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
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W&T Offshore, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
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April 16, 2007
Dear Shareholder:
It is my pleasure to invite you to the 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of W&T Offshore, Inc. (the Company) to be held on Tuesday, May 15, 2007 at 10:00 a.m., Central Daylight Time, at the Houston City Club, One City Club Drive, Houston, Texas 77046. I hope you will be able to attend.
Details of the business to be conducted at the annual meeting are provided in the attached Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement. Additionally, enclosed with the proxy materials is our annual report on Form 10-K.
You received with this booklet a proxy card that indicates the number of votes that you will be entitled to cast at the meeting according to our records or the records of your broker or other nominee. Each share of common stock of the Company that you have beneficially owned continuously since April 4, 2007 entitles you to one vote.
Whether or not you attend the annual meeting, it is important that your shares be represented and voted at the meeting. Therefore, I urge you to promptly vote and submit your proxy by signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card in the enclosed envelope. If you decide to attend the annual meeting, you will be able to vote in person, even if you have previously submitted your proxy.
On behalf of the Board of Directors and the employees of the Company, I would like to express my appreciation for your continued interest in the affairs of the Company. I look forward to greeting as many of you as possible at the meeting.
Sincerely,
Tracy W. Krohn
Chairman of the Board,
Chief Executive Officer and
President
Nine Greenway Plaza, Suite 300
Houston, Texas 77046
Phone (713) 626-8525
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 15, 2007
Notice is hereby given that the 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of W&T Offshore, Inc., a Texas Corporation, will be held at the Houston City Club, One City Club Drive, Houston, Texas 77046 on May 15, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. Central Daylight Time for the purpose of electing six directors to hold office until the 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on April 4, 2007 will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting, or any adjournment thereof, notwithstanding the transfer of any shares after such date. A list of these shareholders will be open for examination by any shareholder at the Annual Meeting, and for ten days prior thereto at our principal executive offices at Nine Greenway Plaza, Suite 300, Houston, Texas 77046.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
J. F. Freel
Chairman Emeritus and Secretary
Houston, Texas
April 16, 2007
PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD TO US, WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING IN PERSON. SHAREHOLDERS WHO ATTEND THE 2007 ANNUAL MEETING MAY REVOKE THEIR PROXIES AND VOTE IN PERSON.
Nine Greenway Plaza, Suite 300
Houston, Texas 77046
Phone (713) 626-8525
W&T OFFSHORE, INC.
Nine Greenway Plaza, Suite 300
Houston, Texas 77046
PROXY STATEMENT
2007 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
ANNUAL MEETING
This proxy statement is solicited by and on behalf of the Board of Directors of W&T Offshore, Inc. (the Company) for use at the 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the Annual Meeting) to be held on May 15, 2007 at the Houston City Club, One City Club Drive, Houston, Texas 77046, at 10:00 a.m. Central Daylight Time, or at any adjournments thereof. The solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors will be conducted primarily by mail. Additionally, officers, directors and employees of the Company may solicit proxies personally or by telephone, telegram or other forms of wire or facsimile communication. These officers, directors and employees will not receive any extra compensation for these services. The Company will reimburse brokers, custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for reasonable expenses incurred by them in forwarding proxy material to beneficial owners of common stock of the Company (the Common Stock). The costs of the solicitation will be borne by the Company. This proxy statement and the proxy card are first being mailed to shareholders of the Company on or about April 16, 2007.
Purpose of the 2007 Annual Meeting
The purpose of the 2007 Annual Meeting is to elect six candidates to the Board of Directors of the Company. Although the Board does not anticipate that any other issue will come before the 2007 Annual Meeting, your executed proxy gives the official proxies the right to vote your shares at their discretion on any other matter properly brought before the Annual Meeting.
Voting Rights and Solicitation
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on April 4, 2007 (the Record Date) will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the 2007 Annual Meeting. As of the Record Date, there were 76,224,147 shares of Common Stock outstanding, each of which is entitled to one vote on any matter to come before the meeting. Common Stock is the only class of outstanding securities of the Company. The holders of issued and outstanding shares representing a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting, will constitute a quorum, and the act of the majority of the voting power of the quorum so represented at the Annual Meeting will constitute the act of the shareholders. The person who is appointed by the chairman of the meeting to be the judge of election will treat the holders of all shares of Common Stock represented by a returned, properly executed proxy, including shares that abstain from voting, as present for purposes of determining the existence of a quorum at the Annual Meeting.
Each share of Common Stock present or represented at the Annual Meeting will be entitled to one vote on any matter to come before the shareholders. In accordance with the Companys Restated Articles of Incorporation, cumulative voting will not be permitted, and all directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting. Votes will be counted by the judge of election, who will be selected by the chair of the Annual Meeting.
The Board of Directors is soliciting your proxy on the enclosed proxy card to provide you with an opportunity to vote on the election of directors, whether or not you attend in person. If you execute and return the
enclosed proxy card, your shares will be voted as you specify. If you make no specifications, your shares will be voted in accordance with the Boards recommendations. If you submit a proxy card, you may subsequently revoke it by submitting a revised proxy card or a written revocation at any time before your original proxy is voted. You may also attend the Annual Meeting in person and vote by ballot, which would effectively cancel any proxy you previously gave.
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ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Currently, the Companys Board of Directors is composed of six directors, Messrs. Tracy W. Krohn, J. F. Freel, James L. Luikart, Stuart B. Katz, S. James Nelson, Jr. and Ms. Virginia Boulet. Mr. Luikart has informed the Board of Directors that he does not wish to stand for reelection. Mr. Robert I. Israel has been nominated by the Board of Directors, subject to shareholder approval, to serve on the Board for the seat to be vacated by Mr. Luikart. At the Annual Meeting, six directors are to be elected, each of whom will serve until the 2008 Annual Meeting and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified. The persons named as official proxies on the enclosed proxy card intend to vote FOR the election of each of the six nominees listed below, unless authority to vote is withheld or otherwise instructed.
The Board has nominated and the official proxy holders will vote to elect the following individuals as members of the Board of Directors: Messrs. Tracy W. Krohn, J. F. Freel, Stuart B. Katz, Robert I. Israel, Ms. Virginia Boulet and S. James Nelson, Jr. Each nominee has consented to be nominated and to serve if elected.
