AGM Information • Apr 8, 2014
AGM Information
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Til Aksjonærene i Petroleum Geo-Services ASA (PGS)
Our ref.: PU Oslo, 8. april 2014
Vedlagt oversendes:
Årsrapporten for 2013 og de øvrige vedleggene til innkallingen vil bli gjort tilgjengelig på www.pgs.com senest 10. april 2014. Papirutgaven av disse blir ikke automatisk sendt ut til den enkelte aksjonær, men vil imidlertid bli tilsendt ved forespørsel til [email protected]
Med vennlig hilsen for Petroleum Geo-Services ASA
Francis Gugen Styreformann
VEDLEGG
Det innkalles herved til ordinær generalforsamling for 2014 i Petroleum Geo-Services ASA ("Selskapet"). Møtet vil bli avholdt i PGS hovedkontor, Lilleakerveien 4C, 0216 Oslo, den
Vedleggene til innkallingen følger ikke med papirversjonen av innkallingen, men er gjort tilgjengelige på www.pgs.com.
Selskapets styre har bestemt å innkalle til ordinær generalforsamling for å stemme over sakene beskrevet nedenfor.
Generalforsamlingen vil bli åpnet av styreleder, og i henhold til vedtektenes § 9 vil styreleder også lede den ordinære generalforsamlingen.
Det foreslås at det velges en person blant de tilstedeværende på generalforsamlingen til å medundertegne protokollen.
Årsberetning og årsregnskap for Petroleum Geo-Services ASA og konsernet for 2013 er fremlagt i Vedlegg I.
Forslag til vedtak:
Årsberetning og årsregnskap for 2013 for Petroleum Geo-Services ASA og konsernet godkjennes.
Styret foreslår at det utdeles utbytte for 2013 på NOK 2,30 per aksje. Samlet utbetaling på NOK 494 825 050 betyr at omtrent 4,6% av den frie egenkapitalen i Petroleum Geo-Services ASA blir utbetalt som utbytte til aksjonærene. Den foreslåtte utdeling av utbytte representerer 4,3% av den totale egenkapitalen per 31. desember 2013 og vil bli betalt fra tilgjengelige kontanter og likvide midler. Selskapet anses av Styret å ha en solid egenkapital- og likviditetsposisjon også etter utdelingen.
Forslag til vedtak:
Det utbetales utbytte med NOK 2,30 per aksje for 2013, som utgjør en samlet utbytteutbetaling på NOK 494 825 050. Det vil bli utbetalt utbytte til de som er aksjonærer ved utløpet av handelsdagen 8. mai 2014, og aksjer som handles fra og med 9. mai 2014 vil omsettes uten rett til årets utbytte.
Revisjonshonoraret for Petroleum Geo-Services ASA for 2013 er på NOK 4,2 mill. Dette beløpet inkluderer ikke honorar i tilknytning til revisjon av Selskapets datterselskaper, revisjon av Selskapets konsoliderte regnskaper eller for andre utførte tjenester.
Forslag til vedtak:
Generalforsamlingen godkjenner revisjonshonoraret for 2013.
Selskapet har hatt samme eksterne revisor siden 2008.
Styret har i år bedt eksisterende revisor og andre internasjonale revisjonsfirmaer om å inngi tilbud på oppgaven som ekstern revisor for Selskapet. De fire ledende revisjonsselskapene i Norge har alle inngitt tilbud og holdt flere presentasjoner for Selskapet. Valget falt på på Ernst & Young. Styret vurderte dette tilbudet til å være spesielt godt hva gjelder honorarer, medarbeidere, kvalitet og revisjonstilnærming. Styret anbefaler at den ordinære generalforsamlingen velger Ernst & Young AS i Oslo til Selskapets nye eksterne revisor.
Forslag til vedtak:
"Ernst & Young AS velges til ny revisor for Selskapet."
Forslagene til valg av styremedlemmer er basert på anbefalinger i Valgkomitéens rapport, se Vedlegg II til innkallingen og selskapest vedtekter § 6 a). Styremedlemmenes tjenesteperiode er det seneste tidspunkt av ett år eller frem til neste ordinære generalforsamling.
Sak 7.1 Francis Robert Gugen (styreleder)
Forslag til vedtak:
Francis Robert Gugen blir gjenvalgt som styreleder for en tjenesteperiode fra og med denne dato.
Sak 7.2 Harald Norvik (nestleder)
Forslag til vedtak:
Harald Norvik blir gjenvalgt som styrets nestleder for en tjenesteperiode fra og med denne dato.
Sak 7.3 Daniel J. Piette
Forslag til vedtak:
Daniel J. Piette blir gjenvalgt som styremedlem for en tjenesteperiode fra og med denne dato.
Sak 7.4 Holly Van Deursen
Forslag til vedtak:
Holly Van Deursen blir gjenvalgt som styremedlem for en tjenesteperiode fra og med denne dato.
Forslag til vedtak:
Carol Bell blir gjenvalgt som styremedlem for en tjenesteperiode fra og med denne dato.
Forslag til vedtak:
Ingar Skaug blir gjenvalgt som styremedlem for en tjenesteperiode fra og med denne dato.
Forslag til vedtak:
Anne Grethe Dalane blir gjenvalgt som styremedlem for en tjenesteperiode fra og med denne dato.
Forslag til vedtak:
Walter Qvam blir gjenvalgt som styremedlem for en tjenesteperiode fra og med denne dato.
Forslaget til valg av Valgkomitéen er basert på anbefalinger i Valgkomitéens rapport, se Vedlegg II til innkallingen samt Selskapets vedtekter § 6 b).
Sak 8.1 Roger O'Neil (leder)
Forslag til vedtak:
Roger O'Neil blir gjenvalgt som leder av Valgkomitéen for en ny tjenesteperiode fra og med denne dato og til og med den ordinære generalforsamlingen i 2015.
Sak 8.2 C. Maury Devine
Forslag til vedtak:
C. Maury Devine blir gjenvalgt som medlem av Valgkomitéen for en ny tjenesteperiode fra og med denne dato og til og med den ordinære generalforsamlingen i 2015.
Sak 8.3 Hanne Harlem
Forslag til vedtak:
Hanne Harlem blir gjenvalgt som medlem av Valgkomitéen for en ny tjenesteperiode fra og med denne dato og til og med den ordinære generalforsamlingen i 2015.
Sak 9.1 Forslag om å godkjenne honorarer for styremedlemmene og medlemmene av Valgkomitéen
I overensstemmelse med vedtektenes § 6 c) fremlegger Valgkomitéen et forslag om å godkjenne honorarene til styremedlemmene og medlemmene av Valgkomitéen, se Vedlegg III.
Honorarene for styremedlemmene og for medlemmene av Valgkomitéen er fastsatt i henhold til de prinsippene som ble vedtatt av den ordinære generalforsamlingen i 2013, se Vedlegg IV.
Generalforsamlingen godkjenner honoraret til hvert av styremedlemmene og til hvert av medlemmene i Valgkomitéen.
I overensstemmelse med vedtektenes § 6 c), fremmer Valgkomitéen forslag til generalforsamlingen for fastsettelse av prinsippene for de aksjonærvalgte styremedlemmenes honorarer for perioden 14. mai 2014 til generalforsamlingen 2015, se Vedlegg V.
Forslag til vedtak:
Generalforsamlingen godkjenner prinsippene for fastsettelse av aksjonærvalgte styremedlemmers honorar for perioden 8. mai 2014 frem til generalforsamlingen 2015.
I overensstemmelse med vedtektenes § 6 c), fremmer Valgkomitéen forslag til generalforsamlingen for fastsettelse av prinsippene for Valgkomitéens medlemmers honorarer for perioden 8. mai 2014 frem til generalforsamlingen 2015, Vedlegg VI.
Forslag til vedtak:
Generalforsamlingen godkjenner prinsippene for fastsettelse av Valgkomitéens medlemmers honorarer for perioden 8. mai 2014 til generalforsamlingen 2015.
Generalforsamlingen i Selskapet har årlig gitt styret fullmakt til å erverve egne aksjer. Styret foreslår at denne fullmakten fornyes.
Hensikten med en slik tilbakekjøpsfullmakt er å tillate tilpasninger i Selskapets kapitalstruktur. Det er videre styrets oppfatning at en beholdning av egne aksjer vil gi Selskapet fleksibilitet i forhold til oppfyllelse av aksjeinsentivprogrammer for ansatte og til finansiering av mulige oppkjøp og andre mulige transaksjoner foretatt av Selskapet.
Forslag til vedtak:
I samsvar med allmennaksjeloven § 6-16a har styret avgitt en erklæring om prinsipper for fastsettelse av lønn og annen godtgjørelse til ledende ansatte i Selskapet. Erklæringen følger som Vedlegg VII.
Forslag til vedtak:
Styrets erklæring i samsvar med allmennaksjeloven § 6-16a godkjennes.
Styret fremmer forslag til generalforsamlingen om godkjennelse av langsiktig insentivprogram for ansatte lignende den plan som ble vedtatt på ordinær generalforsamling i 2012 og 2013.
Styret foreslår at generalforsamlingen godkjenner et ytelsesbasert og begrenset aksjeinsentivprogram for perioden fra datoen for ordinær generalforsamling og til frem til 8. mai 2019 («Aksjeinsentivprogrammet»). I henhold til Aksjeinsentivprogrammet, kan Selskapet gi aksjeenheter («Aksjeenheter») til ansatte. Enhver tildelt Aksjeenhet vil, forutsatt at deltakeren fortsetter å være ansatt i Selskapet (eller et datterselskap), bli gjort opp tre år etter de er tildelt. Ved oppgjøret vil deltakeren motta et antall aksjer i Selskapet som tilsvarer antall tildelte Aksjeenheter. Overlevering av aksjer vil skje fra Selskapets beholdning av egne aksjer eller, hvis det ikke finnes nok egne aksjer, ved en kontantutbetaling av samme verdi. Dette vil derfor ikke innebære noen utvanningseffekt overfor Selskapets aksjonærer.
