Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)

Registration No. 333-166964

 

 

PROPOSED MERGER — YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT

 

Dear Stockholders of Mariner Energy, Inc.:

 

     On April 14, 2010, Mariner Energy, Inc. and Apache Corporation entered into a merger agreement that provides for Mariner to merge with and into a wholly owned subsidiary of Apache. The Mariner board of directors has determined that the merger and the merger agreement are advisable and in the best interests of Mariner and its stockholders and has approved the merger agreement and the merger.

 

     Under the merger agreement, Mariner stockholders may elect to receive consideration consisting of cash, shares of Apache common stock or a combination of both in exchange for their shares of Mariner common stock, subject to a proration feature. Mariner stockholders electing to receive a mix of cash and stock consideration and non-electing stockholders will receive $7.80 in cash and 0.17043 shares of Apache common stock in exchange for each share of Mariner common stock. Subject to proration, Mariner stockholders electing to receive all cash will receive $26.00 in cash per Mariner share and Mariner stockholders electing to receive only Apache common stock will receive 0.24347 shares of Apache common stock in exchange for each share of Mariner common stock.

 

     The total amount of cash and shares of Apache common stock that will be paid and issued, respectively, pursuant to the merger agreement is fixed, and an election to receive stock consideration or cash consideration is subject to a proration feature. As a result, if Mariner stockholders elect, in the aggregate, to receive cash in an amount greater than the aggregate cash consideration payable under the merger agreement, then those holders electing to receive all cash consideration will be prorated down (in accordance with their respective shares for which the cash consideration was elected) and will receive Apache stock as a portion of the overall consideration they receive for their shares. On the other hand, if Mariner stockholders elect, in the aggregate, to receive stock in an amount greater than the aggregate number of shares issuable under the merger agreement, then those holders electing to receive all stock consideration will be prorated down (in accordance with their respective shares for which the stock consideration was elected) and will receive cash as a portion of the overall consideration they receive for their shares.

 

     Immediately following completion of the merger, it is expected that Mariner stockholders will own approximately 5% of the outstanding shares of Apache common stock, based on the number of shares of Mariner and Apache common stock outstanding as of September 29, 2010.

 

     Apache’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the Chicago Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ National Market under the symbol “APA.”

 

     Mariner’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “ME.”

 

     Mariner is holding a special meeting of stockholders on November 10, 2010 to consider and vote to approve and adopt the merger agreement, as it may be amended from time to time. Your vote is very important. The merger cannot be completed unless the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Mariner common stock vote for the approval and adoption of the merger agreement at the special meeting. Please note that a failure to vote your shares is the equivalent of a vote “AGAINST” the approval and adoption of the merger agreement.

 

     The Mariner board of directors unanimously recommends that Mariner stockholders vote “FOR” the approval and adoption of the merger agreement.

 

     Your vote is important. Whether or not you expect to attend the Mariner special meeting in person, we urge you to submit your proxy as promptly as possible through one of the delivery methods described in the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus.

 

     In addition, we urge you to read carefully the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus (and the documents incorporated by reference into the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus), which includes important information about the merger agreement, the proposed merger, Mariner, Apache and the special meeting. The obligations of Apache and Mariner to complete the merger are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of several conditions set forth in the merger agreement. Please pay particular attention to the section titled “Risk Factors” in the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus.

 

     On behalf of the Mariner board of directors, thank you for your continued support.

 

Sincerely,

 

Scott D. Josey

Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President

 

     Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission, which is referred to as the SEC, nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the merger or the securities to be issued under this proxy statement/prospectus or has passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of the disclosure in this proxy statement/prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

     This proxy statement/prospectus is dated October 1, 2010, and is first being mailed to Mariner stockholders on or about October 13, 2010.

 

One BriarLake Plaza
2000 West Sam Houston Parkway South, Suite 2000
Houston, Texas 77042
(713) 954-5500

 

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

To the Stockholders of Mariner Energy, Inc.:

 

Notice is hereby given that a special meeting of stockholders of Mariner Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation, which is referred to as Mariner, will be held on November 10, 2010 at 8:00 a.m., local time, at Mariner’s principal executive offices located at One BriarLake Plaza, 2000 West Sam Houston Parkway South, Suite 2000, Houston, Texas 77042, for the following purposes:

 

 

These items of business, including the merger agreement and the proposed merger, are described in detail in the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus. The Mariner board of directors has determined that the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the merger, are advisable and in the best interests of Mariner and its stockholders and unanimously recommends that Mariner stockholders vote “FOR” the proposal to approve and adopt the merger agreement and “FOR” any proposal to adjourn the special meeting if necessary to solicit additional proxies in favor of approval and adoption. In considering the recommendation of Mariner’s board of directors, stockholders of Mariner should be aware that members of Mariner’s board of directors and its executive officers have agreements and arrangements that provide them with interests in the merger that may be different from, or in addition to, those of Mariner stockholders. See “The Merger — Interests of the Mariner Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger.”

 

Only stockholders of record as of the close of business on October 12, 2010 are entitled to notice of the Mariner special meeting and to vote at the Mariner special meeting or at any adjournment or postponement thereof. A list of stockholders entitled to vote at the special meeting will be available in our principal executive offices located at One BriarLake Plaza, 2000 West Sam Houston Parkway South, Suite 2000, Houston, Texas 77042, during regular business hours for a period of no less than ten days before the special meeting and at the place of the special meeting during the meeting.

 

Approval and adoption of the merger agreement by the Mariner stockholders is a condition to the merger and requires the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the shares of Mariner common stock outstanding and entitled to vote thereon. Therefore, your vote is very important. Your failure to vote your shares will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the approval and adoption of the merger agreement.

 

By Order of the Board of Directors of
Mariner Energy, Inc.

 

Teresa G. Bushman,

Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary

Houston, Texas

October 1, 2010

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT!

 

WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MARINER SPECIAL MEETING IN PERSON, WE URGE YOU TO SUBMIT YOUR PROXY AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE (1) THROUGH THE INTERNET, (2) BY TELEPHONE OR (3) BY MARKING, SIGNING AND DATING THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AND RETURNING IT IN THE POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE PROVIDED. You may revoke your proxy or change your vote at any time before the Mariner special meeting. If your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or other fiduciary, please follow the instructions on the voting instruction card furnished to you by such record holder. Brokers cannot vote on the proposal to approve and adopt the merger agreement without your instructions.

 

We urge you to read the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus, including all documents incorporated by reference into the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus, and its annexes carefully and in their entirety. If you have any questions concerning the merger, the special meeting or the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus, would like additional copies of the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus or need help voting your shares of Mariner common stock, please contact Mariner’s information agent/proxy solicitor:

 

Morrow & Co., LLC
470 West Avenue
Stamford, CT 06902
Stockholders, call toll-free: (800) 278-2141
Banks and brokers, call collect: (203) 658-9400

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

This proxy statement/prospectus incorporates by reference important business and financial information about Apache and Mariner from other documents filed with the SEC that are not included or delivered with this proxy statement/prospectus. See “Where You Can Find More Information; Incorporation by Reference.”

 

Documents incorporated by reference are available to you without charge upon written or oral request. You can obtain any of these documents by requesting them in writing or by telephone from the appropriate company at the following addresses and telephone numbers.

 

 

To receive timely delivery of the requested documents in advance of the special meeting, you should make your request no later than November 3, 2010.

 

ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT

 

This document, which forms part of a registration statement on Form S-4 filed with the SEC by Apache (File No. 333-166964), constitutes a prospectus of Apache under Section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which we refer to as the Securities Act, with respect to the shares of Apache common stock to be issued pursuant to the merger agreement. This document also constitutes a notice of meeting and a proxy statement under Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which we refer to as the Exchange Act, with respect to the special meeting of Mariner stockholders, at which Mariner stockholders will be asked to consider and vote on, among other matters, a proposal to approve and adopt the merger agreement.

 

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this document. No one has been authorized to provide you with information that is different from that contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this document. This document is dated October 1, 2010. The information contained in this document is accurate only as of that date or in the case of information in a document incorporated by reference, as of the date of such document, unless the information specifically indicates that another date applies. Neither our mailing of this document to Mariner stockholders nor the issuance by Apache of shares of its common stock pursuant to the merger agreement will create any implication to the contrary.

Table of Contents

 

 

Annexes

 

 

The following are some questions that Mariner stockholders may have regarding the merger and the special meeting, and brief answers to those questions. You are encouraged to read carefully this entire proxy statement/prospectus, including the Annexes, and the other documents to which this proxy statement/prospectus refers or incorporates by reference because the information in this section does not provide all the information that might be important to you. Unless stated otherwise, all references in this proxy statement/prospectus to Apache are to Apache Corporation, a Delaware corporation; all references to Mariner are to Mariner Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation; all references to Merger Sub or the surviving entity are to Apache Deepwater LLC (f/k/a ZMZ Acquisitions LLC), a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Apache; and all references to the merger agreement are to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated April 14, 2010, as amended by Amendment No. 1 dated August 2, 2010, by and among Apache, Merger Sub and Mariner, a copy of which is attached as Annex A to this proxy statement/prospectus and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

 

This document is being delivered to you as both a proxy statement of Mariner and a prospectus of Apache in connection with the merger. It is the proxy statement by which the Mariner board of directors is soliciting proxies from you to vote on the approval and adoption of the merger agreement, as it may be amended from time to time, at the special meeting or at any adjournment or postponement of the special meeting. It is also the prospectus by which Apache may issue Apache common stock to you in the merger.

 

 

 

 

 

The total amount of cash and shares of Apache common stock that will be paid and issued, respectively, pursuant to the merger agreement is fixed, and an election to receive stock consideration or cash consideration is subject to a proration feature. As a result, if Mariner stockholders elect, in the aggregate, to receive cash in an amount greater than the aggregate cash consideration payable under the merger agreement, then those holders electing to receive all cash consideration will be prorated down (in accordance with their respective shares for which the cash consideration was elected) and will receive Apache stock as a portion of the overall consideration they receive for their shares. On the other hand, if Mariner stockholders elect, in the aggregate, to receive stock in an amount greater than the aggregate number of shares issuable under the merger agreement, then those holders electing to receive all stock consideration

 

Based on the closing price of $108.06 for Apache common stock on the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, on April 14, 2010, the last trading day before the public announcement of the merger agreement, the mixed consideration represented approximately $26.22 in value for each share of Mariner common stock. Based on the closing price of $97.76 for Apache common stock on the NYSE on September 30, 2010, the most recent practicable trading day prior to the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, the mixed consideration represented approximately $24.46 in value for each share of Mariner common stock. The market price of Apache common stock will fluctuate prior to the merger, and the market price of Apache common stock received by Mariner stockholders upon completion of the merger could be greater or less than the current market price of Apache common stock. See “Risk Factors.”

 

 

 

 

 

In addition, upon completion of the merger, each outstanding unvested share of Mariner restricted stock (other than shares of restricted stock granted pursuant to Mariner’s 2008 Long-Term Performance-Based Restricted Stock Program, which are referred to as the Performance-Based Restricted Stock) will vest and will entitle the holder to the merger consideration in respect of each such vested share. See “The Merger Agreement — Employee Stock Options; Restricted Shares.”

 

Also, upon completion of the merger, 40% of each outstanding award of Performance-Based Restricted Stock held by Mariner employees will vest and will entitle the holder to the merger consideration in respect of each such vested share, and the remaining portion of each award of Performance-Based Restricted Stock will be cancelled. Partial vesting of outstanding Performance-Based Restricted Stock awards occurs solely as a result of the terms of the merger agreement; otherwise, under the terms of Mariner’s 2008 Long-Term Performance-Based Restricted Stock Program, 100% of the Performance-Based Restricted Stock would be forfeited. On the date the merger agreement was executed, the value of merger consideration associated with such partial vesting was approximately $12.4 million based on a price of $26 per share for Mariner common stock. See “The Merger Agreement — Employee Stock Options; Restricted Shares” and “The Merger — Interests of the Mariner Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger — Treatment of Equity Awards.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

The approval by Mariner stockholders of the proposal to approve and adopt the merger agreement is a condition to the obligations of Mariner and Apache to complete the merger.

 

 

 

In considering the recommendation of Mariner’s board of directors, stockholders of Mariner should be aware that members of Mariner’s board of directors and its executive officers have agreements and arrangements that provide them with interests in the merger that may be different from, or in addition to, those of Mariner stockholders. See “The Merger — Interests of the Mariner Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger.”

 

 

 

 

Your vote is very important. You are encouraged to submit a proxy as soon as possible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please review carefully the information under the caption “The Merger — Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger” for a description of material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the merger. The tax consequences to you will depend on your own situation. You are encouraged to consult your own tax advisor for a full understanding of the tax consequences of the merger to you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please refer to your proxy card or the information forwarded by your bank, broker or other nominee to see which voting options are available to you.

 

The Internet and telephone proxy submission procedures are designed to verify your stock holdings and to allow you to confirm that your instructions have been properly recorded.

 

The method by which you submit a proxy will in no way limit your right to vote at the special meeting if you later decide to attend the meeting in person. If your shares of Mariner common stock are held in the name of a bank, broker or other nominee, you must obtain a proxy, executed in your favor, from the holder of record, to be able to vote in person at the special meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY

 

The Companies (See page 44)

 

The Merger (See page 45)

 

Election Procedures (See page 88)

 

Treatment of Equity Awards (See page 73)

 

Recommendation of the Mariner Board of Directors and its Reasons for the Merger (See page 55)

 

Opinion of Mariner’s Financial Advisor (See page 58)

 

Directors and Executive Officers of Apache After the Merger (See page 84)

 

Mariner Stockholder Meeting; Stockholders Entitled to Vote; Vote Required (See page 114)

	•	to consider and vote on the proposal to approve and adopt the merger agreement, as it may be amended from time to time;
	•	to consider and vote on any proposal to adjourn the special meeting to a later date or dates if necessary to solicit additional proxies if there are insufficient votes to approve and adopt the merger agreement at the time of the special meeting; and
	•	to transact any other business that may properly come before the special meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the special meeting.

 

Apache Stockholder Approval is Not Required (See page 84)

 

Ownership of Apache After the Merger (See page 84)

 

Share Ownership of Directors and Executive Officers of Mariner (See page 71)

 

Interests of the Mariner Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger (See page 71)

 

Risks Relating to the Merger (See page 29)

 

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger (See page 80)

 

Accounting Treatment (See page 83)

 

Listing of Shares of Apache Common Stock; Delisting and Deregistration of Mariner Common Stock (See page 84)

 

Appraisal Rights in the Merger (See page 102)

 

Conditions to the Merger (See page 97)

	•	the approval and adoption of the merger agreement by the requisite affirmative vote of Mariner’s stockholders;
	•	the expiration or termination of the waiting period (and any extension of the waiting period) applicable to the merger under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, which is referred to in this proxy statement/prospectus as the HSR Act;
	•	the effectiveness of the Form S-4 registration statement, of which this proxy statement/prospectus is a part, and the absence of a stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Form S-4 or proceedings for such purpose having been initiated or threatened by the SEC;

	•	the approval for listing on the NYSE of the shares of Apache common stock issuable to the Mariner stockholders pursuant to the merger agreement, subject to official notice of issuance;
	•	the absence of any statute, rule or regulation prohibiting the merger, or any order or injunction of a court of competent jurisdiction preventing the consummation of the merger;
	•	the receipt by each of Mariner and Apache of an opinion from its outside counsel to the effect that for federal income tax purposes the merger will be treated as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code and that each of Apache and Mariner will be a party to such reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Internal Revenue Code;
	•	the accuracy of the representations and warranties of Apache, Merger Sub and Mariner in the merger agreement, subject to certain materiality thresholds;
	•	the performance in all material respects by each of Apache and Merger Sub, on the one hand, and Mariner, on the other hand, of its respective covenants required to be performed by it under the merger agreement at or prior to the closing date;
	•	receipt of certificates by executive officers of each of Apache and Merger Sub, on the one hand, and Mariner, on the other hand, to the effect that the conditions described in the preceding two bullet points have been satisfied;
	•	there not having occurred a material adverse effect on either party since the date of the merger agreement, the effects of which are continuing; and
	•	the number of Mariner shares for which appraisal rights are properly exercised does not exceed 50% of the Mariner shares outstanding immediately prior to the merger.

