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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 29, 2009
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Nabors Industries Ltd.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
BERMUDA
(State or other jurisdiction of organization of incorporation)
1381
(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code number)
98-0363970
(I.R.S. Employer Identification number)
MINTFLOWER PLACE
8 PAR-LA-VILLE ROAD
HAMILTON, HM08
BERMUDA
TELEPHONE: (441) 292-1510
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
registrants principal executive offices)
Laura W. Doerre
Vice President and General Counsel
Nabors Corporate Services, Inc.
515 West Greens Road, Suite 1200
Houston, Texas 77067
Telephone: (281) 874-0035
(Name and address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service of process)
With a copy to:
Arnold B. Peinado, III Esq.
Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP
1 Chase Manhattan Plaza
New York, New York 10005
Telephone: (212) 530-5000
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the
effective date of the Registration Statement.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or
interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. o
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or
continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities
offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment
plans, check the following box. þ
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule
462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration
statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for
the same offering. o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities
Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the
earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a
post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission
pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following
box. þ
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to
General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of
securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated
filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of large
accelerated filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act. (Check one):
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Large accelerated filer
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Accelerated filer
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Non-accelerated filer o
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Smaller reporting company o |
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(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
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CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Proposed maximum |
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Proposed maximum |
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Title of each class of |
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Amount to be |
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offering price per |
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aggregate offering |
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Amount of |
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securities to be registered |
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registered |
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unit(1) |
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price(1) |
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Registration Fee |
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Common shares of Nabors Industries Ltd.
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104,520
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$16.795
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$1,755,413.40
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$97.95 |
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(1) |
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Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c)
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, based on the average high and low price per share
of Nabors Industries Ltd. on May 21, 2009, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange
($16.795 per
share). |
PROSPECTUS
Nabors Industries Ltd.
Up to 104,520 Shares
Nabors Industries Ltd.
Common Shares ($0.001 par value per share)
This prospectus relates to the common shares of Nabors Industries Ltd., a Bermuda exempted
company, issuable upon exchange or redemption of the exchangeable shares of Nabors Exchangeco
(Canada) Inc., a Canadian corporation and an indirect subsidiary of ours, which we
call Exchangeco in this prospectus.
The exchangeable shares were issued to former shareholders of:
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Enserco Energy Service Company Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws
of Canada (which we refer to a Enserco in this prospectus), in connection with our
acquisition of Enserco in 2002; and |
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Ryan Energy Technologies Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of
Alberta, Canada (which we refer to as Ryan in this prospectus), in connection with our
acquisition of Ryan in 2002. |
Each exchangeable share may be exchanged for one of our common shares, plus the aggregate
amount of dividends payable and unpaid, if any, on each such exchangeable share. In some cases,
Exchangeco may redeem each exchangeable share for one of our common shares plus the aggregate
amount of dividends payable and unpaid, if any, on each such exchangeable share. In addition,
3064297 Nova Scotia Company, an unlimited liability company organized under the laws of Nova
Scotia, Canada, and our indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary (which we refer to as Callco in this
prospectus) may require an exchange of your exchangeable shares for our common shares if you
exercise your retraction rights or exchange rights or where Exchangeco exercises its redemption
rights.
Because our common shares offered by this prospectus will be issued in exchange for, or upon
the redemption of, the exchangeable shares, we will not receive any cash proceeds from the issuance
of our common shares upon exchange of exchangeable shares in connection with this offering. As of
December 1, 2008 there were 104,520 exchangeable shares outstanding.
We are paying all expenses of registration incurred in connection with this offering.
We may provide further terms relating to our common shares by way of supplements to this
prospectus.
Our common shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol NBR and common
shares sold pursuant to this prospectus will be listed on that exchange, subject to official notice
of issuance.
Investing in our common shares involves
risk. See Risk Factors beginning on page 4 of this
prospectus as well as under similar headings in any supplement to this prospectus, related free
writing prospectus and documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or
disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
May 29, 2009
No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to give any information or to represent
anything not contained in this prospectus. You must not rely on any unauthorized information or
representations. This prospectus is an offer to sell only the securities offered hereby, but only
under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. The information contained in
this prospectus is current only as of its date.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
As used in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement:
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Nabors, we, our, and us generally means Nabors Industries Ltd., a Bermuda
exempted company, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise
requires; |
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Exchangeco means Nabors Exchangeco (Canada) Inc., a Canadian corporation and our
indirect subsidiary; and |
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Callco means 3064297 Nova Scotia Company, an unlimited liability company organized
under the laws of Nova Scotia, Canada, and our indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary. |
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the SEC) utilizing a shelf registration process. As Nabors is a
well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
Securities Act), the registration statement is automatically effective once filed with the SEC,
allowing Nabors to issue common shares under this prospectus.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of our common shares. We may provide
a prospectus supplement which details further information about the terms of the offering or adds,
updates or changes information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between
the information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, you should rely on the
information in the prospectus supplement.
The registration statement containing this prospectus, including the exhibits to the
registration statement, provides additional information about us and the securities able to be
offered under this prospectus. The registration statement, including the exhibits, can be read at
the SEC website or at the SEC office mentioned under the heading Where You Can Find More
Information.
You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this
prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide
you with different information. We are not making an offer or soliciting a purchase of these
securities in any jurisdiction in which the offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the
person making the offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is
unlawful to make the offer or solicitation. You should not assume that the information in this
prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front
of such document. Our business, financial condition or results of operations may have changed
since that date.
THIS PROSPECTUS INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE IMPORTANT BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT
US THAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN OR DELIVERED WITH THIS PROSPECTUS. COPIES OF THE INCORPORATED DOCUMENTS
(OTHER THAN EXHIBITS TO SUCH DOCUMENTS, UNLESS SUCH EXHIBITS ARE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE THEREIN)
WILL BE FURNISHED UPON WRITTEN OR ORAL REQUEST WITHOUT CHARGE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS
PROSPECTUS IS DELIVERED. REQUESTS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO NABORS
INDUSTRIES LTD.,
MINTFLOWER PLACE, 8 PAR-LA-VILLE ROAD, HAMILTON, HM08, BERMUDA,
ATTENTION: CORPORATE SECRETARY,
PHONE NUMBER (441)
292-1510 OR VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT HTTP://WWW.NABORS.COM. WEBSITE MATERIALS ARE NOT PART OF THIS
PROSPECTUS.
Unless otherwise indicated, all dollar amounts in this prospectus are expressed in U.S.
dollars.
ABOUT NABORS INDUSTRIES LTD.
Nabors became the publicly traded parent company of the Nabors group of companies, effective
June 24, 2002, pursuant to a corporate reorganization. Nabors common shares are traded on the New
York Stock Exchange under the symbol NBR.
We are the largest land drilling contractor in the world, with approximately 534 actively
marketed land drilling rigs. We conduct oil, gas and geothermal land drilling operations in the
U.S. Lower 48 states, Alaska, Canada,
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South America, Mexico, the Caribbean, the Middle East, the Far East, Russia and Africa. We
are also one of the largest land well-servicing and workover contractors in the United States and
Canada. We actively market approximately 591 land workover and well-servicing rigs in the United
States, primarily in the southwestern and western United States, and actively market approximately
172 land workover and
well-servicing rigs in Canada. Nabors is a leading provider of offshore
platform workover and drilling rigs, and actively markets 39 platform rigs, 13 jack-up units and 3
barge rigs in the United States and multiple international markets. These rigs provide
well-servicing, workover and drilling services. We have a 51% ownership interest in a joint
venture in Saudi Arabia, which owns and actively markets 9 rigs in addition to the rigs we lease to
the joint venture.
We also offer a wide range of ancillary well-site services, including engineering,
transportation, construction, maintenance, well logging, directional drilling, rig instrumentation,
data collection and other support services in selected domestic and international markets. We
provide logistics services for onshore drilling in Canada using helicopters and fixed-wing
aircraft. We manufacture and lease or sell top drives for a broad range of drilling applications,
directional drilling systems, rig instrumentation and data collection equipment, pipeline handling
equipment and rig reporting software. We also invest in oil and gas exploration, development and
production activities in the United States, Canada and International areas through both our wholly
owned subsidiaries and our separate joint venture entities in which we have 49.7% ownership
interests in the U.S. and international entities and a 50% ownership interest in the Canadian
entity.
The majority of our business is conducted through our various Contract Drilling operating
segments, which include our drilling, workover and well-servicing operations, on land and offshore.
Our oil and gas exploration, development and production operations are included in a category
labeled Oil and Gas for segment reporting purposes. Our operating segments engaged in drilling
technology and top drive manufacturing, directional drilling, rig instrumentation and software, and
construction and logistics operations are aggregated in a category labeled Other Operating Segments
for segment reporting purposes.
Nabors was formed as a Bermuda exempt company on December 11, 2001. Through predecessors and
acquired entities, Nabors has been continuously operating in the drilling sector since the early
1900s. Nabors principal executive offices are located at Mintflower Place, 8 Par-La-Ville Road,
Hamilton, HM08, Bermuda and its telephone number at that address is (441) 292-1510.
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
We often discuss expectations regarding our future markets, demand for our products and
services, and our performance in our offering memoranda, registration statements, prospectuses,
annual and quarterly reports, press releases, and other written and oral statements. Statements
that relate to matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). These forward-looking
statements are based on an analysis of currently available competitive, financial and economic
data and our operating plans. We do not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statements
that we may make in this prospectus or other documents, reports, filings or press releases, whether
as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. They are inherently uncertain and
investors should recognize that events and actual results could turn out to be significantly
different from our expectations. By way of illustration, when used in this document, words such as
anticipate, believe, expect, plan, intend, estimate, project, will, should,
could, may, predict and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking
statements. You should consider the following key factors when evaluating these forward-looking
statements:
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fluctuations in worldwide prices of and demand for natural gas and oil; |
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fluctuations in levels of natural gas and oil exploration and development activities; |
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fluctuations in the demand for our services; |
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the existence of competitors, technological changes and developments in the oilfield
services industry; |
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the existence of operating risks inherent in the oilfield services industry; |
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the existence of regulatory and legislative uncertainties; |
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the possibility of changes in tax laws; |
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the possibility of political instability, war or acts of terrorism in any of the
countries in which we do business; and |
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general economic conditions including the capital and credit markets. |
The above description of risks and uncertainties is by no means all-inclusive, but is designed
to highlight what we believe are important factors to consider. For a more detailed description of
risk factors, please see the section entitled Risk Factors below and in Exhibit 99.1 of our
Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 29, 2009, under Part 1, Item 1A, Risk
Factors.
All forward-looking statements in this prospectus are based on information available to us on
the date of this prospectus. We do not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statements
that we may make in this prospectus or other documents, reports, filings or press releases, whether
as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
RISK FACTORS
Investing in our common shares involves risks. You should carefully consider the risks
described in Exhibit 99.1 of our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 29, 2009, under
Part 1, Item 1A, Risk Factors, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus, the other
information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the risk factors
described below. We may include additional risk factors, if appropriate, in a prospectus
supplement.
The risks described below and incorporated by reference are not the only ones that we may
face. Additional risks that are not currently known to us or that we currently consider immaterial
may also impair our business, financial condition or results of operations.
The exchange of your exchangeable shares is generally taxable
Based on the tax laws as of the date of this prospectus, the exchange of exchangeable shares
for our common shares is generally a taxable event in Canada and may be a taxable event in the
United States. A holders tax consequences can vary depending on a number of factors, including
the residency of the holder, the method of the exchange and the length of time that the
exchangeable shares were held prior to the exchange. Canadian and United States federal income tax
consequences will vary depending on your particular circumstances. We strongly urge you to consult
your tax advisor as to the tax consequences of exchanging your exchangeable shares for our common
shares. See Income Tax Considerations.
