTIP, which includes the 19,500,000 shares originally approved by shareholders on May 15, 2015, as well as unawarded shares under the Long-Term Incentive Plan of Transocean Ltd., as amended and restated as of February 12, 2009 (the “Prior LTIP”). Shareholder approval of an additional 12,000,000 shares will offer the Company the necessary flexibility to continue making share-based grants over the next three to four years in amounts determined appropriate by the Compensation Committee. This timeline is an estimate, as future circumstances may require a change to expected equity grant practices; including the future price of our common stock, award levels and our hiring activity.

As of December 31, 2017, we had the following with regard to all of our share-settled equity plans:

 

We believe we have demonstrated our commitment to sound equity compensation practices. Management and our Board are cognizant of the expense attributable to compensatory share awards, as well as dilution, and strive to maintain both at appropriate levels in order to realize the significant motivational and performance benefits that may be achieved from making such awards.

As of December 31, 2017, dilution attributed to the 2015 LTIP was approximately 4.4% and would increase by approximately 2.8% upon approval of 12,000,000 additional reserves. The three-year average annual percentage of the Company’s outstanding shares issued under the Company’s various equity incentive plans or the Company’s “burn rate” was 1.25%, well below the Institutional Shareholder Services cap for our industry of 2.0%. We calculated our burn rate by (a) applying a factor of two and a half to restricted share and restricted share unit awards and a factor of one to stock option awards during the calendar year and (b) dividing the resulting number by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during such year.

The full text of the 2015 LTIP and the proposed amendment to the 2015 LTIP are attached to this proxy statement as Annex B. Highlights of the 2015 LTIP include:

Shares Available for Award and Share Counting

When originally adopted, the 2015 LTIP reserved a total of 20,712,966 shares for awards, which included shares from the Prior LTIP that had not been granted. Subject to shareholders’ approval of the proposed amendment to the 2015 LTIP, an additional 12,000,000 shares will be reserved for awards under the 2015 LTIP. Awards under the 2015 LTIP will reduce the shares available for grant under the 2015 LTIP as follows: each share issued pursuant to a restricted share award or restricted share unit will reduce the number of shares available under the 2015 LTIP by 1.68 shares, and each share issued pursuant to awards other than restricted share awards and restricted share units will reduce the number of shares available by 1.0 share.

Any of the authorized shares may be used for any of the types of awards described in the 2015 LTIP. Shares related to performance awards that are payable solely in cash, which include performance share units to be awarded under the 2015 LTIP, will not be counted against the aggregate number of shares available under the 2015 LTIP. The aggregate number of shares underlying options and SARs and the aggregate number of shares pursuant to restricted share, restricted share units or other share-based awards that may be granted to any participant in any calendar year each may not exceed 600,000 shares. In addition, the maximum amount granted to an employee participant pursuant to awards that may be settled in cash in any calendar year may not exceed a grant date value of $5,000,000. The maximum award value granted to a non-employee director in any calendar year may not exceed $1,000,000.

If any shares subject to an award under the 2015 LTIP or, after May 15, 2015, any shares subject to an award under the Prior LTIP, are forfeited, expire, are settled for cash or otherwise cancelled, then, in each case, the shares subject to the award may be used again for awards under the 2015 LTIP to the extent of the forfeiture, expiration, cash settlement

or cancellation. The shares will be added back as (a) 1.68 shares for every share if the shares were subject to restricted share awards or restricted share units granted under the 2015 LTIP or restricted shares, restricted share units or performance units granted under the Prior LTIP between May 15, 2009 and May 15, 2015 and (b) as 1.0 share for every share if the shares were subject to awards other than restricted share awards or restricted share units granted under the 2015 LTIP and other than restricted shares, restricted share units or performance units granted under the Prior LTIP between May 15, 2009 and May 15, 2015.

The following shares will not be added to the shares authorized for grant as described above:

The 2015 LTIP provides for appropriate adjustments in the event of a merger, demerger, consolidation, recapitalization, stock split, combination of shares, plan of exchange, share dividend or similar transaction involving the Company.

Administration

The Compensation Committee of the Board has overall authority to administer the 2015 LTIP. The Board may designate another committee or committees to administer the 2015 LTIP.

Eligible Participants

As of January 31, 2018, the Company had approximately 5,360 employees (of which six employees were executive officers) and 10 non-employee directors who would be eligible to participate in the 2015 LTIP.

Types of Awards

The 2015 LTIP authorizes the issuance of the following types of awards:

Non-Employee Director Awards

The Compensation Committee may grant awards of restricted share awards or restricted share units to non-employee directors under the 2015 LTIP.

Minimum Vesting Requirements

The 2015 LTIP does not permit employee awards to vest earlier than the first anniversary of the grant date and does not permit non-employee director awards to vest earlier than the first to occur of (a) the first anniversary of the grant date or (b) the date of the annual general meeting of the Board next following the grant date.