Information about the Nominees
Tracy W. Krohn, age 52, has served as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and President since he founded the Company in 1983, as Chairman of the Board since 2004 and as Treasurer from 1997 until 2006. Mr. Krohn has been actively involved in the oil and gas business since graduating with a B.S. in Petroleum Engineering from Louisiana State University in 1978. He began his career as a petroleum engineer and offshore drilling supervisor with Mobil Oil Corporation. Prior to founding the Company, from 1982 to 1983, Mr. Krohn was senior engineer with Taylor Energy. From 1996 to 1997, Mr. Krohn was also Chairman and CEO of Aviara Energy Corporation in Houston, Texas. Mr. Krohns mother is married to Mr. Freel. | ||
J. F. Freel, age 94, has served as a director since the Companys founding in 1983 and Secretary of the Company since 1984. Mr. Freel has been actively involved in the oil and natural gas business since 1934, first as a geophysicist for eleven years with the Humble Oil and Refining Company (Humble), then in 1945 as founder and president of Research Explorations, Inc., a geophysical survey contractor to major oil companies, including Humble, until it was sold in 1963. In 1964, he became founder and president of Kiowa Minerals Company (Kiowa), a company that engaged in development drilling operations in Texas and Louisiana. Since 1983, Kiowa has not been active in oil and natural gas operations. Mr. Freel is married to Mr. Krohns mother. | ||
Stuart B. Katz, age 52, has served on the Board of the Company since 2002. He is a Managing Director of Jefferies Capital Partners. Prior to joining Jefferies Capital Partners in 2001, Mr. Katz was an investment banker with Furman Selz LLC and its successors for over sixteen years. Mr. Katz received a B.S. in engineering from Cornell University and a J.D. from Fordham Law School. Mr. Katz is a member of the bar of the State of New York. Mr. Katz also serves as a member of the boards of directors of various non-public portfolio companies of Jefferies Capital Partners. | ||
Robert I. Israel, age 57, is currently a Partner at Compass Advisers, LLP. Prior to joining Compass in 2000, he was the head of the Energy Department of Schroder & Co., Inc. from 1991 to 2000. Additionally, he serves on the board of Randgold Resources Limited, an African-based gold mining company, and several non-public energy related companies. Mr. Israel holds a M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and a B.A. from Middlebury College. |
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Virginia Boulet, age 53, has served on the Board of Directors of the Company since March 2005. She has been employed as Special Counsel to Adams and Reese LLP, a law firm, since 2002. She is also an adjunct professor of law at Loyola University Law School. Prior to 2002, Ms. Boulet was a partner at the law firm Phelps Dunbar, LLP. Additionally, she serves on the board of directors of CenturyTel, Inc., a telecommunications company. In the past, she served as President and Chief Operating Officer of IMDiversity, Inc., an on-line recruiting company. Ms. Boulet received a B.A. in Medieval History from Yale University, and a J.D., cum laude, from Tulane University Law School. | ||
S. James Nelson, Jr., age 64, has served on the Board of Directors of the Company since January 2006. In 2004, he retired, after 15 years of service, from Cal Dive International, Inc. (now known as Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc.), a marine contractor and operator of offshore oil and natural gas properties and production facilities, where he was a founding shareholder, Chief Financial Officer from 1990 to 2000, Vice Chairman from 2000 to 2004 and a director. From 1985 to 1988, Mr. Nelson was the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Diversified Energies, Inc., and from 1980 to 1985 was the Chief Financial Officer of Apache Corporation, an oil and gas exploration and production company. From 1966 to 1980, Mr. Nelson was employed with Arthur Anderson & Co., where he became a partner in 1976. Mr. Nelson is also a certified public accountant. Additionally, Mr. Nelson serves on the boards of directors of Oil States International, Inc., Input/Output, Inc. and Quintana Maritime Ltd. Mr. Nelson received a B.S. in Accounting from Holy Cross College and a M.B.A. from Harvard University. |
Recommendation of the Board of Directors
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF THE SIX NOMINEES LISTED ABOVE.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Corporate Governance Guidelines; Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
A complete copy of the Companys corporate governance guidelines, which the Board reviews at least annually, is posted on the Companys website at www.wtoffshore.com and is available in print to any shareholder who requests it. The Board of Directors has adopted a code of business conduct and ethics that applies to all employees, officers and directors. A complete copy of the code is posted on the Companys website at www.wtoffshore.com and is available in print to any shareholder who requests it.
Independence
The Board has determined that each nominee, other than Messrs. Krohn and Freel and Ms. Boulet, is independent as defined by the NYSE listing standards. A business relationship with the Company or family relationship with an officer or director would prevent a director from being considered by the Board as independent.
Standing Committees of the Board of Directors
The Board has three standing committeesthe Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Because Tracy W. Krohn, the Companys Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, controls approximately 54% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, the Company is a controlled company under New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) Corporate Governance Rules.
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Accordingly, the Company is not required to maintain a (i) majority of independent directors on the Board, (ii) Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee composed entirely of independent directors or (iii) Compensation Committee composed entirely of independent directors. Notwithstanding these exemptions, the Company requires that the Compensation Committee of the Board consist entirely of independent directors.
Audit Committee
Currently, Messrs. Luikart, Katz and Nelson sit on the Companys Audit Committee. If elected, Mr. Israel will assume Mr. Luikarts position on the Audit Committee. The Board has determined that Messrs. Luikart, Katz, Nelson and Israel are independent under the standards of both the NYSE and Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) regulations. The Board considers Messrs. Katz, Nelson and Israel to be audit committee financial experts, as defined under the Securities Act of 1933. In connection with his appointment, the Board of Directors considered the fact that Mr. Nelson is a member of the audit committees of three other public companies, and found that such simultaneous service will not, and does not, impair his ability to effectively serve on the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company.
The Audit Committee establishes the scope of and oversees the annual audit, including recommending the independent public accountants that audit the Companys financial statements and approving any other services provided by the accountants. The Audit Committee also assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities by (1) overseeing the Companys system of financial reporting, auditing, controls and legal compliance, (2) monitoring the operation of such system and the integrity of the Companys financial statements, monitoring the qualifications, independence and performance of the outside auditors and any internal auditors who the Company may engage, and (3) reporting to the Board periodically concerning the activities of the Audit Committee. In performing its obligations, it is the responsibility of the Audit Committee to maintain free and open communication between it, the Companys independent auditors, the internal accounting function and the management of the Company. The Audit Committees functions are further described under the heading Audit Committee Report on page 18. A copy of the Audit Committees Charter is posted on the Companys website at www.wtoffshore.com and is available in print to any shareholder who requests it.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
Mr. Krohn, Mr. Freel and Ms. Boulet serve as members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board. None of these directors meets the NYSE standards for independence. The purpose of the committee is to nominate candidates to serve on the Board of Directors and to approve director compensation. The factors and processes used to select potential nominees are more fully described in the section entitled Identifying and Evaluating Nominees for Directors on page 6. The committee is also responsible for monitoring a process to assess Board effectiveness, developing and implementing corporate governance guidelines and taking a leadership role in shaping the corporate governance of the Company. A copy of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter is posted on the Companys website at www.wtoffshore.com and is available in print to any shareholder who requests it.
Compensation Committee
Mr. Luikart and Mr. Katz, both independent under NYSE listing standards, serve as members of the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee reviews the compensation and benefits of the executive officers, establishes and reviews general policies related to employee compensation and benefits and administers the Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan, the Directors Compensation Plan and the 2005 Annual Incentive Plan. Under the terms of its charter, the Compensation Committee also determines the compensation for Mr. Krohn, the CEO of the Company. Mr. Nelson has agreed to serve on the Compensation Committee when Mr. Luikarts term as a member of the Board of Directors expires and Mr. Katz will serve as chair of the committee. A copy of the Compensation Committees Charter is posted on the Companys website at www.wtoffshore.com and is available in print to any shareholder who requests it.
