posasr
As Filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on January 5, 2009
Registration
No. 333-135244
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C.
20549
Post-Effective Amendment No. 1
to
Form S-3
REGISTRATION
STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF
1933
Weatherford International
Ltd.
(Exact Name of Registrant as
Specified in its Charter)
Bermuda
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
98-0371344
(IRS Employer Identification
Number)
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Weatherford
International, Inc. |
Weatherford International Ltd. |
(Exact Names of Co-Registrants
as Specified in Their Charters)
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Delaware
(State or Other
Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
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Switzerland
(State or Other
Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
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33-0430755
(IRS Employer
Identification Number)
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(IRS Employer Identification
Number)
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515 Post Oak Boulevard
Houston, Texas 77027
(713) 693-4000
(Address, Including Zip Code,
and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrants
Principal Executive Offices)
Burt M. Martin
Weatherford International, Inc.
515 Post Oak Boulevard
Houston, Texas 77027
(713) 693-4000
(Name, Address, Including Zip
Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for
Service)
COPY TO:
W. Mark Young
Andrews Kurth LLP
600 Travis, Suite 4200
Houston, Texas 77002
Telephone: (713) 220-4323
Approximate Date of Commencement of Proposed Sale to the
Public: From time to time after the effective
date of this registration statement, as determined by market
conditions and other factors.
If the only securities being registered on this form are being
offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans,
please check the following
box. o
If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be
offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to
Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than
securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following
box. þ
If this form is filed to register additional securities for an
offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act,
please check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same
offering. o
If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to
Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following
box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of
the earlier effective registration statement for the same
offering. o
If this form is a registration statement pursuant to General
Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that
shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant
to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the
following
box. þ
If this form is a post-effective amendment to a registration
statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to
register additional securities or additional class of securities
pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the
following
box. þ
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION
FEE
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Amount to be registered/
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Proposed Maximum
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Amount of
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Title of each class of Securities to be registered
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Offering Price Per Unit(1)
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registration fee(2)
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Common Shares, U.S.$1.00 par value, of Weatherford
International Ltd. (Weatherford Bermuda)
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Preference Shares, U.S.$1.00 par value, of Weatherford
Bermuda
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Senior Debt Securities of Weatherford Bermuda
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Guarantees of Weatherford International, Inc. (Weatherford
Delaware)(3)
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Guarantees of Weatherford International Ltd. (Weatherford
Switzerland)(4)
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Warrants of Weatherford Bermuda
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(1)
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An indeterminate initial offering
price, principal amount or number of securities of each
identified class is being registered as may from time to time be
issued at indeterminate prices or upon conversion, exchange or
exercise of securities registered hereunder to the extent any
such securities are, by their terms, convertible into or
exchangeable or exercisable for, such securities. Separate
consideration may or may not be received for securities that are
being registered that are issued in exchange for, or upon
conversion or exercise of, the debt securities being registered
hereunder.
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(2)
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In accordance with
Rules 456(b) and 457(r), the registrant is deferring
payment of all of the registration fee.
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(3)
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Weatherford Delaware may guarantee
on an unsecured basis the debt securities of Weatherford
Bermuda. In accordance with Rule 457(n), no separate fee is
payable with respect to the guarantees of the debt securities
being registered.
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(4)
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Weatherford Switzerland may
guarantee on an unsecured basis the debt securities of
Weatherford Bermuda. In accordance with Rule 457(n), no
separate fee is payable with respect to the guarantees of the
debt securities being registered.
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EXPLANATORY
NOTE
This Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration
Statement on
Form S-3
(File
No. 333-135244)
(the Registration Statement) of Weatherford
International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company
(Weatherford Bermuda), and Weatherford
International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (Weatherford
Delaware), is being filed for the purposes of
(i) adding Weatherford International Ltd., a Swiss
joint-stock corporation and the proposed new parent of
Weatherford Bermuda (Weatherford Switzerland), as a
co-registrant for the issuance of guarantees of the Weatherford
Bermuda senior debt securities, such guarantees being in
substantially the same form and substance as those guarantees
that may be issued by Weatherford Delaware under the
Registration Statement, (ii) filing an opinion of Andrews
Kurth LLP, (iii) filing an updated computation of ratio of
earnings to fixed charges, (iv) filing a consent of
Ernst & Young LLP, and (v) filing an updated
Form T-1
Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of
1939 of the Trustee under the Weatherford Bermuda Senior
Indenture.
PROSPECTUS
Weatherford International
Ltd.
(a Bermuda exempted company)
COMMON SHARES
PREFERENCE SHARES
SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES
WARRANTS
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Weatherford International,
Inc.
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Weatherford International
Ltd.
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(a Delaware corporation)
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(a Swiss joint-stock corporation)
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GUARANTEES OF DEBT SECURITIES
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GUARANTEES OF DEBT SECURITIES
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Weatherford International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company
(Weatherford Bermuda) may offer and sell from time
to time in one or more offerings:
(1) common shares;
(2) preference shares, in one or more series, which may be
convertible into or exchangeable for debt securities or common
shares;
(3) unsecured debt securities consisting of senior notes
and debentures
and/or other
unsecured evidences of indebtedness, in one or more series
(including medium-term notes, or MTNs), which may be convertible
into or exchangeable for preference shares or common
shares; and
(4) warrants to purchase our common shares, preference
shares or debt securities or to purchase or sell securities of a
third party, currencies or commodities.
Weatherford International, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(Weatherford Delaware), may offer and sell from time
to time in one or more offerings guarantees of debt securities
issued by Weatherford Bermuda.
Weatherford International Ltd., a Swiss joint-stock corporation
(Weatherford Switzerland), may offer and sell from
time to time in one or more offerings guarantees of debt
securities issued by Weatherford Bermuda.
Weatherford Bermuda, Weatherford Delaware
and/or
Weatherford Switzerland will provide the specific terms of the
securities in supplements to this prospectus. You should read
this prospectus and the related prospectus supplement carefully
before you invest in any of Weatherford Bermudas,
Weatherford Delawares or Weatherford Switzerlands
securities. This prospectus may not be used to consummate sales
of securities of Weatherford Bermuda, Weatherford Delaware or
Weatherford Switzerland, unless it is accompanied by a
prospectus supplement.
The common shares of Weatherford Bermuda are listed for trading
on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol WFT.
On January 2, 2009, the last reported sales price for the
common shares on the New York Stock Exchange was $11.66 per
share.
You should carefully review and consider the information
under the headings Forward-Looking Statements
beginning on page iii and Risk Factors beginning on
page 1 and the other information included and incorporated
by reference in this prospectus for a discussion of the factors
that you should carefully consider before deciding to purchase
these securities.
None of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any state
securities commission or any other regulatory body has approved
or disapproved of these securities or determined if this
prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the
contrary is a criminal offense.
This prospectus is dated January 5, 2009.
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
ABOUT
THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which we
refer to as the SEC, using a shelf
registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we
may, over time, offer and sell any combination of the securities
described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This
prospectus provides you with a general description of the
securities that we may offer. Each time we offer securities, we
will provide one or more prospectus supplements that will
contain specific information about the terms of that offering. A
prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information
contained in this prospectus. You should read both this
prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the
additional information described under the heading Where
You Can Find More Information below. You should rely only
on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this
prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement. We have not
authorized anyone else to provide you with different
information. We are not making an offer to sell in any
jurisdiction in which the offer is not permitted. You should not
assume that the information in the prospectus, any prospectus
supplement or any other document incorporated by reference in
this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the dates
of those documents.
Unless the context requires otherwise or unless otherwise noted,
all references in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement
to Weatherford Bermuda and to the
company, we, us or
our are to Weatherford International Ltd., a Bermuda
exempted company, and its subsidiaries as a whole or on a
division basis depending on the context in which the statements
are made. When we refer to Weatherford Delaware, we are
referring to Weatherford International, Inc., a wholly owned,
indirect subsidiary of Weatherford Bermuda. When we refer to
Weatherford Switzerland, we are referring to Weatherford
International Ltd., a Swiss joint-stock corporation and the
proposed new parent of Weatherford Bermuda.
Consent under the Exchange Control Act 1972 (and its related
regulations) has been obtained from the Bermuda Monetary
Authority for the issue and transfer of Weatherford
Bermudas common and preference shares, up to the amount of
its authorized capital from time to time, to and between
non-residents of Bermuda for exchange control purposes, and the
issue of options, warrants, depository receipts, rights, loan
notes and other securities of Weatherford Bermuda and the
subsequent free transferability thereof, provided our shares
remain listed on an appointed stock exchange, which includes the
New York Stock Exchange. This prospectus may be filed with the
Registrar of Companies in Bermuda in accordance with Bermuda
law. In granting such consent and in accepting the prospectus
for filing, neither the Bermuda Monetary Authority nor the
Registrar of Companies in Bermuda accepts any responsibility for
our financial soundness or the correctness of any of the
statements made or opinions expressed in this prospectus.
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WHERE YOU
CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
Each time that we offer to sell securities, we will provide a
prospectus supplement that will contain specific information
about the terms of that offering, including any guarantees. The
prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information
contained in this prospectus. This prospectus, together with the
applicable prospectus supplement, will include or refer you to
all material information relating to each offering.
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements
and other information with the SEC (File
No. 001-31339).
Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at
the SECs website at
http://www.sec.gov
and at our web site at http://www.weatherford.com. Information
on our web site is not incorporated by reference in this
prospectus. You may also read and copy at prescribed rates any
document we file at the SECs public reference room at 100
F Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain
information on the operation of the SECs public reference
room by calling the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330.
Our common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange
under the symbol WFT. Our reports, proxy statements
and other information may be read and copied at the New York
Stock Exchange at 20 Broad Street, 7th Floor, New
York, New York 10005.
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the
information that we file with it, which means that we can
disclose important information to you by referring you to other
documents. The information incorporated by reference is an
important part of this prospectus, and information that we file
later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this
information. We incorporate by reference the following documents
and all documents that we subsequently file with the SEC under
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act
(other than information furnished rather than filed):
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our annual report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2007;
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our quarterly reports on
Form 10-Q
for the three months ended March 31, 2008, June 30,
2008 and September 30, 2008;
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our current reports on
Form 8-K
(other than information furnished rather than filed), filed with
the SEC on February 8, 2008, March 6, 2008,
March 18, 2008, March 25, 2008, April 21, 2008,
October 24, 2008, December 2, 2008, December 11,
2008 and December 31, 2008; and
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the description of our common shares, $1.00 par value,
contained in our Registration Statement on
Form 8-A
filed with the SEC on May 24, 2002 (File
No. 001-31339),
including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of
updating such description.
