UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

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GLOBAL INDUSTRIES, LTD

(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant)

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{LOGO}

 

GLOBAL INDUSTRIES, LTD.

8000 Global Drive

Carlyss, Louisiana 70665

 

 

William J. Dore'

Chairman of the Board and

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

April 5, 2004

 

Dear Shareholder:

        I would like to cordially invite you to attend the 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 11, 2004, at The Houstonian Hotel & Conference Center, 111 North Post Oak Lane, Houston, Texas, commencing at 10:00 a.m., local time. At this year's meeting, we will vote on the election of eight directors. We have attached a notice of meeting and a proxy statement that contains more information.

        Your vote is important to us. We encourage you to sign and return your proxy card before the meeting so that your shares will be represented and voted at the meeting even if you cannot attend.

        Thank you for your interest in our Company.

 

Sincerely yours,

 

William J. Dore'

 

 

 

{LOGO}

 

 

GLOBAL INDUSTRIES, LTD.

8000 Global Drive

Carlyss, Louisiana 70665

NOTICE OF 2004 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON MAY 11, 2004

Dear Shareholder:

            You are cordially invited to attend the 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Global Industries, Ltd. on Tuesday, May 11, 2004. The meeting will be held at The Houstonian Hotel & Conference Center, 111 North Post Oak Lane, Houston, Texas, at 10:00 a.m., local time.

             As set forth in the accompanying Proxy Statement, the meeting will be held for the following purposes:

1. To elect eight directors to hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors have been elected and qualified.

2.  To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.

        The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on April 1, 2004 as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the 2004 Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof. A list of shareholders will be available for examination at the Annual Meeting and at the office of the Company for the ten days prior to the Annual Meeting.

 

                                                                                                                    By Order of the Board of Directors

                                           

                                                                                                                    Russell J. Robicheaux

                                                                                                                    Senior Vice President, General Counsel

                                                                                                                    and Secretary

 

Carlyss, Louisiana

April 5, 2004

 

        IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOUR SHARES BE REPRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF SHARES YOU OWN. PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN AND PROMPTLY MAIL THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD IN THE ACCOMPANYING ENVELOPE, WHETHER OR NOT YOU INTEND TO BE PRESENT AT THE ANNUAL MEETING. THE PROXY IS REVOCABLE AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO ITS USE.

 

 

 

GLOBAL INDUSTRIES, LTD.

8000 Global Drive

Carlyss, Louisiana 70665

 

PROXY STATEMENT FOR 2004 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

To be held on May 11, 2004

        This Proxy Statement and the accompanying proxy card are being furnished to the shareholders of Global Industries, Ltd., a Louisiana corporation (the "Company" or "Global"), in connection with the solicitation by and on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company of proxies for use at the 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company ("Annual Meeting") to be held on Tuesday, May 11, 2004, at 10:00 a.m., local time, at The Houstonian Hotel & Conference Center, 111 Post Oak Lane, Houston, Texas, and any adjournment thereof. This Proxy Statement and the accompanying proxy card are being first mailed to shareholders on or about April 5, 2004.

        The execution and return of the enclosed proxy card will not affect a shareholder's right to attend the Annual Meeting. Furthermore, a shareholder may revoke his or her proxy at any time before it is exercised (a) by filing with the Secretary of the Company a written revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date, or (b) by appearing and voting in person at the Annual Meeting. Unless otherwise marked, properly executed proxies in the form of the accompanying proxy card will be voted (i) FOR the election of the eight nominees to the Board of Directors of the Company listed below and (ii) in the discretion of the proxies on any other matter that properly comes before the shareholders at the Annual Meeting.

        On April 1, 2004, the record date for determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting, the Company had outstanding 110,738,230 shares of common stock. The holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share. The Company's common stock is the only class of voting securities outstanding. Pursuant to the Company's bylaws, the presence at the meeting in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock is necessary to constitute a quorum.

 

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

        Pursuant to the Company's bylaws, the Board of Directors currently consists of eight positions. Eight directors will be elected at the Annual Meeting to serve until the next annual meeting and until their successors are elected and qualified. A plurality of the votes cast in person or by proxy by the holders of common stock is required to elect each director. Accordingly, under Louisiana law, the Company's Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and bylaws, abstentions and broker non-votes (which occur if a broker or other nominee does not have discretionary authority and has not received instructions with respect to the particular item) are not counted and have no effect on the election of directors. Unless otherwise indicated on the proxy, the persons named as proxies in the enclosed proxy will vote FOR each of the nominees listed below. Each of the nominees is currently a director of the Company and was recommended by the Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board of Directors and nominated by the Board of Directors. There were no third party fees paid by the Company to assist in the process of identifying or evaluating candidates. Although the Company has no reason to believe that any of the nominees will be unable to serve if elected, should any of the nominees become unable to serve prior to the Annual Meeting, the proxies will be voted for the election of such other persons as may be nominated by the Board of Directors.

 

        THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE NOMINEES NAMED BELOW.

        Set forth below is the name and certain information regarding each of the eight nominees for election as a director:

        William J. Dore', 61, is the Company's founder and has been Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer since 1973 and prior to June 2000, was also President. Mr. Dore' has over thirty years of experience in the diving and marine construction industry and is a past President of the Association of Diving Contractors and has served on the Board of Directors of the National Ocean Industries Association. In 2000, Mr. Dore' received the Horatio Alger Award for personal and professional achievement. He received a M.Ed. degree from McNeese State University.

        James C. Day, 61, joined the Board of Directors of the Company in February 1993. Mr. Day has been Chairman of the Board of Directors since October 1992, and Chief Executive Officer since January 1984, of Noble Corporation, a Houston, Texas based offshore drilling contractor. He previously also served as President of Noble. He serves as a Trustee of the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc. He has served as Chairman of the International Association of Drilling Contractors, the National Ocean Industries Association, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of Noble Corporation, Noble Energy, Inc., and ONEOK, Inc. Mr. Day received a BS degree in Business Administration from Phillips University.

        Edward P. Djerejian, 65, joined the Board of Directors of the Company in February 1996. Since August 1994, Mr. Djerejian has been the Director of the James A. Baker, III Institute of Public Policy at Rice University. A former United States Ambassador, he served as U.S. Ambassador to Israel in 1994. During his more than thirty years in the United States Foreign Service, Mr. Djerejian served as U.S. Ambassador to the Syrian Arab Republic, and as Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs under Presidents George H. W. Bush and William J. Clinton. He received the Department of State's Distinguished Service Award in 1993 and the President's Distinguished Service Award in 1994. Mr. Djerejian is a graduate of the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University and serves on the Board of Directors of Occidental Petroleum Corporation and Baker Hughes, Inc.

        Edgar G. Hotard, 60, joined the Board of Directors in May 1999. Mr. Hotard is an independent consultant/investor, having retired as President and Chief Operating Officer of Praxair, Inc. in January 1999, where he was first elected President and a Director in 1992. Prior to 1992, Mr. Hotard was a Vice President with Union Carbide Corporation. Mr. Hotard serves on the Board of Directors of Global Power Equipment Group, Inc. and the US China Business Council. He is Chairman of the Monitor Group (China) and a venture partner with Arch Venture Partners. In December 2000, he received the Great Wall Award from the municipality of Beijing, China. Mr. Hotard received a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from Northwestern University.

