PRIDE INTERNATIONAL INC
10-K405/A, 1998-03-31
OIL & GAS FIELD SERVICES, NEC
Previous: NORTECH FOREST TECHNOLOGIES INC, 10KSB40, 1998-03-31
Next: PRUDENTIAL BACHE DIVERSIFIED FUTURES FUND L P, 10-K, 1998-03-31



                                 UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                            ------------------------

                                   FORM 10-K/A
                                AMENDMENT NO. 1

              ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                        SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                  FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
                        COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 1-13289

                            ------------------------

                           PRIDE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                   (FORMERLY PRIDE PETROLEUM SERVICES, INC.)
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

              LOUISIANA                                       76-0069030
   (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF                         (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
   INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)                         IDENTIFICATION NO.)
     5847 SAN FELIPE, SUITE 3300
           HOUSTON, TEXAS                                        77057
   (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE                            (ZIP CODE)
              OFFICES)

       REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (713) 789-1400
          SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:

                                                       NAME OF EACH EXCHANGE
         TITLE OF EACH CLASS                            ON WHICH REGISTERED
         -------------------                            -------------------
     Common Stock, no par value                       New York Stock Exchange
   6 1/4% Convertible Subordinated                    New York Stock Exchange
         Debentures due 2006

        Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: NONE

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ]

     Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [X]

     The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of
the registrant at March 12, 1998, based on the closing price on the New York
Stock Exchange on such date, was $910,554,536. (The officers and directors of
the registrant are considered affiliates for the purposes of this calculation.)

     The number of shares of the registrant's Common Stock outstanding on March
12, 1998 was 50,068,048.

                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

     Portions of the Company's definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting
of Shareholders to be held in May 1998 are incorporated by reference into Part
III of this report.

================================================================================
<PAGE>
     Pride International, Inc. (the "Company") hereby amends Items 5, 6 and 7 of
its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997
(Commission File No. 1-13289) to read in their entirety as follows:

ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS

     The Company's Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under
the symbol "PDE." Prior to September 10, 1997, the Common Stock traded on The
Nasdaq Stock Market's National Market under the symbol "PRDE." As of March 12,
1998, there were 2,004 shareholders of record of the Common Stock. The following
table sets forth the range of high and low sales prices of the Common Stock for
the periods shown:

                                                PRICE
                                        ----------------------
                                          HIGH         LOW
                                        -------    -----------
1996
First Quarter........................   $14 3/8    $    9  1/8
Second Quarter.......................    18            13  5/8
Third Quarter........................    16 1/4        11  5/8
Fourth Quarter.......................    23 1/4        13  1/8
1997
First Quarter........................   $24 3/8    $   16  1/4
Second Quarter.......................    24            16  1/2
Third Quarter........................    37 7/16       22  7/8  
Fourth Quarter.......................    37 3/4        20  

     The Company has not paid any cash dividends on the Common Stock since
becoming a publicly held corporation in September 1988. The Company currently
has a policy of retaining all available earnings for the development and growth
of its business and does not anticipate paying dividends on the Common Stock at
any time in the foreseeable future. The ability of the Company to pay cash
dividends in the future is restricted by the Company's $100 million secured
credit facility and covenants contained in the indenture governing $325 million
principal amount of Senior Notes. The desirability of paying such dividends
could also be materially affected by U.S. and foreign tax considerations.