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Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The members of the Compensation Committee are set forth above. The Compensation Committee is comprised entirely of independent directors. In addition, none of the Companys executive officers serves as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more of its executive officers serving as a member of our Board of Directors or Compensation Committee.
Meetings of the Board and the Committees of the Board
During 2006, the Board of Directors held nine regular meetings. The Compensation Committee held six meetings in 2006, and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held one meeting in 2006. In 2006, the Audit Committee met eight times. All of the directors attended at least seventy-five percent of the meetings of the Board and of the committees on which they served during that period.
The Companys directors are encouraged to attend the annual meeting of shareholders, but the Company does not otherwise have a policy regarding such attendance. All directors were present at the annual meeting of shareholders held in 2006.
Legal Proceedings
Currently, no director or executive officer is a party to any material legal proceeding adverse to the interests of the Company. Additionally, no director or executive officer has a material interest in a material proceeding adverse to the Company.
Director Nomination Process
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider all properly submitted shareholder recommendations of candidates for election to the Board of Directors. Pursuant to Section 12 of the Companys Bylaws, any shareholder may nominate candidates for election to the Board by giving timely notice of the nomination to the Secretary of the Company. The Companys Bylaws require that any such shareholder must be a shareholder of record at the time it gives notice of the nomination. To be considered a timely nomination, the shareholders notice must be delivered to the Secretary at the Companys principal office no later than 90 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding years annual meeting and no earlier than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding years annual meeting. In evaluating the recommendations of the shareholders for director nominees, as with all other possible director nominees, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will address the criteria described under the heading Identifying and Evaluating Nominees for Directors on page 6.
Any shareholder recommendations for director nominees should include the candidates name, qualifications and written consent to being named in the proxy statement and to serving on the Board if elected. The shareholder must also include any other business that the shareholder proposes to bring before the meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting, any material interest in such business of such shareholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made. Additionally, the shareholder must provide his name and address, the name and address of any beneficial owner on whose behalf the shareholder is acting, and the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the shareholder and any beneficial owner for whom the shareholder is acting. Such written notice should be sent to:
J. F. Freel
Secretary
W&T Offshore, Inc.
Nine Greenway Plaza, Suite 300
Houston, Texas 77046
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Identifying and Evaluating Nominees for Directors
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for leading the search for individuals qualified to serve as directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee evaluates candidates for nomination to the Board, including those recommended by shareholders, and conducts appropriate inquiries into the backgrounds and qualifications of possible candidates. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee then recommends to the Board, nominees as directors to be presented for election at meetings of the shareholders or of the Board. As indicated above, shareholders may recommend possible director nominees for consideration to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
In evaluating nominees to serve as directors on the Board and in accordance with the Companys Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee selects candidates with the appropriate skills and characteristics required of Board members. Pertinent to this inquiry is the following non-exhaustive list of factors: independent business or professional experience; integrity and judgment; record of public service; ability to devote sufficient time to the affairs of the Company; diversity, age, skills, occupation, and understanding of financial statements and financial reporting systems. The Committee will also consider and weigh these factors in light of the current composition of the Board and needs of the Board and the Company.
Director Compensation
Directors who are also employees of the Company receive no additional compensation for serving as directors or committee members. The Board and shareholders adopted the 2004 Directors Compensation Plan, which provides that the Compensation Committee may grant stock options or restricted or unrestricted stock to non-employee directors. A total of 666,918 shares of Common Stock have been reserved for issuance under the 2004 Directors Compensation Plan. On May 16, 2006, each non-employee director received a restricted stock grant having a fair market value (calculated as of the close of trading on the NYSE on such date) equal to $40,000. The total number of shares of restricted stock granted to non-employee directors on May 16, 2006, was 3,948 shares, leaving 662,970 shares of common stock available for future grants.
In January 2006, the Board revised the compensation paid to non-employee directors of the Company to provide that each would receive the following compensation: (i) an annual retainer of $30,000, payable in equal quarterly installments; (ii) at each annual meeting of shareholders, a restricted stock grant pursuant to the Companys 2004 Director Compensation Plan covering shares of common stock of the Company having a fair market value (calculated as of the close of trading on the NYSE on the date of the annual shareholder meeting) equal to $40,000; and (iii) compensation of $1,250 for each meeting of the Board or any board committee meeting attended. The terms of the restricted stock grant are as set forth in the Companys 2004 Director Compensation Plan, with restrictions lapsing with respect to one-third of the shares subject to the restricted stock grant on each of the first, second and third anniversary dates of the date of grant. Additionally, Mr. Nelson, as chairman of the Audit Committee, receives an annual retainer of $15,000. Prior to the revision to the non-employee director compensation in 2006, each of the Companys non-employee directors was paid an annual retainer of $24,000, payable in quarterly installments of $6,000, and received a meeting fee of $1,000 for each meeting attended. Additionally, each non-employee director of the Company who also served as a committee chairman received an additional $500 for each committee meeting held outside a regular board meeting.
In March 2007, the Board accepted the recommendation of the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to revise the compensation paid to non-employee directors of the Company to provide that each would receive the following compensation: (i) an annual retainer of $30,000, payable in equal quarterly installments; (ii) at each annual meeting of shareholders, a restricted stock grant pursuant to the Companys 2004 Director Compensation Plan covering shares of common Stock of the Company having a fair market value (calculated as of the close of trading on the NYSE on the date of the annual shareholder meeting) equal to $40,000; (iii) compensation of $1,500 for each meeting of the Board or any Board committee meeting attended; (iv) compensation of $5,000 for serving on any committee of the Board;
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(v) compensation of $5,000 for serving as chair of any committee of the Board except the Audit Committee; and (vi) compensation of $15,000 for serving as chair of the Audit Committee of the Board. The terms of the restricted stock grant are as set forth in the Companys 2004 Director Compensation Plan, with restrictions lapsing with respect to one-third of the shares subject to the restricted stock grant on each of the first, second and third anniversary dates of the date of grant.
To the extent that any of a directors employer requires such director to pay or deliver any fees and stock compensation earned from service on the Companys Board, the Company will pay or deliver any fees and stock compensation related to the directors service on the Board to such directors employer (or an affiliate) as designated by such director.
The following table sets forth a summary of the compensation the Company paid to its non-employee directors in 2006:
Name |
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash |
Stock Awards |
Total | |||||||
Stuart B. Katz |
$ | 58,750 | (1) | $ | 40,000 | $ | 98,750 | |||
James L. Luikart |
58,750 | (1) | 40,000 | 98,750 | ||||||
Virginia Boulet |
40,000 | 40,000 | 80,000 | |||||||
S. James Nelson, Jr. |
66,250 | 40,000 | 106,250 |
(1) | The cash fees earned by Messrs. Katz and Luikart were paid to their employer, Jefferies Capital Partners. |
Communications with the Board of Directors
At each regular meeting of the Board of Directors, the non-employee directors meet in executive session. The non-employee directors elected Stuart B. Katz as the presiding director of those meetings. As set forth on the Companys website (www.wtoffshore.com), shareholders who would like to contact Mr. Katz on a confidential basis may do so by sending an email to Presiding_Director@wtoffshore.com or by mailing a written communication to Presiding Director, W&T Offshore, Inc., Nine Greenway Plaza, Suite 300, Houston, Texas 77046.
