1 Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) Registration No. 333-64648 PROSPECTUS Prize Energy Corp. 286,461 Shares of Common Stock --------------- Up to 286,461 shares of our common stock may be offered and sold from time to time by the selling stockholders named on page 11 of this prospectus. The shares of common stock may be acquired by the selling stockholders upon the exercise of outstanding warrants to purchase shares of common stock. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of these shares. Our common stock is traded on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol "PRZ." The last reported sale price of our common stock on the American Stock Exchange on July 20, 2001, was $18.98 per share. SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 5 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN MATERIAL FACTORS YOU SHOULD CONSIDER IN CONNECTION WITH AN INVESTMENT IN THE WARRANTS OR IN OUR COMMON STOCK. --------------- 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 July 23, 2001. 1 2 YOU SHOULD RELY ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT OR THAT WE HAVE REFERRED YOU TO. WE HAVE NOT AUTHORIZED ANYONE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION THAT IS DIFFERENT. THIS PROSPECTUS IS AN OFFER TO SELL OR TO BUY ONLY THE SHARES OFFERED IN THIS DOCUMENT, BUT ONLY UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES AND IN JURISDICTIONS WHERE IT IS LAWFUL TO DO SO. THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS CURRENT ONLY AS OF ITS DATE. TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE Where You Can Find More Information...............................................................................1 Information We Incorporate By Reference...........................................................................1 Prospectus Summary................................................................................................2 About Prize Energy Corp..................................................................................2 The Offering.............................................................................................4 Risk Factors......................................................................................................5 Forward-Looking Statements.......................................................................................10 Use of Proceeds..................................................................................................10 Selling Stockholders.............................................................................................11 Description of Capital Stock.....................................................................................12 Plan of Distribution.............................................................................................15 Legal Matters....................................................................................................16 Experts..........................................................................................................16 i 3 WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION We have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a Registration Statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to the shares of common stock being offered by this prospectus. This prospectus does not include all the information set forth in the registration statement, and you should refer to the registration statement for further information with respect to our company. We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You may read and copy any reports, statements and other information that we file at the Commission's public reference rooms in Washington, D.C., New York, New York, and Chicago, Illinois. Please call the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms. Our filings with the Commission are also available to the public from commercial document retrieval services and at the web site maintained by the Commission at http://www.sec.gov. Our reports, proxy statements and other information filed with the Commission can also be inspected at the American Stock Exchange, 86 Trinity Place, New York, New York 10006. INFORMATION WE INCORPORATE BY REFERENCE The Securities and Exchange Commission allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and the information that we file later with the Securities and Exchange Commission will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 until all of the securities are sold or until we terminate this offering: (1) Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000; (2) Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2001; and (3) A description of our common stock contained in the registration statement on Form 8-A filed with the Commission on October 26, 1998, and including any amendment or report heretofore or hereafter filed for the purpose of updating the description of our common stock contained therein. We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus is delivered, upon the written or oral request of such person, a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated by reference in this document, other than exhibits to the documents unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference. Requests should be made to Secretary, Prize Energy Corp., 3500 William D. Tate Ave., Suite 200, Grapevine, Texas 76051, (817) 424-0400. 1 4 PROSPECTUS SUMMARY The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed information and financial statements, including the notes thereto, included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus together with additional information described under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information." Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus to "Prize," "we," "us" and "our" refer to Prize Energy Corp. ABOUT PRIZE ENERGY CORP. GENERAL We are a mid-size public independent oil and gas company engaged primarily in the acquisition, enhancement and exploitation of producing oil and gas properties. We currently own oil and gas properties in three core operating areas which are principally located in the Permian Basin of West Texas and Southeastern New Mexico, the onshore Gulf Coast area of Texas and Louisiana and the Mid-Continent area of Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle. Over 80% of our oil and gas property base is located in Texas. We began operations in January 1999 as a privately-held company and have grown rapidly through the acquisition of producing oil and gas properties and the acquisition of Vista Energy Resources, Inc. In June 1999, we completed the acquisition of significant producing oil and gas properties from Pioneer Natural Resources USA, Inc. for $239 million. On February 8, 2000, we completed the acquisition of Vista Energy Resources pursuant to a reverse merger. The Vista merger, deemed a reverse acquisition of Vista by the former Prize, resulted in our becoming a publicly-traded company on the American Stock Exchange. On February 28, 2001, we acquired oil and gas properties from Apache Corporation for $65 million. Set forth below is a brief summary of our historical total proved oil and gas reserve base at December 31, 2000, and our pro forma total proved oil and gas reserve base at December 31, 2000, after giving effect to the acquisition of the oil and gas properties from Apache Corporation. Historical Pro forma ---------- --------- Total Proved Reserves: Natural gas...................... 298 Bcf 321 Bcf Oil and liquids.................. 49 MMBbl 58 MMBbl Oil equivalent................... 99 MMBOE 112 MMBOE Natural gas equivalent........... 593 Bcfe 669 Bcfe Reserve Mix............................... 50% oil and liquids 52% oil and liquids 50% natural gas 48% natural gas Proved Reserve Value NPV-10 (1)........... $1.7 billion $1.8 billion Reserve to Production Ratio (2)........... 13 years 13 years - ---------- (1) The present value of pre-tax future net revenues discounted at 10% per annum assuming unescalated prices of $26.12 per Bbl of oil, $14.91 per Bbl of NGL and $9.41 per Mcf of natural gas. On December 31, 2000, 2 5 NYMEX prices were $26.80 per Bbl for West Texas Intermediate crude oil and $9.78 per MMBtu for natural gas. (2) Represents proved reserves at December 31, 2000, divided by production for the year ended December 31, 2000. Our principal executive offices are located at 3500 William D. Tate Ave., Suite 200, Grapevine, Texas 76051, and our telephone number is (817) 424-0400. BUSINESS STRATEGY The primary objective of our business strategy is to increase our net asset value per share by increasing oil and natural gas reserves, production, cash flow and net income through the acquisition, exploitation and enhancement of producing oil and gas properties and by maintaining a low operating and corporate cost structure. Management believes the following components of this strategy will allow us to achieve our objective. o Geographic Concentration. We focus our activities in the core areas where our management, technical staff and field operations teams have significant prior experience. Substantially all of our properties are located in these core operating areas where we can better achieve economies of scale. o Acquisition of Producing Properties. We focus on acquiring producing reserves with a production history of at least three to five years in order to reduce the risks inherent in estimating the remaining oil and natural gas reserves and the future production profile. o Aggressive Value Enhancement. We seek to purchase oil and gas properties that we will operate and that have potential for development and operational improvements. We undertake an extensive well-by-well operational study of acquired properties in order to identify value enhancement opportunities such as development drilling, recompletions, workovers and cost reductions. These activities can increase cash flow and, in some cases, add incremental reserves. o Low Cost Operating Structure. We pursue a low cost operating strategy at both the field and corporate levels. o Financial Flexibility. We seek to maintain financial flexibility in order to be able to take advantage of strategic acquisition opportunities and protect against price declines. As a result of our strategy of acquisition, exploitation and enhancement, our debt levels will vary from time to time. Over the long-term, management believes that an appropriate target debt level is 50% of oil and natural gas reserve value, given historical price levels. Management may seek to further reduce oil and gas reserve, price and financial risks by: o diversifying our property holdings and avoiding concentrating a large value in any single property; and o using commodity price hedges, interest rate swaps and other financial strategies. 3 6 THE OFFERING Securities Offered................................... The selling stockholders are offering for resale under this prospectus up to 286,461 shares of our common stock that may be acquired by them upon their exercise of outstanding warrants that are held by them. Listing of Common Stock.............................. Our common stock is listed on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol "PRZ." Use of Proceeds...................................... We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the common stock by the selling stockholders. 4 7 RISK FACTORS You should carefully consider the following risk factors, in addition to the other information set forth in this prospectus, before deciding to purchase any shares of our common stock. Each of these risk factors could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition, as well as adversely affect the value of an investment in the common stock. RISKS RELATING TO THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY A DECREASE IN OIL AND NATURAL GAS PRICES WILL ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR FINANCIAL RESULTS. Our revenues, profitability and future growth depend substantially upon the prevailing market prices of oil and natural gas. While current oil and natural gas prices are at favorably high price levels, oil and natural gas prices and markets have been, and are likely to continue to be, extremely volatile. A decrease in oil and natural gas prices will not only reduce revenues and profits, but will also reduce the quantities of reserves that are commercially recoverable and may result in charges to earnings for impairment of the value of these assets. If oil and natural gas pricing conditions decline significantly for extended periods of time in the future, we might not be able to generate enough cash flow from operations to meet our obligations and make planned capital expenditures. Oil and natural gas prices are subject to wide fluctuations in response to relatively minor changes in the supply of and demand for oil and natural gas, market uncertainty and a variety of additional factors that are beyond our control. ESTIMATES OF OUR PROVED RESERVES MAY MATERIALLY CHANGE DUE TO NUMEROUS UNCERTAINTIES INHERENT IN ESTIMATING OIL AND NATURAL GAS RESERVES. The oil and natural gas reserve data included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus represent only estimates of management. There are many uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of proved reserves and their values. The process of estimating oil and natural gas reserves requires interpretations of available technical data and various assumptions, including assumptions relating to economic factors. Any significant inaccuracies in these interpretations or assumptions could materially affect the estimated quantities and present value of reserves included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. The accuracy of any reserve estimate is a function of the quality of available data, engineering and geological interpretations and judgment and the assumptions used regarding quantities of recoverable oil and natural gas reserves and prices for oil and natural gas. Actual prices, production, development expenditures, operating expenses and quantities of recoverable oil and natural gas reserves will vary from those assumed in our estimates, and these variances may be significant. Any significant variance from the assumptions used could result in the actual quantity of our reserves and future net cash flow being materially different from the estimates in our reserve reports. In addition, results of drilling, testing and production and changes in oil and natural gas prices after the date of the estimate may result in substantial upward or downward revisions. WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO REPLACE RESERVES. If we are not successful in our acquisition, enhancement and exploitation activities, our reserves and revenues will decline over time. These activities will require significant expenditures. If our cash flow from operations is not sufficient for this purpose, we may not be able to obtain the necessary funds to maintain or expand our oil and natural gas reserves. The inability to replace reserves could reduce the amount of credit available to us since the maximum amount of borrowing capacity available under our revolving credit facility is based, at least in part, on the estimated quantities of our proved reserves. 5 8 THE SUCCESS OF FUTURE ACQUISITIONS IS UNCERTAIN. Our failure to successfully complete acquisitions could have a material adverse effect on our future results of operations and financial condition. There can be no assurance that our completed acquisitions will be successful. We expect to continue to evaluate and pursue acquisition opportunities available on terms management considers favorable. The successful acquisition of producing properties involves an assessment of recoverable reserves, future oil and natural gas prices, operating costs, potential environmental and other liabilities and other factors beyond our control. This assessment is necessarily inexact and its accuracy is inherently uncertain. In connection with an assessment, we will perform a review of the subject properties we believe to be generally consistent with industry practices. This review, however, will not reveal all existing or potential problems, nor will it permit us to become sufficiently familiar with the properties to assess fully their deficiencies and capabilities. Inspections may not be performed on every well, and structural and environmental problems are not necessarily observable even when an inspection is undertaken. We may in many cases assume pre-closing liabilities, including environmental liabilities, and will likely acquire interests in properties on an "as is" basis. OUR OIL AND NATURAL GAS OPERATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO OPERATIONAL RISKS. Our oil and natural gas operations are subject to risks and uncertainties associated with the drilling for and production and transportation of oil and natural gas, all of which can affect our operating results. Our operations may be materially curtailed, delayed or canceled as a result of numerous factors, including: o accidents; o title problems; o weather conditions; o shortages or delays in the delivery of equipment; and o compliance with governmental regulations. COSTS TO COMPLY WITH ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS ARE SIGNIFICANT. Environmental and other governmental laws have increased the costs to plan, design, drill, install, operate and abandon oil and natural gas wells and related facilities. We may expend significant financial and managerial resources to comply with environmental laws, although, to date, our expenditures for environmental compliance have been immaterial. Increasingly strict environmental laws and enforcement policies, and claims for damages to property, employees, other persons and the environment resulting from our operations, could cause us to incur substantial costs and liabilities. MARKETABILITY OF OUR OIL AND NATURAL GAS PRODUCTION MAY BE AFFECTED BY FACTORS BEYOND OUR CONTROL. The marketability of our production depends in part upon the availability, proximity and capacity of natural gas gathering systems, pipelines and processing facilities. Most of our natural gas is delivered through gathering systems and pipelines that are not owned by us. Federal and state regulation of oil and natural gas production and transportation, tax and energy policies, changes in supply and demand and general economic conditions all could adversely affect our ability to produce and market our oil and natural gas. 6 9 WE WILL CONTINUE TO FACE STRONG COMPETITIVE INDUSTRY CONDITIONS WHICH MAY NEGATIVELY AFFECT OUR OPERATIONS. There is strong competition in all aspects of the oil and gas industry. We must compete with a substantial number of other oil and gas companies in all aspects of our operations. Many of our competitors have substantially greater financial, managerial, technical and other resources than we do, which may adversely affect our ability to compete with these companies. SOME LOSSES MAY NOT BE INSURED AND COULD MATERIALLY ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR OPERATIONS. Our operations are subject to the hazards and risks inherent in the oil and gas industry, including the risks of fire, explosions, blow-outs, pipe failure, abnormally pressured formations and environmental accidents such as oil spills, gas leaks, salt water spills and leaks, ruptures or discharges of toxic gases. We will carry insurance against some, but not all, of the hazards associated with our business. This is our standard practice and we believe that this is standard practice in our industry. Because of this practice, however, we may be subject to substantial liability or losses that are not insured. RISKS RELATING TO AN INVESTMENT IN PRIZE WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MEET OUR CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS. We will need to continue to make substantial capital expenditures for the acquisition, enhancement, exploitation and production of oil and natural gas reserves. At March 31, 2001, we had cash reserves of $14.4 million and working capital of $24.5 million. Without successful enhancement, exploitation or acquisition activities, our reserves and revenues will decline over time. We currently anticipate that our oil and natural gas capital expenditures will be approximately $60 million for enhancement, exploitation and drilling activity in 2001. We intend to finance our capital expenditures, other than significant acquisitions, from internally generated funds provided by operations. The timing of most of our capital expenditures is discretionary, with no long-term capital commitments. Consequently, we have a significant degree of flexibility to adjust the amounts of our capital expenditures as circumstances may warrant. However, in the long term, if our cash flow from operations and availability under existing credit facilities are not sufficient to satisfy capital expenditure requirements, there can be no assurance that additional debt or equity financing will be available to allow us to fund our continued growth. OUR SIGNIFICANT INDEBTEDNESS COULD HAVE IMPORTANT CONSEQUENCES TO YOU. We currently have a substantial amount of indebtedness. At December 31, 2000, our total long term debt outstanding was approximately $214.3 million and our long term debt to total capitalization ratio was approximately 66 percent. As of March 31, 2001, our total long-term debt outstanding had increased to $281 million, principally due to the acquisition of oil and natural gas properties from Apache Corporation. We may incur additional indebtedness under our credit facility. Our significant indebtedness could have important consequences to you. For example: o our ability to obtain any necessary financing in the future for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements or other purposes may be limited; o a portion of our cash flow from operations must be utilized for the payment of interest on our indebtedness and will not be available for financing capital expenditures or other purposes; 7 10 o our level of indebtedness and the covenants governing our current indebtedness could limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business because certain financing options may be limited or prohibited; o we are more highly leveraged than some of our competitors, which may place us at a competitive disadvantage; o our level of indebtedness may make us more vulnerable during periods of low oil and natural gas prices or in the event of a downturn in our business because of our fixed debt service obligations; o the terms of our credit facility will require us to make interest and principal payments and to maintain stated financial covenants; and o if the requirements of our credit facility are not satisfied, the lenders under this facility would be entitled to accelerate the payment of all outstanding indebtedness under the facility and, in such event, we cannot assure you that we would have sufficient funds available or could obtain the financing required to meet our obligations. OUR HEDGING ACTIVITIES COULD RESULT IN LOSSES. We currently use, and intend in the future to use, energy swap arrangements and derivatives for hedging purposes to reduce sensitivity to oil and natural gas price volatility. If our oil and natural gas reserves are not produced at the rates we estimated due to inaccuracies in the reserve estimation process, operational difficulties or regulatory limitations, we will be required to satisfy obligations we may have under fixed price sales and hedging contracts on potentially unfavorable terms without the ability to hedge that risk through sales of comparable quantities of our own production. Further, the terms under which we enter into fixed price sales and hedging contracts are based on assumptions and estimates of numerous factors such as costs of production and pipeline and other transportation costs to delivery points. Substantial variations between the assumptions and estimates used and actual results experienced could materially adversely affect anticipated profit margins and our ability to manage the risks associated with fluctuations in oil and natural gas prices. Fixed price sales and hedging contracts also limit the benefits we will realize if actual prices rise above the contract prices. In addition, fixed price sales and hedging contracts are subject to the risk that the counter-party may prove unable or unwilling to perform its obligations under those contracts. Any significant nonperformance could have a material adverse effect on our future results of operations and financial condition. Based on futures prices as of March 31, 2001, the fair market value of unrealized losses resulting from our crude oil and natural gas hedging instruments was approximately $27.6 million. OUR SUCCESS DEPENDS ON KEY MEMBERS OF OUR MANAGEMENT. Philip B. Smith, Lon C. Kile and D. Richard Massengill are critical to our success. We do not have employment contracts with any of these individuals which would require them to remain employed with us for any period of time. Loss of the services of any of these individuals could have a material adverse effect on our operations. 8 11 OWNERSHIP OF OUR OUTSTANDING COMMON STOCK IS CONCENTRATED IN A SMALL NUMBER OF STOCKHOLDERS. Our directors, executive officers and principal stockholders, and certain of their affiliates, beneficially own approximately 63% of our outstanding common stock. One of our stockholders, Natural Gas Partners V, L.P., beneficially owns approximately 57% of our outstanding shares of common stock. Accordingly, these stockholders, as a group, and Natural Gas Partners V, by itself, will be able to control the outcome of stockholder votes, including votes concerning the election of directors, the adoption or amendment of provisions in our certificate of incorporation or bylaws and the approval of mergers and other significant corporate transactions. The existence of these levels of ownership concentrated in a few persons makes it unlikely that any other holder of our common stock will be able to affect the management or direction of Prize. These factors may also have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in the management or voting control of Prize, including transactions that otherwise could involve payment of a premium over prevailing market prices to holders of our common stock. FUTURE SALES OF COMMON STOCK MAY RESULT IN A DECREASE IN VALUE TO EXISTING STOCKHOLDERS. Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock, or the perception that such sales could occur, could adversely affect the market price of our common stock and could impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of common stock. THE ABILITY OF OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO ISSUE PREFERRED STOCK AND PROVISIONS OF DELAWARE LAW MAY DISCOURAGE CHANGE OF CONTROL TRANSACTIONS. Our certificate of incorporation authorizes our board of directors to issue up to 10 million shares of preferred stock without stockholder approval and to set the rights, preferences and other designations, including voting rights, of those shares as the board of directors may determine. These provisions, alone or in combination with each other, may discourage transactions involving actual or potential changes of control of management, including transactions in which you might otherwise receive a premium over prevailing market prices for your shares of common stock. We are also subject to provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law that may make some business combinations more difficult. THE PRICE OF OUR COMMON STOCK MAY FLUCTUATE SIGNIFICANTLY. The market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly. A number of factors could affect the prices of our common stock, including: o our operating and financial performance and prospects; o changes in revenue or earnings estimates or publication of research reports by analysts; o general market conditions, including fluctuations in commodity prices; o the operating and stock performance of other comparable companies; o strategic actions by our competitors; and o economic, legal and regulatory factors. 9 12 The stock markets in general have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations. This volatility has often had a significant effect on the market prices of securities of many companies for reasons unrelated to the operating performance of the particular companies. These broad market fluctuations could adversely affect the prices of our common stock. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This document includes and incorporates by reference "forward-looking statements" as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission. These statements concern our plans, expectations and objectives for future operations. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included or incorporated in this prospectus that address activities, events or developments that we expect, believe or anticipate will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. The words "believe," "plan," "intend," "anticipate," "estimate," "project" and similar expressions are also intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, among others, such things as: o reserve estimates, including estimates of future net revenues associated with the reserves and the present value of the estimated future net revenues; o future production of oil and natural gas; o future acquisition of oil and natural gas producing properties; o future enhancement, exploitation and drilling activity and other capital expenditures; o future financial performance; and o business strategies and expansion and growth of our business and operations. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions which we believe are reasonable based on our expectations and projections about future events and industry conditions and trends affecting our business at the time such statements were made. However, whether actual results and developments will conform to our expectations and predictions is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, including those factors discussed under "Risk Factors" on pages 5 - 9 of this prospectus. Consequently, we cannot assure you that the actual results or developments anticipated by us will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the anticipated consequences to or effects on us or our business or operations. We assume no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. USE OF PROCEEDS We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus. 10 13 SELLING STOCKHOLDERS The following table sets forth information as of June 29, 2001, with respect to the selling stockholders, the shares of our common stock beneficially owned by them and the shares of our common stock that they may offer under this prospectus. Because the selling stockholders are not obligated to sell their shares offered by this prospectus, and because the selling stockholders may elect not to exercise, or to exercise only a portion of, their warrants to acquire the shares of common stock that are offered by this prospectus, or they may acquire additional shares of our common stock in the public market, we cannot estimate the number of shares that will be beneficially owned by them after completion of this offering. The number of shares of our common stock outstanding used in calculating the percentage for each person listed includes the shares of common stock which could be acquired by that person upon the exercise of any warrant (all of which are currently exercisable) but excludes such shares of common stock which could be so acquired by any other person. The percent of beneficial ownership is based on 12,865,113 shares of our common stock outstanding as of June 29, 2001. Shares Beneficially Owned Prior to Offering ------------------------------------------- Name of Number of Shares Selling Stockholder Number of Shares (1) Percent Offered(2) - ------------------- -------------------- ------- ---------------- C. Randall Hill......................... 171,759 1.33% 90,405 Steven D. Gray.......................... 172,559 1.33% 90,405 R. Cory Richards........................ 105,183 * 50,417 Darrell M. Dillard...................... 25,897 * 25,892 Marilyn D. Wade......................... 20,500 * 20,500 Warren L. Gray.......................... 16,134 * 8,842 - ---------- *Less than 1% (1) Includes or consists of the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus, which shares are issuable upon the exercise of currently exercisable warrants (seven warrants per share of common stock). (2) Represents shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of currently exercisable warrants (seven warrants per share of common stock). 11 14 Prior to the consummation of our acquisition of Vista Energy Resources, Inc. on February 8, 2000, the following selling stockholders served Vista Energy Resources in the following capacities: Name Position - ---- -------- C. Randall Hill Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chairman of the Board Steven D. Gray President, Chief Operating Officer and Director R. Cory Richards Executive Vice President, Exploration Manager and Secretary On October 28, 1998, Vista Energy Resources, Inc. acquired Midland Resources, Inc. pursuant to a merger. In connection with the merger transaction, Vista entered into separate exchange agreements with each of Darrell M. Dillard and Marilyn D. Wade, among others, to exchange their outstanding options to purchase common stock of Midland Resources for warrants covering the shares of common stock offered under this prospectus and listed in the table above. Prior to Vista's acquisition of Midland Resources, Mr. Dillard was a member of the board of directors of Midland Resources and Ms. Wade was the corporate secretary of Midland Resources. In addition, Vista entered into separate exchange agreements with the holders of all the outstanding limited partnership interests in Vista Resources Partners, L.P. ("Vista L.P.") and the holders of all the outstanding shares of common stock of the general partner of Vista L.P., which holders included Messrs. Hill, Gray and Richards, to exchange such partnership interests and shares of common stock for shares of Vista common stock and warrants to purchase the shares of common stock. We assumed all obligations with respect to the outstanding warrants and the warrant agreement in connection with our acquisition of Vista on February 8, 2000, pursuant to a merger. Except as noted above, none of the selling stockholders has, or within the past three years has had, a position, office or material relationship with us or any of our predecessors or affiliates. DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK Our authorized capital stock consists of (a) 50,000,000 shares of common stock, having a par value of $.01 per share, and (b) 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, having a par value of $.01 per share. As of June 29, 2001, 12,865,113 shares of common stock and no shares of preferred stock were outstanding. COMMON STOCK The holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election of directors. Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding series of preferred stock, holders of our common stock are entitled to receive ratably dividends as they may be declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends. The provisions of our revolving credit agreement currently prohibit us from paying dividends on our common stock. In the event of our liquidation or dissolution, holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of all liabilities and provision for the liquidation preference of any series of preferred stock we have outstanding at the time of liquidation or dissolution. 12 15 Holders of common stock have no preemptive rights and have no rights to convert their shares of common stock into any other securities. All of our outstanding shares of common stock are, and any shares of common stock issued upon exercise of the warrants will be, fully paid and nonassessable. Our common stock is listed and traded on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol "PRZ." PREFERRED STOCK Our board of directors has the authority, without further action by our stockholders, to issue shares of preferred stock from time to time in one or more series and to fix the related number of shares and the designations, voting powers, preferences, optional and other special rights, and restrictions or qualifications of that preferred stock. The rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions or qualifications of different series of preferred stock may differ with respect to dividend rates, amounts payable on liquidation, voting rights, conversion rights, redemption provisions, sinking fund provisions and other matters. Any preferred stock may rank senior to the common stock for the payment of dividends or amounts upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up. In addition, shares of preferred stock may have class or series voting rights. The issuance of preferred stock could: o decrease the amount of earnings and assets available for distribution to holders of our common stock; o adversely affect the rights and powers, including voting rights, of holders of our common stock; and o have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of our company. WARRANTS Public Warrants. As of the date of this prospectus, we have outstanding 11,811,073 common stock purchase warrants that are currently exercisable to purchase an aggregate of 1,687,296 shares of common stock and are publicly traded on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol "PRZ.WS." Each of these warrants is exercisable to purchase one-seventh of a share of common stock at an exercise price of $4.00 per one-seventh of a share. Accordingly, seven warrants must be exercised to purchase one share of common stock at an aggregate exercise price of $28.00 per share. The exercise price and the number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of one of the warrants are subject to adjustment under certain circumstances. The warrants expire on November 1, 2002. Private Warrants. As of the date of this prospectus, we also have outstanding 160,000 common stock purchase warrants that are currently exercisable to purchase an aggregate of 22,856 shares common stock at aggregate exercise prices ranging from $20.13 to $28.00 per share and that have expiration dates ranging from October 22, 2001, to June 29, 2002. VOTING AND SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT We are a party to a voting and shareholders agreement with Natural Gas Partners II, L.P., Natural Gas Partners III, L.P., Natural Gas Partners V, L.P. and some of our management stockholders. Under the terms of the agreement as in effect, specified parties to the agreement have the following rights to nominate and elect directors to our Board: o stockholders who are members of our management may designate one member; and o Natural Gas Partners V, L.P. may designate up to four members. 13 16 The provisions of the voting and shareholders agreement regarding the election of directors terminates as to: o any single management member on the first to occur of the termination of that person's employment by us, the death of that person and the date on which that person transfers his securities in violation of the transfer restrictions provided for in the agreement; and o all parties to the agreement on June 29, 2009. REGISTRATION RIGHTS We have entered into registration rights agreements with holders of up to 8,779,357 shares of our common stock and holders of outstanding warrants to purchase 1,687,296 shares of our common stock. The registration rights generally entitle the parties to demand, piggyback and shelf registration rights, subject to limitations specified in the agreements. The registration rights agreements also contain customary provisions regarding the payment of expenses by us and mutual indemnification agreements between us and the security holders who are parties to the agreements for securities law violations. The registration statement of which this prospectus is a part is being filed to register the offer and sale of up to 9,558,403 warrants to the public by the holders thereof and the issuance of up to 1,365,486 shares of common stock underlying the warrants to purchasers of the warrants upon exercise. Pursuant to the registration rights agreements, the selling stockholders have exercised their piggyback registration rights to offer the shares of common stock underlying their warrants in the registration statement. ANTI-TAKE-OVER EFFECTS OF DELAWARE LAW AND BYLAW PROVISIONS Delaware law and our bylaws contain provisions that might be characterized as anti-takeover provisions. These provisions may make it more difficult to acquire control of us or remove our management. Delaware Business Combination Statute. We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. In general, Section 203 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 that person became an interested stockholder unless the business combination or the transaction in which that person became an interested stockholder is approved in a prescribed manner. Generally, a "business combination" includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the stockholder. Generally, an "interested stockholder" is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or owned within the prior three years, 15% or more of the corporation's voting stock. This provision may delay, defer or prevent a change in our control without the stockholders taking further action. Special Authorization by Board of Directors. Our bylaws provide that an affirmative vote of 70% of all directors then serving on our board of directors is required for certain actions, including any action to approve, agree or consent to any agreement or transaction resulting in a merger, consolidation, liquidation, dissolution or disposition of properties having a value of $100 million or more. These special authorization requirements of our bylaws may be amended only by the affirmative vote of at least 70% of all directors then serving on our board of directors or by the unanimous written consent of all of our directors. Removal of Directors and Filling Vacancies. Our certificate of incorporation provides that our directors may be removed only for cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote. In addition, under the certificate of incorporation any vacancy on our board of directors, however occurring, including a vacancy resulting from an enlargement of the board, may be filled only by 14 17 vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office. The likely effect of the limitations on the removal of directors and filling of vacancies is an increase in the time required for the stockholders to change the composition of our board of directors. Advance Notification of Stockholder Nominations and Proposals. Our bylaws establish advance notice procedures for any proposals for nomination of candidates for election to our board of directors, other than nominations made by or at the direction of our board of directors, or for any matters to be acted upon by stockholders at an annual meeting of stockholders. Our bylaws further provide that special meetings of the stockholders may be called only be the chairman of the board of directors, the president or secretary of Prize or the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote. The forgoing provisions could have the effect of delaying until the next stockholders' meeting stockholder actions that are favored by the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities. TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock and publicly traded warrants is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company. PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION We are registering the shares of common stock offered under this prospectus on behalf of the selling stockholders. As used in this prospectus, the term "selling stockholders" includes donees, pledgees, transferees or other successors-in-interest selling shares received from a selling stockholder after the date of this prospectus. The selling stockholders will act independently of us in making decisions with respect to the timing, manner and size of each sale. The selling stockholders may sell their shares from time to time in one or more types of transactions (which may include block transactions) on the American Stock Exchange, in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions, through put or call options transactions relating to the shares, through short sales of shares, or a combination of these methods of sale, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at negotiated prices, or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. These transactions may or may not involve brokers or dealers. The selling stockholders have advised us that they have not entered into any agreements, understandings or arrangements with any underwriters or broker-dealers regarding the sale of their shares, nor is there an underwriter or coordinating broker acting in connection with the proposed sale of shares by the selling stockholders. The selling stockholders may sell their shares directly to purchasers or to or through broker-dealers, which may act as agents or principals. These broker-dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions, or commissions from the selling stockholders and/or the purchasers of shares for whom these broker-dealers may act as agents or to whom they sell as principal, or both (which compensation as to a particular broker-dealer might be in excess of customary commissions). The selling stockholders also may resell any of their shares that qualify for sale under Rule 144 in open market transactions pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, rather than pursuant to this prospectus. The selling stockholders and any broker-dealers that act in connection with the sale of their shares might be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act of 1933, and any commissions received by these broker-dealers and any profit on the resale of the shares sold by them while acting as principals might be deemed to be underwriting discounts or commissions under the Securities Act of 1933. We have agreed to indemnify the selling stockholders against certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933. The selling stockholders may agree to indemnify any agent, dealer or broker-dealer that 15 18 participates in transactions involving sales of their shares against certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933. Because the selling stockholders may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act of 1933, the selling stockholders will be subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, which may include delivery through the facilities of the American Stock Exchange pursuant to Rule 153 under the Securities Act of 1933. We have informed the selling stockholders that the anti-manipulative provisions of Regulation M promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 may apply to their sales in the market. Upon notification to us by a selling stockholder that any material arrangement has been entered into with a broker-dealer for the sale of shares through a block trade, special offering, exchange distribution or secondary distribution or a purchase by a broker or dealer, a supplement to this prospectus will be filed, if required, pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, disclosing: o the name of the selling stockholder and of the participating broker-dealer(s); o the number of shares involved; o the price at which the shares were sold; o the commissions paid or discounts or concessions allowed to the broker-dealer(s), where applicable; o that the broker-dealer(s) did not conduct any investigation to verify the information set out or incorporated by reference in this prospectus; and o any other facts material to the transaction. We will pay all the costs, expenses and fees related to the registration of the shares offered by this prospectus. The selling stockholders will be responsible for the payment of any brokerage commissions, underwriting fees or discounts or fees or expenses of counsel or advisors attributable to the sale of the shares. LEGAL MATTERS Certain legal matters with respect to the shares of our common stock offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Conner & Winters, A Professional Corporation, Tulsa, Oklahoma. EXPERTS The consolidated financial statements of Prize Energy Corp. for the year ended December 31, 2000, and the 1998 statement of revenues and direct operating expenses for the producing properties acquired by Prize Energy Corp. from Pioneer Natural Resources USA, Inc. appearing in Prize Energy Corp.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000, have been audited by Ernst & Young, LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their reports thereon included therein and incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing. Approximately 75% of the estimated quantities of our proved oil and natural gas reserves and related calculations prepared by us as of December 31, 2000, and incorporated by reference in this prospectus, has been audited by Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. and is incorporated herein in reliance upon the firm's authority as experts in petroleum engineering. 16 19 PROSPECTUS JULY 23, 2001 PRIZE ENERGY CORP. 286,461 SHARES COMMON STOCK