Prohibitions Related to Stock Options and SARs

Unless the approval of shareholders is obtained first, the 2015 LTIP does not permit (a) repricing of stock options or SARs after the grant date, (b) accepting outstanding stock options or SARs for surrender as consideration for the grant of a new option or SAR with a lower exercise price or for the grant of another award, (c) repurchasing from award recipients any outstanding stock options or SARs that have an exercise price higher than the current fair market value of a share, or (d) granting any stock option or SAR that contains a "reload" feature under which additional stock options, SARs or other awards are granted automatically upon exercise of the original stock option or SAR. The 2015 LTIP also prohibits dividend equivalents with respect to stock options and SARs.

Treatment of Awards Upon Certain Events

Retirement, Death, Disability or Change of Control. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the vesting of unvested awards or waive, eliminate or make less restrictive the restrictions or provisions governing awards or otherwise amend or modify awards in the case of retirement from employment or service on the Board, death, disability, change of control, or any other reason, except that any modification may not be materially adverse to the award recipient unless the recipient has consented to the modification or the modification relates to a merger, reorganization or similar transaction.

Termination and Agreement

The 2015 LTIP may be terminated or amended by the Board. Shareholder approval is required for any amendment to the 2015 LTIP if (i) such approval is necessary or desirable to qualify or comply with any tax or regulatory requirement for which or with which the Board deems it necessary or desirable to qualify or comply; or (ii) in the opinion of counsel to the Company, shareholder approval is required by any federal or state laws or regulations or the rules of any stock exchange on which the shares may be listed.

Transferability

Awards are not transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.

U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

Under current federal tax law, the following are the U.S. federal income tax consequences generally arising with respect to restricted shares, performance shares, options and other awards granted under the 2015 LTIP. The discussion is not a complete analysis of all federal income tax consequences and does not cover all specific transactions which may occur.

Absent the filing of a Section 83(b) election with the IRS, no income will be recognized by a participant for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon the grant of restricted shares, performance shares or other stock awards. Upon the vesting of an award for which no payment was made by the participant, the participant will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares on the vesting date. Income recognized upon vesting by a participant who is an employee will be considered compensation subject to withholding at the time the income is recognized and, therefore, the Company must make the necessary arrangements with the participant to ensure that the amount of tax required to be withheld is available for payment. Stock awards provide the Company with a deduction equal to the amount of income recognized by the participant, subject to certain deduction limitations. A participant's adjusted basis in the shares received through stock awards is equal to any ordinary income related to the award recognized by the participant. If a participant thereafter sells the shares, any amount realized over (under) the adjusted basis of the shares will constitute capital gain (loss) to the participant for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If a participant forfeits an award prior to its vesting, the participant will not recognize any ordinary income as a result of such forfeiture, and no deduction will be provided to the Company.

Upon the grant of restricted shares, the participant may file an election under Section 83(b) of the Code to accelerate the recognition of ordinary income to the grant date of the award. Such ordinary income is equal to the fair market value of the shares on the grant date (assuming no payment by the participant for the shares) and is considered compensation subject to withholding for employees.

There are no tax consequences associated with the grant or timely exercise of an incentive stock option. If a participant holds the shares acquired upon the exercise of an incentive stock option for at least one year after exercise and two years after the grant of the option, the participant will recognize capital gain or loss upon sale of the shares equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale and the exercise price. If the shares are not held for the required period, the participant will recognize ordinary income upon disposition in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise over the exercise price, up to the amount of the gain on disposition. Any additional gain realized by the participant upon disposition will be capital gain. The excess of the fair market value of shares received upon the exercise of an incentive stock option over the option price for the shares is a preference item for purposes of the alternative minimum tax. An expense deduction by the Company in connection with the exercise of an incentive stock option is not allowed unless the participant recognizes ordinary income.

Generally, no income will be recognized by a participant for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon the grant of a nonqualified stock option. Upon exercise of a nonqualified stock option, the participant will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise over the amount of the exercise price. Income recognized by a participant who is an employee, upon the exercise of a nonqualified stock option, will be considered compensation subject to withholding at the time the income is recognized and, therefore, the Company must make the necessary arrangements with the participant to ensure that the amount of tax required to be withheld is available for payment. Nonqualified stock options provide the Company with a deduction equal to the amount of income recognized by the participant, subject to certain deduction limitations. The adjusted basis of shares transferred to a participant pursuant to the exercise of a nonqualified stock option is the price paid for the shares plus an amount equal to

any income recognized by the participant as a result of the exercise of the option. If a participant thereafter sells shares acquired upon exercise of a nonqualified stock option, any amount realized over (under) the adjusted basis of the shares will constitute capital gain (loss) to the participant for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

If a participant surrenders shares which the participant already owns as payment for the exercise price of a stock option, the participant will not recognize gain or loss as a result of such surrender. The number of shares received upon exercise of the option equal to the number of shares surrendered will have a tax basis equal to the tax basis of the surrendered shares. The holding period for such shares will include the holding period for the shares surrendered. The remaining shares received will have a basis equal to the amount of income the participant recognizes upon receipt of such shares. The participant's holding period for such shares will commence on the day after such exercise.

