exv10w11



 










TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT




BY AND BETWEEN




HELIX ENERGY SOLUTIONS GROUP, INC.




AND




CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL, INC.




Dated as of December 14, 2006




 









 





	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Section 1. Definition and Construction	 	 	2	 
	 

	 	Section 1.1.
	 	Definitions of Capitalized Terms
	 	 	2	 
	 

	 	Section 1.2.
	 	Construction
	 	 	8	 
	Section 2. Indemnification; Allocation of Responsibility for Taxes	 	 	9	 
	 

	 	Section 2.1.
	 	Indemnification
	 	 	9	 
	 

	 	Section 2.2.
	 	Allocation of Federal Income Taxes
	 	 	9	 
	 

	 	Section 2.3.
	 	Allocation of State Income Taxes
	 	 	10	 
	 

	 	Section 2.4.
	 	Foreign Income Taxes
	 	 	10	 
	 

	 	Section 2.5.
	 	Allocation of Other Taxes
	 	 	11	 
	 

	 	Section 2.6.
	 	Restructuring Taxes; Additional Taxes
	 	 	11	 
	 

	 	Section 2.7.
	 	Payment for Certain Tax Benefits
	 	 	12	 
	Section 3. Proration of Taxes; Allocation of Tax Items	 	 	13	 
	 

	 	Section 3.1.
	 	Proration of Tax Items
	 	 	13	 
	 

	 	Section 3.2.
	 	Allocation of Tax Assets and Earnings & Profits
	 	 	13	 
	 

	 	Section 3.3.
	 	Parent Equity Awards
	 	 	13	 
	 

	 	Section 3.4.
	 	Separation Transactions Occurring After the IPO Closing Date
	 	 	14	 
	Section 4. Preparation and Filing of Tax Returns	 	 	14	 
	 

	 	Section 4.1.
	 	Parent’s Responsibility
	 	 	14	 
	 

	 	Section 4.2.
	 	Cal Dive Filed Returns
	 	 	15	 
	 

	 	Section 4.3.
	 	Tax Accounting Practices
	 	 	15	 
	 

	 	Section 4.4.
	 	Right to Review Combined Tax Returns
	 	 	16	 
	 

	 	Section 4.5.
	 	Adjustment Requests; Carrybacks; Utilization of Tax Assets
	 	 	16	 
	Section 5. Payments Under this Agreement	 	 	17	 
	 

	 	Section 5.1.
	 	Joint Taxes
	 	 	17	 
	 

	 	Section 5.2.
	 	Payments to Tax Authority
	 	 	18	 
	 

	 	Section 5.3.
	 	Timing of Payments
	 	 	19	 
	 

	 	Section 5.4.
	 	Tax Treatment of Payments
	 	 	19	 
	 

	 	Section 5.5.
	 	Interest
	 	 	19	 
	 

	 	Section 5.6.
	 	Refunds
	 	 	19	 
	 

	 	Section 5.7.
	 	Payments by or to Other Members of the Groups
	 	 	20	 
	 

	 	Section 5.8.
	 	Tax Benefits from Payment of Taxes
	 	 	20	 
	Section 6. Assistance and Cooperation; Retention of Tax Records	 	 	20	 
	 

	 	Section 6.1.
	 	Assistance and Cooperation
	 	 	20	 






 









 






	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	Section 6.2.
	 	Tax Records
	 	 	21	 
	Section 7. Tax Contests	 	 	21	 
	 

	 	Section 7.1.
	 	Notice
	 	 	21	 
	 

	 	Section 7.2.
	 	Control of Tax Contests
	 	 	21	 
	 

	 	Section 7.3.
	 	Reimbursement of Expenses
	 	 	22	 
	Section 8. Continuing Covenants	 	 	22	 
	Section 9. Dispute Resolution	 	 	23	 
	Section 10. General Provisions	 	 	23	 
	 

	 	Section 10.1.
	 	Effectiveness; Termination of Prior Tax Allocation Agreements
	 	 	23	 
	 

	 	Section 10.2.
	 	Survival of Obligations
	 	 	23	 
	 

	 	Section 10.3.
	 	Addresses and Notices
	 	 	24	 
	 

	 	Section 10.4.
	 	Binding Effect
	 	 	24	 
	 

	 	Section 10.5.
	 	Waiver
	 	 	24	 
	 

	 	Section 10.6.
	 	Invalidity of Provisions
	 	 	24	 
	 

	 	Section 10.7.
	 	Further Action
	 	 	25	 
	 

	 	Section 10.8.
	 	Integration
	 	 	25	 
	 

	 	Section 10.9.
	 	Construction
	 	 	25	 
	 

	 	Section 10.10.
	 	No Double Recovery
	 	 	25	 
	 

	 	Section 10.11.
	 	Setoff
	 	 	25	 
	 

	 	Section 10.12.
	 	Counterparts
	 	 	25	 
	 

	 	Section 10.13.
	 	No Third Party Rights
	 	 	25	 
	 

	 	Section 10.14.
	 	Governing Law
	 	 	26	 






 









 






TAX MATTERS AGREEMENT




     This Tax Matters Agreement (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of December 14, 2006,
by and between Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc., a Minnesota corporation (“Parent”), and
Cal Dive International, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent
(“Cal Dive”).



Recitals




     Whereas, as of the date hereof, Cal Dive is a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of
Parent; 



     Whereas, Parent is the common parent corporation of an affiliated group (as defined
in Section 1504 of the Code) of corporations (the “Parent Consolidated Group”) that has
elected to file consolidated Federal Income Tax returns;



     Whereas, the Parent Consolidated Group has included Cal Dive and its direct and
indirect eligible domestic Subsidiaries;



     Whereas, certain Parent Group Members, on the one hand, and certain Cal Dive Group
Members, on the other hand, file income Tax Returns on a consolidated, combined and/or unitary
basis for certain State Income Tax and Foreign Income Tax purposes;



     Whereas, Parent and Cal Dive currently contemplate that Cal Dive will make an initial
public offering (“IPO”) of shares of Cal Dive common stock pursuant to a registration
statement on Form S-1 filed pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended;



     Whereas, as a result of the IPO, Cal Dive and its direct and indirect eligible
domestic Subsidiaries will cease to be members of the Parent Consolidated Group, and Parent Group
Members and Cal Dive Group Members will cease to file Income Tax Returns on a consolidated,
combined and/or unitary basis for State Income Tax and Foreign Income Tax purposes;



     Whereas, following the IPO, Cal Dive will be a common parent corporation of an
affiliated group of corporations, which will elect to file consolidated Federal Income Tax returns;
and



     Whereas, in contemplation of the IPO, the Companies desire to enter into this
Agreement to provide for the allocation among them of the liabilities for Taxes arising prior to,
as a result of and subsequent to the IPO, and to provide for and agree upon other matters relating
to Taxes;



Agreements




     Now, Therefore, in consideration of the mutual agreements contained herein, the
Companies hereby agree as follows:



 









 




Section 1. Definition and Construction.




     Section 1.1. Definitions of Capitalized Terms.