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information regarding beneficial ownership of Common Stock as of February 14, 2007, based on the 75,887,861 shares of Common Stock outstanding on that date, of (i) the Companys Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and each of the Companys other three most highly compensated executive officers as of December 31, 2006, (ii) each of the Companys directors and nominees, (iii) all executive officers and directors of the Company as a group as of December 31, 2006, and (iv) each person who beneficially owns more than five percent of the Companys Common Stock. Unless otherwise indicated, each of the persons below has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares beneficially owned by such person. To the knowledge of the Company, no person or entity holds more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, except as set forth in the following table.
Name of Beneficial Owner |
Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned (1) |
Percent of Outstanding Common Stock |
|||
Tracy W. Krohn |
40,863,307 | 53.8 | % | ||
J. F. Freel |
7,087,271 | 9.3 | % | ||
William W. Talafuse |
3,806 | * | |||
W. Reid Lea |
131,762 | * | |||
Joseph P. Slattery |
45,206 | * | |||
Jeffery M. Durrant |
146,804 | * | |||
James L. Luikart |
43,291 | * | |||
Stuart B. Katz |
11,726 | * | |||
S. James Nelson, Jr. |
1,987 | * | |||
Virginia Boulet |
987 | * | |||
Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (10 persons) |
48,336,147 | 63.7 | % | ||
FMR Corp. (2) |
7,590,000 | 10.0 | % |
* | Less than one percent |
(1) | Under the regulations of the SEC, shares are deemed to be beneficially owned by a person if he directly or indirectly has or shares the power to vote or dispose of, or to direct the voting of or disposition of, such shares, whether or not he has any pecuniary interest in such shares, or if he has the power to acquire such power through the exercise of any option, warrant or right. |
(2) | All information in the table and in this note with respect to FMR Corp. (FMR) is based solely on the Schedule 13G/A filed by FMR with the SEC on February 14, 2007. FMRs address is 82 Devonshire Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109. |
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Based on a review of filings with the SEC, the Company believes that during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, all of its officers and directors timely complied with the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND RELATED INFORMATION
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
The primary objectives of our compensation program for executive officers are to attract, as needed, and retain the best possible executive talent, to stimulate our executive officers efforts on our behalf in a way that supports our financial performance objectives and business strategy, and to align the executives incentives with enhancement of shareholder value. In particular, our compensation program for executive officers is designed to reward superior job performance and individual initiative to help increase the Companys oil and gas reserve and production rates and to contain direct operating expenses and general and administrative overhead. Currently, the Compensation Committee is responsible for establishing the compensation of the executive officers of the Company, including salary, bonuses and stock-related compensation. The Compensation Committee has established metrics by which executive bonuses and stock-related incentives will be awarded through the Companys incentive plans. In that effort, the Committee applied the following compensation objectives in connection with its deliberations:
| compensating the Companys executives with salaries comparable to those of similarly-situated executives at comparable companies, while taking into account the Companys own relative performance and strategic goals, |
| providing a substantial portion of the executives compensation in the form of incentive compensation based upon the Companys short and long-term performance and the individual, departmental or divisional achievements of the executives, |
| providing sufficient benefit levels for executives and their families in the event of disability, illness or retirement. |
It has been our strategy to compensate our executives (other than our Chief Executive Officer and Secretary) under the same plan as our other employees, albeit at a higher potential award level. As such, the general and performance based goals are the same for all of our employees.
Setting Executive Compensation
The Board reviews annually the recommendation of executive management regarding the performance based goals for the Company and establishes the targets for reserve growth, production growth, lease operating expense (LOE) containment and general and administrative (G&A) cost containment. For fiscal years 2006 and 2007, the target for growth in reserves and production was and is 5% year over year, including acquisitions. For fiscal year 2006, the targets were met. For fiscal years 2006 and 2007, the target is to hold LOE and G&A cost to no more than 5% growth on a unit of production basis (dollars per equivalent unit of oil and gas production). For fiscal year 2006, the G&A growth target (not including the bonus payments) was met but the LOE target was not, primarily due to factors relating to hurricane damage that occurred in 2005. Consequently, the employees and executives were eligible for 100% of the General Bonus, as defined under the Companys Annual Plan described below, but only 75% of the Extraordinary Performance Bonus, as defined under the Annual Plan.
Concurrently, the Board sets the performance based goals for the Annual Plan, and the Compensation Committee evaluates the potential short-term and long-term compensation of the executive officers. The Compensation Committee meetings typically have included, for all or a portion of each meeting, not only the committee members (which includes Stuart B. Katz, our presiding director) but also our Chief Executive Officer and our Executive Vice President (except when the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President are discussed). The Compensation Committee assumes that the performance goals set by the
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Board of Directors are met and then benchmarks executive compensation against a group of peers that includes the following companies: Newfield Exploration Company, Bois dArc Energy, Inc., Mariner Energy, Inc., Stone Energy Corporation, Energy Partners, Ltd., and Callon Petroleum Company.
During 2005, the Compensation Committee retained an expert compensation consultant to advise it on base-level and performance compensation but concluded that the incremental value from the consultant did not warrant repeating the process. In 2006, the Compensation Committee instructed the Executive Vice President to make a specific analysis of the peer group executive compensation. The Committee reviewed the results of the analysis during several meetings and asked for additional analysis to be conducted. After the Committee is able to review such additional analysis, the Committee expects to make its recommendations to the Board later this year. The Committee met in March 2007, reviewed the final performance results for the Company and authorized payment of the executive officer bonuses in conformance with the Annual Plan.
Also in 2007, the Compensation Committee reviewed the job requirements, organizational structure, and reporting hierarchy for the officers of the Company and has determined that Messrs. Durrant, Slattery and Talafuse need not be classified as executive officers and therefore not subject to Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Elements of 2006 Executive Compensation
Our executive officers compensation currently has three primary componentsbase salary, long-term stock awards granted pursuant to our incentive plans described below and annual cash bonuses. Each component of the compensation program serves a particular purpose. Base salary is primarily designed to reward current and past performance and may be adjusted from time to time to realign salaries with market levels. Grants of long-term incentives are primarily designed to tie a portion of each executives compensation to long-term future performance. Cash bonuses are used to reward individual contributions and superior job performance in connection with the overall performance of the Company. In addition, executives participate in the benefit plans and programs that are generally available to all employees of the Company and receive limited perquisites and other personal benefits. Although our Compensation Committee does review total compensation, we do not believe that significant compensation derived from one component of compensation should negate or reduce compensation from other components.
Base Salary. Base salaries for our executive officers are established based on their role within the Company and the scope of their responsibilities, taking into account competitive market compensation paid by other companies for similar positions. Base salaries are reviewed annually and adjusted from time to time to realign salaries with market levels after taking into account individual responsibilities, performance and experience.
Long-Term Incentive Compensation and Annual Bonus. In determining the long-term incentive component of our executive officers compensation, the Compensation Committee considers the value of similar incentive awards at comparable companies. Our executive officers are eligible to receive awards under our Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan, the purpose of which is to provide incentives to the Companys employees, officers, consultants and advisors to devote their abilities and energies to our success. The Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan permits the grant of incentive and nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and performance shares. At December 31, 2006, the Company had reserved 1,496,183 shares for issuance pursuant to awards made under the Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan available for future grants.
Under the Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan, awards other than stock options and stock appreciation rights given to any of the Companys executive officers whose compensation must be disclosed in the Companys annual securities filings and who is subject to the limitations imposed by Section 162(m) of the tax code must be based on the attainment of certain performance goals established by the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee. Additionally, the performance goals must include formulas for calculating the amount of compensation payable if the goals are met and both the goals and the formulas must be sufficiently objective
10
so that a third party with knowledge of the relevant performance results could assess that the goals were met and determine the amount to be paid.
Consistent with certain provisions of the tax code, there are other restrictions providing for a maximum number of shares that may be granted in any one year to a named executive officer and a maximum amount of compensation payable as an award under the Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan (other than stock options and stock appreciation rights) to a named executive officer.
In October 2005, the Board amended the Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan with the 2005 Annual Incentive Compensation Plan (the Annual Plan). The purpose of the Annual Plan is to retain the Companys key employees, to attract talented and dedicated employees, to reward superior job performance and to encourage teamwork among our employees by linking every employees bonus opportunity with the overall performance of the Company.
Eligible employees, including our executive officers, are eligible to earn bonuses in the form of cash compensation and restricted stock awards under the Annual Plan. All bonuses paid under the Annual Plan for any fiscal year will be limited, generally, to 5% of the Companys pre-tax income for such year. Part of the bonus will be a General Bonus that is paid to the extent that 5% of the Companys pre-tax income is sufficient for the payment. An additional bonus, referred to as the Extraordinary Performance Bonus, is to be paid only if the Company achieves a 5% growth in year-to-year production and a 5% growth in total proved reserves over the year for which the bonus is paid. If these financial targets are met, one-half of the Extraordinary Performance Bonus is paid. An additional one-quarter of the Extraordinary Performance Bonus is due if the Companys LOE, per Mcfe of production, do not grow by more than 5% in the fiscal year for which the bonus is paid, and another one-quarter of the Extraordinary Performance Bonus is due if the Companys G&A expenses, per Mcfe of production, do not grow by more than 5% in the fiscal year for which the bonus is paid.
The Annual Plan provides that, subject to the limitation that all bonuses paid annually under the Annual Plan are generally limited to 5% of the Companys pre-tax income, each executive officer shall be entitled to receive a General Bonus payable in (a) cash equal to 40% of his or her base salary and (b) restricted stock valued at 65% of his or her base salary. Each executive officer is also eligible to receive a maximum Extraordinary Performance Bonus payable in (a) cash in an amount of up to 20% of his or her base salary and (b) restricted stock valued at up to 32.5% of his or her base salary. Stock awarded under the Annual Plan is issued pursuant to the Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan. Tracy W. Krohn and J. F. Freel were not participants in the Annual Plan in 2006.
Other Compensation and Benefits. Executive officers are eligible to participate in all of our employee benefit plans, such as medical, dental, group life, disability, accidental death and dismemberment insurance and our 401(k) plan, in each case on the same basis as all other employees.
Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits. The Company provides executive officers with perquisites and other personal benefits that the Company and the Compensation Committee believe are reasonable and consistent with its overall compensation program to better enable the Company to attract and retain superior employees for key executive positions. Under the terms of the Chief Executive Officers employment agreement, he is entitled to the use of corporate aircraft for personal travel. This benefit is reported as other compensation in the table of summary compensation that follows.
Compensation Policies
Tax and Accounting Treatment. To the extent that it is practicable and consistent with the Companys executive compensation objectives, the Committee seeks to comply with Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code and any regulations promulgated thereunder (collectively, Section 162(m)) in order to preserve the tax deductibility of performance-based compensation in excess of $1 million per taxable year to each of the named
11
executive officers. If compliance with Section 162(m) conflicts with the Committees compensation objectives or is contrary to the best interests of the shareholders, the Committee will pursue its objectives, regardless of the attendant tax implications.
Beginning on January 1, 2006, the Company began accounting for stock-based payments in accordance with the requirements of FASB Statement 123(R). In accordance with SFAS No. 123(R), compensation cost is based on the fair value of the equity instrument on the date of grant and is recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award. Because the Company may offer incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options and restricted stock grants, the deductibility of an equity compensation award by the Company may not always occur at the time the award is otherwise taxable to the employee.
Basis for Allocation Among Incentives. Except as described above, our Compensation Committee has not adopted any formal or informal policies or guidelines for allocating compensation between long-term and currently paid compensation, between cash and non-cash compensation or among different forms of non-cash compensation. Incentive awards under the Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan may be granted in any one or a combination of (a) incentive stock options, (b) nonqualified stock options, (c) stock appreciation rights, (d) restricted stock and (e) performance shares.
Adjustment or Recovery of Awards upon Restatement of Company Performance. The Company does not have a formal policy with respect to whether executive officers are required to return cash and equity incentive awards if the relevant performance targets upon which the awards are based are ever restated or otherwise adjusted in a manner that would reduce the size of an award or payment. Under the Annual Plan, however, the Compensation Committee has the authority to adjust financial targets when unforeseen events affect the Companys results of operations.
2006 Chief Executive Officer Compensation
Mr. Krohn, the Companys Chief Executive Officer, receives an annual base salary of $500,000 and a nondiscretionary bonus of $250,000 under the terms of his employment agreement. In addition, Mr. Krohns employment agreement provides for his personal use of the aircraft in which the Company has a fractional interest (this benefit is reported as other compensation in the table of summary compensation that follows herein). The Compensation Committee periodically reviews the compensation of Mr. Krohn using the practices described above. The Compensation Committee also takes into account Mr. Krohns majority ownership of the Companys common stock. Based upon its review, the Compensation Committee determined to maintain Mr. Krohns salary and bonus at the same level in 2006 as in 2005.
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COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Compensation Committee monitors and approves the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer, administers the Companys incentive compensation programs and performs other related tasks. The Committee is composed of two Board members who qualify as independent directors under the Companys corporate governance guidelines, non-employee directors under Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 and outside directors under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. If you would like additional information on the responsibilities of the Compensation Committee, please refer to its charter, which is available on our website at www.wtoffshore.com and is available in print to any shareholder who requests it.
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis included in this proxy statement with management. Based on the Compensation Committees review of and discussions with management with respect to the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the Compensation Committee has recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement.
