e424b3
Filed
Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration No. 333-139499
4,280,714
SHARES
WILLBROS GROUP, INC.
COMMON STOCK
This prospectus relates to shares of common stock that may be sold by the selling stockholders
identified in this prospectus. Of the 4,280,714 shares covered hereby, 3,743,789 are outstanding
shares held by the selling stockholders and 536,925 are shares reserved for issuance by us in the
event the selling stockholders exercise warrants to purchase shares of common stock. The shares
issuable upon exercise of the warrants will become eligible for disposition by the selling
stockholders under this prospectus only as the warrants are exercised. The selling stockholders
acquired the shares offered by this prospectus in a private placement of our securities. We are
registering the offer and sale of the shares to satisfy registration rights we have granted. We
will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares by the selling stockholders. We will
receive proceeds from any cash exercise of warrants by the selling stockholders.
The selling stockholders, or their transferees, pledgees, donees or other successors in
interest, may sell their shares of common stock by the methods described under Plan of
Distribution.
Our
common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the
symbol WG. On January 14, 2008, the last reported sales price for our common stock was
$38.40.
There are significant risks associated with an investment in our securities. See Risk
Factors beginning on page 4.
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 January 15, 2008.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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You should rely only on the information contained in or specifically incorporated by reference
into this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information that is
different. This prospectus may only be used where it is legal to sell these securities. The
information in this prospectus or incorporated by reference into this prospectus may only be
accurate on the date of those documents.
Unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this prospectus to Willbros, the
Company, we, us and our refer to Willbros Group, Inc., its consolidated subsidiaries and
their predecessors.
WILLBROS GROUP, INC.
Our Business
We are a provider of services primarily to the high growth global energy infrastructure
market. In particular, we are a leading service provider to the hydrocarbon pipeline market, having
performed work in 59 countries and constructed over 200,000 kilometers of pipelines, which we
believe positions us in the top tier of pipeline contractors in the world. We offer a wide range of
services to our customers, including engineering, project management, construction services and
specialty services, such as operations and maintenance, each of which we offer discretely or in
combination as a fully integrated offering.
We offer clients full asset lifecycle services and in some cases we provide the entire scope
of services for a project, from front-end engineering and design through project construction,
commissioning and ongoing facility operations and maintenance. While our capabilities extend from
upstream sources to downstream distribution, our primary end market is the global onshore midstream
energy market. In North America, where we currently have over 90 percent of our backlog, our
projects include major cross-country and intrastate pipelines that transport natural gas, crude oil
and petroleum products; gas gathering systems; gas processing systems; oil and gas production
facilities; and modular processing facilities. The balance of our backlog is for projects providing
similar services in select overseas locations. Now in our one hundredth year, we serve major
natural gas, petroleum and power companies and government entities worldwide.
On November 20, 2007, we acquired all of the outstanding equity interests of Integrated
Service Company LLC (InServ), a Tulsa, Oklahoma based company, for approximately $225 million.
With the acquisition of InServ, we will significantly expand our service offering to the downstream
market providing integrated solutions for turnaround, maintenance and capital projects for the
hydrocarbon processing and petrochemical industries.
Our Executive Offices
We are incorporated in the Republic of Panama and maintain our headquarters at Plaza 2000
Building, 50th Street, 8th Floor, P.O. Box 0816-01098, Panama, Republic of Panama; our telephone
number is +50-7-213-0947. Administrative services are provided to us by our subsidiary, Willbros
USA, Inc., whose administrative headquarters are located at 4400 Post Oak Parkway, Suite 1000,
Houston, Texas 77027, and whose telephone number is (713) 403-8000. Information contained on our
website http://www.willbros.com, is not, and you must not consider such information to be, a part
of this prospectus.
Private Placement of Common Stock and Warrants
In October 2006, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement for the issuance and sale of
3,722,360 shares of our common stock, and warrants to purchase an additional 558,354 shares of
common stock, in a private placement exempt from registration under Section 4(2) of the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, and Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated thereunder. Each warrant will be
exercisable, in whole or in part, until 60 months from the date of issuance. A warrant holder may
elect to exercise the warrant (1) by delivery of payment to us of the exercise price of $19.03 per
share, or (2) pursuant to a cashless exercise as defined and provided in the warrant, if a
registration statement covering the warrant shares is not available for the resale of the warrant
shares. The exercise price is subject to adjustment in certain circumstances, as provided in the
warrants. This prospectus covers the resale by the selling stockholders of the shares of common
stock previously issued and the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants that
were also sold in the private placement.
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RISK FACTORS
Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. In addition to the other
information included and incorporated by reference in this prospectus, you should carefully
consider the risks described below before purchasing our common stock. If any of the following
risks actually occurs, our business, results of operations and financial condition will likely
suffer. As a result, the trading price of our common stock may decline, and you might lose part or
all of your investment.
These are not the only risks and uncertainties we face. Additional risks and uncertainties
that we are presently unaware of or currently consider immaterial may also adversely affect our
business, results of operations and financial condition.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS
We may continue to experience losses associated with our prior activities in Nigeria.
In February 2007, we completed the sale of our Nigerian operations. In August 2007, we and our
subsidiary, Willbros International Services (Nigeria) Limited, entered into a Global Settlement
Agreement with Ascot Offshore Nigeria Limited (Ascot), the purchaser of our Nigerian operations
and Berkeley Group Plc, the purchasers parent company. Among the other matters, the Global
Settlement Agreement provided for the payment of an amount in full and final settlement of all
disputes between Ascot and us related to the working capital adjustment to the closing purchase
price under the February 2007 share purchase agreement. In connection with the sale or our Nigerian
operations, we also entered into a transition services agreement, and Ascot delivered a promissory
note in favor of us.
The Global Settlement Agreement provided for a settlement in the amount of $25.0 million, the
amount by which we and Ascot agreed to adjust the closing purchase price downward in respect of
working capital (the Settlement Amount). Under the Global Settlement Agreement, we retained
approximately $13.9 million of the Settlement Amount and credited this amount to the account of
Ascot for amounts which were due to us under the transition services agreement and promissory note.
Our payment of the balance of the Settlement Amount settled any and all obligations and disputes
between Ascot and us in relation to the adjustment to the closing purchase price under the share
purchase agreement.
As part consideration for the parties agreement on the Settlement Amount, Ascot secured with
non-Nigerian banks supplemental backstop letters of credit totaling approximately $20.3 million. In
addition, upon the payment of the balance of the Settlement Amount, all of the parties respective
rights and obligations under the indemnification provisions of the share purchase agreement were
terminated, except as provided in the Global Settlement Agreement.
We may continue to experience losses or incur expenses subsequent to the sale and disposition
of our operations and the Global Settlement Agreement. In particular:
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We issued parent company guarantees to our former clients in connection with the
performance of our Nigeria contracts. Although the buyer will now be responsible for
completing these projects, in varying degrees our guarantees will remain in force until
the projects are completed. Indemnities are in place pursuant to which the buyer and its
parent company are obligated to indemnify us for any losses we incur on these guarantees.
However, we can provide no assurance that we will be successful in enforcing our
indemnity rights against the buyer. The guarantees include five projects under which we
estimate that, at December 31, 2006, there was aggregate remaining contract revenue of
approximately $374.8 million, and aggregate cost to complete of approximately $316.0
million. At December 31, 2006, we estimated that only one of the contracts covered by the
guarantees was in a loss position and have accrued for such loss in the amount of
approximately $33.2 million on our December 31, 2006 balance sheet. |
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Although we believe Ascots provision of supplemental backstop letters of credit has
minimized our letter of credit risk, the same difficulties which led to our leaving
Nigeria continue to exist. Ascots continued willingness and ability to perform our
former projects in West Africa are important ingredients to further reducing our risk
profile in Nigeria and elsewhere in West Africa. As such, it was important |
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under the Global Settlement Agreement to receive additional assurances from Ascot related
to ongoing projects because of our continuing parent guarantees on those projects. To
date, no claims have been made against our parent guarantees. If we are required to resume
operations in Nigeria under one or more of our performance guarantees, and are unable to
enforce our rights under the indemnity agreement, we may experience losses. Those losses
could exceed the amount accrued at December 31, 2006, including losses that we could incur
in completing projects that were not considered to be in a loss position as of December
31, 2006 due to additional expenses associated with the start-up and redeployment of our
equipment or personnel or a further deterioration of the already challenging operating
environment in Nigeria. |
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Although our current activities in Nigeria are confined to providing transition
services to the new owner, we may find it difficult to provide those services to the
buyer if we experience high levels of employee turnover or for other reasons. If we are
unable to provide adequate transition services or if the buyer is otherwise unable to
perform under our contracts that were in effect as of the closing date, we may be
required to perform under our parent company guarantees discussed above. |
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We may experience difficulty redeploying certain equipment to our continuing
operations that we previously leased for our Nigeria projects and that was not conveyed
to the buyer at closing. |
We have reached agreements in principle with the DOJ and the SEC to settle investigations involving
possible violations of the FCPA and possible violations of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. If a final settlement is not approved, our liquidity position and
financial results could be materially adversely affected.
In late December 2004, we learned that tax authorities in Bolivia had charged our Bolivian
subsidiary with failure to pay taxes owed, filing improper tax returns and the falsification of tax
documents. As a result of our investigation, we determined that J. Kenneth Tillery, then President
of WII and the individual principally responsible at that time for our international operations
outside of the United States and Canada, was aware of the circumstances that led to the Bolivian
charges. Mr. Tillery resigned from the Company on January 6, 2005. In January 2005, our Audit
Committee engaged independent outside legal counsel for the purpose of conducting an investigation
into the circumstances surrounding the Bolivian tax assessment as well as other activities which
were previously under the control of Mr. Tillery. The investigations conducted by the Audit
Committee and senior management have revealed information indicating that Mr. Tillery, and others
who directly or indirectly reported to him, engaged in activities that were and are specifically
contrary to established Company policies and possibly the laws of several countries, including the
United States. Our investigations determined that some of the actions of Mr. Tillery and other
employees or consultants of WII or its subsidiaries may have caused us to violate U.S. securities
laws, including the FCPA, and/or other U.S. and foreign laws.
We have voluntarily reported the results of our investigations to both the SEC and the DOJ. We
have also voluntarily reported certain potentially improper facilitation and export activities to
the United States Department of Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and to the
DOJ and to the SEC. The SEC and the DOJ are each conducting their own investigations of actions
taken by us and our employees and representatives that may constitute violations of U.S. law. We
are cooperating fully with all such investigations.
We have reached agreements in principle to settle the DOJ and the SEC investigations. As a
result of the agreements in principle, we have established aggregate reserves relating to these
matters of $32.3 million. The aggregate reserves reflect our estimate of the expected probable loss
with respect to these matters, assuming the settlement is finalized. Of the $32.3 million in
aggregate reserves, $22.0 million, representing the anticipated DOJ fines, was recorded as an
operating expense for continuing operations and $10.3 million, representing anticipated SEC
disgorgement of profits and pre-judgment interest, was recorded as an operating expense for
discontinued operations.
These settlements in principle are contingent upon the parties agreement to the terms of
final settlement agreements and require final approval from the DOJ and the SEC and confirmation by
a federal district court. We can provide no assurance that such approvals will be obtained. If a
final resolution is not concluded, we believe it is probable that the DOJ and SEC will seek civil
and criminal sanctions against us as well as fines, penalties and disgorgement. If ultimately
imposed, or if agreed to by settlement, such sanctions may exceed the current amount we have
estimated and reserved in connection with the settlements in principle.
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In addition, with respect to OFACs investigation, OFAC and Willbros USA, Inc. have agreed in
principle to settle the allegations pursuant to which we will pay a total of $6,600 as a civil
penalty.
