As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 23, 2010

                                                                                                                                                      Registration No. 333-      

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

____________

FORM F-9

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

_____________

ENCANA CORPORATION

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Canada

(Province or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

1311

(Primary Standard Industrial

Classification Code Number, if applicable)

Not Applicable

(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number, if applicable)

1800, 855 – 2^nd Street S.W.

Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2P 2S5

(403) 645-2000

Attention: Corporate Secretary

(Address and telephone number of Registrant’s principal executive offices)

CT Corporation System

111 8^th Avenue

New York, New York 10011

(212) 894-8641

(Name, address (including zip code) and telephone number (including area code) of agent for service in the United States)

Copies to:

_____________

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

Province of Alberta, Canada

(Principal jurisdiction regulating this offering)

It is proposed that this filing shall become effective (check appropriate box below):

A.	o	upon filing with the Commission, pursuant to Rule 467(a) (if in connection with an offering being made contemporaneously in the United States and Canada).
B.	þ	at some future date (check appropriate box below)
		1.	o	pursuant to Rule 467(b) on ( ) at ( ) (designate a time not sooner than 7 calendar days after filing).
		2.	o	pursuant to Rule 467(b) on ( ) at ( ) (designate a time 7 calendar days or sooner after filing) because the securities regulatory authority in the review jurisdiction has issued a receipt or notification of clearance on (   ).
		3.	o	pursuant to Rule 467(b) as soon as practicable after notification of the Commission by the Registrant or the Canadian securities regulatory authority of the review jurisdiction that a receipt or notification of clearance has been issued with respect hereto.
		4.	þ	after the filing of the next amendment to this Form (if preliminary material is being filed).

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to the home jurisdiction’s shelf prospectus offering procedures, check the following box.þ

_____________

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

The Registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registration statement shall become effective as provided in Rule 467 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to Section 8(a) of the Act, may determine.

 

 

 

PART I

 

INFORMATION REQUIRED TO BE

DELIVERED TO OFFEREES OR PURCHASERS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subject to completion Dated March 23, 2010

 

Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This prospectus shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state.

 

 

 

Encana Corporation

 

US$4,000,000,000

Debt Securities

_______

 

We may from time to time offer and sell up to US$4,000,000,000 (or the equivalent in other currencies) aggregate principal amount of our debt securities. These debt securities may be offered and sold in the United States and elsewhere where permitted by law. These debt securities may consist of debentures, notes or other types of debt and may be issuable in series. We will provide the specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus that will be delivered to purchasers together with this prospectus. Unless otherwise provided in a prospectus supplement relating to a series of debt securities, the debt securities will be our direct, unsecured and unsubordinated obligations and will be issued under a trust indenture. You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement carefully before you invest.

_______

 

Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence.

 

We are permitted, under a multijurisdictional disclosure system adopted by the United States, to prepare this prospectus in accordance with Canadian disclosure requirements, which are different from those of the United States. We prepare our financial statements in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles, and they are subject to Canadian auditing and auditor independence standards. They may not be comparable to financial statements of United States companies.

 

Owning the debt securities may subject you to tax consequences both in the United States and Canada. This prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement may not describe these tax consequences fully. You should read the tax discussion in any applicable prospectus supplement.

Your ability to enforce civil liabilities under the United States federal securities laws may be affected adversely because we are incorporated in Canada, most of our officers and directors and some of the experts named in this prospectus are Canadian residents, and a substantial portion of our assets or the assets of our directors and officers and the experts are located outside the United States.

There is no market through which these securities may be sold and purchasers may not be able to resell securities purchased under this prospectus. This may affect the pricing of the securities in the secondary market, the transparency and availability of trading prices, the liquidity of the securities, and the extent of the issuer regulation. See “Risk Factors”.

Our registered and principal office is located at 1800, 855 – 2nd Street S.W., Calgary, Alberta T2P 2S5, Canada.

_______

                   , 2010

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

Except as set forth under “Description of Debt Securities”, and unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement to “Encana”, “we”, “us” and “our” mean Encana Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries and partnerships.

In this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement, unless otherwise specified or the context otherwise requires, all dollar amounts are expressed in United States dollars, references to “dollars”, “$” or “US$” are to United States dollars and all references to “C$” are to Canadian dollars. Unless otherwise indicated, all financial information included and incorporated by reference in this prospectus or included in any prospectus supplement is determined using Canadian generally accepted accounting principles, referred to as “Canadian GAAP”.

In this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement, unless otherwise specified or the context otherwise requires, the term “liquids” is used to represent crude oil and natural gas liquids. Liquids also includes condensate volumes.

We may, from time to time, sell any combination of the debt securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to an aggregate principal amount of US$4,000,000,000. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the debt securities that we may offer. Each time we sell debt securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering of debt securities. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Before you invest, you should read both this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information”. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement, certain parts of which are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). You may refer to the registration statement and the exhibits to the registration statement for further information with respect to us and the debt securities.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

Information has been incorporated by reference in this prospectus from documents filed with securities commissions or similar authorities in Canada. Copies of the documents incorporated herein by reference may be obtained on request without charge from the Corporate Secretary of Encana Corporation, 1800, 855 – 2nd Street S.W., P.O. Box 2850, Calgary, Alberta T2P 2S5, Canada, telephone: (403) 645-2000. These documents are also available through the internet via the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR), which can be accessed at www.sedar.com.

 

 

We file with the securities commission or authority in each of the provinces and territories of Canada, annual and quarterly reports, material change reports and other information. We are subject to the informational requirements of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and, in accordance with the Exchange Act, we also file reports with and furnish other information to the SEC. Under the multijurisdictional disclosure system adopted by the United States, these reports and other information (including financial information) may be prepared, in part, in accordance with the disclosure requirements of Canada, which differ from those in the United States. You may read any document we furnish to the SEC at the SEC’s public reference room at Room 1580, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may also obtain copies of the same documents from the public reference room of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549 by paying a fee. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 or contact them at www.sec.gov for further information on the public reference room. Our filings are also electronically available from the SEC’s Electronic Document Gathering and Retrieval System (EDGAR), which can be accessed at www.sec.gov, as well as from commercial document retrieval services.