     For purposes of this Agreement (including the recitals hereof), the following capitalized
terms shall have the meanings set forth below:



     “Additional Tax” means:




	 	(a)	 	with respect to any Post-IPO Event that affects the amount of
any Tax imposed on or attributable to any Group Member for which Parent is
otherwise responsible under this Agreement, an amount equal to the excess (if
any) of (1) the cumulative amount of Tax for which Parent is otherwise
responsible under this Agreement determined after taking into account any and
all Post-IPO Events, over (2) the cumulative amount of Tax that Parent would
otherwise be responsible for under this Agreement determined without taking
into account any Post-IPO Event; and
	 
	 	(b)	 	subject to clause (a) and without duplication, with respect to
any Post-IPO Event that affects a Tax Asset of any Group Member, an amount
equal to the Tax Benefits from such Tax Asset that Parent would have otherwise
recognized if such Post-IPO Event had not occurred.





     “Adjustment Request” means any formal or informal claim or request filed with any Tax
Authority, or with any administrative agency or court, for the adjustment, refund or credit of
Taxes, including (i) any amended Tax Return claiming adjustment to the Taxes as reported on the Tax
Return or, if applicable, as previously adjusted, or (ii) any claim for refund or credit of Taxes
previously paid.



     “Affiliate” means any Person that directly or indirectly is “controlled” by the other
Person in question. For purposes of the term Affiliate, the term “controlled” means the
possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management
and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
Except as otherwise provided herein, the term Affiliate shall refer to Affiliates of a Person as
determined after the IPO.



     “Agreement” shall have the meaning provided in the preamble.



     “Assets” means, collectively, the Parent Assets and the Cal Dive Assets.



     “Boot Gain” “ shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.7.



     “Cal Dive Assets” means those assets and equity interests in Entities related to the
Cal Dive Business that were held by Parent Group Members before the Restructuring and are held by
Cal Dive Group Members after the Restructuring.



     “Cal Dive Business” has the meaning set forth in the Master Agreement.



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     “Cal Dive Filed Returns” shall have the meaning provided in Section 4.2.



     “Cal Dive Group” means, collectively, Cal Dive and its direct and indirect
Subsidiaries immediately after the IPO, including, without limitation, the Subsidiaries set forth
on Schedule 1.1.



     “Cal Dive Group Member” means, individually, each member of the Cal Dive Group, and
the term “Cal Dive Group Members” means, collectively, as the context requires, all or less
than all of the members of the Cal Dive Group.



     “Cal Dive Indemnitees” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.1(a).



     “Cal Dive Separate Return” means a Tax Return that includes one or more Cal Dive Group
Members and does not include any Parent Group Member, including any such Tax Return filed for
Federal Income Tax purposes by an affiliated group (as defined in Section 1504 of the Code) of
corporations the common parent of which is a Cal Dive Group Member or any other corporation that is
not a Parent Group Member.



     “Cal Dive’s Allocated Tax Liability” shall have the meaning provided in Section
5.1(a).



     “Cal Dive’s Cumulative Tax Payment” shall have the meaning provided in Section
5.1(a).



     “Cal Dive’s Redetermined Allocated Tax Liability” shall have the meaning provided in
Section 5.1(b).



     “Carryback Item” means any net operating loss, net capital loss, excess tax credit or
other similar Tax item which may or must be carried from one Tax Year to another Tax Year under the
Code or other applicable Tax Law.



     “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor law.



     “Combined Tax Return” means, with respect to any Income Tax, a Tax Return that is
filed by one or more Parent Group Members and which includes, to any extent, one or more Cal Dive
Group Members or in which income, deductions, or credits of any Parent Group Member may be combined
with, or offset against, income, deductions or credits of any Cal Dive Group Member, including the
Consolidated Return filed by Parent for the Parent Consolidated Group.



     “Companies” means Parent and Cal Dive, collectively, and “Company” means, as
the context requires, any one of Parent or Cal Dive.



     “Consolidated Return” means any Federal Income Tax Return which is filed on a
consolidated basis by Parent (or any other member of the Parent Group), as common parent, and its
eligible Subsidiaries (as determined under Section 1504(a) of the Code or any successor provision)
and which includes, to any extent, any Cal Dive Group Member (as determined under Section 1504(a)
of the Code or any successor provision).



     “Controlling Company” shall have the meaning provided in Section 7.2(a).



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     “Default Rate” means a rate of interest equal to the underpayment rate provided in
Section 6621(c) of the Code, determined as of the date any applicable payment required to be made
under this Agreement is due.



     “Dividend” means, collectively, the distributions contemplated by Sections 3.5 and 3.7
of the Master Agreement.



     “Entity” means a partnership (whether general or limited), a corporation, a limited
liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an
unincorporated organization or any other entity, without regard to whether it is treated as a
disregarded entity for Federal Income Tax purposes.



     “Equity Award” means any equity-based incentive compensation award, grant or agreement
that provides for the delivery of shares of Parent stock to any Person as compensation for
services, including, but not limited to, an option to acquire shares of Parent stock (or other
equity-based incentives the economic value of which is designed to mirror that of an option,
including incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, discounted non-qualified stock
options, cliff options and tandem stock options), restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock
appreciation rights, phantom stock units, performance shares, dividend equivalents, stock payments,
deferred stock payments, performance-based awards or warrants granted under any plan, agreement or
arrangement to the extent shares of Parent stock are issued, issuable or transferred (as opposed to
cash compensation).



     “Federal Income Tax” means any Tax imposed by Subtitle A or F of the Code.



     “Federal Income Tax Return” means any report of Federal Income Taxes due, any claims
for refund of Federal Income Taxes paid, any information return with respect to Federal Income
Taxes, or any other similar report, statement, declaration, or document required to be filed under
Federal Income Tax Law, including any attachments, exhibits, or other materials submitted with any
of the foregoing, and including any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing.



     “Final Determination” means the final resolution of liability for any Tax, which
resolution may be for a specific issue or adjustment or for a Tax Year, (a) by IRS Form 870 or
870-AD (or any successor forms thereto) on the date of acceptance by or on behalf of the
Controlling Company, or by a comparable form under the Tax Laws of a state, local or foreign taxing
jurisdiction, except that an IRS Form 870 or 870-AD or comparable form shall not constitute a Final
Determination to the extent that it reserves (whether by its terms or by operation of law) the
right of the Controlling Company to file a claim for refund or the right of the Tax Authority to
assert a further deficiency in respect of such issue or adjustment or for such Tax Year (as the
case may be); (b) by a decision, judgment, decree, or other order by a court of competent
jurisdiction, which has become final and unappealable; (c) by a closing agreement or accepted offer
in compromise under Sections 7121 or 7122 of the Code, or a comparable agreement under the Tax Laws
of a state, local or foreign taxing jurisdiction; (d) by any allowance of a refund or credit in
respect of an overpayment of Tax, but only after the expiration of all periods during which such
refund may be recovered (including by way of offset) by the jurisdiction imposing such Tax; (e) by
a final settlement resulting from a treaty-based competent



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authority determination; or (f) by any other final disposition, including by reason of the
expiration of the applicable statute of limitations.



