<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS
[LOGO]
$500,000,000
KEY ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
Debt Securities
Preferred Stock
Common Stock
Warrants
---------------------
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the
SEC using a "shelf" registration process. This means:
- we may issue the debt securities, preferred stock, common stock and
warrants covered by this prospectus from time to time;
- we will provide a prospectus supplement each time we issue the securities;
- the prospectus supplement will provide specific information about the
terms of that offering and also may add, update or change information
contained in this prospectus.
Our common stock is listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange under
the symbol "KEG."
CONSIDER CAREFULLY THE RISK FACTORS BEGINNING ON PAGE 7 IN THIS PROSPECTUS.
Neither the SEC nor any state securities commission has approved these
securities or determined that this prospectus is accurate or complete. Any
representation to the contrary is illegal.
This Prospectus is dated April 16, 1999.
<PAGE>
YOU SHOULD RELY ONLY ON THE INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE OR
PROVIDED IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR ANY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT. WE HAVE NOT AUTHORIZED
ANYONE ELSE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH DIFFERENT INFORMATION. WE ARE NOT MAKING AN
OFFER OF THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER IS NOT PERMITTED.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SECTION PAGE
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----
<S> <C>
Where You Can Find More Information........................................................................ 3
Key Energy Services, Inc................................................................................... 4
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges......................................................................... 6
Forward-looking Statements................................................................................. 7
Risk Factors............................................................................................... 7
Use of Proceeds............................................................................................ 11
Plan of Distribution....................................................................................... 12
Description of Debt Securities............................................................................. 14
Description of Capital Stock............................................................................... 19
Description of Warrants.................................................................................... 20
Legal Matters.............................................................................................. 20
Experts.................................................................................................... 20
</TABLE>
2
<PAGE>
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 (Reg. No.
333-67665) with respect to the securities we are offering. This prospectus does
not contain all the information contained in the registration statement,
including its exhibits and schedules. You should refer to the registration
statement, including the exhibits and schedules, for further information about
us and the securities we are offering. Statements we make in this prospectus
about certain contracts or other documents are not necessarily complete. When we
make such statements, we refer you to the copies of the contracts or documents
that are filed as exhibits to the registration statement, because those
statements are qualified in all respects by reference to those exhibits. The
registration statement, including exhibits and schedules, is on file at the
offices of the SEC and may be inspected without charge.
We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other
information with the SEC. Our SEC filings, including the registration statement,
are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC's web site at
http://www.sec.gov. You also may read and copy any document we file at the SEC's
public reference rooms in Washington, D.C.; New York, New York; and Chicago,
Illinois. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information about
the public reference rooms.
SEC rules allow us to include some of the information required to be in the
registration statement by incorporating that information by reference to
documents we file with them. That means we can disclose important information to
you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by
reference is an important part of this prospectus, and information that we file
later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We
incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made
with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act until
we sell all of the securities covered by this prospectus:
- Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1998, as amended by
Annual Report on Form 10-K/A filed on October 28, 1998, and as further
amended by Annual Report on Form 10-K/A2 filed on March 31, 1999;
- Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1998, as
amended by Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A filed on March 31, 1999;
- Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1998, as
amended by Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A filed on March 31, 1999;
- Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed on September 28, 1998, Form 8-K/A filed
on October 28, 1998, Form 8-K/A2 filed on March 31, 1999, Form 8-K filed
on December 21, 1998 and Form 8-K filed on February 3, 1999;
- Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, dated November 17, 1998;
- Tender Offer Statements on Schedule 14D-1, filed on August 17, 1998 and on
Schedule 14D-1/A filed on August 26, 1998, September 2, 1998 and September
15, 1998; and
- The description of our common stock contained in Form 8-A dated March 27,
1998, including any amendments or reports that update the description.
You may request a copy of these filings, which we will provide to you at no
cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address:
Key Energy Services, Inc.
Two Tower Center, 20th Floor
East Brunswick, New Jersey 08816
(732) 247-4822
3
<PAGE>
KEY ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
BUSINESS
We are the world's largest onshore oil and gas well service and workover
company based on the number of rigs we own and available industry data. We
provide a complete range of rig-based well maintenance, workover, completion,
recompletion, contract drilling and non-rig ancillary well services to major and
independent oil and gas companies. We believe that we have the most
comprehensive array of services of any participant in the market and have
differentiated ourself from our competitors by our position as a single-source
provider of multiple well-head based services and products across multiple
geographic regions. In addition to maintenance and workover services, we provide
services that include:
- the completion of newly drilled wells;
- the recompletion of existing wells (including horizontal recompletions);
- plugging and abandonment of wells at the ends of their useful lives;
- oilfield fluid and equipment transportation;
- oilfield fluid storage and disposal services;
- fishing and rental tools;
- wireline services;
- air drilling;
- hot oiling; and
- production testing services.
AREAS OF OPERATION. Our principal operating regions in the United States
include West Texas and Eastern New Mexico, the Gulf Coast, Oklahoma, Michigan,
the Appalachian Basin, the Rocky Mountains, the Ark La Tex region, the Four
Corners area and California. We also operate in Argentina and have limited
operations in Ontario, Canada.
OPERATING ASSETS. We estimate that our share of the domestic onshore well
service rig fleet is approximately 33% based on the number of rigs we own and
available industry data. Our operating assets consist of approximately 1,420
well service and workover rigs, 75 drilling rigs and 1,130 oil field trucks.