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You may request a copy of these filings (other than an exhibit
to a filing unless that exhibit is specifically incorporated by
reference into that filing), at no cost, by writing to us at the
following address or calling the following number:
Weatherford International Ltd.
Attention: Investor Relations
515 Post Oak Boulevard
Houston, Texas 77027
(713) 693-4000
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FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS
This prospectus includes, and any accompanying prospectus
supplement may include, forward-looking statements
within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 about us.
All statements other than statements of historical fact included
in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement are
forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may be
found in this document regarding the financial position,
business strategy, possible or assumed future results of
operations, and other plans and objectives for our future
operations. Except for our obligation to disclose material
information under U.S. federal securities laws, we do not
undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to
any forward-looking statements, to report events or
circumstances after the date of this prospectus or any
prospectus supplement, or to report the occurrence of
unanticipated events.
Statements that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or
refer to future events or conditions, or that include words such
as will, would, should,
plans, likely, expects,
anticipates, intends,
believes, estimates, thinks,
may, and similar expressions, are forward-looking
statements. The following important factors, in addition to
those discussed under Risk Factors and elsewhere in
this document, could affect the future results of our industry
in general, and us in particular, and could cause those results
to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such
forward-looking statements.
From time to time, we update the various factors we consider in
making our forward-looking statements and the assumptions we use
in those statements. However, we undertake no obligation to
publicly update or revise any forward-looking events or
circumstances that may arise after the date of this prospectus.
The following sets forth the various assumptions we use in our
forward-looking statements, as well as risks and uncertainties
relating to those statements. Certain of the risks and
uncertainties may cause actual results to be materially
different from projected results contained in forward-looking
statements in this prospectus and in our other disclosures.
These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to,
the following:
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A downturn in market conditions could affect projected
results. Any material changes in oil and natural
gas supply and demand, oil and natural gas prices, rig count or
other market trends would affect our results and would likely
affect the forward-looking information we provided. The oil and
natural gas industry is extremely volatile and subject to change
based on political and economic factors outside our control.
Worldwide drilling activity has increased in each year from 2002
to 2008; however, if an extended regional
and/or
worldwide recession were to occur, it would result in lower
demand and lower prices for oil and natural gas, which would
adversely affect drilling and production activity and therefore
would affect our revenues and income. We have assumed worldwide
demand growth in 2009 will be up modestly compared to 2008. In
2009, worldwide demand may be weaker than we have assumed.
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Availability of a skilled workforce could affect our
projected results. Due to the high activity in
the exploration and production and oilfield service industries
there is an increasing shortage of available skilled labor,
particularly in our high-growth regions. Our forward-looking
statements assume we will be able to recruit and maintain a
sufficient skilled workforce for activity levels.
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Increases in the prices and availability of our raw materials
could affect our results of operations. We use
large amounts of raw materials for manufacturing our products.
The price of these raw materials has a significant impact on our
cost of producing products for sale or producing fixed assets
used in our business. We have assumed that the prices of our raw
materials will remain within a manageable range and will be
readily available. If we are unable to obtain necessary raw
materials or if we are unable to minimize the impact of
increased raw materials costs through our supply chain
initiatives or by passing through these increases to our
customers, our margins and results of operations could be
adversely affected.
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Our long-term growth depends upon technological innovation
and commercialization. Our ability to deliver our
long-term growth strategy depends in part on the
commercialization of new technology. A central aspect of our
growth strategy is to improve our products and services through
innovation, to obtain technologically advanced products through
internal research and development
and/or
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acquisitions, to protect proprietary technology from
unauthorized use and to expand the markets for new technology
through leverage of our worldwide infrastructure. The key to our
success will be our ability to commercialize the technology that
we have acquired and demonstrate the enhanced value our
technology brings to our customers operations. Our major
technological advances include, but are not limited to, those
related to controlled pressure drilling and testing systems,
expandable solid tubulars, expandable sand screens and
intelligent well completion. Our forward-looking statements have
assumed successful commercialization of, and above-average
growth from, these new products and services, as well as legal
protection of our intellectual property rights.
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Nonrealization of expected benefits from our 2002 corporate
reincorporation could affect our projected
results. We are incorporated in Bermuda and we
operate through our various subsidiaries in numerous countries
throughout the world including the United States. Consequently,
we are subject to changes in tax laws, treaties or regulations
or the interpretation or enforcement thereof in the U.S.,
Bermuda or jurisdictions in which we or any of our subsidiaries
operates or is resident. Our income tax expense is based upon
our interpretation of the tax laws in effect in various
countries at the time that the expense was incurred. If the
U.S. Internal Revenue Service or other taxing authorities
do not agree with our assessment of the effects of such laws,
treaties and regulations, this could have a material adverse
effect on us including the imposition of a higher effective tax
rate on our worldwide earnings or a reclassification of the tax
impact of our significant corporate restructuring transactions.
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Nonrealization of expected benefits from our acquisitions
could affect our projected results. We expect to
gain certain business, financial and strategic advantages as a
result of business acquisitions we undertake, including
synergies and operating efficiencies. Our forward-looking
statements assume that we will successfully integrate our
business acquisitions and realize the benefits of that. An
inability to realize expected strategic advantages as a result
of the acquisition, would negatively affect the anticipated
benefits of the acquisition.
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The cyclical nature of or a prolonged downturn in our
industry could affect the carrying value of our goodwill. As
of September 30, 2008, we had approximately
$3.8 billion of goodwill. Our estimates of the value of our
goodwill could be reduced in the future as a result of various
factors, some of which are beyond our control. Any reduction in
the value of our goodwill may result in an impairment charge and
therefore adversely affect our results.
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Currency fluctuations could have a material adverse financial
impact on our business. A material change in
currency rates in our markets could affect our future results as
well as affect the carrying values of our assets. World
currencies have been subject to much volatility. Our
forward-looking statements assume no material impact from future
fluctuations in currency exchange rates.
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Adverse weather conditions in certain regions could adversely
affect our operations. In the summers of 2005 and
2008, the Gulf of Mexico suffered several significant
hurricanes. These hurricanes and associated hurricane threats
reduced the number of days on which we and our customers could
operate, which resulted in lower revenues than we otherwise
would have achieved. In parts of 2006, and particularly in the
second quarter of each of 2007 and 2008, climatic conditions in
Canada were not as favorable to drilling as we anticipated,
which limited our results in that region. Similarly, unfavorable
weather in Russia and in the North Sea could reduce our
operations and revenues from those areas during the relevant
period. Our forward-looking statements assume weather patterns
in our primary areas of operations will be conducive to normal
operations.
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U.S. Government and internal investigations could affect
our results of operations. We are currently
involved in government and internal investigations involving
various of our operations. These investigations are ongoing, and
we cannot anticipate the timing, outcome or possible impact of
these investigations, financial or otherwise. The governmental
agencies involved in these investigations have a broad range of
civil and criminal penalties they may seek to impose against
corporations and individuals for violations of trading sanctions
laws, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other federal
statutes including, but not limited to, injunctive relief,
disgorgement, fines, penalties and modifications to business
practices and compliance programs. In recent years, these
agencies and authorities have
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entered into agreements with, and obtained a range of penalties
against, several public corporations and individuals in similar
investigations, under which civil and criminal penalties were
imposed, including in some cases multi-million dollar fines and
other penalties and sanctions. Under trading sanctions laws, the
Department of Justice (DOJ) may also seek to impose
modifications to business practices and modifications to
compliance programs, which may increase compliance costs. Any
injunctive relief, disgorgement, fines, penalties, sanctions or
imposed modifications to business practices resulting from these
investigations could adversely affect our results of operations.
Additionally, during the nine months ended September 30,
2008, we incurred $57 million for costs in connection with
our exit from sanctioned countries and $33 million in
connection with complying with these on-going investigations. We
will have additional charges related to these matters in future
periods, which costs may include labor claims, contractual
claims, penalties assessed by customers, and costs, fines, taxes
and penalties assessed by the local governments, but we cannot
quantify those charges or be certain of the timing of them.
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Political disturbances, war, or terrorist attacks and changes
in global trade policies could adversely impact our
operations. We have assumed there will be no
material political disturbances or terrorist attacks and there
will be no material changes in global trade policies. Any
further military action undertaken by the U.S. or other
countries could adversely affect our results of operations.
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Current turmoil in the credit markets may reduce our access
to capital or reduce the availability of financial
risk-mitigation tools. In recent months, the
worldwide credit markets have experienced almost unprecedented
turmoil and uncertainty. Our forward-looking statements assume
that the financial institutions that have committed to extend us
credit will honor their commitments under our credit facilities.
If one or more of those institutions becomes unwilling or unable
to honor its commitments, our access to liquidity could be
impaired and our cost of capital to fund growth could further
increase. We use interest-rate and foreign-exchange swap
transactions with financial institutions to mitigate certain
interest-rate and foreign-exchange risks associated with our
capital structure and our business. Our forward-looking
statements assume that those tools will continue to be available
to us. However, the failure of any swap counter party to honor a
swap agreement could reduce the availability of these financial
risk-mitigation tools or could result in the loss of expected
financial benefits.
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All written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to
us are expressly qualified in their entirety by such factors.
Finally, our future results will depend upon various other risks
and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those detailed
in our other filings with the SEC. For additional information
with respect to these factors, see Where You Can Find More
Information above.
v
WEATHERFORD
INTERNATIONAL LTD.
(a Bermuda exempted company)
Weatherford Bermuda is one of the largest global providers of
innovative mechanical solutions, technology and services for the
drilling and production sectors of the oil and gas industry.
Weatherford Bermuda operates in approximately 100 countries
through approximately 800 service, sales and manufacturing
locations, which are located in nearly all of the oil and
natural gas producing regions in the world.
Our principal executive offices are located at 515 Post Oak
Boulevard, Houston, Texas
77027-3415.
