e424b7
Calculation of Registration Fee
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Proposed |
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Proposed |
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maximum |
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maximum |
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Amount of |
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Title of each class of |
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offering price |
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aggregate |
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registration |
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securities to be registered |
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registered (1) |
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per share |
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offering price(2) |
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fee |
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Registered Shares, par
value 1.16 Swiss francs
per share |
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5,250,000 |
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$21.59 |
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$113,347,500 |
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$6,324.80 |
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(1) |
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The Registered Shares set forth in the Calculation of Registration Fee Table, and which may
be offered pursuant to this Registration Statement, include, pursuant to Rule 416 of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), such additional number of the
Registrants Registered Shares that may become issuable as a result of any share splits,
subdivisions, share dividends, bonus shares or similar events. |
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Estimated solely for the purpose of computing the amount of the registration fee pursuant to
Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act based upon the average of the high and low prices of our
common shares as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on September 10, 2009. |
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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(7) |
(To Prospectus Dated February 26, 2009)
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Registration No. 333-150764-01 |
Weatherford International Ltd.
(a Swiss joint-stock corporation)
5,250,000 Registered Shares
This prospectus supplement relates to up to 5,250,000 registered shares of Weatherford
International Ltd., a Swiss joint-stock corporation, par value 1.16 Swiss francs per share, which
we sometimes refer to as our registered shares, which may be offered for sale from time to time by
the shareholders named under the heading Selling Shareholders beginning on page S-5, whom we
refer to as the selling shareholders. We do not know when or in what amounts a selling shareholder
may offer our registered shares for sale. The selling shareholders may sell all, some or none of
our registered shares offered by this prospectus supplement. We will not receive any of the
proceeds from the sale of our registered shares sold by the selling shareholders.
Our registered shares are listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol
WFT. The closing price of our registered shares on the New York Stock Exchange on September 16,
2009 was $22.41 per share.
Investing in our registered shares involves risks. You should carefully consider the
information referred to under the heading Risk Factors on page 5 of the accompanying prospectus.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has
approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or
complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus supplement is September 17, 2009.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Prospectus Supplement
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Page |
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About this Prospectus Supplement |
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S-1 |
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Forward-Looking Statements |
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S-1 |
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The Offering |
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S-4 |
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Selling Shareholders |
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S-4 |
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Legal Matters |
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S-5 |
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Prospectus dated February 26, 2009
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Page |
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About this Prospectus |
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1 |
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Forward-Looking Statements |
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2 |
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The Company |
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5 |
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Risk Factors |
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Use of Proceeds |
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Selling Shareholders |
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Plan of Distribution |
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Description of Share Capital |
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Legal Matters |
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Experts |
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Where You Can Find More Information |
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S-i
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which contains
specific information about the selling shareholders and the terms on which they are offering and
selling our registered shares. The second part is the accompanying prospectus dated February 26,
2009, which contains and incorporates by reference important business and financial information
about us and other information about the offering. You should read this prospectus supplement and
the accompanying prospectus, as well as any post-effective amendments to the registration statement
of which the accompanying prospectus is a part, before you make any investment decision.
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the
accompanying prospectus, including the information incorporated by reference therein as described
under Where You Can Find More Information, or any free writing prospectus that we prepare and
distribute. Neither we nor the selling shareholders have authorized anyone to provide you with
information different from that contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus
supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any such free writing prospectus.
The selling shareholders may only offer to sell, and seek offers to buy, our registered shares
in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted.
In this prospectus supplement, unless otherwise expressly set forth or as the context
otherwise indicates, the terms Weatherford, the Company, we, our and us refer to Weatherford
International Ltd., a Swiss joint-stock corporation, and its subsidiaries.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus supplement includes 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 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 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 should, plan, likely, expect, anticipate,
intend, strategy, believe, estimate, think, may, project, will likely result, and
similar expressions, are forward-looking statements. The following important factors, in addition
to those discussed under Risk Factors on page 5 of the accompanying prospectus, 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 supplement. 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 supplement, the
accompanying prospectus and our other disclosures. These risks and uncertainties include, but are
not limited to, the following:
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Global political, economic and market conditions could affect projected results. Our
operating results and the forward-looking information we provide are based on our current
assumptions about oil and natural gas supply and demand, oil and natural gas prices, rig count
and other market trends. Our assumptions on these matters are in turn based on currently
available information, which is subject to change. 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, as measured by average worldwide rig counts, increased
in each year from 2002 to 2008. |
S-1
However, activity began declining in the fourth quarter of 2008, particularly in North America.
The weakened global economic climate has resulted in lower demand and lower prices for oil and
natural gas, which has reduced drilling and production activity and may therefore affect our
future revenues and income. We cannot accurately predict how much lower commodity prices and
drilling activity may go, or when they may recover. Worldwide drilling activity and global
demand for oil and natural gas may also be affected by changes in governmental policies, laws
and regulations related to environmental or energy security matters, including those addressing
alternative energy sources and the risks of global climate change. We have assumed global demand
will be down slightly in 2009 compared to 2008. In 2009, worldwide demand may be significantly
weaker than we have assumed.
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Our ability to manage our workforce and fixed costs could affect our projected results. In a
climate of decreasing demand, we are faced with managing our workforce levels to control costs
without impairing our ability to provide service to our customers. Our forward-looking
statements assume we will be able to do so. |
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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 acquisitions, to protect proprietary technology from unauthorized use and
to expand the markets for new technology by leveraging 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 recent redomestication could affect our
projected results. We operate through our various subsidiaries in numerous countries
throughout the world including the United States. During the first quarter of 2009, we
completed a transaction in which our former parent Bermuda company became a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Weatherford International Ltd., a Swiss joint-stock corporation, and holders of
common shares of the Bermuda company received one registered share of the Swiss company in
exchange for each common share that they held. Consequently, we are or may become subject to
changes in tax laws, treaties or regulations or the interpretation or enforcement thereof in
the U.S., Bermuda, Switzerland 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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The cyclical nature of or a prolonged downturn in our industry could affect the carrying
value of our goodwill. As of June 30, 2009, we had approximately $3.6 billion of goodwill. Our
estimates of the value of our goodwill could be reduced in the future as a result of various
factors, including market factors, some of which are beyond our control. Our forward-looking
statements do not assume any future goodwill impairment. Any reduction in the fair value of
our businesses 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 changes 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 quarters of 2007 and 2008, climatic
conditions in Canada were not as favorable to drilling as we anticipated, which limited |
S-2
our potential results in that region. Similarly, unfavorable weather in Russia and in the North
Sea could reduce our operations and revenues from that area during the relevant period. Our
forward-looking statements assume weather patterns in our primary areas of operations will be
conducive to our 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 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 fines and other penalties and sanctions in the tens and hundreds of
millions of dollars. Under trading sanctions laws, the U.S. Department of Justice may also
seek to impose modifications to business practices, including immediate cessation of all
business activities in specific countries or other limitations that decrease our business, 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 2008, we incurred $56 million for costs in connection with
our exit from certain sanctioned countries and, to date, we have incurred $88 million for
legal and professional fees in connection with complying with and conducting these on-going
investigations. This amount excludes the costs we have incurred to augment and improve our
compliance function in 2008 and 2009. 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 or political
disturbances in the countries in which we conduct business 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 quarters, 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. In response to credit market conditions and the global
economic and business environment, we have undertaken measures to reduce our use of capital
going forward. Our forward-looking statements assume that we will operate with lower capital
expenditures in 2009 than in 2008. However, as the business climate changes and if attractive
opportunities for organic or acquisitive growth become available, we may spend capital
selectively above the amounts we have budgeted. |
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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 material costs or to realize the benefit of cost decreases in a timely fashion
through our supply chain initiatives or pricing, our margins and results of operations could
be adversely affected. |
S-3
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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 any
acquisition would negatively affect the anticipated benefits of the acquisition. |
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 Securities and Exchange Commission
(the SEC). For additional information regarding risks and uncertainties, see our other filings
with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, available free of charge at the SECs website at www.sec.gov. Also see Where
You Can Find More Information in the accompanying prospectus.
THE OFFERING
The selling shareholders may offer all, some or none of our registered shares offered by this
prospectus supplement. Please see Plan of Distribution in the accompanying prospectus and
Selling Shareholders below.