The market price of our common shares may be less than the market price of the exchangeable shares
Our common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and the exchangeable shares are
listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (the TSX). As a result, the price at which the exchangeable
shares trade is based upon the market for such shares on the TSX, and the price
at which our common shares trade is based upon the market for such shares on the New York Stock
Exchange. Although Nabors believes that the market price of the
exchangeable shares on the TSX and the market price of the our common shares on
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the New York Stock Exchange should reflect essentially equivalent values, there can be no
assurance that the market price of our common shares is identical, or even similar, to the market
price of the exchangeable shares.
Our
common shares will be a qualified investment for deferred income plans for Canadian tax purposes
So
long as our common shares are listed on a designated stock exchange, which
includes the New York Stock Exchange, our common shares will be a
qualified investment for registered retirement savings plans,
registered retirement income funds, registered education savings
plans, registered disability savings plans, deferred profit sharing
plans, and tax-free savings
accounts under the Income Tax Act (Canada).
However,
you may be required to limit your investment in our common shares or risk incurring penalties
under the Income Tax Act (Canada) if you are a tax-free savings account.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Because our common shares will be issued in exchange for exchangeable shares, we will not
receive any cash proceeds upon the issuance of our common shares upon exchange or redemption of the
exchangeable shares.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Exchangeable Shares
Our common shares may be issued to you in exchange for your exchangeable shares in the
following ways:
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You may require Exchangeco to exchange your exchangeable shares for an equivalent number
of our common shares. We refer to this as your retraction rights. |
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Exchangeco may redeem your exchangeable shares for our common shares at
any time on or after October 10, 2007. We refer to this as our redemption rights. |
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Upon our liquidation or the liquidation or insolvency of Exchangeco, you may be required
to, or may choose to, exchange your exchangeable shares for our common shares. We refer to
these rights as your exchange rights. |
In addition, Callco may exercise call rights over your exchangeable shares as described under
Callcos Call Rights below. These call rights permit Callco to require an exchange of your
exchangeable shares for our common shares if you exercise your retraction rights or exchange rights
or in any circumstance where Exchangeco exercises
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its redemption rights. We are also permitted
to exercise the call right identified below as
the change of law call right. Callco recently exercised
its redemption call right and
consequently, you will receive our common shares through an exchange with Callco, as opposed to a
redemption by Exchangeco, of your exchangeable shares for our common shares. While the
consideration received upon an exchange with Callco or Nabors or a redemption by Exchangeco will be
the same, the tax consequences will be substantially different. These call rights are described
below and are respectively called the:
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retraction call right; |
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redemption call right; |
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liquidation call right; and |
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change of law call right. |
Your Retraction Rights
Subject to applicable law and Callcos retraction call right described in this prospectus, you
are entitled at any time to retract, or require Exchangeco to redeem, any or all of your
exchangeable shares and to receive an equal number of our common shares plus the aggregate amount
of dividends payable and unpaid, if any, on each such exchangeable share. You may exercise your
retraction rights by presenting to the transfer agent for the exchangeable shares or Exchangeco:
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a certificate or certificates representing the number of exchangeable shares you desire
to retract; |
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any other documents as may be required to effect the retraction of such exchangeable
shares; and |
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a duly executed retraction request: |
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specifying the number of exchangeable shares you desire to retract; |
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stating the retraction date on which you desire to have Exchangeco
redeem your exchangeable shares, which must be between 10 and 15 business days from
the date Exchangeco receives the request; and |
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acknowledging Callcos overriding retraction call right to purchase all
but not less than all of the retracted shares directly from you and that the
retraction request will be deemed to be a revocable offer by you to sell the
retracted shares to Callco in accordance with Callcos retraction call right on the
terms and conditions described below. |
Exchangeco will promptly notify Callco upon receipt of a retraction request. In order to
exercise its retraction call right, Callco must notify Exchangeco of its determination to do so
within five business days of Exchangecos receipt of the retraction request. If Callco delivers
the call notice to Exchangeco within five business days, and you have not revoked your retraction
request, Exchangeco will not redeem the retracted shares and Callco will purchase from you the
retracted shares on the retraction date. If Callco does not timely deliver the call notice and you
have not revoked your retraction request, Exchangeco will redeem the retracted shares on the
retraction date. In the event that Callco exercises its retraction call right, the closing of the
purchase and sale of the retracted shares under the retraction call right will be deemed to occur
as at the close of business on the retraction date, and no redemption by Exchangeco of the
retracted shares will take place on the retraction date.
You may revoke a retraction request by giving notice in writing to Exchangeco at any time
prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the retraction date, in
which case the retracted shares will neither be purchased by Callco nor be redeemed by Exchangeco.
If the retraction request is not revoked on or prior to the close of business on the business day
immediately preceding the retraction date, the retracted shares will either
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be purchased by Callco or redeemed by Exchangeco. Callco or Exchangeco, as the case may be,
will then deliver or cause Exchangecos transfer agent to deliver the retraction price to you by
mailing:
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certificates representing the number of our common shares equal to the number of
exchangeable shares purchased or redeemed, registered in your name or such other name as
you may request; and |
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if applicable, a check payable to you for the aggregate amount of dividends payable and
unpaid on each such exchangeable share, |
to the address recorded in the securities register of Exchangeco or to the address specified in
your retraction request or by holding the same for you to pick up at the registered office of
Exchangeco or the office of Exchangecos transfer agent as specified by Exchangeco, in each case
less any amounts required to be withheld because of applicable taxes.
If, as a result of solvency requirements or applicable law, Exchangeco is not permitted to
redeem all of your exchangeable shares specified in the retraction request, and provided Callco has
not exercised its retraction call right with respect to such retracted shares, Exchangeco will
redeem only those retracted shares requested by you (rounded down to a whole number of shares) as
would not be contrary to provisions of applicable law. The trustee under the voting and exchange
trust agreement, on your behalf, will require us to purchase the retracted shares not redeemed by
Exchangeco or purchased by Callco on the retraction date or as soon as reasonably practicable after
the retraction date, under your exchange rights.
Exchangecos
Redemption Rights
Subject to applicable law and Callcos redemption call rights discussed below,
on a redemption date, Exchangeco will redeem all of the then outstanding exchangeable shares in exchange
for an equal number of our common shares, plus the aggregate amount of dividends payable and
unpaid, if any, on each such exchangeable share. Notwithstanding any proposed redemption of the
exchangeable shares you may initiate, Exchangeco has an overriding right to acquire
on a redemption date all but not less than all of the outstanding
exchangeable shares (other than exchangeable shares held by us or our
affiliates) in
exchange for an equal number of our common shares, plus the amount of all payable and unpaid
dividends, if any, on each such exchangeable share.
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Exchangeco
is entitled to exercise its redemption rights at any time after
October 9, 2007. On May 26, 2009 Exchangecos Board of Directors
passed a resolution authorizing the establishment of, and it has established, July 31, 2009 as the
redemption date. The required notice was provided to Callco which exercised its redemption
call right; see Callcos Call Rights Redemption Call Right below. Exchangeco is in the process
of providing or has provided current holders of exchangeable shares with written notice of the purchase of the exchangeable shares by Callco
under its redemption call right.
Your Exchange Rights
Liquidation and Insolvency Rights with Respect to Exchangeco. Subject to Callcos liquidation call
right described below, in the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of Exchangeco or
any other distribution of assets of Exchangeco among its shareholders for the purpose of winding-up
its affairs, you will be entitled to receive for each exchangeable share one of our common shares,
together with all dividends payable and unpaid on such exchangeable share, if any.
In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of Exchangeco or any other proposed
distribution of the assets of Exchangeco among its shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its
affairs, holders of the exchangeable shares will have, subject to applicable law, preferential
rights to receive from Exchangeco, for each exchangeable share held, an amount equal to the market
price of our common shares on the last business day prior to the liquidation, which amount shall be
paid by the delivery to such holders of one of our common shares for each exchangeable share held
plus the aggregate amount of dividends payable and unpaid on each such exchangeable share, if any.
Upon the occurrence of such liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, Callco will have an overriding
right to purchase all of the outstanding exchangeable shares (other than exchangeable shares held
by us and our affiliates) from the holders of the exchangeable shares on the effective date of such
liquidation, dissolution or winding-up for a purchase price per share equal to the market price of
our common shares on the last business day prior to the liquidation (which amount shall be paid by
the delivery to such holders of one of our common shares for each exchangeable share held), plus,
to the extent it is not paid by Exchangeco, the aggregate amount of dividends payable and unpaid,
if any, on each such exchangeable share.
Upon,
and during the continuance of, any insolvency of Exchangeco, a holder of exchangeable shares
will be entitled to instruct the trustee under the voting and exchange trust agreement to exercise
the exchange rights with respect to any or all of the exchangeable shares held by such holder,
thereby requiring us to purchase such exchangeable shares from the holder. As soon as practicable
following the occurrence of such an insolvency of Exchangeco or any event which would, with the
passage of time and/or the giving of notice, lead to insolvency of Exchangeco, we and Exchangeco
will give written notice of an insolvency or such event to the trustee. As soon as practicable
after the delivery of such notice, the trustee will then notify each holder of exchangeable shares
of such event or potential event and will advise the holder of its rights with respect to the
insolvency exchange right. The purchase price payable by us for each exchangeable share purchased
under this right will be satisfied by the issuance of one of our common shares plus, to the extent
not paid by Exchangeco, the aggregate amount of dividends payable and unpaid, if any, on each such
exchangeable share.
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An insolvency event will occur in respect of Exchangeco upon:
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the institution by Exchangeco of any proceeding to be adjudicated as bankrupt or
insolvent or to be wound up, or the consent of Exchangeco to the institution of bankruptcy,
insolvency or winding-up proceedings against it; |
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the filing of a petition, answer or consent seeking dissolution or winding-up under any
bankruptcy, insolvency or analogous laws, including the Companies Creditors Arrangement
Act (Canada) and the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada), and Exchangecos failure to
contest in good faith such proceedings commenced in respect of Exchangeco within 30 days of
becoming aware of the proceedings, or the consent by Exchangeco to the filing of any such
petition or to the appointment of a receiver; |
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the making by Exchangeco of a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the
admission in writing by Exchangeco of its inability to pay its debts generally as they come
due; or |
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Exchangeco not being permitted, under solvency requirements of applicable law, to redeem
any retracted exchangeable shares in accordance with the exchangeable share conditions. |
Liquidation with Respect to Nabors. In order for the holders of the exchangeable shares to
participate on a pro rata basis with the holders of our common shares in the event of our
liquidation, immediately prior to the effective date of a liquidation event, each exchangeable
share will automatically be exchanged for an equivalent number of our common shares, plus, to the
extent not paid by Exchangeco, the aggregate amount of dividends payable and unpaid, if any, on
each such exchangeable share. Upon a holders request and surrender of exchangeable share
certificates, duly endorsed in blank and accompanied by such instruments of transfer as we may
reasonably require, we will deliver to such holder certificates representing an equivalent number
of our common shares plus, to the extent not paid by Exchangeco, the aggregate amount of dividends
payable and unpaid, if any, on exchangeable shares for each exchangeable share exchanged under this
exchange right.
A liquidation event will occur in respect of Nabors upon:
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determination by the Nabors board to institute voluntary liquidation, dissolution, or
winding-up proceedings with respect to Nabors or to effect any other distribution of its
assets among its shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs, at least 60 days
prior to the proposed effective date of such liquidation, dissolution, winding-up or other
distribution; or |
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receipt by Nabors of notice of, or Nabors otherwise becoming aware of, any threatened or
instituted claim, suit, petition or other proceedings with respect to the involuntary
liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of Nabors or to effect any distribution of assets of
Nabors among its shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its affairs, in each case where
Nabors has failed to contest in good faith any such proceeding commenced in respect of
Nabors within 30 days of becoming aware of the proceeding. |
Callcos Call Rights
In the circumstances described below, Callco and, in the case of the change of law call right,
we will have overriding call rights to acquire your exchangeable shares by delivering an equal
number of our common shares, plus all dividends then payable but unpaid on the exchangeable shares.