I henhold til det foreslåtte Aksjeinsentivprogrammet, skal styret foreslå det maksimale antall Aksjeenheter som kan utstedes basert på Selskapets resultater i det foregående år (2013) basert på tre spesifikk kriterier utformet ved inngangen til 2013. Målene for 2013, selskapets oppnåelse av målene samt styrets bedømmelse av måloppnåelsen er oppgitt i Vedlegg VIII. Basert på en vurdering av måloppnåelse sett i lys av kriteriene, foreslår styret at det maksimale antall Aksjeenheter utstedt under Aksjeinsentivprogrammet for 2014 er 750 000. Følgelig er det maksimale antall aksjer som kan tildeles deltakerne 750 000 aksjer.
Styret er av den oppfatning at et ytelsesbasert Aksjeinsentivprogram som kompensasjon for nøkkelpersoner er i samsvar med interessene til Selskapet og aksjonærene. Videre vil programmet ha en retensjonseffekt ved at Aksjeenhetene alltid vil ha en verdi for deltakerne.
De fullstendige vilkår og vilkår for de nye Aksjeinsentivprogrammet fremgår av Vedlegg IX.
Den 5. juni og den 20. juli 2014 vil totalt 486 282 opsjoner under 2009 opsjonsprogrammet utløpe. Etter godkjennelse av Aksjeinsentivprogrammet og utløp av nevnte 2009 aksjeoppsjonsprogram, vil totalt antall utestående Aksjeenheter og opsjoner tildelt ansatte være 4 738 125, som tilsvarer 2,22 % av Selskapets totale aksjekapital.
Generalforsamlingen oppfordres til å godkjenne Aksjeinsentivprogrammet.
Forslag til vedtak:
Aksjeinsentivprogrammet godkjennes.
Generalforsamlingen i Selskapet har årlig tildelt styret fullmakt til å utstede nye aksjer. Styret foreslår at fullmakten som ble gitt i 2013 fornyes. Styret foreslår videre at fullmakten deles i to, slik at det vil være en generell fullmakt og en fullmakt utelukkende knyttet til utstedelse av nye aksjer i henhold til Selskapets opsjonsprogrammer. Antall aksjer som omfattes av fullmakten under sak 13.2 nedenfor er beregnet slik at fullmakten dekker ikke-utøvde opsjoner tildelt i henhold til de nåværende aksjeopsjonsprogrammer.
Styret er av den oppfatning at den begrensede, generelle fullmakten er nødvendig for å gi fleksibilitet i tilfelle av mulige oppkjøp og andre transaksjoner og for oppgjør av slike, og at en slik fullmakt derfor vil være i Selskapets interesse. Videre foreslås det at styret gis fullmakt til å fravike eksisterende aksjonærers fortrinnsrett for å kunne tilrettelegge for at nye aksjonærer tegner seg for aksjer.
Videre, har styret foreslått å begrense den generelle fullmakten i sak 13.1, slik at antall aksjer som kan utstedes i henhold til denne fullmakten og fullmakten i sak 14 til å utstede konvertible lån, samlet ikke kan overstige 10 % av Selskapets aksjekapital.
Forslag til vedtak:
Generalforsamlingen vedtar herved følgende styrefullmakt:
Forslag til vedtak:
Generalforsamlingen vedtar herved følgende styrefullmakt:
Selskapets generalforsamling har tidligere tildelt Styret en årlig fullmakt til å utstede konvertible lån. Styret overveier kontinuerlig muligheter for å videreutvikle Selskapet i samsvar med Selskapets strategi. En sentral del av dette er å identifisere og tilrettelegge for den riktige finansielle strukturen for Selskapet. For fortsatt å gi styret tilstrekkelig fleksibilitet til å kunne implementere en kostnadseffektiv og fleksibel finansiell struktur er det ønskelig at styret gis ny fullmakt til å beslutte og å oppta konvertible lån. Videre foreslås det at styret gis fullmakt til å fravike eksisterende aksjonærers fortrinnsrett for å kunne tilrettelegge for at nye investorer tegner seg for lånet. Styret har imidlertid foreslått å begrense fullmakten slik at antall aksjer som utstedes i henhold til konvertible lån under fullmakten og fullmakten i pkt. 13.1 til å utstede aksjer, ikke samlet kan overstige 10 % av Selskapets aksjekapital.
Forslag til vedtak:
(i) Selskapet kan oppta nye konvertible lån på til sammen NOK 3 500 000 000 (eller tilsvarende i annen valuta). Styret gis fullmakt til å fremforhandle og inngå konvertible låneavtaler innenfor begrensningene og i samsvar med betingelsene i denne fullmakten.
Det har vært Selskapets praksis at den ordinære generalforsamlingen treffer et vedtak om at styremedlemmene og daglig leder holdes skadesløse i forhold til ansvar og krav rettet mot dem som følge av deres arbeid for Selskapet. På Selskapets ekstraordinære generalforsamling avholdt den 13. desember 2006, ble en generell skadesløsholdelsesavtale for styret godkjent.
Forslag til vedtak:
Generalforsamlingen godkjenner skadesløsholdelse for styremedlemmene og administrerende direktør i perioden fra 14. mai 2013 til 8. mai 2014.
I henhold til ny lovgivning, skal uttalelse om god eierstyring og selskapsledelse være et eget punkt på agendaen for ordinær generalforsamling. Uttalelsen er også referert til i styrets redegjørelse for 2013, og tatt inn i årsberetningen hvor også årsregnskapet inngår, samt vedlagt separat til denne innkallingen som Vedlegg X.
Dette er et punkt som det ikke skal stemmes over ettersom uttalelsen om god eierstyring og selskapsledelse kun er gjenstand for diskusjon og ikke separat godkjennelse fra aksjonærenes side.
* * *
På Selskapets ordinære generalforsamling har hver aksje én stemme. Det er i alt 217 799 997 aksjer i Selskapet. En aksjonær med aksjer registrert gjennom en forvalter har stemmerett tilsvarende det antall aksjer som er omfattet av forvaltningsoppdraget, forutsatt at eieren av aksjen innen to dager før den ordinære generalforsamlingen oppgir til Selskapet sitt navn og adresse sammen med en bekreftelse fra forvalteren om at han er den reelle eier av aksjene som oppbevares av forvalteren.
Aksjonærer som ønsker å ta del i den ordinære generalforsamlingen må gi varsel om dette ikke senere enn 5. mai 2014, innen 12.00 (norsk tid). Påmelding foretas elektronisk via selskapets hjemmeside www.pgs.com eller via Investortjenester. Forhåndsstemme kan kun foretas elektronisk via selskapets hjemmeside www.pgs.com samt via VPS Investortjenester. For å få tilgang til elektronisk påmelding og forhåndsstemming via selskapets hjemmeside, må pinkode og referansenummer oppgis. Varsel kan alternativt sendes på e-post: [email protected] Postadresse: DNB Bank ASA, Verdipapirservice, postboks 1600 Sentrum, 0021 Oslo.
Oslo, 8. april 2014
___________________
Francis Gugen Styreleder
Oversikt over vedlegg til denne innkallingen som er gjort tilgjengelige på www.pgs.com:
For det tilfelle De ikke kan være tilstede på den ordinære generalforsamlingen kan fullmakt gis til styreleder Francis Gugen, eller administrerende direktør Jon Erik Reinhardsen.
Francis Gugen Jon Erik Reinhardsen
Petroleum Geo-Services ASA Petroleum Geo-Services ASA P.O. Box 251 Lilleaker P.O. Box 251 Lilleaker 0216 Oslo 0216 Oslo
| Ref.nr.: | Pinkode: |
|---|---|
| ---------- | ---------- |
Ordinær generalforsamling i Petroleum Geo-Services ASA avholdes 8. mai 2014 kl 15.00 på PGS hovedkontor, Lilleakerveien 4c, 0216 Oslo
Dersom ovennevnte aksjeeier er et foretak, oppgi navnet på personen som representerer foretaket: __________________________________________________
Navn på person som representerer foretaket (Ved fullmakt benyttes blanketten under)
Undertegnede vil delta på ekstraordinær generalforsamling den 8. mai 2014 og avgi stemme for:
antall egne aksjer andre aksjer i henhold til vedlagte fullmakt(er) I alt for aksjer
Denne påmelding må være DNB Bank ASA i hende senest 5. mai 2014 kl. 12.00.
Påmelding foretas elektronisk via selskapets hjemmeside www.pgs.com eller via Investortjenester.
Forhåndsstemme kan kun foretas elektronisk via selskapets hjemmeside www.pgs.com samt via VPS Investortjenester. For å få tilgang til elektronisk påmelding og forhåndsstemming via selskapets hjemmeside, må ovennevnte pinkode og referansenummer oppgis. Alternativt: e-post: [email protected] Postadresse: DNB Bank ASA, Verdipapirservice, postboks 1600 Sentrum, 0021 Oslo.
Sted Dato Aksjeeiers underskrift (Undertegnes kun ved eget oppmøte. Ved fullmakt benyttes delen nedenfor)
Denne fullmaktseddelen gjelder fullmakt uten stemmeinstruks. Dersom De ønsker å avgi stemmeinstrukser, vennligst gå til side 2.
Dersom De selv ikke kan møte på ordinær generalforsamling, kan denne fullmakt benyttes av den De bemyndiger, eller De kan sende fullmakten uten å påføre navn på fullmektigen. I så fall vil fullmakten anses gitt styrets leder, eller den han bemyndiger.
Fullmakten må være DNB Bank ASA, Verdipapirservice, i hende senest 5. mai 2014 kl. 12.00. Elektronisk innsendelse av fullmakt via selskapets hjemmeside www.pgs.com eller via Investortjenester. Alternativt: e-post: [email protected]. Postadresse: DNB Bank ASA, Verdipapirservice, Postboks 1600 Sentrum, 0021 Oslo.
Undertegnede: gir herved (sett kryss):
Styrets leder (eller den han bemyndiger), eller
__________________________________
(Fullmektigens navn med blokkbokstaver)
fullmakt til å møte og avgi stemme i Petroleum Geo-Services ASAs ordinære generalforsamling 8. mai 2014 for mine/våre aksjer.