ACQUISITIONS. We have pursued an acquisition strategy designed to
consolidate a highly fragmented industry that is primarily comprised of small,
regional well service companies. Over the last three years, we have completed
over 50 acquisitions, for an aggregate consideration of approximately $807
million.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
DAWSON ACQUISITION. In September 1998, we purchased Dawson Production
Services, Inc., which was the third largest onshore oil and gas well service and
workover company in the United States based on the number of rigs they owned and
available industry data. Our share of the domestic onshore well service rig
fleet has increased from approximately 3% at February 1996 to approximately 33%
currently.
RESTRUCTURING PLAN. In response to the current industry downturn caused by
historically low oil and gas prices and the resulting slowdown in our business,
on December 7, 1998, we announced a company-wide restructuring plan to reduce
operating costs beyond those achieved through our consolidation efforts. The
plan involved a reduction in the size of our management and on-site work force,
salary reductions of up to 20% for senior management, the combination of
previously separate operating
4
<PAGE>
divisions and the elimination of redundant divisional overhead and facilities.
We currently expect approximately $9 million of annualized cost savings from
this plan within the next six months. The restructuring plan resulted in a
one-time pretax charge to earnings of approximately $6.7 million in the second
fiscal quarter ending December 31, 1998. This charge includes severance payments
and other termination benefits to terminated employees, lease commitments
related to closed facilities and environmental studies performed on closed
leased yard locations. Approximately 110 employees were terminated, all of which
served in either executive or supervisory positions. We expect to complete the
plan by June 30, 1999. The major components of the restructuring charge and
costs incurred to date are as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COSTS INCURRED
RESTRUCTURING AS OF BALANCE AS OF
CHARGE DECEMBER 31, 1998 DECEMBER 31, 1998
------------- ------------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Severance/employee costs.......................... $ 6,231 $ (834) $ 5,397
Lease commitments................................. 433 -- 433
Environmental cleanup............................. 35 -- 35
------ ----- ------
Total........................................... $ 6,699 $ (834) $ 5,865
------ ----- ------
------ ----- ------
</TABLE>
In addition, we have completed the integration of Dawson into our business,
from which we expect annualized cost savings of approximately $12 million. In
connection with the Dawson acquisition, we anticipate we will incur an
additional, extraordinary pretax charge of approximately $6.1 million in the
third fiscal quarter ending March 31, 1999, expensing debt issuance costs and
fees related to the syndication of our bridge credit facility.
DEMAND FOR OUR SERVICES. Due to weakness of oil and gas prices, demand for
our services declined throughout the second fiscal quarter ending December 31,
1998 and has continued to decline during the third fiscal quarter ending March
31, 1999. By December 31, 1998, oilfield service industry activities were at
depressed levels because many oil companies either reached their 1998 capital
budget targets or reduced spending in light of the current commodity price
environment. If oil and gas prices remain at or above the levels encountered at
the end of calendar 1998, we believe average monthly oilfield services spending
by oil and gas companies in calendar 1999 will be at levels greater than at the
end of calendar 1998 as companies implement their 1999 capital budgets, although
much of their spending could be weighted toward the end of the calendar year.
Should this scenario materialize, our results, including EBITDA and financial
condition could be materially and adversely impacted in our third and fourth
quarters of fiscal 1999.
RENEGOTIATION OF FINANCIAL COVENANTS. In light of market conditions, in
December 1998 we renegotiated certain financial covenants in our credit facility
to levels designed to allow us to remain in compliance for the remainder of
calendar 1999. However, if demand for our services does not increase and our
operating performance does not improve from the levels of November and December
of 1998, we may require further covenant relief or waivers from our lenders
during calendar 1999 to remain in compliance with certain of our financial
covenants.
We believe if demand for our services increases, our aggressive
restructuring plan and other cost saving initiatives have positioned us for
strong performance. No assurance can be given, however, that we will be able to
realize the anticipated cost savings from the restructuring plan or that demand
for our services will return to or exceed historical levels.
------------------------
Our principal executive offices are located at Two Tower Center, 20th Floor,
East Brunswick, New Jersey 08816 and our phone number is (732) 247-4822.
5
<PAGE>
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The ratio of our earnings to our fixed charges for each of the periods
indicated is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, SIX MONTHS ENDED
- ----------------------------------------------------- DECEMBER 31,
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1998
- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
2.65 2.57 2.62 2.52 2.61 0.60
</TABLE>
For these ratios, earnings consist of income from continuing operations
before income taxes and fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest
expenses, amortization of debt issuance expenses and the portions of rentals and
lease obligations representative of interest factor.
6
<PAGE>
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The statements made in this prospectus or in the documents we have
incorporated by reference that are not statements of historical fact are
"forward looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities
Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of
forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend,"
"estimate," "anticipate" or "believe," or similar terminology.
The forward-looking statements include discussions about business strategy
and expectations concerning market position, future operations, margins,
profitability, liquidity and capital resources, and statements concerning the
integration into our business of the operations we have acquired. Although we
believe that the expectations in such statements are reasonable, we cannot give
any assurance that those expectations will be correct.
We caution you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements, which speak only as of the date of this prospectus.
