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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13D
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
(AMENDMENT NO. ________)*
VENTURE SEISMIC LTD
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock, no par value per share
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Title of Class of Securities)
92327K108
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(CUSIP Number)
David J. Schwartz, Esq., c/o Anderson Kill & Olick, P.C.
1251 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020 (212) 278-1000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices
and Communications)
October 28, 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)
If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report
the acquisition which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this
schedule because of Rule 13d-1(b)(3) or (4), check the following box [ ].
Check the following box if a fee is being paid with the statement [ ]. (A fee is
not required only if the reporting person: (1) has a previous statement on file
reporting beneficial ownership of more than five percent of the class of
securities described in Item 1; and (2) has filed no amendment subsequent
thereto reporting beneficial ownership of five percent or less of such class.)
(See Rule 13d-7.)
NOTE: Six copies of this statement, including all exhibits, should be filed with
the Commission. See Rule 13d-1(a) for other parties to whom copies are to be
sent.
*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's
initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and
for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter
disclosures provided in a prior page.
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed
to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act
but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the
Notes).
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SCHEDULE 13D
- -------------------------------------------- --------------------------
CUSIP NO. 92327K108 PAGE 2 OF _______ PAGES
- -------------------------------------------- --------------------------
<TABLE>
<C> <S> <C>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
Ernest P. Werlin
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) [ ]
(b) [x]
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 SEC USE ONLY
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 SOURCE OF FUNDS*
PF
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) [ ]
Not Applicable
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OR ORGANIZATION
U.S. Citizen
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 SOLE VOTING POWER
---
NUMBER OF -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHARES 8 SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY 198,300(1)
EACH -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REPORTING 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
PERSON
WITH ---
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
198,300(1)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
---
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* [x]
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
---
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
IN
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Ernest P. Werlin disclaims beneficial ownership of all shares owned by
other persons.
<PAGE>
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SCHEDULE 13D
- -------------------------------------------- --------------------------
CUSIP NO. 92327K108 PAGE 3 OF _______ PAGES
- -------------------------------------------- --------------------------
<TABLE>
<C> <S> <C>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
The High View Fund, L.P.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) [ ]
(b) [x]
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 SEC USE ONLY
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 SOURCE OF FUNDS*
WC
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) [ ]
Not Applicable
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OR ORGANIZATION
Delaware
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 SOLE VOTING POWER
96,650(1)
NUMBER OF -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHARES 8 SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY 198,300(1)
EACH -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REPORTING 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
PERSON
WITH 96,650(1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
198,300(1)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
96,650(1)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* [x]
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
3.1%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
PN
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) The High View Fund, L.P. disclaims beneficial ownership of all shares owned
by other persons.
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 13D
- -------------------------------------------- --------------------------
CUSIP NO. 92327K108 PAGE 4 OF _______ PAGES
- -------------------------------------------- --------------------------
<TABLE>
<C> <S> <C>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
The High View Fund
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) [ ]
(b) [x]
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 SEC USE ONLY
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 SOURCE OF FUNDS*
WC
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) [ ]
Not Applicable
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OR ORGANIZATION
The Cayman Islands
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 SOLE VOTING POWER
101,650(1)
NUMBER OF -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHARES 8 SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY 198,300(1)
EACH -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REPORTING 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
PERSON
WITH 101,650(1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
198,300(1)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
101,650(1)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* [x]
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
3.3%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
00
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) The High View Fund disclaims beneficial ownership of all shares owned by
other persons.
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 13D
- -------------------------------------------- --------------------------
CUSIP NO. 92327K108 PAGE 5 OF _______ PAGES
- -------------------------------------------- --------------------------
<TABLE>
<C> <S> <C>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
Andrew M. Brown
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) [ ]
(b) [x]
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 SEC USE ONLY
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 SOURCE OF FUNDS*
PF
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e) [ ]
Not Applicable
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OR ORGANIZATION
U.S. Citizen
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 SOLE VOTING POWER
---
NUMBER OF -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHARES 8 SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED BY 198,300(1)
EACH -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REPORTING 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
PERSON
WITH ---
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
198,300(1)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
---
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* [x]
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
---
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
IN
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Andrew M. Brown disclaims beneficial ownership of all shares owned by
other persons.
<PAGE>
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VENTURE SEISMIC LTD
(CUSIP No. 92327K108)
ITEM 1. SECURITY AND ISSUER.
This statement relates to the common stock, no par value per
share ("Common Stock") of Venture Seismic Ltd. (the "Issuer"). The address of
the principal executive offices of the Issuer is 3110 80th Avenue, S.E.,
Calgary, Alberta CANADA T2C 1J3.
ITEM 2. IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND.