     “Foreign Income Tax” means any Tax imposed by any foreign country or any possession of
the United States, or by any political subdivision of any foreign country or possession of the
United States, which is an “income tax” as defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.901-2.



     “Group” means the Parent Group or the Cal Dive Group, as the context requires, and the
term “Groups” means the Parent Group and the Cal Dive Group.



     “Group Member” means any Parent Group Member or any Cal Dive Group Member.



     “Income Tax” means each of any Federal Income Tax, State Income Tax or Foreign Income
Tax, as the context requires.



     “Indemnification Expenses” shall have the meaning provided in Section 7.3.



     “Indemnified Company” means (i) Parent, in cases where it is entitled to be
indemnified for Losses by Cal Dive under this Agreement, and (ii) Cal Dive, in cases where it is
entitled to be indemnified for Losses by Parent under this Agreement.



     “Indemnifying Company” means (i) Parent, in cases where it is obligated to indemnify
Cal Dive for Losses under this Agreement, and (ii) Cal Dive, in cases where it is obligated to
indemnify Parent for Losses under this Agreement.



     “Independent Firm” means a nationally recognized accounting firm; provided,
however, that such term shall not include any accounting firm that performs or has
preformed audit services with respect to Parent or Cal Dive.



     “IPO” shall have the meaning provided in the recitals to this Agreement.



     “IPO Closing Date” means the first date on which the proceeds of any sale of Cal Dive
stock to the underwriters in the IPO are received by Cal Dive or any of its Subsidiaries.



     “IRS” means the Internal Revenue Service.



     “Joint Taxes” shall have the meaning provided in Section 5.1.



     “Loss” means any loss, cost, fine, penalty, fee, damage, obligation, liability,
payment in settlement, Tax or other expense of any kind, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and
costs, but excluding any consequential, special, punitive or exemplary damages.



     “Master Agreement” means that certain Master Agreement dated December 8, 2006, as
amended from time to time, between Parent and Cal Dive, and to which this Agreement is attached as
an exhibit.



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     “Other Tax” means any Tax that is not an Income Tax, including any value added tax,
any real or personal property Tax, any flat minimum dollar Tax, any withholding Tax or any capital
duty Tax.



     “Parent Assets” means those assets and equity interests in Entities, if any, related
to the Parent Business that were held by Cal Dive Group Members before the Restructuring and are
held by Parent Group Members after the Restructuring.



     “Parent Business” has the meaning set forth in the Master Agreement.



     “Parent Consolidated Group” shall have the meaning provided in the recitals to this
Agreement.



     “Parent Filed Returns” shall have the meaning provided in Section 4.1(a).



     “Parent Group” means, collectively, Parent and its direct and indirect Subsidiaries,
other than Cal Dive Group Members, as determined immediately after the IPO, including, without
limitation, the Subsidiaries set forth on Schedule 1.2.



     “Parent Group Member” means, individually, each member of the Parent Group, and the
term “Parent Group Members” means, collectively, as the context requires, all or less than
all of the members of the Parent Group.



     “Parent Indemnitees” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.1(b).



     “Payment Date” means (i) with respect to any Federal Income Tax, (a) each of the due
dates for any required installment of estimated Federal Income Taxes determined under Section 6655
of the Code, (b) the due date (determined without regard to extensions) for filing any Tax Return
determined under Section 6072 of the Code and (c) the date any Tax Return is filed, and (ii) with
respect to any other Tax, the corresponding due dates determined under the applicable Tax Law.



     “Payment Period” shall have the meaning provided in Section 5.5.



     “Person” means an individual, any Entity or a governmental entity or any department,
agency or political subdivision thereof.



     “Post-IPO Tax Benefit” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.7.



     “Post-IPO Events” shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.6(b).



     “Post-IPO Period” means, with respect to any Tax, any Tax Year beginning after the IPO
Closing Date, and, in the case of any Straddle Period, the portion of such Straddle Period
beginning on the day after the IPO Closing Date.



     “Pre-IPO Period” means, with respect to any Tax, any Tax Year ending on or before the
IPO Closing Date, and, in the case of any Straddle Period, the portion of such Straddle Period
ending on and including the IPO Closing Date.



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     “Prior Tax Allocation Agreements” means any written or oral agreement or any other
arrangements relating to the allocation of Taxes existing between or among any Parent Group Member
and any Cal Dive Group Member prior to the date hereof (other than this Agreement).



     “Reimbursement Statement” shall have the meaning provided in Section 7.3.



     “Restructuring” means the restructuring by Parent of the Assets to cause the Parent
Assets to be held by the Parent Group and the Cal Dive Assets to be held by the Cal Dive Group.



     “Restructuring Taxes” means any and all Taxes imposed on or attributable to any Group
Member that arise from or are attributable to such Group Member’s distribution, transfer,
assignment, other disposition, receipt, purchase or other acquisition of Assets pursuant to the
Restructuring, however effected.



     “Separate Company Tax” means any Tax computed by reference to the assets and
activities of a member or members of a single Group.



     “Straddle Period” means, with respect to any Tax, any Tax Year beginning on or before
the IPO Closing Date and ending after the IPO Closing Date.



     “State Income Tax” means any Tax imposed by any state of the United States, the
District of Columbia or any political subdivision of the foregoing, which is imposed on or
measured, in whole or in part, by income, capital or net worth or a taxable base in the nature of
income, capital or net worth, including franchise Taxes based on such factors.



     “Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, each Entity that such Person directly
or indirectly owns, beneficially or of record, (i) an amount of voting securities or other
interests in such Entity that is sufficient to enable such Person to elect at least a majority of
the members of such Entity’s board of directors or other governing body or (ii) at least 50% of the
outstanding equity or financial interests of such Entity.



     “Tax” or “Taxes” means any income, gross income, gross receipts, profits,
capital stock, capital duty, franchise, withholding, payroll, social security, workers
compensation, unemployment, disability, property, ad valorem, stamp, excise, severance, occupation,
service, sales, use, license, lease, transfer, import, export, value added, alternative minimum,
estimated or other similar tax (including any fee, assessment, or other charge in the nature of or
in lieu of any tax) imposed by any Tax Authority, and any interest, penalties, additions to tax or
additional amounts in respect of the foregoing.



     “Tax Asset” means any Tax Item that has accrued for Tax purposes, but has not been
used during a Tax Year, and that could reduce a Tax in another Tax Year, including a net operating
loss, net capital loss, investment tax credit, foreign tax credit, research and experimentation
credit, charitable deduction or credit related to alternative minimum tax or any other Tax credit,
but does not include the tax basis of an asset.



     “Tax Authority” means, with respect to any Tax, the governmental entity or political
subdivision thereof that imposes such Tax, and the agency (if any) charged with the collection of
such Tax for such governmental entity or political subdivision, including the IRS.



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     “Tax Benefit” means any refund received or credit or other Tax Item that actually
reduces otherwise required Tax payments (including any reduction in estimated Tax payments).