Sted Dato Aksjeeiers underskrift (Undertegnes kun ved fullmakt)
Angående møte- og stemmerett vises til allmennaksjeloven, især lovens kapittel 5. Det gjøres spesielt oppmerksom på at ved avgivelse av fullmakt skal det legges frem skriftlig og datert fullmakt fra aksjepostens reelle eier. Dersom aksjeeier er et selskap, skal firmaattest vedlegges fullmakten..
Denne fullmaktsseddelen gjelder fullmakt med stemmeinstruks. Dersom De ikke selv kan møte på ordinær generalforsamling, kan De benytte dette fullmaktsskjema for å gi stemmeinstruks til en fullmektig. De kan gi fullmakt med stemmeinstruks til den De bemyndiger, eller De kan sende fullmakten uten å påføre navn på fullmektigen. I så fall vil fullmakten anses gitt til styrets leder eller den han bemyndiger. Fullmakten må være datert og signert.
Fullmakten må være DNB Bank ASA, Verdipapirservice, i hende senest 5. mai 2014 kl. 12.00. E-post: [email protected] (skannet blankett) Postadresse: DNB Bank ASA, Verdipapirservice, 0021 Oslo.
Undertegnede: gir herved (sett kryss på én):
Styrets leder (eller den han bemyndiger), eller
__________________________________
(Fullmektigens navn med blokkbokstaver)
fullmakt til å møte og avgi stemme i Petroleum Geo-Services ASAs ordinære generalforsamling 8. mai 2014 for mine/våre aksjer.
Stemmegivningen skal skje i henhold til instruksjonene nedenfor. Dersom det ikke krysses av i rubrikken nedenfor, vil dette anses som en instruks om å stemme "for" forslaget i innkallingen. Dersom det blir fremmet forslag i tillegg til, eller som erstatning for forslaget i innkallingen, avgjør fullmektigen stemmegivningen. Fullmektigen vil i så fall legge en for fullmektigen rimelig forståelse til grunn. Det samme gjelder dersom det er tvil om forståelsen av instruksen. Dersom en slik tolkning ikke er mulig, vil fullmektigen kunne avstå fra å stemme.
| Agenda ordinær generalforsamling 2014 | For | Mot | Avstå |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. GODKJENNELSE AV INNKALLING OG AGENDA | | | |
| 2. VALG AV PERSON TIL Å MEDUNDERTEGNE PROTOKOLLEN | | | |
| 3. GODKJENNELSE AV ÅRSBERETNING OG ÅRSREGNSKAP FOR PETROLEUM GEO-SERVICES ASA OG KONSERNET FOR 2013 |
| | |
| 4. GODKJENNELSE AV UTBYTTE FOR 2013 | | | |
| 5. GODKJENNELSE AV REVISJONSHONORAR FOR 2013 | | | |
| 6. VALG AV NY EKSTERN REVISOR | | | |
| 7. VALG AV STYREMEDLEMMER | |||
| 7.1. Francis Robert Gugen (Styres leder) | | | |
| 7.2. Harald Norvik (Styrets nestleder) | | | |
| 7.3. Daniel J. Piette | | | |
| 7.4. Holly Van Deursen | | | |
| 7.5. Carol Bell | | | |
| 7.6. Ingar Skaug | | | |
| 7.7 Anne Grethe Dalane | | | |
| 7.8. Walter Qvam | | | |
| 8.1. Roger O'Neil (Leder) | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8.2. C. Maury Devine | | | |
| 8.3. Hanne Harlem | | | |
| 9. GODKJENNELSE AV HONORARER FOR STYREMEDLEMMER OG MEDLEMMER AV VALGKOMITÉEN | |||
| 9.1. Forslag om å godkjenne honorarer for styremedlemmene og medlemmene av Valgkomitéen | | | |
| 9.2. Forslag om å godkjenne prinsippene for fastsettelse av aksjonærvalgte styremedlemmers honorar fra 8.mai 2014 til generalforsamlingen 2015 |
| | |
| 9.3. Forslag om å godkjenne prinsippene for fastsettelse av medlemmene av Valgkomitéen sine honorarer fra 8.mai 2014 til generalforsamlingen 2015 |
| | |
| 10. FULLMAKT TIL Å KJØPE EGNE AKSJER | | | |
| 11. ERKLÆRING FRA STYRET OM PRINSIPPER FOR FASTSETTELSE AV LØNN OG ANNEN GODTGJØRELSE TIL LEDENDE ANSATTE |
| | |
| 12. GODKJENNELSE AV AKSJEINSENTIVPROGRAM | | | |
| 13. FORSLAG OM Å GI STYRET FULLMAKT TIL Å FORHØYE SELSKAPETS AKSJEKAPITAL | |||
| 13.1. Generell fullmakt til å forhøye aksjekapitalen | | | |
| 13.2. Fullmakt til å forhøye aksjekapitalen i forbindelse med det eksisterende aksjeopsjonsprogrammet | | | |
| 14. FORSLAG OM Å GI STYRET FULLMAKT TIL Å UTSTEDE KONVERTIBLE LÅN | | | |
| 15. SKADESLØSHOLDELSE AV STYREMEDLEMMENE OG ADM.DIREKTØR | | | |
| 16. UTTALELSE OM GOD EIERSTYRING OG SELSKAPSLEDELSE |
Sted Dato Aksjeeiers underskrift (Undertegnes kun ved fullmakt)
Angående møte- og stemmerett vises til allmennaksjeloven, især lovens kapittel 5. Dersom aksjeeier er et selskap, skal firmaattest vedlegges fullmakten.
Ref nr: PINkode:
The Nomination Committee in PGS was established at the Annual General Meeting June 8th 2005. The current committee consists of Roger O'Neil (Chairperson), Hanne Harlem and C. Maury Devine. None of the members of the Nomination Committee are employees of PGS or members of the Board of Directors of PGS.
The Nomination Committee had four meetings in 2013.
The main duties of the Nomination Committee are to propose nominees for election as members and chairperson to the Board of Directors and the Nomination Committee, and to propose the fees to be paid to the members of the Board and the Nomination Committee. The duties of the Nomination Committee are further regulated in the Nomination Committee Mandate and Charter (the "Charter"). The Nomination Committee has reviewed the Charter and found no reason to amend it this year. The Charter is available on www.pgs.com.
The Nomination Committee has in preparation of its work on proposing nominees for election as members and chairperson to the Board of Directors interviewed existing members of the Board of Directors and the CEO. For the Annual General Meeting (AGM) May 8 2014, the Nomination Committee emphasizes the importance of PGS' need for a balance of experience and expertise among the members to the Board of Directors, which will provide knowledge of the strategic, international, financial and technological and management issues which face PGS and PGS' management.
PGS currently meets the requirements for both male and female directors of the Public Limited Companies Act Section 6-11 a (1). The same will apply if the Board proposed by the Nomination Committee is adopted by the AGM.
Two new directors were elected to the Board on the EGM November 21, 2013: Walter Qvam and Anne Grethe Dalane. The proposal is to re-elect for a one year term the Directors Francis Gugen (chairperson), Harald Norvik (vice chairperson), Daniel J. Piette, Holly Van Deursen, Carol Bell, Ingar Skaug, Walter Qvam and Anne Grethe Dalane.
The Nomination Committee is of the opinion that the proposed Board will have the competence necessary to establish an Audit Committee in accordance with competency requirements of the Public Companies Act § 6-42.
Details of the Board members experience and expertise can be found on www.pgs.com.
The Nomination Committee has put considerable effort in assessing the needs of PGS' Board of Directors. The Nomination Committee believes that the existing Board of Directors will provide the necessary industry knowledge, technical competence and corporate experience needed for PGS' corporate governance.
The Nomination Committee has carefully considered whether to propose new members to the Nomination Committee on the 2014 Annual General Meeting. In this work, the Nomination Committee has specifically evaluated PGS' need for a Nomination Committee which has knowledge of the strategic, international, financial and technological and management issues which face PGS in order to identify qualified and suitable nominees to the Board of Directors. The Nomination Committee also emphasize the importance of both male and female members and both Norwegian and international members.
On this basis, the Nomination Committee proposes that Nomination Committee members Roger O'Neil, C. Maury Devine and Hanne Harlem be re-elected for a one year term. The Nomination Committee has started a process with the long term aim of replacing members to ensure appropriate renewal of the Nomination Committee.
It is proposed that Mr. O'Neil is elected chairperson of the Nomination Committee.
The Nomination Committee has reviewed remuneration practice for Directors in both international and Norwegian peer companies in order to establish a recommendation to the AGM. The Nomination Committee has concluded that it is not necessary to increase the compensation for the Chairperson of the Board of Directors or for the other Directors. Therefore current compensation levels are proposed to remain unchanged. The remuneration scheme thus proposed for the period between the 2014 AGM and the 2015 AGM is seen in Appendix V to the calling notice for the 2014 AGM.
The remuneration payable to the Directors for the previous period between the 2013 AGM and the 2014 AGM is set forth in Appendix III to the calling notice. This remuneration is calculated in accordance with the principles for Director remuneration that were adapted by the 2013 AGM, see Appendix IV to the 2014 AGM calling notice.
The principles for and levels of Nomination Committee member fees for the period between the 2014 AGM to the 2015 AGM proposed by the Nomination Committee are seen in Appendix VI to the calling notice for the 2014 AGM. The proposal is to keep the remuneration on the same level as it has been in the period between the 2013 AGM and the 2014 AGM.
In presenting this for approval, the Nomination Committee has considered, among others, the need for a compensation structure reflecting the amount of work in the Nomination Committee as well as the structure of such work. The Nomination Committee has also considered comparable data for Norwegian companies.
The fees payable to the Nomination Committee members for the period between the 2013 AGM and the 2014 AGM are set forth in Appendix III to the calling notice. These numbers are calculated on basis of the principles for remuneration that were adapted by the 2013 AGM, see Appendix IV to the 2014 AGM calling notice.
