UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A

 

PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Filed by the Registrant þ

 

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o

 

Check the appropriate box:

 

þ  Preliminary Proxy Statement

o  Confidential, for use of the Commission only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

o  Definitive Proxy Statement

o  Definitive Additional Materials

o  Soliciting Material Pursuant to § 240.14a-12

 

WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL LTD.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

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

 

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          , 200 

 

Dear Fellow Shareholder:

 

You are cordially invited to join us at a special meeting of the shareholders of Weatherford International Ltd. beginning at 9:00 a.m. on          , 2009. The meeting will be held at our offices located at 515 Post Oak Blvd., Room 604, in Houston, Texas.

 

We will be asking you to approve a proposal to change Weatherford International Ltd.’s place of incorporation from Bermuda to Switzerland. Changing our place of incorporation from Bermuda to Switzerland, including relocating our principal executive offices to Switzerland, will establish a corporate headquarters that is more centrally located within our area of worldwide operations, will locate us in a country with a stable and developed legal and tax regime with established standards of corporate governance, including provisions for the rights of shareholders, and should improve our ability to maintain a competitive worldwide effective corporate tax rate.

 

Changing our place of incorporation to Switzerland will not change the number of shares you hold in Weatherford or your percentage ownership in Weatherford. We will continue to conduct our business as we do now, and we expect that our common shares will continue to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the same symbol we currently use (“WFT”). We also will remain subject to the governance and reporting standards of an NYSE-listed company and will continue to report our financial results in U.S. dollars using U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

Your board of directors has unanimously approved the transaction and recommends that you vote to approve the proposal. The notice of the meeting and the proxy statement that follow this letter describe the proposal in detail and the other business to be conducted at the meeting. We encourage you to read the attached documents carefully. You should carefully consider “Risk Factors” beginning on page 14 for a discussion of risks related to the proposals before voting.

 

Your vote is very important. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, we strongly encourage you to provide your proxy by telephone, the internet or by completing, signing and returning the enclosed proxy card at your earliest convenience.

 

Thank you for your cooperation and support.

 

Sincerely,

 

Bernard J. Duroc-Danner

Chairman of the Board, President and
Chief Executive Officer

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the securities to be issued in the transaction described in the accompanying proxy statement or determined if the accompanying proxy statement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

The accompanying proxy statement is dated          , 200   and, together with the accompanying proxy card, is first being mailed to shareholders on or about          , 200  .

NOTICE OF COURT MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF BERMUDA
CIVIL JURISDICTION
(COMMERCIAL COURT)
2008: NO. 310

 

IN THE MATTER OF WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL LTD.
AND IN THE MATTER OF SECTION 99 OF THE COMPANIES ACT 1981

 

NOTICE OF MEETING OF WEATHERFORD INTERNATIONAL LTD.
SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON          , 2009

 

To the holders of common shares of Weatherford International Ltd.:

 

Notice is hereby given that, by an order dated December 18, 2008 made in the above matter, the Supreme Court of Bermuda has directed a meeting to be convened of the holders of common shares of Weatherford International Ltd., an exempted company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of Bermuda, which we refer to as Weatherford-Bermuda, at our corporate offices at 515 Post Oak Blvd., Room 604, Houston, Texas, beginning at 9:00 a.m., local time, on          , 2009 to vote on the following proposals:

 

1. to approve the share exchange transaction to be effected by the scheme of arrangement attached as Annex B to the accompanying proxy statement, which we refer to as the Scheme of Arrangement, in connection with the share exchange agreement attached as Annex A to the accompanying proxy statement, which we refer to as the Share Exchange Agreement, between Weatherford-Bermuda and Weatherford International Ltd., a corporation newly incorporated under the laws of Switzerland and a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Weatherford-Bermuda, which we refer to as Weatherford-Switzerland, pursuant to which each holder of common shares of Weatherford-Bermuda issued and outstanding immediately before the transaction will transfer such common shares to Weatherford-Switzerland solely in exchange for (through a nominee acting on behalf and for the account of the shareholders) the same number of shares of Weatherford-Switzerland. As a result of the Scheme of Arrangement, Weatherford-Bermuda will become a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Weatherford-Switzerland;

 

2. on a motion to adjourn the meeting to a later date to solicit additional proxies if there are insufficient votes at the time of the meeting to approve the Scheme of Arrangement described above; and

 

3. on any other matters that properly come before the meeting and any adjournments or postponements of the meeting.

 

YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” ALL OF THE PROPOSALS, WHICH PROPOSAL 2 IS NOT A CONDITION TO PROPOSAL 1.

 

We have established the close of business on December 15, 2008 as the record date for determining the shareholders of Weatherford-Bermuda entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting or any adjournments or postponements of the meeting.

 

You are cordially invited to join us at the meeting. However, to ensure your representation at the meeting, we request that you provide your proxy by telephone, the Internet or by signing and returning the enclosed proxy card in the enclosed postage-paid envelope at your earliest convenience, whether or not you plan to attend. If you are present at the meeting, you may revoke your proxy and vote in person.

 

By the order referenced above, the Supreme Court of Bermuda has appointed Mr. Bernard Duroc-Danner or failing him Mr. Burt M. Martin, or failing him any director or executive officer as of the date of the order to act as the chairman of the meeting and has directed the chairman of the meeting to report the results thereof to the Supreme Court of Bermuda. The Scheme of Arrangement will be subject to a subsequent application seeking the sanction of the Supreme Court of Bermuda which shall be heard on or about          , 2009.

 

This notice incorporates the accompanying proxy statement.

 

By Order of the Board of Directors

 

Burt M. Martin
Secretary

 

          , 200  

 

This proxy statement incorporates documents by reference. See “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 72 for a listing of documents incorporated by reference. These documents are available to any person, including any beneficial owner, upon request directed to Investor Relations, Weatherford International Ltd., 515 Post Oak Blvd., Houston, Texas 77027, telephone (713) 693-4000. To ensure timely delivery of these documents, any request should be made by          , 2009. The exhibits to these documents will generally not be made available unless they are specifically incorporated by reference in this proxy statement.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials:  This proxy statement and our 2007 Annual Report are available on our website at http://www.weatherford.com/weatherford/groups/public/documents/aboutwft/ir-annual-reports.asp.

 

 

PLEASE VOTE — YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT.

 

This summary highlights selected information appearing elsewhere in this proxy statement and does not contain all the information that you should consider in making your voting decision. You should read this summary together with the more detailed information, including our financial statements and the related notes, elsewhere in this proxy statement and the documents incorporated by reference herein. The Share Exchange Agreement and the Scheme of Arrangement attached as Annex A and Annex B to this proxy statement, respectively, are the legal documents that govern the Transaction. The articles of association and organizational regulations of Weatherford-Switzerland, in the forms attached as Annex E and Annex F to this proxy statement, respectively, will govern Weatherford-Switzerland after the completion of the Transaction. You should read this proxy statement, including the documents attached as annexes, in its entirety. References in this proxy statement to “$” and “USD” are to United States dollars and references to “CHF” are to Swiss francs. The information included in this proxy statement has been adjusted for the two-for-one share split of our common shares distributed on May 23, 2008 to shareholders of record on May 9, 2008.

 

We are seeking your approval at the shareholders meeting of the Scheme of Arrangement under Bermuda law providing for a share exchange transaction that will change our place of incorporation from Bermuda to Switzerland, which we refer to as the Transaction. In this proxy statement, we refer to this Transaction and the other transactions contemplated by the Scheme of Arrangement and the Share Exchange Agreement as the redomestication. We sometimes refer to Weatherford-Bermuda prior to the redomestication and Weatherford-Switzerland following the redomestication as “we,” “our,” “Weatherford” or the “Company.”

 

The redomestication involves several steps. First, we have formed a new Swiss corporation registered in Zug, Switzerland named Weatherford International Ltd., which we refer to as Weatherford-Switzerland, as a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Weatherford International Ltd., the Bermuda company whose shares you currently own, which we refer to as Weatherford-Bermuda. Following the shareholders meeting to be held          , 2009 and a hearing of the Supreme Court of Bermuda scheduled for          , 2009, assuming we have obtained the necessary shareholder approval and court sanction, shareholders of Weatherford-Bermuda will transfer all of their shares to Weatherford-Switzerland solely in exchange for (through a nominee acting on behalf and for the account of the shareholders) the same number of shares of Weatherford-Switzerland. As a result of the redomestication, Weatherford-Bermuda will become a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Weatherford-Switzerland.

 

In the Transaction, Weatherford-Switzerland will issue one share of Weatherford-Switzerland in exchange for each share of Weatherford-Bermuda. Weatherford-Switzerland will assume Weatherford-Bermuda’s existing obligation to deliver shares under our equity incentive plans, warrants or other rights pursuant to the terms thereof. See “The Redomestication — Share Compensation Plans.” Immediately after the Transaction, Weatherford-Switzerland will have issued the same number of shares as there were issued shares of Weatherford-Bermuda immediately before the completion of the Transaction, plus approximately 86,000 shares representing the share capital issued to Weatherford-Bermuda in connection with the formation of Weatherford-Switzerland, which we refer to as the Formation Shares. See “Description of Weatherford-Switzerland Shares — Capital Structure”. As of December 15, 2008, the record date for the shareholders meeting, there were 728.7 million common shares of Weatherford-Bermuda issued, including 41.0 million held by subsidiaries.

 

In connection with the redomestication, we also plan to relocate our principal executive offices from Houston, Texas to Zug, Switzerland with a branch office in Geneva, Switzerland. We expect that most of our executive officers, including our Chief Executive Officer, and other key decision makers will relocate to Switzerland. For a more complete description of the redomestication, see “The Redomestication” beginning on page 20.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weatherford-Bermuda.  We are one of the world’s leading providers of equipment and services used for the drilling, evaluation, completion, production and intervention of oil and natural gas wells. We were originally incorporated in Delaware in 1972 and, in 2002, we reincorporated in Bermuda. We operate in approximately 100 countries through approximately 800 service, sales and manufacturing locations, which are located in nearly all of the oil and natural gas producing regions in the world.

 

Weatherford-Switzerland.  Weatherford-Switzerland is a newly formed Swiss corporation and is currently wholly owned by Weatherford-Bermuda. Weatherford-Switzerland has only nominal assets and capitalization and has not engaged in any business or other activities other than in connection with its formation and the proposed redomestication. As a result of the redomestication, Weatherford-Switzerland will become the parent holding company of Weatherford-Bermuda.

 

The principal executive offices of Weatherford-Bermuda are located at 515 Post Oak Blvd., Houston, Texas 77027. The telephone number of each party at the U.S. address is (713) 693-4000. The principal executive offices of Weatherford-Switzerland are currently located at Alpenstrasse 15, 6300 Zug, Switzerland, and the telephone number at that address is +41-41-729-4242. The principal executive offices of Weatherford-Switzerland are expected to be located in Zug, Switzerland with a branch office in Geneva, Switzerland following the completion of the redomestication.

 

The redomestication will change our place of incorporation from Bermuda to Zug, Switzerland. In connection with the redomestication, we also plan to relocate our principal executive offices from Houston, Texas to Zug, Switzerland with a branch office in Geneva, Switzerland. We expect that most of our executive officers, including our Chief Executive Officer, and other key decision makers will relocate to Switzerland.

 

The redomestication involves several steps. First, we have formed Weatherford-Switzerland. Following the shareholders meeting to be held on          , 2009 and a hearing of the Supreme Court of Bermuda scheduled for          , 2009, assuming we have obtained the necessary shareholder approval and court sanction, shareholders of Weatherford-Bermuda will transfer all of their shares to Weatherford-Switzerland solely in exchange for (through a nominee acting on behalf and for the account of the shareholders) the same number of shares of Weatherford-Switzerland. Weatherford-Switzerland will assume Weatherford-Bermuda’s existing obligation to deliver shares under our equity incentive plans, warrants or other rights pursuant to the terms thereof. As a result of the redomestication, Weatherford-Bermuda will become a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Weatherford-Switzerland.

 

After the redomestication, you will continue to own an interest in a parent company that will continue to conduct the same business operations as conducted by Weatherford-Bermuda before the redomestication. The number of shares you will own in Weatherford-Switzerland will be the same as the number of shares you owned in Weatherford-Bermuda immediately prior to the redomestication, and your relative economic interest in us will remain unchanged.

 

The completion of the redomestication will change the governing law that applies to our shareholders from Bermuda law to Swiss law. There are differences between Bermuda law and Swiss law, some of which are material. See “Comparison of Rights of Shareholders” for a summary of some of these differences.

 

Upon completion of the redomestication, we will remain subject to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which we refer to as the SEC, reporting requirements, the mandates of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the applicable corporate governance rules of the NYSE, and we will continue to report our financial results in U.S. dollars and under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, which we refer to as U.S. GAAP.

 

The Transaction will be effected pursuant to the Scheme of Arrangement and in accordance with the Share Exchange Agreement, which are the legal documents that govern the Transaction. Copies of those documents are attached to and are a part of this proxy statement as Annex A and Annex B.

 

Assuming we obtain the requisite shareholder approval, we anticipate that the Transaction will become effective as soon as practicable following sanction of the Scheme of Arrangement by the Supreme Court of Bermuda at the hearing scheduled for          , 2009 upon the registration with the commercial register in the Canton of Zug, Switzerland of the capital increase covering the Weatherford-Switzerland registered shares to be issued in connection with the Scheme of Arrangement and our filing of the court order sanctioning the Scheme of Arrangement with the Bermuda Registrar of Companies.

 

Our planned change of our place of incorporation from Bermuda to Switzerland and relocation of our principal executive offices to Zug, Switzerland with a branch office in Geneva, Switzerland will establish a corporate headquarters that is more centrally located within our area of worldwide operations, will locate us in a country with a stable and developed legal and tax regime with established standards of corporate governance, including provisions for the rights of shareholders, and should improve our ability to maintain a competitive worldwide effective corporate tax rate, among other anticipated benefits.

 

We are not aware of any other governmental approvals or actions that are required to complete the redomestication other than compliance with U.S. federal and state securities laws and Bermuda and Swiss corporate law (including sanction by the Supreme Court of Bermuda).

 

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, holders of shares of Weatherford-Bermuda generally should not recognize gain or loss on the exchange of such shares for shares of Weatherford-Switzerland in the Transaction. Certain five percent or greater shareholders may, however, be required to timely enter into and maintain a gain recognition agreement to avoid recognizing gain on the exchange of shares. Under Swiss tax law, no tax is due for non-Swiss holders of Weatherford-Bermuda shares on the exchange of Weatherford-Bermuda shares for Weatherford-Switzerland shares in the Transaction. Please refer to “Material Tax Considerations” for a description of certain material U.S. federal, Swiss and Bermuda tax consequences of the Transaction to Weatherford-Bermuda shareholders. Determining the actual tax consequences of the Transaction to you may be complex and will depend on your specific situation. You should consult your own tax advisors regarding the particular U.S. (federal, state and local), Swiss, Bermuda and other non-U.S. tax consequences of the Transaction and ownership and disposition of the Weatherford-Switzerland shares in light of your particular situation.

 

Many of the principal attributes of Weatherford-Bermuda’s common shares and Weatherford-Switzerland’s registered shares will be similar. However, there are differences between your rights under Bermuda law and Swiss law, some of which are material. In addition, there are differences between Weatherford-Bermuda’s memorandum of association and bye-laws and Weatherford-Switzerland’s proposed articles of association and organizational regulations, some of which are material. We discuss these differences in detail under “Description of Weatherford-Switzerland Shares” and “Comparison of Rights of Shareholders.” Copies of Weatherford-Switzerland’s proposed articles of association and organizational regulations are attached as Annex E and Annex F to this proxy statement, respectively.

 

We intend to make application so that, immediately following the redomestication, the shares of Weatherford-Switzerland will be listed on the NYSE under the symbol “WFT,” the same symbol under which the Weatherford-Bermuda common shares are currently listed.

 

On December 10, 2008, the last trading day before the public announcement of the proposed redomestication, the closing price of the Weatherford-Bermuda common shares on the NYSE was $11.02 per share. On          , 200  , the most recent practicable date before the date of this proxy statement, the closing price of the Weatherford-Bermuda common shares was $     per share.

 

We cannot complete the redomestication without the sanction of the Scheme of Arrangement by the Supreme Court of Bermuda. Subject to the shareholders of Weatherford-Bermuda approving the Scheme of Arrangement, a Supreme Court hearing will be required to sanction the Scheme of Arrangement. At the hearing, the Supreme Court of Bermuda may impose such conditions as it deems appropriate in relation to the Scheme of Arrangement but may not impose any material changes without the joint consent of Weatherford-Bermuda and Weatherford-Switzerland. In determining whether to exercise its discretion and sanction the Scheme of Arrangement, the Supreme Court of Bermuda, among other things, must be satisfied that shareholders have been notified of the meeting to approve the Scheme of Arrangement and have been provided with sufficient explanatory information about the Scheme of Arrangement and that the Scheme of Arrangement is fair and reasonable.

 

Under Bermuda law, the shareholders of Weatherford-Bermuda do not have any right to an appraisal of the value of their shares or payment for them in connection with the redomestication.

 

Under U.S. GAAP, the redomestication represents a transaction between entities under common control. Assets and liabilities transferred between entities under common control are accounted for at cost. Accordingly, the assets and liabilities of Weatherford-Switzerland will be reflected at their carrying amounts in the accounts of Weatherford-Bermuda at the effective time of the redomestication.

 

Time, Place, Date and Purpose.  The shareholders meeting to approve the Scheme of Arrangement will be held on          , 2009 at 9:00 a.m., local time, at 515 Post Oak Blvd., Room 604, Houston, Texas. At the meeting, our board of directors will ask the shareholders to vote to approve:

 

 

 

Record Date.  Only holders of record of Weatherford-Bermuda common shares on December 15, 2008 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the meeting.

 

Quorum.  The presence, in person or by proxy, of two persons or more at the start of the meeting and representing a majority of the total issued and outstanding voting shares of Weatherford-Bermuda throughout the meeting is required to constitute a quorum at the shareholders meeting. A majority in number of those present at the meeting may adjourn the meeting if a quorum is present, and if not present, the meeting will be

adjourned. Abstentions and “broker non-votes” will be counted as present for purposes of determining whether there is a quorum at the meeting.

 

Recommendation of the Board of Directors.  OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT OUR SHAREHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE SCHEME OF ARRANGEMENT. OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS ALSO UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT OUR SHAREHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL, WHICH IS NOT A CONDITION TO THE SCHEME OF ARRANGEMENT.

 

Required Vote.  The Scheme of Arrangement requires the affirmative vote of a majority in number of shareholders present and voting either in person or by proxy at the meeting representing at least three fourths in value of shareholders present and voting either in person or by proxy at the meeting. The affirmative vote of holders of at least a majority of the Weatherford-Bermuda common shares voting on the matter is required to approve the adjournment proposal. An abstention or broker non-vote on either proposal has the effect of a vote not being cast with respect to the relevant shares in relation to the proposal. As a consequence, such shares will have no effect when determining whether either proposal has received the required approval, but will be counted as present for purposes of determining whether there is a quorum at the meeting. See “The Shareholders Meeting — Record Date; Voting Rights; Quorum; Vote Required for Approval” and “The Shareholders Meeting — Proxies”.

 

General.  A proxy card regarding the meeting to approve the Scheme of Arrangement is being sent to each shareholder as of the record date. If you properly received the proxy card, you may grant a proxy to vote on the proposals by marking your proxy card appropriately, signing it in the space provided, dating it and returning it to us. If you hold your shares in the name of a bank, broker or other nominee, you should follow the instructions provided by your bank, broker or nominee when voting your shares. If you have timely submitted a properly executed proxy card or provided your voting instructions by telephone or on the Internet and clearly indicated your votes, your shares will be voted as indicated.

 

Revocation.  You may revoke your proxy card at any time before it is voted by:

 

 

 

 

However, your attendance at the meeting alone will not revoke your proxy.

 

If you have instructed a broker to vote your shares, you must follow the procedure provided by your broker to change those instructions.

 

The following table presents selected consolidated financial data for Weatherford-Bermuda. We derived the statement of operations data for each of the years in the five-year period ended December 31, 2007, and the balance sheet data as of December 31, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004 and 2003, from Weatherford-Bermuda’s audited consolidated financial statements. We derived the statement of operations data for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, and the balance sheet data as of September 30, 2008 and 2007, from Weatherford-Bermuda’s unaudited interim consolidated financial statements. We prepared the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements and included all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, that we consider necessary for a fair presentation of Weatherford-Bermuda’s financial position and results of operations for the unaudited interim periods. The historical financial information may not be indicative of Weatherford-Switzerland’s future performance. Results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, may not be indicative of the results of operations that may be achieved for the entire year. The data should be read in conjunction with the sections entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in Weatherford-Bermuda’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, and in Weatherford-Bermuda’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, and Weatherford-Bermuda’s financial statements, related notes and other financial information incorporated by reference in this proxy statement.

 

We have included no data for Weatherford-Switzerland because that entity was not in existence during any of the periods shown below.

 

 

Pro forma financial statements for Weatherford-Switzerland are not included in this proxy statement because no significant pro forma adjustments are required to be made to the historical condensed consolidated statement of operations and balance sheet of Weatherford-Bermuda for the nine months ended and as of September 30, 2008 and to the historical consolidated statement of operations of Weatherford-Bermuda for the year ended December 31, 2007. Those financial statements are included in Weatherford-Bermuda’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 and in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

You should consider carefully the following risk factors, in addition to the other information contained in this proxy statement and the documents incorporated by reference, including our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, and our subsequent filings with the SEC, including our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2008, June 30, 2008 and September 30, 2008.

 

The anticipated benefits of moving our principal executive offices to Switzerland may not be realized, and difficulties in connection with moving our principal executive offices could have an adverse effect on us.

 

In connection with the redomestication, we plan to relocate our principal executive offices from Houston, Texas to Zug, Switzerland with a branch office in Geneva, Switzerland. We expect that most of our executive officers, including our Chief Executive Officer, and other key decision makers will relocate to Switzerland. We may face significant challenges in relocating our executive offices to a different country, including difficulties in retaining and attracting officers, key personnel and other employees and challenges in maintaining principal executive offices in a country different from the country where other employees, including corporate support staff, are located. Employees may be uncertain about their future roles within our organization pending or following the completion of the redomestication. Management may also be required to devote substantial time to the redomestication and related matters, which could otherwise be devoted to focusing on ongoing business operations and other initiatives and opportunities. In addition, we may not realize the benefits we anticipate from the redomestication, including the benefit of moving to a location that is more centrally located within our area of worldwide operations. See “The Redomestication — Background and Reasons for the Redomestication.” Any such difficulties could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

 

Your rights as a shareholder will change as a result of the redomestication.

 

Because of differences between Swiss law and Bermuda law and differences between the governing documents of Weatherford-Switzerland and Weatherford-Bermuda, your rights as a shareholder will change if the redomestication is completed. For a description of these differences, see “Description of Weatherford-Switzerland Shares” and “Comparison of Rights of Shareholders.”

 

Following the redomestication, registered holders who hold share certificates must surrender their share certificates and apply for enrollment in our share register as shareholders with voting rights in order to exercise voting and certain other rights.

 

Once the redomestication is completed, our shareholders will own one registered share of Weatherford-Switzerland for each common share of Weatherford-Bermuda held before the redomestication. Although shareholders who hold share certificates in Weatherford-Bermuda will automatically continue to be entitled to dividends, preferential subscription rights and liquidation proceeds, such shareholders will not be able to exercise any voting rights, prove their ownership interest in Weatherford-Switzerland, transfer their shares or exercise other shareholder rights until they surrender their certificates and apply for enrollment in our share register as shareholders with voting rights. However, beneficial holders of shares held in “street name” will not be required to take any action.

 

The market for the Weatherford-Switzerland shares may differ from the market for the Weatherford-Bermuda shares, and Weatherford-Switzerland’s shares may be removed as a component of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and other indices or certain other funds.

 

We intend to make application so that, immediately following the redomestication, the shares of Weatherford-Switzerland will be listed on the NYSE under the symbol “WFT,” the same symbol under which the Weatherford-Bermuda common shares are currently listed. The market price, trading volume or volatility of the Weatherford-Switzerland shares could be different than those of the Weatherford-Bermuda shares.

 

Weatherford-Bermuda’s common shares are currently a component of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and other indices. S&P has considered Weatherford-Bermuda and a number of other “offshore registered companies” domestic companies for purposes of inclusion in the S&P 500. S&P may decide to remove

Weatherford-Switzerland’s shares as a component of the S&P 500, and, while we are uncertain as to when S&P will make its determination, this determination may not be made until after the shareholders meeting. S&P has removed the shares of another offshore registered company that has recently redomesticated from the Cayman Islands to Switzerland. Similar issues could arise with respect to whether Weatherford-Switzerland’s shares will continue to be included as a component in other indices or funds that may impose a variety of qualifications that could be affected by the redomestication. If Weatherford-Switzerland’s shares are removed as a component of the S&P 500 or other indices or no longer meet the qualifications of such funds, institutional investors attempting to track the performance of the S&P 500 or such other indices or the funds that impose those qualifications would likely sell their shares, which could adversely affect the price of the Weatherford-Switzerland shares. Any such adverse impact on the price of the Weatherford-Switzerland shares could be magnified by the current heightened volatility in the financial markets.

 

Weatherford-Switzerland will have less flexibility than Weatherford-Bermuda with respect to certain aspects of capital management.

 

Upon the completion of the redomestication, the par value of Weatherford-Switzerland’s shares will be the equivalent of US$1.00, or approximately 1.16 Swiss francs per share. Under Swiss law, Weatherford-Switzerland generally may not issue its shares below par value. As of December 15, 2008, the closing price of Weatherford-Bermuda’s common shares on the NYSE was $10.31, equivalent to 11.96 Swiss francs based on a foreign exchange rate of CHF 1.16 to $1.00 on that date. In the event Weatherford-Switzerland needs to raise common equity capital at a time when the trading price of its shares is below the par value of the shares, Weatherford-Switzerland will need to obtain approval of shareholders to decrease the par value of its shares or issue another class of shares with a lower par value. We cannot assure you that Weatherford-Switzerland would be able to obtain such shareholder approval. In addition, obtaining shareholder approval would require filing a proxy statement with the SEC and convening a meeting of shareholders, which would delay any capital raising plans. Furthermore, any reduction in par value would decrease Weatherford-Switzerland’s par value available for future repayment of share capital not subject to Swiss withholding tax. See “— Weatherford-Switzerland may not be able to make distributions or repurchase shares without subjecting you to Swiss withholding tax.”

 

As a result of increased shareholder approval requirements, Weatherford-Switzerland will have less flexibility than Weatherford-Bermuda with respect to certain aspects of capital management.

 

Under Bermuda law, Weatherford-Bermuda’s directors may issue, without shareholder approval, any common shares authorized in Weatherford-Bermuda’s memorandum of association that are not issued or reserved. Bermuda law also provides substantial flexibility in establishing the terms of preferred shares. In addition, Weatherford-Bermuda’s board of directors has the right, subject to statutory limitations, to declare and pay dividends on Weatherford-Bermuda’s common shares without a shareholder vote. Swiss law allows Weatherford-Switzerland’s shareholders to create authorized share capital that can be issued by the board of directors without shareholder approval, but this authorization is limited to 50% of the existing registered share capital and must be renewed by the shareholders every two years. Additionally, subject to specified exceptions, Swiss law grants preferential subscription rights to existing shareholders to subscribe for new issuances of shares. Swiss law also does not provide as much flexibility in the various terms that can attach to different classes of shares. Swiss law also reserves for approval by shareholders many corporate actions over which Weatherford-Bermuda’s board of directors currently has authority. For example, dividends must be approved by shareholders. We cannot assure you that situations will not arise where flexibility that is otherwise available under Bermuda law and would have provided substantial benefits to our shareholders is not available under Swiss law.

 

The redomestication will result in additional costs to us, some of which will be incurred whether or not the redomestication is completed.

 

The completion of the redomestication will result in an increase in some of our ongoing expenses and require us to incur some new expenses. Some costs, including those related to employees in our Swiss offices

and our holding board meetings in Switzerland, are expected to be higher than would be the case if our principal executive offices were not relocated to Switzerland. We also expect to incur new expenses, including professional fees to comply with Swiss corporate and tax laws. In addition, we will incur certain transaction costs in connection with the redomestication whether or not the redomestication is completed. The redomestication may also result in indirect costs by diverting attention of management and employees from our business and therefore increasing administrative costs and expenses.

 

Weatherford-Switzerland may not be able to make distributions or repurchase shares without subjecting you to Swiss withholding tax.

 

A Swiss withholding tax will be levied on dividends and similar distributions made by Weatherford-Switzerland to its shareholders at the statutory rate of 35% if we cannot structure the distributions as distributions made to shareholders in relation to a reduction of par value or number of shares, which would be exempt from Swiss withholding tax. Furthermore, effective January 1, 2011, distributions of qualifying additional paid-in capital will, as a matter of principle and subject to regulations still to be promulgated by the competent Swiss authorities, be exempt from the Swiss withholding tax. The Swiss withholding tax will also be levied at the statutory rate of 35% if, beginning on January 1, 2011, we cannot structure the distribution as a distribution in relation to a reduction of qualifying additional paid in capital. See “Material Tax Consideration — Swiss Tax Considerations — Consequences to Shareholders of Weatherford-Switzerland Subsequent to the Transaction — Swiss Withholding Tax — Distributions to Shareholders” and “— Exemption from Swiss Withholding Tax — Distributions to Shareholders.”

 

A repurchase of shares for the purposes of capital reduction is treated as a partial liquidation subject to the 35% Swiss withholding tax to be levied on the difference (i) between par value and redemption price, and (ii) beginning on January 1, 2011, subject to the adoption of implementing regulations and amendments to Swiss corporate law, between par value plus the portion of the repurchase price attributable to the qualifying additional paid-in capital for Swiss statutory reporting purposes of the shares repurchased and the redemption price. Although we plan to repurchase, when possible, our shares from Swiss institutional market participants able to receive a full refund of the Swiss withholding tax, there is risk that the Swiss federal tax administration could decide to levy the Swiss withholding tax on the repurchase of our shares if institutional investors or other parties able to benefit from the full Swiss withholding tax relief purchased our shares to resell them shortly to us. See “Material Tax Consideration — Swiss Tax Considerations — Consequences to Shareholders of Weatherford-Switzerland Subsequent to the Transaction — Exemption from Swiss Withholding Tax — Distributions to Shareholders” and “— Repurchases of Shares.”

 

For a discussion of the conditions for Swiss Holders and non-Swiss Holders to obtain a full or partial relief or refund under Swiss tax law or under bilateral treaties for the avoidance of double taxation, see “Material Tax Consideration — Swiss Tax Considerations — Consequences to Shareholders of Weatherford-Switzerland Subsequent to the Transaction — Refund of Swiss Withholding Tax on Dividends and Other Distributions.”

 

The redomestication may not allow us to maintain a competitive worldwide effective corporate tax rate.

 

We believe that the redomestication should improve our ability to maintain a competitive worldwide effective tax rate. However, we cannot provide any assurances as to what our effective tax rate will be after the redomestication because of, among other things, uncertainty regarding the amount of business activities in any particular jurisdiction in the future and the tax laws of such jurisdictions, as well as changes in U.S. and other tax laws. Our actual effective tax rate may vary from our expectation and that variance may be material. Additionally, the tax laws of Switzerland and other jurisdictions could change in the future, and such changes could cause a material change in our worldwide effective tax rate.

CAUTIONARY INFORMATION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This proxy statement and the documents incorporated by reference in this proxy statement contain both historical and forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which we refer to as the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which we refer to as the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements include statements about the following subjects:

 

 

Forward-looking statements in this proxy statement are identifiable by use of the following words and other similar expressions, among others:

 

 

 

The following factors could affect our future results of operations and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements included in this proxy statement or incorporated by reference:

 

 

The above factors are in addition to those factors discussed:

 

 

 

All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or to persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by reference to these risks and uncertainties. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement, and we do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements except as required by law.

 

Our board of directors has unanimously approved and recommends that you approve the proposed Scheme of Arrangement providing for a share exchange transaction to change our place of incorporation from Bermuda to Switzerland. The redomestication involves several steps.

 

First, we have formed Weatherford-Switzerland. Following the shareholders meeting to be held on          , 2009 and a hearing of the Supreme Court of Bermuda scheduled for          , 2009 and the filing of the corresponding court order with the Bermuda Registrar of Companies, assuming we have obtained the necessary shareholder approval and court sanction, shareholders of Weatherford-Bermuda will transfer all of their shares to Weatherford-Switzerland. In exchange for each share of Weatherford-Bermuda, Weatherford-Switzerland will issue one share of Weatherford-Switzerland, which will be transferred to each shareholder by American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as nominee acting on behalf and for the account of the shareholders, which we refer to as the Nominee. As a result, Weatherford-Bermuda will become a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Weatherford-Switzerland. Weatherford-Switzerland will assume Weatherford-Bermuda’s existing obligation to deliver shares under our equity incentive plans, warrants or other rights pursuant to the terms thereof. The Transaction will be effected pursuant to the Scheme of Arrangement and in accordance with the Share Exchange Agreement, which are the legal documents that govern the Transaction. Copies of those documents are attached to and are a part of this proxy statement as Annex A and Annex B. We encourage you to read these documents carefully.

 

After the redomestication, you will continue to own an interest in a parent company that will continue to conduct the same business operations as conducted by Weatherford-Bermuda before the redomestication. The number of shares you will own will be the same as the number of shares you owned in Weatherford-Bermuda immediately prior to the redomestication, and your relative economic interest in us will remain unchanged. Immediately after the redomestication, Weatherford-Switzerland will have outstanding the same number of shares as were outstanding for Weatherford-Bermuda immediately before the redomestication, plus the Formation Shares. As of December 15, 2008, the record date for the shareholders meeting, there were 728.7 million common shares of Weatherford-Bermuda issued, including 41.0 million held by subsidiaries. For a description of the shares of Weatherford-Switzerland, see “Description of Weatherford-Switzerland Shares.”

 

In connection with the redomestication, we also plan to relocate our principal executive offices from Houston, Texas to Zug, Switzerland with a branch office in Geneva, Switzerland. We expect that most of our executive officers, including our Chief Executive Officer, and other key decision makers will relocate to Switzerland.

 

Our planned change of our place of incorporation from Bermuda to Switzerland and relocation of our principal executive offices to Zug, Switzerland with a branch office in Geneva, Switzerland will establish a corporate headquarters that is more centrally located within our area of worldwide operations, will locate us in

a country with a stable and developed legal and tax regime with established standards of corporate governance, including provisions for the rights of shareholders, and should improve our ability to maintain a competitive worldwide effective corporate tax rate, among other anticipated benefits.

 

 

In addition to the potential benefits described above, the redomestication will expose us and our shareholders to some risks. Please see the discussion under “Risk Factors.” Our board of directors has considered both the potential advantages of the redomestication and these risks and has unanimously approved the Scheme of Arrangement and recommended that our shareholders vote for the Scheme of Arrangement. We cannot assure you, however, that the anticipated benefits of the redomestication will be realized.

 

There are several steps to the redomestication contemplated by the Scheme of Arrangement and the Share Exchange Agreement, including the following:

 

 

 

 

Additional Agreement

 

Weatherford-Bermuda will indemnify the directors and officers of Weatherford-Bermuda and its subsidiaries for at least six years after the effective time of the redomestication.

 

Amendment or Termination

 

The Share Exchange Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented at any time before or after the Scheme of Arrangement is approved by our shareholders. However, after the Scheme of Arrangement is approved by our shareholders, no amendment, modification or supplement may be made to the Share Exchange Agreement that requires further approval by our shareholders without obtaining that approval.

 

Our board of directors may terminate the Share Exchange Agreement and abandon the redomestication at any time before the Scheme of Arrangement becomes effective without obtaining shareholder approval.

 

Following the shareholders meeting on          , 2009 and a hearing of the Supreme Court of Bermuda scheduled for          , 2009, assuming we have obtained the necessary shareholder approval and court sanction, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC will be appointed to act as nominee on behalf and for the account of the shareholders to assist in effecting the Transaction, as described in “— The Scheme of Arrangement and the Share Exchange Agreement” and “— Court Sanction of the Scheme of Arrangement.” The Nominee will sign a subscription agreement for the shares of Weatherford-Switzerland to be transferred to the shareholders. It will own bare legal title to these shares upon the issuance thereof solely for the account and benefit of the shareholders and will act as trustee for the shareholders for the instant in time that it holds bare legal title to the shares. The Nominee is required to act in such capacity in order for the Transaction to comply with certain procedural provisions of Swiss law, and the Nominee has no power to dispose of the shares of Weatherford-Switzerland other than pursuant to the Transaction. Shareholder approval of the Scheme of Arrangement will also constitute shareholder approval of the appointment of the Nominee.

 

The Transaction will not be completed unless, among other things, the following conditions are satisfied or, if allowed by law, waived:

 

 

 

 

We are a party to certain credit agreements that require consents from third-party lenders prior to implementing the redomestication. See “— Credit Facilities” for more information.

 

Pursuant to section 99 of the Companies Act 1981, as amended, of Bermuda, which we refer to as the Companies Act, the Scheme of Arrangement must be sanctioned by the court in Bermuda. This requires Weatherford-Bermuda to file a petition in the Supreme Court of Bermuda. Prior to the mailing of this proxy statement, Weatherford-Bermuda obtained directions from the Supreme Court of Bermuda providing for the convening of the shareholders meeting to approve the Scheme of Arrangement and other procedural matters regarding that meeting and the Supreme Court of Bermuda proceeding, including a date upon which the Supreme Court of Bermuda will hear the petition. A copy of the Supreme Court’s order is attached as Annex C to this proxy statement. Subject to our shareholders approving the Scheme of Arrangement, a subsequent Supreme Court of Bermuda hearing will be required to hear the petition and seek the sanction of the Scheme of Arrangement, which we refer to as the sanction hearing. The Supreme Court has fixed the date of the sanction hearing at 9:30 a.m. on          , 2009 at the courthouse in Hamilton, Bermuda. At the sanction hearing, the Supreme Court of Bermuda may impose such conditions as it deems appropriate in relation to the Scheme of Arrangement but may not impose any material changes without the joint consent of Weatherford-Bermuda and Weatherford-Switzerland. In determining whether to exercise its discretion and sanction the Scheme of Arrangement, the Supreme Court will determine, among other things, whether the Scheme of Arrangement is fair and reasonable. If you are a shareholder, you may appear or be represented and present evidence or arguments at the sanction hearing. In addition, the Supreme Court of Bermuda has wide discretion to hear from interested parties. See “The Shareholders Meeting” for more information. In accordance with its terms, the Scheme of Arrangement will become effective as soon as a copy of the Order of the Supreme Court of Bermuda sanctioning the Scheme of Arrangement has been delivered to the Registrar of Companies in Bermuda as required by section 99 of the Companies Act. See “— Conditions to Completion of the Transaction” for more information on these conditions.

 

The Scheme of Arrangement, which would effect the redomestication, is attached as Annex B to this proxy statement and sets forth the specific terms of the redomestication. At the shareholders meeting, our shareholders will be asked to approve the Scheme of Arrangement. If the shareholders approve the Scheme of Arrangement, then we will ask the Supreme Court to sanction the Scheme of Arrangement. We encourage you to read the Scheme of Arrangement in its entirety for a complete description of its terms and conditions.

 

Once the Scheme of Arrangement is effective, the Supreme Court will have exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine any suit, action or proceeding and to settle any dispute which arises out of or is connected with the terms of the Scheme of Arrangement or their implementation or out of any action taken or omitted to be taken under the Scheme of Arrangement or in connection with the administration of the Scheme of Arrangement. A shareholder who wishes to enforce any rights under the Scheme of Arrangement after such time must notify us in writing of its intention at least ten business days prior to commencing a new proceeding. After the effective time of the Scheme of Arrangement, no shareholder may commence a proceeding against Weatherford-Switzerland or Weatherford-Bermuda in respect of or arising from the Scheme of Arrangement except to enforce its rights under the Scheme of Arrangement where a party has failed to perform its obligations under the Scheme of Arrangement.