Under applicable securities laws in Canada and the United States, the Canadian securities commissions and the SEC allow us to incorporate by reference certain information that we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. Information that is incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below, which were filed with the Canadian securities commissions under Canadian securities legislation:

Any annual information form, audited annual consolidated financial statements (together with the auditors’ report thereon), information circular, unaudited interim consolidated financial statements, management’s discussion and analysis, material change reports (excluding confidential material change reports) or business acquisition reports subsequently filed by us with securities commissions or similar authorities in the relevant provinces and territories of Canada after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of debt securities under any prospectus supplement shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus. These documents are available through the internet on SEDAR. In addition, any similar documents filed by us with the SEC in our periodic reports on Form 6-K or annual reports on Form 40-F, and any other documents filed with or furnished to the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, in each case after the date of this prospectus, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, if and to the extent expressly provided in such reports. To the extent that any document or information incorporated by reference into this prospectus is included in a report that is filed with or furnished to the SEC on Form 40-F, 20-F, 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K or 6-K (or any respective successor form), such document or information shall also be deemed to be incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

Any statement contained in this prospectus or in a document (or part thereof) incorporated by reference, or deemed to be incorporated by reference, in this prospectus shall be deemed to be modified or superseded, for purposes of this prospectus, to the extent that a statement contained in the prospectus or in any subsequently filed document (or part thereof) that also is, or is deemed to be, incorporated by reference in this prospectus modifies or replaces such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be

deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute part of this prospectus. The modifying or superseding statement need not state that it has modified or superseded a prior statement or include any other information set forth in the document which it modifies or supersedes.

We will file updated interest coverage ratios quarterly with the applicable securities regulatory authorities, including the SEC, either as prospectus supplements or exhibits to our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements and audited annual consolidated financial statements which will be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus for the purpose of the offering of the debt securities.

Upon a new annual information form and related annual consolidated financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis being filed by us with the applicable securities regulatory authorities during the duration of this prospectus, the previous annual information form, the previous annual consolidated financial statements and all interim consolidated financial statements and the accompanying management’s discussion and analysis, any material change reports and any information circulars other than in connection with an annual general meeting filed prior to the commencement of our financial year in which the new annual information form is filed shall be deemed no longer to be incorporated into this prospectus for purposes of future offers and sales of debt securities under this prospectus. Upon interim consolidated financial statements and the accompanying management’s discussion and analysis being filed by us with the applicable securities regulatory authorities during the duration of this prospectus, all interim consolidated financial statements and the accompanying management’s discussion and analysis filed prior to the new interim consolidated financial statements shall be deemed no longer to be incorporated into this prospectus for purposes of future offers and sales of debt securities under this prospectus. Upon a new information circular in connection with an annual meeting of shareholders being filed by us with the applicable securities regulatory authorities during the duration of this prospectus, the previous information circular filed in connection with an annual meeting of shareholders shall be deemed no longer to be incorporated into this prospectus for purposes of future offers and sales of debt securities under this prospectus.

A prospectus supplement or prospectus supplements containing the specific terms for an issue of debt securities will be delivered to purchasers of such debt securities together with this prospectus and will be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus as of the date of such prospectus supplement but only for the purposes of the debt securities issued thereunder.

You may obtain a copy of our Annual Information Form and other information identified above by writing or calling us at the following address or telephone number:

1800, 855 – 2nd Street S.W.

Calgary, Alberta T2P 2S5

Attention: Corporate Secretary

(403) 645-2000

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements included in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein constitute forward-looking statements or information (collectively referred to as “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, relating to, but not limited to, our operations, anticipated financial performance, business prospects and strategies. Forward-looking statements typically contain statements with words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “plan”, “intend”, “forecast”, “target”, “project” or similar words suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook. Forward-looking statements in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: achieving our strategy to be a natural gas pure-play company focused on development of unconventional resources, drilling and development plans and the timing and location thereof, production and processing capacities and levels and the timing of achieving such capacities and levels, the anticipated date of production for the Deep Panuke natural gas project, expansion of gathering and processing plants and other facilities, reserves estimates including reserves estimates under different price cases, estimates of contingent resources, the level of expenditures for compliance with environmental regulations including estimates of potential costs of carbon, site restoration costs including abandonment and reclamation costs, pending litigation, exploration plans, acquisition and divestiture plans and net cash flows, projected natural gas and oil production levels, projections relating to the adequacy of our provision for taxes, the expected impact of the Alberta Royalty Framework and Transitional Royalty Program, projections with respect to natural gas production from unconventional resource plays, projections relating to the volatility of natural gas prices in 2010 and beyond and the reasons therefor, our projected capital investment levels, the flexibility of capital spending plans and the source of funding therefor, the effect of our risk management program including the impact of derivative financial instruments, the impact of the changes and proposed changes in laws and regulations including greenhouse gas, carbon and climate change initiatives on our operations and operating costs, projections that our Bankers’ Acceptances and Commercial Paper Program will continue to be fully supported by committed credit facilities and term loan facilities, our continued compliance with financial covenants under our credit facilities, our ability to pay our creditors, suppliers and commitments and fund our capital programs and pay dividends to shareholders, the impact of the current business market conditions including the recent economic recession and financial market turmoil on our operations and expected results, the effect of our risk mitigation policies, systems, processes and insurance program, our expectations for future Debt to Capitalization and Debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratios, the expected impact and timing of various accounting pronouncements, rule changes and standards including International Financial Reporting Standards on us and our Consolidated Financial Statements, and projections that natural gas represents an abundant, secure, long-term supply of energy to meet North American needs.

You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, that contribute to the possibility that the predicted outcomes will not occur. These factors include, but are not limited to:

 

Statements relating to “reserves” and “resources” are deemed to be forward-looking statements, as they involve the implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions, that the reserves and resources described exist in the quantities predicted or estimated, and can be profitably produced in the future.

