Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)

Registration No. 333-139058

PROSPECTUS

 

$1,500,000,000

 

 

ALLIS-CHALMERS ENERGY INC.

 

COMMON STOCK

PREFERRED STOCK

SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES

SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES

GUARANTEES

WARRANTS

UNITS

 

By this prospectus, we may from time to time offer and sell in one or more offerings up to an aggregate of $1,500,000,000 of the following securities:

 

(1) shares of common stock;

 

(2) shares of preferred stock, in one or more series, which may be convertible into or exchangeable for debt securities or common stock;

 

(3) senior debt securities, which may be convertible into or exchangeable for common stock or preferred stock;

 

(4) subordinated debt securities, which may be convertible into or exchangeable for common stock or preferred stock;

 

(5) guarantees of debt securities issued by Allis-Chalmers Energy Inc.;

 

(6) warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock, debt securities (which may or may not be guaranteed pursuant to guarantees) or units; and/or

 

(7) units consisting of any combination of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities (which may or may not be guaranteed pursuant to guarantees) or warrants.

 

This prospectus provides a general description of the securities we may offer. Supplements to this prospectus will provide the specific terms of the securities that we actually offer, including the offering prices. You should carefully read this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any information under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation by Reference” before you invest in any of these securities. This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement that describes those securities.

 

We may sell these securities to or through underwriters, to other purchasers and/or through agents. Supplements to this prospectus will specify the names of any underwriters or agents.

 

Our common stock is listed for trading on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol “ALY.”

 

 

 

 

Investing in our securities involves risks. Please read “Risk Factors” beginning on page 2 of this prospectus.

 

 

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

The date of this prospectus is December 8, 2006.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to a total offering price of $1,500,000,000. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer to sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering and the securities offered by us in that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information provided in the prospectus supplement. This prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. The registration statement filed with the SEC includes exhibits that provide more details about the matters discussed in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus, the related exhibits filed with the SEC and any prospectus supplement, together with the additional information described below under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation by Reference.”

 

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in any accompanying prospectus supplement. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not making an offer of the securities covered by this prospectus in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and any other document incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of those documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

 

Under no circumstances should the delivery to you of this prospectus or any offer or sale made pursuant to this prospectus create any implication that the information contained in this prospectus is correct as of any time after the date of this prospectus.

 

This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement that describes those securities.

Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this prospectus to “Allis-Chalmers,” “we,” “us,” and “our” mean Allis-Chalmers Energy Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries. In this prospectus, we sometimes refer to the debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, warrants, units and guarantees collectively as the “securities.”

 

We have filed a registration statement with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which we refer to as the Securities Act, that registers the issuance and sale of the securities offered by this prospectus. The registration statement, including the attached exhibits, contains additional relevant information about us. The rules and regulations of the SEC allow us to omit some information included in the registration statement from this prospectus.

 

We file annual, quarterly, and other reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which we refer to as the Exchange Act. You may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. Our SEC filings are also available to the public through the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. General information about us, including our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, as well as any amendments and exhibits to those reports, are available free of charge through our website at http://www.alchenergy.com as soon as reasonably practicable after we file them with, or furnish them to, the SEC. Information on our website is not incorporated into this prospectus or our other securities filings and is not a part of this prospectus.

 

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this document. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below, other than any portions of the respective filings that were furnished (pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of current reports on Form 8-K or other applicable SEC rules) rather than filed:

 

 

 

All documents that we file pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus and until our offerings hereunder are completed, or after the date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and prior to effectiveness of the registration statement, will be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and will be a part of this prospectus from the date of the filing of the document. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or in any other subsequently filed document that also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus modifies or supersedes that statement. Any statement that is modified or superseded will not constitute a part of this prospectus, except as modified or superseded.

 

We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner to whom a prospectus is delivered, a copy of these filings, other than an exhibit to these filings unless we have specifically incorporated that exhibit by reference into the filing, upon written or oral request and at no cost. Requests should be made by writing or telephoning us at the following address:

 

Allis-Chalmers Energy Inc.

5075 Westheimer, Suite 890

Houston, Texas 77056

(713) 369-0550

Attn: Investor Relations

 

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act regarding our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. Words such as expects, anticipates, intends, plans, believes, seeks, estimates and similar expressions or variations of such words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. However, these are not the exclusive means of identifying forward-looking statements. Although forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus reflect our good faith judgment, such statements can only be based on facts and factors currently known to us. Consequently, forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual outcomes may differ materially from the results and outcomes discussed in the forward-looking statements. Further information about the risks and uncertainties that may impact us are described in “Risk Factors” beginning on page 2. You should read that section carefully. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this prospectus. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements in order to reflect any event or circumstance occurring after the date of this prospectus or currently unknown facts or conditions or the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

We have obtained some industry and market share data from third-party sources that we believe are reliable. In many cases, however, we have made statements in this prospectus (or in documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus) regarding our industry and our position in the industry based on estimates made based on our experience in the industry and our own investigation of market conditions. We believe these estimates to be accurate as of the date of this prospectus. However, this information may prove to be inaccurate because of the method by which we obtained some of the data for our estimates or because this

information cannot always be verified with complete certainty due to the limits on the availability and reliability of raw data, the voluntary nature of the data gathering process and other limitations and uncertainties. As a result, you should be aware that the industry and market data included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and estimates and beliefs based on that data, may not be reliable. We cannot, and the underwriters cannot, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information.

 

 

 

We are a multi-faceted oilfield services company that provides services and equipment to oil and natural gas exploration and production companies, domestically in Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Colorado, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Utah, Wyoming, offshore in the Gulf of Mexico, and internationally in Argentina and Mexico.

 

Our existing business segments are:

 

Directional Drilling Services.  We employ approximately 75 full-time directional drillers utilizing state-of-the-art equipment for well planning and engineering services, directional drilling packages, downhole motor technology, well site directional supervision, exploratory and development re-entry drilling, downhole guidance services and other drilling services, including, logging-while-drilling and measurement-while-drilling services.

 

Rental Tools.  We provide specialized rental equipment, including premium drill pipe, heavy weight spiral drill pipe, tubing work strings, blow out preventors, choke manifolds and various valves and handling tools, for both onshore and offshore well drilling, completion and workover operations.

 

International Drilling.  With our recent acquisition of DLS Drilling, Logistics & Services Corporation, or DLS, in August 2006, we entered into the contract drilling and repair services business. DLS provides drilling, completion, repair and related services for oil and gas wells in Argentina. DLS also offers a wide variety of other oilfield services such as drilling fluids and completion fluids, engineering, field maintenance and logistics to complement its customers’ field organization.

 

Casing and Tubing Services.  We provide specialized equipment and trained operators for a variety of pipe handling services, including installing casing and tubing, changing out drill pipe and retrieving production tubing for both onshore and offshore drilling and workover operations.

 

Compressed Air Drilling Services.  We provide compressed air equipment, drilling bits, hammers, drilling chemicals and other specialized drilling products for underbalanced drilling applications. With a combined fleet of over 130 compressors and boosters, we believe we are one of the largest providers of compressed air or underbalanced drilling services in the United States.

 

Production Services.  We provide specialized equipment and trained operators to install and retrieve capillary tubing, through which chemicals are injected into producing wells to increase production and reduce corrosion, and workover services with coiled tubing units.

 

 

Our principal executive offices are located at 5075 Westheimer, Suite 890, Houston, Texas 77056, and our telephone number at that address is (800) 997-9534. Our website address is http://www.alchenergy.com.  However, information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider the information contained on our website to be part of this prospectus.

 

The securities to be offered by this prospectus may involve a high degree of risk. When considering an investment in any of the securities, you should consider carefully all of the risk factors described below and any similar information contained in any annual report on Form 10-K or other document filed by us with the SEC after the date of this prospectus. If applicable, we will include in any prospectus supplement a description of those significant factors that could make the offering described in the prospectus supplement speculative or risky.

 

Risks Associated With Our Company

 

We may fail to acquire additional businesses, which will restrict our growth and may have a material adverse effect on our ability to meet our obligations under (and the price of) the securities.

 

Our business strategy is to acquire companies operating in the oilfield services industry. However, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in acquiring any additional companies. Successful acquisition of new companies will depend on various factors, including but not limited to:

 

 

There can be no assurance that we will be able to acquire and successfully operate any particular business or that we will be able to expand into areas that we have targeted. If we fail to acquire additional businesses, our financial condition, our results of operations and our ability to meet our obligations under (and the price of) the securities may be materially adversely affected.

 

Difficulties in integrating acquired businesses may result in reduced revenues and income.

