e6vk
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
Pursuant to Section 13a-16 or 15d-16 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
April 13, 2007
Commission File Number: 001-14534
Precision Drilling Trust
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
4200, 150 6th Avenue S.W.
Calgary, Alberta
Canada T2P 3Y7
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under
cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted
by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1). o
Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1) only permits the submission in paper of a Form
6-K if submitted solely to provide an attached annual report to security holders.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as
permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): o
Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if
submitted to furnish a report or other document that the registrant foreign private issuer must
furnish and make public under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the registrant is incorporated,
domiciled or legally organized (the registrants home country), or under the rules of the home
country exchange on which the registrants securities are traded, as long as the report or other
document is not a press release, is not required to be and has not been distributed to the
registrants security holders, and, if discussing a material event, has already been the subject of
a Form 6-K submission or other Commission filing on EDGAR.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in
this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b)
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
If Yes is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in
connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-N/A
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Exhibit |
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DESCRIPTION |
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Precision Drilling Trust Notice of the Annual and Special Meeting of Unitholders and
Information Circular dated April 4, 2007 along with the
instruments of proxy |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized.
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Dated: April 13, 2007 |
PRECISION DRILLING CORPORATION
As agent for and on behalf of
PRECISION DRILLING TRUST
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By: |
/s/ Darren Ruhr
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Name: |
Darren Ruhr |
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Title: |
Vice President, Corporate Services &
Corporate Secretary |
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PRECISION DRILLING TRUST
NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETING OF UNITHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 9, 2007
AND
INFORMATION CIRCULAR
DATED
APRIL 4, 2007
PRECISION DRILLING TRUST
NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL AND SPECIAL MEETING OF UNITHOLDERS
NOTICE IS HEREBY given that the annual and special meeting (the Meeting) of the holders of units
(the Trust Units) of Precision Drilling Trust (the Trust) and holders of Class B Limited
Partnership Units (the Exchangeable Units) of Precision Drilling Limited Partnership (PDLP),
will be held in the Enmax Ballroom at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, 100 6th Avenue
S.W., Calgary, Alberta, on the 9th day of May, 2007 at 3:00 P.M. (Calgary Time) for the
following purposes:
1. to elect the Trustees of the Trust for the ensuing year;
2. to approve the appointment of the directors of Precision Drilling Corporation, administrator to
the Trust, for the ensuing year;
3. to appoint KPMG LLP as Auditor for the ensuing year;
4. to approve a Deferred Trust Unit Plan for Non-Management Directors of Precision Drilling Corporation
including the reservation of a maximum of 200,000 Trust Units which may be issued pursuant to such
plan;
5. to approve a Unitholder Rights Plan; and
6. to transact such other business as may
properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
The specific details of the matters proposed to be put before the Meeting are set forth in the
proxy statement and information circular accompanying this notice.
The directors of Precision Drilling Corporation have, on behalf of the Trust, fixed the record date
for the Meeting as April 4, 2007 (the Record Date). Only holders of Trust Units and Exchangeable
Units (together the Unitholders) of record at the close of business on Wednesday, April 4, 2007
are entitled to receive notice of the Meeting. Unitholders of record will be entitled to vote those
units included in the list of Unitholders entitled to vote at the Meeting prepared as at the Record
Date, unless any holder of Trust Units transfers his or her Trust Units after the Record Date and
the transferee of those Trust Units establishes that he or she owns the Trust Units and demands,
not later than 10 days before the Meeting, that the transferees name be included in the list of
Unitholders entitled to vote at the Meeting, in which case such transferee shall be entitled to
vote such Trust Units at the Meeting.
Holders of Trust Units who are unable to be personally present at the Meeting may date and sign the
form of proxy accompanying this Notice and return the same to the offices of Computershare Trust
Company of Canada, Proxy Department, 100 University Avenue, 9th Floor, Toronto, Ontario, M5J 2YI by
3:00 P.M. (Calgary Time) on May 7, 2007, or vote by phone or by internet in the manner described in
the form of proxy.
Holders of Exchangeable Units are required to vote through a special voting unit that has been
issued to Computershare Trust Company of Canada (the Voting and Exchange Trustee) as trustee
under a voting and exchange trust agreement. The Exchangeable Units are entitled to that number of
votes equal to the number of Trust Units into which each Exchangeable Unit may be exchanged (on a
one-for-one basis) as at the Record Date. The Voting and Exchange Trustee is required to vote the
special voting unit in the manner that holders of Exchangeable Units instruct and to abstain from
voting on the Exchangeable Units for
which the Voting and Exchange Trustee does not receive instructions.
Forms of proxy, in order to be valid and acted upon at the Meeting, must be returned to the
aforesaid offices of Computershare Trust Company of Canada, or voted by phone or internet, not less
than 48 hours before the time
fixed for holding the Meeting or any adjournment thereof, or in the case of the Trust Units only,
with the Chairman of the Meeting prior to commencement thereof.
A copy of the Trusts current annual report, which includes its annual audited consolidated
financial statements and managements discussion and analysis for the financial years ended
December 31, 2006 and 2005, the proxy statement and information circular with respect to the
Meeting, the Trusts annual information form for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 as filed
with Canadian provincial securities commissions and under cover of an annual report on Form 40-F
with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, and any unaudited interim financial
statements of the Trust subsequent to the financial statements for the year ended December 31,
2006, may be obtained without charge by writing to Precision Drilling Corporation, Vice President,
Corporate Services and Corporate Secretary, Suite 4200, 150
6th Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta T2P 3Y7 or by email at corporatesecretary@precisiondrilling.com.
Dated at Calgary, Alberta this 4th day of April 2007.
By order of the Board of Directors of Precision Drilling Corporation, administrator to Precision
Drilling Trust
(signed)
Darren Ruhr
Vice President, Corporate Services and Corporate Secretary
PRECISION DRILLING TRUST
Proxy Statement And Information Circular
For the Annual and Special Meeting of Unitholders
to be Held May 9, 2007
Dated April 4, 2007 (the Effective Date)
I. Proxy Statement and Information Circular
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
THIS PROXY STATEMENT AND INFORMATION CIRCULAR (the Circular) IS FURNISHED IN CONNECTION
WITH THE SOLICITATION OF PROXIES BY PRECISION DRILLING CORPORATION (Precision) ON BEHALF OF
ROBERT J.S. GIBSON, PATRICK M. MURRAY AND H. GARTH WIGGINS AS THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF PRECISION
DRILLING TRUST (the Trust) to be used at the annual and special meeting of holders of units of
the Trust (the Trust Units) and holders of Class B Limited Partnership Units (the Exchangeable
Units) of Precision Drilling Limited Partnership (PDLP), to be held in the Enmax Ballroom at the
Calgary Chamber of Commerce, 100 6th Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta, on the 9th
day of May, 2007 at 3:00 P.M., (Calgary time), or at any adjournment thereof for the purposes
set forth in the enclosed Notice of Meeting accompanying this Circular (the Meeting). The cost of
solicitation will be borne by Precision and reimbursed by the Trust. All amounts referred to herein
are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated.
VOTING BY HOLDERS OF EXCHANGEABLE UNITS
This Circular is being mailed to holders of Trust Units and Exchangeable Units (together
the Unitholders). The Circular relates principally to the Trust as PDLP is exempt from National
Instrument 51-102 Continuous Disclosure Obligations (NI 51-102) provided the Trust complies with
the requirements set out in Section 13.3 of NI 51-102. The Exchangeable Units are the economic
equivalent of the Trust Units, however, whereas each Trust Unit outstanding on the record date (as
defined herein) is entitled to one vote, the Exchangeable Units are required to vote through a
special voting unit that has been issued to Computershare Trust Company of Canada as trustee (the
Voting and Exchange Trustee) under a voting and exchange trust agreement. The Exchangeable Units
are entitled to that number of votes equal to the number of Trust Units into which the Exchangeable
Units may be exchanged (on a one-for-one basis) as at the record date. The Voting and Exchange
Trustee is required to vote the special voting unit in the manner that holders of Exchangeable
Units instruct and to abstain from voting on the Exchangeable Units for which the Voting and
Exchange Trustee does not receive instructions.
ADVICE TO BENEFICIAL HOLDERS OF TRUST UNITS
The information set forth in this section is of significant importance to holders of
Trust Units as a substantial number do not hold Trust Units in their own name. Holders who do not
hold Trust Units in their own name (referred to herein as Beneficial Holders) should note that
only proxies deposited by holders whose names appear on the records of the Trust as the registered
holders of Trust Units can be recognized and acted upon at the Meeting. If Trust Units are listed
in an account statement provided by a broker, then in almost all cases those Trust Units will not
be registered in the Beneficial Holders name on the records of the Trust and such Trust Units will
more likely be registered under the name of the Beneficial Holders broker or an agent of that
broker. In Canada, the vast majority of such Trust Units are registered under the name of CDS &
Co., the registration name for CDS Clearing and Depository Services Inc., which acts as nominee for
many Canadian brokerage firms. In the United States, the vast majority of such Trust Units are
registered under the name of Cede & Co., the registration name for The Depositary Trust Company,
which acts as nominee for many United States brokerage firms. Trust Units held by brokers or their
nominees can only be voted (for or against resolutions) upon the instructions of the Beneficial
Holder. Without specific instructions from Beneficial Holders, the investment dealers and other
intermediaries are prohibited from voting Trust Units for their clients. The Trust does not know
for whose benefit the Trust Units registered in the name of CDS & Co. or Cede & Co. are held.
Applicable regulatory policies require investment dealers and other intermediaries to seek
voting instructions from Beneficial Holders in advance of meetings. Every intermediary has its own
mailing procedures and provides its own return instructions which should be carefully followed by
Beneficial Holders in order to ensure that their Trust Units are represented at the Meeting. Often,
the form of proxy supplied to a Beneficial Holder by intermediaries is identical to the form of
proxy provided to registered Unitholders; however, its purpose is limited to instructing
intermediaries regarding how to vote on behalf of the Beneficial Holder. The majority of brokers
now delegate responsibility for obtaining instructions from clients to ADP Investor Communications
(ADP). ADP typically mails a scannable voting instruction form in lieu of the form of proxy. The
Beneficial Holder is requested to complete and return the voting instruction form to ADP by mail or
facsimile, or to follow the instructions on the voting instruction form to vote online or by
calling a toll-free telephone number. ADP then tabulates the results of all instructions received
and provides appropriate instructions respecting the voting of Trust Units to be represented at the
Meeting. A Beneficial Holder receiving a voting instruction form cannot use that voting instruction
form to vote Trust Units directly at the Meeting. A Beneficial Holder must follow the directions
within the time frame set out in the voting instruction form in order to vote the Trust Units at
the Meeting.
The foregoing discussion similarly applies to holders of Exchangeable Units who do not hold
their Exchangeable Units in their own name. Only holders of Exchangeable Units whose names appear
on the records of PDLP as the registered holders of Exchangeable Units are entitled to instruct the
Voting and Exchange Trustee as to how to exercise voting rights in respect of their Exchangeable
Units at the Meeting. The procedure for voting Exchangeable Units is described below under the
heading Instructions to the Voting and Exchange Trustee.
APPOINTMENT OF PROXY
The persons named in the enclosed instrument of proxy, Mr. Gene C. Stahl, President and
Chief Operating Officer of Precision, and Mr. Doug J. Strong, Chief Financial Officer of Precision,
have indicated their willingness to represent as proxies the Unitholders who appoint them. A
Unitholder submitting a proxy has the right to appoint another person or company to represent such
Unitholder at the Meeting and may do so either by inserting such person or companys name in the
blank space provided and striking out the existing names, or by completing another proper form of
proxy. In either case, instruments of proxy must be deposited at Computershare Trust Company of
Canada, Proxy Department, 100 University Avenue, 9th Floor, Toronto, Ontario, M5J 2YI,
before 3:00 P.M. (Calgary time) on May 7, 2007. A proxy must be executed by the Unitholder or his
or her attorney authorized in writing or, if such Unitholder is a corporation, under its seal or by
an officer or attorney thereof duly authorized. Representatives of Unitholders appointed as
proxies are not required to be Unitholders themselves.
INSTRUCTIONS TO THE VOTING AND EXCHANGE TRUSTEE
Holders of Exchangeable Units may give their instructions to the Voting and Exchange
Trustee by proxy, designate a person to exercise their vote by proxy or in person, or attend at the
Meeting and vote in person. If delivering a proxy or designating a person to execute the proxy on
their behalf, the instruments of proxy must be deposited to the Computershare Trust Company of
Canada as Voting and Exchange Trustee, Proxy Department, 100 University Avenue, 9th Floor, Toronto,
Ontario, M5J 2YI, before 3:00 P.M. (Calgary time) on May 4, 2007.
REVOCATION OF PROXY
An instrument of proxy in respect of Trust Units and Exchangeable Units may be revoked by
the person giving it at any time prior to the exercise thereof. If a person who has given a proxy
attends personally at the
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Meeting, such person may revoke the proxy and vote in person. In addition to revocation in any
other manner permitted by law, a proxy may be revoked by instrument in writing or, if the holder of
Trust Units or Exchangeable Units is a corporation, under its corporate seal or by an officer or an
attorney thereof duly authorized, and deposited either with Computershare Trust Company of Canada
at the address described above at any time up to and including the last day of business preceding
the day of the Meeting or at any adjournment thereof at which the proxy is to be used, or with the
Chairman of the Meeting on the day of the Meeting or adjournment thereof, and upon either of such
deposits, the proxy will be revoked.
RECORD DATE
By resolution of the board of directors of Precision (the Board of Directors, and each
member a Director), the record date for the Meeting has been established as April 4, 2007 (the
Record Date). Only Unitholders of record as of the close of business on the Record Date will be
entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Meeting or any adjournment thereof, except that a
transferee of Trust Units after the Record Date may, not later than ten (10) days before the
Meeting, establish the right to vote by providing evidence of ownership of Trust Units and
requesting that the transferees name be placed on the voting list in place of the transferor.
EXERCISE OF DISCRETION BY PROXIES
The persons named in the enclosed form of proxy will vote the Trust Units in respect of
which they are appointed in accordance with the direction of the Unitholders appointing them where
voting is by way of a show of hands or by ballot, and if the Unitholder specifies a choice with
respect to any matter that may be acted upon, the Trust Units will be voted accordingly. In the
absence of such direction, the Trust Units will be voted for the election of the nominees
hereinafter set forth as the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the Board of Trustees, and each
member a Trustee), for the approval of the appointment of the
Board of Directors of Precision, for the reappointment of KPMG LLP, Chartered Accountants, as
Auditor, for the approval of the Deferred Trust Unit Plan for Non-Management Directors of Precision
Drilling Corporation (the DTU Plan), and for the approval of the Unitholder Rights Plan (the
Rights Plan). The enclosed form of proxy confers discretionary authority upon the persons named
therein with respect to any amendments or variations in the matters outlined in the accompanying
Notice of Meeting or any other business which may properly come before the Meeting. The Trustees,
Directors and executive officers of Precision know of no such amendments, variations or other
business to come before the Meeting other than the matters referred to in the Notice of Meeting.
VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF VOTING SECURITIES
An unlimited number of Trust Units may be created and issued by the Trust. At the
Effective Date the Trust had outstanding 125,572,690 Trust Units, each Trust Unit carrying the
right to one vote. The Trust Units are the only class of voting securities of the Trust, which are
issued and outstanding. To the knowledge of the Board of Trustees, the Board of Directors and
executive officers of Precision, as at the Effective Date, no person or company beneficially owned,
directly or indirectly, or exercised control or direction over Trust Units entitled to more than
ten percent (10%) of the votes which may be cast at the Meeting.
At the Effective Date, PDLP had outstanding 125,572,690 Class A Limited Partnership Units,
each of which is held by the Trust, and 185,234 Exchangeable Units, each of which are held by
former shareholders of Precision who elected to receive Exchangeable Units in lieu of Trust Units
at the time of the reorganization of the business of Precision into the Trust. The Exchangeable
Units are the economic equivalent of the Trust Units, will be exchangeable for Trust Units on a
one-for-one basis at the option of the holder, entitle the holder to receive cash payments equal to
cash distributions made by the Trust on the Trust Units, and entitle the holder to direct the
Voting and Exchange Trustee to vote the special voting unit at all meetings of holders of Trust
Units. The Trust Units together with the Exchangeable Units are the only class of voting securities
of PDLP which are issued and
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outstanding and entitled to vote at the Meeting as a single class. To the knowledge of the
directors and officers of 1194312 Alberta Ltd., the general partner of PDLP (the General
Partner), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Trust which has the exclusive authority to manage the
business and affairs of PDLP on behalf of the Trust, as at the Effective Date, no person or company
beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, or exercised control or direction over Exchangeable
Units entitled to more than ten percent (10%) of the votes which may be cast at the Meeting.
At the Effective Date, the Trustees, the Directors and the executive officers of Precision, as
a group, beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, or exercised control over 317,579 Trust Units
and nil Exchangeable Units or approximately 0.25% of the issued and outstanding Trust Units and
Exchangeable Units.
INDEBTEDNESS OF TRUSTEES, DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
There are no loans outstanding from the Trust or Precision to the Trustees, or the
Directors or executive officers of Precision.
INTEREST OF INSIDERS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS
There were no material interests, direct or indirect, of the Trustees, or the Directors
and executive officers of Precision, the nominees for Trustee or Director, any Unitholder who
beneficially owns more than 10% of the Trust Units or Exchangeable Units, or any known associate or
affiliate of such persons, in any transaction since the commencement of the last completed fiscal
year, or any proposed transaction which has materially affected or would materially affect the
Trust or any of its subsidiaries.
INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS AND COMPANIES IN MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
The Board of Trustees on behalf of the Trust, and the Board of Directors and executive
officers on behalf of Precision, are not aware of any material interest of any Trustee, Director or
nominee for Trustee or Director, or officer of Precision or any one who has held office as such
since the beginning of the last fiscal year or any associate or affiliate of any of the foregoing
in any matter to be acted on at the Meeting.