Generally, no income will be recognized by a participant for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon the grant of a SAR. Upon exercise of a SAR, the participant will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise over the amount of the exercise price. Income recognized by a participant who is an employee, upon the exercise of a SAR, will be considered compensation subject to withholding at the time the income is recognized and, therefore, the Company must make the necessary arrangements with the participant to ensure that the amount of tax required to be withheld is available for payment. SARs provide the Company with a deduction equal to the amount of income recognized by the participant, subject to certain deduction limitations. The adjusted basis of shares transferred to a participant pursuant to the exercise of a SAR is the price paid for the shares plus an amount equal to any income recognized by the participant as a result of the exercise of the SAR. If a participant thereafter sells shares acquired upon exercise of a SAR, any amount realized over (under) the adjusted basis of the shares will constitute capital gain (loss) to the participant for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Upon the receipt of a cash award, the participant will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the cash received. Income recognized upon the receipt of a cash award by a participant who is an employee will be considered compensation subject to withholding at the time the cash is received and, therefore, the Company must properly withhold the required tax.

Section 162(m) limits the annual tax deduction to $1 million for compensation paid by a publicly held company to its chief executive officer and each of the company's three other most highly compensated named executive officers, unless certain performance-based requirements are met. Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “2017 Tax Act”), effective for our taxable year beginning January 1, 2018, the exception under Section 162(m) for performance-based compensation will no longer be available, subject to transition relief for certain grandfathered arrangements in effect as of November 2, 2017.  In addition, the covered employees will be expanded to include our chief financial officer, and once one of our named executive officers is considered a covered employee, the named executive officer will remain a covered employee so long as he or she receives compensation from us. Given the lack of regulatory guidance to date, the Compensation Committee is not yet able to determine the full impact of the 2017 Tax Act changes to Section 162(m) on the Company and our compensation programs, including the 2015 LTIP.

Code Section 409A generally provides that any deferred compensation arrangement must satisfy specific requirements, both in operation and in form, regarding (1) the timing of payment, (2) the election of deferrals, and (3) restrictions on the acceleration of payment. Failure to comply with Code Section 409A may result in the early taxation (plus interest) to the participant of deferred compensation and the imposition of a 20% penalty on the participant on such deferred amounts included in the participant's income. The Company intends to structure awards under the 2015 LTIP in a manner that is designed to be exempt from or comply with Code Section 409A.

Recommendation

The Board of Directors recommends you vote “FOR” this proposal number 12.

Corporate Governance

We are committed to upholding high standards of corporate governance and business conduct and believe that we have maintained good corporate governance practices for many years.

We regularly review and, as necessary, update our Code of Integrity. Accordingly, in November 2016, the Board of Directors adopted a Code of Integrity that updated and replaced our previous Code of Integrity. We conduct online mandatory training for our employees and officers on our Code of Integrity and other relevant compliance topics. We also require all of our officers and managerial and supervisory employees to certify compliance with our Code of Integrity each year and to proactively report any non-compliance they may discover.

The Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors evaluates the Company’s and the Board of Directors’ governance practices and formally reviews all committee charters along with recommendations from the various committees of the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors’ governance principles at least annually. The Corporate Governance Committee receives updates at each meeting regarding new developments in the corporate governance arena. Our committee charters also require, among other things, that the committees and the Board of Directors annually evaluate their own performance.

Director Share Holding Requirement. We have equity ownership guidelines for directors that require each current non‑management director to acquire and retain a number of our shares, restricted share units and/or deferred units at least equal in value to an amount five times the director’s annual cash retainer. Each new director is required to acquire and retain such number of shares, restricted share units and/or deferred units over his or her initial five years as a director. Jeremy D. Thigpen, our President and Chief Executive Officer, is subject to separate officer share ownership guidelines providing for a more stringent requirement of six times his base pay. In connection with such ownership requirement, the Board of Directors currently grants restricted share units to each of our non‑management directors. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” for more information about these guidelines.

Restrictions on Pledging, Hedging and Margin Accounts. Pursuant to our Insider Trading Policy, employees, officers and directors are restricted from pledging, hedging or holding shares in a margin account.

Our current governance documents may be found on our website at: www.deepwater.com by selecting the Governance page in the Investors section dropdown. Among the information you can find there is the following:

Information contained on our website is not part of this proxy statement.

We will continue to monitor our governance practices and update policies and procedures, as appropriate, in order to maintain our high standards.