 

We caution that the foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. Events or circumstances could cause our actual results to differ materially from those estimated or projected and expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. You should also carefully consider the matters discussed under “Risk Factors” in this prospectus, in any applicable prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated herein by reference. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements or the foregoing list of factors affecting those statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

ENCANA CORPORATION

We are one of North America’s leading natural gas producers and our strategy is to be a natural gas pure-play company focused on the development of unconventional resources across North America. Our other operations include the transportation and marketing of natural gas and liquids. We pursue profitable growth from our portfolio of long-life resource plays situated in Canada and the United States.

We continually pursue opportunities to develop and expand our business, which may include significant corporate or asset acquisitions. We may finance such acquisitions with debt or equity, or a combination of both.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a series of debt securities, we will use the net proceeds we receive from the sale of the debt securities for general corporate purposes. Those general corporate purposes may include capital expenditures, the repayment of indebtedness and the financing of acquisitions. The amount of net proceeds to be used for any such purpose will be described in an applicable prospectus supplement.

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

In this section only, “we”, “us”, “our” or “Encana” refer only to Encana Corporation without any of its subsidiaries or partnerships through which it operates. The following description describes certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities. We will provide the particular terms and provisions of a series of debt securities and a description of how the general terms and provisions described below may apply to that series in a supplement to this prospectus.

The debt securities will be issued under an indenture (the “Indenture”) to be entered into between us and The Bank of New York Mellon, as “Trustee”. The Indentureis subject to and governed by the U.S. Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. The following is a summary of the Indenture which describes the material terms and provisions of the debt securities. However, it is the Indenture, and not this summary, that governs your rights as a holder of our debt securities. A form of the Indenture has been filed with the SEC and is available on EDGAR. See “Where You Can Find More Information” in this prospectus. In addition, prospective investors should rely on information in the applicable prospectus supplement, which may provide information that is different from this prospectus.

We may, from time to time, issue debt instruments and incur additional indebtedness other than through the issuance of debt securities pursuant to this prospectus.

General

The Indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of debt securities (which may include debentures, notes and other evidences of indebtedness) that we may issue under the Indenture. It provides that debt securities may be issued from time to time in one or more series and may be denominated and payable in U.S. dollars or any foreign currency. The debt securities offered pursuant to this prospectus will be issued in an aggregate principal amount of up to US$4,000,000,000 or the equivalent in other currencies, or if any debt securities are offered at original issue discount, such greater amount as shall result in an aggregate offering price of up to US$4,000,000,000, or the equivalent in other currencies. The Indenture also permits us to increase the principal amount of any series of our debt securities previously issued and to issue that increased principal amount. The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the following terms and information relating to the debt securities being offered by us:

 

 

securities of such series rather than pay the Additional Amounts (and the terms of any such option);

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the Indenture does not afford holders of our debt securities the right to tender such debt securities to us in the event that we have a change in control.

Our debt securities may be issued under the Indenture bearing no interest or at a discount below their stated principal amount. The Canadian and U.S. federal income tax consequences and other special considerations applicable to any such discounted debt securities or other debt securities offered and sold at par which are treated as having been issued at a discount for Canadian and/or U.S. federal income tax purposes will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to the debt securities.

Ranking

Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities issued under the Indenture will be unsecured and unsubordinated obligations and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness outstanding from time to time. We conduct a substantial portion of our business through corporate and partnership subsidiaries. The debt securities will be structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and liabilities, including trade payables, of any of our corporate or partnership subsidiaries. See “Risk Factors—The debt securities will be effectively subordinated to certain indebtedness of our corporate and partnership subsidiaries and be subject to certain reorganization risk”.

Debt Securities in Global Form

The Depositary, Book-Entry and Settlement

 

A series of our debt securities may be issued in whole or in part in global form as a “global security” and will be registered in the name of and be deposited with a depositary, or its nominee, each of which will be identified in the prospectus supplement relating to that series. Unless and until exchanged, in whole or in part, for our debt securities in definitive registered form, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary for such global security to a nominee of the depositary, by a nominee of the depositary to the depositary or another nominee of the depositary or by the depositary or any such nominee to a successor of the depositary or a nominee of the successor.

The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any portion of a particular series of our debt securities to be represented by a global security will be described in a prospectus supplement relating to such series. We anticipate that the following provisions will apply to all depositary arrangements.

Upon the issuance of a global security, the depositary therefor or its nominee will credit, on its book entry and registration system, the respective principal amounts of our debt securities represented by the global security to the accounts of such persons, designated as “participants”, having accounts with such depositary or its nominee. Such accounts shall be designated by the underwriters, dealers or agents participating in the distribution of our debt securities or by us if such debt securities are offered and sold directly by us. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to participants or persons that may hold beneficial interests through participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary therefor or its nominee (with respect to interests of participants) or by participants or persons that hold through participants (with respect to interests of persons other than participants). The laws of some states in the United States may require that certain purchasers of securities have the ability to take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form.

 

So long as the depositary for a global security, or its nominee, is the registered owner of the global security, such depositary or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the Indenture. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in a global security will not be entitled to have a series of our debt securities represented by the global security registered in their names and will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of such series of our debt securities in definitive form.

Payments of Principal, Premium, if any, and Interest

Any payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest on global securities registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee will be made to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the global security representing such debt securities. None of us, the Trustee or any paying agent for our debt securities represented by the global securities will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of the global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

We expect that the depositary for a global security or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, will credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of the global security as shown on the records of such depositary or its nominee. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a global security held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers registered in “street name”, and will be the responsibility of such participants.

Discontinuance of Depositary’s Services

If a depositary for a global security representing a particular series of our debt securities is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary and a successor depositary is not appointed by us within 90 days, we will issue such series of our debt securities in definitive form in exchange for a global security representing such series of our debt securities. In addition, we may at any time and in our sole discretion determine not to have a series of our debt securities represented by a global security and, in such event, will issue a series of our debt securities in definitive form in exchange for the global security representing such series of debt securities.

Debt Securities in Definitive Form

A series of our debt securities may be issued solely as registered securities in denominations of US$2,000 and any integral multiple of US$1,000 in excess thereof or in such other denominations as may be set out in a prospectus supplement relating to any particular series.