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Registered Shares Offered by
the Selling Shareholders
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Up to 5,250,000 registered shares. |
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Use of Proceeds
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We will not receive any of the proceeds from this offering. |
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NYSE Symbol
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WFT |
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Determination of Offering Price
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The selling shareholders may sell all or any part of our
registered shares offered hereby from time to time at those
prices as they may determine at the time of sale. |
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Risk Factors
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Before investing in our registered shares you should
carefully read the information referred to under the heading
Risk Factors on page 5 of the accompanying prospectus, as
well as risk factors included from time to time in other SEC
filings of ours. |
SELLING SHAREHOLDERS
The information contained herein with respect to beneficial ownership has been furnished by
each selling shareholder. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the
SEC. Except as indicated by footnote and subject to community property laws where applicable, to
our knowledge, the persons named in the table below have sole voting and investment power with
respect to all registered shares shown as beneficially owned by them.
Our registered shares registered hereby were acquired by the selling shareholders in
connection with our purchase of certain businesses from them. As required by a registration rights
agreement dated on or about the date hereof, we agreed to register the shares with the SEC and
facilitate the re-sale of the shares, as further described in the registration rights agreement.
Unless set forth in this section, to our knowledge, none of the selling shareholders has, or within
the past three years has had, any material relationship with us or with any of our predecessors or
affiliates.
The
percentage of ownership indicated in the following table is based on 731,729,155
registered shares outstanding as of September 11, 2009.
The following table sets forth information
with respect to the selling shareholders and our registered shares beneficially owned by the
selling shareholders that may be offered from time to time pursuant to this prospectus supplement.
The selling shareholders may offer all, some or none of their registered shares.
S-4
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Registered Shares |
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If Maximum |
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Number of Shares |
Name of Selling Shareholder |
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Prospectus |
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Offering |
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Offered are Sold |
Integrity Energy International, LLC (a) |
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5,250,000 |
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5,250,000 |
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Represents less than 1%. |
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The address of this selling shareholder is 2710 East Corral Avenue, Kingsville, Texas 78363. |
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the registered shares offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by
our Swiss counsel, Baker & McKenzie Geneva.
S-5
PROSPECTUS
Weatherford International Ltd.
Registered Shares
Certain
selling shareholders may offer and sell our registered shares from time to time in
amounts, at prices and on terms that will be determined at the time of any such offering. Each
time any registered shares are offered pursuant to this prospectus, the selling shareholders will
provide a prospectus supplement and attach it to this prospectus. The prospectus supplement will
contain more specific information about the offering, including the name of each selling
shareholder and the number of our registered shares to be sold by such selling shareholder. The
prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus.
This prospectus may not be used to offer and sell our registered shares unless accompanied by a
prospectus supplement.
Our registered shares may be sold at fixed prices, prevailing market prices at the times of sale,
prices related to the prevailing market prices, varying prices determined at the times of sale or
negotiated prices. Our registered shares offered by this prospectus and the prospectus supplement may
be offered by the selling shareholders directly to investors or to or through underwriters, dealers
or other agents.
We do not know when or in what amounts a selling shareholder may offer our registered shares for
sale. The selling shareholders may sell all, some or none of our registered shares offered by this
prospectus. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of our registered shares sold by the
selling shareholders.
Our registered shares are listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol
WFT.
Our
principal executive offices are located at Alpenstrasse 15,
6300 Zug, Switzerland, and our telephone number at that address
is +41-41-729-4242. Our principal website is
located at www.weatherford.com. Information on our website does not constitute part of this
prospectus.
Investing in our registered shares involves risks. You should carefully consider the information
referred to under the heading Risk Factors on page 5.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has
approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or
complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date
of this prospectus is February 26,
2009.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Prospectus
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus incorporates by reference important business and financial information about
us that is not included in or delivered with this document. This information, other than exhibits
to documents that are not specifically incorporated by reference in this prospectus, is available
to you without charge upon written or oral request to: Weatherford International Ltd., 515 Post Oak
Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77027, Attention: Corporate Secretary, (713) 693-4000.
This prospectus is part of an automatic shelf registration statement that we filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, as a well-known seasoned issuer as defined in Rule
405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which we refer to as the Securities Act. Under
the automatic shelf process, one or more of the selling shareholders to be named in a prospectus
supplement may offer and sell, from time to time, our registered shares. The selling shareholders will
also be required to provide a prospectus supplement containing specific information about the
selling shareholders and the terms on which they are offering and selling our registered shares. We
may also add, update or change in a prospectus supplement information contained in this prospectus.
