Attached files

file filename
EXCEL - IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT - GLOBAL INDUSTRIES LTDFinancial_Report.xls
EX-31.2 - EX-31.2 - GLOBAL INDUSTRIES LTDh77415exv31w2.htm
EX-32.1 - EX-32.1 - GLOBAL INDUSTRIES LTDh77415exv32w1.htm
EX-31.1 - EX-31.1 - GLOBAL INDUSTRIES LTDh77415exv31w1.htm
EX-10.3 - EX-10.3 - GLOBAL INDUSTRIES LTDh77415exv10w3.htm
EX-32.2 - EX-32.2 - GLOBAL INDUSTRIES LTDh77415exv32w2.htm
Table of Contents

 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
     
þ   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2010
OR
     
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     
Commission File Number: 0-21086
Global Industries, Ltd.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Louisiana    
(State or other jurisdiction of   72-1212563
incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
8000 Global Drive    
Carlyss, Louisiana   70665
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)
(337) 583-5000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
None
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changes since last report)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
YES þ     NO o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
YES þ     NO o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “accelerated filer,” “large accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
             
Large accelerated filer þ   Accelerated filer o   Non-accelerated filer o   Smaller reporting company o
        (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
YES o      NO þ
The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of November 2, 2010, was 115,229,562.
 
 

 


 

Global Industries, Ltd.
Table of Contents
         
    Page  
       
 
       
    3  
    3  
    4  
    5  
    6  
    7  
    24  
    35  
    36  
 
       
       
    37  
    37  
    37  
    38  
    39  
 EX-10.3
 EX-31.1
 EX-31.2
 EX-32.1
 EX-32.2
 EX-101 INSTANCE DOCUMENT
 EX-101 SCHEMA DOCUMENT
 EX-101 CALCULATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
 EX-101 LABELS LINKBASE DOCUMENT
 EX-101 PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
 EX-101 DEFINITION LINKBASE DOCUMENT

2


Table of Contents

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements.
GLOBAL INDUSTRIES, LTD.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)
                 
    September 30     December 31  
    2010     2009  
    (Unaudited)          
ASSETS
               
Current Assets
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 322,369     $ 344,855  
Restricted cash
    4,547       1,139  
Marketable securities
          30,750  
Accounts receivable — net of allowance of $2,794 for 2010 and $2,765 for 2009
    57,890       160,273  
Unbilled work on uncompleted contracts
    73,259       92,569  
Contract costs incurred not yet recognized
    33,303       489  
Deferred income taxes
    6,380       2,945  
Assets held for sale
    17,127       16,152  
Prepaid expenses and other
    37,648       31,596  
 
           
Total current assets
    552,523       680,768  
 
           
Property and Equipment, net
    819,866       722,819  
 
           
Other Assets
               
Marketable securities — long-term
          11,097  
Accounts receivable — long-term
    8,677       12,294  
Deferred charges, net
    30,933       49,866  
Goodwill
          37,388  
Other
    21,110       9,961  
 
           
Total other assets
    60,720       120,606  
 
           
Total
  $ 1,433,109     $ 1,524,193  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
               
Current Liabilities
               
Current maturities of long term debt
  $ 3,960     $ 3,960  
Accounts payable
    140,599       192,008  
Employee-related liabilities
    22,050       18,079  
Income taxes payable
    26,385       45,301  
Accrued anticipated contract losses
    15,484       322  
Other accrued liabilities
    18,034       15,489  
 
           
Total current liabilities
    226,512       275,159  
 
           
 
               
Long-Term Debt
    297,100       294,366  
Deferred Income Taxes
    64,863       69,998  
Other Liabilities
    17,420       15,171  
 
               
Commitments and Contingencies
           
 
               
Equity
               
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 250,000 shares authorized, and 115,133 and 119,989 shares issued at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively
    1,151       1,200  
Additional paid-in capital
    413,952       513,353  
Retained earnings
    420,620       468,430  
Treasury stock at cost, 6,130 shares at December 31, 2009
          (105,038 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (8,708 )     (8,446 )
 
           
Shareholders’ equity—Global Industries, Ltd.
    827,015       869,499  
Noncontrolling interest
    199        
 
           
Total equity
    827,214       869,499  
 
           
Total
  $ 1,433,109     $ 1,524,193  
 
           
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

3


Table of Contents

GLOBAL INDUSTRIES, LTD.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30     September 30  
    2010     2009     2010     2009  
Revenues
  $ 189,501     $ 203,718     $ 418,080     $ 768,010  
Cost of operations
    179,707       163,855       405,352       617,609  
 
                       
Gross profit
    9,794       39,863       12,728       150,401  
Goodwill impairment
    37,388             37,388        
Loss (gain) on other asset disposals and impairments
    (23,271 )     274       (12,483 )     (8,249 )
Relocation costs
    838             838        
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    16,633       19,075       51,572       55,635  
 
                       
Operating income (loss)
    (21,794 )     20,514       (64,587 )     103,015  
Interest income
    516       402       1,249       1,594  
Interest expense
    (2,649 )     (2,756 )     (7,308 )     (9,978 )
Other income (expense), net
    1,275       9       269       6,579  
 
                       
Income (loss) before taxes
    (22,652 )     18,169       (70,377 )     101,210  
Income tax expense (benefit)
    5,067       4,151       (22,706 )     22,228  
 
                       
Net income (loss)
    (27,719 )     14,018       (47,671 )     78,982  
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
    139             139        
 
                       
Net income (loss) attributable to Global Industries, Ltd.
  $ (27,858 )   $ 14,018     $ (47,810 )   $ 78,982  
 
                       
 
                               
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share
                               
Basic:
                               
Net income (loss) attributable to Global Industries, Ltd.
  $ (0.24 )   $ 0.12     $ (0.42 )   $ 0.69  
Diluted:
                               
Net income (loss) attributable to Global Industries, Ltd.
  $ (0.24 )   $ 0.12     $ (0.42 )   $ 0.69  
 
                               
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding
                               
Basic
    113,959       112,693       113,721       112,550  
Diluted
    113,959       113,278       113,721       113,118  
 
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

4


Table of Contents

GLOBAL INDUSTRIES, LTD.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
(in thousands, except share data)
(Unaudited)
                                                                         
                                    Accumulated                              
                    Additional             Other                     Non-        
    Common Stock     Paid-In     Treasury     Comprehensive     Retained     Shareholders’     controlling        
    Shares     Amount     Capital     Stock     Loss     Earnings     Equity-Global     Interest     Total Equity  
Balance at Dec. 31, 2009
    119,988,742     $ 1,200     $ 513,353     $ (105,038 )   $ (8,446 )   $ 468,430     $ 869,499     $     $ 869,499  
Comprehensive income (loss):
                                                                       
Net Income (loss)
                                  (47,810 )     (47,810 )     139       (47,671 )
Unrealized loss on derivatives
                            (345 )           (345 )           (345 )
Reclassification of unrealized loss on auction rate securities
                            83             83             83  
 
                                                             
Total comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
                            (262 )     (47,810 )     (48,072 )     139       (47,933 )
 
                                                             
Amortization of unearned stock compensation
                2,439                         2,439             2,439  
Restricted stock issues, net
    1,270,315       12       3,526                         3,538             3,538  
Exercise of stock options
    4,400             19                         19             19  
Tax effect of exercise of stock options
                (408 )                       (408 )           (408 )
Retirement of treasury stock
    (6,130,195 )     (61 )     (104,977 )     105,038                                
Sale of subsidiary shares to noncontrolling interest
                                              60       60  
 
                                                     
Balance at Sept. 30, 2010
    115,133,262     $ 1,151     $ 413,952     $     $ (8,708 )   $ 420,620     $ 827,015     $ 199     $ 827,214  
 
                                                     
                                                                         
                                    Accumulated                              
                    Additional             Other                     Non-        
    Common Stock     Paid-In     Treasury     Comprehensive     Retained     Shareholders’     controlling        
    Shares     Amount     Capital     Stock     Loss     Earnings     Equity-Global     Interest     Total Equity  
Balance at Dec. 31, 2008
    119,649,860     $ 1,197     $ 509,345     $ (105,038 )   $ (11,393 )   $ 394,699     $ 788,810     $     $ 788,810  
Comprehensive income (loss):
                                                                       
Net Income
                                  78,982       78,982             78,982  
Unrealized gain on derivatives
                            3,276             3,276             3,276  
Unrealized loss on auction rate securities
                            (79 )           (79 )           (79 )
 
                                                             
Total comprehensive income, net of tax
                            3,197       78,982       82,179             82,179  
 
                                                             
Amortization of unearned stock compensation
                4,668                         4,668             4,668  
Restricted stock issues, net
    335,994       3       259                         262             262  
Exercise of stock options
    34,233             126                         126             126  
Tax effect of exercise of stock options
                (1,089 )                       (1,089 )           (1,089 )
 
                                                     
Balance at Sept. 30, 2009
    120,020,087     $ 1,200     $ 513,309     $ (105,038 )   $ (8,196 )   $ 473,681     $ 874,956     $     $ 874,956  
 
                                                     
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

5


Table of Contents

GLOBAL INDUSTRIES, LTD.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
                 
    Nine Months Ended  
    September 30  
    2010     2009  
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
               
Net income (loss)
  $ (47,671 )   $ 78,982  
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
               
Depreciation and non-stock-based amortization
    35,468       47,427  
Stock-based compensation expense
    6,659       5,207  
Provision for doubtful accounts
    341       3,161  
Gain on sale or disposal of property and equipment
    (23,964 )     (9,207 )
Derivative (gain) loss
    413       (838 )
Loss on asset impairments
    48,869       958  
Deferred income taxes
    (18,990 )     7,006  
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
          (57 )
Other
    1,543        
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
               
Accounts receivable, unbilled work, and contract costs
    92,154       5,403  
Prepaid expenses and other
    (7,760 )     (15,938 )
Accounts payable, employee-related liabilities, and other accrued liabilities
    (23,802 )     (59,310 )
Deferred dry-docking costs incurred
    (2,169 )     (6,465 )
 
           
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    61,091       56,329  
 
           
 
               
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
               
Proceeds from the sale of assets
    35,512       26,915  
Advance deposits on asset sales
    5,750        
Additions to property and equipment
    (132,280 )     (79,018 )
Sale of marketable securities
    41,414        
Decrease in (additions to) restricted cash
    (3,407 )     93,377  
 
           
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    (53,011 )     41,274  
 
           
 
               
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
               
Repayment of long-term debt
    (3,960 )     (3,960 )
Payments on long-term payables for property and equipment acquisitions
    (26,031 )      
Proceeds from sale of common stock, net
    19       126  
Repurchase of common stock
    (725 )     (283 )
Additions to deferred charges
    (563 )     (596 )
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
          57  
Other
    60        
 
           
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    (31,200 )     (4,656 )
 
           
 
               
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    634        
 
           
 
               
Cash and cash equivalents
               
Increase (decrease)
    (22,486 )     92,947  
Beginning of period
    344,855       287,669  
 
           
End of period
  $ 322,369     $ 380,616  
 
           
 
               
Supplemental Disclosures
               
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized
  $ 10,227     $ 11,128  
Income taxes paid
  $ 2,347     $ 10,271  
Property and equipment additions included in accounts payable
  $ 55,150     $ 71,154  

6


Table of Contents

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
1.   General
    Basis of Presentation
 
    The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Global Industries, Ltd. and its subsidiaries (“Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”).
 
    In the opinion of our management, all adjustments (such adjustments consisting of a normal and recurring nature) necessary for a fair presentation of the operating results for the interim periods presented have been included in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Operating results for the period ended September 30, 2010, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2010. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
 
    All “$” represent U.S. Dollars.
 
    Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
    ASU No. 2010-09. In February 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-09 which amends ASC Topic 855 to address certain implementation issues related to an entity’s requirement to perform and disclose subsequent events procedures. This guidance requires SEC filers and conduit debt obligors for conduit debt securities that are traded in a public market to evaluate subsequent events through the date the financial statements are issued. All other entities are required to evaluate subsequent events through the date the financial statements are available to be issued. The guidance also exempts SEC filers from disclosing the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated. This guidance was effective upon issuance. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
    ASU No. 2010-06. In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-06 which amends ASC Topic 820 to add new disclosure requirements about recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements including significant transfers into and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and information on purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements on a gross basis in the reconciliation of Level 3 fair value measurements. It also clarifies existing fair value disclosures about the level of disaggregation and about inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value. This guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the Level 3 reconciliation disclosures which are effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2010. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
    ASU No. 2009-17. In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 167, “Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” (ASC Topic 810-10). This updated guidance requires an analysis to determine whether a variable interest gives the entity a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity. It also requires an ongoing reassessment and eliminates the quantitative approach previously required for determining whether an entity is the primary beneficiary. This update is codified in ASU No. 2009-17 and is effective for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2010. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
2.   Restricted Cash
    At September 30, 2010, we had approximately $4.5 million of restricted cash, which included $3.4 million for excess project funds denominated in Indian rupees and held at the Reserve Bank of India related to our Asia Pacific/Middle East segment. These funds can only be repatriated after the project accounts are audited and tax clearances obtained. We expect the period of restriction on this cash will not exceed twelve months and is therefore classified as a current asset on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The remaining $1.1 million restricted cash was comprised of cash deposits related to foreign currency exchange arrangements. Restrictions with respect to these deposits will remain in effect until we terminate the associated foreign currency exchange arrangement.

7


Table of Contents

3.   Marketable Securities
    During the three months ended September 30, 2010, we redeemed, at par, the remaining $0.8 million balance of our auction rate securities, which are variable rate bonds tied to short-term interest rates which reset through a Dutch auction at predetermined short intervals. As of December 31, 2009, we held $42.0 million at par value in auction rate securities that were issued by municipalities and state education agencies. The auction rate securities issued by state education agencies represented pools of student loans for which repayment is substantially guaranteed by the U.S. government under the Federal Family Education Loan Program. All of our investments in auction rate securities had at least a double A rating. As of December 31, 2009, the par value of our auction rate securities issued by municipalities and state education agencies was $12.0 million and $30.0 million, respectively.
 
    Auction Rate Securities under Settlement Agreement Due to continuing failures of auctions for our auction rate securities, we entered into an auction rate security rights agreement (the “Settlement”) with UBS Financial Services, Inc. (“UBS”) in November 2008 that permitted us to sell, or put, certain auction rate securities back to UBS at par value at any time during the period from June 30, 2010 through July 2, 2012. As of December 31, 2009, the par value of our auction rate securities covered under the Settlement was $30.8 million. These auction rate securities were classified as trading securities; consequently, we were required to assess the fair value of these auction rate securities and of the Settlement and to record changes in earnings each period until the Settlement was exercised and the securities were sold.
 
    As of December 31, 2009, the fair value of the auction rate securities covered under the Settlement was $28.5 million, a decline of $2.3 million from par value. However, as we would be permitted to put these securities back to UBS at par, the fair value assessment of the Settlement was measured at an offsetting $2.3 million. Because all auction rate securities covered under the Settlement were either sold or put to UBS during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we reversed the other-than-temporary impairment of $2.3 million on the auction rate securities and the offsetting gain of $2.3 million on the fair value assessment of the Settlement. These changes were reflected in Other income (expense), net for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. As of September 30, 2009, the fair value of the auction rate securities covered under the Settlement was $28.0 million, a decline of $2.8 million from par value, but an improvement in the $3.1 million impairment recognized at December 31, 2008. For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009, we reversed $1.4 million and $0.3 million, respectively, of the other-than-temporary impairment on the auction rate securities. For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009, we also reversed $1.4 million and $0.3 million, respectively, of the gain on the fair value assessment of the Settlement. These changes were reflected in Other income (expense), net on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009.
 
    Auction Rate Securities Not Covered under Settlement As of December 31, 2009, the par value of our auction rate securities not covered under the Settlement was $11.2 million. In March 2010, we sold $11.2 million of our auction rate securities not covered under the Settlement for $10.7 million. We recognized the $0.5 million loss on the sale of the securities in Other income (expense), net on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.
4.   Derivatives
    We provide services in a number of countries throughout the world and, as a result, are exposed to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Costs in some countries are incurred, in part, in currencies other than the applicable functional currency. We selectively use forward foreign currency contracts to manage our foreign currency exposure. Our outstanding forward foreign currency contracts at September 30, 2010 are used to hedge (i) cash flows for long-term charter payments on a multi-service vessel denominated in Norwegian kroners, (ii) certain purchase commitments related to the construction of the Global 1201 denominated in Singapore dollars and (iii) a portion of the operating costs of our Asia Pacific/Middle East segment that are denominated in Singapore dollars.
 
    The Norwegian kroner forward contracts have maturities extending until June 2011 and are accounted for as cash flow hedges with the effective portion of unrealized gains and losses recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, there was no ineffective portion of the hedging relationship for these forward contracts. As of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, there were $0.3 million and $0.6 million, respectively, in unrealized gains, net of taxes, in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Included in the September 30, 2010 total is approximately $0.3 million which is expected to be realized in earnings during the twelve months following September 30, 2010. As of September 30, 2010, these contracts are included in Prepaid expenses and other on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, valued at $0.4 million. As of December 31, 2009, these contracts are included in Prepaid expenses and other and Other assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, valued at $0.7 million and $0.2 million, respectively. For the three

8


Table of Contents

    months and nine months ended September 2010, we recorded $0.01 million in realized losses and $0.2 million in realized gains, respectively, related to these contracts which are included in Cost of operations on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009, we recorded $0.1 million in realized gains and $0.6 million in realized losses, respectively, related to these contracts which are included in Cost of operations on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.
 
    Our Singapore dollar contracts have maturities extending until May 2011. We have not elected hedge treatment for these contracts. Consequently, changes in the fair value of these instruments and cash settlements are recorded in Other income (expense), net on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010, we recorded $0.5 million in gains and $0.1 million in losses, respectively, related to these contracts. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, we recorded $0.4 million and $0.8 million, respectively, in gains related to these contracts. As of September 30, 2010, these contracts are included in Prepaid expenses and other on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets valued at $0.5 million. As of December 31, 2009, the fair value of these contracts was $0.9 million and is included in Prepaid expenses and other on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
5.   Fair Value Measurements
    Fair value is defined in accounting guidance as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e. exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. This guidance establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. The hierarchy for inputs is categorized into three levels based on the reliability of inputs as follows:
         
 
  Level 1 —  Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets.
 
 
  Level 2 —  Inputs (other than quoted prices in active markets) that are either directly or indirectly observable.
 
 
  Level 3 —  Unobservable inputs which requires management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.
    Our financial instruments include cash and short-term investments, investments in auction rate securities, accounts receivable, accounts payable, debt, and forward foreign currency contracts. Except as described below, the estimated fair value of such financial instruments at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 approximates their carrying value as reflected in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
    Our debt consists of our United States Government Ship Financing Title XI bonds and our Senior Convertible Debentures due 2027 (the “Senior Convertible Debentures”). The fair value of the bonds, based on current market conditions and net present value calculations, as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 was approximately $75.3 million and $74.4 million, respectively. The fair value of the debentures, based on quoted market prices, as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 was $229.9 million and $202.3 million, respectively.
 
    Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis are categorized in the tables below based upon the lowest level of significant input to the valuations.
Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2010
(In thousands)
                                 
Description   Total     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  
Cash equivalents
  $ 108,600     $ 108,600     $     $  
Derivative contracts
    884             884        
 
                       
Total
  $ 109,484     $ 108,600     $ 884     $  
 
                       

9


Table of Contents

Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2009
(In thousands)
                                 
Description   Total     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  
Cash equivalents
  $ 63,797     $ 63,797     $     $  
Marketable securities
    41,847                   41,847  
Derivative contracts
    1,827             1,827        
 
                       
Total
  $ 107,471     $ 63,797     $ 1,827     $ 41,847  
 
                       
    Financial instruments classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy represent our forward foreign currency contracts. These contracts are valued using the market approach which uses prices and other information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.
 
    Financial instruments classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2009 represent our previous investment in auction rate securities and the related put option described in Note 3 in which management used at least one significant unobservable input in the valuation model. We settled our remaining auction rate securities in the third quarter of 2010.
 
    Due to the lack of observable market quotes on our auction rate securities portfolio, we utilized a valuation model that relied on Level 3 inputs including market, tax status, credit quality, duration, recent market observations and overall capital market liquidity. The valuation of the auction rate securities was subject to uncertainties that were difficult to predict. Factors that may have impacted our valuation included changes to credit ratings of the securities as well as to the underlying assets supporting those securities, rates of default of the underlying assets, underlying collateral value, discount rates, counterparty risk and ongoing strength and quality of market credit and liquidity.
 
    The following table presents a reconciliation of activity for such securities:
Changes in Level 3 Financial Instruments
(In thousands)
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30     September 30  
    2010     2009     2010     2009  
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 750     $ 41,035     $ 41,847     $ 42,375  
Sales
    (750 )           (41,414 )      
Total gains or (losses):
                               
Realized losses included in other income (expense), net
                (561 )      
Changes in net unrealized gain (losses) included in other comprehensive income
          1,218       128       (122 )
 
                       
Balance at end of period
  $     $ 42,253     $     $ 42,253  
 
                       
    In the third quarter of 2010, we classified the Cherokee, a DLB, and the CB6, a material barge, in our North America OCD segment to Assets held for sale. Consequently, we remeasured the fair value of these assets using a valuation model that relies on Level 3 inputs including market data of recent sales of similar assets, our prior experience in the sale of similar assets, and price of third party offers for the assets. The fair value of these assets of $18.2 million exceeds their carrying amount of $9.4 million; therefore, no impairment was incurred upon classification to assets held for sale. The remaining assets held for sale continue to be held at the lower of their carrying value or net realizable value.
6.   Goodwill
    We perform our annual impairment analysis of goodwill as of January 1 each year or more often if circumstances indicate that an impairment may exist. We test each of our reporting units for goodwill impairment. Our reporting units are the same as our reporting segments. The goodwill impairment test requires a two-step process. The first step consists of comparing the estimated fair value of each reporting unit with its carrying amount, including

10


Table of Contents

    goodwill. If the estimated fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, then it is not considered impaired and no further analysis is required. If step one indicates that the estimated fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, then impairment potentially exists and the second step is performed to measure the amount of goodwill impairment. Goodwill impairment exists when the estimated implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill is less than its carrying value.
 
    During the third quarter, we tested the goodwill of the Latin America and North America OCD reporting units for potential impairment in light of losses incurred during the period and weaker outlook for future performance.
 
    We compared the carrying value of each reporting unit to its estimated fair value as of September 30, 2010. We estimated the fair value of the Latin America reporting unit based on a weighting of both the income approach and the market approach. Although considered, the market approach was not used to estimate the fair value of the North America OCD reporting unit, as comparable enterprises, gross margins, and market-based growth rates were determined not to be representative. The discounted cash flows for each reporting unit that served as the primary basis for the income approach were based on financial forecasts developed by management. The annual growth rates in revenues forecasted for each reporting unit for the first five years of our projections ranged between negative 5.0% and 33.9%. The terminal value was calculated using an exit multiple of 4.5 times forecasted 2015 EBITDA based on an implied internal rate of return for the Company of 11.1%. The income approach valuations also included reporting unit cash flow discount rates, representing each reporting unit’s estimated weighted cost of capital. The weighted average cost of capital was estimated to be 13.0% for the Latin America reporting unit and 12.6% for the North America OCD reporting unit. The market approach applied pricing multiples derived from publicly-traded companies that are comparable to the respective reporting unit to determine its value. To estimate the value of the Latin America reporting unit under the market approach, we utilized an enterprise value/2011 forecasted EBITDA multiple of 5.3 times. Publicly-available information regarding our market capitalization was also considered in assessing the reasonableness of the cumulative fair value of our reporting units.
 
    As a result of the first step of our goodwill impairment test as of September 30, 2010, we estimated that the fair values of our Latin America and North America OCD reporting units were less that their respective carrying amounts, indicating impairment may exist. Because indicators of impairment existed, we performed the second step of the test to determine the implied fair value of goodwill for our North America OCD and Latin America reporting units. The implied fair value of goodwill was measured as the excess of the estimated fair value of each reporting unit over the amounts assigned to its assets and liabilities. The impairment loss for each reporting unit was measured by the amount that the carrying value of goodwill exceeded the implied fair value of the goodwill. Based on this assessment, we recorded an impairment charge of $37.4 million ($36.3 million for Latin America and $1.1 million for North America OCD) in the third quarter of 2010, which represented 100% of the reporting units’ goodwill prior to the impairment charge.
 