(a) - (f)
This statement is being filed on behalf of The High View Fund,
L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the "Delaware Fund"). The Delaware Fund's
principal business is to make and hold investments. The sole general partner of
the Delaware Fund is High View Capital Corporation, a Delaware corporation
("HVCC"). HVCC's principal business is to act as general partner to the Delaware
Fund. The business address for the Delaware Fund and HVCC is c/o HVCC, 150 East
52nd Street, Suite 1800, New York, New York 10022.
The sole stockholder of voting stock and the sole director of
HVCC is Ernest P. Werlin. Mr. Werlin is the President and Treasurer of HVCC. Mr.
Werlin is a United States citizen. The only other executive officer of HVCC is
Andrew M. Brown, the Secretary of HVCC.
This statement is also being filed on behalf of The High View
Fund, a Cayman Islands company (the "Cayman Fund"). The Cayman Fund is listed on
the Irish Stock Exchange and its principal business is to make and hold
investments. The Cayman Fund's directors are Rhonda D. McDeigan-Eldridge and
Cedric L. Carroll. Ms. McDeigan-Eldridge and Mr. Carroll are citizens of the
Commonwealth of The Bahamas, their principal business is to act as investment
fund administrators and their business address is c/o Mees Pierson Fund Services
(Bahamas) Limited, Windermere House, 404 East Bay Street, P.O. Box SS-6238,
Nassau, The Bahamas.
The investment manager to the Cayman Fund is High View Asset
Management Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("HVAM"). HVAM's principal
business is to act as investment manager to the Cayman Fund and its business
address is 150 East 52nd Street, Suite 1800, New York, New York 10022.
The sole stockholder of voting stock and the sole director of
HVAM is Mr. Werlin. Mr. Werlin is the President and Treasurer of HVAM. Andrew M.
Brown is the Secretary and Vice President of HVAM.
This statement is also being filed on behalf of Mr. Werlin. Mr.
Werlin's present principal occupation is as the director, President and
Treasurer of each of HVCC and HVAM. Mr. Werlin is a United States citizen whose
business address is c/o HVCC, 150 East 52nd Street, Suite 1800, New York, New
York 10022.
This statement is also being filed on behalf of Mr. Brown. Mr.
Brown's principal business is as Secretary of HVCC and as Secretary and Vice
President of HVAM. Mr. Brown's business address is c/o HVCC, 150 East 52nd
Street, Suite 1800, New York, NY 10022. Mr. Brown is a United States citizen.
No person disclosed in response to this Item 2, including the
Delaware Fund, the Cayman Fund, Mr. Werlin and Mr. Brown, has, during the last
five years, been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic
violations or similar misdemeanors) or been a party to a civil proceeding or
been subject to a judgment, decree or final orders enjoining future violations
of, or prohibiting or maintaining activities subject to federal or state
securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.
Mr. Werlin and Mr. Brown are making this filing because they may
each be deemed to have beneficial ownership for purposes of Section 13(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Act") of the shares of Common Stock held
by each of the Delaware Fund and the Cayman Fund. Mr. Werlin and Mr. Brown
disclaim beneficial ownership of all shares of Common Stock owned by other
persons.
The Delaware Fund and the Cayman Fund are making this filing,
along with Mr. Werlin and Mr. Brown, because such persons may be deemed to
constitute a "group" for purposes of Section 13(d)(3) of the Act as a result of
the relationships described in this Item 2. Each of such persons disclaims
beneficial ownership of the shares owned by any other person and disclaims
membership in a group.
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
ITEM 3. SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS OR OTHER CONSIDERATION.
The Delaware Fund acquired 96,650 shares of Common Stock in a
series of open market transactions over the period from October 21, 1996 to
October 28, 1996, and the Cayman Fund acquired 101,650 shares of Common Stock in
a series of open market transactions over the period from October 18, 1996 to
October 28, 1996. The aggregate amount of funds required by the Delaware Fund to
purchase the 96,650 shares beneficially owned by it was $477,200.44. The
aggregate amount of funds required by the Cayman Fund to purchase the 101,650
shares beneficially owned by it was $498,125.44. The funds used to purchase such
Common Stock were obtained from the working capital of the Delaware Fund and the
Cayman Fund, respectively.
ITEM 4. PURPOSE OF TRANSACTION.
Each of the Delaware Fund and the Cayman Fund hold their
respective shares of Common Stock to which this statement on Schedule 13D
relates for purposes of investment. Depending upon their respective evaluations
of the Issuer's business and prospects, future developments, market conditions
and other factors, each of the Delaware Fund and the Cayman Fund may, from time
to time, purchase additional shares, or sell or cause to be sold all or a
portion of the shares over which each exercises voting and dispositive power,
either in open market or privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Except
as disclosed in this Item 4, neither the Delaware Fund nor the Cayman Fund has
current plans or proposals which relate to or would result in any of the events
described in Items (a) through (j) of the instructions to Item 4 of Schedule
13D.
