S-3 1 h66610sv3.htm FORM S-3 - REGISTRATION STATEMENT sv3
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 5, 2009
Registration No. 333-      
 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
Form S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
 
STONE ENERGY CORPORATION
STONE ENERGY OFFSHORE, L.L.C.
(Exact name of registrants as specified in their charters)
 
     
Delaware
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
  72-1235413
72-1235413
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Numbers)
 
625 E. Kaliste Saloom Road
Lafayette, Louisiana 70508
(337) 237-0410
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrants’ principal executive offices)
 
Andrew L. Gates, III
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
625 E. Kaliste Saloom Road
Lafayette, Louisiana 70508
(337) 237-0410
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
 
Copies to:
 
Alan P. Baden
Shelley A. Barber
Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
666 Fifth Avenue, 26th Floor
New York, New York 10103
(917) 206-8000
(917) 206-8100 (Fax)
 
APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:  From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.
If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.  o
If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.  þ
If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  o
If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  o
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
             
Large accelerated filer þ
  Accelerated filer o   Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
  Smaller reporting company o
 
 
 
 
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
 
                     
      Proposed Maximum
    Amount of
Title of Each Class of
    Aggregate
    Registration
Securities to be Registered(1)     Offering Price(4)     Fee(5)
Debt Securities
                   
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share
                                     
Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share
                   
Warrants
                   
Guarantees of Debt Securities(2)
                   
Rights
                   
Units
                   
Depositary Shares(3)
                   
Total
    $ 500,000,000         $27,900  
                     
 
(1) Any securities registered hereunder may be sold separately or as units with other securities registered hereunder. The securities which may be offered pursuant to this Registration Statement include, pursuant to Rule 416 of the Securities Act such additional number of shares of the registrant’s common stock that may become issuable as a result of any stock split, stock dividends or similar event. In the event the registrant elects to offer to the public fractional interests in its shares of preferred stock registered hereunder, depositary shares, evidenced by depository receipts issued pursuant to a deposit agreement, will be distributed to those persons purchasing fractional interests and the shares of preferred stock will be issued to the depository under any such agreement.
(2) Pursuant to Rule 457(n) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), no separate fee will be payable with respect to the guarantees of the securities.
(3) The depositary shares registered hereunder will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to a deposit agreement. If the registrants elect to offer to the public fractional interests in shares of preferred stock, then the registrants will distribute depositary receipts to those persons purchasing the fractional interests and will issue the shares of preferred stock to the depositary under the deposit agreement.
(4) An indeterminate aggregate offering price and number or amount of the securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be sold at indeterminate prices, with a maximum aggregate offering price not to exceed $500,000,000. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable upon conversion of, or in exchange for, or upon exercise of, convertible or exchangeable securities.
(5) Pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act, the registration fee has been calculated on the basis of the maximum aggregate offering price.
Each Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities act of 1933, as amended, or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
 


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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
 
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MAY 5, 2009
 
PROSPECTUS
 
(STONE ENERGY CORPORATION LOGO)
STONE ENERGY CORPORATION
Stone Energy Offshore, L.L.C., as Guarantor
 
$500,000,000
Debt Securities
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Warrants
Guarantees of Debt Securities
Rights
Units
Depositary Shares
 
Stone Energy Corporation (“Stone,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) may offer and sell from time to time up to $500,000,000 of our debt securities; common stock, $0.01 par value; preferred stock, $0.01 par value; warrants to purchase any of the other securities that may be sold under this prospectus; unsecured guarantees of debt securities; rights to purchase common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities; depositary shares and units consisting of one or more of these classes of securities, in one or more transactions. One or more of our subsidiaries, including Stone Energy Offshore, L.L.C. (“Stone Offshore”), a Delaware limited liability company, may fully and unconditionally guarantee the debt securities we issue.
 
This prospectus describes the general terms of the offered securities and the general manner in which we will offer the securities. We will provide specific terms of any offering in supplements to this prospectus. The securities may be offered separately or together in any combination and as separate series. You should read this prospectus and any supplement carefully before you make your investment decision.
 
We may sell securities in and outside the United States through underwriters or dealers, directly to purchasers, including our affiliates and stockholders, in a rights offering, through agents or through a combination of any of these methods. If we use agents, underwriters or dealers to sell the securities, we will name them and describe their compensation in a prospectus supplement. The net proceeds we expect to receive from these sales will be described in the prospectus supplement.
 
Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the trading symbol “SGY.”
 
The securities offered in this prospectus involve a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the matters set forth in “Risk Factors” on page 5 of this prospectus, in any prospectus supplement or incorporated by reference herein or therein in determining whether to purchase our securities.
 
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
 
The date of this prospectus is          , 2009


 

 
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You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents we have incorporated by reference. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, as well as the information we previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission that is incorporated by reference herein, is accurate as of any date other than its respective date.


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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
 
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (or SEC) using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to a maximum aggregate offering price of $500,000,000. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that we may offer. Each time we sell securities we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. A prospectus supplement may also add to, update or change information in this prospectus. Any statement that we make in this prospectus will be modified or superseded by any inconsistent statement made by us in a prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information incorporated by reference in this prospectus before making an investment in our securities. See “Where You Can Find More Information” for more information. We may use this prospectus to sell securities only if it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
 
You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement or any document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of such document.
 
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
 
We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov and at our website at http://www.stoneenergy.com. You may also read and copy any document we file at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room and its copy charges.
 
We are incorporating by reference the information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (excluding any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 on any Current Report on Form 8-K).
 
  •  Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008;
 
  •  Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on February 9, 2009, March 9, 2009, March 27, 2009, April 8, 2009 and April 30, 2009; and
 
  •  Description of Stone’s capital stock contained in Stone’s registration statement on Form 8-A filed on June 11, 1993 and Stone’s registration statement on Form S-3 filed on April 17, 2002, as amended by Stone’s registration statement on Form S-3 filed on November 27, 2002.
 
Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for all purposes to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or in any other subsequently filed document which is also incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference, modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus or any prospectus supplement.


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You may request a copy of any of the documents summarized in this prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address and phone number:
 
Mr. Andrew L. Gates, III
Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel
Stone Energy Corporation
625 E. Kaliste Saloom Road
Lafayette, Louisiana 70508
(337) 237-0410
 
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
The information in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical or present facts, that address activities, events, outcomes and other matters that we plan, expect, intend, assume, believe, budget, predict, forecast, project, estimate or anticipate (and other similar expressions) will, should or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current belief, based on currently available information, as to the outcome and timing of future events. When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated herein by reference.
 
Forward-looking statements appear in a number of places and include statements with respect to, among other things:
 
  •  any expected results or benefits associated with our acquisitions;
 
  •  estimates of our future oil and natural gas production, including estimates of any increases in oil and gas production;
 
  •  planned capital expenditures and the availability of capital resources to fund capital expenditures;
 
  •  our outlook on oil and gas prices;
 
  •  estimates of our oil and gas reserves;
 
  •  any estimates of future earnings growth;
 
  •  the impact of political and regulatory developments;
 
  •  our outlook on the resolution of pending litigation and government inquiry;
 
  •  estimates of the impact of new accounting pronouncements on earnings in future periods;
 
  •  our future financial condition or results of operations and our future revenue and expenses;
 
  •  our access to capital and our anticipated liquidity;
 
  •  estimates of future income taxes; and
 
  •  our business strategy and other plans and objectives for future operations.
 
We caution you that these forward-looking statements are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, incident to the exploration for and development, production and marketing of oil and natural gas. These risks include, but are not limited to:
 
  •  commodity price volatility;
 
  •  domestic and worldwide economic conditions;


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  •  the availability of capital on economic terms to fund our capital expenditures and acquisitions;
 
  •  our level of indebtedness;
 
  •  declines in the value of our oil and gas properties resulting in a decrease in our borrowing base under our credit facility and ceiling test write-downs and impairments;
 
  •  our ability to replace and sustain production;
 
  •  the impact of the current financial crisis on our business operations, financial condition and ability to raise capital;
 
  •  the ability of financial counterparties to perform or fulfill their obligations under existing agreements;
 
  •  third party interruption of sales to market;
 
  •  inflation;
 
  •  lack of availability of goods and services;
 
  •  regulatory and environmental risks associated with drilling and production activities;
 
  •  drilling and other operating risks;
 
  •  unsuccessful exploration and development drilling activities;
 
  •  hurricanes and other weather conditions;
 
  •  the adverse effects of changes in applicable tax, environmental and other regulatory legislation;
 
  •  the uncertainty inherent in estimating proved oil and natural gas reserves and in projecting future rates of production and timing of development expenditures; and
 
  •  the other risks described in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents we incorporate by reference.
 
Reserve engineering is a subjective process of estimating underground accumulations of oil and natural gas that cannot be measured in an exact way. The accuracy of any reserve estimate depends on the quality of available data and the interpretation of that data by geological engineers. In addition, the results of drilling, testing and production activities may justify revisions of estimates that were made previously. If significant, these revisions would change the schedule of any further production and development drilling. Accordingly, reserve estimates are generally different from the quantities of oil and natural gas that are ultimately recovered.
 
Should one or more of the risks or uncertainties described above or elsewhere in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or in the documents incorporated by reference occur, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results and plans could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. We specifically disclaim all responsibility to publicly update any information contained in a forward-looking statement or any forward-looking statement in its entirety and therefore disclaim any resulting liability for potentially related damages.
 
All forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.


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THE COMPANY
 
We are an independent oil and natural gas company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, exploitation, development and operation of oil and gas properties located primarily in the Gulf of Mexico (“GOM”). We are also active in the Appalachia region. Prior to June 29, 2007, we also had operations in the Rocky Mountain Basins and the Williston Basin. Prior to November 30, 2008, we participated in an exploratory joint venture in Bohai Bay, China. As of December 31, 2008, our proved oil and natural gas reserves were approximately 518.9 billion cubic feet equivalent (“Bcfe”).
 