Our telephone number at that location is
(713) 693-4000.
WEATHERFORD
INTERNATIONAL, INC.
(a Delaware corporation)
Weatherford Delaware is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of
Weatherford Bermuda. Weatherford Bermuda currently conducts all
of its operations through its subsidiaries, including
Weatherford Delaware and its subsidiaries.
WEATHERFORD
INTERNATIONAL LTD.
(a Swiss joint-stock corporation)
On December 11, 2008, Weatherford Bermuda announced that
its board of directors unanimously approved a share exchange
transaction that will change our place of incorporation from
Bermuda to Switzerland. If approved by the Weatherford Bermuda
shareholders and the Supreme Court of Bermuda, we expect this
change of place of incorporation to occur in February 2009.
Weatherford Bermuda recently formed an entity in Zug,
Switzerland, also named Weatherford International Ltd., which we
refer to as Weatherford Switzerland. If the change
of our place of incorporation is approved, Weatherford
Switzerland will become the parent of Weatherford Bermuda, and
each outstanding common share of Weatherford Bermuda will be
exchanged for one share of Weatherford Switzerland. We refer to
the transactions that would effect this change as the
redomestication.
Following the redomestication, Weatherford Bermuda expects that
the shares of Weatherford Switzerland will be listed on the New
York Stock Exchange under the symbol WFT. We will
remain subject to the SEC reporting requirements, the mandates
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the applicable corporate
governance rules of the New York Stock Exchange, and will
continue to report our consolidated financial results in
U.S. dollars and under U.S. generally accepted
accounting principles.
If the redomestication becomes effective, Weatherford
Switzerland will fully and unconditionally guarantee any and all
publicly traded debt of Weatherford Bermuda and Weatherford
Delaware, including any senior debt securities issued under the
registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
RISK
FACTORS
There are important factors that could cause our actual results,
level of activity or performance to differ materially from our
past results of operations or from the results, level of
activity or performance implied by the forward-looking
statements contained in this prospectus or in any prospectus
supplement. In particular, you should carefully consider the
risk factors described under the caption Risk
Factors in our Annual Report on
Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2007 and Quarterly Reports
on
Form 10-Q
for the quarters ended March 31, June 30 and
September 30, 2008, which are incorporated by reference
into this prospectus. Other sections of this prospectus, any
prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by
reference may include additional factors which could adversely
impact our business and financial performance. Moreover, we
operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment.
New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is not
possible for us to predict all risk factors, nor can we assess
the impact of all risk factors on our
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business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of
factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from
those contained in any forward-looking statements.
USE OF
PROCEEDS
Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, we will
use the net proceeds received by us from the sale of the
securities offered by this prospectus to finance acquisitions,
refinance certain existing indebtedness and for general
corporate purposes. We may invest funds not required immediately
for such purposes in marketable securities and short-term
investments.
RATIO OF
EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed
charges for the periods indicated.
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Three Months Ended
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September 30,
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Year Ended December 31,
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2008
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2007
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2006
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2005
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2004
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2003
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Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
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5.94x
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7.22x
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9.70x
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6.84x
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6.05x
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2.99
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x
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For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed
charges, earnings are divided by fixed charges.
Earnings represent the aggregate of (a) our
earnings (loss) before income taxes, minority interest,
discontinued operations and equity in earnings of unconsolidated
investees and (b) fixed charges, net of interest
capitalized plus (c) distributed income from equity
investments. Fixed charges represent interest
(whether expensed or capitalized), the amortization of
capitalized debt costs and original issue discount and that
portion of rental expense on operating leases deemed to be the
equivalent of interest.
DESCRIPTION
OF SHARE CAPITAL
Our authorized share capital consists of 1,000,000,000 common
shares, par value US$1.00 per share, and 10,000,000
undesignated preference shares, par value US$1.00 per
share. The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the
provisions of our memorandum of association and our bye-laws,
which are both publicly available. As of January 2, 2009,
there were approximately 688 million common shares issued
and outstanding (excluding common shares held by subsidiaries)
and no preference shares issued and outstanding. As of that
date, we also had approximately 38 million common shares
reserved for issuance:
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in connection with options or other awards issued or available
for issuance under various employee or director incentive,
compensation and option plans; and
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upon exercise of a warrant issued to Shell Technology Ventures
Inc. pursuant to the Warrant Agreement, dated February 28,
2002, between Shell Technology Ventures Inc. and Weatherford
Delaware.
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Common
Shares
Under Bermuda law, a company is required to convene at least one
general meeting of shareholders each calendar year. Bermuda law
provides that a special general meeting of shareholders may be
called by the board of directors of a company and must be called
upon the request of shareholders holding not less than 10% of
the paid-up
capital of the company carrying the right to vote. Bermuda law
also requires that shareholders be given at least five
days advance notice (unless shorter notice is agreed, as
described below) of a general meeting, but the accidental
omission to give notice to any person does not invalidate the
proceedings at a meeting. Our bye-laws provide that the chairman
or our board of directors may convene an annual general meeting
or a special general meeting. Under our bye-laws, at least
10 days notice of an annual general meeting or a
special general meeting must be given to our shareholders. This
notice requirement is subject to the ability to hold such
meetings on shorter notice if such notice is agreed: (i) in
the case of an annual general meeting, by all of the
shareholders entitled to attend and vote at such meeting; or
(ii) in the case of a special general meeting, by a
majority of the shareholders entitled to attend and vote at the
meeting holding not less
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than 95% of the shares entitled to vote at such meeting. The
quorum required for a general meeting of shareholders is two or
more persons present in person and representing in person or by
proxy in excess of 50% of the total issued voting shares.
Holders of our common shares are entitled to one vote per share
on all matters submitted to a vote of the holders of our common
shares. Our bye-laws do not provide for cumulative voting.
Except as specifically provided in our bye-laws or in the
Companies Act 1981 of Bermuda (the Companies Act),
resolutions to be approved by holders of common shares require
approval by a simple majority of votes cast at a meeting at
which a quorum is present. There are no limitations imposed by
Bermuda law or our bye-laws on the right of shareholders who are
not Bermuda residents to hold or vote our common shares.
Dividend
Rights
Under Bermuda law, a companys board of directors may not
declare or pay dividends if there are reasonable grounds for
believing that the company is, or would after the payment be,
unable to pay its liabilities as they become due or that the
realizable value of its assets would thereby be less than the
aggregate of its liabilities and issued share capital and share
premium accounts. Each of our common shares is entitled to
dividends if, as and when dividends are declared by its board of
directors, subject to any preferred dividend right of the
holders of any preference shares. There are no restrictions on
our ability to transfer funds (other than funds denominated in
Bermuda dollars) in and out of Bermuda or to pay dividends to
U.S. residents who are holders of our common shares.
Any cash dividends payable to our shareholders at any time when
the corresponding shares are quoted on the New York Stock
Exchange will be paid to American Stock Transfer &
Trust Company, our transfer agent in the United States, for
disbursement to those holders. We do not anticipate that we will
pay any cash dividends on our common shares in the foreseeable
future.
Preemptive,
Redemption, Sinking Fund and Conversion Rights
Holders of our common shares have no preemptive, redemption,
conversion or sinking fund rights.
Registrar
or Transfer Agent
A register of holders of our common shares is maintained by
Codan Services Limited in Bermuda, and a branch register is
maintained in the United States by American Stock
Transfer & Trust Company, who serves as branch
registrar and transfer agent.
Preference
Shares
Pursuant to Bermuda law and our bye-laws, our board of directors
by resolution may establish one or more series of preference
shares having such number of shares, designations, powers,
preferences, dividend rates, relative voting rights, conversion
or exchange rights, redemption rights, liquidation rights and
other relative participation, optional or other special rights,
qualifications, limitations or restrictions as may be fixed by
the board of directors without any further shareholder approval.
Such rights, preferences, powers and limitations as may be
established could have the effect of discouraging an attempt to
obtain control of us.
Anti-Takeover
Provisions
Our bye-laws have provisions that could have an anti-takeover
effect. In addition, our bye-laws include an advance
notice provision that places time limitations on
shareholders nominations of directors and submission of
proposals for consideration at an annual general meeting. These
provisions are intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity
and stability in the composition of the board of directors and
in the policies formulated by the board of directors and to
encourage negotiations with the board of directors in
transactions that may involve an actual or potential change of
control of us.
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Directors can be removed from office, only for cause, by
resolution of the shareholders at a special general meeting of
our shareholders. The board of directors does not have the power
to remove directors. These provisions can delay a shareholder
from obtaining majority representation on the board of directors.
Our bye-laws also provide that our board of directors will
consist of not less than three nor more than 18 persons, the
exact number to be set from time to time by board resolution.
Accordingly, our board of directors, and not the shareholders,
has the authority to determine the number of directors and could
delay any shareholder from obtaining majority representation on
our board of directors by enlarging the size of our board of
directors and filling the new vacancies with its own nominees.
In accordance with our bye-laws, at any annual general meeting,
only such business shall be conducted as shall have been brought
before the meeting by or at the direction of our board of
directors, by any shareholder who complies with certain
procedures set forth in our bye-laws or by any shareholder
pursuant to the valid exercise of the power granted under the
Companies Act. For business to be properly brought before an
annual general meeting by a shareholder in accordance with the
terms of our bye-laws, the shareholder must have given timely
notice thereof in proper written form to our Secretary and
satisfied any other applicable requirements, including all
requirements under applicable rules promulgated by the
Securities and Exchange Commission or by the New York Stock
Exchange or any other exchange on which our securities are
traded. To be timely for consideration at the annual general
meeting, such shareholders notice must be received by the
Secretary at our principal executive offices and our registered
office in Bermuda not less than 60 days nor more than
90 days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately
preceding annual general meeting, provided that in the event
that the annual general meeting is called for a date that is not
within 60 days before or after such anniversary date, such
notice must be received not later than the seventh day following
the day on which notice of the annual general meeting was mailed
or public disclosure of the date of the annual general meeting
was made, whichever occurs first. In order for a shareholder to
nominate directors for election at any meeting of shareholders,
a shareholders notice of his intention to make such
nominations must be received in proper written form as specified
in our bye-laws. In addition, the Companies Act provides for a
mechanism by which not less than 100 shareholders or
shareholders holding at least 5% of the voting power of a
Bermuda company may require the company to give notice of a
resolution that may properly be moved at an annual general
meeting of the company, or to circulate to members entitled to
notice of any general meeting a statement with respect to any
proposed resolution or business to be dealt with at that meeting.
Any action required or permitted to be taken by the holders of
our common shares must be taken at a duly called special or
annual general meeting of shareholders unless taken by written
resolution signed by or on behalf of all holders of common
shares. Under our bye-laws, special general meetings may be
called at any time by the chairman, the board of directors or
when requisitioned by shareholders pursuant to the provisions of
the Companies Act. The Companies Act permits shareholders
holding at least 10% of the
paid-up
capital of a company entitled to vote at general meetings to
requisition a special general meeting.
Our board of directors is authorized to issue, from time to
time, without obtaining any vote or consent of the holders of
any class or series of shares unless expressly provided by the
terms of issue of a class or series, any authorized and unissued
preference shares with such powers, preferences, rights and
restrictions as it may determine. For example, the board of
directors could authorize the issuance of preference shares with
rights that could discourage a takeover or other transaction
that holders of some or a majority of our common shares might
believe to be in their best interests or in which holders might
receive a premium for their shares over the then market price of
the shares.
DESCRIPTION
OF WARRANTS
We may issue warrants to purchase:
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our common shares, preference shares or other equity securities;
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our debt securities (which may be guaranteed by Weatherford
Delaware); or
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debt or equity securities or securities of third parties or
other rights, including rights to receive payment in cash or
securities based on the value, rate or price of one or more
specified commodities, currencies, securities or indices, or any
combination of the foregoing.
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A description of the terms of any warrants that we may issue
will be included in the applicable prospectus supplement.
DESCRIPTION
OF DEBT SECURITIES
Any debt securities we offer under a prospectus supplement will
be our direct senior unsecured general obligations. The debt
securities will be issued under the Indenture dated
October 1, 2003 among us, Weatherford Delaware and Deutsche
Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee, which is incorporated
by reference into the registration statement, of which this
prospectus is a part.
We have summarized selected provisions of the indenture below.
The following summary is a description of the material
provisions of the indenture. It does not restate the agreement
in its entirety. We urge you to read the indenture because, it,
and not this description, defines the rights of holders of debt
securities.
General
The debt securities will be our direct, unsecured obligations.
The senior debt securities will rank equally with all of our
other senior unsecured and unsubordinated debt.
We conduct a substantial part of our operations through our
subsidiaries. To the extent of such operations, holders of debt
securities will have a position junior to the prior claims of
creditors of our subsidiaries, including trade creditors,
debtholders, secured creditors, taxing authorities and guarantee
holders, and any preference shareholders, except to the extent
that we may ourself be a creditor with recognized claims against
any subsidiary. Our ability to pay the principal, premium, if
any, and interest on any debt securities is, to a large extent,
dependent upon the payment to us of dividends, debt principal
and interest or other charges by our subsidiaries.
A prospectus supplement and an officers certificate
relating to any series of debt securities being offered will
include specific terms relating to the offering. These terms
will include some or all of the following:
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The title and type of the debt securities;
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The total principal amount of the debt securities;
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The percentage of the principal amount at which the debt
securities will be issued and any payments due if the maturity
of the debt securities is accelerated;
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The dates on which the principal of the debt securities will be
payable;
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The interest rate which the debt securities will bear and the
interest payment dates for the debt securities;
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Any conversion or exchange features;
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Any optional redemption periods;
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Any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate us to
repurchase or otherwise redeem some or all of the debt
securities;
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Any provisions granting special rights to holders when a
specified event occurs;
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Any changes to or additional events of default or covenants;
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Any special tax implications of the debt securities, including
provisions for original issue discount securities, if
offered; and
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Any other terms of the debt securities.
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The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that
may be issued. The indenture allows debt securities to be issued
up to the principal amount that may be authorized by us and may
be in any currency or currency unit designated by us.
Debt securities of a series may be issued in registered, coupon
or global form.
Guarantee
by Weatherford Delaware
If the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a series of
our senior debt securities provides that those senior debt
securities will have the benefit of a guarantee by Weatherford
Delaware, payment of the principal, premium, if any, and
interest on those senior debt securities will be unconditionally
guaranteed on an unsecured, unsubordinated basis by Weatherford
Delaware. The guarantee of senior debt securities will rank
equally in right of payment with all of the unsecured and
unsubordinated indebtedness of Weatherford Delaware. The
guarantee will be released and discharged at such time as
Weatherford Delaware has no outstanding debt.
The obligations of Weatherford Delaware under any such guarantee
will be limited as necessary to prevent the guarantee from
constituting a fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent preference or
fraudulent transfer under applicable law.
Guarantee
by Weatherford Switzerland
If the redomestication becomes effective, and if the applicable
prospectus supplement relating to a series of our senior debt
securities provides that those senior debt securities will have
the benefit of a guarantee by Weatherford Switzerland, payment
of the principal, premium, if any, and interest on those senior
debt securities will be unconditionally guaranteed on an
unsecured, unsubordinated basis by Weatherford Switzerland,
pursuant to a supplement to the Indenture dated October 1, 2003
among us, Weatherford Delaware and Deutsche Bank Trust Company
Americas, as trustee. The guarantee of senior debt securities
will rank equally in right of payment with all of the unsecured
and unsubordinated indebtedness of Weatherford Switzerland.
Weatherford Switzerland has no outstanding indebtedness, and
following the redomestication, we expect its only indebtedness
will be any guarantees of Weatherford Bermudas and
Weatherford Delawares senior debt securities. Weatherford
Switzerlands guarantees will be effectively subordinated
to all existing and future obligations of Weatherford
Switzerlands subsidiaries.
The obligations of Weatherford Switzerland under any such
guarantee will be limited as necessary to prevent the guarantee
from constituting a fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent preference
or fraudulent transfer under applicable law.
Denominations
The prospectus supplement for each issuance of debt securities
will state that the securities issued in registered form will be
issued in registered form of $1,000 each or multiples thereof.
Mergers
and Sale of Assets
The indenture provides that we may not consolidate or amalgamate
with or merge into any other person or convey, transfer or lease
our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to
another person, unless:
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the successor or resulting person assumes all of our obligations
under the indenture; and
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we or the successor or resulting person will not immediately be
in default under the indenture.
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Upon the assumption of our obligations by a successor or
resulting person, subject to certain exceptions, we will be
discharged from all obligations under the indenture.
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Modification
of Indenture
The indenture provides that our rights and obligations and the
rights of the holders may be modified with the consent of the
holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the
modification. No modification of the principal or interest
payment terms, and no modification reducing the percentage
required for modifications, will be effective against any holder
without its consent.
Events of
Default
Event of default, when used in the indenture, means
any of the following:
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failure to pay the principal of or any premium on any debt
security when due;
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failure to deposit any sinking fund payment when due;
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failure to pay interest on any debt security for 30 days;
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failure to perform any other covenant in the indenture that
continues for 90 days after being given written notice;
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certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of
us; or
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any other event of default included in the indenture or
officers certificate.
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An event of default for a particular series of debt securities
does not necessarily constitute an event of default for any
other series of debt securities issued under the indenture. The
trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of
any default (except in the payment of principal or interest) if
it considers such withholding of notice to be in the best
interests of the holders.
If an event of default for any series of debt securities occurs
and continues, the trustee or the holders of a specified
percentage in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities
of the series may declare the entire principal of all the debt
securities of that series to be due and payable immediately. If
this happens, subject to certain conditions, the holders of a
specified percentage of the aggregate principal amount of the
debt securities of that series can void the declaration.
Other than its duties in case of a default, a trustee is not
obligated to exercise any of its rights or powers under the
indenture at the request, order or direction of any holders,
unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable indemnification.
If they provide this reasonable indemnification, the holders of
a majority in principal amount of any series of debt securities
may direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding or any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising
any power conferred upon the trustee, for any series of debt
securities.
Covenants
Under the indenture, we have agreed to:
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pay the principal of, interest and any premium on, the debt
securities when due;
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maintain a place of payment;
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deliver a report to the trustee at the end of each fiscal year
reviewing our obligations under the indenture; and
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deposit sufficient funds with any paying agent on or before the
due date for any principal, interest or premium.
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We have also agreed to the following covenants relating to
limitations on liens and restrictions on
sale-and-leaseback
transactions.
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Limitation
on Liens
The indenture provides that we will not, nor will we permit any
subsidiary to, create, assume, incur or suffer to exist any lien
upon any principal property, whether owned or leased on the date
of the indenture or thereafter acquired, to secure any of our
debt or any other person (other than the debt securities issued
under the indenture), without causing all of the debt securities
outstanding under the indenture to be secured equally and
ratably with, or prior to, the new debt so long as new debt is
secured. This restriction does not prohibit us from creating the
following:
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certain liens existing, or provided for under the terms of
existing agreements, on the date that any debt securities are
issued under the indenture;
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liens on current assets to secure current liabilities;
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certain liens that are created within one year after
acquisition, completion
and/or
commencement of commercial operation on, property acquired,
constructed, altered or improved by us or any of our
subsidiaries;
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certain preexisting liens on any property acquired and liens on
property of a subsidiary existing at the time it became our
subsidiary;
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liens in favor of us or our subsidiaries;
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certain liens in favor of governmental bodies to secure
progress, advance or other payments;
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liens on any property securing indebtedness incurred for the
purpose of financing the purchase price or the cost of
constructing, installing or improving the property;
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liens on any property securing indebtedness issued or guaranteed
by governmental bodies; and
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any extension, renewal or replacement of the foregoing.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, under the indenture we may, and
may permit any subsidiary to, issue, assume or guarantee secured
indebtedness which would otherwise be subject to the foregoing
restrictions, in an aggregate amount which, with all other such
secured indebtedness, does not exceed 15% of our consolidated
net worth. For purposes of this paragraph, consolidated
net worth means the amount of total shareholders
equity shown in our most recent consolidated statement of our
financial position.
Sale-and-Leaseback
Transactions
The indenture provides that we will not, and we will not permit
any of our subsidiaries to, enter into any
sale-and-leaseback
transaction unless:
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at the time of entering into such
sale-and-leaseback
transaction, we or our subsidiary would be entitled under the
indenture to mortgage the property under the indenture for an
amount equal to the proceeds of the
sale-and-leaseback
transaction without equally and ratably securing the notes in
compliance with the exceptions to the liens covenant in the
indenture;
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within a period commencing six months prior to the consummation
of the
sale-and-leaseback
transaction and ending six months after the consummation of such
transaction, we or our subsidiary expend an amount equal to all
or a portion of the net proceeds of such
sale-and-leaseback
transaction for property used or to be used in the ordinary
course of our or our subsidiaries businesses, and we have
elected to designate that amount as a credit against such
sale-and-leaseback
transaction, with any such amount not so designated to be
applied as set forth in the next paragraph; or
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during the
12-month
period after the effective date of the
sale-and-leaseback
transaction, we apply to the retirement of the notes or any of
our pari passu indebtedness:
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(i) an amount equal to the proceeds of the property sold in
the
sale-and-leaseback
transaction, which shall not be less than the fair value of such
property at the time of entering into such
sale-and-leaseback
transaction, less
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(ii) an amount equal to the principal amount of the notes
and pari passu indebtedness retired by us within that
12-month
period and not designated as a credit against any other
sale-and-leaseback
transaction by us or any of our subsidiaries during that period.
Payment
and Transfer
Principal, interest and any premium on fully registered
securities will be paid at designated places. Payment will be
made by check and mailed to the persons in whose names the debt
securities are registered on days specified in the indenture or
any prospectus supplement. Debt securities payments in other
forms will be paid at a place designated by us and specified in
a prospectus supplement.
Fully registered securities may be transferred or exchanged at
the corporation trust office of the trustee or at any other
office or agency maintained by us for such purposes, without the
payment of any service charge except for any tax or governmental
charge.
Global
Securities
The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in
part in the form of one or more global certificates that we will
deposit with a depositary identified in the applicable
prospectus supplement. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole
or in part for the individual debt securities that it
represents, a global security may not be transferred except as a
whole:
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by the applicable depositary to a nominee of the depositary;
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by any nominee to the depositary itself or another
nominee; or
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by the depositary or any nominee to a successor depositary or
any nominee of the successor.
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We will describe the specific terms of the depositary
arrangement with respect to a series of debt securities in the
applicable prospectus supplement. We anticipate that the
following provisions will generally apply to depositary
arrangements.
When we issue a global security in registered form, the
depositary for the global security or its nominee will credit,
on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the
respective principal amounts of the individual debt securities
represented by that global security to the accounts of persons
that have accounts with the depositary
(participants). Those accounts will be designated by
the dealers, underwriters or agents with respect to the
underlying debt securities or by us if those debt securities are
offered and sold directly by us. Ownership of beneficial
interests in a global security will be limited to participants
or persons that may hold interests through participants. For
interests of participants, ownership of beneficial interests in
the global security will be shown on records maintained by the
applicable depositary or its nominee. For interests of persons
other than participants, that ownership information will be
shown on the records of participants. Transfer of that ownership
will be effected only through those records. The laws of some
states require that certain purchasers of securities take
physical delivery of securities in definitive form. These limits
and laws may impair our ability to transfer beneficial interests
in a global security.
As long as the depositary for a global security, or its nominee,
is the registered owner of that global security, the depositary
or nominee will be considered the sole owner or holder of the
debt securities represented by the global security for all
purposes under the applicable indenture. Except as provided
below, owners of beneficial interests in a global security:
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will not be entitled to have any of the underlying debt
securities registered in their names;
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will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of
any of the underlying debt securities in definitive
form; and
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will not be considered the owners or holders under the indenture
relating to those debt securities.
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Payments of principal of, any premium on and any interest on
individual debt securities represented by a global security
registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee will be
made to the depositary or its
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nominee as the registered owner of the global security
representing such debt securities. Neither we, the trustee for
the debt securities, any paying agent nor the registrar for the
debt securities will be responsible for any aspect of the
records relating to or payments made by the depositary or any
participants on account of beneficial interests in the global
security.
We expect that the depositary or its nominee, upon receipt of
any payment of principal, any premium or interest relating to a
global security representing any series of debt securities,
immediately will credit participants accounts with the
payments. Those payments will be credited in amounts
proportional to the respective beneficial interests of the
participants in the principal amount of the global security as
shown on the records of the depositary or its nominee. We also
expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial
interests in the global security held through those participants
will be governed by standing instructions and customary
practices. This is now the case with securities held for the
accounts of customers registered in street name.
Those payments will be the sole responsibility of those
participants.
If the depositary for a series of debt securities is at any time
unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as depositary and we
do not appoint a successor depositary within 90 days, we
will issue individual debt securities of that series in exchange
for the global security or securities representing that series.
In addition, we may at any time in our sole discretion determine
not to have any debt securities of a series represented by one
or more global securities. In that event, we will issue
individual debt securities of that series in exchange for the
global security or securities. Furthermore, if we specify, an
owner of a beneficial interest in a global security may, on
terms acceptable to us, the trustee and the applicable
depositary, receive individual debt securities of that series in
exchange for those beneficial interests. The foregoing is
subject to any limitations described in the applicable
prospectus supplement. In any such instance, the owner of the
beneficial interest will be entitled to physical delivery of
individual debt securities equal in principal amount to the
beneficial interest and to have the debt securities registered
in its name. Those individual debt securities will be issued in
any authorized denominations.
Defeasance
We may choose to either discharge our obligations on the debt
securities of any series in a legal defeasance, or to be
released from covenant restrictions on the debt securities of
any series in a covenant defeasance. We may do so at any time on
the 91st day after we deposit with the applicable trustee
sufficient cash or government securities to pay the principal,
interest, any premium and any other sums due on the stated
maturity date or a redemption date of the debt securities of the
series. If we choose the legal defeasance option, the holders of
the debt securities of the series will not be entitled to the
benefits of the indenture, except for certain obligations,
including obligations to register the transfer or exchange of
debt securities, to replace lost, stolen or mutilated debt
securities, to pay principal and interest on the original stated
due dates and certain other obligations set forth in the
indenture.
We may discharge our obligations under the indenture or be
released from covenant restrictions only if we meet certain
requirements. Among other things, we must deliver to the trustee
an opinion of our legal counsel to the effect that holders of
the series of debt securities will not recognize income, gain or
loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result
of such defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on
the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as
would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not
occurred. In the case of legal defeasance only, this opinion
must be based on either a ruling received from or published by
the Internal Revenue Service or a change in United States
federal income tax law since the date of the indenture. We may
not have a default on the debt securities discharged on the date
of deposit.
Governing
Law
The indenture is, and the debt securities will be, governed by
and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New
York.
10
Notices
Notices to holders of debt securities will be given by mail to
the addresses of such holders as they appear in the security
register for such debt securities.
No
Personal Liability of Officers, Directors, Employees or
Shareholders
No director, officer, employee or shareholder, as such, of ours
or any of our affiliates shall have any personal liability in
respect of our obligations under the indenture or the debt
securities by reason of his, her or its status as such.
Information
Concerning the Trustee
A banking or financial institution will be the trustee under the
indenture. A successor trustee may be appointed in accordance
with the terms of the indenture.
The indenture and the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act
incorporated by reference therein, will contain certain
limitations on the rights of the trustee, should it become a
creditor of us, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or
to realize on certain property received in respect of any such
claim as security or otherwise. The trustee will be permitted to
engage in other transactions; however, if it acquires any
conflicting interest (within the meaning of the Trust Indenture
Act), it must eliminate such conflicting interest or resign.
LEGAL
MATTERS
Certain U.S. legal matters in connection with the
securities will be passed upon by Andrews Kurth LLP, Houston,
Texas. Certain Bermuda legal matters in connection with the
securities will be passed upon for us by our special Bermuda
counsel, Conyers Dill & Pearman. If the securities are
being distributed in an underwritten offering, the validity of
the securities will be passed upon for the underwriters by
counsel identified in the related prospectus supplement.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of Weatherford
International Ltd. and subsidiaries appearing in Weatherford
International Ltds Annual Report
(Form 10-K)
for the year ended December 31, 2007 (including the
schedule appearing therein), and the effectiveness of
Weatherford International Ltd.s internal control over
financial reporting as of December 31, 2007 have been
audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered
public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon,
included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such
consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by
reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority
of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
Interests
Of Named Experts And Counsel
Certain Bermuda legal matters in connection with the Common
Shares registered hereby will be passed upon for Weatherford
Bermuda by its special Bermuda counsel, Conyers Dill &
Pearman. An employee of that firms affiliated company,
Codan Services Limited, is one of Weatherford Bermudas
assistant secretaries.
11
PART II
INFORMATION
NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
|
|
ITEM 14.
|
OTHER
EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
|
The expenses of this offering (all of which are to be paid by
the registrant) are estimated to be as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee
|
|
$
|
*
|
|
Legal fees and expenses
|
|
|
**
|
|
Accounting fees and expenses
|
|
|
**
|
|
Trustee fees and expenses
|
|
|
**
|
|
Printing expenses
|
|
|
**
|
|
Miscellaneous
|
|
|
**
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
**
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
To be deferred pursuant to Rule 456(b) and calculated in
connection with the offering of securities under their
registration statement pursuant to Rule 457(r), except for
$58,850 that has already been paid with respect to $400,000,000
aggregate initial offering price of securities that were
previously registered pursuant to Registration Statement
No. 333-121452,
which was filed on December 20, 2004, and were not sold
thereunder. Pursuant to Rule 457(p), such unutilized filing
fee may be applied to the filing fee payable pursuant to this
Registration Statement. |
|
** |
|
These fees are calculated based on the number of issuances and
amount of securities offered and accordingly cannot be estimated
at this time. |
|
|
ITEM 15.
|
INDEMNIFICATION
OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
|
Weatherford International Ltd. (Weatherford Bermuda)
is a Bermuda exempted company. Section 98 of the Companies
Act 1981 of Bermuda, as amended (the Companies Act),
provides generally that a Bermuda company may indemnify its
directors, officers and auditors against any liability which by
virtue of any rule of law otherwise would be imposed on them in
respect to any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of
trust, except in cases where such liability arises from fraud or
dishonesty of which such director, officer or auditor may be
guilty in relation to the company. Section 98 further
provides that a Bermuda company may indemnify its directors,
officers and auditors against any liability incurred by them in
defending any proceedings, whether civil or criminal, in which
judgment is awarded in their favor or in which they are
acquitted or granted relief by the Supreme Court of Bermuda
pursuant to Section 281 of the Companies Act. A company may
advance monies to a director, officer or auditor for the costs,
charges and expenses incurred by them in defending any civil or
criminal proceedings against them, on condition that the
director, officer or auditor shall repay the advance if any
allegation of fraud or dishonesty is proved against them.