     “Tax Contest” means an audit, review, examination or any other administrative or
judicial proceeding with the purpose or effect of redetermining Taxes of any Group Member
(including any administrative or judicial review of any claim for refund) for any Tax Year.



     “Tax Detriment” means an increase in the Tax liability of any Group Member for any Tax
Year or a decrease in a Tax Asset of any Group Member. Except as otherwise provided in this
Agreement, a Tax Detriment shall be deemed to have been realized from a Tax Item in a Tax Year only
if and to the extent that the Tax liability of the Group Member for such Tax Year, after taking
into account the effect of the Tax Item on the Tax liability of such Group Member in the current
Tax Year and all prior Tax Years, is more than it would have been if such Tax liability were
determined without regard to such Tax Item.



     “Tax Item” means, with respect to any Tax, any item of income, gain, loss, deduction
or credit, or other attribute that may have the effect of increasing or decreasing any Tax.



     “Tax Law” means the law of any governmental entity or political subdivision thereof
relating to any Tax, including the Code, and any controlling judicial or administrative
interpretations of such law relating to any Tax.



     “Tax Records” means Tax Returns, Tax Return workpapers, documentation relating to any
Tax Contests and any other books of account or records required to be maintained under the Code or
other applicable Tax Laws or under any record retention agreement with any Tax Authority.



     “Tax Return” means any report of Taxes due, any claims for refund of Taxes paid, any
information return with respect to Taxes or any other similar report, statement, declaration or
document required to be filed under the Code or other Tax Law, including any attachments, exhibits
or other materials submitted with any of the foregoing, and including any amendments or supplements
to any of the foregoing.



     “Tax Year” means, with respect to any Tax, the year, or shorter period, if applicable,
for which the Tax is reported as provided under applicable Tax Law.



     “Treasury Regulations” means the regulations promulgated from time to time under the
Code as in effect for the relevant Tax Year.



     Other capitalized terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement shall have the meanings given
them.



     Section 1.2. Construction.



     Unless the context otherwise requires: (i) references to a Section (other than in connection
with the Code or the Treasury Regulations) refer to a section of this Agreement; (ii) the word
“including” shall mean “including, but not limited to”; and (iii) words used in the singular shall
also denote the plural, and words used in the plural shall also denote the singular.



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The headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect
in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.


Section 2. Indemnification; Allocation of Responsibility for Taxes.




     Section 2.1. Indemnification.




	 	(a)	 	Parent’s Indemnity of Cal Dive.





     Parent shall indemnify Cal Dive, each other Cal Dive Group Member and their respective
directors, officers and employees (collectively, the “Cal Dive Indemnitees”), and hold them
harmless from and against any and all Losses that arise from or are attributable to:




     (1) any and all Taxes that are specifically allocated to or are the
responsibility of Parent under this Agreement;




     (2) any failure by Parent to make a payment required by this Agreement to Cal
Dive when due; and




     (3) any breach or nonperformance by Parent of any of its representations,
warranties or covenants contained in this Agreement.




	 	(b)	 	Cal Dive’s Indemnity of Parent.





     Cal Dive shall indemnify Parent, each other Parent Group Member and their respective
directors, officers and employees (collectively, the “Parent Indemnitees”), and hold them
harmless from and against any and all Losses that arise from or are attributable to:




     (1) any and all Taxes that are specifically allocated to or are the
responsibility of Cal Dive under this Agreement;




     (2) any failure by Cal Dive to make a payment required by this Agreement to
Parent when due; and




     (3) any breach or nonperformance by Cal Dive of any of its representations,
warranties or covenants contained in this Agreement.



     Section 2.2. Allocation of Federal Income Taxes.



     Except as provided in Section 2.6, the responsibility for Federal Income Taxes,
including any adjustment to such Federal Income Taxes as a result of a Final Determination, imposed
on or attributable to any Cal Dive Group Member shall be allocated between Parent and Cal Dive as
follows:




	 	(a)	 	Parent’s Responsibility for Federal Income Taxes.





     Parent shall be responsible for any and all Federal Income Taxes, including any adjustment to
such Federal Income Taxes as a result of a Final Determination, to the extent such



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Federal Income Taxes are imposed on or are attributable to any Cal Dive Group Member for any
Pre-IPO Period.




	 	(b)	 	Cal Dive’s Responsibility for Federal Income Taxes.





     Cal Dive shall be responsible for any and all Federal Income Taxes, including any adjustment
to such Federal Income Taxes as a result of a Final Determination, that are imposed on or are
attributable to any Cal Dive Group Member for any Post-IPO Period.



     Section 2.3. Allocation of State Income Taxes.



     Except as provided in Section 2.6, the responsibility for any and all State Income
Taxes, including any adjustment to such State Income Taxes as a result of a Final Determination,
imposed on or attributable to any Cal Dive Group Member shall be allocated between Parent and Cal
Dive as follows:




	 	(a)	 	Parent’s Responsibility for State Income Taxes.





     Parent shall be responsible for any and all State Income Taxes, including any adjustment to
such State Income Taxes as a result of a Final Determination, that are imposed on or are
attributable to any Cal Dive Group Member for any Pre-IPO Period.




	 	(b)	 	Cal Dive’s Responsibility for State Income Taxes.





     Cal Dive shall be responsible for any and all State Income Taxes, including any adjustment to
such State Income Taxes as a result of a Final Determination, that are imposed on or are
attributable to any Cal Dive Group Member for any Post-IPO Period.



     Section 2.4. Foreign Income Taxes.



     Except as provided in Section 2.6, the responsibility for Foreign Income Taxes,
including any adjustment to such Foreign Income Taxes as a result of a Final Determination, that
are imposed on or are attributable to any Cal Dive Group Member shall be allocated between Parent
and Cal Dive as follows:




	 	(a)	 	Parent’s Responsibility for Foreign Income Taxes.





     Parent shall be responsible for any and all Foreign Income Taxes, including any adjustment to
such Foreign Income Taxes as a result of a Final Determination, that are imposed on or are
attributable to any Cal Dive Group Member for any Pre-IPO Period.




	 	(b)	 	Cal Dive’s Responsibility for Foreign Income Taxes.





     Cal Dive shall be responsible for any and all Foreign Income Taxes, including any adjustment
to such Foreign Income Taxes as a result of a Final Determination, that are imposed on or are
attributable to any Cal Dive Group Member for any Post-IPO Period.



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     Section 2.5. Allocation of Other Taxes.



     Except as provided in Section 2.6, the responsibility for Other Taxes, including any
adjustment to such Other Taxes as a result of a Final Determination, imposed on or attributable to
any Cal Dive Group Member shall be allocated between Parent and Cal Dive as follows:




	 	(a)	 	Other Taxes imposed on Cal Dive Group Members.







     Cal Dive shall be responsible for any and all Other Taxes imposed on or attributable to any
Cal Dive Group Member with respect to any Tax Year.




	 	(b)	 	Other Taxes Imposed on Multiple Group Members.







