SC 13G 1 wtof16in.htm wtof16in.htm - Generated by SEC Publisher for SEC Filing  

 

 

          CUSIP NO. 92922P106                       13G                             Page 1 of 14

 

 

                                                                                    UNITED STATES

                                                               SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                                                                           Washington, D.C. 20549

 

                                                                                    SCHEDULE 13G

 

                                                       Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                                                                               (Amendment No. )*

 

                                                                              W&T OFFSHORE, INC.

                                                                                (Name of Issuer)

 

                                                                Common Stock, par value $0.00001

                                                                  (Title of Class of Securities)

 

                                                                                       92922P106 

                                                                                  (CUSIP Number)

 

                                                                              September 30, 2016

                                         (Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)

 

             Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is

             filed: 

 

             [X] Rule 13d‑1(b)

             [ ] Rule 13d‑1(c)

             [ ] Rule 13d‑1(d)

 

             *The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's

             initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and

             for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the

             disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

 

             The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to

             be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

             ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but

             shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

 

 


 
 

 

 

 

          CUSIP NO. 92922P106                       13G                             Page 2 of 14

 

 

          1.    NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS.

 

                      Franklin Resources, Inc.

 

          2.    CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

 

                      (a) 

                      (b) X

 

          3.    SEC USE ONLY

 

          4.    CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

 

                      Delaware 

 

          NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH:

 

                      5.     SOLE VOTING POWER

 

                                    (See Item 4)

 

                      6.     SHARED VOTING POWER

 

                                    (See Item 4)

 

                      7.     SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

 

                                    (See Item 4)

 

                      8.     SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

 

                                    (See Item 4)

 

          9.    AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

 

                      42,967,585  

 

          10.   CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES

                      CERTAIN SHARES [ ]

 

          11.   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)

 

                      31.3% 

 

          12.   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

 

                      HC, CO (See Item 4)

 

 


 
 

 

 

 

          CUSIP NO. 92922P106                       13G                             Page 3 of 14

 

 

          1.    NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS.    

 

                      Charles B. Johnson

 

          2.    CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

 

                      (a) 

                      (b) X

 

          3.    SEC USE ONLY

 

          4.    CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

 

                      USA 

 

          NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH:

 

                      5.    SOLE VOTING POWER

 

                                 (See Item 4)

 

                      6.    SHARED VOTING POWER

 

                                 (See Item 4)

 

                      7.    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

 

                                 (See Item 4)

 

                      8.    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

 

                                 (See Item 4)

 

          9.    AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

 

                     42,967,585  

 

          10.   CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES

                      CERTAIN SHARES [ ]

 

          11.   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)

 

                      31.3% 

 

          12.   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

 

                     HC, IN (See Item 4)

 

 


 
 

 

 

 

          CUSIP NO. 92922P106                       13G                             Page 4 of 14

 

 

          1.    NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS.    

 

                      Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.

 

          2.    CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

 

                      (a) 

                      (b) X

 

          3.    SEC USE ONLY

 

          4.    CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

 

                      USA 

 

          NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH:

 

                      5.    SOLE VOTING POWER

 

                                  (See Item 4)

 

                      6.    SHARED VOTING POWER

 

                                  (See Item 4)

 

                      7.    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

 

                                  (See Item 4)

 

                      8.    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

 

                                  (See Item 4)

 

          9.    AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

 

                      42,967,585  

 

          10.   CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES

                      CERTAIN SHARES [ ]

 

          11.   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)

 

                      31.3% 

 

          12.   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

 

                      HC, IN (See Item 4)

 

 


 
 

 

 

 

          CUSIP NO. 92922P106                       13G                             Page 5 of 14

 

 

          1.    NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS.    

 

                      Franklin Advisers, Inc.

 

          2.    CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

 

                      (a) 

                      (b) X

 

          3.    SEC USE ONLY

 

          4.    CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

 

                      California 

 

          NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH:

 

                      5.    SOLE VOTING POWER

 

                                  42,712,285  

 

                      6.    SHARED VOTING POWER

 

                                  0  

 

                      7.    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

 

                                  42,967,585  

 

                      8.    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

 

                                  0  

 

          9.    AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

 

                      42,967,585  

 

          10.   CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES

                      CERTAIN SHARES [ ]

 

          11.   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)

 

                      31.3% 

 

          12.   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

 

                      IA, CO (See Item 4)

 

 


 
 

 

 

 

          CUSIP NO. 92922P106                       13G                             Page 6 of 14

 

 

          Item 1.

