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This Prospectus is filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
and relates to Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to
National-Oilwell Inc.'s Form S-4 Registration Statement
(File No. 333-32191)
14,333,692 SHARES
[NATIONAL-OILWELL, INC. LOGO]
NATIONAL-OILWELL, INC.
COMMON STOCK
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All shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock")
of National-Oilwell, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("National-Oilwell" or the
"Company"), offered hereby are issuable upon exchange of an Exchangeable Share
(an "Exchangeable Share") of Dreco Energy Services Ltd., an Alberta corporation
("Dreco"), issued by Dreco in exchange for Dreco class "A" common shares in
connection with the combination (the "Combination") of National-Oilwell and
Dreco completed on September 25, 1997. Such shares are being offered on a
continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act"), during the period of time that the registration
statement to which this Prospectus relates is kept effective. Upon the exchange
of Exchangeable Shares for Common Stock, holders of Exchangeable Shares will be
entitled to receive one share of Common Stock, plus an additional amount
equivalent to the full amount of all declared and unpaid and undeclared but
payable dividends on the Exchangeable Share, for each Exchangeable Share. See
"Plan of Distribution." All expenses of registration incurred in connection with
this offering are being borne by the Company. The Common Stock is listed on the
New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "NOI." On November 20, 1997, the last
reported sale price of the Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange was
$32.38 per share.
SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 5 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN
CONSIDERATIONS RELEVANT TO AN INVESTMENT IN THE COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY.
HOLDERS OF DRECO EXCHANGEABLE SHARES SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS
WITH RESPECT TO THE UNITED STATES, CANADIAN AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES OF
EXCHANGING THEIR EXCHANGEABLE SHARES FOR SHARES OF NATIONAL-OILWELL COMMON STOCK
AS DESCRIBED HEREIN. SEE "RISK FACTORS -- TAXABILITY OF THE EXCHANGE" AND "PLAN
OF DISTRIBUTION."
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THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
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THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOVEMBER 20, 1997.
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THE COMPANY
National-Oilwell is a worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and sale
of machinery, equipment and downhole products used in oil and gas drilling and
production, as well as in the distribution to the oil and gas industry of
maintenance, repair and operating products.
The Company manufactures and assembles drilling machinery, including
drawworks, mud pumps and power swivels (also known as "top drives"), which are
the major mechanical components of rigs used to drill oil and gas wells, as well
as masts, derricks and substructures, which are used to support these mechanical
components. Many of these components are designed specifically for applications
in offshore, extended reach and deep land drilling. The Company estimates that
approximately 65% of the mobile offshore rig fleet and the majority of the
world's larger land rigs (2,000 horsepower and greater) manufactured in the last
twenty years utilize drawworks, mud pumps and other drilling machinery
components manufactured by the Company.
As a result of the Combination, National-Oilwell has added a business
segment that designs and manufactures drilling motors and specialized drilling
tools for rent and for sale. Drilling motors are essential components of systems
for horizontal, directional, extended reach and performance drilling. Drilling
tools include drilling jars, shock tools and other specialized products.
The Company also provides distribution services through its network of
distribution service centers located near major drilling and production activity
worldwide, but principally in the United States and Canada. These distribution
service centers stock and sell a variety of expendable items for oilfield
applications and spare parts for National-Oilwell equipment. As oil and gas
companies and drilling contractors have refocused on their core competencies and
emphasized efficiency initiatives to reduce costs and capital requirements, the
Company's distribution services have expanded to offer outsourcing and alliance
arrangements that include comprehensive procurement, inventory management and
logistics support.
National-Oilwell believes that the Combination with Dreco, completed on
September 25, 1997, enhances the ability of National-Oilwell to compete in the
oilfield products and services industry. Specifically, the combined companies
have the ability to provide a more complete rig package to customers through the
combination of National-Oilwell's oilfield equipment operations (which had
emphasized the major machinery components of a drilling rig) with Dreco's rig
fabrication business (which had emphasized the design and construction of
derricks, masts and substructures). In addition, the combination of Dreco's
engineering expertise with the size, geographical coverage and after-market
support of National-Oilwell is attractive to many customers. National-Oilwell
also added Dreco's downhole products business as a third business segment and
may benefit from the ability of the combined company to market and deliver
Dreco's line of downhole products through National-Oilwell's extensive
distribution system.
Drilling activity worldwide has increased significantly since early 1996
with demand for oil and gas rising and inventories comparatively low. In
addition, increased use of 3-D seismic, directional drilling and other
technologies have lowered the cost of finding and developing hydrocarbons, while
at the same time oil and gas prices have become more stable. As a result of
these industry conditions, drilling contractors are experiencing significant
increases in the prices they can charge for their services and equipment, and
the resulting higher cash flows are enabling capital spending to replace and
upgrade the aging drilling rig fleet.
Over the last fifteen years, much of the demand for capital equipment has
been satisfied from the large surplus of equipment built during the late
seventies and early eighties. The Company believes that the surplus has been
reduced substantially over this period, especially for higher capacity equipment
for which National-Oilwell is a leading supplier.
Even with the recent increase in capital equipment orders, National-Oilwell
believes that additional industry growth will occur due to annual ongoing
requirements for higher capacity equipment that will be needed to replace
equipment of this type lost to normal attrition and to satisfy future industry
production requirements. National-Oilwell believes that reasonably anticipated
demand for the purchase of capital equipment from it in 1998 can be met without
significant incremental capital expenditures by the Company's continuing focus
on process improvement and through the combined capabilities available after the
Combination.
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National-Oilwell's current business strategy is to enhance its market
positions and operating performance by:
Leveraging Its Installed Base of Higher Horsepower Drilling
Machinery. National-Oilwell believes its market position presents substantial
opportunities to capture a significant portion of expenditures for the
construction of new, higher capability drilling rigs and equipment as well as
the upgrade and refurbishment of existing drilling rigs and equipment. The
Company believes the advanced age of the existing fleet of drilling rigs,
coupled with increasing drilling activity involving greater depths and extended
reach, will increase the demand for the construction of new drilling rigs and
the upgrading and capacity enhancement of existing rigs. National-Oilwell's
higher horsepower drawworks, mud pumps and power swivels provide, in many cases,
the largest capacities currently available in the industry.
Expanding Its Downhole Business. National-Oilwell believes that the
strengthened marketing and distribution capabilities resulting from the
Combination provide an opportunity for growth in the rental and sale of
high-performance drilling motors and downhole tools, especially for use in
directional, horizontal, extended reach and other value-added drilling
applications.
Building on Distribution Strengths and Alliance/Outsourcing
Trends. National-Oilwell has developed and implemented integrated information
and process systems that enhance procurement, inventory management and logistics
activities. The strategic integration of National-Oilwell's distribution
expertise, extensive distribution network and growing base of customer alliances
provides an increased opportunity for cost-effective marketing of
National-Oilwell's manufactured equipment. As a result of efficiency
initiatives, oil and gas companies and drilling contractors are frequently
seeking alliances with suppliers, manufacturers and service providers, or
outsourcing their procurement, inventory management and logistics requirements
for equipment and supplies in order to achieve cost and capital improvements.
National-Oilwell believes that it is well-positioned to provide these services
as a result of its (i) large and geographically diverse network of distribution
service centers in major oil and gas producing areas, (ii) purchasing leverage
due to the volume of products sold, (iii) breadth of available product lines and
(iv) information systems that offer customers enhanced online and onsite
services.
Continuing to Make Acquisitions That Enhance its Product
Line. National-Oilwell believes that the oilfield service and equipment industry
will continue to experience consolidation as smaller businesses seek to align
themselves with larger market participants in order to gain access to broader
markets and become affiliated with integrated product offerings.
National-Oilwell's strategy is to take advantage of this trend, including by
acquiring businesses that have operations complementary to its existing product
lines. During 1997, the Company made three significant acquisitions: in
September, it completed its Combination with Dreco, which enables the Company to
provide a more complete rig package to its customers; in May, the Company
acquired PEP, Inc., a manufacturer of petroleum expendable pump products that
are similar to those manufactured by National-Oilwell; and, in April, it
acquired the drilling controls business of Ross Hill Controls, a leader in the
manufacture, sale and service of innovative electrical control systems used in
conjunction with drilling operations.
National-Oilwell is incorporated in Delaware, with its principal executive
offices located at 5555 San Felipe, Houston, Texas 77056, and its telephone
number is (713) 960-5100.
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THE OFFERING
Common Stock Offered...................... 14,333,692 shares
Common Stock Outstanding After the
Offering.................................. 50,972,340 shares(1)(2)
New York Stock Exchange Symbol............ NOI
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(1) All share numbers in this Prospectus, other than share numbers incorporated
by reference from filings by the Company prior to November 18, 1997, reflect
the Company's and Dreco's stock dividends paid on November 18, 1997.
(2) Excludes 1,291,288 shares of Common Stock issuable at November 3, 1997 upon
exercise of outstanding options to purchase Common Stock and 316,264 shares
of Common Stock that will be issued in January 1999 pursuant to the
Company's Value Appreciate Plans.
DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Prospectus contains, or has incorporated by reference, forward-looking
statements that address, among other things, statements under "The Company" and
"Risk Factors" as well as in the Prospectus generally. Although National-Oilwell
believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are
reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have
been correct. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from National-Oilwell's expectations are disclosed under "Risk
Factors" and in this Prospectus generally.
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RISK FACTORS
The following risk factors, as well as the other information contained in
this Prospectus, should be considered carefully before purchasing the Common
Stock offered hereby.
TAXABILITY OF THE EXCHANGE
The exchange of Exchangeable Shares for shares of National-Oilwell Common
Stock will generally be a taxable event in Canada and the United States. A
holder's tax consequences can very depending on a number of factors, including
the residency of the holder, the manner of the exchange (redemption or exchange)
and the length of time that the Exchangeable Shares were held prior to exchange.
The following discussion is based on Canadian and United States tax laws as they
currently exist. Such laws may be subject to change.
On the exchange (other than by way of a redemption or retraction) of an
Exchangeable Share for a share of National-Oilwell Common Stock, a holder of an
Exchangeable Share who is resident in Canada (as defined for Canadian tax
purposes) will generally realize a capital gain (or a capital loss) under
Canadian tax law equal to the amount by which the proceeds of disposition of the
Exchangeable Share, net of any reasonable costs of disposition, exceed (or are
less than) the adjusted cost base of the Exchangeable Share to the holder. For
these purposes, the proceeds of disposition will be the value of a share of
National-Oilwell Common Stock at the time of the exchange plus the amount of all
unpaid dividends on the Exchangeable Share received by the holder as part of the
exchange consideration. On the redemption or retraction of an Exchangeable Share
by Dreco, the holder of an Exchangeable Share who is resident in Canada will
generally be deemed to receive a dividend equal to the amount, if any, by which
the redemption proceeds exceed the paid-up capital of the Exchangeable Share
redeemed. The amount of any such dividend will be subject to the tax treatment
accorded to dividends. On the redemption or retraction of an Exchangeable Share,
the holder will also be considered to have disposed of the Exchangeable Share,
but the amount of such dividend will be excluded in computing the holder's
proceeds of disposition for purposes of computing any capital gain or capital
loss arising on the disposition of the Exchangeable Share. Under Canadian tax
law, dividends are taxed differently than capital gains and may be taxed
differently depending on the nature of the taxpayer. Prior to exchanging their
Exchangeable Shares, holders should consult their own tax advisors.
With respect to holders of Exchangeable Shares not resident in Canada, the
exchange (other than by way of a redemption or retraction) will generally not be
subject to Canadian tax, provided that (a) the Exchangeable Shares are listed on
a prescribed stock exchange (which currently includes the Toronto Stock
Exchange), (b) the holder does not use or hold, and is not deemed to use or
hold, the Exchangeable Shares in connection with a business carried on by the
holder in Canada and (c) the holder, persons with whom the holder does not deal
at arm's length, or the holder and such persons, has not owned (or had under
option) 25% or more of the issued shares of any class or series of the capital
stock of Dreco at any time within five years preceding the date in question.
On the redemption or retraction of an Exchangeable Share that is held by a
holder who is not resident in Canada, the holder will be deemed to receive a
dividend equal to the amount, if any, by which the redemption proceeds exceed
the paid-up capital of the Exchangeable Share redeemed. Such dividend will be
subject to Canadian withholding tax at the rate of 25%, unless such rate is
reduced under an applicable bilateral tax treaty. Under the Canada-U.S. Income
Tax Convention, the rate of such withholding tax would generally be reduced to
15%.
Pursuant to United States federal income tax law, holders of Exchangeable
Shares who are "United States persons" as defined for United States federal
income tax purposes, will, except in limited circumstances, generally recognize
gain or loss on the receipt of the shares of National-Oilwell Common Stock in
exchange for such Exchangeable Shares. The gain or loss will be equal to the
difference between the fair market value of the shares of National-Oilwell
Common Stock at the time of the exchange and the United States holder's tax
basis in the Exchangeable Shares. The gain or loss will generally be a capital
gain or loss, except that, with respect to any Dividend Amount (as defined in
"Plan of Distribution") on the Exchangeable Shares, ordinary income may be
recognized by the holder. A capital gain or loss will be a long-term capital
gain or loss if the Exchangeable Shares (together with the previously held Dreco
Common Shares) have been held for more than eighteen months at the time of the
exchange and will be mid-term capital gain or loss if the Exchangeable Shares
(together with the previously held Dreco Common Shares) have been held for more
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than twelve months, but not more than eighteen months at the time of the
exchange. Under certain limited circumstances, the exchange by a United States
holder of Exchangeable Shares for shares of National-Oilwell Common Stock may be
characterized as a tax-free exchange. In particular, an exchange of Exchangeable
Shares for shares of National-Oilwell Common Stock pursuant to the Call Rights
(as defined in "Plan of Distribution") at a time when National-Oilwell owns at
least 80% of the issued and outstanding Exchangeable Shares, may constitute a
tax-free exchange.
Holders of Exchangeable Shares are urged to consult their tax advisors with
respect to the foreign tax consequences and the United States federal, state and
local tax consequences of the exchange of their Exchangeable Shares for
National-Oilwell Common Stock.
FOREIGN PROPERTY/QUALIFIED INVESTMENT ISSUES FOR CANADIAN SHAREHOLDERS
The Exchangeable Shares, provided they are listed on a prescribed stock
exchange in Canada (which currently includes The Toronto Stock Exchange) (a)
will be qualified investments under the Canadian Tax Act for trusts governed by
registered retirement savings plans, registered retirement income funds and
deferred profit sharing plans and (b) will not be foreign property under the
Canadian Tax Act for trusts governed by registered pension plans, registered
retirement savings plans, registered retirement income funds, deferred profit
sharing plans and certain other tax-exempt persons. The National-Oilwell Common
Stock (a) will also be a qualified investment under the Canadian Tax Act for
trusts governed by registered retirement savings plans, registered retirement
income funds and deferred profit sharing plans, but (b) will be foreign property
under the Canadian Tax Act. Therefore, trustees of any such trusts holding
Exchangeable Shares should consult their tax advisors prior to exchanging the
Exchangeable Shares for shares of National-Oilwell Common Stock, as the shares
of National-Oilwell Common Stock may be an unacceptable investment for such
entities, or may subject the entity to additional taxes, fees or expenses.
DIFFERENCES IN CANADA AND U.S. TRADING MARKETS
The Exchangeable Shares are listed on The Toronto Stock Exchange, and the
shares of National-Oilwell Common Stock issuable upon the exchange of
Exchangeable Share are approved for listing by the New York Stock Exchange on a
when issued basis. There is no current intention to list either the Exchangeable
Shares or shares of National-Oilwell Common Stock on any other stock exchange in
Canada or the United States. Therefore, the price at which the Exchangeable
Shares will be traded will be based upon the market for such shares on The
Toronto Stock Exchange, and the price at which shares of National-Oilwell Common
Stock will be traded will be based upon the market for such shares on the New
York Stock Exchange. There can be no assurances that the market price of the
National-Oilwell Common Stock will be identical, or even similar, to the market
price attributed to the Exchangeable Shares.
DEPENDENCE ON OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY
National-Oilwell's businesses are substantially dependent upon the
condition of the oil and gas industry and the industry's willingness to explore
for and produce oil and gas. The degree of such willingness is generally
dependent upon the prevailing view of future product prices, which are
influenced by numerous factors affecting the supply and demand for oil and gas,
including the level of drilling activity, worldwide economic activity, interest
rates and the cost of capital, the development of alternate energy sources,
environmental regulation, tax policies, political requirements of national
governments, coordination by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries
("OPEC") and the cost of producing oil and gas. Any significant reduction in
demand for drilling services, in cash flows of drilling contractors or in rig
utilization rates below current levels could result in a drop in demand for
products manufactured and sold by National-Oilwell.
VOLATILITY OF OIL AND GAS PRICES
Oil and gas prices and activity have been characterized by significant
volatility over the last twenty years. Since 1986, spot oil prices (West Texas
Intermediate) have ranged from a low of approximately $11 per barrel in 1986 to
a high of approximately $40 per barrel in 1991; spot gas prices (Henry Hub) have
ranged from lows below $1.00 per mcf of gas in 1992 to highs above $3.00 per mcf
in 1996 and 1997. These price changes have caused numerous shifts in the
strategies and expenditure levels of oil and gas companies and drilling
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contractors, particularly with respect to decisions to purchase major capital
equipment of the type manufactured by National-Oilwell. Moreover, uncertainty
with respect to the stability and direction of future prices has often led to
deferral of such expenditures. No assurance can be given as to the future price
levels of oil and gas or the volatility thereof, or that the future price of oil
and gas will be sufficient to support current levels of exploration and
production.
HIGHLY COMPETITIVE INDUSTRY
The oilfield products and services industry is highly competitive. The
revenues and earnings of National-Oilwell can each be affected by competitive
actions such as price changes, introduction of new technologies and products or
improved availability and delivery. National-Oilwell competes with a large
number of companies, some of which may offer certain more technologically
advanced products, possess greater financial resources and have more extensive
and diversified operations.
POTENTIAL PRODUCT LIABILITY AND WARRANTY CLAIMS
Certain products of National-Oilwell are used in potentially hazardous
drilling, completion and production applications that can cause personal injury
or loss of life, damage to property, equipment or the environment and suspension
of operations. National-Oilwell maintains insurance coverage in such amounts and
against such risks as it believes to be in accordance with normal industry
practice. Such insurance does not, however, provide coverage for all liabilities
(including liabilities for certain events involving pollution), and there can be
no assurance that such insurance will be adequate to cover all losses or
liabilities that may be incurred by National-Oilwell in its operations.
Moreover, no assurance can be given that National-Oilwell will, in the future,
be able to maintain insurance at levels it deems adequate and at rates it
considers reasonable or that particular types of coverage will be available.
Litigation arising from a catastrophic occurrence at a location where
National-Oilwell's equipment and services are used may, in the future, result in
National-Oilwell being named as a defendant in product liability or other
lawsuits asserting potentially large claims. National-Oilwell is a party to
various legal and administrative proceedings which have arisen from its
businesses. No assurance can be given with respect to the outcome of these or
any other pending legal and administrative proceedings and the effects such
outcomes may have on National-Oilwell.
IMPACT OF GOVERNMENTAL REGULATIONS
Many aspects of National-Oilwell's operations are affected by political
developments, including restrictions on the ability to do business in various
foreign jurisdictions, and are subject to both domestic and foreign governmental
regulation, including those relating to oilfield operations, worker safety and
the protection of the environment. In addition, National-Oilwell depends on the
demand for its services from the oil and gas industry and, therefore, is
affected by any changes in taxation, price controls or other laws and
regulations that affect the oil and gas industry generally. The adoption of laws
and regulations curtailing exploration for or production of oil and gas for
economic or other policy reasons could adversely affect National-Oilwell's
operations. National-Oilwell cannot determine the extent to which its future
operations and earnings may be affected by political developments, new
legislation, new regulations or changes in existing regulations.
IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS
The operations of National-Oilwell and its customers are affected by
numerous foreign, federal, state, provincial and local environmental laws and
regulations. The technical requirements of these laws and regulations are
becoming increasingly expensive, complex and stringent. These laws may impose
penalties or sanctions for damages to natural resources or threats to public
health and safety. Such laws and regulations may also expose National-Oilwell to
liability for the conduct of or conditions caused by others, or for acts of
National-Oilwell that were in compliance with all applicable laws at the time
such acts were performed. Sanctions for noncompliance may include revocation of
permits, corrective action orders, administrative or civil penalties and
criminal prosecution. Certain environmental laws provide for joint and several
liability for remediation of spills and releases of hazardous substances. In
addition, National-Oilwell may be subject to claims alleging personal injury or
property damage as a result of alleged exposure to hazardous substances, as well
as damage to natural resources.
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RISK OF CERTAIN FOREIGN MARKETS
Certain of National-Oilwell's revenues result from the sale of products to
customers for ultimate destinations in the Middle East, Africa and other
international markets and are subject to risks of instability of foreign
economies and governments. Furthermore, National-Oilwell's sales can be affected
by laws and regulations limiting exports to particular countries. In certain
cases, export laws and regulations of one jurisdiction may contradict those of
another.
National-Oilwell attempts to limit its exposure to foreign currency
fluctuations by limiting the amount of sales denominated in currencies other
than United States dollars, Canadian dollars and British pounds.
National-Oilwell has not engaged in and does not currently intend to engage in
any significant hedging or currency trading transactions designed to compensate
for adverse currency fluctuations among those or any other foreign currencies.
INTEGRATION OF ACQUISITIONS AND MANAGEMENT OF GROWTH
National-Oilwell recently consummated the Combination with Dreco and
expects to evaluate and, where feasible, make additional strategic acquisitions
in the future. There is no guarantee that the Company will not encounter
integration difficulties or that it will extract any anticipated cost savings
and margin enhancements. In addition, the process of combining the organizations
could cause the interruption of, or a loss of momentum in, the activities of
some or all of the companies' businesses, which could have an adverse effect on
their combined operations. The Combination and recent growth in revenues and
backlog have placed significant demands on the Company and its management to
improve the combined entity's operational, financial and management information
systems, to develop further the management skills of the Company's managers and
supervisors, and to continue to train, motivate and effectively manage the
Company's employees. The failure of the Company to manage its growth effectively
could have a material adverse effect on the Company.
The Company has pursued an aggressive acquisition strategy, acquiring three
businesses to date in 1997, and expects to continue to evaluate acquisitions
that can provide meaningful benefits by expanding the Company's business and
leveraging its existing infrastructure. However, there are various risks
associated with pursuing an acquisition strategy of this nature, including
problems inherent in integrating new businesses. There can be no assurance that
suitable acquisition candidates will be available, that acquisitions can be
completed on reasonable terms, that the Company will successfully integrate the
operations of any acquired entities or that the Company will have access to
adequate funds to effect any desired acquisitions.
CERTAIN ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS COULD DISCOURAGE UNSOLICITED PROPOSALS
The Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the
"Certificate of Incorporation") and Bylaws contain certain provisions which may
have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of the
Company, including a classified board of directors, the removal of directors
from office only for cause, the prohibition of stockholder action by written
consent, advance notice requirements respecting stockholder nominations for
director or any other matter, the number of directors being set by the board of
directors, super majority voting provisions respecting amendments to the
Certificate of Incorporation and limitation of persons who may call special
stockholders' meeting. The Delaware General Corporation Law requires super
majority voting thresholds to approve certain "business combinations" between
interested stockholders and the Company which may render more difficult or tend
to discourage attempts to acquire the Company. In addition, the Company's board
of directors has the authority to issue shares of preferred stock ("Preferred
Stock") in one or more series and to fix the rights and preferences of the
shares of any such series without stockholder approval. Any series of Preferred
Stock is likely to be senior to the Common Stock with respect to dividends,
liquidation rights and, possibly, voting rights. The ability to issue Preferred
Stock could also have the effect of discouraging unsolicited acquisition
proposals, thus affecting the market price of the Common Stock and preventing
stockholders from obtaining any premium offered by the potential buyer.
NO ANTICIPATED DIVIDENDS
The Company's board of directors has not previously authorized and does not
currently anticipate authorizing in the foreseeable future the payment of cash
dividends.
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USE OF PROCEEDS
Because the shares of Common Stock offered hereby will be issued upon
exchange of the Exchangeable Shares, the Company will receive no net cash
proceeds upon such issuance.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Holders of Exchangeable Shares should consult their own tax advisors with
respect to the United States, Canadian and other tax consequences of exchanging
their Exchangeable Shares for shares of National-Oilwell Common Stock as
described below. See "Risk Factors--Taxability of the Exchange."
EXCHANGEABLE SHARES
Pursuant to the terms of a plan of arrangement (the "Plan of Arrangement")
under section 186 of the Alberta Business Corporations Act (the "ABCA"), Dreco
has undergone a reorganization of capital whereby, among other things, it
authorized and issued 0.9159 of an Exchangeable Share in exchange for each
existing Dreco Common Share on September 25, 1997 (the "Effective Date").
National-Oilwell Common Stock may be issued to holders of Exchangeable
Shares as follows: (i) holders of Exchangeable Shares may require at any time
that such shares be exchanged or redeemed for an equivalent number of shares of
National-Oilwell Common Stock (see "-- Election by Holders to Exchange or
Redeem"); (ii) such Exchangeable Shares will be automatically redeemed upon the
occurrence of certain events (see "-- Automatic Redemption"); and (iii) upon
liquidation of National-Oilwell or Dreco, holders of Exchangeable Shares may be
required to, or may elect to, exchange such Exchangeable Shares for shares of
National-Oilwell Common Stock (see "-- Exchanges Upon Liquidation of
National-Oilwell or Dreco"). No broker, dealer or underwriter has been engaged
in connection with the offering of the National-Oilwell Common Stock covered
hereby.
ELECTION BY HOLDERS TO EXCHANGE OR REDEEM
Exchange Put Right. Holders of the Exchangeable Shares will be entitled at
any time at or following the Effective Date to require National-Oilwell to
exchange all or any part of the Exchangeable Shares owned by such holders and to
receive an equivalent number of shares of National-Oilwell Common Stock plus
declared and unpaid and undeclared but payable dividends (the "Dividend
Amount"), if any (the "Exchange Put Right"). The Exchange Put Right may be
exercised at any time by notice in writing, which may be in the form of the
panel on the certificates for Exchangeable Shares or by completing the Dreco
Letter of Transmittal delivered to Dreco shareholders in connection with the
Joint Management Information Circular and Proxy Statement/Prospectus of
National-Oilwell and Dreco dated August 21, 1997 (the "Joint Proxy Statement").
Such notice must be given by the holder to and received by Montreal Trust
Company of Canada (or any successor thereto), trustee under the Voting and
Exchange Trust Agreement dated as of September 25, 1997 between National-Oilwell
and Dreco (which was attached as Annex G to the Joint Proxy Statement) (the
"Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement"), transfer agent for the Exchangeable
Shares and Canadian co-registrar for National-Oilwell Common Stock (the
"Trustee"), and accompanied by: (i) presentation and surrender of the
certificates representing such Exchangeable Shares and (ii) such other documents
that may be required to effect a transfer of Exchangeable Shares by the ABCA,
Dreco's Bylaws and the Trustee. The required materials must be sent to the
Trustee's principal transfer offices in Calgary, Alberta and Toronto, Ontario or
such other places as may be determined from time to time. An exchange pursuant
to this right will be completed not later than the close of business on the
third business day following receipt by the Trustee of the notice, the
certificates and such other required documents.
Retraction Rights. Holders of the Exchangeable Shares will be entitled at
any time following the Effective Time to require Dreco to retract (i.e., require
Dreco to redeem) any or all such Exchangeable Shares owned by such holders and
to receive an equivalent number of shares of National-Oilwell Common Stock plus
the Dividend Amount, if any. Holders of the Exchangeable Shares may effect such
retraction by presenting the appropriate share certificates to Dreco or the
Trustee representing the number of Exchangeable Shares the holder desires Dreco
to retract together with a duly executed Retraction Request (a "Retraction
Request") in the form of Schedule A to the provisions attaching to the
Exchangeable Shares (which were
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attached as Annex G to the Joint Proxy Statement) (the "Exchangeable Share
Provisions") or such other form as may be acceptable to Dreco (a "Retraction
Request") specifying the number of Exchangeable Shares the holder wishes Dreco
to retract and the Retraction Date (the "Retraction Date")). The Retraction Date
shall be a business day not less than five nor more than ten business days after
the date on which Dreco receives the Retraction Request from the holder,
together with such other documents as may be required to effect the retraction
of the Exchangeable Shares by the ABCA, Dreco's Bylaws and the Trustee.
Upon receipt of the Exchangeable Shares, the Retraction Request and other
required documentation from the holder thereof, Dreco must immediately notify
National-Oilwell of such Retraction Request. National-Oilwell will thereafter
have two business days in which to exercise its Retraction Call Right as
discussed below under "Call Rights" (the "Retraction Call Right"). In the event
National-Oilwell determines not to exercise its Retraction Call Right and
provided that the Retraction Request is not revoked in accordance with the
Exchangeable Share Provisions, Dreco is obligated to deliver to the holder not
later than the Retraction Date the number of shares of National-Oilwell Common
Stock equal to the number of Exchangeable Shares submitted by the holder for
retraction, plus the Dividend Amount, if any. National-Oilwell will be obligated
to provide such shares of National-Oilwell Common Stock to Dreco to comply with
the Retraction Request.
AUTOMATIC REDEMPTION
Subject to applicable law and the Redemption Call Rights of
National-Oilwell described below under "Call Rights" (the "Redemption Call
Rights"), on an Automatic Redemption Date (defined below), Dreco will redeem all
but not less than all of the then outstanding Exchangeable Shares in exchange
for an equal number of shares of National-Oilwell Common Stock, plus the
Dividend Amount, if any. Notwithstanding any proposed redemption of the
Exchangeable Shares, National-Oilwell will, pursuant to its Redemption Call
Rights, have the overriding right to purchase on an Automatic Redemption Date
all but not less than all of the outstanding Exchangeable Shares in exchange for
one share of National-Oilwell Common Stock for each such Exchangeable Share,
plus the Dividend Amount, if any. An "Automatic Redemption Date" is the first to
occur of (a) the fifth anniversary of the Effective Date (b) the date selected
by the Dreco board of directors at a time when less than 15% of the Exchangeable
Shares issuable on the Effective Date (other than shares held by
National-Oilwell and its subsidiaries and subject to adjustment in certain
events) are outstanding, (c) the business day prior to the record date for any
meeting or vote of the shareholders of Dreco to consider any matter on which the
holders of Exchangeable Shares would be entitled to vote as shareholders of
Dreco, but excluding any meeting or vote as described in clause (d) below or (d)
the business day following the day on which the holders of Exchangeable Shares
fail to take the necessary action at a meeting or other vote of the holders of
Exchangeable Shares, if and to the extent such action is required, to approve or
disapprove, as applicable, any change to, or in the rights of the holders of,
Exchangeable Shares, if the approval or disapproval, as applicable, of such
change would be required to maintain the economic and legal equivalence of the
Exchangeable Shares and the National-Oilwell Common Stock. At least 45 days
before an Automatic Redemption Date or before a possible Automatic Redemption
Date which may result from a failure of the holders of Exchangeable Shares to
take necessary action as described in clause (d) above, Dreco shall provide the
registered holders of Exchangeable Shares with written notice of the proposed
redemption of the Exchangeable Shares by Dreco. In the case of any notice given
in connection with a possible Automatic Redemption Date, such notice will be
given contingently and will be withdrawn if the contingency does not occur.
EXCHANGES UPON LIQUIDATION OF NATIONAL-OILWELL OR DRECO
Optional Exchange Right. Subject to National-Oilwell's Liquidation Call
Right described below under "Call Rights" (the "Liquidation Call Right"), upon
the occurrence and during the continuance of certain events relating to Dreco's
insolvency described below (each, a "Dreco Insolvency Event"), a holder of
Exchangeable Shares will be entitled to instruct the Trustee to exercise the
optional exchange right (the "Optional Exchange Right") with respect to any or
all of the Exchangeable Shares held by such holder, thereby requiring
National-Oilwell to purchase such Exchangeable Shares from the holder.
Immediately upon the occurrence of a Dreco Insolvency Event or any event which
may with the passage of time or the giving of notice, become a Dreco Insolvency
Event, Dreco and National-Oilwell will give written notice thereof to the
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Trustee. As soon as practicable thereafter, the Trustee will notify each holder
of Exchangeable Shares of such event or potential event and will advise the
holder of its rights with respect to the Optional Exchange Right. The
consideration for each Exchangeable Share to be acquired under the Optional
Exchange Right will be one share of National-Oilwell Common Stock plus the
Dividend Amount, if any. "Dreco Insolvency Event" means: (i) the institution by
Dreco of any proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent or to be
dissolved or wound-up, (ii) the consent of Dreco to the institution of
bankruptcy, insolvency, dissolution or winding-up proceedings against it, (iii)
the filing of a petition, answer or consent seeking dissolution or winding-up
under any bankruptcy, insolvency or analogous laws, including without limitation
the Companies Creditors' Arrangement Act (Canada) and the Bankruptcy and
Insolvency Act (Canada), and the failure by Dreco to contest in good faith any
such proceedings commenced in respect of Dreco within 15 days of becoming aware
thereof, (iv) the consent by Dreco to the filing of any such petition or to the
appointment of a receiver, (v) the making by Dreco of a general assignment for
the benefit of creditors, or (vi) the admission in writing by Dreco of its
inability to pay its debts generally as they become due.
Moreover, if as a result of liquidity or solvency provisions of applicable
law, Dreco is unable to redeem all of the Exchangeable Shares tendered for
retraction by a holder in accordance with the Exchangeable Shares Provisions as
described under "Retraction Rights" above, the holder will be deemed to have
exercised the Optional Exchange Right with respect to the unredeemed
Exchangeable Shares, and National-Oilwell will be required to purchase such
shares from the holder in the manner set forth above under "Retraction Rights."
Automatic Exchange Right. In the event of certain events relating to the
liquidation of National-Oilwell as described below (each, a "National-Oilwell
Liquidation Event"), National-Oilwell will be required to acquire each
outstanding Exchangeable Share by exchanging one share of National-Oilwell
Common Stock for each such Exchangeable Share, plus the Dividend Amount, if any.
A "National-Oilwell Liquidation Event" shall occur upon: (i) any determination
by the board of directors of National-Oilwell to institute voluntary
liquidation, dissolution or winding-up proceedings with respect to
National-Oilwell or to effect any other distribution of assets of
National-Oilwell among its stockholders for the purpose of winding-up its
affairs, at least 60 days prior to the proposed effective date of such
liquidation, dissolution, winding-up or other distribution and (ii) the earlier
of (A) receipt by National-Oilwell of notice of and (B) National-Oilwell's
otherwise becoming aware of any threatened or instituted claim, suit, petition
or other proceedings with respect to the involuntary liquidation, dissolution or
winding-up of National-Oilwell or to effect any other distribution of assets of
National-Oilwell among its stockholders for the purposes of winding up its
affairs.
CALL RIGHTS
In the circumstances described below, National-Oilwell will have certain
overriding rights (the "Call Rights") to acquire Exchangeable Shares from
holders thereof by delivering one share of National-Oilwell Common Stock for
each Exchangeable Share acquired, plus the Dividend Amount, if any.
Retraction Call Right. Pursuant to the Exchangeable Share Provisions, a
holder requesting Dreco to redeem the Exchangeable Shares will be deemed to
offer such shares to National-Oilwell, and National-Oilwell will have an
overriding Retraction Call Right to acquire all but not less than all of the
Exchangeable Shares that the holder has requested Dreco to redeem in exchange
for one share of National-Oilwell Common Stock for each Exchangeable Share, plus
the Dividend Amount, if any.
Liquidation Call Right. Pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement,
National-Oilwell has been granted an overriding Liquidation Call Right (the
"Liquidation Call Right"), in the event of and notwithstanding a proposed
liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of Dreco or any other distribution of the
assets of Dreco among its shareholders for the purpose of winding-up its
affairs, to acquire all but not less than all of the Exchangeable Shares then
outstanding in exchange for National-Oilwell Common Stock, plus the Dividend
Amount, if any. Upon the exercise by National-Oilwell of the Liquidation Call
Right, the holders of Exchangeable Shares will be obligated to transfer such
shares to National-Oilwell. The acquisition by National-Oilwell of all of the
outstanding Exchangeable Shares upon the exercise of the Liquidation Call Right
will occur on the effective date of the voluntary or involuntary liquidation,
dissolution or winding-up of Dreco.
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Redemption Call Right. Pursuant to the Plan of Arrangement,
National-Oilwell will be granted an overriding Redemption Call Right,
notwithstanding the proposed automatic redemption of the Exchangeable Shares by
Dreco pursuant to the Exchangeable Share Provisions, to acquire on an Automatic
Redemption Date all but not less than all of the Exchangeable Shares then
outstanding in exchange for National-Oilwell Common Stock, plus the Dividend
Amount, if any, and, upon the exercise by National-Oilwell of the Redemption
Call Right, the holders of the Exchangeable Shares will be obligated to transfer
such shares to National-Oilwell.
Effect of Call Right Exercise. If National-Oilwell exercises one or more of
its Call Rights, it will directly issue National-Oilwell Common Stock to holders
of Exchangeable Shares and will become the holder of such Exchangeable Shares.
National-Oilwell will not be entitled to exercise any voting rights attached to
the Exchangeable Shares it so acquires. If National-Oilwell declines to exercise
its Call Rights when applicable, it will be required, pursuant to the Support
Agreement dated as of September 25, 1997 between National-Oilwell and Dreco
(which was attached as Annex F to the Joint Proxy Statement), to issue
National-Oilwell Common Stock as Dreco directs, including to Dreco, which will,
in turn, transfer such stock to the holders of Exchangeable Shares in
consideration for the return and cancellation of such Exchangeable Shares.
National-Oilwell anticipates that it will exercise its Call Rights, when
available, and currently foresees no circumstances under which it would not
exercise its Call Rights. In addition, National-Oilwell does not anticipate any
restriction or limitation on the number of Exchangeable Shares it would acquire
upon exercise of Call Rights.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the Common Stock offered hereby will be passed upon for
National-Oilwell by Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of National-Oilwell at December 31,
1996 and for the year then ended, appearing in National-Oilwell's Current Report
on Form 8-K dated November 7, 1997 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP,
independent auditors, as set forth in their report thereon, included therein,
and incorporated by reference elsewhere herein which is based in part on the
report of Coopers & Lybrand, independent auditors. The financial statements
referred to above are included in reliance upon such reports given upon the
authority of such firms as experts in accounting and auditing.
The consolidated financial statements of National-Oilwell at August 31,
1995 and for each of the two years in the period ended August 31, 1995,
appearing in National-Oilwell's Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 7,
1997 have been audited by Coopers & Lybrand, independent auditors, as set forth
in their report thereon and incorporated by reference elsewhere herein, and are
included in reliance upon such report given upon the authority of such firm as
experts in accounting and auditing.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
National-Oilwell is subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy
statements and other information can be inspected and copied at the public
reference facilities maintained by the Commission at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza,
450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, as well as the following
Regional Offices of the Commission: Seven World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New
York, New York 10048; and Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400,
Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of such material can be obtained from the Public
Reference Section of the Commission at Room 1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 at prescribed rates. Such material also may
be accessed electronically by means of the Commission's home page on the
Internet (http://www.sec.gov). In
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addition, such reports, proxy statements and other information concerning
National-Oilwell can be inspected and copied at the offices of the New York
Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
This Prospectus constitutes a part of a registration statement on Form S-3
(herein, together will all exhibits and schedules thereto, referred to as this
"Registration Statement") filed by National-Oilwell with the Commission under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), with respect to
the securities offered hereby. This Prospectus does not contain all the
information set forth in the Registration Statement, certain parts of which are
omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission.
Reference is hereby made to the Registration Statement for further information
with respect to National-Oilwell and the securities offered hereby. Copies of
the Registration Statement are on file at the offices of the Commission and may
be obtained upon payment of the prescribed fee or may be examined without charge
at the public reference facilities of the Commission described above. Statements
contained herein concerning the provisions of documents are necessarily
summaries of such documents, and each statement is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the copy of the applicable document filed with the Commission.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents filed with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange
Act are incorporated by reference in this Prospectus:
1. National-Oilwell's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1996, as amended by Form 10-K/A filed on August 18,
1997.
2. National-Oilwell's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period
ended March 31, 1997.
3. National-Oilwell's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period
ended June 30, 1997.
4. National-Oilwell's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period
ended September 30, 1997.
5. National-Oilwell's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 25,
1997.
6. National-Oilwell's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 8,
1997.
7. National-Oilwell's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 7,
1997.
8. The description of National-Oilwell's shares of Common Stock
contained in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed by
National-Oilwell with the Commission on October 15, 1996 to register such
securities under the Exchange Act, as updated by National-Oilwell's Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on November 17, 1997.
All reports and documents filed by National-Oilwell pursuant to Sections
13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this
Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment to
this Registration Statement which indicates that all securities offered hereby
have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall
be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to
be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement
contained in a document incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be
modified or superseded for purposes hereof to the extent that a statement
contained herein (or in any other subsequently filed document which also is
incorporated by reference herein) modifies or supersedes such statement. Any
statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed to constitute a part
hereof except as so modified or superseded.
Upon request, National-Oilwell will provide without charge to each person
to whom this Prospectus is delivered a copy of any or all of such documents
which are incorporated herein by reference (other than exhibits to such
documents unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into
the documents that this Prospectus incorporates). Written or oral requests for
copies should be directed to Gay Mather, Manager, Investor Relations,
National-Oilwell, Inc., 5555 San Felipe, Houston, Texas 77056 (telephone number
(713) 960-5422).
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NO DEALER, SALESPERSON, OR OTHER INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED, OR
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE, IN THIS PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING
COVERED BY THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR
REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE
COMPANY. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL, OR A SOLICITATION
OF AN OFFER TO BUY, ANY SECURITIES OTHER THAN THOSE SPECIFICALLY OFFERED HEREBY
IN ANY JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSONS TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR
SOLICITATION IN SUCH JURISDICTION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR
ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION
THAT THE INFORMATION HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO ITS DATE.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
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The Company............................ 1
The Offering........................... 3
Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements........................... 3
Risk Factors........................... 4
Use of Proceeds........................ 8
Plan of Distribution................... 8
Legal Matters.......................... 11
Experts................................ 11
Available Information.................. 11
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
Reference............................ 12
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14,333,692 SHARES
[NATIONAL-OILWELL, INC. LOGO]
NATIONAL-OILWELL, INC.
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PROSPECTUS
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November 20, 1997
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