Board Leadership. Except during extraordinary circumstances, the Board of Directors has chosen not to combine the positions of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. The Board believes that separating these positions allows our Chief Executive Officer to focus on our day‑to‑day business, while our Chairman of the Board presides over the Board as it provides advice to, and independent oversight of, management and the Company’s operations. The Board recognizes the time, effort, and energy that our Chief Executive Officer is required to devote to his position and the additional commitment the position of Chairman of the Board of Directors requires. The Board of Directors believes that having separate positions and having an independent outside director serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors is the appropriate leadership structure for us at this time and demonstrates our commitment to good corporate governance.

Risk Management. Executive management is responsible for the day‑to‑day management of the risks we face, while the Board of Directors, as a whole and through its various committees, has responsibility for the oversight of risk management for the Company. Through the Board of Directors’ oversight role and review of management’s active role, the directors satisfy themselves that the risk management processes designed and implemented by management (as more particularly described below) are adapted to and integrated with the Company’s corporate strategy, are functioning as designed and that steps are taken to foster a culture in which each employee understands his or her impact on the assessment and management of risk, his or her responsibility for acting within appropriate limits, and his or her ultimate accountability.

The Company has an Enterprise Risk Management process and framework, which includes an executive risk management committee and a risk committee working group. The executive risk management committee is composed of members of senior management, including our Chief Executive Officer and other members of management in key functions and selected divisions of the Company. The duties of the executive risk management committee include the following: reviewing and approving appropriate changes to the Company’s policies and procedures regarding risk management; identifying and assessing operational, commercial, strategic, financial, macroeconomic and geopolitical risks facing the Company; identifying risks and taking corrective actions, if appropriate; monitoring key indicators to assess the effectiveness and adequacy of the Company’s risk management activities; and communicating with the Board of Directors at least once a year with respect to risk management. The executive risk management committee and/or members of management present a report on risk management activities to the Board of Directors at least annually. The risk committee working group identifies risks facing the Company, makes an assessment of each risk, identifies preventive and mitigating controls and then makes recommendations for improvement opportunities to the Board of Directors or our Chief Executive Officer, as appropriate.

Compensation and Risk. We regularly assess risks related to our compensation programs, including our executive compensation programs, and do not believe that the risks arising from our compensation policies and practices are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Compensation Committee reviews information and solicits input from an independent compensation consultant regarding compensation factors, which could mitigate or encourage excessive risk‑taking. In its review in 2017, the Compensation Committee considered the attributes of our programs, including the metrics used to determine incentive awards, the weight of each metric, the timing and processes for setting performance targets and validating results, the performance measurement periods and time horizons, the total mix of pay and the maximum compensation and incentive award payout opportunities.

Independence of Board Members. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines require that at least a majority of the members of the Board of Directors meet the independence standards set by the NYSE. In order to meet the NYSE’s independence standards, a member of the Board of Directors must not have a relationship with the Company that falls within certain objective categories established by the NYSE. In addition, the Board of Directors must then affirmatively determine, with respect to each director and nominee, that he or she did not otherwise have a material relationship with the Company.

The Board of Directors has determined that its current members, with the exception of Jeremy D. Thigpen (the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer), are independent and meet the applicable independence standards set by the NYSE, the SEC and our guidelines. Additionally, our Compensation, Audit and Corporate Governance Committees are composed solely of directors who meet the applicable NYSE and SEC independence standards.

In making its independence determinations, the Board of Directors considered the fact that certain directors, as described below, are or within the past three years have been directors or officers of companies with which we conduct business in the ordinary course. After evaluating these relationships in light of applicable SEC and NYSE standards, the Board of Directors concluded that they have no effect on the independence of these directors.

The Board of Directors also considered the below transactions and believes they were on arm’s‑length terms that were reasonable and competitive. Accordingly, the Board of Directors concluded that the relationships described below have no effect on the independence of these directors. Because of our extensive operations, transactions and director relationships, transactions of this nature are expected to take place in the ordinary course of business in the future.

Executive Sessions. Our independent directors met in executive session without management at each of the regularly scheduled Board of Directors’ meetings held in 2017. During 2018, the independent directors are again scheduled to meet in executive session at each regularly scheduled Board of Directors’ meeting. The independent directors generally designate the Chairman of the Board of Directors to act as the presiding director for executive sessions.

Director Nomination Process. The Board of Directors has designated the Corporate Governance Committee as the committee authorized to consider and recommend nominees for the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors believes that all members of the Corporate Governance Committee meet the applicable NYSE independence requirements.

Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that the Corporate Governance Committee should periodically assess the needs of the Company and the Board of Directors, so as to recommend candidates who will further our goals. In making that assessment, the Corporate Governance Committee has determined that a recommended nominee must have the following minimum qualifications:

In addition to these minimum qualifications, the Corporate Governance Committee considers other qualities in nominees that may be desirable. In particular, the Board of Directors is committed to having a majority of independent directors and, accordingly, the Corporate Governance Committee evaluates the independence status of any potential director. The Corporate Governance Committee evaluates whether or not a candidate contributes to the Board of Directors’ overall diversity, the candidate’s contribution to Board’s existing chemistry and collaborative culture, and whether or not the candidate can contribute positively to the Board’s diverse expertise in environmental, health, safety, industry, market and financial matters. The Corporate Governance Committee also considers whether or not the candidate may have professional or personal experiences and expertise relevant to our business (such as expertise in the industry and in critical health, safety and environmental matters) and the Company’s position as the leading international provider of offshore drilling services.

