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Exhibit 10.8

SEAHAWK DRILLING, INC.

AMENDED AND RESTATED

EMPLOYMENT/NON-COMPETITION/

CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT

OSCAR GERMAN


AMENDED AND RESTATED

EMPLOYMENT/NON-COMPETITION/CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT

 

DATE:

  

The date of execution set forth below.

COMPANY/EMPLOYER:

  

Seahawk Drilling, Inc.,

  

a Delaware corporation

  

5847 San Felipe, Floor 16

  

Houston, Texas 77057

EMPLOYEE:

  

Oscar German

  

15502 Stallion Point Circle

  

Cypress, Texas 77429

This Amended and Restated Employment/Non-Competition/Confidentiality Agreement by and between Seahawk Drilling, Inc. (the “Company”) and Oscar German (“Employee”) (together the “Parties”), effective as of August 26, 2009 (the “Agreement”), is made on the terms as herein provided.

PREAMBLE

WHEREAS, the Employee previously entered into an employment, noncompetition, confidentiality agreement with Pride International, Inc. dated November 1, 2008 (the “Prior Agreement”);

WHEREAS, Pride International, Inc. distributed on a pro rata basis to the holders of outstanding shares of Pride International, Inc. common stock all of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the “Distribution”);

WHEREAS, under the terms of the Prior Agreement, in advance of or upon consummation of the Distribution, the Prior Agreement was assigned and novated to the Company;

WHEREAS, the Company wishes to secure the services of Employee and shall assume all of the obligations of the Prior Agreement;

WHEREAS, the Parties wish to hereby supersede the Prior Agreement and amend and restate the rights and obligations of the Parties with regard to Employee’s employment with the Company in this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the Parties are willing to enter into the Agreement upon the terms and conditions and for the consideration set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual promises, covenants, and obligations contained herein, the Parties agree as follows:

AGREEMENT

 

I.

PRIOR AGREEMENTS/CONTRACTS

As of the Effective Date, the Prior Agreement is hereby amended, modified and superseded by this Agreement insofar as future employment, compensation, non-competition, confidentiality, accrual of payments or any form of compensation or benefits from the Company are concerned. This Agreement does not release or relieve the Company from its liability or obligation with

 

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respect to any compensation, payments or benefits already accrued to Employee for service prior to the Effective Date, nor to any vesting of benefits or other rights which are attributable to length of employment, seniority or other such matters. This Agreement does not relieve Employee of any prior non-competition or confidentiality obligations to and agreements with the Company and the same are hereby modified and amended as to future matters and future confidentiality even as to matters accruing prior to the Effective Date hereof.

 

II.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

Words used in the Agreement in the singular shall include the plural and in the plural the singular, and the gender of words used shall be construed to include whichever may be appropriate under any particular circumstances of the masculine, feminine or neuter genders.

 

 

2.01

BOARD. The term “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

 

2.02

CAUSE. The term “Cause” means: (i) the willful and continued failure of Employee substantially to perform his duties with the Company (other than any failure due to physical or mental incapacity) after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to him by the Board which specifically identifies the manner in which the Board believes he has not substantially performed his duties, (ii) willful misconduct materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company, (iii) intentional action, materially and demonstrably injurious to Company, which Employee knows would not comply with the laws of the United States or any other jurisdiction applicable to Employee’s actions on behalf of the Company, and/or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, including specifically, without limitation, the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, generally codified in 15 USC 78 (the “FCPA”), as the FCPA may hereafter be amended, and/or its successor statutes, or (iv) material violation of one or more of the covenants in Article V (except violation of the covenant not to compete after termination of employment after Change in Control as discussed herein). No act or failure to act by Employee shall be considered “willful” unless done or omitted to be done by him not in good faith and without reasonable belief that his action or omission was in the best interest of the Company. The unwillingness of Employee to accept any or all of a change in the nature or scope of his position, authorities or duties, a reduction in his total compensation or benefits, or other action by or at request of the Company in respect of his position, authority, or responsibility that is contrary to this Agreement, may not be considered by the Board to be a failure to perform or misconduct by Employee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Employee shall not be deemed to have been terminated for Cause for purposes of the Agreement unless and until there shall have been delivered to him a copy of a resolution, duly adopted by a vote of three-fourths of the entire Board at a meeting of the Board called and held (after a notice to Employee identifying in reasonable detail the manner in which Company believes Cause exists and an opportunity for Employee and his counsel to prepare for and to be heard before the Board) for the purpose of considering whether Employee has been guilty of such a willful failure to perform or such willful misconduct as justifies termination for Cause hereunder, finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board, Employee has been guilty thereof, and specifying the particulars thereof.