                                       14
<PAGE>
ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

     The following selected consolidated financial information as of December
31, 1997 and 1996, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended
December 31, 1997, has been derived from the audited consolidated financial
statements of the Company included elsewhere herein. This information should be
read in conjunction with such consolidated financial statements and the notes
thereto. The selected consolidated financial information as of December 31,
1995, 1994 and 1993, and for each of the years in the two-year period
ended December 31, 1994, has been derived from audited consolidated financial
statements of the Company that have previously been included in the Company's
reports under the Exchange Act that are not included herein. See "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                       -----------------------------------------------------------
                                          1993        1994        1995        1996        1997
                                       ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  -----------
                                                (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                                    <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenues.............................  $  127,099  $  182,336  $  263,599  $  407,174  $   699,788
Operating costs......................     100,305     139,653     187,203     292,599      458,861
Depreciation and amortization........       6,407       9,550      16,657      29,065       58,661
Selling, general and
  administrative.....................      17,572      25,105      32,418      45,368       73,881
                                       ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  -----------
Earnings from operations.............       2,815       8,028      27,321      40,142      108,385
Other income (expense) net(1)........         504         106      (4,898)     (9,323)      47,249
                                       ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  -----------
Earnings before income taxes(1)......       3,319       8,134      22,423      30,819      155,634
Income tax provision (benefit)(2)....      (2,621)      1,920       7,064       8,091       51,639
                                       ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  -----------
Net earnings(1)(2)...................  $    5,940  $    6,214  $   15,359  $   22,728  $   103,995
                                       ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========  ===========
Net earnings per share(1)(2)(3)
     Basic...........................  $      .37  $      .30  $      .63  $      .85  $      2.42
                                       ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========  ===========
     Diluted.........................  $      .36  $      .30  $      .61  $      .77  $      2.16
                                       ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========  ===========
Weighted average shares
outstanding(3)
     Basic...........................      16,133      20,418      24,551      26,719       43,036
     Diluted.........................      16,360      20,650      25,128      33,755       49,143
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AS OF DECEMBER
  31):
Working capital......................  $   21,758  $   26,640  $   31,302  $   62,722  $   103,733
Property and equipment, net..........      62,823     139,899     178,488     375,249    1,171,647
Total assets.........................     109,981     205,193     257,605     542,062    1,541,501
Long-term debt, net of current
  portion............................         200      42,096      61,136     106,508      435,100
Long-term lease obligations,
  net of current portion.............      --          --          --           --          36,275      
Convertible subordinated
  debentures.........................      --          --          --          80,500       52,500
Shareholders' equity.................      69,126     111,385     131,239     201,797      685,157
</TABLE>
- ------------
(1) Other income (expense) net, earnings before income taxes and net earnings
    for the year ended December 31, 1997 include a pretax gain on the
    divestiture of the Company's U.S. land-based well servicing business of
    $83.6 million. The gain was partially offset by nonrecurring charges
    totaling $4.2 million, net of estimated income taxes, relating principally 
    to the induced conversion of $28.0 million principal amount of the Company's
    6 1/4% Convertible Subordinated Debentures. Excluding such nonrecurring
    items, net earnings for the year ended December 31, 1997 were $54.7 million,
    or $1.16 per share on a diluted basis.

(2) Income tax provision (benefit) and net earnings for the year ended December
    31, 1993 include $3.8 million, or $0.23 per share on a diluted basis,
    cumulative effect of change in accounting for income taxes.

(3) Net earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995,
    1994 and 1993 and weighted average shares outstanding as of such dates have
    been restated to comply with the requirements of Statement of Financial
    Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings per Share."

                                       15
<PAGE>
ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
         OF OPERATIONS

     The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with
the Company's consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 1997 and
1996, and for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, included
elsewhere herein. The following information contains forward-looking statements.
For a discussion of certain limitations inherent in such statements, see
"Forward-Looking Statements."

GENERAL

     The Company's operations and future results have been and will be
significantly affected by a series of strategic transactions that have
transformed the Company from the second largest provider of land-based workover
and related well services in the United States into a diversified drilling
contractor operating both offshore and onshore in international markets and
offshore in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. With the sale of its domestic land-based
well servicing operations in February 1997, the Company has ceased to provide
rig services onshore in the United States. As a result of its recent acquisition
activity, the Company expects to continue to experience revenue growth.

     International drilling and well servicing activity is affected by
fluctuations in oil and gas prices, but historically to a lesser extent than
domestic activity. International rig services contracts are typically for terms
of one year or more, while domestic contracts are typically for one well or
multiple wells. Accordingly, international rig services activities generally are
not as sensitive to short-term changes in oil and gas prices as domestic
operations.

     Since 1993, the Company has entered into a number of transactions that have
significantly expanded its international and domestic offshore operations,
including the following:

      o   During 1993 and 1994, the Company made entry-level acquisitions
          in Argentina, Venezuela and the Gulf of Mexico.

      o   In January 1995, the Company commenced operating two barge rigs on
          Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela. The barge rigs were constructed during 1994
          pursuant to ten-year operating contracts entered into with Petroleos
          de Venezuela, S.A. ("PDVSA"), the Venezuelan national oil company.

      o   In April 1996, the Company acquired Quitral-Co S.A.I.C.
          ("Quitral-Co") from Perez Companc S.A. and other shareholders. The
          23 land-based drilling and 57 land-based workover rigs in Argentina
          and seven land-based drilling and 23 land-based workover rigs in
          Venezuela operated by Quitral-Co were combined with the Company's
          existing land-based operations in those countries. The Company has
          further expanded international operations by deploying more than 40
          rigs from its former U.S. land-based fleet to Argentina and
          Venezuela, and by acquiring four rigs from an Argentine competitor.