We were incorporated in 1993 as a Delaware corporation. Our corporate headquarters are located at 625 E. Kaliste Saloom Road, Lafayette, Louisiana 70508, and our telephone number is (337) 237-0410.
 
Since our initial public offering in 1993, we have been engaged in the acquisition, exploitation, development and operation of mature oil and gas properties in the Gulf Coast Basin, which includes onshore Louisiana and offshore GOM. On August 28, 2008, we completed the acquisition of Bois d’Arc Energy, Inc. (“Bois d’Arc”) in a cash and stock transaction totaling approximately $1.7 billion. Bois d’Arc was an independent exploration company engaged in the discovery and production of oil and natural gas in the GOM. We are also active in the Appalachia region and anticipate pursuing opportunities in the deep water Gulf of Mexico.
 
THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS
 
Certain of our subsidiaries, which we refer to as the “Subsidiary Guarantors” in this prospectus, may fully and unconditionally guarantee our payment obligations under any series of debt securities offered by this prospectus. As of the date of this prospectus, our only subsidiary is Stone Energy Offshore, L.L.C. Financial information concerning our Subsidiary Guarantors and any non-guarantor subsidiaries will be included in our consolidated financial statements filed as part of our periodic reports filed pursuant to the Exchange Act to the extent required by the rules and regulations of the SEC.
 
Additional information concerning our subsidiaries and us is included in reports and other documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”


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RISK FACTORS
 
An investment in the securities involves a significant degree of risk. Before you invest in our securities you should carefully consider those risk factors included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K , any Quarterly Reports on From 10-Q and any Current Reports on Form 8-K, which are incorporated herein by reference, and those risk factors that may be included in any applicable prospectus supplement, together with all of the other information included in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents we incorporate by reference, in evaluating an investment in our securities. If any of the risks discussed in the foregoing documents were to occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially adversely affected. Also, please read “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
 
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 
The following table sets forth our ratio of consolidated earnings to fixed charges for the periods presented:
 
                                         
    Stone Energy Corporation
    Year Ended December 31,
    2004   2005   2006   2007   2008
 
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
    8.4x       6.2x        (a)     6.3x        (b)
 
 
(a) Due to losses incurred in this year, earnings were $392.5 million short of covering fixed charges.
 
(b) Due to losses incurred in this year, earnings were $1,501.2 million short of covering fixed charges.
 
For purposes of calculating the ratio of consolidated earnings to fixed charges:
 
  •  “earnings” is the aggregate of the following items: pre-tax income or loss from continuing operations before income or loss from equity investees; plus fixed charges; plus amortization of capitalized interest; plus distributed income of equity investees; less our share of pre-tax losses of equity investees for which charges arising from guarantees are included in fixed charges; less capitalized interest; less preference security dividend requirements of consolidated subsidiaries; and less the minority interest in pre-tax income of subsidiaries that have not incurred fixed charges; and
 
  •  “fixed charges” means the sum of the following: interest expensed and capitalized; amortized premiums, discounts and capitalized expenses related to indebtedness; an estimate of the interest within rental expense; and preference security dividend requirements of consolidated subsidiaries.
 
  •  “preference security dividend” means the amount of pre-tax earnings that is required to pay the dividends on outstanding preference securities.
 
We did not have any preferred stock outstanding and there were no preferred stock dividends paid or accrued during the periods presented above.
 
USE OF PROCEEDS
 
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered by this prospectus and any prospectus supplement for our general corporate purposes, which may include repayment of indebtedness, the financing of capital expenditures, future acquisitions and additions to our working capital.
 
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
 
The Debt Securities will be either our senior debt securities (“Senior Debt Securities”) or our subordinated debt securities (“Subordinated Debt Securities”). The Senior Debt Securities and the Subordinated Debt Securities will be issued under separate indentures among us, the Subsidiary Guarantors of such Debt Securities, if any, and a trustee to be determined (the “Trustee”). Senior Debt Securities will be issued under a “Senior Indenture” and Subordinated Debt Securities will be issued under a “Subordinated Indenture.” Together, the Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture are called “Indentures.”


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The Debt Securities may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The particular terms of each series that are offered by a prospectus supplement will be described in the prospectus supplement.
 
Unless the Debt Securities are guaranteed by our subsidiaries as described below, the rights of Stone and our creditors, including holders of the Debt Securities, to participate in the assets of any subsidiary upon the latter’s liquidation or reorganization, will be subject to the prior claims of the subsidiary’s creditors, except to the extent that we may ourself be a creditor with recognized claims against such subsidiary.
 
We have summarized selected provisions of the Indentures below. The summary is not complete. The form of each Indenture has been filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you should read the Indentures for provisions that may be important to you. Capitalized terms used in the summary have the meanings specified in the Indentures.
 
General
 
The Indentures provide that Debt Securities in separate series may be issued thereunder from time to time without limitation as to aggregate principal amount. We may specify a maximum aggregate principal amount for the Debt Securities of any series. We will determine the terms and conditions of the Debt Securities, including the maturity, principal and interest, but those terms must be consistent with the Indenture. The Debt Securities will be our unsecured obligations.
 
The Subordinated Debt Securities will be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all of our Senior Debt (as defined) as described under “— Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities” and in the prospectus supplement applicable to any Subordinated Debt Securities. If the prospectus supplement so indicates, the Debt Securities will be convertible into our common stock.
 
If specified in the prospectus supplement respecting a particular series of Debt Securities, one or more subsidiary guarantors, including Stone Energy Offshore, L.L.C. (each a “Subsidiary Guarantor”), will fully and unconditionally guarantee (the “Subsidiary Guarantee”) that series as described under “— Subsidiary Guarantee” and in the prospectus supplement. Each Subsidiary Guarantee will be an unsecured obligation of the Subsidiary Guarantor. A Subsidiary Guarantee of Subordinated Debt Securities will be subordinated to the Senior Debt of the Subsidiary Guarantor on the same basis as the Subordinated Debt Securities are subordinated to our Senior Debt.
 
The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the price or prices at which the Debt Securities to be issued will be offered for sale and will describe the following terms of such Debt Securities:
 
(1) the title of the Debt Securities;
 
(2) whether the Debt Securities are Senior Debt Securities or Subordinated Debt Securities and, if Subordinated Debt Securities, the related subordination terms;
 
(3) whether any Subsidiary Guarantor will provide a Subsidiary Guarantee of the Debt Securities;
 
(4) any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities;
 
(5) each date on which the principal of the Debt Securities will be payable;
 
(6) the interest rate that the Debt Securities will bear and the interest payment dates for the Debt Securities;
 
(7) each place where payments on the Debt Securities will be payable;
 
(8) any terms upon which the Debt Securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at our option;
 
(9) any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate us to redeem or otherwise repurchase the Debt Securities;
 
(10) the portion of the principal amount, if less than all, of the Debt Securities that will be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity of the Debt Securities;


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(11) whether the Debt Securities are defeasible;
 
(12) any addition to or change in the Events of Default;
 
(13) whether the Debt Securities are convertible into our common stock and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which conversion will be effected, including the initial conversion price or conversion rate and any adjustments thereto and the conversion period;
 
(14) any addition to or change in the covenants in the Indenture applicable to the Debt Securities; and
 
(15) any other terms of the Debt Securities not inconsistent with the provisions of the Indenture.
 
Debt Securities, including any Debt Securities that provide for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof (“Original Issue Discount Securities”), may be sold at a substantial discount below their principal amount. Special United States federal income tax considerations applicable to Debt Securities sold at an original issue discount may be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. In addition, special United States federal income tax or other considerations applicable to any Debt Securities that are denominated in a currency or currency unit other than United States dollars may be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
 
Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities
 
The indebtedness evidenced by the Subordinated Debt Securities will, to the extent set forth in the Subordinated Indenture with respect to each series of Subordinated Debt Securities, be subordinate in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all of our Senior Debt, including the Senior Debt Securities, and it may also be senior in right of payment to all of our Subordinated Debt. The prospectus supplement relating to any Subordinated Debt Securities will summarize the subordination provisions of the Subordinated Indenture applicable to that series including:
 
  •  the applicability and effect of such provisions upon any payment or distribution respecting that series following any liquidation, dissolution or other winding-up, or any assignment for the benefit of creditors or other marshalling of assets or any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar proceedings;
 
  •  the applicability and effect of such provisions in the event of specified defaults with respect to any Senior Debt, including the circumstances under which and the periods during which we will be prohibited from making payments on the Subordinated Debt Securities; and
 
  •  the definition of Senior Debt applicable to the Subordinated Debt Securities of that series and, if the series is issued on a senior subordinated basis, the definition of Subordinated Debt applicable to that series.
 
The prospectus supplement will also describe as of a recent date the approximate amount of Senior Debt to which the Subordinated Debt Securities of that series will be subordinated.
 
The failure to make any payment on any of the Subordinated Debt Securities by reason of the subordination provisions of the Subordinated Indenture described in the prospectus supplement will not be construed as preventing the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities arising from any such failure to make payment.
 
The subordination provisions described above will not be applicable to payments in respect of the Subordinated Debt Securities from a defeasance trust established in connection with any legal defeasance or covenant defeasance of the Subordinated Debt Securities as described under “— Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance.”


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Subsidiary Guarantee
 
If specified in the prospectus supplement, one or more of the Subsidiary Guarantors will guarantee the Debt Securities of a series. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, the following provisions will apply to the Subsidiary Guarantee of the Subsidiary Guarantor.
 
Subject to the limitations described below and in the prospectus supplement, one or more of the Subsidiary Guarantors will jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally guarantee the punctual payment when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, of all our payment obligations under the Indentures and the Debt Securities of a series, whether for principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Debt Securities or otherwise (all such obligations guaranteed by a Subsidiary Guarantor being herein called the “Guaranteed Obligations”). The Subsidiary Guarantors will also pay all expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) incurred by the applicable Trustee in enforcing any rights under a Subsidiary Guarantee with respect to a Subsidiary Guarantor.
 