Our operations are subject to several uncertainties, risks and other
influences, many of which are outside our control and any of which could
materially affect our results of operations and ultimately prove the statements
we make to be inaccurate.
Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from
our expectations are discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in
this prospectus.
RISK FACTORS
YOU SHOULD CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING RISK FACTORS AND OTHER INFORMATION IN THIS
PROSPECTUS BEFORE DECIDING TO BUY OUR SECURITIES.
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY -- OUR BUSINESS IS DEPENDENT ON
CONDITIONS IN THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY, ESPECIALLY THE PRODUCTION EXPENDITURES
OF OIL AND GAS COMPANIES.
The demand for our services is directly influenced by current and
anticipated oil and gas prices, oil and gas production costs, and government
regulation and conditions in the worldwide oil and gas industry, and
particularly on the level of development, exploration and production activity
of, and corresponding spending by, oil and gas companies. Most of our operations
are in the United States where the demand for well servicing and related
services currently is depressed in many markets because of weak oil prices,
which recently were at a twelve-year low. Continued weakness in oil and gas
prices may cause lower day rates and lower utilization of available well service
equipment. In addition, when oil prices are weak, fewer wells are drilled,
resulting in less drilling and less maintenance work for us. Periods of
diminished or weakened demand may continue to occur. In light of these and other
factors relating to the oil and gas industry, our historical operating results
may not be indicative of future performance. In addition, reductions in oil
prices can result in a reduction in the trading prices of our securities, even
if the reduction in oil prices does not affect our business generally.
7
<PAGE>
SUBSTANTIAL LEVERAGE -- OUR SUBSTANTIAL INDEBTEDNESS COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR
FINANCIAL HEALTH AND PREVENT US FROM FULFILLING OUR OBLIGATIONS UNDER OUR
CURRENT INDEBTEDNESS.
We have a significant amount of indebtedness. The following chart shows
certain important credit statistics:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------
(DOLLARS IN
THOUSANDS)
<S> <C>
Total debt..................................................................................... $ 849,381
Stockholders' equity........................................................................... 144,622
Debt to equity ratio........................................................................... 5.87:1
</TABLE>
Our substantial indebtedness could:
- increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry
conditions;
- limit our ability to fund future working capital, capital expenditures and
other general corporate requirements;
- require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from
operations to payments on our indebtedness, thereby reducing the
availability of our cash flow to fund working capital, capital
expenditures and other general corporate purposes;
- limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our
business and the industry in which we operate;
- place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that
have less debt; and
- limit, along with the financial and other restrictive covenants in our
credit facility, among other things, our ability to borrow additional
funds. Our failure to comply with these covenants could result in an event
of default which, if not cured or waived, could have a material adverse
effect on us.
ADDITIONAL BORROWINGS AVAILABLE -- DESPITE CURRENT INDEBTEDNESS LEVELS, WE AND
OUR SUBSIDIARIES STILL MAY BE ABLE TO INCUR SUBSTANTIALLY MORE DEBT. THIS COULD
FURTHER INCREASE THE RISKS DESCRIBED ABOVE.
We and our subsidiaries may be able to incur substantial additional
indebtedness in the future. Our credit facility currently permits additional
borrowings of up to approximately $30 million. If new debt is added to our and
our subsidiaries' current debt levels, the related risks that we and they now
face could intensify.
ABILITY TO SERVICE DEBT -- TO SERVICE OUR INDEBTEDNESS, WE WILL REQUIRE A
SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF CASH. OUR ABILITY TO GENERATE CASH DEPENDS ON MANY FACTORS
BEYOND OUR CONTROL.
Our ability to make payments on and to refinance our indebtedness, and to
fund planned capital expenditures will depend on our ability to generate cash in
the future. This, to a certain extent, is subject to general economic,
financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are
beyond our control.
We cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flow
from operations to service our outstanding debt, that currently anticipated cost
savings and operating improvements will be realized or that future borrowings
will be available to us under our credit facility in an amount sufficient to
enable us to pay our indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity needs. We may
need to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness on or before maturity. We
cannot assure you that we will be able to refinance any of our indebtedness,
including our credit facility, on commercially reasonable terms or at all.
8
<PAGE>
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH INTEGRATION OF ACQUISITIONS -- WE HAVE PURSUED, AND INTEND
TO CONTINUE TO PURSUE, ACQUISITIONS. OUR BUSINESS MAY BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED IF
WE CANNOT EFFECTIVELY INTEGRATE ACQUIRED OPERATIONS.
One of our business strategies has been to acquire operations and assets
that are complementary to our existing businesses. In the last twelve months,
our acquisitions have doubled the number of well service rigs we own. Our
revenues have grown from $44.7 million in fiscal 1995 to $645.6 million on a pro
forma basis in fiscal 1998, largely as a result of acquisitions. Acquiring
operations and assets involves financial, operational and legal risks. These
risks include the difficulty of assimilating operations, systems and personnel
of the acquired businesses and maintaining uniform standards, controls,
procedures and policies. Any future acquisitions would likely result in an
increase in expenses. In addition, competition from other potential buyers could
cause us to pay a higher price than we otherwise might have to pay and reduce
our acquisition opportunities. Moreover, our past success in making acquisitions
and in integrating acquired businesses does not necessarily mean we will be
successful in making acquisitions and integrating businesses in the future.
OPERATING RISKS; INSURANCE -- OUR BUSINESS COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY
CERTAIN OPERATING RISKS, AND OUR INSURANCE MAY NOT BE ADEQUATE TO COVER ALL
LOSSES OR LIABILITIES WE MIGHT INCUR IN OUR OPERATIONS.
Our operations are subject to many hazards. These hazards include
explosions, blow-outs, reservoir damage, loss of well control, cratering, fires
and damage to the environment. In addition, we are subject to seasonal risks
caused by adverse weather conditions such as rain and flooding, high winds and
severe winter storms. Operations in northern regions are subject to limitations
on transporting equipment during the spring thaw. These hazards and risks could
cause the suspension of operations, damage to or destruction of our equipment
and the property of others and injury or death to field personnel. Like most
companies in our industry, we have experienced some of these incidents in our
operations. The frequency and severity of these incidents affect our operating
costs and our relationships with customers, employees and regulators. Any
significant increase in the frequency or severity of such incidents, or the
general level of compensation awards, could affect our ability to obtain
insurance and could have a material adverse effect on our business. We have
insurance, customary in the industry, to protect against these liabilities.
However, this insurance is capped at $50 million per incident and does not
provide coverage for all liabilities. Our insurance may not be adequate to cover
all losses or liabilities that we might incur in our operations. To the extent
our liability for any particular loss or liability exceeds the $50 million cap,
we would incur costs for the excess. Moreover, we may not be able to maintain
insurance at adequate levels or at reasonable rates and particular types of
coverage may not be available in the future.
COMPETITION
We experience intense competition in our markets. Certain of our competitors
have greater financial and other resources than we do.
POTENTIAL LABOR SHORTAGE -- WE HISTORICALLY HAVE EXPERIENCED A HIGH EMPLOYEE
TURNOVER RATE. ANY DIFFICULTY WE EXPERIENCE REPLACING OR ADDING WORKERS COULD
ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS.
We historically have experienced an annual employee turnover rate of over
50%. The high turnover rate is caused by the nature of the work, which is
physically demanding and performed outdoors. As a result, workers may choose to
pursue employment in fields that offer a more desirable work environment at wage
rates that are competitive with ours. Although we currently are downsizing our
workforce, we cannot assure that at times of high demand we will be able to
recruit and train workers. Potential inability or lack of desire by workers to
commute to our facilities and job sites and competition for workers from other
industries are factors that could affect our ability to attract workers. We
believe that our wage rates are competitive with the wage rates of our
competitors and
9
<PAGE>
other potential employers. A significant increase in the wages other employers
pay could result in a reduction in our workforce, increases in our wage rates,
or both. Either of these events could diminish our profitability and growth
potential.
GOVERNMENTAL REGULATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS -- WE MAY BECOME LIABLE FOR
PENALTIES UNDER A VARIETY OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS AND GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS EVEN
IF WE DO NOT CAUSE ANY ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS. CERTAIN CHANGES IN ENVIRONMENTAL
LAWS AND GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS.
Our operations are subject to foreign, federal, state and local laws and
regulations relating to protection of the environment, natural resources, health
and safety, waste management and transportation of waste and other materials
including hydrocarbons and chemicals. Our fluid services include injection
operations that pose certain risks of environmental liability. Although we
monitor the injection process, the possibility exists of leakage to surface or
subsurface soils or groundwater, which could result in cancellation of well
operations, fines and penalties, expenditures for remediation, and liability for
property damages and personal injuries. Sanctions for noncompliance with
applicable environmental laws and regulations also may include administrative,
civil and criminal penalties, revocation of permits and corrective action
orders. In addition, our operations may be subject to potential liability for
environmental clean up at currently or previously owned or operated properties
or off-site locations where we sent, disposed of, or arranged for disposal of
hazardous materials. A party can be liable for environmental damage without
regard to its negligence or fault. Therefore, we could incur liability based on
the conduct of others, or for acts that were lawful at the time we performed
them. Environmental laws have become more stringent over the years. The
modification or interpretation of existing laws or regulations, the adoption of
new laws or regulations or the more vigorous enforcement of environmental laws
or regulations could curtail exploratory or development drilling for oil and gas
and could limit well servicing opportunities.
FOREIGN INVESTMENTS -- OUR FOREIGN BUSINESS EXPOSES US TO RISKS RELATING TO
INCREASED REGULATION AND POLITICAL OR ECONOMIC INSTABILITY WITHIN CERTAIN
FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
We have investments and may make additional investments in Argentina and
Canada. We may make other investments outside the United States. Foreign
investments are subject to risks relating to the political, social and economic
structures of those countries. Risks may include fluctuations in currency
valuation, expropriation, confiscatory taxation and nationalization, currency
conversion restrictions, increased regulation and approval requirements and
governmental policies limiting returns to foreign investors. In fiscal 1998, our
foreign operations accounted for less than 10% of our revenues.
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL -- OUR BUSINESS MAY BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED IF WE LOSE
OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.
We depend upon the performance of our executive officers. We have entered
into employment agreements with these executive officers that contain
non-compete provisions. Notwithstanding these agreements, we may not be able to
retain our executive officers and may not be able to enforce the non-compete
provisions in the employment agreements. We maintain key person life insurance
on the lives of certain of our offices, including our chief executive officer.