Weatherford Bermuda has adopted provisions in its bye-laws that
provide that Weatherford Bermuda shall indemnify its officers
and directors in respect of their actions and omissions, except
in respect of their fraud or dishonesty. Weatherford
Bermudas bye-laws provide that the shareholders waive all
claims or rights of action that they might have, individually or
in right of the company, against any of the companys
directors or officers for any act or failure to act in the
performance of such directors or officers duties,
except in respect of any fraud or dishonesty of such director or
officer.
Furthermore, Weatherford Bermuda has entered into
indemnification agreements with each of its directors and
executive officers. The indemnification agreements require
Weatherford Bermuda to indemnify its officers and directors,
except for liability in respect of their fraud or dishonesty,
against expenses (including attorneys fees and
disbursements), judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in
settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with
any action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution
mechanism, investigation, administrative hearing or any other
proceeding whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative and
II-1
whether formal or informal. The indemnification agreements also
provide that Weatherford Bermuda must pay all reasonable
expenses incurred in advance of a final disposition. David J.
Butters and Robert B. Millard, employees of Lehman Brothers
Inc., constitute two of the eight members of the Board of
Directors of Weatherford Bermuda. Under the restated
certificates of incorporation, as amended to date, of Lehman
Brothers and its parent, Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc., both
Delaware corporations, Messrs. Butters and Millard, in
their capacity as directors of Weatherford Bermuda, are to be
indemnified by Lehman Brothers and Lehman Brothers Holdings to
the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law.
Messrs. Butters and Millard are serving as directors of
Weatherford Bermuda at the request of Lehman Brothers and Lehman
Brothers Holdings.
Section 98A of the Companies Act permits Weatherford
Bermuda to purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of
any of its officers or directors in respect of any loss or
liability attaching to him in respect of any negligence,
default, breach of duty, or breach of trust, whether or not
Weatherford Bermuda may otherwise indemnify such officer or
director. Weatherford Bermuda has purchased and maintains a
directors and officers liability policy for such
purposes. Messrs. Butters and Millard are insured against
certain liabilities, which they may incur in their capacity as
directors pursuant to insurance maintained by Lehman Brothers
Holdings.
Weatherford International, Inc. (Weatherford
Delaware) is a Delaware corporation. Under Delaware law, a
corporation may include provisions in its certificate of
incorporation that will relieve its directors of monetary
liability for breaches of their fiduciary duty to the
corporation, except under certain circumstances, including a
breach of the directors duty of loyalty, acts or omissions
of the director not in good faith or which involve intentional
misconduct or a knowing violation of law, the approval of an
improper payment of a dividend or an improper purchase by the
corporation of stock or any transaction from which the director
derived an improper personal benefit. Weatherford
Delawares Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation, as amended, provides that Weatherford
Delawares directors are not liable to Weatherford Delaware
or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of their
fiduciary duty, subject to the described exceptions specified by
Delaware law.
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law grants
to Weatherford Delaware the power to indemnify each officer and
director of Weatherford Delaware against liabilities and
expenses incurred by reason of the fact that he is or was an
officer or director of Weatherford Delaware if he acted in good
faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not
opposed to the best interests of Weatherford Delaware and, with
respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable
cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The Amended and
Restated by-laws of Weatherford Delaware provide for
indemnification of each officer and director of Weatherford
Delaware to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law.
Furthermore, Weatherford Delaware has entered into
indemnification agreements with each of its directors and
certain of its executive officers. The indemnification
agreements require Weatherford Delaware to indemnify its
officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted by
applicable law against expenses (including attorneys fees
and disbursements), judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid
in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection
with any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative in nature. In an action brought
by or in the right of Weatherford Delaware as opposed to an
action brought by a third party, the executive officers and
directors will be indemnified only if they acted in good faith
or in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed
to the best interests of Weatherford Delaware. The
indemnification agreements also provide that Weatherford
Delaware must pay all reasonable expenses incurred in advance of
a final disposition.
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law also
empowers Weatherford Delaware to purchase and maintain insurance
on behalf of any person who is or was an officer or director of
Weatherford Delaware against liability asserted against or
incurred by him in any such capacity, whether or not Weatherford
Delaware would have the power to indemnify such officer or
director against such liability under the provisions of
Section 145. Weatherford Delaware has purchased and
maintains a directors and officers liability policy
for such purposes.
Weatherford International Ltd. (Weatherford
Switzerland) is a Swiss joint-stock corporation.
Weatherford Switzerland believes, based on the interpretation of
leading Swiss legal scholars, which is a persuasive authority in
Switzerland, that under Swiss law Weatherford Switzerland may
indemnify its directors and officers unless the indemnification
results from a breach of their duties that constitutes gross
negligence or
II-2
intentional breach of duty of the director or officer concerned.
Weatherford Switzerlands current articles of association
do not provide for the indemnification of the officers and
directors of Weatherford Switzerland. New articles of
association will be adopted if and when the redomestication is
completed, and Weatherford Switzerland anticipates that such new
articles of association will make indemnification of directors
and officers and advancement of expenses to defend claims
against directors and officers mandatory on the part of
Weatherford Switzerland to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Additionally, Weatherford Switzerland anticipates that under
such new articles of association, a director or officer will not
be indemnified if such person is found, in a final judgment or
decree not subject to appeal, to have committed an intentional
or grossly negligent breach of his or her statutory duties as a
director or officer.
Swiss law permits Weatherford Switzerland, or each director or
officer individually, to purchase and maintain insurance on
behalf of such directors and officers. Weatherford Switzerland
may obtain such insurance from one or more third party insurers
or captive insurance companies. Weatherford Switzerland also
plans to enter into indemnification agreements with each of its
directors and executive officers upon the completion of its
redomestication that will provide for indemnification and
expense advancement and include related provisions meant to
facilitate the indemnitees receipt of such benefits. The
agreements will be substantially similar to the agreements in
place between Weatherford Bermuda and its officers and
directors. The agreements will provide that Weatherford
Switzerland will indemnify each such director and executive
officer, except in the case of gross negligence or willful
intent. The agreements will provide that expense advancement is
provided subject to an undertaking by the indemnitee to repay
amounts advanced if it is ultimately determined that he or she
is not entitled to indemnification. The disinterested members of
the board of directors of Weatherford Switzerland, independent
counsel, or a majority vote of the shareholders will determine
whether indemnification payment should be made in any particular
instance. In making such determination, the board or the
independent counsel, as the case may be, must presume that the
indemnitee is entitled to such indemnification, and Weatherford
Switzerland has the burden of proof in seeking to overcome such
presumption. If the board or the independent counsel determines
that the director or executive officer is not entitled to
indemnification, the agreements will provide that such person is
entitled to apply to the court of competent jurisdiction at the
place of incorporation of Weatherford Switzerland or seek an
award in arbitration with respect to his right to
indemnification under his agreement.
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit
|
|
|
Number
|
|
Description
|
|
|
1
|
.1***
|
|
Form of Underwriting Agreement.
|
|
4
|
.1
|
|
Memorandum of Association of Weatherford International Ltd., a
Bermuda exempted company, (incorporated by reference to
Annex II to the proxy statement/prospectus included in
Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on
Form S-4
(Registration
No. 333-85644)
filed May 22, 2002).
|
|
4
|
.2
|
|
Memorandum of Increase of Share Capital of Weatherford
International Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Annex II
to the proxy statement/prospectus included in Amendment
No. 1 to the Registration Statement on
Form S-4
(Registration
No. 333-85644)
filed May 22, 2002).
|
|
4
|
.3
|
|
Bye-Laws of Weatherford International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted
company, (incorporated by reference to Annex III to the
proxy statement/prospectus included in Amendment No. 1 to
the Registration Statement on
Form S-4
(Registration
No. 333-85644)
filed May 22, 2002).
|
|
4
|
.4
|
|
Certificate of Assistant Secretary of Weatherford International
Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company, as to the adoption of a
resolution increasing authorized share capital (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Current Report on
Form 8-K
(File
No. 1-31339)
filed May 15, 2006).
|
|
4
|
.5
|
|
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Weatherford
International, Inc. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.1 to Weatherford International, Inc.s
Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended June 30, 2002 (File
No. 1-13086)
filed August 14, 2002).
|
|
4
|
.6
|
|
Amended and Restated By-laws of Weatherford International, Inc.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Weatherford
International, Inc.s Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended June 30, 2002 (File
No. 1-13086)
filed August 14, 2002).
|
|
4
|
.7*
|
|
Articles of Association of Weatherford International Ltd., a
Swiss joint-stock corporation,
|
II-3
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit
|
|
|
Number
|
|
Description
|
|
|
4
|
.8
|
|
Form of Articles of Association of Weatherford International
Ltd., a Swiss joint-stock corporation, (incorporated by
reference to Annex E to Weatherford International
Ltds Preliminary Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A
(File
No. 1-31339)
filed December 11, 2008).
|
|
4
|
.9
|
|
Form of Organizational Regulations of Weatherford International
Ltd., a Swiss joint-stock corporation, (incorporated by
reference to Annex F to Weatherford International
Ltds Preliminary Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A
(File
No. 1-31339)
filed December 11, 2008).
|
|
4
|
.10
|
|
Indenture dated May 17, 1996, between Weatherford Enterra,
Inc. and Bank of Montreal Trust Company, as Trustee
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Weatherford
Enterra, Inc.s Current Report on
Form 8-K
dated May 28, 1996 (File
No. 1-7867)
filed May 31, 1996).
|
|
4
|
.11
|
|
Third Supplemental Indenture dated November 16, 2001,
between Weatherford International, Inc. and The Bank of New
York, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11
to Registration Statement on
Form S-3
(Reg.