In the case of Subordinated Debt Securities, a Subsidiary Guarantor’s Subsidiary Guarantee will be subordinated in right of payment to the Senior Debt of such Subsidiary Guarantor on the same basis as the Subordinated Debt Securities are subordinated to our Senior Debt. No payment will be made by any Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee during any period in which payments by us on the Subordinated Debt Securities are suspended by the subordination provisions of the Subordinated Indenture.
 
Each Subsidiary Guarantee will be limited in amount to an amount not to exceed the maximum amount that can be guaranteed by the Subsidiary Guarantor without rendering such Subsidiary Guarantee voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally.
 
Each Subsidiary Guarantee will be a continuing guarantee and will:
 
(1) remain in full force and effect until either (a) payment in full of all the applicable Debt Securities (or such Debt Securities are otherwise satisfied and discharged in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Indenture) or (b) released as described in the following paragraph;
 
(2) be binding upon each Subsidiary Guarantor; and
 
(3) inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the applicable Trustee, the Holders and their successors, transferees and assigns.
 
In the event that (a) a Subsidiary Guarantor ceases to be a Subsidiary, (b) either legal defeasance or covenant defeasance occurs with respect to the series or (c) all or substantially all of the assets or all of the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary Guarantor is sold, including by way of sale, merger, consolidation or otherwise, such Subsidiary Guarantor will be released and discharged of its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee without any further action required on the part of the Trustee or any Holder, and no other person acquiring or owning the assets or Capital Stock of such Subsidiary Guarantor will be required to enter into a Subsidiary Guarantee. In addition, the prospectus supplement may specify additional circumstances under which a Subsidiary Guarantor can be released from its Subsidiary Guarantee.
 
Form, Exchange and Transfer
 
The Debt Securities of each series will be issuable only in fully registered form, without coupons, and, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, only in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof.
 
At the option of the Holder, subject to the terms of the applicable Indenture and the limitations applicable to Global Securities, Debt Securities of each series will be exchangeable for other Debt Securities of the same series of any authorized denomination and of a like tenor and aggregate principal amount.
 
Subject to the terms of the applicable Indenture and the limitations applicable to Global Securities, Debt Securities may be presented for exchange as provided above or for registration of transfer (duly endorsed or with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed) at the office of the Security Registrar or at the


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office of any transfer agent designated by us for such purpose. No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Debt Securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in that connection. Such transfer or exchange will be effected upon the Security Registrar or such transfer agent, as the case may be, being satisfied with the documents of title and identity of the person making the request. The Security Registrar and any other transfer agent initially designated by us for any Debt Securities will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each Place of Payment for the Debt Securities of each series.
 
If the Debt Securities of any series (or of any series and specified tenor) are to be redeemed in part, we will not be required to (1) issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Debt Security of that series (or of that series and specified tenor, as the case may be) during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of any such Debt Security that may be selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing or (2) register the transfer of or exchange any Debt Security so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any such Debt Security being redeemed in part.
 
Global Securities
 
Some or all of the Debt Securities of any series may be represented, in whole or in part, by one or more Global Securities that will have an aggregate principal amount equal to that of the Debt Securities they represent. Each Global Security will be registered in the name of a Depositary or its nominee identified in the applicable prospectus supplement, will be deposited with such Depositary or nominee or its custodian and will bear a legend regarding the restrictions on exchanges and registration of transfer thereof referred to below and any such other matters as may be provided for pursuant to the applicable Indenture.
 
Notwithstanding any provision of the Indentures or any Debt Security described in this prospectus, no Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for Debt Securities registered, and no transfer of a Global Security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name of any Person other than the Depositary for such Global Security or any nominee of such Depositary unless:
 
(1) the Depositary has notified us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Security or has ceased to be qualified to act as such as required by the applicable Indenture, and in either case we fail to appoint a successor Depositary within 90 days;
 
(2) an Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities represented by such Global Security has occurred and is continuing and the Trustee has received a written request from the Depositary to issue certificated Debt Securities; or
 
(3) other circumstances exist, in addition to or in lieu of those described above, as may be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
 
All certificated Debt Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security or any portion thereof will be registered in such names as the Depositary may direct.
 
As long as the Depositary, or its nominee, is the registered holder of a Global Security, the Depositary or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner and Holder of such Global Security and the Debt Securities that it represents for all purposes under the Debt Securities and the applicable Indenture. Except in the limited circumstances referred to above, owners of beneficial interests in a Global Security will not be entitled to have such Global Security or any Debt Securities that it represents registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated Debt Securities in exchange for those interests and will not be considered to be the owners or Holders of such Global Security or any Debt Securities that is represents for any purpose under the Debt Securities or the applicable Indenture. All payments on a Global Security will be made to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the Holder of the security. The laws of some jurisdictions may require that some purchasers of Debt Securities


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take physical delivery of such Debt Securities in certificated form. These laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a Global Security.
 
Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Security will be limited to institutions that have accounts with the Depositary or its nominee (“participants”) and to persons that may hold beneficial interests through participants. In connection with the issuance of any Global Security, the Depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of Debt Securities represented by the Global Security to the accounts of its participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Security will be shown only on, and the transfer of those ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the Depositary (with respect to participants’ interests) or any such participant (with respect to interests of Persons held by such participants on their behalf). Payments, transfers, exchanges and other matters relating to beneficial interests in a Global Security may be subject to various policies and procedures adopted by the Depositary from time to time. None of us, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustees or the agents of us, the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Trustees will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the Depositary’s or any participant’s records relating to, or for payments made on account of, beneficial interests in a Global Security, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial interests.
 
Payment and Paying Agents
 
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, payment of interest on a Debt Security on any Interest Payment Date will be made to the Person in whose name such Debt Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest.
 
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, principal of and any premium and interest on the Debt Securities of a particular series will be payable at the office of such Paying Agent or Paying Agents as we may designate for such purpose from time to time, except that at our option payment of any interest on Debt Securities in certificated form may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address appears in the Security Register. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the corporate trust office of the Trustee under the Senior Indenture in The City of New York will be designated as sole Paying Agent for payments with respect to Senior Debt Securities of each series, and the corporate trust office of the Trustee under the Subordinated Indenture in The City of New York will be designated as the sole Paying Agent for payment with respect to Subordinated Debt Securities of each series. Any other Paying Agents initially designated by us for the Debt Securities of a particular series will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may at any time designate additional Paying Agents or rescind the designation of any Paying Agent or approve a change in the office through which any Paying Agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a Paying Agent in each Place of Payment for the Debt Securities of a particular series.
 
All money paid by us to a Paying Agent for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Debt Security which remains unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the Holder of such Debt Security thereafter may look only to us for payment.
 
Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets
 
Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, we may not consolidate with or merge into, or transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets to, any Person (a “successor Person”), and may not permit any Person to consolidate with or merge into us, unless:
 
(1) the successor Person (if not us) is a corporation, partnership, trust or other entity organized and validly existing under the laws of any domestic jurisdiction and assumes our obligations on the Debt Securities and under the Indentures;


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(2) immediately before and after giving pro forma effect to the transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, has occurred and is continuing; and
 
(3) several other conditions, including any additional conditions with respect to any particular Debt Securities specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, are met.
 
The successor Person (if not us) will be substituted for us under the applicable Indenture with the same effect as if it had been an original party to such Indenture, and, except in the case of a lease, we will be relieved from any further obligations under such Indenture and the Debt Securities.
 
Events of Default
 
Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, each of the following will constitute an Event of Default under the applicable Indenture with respect to Debt Securities of any series:
 
(1) failure to pay principal of or any premium on any Debt Security of that series when due, whether or not, in the case of Subordinated Debt Securities, such payment is prohibited by the subordination provisions of the Subordinated Indenture;
 
(2) failure to pay any interest on any Debt Securities of that series when due, continued for 30 days, whether or not, in the case of Subordinated Debt Securities, such payment is prohibited by the subordination provisions of the Subordinated Indenture;
 
(3) failure to deposit any sinking fund payment, when due, in respect of any Debt Security of that series, whether or not, in the case of Subordinated Debt Securities, such deposit is prohibited by the subordination provisions of the Subordinated Indenture;
 
(4) failure to perform or comply with the provisions described under “— Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets”;
 
(5) failure to perform any of our other covenants in such Indenture (other than a covenant included in such Indenture solely for the benefit of a series other than that series), continued for 60 days after written notice has been given by the applicable Trustee, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series, as provided in such Indenture;
 
(6) any Debt of ourself, any Significant Subsidiary or, if a Subsidiary Guarantor has guaranteed the series, such Subsidiary Guarantor, is not paid within any applicable grace period after final maturity or is accelerated by its holders because of a default and the total amount of such Debt unpaid or accelerated exceeds $20.0 million;
 
(7) any judgment or decree for the payment of money in excess of $20.0 million is entered against us, any Significant Subsidiary or, if a Subsidiary Guarantor has guaranteed the series, such Subsidiary Guarantor, remains outstanding for a period of 60 consecutive days following entry of such judgment and is not discharged, waived or stayed;
 
(8) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization affecting us, any Significant Subsidiary or, if a Subsidiary Guarantor has guaranteed the series, such Subsidiary Guarantor; and
 
(9) if any Subsidiary Guarantor has guaranteed such series, the Subsidiary Guarantee of any such Subsidiary Guarantor is held by a final non-appealable order or judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable or invalid or ceases for any reason to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with the terms of the applicable Indenture) or any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Person acting on behalf of any Subsidiary Guarantor denies or disaffirms such Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee (other than by reason of a release of such Subsidiary Guarantor from its Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with the terms of the applicable Indenture).
 
