Placing of up to 5% of Issued

RNS Number : 6518O

Cairn Energy PLC

11 March 2009

 



 Embargoed for Release at 7am    11 March 2009

Cairn Energy PLC

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AUSTRALIA OR JAPAN  

Placing of up to 5% of Cairn Energy PLC Issued Ordinary Share Capital

Cairn Energy PLC ('Cairn' or the 'Company') announces today its intention to place up to 6,542,270 new ordinary shares (the 'Placing Shares') in the Company, representing up to approximately 5 per cent. of the existing issued ordinary share capital in the Company (the 'Placing'), with both new and existing institutional investors.  

The Placing is being conducted, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, through an accelerated book-building process to be carried out by Merrill Lynch International ('Merrill Lynch') and RBS Hoare Govett Limited ('RBS Hoare Govett'), who are acting as joint bookrunners (the 'Joint Bookrunners').  

The timing of the closing of the book, pricing and allocations are at the discretion of Cairn, Merrill Lynch and RBS Hoare Govett. The number of Placing Shares and the price at which the Placing Shares are to be placed (the 'Placing Price') are subject to agreement between Cairn, Merrill Lynch and RBS Hoare Govett at the close of the book-building process. Details of the number of Placing Shares and the Placing Price will be announced as soon as practicable after the close of the book-building process.  

The Placing Shares will, when issued, be credited as fully paid and will rank pari passu in all respects with the existing ordinary shares of 6 2/13 pence each in the capital of the Company, including the right to receive all dividends and other distributions declared, made or paid on or in respect of such shares after the date of issue of the Placing Shares. The Placing will be made on a non-pre-emptive basis. If all the Placing Shares are placed, it would represent an increase of approximately 5 per cent. of the current issued ordinary share capital of the Company, and the Placing Shares would represent approximately 4.75 per cent. of the enlarged issued ordinary share capital of the Company.  

The Company will apply for admission of the Placing Shares to listing on the Official List of the Financial Services Authority and to trading on the main market of the London Stock Exchange ('Admission'). It is expected that Admission will take place and that trading will commence on 16 March 2009.  

The Placing is conditional upon, amongst other things, Admission becoming effective. The Placing is also conditional on the Placing Agreement between the Company, Merrill Lynch and RBS Hoare Govett not being terminated.  

The Appendix to this announcement (which forms part of this announcement) sets out the terms and conditions of the Placing.  

 Background to the Placing  

Cairn listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1988. It has two main subsidiaries:

• Cairn India Limited (CIL), which is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange of India. CIL has interests in thirteen blocks in India and one in Sri Lanka. Cairn owns 65% of CIL; and

            ii.   Capricorn Oil Limited (Capricorn), Cairn's international exploration subsidiary. Its core 
                  assets are in Greenland, the Mediterranean and South Asia. Cairn owns 90% of 
                  Capricorn.

Cairn has been successful in exploring for, finding, developing and producing hydrocarbons in South Asia, an area that has been the cornerstone of the Company's growth over the last fifteen years. Cairn has discovered twenty five oil fields in Rajasthan, the largest three of which are the Mangala, Bhagyam and Aishwariya fields. The world-class Mangala field in Rajasthan is at the core of the Rajasthan development and first production from the field remains funded and on track for H2 2009. 

Once Mangala is on-stream it, together with the sequential development of the other fields, will provide a sustainable production plateau that will generate substantial free cash flows over the medium to long term. 

CIL

The overall phased development for the Rajasthan development includes the construction of four planned processing trains targeting a capacity of 205,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) with scope for expansion:

• Mangala Q3 2009 via train 1 (30,000 bopd capacity) initial export by trucking;

• Additional Mangala production through train 2 (50,000 bopd capacity) to commence in Q4 2009, export by pipeline;

• Mangala production scheduled to reach 125,000 bopd plateau after train 3 (50,000 bopd capacity) commences H1 2010; and

• Rajasthan plateau production of 175,000 bopd with a fourth 75,000 bopd capacity train, to commence in 2011.

On the basis of the phased approach to the Rajasthan project outlined above the directors consider that the existing banking facilities, together with the Group's cash resources, currently provide sufficient funding to complete the core Mangala development plus the export pipeline. 

India is a significant net importer of oil and gas. Its expected continued strong economic growth means demand will outstrip domestic supply for the foreseeable future. Once plateau rates are achieved in Rajasthan, CIL will have the potential to contribute more than 20% of India's total daily domestic oil production. 

 Capricorn

Cairn has built a material acreage position (approximately 72,000 square kilometres) in Greenland, a country recognised as possessing significant exploration potential. In July 2008, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) released its Circum-Arctic Resource Appraisal report and concluded that 'The extensive Arctic continental shelves may constitute the geographically largest unexplored prospective area for petroleum remaining on Earth.' The report contains the USGS assessment of risked potential in the eastern Greenland (31 billion barrels of oil equivalent (boe)), northern Greenland (3.3 billion boe) and western Greenland - east Canada (17 billion boe) basins. The south Greenland offshore area lies outside of the Arctic Circle and was not included in the survey. 

During 2008, Cairn acquired over 10,000 km of 2D seismic data. The data is currently undergoing extensive interpretation and a number of significant structures have been identified. The Group is working towards establishing an inventory of prospects and leads, and will provide an update on these at the time of the Group's half yearly results. Cairn is planning to commence exploration drilling in Greenland in 2011, however if a suitable rig becomes available drilling could start as early as 2010.

Reserves 

Cairn's booked Proved and Probable (2P) reserves on an entitlement basis will be approximately 50% higher at the end of 2008 than those booked at the end of 2007. 

Use of Proceeds

Cairn has always maintained a capital structure appropriate for its operations in exploration, appraisal and development. Given the background of global market conditions, the Company believes it is both sensible and prudent to strengthen its equity capital base in order to maintain operational and financial flexibility across all of Cairn's operations both in relation to the Rajasthan development and to its exploration position in Greenland.  