As described above, in accordance with the majority vote provisions of our Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Board of Directors may nominate only those candidates for director who have submitted an irrevocable letter of resignation, which would be effective upon and only in the event that (1) such nominee fails to receive more votes cast “FOR” than “AGAINST” his or her election in an uncontested election and (2) the Board of Directors accepts the resignation. The Board of Directors will also request a statement from any person nominated as a director by anyone other than the Board of Directors as to whether that person will also submit an irrevocable letter of resignation upon the same terms as a person nominated by the Board of Directors. For purposes of our Corporate Governance Guidelines, an uncontested election occurs in an election of directors that does not constitute a contested election, and a contested election occurs when (i) the Secretary of the Company receives a notice that a shareholder has nominated a person for election to the Board of Directors in compliance with the advance notice requirements for shareholder nominees for director set forth in our Articles of Association and (ii) such nomination has not been withdrawn by such shareholder on or prior to the day next preceding the date the Company first mails its notice of meeting for such meeting to the shareholders.

The Corporate Governance Committee has several methods of identifying Board of Directors candidates. First, the Corporate Governance Committee considers and evaluates annually whether each director nominee is qualified to be nominated for election or reelection to the Board of Directors. Second, the Corporate Governance Committee requests from time to time that its members and the other Board members identify possible candidates for any vacancies or potential vacancies. Third, the Corporate Governance Committee has the authority to retain one or more executive search firms to aid in its search. Each executive search firm assists the Corporate Governance Committee in identifying potential Board of Directors candidates, interviewing those candidates and conducting investigations relative to their background and qualifications.

The Corporate Governance Committee considers nominees for director who are recommended by our shareholders. Recommendations may be submitted in writing, along with:

Shareholders may submit nominations to our Corporate Secretary, Transocean Ltd., Turmstrasse 30, CH‑6312 Steinhausen, Switzerland. Unsolicited recommendations must contain all of the information that would be required in a proxy statement soliciting proxies for the election of the candidate as a director. The extent to which the Corporate Governance Committee dedicates time and resources to the consideration and evaluation of any potential nominee brought to its attention depends on the information available to the Corporate Governance Committee about the qualifications and suitability of the individual, viewed in light of the needs of the Board of Directors, and is at the Corporate Governance Committee’s discretion. The Corporate Governance Committee evaluates the desirability for incumbent directors to continue on the Board of Directors following the expiration of their respective terms, taking into account their contributions as Board members and the benefit that results from the increasing insight and experience developed over a period of time. Although the Corporate Governance Committee will consider candidates for director recommended by shareholders, it may determine not to recommend that the Board of Directors, and the Board of Directors may determine not to, nominate those candidates for election to the Board of Directors.

In addition to recommending director nominees to the Corporate Governance Committee, any shareholder may, in compliance with applicable requirements, nominate directors for election at annual general meetings of the shareholders. For more information on this topic, see “Other Matters.”

Executive and Director Compensation Process. Our Compensation Committee has established an annual process for reviewing and establishing executive compensation levels. An outside consultant, Pay Governance LLC, retained by the Compensation Committee has provided the Compensation Committee with relevant market data and alternatives to consider in determining appropriate compensation levels for each of our executive officers. Pay Governance has served as the Compensation Committee’s outside consultant since February 2011. Our Chief Executive Officer also assists the Compensation Committee in the executive compensation setting process. For a more thorough discussion of the roles, responsibilities and process we use for setting executive compensation, see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”

Director compensation is set by the Board of Directors upon a recommendation from the Compensation Committee. Since 2015, director compensation is also subject to shareholder approval at the Company’s annual general meetings. Each calendar year, the Compensation Committee reviews the compensation paid to our directors to be certain that it is competitive in attracting and retaining qualified directors. The Compensation Committee has used its outside

consultant, Pay Governance LLC, to gather data regarding director compensation at (1) certain similar size companies in the general industry, as well as (2) the same peer group of companies generally utilized in the consideration of executive compensation, as set forth in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.” Based upon its review of the data and its own judgment, the Compensation Committee develops a recommendation for consideration by the Board of Directors. If serving as director on the Board of Directors, our Chief Executive Officer receives no additional compensation for such service.