Submitted by the Compensation Committee.
James L. Luikart |
Stuart B. Katz | |||||
(Chairman) |
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the compensation paid to Mr. Krohn, our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, each person who served as the Chief Financial Officer in 2006, and the Companys three other most highly compensated executive officers for the year ended December 31, 2006.
Name and Principal Position |
Year |
Salary |
Cash Bonus(1) |
Stock Awards(2) |
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation(1) |
All Other Compensation (3)(4)(5)(6) |
Total | |||||||||||||
Tracy W. Krohn Chairman/Chief Executive Officer/ President |
2006 | $ | 500,000 | $ | 250,000 | $ | | $ | | $ | 498,731 | $ | 1,248,731 | |||||||
William W. Talafuse Senior Vice President of Accounting/Interim Chief Financial Chief/Chief Accounting Officer (a) |
2006 | 230,000 | 92,000 | 102,212 | 34,500 | 11,000 | 469,712 | |||||||||||||
Stephen A. Landry Senior Vice President/Chief Financial Officer (b) |
2006 | 108,654 | | | | 110,433 | 219,087 | |||||||||||||
W. Reid Lea Executive Vice President/Manager of Corporate Development |
2006 | 348,000 | 139,200 | 228,556 | 52,200 | 11,000 | 778,956 | |||||||||||||
Joseph P. Slattery Senior Vice President of Operations |
2006 | 260,000 | 104,000 | 158,094 | 39,000 | 37,785 | 598,879 | |||||||||||||
Jeffery M. Durrant Senior Vice President of Exploration/Geoscience |
2006 | 250,000 | 100,000 | 155,599 | 37,500 | 11,000 | 554,099 |
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(a) | Mr. Talafuse served as interim Chief Financial Officer from March 28, 2006 until February 26, 2007, at which time John D. Gibbons was appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. |
(b) | Mr. Landry resigned as Chief Financial Officer effective May 31, 2006. |
(1) | The amounts under Cash Bonus reflect the cash portion of the General Bonus under the 2005 Annual Incentive Plan for 2006 and paid in March 2007, except for Mr. Krohn. Mr. Krohns bonus is paid in accordance with his employment agreement, as further described in this proxy statement. The amounts under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation reflect the cash portion of the Extraordinary Performance Bonus under the 2005 Annual Incentive Plan for 2006 and paid in March 2007. The cash bonuses under the 2005 Annual Incentive Plan for 2005 and paid in March 2006 are not included. |
(2) | The amounts reflect the compensation expense recognized by the Company for financial reporting purposes in 2006, calculated in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment (SFAS No. 123(R)), except that the amounts shown assume that there will be no service-based forfeitures of awards. |
(3) | Excludes perquisites and other personal benefits if the total aggregate value (based on aggregate incremental cost to the Company) in a given year did not exceed $10,000. For Mr. Krohn, the amounts include the incremental costs of $487,731 associated with Mr. Krohns personal use of aircraft in which the Company owns a fractional interest. In calculating such incremental costs, the Companys direct operating cost at the hourly rate for each such flight was multiplied by the number of hours the aircraft was flown for such use. The Companys aircraft is used primarily for business use, and therefore, the Company does not include the regular costs associated with the ownership or operation of the aircraft such as taxes, maintenance, leasing payments, debt payments, share payments, fractional ownership payments or other similar type payments. |
(4) | The Company paid $100,000 to Mr. Landry in accordance with his separation agreement. |
(5) | Mr. Slattery was paid $26,785 under the Companys relocation program for employees moving from Louisiana to Texas. |
(6) | Company matching contributions to our 401(k) plan of $11,000 for each individual listed above with the exception of Mr. Landry whose 401(k) matching contribution was $10,433. |
2006 Grants of Plan-Based Restricted Stock Awards
In March 2006, our Board of Directors approved payment of a General Bonus and an Extraordinary Performance Bonus for 2005 under our incentive compensation plan, as described above in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis. Although not all of the performance measures for the Extraordinary Performance Bonus were met, our board determined that substantially all of the performance measures would have been met were it not for the effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The restricted stock portion of the General Bonus and the Extraordinary Performance Bonus for 2005 was granted in 2006. The restricted stock will vest in three equal increments on December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008. The following table sets forth information with respect to such restricted stock awards made to the named executive officers in 2006.
Grant Date |
Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards |
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock Awards | |||||||||
Name |
Threshold |
Target |
Maximum |
||||||||
Tracy W. Krohn |
| | | | $ | | |||||
William W. Talafuse |
03/31/06 | | 3,077 | | 114,346 | ||||||
Stephen A. Landry(a) |
03/31/06 | | | | | ||||||
W. Reid Lea |
03/31/06 | | 9,129 | | 339,300 | ||||||
Joseph P. Slattery |
03/31/06 | | 6,054 | | 225,000 | ||||||
Jeffery M. Durrant |
03/31/06 | | 6,038 | | 224,414 |
(a) | When Mr. Landry resigned effective May 31, 2006, he forfeited his rights to 9,251 shares of unvested restricted stock that had been granted to him when he was hired. |
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Outstanding Equity Awards At Fiscal Year-End
The following table sets forth information regarding restricted stock that has not vested for each named executive officer outstanding as of December 31, 2006. The Company did not grant option awards in 2006 and there are no unexercised stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2006.
Stock Awards | |||||
Name |
Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested |
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (1) | |||
Tracy W. Krohn |
| $ | | ||
William W. Talafuse |
2,051 | 63,007 | |||
Stephen A. Landry |
| | |||
W. Reid Lea |
6,086 | 186,962 | |||
Joseph P. Slattery |
4,036 | 123,986 | |||
Jeffery M. Durrant |
4,025 | 123,648 |
(1) | The market value of the shares of restricted stock that have not vested was calculated using the closing price of the Companys common stock on December 29, 2006, of $30.72 per share. |
Stock Vested
The following table sets forth information regarding the vesting of restricted stock for each of the named executive officers during 2006.
Stock Awards | |||||
Name |
Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting |
Value Realized on Vesting | |||
Tracy W. Krohn |
| $ | | ||
William W. Talafuse |
1,026 | 31,519 | |||
Stephen A. Landry |
| | |||
W. Reid Lea |
3,043 | 93,481 | |||
Joseph P. Slattery |
2,018 | 61,993 | |||
Jeffery M. Durrant |
2,013 | 61,839 |
Employment Contracts, Termination of Employment and Change in Control Arrangements
Tracy W. Krohn serves as the Companys Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President. Mr. Krohn serves under an employment agreement with an initial term expiring three years from January 28, 2005. On the third anniversary date, and on the same date every year thereafter, his agreement will automatically renew for one additional year, unless terminated before any such renewal date by Mr. Krohn or the Company.
Mr. Krohns employment agreement provides for an annual base salary of $500,000 and a nondiscretionary bonus of $250,000, subject to review from time to time by the Compensation Committee for possible increases based on Mr. Krohns performance. The Compensation Committee also has the authority to pay additional cash bonuses to Mr. Krohn in its discretion, during the term of his agreement.