An applicable prospectus supplement will indicate the places to register a transfer of our debt securities in definitive form. Except for certain restrictions set forth in the Indenture, no service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of such debt securities, but we may, in certain instances, require a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charges payable in connection with these transactions.

We shall not be required to:

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, payment of any interest will be made to the persons in whose name our debt securities are registered at the close of business on the day or days specified by us.

 

Certain Definitions

Set forth below is a summary of certain of the defined terms used in the Indenture. The Indenture contains the full definition of all such terms. See “Where You Can Find More Information” in this prospectus.

“Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means the total amount of assets of any person on a consolidated basis (less applicable reserves and other properly deductible items) after deducting therefrom:

in each case, as shown on the most recent annual audited or quarterly unaudited consolidated balance sheet of such person computed in accordance with GAAP.

“Current Assets” means assets which in the ordinary course of business are expected to be realized in cash or sold or consumed within 12 months.

“Facilities” means any drilling equipment, production equipment and platforms or mining equipment; pipelines, pumping stations and other pipeline facilities; terminals, warehouses and storage facilities; bulk plants; production, separation, dehydration, extraction, treating and processing facilities; gasification or natural gas liquefying facilities, flares, stacks and burning towers; natural gas distribution facilities, including equipment for delivery to end users; floatation mills, crushers and ore handling facilities; tank cars, tankers, barges, ships, trucks, automobiles, airplanes and other marine, automotive, aeronautical and other similar moveable facilities or equipment; computer systems and associated programs or office equipment; roads, airports, docks (including drydocks); reservoirs and waste disposal facilities; sewers; generating plants (including power plants) and electric lines; telephone and telegraph lines, radio and other communications facilities; townsites, housing facilities, recreation halls, stores and other related facilities; and similar facilities and equipment of or associated with any of the foregoing.

 

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in Canada which are in effect from time to time, unless the person’s most recent audited or quarterly financial statements are not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in Canada, in which case GAAP shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in the United States in effect from time to time.

“Lien” means, with respect to any properties or assets, any mortgage or deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, security interest, lien, charge, encumbrance, preference, priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever on or with respect to such properties or assets (including, without limitation, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).

“Non-Recourse Debt” means indebtedness to finance the creation, development, construction or acquisition of properties or assets and any increases in or extensions, renewals or refinancings of such indebtedness, provided that the recourse of the lender thereof (including any agent, trustee, receiver or other person acting on behalf of such entity) in respect of such indebtedness is limited in all circumstances to the properties or assets created, developed, constructed or acquired in respect of which such indebtedness has been incurred and to the receivables, inventory, equipment, chattels payable, contracts, intangibles and other assets, rights or collateral connected with the properties or assets created, developed, constructed or acquired and to which such lender has recourse.

 

natural gas balancing or deferred production agreements, injection, repressuring and recycling agreements, salt water or other disposal agreements, seismic or geophysical permits or agreements, which in each of the foregoing cases is customary in the oil and natural gas business, and other agreements which are customary in the oil and natural gas business, provided in all instances that such Lien is limited to the property or assets that are the subject of the relevant agreement;

“Purchase Money Mortgage” of any person means any Lien created upon any property or assets of such person to secure or securing the whole or any part of the purchase price of such property or assets or the whole or any part of the cost of constructing or installing fixed improvements thereon or to secure or securing the repayment of money borrowed to pay the whole or any part of such purchase price or cost of any vendor’s privilege or Lien on such property or assets securing all or any part of such purchase price or cost including title retention agreements and leases in the nature of title retention agreements; provided that (i) the principal amount of money borrowed which is secured by such Lien does not exceed 100% of such purchase price or cost and any fees incurred in connection therewith, and (ii) such Lien does not extend to or cover any other property other than such item of property and any improvements on such item.

 

“Restricted Property” means any oil, gas or mineral property of a primary nature located in the United States or Canada, and any facilities located in the United States or Canada directly related to the mining, processing or manufacture of hydrocarbons or minerals, or any of the constituents thereof and includes Voting Shares or other interests of a corporation or other person which owns such property or facilities, but does not include (i) any property or facilities used in connection with or necessarily incidental to the purchase, sale, storage, transportation or distribution of Restricted Property, (ii) any property which, in the opinion of our board of directors, is not materially important to the total business conducted by us and our Subsidiaries as an entirety or (iii) any portion of a particular property which, in the opinion of our board of directors, is not materially important to the use or operation of such property.

“Restricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of ours which owns Restricted Property which assets represent not less than the greater of (i) 5% of our Consolidated Net Tangible Assets and (ii) $100,000,000 (or the equivalent thereof in any other currency), excluding however any Subsidiary if the amount of our share of the Shareholders’ Equity therein does not at the time exceed 2% of our Shareholders’ Equity.

“Shareholders’ Equity” means the aggregate amount of shareholders’ equity (including but not limited to share capital, contributed surplus and retained earnings) of a person as shown on the most recent annual audited or unaudited interim consolidated balance sheet of such person and computed in accordance with GAAP.

“Subsidiary” of any person means, on any date, any corporation or other person of which Voting Shares or other interests carrying more than 50% of the voting rights attached to all outstanding Voting Shares or other interests are owned, directly or indirectly, by or for such person or one or more Subsidiaries thereof.

“Voting Shares” means shares of any class of any corporation carrying voting rights under all circumstances, provided that, for the purposes of this definition, shares which only carry the right to vote conditionally on the happening of any event shall not be considered Voting Shares, nor shall any shares be deemed to cease to be Voting Shares solely by reason of a right to vote accruing to shares of another class or classes by reason of the happening of such an event, or solely because the right to vote may not be exercisable under the charter of the corporation.