Process for Communication by Shareholders and Interested Parties with the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has established a process whereby interested parties may communicate with the Board of Directors and/or with any individual director. Interested parties, including shareholders, may send communications in writing, addressed to the Board of Directors or an individual director, c/o the Corporate Secretary, Transocean Ltd., Turmstrasse 30, CH‑6312 Steinhausen, Switzerland. The Corporate Secretary will forward these communications, as appropriate, to the addressee depending on the facts and circumstances outlined in the communication. The Board of Directors has directed the Corporate Secretary not to forward certain items, such as: spam, junk mailings, product inquiries, resumes and other forms of job inquiries, surveys and business solicitations. Additionally, the Board of Directors has advised the Corporate Secretary not to forward material that is illegal or threatening, but to make the Board of Directors aware of such material, and may request it be forwarded, retained or destroyed at the Board of Directors’ discretion.

Policies and Procedures for Approval of Transactions with Related Persons. The Board of Directors has a written policy with respect to related person transactions pursuant to which such transactions are reviewed, approved or ratified. The policy applies to any transaction in which (1) the Company is a participant, (2) any related person has a direct or indirect material interest and (3) the amount involved exceeds U.S. $120,000, but excludes any transaction that does not require disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S‑K. The Audit Committee, with assistance from the Company’s General Counsel, is responsible for reviewing, approving and/or ratifying any related person transaction.

To identify related person transactions, each year we distribute and require our directors and officers to complete questionnaires identifying transactions with us in which the officer or director or their immediate family members have an interest. Quarterly, our directors and officers must re-affirm in writing that the information previously provided in their questionnaires remains accurate and complete, and provide updates regarding any related person relationships that may have arisen. Our Code of Integrity further requires that an executive officer inform the Company when the executive officer’s private interest interferes or appears to interfere in any way with our interests. In addition, the Board of Directors’ Corporate Governance Guidelines require that a director must immediately inform the Board of Directors or the Chairman of the Board of Directors in the event that a director believes he or she has an actual or potential conflict with our interests. Furthermore, under our Organizational Regulations, a director must disclose and abstain from voting with respect to matters that feature unresolved conflicts of interest.

Under our related persons transaction policy, the Audit Committee considers all relevant facts and circumstances available, including the related persons involved, their relationship to the Company, their interest and role in the transaction, the proposed terms of the transaction (including expected aggregate value and value to be derived by the related person), the benefits to the Company, the availability to the Company of alternative means or transactions to obtain like benefits and the terms that would prevail in a similar transaction with an unaffiliated third party. For related person transactions that do not receive prior approval from the Audit Committee, the transactions are submitted to the Audit Committee to consider all relevant facts and circumstances and, based on its conclusions, evaluate all options, including, but not limited to, ratification, amendment or termination of the transaction. Since the beginning of 2017, there were no related person transactions where such policies and procedures were not followed.

Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions. From 2014 to 2017, Mr. Miller served as the Executive Chairman of NOW Inc. (NYSE: DNOW). We regularly procure equipment and services from NOW Inc., at arm’s length terms and within the ordinary course of business. In 2017, our purchasing activity with NOW Inc. represented less than 2% of that company’s reported gross revenue for such period.

In connection with our acquisition of Songa Offshore completed earlier this year, Mr. Mohn acquired beneficial ownership of $355,813,000 aggregate principal amount of Transocean Inc.’s 0.5% Exchangeable Senior Bonds due 2023, including exchangeable bonds acquired by Perestroika AS (an entity affiliated with Mr. Mohn) as part of our private exchange offers undertaken to refinance certain of Songa Offshore’s previously outstanding indebtedness. These exchangeable bonds bear interest at an annual rate of 0.5%, payable semiannually, and are exchangeable into shares of Transocean Ltd. at any time at the option of the holder. In connection with our acquisition of Songa Offshore, we also entered into a registration rights agreement with certain affiliates of Asia Research & Capital Management and Perestroika

AS, each of whom is one of our significant stockholders. This registration rights agreement provides them with certain customary registration rights over the exchangeable bonds they received as part of our private exchange offers undertaken to refinance certain of Songa Offshore’s previously outstanding indebtedness and, in the case of Perestroika AS, any shares and exchangeable bonds that Perestroika AS received in the acquisition as a former shareholder of Songa Offshore or that it may acquire in the future.

Director Attendance at Annual General Meeting. We expect all of our directors to attend the 2018 Annual General Meeting. At the 2017 Annual General Meeting, all directors then serving on the Board of Directors were in attendance.

Board Meetings and Committees

During 2017, the Board of Directors of Transocean Ltd. held four meetings. The Board of Directors and the committees of the Board of Directors met at least once a quarter and the quarterly meetings generally occurred over a period of two days. Each of our directors attended at least 80% of the meetings following their election, including meetings of committees on which the director served.

The Board of Directors has standing Audit, Compensation, Finance, Corporate Governance, and Health, Safety and Environment Committees. As noted above, the charters for these committees may be found on our website at: www.deepwater.com by selecting the Governance page in the Investors section dropdown. In addition, the Board of Directors may from time to time form special committees to consider particular matters that arise.

Compensation Committee. The purpose of the Compensation Committee is to assist the Board of Directors in (1) developing an appropriate compensation program and benefit package for (a) members of the Executive Management Team (as defined below), (b) persons defined as “officers” pursuant to section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, and (c) any other person whose compensation is required to be disclosed by applicable securities laws and regulations (collectively, the “Specified Executives”) and members of the Board of Directors; and (2) complying with the Board of Directors’ legal and regulatory requirements as to Board member and Specified Executives compensation in order to facilitate the Company’s ability to attract, retain and motivate qualified individuals in a system that aligns compensation with the Company’s business performance. The authority and responsibilities of the Compensation Committee include, among others, the following:

See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” for a discussion of additional responsibilities of the Compensation Committee.

The Compensation Committee may delegate specific responsibilities to one or more individual committee members to the extent permitted by law, NYSE listing standards and the Compensation Committee’s governing documents. The Compensation Committee may delegate all or a portion of its powers and responsibilities with respect to the compensation plans and programs described above and in our “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” to one or more of our management committees; provided, that the Compensation Committee retains all power and responsibility with respect to awards granted to our Board members and executive officers. The Chief Executive Officer has been delegated authority to grant equity awards under the Company’s long‑term incentives plans to new and existing employees of the Company, excluding executive officers and other officers above the Vice President level, provided that such awards shall not exceed U.S. $5,000,000 in grant value per calendar year in aggregate and no such individual award shall exceed U.S. $350,000 in grant value.

The Compensation Committee has delegated to a subcommittee composed of its chairman and at least one additional committee member the authority to approve interim compensation actions resulting from promotions, competitive realignment, or the hiring of new executive officers (excluding the Chief Executive Officer), including but not limited to establishing annual base salary, annual bonus targets, long‑term bonus targets and the grant of equity awards, subject to any required vote of the shareholders. The Compensation Committee has also delegated authority to the Chief Executive Officer to, upon termination of service of an employee of the Company (excluding executive officers and other officers at or above the Senior Vice President level), accelerate vesting of awards granted under the Company’s long‑term incentives plans and to extend exercisability of options for a period of up to one year, but not beyond the original exercise period. The Compensation Committee has further delegated authority to the Chief Executive Officer to determine whether an individual is disabled and/or to set applicable criteria for making such determination for purposes of the Company’s long‑term incentives plans. The Compensation Committee is notified of compensation actions made by the Chief Executive Officer or the subcommittee at the meeting following the end of each calendar quarter in which such actions are taken.

The current members of the Compensation Committee are Mr. Tan, Chairman, and Messrs. Curado and Intrieri. Martin B. McNamara was also a member of the Compensation Committee prior to his retirement from the Board of Directors on January 30, 2018. The Compensation Committee met four times during 2017.

Finance Committee. The Finance Committee approves our long‑term financial policies, insurance programs and investment policies. It also makes recommendations to the Board of Directors concerning the Company’s dividend policy, securities repurchase actions, the issuance and terms of debt and equity securities and the establishment of bank lines of credit. In addition, the Finance Committee approves the creation, termination and amendment of certain of our employee benefit programs and periodically reviews the status of these programs and the performance of the managers of the funded programs.

The current members of the Finance Committee are Mr. Muller, Chairman, and Messrs. Barker, Intrieri and Merksamer. Ms. Chang also served on the Finance Committee in 2017 and continued this service until February 8, 2018, when she accepted a new assignment on the Corporate Governance Committee. The Finance Committee met four times during 2017.

Corporate Governance Committee. The Corporate Governance Committee makes recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to the nomination of candidates for election to the Board of Directors, how the Board of Directors functions and how the Board of Directors should interact with shareholders and management. It also develops and recommends to the Board a set of corporate governance principles applicable to the Company, coordinates the self‑evaluation of the Board of Directors and its committees, and reviews the qualifications of and proposes to the Board of Directors candidates to stand for election at the next general meeting of shareholders.

The current members of the Corporate Governance Committee are Mr. Intrieri, Chairman, Mr. Deaton and Ms. Chang, who became a member of the Committee on February 8, 2018. Mr. McNamara was also a member and the chair of the Corporate Governance Committee prior to his retirement from the Board of Directors on January 30, 2018. The Corporate Governance Committee met four times during 2017.

Health, Safety and Environment Committee. The Health, Safety and Environment Committee assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling its responsibilities to oversee the Company’s management of risk in the areas of health, safety and the environment. The Health, Safety and Environment Committee reviews and discusses with management the status of key environmental, health and safety issues. Additionally, the Health, Safety and Environment Committee regularly evaluates Company policies, practices and performance related to health, safety and environmental issues and guides strategy decisions to promote company goals and compliance with applicable rules and regulations. The Health, Safety and Environment Committee in 2013 assumed additional responsibility to oversee the Company’s implementation of certain requirements of the Consent Decree by and among the U.S. Department of Justice and certain of the Company’s affiliates. The Health, Safety and Environment Committee has required the Company to provide, and reviews, regular reports regarding compliance with all aspects of the Consent Decree.