     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 2.5(a), with respect to any Other
Taxes for any Tax Year that are imposed under applicable Tax Law on one or more Parent Group
Members and one or more Cal Dive Group Members:




     (1) Parent shall be responsible for any and all such Other Taxes to the extent
any Parent Group Member is primarily responsible for such Other Taxes under
applicable Tax Law; and




     (2) Cal Dive shall be responsible for any and all such Other Taxes to the
extent any Cal Dive Group Member is primarily responsible for such Other Taxes under
applicable Tax Law.



     Section 2.6. Restructuring Taxes; Additional Taxes.




	 	(a)	 	Restructuring Taxes.





     Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the responsibility for
Restructuring Taxes imposed on or attributable to any Group Member shall be allocated between
Parent and Cal Dive as follows:




     (1) Parent’s Responsibility for Restructuring Taxes. Except as
provided in Section 2.6(a)(2), Parent shall be responsible for any and all
Restructuring Taxes, including any adjustment to such Restructuring Taxes as a
result of a Final Determination, that are imposed on or attributable to any Group
Member with respect to any Tax Year.




     (2) Cal Dive’s Responsibility for Restructuring Taxes. Notwithstanding
Section 2.6(a)(1), Cal Dive shall be responsible for any and all
Restructuring Taxes, including any adjustment to such Restructuring Taxes as a
result of a Final Determination, that are imposed on or attributable to any Group
Member to the extent that such Restructuring Taxes result, in whole or in part, from
any act or failure to act by any Cal Dive Group Member after the IPO Closing Date,
including any such act or failure to act that results in Parent recognizing income
or gain for Federal Income Tax purposes in excess of the amount of the Dividend.



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	 	(b)	 	Additional Taxes.





     Subject to Section 2.6(a), but notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement
to the contrary, Cal Dive shall be responsible for one hundred percent (100%) of any Additional
Taxes, determined for each applicable Tax Year, imposed on any Group Member that result or arise,
in whole or in part, from any act, failure to act, event or transaction that relates to any Cal
Dive Group Member’s breach of any representation, covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement
that occurs after the IPO Closing Date (a “Post-IPO Event”), including Additional Taxes
resulting or arising from any Cal Dive Group Member failing to provide assistance and cooperation
to Parent in accordance with Section 6.1 or failing to retain Tax Records in accordance
with Section 6.2.




	 	(c)	 	Combined Tax Returns Filed After the IPO Closing Date.





     Subject to Section 2.6(a) and Section 2.6(b), but notwithstanding any other
provision of this Agreement to the contrary, in the event any Combined Tax Return includes any
portion of a Post-IPO Period, the Income Taxes that are treated as imposed on or attributable to
the Cal Dive Group Members included in such Combined Tax Return for purposes of this Agreement
shall be determined as if such Cal Dive Group Members were not required to join and did not join in
the filing of the Combined Tax Return for the Post-IPO Period but instead filed their own
consolidated, combined or unitary Tax Return based solely on their income, apportionment factors
and other Tax Items included in such Combined Tax Return for the Post-IPO Period, with such Income
Taxes being calculated in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulations Section
1.1552-1(a)(2)(ii) for calculating the “separate tax liability” of a member of an affiliated group
or an applicable corresponding provision under the Tax Laws of any state, local or foreign
jurisdiction, as such corresponding provision is reasonably interpreted by Parent.



     Section 2.7. Payment for Certain Tax Benefits.



     As a result of the transactions contemplated in conjunction with the IPO, Parent will
recognize a substantial amount of taxable gain (the “Boot Gain”) as a result of cash
distributions by Cal Dive to Parent. As a result of this recognition of the Boot Gain, Cal Dive
will be entitled to increase its Tax basis in the assets contributed to Cal Dive by Parent and such
increase in Tax basis may result in a Tax Benefit to Cal Dive. For each taxable year of Cal Dive
that ends after the IPO Closing Date, but on or before the tenth anniversary of the IPO Closing
Date, Cal Dive shall compute its hypothetical Tax liability without taking into account the Tax
basis adjustment attributable to the recognition by Parent of the Boot Gain and subtract from such
hypothetical Tax liability its actual Tax liability for such year to determine the amount of the
post IPO Tax Benefit (“Post-IPO Tax Benefit”) for that year relating to the Tax basis
adjustment resulting from the recognition by Parent of the Boot Gain, such calculations being
subject to Parent’s review and approval. For each taxable year described in this section, Cal Dive
shall pay to Parent 90% of the Post-IPO Tax Benefit recognized with respect to such taxable year,
such payment to be made by Cal Dive to Parent on or before the 15th day following the date on which
Cal Dive files each Tax Return for such taxable year which includes such a Tax Benefit.



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Section 3. Proration of Taxes; Allocation of Tax Items.




     For purposes of apportioning Taxes and Tax Items between Pre-IPO Periods and Post-IPO Periods
and preparing and filing Tax Returns under this Agreement, the following provisions shall apply:



     Section 3.1. Proration of Tax Items.




	 	(a)	 	General Method.





     Except as provided in Section 3.1(b), Tax Items of the Cal Dive Group Members shall be
apportioned between Pre-IPO Periods and Post-IPO Periods in accordance with the principles of
Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-76(b) or an applicable corresponding provision under the Tax
Laws of any state, local or foreign jurisdiction, as such corresponding provision is reasonably
interpreted and applied by Parent. No election shall be made under Treasury Regulations Section
1.1502-76(b)(2)(ii) (relating to ratable allocation of a year’s items).




	 	(b)	 	Restructuring Tax Items.





     In determining the apportionment of Tax Items between Pre-IPO Periods and Post-IPO Periods,
any Tax Items relating to the Restructuring shall be treated as extraordinary items described in
Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-76(b)(2)(ii)(C) and shall be allocated to Pre-IPO Periods, and
any Taxes related to such Tax Items shall be treated under Treasury Regulations Section
1.1502-76(b)(2)(iv) as relating to such extraordinary item and shall be allocated to Pre-IPO
Periods.



     Section 3.2. Allocation of Tax Assets and Earnings & Profits.




	 	(a)	 	Allocation of Tax Assets.





     Parent shall determine in accordance with applicable Tax Laws the allocation of any applicable
Tax Assets among Parent, each other Parent Group Member, Cal Dive and each other Cal Dive Group
Member. The Companies hereby agree that in the absence of controlling legal authority or unless
otherwise provided under this Agreement, each Tax Asset shall be allocated to the Group Member who
generated such Tax Asset.




	 	(b)	 	Earnings & Profits.





     On or before the first anniversary of the IPO Closing Date, Parent shall advise Cal Dive in
writing of the decrease in Parent’s earnings and profits under Section 312(h) of the Code
attributable to the IPO; provided, however, that Parent shall provide Cal Dive with
estimates of such amounts (determined in accordance with past practice) prior to such anniversary
as reasonably requested by Cal Dive.



     Section 3.3. Parent Equity Awards.