You should read this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement, as well as any
post-effective amendments to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, before
you make any investment decision.
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus and the accompanying
prospectus supplement, including the information incorporated by reference herein as described
under Where You Can Find More Information, or any free writing prospectus that we prepare and
distribute. Neither we nor the selling shareholders have authorized anyone to provide you with
information different from that contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, the
accompanying prospectus supplement or any such free writing prospectus.
The selling shareholders may only offer to sell, and seek offers to buy, our registered shares in
jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted.
In this prospectus, unless otherwise expressly set forth or as the context otherwise
indicates, the terms Weatherford, the Company, we, our and us refer to Weatherford
International Ltd., a Swiss joint-stock corporation, and its subsidiaries.
1
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 would, should,
plans, likely, expects,
anticipates, intends,
believes, estimates, thinks,
may, projects, intends, will, will be, will likely result,
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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Global political, economic and market conditions could affect
projected results. Our operating results and the
forward-looking information we provide are based on our current
assumptions about oil and natural gas supply and demand, oil and
natural gas prices, rig count and other market trends. Our
assumptions on these matters are in turn based on currently
available information, which is subject to change. 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, as measured by average worldwide
rig counts, increased in each year from 2002 to 2008. However,
activity began declining in the fourth quarter of 2008,
particularly in North America. The current global economic
climate has resulted in lower demand and lower prices for oil
and natural gas, which has reduced drilling and production
activity and may therefore affect our future revenues and
income. We cannot accurately predict how much lower commodity
prices and drilling activity may go, or when they may recover.
Worldwide drilling activity and global demand for oil and
natural gas may also be affected by changes in governmental
policies, laws and regulations related to environmental or
energy security matters, including those addressing alternative
energy sources and the risks of global climate change. We have
assumed global demand will be down slightly in 2009 compared to
2008. In 2009, worldwide demand may be significantly weaker than
we have assumed.
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Our ability to manage our workforce could affect our
projected results. In a climate of decreasing
demand, we are faced with managing our workforce levels to
control costs without impairing our ability to provide service
to our customers. Our forward-looking statements assume we will
be able to do so.
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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 material costs or to realize the benefit of cost
decreases in a timely fashion through our supply chain
initiatives or pricing, 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
acquisitions, to protect
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proprietary technology from unauthorized use and to expand the
markets for new technology by leveraging 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 currently are incorporated in Bermuda
and we operate through our various subsidiaries in numerous
countries throughout the world including the United States. We
anticipate that, during the first quarter of 2009, we will
complete a transaction in which our parent Bermuda company will
become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Weatherford International
Ltd., a Swiss joint-stock company, and holders of our common
shares will receive one registered share of the Swiss company in
exchange for each of our common shares that they hold.
Consequently, we are or may become subject to changes in tax
laws, treaties or regulations or the interpretation or
enforcement thereof in the U.S., Bermuda, Switzerland 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 any 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 December 31, 2008, we had
approximately $3.5 billion of goodwill. Our estimates of
the value of our goodwill could be reduced in the future as a
result of various factors, including market factors, some of
which are beyond our control. Our forward-looking statements do
not assume any future goodwill impairment. Any reduction in the
fair value of our businesses 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
changes 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 quarters of 2007 and 2008, climatic conditions in Canada
were not as favorable to drilling as we anticipated, which
limited our potential results in that region. Similarly,
unfavorable weather in Russia and in the North Sea could reduce
our operations and revenues from that area during the relevant
period. Our forward-looking statements assume weather patterns
in our primary areas of operations will be conducive to our
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
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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 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 fines and other penalties and sanctions in the tens
and hundreds of millions of dollars. Under trading sanctions
laws, the Department of Justice (DOJ) may also seek
to impose modifications to business practices, including
immediate cessation of all business activities in specific
countries or other limitations that decrease our business, 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 2008, we
incurred $56 million for costs in connection with our exit
from sanctioned countries and $47 million for legal and
professional fees incurred in connection with complying with and
conducting 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 or political disturbances in the countries in which we
conduct business 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 quarters, 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. In
response to credit market conditions and the global economic and
business environment, we have undertaken measures to reduce our
use of capital going forward. Our forward-looking statements
assume that we will operate with lower capital expenditures in
2009 than in 2008. However, as the business climate changes and
if attractive opportunities for organic or acquisitive growth
become available, we may spend capital selectively above the
amounts we have budgeted.
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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
regarding risks and uncertainties, see our other filings with
the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, available free of
charge at the SECs website at www.sec.gov. Also see Where You Can Find More Information below.
4
THE COMPANY
We are one of the worlds leading providers of equipment and services used for the drilling,
completion and production of oil and natural gas wells. We were originally incorporated in Delaware
in 1972, and as a result of our corporate reorganization in 2002,
were incorporated in Bermuda until February 2009. As a result of
our corporate redomestication in February 2009, we are now
incorporated in Switzerland as a joint-stock corporation.
Many of our businesses have been operating for more than 50 years.
We operate 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.
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 the Annual
Report of Weatherford Bermuda on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2008,
which is 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 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
The selling shareholders will receive all of the proceeds from the sale of our registered shares
offered by this prospectus. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of our registered
shares offered hereby.
SELLING SHAREHOLDERS
The selling shareholders will be named in the accompanying prospectus supplement, along with
information regarding the beneficial ownership of our registered shares by such selling shareholders, the number of shares being offered by such selling
shareholders and the number of shares beneficially owned by such selling shareholders after the
applicable offering. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of our registered shares by the
selling shareholders.
5
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The selling shareholders, or their pledgees, donees, transferees, or any of their
successors-in-interest selling shares received from a named selling shareholder as a gift,
partnership distribution or other non-sale-related transfer after the date of this prospectus (all
of whom may be selling shareholders), may sell some or all of the securities covered by this
prospectus from time to time on any stock exchange or automated interdealer quotation system on
which the securities are listed, in the over-the-counter market, in privately negotiated
transactions or otherwise, at fixed prices that may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the
time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at prices otherwise negotiated. The
selling shareholders may sell the securities by one or more of the following methods, without
limitation:
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block trades in which the broker or dealer so engaged will attempt to sell the
securities as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to
facilitate the transaction; |
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purchases by a broker or dealer as principal and resale by the broker or dealer for its
own account pursuant to this prospectus; |
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an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of any stock exchange on which the
securities are listed; |
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ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker solicits purchases; |
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privately negotiated transactions; |
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short sales, either directly or with a broker-dealer or affiliate thereof; |
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through the writing of options on the securities, whether or not the options are listed
on an options exchange; |
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through loans or pledges of the securities to a broker-dealer or an affiliate thereof; |
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by entering into transactions with third parties who may (or may cause others to) issue
securities convertible or exchangeable into, or the return of which is derived in whole or
in part from the value of, our registered shares; |
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through the distribution of the securities by any selling shareholder to its partners,
members or shareholders; |
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one or more underwritten offerings on a firm commitment or best efforts basis; and |
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any combination of any of these methods of sale. |
For example, the selling shareholders may engage brokers and dealers, and any broker or dealer
may arrange for other brokers or dealers to participate in effecting sales of the securities.
These brokers, dealers or underwriters may act as principals, or as an agent of a selling
shareholder. Broker-dealers may agree with a selling shareholder to sell a specified number of the
securities at a stipulated price per security. If the broker-dealer is unable to sell securities
acting as agent for a selling shareholder, it may purchase as principal any unsold securities at
the stipulated price. Broker-dealers who acquire securities as principals may thereafter resell
the securities from time to time in transactions on any stock exchange or automated interdealer
quotation system on which the securities are then listed, at prices and on terms then prevailing at
the time of sale, at prices related to the then-current market price or in negotiated transactions.
Broker-dealers may use block transactions and sales to and through broker-dealers, including
transactions of the nature described above.
From time to time, one or more of the selling shareholders may charge, pledge, hypothecate or
grant a security interest in some or all of the securities owned by them. The chargees, pledgees,
secured parties or persons to whom the securities have been hypothecated will, upon foreclosure in
the event of default, be deemed to be selling shareholders. As and when a selling shareholder
takes such actions, the number of securities offered under this prospectus on behalf of such
selling shareholder will decrease. The plan of distribution for that selling shareholders
securities will otherwise remain unchanged.
A selling shareholder may, from time to time, sell the securities short, and, in those
instances, this prospectus may be delivered in connection with the short sales, and the securities
offered under this prospectus may be used to cover short sales. A selling shareholder may enter
into hedging transactions with broker-dealers, and the broker-dealers may engage in short sales of
the securities in the course of hedging the positions they assume with that selling shareholder,
including, without limitation, in connection with distributions of the securities by those broker-
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dealers. A selling shareholder may enter into option or other transactions with
broker-dealers that involve the delivery of the securities offered hereby to the broker-dealers,
who may then resell or otherwise transfer those securities. A selling shareholder may also loan
the securities offered hereby to a broker-dealer, and the broker-dealer may sell the loaned
securities pursuant to this prospectus.
A selling shareholder may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell
securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions.
If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third
parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement,
including in short sale transactions. If so, the third-party may use securities pledged by the
selling shareholder or borrowed from the selling shareholder or others to settle those sales or to
close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from the selling
shareholder in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock.
The third-party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and, if not identified in this
prospectus, will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective
amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part).
To the extent required under the Securities Act, the aggregate amount of selling shareholders
securities being offered and the terms of the offering, the names of any agents, brokers, dealers
or underwriters and any applicable commission with respect to a particular offer will be set forth
in an accompanying prospectus supplement. Any underwriters, dealers, brokers or agents
participating in the distribution of the securities may receive compensation in the form of
underwriting discounts, concessions, commissions or fees from a selling shareholder and/or
purchasers of selling shareholders securities for whom they may act (which compensation as to a
particular broker-dealer might be in excess of customary commissions).
The selling shareholders and any underwriters, brokers, dealers or agents that participate in
the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the
Securities Act, and any discounts, concessions, commissions or fees received by them and any profit
on the resale of the securities sold by them may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and
commissions.
The selling shareholders and other persons participating in the sale or distribution of the
securities will be subject to applicable provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, which we refer to as the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder, including
Regulation M. This regulation may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of the securities
by the selling shareholders and any other person. The anti-manipulation rules under the Exchange
Act may apply to sales of securities in the market and to the activities of the selling
shareholders and their affiliates. Furthermore, Regulation M may restrict the ability of any
person engaged in the distribution of the securities to engage in market-making activities with
respect to the particular securities being distributed for a period of up to five business days
before the distribution. These restrictions may affect the marketability of the securities and the
ability of any person or entity to engage in market-making activities with respect to the
securities.
We have agreed to indemnify in certain circumstances certain of the selling shareholders
against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Certain of the
selling shareholders have agreed to indemnify us in certain circumstances against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
Certain of the securities offered hereby were originally issued to the selling shareholders
pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. We agreed to
register the securities under the Securities Act, and to keep the registration statement of which
this prospectus is a part effective for a specified period of time.
We will not receive any proceeds from sales of any securities by the selling shareholders. We
cannot assure you that the selling shareholders will sell all or any portion of the securities
offered hereby.
7
DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL
For a full description of our
registered shares please see the documents identified in the section Where You Can Find
More Information in this prospectus.
8
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the registered shares offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by our
special Swiss counsel, Baker & McKenzie Geneva.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements
of Weatherford Bermuda appearing in
Weatherford Bermudas Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year
ended December 31, 2008
(including the financial statement schedule appearing therein), and the effectiveness of
Weatherford Bermudas internal control over financial reporting
as of December 31, 2008,
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.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a
registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act with
respect to the registered shares offered by this prospectus. This prospectus, which is part of the
registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration
statement or the exhibits and schedules filed therewith. For further information with respect to
us and the registered shares offered by this prospectus, please see the registration statement and the
exhibits and schedules filed with the registration statement.
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 website 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.E.,
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 registered 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), and any amendments thereto:
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Weatherford Bermudas annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2008 (File No. 1-31339); |
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Weatherford Bermudas current reports on Form 8-K (other than information furnished rather than filed),
filed with the SEC on January 6, 2009, January 8, 2009,
January 15, 2009, February 10, 2009 and
February 26, 2009 (File
No. 1-31339); |
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our current report on Form 8-K (other than information furnished rather than filed),
filed with the SEC on February 26, 2009; and |
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the description of our registered shares, par value 1.16 Swiss francs per share,
contained in Item 8.01 of our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on
February 26, 2009; 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: U.S. Investor Relations
515 Post Oak Boulevard
Houston, Texas 77027
(713) 693-4000
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