 

 

2.03

CHANGE IN CONTROL. The term “Change in Control” of the Company shall mean, and shall be deemed to have occurred on the date of the first to occur of any of the following:

 

 

a.

any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) is or becomes a beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing thirty percent (30%) or more of the total voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities;

 

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b.

during any period of 12 consecutive months, individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the members of the Board (the “Incumbent Directors”) cease for any reason other than due to death or disability to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board, provided that any director who was nominated for election or was elected with the approval of at least a majority of the members of the Board who are at the time Incumbent Directors shall be considered an Incumbent Director unless such individual’s initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person other than the Board;

 

 

c.

the consummation of any transaction (including any merger, amalgamation, consolidation or scheme of arrangement), the result of which is that less than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the surviving corporation is represented by shares held by former shareholders of the Company prior to such transaction; or

 

 

d.

the Company shall have sold, transferred or exchanged all, or substantially all, of its assets to another corporation or other entity or person.

 

 

2.04

CODE. The term “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

 

 

2.05

COMPANY. The term “Company” means Seahawk Drilling, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as the same presently exists, or any and all successors, regardless of the nature of the entity or the state or nation of organization, whether by assignment, reorganization, merger, consolidation, absorption or dissolution. For the purpose of Article V the term “Company” includes all subsidiaries of the Company to the extent such subsidiary is carrying on any portion of the business of the Company or a business similar to that being conducted by the Company. With regard to the determination of the amount or level of the Employee’s compensation and benefits payable hereunder, including annual bonuses and equity incentives, the term “Company” means the Board and/or the Compensation Committee of the Board.

 

 

2.06

CONSTRUCTIVE TERMINATION. The term “Constructive Termination” means a Termination by reason of Employee’s resignation for any one or more of the following events:

 

 

a.

Employee’s resignation or retirement is requested by the Company other than for Cause;

 

 

b.

any material reduction in Employee’s Annual Base Salary, Target Bonus or benefits other than equity or long-term incentive awards or actual bonus award payouts, in all cases as then in effect immediately prior to such reduction;

 

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c.

any circumstance by which the actions of the Company either reduce or change Employee’s title, position, duties, responsibilities or authority to such an extent or in such a manner as to relegate Employee to a position not substantially similar to that which he held prior to such reduction or change and which would degrade, embarrass or otherwise make it unreasonable for Employee to remain in the employment of the Company;

 

 

d.

any requirement of the Company that Employee relocate more than 50 miles from downtown Houston, Texas, unless Employee recommended the relocation; or

 

 

e.

the material breach by the Company of any provision of the Agreement.

Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, in order for Employee’s resignation to be deemed a Constructive Termination, (A) Employee must provide, within 60 days following the occurrence of the event that Employee claims constitutes a Constructive Termination, a written notice to the Company that Employee intends to terminate his employment with the Company; (B) the written notice must describe the event constituting the Constructive Termination in reasonable detail; and (C) within 30 days after receiving such notice from Employee, the Company must fail to reinstate Employee to the position he was in, or otherwise cure the circumstances giving rise to the Constructive Termination.

 

 

2.07

COVERED TERMINATION. The term “Covered Termination” shall mean the Employee’s Termination for any reason other than (i) Cause, (ii) Voluntary Resignation or (iii) death. Accordingly, a Covered Termination includes the Employee’s Termination by reason of Constructive Termination or Disability or Termination at the end of any “Employment Period” due to non-renewal or failure to extend this Agreement for any reason. Notwithstanding any provision hereof to the contrary, the Company shall have the right to terminate Employee’s employment at any time during the Employment Period, as defined below (including any extended term), and the Company has no obligation to deliver advance notice of termination.

 

 

2.08

CUSTOMER. The term “Customer” includes all persons, firms or entities that are purchasers or end-users of services or products offered, provided, developed, designed, sold or leased by the Company during the relevant time periods, and all persons, firms or entities which control, or which are controlled by, the same person, firm or entity which controls such purchase.

 

 

2.09

DISABILITY. The term “Disability” means physical or mental incapacity qualifying Employee for a long-term disability under the Company’s long-term disability plan. If no such plan exists on the date on which a relevant determination is being made, the term “Disability” means physical or mental incapacity as determined by a doctor jointly selected by Employee and the Board qualifying Employee for long-term disability under reasonable employment standards.

 

 

2.10

EFFECTIVE DATE. The term “Effective Date” means the date that the Agreement becomes effective and binding.

 

 

2.11

MAXIMUM BONUS. The term “Maximum Bonus” shall mean (i) Employee’s maximum bonus under the Company’s annual bonus incentive plan for the fiscal year in which a Covered Termination occurs as determined in accordance with

 

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Section 3.04b or (ii) if the Company has not specified a maximum bonus for such year, Employee’s maximum bonus under the Company’s annual bonus incentive plan for the last year in which the Company had specified such a maximum bonus, or (iii) if the Company has not specified a maximum bonus in the year of the Covered Termination or in a previous year, the maximum bonus identified in Section 3.04b.

 

 

2.12

SECTION 409A. The term “Section 409A” refers to Section 409A of the Code and applicable Treasury authorities promulgated thereunder.

 

 

2.13

TARGET BONUS. The term “Target Bonus” shall mean (i) Employee’s target bonus under the Company’s annual bonus incentive plan for the fiscal year in which a Covered Termination occurs as determined in accordance with Section 3.04b or (ii) if the Company has not specified a target bonus for such year, Employee’s target bonus under the Company’s annual bonus incentive plan for the last year in which the Company had specified such a target bonus, or (iii) if the Company has not specified a target bonus in the year of the Covered Termination or in a previous year, the minimum target bonus identified in Section 3.04b.

 

 

2.14

TERMINATION. The term “Termination” means Employee’s “separation from service” with the Company and all of its affiliates as that phrase is defined for purposes of Section 409A.

 

 

2.15

VOLUNTARY RESIGNATION. The term “Voluntary Resignation” means any Termination by Employee for any reason other than a Constructive Termination.

 

III.

EMPLOYMENT

 

 

3.01

EMPLOYMENT. Except as otherwise provided in the Agreement, the Company hereby agrees to continue to employ Employee, and Employee hereby agrees to remain in the employ of the Company, for the Employment Period. During the Employment Period, Employee shall exercise such position and authority and perform such responsibilities as are commensurate with the position to which he is assigned and as directed by his supervisor. The office, position and title for which Employee is initially employed is that of Senior Vice President Human Resources and Administration. Employee and the Company agree that the Company may re-assign Employee to another office, position and/or title, subject to Employee’s rights under Section 2.06.

 

 

3.02

BEST EFFORTS AND OTHER EMPLOYMENT OBLIGATIONS OF EMPLOYEE; BUSINESS EXPENSES; AND OFFICE AND OTHER SERVICES.

 

 

a.

During the Employment Period, Employee agrees that he will at all times faithfully, industriously and to the best of his ability, experience and talents, perform all of the duties that may be required of and from him pursuant to the express and implicit terms hereof.

 

 

b.

During the Employment Period, Employee shall devote his normal and regular business time, attention and skill to the business and interests of the Company, and the Company shall be entitled to all of the benefits, profits or other issue arising from or incident to all work, services and advice of Employee performed for the Company. Such employment shall be considered “full time” employment. Employee shall also have the right to devote

 

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such incidental and immaterial amounts of his time which are not required for the full and faithful performance of his duties hereunder to any outside activities and businesses which are not being engaged in by the Company and which shall not otherwise interfere with the performance of his duties hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it shall not be a violation of the Agreement for Employee to (i) serve on corporate, civic or charitable boards or committees, (ii) deliver lectures, fulfill speaking engagements or teach at educational institutions and (iii) manage personal investments, so long as such activities do not significantly interfere with the performance of Employee’s responsibilities hereunder. Employee shall have the right to make investments in any business provided such investment does not result in a violation of Article V of the Agreement or other applicable Company policies.

 

 

c.

Employee acknowledges and agrees that, in connection with his employment relationship with the Company, Employee owes a fiduciary duty to the Company. In keeping with these duties, Employee shall make full disclosure to the Company of all business opportunities pertaining to the Company’s business and shall not appropriate for Employee’s own benefit business opportunities concerning the subject matter of the fiduciary relationship.

 

 

d.

Employee shall not intentionally take any action which he knows would not comply with the laws of the United States or any other jurisdiction applicable to Employee’s actions on behalf of the Company, and/or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, including specifically, without limitation, the FCPA, as the FCPA may hereafter be amended, and/or its successor statutes.

 

 

e.

During and after the Employment Period, Employee agrees to refrain from any disparaging comments about the Company, any affiliates, or any current or former officer, director or employee of the Company or any affiliate, and Employee agrees not to take any action, or assist any person in taking any other action, in each case, that is materially adverse to the interests of the Company or any affiliate or inconsistent with fostering the goodwill o


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