ENERGY VENTURES INC /DE/
S-3, 1996-09-20
OIL & GAS FIELD MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT
Previous: DREYFUS THIRD CENTURY FUND INC, 497, 1996-09-20
Next: ENSERCH CORP, 8-K, 1996-09-20



<PAGE>   1
 
   AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON SEPTEMBER 20, 1996
 
                                                  REGISTRATION NUMBER 333-
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                                    FORM S-3
 
            REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
 
                             ENERGY VENTURES, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                               <C>
                   DELAWARE                                         04-2515019
       (State or other jurisdiction of                 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
        incorporation or organization)
                                                             BERNARD J. DUROC-DANNER
                                                              ENERGY VENTURES, INC.
         5 POST OAK PARK, SUITE 1760                       5 POST OAK PARK, SUITE 1760
          HOUSTON, TEXAS 77027-3415                         HOUSTON, TEXAS 77027-3415
                (713) 297-8400                                    (713) 297-8400
 (Address, including zip code, and telephone           (Name, address, including zip code,
 number, including area code, of registrant's       and telephone number, including area code,
         principal executive offices)                         of agent for service)
</TABLE>
 
                                   Copies to:
 
                                 CURTIS W. HUFF
                          FULBRIGHT & JAWORSKI L.L.P.
                           1301 MCKINNEY, SUITE 5100
                           HOUSTON, TEXAS 77010-3095
                                 (713) 651-5151
 
     APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon as
practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
 
     If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box.  / /
 
     If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box.  /X/
 
     If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering.  / / ________
 
     If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering.  / / ________
 
     If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box.  / /
 
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         AMOUNT     PROPOSED MAXIMUM  PROPOSED MAXIMUM   AMOUNT OF
       TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF            TO BE       OFFERING PRICE      AGGREGATE      REGISTRATION
     SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED       REGISTERED     PER SHARE(1)   OFFERING PRICE(1)      FEE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>           <C>               <C>               <C>
Common Stock, $1.00 par value........    499,996         $37.94         $18,969,849        $6,542
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
(1) Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee in
    accordance with Rule 457(c) of the Securities Act of 1933 and based upon the
    average of the high and low sale prices of Common Stock as reported by the
    New York Stock Exchange on September 16, 1996.
                             ---------------------
     THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID
SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   2
 
***************************************************************************
*                                                                         *
*  INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A  *
*  REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED     *
*  WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT  *
*  BE SOLD NOR MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE        *
*  REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT    *
*  CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY     *
*  NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH  *
*  SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO            *
*  REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH    *
*  STATE.                                                                 *
*                                                                         *
***************************************************************************

 
                SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED SEPTEMBER 20, 1996
PROSPECTUS
 
                                 499,996 SHARES
 
                             ENERGY VENTURES, INC.
 
                                  COMMON STOCK
 
                             ---------------------
 
     This Prospectus has been prepared for use in connection with the proposed
sale by certain stockholders (the "Selling Stockholders") of Energy Ventures,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), of an aggregate of 499,996 shares
(the "Shares") of common stock, $1.00 par value (the "Common Stock"), of the
Company. The Shares may be offered and sold by the Selling Stockholders from
time to time from the date hereof directly or through broker-dealers designated
from time to time. The Shares may be sold from time to time in one or more
transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, at market prices
prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market
prices or at prices determined on a negotiated or competitive bid basis. Shares
may be sold through a broker-dealer acting as agent or broker for a Selling
Stockholder, or to a broker-dealer acting as principal. See "Plan of
Distribution".
 
     The Common Stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE")
under the symbol "EVI". On September 16, 1996, the last reported sales price for
the Common Stock as reported on the NYSE was $38 3/8 per share.
 
     The Company will receive no portion of the proceeds of the sale of the
Shares offered hereby and will bear certain of the expenses incident to their
registration. The Company has agreed to indemnify the Selling Stockholders and
any underwriters of the Shares against certain civil liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, or to contribute to payments the
Selling Stockholders or any underwriters of the Shares may be required to make
in respect thereof. See "Plan of Distribution" and "Selling Stockholders".
 
     The Shares have not been registered for sale under the securities laws of
any state or jurisdiction as of the date of this Prospectus. Brokers or dealers
effecting transactions in the Shares should confirm the existence of any
exemption from registration or the registration thereof under the securities
laws of the states in which such transactions occur.
 
