Item 3. Legal Proceedings
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
UMB Bank Lawsuit
On March 19, 2020, UMB Bank, National Association (“UMB”), the purported indenture trustee for four series of Valaris notes, filed a lawsuit in Harris County District Court in Houston, Texas. The lawsuit was filed against Valaris plc, two legacy Rowan entities, two legacy Ensco entities and the individual directors of the two legacy Rowan entities. The complaint alleges, among other things, breach of fiduciary duty, aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty and fraudulent transfer in connection with certain intercompany transactions occurring after completion of the Rowan merger and the Rowan entities’ guarantee of Valaris’ revolving credit facility. In addition to an unspecified amount of damages, the lawsuit seeks to void and undo all historical transfers of cash or other assets from legacy Rowan entities to Valaris and its other subsidiaries and the internal reorganization transaction. On August 18, 2020, Valaris and certain of its affiliates entered into the Original RSA, including the noteholders that directed UMB to file the lawsuit. Under the Original RSA and the Amended RSA, the lawsuit is stayed by agreement throughout the pendency of the bankruptcy proceeding unless the Original RSA terminates at which point each party reserves its rights to argue whether the case should proceed while in bankruptcy. If the Bankruptcy Court confirms a plan based on the transactions set forth in the Original RSA or the Amended RSA, the lawsuit will be dismissed with prejudice. On August 24, 2020, the parties filed a joint notice staying the case. If the Original RSA terminates and the case in fact proceeds, we are unable to predict the outcome of this matter or estimate the extent to which we may be exposed to any resulting liability. Although we do not expect final disposition of this matter to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, operating results and cash flows, there can be no assurance as to the ultimate outcome of the proceedings.
Shareholder Class Action
On August 20, 2019, plaintiff Xiaoyuan Zhang, a purported Valaris shareholder, filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of Valaris shareholders against Valaris plc and certain of our executive officers, alleging violations of federal securities laws. The complaint cites general statements in press releases and SEC filings and alleges that the defendants made false or misleading statements or failed to disclose material information regarding the performance of our ultra-deepwater segment, among other things.
The complaint asserts claims on behalf of a class of investors who purchased Valaris plc shares between April 11, 2019 and July 31, 2019. The court appointed a lead plaintiff and lead counsel. The case has now been stayed in light of the Valaris plc bankruptcy filing, with the exception that lead plaintiff may continue efforts to serve certain defendants and may file an amended complaint. At this time, we are unable to predict the outcome of these matters or the extent of any resulting liability.
Environmental Matters
We are currently subject to pending notices of assessment relating to spills of drilling fluids, oil, brine, chemicals, grease or fuel from drilling rigs operating offshore Brazil from 2008 to 2017, pursuant to which the governmental authorities have assessed, or are anticipated to assess, fines. We have contested these notices and appealed certain adverse decisions and are awaiting decisions in these cases. Although we do not expect final disposition of these assessments to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, operating results and cash flows, there can be no assurance as to the ultimate outcome of these assessments. A $482,000 liability related to these matters was included in accrued liabilities and other on our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020.
Other Matters
In addition to the foregoing, we are named defendants or parties in certain other lawsuits, claims or proceedings incidental to our business and are involved from time to time as parties to governmental investigations or proceedings, including matters related to taxation, arising in the ordinary course of business. Although the
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outcome of such lawsuits or other proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty and the amount of any liability that could arise with respect to such lawsuits or other proceedings cannot be predicted accurately, we do not expect these matters to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, operating results or cash flows.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
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PART II