Back- Provision of US$238 million based on advanced discussions with the U.S. Department of Justice (“DoJ”) in relation to their reopened investigation into legacy issues and Unaoil
- Discussions with various authorities in Brazil: not yet resolved, complex process requiring coordination and agreement among the multiple parties involved
History
In 2012, the Company became aware of potential improper sales practices. In response, the Company launched an internal investigation and self-reported the matter to the Dutch public prosecutor and the DoJ. In 2014, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with the Dutch public prosecutor regarding its legacy issues in Equatorial Guinea, Angola and Brazil. At that time, the DoJ informed the Company that it had closed its inquiry into the matter based upon a lack of US jurisdiction, but reserved the right to reopen the investigation if new facts came to light. Subsequently, the Company has been in discussions with the Brazilian authorities. At the end of 2015, various individuals were charged by the Brazilian public prosecutor. This included one of the Company’s former employees who worked on projects in relation to Brazil from the United States and is a U.S. citizen. Following the release of these charges, the DoJ reopened its investigation. The DoJ also initiated an investigation into the Company’s relationship with Unaoil.
United States
The Company is in advanced discussions with the DoJ concerning a potential resolution of the DoJ’s investigations. Based on these investigations and the applicable U.S. statutory rules, the DoJ has now concluded that the evidence not only supports jurisdiction in the United States but also requires a further penalty in the United States. Confronted with the DoJ’s conclusions and in anticipation of a final resolution, the Company is making a provision of US$238 million.
The proposed terms under discussion reflect confidence in the quality of the Company’s compliance program and efforts by current management.
Final resolution with the DoJ remains subject to, amongst other matters, agreement on the terms and conditions of the resolution, including subsequent approval thereof by the Company’s Supervisory Board.
Brazil
2016 Leniency agreement
In July 2016, the Company signed a leniency agreement with the Federal Prosecutor’s Office (Ministério Público Federal – “MPF”), the Brazilian Ministry of Transparency, Oversight and Control (Ministério da Transparência, Fiscalização e Controle – “MTFC”), the General Counsel for the Republic (Advocacia Geral da União – “AGU”) and Petrobras.
Pursuant to Brazilian law and regulations, leniency agreements entered into by the MPF are subject to review and approval by the Fifth Chamber for Coordination and Review and Anti-corruption (“Fifth Chamber”). Leniency agreements entered into by the MTFC, the AGU and Petrobras are subject to review and approval by the Federal Court of Accounts (Tribunal de Contas da União – “TCU”).
The 2016 leniency agreement was to have become effective and binding following approval by the Fifth Chamber. The review by the TCU was to have followed after signing and was not a condition precedent for the effectiveness of the leniency agreement.
In December 2016, the Higher Council of the Fifth Chamber confirmed the decision of the Fifth Chamber of October 2016 not to approve the 2016 leniency agreement. Since the decision of the Higher Council, the Company, the Brazilian authorities and Petrobras have continued discussions in order to address the concerns raised by the Fifth Chamber.
Current situation
In light of the various competences and approvals of the respective authorities, the Brazilian authorities presented the Company with two separate leniency agreements: one leniency agreement with the MPF only (the “MPF Agreement”) and another leniency agreement with the other authorities (the MTFC and the AGU) and Petrobras (the “MTFC Agreement”).
The Company has been exploring the potential terms and conditions of these leniency agreements with the Brazilian authorities and Petrobras. The most important elements for the Company in the 2016 leniency agreement were that it provided for finality regarding the Company’s legacy issues in Brazil and allowed the Company to contract new projects with Petrobras.
The leniency agreements under discussion with the Brazilian authorities and Petrobras would allow the Company to secure future business with Petrobras. However, the proposed agreements do not provide the same level of finality, both regarding the amount of compensation payable for damages and regarding the responsibility for the acts of the Company’s agents in Brazil. The proposed leniency agreements reference and require payment of a civil fine and compensation for damages. The aggregate amount does not differ materially from the amounts agreed in the 2016 leniency agreement.
During a preliminary review of the MTFC Agreement by the TCU, the TCU indicated that it has concerns with some of the provisions of the MTFC Agreement. These concerns relate tointer aliathe scope and the sufficiency of the amounts payable by the Company as compensation for damages to Petrobras. The TCU issued an injunction order suspending the signing of the MTFC Agreement until the end of November 2017 and stated that it would need to approve the terms and conditions of the MTFC Agreement prior to signing. This may trigger further discussions with the other parties involved. The Company cannot guarantee that these parties will await the finalization of the TCU’s review and any subsequent discussions that may be required as a result.
Pursuant to its general oversight over state-owned companies, the TCU conducts reviews regarding the market conformity of Petrobras’ contracts, including contracts with the Company. The Company believes that its contracts were fairly and legally agreed.
The Company confirms its commitment to close out its legacy issues in Brazil and its willingness in principle to pay the agreed substantial amounts. However, to enter into the leniency agreements, the Company would need to be in a position to reach satisfactorily closure with all Brazilian authorities and Petrobras on all outstanding leniency issues at the same time. In view of the current situation, the Company cannot guarantee that a satisfactory resolution will be reached. The Company will await resolution before participating in Petrobras-operated tenders.
Individuals
The relevant authorities in various jurisdictions, including the DoJ, may take action against individuals, including former executives, who have been involved in the Company’s legacy issues in the past.
Management Board comment
Chief Governance and Compliance Officer and member of the Management Board Erik Lagendijk commented:
“The Company self-reported the issues in 2012 and has completely changed its business model and ways of working since, as recognized by the Company’s stakeholders. Although it appears that the Company can likely reach a resolution with the DoJ and thus make an important step towards closure of the past, it is unfortunate that despite all efforts made, no global solution to bring finality is currently available. We will continue to actively seek to bring the legacy issue in Brazil to an acceptable closure.”
Conference Call
SBM Offshore has scheduled a conference call followed by a Q&A session at 8:30 am Central European Time on Monday, November 6, 2017.
The call will be hosted by Bruno Chabas (CEO), Philippe Barril (COO), Erik Lagendijk (CGCO) and Douglas Wood (CFO). Interested parties are invited to listen to the call by dialing +31 (0) 20 531 5851 in the Netherlands, +44 (0) 20 3365 3210 in the UK or +1 866 349 6093 in the US.
A replay will be available shortly after the end of the conference call. Interested parties can listen to the replay by dialing +31 (0) 20 530 0220 and using access code 322938# until December 6, 2017.
Corporate Profile
SBM Offshore N.V. is a listed holding company that is headquartered in Amsterdam. It holds direct and indirect interests in other companies that collectively with SBM Offshore N.V. form the SBM Offshore group (“the Company”).
SBM Offshore provides floating production solutions to the offshore energy industry, over the full product life-cycle. The Company is market leading in leased floating production systems with multiple units currently in operation and has unrivalled operational experience in this field. The Company’s main activities are the design, supply, installation, operation and the life extension of Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels. These are either owned and operated by SBM Offshore and leased to its clients or supplied on a turnkey sale basis.
As of December 31, 2016, Group companies employ approximately 4,750 people worldwide. Full time company employees totaling c. 4,250 are spread over five regional centers, ten operational shore bases and the offshore fleet of vessels. A further 500 are working for the joint ventures with several construction yards. For further information, please visit our website at www.sbmoffshore.com.
The companies in which SBM Offshore N.V. directly and indirectly owns investments are separate entities. In this communication “SBM Offshore” is sometimes used for convenience where references are made to SBM Offshore N.V. and its subsidiaries in general, or where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular company or companies.
The Management Board
Amsterdam, the Netherlands, November 6, 2017
| FinancialCalendar | Date | Year |
| Trading Update 3Q 2017 – Press Release | November 8 | 2017 |
| Full-Year 2017 Earnings – Press Release | February 8 | 2018 |
| Annual General Meeting of Shareholders | April 11 | 2018 |
| Trading Update 1Q 2018 – Press Release | May 10 | 2018 |
| Half-Year 2018 Earnings – Press Release | August 9 | 2018 |
| Trading Update 3Q 2018 – Press Release | November 15 | 2018 |
For further information, please contact:
Investor Relations
Bert-Jaap Dijkstra
Investor Relations Director
| Mobile NL:
Mobile MC: |
+31 (0) 6 2114 1017
+33 (0) 6 4391 9302 |
| Telephone: | +377 9205 1732 |
| E-mail: | Bert-Jaap Dijkstra |
| Website: | www.sbmoffshore.com |
Media Relations
Vincent Kempkes
Group Communications Director
| Telephone: | +31 (0) 20 2363 170 |
| Mobile: | +31 (0) 6 25 68 71 67 |
| E-mail: | Vincent Kempkes |
| Website: | www.sbmoffshore.com |
Disclaimer
This press release contains inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation. Some of the statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are statements of future expectations and other forward-looking statements based on management’s current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance, or events to differ materially from those in such statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results and performance of the Company’s business to differ materially and adversely from the forward-looking statements. Certain such forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward- looking terminology such as “believes”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “would be”, “expects” or “anticipates” or similar expressions, or the negative thereof, or other variations thereof, or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy, plans, or intentions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in this release as anticipated, believed, or expected. SBM Offshore NV does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update any industry information or forward-looking statements set forth in this release to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. Nothing in this press release shall be deemed an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities.