    The following table details our recorded goodwill as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009:
                         
    North
America
    Latin        
    OCD     America     Total  
            (In thousands)          
Balance at December 31, 2009
  $ 1,086     $ 36,302     $ 37,388  
Goodwill impairment
    (1,086 )     (36,302 )     (37,388 )
 
                 
Balance at September 30, 2010
  $     $     $  
 
                 
7.   Receivables
    Our receivables are presented in the following balance sheet accounts: (1) Accounts receivable, (2) Accounts receivable — long term, (3) Unbilled work on uncompleted contracts, and (4) Contract costs incurred not yet recognized. Accounts receivable are stated at net realizable value, and the allowances for uncollectible accounts were $2.8 million and $2.8 million at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. Accounts receivable at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 included $1.1 million and $25.0 million, respectively, of retainage, which represents the short-term portion of amounts not immediately collectible due to contractually specified requirements. Accounts receivable — long term at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 represented amounts related to retainage which were not expected to be collected within the next twelve months.

11


Table of Contents

    Receivables also included claims and unapproved change orders of $8.6 million at September 30, 2010 and $28.0 million at December 31, 2009. These claims and change orders are amounts due for extra work and/or changes in the scope of work on certain projects.
 
    The costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts are presented in the following table:
                 
    September 30     December 31  
    2010     2009  
    (In thousands)  
Costs incurred and recognized on uncompleted contracts
  $ 234,691     $ 891,530  
Estimated earnings
    30,261       66,179  
 
           
Costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts
    264,952       957,709  
Less: Billings to date
    (215,170 )     (873,636 )
 
           
 
    49,782       84,073  
Plus: Accrued revenue(1)
    23,477       8,496  
Less: Advance billing on uncompleted contracts
          (175 )
 
           
 
  $ 73,259     $ 92,394  
 
           
 
               
Included in accompanying balance sheets under the following captions:
               
Unbilled work on uncompleted contracts
  $ 73,259     $ 92,569  
Other accrued liabilities
          (175 )
 
           
 
  $ 73,259     $ 92,394  
 
           
 
(1)   Accrued revenue represents unbilled amounts receivable related to work performed on projects for which the percentage of completion method is not applicable.
8.   Asset Disposal and Impairments and Assets Held for Sale
    Due to escalating costs for dry-docking services, escalating repair and maintenance costs for aging vessels, increasing difficulty in obtaining certain replacement parts, declining marketability of certain vessels, and our strategic shift to deepwater vessels, we decided to forego dry-docking or refurbishment of certain vessels and to sell or permanently retire them from service. Consequently, we recognized gains and losses on the disposition of certain vessels, and non-cash impairment charges on the retirement of other vessels. Each asset was analyzed using an undiscounted cash flow analysis and valued at the lower of carrying value or net realizable value.
 
    Net Gains and (Losses) on Asset Disposal consisted of the following:
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30     September 30  
Segment   2010     2009     2010     2009  
            (In thousands)          
North America OCD
  $ 2,734     $     $ 2,734     $  
North America Subsea
          (64 )     25       5,003  
Latin America
    9,473       (2 )     9,473       (13 )
West Africa
    11,626       (145 )     11,618       643  
Asia Pacific/ Middle East
    (12 )     (63 )     128       3,600  
Corporate
    (2 )           (13 )     (26 )
 
                       
 
  $ 23,819     $ (274 )   $ 23,965     $ 9,207  
 
                       

12


Table of Contents

    Losses on Asset Impairments consisted of the following:
                                 
        Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
        September 30   September 30
Segment   Description of Asset   2010   2009   2010     2009  
        (In thousands)  
North America OCD
  Other equipment   $   $   $ 5,038     $  
North America Subsea
 
Two DSVs and one dive system in 2010 and one DSV and three dive systems in 2009
    548         1,260       768  
Latin America
  One DSV                   190  
Asia Pacific/Middle East
 
One DSV and other equipment
            5,184        
 
                       
 
      $ 548   $   $ 11,482     $ 958  
 
                       
    In accordance with accounting guidance, long-lived assets held for sale are carried at the lower of the asset’s carrying value or net realizable value and depreciation ceases.
 
    Assets Held for Sale consisted of the following:
                         
        September 30         December 31  
Segment   Description of Asset   2010   Description of Asset   2009  
        (In thousands)         (In thousands)  
North America OCD
 
One DLB, one material barge and other equipment
  $ 12,933     None   $  
West Africa
  None        
One DLB, one DSV, and other equipment
    6,832  
Asia Pacific/Middle East
 
One OSV and other equipment
    4,194    
One OSV and other equipment
    9,320  
 
                   
 
      $ 17,127         $ 16,152  
 
                   
9.   Property and Equipment
    The components of property and equipment, at cost, and the related accumulated depreciation are as follows:
                 
    September 30     December 31  
    2010     2009  
    (In thousands)  
Land
  $ 6,322     $ 6,322  
Facilities and equipment
    180,571       183,526  
Marine vessels
    423,665       474,208  
Construction in progress
    506,019       375,360  
 
           
Total property and equipment
    1,116,577       1,039,416  
Less: Accumulated depreciation
    (296,711 )     (316,597 )
 
           
Property and equipment, net
  $ 819,866     $ 722,819  
 
           
    Expenditures for property and equipment and items that substantially increase the useful lives of existing assets are capitalized at cost and depreciated. Routine expenditures for repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. We capitalized $4.5 million and $3.9 million of interest costs for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. We capitalized $13.4 million and $10.5 million of interest costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Except for major construction vessels that are depreciated on the units-of-production (“UOP”) method over estimated vessel operating days, depreciation is provided utilizing the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The UOP method is based on vessel utilization days and more closely correlates depreciation expense to vessel revenue. In addition, the UOP method provides for a minimum depreciation floor in periods with nominal vessel use. In general, if we applied only a straight-line depreciation

13


Table of Contents

    method instead of the UOP method, less depreciation expense would be recorded in periods of high utilization and revenues, and more depreciation expense would be recorded in periods of low vessel utilization and revenues.
10.   Deferred Dry-Docking Costs
    We utilize the deferral method to capitalize vessel dry-docking costs and to amortize the costs to the next dry-docking. Such capitalized costs include regulatory required steel replacement, direct costs for vessel mobilization and demobilization and rental of dry-docking facilities and services. Crew costs may also be capitalized when employees perform all or a part of the required dry-docking. Any repair and maintenance costs incurred during the dry-docking period are expensed.
 
    The below table presents dry-docking costs incurred and amortization for all periods presented:
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30     September 30  
    2010     2009     2010     2009  
    (In thousands)     (In thousands)  
Net book value at beginning of period
  $ 34,123     $ 50,538     $ 41,825     $ 61,552  
Additions for the period
          1,209       2,169       6,465  
Reclassifications to assets held for sale
    (8,090 )           (9,761 )     (4,914 )
Amortization expense for the period
    (3,966 )     (5,251 )     (12,166 )     (16,607 )
 
                       
Net book value at end of period
  $ 22,067     $ 46,496     $ 22,067     $ 46,496  
 
                       
11.   Long-Term Debt
    The components of long-term debt are as follows:
                 
    September 30     December 31  
    2010     2009  
    (In thousands)  
Senior Convertible Debentures due 2027, 2.75%
               
Principal amount of debt component
  $ 325,000     $ 325,000  
Less: Unamortized debt discount
    81,360       88,054  
 
           
Carrying amount of debt component
    243,640       236,946  
Title XI Bonds due 2025, 7.71%
    57,420       61,380  
Revolving Credit Facility
           
 
           
Total long-term debt
    301,060       298,326  
Less: Current maturities
    3,960       3,960  
 
           
Long-term debt less current maturities
  $ 297,100     $ 294,366  
 
           
    Senior Convertible Debentures
 
    On January 1, 2009, we implemented new accounting guidance which changed the accounting treatment of our Senior Convertible Debentures due 2027 (the “Debentures”). This guidance requires cash settled convertible debt to be separated into debt and equity components at issuance and a value to be assigned to each. The value assigned to the debt component is the estimated fair value of similar debentures without the conversion feature. The difference between the debenture cash proceeds and this estimated fair value was recorded as debt discount and is being amortized to interest expense over the 10-year period ending August 1, 2017. This is the earliest date that holders of the Debentures may require us to repurchase all or part of their Debentures for cash.
 
    The Debentures are convertible into cash, and if applicable, into shares of our common stock, or under certain circumstances and at our election, solely into our common stock, based on a conversion rate of 28.1821 shares per $1,000 principal amount of the Debentures, which represents an initial conversion price of $35.48 per share. As of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Debentures’ if-converted value does not exceed the Debentures’ principal of $325 million.

14


Table of Contents

    The equity component of the Debentures is comprised of the following:
                 
    September 30     December 31  
    2010     2009  
    (In thousands)  
Debt discount on issuance
  $ 107,261     $ 107,261  
Less: Issuance costs
    2,249       2,249  
Deferred income tax
    36,772       36,772  
 
           
Carrying amount of equity component
  $ 68,240     $ 68,240  
 
           
    The table below presents interest expense for the Debentures:
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30     September 30  
    2010     2009     2010     2009  
    (In thousands)     (In thousands)  
Contractual interest coupon, 2.75%
  $ 2,235     $ 2,235     $ 6,703     $ 6,703  
Amortization of debt discount
    2,277       2,116       6,694       6,219  
 
                       
Total Debentures interest expense
  $ 4,512     $ 4,351     $ 13,397     $ 12,922  
 
                       
 
                               
Effective interest rate
    7.5 %     7.5 %     7.5 %     7.5 %
    Revolving Credit Facility
 
    Our Revolving Credit Facility, which matures on October 18, 2012, provides a borrowing capacity of up to $150.0 million. As of September 30, 2010, we had no borrowings against the facility, $44.2 million of letters of credit outstanding thereunder, and available credit of $105.8 million. Due to the subsequent sale of two vessels mortgaged under the Revolving Credit Facility, our effective maximum borrowing capacity has been reduced to approximately $134.1 million as of October 31, 2010.
 
    Our initial financial projections for 2010 indicated that we might not meet our leverage ratio covenant in our Revolving Credit Facility beginning in the second quarter of 2010 and continuing through the fourth quarter of 2010. Earlier this year, we began discussions with our lenders regarding these potential violations. On June 16, 2010, our Revolving Credit Facility was amended to provide for a modification period beginning on the date of the amendment and ending the earlier of June 30, 2011 or upon compliance with covenant conditions under the Revolving Credit Facility and a written request to end the modification period (the “Modification Period”). During the Modification Period (1) the net debt to EBITDA coverage ratio under the Revolving Credit Facility will be suspended, (2) we will be required to maintain a trailing twelve months minimum EBITDA of $40,000,000, and (3) no borrowings, other than letters of credit and guarantees, will be permitted. Once terminated, the Modification Period may not be reinstated. The interest rates on letters of credit will range from 2.75% to 3.5%.
 
    When we finalized the Revolving Credit Facility amendment on June 16, 2010, the financial impact of the oil spill in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico was not forecasted to be as significant as it has since evolved to be. In addition, we experienced project losses on two ongoing projects in Mexico. Consequently, as a result of our operating performance, we did not meet the minimum fixed charge coverage ratio covenant or the minimum EBITDA covenant of our amended Revolving Credit Facility as of September 30, 2010. On November 3, 2010, the financial institutions participating in the Revolving Credit Facility waived compliance with the covenant conditions for the third quarter.
 
    Our current financial projections indicate that we may not meet the minimum fixed charge coverage ratio covenant or the minimum EBITDA covenant under the amended Revolving Credit Facility in the fourth quarter of 2010 and continuing into 2011. We are currently in discussion with our lenders regarding these potential violations. If we do not meet these covenants, we may be required to cash collateralize our outstanding letters of credit or explore other alternatives with respect to the covenant violations. If we are required to cash collateralize letters of credit, it would reduce our available cash and may impact our ability to bid on future projects. Further, upon a covenant violation and the declaration of an event of default by our lenders, under the cross default provisions of our Title XI bonds (1) we may be subject to additional reporting requirements, (2) we may be subject to additional covenants restricting our operations, and (3) the Maritime Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation (“MarAd”), guarantor

15


Table of Contents

of the bonds, may institute procedures that could ultimately allow the bondholders the right to demand payment of the bonds from MarAd. MarAd can alternatively assume the obligation to pay the bonds when due. As we have no outstanding indebtedness under our Revolving Credit Facility, an event of default related to the covenant failure would not trigger the cross default provision of our Senior Convertible Debentures. It is not possible at this time to predict the outcome of discussions with our lenders or the effect that these potential violations may have on our financial position.
 
    Our Revolving Credit Facility has a customary cross default provision triggered by a default of any of our other indebtedness, the aggregate principal amount of which is in excess of $5 million.
 
    We also have a $6.0 million short-term credit facility at one of our foreign locations. At September 30, 2010, we had $3.0 million of letters of credit outstanding and $3.0 million of credit availability under this particular credit facility.
12.   Commitments and Contingencies
    Commitments
 
    Construction and Purchases in Progress The estimated cost to complete capital expenditure projects in progress at September 30, 2010 was approximately $198.2 million, of which $90.6 million is obligated through contractual commitments. The total estimated cost primarily represents expenditures for construction of the Global 1200 and Global 1201, our new generation derrick/pipelay vessels. This amount includes aggregate commitments of 44.0 million Singapore dollars (or $33.4 million as of September 30, 2010) and 4.5 million Euros or ($6.2 million as of September 30, 2010). We have entered into forward contracts to purchase 7.5 million Singapore dollars to hedge certain purchase commitments related to the construction of the Global 1201 and 2.5 million Singapore dollars to hedge operating expenses related to our Asia Pacific/Middle East segment.
 
    Off Balance Sheet Arrangements — In the normal course of our business activities, and pursuant to agreements or upon obtaining such agreements to perform construction services, we provide guarantees, bonds, and letters of credit to customers, vendors, and other parties. At September 30, 2010, the aggregate amount of these outstanding bonds was $33.4 million, which are scheduled to expire between October 2010 and September 2011, and the aggregate amount of outstanding letters of credit was $44.6 million, which are due to expire between October 2010 and March 2014.
 
    Contingencies
 
    During the fourth quarter of 2007, we received a payroll tax assessment for the years 2005 through 2007 from the Nigerian Revenue Department valued at $18.5 million based on the exchange rate of the Nigerian naira as of September 30, 2010. The assessment alleges that certain expatriate employees, working on projects in Nigeria, were subject to personal income taxes, which were not paid to the government. We filed a formal objection to the assessment on November 12, 2007. We do not believe these employees are subject to the personal income tax assessed; however, based on past practices of the Nigerian Revenue Department, we believe this matter will ultimately have to be resolved by litigation. We do not expect the ultimate resolution to have a material adverse effect on our future operating results.
 
    During 2008, we received an additional assessment from the Nigerian Revenue Department valued at $37.9 million, based on the exchange rate of the Nigerian naira as of September 30, 2010, for tax withholding related to third party service providers. The assessment alleges that taxes were not withheld from third party service providers for the years 2002 through 2006 and remitted to the Nigerian government. We have filed an objection to the assessment. We do not expect the ultimate resolution to have a material adverse effect on our future operating results.
 
    During the third quarter of 2009, we received a tax assessment from the Mexican Revenue Department in the amount of $5.9 million related to the 2003 tax year. The assessment alleges that chartered vessels should be treated as equipment leases and subject to tax at a rate of 10%. We have engaged outside counsel to assist us in this matter and have filed an appeal in the Mexican court system. We await disposition of that appeal. We do not expect the ultimate resolution to have a material adverse effect on our future operating results; however, if the Mexican Revenue Department prevails in its assessment, we could be exposed to similar liabilities for each of the tax years beginning with 2004 through the current year.

16


Table of Contents

    We have one unresolved issue related to an Algerian tax assessment received by us on February 21, 2007. The remaining amount in dispute is approximately $10.4 million of alleged value added tax for the years 2004 and 2005. We are contractually indemnified by our client for the full amount of the assessment that remains in dispute. We continue to engage outside tax counsel to assist us in resolving the tax assessment.
 
    Litigation
 
    We are involved in various legal proceedings and potential claims that arise in the ordinary course of business, primarily involving claims for personal injury under the General Maritime Laws of the United States and Jones Act as a result of alleged negligence. We believe that the outcome of all such proceedings, even if determined adversely, would not have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition.
 
13.   Comprehensive Income
 
    Other Comprehensive Income — The differences between net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) for each of the comparable periods presented are as follows.
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30     September 30  
    2010     2009     2010     2009  
    (In thousands)  
Net income (loss)
  $ (27,719 )   $ 14,018     $ (47,671 )   $ 78,982  
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives
    883       2,077       (531 )     5,041  
Unrealized gain (loss) on auction rate securities
          1,218             (122 )
Reclassification of loss on auction rate securities
                83        
Deferred tax benefit (expense)
    (309 )     (1,154 )     186       (1,722 )
 
                       
Comprehensive income (loss)
    (27,145 )     16,159       (47,933 )     82,179  
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest
    139             139        
 
                       
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Global Industries, Ltd.
  $ (27,284 )   $ 16,159     $ (48,072 )   $ 82,179  
 
                       
    Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) A roll-forward of the amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes, is shown below.
                                 
    Cumulative                      
    Foreign     Forward             Accumulated  
    Currency     Foreign     Auction     Other  
    Translation     Currency     Rate     Comprehensive  
    Adjustment     Contracts     Securities     Income (Loss)  
Balance at December 31, 2009
  $ (8,978 )   $ 615     $ (83 )   $ (8,446 )
Change in value
          (587 )     83       (504 )
Reclassification to earnings
          242             242  
 
                       
Balance at September 30, 2010
  $ (8,978 )   $ 270     $     $ (8,708 )
 
                       
    The amount of cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) relates to prior translations of subsidiaries whose functional currency was not the U.S. dollar. The amount of gain (loss) on forward foreign currency contracts included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) hedges our exposure to changes in Norwegian kroners for commitments of a long-term vessel charter. The amount of loss on auction rate securities relates to a temporary decline in the fair value of certain investments that lack current market liquidity. See also Note 3 for further discussion on auction rate securities.
 
14.   Stock-Based Compensation
 
    We recognize the cost of employee services received in exchange for awards of equity instruments based on the grant date fair value of those awards.

17


Table of Contents

    The table below sets forth the total amount of stock-based compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30     September 30  
    2010     2009     2010     2009  
    (In thousands)  
Stock-based compensation expense
                               
Stock options
  $ 198     $ 156     $ 423     $ 613  
Time-based restricted stock
    1,012       1,319       5,355       3,912  
Performance shares and units
    (34 )     286       881       682  
 
                       
Total stock-based compensation expense
  $ 1,176     $ 1,761     $ 6,659     $ 5,207  
 
                       
    During the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, 109,500 and 141,622 shares of restricted stock, respectively, vested. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, 345,792 and 486,679 shares of restricted stock, respectively, vested. In addition, during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, 403,700 shares of stock with immediate vesting were awarded to managerial employees. Pursuant to the terms of the Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy, 45,729 and 107,969 shares, of stock with immediate vesting, respectively, were awarded to our directors during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010. During both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, 22,696 shares of restricted stock with immediate vesting were awarded to our directors.
 
15.   Other Income (Expense), net
 
    Components of other income (expense), net are as follows:
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30     September 30  
    2010     2009     2010     2009  
    (In thousands)  
Foreign exchange rate gain (loss)
  $ 381     $ (2,488 )   $ 511     $ 1,864  
Derivative contract gain (loss)
    510       354       (144 )     838  
Loss on sale of auction rate securities
                (561 )      
Insurance settlement
          1,750             2,728  
Other
    384       393       463       1,149  
 
                       
Total
  $ 1,275     $ 9     $ 269     $ 6,579  
 
                       
16.   Income Taxes
 
    Our effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 was (22.4)% and 32.3%, respectively, compared to 22.8% and 22.0%, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009. For 2010, the goodwill impairment recognized in our Latin America segment, where the effective tax rate is lower than the corporate tax rate in the United States of 35%, could not be tax benefitted. In addition, losses were incurred in jurisdictions with effective tax rates of 35% that could be fully tax benefited while income was earned in jurisdictions with low tax rates. This mix of losses in higher tax jurisdictions offset by income in low tax jurisdictions and the goodwill impairment results in a lower year to date effective tax rate when compared to the corporate tax rate in the United States of 35%. The change in tax rate from 58.2% for the six months ended June 30, 2010 to 32.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 resulted in a cumulative tax adjustment of $12.4 million which increased the net loss for the third quarter of 2010.
 
    During the second and third quarters of 2010, the statute of limitations for several uncertain tax positions expired. As a result, we have reduced our unrecognized tax benefits in the amount of $0.04 million and our interest expense associated with these items in the amount of $0.08 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we have reduced our unrecognized tax benefits in the amount of $0.2 million and our interest expense associated with these items in the amount of $0.5 million. We recognize interest expense and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as part of our non-operating expenses.

18


Table of Contents

17.   Earnings Per Share
 
    Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing earnings (loss) attributed to common shareholders during the period by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during each period. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributed to common shareholders during the period by the weighted average number of shares of common stock that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of potentially dilutive shares of common stock as if such shares were outstanding during the reporting period, net of shares assumed to be repurchased using the treasury stock method. The dilutive effect of stock options and performance units is based on the treasury stock method. The dilutive effect of non-vested restricted stock awards is based on the more dilutive of the treasury stock method or the two-class method assuming a reallocation of undistributed earnings to common shareholders after considering the dilutive effect of potential shares of common stock other than the non-vested shares of restricted stock.
 
    In accordance with current accounting guidance, certain instruments granted in share-based payment transactions are participating securities prior to vesting and, therefore, need to participate in computing earnings per share under the two-class method. Our non-vested restricted stock awards contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends and consequently are included in the computation of basic earnings per share under the two-class method.

19


Table of Contents

    The following table presents information necessary to calculate earnings (loss) per share of common stock for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009:
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30     September 30  
    2010     2009     2010     2009  
    (In thousands, except per share data)  
Basic EPS:
                               
Net income (loss) attributable to Global Industries, Ltd.
  $ (27,858 )   $ 14,018     $ (47,810 )   $ 78,982  
Less earnings attributed to shareholders of non-vested restricted stock
          (144 )           (871 )
 
                       
Earnings (loss) attributed to common shareholders
  $ (27,858 )   $ 13,874     $ (47,810 )   $ 78,111  
 
                       
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding—basic
    113,959       112,693       113,721       112,550  
 
                       
Basic earnings (loss) per common share
  $ (0.24 )   $ 0.12     $ (0.42 )   $ 0.69  
 
                       
 
                               
Diluted EPS:
                               
Earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders—basic
  $ (27,858 )   $ 13,874     $ (47,810 )   $ 78,111  
Adjustment to earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders for redistribution to shareholders of non-vested restricted stock
                      5  
 
                       
Adjusted earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders—diluted
  $ (27,858 )   $ 13,874     $ (47,810 )   $ 78,116  
 
                       
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding—basic
    113,959       112,693       113,721       112,550  
Dilutive effect of potential common shares:
                               
Stock options
          41             24  
Performance units
          544             544  
 
                       
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding—diluted
    113,959       113,278       113,721       113,118  
 
                       
Diluted net income (loss) per common share
  $ (0.24 )   $ 0.12     $ (0.42 )   $ 0.69  
 
                       
    Anti-dilutive shares primarily represent options where the strike price was in excess of the average market price of our common stock for the period reported and are excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share. All potentially dilutive shares of common stock were excluded for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 as the net loss results in such shares being anti-dilutive. Excluded anti-dilutive shares totaled 2.0 million and 1.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Excluded anti-dilutive shares totaled 2.0 million and 1.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
    The net settlement premium obligation on the Senior Convertible Debentures was not included in the dilutive earnings per share calculation for the three or nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 because the conversion price of the debentures was in excess of our common stock price.
 
18.   Treasury Stock
 
    In May 2010, we retired 6.1 million shares of treasury stock. These shares have been cancelled and restored to the status of authorized and unissued shares.

20


Table of Contents

19.   Segment Information
 
    The following table presents information about the profit (or loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 of each of our five reportable segments: North America Offshore Construction Division (“OCD”), North America Subsea, Latin America, West Africa, and Asia Pacific/Middle East.
 
    Effective January 1, 2010, we combined our Middle East and Asia Pacific/India segments into the Asia Pacific/Middle East segment. The equipment and personnel assigned to each of these segments as well as the executive management thereof were consolidated during 2009; therefore, we made the decision to combine the segments. The combined reporting segment will continue to pursue projects in both regions. This change has been reflected as a retrospective change to the financial information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, presented below. This change did not affect our condensed consolidated balance sheets, condensed consolidated statements of operations, or condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30     September 30  
    2010     2009     2010     2009  
    (In thousands)  
Total segment revenues
                               
North America OCD
  $ 26,442     $ 60,011     $ 45,846     $ 108,961  
North America Subsea
    42,380       46,343       102,873       112,093  
Latin America
    72,020       35,749       148,462       185,534  
West Africa
          (529 )           101,039  
Asia Pacific/Middle East
    57,867       76,101       132,843       285,777  
 
                       
Subtotal
    198,709       217,675       430,024       793,404  
 
                       
 
                               
Intersegment eliminations
                               
North America OCD
    (5,902 )           (5,902 )      
North America Subsea
    (3,306 )     (13,957 )     (6,042 )     (25,394 )
 
                       
Subtotal
    (9,208 )     (13,957 )     (11,944 )     (25,394 )
 
                       
 
                               
Consolidated revenues
  $ 189,501     $ 203,718     $ 418,080     $ 768,010  
 
                       
 
                               
Income (loss) before taxes
                               
North America OCD
  $ 4,192     $ 12,903     $ (10,603 )   $ 4,924  
North America Subsea
    8,656       10,267       3,920       25,972  
Latin America
    (50,882 )     (10,642 )     (62,438 )     11,825  
West Africa
    10,490       (2,709 )     7,170       30,150  
Asia Pacific/Middle East
    12,798       15,670       15,634       50,264  
Corporate
    (7,906 )     (7,320 )     (24,060 )     (21,925 )
 
                       
 
                               
Consolidated income (loss) before taxes
  $ (22,652 )   $ 18,169     $ (70,377 )   $ 101,210  
 
                       

21


Table of Contents

    The following table presents information about the assets of each of our reportable segments as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009.
                 
    September 30     December 31  
    2010     2009  
    (In thousands)  
Segment assets at period end
               
North America OCD
  $ 112,219     $ 140,806  
North America Subsea
    160,196       180,230  
Latin America
    139,691       223,699  
West Africa
    27,408       98,897  
Asia Pacific/Middle East
    223,614       257,853  
Corporate
    769,981       622,708  
 
           
 
               
Consolidated segment assets at period end
  $ 1,433,109     $ 1,524,193  
 
           
20.   Related Party Transactions
 
    Mr. William J. Doré, our founder and a member of our Board of Directors, is also a beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding common stock. We are parties to a retirement and consulting agreement, as amended, with him. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, we recorded expense of $100,000 and $300,000 for services provided for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. We also recorded expenses of $16,800 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, for use of Mr. Doré’s hunting lodge related to two business development trips.
 
21.   Noncontrolling Interest
 
    Global International Vessels, Ltd. (“GIV”), a private limited company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands, is a wholly owned subsidiary of the company. On August 10, 2010, GIV sold 60,000 ordinary shares (30 percent) of KGL Ltd. (“KGL”), its wholly owned subsidiary incorporated under the laws of Labuan, to Selecta Flow (M) Sdn. Bhd. (“SF”), incorporated under the laws of Malaysia. SF’s 30% share of the net income of KGL is reported as Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest on our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. SF’s 30% share in the equity of KGL is reported as Noncontrolling interest in the Equity section of our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.
 
22.   Relocation and Severance Plan
 
    In May 2010, under the leadership of our new executive team, the decision was made to centralize critical functions of our company in Houston, Texas. In an effort to improve alignment and project execution, we decided to centralize critical operational functions. These functions include project management; engineering; operations and fleet management; marketing and business development; supply chain management; health, safety, and environmental; and human resources. Many of these functions are currently performed at our offices located both in Carlyss, Louisiana and Houston, Texas.
 
    On September 1, 2010, we announced our plan to consolidate operations in several of these functions and to relocate 15 employees from our office in Carlyss to Houston. Pursuant to the terms of the plan, we will pay all qualifying relocation costs for those employees who accept the relocation offer. We expect the relocation will be completed by February 28, 2011. We accrued the total estimated relocation costs of $0.8 million, which are included in Relocation costs and Cost of operations on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010.
 
    Employment for certain employees who were not offered relocation packages or who decline the relocation offer will be terminated, effective March 31, 2011. Termination benefits will be paid to the affected employees in accordance with our existing severance policy and are estimated to be approximately $0.06 million. Those employees who remain through the transition, which we expect to be completed by March 31, 2011, will receive an additional one-time termination benefit. We began accruing the total estimated one-time termination benefits of approximately $0.06 million ratably over the seven month period ending March 31, 2011. The $0.01 million

22


Table of Contents

    amount accrued in the third quarter is included in Relocation costs on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010.
 
    The following table presents the total expenses incurred under the relocation and severance plan by reporting segment:
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30, 2010     September 30, 2010  
            One-time             One-time  
    Relocation     termination     Relocation     termination  
    Costs     benefits     Costs     benefits  
    (In thousands)  
North America OCD
  $     $ 6     $     $ 6  
Corporate
    838       2       838       2  
 
                       
Total
  $ 838     $ 8     $ 838     $ 8  
 
                       
    A roll-forward of the accrued liability, which is included in Employee-related liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2010, is presented in the following table:
                 
            One-time  
    Relocation     termination  
    Costs     benefits  
    (In thousands)  
Balance at December 31, 2009
  $     $  
Costs incurred or charged to expense
    838       8  
Costs paid or settled
    (8 )      
 
           
Balance at September 30, 2010
  $ 830     $ 8  
 
           
23.   Subsequent Events
 
    On October 1, 2010, we sold the CB6 for $3.2 million resulting in a gain of $0.9 million. We have received $17.0 million for the sale of the Cherokee and the anticipated delivery date of the vessel to the purchaser is November 9, 2010. Due to the sale of these vessels, which were mortgaged under the Revolving Credit Facility, our effective maximum borrowing capacity has been reduced to approximately $134.1 million as of October 31, 2010.
 
    As a result of our operating performance, we did not meet the minimum fixed charge coverage ratio covenant or the minimum EBITDA covenant of our amended Revolving Credit Facility as of September 30, 2010. On November 3, 2010, the financial institutions participating in the Revolving Credit Facility waived compliance with the covenant conditions for the third quarter.

23


Table of Contents

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Forward-Looking Statements
We are including the following discussion to inform our existing and potential shareholders generally of some of the risks and uncertainties that can affect us and to take advantage of the “safe harbor” protection for forward-looking statements that applicable federal securities law affords.
From time to time, our management or persons acting on our behalf make 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, to inform existing and potential shareholders about us. These statements may include projections and estimates concerning the timing and success of specific projects and our future backlog, revenues, income and capital expenditures. Forward-looking statements are generally accompanied by words such as “estimate,” “project,” “predict,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “goal” or other words that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. In addition, sometimes we will specifically describe a statement as being a forward-looking statement and refer to this cautionary statement.
In addition, various statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including those that express a belief, expectation or intention, as well as those that are not statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Those forward-looking statements appear in Part I, Item 2 — “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and in the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements in Part I, Item 1 of this report and elsewhere in this report. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report; we disclaim any obligation to update these statements unless required by securities law, and we caution you not to rely on them unduly. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and assumptions about future events. While our management considers these expectations and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory and other risks, contingencies and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. These risks, contingencies and uncertainties relate to, among other matters, the following:
    the level of capital expenditures in the oil and gas industry;
 
    general economic and business conditions and industry trends;
 
    risks inherent in doing business abroad;
 
    the economic and regulatory impact of the oil spill in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico;
 
    operating hazards related to working offshore;
 
    our dependence on significant customers;
 
    the level of offshore drilling activity;
 
    possible delays or cost overruns, within or outside our control, related to construction projects;
 
    our ability to attract and retain skilled workers;
 
    environmental matters;
 
    changes in laws and regulations;
 
    the effects of resolving claims and variation orders;
 
    adverse outcomes from legal and regulatory proceedings;
 
    our ability to obtain surety bonds, letters of credit, and financing;
 
    our availability of capital resources;
 
    our ability to obtain new project awards and utilize our new vessels;
 
    delays or cancellation of projects included in backlog;
 
    fluctuations in the prices of or demand for oil and gas;
 
    our ability to comply with covenants in our credit agreements and other debt instruments and availability, terms and deployment of capital; and
 
    foreign exchange, currency, and interest rate fluctuations.
We believe the items we have outlined above are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in a forward-looking statement made in this report or elsewhere by us or on our behalf. We have discussed many of these factors in more detail elsewhere in this report. These factors are not necessarily all the factors that could affect us. Unpredictable or unanticipated factors we have not discussed in this report could also have material adverse effects on actual results of matters that are the subject of our forward-looking statements. We do not intend to update our description of important factors each time a potential important factor arises, except as required by applicable securities laws and regulations. We advise our security holders that they should (1) be aware that factors not referred to above could affect the accuracy of our forward-looking statements and (2) use caution and common sense when considering our forward-looking

24


Table of Contents

statements. For more detailed information regarding risks, see the discussion of risk factors in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
The following discussion presents management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations and should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes for the period ended September 30, 2010.
Results of Operations
General
We are a leading offshore construction company offering a comprehensive and integrated range of marine construction and support services in the North America, Latin America, and Asia Pacific/Middle East regions. These services include pipeline construction, platform installation and removal, project management, construction support, diving services, diverless intervention, SURF (subsea equipment, umbilical, riser, and flow line), IRM (inspection, repairs, and maintenance), and decommissioning/plug and abandonment services.
Our results of operations, in terms of revenues, gross profit, and gross profit as a percentage of revenues (“margins”), are principally driven by three factors: (1) our level of offshore construction activity and subsea activity (“activity”), (2) pricing, which can be affected by contract mix (“pricing”), and (3) operating efficiency on any particular construction project (“productivity”).
Our business consists of two principal activities:
    Offshore Construction Services, which include pipeline construction, platform installation and removal services, and decommissioning/plug and abandonment services; and
 
    Subsea Services, which include diving and diverless intervention, SURF, IRM, and support services for construction.
Offshore Construction Services
The level of our offshore construction activity in any given period has a significant impact on our results of operations. Our results of operations depend heavily upon our ability to obtain, in a very competitive environment, a sufficient quantity of offshore construction contracts with sufficient gross profit margins to recover the fixed costs associated with our offshore construction business. The offshore construction business is capital and personnel intensive, and as a practical matter, many of our costs, including the wages of skilled workers, are effectively fixed in the short run regardless of the activity level of our vessels. In general, as activity increases, a greater proportion of these fixed costs are recovered through operating revenues and gross profit and margins increase. Conversely, as activity decreases, our revenues decline, but our costs do not decline proportionally, thereby constricting our gross profit and margins. Our activity level can be affected by changes in demand due to economic or other conditions in the oil and gas exploration industry, seasonal conditions in certain geographical areas, and our ability to win the bidding for available jobs.
Most of our offshore construction revenues are earned through international contracts which are generally larger, more complex, and of longer duration than our typical domestic contracts. Most of these international contracts require a significant amount of working capital, are generally bid on a lump-sum basis, and are secured by a letter of credit or performance bond. Operating cash flows may be negatively affected during periods of escalating activity due to the substantial amounts of cash required to initiate these projects and the normal delays between our cash expenditures and cash receipts from the customer. Additionally, lump-sum contracts for offshore construction services are inherently risky and are subject to many unforeseen circumstances and events that may affect productivity and thus, profitability. When productivity decreases with no offsetting decrease in costs or increases in revenues, our contract margins erode compared to our bid margins. In general, we traditionally bear a larger share of project related risks during periods of weak demand for our services and a smaller share of risks during periods of high demand for our services. Consequently, our revenues and margins from offshore construction services are subject to a high degree of variability, even as compared to other businesses in the offshore energy industry.
Subsea Services
Most of our subsea revenues are the result of short-term work, involve numerous smaller contracts, and are usually based on a day-rate charge. Financial risks associated with these types of contracts are normally limited due to their short-term and non-lump sum nature. However, some subsea contracts, especially those that utilize dive support vessels (“DSVs”), may

25


Table of Contents

involve longer-term commitments that extend from the exploration, design, and installation phases of a field throughout its useful life by providing IRM services. The financial risks which are associated with these commitments remain low in comparison with our offshore construction activities due to the day-rate structure of the contracts. Revenues and margins from our subsea activities tend to be more consistent than from our offshore construction activities.
Quarter Ended September 30, 2010 Compared to Quarter Ended September 30, 2009
                                         
    Three months ended September 30        
    2010     2009        
            % of             % of     % Change  
    (Thousands)     Revenue     (Thousands)     Revenue     (Unfavorable)  
Revenues
  $ 189,501       100.0 %   $ 203,718       100.0 %     (7.0 )%
Cost of operations
    179,707       94.8       163,855       80.4       (9.7 )
 
                                   
Gross profit
    9,794       5.2       39,863       19.6       (75.4 )
 
                                   
Goodwill impairment
    37,388       19.7                     n/m  
Loss (gain) on asset disposals and impairments
    (23,271 )     12.3       274       0.1       n/m  
Relocation costs
    838       0.4                   n/m  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    16,633       8.8       19,075       9.4       12.8  
 
                                   
Operating income (loss)
    (21,794 )     11.4       20,514       10.1       (206.2 )
 
                                   
Interest income
    516       0.3       402       0.2       28.4  
Interest expense
    (2,649 )     1.4       (2,756 )     1.4       3.9  
Other income (expense), net
    1,275       0.6       9             n/m  
 
                                   
Income (loss) before income taxes
    (22,652 )     11.9       18,169       8.9       (224.7 )
Income tax expense
    5,067       2.7       4,151       2.0       (22.1 )
 
                                   
Net income (loss)
    (27,719 )     14.6       14,018       6.9       (297.7 )
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
    139       0.1                   n/m  
 
                                   
Net income (loss) attributable to Global Industries, Ltd.
  $ (27,858 )     14.7 %   $ 14,018       6.9 %     (298.7 )%
 
                                   
 
n/m = not meaningful
Revenues — Revenues decreased by 7% to $189.5 million for the third quarter of 2010, compared to $203.7 million for the third quarter of 2009. This decrease was primarily due to lower activity in all reporting segments except Latin America, and lower pricing in all reporting segments. For a detailed discussion of revenues and income before taxes for each reporting segment, see “Segment Information” below.
Gross Profit Gross profit for the third quarter of 2010 was $9.8 million compared to $39.9 million for the third quarter of 2009. This $30.1 million decrease was primarily due to lower revenues attributable to decreased project activity and low project productivity. Profits from our Latin America segment were lower in the third quarter of 2010 due to low productivity on two projects in Mexico. Lower profits in our West Africa segment were primarily attributable to lack of project activity attributable to our curtailment of operations in the region in mid-2009. Lower profits in our Asia Pacific/Middle East segment were due to decreased project activity and lower pricing and vessel utilization in the region. Our North America Subsea segment was negatively affected by lower project margins due to competitive project bidding, partially offset by higher vessel utilization of the Olympic Challenger and Normand Commander. Our North America OCD segment was negatively affected by lower pricing attributable to competitive bidding activity for projects.
Goodwill Impairment — In the third quarter of 2010, we recognized a goodwill impairment of $37.4 million. Of the total impairment, $1.1 million was related to our North America OCD segment and $36.3 million was related to our Latin America segment.
Loss (gain) on Asset Disposals and Impairments — Gain on asset disposals and impairments was $23.3 million, net of losses, for the third quarter of 2010, compared to loss on asset disposals and impairments for the third quarter of 2009 of $0.3 million. In the third quarter of 2010, we recorded gains of $2.7 million on the sale of the Sea Constructor in our North America OCD segment, $9.5 million on the sale of the Shawnee in our Latin America segment, and $11.6 million on the sale of the Cheyenne and Tornado in our West Africa segment. These gains were partially offset by a $0.5 million impairment of

26


Table of Contents

a diving system in our North America Subsea segment. In comparison, in the third quarter of 2009 we recorded losses of $0.3 million on the sale of various equipment.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by $2.5 million to $16.6 million for the third quarter of 2010, compared to $19.1 million for the third quarter of 2009. The primary reason for the decrease was lower professional fees of $1.9 million. Professional fees declined primarily due to the successful conclusion, in January 2010, of our internal investigation focusing on our West Africa operations under the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”).
In the third quarter of 2010, we initiated a relocation and termination plan with a number of our employees located in our Carlyss, Louisiana office. Many of these employees are being relocated to our Houston, Texas office as part of our plan to create a centralized organization structure. We recorded $0.8 million in relocation and severance expenses related to this plan.
Interest Income Interest income increased by $0.1 million to $0.5 million for the third quarter of 2010, compared to the third quarter of 2009 primarily due to the recognition of interest income associated with the revaluation of tax receivables in Brazil in accordance with local banking regulations.
Interest Expense Interest expense decreased by $0.2 million to $2.6 million for the third quarter of 2010, compared to $2.8 million for the third quarter of 2009. Higher capitalized interest primarily driven by expenditures for ongoing construction of the Global 1200 and Global 1201 was responsible for the majority of the decrease between the periods. Capitalized interest for the third quarter of 2010 was $4.5 million compared to $3.9 million for the third quarter of 2009.
Other Income (Expense), net Other income, net was $1.3 million for the third quarter of 2010 compared to other income, net of $0.01 million for the third quarter of 2009. Other income in the third quarter of 2010 was primarily related to gains on foreign currency exchange transactions. In comparison, we received a $1.8 million insurance claim in our West Africa segment which was substantially offset by losses on foreign currency exchange transactions during the third quarter of 2009.
Income Taxes Our effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2010 was (22.4)% as compared to 22.8% for the third quarter of 2009. The change in our effective tax rate was due to losses incurred in high tax jurisdictions that were tax fully benefited partially offset by income in low tax jurisdictions and the goodwill impairment in our Latin America segment that was not fully tax benefitted. The change in tax rate from 58.2% for the six months ended June 30, 2010 to 32.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 resulted in a cumulative tax adjustment of $12.4 million for the third quarter of 2010.
Segment Information The following sections discuss the results of operations for each of our reportable segments for the quarters ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.
North America Offshore Construction Division
Revenues were $26.4 million for the third quarter of 2010 compared to $60.0 million for the third quarter of 2009, a decrease of approximately 56%. The decrease of $33.6 million was primarily due to lower activity and pricing attributable to competitive bidding activity for projects involving the Hercules, Cherokee and Chickasaw and decreased utilization of the Sea Constructor, which was sold in July 2010. Income before taxes was $4.2 million for the third quarter of 2010 compared to $12.9 million for the third quarter of 2009. The decrease in income before taxes of $8.7 million was primarily due to lower project activity and margins due to competitive bidding and a $1.1 million impairment of goodwill partially offset by the $2.7 million gain recognized on the sale of the Sea Constructor.
North America Subsea
Revenues were $42.4 million for the third quarter of 2010 compared to $46.3 million for the third quarter of 2009. The decrease of $3.9 million was primarily attributable to lower project activity for the Global Orion and Pioneer and for the Sea Cat and Sea Fox, which were sold in May 2010. Partially offsetting the lower activity for these vessels was the increased project activity for the Olympic Challenger, Normand Commander, and Sea Leopard. The Normand Commander was assigned to our Latin America segment in the first quarter of 2009 and returned to the U.S. Gulf of Mexico in May 2009 with no activity during the 2009 third quarter. Income before taxes was $8.7 million for the third quarter of 2010 compared to $10.3 million for the third quarter of 2009. This $1.6 million decrease in income before taxes was primarily attributable to lower project margins due to competitive bidding. In addition, we recognized an impairment of $0.5 million on a diving system in the third quarter of 2010.

27


Table of Contents

Latin America
Revenues were $72.0 million for the third quarter of 2010 compared to $35.7 million for the third quarter of 2009, an increase of approximately 102%. The $36.3 million increase is primarily attributable to increased project activity in Mexico. In the third quarter of 2010, we began work on two construction projects in Mexico and continued a DSV charter project in Brazil. In the third quarter of 2009, the Camarupim project in Brazil was substantially completed and work progressed on one repair project in Mexico. Loss before taxes was $50.9 million for the third quarter of 2010 compared $10.6 million for the third quarter of 2009. This $40.3 million decrease was primarily attributable to an impairment of goodwill of $36.3 million and project losses of $18.2 million for the Line 58 and Line 59 projects for Pemex in Mexico primarily due to lower than expected productivity and vessel standby delays from non-compensable weather downtime during the third quarter of 2010. Due to the deterioration in the projects, the results for the third quarter of 2010 include an estimate for losses on the both the Line 58 and Line 59 projects through their estimated completion date of the first quarter 2011. Partially offsetting these decreases were a $9.5 million gain on the sale of the Shawnee and gains of $0.8 million on foreign currency exchange transactions.
West Africa
There were no revenues for the third quarter of 2010 compared to revenues of $(0.5) million for the third quarter of 2009. Income before taxes was $10.5 million for the third quarter of 2010 compared to loss before taxes of $2.7 million for the third quarter of 2009. Subsequent to the completion of the construction project in Nigeria in June 2009, we curtailed our operations in West Africa and have had no activity in the region since that time. During the third quarter of 2009, we recorded a reserve of $0.5 million on the recently completed construction project. The income before taxes for the third quarter of 2010 was primarily due to the $11.6 million gain on the sale of the Cheyenne and Tornado. This gain was partially offset by non-recovered vessel costs associated with these vessels before the sale was finalized. The loss before taxes for the third quarter of 2009 was primarily attributable to non-recovered vessel costs due to the lack of activity in the region partially offset by the receipt of an insurance claim of $1.8 million reimbursing us for prior year costs incurred on a project claim.
Asia Pacific/Middle East
Revenues were $57.9 million for the third quarter of 2010 compared to $76.1 million for the third quarter of 2009, a decrease of approximately 24%. The decrease of $18.2 million was the result of decreased project activity in the region. Activity during the third quarter of 2010 consisted primarily of one construction project in Malaysia and one project in Indonesia compared to three major construction projects in Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Thailand during the third quarter of 2009. Income before taxes was $12.8 million for the third quarter of 2010 compared to $15.7 million for the third quarter of 2009. This decrease in income before taxes of $2.9 million is primarily due to lower project margins attributable to lower project activity. In addition, we recorded $0.3 million in foreign currency exchange gains during the third quarter of 2010 compared to $0.7 million in foreign currency exchange losses in the third quarter of 2009. The third quarter of 2009 benefitted from $10.2 million of productivity improvements and cost savings on the completion of the Berri and Qatif project in Saudi Arabia.
Corporate
Loss before taxes, which is comprised of corporate costs, was $7.9 million for the third quarter of 2010 compared to $7.3 million for the third quarter of 2009. This increase in loss before taxes of $0.6 million was primarily attributable to operating costs incurred in the third quarter of 2010 in preparation for placing the Global 1200 in service.

28


Table of Contents

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009
                                         
    Nine months ended September 30        
    2010     2009        
            % of             % of     % Change  
    (Thousands)     Revenue     (Thousands)     Revenue     (Unfavorable)  
Revenues
  $ 418,080       100.0 %   $ 768,010       100.0 %     (45.6 )%
Cost of operations
    405,352       97.0       617,609       80.4       34.4  
 
                                   
Gross profit
    12,728       3.0       150,401       19.6       (91.5 )
Goodwill impairment
    37,388       8.9                   n/m  
Gain on asset disposals and impairments
    (12,483 )     3.0       (8,249 )     1.0       51.3  
Relocation costs
    838       0.2                   n/m  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    51,572       12.3       55,635       7.2       7.3  
 
                                   
Operating income (loss)
    (64,587 )     15.4       103,015       13.4       (162.7 )
 
                                   
Interest income
    1,249       0.3       1,594       0.2       (21.6 )
Interest expense
    (7,308 )     1.8       (9,978 )     1.3       26.8  
Other income (expense), net
    269       0.1       6,579       0.9       (95.9 )
 
                                   
Income (loss) before income taxes
    (70,377 )     16.8       101,210       13.2       (169.5 )
Income tax expense (benefits)
    (22,706 )     5.4       22,228       2.9       202.2  
 
                                   
Net income (loss)
    (47,671 )     11.4       78,982       10.3       (160.4 )
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
    139                         n/m  
 
                                   
Net income (loss) attributable to Global Industries, Ltd.
  $ (47,810 )     11.4 %   $ 78,982       10.3 %     (160.5 )%
 
                                   
 
n/m   = not meaningful
Revenues — Revenues decreased by approximately 46% to $418.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $768.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. This decrease was primarily due to lower activity in all reporting segments. For a detailed discussion of revenues and income before taxes for each reporting segment, see “Segment Information” below.
Gross Profit Gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $12.7 million, compared to $150.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. This $137.7 million decrease was primarily due to lower revenues and higher non-recovered vessel costs attributable to decreased project activity. Profits from our Latin America segment were lower for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 due to lower pricing and low productivity on two projects in Mexico resulting in estimated project losses of $18.2 million. Lower profits in our West Africa segment were primarily attributable to idle vessel costs coupled with no project activity since our curtailment of operations in the region in mid-2009. Our Asia Pacific/Middle East segment experienced lower profits due to decreased project activity and higher non-recovered vessel costs in the region. Our North America Subsea segment was negatively affected by lower pricing, dry-docking of the Pioneer and lower project activity for the Global Orion, Sea Cat and Sea Fox. The Global Orion was undergoing major repairs to its crane in early 2010 and was unavailable for work until late May. The Sea Cat and Sea Fox were removed from our operating fleet in the first quarter of 2010 and subsequently sold. Partially offsetting these declines was increased project activity associated with the Olympic Challenger and Normand Commander. Our North America OCD segment was negatively affected by lower pricing and lower project activity for the Hercules and Cherokee and the Sea Constructor, which was sold in July 2010.
Goodwill Impairment — During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we recognized a goodwill impairment of $37.4 million. Of the total impairment, $1.1 million was related to our North America OCD segment and $36.3 million was related to our Latin America segment.
Gain on Asset Disposals and Impairments — Gain on asset disposals and impairments was $12.5 million, net of losses, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $8.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we recorded gains of $2.7 million on the sale of the Sea Constructor in our North America OCD segment, $9.5 million on the sale of the Shawnee in our Latin America segment, and $11.6 million on the sale of the Cheyenne and Tornado in our West Africa segment. These gains were partially offset by impairments of

29


Table of Contents

$5.0 million on the Hercules reel in our North America OCD segment and $1.2 million on a dive system and two DSVs, the Sea Cat and Sea Fox, upon classification of these vessels to Assets held for sale in our North America Subsea segment. In addition, we recorded impairments of $5.2 million in our Asia Pacific/Middle East segment on the Subtec 1 and other equipment, upon revaluation of these assets held for sale. In comparison, we recorded a $3.4 million gain on the sale of the Seminole and a $4.9 million gain on the sale of a DSV, the Sea Lion, during the nine months ended September 30, 2009. During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we also realized gains on the sale of the Tonkawa, Sea Puma, CB 3, Power Barge 1, and GP37 and recorded impairments on two DSVs and three dive systems.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by $4.0 million to $51.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $55.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Decreased labor costs of $1.5 million in our North America Subsea, West Africa, and Corporate segments attributable to reductions in work force commensurate with our decline in revenues, as well as decreased expenses of $5.6 million for legal, accounting, and other professional fees were the primary drivers of the decrease. Partially offsetting these decreases was an increase in equity compensation of $2.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we initiated a relocation and termination plan with a number of our employees located in our Carlyss, Louisiana office. Many of these employees are being relocated to our Houston, Texas office as part of our plan to create a centralized organization structure. We recorded $0.8 million in relocation and severance expenses related to this plan during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.
Interest Income Interest income decreased by $0.4 million to $1.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $1.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Lower cash balances and interest rates in 2010 contributed to lower return on cash balances and short-term investments compared to 2009.
Interest Expense Interest expense decreased by $2.7 million to $7.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Higher capitalized interest primarily driven by expenditures for ongoing construction of the Global 1200 and Global 1201, partially offset by increased interest on uncertain tax positions, was responsible for the majority of the decrease between the periods. Capitalized interest for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $13.4 million compared to $10.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.
Other Income (Expense), net Other income, net was $0.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $6.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, Other income was primarily related to gains on foreign currency exchange transactions partially offset by a $0.5 million loss on the sale of auction rate securities. In comparison, we recorded gains in the amount of $2.7 million related to foreign currency exchange transactions as well as proceeds of $2.7 million from insurance claims in both our North America OCD and West Africa segments during the nine months ended September 30, 2009. We also reached a $3.3 million settlement with a customer for recovery of exchange losses on Nigerian naira payments during the nine months ended September 30, 2009.
Income Taxes Our effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was 32.3% as compared to 22.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The increase in our effective tax rate was due to losses in high tax jurisdictions that were tax benefited partially offset by income in low tax jurisdictions and the goodwill impairment in our Latin America segment that was not fully tax benefitted.
Segment Information The following sections discuss the results of operations for each of our reportable segments for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.
North America Offshore Construction Division
Revenues were $45.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $109.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, a decrease of approximately 58%. The $63.2 million decrease was primarily due to lower pricing due to competitive bidding and lower project activity for the Cherokee and Hercules and for the Sea Constructor, which was sold in July 2010. The decline in project activity was partially attributable to the permitting delays experienced as a consequence of the oil spill in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. In addition, pricing on the Chickasaw projects was lower for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the same period in 2009 due to varying project work scopes. Loss before taxes was $10.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to income before taxes of $4.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. This decrease of $15.5 million is primarily attributable to lower project activity and pricing and higher non-recovered vessel costs. In addition, we recorded a $1.1 million impairment of goodwill and a $5.0 million impairment on the Hercules reel upon its classification to Assets held for sale during the nine months ended September 30, 2010. These items were partially offset by the $2.7 million gain recognized on the sale of the Sea Constructor.

30


Table of Contents

North America Subsea
Revenues were $102.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $112.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease of $9.2 million was primarily attributable to lower project activity for the Global Orion and Pioneer, partially attributable to the permitting delays experienced as a consequence of the oil spill in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. Partially offsetting these declines was higher project activity for the Olympic Challenger, Normand Commander, and Sea Leopard. The Olympic Challenger and Normand Commander were utilized as response vessels to the oil spill in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. The Normand Commander was assigned to our Latin America segment and returned to the U.S. Gulf of Mexico in May 2009 but experienced no activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The Pioneer was in dry-dock for the first quarter of 2010 and both the Sea Cat and Sea Fox were removed from the operating fleet and sold during the nine months ended September 30, 2010. The Global Orion was undergoing major repairs to its crane and was unavailable for work until late May 2010. Income before taxes was $3.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared $26.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. This decrease in income before taxes of $22.1 million was primarily attributable to lower overall project margins attributable to lower activity in the region. In addition, the results for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 included a $4.9 million gain on proceeds from sale of the DSV, the Sea Lion.
Latin America
Revenues were $148.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $185.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, a decrease of approximately 20%. The $37.0 million decrease is primarily attributable to decreased project activity and vessel utilization. Activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 consisted primarily of two repair projects and the commencement of two construction projects in Mexico and a DSV charter project in Brazil, compared to two major repair projects in Mexico and two major repair projects in Brazil during the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Loss before taxes was $62.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to income before taxes of $11.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. This decrease of $74.2 million was primarily attributable to lower revenues and higher non-recovered vessel costs due to decreased vessel utilization and a goodwill impairment of $36.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010. In addition, during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we experienced project losses of $18.2 million for the Line 58 and Line 59 projects for Pemex in Mexico primarily due to lower than expected productivity and vessel standby delays from non-compensable weather downtime. Due to the deterioration in the projects, the results for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 include an estimate for losses on the both the Line 58 and Line 59 projects through their estimated completion date of the first quarter 2011. Partially offsetting these decreases was a $9.5 million gain on the sale of the Shawnee.
West Africa
There were no revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to revenues of $101.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Income before taxes was $7.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $30.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 consisted of the completion of a large construction project for the replacement and repair of a 24-inch pipeline offshore Nigeria. Subsequent to the completion of that project in the second quarter of 2009, we curtailed our operations in the region and have had no project activity in West Africa since that time. The income before taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was primarily due to the $11.6 million gain recognized on the sale of the Cheyenne and Tornado, partially offset by non-recovered vessel costs associated with these vessels which remained idle in Tema, Ghana until their recent sale. The income before taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was attributable to (1) project profitability related to the construction project in Nigeria, (2) gains on the sale of the Sea Puma, CB3, and the Power Barge 1, (3) a $3.3 million settlement with a customer for recovery of the deterioration of the Nigerian naira on invoice payments, and (4) the receipt of an insurance reimbursement of $1.8 million related to prior year costs incurred on a project claim.
Asia Pacific/Middle East
Revenues were $132.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $285.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, a decrease of approximately 54%. The decrease of $153.0 million was the result of decreased project activity in the region. Activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 consisted of two construction projects in Malaysia and one project in Indonesia compared to four major construction projects in India, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand during the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Income before taxes was $15.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $50.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The $34.7 million decrease is primarily attributable to decreased revenues and higher non-recovered vessel costs due to a decrease in project activity. In addition, we recorded impairments of $5.2 million on the revaluation of the Subtec 1 and

31


Table of Contents

other equipment held for sale during the nine months ended September 30, 2010. The nine months ended September 30, 2009, benefitted from $18.5 million of productivity improvements and costs savings on the Berri and Qatif project in Saudi Arabia and gains of $3.8 million on the sale of the Seminole and Tonkawa.
Corporate
Loss before taxes, which is comprised of corporate costs, was $24.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $21.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. This $2.2 million increase in loss before taxes was primarily due to $2.4 million in operating costs incurred in preparation for placing the Global 1200 in service, along with an increase of $1.8 million in equity compensation primarily due to the one-time award of shares with immediate vesting to managerial employees during the nine months ended September 30, 2010. Partially offsetting these increases in costs was the $2.5 million reduction in interest expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 in comparison to the same time period in 2009 primarily attributable to higher capitalized interest.
Utilization of Major Construction Vessels
Worldwide utilization for our major construction vessels was 54% and 34% for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010, respectively and 44% and 50% for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009, respectively. Utilization of our major construction vessels is calculated by dividing the total number of days major construction vessels are assigned to project-related work by the total number of calendar days for the period. DSVs, cargo/launch barges, ancillary supply vessels and short-term chartered project-specific construction vessels are excluded from the utilization calculation. We frequently use chartered anchor handling tugs, DSVs, and, from time to time, construction vessels in our operations. In our international operations changes in utilization rarely impact revenues but can have an inverse relationship to changes in profitability.
Industry and Business Outlook
The offshore construction industry continues to be hindered by a low level of project activity worldwide. Increased competition in certain key areas attributable to a decrease in worldwide bid activity is leading to lower than historical success ratio on our bid outcomes. The recent oil spill in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and government moratorium have also negatively affected our North America segments as customers are experiencing delays in obtaining the required regulatory permits to perform the offshore work. Although the government moratorium was lifted on October 12, 2010, our customers continue to experience delays in obtaining the required regulatory permits. Opportunities remain and we continue to bid on new projects. However, the impact on our operations due to the duration and severity of the industry downturn and the continued impact of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill cannot be predicted with certainty. We continue to expect weak demand for our services throughout the remainder of 2010 and into 2011.
For the remainder of 2010, our focus remains on successful execution of our projects, building additional backlog, and cash conservation. We continue to pursue new work; however, we have not yet been successful in obtaining new project awards sufficient for the size of our existing operations. To the extent that we are not successful in executing our projects or building sufficient backlog, further cost cutting and cash conservation measures will be required including closing offices, stacking idle vessels, asset sales, and further work force reductions.
As of September 30, 2010, our backlog totaled approximately $274.5 million ($264.4 million for international regions and $10.1 million for North America) compared to $147.6 million ($134.4 million for international regions and $13.2 million for North America) as of September 30, 2009. Of the total backlog, $112.5 million is scheduled to be performed in 2010. The amount of our backlog in North America is not a reliable indicator of the level of demand for our services due to the prevalence of short-term contractual arrangements in this region.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Flow
Cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2010, were $322.4 million compared to $344.9 million as of December 31, 2009, a decrease of $22.5 million. The primary sources of cash and cash equivalents for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 have been cash provided from a net decrease in the working capital components, vessel sales and the sale of marketable securities. The primary uses of cash have been for capital projects.

32


Table of Contents

Operating activities provided $61.1 million of net cash during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to providing $56.3 million of net cash during the nine months ended September 30, 2009. This increase in net cash provided from operating activities reflects a net loss from operations offset by a net decrease in the major working capital components. Changes in operating assets and liabilities were $58.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to negative $76.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Contributing to the decrease in changes in operating assets and liabilities were decreases in accounts receivable and income taxes paid.
Investing activities used $53.0 million of net cash during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to providing $41.3 million of net cash during the nine months ended September 30, 2009. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we used $132.3 million to purchase property and equipment, partially offset by cash provided from the sale of marketable securities of $41.4 million, proceeds from the sale of assets of $35.5 million and advance deposits received on the sale of assets of $5.8 million. Cash provided by investing activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was primarily related to the decrease in our restricted cash requirements of $93.4 million and the sale of company assets of $26.9 million, partially offset by the purchases of property and equipment of approximately $79.0 million.
Financing activities used $31.2 million of net cash during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to using $4.7 million of net cash during the nine months ended September 30, 2009. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we used $26.0 million to pay long-term payables related to the purchase of property and equipment.
Contractual Obligations
The information below summarizes the contractual obligations as of September 30, 2010 for the Global 1200 and the Global 1201, which represents contractual agreements with third party service providers to procure material, equipment and services for the construction of these vessels. The actual timing of these expenditures will vary based on the completion of various construction milestones, which are generally beyond our control (in thousands).
         
Less than 1 year
  $ 89,131  
1 to 3 years
    1,500  
 
     
Total
  $ 90,631  
 
     
Liquidity Risk
Our initial financial projections for 2010 indicated that we might not meet our leverage ratio covenant in our Revolving Credit Facility beginning in the second quarter of 2010 and continuing through the fourth quarter of 2010. Earlier this year, we began discussions with our lenders regarding these potential violations. On June 16, 2010, our Revolving Credit Facility was amended to provide for a modification period beginning on the date of the amendment and ending the earlier of June 30, 2011 or upon compliance with covenant conditions under the Revolving Credit Facility and a written request to end the modification period (the “Modification Period”). During the Modification Period (1) the net debt to EBITDA coverage ratio under the Revolving Credit Facility will be suspended, (2) we will be required to maintain a trailing twelve months minimum EBITDA of $40,000,000, and (3) no borrowings, other than letters of credit and guarantees, will be permitted. Once terminated, the Modification Period may not be reinstated. The interest rates on letters of credit will range from 2.75% to 3.5%.
When we finalized the Revolving Credit Facility amendment on June 16, 2010, the financial impact of the oil spill in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico was not forecasted to be as significant as it has since evolved to be. In addition, we experienced project losses on two ongoing projects in Mexico. Consequently, as a result of our operating performance, we did not meet the minimum fixed charge coverage ratio covenant or the minimum EBITDA covenant of our amended Revolving Credit Facility as of September 30, 2010. On November 3, 2010, the financial institutions participating in the Revolving Credit Facility waived compliance with the covenant conditions for the third quarter.
Our current financial projections indicate that we may not meet the minimum fixed charge coverage ratio covenant or the minimum EBITDA covenant under the amended Revolving Credit Facility in the fourth quarter of 2010 and continuing into 2011. We are currently in discussion with our lenders regarding these potential violations. If we do not meet these covenants, we may be required to cash collateralize our outstanding letters of credit or explore other alternatives with respect to the covenant violations. If we are required to cash collateralize letters of credit, it would reduce our available cash and may impact our ability to bid on future projects. Further, upon a covenant violation and the declaration of an event of default by our lenders, under the cross default provisions of our Title XI bonds (1) we may be subject to additional reporting requirements, (2) we may be subject to additional covenants restricting our operations, and (3) the Maritime Administration

33


Table of Contents

of the U.S. Department of Transportation (“MarAd”), guarantor of the bonds, may institute procedures that could ultimately allow the bondholders the right to demand payment of the bonds from MarAd. MarAd can alternatively assume the obligation to pay the bonds when due. As we have no outstanding indebtedness under our Revolving Credit Facility, an event of default related to the covenant failure would not trigger the cross default provision of our Senior Convertible Debentures. It is not possible at this time to predict the outcome of discussions with our lenders or the effect that these potential violations may have on our financial position.
As of September 30, 2010, we had no borrowing against the facility, $44.2 million in letters of credit outstanding thereunder, and available credit of $105.8 million. Due to the subsequent sale of two vessels mortgaged under the Revolving Credit Facility, our effective maximum borrowing capacity has been reduced to approximately $134.1 million as of October 31, 2010. We also have a $6.0 million short-term credit facility at one of our foreign locations. At September 30, 2010, the available borrowing under this facility was $3.0 million.
Liquidity Outlook
During the next twelve months, we expect that balances of cash and cash equivalents, supplemented by cash generated from operations, will be sufficient to fund operations (including increases in working capital required to fund any increases in activity levels), scheduled debt retirement, and currently planned capital expenditures, including payments related to the Global 1200 and the Global 1201. Based on expected operating cash flows and other sources of cash, we do not believe that our reduced project backlog will have a material impact on our overall ability to meet our liquidity needs during the next twelve months. A significant amount of our expected operating cash flows is based upon projects that have been identified, but not yet awarded. If we are not successful in converting a sufficient number of our bids into project awards, we may not have sufficient liquidity to meet all of our needs and may be forced to postpone capital expenditures or take other actions including closing offices, stacking idle vessels, selling assets, and further reducing our workforce. Also, our current financial projections indicate that we may not meet the minimum fixed charge coverage ratio covenant or the minimum EBITDA covenant under our amended Revolving Credit Facility in the fourth quarter of 2010 and continuing into 2011. Consequently, we may be required to cash collateralize our letters of credit or explore other alternatives with respect to these covenant violations. We are currently in discussion with our lenders regarding these potential violations and cannot predict the outcome these potential violations may have on our financial position. Our liquidity position could affect our ability to bid on and accept projects, particularly where the project requires a letter of credit. This could have a material adverse effect on our ability to obtain project awards and our financial results.
Capital expenditures for the remainder of 2010 are expected to be between $100 million and $110 million. This range includes expenditures for the Global 1200, Global 1201, two new saturation diving systems, and various vessel upgrades.
Our long-term liquidity will ultimately be determined by our ability to earn operating profits that are sufficient to cover our fixed costs, including scheduled principal and interest payments on debt, and to provide a reasonable return on shareholders’ investment. Our ability to earn operating profits in the long run will be determined by, among other things, the sustained viability of the oil and gas energy industry, commodity price expectations for crude oil and natural gas, the competitive environment of the markets in which we operate, and our ability to win bids and manage awarded projects to successful completion.

34


Table of Contents

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Due to the international nature of our business operations and the interest rate fluctuation, we are exposed to certain risks associated with changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates.
Interest Rate Risk
We are exposed to changes in interest rates with respect to investments in cash equivalents. Our investments consist primarily of commercial paper, bank certificates of deposit, repurchase agreements, and money market funds. These investments are subject to changes in short-term interest rates. We invest in high grade investments with a credit rating of AA-/Aa3 or better, with a main objective of preserving capital. A 0.25% increase or decrease in the average interest rate of cash equivalents and marketable securities at September 30, 2010 would have an approximate $0.8 million impact on pre-tax annualized interest income.
Foreign Currency Risk
As of September 30, 2010, our contractual obligations under a long-term vessel charter will require the use of approximately 53.6 million Norwegian kroners (or $9.2 million as of September 30, 2010) over the next nine months. We have hedged most of our non-cancelable Norwegian kroner commitments related to this charter, and consequently, gains and losses from forward foreign currency contracts will be substantially offset by gains and losses from the underlying commitment.
As of September 30, 2010, we were committed to purchase certain equipment which will require the use of 4.5 million Euros (or $6.2 million as of September 30, 2010) over the next year. A 1% increase in the value of the Euro will increase the dollar value of these commitments by approximately $0.1 million.
The estimated cost to complete capital expenditure projects in progress at September 30, 2010 will require an aggregate commitment of 44.0 million Singapore dollars (or $33.4 million as of September 30, 2010). A 1% increase in the value of the Singapore dollar at September 30, 2010 will increase the dollar value of these commitments by approximately $0.3 million. We have entered into forward contracts to purchase 7.5 million Singapore dollars to hedge certain purchase commitments related to the construction of the Global 1201 and 2.5 million Singapore dollars to hedge operating expenses related to our Asia Pacific/Middle East segment.

35


Table of Contents

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
As of the end of the period covered by this report, our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures. These disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide us with a reasonable assurance that all of the information required to be disclosed by us in periodic reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (“Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed and maintained to ensure that all of the information required to be disclosed by us in reports is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow those persons to make timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Based on their evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that material information relating to our Company is made known to management on a timely basis. The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer noted no material weaknesses in the design or operation of the internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that are likely to adversely affect the ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information. There have been no changes in internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the last fiscal quarter that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect internal control over financial reporting.

36


Table of Contents

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
The information set forth under the heading “Investigations and Litigation” in Note 11, “Commitments and Contingencies,” to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report is incorporated by reference into this Item 1.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Our Business could be adversely impacted by the Macondo well incident and the resulting changes in regulations affecting offshore oil and gas exploration and development activity.
     Our North American Subsea and North America OCD segments operate primarily in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. In response to the Macondo Well incident new governmental safety and environmental requirements applicable to both deepwater and shallow water operations have been adopted. The new safety and environmental guidelines and regulations for drilling and related activities in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico that the U.S. government has already issued, including the Oil Spill Accountability and Environmental Protection Act, Securing Protections for the Injured from Limitations on Liability, Americanization of Offshore Operations in the EEZ (exclusive economic zone), and any further new guidelines or regulations the U.S. government may issue or any other steps the U.S. government may take, could disrupt or delay operations, increase the cost of operations or reduce the area of operations for drilling activities in U.S. offshore areas. At this time, we cannot predict the impact of the BP Macondo well incident and resulting changes in the regulation of offshore oil and gas exploration and development activity on our operations or contracts or what actions may be taken by our customers, other industry participants or the U.S. government in response to the incident. Increased costs for our customers’ operations in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, along with permitting delays, could affect the economics of currently planned exploration and development activity in the area and reduce demand for our services, which could ultimately have a material adverse affect on our revenue and profitability. Additionally, future legislative or regulatory enactments may impose new requirements that could increase our costs and decrease the availability of insurance.
In addition to the other information set forth in this Quarterly Report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, which could materially affect our business, financial condition, or future results of operations. The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect business, financial condition, or operating results.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
The following table contains our purchases of equity securities during the third quarter of 2010.
                                 
                    Total Number     Maximum  
                    of Shares     Number of  
                    Purchased as     Shares that  
                    Part of Publicly     May Yet Be  
    Total Number     Average     Announced     Purchased  
    of Shares     Price Paid     Plans or     Under the Plans  
Period   Purchased(1)     per Share     Programs     or Programs  
July 1, 2010 — July 31, 2010
    13,313     $ 4.28              
August 1, 2010 — August 31, 2010
    11,638       4.90              
September 1, 2010 — September 30, 2010
    824       5.03              
 
                           
Total
    25,775     $ 4.58              
 
                           
 
(1)   Represents the surrender of shares of common stock to satisfy payments for withholding taxes in connection with stock grants or the vesting of restricted stock issued to employees under shareholder approved equity incentive plans.

37


Table of Contents

Item 6. Exhibits.
         
 
  3.1 -   Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of registrant, incorporated by reference to Appendix A of registrant’s Definitive Schedule 14A filed April 3, 2010
 
       
 
  3.2 -   Bylaws of registrant, as amended through October 31, 2007, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the registrant’s Form 10-K filed March 2, 2009
 
       
  10.1 -   Agreement between Global Industries, Ltd. and Peter Atkinson dated July 9, 2010, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the registrant’s Form 8-K filed July 14, 2010
 
       
  10.2 -   Form of Indemnification Agreement between registrant and each of the registrant’s directors and executive officers, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the registrant’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997
 
       
*
  10.3 -   Waiver to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated November 3, 2010 among Global Industries, Ltd., Global Offshore Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V., Global Industries International, L.L.C., in its capacity as general partner of Global Industries International, L.P., the Lenders and Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, as administrative agent for the Lenders.
 
       
*
  31.1 -   Section 302 Certification of CEO, John B. Reed
 
       
*
  31.2 -   Section 302 Certification of CFO, C. Andrew Smith
 
       
**
  32.1 -   Section 906 Certification of CEO, John B. Reed
 
       
**
  32.2 -   Section 906 Certification of CFO, C. Andrew Smith
 
       
**
  101.INS -   XBRL Instance Document
 
       
**
  101.SCH -   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
       
**
  101.CAL -   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
 
       
**
  101.LAB -   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
 
       
**
  101.PRE -   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 
       
**
  101.DEF -   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
       
 
  *   Included with this filing
 
       
 
  **   Furnished herewith
 
       
 
    Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement filed pursuant to Item 601(b)(10)(iii) of Regulation S-K.

38


Table of Contents

Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.
         
  GLOBAL INDUSTRIES, LTD.
 
 
  By:   /s/ C. Andrew Smith    
    C. Andrew Smith   
    Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer) 
 
 
         
  By:   /s/ Trudy P. McConnaughhay    
    Trudy P. McConnaughhay   
    Vice President and Corporate Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)   
 
November 4, 2010

39