* * *
Shareholders who wish to propose new board members to PGS could do so by sending an e-mail to Mr. O'Neil at [email protected]. Such proposals should be sent to the Nomination Committee at least two months prior to the Company's AGM.
| Appendix III | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2Q 2013 | 3Q 2013 | 4Q 2013 | 1Q 2014 | TOTAL | ||
| Chairman | USD | 29 750 | 31 250 | 33 000 | 31 250 | 125 250 |
| Vice Chairman + Chairman Audit Committee | USD | 18 750 | 25 750 | 22 250 | 26 000 | 92 750 |
| Director + Member Audit Committee | USD | 23 250 | 23 250 | 28 750 | 29 500 | 104 750 |
| Director + Member Audit Committee | USD | 21 750 | 23 250 | 25 750 | 24 000 | 94 750 |
| Director + Member Remuneration Committee | USD | 17 125 | 21 625 | 18 375 | 22 875 | 80 000 |
| Director + Chairman Remuneration Committee | USD | 22 500 | 22 500 | 28 250 | 29 750 | 103 000 |
| Director + Member Remuneration Committee | USD | 17 125 | 20 875 | 18 375 | 22 875 | 79 250 |
| Director + Member Audit Committee | USD | - | - | 6 542 | 23 500 | 30 042 |
| Director + Member Remuneration Committee | USD | - | - | 6 542 | 22 125 | 28 667 |
| 150 250 | 168 500 | 187 834 | 231 875 | 738 459 | ||
| 2Q 2013 | 3Q 2013 | 4Q 2013 | 1Q 2014 | TOTAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| O'Neil, Roger | Chair Person Nomination Committee | USD | 5 875 | 5 875 | 2 625 | 5 875 | 20 250 |
| Devine, C. Maury | Member Nomination Committee | USD | 6 750 | 2 000 | 6 750 | 6 750 | 22 250 |
| Harlem, Hanne | Member Nomination Committee | USD | 2 250 | 1 250 | 1 250 | 2 250 | 7 000 |
| 14 875 | 9 125 | 10 625 | 14 875 | 49 500 |
| Board Member Fee |
Audit Committee Fee |
Remuneration Committee Fee |
Participation Fee for each Meeting |
Participation By phone |
Travel Time Allowance for each meeting |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Members | \$ 50,000 | \$ 9,000 | \$ 7,500 | \$ 1,000 (AC Meeting fee; \$ 1,500) |
\$ 750 | - Intercontinental travel: \$ 4,500. - Regional travel (e.g. within US or Europe): \$ 3,000. – Travel within same nation/state (e.g. within Norway or Texas): \$ 500 - Travel within same city: \$ 0 |
| Committee Chairperson |
Additional \$5,000 |
Additional \$3,500 |
||||
| Chairperson | \$ 100,000 | \$ 1,000 | \$ 750 | As for other members |
||
| Deputy Chairperson |
\$ 5,000 extra |
|||||
Further, any costs incurred by the Board Members in relation to their participation as a member of Board or any of the committees, will be reimbursed by the Company.
All fees and costs will be paid on a quarterly basis in arrears.
*****
1) Directors who are employee representatives shall not be covered by these principles, and separate principles for employee representatives will be prepared if employee representation becomes relevant. There are currently no employee representatives in the Board.
| Nomination | Participation | Participation | Travel Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Committee Fee |
Fee for each Meeting | By phone | Allowance for each meeting | |
| All Members | \$ 5,000 | \$ 1,000 | \$ 750 | - Intercontinental travel: \$ 4,500. - Regional travel (e.g. within US or Europe): \$ 3,000. – Travel within same nation/state (e.g. within Norway or Texas): \$ 500 - Travel within same city: \$ 0 |
| Committee | Additional | |||
| Chairperson | \$ 2,500 |
Further, any costs incurred by the Nomination Committee Members in relation to their participation as a member of the Nomination Committee or any of the committees, will be reimbursed by the Company.
All fees and costs will be paid on a quarterly basis in arrears.
*****
| Member Fee |
Audit Committee Fee |
Remuneration Committee Fee |
Participation Fee for each Meeting |
Participation By phone |
Travel Time Allowance for each meeting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| \$ 50,000 | \$ 9,000 | \$ 7,500 | \$ 1,000 (AC Meeting fee; \$ 1,500) |
\$ 750 | - Intercontinental travel: \$ 4,500. - Regional travel (e.g. within US or Europe): \$ 3,000. – Travel within same nation/state (e.g. within Norway or Texas): \$ 500 - Travel within same city: \$ 0 |
| Additional | Additional | ||||
| \$ 100,000 | \$ 1,000 | \$ 750 | As for other members |
||
| Additional \$ 5,000 |
|||||
| \$5,000 | \$3,500 |
Further, any costs incurred by the Board Members in relation to their participation as a member of Board or any of the committees, will be reimbursed by the Company.
All fees and costs will be paid on a quarterly basis in arrears.
*****
1) Directors who are employee representatives shall not be covered by these principles, and separate principles for employee representatives will be prepared if employee representation becomes relevant. There are currently no employee representatives in the Board.
| Nomination | Participation | Participation | Travel Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Committee | Fee for each Meeting | By phone | Allowance for each meeting | |
| Fee | ||||
| All Members | \$ 5,000 | \$ 1,000 | \$ 750 | - Intercontinental travel: \$ 4,500. - Regional travel (e.g. within US or Europe): \$ 3,000. – Travel within same nation/state (e.g. within Norway or Texas): \$ 500 - Travel within same city: \$ 0 |
| Committee | Additional | |||
| Chairperson | \$ 2,500 |
Further, any costs incurred by the Nomination Committee Members in relation to their participation as a member of the Nomination Committee or any of the committees, will be reimbursed by the Company.
All fees and costs will be paid on a quarterly basis in arrears.
*****
In accordance with §6-16a of the Norwegian Public Limited Companies Act, the Board of Directors has prepared a statement related to the determination of salary and other benefits for our CEO and other executive officers. The guidelines set out below for our CEO and other executive officers salary and other benefits, for the coming fiscal year, will be presented to the shareholders for their advisory vote at the May 2014 Annual General Meeting.
PGS is an international company operating in the global geophysical industry. Our operations are conducted world-wide and our employment base is and needs to be largely international. The total compensation package for our CEO and other executive officers shall therefore be competitive both within the Norwegian labour market and internationally. Both the level of total compensation and the structure of the compensation package for our CEO and other executive officers shall be such that it may attract and retain highly qualified international leaders. This will require the use of several different instruments and measures also meant to provide incentives for enhanced performance and to ensure common goals and interest between the shareholders and management.
The current remuneration package for our CEO and other executive officers includes fixed elements and variable elements. The fixed elements consist of a base salary and other benefits. Other benefits include car allowance, newspaper subscription, mobile phone, internet and similar benefits. The fixed elements also include a defined benefit and a defined contribution pension plan.
The CEO and three executive officers have an early retirement plan allowing for termination of employment without cause when the CEO or the executive officers reach the age of 62. Provided that the CEO or executive officers have been employed as a CEO or an executive officer for 10 years (or in some cases longer) the CEO or the executive officers are entitled to a yearly payment of up to 60% of the last base salary beginning in the year of retirement until the CEO or the executive officers reach the age of 67.
The variable elements today consist of a performance bonus scheme, participation in earlier years' share option program and participation in restricted stock unit programs.
Participation in the performance bonus scheme and the target levels and the maximum levels of the annual performance bonus scheme are determined annually. Payment under the performance bonus scheme is based partly on achievements of agreed financial key performance indicators ("KPIs") for the group and partly on achievements of agreed operational, financial and organizational KPIs included in a personal performance contract.
The Group KPIs are financial targets set by the Board of Directors at the start of each fiscal year. The Group KPIs are then broken down to business unit KPIs. The CEO and other executive officers' personal performance contract for a given year therefore contains such Group or business unit KPI goals as well as KPI goals linked to other personal measures of success such as HSE, operational effectiveness and organizational development.
The annual performance bonus for the CEO is approved by the Board of Directors in a meeting, based on recommendations from the Remuneration and Corporate Governance Committee. The annual performance bonus scheme for the other executive officers are reviewed and approved by the Remuneration and Corporate Governance Committee on the CEO's recommendation, and the executive officers' achievements under the scheme are also reviewed by the Remuneration and Corporate Governance Committee.
In 2013 the CEO participated in a performance bonus scheme where he was entitled to a cash bonus provided the Company and the CEO met certain financial and non-financial performance targets. The target bonus for the CEO which assumes that the company goals and the CEO's individual goals are met is a cash bonus of 85% of the CEO's annual base salary. This target bonus can be increased or decreased in cases of performance above or below the targets set for the CEO and the Company. Other executive officers, listed above, who were employed by the Company during 2013 and remain employed as of March 1, 2014 are participants in a bonus scheme where they are entitled to a cash bonus targeted at 57% of the respective executive's annual base salary. The target bonus can be increased or decreased in cases of performance above or below the targets set for the executive and the Company. The CEO's performance bonus is capped at 150% of base salary, the executive officers' at 100% of base salary.
The Board of Directors will continue to use this scheme for determining the level of annual performance bonus in the coming financial year.
The Annual General Meetings in 2012 and 2013 authorized a performance based restricted stock unit program in order to ensure continued long term incentives which are linked to the development of the Company's share price. The Board of Directors will propose to the 2014 Annual General Meeting a Performance based Restricted Stock Unit program similar to the 2013 program. Under the 2014 Performance based Restricted Stock Unit program the Board of Directors will, based on the previous year's performance against specific targets, propose a pool of Restricted Stock Units which will be granted to eligible employees in 2014. The targets and achievement against such targets are disclosed in the calling notice to the 2014 Annual General Meeting.
Settlement of these Restricted Stock Units and subsequent transfer to the eligible employee of shares in the Company will take place three years later subject principally to further employment by the Company. The full Performance based Restricted Stock Plan including all terms and conditions will be presented to the Annual General Meeting in May 2014 for approval.
This statement deals primarily with the remuneration of our CEO and other executive officers. However, the above described remuneration policy is to a large extent applicable to a broad group of key employees within the Company. Enhanced performance by the management groups is not achieved by our CEO and other executive officers alone but rather is dependent on a large number of managers and key employees throughout the Company. Therefore, a large and increasing number of managers and key employees are included in performance based remuneration schemes, which contain all or some of the above mentioned elements. More than 500 employees within the Company are currently eligible for performance based remuneration. In addition, all other employees may receive up to a maximum of one month salary in annual bonus. The level of this bonus is determined by the Board of Directors based on the financial results of the Company.