II. Particulars of Matters to be Acted Upon
1. ELECTION OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE TRUST
At the Meeting the Unitholders will be asked to elect three members to the Board of
Trustees. The persons named in the enclosed form of proxy intend to vote for the election of the
persons set out below. It is not contemplated that nominees will be unable to serve as Trustees,
but, if that should occur for any reason prior to the Meeting, the persons named in the enclosed
form of proxy reserve the right to vote for other nominees at their discretion. The following table
sets forth, for each proposed Trustee: his name; age; municipality, province or state and country
of residence; all positions and offices with the Trust now held by him; the month and year in which
he was first appointed as a Trustee; his principal occupation; and the number and percentage of
Trust Units and Exchangeable Units that he has advised are beneficially owned by him, directly or
indirectly, as of the Effective Date:
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Name, Age, |
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Municipality, Province or |
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Position |
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Trust Units / Exchangeable |
State & Country of |
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Presently |
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Units Beneficially Owned, |
Residence |
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Held (1) |
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Trustee Since (2) |
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Principal Occupation |
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Controlled or Directed (3) |
Robert J.S. Gibson, 60 |
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Trustee |
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September 2005 |
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President, Stuart & Company Limited |
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63,200(4) / nil |
Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
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0.050% / nil |
Patrick M. Murray, 64 |
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Trustee |
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September 2005 |
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Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, |
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40,000 / nil |
Dallas, Texas, USA |
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Dresser Inc. |
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0.032% / nil |
Allen R. Hagerman, 55 |
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Director |
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n/a |
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Chief Financial Officer, Canadian Oil |
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1,000 / nil |
Cochrane, Alberta, Canada |
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Sands Limited since 2003, Chief |
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0.001% / nil |
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Financial Officer, Fording Canadian |
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Coal Trust 2002 to 2003 (5) |
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Notes: |
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(1) |
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Each Trustees term of office expires not later than the close of business at the next annual
meeting, or until successors are elected or a Trustee vacates their office in accordance with the
terms of the declaration of trust dated September 22, 2005 (the Declaration of Trust). |
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(2) |
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The
Trust was created September 22, 2005. |
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The percentage of Trust Units and Exchangeable Units beneficially owned is calculated based on
an aggregate of 125,757,924 Trust Units and Exchangeable Units outstanding as of the Effective
Date. |
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(4) |
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8,000 of the Trust Units are held by Stuart & Company Limited, a company controlled by Mr.
Gibson, and 10,000 Trust Units are held in a registered retirement savings plan for the benefit of
Mr. Gibson. |
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(5) |
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Mr. Hagerman has held these positions during the previous five years. |
2. APPROVAL OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF PRECISION
The Board of Trustees has delegated the management and general administration of the
affairs of the Trust to Precision pursuant to the terms of an administration agreement. PDLP is the
sole shareholder of Precision and is entitled to appoint the Board of Directors. Since the Trust
holds all of the voting shares of the General Partner of PDLP, the Board of Trustees will ensure
that appropriate steps are taken by the General Partner on behalf of PDLP to collect and act upon
the votes of Unitholders to appoint the Board of Directors. The directors of the General Partner
are also the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy and they intend to appoint the persons set
out below. It is not contemplated that the nominees set out below will be unable to serve as
Directors, but if that should occur for any reason prior to the Meeting, the persons named in the
enclosed form of proxy reserve the right to take steps to ensure that the General Partner appoint
other nominees at their discretion on the advice of the Board of Trustees.
In the event that the resolution to approve the appointment of the Board of Directors is not
passed,
or if nominees other than those proposed below are approved, the Board of Trustees will either
act on the resolution or promptly request that the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee
review the voting results and make a recommendation to the Board of Trustees for an alternate slate
of Directors to be nominated for appointment, or such other recommendation as they determine
appropriate, following which the Board of Trustees will seek approval from Unitholders, if
required, for such recommendation. The Board of Trustees will not take steps to implement or
approve any recommendation which would result in less than a majority of the Board of Directors
being independent or which would result in the Trustees constituting a majority of the Board of
Directors.
The following table sets forth, for each proposed Director: his name; age; municipality,
province or state and country of residence; all positions and offices with Precision now held by
him; the month and year in which he was first appointed a Director; his principal occupation; and
the number and percentage of Trust Units and Exchangeable Units that he has advised are
beneficially owned by him, directly or indirectly, as of the Effective Date:
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Name,
Age, |
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Position |
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Trust Units / Exchangeable Units |
Municipality, Province or State |
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Presently |
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Director |
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Beneficially Owned, Controlled or |
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Country of Residence |
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Held(1) |
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Since |
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Principal Occupation |
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Directed(2) |
W.C. (Mickey) Dunn, 54 (3) (5) |
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Director |
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September 1992 |
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Chairman, True Energy Trust |
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15,600 / nil |
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada |
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0.012% / nil |
Brian A. Felesky, CM, Q.C., 63(3) |
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Director |
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December 2005 |
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Counsel, Felesky Flynn LLP. From |
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2,800 / nil |
Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
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April 1978 through July 2006, Partner |
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0.002% / nil |
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at Felesky Flynn LLP. |
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Robert J.S. Gibson, 60 (3) (4) |
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Director |
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June 1996 |
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President, Stuart & Company Limited |
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63,200(6) / nil |
Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
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0.050% / nil |
Allen R. Hagerman, 55 (7) |
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Director |
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December 4, 2006 |
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Chief Financial Officer, Canadian Oil |
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1,000 / nil |
Cochrane, Alberta, Canada |
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Sands Limited since 2003, Chief |
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0.001% / nil |
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Financial Officer, Fording Canadian |
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Coal Trust 2002 to 2003 (8) |
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Stephen J.J. Letwin, 51 |
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Director |
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December 4, 2006 |
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Executive Vice President, Gas |
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nil / nil |
Houston, Texas, USA |
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Transportation and International, |
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nil% / nil |
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Enbridge Inc., 2005 to present. Group |
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Vice President, Gas Strategy & |
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Corporate Development, Enbridge |
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Inc., 2003 to 2005, Group Vice |
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President, Distribution and Services, |
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Enbridge Inc., 2001 to 2003 (9) |
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Patrick M. Murray, 64 (4) |
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Director |
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July 2002 |
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Chairman and Chief Executive |
|
40,000 / nil |
Dallas, Texas, USA |
|
|
|
|
|
Officer, Dresser Inc. |
|
0.032% / nil |
Frederick W. Pheasey, 64 (5) |
|
Director |
|
July 2002 |
|
Director of Dreco Energy Services |
|
44,000 / nil |
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada |
|
|
|
|
|
Ltd. |
|
0.035% / nil |
Robert L. Phillips, 56 (3) (5) |
|
Director |
|
May 2004 |
|
Corporate Director |
|
5,000(10) / nil |
Vancouver, British Columbia, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.004% / nil |
Canada |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hank B. Swartout, 55 (11) |
|
Director |
|
July 1987 |
|
Executive Chairman of Precision |
|
64,888 (12)/nil |
Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
|
Executive |
|
|
|
|
|
0.052% / nil |
|
|
Chairman |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes: |
|
(1) |
|
Each Directors term of office expires not later than the close of business at the next annual
meeting, or until successors are appointed or a Director vacates their office, and a Director is
normally not renominated following the earlier of their fifteenth term or 69th birthday.
|
|
(2) |
|
The percentage of Trust Units and Exchangeable Units beneficially owned is calculated based on
an aggregate of 125,757,924 Trust Units and Exchangeable Units outstanding as of the Effective
Date. |
|
(3) |
|
Member of the Corporate Governance and
Nominating Committee.
|
|
(4) |
|
Member of the Audit
Committee. |
|
(5) |
|
Member of the Compensation Committee. |
|
(6) |
|
8,000 of the Trust Units are held by Stuart & Company Limited, a company controlled by Mr.
Gibson, and 10,000 of the Trust Units are held in a registered retirement savings plan for the
benefit of Mr. Gibson. |
|
(7) |
|
It is intended that Mr. Hagerman will be appointed as a member of the Audit
Committee shortly after the Meeting.
|
|
(8) |
|
Mr. Hagerman has held these positions during
the previous five years. |
|
(9) |
|
Mr. Letwin has held these positions during the previous five years. |
|
(10) |
|
2,000 of the Trust Units are held by R.L. Phillips Investments Inc., a company controlled by
Mr. Phillips. |
|
(11) |
|
Effective January 1, 2007, Mr. Swartout relinquished his position as Chief Executive Officer
of Precision and assumed the role of Executive Chairman of Precision. |
|
(12) |
|
The Trust Units are held by 1201112 Alberta Ltd., a company controlled by Mr. Swartout. |
Each nominee for appointment to the board of Precision is independent with the exception
of Hank B. Swartout, Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Precision and
accordingly an executive officer.
-6-
The following table sets forth, for each Trustee or potential Trustee and Director, a brief
biography and a list of other public company boards on which the Trustees and Directors serve:
|
|
|
|
|
W.C. (Mickey) Dunn, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Mr. Dunn, 54, is the Chairman of the Board of True Energy Trust, a founding
shareholder and director of Rentcash Inc., a director of Vero Energy Inc. and a
director of Cork Exploration Inc. Previously, Mr. Dunn was President and Chief
Executive Officer of Cardium Service and Supply Limited, Cardium Tool Services
Inc. and Colorado Silica Sand Inc. He has been a Director of Precision since
September 1992.
Status: Independent
Unit Holdings: 15,600 |
|
|
|
Board/Committee Memberships (Attendance)
|
|
Public Board Memberships |
|
|
(Exchange: Symbol) |
Board of Directors (6 of 8)
|
|
Cork Exploration Inc. (TSX:CRK) |
Compensation Committee (4 of 4)
|
|
Rentcash Inc. (TSX: RCS) |
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee (4 of 5)
|
|
True Energy Trust (TSX: TUI.UN) |
|
|
Vero Energy Inc. (TSX: VRO) |
|
|
|
|
|
Brian A. Felesky, CM, Q.C., Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Mr. Felesky, 63, is Counsel to Felesky Flynn LLP, a law firm specializing in tax
and trust law. Mr. Felesky is a Co-Chair, Homefront (a domestic abuse charitable
organization), Vice-Chair Canada West Foundation, a member of the Senate of Athol
Murray College of Notre Dame, a board member of the Calgary Stampede Foundation and
the Calgary Arts Development Authority. Mr. Felesky also serves on the board of
Suncor Energy, Inc., EPCOR Power LP, Fairquest Energy Limited and Resin Systems
Inc. He has been a Director of Precision since December 2005.
Status: Independent
Unit Holdings: 2,800 |
|
|
|
Board/Committee Memberships (Attendance)
|
|
Public Board Memberships |
|
|
(Exchange: Symbol) |
Board of Directors (8 of 8)
|
|
EPCOR Power LP (TSX: EP.UN) |
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee (2 of 2) (1)
|
|
Fairquest Energy Limited (TSX: FQE) |
|
|
Resin Systems Inc. (TSX: RS) |
|
|
Suncor Energy, Inc. (TSX: SU, NYSE: SU) |
|
|
|
|
|
Robert J.S. Gibson, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Mr. Gibson, 60, has been President of a private investment firm, Stuart & Company
Limited, since 1973 and is also Managing Director of Alsten Holdings Ltd. He has
been a Director of Precision since June 1996 and was appointed to the Board of
Trustees in September 2005.
Status: Independent
Unit Holdings: 63,200 |
|
|
|
Board/Committee Memberships (Attendance)
|
|
Public Board Memberships
(Exchange: Symbol) |
Board of Directors (8 of 8)
|
|
None |
Board of Trustees (10 of 10) |
|
|
Audit Committee (4 of 4) |
|
|
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee -
Chairman (5 of 5) |
|
|
-7-
|
|
|
|
|
Allen R. Hagerman, Cochrane, Alberta, Canada
Mr. Hagerman, 55, currently holds the position of Chief Financial Officer,
Canadian Oil Sands Limited. Mr. Hagerman is a member of the Canadian Institute of
Chartered Accountants. He also serves on the board of Syncrude Canada Limited and
EPCOR Power LP. Mr. Hagerman has been a Director of Precision since December 2006.
Status: Independent
Unit Holdings: 1,000 |
|
|
|
Board/Committee Memberships (Attendance)
|
|
Public Board Memberships |
|
|
(Exchange: Symbol) |
Board of Directors (1 of 1) (2)
|
|
EPCOR Power LP (TSX: EP.UN) |
|
|
|
|
|
Stephen J.J. Letwin, Houston, Texas, United States of America
Mr. Letwin, 51, currently holds the position of Executive Vice President, Gas
Transportation & International, Enbridge Inc. Mr. Letwin also serves on the board
of Mancal Corporation, Gaz Metropolitan Limited Partnership, Enbridge Energy
Partners L.P., Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA), Canadian Gas
Association (CGA) and the C.D. Howe Institute. He has been a Director of Precision
since December 2006.
Status: Independent
Unit Holdings: Nil |
|
|
|
Board/Committee Memberships (Attendance)
|
|
Public Board Memberships |
|
|
(Exchange: Symbol) |
Board of Directors (1 of 1) (3)
|
|
Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P. (NYSE: EEP) |
|
|
Gaz Metropolitan Limited Partnership (TSX: GZM.UN) |
|
|
|
|
|
Patrick M. Murray, Dallas, Texas, United States of America
Mr. Murray, 64, is Chairman and CEO of Dresser Inc., a member of the American
Petroleum Institute, the Society of Petroleum Engineers, the boards of the World
Affairs Council of Greater Dallas, the Valve Manufacturers Association, the
Petroleum Equipment Supplier Association, the McGuire Energy Institute and is a
director of Houston-based Harvest Natural Resources, Inc. Mr. Murray has been a
Director of Precision since July 2002 and was appointed to the Board of Trustees
in September 2005.
Status: Independent
Unit Holdings: 40,000 |
|
|
|
Board/Committee Memberships (Attendance)
|
|
Public Board Memberships |
|
|
(Exchange: Symbol) |
Board
of Directors (7 of 8)
|
|
Harvest Natural Resources, Inc. (NYSE: HNR) |
Board of Trustees (9 of 10) |
|
|
Audit Committee Chairman (4 of 4) |
|
|
-8-
|
|
|
|
|
Frederick W. Pheasey, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Mr. Pheasey, 64, is the founder and continues to be a director of Dreco Energy
Services Ltd., which was acquired by National Oilwell, Inc. in 1997. Mr. Pheasey
served as Executive Vice President and a director of National Oilwell, Inc. from
1997 to 2004 and continued to serve on the board of National Oilwell, Inc. to May
2005. Mr. Pheasey has been a Director of Precision since July 2002.
Status: Independent
Unit Holdings: 44,000 |
|
|
|
Board/Committee Memberships (Attendance)
|
|
Public Board Memberships |
|
|
(Exchange: Symbol) |
Board of Directors (7 of 8)
|
|
None |
Compensation Committee Chairman (4 of 4) |
|
|
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee (3 of 5) (4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert L. Phillips, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Mr. Phillips, 56, was most recently President and Chief Executive Officer of BCR
Group of Companies from 2001 to 2004. Previously, he was Executive Vice President
at MacMillan Bloedel Limited (1999 2001), President and Chief Executive Officer
of PTI Group Inc. (1998 1999) and President and Chief Executive Officer of Dreco
Energy Services Ltd. (1994 1998). Mr. Phillips has been a Director of Precision
since May 2004 and also serves on the boards of several other major Canadian
corporations.
Status: Independent
Unit Holdings: 5,000 |
|
|
|
Board/Committee Memberships (Attendance)
|
|
Public Board Memberships |
|
|
(Exchange: Symbol) |
Board of Directors (8 of 8)
|
|
Axia NetMedia Corporation (TSX: AXX) |
Compensation Committee (4 of 4)
|
|
Boston Pizza Royalties Income Fund (TSX: BPF.UN) |
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee (5 of 5)
|
|
Canadian Western Bank (TSX: CWB) |
|
|
EPCOR Preferred Equity Inc. (TSX: EPE.PR.A) |
|
|
EPCOR Utilities Inc. (unlisted) |
|
|
MacDonald, Dettwiler & Associates Ltd. (TSX: MDA) |
|
|
Terra Vest Income Fund (TSX: TI.UN) |
|
|
Tree Island Wire Income Fund (TSX: TIL.UN) |
|
|
West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd. (TSX: WFT) |
-9-
|
|
|
|
|
Hank B. Swartout, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Mr. Swartout, 55, currently holds the position of Executive Chairman of Precision.
From November 2005 to December 2006, Mr. Swartout held the position of Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer. For the period from 1985 through 2005, Mr. Swartout
held the position of Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Precision.
Previously, he held positions as Manager of Bawden Western Oceanic Offshore, Vice
President of Rig Design and Construction for Dreco Energy Services Ltd., and
Manager of Construction for Nabors Drilling Canada.
Status: Non-Independent
Unit Holdings: 64,888 |
|
|
|
Board/Committee Memberships (Attendance)
|
|
Public Board Memberships |
|
|
(Exchange: Symbol) |
Board of Directors Executive Chairman (8 of 8)
|
|
Arcan Resources Ltd. (TSX: ARN) |
|
|
Harvest Energy Trust (TSX: HTE. UN,
NYSE: HTE) |
|
|
Highpine Oil & Gas Limited
(TSX: H PX) |
|
|
|
Notes: |
|
(1) |
|
Mr. Felesky was appointed to the Corporate Governance and Nominating
Committee on October 1, 2006 |
|
(2) |
|
Mr. Hagerman was appointed to the Board of
Directors on December 4, 2006 |
|
(3) |
|
Mr. Letwin was appointed to the Board of
Directors on December 4, 2006 |
|
(4) |
|
Mr. Pheasey resigned from the Corporate
Governance and Nominating Committee on September 30, 2006 |
|
(5) |
|
TSX means the
Toronto Stock Exchange. |
|
(6) |
|
NYSE means the New York Stock Exchange. |
No Trustee, or Director or executive officer of Precision has, within the last 10 years,
been a director or officer of any reporting issuer that, while such person was acting in that
capacity, was the subject of a cease trade or similar order or an order that denied the reporting
issuer access to any statutory exemption for a period of more than 30 consecutive days or was
declared a bankrupt or made a voluntary assignment in bankruptcy, made a proposal under any
legislation relating to bankruptcy or been subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or
compromise with creditors or had a receiver, receiver-manager or trustee appointed to hold assets
of that person.
No Trustee, or Director or executive officer of Precision has been subject to any penalty or
sanction by a court relating to a securities legislation or by a securities regulatory authority or
any other penalties or sanctions imposed by a court or regulatory body.
3. APPOINTMENT OF AUDITOR
The nominees named in the enclosed form of proxy intend to vote for the re-appointment of
KPMG LLP, Chartered Accountants, as auditor of the Trust to hold office until the next annual
meeting of the Trust. KPMG LLP was appointed as auditor of the Trust on October 31, 2005. Should
KPMG LLP for any reason be unwilling or unable to accept re-appointment, the Board of Trustees will
exercise their discretion to appoint an alternate auditor.
