pr13da-national_newmountain.htm

 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
SCHEDULE 13D
 
(Amendment No. 3)*
 
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY

(Name of Issuer)
 
Common Stock, par value $1 per share

(Title of Class of Securities)
 
636180101

(CUSIP Number)

Steven B. Klinsky
New Mountain Vantage, L.P.
787 Seventh Avenue, 49th Floor
New York, NY  10019
(212) 720-0300
 
Copies to:

Paul Reinstein
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP
One New York Plaza
New York, NY  10004-1980
(212) 859-8000

 (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized
to Receive Notices and Communications)
 
September 11, 2007
(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of This Statement)
 
If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§ 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box: [   ]
 
*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
 
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).
 
 

 
 
 
 
SCHEDULE 13D 
     
 CUSIP No. 636180101  
Page 2 of 15
     

 
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
 
New Mountain Vantage GP, L.L.C.
 
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP                                                                                                                                    (a) ý
                                                   (b) o
 
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
 
AF
 
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)                                                                                                                                                      o
 
 
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
Delaware
 
NUMBER OF
 
SHARES
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
0
 
BENEFICIALLY
 
OWNED BY
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
5,310,700
 
EACH
 
REPORTING
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
0
 
PERSON
 
WITH
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
5,310,700
 
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
5,310,700
 
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES                                                                                                o
 
 
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
6.4%
 
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
OO
 
 

 
SCHEDULE 13D 
     
 CUSIP No. 636180101  
Page 3 of 15
     

 
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
 
New Mountain Vantage, L.P.
 
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP                                                                                                                     (a) ý
                                                                       (b) o
 
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
 
WC
 
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)                                                                                     o
 
 
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
Delaware
 
NUMBER OF
 
SHARES
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
0
 
BENEFICIALLY
 
OWNED BY
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
904,800
 
EACH
 
REPORTING
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
0
 
PERSON
 
WITH
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
904,800
 
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
904,800
 
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES                                                                                                  o
 
 
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
1.1%
 
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
PN
 
 

 
SCHEDULE 13D 
     
 CUSIP No. 636180101  
Page 4 of 15
     

 
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
 
New Mountain Vantage (California), L.P.
 
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP                                                                                                                                             (a) ý
                                                                       (b) o
 
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
 
WC
 
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)                                                                                                                                                        o
 
 
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
Delaware
 
NUMBER OF
 
SHARES
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
0
 
BENEFICIALLY
 
OWNED BY
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
909,100
 
EACH
 
REPORTING
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
0
 
PERSON
 
WITH
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
909,100
 
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
909,100
 
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES                                                                                                o
 
 
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
1.1%
 
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
PN
 
 

 
SCHEDULE 13D 
     
 CUSIP No. 636180101  
Page 5 of 15
     

 
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
 
New Mountain Vantage (Texas), L.P.
 
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP                                                                                                                                             (a) ý
                                                                       (b) o
 
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
 
WC
 
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)                                                                                                                                                      o
 
 
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
Delaware
 
NUMBER OF
 
SHARES
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
0
 
BENEFICIALLY
 
OWNED BY
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
819,800
 
EACH
 
REPORTING
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
0
 
PERSON
 
WITH
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
819,800
 
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
819,800
 
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES                                                                                              o
 
 
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
1.0%
 
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
PN
 
 

 
SCHEDULE 13D 
     
 CUSIP No. 636180101  
Page 6 of 15
     

 
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
 
New Mountain Vantage Advisers, L.L.C.
 
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP                                                                                                                                             (a) ý
                                                                       (b) o
 
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
 
AF
 
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)                                                                                                                                                        o
 
 
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
Delaware
 
NUMBER OF
 
SHARES
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
0
 
BENEFICIALLY
 
OWNED BY
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
4,828,100
 
EACH
 
REPORTING
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
0
 
PERSON
 
WITH
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
4,828,100
 
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
4,828,100
 
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES                                                                                                o
 
 
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
5.8%
 
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
OO
 
 

 
SCHEDULE 13D 
     
 CUSIP No. 636180101  
Page 7 of 15
     

 
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
 
New Mountain Vantage (Cayman) Ltd.
 
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP                                                                                                                                             (a) ý
                                                                       (b) o
 
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
 
WC
 
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)                                                                                     o
 
 
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
Cayman Islands
 
NUMBER OF
 
SHARES
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
0
 
BENEFICIALLY
 
OWNED BY
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
2,194,400
 
EACH
 
REPORTING
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
0
 
PERSON
 
WITH
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
2,194,400
 
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
2,194,400
 
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES                                                                                                 o
 
 
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
2.6%
 
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
CO
 
 

 
SCHEDULE 13D 
     
 CUSIP No. 636180101  
Page 8 of 15
     

 
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
 
New Mountain Vantage HoldCo Ltd.
 
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP                                                                                                                                             (a) ý
                                                                       (b) o
 
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
 
WC
 
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)                                                                                     o
 
 
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
Cayman Islands
 
NUMBER OF
 
SHARES
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
0
 
BENEFICIALLY
 
OWNED BY
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
2,194,400
 
EACH
 
REPORTING
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
0
 
PERSON
 
WITH
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
2,194,400
 
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
2,194,400
 
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES                                                                                                 o
 
 
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
2.6%
 
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
CO
 
 

 
SCHEDULE 13D 
     
 CUSIP No. 636180101  
Page 9 of 15
     

 
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
 
Steven B. Klinsky
 
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP                                                                                                                                             (a) ý
                                                                       (b) o
 
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
 
AF, PF
 
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)                                                                                                                                                       o
 
 
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
United States of America
 
NUMBER OF
 
SHARES
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
0
 
BENEFICIALLY
 
OWNED BY
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
7,505,100
 
EACH
 
REPORTING
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
0
 
PERSON
 
WITH
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
7,505,100
 
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
7,505,100
 
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES                                                                                             o
 
 
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
9.0%
 
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
IN
 
 

 
SCHEDULE 13D 
     
 CUSIP No. 636180101  
Page 10 of 15
     

 
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
 
NMV Special Holdings, LLC
 
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP                                                                                                                                               (a) ý
                                                                                                                                     (b) o
 
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
 
WC
 
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)                                                                                                                                                          o
 
 
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
Delaware
 
NUMBER OF
 
SHARES
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
0
 
BENEFICIALLY
 
OWNED BY
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
2,677,000
 
EACH
 
REPORTING
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
0
 
PERSON
 
WITH
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
2,677,000
 
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
2,677,000
 
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES                                                                                                 o
 
 
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
3.2%
 
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
OO
 
 

 
SCHEDULE 13D 
     
 CUSIP No. 636180101  
Page 11 of 15
     

 
1
NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
 
California Public Employees' Retirement System
 
2
CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP                                                                                                                                        (a) ý
                                                                      (b) o
 
3
SEC USE ONLY
 
 
4
SOURCE OF FUNDS
 
WC
 
5
CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)                                                                                                                                                  o
 
 
6
CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
 
United States of America
 
NUMBER OF
 
SHARES
7
SOLE VOTING POWER
 
601,246
 
BENEFICIALLY
 
OWNED BY
8
SHARED VOTING POWER
 
2,677,000
 
EACH
 
REPORTING
9
SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
601,246
 
PERSON
 
WITH
10
SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
 
2,677,000
 
11
AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
 
3,278,246
 
12
CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES                                                                                           o
 
 
13
PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
 
3.9%
 
14
TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
 
EP
 
 

 
This Amendment No. 3, filed by New Mountain Vantage GP, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (“Vantage GP”), New Mountain Vantage, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“NMV”), New Mountain Vantage (California), L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“NMVC”), New Mountain Vantage (Texas), L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“NMVT”), New Mountain Vantage Advisers, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (“NMV Advisers”), New Mountain Vantage (Cayman) Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempt limited company (“NMV Offshore”), New Mountain Vantage HoldCo Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempt limited company (“NMV Offshore HoldCo”), Mr. Steven B. Klinsky (collectively, the “NMV Entities”), NMV Special Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“NMVSH”), and the California Public Employees’ Retirement System, a unit of the California State and Consumer Services Agency charged with oversight of the Public Employees’ Retirement Fund (“CalPERS”), (NMV Entities, NMVSH and CalPERS, collectively, the “Reporting Persons”), amends and supplements the Schedule 13D (the “Schedule 13D”) filed by the Reporting Persons with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on October 30, 2006, as amended, relating to the common stock, par value $1 per share (“Common Stock”), of National Fuel Gas Company, a New Jersey corporation (the “Issuer”).   NMV, NMVC, NMVT, NMV Offshore HoldCo, NMVSH and CalPERS are referred to together as the “Purchasers.”1
_____________________
 
1  
Neither the present filing nor anything contained herein shall be construed as an admission that any Reporting Person constitutes a “person” for any purposes other than Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
 
ITEM 3.                      SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS OR OTHER CONSIDERATION
 
Item 3 is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:
 
The aggregate purchase price of the 8,106,346 shares of Common Stock owned by the Purchasers is $290,741,916.97, including brokerage commissions.  The shares of Common Stock owned by the Purchasers were acquired with working capital.
 
ITEM 4.                      PURPOSE OF TRANSACTION
 
Item 4 is hereby amended by adding the following paragraphs to the end thereof:
 
On September 7, 2007, representatives of the Reporting Persons discussed various recommendations of the Reporting Persons relating to the Issuer’s Appalachian oil and gas assets, its strategic focus and governance issues with Philip C. Ackerman, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of the Issuer, David F. Smith, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Issuer, and Ronald J. Tanski, Treasurer of the Issuer.  Following that discussion, the Reporting Persons sent a letter, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 99.4, to the Board of Directors of the Issuer reviewing those recommendations and urging swift action on the recommendations.
 
The Reporting Persons intend to continue to have discussions with the Issuer’s management, Board of Directors, stockholders and others relating to the recommendations the Reporting Persons have made and any other recommendations or proposals they may make in the future.
 
ITEM 5.                      INTEREST IN SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER
 
Item 5 is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:
 
(a).  The aggregate percentage of shares of Common Stock reported owned by each person named herein is based upon 83,549,949 shares of Common Stock outstanding, which is the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of July 31, 2007 as reported in the Issuer’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2007, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 3, 2007.
 
As of the close of business on September 11, 2007, as described below, the Reporting Persons may be deemed to beneficially own an aggregate of 8,106,346 shares of Common Stock representing, in the aggregate, approximately 9.7% of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock.
 
As of the close of business on September 11, 2007, Mr. Klinsky may be deemed to beneficially own an aggregate of 7,505,100 shares of Common Stock that may be deemed to be beneficially owned by NMV, NMVC, NMVT, NMV Offshore and NMVSH representing, in the aggregate, approximately 9.0% of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock.  Mr. Klinsky disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by NMV, NMVC, NMVT, NMV Offshore and NMVSH, to the extent that partnership interests or limited liability company interests in NMV, NMVC, NMVT, NMV Offshore and NMVSH are held by persons other than Mr. Klinsky.
 
As of the close of business on September 11, 2007, NMV Advisers may be deemed to beneficially own an aggregate of 4,828,100 shares of Common Stock that may be deemed to be beneficially owned by NMV, NMVC, NMVT and NMV Offshore representing, in the aggregate, approximately 5.8% of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock.  NMV Advisers disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by NMV, NMVC, NMVT and NMV Offshore, to the extent that partnership interests in NMV, NMVC, NMVT and NMV Offshore are held by persons other than NMV Advisers.
 
As of the close of business on September 11, 2007, Vantage GP may be deemed to beneficially own an aggregate of 5,310,700 shares of Common Stock that may be deemed to be beneficially owned by NMV, NMVC, NMVT and NMVSH representing, in the aggregate, approximately 6.4% of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock.  Vantage GP disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by NMV, NMVC, NMVT and NMVSH to the extent that partnership interests or limited liability company interests in NMV, NMVC, NMVT and NMVSH are held by persons other than Vantage GP.
 
As of the close of business on September 11, 2007, NMV Offshore may be deemed to beneficially own an aggregate of 2,194,400 shares of Common Stock that may be deemed to be beneficially owned by NMV Offshore HoldCo, representing approximately 2.6% of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock.
 
As of the close of business on September 11, 2007, (i) NMV may be deemed to beneficially own an aggregate of 904,800 shares of Common Stock, representing approximately 1.1% of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock, (ii) NMVC may be deemed to beneficially own an aggregate of 909,100 shares of Common Stock, representing approximately 1.1% of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock, (iii) NMVT may be deemed to beneficially own an aggregate of 819,800 shares of Common Stock, representing approximately 1.0% of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock and (iv) NMV Offshore HoldCo may be deemed to beneficially own an aggregate of 2,194,400 shares of Common Stock, representing approximately 2.6% of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock.
 
As of the close of business on September 11, 2007, NMVSH may be deemed to beneficially own an aggregate of 2,677,000 shares of Common Stock, representing approximately 3.2% of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock.
 
As of the close of business on September 11, 2007, CalPERS may be deemed to beneficially own an aggregate of 3,278,246 shares of Common Stock that may be deemed to be beneficially owned by NMVSH and by CalPERS, representing approximately 3.9% of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock.  CalPERS disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by NMVSH to the extent that membership interests in NMVSH are held by persons other than CalPERS.
 
In addition to the foregoing, Mr. F. Fox Benton III, who has entered into a consulting agreement with New Mountain as discussed in Item 6, is the President, director and a shareholder of Moreno Energy, Inc., a Texas Corporation (“Moreno Energy”).  Mr. Benton has advised the Reporting Persons that Moreno Energy may be deemed to beneficially own, as of June 29, 2007, an aggregate of 10,000 shares of Common Stock, representing less than .01% of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock and that Mr. Benton may be deemed to beneficially own all of the shares of Common Stock that may be deemed to be beneficially owned by Moreno Energy.  Moreno Energy is an energy investment company engaged principally in the business of owning direct interests in oil and gas properties and both private and public securities of energy companies.  The principal business address of Moreno Energy is 8818 Stable Crest Blvd., Houston, TX 77024.  No agreement or understanding exists between Mr. Benton or Moreno Energy, on the one hand, and any of the Reporting Persons, on the other hand, with respect to the disposition or the power to vote any of the shares of Common Stock that may be deemed to be beneficially owned by Moreno Energy or Mr. Benton or with respect to the acquisition by Mr. Benton or Moreno Energy of any additional shares of Common Stock.
 
(b).  Except as set forth below, each Reporting Person may be deemed to share the power to vote or direct the vote and to dispose or to direct the disposition of the shares of Common Stock that the Reporting Person may be deemed to beneficially own as described above.  CalPERS may be deemed to have the sole power to vote or direct the vote and to dispose or to direct the disposition of the 601,246 shares of Common Stock that CalPERS owns directly.
 
(c).  Schedule A annexed hereto lists all transactions in the shares of Common Stock during the past sixty days by the Reporting Persons.
 
(d).  No person is known by any Reporting Person to have the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, any shares of Common Stock that may be deemed to be beneficially owned by any Reporting Person.
 
(e).   Not applicable.
 
ITEM 7.                      MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS
 
99.4           Letter from the Reporting Persons to the Board of the Directors of the Issuer, dated as of September 11, 2007
 

 
 
SIGNATURE
 
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
 
 
Date:  September 12, 2007
 
 
NEW MOUNTAIN VANTAGE GP, L.L.C.
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Steven B. Klinsky
 
Steven B. Klinsky
 
 
Managing Member
 
 
 
 
NEW MOUNTAIN VANTAGE, L.P.
 
By: New Mountain Vantage GP, L.L.C.,
       its general partner
 
 
By:
/s/ Steven B. Klinsky
 
Steven B. Klinsky
 
 
Managing Member
 
 
 
 
NEW MOUNTAIN VANTAGE
          (CALIFORNIA), L.P.
 
By: New Mountain Vantage GP, L.L.C.,
        its general partner
 
 
By:
/s/ Steven B. Klinsky
 
Steven B. Klinsky
 
 
Managing Member
 
 
 
 
NEW MOUNTAIN VANTAGE (TEXAS), L.P.
 
By: New Mountain Vantage GP, L.L.C.,
        its general partner
 
 
By:
/s/ Steven B. Klinsky
 
Steven B. Klinsky
 
 
Managing Member
 
 
 
NEW MOUNTAIN VANTAGE ADVISERS, L.L.C.
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Steven B. Klinsky
 
Steven B. Klinsky
 
 
Managing Member
 
 
 
NEW MOUNTAIN VANTAGE (CAYMAN) LTD.
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Steven B. Klinsky
 
Steven B. Klinsky
 
 
Director
 
 
 
NEW MOUNTAIN VANTAGE HOLDCO LTD.
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Steven B. Klinsky
 
Steven B. Klinsky
 
 
Director
 
 
 
 
/s/ Steven B. Klinsky                           
Steven B. Klinsky
 
 
 
NMV SPECIAL HOLDINGS, L.L.C.
 
By: New Mountain Vantage GP, L.L.C.,
       its managing member
 
 
By:
/s/ Steven B. Klinsky
 
Steven B. Klinsky
 
 
Managing Member
 
 
 
California Public Employees' Retirement System
/s/ Christianna Wood                               _
    By: Christianna Wood
    Title: Senior Investment Officer
 
 
 

 
SCHEDULE A
TRANSACTIONS IN THE PAST SIXTY DAYS BY THE PURCHASERS

NMV

Date
Shares of Common Stock Purchased
Approximate Price per Share (inclusive of commissions)
8/6/2007     
7,800
42.96
8/7/2007     
7,600
43.54
8/9/2007     
2,600
44.03
8/10/2007     
10,300
43.82
8/13/2007     
2,500
43.67
8/14/2007     
4,900
43.67

NMVC

Date
Shares of Common Stock Purchased
Approximate Price per Share (inclusive of commissions)
8/6/2007     
9,300
42.96
8/7/2007     
9,100
43.54
8/9/2007     
3,000
44.03
8/10/2007     
12,300
43.82
8/13/2007     
2,900
43.67
8/14/2007     
5,800
43.67

NMVT

Date
Shares of Common Stock Purchased
Approximate Price per Share (inclusive of commissions)
8/2/2007     
4,600
43.93
8/3/2007     
2,100
43.99
8/6/2007     
17,400
42.96
8/7/2007     
17,000
43.54
8/9/2007     
5,700
44.03
8/10/2007     
23,000
43.82
8/13/2007     
5,500
43.67
8/14/2007     
10,800
43.67

NMV Offshore Holdco

Date
Shares of Common Stock Purchased
Approximate Price per Share (inclusive of commissions)
8/2/2007     
75,600
43.93
8/3/2007     
34,700
43.99
8/6/2007     
48,200
42.96
8/7/2007     
46,900
43.54
8/9/2007     
15,700
44.03
8/10/2007     
63,600
43.82
8/13/2007     
15,200
43.67
8/14/2007     
29,900
43.67

CalPERS

Date
Shares of Common Stock Purchased/Sold
Approximate Price per Share (inclusive of commissions)
8/14/2007     
(1,600)
43.42
8/15/2007     
(2,300)
42.94
8/17/2007     
(1,900)
43.09
8/20/2007     
(1,880)
42.85
8/29/2007     
(200)
44.34
8/30/2007     
(300)
44.15
8/31/2007     
(300)
44.33