                             ---------------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
 EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
  AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
    ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
     REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
                             ---------------------
 
                The date of this Prospectus is October   , 1996.
<PAGE>   3
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                       <C>
AVAILABLE INFORMATION...................................................................   2
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.........................................   3
THE COMPANY.............................................................................   3
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK............................................................   4
SELLING STOCKHOLDERS....................................................................   5
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION....................................................................   7
LEGAL MATTERS...........................................................................   7
EXPERTS.................................................................................   7
</TABLE>
 
     NO DEALER, SALESMAN OR ANY OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THE
PROSPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT
BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY, THE SELLING
STOCKHOLDERS OR ANY UNDERWRITERS. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER
TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF ANY OFFER TO BUY ANY OF THE SHARES BY ANYONE IN ANY
JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT AUTHORIZED, OR IN WHICH
THE PERSON MAKING THE OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT QUALIFIED TO DO SO, OR TO ANY
PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION. UNDER NO
CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS OR ANY SALE MADE PURSUANT TO
THIS PROSPECTUS CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS.
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and, in accordance
therewith, files reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy
statements and other information filed by the Company with the Commission can be
inspected at the Public Reference Section of the Commission at Room 1024,
Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and the
Regional Offices of the Commission at Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street,
Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511, and 7 World Trade Center, New York,
New York 10048. Copies of such material can also be obtained from the Public
Reference Section of the Commission at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. The Commission
maintains a World Wide Web site on the Internet at http://www.sec.gov that
contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information
regarding registrants that file electronically with the Commission. Such
reports, proxy and information statements and other information concerning the
Company can also be inspected and copied at the offices of the NYSE, 20 Broad
Street, New York, New York 10005, on which the Common Stock is listed.
 
     The Company has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form
S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), with
respect to the Common Stock offered hereby. This Prospectus, which constitutes a
part of the Registration Statement, does not contain all of the information set
forth in the Registration Statement, certain items of which are contained in
exhibits to the Registration Statement as permitted by the rules and regulations
of the Commission. For further information with respect to the Company and the
Common Stock offered hereby, reference is made to the Registration Statement,
including the exhibits thereto, which may be inspected without charge at the
public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at 450 Fifth Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 and at the Regional Offices of the Commission, and
copies of which may be obtained from the Commission at prescribed rates.
Statements made in this Prospectus concerning the contents of any document
referred to herein are not necessarily complete. With respect to each such
document filed with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement,
reference is made to the exhibit for a more complete description of the matter
involved, and each such statement shall be deemed qualified in its entirety by
such reference.
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   4
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
     The following documents are incorporated herein by reference:
 
          (a) The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
     December 31, 1995;
 
          (b) The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
     March 31, 1996;
 
          (c) The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
     June 30, 1996;
 
          (d) The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 13, 1995, as
     amended by the Current Report on Form 8-K/A dated August 17, 1995, as
     amended by Amendment No. 2 to the Form 8-K/A dated May 7, 1996;
 
          (e) The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 24, 1996;
 
          (f) The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 18, 1996;
 
          (g) The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 5, 1996; and
 
          (h) The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 21, 1996.
 
     All documents filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Sections
13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this Prospectus
and prior to the termination of the offering of the Common Stock pursuant hereto
shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and to be a
part hereof from the date of the filing of such documents. Any statement
contained in this Prospectus or in a document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus shall be deemed to be modified or
superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement
contained in this Prospectus or in any other subsequently filed document that
also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or
supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall
not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this
Prospectus.
 
     The Company undertakes to provide without charge to each person to whom a
copy of this Prospectus has been delivered, upon the written or oral request of
any such person, a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated by reference
herein, other than the exhibits to such documents, unless such exhibits are
specifically incorporated by reference into the information that this Prospectus
incorporates. Written or oral requests for such copies should be directed to the
Company at 5 Post Oak Park, Suite 1760, Houston, Texas 77027-3415, Attention:
Secretary (Telephone number: (713) 297-8400).
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     Energy Ventures, Inc. is an international manufacturer and supplier of
oilfield equipment and contract drilling services. The Company operates through
two business segments: oilfield equipment and contract drilling. The oilfield
equipment segment manufactures drill pipe, premium tubulars and a complete line
of artificial lift and production equipment. The Company's contract drilling
segment consists primarily of barge rigs used by oil and gas companies for the
exploration and development of natural gas primarily in the U.S. Gulf Coast
area. The Company's tubular products and contract drilling operating divisions
provide products and services used primarily for natural gas exploration and
production. The artificial lift and production equipment lines are primarily
related to the aging of oil producing formations.
 
     On September 14, 1996, the Company entered into an agreement with Parker
Drilling Company ("Parker") to sell the Company's contract drilling services
business segment to Parker for a total consideration of $338 million, consisting
of $313 million in cash and shares of a new issue of convertible preferred stock
having a value of $25 million. The disposition of the Company's contract
drilling services segment is subject to various conditions, including the
receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals and the consummation of financing
by Parker sufficient to fund the acquisition. The disposition is currently
expected to be completed by year end. The Company intends to utilize the
proceeds from the disposition, after taxes and expenses, to further expand its
oilfield equipment segment.
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   5
 
     The Company was incorporated in 1972 as a Massachusetts corporation and was
reincorporated in Delaware in 1980. The Company's corporate office is located at
5 Post Oak Park, Suite 1760, Houston, Texas 77027-3415, and its telephone number
is 713/297-8400.
 
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
     The Company's authorized capital stock consists of 40,000,000 shares of
Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share, and 3,000,000 shares of Preferred
Stock, par value $1.00 per share ("Preferred Stock"). At September 16, 1996,
22,939,625 shares of Common Stock were outstanding. In addition, at September
16, 1996, there were 1,550,268 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance
pursuant to the Company's 1981 Employee Stock Option Plan, 1992 Employee Stock
Option Plan, Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan and restricted stock plan
for foreign key employees, of which 834,268 shares of Common Stock were reserved
for issuance upon exercise of outstanding options. At September 16, 1996, there
were no shares of Preferred Stock issued or outstanding. The holders of shares
of Common Stock are not liable to further calls or assessments by the Company.
The description below is a summary of and is qualified in its entirety by the
provisions of the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation as currently
in effect.
 
     Subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding shares of Preferred
Stock and those rights provided by law, (i) dividends may be declared and paid
or set apart for payment upon the Common Stock out of any assets or funds of the
Company legally available for the payment of dividends and may be payable in
cash, stock or otherwise, (ii) the holders of the Company stock have the
exclusive right to vote for the election of directors and, except as provided
below, on all other matters requiring stockholder action generally, with each
share being entitled to one vote, and (iii) upon the voluntary or involuntary
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the net assets of the
Company will be distributed pro rata to the holders of the Common Stock in
accordance with their respective rights and interests to the exclusion of the
holders of any outstanding shares of Preferred Stock.
 
     Although the holders of the Common Stock are generally entitled to vote for
the approval of amendments to the Company's Restated Certificate of
Incorporation, the voting rights of the holders of the Common Stock are limited
with respect to certain amendments to the Company's Restated Certificate of
Incorporation that affect only the holders of the Preferred Stock. Specifically,
subject to the rights of any outstanding shares of any series of Preferred
Stock, the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that it may
be amended from time to time in any manner that would solely modify or change
the relative powers, preferences and rights and the qualifications or
restrictions of any issued shares of any series of Preferred Stock then
outstanding with the only required vote or consent for approval of such
amendment being the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of a majority of
the outstanding shares of the series of Preferred Stock so affected, provided
that the powers, preferences and rights and the qualifications and limitations
or restrictions of such series after giving effect to such amendment are no
greater than the powers, preferences and rights and qualifications and
limitations or restrictions permitted to be fixed and determined by the Board of
Directors with respect to the establishment of any new series of shares of
Preferred Stock pursuant to the authority vested in the Board of Directors as to
such matters.
 
     Holders of the Common Stock do not have any cumulative voting, redemptive
or conversion rights and have no preemptive rights to subscribe for, purchase or
receive any class of shares or securities of the Company. Holders of the Common
Stock have no fixed dividend rights. Dividends may be declared by the Board of
Directors at its discretion depending on various factors, although no dividends
are anticipated for the foreseeable future. The Company is currently subject to
certain prohibitions on the declaration and payment of cash dividends on the
Common Stock under the terms of the Company's existing credit facilities. In
addition, under the terms of the Company's 10 1/4% Senior Notes due 2004
("Senior Notes"), the Company is limited in the amount of funds it may
distribute as dividends or distributions to stockholders to an amount generally
equal to: (a) the sum of (i) its earnings subsequent to December 31, 1993, (ii)
the net consideration received from certain stock issuances since March 1994,
(iii) the value of certain investments in unrestricted subsidiaries redesignated
as restricted subsidiaries and (iv) $5 million, less (b) the amount of
dividends, distributions and other restricted payments made by the Company since
March 1994. The Company is also
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   6
 
restricted under its principal working capital facility in the amount of
dividends, distributions and other restricted payments that it may make to
stockholders to an amount generally equal to (a) the sum of (i) 25% of its
earnings subsequent to March 31, 1996, (ii) the net consideration received from
certain stock issuances since June 26, 1996, (iii) the value of certain
investments in unrestricted subsidiaries designated as restricted subsidiaries
and (iv) $10 million less (b) the amount of dividends, distributions and other
restricted payments made by the Company since June 26, 1996. As of August 31,
1996, the Company was limited in the amount of dividends, distributions and
other restricted payments that could be made by it under the terms of the Senior
Notes and the Company's credit facility to approximately $265 million and $125
million, respectively.
 
     The Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series,
with each such series having such powers, preferences and rights and
qualifications and limitations or restrictions as may be fixed by the Board of
Directors pursuant to the resolution or resolutions providing for the issuance
of such series.
 
     Under Delaware law, a corporation may include provisions in its certificate
of incorporation that will relieve its directors of monetary liability for
breaches of their fiduciary duty to the corporation, except under certain
circumstances, including a breach of the director's duty of loyalty, acts or
omissions of the director not in good faith or which involve intentional
misconduct or a knowing violation of law, the approval of an improper payment of
a dividend or an improper purchase by the Company of stock or any transaction
from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. The Company's
Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that the Company's directors are
not liable to the Company or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of
their fiduciary duty, subject to the above described exceptions specified by
Delaware law.
 
     As a Delaware corporation, the Company is subject to Section 203 of the
Delaware General Corporation Law. In general, Section 203 prevents an
"interested stockholder" (defined generally as a person owning 15% or more of a
corporation's outstanding voting stock) from engaging in a "business
combination" (as defined) with a Delaware corporation for three years following
the date such person became an interested stockholder unless (i) before such
person became an interested stockholder, the board of directors of the
corporation approved the transaction in which the interested stockholder became
an interested stockholder or approved the business combination; (ii) upon
consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an
interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owns at least 85% of the
voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction
commenced (excluding stock held by directors who are also officers of the
corporation and by employee stock plans that do not provide employees with the
rights to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will
be tendered in a tender or exchange offer); or (iii) following the transaction
in which such person became an interested stockholder, the business combination
is approved by the board of directors of the corporation and authorized at a
meeting of stockholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of
the outstanding voting stock of the corporation not owned by the interested
stockholder. Under Section 203, the restrictions described above also do not
apply to certain business combinations proposed by an interested stockholder
following the announcement or notification of one of certain extraordinary
transactions involving the corporation and a person who had not been an
interested stockholder during the previous three years or who became an
interested stockholder with the approval of a majority of the corporation's
directors, if such extraordinary transaction is approved or not opposed by a
majority of the directors who were directors prior to any person becoming an
interested stockholder during the previous three years or were recommended for
election or elected to succeed such directors by a majority of such directors.
The Company has approved the acquisition by GulfMark International, Inc.
("GulfMark") and Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. ("Holdings") of the shares of
Common Stock owned by them under Section 203 and GulfMark and Holdings are
therefore not subject to the restrictions under Section 203.
 
     The Registrar and Transfer Agent for the Common Stock is American Stock
Transfer and Trust Company, New York, New York.
 
                              SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
 
     This Prospectus constitutes a part of the Registration Statement filed by
the Company pursuant to registration rights granted to the Selling Stockholders
under a Registration Rights Agreement (the "Agree-
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   7
 
ment") executed in connection with the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of
June 21, 1996 (the "Merger Agreement"), among the Company, TCA Acquisition,
Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company ("TCA
Acquisition"), and Tubular Corporation of America, a Delaware corporation
("TCA"). The Merger Agreement was entered into in conjunction with the Company's
acquisition of TCA through a merger (the "Merger") of TCA Acquisition with and
into TCA. Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, the Company will pay all
expenses of registering the Shares under the Securities Act, including, without
limitation, all registration and filing fees, printing expenses and the fees and
disbursements of the counsel and accountants for the Company. The Agreement also
provides that the Company will indemnify the Selling Stockholders and any
underwriters of the Shares against certain civil liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the Selling
Stockholders or any underwriters of the Shares may be required to make in
respect thereof. The Selling Stockholders have agreed to indemnify the Company
and any underwriters of the Shares against certain liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act, with respect to information provided by
the Selling Stockholders in connection with this offering. Additionally, the
Selling Stockholders will pay all fees and disbursements of their counsel and
all underwriting discounts, fees and commissions and brokerage fees, commissions
and expenses, if any, applicable to the Shares sold by them.
 
     The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by each Selling Stockholder as of
September 16, 1996, all of which may be sold pursuant to this Prospectus:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     NUMBER OF    PERCENT OF
                                NAME OF                               SHARES      OUTSTANDING
                          SELLING STOCKHOLDER                        OWNED(1)       SHARES
    ---------------------------------------------------------------  ---------    -----------
    <S>                                                              <C>          <C>
    TCA Partners, L.P. ............................................   184,625          *
    Private Equity Investment Fund, L.P. ..........................     3,485          *
    Private Equity Investment Fund II, L.P. .......................    54,586          *
    Belco Energy Corp. ............................................   113,628          *
    Markus Ventures L.P. ..........................................   113,636          *
    Gary L. Rosenthal..............................................     1,846          *
    Nicholas L. Swyka..............................................     1,846          *
    Thomas P. McGrann..............................................    26,344          *
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
 *  Less than 1%
 
(1) Because the Selling Stockholders may offer all or a portion of the Shares
    pursuant to this Prospectus, no estimate can be given as to the number of
    shares of Common Stock that will be held by the Selling Stockholders upon
    termination of any such sales.
 
     Prior to the Merger, (i) Thomas P. McGrann was an officer, director and
stockholder of TCA, (ii) Nicholas L. Swyka was a director and stockholder of TCA
and (iii) Robert Belfer and Robert Alpert were directors of TCA and were the
beneficial owners of stock of TCA through their direct holdings of or
affiliations with Belco Energy Corp. and Markus Ventures, L.P., respectively.
Effective as of the Merger, all of such persons ceased to be officers, directors
and stockholders of TCA; however, Mr. McGrann is continuing to be employed by
the Company. The Company has been advised by Mr. Swyka that Simmons & Company
International, an entity with which Mr. Swyka is affiliated, provided financial
advisory services to TCA in connection with the Merger and other related
matters. Simmons & Company International received customary compensation for
such transaction. None of the Selling Stockholders has, within the past three
years, held any position, office or other material relationship with the Company
or any of its predecessors or affiliates, except as noted above.
 
     The Shares may be offered or sold by the Selling Stockholders named above
or by any pledgees, donees, transferees or other successors in interest that may
be permitted under the Agreement.
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   8
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
     The Shares may be sold pursuant to the methods described below from time to
time from the date hereof by or for the account of the Selling Stockholders on
the NYSE or otherwise at prices and on terms then prevailing or at prices
related to the then current market price, or in negotiated transactions. The
Shares may be sold by any one or more of the following methods: (a) a block
trade (which may involve crosses) in which the broker or dealer so engaged will
attempt to sell the securities as agent but may position and resell a portion of
the block as principal to facilitate the transaction; (b) purchases by a broker
or dealer as principal; (c) ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in
which the broker solicits purchasers; and (d) privately negotiated transactions.
The Selling Stockholders may effect such transactions by selling Shares through
broker-dealers, and such broker-dealers may receive compensation in the form of
commissions from the Selling Stockholders (which commissions will not exceed
those customary in the types of transactions involved). The Selling Stockholders
and any broker-dealers that participate in the distribution of the Shares may be
deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the Securities Act in
connection with such sales, and any profit on the sale of Shares by it and any
fees and commissions received by any such broker-dealers may be deemed to be
underwriting discounts and commissions. The Shares may also be sold pursuant to
Rule 144 of the Securities Act to the extent such sales may be made in
compliance with the requirements of Rule 144.
 
     At the time a particular offering of Common Stock is made hereunder, to the
extent required by law, a Prospectus Supplement will be distributed which will
set forth the amount of Common Stock being offered and the terms of the
offering, including the purchase price, the name or names of any underwriters,
dealers or agents, the purchase price paid for Common Stock purchased from the
Selling Stockholders and any items constituting compensation from the Selling
Stockholders.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     In connection with the Common Stock offered hereby, the validity of the
shares being offered will be passed upon for the Company by Fulbright & Jaworski
L.L.P., Houston, Texas. Uriel E. Dutton, a director of the Company, is a partner
of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. Mr. Dutton currently holds options to purchase
30,000 shares of Common Stock, which options were granted to him pursuant to the
Company's Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The Company's consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 1995 and
1994 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1995,
incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and the Registration Statement
have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, as
indicated in their report with respect thereto, and are incorporated by
reference herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in
accounting and auditing in giving said report.
 
     The historical balance sheets of Prideco, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary
of the Company, as of June 30, 1995 and 1994, and the consolidated statements of
income, retained earnings and cash flows for the fiscal years ended June 30,
1995 and 1994, incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and the
Registration Statement have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent
public accountants, as indicated in their report with respect thereto, and are
incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as
experts in accounting and auditing in giving said report.
 
     The historical balance sheets of TCA, as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, and
the consolidated statements of income, retained earnings and cash flows for the
fiscal years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994, included in this Prospectus and
the Registration Statement have been audited by Arthur Anderson LLP, independent
public accountants, as indicated in their report with respect thereto, and are
incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as
experts in accounting and auditing in giving said reports.
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   9
 
                                    PART II
 
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
 
     The estimated expenses in connection with this offering, all of which are
being paid by the Company, are:
 
<TABLE>
    <S>                                                                          <C>
    Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee........................  $ 6,542
    Legal Fees and Expenses....................................................    5,000
    Accounting Fees and Expenses...............................................    2,500
    Blue Sky Fees and Expenses (including legal fees)..........................    1,000
    Miscellaneous..............................................................    3,458
                                                                                 -------
              TOTAL............................................................  $18,500
                                                                                 =======
</TABLE>
 
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
     Under Delaware law, a corporation may include provisions in its certificate
of incorporation that will relieve its directors of monetary liability for
breaches of their fiduciary duty to the corporation, except under certain
circumstances, including a breach of the director's duty of loyalty, acts or
omissions of the director not in good faith or which involve intentional
misconduct or a knowing violation of law, the approval of an improper payment of
a dividend or an improper purchase by the corporation of stock or any
transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. The
Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that the Company's
directors are not liable to the Company or its stockholders for monetary damages
for breach of their fiduciary duty, subject to the described exceptions
specified by Delaware law.
 
     Section 145 of the Delaware General Law grants to the Company the power to
indemnify each officer and director of the Company against liabilities and
expenses incurred by reason of the fact that he is or was an officer or director
of the Company if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed
to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, with respect
to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his
conduct was unlawful. The By-laws of the Company provide for indemnification of
each officer and director of the Company to the fullest extent permitted by
Delaware law. Messrs. David J. Butters, Eliot M. Fried and Robert B. Millard,
employees of Lehman Brothers Inc. ("Lehman"), constitute three of the eight
members of the Board of Directors of the Company. Under the restated
certificates of incorporation, as amended to date, of Lehman and its parent,
Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. ("Holdings"), both Delaware corporations, Messrs.
Butters, Fried and Millard, in their capacity as directors of the Company, are
to be indemnified by Lehman and Holdings to the fullest extent permitted by
Delaware law. Messrs. Butters, Fried and Millard are serving as directors of the
Company at the request of Lehman and Holdings.
 
     Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law also empowers the
Company to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was
an officer or director of the Company against liability asserted against or
incurred by him in any such capacity, whether or not the Company would have the
power to indemnify such officer or director against such liability under the
provisions of Section 145. The Company has purchased and maintains a directors'
and officers' liability policy for such purposes. Messrs. Butters, Fried and
Millard are insured against certain liabilities which they may incur in their
capacity as directors pursuant to insurance maintained by Holdings.
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>   10
 
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS.
 
<TABLE>
<C>                  <S>
          3.1        -- Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by
                        reference to Exhibit No. 3.1 to the Registration Statement on Form
                        S-3; Registration No. 333- 03407).
          3.2        -- By-laws of the Company, as amended (incorporated by reference to
                        Exhibit No. 3.2 to Form 10-K, File 0-7265, filed March 1, 1994).
          4.1        -- See Exhibits numbered 3.1 and 3.2 for provisions of the Restated
                        Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws of the Company defining the
                        rights of the holders of Common Stock.
          4.2        -- Indenture dated March 15, 1994, among Energy Ventures, Inc., as
                        Issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto, as Guarantors, and
                        Chemical Bank, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Form 8-K,
                        File 0-7265, filed April 5, 1994).
          4.3        -- Specimen 10 1/4% Senior Note due 2004 of Energy Ventures, Inc.
                        (incorporated by reference to Form 8-K, File 0-7265, filed April 5,
                        1994).
          4.4        -- First Supplemental Indenture by and among Energy Ventures, Inc.,
                        Prideco and Chemical Bank, as trustee, dated June 30, 1995
                        (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 4.4 to the Registration
                        Statement on Form S-3; Registration No. 33-61933).
          4.5        -- Credit Agreement among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the
                        Lenders defined therein and The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. dated as
                        of June 26, 1996, including the form of Notes (incorporated by
                        reference to Exhibit No. 4.5 to the Registration Statement on Form
                        S-3; Registration No. 333-06715).
         *5.1        -- Opinion of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.
        *23.1        -- Consent of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1).
        *23.2        -- Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
        *23.3        -- Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP, with respect to the financial
                        statements of Prideco, Inc.
        *23.4        -- Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP, with respect to the financial
                        statements of Tubular Corporation of America.
        *24.1        -- Powers of Attorney from certain members of the Board of Directors of
                        the Company (contained on page II-4).
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
* Filed herewith.
 
     As permitted by Item 601(b)(4)(iii)(A) of Regulation S-K, the Company has
not filed with this Registration Statement certain instruments defining the
rights of holders of long-term debt of the Company and its subsidiaries because
the total amount of securities authorized under any of such instruments does not
exceed 10% of the total assets of the Company and its subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis. The Company agrees to furnish a copy of any such agreement
to the Commission upon request.
 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.
 
     The undersigned Company hereby undertakes:
 
          (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
     made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
 
             (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
        Securities Act;
 
             (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
        the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent
        post-effective amendment hereof) which, individually or
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>   11
 
        in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set
        forth in this Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
        increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total
        dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
        registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
        maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed
        with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
        changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the
        maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
        Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement; and
 
             (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan
        of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement
        or any material change to such information in this Registration
        Statement;
 
     Provided, however, that paragraphs (i) and (ii) do not apply if the
     information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
     paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the
     Commission by the Company pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the
     Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this Registration
     Statement.
 
          (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
     Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a
     new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and
     the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the
     initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
          (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
     any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
     termination of the offering.
 
     The undersigned Company hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining
any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Company's annual
report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and,
where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report
pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference
in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.
 
     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Company
pursuant to the Securities Act or otherwise, the Company has been advised that
in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable. If a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other
than the payment by the Company of expenses incurred or paid by a director,
officer or controlling person of the Company in the successful defense of any
action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling
person in connection with the securities being registered, the Company will,
unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>   12
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on September 19, 1996.
 
                                            ENERGY VENTURES, INC.
 
                                            By: /s/  BERNARD J. DUROC-DANNER
                                              ----------------------------------
                                                   Bernard J. Duroc-Danner
                                              President, Chief Executive Officer
                                                          and Director
                                                (Principal Executive Officer)
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  SIGNATURE                                TITLE                    DATE
- ---------------------------------------------  ----------------------------- -------------------
<C>                                            <S>                           <C>
        /s/  BERNARD J. DUROC-DANNER           President, Chief Executive    September 19, 1996
- ---------------------------------------------    Officer and Director
           Bernard J. Duroc-Danner               (Principal Executive
                                                 Officer)

             /s/  JAMES G. KILEY               Vice President and Chief      September 19, 1996
- ---------------------------------------------    Financial Officer
               James G. Kiley                    (Principal Financial
                                                 Officer)

           /s/  FRANCES R. POWELL              Vice President, Accounting    September 19, 1996
- ---------------------------------------------    and Controller (Principal
              Frances R. Powell                  Accounting Officer)

            /s/  DAVID J. BUTTERS              Director and Chairman of the  September 19, 1996
- ---------------------------------------------    Board
              David J. Butters

                                               Director
- ---------------------------------------------
               Uriel E. Dutton

             /s/  ELIOT M. FRIED               Director                      September 19, 1996
- ---------------------------------------------
               Eliot M. Fried

           /s/  SHELDON S. GORDON              Director                      September 19, 1996
- ---------------------------------------------
              Sheldon S. Gordon

            /s/  SHELDON B. LUBAR              Director                      September 19, 1996
- ---------------------------------------------
              Sheldon B. Lubar

           /s/  ROBERT B. MILLARD              Director                      September 19, 1996
- ---------------------------------------------
              Robert B. Millard

            /s/  ROBERT A. RAYNE               Director                      September 19, 1996
- ---------------------------------------------
               Robert A. Rayne
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>   13
                              INDEX TO EXHIBITS