No. 333-73770)
filed November 20, 2001).
|
|
4
|
.12
|
|
Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated June 26, 2002, between
Weatherford International, Inc., Weatherford International
Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company, and The Bank of New York,
as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to
Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended June 30, 2002 (File
No. 1-31339)
filed August 14, 2002).
|
|
4
|
.13
|
|
Indenture dated October 1, 2003, among Weatherford
International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company, Weatherford
International, Inc. and Deutsche Bank Trust Company
Americas (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to
Current Report on
Form 8-K
(File
No. 1-31339)
filed October 2, 2003).
|
|
4
|
.14
|
|
Officers Certificate dated as of October 7, 2003
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Current Report
on
Form 8-K
(File
No. 1-31339)
filed October 7, 2003).
|
|
4
|
.15
|
|
Form of Global Note for 4.95% Senior Notes due 2013
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Current Report
on
Form 8-K
(File
No. 1-31339)
filed October 7, 2003).
|
|
4
|
.16***
|
|
Form of Warrant Agreement of Weatherford International
Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company, (including Form of
Warrant Certificate).
|
|
4
|
.17
|
|
Guarantee, dated as of October 25, 2005, of Weatherford
International, Inc. for the benefit of holders of any notes
issued by Weatherford International Ltd., a Bermuda
exempted company, from time to time pursuant to the Issuing and
Paying Agent Agreement, dated as of October 25, 2005,
between Weatherford International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted
company, Weatherford International, Inc. and JPMorgan Chase
Bank, National Association (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.1 to Current Report on
Form 8-K
(File
No. 1-31339)
filed October 31, 2005).
|
|
4
|
.18
|
|
Officers Certificate dated as of February 17, 2006
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Current Report
on
Form 8-K
(File
No. 1-31339)
filed February 17, 2006).
|
|
4
|
.19
|
|
Form of global note for 5.50% Senior Notes due 2016
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Current Report
on
Form 8-K
(File
No. 1-31339)
filed February 17, 2006).
|
|
4
|
.20
|
|
Officers Certificate dated as of August 7, 2006
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current
Report on
Form 8-K
(File
No. 1-31339)
filed August 7, 2006).
|
|
4
|
.21
|
|
Form of $500,000 global note for 6.50% Senior Notes due
2036 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the
Current Report on
Form 8-K
(File
No. 1-31339)
filed August 7, 2006).
|
|
4
|
.22
|
|
Form of $100,000 Global note for 6.50% Senior Notes due
2036 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the
Current Report on
Form 8-K
(File
No. 1-31339)
filed August 7, 2006).
|
|
4
|
.23
|
|
Indenture, dated June 18, 2007, among Weatherford
International, Inc., as issuer, Weatherford International
Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company, as guarantor, and
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee,
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current
Report on
Form 8-K
(File No. 1-31339)
filed on June 18, 2007).
|
|
4
|
.24
|
|
First Supplemental Indenture, dated June 18, 2007, among
Weatherford International, Inc., as issuer, Weatherford
International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company, as
guarantor, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as
trustee (including forms of notes) (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on
Form 8-K
(File
No. 1-31339)
filed on June 18, 2007).
|
II-4
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit
|
|
|
Number
|
|
Description
|
|
|
4
|
.25
|
|
First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 25, 2008,
among Weatherford International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted
company, as issuer, Weatherford International, Inc., as
guarantor, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as
trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the
Current Report on
Form 8-K
(File
No. 1-31339)
filed on March 25, 2008).
|
|
4
|
.26
|
|
Form of global note for 5.15% Senior Notes due 2013
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Current
Report on
Form 8-K
(File
No. 1-31339)
filed on March 25, 2008).
|
|
4
|
.27
|
|
Form of global note for 6.00% Senior Notes due 2018
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Current
Report on
Form 8-K
(File
No. 1-31339)
filed on March 25, 2008).
|
|
4
|
.28
|
|
Form of global note for 7.00% Senior Notes due 2038
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Current
Report on
Form 8-K
(File
No. 1-31339)
filed on March 25, 2008).
|
|
5
|
.1**
|
|
Opinion of Conyers Dill & Pearman.
|
|
5
|
.2**
|
|
Opinion of Andrews Kurth LLP.
|
|
5
|
.3*
|
|
Opinion of Andrews Kurth LLP.
|
|
8
|
.1***
|
|
Opinion of Andrews Kurth LLP as to certain federal income tax
matters.
|
|
12
|
.1*
|
|
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
|
|
23
|
.1**
|
|
Consent of Conyers Dill & Pearman (included in its
opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1 hereto).
|
|
23
|
.2**
|
|
Consent of Andrews Kurth LLP (included in its opinion filed as
Exhibit 5.2 hereto).
|
|
23
|
.3*
|
|
Consent of Andrews Kurth LLP (included in its opinion filed as
Exhibit 5.3 hereto).
|
|
23
|
.4*
|
|
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
|
|
24
|
.1**
|
|
Power of Attorney for officers and directors of Weatherford
International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company (included on the
signature page to the Registration Statement).
|
|
24
|
.2*
|
|
Power of Attorney for officers and directors of Weatherford
International, Inc. (included on the signature page to the
Registration Statement).
|
|
24
|
.3*
|
|
Power of Attorney for officers and directors of Weatherford
International Ltd., a Swiss joint-stock corporation (included on
the signature page to the Registration Statement).
|
|
25
|
.1*
|
|
Form T-1
Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of
1939 of the Trustee under the Weatherford International Ltd.
Senior Indenture.
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Filed herewith. |
|
** |
|
Previously filed as an exhibit to this Registration Statement. |
|
*** |
|
To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a document to be
incorporated by reference herein in connection with the issuance
of the securities. |
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are
being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration
statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by
section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events
arising after the effective date of the registration statement
(or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which,
individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change
in the information set forth in the registration statement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in
volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of
securities offered would not exceed that which was registered)
and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of
prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes
in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the
II-5
maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the
Calculation of Registration Fee table in the
effective registration statement; and
(iii) To include any material information with respect to
the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the
registration statement or any material change to such
information in the registration statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do
not apply if information required to be included in a
post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in
periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by
either registrant pursuant to section 13 or
section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that
are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability
under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment
shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to
the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a
post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered
which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4) That, for the purpose of determining any liability
under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:
(i) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to
Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration
statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of
and included in the registration statement; and
(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule
424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement
in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made
pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the
purpose of providing the information required by
Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed
to be part of and included in the registration statement as of
the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used
after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of
securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As
provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer
and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date
shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration
statement relating to the securities in the registration
statement to which the prospectus relates, and the offering of
such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement
made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of
the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or
deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement
or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will,
as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such
effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made
in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the
registration statement or made in any such document immediately
prior to such effective date.
(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the
registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in
the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned
registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities
of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration
statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell
the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered
or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following
communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to
the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such
securities to such purchaser:
(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the
undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be
filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering
prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant or used
or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
II-6
(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus
relating to the offering containing material information about
the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on
behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the
offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
(b) The undersigned registrants hereby undertake that, for
purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act
of 1933 each filing of a registrants annual report
pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in the
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising
under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to
directors, officers and controlling persons of either registrant
pursuant to the foregoing provisions or otherwise, the
registrants have been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment
by either registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director,
officer or controlling person of such registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is
asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrants
will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been
settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in
the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
(d) The undersigned registrants hereby undertake that:
(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of
prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in
reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of
prospectus filed by the registrants pursuant to
Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities
Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as
of the time it was declared effective.
(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a
form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(e) The undersigned registrants hereby undertake to file an
application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of
the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310
of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and
regulations prescribed by the Commission under
Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.
II-7
SIGNATURES
Weatherford
International Ltd.
(a Bermuda exempted company)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe
that it meets all of the requirements for filing this
Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on
Form S-3
(Registration
No. 333-135244)
and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the
City of Houston, State of Texas, on January 5, 2009.
WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL LTD.
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/ Bernard
J. Duroc-Danner
|
Bernard J. Duroc-Danner
President, Chief Executive Officer,
Chairman of the Board and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on
Form S-3
(Registration
No. 333-135244)
has been signed by the following persons in the capacities
indicated below on January 5, 2009.
|
|
|
|
|
Signature
|
|
Title
|
|
/s/ Bernard
J. Duroc-Danner
Bernard
J. Duroc-Danner
|
|
President, Chief Executive Officer,
Chairman of the Board and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
|
/s/ Andrew
P. Becnel
Andrew
P. Becnel
|
|
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
|
|
|
|
/s/ Jessica
Abarca
Jessica
Abarca
|
|
Vice President Accounting
and Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
|
|
|
|
*
Nicholas
F. Brady
|
|
Director
|
|
|
|
*
David
J. Butters
|
|
Director
|
|
|
|
*
William
E. Macaulay
|
|
Director
|
|
|
|
*
Robert
B. Millard
|
|
Director
|
|
|
|
*
Robert
K. Moses, Jr.
|
|
Director
|
II-8
|
|
|
|
|
Signature
|
|
Title
|
|
*
Robert
A. Rayne
|
|
Director
|
* by Attorney-in-fact
Burt M. Martin
II-9
Weatherford
International, Inc.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe
that it meets all of the requirements for filing this
Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on
Form S-3
(Registration
No. 333-135244)
and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the
City of Houston, State of Texas, on January 5, 2009.
WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL, INC.
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/ Bernard
J. Duroc-Danner
|
Bernard J. Duroc-Danner
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
POWER OF
ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints Bernard J. Duroc-Danner
and Burt M. Martin and each of them, any of whom may act without
joinder of the other, his or her lawful attorneys-in-fact and
agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for
him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and
all capacities, to sign any or all amendments to this
registration statement (including post-effective amendments to
this Registration Statement) and to file the same with all
exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Registrar of
Companies in Bermuda, granting unto such attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and
perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to
be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and
purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, or the substitute or substitutes of
any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on
Form S-3
(Registration
No. 333-135244)
has been signed by the following persons in the capacities
indicated below on January 5, 2009.
|
|
|
|
|
Signature
|
|
Title
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Bernard
J. Duroc-Danner
Bernard
J. Duroc-Danner
|
|
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
|
|
|
|
/s/ Andrew
P. Becnel
Andrew
P. Becnel
|
|
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
|
|
|
|
/s/ Jessica
Abarca
Jessica
Abarca
|
|
Vice President Accounting and Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
|
|
|
|
/s/ Burt
M. Martin
Burt
M. Martin
|
|
Director
|
II-10
Weatherford
International Ltd.