Although the directors consider that the existing banking facilities, together with the Group's cash resources, currently provide sufficient funding to complete the core Mangala development plus the export pipeline, strengthening the equity base now will ensure that the Group can retain significantly greater optionality in delivery of the Rajasthan project. In particular, this will enable Cairn to consider additional pipeline routings to maximise access to potential offtakers and to review the phasing of the non-Mangala fields to accelerate production and cash flow, if appropriate.

In addition, worldwide rig rates are on a downward trend, with the availability of rigs suitable for arctic drilling on the increase.  Cairn now has a materially advanced understanding of the transformational opportunity within the Greenland acreage and, as the exploration programme develops, Cairn is keen to ensure that it is in a position to preserve the option to accelerate its exploration drilling plans.

Sir Bill Gammell, Chief Executive, said:

 'Cairn is well positioned to deliver value from its world class fields in Rajasthan where first production will commence in 2009. At the same time exploration efforts continue across our exciting acreage in Greenland where we are looking at options to accelerate drilling, possibly into 2010. 

The funds raised from the Placing announced today, along with our current debt facilities, cash resources and cash flow from operations, enable us to retain the financial and operational flexibility necessary for our next phase of growth and the continued delivery of shareholder value.'

Contacts

Cairn Energy PLC                                     [phone]

Sir Bill Gammell, Chief Executive

Jann Brown, Finance Director                          

Merrill Lynch International                      [phone]  

Andrew Osborne      

Rupert Hume-Kendall

RBS Hoare Govett Limited                     [phone]   

Andrew Foster      

Jeremy Thompson

This announcement contains (or may contain) certain forward-looking statements with respect to certain of Cairn's plans and its current goals and expectations relating to its future financial condition and performance and which involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Cairn cautions readers that no forward-looking statement is a guarantee of future performance and that actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate only to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements sometimes use words such as 'aim', 'anticipate', 'target', 'expect', 'estimate', 'intend', 'plan', 'goal', 'believe', or other words of similar meaning. Examples of forward-looking statements include, amongst others, statements regarding or which make assumptions in respect of the future performance of the Company's principal subsidiary undertakings (Cairn India Limited and Capricorn Oil Limited), the on-going development of the discovered oil fields in Rajasthan, India, the future continued operation of the Cairn group's producing assets, the timing of the commencement of future production and the sustainability of that production, the ability of the Cairn group to discover new reserves, the prices achievable by the Cairn group in respect of its production, the costs of exploration, development or production, future foreign exchange rates, interest rates and currency controls, the future political and fiscal regimes in the overseas markets in which the Cairn group operates, the Cairn group's future financial position, plans and objectives for future operations and any other statements that are not historical fact. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances, including, but not limited to, economic and business conditions, the effects of continued volatility in credit markets, market-related risks such as changes in the price of oil or changes in interest rates and foreign exchange rates, the policies and actions of governmental and regulatory authorities, changes in legislation, the further development of standards and interpretations under International Financial Reporting Standards ('IFRS') applicable to past, current and future periods, evolving practices with regard to the interpretation and application of standards under IFRS, the outcome of pending and future litigation or regulatory investigations, the success of future explorations, acquisitions and other strategic transactions and the impact of competition. A number of these factors are beyond Cairn's control. As a result, Cairn's actual future results may differ materially from the plans, goals, and expectations set forth in Cairn's forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements made in this announcement by or on behalf of Cairn speak only as of the date they are made. Except as required by the Financial Services Authority (the 'FSA'), the London Stock Exchange or applicable law, Cairn expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained in this announcement to reflect any changes in Cairn's expectations with regard thereto or any changes in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.  

This announcement is for information purposes only and shall not constitute an offer to buy, sell, issue, or subscribe for, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, sell, issue, or subscribe for any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. This announcement has been issued by and is the sole responsibility of Cairn.  

No representation or warranty, express or implied, is or will be made as to, or in relation to, and no responsibility or liability is or will be accepted by Merrill Lynch, RBS Hoare Govett or by any of their respective affiliates or agents as to, or in relation to, the accuracy or completeness of this announcement or any other written or oral information made available to or publicly available to any interested party or its advisers, and any liability therefore is expressly disclaimed.  

Merrill Lynch International, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the FSA, is acting for Cairn and for no-one else in connection with the Placing, and will not be responsible to anyone other than Cairn for providing the protections afforded to customers of Merrill Lynch International or for providing advice to any other person in relation to the Placing or any other matter referred to herein.  

RBS Hoare Govett, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the FSA, is acting for Cairn and for no-one else in connection with the Placing, and will not be responsible to anyone other than Cairn for providing the protections afforded to customers of RBS Hoare Govett nor for providing advice to any other person in relation to the Placing or any other matter referred to herein.  

The distribution of this announcement and the offering of the Placing Shares in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. No action has been taken by Cairn or the Joint Bookrunners that would permit an offering of such shares or possession or distribution of this announcement or any other offering or publicity material relating to such shares in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. Persons into whose possession this announcement comes are required by Cairn and the Joint Bookrunners to inform themselves about, and to observe such restrictions.  

The price of shares and the income from them may go down as well as up and investors may not get back the full amount invested on disposal of the shares.  