     Except as otherwise required by applicable Tax Law and subject to the following sentence,
Parent shall be entitled to claim on its Tax Returns any and all Tax deductions



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attributable to an exercise, or a disqualifying disposition, grant, vesting, payment or
delivery of shares, or other consideration in lieu of shares, by Parent, under or in connection
with an Equity Award (including a payment of dividends in connection with an Equity Award), and no
Cal Dive Group Member shall attempt to claim on any Tax Return any such Tax deductions.
Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if Parent determines that under applicable Tax Law (or as a
result of a Final Determination) no Parent Group Member is entitled to claim such Tax deductions
but a Cal Dive Group Member is entitled to claim such Tax deductions, such Cal Dive Group Member
shall be entitled to claim such Tax deductions on its applicable Tax Returns, and Cal Dive shall
pay to Parent the “deemed tax benefit” of such Tax deductions, regardless of whether any Cal Dive
Group Member actually claims such Tax deductions or realizes a Tax Benefit from claiming any such
Tax deductions. For purposes of this Section 3.3, the “deemed tax benefit” shall
conclusively be the total amount of the available Tax deductions for any such exercise,
disqualifying disposition, grant, vesting or payment multiplied by 40%. Cal Dive shall pay the
“deemed tax benefit” amount, if any, to Parent no later than twenty (20) days after the later of
(a) Parent’s notification to Cal Dive that a Cal Dive Group Member is entitled to claim such Tax
deductions or (b) the occurrence of any applicable exercise, disqualifying disposition, grant,
vesting, payment or delivery of shares, or other consideration in lieu of shares, by Parent under
or in connection with an Equity Award. Further, if the performance of the obligations described in
this Section 3.3 shall become impracticable or impossible due to any change in Tax Law or
the interpretation thereof by any Tax Authority subsequent to the date of this Agreement, the
parties hereto shall use their best efforts to find an alternative means to achieve the same or
substantially the same result as that contemplated by this Section 3.3.



     Section 3.4. Separation Transactions Occurring After the IPO Closing Date.



     If the Parent Group Member transfers any part of the Cal Dive Business (including any
Subsidiary) to the Cal Dive Group, or any Cal Dive Group Member transfers any part of the Parent
Business (including any Subsidiary) to the Parent Group, after the IPO Closing Date in a
transaction contemplated by the Restructuring, such transfer will be deemed to have occurred
immediately before the IPO Closing Date for purposes of computing the Taxes imposed on or
attributable to the Cal Dive Group and the Parent Group.


Section 4. Preparation and Filing of Tax Returns.




     Section 4.1. Parent’s Responsibility.




	 	(a)	 	Parent Filed Returns.





     Parent shall have the exclusive obligation and right to prepare and file, or to cause to be
prepared and filed, all Tax Returns that include any Group Member if Parent is responsible under
this Agreement for any portion of the Taxes reported on such Tax Returns (“Parent Filed
Returns”), including (i) all Combined Tax Returns and (ii) all Cal Dive Separate Returns for
which Parent is responsible for any portion of any Tax reported on such Cal Dive Separate Return,
and Parent shall have the exclusive obligation and right to prepare and file, or to cause to be
prepared and filed, all Adjustment Requests made with respect to Parent Filed Returns. Cal Dive
shall, and shall cause each other Cal Dive Group Member to, assist and cooperate with



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Parent in accordance with Section 6 with respect to the preparation and filing of all
Parent Filed Returns, including providing information required to be provided in Section 6.
In the case of any Parent Filed Return which is required by applicable Tax Law to be signed by any
Cal Dive Group Member (or by its authorized representative), Cal Dive shall cause such Cal Dive
Group Member (or its authorized representative) to sign such Parent Filed Return.




	 	(b)	 	Preparation of Parent Filed Returns.





     Parent shall have the exclusive right, in its sole discretion, with respect to each Parent
Filed Return to determine (i) the manner in which such Parent Filed Return shall be prepared and
filed, including the elections, methods of accounting, positions, conventions and principles of
taxation to be used and the manner in which any Tax Item shall be reported, (ii) whether any
extensions may be requested, (iii) the elections that will be made on such Parent Filed Return,
(iv) whether an Adjustment Request should be made with respect to any Parent Filed Return, (v)
whether any refunds shall be paid by way of refund or credited against any liability for the
related Tax and (vi) whether to retain outside firms to prepare or review such Parent Filed
Returns.




	 	(c)	 	Election to Join Combined Tax Returns.





     Cal Dive shall cause each Cal Dive Group Member to elect and join in filing Combined Tax
Returns with any Parent Group Member that Parent reasonably determines are required to be filed
under applicable Tax Laws or will result in the minimization of the net present value of the
aggregate Tax to the Group Members eligible to join in such Combined Tax Returns.




	 	(d)	 	Appointment as Agent.





     Cal Dive hereby irrevocably designates, and agrees to cause each other Cal Dive Group Member
to so designate, Parent as its sole and exclusive agent and attorney-in-fact to take such action
(including execution of documents) as Parent, in its sole discretion, may deem appropriate in any
and all matters (including Tax Contests) relating to Combined Tax Returns.



     Section 4.2. Cal Dive Filed Returns.



     Cal Dive shall have the exclusive obligation and right to prepare and file, or to cause to be
prepared and filed, all Cal Dive Separate Returns that are not Parent Filed Returns (“Cal Dive
Filed Returns”), and Cal Dive shall have the exclusive obligation and right to prepare and
file, or to cause to be prepared and filed, all Adjustment Requests made with respect to Cal Dive
Filed Returns.



     Section 4.3. Tax Accounting Practices.




	 	(a)	 	In General.





     Except as otherwise provided in Section 4.3(b), to the extent the Tax accounting
practices or reporting position with respect to Tax Items reported on any Cal Dive Filed Return
might adversely affect any Parent Group Member, Cal Dive shall prepare such Cal Dive Filed Return
and report such Tax Items in a manner that is consistent with Parent’s past Tax accounting



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practices and reporting positions with respect to such Tax Items (unless such past Tax
accounting practices or reporting positions are no longer permissible under the Code or other
applicable Tax Law), and to the extent any Tax Items are not covered by past Tax accounting
practices or reporting positions (or in the event such past Tax accounting practices or reporting
positions are no longer permissible under the Code or other applicable Tax Law), in accordance with
reasonable Tax accounting practices and reporting positions selected by Parent.




	 	(b)	 	Reporting of Restructuring Tax Items.





     Parent shall determine the proper Tax treatment of any Tax Items relating to the Restructuring
and the method for reporting such Tax Item on any Tax Return. Such treatment and reporting method
shall be used by Cal Dive in preparing and filing any Cal Dive Filed Return unless there is no
reasonable basis for such Tax treatment. To the extent any Cal Dive Filed Return includes a Tax
Item relating to the Restructuring, Cal Dive shall submit a copy of such Cal Dive Filed Return to
Parent for its review. Cal Dive shall use its reasonable best efforts to make such Cal Dive Filed
Return available for Parent’s review sufficiently in advance of the due date for filing such Cal
Dive Filed Return to provide Parent with a meaningful opportunity to analyze and comment on such
Cal Dive Filed Return and have such Cal Dive Filed Return modified before filing.



