Filed by Forest Oil Corporation
Pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act of 1933
Subject Company: Forest Oil Corporation
File No. 1-13515
These materials are not a substitute for the registration statement that will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the transaction, or the proxy statement/prospectus-information statement to be mailed to stockholders. Investors are urged to read the proxy statement/prospectus-information statement which will contain important information, including detailed risk factors, when it becomes available. The proxy statement/prospectus-information statement and other documents that will be filed by Forest and Mariner with the Securities and Exchange Commission will be available free of charge at the SECs website, www.sec.gov, or by directing a request when such a filing is made to Forest Oil Corporation, 707 17th Street, Suite 3600, Denver, CO 80202, Attention: Investor Relations; or by directing a request when such a filing is made to Mariner Energy, Inc., 2101 CityWest Blvd., Bldg. 4, Ste. 900, Houston, TX 77042-2831, Attention: Investor Relations.
Mariner, Forest and their respective directors, and executive officers may be considered participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the proposed transaction. Information about the participants in the solicitation will be set forth in the proxy statement/prospectus-information statement when it becomes available.
Filed by Forest Oil Corporation
Pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act of 1933
Subject Company: Forest Oil Corporation
File No. 1-13515
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THE NEW FST Operations Spin-Off Drives Value
Distribution returns value to Forests shareholders
Opportunistic tax-free spin / merge of offshore Gulf operations segment creates two highly focused and valuable enterprises
High quality partner in Mariner Energy creating well positioned GOM independent with excellent growth outlook
Enhanced competitive positioning of Forests remaining onshore asset base to execute a more focused strategy
Forests portfolio of long-life, concentrated assets in high quality basins poised for sustainable growth
STREAMLINED ASSET BASE, BETTER POSITIONED FOR GROWTH
[LOGO]
2
KEY TRANSACTION TERMS
Asset Contribution |
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344 Bcfe of Forest offshore proved reserves (12/31/04) |
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Liability Contribution |
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$200 Million of debt |
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$50 Million of derivatives at 6/30/2005 |
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$157 Million of ARO |
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Structure |
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Tax-free Reverse Morris Trust transaction |
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Spin-off of Gulf of Mexico operations |
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Stock for stock merger of SpinCo and Mariner |
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Mariner Equity |
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58.2% Forest shareholders |
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41.8% Mariner shareholders |
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Mariner Management |
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Scott Josey, Chairman & CEO |
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7 member board |
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2 members to be mutually agreed by Forest and Mariner |
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Expected Close |
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Q4 2005 / Q1 2006 (economic effective date of July 1, 2005) * |
* Subject to Mariner shareholder vote and SEC registration requirements
3
TRANSACTION RATIONALE
SHAREHOLDER VALUE
Provides greater investor clarity with respect to value proposition of each entity
Unlocks intrinsic shareholder value in a tax efficient manner
Preserves ability to participate in continued success of two well-positioned enterprises
INCREASED OPERATIONAL FOCUS
Provides greater strategic clarity and management focus for two separate and discreet asset bases, each with strong critical mass and track record
Integrates offshore shelf portfolio into high growth offshore deepwater focused vehicle run by Mariners proven management team
Unleashes Forests management to accelerate execution of resource oriented onshore acquire and exploit strategy
FINANCIAL CAPABILITIES
Preserves financial flexibility of both companies to act opportunistically
Provides appropriate capital structure to fund deepwater opportunities
4
SPIN-OFF OF FOREST OILS GOM OFFSHORE ASSETS TO MARINER ENERGY
A meeting was held with all of our GOM employees this morning to discuss the details of the deal and its implications for those employees
Forest Oil management and the Board of Directors have ensured throughout the negotiation process that Forest Oil employees were given full and fair consideration in all aspects of the deal
All Forest Oil employee shareholders will benefit from the proposed transaction:
The strike price of outstanding stock options will be adjusted to reflect the value of the dividend being paid by Mariner to FST shareholders
Participants who hold FST stock in the 401(k) plan will receive shares of Mariner stock in the plan equal to the dividend value (and keep their FST stock)
Shareholders in the ESPP or common stock:
will receive shares of Mariner stock equal to the value of the dividend
the grant price of options purchased in the quarter of closing will be adjusted to reflect the value of the dividend distribution
5
SPIN-OFF OF GOM OFFSHORE ASSETS
The majority of Denver, Metairie and Lafayette employees directly affiliated with GOM offshore assets (approximately 130 employees) will be transferred to Spinco/Mariner Energy upon closing of the transaction, tentatively scheduled for Q4 2005 / Q1 2006
The majority of employees affiliated with GOM onshore assets will remain with Forest Oil
JC Ridens will remain with Forest Oil as Senior Vice President responsible for the GOM onshore assets
6
CORPORATE STAFFING POST-CLOSING
In the coming weeks Forest Oil management will undertake an extensive review of its corporate support requirements following closing of the transaction
Forest Oil has entered into a Transition Services Agreement with Mariner to provide support services for offshore GOM operations during a transition period through approximately June 30, 2006
We anticipate some corporate positions will be eliminated based on reduced support needs upon transaction closing and throughout the transition period
Individuals will be selected to fill ongoing staffing needs based on individual capabilities applicable to the position requirements
Employees will be considered for all ongoing positions in Forest Oil for which they may be qualified as well as opportunities in Mariner
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Any salaried employee terminated involuntarily other than for cause throughout this process will be eligible for a lump sum severance payment equal to one-half months base salary per year of service, with a minimum payment equal to six months base salary and a maximum payment of twelve months base salary
We will inform all employees affected by this transaction of their employment status (continuing versus transitional) no later than October 15, 2005
Employees working on a transitional basis will be informed of the completion date of their transition assignment as soon as practicable following Mariners assessment of its ongoing needs post-closing
Severance payments are conditional upon successful completion of the transitional assignment as determined by Forest Oil management and execution of a release
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REALIGNING ASSET BASE The Perfect Pie
Old Forest Oil
[CHART]
2004 Reserves: 1,454 Bcfe *
61% Gas
75% PD
[CHART]
YTD 2005 Production: 495 MMcfe/d
2005 R/P: 8.0
New Forest Oil
[CHART]
2004 Reserves: 1,110 Bcfe *
55% Gas
74% PD
[CHART]
YTD 2005 Production: 267 MMcfe/d
2005 R/P: 11.4
* Pro forma for the Buffalo Wallow acquisition and offshore spin-off
9
Searchable text section of graphics shown above
THE NEW FST Operations Spin-Off Drives Value
Distribution returns value to Forests shareholders
Opportunistic tax-free spin / merge of offshore Gulf operations segment creates two highly focused and valuable enterprises
High quality partner in Mariner Energy creating well positioned GOM independent with excellent growth outlook
Enhanced competitive positioning of Forests remaining onshore asset base to execute a more focused strategy
Forests portfolio of long-life, concentrated assets in high quality basins poised for sustainable growth
STREAMLINED ASSET BASE, BETTER POSITIONED FOR GROWTH
[LOGO]
2
KEY TRANSACTION TERMS
Asset Contribution |
|
344 Bcfe of Forest offshore proved reserves (12/31/04) |
|
|
|
Liability Contribution |
|
$200 Million of debt |
|
$50 Million of derivatives at 6/30/2005 |
|
|
$157 Million of ARO |
|
|
|
|
Structure |
|
Tax-free Reverse Morris Trust transaction |
|
Spin-off of Gulf of Mexico operations |
|
|
Stock for stock merger of SpinCo and Mariner |
|
|
|
|
Mariner Equity |
|
58.2% Forest shareholders |
|
41.8% Mariner shareholders |
|
|
|
|
Mariner Management |
|
Scott Josey, Chairman & CEO |
|
7 member board |
|
|
2 members to be mutually agreed by Forest and Mariner |
|
|
|
|
Expected Close |
|
Q4 2005 / Q1 2006 (economic effective date of July 1, 2005) * |
* Subject to Mariner shareholder vote and SEC registration requirements
3
TRANSACTION RATIONALE
SHAREHOLDER VALUE
Provides greater investor clarity with respect to value proposition of each entity
Unlocks intrinsic shareholder value in a tax efficient manner
Preserves ability to participate in continued success of two well-positioned enterprises
INCREASED OPERATIONAL FOCUS
Provides greater strategic clarity and management focus for two separate and discreet asset bases, each with strong critical mass and track record
Integrates offshore shelf portfolio into high growth offshore deepwater focused vehicle run by Mariners proven management team
Unleashes Forests management to accelerate execution of resource oriented onshore acquire and exploit strategy
FINANCIAL CAPABILITIES
Preserves financial flexibility of both companies to act opportunistically
Provides appropriate capital structure to fund deepwater opportunities
4
SPIN-OFF OF FOREST OILS GOM OFFSHORE ASSETS TO MARINER ENERGY
Forest Oil management and the Board of Directors have ensured throughout the negotiation process that Forest Oil employees were given full and fair consideration in all aspects of the deal
All Forest Oil employee shareholders will benefit from the proposed transaction:
The strike price of outstanding stock options will be adjusted to reflect the value of the dividend being paid by Mariner to FST shareholders
Participants who hold FST stock in the 401(k) plan will receive shares of Mariner stock in the plan equal to the dividend value (and keep their FST stock)
Shareholders in the ESPP or common stock:
will receive shares of Mariner stock equal to the value of the dividend
the grant price of options purchased in the quarter of closing will be adjusted to reflect the value of the dividend distribution
5
STATUS OF GOM EMPLOYEES
The majority of Denver employees directly affiliated with GOM offshore assets and all Metairie and Lafayette-based employees, including offshore field personnel, will be transferred to Spinco/Mariner Energy upon closing, scheduled for Q4 2005 / Q1 2006
The majority of employees affiliated with GOM onshore assets will remain with Forest Oil
JC Ridens will remain with Forest Oil as Senior Vice President responsible for the GOM onshore assets
You will be advised of your assignment to Mariner Energy or Forest Oil today
Upon closing, Mariner Energy will make decisions regarding continued employment, positions, salaries and work locations of transferring employees
Mariner Energy may decide to discontinue, temporarily extend or continue employment of individuals at that time
Mariner Energy management will be in Denver and Lafayette to address employees regarding Mariner Energy employment this month
6
EMPLOYEES TRANSFERRING TO MARINER ENERGY
The following will apply to all employees joining Mariner Energy upon closing:
Unvested Forest Oil Stock options will be converted to Mariner Energy stock options under the same terms and conditions of the FST options (following adjustment of the strike price to account for the Mariner Energy dividend distribution to FST shareholders)
Vested FST stock options may be exercised for up to three months following termination from FST
A Retention Bonus equal to 2.5 times the target bonus award under Forest Oil 2005 bonus plans will be paid to continuing Mariner Energy employees in lieu of the 2005 Forest Oil bonus as follows:
25% of target award October 14, 2005
75% of target award if employed on February 15, 2006
75% of target award if employed on May 1, 2006
75% of target award if employed on June 30, 2006
Involuntary termination of employment following closing would result in payment of the next scheduled bonus installment
Minimum payment of 100% of target bonus if involuntarily terminated
7
Account balances in the FST Retirement Savings Plan (401(k) Plan) will be transferred to the Mariner Energy Plan and will become 100% vested
Unused earned 2005 vacation under the FST Plan will be honored by Mariner Energy
Employees will be eligible to participate in Mariner Energy group benefits plans and compensation plans
Relocation Benefits Employees asked to relocate to Houston will be eligible for:
A three months base salary cash relocation allowance
Shipment of household goods and personal effects
Reimbursement of home sale and home purchase expenses
Temporary living expenses in Houston
House-hunting trip to Houston
Employees with school-age children may delay relocation until completion of the current school year
8
SEVERANCE PAY
Employees who are terminated involuntarily by Mariner Energy prior to the later of June 30, 2006 or six months after closing for reasons other than cause, experience a reduction in salary, or who elect not to relocate more than 50 miles from their current work location (not applicable to offshore employees) will be eligible for severance pay as follows:
Salaried employees will be eligible for one-half months base salary per year of service, with a minimum of six months base salary
Hourly employees will be eligible for two weeks base wage per year of service, with a minimum of 26 weeks base wage (regularly-scheduled overtime included in hourly rotational employee base wage rate)
Severance pay will be offset by the amount of any Retention Bonus paid
All severance payments are contingent upon execution of a release
Any employment termination dates will be determined by Mariner Energy management
It will be business as usual for the GOM business unit through closing under current management with no planned staffing changes
9
Combination |
MARINER ENERGY, INC. |
Mariner Contribution |
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[LOGO] |
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Forest Contribution |
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[LOGO] |
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Management |
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Development Expertise/Personnel |
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Deepwater, Shelf, West Texas Assets |
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Underexploited Shelf Assets |
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Exploration Track Record |
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Identified Exploitation Opportunities |
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Prospect Inventory |
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Cash Flow |
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41.8% |
[GRAPHIC] |
58.2% |
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Dynamic GOM player with scale and expertise to effectively compete in the Shelf, Deep Shelf, and Deepwater |
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Strong cash flow |
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Modest debt level |
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Shareholders benefit from the diversity and upside potential intrinsic in these complementary asset bases |
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Blend of Exploration and Exploitation opportunities |
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Mariner-SpinCo Trend Map
[GRAPHIC]
Shelf and Deepwater (460,000+ net undeveloped acres)
Creates a leading Gulf of Mexico focused independent
Balances deepwater exploration with low risk shelf exploitation
Adds high impact deep shelf and ultra-deep shelf opportunities
Extensive deepwater exposure with prospects in inventory
Synergies through property overlap and G&A savings