If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default with respect to Stone Energy Corporation described in clause (8) above) with respect to the Debt Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs


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and is continuing, either the applicable Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series by notice as provided in the Indenture may declare the principal amount of the Debt Securities of that series (or, in the case of any Debt Security that is an Original Issue Discount Debt Security, such portion of the principal amount of such Debt Security as may be specified in the terms of such Debt Security) to be due and payable immediately, together with any accrued and unpaid interest thereon. If an Event of Default with respect to Stone Energy Corporation described in clause (8) above with respect to the Debt Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs, the principal amount of all the Debt Securities of that series (or, in the case of any such Original Issue Discount Security, such specified amount) will automatically, and without any action by the applicable Trustee or any Holder, become immediately due and payable, together with any accrued and unpaid interest thereon. After any such acceleration and its consequences, but before a judgment or decree based on acceleration, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration if all Events of Default with respect to that series, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal (or other specified amount), have been cured or waived as provided in the applicable Indenture. For information as to waiver of defaults, see “— Modification and Waiver” below.
 
Subject to the provisions of the Indentures relating to the duties of the Trustees in case an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, no Trustee will be under any obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the applicable Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders, unless such Holders have offered to such Trustee reasonable security or indemnity. Subject to such provisions for the indemnification of the Trustees, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of that series.
 
No Holder of a Debt Security of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to the applicable Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or a trustee, or for any other remedy thereunder, unless:
 
(1) such Holder has previously given to the Trustee under the applicable Indenture written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of that series;
 
(2) the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series have made written request, and such Holder or Holders have offered reasonable security or indemnity, to the Trustee to institute such proceeding as trustee; and
 
(3) the Trustee has failed to institute such proceeding, and has not received from the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series a direction inconsistent with such request, within 60 days after such notice, request and offer.
 
However, such limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a Holder of a Debt Security for the enforcement of payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on such Debt Security on or after the applicable due date specified in such Debt Security or, if applicable, to convert such Debt Security.
 
We will be required to furnish to each Trustee annually a statement by certain of our officers as to whether or not we, to their knowledge, are in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of the applicable Indenture and, if so, specifying all such known defaults.
 
Modification and Waiver
 
We may modify or amend an Indenture without the consent of any holders of the Debt Securities in certain circumstances, including:
 
(1) to evidence the succession under the Indenture of another Person to us or any Subsidiary Guarantor and to provide for its assumption of our or such Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations to holders of Debt Securities;


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(2) to make any changes that would add any additional covenants for the benefit of the holders of Debt Securities or that do not adversely affect the rights under the Indenture of the Holders of Debt Securities in any material respect;
 
(3) to add any additional Events of Default;
 
(4) to provide for uncertificated notes in addition to or in place of certificated notes;
 
(5) to secure the Debt Securities;
 
(6) to establish the form or terms of any series of Debt Securities;
 
(7) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment under the Indenture of a successor Trustee;
 
(8) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;
 
(9) to add Subsidiary Guarantors; or
 
(10) in the case of any Subordinated Debt Security, to make any change in the subordination provisions that limits or terminates the benefits applicable to any Holder of Senior Debt.
 
Other modifications and amendments of an Indenture may be made by us, the Subsidiary Guarantors, if applicable, and the applicable Trustee with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of each series affected by such modification or amendment; provided, however, that no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Debt Security affected thereby:
 
(1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any Debt Security;
 
(2) reduce the principal amount of, or any premium or interest on, any Debt Security;
 
(3) reduce the amount of principal of an Original Issue Discount Security or any other Debt Security payable upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof;
 
(4) change the place or currency of payment of principal of, or any premium or interest on, any Debt Security;
 
(5) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment due on or any conversion right with respect to any Debt Security;
 
(6) modify the subordination provisions in the case of Subordinated Debt Securities, or modify any conversion provisions, in either case in a manner adverse to the Holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities;
 
(7) except as provided in the applicable Indenture, release the Subsidiary Guarantee of a Subsidiary Guarantor;
 
(8) reduce the percentage in principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for modification or amendment of the Indenture;
 
(9) reduce the percentage in principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities of any series necessary for waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the Indenture or for waiver of certain defaults;
 
(10) modify such provisions with respect to modification, amendment or waiver; or
 
(11) following the making of an offer to purchase Debt Securities from any Holder that has been made pursuant to a covenant in such Indenture, modify such covenant in a manner adverse to such Holder.
 
The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series may waive compliance by us with certain restrictive provisions of the applicable Indenture. The Holders


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of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series may waive any past default under the applicable Indenture, except a default in the payment of principal, premium or interest and certain covenants and provisions of the Indenture which cannot be amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Debt Security of such series.
 
Each of the Indentures provides that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities have given or taken any direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action under such Indenture as of any date:
 
(1) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that will be deemed to be Outstanding will be the amount of the principal that would be due and payable as of such date upon acceleration of maturity to such date;
 
(2) if, as of such date, the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of a Debt Security is not determinable (for example, because it is based on an index), the principal amount of such Debt Security deemed to be Outstanding as of such date will be an amount determined in the manner prescribed for such Debt Security;
 
(3) the principal amount of a Debt Security denominated in one or more foreign currencies or currency units that will be deemed to be Outstanding will be the United States-dollar equivalent, determined as of such date in the manner prescribed for such Debt Security, of the principal amount of such Debt Security (or, in the case of a Debt Security described in clause (1) or (2) above, of the amount described in such clause); and
 
(4) certain Debt Securities, including those owned by us, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any of our other Affiliates, will not be deemed to be Outstanding.
 
Except in certain limited circumstances, we will be entitled to set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Debt Securities of any series entitled to give or take any direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action under the applicable Indenture, in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture. In certain limited circumstances, the Trustee will be entitled to set a record date for action by Holders. If a record date is set for any action to be taken by Holders of a particular series, only persons who are Holders of Outstanding Debt Securities of that series on the record date may take such action. To be effective, such action must be taken by Holders of the requisite principal amount of such Debt Securities within a specified period following the record date. For any particular record date, this period will be 180 days or such other period as may be specified by us (or the Trustee, if it set the record date), and may be shortened or lengthened (but not beyond 180 days) from time to time.
 
Satisfaction and Discharge
 
Each Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all outstanding Debt Securities of any series issued thereunder, when:
 
either:
 
(1) (a) all outstanding Debt Securities of that series that have been authenticated (except lost, stolen or destroyed Debt Securities that have been replaced or paid and Debt Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to us) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
 
(b) all outstanding Debt Securities of that series that have been not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable or will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee and in any case we have irrevocably deposited with the Trustee as trust funds money in an amount sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay the entire indebtedness of such Debt Securities not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest to the Stated Maturity or redemption date;


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(2) we have paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable by us under the Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of that series; and
 
(3) we have delivered an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of that series have been satisfied.
 
Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
 
To the extent indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may elect, at our option at any time, to have our obligations discharged under provisions relating to defeasance and discharge of indebtedness, which we call “legal defeasance,” or relating to defeasance of certain restrictive covenants applied to the Debt Securities of any series, or to any specified part of a series, which we call “covenant defeasance”.
 
Legal Defeasance
 
The Indentures provide that, upon our exercise of our option (if any) to have the legal defeasance provisions applied to any series of Debt Securities, we and, if applicable, each Subsidiary Guarantor will be discharged from all our obligations, and, if such Debt Securities are Subordinated Debt Securities, the provisions of the Subordinated Indenture relating to subordination will cease to be effective, with respect to such Debt Securities (except for certain obligations to convert, exchange or register the transfer of Debt Securities, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated Debt Securities, to maintain paying agencies and to hold moneys for payment in trust) upon the deposit in trust for the benefit of the Holders of such Debt Securities of money or U.S. Government Obligations, or both, which, through the payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient (in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants) to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on such Debt Securities on the respective Stated Maturities in accordance with the terms of the applicable Indenture and such Debt Securities. Such defeasance or discharge may occur only if, among other things:
 
(1) we have delivered to the applicable Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that we have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or there has been a change in tax law, in either case to the effect that Holders of such Debt Securities will not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and legal defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and legal defeasance were not to occur;
 
(2) no Event of Default or event that with the passing of time or the giving of notice, or both, shall constitute an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such deposit or, with respect to any Event of Default described in clause (8) under “— Events of Default,” at any time until 121 days after such deposit;
 
(3) such deposit and legal defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any agreement or instrument (other than the applicable Indenture) to which we are a party or by which we are bound;
 
(4) in the case of Subordinated Debt Securities, at the time of such deposit, no default in the payment of all or a portion of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Senior Debt shall have occurred and be continuing, no event of default shall have resulted in the acceleration of any Senior Debt and no other event of default with respect to any Senior Debt shall have occurred and be continuing permitting after notice or the lapse of time, or both, the acceleration thereof; and
 
(5) we have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such deposit shall not cause the Trustee or the trust so created to be subject to the Investment Company Act of 1940.


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Covenant Defeasance
 
The Indentures provide that, upon our exercise of our option (if any) to have the covenant defeasance provisions applied to any Debt Securities, we may fail to comply with certain restrictive covenants (but not with respect to conversion, if applicable), including those that may be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, and the occurrence of certain Events of Default, which are described above in clause (5) (with respect to such restrictive covenants) and clauses (6), (7) and (9) under “Events of Default” and any that may be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, will not be deemed to either be or result in an Event of Default and, if such Debt Securities are Subordinated Debt Securities, the provisions of the Subordinated Indenture relating to subordination will cease to be effective, in each case with respect to such Debt Securities. In order to exercise such option, we must deposit, in trust for the benefit of the Holders of such Debt Securities, money or U.S. Government Obligations, or both, which, through the payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient (in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants) to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on such Debt Securities on the respective Stated Maturities in accordance with the terms of the applicable Indenture and such Debt Securities. Such covenant defeasance may occur only if we have delivered to the applicable Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that Holders of such Debt Securities will not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and covenant defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and covenant defeasance were not to occur, and the requirements set forth in clauses (2), (3), (4) and (5) above are satisfied. If we exercise this option with respect to any series of Debt Securities and such Debt Securities were declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any Event of Default, the amount of money and U.S. Government Obligations so deposited in trust would be sufficient to pay amounts due on such Debt Securities at the time of their respective Stated Maturities but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on such Debt Securities upon any acceleration resulting from such Event of Default. In such case, we would remain liable for such payments.
 
If we exercise either our legal defeasance or covenant defeasance option, any Subsidiary Guarantee will terminate.
 
Notices
 
Notices to Holders of Debt Securities will be given by mail to the addresses of such Holders as they may appear in the Security Register.
 
Title
 
We, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustees and any agent of us, the Subsidiary Guarantors or a Trustee may treat the Person in whose name a Debt Security is registered as the absolute owner of the Debt Security (whether or not such Debt Security may be overdue) for the purpose of making payment and for all other purposes.
 
Governing Law
 
The Indentures and the Debt Securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.
 
The Trustee
 
We will enter into the Indentures with a Trustee that is qualified to act under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and with any other Trustees chosen by us and appointed in a supplemental indenture for a particular series of Debt Securities. We may maintain a banking relationship in the ordinary course of business with our Trustee and one or more of its affiliates.


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Resignation or Removal of Trustee
 
If the Trustee has or acquires a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee must either eliminate its conflicting interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and the applicable Indenture. Any resignation will require the appointment of a successor Trustee under the applicable Indenture in accordance with the terms and conditions of such Indenture.
 
The Trustee may resign or be removed by us with respect to one or more series of Debt Securities and a successor Trustee may be appointed to act with respect to any such series. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any series may remove the Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of such series.
 
Limitations on Trustee if It Is Our Creditor
 
Each Indenture will contain certain limitations on the right of the Trustee, in the event that it becomes our creditor, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise.
 
Certificates and Opinions to Be Furnished to Trustee
 
Each Indenture will provide that, in addition to other certificates or opinions that may be specifically required by other provisions of an Indenture, every application by us for action by the Trustee must be accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent to such action have been complied with by us.
 
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
As of March 31, 2009, our authorized capital stock was 105,000,000 shares. Those shares consisted of: (a) 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, none of which were outstanding; and (b) 100,000,000 shares of common stock, of which 39,947,082 shares were outstanding.
 
Common Stock
 
This section describes the general terms of our common stock. For more detailed information, you should refer to our certificate of incorporation, as amended (the “Certificate of Incorporation) and our amended and restated bylaws (the “Bylaws”), copies of which have been filed with the SEC. These documents are also incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
 
Listing
 
Our outstanding shares of common stock are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol “SGY.” Any additional common stock we issue also will be listed on the NYSE.
 
Dividends
 
Subject to the rights of any series of preferred stock that we may issue, the holders of common stock may receive dividends when declared by the Board of Directors. Dividends may be paid in cash, stock or other form out of legally available funds.
 
Fully Paid
 
All outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and non-assessable. Any additional common stock we issue will also be fully paid and non-assessable.


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Voting Rights
 
Subject to any special voting rights of any series of preferred stock that we may issue in the future, the holders of common stock may vote one vote for each share held in the election of directors and on all other matters voted upon by our stockholders. Under our Bylaws, unless otherwise required by Delaware law, action by our stockholders is taken by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast, except for elections, which are determined by a plurality of the votes cast, at a meeting of stockholders at which a quorum is present. Holders of common stock may not cumulate their votes in the elections of directors.
 
Other Rights
 
We will notify common stockholders of any stockholders’ meetings according to applicable law. If we liquidate, dissolve or wind-up our business, either voluntarily or not, common stockholders will share equally in the assets remaining after we pay our creditors and preferred stockholders. The holders of common stock have no preemptive rights to purchase our shares of stock. Shares of common stock are not subject to any redemption or sinking fund provisions and are not convertible into any of our other securities.
 
Preferred Stock
 
The following description of the terms of the preferred stock sets forth certain general terms and provisions of our authorized preferred stock. If we offer preferred stock, a description will be filed with the SEC and the specific designations and rights will be described in the prospectus supplement, including the following terms:
 
  •  the series, the number of shares offered and the liquidation value of the preferred stock;
 
  •  the price at which the preferred stock will be issued;
 
  •  the dividend rate, the dates on which the dividends will be payable and other terms relating to the payment of dividends on the preferred stock;
 
  •  the liquidation preference of the preferred stock;
 
  •  the voting rights of the preferred stock;
 
  •  whether the preferred stock is redeemable or subject to a sinking fund, and the terms of any such redemption or sinking fund;
 
  •  whether the preferred stock is convertible or exchangeable for any other securities, and the terms of any such conversion; and
 
  •  any additional rights, preferences, qualifications, limitations and restrictions of the preferred stock.
 
The description of the terms of the preferred stock to be set forth in an applicable prospectus supplement will not be complete and will be subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the statement of resolution relating to the applicable series of preferred stock. The registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part will include the statement of resolution as an exhibit or incorporate it by reference.
 
Our Board of Directors can, without approval of stockholders, issue one or more series of preferred stock. Subject to the provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation and limitations prescribed by law, our Board of Directors may adopt resolutions to determine the number of shares of each series and the rights, preferences and limitations of each series, including the dividend rights, voting rights, conversion rights, redemption rights and any liquidation preferences of any wholly unissued series of preferred stock, the number of shares constituting each series and the terms and conditions of issue. Under certain circumstances, preferred stock could restrict dividend payments to holders of our common stock.
 
Undesignated preferred stock may enable our Board of Directors to render more difficult or to discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a tender offer, proxy contest, merger or otherwise, and to thereby protect the continuity of our management. The issuance of shares of preferred stock may adversely affect the rights of the holders of our common stock. For example, any preferred stock issued may rank prior


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to our common stock as to dividend rights, liquidation preference or both, may have full or limited voting rights and may be convertible into shares of common stock. As a result, the issuance of shares of preferred stock may discourage bids for our common stock or may otherwise adversely affect the market price of our common stock or any existing preferred stock.
 
The preferred stock will, when issued, be fully paid and non-assessable.
 
Comstock Shareholder Agreement
 
On April 30, 2008, in connection with our entry into an agreement and plan of merger with Bois d’Arc Energy, Inc. (“Bois d’Arc”), we entered into a stockholders agreement (the Stockholders Agreement”) with Comstock Resources, Inc. (“Comstock”). On August 28, 2008, we completed the acquisition of Bois d’Arc in a cash and stock transaction totaling approximately $1.7 billion. Pursuant to its Stockholders Agreement, Comstock agreed to a one-year lock-up with respect to the approximately 13.3% of the total outstanding shares of Stone common stock that Comstock acquired upon completion of our acquisition of Bois d’Arc. Comstock also agreed to certain restrictions on transfer of the shares of Stone common stock held by Comstock during the period beginning upon the expiration of the one-year lock-up and the earlier of August 28, 2011 and such time as Comstock owns less than 5% of the total outstanding shares of Stone common stock. In addition, for the period beginning August 28, 2008 until the earlier of August 28, 2011 and such time as Comstock owns less than 5% of the total outstanding shares of Stone common stock, Comstock agreed not to acquire any additional shares of Stone common stock or to enter into extraordinary transactions with Stone or seek to influence the management or control of Stone. As consideration for Comstock’s agreement to these restrictions, we agreed to give Comstock certain registration rights for its shares of Stone common stock, pursuant to which (i) Comstock may elect to participate in any underwritten offering conducted by Stone during the one-year lock-up period, subject to customary cut-back by the underwriters, and (ii) Stone agreed to use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause a registration statement for the resale from time to time by Comstock of its shares of Company Common Stock to become effective as of the expiration of the one-year lock-up period and to be continuously effective thereafter, subject to customary suspension rights, until the earlier of (i) the time that Comstock has sold all of its shares of Stone common stock, (ii) the time that Comstock is able to sell its shares of Stone common stock without restriction under Rule 144(b)(i) and (iii) August 28, 2011.
 
Anti-Takeover Provisions
 
Certain provisions in our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws may encourage persons considering unsolicited tender offers or other unilateral takeover proposals to negotiate with the Board of Directors rather than pursue non-negotiated takeover attempts.
 
Stockholder Action by Unanimous Consent
 
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, unless a company’s certificate of incorporation specifies otherwise, any action that could be taken by stockholders at an annual or special meeting may be taken, instead, without a meeting and without notice to or a vote of other stockholders if a consent in writing is signed by holders of outstanding stock having voting power that would be sufficient to take such action at a meeting at which all outstanding shares were present and voted. Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that stockholder action may be taken only at an annual or special meeting of stockholders or by unanimous written consent. As a result, stockholders may not act upon any matter except at a duly called meeting or by unanimous written consent.
 
Blank Check Preferred Stock
 
Our Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the issuance of blank check preferred stock. The Board of Directors can set the voting rights, redemption rights, conversion rights and other rights relating to such preferred stock and could issue such stock in either private or public transactions. In some circumstances, the


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blank check preferred stock could be issued and have the effect of preventing a merger, tender offer or other takeover attempt that the Board of Directors opposes.
 
Business Combinations Under Delaware Law
 
We are a Delaware corporation and are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. Section 203 prevents a person who, together with any affiliates or associates of such person, beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock (an “interested stockholder”) from engaging in certain business combinations with us for three years following the time that the interested stockholder became an interested stockholder. These restrictions do not apply if:
 
  •  before the person became an interested stockholder, our Board of Directors approved either the business combination or the transaction in which the interested stockholder became an interested stockholder;
 
  •  upon completion of the transaction that resulted in the interested stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owns at least 85% of our outstanding voting stock at the time the transaction commenced, excluding stock held by directors who are also officers of the corporation and stock held by certain employee stock plans; or
 
  •  following the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, the business combination is approved by both our Board of Directors and the holders of at least two-thirds of our outstanding voting stock not owned by the interested stockholder.
 
Section 203 defines a “business combination” to include (i) any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and an interested stockholder; (ii) any sale, lease, transfer, pledge or other disposition involving an interested stockholder of 10% or more of the assets of the corporation; (iii) subject to certain exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to an interested stockholder; (iv) any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested stockholder; or (v) the receipt by an interested stockholder of any loans, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or through the corporation.
 
Special Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaw Provisions
 
Stone’s Bylaws contain provisions requiring that advance notice be delivered to Stone of any business to be brought by a stockholder before an annual meeting of stockholders and providing for certain procedures to be followed by stockholders in nominating persons for election to Stone’s board of directors. Generally, such advance notice provisions provide that the stockholder must give written notice to Stone’s Secretary not earlier than the 120th day and not later than the 90th day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting. The notice must set forth specific information regarding such stockholder and such business or director nominee, as described in Stone’s Bylaws. Such requirement is in addition to those set forth in the regulations adopted by the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Stone’s Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws provide that the number of directors shall not be fewer than five or more than 13. Each director shall hold office for the term for which he is elected and thereafter until his successor is elected or until his earlier death, resignation or removal. Stone’s directors may be removed with or without cause by the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors.
 
Special meetings of the stockholders may be called by Stone’s board of directors, but may not be called by Stone’s stockholders. Stone’s Bylaws may be amended by Stone’s board of directors, but such authority shall not limit the ability of the stockholders to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws. However, no amendment or repeal of any bylaw relating to the annual or special meetings of shareholders, the procedure for bringing business before a meeting of the shareholders, the power, number, term and classification of directors, the procedure for filling director vacancies and the procedure for amending the bylaws shall be effective without the affirmative vote of (i) a majority of the board of directors or (ii) the holders of outstanding shares of common stock representing 80% or more of the voting power of the outstanding voting securities of Stone.


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The foregoing provisions of Stone’s Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, together with the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control or the removal of existing management, of deterring potential acquirors from making an offer to Stone’s stockholders and of limiting any opportunity to realize premiums over prevailing market prices for Stone’s common stock in connection therewith. This could be the case notwithstanding that a majority of Stone’s stockholders might benefit from such a change in control or offer.
 
Limitation of Liability of Officers and Directors
 
Delaware law authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate the personal liability of officers and directors to corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for breach of officers’ and directors’ fiduciary duty of care. The duty of care requires that, when acting on behalf of the corporation, officers and directors must exercise an informed business judgment based on all material information reasonably available to them. Absent the limitations authorized by Delaware law, officers and directors are accountable to corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for conduct constituting gross negligence in the exercise of their duty of care. Delaware law enables corporations to limit available relief to equitable remedies such as injunction or rescission.
 
Our Certificate of Incorporation limits the liability of our officers and directors to us and our stockholders to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Specifically, our officers and directors will not be personally liable for monetary damages for breach of an officer’s or director’s fiduciary duty in such capacity, except for liability:
 
  •  for any breach of the officer’s or director’s duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders;
 
  •  for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;
 
  •  for unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions as provided in Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law; or
 
  •  for any transaction from which the officer or director derived an improper personal benefit.
 
The inclusion of this provision in our Certificate of Incorporation may reduce the likelihood of derivative litigation against our officers and directors, and may discourage or deter stockholders or management from bringing a lawsuit against our officers and directors for breach of their duty of care, even though such an action, if successful, might have otherwise benefitted us and our stockholders. Both our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws provide indemnification to our officers and directors and certain other persons with respect to certain matters to the maximum extent allowed by Delaware law as it exists now or may hereafter be amended. These provisions do not alter the liability of officers and directors under federal securities laws and do not affect the right to sue (nor to recover monetary damages) under federal securities laws for violations thereof.
 
We entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers. The indemnification agreements provide that we indemnify each of our directors and executive officers to the fullest extent permitted by our Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws and Delaware General Corporation Law. This means, among other things, that we must indemnify the indemnitee against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement that are actually and reasonably incurred in an action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of Stone or is or was serving at the request of Stone as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or other entity if the indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of Stone and was not otherwise unlawful. Also, the indemnification agreements require that we advance expenses in defending such an action provided that the indemnitee undertakes to repay the amounts if the person ultimately is determined not to be entitled to indemnification. We will also make the indemnitee whole for taxes imposed on the indemnification payments and for costs in any action to establish indemnitee’s right to indemnification, whether or not wholly successful.


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In general, the disinterested directors on the board of directors or a committee of disinterested directors have the authority to determine an indemnitee’s right to indemnification. However, such determination may also be made by (i) independent legal counsel if there are no disinterested directors or (ii) by our stockholders if the board of directors so directs. In the event of a change of control, the indemnitee’s right to indemnification shall be determined by independent legal counsel.
 
The indemnification agreements shall continue until and terminate upon the later of: (i) ten (10) years after the date that Indemnitee shall have ceased to serve as a director or executive officer of the Company or (ii) one (1) year after the final termination of any action, suit or proceeding for which the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification.
 
Transfer Agent and Registrar
 
Our transfer agent and registrar of the common stock is BNY Mellon Shareowner Services.
 
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
 
General Description of Warrants
 
Stone may issue warrants for the purchase of debt securities, preferred stock or common stock. Warrants may be issued independently or together with other securities and may be attached to or separate from any offered securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between Stone and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as Stone’s agent in connection with the warrants and will not have any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants. A copy of the warrant agreement will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering of warrants.
 
Debt Warrants
 
The prospectus supplement relating to a particular issue of warrants to purchase debt securities will describe the terms of those warrants, including the following:
 
  •  the title of the warrants;
 
  •  the offering price for the warrants, if any;
 
  •  the aggregate number of the warrants;
 
  •  the designation and terms of the debt securities that may be purchased upon exercise of the warrants;
 
  •  if applicable, the designation and terms of the debt securities that the warrants are issued with and the number of warrants issued with each debt security;
 
  •  if applicable, the date from and after which the warrants and any debt securities issued with them will be separately transferable;
 
  •  the principal amount of debt securities that may be purchased upon exercise of a warrant and the price at which the debt securities may be purchased upon exercise;
 
  •  the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and expire;
 
  •  if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants that may be exercised at any one time;
 
  •  whether the warrants represented by the warrant certificates or the debt securities that may be issued upon exercise of the warrants will be issued in registered or bearer form;
 
  •  information relating to book-entry procedures, if any;
 
  •  the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable;
 
  •  if applicable, a discussion of material United States federal income tax considerations;


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  •  anti-dilution provisions of the warrants, if any;
 
  •  redemption or call provisions, if any, applicable to the warrants;
 
  •  any additional terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants; and
 
  •  any other information Stone thinks is important about the warrants.
 
Stock Warrants
 
The prospectus supplement relating to a particular issue of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock will describe the terms of the common stock warrants and preferred stock warrants, including the following:
 
  •  the title of the warrants;
 
  •  the offering price for the warrants, if any;
 
  •  the aggregate number of the warrants;
 
  •  the designation and terms of the common stock or preferred stock that maybe purchased upon exercise of the warrants;
 
  •  if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities that the warrants are issued with and the number of warrants issued with each security;
 
  •  if applicable, the date from and after which the warrants and any securities issued with the warrants will be separately transferable;
 
  •  the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock that may be purchased upon exercise of a warrant and the price at which the shares may be purchased upon exercise;
 
  •  the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants commence and expire;
 
  •  if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants that may be exercised at any one time;
 
  •  the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable;
 
  •  if applicable, a discussion of material United States federal income tax considerations;
 
  •  anti-dilution provisions of the warrants, if any;
 
  •  redemption or call provisions, if any, applicable to the warrants;
 
  •  any additional terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants; and
 
  •  any other information Stone thinks is important about the warrants.
 
Exercise of Warrants
 
Each warrant will entitle the holder of the warrant to purchase at the exercise price set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement the principal amount of debt securities or shares of preferred stock or common stock being offered. Holders may exercise warrants at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants are void. Holders may exercise warrants as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants being offered.
 
Until you exercise your warrants to purchase Stone’s debt securities, preferred stock, or common stock, you will not have any rights as a holder of Stone’s debt securities, preferred stock, or common stock, as the case may be, by virtue of your ownership of warrants.


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DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS
 
We may issue rights to purchase debt securities, preferred stock, common stock or other securities. These rights may be issued independently or together with any other security offered hereby and may or may not be transferable by the stockholder receiving the rights in such offering. In connection with any offering of such rights, we may enter into a standby arrangement with one or more underwriters or other purchasers pursuant to which the underwriters or other purchasers may be required to purchase any securities remaining unsubscribed for after such offering.
 
Each series of rights will be issued under a separate rights agreement which we will enter into with a bank or trust company, as rights agent, all as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. The rights agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the certificates relating to the rights and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holders of rights certificates or beneficial owners of rights. We will file the rights agreement and the rights certificates relating to each series of rights with the SEC, and incorporate them by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part on or before the time we issue a series of rights.
 
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of any offering of rights for which this prospectus is being delivered, including the following:
 
  •  the date of determining the stockholders entitled to the rights distribution;
 
  •  the number of rights issued or to be issued to each stockholder;
 
  •  the exercise price payable for each share of debt securities, preferred stock, common stock or other securities upon the exercise of the rights;
 
  •  the number and terms of the shares of debt securities, preferred stock, common stock or other securities which may be purchased per each right;
 
  •  the extent to which the rights are transferable;
 
  •  the date on which the holder’s ability to exercise the rights shall commence, and the date on which the rights shall expire;
 
  •  the extent to which the rights may include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities;
 
  •  if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting or purchase arrangement entered into by us in connection with the offering of such rights; and
 
  •  any other terms of the rights, including the terms, procedures, conditions and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the rights.
 
The description in the applicable prospectus supplement of any rights that we may offer will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable rights certificate, which will be filed with the SEC.
 
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS
 
As specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may issue units consisting of one or more debt securities, shares of common stock or preferred stock, warrants or any combination of such securities. In addition, the prospectus supplement relating to units will describe the terms of any units we issue, including as applicable:
 
  •  the designation and terms of the units and the securities included in the units;
 
  •  any provision for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units;
 
  •  the date, if any, on and after which the units may be transferable separately;


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  •  whether we will apply to have the units traded on a securities exchange or securities quotation system;
 
  •  any material United States federal income tax consequences; and
 
  •  how, for United States federal income tax purposes, the purchase price paid for the units is to be allocated among the component securities.
 
DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
 
General
 
Stone may offer fractional shares of preferred stock, rather than full shares of preferred stock. If Stone does so, Stone may issue receipts for depositary shares that each represent a fraction of a share of a particular series of preferred stock. The prospectus supplement will indicate that fraction. The shares of preferred stock represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a depositary agreement between Stone and a bank depositary. The phrase “bank depositary” means a bank or trust company that meets certain requirements and is selected by Stone. Each owner of a depositary share will be entitled to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock represented by the depositary share. The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the depositary agreement. Depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional shares of preferred stock in accordance with the terms of the offering.
 
Stone has summarized some common provisions of a depositary agreement and the related depositary receipts. The forms of the depositary agreement and the depositary receipts relating to any particular issue of depositary shares will be filed with the SEC each time Stone issues depositary shares, and you should read those documents for provisions that may be important to you.
 
Dividends and Other Distributions
 
If Stone pays a cash distribution or dividend on a series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares, the bank depositary will distribute such dividends to the record holders of such depositary shares. If the distributions are in property other than cash, the bank depositary will distribute the property to the record holders of the depositary shares. However, if the bank depositary determines that it is not feasible to make the distribution of property, the bank depositary may, with Stone’s approval, sell such property and distribute the net proceeds from such sale to the record holders of the depositary shares.
 
Redemption of Depositary Shares
 
If Stone redeems a series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares, the bank depositary will redeem the depositary shares from the proceeds received by the bank depositary in connection with the redemption. The redemption price per depositary share will equal the applicable fraction of the redemption price per share of the preferred stock. If fewer than all the depositary shares are redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or pro rata as the bank depositary may determine.
 
Voting the Preferred Stock
 
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the preferred stock represented by depositary shares are entitled to vote, the bank depositary will mail the notice to the record holders of the depositary shares relating to such preferred stock. Each record holder of these depositary shares on the record date (which will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock) may instruct the bank depositary as to how to vote the preferred stock represented by such holder’s depositary shares. The bank depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote the amount of the preferred stock represented by such depositary shares in accordance with such instructions, and Stone will take all action which the bank depositary deems necessary in order to enable the bank depositary to do so. The bank depositary will abstain from voting shares of the preferred stock to the extent it does not receive specific instructions from the holders of depositary shares representing such preferred stock.


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Amendment and Termination of the Depositary Agreement
 
The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the depositary agreement may be amended by agreement between the bank depositary and Stone. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary shares will not be effective unless such amendment has been approved by the holders of at least a majority of the depositary shares then outstanding. The depositary agreement may be terminated by the bank depositary or Stone only if (1) all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed or (2) there has been a final distribution in respect of the preferred stock in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Stone and such distribution has been distributed to the holders of depositary shares.
 
Charges of Bank Depositary
 
Stone will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. Stone will pay charges of the bank depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the preferred stock and any redemption of the preferred stock. Holders of depositary shares will pay other transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and any other charges, including a fee for the withdrawal of shares of preferred stock upon surrender of depositary receipts, as are expressly provided in the depositary agreement to be payable by such holders.
 
Withdrawal of Preferred Stock
 
Except as may be provided otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, upon surrender of depositary receipts at the principal office of the bank depositary, subject to the terms of the depositary agreement, the owner of the depositary shares may demand delivery of the number of whole shares of preferred stock and all money and other property, if any, represented by those depositary shares. Partial shares of preferred stock will not be issued. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the number of depositary shares representing the number of whole shares of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the bank depositary will deliver to such holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares. Holders of preferred stock thus withdrawn may not thereafter deposit those shares under the depositary agreement or receive depositary receipts evidencing depositary shares therefor.
 
Miscellaneous
 
The bank depositary will forward to holders of depositary shares all reports and communications from Stone that are delivered to the bank depositary and that Stone is required to furnish to the holders of the preferred stock.
 
Neither the bank depositary nor Stone will be liable if Stone is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond its control in performing its obligations under the depositary agreement. The obligations of the bank depositary and Stone under the depositary agreement will be limited to performance in good faith of their respective duties under the depositary agreement, and Stone will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary shares or preferred stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. Stone may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, or upon information provided by persons presenting preferred stock for deposit, holders of depositary shares or other persons believed to be competent and on documents believed to be genuine.
 
Resignation and Removal of Bank Depositary
 
The bank depositary may resign at any time by delivering to Stone notice of its election to do so, and Stone may at any time remove the bank depositary. Any such resignation or removal will take effect upon the appointment of a successor bank depositary and its acceptance of such appointment. The successor bank depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company meeting the requirements of the depositary agreement.


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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
We may sell the offered securities in and outside the United States (1) through underwriters or dealers, (2) directly to purchasers, including our affiliates and stockholders, in a rights offering, (3) through agents or (4) through a combination of any of these methods. The prospectus supplement will include the following information:
 
  •  the terms of the offering;
 
  •  the names of any underwriters or agents;
 
  •  the name or names of any managing underwriter or underwriters;
 
  •  the purchase price or initial public offering price of the securities;
 
  •  the net proceeds to Stone or Stone Offshore from the sale of the securities;
 
  •  any delayed delivery arrangements;
 
  •  any underwriting discounts, commissions and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation;
 
  •  any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and
 
  •  any commissions paid to agents.
 
Sale through Underwriters or Dealers
 
If underwriters are used in the sale, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account for resale to the public, either on a firm commitment basis or a best efforts basis. The underwriters may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. Underwriters may offer securities to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions. The underwriters may change from time to time any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.
 
We may also make direct sales through subscription rights distributed to our existing stockholders on a pro rata basis, which may or may not be transferable. In any distribution of subscription rights to our stockholders, if all of the underlying securities are not subscribed for, we may then sell the unsubscribed securities directly to third parties or may engage the services of one or more underwriters, dealers or agents, including standby underwriters, to sell the unsubscribed securities to third parties.
 
During and after an offering through underwriters, the underwriters may purchase and sell the securities in the open market. These transactions may include overallotment and stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover syndicate short positions created in connection with the offering. The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid, which means that selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers for the offered securities sold for their account may be reclaimed by the syndicate if the offered securities are repurchased by the syndicate in stabilizing or covering transactions. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the offered securities, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue these activities at any time.
 
Some or all of the securities that we offer though this prospectus may be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters to whom we sell our securities for public offering and sale may make a market in those securities, but they will not be obligated to do so and they may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. Accordingly, we cannot assure you of the liquidity of, or continued trading markets for, any securities that we offer.
 
If dealers are used in the sale of securities, we will sell the securities to them as principals. The dealers may then resell those securities to the public at varying prices determined by the dealers at the time of resale. We will include in the prospectus supplement the names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction.


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Direct Sales and Sales through Agents
 
We may sell the securities directly. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved. We may also sell the securities through agents designated from time to time. In the prospectus supplement, we will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the offered securities, and we will describe any commissions payable to the agent. Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, any agent will agree to use its reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of its appointment.
 
We may sell the securities directly to institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to any sale of those securities. We will describe the terms of any such sales in the prospectus supplement.
 
Remarketing Arrangements
 
Offered securities may also be offered and sold, if so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to their terms, or otherwise, by one or more remarketing firms, acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for Stone. Any remarketing firm will be identified and the terms of its agreements, if any, with Stone and its compensation will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters, as that term is defined in the Securities Act of 1933, in connection with the securities remarketed.
 
Delayed Delivery Contracts
 
If we so indicate in the prospectus supplement, we may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers from certain types of institutions to purchase securities from Stone at the public offering price under delayed delivery contracts. These contracts would provide for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts would be subject only to those conditions described in the prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement will describe the commission payable for solicitation of those contracts.
 
General Information
 
We may have agreements with the agents, dealers, underwriters and remarketing firms to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, or to contribute with respect to payments that the agents, dealers, underwriters or remarketing firms may be required to make. Agents, dealers, underwriters and remarketing firms may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for us in the ordinary course of their businesses.
 
LEGAL MATTERS
 
Our counsel, Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., New York, New York, will pass upon certain legal matters in connection with the offered securities. Any underwriters will be advised about other issues relating to any offering by their own legal counsel.
 
EXPERTS
 
The consolidated financial statements of Stone Energy Corporation appearing in Stone Energy Corporation’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2008, and the effectiveness of Stone Energy Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements are, and audited financial statements to be included in subsequently filed documents will be, incorporated herein in reliance upon the reports of Ernst & Young LLP pertaining to such financial statements and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of the respective dates (to the extent covered by consents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
Certain information with respect to the oil and gas reserves associated with Stone Energy Corporation’s oil and natural gas properties is derived from the reports of Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc., an independent petroleum consulting firm, and has been included in this document upon the authority of said firm as an expert with respect to such matters covered by such report and in giving such report.