        Richard A. Pattarozzi, 60, joined the Board of Directors of the Company in May 2000. Mr. Pattarozzi retired as Vice President of Shell Oil Company in January 2000. He also previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer for both Shell Deepwater Development, Inc. and Shell Deepwater Production, Inc. Mr. Pattarozzi serves on the Board of Directors of Stone Energy, Inc., Superior Energy Services, Inc., Transocean, Inc., FMC Technologies Inc., and Tidewater, Inc. He received a BS degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois.

        James L. Payne, 67, joined the Board of Directors of the Company in December 2000. Since October 2001, Mr. Payne has been Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Nuevo Energy Company. Mr. Payne retired as Vice Chairman of Devon Energy, Inc. in January 2001. Prior to its merger with Devon Energy, Mr. Payne was Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Santa Fe Snyder, Inc. Mr. Payne serves on the Board of Directors of Nabors Industries, B.J. Services Company and Nuevo Energy Company. Mr. Payne is a graduate of the Colorado School of Mines and received an MBA from Golden State University.

        Michael J. Pollock, 57, joined the Board of Directors of the Company in 1992. Mr. Pollock retired from the Company in February 1998 as Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. From September 1990 to December 1992, Mr. Pollock was Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and from December 1992 until April 1996 was Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer. Mr. Pollock currently serves as a Director and Chief Executive Officer of CoStreet Communications (formerly Orbis1 Carrier Services). He received a BS degree from the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. Mr. Pollock is a certified public accountant and a certified internal auditor.

        Luis K. Te'llez, 45, joined the Board of Directors of the Company in March 2003. Mr. Te'llez has been a Managing Director of the Carlyle Group, a private equity firm, since January 2004. From 2001 through 2003, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of DESC, S.A. de C.V., a Mexico based diversified industrial company. He also served as Mexico's Secretary of Energy from 1997 until 2000 and Chief of Staff to Mexico's President from 1994 to 1997. Mr. Te'llez is currently a member of the Board of Directors of DESC, and Grupo Mexico. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the following non-profit organizations: Fundacion Televisa, Fundacion Onete and Universidad Iberoamericana. Mr. Te'llez received a degree in economics from the Instituto Technologico Autonomo de Mexico (ITAM) and also holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

 

DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES

Attendance and Fees

        All of the directors of the Company, other than Mr. Dore' who is an executive officer of the Company, have been determined by the Board of Directors of the Company to be "independent" pursuant to the NASDAQ rules and the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company's Board of Directors held five meetings during 2003. Each director attended more than 75% of the combined number of meetings of the Board of Directors and of the committees on which he served that were held during the period in which he was a director. It is the Company's policy for directors to attend the annual meeting of shareholders and at our 2003 annual meeting, eight members of the Company's Board of Directors were in attendance. The Company anticipates that all director nominees will attend the 2004 Annual Meeting.

        All non-employee directors of the Company are entitled to receive a cash retainer of $35,000 for each election cycle, paid semiannually, and a $35,000 restricted stock award with a one year forfeiture period issued under the Company's 1998 Equity Incentive Plan. Non-Employee directors are reimbursed for ordinary and necessary expenses incurred in attending Board or committee meetings. Each non-employee director also receives a $1,500 meeting fee for each Board or committee meeting attended in person and a $750 fee for each telephonic meeting attended. In addition, the chairman of each Board committee and the lead director, who holds the position for a full year, is entitled to receive a $7,500 stipend.

        Each director may elect to receive the cash portion of his or her retainer and any meeting fees or other compensation in the form of a restricted stock award. The number of shares awarded is based upon the closing price of the Company's common stock on the date immediately preceding the date the compensation is payable. The forfeiture restrictions on director restricted stock awards automatically renew on the earlier of the date of the annual shareholders' meeting or June 1 of each year, unless prior to December 31 of the preceding year, the director elects not to have his restrictions automatically renew. During the year ended December 31, 2003, an aggregate of 76,268 restricted shares were issued to directors under the compensation policy as follows: Mr. Day - 11,550 shares, Mr. Djerejian - 12,201, Mr. Hotard - 7,187, Mr. Pattarozzi - 7,187 shares, Mr. Payne - 12,201 shares, Mr. Pollock - 13,741 shares, and Mr. Te'llez - 12,201 shares.

 

        In connection with termination of the Non-Employee Directors' Compensation Plan in 2003, all phantom stock units then held by directors under the plan were converted to restricted shares on a one-for-one basis as follows: Mr. Day - 33,347 shares, Mr. Hotard - 8,041, Mr. Pattarozzi - 13,373 shares, Mr. Payne - 15,925 shares, Mr. Pollock - 34,564 shares, and Mr. Te'llez - 2,937 shares.

Shareholder Communication with the Company's Board of Directors

        Shareholders may contact the Board of Directors or individual directors by mail addressed to the Secretary of the Company at the Company's principal executive offices at 8000 Global Drive, Carlyss, Louisiana 70665. Shareholders should clearly indicate on the envelope the intended recipient and that the communication is a "Shareholder Communication". All such communications will be forwarded unreviewed and unfiltered to the appropriate directors by the Secretary of the Company.

Committees

The Board of Directors has the following standing committees:

Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee's responsibility is to approve the compensation arrangements for senior management of the Company, including establishment of salaries and bonuses and other compensation for executive officers of the Company; to approve any compensation plans in which officers and directors of the Company are eligible to participate and to administer such plans, including the granting of stock options or other benefits under any such plans; to review the Company's succession plan and to review significant issues that relate to changes in benefit plans. The Compensation Committee held five meetings during 2003. The Compensation Committee is currently comprised of four non-employee directors: Mr. Hotard (Chairman), Mr. Payne, Mr. Pattarozzi and Mr. Te'llez. All of the members of the Compensation Committee are "independent" as defined by the NASDAQ listing standards.

Nominating and Governance Committee. The Nominating and Governance Committee's primary responsibilities are to recruit and recommend candidates for election to the Board of Directors, to develop and recommend corporate governance guidelines to the Board of Directors, to assist the Board in implementing such guidelines, and to lead the Board in its annual review of the performance of the Board and its committees. Although the Nominating and Governance Committee has no set of specific minimum qualifications for director nominees, each nominee is expected to have the following personal characteristics described in the Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines: creativity, financial literacy, high performance standards, informed judgment, integrity and accountability, mature confidence and a passion about the performance of the Company. Moreover, in making its evaluation the Nominating and Governance Committee may consider, among other factors, whether prospective nominees have relevant business and financial experience or have industry or specialized expertise.

It is the policy of the Nominating and Governance Committee to consider director candidate suggestions made by shareholders in the same manner as other candidates. For the procedures that must be followed in order for the committee to consider recommendations from shareholders, please read "Shareholder Proposals and Director Nominations." This committee had four meetings during 2003 and is currently comprised of four directors: Mr. Payne (Chairman), Mr. Day, Mr. Djerejian, and Mr. Pattarozzi. Each member of this committee is "independent" as defined by the NASDAQ listing standards.