Covenants

Limitation on Liens

The Indenture provides that so long as any of our debt securities are outstanding and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, we will not, and will not permit any of our Restricted Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or otherwise have outstanding any Lien securing any indebtedness for borrowed money or interest thereon (or any liability of ours or such Restricted Subsidiaries under any guarantee or endorsement or other instrument under which we or such Restricted Subsidiaries are contingently liable, either directly or indirectly, for borrowed money or interest thereon), other than Permitted Liens, without also simultaneously or prior thereto securing, or causing such Restricted Subsidiaries to secure, indebtedness under the Indenture so that our debt securities are secured equally and ratably with or prior to such other indebtedness, except that we and our Restricted Subsidiaries may incur a Lien to secure indebtedness for borrowed money without securing our debt securities if, after giving effect thereto, the principal amount of indebtedness for borrowed money secured by Liens created, incurred or assumed after the date of the Indenture and otherwise prohibited by the Indenture does not exceed 10% of our Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, transactions such as the sale (including any forward sale) or other transfer of (i) oil, gas, minerals or other resources of a primary nature, whether in place or when produced, for a period of time until, or in an amount such that, the purchaser will realize therefrom a specified amount of money or a specified rate of return (however determined), or a specified amount of such oil, gas, minerals, or other resources of a primary nature, or (ii) any other interest in property of the character commonly referred to as a “production payment”, will not constitute a Lien and will not result in us or a Restricted Subsidiary of ours being required to secure the debt securities.

 

Consolidation, Amalgamation, Merger and Sale of Assets

We shall not consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into or enter into any statutory arrangement with any other corporation, partnership or trust or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all our properties and assets to any person, unless:

In addition, notwithstanding anything in the Indenture, we may consolidate or amalgamate with or merge into or enter into a statutory arrangement with any direct or indirect wholly-owned Subsidiary and may convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our properties and assets to any direct or indirect wholly-owned Subsidiary without complying with the above provisions in a transaction or series of transactions in which we retain all of our obligations under and in respect of all outstanding debt securities under the Indenture (hereinafter a “Permitted Reorganization”) provided that on or prior to the date of the Permitted Reorganization we deliver to the Trustee an officer’s certificate confirming that, as of the date of the Permitted Reorganization:

If, as a result of any such transactions referred to above, any of our or our Restricted Subsidiaries’ Restricted Properties become subject to a Lien, then, unless such Lien could be created pursuant to the Indenture provisions described under the “Limitation on Liens” covenant above without equally and ratably securing our debt securities, we, simultaneously with or prior to such transaction, will secure, or cause the applicable Restricted

 

Subsidiary to secure, our debt securities to be secured equally and ratably with or prior to the indebtedness secured by such Lien.

Payment of Additional Amounts

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, all payments made by or on behalf of us under or with respect to any series of our debt securities will be made free and clear of and without withholding or deduction for or on account of any present or future tax, duty, levy, impost, assessment or other governmental charge (including penalties, interest and other liabilities related thereto) imposed or levied by or on behalf of the Government of Canada or any province or territory thereof or by any authority or agency therein or thereof having power to tax (hereinafter “Canadian Taxes”), unless we are required to withhold or deduct Canadian Taxes by law or by the interpretation or administration thereof. If we are so required to withhold or deduct any amount for or on account of Canadian Taxes from any payment made under or with respect to the debt securities, we will pay to each holder of such debt securities as additional interest such additional amounts (“Additional Amounts”) as may be necessary so that the net amount received by each such holder (including the Additional Amounts) after such withholding or deduction (and after deducting any Canadian Taxes on such Additional Amounts) will not be less than the amount such holder would have received if such Canadian Taxes had not been withheld or deducted. However, no Additional Amounts will be payable with respect to a payment made to a debt securities holder (such holder, an “Excluded Holder”) in respect of the beneficial owner thereof:

In addition, Additional Amounts will not be payable if the beneficial owner of, or person ultimately entitled to obtain an interest in, such debt securities is not the sole beneficial owner of such payments, or is a fiduciary or partnership, to the extent that any beneficial owner, beneficiary or settlor with respect to such fiduciary or any partner or member of such partnership would not have been entitled to such Additional Amounts with respect to such payments had such beneficial owner, beneficiary, settlor, partner or member received directly its beneficial or distributive shares of such payments. In addition, Additional Amounts will not be payable with respect to any Canadian Taxes which are payable otherwise than by withholding from payments of, or in respect of, principal of, or interest on, the debt securities.

We will furnish to the holders of the debt securities, within 60 days after the date the payment of any Canadian Taxes is due pursuant to applicable law, certified copies of tax receipts or other documents evidencing such payment by us.

 

We will indemnify and hold harmless each holder of debt securities (other than an Excluded Holder) and upon written request reimburse each such holder for the amount (excluding any Additional Amounts that have previously been paid by us with respect thereto) of:

In any event, no Additional Amounts or indemnity amounts will be payable in excess of Additional Amounts or the indemnity amounts which would be required if the holder and beneficial owner of debt securities was a resident of the United States for purposes of the Canada-U.S. Income Tax Convention (1980), as amended.

Wherever in the Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of principal (and premium, if any), interest, if any, or any other amount payable under or with respect to a debt security, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof.

Tax Redemption

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, a series of our debt securities will be subject to redemption at any time, in whole and not in part, at a redemption price equal to the principal amount thereof together with accrued and unpaid interest to the date fixed for redemption, upon the giving of a notice as described below, if:

and, in any such case, we, or our successor, in our business judgment, determine that such obligation cannot be avoided by the use of reasonable measures available to us or our successor.

 

In the event that we elect to redeem a series of our debt securities pursuant to the provisions set forth in the preceding paragraph, we shall deliver to the Trustee a certificate, signed by an authorized officer, stating that we are entitled to redeem such series of our debt securities pursuant to their terms.

Notice of intention to redeem such series of our debt securities will be given not more than 60 nor less than 30 days prior to the date fixed for redemption and will specify the date fixed for redemption.

Provision of Financial Information

We will furnish to the Trustee, within 30 days after we file them with or furnish them to the SEC, copies, which may be in electronic format, of our annual and quarterly reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) which we are required to file with or furnish to the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

Notwithstanding that we may not be required to remain subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or otherwise report on an annual and quarterly basis on forms provided for such annual and quarterly reporting pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, we will continue to provide the Trustee:

Events of Default

The following are summaries of events of default under the Indenture with respect to any series of our debt securities:

 

greater of US$200,000,000 and 2% of our Shareholders’ Equity shall be or become due and payable upon such declaration or otherwise accelerated prior to the date on which the same would otherwise have become due and payable (the “accelerated indebtedness”), and such acceleration shall not be rescinded or annulled, or such event of default or failure to pay under such indenture or instrument shall not be remedied or cured, whether by payment or otherwise, or waived by the holders of such accelerated indebtedness, then (i) if the accelerated indebtedness shall be as a result of an event of default which is not related to the failure to pay principal or interest on the terms, at the times, and on the conditions set out in any such indenture or instrument, it shall not be considered an event of default for purposes of the Indenture until 30 days after such indebtedness has been accelerated, or (ii) if the accelerated indebtedness shall occur as a result of such failure to pay principal or interest or as a result of an event of default which is related to the failure to pay principal or interest on the terms, at the times, and on the conditions set out in any such indenture or instrument, then (A) if such accelerated indebtedness is, by its terms, Non-Recourse Debt to us or our Restricted Subsidiaries, it shall not be considered an event of default for purposes of the Indenture; or (B) if such accelerated indebtedness is recourse to us or our Restricted Subsidiaries, any requirement in connection with such failure to pay or event of default for the giving of notice or the lapse of time or the happening of any further condition, event or act under such other indenture or instrument in connection with such failure to pay principal or an event of default shall be applicable together with an additional seven days before being considered an event of default for purposes of the Indenture;

If an event of default under the Indenture occurs and is continuing with respect to any series of our debt securities, then and in every such case the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such affected series may, subject to any subordination provisions thereof, declare the entire principal amount (or, if the debt securities of that series are original issue discount debt securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of all debt securities of such series and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon to be immediately due and payable. However, at any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to any series of our debt securities has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series, by written notice to us and the Trustee under certain circumstances, may rescind and annul such acceleration.

Reference is made to the applicable prospectus supplement or supplements relating to each series of our debt securities which are original issue discount debt securities for the particular provisions relating to acceleration of the maturity of a portion of the principal amount of such original issue discount securities upon the occurrence of any event of default and the continuation thereof.

 

Subject to certain limitations set forth in the Indenture, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all series affected by an event of default shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the debt securities of all series affected by such event of default.

No holder of a debt security of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to the Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or a Trustee, or for any other remedy thereunder, unless:

However, such above-mentioned limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by the holder of a debt security for the enforcement of payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on such debt security on or after the applicable due date specified in such debt security.

We will annually furnish to the Trustee a statement by certain of our officers as to whether or not we, to the best of their knowledge, are in compliance with all conditions and covenants of the Indenture and, if not, specifying all such known defaults.

Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the Indenture provides that, at our option, we will be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the outstanding debt securities of any series upon irrevocable deposit with the Trustee, in trust, of money and/or government securities which will provide money in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent chartered accountants (as evidenced by an officer’s certificate delivered to the Trustee) to pay the principal of (and premium, if any, and each instalment of interest, if any, on) the outstanding debt securities of such series (hereinafter referred to as a “defeasance”) (except with respect to the authentication, transfer, exchange or replacement of our debt securities or the maintenance of a place of payment and certain other obligations set forth in the Indenture). Such trust may only be established if among other things:

 

opinion, such Canadian counsel shall assume that holders of the outstanding debt securities of such series include holders who are not resident in Canada);

We may exercise our defeasance option notwithstanding our prior exercise of our covenant defeasance option described in the following paragraph if we meet the conditions described in the preceding sentence at the time we exercise the defeasance option.

The Indenture provides that, at our option, unless and until we have exercised our defeasance option described in the preceding paragraph, we may omit to comply with the “Limitation on Liens” covenant, certain aspects of the “Consolidation, Amalgamation, Merger and Sale of Assets” covenant and certain other covenants and such omission shall not be deemed to be an event of default under the Indenture and our outstanding debt securities upon irrevocable deposit with the Trustee, in trust, of money and/or government securities which will provide money in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent chartered accountants (as evidenced by an officer’s certificate delivered to the Trustee) to pay the principal of (and premium, if any, and each installment of interest, if any, on) the outstanding debt securities (hereinafter referred to as “covenant defeasance”). If we exercise our covenant defeasance option, the obligations under the Indenture other than with respect to such covenants and the events of default other than with respect to such covenants shall remain in full force and effect. Such trust may only be established if, among other things:

Modification and Waiver

Modifications and amendments of the Indenture may be made by us and the Trustee with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series issued under the Indenture affected by such modification or amendment (voting as one class); provided, however, that no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of such affected series:

 

The holders of a majority in principal amount of our outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series waive, insofar as that series is concerned, compliance by us with certain restrictive provisions of the Indenture. The holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of any series may waive any past default under the Indenture with respect to that series, except a default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) and interest, if any, on any debt security of that series or in respect of a provision which under the Indenture cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of that series.

The Indenture or the debt securities may be amended or supplemented, without the consent of any holder of such debt securities, in order to, among other things, cure any ambiguity or inconsistency or to make any change, in any case, that does not have a materially adverse effect on the rights of any holder of such debt securities.

Consent to Jurisdiction and Service

Under the Indenture, we irrevocably appoint CT Corporation System, 111-8th Avenue, New York, New York, 10011 as our authorized agent for service of process in any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to our debt securities or the Indenture and for actions brought under federal or state securities laws in any federal or state court located in New York, New York and irrevocably submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any such court.

Governing Law

Our debt securities and the Indenture will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

Enforceability of Judgments

Since a substantial portion of our assets, as well as some or all of the assets of a number of our directors and officers, are outside the United States, any judgment obtained in the United States against us or certain of our

 

directors or officers, including judgments with respect to the payment of principal on any debt securities, may not be collectible within the United States.

RISK FACTORS

In addition to the risk factors set forth below, additional risk factors relating to our business are discussed in our Annual Information Form and our Management’s Discussion and Analysis, which risk factors are incorporated herein by reference. Prospective purchasers of the debt securities should consider carefully the risk factors set forth below as well as the other information contained in and incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in the applicable prospectus supplement before purchasing the debt securities offered hereby. If any event arising from these risks occurs, our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows, or your investment in the debt securities could be materially adversely affected.

There can be no assurance as to the liquidity of the trading market for the debt securities or that a trading market for the debt securities will develop.