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO TAKE PART IN THE PLACING. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT (INCLUDING THE APPENDIX) AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET OUT IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT ARE FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND ARE DIRECTED ONLY AT PERSONS WHO ARE: (A) (I) INVESTMENT PROFESSIONALS FALLING WITHIN ARTICLE 19(5) OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES AND MARKETS ACT 2000 (FINANCIAL PROMOTION) ORDER 2005 (THE 'ORDER'), OR (II) PERSONS FALLING WITHIN ARTICLE 49(2)(A) TO (D) ('HIGH NET WORTH COMPANIES, UNINCORPORATED ASSOCIATIONS, ETC') OF THE ORDER, OR (III) PERSONS TO WHOM IT MAY OTHERWISE BE LAWFULLY COMMUNICATED; AND (B) (I) PERSONS IN MEMBER STATES OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA WHO ARE QUALIFIED INVESTORS (AS DEFINED IN ARTICLE 2(1)(E) OF EU DIRECTIVE 2003/71/EC (THE 'PROSPECTUS DIRECTIVE')), AND/OR (II) PERSONS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM WHO ARE QUALIFIED INVESTORS (ALL SUCH PERSONS TOGETHER BEING REFERRED TO AS 'RELEVANT PERSONS'). THIS ANNOUNCEMENT (INCLUDING THE APPENDIX) AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET OUT IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MUST NOT BE ACTED ON OR RELIED ON BY PERSONS WHO ARE NOT RELEVANT PERSONS. ANY INVESTMENT OR INVESTMENT ACTIVITY TO WHICH THIS ANNOUNCEMENT (INCLUDING THE APPENDIX) AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET OUT IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT RELATE IS AVAILABLE ONLY TO RELEVANT PERSONS AND WILL BE ENGAGED IN ONLY WITH RELEVANT PERSONS. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT (INCLUDING THE APPENDIX) DOES NOT ITSELF CONSTITUTE AN OFFER FOR SALE OR SUBSCRIPTION OF ANY SECURITIES IN CAIRN ENERGY PLC.  

Persons (including individuals, funds or otherwise) by whom or on whose behalf a commitment to acquire Placing Shares has been given ('Placees') will be deemed to have read and understood this announcement, including the Appendix, in its entirety and to be making such offer on the terms and conditions, and to be providing the representations, warranties, acknowledgements, and undertakings contained in the Appendix. In particular, each such Placee represents, warrants and acknowledges that it is: (i) a Relevant Person (as defined above) and undertakes that it will acquire, hold, manage or dispose of any Placing Shares that are allocated to it for the purposes of its business; and (ii) unless otherwise agreed, outside the United States and is subscribing for the Placing Shares in an 'offshore transaction' (within the meaning of Regulation S under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 'Securities Act').  

This announcement, including the Appendix, is not for distribution directly or indirectly in or into the United States (including its territories and possessions, any State of the United States and the District of Columbia), Canada, Australia or Japan or any jurisdiction into which the same would be unlawful. This announcement does not constitute or form part of an offer or solicitation to purchase or subscribe for shares in the capital of Cairn in the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan or any jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation is unlawful. In particular, the Placing Shares referred to in this announcement have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act or under the securities legislation of any state of the United States, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements under the Securities Act. Subject to exceptions, the Placing Shares referred to in this announcement are being offered and sold only outside the United States in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act. No public offering of securities of Cairn will be made in connection with the Placing in the United Kingdom, the United States or elsewhere.  

The relevant clearances have not been, and nor will they be, obtained from the securities commission of any province or territory of Canada; no prospectus has been lodged with, or registered by, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission or the Japanese Ministry of Finance; and the Placing Shares have not been, and nor will they be, registered under or offered in compliance with the 

securities laws of any state, province or territory of Canada, Australia or Japan. Accordingly, the Placing Shares may not (unless an exemption under the relevant securities laws is applicable) be offered, sold, resold or delivered, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan or any other jurisdiction outside the United Kingdom.  

The Placing Shares have not been approved or disapproved by the US Securities and Exchange Commission, any State securities commission or any other regulatory authority in the United States, nor have any of the foregoing authorities passed upon or endorsed the merits of the Placing or the accuracy or adequacy of this announcement. Any representation to the contrary is unlawful.

Persons (including, without limitation, nominees and trustees) who have a contractual or other legal obligation to forward a copy of the Appendix or this announcement should seek appropriate advice before taking any action.  

This announcement relates to an Exempt Offer in accordance with the Offered Securities Rules of the Dubai Financial Services Authority ('DFSA'). This announcement is intended for distribution only to persons of a type specified in the Offered Securities Rules of the DFSA. It must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other person. The DFSA has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with Exempt Offers. The DFSA has not approved this announcement nor taken steps to verify the information set forth herein and has no responsibility for this announcement. The Placing Shares to which this announcement relates may be illiquid and / or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective purchasers of the Placing Shares offered should conduct their own due diligence on the Placing Shares. If you do not understand the contents of this announcement you should consult an authorised financial advisor.

The Placing Shares to be issued pursuant to the Placing will not be admitted to trading on any stock exchange other than the London Stock Exchange. Neither the content of Cairn's website nor any website accessible by hyperlinks on Cairn's website is incorporated in, or forms part of, this announcement.  

 APPENDIX  

TERMS AND CONDITIONS  

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PLACEES ONLY REGARDING THE PLACING  

Details of the Placing  

The Joint Bookrunners have entered into an agreement with Cairn (the 'Placing Agreement') under which, subject to the conditions set out in that agreement, the Joint Bookrunners have agreed to use reasonable endeavours to procure subscribers for Placing Shares at a price determined following completion of the bookbuilding process in respect of the Placing (the 'Bookbuild'), described in this announcement and set out in the Placing Agreement.  

The Placing Shares will, when issued, be credited as fully paid and will rank pari passu in all respects with the existing ordinary shares of Cairn including the right to receive all dividends and other distributions declared in respect of such ordinary shares after the date of issue of the Placing Shares.  

As part of the Placing, Cairn has agreed that it will not issue or sell any ordinary shares for a period of 180 days after Admission, without the prior consent of Merrill Lynch and RBS Hoare Govett. This agreement does not however prevent Cairn from granting or satisfying exercises of options granted pursuant to existing employee share schemes of Cairn as disclosed in publicly available information.  

Application for listing and admission to trading 

Application will be made to the FSA for admission of the Placing Shares to the Official List of the FSA (the 'Official List') and to the London Stock Exchange for admission to trading of the Placing Shares on its main market for listed securities. It is expected that Admission will become effective on or around 16 March 2009 and that dealings in the Placing Shares will commence at that time.  

Bookbuild  

The Joint Bookrunners will today commence the Bookbuild to determine demand for participation in the Placing by Placees. This Appendix gives details of the terms and conditions of, and the mechanics of participation in, the Placing. No commissions will be paid to Placees or by Placees in respect of any Placing Shares.  