If, during the term of his agreement, the Company terminates the employment of Mr. Krohn for any reason other than for cause, as defined in the agreement, he will be entitled to receive his base salary until the actual termination date of his agreement and a severance payment in the amount of 2.99 times his average annual income over the most recent five taxable years. If the Company should undergo a change in control while the
15
agreement is in effect and Mr. Krohn is either constructively or actually terminated under the conditions set forth in his agreement within two years of a change of control, then he will be entitled to receive 2.99 times his average annual taxable income from the Company over the five taxable years that end before the change of control transaction. If Mr. Krohns employment agreement was terminated other than for cause or a change of control occurred on December 31, 2006, the maximum payment to Mr. Krohn would have been $2,181,519.
Mr. Krohn has agreed that during the term of his agreement and for a period of two years thereafter, he will not compete with the Company or solicit any of our customers, employees, consultants or independent contractors with whom we do business.
William W. Talafuse serves under an employment agreement that expires on September 28, 2008, provided, however, that beginning on September 28, 2006 and each anniversary thereafter, if the agreement has not been terminated it shall automatically be extended for an additional one-year period. Mr. Talafuses current base salary (excluding bonuses) under his employment agreement is $230,000. His agreement also provides for termination benefits, triggered in certain situations including a change in control in an amount of three times the base amount of such employees annual compensation (including bonuses), determined in accordance with Section 280(g) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended less $1.00. If Mr. Talafuses employment agreement was terminated other than for cause or a change of control occurred on December 31, 2006, the maximum payment to Mr. Talafuse would have been $640,271.
W. Reid Lea serves under an employment agreement that expires on September 28, 2008, provided, however, that beginning on September 28, 2006 and each anniversary thereafter, if the agreement has not been terminated it shall automatically be extended for an additional one-year period. Mr. Leas current base salary (excluding bonuses) under his employment agreement is $348,000. His agreement also provides for termination benefits, triggered in certain situations including a change in control, in an amount of three times the base amount of such employees annual compensation (including bonuses), determined in accordance with Section 280(g) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended less $1.00. If Mr. Leas employment agreement was terminated other than for cause or a change of control occurred on December 31, 2006, the maximum payment to Mr. Lea would have been $1,422,092.
Joseph P. Slattery serves under an employment agreement that expires on September 28, 2008, provided however, that beginning on September 28, 2006 and each anniversary thereafter, if the agreement has not been terminated it shall automatically be extended for an additional one-year period. Mr. Slatterys current base salary (excluding bonuses) under his employment agreement is $260,000. His agreement also provides for termination benefits triggered in certain situations including a change in control in an amount of three times the base amount of such employees annual compensation (including bonuses), determined in accordance with Section 280 (g) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended less $1.00. If Mr. Slatterys employment agreement was terminated other than for cause or a change of control occurred on December 31, 2006, the maximum payment to Mr. Slattery would have been $935,951.
Jeffrey M. Durrant serves under an employment agreement that expires on September 28, 2008, provided however, that beginning on September 28, 2006 and each anniversary thereafter, if the agreement has not been terminated it shall automatically be extended for an additional one-year period. Mr. Durrants current base salary (excluding bonuses) under his employment agreement is $250,000. His agreement also provides for termination benefits triggered in certain situations including a change in control in an amount of three times the base amount of such employees annual compensation (including bonuses), determined in accordance with Section 280 (g) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended less $1.00. If Mr. Durrants employment agreement was terminated other than for cause or a change of control occurred on December 31, 2006, the maximum payment to Mr. Durrant would have been $1,198,079.
Under the Companys Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan, in the event of a change of control of the Company (as defined in that plan), all outstanding options, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock become
16
exerciseable, realizable or vested in full, or shall be free of all conditions or restrictions, as applicable to each award. In addition, in the event of a change of control, all performance shares or other performance-based awards shall be immediately payable based upon the extent, as determined by the Compensation Committee, to which the performance goals for the performance period then in progress have been met up through the date of the change in control or based on 100% of the value on the date of grant of the performance shares of other performance-based award, if such amount is higher.
Under the Companys Annual Plan, on the date of a change of control (as defined in the Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan) the Companys obligations under all outstanding annual cash bonus awards will be paid, on a pro-rated basis, for that part of the fiscal year that will have lapsed prior to the date of the change of control.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table provides information concerning securities remaining available for future issuance under the Companys equity compensation plans, as of December 31, 2006. The Company has not issued any options, warrants or other rights under its equity compensation plans.
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights |
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights |
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans | ||||
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders |
| | 1,496,183 | |||
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders |
| | | |||
Total |
| | 1,496,183 | |||
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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
We received approximately $0.1 million for providing management services to W&T Offshore, LLC (W&T LLC) during 2006 under the terms of a management agreement we executed with W&T LLC. W&T LLC is controlled by Tracy W. Krohn and J. F. Freel, our two largest common shareholders, who are also officers and directors. These fees are recorded as a direct reduction of general and administrative expenses. The management agreement with W&T LLC was terminated effective December 31, 2006.
The grandson of J. F. Freel, a director and our corporate Secretary, is employed by an insurance agency that arranges as a broker certain insurance coverage for the Company. We have been informed by Mr. Freels grandson that personal commissions earned by the grandson for arranging such coverage through his employer totaled approximately $247,000 in 2006. Business was awarded to this insurance agency as low bidder in a competitive bidding process in which the Company received at least one other quote. Effective January 2007, our insurance coverage is arranged by another broker that is not affiliated with this individual.
Brooke Companies, Inc. provides personnel to fill temporary and permanent staffing needs of the Company from time to time. Susan Krohn, the wife of Tracy W. Krohn, owns 100% of Brooke Companies. Brooke Companies currently provides staffing services to our Company and we expect that it will continue to provide those services for the foreseeable future. During the year ended December 31, 2006, the Company paid Brooke Companies approximately $0.5 million.
During 2006, we paid approximately $0.4 million to Adams and Reese LLP for legal services. Virginia Boulet, who serves as special counsel to Adams and Reese LLP, was appointed to our board of directors on March 25, 2005.
As part of our relocation program for employees moving from Louisiana to Texas, the Company agreed to purchase their homes in Louisiana. These homes must have been actively marketed and for sale for a period greater than 90 days. The purchase price of an employees home was negotiable and based on a reasonable appraised value. During the year ended December 31, 2006, the Company purchased homes from two of our vice presidents pursuant to the relocation program for a total of approximately $2.7 million. All homes purchased under the relocation plan, including the ones purchased from our officers, were subject to three independent appraisals. Nonetheless, market conditions in New Orleans have eroded and these homes were subsequently sold for a total of approximately $2.3 million, resulting in a pre-tax loss of $0.4 million, which is included in general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2006. The Company did not purchase the homes of our Chief Executive Officer or Secretary and it is not currently anticipated that the Company will.