This insurance does not mean that the death or disability of one or more of them
would not adversely affect our operations.
YEAR 2000 ISSUE -- THE YEAR 2000 PROBLEM MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS IF
OUR SUPPLIERS AND CUSTOMERS DO NOT ADEQUATELY ADDRESS THEIR YEAR 2000 CONCERNS.
We currently are implementing a new integrated management information system
along with updated hardware that will replace most of our current systems. The
new management information system will be year 2000 compliant for our systems as
well as for those of our past and future acquisitions. Implementation began in
July 1998 and is scheduled to be substantially completed by
10
<PAGE>
June 1999. Our new management information systems do not cover our Argentine
operations, but we have established a separate system, which is year 2000
compliant, that will be implemented in late 1999.
We have not yet developed a plan to formally communicate with our
significant suppliers and customers to determine if those parties have
appropriate plans to remedy year 2000 issues when their systems interface with
our systems or otherwise have an impact on our operations. We do not anticipate
that this will have a material impact on our operations. However, there can be
no assurance that the systems of other companies on which we rely will be timely
converted, or that failure to successfully convert by another company, or
conversion that is incompatible with our systems, would not have an impact on
our operations. We currently do not have a contingency plan to cover any
unforeseen problems encountered that relate to the year 2000, but we intend to
produce one before the end of the current fiscal year.
The cost of the new management information system is not anticipated to have
a material impact on our business. Although we are not aware of any material
operational issues or costs associated with preparing our internal systems for
the year 2000, there can be no assurance that there will not be a delay in, or
increased costs associated with, the implementation of the necessary systems and
changes to address the year 2000 issues.
If we are unable to adequately address the year 2000 issue in a timely
manner, the worst case scenario would be that we could suffer significant
computer downtime, and billings, payments and collections would revert to manual
accounting records. In addition, the inability of our principal suppliers and
major customers to be year 2000 compliant could result in delays in product
deliveries from those suppliers and collection of accounts receivable.
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE -- THE MARKET PRICE OF OUR COMMON STOCK COULD BE
ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY SALES OF SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNTS OF COMMON STOCK IN THE PUBLIC
MARKET OR THE PERCEPTION THAT SUCH SALES COULD OCCUR.
As of March 1, 1999, we had 18,293,180 shares of common stock outstanding.
As of such date, approximately 10.3 million shares of common stock were issuable
upon the exercise of outstanding options, warrants and convertible securities.
The market price of the common stock could be adversely affected by sales of
substantial amounts of common stock in the public market or the perception that
such sales could occur.
VOLATILITY -- THE TRADING PRICE OF OUR SECURITIES COULD BE SUBJECT TO
SIGNIFICANT FLUCTUATIONS.
The trading price of our common stock has been volatile. Factors such as
announcements of fluctuations in our or our competitors' operating results and
market conditions for oil and gas related stocks in general could have a
significant impact on the future trading prices of our securities. In
particular, the trading price of the common stock of many oil and gas companies
has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations, which have at times been
unrelated to the operating performance of such companies whose stocks were
affected. In addition, the trading prices of our securities could be subject to
significant fluctuations in response to variations in our prospects and
operating results, which may in turn be affected by weakness in oil prices,
changes in interest rates and other factors. There can be no assurance that
these factors will not have an adverse effect on the trading prices of our
securities.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Except as otherwise described in any prospectus supplement, the net proceeds
from the sale of securities will be used for general corporate purposes, which
may include refinancings of indebtedness, working capital, capital expenditures,
acquisitions and repurchases and redemptions of securities.
11
<PAGE>
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The specific terms of the particular securities to be issued will be set
forth in a prospectus supplement that will be delivered together with this
prospectus. In the case of common stock, a prospectus supplement would include
the number of shares to be issued. Terms set forth for the warrants would
include the number and terms of the warrants and the number of shares of common
stock issuable upon their exercise, including, the exercise price, the terms of
the offering, sale, duration and detachability of the warrants. In the case of
debt securities, the prospectus supplement would include, where applicable:
- aggregate principal amount;
- ranking as senior or subordinated debt securities;
- maturity;
- conversion terms;
- rate or rates (or method of determination);
- time or times for the payment of interest, if any;
- any exchangeability;
- any terms for optional or mandatory redemption or repurchase, or payment
of additional amounts or any sinking fund provisions;
- whether or not such debt securities are guaranteed by our subsidiaries;
and
- any other specific terms of such debt securities.
In the case of preferred stock, the information that will be set forth in a
prospectus supplement, will include:
- specific designation;
- number of shares;
- liquidation value;
- dividend rights;
- liquidation and redemption rights;
- voting rights;
- other rights, including conversion or exchange rights, if any; and
- any other specific terms.
We may sell the securities through underwriters, agents or dealers or
directly to purchasers. A prospectus supplement will set forth the terms of each
specific offering, including the name or names of any underwriters or agents,
the purchase price of the securities and the proceeds to us from such sales, any
delayed delivery arrangements, any underwriting discounts and other items
constituting underwriters' compensation, any initial public offering price and
any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers. Any
initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or
reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
If underwriters are used in the sale, the securities will be acquired by the
underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or
more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering
price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The securities may be
offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one
or
12
<PAGE>
more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as
underwriters. The underwriter or underwriters with respect to a particular
underwritten offering and, if an underwriting syndicate is used, the managing
underwriter or underwriters will be set forth on the cover of such prospectus
supplement. Unless otherwise set forth in the prospectus supplement, the
underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the securities if any are
purchased.