The Joint Bookrunners and Cairn shall be entitled to effect the Placing by such alternative method to the Bookbuild as they may, in their sole discretion, determine.  

Participation in, and principal terms of, the Placing  

1.     Merrill Lynch and RBS Hoare Govett are acting as joint bookrunners and agents of Cairn.  

2.     Participation in the Placing will only be available to persons who may lawfully be, and are, invited to participate by the Joint Bookrunners. The Joint Bookrunners and their affiliates are each entitled to enter bids in the Bookbuild as principal.  

3.     The Bookbuild will establish a single price payable to the Joint Bookrunners by all Placees whose bids are successful (the 'Placing Price'). The Placing Price and the number of Placing Shares to be issued will be agreed between the Joint Bookrunners and Cairn following completion of the Bookbuild. Any discount to the market price of the ordinary shares will be determined in accordance with the Listing Rules. The Placing Price and the number of Placing Shares will be announced on a Regulatory Information Service following the completion of the Bookbuild.  

4.     To bid in the Bookbuild, Placees should communicate their bid by telephone to their usual sales contact at either of the Joint Bookrunners. Each bid should state the number of Placing Shares which the prospective Placee wishes to subscribe for at either the Placing Price, which is ultimately established by Cairn and the Joint Bookrunners, or at prices up to a price limit specified in its bid. Bids may be scaled down by the Joint Bookrunners on the basis referred to in paragraph 9 below.  

5.     The Bookbuild is expected to close no later than 4.30 p.m. (London time) on 11 March 2009 but may be closed earlier or later at the discretion of the Joint Bookrunners. The Joint Bookrunners may, in agreement with Cairn, accept bids that are received after the Bookbuild has closed. Cairn reserves the right (upon the agreement of the Joint Bookrunners) to reduce or seek to increase the amount to be raised pursuant to the Placing, in its absolute discretion.  

6.     Each prospective Placee's allocation will be agreed between the Joint Bookrunners and Cairn and will be confirmed orally by one of the Joint Bookrunners as agent of Cairn following the close of the Bookbuild. That oral confirmation will constitute an irrevocable legally binding commitment upon that person (who will at that point become a Placee) to subscribe for the number of Placing Shares allocated to it at the Placing Price on the terms and conditions set out in this Appendix and in accordance with Cairn's memorandum and articles of association.  

7.     Each prospective Placee's allocation and commitment will be evidenced by a contract note issued to such Placee by one of the Joint Bookrunners. The terms of this Appendix will be deemed incorporated in that contract note.  

8.     Each Placee will also have an immediate, separate, irrevocable and binding obligation, owed to the relevant Joint Bookrunner as agent of Cairn, to pay in cleared funds, an amount equal to the product of the Placing Price and the number of Placing Shares such Placee has agreed to subscribe and Cairn has agreed to allot and issue to that Placee.  

9.     The Joint Bookrunners may choose to accept bids, either in whole or in part, on the basis of allocations determined in agreement with Cairn and may scale down any bids for this purpose on such basis as they may determine. The Joint Bookrunners may also, notwithstanding paragraphs 4 and 5 above, subject to the prior consent of Cairn (i) allocate Placing Shares after the time of any initial allocation to any person submitting a bid after that time and (ii) allocate Placing Shares after the Bookbuild has closed to any person submitting a bid after that time.  

10.     A bid in the Bookbuild will be made on the terms and subject to the conditions in this announcement and will be legally binding on the Placee on behalf of which it is made and except with the consent of either of the Joint Bookrunners will not be capable of variation or revocation after the time at which it is submitted.  

11.     Irrespective of the time at which a Placee's allocation pursuant to the Placing is confirmed, settlement for all Placing Shares to be acquired pursuant to the Placing will be required to be made at the same time, on the basis explained below under 'Registration and Settlement'.  

12.     All obligations under the Bookbuild and Placing will be subject to fulfilment of the conditions referred to below under 'Conditions of the Placing' and to the Placing not being terminated on the basis referred to below under 'Termination of the Placing Agreement'.  

13.     By participating in the Bookbuild, each Placee will agree that its rights and obligations in respect of the Placing will terminate only in the circumstances described below and will not be capable of rescission or termination by the Placee.  

14.     To the fullest extent permissible by law, neither of the Joint Bookrunners nor any of their affiliates shall have any liability to Placees (or to any other person whether acting on behalf of a Placee or otherwise). In particular, neither of the Joint Bookrunners nor any of their affiliates shall have any liability (including to the fullest extent permissible by law, any fiduciary duties) in respect of the Joint Bookrunner's conduct of the Bookbuild or of such alternative method of effecting the Placing as the Joint Bookrunners and Cairn may agree.  

  Conditions of the Placing

The obligations of the Joint Bookrunners under the Placing Agreement are conditional on, amongst other things:  

(a)     agreement being reached between Cairn and the Joint Bookrunners on the Placing Price and the number of Placing Shares;  

(b)     the representations and warranties contained in the Placing Agreement being true and accurate on the date of the Placing Agreement and remaining so at all times down to and including Admission (by reference to the facts and circumstances then existing); 

(c)     Cairn complying with its obligations under the Placing Agreement to the extent the same fall to be performed or satisfied prior to Admission;  

(d)     Cairn allotting, subject only to Admission, the Placing Shares in accordance with the Placing Agreement; 

(e)     Admission taking place by 8.00 a.m. (London time) on 20 March 2009 (or such later date as Cairn and the Joint Bookrunners may otherwise agree); and

(f)    in the opinion of the Joint Bookrunners, there not having been, or the Joint Bookrunners not having become aware of, or there not having been made public, a material adverse change, or any development reasonably likely to involve a material adverse change in the condition (financial, operational, legal or otherwise), or in the earnings, management, solvency, business affairs, business prospects or financial prospects of Cairn and its subsidiaries, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business since the date of the Placing Agreement.