Remuneration of the CEO and other executive officers are evaluated regularly by the Remuneration and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board of Directors. The Remuneration and Corporate Governance Committee annually reviews the total compensation level, the mix between fixed and performance related compensation and the mix between short, medium and long term compensation. The Remuneration and Corporate Governance Committee has developed an annual schedule in order to ensure and facilitate a structured approach to the annual review of executive compensation. The committee has also engaged an external advisor for this work.
A specific peer group of comparable companies and an executive remuneration philosophy has been adopted. The peer group currently consists of seventeen companies from Norway, Europe and the Americas. All companies are of comparable size and with international operations within the oil service sector. The external advisor collects and combines relevant information on the companies in the peer
group. This is used by the Remuneration and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board of Directors for benchmarking of executive remuneration. The executive remuneration philosophy document includes certain targets and guidelines on how the Company's CEO and executives should compare to the peer group. These tools amongst others, are used by the Remuneration and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board of Directors to decide on an appropriate remuneration structure and to set appropriate total remuneration for the CEO and executive officers.
Since the Annual General Meeting in May 2013 the Board of Directors have followed the guidelines then approved by the Annual General Meeting with respect to remuneration of the CEO and the other executive officers.
The Board of Directors of Petroleum Geo-Services ASA ("PGS") has decided to adopt a practice of proposing a Performance Restricted Stock Unit Plan to the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of PGS in order to ensure that key employees in PGS and its subsidiaries have long term incentives which are in line with shareholders' interests and which have a retention effect on such key employees. For the terms, reference is made to the 2014 Performance Restricted Stock Unit Plan (the "2014 Plan").
The Board has adopted this document in order to provide transparency on the relevant performance criteria and application of these to determine the Board's proposal to the 2014 AGM for the total pool of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) available for award under the 2014 Plan.
Internal control: The Board has considered whether there were reasons to reduce the RSU pool based on weaknesses in internal control or non-compliance with corporate policies for 2013 or earlier years. No such reason has been identified.
III. Overall assessment of achievements in 2013: The Remuneration and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board of Directors have assessed the Company's achievements in 2013 in respect of the above given strategic goals and proposed a pool of RSUs available for award under the 2014 Plan to the Board based on this assessment:
It is noted that the Company has grown both the EBIT and the EBITDA in 2013 over 2012. The Board is also satisfied that the Company in 2013 has delivered superior EBIT margins compared to other vessel owing seismic companies. However, the Board has taken into account that the achievements on Business Growth and Profitability are below the targets and this is the main reason for the proposed reduction of the RSU pool in 2014 over 2013. The Company has mixed achievements (one above and one below) in HSEQ compared to its very challenging goals, but the Company continues to outperform its peers in the seismic industry by a large margin (2012 seismic industry average were LTIF 0.61 and TRCF 1.93). On Operational Performance the Company continues to deliver superior results and 93.4% is both significantly above the target and the highest recorded Performance to date by the Company. Based on the above consideration the Board has decided to propose a pool of RSUs of 750,000, which represents a reduction of the number of RSUs available for Award of approximately 12% from the 2013 award. This represents approximately 0.35% of the total outstanding shares in the Company.
Plan. The Petroleum Geo-Services ASA 2014 Performance Based Restricted Stock Unit Plan (the "Plan") was adopted by Petroleum Geo-Services ASA to reward certain corporate officers and employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries by enabling them to receive Shares of the Company.
Objectives. The purpose of the Plan is to further align the interests of the Company, its Subsidiaries and its shareholders by providing long term incentives in the form of Awards to employees who can contribute materially to the success and profitability of the Company and its Subsidiaries. Such Awards will recognize and reward outstanding performances and individual contributions and give Participants in the Plan an interest in the Company parallel to that of the shareholders, thus enhancing the proprietary and personal interest of such Participants in the Company's continued success and long term progress. This Plan will also enable the Company and its Subsidiaries to attract and retain such employees.
Definitions. As used herein, the terms set forth below shall have the following respective meanings:
"Award" means the grant of RSUs to an Employee pursuant to such applicable terms, conditions, and limitations as may be established in order to fulfill the objectives of the Plan.
"Award Agreement" means one or more agreements between the Company and an Employee setting forth the terms, conditions and limitations applicable to an Award.
"Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.
"Change of Control" shall be deemed to have occurred if: (a) a tender offer is made and consummated for the ownership of 25% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the Company; (b) the Company is merged or consolidated with another corporation and as a result of such merger or consolidation less than 51% of the outstanding voting securities of the surviving or resulting corporation are owned in the aggregate by the persons or entities who were shareholders of the Company immediately prior to such merger or consolidation; or (c) the Company sells substantially all of its assets to another corporation, partnership or other entity that is not a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.
"Committee" means the committee of the Board designated by the Board to administer certain portions of the Plan or, if no such committee is designated, the Board. The Committee may consist of Directors of the Board and/or of the personnel from the Company management.
"Company" means Petroleum Geo-Services ASA.
"Code" means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
"Employee" means (1) an employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (2) an individual who has agreed to become an employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and is expected to become such an employee within six months following the applicable Grant Date.
"Fair Market Value" of a Share means, as of a particular date, (i) if the Company at that point is listed on Oslo Børs, the average trading price of the Shares on Oslo Børs that particular date, (ii) if the Company at that point is not listed on Oslo Børs, but is listed on another stock exchange, the average trading price of the Shares on such other stock exchange that particular date, or (iii) if the Shares are not publicly traded, the most recent value determined by an independent appraiser appointed by the Company for such purpose.
"Good Leaver" is defined in Paragraph 9(a)(ii).
"Grant Date" means the date an Award is granted to a Participant pursuant to the Plan.
"Participant" means an Employee to whom an Award has been granted under this Plan.
"Plan" is defined in Paragraph 1.
"RSU" means a restricted stock unit, each of which entitles the Participant to receive one Share, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the Award Agreement.
"Settlement Date" means, subject to Paragraph 18, the third anniversary of the Grant Date, and if the applicable Settlement Date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday in Norway, the Settlement Date shall be the first day thereafter where banks in Norway are generally open for business.
"Shares" means the ordinary shares of the Company.
"Subsidiary" means (i) in the case of a corporation, any corporation of which the Company directly or indirectly owns shares representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the shares of all classes or series of share capital of such corporation which have the right to vote generally on matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of such corporation, (ii) in the case of a partnership or other business entity not organized as a corporation, any such business entity of which the Company directly or indirectly owns 50% or more of the voting, capital or profits interests (whether in the form of partnership interests, membership interests or otherwise), (iii) any other corporation, partnership or other entity that is a "subsidiary" of the Company within the meaning of Rule 405 promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended and (iv) any other corporation, partnership or other entity that is a "subsidiary" of the Company within the meaning of the Norwegian Public Limited Companies Act Section 1-3 second paragraph.
"VPS Account" means an account registered in the name of the Participant with the Norwegian Central Securities Depository, Verdipapirsentralen ASA.
(a) Subject to the provisions of Paragraph 16 hereof, no Award shall be granted if it shall result in the aggregate number of Shares to be received by Participants under the Plan plus the number of Shares covered by or subject to Awards then outstanding under this Plan (after giving effect to the grant of the Award in question) exceeding 750,000.
(b) The number of Shares that are the subject of Awards under this Plan that are forfeited or terminated shall again immediately become available for Awards hereunder. The Committee may from time to time adopt and observe such rules and procedures concerning the counting of Shares against the Plan maximum or any sublimit as it may deem appropriate, including rules more restrictive than those set forth above to the extent necessary to satisfy the requirements of any national stock exchange on which the Shares are listed, any applicable regulatory requirement or any tax qualification requirement. The Board and the appropriate officers of the Company are authorized to take from time to time whatever actions are necessary, and to file any required documents with governmental authorities, stock exchanges and transaction reporting systems to ensure that Shares are available for delivery pursuant to Awards.
(c) The rights provided for by an Award Agreement, the grant and settlement of the RSUs and the RSUs themselves are at all times conditional on (i) the Board having the necessary authorization to fulfill the delivery of the Shares under the RSUs and (ii) the Company holding a sufficient number of Shares as treasury shares at the relevant Settlement Date. In the event these conditions are not met, any RSUs awarded and settled under the Plan shall be settled by a cash bonus payment equal to the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of settlement multiplied by the number of Shares subject to the Award.
(a) This Plan shall be administered by the Committee, except as otherwise provided herein.
(b) Subject to the provisions hereof, the Committee shall have full and exclusive power and authority to administer this Plan and to take all actions that are specifically contemplated hereby or are necessary or appropriate in connection with the administration hereof. The Committee shall also have full and exclusive power to adopt such rules, regulations and guidelines for carrying out this Plan as it may deem necessary or proper and which are either (i) not materially adverse to the Participant to whom such Award was granted, (ii) consented to by such Participant, or (iii) made pursuant to the adjustment provisions in Paragraph 16. The Committee may correct any defect or supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in this Plan or in any Award in the manner and to the extent the Committee deems necessary or desirable to further the Plan purposes.
(c) No member of the Committee or officer of the Company to whom the Committee has delegated authority in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 7 of this Plan shall be liable for anything done or omitted to be done by him or her, by any member of the Committee
6. Administration.
or by any officer of the Company in connection with the performance of any duties under this Plan, except for his or her own willful misconduct or as expressly provided by statute.
(a) The Committee (or other committee to whom such authority is delegated under Paragraph 7) shall designate from time to time the Employees who are to be the Participants. Any Award shall be granted in the Committee's discretion based on amongst other considerations the position in the Company and a review on the individual Participant's performance prior to award.
(b) Each eligible Participant has an annual individual performance contract with performance goals set at the beginning of the year. For the top management group strategic goals within categories such as Financial Performance, HSEQ and Operational Efficiency are key elements of each manager's individual performance contract. Participant's performance relevant for Award is achievement towards the individual performance contract in the year prior to award.