ITEM 5. INTEREST IN SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER.
(a) and (b)
Mr. Werlin and Mr. Brown may each be deemed to beneficially own
198,300 shares of Common Stock constituting 6.4% of the outstanding class of
Common Stock.
Mr. Werlin is the sole shareholder and director of HVCC, which is
the general partner of the Delaware Fund and, for purposes of Rule 13(d) under
the Act, HVCC may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the shares of Common
Stock held by the Delaware Fund. For purposes of Rule 13(d) under the Act, Mr.
Werlin may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the shares of Common Stock
attributed to HVCC by virtue of HVCC's position as the general partner of the
Delaware Fund. The Delaware Fund holds a total of 96,650 shares of Common Stock
which constitutes 3.1% of the outstanding class of Common Stock. On account of
the relationship described in Item 2 and this Item 5, Mr. Werlin and Mr. Brown
may be deemed to share with the Delaware Fund and HVCC voting and dispositive
power over the shares of Common Stock held by the Delaware Fund. Mr. Werlin and
Mr. Brown disclaim beneficial ownership of all shares of Common Stock owned by
other persons.
Mr. Werlin is also the sole shareholder and director of HVAM,
which serves as the investment manager to the Cayman Fund. For purposes of Rule
13(d) under the Act, HVAM may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the shares
of Common Stock held by the Cayman Fund. For purposes of Rule 13(d) under the
Act, Mr. Werlin may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the shares of Common
Stock attributed to HVAM by virtue of HVAM's position as the investment manager
to the Cayman Fund. The Cayman Fund holds a total of 101,650 shares of Common
Stock which constitutes 3.3% of the outstanding class of Common Stock. On
account of the relationship described in Item 2 and this Item 5, Mr. Werlin and
Mr. Brown may be deemed to share with the Cayman Fund and HVAM voting and
dispositive power over the shares of Common Stock held by the Cayman Fund. Mr.
Werlin and Mr. Brown disclaim beneficial ownership of all shares of Common Stock
owned by other persons.
By reason of the relationships described in Item 2 and this Item
5 above, Mr. Werlin, Mr. Brown, the Delaware Fund and the Cayman Fund may be
deemed to constitute a "group" within the meaning of Rule 13d-5 under the Act.
The Delaware Fund beneficially owns 96,650 shares of Common Stock, and the
Cayman Fund beneficially owns 101,650 shares of Common Stock, and each entity
has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares of Common Stock
it owns. Each of (i) HVCC by virtue of being the sole general partner of the
Delaware Fund, (ii) HVAM by virtue of being the investment manager to the Cayman
Fund, (iii) Mr. Werlin by virtue of being the sole stockholder of voting stock
of HVCC and HVAM and (iv) Mr. Brown by virtue of being an executive officer of
HVCC and HVAM and by virtue of the relationships described in Item 2 and this
Item 5, may be deemed to share voting and dispositive power with respect to the
shares of Common Stock owned by the Delaware Fund and the Cayman Fund. Each of
the Cayman Fund and the Delaware Fund, by virtue of the relationship described
in Item 2 and this Item 5, may be deemed to share voting and dispositive power
with respect to the shares of Common Stock owned by the Delaware Fund and the
Cayman Fund. Pursuant to Rule 13d-4 under the Act, neither the filing of this
statement nor any of its contents shall be construed as an admission that any
person named herein is, for purposes of Section 13(d) or 13(g) of the Act (or
pursuant to Rule 16a-11(a)(1) thereunder), the beneficial owner of any shares of
Common Stock held by other members of any such group. Additionally, the persons
named herein disclaim membership in a group.
(a) Except as set forth above, no transactions in shares of
Common Stock were effected in the past 60 days by any person or entity disclosed
in Item 2.
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(b) Not applicable.
(c) Not applicable.
ITEM 6. CONTRACTS, ARRANGEMENTS, UNDERSTANDINGS, OR RELATIONSHIPS
WITH RESPECT TO SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER.
Not applicable.
ITEM 7. MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS.
Not applicable.
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of our knowledge and
belief, we certify that the information set forth in this statement is true,
complete and correct.
Dated: November 9, 1996 /s/ ERNEST P. WERLIN
___________________________________
Ernest P. Werlin
/s/ ANDREW M. BROWN
___________________________________
Andrew M. Brown
THE HIGH VIEW FUND, L.P.
By: High View Capital Corporation
By: /s/ ERNEST P. WERLIN
_______________________________
Ernest P. Werlin
President
THE HIGH VIEW FUND
By: /s/ CEDRIC L. CARROLL
____________________________________
Cedric L. Carroll
Director
<PAGE>