     Section 4.4. Right to Review Combined Tax Returns.



     Parent shall make each Combined Tax Return and related workpapers available for review by Cal
Dive, if requested, to the extent (i) such Combined Tax Return relates to Taxes for which Cal Dive
may be responsible under this Agreement or (ii) Cal Dive reasonably determines that it must inspect
such Combined Tax Return to confirm its compliance with the terms of this Agreement. Parent shall
use its reasonable best efforts to make such Combined Tax Return available for review as required
under this paragraph sufficiently in advance of the due date for filing such Combined Tax Return to
provide Cal Dive with a meaningful opportunity to analyze and comment on such Combined Tax Return
and have such Combined Tax Return modified before filing. Parent and Cal Dive shall attempt in
good faith to resolve any issues arising out of the review of such Combined Tax Returns.



     Section 4.5. Adjustment Requests; Carrybacks; Utilization of Tax Assets.




	 	(a)	 	Adjustment Requests and Carrybacks Requiring Parent’s Consent.





     Except as otherwise required by applicable Tax Law or unless Parent otherwise consents in
writing, Cal Dive hereby agrees to cause each Cal Dive Group Member (i) to not make any Adjustment
Request with respect to any Income Tax for any Pre-IPO Period and (ii) to make any available
elections to relinquish the right to claim in any Pre-IPO Period any Carryback Items of any Cal
Dive Group Member arising in a Post-IPO Period, including making the election under Section
172(b)(3) of the Code (and any similar provision of any other applicable Tax Laws) to relinquish
the right to carry back net operating losses. With respect to any Adjustment Request to which
Parent grants its consent under the preceding sentence, Cal Dive shall reimburse Parent for its
legal, accounting, administrative and other related expenses incurred in preparing, filing and
making any such Adjustment Request.



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	 	(b)	 	Carrybacks to Pre-IPO Periods.





     Notwithstanding Section 4.5(a), if any Cal Dive Group Member is required by applicable
Tax Law to carry back a Carryback Item arising in a Post-IPO Period to a Pre-IPO Period, the
Companies agree that any Carryback Item of any Parent Group Member that may be carried back to the
same Pre-IPO Period shall be deemed to be used before any Carryback Item of any Cal Dive Group
Member. If any Parent Group Member receives a refund or realizes a Tax Benefit as a result of a
Carryback Item of any Cal Dive Group Member arising in a Post-IPO Period being carried back to a
Pre-IPO Period, Parent shall make a payment to Cal Dive in an amount equal to such refund or the
realized Tax Benefit within 30 days following either the receipt of such refund or the filing of
the Tax Return reflecting the realization of such Tax Benefit.




	 	(c)	 	Other Adjustment Requests Permitted.





     With respect to any Tax imposed on or attributable to any Group Member for any applicable
Pre-IPO Period, Parent may make an Adjustment Request with respect to such Tax, including carrying
back a Carryback Item of any Parent Group Member arising in a Post-IPO Period to any Pre-IPO
Period. Any refund or other Tax Benefit obtained as a result of any such Adjustment Request
pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be for the account of Parent, and Parent shall have no
obligation to compensate or make a payment to any Cal Dive Group Member in the event any such
Adjustment Request results in a Tax Detriment to any Cal Dive Group Member.




	 	(d)	 	Utilization of Tax Assets.





     With respect to each Combined Tax Return and any adjustment to the Income Taxes reflected on a
Combined Tax Return as a result of a Tax Contest, Adjustment Request or otherwise, each Group
Member included in such Combined Tax Return shall be entitled to use, in accordance with applicable
Tax Laws, any and all Tax Assets of each other Group Member included in such Combined Tax Return.
Except as provided in Section 5.1(c) with respect to Joint Taxes, no Group Member that
utilizes the Tax Assets of any other Group Member shall be required to compensate or make any
payment to such other Group Member with respect to the utilization of such Tax Assets.


Section 5. Payments Under this Agreement.




     Section 5.1. Joint Taxes.



     With respect to any Tax for any Tax Year for which Parent and Cal Dive are each responsible
for a portion of such Tax under this Agreement (a “Joint Tax”), the following provisions
shall apply:




	 	(a)	 	Joint Taxes Relating to Parent Filed Returns.





     With respect to any Joint Tax that is reflected or reported on any Parent Filed Return, Parent
shall determine the amount of such Joint Tax that Cal Dive is responsible for under Section
2 (“Cal Dive’s Allocated Tax Liability”). At least 15 days prior to an applicable
Payment Date, Parent shall deliver to Cal Dive a statement setting forth in appropriate detail



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Parent’s determination of Cal Dive’s Allocated Tax Liability and the amount (if any) of the
cumulative net payments made with respect to such Joint Tax prior to the date of such statement by
the Cal Dive Group (“Cal Dive’s Cumulative Tax Payment”). Not more than 30 days after Cal
Dive’s receipt of such statement, Cal Dive shall pay Parent an amount equal to the excess (if any)
of Cal Dive’s Allocated Tax Liability, over Cal Dive’s Cumulative Tax Payment. If Cal Dive’s
Cumulative Tax Payment is greater than Cal Dive’s Allocated Tax Liability, then Parent shall pay
such excess to Cal Dive within 30 days of Parent’s receipt of the corresponding Tax Benefit
(i.e., through either a reduction in Parent’s otherwise required Tax payment or a refund of
prior Tax payments).




	 	(b)	 	Adjustments to Joint Taxes.





     If there is any adjustment to any Joint Tax described in Section 5.1(a), whether as a
result of a Tax Contest, Adjustment Request or otherwise, Parent shall redetermine Cal Dive’s
Allocated Tax Liability (“Cal Dive’s Redetermined Allocated Tax Liability”). After
determining Cal Dive’s Redetermined Allocated Tax Liability, Parent shall deliver to Cal Dive a
statement setting forth in appropriate detail Parent’s determination of Cal Dive’s Redetermined
Allocated Tax Liability and the amount (if any) of Cal Dive’s Cumulative Tax Payments made with
respect to such Joint Tax prior to the date of such statement. Not more than 30 days after Cal
Dive’s receipt of such statement, Cal Dive shall pay Parent an amount equal to the excess (if any)
of Cal Dive’s Redetermined Allocated Tax Liability, over Cal Dive’s Cumulative Tax Payments. If
Cal Dive’s Cumulative Tax Payment is greater than Cal Dive’s Redetermined Allocated Tax Liability,
then Parent shall pay such excess to Cal Dive within 30 days of Parent’s receipt of the
corresponding Tax Benefit (i.e., through either a reduction in Parent’s otherwise required
Tax payment or a refund of prior Tax payments).




	 	(c)	 	Payments for Use of Tax Assets.