The terms of final settlements with the DOJ and SEC may negatively impact our ongoing operations.
Upon completion of final settlements with the DOJ and SEC, we expect to be subject to ongoing
review and regulation of our business operations, including the review of our operations and
compliance program by a government approved independent monitor. The activities of the independent
monitor will have a cost to us and may cause a change in our processes and operations, the outcome
of which we are unable to predict. In addition, the settlements may impact our operations or result
in legal actions against us in countries that are the subject of the settlements. The settlements
could also result in third-party claims against us, which may include claims for special, indirect,
derivative or consequential damages.
Our failure to comply with the terms of settlement agreements with the DOJ and SEC would have a
negative impact on our ongoing operations.
Under the settlements in principle with the DOJ and SEC, we expect to be subject to a
three-year deferred prosecution agreement and to be permanently enjoined by the federal district
court against any future violations of the federal securities laws. Our failure to comply with the
terms of the settlement agreements with the DOJ and SEC could result in resumed prosecution and
other regulatory sanctions and could otherwise negatively affect our operations. In addition, if we
fail to make timely payment of the penalty amounts due to the DOJ and/or the disgorgement amounts
specified in the SEC settlement, the DOJ and/or the SEC will have the right to accelerate payment,
and demand that the entire balance due be paid immediately. Our ability to comply with the terms of
the settlements is dependent on the success of our ongoing compliance program, including:
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our supervision, training and retention of competent employees; |
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the efforts of our employees to comply with applicable law and our Foreign Corrupt
Practices Act Compliance Manual and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics; and |
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our continuing management of our agents and business partners. |
Special risks associated with doing business in highly corrupt environments may adversely affect
our business.
Although we have completed the sale of our operations in Nigeria, our international business
operations may continue to include projects in countries where corruption is prevalent. Since the
anti-bribery restrictions of the FCPA make it illegal for us to give anything of value to foreign
officials in order to obtain or retain any business or other advantage, we may be subject to
competitive disadvantages to the extent that our competitors are able to secure business, licenses
or other preferential treatment by making payments to government officials and others in positions
of influence.
Our management has concluded that we did not maintain effective internal controls over financial
reporting as of December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004. Moreover, on November 13, 2007 we determined that
a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting exists with respect to
managements review of subcontract cost calculations for a project in Canada. We believe that the
material weaknesses reported as of December 31, 2006 were eliminated in February 2007 as a result
of the sale of our Nigerian assets and operations. However, our inability to remediate these
material weaknesses prior to February 2007, our most recent material weakness and any other control
deficiencies that we may discover in the future, could adversely affect our ability to report our
financial condition and results of operations accurately and on a timely basis. As a result, our
business, operating results and liquidity could be harmed.
As disclosed in our annual reports on Form 10-K for 2006, 2005 and 2004, managements
assessment of our internal controls over financial reporting identified several material
weaknesses. These material weaknesses led to the restatement of our previously issued consolidated
financial statements for fiscal years 2002 and 2003 and the first three quarters of 2004. Although
we made progress in executing our remediation plans during 2005 and 2006, including the remediation
of three material weaknesses, as of December 31, 2006, management concluded that we
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did not maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting due to the following
remaining material weaknesses in internal controls:
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Nigeria accounting: During the fourth quarter of 2006, we determined that a material
weakness in our internal controls over financial reporting existed related to the
Companys management control environment over the accounting for our Nigeria operations.
This weakness in management control led to the inability to adequately perform various
control functions including supervision over and consistency of inventory management,
petty cash disbursements, accounts payable disbursement approvals, account
reconciliations, and review of timekeeping records. This material weakness resulted
primarily from our inability to maintain a consistent and stable internal control
environment over our Nigeria operations in the fourth quarter of 2006. |
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Nigeria project controlsestimate to complete: A material weakness existed related to
controls over the Nigeria project reporting. This weakness existed throughout 2006 and is
a continuation of a material weakness reported in our 2005 Form 10-K. The weakness
primarily impacted one large Nigeria project with a total contract value of approximately
$165 million, for which cost estimates were not updated timely in the fourth quarter of
2006 due to insufficient measures being taken to independently verify and update reliable
cost estimates. This material weakness specifically resulted in material changes to
revenue and cost of sales during the preparation of our year-end financial statements by
our accounting staff prior to their issuance. |
Moreover, on November 13, 2007 we determined that a material weakness in our internal control
over financial reporting exists with respect to managements review of subcontract cost
calculations for a project in Canada. In connection with our efforts to remediate this material
weakness, we intend to take a number of actions to strengthen the control environment over our
operations in Canada, including the following:
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enhance the management review process and hire additional project controllers; and |
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introduce system upgrades to automate certain processes, which we believe will prevent
the omission of previously identified costs. |
In 2006, our efforts to strengthen our control environment and correct the material weakness
in company level controls over the financial statement close process included:
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reviewing and monitoring our accounting department structure and organization, both in
terms of size and expertise; |
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hiring additional senior accounting personnel at our corporate administrative offices; |
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increasing our supervision of accounting personnel; |
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recruiting candidates in order to expeditiously fill vacancies in our accounting,
finance and project management functions; and |
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developing documentation and consistent execution of controls over our financial
statement close process. |
Our efforts during 2006 to improve our control environment in response to the weakness in
construction contract management identified at December 31, 2005 included:
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initiating efforts to expand operations and accounting supervisory controls over
consistency in the project reporting process and documentation for Nigeria contracts
through the addition of supervisory personnel; and |
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developing more standardized documentation related to project management reporting and
management review processes. |
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We believe that our reported material weaknesses at December 31, 2006 were eliminated in
February 2007 upon the sale of our Nigeria assets and operations since those material weaknesses
related solely to our operations in that country. However, our inability to remediate these
material weaknesses prior to February 2007, our most recent material weakness and any other control
deficiencies we identify in the future, could adversely affect our ability to report our financial
results on a timely and accurate basis, which could result in a loss of investor confidence in our
financial reports or have a material adverse effect on our ability to operate our business or
access sources of liquidity. Furthermore, because of the inherent limitations of any system of
internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of human error, the
circumvention or overriding of controls and fraud, even effective internal controls may not prevent
or detect all misstatements.
Our business is highly dependent upon the level of capital expenditures by oil, gas and power
companies on infrastructure.
Our revenue and cash flow are primarily dependent upon major engineering and construction
projects. The availability of these types of projects is dependent upon the economic condition of
the oil, gas and power industries, specifically, the level of capital expenditures of oil, gas and
power companies on infrastructure. Our failure to obtain major projects, the delay in awards of
major projects, the cancellation of major projects or delays in completion of contracts are factors
that could result in the under-utilization of our resources, which would have an adverse impact on
our revenue and cash flow. There are numerous factors beyond our control that influence the level
of capital expenditures of oil, gas and power companies, including:
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current and projected oil, gas and power prices; |
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the demand for electricity; |
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the abilities of oil, gas and power companies to generate, access and deploy capital; |
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exploration, production and transportation costs; |
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the discovery rate of new oil and gas reserves; |
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the sale and expiration dates of oil and gas leases and concessions; |
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regulatory restraints on the rates that power companies may charge their customers; |
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local and international political and economic conditions; |
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the ability or willingness of host country government entities to fund their budgetary
commitments; and |
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technological advances. |
If we are not able to renegotiate our surety bond lines, our ability to operate may be
significantly restricted.
Our bonding company provides surety bonds on a case-by-case basis for projects in North
America and requires that we post backstop letters of credit. We are currently negotiating with our
bonding company to eliminate the requirement to provide backstop letters of credit, but we can
provide no assurance that we will be successful in removing this requirement. If we are unable to
obtain surety bonds, or if the cost of obtaining surety bonds is prohibitive, our ability to bid
some projects may be adversely affected in the event other forms of performance guarantees such as
letters of credit or parent guarantees are deemed insufficient or unacceptable. In addition, the
requirement that we post backstop letters of credit reduces the capacity available to us under our
credit facility.
Our international operations are subject to political and economic risks of developing countries.
Although we recently sold our operations in Nigeria and Venezuela, we have substantial
operations in the Middle East (Oman) and anticipate that a significant portion of our contract
revenue will be derived from, and a significant portion of our long-lived assets will be located
in, developing countries.
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Conducting operations in developing countries presents significant commercial challenges for
our business. A disruption of activities, or loss of use of equipment or installations, at any
location in which we have significant assets or operations, could have a material adverse effect on
our financial condition and results of operations. Accordingly, we are subject to risks that
ordinarily would not be expected to exist to the same extent in the United States, Canada, Japan or
Western Europe. Some of these risks include:
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civil uprisings, riots and war, which can make it impractical to continue operations,
adversely affect both budgets and schedules and expose us to losses; |
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repatriating foreign currency received in excess of local currency requirements and
converting it into dollars or other fungible currency; |
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exchange rate fluctuations, which can reduce the purchasing power of local currencies
and cause our costs to exceed our budget, reducing our operating margin in the affected
country; |
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expropriation of assets, by either a recognized or unrecognized foreign government,
which can disrupt our business activities and create delays and corresponding losses; |
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availability of suitable personnel and equipment, which can be affected by government
policy, or changes in policy, which limit the importation of skilled craftsmen or
specialized equipment in areas where local resources are insufficient; |
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government instability, which can cause investment in capital projects by our
potential customers to be withdrawn or delayed, reducing or eliminating the viability of
some markets for our services; |
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decrees, laws, regulations, interpretations and court decisions under legal systems,
which are not always fully developed and which may be retroactively applied and cause us
to incur unanticipated and/or unrecoverable costs as well as delays which may result in
real or opportunity costs; and |
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terrorist attacks such as those which occurred on September 11, 2001 in the United
States, which could impact insurance rates, insurance coverages and the level of economic
activity, and produce instability in financial markets. |
Our operations in developing countries may be adversely affected in the event any governmental
agencies in these countries interpret laws, regulations or court decisions in a manner which might
be considered inconsistent or inequitable in the United States, Canada, Japan or Western Europe. We
may be subject to unanticipated taxes, including income taxes, excise duties, import taxes, export
taxes, sales taxes or other governmental assessments which could have a material adverse effect on
our results of operations for any quarter or year.
These risks may result in a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
We may be adversely affected by a concentration of business in a particular country.
Due to a limited number of major projects worldwide, we expect to have a substantial portion
of our resources dedicated to projects located in a few countries. Therefore, our results of
operations are susceptible to adverse events beyond our control that may occur in a particular
country in which our business may be concentrated at that time. Economic downturns in such
countries could also have an adverse impact on our operations.
Our backlog is subject to unexpected adjustments and cancellations and is, therefore, an uncertain
indicator of our future earnings.
We cannot guarantee that the revenue projected in our backlog will be realized or profitable.
Projects may remain in our backlog for an extended period of time. In addition, project
cancellations or scope adjustments may occur, from time to time, with respect to contracts
reflected in our backlog and could reduce the dollar amount of our backlog and the revenue and
profits that we actually earn. Many of our contracts have termination for convenience provisions in
them, in some cases, without any provision for penalties or lost profits. Therefore, project
terminations, suspensions or scope adjustments may occur from time to time with respect to
contracts in our backlog. Finally, poor project or contract performance could also impact our
backlog and profits.
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Our failure to recover adequately on claims against project owners for payment could have a
material adverse effect on us.
We occasionally bring claims against project owners for additional costs exceeding the
contract price or for amounts not included in the original contract price. These types of claims
occur due to matters such as owner-caused delays or changes from the initial project scope, which
result in additional costs, both direct and indirect. Often, these claims can be the subject of
lengthy arbitration or litigation proceedings, and it is often difficult to accurately predict when
these claims will be fully resolved. When these types of events occur and unresolved claims are
pending, we may invest significant working capital in projects to cover cost overruns pending the
resolution of the relevant claims. A failure to promptly recover on these types of claims could
have a material adverse impact on our liquidity and financial condition.
Our business is dependent on a limited number of key clients.
We operate primarily in the oil, gas and power industries, providing construction, engineering
and facilities development and operations services to a limited number of clients. Much of our
success depends on developing and maintaining relationships with our major clients and obtaining a
share of contracts from these clients. The loss of any of our major clients could have a material
adverse effect on our operations. Our three largest clients were responsible for 56.9 percent of
our backlog at September 30, 2007.
Our use of fixed-price contracts could adversely affect our operating results.
A substantial portion of our projects is currently performed on a fixed-price basis. Under a
fixed-price contract, we agree on the price that we will receive for the entire project, based upon
a defined scope, which includes specific assumptions and project criteria. If our estimates of our
own costs to complete the project are below the actual costs that we may incur, our margins will
decrease, and we may incur a loss. The revenue, cost and gross profit realized on a fixed-price
contract will often vary from the estimated amounts because of unforeseen conditions or changes in
job conditions and variations in labor and equipment productivity over the term of the contract. If
we are unsuccessful in mitigating these risks, we may realize gross profits that are different from
those originally estimated and incur reduced profitability or losses on projects. Depending on the
size of a project, these variations from estimated contract performance could have a significant
effect on our operating results for any quarter or year. In general, turnkey contracts to be
performed on a fixed-price basis involve an increased risk of significant variations. This is a
result of the long-term nature of these contracts and the inherent difficulties in estimating costs
and of the interrelationship of the integrated services to be provided under these contracts,
whereby unanticipated costs or delays in performing part of the contract can have compounding
effects by increasing costs of performing other parts of the contract.
Percentage-of-completion method of accounting for contract revenue may result in material
adjustments that would adversely affect our operating results.
We recognize contract revenue using the percentage-of-completion method on long-term fixed
price contracts. Under this method, estimated contract revenue is accrued based generally on the
percentage that costs to date bear to total estimated costs, taking into consideration physical
completion. Estimated contract losses are recognized in full when determined. Accordingly, contract
revenue and total cost estimates are reviewed and revised periodically as the work progresses and
as change orders are approved, and adjustments based upon the percentage-of-completion are
reflected in contract revenue in the period when these estimates are revised. These estimates are
based on managements reasonable assumptions and our historical experience, and are only estimates.
Variation of actual results from these assumptions or our historical experience could be material.
To the extent that these adjustments result in an increase, a reduction or an elimination of
previously reported contract revenue, we would recognize a credit or a charge against current
earnings, which could be material.
Terrorist attacks and war or risk of war may adversely affect our results of operations, our
ability to raise capital or secure insurance, or our future growth.
The continued threat of terrorism and the impact of military and other action, including U.S.
military operations in Iraq, will likely lead to continued volatility in prices for crude oil and
natural gas and could affect the markets for our operations. In addition, future acts of terrorism
could be directed against companies operating both
10
outside and inside the United States. Further, the U.S. government has issued public warnings
that indicate that pipelines and other energy assets might be specific targets of terrorist
organizations. These developments have subjected our operations to increased risks and, depending
on their ultimate magnitude, could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Our operations are subject to a number of operational risks.
Our business operations include pipeline construction, fabrication, pipeline rehabilitation
services and the operation of heavy equipment. These operations involve a high degree of
operational risk. Natural disasters, adverse weather conditions, collisions and operator error
could cause personal injury or loss of life, severe damage to and destruction of property,
equipment and the environment, and suspension of operations. In locations where we perform work
with equipment that is owned by others, our continued use of the equipment can be subject to
unexpected or arbitrary interruption or termination. The occurrence of any of these events could
result in work stoppage, loss of revenue, casualty loss, increased costs and significant liability
to third parties.
The insurance protection we maintain may not be sufficient or effective under all
circumstances or against all hazards to which we may be subject. An enforceable claim for which we
are not fully insured could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results
of operations. Moreover, we may not be able to maintain adequate insurance in the future at rates
that we consider reasonable.
We may become liable for the obligations of our joint ventures and our subcontractors.
Some of our projects are performed through joint ventures with other parties. In addition to
the usual liability of contractors for the completion of contracts and the warranty of our work,
where work is performed through a joint venture, we also have potential liability for the work
performed by our joint ventures. In these projects, even if we satisfactorily complete our project
responsibilities within budget, we may incur additional unforeseen costs due to the failure of our
joint ventures to perform or complete work in accordance with contract specifications.
We act as prime contractor on a majority of the construction projects we undertake. In our
capacity as prime contractor and when acting as a subcontractor, we perform most of the work on our
projects with our own resources and typically subcontract only such specialized activities as
hazardous waste removal, nondestructive inspection, tank erection, catering and security. However,
with respect to EPC and other contracts, we may choose to subcontract a substantial portion of the
project. In the construction industry, the prime contractor is normally responsible for the
performance of the entire contract, including subcontract work. Thus, when acting as a prime
contractor, we are subject to the risk associated with the failure of one or more subcontractors to
perform as anticipated.
Governmental regulations could adversely affect our business.
Many aspects of our operations are subject to governmental regulations in the countries in
which we operate, including those relating to currency conversion and repatriation, taxation of our
earnings and earnings of our personnel, the increasing requirement in some countries to make
greater use of local employees and suppliers, including, in some jurisdictions, mandates that
provide for greater local participation in the ownership and control of certain local business
assets. In addition, we depend on the demand for our services from the oil, gas and power
industries, and, therefore, our business is affected by changing taxes, price controls, and laws
and regulations relating to the oil, gas and power industries generally. The adoption of laws and
regulations by the countries or the states in which we operate that are intended to curtail
exploration and development drilling for oil and gas or the development of power generation
facilities for economic and other policy reasons, could adversely affect our operations by limiting
demand for our services.
Our operations are also subject to the risk of changes in laws and policies which may impose
restrictions on our business, including trade restrictions, which could have a material adverse
effect on our operations. Other types of governmental regulation which could, if enacted or
implemented, adversely affect our operations include:
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expropriation or nationalization decrees; |
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confiscatory tax systems; |
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primary or secondary boycotts directed at specific countries or companies; |
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embargoes; |
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extensive import restrictions or other trade barriers; |
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mandatory sourcing and local participation rules; |
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oil, gas or power price regulation; and |
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unrealistically high labor rate and fuel price regulation. |
Our future operations and earnings may be adversely affected by new legislation, new
regulations or changes in, or new interpretations of, existing regulations, and the impact of these
changes could be material.
Our strategic plan relies in part on acquisitions to sustain our growth. Acquisitions of other
companies present certain risks and uncertainties.
Our strategic plan involves growth through, among other things, the acquisition of other
companies. Such growth involves a number of risks, including:
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inherent difficulties relating to combining previously separate businesses; |
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diversion of managements attention from ongoing day-to-day operations; |
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the assumption of liabilities of an acquired business, including both foreseen and
unforeseen liabilities; |
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failure to realize anticipated benefits, such as cost savings and revenue
enhancements; |
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potentially substantial transaction costs associated with business combinations; |
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difficulties relating to assimilating the personnel, services and systems of an
acquired business and to integrating marketing, contracting, commercial and other
operational disciplines; and |
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difficulties in applying and integrating our system of internal controls to an
acquired business. |
In addition, we cannot assure you that we will continue to locate suitable acquisition targets
or that we will be able to consummate any such transactions on terms and conditions acceptable to
us. Acquisitions may bring us into businesses we have not previously conducted and expose us to
additional business risks that are different than those we have traditionally experienced.
Our operations expose us to potential environmental liabilities.
Our U.S. operations are subject to numerous environmental protection laws and regulations
which are complex and stringent. We regularly perform work in and around sensitive environmental
areas, such as rivers, lakes and wetlands. Significant fines and penalties may be imposed for
non-compliance with environmental laws and regulations, and some environmental laws provide for
joint and several strict liability for remediation of releases of hazardous substances, rendering a
person liable for environmental damage, without regard to negligence or fault on the part of such
person. In addition to potential liabilities that may be incurred in satisfying these requirements,
we may be subject to claims alleging personal injury or property damage as a result of alleged
exposure to hazardous substances. These laws and regulations may expose us to liability arising out
of the conduct of operations or conditions caused by others, or for our acts which were in
compliance with all applicable laws at the time these acts were performed.
We own and operate several properties in the United States that have been used for a number of
years for the storage and maintenance of equipment and upon which hydrocarbons or other wastes may
have been disposed or released. Any release of substances by us or by third parties who previously
operated on these properties may be subject to the Comprehensive Environmental Response
Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), the Resource
12
Compensation and Recovery Act (RCRA), and analogous state laws. CERCLA imposes joint and
several liability, without regard to fault or the legality of the original conduct, on certain
classes of persons who are considered to be responsible for the release of hazardous substances
into the environment, while RCRA governs the generation, storage, transfer and disposal of
hazardous wastes. Under such laws, we could be required to remove or remediate previously disposed
wastes and clean up contaminated property. This could have a significant impact on our future
results.
Our operations outside of the United States are oftentimes potentially subject to similar
governmental controls and restrictions relating to the environment.
Our ability to increase our revenues and operating profits is partly dependent on our ability to
secure additional specialized pipeline construction equipment, either through lease or purchase.
The availability of such equipment in the current market is highly limited.
Due to the substantial increase in investment in energy-related infrastructure, particularly
hydrocarbon transportation, our industry is currently experiencing shortages in the availability of
certain specialized equipment essential to the construction of large diameter pipelines. We expect
that these shortages will persist or even worsen. If we are unsuccessful in obtaining essential
construction equipment on reasonable terms, our growth may be curtailed.
Our industry is highly competitive, which could impede our growth.
We operate in a highly competitive environment. A substantial number of the major projects
that we pursue are awarded based on bid proposals. We compete for these projects against
government-owned or supported companies and other companies that have substantially greater
financial and other resources than we do. In some markets, there is competition from national and
regional firms against which we may not be able to compete on price. Our growth may be impacted to
the extent that we are unable to successfully bid against these companies.
Our operating results could be adversely affected if our non-U.S. operations became taxable in the
United States.
If any income earned, currently or historically, by Willbros Group, Inc. or its non-U.S.
subsidiaries from operations outside the United States constituted income effectively connected
with a U.S. trade or business, and as a result became taxable in the United States, our
consolidated operating results could be materially and adversely affected.
We are dependent upon the services of our executive management.
Our success depends heavily on the continued services of our executive management. Our
management team is the nexus of our operational experience and customer relationships. Our ability
to manage business risk and satisfy the expectations of our clients, stockholders and other
stakeholders is dependent upon the collective experience and relationships of our management team.
In addition, we do not maintain key man life insurance for these individuals. The loss or
interruption of services provided by one or more of our senior officers could adversely affect our
results of operations.
It may be difficult to enforce judgments which are predicated on the federal securities laws of the
United States against us.
We are a corporation organized under the laws of the Republic of Panama. In addition, one of
our current board members is a resident of Canada. Accordingly:
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it may not be possible to effect service of process on non-resident directors in the
United States and to enforce judgments against them predicated on the civil liability
provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States; |
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because a substantial amount of our assets are located outside the United States, any
judgment obtained against us in the United States may not be fully collectible in the
United States; and |
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we have been advised that courts in the Republic of Panama will not enforce
liabilities in original actions predicated solely on the U.S. federal securities laws. |
These factors mean that it may be more costly and difficult for you to recover fully any
alleged damages that you may claim to have suffered due to alleged violations of U.S. federal
securities laws by us or our management than it would otherwise be in the case of a U.S.
corporation.