There is no public market for the debt securities and, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we do not intend to apply for listing of the debt securities on any securities exchanges. If the debt securities are traded after their initial issue, they may trade at a discount from their initial offering prices depending on prevailing interest rates, the market for similar securities and other factors, including general economic conditions and our financial condition. There can be no assurance as to the liquidity of the trading market for the debt securities or that a trading market for the debt securities will develop.

Credit ratings may not reflect all risks of an investment in the debt securities and may change.

Credit ratings may not reflect all risks associated with an investment in the debt securities. Any credit ratings applied to the debt securities are an assessment of our ability to pay our obligations. Consequently, real or anticipated changes in the credit ratings will generally affect the market value of the debt securities. The credit ratings, however, may not reflect the potential impact of risks related to structure, market or other factors discussed herein on the value of the debt securities. There is no assurance that any credit rating assigned to the debt securities will remain in effect for any given period of time or that any rating will not be lowered or withdrawn entirely by the relevant rating agency.

Changes in interest rates may cause the market price or value of the debt securities to change.

Prevailing interest rates will affect the market price or value of the debt securities. The market price or value of the debt securities may decline as prevailing interest rates for comparable debt instruments rise, and increase as prevailing interest rates for comparable debt instruments decline.

The debt securities will be effectively subordinated to certain indebtedness of our corporate and partnership subsidiaries and be subject to certain reorganization risk.

The Indenture permits us, at any time and from time to time, to complete reorganizations with any of our wholly-owned direct or indirect subsidiaries provided that certain conditions are met. In the event of any such reorganization, the debt securities may continue to be obligations of us in circumstances where our assets are comprised of (and potentially limited to) our ownership interest in the subsidiaries through which our operations are thereafter conducted. Such subsidiaries, which following completion of a reorganization may hold all of the assets formerly held by us, are not restricted under the Indenture with respect to subsequent asset dispositions or incurring indebtedness. See “Description of Debt Securities - Covenants - Consolidation, Amalgamation, Merger and Sale of Assets”.

The debt securities will be our unsubordinated and unsecured obligations and, unless otherwise provided with respect to a series of debt securities, will rank equally with all of our other unsecured, unsubordinated obligations. We conduct a substantial portion of our business through corporate and partnership subsidiaries. Our obligations under the debt securities will be structurally subordinate to all existing and future indebtedness and liabilities, including trade payables, of any of our corporate and partnership subsidiaries.

 

CERTAIN INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe certain Canadian federal income tax consequences to an investor of acquiring any debt securities offered thereunder, including, for investors who are non-residents of Canada, whether the payments of principal and interest, if any, will be subject to Canadian non-resident withholding tax.

The applicable prospectus supplement will also describe certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of any debt securities offered thereunder by an initial investor who is a U.S. person (within the meaning of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code), including, to the extent applicable, any such consequences relating to debt securities payable in a currency other than the U.S. dollar, issued at an original issue discount for U.S. federal income tax purposes or containing early redemption provisions or other special items.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may offer and sell debt securities to or through underwriters or dealers and also may sell debt securities directly to purchasers or through agents. These debt securities may be offered and sold in the United States and elsewhere where permitted by law.

The distribution of debt securities of any series may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions:

In connection with the sale of debt securities, underwriters may receive compensation from us or from purchasers of debt securities for whom they may act as agents in the form of concessions or commissions. Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of debt securities may be deemed to be underwriters and any commissions received by them from us and any profit on the resale of debt securities by them may be deemed to be underwriting commissions under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

The prospectus supplement relating to each series of debt securities will also set forth the terms of the offering of the debt securities, including to the extent applicable, the initial offering price, our proceeds from the offering, the underwriting concessions or commissions, and any other discounts or concessions to be allowed or reallowed to dealers. Underwriters with respect to each series sold to or through underwriters will be named in the prospectus supplement relating to such series.

Under agreements which may be entered into by us, underwriters, dealers and agents who participate in the distribution of debt securities may be entitled to indemnification by us against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. The underwriters, dealers and agents with whom we enter into agreements may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

Each series of debt securities will be a new issue of securities with no established trading market. Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement relating to a series of debt securities, the debt securities will not be listed on any securities exchange or on any automated dealer quotation system. Certain broker-dealers may make a market in the debt securities, but will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot assure you that any broker-dealer will make a market in the debt securities of any series or as to the liquidity of the trading market, if any, for the debt securities of any series.

INTEREST COVERAGE

December 31, 2009 based on audited financial information. The interest coverage ratio set out below has been

 

prepared and included in this prospectus in accordance with Canadian disclosure requirements and has been calculated based on information prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP. The interest coverage ratio set out below does not purport to be indicative of an interest coverage ratio for any future periods. Adjustments for normal course issuances and repayments of long-term debt subsequent to December 31, 2009 would not materially affect the ratio. The interest coverage ratio does not give effect to the debt securities offered by this prospectus since the aggregate principal amount of debt securities that will be issued hereunder and the terms of issue are not presently known.

            Interest coverage on long-term debt on a net earnings basis is equal to net earnings before interest on long-term debt and income taxes divided by interest expense on long-term debt. For purposes of calculating the interest coverage ratio set forth herein, long-term debt includes the current portion of long-term debt.

Further information with respect to our net earnings may be found in our consolidated statements of earnings incorporated by reference herein.

LEGAL MATTERS

Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement relating to a series of debt securities, certain legal matters relating to Canadian law will be passed upon for us by Macleod Dixon LLP, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Certain legal matters in connection with the offering relating to United States law will be passed upon for us by Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, New York, New York.

EXPERTS

The audited consolidated financial statements of Encana Corporation incorporated by reference in this prospectus have been so incorporated in reliance on the audit report which is also incorporated by reference in this prospectus, of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Chartered Accountants, as experts in auditing and accounting.

Information relating to our reserves in the Annual Information Form dated February 18, 2010 was calculated based on evaluations of and reports on our natural gas and liquids reserves conducted and prepared by GLJ Petroleum Consultants Ltd., McDaniel & Associates Consultants Ltd., Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. and DeGolyer and MacNaughton as independent qualified reserves evaluators. The principals of each of GLJ Petroleum Consultants Ltd., McDaniel & Associates Consultants Ltd., Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. and DeGolyer and MacNaughton, in each case, as a group own beneficially, directly or indirectly, less than 1% of any class of our securities.

ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES

We are a corporation incorporated under and governed by the Canada Business Corporations Act. Most of our directors and officers, and some or all of the experts named in this prospectus, are residents of Canada or otherwise reside outside the United States, and a substantial portion of their assets, and a substantial portion of our assets, are located outside the United States. We have appointed an agent for service of process in the United States, but it may be difficult for holders of debt securities who reside in the United States to effect service within the United States upon those directors, officers and experts who are not residents of the United States. It may also be difficult for holders of debt securities who reside in the United States to realize in the United States upon judgments of courts of the United States predicated upon our civil liability and the civil liability of our directors and officers and experts under the United States federal securities laws. We have been advised by our Canadian counsel, Macleod Dixon LLP, that a judgment of a United States court predicated solely upon civil liability under U.S. federal securities laws would probably be enforceable in Canada if the United States court in which the judgment was obtained has a basis for jurisdiction in the matter that would be recognized by a Canadian court for the same purposes. We have also

 

 

been advised by Macleod Dixon LLP, however, that there is substantial doubt whether an action could be brought in Canada in the first instance on the basis of liability predicated solely upon U.S. federal securities laws.

We filed with the SEC, concurrently with our registration statement on Form F-9 of which this prospectus forms a part, an appointment of agent for service of process on Form F-X. Under the Form F-X, we appointed CT Corporation System as our agent for service of process in the United States in connection with any investigation or administrative proceeding conducted by the SEC, and any civil suit or action brought against or involving us in a United States court arising out of or related to or concerning the offering of debt securities under this prospectus.

DOCUMENTS FILED AS PART OF THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

The following documents have been or will be filed with the SEC as part of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part insofar as required by the SEC’s Form F-9:

 

 

 

CONSENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP

We have read the short form base shelf prospectus of Encana Corporation (the “Company”) dated               , 2010 relating to the issue and sale of debt securities in an aggregate principal amount of up to US$4,000,000,000 or its equivalency in other currencies (the “prospectus”). We have complied with Canadian generally accepted standards for an auditor’s involvement with offering documents.

 

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the above-mentioned prospectus of our report to the shareholders of the Company dated February 17, 2010 on the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as at December 31, 2009 and 2008 and the consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009.

 

•

Chartered Accountants

Calgary, Alberta

                 , 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART II

 

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED TO BE DELIVERED

TO OFFEREES OR PURCHASERS

Item 15. Indemnification

Under Section 124 of the Canada Business Corporations Act (the “CBCA”), Encana Corporation (“Encana”) may indemnify a present or former director or officer of Encana or another individual who acts or acted at Encana’s request as a director or officer, or an individual acting in a similar capacity, of another entity, against all costs, charges and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by the individual in respect of any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or other proceeding in which the individual is involved because of that association with Encana or other entity. Encana may not indemnify an individual unless the individual acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of Encana, or, as the case may be, to the best interests of the other entity for which the individual acted as a director or officer or in a similar capacity at Encana’s request and in the case of a criminal or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, the individual had reasonable grounds for believing that the conduct was lawful. The indemnification may be made in connection with a derivative action only with court approval. The aforementioned individuals are entitled to indemnification from Encana as a matter of right if they were not judged by the court or other competent authority to have committed any fault or omitted to do anything that the individual ought to have done. Encana may advance moneys to a director, officer or other individual for the costs, charges and expenses of a proceeding; however, the individual shall repay the moneys if the individual does not fulfill the conditions set out above.

The by-laws of Encana provide that, subject to the limitations contained in the CBCA, Encana shall indemnify a director or officer, a former director or officer, or a person who acts or acted at Encana’s request as a director or officer of a body corporate of which Encana is or was a shareholder or creditor, and his heirs and legal representatives against all costs, charges and expenses, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment, reasonably incurred by him in respect of any civil, criminal or administrative action or proceeding to which he was made a party by reason of being or having been a director or officer of the corporation or such body corporate, if he acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the corporation, and in the case of a criminal or administrative action or proceeding that is enforced by a monetary penalty, he had reasonable grounds for believing that his conduct was lawful.

The by-laws of Encana provide that Encana may, subject to the limitations contained in the CBCA, purchase, maintain, or participate in insurance for the benefit of any director, officer, or certain other persons, as such against any liability incurred by him in his capacity as a director or officer of Encana or as a director or officer of any body corporate where he acts or acted in that capacity at Encana’s request. Encana has purchased third party director and officer liability insurance.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling Encana pursuant to the foregoing provisions, Encana has been informed that in the opinion of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and is therefore unenforceable.

 

 

EXHIBITS

_________________________

 

 

PART III

 

UNDERTAKING AND CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS

Item 1. Undertaking

The Registrant undertakes to make available, in person or by telephone, representatives to respond to inquiries made by the Commission staff, and to furnish promptly, when requested to do so by the Commission staff, information relating to the securities registered pursuant to Form F-9 or to transactions in said securities.

Item 2. Consent to Service of Process

Concurrent with the filing of this Registration Statement on Form F-9, the Registrant has filed with the Commission a written irrevocable consent and power of attorney on Form F-X.

Any change to the name or address of the agent for service of process of the Registrant shall be communicated promptly to the Securities and Exchange Commission by an amendment to the Form F-X referencing the file number of the relevant registration statement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-9 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Calgary, Province of Alberta, Canada, on March 23, 2010.

      ENCANA CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES WITH RESPECT TO ENCANA CORPORATION

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Randall K. Eresman, Sherri A. Brillon and William A. Stevenson, and each of them, any of whom may act without the joinder of the other, the true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent of the undersigned, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for and in the name, place and stead of the undersigned, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and hereby grants to such attorney-in-fact and agent, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

This Power of Attorney may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but which taken together shall constitute one instrument.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

III-4

 

 

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 6(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Authorized Representative has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, solely in its capacity as the duly authorized representative of Encana Corporation in the United States, on March 23, 2010.

         ALENCO INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBITS INDEX

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