 

When, under any provision of the Scheme of Arrangement after its effective time, a matter is to be determined by us, then we will have discretion to interpret those matters under the Scheme of Arrangement in a manner that we consider fair and reasonable, and our decisions will be binding on all concerned.

We may consent to any modification of the Scheme of Arrangement on behalf of the shareholders which the Supreme Court may think fit to approve or impose.

 

The issuance of Weatherford-Switzerland shares to our shareholders in connection with the redomestication will not be registered under the Securities Act. Section 3(a)(10) of the Securities Act exempts securities issued in exchange for one or more outstanding securities from the general requirement of registration where the terms and conditions of the issuance and exchange of such securities have been approved by any court of competent jurisdiction, after a hearing upon the fairness of the terms and conditions of the issuance and exchange at which all persons to whom such securities will be issued have a right to appear and to whom adequate notice of the hearing has been given. At the sanction hearing, at which shareholders may appear, the Supreme Court will consider whether the terms and conditions of the redomestication are fair. The Weatherford-Switzerland shares issued to our shareholders in connection with the redomestication will be freely transferable, except for restrictions applicable to certain “affiliates” of Weatherford-Bermuda under the Securities Act, and as follows:

 

 

 

Persons who may be deemed to be affiliates of Weatherford-Bermuda and Weatherford-Switzerland for these purposes generally include individuals or entities that control, are controlled by, or are under common control with, Weatherford-Bermuda and Weatherford-Switzerland, and would include shareholders who are executive officers, directors or significant shareholders of Weatherford-Bermuda and Weatherford-Switzerland.

 

We have not filed a registration statement with the SEC covering any resales of the Weatherford-Switzerland shares to be received by our shareholders in the redomestication. Weatherford-Switzerland will file certain post-effective amendments to existing effective registration statements of Weatherford-Bermuda concurrently with the completion of the redomestication.

 

If the Scheme of Arrangement is approved by the requisite shareholder vote and sanctioned by the Supreme Court of Bermuda, we anticipate that the Scheme of Arrangement itself will become effective as soon as practicable following sanction of the Scheme of Arrangement by the Supreme Court of Bermuda at the hearing scheduled for          , 2009. The redomestication will be completed upon the later of: (i) our filing of the court order sanctioning the Scheme of Arrangement with the Bermuda Registrar of Companies and (ii) the registration with the commercial register in the Canton of Zug, Switzerland of the capital increase covering the Weatherford-Switzerland registered shares to be issued in connection with the Scheme of Arrangement and the transfer of the shares in Weatherford-Bermuda to Weatherford-Switzerland. We currently expect to complete the redomestication in February, 2009.

 

If the conditions to the redomestication are not satisfied, the redomestication may be abandoned or delayed, even after our shareholders approve the Scheme of Arrangement. In addition, our board of directors may abandon or delay the redomestication for any reason at any time before the Scheme of Arrangement becomes effective, even after our shareholders have approved the Scheme of Arrangement.

 

The executive officers and directors of Weatherford-Bermuda immediately prior to the completion of the redomestication will be the executive officers and directors of Weatherford-Switzerland. Weatherford-Bermuda’s directors will carry their terms of office over to the Weatherford-Switzerland board of directors.

 

You should be aware that some of our executive officers have interests in the redomestication that are different from, or in addition to, the interests of our other shareholders.

 

We expect that most of our executive officers, including our Chief Executive Officer, and other key decision makers will relocate to Switzerland. We expect to provide certain allowances and reimbursements to these relocating executive officers, such as cost of living, housing, car, moving and dependent schooling allowances. The terms and conditions of these relocation allowances and reimbursements will be determined prior to the relocation of any of our executive officers.

 

Weatherford-Switzerland plans to enter into indemnification agreements with each of its directors and executive officers upon the completion of the redomestication that will provide for indemnification and expense advancement and include related provisions meant to facilitate the indemnitee’s receipt of such benefits. See “— The Scheme of Arrangement and the Share Exchange Agreement — Additional Agreement” and “Comparison of Rights of Shareholders — Indemnification of Directors and Officers; Insurance.”

 

In connection with the redomestication, Weatherford-Switzerland will enter into employment and other agreements (such as the nonqualified executive retirement plan) with each of our executive officers that are similar to the agreements and other agreements that each executive officer has with Weatherford-Bermuda. For our executive officers who relocate to Switzerland, their employment agreements and other benefit arrangements and plans will be modified for compliance with applicable Swiss law.

 

We will provide tax equalization to the executive officers who become subject to Swiss income, social and wealth taxes. The terms and conditions of these tax equalization arrangements will be determined prior to the relocation of any executive officer. In general, each of the executive officers will be responsible for their “theoretical tax” reflecting U.S. income and social security tax rates on their compensation, other than certain expatriate benefits and allowances which will be provided on a fully grossed up basis. Each of the executive officers will be fully reimbursed for any obligation such officer may have to pay Swiss wealth tax. A tax equalization settlement for each executive officer will be completed annually following the preparation of the applicable tax returns.

 

The Scheme of Arrangement requires the affirmative vote of a majority in number of shareholders present and voting either in person or by proxy at the meeting representing at least three fourths in value of shareholders present and voting either in person or by proxy at the meeting. See “The Shareholders Meeting — Record Date; Quorum; Voting Rights; Vote Required for Approval.”

 

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE TRANSACTION AND UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT OUR SHAREHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” PROPOSAL TO APPROVE THE SCHEME OF ARRANGEMENT.

 

We are not aware of any other governmental approvals or actions that are required to complete the redomestication other than compliance with U.S. federal and state securities laws and compliance with Bermuda and Swiss corporate law (including sanction by the Supreme Court of Bermuda).

 

Under Bermuda law, none of the shareholders of Weatherford-Bermuda has any right to an appraisal of the value of their shares or payment for them in connection with the redomestication.

 

If you hold Weatherford-Bermuda common shares in uncertificated book-entry form, at the effective time of the redomestication your Weatherford-Bermuda common shares will be exchanged solely for Weatherford-Switzerland shares without any action on your part. Your Weatherford-Switzerland shares will also be issued in uncertificated book-entry form.

 

We will appoint American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC as agent to handle the surrender of Weatherford-Bermuda shares. If you hold Weatherford-Bermuda share certificates, soon after the closing of the Transaction you will be sent a letter of transmittal, which is to be used to surrender Weatherford-Bermuda share certificates and to apply for enrollment in Weatherford-Switzerland’s share register as a shareholder with voting rights. The letter of transmittal will contain instructions explaining the procedure for surrendering Weatherford-Bermuda share certificates and enrolling in Weatherford-Switzerland’s share register as shareholders with voting rights. YOU SHOULD NOT RETURN SHARE CERTIFICATES WITH THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD.

 

Weatherford-Bermuda shareholders who surrender their share certificates, together with a properly completed letter of transmittal, will become registered holders of the Weatherford-Switzerland shares to which they are entitled on the basis of the one-for-one exchange. After the redomestication, each certificate that previously represented shares of Weatherford-Bermuda common shares will represent only the right to receive shares of Weatherford-Switzerland. Although shareholders who hold share certificates in Weatherford-Bermuda will automatically continue to be entitled to dividends, preferential subscription rights and liquidation proceeds, such shareholders will not be able to exercise any voting rights, prove their ownership interest in Weatherford-Switzerland, transfer their shares or exercise other shareholder rights until they surrender their share certificates and register as shareholders entitled to voting rights in Weatherford Switzerland’s share register. Beneficial holders of shares held in “street name” will not be required to take any action.

 

We have not declared or paid cash dividends since 1984. Any future declaration and payment of any cash dividends by Weatherford-Switzerland following the completion of the redomestication will:

 

 

For a description of restrictions on dividends imposed by Swiss law, see “Description of Weatherford-Switzerland Shares — Dividends,” “Description of Weatherford-Switzerland Shares — Repurchases of Registered Shares” and “Material Tax Considerations — Swiss Tax Considerations — Consequences to Shareholders of Weatherford-Switzerland Subsequent to the Transaction.”

 

We have a variety of equity incentive plans, deferred compensation plans, and other plans, agreements, awards and arrangements outstanding that provide for options, restricted shares or other rights to purchase or receive shares of Weatherford-Bermuda (or the right to receive benefits or amounts by reference to those shares). We refer to these plans, agreements, awards and arrangements as our equity incentive plans. Some of our equity incentive plans are sponsored by Weatherford-Bermuda, and others are sponsored by some of our subsidiaries or affiliates. In furtherance of the redomestication, our equity incentive plans require amendments

or other modifications. For instance, if the redomestication is completed, Weatherford-Switzerland will assume Weatherford-Bermuda’s existing obligations to deliver shares under our equity incentive plans pursuant to those plans’ terms (as they may be amended or modified to take into account the redomestication). As explained in more detail in the Share Exchange Agreement, to the extent Weatherford-Bermuda currently sponsors those equity incentive plans, Weatherford-Switzerland will assume or adopt those equity incentive plans. At the same time, equity incentive plans sponsored by Weatherford subsidiaries or other affiliates are expected to continue to be sponsored by those or other affiliates, even though Weatherford-Switzerland may have to assume some obligations under those equity incentive plans. The amendments or other modifications will be necessary, among other things to: (1) facilitate the assumption or adoption by Weatherford-Switzerland of the various equity incentive plans it will sponsor or various rights, duties or obligations under the equity incentive plans; (2) provide that shares of Weatherford-Switzerland will be issued, acquired, purchased, held, available or used to measure benefits or calculate amounts as appropriate under the equity incentive plans, instead of shares of Weatherford-Bermuda; and (3) provide for the appropriate substitution of Weatherford-Switzerland in place of references to Weatherford-Bermuda under the equity incentive plans. Shareholder approval of the Scheme of Arrangement will also constitute shareholder approval of these amendments or modifications and the relevant adoption and assumption of the equity incentive plans by Weatherford-Switzerland.

 

Weatherford-Bermuda’s common shares are currently listed on the NYSE. There is currently no established public trading market for the shares of Weatherford-Switzerland. We intend to make application so that, immediately following the redomestication, the shares of Weatherford-Switzerland will be listed on the NYSE under the symbol “WFT,” the same symbol under which the Weatherford-Bermuda common shares are currently listed.

 

Under U.S. GAAP, the redomestication represents a transaction between entities under common control. Assets and liabilities transferred between entities under common control are accounted for at cost. Accordingly, the assets and liabilities of Weatherford-Switzerland will be reflected at their carrying amounts in the accounts of Weatherford-Bermuda at the effective time of the transaction.

 

If the redomestication is completed, any outstanding warrants to purchase common shares of Weatherford-Bermuda will be assumed by Weatherford-Switzerland and the warrant agreements and all of the rights and obligations of Weatherford-Bermuda thereunder shall immediately be assigned to Weatherford-Switzerland in accordance with the terms of the warrant agreements.

 

If the redomestication is completed, Weatherford-Switzerland will fully and unconditionally guarantee the obligations of Weatherford-Bermuda and Weatherford-Delaware under:

 

 

The credit agreements governing our $1.5 billion credit facility and our $250 million credit facility require that we obtain consent for the redomestication to Switzerland from lenders under the credit

agreements, which consent may not be unreasonably withheld. The credit agreement governing our new $500 million credit facility does not require lender consent for the redomestication to Switzerland. We are seeking the necessary consents from our lenders in connection with the redomestication. If the redomestication is completed, Weatherford-Switzerland will fully and unconditionally guarantee the obligations of Weatherford-Bermuda under each of our credit facilities.

 

Upon completion of the redomestication, we will remain subject to SEC reporting requirements, the mandates of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the corporate governance rules of the NYSE, and we will continue to report our financial results in U.S. dollars and under U.S. GAAP.

 

We do not currently believe that Weatherford-Switzerland will qualify as a “foreign private issuer” within the meaning of the rules promulgated under the Exchange Act upon completion of the redomestication. The definition of a “foreign private issuer” has two parts — one based on a company’s percentage of U.S. resident shareholders and the other on its business contacts with the U.S. An organization incorporated under the laws of a foreign country qualifies as a foreign private issuer if either part of the definition is satisfied. We do not expect to qualify as a foreign private issuer under the shareholder test because we currently expect that more than 50% of Weatherford-Switzerland’s outstanding voting securities will continue to be held by U.S. residents after the completion of the redomestication. However, under the business contacts test, if after the redomestication (1) more than 50% of Weatherford-Switzerland’s assets were located outside the United States, (2) Weatherford-Switzerland’s business was not administered principally in the U.S. and (3) a majority of Weatherford-Switzerland’s executive officers and directors were neither U.S. citizens nor U.S. residents, then Weatherford-Switzerland would qualify as a foreign private issuer. We do not expect that Weatherford-Switzerland will meet the requirements of clause (3) of this test upon the completion of the redomestication, as we believe a majority of Weatherford-Switzerland’s executive officers and directors will continue to be U.S. citizens or U.S. residents. However, Weatherford-Switzerland may satisfy this element of the test some time in the future and, as a result, qualify for status as a foreign private issuer at such later date. If and when that occurs, Weatherford-Switzerland would be exempt from certain requirements applicable to U.S. public companies, including:

 

 

In addition, Weatherford-Switzerland would then be allowed to:

 

 

This section contains a general discussion of certain material tax consequences of (1) the Transaction, (2) post-Transaction ownership and disposition of Weatherford-Switzerland shares and (3) post-Transaction operations of Weatherford-Switzerland.

 

The discussion under the caption “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” addresses certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. holders and non-U.S. holders (each as defined below) of (1) exchanging Weatherford-Bermuda shares for Weatherford-Switzerland shares in the Transaction and (2) owning and disposing of Weatherford-Switzerland shares received in the Transaction, and to Weatherford-Bermuda and Weatherford-Switzerland of the Transaction.

 

The discussion under the caption “Swiss Tax Considerations” addresses certain material Swiss tax consequences (1) to shareholders resident for tax purposes in a country other than Switzerland of the Transaction and of ownership and disposition of the Weatherford-Switzerland shares and (2) to Weatherford-Switzerland of the Transaction and subsequent operations.

 

The discussion under the caption “Bermuda Tax Considerations” addresses the Bermuda income tax consequences of the Transaction.

 

The below discussion is not a substitute for an individual analysis of the tax consequences of the Transaction, post-Transaction ownership and disposition of Weatherford-Switzerland shares or post-Transaction operations of Weatherford-Switzerland. You should consult your own tax advisors regarding the particular U.S. (federal, state and local), Swiss, Bermuda and other non-U.S. tax consequences of these matters in light of your particular situation.

 

Scope of Discussion

 

This discussion generally does not address any aspects of U.S. taxation other than U.S. federal income taxation, is not a complete analysis or listing of all potential tax consequences of the Transaction or of holding and disposing of Weatherford-Switzerland shares, and does not address all tax considerations that may be relevant to Weatherford-Bermuda shareholders. In particular, the below discussion addresses tax consequences to holders that hold their Weatherford-Bermuda shares, and whom will hold their Weatherford-Switzerland shares, solely as capital assets. The below discussion does not address any tax consequences to Weatherford-Bermuda or Weatherford-Switzerland shareholders, as applicable, who, for U.S. federal tax purposes, are subject to special rules, such as:

 

 

 

 

 

This discussion is based on the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which we refer to as the Code, the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, which we refer to as a the Treasury Regulations, judicial and administrative interpretations thereof and the Convention Between the United States of America and the Swiss Confederation for the Avoidance of Double Taxation with respect to Taxes on Income (the “Swiss-U.S. Tax Treaty”), in each case as in effect and available on the date of this proxy statement. All of the foregoing are subject to change, which change could apply with retroactive effect and could affect the tax consequences described in this proxy. The discussion assumes, as is the case under current law, that Weatherford-Bermuda is treated as a foreign person for U.S. federal tax purposes and will be so treated as of and after the effective time of the Transaction. Neither Weatherford-Bermuda nor Weatherford-Switzerland will request a ruling from the United States Internal Revenue Service, which we refer to as the IRS, as to the U.S. federal tax consequences of the Transaction, post-Transaction ownership and disposition of Weatherford-Switzerland shares or any other matter. There can be no assurance that the IRS will not challenge any of the U.S. federal tax consequences described below.

 

For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. holder” is a beneficial owner of Weatherford-Bermuda shares or, after the completion of the Transaction, Weatherford-Switzerland shares, that for U.S. federal income tax purposes is:

 

 

A “non-U.S. holder” is a beneficial owner of Weatherford-Bermuda shares or, after the completion of the Transaction, Weatherford-Switzerland shares, other than a U.S. holder or an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, which we refer to as a Partnership. If a Partnership is a beneficial owner of Weatherford-Bermuda shares or Weatherford-Switzerland shares, the tax treatment of a partner in that Partnership will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the Partnership. Holders of Weatherford-Bermuda shares or Weatherford-Switzerland shares that are Partnerships and partners in such Partnerships should consult their tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences to them of the Transaction and the ownership and disposition of Weatherford-Switzerland shares. For purposes of this discussion, “holder” or “shareholder” means either a U.S. holder or a non-U.S. holder or both, as the context may require.

 

Material Tax Consequences of the Transaction to Weatherford-Bermuda and Weatherford-Switzerland

 

Weatherford-Bermuda and Weatherford-Switzerland.  Neither Weatherford-Bermuda nor Weatherford-Switzerland should be subject to U.S. federal income tax as a result of the Transaction. The receipt by Weatherford-Bermuda shareholders of Weatherford-Switzerland shares in exchange for their Weatherford-Bermuda shares in the Transaction should constitute a “reorganization” under Section 368(a)(1)(B) and/or an exchange under Section 351 of the Code. The below discussion describes the general consequences to U.S. holders and non-U.S. holders of the Transaction qualifying under Section 368(a)(1)(B) and/or Section 351 of the Code.

Material Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders

 

The Transaction

 

U.S. Holders Owning Less Than Five Percent of Weatherford-Switzerland.  Under Section 367(a) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder, U.S. holders who own (applying ownership attribution rules) less than five percent of the shares of Weatherford-Switzerland immediately after the Transaction will recognize no gain or loss upon the exchange of Weatherford-Bermuda shares for Weatherford-Switzerland shares in the Transaction. U.S. holders whose tax basis in their Weatherford-Bermuda shares exceeds the fair market value of such shares at the time of the Transaction will be able to carry over the tax basis (and thus the inherent “loss”) of their Weatherford-Bermuda shares to their Weatherford-Switzerland shares. Thus, subject to any subsequent changes in the fair market value of the Weatherford-Switzerland shares, any loss will be preserved. The tax basis of the Weatherford-Switzerland shares received by U.S. holders in exchange for their Weatherford-Bermuda shares will be equal to the tax basis of their Weatherford-Bermuda shares exchanged. The holding period of the Weatherford-Switzerland shares received by U.S. holders will include the period those holders held their Weatherford-Bermuda shares. U.S. holders who hold their Weatherford-Bermuda shares with differing tax bases or holding periods are urged to consult their tax advisor with regard to identifying the tax bases and holding periods of the particular Weatherford-Switzerland shares received in the Transaction.

 

U.S. Holders Owning Five Percent or More of Weatherford-Switzerland.  Under Section 367(a) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder, U.S. holders who own (applying ownership attribution rules) five percent or more of the shares of Weatherford-Switzerland immediately after the Transaction generally will be required to timely file and maintain with the IRS a Gain Recognition Agreement and related materials, which we refer to as a GRA, in order to defer gain, if any, realized upon the exchange of their Weatherford-Bermuda shares for Weatherford-Switzerland shares. Such U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisor to determine whether and when to file a GRA and the tax implications thereof. Five percent or greater U.S. holders whose tax basis in their Weatherford-Bermuda shares exceeds the fair market value of such shares at the time of the Transaction will carry over the tax basis (and thus the inherent “loss”), as well as the holding period, of their Weatherford-Bermuda shares to their Weatherford-Switzerland shares. Thus, subject to any subsequent changes in the fair market value of the Weatherford-Switzerland shares, any loss will be preserved. Provided five percent or greater U.S. holders with gain in their Weatherford-Bermuda shares at the time of the Transaction timely file and maintain a GRA, (1) the tax basis of the Weatherford-Switzerland shares received by the U.S. holders in exchange for their Weatherford-Bermuda shares will be equal to the tax basis of their Weatherford-Bermuda shares exchanged and (2) the holding period of the Weatherford-Switzerland shares received by U.S. holders will include the period those holders held their Weatherford-Bermuda shares. Five percent or greater U.S. holders who hold their Weatherford-Bermuda shares with differing tax bases or holding periods, or who recognize gain in the Transaction as a result of not timely filing or maintaining a GRA, are urged to consult their tax advisor with regard to identifying the tax bases and holding periods of the particular Weatherford-Switzerland shares received in the Transaction.