Audit, audit related, tax and all other fees billed by KPMG LLP to the Trust and Precision in
2006 and 2005 are disclosed in the Annual Information Form of the Trust dated March 29, 2007 which
is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and will be provided free of charge to any Unitholder upon
request to the Vice President, Corporate Services and Corporate Secretary, at the offices of
Precision, 4200, 150 6th Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2P 3Y7, by telephone
at 403.716.4500, facsimile at 403.264.0251 or email at corporatesecretary@precisiondrilling.com.
4.
APPROVAL OF DEFERRED TRUST UNIT PLAN FOR NON MANAGEMENT DIRECTORS
At the Meeting, Unitholders will be asked to approve the Deferred Trust Unit Plan for
Non-Management Directors of Precision Drilling Corporation (the DTU Plan) including the
reservation of a maximum of 200,000 Trust Units which may be issued pursuant to the DTU Plan. A
copy of the DTU Plan as approved by the Board of
-10-
Directors of Precision, subject to Unitholder approval, is provided in Exhibit A attached hereto,
and Unitholders are encouraged to read the DTU Plan in its entirety.
DTU PLAN
The Board of Directors of Precision has approved the DTU Plan, subject to Unitholder
approval. Precision believes the DTU Plan will provide a form of directors compensation that
aligns the interest of its non-management directors with Unitholders and will allow it to continue
to attract qualified directors.
Eligibility
All directors of Precision who are not employees of Precision are eligible to participate
in the DTU Plan.
Deferred Trust Units
Directors of Precision will be entitled to elect to receive the annual retainer fee for
directors, the annual retainer fee for committee membership, and board and committee meeting fees
in the form of the Deferred Trust Units (DTUs).
Each DTU is a bookkeeping entry equal to the value of one Trust Unit for each DTU at the time
of grant (the DTU Account). The DTU Account will be adjusted for each distribution to Unitholders
by the amount of such distribution by issuing additional DTUs equal to the value of the
distribution based on the closing market price of the Trust Units on the TSX on the immediately
prior trading day. In certain events, including a split or consolidation of Trust Units and a
reorganization, proportionate adjustments will be made to the number of DTUs outstanding under the
DTU Plan to reflect such changes, as determined by the Board of Directors of Precision in its sole
discretion.
Unless otherwise provided at the time of grant, each DTU will be fully vested upon being
credited to a Directors DTU Account. Each Director shall be entitled to payment of such DTUs on
ceasing to be a director of Precision or an affiliate, and such entitlement shall not be subject to
satisfaction of any requirements as to any minimum period of membership on the Board or other
conditions. The assignment or transfer of the DTU, or any other benefits under the DTU Plan, shall
not be permitted other than by operation of law.
The number of Trust Units issuable to non-management directors, at any time, under all
security based compensation arrangements of the Trust, including the DTU Plan, cannot exceed 10% of
the issued
and outstanding Trust Units. The number of Trust Units issued to non-management directors,
within any one year period, under all security based compensation arrangements of the Trust,
including the DTU Plan, cannot exceed 10% of the issued and outstanding Trust Units.
Redemption
A Director or his or her legal representative may redeem the DTUs at any time after his or her
retirement from the Board of Directors or death and on or prior to December 15 in the first
calendar year after his or her retirement date or death. Each DTU will be redeemed for an equal
number of Trust Units.
Amendment of DTU Plan
The DTU Plan may be amended or terminated at any time by the Board, except as to rights
already accrued thereunder.
-11-
DTU Plan Resolution
Pursuant to the rules of the TSX, the DTU Plan must be approved by a majority of the holders
of Trust Units represented at the Meeting and voted on this resolution, excluding potential
participants in the DTU Plan. Accordingly, at the Meeting, the following ordinary resolution will
be presented:
BE IT RESOLVED, AS AN ORDINARY
RESOLUTION OF THE UNITHOLDERS OF PRECISION DRILLING TRUST, that:
|
1. |
|
the Deferred Trust Unit Plan for Non-Management Directors of Precision Drilling Corporation
attached as Exhibit A to the Proxy Statement and Information Circular of Precision Drilling Trust
dated April 4, 2007 (the DTU Plan), be and the same is hereby authorized and approved; and |
|
|
2. |
|
an
aggregate of 200,000 Trust Units of Precision Drilling Trust be and are hereby authorized for
issuance under the DTU Plan. |
5. APPROVAL OF UNITHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN
GENERAL
Unitholders will also be asked to consider and, if thought advisable, pass an ordinary
resolution authorizing and approving the adoption of a unitholder rights plan for the Trust (the
Rights Plan). The Rights Plan is available through the
website of the Trust at www.precisiondrilling.com. If the Unitholders approve the adoption of the Rights Plan it will
become effective on the Meeting date (the Rights Plan Effective Date). The Rights Plan reflects
the new generation of Rights Plans designed to meet the proxy voting guidelines of institutional
investors.
The Rights Plan utilizes the mechanism of a Permitted Bid (as hereinafter described) to ensure
that a person seeking control of the Trust gives Unitholders and the Administrator sufficient time
to evaluate the bid, negotiate with the initial bidder and encourage competing bids to emerge. The
purpose of the Rights Plan is to protect Unitholders by requiring all potential bidders to comply
with the conditions specified in the Permitted Bid provisions or risk being subject to the dilutive
features of the Rights Plan. Generally, to qualify as a Permitted Bid, a bid must be made to all
Unitholders and must be open for 60 days after the bid is made. If more than 50% of the Trust Units
(including those underlying Exchangeable Units) held by Independent Unitholders (as hereinafter
defined) are deposited or tendered to the bid and not withdrawn, the bidder may take up and pay for
such Trust Units and Exchangeable Units. The take-over bid must then be extended for a further
period of ten business days on the same terms to allow those Unitholders who did not initially
tender their Trust Units or Exchangeable Units to tender to the take-over bid if they so choose.
Thus, there is no coercion to tender during the initial 60-day period because the bid must be open
for acceptance for at least ten business days after the expiry of the initial tender period. The
Rights Plan is designed to make it impracticable for any person to acquire more than 20% of the
outstanding Trust Units
(including those underlying Exchangeable Units) without the approval of the Administrator
except pursuant to the Permitted Bid procedures or pursuant to certain other exemptions outlined
below. Management believes that the Rights Plan taken as a whole should not be an unreasonable
obstacle to a serious bidder willing to make a bona fide and financially fair offer open to all
Unitholders. The provisions of the Rights Plan relating to portfolio managers are designed to
prevent the triggering of the Rights Plan by virtue of the customary activities of such persons.
The Rights Plan will expire ten years following the Rights Plan Effective Date, subject to
re-confirmation every three years.
The following is a summary of the principal provisions of the Rights Plan, which is qualified
in its entirety by reference to the text of the Rights Plan.
-12-
Regulatory Approval
The TSX accepted notice for filing of the Rights Plan subject to certain conditions being
satisfied including, among other things, that the Rights Plan be approved by the Unitholders by a
majority of votes cast by Unitholders at the Meeting in respect of the resolution confirming the
Rights Plan. The TSX further requires that if the Rights Plan is not approved as aforesaid, then it
must not be implemented.
Issue of Rights
On the Rights Plan Effective Date, one right (a Right) will be issued and attached to each
outstanding Trust Unit. One Right will also attach to any subsequently issued Trust Units. The
initial exercise price of each Right is $200 (the Exercise Price), subject to appropriate
anti-dilution adjustments.
Rights Exercise Privilege
The Rights will separate from the Trust Units to which they are attached and will become
exercisable at (the Separation Time) at the close of business on the tenth trading day after the
earlier of: (i) the first date of public announcement by the Trust or an Acquiring Person (as
hereinafter defined) of facts indicating that a person has become an Acquiring Person; (ii) the
date of the commencement of, or first public announcement of, the intent of any person (other than
the Trust or any subsidiary of the Trust) to commence a take-over bid (other than a Permitted Bid
or Competing Bid (as described below)); or (iii) the date on which a Permitted Bid or Competing
Permitted Bid ceases to qualify as such, or, in either case, such later date as may be determined
by the Administrator.
The acquisition by a person (an Acquiring Person), including persons acting in concert, of
20% or more of the Trust Units (including those underlying Exchangeable Units), other than by way
of a Permitted Bid in certain circumstances, is referred to as a Flip-in Event. Any Rights held
by an Acquiring Person on or after the earlier of the Separation Time or the first date of the
public announcement by the Trust or by an Acquiring Person that an Acquiring Person has become
such, will become void upon the occurrence of a Flip-in Event. Ten trading days after the
occurrence of the Flip-in Event, the Rights (other than those held by the Acquiring Person) will
permit the holder to purchase Trust Units at a 50% discount to the market price at the time (for
example, Trust Units with a total market value of $200, on payment of $100).
The issue of the Rights is not initially dilutive. Upon a Flip-in Event occurring and the
Rights separating from the attached Trust Units, reported earnings per Trust Unit on a fully
diluted or non-diluted basis may be affected. Holders of Rights who do not exercise their Rights
upon the occurrence of a Flip-in Event may suffer substantial dilution.
Certificates and Transferability
Prior to the Separation Time, the Rights will be evidenced by a legend imprinted on
certificates for Trust Units and will not be transferable separately from the attached Trust Units.
From and after the
Separation Time, the Rights will be evidenced by Rights certificates, which will be
transferable and traded separately from the Trust Units.
Permitted Bid Requirements
The requirements of a Permitted Bid include the following:
|
|
|
the take-over bid must be made by way of a take-over bid circular; |
|
|
|
|
the take-over bid must be made to all holders (other than the bidder) of Trust Units and
holders of Exchangeable Units on the same terms; |
-13-
|
|
|
the take-over bid must not permit Trust Units or Exchangeable Units tendered pursuant to
the take-over bid to be taken up prior to the expiry of a period of not less than 60 days
from the date of the bid and then only if at such time more than 50% of the Trust Units
(including those underlying Exchangeable Units) held by Unitholders other than the bidder, its
affiliates and persons acting jointly or in concert with the bidder (the Independent
Unitholders) have been tendered pursuant to the take-over bid and not withdrawn; and |
|
|
|
|
if more than 50% of the Trust Units (including those underlying Exchangeable Units)
held by Independent Unitholders are tendered to the take-over bid within the 60 day
period, the bidder must make a public announcement of that fact and the take-over bid must
remain open for deposits of Trust Units and Exchangeable Units for an additional ten
business days from the date of such public announcement. |
The Rights Plan allows a competing Permitted Bid (a Competing Permitted Bid) to be made
while a Permitted Bid is in existence. A Competing Permitted Bid must satisfy all the requirements
of a Permitted Bid except that, provided it is outstanding for a minimum period of 35 days, it may
expire on the same date as the Permitted Bid.
Waiver and Redemption
The Administrator may, prior to a Flip-in Event, and in certain circumstances without the
approval of holders of Trust Units, waive the dilutive effects of the Rights Plan in respect of a
particular Flip-in Event. At any time prior to the occurrence of a Flip-in Event, and in certain
circumstances without the approval of the Rights holders, the Administrator may redeem all, but not
less than all, of the outstanding Rights at a price of $0.00001 each.
Waiver of Inadvertent Flip-in Event
The Administrator may, prior to the close of business on the tenth day after a person has
become an Acquiring Person, waive the application of the Rights Plan to an inadvertent Flip-in
Event, on the condition that such person reduces its beneficial ownership of Trust Units such that
it is not an Acquiring Person within 14 days of the determination of the Administrator.
Portfolio Managers
The provisions of the Rights Plan relating to portfolio managers are designed to prevent the
occurrence of a Flip-in Event solely by virtue of the customary activities of such managers,
including trust companies and other persons, where a substantial portion of the ordinary business
of such person is the management of funds for unaffiliated investors, so long as any such person
does not propose to make a take-over bid either alone or jointly with others.
Supplement and Amendments
The Administrator is authorized to make amendments to the Rights Plan to correct any clerical
or typographical error or to maintain the validity of the Rights Plan as a result of changes in law
or regulation.
Unitholder Rights
Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no rights as a
Unitholder.
-14-
Rights Plan Resolution
At the Meeting, Unitholders will be asked to consider and, if deemed advisable, to approve the
following ordinary resolution to approve the adoption of the Rights Plan for the Trust:
BE IT
RESOLVED, AS AN ORDINARY RESOLUTION OF THE UNITHOLDERS OF PRECISION DRILLING TRUST, that:
|
1. |
|
the Rights Plan, as more particularly described in Precision Drilling Trusts Proxy
Statement and Information Circular dated April 4, 2007 be and the same is hereby approved
and authorized. |
III.
Report on Executive
Compensation
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
Senior executive compensation is recommended by Precisions Compensation Committee which
is currently comprised of three independent members of the Board of Directors who are appointed by
and serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. A description of the roles and
responsibilities of the Compensation Committee is set out below under the heading Statement of
Corporate Governance Practices Compensation Committee. The Committee, as part of its mandate,
evaluates the performance of Precisions senior executives and recommends their compensation to the
Board of Directors for approval. The Compensation Committee reviews the design and competitiveness
of Precisions incentive compensation to ensure that Precision is able to attract and retain high
calibre senior executives, motivate performance in furtherance of Precisions strategic objectives,
and align the interests of the senior executives with Unitholders. The members of the Compensation
Committee during fiscal 2006 were Frederick W. Pheasey (Chairman), W.C. (Mickey) Dunn and Robert L.
Phillips. The Compensation Committee holds meetings as and when required and met four times in
2006.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION OVERVIEW
The following report sets forth the basis for the compensation of Precisions senior
executives during fiscal 2006.
The overriding goal of Precisions compensation policies is to provide and maintain a total
compensation package to attract, retain and motivate senior executives with key competencies and
commitment needed to create long-term investor value. The philosophy is to reward executive
performance with variable incentive compensation where established performance targets are met or
exceeded. The total compensation package encompasses base salary and benefits and short-term and
long-term incentive plans. Total compensation is determined on the basis of several factors,
including competitive compensation structures in the locales the individuals are employed,
compensation practices prevailing in the drilling and oilfield service community, individual
performance and Precisions overall performance. During 2006, competitive compensation was
measured using benchmarks of peer group companies and periodic reviews of compensation surveys.
BASE SALARY AND BENEFITS
The compensation of Precisions senior executives is designed to have a significant
portion of total compensation based on variable incentives associated with performance.
Accordingly, Precision endeavoured to establish base salaries for each of the senior executives
targeted at or below the median level for similar positions in companies of comparable size within
the drilling and oilfield service industry. Additionally, base salaries are managed within an
internal salary structure that takes into account position competencies and experience with each
position having a base salary range to reflect individual
competencies and experience.
-15-
Precision offers group benefits, a pension plan and perquisites that are competitive with
similar positions in companies of comparable size within the drilling and oilfield service
industry.
Precisions group benefits include participation in: basic, optional, and dependent life
insurance; accidental death and dismemberment insurance; extended health and dental care; short and
long term disability; and an employee assistance program. In addition, senior executives have
supplemental accidental death and dismemberment benefits. Salaried employees pay for long term
disability and optional benefits while Precision pays the balance of the benefit cost.
Precisions pension plan is a voluntary defined contribution plan with a matching component
covering all full time employees. In addition, Precision has a group registered retirement savings
plan available to all employees.
SHORT
- TERM INCENTIVE PLAN FOR ELIGIBLE EXECUTIVES
In 2006, in connection with Precisions reorganization into an income trust, Precision
terminated its cash value added (CVA) bonus plan (the Bonus Plan) for eligible senior
executives. Pursuant to the Bonus Plan the amount available for payments (the CVA Amount) was
Precisions CVA, calculated using a formula pre-approved by the Compensation Committee, less
Precisions base operating earnings threshold or cost of capital. The base earnings threshold was
the product of Precisions capital employed as defined for the CVA calculation and Precisions
weighted average cost of capital percentage. If Precisions base earnings were not exceeded, no
payouts were made. If there was a CVA Amount, the Compensation Committee determined the percentage
of the CVA Amount available for Bonus Plan payments (the CVA payout) and the allocation to each
eligible executive. The guidelines were that up to 50% of the CVA payout to a maximum of four times
base salary could be awarded to the Chief Executive Officer, with the balance of the CVA payout to
the remaining eligible executives to a maximum of two times their base salary.
For 2006, with the termination of the CVA Bonus Plan, short-term incentive compensation for
senior executives was replaced with Precisions annual performance incentive plan (APIP).
The APIP has been in place for many years for all salaried employees within Precision. The
APIP provides cash compensation for achieved results on corporate financial performance and
individual objectives. For employees in senior management roles, each position is given a target
percentage of base salary with target payouts geared to attain third quartile (75%) total
compensation (base salary and APIP) when compared with peer group companies. The amount available
for payments under the APIP is calculated using a formula pre-approved by the Compensation
Committee. Individual payments for senior executives are recommended by the Compensation Committee
to the Board of Directors for approval.
LONG
- TERM COMPENSATION PLANS
The Board of Directors, on the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, approved the
implementation of a long-term incentive plan (LTIP) and a performance savings plan (PSP) for
2006 to, in part, replace the terminated CVA Bonus Plan and previous stock option plans in order to
better align the performance targets of management of Precision within the new structure of the
Trust. For further details see
Compensation of Executive Officers Compensation and Long-Term Incentive Plans.
Presented by the Compensation Committee
FREDERICK W. PHEASEY, Chairman
W.C. (MICKEY) DUNN
ROBERT L. PHILLIPS
-16-
COMPENSATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Throughout Precisions growth, the Chief Executive Officer was compensated in different
manners from a salary based on achievements to compensation based on a base salary plus a
percentage of Precisions cash flow.
By 2000, Precision was embarking on a venture, relatively new to it, in the energy services
segment of the oil and natural gas industry that would entail a significant increase in research
and development expenditures for new and improved downhole tool technology as well as capital to
provide for worldwide geographical expansion of that expanding business. The Board of Directors
determined that this strategic investment would need to be made over several years and would
require a significant personal commitment from the Chief Executive Officer to generate a result
meaningful to Precision.
The new venture, with the inherent risks involved in developing new or improved technology,
coupled with the cyclical nature of the international oilfield services industry, led the Board of
Directors to recognize that the formula that established the CVA Amount could result in the amounts
available for payments in the Bonus Plan being substantially reduced. Thus, the Compensation
Committee reasoned that a higher relative weight should be given to options granted to the Chief
Executive Officer over a longer period, which the Board of Directors deemed advisable to provide a
meaningful incentive.