Audit Committee. The Audit Committee annually reviews and recommends to the full Board of Directors the firm to be engaged to audit the accounts of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. Additionally, the Audit Committee reviews with such independent auditor the plan and results of the auditing engagement and the scope and results of the Company's procedures for internal auditing, makes inquiries as to the adequacy of internal accounting controls, and considers the independence of the auditors. During 2003, the Audit Committee held seven meetings. The Audit Committee is currently comprised of four directors: Mr. Pollock (Chairman), Mr. Day, Mr. Hotard and Mr. Te'llez. Each member of the Audit Committee is "independent" as defined by the NASDAQ listing standards. Mr. Pollock has been designated the "audit committee financial expert" as prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Technical, Health, Safety and Environment Committee. The Technical Health, Safety and Environment Committee's responsibility is to oversee the Company's technical, health, safety and environmental practices. It reviews the status of the corporate safety program to ensure that the program provides for a safe and healthful work environment. The committee also reviews the status of systems and programs that assure the Company's compliance with environmental laws and regulations. This committee had one meeting during 2003 and is currently comprised of four directors: Mr. Pattarozzi (Chairman), Mr. Day, Mr. Djerejian and Mr. Pollock.

        The Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for each of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Governance Committee, which sets forth each committee's purposes, responsibilities and authority. The Board of Directors has also adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines, a Code of Business Ethics, a Financial Code of Ethics for Senior Officers, and Complaint Procedures for Financial, Accounting and Audit matters. These committee charters, guidelines, codes and procedures are available on the Company's website at www.globalind.com. You may also contact the Company's Investor Relations Department at (281) 529-7979 for paper copies free of charge. Changes to or material waivers of the Company's Financial Code of Ethics will be immediately disclosed via the Company's website at www.globalind.com.

 

Report of the Audit Committee

        The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with the Company's management and representatives of Deloitte & Touche LLP, the Company's independent auditors for 2003, the audited financial statements of the Company contained in the Company's Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2003. The Audit Committee has also discussed with representatives of the Company's independent auditors the matters required to be discussed pursuant to Statement of Auditing Standards No. 61 (Communication with Audit Committees).

        At meetings of the Audit Committee held prior to the filing of the Company's quarterly financial statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the Company's quarterly statements with the Company's management and representatives of Deloitte & Touche LLP. At each of such meetings, the Audit Committee held private sessions with representatives of Deloitte & Touche LLP to discuss any and all matters relevant to such financial statements without any restrictions.

        The Audit Committee has received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from Deloitte & Touche LLP required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions with Audit Committees), and has discussed with representatives of Deloitte & Touche LLP such independent auditors' independence. The Audit Committee has also considered whether the provision of non-audit services to the Company by Deloitte & Touche LLP in 2003 was compatible with maintaining their independence and determined that it was.

        Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

        Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any of the Company's previous or future filings under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that might incorporate this Proxy Statement or future filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in whole or in part, the preceding report shall not be deemed to be "soliciting material" or to be "filed" with the Securities and Exchange Commission or incorporated by reference into any filing except to the extent this report is specifically incorporated by reference therein.

                                                                                                                        Audit Committee

                                                                                                                        Michael J. Pollock, Chairman

                                                                                                                        James C. Day

                                                                                                                        Edgar G. Hotard

                                                                                                                        Luis K. Te'llez

 

SECURITY OWNERSHIP

Stock Ownership of Directors and Executive Officers

        The table below sets forth the ownership of the Company's common stock, as of April 1, 2004, by (i) each executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table included under "Compensation of Executive Officers," (ii) each of the Company's directors, and (iii) all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group. Except as otherwise indicated, the persons listed below have sole voting power and investment power over the shares beneficially held by them.

 

Shares Owned Beneficially

Name

Number

 

Percent

William J. Dore' (1) (2)

29,064,530

 

26.1%

Peter S. Atkinson (2)

204,813

 

*

J. Michael Pearson (2)

35,490

 

*

Timothy W. Miciotto(2)

76,366

 

*

James J. Dore' (2)

280,119

 

*

James C. Day (3)

59,321

 

*

Edward P. Djerejian

27,002

 

*

Edgar G. Hotard

19,335

 

*

Michael J. Pollock

60,081

 

*

Richard A. Pattarozzi

20,560

 

*

James L. Payne

48,126

 

*

Luis K. Te'llez

15,138

 

*

       

All directors and executive officers as a group

     

(13 persons)(2)

29,986,505

 

26.8%

* Less than 1%

(1) Includes 769,562 shares held by the Company's Retirement Plan of which Mr. Dore' acts as Trustee. Mr. Dore' disclaims beneficial ownership of all of such shares except the 214,527 shares held by the Retirement Plan allocated to his account.

(2) Includes shares issued pursuant to restricted stock awards granted to Mr. William Dore' - 26,668 shares; Mr. Atkinson - 17,502 shares; Mr. Pearson - 5,000 shares; Mr. Miciotto - 5,334 shares; and all executive officers as a group - 74,204; shares allocated to such person's account in the Retirement Plan are as follows: Mr. Atkinson - 311 shares; Mr. Miciotto - 36 shares; Mr. James Dore' - 11,487 shares; and all directors and executives as a group - 769,562 shares; and the shares issuable upon exercise of stock options exercisable within sixty days as follows: Mr. William Dore' - 570,400 shares; Mr. Atkinson - 187,000 shares; Mr. Pearson - 18,000 shares; Mr. Miciotto - 35,400 shares; Mr. James Dore' - 128,000 shares; and all directors and executive officers as a group - 1,006,000 shares.

(3) Includes 14,424 shares held by the James and Theresa Day 1998 Family Trust and Mr. Day has shared voting and investment power with respect to such shares.

Stock Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners

        The following, to the Company's knowledge, as of April 1, 2004, are the only beneficial owners of 5% or more of the outstanding common stock except as shown in the table above.

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner         Number of Shares of Common Stock              Percent of Class

FMR Corp.                                                                           5,703,765 (1)                                                     5.2%

82 Devonshire Street

Boston, MA 02109

 

Strong Capital Management, Inc.                                     7,788,899 (2)                                                     7.0%

100 Heritage Reserve

Menomenee Falls, WI 53051

(1) Based solely on information furnished in Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by such person on February 17, 2004. Includes 1,128,900 shares of common stock with sole voting power.

(2) Based solely on information furnished in Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by such person on February 17, 2004, which filing reflects shared voting and dispositive power with respect to all such shares.

 

 

COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

        The following table sets forth the cash compensation paid or accrued for services rendered in all capacities to the Company during the last three years to the Company's Chief Executive Officer and each of the Company's other four most highly compensated executive officers who earned more than $100,000 in salary and bonus for the year ended December 31, 2003 (the "Named Executives").

       

Annual Compensation

 

Long-Term Compensation

   
               

Other Annual

 

Restricted

 

Securities

 

All Other

       

Salary

 

Bonus

 

Compensation

 

Stock Awards

 

Underlying Options

 

Compensation

Name and Principal Position

 

Year

 

($)

 

($)

 

($)(1)

 

($)(2)

 

(#)

 

($)(3)

                             

William J. Dore'

 

2003

 

446,250

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

3,150

Chairman of the Board

 

2002

 

377,083

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

252,000

 

3,034

and Chief Executive Officer

 

2001

 

328,125

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

172,000

 

3,362

                             

Peter S. Atkinson

 

2003

 

214,458

 

--

 

36,053

 

--

 

--

 

2,736

President

 

2002

 

199,583

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

98,000

 

2,479

 

2001

 

190,000

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

62,000

 

3,284

                             

J. Michael Pearson (4)

 

2003

 

210,750

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

1,333

Chief Operating Officer

 

2002

 

173,154

 

--

 

--

 

42,100

 

60,000

 

1,092

                             

Timothy W. Miciotto

 

2003

 

181,242

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

3,140

Senior Vice President,

 

2002

 

166,583

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

30,000

 

2,291

Chief Financial Officer

 

2001

 

156,750

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

36,000

 

1,658

                             

James J. Dore'

 

2003

 

167,888

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

1,683

President, Global Divers

 

2002

 

155,000

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

35,000

 

1,542

& Marine Contractors

 

2001

 

147,250

 

--

 

--

 

--

 

30,000

 

2,836

                             
                             

  1. In accordance with rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the dollar value of prerequisites and other personal benefits of named executives are only shown to the extent that they exceed the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of the total of annual salary and bonus for the named executive. The amount shown for Mr. Atkinson in 2003 included $28,903 related to a relocation bonus, living allowance and/or moving expenses and $7,150 related to an automobile allowance and/or value of personal use of Company automobile.
  2. Based on the closing price of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. On December 31, 2003, the aggregate number of restricted shares held by Messrs. William Dore', Atkinson, Pearson, Miciotto, and James Dore', was 26,668, 17,502, 5,000, 5,334 and 0 respectively; and the aggregate value of such shares held by each based upon the $5.13 market value on December 31, 2003, was $136,807, $89,785, $25,650, $27,363, and $0, respectively. The Company does not currently pay dividends on common stock; however, it would pay dividends on the restricted stock should it pay a dividend.
  3. For each year, includes the aggregate value of contributions and allocations to the Company's Profit Sharing and Retirement Plan, matching Company contributions to the Company's 401(k) plan, and the value of term life insurance coverage provided. During 2003: (i) contributions and allocations to the Company's Profit Sharing and Retirement Plan were: Mr. William Dore' - $378; Mr. Atkinson - $377; Mr. Miciotto - $315; and Mr. James Dore' - $293; (ii) matching contributions to the Company's 401(k) plan were: Mr. Atkinson, Mr. Miciotto, and Mr. James Dore', - $1,000 each; (iii) the value of term life insurance coverage provided was: Mr. William Dore' - $2,772; Mr. Atkinson - $1,358; Mr. Pearson - $1,333; Mr. Miciotto - $1,826; and Mr. James Dore' - $390.
  4. Mr. Pearson joined the Company in January 2002.

 

        No grants of stock options were made to the Named Executives during 2003.

        The table below sets forth the aggregate option exercises during the year ended December 31, 2003 and the value of outstanding options at December 31, 2003 held by the Named Executives.

 

 

Aggregated Option Exercises During Fiscal 2003

and Option Values at Period End

           

Securities

   
           

Underlying

 

Value of Unexercised

           

Unexercised

 

In-the-Money

           

Options at

 

Options at

           

Period End (#)

 

Period End ($)(*)

   

Shares

           
   

Acquired on

 

Value

 

Exercisable/

 

Exercisable/

Name

 

Exercise (#)

 

Realized ($)

 

Unexercisable

 

Unexercisable

William J. Dore'

 

--

 

--

 

484,800 / 415,200

 

0 / 0

Peter S. Atkinson

 

--

 

--

 

153,400 / 151,600

 

0 / 0

J. Michael Pearson

 

--

 

--

 

12,000 / 48,000

 

5,880 / 23,520

Timothy W. Miciotto

 

--

 

--

 

29,400 / 51,600

 

0 / 0

James J. Dore'

 

50,400

 

153,276

 

111,000 / 64,000

 

110,000 / 0

(*) Based on the difference between the closing sale price of the Company's common stock of $5.13 on December 31, 2003, and the exercise price.

        The Company's 1992 Stock Option Plan and the 1998 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Option Plans") provide that, upon a change of control, the Compensation Committee may accelerate the vesting of options, cancel options and make payments in respect thereof in cash in accordance with the Option Plans, adjust the outstanding options as appropriate to reflect such change of control, or provide that each option shall thereafter be exercisable for the number and class of securities or property that the optionee would have been entitled to had the option already been exercised. The Option Plans provide that a change of control occurs if any person, entity or group (other than William J. Dore' and his affiliates) acquires or gains ownership or control of more than 50% of the Company's outstanding common stock or, if after certain enumerated transactions, the persons who were directors before such transaction cease to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors.

        The Company has entered into agreements with certain of the officers of the Company, including all of the Named Executives that provide certain severance benefits in the event their employment is terminated under certain circumstances within two years following a change in control of the Company. The agreements are for a term of one year and automatically renew each January 1 absent notice to the contrary from the Company; however, if a change of control occurs during the term of the agreement, the agreement cannot be terminated until two years after the change in control has occurred.

        The agreements provide that if the Company terminates the Named Executive's employment other than due to death, disability, retirement or cause, or if the Named Executive terminates his employment with the Company for "good reason," in each case within two years following a change in control, then he shall be entitled to the following benefits and payments: (1) a payment equal to the Named Executive's full base salary through the date of termination plus a pro rata payment based on the highest bonus or incentive compensation received in any one of the three fiscal years immediately preceding the fiscal year in which the termination occurred, or the number of days elapsed in the fiscal year in which the termination occurs; (2) a payment in the case of the Named Executives equal to 2.99 times the higher of (i) the highest base salary plus any bonus paid to such executive in any one of the five fiscal years preceding the fiscal year in which the termination occurred or (ii) such executive's annualized includable compensation for the base period (as defined in Section 280G(d)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code); (3) all stock options held by such executive (whether or not then exercisable) shall be surrendered to the Company in exchange for a cash payment equal to the difference between the exercise price and the closing price of the Company's common stock on the date of notice of termination, and all restrictions on any restricted stock granted to such executive shall lapse; (4) a payment of the difference between what such executive is entitled to receive under the Company's retirement plans upon his termination and the amount he would have been entitled to had he been fully vested under such plans upon his termination; (5) continued welfare benefit coverage for two years following his termination, or retiree medical benefits for life, if such executive would have been entitled to such benefits had he voluntarily retired on such date; and (6) payment of certain other expenses or losses related to such executive's termination. In the case of the Named Executives, if any payments would be subject to any excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code then the aggregate compensation payable under the agreement will be increased in an amount necessary to pay such excise taxes and all taxes owed on such additional payments. In the case of other officers, the aggregate compensation payable under the change of control agreement and any other payments that constitute "parachute payments" (as defined in Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code), will be reduced to an amount that is one dollar less than three times his or her annualized includable compensation. If the officer's employment is terminated for cause, then he will be entitled only to receive his current salary plus any incentive compensation through the date notice of termination is given. If the officer is unable to perform his duties due to incapacity after a change in control, he will continue to receive his full base salary and incentive compensation at the rate then in effect until the agreement is terminated.

        Generally, a change in control occurs if a person or group acquires 50% or more of the voting stock of the Company, or a merger or sale or transfer of substantially all of the Company's assets occurs or after a contested election, persons who were directors before such election cease to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors.

Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation

        The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors administers the Company's executive compensation. The Compensation Committee's responsibility is to set the compensation philosophy for the Company's executive officers, to approve and administer the Company's incentive and benefit plans, to monitor the performance and compensation of executive officers and other key employees and to set compensation and make awards under the Company's incentive plans that are consistent with the Company's compensation philosophy and the performance of the Company and its executive officers. The Compensation Committee believes that shareholders are best served when the compensation structure for executive officers focuses them on building long-term shareholder value while not neglecting current earnings. Total compensation for the Company's Chief Executive Officer is based upon the same factors and determined in the same way, as the Company's other executive officers.

        The Company's executive compensation program consists of three principal elements: (1) base salary, (2) potential for annual incentive compensation awards, which provide for cash bonuses based on overall Company performance as well as individual performance, and (3) opportunities to earn long-term stock-based awards which provide long-term incentives that are intended to encourage the achievement of superior results over time and to align the interests of executive officers with those of shareholders. The annual incentive compensation awards and long-term stock-based awards constitute the performance-based portion of total compensation.

        The compensation program is structured to provide senior management with a total compensation package that, at expected levels of performance, is competitive with those provided to executives who hold comparable positions or have similar qualifications in other similarly situated organizations. Peer companies are specifically utilized by the Compensation Committee in evaluating compensation levels of all executives; however, the Compensation Committee also receives advice from time to time regarding compensation levels from Towers Perrin, an independent compensation consulting firm, which utilizes a number of other sources, including information from other companies.

        In 2001, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors implemented share ownership guidelines for all executives. These ownership guidelines require that all executives hold a minimum number of shares of the Company's common stock equal to five, three, or one times their base salary in market value (i.e., number of shares multiplied by share price) for the Chief Executive Officer; President; Chief Operating Officer; and Chief Financial Officer; and all other executives, respectively. Each executive will be required to meet the guidelines of ownership stated above by 2006.

        Base Salary Program. The Compensation Committee establishes base salary levels of the Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers after review of salary survey data of other companies in the oil field service industry having annual sales or revenues generally similar in size to the Company, with particular emphasis given to those other companies in the same geographic area as the Company. By reviewing the salary data of such other companies from time to time, the Compensation Committee intends to try to ensure that the base salaries established by the Compensation Committee are generally within the range of base salaries paid by the other companies. The base salary established for each executive officer also takes into account the executive's particular experience and level of responsibility.

        Base salaries of the executive officers are reviewed annually, with adjustments made based on any updated salary data, increases in the cost of living, job performance of the executive officer over time, the expansion of duties and responsibilities, if any, of the executive officer and general market salary levels. No specific weight or emphasis is placed on any one of these factors. In 2003, the Compensation Committee did not increase the base salary of the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. William Dore', but increased the other Named Executives base salaries by 5% to 14%. The base salaries were increased after the Compensation Committee completed its annual salary review in 2003 and determined that base salaries of the Company's executive officers had fallen below the targeted ranges of base salaries paid by comparative companies.

        Short-Term Incentive Compensation. Annual incentive compensation awards enable the executives and other key employees of the Company to earn annual cash bonuses, based upon the Company's financial results meeting or exceeding goals as well as individual performance. The Company's short-term incentive plan is designed to provide a total cash compensation package that at expected levels of performance targets a specified percentile for peer group companies. Considering the Company's performance relative to goals, the Compensation Committee recommends incentive compensation awards and contributions to the Company's defined contribution profit sharing retirement plan. Based on the Company's performance, during 2003, 2002 and 2001, the Chief Executive Officer and other Named Executives did not receive an incentive award. During 2003, the Chief Executive Officer received a profit sharing and retirement plan contribution of $378, and the other Named Executives received contributions totaling $985. In 1998, the Company adopted a Performance Bonus Plan to provide for awards to key employees, including executive officers. The performance bonus awards are paid in three equal installments, with the first installment paid at the time of the award. No performance bonus awards have been made since 1998.

        Long-Term Incentive Compensation. The long-term incentive portion of the Company's executive compensation plan is administered through the Company's Option Plans, each established by the Board of Directors of the Company to provide a means by which certain employees of the Company, including executive officers, could not only be paid competitively, but also develop an economic interest, through ownership in the Company's common stock, in the financial success of the Company. After reviewing the stock option and restricted stock award position of each executive officer and reviewing competitive compensation data, the Compensation Committee makes awards to executive officers and other key employees, in order to enhance the recipients' desire to remain with the Company and devote their best efforts to its business by more closely aligning executives' and shareholders' long-term interests. During 2003, the Company granted no stock options and no restricted stock awards to the Chief Executive Officer, and no options and no restricted stock to the other Named Executives.

        Section 162(m). Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code ("Section 162(m)"), enacted in 1993, imposes a limit of $1 million, with certain exceptions, on the amount that a publicly held corporation may deduct in any year for the compensation paid or accrued with respect to each of its chief executive officer and four other most highly compensated executive officers. None of the Company's executive officers currently receives compensation exceeding the limits imposed by Section 162(m). While the Compensation Committee cannot predict with certainty how the Company's executive compensation might be affected in the future by the Section 162(m) or applicable tax regulations issued thereunder, the Compensation Committee intends to try to preserve the tax deductibility of all executive compensation while maintaining the Company's executive compensation program as described in this report.

        Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any of the Company's previous or future filings under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that might incorporate this Proxy Statement or future filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in whole or in part, the preceding performance information shall not be deemed to be "soliciting material" or to be "filed" with the Securities and Exchange Commission or incorporated by reference into any filing except to the extent this report is specifically incorporated by reference therein.

 

                                                                                                            Compensation Committee

                                                                                                            Edgar G. Hotard, Chairman

                                                                                                            Richard A. Pattarozzi

                                                                                                            James Payne

                                                                                                            Luis Te'llez

 

 

 

COMPARATIVE STOCK PERFORMANCE

        The Performance Graph below compares the cumulative total shareholder return on the Company's common stock, based on the market price of the common stock, with the cumulative total return of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index (the "S&P 500 Index") and a weighted index peer group of six companies (the "Peer Group"). The Peer Group is comprised of Stolt Comex Seaway S.A., Noble Corporation, Cal Dive International, Horizon Offshore, Oceaneering International, Inc., and Offshore Logistics, Inc. Cumulative total return is based on annual total return, which assumes reinvested dividends for the period shown in the Performance Graph and assumes that $100 was invested on December 31, 1998, in each of Global, the S&P 500 Index and the Peer Group. The Peer Group investment is weighted at the beginning of each period based on the market capitalization of each individual company within the group. The results shown in the graph below are not necessarily indicative of future performance.

Comparison of Cumulative Total Return

 

<CHART>

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

Global Industries Ltd.

$100

$141

$223

$145

$68

$84

S&P 500

$100

$120

$107

$93

$72

$90

Peer Group

$100

$227

$304

$238

$265

$269

 

        Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any of the Company's previous or future filings under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that might incorporate this Proxy Statement or future filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in whole or in part, the preceding performance information shall not be deemed to be "soliciting material" or to be "filed" with the Securities and Exchange Commission or incorporated by reference into any filing except to the extent this report is specifically incorporated by reference therein.

 

 

SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS AND DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS

        Shareholders may propose matters to be presented at shareholders' meetings and may also recommend persons for nomination or nominate persons to be directors, subject to the formal procedures that have been established.

Proposals for 2005 Annual Meeting

        Pursuant to rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, any proposals of shareholders of the Company intended to be presented at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company to be held in 2005 and included in the Company's proxy statement and form of proxy relating to that meeting, must be received at the Company's principal executive offices, 8000 Global Drive, Carlyss, Louisiana 70665, no later than December 5, 2004. Such proposals must be in conformity with all applicable legal provisions, including Rule 14a-8 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

        In addition to the Securities and Exchange Commission rules described in the preceding paragraph, the Company's bylaws provide that for business to be properly brought before any annual meeting of shareholders, it must be either (i) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, (ii) otherwise brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, or (iii) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by a shareholder of the Company who is a shareholder of record at the time of giving of the required notice described below, who shall be entitled to vote at such meeting and who complies with the following notice procedures. For business to be brought before an annual meeting by a shareholder of the Company, the shareholder must have given timely notice in writing of the business to be brought before such annual meeting to the Secretary of the Company. To be timely for the 2005 Annual Meeting, a shareholder's notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at the Company's principal executive offices, 8000 Global Drive, Carlyss, Louisiana 70665, on or before February 15, 2005. A shareholder's notice to the Secretary must set forth as to each matter the shareholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting (a) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (b) the name and address, as they appear on the Company's books, of the shareholder proposing such business, (c) the class and number of shares of voting stock of the Company which are owned beneficially by the shareholder, (d) a representation that the shareholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to bring the proposed business before the meeting, and (e) a description of any material interest of the shareholder in such business. A shareholder must also comply with all applicable requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in the foregoing bylaw provisions.

Nominations for 2005 Annual Meeting and for Any Special Meetings

        Pursuant to the Company's bylaws, only persons who are nominated in accordance with the following procedures are eligible for election as directors. Nominations of persons for election to the Company's Board of Directors may be made at a meeting of shareholders only (a) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (b) by any shareholder of the Company who is a shareholder of record at the time of giving of the required notice described below, who is entitled to vote for the election of directors at the meeting, and who complies with the followingnotice procedures. All nominations, other than those made by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, must be made pursuant to timely notice in writing to the Secretary of the Company. To be timely, a shareholder's notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at the Company's principal executive offices, 8000 Global Drive, Carlyss, Louisiana 70665, (i) with respect to an election to be held at the 2005 Annual Meeting on or before February 15, 2005, and (ii) with respect to any election to be held at a special meeting of shareholders, not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which notice of the date of the special meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of the meeting was made, whichever first occurs. A shareholder's notice to the Secretary of the Company must set forth (a) as to each person whom the shareholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director, all information relating to the person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations for proxies for election of directors, or is otherwise required, pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (including the written consent of such person to be named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected); and (b) as to the shareholder giving the notice (i) the name and address, as they appear on the Company's books, of such shareholder, and (ii) the class and number of shares of capital stock of the Company that are beneficially owned by the shareholder. If a person who is validly designated as a nominee for election as a director shall thereafter become unable or unwilling to stand for election to the Board of Directors, the Board of Directors or the shareholder who proposed such nominee, as the case may be, may designate a substitute nominee. A shareholder must also comply with all applicable requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in the foregoing bylaw provisions.

Recommendation of Director Candidates to the Nominating and Governance Committee

        A shareholder or a group of shareholders may recommend potential candidates for consideration by the Nominating and Governance Committee by sending a written request to the Company's Secretary not earlier than the 150th calendar day and not later than the 90th calendar day before the anniversary of the date the Company's proxy statement was released to security holders in connection with the preceding year's annual meeting. Such written request must be sent to the Company's principal executive offices, 8000 Global Drive, Carlyss, Louisiana 70665, Attn: Corporate Secretary. The written request must include the candidate's name, contact information, biographical information and qualifications. The request must also include the potential candidate's written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if nominated and elected. The shareholder or group of shareholders making the recommendation must also disclose, with the written request described above, the number of securities that the shareholder or group beneficially owns and the period of time the shareholder or group has beneficially owned the securities. Additional information may be requested from time to time by the committee from the nominee or the shareholder.

 

CERTAIN RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

        The Company leases an office building and adjacent land on which it has built a training facility in Lafayette, Louisiana from William J. Dore', the Company's Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. The Company uses the facility for training and employee meetings as well as for equipment storage. The lease agreement with Mr. Dore' for the Lafayette office building and adjacent land currently provides for aggregate monthly lease payments of $3,917 and expires on December 31, 2004. The Company made aggregate lease payments to Mr. Dore' under the lease agreement of $47,000 during 2003. The Company believes these lease payments are at or below market rates.

 

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

        The Company believes, based upon a review of the forms and amendments furnished to it, that during the year ended December 31, 2003, the Company's directors and officers complied with the filing requirements under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

RELATIONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

        Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent public accountants, have been the principal independent auditors for the Company since October 1991. The Company expects that they will continue as the Company's principal independent auditors for 2004. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors determined that the provision of non-audit services by Deloitte & Touche LLP in 2003 was compatible with their independence. Representatives of Deloitte & Touche LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting, with the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and to respond to appropriate questions from shareholders.

        The Audit Committee pre-approves all auditing services and permitted non-audit services (including the fees and terms thereof) to be performed for the Company by its independent auditor, subject to the de minimus exceptions for non-audit services described in Section 10A(i)(1)(B) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are approved by the Audit Committee prior to the completion of the audit. The Audit Committee may form subcommittees consisting of one or more members and may delegate authority to the Chairperson of the Audit Committee or subcommittees when appropriate, including the authority to grant pre-approvals of audit and permitted non-audit services, provided that the decisions of the Chairperson or such subcommittee to grant pre-approvals shall thereafter be presented to the full Audit Committee. The Audit Committee has currently delegated authority for pre-approval of fees up to $20,000 to the Chairman of the Audit Committee.

    For 2003 and 2002, professional services were performed by Deloitte & Touche, LLP, the member firms of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, and their respective affiliates (collectively, "Deloitte & Touche"). All of the fees described below were pre-approved by the Audit Committee or its Chairman pursuant to delegated authority and none were approved under the de minimis exception to the pre-approved requirement.

Audit Fees

        The aggregate audit fees billed by Deloitte & Touche for the fiscal years 2003 and 2002 were $618,000 and $605,026, respectively and include the audit of the Company's annual financial statements, audits of statutory accounts in certain non-U.S. jurisdictions, and the reviews of financial statements included in the Company's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.

Audit-Related Fees

        The aggregate fees billed by Deloitte & Touche for Audit-Related services for 2003 and 2002 were $90,500 and $22,017, respectively. These fees relate to (1) the audit of the Company's employee benefit plan (2) the audit of certain wholly owned subsidiaries (2003 only), and (3) consultations on financial accounting and reporting issues.

Tax Fees

        The aggregate fees billed by Deloitte & Touche for tax services for the fiscal year 2003 and 2002 were $216,200 and $312,525, respectively. These fees primarily relate to foreign tax return preparation and assistance with foreign tax audits.

All Other Fees

        There were no fees, other than described above, billed by Deloitte & Touche during 2003 or 2002.

 

GENERAL

        The Board of Directors knows of no other matters to be brought before the Annual Meeting. However, if other matters should properly come before the Annual Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote such proxy in accordance with their judgment on such matters.

        The cost of soliciting proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors will be borne by the Company. In addition to the use of the mails, proxies may be solicited by the directors, officers and employees of the Company, without additional compensation, by personal interview, special letter, telephone, telegram or otherwise. Brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries who hold the voting securities of record will be requested to forward solicitation materials to the beneficial owners thereof and will be reimbursed by the Company for their expenses. The Company has retained the services of American Stock Transfer & Trust Company to assist in the solicitation of proxies either in person or by mail, telephone or telegram, at an estimated cost of $20,000, plus expenses.

 

ANNUAL REPORT AND FORM 10-K

        The Company's Annual Report to Shareholders containing audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2003, is being mailed herewith to all shareholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. The Annual Report to Shareholders does not constitute a part of this Proxy Statement.

        A copy of the Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission may be obtained, without charge, by writing the Company, Global Industries, Ltd., 8000 Global Drive, Carlyss, Louisiana 70665, Attention: Investor Relations.

 

DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO SECURITY HOLDERS SHARING AN ADDRESS

        Shareholders who share a single address, will receive only one annual report and proxy statement to that address unless we received instructions to the contrary from any shareholder at that address. This practice, known as "householding," is designed to reduce our printing and postage costs. However, if a shareholder of record residing at such an address wishes to receive a separate annual report or proxy statement in the future, he or she may contact the Company's Investor Relations Department at (281) 529-7979 or write to Investor Relations, 8000 Global Drive, Carlyss, Louisiana 70665. If you are a shareholder of record receiving multiple copies of our annual report and proxy statement, you can request householding by contacting us in the same manner. If you own your shares through a bank, broker or other holder of record, you can request householding by contacting the holder of record.

GLOBAL INDUSTRIES, LTD.
Charter of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors

        The Board of Directors of the Company has established the Audit Committee of the Board whose activities shall be governed by this Charter.

  1. Purposes

The Audit Committee's function is to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities relating to the Company's corporate accounting and financial reporting practices. In fulfilling this function, the Audit Committee's primary duties and responsibilities are to:

        2.    Composition

The Audit Committee shall consist of at least three members, all of whom must be members of the Board. To the extent required by the NASDAQ, at least one of the members shall have accounting or related financial management expertise as set forth in the applicable rules of the NASDAQ.

Each Audit Committee member shall satisfy the independence and knowledge requirements, as amended from time to time, of (1) the NASDAQ applicable to the Company, (2) Section 10A(m)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission and (3) the Global Industries, Ltd. Corporate Governance Guidelines. Audit Committee members shall be appointed by the Board based on the recommendations of the Company's Nominating & Governance Committee. The chairperson of the Audit Committee shall be the member so designated by the Board or if no such designation is made, shall be selected from its members by affirmative vote of the majority of Audit Committee. Audit Committee members may be removed or replaced at any time by the Board.

        3.    Authority and Responsibilities

The Audit Committee shall be directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work of the independent auditor (including resolution of disagreements between management and the independent auditor regarding financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or related work. The independent auditor shall report directly to the Audit Committee who shall have full authority to terminate the independent auditor.

The Audit Committee shall pre-approve all auditing services and permitted non-audit services (including the fees and terms thereof) to be performed for the Company by its independent auditor, subject to the de minimus exceptions for non-audit services described in Section 10A(i)(1)(B) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 which are approved by the Audit Committee prior to the completion of the audit. The Audit Committee may form and delegate authority to the Chairperson of the Audit Committee or subcommittees consisting of one or more members when appropriate, including the authority to grant pre-approvals of audit and permitted non-audit services, provided that the decisions of the Chairperson or such subcommittee to grant pre-approvals shall thereafter be presented to the full Audit Committee.

The Audit Committee shall have the authority, to the extent it deems necessary or appropriate, to retain independent legal, accounting or other advisors. The Company shall provide for appropriate funding, as determined by the Audit Committee, for payment of compensation to the independent auditor for the purpose of rendering or issuing an audit report and to any advisors employed by the Audit Committee. The Committee shall be empowered to conduct or cause to be conducted any investigation appropriate to fulfilling its responsibilities, and shall have direct access to the independent auditor as well as Company employees as necessary.

Without limiting the generality of the preceding statement, the Audit Committee, to the extent it deems necessary or appropriate, shall:

Review Procedures

    1. Review and discuss with management and the independent auditor, the Company's year-end financial results prior to the release of earnings and the Company's annual audited financial statements prior to filing or distribution. Such review of the audited financial statements shall also include review of the Company's SEC filings and disclosures particularly under the related "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."1  Recommend to the Board whether or not the audited financial statements should be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the last fiscal year.
    2.  

    3. Review and discuss with management and the independent auditor, the Company's quarterly financial results prior to the release of earnings and the Company's quarterly financial statements prior to filing or distribution. Such review of the quarterly financial statements shall also include review of the Company's SEC filings and disclosures particularly under the related "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
    4.  

    5. Discuss with management and the independent auditor significant financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the Company's financial statements, including any significant changes in the Company's selection or application of accounting principles, any major issues as to the adequacy of the Company's internal controls and any special audit steps adopted in light of material control deficiencies.
    6.  

    7. Review and discuss quarterly reports from the independent auditor on:
    8. · all critical accounting policies and practices to be used;

      · all alternative treatments of financial information within generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") that have been discussed with Management, the ramifications of the use of such alternative disclosures and treatments, and the treatment preferred by the independent auditor; and

      · other material written communications between the independent auditor and management, such as any management letter or schedule of unadjusted differences.

       

    9. Discuss with the independent auditor the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 relating to the conduct of their audit, including any problems or difficulties encountered in the course of the audit work and management's response, any restrictions on the scope of activities or access to requested information, and any significant disagreements with management.
    10.  

    11. Review disclosures made to the Audit Committee by the Company's CEO and CFO during their certification process for the Form 10-K and Form 10-Q about any significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls or material weaknesses therein and any fraud involving management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company's internal controls and procedures for financial reporting.
    12.  

    13. Discuss with management and the independent auditor the effect of regulatory and accounting initiatives as well as off-balance sheet structures on the Company's financial statements.
    14.  

    15. In consultation with management, the independent auditor, and the internal auditors, consider the integrity of the Company's financial reporting processes and controls including computerized information system controls and security. Discuss significant financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor, control, and report such exposures.
    16.  

    17. Review and discuss with management all financial information and earnings guidance provided by the Company. Such discussions may be done generally (consisting of discussing the types of information disclosed and presentations made) and need not precede each instance in which the Company provides guidance.
    18.  

    19. Recommend to the Board policies for hiring of any employee or former employee of the independent auditor.
    20.  

    21. Review and periodically recommend modifications to the Company's Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers.
    22.  

    23. Annually evaluate the performance of the Audit Committee and submit itself to the review and evaluation by the Board or a committee it designates.
    24.  

    25. At least annually, obtain and review a report by the independent auditor describing: the firm's internal quality-control procedures; any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review, or peer review, of the firm, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities, within the preceding five years, respecting one or more independent audits carried out by the firm, and any steps taken to deal with any such issues; and (to assess the auditor's independence) all relationships between the independent auditor and the Company. Such review shall also include the evaluation of the lead partner of the independent auditor and ensuring the periodic rotation of the lead audit partner and the reviewing partner as required by law.
    26. 1 Based on general oversight function

      Oversight of Relationship with Independent Auditor

       

    27. At least annually, evaluate the qualifications, performance and independence of the independent auditor by, among other things, (1) receiving from the independent auditor a formal written statement delineating all relationships between the independent auditor and the Company, consistent with Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, that could impair the auditors' independence; (2) actively engaging in a dialogue with the independent auditor with respect to any disclosed relationships or services that may impact the objectivity and independence of the accountants; (3) recommending to the Board the appropriate action to be taken in response to the independent auditor's report to satisfy itself of the independent auditor's independence and (4) considering whether the auditor's quality controls are adequate and the provision of permitted non-audit services is compatible with maintaining the auditor's independence, and taking into account the opinions of Management and the internal auditors. The Audit Committee shall present its conclusions with respect to the independent auditor to the Board.
    28.  

    29. Prior to each audit, review the independent auditor's audit plan and engagement letter and discuss with the independent auditor and the internal auditor the scope of the audit, staffing, locations, reliance upon management, and internal audit and general audit approach.
    30. Oversight of Internal Audit Department and Legal Compliance

       

    31. Review and discuss with the Company's independent auditor and senior management the budget, plan, changes in plan, activities, organizational structure and staffing, and qualifications of the internal audit function. The internal audit function shall be responsible to senior management, but shall have a direct reporting responsibility to the Board through the Committee.
    32.  

    33. Review the appointment, performance, and replacement of the senior internal auditor or at the Board's discretion, select and contract with an outside auditor (other than the Company's independent auditor) to perform all or any specified portion of the internal audit function the entity retained to provide internal audit.
    34.  

    35. Review a summary of findings from completed internal audits and, where appropriate, review significant reports prepared by the internal audit department together with management's response and follow-up to these reports.
    36.  

    37. Review with the General Counsel the results of his/her review of the Company's compliance with the Company's Code of Conduct.
    38.  

    39. On at least an annual basis, review with the Company's legal counsel any legal matters, including inquiries received from regulators or governmental agencies, that could have a significant impact on the Company's financial statements or the Company's compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

       

    40. Discuss with management and the independent auditor any published reports which raise material issues regarding the Company's financial statements, accounting procedures or compliance policies.
    41.  

    42. Obtain from the independent auditor assurance that Section 10A(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 has not been implicated.
    43. Other Audit Committee Responsibilities

       

    44. Establish procedures to review and approve all related party transactions to the extent required by the rules of the NASDAQ.
    45.  

    46. Establish procedures to (i) receive, retain and treat complaints received regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters and (ii) the confidential and anonymous submission by employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or audit practices.
    47.  

    48. Review and reassess the adequacy of this Charter at least annually and recommend any proposed changes to the Board for approval.
    49.  

    50. Annually prepare a report to shareholders as required by the Securities and Exchange Commission to be included in the Company's annual proxy statement.
    51.  

    52. Regularly report to the Board on significant results of its activities and recommendations.
    53.  

    54. Perform any other activities consistent with this Charter, the Company's articles of incorporation by-laws, the rules of the NASDAQ and governing law, as the Committee or the Board deems necessary or appropriate.

        While the Audit Committee has the responsibilities and authority set forth by this Charter, it is not the duty of the Audit Committee to plan or conduct audits or to determine that the Company's financial statements and disclosures are complete and accurate or in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. These are the responsibility of Management and the independent auditor.

4.        Procedures

                4.1      Meetings

The Audit Committee shall meet at the call of its chairperson, two or more of its members, or the Chairman of the Board. The Audit Committee shall meet at least quarterly, and at other times as the chairperson, the Chairman of the Board or two or more members shall determine is warranted. The Audit Committee shall meet in separate private executive sessions periodically but at least annually with senior management, the internal auditors (and/or any outside auditor performing the function of internal audit) and the independent auditor as well as a committee to discuss matters that the members or any of these groups believe should be discussed in executive session. Meetings may, at the discretion of the Audit Committee, include members of the Company's management, independent consultants, and such other persons as the Audit Committee or its chairperson may determine. The chairperson of the Audit Committee will preside at each meeting and, in consultation with the other members of the Audit Committee, will set the length of each meeting and the agenda of items to be addressed at each meeting. The agenda for each meeting shall be circulated to each Audit Committee member in advance of the meeting. The Audit Committee may meet in person, by telephone conference call, or in any other manner in which the Board is permitted to meet under law or the Company's bylaws.

                4.2      Quorum and Approval

A majority of the members of the Audit Committee shall constitute a quorum. The Audit Committee shall act on the affirmative vote of a majority of members present at a meeting at which a quorum is present. The Audit Committee may also act by unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting.

                4.3      Rules

The Audit Committee may determine additional rules and procedures, including designation of a chairperson pro tempore in the absence of the chairperson or a secretary of the Audit Committee in each case for any meeting thereof.

                4.4      Fees

Each member of the Audit Committee shall be paid the fee set by the Board for his or her services as a member of, or chairperson of, the Audit Committee.

 

 

(Front of Card)

 

 

PROXY                 GLOBAL INDUSTRIES, LTD.

Proxy for 2004 Annual Meeting

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

        The undersigned hereby appoints William J. Dore' and Peter S. Atkinson, and each of them, with or without the other, proxies, with full power of substitution, to vote all shares of stock that the undersigned is entitled to vote at the 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Global Industries, Ltd. (the "Company"), to be held in Houston, Texas on May 11, 2004, at 10:00 a.m. (local time) and all adjournments and postponements thereof as follows:

(1) Election of Directors.

         [ ] FOR all nominees listed [ ] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY

              below (except as marked       to vote for all

              to the contrary below).       Nominees listed below.

INSTRUCTION: TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL NOMINEE STRIKE A LINE THROUGH THE NOMINEE'S NAME IN THE LIST BELOW.

        William J. Doré    James C. Day            Edward P. Djerejian

        Edgar G. Hotard    Richard A. Pattarozzi   James L. Payne

        Michael J. Pollock Luis K. Te'llez

(2) In their discretion, upon any other business that may properly come before said meeting.

 

(continued on reverse side)

 

 

 

(Back of Card)

    This Proxy will be voted as you specify on the reverse side hereof. If no specification is made, this Proxy will be voted with respect to item (1) FOR the nominees listed, and in accordance with the judgment of the persons voting the Proxy with respect to any other matter that may properly be presented at the meeting. Receipt of the Notice of the 2004 Annual Meeting and the related Proxy Statement is hereby acknowledged.

                      Dated:___________________________, 2004

                      _______________________________________

                                                    Signature

                      _______________________________________

                                   Signature, if jointly held

Please sign your name exactly as it appears hereon. Joint owners must each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as it appears hereon. If held by a corporation, please sign in the full corporate name by the president or other authorized officer.

 

PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY

PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.