 

Receiving Distributions on Weatherford-Switzerland Shares.   Subject to the discussion below under “— Passive Foreign Investment Company Provisions,” U.S. holders will be required to include in gross income the gross amount of any distribution received on the Weatherford-Switzerland shares to the extent that the distribution is paid out of Weatherford-Switzerland’s current or accumulated earnings and profits as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes, which we refer to as a dividend. With respect to non-corporate U.S. holders, certain dividends received in taxable years beginning before January 1, 2011 from a qualified foreign corporation will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a maximum rate of 15%. As long as the Weatherford-Switzerland shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (or certain other stock exchanges) and/or Weatherford-Switzerland qualifies for benefits under the Swiss-U.S. Tax Treaty, Weatherford-Switzerland will be treated as a qualified foreign corporation for this purpose. This reduced rate will not be available in all situations, and U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisor regarding the application of the relevant rules to their particular circumstances. Dividends from Weatherford-Switzerland will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction, which is generally allowed to U.S. corporate shareholders on dividends received from certain domestic and foreign corporations.

Distributions in excess of the current and accumulated earnings and profits of Weatherford-Switzerland will be applied first to reduce the U.S. holder’s tax basis in its Weatherford-Switzerland shares, and thereafter will constitute gain from the sale or exchange of such shares. In the case of a non-corporate U.S. holder, the maximum U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to such “gain” is 15% under current law if the holder’s holding period for such Weatherford-Switzerland shares exceeds twelve months. This reduced rate is scheduled to expire effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2010. Special rules not here described may apply to U.S. holders who do not have a uniform tax basis and holding period in all of their Weatherford-Switzerland shares, and any such U.S. holders are urged to consult their own tax advisor with regard to such rules.

 

Subject to complex limitations, Swiss withholding tax on dividends paid will be treated for U.S. federal tax purposes as a creditable foreign tax against the U.S. federal income tax liability of a U.S. holder. At least a portion of dividends paid by Weatherford-Switzerland generally would be U.S. source income if, and to the extent that, more than a de minimis amount of the earnings and profits of Weatherford-Switzerland out of which the dividends are paid is from sources within the United States. At least a portion of dividends paid by Weatherford-Switzerland could also be U.S. source income under certain other circumstances that Weatherford considers unlikely to arise. The rules relating to the determination of the foreign tax credit are complex, and you should consult your own tax advisor to determine whether and to what extent a credit would be available. In lieu of claiming a foreign tax credit, U.S. holders may claim a deduction of foreign taxes paid in the taxable year.

 

Dispositions of Weatherford-Switzerland Shares.  Subject to the discussion below under “— Passive Foreign Investment Company Provisions,” U.S. holders of Weatherford-Switzerland shares generally should recognize capital gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes on the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of Weatherford-Switzerland shares in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized from such sale, exchange or other taxable disposition and the U.S. holders’ tax basis in such shares. In the case of a non-corporate U.S. holder, the maximum U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to such gain is 15% under current law if the holder’s holding period for such Weatherford-Switzerland shares exceeds twelve months. This reduced rate is scheduled to expire effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2010. The deductibility of capital losses are subject to limitations.

 

Passive Foreign Investment Company Provisions.  The treatment of U.S. holders of Weatherford-Switzerland shares in some cases could be materially different from that described above if, at any relevant time, Weatherford-Bermuda or Weatherford-Switzerland were a passive foreign investment company, which we refer to as a PFIC.

 

For U.S. tax purposes, a foreign corporation is classified as a PFIC for any taxable year if either (1) 75% or more of its gross income is “passive income” (as defined for U.S. federal income tax purposes) or (2) the average percentage of assets held by such corporation which produce passive income or which are held for the production of passive income is at least 50%. For purposes of applying the tests in the preceding sentence, the foreign corporation is deemed to own its proportionate share of the assets, and to receive directly the proportionate share of the income, of any other corporation of which the foreign corporation owns, directly or indirectly, at least 25% by value of the stock. Weatherford believes that Weatherford-Bermuda it is not a PFIC, and has not been a PFIC in any prior taxable year. Weatherford further believes that Weatherford-Switzerland will not be a PFIC following the Transaction.

 

The tests for determining PFIC status are applied annually, and it is difficult to accurately predict future income and assets relevant to this determination. Accordingly, Weatherford cannot assure U.S. holders that Weatherford-Switzerland will not become a PFIC. If Weatherford-Switzerland should determine in the future that it is a PFIC, it will endeavor to so notify U.S. holders of Weatherford-Switzerland shares, although there can be no assurance that it will be able to do so in a timely and complete manner. U.S. holders of Weatherford-Switzerland shares should consult their own tax advisor about the PFIC rules, including the availability of certain elections.

Material Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders

 

Consequences of the Transaction.  A non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on gain realized, if any, on the exchange of Weatherford-Bermuda shares for Weatherford-Switzerland shares.

 

Consequences of Owning and Disposing of Weatherford-Switzerland Shares.  A non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on dividends from Weatherford-Switzerland unless: (1) the dividends are effectively connected with the holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States (or, if a tax treaty applies, the dividends are attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed place of business maintained by the non-U.S. holder in the United States); or (2) such non-U.S. holder is subject to backup withholding.

 

In addition, a non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on any gain recognized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of Weatherford-Switzerland shares unless: (1) such gain is effectively connected with the conduct by the non-U.S. holder of a trade or business within the United States (or, if a tax treaty applies, is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed place of business maintained by the non-U.S. holder in the United States); (2) in the case of certain capital gains recognized by a non-U.S. holder that is an individual, such individual is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year in which the capital gain is recognized and certain other conditions are met; or (3) the non-U.S. holder is subject to backup withholding.

 

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

 

U.S. holders that own at least five percent of Weatherford-Bermuda immediately before the Transaction will be required to file certain Section 368(a) reorganization and/or Section 351 statements. Other information reporting could also apply to the Transaction. Shareholders of Weatherford-Bermuda should consult their own tax advisor about the information reporting requirements that could be applicable to the exchange of Weatherford-Bermuda shares for Weatherford-Switzerland shares in the Transaction.

 

Dividends on Weatherford-Switzerland shares paid within the United States or through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries are subject to information reporting and may be subject to backup withholding (currently at a 28% rate) unless the holder (1) is a corporation or other exempt recipient (including generally non-U.S. holders who establish such foreign status) or (2) provides a taxpayer identification number and satisfies certain certification requirements. Information reporting requirements and backup withholding may also apply to the payment of proceeds from a sale of Weatherford-Switzerland shares within the United States. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against the holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that the holder furnishes certain required information to the IRS. Holders should consult their tax advisor regarding the application of information reporting and backup withholding to their particular situations.

 

If a U.S. holder of Weatherford-Switzerland shares does not provide us (or our paying agent) with the holder’s correct taxpayer identification number or other required information, the holder may be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS.

 

THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES SUMMARIZED ABOVE ARE FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY. EACH WEATHERFORD-BERMUDA SHAREHOLDER SHOULD CONSULT HIS OR HER TAX ADVISOR AS TO THE PARTICULAR CONSEQUENCES THAT MAY APPLY TO SUCH SHAREHOLDER.

 

Scope of Discussion

 

The discussion below does not generally address any aspects of Swiss taxation other than federal, cantonal and communal income taxation, federal withholding taxation, and federal stamp duty. This discussion is not a complete analysis or listing of all of the possible tax consequences of the Transaction or of holding

and disposing of Weatherford-Switzerland shares and does not address all tax considerations that may be relevant to you. Special rules that are not discussed in the general descriptions below may also apply to you.

 

This discussion is based on the laws of the Confederation of Switzerland, including the Federal Income Tax Act of 2001, the Federal Harmonization of Cantonal and Communal Income Tax Act of 1990, The Federal Withholding Tax Act of 1965, the Federal Stamp Duty Act of 1973, as amended, which we refer to as the “Swiss tax law,” existing and proposed regulations promulgated thereunder, published judicial decisions and administrative pronouncements and the Swiss-U.S. Tax Treaty, each as in effect on the date of this proxy statement or with a known future effective date. These laws may change, possibly with retroactive effect. The Federal Harmonization of Cantonal and Communal Income Tax Act of 1990 is intended to harmonize cantonal tax legislations and contains provisions that the Swiss cantons have to incorporate in their cantonal tax acts. It is however possible that certain cantonal tax acts or specific cantonal tax practices differ in certain respects from the Federal Harmonization of Cantonal and Communal Income Tax Act.

 

For purposes of this discussion, a “Swiss holder” is any beneficial owner of Weatherford-Bermuda shares, or, after the completion of the Transaction, Weatherford-Switzerland shares, that for Swiss federal income tax purposes is:

 

 

A “non-Swiss holder” of Weatherford-Bermuda shares, or, after the completion of the Transaction, Weatherford-Switzerland shares, is a holder that is not a Swiss holder. For purposes of this summary, “holder” or “shareholder” means either a Swiss holder or a non-Swiss holder or both, as the context may require.

 

Consequences of the Transaction

 

Shareholder Tax Consequences

 

No Swiss tax will be due for non-Swiss holders upon the exchange of Weatherford-Bermuda shares for Weatherford-Switzerland shares in the Transaction. If Swiss holders are beneficial owners of Weatherford-Bermuda shares or Weatherford-Switzerland shares, they are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the Swiss tax consequences to them of the Transaction.

 

Swiss Corporate Tax Consequences

 

Under Swiss tax law as it applies to corporations, the Transaction will be considered to be a tax neutral restructuring for Weatherford-Bermuda and Weatherford-Switzerland. Therefore, no Swiss income taxes will be due with respect to these companies as a result of the Transaction. As a tax neutral restructuring, the Transaction will also be exempt from the Swiss withholding tax and issuance stamp tax.

 

Taxation of Weatherford-Switzerland Subsequent to the Transaction

 

Income Tax

 

A Swiss resident company is subject to income tax at federal, cantonal and communal levels on its worldwide income (with the exception of tax on income generated in relation to Swiss real estate). However, a holding company, such as Weatherford-Switzerland, is exempt from cantonal and communal income tax. Because Weatherford-Switzerland also plans to relocate certain management group functions in the canton of Geneva, it will have a taxable permanent establishment in the canton of Geneva, and it is planned to seek a tax ruling in the canton of Geneva. Weatherford-Switzerland shall also be subject to Swiss federal income tax.

However, participation relief will be granted to Weatherford-Switzerland at the federal level on dividend income and capital gains from qualifying investments. Due to the applicable formula to compute the federal participation relief, which does not consist in a straight exemption, there could be a risk of marginal taxation of dividend income and capital gains from qualifying investments.

 

Cantonal and Municipal Equity Tax

 

As holding company, Weatherford-Switzerland will be subject to an annual cantonal and municipal capital tax levied on equity at the place of its incorporation. A portion of the taxable equity could be allocated to the permanent establishment that Weatherford-Switzerland would have in the canton of Geneva.

 

Issuance Stamp Tax

 

Swiss issuance stamp tax is a federal tax levied on the issuance of shares and increases in the equity of Swiss corporations. The applicable tax rate is 1% of the fair market value of the assets contributed to equity. Exemptions are available in tax neutral restructuring transactions. As a result, any future issuance of shares by Weatherford-Switzerland may be subject to the issuance stamp tax unless the shares are issued in the context of a merger or other qualifying restructuring transaction.

 

The issuance stamp tax is also levied on the issuance of certain debt instruments. In such case, the rate would amount to 0.06% to 0.12% of nominal value per year of duration of the instrument (the rate depending on the instrument). No Swiss issuance stamp tax (at the rate described above) would be due on debt instruments issued by non-Swiss subsidiaries of Weatherford-Switzerland, if Weatherford-Switzerland does not guarantee the debt instruments, or if such a guarantee is provided, the proceeds from the issuance by the non-Swiss subsidiary are not used for financing activities in Switzerland. Although Weatherford-Switzerland intends to guarantee debt of its subsidiary Weatherford-Bermuda, none of the proceeds has been or is expected to be used for financing activities in Switzerland. Consequently, no issuance stamp tax should be due.

 

Transfer Stamp Tax

 

Weatherford-Switzerland will qualify as a Swiss securities dealer and be subject to the federal transfer stamp tax on any acquisition or sale of taxable securities against consideration to which it acts as a party (seller or purchaser) or as an intermediary. The current transfer stamp tax rate is 0.15% on the transfer of Swiss securities and 0.3% on the transfer of foreign (non-Swiss) securities. A Swiss securities dealer must pay 50% of the transfer stamp tax for its own account and the other 50% for the account of the other party, if the other party does not qualify as a Swiss securities dealer. There are, however, many exceptions under which the transfer stamp tax is not levied (transfers in the course of tax — neutral restructuring, transfer within the groups), and Weatherford-Switzerland intends to organize its operations in such a way as to avoid entering into transactions subject to the transfer stamp tax.

 

Swiss Withholding Tax on Certain Interest Payments

 

A federal withholding tax is levied on the interest payments of certain debt instruments (such as bonds, debentures and bank deposits). For Swiss withholding tax purposes, the definition of bonds, debentures and bank deposits is more extensive than the legal definition. For instance, the Swiss withholding tax could apply on interest payments if a Swiss entity borrows from more than 20 (in specific cases from more than 10) creditors.

 

In such case, the rate would amount to 35% of the gross interest payment to the debtholders. Weatherford-Switzerland, however, does not plan on entering into debt instruments which could subject it to Swiss withholding tax.

 

Consequences to Shareholders of Weatherford-Switzerland Subsequent to the Transaction

 

The tax consequences discussed below are not a complete analysis or listing of all the possible tax consequences that may be relevant to you. You should consult your own tax advisor in respect of the tax

consequences related to receipt, ownership, purchase or sale or other disposition of Weatherford-Switzerland shares and the procedures for claiming a refund of withholding tax.

 

Swiss Income Tax on Dividends and Similar Distributions

 

A non-Swiss holder will not be subject to Swiss income taxes on dividend income and similar distributions in respect of Weatherford-Switzerland shares, unless the shares are attributable to a permanent establishment or a fixed place of business maintained in Switzerland by such non-Swiss holder. However, dividends and similar distributions are subject to Swiss withholding tax. See “— Swiss Withholding Tax — Distributions to Shareholders.”

 

Swiss Wealth Tax

 

A non-Swiss holder will not be subject to Swiss wealth taxes, which are levied by the cantons and the municipalities, unless the holder’s Weatherford-Switzerland shares are attributable to a permanent establishment or a fixed place of business maintained in Switzerland by such non-Swiss holder.

 

Swiss Capital Gains Tax upon Disposal of Weatherford-Switzerland Shares

 

A non-Swiss holder will not be subject to Swiss income taxes for capital gains unless the holder’s shares are attributable to a permanent establishment or a fixed place of business maintained in Switzerland by such non-Swiss holder. In such case, the non-Swiss holder is required to recognize capital gains or losses on the sale of such shares, which will be subject to cantonal, communal and federal income tax.

 

Swiss Withholding Tax — Distributions to Shareholders

 

A Swiss withholding tax of 35% is due on dividends and similar distributions to Weatherford-Switzerland shareholders from Weatherford-Switzerland, regardless of the place of residency of the shareholder (subject to the exceptions discussed under “— Exemption from Swiss Withholding Tax — Distributions to Shareholders” below). Weatherford-Switzerland will be required to withhold at the rate of 35% and remit on a net basis any payments made to a holder of Weatherford-Switzerland shares and pay such withheld amounts to the Swiss federal tax authorities. Please see “— Refund of Swiss Withholding Tax on Dividends and Other Distributions.”

 

Exemption from Swiss Withholding Tax — Distributions to Shareholders

 

Under present Swiss tax law, distributions to shareholders in relation to a reduction of par value are exempt from Swiss withholding tax. Beginning on January 1, 2011, distributions to shareholders of qualifying paid-in capital shall, as a matter of principle, be exempt from the Swiss withholding tax. The particulars of this general principle are, however, subject to regulations still to be promulgated by the competent Swiss authorities; it will further require that the current draft corporate law bill, which proposes an overhaul of certain aspects of Swiss corporate law, be modified in the upcoming legislative process to reflect the recent change in the tax law.

 

Upon completion of the Transaction, we expect Weatherford-Switzerland to have a par value and qualifying additional paid-in capital for Swiss statutory reporting purposes, such that the combination of the two should approximate the market capitalization of Weatherford-Bermuda immediately prior to the completion of the Transaction. Because of the exemption from Swiss withholding tax to the distribution of qualifying paid-in capital, which applies from January 1, 2011, we plan to seek a tax ruling from the Swiss tax authorities to confirm that the shares of Weatherford-Bermuda may be contributed at their fair market value and that the contribution value may be split between par value and qualifying paid-in capital as mentioned above. If the Swiss tax authorities do not agree, the contribution of the shares of Weatherford-Bermuda may have to be made at a lower value or part of the qualifying paid-in capital recorded as free distributable reserves. Accordingly, the amount of the nominal share capital that can be repatriated free of withholding tax and/or qualifying paid-in capital that can be repatriated free of withholding tax as of January 1, 2011, may be lower. Assuming (1) the Swiss tax authorities confirm that the contribution of the shares of Weatherford-Bermuda

may be made at fair market value, (2) the Transaction became effective December 15, 2008, (3) a price of $10.31 per common share of Weatherford-Bermuda (which was the closing price of the Weatherford-Bermuda common shares reported on the New York Stock Exchange on December 15, 2008), (4) a par value of 1.16 Swiss francs per Weatherford-Switzerland share, (5) Capital of CHC 100,000 from the issuance of the Formation Shares and (6) a foreign exchange rate of 1.16 Swiss francs to $1.00 (the rate on December 15, 2008), the aggregate amount of par value and qualifying additional paid-in capital of Weatherford-Switzerland’s outstanding shares would be $      million, respectively, after the completion of the Transaction. Assuming the price of Weatherford-Bermuda’s common shares were $1.00 higher than the closing price on December 15, 2008, the aggregate amount of par value and qualifying additional paid-in capital would increase by $      million. Conversely, assuming the price of Weatherford-Bermuda’s common shares were $1.00 lower than the closing price on December 15, 2008, the aggregate amount of par value and qualifying additional paid-in capital would decrease by $      million. For each $1.00 that the price of Weatherford-Bermuda common shares is higher than $10.31 per share, the aggregate par value would remain unchanged and the aggregate qualifying additional paid-in capital would increase by $      million. Consequently, Weatherford-Switzerland expects that a substantial amount of any potential future distributions may be exempt from Swiss withholding tax. For a description of how qualifying additional paid-in capital can be distributed under the Swiss Code of Obligations, which we refer to as the Swiss Code, as in effect as of the date of this proxy statement, see “Description of Weatherford-Switzerland Shares — Dividends.”

 

Repurchases of Shares

 

Under present Swiss tax law, repurchases of shares for the purposes of capital reduction are treated as a partial liquidation subject to the 35% Swiss withholding tax. However, for shares repurchased for capital reduction, the portion of the repurchase price attributable to the par value of the shares repurchased will not be subject to the Swiss withholding tax. Beginning on January 1, 2011, subject to the adoption of implementing regulations and amendments to Swiss corporate law (see above remarks under the section “— Exemption from Swiss Withholding Tax — Distributions to Shareholders”), the portion of the repurchase price attributable to the qualifying additional paid-in capital for Swiss statutory reporting purposes of the shares repurchased will also not be subject to the Swiss withholding tax. Weatherford-Switzerland would be required to withhold at such rate the tax from the difference between the repurchase price and the related amount of par value and, beginning on January 1, 2011, subject to the adoption of implementing regulations and amendments to Swiss corporate law, the related amount of qualifying additional paid-in capital. Weatherford-Switzerland would be required to remit on a net basis the purchase price with the Swiss withholding tax deducted to a holder of Weatherford-Switzerland shares and pay the withholding tax to the Swiss federal tax authorities.

 

With respect to the refund of Swiss withholding tax from the repurchase of shares, see “— Refund of Swiss Withholding Tax on Dividends and Other Distributions” below.

 

In most instances, Swiss companies listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, or SIX, carry out share repurchase programs through a “second trading line” on the SIX. Swiss institutional investors typically purchase shares from shareholders on the open market and then sell the shares on the second trading line back to the company. The Swiss institutional investors are generally able to receive a full refund of the withholding tax. Due to, among other things, the time delay between the sale to the company and the institutional investors’ receipt of the refund, the price companies pay to repurchase their shares has historically been slightly higher (but less than 1.0%) than the price of such companies’ shares in ordinary trading on the SIX first trading line.

 

We do not expect to be able to use the SIX second trading line process to repurchase our shares because we do not intend to list our shares on the SIX. We do, however, intend to follow an alternative process whereby we expect to be able to repurchase our shares in a manner that should allow Swiss institutional market participants selling the shares to us to receive a refund of the Swiss withholding tax and, therefore, accomplish the same purpose as share repurchases on the second trading line at substantially the same cost to us and such market participants as share repurchases on a second trading line. There is, however, a risk that the Swiss federal tax administration could nevertheless decide to levy the Swiss withholding tax on the repurchase of our shares if institutional investors or other parties able to benefit from the full Swiss withholding tax relief purchased our shares to resell them shortly to us.

 

The repurchase of shares for purposes other than capital reduction, such as to retain as treasury shares for use in connection with equity incentive plans, warrants, convertible debt or other instruments within certain periods, will generally not be subject to Swiss withholding tax; provided that Weatherford-Switzerland does not exceed the maximum threshold of 10% of the registered share capital that it can repurchase as required by the Swiss Code of Obligations (see “Description of Weatherford-Switzerland Shares — Repurchases of Registered Shares” below) and the shares are resold within certain periods prescribed by Swiss law. See “Comparison of Rights of Shareholders” for a discussion on the limitations on the amount of repurchased shares that can be held as treasury shares.

 

Refund of Swiss Withholding Tax on Dividends and Other Distributions

 

Swiss Holders.  A Swiss tax resident, corporate or individual, can recover the withholding tax in full if such resident is the beneficial owner of the Weatherford-Switzerland shares at the time the dividend or other distribution becomes due and provided that such resident reports the gross distribution received on such resident’s income tax return, or in the case of an entity, includes the taxable income in such resident’s income statement.

 

Non-Swiss Holders.  If the shareholder that receives a distribution from Weatherford-Switzerland is not a Swiss tax resident, does not hold the Weatherford-Switzerland shares in connection with a permanent establishment or a fixed place of business maintained in Switzerland, and resides in a country that has concluded a treaty for the avoidance of double taxation with Switzerland for which the conditions for the application and protection of and by the treaty are met, then the shareholder may be entitled to a full or partial refund of the withholding tax described above. You should note that the procedures for claiming treaty refunds (and the time frame required for obtaining a refund) may differ from country to country.

 

Switzerland has entered into bilateral treaties for the avoidance of double taxation with respect to income taxes with numerous countries, including the United States, whereby under certain circumstances all or part of the withholding tax may be refunded.

 

As of January 1, 2008, Switzerland has entered into bilateral treaties for the avoidance of double taxation with respect to income taxes with the following countries, whereby under certain circumstances all or a part of the above-mentioned withholding tax may be refunded:

 

 

U.S. Holders.  The Swiss-U.S. Tax Treaty provides that, for U.S. residents eligible for benefits under the treaty, the Swiss withholding tax on dividends cannot exceed 15%. According to the Swiss federal ordinance to the treaty, Weatherford-Switzerland must levy the Swiss withholding tax at the statutory rate of 35% and the holders must apply for a refund of the portion exceeding the appropriate treaty ratio. Please refer to the discussion under “— U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations — Material Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders — Receiving Distributions on Weatherford-Switzerland Shares” for applicability of U.S. foreign tax credits for any net withholding taxes paid.

 

As a general rule, the refund will be granted under the Swiss-U.S. Tax Treaty if the U.S. resident can show evidence of:

 

 

 

The claim for refund must be filed with the Swiss federal tax authorities (Eigerstrasse 65, 3003 Berne, Switzerland) no later than December 31 of the third year following the year in which the dividend payments became due. The relevant Swiss tax form is Form 82C for companies, 82E for other entities and 82I for individuals. These forms can be obtained from any Swiss Consulate General in the United States or from the Swiss federal tax authorities at the address mentioned above or on the following website: http://www.estv.admin.ch/e/vst/dokumentation/form_ausland.htm. Each form needs to be filled out in triplicate, with each copy duly completed and signed before a notary public in the United States. You must also include evidence that the withholding tax was withheld at the source.

 

Stamp Duties in Relation to the Transfer of Weatherford-Switzerland Shares.  The purchase or sale of Weatherford-Switzerland shares may be subject to Swiss federal stamp taxes on the transfer of securities irrespective of the place of residency of the purchaser or seller if the transaction takes place through or with a Swiss bank or other Swiss securities dealer, as those terms are defined in the Swiss Federal Stamp Tax Act and no exemption applies in the specific case. If a purchase or sale is not entered into through or with a Swiss bank or other Swiss securities dealer, then no stamp tax will be due. The applicable stamp tax rate is 0.075% for each of the two parties to a transaction and is calculated based on the purchase price or sale proceeds. If the transaction does not involve cash consideration, the transfer stamp duty is computed on the basis of the market value of the consideration.

 

The Transaction will not result in any income tax consequences under Bermuda law to Weatherford-Bermuda, Weatherford-Switzerland or their shareholders.

 

The following description of Weatherford-Switzerland’s share capital is a summary. This summary is not complete and is subject to the complete text of Weatherford-Switzerland’s proposed articles of association and organizational regulations (the latter being analogous to bye-laws) attached as Annex E and Annex F, respectively, to this proxy statement. Except where otherwise indicated, the description below reflects Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association and organizational regulations as those documents will be in effect upon completion of the redomestication. We encourage you to read those documents carefully.

 

Immediately after the redomestication, Weatherford-Switzerland will only have one class of shares outstanding, so all references to “voting rights” in this “Description of Weatherford-Switzerland Shares” will mean the voting rights of Weatherford-Switzerland’s registered shares, par value equivalent to US$1.00, or approximately 1.16 Swiss francs per share, unless another class of shares is subsequently created. Likewise, a “majority of the par value of the registered shares” will mean a majority of the par value of Weatherford-Switzerland’s registered shares, par value equivalent to US$1.00, or approximately 1.16 Swiss francs per share.

 

Issued Share Capital.  Immediately prior to the redomestication, the registered share capital of Weatherford-Switzerland will amount to 100,000 Swiss francs, comprised of 10.0 million registered shares with a par value of .01 Swiss francs per share. In the redomestication, Weatherford-Switzerland will issue one registered share for each Weatherford-Bermuda common share. Prior to such issuance, the registered shares with a par value of .01 Swiss francs per share will be consolidated into registered shares with a par value of equivalent to US$1.00, or approximately 1.16 Swiss francs per share. Weatherford-Switzerland will assume Weatherford-Bermuda’s existing obligation to deliver shares under our equity incentive plans, warrants or other rights pursuant to the terms thereof. Upon completion of the redomestication, the registered share capital of Weatherford-Switzerland is expected to be approximately 845.4 million Swiss francs, comprised of approximately 728.8 million registered shares with a par value of equivalent to US$1.00, or approximately 1.16 Swiss francs per share, including 41.0 million treasury shares and the Formation Shares held by Weatherford-Bermuda.

 

Authorized Share Capital.  Immediately prior to the redomestication, Weatherford-Switzerland will not have any share capital authorized for future issuance. Upon completion of the redomestication, the board of directors will be authorized to issue new registered shares at any time during a two-year period and thereby increase the share capital, by a maximum amount of 50% of the share capital registered in the commercial register (which is expected to be approximately 845.4 million Swiss francs, or approximately 728.8 million registered shares) without obtaining additional shareholder approval. After the expiration of the initial two-year period, and each subsequent two-year period, authorized share capital will be available to the board of directors for issuance of additional registered shares only if new authorized capital is created to that effect by the shareholders.

 

The board of directors determines the time of the issuance, the issuance price, the manner in which the new registered shares have to be paid in, the date from which the new registered shares carry the right to dividends and the conditions for the exercise of the preferential subscription rights with respect to the issuance and the allotment of preferential subscription rights that are not exercised. The board of directors may allow preferential subscription rights that are not exercised to expire, or it may place such rights or registered shares, the preferential subscription rights of which have not been exercised, at market conditions or use them otherwise in the interest of Weatherford-Switzerland.

 

In an authorized capital increase, Weatherford-Switzerland shareholders would have preferential subscription rights to obtain newly issued registered shares in an amount proportional to the par value of the registered shares they already hold. However, the board of directors may withdraw or limit these preferential subscription rights in certain circumstances as set forth in Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association. For further details on these circumstances, see “— Preferential Subscription Rights and Advance Subscription Rights.”

 

Conditional Share Capital.  Immediately prior to the redomestication, Weatherford-Switzerland will not have any conditional share capital. Upon completion of the redomestication, Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association will provide for a conditional share capital that will allow the issuance of additional registered shares up to a maximum amount of 50% of the share capital registered in the commercial register (which is expected to be approximately 728.8 million registered shares) without obtaining additional shareholder approval. These registered shares may be issued:

 

 

The advance subscription rights and preferential subscription rights of shareholders shall be excluded in connection with the issuance of any shares or rights entitling their holders to receive or acquire any shares out of the company’s conditional capital as set forth in Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association. See “— Preferential Subscription Rights and Advance Subscription Rights” below.

 

Other Classes or Series of Shares.  The board of directors may not create shares with increased voting powers without the affirmative resolution adopted by shareholders holding at least 662/3% of the voting rights and a majority of the par value of the registered shares represented at a general meeting. The shareholders may create preferred shares with a relative majority of the votes cast at a general meeting.

 

Under the Swiss Code, the prior approval of a general meeting of shareholders is required to authorize, for later issuance, the issuance of registered shares, or rights to subscribe for, or convert into, registered shares (which rights may be connected to debt instruments or other obligations). In addition, the existing shareholders will generally have preferential subscription rights in relation to such registered shares for authorized share capital and conditional share capital or advance subscription rights in relation to such rights for conditional share capital in proportion to the respective par values of their holdings.

 

If the general meeting of shareholders has approved the creation of authorized capital, it thereby delegates the decision whether to withdraw or limit the preferential subscription rights for cause to the board of directors. Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association provide for this delegation with respect to Weatherford-Switzerland’s authorized share capital in the circumstances described below under “— Authorized Share Capital.” Furthermore, the advance subscription rights and preferential subscription rights of shareholders shall be excluded in connection with the issuance of any shares or rights with respect to Weatherford-Switzerland’s conditional share capital in the circumstances described below under “— Conditional Share Capital.”

 

Authorized Share Capital.  The board of directors is authorized to withdraw or limit the preferential subscription rights with respect to the issuance of registered shares from the authorized capital for cause, in particular if:

 

 

 

Conditional Share Capital.  In connection with the issuance of bonds, notes, warrants or other financial instruments or contractual obligations convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Weatherford-Switzerland registered shares, the advance subscription rights and the preferential subscription rights of shareholders are excluded with respect to registered shares issued from Weatherford-Switzerland’s conditional share capital and to the relevant bond, note or other right issued by the company.

 

Under Swiss law, dividends may be paid out only if the corporation has sufficient distributable profits from the previous fiscal year, or if the corporation has freely distributable reserves, each as will be presented on the audited annual stand-alone statutory balance sheet. Payments out of the registered share capital (in other words, the aggregate par value of Weatherford-Switzerland’s registered share capital) in the form of dividends are not allowed; however, payments out of registered share capital may be made by way of a capital reduction. The “freely distributable reserves” of a Swiss corporation consist of the portion of its general reserves, other free reserves, retained earnings and current net profits which is in excess of its “restricted equity” (the concept of “restricted equity” covering primarily (1) the corporation’s share capital and (2) its general reserve up to an amount equal to one half of the share capital or 20% in case of holding companies). See “— Reduction of Share Capital” for more information. Qualifying additional paid-in capital may only be paid out as dividends to shareholders following approval by the shareholders of a reclassification of such qualifying additional paid-in capital as freely distributable reserves (to the extent permissible under the Swiss Code). Weatherford-Switzerland may seek to reclassify part of its qualifying additional paid-in capital to freely distributable reserves, to the extent that it exceeds 50% of its share capital, as early as its first general meeting following completion of the redomestication. The affirmative vote of shareholders representing a relative majority of the votes cast at a general meeting must approve reserve reclassifications and distributions of dividends. The board of directors may propose to shareholders that a dividend be paid but cannot itself authorize the dividend.

 

Under the Swiss Code, if Weatherford-Switzerland’s general reserves amount to less than 20% of the share capital recorded in the commercial register (i.e., 20% of the aggregate par value of Weatherford-Switzerland’s registered capital), then at least 5% of Weatherford-Switzerland’s annual profit must be retained as general reserves. The Swiss Code and Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association permit Weatherford-Switzerland to accrue additional general reserves. In addition, Weatherford-Switzerland is required to create a special reserve on its stand-alone annual statutory balance sheet in the amount of the purchase price of registered shares it or any of its subsidiaries repurchases, which amount may not be used for dividends or subsequent repurchases.

 

Swiss companies generally must maintain a separate company, stand-alone “statutory” balance sheet for the purpose of, among other things, determining the amounts available for the return of capital to shareholders, including by way of a distribution of dividends. Weatherford-Switzerland’s auditor must confirm that a dividend proposal made to shareholders conforms with the requirements of the Swiss Code and Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association. Dividends are usually due and payable shortly after the shareholders have

passed a resolution approving the payment. Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association provide that dividends that have not been claimed within five years after the due date become the property of Weatherford-Switzerland and are allocated to the general reserves. For information about deduction of the withholding tax from dividend payments, see “Material Tax Considerations — Swiss Tax Considerations.”

 

Weatherford-Switzerland will be required under Swiss law to declare any dividends and other capital distributions in Swiss francs. Weatherford-Switzerland intends to make any dividend payments to holders of Weatherford-Switzerland shares in U.S. dollars, unless the holders provide notice to our transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, that they wish to receive dividend payments in Swiss francs. American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC will be responsible for paying the U.S. dollars or Swiss francs to registered holders of shares, less amounts subject to withholding for taxes.

 

The Swiss Code limits a company’s ability to hold or repurchase its own registered shares. Weatherford-Switzerland and its subsidiaries may only repurchase shares if and to the extent that sufficient freely distributable reserves are available, as described above under “— Dividends.” The aggregate par value of all Weatherford-Switzerland registered shares held by Weatherford-Switzerland and its subsidiaries may not exceed 10% of the registered share capital. However, Weatherford-Switzerland may repurchase its own registered shares beyond the statutory limit of 10% if the shareholders have passed a resolution at a general meeting of shareholders authorizing the board of directors to repurchase registered shares in an amount in excess of 10% and the repurchased shares are dedicated for cancellation. Any registered shares repurchased pursuant to such an authorization will then be cancelled at the next general meeting upon the approval of shareholders representing a relative majority of the votes cast at the general meeting. Repurchased registered shares held by Weatherford-Switzerland or its subsidiaries do not carry any rights to vote at a general meeting of shareholders but are entitled to the economic benefits generally associated with the shares. For information about Swiss withholding tax and share repurchases, see “Material Tax Considerations — Swiss Tax Considerations.”

 

Capital distributions may also take the form of a distribution of cash or property that is based upon a reduction of Weatherford-Switzerland’s share capital recorded in the commercial register. Such a capital reduction requires the approval of shareholders representing a relative majority of the votes cast at the general meeting. A special audit report must confirm that creditors’ claims remain fully covered despite the reduction in the share capital recorded in the commercial register. Upon approval by the general meeting of shareholders of the capital reduction, the board of directors must give public notice of the capital reduction resolution in the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce three times and notify creditors that they may request, within two months of the third publication, satisfaction of or security for their claims.

General Meetings of Shareholders

 

The general meeting of shareholders is Weatherford-Switzerland’s supreme corporate body. Ordinary and extraordinary shareholders meetings may be held. The following powers will be vested exclusively in the shareholders meeting:

 

 

 

Under the Swiss Code and Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association, Weatherford-Switzerland must hold an annual, ordinary general meeting of shareholders within six months after the end of its fiscal year for the purpose, among other things, of approving the annual financial statements and the annual business report, and the annual election of directors for the class whose term has expired. The invitation to general meetings must be published in the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce and sent to the shareholders of record at least 20 calendar days prior to the relevant general meeting of shareholders. The notice of a meeting must state the items on the agenda and the proposals of the board of directors and of the shareholders who demanded that a shareholders meeting be held or that an item be included on the agenda and, in case of elections, the names of the nominated candidates. No resolutions may be passed at a shareholders meeting concerning agenda items for which proper notice was not given. This does not apply, however, to proposals made during a shareholders meeting to convene an extraordinary shareholders meeting or to initiate a special investigation. No previous notification will be required for proposals concerning items included on the agenda or for debates as to which no vote is taken.

 

Annual general meetings of shareholders may be convened by the board of directors or, under certain circumstances, by the auditor. A general meeting of shareholders can be held anywhere.

 

An extraordinary general meeting of Weatherford-Switzerland may be called upon the resolution of the board of directors or, under certain circumstances, by the auditor. In addition, the board of directors is required to convene an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders if so resolved by the general meeting of shareholders, or if so requested by shareholders holding an aggregate of at least 10% of the registered shares, specifying the items for the agenda and their proposals, or if it appears from the stand-alone annual statutory balance sheet that half of the company’s share capital and reserves are not covered by the company’s assets. In the latter case, the board of directors must immediately convene an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders and propose financial restructuring measures.

 

Under Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association, any shareholder satisfying the formal requirements of the Swiss Code may request that an item be included on the agenda of a general meeting of shareholders. Such shareholder may also nominate one or more directors for election.

 

Shareholder proposals to be included in the proxy materials for an annual general meeting must comply with Rule 14a-8 promulgated by the SEC to be considered for inclusion in the proxy statement for that meeting. For any matters submitted outside the process of Rule 14a-8, a request for inclusion of an item on the agenda or a nominee must be in writing and requested at least 60 and no more than 90 calendar days prior to the scheduled and announced date of the next general meeting of shareholders. The request must specify the relevant agenda items and motions, together with evidence of the required shares recorded in the share register, as well as any other information as would be required to be included in a proxy statement pursuant to the rules of the SEC.

 

Under the Swiss Code, a general meeting of shareholders for which a notice of meeting has been duly published or communicated may not be adjourned without publishing or communicating a new notice of meeting.

 

Weatherford-Switzerland’s annual report and auditor’s report must be made available for inspection by the shareholders at Weatherford-Switzerland’s place of incorporation no later than 20 days prior to the meeting. Each shareholder is entitled to request immediate delivery of a copy of these documents free of charge. Shareholders of record will be notified of this in writing.

 

Each Weatherford-Switzerland registered share carries one vote at a general meeting of shareholders. Voting rights may be exercised by shareholders registered in Weatherford-Switzerland’s share register or by a duly appointed proxy of a registered shareholder, which proxy need not be a shareholder. Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association do not limit the number of registered shares that may be voted by a single shareholder.

 

Treasury shares, whether owned by Weatherford-Switzerland or one of its majority-owned subsidiaries, will not be entitled to vote at general meetings of shareholders.

 

Pursuant to Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association, the shareholders generally take resolutions and decide elections upon a relative majority of the votes cast at the general meeting of shareholders (broker non — votes, abstentions and blank and invalid ballots and withdrawals shall be disregarded), unless otherwise provided by law or Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association. If the number of directors nominated for election is greater than the number of directors to be elected, the persons receiving the most votes (up to the number of directors to be elected) will be elected as directors. Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association do not provide for cumulative voting for election of directors.

 

The acting chair may direct that elections be held by use of an electronic voting system. Electronic resolutions and elections are considered equal to resolutions and elections taken by way of a written ballot.

 

The Swiss Code and/or Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association require the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the voting rights and a majority of the par value of the registered shares, each as represented at a general meeting to approve the following matters:

 

 

The same supermajority voting requirements apply to resolutions in relation to transactions among corporations based on Switzerland’s Federal Act on Mergers, Demergers, Transformations and the Transfer of Assets, which we refer to as the Merger Act, including a merger, demerger or conversion of a corporation (other than a cash-out or certain squeeze-out mergers, in which minority shareholders of the company being acquired may be compensated in a form other than through shares of the acquiring company, for instance, through cash or securities of a parent company of the acquiring company or of another company — in such a merger, an affirmative vote of 90% of the outstanding registered shares is required). Swiss law may also impose this supermajority voting requirement in connection with the sale of “all or substantially all of its assets” by Weatherford-Switzerland. See “— Appraisal Rights and Compulsory Acquisitions.”

 

The presence of shareholders, in person or by proxy, holding at least two thirds of the registered shares recorded in Weatherford-Switzerland’s share register and generally entitled to vote at a meeting, is a quorum for the transaction of the following business:

 

 

The presence of shareholders, in person or by proxy, holding at least one-third of the registered shares recorded in Weatherford-Switzerland’s share register and generally entitled to vote at a meeting, is a quorum for the transaction of any other business.

 

Under the Swiss Code, the board of directors has no authority to waive quorum requirements stipulated in the articles of association.

 

Under the Swiss Code, a shareholder has a right to seek information from the board of directors with regard to the information in the share register concerning his own shares and otherwise to the extent necessary to exercise his shareholder rights. No other person has a right to inspect the share register. The books and correspondence of a Swiss company may be inspected with the express authorization of the general meeting of shareholders or by resolution of the board of directors and subject to the safeguarding of the company’s business secrets. At a general meeting of shareholders, any shareholder is entitled to request information from the board of directors concerning the affairs of the company. Shareholders may also ask the auditor questions regarding its audit of the company. The board of directors and the auditor must answer shareholders’ questions to the extent necessary for the exercise of shareholders’ rights and subject to prevailing business secrets or other material interests of Weatherford-Switzerland.

 

If the shareholders’ inspection and information rights as outlined above prove to be insufficient, any shareholder may propose to the general meeting of shareholders that specific facts be examined by a special commissioner in a special investigation. If the general meeting of shareholders approves the proposal, Weatherford-Switzerland or any shareholder may, within 30 calendar days after the general meeting of shareholders, request the court at Weatherford-Switzerland’s registered office to appoint a special commissioner. If the general meeting of shareholders rejects the request, one or more shareholders representing at least 10% of the share capital or holders of registered shares in an aggregate par value of at least 2 million Swiss francs may request the court to appoint a special commissioner. The court will issue such an order if the petitioners can credibly establish that the board of directors, any member of the board or an officer of Weatherford-Switzerland infringed the law or Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association and thereby damaged the company or the shareholders. The costs of the investigation would generally be allocated to Weatherford-Switzerland and only in exceptional cases to the petitioners.

 

Business combinations and other transactions that are binding on all shareholders are governed by the Merger Act. A statutory merger or demerger requires that at least 662/3% of the registered shares and a

majority of the par value of the registered shares represented at the general meeting of shareholders vote in favor of the transaction. Under the Merger Act, a “demerger” may take two forms:

 

 

If a transaction under the Merger Act receives all of the necessary consents, all shareholders would be compelled to participate in the transaction. See “— Voting.”

 

Swiss companies may be acquired by an acquirer through the direct acquisition of the share capital of the Swiss company. With respect to corporations limited by shares, such as Weatherford-Switzerland, the Merger Act provides for the possibility of a so-called “cash-out” or “squeeze-out” merger if the acquirer controls 90% of the outstanding registered shares. In these limited circumstances, minority shareholders of the company being acquired may be compensated in a form other than through shares of the acquiring company (for instance, through cash or securities of a parent company of the acquiring company or of another company). For business combinations effected in the form of a statutory merger or demerger and subject to Swiss law, the Merger Act provides that if the equity rights have not been adequately preserved or compensation payments in the transaction are unreasonable, a shareholder may request the competent court to determine a reasonable amount of compensation.

 

In addition, under Swiss law, the sale of “all or substantially all of its assets” by Weatherford-Switzerland may require a resolution of the general meeting of shareholders passed by holders of at least two-thirds of the voting rights and a majority of the par value of the registered shares, each as represented at the general meeting of shareholders. Whether or not a shareholder resolution is required depends on the particular transaction, including whether the following test is satisfied:

 

 

If all of the foregoing apply, a shareholder resolution would likely be required.

 

Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association have provisions that could have an anti-takeover effect. These provisions are intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of the board of directors and in the policies formulated by the board of directors, and may have the effect of discouraging actual or threatened changes of control by limiting certain actions that may be taken by a potential acquirer prior to its having obtained sufficient control to adopt a special resolution amending Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association.

 

Under the Swiss Code, directors may at any time, with or without cause, be removed from office by resolution of the shareholders at a general meeting of shareholders, provided that a proposal for such resolution has been put on the agenda for the meeting in accordance with the requirements of the Swiss Code and Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association. Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association provide that a decision of the shareholders at a general meeting to remove a director requires the vote of shareholders holding at least 662/3% of the voting rights and the absolute majority of the registered shares represented at

that meeting as well as a quorum of at least two-thirds of the registered shares recorded in Weatherford-Switzerland’s share register.

 

Under Swiss law, there is generally no prohibition of business combinations with interested shareholders. However, in certain circumstances, shareholders and members of the board of directors of Swiss companies, as well as certain persons associated with them, must refund any payments they receive that are not made on an arm’s length basis.

 

Upon completion of the redomestication, Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association will include an authorized share capital, according to which the board of directors is authorized, at any time during a maximum two-year period, to issue a number of registered shares up to 50% of the share capital registered in the commercial register and to limit or withdraw the preferential subscription rights of the existing shareholders for a proper cause.

 

For other provisions that could be considered to have an anti-takeover effect, in addition to “— Preferential Subscription Rights and Advance Subscription Rights” “— General Meetings of Shareholders” and “— Voting” above, see “Comparison of Rights of Shareholders — Other Anti-Takeover Measures” below.

 

The legal and commercial name of Weatherford-Switzerland is Weatherford International Ltd. Weatherford-Switzerland was initially formed, and its articles of association registered on November 26, 2008. Weatherford-Switzerland is incorporated and domiciled in Zug, Canton of Zug, Switzerland, and operates under the Swiss Code as a stock corporation (Aktiengesellschaft). Weatherford-Switzerland is recorded in the Commercial Register of the Canton of Zug with the registration number CH-170.3.032 888-3. Weatherford-Switzerland’s fiscal year is the calendar year.

 

The address of Weatherford-Switzerland’s registered office is Weatherford International Ltd., Alpenstrasse 15, 6300 Zug, Switzerland, and the telephone number at that address is +41-41-729-4242.

 

Currently, Weatherford-Switzerland is a subsidiary of Weatherford-Bermuda, and its business purpose is to acquire, hold, administer and transfer participations in entities in Switzerland and abroad, either directly or indirectly, in particular in entities which are active in the field of services providing with respect to the acquisition and production of natural energy and of the financing of such activities. Upon completion of the redomestication, Weatherford-Switzerland will become the new holding company of Weatherford-Bermuda and its subsidiaries. Weatherford-Switzerland’s amended business purpose will be to acquire, hold, administer and transfer participations in entities in Switzerland and abroad, either directly or indirectly, in particular in entities which are active in the field of services providing with respect to the acquisition and production of natural energy and of the financing of such activities. Weatherford-Switzerland may also acquire, administer and transfer patents, trademarks and technical and industrial know-how as well as real estate assets, and engage in any commercial, financial or other activities which are directly or indirectly related to these purposes. Weatherford-Switzerland may also participate in the financing, including by providing of guarantees and sureties, of affiliates of the company.

 

Weatherford-Switzerland’s duration is unlimited. Weatherford-Switzerland may be dissolved at any time with the approval of shareholders holding two-thirds of the voting rights and a majority of the par value of the registered shares represented at a general meeting. Dissolution by court order is possible if Weatherford-Switzerland becomes bankrupt, or for cause at the request of shareholders holding at least 10% of Weatherford-Switzerland’s share capital. Under Swiss law, any surplus arising out of liquidation, after the settlement of all claims of all creditors, will be distributed to shareholders in proportion to the paid-up par value of registered shares held, subject to Swiss withholding tax requirements.

 

Weatherford-Switzerland is authorized to issue registered shares in certificated or uncertificated form.

 

We intend to make application so that, immediately following the redomestication, the shares of Weatherford-Switzerland will be listed on the NYSE under the symbol “WFT,” the same symbol under which the Weatherford-Bermuda common shares are currently listed.

 

The registered shares have no sinking fund provisions.

 

The registered shares to be issued in the redomestication will be duly and validly issued and fully paid.

 

The registered shares are not convertible into shares of any other class or series or subject to redemption either by Weatherford-Switzerland or the holder of the shares.

 

Weatherford-Switzerland has not imposed any restrictions applicable to the transfer of Weatherford-Switzerland registered shares. Weatherford-Switzerland’s share register will initially be kept by American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, which acts as transfer agent and registrar. The share register reflects only record owners of Weatherford-Switzerland shares. Swiss law does not recognize fractional share interests.

 

Your rights as a shareholder of Weatherford-Bermuda are governed by Bermuda law and Weatherford-Bermuda’s memorandum of association and bye-laws. After the redomestication, you will become a shareholder of Weatherford-Switzerland, and your rights will be governed by Swiss law and Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association and organizational regulations (the latter being analogous to bye-laws).

 

Many of the principal attributes of Weatherford-Bermuda’s common shares and Weatherford-Switzerland’s registered shares will be similar. However, there are differences between your rights under Swiss law and under Bermuda law. In addition, there are differences between Weatherford-Bermuda’s memorandum of association and bye-laws and Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association and organizational regulations. The following discussion is a summary of material changes in your rights resulting from the redomestication. This summary is not complete and does not cover all of the differences between Swiss law and Bermuda law affecting companies and their shareholders or all the differences between Weatherford-Bermuda’s memorandum of association and bye-laws and Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association and organizational regulations. We believe this summary is accurate. It is, however, subject to the complete text of the relevant provisions of the Swiss Code of Obligations, in particular articles 620 through 763 of the Swiss Code, and Switzerland’s Federal Act on Mergers, Demergers, Transformations and the Transfer of Assets, which we refer to as the Merger Act, the Companies Act 1981, as amended, of Bermuda, which we refer to as the Companies Act, Weatherford-Bermuda’s memorandum of association and bye-laws and Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association and organizational regulations. We encourage you to read those laws and documents. Weatherford-Switzerland’s proposed articles of association and organizational regulations are attached to this proxy statement as Annex E and Annex F, respectively. For information as to how you can obtain Weatherford-Bermuda’s memorandum of association and bye-laws, see “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

Weatherford-Bermuda.  The authorized share capital of Weatherford-Bermuda is comprised of 1,000,000,000 common shares, par value $1.00 per share, and 10,000,000 undesignated preference shares, par value $1.00 per share. The board of directors of Weatherford-Bermuda may authorize the issuance of additional shares up to the amount of the authorized capital without obtaining additional shareholder approval.

 

Weatherford-Switzerland.  Upon completion of the redomestication, the registered share capital of Weatherford-Switzerland is expected to be approximately 845.4 million Swiss francs, comprised of approximately 728.8 million registered shares with a par value of approximately 1.16 Swiss francs per share. Shares with increased voting powers may only be issued with the affirmative resolution adopted by shareholders holding at least 662/3% of the voting rights and a majority of the par value of the registered shares represented at a general meeting. Preferred shares may only be issued with the approval of a relative majority of the votes cast at a general meeting. Immediately after the redomestication, Weatherford-Switzerland will only have one class of shares outstanding, so all references to “voting rights” in this “Comparison of Rights of Shareholders” will mean the voting rights of Weatherford-Switzerland’s registered shares, par value equivalent to US $1.00, or approximately 1.16 Swiss francs, per share, unless another class of shares is subsequently created. Likewise, a “majority of the par value of the registered shares” will mean a majority of the par value of Weatherford-Switzerland’s registered shares, par value equivalent to US $1.00, or approximately 1.16 Swiss francs, per share.

 

Immediately prior to the redomestication, Weatherford-Switzerland will not have any share capital authorized for future issuance. Upon completion of the redomestication, the board of directors will be authorized to issue new registered shares at any time during a two-year period and thereby increase the share capital, without additional shareholder approval, by a maximum amount of 50% of the share capital registered in the commercial register, which is expected to be approximately 845.4 million Swiss francs, or approximately 728.8 million registered shares. After the expiration of the initial two-year period, and each subsequent two-year period, authorized share capital will be available to the board of directors for issuance of additional registered shares only if new authorized capital is created to that effect by the shareholders.

 

In an authorized capital increase, Weatherford-Switzerland shareholders would have preferential subscription rights to obtain newly issued registered shares in an amount proportional to the par value of the registered shares they already hold. However, the board of directors may withdraw or limit these preferential subscription rights in certain circumstances as set forth in Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association. For further details on these circumstances, see “— Preferential Subscription Rights and Advance Subscription Rights.”

 

Immediately prior to the redomestication, Weatherford-Switzerland will not have any conditional share capital. Upon completion of the redomestication, Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association will provide for a conditional capital that will allow the board of directors to authorize the issuance of additional registered shares up to a maximum amount of 50% of the share capital registered in the commercial register (which is expected to be approximately 728.8 million registered shares) without obtaining additional shareholder approval. These registered shares may be issued:

 

 

The preferential subscription rights and advance subscription rights of shareholders is excluded in connection with the issuance of bonds, notes, warrants or other financial instruments or contractual obligations convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Weatherford-Switzerland registered shares. See “— Preferential Subscription Rights and Advance Subscription Rights” below.

 

Weatherford-Bermuda.  Holders of Weatherford-Bermuda common shares have no preemptive or preferential right to purchase any securities of Weatherford-Bermuda. As a result, as described below under “— Other Anti-Takeover Measures,” the board of directors may authorize the issuance of securities that could discourage a takeover or other transaction without offering the securities to each holder of Weatherford-Bermuda common shares.

 

Weatherford-Switzerland.  Under the Swiss Code, the prior approval of a general meeting of shareholders is required to authorize, for later issuance, the issuance of registered shares, or rights to subscribe for, or convert into, registered shares (which rights may be connected to debt instruments or other obligations). In addition, the existing shareholders will generally have preferential subscription rights in relation to such registered shares for authorized share capital and conditional share capital or advance subscription rights in relation to such rights for conditional share capital in proportion to the respective par values of their holdings.

 

The board of directors is authorized to withdraw or limit the preferential subscription rights with respect to the issuance of registered shares from the authorized capital for cause, including if:

 

 

In connection with the issuance of bonds, notes, warrants or other financial instruments or contractual obligations convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Weatherford-Switzerland registered shares, the advance subscription rights and the preferential subscription rights of shareholders are excluded with respect to registered shares issued from Weatherford-Switzerland’s conditional share capital and to the relevant bond, note or other right issued by the company.

 

Weatherford-Bermuda.  Weatherford-Bermuda is not required to present proposed dividends to its shareholders for approval or adoption. However, the board of directors is prohibited from declaring or paying dividends, or making distributions out of contributed surplus, if there are reasonable grounds for believing that:

 

 

Pursuant to Weatherford-Bermuda’s bye-laws, its board of directors may exercise its powers to purchase all or any part of its own shares pursuant to the Companies Act. Any issued shares may be purchased by Weatherford-Bermuda, to the extent not prohibited by applicable law, by action of the board. Upon purchase by Weatherford-Bermuda, such shares will be cancelled.

 

Weatherford-Switzerland.  Under Swiss law, dividends may be paid out only if the corporation has sufficient distributable profits from the previous fiscal year, or if the corporation has freely distributable reserves, each as will be presented on the audited annual stand-alone statutory balance sheet. Payments out of the registered share capital (in other words, the aggregate par value of Weatherford-Switzerland’s registered share capital) in the form of dividends are not allowed; however, payments out of registered share capital may be made by way of a capital reduction, as described below. Qualifying additional paid-in capital may only be paid out as dividends to shareholders following approval by the shareholders of a reclassification of such qualifying additional paid-in capital as freely distributable reserves (to the extent permissible under the Swiss Code). Weatherford-Switzerland may seek to reclassify its qualifying additional paid-in capital to freely distributable reserves as early as its first general meeting following completion of the redomestication. The affirmative vote of shareholders representing a relative majority of the votes cast at a general meeting must approve reserve reclassifications and distributions of dividends. The board of directors may propose to shareholders that a dividend be paid but cannot itself authorize the dividend.

 

Under the Swiss Code, if Weatherford-Switzerland’s general reserves amount to less than 20% of the share capital recorded in the commercial register (i.e., 20% of the aggregate par value of Weatherford-Switzerland’s registered capital), then at least 5% of Weatherford-Switzerland’s annual profit must be retained as general reserves. The Swiss Code and Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association permit Weatherford-Switzerland to accrue additional general reserves. In addition, Weatherford-Switzerland is required to create a special reserve on its stand-alone annual statutory balance sheet in the amount of the purchase price of registered shares it or any of its subsidiaries repurchases, which amount may not be used for dividends or subsequent repurchases.

 

Swiss companies generally must maintain a separate company, stand-alone “statutory” balance sheet for the purpose of, among other things, determining the amounts available for the return of capital to shareholders, including by way of a distribution of dividends. Weatherford-Switzerland’s auditor must confirm that a dividend proposal made to shareholders conforms with the requirements of the Swiss Code and Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association. Dividends are usually due and payable shortly after the shareholders have passed a resolution approving the payment. Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association provide that dividends that have not been claimed within five years after the due date become the property of Weatherford-Switzerland and are allocated to the general reserves. For information about deduction of the withholding tax from dividend payments, see “Material Tax Considerations — Swiss Tax Considerations.”

 

The Swiss Code limits a company’s ability to hold or repurchase its own registered shares. Weatherford-Switzerland and its subsidiaries may only repurchase shares if and to the extent that sufficient freely distributable reserves are available, as described above. The aggregate par value of all Weatherford-Switzerland registered shares held by Weatherford-Switzerland and its subsidiaries may not exceed 10% of the registered share capital. However, Weatherford-Switzerland may repurchase its own registered shares beyond the statutory limit of 10% if the shareholders have passed a resolution at a general meeting of shareholders authorizing the board of directors to repurchase registered shares in an amount in excess of 10% and the repurchased shares are dedicated for cancellation. Any registered shares repurchased pursuant to such an authorization will then be cancelled at the next general meeting upon the approval of shareholders representing a relative majority of the votes cast at the general meeting. Repurchased registered shares held by Weatherford-Switzerland or its subsidiaries do not carry any rights to vote at a general meeting of shareholders but are entitled to the economic benefits generally associated with the shares. For information about withholding tax and share repurchases, see “Material Tax Considerations — Swiss Tax Considerations.”

 

Capital distributions may also take the form of a distribution of cash or property that is based upon a reduction of Weatherford-Switzerland’s share capital recorded in the commercial register. Such a capital reduction requires the approval of shareholders representing a relative majority of the votes cast at the general

meeting. A special audit report must confirm that creditors’ claims remain fully covered despite the reduction in the share capital recorded in the commercial register. Upon approval by the general meeting of shareholders of the capital reduction, the board of directors must give public notice of the capital reduction resolution in the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce three times and notify creditors that they may request, within two months of the third publication, satisfaction of or security for their claims.

 

Weatherford-Switzerland will be required under Swiss law to declare any dividends and other capital distributions in Swiss francs. Weatherford-Switzerland intends to make any dividend payments to holders of Weatherford-Switzerland shares in U.S. dollars, unless the holders provide notice to our transfer agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, that they wish to receive dividend payments in Swiss francs. American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC will be responsible for paying the U.S. dollars or Swiss francs to registered holders of shares, less amounts subject to withholding for taxes.

 

Weatherford-Bermuda.  The amalgamation of a Bermuda company with another company or corporation (other than certain affiliated companies) requires the amalgamation agreement to be approved by the company’s board of directors and by its shareholders. Unless the company’s bye-laws provide otherwise, the approval of 75% of the shareholders voting at a meeting is required to approve the amalgamation agreement, and the quorum for such meeting must be two persons holding or representing more than one-third of the issued shares of the company.

 

Under Bermuda law, in the event of an amalgamation of a Bermuda company with another company or corporation, a shareholder of the Bermuda company who did not vote in favor of the amalgamation and who is not satisfied that fair value has been offered for such shareholder’s shares may, within one month of notice of the shareholders meeting, apply to the Supreme Court of Bermuda to appraise the fair value of those shares.

 

Weatherford-Bermuda’s bye-laws contain provisions regarding “Business Combinations,” which include amalgamations, mergers, consolidations and similar transactions involving us. Pursuant to our bye-laws, Weatherford-Bermuda can not engage in a Business Combination unless the Business Combination has been approved by our board of directors and by a resolution of the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote on the resolution.

 

Weatherford-Switzerland.  Business Combinations and other transactions that are binding on all shareholders are governed by the Merger Act. A statutory merger or demerger requires that at least 662/3% of the registered shares and a majority of the par value of the registered shares represented at the general meeting of shareholders vote in favor of the transaction. Under the Merger Act, a “demerger” may take two forms:

 

 

If a transaction under the Merger Act receives all of the necessary consents, all shareholders would be compelled to participate in the transaction. See “— Voting Rights.”

 

Swiss companies may be acquired by an acquirer through the direct acquisition of the share capital of the Swiss company. With respect to corporations limited by shares, such as Weatherford-Switzerland, the Merger Act provides for the possibility of a so-called “cash-out” or “squeeze-out” merger if the acquirer controls 90% of the outstanding registered shares entitled to vote at a general meeting. In these limited circumstances, minority shareholders of the company being acquired may be compensated in a form other than through shares of the acquiring company (for instance, through cash or securities of a parent company of the acquiring company or of another company). Under the Merger Act, a shareholder has the right to request a court to review the adequacy of the compensation. For more information, see “— Appraisal Rights and Compulsory Acquisitions.”

In addition, under Swiss law, the sale of “all or substantially all of its assets” by Weatherford-Switzerland may require a resolution of the general meeting of shareholders passed by holders of at least two-thirds of the voting rights and a majority of the par value of the registered shares, each as represented at the general meeting of shareholders. Whether or not a shareholder resolution is required depends on the particular transaction, including whether the following test is satisfied:

 

 

If all of the foregoing apply, a shareholder resolution would likely be required.

 

Weatherford-Bermuda.  Weatherford-Bermuda does not have a shareholder rights plan, but the ability to adopt a shareholder rights plan has been upheld by Bermuda courts. In addition, the board of directors of Weatherford-Bermuda is authorized, without obtaining any vote or consent of the holders of any class or series of shares unless expressly provided by the terms of a class or series, to issue from time to time any other classes or series of shares with the designations and relative powers, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or terms or conditions of redemption as it considers fit. The board of directors could authorize the issuance of preference shares with terms and conditions that could discourage a takeover or other transaction that holders of some or a majority of the common shares might believe to be in their best interests or in which holders might receive a premium for their shares over the then market price of the shares. No preference shares have been established as of the date of this proxy statement.

 

For other provisions that could be considered to have an anti-takeover effect, in addition to “— Preferential Subscription Rights and Advance Subscription Rights,” see “— Special Meetings of Shareholders,” “— Election of Directors; Terms of Directors,” “— Removal of Directors,” “— Amendment of Governing Documents” and “— Director Nominations; Proposals of Shareholders” below.

 

Weatherford-Switzerland.  Weatherford-Switzerland does not have a shareholder rights plan. Rights plans generally discriminate in the treatment of shareholders by imposing restrictions on any shareholder who exceeds a level of ownership interest without the approval of the board of directors. Anti-takeover measures such as rights plans that are implemented by the board of directors would be restricted under Swiss corporate law by the principle of equal treatment of shareholders and the general rule that new shares may only be issued based on a shareholders’ resolution. However, upon completion of the redomestication, Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association will include an authorized share capital, according to which the board of directors is authorized, at any time during a maximum two-year period, to issue a number of registered shares of up to 50% of the share capital registered in the commercial register and to limit or withdraw the preferential subscription rights of the existing shareholders for a proper cause.

 

For other provisions that could be considered to have an anti-takeover effect, in addition to “— Preferential Subscription Rights and Advance Subscription Rights,” see “— Special Meetings of Shareholders,” “— Election of Directors; Terms of Directors,” “— Removal of Directors,” “— Amendment of Governing Documents” and “— Director Nominations; Proposals of Shareholders” below.

 

Weatherford-Bermuda.  Under Bermuda law in the event of an amalgamation of a Bermuda company with another company or corporation, a shareholder of the Bermuda company who is not satisfied that fair value has been offered for such shareholder’s shares may apply to a Bermuda court within one month of notice

of the shareholders meeting to appraise the fair value of those shares. In addition, if the holders of 95% or more of a Bermuda company’s shares, or a class thereof, seek to compulsorily acquire the shares of the remaining minority shareholders, a minority shareholder may apply to a Bermuda court to appraise the fair value of its shares.

 

Weatherford-Switzerland.  For business combinations effected in the form of a statutory merger or demerger and subject to Swiss law, the Merger Act provides that if the equity rights have not been adequately preserved or compensation payments in the transaction are unreasonable, a shareholder may request a competent court to determine a reasonable amount of compensation.

 

Weatherford-Bermuda.  Weatherford-Bermuda’s bye-laws provide that the board will consist of no less than three nor more than 18 directors. The board has the power to set the exact number of directors within that range. The board currently has seven directors.

 

With respect to the election of directors, each holder of common shares entitled to vote at the election has the right to vote, in person or by proxy, the number of shares held by him for as many persons as there are directors to be elected. Weatherford-Bermuda’s bye-laws do not provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors.

 

Weatherford-Bermuda’s bye-laws provide that directors may be elected at a general meeting by a plurality of the votes cast by the shareholders present in person or by proxy at the meeting.

 

Weatherford-Switzerland.  Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association provide for the same range in the number of directors as Weatherford-Bermuda. Upon completion of the redomestication, Weatherford-Switzerland will have the same directors as Weatherford-Bermuda. The board has the power to set the exact number of directors within the range, subject to election of the directors by the general meeting of shareholders.

 

With respect to the election of directors, each holder of registered shares entitled to vote at the general meeting has the right to vote, in person or by proxy, the number of registered shares held by him for as many persons as there are directors to be elected. If the number of directors nominated for election is greater than the number of directors to be elected, the persons receiving the most votes (up to the number of directors to be elected) will be elected as directors. Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association do not provide for cumulative voting for election of directors.

 

Under the Swiss Code, board members may at any time, with or without cause and with immediate effect, resign from office.

 

Weatherford-Bermuda.  Weatherford-Bermuda’s bye-laws provide that a vacancy or a newly created directorship may be filled by the decision of a majority of the remaining directors.

 

Weatherford-Switzerland.  The Swiss Code provides that a vacancy or a newly created directorship as proposed by Weatherford-Switzerland’s board of directors may only be filled upon approval by shareholders at a general meeting.

 

Weatherford-Bermuda.  Weatherford-Bermuda’s bye-laws provide that a director may be removed, only with cause, by the shareholders, provided notice is given to the director of the shareholders’ meeting convened for the purpose of removing the director. The notice must contain a statement of the intention to remove the director and a summary of the facts justifying the removal and must be served on the director not less than 14 days before the meeting. The director is entitled to attend the meeting and be heard on the motion for his removal.

Weatherford-Switzerland.  Under the Swiss Code, directors may at any time, with or without cause, be removed from office by resolution of the shareholders at a general meeting of shareholders, provided that a proposal for such resolution has been put on the agenda for the meeting in accordance with the requirements of the Swiss Code and Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association. Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association provide that a decision of the shareholders at a general meeting to remove a director requires the vote of shareholders holding at least 662/3% of the voting rights and the absolute majority of the par value of the registered shares represented at that meeting as well as a quorum of at least two thirds of the registered shares recorded in the share register of the company.

 

Weatherford-Bermuda.  Bermuda law does not impose an all-embracing code of conduct on directors. Many of the duties and obligations of a director are statutory, while others are found only in common law. The Companies Act requires a director, in the exercise of his powers and in the discharge of his duties to act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the company and to exercise the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances. In addition, at common law a director owes two types of duty to the company: fiduciary duties and a duty of skill and care. The fiduciary duties include a duty to act in good faith, a duty to exercise powers for a proper purpose, a duty not to put himself in a position where he has a conflict of interest and a duty not to profit from any opportunities that result from the directorship (unless the bye-laws provide otherwise). The duty of skill and care requires that a director exercise the skill that may reasonably be expected from a person of like knowledge and experience and display the reasonable care that an ordinary person would be expected to take in the same circumstances on his own behalf.

 

Weatherford-Switzerland.  A director of a Swiss company is bound to performance standards as specified in the Swiss Code. Under these standards, a director must act in accordance with the duties imposed by statutory law, in accordance with the company’s articles of association and in the best interest of the company. A director is generally disqualified from participating in a decision that directly affects him. A director must generally safeguard the interest of the company in good faith, adhere to a duty of loyalty and a duty of care and, absent special circumstances, extend equal treatment to all shareholders in like circumstances. The test for the duty of care is primarily objective: a director is required to apply the care a reasonable person would apply under the same circumstances. To some extent, particular skills and functions of a board member may be taken into consideration. The members of the board of directors of Weatherford-Switzerland are liable to Weatherford-Switzerland, its shareholders and, in bankruptcy, its creditors for damage caused by the violation of their duties.

 

To the extent that the Swiss Code allows the delegation by the board of directors to executive management, and such delegation is actually made by virtue of Weatherford-Switzerland’s organizational regulations, the responsibility of the board of directors is limited to the due election, instruction and supervision of the executive management.

 

The members of the board of directors, officers and other persons authorized by the board of directors to represent Weatherford-Switzerland have joint signature powers, as determined from time to time by the board of directors.

 

Weatherford-Bermuda.  Weatherford-Bermuda’s bye-laws provide that the company’s directors and officers will be indemnified against all actions, costs, charges, losses, damages and expenses which they incur or sustain by reason of any act done, concurred in or omitted in or about the execution of their duty or in their respective offices, provided that this indemnity does not extend to any matter in respect of any fraud or dishonesty which may attach to any of such persons. The bye-laws also provide that, subject to the Companies Act, expenses incurred in defending any civil or criminal action or proceeding for which indemnification is required pursuant to the bye-laws will be paid by Weatherford-Bermuda in advance of the final disposition of

such action if the indemnified party undertakes to repay such amount in the event it is ultimately determined that the indemnified party was not entitled to be indemnified.

 

Under the Companies Act, any indemnification of a director or officer against liability for his fraud or dishonesty shall be void (unless a court grants relief pursuant to section 281 of the Companies Act).

 

Under Weatherford-Bermuda’s bye-laws, each shareholder waives any claim, whether on his behalf or on behalf of the company, against any director or officer for any action taken by the director or officer, or the failure of the director or officer to take any action in the performance of his duties, provided that this waiver does not extend to any matter involving any fraud or dishonesty on the part of the director or officer.

 

The indemnification provided for in the bye-laws is not exclusive of other rights to which a director or officer may be entitled, including rights provided pursuant to the memorandum of association, bye-laws, any agreement, any insurance purchased by Weatherford-Bermuda, vote of shareholders, or otherwise, provided that indemnification does not extend to fraud and dishonesty.

 

Weatherford-Switzerland.  We believe, based on the interpretation of leading Swiss legal scholars, which is a persuasive authority in Switzerland, that under Swiss law the company may indemnify its directors and officers unless the indemnification results from a breach of their duties that constitutes gross negligence or intentional breach of duty of the director or officer concerned. Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association make indemnification of directors and officers and advancement of expenses to defend claims against directors and officers mandatory on the part of Weatherford-Switzerland to the fullest extent allowed by law. Under Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association, a director or officer may not be indemnified if such person is found, in a final judgment or decree not subject to appeal, to have committed an intentional or grossly negligent breach of his or her statutory duties as a director or officer. Swiss law permits the company, or each director or officer individually, to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of such directors and officers. Weatherford-Switzerland may obtain such insurance from one or more third party insurers or captive insurance companies. Weatherford-Switzerland also plans to enter into indemnification agreements with each of its directors and executive officers upon the completion of the redomestication that will provide for indemnification and expense advancement and include related provisions meant to facilitate the indemnitee’s receipt of such benefits. The agreements will be substantially similar to the agreements our officers and directors currently have in place with Weatherford-Bermuda. The agreements will provide that Weatherford-Switzerland will indemnify each such director and executive officer, except in case of gross negligence or willful intent. The agreements provide that expense advancement is provided subject to an undertaking by the indemnitee to repay amounts advanced if it is ultimately determined that he is not entitled to indemnification. The disinterested members of the board of directors of Weatherford-Switzerland or an independent counsel will determine whether indemnification payment should be made in any particular instance. In making such determination, the board or the independent counsel, as the case may be, must presume that the indemnitee is entitled to such indemnification, and Weatherford-Switzerland has the burden of proof in seeking to overcome such presumption. If the board or the independent counsel determines that the director or executive officer is not entitled to indemnification, the agreements provide that such person is entitled to seek an award in arbitration with respect to his right to indemnification under his agreement.

 

Weatherford-Bermuda.  In addition to the indemnification discussed above under “— Indemnification of Directors and Officers; Insurance,” unless a director is fraudulent or dishonest, his liability for damages will be proportionate to the extent to which he caused or contributed to the loss, as determined by the court.

 

Weatherford-Switzerland.  Swiss law does not permit a company to exempt any member of its board of directors from any liability for damages suffered by the company, the shareholders or the company’s creditors caused by intentional or negligent violation of that director’s duties. However, the general meeting of shareholders may pass a resolution discharging the members of the board of directors from liability for certain limited actions. Such release is effective only for facts that have been disclosed to the shareholders and only vis-à-vis the company and those shareholders who have consented to the resolution or who acquired shares subsequently with knowledge of the resolution. The right to claim damages on behalf of the company for

shareholders who do not consent to the release expires six months after the shareholders pass a resolution approving the release.

 

Weatherford-Bermuda.  As a matter of the common law applied in Bermuda, the director of a Bermuda company should seek to avoid placing himself in a position where there is a conflict, or a possible conflict, between the duties he owes to the company and either his personal interest or other duties that he owes to a third party. Pursuant to the Companies Act, if a director is interested in a material contract or a proposed material contract with the company or any of its subsidiaries, or has a material interest in any party to such a contract or proposed contract, he must declare the nature and extent of that interest to the other directors at the first opportunity. The duty to avoid conflicting interests extends to contracts with the company, the use of information or opportunities that come to him by virtue of his directorship and actions competing with the company.

 

A director shall be at liberty to vote in respect of any contract or arrangement in which he is so interested, provided the nature of the interest of the director in any such contract or arrangement is disclosed by him as required by the Companies Act prior to any vote on the matter (unless disqualified by the chairman of the meeting).

 

Weatherford-Switzerland.  Swiss law does not have a general provision on conflicts of interest. However, under the Swiss Code a director is required to safeguard the interests of the company and to adhere to a duty of loyalty and a duty of care. This requirement generally disqualifies a director from participating in decisions directly affecting him. Breach of these principles may also entail personal liability of the directors to the company. In addition, the Swiss Code requires a director to return to the company payments made to a director if such payments are not made on an arm’s length basis or if the recipient of the payment was acting in bad faith.

 

Weatherford-Bermuda.  Class actions and derivative actions are generally not available to shareholders under Bermuda law. The Bermuda courts, however, would ordinarily be expected to permit a shareholder to commence an action in the name of a company to remedy a wrong to the company where the act complained of is alleged to be beyond the corporate power of the company or is illegal or would result in the violation of the company’s memorandum of association or bye-laws. Furthermore, consideration would be given by a Bermuda court to acts that are alleged to constitute a fraud against the minority shareholders or, for instance, where an act requires the approval of a greater percentage of the company’s shareholders than that which actually approved it.

 

When the affairs of a company are being conducted in a manner which is oppressive or prejudicial to the interests of some part of the shareholders, one or more shareholders may apply to a Bermuda court, which may make such order as it sees fit, including an order regulating the conduct of the company’s affairs in the future or ordering the purchase of the shares of any shareholders by other shareholders or by the company.

 

If the shareholder, based upon the factual and legal situation, had sufficient cause to file an action, the judge has discretion to impose all costs the plaintiff incurred in prosecuting the action on the company.

 

Weatherford-Switzerland.  Under Swiss law, each shareholder is entitled to file an action for damage caused to the company. The claim of the shareholder is for performance to the company. If the shareholder, based upon the factual and legal situation, had sufficient cause to file an action, the judge has discretion to impose all costs the plaintiff incurred in prosecuting the action on the company.

 

Shareholders who suffer a direct loss due to an intentional or grossly negligent breach of a director’s or senior officer’s duties may sue in their personal capacity for monetary compensation.

 

Weatherford-Bermuda.  Weatherford-Bermuda’s bye-laws provide that shareholders may take action by written consent provided that it obtains 100% shareholder consent required.

 

Weatherford-Switzerland.  Under Swiss corporate law, shareholders are not permitted to act by written consent in lieu of a general meeting of shareholders.

 

Weatherford-Bermuda.  Under Weatherford-Bermuda’s bye-laws, a general meeting of shareholders is required to be held at least annually. Weatherford-Bermuda’s bye-laws provide that at the annual meeting elections will be held for directors and such other business may be transacted as may properly be brought before such meeting. The annual meeting may be held anywhere.

 

Weatherford-Switzerland.  Under the Swiss Code and Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association, Weatherford-Switzerland must hold an annual, ordinary general meeting of shareholders within six months after the end of its fiscal year for the purpose, among other things, of approving the annual financial statements and the annual business report, and the annual election of directors for the class whose term has expired. The invitation to general meetings must be published in the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce and sent to the shareholders of record at least 20 calendar days prior to the relevant general meeting of shareholders. Annual general meetings of shareholders may be convened by the board of directors or, under certain circumstances, by the auditor. A general meeting of shareholders can be held anywhere.

 

Weatherford-Bermuda.  Under Weatherford-Bermuda’s bye-laws, a special general meeting of Weatherford-Bermuda may be called by the chairman or the board of directors, and at least 10 days notice of such meeting is required.

 

Weatherford-Switzerland.  An extraordinary general meeting of Weatherford-Switzerland may be called upon the resolution of the board of directors or, under certain circumstances, by the auditor. In addition, the board of directors is required to convene an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders if so resolved by the general meeting of shareholders, or if so requested by shareholders holding an aggregate of at least 10% of the registered shares, specifying the items for the agenda and their proposals, or if it appears from the stand-alone annual statutory balance sheet that half of the company’s share capital and reserves are not covered by the company’s assets. In the latter case, the board of directors must immediately convene an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders and propose financial restructuring measures. Any shareholder satisfying the formal requirements set out in the Swiss Code may request that an item be included on the agenda of a general meeting of shareholders. See “— Director Nominations; Proposals of Shareholders” for more information.

 

Weatherford-Bermuda.  Weatherford-Bermuda’s bye-laws provide that all shareholder nominations for nominees for election to the board of directors must be made following written notice to the Secretary of Weatherford-Bermuda accompanied by certain background and other information specified in the bye-laws. Written notice of a shareholder’s intention to make such nominations must be received by the Secretary at Weatherford-Bermuda’s principal executive offices and its registered office in Bermuda (1) in connection with any annual general meeting, not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual general meeting, provided that in the event that the annual general meeting is called for a date that is not within 60 days before or after such anniversary date, not later than the 7th day following the day on which such notice of the date of the annual general meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of the annual general meeting was made, whichever occurs first, and (2) in connection with a special general meeting, not later than the 7th day following the day on which such notice of the date

of the special general meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of the special general meeting was made, whichever occurs first.

 

In order for a shareholder to bring other business before an annual general meeting of shareholders, timely notice must be received by the Secretary of Weatherford-Bermuda within the time limits described above. The notice must include a description of the proposed item and other specified matters. These requirements are separate from and in addition to the requirements a shareholder must meet to have a proposal included in Weatherford-Bermuda’s proxy statement. The foregoing time limits also apply in determining whether notice is timely for purposes of rules adopted by the Securities Exchange Commission relating to the exercise of discretionary voting authority. These time limits are separate from those which apply to the shareholder requisition rights under the Companies Act.

 

Weatherford-Switzerland.  Under Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association, any shareholder satisfying the formal requirements set out in the Swiss Code may request that an item be included on the agenda of a general meeting of shareholders. Such shareholder may also nominate one or more directors for election. Shareholder proposals to be included in the proxy materials for an annual general meeting must comply with Rule 14a-8 promulgated by the SEC to be considered for inclusion in the proxy statement for that meeting. For any matters submitted outside the process of Rule 14a-8, a request for inclusion of an item on the agenda or a nominee must be in writing and requested at least 60 and no more than 90 calendar days prior to the scheduled and announced date of the next general meeting of shareholders. The request must specify the relevant agenda items and motions, together with evidence of the required shares recorded in the share register, as well as any other information as would be required to be included in a proxy statement pursuant to the rules of the SEC.

 

Weatherford-Bermuda.  Weatherford-Bermuda’s bye-laws provide that the chairman of any general meeting at which a quorum is present may, with the consent of a majority of the shareholders present and entitled to vote at the meeting (and shall if directed by such majority), adjourn the meeting. The chairman may also adjourn the meeting without such consent or direction if it appears to the chairman that:

 

 

Unless the meeting is adjourned to a specific date and time, fresh notice of the date, time and place for the resumption of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each shareholder.

 

Weatherford-Switzerland.  Under the Swiss Code, a general meeting of shareholders for which a notice of meeting has been duly published or communicated may not be adjourned without publishing or communicating a new notice of meeting.

 

Weatherford-Bermuda.  Under Bermuda law, a company’s bye-laws can make provision for a specific majority in voting on a particular matter at shareholder meetings, but, in the absence of such a provision, the general rule is that any matter proposed for consideration by the meeting is decided by a simple majority of votes cast. There are, however, certain matters in respect of which the Companies Act provides that another specified majority is required. These include the following:

 

 

 

Weatherford-Switzerland.  Each Weatherford-Switzerland registered share carries one vote at a general meeting of shareholders. Voting rights may be exercised by shareholders registered in Weatherford-Switzerland’s share register or by a duly appointed proxy of a registered shareholder, which proxy need not be a shareholder. Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association do not limit the number of registered shares that may be voted by a single shareholder.

 

Treasury shares, whether owned by Weatherford-Switzerland or one of its majority-owned subsidiaries, will not be entitled to vote at general meetings of shareholders.

 

Pursuant to the Swiss Code, registered shareholders have the exclusive right to determine the following matters:

 

 

Pursuant to Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association, the shareholders generally take resolutions and decide elections of directors upon the relative majority of the votes cast at the general meeting of shareholders (broker non-votes, abstentions, withdrawals and blank and invalid ballots shall be disregarded), unless otherwise provided by law or Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association. See “— Election of Directors; Terms of Directors” for a discussion of voting for the election of directors. The acting chair may direct that elections be held by use of an electronic voting system. Electronic resolutions and elections are considered equal to resolutions and elections taken by way of a written ballot.

The Swiss Code and/or Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association require the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the voting rights and an absolute majority of the par value of the registered shares, each as represented at a general meeting to approve the following matters:

 

 

The same supermajority voting requirements apply to resolutions in relation to transactions among corporations based on the Merger Act, including a merger, demerger or conversion of a corporation (other than a cash-out or certain squeeze-out mergers, in which minority shareholders of the company being acquired may be compensated in a form other than through shares of the acquiring company, for instance, through cash or securities of a parent company of the acquiring company or of another company — in such a merger, an affirmative vote of 90% of the outstanding registered shares is required). Swiss law may also impose this supermajority voting requirement in connection with the sale of “all or substantially all of its assets” by Weatherford-Switzerland. See “— Appraisal Rights and Compulsory Acquisitions” and “— Shareholder Approval of Business Combinations.”

 

Weatherford-Bermuda.  Bermuda law provides that the memorandum of association of a company may be amended by a resolution passed at a general meeting of shareholders of which due notice has been given.

 

Under Bermuda law, the holders an aggregate of not less than 20% in par value of the company’s issued share capital have the right to apply to the Bermuda courts for an annulment of any amendment of the memorandum of association adopted by shareholders at any general meeting, other than an amendment which alters or reduces a company’s share capital as provided in the Companies Act. Where such an application is made, the amendment becomes effective only to the extent that it is confirmed by the Bermuda court. An application for an annulment of an amendment of the memorandum of association must be made within twenty-one days after the date on which the resolution altering the company’s memorandum of association is passed and may be made on behalf of persons entitled to make the application by one or more of their number as they may appoint in writing for the purpose. No application may be made by shareholders voting in favor of the amendment.

 

Weatherford-Bermuda’s bye-laws provide that no bye-law shall be rescinded, altered or amended, and no new bye-law shall be made, unless it shall have been approved by a resolution of Weatherford-Bermuda’s board of directors and by a resolution of the shareholders. In the case of the bye-law setting out the amendment or repeal of the majority necessary to approve a business combination, any rescission, alteration or amendment must be approved by a resolution of the shareholders holding a majority of the shares entitled to vote on such business combination.

Weatherford-Switzerland.  Under the Swiss Code and Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association, Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association may only be amended by a resolution of its shareholders at a general meeting. See “— Voting Rights.” Weatherford-Switzerland’s board of directors may not effect amendments to Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association on its own, other than to reflect an increase in registered share capital after an issuance of shares out of authorized share capital or conditional share capital. Under Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association, the board of directors may pass and amend organizational regulations. Under Swiss law, shareholders may not pass or amend organizational regulations but may pass resolutions amending the articles of association to effectively supersede provisions in the organizational regulations.

 

Weatherford-Bermuda.  Two or more persons present in person at the beginning of the meeting and representing in person or by proxy in excess of 50% of the total issued voting shares throughout the meeting constitutes a quorum. At any meeting duly called, a majority in number of those present at the meeting may direct the chairman to adjourn the meeting if a quorum is present, and if not present, the meeting shall be adjourned.

 

Weatherford-Switzerland.  The presence of shareholders, in person or by proxy, holding at least two thirds of the registered shares recorded in Weatherford-Switzerland’s share register and generally entitled to vote at a meeting, is a quorum for the transaction of the following business:

 

 

The presence of shareholders, in person or by proxy, holding at least one-third of the registered shares recorded in Weatherford-Switzerland’s share register and generally entitled to vote at a meeting, is a quorum for the transaction of any other business.

 

Under the Swiss Code, the board of directors has no authority to waive quorum requirements stipulated in the articles of association.

 

Weatherford-Bermuda.  Members of the general public have a right to inspect the public documents of a company available at the office of the Registrar of Companies in Bermuda. These documents include the company’s memorandum of association and registered charges. The shareholders have the additional right to inspect the bye-laws of the company, minutes of general meetings and the company’s audited financial statements, which must be presented to the annual general meeting. The register of members of a company is also open to inspection by shareholders and by members of the general public without charge. The register of members is required to be open for inspection for not less than two hours in any business day (subject to the ability of a company to close the register of members for not more than thirty days in a year). A company is required to maintain its share register in Bermuda but may, subject to the provisions of the Companies Act, establish a branch register outside of Bermuda. A company is required to keep at its registered office a register of directors and officers that is open for inspection for not less than two hours in any business day by members of the public without charge. Bermuda law does not, however, provide a general right for shareholders to inspect or obtain copies of any other corporate records.

 

Weatherford-Switzerland.  Under the Swiss Code, a shareholder has a right to inspect the share register with regard to his own shares and otherwise to the extent necessary to exercise his shareholder rights. No other person has a right to inspect the share register. The books and correspondence of a Swiss company may be inspected with the express authorization of the general meeting of shareholders or by resolution of the board of directors and subject to the safeguarding of the company’s business secrets. At a general meeting of

shareholders, any shareholder is entitled to request information from the board of directors concerning the affairs of the company. Shareholders may also ask the auditor questions regarding its audit of the company. The board of directors and the auditor must answer shareholders’ questions to the extent necessary for the exercise of shareholders’ rights and subject to prevailing business secrets or other material interests of Weatherford-Switzerland.

 

In addition, if the shareholders’ inspection and information rights as outlined above prove to be insufficient, any shareholder may propose to the general meeting of shareholders that specific facts be examined by a special commissioner in a special investigation. If the general meeting of shareholders approves the proposal, Weatherford-Switzerland or any shareholder may, within 30 calendar days after the general meeting of shareholders, request the court at Weatherford-Switzerland’s registered office to appoint a special commissioner. If the general meeting of shareholders rejects the request, one or more shareholders representing at least 10% of the share capital or holders of registered shares in an aggregate par value of at least two million Swiss francs may request the court to appoint a special commissioner. The court will issue such an order if the petitioners can credibly establish that the board of directors, any member of the board or an officer of Weatherford-Switzerland infringed the law or Weatherford-Switzerland’s articles of association and thereby damaged the company or the shareholders. The costs of the investigation would generally be allocated to Weatherford-Switzerland and only in exceptional cases to the petitioners.

 

Weatherford-Bermuda.  Under Weatherford-Bermuda’s bye-laws, its board may in its absolute discretion refuse to register the transfer of a share which is not fully paid. The Board shall refuse to register a transfer unless all applicable consents, authorizations and permissions of any governmental body or agency in Bermuda have been obtained. If the board refuses to register a transfer of any share, the Secretary shall, within three months after the date on which the transfer was lodged with Weatherford-Bermuda, send to the transferor and transferee notice of the refusal. Weatherford-Bermuda’s bye-laws also expressly provide for the issuance of fractional shares.

 

Weatherford-Switzerland.  No restrictions apply to the transfer of Weatherford-Switzerland registered shares. Weatherford-Switzerland’s share register will initially be kept by American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, which acts as transfer agent and registrar. The share register reflects only record owners of Weatherford-Switzerland shares. Swiss law does not recognize fractional share interests.

 

Weatherford-Bermuda.  In the event of Weatherford-Bermuda’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of its common shares are entitled to share equally and ratably in Weatherford-Bermuda’s assets, if any, remaining after the payment of all of Weatherford-Bermuda’s debts and liabilities, subject to any liquidation preference on any issued and outstanding preference shares.

 

Weatherford-Switzerland.  Weatherford-Switzerland’s duration is unlimited. Weatherford-Switzerland may be dissolved at any time with the approval of shareholders holding two-thirds of the voting rights and a majority of the par value of the registered shares represented at a general meeting. Dissolution by court order is possible if Weatherford-Switzerland becomes bankrupt, or for cause at the request of shareholders holding at least 10% of Weatherford-Switzerland’s share capital. Under Swiss law, any surplus arising out of liquidation, after the settlement of all claims of all creditors, will be distributed to shareholders in proportion to the paid-up par value of registered shares held, subject to Swiss withholding tax requirements.

 

Weatherford-Bermuda.  The rights of shareholders of a Bermuda company are governed by Bermuda law and the company’s memorandum of association and bye-laws. If some of the company’s directors are not residents of the United States, or a substantial portion of its assets are located outside the United States, it may be difficult to effect service of process on those persons in the United States or to enforce in the United States judgments obtained in U.S. courts against the company or those directors based on the civil liability provisions

of the U.S. securities laws. It is doubtful whether courts in Bermuda will enforce judgments obtained in other jurisdictions, including the United States, against a Bermuda company’s directors or officers under the securities laws of those jurisdictions or entertain actions in Bermuda against a Bermuda company’s directors or officers under the securities laws of other jurisdictions.

 

Weatherford-Switzerland.  Switzerland and the United States do not have a treaty providing for reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters. The recognition and enforcement of a judgment of the courts of the United States in Switzerland is governed by the principles set forth in the Swiss Federal Act on Private International Law. This statute provides in principle that a judgment rendered by a non-Swiss court may be enforced in Switzerland only if:

 

 

 

We are furnishing this proxy statement to our shareholders in connection with the solicitation of proxies by our board of directors for use at the shareholders meeting to consider the Scheme of Arrangement and any adjournment or postponement of that meeting.

 

The shareholders meeting will be held on          , 2009 at 9:00 a.m., local time, at 515 Post Oak Blvd., Room 604, Houston, Texas.

 

At the meeting, Weatherford-Bermuda’s board of directors will ask the shareholders to vote to approve:

 

1. the Scheme of Arrangement attached as Annex B to this proxy statement, pursuant to which each shareholder of Weatherford-Bermuda will transfer all of their common shares to Weatherford-Switzerland solely in exchange for (through the Nominee on behalf and for the account of the shareholders) the same number of shares of Weatherford-Switzerland;

 

2. a motion to adjourn the meeting to a later date to solicit additional proxies if there are insufficient votes at the time of the meeting to approve the Scheme of Arrangement; and

 

3. any other matters that properly come before the meeting and any adjournments or postponements of the meeting.

 

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE PROPOSALS AND UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT OUR SHAREHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” THE PROPOSALS.

 

The board has fixed the close of business on December 15, 2008 as the record date for the shareholders meeting. Only holders of record of Weatherford-Bermuda common shares on the record date are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the meeting. You will not be the holder of record of shares that you hold in “street name.” Instead, your bank, broker or other nominee will be the holder of record of such shares. On the record date, approximately 728.7 million Weatherford-Bermuda common shares were issued and entitled to be voted at the meeting, including 41.0 million shares held by

subsidiaries of Weatherford-Bermuda. Although shares held by our subsidiaries may be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present, we abstain from voting these shares.

 

Each Weatherford-Bermuda common share entitles the holder to one vote on each proposal. Two persons or more present in person at the start of the meeting representing a majority of the total issued and outstanding voting shares of Weatherford-Bermuda throughout the meeting constitutes a quorum for a meeting of shareholders under Bermuda law. Abstentions and “broker non-votes” will be counted as present for purposes of determining whether there is a quorum at the meeting.

 

Assuming the presence of a quorum at the meeting, the Scheme of Arrangement (Proposal 1) must be approved by the affirmative vote of a majority in number of shareholders present and voting either in person or by proxy at the meeting representing at least three fourths in value of the shareholders present and voting either in person or by proxy at the meeting, and the adjournment proposal (Proposal 2) requires the affirmative vote of holders of Weatherford-Bermuda common shares representing at least a majority of shares voted on the matter.

 

Our directors and executive officers have indicated that they intend to vote their shares in favor of the proposals. On the record date, our directors and executive officers and their affiliates beneficially owned approximately 1.8 percent of the issued and outstanding Weatherford-Bermuda common shares.

 

Under Bermuda law, none of the shareholders of Weatherford-Bermuda has any right to an appraisal of the value of their shares or payment for them in connection with the redomestication.

 

A proxy card is being sent to each shareholder as of the record date for the meeting. If you are a record shareholder, you may authorize the persons named on the proxy card to vote your shares according to your instructions by completing, signing and returning your proxy card. You may also authorize the persons named on the proxy card to vote your shares via the Internet at the Internet address of www.voteproxy.com, or telephonically by calling 1-800-PROXIES (1-800-776-9437). Please have your proxy card available if you decide to appoint a proxy by the Internet or by telephone because the proxy card contains more detailed instructions. Proxies submitted by Internet or telephone must be received by 11:59 p.m. New York time on          , 2009. If you give your proxy by the Internet or telephone, please do not mail your proxy card. Shareholders who hold their shares through a broker or other nominee (in “street name”) must vote their shares in the manner prescribed by their broker or other nominee

 

If you have timely submitted properly executed a proxy card or provided your voting instructions by telephone or on the Internet and clearly indicated your votes, your shares will be voted as indicated. If you have timely submitted properly executed a proxy card or appointed a proxy by telephone or on the Internet and have not clearly indicated your votes, your shares will be voted “FOR” the proposals. If any other matters properly come before the meeting, the persons named in the proxy card or appointed by telephone or on the Internet will vote the shares represented by all properly executed/submitted proxies in accordance with their best judgment, unless authority to do so is withheld in the proxy.

 

You may abstain on any or all of the proposals by marking “ABSTAIN” with respect to any or all of the proposals.

 

Under NYSE rules, brokers who hold shares in street name for customers have the authority to vote on “routine” proposals when they have not received instructions from beneficial owners, but are precluded from exercising their voting discretion with respect to proposals for “non-routine” matters. Proxies submitted by brokers without instructions from customers for these non-routine matters are referred to as “broker non-votes.” Each of Proposal 1 and Proposal 2 is a non-routine matter under NYSE rules.

 

An abstention or broker non-vote on any of the proposals has the effect of a vote not being cast with respect to the relevant shares in relation to the proposal. As a consequence, such shares will have no effect

when determining whether any proposal has received the required approval of shareholders, but will be counted as present for purposes of determining whether there is a quorum at the meeting.

 

You may revoke your proxy at any time prior to its exercise by:

 

 

 

 

Your presence without voting at the meeting will not automatically revoke your proxy, and any revocation during the meeting will not affect votes previously taken. If you hold your shares in the name of a bank, broker or other nominee, you should follow the instructions provided by your bank, broker or nominee in revoking your previously granted proxy.

 

If you do not appoint a proxy and you do not vote at a meeting, you will still be bound by the outcome of that meeting. You are therefore strongly urged to attend and vote at the meeting in person or by proxy.

 

The accompanying proxy is being solicited on behalf of our board of directors. We will bear the expenses of preparing, printing and mailing the proxy materials used in the solicitation. In addition to solicitation by mail, we will make arrangements with brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to send the proxy materials to beneficial owners, and we will, upon request, reimburse those brokerage houses and custodians for their reasonable related expenses. We have retained Georgeson Shareholder Communications Inc. for a fee of $8,000, plus expenses, to assist us in soliciting proxies from our shareholders and to verify certain records related to the solicitations. We or our proxy solicitor may solicit the return of proxies by personal interview, mail, telephone, facsimile, Internet or other means of electronic transmission. The extent to which this will be necessary depends upon how promptly proxies are returned. We urge you to send in your proxy without delay.

 

This table shows information for each person known by us to beneficially own 5% or more of the outstanding common shares of Weatherford-Bermuda as of December 15, 2008.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This table shows the number and percentage of common shares beneficially owned by each of our directors, each of the executive officers and former executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table that appears under “Executive Compensation” in this proxy statement and all of our directors and executive officers and the former executive officers as a group. Share ownership information of our directors and current executive officers is as of December 15, 2008, and the percentages of ownership are calculated based on a total of 687,752,651 common shares issued and outstanding as of December 15, 2008. Share ownership information of our former executive officers is based on information obtained from the most recent publicly available filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission made by or on behalf of those former executive officers and corporate records, as adjusted for the two-for-one share split of our common shares distributed on May 23, 2008 to shareholders of record on May 9, 2008. Each person has sole voting and investment power for the shares shown below, unless otherwise noted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following table presents the high and low sales prices of Weatherford-Bermuda common shares for the periods indicated, as reported on the NYSE composite tape. Our board of directors approved a two-for-one share split of our common shares in the form of a bonus issue, i.e., share dividend, to shareholders of record on May 9, 2008, which was distributed on May 23, 2008. All prices presented in the following table have been adjusted to give retroactive effect to the share split. No cash dividends were declared on Weatherford-Bermuda common shares during the periods presented in the table.

 

Weatherford-Bermuda’s common shares are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “WFT.” As of December 15, 2008 the record date for determining holders of Weatherford-Bermuda common shares, there were        holders of record of Weatherford-Bermuda common shares.

 

 

On December 10, 2008, the last full trading day before we announced the proposed redomestication, our common shares closed at $11.02 per share. Shareholders are encouraged to obtain recent price quotes for our common shares.

 

We intend to make application so that, immediately following the redomestication, the shares of Weatherford-Switzerland will be listed on the NYSE under the symbol “WFT,” the same symbol under which the Weatherford-Bermuda common shares are currently listed.

 

The consolidated financial statements of Weatherford-Bermuda appearing in Weatherford-Bermuda’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2007 (including a schedule appearing therein), and the effectiveness of Weatherford-Bermuda’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Certain Swiss tax matters will be passed upon for us by Baker & McKenzie Geneva, Switzerland. Baker & McKenzie LLP, Houston, Texas, will pass upon certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Transaction.