(c) Each Award may, in the discretion of the Committee, be embodied in an Award Agreement, which shall contain such terms, conditions, and limitations as shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion and, if required by the Committee, shall be signed by the Participant to whom the Award is granted and signed for and on behalf of the Company. Awards may be granted singly, in combination or in tandem. Awards may also be granted in combination or in tandem with, in replacement of, or as alternatives to, grants or rights under this Plan or any other employee plan of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, including the plan of any acquired entity. All or part of an Award may be subject to conditions established by the Committee.
(a) An Award shall be in the form of RSUs, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the Award Agreement. Unless otherwise provided by the Committee, the following terms shall apply to all RSUs:
(i) Settlement of RSUs: Subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan and the Award Agreement, and further subject to Paragraph 19, all RSUs will automatically be settled at the applicable Settlement Date. Following settlement, and subject to Paragraph 5, last sub-paragraph and the further terms and conditions of the Plan and the Award Agreement, a number of Shares equal to the number of RSUs settled will be
delivered by the Company to the Participant's VPS Account as soon as practicable. Any delivery of Shares is conditional upon the Participant having registered a VPS Account and notified the Committee of the account details. Until the date that Shares are registered with a Participant's VPS Account, the Participant shall have no rights as a shareholder pursuant to the Plan or any Award Agreement. From the date when the Shares are registered with the Participant's VPS Account, the Participant will have the right to receive dividends thereafter declared with respect to such Shares and to exercise other shareholder rights.
(ii) Termination of Employment: A "Good Leaver" is someone who leaves due to retirement at the normal retirement age or early retirement with Company (or a Subsidiary) consent, incapacity, serious ill health or death. For a Good Leaver, all RSUs continue with full effect and will automatically be settled at the applicable Settlement Date pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the Award Agreement. In the event of the death of the Employee, the RSUs shall be settled in cash as full and final settlement of all RSUs within 60 days after the time of death. If more than one heir (whether by will, statute or otherwise) of the Employee claims the cash payment, the Committee can require as a condition for making the cash payment that the heirs within 30 days from written notice from the Committee agree among themselves who shall have the right to the cash payment, and if no such confirmation has been received in writing by the Committee within the 30 day deadline, the RSUs will terminate without any cash payment taking place and without any further liability or obligations for the Company (or any Subsidiary). For an Employee who is not a Good Leaver, all RSUs outstanding at the time the Employee resigns, gives or receives a notice of termination with the Company (or a Subsidiary) will terminate immediately without any further liability or obligations for the Company (or a Subsidiary). For the avoidance of doubt, a transfer of employment between the Company and a Subsidiary or between Subsidiaries shall not be considered a termination of employment for purposes of this Plan.
Change of Control. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan, including Paragraphs 7 and 8 hereof, unless otherwise expressly provided in the applicable Award Agreement, in the event of the occurrence of a Change of Control, each RSU granted under this Plan to the Participant shall be immediately settled in full; provided, however, that with respect to a Participant subject to United States taxation, no Change of Control shall be deemed to have occurred unless such event also constitutes an event specified in Code Section 409A(2)(A)(v) and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.
Participants in Different Jurisdictions. The Committee may grant awards to persons in a particular country under such terms and conditions as may, in the judgment of the Committee, be necessary or advisable to comply with the laws of the applicable foreign jurisdictions and, to that end, may establish sub-plans, modified RSU settlement procedures and other terms and procedures. Notwithstanding the above, the Committee may not take any actions hereunder, and no Awards shall be granted, that would violate any securities law, any governing statute, or any other applicable law.
Securities Law regulations.
(a) As the Company is a public company and is listed on Oslo Børs, there are certain laws, rules and regulations that apply for subscription, sale and purchase of the Company's securities (including Shares and other financial instruments in the Company), including but not limited to insider trading rules and notification obligations. Each Participant is obliged, and is personally responsible, to make him or her self familiar with such rules and to abide by the same.
(b) Furthermore, the Company has rules (which might be amended from time to time in the Company's sole discretion) for its employees and employees of its Subsidiaries trading in its securities, and each Participant is also obliged, and is personally responsible, to make him or her self familiar with such Company rules and to abide by the same.
(c) The Committee may adopt additional rules and procedures regarding the settlement of RSUs from time to time, provided that such rules and procedures are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Plan.
Taxes. The Participant shall be fully liable for any and all tax liabilities imposed upon the Participant pursuant to an Award and any and all rights conferred to the Participant under an Award Agreement, including but not limited to, taxes imposed by the settlement of RSUs and delivery of Shares or payment of cash. The Company will declare any Award and any delivery of Shares or payment of cash on the basis of an Award Agreement to the Norwegian and/or other relevant tax authorities in accordance with applicable laws at all times. The Company or its designated third-party administrator shall have the right to deduct applicable taxes (including withholding taxes) from any Award payment and withhold, at the time of delivery of cash or Shares under this Plan, an appropriate amount of cash or number of Shares or a combination thereof for payment of taxes (including withholding taxes) or other amounts required by law or to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Company to satisfy all obligations for withholding of such taxes.
Amendment, Modification, Suspension, or Termination of the Plan. The Board may amend, modify, suspend, or terminate this Plan for the purpose of meeting or addressing any changes in legal requirements or for any other purpose permitted by law, except that (i) no amendment or alteration that would adversely affect in any material respect the rights of any Participant under any Award previously granted to such Participant shall be made without the consent of such Participant and (ii) no amendment or alteration shall be effective prior to its approval by the shareholders of the Company to the extent such approval is required by applicable legal requirements or the applicable requirements of the securities exchange on which the Shares are listed.
Assignability. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee and provided in the Award Agreement or the terms of the Award, no Award or any other benefit under this Plan shall be assignable or otherwise transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. The Committee may prescribe and include in applicable Award Agreements or the terms of the Award other restrictions on transfer. Any attempted assignment of an Award or any other benefit under this Plan in violation of this Paragraph 14 shall be null and void.
Adjustments.
(a) The existence of outstanding Awards shall not affect in any manner the right or power of the Company or its shareholders to make or authorize any or all adjustments, recapitalizations, reorganizations, or other changes in the share capital of the Company or its business or any merger, demerger or consolidation of the Company, or any issue of Shares, bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference stock (whether or not such issue is prior to, on a parity with or junior to the existing Shares) or the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or any other corporate act or proceeding of any kind, whether or not of a character similar to that of the acts or proceedings enumerated above.
(b) In the event of any subdivision or consolidation of outstanding Shares or a Share split, any other recapitalization or capital reorganization of the Company, any consolidation, merger or demerger of the Company with another corporation or entity (which do not qualify as a Change of Control), the adoption by the Company of any plan of exchange affecting the Shares, then the number of RSUs covered by the Awards shall be proportionately adjusted by the Company as appropriate to reflect such transaction; provided that such adjustments shall only be such as are necessary to maintain the proportionate interest of the holders of the RSUs and to preserve, without increasing, the value of such RSUs.
Restrictions. No Shares or other form of payment shall be delivered with respect to any Award unless the Company shall be satisfied based on the advice of its counsel that such delivery will be in compliance with applicable law. Shares delivered under this Plan may be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the rules, regulations and other requirements of the applicable securities regulatory authority, any securities exchange or transaction reporting system upon which the Shares are then listed or to which it is admitted for quotation and any applicable law. The Committee may cause a legend or legends to be placed or coded upon the Shares to make appropriate reference to any such restrictions.
Right to Employment. Nothing in this Plan or any Award Agreement shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company or its Subsidiaries to terminate any Participant's employment or other service relationship at any time, or confer upon any Participant any right to continue in the capacity in which he or she is employed or otherwise serves the Company or its Subsidiaries.
Postponement of the Settlement Date. If, due to securities law restrictions, the Committee in its discretion finds it appropriate, the Committee may elect to postpone the applicable Settlement Date. The Settlement Date may, however, only be postponed for as long as the securities law restrictions apply.
Governing Law and Disputes. This Plan and all determinations made and actions taken pursuant hereto shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Kingdom of Norway. Any disputes arising out of or in connection with this Plan and any Award shall be settled by the ordinary courts in Norway with Asker og Bærum tingrett as the legal venue.
Section 409A.
(a) Awards made under this Plan are intended to comply with or be exempt from Code Section 409A, and ambiguous provisions hereof, if any, shall be construed and interpreted in a manner consistent with such intent. No payment, benefit or consideration shall be substituted for an Award if such action would result in the imposition of taxes under Code Section 409A. Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, if any Plan provision or Award under this Plan would result in the imposition of an additional tax under Code Section 409A, that Plan provision or Award shall be reformed, to the extent permissible under Code Section 409A, to avoid imposition of the additional tax, and no such action shall be deemed to adversely affect the Participant's rights to an Award.
(b) If the Participant is identified by the Company as a "specified employee" within the meaning of Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) on the date on which the Participant has a "separation from service" (other than due to death) within the meaning of Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-1(h), any Award payable or settled on account of a separation from service that is deferred compensation subject to Code Section 409A shall be paid or settled on the earliest of (1) the first business day following the expiration of six months from the Participant's separation from service, (2) the date of the Participant's death, or (3) such earlier date as complies with the requirements of Code Section 409A.
Petroleum Geo-Services is committed to maintaining high standards of corporate governance. We believe that effective corporate governance is essential to our Company's success and establishes the framework by which we conduct ourselves in delivering services to our customers and creating value for our shareholders.
Petroleum Geo-Services ASA is registered in Norway as a public limited liability company, and our corporate governance model is based on Norwegian corporate law and the Norwegian Code of Practice for Corporate Governance (the NUES Recommendations). To the extent practicable, PGS adheres to requirements applicable to registrants of foreign securities in the United States, where our American Depositary Shares (ADS) are publicly traded. We have also implemented corporate governance guidelines particularly suited to our Company and the industry in which we operate.
The Norwegian Public Limited Liability Companies Act section 5-6 (4) requires that the Ordinary General Meeting approves the statement of Corporate Governance. Consequently, this report will be presented to the General Meeting on May 8, 2014.
