e425
Filed by Grey Wolf, Inc.
Commission File No. 1-08226
Pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act of 1933
and deemed filed pursuant to Rule 14a-12
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Subject Company: Basic Energy Services, Inc.
Commission File No. 1-32693
Subject Company: Horsepower Holdings, Inc.
M E M O R A N D U M
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To:
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All Grey Wolf Employees
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DATE: April 21, 2008 |
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FROM:
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Tom Richards |
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RE:
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Proposed Merger of Grey Wolf and Basic Energy Services |
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I am pleased to announce that yesterday the Boards of Directors of both Grey Wolf, Inc. (Grey
Wolf) and Basic Energy Services, Inc. (Basic Energy Services) approved a definitive agreement to
merge the two companies. This is a very exciting and important combination for both of our
companies. The combination of Grey Wolf and Basic creates a more diversified oilfield services
company with expanded growth opportunities through enhanced scale, broader geographic reach, and
expansion of service offerings. The combined company, to be named Grey Wolf, Inc., will have over
7000 employees, and be headquartered in Houston, Texas.
The merger is pending regulatory and shareholder approval and we expect it to be completed sometime
in the third quarter of 2008. At the completion of the merger, which is expected in the third
quarter, I will become non-executive Chairman of the Board and Ken Huseman, the current President
and CEO of Basic Energy Services, will become CEO of Grey Wolf. David Crowley, current Executive
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Grey Wolf, will be President and COO. Alan Krenek,
currently Senior VP and Chief Financial Officer of Basic, will be Executive VP and CFO. Bob
Proffit, Grey Wolfs current Senior VP of Human Resources will assume the role of Senior Vice
President, Administration, and Spencer Armour, Basics VP of Corporate Development, will remain in
the same role for the new company.
Many things will remain the same, given our shared values and vision for the two companies. The
combined company will remain committed to protecting the safety and well being of its employees and
will continue to provide high quality services. While we can plan for the integration of the two
companies, we may not implement those plans until the transaction is approved by the regulatory
authorities and has closed, which is estimated to be in the third quarter.
Basic Energy Services operates a well servicing business headquartered in Midland, Texas. They own
and operate over 390 well servicing rigs, 9 drilling rigs (in the Mid-Continent market), 640
trucks, 1700 tanks and 50 disposal wells as part of their fluid
handling business. They also provide well site construction services, pressure pumping, cased hole
wireline, under-balanced drilling and rental and fishing tool services. As you can see there is
very little overlap of our product lines.
We will form joint integration teams that will be tasked with addressing organizational and
staffing needs of the new company. We will keep our employees informed through regular
communications as these collaborative teams resolve their issues. While we do not have answers to
all questions at this time, we are providing you with Employee Questions and Answers and the
press release announcing the merger.
Your dedication to Grey Wolf has made us a premier drilling company. Remain focused on delivering
value to our customers and continue to work safely.
Forward Looking Statements and Additional Information
The Company may make statements herein that are forward-looking statements as defined by the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). All statements, other than statements of
historical fact, included herein that address activities, events or developments that the Company
expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements.
These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual
results to differ materially, including required approvals by stockholders and regulatory agencies,
the possibility that the anticipated benefits from the proposed mergers cannot be fully realized,
the possibility that costs or difficulties related to integration of the two companies will be
greater than expected, the impact of competition and other risk factors included in the reports
filed with the SEC by Grey Wolf and Basic Energy Services. Readers are cautioned not to place
undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates. Except as
required by law, the Company does not intend to update or revise its forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Additional Information and Where to Find It
In connection with the proposed mergers, a registration statement of Horsepower Holdings, Inc.
(Holdings), which will include proxy statements of Basic Energy Services and Grey Wolf and other
materials, will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. INVESTORS AND SECURITY
HOLDERS ARE URGED TO CAREFULLY READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND THE
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PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND THESE OTHER MATERIALS REGARDING THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION WHEN THEY
BECOME AVAILABLE, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BASIC ENERGY SERVICES, GREY
WOLF, HOLDINGS AND THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy
of the registration statement and the proxy statement/prospectus when they are available and other
documents containing information about Basic Energy Services and Grey Wolf, without charge, at the
SECs web site at www.sec.gov, Basic Energy Services web site at www.basicenergyservices.com, and
Grey Wolfs web site at www.gwdrilling.com. Copies of the registration statement and the proxy
statement/prospectus and the SEC filings that will be incorporated by reference therein may also be
obtained for free by directing a request to either Investor Relations, Basic Energy Services, Inc.,
(432) 620-5510 or to Investor Relations, Grey Wolf, Inc., (713) 435-6100.
Participants in the Solicitation
Basic Energy Services and Grey Wolf and their respective directors, officers and certain other
members of management may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from their
respective stockholders in respect of the mergers. Information about these persons can be found in
Grey Wolfs proxy statement relating to its 2008 annual meetings of stockholders as filed with the
SEC on April 8, 2008. Information concerning beneficial ownership of Basic Energy Services stock
by its directors and certain of its executive officers is included in its proxy statement dated
April 5, 2007 and subsequent statements of changes in beneficial ownership on file with the SEC.
Additional information about the interests of such persons in the solicitation of proxies in
respect of the merger will be included in the registration statement and the joint proxy
statement/prospectus to be filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction.
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