 

Regulatory Approvals Required for the Merger (See page 84)

 

No Solicitation and Change in Recommendation (See page 95)

 

Termination of the Merger Agreement (See page 99)

	•	by mutual written consent of Apache, Merger Sub and Mariner;
	•	by either Apache or Mariner if:

	•	the merger is not consummated on or before January 31, 2011, referred to as the outside date, provided that the terminating party has not materially breached the merger agreement in a manner that proximately caused the failure to consummate the merger on or prior to the outside date;
	•	a court or other governmental authority issues a final, non-appealable order prohibiting the merger; or
	•	the Mariner stockholders do not approve and adopt the merger agreement at the special meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

	•	by Apache if:

	•	Mariner is in material breach of the merger agreement such that certain conditions set forth in the merger agreement are not capable of being satisfied and such breach is not cured prior to the earlier of 30 days after notice of such breach to Mariner and the outside date; provided that Apache is not permitted to so terminate the merger agreement if Apache or Merger Sub is then in breach of the merger agreement in any material respect; or
	•	prior to the approval and adoption of the merger agreement by Mariner’s stockholders, Mariner’s board of directors changes its recommendation to vote for approval and adoption of the merger agreement.

	•	by Mariner if:

	•	Apache or Merger Sub is in material breach of the merger agreement such that certain conditions set forth in the merger agreement are not capable of being satisfied and such breach is not cured prior to the earlier of 30 days after notice of such breach to Apache and the outside date; provided that Mariner is not permitted to so terminate the merger agreement if it is then in breach of the merger agreement in any material respect; or
	•	prior to the approval and adoption of the merger agreement by Mariner’s stockholders, Mariner’s board of directors changes its recommendation to vote for approval and adoption of the merger agreement in order to accept a superior proposal and authorizes Mariner to enter into a definitive agreement with respect to the superior proposal.

 

Termination Fee (See page 100)

 

Source of Funding for the Merger (See page 106)

 

Comparison of Rights of Apache Stockholders and Mariner Stockholders (See page 107)

 

Litigation Relating to the Merger (See page 85)

 

Recent Developments

	•	Permian Basin.  All of BP’s oil and gas operations, related infrastructure and acreage in the Permian Basin of West Texas and New Mexico. The assets include interests in 10 field areas in the Permian Basin (including Block 16/Coy Waha, Brown Basset, Empire/Yeso, Pegasus, Southeast Lea, Spraberry, Wilshire, North Misc and Delaware Penn), approximately 405,000 net mineral and fee acres, 358,000 leasehold acres, approximately 3,629 active wells and three gas processing plants, two of which are currently operated by BP. Based on Apache’s investigation and review of data provided by BP, these assets produced 15,110 barrels of liquids and 81 million cubic feet (MMcf) of gas per day in the first six months of 2010. The Permian Basin assets had estimated net proved reserves of 141 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMboe) at June 30, 2010 (65 percent liquids).
	•	Western Canada Sedimentary Basin.  Substantially all of BP’s Western Canadian upstream gas assets, including 1,278,000 net mineral and leasehold acres, interests in approximately 1,600 active wells, eight operated and 14 non-operated gas processing plants. The position includes many attractive drilling opportunities ranging from conventional to several unconventional targets, including shale gas, tight gas and coal bed methane in historically productive formations including the Montney, Cadomin and Doig. Based on Apache’s investigation and review of data provided by BP, during the first half of 2010 these properties accounted for 6,529 barrels of liquids and 240 MMcf of gas per day and had estimated net proved reserves of 223.7 MMboe at June 30, 2010 (94 percent gas). Apache currently has operations in approximately half of these 13 field areas.
	•	Western Desert, Egypt.  BP’s interests in four development licenses and one exploration concession (East Badr El Din), covering 394,000 net acres south of El Alamein in the Western Desert of Egypt. These properties are operated by Gulf of Suez Petroleum Company, a joint venture between BP and the Government of Egypt. The transaction includes BP’s interests in 65 active wells, a 24-inch gas line to Dashour, a liquefied petroleum gas plant in Dashour, a gas processing plant in Abu Gharadig and a 12-inch oil export line to the El Hamra Terminal on the Mediterranean Sea. Based on Apache’s investigation and review of data provided by BP, during the first six months of 2010 these properties accounted for 6,016 barrels of oil and 11 MMcf of gas per day of BP’s production, and had estimated net proved reserves of 20.2 MMboe at June 30, 2010 (59 percent liquids). The BP Properties in Egypt are complementary to the over 11 million gross acres in 21 separate concessions in the Western Desert

		that Apache currently holds. The Merged Concession Agreement related to the development licenses runs through 2024, subject to a five year extension at the option of the operator.

	•	116.4 million barrels (MMbbls) of crude oil and natural gas liquids; and
	•	1,610 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of natural gas.

	•	28 thousand barrels (Mbbls) per day of crude oil and natural gas liquids; and
	•	331 MMcf per day of natural gas.

	•	28 Mbbls per day of crude oil and natural gas liquids; and
	•	348 MMcf per day of natural gas.

	•	A base rate, which is defined as a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.’s prime rate, (b) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, and (c) one-month LIBOR plus 1%; or
	•	LIBOR plus a margin varying from 0.50% to 3.50%, based upon prices reported in the credit default swap market with respect to Apache’s one-year indebtedness and the rating for Apache’s senior, unsecured non-credit enhanced long term indebtedness for borrowed money. For LIBOR-based interest rates, Apache may select an interest period of one, two, three or six months (or, with the consent of each lender, nine or twelve months).

 

SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL, OPERATING AND RESERVE DATA OF APACHE

		Six Months Ended June 30,								Year Ended December 31,
		2010				2009				2009				2008				2007				2006				2005
		($ in millions, except per share amounts)
Financial Data
Revenues and other		$	5,645			$	3,727			$	8,615			$	12,390			$	10,000			$	8,309			$	7,584
Income (loss) attributable to common stock(1)(2)		$	1,565			$	(1,315	)		$	(292	)		$	706			$	2,807			$	2,547			$	2,618
Net income (loss) per common share(1)(2)
Basic		$	4.64			$	(3.92	)		$	(0.87	)		$	2.11			$	8.45			$	7.72			$	7.96
Diluted		$	4.61			$	(3.92	)		$	(0.87	)		$	2.09			$	8.39			$	7.64			$	7.84
Cash dividends declared per common share		$	0.30			$	0.30			$	0.60			$	0.70			$	0.60			$	0.50			$	0.36
Total assets		$	30,432			$	26,402			$	28,186			$	29,186			$	28,635			$	24,308			$	19,272
Total debt		$	5,012			$	4,967			$	5,068			$	4,922			$	4,227			$	3,822			$	2,192
Operating Data
Average daily production:
Crude oil (MBbls)			310				275				279				254				249				225				234
Natural gas (MMcf)			1,752				1,697				1,759				1,618				1,796				1,589				1,264
Natural gas liquids (MBbls)			14				10				11				11				13				12				10
Barrels of Oil Equivalent (MBoe)			617				568				583				535				561				502				455
Average realized price:
Crude oil — per Bbl		$	74.74				50.57			$	59.85			$	87.80			$	68.84			$	59.92			$	51.66
Natural gas — per Mcf		$	4.29				3.65			$	3.69			$	6.70			$	5.34			$	5.17			$	6.35
Natural gas liquids — per Bbl		$	40.58				22.39			$	27.63			$	51.38			$	42.78			$	37.70			$	32.13
Proved reserves:
Crude oil & natural gas liquids (MBbls)			N/A				N/A				1,067,248				1,081,144				1,133,710				1,061,041				975,910
Natural gas (MMcf)			N/A				N/A				7,796,031				7,917,025				7,872,717				7,512,919				6,848,022
Barrels of Oil Equivalent (MBoe)			N/A				N/A				2,366,586				2,400,648				2,445,829				2,313,194				2,117,248

(1)		Loss attributable to common stock and net loss per common share for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and the year ended December 31, 2009 include a $2.82 billion ($1.98 billion net of tax) write-down of the carrying value of Apache’s March 31, 2009 proved property balances in the U.S. and Canada.

(2)		Income attributable to common stock and net income per common share for the year ended December 31, 2008 include a $5.3 billion ($3.6 billion net of tax) write-down of the carrying value of Apache’s December 31, 2008 proved property balances in the U.S., the U.K. North Sea, Canada and Argentina.

 

SELECTED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL, OPERATING AND RESERVE DATA OF MARINER

		Six Months Ended June 30,								Year Ended December 31,
		2010				2009				2009				2008				2007				2006				2005
		($ in millions, except per share amounts)
Financial Data
Total revenues(1)		$	454			$	475			$	943			$	1,301			$	875			$	660			$	200
Net income (loss) attributable to Mariner Energy, Inc.(2)(3)(4)		$	17			$	(407	)		$	(319	)		$	(389	)		$	144			$	121			$	40
Net income (loss) per common share:
Basic		$	0.17			$	(4.50	)		$	(3.34	)		$	(4.44	)		$	1.68			$	1.59			$	1.24
Diluted		$	0.17			$	(4.50	)		$	(3.34	)		$	(4.44	)		$	1.67			$	1.58			$	1.20
Cash dividends declared per common share		$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—
Total assets(5)		$	3,167			$	2,740			$	2,867			$	3,393			$	3,084			$	2,680			$	666
Total debt		$	1,459			$	1,029			$	1,195			$	1,170			$	779			$	654			$	156
Operating Data
Average daily production:
Crude oil (MBbls)			15				12				12				13				12				9				5
Natural gas (MMcf)			212				253				249				218				186				154				50
Natural gas liquids (MBbls)			6				3				4				4				3				2				—
Barrels of Oil Equivalent (MBoe)			56				57				58				54				46				37				13
Average realized price:
Crude oil — per Bbl		$	73.14			$	65.09			$	70.59			$	86.02			$	67.50			$	62.63			$	41.23
Natural gas — per Mcf		$	5.47			$	6.45			$	6.08			$	9.31			$	7.88			$	7.37			$	6.66
Natural gas liquids — per Bbl		$	43.93			$	24.23			$	33.10			$	55.02			$	45.16			$	48.37			$	—
Proved reserves:
Crude oil & natural gas liquids (MBbls)			N/A				N/A				85,950				69,304				64,563				48,136				21,647
Natural gas (MMcf)			N/A				N/A				571,435				558,048				448,439				426,687				207,686
Barrels of Oil Equivalent (MBoe)			N/A				N/A				181,189				162,312				139,303				119,251				56,261

(1)		Total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2009 includes a $16.6 million arbitration award related to a consummated acquisition. Total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2008 includes the release of $46.5 million in suspended revenue related to a potential MMS royalty dispute.

(2)		Net loss attributable to Mariner Energy, Inc. and net loss per common share for the year ended December 31, 2009 include a $754.3 million ($486.5 million net of tax) write-down of the carrying value of Mariner’s proved property balances and a $107.3 million gain on the acquisition of the reorganized subsidiaries and operations of Edge Petroleum Corporation. The loss also included $12.0 million recorded to lease operating expense for contingent OIL insurance premiums.

(3)		Net loss attributable to Mariner Energy, Inc. and net loss per common share for the six months ended June 30, 2009 include a $704.7 million ($454.6 million, net of tax) write-down of the carrying value of Mariner’s proved property balances.

(4)		Net loss attributable to Mariner Energy, Inc. and net loss per common share for the year ended December 31, 2008 include a $575.6 million ($369.1 million, net of tax) write-down of the carrying value of Mariner’s proved property balances, a $295.6 million impairment of Mariner’s goodwill and a $15.3 million ($9.8 million, net of tax) impairment of other property. The loss also included $36.0 million recorded to lease operating expense for a contingent OIL insurance premium.
(5)		Total assets at December 31, 2009 include $237.5 million from the acquisition of the reorganized subsidiaries and operations of Edge Petroleum Corporation.

 

UNAUDITED COMPARATIVE PER SHARE INFORMATION

		Six Months Ended				Year Ended
		June 30, 2010				December 31, 2009
Apache historical
Net income (loss) per share — basic		$	4.64			$	(0.87	)
Net income (loss) per share — diluted			4.61				(0.87	)
Cash dividends per common share			0.30				0.60
Book value per share at period end(2)			52.33				46.90
Apache pro forma combined
Net income (loss) per share — basic		$	5.06			$	(1.71	)
Net income (loss) per share — diluted			5.03				(1.71	)
Cash dividends per common share(1)			0.30				0.60
Book value per share at period end(2)			54.21				N/A
Mariner historical
Net income (loss) per share — basic		$	0.17			$	(3.34	)
Net income (loss) per share — diluted			0.17				(3.34	)
Cash dividends per common share			—				—
Book value per share at period end(2)			9.28				8.67
Pro forma (equivalent)(3)
Net income (loss) per share — basic		$	0.86			$	(0.29	)
Net income (loss) per share — diluted			0.86				(0.29	)
Cash dividends per common share			0.05				0.10
Book value per share at period end(2)			9.24				N/A

(1)		Same as Apache’s historical, since no change in dividend policy is expected as a result of the merger.
(2)		Historical book value per share is calculated by dividing stockholders’ equity by the number of Apache or Mariner common shares outstanding at the end of the period. Pro forma book value per share is computed by dividing pro forma stockholders’ equity by the pro forma number of Apache common shares outstanding at the end of the period. Book value per share is required to be presented on a pro forma basis only for the most recent balance sheet date — June 30, 2010.
(3)		Amounts are calculated by multiplying the Apache pro forma combined per share amounts by the exchange ratio of 0.17043.

 

COMPARATIVE APACHE AND MARINER MARKET PRICE AND DIVIDEND DATA

		Apache				Mariner				Equivalent per
		Common Stock				Common Stock				Share Value
April 14, 2010		$	108.06			$	18.09			$	26.22
September 30, 2010		$	97.76			$	24.23			$	24.46

 

Historical Market Prices

		Apache												Mariner
		Common Stock												Common Stock
										Cash												Cash
										Dividends												Dividends
		High				Low				Declared				High				Low				Declared
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2010:
Third Quarter		$	99.09			$	81.94			$	0.15	(1)		$	24.51			$	19.62			$	—
Second Quarter		$	111.00			$	83.55			$	0.15			$	26.32			$	15.13			$	—
First Quarter		$	108.92			$	95.15			$	0.15			$	16.27			$	11.84			$	—
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2009:
Fourth Quarter		$	106.46			$	88.06			$	0.15			$	16.66			$	11.35			$	—
Third Quarter		$	95.77			$	65.02			$	0.15			$	15.41			$	9.65			$	—
Second Quarter		$	87.04			$	61.60			$	0.15			$	15.74			$	7.48			$	—
First Quarter		$	88.07			$	51.03			$	0.15			$	12.84			$	6.46			$	—

		Apache												Mariner
		Common Stock												Common Stock
										Cash												Cash
										Dividends												Dividends
		High				Low				Declared				High				Low				Declared
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2008:
Fourth Quarter		$	103.17			$	57.11			$	0.15			$	20.46			$	6.86			$	—
Third Quarter		$	145.00			$	94.82			$	0.15			$	37.25			$	19.20			$	—
Second Quarter		$	149.23			$	117.65			$	0.15			$	37.38			$	26.60			$	—
First Quarter(2)		$	122.34			$	84.52			$	0.25			$	30.06			$	22.80			$	—
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2007:
Fourth Quarter		$	109.32			$	87.44			$	0.15			$	25.00			$	19.78			$	—
Third Quarter		$	91.25			$	72.61			$	0.15			$	25.43			$	17.82			$	—
Second Quarter		$	87.82			$	70.53			$	0.15			$	25.87			$	19.20			$	—
First Quarter		$	73.44			$	63.01			$	0.15			$	20.55			$	16.88			$	—
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2006:
Fourth Quarter		$	70.50			$	59.99			$	0.15			$	21.36			$	17.68			$	—
Third Quarter		$	72.40			$	59.18			$	0.15			$	19.68			$	15.94			$	—
Second Quarter		$	75.66			$	56.50			$	0.10			$	20.65			$	14.81			$	—
First Quarter(3)		$	76.25			$	63.17			$	0.10			$	21.00			$	18.05			$	—

(1)		The dividend with respect to the third quarter of 2010 is payable November 22, 2010 to Apache stockholders of record on October 22, 2010.

(2)		Apache’s first quarter 2008 dividends declared included a special non-recurring cash dividend of 10 cents per common share declared and paid in the first quarter of 2008.
(3)		Mariner common stock commenced regular way trading on March 3, 2006 on the NYSE.

 

Dividends

 

In addition to the other information contained or incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus, including the matters addressed in “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements,” you should carefully consider the following risk factors in determining whether to vote for the approval and adoption of the merger agreement. You should also read and consider the risk factors associated with each of the businesses of Apache and Mariner because these risk factors may affect the operations and financial results of the combined company. These risk factors may be found under Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in each company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and Part II, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in each company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010, each of which is on file with the SEC and all of which are incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus.

 

Risks Relating to the Merger

 

Mariner stockholders electing to receive only cash or only Apache common stock may, as the result of proration, receive a form or combination of consideration different from the form they elect.

 

While each Mariner stockholder may elect to receive consideration consisting of all cash, all shares of Apache common stock or a combination of both in exchange for their shares of Mariner common stock, the aggregate cash consideration to be received by Mariner stockholders pursuant to the merger will be fixed at an amount equal to the product of $7.80 and the number of shares of Mariner common stock outstanding immediately prior to the closing of the merger less 714,887 shares of outstanding unvested restricted stock that will be cancelled upon the merger. Such cash amount is expected to be approximately $800 million. Similarly, the aggregate number of shares of Apache common stock to be received by Mariner stockholders pursuant to the merger will be fixed at a number equal to the product of 0.17043 and the number of shares of Mariner common stock outstanding immediately prior to closing of the merger less 714,887 shares of outstanding unvested restricted stock that will be cancelled upon the merger, which number is expected to be approximately 17.5 million shares of Apache common stock. Accordingly, if Mariner stockholders elect, in the aggregate, to receive cash in an amount greater than the aggregate cash consideration payable under the merger agreement, then those holders electing to receive all cash consideration will be prorated down and will receive Apache common stock as a portion of the overall consideration they receive for their shares. On the other hand, if Mariner stockholders elect, in the aggregate, to receive stock in an amount greater than the aggregate number of shares issuable under the merger agreement, then those holders electing to receive all stock consideration will be prorated down and will receive cash as a portion of the overall consideration they receive for their shares. As a result, Mariner stockholders that make a valid election to receive all cash or all stock consideration may not receive merger consideration entirely in the form elected.

 

As a result of the consideration election and proration provisions of the merger agreement, and because the market price of Apache common stock will fluctuate, Mariner stockholders cannot be sure of the aggregate value of the merger consideration they will receive.

 

The total number of shares of Apache common stock that will be issued to Mariner stockholders pursuant to the merger is fixed. Accordingly, the value of the merger consideration payable in Apache common stock will depend on the trading price of Apache common stock for those Mariner stockholders electing or, through the proration mechanism contained in the merger agreement, becoming entitled to receive Apache common stock pursuant to the merger. This means that there is no “price protection” mechanism contained in the merger agreement that would adjust the number of Apache shares that Mariner stockholders will receive based on any increases or decreases in the trading price of Apache common stock prior to the closing of the merger. If Apache’s stock price decreases, the market value of the consideration to be received will also decrease for those Mariner stockholders electing or, through the proration mechanism, becoming entitled to receive Apache common stock. If Apache’s stock price increases, the market value of the consideration to be received will likewise increase for those Mariner stockholders electing or becoming entitled to receive Apache common stock. The value of the merger consideration you receive in Apache common shares, if any, will vary from the date of the announcement of the merger agreement, the date that this proxy statement/prospectus was mailed

to Mariner stockholders, the election deadline, the date of the Mariner special meeting and the date the merger is completed and thereafter. Accordingly, at the election deadline and at the time of the Mariner special meeting, you will not know or be able to determine the value of the Apache common stock you will receive upon completion of the merger. Stock price changes may result from a variety of factors, including, among others, general market and economic conditions, changes in oil and natural gas prices, changes in Apache’s and Mariner’s respective businesses, operations and prospects, regulatory considerations, market assessments of the likelihood that the merger will be completed and the timing of the merger. Many of these factors are beyond Apache’s and Mariner’s control.

 

If you tender shares of Mariner common stock to make an election, you will not be able to sell those shares unless you revoke your election prior to the election deadline.

 

If you are a Mariner stockholder and want to make a mixed, cash or stock consideration election under the merger agreement, you must deliver your stock certificates, if any (or follow the procedures for guaranteed delivery), and a properly completed and signed election form to the exchange agent. The deadline for doing this is 5:00 p.m., New York time, on November 8, 2010. You will not be able to sell any shares of Mariner common stock that you have delivered under this arrangement unless you revoke your election before the deadline by providing written notice to the exchange agent. If you do not revoke your election, you will not be able to liquidate your investment in Mariner common stock for any reason until you receive cash and/or Apache common stock pursuant to the merger. In the time between delivery of your shares and the closing of the merger, the market price of Mariner or Apache common stock may increase or decrease and you might otherwise want to sell your shares of Mariner to gain access to cash, make other investments or reduce the potential for a decrease in the value of your investment.

 

The date that Mariner stockholders will receive their merger consideration is uncertain.

 

The completion of the merger is subject to the stockholder and governmental approvals described in this proxy statement/prospectus and the satisfaction or waiver of certain other conditions. While we currently expect to complete the merger promptly following the Mariner special meeting of stockholders (assuming the merger is approved and adopted at the meeting), the completion date might be later than expected due to delays in satisfying such conditions. Accordingly, we cannot provide Mariner stockholders with a definitive date on which they will receive the merger consideration.

 

Mariner stockholders will have a significantly reduced ownership and voting interest after the merger and will exercise less influence over management.

 

Immediately after the completion of the merger, it is expected that former Mariner stockholders, who collectively own 100 percent of Mariner, will own approximately 5 percent of Apache, based on the number of shares of Mariner and Apache common stock outstanding as of September 29, 2010. Consequently, Mariner stockholders will have less influence over the management and policies of Apache than they currently have over the management and policies of Mariner.

 

The market price of Apache common stock after the merger may be affected by factors different from those affecting shares of Mariner common stock currently.

 

Holders of Mariner common stock may receive Apache common stock in the merger. The business of Apache differs from that of Mariner in important respects and, accordingly, the results of operations of Apache after the merger, as well as the market price of its common stock, may be affected by factors different from those currently affecting the results of operations of Mariner as an independent company and the price of Mariner common stock. For further information on the businesses of Apache and Mariner and certain factors to consider in connection with those businesses, including risk factors associated with their businesses, see Apache’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010, and Mariner’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010, which are incorporated by reference into

this proxy statement/prospectus. See also the other documents incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus under the caption “Where You Can Find More Information; Incorporation by Reference.”

 

Mariner’s directors and executive officers have interests in the merger that may be different from, and in addition to, the interests of other Mariner stockholders.

 

When considering the recommendation of Mariner’s board of directors that Mariner stockholders vote in favor of the approval and adoption of the merger agreement, you should be aware that the executive officers and directors of Mariner are parties to agreements or participants in other arrangements that provide them with interests in the merger that are different from, or in addition to, your interests as a stockholder of Mariner. These different interests could create conflicts of interest in their determinations to recommend the merger. In particular, the executive officers of Mariner hold unvested shares of Mariner restricted stock (including Performance-Based Restricted Stock) that will vest pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement and are parties to employment agreements, which will survive the merger, that provide for severance and change of control benefits. The completion of the merger will be considered a “change of control” under these agreements. In addition, the receipt of compensation and other benefits by certain Mariner’s employees in connection with the merger may make it more difficult for Apache to retain their services after the merger, or require Apache to expend additional sums of money to do so.

 

Mariner’s board of directors was aware of these interests and considered them, among other matters, when adopting a resolution to approve the merger agreement and recommending that Mariner stockholders vote to approve and adopt the merger agreement. You should consider these interests in voting on the merger. We have further described these different interests under “The Merger — Interests of the Mariner Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger.”

 

The merger agreement contains provisions that limit Mariner’s ability to pursue alternatives to the merger with Apache, could discourage a potential competing acquirer of Mariner from making a favorable alternative transaction proposal and, in certain circumstances, could require Mariner to pay a $67 million termination fee to Apache.

 

Unless and until the merger agreement is terminated, subject to limited fiduciary exceptions (which are discussed in more detail in “The Merger Agreement — Certain Additional Agreements”), Mariner is restricted from initiating, soliciting, knowingly encouraging, knowingly facilitating, discussing or negotiating any inquiry, proposal or offer for a competing acquisition proposal with any person. Additionally, under the merger agreement, in the event of a potential change by the Mariner board of directors of its recommendation with respect to the merger, Mariner must provide Apache with three business days to propose an adjustment to the terms and conditions of the merger agreement. Mariner may terminate the merger agreement and enter into an agreement with respect to a superior proposal only if specified conditions have been satisfied, including compliance with the no solicitation provisions of the merger agreement. Additionally, Mariner may be required to pay to Apache a termination fee of $67 million (less the amount of any of Apache’s expenses reimbursed by Mariner pursuant to the merger agreement) if the merger agreement is terminated under certain circumstances. These provisions could discourage a third party that may have an interest in acquiring all or a significant part of Mariner from considering or proposing that acquisition. In connection with the settlement of two stockholder lawsuits, on August 2, 2010, Apache and Mariner amended the merger agreement to eliminate the termination fee in the event that Mariner terminates the merger agreement in order to enter into a “superior proposal” with another party. See “The Merger — Litigation Relating to the Merger.”

 

The rights of Mariner stockholders will be governed by Apache’s restated certificate of incorporation and amended bylaws.

 

All Mariner stockholders who receive shares of Apache common stock in the merger will become Apache stockholders and their rights as stockholders will be governed by Apache’s restated certificate of incorporation and its amended bylaws. There are material differences between the current rights of Mariner stockholders, which are governed by Mariner’s second amended and restated certificate of incorporation and fourth amended

and restated bylaws, and the rights of holders of Apache common stock. See “Comparison of Rights of Apache Stockholders and Mariner Stockholders.”

 

Apache may have difficulty combining the operations of both Mariner and the BP Properties, and the anticipated benefits of these transactions may not be achieved.

 

Achieving the anticipated benefits of the merger and BP transactions will depend in part upon whether Apache can successfully integrate the operations of Mariner and the BP Properties. Apache’s ability to integrate the operations of Mariner and the BP Properties successfully will depend on Apache’s ability to monitor operations, coordinate exploration and development activities, control costs, attract, retain and assimilate qualified personnel and maintain compliance with regulatory requirements. The difficulties of integrating the operations of Mariner and the BP Properties may be increased by the necessity of combining organizations with distinct cultures and widely dispersed operations. The integration of operations following these transactions will require the dedication of management and other personnel, which may distract their attention from the day-to-day business of the combined enterprise and prevent Apache from realizing benefits from other opportunities. Completing the integration process may be more expensive than anticipated, and Apache cannot assure you that it will be able to effect the integration of these operations smoothly or efficiently or that the anticipated benefits of the transactions will be achieved.

 

Any delay in completing the merger may substantially reduce the benefits expected to be obtained from the merger.

 

The merger is subject to a number of other conditions beyond the control of Mariner and Apache that may prevent, delay or otherwise materially adversely affect its completion. See “The Merger Agreement — Conditions to the Merger.” Apache and Mariner cannot predict whether or when the conditions required to complete the merger will be satisfied. The requirements for obtaining the required clearances and approvals could delay the effective time of the merger for a significant period of time or prevent it from occurring. Any delay in completing the merger may materially adversely affect the synergies and other benefits that Apache and Mariner expect to achieve if the merger and the integration of their respective businesses are completed within the expected timeframe.

 

Mariner may have difficulty attracting, motivating and retaining executives and other key employees in light of the merger.

 

Uncertainty about the effect of the merger on Mariner employees may have an adverse effect on Mariner and consequently Apache. This uncertainty may impair Mariner’s ability to attract, retain and motivate key personnel until the merger is completed. Employee retention may be particularly challenging during the pendency of the merger, as employees may experience uncertainty about their future roles with Apache. If key employees of Mariner depart because of issues relating to the uncertainty and difficulty of integration or a desire not to become employees of Apache, Apache’s ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the merger could be delayed or reduced.

 

Failure to complete the merger could negatively impact the stock price and the future business and financial results of Mariner.

 

If the merger is not completed, the ongoing business of Mariner may be adversely affected and Mariner would be subject to a number of risks, including the following:

 

 

 

There can be no assurance that the risks described above will not materialize, and if any of them do, they may adversely affect Mariner’s business, financial results and stock price.

 

The Devon and Mariner transactions will increase Apache’s exposure to Gulf of Mexico operations.

 

Apache’s recent acquisition of oil and gas assets on the Gulf of Mexico shelf from Devon Energy Corporation has increased its exposure to Gulf of Mexico operations. Following the completion of the merger, an even larger percentage of Apache’s exploration and production operations will be related to offshore Gulf of Mexico properties. Greater offshore concentration proportionately increases risks from delays or higher costs common to offshore activity, including severe weather, availability of specialized equipment and compliance with environmental and other laws and regulations.

 

The Mariner and BP transactions will expose Apache to additional risks and uncertainties with respect to the acquired businesses and their operations.

 

Although the acquired Mariner and BP businesses will generally be subject to risks similar to those to which Apache are subject in its existing businesses, the Mariner and BP transactions may increase these risks. For example, the increase in the scale of Apache’s operations may increase its operational risks. Recent publicity associated with the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico resulting from the fire and explosion onboard the Deepwater Horizon, which was under contract to BP, may cause regulatory agencies to scrutinize Apache’s operations more closely. This additional scrutiny may adversely affect Apache’s operations.

 

The market value of Apache common stock could decline if large amounts of its common stock are sold following the merger.

 

Following the merger, stockholders of Apache and former stockholders of Mariner will own interests in a combined company operating an expanded business with more assets and a different mix of liabilities. Current stockholders of Apache and Mariner may not wish to continue to invest in the additional operations of the combined company, or may wish to reduce their investment in the combined company, or for other reasons may wish to dispose of some or all of their interests in the combined company. If, following the merger, large amounts of Apache common stock are sold, the price of its common stock could decline.

The merger will likely not be accretive, and may be dilutive, to Apache’s earnings per share, which may negatively affect the market price of Apache common stock.

 

Apache anticipates that the merger will not be accretive, and may be dilutive, to earnings per share for several quarters following the merger. This expectation is based on preliminary estimates that may materially change. In addition, future events and conditions could decrease or delay any accretion, result in dilution or cause greater dilution than is currently expected, including adverse changes in energy market conditions; commodity prices for oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids; production levels; reserve levels; operating results; competitive conditions; laws and regulations affecting the energy business; capital expenditure obligations; and general economic conditions. Any dilution of, or decrease or delay of any accretion to, Apache’s earnings per share could cause the price of Apache’s common stock to decline.

 

Risks Relating to Apache and Mariner

 

Apache and Mariner are, and following completion of the merger, Apache and Mariner will continue to be, subject to the risks described in (i) Part I, Item 1A in Apache’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, and Part II, Item 1A of Apache’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010, and (ii) Part I, Item 1A in Mariner’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, and Part II, Item 1A of Mariner’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2010 and June 30, 2010, each of which is on file with the SEC and all of which are incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus. See “Where You Can Find More Information; Incorporation by Reference.”

 

The drilling moratorium in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, or other regulatory initiatives in response to the current oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, could adversely affect Apache’s and Mariner’s business.

 

As has been widely reported, on April 20, 2010, a fire and explosion occurred onboard the semisubmersible drilling rig Deepwater Horizon, leading to the oil spill currently affecting the Gulf of Mexico. In response to this incident, the Minerals Management Service (now known as the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement, or “BOE”) of the U.S. Department of the Interior issued a notice on May 30, 2010 implementing a six-month moratorium on certain drilling activities in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. Implementation of the moratorium was blocked by a U.S. district court, which was subsequently affirmed on appeal, but on July 12, 2010, the BOE issued a new moratorium that applies to drilling operations that use subsea blowout preventers or surface blowout preventers on floating facilities. The new moratorium will last until November 30, 2010, or until such earlier time that the BOE determines that such drilling operations can proceed safely. The BOE is also expected to issue new safety and environmental guidelines or regulations for drilling in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, and potentially in other geographic regions, and may take other steps that could increase the costs of exploration and production, reduce the area of operations and result in permitting delays. This incident could also result in drilling suspensions or other legislative and regulatory initiatives in other areas of the U.S. and abroad. Proposals are pending in the U.S. Congress that would limit, or increase the cost of, drilling in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. Although it is difficult to predict the ultimate impact of the moratorium or any new guidelines, regulations or legislation, a prolonged suspension of drilling activity in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and other areas, new legislation and regulations and increased liability for companies operating in this sector could adversely affect Apache’s and Mariner’s operations in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico as well as in other offshore locations.

 

Our operations involve a high degree of operational risk, particularly risk of personal injury, damage or loss of equipment and environmental accidents.

 

Our operations are subject to hazards and risks inherent in the drilling, production and transportation of crude oil and natural gas, including:

 

 

 

Failure or loss of equipment, as the result of equipment malfunctions or natural disasters such as hurricanes, could result in property damages, personal injury, environmental pollution and other damages for which we could be liable. Litigation arising from a catastrophic occurrence, such as a well blowout, explosion or fire at a location where our equipment and services are used, may result in substantial claims for damages. Ineffective containment of a well blowout or pipeline rupture could result in environmental pollution and substantial remediation expenses. If a significant amount of our production is interrupted, our containment efforts prove to be ineffective or litigation arises as the result of a catastrophic occurrence, our cash flow and, in turn, our results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

 

Several significant matters in the BP Acquisition will not be resolved by Apache before closing.

 

Because of the relatively short time period between signing the BP Purchase Agreements and the closing of the acquisition of the Permian Basin properties and the expected closing of the remaining elements of the BP Acquisition, several significant matters commonly resolved prior to closing such an acquisition have been reserved for after closing. For example, title review with respect to most of the BP Properties will not be completed by Apache until after closing. In addition, Apache will not have sufficient time before closing to conduct a full assessment of any environmental and legal liabilities with respect to the BP Properties. As a result, Apache may discover title defects or adverse environmental or other conditions after Apache has closed the BP Acquisition and after expiration of the time periods specified in the BP Purchase Agreements during which Apache would have been able to seek, in certain cases, indemnification from or cure of the defect or adverse conditions by BP for such matters. In addition, not all environmental or other conditions that may be identified will be the subject of contractual remedies, and Apache cannot assure you that its contractual remedies will be adequate for any liabilities it incurs.

 

The reserves, production, revenue and direct operating expense estimates with respect to the BP Properties may differ materially from the actual amounts.

 

The reserves and production estimates with respect to the BP Properties mentioned in this proxy statement/prospectus are based on Apache’s analysis of historical production data, assumptions regarding capital expenditures and anticipated production declines. These estimates of reserves and production are based on estimates of Apache’s engineers without review by an independent petroleum engineering firm. Data used to make these estimates were furnished by BP or obtained from publicly available sources. Apache cannot assure you that these estimates of proved reserves and production are accurate. After such data is reviewed by an independent petroleum engineering firm, the BP Acquisition reserves and production may differ materially from the amounts indicated in this proxy statement/prospectus.

 

In addition, the preliminary revenue and direct operating expense estimates with respect to the BP Properties were provided by BP, are unaudited, and have not been reviewed by Apache’s independent accountants. Apache cannot assure you that these preliminary estimates are accurate, and when Apache files separate financial statements and pro forma financial information following consummation of the BP Acquisition, such amounts may differ materially from the amounts indicated in this proxy statement/prospectus.

 

The BP Acquisition and/or Apache’s liabilities could be adversely affected in the event one or more of the BP entities become the subject of a bankruptcy case.

 

In light of the extensive costs and liabilities related to the current oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, there has been public speculation as to whether one or more of the BP entities will become the subject of a case or

proceeding under Title 11 of the United States Code or any other relevant insolvency law or similar law, which we collectively refer to as Insolvency Laws. In the event that one or more of the BP entities were to become the subject of such a case or proceeding, a court may find that the BP Purchase Agreements or unperformed provisions in such contracts are executory contracts, in which case such BP entities may, subject to relevant Insolvency Laws, have the right to reject such agreements or provisions and refuse to perform their future obligations under them. In this event, Apache’s ability to enforce its rights under the BP Purchase Agreements could be adversely affected. Furthermore, if any of the BP entities were to become the subject of such a case or proceeding, and Apache were unable to consummate the remaining elements of the BP Acquisition, Apache may not be able to collect the applicable portion of the $5.0 billion Apache has deposited with BP pending completion of the acquisition.

 

Additionally, in a case or proceeding under relevant Insolvency Laws, a court may find that the sale of the BP Properties constitutes a constructive fraudulent conveyance that should be set aside. While the tests for determining whether a transfer of assets constitutes a constructive fraudulent conveyance vary among jurisdictions, such a determination generally requires that the seller received less than a reasonably equivalent value in exchange for such transfer or obligation and the seller was insolvent at the time of the transaction, or was rendered insolvent or left with unreasonably small capital to meet its anticipated business needs as a result of the transaction. The applicable time periods for such a finding also vary among jurisdictions, but generally range from two to six years. If a court were to make such determination in a proceeding under relevant Insolvency Laws, Apache’s rights under the BP Purchase Agreements, and its rights to the BP Properties, could be adversely affected.

 

The failure to complete the BP Acquisition could adversely affect the market price of Apache’s common stock and otherwise have an adverse effect on Apache.

 

There are a number of conditions to the completion of the BP Acquisition contained in the BP Purchase Agreements that must be satisfied for the remaining transactions to close, and there can be no assurance that the conditions will be satisfied. If Apache does not complete the remaining acquisitions under one or more of the BP Purchase Agreements, the market price of Apache’s common stock will likely fall to the extent that the market price reflects an expectation that all of the transactions will be completed. Further, a failed transaction may result in negative publicity and/or negative impression of Apache in the investment community and may affect its relationships with creditors and other business partners.

 

If the remaining elements of the BP Acquisition are not completed, Apache also must pay costs related to the BP Acquisition including, among others, legal, accounting and financial advisory whether the BP Acquisition is completed or not. Apache also could be subject to litigation related to the failure to complete the BP Acquisition or other factors, which may adversely affect its business, financial results and stock price. In addition, if the remaining elements of the BP Acquisition are not completed, Apache intends to use the net proceeds from its $1.5 billion notes offering and the recently completed offerings of common stock and depositary shares for general corporate purposes. However, Apache could be subject to increased earnings per share dilution.

 

The trading price of Apache’s common stock may be subject to significant fluctuations and volatility.

 

The market price of Apache’s common stock could be subject to significant fluctuations due to a change in sentiment in the market regarding its operations or business prospects. Such risks may be affected by the factors described above and “Cautionary Statements Concerning Forward-Looking Statements” as well as in the documents incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/prospectus to which we have referred you.

 

Stock markets in general and Apache’s common stock in particular have experienced over the past two years, and continue to experience, significant price and volume volatility. As a result, the market price of Apache’s common stock may continue to be subject to similar market fluctuations that may be unrelated to its operating performance or business prospects. Increased volatility could result in a decline in the market price of Apache’s common stock.

Apache’s ability to declare and pay dividends is subject to limitations.

 

The payment of future dividends on Apache’s capital stock is subject to the discretion of Apache’s board of directors, which considers, among other factors, its operating results, overall financial condition, credit-risk considerations and capital requirements, as well as general business and market conditions. Apache’s board of directors is not required to declare dividends on its common stock and may decide not to declare dividends.

 

Any indentures and other financing agreements that Apache enters into in the future may limit, Apache’s ability to pay cash dividends on its capital stock, including Apache common stock. In the event that any of Apache’s indentures or other financing agreements in the future restrict Apache’s ability to pay dividends in cash on its common stock, Apache may be unable to pay dividends in cash on its common stock unless Apache can refinance amounts outstanding under those agreements.

 

In addition, under Delaware law, dividends on capital stock may only be paid from “surplus,” which is defined as the amount by which Apache’s total assets exceeds the sum of Apache’s total liabilities, including contingent liabilities, and the amount of Apache’s capital; if there is no surplus, cash dividends on capital stock may only be paid from Apache’s net profits for the then current and/or the preceding fiscal year. Further, even if Apache is permitted under its contractual obligations and Delaware law to pay cash dividends on its common stock, Apache may not have sufficient cash to pay dividends in cash on its common stock.

 

Offerings of debt by Apache, which would be senior to Apache’s common stock upon liquidation, and/or preferred equity securities, which would be senior to Apache common stock for purposes of dividend distributions or upon liquidation, may adversely affect the market price of Apache’s common stock.

 

Upon liquidation, holders of Apache’s debt securities and lenders with respect to other borrowings will receive distributions of Apache’s available assets prior to the holders of Apache’s common stock.

 

Apache’s board of directors is authorized to issue one or more classes or series of preferred stock from time to time without any action on the part of the stockholders. Apache’s board of directors also has the power, without stockholder approval, to set the terms of any such classes or series of preferred stock that may be issued, including voting rights, dividend rights, and preferences over Apache’s common stock with respect to dividends or upon Apache’s dissolution, winding-up and liquidation and other terms. If Apache issues preferred stock in the future that has a preference over its common stock with respect to the payment of dividends or upon its liquidation, dissolution, or winding-up, or if Apache issues preferred stock with voting rights that dilute the voting power of the mandatory convertible preferred stock and its common stock, the rights of holders of Apache common stock or the market price of Apache’s common stock could be adversely affected.

 

In addition, offerings of Apache common stock or of securities linked to Apache common stock may dilute the holdings of Apache’s existing common stockholders or reduce the market price of Apache common stock. Holders of Apache common stock are not entitled to preemptive rights.

 

There may be future sales or other dilution of Apache’s equity, which may adversely affect the market price of Apache’s common stock.

 

In connection with its offerings of common stock and depositary shares, Apache agreed not to issue additional shares of common stock or securities convertible into common stock, subject to specified exceptions including the issuance of shares in connection with the Mariner transaction, for a period of 90 days ending October 21, 2010. Additionally, Apache’s directors and executive officers have agreed not to sell or otherwise dispose of any of their shares, subject to specified exceptions, for a period of 90 days ending October 21, 2010.

 

Otherwise, Apache is not restricted from issuing additional shares of common stock, including the common shares issuable upon conversion of the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock. The issuance of any additional shares of common or of preferred stock or convertible securities or the exercise of such securities could be substantially dilutive to holders of Apache common stock. Holders of shares of Apache common

stock are not entitled to any preemptive rights by virtue of their status as stockholders and that status does not entitle them to purchase their pro rata share of any offering of shares of any class or series and, therefore, such sales or offerings could result in increased dilution to Apache stockholders.

 

The price of Apache’s common stock may be adversely affected by future sales of Apache common stock or securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or of securities that represent the right to receive, Apache common stock or other dilution of Apache’s equity, or by Apache’s announcement that such sales or other dilution may occur.

 

Contractual and statutory provisions may delay or make more difficult acquisitions or changes of control of Apache.

 

Provisions of Delaware law and Apache’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, and contracts to which Apache are a party could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of Apache or have the effect of discouraging a third party from attempting to acquire control of Apache.

 

Apache’s Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock could restrict Apache’s ability to pay dividends on its common stock.

 

The terms of Apache’s Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock could restrict Apache’s ability to pay cash dividends on its common stock. Apache may not declare or pay a dividend or distribution on its common stock unless all accrued and unpaid dividends for all past quarterly dividend periods on all outstanding shares of Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock have been or are contemporaneously declared and paid in full or a sufficient amount for such has been set aside.

 

This proxy statement/prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this proxy statement/prospectus contain statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Representatives of Apache and Mariner may also make forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are opinions, forecasts, projections, future plans or other statements other than statements of historical fact and are identified by terminology such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “predict,” “potential,” “plan,” “project,” “likely,” “believe” or the negative of these terms or similar terminology. Neither Mariner nor Apache can give any assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Actual results could differ materially as a result of a variety of risks and uncertainties, including: the timing to consummate the proposed agreement; the risk that a condition to closing the proposed agreement may not be satisfied; the risk that a regulatory approval that may be required for the proposed agreement is not obtained or is obtained subject to conditions that are not anticipated; negative effects from the pendency of the merger; Apache’s ability to achieve the synergies and value creation contemplated by the proposed agreement; Apache’s ability to promptly and effectively integrate the merged businesses; and the diversion of management time on agreement-related issues.

 

These statements are only predictions and are not guarantees of performance. Actual results may differ materially from those expected, estimated or projected because of market conditions or other factors. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of management of Apache and Mariner and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to be materially different from those projected or anticipated. In addition to the risks described under “Risk Factors” and those risks described in documents that are incorporated by reference into this proxy statement/prospectus, the following factors, among others, could cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements made in this proxy statement/prospectus or documents incorporated into this proxy statement/prospectus or by representatives of Apache or Mariner. These statements speak only as of the date hereof, or, in the case of statements in any document incorporated by reference, as of the date of such document, or, in the case of statements made by representatives of Apache or Mariner, on the date those statements are made. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning the merger, the combined company or any other matter addressed in this proxy statement/prospectus and attributable to Apache, Mariner or any person acting on behalf of either company are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. Apache and Mariner expressly disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements in light of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

In this section, references to “we,” “us,” “our,” and “Apache” include Apache Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise specifically stated.

 

We maintain insurance coverage that includes coverage for physical damage to our oil and gas properties, third party liability, workers’ compensation and employers’ liability, general liability, sudden pollution and other coverage. Our insurance coverage includes deductibles that must be met prior to recovery. Additionally, our insurance is subject to exclusions and limitations and there is no assurance that such coverage will adequately protect us against liability from all potential consequences and damages.

 

In general, our current insurance policies covering physical damage to our oil and gas assets provide $250 million per occurrence with an additional $250 million per year. Coverage for damage to our U.S. Gulf of Mexico assets specifically resulting from a named windstorm, however, is subject to a maximum of $250 million per named windstorm, includes a self-insured retention of 40 percent of the losses above a $100 million deductible, and is limited to no more than two storms per year. In addition, our policies covering physical damage to our North Sea oil and gas assets provide $250 million per occurrence with an additional $750 million per year.

 

Our various insurance policies also provide coverage for, among other things, liability related to negative environmental impacts of a sudden pollution event in the amount of $750 million per occurrence, charterer’s legal liability, in the amount of $1 billion per occurrence, aircraft liability in the amount of $750 million per occurrence, and general liability, employer’s liability and auto liability in the amount of $500 million per occurrence. Our service agreements, including drilling contracts, generally indemnify Apache for injuries and death of the service provider’s employees as well as contractors and subcontractors hired by the service provider.

 

Our insurance policies generally renew in January and June of each year, with the next renewals scheduled for 2011. In light of the recent catastrophic accident in the Gulf of Mexico, we may not be able to secure similar coverage for the same costs. Future insurance coverage for our industry could increase in cost and may include higher deductibles or retentions. In addition, some forms of insurance may become unavailable in the future or unavailable on terms that we believe are economically acceptable.

 

Apache adopted a Region Spill Response Plan (the Plan) for its Gulf of Mexico operations to ensure a rapid and effective response to spill events that may occur on Apache-operated properties. Periodically, drills are conducted to measure and maintain the effectiveness of the Plan. These drills include the participation of spill response contractors, representatives of the Clean Gulf Associates (CGA, described below), and representatives of governmental agencies. The primary association available to Apache in the event of a spill is CGA. Apache has received approval for the Plan from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulatory and Enforcement(formerly, the Minerals Management Service). Apache personnel review the Plan annually and update where necessary.

 

Apache is a member of, and has an employee representative on the executive committee of, CGA, a not-for-profit association of producing and pipeline companies operating in the Gulf of Mexico. CGA was created to provide a means of effectively staging response equipment and providing immediate spill response for its member companies’ operations in the Gulf of Mexico. To this end, CGA has bareboat chartered (an arrangement for the hiring of a boat with no crew or provisions included) its marine equipment to the Marine Spill Response Corporation (MSRC), a national, private, not-for-profit marine spill response organization, which is funded by grants from the Marine Preservation Association. MSRC maintains CGA’s equipment (currently including 13 shallow water skimmers, four fast response vessels with skimming capabilities, nine fast response containment-skimming units, a large skimming containment barge, numerous containment systems, wildlife cleaning and rehabilitation facilities and dispersant inventory) at various staging points

around the Gulf of Mexico in its ready state, and in the event of a spill, MSRC stands ready to mobilize all of this equipment to CGA members. MSRC also handles the maintenance and mobilization of CGA non-marine equipment. In addition, CGA maintains a contract with Airborne Support Inc. (ASI), which provides aircraft and dispersant capabilities for CGA member companies. Apache’s annual fees to CGA for 2009 consisted of $213,445 based on a $12,800 per capita charge plus $200,645 based on annual production of approximately 24 million barrels of oil equivalent.

 

In the event that CGA resources are already being utilized, other associations are available to Apache. Apache is a member of Oil Spill Response Limited, which entitles any Apache entity worldwide to access their service. Oil Spill Response Limited has access to resources from the Global Response Network, a collaboration of seven major oil industry funded spill response organizations worldwide. Oil Spill Response Limited has equipment stockpiles in Bahrain, Singapore and Southampton that currently include approximately 153 skimmers, booms (of approximately 12,000 meters), two Hercules aircraft for equipment deployment and aerial dispersant spraying, two additional aircraft, dispersant spray systems and dispersant, floating storage tanks, all terrain vehicles (ATV) and various other equipment. If necessary, Oil Spill Response Limited’s resources may be, and have been, deployed to areas across the globe, such as the Gulf of Mexico. In addition, resources of other organizations are available to Apache as a non-member, such as those of MSRC and National Response Corporation (NRC), albeit at a higher cost. MSRC has an extensive inventory of oil spill response equipment, independent of and in addition to CGA’s equipment, currently including 19 oil spill response barges with storage capacities between 12,000 and 68,000 barrels, 68 shallow water barges, over 240 skimming systems, six self-propelled skimming vessels, seven mobile communication suites with internet and telephone connections, as well as marine and aviation communication capabilities, various small crafts and shallow water vessels and dispersant aircraft. MSRC has contracts in place with many environmental contractors around the country, in addition to hundreds of other companies that provide support services during spill response. In the event of a spill, MSRC will activate these contractors as necessary to provide additional resources or support services requested by its customers. NRC owns a variety of equipment, currently including shallow water portable barges, boom, high capacity skimming systems, inland work boats, vacuum transfer units and mobile communication centers. NRC has access to a vessel fleet of more than 328 offshore vessels and supply boats worldwide, as well as access to hundreds of tugs and oil barges from its tug and barge clients. The equipment and resources available to these companies changes from time-to-time and current information is generally available on each of the companies’ websites.

 

In light of the current events in the Gulf of Mexico, Apache is participating in a number of industry-wide task forces that are studying ways to better access and control blowouts in subsea environments and increase containment and recovery methods. Two such task forces are the Subsea Well Control and Containment Task Force and the Offshore Operating Procedures Task Force.

 

The oil and gas business is highly competitive in the exploration for and acquisitions of reserves, the acquisition of oil and gas leases, equipment and personnel required to find and produce reserves and in the gathering and marketing of oil, gas and natural gas liquids. Our competitors include national oil companies, major integrated oil and gas companies, other independent oil and gas companies and participants in other industries supplying energy and fuel to industrial, commercial and individual consumers.

 

Certain of our competitors may possess financial or other resources substantially larger than we possess or have established strategic long-term positions and maintain strong governmental relationships in countries in which we may seek new entry. As a consequence, we may be at a competitive disadvantage in bidding for leases or drilling rights.

 

However, we believe our diversified portfolio of core assets, which is comprised of large acreage positions and well established production bases across six countries, and our balanced production mix between oil and gas give us a strong competitive position relative to many of our competitors who do not possess similar political, geographic and production diversity. Our global position provides a large inventory of geologic and geographic opportunities in the six countries in which we have producing operations to which we

can reallocate capital investments in response to changes in local business environments and markets. It also reduces the risk that we will be materially impacted by an event in a specific area or country.

 

While the merger, if consummated, will increase our holdings in the U.S., we believe that following the merger Apache will maintain asset diversity, as production from our international locations is projected to increase for the next several years as longer-term projects to develop significant discoveries are completed.

 

As an owner or lessee and operator of oil and gas properties, we are subject to numerous federal, provincial, state, local and foreign country laws and regulations relating to discharge of materials into, and protection of, the environment. These laws and regulations may, among other things, impose liability on the lessee under an oil and gas lease for the cost of pollution clean-up resulting from operations, subject the lessee to liability for pollution damages and require suspension or cessation of operations in affected areas. Although environmental requirements have a substantial impact upon the energy industry, as a whole, we do not believe that these requirements affect us differently, to any material degree, than other companies in our industry.

 

We have made and will continue to make expenditures in our efforts to comply with these requirements, which we believe are necessary business costs in the oil and gas industry. We have established policies for continuing compliance with environmental laws and regulations, including regulations applicable to our operations in all countries in which we do business. We have established operating procedures and training programs designed to limit the environmental impact of our field facilities and identify and comply with changes in existing laws and regulations. The costs incurred under these policies and procedures are inextricably connected to normal operating expenses such that we are unable to separate expenses related to environmental matters; however, we do not believe expenses related to training and compliance with regulations and laws that have been adopted or enacted to regulate the discharge of materials into the environment will have a material impact on our capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position.

 

Changes to existing, or additions of, laws, regulations, enforcement policies or requirements in one or more of the countries or regions in which we operate could require us to make additional capital expenditures. While the recent events in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico have resulted in the enactment of, and may result in the enactment of additional, laws or requirements regulating the discharge of materials into the environment, we do not believe that any such regulations or laws enacted or adopted as of this date will have a material adverse impact on Apache’s, Mariner’s, or the combined company’s cost of operations, earnings or competitive position.

 

Apache, a Delaware corporation formed in 1954, is an independent energy company that explores for, develops and produces natural gas, crude oil and natural gas liquids. In North America, Apache’s exploration and production interests are focused in the Gulf of Mexico, the Gulf Coast, East Texas, the Permian Basin, the Anadarko Basin and the Western Sedimentary Basin of Canada. Outside of North America, Apache has exploration and production interests onshore Egypt, offshore Western Australia, offshore the U.K. in the North Sea (North Sea), and onshore Argentina. Apache also has exploration interests on the Chilean side of the island of Tierra del Fuego.

 

Apache’s common stock is listed on the NYSE, the Chicago Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ National Market and trades under the symbol “APA.”

 

Apache’s principal executive offices are located at One Post Oak Central, 2000 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77056, its telephone number is (713) 296-6000 and its website is www.apachecorp.com.

 

This proxy statement/prospectus incorporates important business and financial information about Apache by reference to other documents that are not included in or delivered with this proxy statement/prospectus. For a list of the documents that are incorporated by reference, see “Where You Can Find More Information; Incorporation By Reference.”

 

Mariner, a Delaware corporation formed in 1983, is an independent oil and gas exploration, development, and production company headquartered in Houston, Texas, with principal operations in the Permian Basin, Gulf Coast and the Gulf of Mexico.

 

Mariner’s common stock is listed on the NYSE and trades under the symbol “ME.”

 

Mariner’s principal executive offices are located at One BriarLake Plaza, Suite 2000, 2000 West Sam Houston Parkway South, Houston, Texas 77042, its telephone number is (713) 954-5500 and its website is www.mariner-energy.com.

 

This proxy statement/prospectus incorporates important business and financial information about Mariner from other documents that are not included in or delivered with this proxy statement/prospectus. For a list of the documents that are incorporated by reference, see “Where You Can Find More Information; Incorporation By Reference.”

 

Apache Deepwater LLC (f/k/a ZMZ Acquisitions LLC), which is sometimes referred to as Merger Sub, is a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Apache. Merger Sub was formed solely for the purpose of entering into the merger agreement. Merger Sub has not carried on any activities to date, except for activities incidental to its formation and activities undertaken in connection with the merger.

 

Merger Sub’s principal executive offices are located at One Post Oak Central, 2000 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77056 and its telephone number is (713) 296-6000.

 

Apache, Merger Sub and Mariner have entered into the merger agreement. Subject to the terms and conditions of the merger agreement and in accordance with Delaware law, Mariner will be merged with and into Merger Sub, with Merger Sub continuing as the surviving entity. Upon completion of the merger, Mariner will cease to exist and Mariner common stock will no longer be outstanding or publicly traded.

 

Under the merger agreement, Mariner stockholders may elect to receive consideration consisting of cash, shares of Apache common stock or a combination of both in exchange for their shares of Mariner common stock, subject to a proration feature. Mariner stockholders electing to receive a mix of cash and stock consideration and non-electing stockholders will receive $7.80 in cash and 0.17043 shares of Apache common stock, in exchange for each share of Mariner common stock. Subject to proration, Mariner stockholders electing to receive all cash will receive $26.00 in cash per Mariner share and Mariner stockholders electing to receive only Apache common stock will receive 0.24347 shares of Apache common stock in exchange for each share of Mariner common stock.

 

The aggregate cash consideration to be received by Mariner stockholders pursuant to the merger will be fixed at an amount equal to the product of $7.80 and the number of shares of Mariner common stock outstanding immediately prior to the closing of the merger less 714,887 shares of outstanding unvested restricted stock that will be cancelled upon the merger. Such cash amount is expected to be approximately $800 million. Similarly, the aggregate number of shares of Apache common stock to be received by Mariner stockholders pursuant to the merger will be fixed at a number equal to the product of 0.17043 and the number of shares of Mariner common stock outstanding immediately prior to the closing of the merger less 714,887 shares of outstanding unvested restricted stock that will be cancelled upon the merger. Such number of shares is expected to be approximately 17.5 million shares of Apache common stock. Accordingly, if Mariner stockholders elect, in the aggregate, to receive cash in an amount greater than the aggregate cash consideration payable under the merger agreement, then those holders electing to receive all cash consideration will be prorated down and will receive Apache stock as a portion of the overall consideration they receive for their shares. On the other hand, if Mariner stockholders elect, in the aggregate, to receive stock in an amount greater than the aggregate number of shares issuable under the merger agreement, then those holders electing to receive all stock consideration will be prorated down and will receive cash as a portion of the overall consideration they receive for their shares. As a result, Mariner stockholders that make a valid election to receive all cash or all stock consideration may not receive merger consideration entirely in the form elected.

 

The share exchange ratios in the merger agreement are fixed and will not change between now and the completion of the merger, regardless of whether the market price of either Apache or Mariner common stock changes. The market price of Apache common stock will fluctuate prior to the merger and the market price of Apache common stock received by Mariner stockholders after completion of the merger could be greater or less than the current market price of Apache common stock and the price of Apache common stock at the election deadline. In addition, the time of the completion of the merger, the values of the three forms of merger consideration that Mariner stockholders will have the right to receive (which are (i) 0.24347 shares of Apache common stock per Mariner share, subject to proration, (ii) $26.00 in cash per Mariner share, subject to proration, or (iii) a combination of $7.80 in cash and 0.17043 shares of Apache common stock per Mariner share) may not be equal due to fluctuations in the market price of Apache common stock. See “Risk Factors — Risks Relating to the Merger — As a result of the consideration election and proration provisions of the merger agreement, and because the market price of Apache common stock will fluctuate, Mariner stockholders cannot be sure of the aggregate value of the merger consideration they will receive.”

 

Apache will not issue any fractional shares of its common stock in connection with the merger. For each fractional share that would otherwise be issued, Apache will pay cash (without interest) in an amount equal to the product of the fractional share and the average of the closing price of Apache common stock on the NYSE, as reported in The Wall Street Journal, for the five consecutive trading days ending on the calendar day immediately prior the closing date of the merger.

 

Mariner regularly reviews and assesses potential industry and strategic alternatives in order to enhance stockholder value. In connection with these reviews and in an effort to ensure that Mariner’s board is fully informed regarding potential avenues for increasing stockholder value, from time to time Mariner’s management meets with investment bankers to discuss strategic business opportunities, including acquisitions of and combinations with other companies. In one such meeting in April 2008, Mr. Josey and a representative of Credit Suisse discussed a number of companies that might present strategic business opportunities for Mariner. Apache was one such company discussed, as both companies operate in the Gulf of Mexico shelf and deepwater and in the Permian Basin. From time to time the companies had engaged in farm-out agreements and other ordinary course transactions, and they also owned working interests in some of the same properties, including the Geauxpher prospect at Garden Banks 462. The companies had enjoyed a good working relationship. In April and May 2008, a representative of Credit Suisse met with Roger Plank, Apache’s President, and discussed strategic opportunities between Apache and Mariner.

 

In May 2008, G. Steven Farris, Apache’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, contacted Scott D. Josey, Mariner’s Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, to suggest that they meet to discuss a potential business combination. Messrs. Farris and Josey met on May 22, 2008 to discuss such a transaction. Mr. Farris did not present any specific proposal at that time. Mr. Josey responded that he would discuss the matter with members of Mariner’s board. Mr. Josey subsequently reported on his conversation with Mr. Farris to two Mariner directors, Bernard Aronson (Mariner’s presiding independent director) and Jonathan Ginns. Mr. Aronson relayed the information provided by Mr. Josey to the other members of Mariner’s board.

 

Representatives of Apache and Mariner negotiated the terms of a confidentiality agreement over the following weeks, and on June 17, 2008, the parties executed an agreement. In the confidentiality agreement Apache agreed to a “standstill” provision providing that it would not, for a period of two years, acquire or seek, offer or propose to acquire any securities or assets of Mariner or take other actions seeking to control or influence Mariner. The confidentiality agreement also restricted acquisitions by Apache of interests in certain properties for which Mariner was the apparent high bidder at an offshore lease sale that had recently occurred, but for which leases had not yet been awarded to Mariner. Following execution of the confidentiality agreement on June 17, several members of Mariner management and Ryder Scott Company, L.P., the petroleum consulting firm primarily responsible for overseeing the preparation of Mariner’s reserve estimates, met with representatives of Apache to review reserve estimates, prospects and financial and legal matters. Over the course of the next few days, subsequent conversations took place between members of management of the two companies regarding the means of conducting accounting and tax due diligence and personnel matters.

 

On June 19, 2008, Messrs. Farris and Josey met to discuss Mariner’s prospects and other due diligence issues.

 

On June 20, 2008, at a telephonic special meeting of Mariner’s board, Mr. Josey reported on the status of discussions with, and due diligence conducted by, Apache. The board also considered the retention of Credit Suisse as Mariner’s financial advisor in connection with a potential transaction. The board noted Credit Suisse’s knowledge of Mariner, having previously provided Mariner with financial advisory and other investment banking services, and Credit Suisse’s knowledge of the oil and gas industry and experience as a financial advisor in connection with transactions similar to the proposed merger. Credit Suisse was formally engaged by Mariner on June 25, 2008. The board requested that Mr. Josey provide updates as appropriate to Mr. Aronson, who would communicate with the other directors.

 

Over the course of the following nine weeks, representatives of Mariner, Ryder Scott, Deloitte & Touche LLP (Mariner’s independent auditor) and PricewaterhouseCoopers (tax consultant to Mariner) provided Apache with additional due diligence information regarding Mariner’s reserve estimates, prospect inventory, financial condition, accounting, tax, and legal matters, among other things.

 

On August 19, 2008, Mr. Farris met with Mr. Josey at Mariner’s offices in Houston. Mr. Farris said that Apache would be willing to acquire Mariner for consideration worth $30 per share of Mariner common stock, which represented a premium of approximately 3.5% to Mariner’s then-current stock price (at that time,

commodity prices were significantly higher than 2010 levels). Mr. Farris also indicated that the proposed transaction would potentially be contingent upon completing the sale of a limited-term overriding royalty interest in a fixed volume of Mariner’s oil and gas reserves prior to consummation of the merger. Mr. Josey stated his view that the proposed consideration was too low and that the risk associated with the sale of the overriding royalty interest was unacceptable, but he said he would convey Apache’s proposal to the Mariner board. Mr. Josey discussed the proposal with the Mariner directors individually. Following those discussions, he reported to Mr. Farris that Mariner was not interested in further pursuit of a transaction at that time.

 

On February 1, 2010, a representative of the financial advisor to another company, referred to as Company A, contacted Mr. Josey to request a meeting to discuss a potential business combination transaction. On February 8, 2010, representatives of Company A and Company A’s financial advisor met with Mr. Josey to express interest in acquiring Mariner for a purchase price of $18 to $19 per share. The representatives stated that the proposal was based on, among other things, Company A’s review of Mariner’s reserve estimates as of December 31, 2008, but not its 2009 reserve estimates, which had only recently been disclosed.

 

On February 19, 2010, representatives of Credit Suisse discussed with Mariner management the possibility of a public offering of equity securities of a new company formed to hold certain onshore assets. Specifically, the concept discussed involved Mariner contributing its Permian Basin operations, including its interests in the Spraberry, Dean and Wolfcamp trends and exploration activities in emerging plays such as the Wolfberry and Wolfcamp trends, to a subsidiary, and selling a portion of the equity of that subsidiary to the public in a registered offering. The discussion included various implications of such a transaction on a hypothetical basis, including governance matters, financial statement requirements and capital structure. This alternative was not pursued for a number of reasons, including the reduced diversification that would result from such a transaction and covenant restrictions in Mariner’s debt agreements.

 

On February 23, 2010, the Mariner board discussed Company A’s proposal and concluded that the proposed consideration was insufficient but authorized management to allow Company A to review nonpublic information, with the expectation that Company A would be able to increase its proposed purchase price substantially following its review of Mariner’s prospects and 2009 year-end reserve estimates. The board did not direct management to solicit alternative transactions to the proposal made by Company A at that time because it did not consider Mariner to be for sale and, until a compelling offer was made by a potential purchaser, the board intended to continue to pursue Mariner’s strategic plan. The board also discussed Mariner’s strategy as a diversified company, marketing and messaging with respect to its strategy and various potential alternatives for its operating regions. The board reviewed a “sum of the parts” analysis prepared by Mariner management that attempted to evaluate each of Mariner’s operating regions based on valuation metrics of several non-diversified, publicly-traded companies, each operating primarily in one of Mariner’s operating regions. The analysis indicated that the stock of Mariner, as a diversified company, traded at a significant discount to the sum of the estimated values of its operating regions if they were valued similarly to the non-diversified or “pure play” companies in those regions. The sum of the parts analysis reflected a potential trading range for Mariner common stock of $25.23 to $35.59 per share, excluding estimated values for certain unbooked Mariner discoveries but providing methodologies for valuing Mariner’s interests in those discoveries. From time to time, management and the board discussed Mariner’s long-term strategy, which included the pursuit of diversity and balance in its property portfolio and hydrocarbon mix and increasing its onshore presence, including unconventional resource plays. During the February 23, 2010 board meeting, management and the board discussed Mariner’s strategic direction and whether alternatives to its strategy should be explored to more fully realize their view of the value of the company. The possibility of one or more divestiture transactions or a spin-off of a portion of Mariner’s operations was discussed, but the board concluded there was no reason to change its existing strategy at that time. Earlier that month, Mariner had provided the sum of the parts analysis and the potential trading range in a February 4 public presentation to the investor community at the Credit Suisse Energy Summit Conference and also made it publicly available on Mariner’s website. Subsequent to that public presentation and through the February 23 board meeting, Mariner’s common stock closed at prices ranging from $13.65 to $15.52. Subsequently, management used the methodologies provided to the board at the February 23 board meeting to assign values to the unbooked discoveries and included those values, as well as values for a significant portion of Mariner’s deepwater

exploration prospect portfolio prepared by a third-party engineering firm, in public presentations to the investor community on March 2, March 23 and April 13, 2010 and made publicly available on Mariner’s website, reflecting a potential trading range for Mariner common stock of approximately $43 to $60 per share. Subsequent to the first of those public presentations and through the date prior to the announcement of the merger with Apache, Mariner’s common stock closed at prices ranging from $14.13 to $18.09.

 

Mariner and Company A negotiated and, on March 11, 2010, executed a confidentiality agreement in a form substantially similar to the one previously entered into with Apache, including a two-year standstill provision. Later that day, several members of Mariner’s management team met with representatives of Company A to provide information regarding Mariner’s 2009 reserve estimates, prospects and financial matters. Representatives of Company A also were provided access to representatives of Ryder Scott to perform a more detailed review of Mariner’s reserve estimates. During the course of the diligence meetings on March 11, Mr. Josey met with a representative of Company A to discuss the expected timing of a revised proposal. The representative advised Mr. Josey that Company A’s board of directors had approved discussions regarding a business combination and that their board planned to meet on April 16, 2010 to consider a revised proposal to acquire Mariner.

 

From March 11, 2010, until April 9, 2010, members of Mariner’s management team provided additional due diligence information to representatives of Company A.

 

On March 25, 2010, at Mr. Farris’s request, Mr. Josey met with Messrs. Farris and Plank at Apache’s offices in Houston. At the meeting Mr. Farris suggested that Apache and Mariner re-engage in discussions regarding a business combination, because the two companies had a great asset and people fit and Mariner’s deepwater position was desirable to Apache, but he did not present any specific proposal. Mr. Josey responded by saying that the consideration in any proposal would need to reflect a substantial premium in order to be successful. Mr. Josey also indicated to Messrs. Farris and Plank that another party had expressed an interest in acquiring Mariner, that it was undertaking due diligence, and that the board of directors of the other party planned to meet on April 16 to consider a possible transaction. Mr. Farris responded that, due to its extensive analysis of Mariner in 2008, Apache could be ready with an offer and a merger agreement on an accelerated timeline. Mr. Josey also stated that even though Mariner could provide confidential data to Apache under the 2008 confidentiality agreement which remained in effect until June 2010, he would prefer that the parties execute an extension before he arranged for additional confidential information about Mariner to be delivered to Apache.

 

Apache and Mariner entered into a new confidentiality agreement on March 26, 2010, in a form substantially similar to the prior agreement between the parties. Shortly after execution of the confidentiality agreement, Mariner made diligence materials available, and meetings occurred between representatives of Mariner, Ryder Scott and Apache over the next two weeks.

 

On April 1, 2010, Apache’s board of directors convened a special meeting to consider the potential transaction with Mariner. The board was presented with financial and operational information about Mariner, including an update on developments in Mariner’s business since a possible transaction had been last considered by the board in 2008. At the end of the meeting and after extensive discussion, the board authorized Apache management to continue its pursuit of a transaction with Mariner for consideration of up to $25 per share with at least 70% payable in Apache common stock.

 

On April 5, 2010, Mr. Josey met with Mr. Farris at Apache’s offices. At this meeting, Messrs. Josey and Farris discussed in general terms the per-share purchase price of a potential acquisition, with Mr. Josey indicating his belief that the Mariner board would be disappointed with any offer below $25 per share, and that an offer may need to be as high as $30 per share in order to be approved. Messrs. Josey and Farris also discussed generally the possibility of making a portion of the consideration contingent on the success of the Heidelberg #2 well in the Gulf of Mexico deepwater, which was being drilled on a prospect in which Mariner has an interest (referred to as the Heidelberg well). Mr. Josey also requested that, in accordance with the confidentiality agreement, Apache should not provide a written offer to Mariner unless it was invited to do so by Mariner’s board of directors. Mr. Farris thanked Mr. Josey for the information, and did not present him

with an offer. That afternoon the parties amended the confidentiality agreement to permit advisors and additional employees of Apache to assist in the due diligence effort.

 

Following his meeting with Mr. Josey, Mr. Farris met with Apache’s financial advisors, Goldman, Sachs & Co., referred to as Goldman Sachs, and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., referred to as J.P. Morgan, to inform them of his conversation with Mr. Josey. Over the next two days, Messrs. Farris and Plank, other Apache senior management, and representatives of Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan worked on preparing an appropriate initial proposal to Mariner.

 

As part of preparing the initial proposal, Mr. Farris telephoned each of the members of Apache’s board, informed them of developments, and discussed with them the possible terms that were being developed. In the course of consultation with the directors, Mr. Farris was given the discretion to offer to Mariner a combination of cash and Apache common stock as consideration in the merger.

 

On April 7, 2010, a representative of Company A sent an e-mail to Jesus G. Melendrez, Mariner’s Senior Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer, Acting Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, to inform him that Company A’s board meeting to discuss a potential transaction with Mariner would be delayed. The following day, Mr. Melendrez advised representatives of Company A and its financial advisor that such delay was not in Company A’s interest.

 

Also on April 7, 2010, Mr. Farris called Mr. Josey to notify him that Apache was prepared to send a term sheet describing its offer to acquire Mariner and that Apache was highly motivated to complete a transaction because of the strategic fit of Mariner’s assets with Apache’s North American operations. He communicated that it was important to Apache that a merger agreement be signed and a transaction be announced very quickly. Mr. Farris also told Mr. Josey that Apache would not engage in an auction process in connection with a possible transaction. Mr. Josey responded that he would discuss the terms of the initial proposal with the Mariner board and call Mr. Farris afterwards. Mr. Josey then advised Mariner’s presiding independent director of the conversation, and the director organized a board meeting to be held that afternoon.

 

Following his conversation with Mr. Josey, Mr. Farris telephoned each of Apache’s directors separately and informed them of the terms of the initial proposal. Each director was supportive of the proposal and instructed Mr. Farris to continue pursuing the transaction with Mariner.

 

Later in the day on April 7, 2010, Apache sent Mariner a term sheet proposing a merger for consideration of $25.00 per share, payable in a combination of cash (30%) and shares of Apache common stock (70%) at a fixed exchange ratio. Apache stated that the $25 proposal represented a premium of 47% to Mariner’s closing price and a 63% premium to Mariner’s 30-day average trading price, each as of April 6, 2010. The term sheet further proposed that the consideration would be increased or decreased by $2.00 per share depending on success or lack of success at the Heidelberg #2 well. The Heidelberg well was expected to be completed in May 2010 and was designed to delineate the lateral extent of the M-15 sand of the reservoir found in a discovery well that reached total depth in 2009, and to explore another potential target in the lower Miocene sand. Because of the contingent adjustment to the proposed purchase price (a result of which was that the consideration would either be $23.00 or $27.00 per share, but never $25.00), Apache’s proposal effectively offered consideration of $23.00 per share with a possible $4.00 increase for success at the Heidelberg well. The term sheet stated that it would expire on April 14, 2010, and that Apache had prepared a draft merger agreement and was prepared to begin negotiations immediately. The term sheet also stated Apache’s intention to be able to announce a transaction within days and in no event later than April 14, 2010.

 

After receipt of the term sheet, Mariner’s board convened a telephonic special meeting on April 7, 2010 to discuss the proposal, including the financial terms, the likelihood that the transaction could be successfully completed, and potential responses to the proposal. Also present at the invitation of the board were representatives of Baker Botts L.L.P., outside counsel to Mariner, who discussed with the directors certain legal matters, including their fiduciary duties to stockholders in connection with a potential business combination transaction. During the meeting, Mr. Josey updated the directors on his discussions with Mr. Farris. After discussing the terms proposed in the Apache term sheet and Mariner’s other prospects, the board decided to seek to reengage Credit Suisse as Mariner’s financial advisor in connection with a potential

transaction, given Credit Suisse’s familiarity with Mariner and its prior engagement as Mariner’s financial advisor in 2008 in connection with Mariner’s discussions regarding a potential transaction with Apache. The board discussed the interests of Mariner executive officers with respect to the merger, apart from their interests as Mariner stockholders, and the risk that these interests might influence their decisions with respect to the merger. The board instructed Mr. Josey to tell Mr. Farris that the board was seriously considering Apache’s proposal and would respond promptly after further analysis and after consulting with Credit Suisse. The board also received a status report on discussions with Company A. Credit Suisse was contacted that evening and instructed to begin preparing an analysis of Apache’s proposal for discussion with the board.

 

On April 8, 2010, Mr. Josey called Mr. Farris to update him on the board’s reaction to the proposal and on next steps. Messrs. Josey and Farris briefly discussed the terms reflected in the term sheet, particularly Apache’s rationale for proposing consideration contingent upon the success of the Heidelberg well. Other members of Mariner management met that day and on April 9, 2010 with Apache representatives to discuss how to define “success” at the Heidelberg well for purposes of determining whether the contingent consideration would be paid.

 

On April 9, 2010, Mariner’s board again convened a telephonic special meeting, with representatives of Mariner management, Baker Botts and Credit Suisse also attending. Mr. Josey briefed the board on his April 8 discussion with Mr. Farris. Representatives of Credit Suisse reviewed its preliminary financial analyses with respect to Mariner and the proposed merger. The board, with the assistance of management and Credit Suisse, also evaluated and discussed potential business combination transactions with other companies (including Company A), taking into account the various financial and operational characteristics of the other potential partners and the probable level of interest and strategic rationale for each company to engage in a business combination with Mariner, and the financial capability of each to complete a transaction. The board, management and Credit Suisse also discussed that although other companies might have an interest in acquiring Mariner’s Permian Basin, South Texas, Gulf of Mexico deepwater, Gulf of Mexico shelf or unconventional resource play properties individually, they did not know (based on their knowledge of the industry) of any companies that would be interested in purchasing, or positioned to take fullest advantage of, all of Mariner’s operating areas. Further, over the last several years, many companies have been exiting the Gulf of Mexico, and Apache was one of the few companies looking to add to its shelf asset base. It was expected that other potential acquirers, if any, might wish to divest of one or more of the operating areas and thus would be unlikely to value Mariner as highly as Apache, who had an existing presence in the Permian Basin, Gulf Coast onshore, Gulf of Mexico deepwater and shelf, interest in unconventional resource plays and a stated desire to expand their Gulf of Mexico deepwater operations. These attributes created what the board and management viewed as a strong strategic fit with Mariner’s asset portfolio, which they believed would maximize potential merger consideration. The board, in consultation with its legal and financial advisors, also considered the potential benefits of conducting an auction process or other effort to solicit interest from other potential buyers prior to the execution and delivery of a merger agreement with Apache, and what it viewed as a substantial risk that conducting such a process could cause Apache to terminate discussions with Mariner given Apache’s stated intention not to participate in an auction and insistence on a short time frame. Given the view that other companies lacked the strategic fit that had attracted Apache to Mariner, the board, following review and discussion with Credit Suisse, concluded that any potential competing bidders were unlikely to offer a price higher than the price proposed by Apache. Taking into account all of these factors, as well as the premium to Mariner’s stock price that the proposed merger consideration represented, the board decided not to solicit alternative transactions to the Apache merger, other than its ongoing process with Company A.

 

The board also considered the risks and opportunities of Mariner remaining an independent company and the risk that Mariner would not achieve or exceed a stock price comparable to the proposed merger consideration within a reasonable period of time, taking into account the competitive landscape, the risks inherent in Mariner’s business activities, fluctuations in the availability of capital and the volatility of commodity prices. The board considered these risks notwithstanding the sum of the parts analysis first presented to the public on February 4, 2010 and discussed at the February 23, 2010 board meeting. While the sum of the parts analysis illustrated the view that Mariner’s stock was undervalued by the market on a relative basis compared to non-diversified “pure play” companies, the board had recognized that the upside potential

values reflected in the analysis were subject to significant risks and, given historical performance of Mariner’s stock and analyst sentiment, could not predict when, if ever, such values might be achieved. The board believed the undervaluation had been prevalent for an extended period of time and was due in part to the fact that companies like Mariner with diversified reserve portfolios generally trade at a discount to their pure play competitors. The board had recognized that the range of values presented in the analysis assigned significant value to nonproved reserves that remained subject to material operating and commodity price risks and future availability of capital. After extensive discussion, the directors determined to reconvene on April 11, 2010 to continue their review of a potential transaction with Apache.

 

On April 10, 2010, Mr. Josey called Mr. Farris to update him on the board’s process and timing. He stated that Apache’s initial proposal would have to be improved, and he suggested in particular that the contingent consideration proposal regarding the Heidelberg well be amended to consist of an increase in the event of success, without a corresponding decrease. Mr. Farris agreed to reconsider Apache’s proposal in light of Mr. Josey’s comments, but he emphasized that, in light of Mariner’s previously planned analyst conference scheduled for April 15, 2010, Apache felt very strongly that an agreement must be executed and the transaction announced no later than April 14, 2010.