 

We may not be able to successfully integrate the businesses of our operating subsidiaries or any business we may acquire in the future. The integration of the businesses will be complex and time consuming, will place a significant strain on management and our information systems, and this strain could disrupt our businesses. Furthermore, if our combined businesses continue to grow rapidly, we may be required to replace our current information and accounting systems with systems designed for companies that are larger than ours. We may be adversely impacted by unknown liabilities of acquired businesses. We may encounter substantial difficulties, costs and delays involved in integrating common accounting, information and communication systems, operating procedures, internal controls and human resources practices, including incompatibility of business cultures and the loss of key employees and customers. These difficulties may reduce our ability to gain customers or retain existing customers, and may increase operating expenses, resulting in reduced revenues and income and a failure to realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions.

 

We have made numerous acquisitions during the past five years. As a result of these transactions, our past performance is not indicative of future performance, and investors should not base their expectations as to our future performance on our historical results.

 

The loss of key executives would adversely affect our ability to effectively finance and manage our business, acquire new businesses, and obtain and retain customers.

 

We are dependent upon the efforts and skills of our executives to finance and manage our business, identify and consummate additional acquisitions and obtain and retain customers. These executives include:

 

 

In addition, our development and expansion will require additional experienced management and operations personnel. No assurance can be given that we will be able to identify and retain these employees.

The loss of the services of one or more of our key executives could increase our exposure to the other risks described in this “Risk Factors” section. We do not maintain key man insurance on any of our personnel.

 

Historically, we have been dependent on a few customers operating in a single industry; the loss of one or more customers could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our customers are engaged in the oil and natural gas drilling business in the United States, Mexico and elsewhere. Historically, we have been dependent upon a few customers for a significant portion of our revenues. In 2005, no single customer generated over 10% of our revenues. In 2004, Matyep represented 10.8% of our revenues, and Burlington Resources represented 10.1% of our revenues. In 2003, Matyep represented 10.2% of our revenues, Burlington represented 11.1% of our revenues and El Paso Corporation represented 14.1% of our revenues. Additionally, DLS currently relies on two customers for a majority of its revenue. In 2005, Pan American Energy LLC Sucursal Argentina, or Pan American Energy, represented 55% of DLS’ revenues and Repsol-YPF represented 15% of DLS’ revenues. This concentration of customers may increase our overall exposure to credit risk, and customers will likely be similarly affected by changes in economic and industry conditions. Our financial condition and results of operations will be materially adversely affected if one or more of our significant customers fails to pay us or ceases to contract with us for our services on terms that are favorable to us or at all.

 

Our international operations may expose us to political and other uncertainties, including risks of:

 

 

Part of our strategy is to prudently and opportunistically acquire businesses and assets that complement our existing products and services, and to expand our geographic footprint. If we make acquisitions in other countries, we may increase our exposure to the risks discussed above.

 

Environmental liabilities could result in substantial losses.

 

Since our reorganization under the U.S. federal bankruptcy laws in 1988, a number of parties, including the Environmental Protection Agency, have asserted that we are responsible for the cleanup of hazardous waste sites with respect to our pre-bankruptcy activities. We believe that such claims are barred by applicable bankruptcy law, and we have not experienced any material expense in relation to any such claims. However, if we do not prevail with respect to these claims in the future, or if additional environmental claims are asserted against us relating to our current or future activities in the oil and natural gas industry, we could become subject to material environmental liabilities that could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Products liability claims relating to discontinued operations could result in substantial losses.

 

Since our reorganization under the U.S. federal bankruptcy laws in 1988, we have been regularly named in products liability lawsuits primarily resulting from the manufacture of products containing asbestos. In connection with our bankruptcy, a special products liability trust was established to address products liability claims. We believe that claims against us are barred by applicable bankruptcy law, and that the products liability trust will continue to be responsible for products liability claims. Since 1988, no court has ruled that we are responsible for products liability claims. However, if we are held responsible for product liability claims, we could suffer substantial losses that could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. We have not manufactured products containing asbestos since our reorganization in 1988.

We may be subject to claims for personal injury and property damage, which could materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our products and services are used for the exploration and production of oil and natural gas. These operations are subject to inherent hazards that can cause personal injury or loss of life, damage to or destruction of property, equipment, the environment and marine life, and suspension of operations. Litigation arising from an accident at a location where our products or services are used or provided may cause us to be named as a defendant in lawsuits asserting potentially large claims. We maintain customary insurance to protect our business against these potential losses. Our insurance has deductibles or self-insured retentions and contains certain coverage exclusions. However, we could become subject to material uninsured liabilities that could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Risks Associated With Our Industry

 

Cyclical declines in oil and natural gas prices may result in reduced use of our services, affecting our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to meet our capital expenditure obligations and financial commitments.

 

The oil and natural gas exploration and drilling business is highly cyclical. Generally, as oil and natural gas prices decrease, exploration and drilling activity declines as marginally profitable projects become uneconomic and are either delayed or eliminated. Declines in the number of operating drilling rigs result in reduced use of and prices for our services. Accordingly, when oil and natural gas prices are relatively low, our revenues and income will suffer. Oil and natural gas prices depend on many factors beyond our control, including the following:

 

 

Depending on the market prices of oil and natural gas, companies exploring for oil and natural gas may cancel or curtail their drilling programs, thereby reducing demand for drilling services. Our contracts are generally short-term, and oil and natural gas companies tend to respond quickly to upward or downward changes in prices. Any reduction in the demand for drilling services may materially erode both pricing and utilization rates for our services and adversely affect our financial results. As a result, we may suffer losses, be unable to make necessary capital expenditures and be unable to meet our financial obligations.

 

Our industry is highly competitive, with intense price competition.

 

The markets in which we operate are highly competitive. Contracts are traditionally awarded on a competitive bid basis. Pricing is often the primary factor in determining which qualified contractor is awarded a job. The competitive environment has intensified as recent mergers among oil and natural gas companies have reduced the number of available customers. Many other oilfield services companies are larger than we are and have resources that are significantly greater than our resources. These competitors are better able to withstand industry downturns, compete on the basis of price and acquire new equipment and technologies, all of which could affect our revenues and profitability. These competitors compete with us both for customers and for acquisitions of other businesses. This competition may cause our business to suffer. We believe that competition for contracts will continue to be intense in the foreseeable future.

We may experience increased labor costs or the unavailability of skilled workers and the failure to retain key personnel could hurt our operations.

 

Companies in our industry, including us, are dependent upon the available labor pool of skilled employees. We compete with other oilfield services businesses and other employers to attract and retain qualified personnel with the technical skills and experience required to provide our customers with the highest quality service. We are also subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act, which governs such matters as minimum wage, overtime and other working conditions. A shortage in the labor pool of skilled workers or other general inflationary pressures or changes in applicable laws and regulations could make it more difficult for us to attract and retain personnel and could require us to enhance our wage and benefits packages. There can be no assurance that labor costs will not increase. Any increase in our operating costs could cause our business to suffer.

 

Severe weather could have a material adverse impact on our business.

 

Our business could be materially and adversely affected by severe weather. Repercussions of severe weather conditions may include:

 

 

In addition, oil and natural gas operations of our customers located offshore and onshore in the Gulf of Mexico and in Mexico may be adversely affected by hurricanes and tropical storms, resulting in reduced demand for our services. Further, our customers’ operations in the Mid-Continent and Rocky Mountain regions of the United States are also adversely affected by seasonal weather conditions. This limits our access to these job sites and our ability to service wells in these areas. These constraints decrease drilling activity and the resulting shortages or high costs could delay our operations and materially increase our operating and capital costs.

 

Our business may be affected by terrorist activity and by security measures taken in response to terrorism.

 

We may experience loss of business or delays or defaults in payments from payers that have been affected by actual or potential terrorist activities. Some oil and natural gas drilling companies have implemented security measures in response to potential terrorist activities, including access restrictions, that could adversely affect our ability to market our services to new and existing customers and could increase our costs. Terrorist activities and potential terrorist activities and any resulting economic downturn could adversely impact our results of operations, impair our ability to raise capital or otherwise adversely affect our ability to grow our business.

 

We are subject to government regulations.

 

We are subject to various federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations relating to the energy industry in general and the environment in particular. Environmental laws have in recent years become more stringent and have generally sought to impose greater liability on a larger number of potentially responsible parties. Although we are not aware of any proposed material changes in any federal, state, local or foreign statutes, rules or regulations, any changes could materially affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Risks Associated With Our Indebtedness

 

We are a holding company, and as a result we are dependent on dividends from our subsidiaries to meet our obligations, including with respect to the debt securities.

 

We are a holding company and do not conduct any business operations of our own. Our principal assets are the equity interests we own in our operating subsidiaries, either directly or indirectly. As a result, we are dependent upon cash dividends, distributions or other transfers we receive from our subsidiaries in order to make dividend payments to our stockholders, to repay any debt we may incur, and to meet our other obligations. The ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends and make payments to us will depend on their operating results and may be restricted by, among other things, applicable corporate, tax and other laws and regulations and agreements of those subsidiaries, as well as by the terms of our credit agreement and the indentures governing our 9.0% senior notes due 2014, which we refer to as our existing 9.0% senior notes, and any other debt securities we may offer. For example, the corporate laws of some jurisdictions prohibit the payment of dividends by any subsidiary unless the subsidiary has a capital surplus or net profits in the current or immediately preceding fiscal year. Payments or distributions from our subsidiaries also could be subject to restrictions on dividends or repatriation of earnings under applicable local law, and monetary transfer restrictions in the jurisdictions in which our subsidiaries operate. Our subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities. Any right that we have to receive any assets of or distributions from any subsidiary upon its bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation or reorganization, or to realize proceeds from the sale of the assets of any subsidiary, will be junior to the claims of that subsidiary’s creditors, including trade creditors.

 

We have a substantial amount of debt, which could adversely affect our financial health and prevent us from making principal and interest payments on the debt securities and our other debt.

 

As of September 30, 2006, we had approximately $271.0 million of consolidated total indebtedness outstanding and approximately $11.7 million of additional secured borrowing capacity available under our credit agreement as of September 30, 2006.

 

Our substantial debt could have important consequences for you. For example, it could:

 

 

In addition, we may incur substantial additional debt in the future. The indenture governing our existing 9.0% senior notes permits (and we anticipate that the indentures governing any other debt securities we may offer will also permit) us to incur additional debt, and our credit agreement permits additional borrowings. If new debt is added to our current debt levels, these related risks could increase.

We may not maintain sufficient revenues to sustain profitability or to meet our capital expenditure requirements and our financial obligations. Also, we may not be able to generate a sufficient amount of cash flow to meet our debt service obligations.

 

Our ability to make scheduled payments or to refinance our obligations with respect to our debt will depend on our financial and operating performance, which, in turn, is subject to prevailing economic conditions and to certain financial, business, and other factors beyond our control. If our cash flow and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations, we may be forced to reduce or delay scheduled expansion and capital expenditures, sell material assets or operations, obtain additional capital or restructure our debt. We cannot assure you that our operating performance, cash flow and capital resources will be sufficient for payment of our debt in the future. In the event that we are required to dispose of material assets or operations or restructure our debt to meet our debt service and other obligations, we cannot assure you that the terms of any such transaction would be satisfactory to us or if or how soon any such transaction could be completed.

 

If we fail to obtain additional financing, we may be unable to refinance our existing debt, expand our current operations or acquire new businesses, which could result in a failure to grow or result in defaults in our obligations under our credit agreement, our existing 9.0% senior notes or our other debt securities.

 

In order to refinance indebtedness, expand existing operations and acquire additional businesses, we will require substantial amounts of capital. There can be no assurance that financing, whether from equity or debt financings or other sources, will be available or, if available, will be on terms satisfactory to us. If we are unable to obtain such financing, we will be unable to acquire additional businesses and may be unable to meet our obligations under our credit agreement, our existing 9.0% senior notes or any other debt securities we may offer.

 

The indenture governing our existing 9.0% senior notes and our credit agreement impose (and we anticipate that the indentures governing any other debt securities we may offer will also impose) restrictions on us that may limit the discretion of management in operating our business and that, in turn, could impair our ability to meet our obligations.

 

The indenture governing our existing 9.0% senior notes and our credit agreement contain (and we anticipate that the indentures governing any other debt securities we may offer will also contain) various restrictive covenants that limit management’s discretion in operating our business. In particular, these covenants limit our ability to, among other things:

 

 

The credit agreement also requires us to maintain specified financial ratios and satisfy certain financial tests. Our ability to maintain or meet such financial ratios and tests may be affected by events beyond our control, including changes in general economic and business conditions, and we cannot assure you that we will maintain or meet such ratios and tests or that the lenders under the credit agreement will waive any failure to meet such ratios or tests.

 

These covenants could materially and adversely affect our ability to finance our future operations or capital needs. Furthermore, they may restrict our ability to expand, to pursue our business strategies and

otherwise to conduct our business. Our ability to comply with these covenants may be affected by circumstances and events beyond our control, such as prevailing economic conditions and changes in regulations, and we cannot assure you that we will be able to comply with them. A breach of these covenants could result in a default under the indentures governing our existing 9.0% senior notes and any other debt securities we may offer and/or the credit agreement. If there were an event of default under any of the indentures and/or the credit agreement, the affected creditors could cause all amounts borrowed under these instruments to be due and payable immediately. Additionally, if we fail to repay indebtedness under our credit agreement when it becomes due, the lenders under the credit agreement could proceed against the assets which we have pledged to them as security. Our assets and cash flow might not be sufficient to repay our outstanding debt in the event of a default.

 

Risks Associated With DLS’ Business and Industry

 

A material or extended decline in expenditures by oil and gas companies due to a decline or volatility in oil and gas prices, a decrease in demand for oil and gas or other factors may reduce demand for DLS’ services and substantially reduce DLS’ revenues, profitability, cash flows and/or liquidity.

 

The profitability of DLS’ operations depends upon conditions in the oil and gas industry and, specifically, the level of exploration and production expenditures of oil and gas company customers. The oil and gas industry is cyclical and subject to governmental price controls. The demand for contract drilling and related services is directly influenced by many factors beyond DLS’ control, including:

 

 

Depending on the factors outlined above, companies exploring for oil and gas may cancel or curtail their drilling programs, thereby reducing demand for drilling services. Such a reduction in demand may erode daily rates and utilization of DLS’ rigs. Any significant decrease in daily rates or utilization of DLS’ rigs could materially reduce DLS’ revenues, profitability, cash flows and/or liquidity.

 

A majority of DLS’ revenues are derived from one customer. The termination of the contract with this customer could have a significant negative effect on the revenues, results of operations and financial condition of DLS.

 

A majority of DLS’ revenues are currently received pursuant to a strategic agreement with Pan American Energy. Pan American Energy is a joint venture that is owned 60% by British Petroleum and 40% by Bridas Corporation, an affiliate of the former DLS stockholders from which we acquired DLS, and which we refer to collectively as the DLS sellers. This agreement terminates on June 30, 2008. However, Pan American Energy may terminate the agreement (i) without cause at any time with 60 days’ notice, or (ii) in the event of a breach of the agreement by DLS if such breach is not cured within 20 days of notice of the breach. DLS is currently in negotiations to extend this agreement to December 2010.

Because a majority of DLS’ revenues are currently generated under this agreement, DLS’ revenues and earnings will be materially adversely affected if this agreement is terminated unless DLS is able to enter into a satisfactory substitute arrangement. We cannot assure you that in the event of such a termination DLS would be able to enter into a substitute arrangement on terms similar to those contained in the current agreement with Pan American Energy.

 

DLS’ operations and financial condition could be affected by union activity and general labor unrest. Additionally, DLS’ labor expenses could increase as a result of governmental regulation of payments to employees.

 

In Argentina, labor organizations have substantial support and have considerable political influence. The demands of labor organizations have increased in recent years as a result of the general labor unrest and dissatisfaction resulting from the disparity between the cost of living and salaries in Argentina as a result of the devaluation of the Argentine peso. There can be no assurance that DLS will not face labor disruptions in the future or that any such disruptions will not have a material adverse effect on DLS’ financial condition or results of operations.

 

The Argentine government has in the past and may in the future promulgate laws, regulations and decrees requiring companies in the private sector to maintain minimum wage levels and provide specified benefits to employees, including significant mandatory severance payments. In the aftermath of the Argentine economic crisis of 2001 and 2002, both the government and private sector companies have experienced significant pressure from employees and labor organizations relating to wage levels and employee benefits. In early 2005, the Argentine government promised not to order salary increases by decree. However, there has been no abatement of pressure to mandate salary increases, and it is possible the government will adopt measures that will increase salaries or require DLS to provide additional benefits, which would increase DLS’ costs and potentially reduce DLS’ profitability, cash flow and/or liquidity.

 

Rig upgrade, refurbishment and construction projects are subject to risks, including delays and cost overruns, which could have an adverse effect on DLS’ results of operations and cash flows.

 

DLS often has to make upgrade and refurbishment expenditures for its rig fleet to comply with DLS’ quality management and preventive maintenance system or contractual requirements or when repairs are required in response to an inspection by a governmental authority. DLS may also make significant expenditures when it moves rigs from one location to another. Additionally, DLS may make substantial expenditures for the construction of new rigs. Rig upgrade, refurbishment and construction projects are subject to the risks of delay or cost overruns inherent in any large construction project, including the following:

 

 

Significant cost overruns or delays could adversely affect DLS’ financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, capital expenditures for rig upgrade, refurbishment or construction projects could exceed DLS’ planned capital expenditures, impairing DLS’ ability to service its debt obligations.

An oversupply of comparable rigs in the geographic markets in which DLS competes could depress the utilization rates and dayrates for DLS’ rigs and materially reduce DLS’ revenues and profitability.

 

Utilization rates, which are the number of days a rig actually works divided by the number of days the rig is available for work, and dayrates, which are the contract prices customers pay for rigs per day, are also affected by the total supply of comparable rigs available for service in the geographic markets in which DLS competes. Improvements in demand in a geographic market may cause DLS’ competitors to respond by moving competing rigs into the market, thus intensifying price competition. Significant new rig construction could also intensify price competition. In the past, there have been prolonged periods of rig oversupply with correspondingly depressed utilization rates and dayrates largely due to earlier, speculative construction of new rigs. Improvements in dayrates and expectations of longer-term, sustained improvements in utilization rates and dayrates for drilling rigs may lead to construction of new rigs. These increases in the supply of rigs could depress the utilization rates and dayrates for DLS’ rigs and materially reduce DLS’ revenues and profitability.

 

Worldwide political and economic developments may hurt DLS’ operations materially.

 

Currently, DLS derives substantially all of its revenues from operations in Argentina and a small portion from operations in Bolivia. DLS’ operations are subject to the following risks, among others:

 

 

DLS attempts to limit the risks of currency fluctuation and restrictions on currency repatriation where possible by obtaining contracts providing for payment of a percentage of the contract in U.S. dollars or freely convertible foreign currency. To the extent possible, DLS seeks to limit its exposure to local currencies by matching the acceptance of local currencies to DLS’ expense requirements in those currencies. Although DLS has done this in the past, DLS may not be able to take these actions in the future, thereby exposing DLS to foreign currency fluctuations that could cause its results of operations, financial condition and cash flows to deteriorate materially.

 

Over the past several years, Argentina and Bolivia have experienced political and economic instability that resulted in significant changes in their general economic policies and regulations.

 

DLS derives a small portion of its revenues from operating one drilling rig in Bolivia. Recently, Bolivian President Evo Morales announced the nationalization of Bolivia’s natural gas industry and ordered the Bolivian military to occupy Bolivia’s natural gas fields. This measure will likely adversely affect the Bolivian operations of foreign oil and gas companies operating in Bolivia, including DLS’ customers and potential future customers, and accordingly, DLS’ prospects for future business in Bolivia may be harmed. In addition, in light of these recent political developments in Bolivia, DLS’ assets in Bolivia may be subject to an increased risk of expropriation or government imposed restrictions on movement to a new location.

 

In light of the early stage and uncertainty of political developments affecting the energy industry in Bolivia, we are unable to predict the effect that recent events may have on DLS’ operations, financial results or business plans. There is a risk that the changes resulting from the recent events in Bolivia will adversely affect DLS’ financial position or results of operations, and DLS’ operations may be further adversely affected by continuing economic and political instability in Bolivia. Furthermore, if nationalistic measures similar to

those developing in Bolivia were to be adopted in other countries where DLS may in the future seek drilling contracts, DLS’ prospects in such countries may be adversely affected.

 

DLS’ operations are also subject to other risks, including foreign monetary and tax policies, expropriation, nationalization and nullification or modification of contracts. Additionally, DLS’ ability to compete may be limited by foreign governmental regulations that favor or require the awarding of contracts to local contractors or by regulations requiring foreign contractors to employ citizens of, or purchase supplies from, a particular jurisdiction. Furthermore, DLS may face governmentally imposed restrictions from time to time on its ability to transfer funds.

 

Devaluation of the Argentine peso will adversely affect DLS’ results of operations.

 

The Argentine peso has been subject to significant devaluation in the past and may be subject to significant fluctuations in the future. Given the economic and political uncertainties in Argentina, it is impossible to predict whether, and to what extent, the value of the Argentine peso may depreciate or appreciate against the U.S. dollar. We cannot predict how these uncertainties will affect DLS’ financial results, but there is a risk that DLS’ financial performance could be adversely affected. Moreover, we cannot predict whether the Argentine government will further modify its monetary policy and, if so, what effect any of these changes could have on the value of the Argentine peso. Such changes could have an adverse effect on DLS’ financial condition and results of operations.

 

Argentina continues to face considerable political and economic uncertainty.

 

Although general economic conditions have shown improvement and political protests and social disturbances have diminished considerably since the economic crisis of 2001 and 2002, the rapid and radical nature of the changes in the Argentine social, political, economic and legal environment over the past several years and the absence of a clear political consensus in favor of any particular set of economic policies have given rise to significant uncertainties about the country’s economic and political future. It is currently unclear whether the economic and political instability experienced over the past several years will continue and it is possible that, despite recent economic growth, Argentina may return to a deeper recession, higher inflation and unemployment and greater social unrest. If instability persists, there could be a material adverse effect on DLS’ results of operations and financial condition.

 

In the event of further social or political crisis, companies in Argentina may also face the risk of further civil and social unrest, strikes, expropriation, nationalization, forced renegotiation or modification of existing contracts and changes in taxation policies, including royalty and tax increases and retroactive tax claims.

 

In addition, investments in Argentine companies may be further affected by changes in laws and policies of the United States affecting foreign trade, taxation and investment.

 

An increase in inflation could have a material adverse effect on DLS’ results of operations.

 

The devaluation of the Argentine peso created pressures on the domestic price system that generated high rates of inflation in 2002 before substantially stabilizing in 2003 and remaining stable in 2004. In 2005, however, inflation rates began to increase. In addition, in response to the economic crisis in 2002, the federal government granted the Central Bank greater control over monetary policy than was available to it under the previous monetary regime, known as the “Convertibility” regime, including the ability to print currency, to make advances to the federal government to cover its anticipated budget deficit and to provide financial assistance to financial institutions with liquidity problems. We cannot assure you that inflation rates will remain stable in the future. Significant inflation could have a material adverse effect on DLS’ results of operations and financial condition.

DLS’ customers may seek to cancel or renegotiate some of DLS’ drilling contracts during periods of depressed market conditions or if DLS experiences operational difficulties.

 

Substantially all of DLS’ contracts with major customers are dayrate contracts, where DLS charges a fixed charge per day regardless of the number of days needed to drill the well. During depressed market conditions, a customer may no longer need a rig that is currently under contract or may be able to obtain a comparable rig at a lower daily rate. As a result, customers may seek to renegotiate the terms of their existing drilling contracts or avoid their obligations under those contracts. In addition, DLS’ customers may have the right to terminate existing contracts if DLS experiences operational problems. The likelihood that a customer may seek to terminate a contract for operational difficulties is increased during periods of market weakness. The cancellation of a number of DLS’ drilling contracts could materially reduce DLS’ revenues and profitability.

 

DLS is subject to numerous governmental laws and regulations, including those that may impose significant liability on DLS for environmental and natural resource damages.

 

Many aspects of DLS’ operations are subject to laws and regulations that may relate directly or indirectly to the contract drilling and well servicing industries, including those requiring DLS to control the discharge of oil and other contaminants into the environment or otherwise relating to environmental protection. The countries where DLS operates have environmental laws and regulations covering the discharge of oil and other contaminants and protection of the environment in connection with operations. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may result in the assessment of administrative, civil and even criminal penalties, the imposition of remedial obligations, and the issuance of injunctions that may limit or prohibit DLS’ operations. Laws and regulations protecting the environment have become more stringent in recent years and may in certain circumstances impose strict liability, rendering DLS liable for environmental and natural resource damages without regard to negligence or fault on DLS’ part. These laws and regulations may expose DLS to liability for the conduct of, or conditions caused by, others or for acts that were in compliance with all applicable laws at the time the acts were performed. The application of these requirements, the modification of existing laws or regulations or the adoption of new laws or regulations curtailing exploratory or development drilling for oil and gas could materially limit future contract drilling opportunities or materially increase DLS’ costs or both.

 

DLS is subject to hazards customary for drilling operations, which could adversely affect its financial performance if DLS is not adequately indemnified or insured.

 

Substantially all of DLS’ operations are subject to hazards that are customary for oil and gas drilling operations, including blowouts, reservoir damage, loss of well control, cratering, oil and gas well fires and explosions, natural disasters, pollution and mechanical failure. Any of these risks could result in damage to or destruction of drilling equipment, personal injury and property damage, suspension of operations or environmental damage. Generally, drilling contracts provide for the division of responsibilities between a drilling company and its customer, and DLS generally obtains indemnification from its customers by contract for some of these risks. However, there may be limitations on the enforceability of indemnification provisions that allow a contractor to be indemnified for damages resulting from the contractor’s fault. To the extent that DLS is unable to transfer such risks to customers by contract or indemnification agreements, DLS generally seeks protection through insurance. However, DLS has a significant amount of self-insured retention or deductible for certain losses relating to workers’ compensation, employers’ liability, general liability and property damage. There is no assurance that such insurance or indemnification agreements will adequately protect DLS against liability from all of the consequences of the hazards and risks described above. The occurrence of an event not fully insured or for which DLS is not indemnified against, or the failure of a customer or insurer to meet its indemnification or insurance obligations, could result in substantial losses. In addition, there can be no assurance that insurance will continue to be available to cover any or all of these risks, or, even if available, that insurance premiums or other costs will not rise significantly in the future, so as to make the cost of such insurance prohibitive.

 

Unless otherwise specified in an accompanying prospectus supplement, we expect to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered by this prospectus to fund:

 

 

The actual application of proceeds from the sale of any particular tranche of securities issued hereunder will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to such tranche of securities. We may invest funds not required immediately for these purposes in marketable securities and short-term investments. The precise amount and timing of the application of these proceeds will depend upon our funding requirements and the availability and cost of other funds.

 

The following table sets forth our ratios of earnings to fixed charges on a consolidated basis for the periods shown. You should read these ratios of earnings to fixed charges in connection with our consolidated financial statements, including the notes to those statements, incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

 

 

 

 

Our authorized capital stock consists of 100,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share and 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share.

 

The following summary of the rights, preferences and privileges of our capital stock and certificate of incorporation and by-laws does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the provisions of applicable law and to our certificate of incorporation and by-laws.

 

Common Stock

 

Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders and do not have cumulative voting rights. Accordingly, holders of a majority of the shares of our common stock entitled to vote in any election of directors may elect all of the directors standing for election. Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive proportionately any dividends if and when such dividends are declared by our board of directors, subject to any preferential dividend rights of outstanding preferred stock. Upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company, the holders of our common stock are entitled to receive ratably our net assets available after the payment of all debts and other liabilities and subject to the prior rights of any outstanding preferred stock. Holders of our common stock have no preemptive, subscription, redemption or conversion rights. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of our common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that we may designate and issue in the future.

 

Preferred Stock

 

Under the terms of our certificate of incorporation, our board of directors is authorized to designate and issue shares of preferred stock in one or more series without stockholder approval. Our board of directors has discretion to determine the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, including voting rights, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges and liquidation preferences, of each series of preferred stock. It is not possible to state the actual effect of the issuance of any shares of preferred stock upon the rights of holders of our common stock until the board of directors determines the specific rights of the holders of the preferred stock. However, these effects might include:

 

 

We have no present plans to issue any shares of preferred stock.

 

Shares Eligible for Future Sale

 

Sales of substantial amounts of shares of common stock in the public market could have an adverse effect on the market value of our common stock. With the exception of certain shares issued in connection with acquisitions consummated during the past year, substantially all outstanding shares of our common stock are either freely tradable or tradable pursuant to Rule 144 or pursuant to the registration statement described below.

We have reserved an additional 1,843,633 shares of common stock for issuance under our equity compensation plans, of which 1,600,534 shares are currently issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options with a weighted average exercise price of $6.40 per share. In addition, we have reserved 71,000 shares of common stock for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding warrants (with a weighted average exercise price of $4.98 per share) and 4,000 shares for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding options (with an exercise price of $13.75 per share) granted to former and continuing board members in 1999 and 2000.

 

We have an effective registration statement with the SEC registering the resale of approximately 9.4 million shares of our currently outstanding common stock. Also, pursuant to Rule 144, shares of our common stock that have been held for at least one year may generally be sold in brokers transactions, provided that the amount of shares sold by any stockholder (and the stockholder’s transferees under certain circumstances) in any three-month period does not exceed the greater of 1% of the outstanding stock (currently approximately 180,000 shares) or the four-week average weekly trading volume of the common stock. Such sales may be effected provided the requirements of Rule 144 are met, including the requirement that at the time of the sale we have filed all reports required to be filed under the Exchange Act. Pursuant to Rule 144, shares of our common stock that have been held by persons who are not our affiliates for at least two years may generally be sold without restriction under Rule 144.

 

Delaware Anti-Takeover Law and Charter and By-Law Provisions

 

We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. In general, the statute prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, unless the business combination or the transaction by which the person became an interested stockholder is approved by the corporation’s board of directors and/or stockholders in a prescribed manner or the person owns at least 85% of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock after giving effect to the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder. The term “business combination” includes mergers, asset sales and other transactions resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. Subject to certain exceptions, an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or within three years did own, 15% or more of the corporation’s voting stock. A Delaware corporation may “opt out” from the application of Section 203 through a provision in its certificate of incorporation or by-laws. We have not “opted out” from the application of Section 203.

 

Under our certificate of incorporation and by-laws, our board of directors is not divided into classes, and each director serves for a term of one year. Any vacancies on the board of directors shall be filled by vote of the board of directors until the next meeting of stockholders when the election of directors is in the regular course of business, and until a successor has been duly elected and qualified. Our certificate of incorporation and by-laws also provide that any director may be removed from office, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of our then outstanding capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.

 

Our by-laws provide that meetings of stockholders may be called only by a majority of our board of directors.

 

The foregoing provisions of our certificate of incorporation and by-laws and the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control of our company.

 

Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors

 

Our certificate of incorporation provides that our directors will not be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (1) for any breach of a director’s duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders, (2) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (3) under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or (4) for any transaction from which the director derives an improper personal benefit. If the Delaware General Corporation Law is amended to authorize the further elimination or limitation

of directors’ liability, then the liability of our directors will automatically be limited to the fullest extent provided by law. Our certificate of incorporation and by-laws also contain provisions to indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law. We also maintain indemnification insurance on behalf of our directors. In addition, our board of directors has approved and we are in the process of entering into indemnification agreements with all of our directors and executive officers. These provisions and agreements may have the practical effect in certain cases of eliminating the ability of stockholders to collect monetary damages from our directors and officers. We believe that these contractual agreements and the provisions in our certificate of incorporation and by-laws are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors and officers.

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Continental Stock Transfer and Trust Company, 17 Battery Place, New York, New York 10004-1123, (212) 509-4000.

 

Any debt securities that we offer under a prospectus supplement will be direct, unsecured general obligations. The debt securities will be either senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities. The debt securities will be issued under one or more separate indentures between us and a banking or financial institution, as trustee. Senior debt securities will be issued under a senior indenture and subordinated debt securities will be issued under a subordinated indenture. Together, the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture are called “indentures.” The indentures will be supplemented by supplemental indentures, the material provisions of which will be described in a prospectus supplement.

 

As used in this description, the words “Allis-Chalmers,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Allis-Chalmers Energy Inc., and not to any of its subsidiaries or affiliates.

 

We have summarized some of the material provisions of the indentures below. This summary does not restate those agreements in their entirety. A form of senior indenture and a form of subordinated indenture have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. We urge you to read each of the indentures because each one, and not this description, defines the rights of holders of debt securities.

 

Capitalized terms defined in the indentures have the same meanings when used in this prospectus.

 

General

 

The debt securities issued under the indentures will be our direct, unsecured general obligations. The senior debt securities will rank equally with all of our other senior and unsubordinated debt. The subordinated debt securities will have a junior position to all of our senior debt.

 

A substantial portion of our assets are held by our operating subsidiaries. With respect to these assets, holders of senior debt securities that are not guaranteed by our operating subsidiaries and holders of subordinated debt securities will have a position junior to the prior claims of creditors of these subsidiaries, including trade creditors, debtholders, secured creditors, taxing authorities and guarantee holders, and any preferred stockholders, except to the extent that we may ourself be a creditor with recognized claims against any subsidiary. Our ability to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest on any debt securities is, to a large extent, dependent upon the payment to us by our subsidiaries of dividends, debt principal and interest or other charges.

 

The following description sets forth the general terms and provisions that could apply to debt securities that we may offer to sell. A prospectus supplement and an indenture relating to any series of debt securities being offered will include specific terms relating to the offering. These terms will include some or all of the following:

 

 

 

None of the indentures will limit the amount of debt securities that may be issued. Each indenture will allow debt securities to be issued up to the principal amount that may be authorized by us and may be in any currency or currency unit designated by us.

 

Debt securities of a series may be issued in registered, coupon or global form.

 

Subsidiary Guarantees

 

If the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a series of our senior debt securities provides that those senior debt securities will have the benefit of a guarantee by any or all of our operating subsidiaries, payment of the principal, premium, if any, and interest on those senior debt securities will be unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured, unsubordinated basis by such subsidiary or subsidiaries. The guarantee of senior debt securities will rank equally in right of payment with all of the unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of such subsidiary or subsidiaries.

 

If the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a series of our subordinated debt securities provides that those subordinated debt securities will have the benefit of a guarantee by any or all of our operating subsidiaries, payment of the principal, premium, if any, and interest on those subordinated debt securities will be unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured, subordinated basis by such subsidiary or subsidiaries. The guarantee of the subordinated debt securities will be subordinated in right of payment to all of such subsidiary’s or subsidiaries’ existing and future senior indebtedness (as defined in the related prospectus supplement), including any guarantee of the senior debt securities, to the same extent and in the same manner as the subordinated debt securities are subordinated to our senior indebtedness (as defined in the related prospectus supplement). See “— Subordination” below.

 

The obligations of our operating subsidiaries under any such guarantee will be limited as necessary to prevent the guarantee from constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under applicable law.

 

Covenants

 

Under the indentures, we:

 

 

Mergers and Sale of Assets

 

Each of the indentures will provide that we may not consolidate with or merge into any other person or sell, convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our properties and assets (on a consolidated basis) to another person, unless:

 

 

 

Upon the assumption of our obligations under each indenture by a successor, we will be discharged from all obligations under such indenture.

 

Events of Default

 

“Event of default,” when used in the indentures, with respect to debt securities of any series, will mean any of the following:

 

(1) default in the payment of any interest upon any debt security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days;

 

(2) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any debt security of that series at its maturity;

 

(3) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant set forth in Article Ten of the applicable indenture (other than a covenant a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere specifically dealt with as an event of default or which has expressly been included in such indenture solely for the benefit of one or more series of debt securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to Allis-Chalmers by the trustee or to Allis-Chalmers and the trustee by the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then-outstanding debt securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” thereunder;

 

(4) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant in the applicable indenture (other than a covenant set forth in Article Ten of such indenture or any other covenant a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere specifically dealt with as an event of default or which has expressly been included in such indenture solely for the benefit of one or more series of debt securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 180 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to Allis-Chalmers by the trustee or to Allis-Chalmers and the trustee by the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then-outstanding debt securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” thereunder;

 

(5) Allis-Chalmers, pursuant to or within the meaning of any bankruptcy law, (i) commences a voluntary case, (ii) consents to the entry of any order for relief against it in an involuntary case, (iii) consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property, or (iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;

 

(6) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any bankruptcy law that (i) is for relief against Allis-Chalmers in an involuntary case, (ii) appoints a custodian of Allis-Chalmers or for

all or substantially all of its property, or (iii) orders the liquidation of Allis-Chalmers, and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days;

 

(7) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment when due; or

 

(8) any other event of default provided with respect to debt securities of that series in accordance with provisions of the indenture related to the issuance of such debt securities.

 

An event of default for a particular series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an event of default for any other series of debt securities issued under an indenture. The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any default (except in the payment of principal, interest or any premium) if it considers the withholding of notice to be in the interests of the holders.

 

If an event of default for any series of debt securities occurs and continues, the trustee or the holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the series may declare the entire principal of all of the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately. If this happens, subject to certain conditions, the holders of a specified percentage of the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series can void the declaration.

 

Other than its duties in case of a default, a trustee is not obligated to exercise any of its rights or powers under any indenture at the request, order or direction of any holders, unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable indemnity. If they provide this reasonable indemnification, the holders of a majority in principal amount outstanding of any series of debt securities may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding or any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any power conferred upon the trustee, for any series of debt securities.

 

Amendments and Waivers

 

Subject to certain exceptions, the indentures, the debt securities issued thereunder or the subsidiary guarantees may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then-outstanding debt securities of each series affected by such amendment or supplemental indenture, with each such series voting as a separate class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, debt securities) and, subject to certain exceptions, any past default or compliance with any provisions may be waived with respect to each series of debt securities with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the then-outstanding debt securities of such series voting as a separate class (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, debt securities).

 

Without the consent of each holder of the outstanding debt securities affected, an amendment or waiver may not, among other things:

 

(1) change the stated maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any debt security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or reduce the amount of the principal of an original issue discount security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to the applicable indenture, or change any place of payment where, or the coin or currency in which, any debt security or any premium or the interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the stated maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the redemption date therefor),

 

(2) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the then-outstanding debt securities of any series, the consent of whose holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of the applicable indenture or certain defaults thereunder and their consequences) provided for in the applicable indenture,

 

(3) modify any of the provisions set forth in (i) sections related to matters addressed in items (1) through (15) of this caption, “— Amendments and Waivers,” immediately below, (ii) the provisions of the applicable indenture related to the holder’s unconditional right to receive principal, premium, if any,

and interest on the debt securities or (iii) the provisions of the applicable indenture related to the waiver of past defaults under such indenture except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of such indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of each then-outstanding debt security affected thereby; provided, however, that this clause shall not be deemed to require the consent of any holder with respect to changes in the references to “the trustee” and concomitant changes in this section of such indenture, or the deletion of this proviso in such indenture, in accordance with the requirements of such indenture;

 

(4) waive a redemption payment with respect to any debt security; provided, however, that any purchase or repurchase of debt securities shall not be deemed a redemption of the debt securities;

 

(5) release any guarantor from any of its obligations under its guarantee or the applicable indenture, except in accordance with the terms of such indenture (as supplemented by any supplemental indenture); or

 

(6) make any change in the foregoing amendment and waiver provisions.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of any holder of debt securities, Allis-Chalmers, the guarantors and the trustee may amend each of the indentures or the debt securities issued thereunder to:

 

(1) cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision therein that may be inconsistent with any other provision therein;

 

(2) evidence the succession of another person or entity to Allis-Chalmers and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of Allis-Chalmers therein and, to the extent applicable, to the debt securities;

 

(3) provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities; provided that the uncertificated debt securities are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or in the manner such that the uncertificated debt securities are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code;

 

(4) add a guarantee and cause any person or entity to become a guarantor, and/or to evidence the succession of another person or entity to a guarantor and the assumption by any such successor of the guarantee of such guarantor therein and, to the extent applicable, endorsed upon any debt securities of any series;

 

(5) secure the debt securities of any series;

 

(6) add to the covenants of Allis-Chalmers such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions as Allis-Chalmers shall consider to be appropriate for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of debt securities (and if such covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions are to be for the benefit of less than all series of debt securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series) or to surrender any right or power therein conferred upon Allis-Chalmers and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an event of default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in the applicable indenture as set forth therein; provided, that in respect of any such additional covenant, restriction, condition or provision, such supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such an event of default or may limit the remedies available to the trustee upon such an event of default or may limit the right of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of such series to waive such an event of default;

 

(7) make any change to any provision of the applicable indenture that does not adversely affect the rights or interests of any holder of debt securities issued thereunder;

 

(8) provide for the issuance of additional debt securities in accordance with the provisions set forth in the applicable indenture on the date of such indenture;

(9) add any additional defaults or events of default in respect of all or any series of debt securities;

 

(10) add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of the applicable indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of debt securities in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or without interest coupons;

 

(11) change or eliminate any of the provisions of the applicable indenture; provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no debt security outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture that is entitled to the benefit of such provision;

 

(12) establish the form or terms of debt securities of any series as permitted thereunder, including to reopen any series of any debt securities as permitted thereunder;

 

(13) evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment thereunder by a successor trustee with respect to the debt securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of the applicable indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts thereunder by more than one trustee, pursuant to the requirements of such indenture;

 

(14) conform the text of the applicable indenture (and/or any supplemental indenture) or any debt securities issued thereunder to any provision of a description of such debt securities appearing in a prospectus or prospectus supplement or an offering memorandum or offering circular to the extent that such provision was intended to be a verbatim recreation of a provision of such indenture (and/or any supplemental indenture) or any debt securities issued thereunder; or

 

(15) modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of the applicable indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to effect the qualification of such indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”), or under any similar federal statute subsequently enacted, and to add to such indenture such other provisions as may be expressly required under the Trust Indenture Act.

 

The consent of the holders is not necessary under either indenture to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment. It is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment. After an amendment under an indenture becomes effective, Allis-Chalmers is required to mail to the holders of debt securities thereunder a notice briefly describing such amendment. However, the failure to give such notice to all such holders, or any defect therein, will not impair or affect the validity of the amendment.

 

Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

 

Each indenture provides that Allis-Chalmers may, at its option and at any time, elect to have all of its obligations discharged with respect to the debt securities outstanding thereunder and all obligations of any guarantors of such debt securities discharged with respect to their guarantees (“Legal Defeasance”), except for:

 

(1) the rights of holders of outstanding debt securities to receive payments in respect of the principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on such debt securities when such payments are due from the trust referred to below;

 

(2) Allis-Chalmers’ obligations with respect to the debt securities concerning issuing temporary debt securities, registration of debt securities, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for security payments held in trust;

 

(3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the trustee, and Allis-Chalmers’ and each guarantor’s obligations in connection therewith; and

 

(4) the Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance provisions of the applicable indenture.

 

In addition, Allis-Chalmers may, at its option and at any time, elect to have the obligations of Allis-Chalmers released with respect to certain provisions of each indenture, including certain provisions set forth in any supplemental indenture thereto (such release and termination being referred to as “Covenant

Defeasance”), and thereafter any omission to comply with such obligations or provisions will not constitute a default or event of default. In the event Covenant Defeasance occurs in accordance with the applicable indenture, the events of default described under clauses (3) and (4) under the caption “— Events of Default”, in each case, will no longer constitute an event of default thereunder.

 

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance:

 

(1) Allis-Chalmers must irrevocably deposit with the trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the holders of the debt securities, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable government securities, or a combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable U.S. government securities, in amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent public accountants to pay the principal of, or interest and premium, if any, on the outstanding debt securities on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and Allis-Chalmers must specify whether the debt securities are being defeased to such stated date for payment or to a particular redemption date;

 

(2) in the case of Legal Defeasance, Allis-Chalmers has delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the trustee confirming that (a) Allis-Chalmers has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (b) since the issue date of the debt securities, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion of counsel will confirm that, the holders of the outstanding debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same time as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

 

(3) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, Allis-Chalmers has delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the trustee confirming that the holders of the outstanding debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

 

(4) no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a default or event of default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit);

 

(5) the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which Allis-Chalmers or any guarantor is a party or by which Allis-Chalmers or any guarantor is bound;

 

(6) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than the applicable indenture) to which Allis-Chalmers or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which Allis-Chalmers or any of its subsidiaries is bound;

 

(7) Allis-Chalmers must deliver to the trustee an officers’ certificate stating that the deposit was not made by Allis-Chalmers with the intent of preferring the holders of debt securities over the other creditors of Allis-Chalmers with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors of Allis-Chalmers or others;

 

(8) Allis-Chalmers must deliver to the trustee an officers’ certificate, stating that all conditions precedent set forth in clauses (1) through (7) of this paragraph have been complied with; and

 

(9) Allis-Chalmers must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel (which opinion of counsel may be subject to customary assumptions, qualifications, and exclusions), stating that all conditions precedent set forth in clauses (2), (3) and (5) of this paragraph have been complied with; provided that the opinion of counsel with respect to clause (5) of this paragraph may be to the knowledge of such counsel.

Satisfaction and Discharge

 

Each of the indentures will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect (except as to surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of debt securities, as expressly provided for in such indenture) as to all outstanding debt securities issued thereunder and the guarantees issued thereunder when:

 

(1) either (a) all of the debt securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under such indenture (except lost, stolen or destroyed debt securities that have been replaced or paid and debt securities for whose payment money or certain United States governmental obligations have theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by Allis-Chalmers and thereafter repaid to Allis-Chalmers or discharged from such trust) have been delivered to the trustee for cancellation or (b) all debt securities not theretofore delivered to the trustee for cancellation have become due and payable or will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year, or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the trustee in the name, and at the expense, of Allis-Chalmers, and Allis-Chalmers or the guarantors have irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the trustee funds or U.S. government obligations, or a combination thereof, in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the debt securities not theretofore delivered to the trustee for cancellation, for principal of and premium, if any, on and interest on the debt securities to the date of deposit (in the case of debt securities that have become due and payable) or to the stated maturity or redemption date, as the case may be, together with instructions from Allis-Chalmers irrevocably directing the trustee to apply such funds to the payment thereof at maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

 

(2) Allis-Chalmers or the guarantors have paid all other sums then due and payable under such indenture by Allis-Chalmers; and

 

(3) Allis-Chalmers has delivered to the trustee an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel, which, taken together, state that all conditions precedent under such indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge of such indenture have been complied with.

 

No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees, Partners and Stockholders

 

No director, officer, employee, incorporator, partner or stockholder of Allis-Chalmers or any guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of Allis-Chalmers or the guarantors under the debt securities, the indentures, the guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder, upon Allis-Chalmers’ issuance of the debt securities and execution of the indentures, waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the debt securities. Such waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws and it is the view of the SEC that such a waiver is against public policy.

 

Denominations

 

Unless stated otherwise in the prospectus supplement for each issuance of debt securities, the debt securities will be issued in denominations of $1,000 each or integral multiples of $1,000.

 

Paying Agent and Registrar

 

The trustee will initially act as paying agent and registrar for the debt securities. Allis-Chalmers may change the paying agent or registrar without prior notice to the holders of the debt securities, and Allis-Chalmers may act as paying agent or registrar.

 

Transfer and Exchange

 

A holder may transfer or exchange debt securities in accordance with the applicable indenture. The registrar and the trustee may require a holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents, and Allis-Chalmers may require a holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the applicable indenture. Allis-Chalmers is not required to transfer or exchange any debt security

selected for redemption. In addition, Allis-Chalmers is not required to transfer or exchange any debt security for a period of 15 days before a selection of debt securities to be redeemed.

 

Subordination

 

The payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, subordinated debt securities and any other payment obligations of Allis-Chalmers in respect of subordinated debt securities (including any obligation to repurchase subordinated debt securities) is subordinated in certain circumstances in right of payment, as set forth in the subordinated indenture, to the prior payment in full in cash of all senior debt.

 

Allis-Chalmers also may not make any payment, whether by redemption, purchase, retirement, defeasance or otherwise, upon or in respect of subordinated debt securities, except from the trust described under “— Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance,” if

 

 

Cash payments on subordinated debt securities will be resumed (a) in the case of a payment default, upon the date on which such default is cured or waived and (b) in case of a nonpayment default, the earlier of the date on which such nonpayment default is cured or waived or 179 days after the date on which the applicable Payment Blockage Notice is received, unless the maturity of any designated senior debt has been accelerated or a bankruptcy event of default has occurred and is continuing. No new period of payment blockage may be commenced unless and until 360 days have elapsed since the date of commencement of the payment blockage period resulting from the immediately prior Payment Blockage Notice. No nonpayment default in respect of designated senior debt that existed or was continuing on the date of delivery of any Payment Blockage Notice to the trustee for the subordinated debt securities will be, or be made, the basis for a subsequent Payment Blockage Notice unless such default shall have been cured or waived for a period of no less than 90 consecutive days.

 

The subordinated indenture also requires that we promptly notify holders of senior debt if payment of subordinated debt securities is accelerated because of an event of default.

 

Upon any payment or distribution of assets or securities of Allis-Chalmers, in connection with any dissolution or winding up or total or partial liquidation or reorganization of Allis-Chalmers, whether voluntary or involuntary, or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings or other marshalling of assets for the benefit of creditors, all amounts due or to become due upon all senior debt shall first be paid in full, in cash or cash equivalents, before the holders of the subordinated debt securities or the trustee on their behalf shall be entitled to receive any payment by Allis-Chalmers on account of the subordinated debt securities, or any payment to acquire any of the subordinated debt securities for cash, property or securities, or any distribution with respect to the subordinated debt securities of any cash, property or securities. Before any payment may be made by, or on behalf of, Allis-Chalmers on any subordinated debt security (other than with the money, securities or proceeds held under any defeasance trust established in accordance with the subordinated indenture), in connection with any such dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, any payment or distribution of assets or securities for Allis-Chalmers, to which the holders of subordinated debt securities or the trustee on their behalf would be entitled shall be made by Allis-Chalmers or by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other similar person or entity making such payment or distribution or by the holders or the trustee if received by them or it, directly to the holders of senior debt or their representatives or to any trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any such senior debt may have been issued, as their respective interests appear, to the extent necessary to pay all such senior debt in full, in cash or cash equivalents, after giving effect to any concurrent payment, distribution or provision therefor to or for the holders of such senior debt.

As a result of these subordination provisions, in the event of the liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding or an assignment for the benefit of the creditors of Allis-Chalmers or a marshalling of assets or liabilities of Allis-Chalmers, holders of subordinated debt securities may receive ratably less than other creditors.

 

Payment and Transfer

 

Principal, interest and any premium on fully registered debt securities will be paid at designated places. Payment will be made by check mailed to the persons in whose names the debt securities are registered on days specified in the indentures or any prospectus supplement. Debt securities payments in other forms will be paid at a place designated by us and specified in a prospectus supplement.

 

Fully registered debt securities may be transferred or exchanged at the corporation trust office of the trustee or at any other office or agency maintained by us for such purposes, without the payment of any service charge except for any tax or governmental charge.

 

Global Securities

 

The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global certificates that we will deposit with a depositary identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual debt securities that it represents, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole:

 

 

We will describe the specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to a series of debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement. We anticipate that the following provisions will generally apply to depositary arrangements.

 

When we issue a global security in registered form, the depositary for the global security or its nominee will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of the individual debt securities represented by that global security to the accounts of persons that have accounts with the depositary (“participants”). Those accounts will be designated by the dealers, underwriters or agents with respect to the underlying debt securities or by us if those debt securities are offered and sold directly by us. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to participants or persons that may hold interests through participants. For interests of participants, ownership of beneficial interests in the global security will be shown on records maintained by the applicable depositary or its nominee. For interests of persons other than participants, that ownership information will be shown on the records of participants. Transfer of that ownership will be effected only through those records. The laws of some states require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of securities in definitive form. These limits and laws may impair our ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global security.

 

As long as the depositary for a global security, or its nominee, is the registered owner of that global security, the depositary or nominee will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the applicable indenture. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in a global security:

 

 

Payments of principal of, any premium on and any interest on individual debt securities represented by a global security registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee will be made to the depositary or its nominee as the registered owner of the global security representing such debt securities. Neither we, the trustee for the debt securities, any paying agent nor the registrar for the debt securities will be responsible for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made by the depositary or any participants on account of beneficial interests in the global security.

 

We expect that the depositary or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal, any premium or interest relating to a global security representing any series of debt securities, immediately will credit participants’ accounts with the payments. Those payments will be credited in amounts proportional to the respective beneficial interests of the participants in the principal amount of the global security as shown on the records of the depositary or its nominee. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global security held through those participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices. This is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers registered in “street name.” Those payments will be the sole responsibility of those participants.

 

If the depositary for a series of debt securities is at any time unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as depositary and we do not appoint a successor depositary within 90 days, we will issue individual debt securities of that series in exchange for the global security or securities representing that series. In addition, we may at any time in our sole discretion determine not to have any debt securities of a series represented by one or more global securities. In that event, we will issue individual debt securities of that series in exchange for the global security or securities. Furthermore, if we specify, an owner of a beneficial interest in a global security may, on terms acceptable to us, the trustee and the applicable depositary, receive individual debt securities of that series in exchange for those beneficial interests. The foregoing is subject to any limitations described in the applicable prospectus supplement. In any such instance, the owner of the beneficial interest will be entitled to physical delivery of individual debt securities equal in principal amount to the beneficial interest and to have the debt securities registered in its name. Those individual debt securities will be issued in any authorized denominations.

 

Governing Law

 

Each indenture and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 

Notices

 

Notices to holders of debt securities will be given by mail to the addresses of such holders as they appear in the security register for such debt securities.

 

No Personal Liability of Officers, Directors, Employees or Stockholders

 

No officer, director, employee or stockholder, as such, of ours or any of our affiliates shall have any personal liability in respect of our obligations under any indenture or the debt securities by reason of his, her or its status as such.

 

Information Concerning the Trustee

 

A banking or financial institution will be the trustee under the indentures. A successor trustee may be appointed in accordance with the terms of the indentures.

The indentures and the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act incorporated by reference therein, will contain certain limitations on the rights of the trustee, should it become a creditor of us, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions; however, if it acquires any conflicting interest (within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act), it must eliminate such conflicting interest or resign.

 

A single banking or financial institution may act as trustee with respect to both the subordinated indenture and the senior indenture. If this occurs, and should a default occur with respect to either the subordinated debt securities or the senior debt securities, such banking or financial institution would be required to resign as trustee under one of the indentures within 90 days of such default, pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act, unless such default were cured, duly waived or otherwise eliminated.

 

We may issue warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock, debt securities (which may or may not be guaranteed pursuant to guarantees) or units. Warrants may be issued independently or together with any other securities and may be attached to, or separate from, such securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent. The terms of any warrants to be issued and a description of the material provisions of the applicable warrant agreement will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

The applicable prospectus supplement will specify the following terms of any warrants in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:

 

 

As of November 30, 2006, we have issued and outstanding warrants to purchase 4,000 shares of common stock. The warrants do not confer upon holders thereof any voting or other rights of stockholders.

 

As specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may issue units consisting of one or more debt securities (which may or may not be guaranteed pursuant to guarantees), shares of common stock, shares of preferred stock or warrants or any combination of such securities.

 

The applicable prospectus supplement will specify the following terms of any units in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:

 

 

We may sell the securities through agents, underwriters or dealers, or directly to one or more purchasers without using underwriters or agents.

 

We may designate agents to solicit offers to purchase our securities. We will name any agent involved in offering or selling our securities, and any commissions that we will pay to the agent, in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless we indicate otherwise in our prospectus supplement, our agents will act on a best efforts basis for the period of their appointment.

 

If underwriters are used in the sale, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities in one or more transactions (including block transactions), at negotiated prices, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. We will include the names of the managing underwriter(s), as well as any other underwriters, and the terms of the transaction, including the compensation the underwriters and dealers will receive, in our prospectus supplement. If we use an underwriter, we will execute an underwriting agreement with the underwriter(s) at the time that we reach an agreement for the sale of our securities. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions contained in the underwriting agreement. The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the securities of the series offered if any of the securities are purchased. Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time. The underwriters will use a prospectus supplement to sell our securities.

 

If we use a dealer, we, as principal, will sell our securities to the dealer. The dealer will then sell our securities to the public at varying prices that the dealer will determine at the time it sells our securities. We will include the name of the dealer and the terms of our transactions with the dealer in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

We may directly solicit offers to purchase our securities, and we may directly sell our securities to institutional or other investors. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved. We will describe the terms of our direct sales in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the securities may be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act and any discounts or commissions received by them from us and any profit on their resale of the securities may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. In connection with the sale of the securities offered by this prospectus, underwriters may receive compensation from us or from the purchasers of the securities, for whom they may act as agents, in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions, which will not exceed 7% of the proceeds from the sale of the securities. Any underwriters, dealers or agents will be identified and their compensation described in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may have agreements with the underwriters, dealers and agents to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute with respect to payments which the underwriters, dealers or agents may be required to make. Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us or our subsidiaries in the ordinary course of their business.

 

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, all securities offered under this prospectus will be a new issue of securities with no established trading market, other than the common stock, which is currently listed and traded on the American Stock Exchange. We may elect to list any other class or series of securities on a national securities exchange or a foreign securities exchange but are not obligated to do so. Any common stock sold by this prospectus will be listed for trading on the American Stock Exchange subject to official notice of issuance. We cannot give you any assurance as to the liquidity of the trading markets for any of the securities.

 

Any underwriter to whom securities are sold by us for public offering and sale may engage in over-allotment transactions, stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Over-allotment transactions involve sales by the underwriters of the securities in excess of the offering size, which creates a syndicate short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified

maximum. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the securities originally sold by the syndicate member are purchased in a stabilizing or syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions. These activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. The underwriters will not be obligated to engage in any of the aforementioned transactions and may discontinue such transactions at any time without notice.

 

The validity of the securities will be passed upon for us by Andrews Kurth LLP, Houston, Texas. Any underwriter will be advised about other issues relating to any offering by its own legal counsel.

 

The consolidated financial statements of Allis-Chalmers Energy Inc. as of and for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 incorporated by reference in this prospectus have been audited by UHY Mann Frankfort Stein & Lipp CPAs, LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon, and are incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon such report given upon the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

 

The consolidated financial statements of Allis-Chalmers Energy Inc. as of and for the year ended December 31, 2003 incorporated by reference in this prospectus have been audited by Gordon, Hughes and Banks, LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon, and are incorporated by reference in reliance upon such report given upon the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

 

The financial statements of Delta Rental Service, Inc. and schedules and notes thereto incorporated by reference in this prospectus have been audited by Wright, Moore, Dehart, Dupuis & Hutchinson, LLC, independent certified public accountants, to the extent and for the periods set forth in their report thereon, and are incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon such report given upon the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

 

The financial statements of Capcoil Tubing Services, Inc. and schedules and notes thereto incorporated by reference in this prospectus have been audited by Curtis Blakely & Co., PC, independent certified public accountants, to the extent and for the periods set forth in their report thereon, and are incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon such report given upon the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

 

The financial statements of W.T. Enterprises, Inc. and schedules and notes thereto incorporated by reference in this prospectus have been audited by Accounting & Consulting Group, LLP, independent certified public accountants, to the extent and for the periods set forth in their report thereon, and are incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon such report given upon the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

 

The financial statements of Specialty Rental Tools Inc. incorporated by reference in this prospectus have been audited by UHY Mann Frankfort Stein & Lipp CPAs, LLP, independent auditors, to the extent and for the periods set forth in their report thereon, and are incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon such report given upon the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

 

The consolidated financial statements of DLS Drilling, Logistics and Services Corporation as of December 31, 2005 and 2004 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2005, have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the report of Sibille (formerly Finsterbusch Pickenhayn Sibille), independent public accounting firm, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.