Our corporate governance principles, which have been adopted by our Board of Directors, are summarized below. Our website provides full versions of our basic corporate governance documents. These items include the Company's articles of association, corporate governance policy, the Board of Directors' Rules of Procedure, and the charters for the Company's Audit Committee, Remuneration and Corporate Governance Committee, and Nomination Committee. The documents can be downloaded from our website: www.pgs.com.
In accordance with the Norwegian Accounting Act section 3-3b, PGS is required to give a statement of our corporate governance in the Board of Directors report. In the Board of Directors report we refer to this document.
We have adopted a Code of Conduct that reflects our commitment to our shareholders, customers, and employees to carry out our business with the utmost integrity. Our Code of Conduct and Core Values are available in full on our website: www.pgs.com.
At the heart of our Core Values is also a serious approach to Corporate Responsibility. We have built our framework for Corporate Responsibility around four key areas: People, Environment, Conduct, and Stakeholders. For a further description, see our Corporate Responsibility Report, which is available at www.pgs.com.
PGS is a focused geophysical company providing a broad range of seismic and reservoir services, including acquisition, processing, interpretation, and field evaluation. The company also possesses the world's most extensive multi-client data library. PGS operates on a worldwide basis with headquarters in Oslo, Norway.
Our business purpose, as presented in the Company's Articles of Association, is as follows:
"The business of the Company is to provide services to and participate and invest in energy related businesses."
Our business operations and the goals and strategies for our business areas are presented in greater detail in the Company's annual report.
Shareholders' equity as of December 31, 2013 was \$2,065.6 million, corresponding to 58% of total assets. The Board of Directors believes that the Company's net interest-bearing debt should be at moderate levels and not exceed two times annual EBITDA in the weak part of a business cycle and not exceed one times annual EBITDA at the peak of the cycle. The current net interest-bearing debt of \$666.7 million is well within this range, and the Company's funding and equity positions are considered satisfactory by the Board of Directors. The Board continually monitors the adequacy of the Company's equity in light of its objectives, strategy, and risk profile.
The Board of Directors has adopted a dividend policy whereby it is the intention to distribute 25 to 50 percent of net income as dividends.
The Board of Directors is authorized to buy back up to 10 percent of the Company's share capital. The current authorization expires on June 30, 2014. However, the authorization will – as always – be replaced by a new authorization at the next AGM.
It has been an ongoing practice of PGS shareholders to grant limited authorizations to the Board of Directors permitting it to increase the Company's share capital and/or acquire the Company's shares (treasury shares) for certain defined purposes. Separate General Meeting votes are held for (a) authorizations related to employee stock option programs and (b) authorizations for other purposes. When a proposed authorization encompasses share capital increases and/or acquisition of treasury shares for various purposes, the Company does not find it practical to hold separate votes on each proposed purpose. Authorizations are time-limited, cf. the paragraph above.
PGS has a single share class and all shares carry the same rights. At our General Meetings, each share carries one vote. Our Board of Directors is committed to equal treatment of shareholders in all respects.
When applicable, transactions involving the Company's own shares should be carried out through a stock exchange, or at prevailing stock-exchange prices if carried out in an alternative manner.
Transactions between the Company and shareholders, a shareholder's parent company, members of the Board of Directors, executive officers, or close associates of any such party (referred to as "Close Associates") shall be conducted at arm's length and at market terms. Material transactions with Close Associates will be subject to independent valuation by third parties. According to PGS' Code of Conduct, our employees shall not have any personal or financial interest that might conflict with those of PGS nor influence, or appear to influence judgments or actions in carrying out their responsibilities on behalf of the Company. According to our Rules of Procedure, a member of our Board of Directors may not participate in discussions or decision-making as to issues in which the director or any person closely associated with the director has a material personal or financial interest. The Code of Conduct and Rules of Procedure are available on our website: www.pgs.com.
The Company's shares are freely transferable.
Through participation in General Meetings, our shareholders exercise ultimate authority over the Company and elect the members of its Board of Directors and the chairperson of the Board of Directors.
Pursuant to PGS' Articles of Association, the notice of an AGM is distributed at least four weeks in advance of the meeting to shareholders or their depository banks. For ADS holders, the record date for notice-distribution purposes is set at approximately five weeks prior to the AGM. A copy of the call notice with appendices will be posted on our website: www.pgs.com.
Notices convening Extraordinary General Meetings (EGM) must be distributed at least two weeks ahead of the meeting. The Board of Directors is to call shareholders to an EGM upon a written demand by the Company's independent auditor or shareholders representing at least five percent of the share capital, or for other purposes.
Shareholders who wish to attend a General Meeting must notify the Company's registrar or PGS by the deadline stated in the meeting notice, which must be at least two working days before the General Meeting.
According to the Company's Articles of Association, documents to be considered at the General Meeting may be published on our website. The same applies to documents that, due to statutory requirements must be attached to, or included in the notice calling the General Meeting. If the documents are published in such a manner, the statutory requirements for distribution shall not apply. Nevertheless, shareholders are entitled to request that documents to be considered by the General Meeting be sent to them via regular mail.
To vote at General Meetings, in person or by proxy, a shareholder must be registered with the Norwegian Central Securities Depository (VPS). Holders of American Depositary Shares ("ADS") may vote according to the underlying shares by: (a) having the underlying shares transferred to an account with the Norwegian Central Securities Depository in the name of the holder, (b) attending the meeting as a shareholder by providing their name and address and a confirmation from Deutsche Bank, depositary for the ADS, to the effect that they are the beneficial owner of the underlying shares, or (c) authorizing Deutsche Bank to vote the ADS on their behalf in accordance with specific guidelines.
An owner with shares registered through a custodian has voting rights equivalent to the number of shares covered by the custodial arrangement, provided that the owner of the shares, within two working days ahead of the General Meeting, provides PGS with his or her name and address together with written confirmation from the custodian to the effect that he or she is the beneficial owner of the shares held in custody.
Written and/or electronic voting in accordance with the Norwegian Public Limited Liability Companies Act, section 5-8b, shall be allowed for meetings where such method of voting is arranged by the Board of Directors.
All directors generally attend the AGM together with the chairman of the nomination committee and the auditor. In accordance with our Articles of Association, the chairperson of the Board of Directors chairs General Meetings. This is a deviation from the NUES Recommendation (identified below) No. 6 for making arrangements to ensure an independent chairman for the General Meetings. The reason for this deviation is that the Company has found this more practical and that PGS wishes to ensure that General Meetings are chaired by a competent person having proper insight into PGS' overall operations.
According to our Articles of Association, the Company has a Nomination Committee comprised of three members to be elected by our shareholders at the AGM. Nominations should take into account the interests of shareholders in general. The members and the chairperson of the Nomination Committee are elected at the General Meeting. The majority of Nomination Committee members shall qualify as independent parties, pursuant to the Norwegian Code of Practice for Corporate Governance. The term of service shall be two years unless the General Meeting determines that the period shall be shorter.
The Nomination Committee's main responsibilities, which are set out in its charter, are to propose nominees for election as members and chairperson of the Board of Directors and the Nomination Committee. Further, the Committee proposes remuneration to be paid to members of the Board of Directors and Nomination Committee. Remuneration is approved by the General Meeting. Annually, the Nomination Committee produces a written report containing its nominations and proposals, which is distributed in advance of each AGM.
Once a year, the Nomination Committee meets with each director individually and discusses how the Board and its committees function and whether there is a need for changes to the Board.
The current Nomination Committee comprises Roger O'Neil (chairperson), C. Maury Devine, and Hanne Harlem. All three were reelected at the AGM held May 14, 2013 for a service period ending with the 2014 AGM.
Shareholders who wish to propose new Board members may do so by submitting a candidate's name to PGS' investor relations staff via the Company's website: www.pgs.com by following the link, "Nominate a Board Member." The deadline for submissions each year is the end of February. Alternatively, candidates can be proposed by letter to PGS or via email to: [email protected]. PGS does not employ any Nomination Committee members and none is a member of the Board of Directors.
In 2013, the Nomination Committee held four meetings. The Nomination Committee's report on its work and recommendations will be distributed with the notice of the 2014 Annual General Meeting.
According to PGS' Articles of Association, our Board of Directors shall have from three to thirteen directors. The period of service for members of the Board of Directors shall be one year.
The Board has adopted its own Rules of Procedure that establish in more detail its roles and responsibilities, including:
The composition of the Board of Directors is a reflection of the Company's commitment to protect the common interests of all shareholders and the Company's need for expertise, capacity, and diversity.
All directors are independent of the Company's management. All directors are also per December 31, 2013, independent of our major business relations and major shareholders. The Board of Directors has considered whether Walter Qvam, who was appointed to the Board of Directors in November 2013, can be considered independent as he is the Chief Executive Officer of Kongsberg Gruppen ASA. Kongsberg Gruppen ASA, through its subsidiaries, is a provider of various services and equipment to PGS. However, this activity is not significant for either of the two companies involved, and PGS' Board has concluded that Mr. Qvam is to be regarded as independent of the Company. No member of our Board of Directors may be an executive of PGS. Directors are not permitted to perform paid consultancy work for PGS. Five board members, directly or indirectly, own PGS shares.
Shareholders and other interested parties may communicate directly with our independent directors by written correspondence addressed to Petroleum Geo-Services, Board of Directors (Independent Members), Secretary of the Board of Directors or to the Company's General Counsel Rune Olav Pedersen, PO Box 251, NO-0216 Oslo, Norway. Further, our website: www.pgs.com invites shareholders wishing to discuss corporate governance or corporate responsibility matters to contact Mr. Pedersen by phone or arrange a meeting with him.
As of December 31, 2013, the Board of Directors comprised nine shareholder representatives. Current board members are presented on the Company's website: www.pgs.com and in the Company's annual report.
In accordance with Norwegian corporate law, our Board of Directors has overall responsibility for management of the Company, while the Company's Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") is responsible for day-to-day management.
The Board of Directors provides oversight of the CEO's day-to-day management and company activities in general. The Board of Directors is also responsible for ensuring that appropriate management, guidelines, and control systems are in place and are followed. The CEO, as agreed with the chairperson of the Board of Directors, annually submits a schedule for the meetings of the Board of Directors in the upcoming calendar year. The schedule is subject to Board approval. In 2013, the Board of Directors held nine meetings including conference calls. During 2013, all directors participated in all meetings and conference calls, with the exception of one director who missed one meeting and another director who missed one conference call.
Key elements of the Rules of Procedure cover the Board of Directors' responsibilities to determine the Company's financial targets, set strategies along with the CEO and executive committees, and approve business plans, budgets, and budgetary and risk frameworks. In its supervision of the Company's business activities, the Board of Directors will seek to ensure that satisfactory procedures are in place for monitoring and follow-up of Board-approved corporate principles and guidelines covering areas such as ethical conduct; adherence to laws, rules, and regulations; health, safety and environment; and corporate social responsibility.
The Rules of Procedure also require an annual self-evaluation to determine whether the Board of Directors and its committees are functioning effectively. The annual self-evaluation is prepared and facilitated by the Remuneration and Corporate Governance Committee. An anonymous survey is carried out and the findings are discussed by the Board of Directors. The survey's findings are made available to the Nomination Committee. The Chairperson of the Nomination Committee also shares with the Board relevant information for improvement of Board processes that may come up in their annual interviews with individual directors.
Each scheduled Board of Directors meeting includes a separate session at which issues may be discussed without the presence of management.
The tasks and duties of the CEO vis-à-vis the Company's Board of Directors are also outlined in the Rules of Procedure, along with the tasks and duties of the chairperson of the Board of Directors. The CEO participates in all board meetings other than closed sessions. The Board of Directors elects a vice chairperson to chair board meetings in the chairperson's absence. The full text of the Board of Directors' Rules of Procedure is available at: www.pgs.com.
Our governance structure is organized as described below.
Our Board of Directors is responsible for the development and supervision of our business activities. The Board has established an Audit Committee and a Remuneration and Corporate Governance Committee to assist in organizing and carrying out its responsibilities.
Board responsibilities include:
The responsibilities of the CEO include:
Our Audit Committee comprises board members Harald Norvik (chairperson), Carol Bell, Daniel J. Piette, and Anne Grethe Dalane. All committee members are considered independent of the Company. The committee's functions are to assist the Board of Directors in its supervision of the integrity of PGS' financial statements; to monitor the independent auditor's qualifications, independence and performance; to monitor the performance of the internal audit function; and to promote and review compliance with laws and regulatory requirements.
PGS' Remuneration and Corporate Governance Committee comprises board members Holly Van Deursen (chairperson), Annette Malm Justad, Ingar Skaug, and Walter Qvam. The function of the committee is to assist in matters relating to compensation, benefits, and perquisites of the CEO and other senior executives. Review and modification of the Company's guidelines for good corporate governance are also committee responsibilities.
The Board of Directors is responsible for ensuring that appropriate guidelines, monitoring, and internal control systems are in place and effective. These are to include embedding risk management, designating risk ownership, and implementing risk responses and controls.
The Board of Directors has systems in place to ensure that the CEO exercises appropriate and effective management. The Board of Directors' Audit Committee assesses the integrity of PGS' accounts. It also inquires into, on behalf of the Board of Directors, issues related to financial review and external audit of PGS' accounts. Further, the Board of Directors and the Audit Committee supervise and verify that effective internal control systems are in place, including systems for risk management and financial reporting.
The Board of Directors and the Audit Committee take steps to ensure that the Company's internal control functions are working as intended and that necessary measures are taken to reduce extraordinary risk exposure. Furthermore, the Board of Directors makes certain that there are satisfactory routines for follow-up of principles and guidelines adopted by the Board of Directors governing ethical conduct; compliance with laws, rules and regulations; health, safety and working environment; and corporate social responsibility.
The Company's anti-corruption program includes a policy, a management statement, and procedures as to several ethical issues, periodic training, high risk area assessment and monitoring, compulsory contract wording, etc. The policy and procedures are available at www.pgs.com. The program is evaluated on a regular basis by the Audit Committee.
Management maintains and regularly reviews a risk matrix setting out the main risks for the Company. These risk factors and the Company's risk mitigating activities are subject to discussion in the Board of Directors at least once a year.
Management conducts day-to-day follow-up of financial management and reporting. Management has established a structured process to ensure that Internal Control over Financial Reporting is effective. The process includes identification and assessment of all material financial reporting risks, identifying and documenting relevant controls to address these risks, and monitoring that controls are implemented and performed. For controls that are not operationally effective at year-end, their potential financial exposure and impact on the consolidated financial statements are evaluated.
PGS has an Internal Audit Department reporting directly to the Audit Committee on its audit planning and audit reports. The purpose of the Internal Audit Department is to perform independent, objective assurance and consulting activities that add value and improve the Company's initiatives in financial, operational and compliance areas.
The scope of work for the Internal Audit Department includes determining whether the Company's risk management, control, and governance processes, as designed and represented by management, are adequate and well-functioning. The department has established a process for ensuring that adequate internal control-related activities are integrated into significant PGS business operations worldwide and that focus is directed towards areas of perceived high risk.
Any non-conformance is systematically followed up and corrective measures are implemented and their effects monitored.
Remuneration of board members is not linked to performance but is based on participation in meetings and is subject to annual approval by the General Meeting. Board members shall not solicit or accept specific assignments for PGS beyond their role as Board members. Board members do not hold any PGS share options.
For details on compensation to individual board members, please see Note 34 to the financial statement of PGS.
Remuneration payable to board members will be proposed by the Nomination Committee according to its charter, and submitted to the AGM for approval.
Executive remuneration is one of the primary tasks of the Remuneration and Corporate Governance Committee. The committee annually reviews the total compensation level, the mix between fixed and performance related compensation and the mix between short, medium and long-term compensation. The Remuneration and Corporate Governance Committee has developed an annual schedule in order to ensure and facilitate a structured approach to the annual review of executive compensation. The committee has also engaged an external advisor for this work.
A specific peer group of comparable companies and an executive remuneration philosophy have been adopted. The peer group currently consists of seventeen companies from Norway, Europe, and the Americas. All companies are of comparable size and have international operations in the oil service sector. The external advisor collects and compiles relevant information on peer group companies. This information is used by the Remuneration and Corporate Governance Committee for benchmarking executive remuneration. The executive remuneration policy document includes certain targets and guidelines on how the Company's executives should compare to the peer group. These tools amongst others, are used by the Remuneration and Corporate Governance Committee to decide on an appropriate remuneration structure and to set appropriate total remuneration.
Compensation for the CEO adheres to the same process as that used for other executives, but is also subject to approval by the Board of Directors.
PGS currently has a compensation structure for executive managers that includes a base salary, benefits such as newspaper and mobile phone subscriptions, cash bonuses, pension plans, and stock-based long-term incentive programs. Features of these programs include an absolute ceiling on performance-related remuneration and a cap on maximum gain on option programs.
For further details on the compensation structure and total compensation to executive team members, see Note 34 to the financial statement of PGS.
The Board of Directors is committed to reporting financial results and other relevant information based on openness and the requirement of equal treatment of all shareholders and securities market participants. The Company complies with relevant disclosure rules and regulations. Announcements are released through the Thomson Reuters reporting channel and posted on the Oslo Stock Exchange's news service: www.newsweb.no. In addition, all announcements are available on the Company's website: www.pgs.com. The Company's policy of accessibility for shareholders is also presented on the Company's website.
The Company has an investor relations function to ensure that requests for information from shareholders, analysts and other interested parties are satisfied. The Company has an active investor communication program which includes senior management roadshows in connection with reporting of financial results, presentations at relevant investor conferences, and availability for one-on-one meetings. The Company hosts a Capital Markets Day presentation once a year.
The Board of Directors and the Nomination Committee send a letter to the largest shareholders once a year inviting them to join in a dialog on corporate governance and corporate responsibility matters. The letter is also posted on www.pgs.com and any shareholder may initiate communication with the Company on these matters. During 2013, several meetings and phone conferences were conducted with shareholders under this initiative.
The Board of Directors has established guiding principles for how it will act in the event of a takeover bid. The Board of Directors will ensure that all shareholders are treated equally and seek to prevent disruptions to or interference with Company operations to the extent possible. In the event of a takeover bid, the Board of Directors will, in accordance with its overall responsibilities and good corporate governance, act in the best interest of shareholders and ensure that they are given sufficient information in the matter. If a takeover bid is made, the Board of Directors will issue a statement containing a recommendation as to whether the shareholders should accept or reject the offer, including an independent valuation of the offer. The Company's Articles of Association do not contain any restrictions, limitations, or defense mechanisms against acquisition of its shares.
The Audit Committee shall support the Board of Directors in the administration and exercise of its responsibility for supervision of the work of the independent auditor, who shall keep the Board of Directors informed of all aspects of its work for PGS. This duty includes submission of an annual plan for the audit of PGS. The auditor attends all Audit Committee meetings and, at least twice a year, meets with the Audit Committee without the presence of management. In-house policies govern the use of the auditor's services. Use of the auditor for services other than the audit of PGS requires pre-approval by the Audit Committee.
The independent auditor meets with the full Board of Directors at least once a year in connection with the preparation of the annual financial statements and, at least once a year, presents a review of PGS' financial reporting and internal control procedures for financial reporting. At least once a year, the independent auditor meets with the Board of Directors without the presence of any member of the executive management.
Remuneration paid to the auditor for mandatory and other audit services will be reported to the AGM for approval.
As part of PGS' Business Practice outlined on www.pgs.com, PGS is inter alia committed to comply with relevant laws, rules, and regulations. In addition, PGS complies with the current recommendations set forth in the NUES Recommendations, subject only to deviations identified and justified in this report. The NUES Recommendations are available at www.nues.no.
The Board of Directors further conducts periodic reviews of PGS' corporate governance policies and procedures, including the Board of Directors' Rules of Procedure. This process is conducted annually and managed by the Remuneration and Corporate Governance Committee. Any changes to policies or procedures are presented to the Board of Directors for approval.
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