The current members of the Health, Safety and Environment Committee are Mr. Deaton, Chairman, and Messrs. Merksamer, Muller and Tan. Mr. Mohn also joined the Health, Safety and Environment Committee on February 8, 2018. The Health, Safety and Environment Committee met four times during 2017.

Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is responsible for recommending the selection, retention and termination of our independent registered public accountants and our auditor pursuant to the Swiss Code of Obligations to the Board of Directors and to our shareholders for their approval at a general meeting of shareholders. The Audit Committee is directly responsible for the compensation and oversight of our independent registered public accountants and our auditor pursuant to the Swiss Code of Obligations. The Audit Committee further advises as necessary in the selection of the lead audit partner. The Audit Committee also monitors the integrity of our financial statements and the independence and performance of our auditors and their lead audit partner and reviews our financial reporting processes. The Audit Committee reviews and reports to the Board of Directors the scope and results of audits by our independent registered public accounting firm, our auditor pursuant to the Swiss Code of Obligations and our internal auditing staff and reviews the audit and other professional services rendered by the accounting firm. It also reviews with the accounting firm the adequacy of our system of internal controls. It reviews transactions between us and our directors and officers for disclosure in the proxy statement, our policies regarding those transactions and compliance with our business ethics and conflict of interest policies.

The Board of Directors requires that all members of the Audit Committee meet the financial literacy standard required under the NYSE rules and that at least one member qualifies as having accounting or related financial management expertise under the NYSE rules. In addition, the SEC has adopted rules requiring that we disclose whether or not the Audit Committee has an “audit committee financial expert” as a member. An “audit committee financial expert” is defined as a person who, based on his or her experience, possesses all of the following attributes:

The person must have acquired such attributes through one or more of the following:

 

The current members of the Audit Committee are Mr. Barker, Chairman, Ms. Chang, Mr. Curado and Mr. Mohn, who joined the Audit Committee on February 8, 2018. The Audit Committee met eight times during 2017.

The Board of Directors has reviewed the criteria set by the SEC and determined that each of the current members of the Audit Committee is “financially literate” and qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert.” In addition, the Board of Directors has determined that each of the current members of the Audit Committee qualifies under NYSE rules as having accounting or related financial management expertise. Mr. Barker is a chartered accountant, served as an audit partner in an accounting firm and served as the Vice Chairman‑U.K. of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 2008 to 2011. Ms. Chang was previously partner in charge of Corporate Finance for KPMG Peat Marwick LLP. Mr. Curado is the Chief Executive Officer of Ultrapar S.A. and he has significant risk management and compliance experience.

In addition to Mr. Barker’s membership on the Audit Committee, he also serves on the audit committees of Berkley Group Holdings plc and Aviva plc. Pursuant to NYSE rules, the Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Barker’s service on the audit committees of such companies would not impair his ability to effectively serve on the Company’s Audit Committee.

In addition to Ms. Chang’s membership on the Audit Committee, she also serves on the audit committees of Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated, Edison International and certain funds advised by the Capital Group of Companies, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Pursuant to NYSE rules, the Board of Directors has determined that Ms. Chang’s service on the audit committees of such companies would not impair her ability to effectively serve on the Company’s Audit Committee.

Finally, NYSE rules restrict directors who have relationships with the Company that may interfere with the exercise of their independence from management and the Company from serving on the Audit Committee. We believe that the members of the Audit Committee have no such relationships and are therefore independent for purposes of NYSE rules.

Director Compensation Strategy

Directors who are employees of the Company do not receive compensation for Board of Directors’ service. At present, all of the directors except Mr. Thigpen, our President and Chief Executive Officer, are non‑employees and receive compensation for their service on the Board of Directors.

We use a combination of cash and equity compensation to attract and retain qualified candidates to serve on the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors believes that any compensation method should be weighted more toward compensation in the form of equity in order to more closely align director compensation with shareholders’ interests.

In 2017, non‑employee director compensation in U.S. dollars included the following fixed components:

 

In addition, we pay or reimburse our directors’ travel and incidental expenses incurred for attending Board of Directors, committee and shareholder meetings and for other Company business‑related purposes.

2017 Director Compensation

In 2017, each non‑employee member of the Board of Directors received the compensation described above.

At the Board of Directors meeting held immediately after the 2017 Annual General Meeting of our shareholders, the Board of Directors granted 19,301 restricted share units to each non‑employee director (other than the Chairman) and 29,871 restricted share units to the non‑employee Chairman in aggregate value equal to U.S. $210,000 and U.S. $325,000, respectively, based upon the average of the high and low sales prices of our shares for the 10 trading days immediately prior to the date of grant (calculated at U.S. $10.88 per share). Each non‑employee director is required to acquire and retain a number of our shares and/or restricted share units at least equal in value to an amount five times the annual director retainer. Each non‑employee director’s vested restricted share units generally are not settled until the non‑employee director’s service with the Company ends.

The following summarizes the compensation of our non‑employee directors for 2017.