As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 23, 1998
Registration No. 333-_____
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
---------------
Form S-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
---------------
DENBURY RESOURCES INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Canada 1311 Not Applicable
(State or other jurisdiction (Primary standard (I.R.S. employer
of incorporation or industrial identification no.)
organization) classification
code number)
PHIL RYKHOEK, C.F.O.
17304 Preston Road, Suite 200 Denbury Resources Inc.
Dallas, Texas 75252 17304 Preston Road, Suite 200
(972) 673-2000 Dallas, Texas 75252
(Address and telephone number (972) 673-2000;
of Registrant's Facsimile:(972) 673-2051
principal executive offices) (Name, address and telephone
number of Agent for Service)
Copies to:
DONALD W. BRODSKY
KAREN BRYANT
Jenkens & Gilchrist,
A Professional Corporation
1100 Louisiana, Suite 1800
Houston, TX 77002
(713) 951-3300; Facsimile:(713) 951-3314
APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon as
practicable after (a) the effectiveness of this Registration Statement and (b)
the effective date of the continuance of Denbury Resources Inc., an Alberta
corporation ("DRI"), as a domestic corporation under the Delaware General
Corporation Law (the "DGCL") (DRI, as continued under the DGCL, "DRI Delaware"
or the "Registrant").
If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in
connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with
General Instruction G, check the following box. [ ]
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) 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 this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same
offering. [ ] _________
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 the registration statement shall
become effective on such date as the commission, acting pursuant to such section
8(a), may determine.
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Amount Proposed Proposed
Title of Each Class to be Maximum Maximum Amount of
of Securities to be Registered Offering Price Aggregate Registration
Registered Per Share Offering Price Fee
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Common Stock 31,976,538 (1) $ 4.00 (2) $127,906,000 (2) $ 35,558 (2)
<FN>
(1) Consists of (i) 26,801,680 shares of DRI Delaware common stock issuable upon
the conversion pursuant to the continuance of DRI to the United States as a
Delaware corporation from Canada under DGCL, of currently issued and
outstanding common shares of DRI, and (ii) up to 5,174,858 shares of DRI
Delaware common stock reserved for issuance and which will be reserved by
DRI Delaware upon conversion of shares of DRI reserved for issuance under
DRI's Stock Option Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Plan and the outstanding
warrants, assuming that the proposed resolutions are approved by the
shareholders.
(2) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee
pursuant to Rule 457(f)(1) and Rule 457(c), based on the average of the high
and low prices of Common Shares, no par value, of DRI on December 22, 1998
on the New York Stock Exchange.
</FN>
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may
not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer
to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these
securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
LOGO
To Our Shareholders:
We are calling a special meeting of stockholders and asking you to approve
a move of the corporate domicile of Denbury Resources Inc. (the "Company") from
Canada to the United States and to authorize the Board to postpone or abandon
such move if the Board later determines that this move would not be in the
Company's best interest. We are also asking you to approve the sale of
18,552,876 common shares to an affiliate of the Texas Pacific Group ("TPG"), the
Company's largest shareholder, for U.S. $100 million or $5.39 per share and to
increase the number of common shares available for issuance under our employee
stock purchase and stock option plans. All of these actions have been approved
and are recommended by our Board of Directors.
Since 1993, all of our assets, employees and business operations have been
located in the United States. Our business activities are conducted through our
wholly owned U.S. subsidiary, Denbury Management Inc. ("DMI"). The proposed move
to the United States will not change any of the business or operations of our
Company and we will have all of the same assets, liabilities, personnel and
directors that we had prior to the move. We believe the move is in the best
interest of the Company for many reasons. These reasons are discussed in detail
in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus. However, if the directors later determine
that the move is no longer best for the Company for some reason such as adverse
tax consequences, the directors need the authority to postpone the move until
circumstances improve or to abandon it altogether. We also plan to merge DMI and
the Company after the move of domicile to the United States as there will no
longer be a need to maintain the existence of both entities.
The sale of 18,552,876 common shares to TPG for U.S. $100 million will
provide the Company with capital at a time when traditional debt and equity
financing for the oil and gas industry is generally unavailable. These funds
will initially be used to reduce debt, but ultimately we hope to acquire oil and
gas properties with this money. We believe the current low oil and gas price
environment make this an excellent time for us to pursue oil and gas
acquisitions.
Our employee stock purchase and stock option plans provides rewards and
incentives to our key employees and helps retain these key employees. In order
to maintain the benefits of these two plans, additional common shares are needed
for these plans.
The date, time and place of the special meeting is:
Date: _____ day, February __, 1999 Place: Petroleum Club
Time: 10:00 a.m. (Calgary time) Viking Room
319 Fifth Ave. S.W.
Calgary, Alberta
You should read this entire document carefully. It explains and outlines
certain issues, particularly those involved in a move of the Company's domicile
from Canada to the United States and in the sale of U.S. $100 million of common
shares to TPG.
We look forward to your attending the meeting. Whether or not you plan to
attend the meeting, please vote and mail in your proxy card by following the
instructions contained in this document and on the card.
Sincerely,
DENBURY RESOURCES INC.
Gareth Roberts
President and Chief Executive Officer
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved these securities or determined if this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary
is a criminal offense.
This Proxy Statement/Prospectus is dated ____________________,1999 and is first
being mailed to stockholders on or about _________________________, 1999.
<PAGE>
DENBURY RESOURCES INC.
17304 PRESTON ROAD, SUITE 200
DALLAS, TX 75252
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
Date: February __, 1999 Place: Petroleum Club
Viking Room
Time: 10:00 a.m. (Calgary time) 319 Fifth Avenue S.W.
Calgary, Alberta
At the special meeting, the shareholders of Denbury Resources Inc. ("DRI")
will be asked to vote on:
1. moving DRI's corporate domicile from Canada to the United States as
a Delaware corporation;
2. granting the Board of Directors the authority to postpone or abandon
the move of corporate domicile, even if approved by the
shareholders, if the Board later determines such move, or the timing
of the move, to not be in DRI's best interest;
3. selling 18,552,876 common shares of DRI to an affiliate of the Texas
Pacific Group ("TPG") for U.S. $100 million or $5.39 per share;
4. increasing the number of common shares that may be issued pursuant
to DRI's Employee Stock Purchase Plan;
5. increasing the number of common shares that may be issued pursuant
to DRI's Stock Option Plan; and
6. any other business that may properly come up at the special meeting.
A quorum is required to hold the meeting. The move of corporate domicile
requires approval by 2/3 of the votes cast by the shareholders of the common
shares of DRI. The sale of common shares to TPG requires a simple majority of
the shareholders voting for approval, excluding any vote by TPG or its
affiliates. The increase in the number of shares for issuance under the stock
purchase and stock option plans also requires a simple majority. If you disagree
with the move of the corporate domicile, you may be paid the fair value of your
stock in exchange for your shares. To be so paid, you must follow the steps set
out in this document. DO NOT SEND STOCK CERTIFICATES WITH YOUR PROXY CARD.
Only shareholders who owned stock at the close of business on January __,
1999 can vote at this meeting or any adjournments that may take place.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Phil Rykhoek
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
As of February __, 1999
IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE
ENCLOSED PROXY CARD BE SIGNED, DATED AND PROMPTLY RETURNED IN THE ENCLOSED
ENVELOPE. THIS PROXY CARD MUST BE RECEIVED AT LEAST TWO BUSINESS DAYS BEFORE THE
MEETING TO BE INCLUDED IN THE VOTE. YOU MAY VOTE BY RETURNING THE PROXY CARD
EVEN IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING.
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE MATTERS TO BE VOTED ON.........................1
SUMMARY........................................................................5
The Company.................................................................5
The Special Meeting.........................................................7
Recommendations to the Shareholders.........................................9
Moving the Corporate Domicile of DRI........................................9
Granting the Board of Directors Authority to
Abandon or Postpone the Move of Domicile.................................13
Sale of Shares to TPG......................................................13
Increase of Authorized Shares Under DRI's
Employee Stock Purchase Plan.............................................16
Increase of Authorized Shares Under DRI's
Stock Option Plan........................................................16
Summary Historical And Pro Forma
Consolidated Financial Data..............................................18
Summary Reserve Data.......................................................20
Summary Operating Data.....................................................21
RISK FACTORS..................................................................22
Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations.................................22
United States Federal Income Tax
Considerations...........................................................22
Effects of the Move of Domicile on Shareholder
Rights...................................................................23
Controlling Stockholder....................................................25
Dilution...................................................................25
Risks Inherent in an Investment in DRI.....................................26
THE MEETING...................................................................27
General....................................................................27
Voting Rights..............................................................27
Solicitation and Revocation of Proxies.....................................28
MOVING THE CORPORATE DOMICILE OF DRI..........................................27
The Continuance............................................................27
The Merger.................................................................30
Effects of the Move of Corporate Domicile and
Merger.................................................................31
Background to and Principal Reasons for the
Move of Corporate Domicile and Merger..................................32
Material Canadian Federal Income Tax
Consequences of the Move of Corporate
Domicile and Merger....................................................34
Material United States Federal Income Tax
Consequences to Shareholders of the Move
of Corporate Domicile and Merger.................. ....................37
Material United States Federal Income Tax
Consequences to the Company of the Move
of Corporate Domicile and Merger.......................................42
Comparison of Shareholders' Rights.........................................44
Dissenting Shareholders' Rights............................................51
GRANTING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
AUTHORITY TO ABANDON OR POSTPONE
THE MOVE OF DOMICILE.......................................................53
SALE OF SHARES TO TPG.........................................................54
Opinion of CSFB............................................................59
Use of Proceeds............................................................63
Capitalization.............................................................63
INCREASE OF AUTHORIZED SHARES UNDER
DRI'S EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN.........................................64
INCREASE OF AUTHORIZED SHARES UNDER
DRI'S STOCK OPTION PLAN....................................................64
MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY.....................................................66
Compensation of Directors and Officers.....................................68
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK..................................................69
DRI and DRI Delaware Common Stock..........................................69
DRI Delaware Preferred Stock...............................................69
NATURE OF THE TRADING MARKET..................................................69
LEGAL MATTERS.................................................................70
EXPERTS.......................................................................70
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE
INFORMATION................................................................70
Available Information......................................................70
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference............................71
Certain Forward-Looking Statements.........................................71
OTHER MATTERS.................................................................72
i
<PAGE>
SERVICE AND ENFORCEMENT OF LEGAL
PROCESS....................................................................72
GLOSSARY......................................................................73
EXHIBIT A - OPINION OF CREDIT SUISSE
FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION..................................................A-1
EXHIBIT B - SECTION 190 OF THE CBCA..........................................B-1
EXHIBIT C - CERTIFICATE OF
DOMESTICATION.............................................................C-1
EXHIBIT D - CERTIFICATE OF
INCORPORATION.............................................................D-1
EXHIBIT E - BYLAWS...........................................................E-1
EXHIBIT F - LIQUIDITY OPINION................................................F-1
ii
<PAGE>
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE MATTERS TO BE VOTED ON
Q: What am I voting on?
A: 1) Moving DRI's legal domicile from Canada to the United States as a
Delaware corporation;
2) granting the Board of Directors the authority to postpone or abandon the
move of corporate domicile, even if approved by the shareholders, if the
Board in its discretion determines such move or the timing of the move not
to be in DRI's best interest;
3) selling 18,552,876 common shares to TPG, DRI's largest shareholder, for
U.S. $100 million or $5.39 per share;
4) increasing the number of common shares that may be issued pursuant to the
DRI's Employee Stock Purchase Plan;
5) increasing the number of common shares that may be issued pursuant to the
DRI's Stock Option Plan; and
6) any other business that may properly come up at the special meeting.
Q: What risks should I consider?
A: You should review "RISK FACTORS" on pages 22 through 27 for a detailed
discussion of these risks.
Q: Why does DRI want to move its corporate domicile from Canada to the United
States?
A: We believe that being a United States corporation will give us (1) a better
ability to access the United States capital markets, (2) more flexibility in
our capital structure and (3) opportunities to do transactions with other
United States corporations. All of our assets, employees and business
operations are currently located in the United States. We also believe that
the move will decrease the administrative burden in complying with the laws
and regulations of two countries.
Q: Why do I not vote on the merger between DRI Delaware and its wholly owned
subsidiary, DMI?
A: Delaware law does not require shareholder approval of the merger of a wholly
owned subsidiary into its parent when the parent entity is the surviving
corporation. This is the case for DRI Delaware and DMI. This merger will
happen essentially at the same time as the move of the corporate domicile
into Delaware.
Q: Why does DRI want to merge with DMI?
A: Virtually all of DRI's assets, except for the shares it holds of DMI, its
wholly owned subsidiary, are owned by DMI. Merging the two entities will
decrease the administrative burdens of maintaining two different corporate
entities. There is not a valid business reason to maintain two separate
entities after the move of the domicile of DRI to the United States.
Q: What stock will I hold after the corporate domicile is moved to the United
States and DRI is merged with its subsidiary?
A: The move of the corporate domicile and merger are essentially happening at
the same time. Each share of common stock of DRI will automatically become
one common share of Denbury Resources Inc., a Delaware corporation ("DRI
Delaware"). The move and merger itself will not change your ownership
percentage, although there could be a slight ownership change resulting from
shareholders that exercise their dissenters' rights. However, dilution will
1
<PAGE>
result if the sale of stock to TPG is approved.
For example:
o If you currently own 100 shares of common stock in DRI, then after the
move and merger, you will own 100 shares of common stock in DRI Delaware.
o If you currently own 10% of DRI's common stock, then after the move,
merger and sale of stock to TPG, you will own approximately 5.9% of the
common stock in DRI Delaware. Such percentage may be slightly higher if
shareholders exercise their dissenter rights and sell their shares to DRI.
Q: How will the move and merger affect the business activities of the companies?
A: The move of DRI's domicile to the United States and its merger with its
wholly owned subsidiary will have no impact on the business activities at
all.
Q: When will the move of corporate domicile and merger be completed?
A: It is expected that the move and merger will be completed during the first
quarter of 1999. If the Board of Directors is authorized to abandon or
postpone the move and merger, and later determine the move and merger, or the
timing of them, are not in DRI's best interest, the move and merger may be
postponed or even abandoned altogether.
Q: What are the tax consequences of the move and merger to me?
A: We expect that the move and merger will be tax-free to shareholders for both
U.S. and Canadian federal income tax purposes. To review the tax consequences
to shareholders in greater detail, see pages 11 through 13. The tax
consequences to you of the move and merger will depend, however, on your own
situation. You should consult your tax advisors for a full understanding of
the tax consequences of the move and merger to you.
Q: Why is the Company proposing to sell approximately 18.6 million common shares
to TPG?
A: This sale of stock provides much needed capital for us at a time when
traditional debt and equity financing for the oil and gas industry is
generally unavailable. These funds will initially be used to reduce debt, but
we ultimately hope to use these funds for oil and gas acquisitions. We
believe that the current low oil and gas price environment makes this an
excellent time to pursue acquisitions and increases the likelihood of making
attractive investments. At our present levels of debt, we would have
difficulty making any meaningful acquisitions without this additional equity.
The equity also helps improve our debt ratios at a time when our cash flows
and results of operations have been sharply reduced due to the low oil
prices.
Q: How did the Board of Directors address the conflicts of interest and the
negotiation of the price in selling stock to its largest shareholder?
A. A committee of the Board made up of only independent directors negotiated the
price to be paid by TPG to purchase shares from DRI. The committee considered
as part of these negotiations, its discussions with management and certain
financial information prepared by Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation,
DRI's financial advisor.
2
<PAGE>
Q: Why does the committee believe that the price at which the shares are being
purchased by TPG is fair?
A: The sales price was 41% higher than the closing market price for DRI's common
stock on December 1, 1998 when the price was negotiated and was the midpoint
of a November 24, 1998 preliminary financial analysis of DRI's per share
value prepared by Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation. This opinion, as to
the fairness from a financial point of view to DRI of the price to be
received by DRI, is attached as Exhibit A.
Q: Why is the Board of Directors asking the shareholders to approve the sale of
stock to TPG?
A: The New York Stock Exchange and The Toronto Stock Exchange require
shareholder approval of significant stock sales to significant shareholders.
The Board would also like your approval since this is a related party
transaction and TPG is obtaining control of DRI.
Q: Why is the Board of Directors asking the shareholders to approve an increase
in the number of common shares that may be issued pursuant to the employee
stock purchase plan?
A: After December 1998, no shares will remain available under this plan. The
Board of Directors believe that the stock purchase plan helps align the
interest of the employees and you as a shareholder. The Board of Directors
also believes it is beneficial to the Company to provide rewards and
incentives to its employees and that the employee stock purchase plan helps
retain these employees. We are requesting that additional shares be
authorized for issuance under this plan in order to continue such benefits.
Q: Why is the Board of Directors asking the shareholders to approve an increase
in the number of common shares that may be issued pursuant to the stock
option plan?
A: The Board of Directors has authorized an additional grant of stock options to
our employees as of January 1, 1999, subject to your approval. This grant was
authorized as part of the Board's regular annual review and is consistent
with the procedures followed in prior years. However, there are not enough
shares of stock options authorized under the plan to satisfy this grant. As
the Board of Directors believes it is beneficial to the Company to provide
rewards and incentives to its key employees and also believes that the stock
option plan helps retain its key employees, the Board is requesting that
additional shares be authorized for issuance under the plan.
Q: How does the Board recommend I vote on the proposals?
A: The Board recommends a vote FOR each of the proposals.
Q: Who is entitled to vote?
A: Shareholders as of the close of business on January __, 1999 (the Record
Date).
Q: How do I vote?
A: Attend the shareholders meeting in Calgary, Canada or sign and date the proxy
card and return it in the prepaid envelope. If you return your signed proxy
card but do not mark the boxes showing how you wish to vote, your shares will
be voted FOR all of
3
<PAGE>
the proposals. You have the right to revoke your proxy at any time before the
meeting by:
(1)notifying the Corporate Secretary;
(2)voting in person at the meeting; OR
(3)returning a later-dated proxy card.
Q: What is a "quorum"?
A: A "quorum" is at least two people that hold or represent at least 5% of the
outstanding shares. They may be present or represented by proxy at the
meeting. There must be a quorum present for the meeting to be held. If you
submit a properly executed proxy card, even if you abstain from voting, then
you will be considered part of the quorum.
Q: What vote is required for the proposals to pass?
A: The required vote varies for the proposals:
o The proposal to move the corporate domicile must receive 2/3 of all votes
cast to be approved.
o The proposed sale of stock to TPG must be voted on by a least 50% of the
outstanding shares. This is required by the New York Stock Exchange
because TPG is a significant shareholder of DRI. TPG's shares will be
included to determine whether 50% have voted, but a majority of the voting
shareholders excluding TPG's vote must approve the proposed sale.
o The other proposals must be approved by a simple majority of the shares
voting.
Q: How will voting on any other business be conducted?
A: Although we do not know of any business to be considered at the meeting other
than the proposals described in this document, if any other business is
properly presented at the meeting, your signed proxy card gives authority to
Ronald G. Greene, Chairman of the Board, or Phil Rykhoek, Chief Financial
Officer and Secretary, to vote on such matters at their discretion.
Q: If my shares are held in "street name" by my broker, will my broker vote my
shares for me?
A: Your broker will vote your shares only if you provide instructions on how to
vote, except that brokers who hold shares as nominees will have discretionary
authority to vote such shares for the increase in authorized common stock for
issuance under the Company's employee stock purchase plan and stock option
plan. Other than as described above, without instructions, your shares will
not be voted. Shares that are not voted will not be counted in the vote
totals.
Q: Should I send in my stock certificates?
A: Only if you are exercising your dissenter rights and then you should
carefully read pages 51 through 53 and follow those instructions. Otherwise,
you should retain your stock certificates as the move and merger will not
require surrender of stock certificates at any time.
If you would like additional copies of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus, or if
you have questions, you should contact:
Investor Relations
17304 Preston Road., Suite 200
Dallas, Texas 75252
(972) 673-2000
4
<PAGE>
SUMMARY
THIS SUMMARY HIGHLIGHTS SELECTED INFORMATION FROM THIS DOCUMENT AND MAY NOT
CONTAIN ALL THE INFORMATION THAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU. FOR A MORE COMPLETE
UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROPOSALS, YOU SHOULD READ THIS ENTIRE DOCUMENT CAREFULLY,
AS WELL AS THE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS WE REFER YOU TO. SEE "WHERE YOU CAN FIND
MORE INFORMATION" (PAGES 70 THROUGH71). WE HAVE ALSO INCLUDED A GLOSSARY ON PAGE
73 OF CERTAIN OIL AND GAS RELATED ABBREVIATIONS AND DEFINITIONS THAT ARE USED IN
THIS DOCUMENT. ALL OF THE DOLLAR AMOUNTS USED IN THIS DOCUMENT ARE EXPRESSED IN
U.S. DOLLARS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.
THE COMPANY
CORPORATE STRUCTURE
Denbury Resources Inc., an Alberta corporation, is the parent company of
Denbury Management, Inc., a Texas corporation. Virtually the only asset DRI owns
is all of the outstanding shares of stock of DMI. The common shares of DRI are
listed on The Toronto Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange under the
symbol of DNR. In this document, we will refer to Denbury Resources Inc. as
"DRI" and to Denbury Management, Inc. as "DMI" or to both as the "Company" when
referring to both DRI and DMI on a consolidated basis.
CORPORATE OVERVIEW
We are an independent exploration, development and production company
headquartered in Dallas, Texas. We acquire oil and gas properties and develop
and explore for oil and natural gas on our own properties. Our activities have
been focused in the United States Gulf Coast region, primarily onshore in
Louisiana and Mississippi. As of December 31, 1997, we had proven reserves of
52.0 million barrels of oil and 77.2 billion cubic feet of natural gas or 64.9
million barrels of oil equivalent. These oil and natural gas reserves had a
discounted present value using a 10% discount factor and constant oil and
natural gas prices ("PV10 Value") of $361.3 million, of which $276.5 million was
attributable to proved developed reserves. This PV10 Value was computed based on
oil and natural gas prices in effect at December 31, 1997. By mid December,
1998, oil prices had dropped approximately $7.00 per Bbl and natural gas prices
had dropped approximately $0.50 per Mcf from the prior year-end levels. When
reserves are reviewed at year-end 1998 these drops in price will have an effect
on the PV10 Value, although it is not possible to quantify this decrease until
the December 31, 1998 reserve report, expected in February 1999, is completed.
As part of our corporate strategy, we believe in the following fundamental
principles:
o Remain focused in specific regions.
o Acquire properties where we believe additional value can be created
through a combination of exploitation, development, exploration and
marketing.
o Acquire properties where we will have majority working interests and
operational control or believe we can ultimately obtain it.
5
<PAGE>
o Maximize the value of our properties by increasing production and reserves
while reducing costs.
o Maintain a highly competitive team of experienced and incentivized
personnel.
As of December 31, 1997, we operated approximately 83% of the wells
comprising our PV10 Value. Our nine largest fields constituted approximately 82%
of our estimated proved reserves. Within these nine fields, we had an average
working interest of 91%.
Since the current management team became involved in the company in 1993,
we have focused our attention exclusively in the United States. Since that time,
acquisitions have been an important part of our strategy. From 1993 through
December 31, 1995, we spent a total of $43.4 million on acquisitions. Since
1995, we have made two key acquisitions, the first in May 1996. At that time, we
acquired properties in our core areas of Mississippi and Louisiana from Amerada
Hess Corporation ("Amerada Hess") for approximately $37.2 million (the "Hess
Acquisition"). As of June 30, 1996, when these properties were acquired, they
were producing approximately 2,945 BOE per day and had proved reserves of
approximately 5.9 MMBOE. After acquiring the properties, we did extensive
development and exploitation on these properties and as a result, increased the
production 185% to a peak of 8,393 BOE per day during the second quarter of 1998
and increased the reserves 141% to 14.2 MMBOE as of December 31, 1997. This
acquisition has been very profitable for us even though production has peaked
and oil prices have dropped during 1998 to one of the lowest levels in recent
history. Production for the third quarter of 1998 averaged approximately 7,600
BOE per day with further declines expected during the fourth quarter. These
production declines are primarily as a result of production decreases on the
horizontal oil wells drilled late in 1997 and early 1998 and the lack of
drilling and other development activity on these properties during the later
half of 1998 due to the low oil prices. There are additional development
projects to do on these properties, plus some exploration potential, when oil
prices recover to a more normalized level.
In December 1997, we acquired oil properties in the Heidelberg Field from
Chevron U.S.A., Inc. for approximately $202 million (the "Chevron Acquisition").
This field is located approximately nine miles from the Eucutta Field, our
property with the highest PV10 Value acquired in the Hess Acquisition. The
estimated proved reserves as of January 1, 1998 for the Chevron Acquisition
properties were approximately 27.6 MMBOE, with average net daily production of
approximately 2,900 BOE per day for the fourth quarter of 1997. Due to the low
oil price throughout 1998, we have not developed this field as quickly as
originally planned. In spite of the scaled back development plan, production at
this field averaged approximately 4,200 BOE per day during the third quarter of
1998, a 45% increase from the fourth quarter of 1997.
At June 30, 1998 we had a $165 million non-cash writedown of the full cost
pool primarily as a result of the low oil prices, of which $134 million was
attributable to the inclusion of the Heidelberg properties in the full cost
pool. This writedown was computed based on a NYMEX oil price of $14.00 per
barrel ("Bbl"). As of September 30, 1998, we did not have any additional
writedowns as oil prices had recovered slightly and were higher than they were
at June 30, 1998. However since September 30, oil prices have continued to drop
and as of mid December 1998 were approximately $3.00 per Bbl below the June 30,
1998 levels. At these prices, another writedown of the full cost pool appears
certain at December 31, 1998, although the exact magnitude is difficult to
determine at this time. These values will depend on several factors,
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including oil and natural gas prices at December 31, 1998 and the reserve
quantities and values as determined by our independent engineers.
Between the first nine months of 1997 and 1998, our net oil product prices
decreased 39% ($6.89 per Bbl) and our natural gas product prices declined by 7%
($0.19 per Mcf). This drop in oil and natural gas prices has caused our cash
flow and results of operations to drop substantially during 1998 and has
contributed to an increase in our debt levels during the year. Furthermore, at
these oil price levels, most of our oil development and exploration projects are
uneconomical. As such, we have significantly curtailed our development
expenditures and are shifting our focus to potential acquisition opportunities.
However, if oil prices do recover to a more normalized level, we have built a
significant inventory of oil development projects that will then be economic,
subject to the availability of capital. A majority of these inventoried projects
are on the Chevron Acquisition properties.
Although we believe this low price environment makes it a good time to pursue
acquisitions, without additional capital our high debt levels make it difficult
for us to make any meaningful acquisitions. This is the primary reason that we
have sought additional capital and are asking you, as a shareholder, to approve
the sale of common shares to TPG for $100 million.
THE SPECIAL MEETING
DATE, TIME AND PLACE
The special meeting will be held at 10:00 a.m. (Calgary time) on February
__, 1999 at the Petroleum Club, Viking Room, 319 Fifth Avenue S.W., Calgary,
Alberta.
MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED
At the special meeting, shareholders will be asked to vote on:
1) moving DRI's legal domicile from Canada to the United States as a
Delaware corporation;
2) granting the Board of Directors the authority to postpone or abandon the
move of corporate domicile, even if approved by the shareholders, if the
Board in its discretion determines such move or the timing of the move
not to be in DRI's best interest;
3) selling 18,552,876 common shares to TPG, DRI's largest shareholder, for
$100 million or $5.39 per share;
4) increasing the number of common shares that may be issued pursuant to
the DRI's Employee Stock Purchase Plan;
5) increasing the number of common shares that may be issued pursuant to
the DRI's Stock Option Plan; and
6) any other business that may properly come up at the special meeting.
RECORD DATE; QUORUM
Only shareholders of record as of the close of business on the January ___,
1999 (the record date) are entitled to vote at the special meeting. On that
date, there were _____________ common
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shares entitled to vote. A quorum is required to hold the special meeting and is
at least two people that hold or represent at least 5% of the outstanding
shares.
VOTE REQUIRED FOR APPROVAL
The proposal to move the corporate domicile must receive 2/3 of all votes
cast to be approved. The other proposals must receive approval of a simple
majority of the shares voting in order to be adopted. However, there are
additional special requirements to approve the proposed sale of stock to TPG
because TPG is presently a significant shareholder of DRI. Although a quorum is
achieved if at least 5% of the outstanding shares vote, the New York Stock
Exchange requires that at least 50% of the outstanding shares must vote on the
proposed TPG purchase. TPG's shares may be included in order to reach a 50%
participation level, but a majority of the voting shareholders, excluding TPG,
is required to approve the proposed sale of stock. Abstentions are not counted
as votes FOR or AGAINST a proposal.
OTHER CONSENTS REQUIRED
The move of DRI's legal domicile from Canada to the United States requires
that the Director under the Canada Business Corporation Act, DRI's jurisdiction
of incorporation, be satisfied that such change of corporate domicile will not
adversely affect creditors or shareholders of DRI. It is anticipated that such
approval of the Director will be granted; however, there can be no assurance
that it will be.
RIGHT TO DISSENT
Under Canadian law, you may dissent with respect to the proposal to move
the domicile of DRI from Canada to the United States and be paid the fair value
of your shares. To dissent and be paid, you must follow the proper procedures
set out on pages 51 through 53. If you do not follow the proper procedures, you
will lose your right to dissent. You can lose your right to dissent, for
example, by voting in favor of the resolution on moving DRI's legal domicile, by
failing to send in a dissent notice prior to the Special Meeting, or by failing
to make a payment demand within a twenty-day period after the meeting. To
dissent, please refer to Exhibit "B" to this joint proxy statement/prospectus
and read the section "Moving the Corporation Domicile of DRI-Dissenting
Shareholders' Rights" for more details. The Board of Directors of DRI has the
power to postpone or abandon the proposal to move DRI's domicile if the owners
of a large number of shares dissent and request payment for the fair value of
their shares and the Board determines that the aggregate cost to repurchase
these shares is too high.
RECENT MARKET PRICES FOR COMMON SHARES
The closing sales price of the our common shares on December 22, 1998 was
$3.9375 on the New York Stock Exchange and Cdn. $ 6.10 on The Toronto Stock
Exchange. Please also see the section "Nature of Trading Market."
SHARE OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND CERTAIN STOCKHOLDERS
As of December 1, 1998 directors and executive officers, excluding these
controlled by the TPG directors, controlled 1,837,404 common shares
(approximately 7%). These directors and executive officers have indicated that
they intend to vote in favor of all proposals. The TPG affiliates own 32% of the
outstanding common shares and have agreed to vote in favor of the move and the
proposed changes to the benefit plans. The proposal to sell stock to TPG will
require
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approval by a simple majority of the shareholders voting, excluding any vote by
TPG or its affiliates.
RECOMMENDATIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAVE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED ALL OF THE PROPOSALS AND
BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE SHAREHOLDERS. THEY RECOMMEND
THAT THE SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR EACH PROPOSAL.
MOVING THE CORPORATE DOMICILE OF DRI
If approved, we will move the corporate domicile of DRI from Canada to the
United States. Specifically, DRI will become a Delaware corporation. This
process is known as a continuance in Canada and a domestication in Delaware and
must be approved by you as a DRI shareholder. After approval, we will file the
appropriate documents with both Delaware and Canada and then DRI will be
reincorporated as a Delaware corporation. To keep the Canadian DRI and the
Delaware DRI separate in this document, we will refer to the proposed new
Delaware corporation as DRI Delaware.
After the move of DRI's corporate domicile, DRI Delaware and DMI will
merge, leaving one entity in existence, DRI Delaware. These changes in legal
structure will not change our business or operations. Under Delaware law,
approval by shareholders is not required for a merger of a wholly owned
subsidiary into its parent.
The move and merger essentially will happen at the same time. Each common
share of DRI will automatically become one common share of DRI Delaware. If you
hold stock options or warrants to purchase our common shares, the options will
continue to be valid on essentially the same terms for shares of DRI Delaware.
The principal attributes of the capital stock of DRI Delaware will be
identical to those of the existing common shares of DRI, other than certain
differences in shareholders' rights between Canadian law and Delaware law. The
change of jurisdiction from Canada to the State of Delaware, and certain
provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation of DRI Delaware, will result in
various changes to the existing rights of you as a shareholder. These
differences are discussed later in the summary.
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. The directors and officers of DRI Delaware
immediately following the move will be identical to the current directors and
officers of DRI. It is anticipated that officers of DMI that are not currently
officers of DRI will be elected to a similar position with DRI following the
merger. As of the effective date of the continuance and merger, the election,
duties, resignation and removal of DRI directors and officers shall be governed
by Delaware law and the charter and by-laws of DRI Delaware. See "Moving the
Corporate Domicile of DRI Effects of the Continuance and Merger" and "Management
of the Company."
STOCK EXCHANGE LISTINGS. Our common shares are listed on the New York Stock
Exchange and The Toronto Stock Exchange and trade under the symbol "DNR." We
currently plan to maintain both listings following the continuance and merger,
although it is possible that the trading symbols may change as a result.
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POTENTIAL ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES OF THE MOVE OF CORPORATE DOMICILE. We
believe that the proposed change of corporate domicile and merger will not cause
any material adverse consequences to us or to you as a shareholder. We reviewed
our assets, liabilities and paid-up capital and obtained legal opinions from our
tax advisors and believe that no Canadian or United States federal taxes will be
due as a result of this transaction. However, to reach such conclusion, we and
our tax advisors made certain favorable assumptions regarding the tax treatment
of this transaction. Some of these assumptions could be interpreted in a less
favorable manner. Some of the facts supporting our assumptions and conclusions
could change prior to consummation of the move and merger. We have not applied
to the federal tax authorities for a ruling on this matter and do not intend to
do so as it is highly unlikely that the tax authorities would issue any such
ruling on this type of transaction. You should understand that it is possible
that the authorities could reject our positions and claim that we or you owe
taxes as a result of this transaction.