As a result, Hank B. Swartout, Precisions Chief Executive Officer was compensated in
accordance with the terms of an employment agreement effective January 1, 2001, which agreement
continued to be in effect in 2005. Precision entered into the agreement in part referring to
compensation surveys current at that time. Mr. Swartout resigned as President of Precision in 2005
after the reorganization of the business of Precision into an income trust. Mr. Swartout received a
retirement allowance and change of control payment in accordance with the 2001 employment
agreement. Notwithstanding Mr. Swartouts resignation as President, the Board of Directors at that
time approved the retention of Mr. Swartout as Chief Executive Officer for a transition period in
order to mentor Precisions executive management team following Precisions reorganization into an
income trust.
In fiscal 2006, Mr. Swartout was compensated in accordance with the terms of a letter
agreement effective January 1, 2006. Mr. Swartouts agreement provided for him to receive for the
period January 1 to December 31, 2006, in arrears, a monthly compensation payment equal to the
dollar value of the monthly distribution that would usually and normally be paid to a Unitholder
holding 100,000 Trust Units (the Notional Units) during such months, less any required statutory
withholdings. During 2006, Mr. Swartout received aggregate compensation payments of $360,791 based
on the Notional Units. In addition, Mr. Swartouts agreement provided for a sum of money being set
aside equal to the dollar amount required to purchase 100,000 Trust Units, such amount to be
calculated based on the value of one Trust Unit at market close on December 29, 2006. The market
closing price of the Trust Units on December 29, 2006 was $27 and, accordingly, Mr. Swartout was
paid the aggregate amount of $2,700,000 representing the amount required to purchase 100,000 Trust
Units at a price of $27 per Trust Unit.
Mr. Swartouts salary, bonus and other compensation
information is contained in the table below under the heading Compensation of Executive Officers -
Summary Compensation Table.
Effective January 1, 2007, Mr. Swartout relinquished his position as
Chief Executive Officer of Precision and assumed the role of Executive Chairman of Precision.
Pursuant to the terms of his agreement for the period January 1 to December 31, 2007, Mr. Swartout
will receive compensation for the position of Executive Chairman in the amount of $750,000 per
annum, paid in arrears, in accordance with Precisions usual payment practices for members of the
Board of Directors. Mr. Swartout will be entitled to receive standard group benefits according to
the terms of his agreement but will not be entitled to any bonuses or to participate in any of
Precisions incentive plans. Mr. Swartouts agreement provides that either Precision or Mr.
Swartout can terminate the agreement with six months written notice.
-17-
IV.
Compensation of Executive Officers
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table sets forth all annual and long-term compensation for services in all
capacities to Precision, in Canadian dollars, of the individuals who were, at December 31, 2006,
the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and the next three most highly compensated
executive officers (collectively, the Named Executive Officers) of Precision.
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Annual Compensation |
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Long Term Compensation |
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Awards |
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Payouts |
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Shares or |
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Securities |
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Units |
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Other |
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under |
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Subject to |
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All |
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Annual |
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Options/SARs |
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Resale |
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LTIP |
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Other |
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Fiscal |
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Salary |
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Bonus |
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Compensation |
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Granted |
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Restrictions |
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Payouts |
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Compensation |
Name and Principal Position |
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Year |
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($) |
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($)(1) |
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($)(2) |
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(#) |
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($) |
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($) |
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($) |
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Hank B. Swartout (3) |
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2006 |
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3,095,790 |
(4) |
Chief Executive Officer |
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2005 |
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840,000 |
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3,360,000 |
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403,038 |
(5) |
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15,589,000 |
(6) |
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2004 |
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831,000 |
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3,200,000 |
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200,000 |
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138,520 |
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Doug J. Strong (7) |
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2006 |
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200,000 |
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447,372 |
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Chief Financial Officer |
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2005 |
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153,461 |
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169,000 |
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2004 |
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140,038 |
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115,000 |
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12,000 |
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Gene C. Stahl (8) |
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2006 |
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229,327 |
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493,669 |
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President and Chief Operating |
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2005 |
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146,827 |
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169,000 |
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Officer |
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2004 |
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119,942 |
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110,000 |
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7,000 |
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Dwayne Peters |
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2006 |
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200,000 |
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447,372 |
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Senior Vice President, |
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2005 |
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200,000 |
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320,000 |
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60,000 |
(9) |
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Contract Drilling Services, |
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2004 |
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166,154 |
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235,000 |
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United States |
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Ron Berg |
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2006 |
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200,000 |
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447,372 |
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Senior Vice President, |
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2005 |
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174,615 |
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169,000 |
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Completion and Production |
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2004 |
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163,830 |
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125,000 |
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18,000 |
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Services |
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Notes: |
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(1) |
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The amounts listed are the bonus amounts earned during the year indicated and relate to
performance criteria which was met for that year, but the cash amounts, if applicable, are paid
during the following year and included amounts related to the APIP and PSP. |
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(2) |
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Other Annual Compensation did not exceed the lesser of $50,000 and 10% of the total annual
salary and bonus of Named Executive Officers. |
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(3) |
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Effective January 1, 2007 Mr. Swartout relinquished his position as Chief Executive Officer of
Precision and assumed the role of Executive Chairman of Precision. |
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(4) |
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As part of his overall compensation for 2006, Mr. Swartout received aggregate lump sum cash
payments totalling $3,060,791 see Report on Executive Compensation Compensation of the Chief
Executive Officer. In addition, Mr. Swartout was able to purchase his company vehicle at that time
valued at $35,000 for the price of $1.00. Accordingly, Mr. Swartout received a taxable benefit of
$34,999. |
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(5) |
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Mr. Swartout was originally granted 300,000 options in 2005. 100,000 of the options granted
were doubled to 200,000 on May 18, 2005, the effective date of Precisions stock split on a
two-for-one basis. 3,038 additional options were issued pursuant to the formula for the treatment
of granted options under the Plan of Arrangement which is contained in the Management Information
Circular of Precision dated October 3, 2005 commencing on page 33, incorporated herein by
reference, and available to Unitholders on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and without charge upon request
to the Vice President, Corporate Services and Corporate Secretary of Precision. |
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(6) |
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Mr. Swartouts executive employment agreement provided for a retirement allowance equal to
US$1,500,000 plus US$100,000 per year for each year of service commencing April 30, 1996, a change
of control payment equal to three times his highest annual salary and bonus, and the option to
purchase the vehicle then driven by Mr. Swartout for a purchase price of $1.00. Mr. Swartout
resigned as President of Precision on the completion of the reorganization of the business of
Precision into the Trust and was paid a retirement
allowance of $2,915,000, a change of control payment of $12,600,000 and agreed to purchase the
vehicle driven by him valued at $74,000. |
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(7) |
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Mr. Strong was appointed as Chief Financial Officer effective November 7, 2005. |
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(8) |
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Mr. Stahl was appointed as President and Chief Operating Officer effective November 7, 2005. |
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(9) |
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Mr. Peters was originally granted 30,000 options in 2005, which were doubled to 60,000 on May
18, 2005, the effective date of Precisions stock split on a two-for-one basis. |
-18-
LTIP AWARDS DURING FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006
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Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Securities-Price-Based Plans |
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Performance or Other |
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Period Until |
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Name and Principal |
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Securities, Units or |
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Maturation or |
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Occupation |
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Other Rights (#)(1)(4) |
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Payout(2) |
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Threshold ($ or #) |
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Target ($ or #) |
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Maximum ($ or #)(3) |
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Hank B. Swartout |
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Nil |
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Nil |
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Nil |
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Nil |
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Nil |
Chief Executive
Officer |
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Doug J. Strong |
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RA- $600,000 |
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March 31, 2009 |
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$ |
600,000 |
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$ |
600,000 |
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$ |
600,000 |
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Chief Financial |
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PA - Right to |
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March 31, 2009 |
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$ |
0 |
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$ |
1,800,000 |
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$ |
3,045,693 |
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Officer |
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participate in LTIP |
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Gene C. Stahl |
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RA- $750,000 |
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March 31, 2009 |
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$ |
750,000 |
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$ |
750,000 |
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$ |
750,000 |
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President and Chief |
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PA- Right to |
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March 31, 2009 |
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$ |
0 |
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$ |
2,250,000 |
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$ |
4,045,164 |
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Operating Officer |
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participate in LTIP |
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Dwayne Peters |
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RA - $352,000 |
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March 31, 2009 |
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$ |
352,000 |
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$ |
352,000 |
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$ |
352,000 |
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Senior Vice |
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PA - Right to |
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March 31, 2009 |
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$ |
0 |
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$ |
1,057,500 |
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$ |
1,901,227 |
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President, Contract |
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participate in LTIP |
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Drilling Services,
United States |
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Ron Berg |
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RA - $600,000 |
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March 31, 2009 |
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$ |
600,000 |
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$ |
600,000 |
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$ |
600,000 |
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Senior Vice |
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PA- Right to |
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March 31, 2009 |
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$ |
0 |
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$ |
1,800,000 |
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$ |
3,045,693 |
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President, |
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participate in LTIP |
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Completion and
Production Services |
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Notes: |
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(1) |
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RA means retention award and PA means performance award. |
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(2) |
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Payment date is ninety (90) days from the third anniversary of the effective date of the LTIP
which was January 1, 2006. |
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(3) |
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Maximum payments represented in the foregoing table represent a PA based upon a distribution
rate of return of 20% for 2006 through 2008 but the maximum is not limited under the LTIP. Actual
performance will be based on actual aggregate distribution growth for 2006 through 2008. |
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(4) |
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PAs may be awarded to certain senior executives and managers of Precision with such PA
initially representing the right to participate in the LTIP which PA then may turn into a monetary
award based on the growth rate of distributions in respect of Trust Units with a target growth rate
of 12% for 2006 through 2008. |
COMPENSATION
AND LONG - TERM INCENTIVE PLANS
In 2006, Precision (i) terminated the CVA Bonus Plan and began compensating senior
executives through the APIP; (ii) adopted a long-term incentive plan (LTIP) for key managers,
senior managers and executives; and (iii) adopted a performance savings plan (PSP) for officers
and key employees. The purpose of each of the LTIP and PSP is to assist Precision in attracting,
retaining and motivating key personnel by allowing the employee to participate in the long-term
success of the Trust while further aligning the interests of such individuals with Unitholders of
the Trust.
Long -Term Incentive Plan
The LTIP authorizes Precision to grant a retention award (Retention Award) and a
performance award (Performance Award) to key managers, senior managers or executives of Precision
and its affiliates (each a Participant). The LTIP is administered by the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors may grant a Retention Award and the value of any such Retention Award
is a fixed amount as determined by the Board of Directors. Each Retention Award will vest on the
date that is ninety (90) days after the third anniversary of the effective date of the LTIP.
Retention Awards with an aggregate value of $11,643,750 were granted in 2006 and Precision shall
pay to each Participant a lump sum payment equal to the
-19-
value of the Retention Award, less any applicable withholding taxes, on such date provided that the
Participants are employed by Precision at such time and other conditions under the LTIP are met.
The Board of Directors of Precision may also grant a Performance Award to each participant
under the LTIP. The target dollar value (the Target Value) of any such Performance Award is
determined by the Board of Directors, at its discretion, and may vary from Participant to
Participant based on a number of factors. Provided a Participant is engaged in active employment on
the date that is ninety (90) days after the third anniversary of the effective date of the LTIP,
such percentage of the Target Value of the Performance Award shall vest.
Performance Awards were granted during 2006. The Performance Awards have an operational
performance measure being the distribution growth rate and the amount of the aggregate
distributions of the Trust during the period from 2006 through 2008. It was considered at the time
of the grant of the Performance Awards that it was important for the Trust to achieve a
distribution growth rate of 12% over such three year period (equal to total cumulative
distributions over such period of $10.24 per unit) and such growth rate is presently considered the
Target Value under the LTIP. Assuming the Target Value is achieved, the aggregate amount of the
Performance Awards granted during 2006 and paid in 2009 will be $34,931,250. Where less than 100%
of the Target Value of a Performance Award is achieved, the non-vested portion of such award shall
be forfeited and cancelled without payment and there shall be no further right or entitlement in
respect of such cancelled portion of the Performance Award under the LTIP.
In the event of a Change in Control (as defined in the LTIP) of the Trust or Precision, the
vesting provisions attached to each of the Retention Awards are accelerated and all unexercised
Retention Awards will be paid immediately prior to the date upon which the Change of Control is
completed. The LTIP also provides for the termination of Retention Awards in the event of the
cessation of employment or the accelerated vesting of the Retention Awards in the event of the
death of a participant.
In the event of a Change in Control of the Trust or Precision, the aggregate distribution
amount in respect of the Performance Awards shall be adjusted proportionately to the portion of the
performance period that is accrued to the date of the Change of Control and a portion of any
non-vested Performance Awards shall vest in accordance with the vesting percentages applicable on
achievement of Target Value applicable to the adjusted aggregate distributions.
The cost of the LTIP to Precision is expensed in Precisions financial statements on an
annual basis.
Performance Savings Plan
The PSP is designed to provide an annual performance cash bonus (Performance Bonus)
tied to the satisfactory achievement of financial performance metrics (including growth in
distributions) and safety performance metrics (Performance Targets), in each case to be
determined annually by the Compensation Committee. A recipient may be able to elect to receive all
or a portion of an annual Performance Bonus in the form of three-year deferred Trust Units
(Deferred Trust Unit) which are redeemable in cash.
On or before the end of each calendar year immediately prior to a performance year
(Performance Year), the Board of Directors will, using their discretion, establish the
Performance Targets to be awarded to certain participants (PSP Participants) who are engaged in
active employment with Precision (Active Employment). Following completion of each Performance
Year, a bonus pool (Bonus Pool) will be established in respect of the applicable Performance Year
based upon, and subject to, the attainment of the Performance Targets set for such Performance
Year. The determination of the Bonus Pool in respect of any Performance Year will be subject to
ratification and approval by the Board of Directors, unless otherwise delegated by the Board of
Directors.
-20-
The award date (Award Date) for Performance Bonuses in respect of a particular Performance
Year will occur within ninety (90) days of the end of the Performance Year. Accordingly, any award
of Performance Bonus will be in respect of services rendered by the PSP Participant in the
Performance year immediately prior to the Award Date.
Each PSP Participant will be entitled to elect in advance of an Award Date the portion of his
or her
Performance Bonus that the PSP Participant wishes to have paid in the form of Deferred Trust
Units (with the remainder, if any, to be received in cash less applicable withholding taxes) by
completing, signing and delivering to the Trust the applicable written election and acknowledgement
form (Election and Acknowledgment Form). If the Election and Acknowledgment Form is not so
delivered within the time specified, the PSP Participant will be deemed to have elected to receive
his or her Performance Bonus, as applicable, in a lump sum cash payment less applicable withholding
tax and such lump sum payment shall be made in accordance with the normal payroll practice of
Precision. All Deferred Trust Units granted to a PSP Participant will be credited to the PSP
Participants account (PSP Participants Account) as of the Award Date for the grant.
A PSP Participants Account will be credited with the distribution equivalents as of each
distribution payment date in connection with distribution payments for Trust Units that the PSP
Participant would have received if each Deferred Trust Unit held by the PSP Participant was a Trust
Unit. On any business day (that is one hundred twenty (120) days from the date such Deferred Trust
Unit is credited to a PSP Participants Account) PSP Participants are able to redeem all, or only a
portion of, the Deferred Trust Units (Payment Date) in his or her PSP Participants Account. PSP
Participants will be required to redeem all of the Deferred Trust Units in his or her PSP
Participants Account upon the occurrence of a mandatory payment date (Mandatory Payment Date)
(which includes: (i) the last payroll pay date in December of the second (2nd) full
calendar year after the Award Date of such Deferred Trust Unit; (ii) sixty (60) days after the
death of a PSP Participant or after a PSP Participant ceases to be engaged in Active Employment; or
(iii) the number of days which will, in any event, be not less than thirty (30) days following the
date on which the Board of Directors terminates or suspends the PSP). The redemption value for a
Deferred Trust Unit, in respect of a Payment Date or Mandatory Payment Date, shall be an amount of
money equal to the number of Deferred Trust Units in the PSP Participants Account that are
redeemable on such Payment Date or Mandatory Payment Date multiplied by the arithmetic average of
the daily volume weighted average trading price of the Trust Units on the TSX for those five (5)
trading days on which at least one board lot of Trust Units is traded immediately preceding the
Payment Date or Mandatory Payment Date. Such payments will take the form of a lump sum payment in
cash made by Precision less applicable withholding taxes.
In the event of a Change in Control (as defined in the PSP) of the Trust or Precision, at any
time following the designation of the PSP Participants for a Performance Year and prior to the
Award Date in respect of the Performance Year, and within ninety (90) days following that date of
the Change of Control either: (i) a PSP Participants employment or service with Precision is
terminated, or (ii) the PSP is terminated, then the Bonus Pool in respect of the Performance Year
shall be calculated forthwith (including, where the Change of Control occurs prior to the
completion of the Performance Year, on a proportionate year-to-date basis in respect of the
Performance Targets). Any related Performance Bonuses shall be deemed to have been immediately
granted with the date of the Change of Control being deemed to be the Award Date for all purposes.
The cost of the PSP to Precision is expensed in Precisions financial statements on an
annual basis.
-21-
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS
At the Effective Date, Precision has existing employment contracts with three of its
Named Executive Officers.
The executive employment agreement between Precision and each of Ron Berg and Gene C. Stahl
(collectively, the Executive Agreements) provide for a base salary, benefits, bonuses and other
potential compensation through participation in Precisions compensation plans to be determined by
Precision from time to time. In the event of termination without cause within two years of a change
of control, or constructive dismissal within two years after a change of control, the Executive
Agreements provide for a payment: (i) equal to the Best Year Amount (as defined below) plus
one-twelfth of the Best Year Amount for each full year from the effective date of service to the
date of termination of employment, up to a maximum of one-half of the Best Year Amount; (ii) a
payment of the lesser of $15,000 or an amount equal to 8% of the base salary at the date of
termination representing compensation for lost benefits; and, (iii)
acceleration of vesting of all outstanding options. In the event of termination without cause
or constructive dismissal prior to a change of control, or in the event of constructive dismissal
within two years after a change of control, the Executive Agreements provide for a payment, if
either Mr. Berg or Mr. Stahl has been employed for in excess of two years, of the Average Year
Amount (as defined below) plus one-twelfth of the Average Year Amount for each full year of
employment from the effective date of service up to a maximum of one-half of the Average Year
Amount. The Best Year Amount means the highest annual base salary during any of the two most
recent calendar years, including the year of termination, and the highest amount of the bonus
attributable to Mr. Berg or Mr. Stahl respectively for any one year during the two calendar years
prior to the year of termination. The Average Year Amount means the annual base salary for the
year during which the employment of Mr. Berg or Mr. Stahl is terminated and the simple average
amount of the bonuses attributable to Mr. Berg or Mr. Stahl for the two years immediately preceding
the year during which employment is terminated.
The executive employment agreement between Precision and Dwayne Peters (the Peters
Agreement) provides for: a base salary, benefits, bonuses and participation in Precisions
compensation plans to be determined by Precision, from time to time. The Peters Agreement provides,
in the event of termination without cause prior to December 31, 2008 (being the end of the term of
the Peters Agreement) (the Term), for a lump sum payment equal to the base salary that would have
been earned from the date of termination until the end of the Term; a lump sum payment of 10% equal
to the base salary that would have been earned from the date of termination until the end of the
Term; pro rata payments, as applicable, under Precisions compensation plans Mr. Peters
participated in; and a relocation allowance of four weeks base salary to relocate back to Canada
from the United States, as applicable.
Information in connection with Mr. Swartouts current employment arrangement with Precision is
set forth under the heading Report on Executive Compensation Compensation of the Chief Executive
Officer above.
PERFORMANCE GRAPHS
The following graphs compare the yearly percentage change in the cumulative Unitholder
value (and prior to November 7, 2005, the effective date of the Plan of Arrangement, the
shareholder value of common shares of Precision) over the last five years assuming a $100
investment was made December 31, 2001, with the cumulative total return of the S&P/TSX Composite
Index, the S&P/NYSE Composite Index, and the Philadelphia Stock Exchange Oil Service Sector Index
(OSX). The graphs assume the reinvestment of the 2005 and 2006 distributions respectively, per
Trust Unit, as well as the reinvestment in Trust Units of the distribution of cash of $6.83 per
Precision common share and 0.2089 per Precision common share representing the value of the
pro-rated distribution of shares of Weatherford International Ltd. which were distributed on
November 7, 2005 at a value of $16.24 per share pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement.
-22-
Toronto
Stock Exchange
New
York
Stock Exchange
-23-
V. Administration Agreement and Compensation of the Trustees and Directors
ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT
The Trust and Precision are parties to an administration agreement entered into on
November 7, 2005 (the Administration Agreement). Under the terms of the Administration
Agreement, Precision provides administrative and support services to the Trust including, without
limitation, those necessary to: (i) ensure compliance by the Trust with continuous disclosure
obligations under applicable securities legislation; (ii) provide investor relations services;
(iii) provide or cause to be provided to Unitholders all information to which Unitholders are
entitled under the Declaration of Trust including relevant information with respect to financial
reporting and income taxes; (iv) call and hold meetings of Unitholders and distribute required
materials, including notices of meetings and information circulars, in respect of all such
meetings; (v) assist the Board of Trustees in calculating distributions to Unitholders; (vi) ensure
compliance with the Trusts limitations on non-resident ownership, if applicable and (vii)
generally provide
all other services as may be necessary or as may be requested by the Board of Trustees.
Precision charges the Trust for such administrative and support services an amount equal to
Precisions cost of providing such services plus 5%.
TRUSTEE COMPENSATION
The Compensation Committee reviews Trustee compensation annually and recommends updates
to the Board of Trustees for approval when considered appropriate or necessary to recognize the
workload, time commitment and responsibility of the Trustees (see Statement of Corporate
Governance Practices -Compensation Committee below). In determining the compensation to be
awarded, the time commitment in service to the Trust, comparative fees received by other trustees
of trusts of a similar size, and the responsibilities of the Board of Trustees are considered. In
2006, each Trustee received an annual retainer of $10,000 and meeting fees of $1,250 per meeting,
which was paid quarterly commencing on March 31, 2006. Each member of the Board of Trustees
attended each of the ten meetings of the Board of Trustees held in 2006, except for Mr. Murray who
attended nine of the Board of Trustee meetings. The following table details the compensation
received by each Trustee in 2006:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Trustee Retainer |
|
Meeting Fees |
|
Total Fees |
|
Travel Allowance (US$) |
|
Robert J.S. Gibson |
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
12,500 |
|
|
|
22,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
Patrick M. Murray |
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
11,250 |
|
|
|
21,250 |
|
|
|
2,000 |
|
H. Garth Wiggins(1) |
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
12,500 |
|
|
|
22,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
Note: |
|
(1) |
|
Mr. Wiggins is not standing for re-election as a director and Trustee of Precision
and the Trust, respectively. |
In 2007, each Trustee will be paid an annual retainer of $10,000 and a meeting fee of
$1,250 per meeting,
to be paid quarterly in arrears commencing on April 1, 2007.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
The Compensation Committee periodically reviews the adequacy and form of Directors
compensation and recommends updates to the Board of Directors for approval when considered
appropriate. In determining the compensation to be awarded, the Compensation Committee considers
the time commitment of the Directors, the time commitment of the Chairman of each committee of the
Board of Directors (each a Committee), and the lead director of the Board of Directors (the Lead
Director), and compares the remuneration to that received by directors of comparatively sized
companies (see Statement of Corporate Governance Practices - Compensation Committee below).
-24-
In fiscal 2006, the Compensation Committee engaged the services of Mercer Human Resource
Consulting to assist with the Compensation Committees review of Directors pay, with total fees of
$32,000. In 2006, each Director received an annual retainer of $100,000 and meeting fees of $1,250
per meeting. The Chairmen of the Compensation Committee and the Corporate Governance and Nominating
Committee received an additional annual retainer of $7,500, and the Chairman of the Audit Committee
received an additional annual retainer of $15,000. Members of the Audit Committee received meeting
fees of $2,500 per meeting and members of the Compensation Committee and Corporate Governance and
Nominating Committees received meeting fees of $1,250 per meeting. The Lead Director who was
responsible for ensuring that the Board of Directors exercised independent judgment in making
decisions (and whose role is further described under the heading Statement of Corporate Governance
Practices - Lead Director of the Board of Directors below) received $5,000 for each quarter he
served as Lead Director. Directors who are required to travel more than three hours by air to Board
of Directors or Committee meetings were paid a travel allowance of US$1,000. Expenses that were
incurred by each Director as a consequence of attending Board of Directors or Committee meetings
were reimbursed. Mr. Swartout, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Precision during fiscal
2006, did not receive fees in respect of his role as a Director.
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, the Directors were paid aggregate compensation
of $962,925. The following table sets forth all compensation, including expenses paid to the
Directors, for the 2006 financial year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Board |
|
Committee |
|
|
|
|
|
Lead |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Meeting |
|
/ Board |
|
Chair |
|
Director |
|
|
|
|
|
Travel |
|
Expenses |
|
|
Fees |
|
Retainer |
|
Retainer |
|
Fee |
|
Total Fees |
|
Allowance |
|
Paid |
Name |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
($) |
|
(US$) |
|
($) |
W.C. (Mickey) Dunn |
|
|
18,750 |
|
|
|
107,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
126,260 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,350 |
|
Brian A. Felesky, CM, Q.C. |
|
|
13,750 |
|
|
|
100,937 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
114,687 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nil |
|
Robert J.S. Gibson |
|
|
27,500 |
|
|
|
111,250 |
|
|
|
7,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
146,250 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nil |
|
Allen R. Hagerman (1) |
|
|
1,250 |
|
|
|
8,333 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,583 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nil |
|
Stephen J.J. Letwin (2) |
|
|
1,250 |
|
|
|
8,333 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,583 |
|
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
Nil |
|
Patrick M. Murray |
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
107,500 |
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
142,500 |
|
|
|
4,000 |
|
|
|
20,567 |
|
Frederick W. Pheasey |
|
|
18,750 |
|
|
|
106,562 |
|
|
|
7,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
132,812 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,045 |
|
Robert L. Phillips |
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
107,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,000 |
|
|
|
152,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,053 |
|
Hank B. Swartout (3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nil |
|
H. Garth Wiggins (4) |
|
|
21,250 |
|
|
|
107,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
128,750 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
|
Notes: |
|
(1) |
|
Mr. Hagerman was appointed to the Board of Directors on December 4, 2006 and received $8,333 of
the retainer for 2006 for attendance at the only meeting of the Board of Directors in 2006 after
his appointment. |
|
(2) |
|
Mr. Letwin was appointed to the Board of Directors on December 4, 2006 and received $8,333 of
the retainer for 2006 for attendance at the only meeting of the Board of Directors in 2006 after
his appointment. |
|
(3) |
|
Mr. Swartout is an executive officer and accordingly did not receive a retainer or meeting fees
for his attendance at meetings of the Board of Directors. |
|
(4) |
|
Mr. Wiggins is not standing for re-election as a director. |
In 2007, Director compensation will be paid as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Director retainer |
|
$ |
100,000 |
|
Committee chair retainer |
|
|
|
|
- Audit Committee |
|
$ |
15,000 |
|
- Other Committees |
|
$ |
7,500 |
|
Committee member retainer |
|
|
|
|
- Audit Committee |
|
$ |
7,500 |
|
- Other Committees |
|
$ |
3,750 |
|
Board/committee meeting attendance fee |
|
$ 1,250 per meeting |
Lead Director |
|
$ 5,000 per quarter |
Non-resident attendance fee |
|
US$ |
1,000 per trip |
|
-25-
OWNERSHIP GUIDELINES
Following a review and analysis of ownership guidelines currently in place with entities
similar in size and structure to Precision, the Board of Trustees and the Board of Directors
established revised
ownership guidelines which became effective in February of 2007. Trustees and Directors are
expected to own Trust Units or Exchangeable Units the fair market value of which are to be equal to
at least two times the amount of their respective annual retainer. The ownership guidelines for the
Trustees and Directors are set for achievement within four years. The Executive Chairman, Chief
Executive Officer and President are expected to own Trust Units or Exchangeable Units the fair
market value of which are to be equal to at least two times their base salary. The Chief Financial
Officer, Vice Presidents and next reporting level of senior employees are expected to own Trust
Units or Exchangeable Units the fair market value of which are to be equal to at least one times
their base salary. The ownership guidelines for the Executive Chairman, Chief Executive Officer,
President, Chief Financial Officer, Vice Presidents and next reporting level of senior officers is
set for achievement within five years.
TRUSTEES INDEMNITY
The Declaration of Trust provides that each Trustee must act honestly and in good faith
with a view to the best interests of the Trust and exercise the degree of care, diligence and skill
that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances. The Declaration of
Trust provides that each Trustee is entitled to indemnification from the Trust in respect of the
exercise of the Trustees power and the discharge of the Trustees duties, provided that the
Trustee acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Trust or, in the
case of a criminal or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty,
where the Trustee had reasonable grounds for believing that his conduct was lawful.
TRUSTEES, DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS LIABILITY INSURANCE
The Trust has purchased a liability insurance policy which expires May 1, 2007. The
policy covers corporate indemnification of the Trustees, Directors and officers. The policy has a
$70 million limit and corporate indemnification deductibles apply. The annual premium for this
coverage is $778,130.
VI. Statement of Corporate Governance Practices
The Board of Trustees and the Board of Directors believe that sound corporate governance
is fundamental to achieving the Trusts and Precisions strategic and operational plans, goals and
objectives.
To maintain high standards of governance in a rapidly changing environment, the Board of
Trustees and the Board of Directors routinely review and update mandates, guidelines, policies and
procedures relating to the corporate governance mandates and policies of the Trust and Precision
(collectively, the Governance Mandates and Policies). Such Governance Mandates and Policies were
updated in March of 2006 to reflect the reorganization of Precisions business into an income
trust. In connection therewith, the Board of Trustees and the Board of Directors adopted new
mandates and new corporate governance guidelines. In addition, the Board of Directors has adopted
new position descriptions for the Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Lead Director, new
Charters and Terms of Reference for each Committee, and revised position descriptions for the
Chairman of each Committee. The revised Governance Mandates and Policies were adopted at meetings
of the Board of Trustees and the Board of Directors, as applicable, on July 26, 2006 and supersede
all former governance mandates, guidelines, policies and procedures of the Trust and Precision.
The Trust and Precision exercise their authority in accordance with the Governance Mandates
and Policies as well as applicable laws and regulations, including those imposed by Canadian
securities regulatory authorities and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
-26-
The Trust Units are listed on the TSX in Canadian dollars, and the NYSE in U.S. dollars. The
Governance Mandates and Policies are consistent with the governance guidelines set out in National
Policy 58-201 (the Governance Guidelines) and the audit committee rules set out in Multilateral
Instrument 52-110 (the Audit Committee Rules) adopted by the Canadian securities regulatory
authorities. Applicable NYSE rules (the NYSE Rules) with respect to disclosure of corporate
governance practices do not require a foreign issuer, such as the Trust, to comply with NYSE
corporate governance rules, except for
independence and other requirements relating to the audit committee and other specified
requirements, including a requirement to disclose the significant ways in which the Governance
Mandates and Policies differ from those required of United States domestic companies under NYSE
listing standards. The Governance Mandates and Policies comply with the applicable NYSE Rules in
all significant respects, except as disclosed in the Corporate Governance section of the Trusts
website at www.precisiondrilling.com.
This Statement of Corporate Governance Practices is responsive to the disclosure rules (the
Disclosure Rules) adopted by the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and certain
applicable NYSE Rules and United States Securities and Exchange Commission rules adopted pursuant
to the United States Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX). The Board of Trustees and the Board of
Directors have approved this Statement of Corporate Governance Practices on the recommendation of
the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee.
Additional information about the Governance Mandates and Policies is set forth in the
following documents, which are posted on the Corporate Governance section of the Trusts website at
www.precisiondrilling.com:
|
|
|
the Mandates of the Board of Trustees and the Board of
Directors; |
|
|
|
|
the Corporate Governance Guidelines of
the Trust and Precision; |
|
|
|
|
the Charters and Terms of Reference for each of Precisions Committees of the Board of
Directors (the Committees); |
|
|
|
|
Position Descriptions for the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Lead Director and the
Chairman of each Committee; |
|
|
|
|
this Statement of Corporate Governance Practices; |
|
|
|
|
the Joint Code of Business Conduct and Ethics; and |
|
|
|
|
a summary of significant differences between the NYSE Rules and the Governance Mandates and Policies. |
INDEPENDENCE OF THE TRUSTEES AND DIRECTORS
As an issuer whose Trust Units are listed on the TSX and NYSE, the Trust is subject to
various guidelines, requirements and disclosure rules governing the independence of the members of
the Board of Trustees, the Board of Directors and Committees, including those requirements and
rules imposed by the Governance Guidelines, the Audit Committee Rules, the Disclosure Rules, the
NYSE Rules and SOX.
The Trust meets the standards of the Governance Guidelines and Audit Committee Rules regarding
independence and conforms to the standards of the applicable NYSE Rules regarding independent board
members.
On the recommendation of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, the Board of
Trustees has affirmatively determined that each of the three nominees for election to the Board of
Trustees has no direct or indirect material relationship with the Trust and is therefore
independent. On this basis, the following three nominees for election to the Board of Trustees are
independent: Robert J.S. Gibson, Patrick M. Murray and Allen R. Hagerman.
-27-
On the recommendation of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, the Board of
Directors has affirmatively determined that eight of the nine nominees to be approved by
Unitholders for appointment to the Board of Directors have no direct or indirect material
relationship with Precision or the Trust and are therefore independent under the Governance
Guidelines and Audit Committee Rules. On this basis, the following eight nominees to be approved
for appointment to the Board of Directors are independent: W.C. (Mickey) Dunn, Robert J.S. Gibson,
Allen R. Hagerman, Stephen J.J. Letwin, Patrick M. Murray, Frederick W. Pheasey, Robert L. Phillips
and Brian A. Felesky, CM, Q.C. Hank B. Swartout, the Executive Chairman of Precision, is not
independent because of his executive office with Precision.
The biographies set out on page 6 to 9 of this Circular identify the other reporting issuers
on which each nominee to be approved for appointment to the Board of Directors is a director.
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mr. Swartout, the Executive Chairman of Precision and a non-independent Director, has
been appointed as Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors hold sessions at each
meeting of the Board of Directors at which members of management and the Chairman are not in
attendance. During the 2006 financial year, there were eight such sessions that were attended only
by Directors who were not members of management. The independent members of the Board of Directors
have concluded that Mr. Swartouts dual role does not impair the Board of Directors ability to
function independently of management. Mr. Swartouts extensive knowledge of Precisions business is
of significant benefit to the operation of Precisions Board of Directors. The Chairman of the
Board of Directors serves as a liaison among the Directors and the Board of Trustees. The Board of
Directors has approved a written position description for the Chairman of the Board which is
available on the Corporate Governance section of the Trusts website at www.precisiondrilling.com.
LEAD DIRECTOR OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
In order to provide leadership to the independent members of the Board of Directors, a
Lead Director is appointed on a rotating quarterly basis from among the independent Directors. The
Lead Director is responsible for working with the Chairman of the Board and the Vice President,
Corporate Services and Corporate Secretary to set the agenda for meetings of the Board of Directors
and for chairing sessions of the independent and non-management members of the Board of Directors.
The Lead Director also acts as the liaison between the independent Directors and the Chairman of
the Board on sensitive issues. During 2007, the Board of Directors will appoint the Lead Director
on an annual basis, with effect after the annual meeting of the Unitholders. The Board of Directors
has approved a written position description for the Lead Director which is available on the
Corporate Governance section of the Trusts website at www.precisiondrilling.com.
ATTENDANCE RECORD OF TRUSTEES AND DIRECTORS
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, the Board of Trustees held ten meetings.
Each member of the Board of Trustees attended each of the ten meetings of the Board of Trustees
held in 2006, except for Mr. Murray who attended nine of the Board of Trustee meetings. The
following table sets forth the attendance of each Director at meetings of the Board of Directors
and, as applicable, the attendance of members of Committees at Committee meetings:
-28-
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Corporate Governance |
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Compensation |
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and Nominating |
|
|
Board |
|
Audit Committee |
|
Committee |
|
Committee |
Director |
|
Meetings(1) |
|
Meetings |
|
Meetings |
|
Meetings (1) |
|
W.C. (Mickey) Dunn |
|
|
6/8 |
|
|
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4/4 |
|
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4/5 |
|
Brian A. Felesky, CM, Q.C. (4) |
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|
8/8 |
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|
|
|
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2/5 |
|
Robert J.S. Gibson |
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|
8/8 |
|
|
|
4/4 |
|
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|
|
|
|
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5/5 |
|
Allen R. Hagerman (2) |
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|
1/1 |
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|
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|
Stephen J.J. Letwin (2) |
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1/1 |
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|
Patrick M. Murray |
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7/8 |
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4/4 |
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|
Frederick W. Pheasey (5) |
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7/8 |
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4/4 |
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3/5 |
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Robert L. Phillips (3) |
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8/8 |
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1/4 |
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4/4 |
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5/5 |
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Hank B. Swartout |
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|
8/8 |
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|
|
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|
|
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|
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|
H. Garth Wiggins |
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8/8 |
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4/4 |
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Notes: |
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(1) |
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Attendance in person or by telephone |
|
(2) |
|
Mr. Hagerman and Mr. Letwin were appointed to the Board of Directors on December 4, 2006 and
attended the one board meeting called in 2006 subsequent to their appointment. |
|
(3) |
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Mr. Phillips attended an audit committee meeting on February 13, 2006. |
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(4) |
|
Mr. Felesky was appointed to the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee
effective October 1, 2006. |
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(5) |
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Mr. Pheasey resigned from the Corporate Governance and
Nominating Committee effective September 30, 2006. |
MANDATE OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The Board of Trustees has overall responsibility and full authority to manage the Trusts
investments pursuant to the Declaration of Trust. Effective November 7, 2005, the Board of Trustees
delegated responsibility for the management and administration of the Trusts operational matters
to Precision pursuant to an administration agreement between the Trust and Precision. The duties
of the Board of Trustees are more specifically described in the Mandate of the Board of Trustees
which is attached as Appendix A and is also available on the Corporate Governance section of the
Trusts website at www.precisiondrilling.com.
MANDATE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
In addition to ensuring that Precision discharges its obligations as administrator of the
Trust, the Board of Directors is responsible for the stewardship of the business and affairs of
Precision. As such, the Board of Directors has responsibility to oversee the conduct of
Precisions business, provide direction to management and ensure that all major issues affecting
the business and affairs of Precision are given proper consideration. A complete list of the
specific matters the Trust has delegated to Precision is set out in Schedule A of the Mandate of
the Board of Trustees.
The Board of Directors discharges its responsibilities directly and through its Committees.
The Board of Directors may delegate to its Committees matters for which it is responsible, but
retains its oversight function for all delegated responsibilities. Similarly, as permitted by
applicable law, the Board of Directors may from time to time delegate certain of its
responsibilities to management. The Board of Directors duties are more specifically described in
its Mandate of the Board of Directors which is attached as Appendix B and is also available on the
Corporate Governance section of the Trusts website at www.precisiondrilling.com.
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
To assist it in discharging its responsibilities more effectively, the Board of Directors
has established three Committees: the Audit Committee; the Corporate Governance and Nominating
Committee and the Compensation Committee. From time to time the Board of Directors also creates
special ad hoc committees to address important matters.
-29-
Each Committee is chaired by an independent Director and at least annually evaluates its
effectiveness in carrying out the duties specified in its Charter and Terms of Reference. The Board
of Directors has approved a position description for the Chairman of each Committee which is
available on the Corporate Governance section of the Trusts website at www.precisiondrilling.com.
The Charters and Terms of Reference of the Committees are reproduced in the Corporate
Governance section of the Trusts website at www.precisiondrilling.com.
All members of each Committee must be independent in accordance with the requirements or
guidelines for committee service under applicable securities laws and applicable rules of any stock
exchange on which the Trust Units are listed for trading. Based on the information provided by the
Directors, the Board of Directors has determined that all members of each Committee are
independent. In addition, the Board has established a Disclosure Committee and adopted a Disclosure
Policy. The Disclosure Committee is composed of officers and senior employees of Precision and is
responsible for overseeing all external communications. The full text of the Disclosure Policy is
reproduced in the Corporate Governance section of the Trusts website at www.precisiondrilling.com.
POSITION DESCRIPTION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
The Board of Directors did not create a written position description describing the roles
and responsibilities of the Chief Executive Officer for 2006. However, the Compensation Committee
approved the corporate objectives that the Chief Executive Officer was responsible for meeting and
assessed the Chief Executive Officer against those objectives. Effective December 31, 2006, the
Chief Executive Officer resigned as the Chief Executive Officer and accepted the position of
Executive Chairman. Should the Board decide to hire a Chief Executive Officer in the future, it
will create a written description for this position.
TRUSTEE AND DIRECTOR INFORMATION, EDUCATION AND ORIENTATION
Both the Board of Trustees and the Board of Directors have procedures designed to ensure
that their respective members have timely access to the information they need to carry out their
duties. Each Trustee and each Director receives a comprehensive package of materials prior to each
meeting, and after each Committee meeting the full Board of Directors receives a report on each
Committees work.
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee ensures the provision of an appropriate
orientation for new Trustees and Directors as well as the availability of continuing education
programs for Trustees and Directors. The Board of Trustees and the Board of Directors encourage
Trustees and Directors to periodically participate in or attend appropriate programs, sessions or
receive materials as to the responsibility of Trustees or Directors, as applicable, of publicly
traded entities.
BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS
The Board of Trustees of the Trust and the Board of Directors of Precision are committed
to conducting the affairs of the Trust and Precision to the highest standards of ethics, integrity,
honesty, fairness and professionalism. Accordingly, each of the boards have adopted a Joint Code
of Business Conduct and Ethics (the Code), expressing the fundamental principles that guide the
Trustees and the Directors in their deliberations and shape Precisions business activities. The
Code applies to all Trustees, Directors, executive officers and all employees (each, a Precision
Person). The Code incorporates the Trusts and Precisions guiding principles for business conduct
and ethical behaviour to promote integrity and deter wrongdoing. It also creates a frame of
reference for dealing with sensitive and complex issues
and provides for accountability if standards of conduct are not met. Each Precision Person has
been provided with a copy of the Code and will be required as a term of office or employment to
certify compliance on an annual basis. The executive officers of Precision have each
-30-
acknowledged that they have read, understood and will abide by the Code. A copy of the Code is
posted on the Corporate Governance section of the Trusts website at www.precisiondrilling.com.
All Precision Persons are expected to conduct their business affairs in a manner that ensures
their private or personal interests do not interfere with the interests of the Trust or Precision,
including conflicts relative to personal, financial or other gain. Should conflicts arise, or be
perceived to arise, disclosure will be made in an appropriate manner and the Precision Person about
whom disclosure is to be made will not participate in any decision or action in which there is a
conflict.
NOMINATION OF TRUSTEES AND DIRECTORS
The Board of Trustees is elected by the Unitholders at every annual meeting of the Trust.
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee of Precision, which is comprised entirely of
independent Directors, reviews and recommends to the Board of Directors the candidates for
nomination as Trustees. The Board of Directors then submits its recommendations to the Board of
Trustees and the Board of Trustees approves the final choice of candidates for nomination and
election by Unitholders.
If it becomes necessary to appoint a new Trustee or Director to fill a vacancy on the Board of
Trustees or Board of Directors, as applicable, the existing Board of Trustees or the Board of
Directors on the approval of the Board of Trustees, may appoint one or more additional Trustees, or
instruct the General Partner to appoint one or more additional Directors, as applicable, for a term
to expire at the close of the next annual meeting of Unitholders.
The Board of Trustees is also ultimately responsible for arranging for the appointment of the
Board of Directors. In that regard, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee recommends to
the Board of Directors the candidates for nomination as Directors. The Board of Directors approves
the choice of candidates for recommendation to the Board of Trustees, which, in turn, submits the
recommended candidates for approval by Unitholders and causes the General Partner of PDLP to
appoint the recommended candidates.
As the Board of Trustees and the Board of Directors derive their strength from their members,
Trustees and Directors should have an appropriate mix of skills, knowledge and experience in
business and a history of achievement. Trustees and Directors are required to commit the requisite
time for all of the Board of Trustees or Board of Directors business, as applicable, and must
demonstrate integrity, accountability and informed judgement.
A majority of each of the Board of Trustees and the Board of Directors must be Canadian
residents and determined to be independent as defined in applicable rules and regulations.
Each Trustee and each Director is expected to attend in person at all regularly-scheduled
meetings of the Board of Trustees or Board of Directors, as applicable, and Directors are expected
to attend all regularly-scheduled meetings of each Committee on which they serve.
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, among other things, sets criteria for the
evaluation of Directors, develops and recommends corporate governance principles, evaluates
Directors, makes recommendations as to the members of various Committees, ensures appropriate
orientation and continuing education programs and reviews the Corporate Governance Guidelines of
Precision. In particular, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee annually reviews the
competencies, skills and personal qualities of each current Trustee or Director, and the
contributions made by such Trustee or Director to the effective operation of the Board of Trustees
or the Board of Directors, as the case may be,
and any significant change in the primary occupation of such Trustee or Director. The
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee identifies and recommends qualified nominees for
election to the Board of Trustees at the annual meeting of Unitholders, and recruits candidates to
serve as Trustees or Directors and reviews any recommended candidates based on the
-31-
competencies, skills, personal qualities and time commitment required of a Trustee or Director in
order to add value.
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee considers all qualified candidates
identified by members of the Board of Trustees and Board of Directors, by management and by
Unitholders. Any Unitholder who wishes to recommend a candidate to be considered by the Committee
may do so by submitting the candidates name and biographical information, including background,
qualifications and experience to the Vice President, Corporate Services and Corporate Secretary of
Precision. Proposals for nomination will be forwarded to the Chairman of the Board of Directors as
well as presented to the Committee for consideration. Potential candidates may be informally
approached to determine their interest in joining the Board of Trustees or the Board of Directors.
Trustees are not renominated for election, and Directors are not renominated to be approved
for appointment, at the annual meeting of Unitholders following their fifteenth year as a Trustee
or Director, or following their 69th birthday, whichever is earlier. The Board of Directors has
waived application of this guideline with respect to the reappointment of Mr. W.C. (Mickey) Dunn,
who has served as a Director of Precision since 1992, given the need for continuity after having
converted the business of Precision into an income trust in late 2005 and in order to provide
continued stewardship to Precisions management team.
COMPENSATION
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors is comprised entirely of independent
Directors. It is generally responsible for discharging the responsibilities of the Board of
Directors relating to reviewing the compensation of Precisions executives, and for producing an
annual report on executive compensation for inclusion in the Trusts annual proxy statement and
information circular.
The compensation for Trustees and Directors is recommended by the
Compensation Committee based on individuals time commitment in service to the Trust or Precision,
comparative fees received by other trustees of trusts and directors of corporations of a similar
size to the Trust and Precision, the responsibilities of the Board of Trustees and Board of
Directors, and the responsibilities of independent Directors who are a Lead Director or the
Chairman or a member of Committees of the Board of Directors.
The compensation for senior executives is recommended by the Compensation Committee based on
several factors, including competitive compensation structures in the locales the individuals are
employed, compensation practices prevailing in the oilfield service community, individual
performance and overall corporate performance. Competitive compensation is measured using
benchmarks of peer group companies and periodic reviews of compensation surveys. Compensation
consists of base salary, bonuses and benefits. The overriding goals of the compensation policies
are to create long-term investor value, motivate and reward superior executive performance and
attract and retain individuals that help to create long-term investor value.
The Compensation Committee reviews and approves Precisions goals and objectives relevant to
the Chief Executive Officer, or where a Chief Executive Officer has not been appointed, the
principal executive officer, and evaluates that individuals performance in light of these goals
and objectives to determine and recommend for approval, by the independent members of the Board of
Directors, that
individuals compensation package based on this evaluation. The Compensation Committee also
makes recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to independent Director compensation,
senior executive compensation and the general compensation policies of Precision.
The Compensation Committee has the sole authority to retain and terminate any compensation
consultant to be used to assist in the evaluation of Director, Chief Executive Officer, principal
executive officer or senior executive compensation and to approve the consultants fees and other
retention terms as it relates to such
-32-
evaluation. The Compensation Committee also has the authority to obtain advice and assistance from
internal or external legal, accounting or other advisors.
BOARD ASSESSMENT
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee has been delegated the responsibility
for evaluating annually the effectiveness of the Board of Directors, the various Committees of the
Board of Directors and the contribution of individual Directors and make any necessary
recommendations to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors annually review their own
performance, and review and reassess the adequacy of the Mandate of the Board of Directors and make
a determination annually as to whether it and its Committees, are functioning effectively.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Additional financial information is provided in the Trusts annual audited consolidated
financial statements and managements discussion and analysis for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2006, contained in the Trusts Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2006. Precision
will provide to Unitholders upon request: (i) a copy of the Trusts current annual information
form; (ii) a copy of any document or the pertinent pages of any document incorporated by reference
in the annual information form; (iii) a copy of the Trusts annual audited consolidated financial
statements and related managements discussion and analysis contained in the annual report for the
year ended December 31, 2006, together with the report of the auditors thereon; (iv) a copy of the
interim unaudited financial statements subsequent to such annual audited consolidated financial
statements; and (v) a copy of this Circular. These documents are available on the Trusts website
at www.precisiondrilling.com, on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, and may be obtained without charge upon
request to the Vice President, Corporate Services and Corporate Secretary of Precision at 4200, 150
6th Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta T2P 3Y7, by facsimile at 403.264.0251, by telephone
at 403.715.4500 or by email at corporatesecretary@precisiondrilling.com.
-33-
APPENDIX A
MANDATE OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF PRECISION DRILLING TRUST
GENERAL
The board of trustees (the Board of Trustees) of Precision Drilling Trust (the Trust)
has overall responsibility and full authority to manage the Trusts investments pursuant to the
declaration of trust dated as of September 22, 2005 (the Declaration of Trust). The Board of
Trustees has delegated responsibility for the management and general administration of the affairs
of the Trust to Precision Drilling Corporation (Precision) pursuant to an administration
agreement dated as of November 7, 2005 between the Trust and Precision (the Administration
Agreement).
The specific matters the Trust has delegated to Precision are set out in Schedule A hereto.
The matters the Trust has retained responsibility for under the Declaration of Trust are set out in
Schedule B hereto.
As permitted by applicable law, the Board of Trustees may from time to time delegate certain
of its responsibilities to Precision or management of Precision, but the Board of Trustees retains
its oversight function for all delegated responsibilities.
Each trustee of the Trust (a Trustee) is expected to attend in person at all
regularly-scheduled meetings of the Board of Trustees. To prepare for meetings, Trustees are
expected to review the materials that are sent to each of them in advance of such meetings.
The Trustees, in exercising the powers and authority conferred upon them, will act honestly
and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Trust and in connection therewith will
exercise the degree of care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in
comparable circumstances. A Trustee will not be liable in carrying out his or her duties except in
cases where the Trustee fails to act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests
of the Trust or to exercise the degree of care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent
person would exercise in comparable circumstances. The duties and standard of care of Trustees are
intended to be similar to, and not greater than, those imposed on a director of a corporation under
the Business Corporations Act (Alberta). The Trustees will not be required to devote their entire
time to the investments, business or affairs of the Trust.
STRUCTURE AND AUTHORITY
The composition of the Board of Trustees, including the qualifications of its members,
will comply with all requirements of the applicable laws and securities legislation and the rules
of any stock exchange upon which the units of the Trust (the Trust Units) are listed for trading.
The Trustees are elected by holders of units of the Trust and holders of Class B Limited
Partnership Units of Precision Drilling Limited Partnership (together the Unitholders) at every
annual meeting of the Unitholders. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee of Precision
reviews and recommends to the board of directors of Precision (the Board of Directors), the
candidates for nomination to the Board of Trustees. The Board of Directors then submits its
recommendations to the Board of Trustees and the Board of Trustees approves the final choice of
candidates for nomination and for election by Unitholders. The term of each Trustee expires at the
close of the annual meeting of Unitholders following the meeting at which such Trustee was elected.
In addition, Trustees are not renominated for election at the annual meeting of Unitholders
following their fifteenth year as a Trustee, or following their 69th birthday, whichever is
earlier.
The Board of Trustees may, between annual meetings of Unitholders, appoint one or more
additional Trustees for a term to expire at the close of the next annual meeting of Unitholders,
provided that the number of additional Trustees so appointed will not exceed one-third of the
number of Trustees who held office at the immediately preceding annual meeting of Unitholders. If
it becomes necessary to appoint a new Trustee to fill a vacancy on the Board of Trustees or to
complement the existing Board of Trustees, the Board of Trustees will, upon the recommendation of
the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and the Board of Directors, consider a wide
potential base of possible candidates and assess the qualifications of proposed new Trustees
against a range of criteria, including background, experience,
A-1
professional skills, personal qualities, prior membership on a board including the Board of
Trustees or the Board of Directors, the potential for the candidates skills to augment the
existing Board of Trustees and the candidates availability to commit to the Board of Trustees
activities.
The Board of Trustees is also ultimately responsible for the appointment of directors (the
Directors) to the Board of Directors. In that regard, the Corporate Governance and Nominating
Committee recommends to the Board of Directors the candidates for nomination as Directors. The
Board of Directors then submits its recommendations to the Board of Trustees and the Board of
Trustees approves the final choice of candidates who will be submitted to Unitholders for approval.
Following the vote of Unitholders, the Board of Trustees directs 1194312 Alberta Ltd. (the General
Partner) of Precision Drilling Limited Partnership to appoint those candidates who have been
approved by Unitholders as Directors of Precision. In the event that a resolution to approve the
appointment of the Board of Directors is not passed, or if nominees other than those proposed are
approved, the Board of Trustees will either act on the resolution or promptly request that the
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee review the voting results and make a recommendation
to the Board of Trustees for an alternate slate of Directors to be nominated for appointment, or
such other recommendation as they determine appropriate, following which the Board of Trustees will
seek approval from Unitholders, if required, for such recommendation. The Board of Trustees will
not take steps to implement or approve any recommendation which would result in less than a
majority of the Board of Directors being independent, or which would result in the Trustees
constituting a majority of the Board of Directors.
Trustees should have an appropriate mix of skills, knowledge and experience in business and a
history of achievements. Trustees are required to commit the requisite time for all of the Board
of Trustees business and will demonstrate integrity, accountability and informed judgement. A
majority of the Board of Trustees will be comprised of Trustees who are determined to be
independent as defined in applicable securities laws and the rules or guidelines of any stock
exchange upon which the units of the Trust are listed for trading.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Notwithstanding the delegation of authority for management and administration of all
operational matters of the Trust to Precision, the Board of Trustees has retained responsibility
for the following matters pursuant to the Declaration of Trust:
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supervision of the activities and management of the investments and affairs of the
Trust; |
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declaration of distributions to Unitholders; |
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issuance, repurchase, redemption, consolidation or subdivision of units of the Trust or other
securities of the Trust and matters related thereto; |
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the exercise of reasonable commercial
efforts to maintain at all times the mutual fund trust status of the Trust pursuant to section
132(6) of the Income Tax Act (Canada); and |
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adoption or amendment of any by-laws of the Trust. |
In addition, under applicable securities legislation and stock exchange rules, the Board of
Trustees have oversight responsibility for the following matters:
|
|
|
review and approval of the annual and interim financial statements and accompanying managements
discussion and analysis; |
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compliance with public disclosure obligations and insider trading
restrictions; |
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|
review and approval of the Trusts core public disclosure documents including its
annual information forms, proxy circulars and annual reports; |
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|
retention, direction and monitoring
the independence of the auditors; |
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|
review and approval of the Trusts system of internal controls
and procedures; and |
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nomination of Trustees for election and appointment of the Board of
Directors. |
A-2
The Trustees should exercise their responsibility in respect of the foregoing matters by:
|
|
|
considering and either rejecting or accepting the recommendations of the Board of Directors,
management of Precision or another body authorized by the Board of Directors such as the Audit
Committee or the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee; |
|
|
|
|
satisfying themselves that the
appropriate individuals or consultants are doing the required work to discharge their duties in
respect of any delegated matters; and |
|
|
|
|
ensuring that the Board of Trustees have received the
necessary information, recommendations and professional advice required to make decisions. |
The integrity of Precisions internal control and management information systems is monitored
by the Board of Directors and its committees of the Board of Directors (each a Committee). The
Audit Committee of Precision is responsible for reviewing internal controls over accounting and
financial reporting systems. Quarterly financial presentations are made to the Audit Committee and
the Audit Committee receives direct reports from the internal and external auditors of the Trust,
including discussions without the presence of management.
Upon the recommendation of the Audit Committee and on the recommendation of the Board of
Directors, the Board of Trustees approves the annual audited consolidated financial statements of
the Trust and the interim unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Trust.
The Board of Trustees requires that Precision, as administrator of the Trust, make accurate,
timely and effective communication to Unitholders of the Trust and the investment community.
Precision has a written communication policy pertaining to communication with the media and with
respect to all continuous disclosure and public reporting requirements to Unitholders and the
investment community.
The Board of Trustees, on the recommendation of the Corporate Governance and Nominating
Committee, has formally adopted and posted on the Trusts website a set of Corporate Governance
Guidelines that affirm the Trusts commitment to maintaining a high standard of corporate
governance.
LIMITATION ON THE TRUSTEES ROLE
In order for the Trust to maintain its status as a mutual fund trust under the Income
Tax Act (Canada) the Board of Trustees will not undertake any activities beside the investment and
management of the Trusts property.
The Board of Trustees may request reports on the operations of the business of Precision and
may comment thereon, but will not make actual business decisions relating to operational matters in
relation to the business of Precision.
Approved by the Board of Trustees of Precision Drilling Trust on March 7, 2006.
A-3
SCHEDULE A
TRUST MATTERS DELEGATED TO PRECISION DRILLING CORPORATION
Capitalized terms used in this Schedule a but not otherwise defined have the meanings
ascribed to them under the Declaration of Trust. Subject to and in accordance with the terms,
conditions and limitations of the Declaration of Trust, the Trustees have delegated to Precision,
and Precision has agreed to be responsible for, the management and general administration of the
affairs of the Trust, including, without limitation, the following:
|
a. |
|
other than those matters set out in Schedule B, undertake any matters required by the terms of
the Declaration of Trust to be performed by the Trustees, which are not otherwise delegated
therein, and generally provide all other services as may be necessary or as requested by the
Trustees for the administration of the Trust; |
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|
b. |
|
prepare or cause to be prepared all returns,
filings and documents and make all determinations necessary for the discharge of the Trustees
obligations under the Declaration of Trust; |
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c. |
|
the retention and monitoring, on behalf of the Trustees, of the transfer agent and other
organizations serving the Trust; |
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d. |
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the authorization and payment on behalf of the Trust of
operation expenses incurred on behalf of the Trust and the negotiation of contracts with third
party providers of services (including, but not limited to, transfer agents, legal counsel,
auditors and printers); |
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e. |
|
the provision of office space, telephone, office equipment, facilities,
supplies and executive, secretarial and clerical services; |
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f. |
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dealing with: (i) banks and other
institutional lenders, including, without limitation, in respect of the maintenance of bank records
and the negotiation and securing of bank financing or refinancing of one or more credit or debt
facilities, hedging or swap facilities or other ancillary facilities; (ii) any and all other
arrangements for the borrowing of funds in any manner whatsoever; (iii) the grant or issue of
covenants, guarantees and/or security of any nature whatsoever to ensure or secure any such
facilities or other arrangements, in respect of the Trust or any entity in which the Trust holds
any direct or indirect interest and any amendment, deletion or supplement thereto or termination
thereof, including without limitation the execution and delivery of all agreements, indentures and
other documents giving effect thereto; and (iv) any and all actions reasonably necessary in
connection with, or in relation to, those matters referred to in Section 9.5 of the Declaration of
Trust; |
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g. |
|
prepare or cause to be prepared and provide to the Board of Trustees so as to be approved
for delivery to Unitholders, annual audited consolidated and interim unaudited financial statements
of the Trust, as well as relevant tax information; |
|
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h. |
|
submit all income tax returns and filings to
the Board of Trustees in sufficient time prior to the dates upon which they must be filed so that
the Board of Trustees have a reasonable opportunity to review them, execute them and return them to
Precision, and arrange for their filing within the time required by applicable tax law; |
|
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i. |
|
administer distributions declared payable by the Board of Trustees and administer on behalf of the
Trust such distribution reinvestment plans and other similar plans as the Trust may establish from
time to time; |
|
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j. |
|
ensure compliance by the Trust with, and enforcing all rights of the Trust under,
all agreements entered into by the Trust, including the Support Agreement and the Voting and
Exchange Trust Agreement; |
|
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k. |
|
ensure compliance by the Trust with all applicable securities
legislation including, without limitation, continuous disclosure obligations; |
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l. |
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prepare or cause
to be prepared on behalf of the Trust any circular or other disclosure document required under
applicable securities legislation with respect to an offer to acquire securities of another person
or in response to an offer to purchase Trust Units; |
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m. |
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provide investor relations services to the
Trust; |
A-4
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n. |
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prepare or cause to be prepared and arrange for the distribution of all materials approved for
delivery by the Trustees (including notices of meetings and information circulars) in respect of
all annual and/or special meetings of Unitholders; |
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o. |
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prepare or cause to be prepared and provide
or cause to be provided to Unitholders on a timely basis all information to which Unitholders are
entitled under the Declaration of Trust and under applicable laws, including information or proxy
circulars, annual information forms, prospectuses, quarterly and annual reports, notices, financial
reports and tax information relating to the Trust, the form and content of which will be approved
by the Trustees; |
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p. |
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once approved by the Board of Trustees, take all steps necessary to complete
the issuance of securities of the Trust; |
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q. |
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attend to all administrative and other matters
(including making determinations) arising in connection with any redemptions of Trust Units
including, without limitation, the matters set forth in Article 6 of the Declaration of Trust and
any designation of capital gain pursuant to Section 5.5 of the Declaration of Trust; |
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r. |
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obtain and
maintain appropriate liability insurance for the benefit of the Board of Trustees, Board of
Directors and officers of Precision and its affiliates; |
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s. |
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ensure that the Trust elects in the
prescribed manner and within the prescribed time under subsection 132(6.1) of the Income Tax Act
(Canada) to be a mutual fund trust within the meaning of that act since inception, and assuming
the requirements for such election are met, monitor the Trusts status as such a mutual fund trust
and provide the Board of Trustees with written notice when the Trust ceases or is at risk of
ceasing to be such a mutual fund trust; |
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t. |
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monitor whether more than 10% of the fair market value
of the property of the Trust is specified property or taxable Canadian property for purposes of
the Income Tax Act (Canada); |
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u. |
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monitor the beneficiaries of the Trust to ensure that no fewer than
150 beneficiaries hold one block of units (as that expression is defined in the Income Tax Act
(Canada)) with an aggregate fair market value of not less than $500; |
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v. |
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undertake, manage and
prosecute any and all proceedings from time to time before or in respect of governmental
authorities on behalf of the Trust; |
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w. |
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prepare or cause to be prepared for approval by the Board of
Trustees any prospectus or comparable documents of the Trust to qualify the sale of securities of
the Trust from time to time; and |
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x. |
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promptly notify the Trust of any event that might reasonably be
expected to have a material adverse effect on the affairs of the Trust. |
A-5
SCHEDULE B
RETAINED RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES UNDER THE DECLARATION OF TRUST
Capitalized terms used in this Schedule B but not otherwise defined have the meanings
ascribed to them under the Declaration of Trust. Pursuant to the Declaration of Trust, the Board of
Trustees has retained the following responsibilities:
|
a. |
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to supervise the activities and manage the investments and affairs of the Trust; |
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b. |
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to invest,
hold shares, trust units, beneficial interests, partnership interests (other than general
partnership interests), joint venture interests or other interests in any person necessary or
useful to carry out the purpose of the Trust; |
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c. |
|
to enter into any agreement or instrument to
create or provide for the issue of Trust Units and Special Voting Units (including any firm or best
efforts underwriting agreement), to cause such Trust Units and Special Voting Units to be issued
for such consideration as the Trustees, in their sole discretion, may deem appropriate and to do
such things and prepare and sign such documents, including the prospectus and any registration
rights agreement, to qualify such Trust Units and Special Voting Units for sale in whatever
jurisdictions they will be sold or offered for sale; |
|
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d. |
|
except as prohibited by applicable law, to
delegate any of the powers and duties of the Board of Trustees to any one or more agents,
representatives, officers, employees, independent contractors or other persons the doing of such
things and the exercise of such powers hereunder as the Board of Trustees may from time to time
reasonably require, so long as any such delegation is not inconsistent with any of the provisions
of the Declaration of Trust and subject at all times to the general control and supervision of the
Board of Trustees; |
|
|
e. |
|
to redeem Trust Units (or rights, warrants, convertible securities, options
or other securities) for such consideration as the Board of Trustees may deem appropriate in their
sole discretion and to redeem Special Voting Units for no consideration and such redemption to be
subject to the terms and conditions of the Declaration of Trust; |
|
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f. |
|
without the approval or
confirmation of Unitholders, enact and from time to time amend or repeal by-laws not inconsistent
with the Declaration of Trust containing provisions relating to the Trust, the Trust Assets and the
conduct of the affairs of the Trust, but not in conflict with any provision of the Declaration of
Trust; |
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g. |
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to subdivide or consolidate from time to time the issued and outstanding Trust Units; and |
|
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h. |
|
to purchase Trust Units for cancellation in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements. |
A-6
APPENDIX B
MANDATE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF PRECISION DRILLING CORPORATION
ADMINISTRATOR OF PRECISION DRILLING TRUST
GENERAL
The board of directors (the Board of Directors, and each member a Director) of
Precision Drilling Corporation (Precision) is responsible for the stewardship of the business and
affairs of Precision. As such, the Board of Directors has responsibility to oversee the conduct of
Precisions business, provide direction to management and ensure that all major issues affecting
the business and affairs of Precision are given proper consideration.
The Board of Directors discharges its responsibilities directly and through its committees of
the Board of Directors (each a Committee). The Board of Directors appoints from its members an
Audit Committee, a Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, and a Compensation Committee
(collectively, the Committees). The Board of Directors may delegate to such Committees matters
for which it is responsible, but the Board of Directors retains its oversight function for all
delegated
responsibilities. Similarly, as permitted by applicable law, the Board of Directors may from
time to time delegate certain of its responsibilities to management.
Each Director is expected to attend in person all regularly-scheduled meetings of the Board of
Directors and all meetings of each Committee on which they serve. To prepare for meetings,
Directors are expected to review the materials that are sent to them in advance of such meetings.
The Directors, in exercising the powers and authority conferred upon them, will act honestly
and in good faith with a view to the best interests of Precision and in connection therewith will
exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in
comparable circumstances. A Director will not be liable in carrying out his or her duties except in
cases where the Director fails to act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests
of Precision or to exercise the degree of care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent
person would exercise in comparable circumstances.
STRUCTURE AND AUTHORITY
The composition of the Board of Directors, including the qualifications of its members,
will comply with all requirements of the Business Corporations Act (Alberta), the articles and
by-laws of Precision, applicable securities legislation and the rules of any stock exchange upon
which the units (Trust Units) of Precision Drilling Trust (the Trust) are listed for trading.
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee recommends to the Board of Directors the
candidates for nomination as Directors. The Board of Directors then submits its recommendations to
the Board of Trustees and the Board of Trustees approves the final choice of candidates who will be
submitted to holders of Trust Units and holders of Class B Limited Partnership Units of Precision
Drilling Limited Partnership (together the Unitholders) for approval. Following the vote of
Unitholders, the Board of Trustees directs 1194312 Alberta Ltd. (the General Partner) of
Precision Drilling Limited Partnership to appoint those candidates who have been approved by
Unitholders as Directors of Precision. In the event that a resolution to approve the appointment of
the Board of Directors is not passed, or if nominees other than those proposed are approved, the
Board of Trustees will either act on the resolution or promptly request that the Corporate
Governance and Nominating Committee review the voting results and make a recommendation to the
Board of Trustees for an alternate slate of Directors to be nominated for appointment, or such
other recommendation as they determine appropriate, following which the Board of Trustees will seek
approval from Unitholders, if required, for such recommendation. The Board of Trustees will not
take steps to implement or approve any recommendation which would result in less than a majority of
the Board of Directors being independent, or which would result in the Trustees constituting a
majority of the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors will appoint the Chairman of the Board of Directors from among
Precisions Directors. The term of each Director will expire at the close of the next annual
meeting of Unitholders or when their successor is
B-1
appointed by the General Partner of PDLP. In addition, Directors are not renominated for
appointment at the annual meeting of Unitholders following their fifteenth year as a Director, or
following their 69th birthday, whichever is earlier.
If it becomes necessary to appoint a new Director to fill a vacancy on the Board of Directors
or to complement the existing Board of Directors, the Board of Directors will, upon the
recommendation of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and with the approval of the
Board of Trustees, consider a wide potential base of possible candidates and assess the
qualifications of proposed new Directors against a range of criteria, including background
experience, professional skills, personal qualities, the potential for the candidates skills to
augment the existing Board of Directors and the
candidates availability to commit to the Board of Directors activities. The Board of
Directors may, with the approval of the Board of Trustees, between annual meetings of the
Unitholders, request that the General Partner appoint one or more additional Directors for a term
to expire at the close of the next annual meeting of Unitholders, provided that the number of
additional Directors so appointed will not exceed one-third of the number of Directors who held
office at the immediately preceding annual meeting of Unitholders.
Directors must have an appropriate mix of skills, knowledge and experience in business and a
history of achievements. Directors are required to commit the requisite time for all of the Board
of Directors business and will demonstrate integrity, accountability and informed judgement. A
majority of the Board of Directors will be comprised of Directors who must be determined to be
independent as defined in applicable securities laws and the rules or guidelines of any stock
exchange upon which the Trust Units are listed for trading.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Board of Directors will review and consider the reports and recommendations of the
Committees, and if approved by the Board of Directors, will communicate such reports and
recommendations to the Board of Trustees for their approval.
The Board of Directors will approve all material transactions involving Precision. In
addition, the Board of Directors will approve banking relationships and key borrowing and financing
decisions, appoint officers, determine the compensation of senior management and the Directors, and
establish the compensation policies of Precision.
The Board of Directors is responsible, to the extent feasible, to satisfy itself of the
integrity of the Chief Executive Officer and executive officers and ensure that the Chief Executive
Officer and executive officers create a culture of integrity throughout the organization.
The Board of Directors is responsible for ensuring that Precision provides administrative and
support services to the Trust in accordance with the terms of the administration agreement, dated
November 7, 2005 entered into between Precision and the Trust, as such agreement may be amended
from time to time (the Administration Agreement). The Board of Directors acknowledges that as
part of its responsibility for matters delegated to it by the Trust under the Administration
Agreement, it will adhere to principles of good corporate governance, including the use of
Committees.
The Board of Directors takes responsibility for appointing the Chief Executive Officer and is
consulted on the appointment of other senior management. The Board of Directors, through the
Compensation Committee, formally reviews the Chief Executive Officers remuneration and performance
and the compensation of other members of management. Senior management participates in appropriate
professional and personal development activities, courses and programs on a self-directed basis and
the Board of Directors supports managements commitment to training and development of all
employees.
The Board of Directors is responsible for the consideration of succession issues and reviews
the adequacy of Precisions succession plan at least annually.
The Board of Directors and its Committees are responsible for the integrity of Precisions
internal control and management information systems. The Audit Committee is responsible for
reviewing internal controls over accounting and financial reporting systems and reporting to the
Board of Directors on such matters. The Board of Directors will submit any such report of the Audit
Committee, once approved by the Board of Directors, to the Board of Trustees. Quarterly financial
presentations are made to the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee meets separately with, and
receives direct reports from the internal and external auditors of the Trust. Such meetings
include discussions between the Audit Committee members and the external auditors without the
presence of management.
B-2
The Board of Directors is responsible for the strategic direction of Precision. The Board of
Directors has established a formal strategic planning process which takes into account, among other
things, the opportunities and risks of the business. The strategic plan is reviewed on an annual
basis at a special meeting of the Board of Directors and senior management at which concepts
discussed in the strategic plan are discussed and adopted.
The Board of Directors approves the annual business plan of Precision and an annual operating
budget for Precision and its subsidiaries.