If any of the conditions contained in the Placing Agreement in relation to the Placing Shares are not fulfilled or waived by the Joint Bookrunners, by the respective time or date where specified (or such later time and/or date as Cairn and the Joint Bookrunners may agree), the Placing will not proceed and the Placee's rights and obligations hereunder in relation to the Placing Shares shall cease and terminate at such time and each Placee agrees that no claim can be made by the Placee in respect thereof.  

The Joint Bookrunners may, at their discretion and upon such terms as they think fit, waive compliance by Cairn with the whole or any part of any of Cairn's obligations in relation to the conditions in the Placing Agreement save that the condition in the Placing Agreement relating to Admission taking place may not be waived. Any such extension or waiver will not affect Placees' commitments as set out in this announcement.  

None of the Joint Bookrunners, Cairn or any other person shall have any liability to any Placee (or to any other person whether acting on behalf of a Placee or otherwise) in respect of any decision they may make as to whether or not to waive or to extend the time and /or the date for the satisfaction of any condition to the Placing nor for any decision they may make as to the satisfaction of any condition or in respect of the Placing generally, and by participating in the Placing each Placee agrees that any such decision is within the absolute discretion of the Joint Bookrunners.  

  Termination of the Placing Agreement

The Joint Bookrunners are entitled, at any time before Admission, to terminate the Placing Agreement in relation to their obligations in respect of the Placing Shares by giving notice to Cairn if, amongst other things:  

(a)     there has been a breach of any of the warranties and representations contained in the Placing Agreement or any failure to perform any of the undertakings or agreements in the Placing Agreement; or  

(b)     it shall come to the notice of the Joint Bookrunners that any statement contained in this announcement, or any other document or announcement issued or published by or on behalf of Cairn in connection with the Placing (together the 'Placing Documents'), is or has become untrue, incorrect or misleading in any respect, or any matter has arisen, which would, if the Placing were made at that time, constitute a material omission from the Placing Documents, or any of them, and which the Joint Bookrunners consider to be material in the context of the Placing or the underwriting of the Placing Shares, Admission or any of the transactions contemplated by the Placing Agreement; or  

(c)     in the opinion of the Joint Bookrunners, there has been, or the Joint Bookrunners have become aware of, or there has been made public, a material adverse change, or any development reasonably likely to involve a material adverse change in the condition (financial, operational, legal or otherwise), or in the earnings, management, solvency, business affairs, business prospects or financial prospects of Cairn and its subsidiaries, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business since the date of the Placing Agreement; or  

(d)     there has occurred (i) any material adverse change in the financial markets in the United States, the United Kingdom, member states of the European Union or in the international financial markets, (ii) any outbreak or escalation of hostilities, act of terrorism or other calamity or crisis or (iii) any change or development involving a prospective change in national or international political, financial or economic conditions, or currency exchange rates, in each case the effect of which is such as to make it, in the judgement of the Joint Bookrunners, impracticable or inadvisable to market the Placing Shares or to enforce contracts for the sale of the Placing Shares; or

(e)    trading in Ordinary Shares on the main market of the London Stock Exchange is cancelled, suspended or limited or trading in shares in Cairn India Limited on the Bombay Stock Exchange is cancelled, suspended or limited or there are certain other disruptions, limitations or suspensions in respect of the operations of certain stock exchanges or a banking moratorium is declared by certain authorities; or

(f)    there is the occurrence of an adverse change (or a prospective adverse change) in UK taxation affecting Ordinary Shares or the transfer of such shares or exchange controls are imposed by the UK.

Upon such termination, the parties to the Placing Agreement shall be released and discharged (except for any liability arising before or in relation to such termination) from their respective obligations under or pursuant to the Placing Agreement subject to certain exceptions.  

By participating in the Placing, Placees agree that the exercise by the Joint Bookrunners of any right of termination or other discretion under the Placing Agreement shall be within the absolute discretion of the Joint Bookrunners and that they need not make any reference to Placees and that they shall have no liability to Placees whatsoever in connection with any such exercise or failure so to exercise.  

No prospectus  

No offering document or prospectus has been or will be submitted to be approved by the FSA in relation to the Placing and Placees' commitments will be made solely on the basis of the information contained in this announcement (including this Appendix) released by Cairn today, and subject to the further terms set forth in the contract note to be provided to individual prospective Placees.  

Each Placee, by accepting a participation in the Placing, agrees that the content of this Announcement (including this Appendix) is exclusively the responsibility of Cairn and confirms that it has neither received nor relied on any other information, representation, warranty, or statement made by or on behalf of Cairn or the Joint Bookrunners or any other person and none of the Joint Bookrunners or Cairn nor any other person will be liable for any Placee's decision to participate in the Placing based on any other information, representation, warranty or statement which the Placees may have obtained or received. Each Placee acknowledges and agrees that it has relied on its own investigation of the business, financial or other position of Cairn in accepting a participation in the Placing. Nothing in this paragraph shall exclude the liability of any person for fraudulent misrepresentation.  

Registration and settlement  

Settlement of transactions in the Placing Shares following Admission will take place within the system administered by Euroclear UK & Ireland Limited ('CREST'), subject to certain exceptions. Cairn reserves the right to require settlement for and delivery of the Placing Shares (or a portion thereof) to Placees in certificated form if, in the Joint Bookrunners' opinion, delivery or settlement is not possible or practicable within the CREST system or would not be consistent with the regulatory requirements in the Placee's jurisdiction.  

Following the close of the Bookbuild for the Placing, each Placee allocated Placing Shares in the Placing will be sent a contract note stating the number of Placing Shares to be allocated to it at the Placing Price and settlement instructions.  

Each Placee agrees that it will do all things necessary to ensure that delivery and payment is completed in accordance with the standing CREST or certificated settlement instructions that it has in place with the Joint Bookrunners.  

Cairn will deliver the Placing Shares to a CREST account operated by RBS Hoare Govett as agent for Cairn and RBS Hoare Govett will enter its delivery (DEL) instruction into the CREST system. The input to CREST by a Placee of a matching or acceptance instruction will then allow delivery of the relevant Placing Shares to that Placee against payment.  

It is expected that settlement will be on 16 March 2009 on a T + 3 basis in accordance with the instructions given to the Joint Bookrunners.  

Interest is chargeable daily on payments not received from Placees on the due date in accordance with the arrangements set out above at the rate of two percentage points above LIBOR as determined by the Joint Bookrunners.  

Each Placee is deemed to agree that, if it does not comply with these obligations, Cairn may sell any or all of the Placing Shares allocated to that Placee on such Placee's behalf and retain from the proceeds, for Cairn's account and benefit, an amount equal to the aggregate amount owed by the Placee plus any interest due. The relevant Placee will, however, remain liable for any shortfall below the aggregate amount owed by it and may be required to bear any stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax (together with any interest or penalties) which may arise upon the sale of such Placing Shares on such Placee's behalf.  

If Placing Shares are to be delivered to a custodian or settlement agent, Placees should ensure that the trade confirmation is copied and delivered immediately to the relevant person within that organisation. Insofar as Placing Shares are registered in a Placee's name or that of its nominee or in the name of any person for whom a Placee is contracting as agent or that of a nominee for such person, such Placing Shares should, subject as provided below, be so registered free from any liability to UK stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax. Placees will not be entitled to receive any fee or commission in connection with the Placing.  

  Representations and warranties  

By participating in the Placing each Placee (and any person acting on such Placee's behalf) acknowledges, undertakes, represents, warrants and agrees (as the case may be) the following. It:  

1.     represents and warrants that it has read this announcement, including the Appendix, in its entirety;  

2.     acknowledges and agrees that no offering document, listing particulars or prospectus has been or will be prepared in connection with the Placing and represents and warrants that it has not received a prospectus or other offering document in connection with the Bookbuild, the Placing or the Placing Shares;

3.     acknowledges that the ordinary shares in the capital of Cairn are listed on the Official List of the FSA, and Cairn is therefore required to publish certain business and financial information in accordance with the rules and practices of the FSA, which includes a description of the nature of Cairn's business and Cairn's most recent balance sheet and profit and loss account and that it is able to obtain or access such information without undue difficulty, and is able to obtain access to such information or comparable information concerning any other publicly traded company, without undue difficulty;  

4.     acknowledges that none of the Joint Bookrunners or Cairn nor any of their affiliates nor any person acting on behalf of any of them has provided, and will not provide, it with any material regarding the Placing Shares or Cairn or any other person other than this announcement; nor has it requested any of the Joint Bookrunners, Cairn, any of their affiliates or any person acting on behalf of any of them to provide it with any such information;  

5.     acknowledges that (i) it and, if different, the beneficial owner of the Placing Shares is not, and at the time the Placing Shares are acquired will not be residents of Australia, Canada or Japan, and (ii) the Placing Shares have not been and will not be registered under the securities legislation of the United States, Australia, Canada or Japan and, subject to certain exceptions, may not be offered, sold, taken up, renounced or delivered or transferred, directly or indirectly, in or into those jurisdictions;  

6.     acknowledges that the content of this announcement is exclusively the responsibility of Cairn and that neither of the Joint Bookrunners nor any person acting on their behalf has or shall have any liability for any information, representation or statement contained in this announcement or any information previously published by or on behalf of Cairn and will not be liable for any Placee's decision to participate in the Placing based on any information, representation or statement contained in this announcement or otherwise. Each Placee further represents, warrants and agrees that the only information on which it is entitled to rely and on which such Placee has relied in committing itself to subscribe for the Placing Shares is contained in this announcement and any information previously published by Cairn by notification to a Regulatory Information Service, such information being all that it deems necessary to make an investment decision in respect of the Placing Shares and that it has neither received nor relied on any other information given or representations, warranties or statements made by any of the Joint Bookrunners or Cairn and none of the Joint Bookrunners or Cairn will be liable for any Placee's decision to accept an invitation to participate in the Placing based on any other information, representation, warranty or statement. Each Placee further acknowledges and agrees that it has relied on its own investigation of the business, financial or other position of Cairn in deciding to participate in the Placing;  

7.     acknowledges that neither of the Joint Bookrunners nor any person acting on behalf of them nor any of their affiliates has or shall have any liability for any publicly available or filed information, or any representation relating to Cairn, provided that nothing in this paragraph excludes the liability of any person for fraudulent misrepresentation made by that person;  

  8.     represents and warrants that neither it, nor the person specified by it for registration as a holder of Placing Shares is, or is acting as nominee or agent for, and that the Placing Shares will not be allotted to, a person who is or may be liable to stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax under any of sections 67, 70, 93 and 96 of the Finance Act 1986 (depositary receipts and clearance services);  

9.     represents and warrants that it has complied with its obligations in connection with money laundering and terrorist financing under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, the Terrorism Act 2000, the Terrorism Act 2006 and the Money Laundering Regulations 2007 (the 'Regulations') and, if making payment on behalf of a third party, that satisfactory evidence has been obtained and recorded by it to verify the identity of the third party as required by the Regulations;  

10.     if a financial intermediary, as that term is used in Article 3(2) of EU Directive 2003/71/EC (the 'Prospectus Directive') (including any relevant implementing measure in any member state), represents and warrants that the Placing Shares purchased by it in the Placing will not be acquired on a non-discretionary basis on behalf of, nor will they be acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in a member state of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive other than to qualified investors, or in circumstances in which the prior consent of the Joint Bookrunners has been given to the proposed offer or resale;  

11.     represents and warrants that it has not offered or sold and, prior to the expiry of a period of six months from Admission, will not offer or sell any Placing Shares to persons in the United Kingdom, except to persons whose ordinary activities involve them in acquiring, holding, managing or disposing of investments (as principal or agent) for the purposes of their business or otherwise in circumstances which have not resulted and which will not result in an offer to the public in the United Kingdom within the meaning of section 85(1) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 ('FSMA');  

12.     represents and warrants that it has not offered or sold and will not offer or sell any Placing Shares to persons in the European Economic Area prior to Admission except to persons whose ordinary activities involve them in acquiring, holding, managing or disposing of investments (as principal or agent) for the purposes of their business or otherwise in circumstances which have not resulted in and which will not result in an offer to the public in any member state of the European Economic Area within the meaning of the Prospectus Directive (including any relevant implementing measure in any member state);  

13.     represents and warrants that it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated any invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of section 21 of FSMA) relating to the Placing Shares in circumstances in which section 21(1) of FSMA does not require approval of the communication by an authorised person;  

14.     represents and warrants that it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the Placing Shares in, from or otherwise involving, the United Kingdom;  

15.                  (A)    represents and warrants that it is a person falling within Article 19(5) and / or  
                       Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial 
                       Promotion) Order 2005 or is a person to whom this Announcement may otherwise be 
                       lawfully communicated; and 

(B)     acknowledges that any offer of Placing Shares may only be directed at persons to the extent in member states of the European Economic Area who are 'qualified investors' within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive (Directive 2003/71/EC) and represents and agrees that it is such a qualified investor;

16.     represents and warrants that it is entitled to purchase the Placing Shares under the laws of all relevant jurisdictions which apply to it, and that its subscription/purchase of the Placing Shares will be in compliance with applicable laws and regulations in the jurisdiction of its residence, the residence of the Company, or otherwise;

17.     undertakes that it (and any person acting on its behalf) will make payment for the Placing Shares allocated to it in accordance with this announcement on the due time and date set out herein, failing which the relevant Placing Shares may be placed with other subscribers or sold as the Joint Bookrunners may in their discretion determine and without liability to such Placee;  

18.     acknowledges that its allocation (if any) of Placing Shares will represent a maximum number of Placing Shares which it will be entitled, and required, to subscribe for, and that Cairn may call upon it to subscribe for a lower number of Placing Shares (if any), but in no event in aggregate more than the aforementioned maximum;  

19.     acknowledges that neither of the Joint Bookrunners, nor any of their respective affiliates, nor any person acting on behalf of either of them, is making any recommendations to it, advising it regarding the suitability of any transactions it may enter into in connection with the Placing and that participation in the Placing is on the basis that it is not and will not be a client of either Joint Bookrunners and that the Joint Bookrunners have no duties or responsibilities to it for providing the protections afforded to their clients or customers or for providing advice in relation to the Placing nor in respect of any representations, warranties, undertakings or indemnities contained in the Placing Agreement nor for the exercise or performance of any of its rights and obligations thereunder including any rights to waive or vary any conditions or exercise any termination right;  

20.     undertakes that the person whom it specifies for registration as holder of the Placing Shares will be (i) itself or (ii) its nominee, as the case may be. Neither of the Joint Bookrunners or Cairn will be responsible for any liability to stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax resulting from a failure to observe this requirement. Each Placee and any person acting on behalf of such Placee agrees to participate in the Placing and it agrees to indemnify Cairn and the Joint Bookrunners in respect of the same on the basis that the Placing Shares will be allotted to the CREST stock account of RBS Hoare Govett who will hold them as nominee on behalf of such Placee until settlement in accordance with its standing settlement instructions;  

21.     acknowledges that these terms and conditions and any agreements entered into by it pursuant to these terms and conditions and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with such agreements shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales and it submits (on behalf of itself and on behalf of any person on whose behalf it is acting) to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts as regards any claim, dispute or matter arising out of any such contract, except that enforcement proceedings in respect of the obligation to make payment for the Placing Shares (together with any interest chargeable thereon) may be taken by Cairn or the Joint Bookrunners in any jurisdiction in which the relevant Placee is incorporated or in which any of its securities have a quotation on a recognised stock exchange; 

22.     acknowledges that Merrill Lynch and RBS Hoare Govett will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the representations, warranties and acknowledgements set forth herein and which are irrevocable and it irrevocably authorises Merrill Lynch and RBS Hoare Govett to produce this announcement, pursuant to, in connection with, or as may be required by any applicable law or regulation, administrative or legal proceeding or official inquiry with respect to the matters set forth herein;

23.     agrees to indemnify and hold Cairn, the Joint Bookrunners and their respective affiliates harmless from any and all costs, claims, liabilities and expenses (including legal fees and expenses) arising out of or in connection with any breach of the representations, warranties, acknowledgements, agreements and undertakings in this Appendix and further agrees that the provisions of this Appendix shall survive after completion of the Placing;  

24.     represents and warrants that it will acquire any Placing Shares purchased by it for its account or for one or more accounts as to each of which it exercises sole investment discretion and it has full power to make the acknowledgements, representations and agreements herein on behalf of each such account;

25.    acknowledges that its commitment to subscribe for Placing Shares on the terms set out herein and in the contract note will continue notwithstanding any amendment that may in future be made to the terms of the Placing and that Placees will have no right to be consulted or require that their consent be obtained with respect to Cairn's conduct of the Placing. The foregoing representations, warranties and confirmations are given for the benefit of Cairn as well as the Joint Bookrunners. The agreement to settle a Placee's subscription (and/or the subscription of a person for whom such Placee is contracting as agent) free of stamp duty and stamp duty reserve tax depends on the settlement relating only to the subscription by it and/or such person direct from Cairn for the Placing Shares in question. Such agreement assumes, and is based on a warranty from each Placee, that neither it, nor the person specified by it for registration as holder, of Placing Shares is, or is acting as nominee or agent for, and that the Placing Shares will not be allotted to, a person who is or may be liable to stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax under any of sections 67, 70, 93 and 96 of the Finance Act 1986 (depositary receipts and clearance services). If there are any such arrangements, or the settlement relates to any other dealing in the Placing Shares, stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax may be payable. In that event the Placee agrees that it shall be responsible for such stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax, and neither Cairn nor the Joint Bookrunners shall be responsible for such stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax. If this is the case, each Placee should seek its own advice and notify the Joint Bookrunners accordingly;  

26.     understands that no action has been or will be taken by any of the Company, the Joint Bookrunners or any person acting on behalf of Cairn or the Joint Bookrunners that would, or is intended to, permit a public offer of the Placing Shares in any country or jurisdiction where any such action for that purpose is required;

27.     in making any decision to purchase the Shares, confirms that it has knowledge and experience in financial, business and international investment matters as is required to evaluate the merits and risks of subscribing for or purchasing the Placing Shares. It further confirms that it is experienced in investing in securities of this nature in this sector and is aware that it may be required to bear, and is able to bear, the economic risk of, and is able to sustain a complete loss in connection with the Placing. It further confirms that it relied on its own examination and due diligence of the Company and its associates taken as a whole, and the terms of the Placing, including the merits and risks involved;

28.    warrants and represents that it has (a) made its own assessment and satisfied itself concerning legal, regulatory, tax, business and financial considerations in connection herewith to the extent it deems necessary; (b) had access to review publicly available information concerning the Cairn group that it considers necessary or appropriate and sufficient in making an investment decision; (c) reviewed such information as it believes is necessary or appropriate in connection with its subscription or purchase of the Placing Shares; and (d) made its investment decision based upon its own judgement, due diligence and analysis and not upon any view expressed or information provided by or on behalf of Merrill Lynch and RBS Hoare Govett; 

29.    understands and agrees that it may not rely on any investigation that Merrill Lynch and RBS Hoare Govett or any person acting on their behalf may or may not have conducted with respect to the Company, its group, or the Placing and Merrill Lynch and RBS Hoare Govett have not made any representation to it, express or implied, with respect to the merits of the Placing, the subscription or purchase of the Placing Shares, or as to the condition, financial or otherwise, of the Company, its group, or as to any other matter relating thereto, and nothing herein shall be construed as a recommendation to it to purchase the Placing Shares. It acknowledges and agrees that no information has been prepared by Merrill Lynch, RBS or the Company for the purposes of this Placing; and

30.    accordingly it acknowledges and agrees that it will not hold Merrill Lynch or RBS Hoare Govett, any of their respective associates or any person acting on their behalf responsible or liable for any misstatements in or omission from any publicly available information relating to the Company's group or information made available (whether in written or oral form) in presentations or as part of roadshow discussions with investors relating to the Company's group (the 'Information') and that none of Merrill Lynch, RBS Hoare Govett or any person acting on behalf of Merrill Lynch or RBS Hoare Govett, makes any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the truth, accuracy or completeness of such Information or accepts any responsibility for any of such Information.  

By participating in the Placing, each Placee (and any person acting on Placee's behalf) subscribing for Placing Shares acknowledges that: (i) subject to exceptions, the Placing Shares are being offered and sold only pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act in a transaction not involving a public offering of securities in the United States and the Placing Shares have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act; and (ii) unless otherwise agreed, the offer and sale of the Placing Shares to it has been made outside of the United States in an 'offshore transaction' (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act) and it is outside of the United States during any offer or sale of Placing Shares to it.  

In addition, Placees should note that they will be liable for any stamp duty and all other stamp, issue, securities, transfer, registration, documentary or other duties or taxes (including any interest, fines or penalties relating thereto) payable outside the United Kingdom by them or any other person on the subscription by them of any Placing Shares or the agreement by them to subscribe for any Placing Shares.  

Each Placee and any person acting on behalf of each Placee acknowledges and agrees that the Joint Bookrunners or any of their affiliates may, at their absolute discretion, agree to become a Placee in respect of some or all of the Placing Shares.  

When a Placee or person acting on behalf of the Placee is dealing with the Joint Bookrunners, any money held in an account with any of the Joint Bookrunners on behalf of the Placee and/or any person acting on behalf of the Placee will not be treated as client money within the meaning of the rules and regulations of the FSA made under FSMA. The Placee acknowledges that the money will not be subject to the protections conferred by the client money rules; as a consequence, this money will not be segregated from the relevant Joint Bookrunners' money in accordance with the client money rules and will be used by the relevant Joint Bookrunners in the course of their own business; and the Placee will rank only as a general creditor of the Joint Bookrunners. 

All times and dates in this announcement may be subject to amendment. The Joint Bookrunners shall notify the Placees and any person acting on behalf of the Placees of any changes.  

Past performance is no guide to future performance and persons needing advice should consult an independent financial adviser.  

  DEFINITIONS

In this Announcement:

'Admission' means the admission of the Placing Shares to listing on the Official List of the Financial Services Authority and to trading on the main market of the London Stock Exchange;

'Announcement' means this announcement (including the appendix to this announcement);

'Cairn' or the 'Company' means Cairn Energy PLC;    

'CREST' means the relevant system, as defined in the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001 (SI 2001/3755) (in respect of which Euroclear UK & Ireland Limited is the operator);

'DFSA' means the Dubai Financial Services Authority;

'FSA' means the Financial Services Authority;

'Joint Bookrunners' means Merrill Lynch International Limited and RBS Hoare Govett Limited;

'London Stock Exchange' means the London Stock Exchange plc;

'Ordinary Share' means an ordinary share of 6 2/13 pence each in the capital of the Company;

'Placee' means any person (including individuals, funds or otherwise) by whom or on whose behalf a commitment to acquire Placing Shares has been given;

'Placing' means the placing of the Placing Shares by the Joint Bookrunners, on behalf of the Company, with both new and existing institutional investors;

'Placing Agreement' means the placing agreement dated 11 March 2009 among the Company and the Joint Bookrunners in respect of the Placing;

'Placing Price' means the price per Ordinary Share at which the Placing Shares are placed;

'Placing Shares' means the up to 6,542,270 Ordinary Shares to be issued pursuant to the Placing;

'Prospectus Directive' means the Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union 2003/71/EC;

'Securities Act' means the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended;

'United Kingdom' or 'UK' means the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; and

'United States' or 'US' means the United States of America, its territories and possessions, any state of the United States and the District of Columbia

 

END

 

 

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