BACKGROUND TO AND PRINCIPAL REASONS FOR THE MOVE OF CORPORATE DOMICILE
Our Board of Directors believe it is advantageous for us to move our
corporate domicile from Canada to the United States for the following reasons:
o Incremental Canadian tax costs reduce flexibility in our capital
structure. For example, there is a Canadian withholding tax on interest
and dividend payments when these types of funds are transferred between
the United States and Canada. Such tax discourages issuance of certain
types of securities, such as convertible debt or convertible preferred
stock, and the payment of dividends, even though we don't expect to pay
any dividends in the foreseeable future.
o We believe that being a United States corporation will give us more
opportunities to structure transactions for growth. For example, United
States companies will be less hesitant to accept common stock from an
United States corporation in exchange for oil and gas assets or stock in
another company than they would be to accept stock of a foreign
corporation. We also believe that being a United States corporation will
give us better access to the U.S. capital markets.
o We believe that certain United States laws and regulations permit more
flexibility, in part because a majority of the holders of our
outstanding shares are located in the United States. For example, there
is no United States law parallel to the Canadian law that requires at
least 1/3 of our board members be Canadian residents. Additionally, we
are unable to take advantage of certain benefits of the North American
Free Trade Act because we are a Canadian corporation that is more than
50% owned by United States residents. We expect that the move will save
us some administrative time and money in the future in dealing with the
laws and regulations of both countries.
o Although the United States and Canadian accounting rules are similar,
they are not quite the same. This can cause confusion since our results,
which we report based on the Canadian accounting rules, are usually
compared to our United States peer companies. As a United States
company, we would report using United States generally accepted
accounting principles ("GAAP") and this confusion would be
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eliminated. We also believe that the United States accounting rules are
currently more conducive to mergers, which may be beneficial in certain
circumstances.
o Over the years, our contacts with Canada have decreased and now all of
our operations, employees and assets are in the United States. We
estimate that over 75% of our common shares are now held by United
States residents.
SELECTION OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE. The state of Delaware follows a policy
of encouraging incorporation in its state and has comprehensive, modern and
flexible corporate laws that are periodically updated and revised to meet the
changing business needs. As a result, many major corporations chose Delaware for
their domicile. Accordingly, the Delaware courts have considerable expertise in
dealing with corporate issues. We expect that such favorable corporate
environment will continue in the future.
COMPARISON OF THE DRI COMMON SHARES AND DRI DELAWARE CAPITAL THECK.
principal attributes of the capital stock of DRI Delaware will be identical to
those of the existing common shares of DRI, other than certain differences in
shareholders' rights between the Canada Business Corporations Act ("CBCA") and
the Delaware General Corporation Law ("DGCL"). You should also read "Moving the
Corporate Domicile of DRI-Effects of the Continuance and Merger," "Description
of Capital Stock" and "Moving the Corporate Domicile of DRI- Comparison of
Shareholders' Rights."
DIFFERENCES IN SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS IN CANADA AND DELAWARE. While many rights
and privileges of stockholders of a Delaware corporation are comparable to those
of shareholders of a CBCA corporation, there are certain material differences
between the CBCA and the DGCL, including:
o Votes required for extraordinary transactions
o Amendment to governing documents
o Dissenters' rights
o Oppression remedies
o Derivative actions
o Shareholder consent in lieu of a meeting
o Shareholder quorum
o Director qualifications
o Fiduciary duties of directors
o Indemnification of officers and directors
o Director liability
o Anti-takeover provisions and interested shareholder transactions
o Access to corporate records
You should read "Moving the Corporate Domicile of DRI-Comparison of
Shareholders' Rights" for details regarding these differences.
CERTAIN INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS OF THE MOVE OF CORPORATE DOMICILE
We have prepared the following summary of federal income tax
considerations. The information in this summary is qualified in its entirety by
the more detailed discussions in the respective tax sections under "Moving the
Corporate Domicile of DRI". As summary information
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is by its nature, less precise and detailed, you are encouraged to carefully
read the discussions under such sections. You are also encouraged to consult
with your own tax advisor.
This transaction may also have tax consequences to shareholders who are
neither Canadian nor United States taxpayers. If you are one of these
shareholders, you are urged to consult your own tax advisor.
TAX TREATMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS AS A RESULT OF THE MOVE OF CORPORATE
DOMICILE. We have structured the continuance and merger to be tax free for
shareholders in the United States and Canada who receive only shares of common
stock in DRI Delaware in the deemed exchange for their shares of common stock in
DRI. Under our proposed structure, the tax basis and holding period of these
shareholders in their new Delaware DRI Common Stock will be the same as their
tax basis and holding period of their current DRI common shares.
TAX TREATMENT OF THE COMPANY AS RESULT OF THE MOVE OF CORPORATE DOMICILE.
Under certain circumstances, moving DRI's legal domicile from Canada to the
United States by the continuance could result in taxation of DRI under either
Canadian or United States tax law. Under Canadian income tax laws, DRI will be
treated as if it had sold all of its property in exchange for the fair market
value of the DRI Delaware common stock received in the continuance. DRI will be
subject to Canadian tax on any income and net taxable capital gains from this
deemed disposition. Additionally, DRI will be subject to a Canadian corporate
emigration tax at a rate of five percent of the amount by which the fair market
value of DRI's assets net of liabilities exceeds the paid-up capital of DRI's
issued and outstanding shares. Given the current value of DRI's assets, however,
no Canadian federal taxes should be owed by DRI under the Canadian Tax Act from
the continuance. There can be no assurance, however, that Revenue Canada will
agree with the valuation of DRI's assets which supports the conclusion that no
tax will be owed. A disagreement with Revenue Canada could result in DRI owing
Canadian income taxes.
DRI will also have to pay United States federal income tax if the fair
market value of the DRI Delaware common stock that is distributed to
shareholders of DRI is greater than DRI's tax basis in the DRI Delaware common
stock at the time of the continuance. Our calculation indicates that DRI's tax
basis in the DRI Delaware common stock should substantially exceed the fair
market value of the DRI Delaware common stock at the time of the continuance.
Assuming that our tax basis and fair market value determinations are correct,
DRI will not realize a gain on the continuance. There can be no assurance,
however, that the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") will agree with DRI's
calculation of such tax basis or that the fair market value of such stock will
not change prior to the date of the continuance. Any disagreement could result
in DRI owing United States federal income taxes as a result of the continuance.
TAX TREATMENT OF THE MERGER. We have structured the merger to qualify as
the liquidation of a wholly owned subsidiary into its parent corporation. DRI
should not recognize any gain or loss on the merger and should take a tax basis
and holding period in the assets of DMI equal to DMI's tax basis and holding
period in those assets before the merger. You should not recognize any gain or
loss for United States income tax purposes on your DRI Delaware common stock as
a result of the merger.
TAX TREATMENT OF DIVIDENDS TO CANADIAN SHAREHOLDERS AFTER THE MOVE OF
CORPORATE DOMICILE. We have not paid dividends in the past on our stock and do
not expect to pay dividends in the foreseeable future. After the continuance and
merger, if you reside in Canada any dividends received by you from us will be
includible in your taxable income. A portion of the dividend will be reduced by
U.S. withholding taxes on dividends. If you are a corporation, the dividend will
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probably not be deductible and if you are an individual you will not be entitled
to receive the gross-up and dividend tax credit treatment that you get when you
receive dividends from Canadian corporations.
TAX TREATMENT OF DEFERRED INCOME PLANS AFTER THE MOVE OF CORPORATE
DOMICILE. After the continuance, our shares will still be a qualified investment
for trusts governed by registered savings plans, deferred profit sharing plans
and registered retirement income funds ("Deferred Income Plans"), as long as the
shares remain listed on The Toronto Stock Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange
or another prescribed stock exchange. However, following the continuance, if you
are a Deferred Income Plan or similar tax-exempt entity, our shares will be
treated as foreign property. Therefore, if you hold our shares you may be
subject to certain penalty taxes. If you are a current holder of our shares, you
will have a two year grace period before these penalty taxes will take effect.
GRANTING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AUTHORITY TO
ABANDON OR POSTPONE THE MOVE OF DOMICILE
You are being asked to approve a grant of authority to the Board of
Directors to postpone or abandon the move of the corporate domicile, even if
approved by the shareholders, if the Board later determines such a move or the
timing of it would not be in DRI's best interest. Although it is difficult to
foresee all possibilities or reasons to postpone or abandon the move of
domicile, the following situations are the two most likely reasons why the Board
could possibly take such action. First, the Board could consider abandoning this
move if it appeared that there would be adverse tax consequences to DRI. This
could be caused by a significant increase in the market value of DRI between the
date of this joint proxy statement/prospectus and the date of the continuance.
The Board could also consider abandoning the transaction if there are a
significant number of shareholders who exercise their dissenter rights and
request payment for the fair value of their shares. If the Board determines that
the cost to repurchase these shares exceeds the perceived value of the
continuance, then the Board may, in its discretion, abandon the move.
SALE OF SHARES TO TPG
The third proposal asks you to approve the issuance and sale of 18,552,876
common shares to TPG, our largest shareholder, for $100 million or $5.39 per
share (the "TPG Purchase"). If you approve this sale, it will take place whether
or not the move of our domicile from Canada to the United States as a Delaware
corporation does.
REASONS FOR SEEKING SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL. The rules of the New York Stock
Exchange and The Toronto Stock Exchange require shareholder approval of a
substantial sale of shares to a significant shareholder. Even though our
requirement for a quorum are much lower, the New York Stock Exchange requires
that holders of at least 50% of the outstanding shares must vote on the proposed
sale. TPG's shares will be included to determine whether 50% have voted, but a
majority of the votes cast by shareholders, excluding TPG and its affiliates,
will be required to approve this proposal.
PURPOSE OF THE SALE OF SHARES TO TPG. The primary purpose of the proposed
sale of shares to TPG is to raise funds to be used for acquisitions at a time
when traditional debt and equity financing for the oil and gas industry is
generally unavailable. This follows the general downturn in the U.S. equity and
debt markets during the summer of 1998, particularly for the oil and gas
industry as a result of the decrease in oil and gas prices. These factors have
caused the
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prices for oil and gas properties to decrease, which increases the likelihood of
making attractive acquisitions. We perceive it to be an attractive time to make
acquisitions and this additional equity will give us greater flexibility to
pursue such opportunities. With our current debt levels, it is doubtful that we
could make any meaningful acquisition without this additional equity.
Additionally, this stock sale improves our debt ratios.
The net proceeds of the sale (estimated to be approximately $98.5 million)
will initially be used to reduce our outstanding debt, but will ultimately be
used primarily for acquisitions. Our other development expenditures have been
scaled back to levels that approximate the current available cash flow from
operations and thus will not require any significant use of these funds.
EFFECT OF THE TRANSACTION. The effect of selling the shares to TPG will be
to give control of DRI to TPG. The sale will increase TPG's ownership of DRI's
issued and outstanding common shares from approximately 32% to approximately 60%
(approximately 58% on a fully diluted basis). Currently, this transaction is not
expected to result in any changes to our board of directors, management or
operations.
BENEFITS TO TPG FROM THE TRANSACTION. The benefits to TPG from the
transaction include TPG's ability to control us. The consummation of the sale
will give TPG sufficient voting power to sell us in the future if it so desires,
on terms and at a time which it determines. Moreover, as part of the terms of
the stock purchase, our Certificate of Incorporation (if our legal domicile is
moved to Delaware), will opt out of the provisions of Delaware law which
otherwise would have prohibited an interested shareholder such as TPG from
entering into a business combination with DRI for three years unless approved by
the holders of 2/3 of our outstanding common stock.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND CREATION OF THE SPECIAL TRANSACTIONS COMMITTEE.
The sale of shares to TPG is subject to a number of conflicts of interest:
o TPG is our largest shareholder.
o Three of the officers and directors of TPG's controlling entity are
members of our Board of Directors.
o TPG has the right, but not the obligation, to maintain its pro rata
ownership interest in our equity securities if we issue any additional
equity securities by purchasing shares on the same terms and conditions
(this right has been waived by TPG each time we have issued equity
securities).
Therefore, our Board of Directors created a Special Transactions Committee,
comprised solely of those directors who were neither members of our management
nor affiliated in any way with TPG. The Special Transactions Committee is
comprised of Mr. Greene, the Chairman of the Board and the Chairman of the
Committee, and Messrs. Wettstein and Matthews.
NEGOTIATION OF TPG PURCHASE PRICE. Special Transactions Committee
negotiated the price with TPG taking into account, among other things,
discussions with management and certain financial information prepared by Credit
Suisse First Boston Corporation ("CSFB"), DRI's financial advisor. Negotiations
were concluded on December 1, 1998.
FACTORS CONSIDERED BY THE SPECIAL TRANSACTIONS COMMITTEE. The factors
considered by the Committee in negotiating the sale of shares to TPG and in
recommending that shareholders approve the transaction are as follows:
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o The $5.39 per share price represents a 41% premium over the closing
market price for our common shares on December 1, 1998 and the midpoint
of a November 24, 1998 preliminary financial analysis of DRI's per share
value prepared by CSFB. As of the date of this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus, February __, 1999, this price is _____%
higher/lower than the closing market price for DRI's common shares on
the New York Stock Exchange.
o The $100 million provides us with substantial capital to make
acquisitions at a time when attractive opportunities may become
available to entities with sufficient capital. If successful
acquisitions can be made, it would allow us to continue to grow.
o The Board of Directors has received the opinion attached hereto as
Exhibit A as to the fairness, from a financial point of view, to DRI of
the consideration to be received by DRI for the shares to be sold to
TPG.
o The Committee considered other alternatives discussed below, and
believes that because of TPG's current interest in DRI, it appeared
unlikely that another entity would be willing to pay a premium over
market price which would be substantially higher than the price TPG is
willing to pay.
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED. During the course of negotiations with TPG, the
Committee considered the sale of non-voting common stock to TPG. TPG responded
that if non-voting common stock were offered it would expect to purchase such
shares at a discount from the price paid for voting shares. The Committee
considered the fact that TPG already nominates three of seven board members and
is our largest shareholder, and thus it would not benefit us to forego any
premium in order to sell TPG non-voting stock. The Committee also considered
seeking out other private investors with the goal of obtaining a higher price.
However, since we were receiving a premium over the current market price from
TPG for the sale of control in the proposed sale and the attractiveness to
another investor of making a substantial purchase would be substantially reduced
by TPG's significant interest in DRI, it was not clear that a better price could
be obtained from another third party and pursuit of any third party would only
result in delays. The Committee also considered the alternative of a rights
offering to existing shareholders. However, rights offerings are typically sold
at a discount to current market. If stock were to be offered at a premium in a
rights offering, few if any shareholders (other than TPG), would be likely to
acquire additional shares. Thus, in a rights offering, TPG may be able to
acquire control with a smaller premium than may be obtained in a private
placement.
FAIRNESS OF THE TRANSACTION. The Committee believes that the price being
paid by TPG is a fair price, given the substantial premium over the market price
at the time of pricing and given the large percentage of our common shares being
purchased. The premium also represents in part a premium for control. In
addition, the transaction cannot be consummated unless a majority of
disinterested shareholders approve its terms. The Board of Directors of DRI has
also received an opinion as to the fairness, from a financial point of view, to
DRI of the consideration to be received by DRI for the common shares to be sold
to TPG.
TPG PURCHASE AGREEMENT. We entered into entered into a stock purchase
agreement with TPG on December 16, 1998. The consummation of the sale is
conditioned upon (i) the approval of the sale by a majority of the non-TPG
shareholders, (ii) the approval of the purchase
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price by the Toronto Stock Exchange, (iii) an amendment of our existing bank
credit agreement that is acceptable to both us and TPG, (iv) the execution of a
registration rights agreement covering all of TPG's shares, (v) the absence of a
material adverse change, as that is defined, prior to closing, and (vi)
satisfaction of the other conditions. See "Sale of Shares to TPG-The TPG
Purchase Agreement"
OPINION OF CSFB. Our financial advisor, CSFB, has provided a written
opinion dated December 16, 1998 to the Board of Directors of DRI as to the
fairness, from a financial point of view, of the consideration to be received by
us for the common shares to be sold to TPG. The full text of CSFB's written
opinion dated December 16, 1998 is attached to this Proxy Statement/Prospectus
as Exhibit A, and should be reviewed carefully in its entirety. CSFB's opinion
is directed to our Board of Directors and does not constitute a recommendation
to any shareholder with respect to matters relating to the stock purchase by
TPG. See "Sale of Shares to TPG-Opinion of CSFB" for a description of CSFB's
written opinion dated December 16, 1998 and the financial analysis performed by
CSFB in connection with such opinion.
DISSENTERS' RIGHTS. Shareholders will have no dissenters' rights in
connection with the proposed sale of shares to TPG, although dissenters' rights
are available to shareholders in connection with the proposal to change our
domicile from Canada to the United States.
RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF DRI
RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE PROPOSED SALE OF SHARES TO
TPG. This sale will provide needed equity capital at a time when other capital
sources are unavailable, which will enable DRI to grow if favorable acquisitions
can be found.
INCREASE OF AUTHORIZED SHARES UNDER
DRI'S EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
The fourth resolution to be voted on is an amendment to the employee stock
purchase plan of DRI, which was effective February 1, 1996. If approved, the
stock purchase plan will be amended by increasing the maximum number of DRI's
common shares available for sale under the stock purchase plan from 250,000
shares to 750,000 shares. As of November 30, 1998, 185,142 shares had been
issued under the plan, leaving 64,858 available for purchase . We expect that
the shares to be issued for the quarter ended December 31, 1998 will exceed the
remaining shares authorized for sale under the stock purchase plan and thus will
not be issued until after shareholder approval. AS DRI BELIEVES THAT SUCH PLAN
IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF DRI'S OVERALL COMPENSATION STRATEGY, THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE AMENDMENT.
INCREASE OF AUTHORIZED SHARES UNDER
DRI'S STOCK OPTION PLAN
The fifth proposal to be voted upon is an amendment to the stock option
plan of DRI, which was effective August 9, 1995. On December 1, 1998, the Board
of Directors approved the issuance of 1,671,327 additional stock options as of
January 1, 1999 as part of their annual compensation review. When issued, DRI
will have approximately 3,552,608 options outstanding but only 2,519,244 common
shares reserved for issuance under the option plan. At the same meeting, the
Board of Directors approved a 2,015,756 share increase in the maximum number of
shares of DRI's common shares reserved for issuance under the option plan,
subject to shareholder approval.
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If this increase is approved by the shareholders and if the proposed sale
of common shares to TPG is approved, the maximum number of common shares
reserved for future issuance under the option plan will be 4,535,000 shares or
approximately 10% of the then issued and outstanding common shares. AS WE
BELIEVE THAT THE OPTION PLAN IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF OUR OVERALL COMPENSATION
STRATEGY, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE AMENDMENT.
17
<PAGE>
SUMMARY HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table of summary historical consolidated financial data of
DRI as of and for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997 is derived
from the audited consolidated financial statements of DRI. The summary
historical consolidated financial data for the nine month periods ended
September 30, 1997 and 1998, and as of September 30, 1998, is derived from
unaudited consolidated financial statements of DRI that we believe include all
the adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to
fairly report the results for these periods. Please keep in mind that the
operating results for the nine month periods do not necessarily indicate the
results to be expected for a full fiscal year. The summary unaudited pro forma
consolidated financial data for DRI set forth below assumes that the proposed
sale of shares to TPG was made as of the beginning of the two respective periods
and that the funds were used to reduce bank debt.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Nine Months Ended
Year Ended December 31, September 30,
-------------------------------------- -----------------------------
Pro Pro
Forma Forma
1995 1996 1997 1997 1997 1998 1998
------- -------- -------- --------- ------- --------- ---------
(in thousands, except per share amounts and ratios)
Canadian GAAP:
Income Statement Data:
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenue:
Oil, natural gas and
related product sales..$20,032 $ 52,880 $ 85,333 $ 85,333 $60,083 $ 66,959 $ 66,959
Interest income......... 77 769 1,123 1,123 986 1,078 1,078
------- -------- -------- --------- ------- --------- ---------
Total revenues...... 20,109 53,649 86,456 86,456 61,069 68,037 68,037
------- -------- -------- -------- ------- --------- ---------
Expenses:
Production.............. 6,789 13,495 22,218 22,218 15,737 22,782 22,782
General and
administrative.......... 1,832 4,267 6,182 6,182 4,535 4,996 4,996
Interest................ 2,085 1,993 1,111 308 387 12,788 8,948
Imputed preferred
dividends............... - 1,281 - - - - -
Loss on early
extinguishment of debt.. 200 440 - - - - -
Depletion and
depreciation............ 8,022 17,904 32,719 32,719 23,224 37,528 37,528
Writedown of oil and
natural gas properties.. - - - - - 165,000 165,000
Franchise taxes......... 100 213 428 428 308 603 603
------- -------- -------- --------- ------- --------- ---------
Total expenses...... 19,028 39,593 62,658 61,855 44,191 243,697 239,857
------- -------- -------- --------- ------- --------- ---------
Income (loss) before
income taxes............ 1,081 14,056 23,798 24,601 16,878 (175,660) (171,820)
Federal income tax
benefit (provision)..... (367) (5,312) (8,895) (9,102) (6,245) 50,618 50,618
------- -------- -------- --------- ------- --------- ---------
Net income (loss)........$ 714 $ 8,744 $ 14,903 $ 15,499 $10,633 $(125,042) $(121,202)
======= ======== ======== ========= ======= ========= =========
Net income (loss) per
common share
Basic...................$ 0.10 $ 0.67 $ 0.74 $ 0.40 $ 0.53 $ (4.88) $ (2.74)
Fully diluted........... 0.10 0.62 0.70 0.40 0.50 (4.88) (2.74)
Weighted average common
shares outstanding 6,870 13,104 20,224 38,777 20,175 25,631 44,184
Other Financial Data:
Operating cash flow (a)..$ 9,394 $34,140 $ 56,607 $ 57,410 $40,166 $ 27,324 $ 31,164
Capital expenditures..... 28,524 86,857 305,427 305,427 70,773 93,682 93,682
EBITDA (b)............... 11,311 34,905 56,505 56,505 39,503 38,578 38,578
Selected Ratios:
Ratio of earnings to
fixed charges (c)....... 1.5x 4.4x 19.9x 54.6x 34.9x (d)x (d) x
Ratio of EBITDA to
interest expense........ 5.4 17.5 50.9 183.5 102.1 3.0 4.3
Ratio of long-term debt
to EBITDA............... 0.3 0.1 4.2 2.5 0.4(e) 4.2(e) 2.4(e)
- -----------------
<FN>
(a)Represents cash flow provided by operations, exclusive of the net change in
non-cash working capital balances. We have included information concerning
cash flow before the changes in working capital items because we believe that
certain investors use this as one measure of a company's performance. This is
not a measurement determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for
measures of performance prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles.
(b)EBITDA represents earnings before interest income, interest expense, income
taxes, depletion and depreciation, imputed preferred dividends and losses on
early extinguishment of debt. We have included information concerning EBITDA
because we believe that EBITDA is used by certain investors as one measure of
a company's historical ability to service its debt. EBITDA is not a
measurement determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for
measures of performance prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles.
(c)For purposes of determining the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings
are defined as earnings from continuing operations before income taxes, plus
fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest expense, amortization of
debt expense, and imputed preferred stock dividends.
(d)As a result of actual and pro-forma pre-tax losses of $175,660,000 and
$171,820,000 incurred for the nine months ended September 30, 1998,
respectively, we were unable to cover our fixed charges of $12,954,000 and
$9,114,000, respectively.
(e)EBITDA used to calculate the ratio of long-term debt to EBITDA for these
periods has been annualized.
</FN>
</TABLE>
18
<PAGE>
CHANGE TO UNITED STATES GAAP:
As part of the move of our domicile to the United States, we will convert our
consolidated financial statements to United States generally accepted accounting
principles ("GAAP"). The primary differences between the Canadian and United
States GAAP relate to the (1) loss on early extinguishment of debt, (2)
preferred dividends, and (3) computation of earnings or loss per share. For the
years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996, the loss on early extinguishment of debt
was reported as an operating expense under Canadian GAAP, while it would have
been reported as an extraordinary item under United States GAAP. In addition,
for the year ended December 31, 1996, the imputed preferred dividend was also
reported as an operating expense under Canadian GAAP while under United States
GAAP it would have been a reduction to the net income attributable to common
shareholders. The only other reporting difference relates to how fully diluted
earnings or loss per common share are computed. This causes a slight difference
in fully diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 1996 and for
the nine months ended September 30, 1997. To further illustrate the differences,
the following is the same income statement data prepared in accordance with
United States GAAP:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Nine Months Ended
Year Ended December 31, September 30,
-------------------------------------- -----------------------------
Pro Pro
Forma Forma
1995 1996 1997 1997 1997 1998 1998
------- -------- -------- --------- ------- --------- ---------
(in thousands, except per share amounts and ratios)
Income Statement Data:
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenue:
Oil, natural gas and
related product sales..$20,032 $ 52,880 $ 85,333 $ 85,333 $60,083 $ 66,959 $ 66,959
Interest income......... 77 769 1,123 1,123 986 1,078 1,078
------- -------- -------- --------- ------- --------- ---------
Total revenues...... 20,109 53,649 86,456 86,456 61,069 68,037 68,037
------- -------- -------- -------- ------- --------- ---------
Expenses:
Production.............. 6,789 13,495 22,218 22,218 15,737 22,782 22,782
General and
administrative......... 1,832 4,267 6,182 6,182 4,535 4,996 4,996
Interest................ 2,085 1,993 1,111 308 387 12,788 8,948
Depletion and
depreciation........... 8,022 17,904 32,719 32,719 23,224 37,528 37,528
Franchise taxes......... 100 213 428 428 308 603 603
Writedown of oil and
natural gas properties.. - - - - - 165,000 165,000
------- -------- -------- -------- ------- --------- ---------
Total expenses...... 18,828 37,872 62,658 61,855 44,191 243,697 239,857
------- -------- -------- -------- ------- --------- ---------
Income (loss) before
income taxes........... 1,281 15,777 23,798 24,601 16,878 (175,660) (171,820)
Federal income tax
benefit (provision).... (435) (5,462) (8,895) (9,102) (6,245) 50,618 50,618
------- -------- -------- -------- ------- --------- ---------
Income (loss) before
extraordinary item..... 846 10,315 14,903 15,499 10,633 (125,042) (121,202)
Extraordinary item:
Loss on early
extinguishment of debt,
net of applicable
income taxes......... 132 290 - - - - -
------- -------- -------- --------- ------- --------- ---------
Net income (loss) $ 714 $ 10,025 $ 14,903 $ 15,499 $10,633 $(125,042) $(121,202)
======= ======== ======== ========= ======= ========= =========
Net income (loss)
attributable to common
shareholders.........$ 714 $ 8,744 $ 14,903 $ 15,499 $10,633 $(125,042) $(121,202)
======= ======== ======== ========= ======= ========= =========
Net income (loss) per
common share
Basic:
Income (loss) before
extraordinary item...$ 0.12 $ 0.69 $ 0.74 $ 0.40 $ 0.53 $ (4.88) $ (2.74)
Extraordinary item.... (0.02) (0.02) - - - - -
------- -------- -------- --------- ------- --------- ---------
Net income (loss).....$ 0.10 $ 0.67 $ 0.74 $ 0.40 $ 0.53 $ (4.88) $ (2.74)
======= ======== ======== ========= ======= ========= =========
Diluted:
Income (loss) before
extraordinary item.. $ 0.12 $ 0.65 $ 0.70 $ 0.40 $ 0.49 $ (4.88) $ (2.74)
Extraordinary item... (0.02) (0.02) - - - - -
------- -------- -------- --------- ------- --------- ---------
Net income (loss).... $ 0.10 $ 0.63 $ 0.70 $ 0.40 $ 0.49 $ (4.88) $ (2.74)
======= ======== ======== ========= ======= ========= =========
Weighted average common
shares outstanding 6,870 13,104 20,224 38,777 20,175 25,631 44,184
======= ======== ======== ========= ======= ========= =========
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
As of
September 30,
As of December 31, 1998
----------------------------- ---------------
Pro
1995 1996 1997 Actual Forma
-------- ------- -------- ------- ------
Canadian and U.S. GAAP (in thousands)
Balance Sheet Data:
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Working capital.................$ 6,862 $12,482 $ 2,692 $ 1,679 $10,179
Total assets.................... 77,641 166,505 447,548 369,352 377,852
Long-term debt, net of current
maturities...................... 3,474 125 240,000 215,000 125,000
Convertible preferred stock..... 15,000 - - - -
Shareholders' equity............ 53,501 142,504 160,223 129,838 228,338
</TABLE>
19
<PAGE>
SUMMARY RESERVE DATA
The following table summarizes the estimates of our net proved oil and
natural gas reserves and the present value of these reserves as of the dates
indicated. This reserve information was prepared by Netherland & Sewell,
independent petroleum engineers.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
As of December 31,
-------------------------------
1995 1996 1997
--------- -------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Proved Reserves:
Oil (MBbls)................................ 6,292 15,052 52,018
Natural Gas (MMcf)......................... 48,116 74,102 77,191
Oil Equivalent (MBOE)...................... 14,311 27,403 64,883
Proved developed reserves as a percent of
total proved reserves.................... 78% 84% 66%
Present Values:
PV10 Value (before income taxes, in
thousands)...............................$ 96,965 $316,098(d) $361,329(e)
Standardized measure of discounted
estimated future net cash flow after
net income taxes (in thousands).......... 81,164 241,872 $335,308
Representative Oil and Gas Prices: (a)
West Texas Intermediate (per Bbl)..........$ 18.00 $ 23.39(d) $ 16.18(e)
NYMEX Henry Hub (per MMBtu)................ 2.24 3.90(d) 2.58(e)
Other Reserve Data:
Reserve replacement percent (b)............ 300% 500% 867%
Reserve to production ratio (years) (c).... 9.3 9.2 12.7
- ---------------
<FN>
(a)The oil prices as of each respective year-end were based on West Texas
Intermediate ("WTI") posted prices per barrel and NYMEX Henry Hub ("NYMEX")
prices per MMBtu, with these representative prices adjusted by field to
arrive at our net price.
(b)Equals current period reserve additions through acquisition of reserves,
extensions and discoveries, and revisions of prior estimates divided by the
production for such period.
(c)Calculated by dividing year-end proved reserves by such year's annual
production.
(d)For comparative purposes, we also prepared a reserve report as of December
31, 1996 using a 1996 WTI price of $21.00 per Bbl and a NYMEX price of $2.40
per MMBtu, with these prices also adjusted by field. The PV10 Value in this
report was $213.7 million with 27.0 MMBOE of proved reserves.
(e)For comparative purposes, we also prepared a reserve report as of December
31, 1997 using the prices used in the December 31, 1996 reserve report. The
PV10 Value in this report was $633.4 million with 67.8 MMBOE of proved
reserves. Of this PV10 Value, $206.7 million was attributable to the Chevron
Acquisition, as opposed to its PV 10 Value of $109.4 million using December
31, 1997 prices.
By mid December, 1998, oil prices had dropped approximately $7.00 per Bbl and
natural gas prices had dropped approximately $0.50 per Mcf from the prior
year-end levels. When reserves are reviewed at year-end 1998 these drops in
price will have an effect on the PV10 Value, although it is not possible to
quantify this decrease until this reserve report, expected in February 1999,
is completed.
</FN>
</TABLE>
20
<PAGE>
SUMMARY OPERATING DATA
The following table shows summary operating data for the production and
sales of oil and natural gas by us for the periods indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Nine Months Ended
Year Ended December 31, September 30,
----------------------- ------------------
1995 1996 1997 1997 1998
------ ------- ------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Average Net Daily
Production Volumes:
Oil (Bbls)........... 1,995 4,099 7,902 7,615 14,373
Natural gas (Mcf).... 13,271 24,406 36,319 34,061 39,255
Oil equivalent (BOE). 4,207 8,167 13,955 13,292 20,916
Weighted Average Sales
Prices:
Oil (per Bbl)........$ 14.90 $ 18.98 $ 17.25 $ 17.53 $ 10.64
Natural gas (per Mcf) 1.90 2.73 2.68 2.54 2.35
Per BOE Data:
Revenue..............$ 13.05 $ 17.69 $ 16.75 $ 16.56 $ 11.73
Production expenses.. (4.42) (4.51) (4.36) (4.34) (3.99)
-------- -------- -------- --------- -------
Production netback... 8.63 13.18 12.39 12.22 7.74
General and
administrative..... (1.25) (1.50) (1.30) (1.33) (0.98)
Interest, net........ (1.26) (0.26) 0.02 0.18 (1.97)
-------- -------- -------- --------- -------
Operating cash
flow (a)...........$ 6.12 $ 11.42 $ 11.11 $ 11.07 $ 4.79
======== ======== ======== ========= =======
- -----------
<FN>
(a)Represents cash flow provided by operations, exclusive of the net change in
non-cash working capital balances.
</FN>
</TABLE>
21
<PAGE>
RISK FACTORS
You should carefully consider in addition to the other information
presented in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus, the risk factors below in
determining how to vote on the move of the corporate domicile and the other
proposals.
RISKS ARISING OUT OF THE PROPOSED TRANSACTIONS. The following risks pertain
to the proposals that you are being asked to vote on, the first several of which
focus on the move of the corporate domicile from Canada to the United States as
a Delaware corporation. The next group of risks focus on the proposal to sell
common shares to TPG. Finally, the last group of risks are risks inherent in
investing in DRI and particularly in a company which is engaged in the oil and
gas business. Because you are already a shareholder of DRI, the risks of
continuing an investment in a company in the oil and gas business will not
change because of the proposals you are being asked to vote on.
CANADIAN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
For Canadian tax purposes, we will be treated as though we sold all of our
property and received as proceeds the fair market value of DRI as of the date of
the continuance. If this creates income or a gain, we will be taxed on that
amount. We would also be subject to an additional tax if the fair market value
of our assets, net of liabilities, exceeds the paid-up capital of our issued and
outstanding shares.
We reviewed our assets, liabilities and paid-up capital and obtained a
legal opinion from our tax advisors and believe that we will not owe any
Canadian federal income taxes as a result of the continuance. However, it is
possible that the facts on which we based our assumptions and conclusions could
change before this transaction is consummated. We have not applied to the
federal tax authorities for a ruling on this matter and do not intend to do so
as it is highly unlikely that the tax authorities would issue any such ruling on
this type of transaction. We have also made certain favorable assumptions
regarding the tax treatment of this transaction in order to reach our
conclusions and it may be possible for some of these assumptions to be
interpreted in a different manner which would be less favorable to DRI. You
should understand that it is possible that the federal tax authorities will not
accept our valuations or positions and; therefore, it is possible that the tax
authorities could claim that we owe taxes as a result of this transaction.
UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
We believe that the continuance and merger will qualify as a tax-free
reorganization for DRI and our shareholders in almost all instances. For United
States residents and taxpayers, your tax basis and holding period will not
change as a result of the reorganization. However, we have not asked, nor do we
intend to ask, for a ruling from the IRS that the continuance and merger will
qualify as a tax-free reorganization. Therefore, there is always the risk that
the IRS may make an unfavorable interpretation of the reorganization.
There is also a tax on United States shareholders if we were determined to
be a Passive Foreign Investment Corporation ("PFIC"). This would cause certain
United States shareholders to recognize ordinary income or loss on the
reorganization. We do not believe that this tax applies, although this also
requires certain interpretations of the law.
22
<PAGE>
We have not paid dividends on our common shares in the past and do not
expect to pay them in the foreseeable future. However, if we were to pay
dividends to non-U.S. Shareholders, they would be subject to U.S. withholding
taxes. If a dividend was paid to a U.S. trade or business, it would be subject
to the regular U.S. federal income tax. You may also be subject to "backup
withholding" at rates of up to 31% on dividends or the sale or exchange of our
stock unless you are a corporation with certain exemptions or an individual who
provides a taxpayer identification number and certifies that you are not subject
to backup withholding. If any amount is withheld in this manner, it does serve
as a credit against your United States federal income tax liability.
IF YOU ARE A CANADIAN OR UNITED STATES SHAREHOLDER, YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY
READ THE MORE DETAILED DISCUSSIONS UNDER THE APPLICABLE TAX SECTIONS OF "MOVING
THE CORPORATE DOMICILE OF DRI" AND SHOULD ALSO CONSULT WITH YOUR OWN TAX
ADVISORS.
EFFECTS OF THE MOVE OF DOMICILE ON SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS
After the move of domicile, you will become a shareholder of DRI Delaware.
Currently we are incorporated in Canada and, as to certain corporate and
shareholders matters, governed by Canadian law and the charter and by-laws of
DRI. After the move of domicile, we will be incorporated in the United States in
the State of Delaware and governed by Delaware law and a new charter or articles
of incorporation and by-laws. While the primary attributes of our common shares
will be the same, there are some differences in shareholder's rights under the
two jurisdictions. These differences are summarized below, but you should also
read the section "Moving the Corporate Domicile of DRI-Comparison of
Shareholders' Rights" for a more complete description of these differences:
VOTES REQUIRED FOR EXTRAORDINARY TRANSACTIONS. In Canada, certain
extraordinary corporate actions, such as certain amalgamations, continuances,
sales, leases or exchanges of all or substantially all the assets of a
corporation other than in the ordinary course of business, and other
extraordinary corporate actions such as liquidations, dissolutions and (if
ordered by a court) arrangements, are required to be approved by shareholders by
at least 2/3 of the votes cast.
In Delaware, the affirmative vote of only a majority of the outstanding
stock entitled to vote on these same matters is required for approval.
Additionally, Delaware law does not require that shareholders approve a merger
of a wholly owned subsidiary into its parent corporation where the parent
corporation is the surviving entity. Our proposed articles of incorporation do
not require such a vote.
AMENDMENT TO GOVERNING DOCUMENTS. In Canada, amendments to articles of
incorporation usually require an approval by shareholders by at least 2/3 of the
votes cast. Changes to the by-laws may be made by the board of directors,
subject to shareholder approval by a majority of the votes cast.
In Delaware, amendments to the articles of incorporation require a vote of
the board of directors followed by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
shareholders. If an amendment to the articles of incorporation alters the
powers, preferences or special rights of a particular class or series of stock
and may affect them adversely, that class may also vote on the amendment,
regardless of any other normal voting rights of that class. Changes to the
by-laws may be made by the shareholders or the board of directors.
23
<PAGE>
DISSENTERS' RIGHTS AND OPPRESSION REMEDIES. As a shareholder of DRI,
Canadian law allows you to exercise dissent rights with regard to the change of
domicile and receive the fair value of your common shares. In addition, you may
in certain circumstances apply to the Board of Directors for an oppression
remedy for any act or omission of a corporation which is oppressive or unfairly
prejudicial to the shareholder's interest.
Under Delaware law, you may also dissent from a merger or consolidation by
demanding a cash payment for your shares equal to the fair value as determined
by the corporation or an independent appraiser. There are also no appraisal
rights if the common shares are listed on a national securities exchange
(including the NASDAQ National Market) or held of record by more than 2,000
stockholders, except in certain circumstances. Lastly, these dissent rights do
not apply if you own shares in the surviving corporation and the merger did not
require the vote of the stockholders of the surviving corporation. The DGCL does
not provide for an oppression remedy similar to that of the CBCA, although there
are a variety of legal and equitable remedies to a corporation's stockholders
for improper acts or omissions of a corporation, its officers and directors.
SHAREHOLDER CONSENT IN LIEU OF A MEETING. In Canada under the CBCA, you may
not take any shareholder action without a meeting unless you have a written
resolution signed by all the shareholders who would be entitled to vote thereon
at a meeting.
In Delaware under the DGCL, you may take any action that would normally be
taken at a meeting of the shareholders if you have a consent in writing signed
by a sufficient number of shareholders such that you have the minimum number of
votes necessary to approve such action.
SHAREHOLDER QUORUM. Under the CBCA, unless a corporation's by-laws provide
otherwise, a quorum is present at a meeting of the shareholders, irrespective of
the number of shareholders actually present at the meeting, if the holders of a
majority of the shares entitled to vote at the meeting are present in person or
represented by proxy. Currently DRI's by-laws only require 2 people representing
at least 5% of the outstanding shares be present or represented by proxy in
order to have a quorum.
Under the DGCL, a corporation's articles of incorporation or by-laws may
specify the number of shares or the voting power which shall be present, or
represented by proxy, in order to constitute a quorum for the transaction of any
business at any meeting of the shareholders. However, in no event shall a quorum
consist of less than one-third of the shares entitled to vote at the meeting.
DIRECTOR QUALIFICATIONS. Under the CBCA, at least one-third of your
directors must be residents of Canada, plus there are certain other restrictions
if the corporation is publicly traded or has only one or two total directors.
Delaware does not have comparable requirements.
INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. You are allowed to indemnify
directors and officers in both Canada and Delaware under the CBCA and DGCL.
However, the DGCL also allows for the advance payment of an indemnitee's
expenses prior to the final disposition of an action. To do so, the indemnitee
must agree to repay the amount advanced if it is later determined that the
indemnitee was not entitled to indemnification with regard to such action.
LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS. In Delaware under the DGCL a corporation's articles
of incorporation may include a provision to limit or eliminate the liability of
directors for breach of fiduciary duty as a director under certain
circumstances. To qualify, this liability must not arise from certain proscribed
conduct,
24
<PAGE>
including acts or omissions not in good faith or from conduct which (1) involve
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (2) breach of the duty of
loyalty, (3) the payment of unlawful dividends, (4) expenditure of funds for
unlawful stock purchases, or (5) redemptions or transactions from which such
director derived an improper personal benefit. DRI Delaware's articles of
incorporation will provide for this type of limitation of liability.
There are not comparable provisions in Canada under the CBCA.
ACCESS TO CORPORATE RECORDS. Under the CBCA, you, other shareholders and
the creditors of a corporation, their agents or legal representatives as well as
the directors under the CBCA may examine free of charge during normal business
hours the following: (i) the articles of incorporation, by-laws, unanimous
shareholder agreements of DRI, (ii) the minutes and resolutions of shareholders,
(iii) all notices pertaining to the term of office, election of, or change of
directors of DRI and (iv) the securities register of DRI. Since DRI is public,
any person may examine the aforementioned records for a reasonable fee. All
shareholders of DRI may request free of charge a copy of the articles of
incorporation, by-laws, unanimous shareholder agreements of that corporation.
Under the DGCL, any shareholder of a corporation, their agents or legal
representatives may make a written demand to examine the records of that
corporation. Such a demand to examine the corporation's records must have a
proper purpose, be sworn under oath, and directed to that corporation at its
principal place of business or its registered office in Delaware. A proper
purpose is one that is reasonably related to that shareholder's interest in the
corporation as a shareholder. The articles of incorporation of a Delaware
corporation may also provide these examination powers to holders of the
corporation's debt securities. The proposed articles of incorporation of DRI
Delaware will contain such a provision.
CONTROLLING STOCKHOLDER
DRI is currently 32% owned by TPG. If the sale of additional shares of
stock is approved by the shareholders, TPG's holdings will significantly
increase to approximately 60% of DRI or DRI Delaware, as the case may be.
Accordingly, TPG will be able to determine virtually all matters submitted to
shareholders for approval. TPG will be able to control the election of directors
and to determine the corporate and management policies of DRI or DRI Delaware,
as the case may be.
DILUTION
If approved by shareholders, as a result of the sale of stock to TPG, your
percentage ownership in DRI or DRI Delaware will be significantly diluted. For
example, if you own 10% of DRI common shares prior to the sale, you will own
approximately 5.9% of DRI or DRI Delaware's common shares immediately after the
sale of the additional stock to TPG.
RISKS INHERENT IN AN INVESTMENT IN DRI
There are certain other risks which are not specifically related to the
matters to be voted on at the meeting. However as you are aware, there are a
number of risks already associated with your existing investment in DRI.
Following is a summary of these risks. You should keep in mind that summary
information is by its nature, less precise and detailed. You are encouraged to
review our other documents incorporated by reference for a better understanding
of the business risks inherent in an investment in DRI.
25
<PAGE>
VOLATILITY OF OIL AND NATURAL GAS PRICES; FULL COST POOL WRITEDOWNS. Our
business is highly dependent on the prices that we receive for our products, oil
and natural gas. Between the first nine months of 1997 and 1998, our net oil
prices declined 39% and our net natural gas prices declined 7%. As a result, our
cash flow and results of operations have been significantly reduced. Further, we
had a non-cash $165 million full cost pool writedown as of June 30, 1998 and
expect that we will have an additional writedown at December 31, 1998 based on
the current oil price levels. This could significantly reduce our shareholders'
equity and may cause us to default on one of our bank covenants that pertains to
our net worth, the waiver of which cannot be assured.
SUBSTANTIAL CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS AND NEED TO REPLACE RESERVES. Our assets
are a depleting resource. We have a constant need for additional capital to
develop, maintain and acquire additional properties. Our future success depends
on our ability to perform these activities and our ability to find additional
oil and natural gas reserves that are recoverable on an economic basis. Our
growth could be limited or eliminated and there could even be a reduction of our
assets without successful efforts in such activities or without the capital
necessary to pursue them.
UNCERTAINTY OF OIL AND NATURAL GAS RESERVE ESTIMATES. Our proved oil and
natural gas reserves disclosed in this document are estimated by independent
petroleum engineers. However, there are numerous uncertainties inherent in
estimating these reserves and the estimates are based on several assumptions,
all of which are somewhat speculative. The actual future production and cash
flow from these reserves could vary substantially from these estimates. Our
reserve quantities and values are also significantly affected by oil prices. By
mid December, 1998, oil prices had dropped approximately $7.00 per Bbl and
natural gas prices had dropped approximately $0.50 per Mcf from the prior
year-end levels. When reserves are reviewed at year-end 1998 these drops in
price will have an effect on the reserve quantities and PV10 Value, although it
is not possible to quantify this decrease until the December 31, 1998 reserve
report, expected in February 1999, is completed.
ACQUISITION RISKS. A significant part of our growth has been attributable
to acquisitions of producing properties. If the sale of shares to TPG is
approved, DRI expects to pursue acquisitions with the proceeds from such sale.
For an acquisition to be successful, it requires an assessment of the
recoverable reserves, exploration potential, future product prices, operating
costs, potential environment and other liabilities and other factors beyond our
control. Although we attempt to analyze and evaluate these factors, we cannot be
sure that our acquisitions will perform as anticipated and will be profitable
for us.
DRILLING AND OPERATING RISKS. Drilling activities are by their nature
subject to many risks, including the potential that no commercially productive
reserves will be discovered. There are also risks incident to the drilling and
other day-to-day operations of DRI which include the possibility of encountering
unexpected formations or pressures, blow-outs, environmental contamination,
fires, personal injuries, pollution, fines and penalties and other items.
EFFECTS OF LEVERAGE AND RESTRICTIVE DEBT COVENANTS. Our debt is at one of
the highest levels in our history when you compare the total debt to our cash
flow from operations. As of December 15, 1998, we had total debt of $225 million
plus an additional $30 million available for future borrowings under our bank
credit facility. These high debt levels can have an impact on our future ability
to obtain capital and may require a substantial portion of our cash flow to be
used just for debt service. If we were to default on our debt covenants, it
could have a material adverse effect on us. Our ability to meet our
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obligations in the future is dependent on our future performance and prevailing
economic conditions and other factors, some of which are beyond our control.
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL. We are dependent upon the services of our
Chief Executive Officer and President, Gareth Roberts, other senior management
and our Board of Directors. The loss of the services of any of such key
personnel could have a material adverse effect on us. DRI does not have any
employment agreements and does not maintain any key man life insurance policies.
GOVERNMENTAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION. Our operations are affected by
extensive regulation under various federal, state and local laws and regulations
relating to the exploration for and development, production, gathering and
marketing of oil and natural gas and the release of materials into the
environment. No assurance can be given that existing environmental laws or
regulations, as currently interpreted or reinterpreted in the future, or future
laws or regulations will not materially adversely affect our results of
operations and financial condition or that material indemnity claims will not
arise against us with respect to properties we have acquired or may acquire in
the future.
COMPETITION. The natural gas and oil industry is highly competitive. We
compete in the development, production and marketing of oil and natural gas with
major oil companies, other independent oil and natural gas concerns, and
individual producers and operators. Many of these competitors have substantially
greater financial and other resources than we have.
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE. We have granted registration rights to TPG
historically and will modify and extend these rights if the proposed sale of
stock to TPG is approved and consummated. The sale, or availability for sale, of
a substantial number of common shares could adversely affect the market price of
our common shares and could impair our ability to raise additional capital in
the future.
THE MEETING
GENERAL
This Proxy Statement/Prospectus is furnished in connection with the
solicitation by the Board of Directors and management of DRI of proxies for use
at DRI's special meeting of shareholders to be held on _________, February __,
1999 at The Petroleum Club, Viking Room, 319 Fifth Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta
at 10:00 a.m. (Calgary time), or any adjournments thereof. Proxies will be
solicited primarily by mail and may also be solicited by the directors or
officers of DRI. The cost of such solicitation will be borne by DRI.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED (1) THE MOVE OF THE
CORPORATE DOMICILE TO DELAWARE, (2) THE SALE OF 18,552,876 COMMON SHARES TO
DRI'S LARGEST SHAREHOLDER, TPG, FOR $100 MILLION, (3) THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER
OF COMMON SHARES THAT MAY BE ISSUED UNDER THE EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN, AND
(4) THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES RESERVED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER THE
STOCK OPTION PLAN. THEY RECOMMEND THAT YOU VOTE FOR SUCH PROPOSALS.
VOTING RIGHTS
The Board of Directors of DRI has set January __, 1999 as the Record Date
for the determination of shareholders of DRI entitled to notice and to vote at
the special meeting. At December 1, 1998, DRI
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had outstanding 26,801,680 common shares, which carries one vote per share. Only
holders of such common shares of record as of January __, 1999 or transferees of
such shares who produce, prior to February __, 1999, proper evidence of
ownership of such shares will be entitled to vote at the meeting.
So far as the directors and officers of DRI are aware, the only person or
company beneficially owning, directly or indirectly, or exercising control or
direction over shares carrying more than 10% of the voting rights attached to
all outstanding shares of DRI is TPG, which beneficially own 8,721,438 common
shares, approximately 32% of all voting rights outstanding, both as of December
1, 1998.
The move of the corporate domicile must be approved by at least 66 2/3% of
the votes cast by DRI common shareholders present in person or represented by
proxy at the meeting. In the event that the shareholders do not approve the
continuance, DRI will continue to be a corporation governed by the CBCA. The
Board of Directors has not considered any alternative action if the continuance
is not approved.
The proposal to sell common shares to TPG requires the affirmative vote of
more than 50% of the votes cast by DRI common shareholders present in person or
represented by proxy at the meeting, provided that the total vote cast on this
proposal represents over 50% in interest of all common shares entitled to vote
on this proposal. TPG's shares may be included in order to reach a 50%
participation level, but a majority of the voting shareholders excluding TPG and
its affiliates must approve the proposed sale of stock in order to be adopted.
The proposals to authorize additional common shares for issuance under the
Employee Stock Purchase Plan and reserve additional shares for issuance under
the Stock Option Plan require the affirmative vote of 50% of the votes cast by
DRI common shareholders present in person or represented by proxy at the
meeting.
Each shareholder may vote in person or by proxy. A person acting as a proxy
need not be a shareholder of DRI.
SOLICITATION AND REVOCATION OF PROXIES
Proxies will be solicited primarily by mail and may also be solicited by
the directors or officers of DRI at nominal cost. The cost of such solicitation
will be borne by DRI.
All shares represented at the meeting by properly executed proxies will be
voted (including the voting on any ballot) in accordance with the instructions
specified in the proxy card. In the absence of any such specification, the
management designees, if named in the proxy card, will vote in favor of the
matters set out therein. The management designees named in the enclosed proxy
card are directors and officers of DRI and have indicated their willingness to
represent as proxy the shareholder who appoints them.
The enclosed proxy card, where properly signed, confers discretionary
authority upon the persons named therein with respect to amendments or
variations of matters identified in the Notice of Meeting and any other matters
which may properly be brought before the meeting. As of the date hereof, the
management of DRI is not aware that any such amendments to, variations of or
other matters are to be presented for action at the meeting. However, if any
other matters which are not now known to the
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management should properly come before the meeting, then the proxies named on
the proxy card intend to vote in accordance with the judgment of the management
of DRI.
The proxy card, to be valid, must be signed by the shareholder or by the
shareholder's attorney duly authorized in writing.
In addition to revocation in any manner permitted by law, a proxy may be
revoked by an instrument in writing signed by the shareholder or by his attorney
duly authorized in writing, and received by the Secretary of Denbury c/o CIBC
Mellon Trust Company, Corporate Trust Department, 600 Dome Tower, 333 - 7th
Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta T2P 2Z1, not less than forty-eight (48) hours
(excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) before the time set for the meeting
or any adjournment thereof.
A SHAREHOLDER HAS THE RIGHT TO APPOINT A PERSON (WHO NEED NOT BE A
SHAREHOLDER) TO ATTEND AND ACT FOR HIM ON HIS BEHALF AT THE MEETING OTHER THAN
THE PERSONS DESIGNATED IN THE ENCLOSED FORM OF PROXY, WHO ARE OFFICERS OR
DIRECTORS OF DRI. Such right may be exercised by striking out the names of the
persons designated on the enclosed proxy card and by inserting in the blank
space provided for that purpose the name of the desired person or by completing
another proper form of proxy and, in either case, delivering the completed and
executed proxy to DRI on or before January __, 1999. A shareholder who has given
a proxy may revoke it at any time prior to its use either (i) notifying the
Corporate Secretary, (ii) voting in person at the meeting, or (iii) returning a
later-dated proxy on or before January __, 1999.
PROPERLY EXECUTED PROXIES WITHOUT INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO VOTE ON ANY OF THE
PROPOSALS IN ANY PARTICULAR MATTER SPECIFIED WILL BE VOTED "FOR" THE APPROVAL OF
SUCH PROPOSALS.
MOVING THE CORPORATE DOMICILE OF DRI
THE CONTINUANCE
Through a continuance, DRI intends to change its domicile from Canada to
the United States by means of domestication in the State of Delaware, a process
available to non-United States corporations under Section 388 of the DGCL.
Simultaneously with the domestication, DRI will apply for a certificate of
discontinuance under Section 188(7) of the CBCA.
The first proposal to be voted on at the meeting relating to the
continuance actually authorizes the following: (i) continue DRI as DRI Delaware
under the DGCL and simultaneously discontinue DRI's existence in Canada under
the CBCA; (ii) approve the certificate of incorporation, which will be filed
with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware along with a certificate of
domestication, which are attached as Exhibits "D" and "C" hereto respectively;
(iii) authorize DRI to apply to the Director under the CBCA for the CBCA
Authorization, file the CBCA Authorization and the Delaware filings with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and a notice of the Delaware filings
with the Director under the CBCA; and (iv) approve the merger of DRI and DMI
immediately following the continuance.
PROCEDURES UNDER THE DGCL. Unlike in the case of a move of domicile via an
interstate migratory merger (as is common practice for domiciliary changes by
corporations between states within the United States), the continuance does not
involve the merger of two separate corporations. In an interstate migratory
merger within the United States, a shell corporation is typically created in the
state of intended
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domicile prior to the merger; and, at the effective time of such merger, the
migrating corporation is merged into the shell corporation, with only the shell
corporation surviving. In the case of a continuance and domestication, on the
other hand, no corporate entity will exist under the DGCL prior to the effective
date of the continuance. Consequently, there is no "surviving corporation" and
"target corporation" as in a typical merger. Rather, the corporate entity
domiciled in the non-United States jurisdiction consents to the jurisdiction of
Delaware by filing a certificate of incorporation that complies with the
provisions of the DGCL applicable to domestic Delaware corporations and an
additional document, a certificate of domestication, which states (i) the date
on which and jurisdiction where the corporation originally came into being, (ii)
the name of the corporation prior to the filing of the certificate of
domestication, (iii) the name of the corporation as set forth in its new
certificate of incorporation under the DGCL and (iv) the jurisdiction that
constituted the seat, siege social, or principal place of business or central
administration of the corporation, or any other equivalent thereto under
applicable law, immediately prior to the filing of the certificate of
incorporation. Upon filing the new certificate of incorporation and the
certificate of domestication, a corporation becomes subject to the jurisdiction
of Delaware and the DGCL, but retains the original incorporation date from its
previous domicile as the incorporation date for purposes of the DGCL. In
addition, Section 388 of the DGCL provides explicitly that the domestication
shall not be deemed to affect any obligations or liabilities of the corporation
incurred prior to its domestication.
PROCEDURES UNDER THE CBCA. Simultaneously with the domestication in
Delaware, the migrating corporation must terminate its existence under the laws
of its then current jurisdiction. Under Section 188 of the CBCA, a corporation
may apply to the appropriate official or public body of another jurisdiction
requesting that the corporation be continued as if it had been incorporated
under the laws of that other jurisdiction. Such an application for continuance
requires (i) approval by a special resolution requiring approval of 66 2/3% of
shareholders and (ii) satisfaction of the Director of the CBCA that the proposed
continuance will not adversely affect creditors or shareholders of the
corporation. Furthermore, a corporation shall not be continued as a body
corporate under the laws of another jurisdiction unless the laws of the
jurisdiction where continuance is sought provide in effect that following
continuance (a) the property of the corporation continues to be the property of
the body corporate; (b) the body corporate continues to be liable for the
obligations of the corporation; (c) an existing cause of action, claim or
liability to prosecution is unaffected; (d) a civil, criminal or administrative
action or proceeding pending by or against the corporation may be continued to
be prosecuted by or against the body corporate; and (e) a conviction against the
corporation may be enforced against the body corporate or a ruling, order or
judgment in favor of or against the corporation may be enforced by or against
the body corporate. The directors of the corporation may postpone or abandon the
continuance, following approval by the shareholders without seeking shareholder
consent to such a postponement or abandonment.
CONTINUATION BY THE COMPANY AS DRI DELAWARE. If the proposed continuance is
approved by shareholders and the Board of Directors decide not to postpone or
abandon the move of domicile and the Director of the CBCA has issued a letter of
satisfaction for submission to the Delaware authorities under the DGCL, DRI will
file a certificate of incorporation and a certificate of domestication under the
DGCL. Once the Delaware Filings have been filed in Delaware and DRI has
continued in Delaware, the Director of the CBCA will issue a Certificate of
Discontinuance and the CBCA will cease to apply to DRI.
THE MERGER
Essentially at the same time as the move of the corporate domicile of DRI
into Delaware, at which point DRI becomes DRI Delaware, its wholly owned
subsidiary, DMI, will be merged into DRI
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Delaware. DRI Delaware will be the surviving entity. Shareholder approval of the
merger is not required under Delaware law because DMI will be the wholly owned
subsidiary of DRI Delaware. The merger will not take place if the continuance of
DRI is not consummated. No additional issuance of stock will take place as a
result of the merger.
EFFECTS OF THE MOVE OF CORPORATE DOMICILE AND MERGER
APPLICABLE LAW. As of the effective date of the continuance, the legal
domicile of DRI will be Delaware and DRI, as DRI Delaware, will no longer be
subject to the corporate governance provisions of the CBCA. All matters of
corporate governance of DRI Delaware will be determined under the DGCL. DRI
Delaware will retain the original incorporation date of DRI in Canada as DRI
Delaware's date of incorporation for purposes of the DGCL. As of the effective
date of the merger, DMI will become a part of DRI Delaware and be subject to the
DGCL rather than Texas law.
ASSETS, LIABILITIES, OBLIGATIONS, ETC. By operation of law under the DGCL,
as of the effective date of the continuance, all of the assets, property,
rights, liabilities and obligations of DRI immediately prior to the continuance
will continue to be the assets, property, rights, liabilities and obligations of
DRI Delaware. The CBCA ceases to apply to DRI on the date shown on the
Certificate of Discontinuance to be issued by the Director under the CBCA. On
the effective date of the continuance, the property of DRI will continue to be
the property of DRI Delaware; DRI Delaware will continue to be liable for the
obligations of DRI; an existing cause of action, claim or liability to
prosecution against DRI will be unaffected; a civil, criminal or administrative
action or proceeding pending by or against DRI may be continued to be prosecuted
by or against DRI Delaware; a conviction against DRI may be enforced against DRI
Delaware or a ruling, order or judgment in favor of or against DRI may be
enforced by or against DRI Delaware.
By operation of law under the DGCL, as of the effective date of the merger,
all of the assets, property, rights, liabilities and obligations of DMI
immediately prior to the merger will become the assets, property, rights,
liabilities and obligations of DRI Delaware. DRI Delaware will be liable for the
obligations of DMI; an existing cause of action, claim or liability to
prosecution against DRI Delaware will be unaffected; a civil, criminal or
administrative action or proceeding pending by or against DMI may be continued
to be prosecuted by or against DRI Delaware; a conviction against DMI may be
enforced against DRI Delaware or a ruling, order or judgment in favor of or
against DMI may be enforced by or against DRI Delaware. After the merger, DRI
will also be directly liable for the DMI 9% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008
and will assume all the obligations relating these notes. In summary, as a
result of the merger DRI Delaware will expressly assume all rights and
obligations of DMI.
CAPITAL STOCK. On the effective date of the merger which is scheduled to
occur immediately after the continuance, holders of common shares of DRI will
receive one share of DRI Delaware Common Stock for each common share of DRI held
immediately prior to the effective date. The existing share certificates
representing shares of DRI's stock will not be canceled. Holders of options to
purchase DRI's common shares on the effective date of the continuance will
continue to hold options to purchase an identical number of shares of DRI
Delaware Common Stock on substantially the same terms. Similarly, holders of
warrants to purchase DRI's common shares will continue to hold warrants to
purchase an identical number of shares of DRI Delaware Common Stock on
substantially the same terms. The common stock of DMI will be canceled in the
merger.
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The principal attributes of DRI's common shares and the Denbury Delaware
Common Stock will be identical, other than differences in shareholders' rights
under the CBCA and DGCL. See "Moving the Corporate Domicile of DRI-Comparison of
Shareholders' Rights" and "Description of Capital Stock."
BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS. The continuance, if approved, will effect a change
in the legal domicile of DRI as of the effective date thereof, but DRI will not
change its business or operations after the effective date of the continuance as
DRI Delaware. The merger will combine the present holding company and its
operating subsidiary, but will have no effect on the business or operations of
either entity.
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. The directors and officers of DRI Delaware
immediately following the continuance will be identical to the current directors
and officers of DRI. See "Management of the Company." As of the effective date
of the continuance, the election, duties, resignation and removal of DRI
directors and officers shall be governed by the DGCL, the Certificate of
Incorporation and the Bylaws of DRI Delaware. As part of the merger, DRI
anticipates that any officers of DMI that are not presently officers of DRI will
be elected as officers of DRI in the same capacity.
STOCK EXCHANGE LISTINGS. DRI's common shares are currently listed and
traded on the New York Stock Exchange and The Toronto Stock Exchange under the
symbol "DNR." DRI anticipates that it will maintain both listings as DRI
Delaware following the continuance and merger.
SECURITIES REGULATION. DRI also anticipates that it will continue to be a
"reporting issuer" in each Province of Canada immediately following the
continuance.
BACKGROUND TO AND PRINCIPAL REASONS FOR THE MOVE OF CORPORATE DOMICILE AND
MERGER
The Board of Directors believes that it is desirable for DRI to continue
its corporate existence under the laws of the State of Delaware for the
following reasons:
REDUCING TAX COSTS OF CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS. There is an incremental cost to
DRI to issue certain types of securities such as convertible debt and preferred
stock in its current structure because of a withholding tax on any interest and
dividend payments that go between the United States and Canada. Since all of the
assets and operations of DRI are conducted through DMI, any funding of dividend
or interest payments for convertibles or preferred stock, results in the regular
transfer of funds between DMI and DRI. For the same reason, even though DRI does
not currently intend to do so, there would be a withholding tax on any dividends
declared and paid on the common shares. This incremental tax cost reduces our
flexibility with regards to our capital structure. These costs would be
eliminated after DRI moves to Delaware.
IMPROVING MARKET ACCESS. DRI would like to be able to issue its common
shares or other securities in exchange for oil and natural gas properties or for
ownership in another company. Since DRI is a Canadian company, some United
States companies are hesitant about doing this type of transaction due to the
potential tax complications both currently and prospectively. Furthermore, our
primary sources of capital in recent years have been in the United States. DRI
believes that more opportunities and capital would be available to it if DRI was
a United States corporation.
LESS RESTRICTIVE GOVERNING LAW. The CBCA requires that at least 1/3 of
DRI's directors be Canadian residents. DRI has been able to attract qualified
Canadian residents to serve on its Board, but
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this requirement does reduce DRI's flexibility with regard to its selection of
directors. The DGCL does not impose any such requirement, and thus the
continuance will provide greater flexibility to DRI in the future with respect
to the composition of its Board of Directors.
Furthermore, since over 50% of DRI's stock is held by United States
residents and DRI is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, it must abide by
most United States securities and stock exchange requirements, as though it were
a United States company. The high United States ownership also prevents it from
receiving the benefits of the North American Free Trade Act ("NAFTA") which
reduces certain administrative burdens of Canadian companies doing business in
the United States. It must also abide by the respective Canadian and stock
exchange requirements as it is a Canadian corporation. Occasionally, the
combination of these regulations and the inability to utilize the reduced
requirements of NAFTA make it unusually restrictive for DRI to conduct its
business. DRI also expects to realize some minor savings in administrative time
and expense by a move of its corporate domicile to the United States.
BETTER COMPARISON WITH PEERS. Since all of DRI's business is conducted in
the United States, the market generally compares DRI to similar-sized United
States companies. Although the United States and Canadian accounting rules are
similar, they are not quite the same. Occasionally, this results in different
accounting treatment for DRI, making it confusing for investors. This confusion
would be eliminated after DRI became a Delaware corporation as DRI would report
using United States GAAP. In addition, there are also certain benefits under
United States GAAP with regard to the current accounting rules regarding mergers
which may be beneficial in certain circumstances.
INCREASINGLY LIMITED CONTACT WITH CANADA. While DRI's operations at one
time were located in, or closely associated with Alberta, since 1993 when DRI
focused entirely upon the oil and gas business in the United States, its
connections with Canada have continually been reduced. Currently, DRI has no
business operations in Canada, all its employees are located in the United
States, and, as of December 1, 1998, more than 75% of its outstanding common
shares were held by shareholders of record who are Canadian non-residents. Prior
to 1995, DRI's common shares were only traded on The Toronto Stock Exchange. At
the start of 1995, they were admitted to trading on the NASDAQ National Market
and moved to the New York Stock Exchange in May 1997. A majority of DRI's recent
equity and debt offerings have been funded by non-Canadian entities or
individuals.
SELECTION OF STATE OF DELAWARE. For many years, Delaware has followed a
policy of encouraging incorporation in that state and, in furtherance of that
policy, has adopted comprehensive, modern and flexible corporate laws which are
periodically updated and revised to meet changing business needs. As a result of
this deliberate policy to provide a hospitable climate for corporate
development, many major corporations have initially chosen Delaware for their
domicile, or have subsequently reincorporated in, continued into or domesticated
in Delaware. In addition, the Delaware courts have developed considerable
expertise in dealing with corporate issues, and a substantial body of case law
has developed construing the DGCL and establishing specific legal principles and
policies with respect to Delaware corporations. Not only has this served to
provide greater legal predictability with respect to the corporate legal affairs
of Delaware corporations, but it has also given Delaware an important role in
respect of the corporate laws of the United States generally inasmuch as many of
its principles and policies have been adopted by, and become important
precedents for the laws of, other states. It is anticipated that Delaware
corporate law will continue its leadership position in respect of the
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development of corporate law in the United States, and that the Delaware
legislature will continue to endeavor to ensure that the DGCL itself remains as
up to date and as flexible as possible.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF DRI HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE CONTINUANCE OUT
OF CANADA AND DOMESTICATION OF DRI UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE CBCA AND DGCL,
RESPECTIVELY, AND RECOMMEND THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR THIS PROPOSAL.
MATERIAL CANADIAN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MOVE OF CORPORATE
DOMICILE AND MERGER
In the opinion of Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer, Canadian counsel to DRI, the
following are the principal Canadian federal income tax considerations under the
Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Canadian Tax Act") with respect to the continuance
generally applicable to DRI and to shareholders of DRI who, for purposes of the
Canadian Tax Act, hold their shares of DRI common shares and will hold their DRI
Delaware Common Stock as capital property and who deal at arm's length with DRI.
This opinion does not apply to a shareholder who is or will be a foreign
affiliate of any person resident in Canada, or to whom DRI will be a foreign
affiliate following continuation within the meaning of the Canadian Tax Act.
Lastly this summary is not applicable to a corporation which is a "specified
financial institution" or to whom the mark-to-market provisions of the Canadian
Tax Act otherwise apply.
Shares will generally be considered to be capital property to a shareholder
unless such shares are held in the course of carrying on a business or are
acquired in a transaction considered to be an adventure in the nature of trade.
Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding whether, as a
matter of fact, they hold their shares of DRI common shares as capital property
and will hold their DRI Delaware Common Stock as capital property for the
purposes of the Canadian Tax Act. Shareholders who are resident in Canada and
whose shares of DRI common shares or DRI Delaware Common Stock might not
otherwise qualify as capital property may be entitled to obtain this
qualification by making an irrevocable election provided by Subsection 39(4) of
the Canadian Tax Act prior to the continuance. Shareholders who do not hold
their shares as capital property should consult their own tax advisors regarding
their particular circumstances.
This summary is based on the current provisions of the Canadian Tax Act,
the regulations thereunder, the Canada-United States Income Tax Convention,
1980, as amended (the "Tax Treaty"), and counsel's understanding of the current
administrative practices published by Revenue Canada, Customs, Excise and
Taxation ("Revenue Canada"). This summary takes into account specific proposals
to amend the Canadian Tax Act and regulations publicly announced by the Minister
of Finance prior to the date hereof (the "Tax Proposals"), and assumes that all
Tax Proposals will be enacted in their present form. However, no assurances can
be given that the Tax Proposals will be enacted in the form presented, or at
all. Except for the foregoing, this summary does not take into account or
anticipate any changes in the law, whether by judicial, administrative or
legislative action or decision, nor does it take into account provincial,
territorial or foreign income tax legislation or considerations, which may
differ from the Canadian federal income tax considerations described herein. No
advance income tax ruling has been obtained from Revenue Canada to confirm the
tax consequences of any of the transactions described herein.
These opinions expressed herein are based on the assumptions that:
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(a) the DRI common shares continue to be listed on a stock exchange which
is prescribed for the purposes of the Tax Act; and
(b) the DRI common shares and the DRI Delaware Common Stock may not
reasonably be considered to derive their value, directly or
indirectly, primarily from portfolio investment in shares, debt,
commodities or any other similar properties.
This summary does not discuss all aspects of Canadian federal income
taxation that may be relevant to a particular shareholder. Shareholders should
consult their own tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences of the
transactions described herein in their particular circumstances.
TAXATION OF DRI. Upon the continuance, DRI will be deemed to have disposed
of all of its property for proceeds of disposition equal to the fair market
value thereof immediately prior to the continuance. DRI will be subject to tax
under the Canadian Tax Act on any income and net taxable capital gains arising
thereby. DRI will also be subject to an additional tax at the rate of five
percent on the amount by which the fair market value of DRI's assets, net of
liabilities, exceeds the paid-up capital of DRI's issued and outstanding shares,
except that if one of the main reasons for DRI changing its residence to the
United States was to reduce the amount of such additional tax or Canadian
withholding tax, the rate of such tax would be 25 percent. DRI will not be
resident in Canada after the continuance for the purposes of the Canadian Tax
Act. The management of DRI, in consultation with certain of its advisors, has
reviewed DRI's assets, liabilities and paid-up capital and has advised counsel
that no Canadian federal taxes should be due and payable by DRI under the
Canadian Tax Act as a result of the continuance. Based upon certain
representations of fact which have been made by DRI, (which representations are
set forth below), counsel is of the opinion that no Canadian tax liability will
arise as a result of the continuance. The representations of DRI upon which this
opinion is based are as follows:
(a) the fair market value of DRI's assets is less than the aggregate
value of the paid-up capital of all of DRI's issued and outstanding
shares and all of the liabilities of DRI; and
(b) the deemed disposition of all of DRI's assets at fair market value
upon the continuance will not create income in excess of the
Canadian tax deductions which are available to DRI.
DRI's representations are based in the trading value of DRI's securities
and the price at which securities are to be issued to TPG and certain other
factual matters, and counsel can express no opinion on such matters of factual
determination, and facts underlying DRI's assumptions and conclusions may also
change prior to the effective date of the continuance. DRI has not applied to
Canadian federal tax authorities for a ruling as to the amount of federal taxes
payable by DRI under the Canadian Tax Act as a result of the continuance and
does not intend to apply for such a ruling given the factual nature of the
determinations involved. There can be no assurance that the Canadian federal tax
authorities will accept the valuations or the positions that DRI has adopted
with respect to the Canadian federal tax treatment of such amounts. Accordingly,
there can be no assurance that the Canadian federal tax authorities will
conclude after the effective date of the continuance that no Canadian federal
taxes are due under the Canadian Tax Act as a result of the continuance or that
the amount of Canadian federal taxes claimed or found to be due will not be
significant.
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TAXATION OF SHAREHOLDERS RESIDENT IN CANADA. The following portion of the
opinion applies to shareholders of DRI who are resident in Canada for the
purposes of the Canadian Tax Act.
Shareholders of DRI will not be considered to have disposed of their shares
of DRI common shares or to have realized a taxable capital gain or loss by
reason only of the continuance. The continuance will also have no effect on the
adjusted cost base to shareholders of their shares of DRI common shares.
Following the continuance, dividends received by a shareholder on shares of
DRI Delaware Common Stock will be included in computing income and will
generally not be deductible in computing taxable income of a shareholder that is
a corporation, and, in the case of a shareholder who is an individual, such
dividends will not receive the gross-up and dividend tax credit treatment
generally applicable to dividends on shares of taxable Canadian corporations.
Also, following the continuance, shares of the DRI Delaware Common Stock
will be a qualified investment for trusts governed by deferred profit sharing
plans, registered retirement saving plans and registered income funds
(collectively, "Deferred Income Plans"), provided such shares remain listed on a
prescribed stock exchange. SUCH SHARES WILL BE FOREIGN PROPERTY AFTER THE
EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE CONTINUANCE, AND ACCORDINGLY, THE HOLDING OF SUCH SHARES
BY DEFERRED INCOME PLANS OR BY CERTAIN OTHER TAX-EXEMPT ENTITIES INCLUDING
REGISTERED INVESTMENTS AND REGISTERED PENSION PLANS MAY SUBJECT SUCH HOLDERS TO
PENALTY TAXES UNDER THE CANADIAN TAX ACT. HOWEVER, PERSONS HOLDING SHARES OF DRI
AT THE TIME OF THE CONTINUANCE MAY BE ENTITLED TO AVAIL THEMSELVES OF A
PROVISION OF THE CANADIAN TAX ACT TO ELIMINATE SUCH PENALTY TAX FOR UP TO 24
MONTHS FOLLOWING THE CONTINUANCE. THIS IS INTENDED TO PERMIT DEFERRED INCOME
PLANS AND OTHER TAX EXEMPT PERSONS TO EITHER DISPOSE OF THEIR SHARES ON A
ORDERLY BASIS, OR TO RE-BALANCE THEIR PORTFOLIOS TO FALL WITHIN THE LIMITS
PLACED IN OWNERSHIP OF "FOREIGN PROPERTY". SUCH HOLDERS ARE URGED TO CONTACT
THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS TO DETERMINE THE POTENTIAL APPLICABILITY OF SUCH PENALTY
TAXES TO THEM.
TAXATION OF DISSENTING SHAREHOLDERS. Pursuant to the administrative
practices of Revenue Canada, the amount paid to a dissenting shareholder should
be treated as proceeds of his or her DRI common shares. Accordingly, the
dissenting shareholder would recognize a capital gain (or a capital loss) to the
extent that the amount received, net of any reasonable costs of disposition,
exceeds (or is less than) the adjusted cost base of such holder's DRI common
shares. If a holder is a corporation, any capital loss arising on the
disposition of DRI common shares may in certain circumstances be reduced by the
amount of any dividends which have been received on such share. Analogous rules
apply to a partnership or trust of which a corporation is a member or
beneficiary. A shareholder will be required to include three-quarters of any
capital gain (a "taxable capital gain") in computing his or her income for
purposes of the Canadian Tax Act and will be entitled to deduct three-quarters
of any capital loss only against taxable capital gains in accordance with the
detailed provisions of the Canadian Tax Act in that regard.
TAXATION OF SHAREHOLDERS NOT RESIDENT IN CANADA. The following portion of
this summary applies to shareholders who, for purposes of the Canadian Tax Act:
(i) are not resident or deemed to be resident in Canada at any time when they
held or hold DRI common shares; (ii) do not use or hold and are not deemed to
use or hold their DRI common shares in the course of carrying on a business in
Canada; or (iii) in the case of shareholders who carry on an insurance business
in Canada and elsewhere, establish that the DRI common shares are "designated
insurance property".
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Shareholders will not be considered to have disposed of their DRI common
shares or to have realized a taxable capital gain or loss by reason only of the
continuance. The continuance will also have no effect on the adjusted cost base
to shareholders of their DRI common shares. After the effective date of the
continuance, dividends received by a shareholder on DRI Delaware Common Stock
will not be subject to Canadian withholding tax.
Provided that a DRI common share is not "taxable Canadian property" to a
shareholder at the time of disposition of such share, such shareholder will not
be subject to Canadian tax on any capital gain arising by reason of the
disposition of such DRI common share. After the effective date of the
continuance, based on the present activities of DRI, DRI Delaware Common Stock
will not generally be taxable Canadian property to a shareholder at any
particular time.
Pursuant to the administrative practices of Revenue Canada, the amount paid
to a dissenting shareholder should be treated as proceeds of disposition of his
or her DRI common shares. Provided that such shares are not taxable Canadian
property for the purposes of the Canadian Tax Act, such proceeds of disposition
will not be subject to Canadian tax. Such shareholder should consult his or her
own tax advisors in this regard.
MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO SHAREHOLDERS OF THE
MOVE OF CORPORATE DOMICILE AND MERGER
In the opinion of Jenkens & Gilchrist, a Professional Corporation, special
United States federal income tax counsel to DRI ("U.S. Special Tax Counsel"),
the following are the material United States federal income tax considerations
arising from and relating to the continuance that are generally applicable to
shareholders of DRI that are United States citizens or residents, domestic
corporations, domestic partnerships, estates subject to United States federal
income tax on their income regardless of source, and trusts, but only if a court
within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the
administration of such trust and one or more United States fiduciaries have the
authority to control all the substantial decisions of the trust ("U.S.
Shareholders") and to certain shareholders of DRI that are not U.S. Shareholders
("non-U.S. Shareholders"). This discussion does not address all aspects of
United States federal income taxation that may be relevant to a particular U.S.
Shareholder (including, without limitation, U.S. Shareholders who directly or
constructively own ten percent or more, by vote or value, of the stock of DRI,
and the potential application of the alternative minimum tax), to a particular
non-U.S. Shareholder, or to certain types of investors subject to special
treatment under the United States federal income tax laws (for example, banks,
life insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, broker-dealers or holders
who received DRI common stock as compensation). This discussion does not address
any aspect of state, local or foreign laws.
This discussion is based on the United States Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code"), existing and proposed regulations thereunder, IRS
rulings and pronouncements, reports of congressional committees, judicial
decisions and current administrative rulings and practice, all as in effect on
the date hereof and which are subject to change. Any such change could be
retroactive and, accordingly, could modify the tax consequences discussed
herein. No advance ruling from the IRS with respect to the matters discussed
herein has been requested. Accordingly, it is possible that the United States
federal income tax consequences of the continuance may differ from those
described below.
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The following does not address all aspects of federal income taxation that
may be relevant to a particular shareholder in light of such holder's particular
circumstances and income tax situation. Shareholders are urged to consult their
own tax advisors as to the particular tax consequences to them of the
transactions described herein including the application of state, local and
foreign tax laws; possible future changes in federal tax laws; and any pending
or proposed legislation.
TAXATION OF U.S. SHAREHOLDERS. The following discussion is limited to U.S.
Shareholders (i) who hold DRI common shares and/or will hold DRI Delaware Common
Stock (as defined below) as "capital assets" within the meaning of Section 1221
of the Code, (ii) whose ownership, receipt or disposition of DRI common shares
and/or DRI Delaware Common Stock is not attributable to a permanent
establishment in a country other than the United States for purposes of an
income tax treaty to which the United States is a party, and (iii) who are not
residents of a country other than the United States for purposes of an income
tax treaty to which the United States is a party. U.S. Shareholders who do not
meet one or more of the foregoing criteria are urged to consult their tax
advisors regarding their particular United States federal income tax
consequences.
THE CONTINUANCE. For United States federal income tax purposes, the
continuance should result in a constructive exchange by DRI shareholders of
their DRI common shares for stock in a new United States corporation ("DRI
Delaware Common Stock") and should qualify as a "reorganization within the
meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. This conclusion is based on certain
factual assumptions and reliance on representations from DRI.
With respect to a U.S. Shareholder, other than a Section 1248 Shareholder
(as defined below), based on the foregoing conclusion that the continuance
should qualify as a reorganization, the following will be the material United
States federal income tax consequences:
(1) The U.S. Shareholder will not recognize gain or loss on the
constructive exchange of DRI common shares solely for DRI Delaware Common
Stock;
(2) The tax basis of the DRI Delaware Common Stock constructively
received will be the same as the basis of the DRI common shares
constructively surrendered in exchange therefore;
(3) The holding period for the shares of the DRI Delaware Common Stock
will include the holding period of the DRI common shares constructively
surrendered in exchange therefor; and
(4) Any U.S. Shareholder who exercises his rights under Alberta law to
dissent from the continuance should be treated as if his DRI common shares
was redeemed for cash and should in general recognize capital gain or loss
in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of cash received
and the U.S. Shareholder's basis in the DRI common shares surrendered
therefor. Special rules may apply to dissenting DRI shareholders that
actually or constructively (pursuant to Section 318 of the Code) own shares
of DRI as to which dissenter's rights are not being exercised.
A Section 1248 Shareholder is defined as U.S. Shareholder of DRI who
actually or constructively owns (or has actually or constructively owned at any
time in the five year period immediately preceding the continuance) 10 percent
or more of the voting stock of DRI.
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NOTICE REQUIREMENT. Any U.S. Shareholder who receives DRI Delaware Common
Stock in exchange for DRI common shares and takes the position that such
exchange is eligible for nonrecognition treatment is required to file a notice
with the IRS on or before the last day for filing a United States federal income
tax return (taking into account any extensions of time therefor) for the U.S.
Shareholder's taxable year in which the continuance occurs. The notice must
contain certain information specifically enumerated in Section 7.367(b)-1 of the
United States treasury regulations, and U.S. Shareholders are advised to consult
their tax advisors for assistance in preparing such notice. If a U.S.
Shareholder required to give notice as described above fails to give such
notice, and if the U.S. Shareholder further fails to establish reasonable cause
for the failure, then the IRS will be required to determine, based on all the
facts and circumstances, whether the conversion of DRI common shares into DRI
Delaware Common Stock is eligible for nonrecognition treatment. In making the
determination, the IRS may conclude (i) that the conversion is eligible for
nonrecognition treatment, despite such noncompliance, (ii) that the conversion
is eligible for nonrecognition treatment, provided that certain other conditions
imposed by the United States treasury regulations are satisfied, or (iii) that
the conversion is not eligible for nonrecognition treatment and that any gain
recognized will be taken into account for purposes of increasing the tax basis
of the DRI Delaware Common Stock received pursuant to the continuance.
Nevertheless, the failure of any one U.S. Shareholder to satisfy the foregoing
notice requirements should not bar other U.S. Shareholders that do satisfy such
requirements from receiving nonrecognition treatment with respect to the
conversion of their DRI common shares into DRI Delaware Common Stock pursuant to
the continuance.
PASSIVE FOREIGN INVESTMENT COMPANY CONSIDERATIONS. For United States
federal income tax purposes, DRI generally will be classified as a passive
foreign investment company (a "PFIC") for any taxable year during which either
(i) 75 percent or more of its gross income is passive income (as defined for
United States federal income tax purposes) or (ii) on average for such taxable
year, 50 percent or more of its assets (by value) produce or are held for the
production of passive income. For purposes of applying the foregoing tests, all
or some of the assets and gross income of DRI's subsidiaries will be attributed
to DRI.
While there can be no assurance with respect to the classification of DRI
as a PFIC, DRI believes that it did not constitute a PFIC during any taxable
year ending at or prior to consummation of the continuance. In connection with
the transactions contemplated herein, U.S. Special Tax Counsel will not be
rendering an opinion with regard to DRI's status as a PFIC.
Although the matter is not free from doubt, if DRI is a PFIC prior to the
consummation of the continuance and the U.S. Shareholder does not make a
qualified electing fund election (a "QEF Election"), then (i) the U.S.
Shareholder would be required to allocate gain recognized upon the exchange of
DRI common shares for DRI Delaware Common Stock ratably over the U.S.
Shareholder's holding period for such DRI common shares, (ii) the amount
allocated to each year other than (x) the year of the disposition of the DRI
common shares or (y) any year prior to the beginning of the first taxable year
of DRI for which it was a PFIC, would be subject to tax at the highest rate
applicable to individuals or corporations, as the case may be, for the taxable
year to which such income is allocated, and an interest charge would be imposed
upon the resulting tax attributable to each such year (which charge would accrue
from the due date of the return for the taxable year to which such tax was
allocated), and (iii) gain recognized upon the disposition of the DRI common
shares (including upon the exchange of DRI common shares for DRI Delaware Common
Stock in the continuance) would be taxable as ordinary income.
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If a U.S. Shareholder made a QEF Election, then the U.S. Shareholder
generally is currently taxable on such U.S. Shareholder's pro rata share of
DRI's ordinary earnings and net capital gains (at ordinary income and capital
gains rates, respectively) for each taxable year of DRI in which DRI is
classified as a PFIC, even if no dividend distributions are received by such
U.S. Shareholder unless such U.S. Shareholder made an election to defer such
taxes.
The foregoing summary of the possible application of the PFIC rules to DRI
and the U.S. Shareholders of DRI common shares is only a summary of certain
material aspects of those rules. Because the United States federal income tax
consequences to a U.S. Shareholder under the PFIC provisions may be significant,
U.S. Shareholders of DRI common shares are urged to discuss those consequences
with their tax advisors.
TAXATION OF NON-U.S. Shareholders. The following discussion is applicable
to non-U.S. Shareholders (i) who hold DRI common shares or will hold DRI
Delaware Common Stock as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of
the Code, (ii) who do not actually or constructively own (and have not at any
time in the preceding five-year period actually or constructively owned) five
percent or more (by vote or value) of the stock of the Company, (iii) whose
ownership, receipt or disposition of DRI common shares and/or DRI Delaware
Common Stock is not attributable either to the conduct of a trade or business in
the United States or to a permanent establishment in the United States, and (v)
who are not residents of the United States for purposes of United States federal
income tax law or an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party.
Non-U.S. Shareholders who do not meet one or more of the foregoing criteria are
urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding their particular United States
federal income tax consequences.
THE CONTINUANCE. If, as expected, the continuance qualifies as a
reorganization, then a non-U.S. Shareholder generally should have the same
United States federal income tax consequences as those described above for a
U.S. Shareholder regarding nonrecognition of gain or loss, tax basis and holding
period. Except as set forth in the following paragraph, a non-U.S. Shareholder
generally will not be required to file a notice with the IRS with respect to the
continuance.
A non-U.S. Shareholder generally will not be subject to United States
federal income tax on gain recognized, if any, upon the exchange of the shares
of DRI common shares for the shares of DRI Delaware Common Stock unless (i) the
gain is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the
United States by the non-U.S. Shareholder; (ii) the gain is attributable to a
permanent establishment in the United States, (iii) in the case of a non-U.S.
Shareholder who is a nonresident alien individual and holds DRI common shares as
a capital asset, such non-U.S. Shareholder is present in the United States for
183 or more days in the taxable year and certain other circumstances are
present, or (iv) the non-U.S. Shareholder is subject to tax pursuant to the
provisions of the Code applicable to certain United States expatriates. A
non-U.S. Shareholder that would be subject to United States federal income tax
on such gains and takes the position that the exchange of DRI common shares for
the DRI Delaware Common Stock is eligible for nonrecognition treatment will be
required to file a notice with the IRS. See "--Taxation of U.S.
Shareholders--The Continuance," above.
DIVIDENDS ON DRI DELAWARE COMMON STOCK. Generally, dividends received by a
non-U.S. Shareholder with respect to DRI Delaware Common Stock will be subject
to United States withholding tax at a rate of 30 percent, which rate may be
subject to reduction by an applicable income tax treaty
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(generally 15 percent on dividends paid to residents of Canada who qualify for
the benefits of the income tax treaty between the United States and Canada). If
the dividends are effectively connected with the conduct of a United States
trade or business or are attributable to a permanent establishment in the United
States, they would be taxed at the graduated rates that are applicable to United
States citizens, resident aliens and domestic corporations and would not be
subject to United States withholding tax if the non-U.S. Shareholder gives an
appropriate statement to the withholding agent in advance of the dividend
payment. A non-U.S. Shareholder that is a corporation may be subject to an
additional branch profits tax on effectively connected dividends.
SALE OF DRI DELAWARE COMMON STOCK. A non-U.S. Shareholder generally will
not be subject to United States federal income tax on gain recognized, if any,
upon the sale of shares of DRI Delaware Common Stock unless (i) the gain is
effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the United
States by the non-U.S. Shareholder, (ii) in the case of a non-U.S. Shareholder
who is a nonresident alien individual and holds the DRI Delaware Common Stock as
a capital asset, such non-U.S. Shareholder is present in the United States for
183 or more days in the taxable year and certain other circumstances are
present, (iii) the non-U.S. Shareholder is subject to tax pursuant to the
provisions of the Code applicable to certain United States expatriates; or (iv)
DRI Delaware is or has been a "United States real property holding corporation"
("USRPHC") for federal income tax purposes, as such term is defined by Section
897(c) of the Code, and the non-U.S. Shareholder owned directly or pursuant to
certain attribution rules at any time during the five year period ending on the
date of disposition more than 5% of DRI Delaware Common Stock (assuming that the
DRI Delaware Common Stock is regularly traded on an established securities
market, within the meaning of Section 897(c)(3) of the Code). DRI believes that
the as of the date of the continuance, DRI Delaware will be a USRPHC and that
the DRI Delaware Common Stock will be treated as being traded on an established
exchange.
ESTATE TAX. DRI Delaware Common Stock owned (or treated as owned) by an
individual may be includible in his or her gross estate for United States
federal estate tax purposes and thus may be subject to United States federal
estate tax, unless an applicable estate tax treaty provides otherwise.
TAXATION OF THE MERGER. The merger of DMI into DRI Delaware should qualify
as a tax-free liquidation of a wholly owned subsidiary into its parent
corporation. As such, shareholders of DRI Delaware will recognize no gain or
loss on the merger for United States federal income tax purposes.
INFORMATION REPORTING AND BACKUP WITHHOLDING. DRI must report annually to
the IRS and to each U.S. and non-U.S. Shareholder the amount of dividends paid
to such Non-U.S. Shareholder and the tax withheld with respect to such
dividends. These information reporting requirements apply regardless of whether
withholding tax was reduced by an applicable income tax treaty. Copies of these
information returns reporting such dividends and withholding may also be made
available to the tax authorities in the country in which the non-U.S.
Shareholder resides under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty or
other agreement with the tax authorities in that country.
In general, information reporting requirements may apply to dividend
distributions on DRI Delaware Common Stock, or the proceeds of a sale, exchange,
retraction or redemption of DRI Delaware Common Stock. A 31 percent backup
withholding tax may apply to such payments unless the holder (i) is a
corporation, non-U.S. Shareholder or comes within certain exempt categories and,
when required, demonstrates its exemption, or (ii) provides a correct taxpayer
identification number, certifies as to no loss of exemption from backup
withholding and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the
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backup withholding rules. A holder of DRI Delaware Common Stock who is required
to provide its correct taxpayer identification number and fails to do so may be
subject to penalties imposed by the IRS.
United States backup withholding tax generally will not apply to dividends
paid on DRI Delaware Common Stock that are subject to the 30% or reduced treaty
rate of withholding previously discussed if the beneficial owner certifies its
non-U.S. status under penalties of perjury (or, with respect to payments made
after December 31, 1999, satisfies certain documentary evidence requirements for
establishing that it is a non-U.S. holder) or otherwise establishes an
exemption. Furthermore, under current law, dividends paid on DRI Delaware Common
Stock to a non-U.S. Shareholder at an address outside the United States are
generally exempt from backup withholding tax (but not from 30% withholding tax,
as discussed above).
On October 14, 1997 the IRS issued final regulations ("1997 Final
Regulations") which affect the United States taxation of non-U.S. shareholders.
Under the 1997 Final Regulations, for dividends paid after December 31, 1999, a
non-United States person must generally provide proper documentation indicating
non-United States status to a withholding agent in order to avoid backup
withholding tax. However, dividends paid to certain exempt recipients (not
including individuals) will not be subject to backup withholding even if such
documentation is not provided if the withholding agent is allowed to rely on
certain presumptions concerning the recipient's non-United States status
(including payment to an address outside the United States).
Payments of proceeds from the sale of DRI common shares by a non-U.S.
Shareholder made to or through a non-United States office of a broker generally
will not be subject to information reporting or backup withholding. However,
payments made to or through (i) a non-United States office of a United States
broker or (ii) a non-United States office of a non-United States broker that has
certain specified connections with the United States, are generally subject to
information reporting (but not backup withholding) unless the shareholder
certifies its non-United States status under penalties of perjury or otherwise
establishes its entitlement to an exemption. Payments of proceeds from the sale
of DRI Delaware Common Stock by a non-U.S. Shareholder made to or through a
United States office of a broker are generally subject to both information
reporting and backup withholding at a rate of 31% unless the shareholder
certifies its non-United States status under penalties of perjury or otherwise
establishes its entitlement to an exemption.
Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a
holder will be allowed as a credit against such holder's United States federal
income tax, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS.
MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THE COMPANY OF THE
MOVE OF CORPORATE DOMICILE AND MERGER
In the opinion of U.S. counsel, the following are the material United
States federal income tax considerations arising from and relating to the
continuance and the merger that are applicable to DRI. As described in more
detail in the preceding section, the continuance should qualify as a
"reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. This
conclusion is based on certain factual assumptions and reliance on
representations from DRI and certain principal shareholders of DRI.
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This discussion is based upon United States laws, regulations, rulings and
decisions currently in effect, all of which are subject to change, possibly with
retroactive effect. No advance income tax ruling has been sought or obtained
from the IRS regarding the tax consequences of any of the transactions described
herein. Accordingly, it is possible that the United States federal income tax
consequences to DRI of the continuance may differ from those described below.
CONTINUANCE. A domestication transaction, such as the continuance, is
generally treated for federal income tax purposes as: (1) a transfer by DRI of
all of its assets and liabilities to a new domestic corporation ("DRI Delaware")
in exchange for all of the stock of the DRI Delaware followed by (2) a
liquidating distribution by DRI to its shareholders of the DRI Delaware Common
Stock received in exchange for DRI's assets and liabilities. Generally, the Code
provides non-recognition treatment to the acquired corporation in such a
transaction if it otherwise meets the requirements of a reorganization. In
certain circumstances occurring in an international reorganization, however, the
operation of certain rules overrides the non-recognition treatment normally
obtained in a reorganization. Such rules may cause DRI to recognize gain on the
deemed transfer and/or distribution, as described below.
The deemed transfer by DRI of all of its assets and liabilities to DRI
Delaware should be treated as a nontaxable event if the DRI Delaware Common
Stock received by DRI is a "United States real property interest" ("USRPI"). If
the DRI Delaware Common Stock is not a USRPI, then DRI may be subject to United
States federal income tax on the gain or loss resulting from the disposition of
its assets that are USRPIs. The DRI Delaware Common Stock will be a USRPI,
however, if DRI Delaware is a USRPHC. As discussed above, under Material United
States Federal Income Tax Consequences to Shareholders Taxation of Non-U.S.
Shareholders, DRI has represented that it believes that DRI Delaware will be a
USRPHC. Based on this representation, U.S. Special Tax Counsel has concluded
that the DRI Delaware Common Stock will be a USRPI and, therefore, the deemed
transfer should not result in United States federal income taxation.
Even though DRI's deemed transfer to DRI Delaware should be a non
recognition event for United States federal income tax purposes, the deemed
liquidating distribution by DRI of the DRI Delaware Common Stock to its
shareholders may be a taxable event if the DRI Delaware Common Stock is a USRPI.
As discussed above, U.S. Special Tax Counsel has concluded that the DRI Delaware
Common Stock will be a USRPI.
In general, notwithstanding any non recognition provision of the Code, a
foreign corporation (such as DRI) recognizes gain on the distribution (including
a deemed distribution in liquidation or redemption) of a USRPI (such as the DRI
Delaware Common Stock) in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value
of such USRPI (as of the time of the distribution) over such corporation's
adjusted basis in the USRPI, and the Code requires such corporations to deduct
and withhold a tax equal to 35 percent of the gain recognized on such
distribution. DRI has represented that the adjusted basis of the DRI Delaware
Common Stock will be substantially in excess of its fair market value at the
time of the continuance. Therefore, based on this representation, no gain will
be recognized on DRI's distribution of the DRI Delaware Common Stock to its
shareholders. DRI will apply for a withholding certificate from the IRS to
confirm that DRI has no withholding tax payment obligation. There can be no
assurance, however, that the IRS will agree with DRI's calculation of its tax
basis in DRI Delaware Common Stock or with DRI's calculation of the fair market
value of such stock. Any such disagreement or change could result in DRI owing
United States federal income tax as a result of the continuance.
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MERGER. The merger should qualify as tax-free to DRI Delaware and DMI with
the following United States federal income tax consequences: (1) DRI Delaware
will recognize no gain or loss on the receipt of DMI's assets; (2) DMI will
recognize no gain or loss on the distribution of its assets to DRI Delaware; (3)
DRI Delaware will take a tax basis in the assets of DMI equal to DMI's tax basis
immediately prior to the merger; and (4) DRI Delaware's holding period in the
DMI assets received will include DMI's holding period in such assets.
COMPARISON OF SHAREHOLDERS' RIGHTS
Upon the effective date of the continuance, all shareholders of DRI will
become shareholders of DRI Delaware. DRI is a corporation organized under and
corporately governed by Canadian law, the articles of incorporation of DRI and
the by-laws of DRI. DRI Delaware will be a corporation organized under and
governed by Delaware law, the certificate of incorporation and the by-laws of
DRI Delaware. The principle attributes of DRI Delaware Common Stock and DRI's
common shares will be identical other than differences in shareholders' rights
under the CBCA and DGCL. While the rights and privileges of stockholders of a
Delaware corporation under the DGCL are, in many instances, comparable to those
of shareholders of a Canadian corporation under the CBCA, there are certain
differences. The following is a summary of the material differences between the
rights of holders of shares of DRI Delaware after the effective date of the
continuance and the rights of holders of shares of DRI at the date hereof. These
differences arise from differences between United States and Canadian securities
laws, between the DGCL and the CBCA, and between DRI's articles of incorporation
as presently constituted and the certificate of incorporation and by-laws of DRI
Delaware as proposed, attached hereto as Exhibits D and E respectively.
THIS SUMMARY IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO THE CBCA, THE
DGCL, THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF DRI, THE BY-LAWS OF DRI, THE CERTIFICATE
OF INCORPORATION AND BY-LAWS OF DRI DELAWARE.
VOTE REQUIRED FOR EXTRAORDINARY TRANSACTIONS. Under the CBCA, certain
extraordinary corporate actions, including certain amalgamations, continuances,
liquidations, dissolutions and sales, leases or exchanges of all or
substantially all the assets of a corporation other than in the ordinary course
of business, are required to be approved by special resolution. A special
resolution is a resolution passed by not less than 2/3 of the votes cast by the
shareholders entitled to vote on the resolution. In certain cases, a special
resolution to approve an extraordinary corporate action is also required to be
approved separately by the holders of a class or series of shares.
The DGCL requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding
stock entitled to vote thereon to authorize any merger, consolidation,
dissolution or sale of substantially all of the assets of a corporation, except
that, unless required by its certificate of incorporation, no authorizing
stockholder vote is required of a corporation surviving a merger if (i) such
corporation's certificate of incorporation is not amended in any respect by the
merger, (ii) each share of stock of such corporation outstanding immediately
prior to the effective date of the merger will be an identical outstanding or
treasury share of the surviving corporation after the effective date of the
merger, and (iii) either no shares of common stock, including securities
convertible into common stock will be issued in the merger or the number of
shares of common stock to be issued in the merger does not exceed 20% of such
corporation's outstanding common stock immediately prior to the effective date
of the merger. The proposed certificate of incorporation for DRI Delaware will
not require such a vote. Stockholder approval is also not required
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under the DGCL for mergers or consolidations in which a parent corporation
merges or consolidates with a subsidiary of which it owns at least 90% of the
outstanding shares of each class of stock. Finally, unless required by its
certificate of incorporation, stockholder approval is not required under the
DGCL for a corporation to merge with or into a direct or indirect wholly owned
subsidiary of a holding company (as defined in the DGCL) in certain
circumstances. The proposed certificate of incorporation for DRI Delaware will
not require such a vote.
DRI currently does not have a shareholders' rights plan. Shareholders'
rights plans, in a variety of forms, are common to many corporations
incorporated in the United States and serve to afford a corporation's board of
directors the opportunity to withstand an unsolicited takeover attempt while
providing the board of directors sufficient time to evaluate the offer and its
adequacy and to consider alternative measures or transactions that may be
appropriate in responding to the offer. The DGCL permits shareholders' rights
plans in general and permits the adoption of shareholders' rights plans by a
board of directors without shareholder approval.
AMENDMENT TO GOVERNING DOCUMENTS. Under the CBCA, amendments to the
articles of the corporation generally require the approval by special
resolution, which is a resolution passed by a majority of not less than 2/3 of
the votes cast by shareholders entitled to vote on the resolution. Under the
CBCA, unless the articles of incorporation or by-laws otherwise provide or
shareholders unanimously consent, the directors may, by resolution, make, amend
or repeal any by-law that regulates the business or affairs of a corporation.
Where the directors make, amend or repeal a by-law, they are required under the
CBCA to submit the bylaw, amendment or repeal to the shareholders at the next
meeting of shareholders, and the shareholders may confirm, reject, amend or
repeal the by-law amendment by an ordinary resolution, which is a resolution
passed by a majority of the votes cast by shareholders present and entitled to
vote on the resolution.
The DGCL requires a vote of the corporation's board of directors followed
by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding stock of each class
entitled to vote for any amendment to the corporation's certificate of
incorporation, unless a greater level of approval is required by the certificate
of incorporation. The proposed certificate of incorporation for DRI Delaware
will not require a greater level of approval for an amendment thereto. If an
amendment alters the powers, preferences or special rights of a particular class
or series of stock so as to affect them adversely, that class or series shall be
given the power to vote as a class notwithstanding the absence of any
specifically enumerated power in the certificate of incorporation. The DGCL also
states that the power to adopt, amend or repeal the by-laws of a corporation
resides in the stockholders entitled to vote, provided that the corporation in
its certificate of incorporation may confer such power on the board of directors
in addition to the stockholders. The proposed certificate of incorporation of
DRI Delaware expressly authorizes the board of directors to adopt, amend or
repeal DRI Delaware's by-laws.
DISSENTERS' RIGHTS. The CBCA provides that shareholders of a corporation
entitled to vote on certain matters are entitled to exercise dissent rights and
to be paid the fair value of their shares in connection therewith. The CBCA does
not distinguish for this purpose between listed and unlisted shares. Such
matters include (i) any amalgamation with another corporation (other than with
certain affiliated corporations); (ii) an amendment to the corporations articles
of incorporation to add, change or remove any provisions restricting the issue,
transfer or ownership of shares; (iii) an amendment to the corporation's
articles of incorporation to add, change or remove any restriction upon the
business or businesses that the corporation may carry on; (iv) a continuance
under the laws of another jurisdiction;
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(v) a sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all the property of the
corporation other than in the ordinary course of business; (vi) a court order
permitting a shareholder to dissent in connection with an application to the
court for an order approving an arrangement proposed by the corporation.
However, a shareholder is not entitled to dissent if an amendment to the
articles of incorporation is effected by a court order approving a
reorganization or by a court order made in connection with an action for an
oppression remedy. Under the CBCA, a shareholder may, in addition to exercising
dissent rights, seek an oppression remedy for any act or omission of a
corporation which is oppressive or unfairly prejudicial to or that unfairly
disregards a shareholder's interest.
Under the DGCL, holders of shares of any class or series have the right, in
certain circumstances, to dissent from a merger or consolidation by demanding
payment in cash for their shares equal to the fair value (excluding any
appreciation or depreciation as a consequence, or in expectation, of the
transaction) of such shares, as determined by agreement with the corporation or
by an independent appraiser appointed by a court in an action timely brought by
the corporation or the dissenters. The DGCL grants dissenters' appraisal rights
only in the case of mergers or consolidations and not in the case of a sale or
transfer of assets or a purchase of assets for stock regardless of the number of
shares being issued. Further, no appraisal rights are available for shares of
any class or series listed on a national securities exchange or designated as a
national market system security on the NASDAQ National Market or held of record
by more than 2,000 stockholders unless the agreement of merger or consolidation
converts such shares into anything other than (i) stock of the surviving
corporation, (ii) stock of another corporation which is either listed on a
national securities exchange or designated as a national market system security
on the NASDAQ National Market or held of record by more than 2,000 stockholders,
(iii) cash in lieu of fractional shares or (iv) any combination of (i), (ii) or
(iii) above. In addition, dissenter's rights are not available for any shares of
the surviving corporation if the merger did not require the vote of the
stockholders of the surviving corporation.
OPPRESSION REMEDY. Pursuant to Section 241 of the CBCA which provides an
oppression remedy, a court is enabled to make any order, both interim and final,
to rectify the matters complained of, if the court is satisfied upon application
by a complainant (as defined below) that: (i) any act or omission of the
corporation or any of its affiliates effects a result; (ii) the business or
affairs of the corporation or any of its affiliates are, have been carried on or
conducted in a manner, or (iii) the powers of the directors of the corporation
or any of its affiliates are or have been exercised in a manner that is
oppressive or unfairly prejudicial to, or that unfairly disregards the interests
of, any security holder, creditor, director or officer of the corporation. A
complainant includes: (a) a present or former registered holder or beneficial
owner of securities of a corporation or any of its affiliates; (b) a present or
former officer or director of the corporation or any of its affiliates, (c) the
Director of the CBCA and (d) any other person who in the discretion of the court
is a proper person to make such application.
Because of the breadth of the conduct which can be complained of and the
scope of the court's remedial powers, the oppression remedy is very flexible and
is frequently relied upon to safeguard the interest of shareholders and other
complainants with a substantial interest in the corporation. Under the CBCA, it
is not necessary to prove that the directors of a corporation acted in bad faith
in order to seek an oppression remedy, merely that their actions were
oppressive, unfairly prejudiced to or unfairly disregarded the interests of any
security holder, director, officer or creditor. Furthermore, the court may order
the corporation to pay the interim expenses (including legal fees) of a
complainant seeking an oppression remedy, but the complainant may be held
accountable for such interim costs on final disposition of the complaint (as in
the case of a derivative action).
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The DGCL does not provide for a similar remedy. However, the DGCL provides
a variety of legal and equitable remedies to a corporation's stockholders for
improper acts or omissions of a corporation, its officers and directors. Under
the DGCL, only stockholders can bring an action alleging a breach of fiduciary
duty by the directors of a corporation. In order to be successful, the
stockholder must overcome the "business judgment rule," which simply stated
means that absent a showing of intentional misconduct, gross negligence or a
conflict of interest, disinterested directors' decisions are presumed by the
courts to have been made in good faith and in the best interests of the
corporation.
DERIVATIVE ACTION. Under the CBCA, a complainant may apply to the court for
leave to bring an action in the name of and on behalf of a corporation or any of
its subsidiaries, or to intervene in an existing action to which any such body
corporate is a party, for the purpose of prosecuting, defending or discontinuing
the action on behalf of the body corporate. Under the CBCA, no action may be
brought and no intervention in an action may be made unless the complainant has
given reasonable notice to the directors of the corporation or its subsidiary of
the complainant's intention to apply to the court and the court is satisfied
that (i) the directors of the corporation or its subsidiary will not bring,
diligently prosecute or defend or discontinue the action; (ii) the complainant
is acting in good faith and (iii) it appears to be in the interest of the
corporation or its subsidiary that the action be brought, prosecuted, defended
or discontinued.
Under the CBCA, the court in a derivative action may make any order it
thinks fit including, without limitation, (i) an order authorizing the
complainant or any other person to control the conduct of the action; (ii) an
order giving directions for the conduct of the action; (iii) an order directing
that any amount adjudged payable by a defendant in the action shall be paid, in
whole or in part, directly to former and present security holders of the
corporation or its subsidiary instead of to the corporation or its subsidiary
and (iv) an order requiring the corporation or its subsidiary to pay reasonable
legal fees reasonably incurred by the complainant in connection with the action.
Additionally, under the CBCA, a court may order a corporation or its subsidiary
to pay the complainant's interim costs, including legal fees and disbursements.
Although the complainant may be held accountable for the interim costs on final
disposition of the complaint, it is not required to give security for costs in a
derivative action.
A derivative action may be brought in Delaware by a stockholder on behalf
of, and for the benefit of, the corporation. The DGCL provides that a
stockholder must aver in the complaint that he or she was a stockholder of the
corporation at the time of the transaction of which he or she complains. A
stockholder may not sue derivatively unless he or she first makes demand on the
corporation that it bring suit and such demand has been refused, unless it is
shown that such demand would have been futile.
SHAREHOLDER CONSENT IN LIEU OF MEETING. Under the CBCA, shareholder action
without a meeting may only be taken by written resolution signed by all
shareholders who would be entitled to vote thereon at a meeting, if the holders
of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at the meeting are present in
person or represented by proxy.
Under the DGCL, unless otherwise provided in the certificate of
incorporation, any action required to be taken or which may be taken at an
annual or special meeting of stockholders may be taken without a meeting if a
consent in writing is signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less
than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize such
action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote were present and voted.
The proposed certificate of incorporation for DRI
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Delaware will not prohibit the use of such a consent. The corporation is
required to give prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action to
stockholders who have not consented in writing.
SHAREHOLDER QUORUM. Under the CBCA, unless a corporation's by-laws provide
otherwise, a quorum is present at a meeting of the shareholders, irrespective of
the number of shareholders actually present at the meeting, if the holders of a
majority of the shares entitled to vote at the meeting are present in person or
represented by proxy.
Under the DGCL, a corporation's certificate of incorporation or by-laws may
specify the number of shares or the voting power which shall be present, or
represented by proxy, in order to constitute a quorum for the transaction of any
business at any meeting of the shareholders. However, in no event shall a quorum
consist of less than 1/3 of the shares entitled to vote at the meeting. The
proposed certificate of incorporation of DRI Delaware provides for a quorum to
consist of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at a meeting being present
in person or by proxy.
DIRECTOR QUALIFICATIONS. Under the CBCA, 1/3 of the directors must be
resident Canadians. In addition, as the securities of DRI are publicly traded,
DRI is required to have not fewer than three directors, at least two of whom are
not officers or employees of DRI or its affiliates. A director of DRI must not
be: (i) under eighteen years of age; (ii) adjudicated as mentally unsound, (iii)
a person that is not an individual or (iv) a person who has the status of a
bankrupt. Delaware does not have comparable requirements.
FIDUCIARY DUTIES OF DIRECTORS. Directors of corporations incorporated or
organized under the CBCA and the DGCL have fiduciary obligations to the
corporation and its shareholders. Pursuant to these fiduciary obligations, the
directors must act in accordance with the so-called duty of care.
Pursuant to section 122 of the CBCA, the duty of care requires directors of
a Canadian corporation to act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best
interests of the corporation, and the duty of care requires that the directors
exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent person would
exercise in comparable circumstances.
Under the DGCL, the duty of care requires that the directors act in an
informed and deliberative manner and to inform themselves, prior to making a
business decision, of all material information reasonably available to them. The
duty of loyalty may be summarized as the duty to act in good faith, not out of
self-interest, and in a manner which the directors reasonably believe to be in
the best interest of the stockholders pursuant to the "business judgment rule."
INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS. Under the CBCA and pursuant to
DRI's by-laws, DRI may indemnify a director or officer, a former director or
officer or a person who acts or acted at DRI's request as a director or officer
of a body corporate of which DRI is or was a shareholder or creditor, and his or
her heirs and legal representatives (an "Indemnifiable Person"), against all
costs, charges and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or
satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by him or her in respect of any civil,
criminal or administrative action or proceeding to which he or she is made a
party by reason of being or having been a director or officer of DRI or such
body corporate if: (i) he or she acted honestly and in good faith with a view to
the best interest of DRI and (ii) in the case of a criminal or administrative
action or proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, he or she had
reasonable grounds for believing that his or her conduct was lawful. An
Indemnifiable Person is entitled
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to such indemnity from DRI if he or she was substantially successful on the
merits in his or her defense of the action or proceeding and fulfilled the
conditions set out in (i) and (ii), above.
A corporation may, with the approval of a court, also indemnify an
Indemnifiable Person with respect of an action by or on behalf of the
corporation or such body corporate to procure a judgment in its favor, to which
such person is made a party by reason of being or having been a director or an
officer of the corporation or body corporate, if he or she fulfills the
conditions set out in (i) and (ii), above.
The DGCL permits a corporation to indemnify any of its directors or
officers who was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party to any third
party proceeding by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or
officer of the corporation, against expenses (including attorney's fees),
judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred
by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, if such
person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be
in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to
any criminal action or proceeding, had no reason to believe that such persons
conduct was unlawful. In a derivative action, or an action by or in the right of
the corporation, the corporation is permitted to indemnify directors and
officers against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably
incurred by them in connection with the defense or settlement of an action or
suit if they acted in good faith and in a manner that they reasonably believed
to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no
indemnification shall be made if such person shall have been adjudged liable to
the corporation, unless and only to the extent that the court in which the
action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that the defendant
directors or officers are fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such
expenses despite such adjudication of liability.
The DGCL allows for the advance payment of an indemnitee's expenses prior
to the final disposition of an action, provided that the indemnitee undertakes
to repay any such amount advanced if it is later determined that the indemnitee
is not entitled to indemnification with regard to the action for which such
expenses were advanced. The CBCA does not expressly provide for such advance
payment.
The officers and directors of DRI currently have indemnification contracts
which survive the termination of their employment or service as directors. These
will continue after the move of domicile to Delaware.
DIRECTOR LIABILITY. The CBCA contains certain provisions which limit or
eliminate the liability of directors to the corporation or its stockholders with
respect to certain malfeasance or nonfeasance on the part of the directors. In
some circumstances, a director will not be liable if he proves that he did not
know and could not have known of the unlawful act. Also, certain actions to
enforce a liability imposed by the CBCA may not be commenced after two years
from the date of the act complained of. Further, a director will not be liable
under certain sections of the CBCA if he relied in good faith on (a) financial
statements of the corporation fairly represented to him by an officer of the
corporation or in a written report of the auditor of the corporation to reflect
the financial condition of the corporation, or (b) a report of a lawyer,
accountant, engineer, appraiser or other person whose profession lends
credibility to a statement made by him.
The DGCL provides that a corporation's certificate of incorporation may
include a provision which limits or eliminates the liability of directors to the
corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary
duty as a director, provided such liability does not arise from certain
proscribed
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conduct, including acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, breach of the duty of
loyalty, the payment of unlawful dividends or expenditure of funds for unlawful
stock purchases or redemptions or transactions from which such director derived
an improper personal benefit.
The proposed certificate of incorporation of DRI Delaware provides that no
director of DRI Delaware shall be liable to the corporation or its stockholders
for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for
liability (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the
corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or
which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) for
certain unlawful distributions by the corporation or (iv) for any transaction
from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS AND INTERESTED STOCKHOLDER TRANSACTIONS. The DGCL
prohibits, in certain circumstances, a "business combination" between the
corporation and an "interested stockholder" within three years of the
stockholder becoming an "interested stockholder." An "interested stockholder" is
a holder who, directly or indirectly, controls 15% or more of the outstanding
voting stock or is an affiliate of the corporation and was the owner of 15% or
more of the outstanding voting stock at any time within the prior three-year
period. A "business combination" includes a merger or consolidation, a sale or
other disposition of assets having an aggregate market value of 10% or more of
the consolidated assets of the corporation or the aggregate market value of the
outstanding stock of the corporation and certain transactions that would
increase the interested stockholder's proportionate share ownership in the
corporation. This provision does not apply where: (i) either the business
combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an
interested stockholder is approved by the corporation's board of directors prior
to the date the interested stockholder acquired such 15% interest; (ii) upon the
consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an
interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the
outstanding voting stock of the corporation excluding, for the purpose of
determining the number of shares outstanding, shares held by persons who are
directors and also officers and by employee stock plans in which participants do
not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to
the plan will be tendered; (iii) the business combination is approved by a
majority of the board of directors and the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the
outstanding votes entitled to be cast by disinterested stockholders at an annual
or special meeting, and not by written consent; (iv) the corporation does not
have a class of voting stock that is listed on a national securities exchange,
authorized for quotation on an inter-dealer quotation system of a registered
national securities association, or held of record by more than 2,000
stockholders unless any of the foregoing results from action taken, directly or
indirectly, by an interested stockholder or from a transaction in which a person
becomes an interested stockholder or (v) the corporation has opted out of this
provision. DRI Delaware will expressly opt out of this provision.
However, policies of certain Canadian securities regulatory authorities,
including Policy 9.1 of the Ontario Securities Commission ("Policy 9.1"),
contain requirements in connection with related party transactions. A related
party transaction means, generally, any transaction by which an issuer, directly
or indirectly, acquires or transfers an asset or acquires or issues treasury
securities or assumes or transfers a liability from or to, as the case may be, a
related party by any means in any one transaction or any combination of
transactions. "Related party" is defined in Policy 9.1 and includes directors,
senior officers and holders of at least 10% of the voting securities of the
issuer.
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Policy 9.1 requires more detailed disclosures in the proxy material sent to
security holders in connection with a related party transaction and, subject to
certain exemptions, the preparation of a formal valuation of the subject matter
of the related party transaction and any non-cash consideration offered therefor
and the inclusion of a summary of the valuation in the proxy material. Policy
9.1 also requires, subject to certain exemptions, that the minority shareholders
of the issuer approve the transaction, by either a simple majority or two-thirds
of the votes cast, depending upon the circumstances.
ACCESS TO CORPORATE RECORDS. Under the CBCA, you, other shareholders and
the creditors of a corporation, their agents or legal representatives as well as
the Director under the CBCA may examine: (i) the articles of incorporation,
by-laws, unanimous shareholder agreements of DRI, (ii) the minutes and
resolutions of shareholders, (iii) all notices pertaining to the term of office,
election of, or change of directors of DRI and (iv) the securities register of
DRI free of charge during normal business hours. Since DRI is public, any person
may examine the aforementioned records for a reasonable fee. All shareholders of
DRI may request a copy of the articles of incorporation, by-laws, unanimous
shareholder agreements of that corporation free of charge.
Under the DGCL, any shareholder of a corporation, their agents or legal
representatives may make a written demand to examine the records of that
corporation. Such a demand to examine the corporation's records must have a
proper purpose, be sworn under oath, and directed to that corporation at its
principal place of business or its registered office in Delaware. A proper
purpose is one that is reasonably related to that shareholder's interest in the
corporation as a shareholder. The certificate of incorporation of a Delaware
corporation may also provide these examination powers to holders of the
corporation's debt securities. The proposed certificate of incorporation of DRI
Delaware will contain such a provision.
DISSENTING SHAREHOLDERS' RIGHTS
Pursuant to Section 190 of the CBCA, reprinted in its entirety as Exhibit B
to this Proxy Statement/Prospectus, shareholders of DRI are provided with a
right to dissent from the proposal to move DRI's corporate domicile from Canada
to the United States as a Delaware corporation. THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 190 OF THE CBCA.
Any shareholder of DRI who dissents from the Special Resolution in
compliance with section 190 of the CBCA (a "Dissenting Shareholder") will be
entitled, in the event the continuance becomes effective, to be paid by DRI the
fair value of the shares held by such Dissenting Shareholder determined as at
the close of business on the day before the Special Resolution is adopted. The
fair value of the common shares will not include the investment of $100 million
by TPG to purchase the shares as this would occur after the move of DRI's
domicile to Delaware.
A shareholder who wishes to dissent must send to DRI, no later than the
termination of the Special Meeting (or any adjournment thereof), written
objection to the Special Resolution (a "Dissent Notice"). The filing of a
Dissent Notice does not deprive a shareholder of the right to vote; however, the
CBCA provides, in effect, that a shareholder who has submitted a Dissent Notice
and who votes in favor of the Special Resolution will no longer be considered a
Dissenting Shareholder with respect to the class of shares voted in favor of the
Special Resolution. The CBCA does not provide, and DRI will not assume, that a
vote against the Special Resolution or an abstention constitutes a Dissent
Notice but a shareholder need not vote his or her shares against the Special
Resolution in order to dissent. Similarly, the revocation of a proxy conferring
authority on the proxy holder to vote in favor of the
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Special Resolution does not constitute a Dissent Notice; however, any proxy
granted by a shareholder who intends to dissent, other than a proxy that
instructs the proxy holder to vote against the Special Resolution, should be
validly revoked (see "Appointment and Revocation of Proxies") in order to
prevent the proxy holder from voting such shares in favor of the Special
Resolution and thereby disentitling the shareholder from his or her right to
dissent. Under the CBCA, there is no right of partial dissent and, accordingly,
a Dissenting Shareholder may only dissent with respect to all shares held by him
or her on behalf of any one beneficial owner and which are registered in the
name of the Dissenting Shareholder.
DRI is required, within 10 days after the shareholders adopt the Special
Resolution, to notify each shareholder who has filed a Dissent Notice that the
Special Resolution has been adopted, but such notice is not required to be sent
to any shareholder who voted for the Special Resolution or who has withdrawn his
or her Dissent Notice.
A Dissenting Shareholder who has not withdrawn his or her Dissent Notice
must then, within 20 days after receipt of notice that the Special Resolution
has been adopted or, if he or she does not receive such notice, within 20 days
after he or she learns that the Special Resolution has been adopted, send to DRI
a written notice (a "Payment Demand") containing his or her name and address,
the number of shares in respect of which he or she dissents, and a demand for
payment of the fair value of such shares. Within 30 days after sending a Payment
Demand, the Dissenting Shareholder must send to DRI's transfer agent (Secretary
of Denbury, c/o CIBC Mellon Trust Company, Corporate Trust Department, 600 Dome
Tower, 333 7th Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta T2P 2Z1) the certificates
representing the shares in respect of which he or she dissents. A Dissenting
Shareholder who fails to send to DRI, within the appropriate time frame, a
Dissent Notice, a Payment Demand and the share certificates representing the
shares in respect of which he or she dissents forfeits his or her right to make
a claim under section 190 of the CBCA. DRI's transfer agent will endorse on
share certificates received from a Dissenting Shareholder a notice that the
holder is a Dissenting Shareholder and will forthwith return the share
certificates to the Dissenting Shareholder.
On sending a Payment Demand to DRI, a Dissenting Shareholder ceases to have
any rights as a shareholder, other than the right to be paid the fair value of
his or her shares as determined under section 190 of the CBCA, except where (i)
the Dissenting Shareholder withdraws his or her Payment Demand before DRI makes
an offer to him or her pursuant to the CBCA; (ii) DRI fails to make an offer as
hereinafter described and the Dissenting Shareholder withdraws his or her
Payment Demand or (iii) the continuance does not proceed; in which case his or
her rights as a shareholder are reinstated as of the date he or she sent the
Payment Demand.
DRI or DRI Delaware will be required, not later than seven days after the
later of the effective time of the continuance or the date on which DRI received
the Payment Demand of a Dissenting Shareholder, to send to each Dissenting
Shareholder who has sent a Payment Demand a written offer to pay ("Offer to
Pay") for his or her shares in an amount considered by the Board of Directors of
DRI or DRI Delaware to be the fair value thereof, accompanied by a statement
showing the manner in which the fair value was determined. Every Offer to Pay
must be on the same terms. DRI or DRI Delaware must pay for the shares of a
Dissenting Shareholder within 10 days after an offer made as aforesaid has been
accepted by a Dissenting Shareholder, but any such offer lapses if DRI or DRI
Delaware does not receive an acceptance thereof within 30 days after the Offer
to Pay has been made.
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If DRI Delaware fails to make an Offer to Pay for a Dissenting
Shareholder's Shares, or if a Dissenting Shareholder fails to accept an offer
which has been made, DRI Delaware may, within 50 days after the effective time
of the continuance or within such further period as a court may allow, apply to
a court to fix a fair value for the shares of Dissenting Shareholders. If DRI
Delaware fails to apply to a court, a Dissenting Shareholder may apply to a
court for the same purpose within a further period of 20 days or within such
further period as a court may allow. A Dissenting Shareholder is not required to
give security for costs in such an application.
Upon an application to a court, all Dissenting Shareholders whose shares
have not been purchased by DRI Delaware will be joined as parties and bound by
the decision of the court, and DRI Delaware will be required to notify each
affected Dissenting Shareholder of the date, place and consequences of the
application and of his or her right to appear and be heard in person or by
counsel. Upon any such application to a court, the court may determine whether
any person is a Dissenting Shareholder who should be joined as a party, and the
court will then fix a fair value for the shares of all Dissenting Shareholders
who have not accepted an Offer to Pay. The final order of a court will be
rendered against DRI Delaware in favor of each such Dissenting Shareholder and
for the amount of the fair value of his or her shares as fixed by the court. The
court may, in its discretion, allow a reasonable rate of interest on the amount
payable to each such Dissenting Shareholder from the effective time of
continuance until the date of payment.
THE ABOVE IS ONLY A SUMMARY OF THE DISSENTING SHAREHOLDER PROVISIONS OF THE
CBCA, WHICH ARE TECHNICAL AND COMPLEX. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT ANY SHAREHOLDER
WISHING TO AVAIL HIMSELF OR HERSELF OF HIS OR HER RIGHTS UNDER THOSE PROVISIONS
SEEK HIS OR HER OWN LEGAL ADVICE AS FAILURE TO COMPLY STRICTLY WITH THE
PROVISIONS OF THE CBCA MAY PREJUDICE HIS OR HER RIGHT OF DISSENT. For a general
summary of certain income tax implications to a Dissenting Shareholder, see
"-Material Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations-Shareholders Resident in
Canada-Dissenting Shareholders" and "-Shareholders Not Resident in
Canada-Dissenting Shareholders" and "Moving the Corporate Domicile of
DRI-Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations-Dissenting
Shareholders."
GRANTING THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AUTHORITY TO
ABANDON OR POSTPONE THE MOVE OF DOMICILE
The second proposal asks shareholders to approve a grant of authority to
the Board of Directors to postpone or abandon the move of the corporate
domicile, even if approved by the shareholders, if the Board later determines
such a move or the timing of it would not be in DRI's best interest. Although it
is difficult to foresee all possibilities or reasons to postpone or abandon the
move of domicile, the following situations are the two most likely reasons why
the Board could possibly take such action. First, the Board could consider
abandoning this move if it appeared that there would be adverse tax consequences
to DRI. This could be caused by a significant increase in the market value of
DRI between the date of this proxy statement/prospectus and the date of the
continuance. The Board could also consider abandoning the transaction if there
are a significant number of shareholders who exercise their dissenter rights and
request payment for the fair value of their shares. If the Board determines that
the cost to repurchase these shares exceeds the perceived value of the
continuance, then the Board may, in its discretion, abandon the move.
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SALE OF SHARES TO TPG
The third proposal asks shareholders to approve the issuance and sale of
18,552,876 common shares to TPG, DRI's largest shareholder, for $100 million, or
$5.39 per share (the "TPG Purchase"). If shareholders approve the TPG Purchase,
it will take place whether or not the move of DRI's corporate domicile does.
REASONS FOR SEEKING SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL. The rules of the New York Stock
Exchange and The Toronto Stock Exchange require shareholder approval of a sale
of a substantial number of shares to a significant shareholder. Even though
DRI's requirements for a quorum are much lower, the New York Stock Exchange
requires that holders of at least 50% of the outstanding shares must vote on the
proposed sale. TPG's shares will be included to determine whether 50% have
voted, but a majority of the votes cast by shareholders, excluding TPG and its
affiliates, will be required to approve this proposal.
BACKGROUND OF THE TRANSACTION AND TPG'S INTEREST IN DRI. The Texas Pacific
Group was founded by David Bonderman, James G. Coulter and William S. Price, III
in 1992 to pursue public and private investment opportunities. The principals of
TPG manage TPG Partners, L.P., TPG Parallel I, L.P, and TPG Partners II, L.P.,
the buyer of the TPG Purchase, plus other investment funds. TPG Partners, L.P.
and TPG Parallel I, L.P. currently own 7,931,048 and 790,390 common shares of
DRI, respectively. Texas Pacific Group's other investments include such branded
consumer product companies as Beringer Wine Estates Holdings, Inc., Ducati
Motors, S.p.A., Favorite Brands International, Inc. and J. Crew Group, Inc.
TPG first invested in DRI in December 1995 when it purchased common shares,
Convertible First Preferred Shares and warrants for a total of $40.0 million. In
October 1996, at the time of DRI's public offering of 4,940,000 common shares,
TPG purchased 800,000 shares directly from DRI at the same price that shares
were offered to the public (less underwriting discounts) for approximately $9.6
million ($12.035 per share). In February 1998, TPG also purchased 313,400 shares
for $5.0 million ($15.955 per share) contemporaneously with a public offering of
4,240,780 common shares, again at the public offering price less underwriting
discounts. As of December 1, 1998, TPG owned approximately 32% of DRI's issued
and outstanding common shares.
Under the agreement entered into in December 1995 when TPG made their
initial investment in DRI, TPG is entitled to nominate three of the seven board
members, who have been Messrs. Stanton, Price and Bonderman since late 1995. As
part of the same agreement, DRI is entitled to nominate three board members and
Mr. Greene, Chairman of the Board, is nominated by both parties. Both TPG and
DRI have agreed to use their best efforts to cause the election of the
respective seven nominees. Additionally, as part of the original purchase in
1995, the charter of DRI was amended to include the following provisions which
require a 2/3 vote of the directors for approval: (1) an acquisition with a
purchase price in excess of 20% of DRI's assets; (2) a change in number of
directors of DRI; (3) amendment of DRI's certificate of incorporation or
by-laws; (4) any issuance of equity securities or securities convertible into
equity securities (other than pursuant to DRI's stock option or employee benefit
plans); (5) creation of any series of preferred stock; (6) issuance of debt
securities in excess of 10% of DRI's assets; and (7) borrowings by DRI other
than under existing credit lines or certain increases in those credit lines.
Because three of DRI's seven directors are affiliates of TPG, none of the
actions listed above can be taken without the approval of at least one of the
TPG affiliated directors.
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TPG intends to review continuously the equity positions of its affiliates
in DRI. Depending upon future evaluations of the business prospects of DRI and
upon other developments, including, but not limited to, general economic and
business conditions and money market and stock market conditions, TPG or its
affiliates may determine to increase or decrease the equity interest in DRI by
acquiring additional common shares (or other securities convertible or
exercisable into common shares) or disposing of all or a portion of their
holdings, subject to any applicable legal and contractual restrictions on its
ability to do so. TPG has no current intention to cause any of its affiliates to
increase their ownership of DRI's outstanding common shares other than through
the TPG Purchase.
PURPOSE OF THE SALE OF SHARES. The primary purpose of the proposed sale of
shares is to raise funds to be used for acquisitions at a time when traditional
debt and equity financing for the oil and gas industry is generally unavailable.
This follows the general downturn in the U.S. equity and debt markets during the
summer of 1998, particularly for the oil and gas industry as a result of the
decrease in oil and natural gas prices. These factors have caused the prices for
oil and gas properties to decrease, which increases the likelihood of making
attractive acquisitions. DRI perceives it to be an attractive time to make
acquisitions, and this additional equity will give DRI greater flexibility to
pursue such opportunities. With DRI's current debt levels, it is doubtful that
DRI could make any meaningful acquisition without this additional equity.
Additionally, this stock sale improves DRI's debt ratios.
The net proceeds of the sale (estimated to be approximately $98.5 million)
will initially be used to reduce DRI's outstanding debt, but will ultimately be
used primarily for acquisitions. DRI's development expenditures have been scaled
back to levels that approximate the current available cash flow from operations
and thus will not require any significant use of these funds. See also "Use of
Proceeds."
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED. A private sale of equity to TPG was the initial
alternative considered due to TPG's familiarity with DRI, TPG's substantial
current ownership in DRI, their interest in increasing their investment in DRI
and the difficulty of finding another party that could make such a substantial
single investment on a timely basis. Because of TPG's affiliation with DRI, the
Board of Directors created a Special Transactions Committee (see "Conflicts of
Interest and Creation of the Special Transactions Committee" below) to negotiate
with TPG and as part of the negotiations, to review any other alternatives for
selling equity. During the negotiations with TPG, the Committee considered
seeking out other private investors with the goal of obtaining a higher price.
However, since DRI was receiving a premium over the current market price from
TPG for the sale of control, and the attractiveness to another investor of
making a substantial purchase would be substantially reduced by TPG's
significant interest in DRI, it did not appear likely that a better price could
be obtained from another third party. Also, seeking investment from another
third party would only result in delays. The Committee also considered the sale
of non-voting common stock to TPG. TPG responded that if non-voting common stock
were offered it would expect to purchase such shares at a discount from the
price paid for voting shares. The Committee considered the fact that TPG already
nominates three of seven board members and is DRI's largest shareholder, and
thus it would not benefit DRI to forego any premium in order to sell TPG
non-voting stock. The Committee also considered the alternative of a rights
offering to existing shareholders. However, rights offerings are typically sold
at a discount to current market. If stock were to be offered at a premium in a
rights offering, few if any shareholders (other than TPG), would be likely to
acquire additional shares. Thus, in a rights offering, TPG might have been able
to acquire control with a smaller premium than they would pay in a private
placement.
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EFFECT OF THE TRANSACTION. The effect of selling the shares to TPG will be
to give control of DRI to TPG. The TPG Purchase will increase TPG's ownership of
DRI's issued and outstanding common shares from approximately 32% to
approximately 60% (approximately 58% on a fully diluted basis). Currently, this
transaction is not expected to result in any changes to DRI board of directors,
management or operations.
BENEFITS TO TPG FROM THE TRANSACTION. The benefits to TPG from the
transaction include TPG's ability to control DRI. The consummation of the sale
will give TPG sufficient voting power to sell DRI in the future if it so
desires, on terms and at a time which it determines. Moreover, as part of the
terms of the stock purchase, the Certificate of Incorporation of DRI (if its
legal domicile is moved to Delaware), will opt out of the provisions of Section
203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. Section 203 provides that an
interested shareholder (such as TPG) may not engage in a "business combination"
with a company for three years unless approved by the holders of 2/3 of the
issued and outstanding common shares of that company. A "business combination"
includes a merger, sale of substantially all of a company's assets or sale of
its shares to an interested shareholder such as TPG.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND CREATION OF THE SPECIAL TRANSACTIONS COMMITTEE.
The sale of shares to TPG is subject to a number of conflicts of interest:
o TPG is DRI's largest shareholder.
o Three of the officers and directors of TPG's controlling entity are
members of DRI's Board of Directors.
o TPG has the right, but not the obligation, to maintain its pro rata
ownership interest in the equity securities of DRI in the event DRI
issues any additional equity securities by purchasing shares on the same
terms and conditions (which right has been waived by TPG in each
issuance of equity securities of DRI).
Therefore, the Board of Directors of DRI created a Special Transactions
Committee, comprised solely of those directors who were neither members of
management of DRI nor affiliated in any way with TPG. The Special Transactions
Committee of the Board of Directors is comprised of Mr. Greene, the Chairman of
the Board and the Chairman of the Committee, and Messrs. Wettstein and Matthews.
NEGOTIATION OF TPG PURCHASE PRICE. The Special Transactions Committee of
DRI negotiated the price with TPG taking into account, among other things,
discussions with management and certain financial information prepared by CSFB,
DRI's financial advisor. Negotiations were concluded on December 1, 1998.
FACTORS CONSIDERED AND REASON FOR THE TRANSACTION. The factors considered
by the Committee in negotiating the TPG Purchase and in recommending that
shareholders approve the transaction are as follows:
o The $5.39 per share price represents a 41% premium over the closing
market price for DRI's common shares on December 1, 1998 and the
midpoint of a November 24, 1998 preliminary financial analysis of DRI's
per share value prepared by CSFB. As of the date of this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus, February __, 1999, this price is _____%
higher/lower than the closing market price for DRI's common shares on
the New York Stock Exchange.
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o The $100 million provides DRI with substantial capital to make
acquisitions at a time when attractive opportunities may become
available to entities with sufficient capital. If successful
acquisitions can be made, it would allow DRI to continue to grow.
o The Board of Directors has received the opinion attached hereto as
Exhibit A as to the fairness, from a financial point of view, to DRI of
the consideration to be received by DRI for the common shares to be sold
to TPG.
o The Committee considered other alternatives discussed below, and
believes that because of TPG's current interest in DRI, it appeared
unlikely that another entity would be willing to pay a premium over
market price which would be substantially higher than the price TPG is
willing to pay.
FAIRNESS OF THE TRANSACTION. The Committee believes that the price being
paid by TPG is a fair price, given the substantial premium over the market price
at the time of pricing and given the large percentage of DRI's common shares
being purchased. The premium also represents in part a premium for control. In
addition, the transaction cannot be consummated unless a majority of
disinterested shareholders approve its terms. CSFB has given a written opinion
dated December 16, 1998 to the Board of Directors of DRI as to the fairness,
from a financial point of view, of the consideration to be received by DRI for
the TPG Purchase. In the December 16, 1998 opinion, the estimated equity
reference ranges were approximately $0.39 per share lower than those in the
preliminary financial analyses prepared on November 24, 1998, primarily due to
oil price decreases during the interim period. The full text of CSFB's written
opinion dated December 16, 1998 is attached to this Proxy Statement/Prospectus
as Exhibit A, and should be reviewed carefully in its entirety. CSFB's opinion
is directed to DRI's Board of Directors, and does not constitute a
recommendation to any shareholder with respect to matters relating to the stock
purchase by TPG. Neither DRI nor TPG or any of their affiliates or associates
have any knowledge of any material undisclosed information relating to DRI or
its securities which has not been generally disclosed.
THE TPG PURCHASE AGREEMENT. On December 16, 1998 an affiliate of TPG and
DRI entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (the "TPG Purchase Agreement")
pursuant to which TPG agreed to purchase 18,552,876 newly-issued common shares
of DRI (or, if DRI's corporate domicile has been moved as of the closing, of DRI
Delaware) for a total purchase price of $100 million (U.S.$5.39 per common
share), the consummation of which sale is conditioned upon (i) the approval by
holders of a majority of shares voting that are disinterested shareholders, (ii)
the approval of the purchase price by the Toronto Stock Exchange, (iii) DRI
obtaining an amendment to its credit facility with its banks that is mutually
acceptable to DRI and TPG, (iv) DRI and TPG entering into a registration rights
agreement in the form attached as an exhibit to the TPG Purchase Agreement (the
"TPG Registration Rights Agreement"), (v) the absence of a Material Adverse
Effect (as defined below) between the date of the TPG Purchase Agreement and the
closing pursuant thereto, and (vi) the satisfaction of the other conditions
provided for therein.
As used in the TPG Purchase Agreement, a "Material Adverse Effect" means a
material adverse effect on the financial condition, results of operations,
business or assets of DRI and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; provided
however, any such adverse effect (including, without limitation, (i) an adverse
effect on DRI's financial statements, (ii) non-cash writedowns in the book value
of DRI's oil and gas
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properties, (iii) a decline in DRI's reserve quantities or value, (iv) a decline
in DRI's production volumes, or (v) a decrease in the borrowing base under DRI's
bank credit facility) will not be considered to be a Material Adverse Effect if
it results primarily and directly from:
o (x) prevailing oil prices, provided that the weighted average oil price
realized by DRI over any 28 consecutive day period between December 16,
1998 (the date of the TPG Purchase Agreement) and the closing does not
fall below 80% of the per barrel price realized by DRI for the week
commencing December 6, 1998, or
o (y) prevailing natural gas prices, provided that the weighted average
gas price realized by DRI (after giving effect to any benefit received
by DRI from natural gas hedging contracts covering DRI's gas production)
over any 28 consecutive day period between December 16, 1998 and the
closing does not fall below 80% of the per Mcf price realized by DRI for
the week commencing December 6, 1998, or
o (z) a decrease in DRI's production, provided that the average daily
production (on a BOE basis) during any 28 consecutive day period between
December 16, 1998 and the closing does not fall to a level below 13,000
BOE per day.
DRI has agreed to indemnify TPG and its affiliates for any losses incurred
by them as a result of DRI's breach of any representation, warranty, agreement
or covenant made by DRI in the TPG Purchase Agreement or the TPG Registration
Rights Agreement or in any certificate delivered by DRI pursuant thereto or any
claim by a third party relating to the TPG Purchase, except for losses resulting
from such a claim that is finally judicially determined to have resulted
primarily from the conduct of TPG and its affiliates. TPG has agreed to
indemnify DRI and its representatives for any losses incurred by them as a
result of TPG's breach of any representation, warranty, agreement or covenant
made by TPG in the TPG Purchase Agreement or the TPG Registration Rights
Agreement or in any certificate delivered by TPG pursuant thereto.
Pursuant to the TPG Purchase Agreement, DRI has agreed not to pursue any
transactions with third parties that are similar to the TPG Purchase (such as
acquisitions, mergers or consolidations) from the date of the agreement to its
termination and to pay TPG a break-up fee of $3.0 million if any such
transaction is agreed upon. Furthermore, TPG may terminate the TPG Purchase
Agreement upon notice to DRI if the TPG Purchase is not approved at the
shareholders meeting or the TPG Purchase is not consummated before the earlier
of June 16, 1999 and the expiration of the approval of the purchase price by The
Toronto Stock Exchange. Upon any such termination, TPG is entitled to a $1.0
million fee (which will be included in the $3.0 million fee described above if
that is also payable).
THE REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT. The new registration rights agreement
covers the shares proposed to be sold to TPG upon approval by shareholders, plus
the shares currently owned by TPG (a total of 27,274,314 shares). The agreement
will provide TPG certain rights to "piggyback" on other registration statements
of DRI and also allows TPG the right to cause DRI to effect up to four demand
registrations (including the establishment of a shelf registration), which right
will expire on the sixth anniversary of the closing under the TPG Purchase
Agreement. These rights are subject to customary exceptions and black-out
periods. DRI will bear the expenses of each "piggyback" registration and the
expenses of three of the four demand registrations. The TPG Registration Rights
Agreement will also
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provide that DRI cannot grant any registration rights more favorable than those
granted to TPG to any other person, and also provides that DRI will indemnify
TPG for certain items with regard to the registration statements. Although TPG
has had demand and "piggyback" registration rights since December 1995, those
rights have not been exercised to date.
LIQUIDITY OPINION. In addition, DRI will receive an opinion (the "Liquidity
Opinion") from Griffiths McBurney & Partners, an independent registered dealer,
that the market for the common shares of DRI is liquid and would not be
materially less liquid following the TPG Purchase. The Toronto Stock Exchange
has delivered a letter to the Ontario and Quebec Securities Commissions
indicating the concurrence of The Toronto Stock Exchange with the Liquidity
Opinion. A copy of the Liquidity Opinion is attached hereto as Exhibit F.
NO DISSENTERS' RIGHTS REGARDING TPG TRANSACTION. Shareholders will have no
dissenters' rights in connection with the proposed sale of shares to TPG,
although dissenters' rights are available to shareholders in connection with the
proposal to move the domicile of DRI from Canada to the United States as a
Delaware corporation.
EXPENSES OF THE TRANSACTION. The expenses of the transaction, estimated to
be $1.5 million, are to be paid by DRI, and include the fee due to CSFB and
legal, accounting, filing fee, printing and proxy solicitation expenses. Proxy
solicitation expenses and the related legal, accounting, filing fees and
printing costs are related not only to shareholder approval of the sale of
shares to TPG, but also to the other four matters submitted to shareholders for
approval. A substantial portion of those expenses relate to DRI's proposed
change of domicile from Canada to Delaware.
RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF DRI
RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE PROPOSED SALE OF SHARES TO
TPG. This sale will provide needed equity capital at a time when other capital
sources are unavailable, which will enable DRI to grow if favorable acquisitions
can be found.
OPINION OF CSFB
CSFB was retained by DRI to render an opinion as to the fairness from a
financial point of view to DRI of the consideration to be received by DRI in the
TPG Purchase. CSFB was selected by DRI based on CSFB's experience and expertise.
CSFB is an internationally recognized investment banking firm and is regularly
engaged in the valuation of businesses and securities in connection with mergers
and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, negotiated underwritings, competitive
biddings, secondary distributions of listed and unlisted securities, private
placements and valuations for corporate and other purposes. CSFB rendered to the
Board of Directors of DRI a written opinion dated December 16, 1998 to the
effect that, as of such date and based upon and subject to certain matters
stated in such opinion, the consideration to be received by DRI pursuant to the
TPG Purchase was fair to DRI from a financial point of view.
THE FULL TEXT OF CSFB'S WRITTEN OPINION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF DRI,
WHICH SETS FORTH THE PROCEDURES FOLLOWED, ASSUMPTIONS MADE, MATTERS CONSIDERED
AND LIMITATIONS ON THE REVIEW UNDERTAKEN, IS ATTACHED AS EXHIBIT A TO THIS PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND IS INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE. HOLDERS OF DRI
COMMON SHARES ARE URGED TO READ THIS OPINION CAREFULLY IN ITS ENTIRETY. CSFB'S
OPINION IS ADDRESSED TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF DRI AND RELATES ONLY TO THE
FAIRNESS OF THE CONSIDERATION TO BE RECEIVED IN THE TPG PURCHASE FROM A
FINANCIAL POINT OF VIEW TO
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DRI, DOES NOT ADDRESS ANY OTHER ASPECT OF THE PROPOSED TPG PURCHASE OR ANY
RELATED TRANSACTION AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A RECOMMENDATION TO ANY SHAREHOLDER
WITH RESPECT TO MATTERS RELATING TO THE TPG PURCHASE. THE SUMMARY OF THE OPINION
OF CSFB SET FORTH IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO THE FULL TEXT OF SUCH OPINION.
In arriving at its opinion, CSFB reviewed the Stock Purchase Agreement
dated December 16, 1998 between DRI and an affiliate of TPG and certain publicly
available business and financial information relating to DRI. CSFB also reviewed
certain other information relating to DRI, including financial forecasts and
reserve reports, provided to or discussed with CSFB by DRI, and met with the
management of DRI to discuss the business and prospects of DRI. CSFB also
considered certain financial and stock market data of DRI and compared those
data with similar data for other publicly held companies in businesses similar
to DRI and considered, to the extent publicly available, the financial terms of
certain other transactions recently effected. CSFB also considered such other
information, financial studies, analyses and investigations and financial,
economic and market criteria which CSFB deemed relevant. CSFB's opinion was
rendered during a period of volatility in the financial and commodity markets
and was necessarily subject to the absence of further material developments in
financial, economic and market conditions from those prevailing on the date of
such opinion.
In connection with its review, CSFB did not assume any responsibility for
independent verification of any of the information provided to or otherwise
reviewed by CSFB and relied on such information being complete and accurate in
all material respects. With respect to financial forecasts, CSFB was advised,
and assumed, that such forecasts were reasonably prepared on bases reflecting
the best currently available estimates and judgments of DRI's management as to
the future financial performance of DRI. CSFB also assumed, with the consent of
DRI, that the reserve reports reviewed by CSFB were reasonably prepared on bases
reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of the preparers
of such reports as to the oil and gas reserves of DRI. In addition, CSFB was not
requested to make and did not make an independent evaluation or appraisal of the
assets or liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of DRI, nor was CSFB furnished
with any such evaluations or appraisals. CSFB's opinion was necessarily based
upon information available to, and financial, economic, market and other
conditions as they existed and could be evaluated by, CSFB on the date of its
opinion. CSFB did not express any opinion as to the actual value of the DRI
common shares when issued pursuant to the TPG Purchase or the prices at which
the DRI common shares will trade subsequent to the TPG Purchase. In connection
with its engagement, CSFB was not requested to, and did not, participate in the
negotiation and structuring of the TPG Purchase, nor was CSFB requested to, and
CSFB did not, solicit third party indications of interest in acquiring all or
any part of DRI. Although CSFB evaluated the consideration to be received by DRI
in the TPG Purchase from a financial point of view, CSFB was not requested to,
and did not, recommend the specific consideration payable in the TPG Purchase,
which consideration was determined through negotiations between DRI and TPG. No
other limitations were imposed on CSFB with respect to the investigations made
or procedures followed by CSFB in rendering its opinion.
In preparing its opinion to the Board of Directors of DRI, CSFB performed a
variety of financial and comparative analyses, including those described below.
The summary of CSFB's analyses set forth below does not purport to be a complete
description of the analyses underlying CSFB's opinion. The preparation of a
fairness opinion is a complex analytic process involving various determinations
as to the most appropriate and relevant methods of financial analyses and the
application of those methods to the particular circumstances and, therefore,
such an opinion is not readily susceptible to summary description. In arriving
at its opinion, CSFB made qualitative judgments as to the significance and
relevance of each analysis and factor considered by it. Accordingly, CSFB
believes that its analyses
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must be considered as a whole and that selecting portions of its analyses and
factors, without considering all analyses and factors, could create a misleading
or incomplete view of the processes underlying such analyses and its opinion. In
its analyses, CSFB made numerous assumptions with respect to DRI, industry
performance, regulatory, general business, economic, market and financial
conditions and other matters, many of which are beyond the control of DRI. No
company, transaction or business used in such analyses as a comparison is
identical to DRI or the proposed TPG Purchase, nor is an evaluation of the
results of such analyses entirely mathematical; rather, such analyses involve
complex considerations and judgments concerning financial and operating
characteristics and other factors that could affect the acquisition, public
trading or other values of the companies, business segments or transactions
being analyzed. The estimates contained in such analyses and the ranges of
valuations resulting from any particular analysis are not necessarily indicative
of actual values or predictive of future results or values, which may be
significantly more or less favorable than those suggested by such analyses. In
addition, analyses relating to the value of businesses or securities do not
purport to be appraisals or to reflect the prices at which businesses or
securities actually may be sold. Accordingly, such analyses and estimates are
inherently subject to substantial uncertainty. CSFB's opinion and financial
analyses were only one of many factors considered by the Board of Directors of
DRI in its evaluation of the proposed TPG Purchase and should not be viewed as
determinative of the views of the Board of Directors or management of DRI with
respect to the TPG Purchase or the consideration payable in the TPG Purchase.
The following is a summary of the material analyses performed by CSFB in
connection with its opinion dated December 16, 1998:
DISCOUNTED CASH FLOW ANALYSIS. Based on certain financial forecasts
provided by DRI management and certain sensitivities to such forecasts, CSFB
estimated the present value of DRI's forecasted streams of unlevered free cash
flows using discount rates ranging from 10.0% to 12.0%. These unlevered free
cash flows were developed based on certain operating and financial assumptions,
estimates and other information and certain sensitivities to such estimates
regarding DRI's business, including estimated commodity prices, production,
operating costs and related capital expenditures which were discussed with DRI
management. This analysis indicated an implied enterprise reference range for
DRI of approximately $310 million to $380 million.
SELECTED COMPANIES ANALYSIS. CSFB compared certain publicly available
financial, operating and stock market data of DRI to corresponding data of
selected publicly traded companies in the oil and gas exploration and production
industry. Such companies included Belco Oil & Gas Corporation, Coho Energy,
Inc., Comstock Resources, Inc., Cross Timbers Oil Company, Forest Oil
Corporation, HS Resources, Inc., Patina Oil & Gas Corporation, Stone Energy
Corporation, Vintage Petroleum, Inc., and The Wiser Oil Company (collectively,
the "Selected Companies"). All multiples were based on closing stock prices as
of December 15, 1998. Applying a range of selected multiples for the Selected
Companies of (i) enterprise value (equity value plus debt minus cash) to
estimated 1998 and 1999 earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation,
amortization and exploration expense ("EBITDAX") of 6.5x to 7.5x and 5.0x to
6.0x, respectively, (ii) enterprise value to 1997 proved reserves of oil and gas
equivalent barrels ("BOE") of $4.50 to $5.50 per BOE, and (iii) enterprise value
to 1997 after-tax Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows (as
defined by the SEC) of 0.9x to 1.1x to corresponding financial data of DRI
indicated an implied enterprise reference range for DRI of approximately $280
million to $340 million.
SELECTED TRANSACTIONS ANALYSIS. Using publicly available and other
information, CSFB analyzed the purchase prices and implied transaction multiples
paid in selected recent transactions in the
61
<PAGE>
oil and gas exploration and production industry. All multiples were based on
financial information available at the time of the transaction. Included in the
transactions reviewed by CSFB with respect to DRI's Mississippi properties were
the investment in Coho Energy, Inc. by Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst Inc., the
acquisition by DRI of certain properties of Chevron Corporation, the acquisition
by an undisclosed acquiror of certain properties from Murphy Oil Corporation,
the acquisition by DRI of certain properties of Amerada Hess Corporation, and
the acquisition by Howell Corporation of certain properties of Norcen Energy
Resources Ltd. (the "Mississippi Selected Transactions"). Included in the
transactions reviewed by CSFB with respect to DRI's Louisiana properties were
the acquisition by Swift Energy Company of certain properties of Sonat Inc., the
merger of McMoRan Oil & Gas Company and Freeport-McMoRan Sulphur Inc., the
acquisition by The Meridian Resource Corporation of certain properties of Shell
Oil Company, the acquisition by Cross Timbers Oil Company of certain properties
of EEX Corporation, the acquisition by Forest Oil Corporation of certain
properties of LLOG Exploration Company, the merger of Texoil, Inc. and Cliffwood
Oil & Gas Corporation, the acquisition by Comstock Resources, Inc. of certain
properties of Bois d'Arc Resources, the acquisition by Equitable Resources, Inc.
of certain properties of Chevron Corporation, the acquisition by Rio Grande,
Inc. of certain properties of Brechtel Energy, the acquisition by Norcen Energy
Resources Ltd. of certain properties of Flores & Rucks, Inc., the acquisition by
Canadian Occidental Petroleum Ltd. of certain properties of Shell Oil Company,
the acquisition by American Exploration Company of certain properties of Zilkha
Energy Company, the acquisition by Flores & Rucks, Inc. of certain properties of
Mobil Corporation, and the acquisition by Newscope Resources Ltd. (now DRI) of
certain properties of an undisclosed seller (the "Louisiana Selected
Transactions" and, together with the Mississippi Selected Transactions, the
"Selected Transactions"). Applying a range of selected multiples for the
Selected Transactions of (i) enterprise value to proved reserves of $5.00 to
$6.00 per BOE for DRI's total proved reserves, (ii) enterprise value to proved
reserves of $4.75 to $5.75 per BOE for DRI's Mississippi proved reserves, and
(iii) enterprise value to proved reserves of $6.00 to $7.00 per BOE for DRI's
Louisiana proved reserves to corresponding reserve data of DRI indicated an
implied enterprise reference range for DRI of approximately $325 million to $390
million.
AGGREGATE REFERENCE RANGES. On the basis of the valuation methodologies
employed in the analyses described above, CSFB derived aggregate enterprise and
equity reference ranges for DRI of approximately $310 million to $380 million
and $99 million to $169 million, respectively, or approximately $3.70 to $6.31
per diluted common share.
OTHER FACTORS. In the course of preparing its opinion, CSFB performed
certain other analyses and considered certain other information and data,
including, among other things, (i) the potential pro forma effect of the TPG
Purchase on DRI's estimated 1999 net income and cash flow, (ii) certain latest
12 months pro forma credit statistics for DRI resulting from the TPG Purchase,
including EBITDAX to interest expense, earnings before interest and taxes to
interest expense, cash flow from operations to net debt and net debt to net book
capitalization, (iii) the trading characteristics of DRI common shares, (iv) the
share price premiums paid in certain oil and gas exploration and production
transactions and (v) the comparative trading characteristics for DRI and certain
other oil and gas exploration and production companies relative to certain
estimates of net asset value.
MISCELLANEOUS. Pursuant to the terms of CSFB's engagement, CSFB will
receive a fee for its services in connection with the delivery of its opinion.
DRI also has agreed to reimburse CSFB for out-of-pocket expenses incurred by
CSFB in performing its services, including fees and expenses of legal counsel
and any other advisor retained by CSFB, and to indemnify CSFB and certain
related persons and entities against certain liabilities under the federal
securities laws, arising out of CSFB's engagement.
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<PAGE>
CSFB has in the past provided financial services to TPG and certain of its
affiliates unrelated to the proposed TPG Purchase, for which services CSFB has
received compensation. In the ordinary course of business, CSFB and its
affiliates may actively trade the debt and equity securities of DRI for their
own accounts and for the accounts of customers and, accordingly, may at any time
hold long or short positions in such securities.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds to DRI from the TPG Purchase are estimated to be
approximately $98.5 million. DRI intends to use the net proceeds to reduce
outstanding borrowings under its bank credit facility. The undrawn balance under
the credit facility will then be available for capital expenditures and general
corporate purposes, although DRI's primary use of these funds will be for
acquisitions of additional oil and natural gas properties. As of December 15,
1998, the credit facility had an outstanding balance of $100 million and an
average interest rate of 6.8% per annum.
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth as of September 30, 1998 (i) the actual
capitalization of DRI, and (ii) the capitalization of DRI as adjusted to give
effect to the TPG Purchase and the application of the net proceeds therefrom to
reduce bank debt and increase the cash balance. See also "Use of Proceeds."
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
As of September 30, 1998
-----------------------
As Adjusted
for the
DRI TPG
Historical Purchase
---------- ---------
(in thousands)
<S> <C> <C>
Cash and cash equivalents............................. $ 4,250 $ 12,750
========== =========
Short-term debt:
Credit Facility................................. $ - $ -
---------- ---------
Long-term debt:
Credit Facility................................. 90,000 -
9% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2008........... 125,000 125,000
---------- ---------
Total long-term debt......................... 215,000 125,000
---------- ---------
Shareholders' equity (a):
Common shares, no par value; unlimited shares
authorized; 26,801,680 outstanding; 45,354,556
outstanding as adjusted for the TPG Purchase..... 227,796 326,296
Accumulated deficit................................ (97,958) (97,958)
---------- ---------
Total shareholders' equity...................... 129,838 228,338
---------- ---------
Total capitalization........................ $ 344,838 $ 353,338
========== =========
- ---------------
<FN>
(a) Excludes 1,890,689 outstanding stock options as of September 30, 1998
exercisable at various prices ranging from $5.55 to $22.24 per share with a
weighted average price of approximately $13.00 (of which 387,063 were
currently exercisable), and 75,000 common shares reserved for issuance upon
exercise of common share purchase warrants.
</FN>
</TABLE>
63
<PAGE>
INCREASE OF AUTHORIZED SHARES UNDER
DRI'S EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
The fourth resolution to be voted on is an amendment to the DRI's Employee
Stock Purchase Plan effective February 1, 1996. If approved, the stock purchase
plan will be amended by increasing the maximum number of shares of DRI's common
shares available for sale under the stock purchase plan from 250,000 shares to
750,000 shares. As of November 30, 1998, 185,142 shares had been issued under
the stock plan, leaving 64,858 available for purchase. For the quarter ended
September 30, 1998, DRI issued 50,283 shares under the stock purchase plan. The
number of shares issued each quarter has steadily increased due to the addition
of several employees since the stock purchase plan was adopted in 1996 and the
recent decline in DRI's stock price. DRI expects that the shares which would be
issued for the quarter ended December 31, 1998 would use more than the remaining
shares authorized for sale under the stock plan and thus will not be issued
until after shareholder approval. AS DRI BELIEVES THAT THE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF DRI'S OVERALL COMPENSATION STRATEGY, THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE AMENDMENT.
INCREASE OF AUTHORIZED SHARES UNDER DRI'S
STOCK OPTION PLAN
The fifth proposal to be voted upon is an amendment to DRI's Stock Option
Plan, made effective August 9, 1995 with 1,050,000 common shares initially
reserved for issuance. This was increased to 2,000,000 in 1997 and further
increased to 2,648,000 in May, 1998. The Board of Directors of DRI further
amended the stock option plan on December 1, 1998 to increase the total number
of shares reserved for future issuance to 4,535,000, subject to shareholder and
regulatory approval. Since the disclosures made in the 1998 Information Circular
- - Proxy Statement as of February 28, 1998, the following activity in the stock
option plan has taken place:
64
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Actual Stock Stock Options Reserved for
Options Available for Future
Outstanding Future Grants Issuance
-------------- ------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Balance February 28, 1998 1,976,378 671,622 2,648,000
Granted 45,687 (45,687) -
Exercised (128,756) - (128,756)
Canceled (12,028) 12,028 -
Authorized increases - 2,015,756 2,015,756
Authorized grants (1) 1,671,327 (1,671,327) -
-------------- ------------- -------------
Balance November 30, 1998 (2) 3,552,608 982,392 4,535,000
============== ============= =============
Percent of common shares
outstanding November 30, 1998 (2) 7.8% 2.2% 10.0%
============== ============= =============
</TABLE>
Since August 9, 1995, the effective date of the Plan, the following
activity has taken place:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Actual Stock Stock Options Reserved for
Options Available for Future
Outstanding Future Grants Issuance
-------------- ------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Balance August 9, 1995 614,425 435,575 1,050,000
Granted 1,929,471 (1,929,471) -
Exercised (610,587) - (610,587)
Canceled (52,028) 52,028 -
Authorized increases - 4,095,587 4,095,587
Authorized grants (1) 1,671,327 (1,671,327) -
-------------- ------------- -------------
Balance November 30, 1998 (2) 3,552,608 982,392 4,535,000
============== ============= =============
Percent of common shares
outstanding November 30, 1998 (2) 7.8% 2.2% 10.0%
============== ============= =============
- ---------------
<FN>
(1) Grants expected to be issued on January 1, 1999 as authorized by the Board
of Directors on December 1, 1998.
(2) Balance outstanding November 30, 1998 as adjusted for the proposed sale of
common stock to TPG and the authorized grants expected to be made on
January 1, 1999.
</FN>
</TABLE>
Since the last annual meeting held in May 1998, the Board of Directors
authorized a 2,015,756 share increase subject to shareholder and regulatory
approval. The Board of Directors has also authorized a grant of stock options to
be made to all employees of DRI on January 1, 1999, in accordance with the terms
of the plan. DRI expects to issue approximately 1,671,327 stock options at that
time. These board authorized grants attempt to provide a similar level of
compensation to the employees as the employees received in prior years and are
an integral part of DRI's overall compensation plan. These options will be
subject to shareholder and regulatory approval. If this amendment to the stock
option plan is approved, the stock options available for future grants under the
plan will be 982,392 common shares, and the maximum number of common shares
reserved for future issuance under the plan will be 4,535,000 common shares, or
approximately 2.1% and 10%, respectively, of the issued and outstanding common
shares as at November 30, 1998, as adjusted for the proposed sale of 18,552,876
common shares to TPG. The Board of Directors approved this increase to ensure
that there will be sufficient stock
65
<PAGE>
options available for the authorized but unissued option grants and for
additional option grants which may be approved during fiscal 1999 or beyond.
Pursuant to the regulations of the Toronto Stock Exchange, this increase in the
common shares reserved for issuance under the plan must be approved by the
shareholders. Accordingly, at the meeting an Ordinary Resolution to approve the
amendment to the DRI Stock Option Plan will be presented which increases the
Common Share Maximum, as defined in the plan, by 2,015,756 common shares.
This resolution must be approved by a simple majority of votes cast by
shareholders who vote in person or by proxy at the meeting in respect of the
above resolution. AS DRI BELIEVES THAT THE STOCK OPTION PLAN IS AN INTEGRAL PART
OF DRI'S OVERALL COMPENSATION STRATEGY, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT
SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE ORDINARY RESOLUTION AMENDING THE STOCK
OPTION PLAN.
MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY
The names of the directors and officers of DRI, their ages, the offices
held by them with DRI and the periods during which such offices have been held
are set forth below. Each officer and director holds office for one year or
until his death, resignation or removal or until his successor is duly elected
and qualified. The officers set forth below hold the same position in both DRI
and DMI unless otherwise noted.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name Age Position(s)
- ----------------------------- ------ -------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Ronald G. Greene (a)(b)(c)(d) 50 Chairman of the Board of DRI
David Bonderman.............. 56 Director of DRI
Wilmot L. Matthews (a)....... 62 Director of DRI
William S. Price, III
(b)(c)(d).................... 42 Director of DRI
David M. Stanton............. 36 Director of DRI
Wieland F. Wettstein (a)..... 49 Director of DRI
Gareth Roberts............... 46 President, Chief Executive Officer
and Director
Matthew Deso................. 45 Vice President, Exploration and
Director of DMI
Phil Rykhoek................. 42 Chief Financial Officer and
Secretary and Director of DMI
Mark A. Worthey.............. 40 Vice President, Operations and
Director of DMI
Bobby J. Bishop.............. 38 Controller and Chief Accounting
Officer
Ron Gramling................. 53 President of DMI marketing subsidiary
Lynda Perrard................ 55 Vice President, Land of DMI
<FN>
(a) Member of the Audit Committee.
(b) Member of the Compensation Committee.
(c) Member of the Stock Option Plan Committee.
(d) Member of the Stock Purchase Plan Committee.
</FN>
</TABLE>
Ronald G. Greene is the Chairman of the Board and a director of DRI, positions
he has held since 1995. Mr. Greene is the founder and Chairman of the Board of
Renaissance Energy Ltd. and was Chief Executive Officer of Renaissance from its
inception in 1974 until May 1990. He is also the sole shareholder, officer and
director of Tortuga Investment Corp., a private investment company. Mr. Greene
also serves on the Board of Directors of a private Western Canadian airline.
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<PAGE>
David Bonderman has been a director of DRI since 1996. Mr. Bonderman is a
co-founder and partner of TPG. Prior to forming TPG in 1992, Mr. Bonderman was
the Chief Operating Officer of the Robert M. Bass Group, Inc. (now doing
business as Keystone, Inc.), joining them in 1983. Keystone, Inc. is the
personal investment vehicle of Fort Worth, Texas-based investor Robert M. Bass.
Mr. Bonderman serves on the boards of AerFi Group plc; Bell & Howell Company,
Carr Realty Corporation; Continental Airlines; Inc.; Ducati Motors S.P.A.;
National Education Corporation; Ryanair, Limited; Virgin Cinemas, Limited; and
Washington Mutual, Inc.
Wilmot L. Matthews was first elected as director of DRI on December 9, 1997. Mr.
Matthews, a Chartered Accountant, has been involved in all aspects of investment
banking by serving in various positions with Nesbitt Burns Inc. and its
predecessor companies from 1964 until his retirement in September 1996, most
recently as Vice Chairman and Director. Mr. Matthews is currently President of
Marjad Inc., a personal investment company, and also serves on the Board of
Directors of Renaissance Energy Ltd. and several private companies.
William S. Price, III has been a director of DRI since 1995. Mr. Price is a
founding partner of TPG. Prior to forming TPG in 1992, Mr. Price was
Vice-President of Strategic Planning and Business Development for G.E. Capital,
and from 1985 to 1991 was employed by the management consulting firm of Bain &
Company, attaining officer status and acting as co-head of the Financial
Services Practice. Mr. Price serves on the Boards of Directors of AerFi Group
plc, Belden & Blake Corporation, Beringer Wine Estates Holdings, Inc.,
Continental Airlines, Inc., Del Monte Foods Company, Favorite Brands
International, Inc., Vivra Specialty Partners, Inc. and Zilog, Inc.
David M. Stanton has been a director of DRI since 1995. Mr. Stanton is a partner
of TPG. From 1991 until he joined TPG in 1994, Mr. Stanton was a venture
capitalist with Trinity Ventures where he specialized in information technology,
software and telecommunications investments. Mr. Stanton also serves on the
Board of Directors of Belden & Blake Corporation, Paradyne Partners, L.P., TPG
Communications, Inc. and Zilog, Inc.
Wieland F. Wettstein has been a director of DRI since 1990. Mr. Wettstein is the
Executive Vice President of, and indirectly controls 50% of, Finex Financial
Corporation Ltd., a merchant banking company in Calgary, Alberta, a position he
has held for more than five years. Mr. Wettstein serves on the Board of
Directors of a public oil and natural gas company, BXL Energy, and on the Board
of Directors of a private technology firm.
Gareth Roberts is President, Chief Executive Officer, a Director and is the
founder of DMI, which was founded in April 1990. Mr. Roberts has more than 20
years of experience in the exploration and development of oil and natural gas
properties with Texaco, Inc., Murphy Oil Corporation and Coho Resources, Inc.
His expertise is particularly focused in the Gulf Coast region where he
specializes in the acquisition and development of old fields with low
productivity. Mr. Roberts holds honors and masters degrees in Geology and
Geophysics from St. Edmund Hall, Oxford University. Mr. Roberts also serves on
the Board of Directors of Belden & Blake Corporation.
Matthew Deso is Vice President, Exploration and has been with DRI since October
1990, first as a consultant then, beginning in January 1994, as Vice President
of Exploration, his current position. Mr. Deso has over twenty years of
petroleum geology experience and received a Bachelor of Science in Geosciences
from the University of Texas in 1976. Mr. Deso also worked for Enserch
Exploration (three
67
<PAGE>
years), Terra Resources (three years) and TXO Production Corp. (eight years) in
positions of varying responsibility.
Phil Rykhoek is Chief Financial Officer and a Certified Public Accountant. He
joined DRI and was appointed to the position of Chief Financial Officer and
Secretary in June 1995. Prior to joining DRI, Mr. Rykhoek was Executive Vice
President and co-founder of Petroleum Financial, Inc., a private company formed
in May 1991 to provide oil and natural gas accounting services on a contract
basis to other entities. From 1982 to 1991 (except for 1986), Mr. Rykhoek was
employed by Amerac Energy Corporation (formerly Wolverine Exploration Company),
most recently as Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer. He retained his
officer status during his tenure at Petroleum Financial, Inc.
Mark A. Worthey as Vice President, Operations, is a geologist and is responsible
for all aspects of operations in the field. He joined DRI in September 1992.
Previously, he was with Coho Resources, Inc. as an exploitation manager,
beginning his employment there in 1985. Mr. Worthey graduated from Mississippi
State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in petroleum geology in 1984.
Bobby J. Bishop is Controller and Chief Accounting Officer. He is a Certified
Public Accountant and joined DRI as Controller in August 1993 and was appointed
to the position of Chief Accounting Officer in December, 1997. Prior to joining
DRI, Mr. Bishop was the Chief Financial Officer for Arcadia Exploration and
Production Company, a private company. He also worked for Lake Ronel Oil Company
and TXO Production Corp. Mr. Bishop graduated from the University of Oklahoma
with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting in 1983.
Ron Gramling is President of DRI's marketing subsidiary. He joined DRI in May
1996 when DRI purchased the subsidiary's assets. Prior to becoming affiliated
with DRI, he was employed by Hadson Gas Systems as Vice President of term
supply. Mr. Gramling has 27 years of marketing, transportation and supply
experience in the natural gas and crude oil industry. He received his Bachelor
of Business Administration degree from Central State University, Edmond,
Oklahoma in 1970.
Lynda Perrard is Vice President, Land of DMI, a position she has held since
April 1994. Ms. Perrard has over 30 years of experience in the oil and gas
industry as a petroleum landman. Prior to joining DRI, Ms. Perrard was the
President and Chief Executive Officer of Perrard Snyder, Inc., a corporation
performing contract land services. Ms. Perrard also served as Vice President,
Land for Snyder Exploration Company from 1986 to 1991.
Compensation of Directors and Officers
Information concerning remuneration received by DRI's executive officers
and directors was presented under the caption "Statement of Executive
Compensation" in the Proxy Statement for the 1998 Annual Meeting and is
incorporated herein by reference.
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<PAGE>
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
The authorized capital of DRI consists of an unlimited number of common
shares without nominal or par value. The authorized capital of DRI Delaware
under the proposed certificate of incorporation will be ______________shares of
common stock, $____ par value per share. As of December 1, 1998, there were
26,801,680 common shares of DRI outstanding.
DRI AND DRI DELAWARE COMMON STOCK
The principal attributes of DRI's common shares and the DRI Delaware common
stock will be identical, other than differences in shareholders' rights under
Canadian and Delaware law described under "Moving the Corporate Domicile of
DRI-Comparison of Shareholders' Rights" and "Description of Capital Stock." The
holders of DRI Delaware common stock will be entitled to vote at all meetings of
shareholders, except meetings at which only holders of a specified class of
shares are entitled to vote, to receive any dividend declared thereon, and,
subject to the rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions attaching to any
other class of shares of DRI Delaware, to receive the remaining property of DRI
Delaware upon dissolution.
DRI DELAWARE PREFERRED STOCK
The certificate of incorporation for DRI Delaware authorizes the future
issuance of preferred shares, with such designations, rights, privileges,
restrictions and conditions as may be determined from time to time by the Board
of Directors. Accordingly, the Board of Directors is empowered, without
shareholder approval, to issue preferred shares with dividend, liquidation,
conversion, voting or other rights that could adversely affect the voting power
or other rights of holders of DRI Delaware's common stock. In the event of
issuance, the preferred shares could be utilized, under certain circumstances,
as a method of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change in control of DRI
Delaware. Such actions could have the effect of discouraging bids for DRI and,
thereby, preventing shareholders from receiving the maximum value for their
shares. Although DRI Delaware has no present intention to issue any additional
preferred shares, there can be no assurance that DRI Delaware will not do so in
the future. No preferred shares will be outstanding upon consummation of the
proposed move of domicile or sale of shares to TPG.
NATURE OF THE TRADING MARKET
The common shares have been listed on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE")
since May 8, 1997 and were listed on the NASDAQ National Market ("NASDAQ") from
August 25, 1995 through May 8, 1997. The common shares have also been listed on
The Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSE") in Toronto, Canada, since February 14, 1984.
The common shares currently trade under the symbol "DNR" on both the NYSE and
TSE. The following table summarizes the high and low last reported sale prices
(adjusted for the one-for-two reverse stock split in October 1996) as reported
by each exchange for each quarterly period during the last two fiscal years and
to date during 1998.
69
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NYSE / NASDAQ TSE
---------------- ---------------
High Low High Low
------- ------- ------ ------
(US $) (C $)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1996
First Quarter....................$ 7.88 $ 6.26 $10.80 $ 8.30
Second Quarter................... 10.62 8.50 14.50 12.00
Third Quarter.................... 13.50 10.00 18.60 12.70
Fourth Quarter................... 15.25 12.50 20.95 17.00
1997
First Quarter.................... 16.00 12.00 21.75 16.40
Second Quarter................... 17.63 13.13 24.50 18.00
Third Quarter.................... 23.75 16.13 33.00 22.20
Fourth Quarter................... 24.63 17.88 33.50 25.50
1998
First Quarter.................... 20.63 16.13 29.00 23.00
Second Quarter................... 17.75 12.75 25.00 18.50
Third Quarter.................... 13.50 6.00 19.90 8.75
Fourth Quarter (through December 8.50 3.50 13.10 5.40
22, 1998)
</TABLE>
LEGAL MATTERS
Certain matters of Canadian law in connection with the continuance will be
passed upon by Burnett, Duckworth & Palmer. Certain legal matters in connection
with the shares of DRI Delaware capital stock to be issued in connection with
the continuance will be passed upon by Jenkens & Gilchrist, a Professional
Corporation, Houston, Texas on behalf of DRI Delaware.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements and the related financial statement
schedule incorporated in this prospectus by reference from DRI's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997 have been audited by Deloitte
& Touche LLP, chartered accountants, as stated in their reports, which are
incorporated herein by reference, and have been so incorporated in reliance upon
the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and
auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
DRI files annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other
information with the SEC. You may read and copy any reports, statements or other
information we file at the SEC's public reference rooms in Washington, D.C., New
York, New York and Chicago, Illinois. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for
further information on the public reference rooms. Our SEC filings are also
available to the public from commercial document retrieval services and the web
site maintained by the SEC at "http"//www.sec.gov." In addition, DRI's filings
can be inspected at the offices of the NYSE, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York
10005.
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<PAGE>
DRI filed a Registration Statement on Form S-4 to register with the SEC the
common shares that will be deemed to be issued to stockholders in the move of
DRI's corporate domicile. This Proxy Statement/Prospectus is part of such
Registration Statement and constitutes a prospectus in addition to being a proxy
statement of DRI for the special meeting. As allowed by SEC rules, this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus does not contain all the information contained in the
Registration Statement or in the exhibits to the Registration Statement.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to include certain information in this document by
"incorporating by reference." The following documents filed with the SEC by DRI
pursuant to the Exchange Act are incorporated by reference in this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus:
1. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997;
2. Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 1998,
June 30, 1998 and September 30, 1998;
3. Current Reports on Form 8-K dated December 2, 1998 and December 1998;
and
4. All documents and reports filed by DRI or DRI Delaware pursuant to
Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of
this Proxy Statement/Prospectus will be deemed to be incorporated by
reference in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus and to be a part hereof
from the dates of filing of such documents or reports. Any statement
contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by
reference herein will be deemed to be modified or superseded for
purposes of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus to the extent that a
statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document
which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein
modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or
superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to
constitute a part of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
THE DOCUMENTS WE INCORPORATE BY REFERENCE (OTHER THAN EXHIBITS TO SUCH
DOCUMENTS UNLESS SUCH EXHIBITS ARE SPECIFICALLY INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE) ARE
AVAILABLE TO ANY PERSON, INCLUDING ANY BENEFICIAL OWNER, TO WHOM THIS PROXY
STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS IS DELIVERED ON WRITTEN OR ORAL REQUEST, WITHOUT CHARGE
FROM DENBURY RESOURCES INC., 17304 PRESTON ROAD, SUITE 200, DALLAS, TEXAS 75252
(TELEPHONE NUMBER (972) 673-2000, ATTENTION: SECRETARY. IN ORDER TO ENSURE
TIMELY DELIVERY OF THE DOCUMENTS, ANY REQUEST SHOULD BE MADE BY JANUARY __,
1999.
CERTAIN FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
CERTAIN STATEMENTS IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS CONSTITUTE
"FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS" WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES
LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995, AND CAN BE IDENTIFIED BY THE USE OF
FORWARD-LOOKING TERMINOLOGY SUCH AS "MAY," "WILL," "EXPECT," "ANTICIPATE,"
"ESTIMATE" OR "CONTINUE" OR THE NEGATIVE THEREOF OR OTHER VARIATIONS THEREON OR
COMPARABLE TERMINOLOGY. THE STATEMENTS UNDER THE CAPTION "RISK FACTORS" IN THIS
PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS CONSTITUTE CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS IDENTIFYING
IMPORTANT FACTORS, INCLUDING MATERIAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES, WITH RESPECT TO
SUCH FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS THAT COULD CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER
MATERIALLY FROM THOSE REFLECTED IN SUCH FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS.
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OTHER MATTERS
DRI's Board of Directors does not intend to bring any matters before the
special meeting other than those specifically set forth in this Proxy
Statement/Prospectus and it does not know of any matters to be brought before
the meeting by others. If any other matters properly come before the special
meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in accompanying proxies to
vote such proxies in accordance with the judgment of the Board.
SERVICE AND ENFORCEMENT OF LEGAL PROCESS
DRI is incorporated in Canada. Some of the directors and experts are
residents of Canada and most, if not all, of these person's assets are located
outside of the United States. It may be difficult for a shareholder in the
United States to effect service or realize anything from a judgment against
these Canadian residents or DRI as a result of any possible civil liability
resulting from a violation of the United States federal securities laws. This
has been confirmed by DRI's Canadian legal counsel, Burnett, Duckworth & Palmer
in Calgary, Alberta.
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GLOSSARY
The terms defined in this section are used throughout this Prospectus.
Bbl. One stock tank barrel, of 42 U.S. gallons liquid volume, used herein
in reference to crude oil or other liquid hydrocarbons.
Bcf. One billion cubic feet of natural gas.
BOE. One barrel of oil equivalent using the ratio of one barrel of crude
oil, condensate or natural gas liquids to 6 Mcf of natural gas.
Btu. British thermal unit, which is the heat required to raise the
temperature of a one-pound mass of water from 58.5 to 59.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
MBbl. One thousand barrels of crude oil or other liquid hydrocarbons.
MBOE. One thousand BOEs.
MBtu. One thousand Btus.
Mcf. One thousand cubic feet of natural gas.
MMBbl. One million barrels of crude oil or other liquid hydrocarbons.
MMBOE. One million BOEs.
MMBtu. One million Btus.
MMcf. One million cubic feet of natural gas.
PV10 Value. When used with respect to oil and natural gas reserves, PV10
Value means the estimated future gross revenue to be generated from the
production of proved reserves, net of estimated production and future
development costs, using prices and costs in effect at the determination date,
without giving effect to non- property related expenses such as general and
administrative expenses, debt service and future income tax expense or to
depreciation, depletion and amortization, discounted to present value using an
annual discount rate of 10% in accordance with the guidelines of the Commission.
Proved Developed Reserves. Reserves that can be expected to be recovered
through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods.
Proved Reserves. The estimated quantities of crude oil, natural gas and
natural gas liquids which geological and engineering data demonstrate with
reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs
under existing economic and operating conditions.
Proved Undeveloped Reserves. Reserves that are expected to be recovered
from new wells on undrilled acreage or from existing wells where a relatively
major expenditure is required for recompletion.
Tcf. One trillion cubic feet of natural gas.
Working Interest. The operating interest which gives the owner the right to
drill, produce and conduct operating activities on the property as well as to a
share of production.
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EXHIBIT A
[Letterhead of Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation]
December 16, 1998
Board of Directors
Denbury Resources Inc.
17304 Preston Road, Suite 200
Dallas, Texas 75252
Members of the Board:
You have asked us to advise you with respect to the fairness to Denbury
Resources Inc. ("Denbury") from a financial point of view of the consideration
to be received by Denbury pursuant to the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement,
dated as of December 16, 1998 (the "Stock Purchase Agreement"), between Denbury
and TPG Partners II, L.P. ("TPG"). The Stock Purchase Agreement provides for,
among other things, a U.S.$100 million equity investment in Denbury by TPG (the
"TPG Investment") pursuant to which TPG will purchase an aggregate of 18,552,876
newly issued common shares of Denbury (the "Denbury Common Shares") for a
purchase price of U.S.$5.39 per share in cash (the "Consideration").
In arriving at our opinion, we have reviewed the Stock Purchase Agreement and
certain publicly available business and financial information relating to
Denbury. We have also reviewed certain other information relating to Denbury,
including financial forecasts and reserve reports, provided to or discussed with
us by Denbury, and have met with Denbury's management to discuss the business
and prospects of Denbury. We have also considered certain financial and stock
market data of Denbury, and we have compared those data with similar data for
other publicly held companies in businesses similar to Denbury, and we have
considered, to the extent publicly available, the financial terms of certain
other transactions which have recently been effected. We also considered such
other information, financial studies, analyses and investigations and financial,
economic and market criteria which we deemed relevant. The opinion expressed
herein is being rendered during a period of volatility in the financial and
commodity markets and is necessarily subject to the absence of further material
developments in financial, economic and market conditions from those prevailing
on the date hereof.
In connection with our review, we have not assumed any responsibility for
independent verification of any of the foregoing information and have relied on
its being complete and accurate in all material respects. With respect to the
financial forecasts, we have been advised, and have assumed, that such forecasts
have been reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best currently available
estimates and judgments of Denbury's management as to the future financial
performance of Denbury. We also have assumed, with your consent, that the
reserve reports reviewed by us have been reasonably prepared on bases reflecting
the best currently available estimates and judgments of the preparers of such
reports as to the oil and gas reserves of Denbury. In addition, we have not been
requested to make, and have not made, an independent evaluation or appraisal of
the assets or liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of Denbury, nor have we been
furnished with any such evaluations or
A-1
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Board of Directors
Denbury Resources Inc.
December 16, 1998
Page 2
appraisals. Our opinion is necessarily based upon information available to us,
and financial, economic, market and other conditions as they exist and can be
evaluated, on the date hereof. We are not expressing any opinion as to what the
value of the Denbury Common Shares actually will be when issued pursuant to the
TPG Investment or the prices at which the Denbury Common Shares will trade
subsequent to the TPG Investment. In connection with our engagement, we were not
requested to, and we did not, participate in the negotiation or structuring of
the TPG Investment, nor were we requested to, and we did not, solicit third
party indications of interest in acquiring all or any part of Denbury.
We have acted as financial advisor to Denbury in connection with this opinion
and will receive a fee for such services, a significant portion of which will be
payable upon the delivery of this opinion. In the past, we have provided
financial services to TPG and certain of its affiliates unrelated to the
proposed TPG Investment, for which services we have received compensation. In
the ordinary course of business, Credit Suisse First Boston and its affiliates
may actively trade the debt and equity securities of Denbury for their own
accounts and for the accounts of customers and, accordingly, may at any time
hold a long or short position in such securities.
It is understood that this letter is for the information of the Board of
Directors of Denbury in connection with its evaluation of the TPG Investment,
does not constitute a recommendation to any shareholder as to how such
shareholder should vote on any matter relating to the proposed TPG Investment,
and is not to be quoted or referred to, in whole or in part, in any registration
statement, prospectus or proxy statement, or in any other document used in
connection with the offering or sale of securities, nor shall this letter be
used for any other purposes, without our prior written consent.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, it is our opinion that, as of the date
hereof, the Consideration to be received by Denbury pursuant to the TPG
Investment is fair to Denbury from a financial point of view.
Very truly yours,
CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION
A-2
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EXHIBIT B
SHAREHOLDERS HAVE THE RIGHT TO DISSENT TO THE MOVE OF THE CORPORATE
DOMICILE OF DRI. SUCH RIGHT OF DISSENT IS DESCRIBED IN THE INFORMATION CIRCULAR.
SEE "MOVING THE CORPORATE DOMICILE OF DRI - DISSENTING SHAREHOLDERS' RIGHTS" FOR
FULL DETAILS OF THE RIGHT TO DISSENT AND THE PROCEDURE FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE
RIGHT OF DISSENT. THE FULL TEXT OF SECTION 190 OF THE CBCA IS SET FORTH BELOW.
SECTION 190 OF THE CANADA BUSINESS CORPORATIONS ACT
190. (4) RIGHT TO DISSENT -- Subject to sections 191 and 241, a holder of shares
of any class of a corporation may dissent if the corporation is subject to an
order under paragraph 192(4)(d) that affects the holder or if the corporation
resolves to
a. amend its articles under section 173 or 174 to add, change or remove any
provisions restricting or constraining the issue, transfer or ownership
of shares of that class;
b. amend its articles under section 173 to add, change or remove any
restriction on the business or businesses that the corporation may carry
on;
c. amalgamate otherwise than under section 184;
d. be continued under section 188; or
e. sell, lease or exchange all or substantially all of its property under
subsection 189(3).
(5) FURTHER RIGHT. -- A holder of shares of any class or series of shares
entitled to vote under section 176 may dissent if the corporation resolves to
amend its articles in a manner described in that section.
(6) PAYMENT FOR SHARES. -- In addition to any other right he may have, but
subject to subsection (26), a shareholder who complies with this section is
entitled, when the action approved by the resolution from which he dissents or
an order made under subsection 192(4) becomes effective, to be paid by the
corporation the fair value of the shares held by him in respect of which he
dissents, determined as of the close of business on the day before the
resolution was adopted or the order was made.
(7) NO PARTIAL DISSENT. -- A dissenting shareholder may only claim under this
section with respect to all the shares of a class held by him on behalf of any
one beneficial owner and registered in the name of the dissenting shareholder.
(8) OBJECTION. -- A dissenting shareholder shall send to the corporation, at or
before any meeting of shareholders at which a resolution referred to in
subsection (1) or (2) is to be voted on, a written objection to the resolution,
unless the corporation did not give notice to the shareholder of the purpose of
the meeting and of his right to dissent.
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(9) NOTICE OF RESOLUTION. -- The corporation shall, within ten days after the
shareholders adopt the resolution, send to each shareholder who has filed the
objection referred to in subsection (5) notice that the resolution has been
adopted, but such notice is not required to be sent to any shareholder who voted
for the resolution or who has withdrawn his objection.
(10) DEMAND FOR PAYMENT -- A dissenting shareholder shall, within twenty days
after he receives a notice under subsection (6) or, if he does not receive such
notice, within twenty days after he learns that the resolution has been adopted,
send to the corporation a written notice containing
a. his name and address;
b. the number and class of shares in respect of which he dissents; and
c. a demand for payment of the fair value of such shares.
(11) SHARE CERTIFICATE. -- A dissenting shareholder shall, within thirty days
after sending a notice under subsection (7), send the certificates representing
the shares in respect of which he dissents to the corporation or its transfer
agent.
(12) FORFEITURE. -- A dissenting shareholder who fails to comply with subsection
(8) has no right to make a claim under this section.
(13) ENDORSING CERTIFICATE. -- A corporation or its transfer agent shall endorse
on any share certificate received under subsection (8) a notice that the holder
is a dissenting shareholder under this section and shall forthwith return the
share certificates to the dissenting shareholder.
(14) SUSPENSION OF RIGHTS. -- On sending a notice under subsection (7), a
dissenting shareholder cases to have any rights as a shareholder other than the
right to be paid the fair value of his shares as determined under this section
except where
a. a dissenting shareholder withdraws his notice before the corporation
makes an offer under subsection (12),
b. the corporation fails to make an offer in accordance with subsection
(12) and the dissenting shareholder withdraws his notice, or
c. the directors revoke a resolution to amend the articles under subsection
173(2) or 174(5), terminate an amalgamation agreement under subsection
183(6) or an application for continuance under subsection 188(6), or
abandon a sale, lease or exchange under subsection 189(9),
in which case his rights as a shareholder are reinstated as of the date he sent
the notice referred to in subsection (7).
(15) OFFER TO PAY. -- A corporation shall, not later than seven days after the
later of the day on which the action approved by the resolution is effective or
the day the corporation received the
B-2
<PAGE>
noticed referred to in subsection (7), send to each dissenting shareholder who
has sent such notice
a. a written offer to pay for his shares in an amount considered by the
directors of the corporation to be the fair value thereof, accompanied
by a statement showing how the fair value was determined; or
b. if subsection (26) applies, a notification that it is unable
lawfully to pay dissenting shareholders for their shares.
(16) SAME TERMS. -- Every offer made under subsection (12) for shares of the
same class or series shall be on the same terms.
(17) PAYMENT. -- Subject to subsection (26), a corporation shall pay for the
shares of a dissenting shareholder within ten days after an offer made under
subsection (12) has been accepted, but any such offer lapses if the corporation
does not receive an acceptance thereof within thirty days after the offer has
been made.
(18) CORPORATION MAY APPLY TO COURT. -- Where a corporation fails to make an
offer under subsection (12), or if a dissenting shareholder fails to accept an
offer, the corporation may, within fifty days after the action approved by the
resolution is effective or within such further period as a court may allow,
apply to a court to fix a fair value for the shares of any dissenting
shareholder.
(19) SHAREHOLDER APPLICATION TO COURT. -- If a corporation fails to apply to a
court under subsection (15), a dissenting shareholder may apply to a court for
the same purpose within a further period of twenty days or within such further
period as a court may allow.
(20) VENUE. -- An application under subsection (15) or (16) shall be made to a
court having jurisdiction in the place where the corporation has its registered
office or in the province where the dissenting shareholder resides if the
corporation carries on business in that province.
(21) NO SECURITY FOR COSTS. -- A dissenting shareholder is not required to give
security for costs in an application made under subsection (15) or (16).
(22) PARTIES. -- On an application to a court under subsection (15) or (16),
a. all dissenting shareholders whose shares have not been purchased by the
corporation shall be joined as parties and are bound by the decision of
the court; and
b. the corporation shall notify each affected dissenting shareholder of the
date, place and consequences of the application and of his right to
appear and be head in person or by counsel.
B-3
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(23) POWERS OF COURT. -- On an application to a court under subsection (15) or
(16), the court may determine whether any other person is a dissenting
shareholder who should be joined as a party, and the court shall then fix a fair
value for the shares of all dissenting shareholders.
(24) APPRAISERS. -- A court may in its discretion appoint one or more appraisers
to assist the court to fix a fair value for the shares of the dissenting
shareholders.
(25) FINAL ORDER. -- The final order of a court shall be rendered against the
corporation in favour of each dissenting shareholder and for the amount of his
shares as fixed by the court.
(26) INTEREST. -- A court may in its discretion allow a reasonable rate of
interest on the amount payable to each dissenting shareholder from the date the
action approved by the resolution is effective until the date of payment.
(27) NOTICE THAT SUBSECTION (26) APPLIES. -- If subsection (26) applies, the
corporation shall, within ten days after the pronouncement of an order under
subsection (22), notify each dissenting shareholder that it is unable lawfully
to pay dissenting shareholders for their shares.
(28) EFFECT WHERE SUBSECTION (26) APPLIES. -- If subsection (26) applies, a
dissenting shareholder, by written notice delivered to the corporation within
thirty days after receiving a notice under subsection (24), may
a. withdraw his notice of dissent, in which case the corporation is deemed
to consent to the withdrawal and the shareholder is reinstated to his
full rights as a shareholder; or
b. retain a status as a claimant against the corporation, to be paid as
soon as the corporation is lawfully able to do so or, in a liquidation,
to be ranked subordinate to the rights of creditors of the corporation
but in priority to its shareholders.
(29) LIMITATION. -- A corporation shall not make a payment to a dissenting
shareholder under this section if there are reasonable grounds for believing
that
a. the corporation is or would after the payment be unable to pay its
liabilities as they become due, or
b. the realizable value of the corporation's assets would thereby be less
than the aggregate of its liabilities. 1994, c.24, s.23.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT C
CERTIFICATE OF DOMESTICATION
To be filed by Amendment
C-1
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT D
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
To be filed by Amendment
D-1
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EXHIBIT E
BYLAWS
To be filed by Amendment
E-1
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT F
LIQUIDITY OPINION
To be filed by Amendment
F-1
<PAGE>
PART II INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 22. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
CANADA
Section 124(1) of the Canada Business Corporations Act ("CBCA") provides
that, except in respect of an action by or on behalf of a corporation or body
corporate to procure a judgment in its favor, a corporation may indemnify a
director or officer of the corporation, a former director or officer of the
corporation or a person who acts or acted at the corporation's request as a
director or officer of a body corporate of which the corporation is or was a
shareholder or creditor, and his heirs and legal representatives, against all
costs, charges, and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or
satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by him in respect of any civil, criminal
or administrative action or proceeding to which he is made a party by reason of
being or having been a director or officer of such corporation or body
corporate, if:
(a) he acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best
interests of the corporation; and
(b) in a case of a criminal or administrative action or proceeding that is
enforced by a monetary penalty, he had reasonable grounds for
believing that his conduct was lawful.
Section 124(2) of the CBCA provides that even if such a person is named in
an action by or on behalf of the corporation or body corporate to procure a
judgment in its favor, a corporation may indemnify such a person with court
approval if such person meets the standards set forth in Section 124(1).
Additionally, a person named in Section 124(1) is entitled to indemnity from the
corporation if the person seeking indemnity:
(a) was substantially successful on the merits in his defense of the action
or proceeding; and
(b) fulfills the conditions set forth above.
Section 5.02 of DRI's Bylaws contains the same standards set forth in
Section 124(1), but makes indemnification in such circumstances mandatory by
DRI.
TEXAS
DMI has authority under Articles 2.02(A) (16) and 2.02-1 of the Texas
Business Corporation Act (the "TBCA") to indemnify its directors and officers to
the extent provided for in such statute. Section 3.06 of DMI's Bylaws provides
that the board of directors of DMI may authorize DMI to pay expenses incurred
by, so as to satisfy a judgment or fine rendered or levied against, present or
former directors, officers or employees of DMI as provided by Article
2.02(A)(16) of the TBCA.
The TBCA provides in part that a corporation may indemnify a director or
officer or other person who was, is, or is threatened to be made a named
defendant or respondent in a proceeding because the person is or was a director,
officer, employee or agent of the corporation, if it is determined that (i) such
person conducted himself in good faith; (ii) reasonably believed, in the case of
conduct in his official capacity as a director or officer of the corporation,
that his conduct was in the corporation's best interest, and, in all other
cases, that his conduct was not opposed to the corporation's best interests; and
(iii) in the case of any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe
that his conduct was unlawful.
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A corporation may indemnify a person under the TBCA against judgments,
penalties (including excise and similar taxes), fines, settlements, and
reasonable expenses actually incurred by the person in connection with the
proceeding. If the person is found liable to the corporation or is found liable
on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received by the person, the
indemnification is limited to reasonable expenses actually incurred by the
person in connection with the proceeding, and shall not be made in respect of
any proceeding in which the person shall have been found liable for willful or
intentional misconduct in the performance of his duty to the corporation.
A corporation may also pay or reimburse expenses incurred by a person in
connection with his appearance as a witness or other participation in a
proceeding at a time when he is not a named defendant or respondent in the
proceeding.
In addition to the above provisions, both DRI and DMI have also entered
into an indemnity agreement with their officers and directors, which, subject to
the CBCA and TBCA, respectively, sets forth the procedures by which a person may
seek indemnity and clarifies the situations in which a person may be entitled to
indemnity by DRI or DMI, both.
Effective in August 1997, the Company modified the directors and officers
insurance covering each of its officers and directors. The insurance provides up
to $15 million of coverage for the officers and directors with deductibles
ranging from zero to $350,000, depending on the type of claim, and $15 million
of coverage for the Company. The Company has paid for 100% of the cost of this
insurance.
ITEM 21. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) Exhibits.
EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
NO.
3(a) Articles of Continuance of Denbury Resources Inc., as amended
(incorporated by reference as Exhibits 3(a), 3(b), 3(c), 3(d) of
DRI's Registration Statement on Form F-1 dated August 25, 1995,
Exhibit 4(e) of DRI's Registration Statement on Form S-8 dated
February 2, 1996 and Exhibit 3(a) of the Pre-effective Amendment No.
2 of DRI's Registration Statement on Form S-1 dated October 22,
1996).
3(b) General By-Law No. 1: A By-Law Relating Generally to the Conduct of
the Affairs of Denbury Resources Inc., as amended (incorporated by
reference as Exhibit 3(e) of DRI's Registration Statement on Form
F-1 dated August 25, 1995, Exhibit 4(d) of the Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form S-8 dated February 2, 1996.
3(c) Restated Articles of Incorporation of Denbury Management, Inc.
(incorporated by reference as Exhibit 3(c) of the Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form S-3 dated February 19, 1998).
3(d) Bylaws of Denbury Management, Inc. (incorporated by reference as
Exhibit 3(c) of the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-3
dated February 19, 1998).
3(e)** Certificate of Domestication of Denbury Resources Inc. (attached as
Exhibit C to the Prospectus of this Registration Statement).
3(f)** Form of Articles of Incorporation of Denbury Resources Inc., a
Delaware corporation (attached as Exhibit D to the Prospectus of
this Registration Statement).
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<PAGE>
EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
NO.
3(g)** Form of By-laws of Denbury Resources Inc., a Delaware corporation
(attached as Exhibit E to the Prospectus of this Registration
Statement).
4(a) See Exhibits 3(a), 3(b), 3(c) and 3(d) for provisions of the
Articles of Continuance and General ByLaw No. 1 of DRI defining the
rights of the holders of Common Shares.
4(b) Form of Indenture between DMI and Chase Bank of Texas National
Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference as Exhibit 4(b)
of Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-3 dated February
19, 1998).
4(c)* Section 190 of the Canada Business Corporation Act (attached as
Exhibit B to the Prospectus of this Registration Statement).
5(a)** Opinion of Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer.
5(b)** Opinion of Jenkens & Gilchrist, a Professional Corporation.
8(a)** Form of opinion of Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer as to Canadian tax
matters.
8(b)** Form of opinion of Jenkens & Gilchrist, a Professional Corporation
as to United States tax matters.
10(a) Stock Purchase Agreement dated December 16, 1998 between DRI and TPG
Partners II, L.L.C. (incorporated by reference as Exhibit 99.1 of
the Registrant's Form 8-K dated December 17, 1998).
10(b)* Consent letter and form of Fourth Amendment to First Restated Credit
Agreement, by and among Denbury Management, as borrower, Denbury
Resources Inc., as guarantor, NationsBank of Texas, N.A. as
administrative agent and NationsBank of Texas, N.A. as bank, dated
November 30, 1998.
12* Statement of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
23(a)* Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
23(b)** Consent of Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer (contained in its opinion
filed as Exhibit 5 (a).
23(c)** Consent of Jenkens & Gilchrist, a Professional Corporation
(contained in its opinion filed as Exhibit 5(b)).
24(a)* Power of Attorney (contained on the signature page of this
Registration Statement).
99* Consent of Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation.
- ---------------------------
* Filed herewith.
** To be filed by amendment.
ITEM 22. UNDERTAKINGS
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to respond to requests for
information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to
Item 4, 10(b), 11, or 13 of this form, within one business day of receipt of
such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or
other equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents
filed subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement through the
date of responding to the request.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to supply by means of a
post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the
company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and
included in the registration statement when it became effective.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act the registrant has duly
caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Dallas, State of Texas,
on December 23, 1998.
DENBURY RESOURCES INC.
By: /s/ Phil Rykhoek
-------------------------------
Phil Rykhoek
Chief Financial Officer
Each person whose signature appears below as a signatory to this
registration statement constitutes and appoints Gareth Roberts and Phil Rykhoek,
or either one of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full
power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and
stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this
Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all
other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent, full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary
to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he
might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorney-in-fact and agent or his substitute may lawfully do or cause to be done
by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated, in multiple counterparts with the effect
of one original.
Signatures Title Date
President, Chief Executive Officer December 23, 1998
/s/ Gareth Roberts and Director of DRI
-------------------------(Principal Executive Officer)
Gareth Roberts
Chief Financial Officer, Secretary December 23, 1998
/s/ Phil Rykhoek and Authorized Representative of DRI
- --------------------------(Principal Financial Officer)
Phil Rykhoek
Controller and Chief Accounting December 23, 1998
/s/ Bobby J. Bishop Officer of DRI
- --------------------------(Principal Accounting Officer)
Bobby J. Bishop
Chairman of the Board and December 23, 1998
/s/ Ronald G. Greene Director of DRI
- --------------------------
Ronald G. Greene
/s/ Wieland Wettstein Director of DRI December 23, 1998
- --------------------------
Wieland Wettstein
/s/ Wilmot Matthews Director of DRI December 23, 1998
- --------------------------
Wilmot Matthews
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<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Description of Exhibit
No.
3(a) Articles of Continuance of Denbury Resources Inc., as amended
(incorporated by reference as Exhibits 3(a), 3(b), 3(c), 3(d) of
DRI's Registration Statement on Form F-1 dated August 25, 1995,
Exhibit 4(e) of DRI's Registration Statement on Form S-8 dated
February 2, 1996 and Exhibit 3(a) of the Pre-effective Amendment No.
2 of DRI's Registration Statement on Form S-1 dated October 22,
1996).
3(b) General By-Law No. 1: A By-Law Relating Generally to the Conduct of
the Affairs of Denbury Resources Inc., as amended (incorporated by
reference as Exhibit 3(e) of DRI's Registration Statement on Form
F-1 dated August 25, 1995, Exhibit 4(d) of the Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form S-8 dated February 2, 1996.
3(c) Restated Articles of Incorporation of Denbury Management, Inc.
(incorporated by reference as Exhibit 3(c) of the Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form S-3 dated February 19, 1998).
3(d) Bylaws of Denbury Management, Inc. (incorporated by reference as
Exhibit 3(c) of the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-3
dated February 19, 1998).
3(e)** Certificate of Domestication of Denbury Resources Inc. (attached as
Exhibit C to the Prospectus of this Registration Statement).
3(f)** Form of Articles of Incorporation of Denbury Resources Inc., a
Delaware corporation (attached as Exhibit D to the Prospectus of
this Registration Statement).
3(g)** Form of By-laws of Denbury Resources Inc., a Delaware corporation
(attached as Exhibit E to the Prospectus of this Registration
Statement).
4(a) See Exhibits 3(a), 3(b), 3(c) and 3(d) for provisions of the
Articles of Continuance and General ByLaw No. 1 of DRI defining the
rights of the holders of Common Shares.
4(b) Form of Indenture between DMI and Chase Bank of Texas National
Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference as Exhibit 4(b)
of Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-3 dated February
19, 1998).
4(c)* Section 190 of the Canada Business Corporation Act (attached as
Exhibit B to the Prospectus of this Registration Statement).
5(a)** Opinion of Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer.
5(b)** Opinion of Jenkens & Gilchrist, a Professional Corporation.
8(a)** Form of opinion of Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer as to Canadian tax
matters.
8(b)** Form of opinion of Jenkens & Gilchrist, a Professional Corporation
as to United States tax matters.
10(a) Stock Purchase Agreement dated December 16, 1998 between DRI and TPG
Partners II, L.L.C. (incorporated by reference as Exhibit 99.1 of
the Registrant's Form 8-K dated December 17, 1998).
10(b)* Consent letter and form of Fourth Amendment to First Restated Credit
Agreement, by and among Denbury Management, as borrower, Denbury
Resources Inc., as guarantor, NationsBank of Texas, N.A. as
administrative agent and NationsBank of Texas, N.A. as bank, dated
November 30, 1998.
12* Statement of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
23(a)* Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
23(b)** Consent of Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer (contained in its opinion
filed as Exhibit 5 (a).
23(c)** Consent of Jenkens & Gilchrist, a Professional Corporation
(contained in its opinion filed as Exhibit 5(b)).
24(a)* Power of Attorney (contained on the signature page of this
Registration Statement).
99* Consent of Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation.
- -------------------
* Filed herewith.
** To be filed by amendment.
II-5
EXHIBIT 10
CONSENT LETTER AND FORM OF FOURTH AMENDMENT
TO FIRST RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT
<PAGE>
As of November 30, 1998
Denbury Resources, Inc.
17304 Preston Road, Suite 200
Dallas, Texas 75252
Denbury Management, Inc.
17304 Preston Road, Suite 510
Dallas, Texas 75252
Re: First Restated Credit Agreement dated December 29, 1997 by and among
Denbury Management, Inc. as Borrower, Denbury Resources, Inc. as
Guarantor, NationsBank of Texas, N.A., predecessor by merger to
NationsBank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and the financial
institutions parties thereto as Banks, as amended by (a) a First
Amendment to First Restated Credit Agreement dated as of January 27,
1998, (b) a Second Amendment to First Restated Credit Agreement dated
as of February 25, 1998, and (c) a Third Amendment to First Restated
Credit Agreement dated as of August 10, 1998 (as so amended, the
"Credit Agreement"); unless otherwise defined herein, all terms used
herein with their initial letter capitalized shall have the meanings
assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.
Gentlemen:
1. Emigration Transactions. You have advised the Banks that the Credit
Parties propose to take the following actions:
a. Domestication. Parent will change its domicile from Canada to Delaware
by means of a domestication (the "Domestication") under Section 388 of the
Delaware General Corporation Law, and simultaneously therewith Parent will apply
for a Certificate of Discontinuance under Section 188(7) of the Canadian
Business Corporation Act. Pursuant to the Domestication, Parent's corporate
existence will be continued in the State of Delaware, and Parent will remain
liable for all of its obligations under the Credit Agreement, the Facility
Guaranty, the Parent Pledge Agreement and each of the other Loan Papers; and
b. Borrower Merger. Immediately following the Domestication, Borrower will
merge with and into Parent with Parent being the surviving corporation (the
"Borrower Merger") and pursuant to the Borrower Merger, the outstanding capital
stock of Borrower (the "Borrower Stock") will be canceled.
The Domestication and the Borrower Merger are collectively referred to
herein as the "Emigration Transactions").
2. Restrictions in Credit Agreement; Request for Consent and Waiver and
Release of Stock Pledge. The Emigration Transactions are prohibited pursuant to
certain provisions of the Credit Agreement, including Section 9.4 thereof and
constitute an Event of Default under Section 11.1(k) of the Credit Agreement.
The Credit Parties have requested that the Banks consent to the Emigration
Transactions and waive Sections 9.4 and 11.1(k) of the Credit Agreement and any
other provisions of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Papers to the extent
that the Emigration Transactions violate such provisions or result in a Default
or Event of Default under the Credit Agreement or the other Loan Papers. The
Credit Parties have further requested that simultaneously with the Borrower
Merger, Administrative Agent release the Borrower Stock from the Lien of the
Parent Pledge Agreement.
3. Consent and Waiver; Agreement to Release Stock Pledge. Subject to and
upon the terms and conditions set forth herein, and in reliance on the
representations and warranties set forth herein, (a) the Banks (i) consent to
the consummation by the Credit Parties of the Emigration Transactions and waive
compliance by the Credit Parties with each provision of the Credit Agreement and
the other Loan Papers to the extent, but only to the extent, that the Emigration
Transactions violate such provisions or result in a Default or Event of Default
under the Credit Agreement or the other Loan Papers, and (ii) authorize and
instruct Administrative Agent to release the Borrower Stock from the Lien of the
Parent Pledge Agreement simultaneously with Borrower Merger, and (b)
Administrative Agent hereby agrees to release the Borrower Stock from the Parent
Pledge Agreement as provided in clause (a)(ii) of this Section 3.
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<PAGE>
4. Certain Terms and Conditions. The consent and waiver herein granted are
subject to each of the following terms and conditions:
a. Execution of Amendment to Credit Agreement and Loan Papers. Immediately
following the Borrower Merger, Parent, Administrative Agent and Banks shall
enter into a Fourth Amendment to First Restated Credit Agreement (the "Fourth
Amendment") substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto pursuant to which (i)
Parent will confirm its assumption of all liabilities and obligations of
Borrower under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Papers, and (ii) the
Credit Agreement will be amended to reflect the consummation of the Emigration
Transactions.
b. Delivery of Certain Documents. Immediately following the Borrower
Merger, Parent shall deliver or cause to be delivered to Administrative Agent
each of the following documents, instruments and agreements:
(i) A Certificate of Merger issued by the Secretary of State of
Delaware evidencing the Borrower Merger;
(ii) a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation and all amendments
thereto of Parent accompanied by a certificate that such copy
is true, correct and complete, and dated within ten (10) days
of the closing of the Borrower Merger, issued by the Secretary
of State of Delaware and accompanied by a certificate of the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of Parent that such copy is
true, correct and complete on the date of the Borrower Merger.
(iii) a copy of the Bylaws and all amendments thereto, of Parent
accompanied by a certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary of Parent that such copy is true, correct and
complete as of the date of the Borrower Merger.
(iv) certificates and other documents issued by the appropriate
Governmental Authorities of such jurisdictions as
Administrative Agent has requested relating to the
Domestication and to the effect that Borrower is in good
standing with respect to the payment of franchise and similar
Taxes and is duly qualified to transact business in such
jurisdictions;
(v) a certificate of incumbency of all officers of Parent who will
be authorized to execute or attest to the Fourth Amendment and
any other Loan Paper, dated the date of the Borrower Merger,
executed by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of Parent;
(vi) copies of resolutions approving the Fourth Amendment and
authorizing the transactions contemplated by the Fourth
Amendment and the other Loan Papers, duly adopted by the Board
of Directors of Parent accompanied by certificates of the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of Parent that such copies
are true and correct copies of resolutions duly adopted at a
meeting of or (if permitted by applicable Law and, if required
by such Law, by the Bylaws) by the unanimous written consent of
the Board of Directors of Parent, and that such resolutions
constitute all the resolutions adopted with respect to such
transactions, have not been amended, modified or revoked in any
respect, and are in full force and effect as of the date
hereof;
(vii) an opinion of Jenkens & Gilchrist, P.C., special counsel for
Parent dated the date of the Borrower Merger, favorably opining
as to the enforceability with respect to
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<PAGE>
Parent of the Fourth Amendment, the Credit Agreement as amended
by the Fourth Amendment and each of the other Loan Papers with
respect to Parent and otherwise in form and substance
satisfactory to Administrative Agent; and
(viii) UCC-3 Amendments duly executed by Parent with respect to each
UCC Financing Statement filed or recorded with respect to the
Existing Mortgages which UCC-3 Amendment will reflect the
change of the debtor's name in each such Financing Statement
from "Denbury Management, Inc." to "Denbury Resources, Inc."
5. Representations and Warranties. To induce Banks to grant the consents
and waivers herein contained, the Credit Parties hereby jointly and severally
represent and warrant to each Bank as follows:
a. Emigration Transactions. (i) to the extent Parent and Borrower
consummate the Emigration Transactions, the Emigration Transactions (A) will be
consummated substantially as described in paragraph 1 hereof and in accordance
with all applicable Laws and the articles or certificate of incorporation,
bylaws and other charter documents of Borrower and Parent, and (B) do not and
will not result in a breach or violation of any material contract, agreement,
indenture, mortgage or other instrument to which any Credit Party is a party,
and do not, and will not result in the imposition of any Lien on any of the
properties of any Credit Party or the acceleration of any Debt of any Credit
Party; (ii) after giving effect to the Emigration Transactions, Parent will
succeed to, and hold good and defensible title to, all assets of Borrower and
Parent subject to no Liens other than Permitted Encumbrances;
b. Reaffirmation of Representations and Warranties. Each representation and
warranty of each Credit Party contained in the Credit Agreement is true and
correct in all material respects on the date hereof and will be true and correct
in all material respects after giving effect to the Emigration Transactions
(including the execution, delivery and effectiveness of the Fourth Amendment);
c. Absence of Defaults. No Default or Event of Default has occurred which
is continuing, and after giving effect to the waivers and consents herein
contained and the execution, delivery and effectiveness of the Fourth Amendment,
no Default or Event of Default will exist after giving effect to the Emigration
Transactions; and
d. Absence of Defenses. No Credit Party has any counterclaim, right of
offset or defense to payment and performance of the Obligations.
6. Miscellaneous.
a. Limitations on Consents and Waivers. The consents and waivers herein
contained are limited solely to the Emigration Transactions. Nothing contained
herein shall be deemed a consent to any other action or inaction of any Credit
Party which constitutes a violation of any provision of the Credit Agreement or
any other Loan Party or which results in a Default or Event of Default under the
Credit Agreement or any other Loan Paper. No Bank nor Administrative Agent shall
be obligated to grant any future waivers or amendment of the Credit Agreement or
any other Loan Paper.
b. Loan Paper. This letter agreement constitutes a "Loan Paper" under and
as defined in the Credit Agreement.
c. Effectiveness; Counterparts. This letter agreement will be effective
when a counterpart hereof has been executed by Borrower, Parent and each Bank.
It is not necessary that all signatures appear on the same counterparts. Each
counterpart will constitute one and the same instrument. Facsimiles shall be
effective as originals.
Please evidence your agreement to each of the provisions of this letter
agreement by executing a counterpart hereof where indicated below and returning
a fully executed counterpart to Administrative Agent.
Very truly yours,
-3-
<PAGE>
NationsBank, N.A.
By:
Name:
Title:
BankBoston, N.A.
By:
Name:
Title:
Bank One, Texas, N.A.
By:
Name:
Title:
Chase Bank of Texas, National Association
By:
Name:
Title:
Christianaia Bank, Og Kreditkasse ASA
By:
Name:
Title:
Banque Paribas
By:
Name:
Title:
Credit Lyonnais - New York Branch
By:
Name:
Title:
Wells Fargo Bank (Texas), N.A.
By:
Name:
Title:
Natexis Banque BFCE
-4-
<PAGE>
By:
Name:
Title:
Acknowledged and Agreed
as of the __ day of November, 1998
Denbury Management, Inc.
By:
Its:
Denbury Resources, Inc.
By:
Its:
-5-
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
FOURTH AMENDMENT TO FIRST RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT
This Fourth Amendment to First Restated Credit Agreement (this "Fourth
Amendment") is entered into as of the ___ day of ________, 199___ (the
"Effective Date"), by and among Denbury Resources, Inc. ("DRI"), a corporation
previously incorporated under the Canadian Business Corporation Act which has
been domesticated in the State of Delaware and which is the successor by merger
to Denbury Management, Inc. ("Management"), a Texas corporation, NationsBank,
N.A., [revise name of NationsBank to Bank of America if applicable] successor by
merger to NationsBank of Texas, N.A., as Administrative Agent ("Agent"), and the
financial institutions parties hereto as Banks ("Banks").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, Management, DRI, Agent and Banks are parties to that certain
First Restated Credit Agreement dated as of December 29, 1997, as amended by (a)
that certain First Amendment to First Restated Credit Agreement dated as of
January 27, 1998, (b) that certain Second Amendment to First Restated Credit
Agreement dated as of February 25, 1998, and (c) that certain Third Amendment to
First Restated Credit Agreement dated as of August 10, 1998 (as amended, "Credit
Agreement") (unless otherwise defined herein, all terms used herein with their
initial letter capitalized shall have the meaning given such terms in the Credit
Agreement); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Credit Agreement the Banks have made certain Loans
to Management; and
WHEREAS, DRI was formerly incorporated under the Canadian Business
Corporation Act and was domesticated in the State of Delaware; and
WHEREAS, Management merged with and into DRI with DRI being the surviving
corporation (such merger is referred to herein as the "Merger"); and
WHEREAS, as a result of the Merger, DRI assumed and is primarily liable for
all of the debts, obligations and liabilities of Management under the Credit
Agreement and the other Loan Papers and DRI become the "Borrower" under and as
defined in the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Papers; and
WHEREAS, the parties desire to (a) evidence in writing the assumption by
DRI of the debts, obligations and liabilities of Management under the Credit
Agreement and the other Loan Papers, and (b) make certain conforming amendments
to the Credit Agreement.
NOW THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual covenants and
agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged and confessed, DRI,
Agent and each Bank hereby agree as follows:
Section 1. Assumption. DRI acknowledges and agrees that as a result of the
Merger DRI has assumed and is directly and primarily liable for the due and
punctual payment and performance in full of the Obligations. DRI represents and
warrants that it has no counterclaim, right of set off or other defense to
payment or performance of such Obligations.
Section 2. Amendments. The Credit Agreement is hereby amended effective as
of the Effective Date in the manner provided in this Section 2.
2.1 Additional Definitions. Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is
amended to add thereto in alphabetical order the definitions of "Merger" and
"Fourth Amendment" which shall read in full as follows:
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<PAGE>
"Merger" means the merger of Denbury Management, Inc. into Borrower,
in each case with Borrower being the surviving corporation.
"Fourth Amendment" means that certain Fourth Amendment to First
Restated Credit Agreement dated as of _________, 199__ among Borrower,
Administrative Agent and Banks.
2.2 Amendment to Definitions. The definitions of "Administrative Agent,"
"Borrower," "Consolidated Current Assets," "Consolidated Current Liabilities,"
"Credit Parties," "GAAP," "Loan Papers," "Parent," and "Required Consolidated
Tangible Net Worth" set forth in Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement are amended
to read in full as follows:
"Administrative Agent" means NationsBank, N.A. [revise to reflect
name change to Bank of America, if applicable], successor by merger to
NationsBank of Texas, N.A., in its capacity as Administrative Agent for
Banks hereunder or any successor thereto.
"Borrower" means Denbury Resources, Inc., a corporation previously
incorporated under the Canadian Business Corporation Act and which was
domesticated in the State of Delaware, and which is the successor by
merger to Denbury Management, Inc., a Texas corporation.
"Consolidated Current Assets" means, for any Person at any time, the
current assets of such Person and its Consolidated Subsidiaries at such
time, plus, in the case of Borrower, the Availability at such time.
"Consolidated Current Liabilities" means, for any Person at any
time, the current liabilities of such Person and its Consolidated
Subsidiaries at such time, but, in the case of Borrower, excluding the
current portion (if any) of the outstanding principal balance of the
Revolving Loan.
"Credit Parties" means Borrower and any Subsidiary or Affiliate of
Borrower which Required Banks and Borrower may hereafter jointly
designate in writing as a "Credit Party" for purposes of this Agreement.
Unless and until any such designation is made, "Credit Party" and
"Credit Parties" shall refer only to Borrower.
"GAAP" means those generally accepted accounting principles and
practices which are recognized as such by the Securities and Exchange
Commission, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
acting through its Accounting Principles Board or by the Financial
Accounting Standards Board or through other appropriate boards or
committees thereof and which are consistently applied for all periods
after the date hereof so as to properly reflect the financial condition,
and the results of operations and changes in financial position, of
Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, except that any accounting
principle or practice required to be changed by the said Accounting
Principles Board or Financial Accounting Standards Board (or other
appropriate board or committee thereof) in order to continue as a
generally accepted accounting principle or practice may be so changed.
"Loan Papers" means this Agreement, the Notes, the Existing
Mortgages (as amended by the Amendment to Mortgages), the First
Amendment, the Second Amendment, the Third Amendment, the Fourth
Amendment and all Mortgages now or at any time hereafter delivered
pursuant to Section 5.2, and all other certificates, documents or
instruments delivered in connection with this Agreement, as the
foregoing may be modified, amended, renewed, extended or restated from
time to time.
"Required Consolidated Tangible Net Worth" means, initially,
$100,000,000; provided, that, the Required Consolidated Tangible Net
Worth shall (a) increase (but not decrease) on each Quarterly Date after
July 1, 1998 by an amount equal to fifty percent (50%) of Borrower's
Consolidated Net Income for the Fiscal Quarter then ended, and (b)
increase
-7-
<PAGE>
on the date of any issuance by Borrower of its equity securities after
July 1, 1998, by an amount equal to fifty percent (50%) of the net
proceeds received by Borrower from the issuance of such securities.
2.3 Deletion of Definitions. Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement shall
be amended to delete therefrom in their entirety the definitions of "Facility
Guaranty" and "Parent Pledge Agreement."
2.4 Amendments to Certain Interpretive Provisions. Section 1.2 of the
Credit Agreement shall be amended to read in full as follows:
"SECTION 1.2Accounting Terms and Definitions. Unless otherwise
specified herein, all accounting terms used herein shall be interpreted,
all accounting determinations hereunder shall be made, and all financial
statements required to be delivered hereunder shall be expressed in U.S.
Dollars and shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP, applied on a
basis consistent with the most recent audited consolidated financial
statements of Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries delivered to
Banks except for changes concurred in by Borrower's independent
certified public accountants and which are disclosed to Administrative
Agent on the next date on which financial statements are required to be
delivered to Banks pursuant to Sections 8.1(a) or (b); provided that,
unless Required Banks shall otherwise agree in writing, no such change
shall modify or affect the manner in which compliance with the covenants
contained in Article X are computed such that all such computations
shall be conducted utilizing financial information presented
consistently with prior periods."
2.5 Amendment to Collateral and Guarantee Requirements. Article V of the
Credit Agreement shall be amended to read in full as follows:
ARTICLE V
COLLATERAL AND GUARANTEES
SECTION 5.1 Existing Mortgages. The Obligations shall be secured by
the Existing Mortgages which create first and prior Liens (subject only
to Permitted Encumbrances) covering and encumbering the Mineral
Interests described therein. On or prior to the Closing Date, Borrower
shall enter into the Amendment to Existing Mortgages.
SECTION 5.2 Delivery of Mortgages Upon Borrowing Base Deficiency. If
a Borrowing Base Deficiency exists at any time after July 1, 1998,
Borrower shall immediately execute and deliver Mortgages to
Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of each Bank, in form and
substance acceptable to Administrative Agent to grant, evidence and
perfect first and prior Liens securing the Obligations, covering
substantially all Mineral Interests owned by Borrower subject only to
Permitted Encumbrances.
SECTION 5.3 Evidence of Title; Opinions. At any time Borrower is
required to execute and deliver Mortgages to Administrative Agent
pursuant to this Section 5.2, Borrower shall also deliver to
Administrative Agent such opinions of counsel (addressed to
Administrative Agent) and other evidence of title as Administrative
Agent shall deem necessary or appropriate to verify (a) Borrower's title
to Proved Mineral Interests with a Recognized Value equal to at least
85% of the Recognized Value of all Proved Mineral Interests reflected in
the Reserve Report which are subject to such Mortgages, and (b) the
validity, perfection and priority of the Liens created by such
Mortgages.
2.6 Financial Representation and Warranty. Section 7.5 of the Credit
Agreement is amended to delete the words "Parent" and "Parent's" each time such
words appear therein and substitute in lieu thereof the words "Borrower" and
"Borrower's."
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<PAGE>
2.7 Organization Structure; Nature of Business Representation and
Warranty. Section 7.14 of the Credit Agreement is amended to delete the first
two (2) sentences thereof in their entirety.
2.8 Fiscal Year Representation and Warranty. Section 7.17 of the Credit
Agreement is amended to delete the word "Parent's" where it appears therein, and
substitute in lieu thereof "Borrower's."
2.9 Financial Information Covenant. Section 8.1 of the Credit Agreement
is amended to delete the words "Parent" and "Parent's" each time they appear
therein and to substitute in lieu thereof the words "Borrower" and "Borrower's."
2.10 Business of the Credit Parties Covenant. Section 8.2 of the Credit
Agreement is amended to delete the first sentence thereof in its entirety.
2.11 Maintenance of Existing Covenant. Section 8.3 of the Credit
Agreement is amended to delete the phrase "Each of Parent and" which are the
first four words of such covenant.
2.12 Title Data Representation and Warranty. Section 8.4 of the Credit
Agreement is hereby amended to read in full as follows:
"SECTION 8.4 Title Data. In addition to the title information
required by Sections 5.3 and 6.1(c) hereof, Borrower shall, upon the
request of Required Banks, cause to be delivered to Administrative Agent
such title, opinions and other information regarding title to Mineral
Interests owned by Borrower as are appropriate to determine the status
thereof; provided, however, that the Banks may not require the Credit
Parties to furnish title opinions (except pursuant to Section 5.3 and
6.1(c)) unless (a) an Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, or (b) the Required Banks have reason to believe that there
is a defect in or encumbrance upon Borrower's title to such Mineral
Interests that is not a Permitted Encumbrance."
2.13 Maintenance of Insurance Covenant. Section 8.6 of the Credit
Agreement is amended to delete the phrase "and Parent" in the third sentence
thereof and delete the word "assign" in such sentence and substitute in lieu of
the word "assign" the word "assigns."
2.14 Merger Covenant. Section 9.4 of the Credit Agreement is amended to
read in full as follows:
"SECTION 9.4 Consolidations and Mergers. The Credit Parties will
not, nor will the Credit Parties permit any of their Subsidiaries to,
consolidate or merge with or into any other Person; provided, that so
long as no Default exists or will result any wholly owned Subsidiary of
Borrower may merge or consolidate with any other Person so long as a
wholly owned Subsidiary of Borrower is the surviving corporation."
2.15 Fiscal Year Covenant. Section 9.12 of the Credit Agreement is
amended to delete the word "Parent" where it appears therein and substitute in
lieu thereof, the word "Borrower."
2.16 Financial Covenants. Article X of the Credit Agreement is amended
to delete the words "Parent" and "Parent's" each time such words appear therein
and to substitute in lieu thereof, the words "Borrower" and "Borrower's."
2.17 Change of Control Default. Section 11.1(k) of the Credit Agreement
is amended to read in full as follows:
"(k) as of any date any Person or group (as defined in Section
13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) other than
the Texas Pacific Group shall become the direct or indirect beneficial
owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934) of more than 30% of the total voting power of all classes of
capital
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<PAGE>
stock then outstanding of Borrower entitled (without regard to the
occurrence of any contingency) to vote in elections of directors of
Borrower."
2.18 Miscellaneous Provisions. Article XIV of the Credit Agreement is
hereby amended to delete the word "Parent's" and the phrases "Parent and" and
"Parent or" each time such words and such phrases appear in such Article.
Section 3. Representations and Warranties of Borrower. To induce the
Banks and Administrative Agent to enter into this Fourth Amendment, DRI hereby
represents and warrants to Banks and Administrative Agent as follows:
3.1 Confirmation of Representations and Warranties. After giving effect
to the Amendments contained in Section 2 hereof, each representation and
warranty of Borrower contained in the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Papers
is true and correct on the date hereof.
3.2 Corporate Power; Due Authorization; No Conflicts. The execution,
delivery and performance by DRI of this Fourth Amendment are within DRI's
corporate powers, have been duly authorized by necessary action, require no
action by or in respect of, or filing with, any governmental body, agency or
official and do not violate or constitute a default under any provision of
applicable law or any Material Agreement binding upon DRI or any Subsidiary of
DRI or result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any of the assets
of DRI or any of the Subsidiaries of DRI except Permitted Encumbrances.
3.3 Validity of Binding Effect. This Fourth Amendment constitutes the
valid and binding obligations of DRI enforceable in accordance with its terms,
except as (a) the enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy,
insolvency or similar laws affecting creditor's rights generally, and (b) the
availability of equitable remedies may be limited by equitable principles of
general application.
3.4 No Defenses. DRI has no defenses to payment, counterclaim or rights
of set-off with respect to the Obligations existing on the date hereof.
3.5 Merger. The domestication of DRI in Delaware and the Merger were
consummated (a) substantially in accordance with the descriptions thereof set
forth in that certain Consent Letter dated November 30, 1998, by and among
Denbury Management, Inc., Parent and Banks, and (b) in accordance with all
applicable Laws and the Articles or Certificate of Incorporation, bylaws and
other charter documents of DRI and Management. The domestication of DRI in
Delaware and the Merger did not, and do not, result in a breach or violation of
any material contract, agreement, indenture, mortgage or other instrument to
which DRI, Management is or was a party and did not and will not result in the
imposition of any Lien on any of the properties or assets of DRI or Management
or a default under or the acceleration of any Debt of DRI, Management; as a
result of the domestication of DRI in Delaware and the Merger, DRI has succeeded
to, and holds good and defensible title, to all assets of Management, subject to
no Liens other than Permitted Encumbrances.
Section 4. Miscellaneous.
4.1 Reaffirmation of Loan Papers; Extension of Liens. Any and all of the
terms and provisions of the Credit Agreement and the Loan Papers shall, except
as amended and modified hereby, remain in full force and effect. DRI hereby
extends the Liens securing the Obligations until the Obligations have been paid
in full or are specifically released by Agent and Banks prior thereto, and agree
that the amendments and modifications herein contained shall in no manner
adversely affect or impair the Obligations or the Liens securing payment and
performance thereof.
4.2 Parties in Interest. All of the terms and provisions of this Fourth
Amendment shall bind and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their
respective successors and assigns.
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<PAGE>
4.3 Legal Expenses. DRI hereby agrees to pay on demand all reasonable
fees and expenses of counsel to Administrative Agent incurred by Administrative
Agent, in connection with the preparation, negotiation and execution of this
Fourth Amendment and all related documents.
4.4 Counterparts. This Fourth Amendment may be executed in counterparts,
and all parties need not execute the same counterpart; however, no party shall
be bound by this Fourth Amendment until all parties have executed a counterpart.
Facsimiles shall be effective as originals.
4.5 Complete Agreement. THIS FOURTH AMENDMENT, THE CREDIT AGREEMENT AND
THE OTHER LOAN PAPERS REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND MAY
NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS OR ORAL AGREEMENTS OF
THE PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES.
4.6 Headings. The headings, captions and arrangements used in this
Fourth Amendment are, unless specified otherwise, for convenience only and shall
not be deemed to limit, amplify or modify the terms of this Fourth Amendment,
nor affect the meaning thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Second Amendment to
be duly executed by their respective authorized officers on the date and year
first above written.
BORROWER:
DENBURY RESOURCES INC.
a Delaware corporation
By:
-----------------------------------
Gareth Roberts
Present and Chief Executive Officer
By:
-----------------------------------
Phil Rykhoek
Chief Financial Officer and
Secretary
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT:
NATIONSBANK, N.A., successor by merger to
NationsBank of Texas, N.A.
By:
-----------------------------------
J. Scott Fowler
Vice President
BANKS:
NATIONSBANK, N.A., successor by merger to
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<PAGE>
NationsBank of Texas, N.A.
By:
-----------------------------------
J. Scott Fowler
Vice President
BANKBOSTON, N.A.
By:
Name:
Title:
BANK ONE, TEXAS, N.A.
By:
Name:
Title:
CHASE BANK OF TEXAS,
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By:
Name:
Title:
CHRISTIANAIA BANK, OG KREDITKASSE ASA
By:
Name:
Title:
BANK PARIBAS
By:
Name:
Title:
CREDIT LYONNAIS - NEW YORK BRANCH
By:
Name:
Title:
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<PAGE>
WELLS FARGO BANK (TEXAS), N.A.
By:
Name:
Title:
NATEXIS BANQUE BFCE
By:
Name:
Title:
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EXHIBIT 12
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
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<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 12
DENBURY RESOURCES INC.
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Nine months ended
Years ended December 31, September 30,
----------------------------- ------------------------
Pro Pro
Forma Forma
1995 1996 1997 1997 1997 1998 1998
------- ------ ------- ------ ------ -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Earnings:
Pretax income from
continuing operations 1,081 14,056 23,798 24,601 16,878 (175,660)(171,820)
Fixed charges 2,161 4,080 1,262 459 498 12,954 9,114
------- ------ ------- ------ ------ -------- --------
Earnings (losses) 3,242 18,136 25,060 25,060 17,376 (162,706)(162,706)
------- ------ ------- ------ ------ -------- --------
Fixed Charges:
Interest expense 2,085 1,993 1,111 308 387 12,788 8,948
Interest component of rent
expense 76 116 151 151 111 166 166
Imputed preferred dividend -- 1,281 -- -- -- -- --
Preferred dividend tax effect -- 690 -- -- -- -- --
------- ------ ------- ------ ------ -------- --------
Fixed charges 2,161 4,080 1,262 459 498 12,954 9,114
------- ------ ------- ------ ------ -------- --------
Ratio of earnings to fixed
charges 1.5 4.4 19.9 54.6 34.9 (a) (a)
======= ====== ======= ====== ====== ======== ========
<FN>
(a) As a result of pre-tax losses of $175,660,000 and $171,820,000 incurred for
the nine months ended September 30, 1998, on an actual and pro-forma basis,
respectively, DRI was unable to cover its fixed charges of $12,954,000 and
$9,114,000, respectively.
</FN>
</TABLE>
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EXHIBIT 23 (a)
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
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<PAGE>
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of
Denbury Resources Inc. on Form S-4 of our report dated February 27, 1998, on the
consolidated financial statements of Denbury Resources In., and of our report
dated February 27, 1998, relating to the financial statement schedule appearing
in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Denbury Resources for the year ended
December 31, 1997.
We also consent to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in such
Prospectus.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Calgary, Alberta
December 23, 1998
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EXHIBIT 99
CONSENT OF CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION
<PAGE>
[LETTERHEAD OF CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION]
Board of Directors
Denbury Resources Inc.
17304 Preston Road, Suite 200
Dallas, Texas 75252
Members of the Board:
We hereby consent to the inclusion of our opinion letter to the Board of
Directors of Denbury Resources Inc. (Denbury) as Exhibit A to the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus of Denbury. In giving such consent, we do not admit that we
come within the category of persons whose consent is required under, and we do
not admit that we are experts for purposes of, the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
By: /s/ Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation
CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION
New York, New York
December 23, 1998
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