The Company has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that includes a requirement to disclose conflicts of interest, including any related party transactions, to designated persons. Any possible conflicts of interest of directors, director candidates and executive officers are disclosed to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has designated the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to review and manage such conflicts of interest on a case-by-case basis.
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AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
Activities of the Committee
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is currently composed of three directors, Messrs. Katz, Luikart and Nelson, all of whom qualify as independent directors under the rules and regulations of the NYSE, the Companys corporate governance guidelines and the federal laws and regulations governing the composition of public company audit committees.
Management is responsible for the Companys internal controls and the financial reporting process. The Companys independent auditor is responsible for performing an independent audit of the Companys consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and to issue a report thereon. The Committees responsibility is to monitor and oversee these processes.
In this context, the Committee has met and held discussions with the Companys management and its independent auditor, Ernst & Young LLP (Ernst & Young). Management represented to the Committee that the Companys consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted U.S. accounting principles and the Committee has reviewed and discussed the consolidated financial statements with management and Ernst & Young. The Committee discussed with Ernst & Young matters required to be discussed by Statements on Auditing Standards No. 61 and 90 (Communication with Audit Committees).
Ernst & Young also provided to the Committee the written disclosures required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions with Audit Committees). The Committee discussed with Ernst & Young that firms independence and considered the effects that the provision of non-audit services may have on Ernst & Youngs independence.
Based on and in reliance upon the reviews and discussions referred to above, and subject to the limitations on the role and responsibilities of the Committee referred to in its charter, the Committee recommended that the Board of Directors include the audited consolidated financial statements in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.
Other Information
Ernst & Young has acted as independent auditor for the Company since 2000 and has been selected by the Audit Committee to serve again in that capacity for 2007. The aggregate fees and costs billed by Ernst & Young and its affiliates to the Company and its subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 are identified below.
2006 |
2005 | |||||
Audit fees (1) |
$ | 1,922,858 | $ | 357,151 | ||
Audit related fees (2) |
574,000 | | ||||
Tax fees (3) |
141,270 | 157,840 | ||||
All other fees (4) |
1,500 | 1,500 | ||||
$ | 2,639,628 | $ | 516,491 | |||
(1) | Includes fees for audit of our annual consolidated financial statements, including the audit in 2006 of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, reviews of our quarterly consolidated financial statements, fees related to our equity offerings, issuance of comfort letters and consents and reviews of various documents filed with the SEC. |
(2) | Includes fees for an audit related to the Kerr-McGee transaction and review of proposed transactions. |
(3) | Includes fees for preparation of federal and state tax returns, assistance during an examination of our Louisiana tax returns in 2004, tax planning advice and review of proposed transactions. |
(4) | Includes an annual fee for access to an accounting literature database. |
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The Audit Committee maintains written procedures that require it to annually pre-approve the scope of all auditing services to be performed by the Companys independent auditor. The Committees procedures prohibit the independent auditor from providing any non-audit services unless the service is permitted under applicable law and is pre-approved by the Audit Committee or its Chairman. The Audit Committee has pre-approved the Companys independent auditor to provide up to $5,000 per quarter of miscellaneous tax services that do not constitute discrete and separate projects. Although applicable regulations waive these pre-approval requirements in certain limited circumstances, the Audit Committee reviews and pre-approves all non-audit services provided by Ernst and Young. The Audit Committee has determined that the provision of Ernst & Youngs non-audit services are compatible with maintaining Ernst & Youngs independence.
If you would like additional information on the responsibilities of the Audit Committee, please refer to its charter, which is posted on the Companys website at www.wtoffshore.com and is available in print to any shareholder who requests it.
Submitted by the Audit Committee.
S. James Nelson, Jr. |
James L. Luikart | Stuart B. Katz | ||
(Chairman) |
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
At the annual meeting each year, the Board of Directors submits to shareholders its nominees for election as directors. The Board of Directors may also submit other matters to the shareholders for action at the annual meeting. Shareholders of the Corporation may also submit proposals for inclusion in the proxy materials. If you want the Company to consider including a proposal in next years 2008 proxy statement, you must submit the proposal in writing to our Secretary no later than December 14, 2007. If you want us to consider including a nominee for election to the Board of Directors at the 2008 Annual Meeting, you must submit the nominees name in accordance with the procedures discussed more fully in the section entitled Director Nomination Process on page 5, no earlier than January 15, 2008 and no later than February 14, 2008. Please mail any nominations or proposal following the prescribed guidelines to Secretary, W&T Offshore, Inc., Nine Greenway Plaza, Suite 300, Houston, Texas 77046.
OTHER MATTERS
Neither we nor any of the persons named as proxies know of any matters other than those described above to be voted on at the 2007 Annual Meeting. However, if any other matters are properly presented at the Annual Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named as proxies to vote in accordance with their judgment on these matters, subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors.
A copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, accompanies this proxy statement, but it is not to be deemed a part of the proxy soliciting material.
Shareholders may obtain additional copies of our current Annual Report on Form 10-K without charge by writing to our Secretary at W&T Offshore, Inc., Nine Greenway Plaza, Suite 300, Houston, Texas 77046. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the SEC may also be accessed through our website at www.wtoffshore.com or the SECs website at www.sec.gov.
By order of the Board of Directors,
J. F. Freel
Secretary
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W&T OFFSHORE
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Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in X this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas.
Annual Meeting Proxy Card
PLEASE FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
A Proposals The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all the nominees listed.
1. Election of Directors: For Withhold 01 - Tracy W. Krohn
04 - Robert I. Israel
02 - J. F. Freel For Withhold
05 - Virginia Boulet
For Withhold
03 - Stuart B. Katz
06 - S. James Nelson, Jr.
B Non-Voting Items
Change of Address Please print new address below.
C Authorized Signatures This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. Date and Sign Below
NOTE: Please sign your name(s) EXACTLY as your name(s) appear(s) on this proxy. All joint holders must sign. When signing as attorney, trustee, administrator, guardian or corporate officer, please provide your FULL title. If partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.
Date (mm/dd/yyyy) Please print date below.
Signature 1 Please keep signature within the box.
Signature 2 Please keep signature within the box.
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C 1234567890 J N T
6 0 A V 0 1 3 3 4 8 1
MR A SAMPLE (THIS AREA IS SET UP TO ACCOMMODATE 140 CHARACTERS) MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND
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00PRRA
PLEASE FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
Proxy W&T Offshore, Inc.
PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE 2007 MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
May 15, 2007
The undersigned hereby appoints Tracy W. Krohn and J. F. Freel and each of them, proxies with full power of substitution, to vote as designated on the reverse side, on behalf of the undersigned all shares of W&T Offshore, Inc. common stock, that the undersigned may be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of W&T Offshore, Inc. on May 15, 2007, and any adjournments thereof, with all the powers that the undersigned would possess if personally present. In their discretion, the proxies are hereby authorized to act upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof.
The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR the nominees listed on the reverse side hereof. If this Proxy is properly executed but no specific directions are given, all of your votes will be voted for such nominees.
(See Reverse Side)