During and after an offering through underwriters, the underwriters may
purchase and sell the securities in the open market. These transactions may
include overallotment and stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover
syndicate short positions created in connection with the offering. The
underwriters also may impose a penalty bid, under which selling concessions
allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers for the securities they
sell for their account may be reclaimed by the syndicate if the syndicate
repurchases the securities in stabilizing or covering transactions. These
activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the
securities then offered, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise
prevail in the open market, and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
We may sell the securities directly or through agents we designate from time
to time. Any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities covered by
this prospectus will be named, and any commissions payable by us to an agent
will be set forth, in a prospectus supplement relating thereto. Unless otherwise
indicated in a prospectus supplement, any such agent will be acting on a best
efforts basis for the period of its appointment.
If dealers are used in any of the sales of securities covered by this
prospectus, we will sell those securities to dealers as principals. The dealers
may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices the dealers
determine at the time of resale. The names of the dealers and the terms of the
transactions will be set forth in a prospectus supplement.
We may sell the securities directly to institutional investors or others who
may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with
respect to any sale thereof. The terms of any such sales will be described in a
prospectus supplement.
If so indicated in a prospectus supplement, we will authorize agents,
underwriters or dealers to solicit offers from certain types of institutions to
purchase securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the
prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for
payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. These contracts will be
subject only to those conditions set forth in the prospectus supplement, and the
prospectus supplement will set forth the commission payable for solicitation of
such contracts.
Agents, dealers and underwriters may be entitled under agreements entered
into with us to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect
to payments which such agents, dealers or underwriters may be required to make
in respect thereof. Agents, dealers and underwriters may be customers of, engage
in transactions with, or perform services on our behalf.
Any debt securities, preferred stock or warrants may, but are not expected
to be, listed on any securities exchange.
13
<PAGE>
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
The debt securities will be:
- our direct unsecured or secured general obligations;
- either senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities; and
- will be issued under one or more separate indentures.
Senior debt securities will be issued under a senior indenture and
subordinated debt securities will be issued under a subordinated indenture.
Senior debt securities and subordinated debt securities may be guaranteed by
certain of our subsidiaries. The debt securities issued may be convertible into
shares of our common stock.
We have summarized selected provisions of the indentures below. The summary
is not complete. The forms of the indentures have been filed as exhibits to the
registration statement, and you should read the indentures for provisions that
may be important to you. In the summary, we have included references to section
numbers of the indentures so that you can easily locate those provisions.
Capitalized terms used in this summary have the meanings used in the indentures.
GENERAL
- The Indentures do not limit the aggregate principal amount of debt
securities that can be issued thereunder. (Section 301)
- Debt securities may be issued in one or more series, each in an aggregate
principal amount authorized by the Company before issuance, and may be in
any currency or currency unit that we may designate. (Section 301)
- Debt securities of a series may be issued in registered or global form.
(Sections 201 and 203)
- The Indentures do not limit the amount of other unsecured indebtedness or
securities that we can issue.
- The senior debt securities will rank equally with all of our other senior
debt.
- The subordinated debt securities will have a junior position to all of our
senior debt. (Section 1301)
We are a holding company that conducts all operations through our
subsidiaries. Holders of debt securities generally will have a junior position
to claims of creditors of our subsidiaries including trade creditors, debt
holders, secured creditors, taxing authorities, guaranty holders and any
preferred stockholders. At December 31, 1998, we did not have any outstanding
preferred stock and we and our subsidiaries had $849.4 million of outstanding
debt.
A prospectus supplement and a supplemental indenture relating to any series
of debt securities being offered will include specific terms relating to the
offering. These terms will include some or all of the following:
- the title and type of debt securities being offered;
- the total principal amount of debt securities being offered;
- the dates on which the principal of, and premium, if any, on the offered
debt securities is payable;
- the interest rate;
- the date from which interest will accrue;
14
<PAGE>
- the interest payment dates;
- any optional redemption periods;
- any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate us to repurchase
or otherwise redeem the debt securities;
- whether the debt securities will be convertible into shares of common
stock or exchangeable for other of our securities, and if so, the terms of
conversion or exchange;
- events causing acceleration of maturity;
- any provisions granting special rights to holders when the specified event
occurs;
- any changes to or additional events of default or covenants;
- any special tax implications of the debt securities; and
- any other terms of the debt securities. (Section 301)
GUARANTEES
- Debt securities may be guaranteed by some, but not all, of our
subsidiaries.
- The subsidiaries that will guarantee any guaranteed debt securities are
identified in the senior indenture and subordinated indenture relating
thereto, each of which is an exhibit to this registration statement.
- The guarantees will be general obligations of each guarantor.
- The guarantors will jointly and severally guarantee any of our guaranteed
debt securities.
- Not all of our subsidiaries will be required to guarantee any guaranteed
debt securities. In the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation or
reorganization of any of the non-guarantor subsidiaries, the non-guarantor
subsidiaries will pay the holders of their debt and their trade creditors
before they will be able to distribute any of their assets to us. Although
not all of our subsidiaries will guarantee any guaranteed debt securities,
the guarantor subsidiaries generated over 90% of our consolidated revenues
in the 12-month period ended December 31, 1998.