DIFFERENT CANADIAN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES MAY ARISE DEPENDING UPON WHETHER WE OR CALLCO
EXERCISE THE CALL RIGHTS OR WHETHER YOUR EXCHANGEABLE SHARES ARE REDEEMED BY EXCHANGECO. See
Income Tax Considerations Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations. In any circumstance
where Exchangeco is required to purchase your exchangeable shares, we may cause Callco to acquire
from us and deliver to you our common shares. In addition, we and Callco will have an overriding
call right on your exchangeable shares if there are changes to Canadian tax laws permitting you to
exchange your exchangeable shares without recognizing any gain or loss or any actual or deemed
dividend in respect of such exchange. If and when Callco or, if applicable, Nabors, acquires your
exchangeable shares as a result of exercise of the call rights, neither of them will be entitled to
exercise any of the voting rights attached to your exchangeable shares.
9
Retraction Call Right. If you request the redemption by Exchangeco of your exchangeable shares,
you will be deemed to offer your exchangeable shares to Callco, and Callco will have an overriding
retraction call right to acquire all, but not less than all, of the exchangeable shares that you
have requested Exchangeco to redeem in exchange for an equal number of our common shares, plus the
aggregate amount of dividends payable and unpaid, if any, on each such exchangeable share. Upon
the exercise of Callcos retraction call right, you will be obligated to transfer your exchangeable
shares to Callco.
Redemption Call Right. Callco has an
overriding redemption call right to acquire on a
redemption date all, but not less than all, of the exchangeable shares
then outstanding (other than exchangeable shares held by Nabors and its affiliates) in exchange for
an equal number of our common shares, plus the aggregate amount of dividends payable and unpaid, if
any, on each such exchangeable share, and, upon the exercise of Callcos redemption call right, you
will be obligated to transfer your shares to Callco. Callco exercised its redemption call right
after July 31, 2009 was established as the redemption date.
Liquidation Call Right. Callco
has an overriding liquidation call right, in the event
of and notwithstanding a proposed liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of Exchangeco or any other
distribution of the assets of Exchangeco among its shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its
affairs, to acquire all, but not less than all, of the exchangeable shares then outstanding (other
than exchangeable shares held by Nabors and its affiliates) in exchange for an equal number of our
common shares, plus the aggregate amount of dividends payable and unpaid, if any, on each such
exchangeable share. Upon the exercise of Callcos liquidation call right, you will be obligated to
transfer your exchangeable shares to Callco. Callcos acquisition of all of the outstanding
exchangeable shares upon the exercise of the liquidation call right will occur on the effective
date of the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of Exchangeco.
Change
of Law Call Right. We and Callco have the overriding right, in the event of any amendment to the
Income Tax Act (Canada) and other applicable Canadian provincial income tax laws that permits
holders of exchangeable shares who are resident in Canada, hold the exchangeable shares as capital
property and deal at arms length with us, Ryan and Enserco (all for the purposes of the Income Tax
Act (Canada) and other applicable Canadian provincial income tax laws) to exchange their
exchangeable shares for our common shares on a basis that will not require such holders to
recognize any gain or loss or any actual or deemed dividend in respect of such exchange for the
purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and other applicable Canadian provincial income tax laws,
to purchase (or to cause Callco to purchase) from all but not less than all of the holders of the
exchangeable shares (other than any holder which is an affiliate of Nabors) all but not less than
all of the exchangeable shares held by each such holder upon payment by Nabors or Callco, as the
case may be, of an amount per share equal to the exchangeable share price applicable on the last
business day prior to the date on which Nabors or Callco intends to purchase such shares. Payment
of the exchangeable share price will be fully satisfied by the delivery for each exchangeable share
of one of our common shares plus the aggregate amount of dividends payable and unpaid, if any, on
each such exchangeable share.
If we or Callco exercise one or more of our call rights, Nabors or Callco will issue or
deliver our common shares to you and will become the holder of your exchangeable shares. If and
when Callco or, if applicable, Nabors, acquires your exchangeable shares under the call rights,
neither of them will be entitled to exercise any of the voting rights attached to your exchangeable
shares. If we or Callco decline to exercise our respective call rights when available, we will be
required to issue our common shares as Exchangeco directs, including to Exchangeco, which will, in
turn, transfer our common shares to you in consideration for the return and cancellation of your
exchangeable shares. In the event we or Callco do not exercise our call rights when applicable and
instead deliver our common shares as Exchangeco directs, you would receive the same consideration,
but the Canadian tax consequences will be substantially different. See Income Tax Considerations
Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations. Callco has
exercised its redemption call
right and consequently, you will receive our common shares through an exchange with Callco, as
opposed to a redemption by Exchangeco, of your exchangeable shares for our common shares.
10
Withholding Rights
Each of Nabors, Callco, Exchangeco, Exchangecos transfer agent and the trustee will be entitled to
deduct and withhold from any dividend or other consideration otherwise payable to any holder of
exchangeable shares or our common shares such amounts as each of Nabors, Callco, Exchangeco,
Exchangecos transfer agent or the trustee is required to deduct and withhold with respect to such
payment under the Income Tax Act (Canada), the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the Code), or any provision of federal, provincial, state, local or foreign tax law. To
the extent that amounts are so withheld, such withheld amounts will be treated for all purposes as
having been paid to the holder of the exchangeable shares or our common shares, as the case may be,
in respect of which the deduction and withholding was made, provided that the withheld amounts are
actually remitted to the appropriate taxing authority. To the extent that the amount required to
be deducted or withheld from any payment to a holder exceeds the cash portion of the dividend or
other consideration otherwise payable to the holder, Nabors, Callco, Exchangeco, Exchangecos
transfer agent and the trustee are authorized to sell or otherwise dispose of the portion of the
consideration necessary to provide sufficient funds to Nabors, Callco, Exchangeco, Exchangecos
transfer agent or the trustee, as the case may be, to enable it to comply with the deduction or
withholding requirement and Nabors, Callco, Exchangeco, Exchangecos transfer agent or the trustee,
as the case may be, will notify the holder and remit to the holder any unapplied balance of the net
proceeds of such sale.
Certain Provisions of Bermuda Law
We have been designated by the Bermuda Monetary Authority as a non-resident for Bermuda
exchange control purposes. This designation allows us to engage in transactions in currencies
other than the Bermuda dollar, and there are no restrictions on our ability to transfer funds
(other than funds denominated in Bermuda dollars) in and out of Bermuda or to pay dividends to
United States residents who are holders of our common shares.
The Bermuda Monetary Authority has given its consent for the issue and free transferability of
our shares, up to the amount of our authorized capital from time to time, to and between
non-residents of Bermuda for exchange control purposes, provided our shares remain listed on an
appointed stock exchange, which includes the New York Stock Exchange. Approvals or permissions
given by the Bermuda Monetary Authority do not constitute a guarantee by the Bermuda Monetary
Authority as to our performance or our creditworthiness. Accordingly, in giving such consent or
permissions, the Bermuda Monetary Authority shall not be liable for the financial soundness,
performance or default of our business or for the correctness of any opinions or statements
expressed in this prospectus. Certain issues and transfers of shares involving persons deemed
resident in Bermuda for exchange control purposes require the specific consent of the Bermuda
Monetary Authority.
This prospectus may be filed with the Registrar of Companies in Bermuda pursuant to Part III
of the Companies Act. In accepting this prospectus for filing, the Registrar of Companies in
Bermuda shall not be liable for the financial soundness, performance or default of our business or
for the correctness of any opinions or statements expressed in this prospectus.
Pursuant to Bermuda law, there is an obligation to issue share certificates. If a share
certificate is requested it can only be issued in the names of the legal entity holding title to
those shares. In the case of a shareholder acting in a special capacity (for example, as a
trustee), certificates may, at the request of the shareholder, record the capacity in which the
shareholder is acting. Notwithstanding such recording of any special capacity, we are not bound to
investigate or see to the execution of any such trust. We will take no notice of any trust
applicable to any of our shares, whether or not we have been notified of such trust.
DESCRIPTION OF AUTHORIZED
SHARE CAPITAL
Nabors authorized share capital consists of 425,000,000 shares divided into 400,000,000 are
common shares, par value $0.001 per share, and 25,000,000 are preferred shares, par value $0.001
per share. The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the provisions of Nabors
Memorandum of Association, dated December 10, 2001
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and Nabors Amended and Restated Bye-Laws, which are both publicly available. See Where
You Can Find More Information. As of May 21, 2009, there were 312,453,986 Nabors common
shares
outstanding, 101,392 exchangeable shares outstanding and one Nabors special voting preferred
share, par value $0.001 per share, outstanding. No other shares of Nabors of any class or series
were outstanding as of May 21, 2009.
Common Shares
Holders of our common shares are entitled to one vote on any question to be decided on a show
of hands and one vote per share on a poll on all matters submitted to a vote of the shareholders of
Nabors. Except as specifically provided in Nabors bye-laws or in The Companies Act 1981
(Bermuda), as amended (the Companies Act), any action to be taken by shareholders at any meeting
at which a quorum is in attendance shall be decided by a majority of the issued shares present in
person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote. There are no limitations imposed by Bermuda
law or Nabors bye-laws on the right of shareholders who are not Bermuda residents to hold or to
vote their Nabors common shares.
Our bye-laws do not provide for cumulative voting. A special general meeting of shareholders
may be called by Nabors board of directors or as otherwise provided by the Companies Act and
applicable law. Any action, except the removal of auditors and directors, required or permitted to
be taken at any annual general or special general meeting of shareholders may be taken by written
consent if the consent is signed by each shareholder, or their proxy, entitled to vote on the
matter.
Holders of Nabors common shares do not have a preemptive or preferential right to purchase any
other securities of Nabors. Nabors common shares have no sinking fund provision.
Price Range of Our Common Shares
Our common shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol NBR. The
following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sale price per share of our
common shares on the New York Stock Exchange.
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High (U.S.$) |
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Low (U.S.$) |
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2006 |
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First Quarter |
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41.35 |
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31.36 |
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Second Quarter |
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40.71 |
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29.75 |
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Third Quarter |
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36.04 |
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28.35 |
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Fourth Quarter |
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34.62 |
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27.26 |
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2007 |
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First Quarter |
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32.74 |
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27.53 |
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Second Quarter |
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36.42 |
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29.59 |
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Third Quarter |
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34.10 |
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27.05 |
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Fourth Quarter |
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31.23 |
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26.00 |
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2008 |
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First Quarter |
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34.14 |
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23.41 |
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Second Quarter |
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50.58 |
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33.06 |
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Third Quarter |
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50.35 |
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22.50 |
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Fourth Quarter |
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24.88 |
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9.72 |
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2009 |
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First Quarter |
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14.05 |
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8.25 |
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On
May 21, 2009, the last sale price reported on the New York Stock Exchange for our common
shares was $16.62 per share. On May 21, 2009, there were 1,813 recordholders of our common shares.
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Dividend Policy
We have not declared or paid any cash dividends on our common shares since 1982.
Subject to any rights and restrictions of any other class or series of shares and to
satisfying the solvency test in §54 of the Companies Act, our board of directors may, from time to
time, declare dividends and other distributions on the issued Nabors common shares and authorize
payment of such dividends and other distributions. Such dividends or other distributions may be in
cash, shares or property of Nabors out of assets or funds legally available therefor.
We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common shares in the foreseeable future.
Preemptive, Redemption, Conversion and Sinking Fund Rights
Holders of our common shares will have no preemptive or preferential right to purchase any
securities of Nabors. Our common shares will not be convertible into shares of any other class or
series or be subject to redemption either by us or the holder of our common shares. Our common
shares have no sinking fund provisions.
Changes to Rights of a Class or Series
Subject to the Companies Act, the rights attached to any class or series of shares of Nabors,
unless otherwise provided by the terms of that class or series, may be altered or abrogated by a
resolution passed at a separate general meeting of the holders of shares of that class, voting in
person or by proxy and representing at least a majority of the issued shares of that class entitled
to vote. Every holder of shares of the relevant class shall be entitled on a poll to one vote for
each share held by such holder and any holder of shares of the relevant class present in person or
by proxy may demand a poll. Outstanding shares will not be deemed to be varied by the creation or
issue of shares that rank in any respect prior to or equivalent with those shares.
Quorum for General Meetings
The holders of shares present in person or by proxy entitling them to exercise a majority of
the voting power of Nabors on the relevant record date shall constitute a quorum to hold a general
meeting of the shareholders.
Rights Upon Liquidation
Upon the liquidation of Nabors, after the full amounts that holders of any issued shares
ranking senior to our common shares as to distribution on liquidation or winding-up are entitled to
receive have been paid or set aside for payment, the holders of our common shares are entitled to
receive, pro rata, any remaining assets of Nabors available for distribution to the holders of
common shares. The liquidator may deduct from the amount payable in respect of those common shares
any liabilities the holder has to or with us. The assets received by the holders of our common
shares in a liquidation may consist in whole or in part of property. That property is not required
to be of the same kind for all shareholders.
Repurchase Rights
Our board of directors may, at its discretion, authorize the purchase by us of our own shares
of any class, at any price (whether at par or above or below par), as long as such purchase is made
in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act.
Compulsory Acquisition of Shares Held By Minority Holders
An acquiring party is generally able to acquire compulsorily the Nabors common shares of
minority holders in one of the following ways:
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By a procedure under the Companies Act known as a scheme of arrangement. A scheme of
arrangement is made by obtaining the consent of Nabors, the consent of the court and
approval of the arrangement by holders of our common shares, (1) representing in the
aggregate a majority in number of the shareholders present at the meeting held to consider
the arrangement and (2) holding at least 75% of all
our issued common shares taken together as a class. If a scheme of arrangement receives all necessary
consents, all |
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holders of our common shares could be compelled to sell their shares under the
terms of the scheme of arrangement. |
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If the acquiring party is a company, by acquiring pursuant to a tender offer 90% of the
shares or class of shares not already owned by the acquiring party (the offeror). If an
offeror has, within four months after the making of an offer for all the shares or class of
shares not owned by the offeror, obtained the approval of or acquired 90% or more of all
the shares to which the offer relates, the offeror may, at any time within two months
beginning with the date on which such approval was obtained or such percentage of shares
were acquired, require by a Notice of Acquisition any nontendering shareholder to
transfer its shares on the same terms as the original offer. In those circumstances,
nontendering shareholders will be compelled to sell their shares. Nontendering
shareholders have a one-month period from the date of the Notice of Acquisition in which to
apply to a court to enjoin the company acquisition. |
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By acquiring, pursuant to a notice given to the remaining shareholders or class of
shareholders, where the acquiring party holds not less than 95% of the shares or the class
of shares of the company, the shares of such remaining shareholders or class of
shareholders. When such a notice is given, the acquiring party is entitled and bound to
acquire the shares of the remaining shareholders on the terms set out in such notice,
unless a remaining shareholder, within one month of receiving such notice, applies to the
court for an appraisal of the value of its shares. This provision only applies where the
acquiring party offers the same terms to all holders of shares whose shares are being
acquired. |
Preferred Shares
Our board of directors is authorized, without further shareholder action, to issue from time
to time up to 25,000,000 preferred shares in one or more classes or series, and fix for each such
class or series such voting power, full or limited, or no voting power, and such designations,
preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights and such qualifications,
limitations or restrictions thereof, as are provided in the resolutions adopted by the board of
directors providing for the issuance of such class or series. Our board of directors in
authorizing such class or series may provide that any such class or series may be:
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subject to redemption at the option of the company or the holders, or both, at such time
or times and at such price or prices; |
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entitled to receive dividends (which may be cumulative or non-cumulative) at such rates,
on such conditions, and at such times, and payable in preference to, or in relation to, the
dividends payable on any other class or classes or any other series; |
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entitled to such rights upon the dissolution of, or upon any distribution of the assets
of, Nabors; or |
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convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or classes of shares,
or of any other series of the same or any other class or classes of shares, of Nabors at
such price or prices or at such rates of exchange and with such adjustments; |
in each case, as set forth in the resolutions authorizing the class or series of preferred shares.
A series of preferred shares, consisting of one share, has been designated as a special voting
preferred share, having a par value of $0.001 per share and a liquidation preference of $0.01. The
special voting preferred share has been issued to Computershare Trust Company of Canada, as
trustee, in connection with our acquisitions of Ryan and Enserco, under a voting and exchange trust
agreement among us, Exchangeco and such trustee. Except as otherwise required by law, our
memorandum of association or our bye-laws, the one special voting preferred share will possess a
number of votes for the election of directors and on all other matters submitted to a vote of our
shareholders equal to the number of outstanding exchangeable shares from time to time not owned by
us or any entity controlled by us. The holders of our common shares and the holder of the special
voting preferred share vote together as a single class on all matters on which holders of our
common shares are eligible to vote. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up,
all outstanding exchangeable shares will automatically be exchanged for shares of our
common shares, and the holder of the special voting preferred share will not be entitled to
receive any assets
14
available for distribution to our shareholders (other than the $0.01 liquidation
preference). The holder of the special voting preferred share will not be entitled to receive
dividends. At such time as the one special voting preferred share has no votes attached to it
because there are no exchangeable shares outstanding not owned by us or an entity controlled by us,
the special voting preferred share will be canceled.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, the transfer agent and registrar for
our common shares is EquiServe.
Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bye-Laws
Our bye-laws have provisions that could have an anti-takeover effect. In addition, our
bye-laws include an advance notice provision which places time limitations on shareholders
nominations of directors and submission of proposals for consideration at an annual general
meeting. These provisions are intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in
the composition of the board of directors and in the policies formulated by the board of directors
and to encourage negotiations with the board of directors in transactions that may involve an
actual or potential change of control of Nabors.
The bye-laws provide that our board of directors will be divided into three classes serving
staggered three-year terms. Directors can be removed from office prior to the expiration of their
term only for cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of
Nabors on the relevant record date. The board of directors does not have the power to remove
directors. As long as a quorum of directors remains and is present, vacancies on the board of
directors may be filled by a majority vote of the remaining directors. Any general meeting can
authorize the board of directors to fill any vacancy left unfilled at a general meeting. Each of
these provisions can delay a shareholder from obtaining majority representation on the board of
directors.
The bye-laws also provide that the board of directors will consist of not less than five nor
more than eighteen persons, the exact number to be set from time to time by the affirmative vote of
a majority of the directors then in office. Accordingly, the board of directors, and not the
shareholders, has the authority to determine the number of directors and could delay any
shareholder from obtaining majority representation on the board of directors by enlarging the board
of directors and filling the new vacancies with its own nominees.
Our bye-laws provide that, at any annual general meeting, only such business shall be
conducted as shall have been brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the board of
directors, by any shareholder who complies with certain procedures set forth in the bye-laws or by
any shareholder pursuant to the valid exercise of the power granted under the Companies Act.
For business to be properly brought before an annual general meeting by a shareholder in
accordance with the terms of the bye-laws the shareholder must have given timely notice thereof in
proper written form to the Secretary of Nabors and satisfied all requirements under applicable
rules promulgated by the SEC. To be timely for consideration at the annual general meeting, a
shareholders notice must be received by the Secretary at Nabors principal executive offices and
its registered office in Bermuda not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days prior to the
anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual general meeting, or, in the event that the
annual general meeting is called for a date that is not within 30 days before or after such
anniversary date, not later than the 10th day following the day on which such notice of the date of
the annual general meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of the annual general
meeting was made, whichever occurs first. In order for a shareholder to nominate directors in
connection with an annual general meeting of shareholders, a shareholders notice of his intention
to make such nominations must be received in proper written form as specified in our bye-laws by
the Secretary of Nabors within the time limits described above.
In addition, the Companies Act provides for a mechanism by which 100 shareholders acting
together or shareholders holding at least 5% of the voting power of a Bermuda company may properly
propose a resolution for consideration at a general meeting of the company.
Subject to the terms of any other class of shares in issue, any action required or permitted
to be taken by the holders of our common shares must be taken at a duly called annual or special
general meeting of shareholders
15
unless taken by written consent of all holders of common shares.
Under the bye-laws, special general meetings may be called at any time by the board of directors or
when requisitioned by shareholders pursuant to the provisions of the Companies Act. The Companies
Act currently permits shareholders holding 10% of the shares of a company entitled to vote at
general meeting to requisition a special general meeting.
Our board of directors is authorized, without obtaining any vote or consent of the holders of
any class or series of shares unless expressly provided by the terms of issue of a class or series,
to from time to time issue any authorized and unissued shares on such terms and conditions as it
may determine. For example, the board of directors could authorize the issuance of preferred
shares with terms and conditions that could discourage a takeover or other transaction that holders
of some or a majority of our common shares might believe to be in their best interests or in which
holders might receive a premium for their shares over the then market price of the shares.
INCOME
TAX CONSIDERATIONS
CANADIAN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
In the opinion of Stikeman Elliott LLP, our Canadian counsel, the following is a fair and
accurate summary of the material Canadian federal income tax considerations generally applicable
under the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the Canadian Income Tax Act) if you hold exchangeable shares
or acquire our common shares on the exchange of exchangeable shares and if, for purposes of the
Canadian Income Tax Act, you deal with us at arms length, are
not affiliated with us, and hold your exchangeable shares and our
common shares as capital property. This discussion does not apply to you if you are a financial
institution, as defined in the Canadian Income Tax Act for the purposes of the mark-to-market
provisions thereof or a person who has made a functional currency
election under the Canadian Income Tax Act.
The exchangeable shares and our common shares will generally be considered to be capital
property to you unless such shares are held by you in the course of carrying on a business of
buying and selling securities or such shares are acquired by you in a transaction considered to be
an adventure in the nature of trade.
If you do not hold your exchangeable shares or our common shares as capital property, you should
consult your own tax advisors for information and advice having regard to your particular
circumstances.
This summary is based on the current provisions of the Canadian Income Tax Act and regulations
thereunder, the current provisions of the Convention Between the United States of America and
Canada with Respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital, signed September 26, 1980, as amended, (the
Canada-U.S. Tax Convention) and our counsels understanding of the current published
administrative practices of the Canada Revenue Agency (the CRA). This summary takes
into account all specific proposals to amend the Canadian Income Tax Act and regulations that have
been publicly announced by or on behalf of the Minister of Finance (Canada) prior to the date hereof and assumes
that all of these proposed amendments will be enacted in their present form. No assurances can be
given that any proposed amendments will be enacted in the form proposed, if at all. Except for the
foregoing, this summary does not take into account or anticipate any changes in law, whether by
legislative, administrative or judicial decision or action, nor does it take into account
provincial, territorial or foreign income tax legislation or considerations, which may differ from
the Canadian federal income tax considerations described below. No advance income tax ruling has
been sought or obtained from the CRA to confirm the tax consequences of any of the transactions
relating to the exchangeable shares or the acquisition of our common shares on the exchange of
exchangeable shares.
For purposes of the Canadian Income Tax Act, all amounts otherwise denominated in United
States dollars relating to the acquisition, holding or disposition of our common shares, including
dividends, adjusted cost base amounts and proceeds of disposition, must be converted into Canadian dollars based on the
prevailing United States dollar exchange rate generally at the time these amounts arise.
16
THIS SUMMARY IS OF A GENERAL NATURE ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED TO BE, AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED TO
BE, LEGAL, BUSINESS OR TAX ADVICE TO YOU. THEREFORE, YOU ARE URGED TO CONSULT YOUR OWN TAX
ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.
Shareholders Resident in Canada
The following portion of this summary will apply to you only if, for the purposes of the
Canadian Income Tax Act and any applicable income tax treaty or convention, you are resident or
deemed to be resident in Canada at all relevant times. This summary does not apply to you if we
are or will be a foreign affiliate of you as defined in the Canadian Income Tax Act.
Redemption of Exchangeable Shares
On a redemption (including a retraction) of your exchangeable shares by Exchangeco, you will
be deemed to have received a dividend equal to the amount, if any, by which the redemption proceeds
exceed the paid-up capital of the exchangeable shares so redeemed. The paid-up capital of an
exchangeable share will be equal to the aggregate paid-up capital of all of the exchangeable shares
divided by the number of exchangeable shares outstanding. The aggregate paid-up capital of all of
the exchangeable shares will generally be equal to the aggregate consideration for which the
exchangeable shares were issued (provided that amount was added to the stated capital account
maintained for the exchangeable shares under the relevant corporate law), less an amount to be
determined based upon the Canadian tax elections that were filed by former shareholders of
Ryan and Enserco who elected to exchange their Ryan or Enserco shares, as the case may be, for
exchangeable shares under the applicable arrangement and who were permitted under the terms
of the applicable arrangement to, and did, file such Canadian tax elections. For these purposes,
the redemption proceeds will be the fair market value of our common shares received from Exchangeco
at the time of the redemption plus the amount, if any, of all payable and unpaid dividends on the
exchangeable shares paid on the redemption. The taxation of dividends received or deemed to be
received on the exchangeable shares is described below. We anticipate that we or Callco, as the
case may be, will exercise our call rights, when available, and currently foresee no circumstances
under which exchangeable shares would be redeemed by Exchangeco.
On a redemption (including a retraction) of your exchangeable shares, you will also be
considered to have disposed of your exchangeable shares, but the amount of the deemed dividend,
described above, will be excluded in computing your proceeds of disposition for purposes of
computing any capital gain or capital loss arising on the disposition. If you are a corporation,
in some circumstances, the amount of any such deemed dividend may be treated as proceeds of
disposition and not as a dividend. The taxation of capital gains and capital losses is described
below.
Exchange
of Exchangeable Shares With Us or Callco
On an exchange of your exchangeable shares with us or Callco for our common shares, you will
generally realize a capital gain (or a capital loss) equal to the amount by which the proceeds of
disposition of your exchangeable shares, net of any reasonable costs of disposition, exceed (or are
less than) the adjusted cost base to you of the exchangeable shares immediately before the
exchange. For these purposes, the proceeds of disposition will be the fair market value at the
time of the exchange of our common shares which you receive. The taxation of capital gains and
capital losses is described below. Any amount received by you as part of the exchange that is in
lieu of or in satisfaction of dividends that are payable but not paid on the exchangeable shares
will be treated as a dividend rather than as proceeds of disposition. The taxation of dividends
received or deemed to be received on the exchangeable shares is discussed below.
Dividends on Exchangeable Shares
If you are an individual, dividends received or deemed to be received on the exchangeable
shares will be included in computing your income, and will be subject to the gross-up and dividend
tax credit rules normally applicable to taxable dividends received from a corporation resident in
Canada.
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Subject to the discussion below regarding our status as a specified financial institution
for the purposes of the Canadian Income Tax Act, if you are a corporation other than a specified
financial institution, as defined in the Canadian Income Tax Act, dividends received or deemed to
be received on the exchangeable shares normally will be included in your income and be deductible
in computing your taxable income.
If you are a specified financial institution, as defined in the Canadian Income Tax Act, a
dividend received on the exchangeable shares will be deductible in computing your taxable income
only if:
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you did not acquire the exchangeable shares in the ordinary course of carrying on your
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at the time the dividend is received, the exchangeable shares are listed on a
prescribed stock exchange in Canada (which currently includes the TSX) and you, either
alone or together with persons with whom you do not deal at arms length, do not receive
(and are not deemed to receive) dividends in respect of more than 10% of the issued and
outstanding exchangeable shares. |
If you are a specified financial institution, you should consult your own tax advisors.
We have been advised by our counsel (based in part on representations made by us as to certain
factual matters) that we currently qualify as a specified financial institution for the purposes
of the Canadian Income Tax Act. As a consequence, and for so long as we continue to so qualify, if
you are a corporation (including a specified financial institution as defined in the Canadian
Income Tax Act), dividends received or deemed to be received on the exchangeable shares may not be
deductible in computing your taxable income unless, at the time such dividends or deemed dividends
are received, the exchangeable shares are listed on a prescribed stock exchange (which includes the
TSX), we are related to Exchangeco for the purposes of the Canadian Income Tax Act (which we are
now and anticipate that we will continue to be), and you, either alone or together with persons
with whom you do not deal at arms length or trusts or partnerships of which you or any such
non-arms length person is a beneficiary or member, receive dividends in respect of not more than
10 percent of the issued and outstanding exchangeable shares.
If you are a private corporation, as defined in the Canadian Income Tax Act, or any other
corporation resident in Canada and controlled or deemed to be controlled by or for the benefit of
an individual or a related group of individuals, you may be liable under Part IV of the Canadian
Income Tax Act to pay a refundable tax of 33 1/3 percent of any dividends received or deemed to be
received on your exchangeable shares to the extent that these dividends are deductible in computing
your taxable income.
If you are throughout the relevant taxation year a Canadian-controlled private corporation,
as defined in the Canadian Income Tax Act, you may be liable to pay an additional refundable tax of
6 2/3 percent of your aggregate investment income for the year which will include dividends or
deemed dividends on the exchangeable shares that are not deductible in computing taxable income.
If there is non-resident withholding tax on any dividends you receive on exchangeable shares,
you will generally be eligible for foreign tax credit or deduction treatment where applicable under
the Canadian Income Tax Act.
If you are a corporation, the amount of any capital loss realized on a disposition or deemed
disposition of exchangeable shares may be reduced by the amount of any dividends received or deemed
to have been received by you on the exchangeable shares to the extent and under circumstances
prescribed by the Canadian Income Tax Act. Similar rules may apply where you are a corporation and
a member of a partnership or a beneficiary of a trust that owns these shares.
Acquisition and Disposition of Our Common Shares
The cost of our common shares received on a retraction, redemption or exchange of exchangeable
shares will be equal to the fair market value of such common shares at the time of that event, and
will be averaged with the
adjusted cost base of any other of our common shares held by you at that time as capital
property. A disposition or deemed disposition of our common shares by you will generally result in
the realization of a capital gain (or a capital loss) equal to the amount by which the proceeds of
disposition, net of any reasonable costs of disposition,
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exceed (or are less than) the adjusted
cost base to you of these shares immediately before the disposition. The taxation of capital gains
and capital losses is described below.
Dividends on Our Common Shares
Dividends on our common shares will be included in your income for the purposes of the
Canadian Income Tax Act. If you are an individual, these dividends will not be subject to the
gross-up and dividend tax credit rules in the Canadian Income Tax Act applicable to dividends
received from corporations resident in Canada. If you are a corporation, you will be required to
include these dividends in computing your income and generally will not be entitled to deduct the
amount of these dividends in computing your taxable income.
If you are throughout the relevant taxation year a Canadian-controlled private corporation,
as defined in the Canadian Income Tax Act, you may be liable to pay an additional refundable tax of
6 2/3 percent of your aggregate investment income for the year which will include these
dividends.
If there is non-resident withholding tax on any dividends you receive on our common shares,
you will generally be eligible for foreign tax credit or deduction treatment where applicable under
the Canadian Income Tax Act.
Taxation of Capital Gains and Capital Losses
One-half of any capital gain realized on a disposition or deemed disposition of exchangeable
shares or our common shares must be included in your income for the year of the disposition. You
generally may be able to deduct one-half of any capital losses against one-half of any capital
gains realized in the year of the disposition. Any capital losses in excess of capital gains in
the year of the disposition may generally be carried back and deducted against net capital gains
(capital gains less capital losses) in any of the three taxation years immediately preceding, or
carried forward and deducted against net capital gains in any taxation year following, the year of
disposition, to the extent and in the circumstances prescribed in the Canadian Income Tax Act.
If you are an individual or trust, other than certain trusts, capital gains realized by you
may give rise to alternative minimum tax under the Canadian Income Tax Act.
If you are throughout the relevant taxation year a Canadian-controlled private corporation,
as defined in the Canadian Income Tax Act, you may be liable to pay an additional refundable tax of
6 2/3 percent of your aggregate investment income for the year which will include an amount in
respect of taxable capital gains.
Foreign Property Information Reporting
With some exceptions, any taxpayer resident in Canada during a year is a specified Canadian
entity, as defined in the Canadian Income Tax Act. If you are a specified Canadian entity for a
taxation year or fiscal period and the total cost amount of specified foreign property, which
would include our common shares and the exchangeable shares, at any time in the year or fiscal
period exceeds Cdn.$100,000, you will be required to file an information return for the year or
period disclosing prescribed information, your cost amount, any dividends received in the year, and
any gains or losses realized in the year, in respect of the specified foreign property. You should
consult your own advisors about whether you must comply with these rules with respect to the
ownership of our common shares or the exchangeable shares.
Foreign Investment Entity Draft Legislation
In
the 1999 federal Budget, the Canadian Minister of Finance introduced
proposals to amend the
Canadian Income Tax Act to limit opportunities for Canadians to avoid
Canadian income tax by investing in certain
foreign investment entities.
The proposals initially were to be effective for taxation years commencing after 2000.
Subsequently, the proposals were revised several times and their proposed implementation date was
deferred, most recently to taxation years commencing after 2006. In their most recent iteration,
the proposals were contained in former Bill C-10 which was passed by the House of Commons during
the 2nd Session of the 39th Parliament but was not passed by the Senate and did not receive Royal
Assent and consequently failed to be proclaimed in force. That Session of Parliament terminated on
September 8, 2008, and the proposals have yet to be reintroduced in the current Parliament and
their future is uncertain.
Under the proposals,
generally a non-resident corporation will be a foreign investment
entity as at any time in a particular taxation year unless
either (i) at the end of the taxation year
the carrying value of the corporations investment properties is not greater than one-half of the
carrying value of all of its properties, or (ii) throughout the
taxation year the corporations principal undertaking was the carrying on of a
business that is not an
investment business. Detailed rules are proposed in respect of each of
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these tests. We have been
advised by our counsel (based in part on representations made by us as to certain factual matters)
that although no assurances can be given in this regard, it appears reasonable to conclude that we
meet and will continue to meet one or both of these exceptions. Accordingly, while a definitive
opinion cannot be given, it is reasonable to expect that we will not be considered to be a foreign
investment entity and that the proposed rules will not apply to an investment in exchangeable
shares or in common shares of Nabors.
If Nabors is or were to become a foreign investment entity, a Canadian resident who holds
exchangeable shares or Nabors common shares could, subject to certain exceptions, be required to
take into account in computing income, on an annual basis, certain amounts in respect of the income
of Nabors or the value of the common shares of Nabors.
You should consult your
own tax advisor concerning these rules.
Shareholders Not Resident in Canada
The following portion of this summary will apply to you only if, for purposes of the Canadian
Income Tax Act and any applicable tax treaty or convention, you will not be resident or deemed to
be resident in Canada at any time while you hold exchangeable shares or our common shares, and will
not use or hold the exchangeable shares or our common shares in, or in the course of, carrying on a
business (including an insurance business) in Canada and, except as specifically discussed below,
if those shares do not constitute taxable Canadian property to you as defined in the Canadian
Income Tax Act.
The exchangeable shares will generally not be taxable Canadian property to you at a particular
time provided that these shares are listed on a prescribed stock exchange (which includes the TSX)
and you, or persons with whom you do not deal at arms length, or you together with such persons
have not owned (or had under option) 25 percent or more of the issued shares of any class or series
of the capital stock of Exchangeco at any time within five years preceding the particular time.
Our common shares will generally not constitute taxable Canadian property to you.
Provided the exchangeable shares or our common shares are not taxable Canadian property to
you, you will not be subject to tax under the Canadian Income Tax Act on the exchange of
exchangeable shares for our common shares (except to the extent the exchange gives rise to a deemed
dividend as discussed below), or on the sale or other disposition of exchangeable shares or our
common shares.
Dividends paid or deemed to be paid on the exchangeable shares will be subject to non-resident
withholding tax under the Canadian Income Tax Act at the rate of 25 percent, although this rate may
be reduced under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty or convention. For example,
under the Canada-U.S. Tax Convention, the rate of non-resident withholding tax is generally reduced
to 15 percent in respect of dividends paid to a person who is the beneficial owner thereof and who
is resident in the United States for purposes of the convention.
A holder whose exchangeable shares are redeemed by Exchangeco (either under redemption rights
or pursuant to retraction rights) will be deemed to receive a dividend equal to the amount, if any,
by which the redemption proceeds exceed the paid-up capital, for the purposes of the Canadian
Income Tax Act, of the exchangeable shares at the time the exchangeable shares are redeemed. For
these purposes, the redemption proceeds will be the fair market value of our common shares received
from Exchangeco at the time of the redemption plus the amount, if any, of all payable and unpaid
dividends on the exchangeable shares paid on the redemption. Any deemed dividend will be subject
to non-resident withholding tax as described in the preceding paragraph. Callco
recently exercised its redemption
call right and consequently, you will receive our common shares through an
exchange with Callco, as opposed to a redemption by Exchangeco, of your exchangeable shares for our
common shares.
MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
In the opinion of Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP, the following general discussion
constitutes a fair summary of the anticipated material United States federal income
tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of exchangeable shares that may be relevant to
holders generally. This discussion is based on the Code, United States Treasury regulations
promulgated thereunder, and judicial and administrative interpretations
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thereof, in each case as in
effect and available as of the date of this prospectus. These income tax laws, regulations and
interpretations, however, may change at any time, and any change could be retroactive. It should
be noted that
there has been, and we expect that there may continue to be, legislation proposed by the U.S.
Congress from time to time applicable to certain companies that completed reorganizations like our
reorganization into a Bermuda company which, if enacted, could limit or eliminate the tax benefits
associated with our reorganization and
materially
change the discussion set forth below. Moreover, the United States Treasury Department continues
to consider the tax treatment of corporations that have undertaken transactions such as the
reorganization and, as a result, changes in these income tax laws, regulations, and interpretations
may occur, possibly with retroactive effect, which could affect the discussion set forth below.
These income tax laws and regulations are also subject to various interpretations, and the IRS or
the United States courts could later disagree with the explanations or conclusions contained in
this summary.
No statutory, judicial or administrative authority exists that directly addresses the United
States federal income tax consequences of instruments comparable to the exchangeable shares
together with the associated ancillary rights and call rights. Consequently, the United States
federal income tax treatment of the ownership of exchangeable shares and the exchange of
exchangeable shares for shares of Nabors common shares is not certain. No advance ruling has been
sought or obtained from the IRS regarding the tax consequence of any of the transactions described
herein and there can be no assurance that the IRS would not challenge the conclusions contained in
the discussion below, or, if challenged, that a court would not agree with the IRS.
As used herein, a United States Holder is a beneficial owner of exchangeable shares that,
for United States federal income tax purposes, is: (1) a citizen or resident of the United States,
(2) a corporation (including for this purpose any entity treated as a corporation for United States
federal income tax purposes) or partnership created or organized in or under the laws of the United
States, or of any political subdivision thereof, (3) an estate or other entity the income of which
is includible in its gross income for United States federal income tax purposes without regard to
its source or (4) a trust if (A) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary
supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more United States persons have the
authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (B) the trust has a valid election
in effect under the applicable United States Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States
person. A non-United States Holder is a beneficial owner of exchangeable shares that is not a
United States Holder. If a partnership (including for this purpose any entity treated as a
partnership for United States federal income tax purposes) is a beneficial owner of the
exchangeable shares, the partnership itself will not be subject to United States federal income tax
on a net income basis, but the United States federal income tax treatment of a partner in the
partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and upon the activities of the
partnership. A holder that is a partnership and partners in such partnership are urged to consult
their tax advisers about the United States federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing
of exchangeable shares. Based on current estimates of gross income and gross assets and the nature
of the business, Nabors believes that neither Exchangeco nor Nabors will be
classified as a passive foreign investment company for the current taxable year. The status of
Exchangeco and Nabors in future years, however, will depend on their income, assets
and activities in those years. This summary assumes that neither
Exchangeco nor Nabors is or will be a passive foreign investment company for United States federal
income tax purposes. This summary also assumes that neither
Exchangeco nor Nabors is or will be a controlled foreign corporation for United States federal income tax purposes.
This discussion does not address persons subject to special provisions of United States federal
income tax law, such as tax-exempt organizations, banks, financial institutions, insurance
companies, real estate investment trusts, regulated investment companies, dealers or traders in
securities or currencies, grantor trusts, persons having a functional currency other than the
United States dollar, non-United States Holders, holders who own, or are deemed to own, 10% or
more, determined by voting power or value, of exchangeable shares, holders who hold exchangeable
shares as part of a hedge, straddle, wash sale, synthetic security, conversion transaction or other
integrated investment and holders of exchangeable shares who acquired their interests through the
exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation for services. This discussion is
limited to holders who hold exchangeable shares as, and who will hold Nabors common shares as, a
capital asset as defined in the Code.
This discussion does not address all aspects of United States federal income taxation that may
be applicable to a particular holder in light of the holders particular circumstances.
Accordingly, all holders are urged to consult their tax advisors with respect to the United States
federal income tax consequences to them of the ownership and
disposition of exchangeable shares in light of their particular circumstances. This
discussion does not address any aspects of United States federal income taxation that may be
applicable to holders of options or warrants. In addition, this discussion does not address the
United States state or local tax consequences or the foreign tax consequences of the ownership and
disposition of the exchangeable shares. Holders are urged to consult their tax
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advisors with
respect to the United States federal, state and local tax consequences, the foreign tax
consequences and the non-tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of exchangeable shares,
Nabors common shares and ancillary rights and call rights.
United States Holders
Exchange of Exchangeable Shares
There is no authority directly addressing the proper characterization of instruments similar
to the exchangeable shares together with the associated ancillary rights and call rights or the
exchange of exchangeable shares for Nabors common shares (including an exchange upon the occurrence
of an automatic redemption date). As a result, the consequences to a United States Holder of such
an exchange are unclear under current law.
One
possibility is that the exchangeable shares
(together with the ancillary rights and call rights) constitute stock of Nabors for United States
federal income tax purposes. If the exchangeable shares (together with the ancillary rights and
call rights) constitute stock of Nabors for United States federal income tax purposes, the exchange
of the exchangeable shares for Nabors common shares should not be a taxable event. In such event,
the aggregate tax basis of the Nabors common shares received pursuant to the exchange would equal
the United States Holders aggregate tax basis in the exchangeable shares and the holding period of
the Nabors common shares received by such holder would include the holding period of the
exchangeable shares surrendered in the exchange.
Alternatively, if the exchangeable shares constitute stock of Exchangeco for United States
federal income tax purposes, a United States Holder who exchanges its exchangeable shares for
shares of Nabors common shares would generally recognize gain or loss. Such gain or loss would be
measured by the difference, if any, between (1) the fair market value of the shares of Nabors
common shares received at the time of the exchange and (2) the United States Holders tax basis in
the exchangeable shares surrendered, and would generally be capital gain or loss, except with
respect to any declared but unpaid dividends on the exchangeable shares. Under this alternative
characterization, a United States Holders tax basis in the shares of Nabors common shares received
would be equal to the fair market value of such shares at the time of the exchange and the holding
period for such shares would begin on the day after the exchange.
For United States federal income tax purposes, gain recognized on the exchange of exchangeable
shares for shares of Nabors common shares will generally be treated as United States source gain.
Any Canadian tax imposed on the exchange may be available as a credit against United States federal
income taxes, subject to generally applicable limitations. The use of a credit may be limited or precluded
entirely if the United States Holder has no income that is treated as non-United States source
income for United States federal income tax purposes. Alternatively, a United States Holder may be
entitled to claim a deduction with respect to any Canadian tax paid in computing United States
taxable income.
Distributions on the Exchangeable Shares
Because the treatment of exchangeable shares is not clear, the treatment of dividends with
respect to such shares is also not clear. If dividends received by a United States Holder with
respect to the exchangeable shares constitute dividends from Nabors for United States federal
income tax purposes, then any dividends paid with respect to the exchangeable shares out of Nabors
earnings and profits generally would be treated as foreign source dividend income.
Alternatively, if dividends received by a United States Holder with respect to the
exchangeable shares constitute dividends from Exchangeco for United States federal income tax
purposes, then any dividends paid with respect to the exchangeable shares out of Exchangecos
earnings and profits generally would be treated as foreign source dividend income.
With respect to non-corporate United States Holders, certain dividends received before
January 1, 2011 from a qualified foreign corporation may be subject to reduced rates of taxation if minimum
holding period and other requirements are met. A foreign corporation (other than a passive foreign
investment company) is treated as a qualified foreign corporation with respect to dividends paid by
that corporation on shares that are readily tradable on an established securities market in the
United States. A qualified foreign corporation also includes a foreign corporation (other than a
passive foreign investment company) that is eligible for the benefits of certain specified income
tax treaties with the United States. Because the treatment of exchangeable shares is not clear,
the treatment for this purpose of dividends with respect to such shares also is not clear.
Dividends that constitute dividends from Nabors may not qualify for such treatment, because the
exchangeable shares are not themselves listed on an established U.S. securities market and Nabors
is not eligible for the benefits of a specified income tax treaty with the United States.
Dividends that constitute dividends from Exchangeco would be eligible for this treatment only if
Exchangeco were eligible for the benefits of the Canada-U.S. Tax Convention.
Dividends paid in Canadian dollars will be includible in the income of a United States Holder
in a United States dollar amount calculated by reference to the exchange rate in effect on the date
the dividends are deemed received. United States Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors
regarding the treatment of any foreign currency gain or loss on any Canadian dollars received which
are not converted into United States dollars on such date.
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Under the terms of the Canada-United States Tax Convention, distributions with respect to the
exchangeable shares received by United States Holders may be subject to Canadian withholding tax at
a rate of 15% irrespective of the treatment for United States federal income tax purposes. Subject
to certain limitations of United States federal income tax law, a United States Holder may be
entitled to either a credit against its United States federal income tax liability or a deduction
in computing United States taxable income for Canadian income taxes withheld from distributions
with respect to the exchangeable shares. United States Holders should consult their own tax
advisors about the application of limitations on their ability to credit such Canadian taxes,
including section 901(k) of the Code.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
Payments of dividends made with respect to, or the proceeds of the sale or other disposition
of, the exchangeable shares and shares of Nabors common shares, as the case may be, may be subject
to information reporting and United States federal backup withholding tax at the then applicable
rate if the recipient of such payment fails to supply an accurate taxpayer identification number or
otherwise fails to comply with applicable United States information reporting or certification
requirements. Any amount withheld from a payment to a United States Holder under the backup
withholding rules is allowable as a credit against the holders United States federal income tax,
provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS.
Non-United States Holders
A non-United States Holder should generally not be subject to United States federal income tax
as a result of the ownership and disposition of exchangeable shares. However, as noted above,
legislation has from time to time been introduced which could materially change the
United States federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of exchangeable
shares to non-United States Holders. It is difficult at this time to predict what, if any, changes
might occur. Non-United States Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the
possibility and effect of any such changes.
BERMUDA INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
Under current Bermuda law, we are not subject to tax in Bermuda on our income or capital
gains. Furthermore, we have obtained from the Minister of Finance of Bermuda, under the Exempted
Undertakings Tax Protection Act 1966, an undertaking that, in the event that Bermuda enacts any
legislation imposing tax computed on any income or capital gains, that tax will not be applicable
to us until March 28, 2016. This undertaking does not, however, prevent the imposition of any tax
or duty on persons ordinarily resident in Bermuda or any property tax on leasehold interests we may
have in Bermuda. We will pay an annual government fee in Bermuda based on our authorized share
capital and share premium. The maximum annual government fee applicable to us is currently
$31,120, and we expect to be subject to the maximum fee.
Under current Bermuda law, no income, withholding or other taxes or stamp or other duties are
imposed in Bermuda upon the issue, transfer or sale of our common shares or on any payments in
respect of our common shares (except, in certain circumstances, to persons ordinarily resident in
Bermuda).
In the opinion of Appleby, the exchange of exchangeable shares for common shares of Nabors
will be tax-free under Bermuda law to Nabors and the holders of the exchangeable shares.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy and information statements and other
information with the SEC. You may read and copy materials that
we have filed with the SEC at the SEC public reference
facilities at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C.
20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference
room. Copies of reports, proxy and information statements and other
information from us are
available on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov. Such
filings are also available at our
website at http://www.nabors.com. Website materials are not a part of
this prospectus.
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Nabors common shares are quoted on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol NBR and
Nabors SEC filings can also be read at: New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New
York 10005.
We have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act that includes this
prospectus. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration
statement, certain parts of which are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the
SEC. For further information, you should refer to the registration statement and its exhibits.
Statements made in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein as to
the content of any contract, agreement or other document are not necessarily complete and you
should refer to the contracts, agreements and other documents attached as exhibits to the
registration statement or the documents incorporated by reference herein for a more complete
description of the agreements, contracts and other documents. Each such statement is qualified in
all respects by such reference.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
We incorporate by reference into this prospectus the documents listed below and any future
filings Nabors makes with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act,
including any filings after the date of this prospectus, until the termination of this offering
under this prospectus (except to the extent that portions of any Current Report on Form 8-K are
furnished and deemed not to be filed).
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Nabors Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 2, 2009, for Nabors fiscal year ended
December 31, 2008; |
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Amendment No. 1 to Nabors Annual Report on Form 10-K/A filed on March 31, 2009, for
Nabors fiscal year ended December 31, 2008; |
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Nabors Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three month period ended March 31, 2009,
filed on May 11, 2009; |
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Nabors Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on April 30, 2009, to the
extent incorporated by reference into Nabors Annual Report on Form 10-K; |
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Nabors Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 24, 2009; |
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Nabors Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 6, 2009; |
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Nabors Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 22, 2009; |
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Nabors Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 27, 2009; |
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Nabors Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 30, 2009; and |
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Nabors Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 29, 2009. |
The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus. Any
statement in a document incorporated by reference into this prospectus will be deemed to be
modified or superseded to the extent a statement contained in (1) this prospectus (2) any other
subsequently filed document that is incorporated by reference into this prospectus or (3)
prospectus supplement modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or
superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of the
registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
We will furnish without charge to you, upon written or oral request, a copy of any or all of
the documents incorporated by reference herein, other than exhibits to such documents that are not
specifically incorporated by reference therein. You should direct any requests for documents to:
Nabors Industries Ltd., Mintflower Place, 8 Par-La-Ville Road, Hamilton,
HM08, Bermuda, Attention:
Corporate Secretary, phone number (441) 292-1510.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of our common shares issuable hereunder have been passed upon for us by Appleby.
Certain Canadian federal income tax matters have been passed upon by Stikeman Elliott LLP, certain
United States federal income tax matters have been passed upon by Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy
LLP and certain Bermuda income tax matters have been passed on by Appleby.
24
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to Nabors
Industries Ltd.s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 29, 2009 and the financial statement
schedule and managements assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial
reporting (which is included in Managements Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting)
incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Nabors Industries
Ltd. for the year ended December 31, 2008 have been so incorporated in reliance on the reports of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the
authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
With respect to the unaudited financial information of Nabors Industries Ltd. for the
three-month periods ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, incorporated by reference in this Prospectus,
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP reported that they have applied limited procedures in accordance with
professional standards for a review of such information. However, their separate report dated May
8, 2009 incorporated by reference herein states that they did not audit and they do not express an
opinion on that unaudited financial information. Accordingly, the degree of reliance on their
report on such information should be restricted in light of the limited nature of the review
procedures applied. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is not subject to the liability provisions of
Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933 for their report on the unaudited financial information
because that report is not a report or a part of the registration statement prepared or
certified by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Act.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of NFR Energy LLC appearing in Nabors Industries Ltd.s
Amended Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2008,
have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent
auditors, as set forth in their report thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by
reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance
upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
25
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other expenses of issuance and distribution
The following table sets forth the costs and expenses payable by us in connection with
issuance and distribution of the securities being registered. All amounts are estimates subject to
future contingencies except the SEC registration statement filing fee.
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|
|
|
|
SEC registration statement filing fee |
|
$ |
100 |
|
Accounting fees and expenses |
|
|
100,000 |
|
Legal fees and expenses |
|
|
100,000 |
|
Printing fees |
|
|
8,500 |
|
Miscellaneous |
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
218,600 |
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|
|
|
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Nabors Industries Ltd.
Under Bermuda law, a company is permitted to indemnify its directors and officers subject to
certain restrictions. Section One (1) and Section Seventy-Five (75) of Nabors Amended and
Restated Bye-Laws, states:
Officer means a Director, Secretary, or other officer of the Company appointed pursuant
to these Bye-laws, but does not include any person holding the office of auditor in relation to
the Company;
75. Exemption and Indemnification of Officers. Subject always to these Bye-laws, no
Officer shall be liable for the acts, receipts, neglects or defaults of any other Officer nor
shall any Officer be liable in respect of any negligence, default or breach of duty on his or
her own part in relation to the Company or any Subsidiary, or for any loss, misfortune or damage
which may happen, in or arising out of the actual or purported execution or discharge of his or
her duties or the exercise or purported exercise of his or her powers or otherwise in relation
to or in connection with his or her duties, powers or office.
75.1. Subject always to these Bye-laws, every Officer shall be indemnified and held
harmless out of the funds of the Company against all liabilities, losses, damages or expenses
(including but not limited to liabilities under contract, tort and statute or any applicable
foreign law or regulation and all legal and other costs and expenses properly payable) incurred
or suffered by the Officer arising out of the actual or purported execution or discharge of the
Officers duties (including, without limitation, in respect of his or her service at the request
of the Company as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, agent or similar functionary
of another person) or the exercise or purported exercise of the Officers powers or otherwise,
in relation to or in connection with the Officers duties, powers or office (including but not
limited to liabilities attaching to the Officer and losses arising by virtue of any rule of law
in respect of any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust of which such Officer
may be guilty in relation to the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company).
75.2. Every Officer shall be indemnified out of the funds of the Company against all
liabilities arising out of the actual or purported execution or discharge of the Officers
duties or the exercise or purported exercise of the Officers powers or otherwise, in relation
to or in connection with the Officers duties, powers or office, incurred by such Officer in
defending any proceedings, whether civil or criminal, in which judgment is given in the
Officers favour, or in which the Officer is acquitted, or in connection with any application
under the Companies Acts in which relief from liability is granted to the Officer by the court.
75.3. In this Bye-law 75 (i) the term Officer includes, in addition to the persons
specified in the definition of that term in Bye-law 1, the Resident Representative, a member of
a committee constituted under these Bye-laws, any person acting as an Officer or committee
member in the reasonable belief that the Officer has
26
been so appointed or elected, notwithstanding any defect in such appointment or election,
and any person who formerly was an Officer or acted in any of the other capacities described in
this clause (i) and (ii) where the context so admits, references to an Officer include the
estate and personal representatives of a deceased Officer or any such other person.
75.4. The provisions for exemption from liability and indemnity contained in this Bye-law
shall have effect to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, but shall not extend to any
matter which would render any of them void pursuant to the Companies Acts.
75.5. To the extent that any person is entitled to claim an indemnity pursuant to these
Bye-laws in respect of an amount paid or discharged by him or her, the relevant indemnity shall
take effect as an obligation of the Company to reimburse the person making such payment
(including advance payments of fees or other costs) or effecting such discharge.
75.6. The rights to indemnification and reimbursement of expenses provided by these
Bye-laws shall not be deemed to be exclusive of, and are in addition to, any other rights to
which a person may be entitled. Any repeal or amendment of this Bye-law 75 shall be prospective
only and shall not limit the rights of any Officer or the obligation of the Company with respect
to any claim arising prior to any such repeal or amendment.
75.7. In so far as it is permissible under Applicable Law, each Shareholder and the
Company agree to waive any claim or right of action the Shareholder or it may at any time have,
whether individually or by or in the right of the Company, against any Officer on account of any
action taken by such Officer or the failure of such Officer to take any action in the
performance of his duties with or for the Company, provided however, that such waiver shall not
apply to any claims or rights of action arising out of the fraud or dishonesty of such Officer
or to recover any gain, personal profit or advantage to which such Officer is not legally
entitled.
75.8. Subject to the Companies Acts, expenses incurred in defending any civil or criminal
action or proceeding for which indemnification is required pursuant to this Bye-law 75 shall be
paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon
receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the indemnified party to repay such amount if it
shall ultimately be determined that the indemnified party is not entitled to be indemnified
pursuant to this Bye-law 75.
75.9. Each Shareholder of the Company, by virtue of its acquisition and continued holding
of a Share, shall be deemed to have acknowledged and agreed that the advances of funds may be
made by the Company as aforesaid, and when made by the Company under this Bye-law 75 are made to
meet expenditures incurred for the purpose of enabling such Officer to properly perform his or
her duties as an Officer.
Nabors has entered into agreements with certain of its directors and officers indemnifying
them against expenses, settlements, judgments and fines in connection with any threatened, pending
or completed action, suit, arbitration or proceeding where the individuals involvement is by
reason of the fact that he is or was a director or officer or served at Nabors request as a
director or officer of another organization, except where such indemnification is not permitted
under applicable law.
The officers and directors of Nabors are covered by directors and officers insurance
aggregating $65,000,000.
Item 16. Exhibits
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Exhibit No. |
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Document Description |
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2.1
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Amended and Restated Acquisition Agreement, dated as of March 18, 2002, by and between
Nabors Industries, Inc. and Enserco Energy Service Company Inc. (incorporated by
reference to Nabors Industries Ltd.s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration
No. 333-85228) filed with the SEC on March 29, 2002, as amended). |
|
|
|
2.2
|
|
Form of Plan of Arrangement Under Section 192 of the Canada Business Corporations Act
Involving and Affecting Enserco Energy Service Company Inc. and its Securityholders
(incorporated by reference to Schedule B to Exhibit 2.1 to Nabors Industries Ltd.s
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-85228) filed with the SEC on
March 29, 2002, as amended). |
27
|
|
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Exhibit No. |
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Document Description |
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2.3
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|
Arrangement Agreement, dated as of August 12, 2002, by and between Nabors Industries
Ltd. and Ryan Energy Technology Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to
Nabors Industries Ltd.s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No.
333-99267) filed with the SEC on September 6, 2002). |
|
|
|
2.4
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|
Form of Plan of Arrangement Under Section 193 of the Business Corporations Act
(Alberta) Involving and Affecting Ryan Energy Technologies Inc. and its Securityholders
(incorporated by reference to Schedule B to Exhibit 2.1 to Nabors Industries Ltd.s
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-99267) filed with the SEC on
September 6, 2002). |
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2.5
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|
Agreement and Plan of Merger among Nabors Industries, Inc., Nabors Acquisition Corp.
VIII, Nabors Industries Ltd. and Nabors US Holdings Inc. (incorporated by reference to
Annex I to the proxy statement/prospectus included in Nabors Industries Ltd.s
Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No. 333-76198) filed with the SEC on
May 10, 2002, as amended). |
|
|
|
3.1
|
|
Memorandum of Association of Nabors Industries Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Annex
II to the proxy statement/prospectus included in Nabors Industries Ltd.s Registration
Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No. 333-76198) filed with the SEC on May 10, 2002,
as amended). |
|
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3.2
|
|
Amended and Restated Bye-Laws of Nabors Industries Ltd. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.2 to Nabors Industries Ltd.s Form 10-Q (File No. 000-49887) filed with the
Commission on August 3, 2005). |
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3.3
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|
Amendment to Amended and Restated Bye-Laws of Nabors Industries Ltd. (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit A of Nabors Industries Ltd. Notice of Special General Meeting and
Proxy Statement (File No. 001-32657) filed February 24, 2006). |
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3.4
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|
Form of Resolutions of the Board of Directors of Nabors Industries Ltd. authorizing the
issue of the Special Voting Preferred Share (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3
to Nabors Industries Ltd.s Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on
Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-85228-99) filed with the Commission on June 11, 2002). |
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4.1
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|
Form of Provisions Attaching to the Exchangeable Shares of Nabors Exchangeco (Canada)
Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Nabors Industries, Inc.s
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-85228) filed with the SEC on
March 29, 2002, as amended). |
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4.2
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|
Form of Support Agreement between Nabors Industries, Inc., 3064297 Nova Scotia Company
and Nabors Exchangeco (Canada) Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Nabors
Industries, Inc.s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-85228)
filed with the SEC on March 29, 2002, as amended). |
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4.3
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|
Form of Acknowledgement of Novation to Nabors Industries, Inc., Nabors Exchangeco
(Canada) Inc., Computershare Trust Company of Canada and 3064297 Nova Scotia Company
executed by Nabors Industries Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Nabors
Industries Ltd.s Post Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-3
(Registration No. 333-85228-99) filed with the SEC on June 11, 2002). |
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5.1
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Opinion of Appleby.* |
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8.1
|
|
Opinion of Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP as to certain United States tax matters.* |
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8.2
|
|
Opinion of Appleby as to certain Bermuda tax matters.* |
|
|
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8.3
|
|
Opinion of Stikeman Elliot LLP as to certain Canadian tax matters.* |
|
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|
9.1
|
|
Form of Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement between Nabors Industries, Inc. and Nabors
Exchangeco (Canada) Inc. and Computershare Trust Company of Canada, as trustee
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 9.1 to Nabors Industries, Inc.s Registration
Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-85228) filed with the SEC on March 29,
2002, as amended). |
28
|
|
|
Exhibit No. |
|
Document Description |
|
|
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15.1
|
|
Awareness Letter of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.* |
|
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23.1
|
|
Consent of Appleby (included in Exhibits 5.1 and 8.2). |
|
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23.2
|
|
Consent of Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP (included in Exhibit 8.1). |
|
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23.3
|
|
Consent of Stikeman Elliot LLP (included in Exhibit 8.3). |
|
|
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23.4
|
|
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.* |
|
|
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23.5
|
|
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.* |
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24.1
|
|
Powers of Attorney (included in signature pages hereto). |
Item 17. Undertakings
The undersigned registrants hereby undertake:
(a) (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post effective
amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective
date of this registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment
thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the
information set forth in this registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of
securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from
the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form
of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum
aggregate offering price set forth in the Calculation of Registration Fee table in the
effective registration statement; and
(iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution
not previously disclosed in this registration statement or any material change to such
information in this registration statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) of this section do not apply if
the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is
contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant
to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in
this registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each
such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to
the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any
purchaser:
(i) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be
deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was
deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
29
(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or
(b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an
offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing
the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be
part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such
form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract
of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule
430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an
underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration
statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which the
prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to
be the initial bona fide offering thereof; provided, however, that no statement made in
a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or
made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the
registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as
to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede
or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that
was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to
such effective date;
(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the
Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the
undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the
undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the
underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are
offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the
undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or
sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating
to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf
of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering
containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities
provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the
undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
(b) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing
of our annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act,
and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plans annual report pursuant to
Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act, that is incorporated by reference in this
registration statement, shall be deemed to be a new registration statement, relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to
be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) For an offering in which the securities to be registered are to be offered to existing
security holders pursuant to warrants or rights and any securities not taken by security holders
are to be reoffered to the public, the undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to supplement
the prospectus, after the expiration of the subscription period, to set forth the results of the
subscription offer, the transactions by the underwriters during the subscription period, the
amount of unsubscribed securities to be purchased by the underwriters, and the terms of any
subsequent reoffering thereof. If any public offering by the underwriters is to be made on
terms differing from those set forth on the cover page of the prospectus, a post-effective
amendment will be filed to set forth the terms of such offering.
(d) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to deliver or cause to be delivered with
the prospectus, to each person to whom the prospectus is sent or given, the latest annual report
to security holders that is incorporated by reference in the prospectus and furnished to and
meeting the requirements of Rule 14a-3 or Rule 14c-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended; and, where interim financial information
30
required to be presented by Article 3 of Regulation S-X is not set forth in the prospectus,
to deliver, or cause to be delivered to each person to whom the prospectus is sent or given, the
latest quarterly report that is specifically incorporated by reference in the prospectus to
provide such interim financial information.
(e) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrants pursuant to the
foregoing provisions or otherwise, the registrants have been advised that in the opinion of the
SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and
therefore is unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
liabilities, other than the payment by the registrants of expenses incurred or paid by a
director, officer or controlling person of the registrants in the successful defense of any
action, suit or proceeding is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrants will, unless in the opinion of
their counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by them is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
(f) The undersigned registrants hereby undertake that:
(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information
omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance
upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to
Rule 424(b(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this
registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each
post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
31
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, Nabors Industries Ltd. certifies that it
has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing this
registration statement on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Hamilton, Bermuda on May 29, 2009.
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NABORS INDUSTRIES LTD. |
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By:
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/s/ Mark Andrews
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Mark Andrews |
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Corporate Secretary |
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POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes
and appoints, Laura W. Doerre and Eugene M. Isenberg, each his attorney-in-fact, with full power of
substitution for him or her in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this Registration
Statement, including any and all pre-effective and post-effective amendments and to file such
amendments thereto, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the
SEC, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact, or each his or her substitute
or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been
signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
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Signature |
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Title |
|
Date |
/s/ Eugene M. Isenberg
Eugene M. Isenberg |
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Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
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|
May 29, 2009 |
Anthony G. Petrello |
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Deputy Chairman, President and
Chief Operating Officer
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|
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/s/ R. Clark Wood
R. Clark Wood |
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Principal accounting and
financial officer
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|
May 29, 2009 |
/s/ William T. Comfort
William T. Comfort |
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Director
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|
May 29, 2009 |
/s/ John V. Lombardi
John V. Lombardi |
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Director
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|
May 29, 2009 |
/s/ James L. Payne
James L. Payne |
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Director
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May 29, 2009 |
32
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Signature |
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Title |
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Date |
Hans Schmidt |
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Director
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/s/ Myron M. Sheinfeld
Myron M. Sheinfeld |
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Director
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May 29, 2009 |
/s/ Martin J. Whitman
Martin J. Whitman |
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Director
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May 29, 2009 |
33
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
|
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Exhibit No. |
|
Document Description |
|
|
|
2.1
|
|
Amended and Restated Acquisition Agreement, dated as of March 18, 2002, by and between
Nabors Industries, Inc. and Enserco Energy Service Company Inc. (incorporated by
reference to Nabors Industries Ltd.s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration
No. 333-85228) filed with the SEC on March 29, 2002, as amended). |
|
|
|
2.2
|
|
Form of Plan of Arrangement Under Section 192 of the Canada Business Corporations Act
Involving and Affecting Enserco Energy Service Company Inc. and its Securityholders
(incorporated by reference to Schedule B to Exhibit 2.1 to Nabors Industries Ltd.s
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-85228) filed with the SEC on
March 29, 2002, as amended). |
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|
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2.3
|
|
Arrangement Agreement, dated as of August 12, 2002, by and between Nabors Industries
Ltd. and Ryan Energy Technology Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to
Nabors Industries Ltd.s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No.
333-99267) filed with the SEC on September 6, 2002). |
|
|
|
2.4
|
|
Form of Plan of Arrangement Under Section 193 of the Business Corporations Act
(Alberta) Involving and Affecting Ryan Energy Technologies Inc. and its Securityholders
(incorporated by reference to Schedule B to Exhibit 2.1 to Nabors Industries Ltd.s
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-99267) filed with the SEC on
September 6, 2002). |
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|
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2.5
|
|
Agreement and Plan of Merger among Nabors Industries, Inc., Nabors Acquisition Corp.
VIII, Nabors Industries Ltd. and Nabors US Holdings Inc. (incorporated by reference to
Annex I to the proxy statement/prospectus included in Nabors Industries Ltd.s
Registration Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No. 333-76198) filed with the SEC on
May 10, 2002, as amended). |
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3.1
|
|
Memorandum of Association of Nabors Industries Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Annex
II to the proxy statement/prospectus included in Nabors Industries Ltd.s Registration
Statement on Form S-4 (Registration No. 333-76198) filed with the SEC on May 10, 2002,
as amended). |
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3.2
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Amended and Restated Bye-Laws of Nabors Industries Ltd. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.2 to Nabors Industries Ltd.s Form 10-Q (File No. 000-49887) filed with the
Commission on August 3, 2005). |
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3.3
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Amendment to Amended and Restated Bye-Laws of Nabors Industries Ltd. (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit A of Nabors Industries Ltd. Notice of Special General Meeting and
Proxy Statement (File No. 001-32657) filed February 24, 2006). |
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3.4
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Form of Resolutions of the Board of Directors of Nabors Industries Ltd. authorizing the
issue of the Special Voting Preferred Share (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3
to Nabors Industries Ltd.s Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on
Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-85228-99) filed with the Commission on June 11, 2002). |
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4.1
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Form of Provisions Attaching to the Exchangeable Shares of Nabors Exchangeco (Canada)
Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Nabors Industries, Inc.s
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-85228) filed with the SEC on
March 29, 2002, as amended). |
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4.2
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Form of Support Agreement between Nabors Industries, Inc., 3064297 Nova Scotia Company
and Nabors Exchangeco (Canada) Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Nabors
Industries, Inc.s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-85228)
filed with the SEC on March 29, 2002, as amended). |
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4.3
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Form of Acknowledgement of Novation to Nabors Industries, Inc., Nabors Exchangeco
(Canada) Inc., Computershare Trust Company of Canada and 3064297 Nova Scotia Company
executed by Nabors Industries Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Nabors
Industries Ltd.s Post Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-3
(Registration No. 333-85228-99) filed with the SEC on June 11, 2002). |
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Exhibit No. |
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Document Description |
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5.1
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Opinion of Appleby.* |
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8.1
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Opinion of Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP as to certain United States tax matters.* |
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8.2
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Opinion of Appleby as to certain Bermuda tax matters.* |
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8.3
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Opinion of Stikeman Elliot LLP as to certain Canadian tax matters.* |
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9.1
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Form of Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement between Nabors Industries, Inc. and Nabors
Exchangeco (Canada) Inc. and Computershare Trust Company of Canada, as trustee
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 9.1 to Nabors Industries, Inc.s Registration
Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-85228) filed with the SEC on March 29,
2002, as amended). |
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15.1
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Awareness Letter of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.* |
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23.1
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Consent of Appleby (included in Exhibits 5.1 and 8.2). |
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23.2
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Consent of Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP (included in Exhibit 8.1). |
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23.3
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Consent of Stikeman Elliot LLP (included in Exhibit 8.3). |
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23.4
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Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.* |
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23.5
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Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.* |
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24.1
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Powers of Attorney (included in signature pages hereto). |
35