-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, Bnpcfn5i+s5pKjp482PtQCtFY8MO2G38JefiwXlghYnOm71fTW8IKPfw/znKMhLe QZeVMFU+zyUItpI8O/xcXQ== 0000950129-02-003666.txt : 20020723 0000950129-02-003666.hdr.sgml : 20020723 20020723162140 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950129-02-003666 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 425 PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 FILED AS OF DATE: 20020723 SUBJECT COMPANY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: VERITAS DGC INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000028866 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: OIL AND GAS FIELD EXPLORATION SERVICES [1382] IRS NUMBER: 760343152 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0731 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 425 SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-07427 FILM NUMBER: 02708926 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 10300 TOWN PARK DR CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77072 BUSINESS PHONE: 7135128300 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 10300 TOWN PARK DR CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77072 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: DIGICON INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19920703 FILED BY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: VERITAS DGC INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000028866 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: OIL AND GAS FIELD EXPLORATION SERVICES [1382] IRS NUMBER: 760343152 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0731 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 425 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 10300 TOWN PARK DR CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77072 BUSINESS PHONE: 7135128300 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 10300 TOWN PARK DR CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77072 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: DIGICON INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19920703 425 1 h98466e425.txt VERITAS DGC,INC. - FILE NO. 001-07427 FILED BY VERITAS DGC INC. PURSUANT TO RULE 425 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AND DEEMED FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 14a-12 AND RULE 14d-2(b) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 SUBJECT COMPANY: VERITAS DGC INC. COMMISSION FILE NO.: 001-07427 SUBJECT COMPANY: PETROLEUM GEO-SERVICES ASA COMMISSION FILE NO.: 001-14614 SUBJECT COMPANY: VENUS I COMMISSION FILE NO.: 001-07427 CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION Certain statements herein contained are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained herein include statements about future financial and operating results of the combined company, including the accretiveness and estimated cost savings of the transaction, the financial position of the combined company after completion of the transaction, and the timing and other benefits of the transaction. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, involve certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict, and are based upon assumptions as to future events that may not prove accurate. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed herein. In any forward-looking statement in which PGS or Veritas expresses an expectation or belief as to future results, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and is believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the statement or expectation or belief will result or be achieved or accomplished. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements: the risk that PGS and Veritas' businesses will not be integrated successfully; costs related to the proposed transaction; failure of Veritas stockholders to approve the proposed transaction; failure of a sufficient number of PGS shareholders to exchange their shares for the new holding company's shares; failure of other closing conditions to be satisfied and other economic, business, competitive and/or regulatory factors affecting PGS and Veritas' businesses generally, including prices of oil and natural gas and expectations about future prices, as set forth in PGS and Veritas' filings with the SEC, including their most recent Annual Reports on Form 20-F (PGS) or Form 10-K (Veritas), especially in the Management's Discussion and Analysis section, PGS' most recent Reports on Form 6-K and Veritas' most recent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. PGS and Veritas are under no obligation to (and expressly disclaim any such obligation to) update or alter their forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION In connection with the proposed merger of Veritas and a subsidiary of the new Cayman Islands holding company ("Caymanco"), Veritas and Caymanco will file a proxy statement/prospectus with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), and with respect to the proposed exchange offer for PGS shares, Veritas and Caymanco will file a Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO, which will include a related prospectus, and PGS will file a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THESE DOCUMENTS, WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of these documents (when they are available) and other documents filed by PGS, Veritas and Caymanco with the SEC at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. The proxy statement/prospectus, the tender offer statement and solicitation/ recommendation statement (when they are available) and these other documents may also be obtained for free from PGS or Veritas by calling PGS at (281) 589-7935, or by calling Veritas at (832) 351-8300. The following document is filed herewith pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act of 1933: o Joint press release issued by Veritas and PGS on July 22, 2002. * * * * THE FOLLOWING PRESS RELEASE WAS ISSUED JOINTLY BY VERITAS AND PGS ON JULY 22, 2002 TO ANNOUNCE THE EXECUTION OF A SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE MERGER AGREEMENT. * * * * [PGS LOGO] [VERITAS LOGO] VERITAS DGC AND PETROLEUM GEO-SERVICES SIGN SECOND AMENDMENT TO MERGER AGREEMENT HOUSTON, TX AND OSLO, NORWAY - JULY 22, 2002 - Veritas DGC Inc. ("Veritas") (NYSE & TSE: VTS) and Petroleum Geo-Services ASA ("PGS") (NYSE: PGO, OSE: PGS) today announced that the two companies have signed an amendment to their pending merger agreement to combine the two companies. Veritas and PGS said that as a result of receiving notification from the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") that the Form S-4 registration statement and proxy statement for the transaction would not be reviewed, the parties agreed to postpone a five business day period during which either side could terminate the transaction from a period tied to finalizing the SEC review and comment process to the five business days ending August 15, 2002. The amendment announced today relates to the parties' right to terminate the transaction upon a payment of $7.5 million, if one of the following events has not occurred: a) sale of the Atlantis subsidiary for at least $195 million; or b) receipt of a commitment for the placement or sale of equity or equity-linked securities that will yield proceeds to the new company of at least $200 million; or c) sale by PGS of other assets for at least $200 million, or d) a combination of equity commitments or asset sales of at least $200 million. Consequently, if neither party elects to exercise its termination right, the transaction will proceed even though none of the above events has occurred. In that case, the mailing of the relevant disclosure materials to the shareholders of Veritas and PGS would be made shortly after August 15, 2002. The transaction remains conditioned upon, among other things, the approval of a majority of Veritas shareholders, listing of the new holding company's shares on the NYSE and customary regulatory approvals, most of which have already been obtained. The transaction also requires 90 percent of PGS shareholders to exchange their shares for the new holding company's shares. Commenting on the amendment, CEOs Dave Robson of Veritas and Reidar Michaelson of PGS, "While we are pleased with the SEC's early response, the companies have not yet had adequate time to explore the availability to the combined company of additional financial resources. To this end, we are currently evaluating several financing alternatives. While we have made great progress thus far, we have not finalized our plans. Therefore, both managements felt it prudent to extend the decision period until August. We remain convinced that the industrial logic behind this combination is extremely positive to both our companies." Veritas DGC Inc. offers the oil and gas industry a comprehensive suite of integrated geophysical services designed to manage exploration risk and enhance drilling and production success worldwide. These services include seismic data acquisition in all environments, data processing, data visualization, data interpretation, reservoir characterization, and extensive non-exclusive seismic data library surveys worldwide. With over 36 years of operating experience, Veritas is one of the world's leading providers of advanced geophysical technologies. Petroleum Geo-Services is a technologically focused oilfield service company principally involved in two businesses: Geophysical Operations and Production Operations. PGS acquires, processes and markets 3D, time-lapse and multi-component seismic data. This data is used by oil and gas companies in the exploration for new reserves, the development of existing reservoirs, and the management of producing oil and gas fields. PGS' advanced geophysical technologies allow oil and gas companies to better characterize and monitor their reservoirs in order to enhance production and ultimate recovery of hydrocarbons. In its Production Operations business, PGS owns four floating production, storage and offloading systems ("FPSOs") and operates numerous offshore production facilities for oil and gas companies. FPSOs permit oil and gas companies to produce from offshore fields more quickly and cost effectively. PGS operates on a worldwide basis with headquarters in Oslo, Norway and Houston, Texas. In connection with the proposed combination transaction, Veritas and a newly formed holding company will file a proxy statement/prospectus with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), and with respect to the proposed exchange offer for PGS shares, Veritas and the new holding company will file a Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO, which will include a related prospectus, and PGS will file a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THESE DOCUMENTS, WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of these documents (when they are available) and other documents filed by Veritas, PGS and the holding company with the SEC at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. The proxy statement/prospectus, the tender offer statement and solicitation/recommendation statement (when they are available) and these other documents may also be obtained for free from Veritas or PGS by calling Veritas at (832) 351-8821 or PGS at (281) 589-7935. This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, involve certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict, and are based upon assumptions as to future events that may not prove accurate. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed herein. Factors discussed in PGS' and Veritas's periodic filings with the SEC, including their Annual Reports on Form 20-F (PGS) or Form 10-K (Veritas), PGS' most recent Reports on Form 6-K and Veritas' most recent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. PGS and Veritas are under no obligation to (and expressly disclaim any such obligation to) update or alter their forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. # # # PGS CONTACTS: J. Chris Boswell, SVP & CFO Sam R. Morrow, SVP Finance & Treasurer Phone: 281-589-7935 Dag W. Reynolds, Director European IR Phone: +47 67 52 66 00 VERITAS CONTACTS: Matthew Fitzgerald, SVP, CFO and Treasurer Rene VandenBrand, VP Business Development Mindy Ingle, Investor Relations Phone: 832-351-8821 -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----