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER                   DESCRIPTION
- -------                  -----------
<S>          <C>
  3.1        -- Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by
                reference to Exhibit No. 3.1 to the Registration Statement on Form
                S-3; Registration No. 333- 03407).
  3.2        -- By-laws of the Company, as amended (incorporated by reference to
                Exhibit No. 3.2 to Form 10-K, File 0-7265, filed March 1, 1994).
  4.1        -- See Exhibits numbered 3.1 and 3.2 for provisions of the Restated
                Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws of the Company defining the
                rights of the holders of Common Stock.
  4.2        -- Indenture dated March 15, 1994, among Energy Ventures, Inc., as
                Issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto, as Guarantors, and
                Chemical Bank, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Form 8-K,
                File 0-7265, filed April 5, 1994).
  4.3        -- Specimen 10 1/4% Senior Note due 2004 of Energy Ventures, Inc.
                (incorporated by reference to Form 8-K, File 0-7265, filed April 5,
                1994).
  4.4        -- First Supplemental Indenture by and among Energy Ventures, Inc.,
                Prideco and Chemical Bank, as trustee, dated June 30, 1995
                (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 4.4 to the Registration
                Statement on Form S-3; Registration No. 33-61933).
  4.5        -- Credit Agreement among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the
                Lenders defined therein and The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. dated as
                of June 26, 1996, including the form of Notes (incorporated by
                reference to Exhibit No. 4.5 to the Registration Statement on Form
                S-3; Registration No. 333-06715).
 *5.1        -- Opinion of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.
*23.1        -- Consent of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1).
*23.2        -- Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.
*23.3        -- Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP, with respect to the financial
                statements of Prideco, Inc.
*23.4        -- Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP, with respect to the financial
                statements of Tubular Corporation of America.
*24.1        -- Powers of Attorney from certain members of the Board of Directors of
                the Company (contained on page II-4).
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
* Filed herewith.

<PAGE>   1

                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1

                    [FULBRIGHT & JAWORSKI L.L.P. Letterhead]



September 19, 1996


Energy Ventures, Inc.
5 Post Oak Park, Suite 1760
Houston, Texas  77027-3415

Gentlemen:

         We have acted as counsel for Energy Ventures, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933 of 499,996 shares of the Company's common stock, $1.00
par value (the "Shares"), to be offered by certain selling stockholders of the
Company (the "Selling Stockholders") upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3
covering the Shares (the "Registration Statement") filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.

         In connection therewith, we have examined the Registration Statement,
originals or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction of
the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, the amended By- laws
of the Company, the corporate proceedings with respect to the offering of the
Shares and such other documents and instruments as we have deemed necessary or
appropriate for the expression of the opinions contained herein.

         We have assumed the authenticity and completeness of all records,
certificates and other instruments submitted to us as originals, the conformity
to original documents of all records, certificates and other instruments
submitted to us as copies, the authenticity and completeness of the originals
of those records, certificates and other instruments submitted to us as copies
and the correctness of all statements of fact contained in all records,
certificates and other instruments that we have examined.

         Based on the foregoing, and having regard for such legal
considerations as we  have deemed relevant, we are of the opinion that the
Shares proposed to be offered by the Selling Stockholders have been duly and
validly authorized for issuance and are duly and validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.

         The opinions expressed herein relate solely to, are based solely upon
and are limited exclusively to the laws of the State of Delaware and the
federal laws of the United States of America, to the extent applicable.

         We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the use of our name under the caption "Legal
Matters" in the Prospectus included as part of the Registration Statement.

                                                 Very truly yours,

                                                 /s/ Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.

                                                 Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.2


                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


         As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the
incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of our report dated
February 26, 1996 included in Energy Ventures, Inc.'s Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1995, and to all references to our Firm included in this
Registration Statement.


/s/  ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

Arthur Andersen LLP


Houston, Texas
September 19, 1996

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.3


                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


         As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the
incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of our report dated
July 31, 1995 on our audits of the consolidated financial statements of
Prideco, Inc. and subsidiaries included in the Energy Ventures, Inc.'s Form 
8-K/A dated August 17, 1995, as amended by Amendment No. 2 to the Form 8-K/A 
dated May 7, 1996, and to all references to our Firm included in this 
Registration Statement.


/s/  ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

Arthur Andersen LLP


Houston, Texas
September 19, 1996

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.4


                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


         As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the
incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of our report dated
April 18, 1996 on the consolidated financial statements for Tubular Corporation
of America and subsidiary included in the Energy Ventures, Inc.'s Form 8-K
dated June 24, 1996 and Form 8-K dated August 5, 1996 and to all references to
our Firm included in this Registration Statement.


/s/  ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

Arthur Andersen LLP


Tulsa, Oklahoma
September 19, 1996


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission