Filed by Bowne Pure Compliance
 
 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 11, 2008

Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

         
Minnesota   001-32936   95-3409686
(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)   (Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer Identification No.)
     
400 North Sam Houston Parkway East, Suite 400
Houston, Texas
  77060
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 281-618-0400

 
 
(Former name or former address if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 
 

 

1


 

Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
On December 11, 2008, the Company amended the existing employment arrangement with Robert Murphy (the “Amendment”), the Company’s Executive Vice President — Oil & Gas. The Amendment was approved by the Company’s Compensation Committee of its Board of Directors (the “Committee”). The Company hereby incorporates by reference the disclosure made in Item 5.02 below.
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
On December 11, 2008, the Company amended the existing employment arrangement between the Company and Robert Murphy, the Company’s Executive Vice President — Oil & Gas. The Amendment is effective as of January 1, 2009, and sets forth the timing of certain payments, including payments upon the death, disability or severance of Mr. Murphy, and alters certain aspects of his tax gross up payment. The Amendment was entered into in order for Mr. Murphy’s employment arrangement and the payments thereunder to comply with section 409A of the Internal Revenue of Code of 1986, as amended. The form of the Amendment was approved by the Committee.
The descriptions of the provisions of the Amendment are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full and complete terms of such agreements which are attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and are incorporated by reference herein.
Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.
On December 11, 2008, Helix issued a press release containing an update on its future strategic direction. Attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1, and incorporated by reference herein, is the press release.
This information is not deemed to be “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, and such information is not incorporated by reference into any registration statements or other document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”), or the Exchange Act, regardless of the general incorporation language contained in such filing, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference to this filing.

 

 


 

Forward-Looking Statements and Assumptions
This Report on Form 8-K, including any exhibits included herein, contains various statements that contain forward-looking information regarding Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. and represent our expectations or beliefs concerning future events. This forward-looking information is intended to be covered by the safe harbor for “forward-looking statements” provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 as set forth in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All statements that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, or that use terms and phrases such as “achieve,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “plan,” “project,” “propose,” “strategy,” “predict,” “envision,” “hope,” “intend,” “will,” “continue,” “may,” “potential,” “achieve,” “should,” “could” and similar terms and phrases are forward-looking statements. Included in forward-looking statements are, among other things:
   
statements regarding our anticipated production volumes, results of exploration, exploitation, development, acquisition or operations expenditures, and current or prospective reserve levels, with respect to any property or well;
 
   
statements relating to our proposed acquisition, exploration, development and/or production of oil and gas properties, prospects or other interests and any anticipated costs related thereto;
 
   
statements relating to the construction or acquisition of vessels or equipment and any anticipated costs related thereto;
 
   
statements that our proposed vessels, when completed, will have certain characteristics or the effectiveness of such characteristics;
 
   
statements regarding projections of revenues, gross margin, expenses, earnings or losses, working capital or other financial items;
 
   
statements regarding our business strategy, our business plans or any other plans, forecasts or objectives, any or all of which is subject to change; and
 
   
statements regarding anticipated developments, industry trends, performance or industry ranking.
Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable and are based on reasonable assumptions, they do involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to be materially different from those in the forward-looking statements. These factors include, among other things:
   
uncertainties inherent in the development and production of oil and gas and in estimating reserves;
 
   
uncertainties regarding our ability to replace depletion;
 
   
unexpected future capital expenditures (including the amount and nature thereof);
 
   
impact of oil and gas price fluctuations and the cyclical nature of the oil and gas industry;
 
   
the effects of indebtedness, which could adversely restrict our ability to operate, could make us vulnerable to general adverse economic and industry conditions, could place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt and could have other adverse consequences;
 
   
the success of our derivative activities;
 
   
the results of our continuing efforts to control or reduce costs, and improve performance;
 
   
the success of our risk management activities;
 
   
the effects of competition;
 
   
the availability (or lack thereof) of capital (including any financing) to fund our business strategy and/or operations and the terms of any such financing;
 
   
the impact of current and future laws and governmental regulations including tax and accounting developments;
 
   
the effect of adverse weather conditions or other risks associated with marine operations;
 
   
the effect of environmental liabilities that are not covered by an effective indemnity or insurance;
 
   
the potential impact of a loss of one or more key employees; and
 
   
the impact of general economic, market, industry or business conditions.

 

 


 

Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of the risk and uncertainties set forth above as well as those described under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 and our subsequent periodic reports. All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these risk factors. These risk factors are not intended to be a discussion of all potential risks and uncertainties as it is not possible to predict or identify all risk factors. Although we believe the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that we will attain these expectations or that any deviation will not be material. All forward-looking statements in this report are based upon information available to us on the date of this report. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are only as of the date they are made, and other than as required under the securities laws, we assume no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements or provide reasons why actual results may differ.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(c)  
Exhibits.
     
Number   Description
 
   
10.1
  Amendment to Employment Agreement by and between Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. and Robert Murphy.
 
   
99.1
  Press Release of Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. dated December 11, 2008 containing an update on the Company’s strategic direction.

 

 


 

SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Date: December 12, 2008
         
  HELIX ENERGY SOLUTIONS GROUP, INC.
 
 
  By:   /s/ Anthony Tripodo    
    Anthony Tripodo   
    Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer   
 

 

 


 

Index to Exhibits
     
Exhibit No.   Description
 
   
10.1
  Amendment to Employment Agreement by and between Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. and Robert Murphy.
 
   
99.1
  Press Release of Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. dated December 11, 2008 containing an update on the Company’s strategic direction.