 

Following the call, Mr. Farris, Apache’s senior management and its financial advisors met telephonically to discuss Mr. Josey’s response to Apache’s initial offer. After considerable discussion, Mr. Farris and Apache management decided that at the next discussion between the parties, Apache would offer $26 per Mariner share, payable in a combination of 30% cash and 70% Apache common stock, but without any contingent consideration relating to the Heidelberg well.

 

Later that day, P. Anthony Lannie, Apache’s Executive Vice President and General Counsel, sent a draft merger agreement to Teresa G. Bushman, Mariner’s Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary.

 

On April 11, 2010, the Mariner board convened a telephonic special meeting, with representatives of Mariner management, Baker Botts, Credit Suisse and Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP, special Delaware counsel to Mariner, also attending. Mr. Josey updated the directors on his latest discussion with Mr. Farris, including Mr. Farris’ emphasis on announcing a transaction by April 14, 2010. Representatives of Baker Botts briefed the board on the terms reflected in the draft merger agreement provided by Apache, which included, among other things:

 

 

Representatives of Baker Botts and Morris Nichols reviewed for the directors their fiduciary duties and other legal matters. Representatives of Credit Suisse discussed certain financial aspects of Apache’s proposal, including potential collar mechanisms regarding the Apache common stock proposed to be received in the merger. After extensive discussion, the board authorized Mr. Josey to propose to Apache consideration of $26 per share with a $2.50 increase if the Heidelberg well were successful, payable 30% in cash and 70% in Apache stock at a fixed exchange ratio. In considering whether to negotiate for a collar mechanism or adjustable exchange ratio, the board noted that Mariner’s stockholders, on an aggregate basis, would receive the benefit of any increase in the price per share of Apache common stock at the time of closing relative to its price at the execution of the merger agreement, although they would receive less valuable consideration if the price of Apache stock decreased during that period. The board also noted that Mariner stockholders, on an aggregate basis, would receive a substantial cash payment that would not be affected by any change in the

trading price of Apache common stock, which would act as an effective collar on the exchange ratio. In light of these factors the board determined that a fixed exchange ratio without a collar mechanism was appropriate.

 

Messrs. Josey and Farris spoke by phone later in the evening of April 11, 2010. Mr. Josey conveyed the board’s purchase price proposal and indicated to Mr. Farris that the sections of Apache’s draft merger agreement regarding proposed closing conditions based on commodity prices and hurricane damage were not acceptable, that the termination fee must be lower and that the expense reimbursement must be eliminated. Mr. Farris expressed concern that it would be difficult to define the parameters for success at the Heidelberg well and suggested that the merger consideration be set at $25 per share with no contingent consideration adjustment. Mr. Josey responded that $25 per share was insufficient, to which Mr. Farris responded that Apache’s best and final offer would be a purchase price set at $26 per share with no adjustment. Mr. Josey agreed to discuss Apache’s proposal with the Mariner board.

 

Mariner’s board met telephonically on April 12, 2010 with representatives of Credit Suisse, Baker Botts, Morris Nichols and members of management also in attendance. During the meeting, Mr. Josey reported on his April 11, 2010 conversation with Mr. Farris, including the fact that Apache’s “best and final” offer did not contain a contingent consideration adjustment. After extensive discussion and consideration of Mariner’s possible responses and various strategic alternatives, the board authorized Mr. Josey to accept the proposed $26 per share purchase price, with a breakup fee of less than 3%. The board concluded that proceeding without a contingent consideration adjustment was appropriate in light of the significant operational and financial risks associated with the Heidelberg well, including, among other things, uncertainty regarding the future cost and timing of drilling, completing and producing the well, the future cost and availability of capital, and the risks associated with unexpected drilling conditions, pressure or irregularities in formations, equipment failures or accidents, adverse weather conditions (including hurricanes), loop currents, compliance with governmental regulations, reductions in commodity prices, fires, explosions, blow-outs and surface cratering, pipe or cement failures and casing collapses. Accordingly, the board determined that a fixed purchase price could appropriately reflect the risked value of that discovery as well as Mariner’s recent drilling success at the Lucius-1 ST-1 exploration well on Keathley Canyon Block 875. The board also received a status report on discussions with Company A. In light of the board’s view (taking into account, among other things, the analyses provided by Credit Suisse) that the significant premium reflected in Apache’s offer represented the best value reasonably available for Mariner’s stockholders, as well as Apache’s repeated statements regarding announcing a transaction no later than April 14, 2010 (which had been conveyed multiple times orally by Mr. Farris and reflected in the term sheet sent on April 7, 2010) and the risk that Apache’s offer might be withdrawn if their timing requirements were not met, and considering the board’s previous consideration of the benefits and risks of soliciting alternative transactions prior to any announcement, the board instructed management and its advisors to negotiate the definitive documentation as expeditiously as possible. The board instructed Baker Botts to send comments to the draft merger agreement to Apache, including a deletion of the proposed closing conditions based on commodity prices and hurricane damage and a reduction of the termination fee to 2% of the value of the equity consideration, with no expense reimbursement.

 

Later that day, Mr. Josey spoke with Mr. Farris about the board’s decision to accept the $26 per share consideration and informed Mr. Farris that the breakup fee must be less than 3%, all subject to the negotiation of a mutually acceptable merger agreement. Mr. Farris reiterated Apache’s desire to be in a position to sign and announce an agreement by April 14, 2010. Subsequent to this discussion, Baker Botts sent a revised draft of the merger agreement to Apache and Andrews Kurth LLP, outside counsel to Apache.

 

Also on April 12, representatives of Goldman Sachs called representatives of Credit Suisse to emphasize that Apache was very serious about the April 14, 2010 deadline and informed Credit Suisse that there was a real risk that Apache would not agree to a transaction if an agreement could not be reached by April 14, 2010.

 

On April 11, 2010, Mr. Josey was contacted by a representative of Company A’s financial advisor regarding the previous communication between Mr. Melendrez and representatives of Company A concerning the delay in Company A’s schedule for updating its proposal. After exchanging messages, Mr. Josey and Company A’s representative spoke on April 12, 2010. Mr. Josey told the representative that he had been

advised that Company A’s board meeting would be delayed. Mr. Josey stated his belief that the delay was harming Company A’s credibility with Mariner’s board and that any proposal should be made sooner rather than later. The financial advisor responded that Company A expected to provide a new proposal during the week of April 19, 2010 following its board meeting.

 

On April 13, 2010, representatives of Apache, Mariner, Credit Suisse, Baker Botts and Andrews Kurth, met telephonically and in person at the offices of Andrews Kurth to conduct due diligence on Apache’s business and operations and to discuss the draft merger agreement. During the merger agreement discussions, Apache agreed to remove the proposed closing conditions based on commodity prices and hurricane damage. Apache stated that it was still considering Mariner’s proposal on the termination fee but might agree to limit its proposed expense reimbursement to $7.5 million. During the course of discussions, it became apparent that Apache interpreted the terms of Mariner’s employment agreements with executives to provide that all Performance-Based Restricted Stock would vest at closing, regardless of whether the stock price conditions had been met. In fact, the award agreements for the Performance-Based Restricted Stock (which provided that no vesting would occur upon a change of control if the stock price conditions had not been met) overrode any inconsistent terms in the employment agreements, with the result being that no such shares would vest at closing unless otherwise provided in the merger agreement. Representatives of Mariner management corrected Apache’s misunderstanding of the terms of the agreements and suggested that Apache consider vesting some portion of the Performance-Based Restricted Stock. As of April 14, 2010, 80 senior Mariner employees held 1,196,218 shares of Performance-Based Restricted Stock, of which approximately 63% and 37% were held by officers and non-officers, respectively. Three officers holding Performance-Based Restricted Stock participated in the principal merger discussions with Apache: Messrs. Josey (who also is a director of Mariner) and Melendrez and Ms. Bushman. Five officers holding Performance-Based Restricted Stock were involved in ancillary merger discussions and/or diligence matters: Judd A. Hansen, Senior Vice President — Shelf and Onshore; Cory L. Loegering, Senior Vice President — Deepwater; Richard A. Molohon, Vice President — Reservoir Engineering; Dalton F. Polasek, Chief Operating Officer; and Mike C. van den Bold, Senior Vice President and Chief Exploration Officer. No Mariner directors other than Mr. Josey hold Performance-Based Restricted Stock. Apache proposed vesting 40% of the shares, which represented the sum of the results obtained by dividing Mariner’s then-current stock price by the two stock price conditions in the award agreements (weighted according to the proportion of awards subject to each price condition). Apache proposed calculating the percentage to be vested with reference to the current stock price of approximately $17.55 per share, rather than the $26 per share proposed merger consideration, to recognize the value created by Mariner’s leadership team without taking the proposed transaction into account. Apache agreed to the partial vesting in order to provide additional incentive to senior Mariner employees to remain employed through the closing of the merger, to foster a positive working relationship with their future employees, and in recognition of the fact that the shares would otherwise be forfeited in only the third year of the ten-year program. Apache reflected its proposal in a subsequent draft of the merger agreement. On April 12 and 14, Mariner awarded a total of 121,022 shares of Performance-Based Restricted Stock to fifteen employees who had recently been hired or promoted, including 17,121 shares to each of Mariner’s Vice President — Unconventional Resources, Vice President — Offshore Land and Business Development, and Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer, and 10,000 shares to Mariner’s Vice President — Human Resources. The board noted that several employees had recently been hired or promoted and had not yet received the Performance-Based Restricted Stock grants that would have been made to them in the ordinary course as a result of those hirings or promotions. In the interest of equal treatment of all similarly-situated employees, and, as discussed below, recognizing the fact that 40% of the awards made to such other employees would vest as a result of the merger, the board determined it was appropriate to make the grants. On April 13 and continuing over the next day, representatives of the parties continued to negotiate and revise the draft merger agreement and disclosure schedules.

 

Later on April 13, the Mariner board met telephonically, with representatives of Credit Suisse and Baker Botts and members of management also participating, to discuss the status of the discussions with Apache. During the board meeting, Mr. Josey reported on his April 12 conversation with Company A’s financial advisor. Mr. Josey also reported on his most recent conversations with Mr. Farris, during which they had discussed retention and severance arrangements for Mariner’s nonexecutive employees. Mariner management and Baker Botts reported on the merger agreement discussions, including the fact that Apache

had proposed (after the $26 merger consideration had been agreed) to vest 40% of the Performance-Based Restricted Stock. The board determined to continue with negotiations with Apache. Later that evening, Apache sent Mariner a revised draft merger agreement reflecting a 3% breakup fee and an incremental expense reimbursement of $10 million.

 

Throughout the day on April 14, 2010, representatives of Mariner, Apache, Baker Botts and Andrews Kurth met to negotiate the draft merger agreement. During those discussions, Mariner stated that the termination fee could be no higher than 2.5% of the value of the equity consideration, with no expense reimbursement.

 

On the afternoon of April 14, 2010, Apache’s board of directors held a special meeting to consider the proposed business combination, with representatives of Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, and Apache’s senior management attending. The board was provided with a substantially final draft of the merger agreement and other materials related to the transaction. At the meeting, Apache’s financial advisors Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan reviewed their financial analyses of the proposed merger. Mr. Lannie reviewed with the board certain legal matters relating to the board’s consideration of the proposed merger, discussed certain material terms of the merger agreement, and reviewed the status of the remaining open issues. Mr. Lannie informed the board that in addition to certain drafting matters, the parties had yet to reach agreement on the amount of a termination fee. Mr. Lannie explained that Mariner’s proposal for the breakup fee was 2.5% of the value of the equity consideration and Apache’s proposal was for 3%. After discussion and deliberation, the Apache board approved and adopted the proposed merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, giving Mr. Farris authority and parameters under which to resolve the remaining open issues. Mr. Farris then contacted Mr. Josey to inform him that the Apache board meeting had concluded and that the board had approved the merger.

 

Later on April 14, Mariner’s board again convened telephonically to consider the terms of the proposed transaction. Prior to the meeting the directors received a packet that included the current draft of the merger agreement, a summary of the agreement and other discussion materials to facilitate their review and consideration of the proposed transaction, including financial analyses prepared by Credit Suisse. During the meeting, representatives of Credit Suisse reviewed its financial analyses with respect to Mariner and the proposed transaction with the board, and representatives of Baker Botts and Morris Nichols reviewed the terms of the proposed merger agreement and the board’s fiduciary duties.

 

During the board meeting and after the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the board was notified that an employee of Apache had mistakenly sent an e-mail to investment analysts announcing a conference call for the following day to discuss Apache’s agreement to acquire Mariner and had attempted to recall the e-mail. The board then agreed to recess the meeting to allow Mariner’s management and advisors to inquire about what had occurred and to continue to negotiate with respect to the outstanding issues on the proposed merger agreement. Members of Mariner’s and Apache’s respective transaction teams then discussed and resolved (subject to finalization of disclosure schedules and board approval) all outstanding terms, including reaching agreement to set the termination fee at $67 million, or approximately 2.5% of the value of the equity consideration, with a reciprocal expense reimbursement capped at $7.5 million and credited against the termination fee if paid. The final exchange ratio was set with reference to Apache’s closing stock price on April 13, 2010 of $106.79.

 

After resolution of the outstanding issues, the Mariner board reconvened. Credit Suisse delivered its oral opinion to the Mariner board (which was subsequently confirmed in writing by delivery of Credit Suisse’s written opinion dated April 14, 2010), to the effect that, as of April 14, 2010, the merger consideration to be received by the holders of Mariner common stock in the merger was fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders. Following discussion, the board, taking into account various factors and potential risks as described further below under “— Recommendation of the Mariner Board of Directors and Its Reasons for the Merger,” unanimously determined that the proposed merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the proposed merger agreement were advisable, fair to and in the best interests of Mariner and its stockholders, and approved and adopted the proposed merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby.

After the parties finalized the form of, and exchanged the final versions of, the merger agreement and disclosure schedules, the agreement was executed by Apache, Mariner and Merger Sub, and Apache and Mariner issued a joint press release before the opening of trading on April 15, 2010 announcing the merger agreement.

 

During the latter part of July 2010, representatives of Apache and Mariner conducted settlement discussions with the parties to two stockholder lawsuits filed after announcement of the merger agreement. In connection with a memorandum of understanding to settle the litigation, Apache and Mariner agreed to amend the merger agreement to eliminate the termination fee in the event that Mariner terminates the merger agreement in order to enter into a “superior proposal” with another party. Apache and Mariner executed the amendment on August 2, 2010, and on August 3, 2010, the elimination of the termination fee in this circumstance was publicly announced.

 

In reaching its decision to approve the merger and the merger agreement and recommend the approval and adoption of the merger agreement by Mariner stockholders, the Mariner board of directors consulted with Mariner management, as well as with Mariner’s legal and financial advisors, and considered a number of factors, including the following:

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Mariner board of directors also considered potential risks and potentially negative factors concerning the merger in connection with its deliberations of the proposed transaction, including:

 

 

 

 

Subsequent to the consideration of the merger by Mariner’s board, on August 2, 2010, the merger agreement was amended by Apache and Mariner to eliminate the termination fee in the event that Mariner terminates the merger agreement in order to enter into a “superior proposal” with another party. On August 3, 2010, the elimination of the termination fee in this circumstance was publicly announced.

 

The foregoing list comprises material factors considered by Mariner’s board of directors in its consideration of the merger and is intended to be a summary rather than an exhaustive list. In view of the wide variety of factors considered in connection with its evaluation of the merger and the complexity of these matters, the Mariner board of directors did not find it useful and did not attempt to quantify or assign any relative or specific weights to the various factors that it considered in reaching its determination to approve the merger and the merger agreement and to recommend that Mariner stockholders adopt the merger agreement. In addition, individual members of the Mariner board may have given differing weights to different factors. The Mariner board did not reach any specific conclusion with respect to any of the factors considered and instead conducted an overall analysis of such factors.

 

The Mariner board of directors unanimously determined that the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement are advisable and in the best interests of Mariner and its stockholders, and approved and adopted the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby.

The Mariner board of directors unanimously recommends that Mariner stockholders vote “FOR” the merger proposal.

 

On April 14, 2010, Credit Suisse rendered its oral opinion to Mariner’s board of directors (which was subsequently confirmed in writing by delivery of Credit Suisse’s written opinion dated the same date) to the effect that, as of April 14, 2010, the merger consideration to be received by the holders of Mariner common stock in the merger was fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders.

 

Credit Suisse’s opinion was directed to Mariner’s board of directors and only addressed the fairness to the holders of Mariner common stock, from a financial point of view, of the merger consideration to be received by such holders in the merger, and did not address any other aspect or implication of the merger. The summary of Credit Suisse’s opinion in this proxy statement/prospectus is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of its written opinion, which is included as Annex B to this proxy statement/prospectus and sets forth the procedures followed, assumptions made, qualifications and limitations on the review undertaken and other matters considered by Credit Suisse in preparing its opinion. However, neither Credit Suisse’s written opinion nor the summary of its opinion and the related analyses set forth in this proxy statement/prospectus are intended to be, and do not constitute advice or a recommendation to any holder of Mariner common stock as to how such stockholder should act or vote with respect to any matter relating to the merger.

 

In arriving at its opinion, Credit Suisse:

 

1. reviewed the merger agreement and certain related agreements;

 

2. reviewed certain publicly available business and financial information relating to Mariner and Apache;

 

3. reviewed certain other information relating to Mariner and Apache, including certain oil and gas reserve reports prepared by the management of Mariner and certain oil and gas reserve reports prepared by Mariner’s independent oil and gas reserve engineers containing estimates with respect to Mariner’s oil and gas reserves, which we refer to collectively as the Reserve Reports;

 

4. reviewed certain financial forecasts relating to Mariner provided to Credit Suisse by Mariner;

 

5. reviewed certain publicly available financial forecasts relating to Apache that Credit Suisse discussed with Apache;

 

6. met with the managements of Mariner and Apache to discuss the business and prospects of Mariner and Apache, respectively;

 

7. considered certain financial and stock market data of Mariner and Apache, and compared that data with similar data for other companies with publicly traded securities in businesses Credit Suisse deemed similar to those of Mariner and Apache;

 

8. considered, to the extent publicly available, the financial terms of certain other business combinations and other transactions which have recently been effected or announced; and

 

9. considered such other information, financial studies, analyses and investigations and financial, economic and market criteria which Credit Suisse deemed relevant including, without limitation, certain alternative oil and gas commodity pricing assumptions and probabilities, which is sometimes referred to as risking.

 

In connection with its review, Credit Suisse did not independently verify any of the foregoing information and assumed and relied upon such information being complete and accurate in all material respects. With respect to the financial forecasts for Mariner that Credit Suisse used in its analyses, the management of Mariner advised Credit Suisse, and Credit Suisse assumed, that such forecasts had been reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of the management of Mariner as to

the future financial performance of Mariner. With respect to the oil and gas reserve estimates for Mariner set forth in the Reserve Reports that Credit Suisse reviewed, the management of Mariner advised Credit Suisse, and Credit Suisse assumed, that such estimates had been reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of Mariner and its independent oil and gas reserve engineers with respect to the oil and gas reserves of Mariner. With respect to the alternative oil and gas commodity pricing assumptions and risking that Credit Suisse utilized for purposes of its analyses, Credit Suisse was advised by the management of Mariner, and assumed, that such assumptions were a reasonable basis on which to evaluate the future financial performance of Mariner and were appropriate for such purposes. With respect to the publicly available financial forecasts for Apache referred to above, Credit Suisse reviewed and discussed such forecasts with the management of Apache who advised Credit Suisse, and with Mariner’s consent Credit Suisse assumed, that such forecasts represented reasonable estimates and judgments with respect to the future financial performance of Apache. Credit Suisse assumed, with Mariner’s consent, that the merger would be treated as a tax-free reorganization for federal income tax purposes. Credit Suisse also assumed, with Mariner’s consent, that, in the course of obtaining any regulatory or third party consents, approvals or agreements in connection with the merger, no delay, limitation, restriction or condition would be imposed that would have an adverse effect on Mariner, Apache or the contemplated benefits of the merger and that the merger would be consummated in accordance with the terms of the merger agreement without waiver, modification or amendment of any material term, condition or agreement thereof. In addition, Credit Suisse was not requested to make, and did not make, an independent evaluation or appraisal of the assets or liabilities (contingent or otherwise) of Mariner or Apache, nor was Credit Suisse furnished with any such evaluations or appraisals other than the Reserve Reports. Credit Suisse is not an expert in the evaluation of oil and gas reserves and Credit Suisse expressed no view as to the reserve quantities, or the development or production (including, without limitation, as to the feasibility or timing thereof), of any oil or gas properties of Mariner.

 

Credit Suisse’s opinion addressed only the fairness, from a financial point of view, to the holders of Mariner common stock of the merger consideration to be received by such holders in the merger and did not address any other aspect or implication of the merger or any other agreement, arrangement or understanding entered into in connection with the merger or otherwise, including, without limitation, the fairness of the amount or nature of, or any other aspect relating to, any compensation to any officers, directors or employees of any party to the merger, or class of such persons, relative to the merger consideration or otherwise. The issuance of Credit Suisse’s opinion was approved by an authorized internal committee of Credit Suisse.

 

Credit Suisse’s opinion was necessarily based upon information made available to Credit Suisse as of the date of its opinion and financial, economic, market and other conditions as they existed and could be evaluated on the date of its opinion. In addition, as Mariner was aware, the financial projections and estimates that Credit Suisse reviewed relating to the future financial performance of Mariner and Apache reflected certain assumptions regarding the oil and gas industry which are subject to significant volatility and which, if different than assumed, could have had a material impact on Credit Suisse’s analyses and opinion. Credit Suisse did not express any opinion as to what the value of shares of Apache common stock actually would be when issued to the holders of Mariner common stock pursuant to the merger or the prices at which shares of Apache common stock would trade at any time. Credit Suisse’s opinion did not address the relative merits of the merger as compared to alternative transactions or strategies that might be available to Mariner, nor did it address the underlying business decision of Mariner to proceed with the merger. Credit Suisse was not requested to, and did not, solicit third party indications of interest in acquiring all or any part of Mariner.

 

Credit Suisse’s opinion was for the information of Mariner’s board of directors in connection with its consideration of the merger and does not constitute advice or a recommendation to any stockholder as to how such stockholder should vote or act on any matter relating to the merger or whether such stockholder should elect to receive all cash consideration, all stock consideration or a mix of cash and stock consideration in the merger.

 

In preparing its opinion to Mariner’s board of directors, Credit Suisse performed a variety of analyses, including those described below. The summary of Credit Suisse’s analyses described below is not a complete description of the analyses underlying Credit Suisse’s fairness opinion. The preparation of a fairness opinion is a complex process involving various quantitative and qualitative judgments and determinations with respect to

the financial, comparative and other analytic methods employed and the adaptation and application of those methods to the unique facts and circumstances presented. As a consequence, neither Credit Suisse’s opinion nor the analyses underlying its opinion are readily susceptible to partial analysis or summary description. Credit Suisse arrived at its opinion based on the results of all analyses undertaken by it and assessed as a whole and did not draw, in isolation, conclusions from or with regard to any individual analysis, analytic method or factor. Accordingly, Credit Suisse believes that its analyses must be considered as a whole and that selecting portions of its analyses, analytic methods and factors, without considering all analyses and factors or the narrative description of the analyses, could create a misleading or incomplete view of the processes underlying its analyses and opinion.

 

In performing its analyses, Credit Suisse considered business, economic, industry and market conditions, financial and otherwise, and other matters as they existed on, and could be evaluated as of, the date of the written opinion. No company, transaction or business used in Credit Suisse’s analyses for comparative purposes is identical to Mariner, Apache or the merger. While the results of each analysis were taken into account in reaching its overall conclusion with respect to fairness, Credit Suisse did not make separate or quantifiable judgments regarding individual analyses. The implied valuation reference ranges indicated by Credit Suisse’s analyses are illustrative and not necessarily indicative of actual values or predictive of future results or values, which may be significantly more or less favorable than those suggested by the analyses. In addition, any analyses relating to the value of assets, businesses or securities do not purport to be appraisals or to reflect the prices at which businesses or securities actually may be sold, which may depend on a variety of factors, many of which are beyond Mariner’s control and the control of Credit Suisse. Much of the information used in, and accordingly the results of, Credit Suisse’s analyses are inherently subject to substantial uncertainty.

 

Credit Suisse’s opinion and analyses were provided to Mariner’s board of directors in connection with its consideration of the merger and Credit Suisse’s analyses were among many factors considered by Mariner’s board of directors in evaluating the merger. Neither Credit Suisse’s opinion nor its analyses were determinative of the merger consideration or of the views of Mariner’s board of directors with respect to the merger.

 

The following is a summary of the material financial analyses performed in connection with the preparation of Credit Suisse’s opinion rendered to Mariner’s board of directors on April 14, 2010. The analyses summarized below include information presented in tabular format. The tables alone do not constitute a complete description of the analyses. Considering the data in the tables below without considering the full narrative description of the analyses, as well as the methodologies underlying and the assumptions, qualifications and limitations affecting each analysis, could create a misleading or incomplete view of Credit Suisse’s analyses.

 

For purposes of its analyses, Credit Suisse reviewed a number of financial metrics including:

 

Enterprise Value — generally the value as of a specified date of the relevant company’s outstanding equity securities (taking into account its options and other outstanding convertible securities) plus the value of its minority interests plus the value as of such date of its net debt (the value of its outstanding indebtedness, preferred stock and capital lease obligations less the amount of cash on its balance sheet).

 

EBITDAX — generally the amount of the relevant company’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and exploration expenses for a specified time period.

 

Pre-Tax PV 10% — generally means the estimated net present value, using a discount rate of 10%, of future cash inflows from proved reserves and applying 12-month average prices for natural gas and oil (calculated as the unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month price for each month within the 12-month prior period to the end of the period), net of future development and production costs.

 

Unless the context indicates otherwise, equity values used in the selected companies analysis described below were calculated using the closing price of the common stock of Mariner, Apache and the selected companies listed below as of April 13, 2010. Estimates of EBITDAX and daily production for Mariner for the fiscal years ending December 31, 2010 and 2011 were based on projected reserves and financial data for 2010 and reserve data for 2011, in each case provided by management of Mariner. Estimates of EBITDAX and daily production for Apache and the selected companies listed below for the fiscal years ending December 31,

2010 and 2011 were based on publicly available research analyst estimates. For purposes of its analyses and its opinion, Credit Suisse assumed an implied value of the merger consideration to be received by the holders of Mariner common stock in the merger of $26.00 per share of Mariner common stock based on the closing price of Apache common stock on April 13, 2010. Reserves and production are expressed on a natural gas equivalent basis.

 

Selected Companies Analysis

 

Credit Suisse calculated the multiples of enterprise value to certain financial metrics for the selected companies in the oil and gas industry deemed to be similar to Mariner or Apache, as the case may be, in one or more respects which included nature of business, size, diversification, financial performance and geographic concentration.

 

The calculated multiples included:

 

Enterprise Value as a multiple of 2010E EBITDAX;

 

Enterprise Value as a multiple of 2011E EBITDAX;

 

Enterprise Value as a multiple of 2009 year-end proved reserves;

 

Enterprise Value as a multiple of 2010E daily production;

 

Enterprise Value as a multiple of 2011E daily production; and

 

Enterprise Value as a multiple of Pre-Tax PV 10% at year-end 2009.

 

No specific numeric or other similar criteria were used to select the selected companies and all criteria were evaluated in their entirety without application of definitive qualifications or limitations to individual criteria. As a result, a significantly larger or smaller company with substantially similar lines of business and business focus may have been included while a similarly sized company with less similar lines of business and greater diversification may have been excluded. Credit Suisse identified a sufficient number of companies for purposes of its analysis but may not have included all companies that might be deemed comparable to Mariner.

 

The selected companies were:

 

Pioneer Natural Resources Company

 

Plains Exploration & Production Company

 

Concho Resources Inc.

 

Whiting Petroleum Corporation

 

ATP Oil & Gas Corporation

 

Energy XXI (Bermuda) Limited

 

McMoRan Exploration Co.

 

Swift Energy Company

 

Stone Energy Corporation

 

W&T Offshore, Inc.

 

Crimson Exploration Inc.

The selected companies analysis indicated the following:

 

 

Credit Suisse applied multiple ranges based on the selected companies analysis to corresponding financial data for Mariner including multiples of 4.5x to 5.5x 2010E EBITDAX, 3.5x to 4.5x 2011E EBITDAX, $2.50 to $3.25 2009 year-end proved reserves, $8,000 to $10,000 2010E daily production, $7,500 to $9,500 2011E daily production and 1.75x to 2.25x 2009 year-end Pre-Tax PV 10% to calculate an implied reference range per share of Mariner common stock. The selected companies analysis indicated an implied reference range per share of Mariner common stock of $15.35 to $23.10, as compared to the implied value of the merger consideration of $26.00 per share of Mariner common stock.

 

Net Asset Value (NAV) Analysis

 

Credit Suisse calculated the net present value of Mariner’s unlevered, after-tax cash flows from Mariner’s reserves based on the following scenarios. For purposes of the unrisked scenarios, it was assumed that all reserves would be realized. For purposes of the risked scenarios, it was assumed that the classes of reserves would be realized in accordance with the associated percentages.

 

Proved Reserves (1P) NAV Analysis:

 

 

Proved and Probable Reserves (2P) NAV Analysis:

 

 

Proved, Probable and Possible Reserves (3P) + Contingent Resources NAV Analysis:

 

 

In performing this analysis, Credit Suisse calculated the net present value of the unlevered, after-tax free cash flows that Mariner could generate during calendar years 2010 through 2024 from its estimated reserves as of March 31, 2010. Estimated cash flows were based on reserve and production data reflected in reserve

reports prepared by independent oil and gas reserve engineers or by Mariner’s management and NYMEX forward pricing curve oil and gas commodity prices as reported on the NYMEX and Credit Suisse research analyst pricing estimates for oil and natural gas through 2016, thereafter increased at a rate 2% per year through 2024. Estimated cash flows after 2024 were discounted based on the weighted average remaining life of production. The present value of the cash flows were calculated using discount rates ranging from 9.0% to 11.0% based on analyses of Mariner’s weighted average cost of capital. This analysis indicated the following implied per share reference range for Mariner common stock under the following scenarios, as compared to the implied value of the merger consideration of $26.00 per share of Mariner common stock:

 

 

Selected Transactions Analysis

 

Credit Suisse calculated multiples of transaction value to certain financial data based on the purchase prices paid in selected publicly-announced transactions involving target companies in the oil and gas industry, oil and gas reserve assets in the Gulf of Mexico and onshore oil and gas reserve assets that it deemed relevant.

 

The calculated multiples included:

 

Transaction Value as a multiple of proved reserves; and

 

Transaction Value as a multiple of daily production.

 

The selected transactions were selected because the target companies or relevant assets were deemed to be similar to Mariner in one or more respects including the nature of their business, size, diversification, financial performance and geographic concentration. No specific numeric or other similar criteria were used to select the selected transactions and all criteria were evaluated in their entirety without application of definitive qualifications or limitations to individual criteria. As a result, a transaction involving the acquisition of a significantly larger or smaller company or significantly larger or smaller assets with substantially similar lines of business and business focus may have been included while a transaction involving the acquisition of a similarly sized company or group of assets with less similar lines of business and greater diversification may have been excluded. Credit Suisse identified a sufficient number of transactions for purposes of its analysis, but may not have included all transactions that might be deemed comparable to the merger.

The selected corporate transactions were:

 

 

The selected corporate transactions analysis indicated the following:

 

 

Credit Suisse applied multiple ranges based on the selected corporate transactions analysis to corresponding financial data for Mariner including proved reserves and daily production to calculate an implied reference range per share of Mariner common stock. The selected corporate transactions analysis indicated an implied reference range per share of Mariner common stock of $21.17 to $26.98, as compared to the implied value of the merger consideration of $26.00 per share of Mariner common stock.

The selected Gulf of Mexico oil and gas reserve asset transactions involved: