UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
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Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Introductory Note
On September 1, 2026 (the “Closing Date”), pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 31, 2026 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among Weatherford International plc, an Irish public limited company (“Parent”), Trinity Bell Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”), and NCS Multistage Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), Merger Sub merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (the “Merger”).
The foregoing description of the Merger and the Merger Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Merger Agreement, which is included as Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) by the Company on June 2, 2026 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 1.02 Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement.
In connection with the completion of the Merger, on the Closing Date, the Company terminated all outstanding commitments under that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of May 3, 2022, by and among the Company, Pioneer Investment, Inc., NCS Multistage, LLC, NCS Multistage Inc., the other loan parties thereto, the lenders party thereto, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (as amended, restated and amended and restated from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”). In connection with the termination of the Credit Agreement, on the Closing Date, all outstanding obligations under the Credit Agreement were paid off in full, and all liens securing such obligations and guarantees of such obligations were released.
Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.
The information set forth under the Introductory Note of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.01.
Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”), each share of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Company Common Stock”) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time was converted into the right for each holder to elect to receive: (a) 0.5537 ordinary shares, par value $0.001 per share, of Parent (the “Ordinary Shares”), which are not subject to any cap or proration (the “Share Consideration” and such exchange ratio, the “Share Consideration Exchange Ratio”) or (b) (1) cash in an amount equivalent to 0.1371 Ordinary Shares at the closing price of the Ordinary Shares on The Nasdaq Global Select Market on the last complete trading day prior to the Closing Date of $97.77 (subject to a “Maximum Cash Election Amount” as defined in the Merger Agreement), and (2) 0.2392 Ordinary Shares (collectively, the “Mixed Consideration” and, together with the Share Consideration, the “Merger Consideration”).
Additionally, at the Effective Time, (i) (a) Parent assumed each restricted stock unit of the Company (each, a “Company RSU”) and each equivalent stock unit of the Company (each, a “Company ESU” and, together with the Company RSUs, the “Assumed RSUs”) (other than each Company RSU granted to a non-employee director of the Company (each, a “Company DSU”)) that was outstanding immediately prior to closing, whether or not vested, (b) each Assumed RSU continues to have, and be subject to, the same terms and conditions, including vesting and forfeiture restrictions, provided that with respect to each Company ESU, the Max Value Cap (as defined in the applicable award agreement) ceased to apply to such Company ESU, and (c) each Assumed RSU was converted into an award covering a number of Ordinary Shares equal to the product of the number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to the Assumed RSU immediately prior to the Effective Time, multiplied by the Share Consideration Exchange Ratio, rounded down to the nearest whole share; (ii) (a) Parent assumed each stock option of the Company (each, a “Company Option”), whether vested or unvested, that was outstanding immediately prior to closing and had a per share exercise price less than the value of the Merger Consideration (the “Assumed Options”), and each Assumed Option continues to have, and be subject to, the same terms and conditions, including vesting and forfeiture restrictions, and was converted into an option to acquire a number of Ordinary Shares equal to the product of the number of shares of Company Common Stock underlying such Company Option multiplied by the Share Consideration Exchange Ratio, rounded down to the nearest whole number, with an exercise price per share equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the per share exercise price of such Company Option, by (B) the Share Consideration Exchange Ratio, rounded up to the nearest whole cent, and (b) each Company Option, whether vested or unvested, that was outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and had a per share exercise price equal to or greater than the value of the Merger Consideration was, at the Effective Time, canceled without consideration; and (iii) (a) Parent assumed each performance stock unit of the Company that was outstanding immediately prior to closing, whether or not vested (each, an
“Assumed PSU”), (b) each Assumed PSU continues to have, and be subject to, the same terms and conditions, including vesting and forfeiture restrictions, except that the performance goals were deemed satisfied at the greater of target and actual level of achievement as of the date of the Merger Agreement, as determined by the Company’s board of directors, and (c) each Assumed PSU was converted into an award covering a number of Ordinary Shares equal to the product of the number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to the Assumed PSU immediately prior to the Effective Time (with performance determined in accordance with clause (b)), multiplied by the Share Consideration Exchange Ratio, rounded down to the nearest whole share. Each Company DSU vested and settled in shares of Company Common Stock immediately prior to the Effective Time.
As previously disclosed, on May 31, 2026, holders of more than 50% of the outstanding Company Common Stock, including Advent-NCS Acquisition L.P. (collectively, the “Majority Holders”), executed and delivered a written consent adopting and approving the Merger Agreement (the “Company Stockholder Consent”), which consent became effective immediately following the execution of the Merger Agreement. As a result of the Company Stockholder Consent, no further approval by the stockholders of the Company was required to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, and Parent assumed control of the Company from the holders of Company Common Stock as of the Effective Time.
The issuance of Ordinary Shares to the former stockholders of the Company, other than the Majority Holders, was registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-297275), as amended, filed by Parent with the SEC and declared effective on July 21, 2026 (the “Registration Statement”). The Ordinary Shares issued to the Majority Holders were issued pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, eligible holders of Company Common Stock were entitled to elect one form of Merger Consideration for all of the shares such holder owned immediately prior to the Effective Time, and such holders were given the opportunity to elect to receive (i) solely the Share Consideration or (ii) solely the Mixed Consideration (such election, a “Mixed Election”). The Mixed Consideration was subject to prorated replacement with Share Consideration in the event the Mixed Elections were oversubscribed such that the aggregate amount of Mixed Election shares multiplied by the Cash Consideration (as defined in the Merger Agreement) exceeded the Maximum Cash Election Amount.
Based on the final results of the Merger Consideration election process:
| • | Holders of approximately 55.0% of the shares of Company Common Stock eligible to make a Merger Consideration election elected to receive the Mixed Consideration and, in accordance with the proration procedures set forth in the Merger Agreement, (i) approximately 99.2% of such shares shall receive the Mixed Consideration and (ii) approximately 0.8% of such shares shall receive the Share Consideration; and |
| • | Holders of approximately 45.0% of the shares of Company Common Stock eligible to make a Merger Consideration election either (i) elected to receive the Share Consideration, (ii) did not make a valid election, or (iii) did not deliver a valid election form prior to the election deadline of August 31, 2026. Each such holder shall receive the Share Consideration. |
No fractional shares of Company Common Stock were issued and holders of Company Common Stock received cash in lieu of any fractional Ordinary Shares. A more detailed description of the Merger, the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, and the Merger Consideration and the allocation and proration procedures applicable to elections are contained in the Registration Statement, and related information statement/prospectus dated as of July 22, 2026, which are available at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
Item 3.01 Notice of Delisting or Failure to Satisfy a Continued Listing Rule or Standard; Transfer of Listing.
The information set forth under the Introductory Note and Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.01.
Prior to the Effective Time, shares of Company Common Stock were listed and traded on The Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) under the trading symbol “NCSM.” The Company has notified Nasdaq that the Merger had been completed and that each outstanding share of the Company Common Stock was converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration. In addition, the Company requested that Nasdaq (i) halt trading of the Company Common Stock prior to the open of trading on the Closing Date, (ii) withdraw the Company Common Stock from listing on Nasdaq, and (iii) file with the SEC a Notification of Removal from Listing and/or Registration under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), on Form 25 to report that the Company Common Stock is no longer listed on Nasdaq and to apply for the deregistration of the Company Common Stock under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act. As a result, the Company Common Stock will no longer be listed on Nasdaq.
The Company also intends to file with the SEC a certification and notice of termination on Form 15 requesting the termination of registration of the Company Common Stock under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act and the suspension of reporting obligations under Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
| Item 3.03 | Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders. |
The information set forth under the Introductory Note and Items 2.01, 3.01, 5.01 and 5.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.03.
At the Effective Time holders of issued and outstanding Company Common Stock ceased to have any rights in connection with their holding of such securities, other than the right to receive their applicable amount of the Merger Consideration as described under Item 2.01.
| Item 5.01 | Changes in Control of Registrant. |
The information set forth under the Introductory Note and Items 2.01 and 5.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.01.
As a result of the completion of the Merger, a change in control of the Company occurred, and the Company became a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent.
| Item 5.02 | Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. |
Effective as of the Effective Time, in accordance with the Merger Agreement, each member of the Company’s board of directors and certain of the Company’s officers resigned from and ceased serving on the Company’s board of directors (including any committees thereof) and as officers of the Company, as applicable. No director or officer resigned in their capacity as an employee of the Company, if applicable, or as a result of any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices. The members of the Company’s board of directors immediately prior to the Effective Time were Michael McShane, John Deane, Gurinder Grewal, Ryan Hummer, Valerie Mitchell, Robert Nipper and W. Matt Ralls. Certain officers of the Company, who resigned in their capacity as officers, but not employees, in connection with the Merger, immediately prior to the Effective Time were Ryan Hummer, Chief Executive Officer, Michael Morrison, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, Tim Willems, Chief Operations Officer, Ori Lev, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary and Dewayne Williams, Vice President and Controller.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the directors and officers of Merger Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time became the initial directors and officers of the Company as the surviving corporation in the Merger, each to hold office until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified or their earlier death, resignation or removal. Accordingly, from and after the Effective Time, Beth Ann Dranguet became the sole director of the Company, and Beth Ann Dranguet, Depinder Sandhu, Maximiliano A. Kricorian, and Steven F. Carvalho became officers of the Company.
| Item 5.03 | Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year. |
The information set forth under the Introductory Note and in Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.03.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the Effective Time the certificate of incorporation and the bylaws of the Company as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time were each amended and restated in their entirety, as set forth in Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K, which are incorporated by reference into this Item 5.03.
| Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(d) Exhibits.
| Number |
Description | |
| †2.1 | Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 31, 2026, by and among NCS Multistage Holdings, Inc., Weatherford International plc and Trinity Bell Sub, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 2, 2026). | |
| *3.1 | Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of NCS Multistage Holdings, Inc. | |
| *3.2 | Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of NCS Multistage Holdings, Inc. | |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the inline XBRL Document). | |
| † | Certain annexes, schedules, and/or exhibits have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5), Item 601(b)(2), or Item 601(b)(10)(iv) of Regulation S-K. The registrant agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted attachment to the SEC upon request. |
| * | Filed herewith. |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| NCS MULTISTAGE HOLDINGS, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Beth Ann Dranguet | |
| Name: | Beth Ann Dranguet | |
| Title: | Vice President and Secretary | |
Date: September 1, 2026
Exhibit 3.1
THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
NCS MULTISTAGE HOLDINGS, INC.
1. The name of the corporation is NCS Multistage Holdings, Inc. (the “Corporation”).
2. The Registered Office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is located at Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, Zip Code 19801. The name of the Registered Agent at such address upon whom process against the Corporation may be served is The Corporation Trust Company.
3. The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”).
4. The total amount of stock the Corporation is authorized to issue is 1,000 shares with a par value of $0.001 per share.
5. (a) To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as the same exists or as may hereafter be amended, no director of the Corporation shall have any personal liability to the Corporation or any of its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director. If the DGCL is amended hereafter to permit the further elimination or limitation of the liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as so amended, without further action by the Corporation. Any alteration, amendment, addition to or repeal of this Section 5(a), or adoption of any provision of this Certificate of Incorporation inconsistent with this Section 5(a), shall not reduce, eliminate or adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation existing at the time of such alteration, amendment, addition to, repeal or adoption with respect to acts or omissions occurring prior to such alteration, amendment, addition to, repeal or adoption.
(b) The Corporation shall indemnify, advance expenses to and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any person (“Indemnitee”) who was or is made or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, mediation, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought by or in the right of the Corporation or otherwise and whether of a civil (including intentional or unintentional tort claims), criminal, administrative or investigative (formal or informal) nature, including appeal therefrom, in which Indemnitee was, is, will or might be involved as a party, potential party, non-party witness or otherwise by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, by reason of any action (or failure to act) taken by him or her of any action (or failure to act) on his or her part while acting as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent of any other Enterprise, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time
any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification, reimbursement, or advancement of expenses can be provided under this Section 5(b). “Enterprise” means the Corporation and any other corporation, constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger to which the Corporation (or any of their wholly owned subsidiaries) is a party, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, trustee, general partner, managing member, fiduciary, employee or agent.
(c) Neither any amendment nor repeal of this Section 5, nor the adoption of any provision of this Certificate of Incorporation inconsistent with this Section 5, shall eliminate or reduce the effect of this Section 5 in respect of any acts or omissions occurring prior to such alteration, amendment, addition to, repeal or adoption.
Exhibit 3.2
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
OF
NCS MULTISTAGE HOLDINGS, INC.
(a Delaware corporation)
Effective as of September 1, 2026
ARTICLE I
OFFICES
SECTION 1.01. Registered Office. The registered office of the corporation in the State of Delaware shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, and the name of its registered agent shall be The Corporate Trust Company.
SECTION 1.02. Other Offices. The corporation may also have offices at such other places both within and without the State of Delaware as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the corporation may require.
ARTICLE II
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
SECTION 2.01. Place of Meeting. All meetings of stockholders for the election of directors shall be held at such place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting.
SECTION 2.02. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held at such date and time as shall be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting.
SECTION 2.03. Voting List. The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the corporation shall prepare and make, at least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least 10 days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice, or if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held. The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.
SECTION 2.04. Special Meeting. Special meetings of the stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation, may be called by the Chairman of the Board or by the President of the corporation or by the Board of Directors or by written order of a majority of the directors and shall be called by the President or the Secretary at the request in writing of stockholders owning a majority in amount of the entire capital stock of the corporation issued and outstanding and entitled to vote. Such request shall state the purposes of the proposed meeting. The Chairman of the Board or the President of the corporation or directors so calling, or the stockholders so requesting, any such meeting shall fix the time and any place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as the place for holding such meeting.
SECTION 2.05. Notice of Meeting. Written notice of the annual, and each special meeting of stockholders, stating the time, place, and purpose or purposes thereof, shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote thereat, not less than l0 nor more than 60 days before the meeting.
SECTION 2.06. Quorum. The holders of a majority of the shares of the corporation’s capital stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of stockholders for the transaction of business, except as otherwise provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation. Notwithstanding the other provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, the holders of a majority of the shares of the corporation’s capital stock entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, whether or not a quorum is present, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present or represented. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified.
SECTION 2.07. Voting. When a quorum is present at any meeting of the stockholders, the vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of the corporation’s capital stock having voting power present in person or represented by proxy shall decide any question brought before such meeting, unless the question is one upon which, by express provision of the statutes, of the Certificate of Incorporation or of these bylaws, a different vote is required, in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question. Every stockholder having the right to vote shall be entitled to vote in person, or by proxy appointed by an instrument in writing subscribed by such stockholder, bearing a date not more than three years prior to voting, unless such instrument provides for a longer period, and filed with the Secretary of the corporation before, or at the time of, the meeting. If such instrument shall designate two or more persons to act as proxies, unless such instrument shall provide the contrary, a majority of such persons present at any meeting at which their powers thereunder are to be exercised shall have and may exercise all the powers of voting or giving consents thereby conferred, or if only one be present, then such powers may be exercised by that one; or, if an even number attend and a majority do not agree on any particular issue, each proxy so attending shall be entitled to exercise such powers in respect of the portion of the shares as he is of the proxies representing such shares.
SECTION 2.08. Consent of Stockholders. Whenever the vote of stockholders at a meeting thereof is required or permitted to be taken for or in connection with any corporate action by any provision of the statutes, the meeting and vote of stockholders may be dispensed with if all the stockholders who would have been entitled to vote upon the action if such meeting were held shall consent in writing to such corporate action being taken; or on the written consent of the holders of shares of the corporation’s capital stock having not less than the minimum percentage of the vote required by statute for the proposed corporate action, and provided that prompt notice must be given to all stockholders of the taking of corporate action without a meeting and by less than unanimous written consent.
SECTION 2.09. Voting of Stock of Certain Holders. Shares of the corporation’s capital stock standing in the name of another corporation, domestic or foreign, may be voted by such officer, agent, or proxy as the bylaws of such corporation may prescribe, or in the absence of such provision, as the Board of Directors of such corporation may determine. Shares standing in the name of a deceased person may be voted by the executor or administrator of such deceased person, either in person or by proxy. Shares
standing in the name of a guardian, conservator, or trustee may be voted by such fiduciary, either in person or by proxy, but no such fiduciary shall be entitled to vote shares held in such fiduciary capacity without a transfer of such shares into the name of such fiduciary. Shares standing in the name of a receiver may be voted by such receiver. A stockholder whose shares are pledged shall be entitled to vote such shares, unless in the transfer by the pledgor on the books of the corporation, he has expressly empowered the pledgee to vote thereon, in which case only the pledgee, or his proxy, may represent the stock and vote thereon.
SECTION 2.10. Treasury Stock. The corporation shall not vote, directly or indirectly, shares of its own capital stock owned by it; and such shares shall not be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares of the corporation’s capital stock.
SECTION 2.11. Fixing Record Date. The Board of Directors may fix in advance a date, which shall not be more than 60 days nor less than 10 days preceding the date of any meeting of stockholders, nor more than 60 days preceding the date for payment of any dividend or distribution, or the date for the allotment of rights, or the date when any change, or conversion or exchange of capital stock shall go into effect, or a date in connection with obtaining a consent, as a record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, any such meeting and any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any such dividend or distribution, or to receive any such allotment of rights, or to exercise the rights in respect of any such change, conversion or exchange of capital stock, or to give such consent, and in such case such stockholders and only such stockholders as shall be stockholders of record on the date so fixed, shall be entitled to such notice of, and to vote at, any such meeting and any adjournment thereof, or to receive payment of such dividend or distribution, or to receive such allotment of rights, or to exercise such rights, or to give such consent, as the case may be, notwithstanding any transfer of any stock on the books of the corporation after any such record date fixed as aforesaid.
ARTICLE III
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SECTION 3.01, Powers. The business and affairs of the corporation shall be • managed by its Board of Directors, which may exercise all such powers of the corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these bylaws directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.
SECTION 3.02. Number, Election and Tenn. The number of directors that shall constitute the whole Board of Directors shall be not less than one. Such number of directors shall from time to time be fixed and determined by the directors and shall be set forth in the notice of any meeting of stockholders held for the purpose of electing directors. The directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of stockholders, except as provided in Section 3.03, and each director elected shall hold office until his successor shall be elected and shall qualify. Directors need not be residents of Delaware or stockholders of the corporation.
SECTION 3.03. Vacancies, Additional Directors, and Removal From Office. If any vacancy occurs in the Board of Directors caused by death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, or removal from office of any director, or otherwise, or if any new directorship is created by an increase in the authorized number of directors, a majority of the directors then in office, though less than a quorum, or a sole remaining director, may choose a successor or fill the newly created directorship; and a director so chosen shall hold office until the next election and until his successor shall be duly elected and shall qualify, unless sooner displaced. Any director may be removed either for or without cause at any special meeting of stockholders duly called and held for such purpose.
SECTION 3.04. Regular Meeting. A regular meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held each year, without other notice than this bylaw, at the place of, and immediately following, the annual meeting of stockholders; and other regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held each year, at such time and place as the Board of Directors may provide, by resolution, either within or without the State of Delaware, without other notice than such resolution.
SECTION 3.05. Special Meeting. A special meeting of the Board of Directors may be called by the Chairman of the Board of Directors or by the President of the corporation and shall be called by the Secretary on the written request of any two directors. The Chairman or President so calling, or the directors so requesting, any such meeting shall fix the time and any place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as the place for holding such meeting.
SECTION 3.06. Notice of Special Meeting. Written notice of special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be given to each director at least 48 hours prior to the time of such meeting. Any director may waive notice of any meeting. The attendance of a director at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a director attends a meeting for the purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any special meeting of the Board of Directors need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting, except that notice shall be given of any proposed amendment to the bylaws if it is to be adopted at any special meeting or with respect to any other matter where notice is required by statute.
SECTION 3.07. Quorum. A majority of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors, and the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board of Directors, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by statute, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these bylaws. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the Board • of Directors, the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.
SECTION 3.08. Action Without Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof as provided in Article IV of these bylaws, may be taken without a meeting, if a written consent thereto is signed by all members of the Board of Directors or of such committee, as the case may be, and such written consent is filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or such committee.
SECTION 3.09. Compensation. Directors, as such, shall not be entitled to any stated salary for their services unless voted by the stockholders or the Board of Directors; but by resolution of the Board of Directors, a fixed sum and expenses of attendance, if any, may be allowed for attendance at each regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors or any meeting of a committee of directors. No provision of these bylaws shall be construed to preclude any director from serving the corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.
ARTICLE IV
COMMITTEE OF DIRECTORS
SECTION 4.01. Designation, Powers and Name. The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board of Directors, designate one or more committees, including, if they shall so determine, an Executive Committee, each such committee to consist of two or more of the directors of the corporation. The committee shall have and may exercise such of the powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the corporation as may be provided in such resolution. The committee may authorize the seal of the corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of such committee. In the absence or disqualification of any member of such committee or committees, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Such committee or committees shall have such name or names and such limitations of authority as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 4.02. Minutes. Each committee of directors shall keep regular minutes of its proceedings and report the same to the Board of Directors when required.
SECTION 4.03. Compensation. Members of special or standing committees may be allowed compensation for attending committee meetings, if the Board of Directors shall so determine.
ARTICLE V
NOTICE
SECTION 5.01. Methods of Giving Notice. Whenever under the provisions of applicable statutes, the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, notice is required to be given to any director, member of any committee, or stockholder, such notice shall be in writing and delivered personally or mailed to such director, member, or stockholder; provided that in the case of a director or a member of any committee such notice may be given orally or by telephone or telegram. If mailed, notice to a director, member of a committee, or stockholder shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail first class in a sealed envelope, with postage thereon prepaid, addressed, in the case of a stockholder, to the stockholder at the stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the corporation or, in the case of a director or a member of a committee, to such person at his business address. If sent by telegraph, notice to a director or member of a committee shall be deemed to be given when the telegram, so addressed, is delivered to the telegraph company.
SECTION 5.02. Written Waiver. Whenever any notice is required to be given under the provisions of an applicable statute, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these bylaws, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent thereto.
ARTICLE VI
OFFICERS
SECTION 6.01. Officers. The officers of the corporation shall be a Chairman of the Board and a Vice Chairman of the Board (if such offices are created by the Board), a President, one or more Vice Presidents, any one or more of which may be designated Executive Vice President or Senior Vice President, a Secretary and a Treasurer. The Board of Directors may appoint such other officers and agents, including Assistant Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries, and Assistant Treasurers, in each case as the Board of Directors shall deem necessary, who shall hold their offices for such terms and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be determined by the Board. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person. No officer shall execute, acknowledge, verify or countersign any instrument on behalf of the corporation in more than one capacity, if such instrument is required by law, by these bylaws or by any act of the corporation to be executed, acknowledged, verified, or countersigned by two or more officers. The Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board shall be elected from among the directors. With the foregoing exceptions, none of the other officers need be a director, and none of the officers need be a stockholder of the corporation.
SECTION 6.02. Election and Term of Office. The officers of the corporation shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors at its first regular meeting held after the annual meeting of stockholders or as soon thereafter as conveniently possible. Each officer shall hold office until his successor shall have been chosen and shall have qualified or until his death or the effective date of his resignation or removal, or until he shall cease to be a director in the case of the Chairman and the Vice Chairman.
SECTION 6.03. Removal and Resignation. Any officer or agent elected or appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed without cause by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors whenever, in its judgment, the best interests of the corporation shall be served thereby, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contractual rights, if any, of the person so removed. Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the corporation. Any such resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of such notice or at any later time specified therein, and unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
SECTION 6.04. Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the corporation by death, resignation, removal, or otherwise, may be filled by the Board of Directors for the unexpired portion of the term.
SECTION 6.05. Salaries. The salaries of all officers and agents of the corporation shall be fixed by the Board of Directors or pursuant to its direction; and no officer shall be prevented from receiving such salary by reason of his also being a director.
SECTION 6.06. Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board (if such office is created by the Board) shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors or of the stockholders of the corporation. The Chairman shall formulate and submit to the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee matters of general policy for the corporation and shall perform such other duties as usually appertain to the office or as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee.
SECTION 6.07. Vice Chairman of the Board. The Vice Chairman of the Board (if such office is created by the Board) shall, in the absence or disability of the Chairman of the Board, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Chairman of the Board. The Vice Chairman shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee or assigned by the Chairman of the Board.
SECTION 6.08. President. The President shall be the chief executive officer of the corporation and, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, shall in general supervise and control the business and affairs of the corporation. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board or the Vice Chairman of the Board (if such offices are created by the Board), the President shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and of the stockholders. He may also preside at any such meeting attended by the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Board if he is so designated by the Chairman, or in the Chairman’s absence by the Vice
Chairman. He shall have the power to appoint and remove subordinate officers, agents and employees, except those elected or appointed by the Board of Directors. The President shall keep the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee fully informed and shall consult them concerning the business of the corporation. He may sign with the Secretary or any other officer of the corporation thereunto authorized by the Board of Directors, certificates for shares of the corporation and any deeds, bonds, mortgages, contracts, checks, notes, drafts, or other instruments that the Board of Directors has authorized to be executed, except in cases where the signing and execution thereof has been expressly delegated by these bylaws or by the Board of Directors to some other officer or agent of the corporation, or shall be required by law to be otherwise executed. He shall vote, or give a proxy to any other officer of the corporation to vote, all shares of stock of any other corporation standing in the name of the corporation and in general he shall perform all other duties normally incident to the office of President and such other duties as may be prescribed by the stockholders, the Board of Directors, or the Executive Committee from time to time.
SECTION 6.09. Vice Presidents. In the absence of the President, or in the event of his inability or refusal to act, the Executive Vice President (or in the event there shall be no Vice President designated Executive Vice President, any Vice President designated by the Board) shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President. Any Vice President may sign, with the Secretary or Assistant Secretary, certificates for shares of the corporation. The Vice Presidents shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to them by the President, the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee.
SECTION 6.10. Secretary. The Secretary shall (a) keep the minutes of the meetings of the stockholders, the Board of Directors and committees of directors; (b) see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these bylaws and as required by law; (c) be custodian of the corporate records and of the seal of the corporation, and see that the seal of the corporation or a facsimile thereof is affixed to all certificates for shares prior to the issue thereof and to all documents, the execution of which on behalf of the corporation under its seal is duly authorized in accordance with the provisions of these bylaws; (d) keep or cause to be kept a register of the post office address of each stockholder which shall be furnished by such stockholder; (e) sign with the President, or an Executive Vice President or Vice President, certificates for shares of the corporation, the issue of which shall have been authorized by resolution of the Board of Directors; (f) have general charge of the stock transfer books of the corporation; and (g) in general, perform all duties normally incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the President, the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee.
SECTION 6.11. Treasurer. If required by the Board of Directors, the Treasurer shall give a bond for the faithful discharge of his duties in such sum and with such surety or sureties as the Board of Directors shall determine. He shall (a) have charge and custody of and be responsible for all funds and securities of the corporation; (b) receive and give receipts for moneys due and payable to the corporation from any source whatsoever and deposit all such moneys in the name of the corporation in such banks, trust companies, or other depositories as shall be selected in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.03 of these bylaws; (c) prepare, or cause to be prepared, for submission at each regular meeting of the Board of Directors, at each annual meeting of the stockholders, and at such other times as may be required by the Board of Directors, the President or the Executive Committee, a statement of financial condition of the corporation in such detail as may be required; and (d) in general, perform all the duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the President, the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee.
SECTION 6.12. Assistant Secretary and Treasurer. The Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers shall, in general, perform such duties as shall be assigned to them by the Secretary or the Treasurer, respectively, or by the President, the Board of Directors, or the Executive Committee. The Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers shall, in the absence of the Secretary or Treasurer, respectively, perform all functions and duties which such absent officers may delegate, but such delegation shall not
relieve the absent officer from the responsibilities and liabilities of his office. The Assistant Secretaries may sign, with the President or a Vice President, certificates for shares of the corporation, the issue of which shall have been authorized by a resolution of the Board of Directors. The Assistant Treasurers shall respectively, if required by the Board of Directors, give bonds for the faithful discharge of their duties in such sums and with such sureties as the Board of Directors shall determine.
ARTICLE VII
CONTRACTS, CHECKS AND DEPOSITS
SECTION 7.01. Contracts. Subject to the provisions of Section 6.01, the Board of Directors may authorize any officer, officers, agent, or agents, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the corporation, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.
SECTION 7.02. Checks. All checks, demands, drafts, or other orders for the payment of money, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the corporation, shall be signed by such officer or officers or such agent or agents of the corporation, and in such manner, as shall be determined by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 7.03. Deposits. All funds of the corporation not otherwise employed shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the corporation in such banks, trust companies, or other depositories as the Board of Directors may select.
ARTICLE VIII
CERTIFICATES OF STOCK
SECTION 8.01. Certificates for Stock. The shares of stock of the corporation shall not be represented by certificates, unless the Board of Directors by resolution provides otherwise. If authorized by the Board of Directors, any certificate representing shares of stock shall comply with the requirement of the laws of the State of Delaware.
SECTION 8.02. Records. A record or registry shall be kept of the respective names of the persons or entities owning shares of stock of the corporation, the number of shares held by such persons or entities and the respective dates of issuance thereof, and in case of cancellation of any certificated shares, the respective dates of cancellation. Unless the Board of Directors by resolution otherwise provides, every share of stock represented by a certificate surrendered to the corporation for exchange or transfer shall be cancelled and a new certificate or certificates shall not be issued in exchange thereof, and any subsequent holder of such shares of stock shares of stock shall instead be recorded in the official registry of the corporation.
SECTION 8.03. Transfers of Stock. Transfers of shares of the stock of the corporation shall be made only on the records or registry of the corporation (a) at the request of (i) the registered holder thereof, or (ii) an attorney of a registered holder pursuant to a duly executed power of attorney filed with the Secretary of the corporation, or with a transfer agent appointed by or on behalf of the Board of Directors, or (b) upon compliance with any other procedures established by the Board of Directors for transferring shares in uncertificated form, and, upon payment of all taxes thereon and, in the case of certificated shares, upon surrender of the certificate or certificates for such shares properly endorsed or receipt of an affidavit that such certificate has been lost. The person in whose name shares of stock stand on the records and registry of the corporation shall be deemed the owner thereof for all purposes as regards the corporation.
SECTION 8.04. Regulations. The Board of Directors may make such rules and regulations as it may deem expedient, not inconsistent with these Bylaws, concerning the issue, transfer and registration of shares of stock of the corporation. The Board of Directors may appoint, or authorize any officer or officers to appoint, one or more transfer agents and one or more registrars for any shares of stock of the corporation, any of whom may be employees of the corporation.
SECTION 8.05. Lost, Destroyed and Mutilated Certificates. The owner of any certificated shares of stock of the corporation shall immediately notify the corporation of any loss, destruction or mutilation of the certificate therefor, and the corporation shall issue uncertificated shares of stock in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by it alleged to have been lost or destroyed, and the Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, acting through the officers of the corporation, may require the owner of the lost or destroyed certificate, or his or her legal representatives, to give the corporation a bond in such sum, limited or unlimited, and in such form and with such surety or sureties, as the Board of Directors shall determine, and to indemnify the corporation against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss or destruction of any such certificate, or the issuance of such new uncertificated shares of stock.
ARTICLE IX
DIVIDENDS
SECTION 9.01. Declaration. Dividends with respect to the shares of the corporation’s capital stock, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, if any, may be declared by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting, pursuant to applicable law. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of capital stock, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation.
SECTION 9.02. Reserve. Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the Board of Directors from time to time, in their absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the corporation, or for such other purpose as the Board of Directors shall think conducive to the interest of the corporation, and the Board of Directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.
ARTICLE X
INDEMNIFICATION
SECTION 10.01. Third Party Actions. The corporation shall indemnify any director or officer of the corporation, and may indemnify any other person, who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise,—against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit, or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable
cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit, or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he 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 reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
SECTION 10.02. Actions by or in the Right of the Corporation. The corporation shall indemnify any director or officer and may indemnify any other person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending, or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue, or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses as the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
SECTION 10.03. Mandatory Indemnification. To the extent that a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit, or proceeding referred to in Sections 10.01 and 10.02, or in defense of any claim, issue, or matter therein, he shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith.
SECTION 10.04. Determination of Conduct. The determination that a director, officer, employee, or agent has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Sections 10.01 and 10.02 (unless indemnification is ordered by a court) shall be made (1) by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to such action, suit, or proceeding, or (2) if such quorum is not obtainable, or, even if obtainable a quorum of disinterested directors so directs, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (3) by the stockholders.
SECTION 10.05. Payment of Expenses in Advance. Expenses incurred in defending a civil or criminal action, suit, or proceeding shall be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit, or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director, officer, employee, or agent to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in this Article X.
SECTION 10.06. Indemnity Not Exclusive. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided or granted hereunder shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under the Certificate of Incorporation, any other bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders, or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.
SECTION 10.07. Definitions. For purposes of this Article X:
(a) “the corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger that, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this Article X with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued;
(b) “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans;
(c) “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan;
(d) “serving at the request of the corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee, or agent of the corporation that imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and
(e) a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the corporation” as referred to in this Article X.
SECTION 10.08. Continuation of Indemnity. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided or granted hereunder shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee, or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of such a person.
ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 11.01. Seal. The corporate seal, if one is authorized by the Board of Directors, shall have inscribed thereon the name of the corporation, and the words “Corporate Seal, Delaware.” The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or otherwise reproduced.
SECTION 11.02. Books. The books of the corporation may be kept (subject to any provision contained in the statutes) outside the State of Delaware at the offices of the corporation in Houston, Texas, or at such other place or places as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE XII
AMENDMENT
These bylaws may be altered, amended, or repealed by a majority of the number of directors then constituting the Board of Directors at any regular meeting of the Board of Directors without prior notice, or at any special meeting of the Board of Directors if notice of such alteration, amendment, or repeal be contained in the notice of such special meeting