 

          (a)   Name of Issuer

 

                      W&T OFFSHORE, INC.

 

          (b)   Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices

 

           Nine Greenway Plaza, Suite 300

           Houston, TX 77046-0908

 

          Item 2.

 

          (a)   Name of Person Filing

 

                      (i):   Franklin Resources, Inc.

 

                      (ii):  Charles B. Johnson

 

                      (iii): Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.

 

                      (iv):  Franklin Advisers, Inc.

 

 

          (b)   Address of Principal Business Office or, if none, Residence

 

                      (i), (ii), and (iii):

                      One Franklin Parkway

                      San Mateo, CA 94403‑1906

 

                      (iv):  One Franklin Parkway

                                    San Mateo, CA  94403‑1906

 

          (c)   Citizenship

 

                      (i):     Delaware

 

                      (ii) and (iii): USA

                      (iv): California

 

          (d)   Title of Class of Securities

 

                      Common Stock, par value $0.00001

 

          (e)   CUSIP Number

 

                      92922P106 

 

 


 
 

 

 

 

          CUSIP NO. 92922P106                       13G                             Page 7 of 14

 

 

          Item 3. If this statement is filed pursuant to §§240.13d‑1(b) or 240.13d‑2(b) or (c),

                          check whether the person filing is a:

                        (a) [ ] Broker or dealer registered under section 15 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o).

 

                        (b) [ ] Bank as defined in section 3(a)(6) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c).

 

                        (c) [ ] Insurance company as defined in section 3(a)(19) of the Act (15 U.S.C.

                                        78c). 

 

                        (d) [ ] Investment company registered under section 8 of the Investment Company

                                        Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C 80a‑8).

 

                        (e) [X] An investment adviser in accordance with §240.13d‑1(b)(1)(ii)(E);

 

                        (f) [ ] An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with

                                        §240.13d‑1(b)(1)(ii)(F); 

 

                        (g) [X] A parent holding company or control person in accordance with

                                        §240.13d‑1(b)(1)(ii)(G); 

 

                        (h) [ ] A savings associations as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit

                                        Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813);

 

                        (i) [ ] A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment

                                        company under section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15

                                        U.S.C. 80a‑3);

 

                        (j) [ ] A non‑U.S. institution in accordance with §240.13d‑1(b)(ii)(J);

 

                        (k) [ ] Group, in accordance with §240.13d 1(b)(1)(ii)(K).

 

                        If filing as a non‑U.S. institution in accordance with §240.13d‑1(b)(1)(ii) (J).

                        please specify the type of institution:

 

          Item 4. Ownership

 

          The securities reported herein are beneficially owned by one or more open‑ or closed‑end

          investment companies or other managed accounts that are investment management clients of

          investment managers that are direct and indirect subsidiaries (each, an “Investment

          Management Subsidiary” and, collectively, the “Investment Management Subsidiaries”) of

          Franklin Resources Inc. (“FRI”), including the Investment Management Subsidiaries listed

          in this Item 4.  When an investment management contract (including a sub‑advisory

          agreement) delegates to an Investment Management Subsidiary investment discretion or

          voting power over the securities held in the investment advisory accounts that are

          subject to that agreement, FRI treats the Investment Management Subsidiary as having sole

          investment discretion or voting authority, as the case may be, unless the agreement

          specifies otherwise. Accordingly, each Investment Management Subsidiary reports on

          Schedule 13G that it has sole investment discretion and voting authority over the

          securities covered by any such investment management agreement, unless otherwise noted in

          this Item 4.  As a result, for purposes of Rule 13d‑3 under the Act, the Investment

          Management Subsidiaries listed in this Item 4 may be deemed to be the beneficial owners

          of the securities reported in this Schedule 13G.

 

          Beneficial ownership by Investment Management Subsidiaries and other FRI affiliates is

          being reported in conformity with the guidelines articulated by the SEC staff in Release

          No. 34‑39538 (January 12, 1998) relating to organizations, such as FRI, where related

          entities exercise voting and investment powers over the securities being reported

          independently from each other.  The voting and investment powers held by Franklin Mutual

          Advisers, LLC (“FMA”), an indirect wholly‑owned Investment Management Subsidiary, are

          exercised independently from FRI and from all other Investment Management Subsidiaries

          (FRI, its affiliates and the Investment Management Subsidiaries other than FMA are

          collectively, “FRI affiliates”). Furthermore, internal policies and procedures of FMA and

          FRI establish informational barriers that prevent the flow between FMA and the FRI

          affiliates of information that relates to the voting and investment powers over the

          securities owned by their respective management clients. Consequently, FMA and FRI

          affiliates report the securities over which they hold investment and voting power

          separately from each other for purposes of Section 13 of the Act.

 


 
 

 

 

 

          CUSIP NO. 92922P106                       13G                             Page 8 of 14

 

          Charles B. Johnson and Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. (the “Principal Shareholders”) each own in

          excess of 10% of the outstanding common stock of FRI and are the principal stockholders

          of FRI.  FRI and the Principal Shareholders may be deemed to be, for purposes of Rule

          13d‑3 under the Act, the beneficial owners of securities held by persons and entities for

          whom or for which FRI subsidiaries provide investment management services.  The number of

          shares that may be deemed to be beneficially owned and the percentage of the class of

          which such shares are a part are reported in Items 9 and 11 of the cover pages for FRI

          and each of the Principal Shareholders.  FRI, the Principal Shareholders and each of the

          Investment Management Subsidiaries disclaim any pecuniary interest in any of the such

          securities.  In addition, the filing of this Schedule 13G on behalf of the Principal

          Shareholders, FRI and the FRI affiliates, as applicable, should not be construed as an

          admission that any of them is, and each of them disclaims that it is, the beneficial

          owner, as defined in Rule 13d‑3, of any of the securities reported in this Schedule 13G.

 

          FRI, the Principal Shareholders, and each of the Investment Management Subsidiaries

          believe that they are not a “group” within the meaning of Rule 13d‑5 under the Act and

          that they are not otherwise required to attribute to each other the beneficial ownership

          of the securities held by any of them or by any persons or entities for whom or for which

          the Investment Management Subsidiaries provide investment management services.

 

                    (a)     Amount beneficially owned:

 

                                    42,967,585  

 

                    (b)     Percent of class:

 

                                    31.3% 

 

                    (c)     Number of shares as to which the person has:

 

                                (i)  Sole power to vote or to direct the vote

 

                                          Franklin Resources, Inc.:                                             0

 

                                          Charles B. Johnson:                                                   0

 

                                          Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.:                                               0

 

                                          Franklin Advisers, Inc.:                                     42,712,285

 

 

                              (ii)  Shared power to vote or to direct the vote

 

                                            0  

 

 

                            (iii)  Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of

 

                                          Franklin Resources, Inc.:                                             0

 

                                          Charles B. Johnson:                                                   0

 

                                          Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.:                                               0

 

                                          Franklin Advisers, Inc.:                                     42,967,585

 

                               (iv)  Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of

 

                                            0  

 

 


 
 

 

 

 

          CUSIP NO. 92922P106                       13G                             Page 9 of 14

 

 

          Item 5.  Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class

 

                           If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the date hereof

                           the reporting person has ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than five

                           percent of the class of securities,

                           check the following [ ].  Not Applicable

 

          Item 6.  Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person

 

                           The clients of the Investment Management Subsidiaries, including investment

                           companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and other managed

                           accounts, have the right to receive or power to direct the receipt of dividends

                           from, and the proceeds from the sale of, the securities reported herein. 

 

                            Franklin Income Fund, a series of Franklin Custodian Funds, an investment

                            company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, has an interest in

                            28,041,726 shares, or 20.5%, of the class of securities reported herein.

 

          Item 7. Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security

                           Being Reported on By the Parent Holding Company

 

                           See Attached Exhibit C

 

          Item 8. Identification and Classification of Members of the Group

 

                           Not Applicable

 

          Item 9. Notice of Dissolution of Group

 

                           Not Applicable

 


 
 

 

 

 

          CUSIP NO. 92922P106                       13G                             Page 10 of 14

 

          Item 10.  Certification

 

          By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities

          referred to above were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and were

          not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or

          influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not

          held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or

          effect. 

 

          This report shall not be construed as an admission by the persons filing the report that

          they are the beneficial owner of any securities covered by this report.

 

          Exhibits. 

                            Exhibit A Joint Filing Agreement

                            Exhibit B Limited Powers of Attorney for Section 13 Reporting Obligations

                            Exhibit C Item 7 Identification and Classification of Subsidiaries

 

                                                                                    SIGNATURE 

 

          After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the

          information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

 

          Dated:  October 10, 2016

 

          Franklin Resources, Inc.

 

          Charles B. Johnson

 

          Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.

 

          Franklin Advisers, Inc.

 

           

 

          By:     /s/MARIA GRAY

                         ‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑ 

                         Maria Gray

                         Vice President and Secretary of Franklin Resources, Inc.

 

                         Attorney‑in‑Fact for Charles B. Johnson pursuant to Power of Attorney attached to

                         this Schedule 13G

 

                         Attorney‑in‑Fact for Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. pursuant to Power of Attorney

                         attached to this Schedule 13G

 

            Secretary of Franklin Advisers, Inc.

 

 

    Franklin Custodian Funds on behalf of

                      Franklin Income Fund

 

          By:     /s/KIMBERLY H. NOVOTNY

                         ‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑ 

                         Kimberly H. Novotny

                         Vice President and Assistant Secretary of Franklin Custodian Funds

 

 

 

 


 
 

 

 

 

          CUSIP NO. 92922P106                       13G                             Page 11 of 14

 

 

          EXHIBIT A

 

          JOINT FILING AGREEMENT

 

          In accordance with Rule 13d‑1(k) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,

          the undersigned hereby agree to the joint filing with each other of the attached

          statement on Schedule 13G and to all amendments to such statement and that such statement

          and all amendments to such statement are made on behalf of each of them.

 

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this agreement on October 10, 2016.

 

          Franklin Resources, Inc.

 

          Charles B. Johnson

 

          Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.

 

          Franklin Advisers, Inc.

 

           

 

          By:     /s/MARIA GRAY

                         ‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑ 

                         Maria Gray

                         Vice President and Secretary of Franklin Resources, Inc.

 

                         Attorney‑in‑Fact for Charles B. Johnson pursuant to Power of Attorney attached to

                         this Schedule 13G

 

                         Attorney‑in‑Fact for Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. pursuant to Power of Attorney

                         attached to this Schedule 13G

 

            Secretary of Franklin Advisers, Inc.

 

 

    Franklin Custodian Funds on behalf of

                      Franklin Income Fund

 

          By:     /s/KIMBERLY H. NOVOTNY

                         ‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑ 

                         Kimberly H. Novotny

                         Vice President and Assistant Secretary of Franklin Custodian Funds

 

 


 
 

 

 

 

          CUSIP NO. 92922P106                       13G                             Page 12 of 14

 

          EXHIBIT B

 

                                                                       LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY

                                                                                             FOR 

                                                                SECTION 13 REPORTING OBLIGATIONS

 

 

                   Know all by these presents, that the undersigned hereby makes, constitutes and

          appoints each of Robert Rosselot and Maria Gray, each acting individually, as the

          undersigned’s true and lawful attorney‑in‑fact, with full power and authority as

          hereinafter described on behalf of and in the name, place and stead of the undersigned

          to: 

 

          (1)     prepare, execute, acknowledge, deliver and file Schedules 13D and 13G (including

          any amendments thereto or any related documentation) with the United States Securities

          and Exchange Commission, any national securities exchanges and Franklin Resources, Inc.,

          a Delaware corporation (the “Reporting Entity”), as considered necessary or advisable

          under Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations

          promulgated thereunder, as amended from time to time (the “Exchange Act”); and

 

          (2)     perform any and all other acts which in the discretion of such attorney‑in‑fact

          are necessary or desirable for and on behalf of the undersigned in connection with the

          foregoing. 

 

                   The undersigned acknowledges that:

 

          (1)   this Limited Power of Attorney authorizes, but does not require, each such

          attorney‑in‑fact to act in their discretion on information provided to such

          attorney‑in‑fact without independent verification of such information;

 

          (2)   any documents prepared and/or executed by either such attorney‑in‑fact on behalf of

          the undersigned pursuant to this Limited Power of Attorney will be in such form and will

          contain such information and disclosure as such attorney‑in‑fact, in his or her

          discretion, deems necessary or desirable;

 

          (3)   neither the Reporting Entity nor either of such attorneys‑in‑fact assumes (i) any

          liability for the undersigned’s responsibility to comply with the requirements of the

          Exchange Act or (ii) any liability of the undersigned for any failure to comply with such

          requirements; and

 

          (4)   this Limited Power of Attorney does not relieve the undersigned from responsibility

          for compliance with the undersigned’s obligations under the Exchange Act, including

          without limitation the reporting requirements under Section 13 of the Exchange Act.

 

           

 

           The undersigned hereby gives and grants each of the foregoing attorneys‑in‑fact full

           power and authority to do and perform all and every act and thing whatsoever requisite,

           necessary or appropriate to be done in and about the foregoing matters as fully to all

           intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do if present, hereby ratifying

           all that each such attorney‑in‑fact of, for and on behalf of the undersigned, shall

           lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue of this Limited Power of Attorney.

 

                 This Limited Power of Attorney shall remain in full force and effect until revoked by

           the undersigned in a signed writing delivered to each such attorney‑in‑fact.

 

           IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Limited Power of Attorney to be

           executed as of this     30th            day of      April       , 2007

 

                                                                                                                             /s/Charles B. Johnson

                                                                                                                             Signature 

 

                                                                                                                             Charles B. Johnson

                                                                                                                             Print Name

 


 
 

 

 

 

          CUSIP NO. 92922P106                       13G                             Page 13 of 14

 

 

                                                                       LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY

                                                                                             FOR 

                                                                SECTION 13 REPORTING OBLIGATIONS

 

                   Know all by these presents, that the undersigned hereby makes, constitutes and

          appoints each of Robert Rosselot and Maria Gray, each acting individually, as the

          undersigned’s true and lawful attorney‑in‑fact, with full power and authority as

          hereinafter described on behalf of and in the name, place and stead of the undersigned

          to: 

 

          (1)     prepare, execute, acknowledge, deliver and file Schedules 13D and 13G (including

          any amendments thereto or any related documentation) with the United States Securities

          and Exchange Commission, any national securities exchanges and Franklin Resources, Inc.,

          a Delaware corporation (the “Reporting Entity”), as considered necessary or advisable

          under Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations

          promulgated thereunder, as amended from time to time (the “Exchange Act”); and

 

          (2)     perform any and all other acts which in the discretion of such attorney‑in‑fact

          are necessary or desirable for and on behalf of the undersigned in connection with the

          foregoing. 

 

                   The undersigned acknowledges that:

 

          (1)   this Limited Power of Attorney authorizes, but does not require, each such

          attorney‑in‑fact to act in their discretion on information provided to such

          attorney‑in‑fact without independent verification of such information;

 

          (2)   any documents prepared and/or executed by either such attorney‑in‑fact on behalf of

          the undersigned pursuant to this Limited Power of Attorney will be in such form and will

          contain such information and disclosure as such attorney‑in‑fact, in his or her

          discretion, deems necessary or desirable;

 

          (3)   neither the Reporting Entity nor either of such attorneys‑in‑fact assumes (i) any

          liability for the undersigned’s responsibility to comply with the requirements of the

          Exchange Act or (ii) any liability of the undersigned for any failure to comply with such

          requirements; and

 

          (4)   this Limited Power of Attorney does not relieve the undersigned from responsibility

          for compliance with the undersigned’s obligations under the Exchange Act, including

          without limitation the reporting requirements under Section 13 of the Exchange Act.

 

           

 

          The undersigned hereby gives and grants each of the foregoing attorneys‑in‑fact full

          power and authority to do and perform all and every act and thing whatsoever requisite,

          necessary or appropriate to be done in and about the foregoing matters as fully to all

          intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do if present, hereby ratifying

          all that each such attorney‑in‑fact of, for and on behalf of the undersigned, shall

          lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue of this Limited Power of Attorney.

 

                This Limited Power of Attorney shall remain in full force and effect until revoked by

          the undersigned in a signed writing delivered to each such attorney‑in‑fact.

 

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Limited Power of Attorney to be

          executed as of this      25th          day of       April      , 2007 

 

 

                                                                                                                     /s/ Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.

                                                                                                                     Signature 

 

                                                                                                                     Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.

                                                                                                                     Print Name

 


 
 

 

 

 

          CUSIP NO. 92922P106                       13G                             Page 14 of 14

 

          EXHIBIT C

 

          Franklin Advisers, Inc.                               Item 3 Classification: 3(e)