The Board of Directors approves the annual audited consolidated financial statements of the
Trust and approves the interim unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Trust. The Board
of Directors may at any time and from time to time delegate approval of interim unaudited
consolidated financial statements to the Audit Committee. Once approved, annual and quarterly
financial statements must be submitted by the Board of Directors or the Audit Committee, as the
case may be, to the Board of Trustees for final approval.
The Board of Directors is responsible for identifying the principal risks of Precisions
business and for ensuring the implementation of systems to manage these risks. With the assistance
of senior management, who report to the Board of Directors on the risks of Precisions business,
the Board of Directors considers such risks and discusses the management of such risks on a regular
basis. In addition, the Board of Directors receives quarterly environmental and occupational health
and safety reports, reports on litigation issues and appropriate compliance reports from
management.
The Board of Directors is responsible for considering appropriate measures it may take if the
performance of Precision falls short of its goals or as other circumstances warrant.
The Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the accurate reporting of the financial
performance of Precision and the Trust to the Unitholders and the investment community, and that
the financial results of Precision and the Trust are reported fairly and in accordance with
generally accepted accounting standards. The Board of Directors must report regularly to the Board
of Trustees on such matters.
The Board of Directors requires that Precision, as administrator of the Trust, make accurate,
timely and effective communication of all material information to Unitholders and the investment
community. The Board of Directors has adopted a written communication policy (the Disclosure
Policy) in respect of communications with the media and to the continuous disclosure and public
reporting obligations of the Trust. The disclosed information is released through newswire
services, Precisions website, mailings to Unitholders and, where required, filed on SEDAR and
EDGAR. Regular news releases are made at least quarterly and the Trust reports quarterly and annual
financial results. Supplemental releases are made highlighting material facts regarding Precision
and the Trust. The Board of Directors currently delegates this ongoing reporting responsibility to
management. Issues arising from the Disclosure Policy are dealt with by a committee of executive
officers of Precision consisting of the Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Operating
Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Vice President, Corporate Services and Corporate Secretary and
outside legal counsel. Material disclosure relating to the Trust, including without limitation,
the Trusts annual information form, annual report and annual proxy circular must, once approved by
the Board of Directors, be submitted to the Board of Trustees for approval.
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is responsible for recommending the Trusts
approach to corporate governance and reporting to the Board of Directors on all matters relating to
the governance of the Trust. The Board of Directors will submit the reports of the Corporate
Governance
and Nominating Committee, once approved, to the Board of Trustees. The Board of Directors,
through its Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, has formally adopted and posted on the
Trusts website at www.precisiondrilling.com a set of Corporate Governance Guidelines which affirms
Precisions commitment to maintaining a high standard of corporate governance.
The Board of Directors, through its Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, annually
reviews the effectiveness of the Board of Directors, its Committees and individual Directors.
The Board of Directors is responsible for approving policies and procedures designed to ensure
that Precision operates at all times within applicable laws and regulations and for monitoring
compliance with all such policies and procedures.
B-3
Unitholders and other interested parties may communicate with the Board of Directors and with
the independent members of the Board of Directors by contacting the office of the Vice President,
Corporate Services and Corporate Secretary at the offices of Precision, 4200, 150 6th Avenue
S.W., Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2P 3Y7, by telephone at 403.716.4500, facsimile at 403.264.0251 or
email at info@precisiondrilling.com.
All communications received will be reviewed and delivered as requested, or if an individual
member of the Board of Directors is not specified by the communication, to the appropriate member
at the Vice President, Corporate Services and Corporate Secretarys discretion. The process for
communication with the Vice President, Corporate Services and Corporate Secretary is also posted on
the Trusts website at www.precisiondrilling.com.
Approved by the Board of Directors of Precision Drilling Corporation on March 7, 2006.
B-4
EXHIBIT A
DEFERRED TRUST UNIT
OF PRECISION DRILLING TRUST
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page |
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1. PREAMBLE AND DEFINITIONS |
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3 |
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2. CONSTRUCTION AND INTERPRETATION |
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4 |
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3. ELIGIBILITY |
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4 |
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4. DEFERRED TRUST UNIT GRANTS |
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4 |
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5. ACCOUNTS, DISTRIBUTION EQUIVALENTS AND REORGANIZATION |
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5 |
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6. REDEMPTION ON RETIREMENT OR DEATH |
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5 |
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7. CURRENCY |
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6 |
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8. UNITHOLDER RIGHTS |
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6 |
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9. ADMINISTRATION |
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6 |
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10. ASSIGNMENT |
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7 |
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Schedule A Participation Agreement
Schedule B Redemption Notice
A-2
PRECISION DRILLING TRUST
1. |
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PREAMBLE AND DEFINITIONS |
|
1.1 |
|
Title |
|
|
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The Plan herein described shall be called the Deferred Trust Unit Plan for Directors of
Precision Drilling Corporation. |
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1.2 |
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Purpose of the Plan |
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The purpose of the Plan is to promote a greater alignment of interests between Directors
and the unitholders of the Trust. |
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1.3 |
|
Definitions |
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(a) |
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Affiliate means an affiliate of the Corporation as the term affiliate is defined in
paragraph 8 of Canada Revenue Agency Interpretation Bulletin IT-337R4, Retiring Allowances. |
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(b) |
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Board means the Board of Directors of the Corporation. |
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(c) |
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Cease Trade Date has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 6.3. |
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(d) |
|
Committee means the Compensation Committee of the Board. |
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(e) |
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Corporation means Precision Drilling Corporation and any successor corporation whether by
amalgamation, merger or otherwise. |
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(f) |
|
Deferred Trust Unit means a bookkeeping entry on the books of the Trust, the value of which
on any particular date shall be equal to the Market Value. |
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(g) |
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Deferred Trust Unit Account has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 5.1. |
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(h) |
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Director
means a director of the Corporation who is not an employee of the Corporation otherwise than in
his or her capacity as a member of the Board. |
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(i) |
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Directors Termination Date has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 6.1. |
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(j) |
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Insider
means an insider as defined in the Stock Exchange Company Manual, as amended from time to time. |
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(k) |
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Market Value means, with respect to a particular date, the closing price for a Trust Unit on
the Stock Exchange on the Trading Day immediately prior to that date or, in the event of the Cease
Trade Date, such other value as may be determined pursuant to Section 6.3. |
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(l) |
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Redemption Date has the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 6.1. |
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(m) |
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Stock Exchange means the Toronto Stock Exchange, or if the Trust Units are not listed on the
Toronto Stock Exchange, such other stock exchange on which the Trust Units are listed, or if the
Trust Units are not listed on any stock exchange, then on the over-the-counter market. |
A-3
|
(n) |
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Trading Day means any date on which the Stock Exchange is open for the trading of Trust
Units and on which one or more Trust Units actually traded. |
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(o) |
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Trust means Precision Drilling Trust. |
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(p) |
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Trust Unit means a trust unit of the Trust and such other trust unit as is substituted
therefor as a result of amendments to the articles of the Trust, reorganization or otherwise,
including any rights that form a part of the trust unit or substituted trust unit but not
including any other rights that are attached thereto and trade therewith or any other trust unit
that is added thereto. |
2. |
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CONSTRUCTION AND INTERPRETATION |
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2.1 |
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In the Plan, references to the masculine include the feminine; references to the singular shall
include the plural and vice versa, as the context shall require. |
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2.2 |
|
The Plan shall be governed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Province of
Alberta and the laws of Canada. |
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2.3 |
|
If any provision of the Plan or part hereof is determined to be void or unenforceable in whole
or in part, such determination shall not affect the validity or enforcement of any other provision
or part thereof. |
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2.4 |
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Headings wherever used herein are for reference purposes only and do not limit or extend the
meaning of the provisions herein contained. |
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3. |
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ELIGIBILITY |
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3.1 |
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The Trust is establishing the Plan for Directors, effective on January 1, 2007. |
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3.2 |
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Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to give any person the right to be retained as a
Director of the Corporation or of an Affiliate. |
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4. |
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DEFERRED TRUST UNIT GRANTS |
|
4.1 |
|
The Board (or the Committee) shall, on a quarterly basis, authorize, subject to the conditions
stated herein, a grant of Deferred Trust Units. The participation of a Director in the Plan shall
be evidenced by a written agreement between the Corporation and the eligible Director in the form
of Schedule A hereto. The first grant of Deferred Trust Units shall be effective from July 1, 2007,
subject to all necessary stock exchange and unitholder approvals. Each grant of Deferred Trust
Units shall be effective as of the first day of a calendar quarter and shall apply to amounts
earned after such date. At the option and written direction of the Director, the grant shall be
based upon the annual retainer for Directors, the annual retainer for committee membership and for
Board and Board committee meeting fees. Directors can designate from time to time, whether they
wish to receive remuneration from annual Board retainers, annual Board committee retainers or Board
meeting fees, so long as such designation is in advance of a particular calendar quarter.
The designation may be made from time to time in the form of Schedule B hereto. |
4.2
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(a) |
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The number of Trust Units issuable to Insiders of the Trust or the Corporation, at any
time, under all security based compensation arrangements of the Trust, including the Plan,
cannot exceed 10% of the issued and outstanding Trust Units; and |
A-4
|
(b) |
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The number of Trust Units issued to Insiders of the Trust or the Corporation, within any
one year period, under all security based compensation arrangements of the Trust, including the
Plan, cannot exceed 10% of the issued and outstanding Trust Units. |
5. |
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ACCOUNTS, DISTRIBUTION EQUIVALENTS AND REORGANIZATION |
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5.1 |
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An account, to be known as a Deferred Trust Unit Account shall be maintained by the
Corporation for each Director and will be credited with notional grants of Deferred Trust Units
received by a Director from time to time. Unless otherwise provided at the time of grant, Deferred
Trust Units will be fully vested upon being credited to a Directors Deferred Trust Unit Account
and the Directors entitlement to payment of such Deferred Trust Units at his or her Termination
Date shall not thereafter be subject to satisfaction of any requirements as to any minimum period
of membership on the Board or other conditions. |
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5.2 |
|
Whenever cash or other distributions are paid on the Trusts Units, additional Deferred Trust
Units will be credited to the Directors Deferred Trust Unit Account. The number of such additional
Deferred Trust Units will be calculated by dividing the distributions that would have been paid to
such Director if the Deferred Trust Units recorded in the Directors Deferred Trust Unit Account as
at the record date for the cash distribution had been Trust Units by the Market Value on the date
on which the distributions are paid on the Trust Units. Notwithstanding the foregoing, following a
Cease Trade Date, the value of a Trust Unit used to calculate the number of additional Deferred
Trust Units under this Section 5.2 shall be the value determined on a reasonable and equitable
basis by the Board. |
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5.3 |
|
In the event of any property distribution, unit split, combination or exchange of Trust Units,
merger, arrangement, re-organization, re-capitalization, consolidation, spin-off or other
distribution (other than normal cash, note or Trust Unit distributions) of the Trust assets to
unitholders, or any other similar changes affecting the Trust, such proportionate adjustments, to
reflect such change or changes shall be made with respect to the number of Deferred Trust Units
outstanding under the Plan, all as determined by the Board in its sole discretion. |
|
5.4 |
|
For greater certainty, no amount will be paid to, or in respect of, a Director under the Plan
or pursuant to any other arrangement, and no additional Deferred Trust Units will be granted to a
Director to compensate for a downward fluctuation in the fair market value of the Trust Units, nor
will any other form of benefit be conferred upon, or in respect of a Director for such purpose. |
|
6. |
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REDEMPTION ON RETIREMENT OR DEATH |
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6.1 |
|
The value of the Deferred Trust Units credited to a Directors Deferred Trust Unit
Account shall be redeemable by the Director (or, where the Director has died, his or her estate) at
the Directors option (or after the Directors death at the option of his or her legal
representative) following the event, including death, causing the Director to be no longer any of a
Director, or a director of an Affiliate (the Directors Termination Date). The Director (or after
the Directors death, his or her legal representative) shall, by filing a written notice of
redemption in the form of Schedule C hereto with the Secretary of the Corporation, specify a
redemption date (the Redemption Date) which in any event must be after the date on which the
notice of redemption is filed with the Corporation and within the period from the Directors
Termination Date to December 15 of the first calendar year commencing after the Directors
Termination Date. |
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6.2 |
|
The value of the Deferred Trust Units redeemed by or in respect of a Director pursuant to
Section 6.1 shall be the Market Value on the Directors Redemption Date and shall be paid to the
Director (or, if the Director has died, to his or her estate) in the form of Trust Units in a
number equal to the number of Deferred Trust Units redeemed, net of any applicable withholdings as |
A-5
|
|
soon as practicable after the Directors Redemption Date, provided that in any event
such payment date shall be no later than December 31 of the first calendar year commencing
after the Directors Termination Date. The Trust Units to be issued shall be newly issued
units by the Trust. The maximum number of Trust Units issuable under the Plan shall be set
at 200,000, provided that the Board may increase such number of Trust Units subject to all
necessary regulatory approvals. |
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6.3 |
|
In the event that the Directors Redemption Date is after the date on which the Trust Units
ceased to be traded on the Stock Exchange, provided such cessation in trading is not reasonably
expected to be temporary (the Cease Trade Date), the value of the Deferred Trust Units redeemed
by or in respect of the Director pursuant to Section 6.1 shall be determined in accordance with the
following: |
|
(a) |
|
where the Directors Termination Date is before or not more than 365 days after the last
Trading Day before the Cease Trade Date, the value of each Deferred Trust Unit credited to the
Directors Deferred Trust Unit Account at his or her Redemption Date shall be equal to the Market
Value on the last Trading Day before the Cease Trade Date; and |
|
|
(b) |
|
where the Directors
Termination Date is after the date that is 365 days after the last Trading Day before the Cease
Trade Date, the value of each Deferred Trust Unit credited to the Directors Deferred Trust Unit
Account at his or her Redemption Date shall be based on the fair market value of a trust unit of
the Trust or of a corporation related thereto at his or her Redemption Date as is determined on a
reasonable and equitable basis by the Board after receiving the advice of one or more independent
firms of investment bankers of national repute. |
|
|
The value of a Directors Deferred Trust Units determined in accordance with paragraph (a)
or (b) of this Section 6.3, as applicable, shall be paid to the Director (or, if the
Director has died, to his or her estate) in the form of newly issued Trust Units by the
Trust, net of any applicable withholdings as soon as practicable after the Directors
Redemption Date, provided that in any event such payment date shall be no later than
December 31 of the first calendar year commencing after the Directors Termination Date. |
7. |
|
CURRENCY |
|
7.1 |
|
All references in the Plan to currency refer to lawful Canadian currency. |
|
8. |
|
UNITHOLDER RIGHTS |
|
8.1 |
|
Deferred Trust Units are not Trust Units or other securities of the Trust and, except as
specifically provided for herein, will not entitle a Director to any unitholder rights, including,
without limitation, voting rights, distribution entitlement or rights on liquidation. |
|
9. |
|
ADMINISTRATION |
|
9.1 |
|
Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the Plan shall remain an unfunded and unsecured
obligation of the Corporation. |
|
9.2 |
|
Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the Plan shall be administered by the Committee. |
|
9.3 |
|
The Plan may be amended or terminated at any time by the Board, except as to rights already accrued
hereunder by the Directors, without approval of the holders of the Trust Units, but subject to any
required regulatory approval. Approval of the holders of the Trust Units will be |
A-6
|
|
required to (i) increase the number of Trust Units authorized for issuance under the Plan, or
(ii) amend the method of calculating the number of Deferred Trust Units to be credited to a
Directors Deferred Trust Unit Account in a manner that would result in a greater number being
credited to such account than is currently provided for under the Plan. |
|
9.4 |
|
The Corporation will be responsible for all costs relating to the administration of the Plan. |
|
10. |
|
ASSIGNMENT |
|
10.1 |
|
The assignment or transfer of the Deferred Trust Units, or any other benefits under this Plan, shall
not be permitted other than by operation of law. |
A-7
Schedule A
Deferred Trust Unit Plan for Directors of
Precision Drilling
Corporation (the Plan)
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT Section 4.1 of
the Plan
I hereby confirm that, as of the date written below, I am a member of the Board of Directors of
Precision Drilling Corporation and acknowledge that I will be granted Deferred Trust Units under
Section 4.1 of the Plan on a quarterly basis subject to and in accordance with the terms of the
Plan.
I confirm that:
1. |
|
I have received and reviewed a copy of the terms of the Plan and agree to be bound by
them. |
2. |
|
I understand that I will not be able to cause Precision Drilling Corporation (the
Corporation) to redeem Deferred Trust Units granted under the Plan (DTUs) until I am no
longer either a director of the Corporation or of an Affiliate. |
3. |
|
I recognize that when DTUs credited pursuant to the Plan are redeemed in accordance with the
terms of the Plan after I am no longer either a director of the Corporation or of an
Affiliate, income tax and other withholdings as required will arise at that time. Upon
redemption of the DTUs, the Corporation will make all appropriate withholdings as required by
law at that time. |
4. |
|
The value of DTUs are based on the value of the trust units of Precision Drilling Trust from
time to time and therefore are not guaranteed. |
The foregoing is only a brief outline of certain key provisions of the Plan. For more complete
information, reference should be made to the Plan text which governs in the case of conflict or
inconsistency with this Participation Agreement. All capitalized expressions used herein shall have
the same meaning as in the Plan unless otherwise defined herein.
|
|
|
|
|
(Name
of Director) |
|
|
|
|
|
(Signature
of Director) |
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Schedule B
Deferred Trust Unit Plan for
Directors of Precision Drilling Corporation
ALLOCATION NOTICE
I hereby request that the following remuneration categories be paid to me by way of Deferred Trust
Units and I understand that such shall not be applicable until the beginning of the next calendar
quarter and will only be applicable to amounts payable after the beginning of such calendar
quarter:
(as indicated by checking the box)
o Annual Board Retainer
o Annual Committee Retainer
o Meeting Fees
A-9
Schedule C
Deferred Trust Unit Plan for
Directors of Precision Drilling Corporation (the Plan)
REDEMPTION NOTICE
Pursuant to Section 6.1 of the Plan, I hereby advise Precision Drilling Corporation (the
Corporation) that I wish to redeem all the Deferred Trust Units credited to my account under the
Plan on [insert Redemption Date, which shall be no later than December 15 of
the first calendar year commencing after the year in which the Director ceases to be any of a
director or an employee of the Corporation or of an Affiliate.].
|
|
|
|
|
(Name
of Director) |
|
|
|
|
|
(Signature
of Director) |
If the Redemption Notice is signed by a legal representative, documents providing the authority of
such signature must be provided to the Corporation.
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