Our goodwill may become impaired.
We have a substantial amount of goodwill following our recent acquisition of InServ. At least
annually, we evaluate our goodwill for impairment based on the fair value of each operating unit.
This estimated fair value could change if there were future changes in our capital structure, cost
of debt, interest rates, capital expenditure levels or ability to perform at levels that were
forecasted. These changes could result in an impairment that would require a material non-cash
charge to our results of operations.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR COMMON STOCK
Our common stock, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, has from time to time experienced
significant price and volume fluctuations. These fluctuations are likely to continue in the future,
and you may not be able to resell your shares of common stock at or above the purchase price paid
by you.
The market price of our common stock may change significantly in response to various factors
and events beyond our control, including the following:
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the risk factors described in this prospectus; |
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a shortfall in operating revenue or net income from that expected by securities
analysts and investors; |
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changes in securities analysts estimates of our financial performance or the
financial performance of our competitors or companies in our industry generally; |
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general conditions in our customers industries; and |
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general conditions in the securities markets. |
Our stockholder rights plan, articles of incorporation and by-laws may inhibit a takeover, which
may adversely affect the performance of our stock.
Our stockholder rights plan and provisions of our articles of incorporation and by-laws may
discourage unsolicited takeover proposals or make it more difficult for a third party to acquire
us, which may adversely affect the price that investors might be willing to pay for our common
stock. For example, our articles of incorporation and by-laws:
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provide for restrictions on the transfer of any shares of common stock to prevent us
from becoming a controlled foreign corporation under U.S. tax law; |
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provide for a classified board of directors, which allows only one-third of our
directors to be elected each year; |
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restrict the ability of stockholders to take action by written consent; |
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establish advance notice requirements for nominations for election to our Board of
Directors; and |
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authorize our Board of Directors to designate the terms of and issue new series of
preferred stock. |
We also have a stockholder rights plan which gives holders of our common stock the right to
purchase additional shares of our capital stock if a potential acquirer purchases or announces a
tender or exchange offer to purchase 15 percent or more of our outstanding common stock. The rights
issued under the stockholder rights plan
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would cause substantial dilution to a person or group that attempts to acquire us on terms not
approved in advance by our Board of Directors.
Future sales of our common stock may depress our stock price.
Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market or otherwise,
either by us, a member of management or a major stockholder, or the perception that these sales
could occur, may depress the market price of our common stock and impair our ability to raise
capital through the sale of additional equity securities.
In the event we issue stock as consideration for certain acquisitions, we may dilute share
ownership.
We grow our business organically as well as through acquisitions. One method of acquiring
companies or otherwise funding our corporate activities is through the issuance of additional
equity securities. If we do issue additional equity securities, such issuances may have the effect
of diluting our earnings per share as well as our existing stockholders individual ownership
percentages in our company.
Our prior sale of common stock, warrants and convertible notes, and our outstanding warrants and
convertible notes may lead to further dilution of our issued and outstanding stock.
On November 20, 2007, we completed an underwritten public offering of 7,906,250 shares of our
common stock. In October 2006, we sold 3,722,360 shares of our common stock and warrants to
purchase an additional 558,354 shares. The recent issuance of warrants and the prior issuance of
$70.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our 2.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2024 and
$84.5 million of our 6.5% Senior Convertible Notes due 2012 (the 6.5% Notes) may cause a
significant increase in the number of shares of common stock currently outstanding. In May 2007, we
induced the conversion of approximately $52.5 million in aggregate principal amount of our
outstanding 6.5% Notes into a total of 2,987,582 shares of our common stock and may elect to enter
into similar transactions in the future. If we agree to induce the conversion of additional
convertible notes, we may cause a significant additional increase in the number of shares of common
stock currently outstanding.
In August 2006, our stockholders approved an increase in our authorized shares of common stock
from 35 million to 70 million shares. The issuance of additional common stock or securities
convertible into our common stock would result in further dilution of the ownership interest in us
held by existing stockholders. We are authorized to issue, without stockholder approval, one
million shares of Class A preferred stock, which may give other stockholders dividend, conversion,
voting and liquidation rights, among other rights, which may be superior to the rights of holders
of our common stock. Our Board of Directors has no present intention of issuing any such Class A
preferred stock, but reserves the right to do so in the future.
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USE OF PROCEEDS
We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock in this
offering. The selling stockholders will receive all of the proceeds from this offering. We will
receive proceeds from any cash exercise of warrants by the selling stockholders. We will use any
such proceeds for general corporate purposes, including capital expenditures and working capital.
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK
AND DIVIDEND POLICY
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol WG. The following
table sets forth the high and low sale prices per share for our common stock as reported by the New
York Stock Exchange for the periods indicated:
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HIGH |
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LOW |
2005: |
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First Quarter |
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$ |
24.52 |
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$ |
18.68 |
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Second Quarter |
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20.66 |
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10.15 |
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Third Quarter |
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17.80 |
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14.14 |
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Fourth Quarter |
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17.73 |
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14.13 |
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2006: |
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First Quarter |
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$ |
21.23 |
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$ |
14.46 |
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Second Quarter |
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24.53 |
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17.38 |
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Third Quarter |
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19.47 |
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15.00 |
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Fourth Quarter |
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19.93 |
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14.00 |
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2007: |
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First Quarter |
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$ |
23.13 |
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$ |
17.88 |
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Second Quarter |
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30.63 |
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21.86 |
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Third Quarter |
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34.48 |
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22.96 |
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Fourth Quarter (through December 12, 2007) |
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43.53 |
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31.81 |
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Substantially all of our stockholders maintain their shares in street name accounts and are
not, individually, stockholders of record. As of September 30, 2007, our common stock was held by
91 holders of record and an estimated 7,000 to 8,000 beneficial owners.
Since 1991, we have not paid any cash dividends on our capital stock, except dividends in 1996
on our outstanding shares of preferred stock, which were converted into shares of common stock on
July 15, 1996. We anticipate that we will retain earnings to support operations and to finance the
growth and development of our business. Therefore, we do not expect to pay cash dividends in the
foreseeable future. Our senior secured credit facility prohibits us from paying cash dividends on
our common stock.
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CAUTIONARY NOTICE REGARDING
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus, including the documents that we incorporate by reference, contains
forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other
than statements of historical facts, included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus that
address activities, events or developments which we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the
future, including such things as future capital expenditures (including the amount and nature
thereof), oil, gas, gas liquids and power prices, demand for our services, the amount and nature of
future investments by governments, expansion and other development trends of the oil, gas and power
industries, business strategy, expansion and growth of our business and operations, the outcome of
government investigations and legal proceedings and other such matters are forward-looking
statements. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and analyses we made in light
of our experience and our perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future
developments as well as other factors we believe are appropriate under the circumstances. However,
whether actual results and developments will conform to our expectations and predictions is subject
to a number of risks and uncertainties. As a result, actual results could differ materially from
our expectations. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contemplated by our
forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following:
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difficulties we may encounter in connection with the recently
completed sale and disposition of our Nigeria assets and Nigeria based
operations, including without limitation, obtaining indemnification
for any losses we may experience if claims are made against any
corporate guarantees we provided and which remained in place
subsequent to the closing; |
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the consequences we may encounter if our settlements in principle with
the DOJ and the SEC are finalized, including the imposition of civil
or criminal fines, penalties, disgorgement of profits, monitoring
arrangements, or other sanctions that might be imposed as a result of
government investigations; |
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the consequences we may encounter if our settlements in principle with
the DOJ and the SEC are not finalized, including the loss of
eligibility to bid for and obtain U.S. government contracts, and other
civil and criminal sanctions which may exceed the current amount we
have estimated and reserved in connection with the settlements in
principle; |
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the commencement by foreign governmental authorities of investigations
into the actions of our current and former employees, and the
determination that such actions constituted violations of foreign law; |
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the dishonesty of employees and/or other representatives or their
refusal to abide by applicable laws and our established policies and
rules; |
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adverse weather conditions not anticipated in bids and estimates; |
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project cost overruns, unforeseen schedule delays, and the application of liquidated damages; |
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cancellation of projects, in whole or in part; |
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failing to realize cost recoveries from projects completed or in
progress within a reasonable period after completion of the relevant
project; |
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inability to hire and retain sufficient skilled labor to execute our
current work, our work in backlog and future work we have not yet been
awarded; |
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inability to execute cost-reimbursable projects within the target
cost, thus eroding contract margin but not contract income on the
project; |
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curtailment of capital expenditures in the oil, gas and power industries; |
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political or social circumstances impeding the progress of our work
and increasing the cost of performance; |
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failure to obtain the timely award of one or more projects; |
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inability to identify and acquire suitable acquisition targets on reasonable terms; |
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inability to obtain adequate financing; |
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inability to obtain sufficient surety bonds or letters of credit; |
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loss of the services of key management personnel; |
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the demand for energy moderating or diminishing; |
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downturns in general economic, market or business conditions in our target markets; |
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changes in the effective tax rate in countries where our work will be performed; |
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changes in applicable laws or regulations, or changed interpretations thereof; |
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changes in the scope of our expected insurance coverage; |
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inability to manage insurable risk at an affordable cost; |
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the occurrence of the risk factors listed elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this prospectus; and |
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other factors, most of which are beyond our control. |
Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made or incorporated by reference in this
prospectus are qualified by these cautionary statements and there can be no assurance that the
actual results or developments we anticipate will be realized or, even if substantially realized,
that they will have the consequences for, or effects on, our business or operations that we
anticipate today. We assume no obligation to update publicly any such forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For a more complete description
of the circumstances surrounding the actions of our current and former employees, see Risk
Factors beginning on page 4.
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
General
We have 71 million authorized shares of capital stock, consisting of (a) 70 million shares of
common stock, par value $0.05 per share; and (b) 1 million shares of Class A preferred stock, par
value $0.01 per share.
Common Stock
As
of December 5, 2007 approximately 38,032,660 shares of our common stock were outstanding. All of
the outstanding shares of our common stock are fully paid and non-assessable, and any shares issued
upon exercise of the warrants will be fully paid and non-assessable. The holders of our common
stock are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held on all matters voted upon by
stockholders, including the election of directors. Holders of our common stock have no right to
cumulate their votes in the election of directors. Subject to the rights of any then-outstanding
shares of our preferred stock, the holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends as
may be declared in the discretion of the board of directors out of funds legally available for the
payment of dividends. We are subject to restrictions on the payment of dividends under the
provisions of our senior secured credit facility.
The holders of our common stock are entitled to share equally and ratably in our net assets
upon a liquidation or dissolution after we pay or provide for all liabilities, subject to any
preferential liquidation rights of any preferred stock that at the time may be outstanding. The
holders of our common stock have no preemptive, subscription, conversion or redemption rights.
There are no governmental laws or regulations in the Republic of Panama affecting the remittance of
dividends, interest and other payments to our nonresident stockholders so long as we continue not
to engage in business in the Republic of Panama.
Our articles of incorporation contain restrictions, subject to the determination by the board
of directors in good faith and in its sole discretion, on the transfer of any shares of our common
stock in order to prevent us from becoming a controlled foreign corporation under United States
tax law. See Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of our Articles of Incorporation and By-laws.
Class A Preferred Stock
As of the date of this prospectus, there were no outstanding shares of our Class A preferred
stock; however, the board of directors has reserved for issuance pursuant to our Stockholder Rights
Plan described below 35,000
shares of Series A junior participating preferred stock. Class A preferred stock may be issued
from time to time in one or more series, and the board of directors, without further approval of
the stockholders, is authorized to fix the dividend rates and terms, conversion rights, voting
rights, redemption rights and terms, liquidation preferences,
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sinking fund and any other rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions applicable to each series of Class A preferred stock.
The specific matters that the board of directors may determine include the following:
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the designation of each series; |
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the number of shares of each series; |
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the rate of any dividends; |
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whether any dividends will be cumulative or non-cumulative; |
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the terms of any redemption; |
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the amount payable in the event of any voluntary or involuntary
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of our company; |
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rights and terms of any conversion or exchange; |
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restrictions on the issuance of shares of the same series or any other series; and |
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any voting rights. |
The purpose of authorizing the board of directors to determine these rights, preferences,
privileges and restrictions is to eliminate delays associated with a stockholder vote on specific
issuances. The issuance of Class A preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with
possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could:
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decrease the amount of earnings and assets available for distribution to holders of common stock; |
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Adversely affect the rights and powers, including voting rights, of holders of common stock; and |
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have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control. |
For example, the board of directors, with its broad power to establish the rights and
preferences of authorized but unissued Class A preferred stock, could issue one or more series of
Class A preferred stock entitling holders to vote separately as a class on any proposed merger or
consolidation, to convert Class A preferred stock into a larger number of shares of common stock or
other securities, to demand redemption at a specified price under prescribed circumstances related
to a change in control, or to exercise other rights designed to impede a takeover.
Stockholder Rights Plan
On April 1, 1999, our Board of Directors approved a rights agreement with Mellon Investor
Services LLC, as rights agent, and declared a distribution of one preferred share purchase right
(Right) for each outstanding share of common stock. Each Right, when it becomes exercisable,
entitles its registered holder to purchase one one-thousandth of a share of Series A junior
participating preferred stock (Series A preferred stock) at a price of $30 per one one-thousandth
of a share.
The Rights are attached to and trade with shares of our common stock. Currently, the Rights
are not exercisable and there are no separate certificates representing the Rights. If the Rights
become exercisable, we will distribute separate Rights certificates. Until that time and as long as
the Rights are outstanding, any transfer of shares of our common stock will also constitute the
transfer of the Rights associated with those common shares. The Rights will expire on April 15,
2009, unless we redeem or exchange the Rights before that date.
The Rights will become exercisable upon the earlier to occur of:
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the public announcement that a person or group of persons has acquired
15% or more of our common stock, except in connection with an offer
approved by our board of directors; or |
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10 days, or a later date determined by our board of directors, after
the commencement of, or announcement of an intention to commence, a
tender or exchange offer that would result in a person or group of
persons acquiring 15% or more of our common stock. |
If any person or group of persons acquire 15% or more of our common stock, except in
connection with an offer approved by our board of directors, each holder of a Right, except the
acquiring person or group, will have the right, upon exercise of the Right, to receive that number
of shares of our common stock or Series A preferred stock having a value equal to two times the
exercise price of the Right.
19
In the event that any person or group acquires 15% or more of our common stock and either (a)
we are acquired in a merger or other business combination in which the holders of all of our common
stock immediately prior to the transaction are not the holders of all of the surviving
corporations voting power or (b) more than 50% of our assets or earning power is sold or
transferred, then each holder of a Right, except the acquiring person or group, will have the
right, upon exercise of the Right, to receive common shares of the acquiring company having a value
equal to two times the exercise price of the Right.
The Rights are redeemable in whole, but not in part, by action of the board of directors at a
price of $.005 per Right prior to the earlier to occur of a person or group acquiring 15% of our
common stock or the expiration of the Rights. Following the public announcement that a person or
group has acquired 15% of our common stock, the Rights are redeemable in whole, but not in part, by
action of the board of directors at a price of $.005 per Right, provided the redemption is in
connection with a merger or other business combination involving our company in which all the
holders of our common stock are treated alike and which does not involve the acquiring person or
its affiliates.
In the event shares of Series A preferred stock are issued upon the exercise of the Rights,
holders of the Series A preferred stock will be entitled to receive, in preference to holders of
common stock, a quarterly dividend payment in an amount per share equal to the greater of (a) $10
or (b) 1,000 times the dividend declared per share of common stock. The Series A preferred stock
dividends are cumulative but do not bear interest. Shares of Series A preferred stock are not
redeemable. In the event of liquidation, the holders of the Series A preferred stock will be
entitled to a minimum preferential liquidation payment of $1,000 per share; thereafter, and after
the holders of the common stock receive a liquidation payment of $1.00 per share, the holders of
the Series A preferred stock and the holders of the common stock will share the remaining assets in
the ratio of 1,000 to 1 (as adjusted) for each share of Series A preferred stock and common stock
so held, respectively. In the event of any merger, consolidation or other transaction in which the
shares of common stock are exchanged, each share of Series A preferred stock will be entitled to
receive 1,000 times the amount received per share of common stock. These rights are protected by
antidilution provisions.
Each share of Series A preferred stock will have 1,000 votes, voting together with the common
stock. In the event that the amount of accrued and unpaid dividends on the Series A preferred stock
is equivalent to six full quarterly dividends or more, the holders of the Series A preferred stock
shall have the right, voting as a class, to elect two directors in addition to the directors
elected by the holders of the common stock until all cumulative dividends on the Series A preferred
stock have been paid through the last quarterly dividend payment date or until non-cumulative
dividends have been paid regularly for at least one year.
The stockholder rights plan is designed to deter coercive takeover tactics that attempt to
gain control of our company without paying all stockholders a fair price. The plan discourages
hostile takeovers by effectively allowing our stockholders to acquire shares of our capital stock
at a discount following a hostile acquisition of a large block of our outstanding common stock and
by increasing the value of consideration to be received by stockholders in specified transactions
following an acquisition.
Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of our Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws
Our articles of incorporation, as amended and restated, and our restated by-laws contain
provisions that might be characterized as anti-takeover provisions. These provisions may deter or
render more difficult proposals to acquire control of our company, including proposals a
stockholder might consider to be in his or her best interest, impede or lengthen a change in
membership of the board of directors and make removal of our management more difficult.
Classified Board of Directors; Removal of Directors; Advance Notice Provisions for Stockholder Nominations
Our articles of incorporation provide for the board of directors to be divided into three
classes of directors serving staggered three-year terms, with the numbers of directors in the three
classes to be as nearly equal as
possible. Any director may be removed from office but only for cause and only by the
affirmative vote of a majority of the then outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote on the
matter. Any stockholder wishing to submit a nomination to the board of directors must follow the
procedures outlined in our articles of incorporation. Any proposal to amend or repeal the
provisions of our articles of incorporation relating to the matters contained above in this
paragraph requires the affirmative vote of the holders of 75% or more of the outstanding shares of
stock entitled to vote on the matter.
20
Unanimous Consent of Stockholders Required For Action by Written Consent
Under our restated by-laws, stockholder action may be taken without a meeting only by
unanimous written consent of all of our stockholders.
Issuance of Preferred Stock
As described above, our articles of incorporation authorize a class of undesignated Class A
preferred stock consisting of 1,000,000 shares. Class A preferred stock may be issued from time to
time in one or more series, and the board of directors, without further approval of the
stockholders, is authorized to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions applicable
to each series of Class A preferred stock. The purpose of authorizing the board of directors to
determine these rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions is to eliminate delays associated
with a stockholder vote on specific issuances. The issuance of Class A preferred stock, while
providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could,
among other things, adversely affect the voting power of the holders of our common stock and, under
certain circumstances, make it more difficult for a third party to gain control of us.
Restrictions on Transfer of Common Stock
Our articles of incorporation provide for restrictions on the transfer of any shares of our
common stock to prevent us from becoming a controlled foreign corporation under United States tax
law. Any purported transfer, including a sale, gift, assignment, devise or other disposition of
common stock, which would result in a person or persons becoming the beneficial owner of 10% or
more of the issued and outstanding shares of our common stock, is subject to a determination by our
board of directors in good faith, in its sole discretion, that the transfer would not in any way,
directly or indirectly, affect our status as a non-controlled foreign corporation. The transferee
or transferor to be involved in a proposed transfer must give written notice to our Secretary not
less than 30 days prior to the proposed transfer. In the event of an attempted transfer in
violation of the provisions of our articles of incorporation relating to the matters contained in
this paragraph, the purported transferee will acquire no rights whatsoever in the transferred
shares of common stock. Nothing in this provision, however, precludes the settlement of any
transactions entered into through the facilities of the New York Stock Exchange. If the board of
directors determines that a transfer has taken place in violation of these restrictions, the board
of directors may take any action it deems advisable to refuse to give effect to or to prevent the
transfer, including instituting judicial proceedings to enjoin the transfer.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock, as well as the rights agent under our
rights agreement, is Mellon Investor Services LLC.
SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
The shares of common stock being offered by the selling stockholders are those previously
issued to the selling stockholders and those issuable to the selling stockholders upon exercise of
the warrants. For additional information regarding the issuances of common stock and the warrants,
see WILLBROS GROUP, INC.Private Placement of Common Stock and Warrants above. We are
registering the shares of common stock in order to permit the selling stockholders to offer the
shares for resale from time to time. Except for the ownership of the shares of common stock and the
warrants, the selling stockholders have not had any material relationship with us within the past
three years.
The table below lists the selling stockholders and other information regarding the beneficial
ownership of the shares of common stock by each of the selling stockholders. The second column
lists the number of shares of common stock beneficially owned by each selling shareholder, based on
its ownership of the shares of common stock and the warrants, as of December 18, 2006 (except with
respect to the last two selling stockholders listed
below, which selling stockholders were added to the Selling Stockholders table by means of a
prospectus supplement dated August 16, 2007), assuming exercise of the warrants held by the selling
stockholders on those dates, without regard to any limitations on exercise.
The third column lists the shares of common stock being offered by this prospectus by the
selling stockholders.
21
In accordance with the terms of a registration right agreement with the holders of the shares
of common stock and the warrants, this prospectus generally covers the resale of that number of
shares of common stock equal to the number of shares of common stock issued and the shares of
common stock issuable upon exercise of the related warrants, determined as if the outstanding
warrants were exercised, as applicable, in full, in each case, as of the trading day immediately
preceding the date this registration statement was initially filed with the SEC. The fourth column
assumes the sale of all of the shares offered by the selling stockholders pursuant to this
prospectus.
Under the terms of the warrants, a selling shareholder may not exercise the warrants, to the
extent such exercise would cause such selling shareholder, together with its affiliates, to
beneficially own a number of shares of common stock which would exceed 4.99% of our then
outstanding shares of common stock following such exercise, excluding for purposes of such
determination shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants which have not been
exercised (the Maximum Percentage). By written notice to us, the holder of a warrant may from
time to time increase or decrease the Maximum Percentage to any other percentage not in excess of
9.99% specified in such notice; provided that (i) any such increase will not be effective until the
61st day after such notice is delivered to us, and (ii) any such increase or decrease will apply
only to the holder of the warrant and not to any other holder of warrants. The number of shares in
the second column does not reflect this limitation. The selling stockholders may sell all, some or
none of their shares in this offering. See Plan of Distribution.