- The obligations of each guarantor under any subsidiary guarantee will be
limited as necessary to prevent that subsidiary guarantee from
constituting a fraudulent conveyance under applicable law.
- A subsidiary guarantor may not consolidate with or merge into another
company unless the surviving company assumes all of the obligations of
that guarantor subsidiary pursuant to a supplemental indenture
satisfactory to the trustee, and only if immediately after giving effect
to the transaction, no default or event of default would exist.
DENOMINATIONS
The debt securities will be issued in registered form of $1,000 each or
multiples thereof. (Section 302)
SUBORDINATION
Under the subordinated indenture, payment of the principal, interest and any
premium on the subordinated debt securities generally will be subordinated and
junior in right of payment to the prior
15
<PAGE>
payment in full of all senior debt. The subordinated indenture provides that no
payment of principal, interest or any premium on the subordinated debt
securities may be made in the event:
- of any insolvency, bankruptcy or similar proceeding involving us or our
property; or
- we fail to pay the principal, interest, any premium or any other amounts
on any senior debt when due. (Sections 1301 and 1303)
The subordinated indenture will not limit the amount of senior debt that we
may incur.
Senior debt is defined to include all notes or other unsecured evidences of
indebtedness including our guarantees for money we borrowed, not expressed to be
subordinate or junior in right of payment to any of our other indebtedness.
(Section 101)
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
The following are Events of Default under each Indenture:
- failure to pay principal or any premium on any debt security when due;
- failure to pay any interest on any debt security when due, continued for
30 days;
- failure to deposit any mandatory sinking fund payment when due, continued
for 30 days;
- failure to perform any other covenant in the Indenture that continues for
90 days after written notice;
- certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization; and
- any other Event of Default as may be specified with respect to debt
securities of such series. (Section 501)
An Event of Default for a particular series of debt securities does not
necessarily constitute an Event of Default for any other series of debt
securities. The Trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of
any default (except in the payment of principal or interest) if the Trustee
considers withholding of notice to be in the best interest of the holders.
(Section 602)
ACCELERATION OF DEBT UPON AN EVENT OF DEFAULT
If an Event of Default occurs:
- either the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of
the outstanding debt securities may declare the principal amount of all
the debt securities of the applicable series to be due and payable
immediately. (Section 502)
- If this happens, subject to certain conditions, the holders of a majority
in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series can
void the declaration. These conditions include the requirement that we
have paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all
overdue principal and interest payments on the series of debt securities
subject to the default. (Section 502)
If an Event of Default occurs due to certain events of bankruptcy,
insolvency or reorganization, the principal amount of the outstanding debt
securities of all series will become immediately due and payable without any
declaration or other act on the part of either Trustee or any holder. (Section
502)
Depending on the terms of our indebtedness, an Event of Default under an
Indenture may cause a cross default on such other indebtedness.
16
<PAGE>
DUTIES OF TRUSTEE
Other than its duties in the case of default, the Trustee is not obligated
to exercise any of its rights or powers under any Indenture at the request,
order or direction of any holders unless the holders offer the Trustee
reasonable indemnity. (Section 603)
If the holders provide reasonable indemnification, the holders of a majority
of principal amount of any series of debt securities may direct the time, method
and place of conducting any proceeding or any remedy available to the Trustee,
or exercising any power conferred upon the Trustee for any series of debt
securities. (Section 512)
COVENANTS
Under the Indentures, we will:
- pay the principal, interest and any premium on the debt securities when
due;
- maintain a place of payment;
- deliver a report to the Trustee at the end of each fiscal year reviewing
our obligations under the Indentures; and
- deposit sufficient funds with any payment agent on or before the due date
for any principal, interest or any premium. (Sections 1001, 1002, 1003 and
1005)
MODIFICATION OF INDENTURES
Under each Indenture, all rights and obligations of the holders may be
modified with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series effected by the
modification. No modification of the principal or interest payment terms and no
modification reducing the percentage required for modifications is effective
against any holder without its consent. (Sections 901 and 902)
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER AND SALE OF ASSETS
Each Indenture generally permits a consolidation or merger between us and
another company. They also permit the sale by us of all or substantially all of
our property and assets. If this happens, the remaining or acquiring company
will assume all of our responsibilities and liabilities under the Indentures,
including the payment of all amounts due on the debt securities and performance
of the covenants in the Indentures. (Sections 801 and 802)
We will only consolidate or merge with or into any other company or sell all
or substantially all of our assets according to the terms and conditions of the
Indentures. The remaining or acquiring company will be substituted for us in the
Indentures with the same effect as if it had been an original party to the
Indenture. Thereafter, the successor company may exercise our rights and powers
under any Indenture, in our name or in its own name. Any act or proceeding
required or permitted to be done by our board of directors or any of our
officers may be done by the board or officers of the successor company. If we
sell all or substantially all of our assets, we shall be released from all our
liabilities and obligations under any Indenture and under the debt securities.
(Sections 801 and 802)
DISCHARGE AND DEFEASANCE
We and the subsidiary guarantors, if any, will be discharged from our
obligations under the debt securities of any series if we deposit with the
Trustee enough cash or government securities to pay the principal, interest, any
premium and any other sums due to the stated maturity date or redemption date of
the debt securities of the series. If this happens, the holders of the debt
securities of the series
17
<PAGE>
will not be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture except for registration,
transfer and exchange of debt securities and replacement of lost, stolen or
mutilated debt securities. (Section 401)
Under federal income tax law as of the date of this prospectus, a discharge
may be treated as an exchange of the related debt securities. Each holder might
be required to recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the
holder's cost or other tax basis for the debt securities and the value of the
holder's interest in the trust. Holders might be required to include as income a
different amount than would be includable without the discharge. Prospective
investors are urged to consult their own tax advisers as to the consequences of
a discharge, including the applicability and effect of tax laws other than the
federal income tax law.
PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENTS
Principal, interest and premium on fully registered securities will be paid
at designated places. Payment will be made by check mailed to the person in
whose name the debt securities are registered on the day specified in the
Indentures or any prospectus supplement. Payments in other forms will be paid at
a place designated by us and specified in a prospectus supplement. (Section 307)
Fully registered securities may be transferred or exchanged at the corporate
trust office of the Trustee or at any other office or agency maintained by us
for such purposes without the payment of any service charge except for any tax
or governmental charge. (Section 1002)
GLOBAL SECURITIES
The Debt Securities of a series may be issued in the form of one or more
global certificates that will be deposited with a depositary identified in a
prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise stated in any prospectus supplement, The
Depository Trust Company, New York, New York ("DTC") will act as depositary.
Beneficial interests in global certificates will be shown on, and transfers of
global certificates will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC and
its participants.
18
<PAGE>
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
As of March 1, 1999, our authorized capital stock was 100,000,000 shares,
which may be issued as either shares of preferred stock or common stock. As of
that date, we had 18,293,180 shares of common stock outstanding and no shares of
preferred stock outstanding.
COMMON STOCK
LISTING. Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under
the symbol "KEG." Any additional common stock we issue will also be listed on
the NYSE.
DIVIDENDS. Common stockholders may receive dividends when declared by the
board of directors. Dividends may be paid in cash, stock or another form.
However, certain of our existing debt agreements contain covenants that
currently restrict us from paying dividends. Additionally, in certain cases,
common stockholders may not receive dividends until we have satisfied our
obligations to any preferred stockholders.
FULLY PAID. All outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and
non-assessable. Any additional common stock we issue will also be fully paid and
non-assessable.
VOTING RIGHTS. Each share of our currently outstanding common stock is
entitled to one vote in the election of directors and other matters. Common
stockholders are not entitled to preemptive or cumulative voting rights. We also
are authorized to issue non-voting common stock under our charter.
OTHER RIGHTS. We will notify common stockholders of any stockholders'
meetings according to applicable law. If we liquidate, dissolve or wind-up our
business, either voluntarily or not, common stockholders will share equally in
the assets remaining after we pay our creditors and preferred stockholders.
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR. Our transfer agent and registrar is American
Stock Transfer & Trust Company, New York, New York.
PREFERRED STOCK
The following description of the terms of the preferred stock sets forth
certain general terms and provisions of the preferred stock we may offer. If we
offer preferred stock, the specific designations and rights will be described in
a prospectus supplement and a description will be filed with the SEC.
Our board of directors can, without approval of our stockholders, issue one
or more series of preferred stock. The board can also determine the number of
shares of each series and the rights, preferences and limitations of each series
including the dividend rights, voting rights, conversion rights, redemption
rights and any liquidation preferences of any series of preferred stock, the
number of shares constituting each series and the terms and conditions of issue.
In some cases, the issuance of preferred stock could delay a change in control
of the Company and make it harder to remove present management. Under certain
circumstances, preferred stock could also restrict dividend payments to holders
of our common stock.
The transfer agent, registrar, and dividend disbursement agent for a series
of preferred stock will be named in a prospectus supplement. The registrar for
shares of preferred stock will send notices to stockholders of any meetings at
which holders of the preferred stock have the right to elect directors or to
vote on any other matter.
19
<PAGE>
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
We may issue warrants, including warrants to purchase debt securities,
preferred stock, common stock or other securities. We may issue warrants
independently or together with other securities that
may be attached to or separate from the warrants. The terms of warrants will be
set forth in a prospectus supplement which will describe, among other things,
the designation of the warrants, the securities into which the warrants are
exercisable, the exercise price, the aggregate number of warrants to be issued,
the principal amount of securities purchasable upon exercise of each warrant,
the price or prices at which each warrant will be issued, the procedures for
exercising the warrants, the date upon which the exercise of warrants will
commence, and the expiration date, and any other material terms of the warrants.
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain legal matters relating to the validity of the common stock,
preferred stock, debt securities and warrants will be passed upon by Porter &
Hedges, L.L.P., Houston, Texas.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of the Company and subsidiaries as of
June 30, 1998 and 1997, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended
June 30, 1998, have been incorporated by reference in this prospectus in
reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent certified public accountants,
incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts
in accounting and auditing.
The consolidated financial statements of Dawson Production Services, Inc.
and subsidiaries as of March 31, 1998 and 1997, and for each of the years in the
three-year period ended March 31, 1998, have been incorporated by reference in
this prospectus in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent certified
public accountants, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of
said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
20