(a Swiss joint-stock corporation)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe
that it meets all of the requirements for filing this
Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on
Form S-3
(Registration
No. 333-135244)
and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the
City of Houston, State of Texas, on January 5, 2009.
WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL LTD.
Stuart Ferguson
President
(Principal Executive Officer)
POWER OF
ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints Bernard J. Duroc-Danner
and Burt M. Martin and each of them, any of whom may act without
joinder of the other, his or her lawful attorneys-in-fact and
agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for
him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and
all capacities, to sign any or all amendments to this
registration statement (including post-effective amendments to
this Registration Statement) and to file the same with all
exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Registrar of
Companies in Bermuda, granting unto such attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and
perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to
be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and
purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, or the substitute or substitutes of
any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on
Form S-3
(Registration
No. 333-135244)
has been signed by the following persons in the capacities
indicated below on January 5, 2009.
|
|
|
|
|
Signature
|
|
Title
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Stuart
Ferguson
Stuart
Ferguson
|
|
President(Principal Executive Officer)
|
|
|
|
/s/ Andrew
P. Becnel
Andrew
P. Becnel
|
|
Principal Financial Officer
|
|
|
|
/s/ Jessica
Abarca
Jessica
Abarca
|
|
Principal Accounting Officer
|
|
|
|
/s/ Burt
M. Martin
Burt
M. Martin
|
|
Director
|
|
|
|
/s/ Philipp
Andermatt
Philipp
Andermatt
|
|
Director
|
II-11
Exhibit Index
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit
|
|
|
Number
|
|
Description
|
|
|
1
|
.1***
|
|
Form of Underwriting Agreement.
|
|
4
|
.1
|
|
Memorandum of Association of Weatherford International Ltd., a
Bermuda exempted company, (incorporated by reference to
Annex II to the proxy statement/prospectus included in
Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on
Form S-4
(Registration
No. 333-85644)
filed May 22, 2002).
|
|
4
|
.2
|
|
Memorandum of Increase of Share Capital of Weatherford
International Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Annex II
to the proxy statement/prospectus included in Amendment
No. 1 to the Registration Statement on
Form S-4
(Registration
No. 333-85644)
filed May 22, 2002).
|
|
4
|
.3
|
|
Bye-Laws of Weatherford International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted
company, (incorporated by reference to Annex III to the
proxy statement/prospectus included in Amendment No. 1 to
the Registration Statement on
Form S-4
(Registration
No. 333-85644)
filed May 22, 2002).
|
|
4
|
.4
|
|
Certificate of Assistant Secretary of Weatherford International
Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company, as to the adoption of a
resolution increasing authorized share capital (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Current Report on
Form 8-K
(File
No. 1-31339)
filed May 15, 2006).
|
|
4
|
.5
|
|
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Weatherford
International, Inc. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.1 to Weatherford International, Inc.s
Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended June 30, 2002 (File
No. 1-13086)
filed August 14, 2002).
|
|
4
|
.6
|
|
Amended and Restated By-laws of Weatherford International, Inc.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Weatherford
International, Inc.s Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended June 30, 2002 (File
No. 1-13086)
filed August 14, 2002).
|
|
4
|
.7*
|
|
Articles of Association of Weatherford International Ltd., a
Swiss joint-stock corporation,
|
|
4
|
.8
|
|
Form of Articles of Association of Weatherford International
Ltd., a Swiss joint-stock corporation, (incorporated by
reference to Annex E to Weatherford International
Ltds Preliminary Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A
(File
No. 1-31339)
filed December 11, 2008).
|
|
4
|
.9
|
|
Form of Organizational Regulations of Weatherford International
Ltd., a Swiss joint-stock corporation, (incorporated by
reference to Annex F to Weatherford International
Ltds Preliminary Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A
(File
No. 1-31339)
filed December 11, 2008).
|
|
4
|
.10
|
|
Indenture dated May 17, 1996, between Weatherford Enterra,
Inc. and Bank of Montreal Trust Company, as Trustee
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Weatherford
Enterra, Inc.s Current Report on
Form 8-K
dated May 28, 1996 (File
No. 1-7867)
filed May 31, 1996).
|
|
4
|
.11
|
|
Third Supplemental Indenture dated November 16, 2001,
between Weatherford International, Inc. and The Bank of New
York, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11
to Registration Statement on
Form S-3
(Reg.
No. 333-73770)
filed November 20, 2001).
|
|
4
|
.12
|
|
Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated June 26, 2002, between
Weatherford International, Inc., Weatherford International
Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company, and The Bank of New York,
as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to
Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended June 30, 2002 (File
No. 1-31339)
filed August 14, 2002).
|
|
4
|
.13
|
|
Indenture dated October 1, 2003, among Weatherford
International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company, Weatherford
International, Inc. and Deutsche Bank Trust Company
Americas (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to
Current Report on
Form 8-K
(File
No. 1-31339)
filed October 2, 2003).
|
|
4
|
.14
|
|
Officers Certificate dated as of October 7, 2003
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Current Report
on
Form 8-K
(File
No. 1-31339)
filed October 7, 2003).
|
|
4
|
.15
|
|
Form of Global Note for 4.95% Senior Notes due 2013
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Current Report
on
Form 8-K
(File
No. 1-31339)
filed October 7, 2003).
|
|
4
|
.16***
|
|
Form of Warrant Agreement of Weatherford International
Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company, (including Form of
Warrant Certificate).
|
|
4
|
.17
|
|
Guarantee, dated as of October 25, 2005, of Weatherford
International, Inc. for the benefit of holders of any notes
issued by Weatherford International Ltd., a Bermuda
exempted company, from time to time pursuant to the Issuing and
Paying Agent Agreement, dated as of October 25, 2005,
between Weatherford International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted
company, Weatherford International, Inc. and JPMorgan Chase
Bank, National Association (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.1 to Current Report on
Form 8-K
(File
No. 1-31339)
filed October 31, 2005).
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit
|
|
|
Number
|
|
Description
|
|
|
4
|
.18
|
|
Officers Certificate dated as of February 17, 2006
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Current Report
on
Form 8-K
(File
No. 1-31339)
filed February 17, 2006).
|
|
4
|
.19
|
|
Form of global note for 5.50% Senior Notes due 2016
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Current Report
on
Form 8-K
(File
No. 1-31339)
filed February 17, 2006).
|
|
4
|
.20
|
|
Officers Certificate dated as of August 7, 2006
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current
Report on
Form 8-K
(File
No. 1-31339)
filed August 7, 2006).
|
|
4
|
.21
|
|
Form of $500,000 global note for 6.50% Senior Notes due
2036 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the
Current Report on
Form 8-K
(File
No. 1-31339)
filed August 7, 2006).
|
|
4
|
.22
|
|
Form of $100,000 Global note for 6.50% Senior Notes due
2036 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the
Current Report on
Form 8-K
(File
No. 1-31339)
filed August 7, 2006).
|
|
4
|
.23
|
|
Indenture, dated June 18, 2007, among Weatherford
International, Inc., as issuer, Weatherford International
Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company, as guarantor, and
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee,
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current
Report on
Form 8-K
(File No. 1-31339)
filed on June 18, 2007).
|
|
4
|
.24
|
|
First Supplemental Indenture, dated June 18, 2007, among
Weatherford International, Inc., as issuer, Weatherford
International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company, as
guarantor, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as
trustee (including forms of notes) (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on
Form 8-K
(File
No. 1-31339)
filed on June 18, 2007).
|
|
4
|
.25
|
|
First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 25, 2008,
among Weatherford International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted
company, as issuer, Weatherford International, Inc., as
guarantor, and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as
trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the
Current Report on
Form 8-K
(File
No. 1-31339)
filed on March 25, 2008).
|
|
4
|
.26
|
|
Form of global note for 5.15% Senior Notes due 2013
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Current
Report on
Form 8-K
(File
No. 1-31339)
filed on March 25, 2008).
|
|
4
|
.27
|
|
Form of global note for 6.00% Senior Notes due 2018
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Current
Report on
Form 8-K
(File
No. 1-31339)
filed on March 25, 2008).
|
|
4
|
.28
|
|
Form of global note for 7.00% Senior Notes due 2038
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Current
Report on
Form 8-K
(File
No. 1-31339)
filed on March 25, 2008).
|
|
5
|
.1**
|
|
Opinion of Conyers Dill & Pearman.
|
|
5
|
.2**
|
|
Opinion of Andrews Kurth LLP.
|
|
5
|
.3*
|
|
Opinion of Andrews Kurth LLP.
|
|
8
|
.1***
|
|
Opinion of Andrews Kurth LLP as to certain federal income tax
matters.
|
|
12
|
.1*
|
|
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
|
|
23
|
.1**
|
|
Consent of Conyers Dill & Pearman (included in its
opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1 hereto).
|
|
23
|
.2**
|
|
Consent of Andrews Kurth LLP (included in its opinion filed as
Exhibit 5.2 hereto).
|
|
23
|
.3*
|
|
Consent of Andrews Kurth LLP (included in its opinion filed as
Exhibit 5.3 hereto).
|
|
23
|
.4*
|
|
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
|
|
24
|
.1**
|
|
Power of Attorney for officers and directors of Weatherford
International Ltd., a Bermuda exempted company (included on the
signature page to the Registration Statement).
|
|
24
|
.2*
|
|
Power of Attorney for officers and directors of Weatherford
International, Inc. (included on the signature page to the
Registration Statement).
|
|
24
|
.3*
|
|
Power of Attorney for officers and directors of Weatherford
International Ltd., a Swiss joint-stock corporation (included on
the signature page to the Registration Statement).
|
|
25
|
.1*
|
|
Form T-1
Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of
1939 of the Trustee under the Weatherford International Ltd.
Senior Indenture.
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Filed herewith. |
|
** |
|
Previously filed as an exhibit to this Registration Statement. |
|
*** |
|
To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a document to be
incorporated by reference herein in connection with the issuance
of the securities. |