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Maximum |
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Number of |
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Number of |
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Percentage |
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Number of |
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Shares to be |
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Shares |
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Beneficially |
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Shares |
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Sold Pursuant |
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Owned |
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Owned |
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Owned Prior |
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to this |
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After |
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After |
Name of Selling Stockholder |
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to Offering |
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Prospectus(1) |
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Offering(2) |
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Offering(2) |
Hudson Bay Fund, LP(3)(4) |
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78,867 |
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78,867 |
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0 |
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* |
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Hudson Bay Overseas Fund, Ltd(4)(5) |
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85,422 |
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85,422 |
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0 |
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* |
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GLG North American Opportunity Fund(6) |
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1,042,995 |
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209,990 |
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833,005 |
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2.19 |
% |
UBS OConnor LLC fbo OConnor Global Convertible
Arbitrage II Master Limited(7) |
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11,500 |
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11,500 |
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0 |
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* |
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UBS OConnor LLC fbo OConnor PIPES Corporate
Strategies Master Limited(7) |
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219,052 |
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219,052 |
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0 |
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* |
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UBS OConnor LLC fbo OConnor Global Convertible
Arbitrage Master Limited(7) |
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98,026 |
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98,026 |
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0 |
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* |
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Steelhead Investments, Ltd(4)(8) |
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657,133 |
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657,133 |
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0 |
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* |
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Berggruen Holdings North America Ltd. |
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1,660,590 |
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209,990 |
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1,450,600 |
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3.81 |
% |
Highbridge International LLC(9) |
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1,978,181 |
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739,289 |
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1,238,892 |
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3.25 |
% |
Capital Ventures International(4)(10) |
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460,484 |
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164,289 |
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296,195 |
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* |
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Fort Mason Partners, L.P.(11) |
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10,005 |
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10,005 |
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0 |
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* |
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Fort Mason Master, L.P.(11) |
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154,284 |
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154,284 |
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0 |
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* |
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Portside Growth and Opportunity Fund(12)(4) |
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1,439,056 |
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328,578 |
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1,110,478 |
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2.92 |
% |
Pandora Select Partners(13) |
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220,693 |
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20,539 |
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200,154 |
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* |
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Whitebox Convertible Arbitrage Partners, L.P.(13) |
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1,689,384 |
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143,750 |
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1,545,634 |
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4.06 |
% |
The Laramie Trail Trust(14) |
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82,133 |
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82,133 |
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0 |
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* |
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SuttonBrook Capital Portfolio LP(15) |
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285,720 |
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285,720 |
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0 |
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* |
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Grayson Ventures Limited(16) |
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132,633 |
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82,133 |
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50,500 |
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* |
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Lorimor Corporation(16) |
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289,289 |
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164,289 |
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125,000 |
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* |
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OTA LLC(17)(18) |
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42,858 |
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42,858 |
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0 |
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* |
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RCG Sextant Master Fund, Ltd.(4)(19) |
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492,867 |
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492,867 |
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0 |
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* |
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* |
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Less than 1% |
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(1) |
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Represents the maximum number of shares of common stock issued to the selling
stockholders and those issuable to the selling stockholders upon exercise of the
warrants at the initial exercise price of $19.03 per share. The amounts shown in
this column may include shares sold prior to the date of this prospectus. |
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(2) |
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Assumes that each selling stockholder sells all shares of common stock being
registered under this registration statement. However, to our knowledge, there are
no agreements, arrangements or understandings with respect to the sale of any
shares of our common stock, and each selling stockholder may decide to sell only a
portion or none of its shares of our common stock that are registered under this
registration statement. |
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(3) |
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Yoav Roth and John Doscas share voting and investing power over these securities.
Both Yoav Roth and John |
22
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Doscas disclaim beneficial ownership over the securities
held by Hudson Bay Fund, LP. |
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(4) |
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This selling stockholder has identified itself as an affiliate of a registered
broker-dealer and has represented to us that such selling stockholder acquired its
common stock in the ordinary course of business and, at the time of the purchase of
the common stock, such selling stockholder had no agreements or understandings,
directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute the common stock. To the
extent we become aware that such selling stockholder did not acquire its common
stock in the ordinary course of business or did have such an agreement or
understanding, we will file a post-effective amendment to the registration
statement of which this prospectus forms a part to designate such affiliate an
underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933. |
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(5) |
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Yoav Roth and John Doscas share voting and investing power over these securities.
Both Yoav Roth and John Doscas disclaim beneficial ownership over the securities
held by Hudson Bay Overseas Fund, Ltd. |
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(6) |
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GLG North American Opportunity Fund (incorporated in the Cayman Islands) is
investment managed by GLG Partners LP (established in England and Wales). GLG
Partners LPs general partner is GLG Partners Limited (incorporated in England and
Wales). The managing directors of GLG Partners Limited are Noam Gottesman, Pierre
Lagrange and Emmanuel Roman and they have power to vote in relation to and dispose
of assets of GLG North American Opportunity Fund. |
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(7) |
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The selling security holder is a fund which cedes investment control to UBS
OConnor LLC (the investment manager). The investment manager makes all the
investment/voting decisions. UBS OConnor LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of UBS
AG which is listed and traded on the NYSE. |
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(8) |
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HBK Investments L.P. may be deemed to have sole voting and sole dispositive power
over the securities pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement between HBK
Investments L.P. and Steelhead Investments Ltd. Additionally, the following
individuals may be deemed to have control over HBK Investments L.P.: Kenneth M.
Hirsh, Laurence H. Lebowitz, William E. Rose, David C. Haley and Jamiel A. Akhtar. |
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(9) |
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Highbridge Capital Management, LLC is the trading manager of Highbridge
International LLC and has voting control and investment discretion over the
securities held by Highbridge International LLC. Glenn Dubin and Henry Swieca
control Highbridge Capital Management, LLC and have voting control and investment
discretion over the securities held by Highbridge International LLC. Each of
Highbridge Capital Management, LLC, Glenn Dubin and Henry Swieca disclaims
beneficial ownership of the securities held by Highbridge International LLC. |
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(10) |
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Heights Capital Management, Inc., the authorized agent of Capital Ventures
International (CVI), has discretionary authority to vote and dispose of the
shares held by CVI and may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of these shares.
Martin Kobinger, in his capacity as Investment Manager of Heights Capital
Management, Inc., may also be deemed to have investment discretion and voting power
over the shares held by CVI. Mr. Kobinger disclaims any beneficial ownership of the
shares held by CVI. |
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(11) |
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The shares listed herein are owned by Fort Mason Master, L.P. and Fort Mason
Partners, L.P. (collectively, the Fort Mason Funds). Fort Mason Capital, LLC
serves as the general partner of each of the Fort Mason Funds and, in such
capacity, exercises sole voting and investment authority with respect to such
shares. Mr. Daniel German serves as the sole managing member of Fort Mason Capital,
LLC. Fort Mason Capital, LLC and Mr. German each disclaim beneficial ownership of
such shares, except to the extent of its or his pecuniary interest therein, if any. |
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(12) |
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Ramius Capital Group, L.L.C. (Ramius Capital) is the investment advisor of
Portside Growth and Opportunity Fund (Portside) and consequently has voting
control and investment discretion over securities held by Portside. Ramius Capital
disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by Portside. Peter A. Cohen,
Morgan B. Stark, Thomas W. Strauss and Jeffrey M. Solomon are the sole managing
members of C4S & Co., L.L.C., the sole managing member of Ramius Capital. As a
result, Messrs. Cohen, Stark, Strauss and Solomon may be considered beneficial
owners of any shares deemed to be beneficially owned by Ramius Capital. Messrs.
Cohen, Stark, Strauss and Solomon disclaim beneficial ownership of these shares. |
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(13) |
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Andrew Redleaf is the managing member of this selling stockholders general partner. |
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(14) |
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James R. Berman is Trustee. |
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(15) |
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SuttonBrook Capital Management LP is the investment manager of SuttonBrook Capital
Portfolio LP and John London and Steven M. Weinstein are the natural persons with
voting and dispositive control over SuttonBrook Capital Management LP. |
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(16) |
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Mr. Christian Roy is the control person of this selling stockholder. |
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(17) |
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Mr. Ira M. Leventhal, a senior managing director of this selling stockholder, has
voting and investment control over the securities held by this selling stockholder. |
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(18) |
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This selling stockholder has identified itself as a registered broker-dealer. |
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(19) |
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Ramius Capital Group, L.L.C. (Ramius Capital) is the investment adviser of RCG
Sextant Master Fund, Ltd. and consequently has voting control and investment
discretion over securities held by RCG Sextant Master Fund, Ltd.
Ramius Capital disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by RCG Sextant Master Fund, Ltd.
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23
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Peter A. Cohen, Morgan B. Stark, Thomas W. Strauss and Jeffrey M. Solomon are the
sole managing members of C4S & Co., L.L.C., the sole managing member of Ramius
Capital. As a result, Messrs. Cohen, Stark, Strauss and Solomon may be considered
beneficial owners of any shares deemed to be beneficially owned by Ramius Capital.
Messrs. Cohen, Stark, Strauss and Solomon disclaim beneficial ownership of these
shares. |
24
MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL AND PANAMANIAN
INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following discussion under U.S. Federal Income Taxation of Willbros Group, Inc. and Its
Subsidiaries, U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations Applicable to U.S. Holders and U.S.
Federal Income Tax Considerations Applicable to Non-U.S. Holders summarizes the opinion of Sidley
Austin LLP, our special United States tax counsel, as to certain material United States federal
income tax consequences with respect to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our common
stock. The following discussion under Panamanian Tax constitutes the opinion of Arias, Fabrega
& Fabrega, our Panamanian counsel, as to certain material Panamanian income tax consequences
applicable to us and a holder of our common stock. We have filed these opinions with the Securities
and Exchange Commission as exhibits to the registration statement related to this prospectus. See
Where You Can Find More Information.
The following discussion is based upon the tax laws of the United States and Panama as in
effect on the date of this prospectus. This discussion does not take into account U.S. state or
local tax laws, or tax laws of jurisdictions outside the United States and Panama. This discussion
is not tax advice nor does it purport to be a complete analysis or listing of all the potential tax
consequences of holding our common stock, nor does it purport to furnish information in the level
of detail or with attention to your specific tax circumstances that would be provided by your own
tax advisor. Accordingly, if you are considering purchasing our common stock, we suggest that you
consult with your own tax advisors as to the United States, Panamanian or other state, local or
foreign tax consequences to you of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our common stock.
Sidley Austin LLP, our special United States tax counsel, is opining on certain United States
federal income tax issues in connection with this offering. Sidley Austin LLP has advised us that
its opinion is not binding on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or on any court and that no
assurance can be given that the IRS will not challenge any of the conclusions in such opinion or
that such a challenge would not be successful. Such opinion of Sidley Austin LLP relies upon and is
premised on the accuracy of factual statements and representations by us concerning our business
and properties, ownership, organization, sources of income and manner of operation.
The statements made herein with respect to U.S. federal income tax are based upon the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), Treasury regulations (final, temporary and
proposed), IRS rulings and judicial decisions now in effect, all of which are subject to change
(possibly, with retroactive effect) or different interpretations. We have not obtained, nor do we
intend to obtain, a ruling from the IRS with respect to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of
acquiring, owning or disposing of our common stock.
As we have previously disclosed, we are considering forming a new Delaware corporation to be
our new public parent in order to better reflect the current and anticipated future composition of
our business. The discussion below does not address any tax consequences that may occur as a
result of that possible restructuring.
U.S. Federal Income Taxation of Willbros Group, Inc. and Its Subsidiaries
A foreign corporation that is engaged in the conduct of a trade or business in the United
States is taxable at graduated rates on its income that is effectively connected with such trade
or business. For this purpose, effectively connected income includes U.S.-source income other
than certain types of passive income and capital gains, and, if the taxpayer has an office or other
fixed place of business in the United States, certain foreign-source dividends, interest, rents,
royalties and income from the sale of property. The activities of Willbros Group, Inc. and its
non-U.S. subsidiaries are carried out in a manner that is intended to prevent each of such
corporations from being engaged in the conduct of a trade or business in the United States. Based
on representations made by us and on the assumption that the operations of Willbros Group, Inc. and
its foreign subsidiaries continue to be conducted in the manner they are presently conducted,
Sidley Austin LLP is of the opinion that, with exceptions not likely to be material, the income
currently earned by Willbros Group, Inc. and its non-U.S. subsidiaries should not be treated as
effectively connected income subject to U.S. federal income tax even if such corporations were
determined to be engaged in the conduct of a trade or business in the United States. However, if
any material amount of income earned, currently or historically, by Willbros Group, Inc. or its
non-U.S. subsidiaries from operations outside the United States constituted income effectively
connected with a United States trade or business, and as a result became taxable in the United
States, our consolidated operating results could be materially and adversely affected.
Our U.S. subsidiaries will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on their worldwide income
regardless of its source, subject to reduction by allowable foreign tax credits. Moreover, it
should be noted that in the event that any
25
of the United States subsidiaries of Willbros Group, Inc. performs services for Willbros
Group, Inc. or its non-U.S. subsidiaries at rates that are not commensurate with the standard rates
that would be charged to an unrelated party at arms length for similar services, the IRS would be
able, pursuant to Section 482 of the Code, to allocate additional income to such U.S. subsidiaries
to reflect arms-length charges for such services.
Distributions by our U.S. subsidiaries to us or to our non-U.S. subsidiaries may be subject to
U.S. withholding tax.
There is no income tax treaty between Panama and the United States.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations Applicable to U.S. Holders
The following is a summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations
generally applicable to a U.S. holder who acquires our common stock. As used in this summary of
U.S. federal income tax considerations, the term U.S. holder means a beneficial holder of common
stock that for U.S. federal income tax purposes is (i) a citizen or resident of the United States,
(ii) a corporation, or an entity treated as a corporation, formed under the laws of the United
States or any state thereof (including the District of Columbia), (iii) an estate, the income of
which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source, and (iv) in general, a
trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the
administration of the trust and one or more United States persons have the authority to control
all substantial decisions of the trust.
This summary does not purport to deal with all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that
may be relevant to a particular U.S. holder in light of the holders circumstances (for example,
persons subject to the alternative minimum tax provisions of the Code or a holder whose functional
currency is not the U.S. dollar). Also, it is not intended to be wholly applicable to all
categories of U.S. holders, some of which (such as dealers in securities or currencies, traders in
securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting, banks, thrifts, regulated
investment companies, insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations and persons holding common
stock as part of a hedging or conversion transaction or straddle or persons deemed to sell common
stock under the constructive sale provisions of the Code) may be subject to special rules. This
summary also does not discuss any aspect of state, local or foreign law or U.S. federal estate and
gift tax law as applicable to U.S. holders of the common stock. In addition, this discussion is
limited to persons who will hold the common stock as capital assets (generally, for investment).
All prospective purchasers of the common stock are advised to consult their own tax advisors
regarding the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of the purchase, ownership
and disposition of the common stock in their particular situations.
This summary does not consider the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the holding or the
disposition of the common stock by a partnership. If a partnership (including for this purpose any
entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) or other pass-through entity
is a beneficial owner of the common stock, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner or
other owner of a pass-through entity generally will depend upon the status of the partner or other
owner and the activities of the partnership or other pass-through entity. A holder of the common
stock that is a partnership or other pass-through entity, and its partners or owners, should
consult their individual tax advisors about the U.S. federal income tax consequences of holding and
disposing of shares of common stock.
Sale, Exchange, Redemption or Other Disposition of Common Stock
Subject to the passive foreign investment company (PFIC) rules discussed below, gain or
loss, if any, realized by a U.S. holder on the sale, exchange, redemption or other disposition of a
share of common stock will
generally be subject to U.S. federal income taxation as capital gain or loss in an amount equal to
the difference between the U.S. holders adjusted tax basis in the share and the amount realized on
the disposition. A U.S. holders adjusted tax basis in a share generally will equal the amount paid
by the holder for the share.
Gain or loss realized on the sale, exchange, redemption or other disposition of a share of
common stock generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if at the time of the disposition the
share has been held for more than one year. For non-corporate taxpayers, including individuals, net
long-term capital gains generally are taxed at a lower rate than ordinary income (generally 15% for
most long-term gains recognized in taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2010). The
deductibility of capital losses may be subject to limitation. Any gain or loss realized by a U.S.
holder on the sale of a share of common stock will generally constitute U.S. source gain or loss
for foreign tax credit purposes.
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Distributions on Common Stock
Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, the gross amount of any distribution by us with
respect to shares of common stock generally will be included in the gross income of a U.S. holder
as dividend income to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as
determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Such dividends will not be eligible for the
dividends-received deduction generally allowed to corporations under the Code. However, provided
that we are not a PFIC, such dividends should be qualified dividend income, which, if received by
a U.S. holder that is a non-corporate taxpayer, including an individual, in taxable years beginning
on or before December 31, 2010, is subject to tax at the rates applicable to net long-term capital
gain, discussed above. Qualified dividend income does not include dividends received on shares of
common stock with respect to which the U.S. holder has not met a minimum holding-period requirement
or to the extent the U.S. holder is obligated to make related payments with respect to
substantially similar or related property (e.g., in a short sale of such shares).
To the extent that the amount of any distribution exceeds our accumulated earnings and profits
and our earnings and profits for the current taxable year, the distribution will first be treated
as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of the U.S. holders adjusted tax basis in the shares
of common stock and, to the extent that such distribution exceeds the U.S. holders adjusted tax
basis in the shares, will be taxed as a capital gain from the sale or exchange of the shares.
If we are not a United States-owned foreign corporation as defined below, dividends we pay
on the common stock will generally be treated for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes as foreign
source income. If, and for so long as, we are a United States-owned foreign corporation, dividends
we pay on the common stock may, subject to certain exceptions, instead be treated for U.S. foreign
tax credit purposes as partly foreign-source income and partly U.S.-source income, in proportion to
our earnings and profits allocable to foreign and U.S. sources, respectively. We will be treated as
a United States-owned foreign corporation so long as stock representing 50% or more of the voting
power or value of our stock is held, directly or indirectly, by U.S. persons. No assurance can be
given as to whether we will be treated as a United States-owned foreign corporation. Except in the
case of financial institutions, dividends on our common stock will generally be treated as passive
category income for purposes of Section 904 of the Code, which limits the extent to which foreign
tax credits may be utilized.
Controlled Foreign Corporation Rules
Under the Code, a foreign corporation will be a controlled foreign corporation (CFC) if
United States shareholders own, on any day during the corporations taxable year, more than 50%
of either the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote or the total
value of such corporations stock. A United States shareholder is a U.S. person who owns (after
applying certain attribution rules) 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes
of stock entitled to vote. If Willbros Group, Inc. or any of its non-U.S. subsidiaries were to
become a CFC, then each person who is a United States shareholder of Willbros Group, Inc. would be
subject to federal income taxation on such persons share of certain types of income earned by such
corporation. Upon disposition of a CFCs stock by a United States shareholder, a portion of the
gain realized may be recharacterized as dividend income to the extent of such United States
shareholders share of the previously untaxed earnings and profits accumulated during such United
States shareholders holding period of such CFC stock. The articles of incorporation of Willbros
Group, Inc. contain restrictions designed to prevent it from becoming a CFC. See Description of
Capital StockAnti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of Our Articles of Incorporation and By-laws
above. Based on representations made by the management of Willbros Group, Inc. regarding the nature
of the ownership of our common stock (including the representation that, based on the information
available to us, we believe that there is no U.S. person who (after applying the relevant
attribution rules) owns 10% or more of the voting power of our common stock), Sidley Austin LLP is
of the opinion that Willbros Group, Inc. and its non-U.S. subsidiaries are not CFCs. (The
references in this paragraph to non-U.S. subsidiaries of Willbros Group, Inc. do not include
foreign subsidiaries of a U.S. subsidiary of ours, which foreign subsidiaries are CFCs because they
have a U.S. parent corporation. Certain types of income realized by such foreign subsidiaries will
be taxable to that U.S. subsidiary).
Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules
If we were to be treated as a PFIC, U.S. holders of the common stock could be subject to
higher U.S. federal income taxes on certain distributions, and on any gain recognized on the
disposition of the common stock, than otherwise would apply. A non-U.S. corporation will be
classified as a PFIC if 75% or more of its gross income for the taxable year is passive income or
if the value of the assets it holds during the taxable year that produce passive income (or are
held for the production of passive income) is at least 50% of the total value of its assets, taking
into
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account a proportionate share of the income and assets of corporations at least 25% owned by
such corporation. Based on representations made by the management of Willbros Group, Inc. regarding
the nature of the income and assets of Willbros Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries, Sidley Austin LLP
is of the opinion that Willbros Group, Inc. is not a PFIC. However, because the PFIC determination
will be made annually on the basis of our income and assets, and because the principles and
methodology for applying the PFIC tests are not entirely clear, there can be no assurance that we
will not be a PFIC in the current or subsequent taxable years. U.S. holders should consult their
own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences to them if we were treated as a
PFIC.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
The Code and the Treasury regulations require those who make specified payments to report the
payments to the IRS. Among the specified payments are interest, dividends and proceeds paid by
brokers to their customers. The required information returns enable the IRS to determine whether
the recipient properly included the payments in income. This reporting regime is reinforced by
backup withholding rules. These rules require the payors to withhold tax (currently at the rate
of 28%) from payments subject to information reporting if the recipient fails to provide his or her
taxpayer identification number to the payor, furnishes an incorrect identification number or
repeatedly fails to report interest or dividends on his or her U.S. federal income tax returns. The
information reporting and backup withholding rules do not apply to payments to corporations,
tax-exempt organizations and other exempt recipients.
Payments of dividends or proceeds of the sale or other disposition of common stock to a U.S.
holder that is not an exempt recipient will be subject to information reporting and backup
withholding will apply unless the holder provides us or our paying agent with a correct taxpayer
identification number, certified under penalties of perjury, as well as certain other information,
or otherwise establishes an exemption from backup withholding.
Any amounts withheld from a payment to a U.S. holder of common stock under the backup
withholding rules can be credited against any U.S. federal income tax liability of the U.S. holder
and may entitle the holder to a refund, provided that the required information is furnished to the
IRS.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations Applicable to Non-U.S. Holders
As used herein, the term non-U.S. holder means a beneficial owner of our common stock that
is not a U.S. holder (which term is defined under U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
Applicable to U.S. Holders above).
Assuming that Willbros Group, Inc. is not at any time engaged in a U.S. trade or business,
dividends on our common stock generally should not be subject to U.S. federal income tax in the
hands of a non-U.S. holder. Gain from the sale, exchange or redemption of our common stock
generally should not be subject to U.S. federal income tax in the hands of a non-U.S. holder.
If a non-U.S. holder holds our common stock in connection with a U.S. trade or business
carried on by such non-U.S. holder (and, if an applicable tax treaty applies, a U.S. permanent
establishment is maintained by such non-U.S. holder), or if such non-U.S. holder is an individual
who was present in the United States for 183 days or more during a taxable year in which gain from
the sale or other disposition of our common stock is realized, then such non-U.S. holder may be
subject to U.S. federal income tax on its dividend income or its gain with respect to our common
stock, depending on such non-U.S. holders particular circumstances.
Payments of dividends on our common stock which are made to non-U.S. holders and their
proceeds from the disposition of our common stock generally will not be subject to information
reporting or backup withholding if certain certification and identification procedures are met or
an exemption otherwise applies.
Panamanian Tax
The following discussion of Panamanian tax matters is based upon the tax laws of Panama and
regulations thereunder in effect as of the date of this prospectus, and is subject to any
subsequent change in Panamanian laws and regulations which may come into effect after such date.
The material Panamanian tax consequences of ownership of the shares of our common stock are as
follows.
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General
Panamas income tax is exclusively territorial. Only income actually derived from sources
within Panama is subject to taxation. Income derived by Panama corporations, foreign corporations
or individuals from off-shore operations is not taxable. The territorial principle of taxation has
been in force throughout the history of the country and is supported by legislation, administrative
regulations and court decisions. We have not been in the past and do not in the future expect to be
subject to income taxes in Panama because all of our income has arisen from activities conducted
entirely outside Panama. This is the case even though we maintain our registered office in Panama.
Taxation of Distributions and Capital Gains
There will be no Panamanian taxes on distribution of dividends or capital gains realized by an
individual or corporation, regardless of its nationality or residency, from the sale or other
disposition of shares of common stock, so long as our assets are held, and our activities are
conducted, entirely outside of Panama.
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We are registering the shares of common stock previously issued and the shares of common stock
issuable upon exercise of the warrants to permit the resale of these shares of common stock by the
holders of the common stock and warrants from time to time after the date of this prospectus. We
will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale by the selling stockholders of the shares of
common stock. We will bear all fees and expenses incident to our obligation to register the shares
of common stock.
The selling stockholders may sell all or a portion of the shares of common stock beneficially
owned by them and offered hereby from time to time directly or through one or more underwriters,
broker-dealers or agents. If the shares of common stock are sold through underwriters or
broker-dealers, the selling stockholders will be responsible for underwriting discounts or
commissions or agents commissions. The shares of common stock may be sold in one or more
transactions at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of the sale, at varying
prices determined at the time of sale, or at negotiated prices. These sales may be effected in
transactions, which may involve crosses or block transactions,
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on any national securities exchange or quotation service on which the
securities may be listed or quoted at the time of sale; |
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in the over-the-counter market; |
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in transactions otherwise than on these exchanges or systems or in the over-the-counter market; |
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through the writing of options, whether such options are listed on an options exchange or otherwise; |
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in ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers; |
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through block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell
the shares as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block
as principal to facilitate the transaction; |
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through purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its account; |
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in an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange; |
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through privately negotiated transactions; |
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through short sales; |
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through sales pursuant to Rule 144; |
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by broker-dealers, who may agree with the selling securityholders to
sell a specified number of such shares at a stipulated price per
share; |
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through a combination of any such methods of sale; and |
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by any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law. |
If the selling stockholders effect such transactions by selling shares of common stock to or
through underwriters, broker-dealers or agents, such underwriters, broker-dealers or agents may
receive commissions in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the selling
stockholders or commissions from purchasers of the shares of common stock for whom they may act as
agent or to whom they may sell as principal (which discounts, concessions or commissions as to
particular underwriters, broker-dealers or agents may be in excess of those customary in the types
of transactions involved). In connection with sales of the shares of common stock or otherwise, the
selling stockholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers, which may in turn
engage in short sales of the shares of common stock in the course of hedging in positions they
assume. The selling stockholders may also sell shares of common stock short and deliver shares of
common stock covered by this prospectus to close out short positions and to return borrowed shares
in connection with such short sales. The selling stockholders may also loan or pledge shares of
common stock to broker-dealers that in turn may sell such shares.
The selling stockholders may pledge or grant a security interest in some or all of the
warrants or shares of common stock owned by them and, if they default in the performance of their
secured obligations, the pledgees or secured parties may offer and sell the shares of common stock
from time to time pursuant to this prospectus or any amendment to this prospectus under Rule
424(b)(3) or other applicable provision of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, amending, if necessary, the list of selling stockholders to include the pledgee,
transferee or other successors in interest as selling stockholders under this prospectus. The
selling stockholders also may transfer and
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donate the shares of common stock in other circumstances
in which case the transferees, donees, pledgees or other successors in interest will be the selling
beneficial owners for purposes of this prospectus.
The selling stockholders and any broker-dealer participating in the distribution of the shares
of common stock may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act, and
any commission paid, or any discounts or concessions allowed to, any such broker-dealer may be
deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. At the time a
particular offering of the shares of common stock is made, a prospectus supplement, if required,
will be distributed which will set forth the aggregate amount of shares of common stock being
offered and the terms of the offering, including the name or names of any broker-dealers or agents,
any discounts, commissions and other terms constituting compensation from the selling stockholders
and any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to broker-dealers.
Each selling stockholder who is an affiliate of a broker-dealer has confirmed that it
purchased the common stock and warrants in the ordinary course of business and, at the time of
purchase, had no agreement or understanding, directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute
the common stock.
Under the securities laws of some states, the shares of common stock may be sold in such
states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in some states the
shares of common stock may not be sold unless such shares have been registered or qualified for
sale in such state or an exemption from registration or qualification is available and is complied
with.
There can be no assurance that any selling stockholder will sell any or all of the shares of
common stock registered pursuant to the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a
part.
The selling stockholders and any other person participating in such distribution will be
subject to applicable provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules
and regulations thereunder, including, without limitation, Regulation M of the Exchange Act, which
may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of the shares of common stock by the selling
stockholders and any other participating person. Regulation M may also restrict the ability of any
person engaged in the distribution of the shares of common stock to engage in market-making
activities with respect to the shares of common stock. All of the foregoing may affect the
marketability of the shares of common stock and the ability of any person or entity to engage in
market-making activities with respect to the shares of common stock.
We will pay all expenses of the registration of the shares of common stock pursuant to the
registration rights agreement, estimated to be $135,000 in total, including, without limitation,
Securities and Exchange Commission filing fees and expenses of compliance with state securities or
blue sky laws; provided, however, that a selling stockholder will pay all underwriting discounts
and selling commissions, if any. We will indemnify the selling stockholders against liabilities,
including some liabilities under the Securities Act, in accordance with the registration rights
agreements, or the selling stockholders will be entitled to contribution. We may be indemnified by
the selling stockholders against civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act,
that may arise from any written information furnished to us by the selling stockholder specifically
for use in this prospectus, in accordance with the related registration rights agreement, or we may
be entitled to contribution.
Once sold under the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part, the shares
of common stock will be freely tradable in the hands of persons other than our affiliates.
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LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the shares of common stock offered hereby has been passed upon for us by
Arias, Fabrega & Fabrega, Panama City, Panama. Certain United States federal income tax matters
have been passed upon for us by our special United States tax counsel, Sidley Austin LLP, Los
Angeles, California.
EXPERTS
Our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2006 and 2005 and for the years ended
December 31, 2006 and 2005, and for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31,
2006, and the effects of the adjustments to the 2004 consolidated financial statements to
retrospectively apply the change as discussed in Note 2 and the change in reportable operating
segments as described in Note 12, incorporated by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K
filed on October 16, 2007, and our financial statement schedule as of December 31, 2006 and for
each of the years in the two-year period then ended, incorporated by reference from our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, have been incorporated by
reference herein and in the registration statement in reliance upon the reports of GLO CPAs, LLP,
independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the
authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing. Our consolidated statements of
operations, stockholders equity and comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows for the year ended
December 31, 2004, before the effects of the adjustment to retrospectively apply the change in
accounting discussed in Note 2 and the change in reportable operating segments as described in Note
12, incorporated by reference from our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 16, 2007, and
our financial statement schedule as of December 31, 2004 and for the year then ended, incorporated
by reference from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, have
been incorporated by reference herein and in the registration statement in reliance upon the report
of KPMG LLP (KPMG), independent registered public accounting firm, and upon the authority of said
firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The audited consolidated financial statements of InServ for the years ended December 31, 2006,
2005 and 2004 included in our Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 2, 2007, which is
incorporated herein by reference, have been audited by Grant Thornton LLP, independent registered
public accounting firm, as indicated in their report with respect thereto, and are incorporated
herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in giving said reports.
We have agreed to indemnify and hold KPMG harmless against and from any and all legal costs
and expenses incurred by KPMG in its successful defense of any legal action or proceeding that
arises as a result of KPMGs consent to the incorporation by reference of its audit report on our
financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2004, and the related financial statement
schedule, incorporated by reference herein and in this registration statement.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
This prospectus constitutes a part of a registration statement on Form S-3 (together with all
amendments, supplements, schedules and exhibits to the registration statement, referred to as the
registration statement) that we have filed with the SEC under the Securities Act with respect to
the securities offered by this prospectus. This prospectus does not contain all the information
which is in the registration statement. Certain parts of the registration statement are omitted as
allowed by the rules and regulations of the SEC. We refer you to the registration statement for
further information about our company and the securities offered by this prospectus. Statements
contained in this prospectus concerning the provisions of documents are not necessarily complete,
and each statement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the copy of the applicable document
filed with the SEC.
We also file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information
with the SEC. You can inspect and copy the registration statement and the reports and other
information we file with the SEC at the Public Reference Room maintained by the SEC at 100 F
Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. You can obtain information on
the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also
maintains an Internet website which provides online access to reports, proxy and information
statements and other information regarding companies that file electronically with the SEC at the
address http://www.sec.gov.
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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference into this prospectus the information we file
with them, which means we can disclose important business and financial information about us to you
by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be
a part of this prospectus, except for any information that is superseded by information included
directly in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. We incorporate by reference the
documents listed below that we previously filed with the SEC (SEC File No. 1-11953) and any future
filings made with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the
completion of the offering covered by this prospectus:
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Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006; |
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Our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31,
2007, June 30, 2007 and September 30, 2007; |
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Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on January 8, 2007, January 16,
2007, February 8, 2007, March 7, 2007, May 17, 2007, May 24, 2007, May
30, 2007, June 8, 2007, August 16, 2007, August 21, 2007, September
14, 2007, October 16, 2007, November 2, 2007, November 5, 2007,
November 14, 2007, November 20, 2007, November 27, 2007 and December
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The description of our common stock contained in our registration
statement on Form 8-A, dated July 19, 1996, including any amendment or
report filed before or after the date of this prospectus for the
purpose of updating the description; and |
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The description of our preferred stock purchase rights contained in
our registration statement on Form 8-A, dated April 9, 1999, including
any amendment or report filed before or after the date of this
prospectus for the purpose of updating the description. |
These filings have not been included in or delivered with this prospectus. We will provide to
each person, including any beneficial owner to whom this prospectus is delivered, a copy of any or
all information that has been incorporated by reference in this prospectus but not delivered with
this prospectus. You can access these documents on our website at http://www.willbros.com or you
may request a copy of these filings and the registration rights agreement at no cost, by writing or
telephoning us at the following address:
Willbros USA, Inc.
4400 Post Oak Parkway
Suite 1000
Houston, TX 77027
Attention: Investor Relations
(713) 403-8000
Except as otherwise specifically incorporated by reference in this prospectus, information
contained in, or accessible through, our website is not a part of this prospectus.
The reports, proxy statements and other information we file with the SEC can also be inspected
and copied at the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10002. For more
information on obtaining copies of our public filings at the New York Stock Exchange, you should
call (212) 656-5060.
ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES
UNDER THE FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS
We are a corporation organized under the laws of the Republic of Panama. In addition, one of
our directors, Gerald J. Maier, is a resident of Canada, and our counsel, Arias, Fabrega & Fabrega,
who issued an opinion for us regarding the validity of the shares of common stock offered hereby
and certain Panamanian income tax matters, is a law firm located in Panama City, Panama.
Accordingly, it may not be possible to effect service of process on such parties in the United
States and to enforce judgments against them predicated on the civil liability provisions of the
federal securities laws of the United States. Because a substantial amount of our assets are
located outside the United States, any judgment obtained in the United States against us may not be
fully collectible in the United States. We have been advised by Arias, Fabrega & Fabrega that
courts in the Republic of Panama will enforce foreign judgments for liquidated amounts in civil
matters, subject to certain conditions and exceptions. However, courts in
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the Republic of Panama will not enforce in original actions liabilities predicated solely on
the United States federal securities laws. Our agent for service of process in the United States
with respect to matters arising under the US federal securities laws is CT Corporation System, 111
Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10011.
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