      o   In October 1996, the Company expanded its Colombian operations to 20
          rigs through the acquisition of Ingeser de Colombia, S.A.
          ("Ingeser"), which operated seven land-based drilling rigs and six
          land-based workover rigs in Colombia.

      o   In November 1996, the Company added three land-based drilling rigs and
          support assets to its operations in Argentina through the acquisition
          of the assets of another contractor.

      o   In February 1997, the Company completed the divestiture of its
          domestic land-based well servicing operations, which included 407
          workover rigs operating in Texas, California, New Mexico and
          Louisiana.

      o   In March 1997, the Company completed the Forasol acquisition, adding
          two semisubmersible rigs, three jackup rigs, seven tender-assisted
          rigs, four barge rigs and 29 land-based rigs operating in various
          locations in South America, Africa, the Middle East and Southeast 
          Asia.

      o   In May 1997, the Company purchased 13 mat-supported jackup drilling
          rigs, 11 of which are currently operating in the Gulf of Mexico, one
          of which is currently operating in West Africa and one of which is
          being mobilized to Malaysia.

      o   In April 1997, the Company puchased a tender-assisted rig, which has
          been upgraded and deployed to Souteast Asia. In October 1997, the
          Company purchsed an independant-leg, cantilevered jackup rig capable 
          of opertating in water depths of up to 300 feet, which is currently 
          under contract in Souteast Asia. 

                                       16
<PAGE>
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     The following table sets forth selected consolidated financial information
of the Company by operating segment for the periods indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                       -------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               1995                   1996                   1997
                                       ---------------------  ---------------------  ---------------------
                                                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                    <C>              <C>   <C>              <C>   <C>               <C>
Revenues:
     United States land..............  $  113,115       42.9% $  117,142       28.8% $   16,485        2.4%
     United States offshore..........      49,595       18.8      57,450       14.1     135,281       19.3
     International land..............     100,889       38.3     218,562       53.7     385,590       55.1
     International offshore..........      --         --          14,020        3.4     162,432       23.2
                                       ----------  ---------  ----------  ---------  ----------  ---------
          Total revenues.............  $  263,599      100.0% $  407,174      100.0% $  699,788      100.0%
                                       ==========  =========  ==========  =========  ==========  =========
Earnings from operations:
     United States land..............  $    7,906       28.9% $    7,808       19.5% $      519         .5%
     United States offshore..........       6,785       24.9       6,983       17.4      40,965       37.8
     International land..............      12,630       46.2      23,372       58.2      42,500       39.2
     International offshore..........      --         --           1,979        4.9      24,401       22.5
                                       ----------  ---------  ----------  ---------  ----------  ---------
          Total earnings from
             operations..............  $   27,321      100.0% $   40,142      100.0% $  108,385      100.0%
                                       ==========  =========  ==========  =========  ==========  =========
</TABLE>
  1997 COMPARED WITH 1996

     REVENUES.  Revenues for 1997 increased $292.6 million, or 72%, as compared
to 1996. This increase was due primarily to the expansion of the Company's Gulf
of Mexico and international operations as follows: (i) $201.3 million was
related to the operations acquired in the Forasol acquisition in March 1997,
(ii) $70.2 million was related to the operations of the mat-supported jackup
rigs acquired in May 1997 and (iii) $50.0 million was related to the incremental
full-year effect of the operations acquired in the April 1996 acquisition of
Quitral-Co. The remaining increase in revenue was due to the net addition of
five land-based drilling rigs and two barge rigs in South America combined with
increased contract drilling dayrates from ongoing operations. This increase was
partially offset by a reduction of $100.0 million in revenue related to the
divestiture of the Company's domestic land-based well servicing operations.

     OPERATING COSTS.  Operating costs for 1997 increased $166.3 million, or
57%, as compared to 1996. This increase was due primarily to the acquisitions
and asset purchases discussed above as follows: (i) $130.4 million was related
to the operations acquired in the Forasol acquisition in March 1997, (ii) $30.1
million was related to the operations of the mat-supported jackup rigs acquired
in May 1997 and (iii) $20.0 million was related to the incremental full-year
effect of the operations acquired in the April 1996 acquisition of Quitral-Co.
The remaining increase in operating costs was due to the net addition of four
land-based drilling rigs and two barge rigs in South America combined with
increased labor costs from ongoing operations in Venezuela. This increase in
operating costs was partially offset by a reduction of $90.0 million related to
the divestiture of the Company's domestic land-based well servicing operations.

     DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION.  Depreciation and amortization for 1997
increased $29.6 million, or 102%, compared to 1996, primarily as a result of the
acquisitions of Forasol, Quitral-Co and the mat-supported jackup rigs, and
depreciation of new, refurbished and upgraded rigs placed in service during the
year, which increase was partially offset by the sale of the Company's domestic
land-based well servicing operations.

     SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE.  Selling, general and administrative
costs in 1997 increased approximately $28.5 million, or 63%, as compared to
1996, primarily as a result of the acquisitions of Forasol, Quitral-Co and the
mat-supported jackup rigs, which increase was partially offset by the sale of
the Company's domestic land-based well servicing operations. As a percentage of
revenues, total selling, general and administrative costs decreased from 11.1%
for 1996 to 10.5% for 1997.

     OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE).  Other income (expense) resulted in income of $47.2
million in 1997 as compared to expense of $9.3 million in 1996. Other income and
expense included interest income, interest

                                       17
<PAGE>
expense, net gains or losses from sale of assets, minority interests, foreign
exchange gains or losses and other sources. The Company incurred a gain of $83.6
million from the sale of its domestic land-based well servicing operations in
February 1997. This gain was partially offset by a charge of approximately $3.7
million relating to the induced conversion of $28.0 million of the Company's 
6 1/4% Convertible Subordinated Debentures and other charges. Interest expense 
for 1997 increased $20.7 million, or 152%, compared to 1996. This increase was
due primarily to the issuance of $325 million in Senior Notes by the Company in
May 1997. During 1997 the Company capitalized approximately $5.7 million in
interest expense related to its capital expenditures, as compared to
approximately $2.0 million in 1996.

     INCOME TAX PROVISION (BENEFIT).  The Company's consolidated effective
income tax rate for 1997 was approximately 33%, as compared to approximately 26%
for 1996. The increase in the effective tax rate resulted from the effects of
(i) certain non-deductible amounts, primarily $3.7 million of costs related to
induced conversion of the Company's 6 1/4% Convertible Subordinated Debentures,
(ii) an estimated effective combined U.S. federal and state income tax rate of
36% on the gain from the sale of the Company's U.S. land-based well servicing
operations and (iii) an estimated effective income tax rate of 29% on ongoing
operations.

  1996 COMPARED WITH 1995

     REVENUES.  Revenues for 1996 increased $143.6 million, or 54%, as compared
to 1995. Of this increase, $131.7 million was a result of expansion of the
Company's international operations, primarily due to the acquisition of
Quitral-Co in April 1996. Revenues from domestic land operations increased $4.0
million, primarily as a result of the inclusion of operating results of X-Pert
Enterprises, Inc. ("X-Pert") (the operations of which were sold in February
1997) for 12 months in 1996 as compared to only ten months in 1995. Revenues
attributable to domestic offshore operations increased $7.9 million, due
primarily to an increased number of the Company's offshore platform rigs working
in 1996.

     OPERATING COSTS.  Operating costs for 1996 increased $105.4 million, or
56%, as compared to 1995. Of this increase, $94.0 million was a result of
expansion of the Company's international operations and $3.0 million was
attributable to domestic land-based operations, primarily due to the inclusion
of the operating results of X-Pert for the full period, which offset a $2.4
million reduction of workers' compensation expense recorded in the fourth
quarter of 1996. Operating costs related to domestic offshore operations
increased $7.6 million due to an increased number of offshore platform rigs
working, as discussed above, and a related increase in mobilization costs.

     DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION.  Depreciation and amortization for 1996
increased $12.4 million, or 74%, as compared to 1995, primarily as a result of
the Quitral-Co acquisition and additional expansion of the Company's
international and domestic offshore assets.

     SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE.  Selling, general and administrative
expenses for 1996 increased $13.0 million, or 40%, as compared to 1995,
primarily due to the inclusion of such costs for Quitral-Co. During 1996, the
Company incurred certain nonrecurring expenses in connection with consolidation
of acquired operations with its existing operations in Argentina and Venezuela.
As a percentage of revenues, total selling, general and administrative costs
were 11% for 1996 as compared to 12% for 1995.

     EARNINGS FROM OPERATIONS.  Earnings from operations for 1996 increased by
$12.8 million, or 47%, as compared to 1995. Of this increase, $12.7 million was
attributable to international expansion, including the Quitral-Co acquisition.
Domestic offshore utilization also improved, resulting in a $198,000 increase in
earnings from operations. Earnings from domestic land operations were
essentially unchanged between 1996 and 1995.

     OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE).  Other income (expense) for 1996 included net gains
from asset sales, foreign exchange transactions and other sources. Other income
(expense) for 1995 consisted primarily of miscellaneous gains of $638,000 from
asset sales, insurance recoveries, foreign exchange transactions and other
sources. Interest income increased to $2.4 million for 1996 from $740,000 for
1995 due to an increase in cash available for investment. Interest expense for
1996 increased by $7.4 million over 1995, as a result of interest accrued on the
convertible subordinated debentures and borrowings related to the Quitral-Co
acquisition and other additions to property and equipment. During 1996 and 1995,
the Company capitalized $1.9 million and $250,000, respectively, of interest
expense in connection with construction projects.

                                       18
<PAGE>
     INCOME TAX PROVISION (BENEFIT).  The Company's consolidated effective
income tax rate for 1996 was approximately 26%, as compared to approximately 32%
for 1995. The decrease was attributable to the increase in foreign income, which
is taxed at a lower statutory rate, and the reduction in U.S. income, which is
taxed at a higher statutory rate. The decrease was also due to recognition in
1996 of $2.2 million of foreign net operating loss carryforwards, including net
operating loss carryforwards of acquired businesses. The Company had previously
provided a valuation allowance for certain foreign net operating loss
carryforwards, due to uncertainties regarding the Company's ability to realize
such tax benefits.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

     The Company had net working capital of $103.7 million and $62.7 million at
December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively. The Company's current ratio was 1.5
and 1.7 at December 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996, respectively.

     In March 1997, the Company entered into a revolving credit facility with a
group of banks (as amended and restated in December 1997, the "Credit
Facility") which provides for availability of up to $100.0 million (including
$25.0 million for letters of credit). Availability under the Credit Facility is
limited to a borrowing base based on the value of collateral. The Credit
Facility is collateralized by the accounts receivable, inventory and intangibles
of the Company and its domestic subsidiaries, two-thirds of the stock of the
Company's foreign subsidiaries, the stock of the Company's domestic subsidiaries
and certain other assets. The Credit Facility terminates in December 2000.
Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at a variable rate based on
either the prime rate or LIBOR.

     The Credit Facility limits the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries
to incur additional indebtedness, create liens, enter into mergers and
consolidations, pay cash dividends on its capital stock, make acquisitions, sell
assets or change its business without prior consent of the lenders. Under the
Credit Facility, the Company must maintain certain financial ratios, including
(i) funded debt to pro forma EBITDA, (ii) funded debt to capitalization, (iii)
adjusted EBITDA to debt service and (iv) minimum tangible net worth. As of March
30, 1998, borrowings totaling $15.0 million were outstanding under the Credit
Facility. In order to maintain the availability of the Credit Facility, the
Company will be required to obtain waivers from the lenders or amend the Credit
Facility prior to funding of the equipment loans described below for the PRIDE
AFRICA.

     In May 1997, the Company issued $325.0 million of 9 3/8% Senior Notes due
May 1, 2007 (the "Senior Notes"). Interest on the Senior Notes is payable
semiannually on May 1 and November 1 of each year, commencing November 1, 1997.
The Senior Notes are not redeemable prior to May 1, 2002, after which they will
be redeemable, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company at redemption
prices starting at 104.688% and declining to 100% by May 1, 2005. In the event
the Company consummates a public equity offering on or prior to May 1, 2000, the
Company at its option may use all or a portion of the proceeds from such public
equity offering to redeem up to $108.3 million principal amount of the Senior
Notes at a redemption price equal to 109.375% of the aggregate principal amount
thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption.
The Indenture governing the Senior Notes (as amended and supplemented, the
"Indenture") contains provisions which limit the ability of the Company and
its subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness, create liens, enter into
mergers and consolidations, pay cash dividends on its capital stock, make
acquisitions, sell assets or change its business.

     A newly organized, special purpose subsidiary of the Company is
participating in joint ventures to construct, own and operate six Amethyst-class
dynamically positioned semisubmersible drilling rigs. The rigs will be operated
under charter and service contracts with Petrobras having initial terms of six
to eight years. The total estimated cost to construct, equip and mobilize the
six rigs is approximately $1 billion, approximately 90% of which is expected to
be provided from the proceeds of project finance obligations of the ventures
without recourse to the joint venture participants. Delivery of the rigs is
expected during late 1999 and 2000. The Company estimates that its total equity
investment in the project will be approximately $30 million, which will
represent a 30% ownership interest.

     A subsidiary of the Company has entered into a joint venture to construct,
own and operate the PRIDE AFRICA, an ultra-deepwater drillship currently under
construction in South Korea. The PRIDE AFRICA, which will be capable of
operating in water depths of up to 10,000 feet, is contracted to work for Elf
Exploration Angola ("ELF Angola") for a term of five years. It is anticipated
that the PRIDE AFRICA will commence operations in mid-1999. The joint venture
has entered into a financing arrangement with a group of banks providing that
approximately 80% of the estimated construction cost of $235 million will be
financed by loans that are, upon delivery of the drillship,

                                       19
<PAGE>
without recourse to the joint venture participants. The Company estimates that
its total equity investment in the project will be approximately $12.0 million,
which will represent a 51% ownership interest.

     The Company has obtained a commitment from a group of banks to provide up
to $110.0 million in loans to finance the acquisition of certain equipment to be
installed on the PRIDE AFRICA. The loans will be secured by such equipment and
will bear interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 1.25% per annum. The Company has
agreed to sell such equipment to the joint venture formed to construct, own and
operate the rig on or before the date Elf Angola accepts delivery of the rig
under the charter, which is anticipated to be mid-1999, and expects to repay
such loan from such sales proceeds. The joint venture intends to draw on its
financing arrangement described above to finance its payment to the Company.

     The Company has filed a "shelf" registration statement under the
Securities Act pursuant to which it may issue up to $500.0 million of securities
consisting of any combination of debt securities, Common Stock and preferred
stock of the Company. Management believes that the cash generated from the
Company's operations, together with borrowings under the Credit Facility and
issuances of securities pursuant to the shelf registration statement, will be
adequate to fund the rig acquisitions and equity investments discussed above and
the Company's normal ongoing capital expenditure, working capital and debt
service requirements.

     The Company is active in reviewing possible expansion and acquisition
opportunities relating to all of its business segments. While the Company has no
definitive agreements to acquire additional equipment other than those discussed
above, suitable opportunities may arise in the future. The timing, size or
success of any acquisition effort and the associated potential capital
commitments are unpredictable. From time to time, the Company has one or more
bids outstanding for contracts that could require significant capital
expenditures and mobilization costs. The Company expects to fund acquisitions
and project opportunities primarily through a combination of working capital,
cash flow from operations and full or limited recourse debt or equity financing.

ACCOUNTING MATTERS

     The Company will adopt Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
("FAS") No. 132 "Employers' Disclosures about Pensions and Other
Postretirement Benefits," FAS No. 131 "Disclosures about Segments of an
Enterprise and Related Information," and FAS No. 130 "Reporting Comprehensive
Income" for the year ended December 31, 1998. The Company does not anticipate
that the adoption of these disclosure standards will have a material impact on
its consolidated financial statements.

YEAR 2000 MATTERS

     Year 2000 issues result from the inability of computer programs or
computerized equipment to accurately calculate, store or use a date subsequent
to December 31, 1999. The erroneous date can be interpreted in a number of
different ways; typically, the year 2000 is represented as the year 1900. This
could result in a system failure or miscalculations causing disruptions of
operations, including, among other things, a temporary inability to process
transactions, send invoices or engage in similar normal business. The Company is
in the process of implementing new financial reporting, operational reporting
and computer systems. The first phase of implementation was completed in
February 1998. The remaining phases are scheduled for implementation and
completion within the next two years. In addition, the Company is assessing the
use of less critical software systems and various types of equipment. The
Company is using both internal and external resources to complete tasks and
perform testing necessary to address year 2000 issues. The Company believes that
the potential impact, if any, of these systems not being year 2000 compliant
will at most require employees to manually complete otherwise automated tasks or
calculations and that it should not affect the Company's ability to continue
drilling or sales activities.

     The Company has initiated formal communication with its significant
suppliers, business partners and customers to determine the extent to which the
Company is vulnerable to those third parties' failure to correct their own year
2000 issues. There can be no assurances that the systems of other companies on
which the Company's systems rely will be timely converted, or that a failure to
convert by another company, or a conversion that is incompatible with the
Company's systems, would not have a material adverse effect on the Company.

                                       20
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURE

     PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, THE
REGISTRANT HAS DULY CAUSED THIS REPORT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE
UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED.

                                          PRIDE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                                          By: /s/ EARL McNIEL
                                                  EARL McNIEL
                                       VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF FINANCIAL
                                                    OFFICER

Date:  March 31, 1998

                                       37


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