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STONE ENERGY CORPORATION
 
$500,000,000
 
Debt Securities
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Warrants
Guarantees of Debt Securities
Rights
Units
Depositary Shares
 
 
PROSPECTUS
 
 
          , 2009
 
 


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PART II
 
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14.   OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
 
The following table sets forth the estimated expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities covered by this Registration Statement, other than underwriting discounts and commissions. All of the expenses will be borne by the Company except as otherwise indicated.
 
         
SEC Registration fee
  $ 29,250  
Legal fees and expenses*
    200,000  
Accounting fees and expenses*
    200,000  
Listing fee**
    **  
Transfer and Disbursement Agent fees*
    50,000  
Printing costs*
    200,000  
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Fee*
    50,500  
Miscellaneous expenses*
    20,250  
         
Total
  $ 750,000  
         
 
 
* Estimated solely for the purposes of this Item. Actual expenses may vary.
 
** The listing fee is based upon the principal amount of securities listed, if any, and is therefore not currently determinable.
 
ITEM 15.   INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), in which Stone Energy Corporation is incorporated, provides that a corporation may indemnify any 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. Section 145 further provides that a corporation similarly may indemnify any such person serving in any such capacity 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 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 Delaware Court of Chancery or such other court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all of the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Delaware Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
 
Article VI of the Bylaws of Stone Energy Corporation provides that indemnification shall be to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL for all current or former directors or officers of Stone Energy Corporation. It sets out the standard under which Stone Energy Corporation will indemnify directors and officers, provides for reimbursement in such instances, for the advancement or reimbursement for expenses reasonably incurred in


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defending an action, and for the extension of indemnity to persons other than directors and officers. It also establishes the manner of handling indemnification when a lawsuit is settled. It is not intended that this Bylaw is an exclusive method of indemnification.
 
We entered into an indemnification agreement with each of our directors and executive officers. The indemnification agreements provide that we indemnify each of our directors and executive officers to the fullest extent permitted by our Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws and the DGCL. This means, among other things, that we must indemnify the indemnitee against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement that are actually and reasonably incurred in an action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of Stone Energy Corporation or is or was serving at the request of Stone Energy Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or other entity if the indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of Stone Energy Corporation and was not otherwise unlawful. Also, the indemnification agreements require that we advance expenses in defending such an action provided that the indemnitee undertakes to repay the amounts if the person ultimately is determined not to be entitled to indemnification. We will also make the indemnitee whole for taxes imposed on the indemnification payments and for costs in any action to establish indemnitee’s right to indemnification, whether or not wholly successful.
 
In general, the disinterested directors on the board of directors or a committee of disinterested directors have the authority to determine an indemnitee’s right to indemnification. However, such determination may also be made by (i) independent legal counsel if there are no disinterested directors or (ii) by our stockholders if the board of directors so directs. In the event of a change of control, the indemnitee’s right to indemnification shall be determined by independent legal counsel.
 
The indemnification agreements shall continue until and terminate upon the later of: (i) ten (10) years after the date that Indemnitee shall have ceased to serve as a director or executive officer of the Company or (ii) one (1) year after the final termination of any action, suit or proceeding for which the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification.
 
We carry directors and officers liability coverages designed to insure our officers and directors and those of our subsidiaries against certain liabilities incurred by them in the performance of their duties, and also providing for reimbursement in certain cases to us and our subsidiaries for sums paid to directors and officers as indemnification for similar liability.
 
ITEM 16.   EXHIBITS.
 
The following documents are filed as exhibits to this Registration Statement, including those exhibits incorporated herein by reference to a prior filing of the Company under the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as indicated in parentheses:
 
             
  1 .1*     Form of Underwriting Agreement.
  4 .1     Form of Senior Indenture.
  4 .2*     Form of Senior Note.
  4 .3     Form of Subordinated Indenture.
  4 .4*     Form of Subordinated Note.
  4 .5*     Form of Deposit Agreement.
  4 .6*     Form of Depositary Receipt.
  4 .7*     Form of Warrant Agreement, including Form of Warrant Certificate.
  4 .8*     Form of Guarantee Agreement.
  4 .9*     Form of Rights Agreement, including Form of Rights Certificate.
  5 .1     Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. as to the legality of the securities being registered.
  12 .1     Statement of Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
  23 .1     Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
  23 .2     Consent of Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc.


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  23 .3     Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (contained in Exhibit 5.1).
  24 .1     Power of Attorney (contained on signature page).
  25 .1**     Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 respecting the Senior Indenture.
  25 .2**     Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 respecting the Subordinated Indenture.
 
 
* To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a current report on Form 8-K of the registrant.
 
** To be filed in accordance with Section 310(a) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
 
ITEM 17.   UNDERTAKINGS.
 
(a) Each undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
 
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
 
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
 
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and
 
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;
 
provided, however, that paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
 
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
 
(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:
 
(i) Each prospectus filed by the registrants pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
 
(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall

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be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which the prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date; or
 
(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrants under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, each undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of such undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, such undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
 
(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of such undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
 
(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of such undersigned registrant or used or referred to by such undersigned registrant;
 
(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about such undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
 
(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by such undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
 
(b) Each undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of such registrant’s annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
(c) Each undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to supplement the prospectus, after the expiration of the subscription period to set forth the results of the subscription offer, the transactions by the underwriters during the subscription period, the amount of unsubscribed securities to be purchased by the underwriters, and the terms of any subsequent reoffering thereof. If any public offering by the underwriters is to be made on terms differing from those set forth on the cover page of the prospectus, a post-effective amendment will be filed to set forth the terms of such offering.
 
(d) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrants pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrants have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, each registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
(e) Each undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act (“Act”) in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b) 2 of the Act.


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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Lafayette, State of Louisiana on the 5th day of May, 2009.
 
STONE ENERGY CORPORATION
 
  By: 
/s/  Andrew L. Gates, III
Andrew L. Gates, III
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
 
KNOW ALL BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints David H. Welch, Kenneth H. Beer and Andrew L. Gates, III and each of them, any of whom may act without joinder of the other, his or her lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and to file the same with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, or the substitute or substitutes of any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
             
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
         
/s/  David H. Welch

David H. Welch
  President and Chief Executive Officer and Director (principal executive officer)   May 5, 2009
         
/s/  Kenneth H. Beer

Kenneth H. Beer
  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer)   May 5, 2009
         
/s/  J. Kent Pierret

J. Kent Pierret
  Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer
(principal accounting officer)
  May 5, 2009
         
/s/  Robert A. Bernhard

Robert A. Bernhard
  Director   May 5, 2009
         
/s/  George R. Christmas

George R. Christmas
  Director   May 5, 2009
         
/s/  B. J. Duplantis

B. J. Duplantis
  Director   May 5, 2009
         
/s/  Peter D. Kinnear

Peter D. Kinnear
  Director   May 5, 2009


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Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
         
/s/  John P. Laborde

John P. Laborde
  Director   May 5, 2009
         
/s/  Richard A. Pattarozzi

Richard A. Pattarozzi
  Director   May 5, 2009
         
/s/  Donald E. Powell

Donald E. Powell
  Director   May 5, 2009
         
/s/  Kay G. Priestly

Kay G. Priestly
  Director   May 5, 2009
         
/s/  David R. Voelker

David R. Voelker
  Director   May 5, 2009


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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Lafayette, State of Louisiana on the 5th day of May, 2009.
 
STONE ENERGY OFFSHORE, L.L.C.
 
  By:  Stone Energy Corporation
 Its Sole Member
 
  By: 
/s/  Andrew L. Gates, III
Andrew L. Gates, III
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
 
KNOW ALL BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints David H. Welch, Kenneth H. Beer and Andrew L. Gates, III and each of them, any of whom may act without joinder of the other, his or her lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and to file the same with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, or the substitute or substitutes of any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
             
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
         
/s/  David H. Welch

David H. Welch
  President and Chief Executive Officer and Director (principal executive officer)   May 5, 2009
         
/s/  Kenneth H. Beer

Kenneth H. Beer
  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer)   May 5, 2009
         
/s/  J. Kent Pierret

J. Kent Pierret
  Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer
(principal accounting officer)
  May 5, 2009
         
/s/  Robert A. Bernhard

Robert A. Bernhard
  Director   May 5, 2009
         
/s/  George R. Christmas

George R. Christmas
  Director   May 5, 2009
         
/s/  B. J. Duplantis

B. J. Duplantis
  Director   May 5, 2009


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Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
         
/s/  Peter D. Kinnear

Peter D. Kinnear
  Director   May 5, 2009
         
/s/  John P. Laborde

John P. Laborde
  Director   May 5, 2009
         
/s/  Richard A. Pattarozzi

Richard A. Pattarozzi
  Director   May 5, 2009
         
/s/  Donald E. Powell

Donald E. Powell
  Director   May 5, 2009
         
/s/  Kay G. Priestly

Kay G. Priestly
  Director   May 5, 2009
         
/s/  David R. Voelker

David R. Voelker
  Director   May 5, 2009


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INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
             
  1 .1*     Form of Underwriting Agreement.
  4 .1     Form of Senior Indenture.
  4 .2*     Form of Senior Note.
  4 .3     Form of Subordinated Indenture.
  4 .4*     Form of Subordinated Note.
  4 .5*     Form of Deposit Agreement.
  4 .6*     Form of Depositary Receipt.
  4 .7*     Form of Warrant Agreement, including Form of Warrant Certificate.
  4 .8*     Form of Guarantee Agreement.
  4 .9*     Form of Rights Agreement, including Form of Rights Certificate.
  5 .1     Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. as to the legality of the securities being registered.
  12 .1     Statement of Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
  23 .1     Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
  23 .2     Consent of Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc.
  23 .3     Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (contained in Exhibit 5.1).
  24 .1     Power of Attorney (contained on signature page).
  25 .1**     Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 respecting the Senior Indenture.
  25 .2**     Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 respecting the Subordinated Indenture.
 
 
* To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a current report on Form 8-K of the registrant.
 
** To be filed in accordance with Section 310(a) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.