     If a Parent Group Member realizes a Tax Benefit upon its utilization of a Tax Asset of a Cal
Dive Group Member, Parent shall make a payment to Cal Dive equal to the Tax Benefit realized to the
extent such utilized Tax Asset of the Cal Dive Group Member arose or accrued during any Post-IPO
Period. If a Cal Dive Group Member realizes a Tax Benefit upon its utilization of a Tax Asset of a
Parent Group Member, Cal Dive shall make a payment to Parent equal to the Tax Benefit realized to
the extent such utilization occurs during any Post-IPO Period. Any payment required to be made
under this Section 5.1(c) shall be paid within 30 days following either the receipt of a
refund or the filing of the Tax Return reflecting the realization of such Tax Benefit.



     Section 5.2. Payments to Tax Authority.



     With respect to each Tax Return that a Company is required to prepare and file under this
Agreement, such Company shall pay, or cause to be paid, to the applicable Tax Authority when due
(including extensions) all Taxes determined to be due and payable. With respect to any Joint Taxes
described in Section 5.1(a), Parent shall pay, or cause to be paid, to the applicable Tax
Authority when due such Joint Taxes.



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     Section 5.3. Timing of Payments.



     In the event a Company is required to make a payment to the other Company under this Agreement
and the time for making such payment is not otherwise provided for in this Agreement, the first
Company shall make such payment within 30 days of its receipt of such other Company’s written
demand for such payment, which written demand shall include in reasonable detail an explanation and
computation of the amount due.



     Section 5.4. Tax Treatment of Payments.



     Unless otherwise required by applicable Tax Law, the Companies agree that any payments made by
one Company to the other Company (other than any reimbursement of expense pursuant to Section
4.5(a) and interest payments pursuant to Section 5.5) pursuant to this Agreement shall
be treated for all Tax and financial accounting purposes as nontaxable payments (dividend
distributions or capital contributions, as the case may be) made immediately prior to the IPO and,
accordingly, as not includible in the Taxable income of the recipient Company or as deductible by
the payor Company. If, notwithstanding the previous sentence, there is a Final Determination that
the recipient Company’s receipt of such payment is subject to Tax, the payor Company shall pay to
the recipient Company an additional amount that, when added to the prior payment, will result in
the recipient Company receiving an amount equal to such prior payment, after taking into account
all Taxes that are payable by the recipient Company with respect to the receipt of such prior
payment and such additional amount.



     Section 5.5. Interest.



     Any payment that is not made within the period prescribed in this Agreement (the “Payment
Period”) shall bear interest at the Default Rate, compounded semiannually, for the period from
and including the date immediately following the last date of the Payment Period through and
including the date of payment. Notwithstanding Section 5.4, the interest payment shall be
treated as interest expense to the payor (deductible to the extent provided by applicable Tax Law)
and as interest income by the recipient (includible in income to the extent provided by applicable
Tax Law).



     Section 5.6. Refunds.




	 	(a)	 	Refund Received by Parent Group Members.





     If a Parent Group Member receives a Tax refund with respect to Taxes for which a Cal Dive
Group Member is responsible hereunder, Parent shall pay to Cal Dive within 30 days following the
receipt of the Tax refund, an amount equal to such Tax refund.




	 	(b)	 	Refund Received by Cal Dive Group Members.





     If a Cal Dive Group Member receives a Tax refund with respect to Taxes for which a Parent
Group Member is responsible hereunder, Cal Dive shall pay to Parent within 30 days following the
receipt of the Tax refund, an amount equal to such Tax refund.



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     Section 5.7. Payments by or to Other Members of the Groups.



     When appropriate under the circumstances to reflect the underlying liability for a Tax or
entitlement to a Tax refund or Tax Benefit, a payment which is required to be made by or to a
Company may be made by or to another member of the Group to which that Company belongs, but nothing
in this Section 5.7 shall relieve any Company of its obligations under this Agreement.



     Section 5.8. Tax Benefits from Payment of Taxes.



     With respect to any Tax Benefits received by a Cal Dive Group Member after the IPO Closing
Date that result from Taxes for which Parent is responsible hereunder, including as a result of the
utilization of foreign tax credits and minimum tax credits, Cal Dive shall make a payment to Parent
in an amount equal to the Tax Benefit received, with such payment being made within 30 days
following the filing of the Tax Return reflecting the realization of such Tax Benefit. For
purposes of this Section 5.8, the Cal Dive Group Member (i) shall be deemed to realize such
Tax Benefit in the first Tax Year (or Tax Years) that such Tax Benefit (or the Tax Item giving rise
to such Tax Benefit) may be realized under applicable Tax Law, (ii) shall be deemed to pay Tax at
the highest marginal corporate Tax rates in effect in each relevant Tax Year and (iii) shall be
deemed to have utilized the Tax Items attributable to the Taxes that are the responsibility of
Parent giving rise to such Tax Benefit prior to similar Tax Items of any Cal Dive Group Member that
could have otherwise been utilized by the Cal Dive Group Member.


Section 6. Assistance and Cooperation; Retention of Tax Records.




     Section 6.1. Assistance and Cooperation.



     Cal Dive shall cause each Cal Dive Group Member to cooperate with Parent and its agents,
including accounting firms and legal counsel, in connection with Tax matters relating to (i) the
preparation and filing of Tax Returns, (ii) determining the liability for and the amount of any
Taxes due (including estimated Taxes) or the right to an amount of any refund of Taxes and (iii)
any Tax Contest. Such cooperation shall include making all information and documents, including
Tax Records, in any Cal Dive Group Member’s possession relating to any Group Member available to
Parent for inspection during normal business hours upon reasonable notice and, upon request by
Parent, providing copies, at Cal Dive’s expense, of such information and documents, including Tax
Records. Cal Dive shall also make available to Parent, as reasonably requested and available,
personnel (including each Cal Dive Group Member’s officers, directors, employees and agents)
responsible for preparing, maintaining and interpreting information and documents relevant to Taxes
and personnel reasonably required as witnesses or for purposes of providing information or
documents in connection with any Tax Contest. Any information or documents provided under this
Section 6 shall be kept confidential by Parent, except as may otherwise be necessary in
connection with the filing of Tax Returns or in connection with any Tax Contest.



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     Section 6.2. Tax Records.




	 	(a)	 	Retention of Tax Records.





     Each Company shall preserve and keep all Tax Records exclusively relating to Separate Company
Taxes of its Group for Pre-IPO Periods, and Parent shall preserve and keep all other Tax Records
relating to Taxes of the Groups for Pre-IPO Periods, for so long as the contents thereof may become
material in the administration of any matter under the Code or other applicable Tax Law, but in any
event until the later of (i) the expiration of any applicable statutes of limitation, or (ii) seven
years after the IPO Closing Date. If, prior to the expiration of the applicable statute of
limitation and such seven-year period, a Company reasonably determines that any Tax Records which
it is required to preserve and keep under this Section 6.2 are no longer material in the
administration of any matter under the Code or other applicable Tax Law, such Company may dispose
of such Tax Records upon 90 days prior notice to the other Company. Such notice shall include a
list of the Tax Records to be disposed of, describing in reasonable detail each file, book or other
record accumulation being disposed. The notified Company shall have the opportunity, at its cost
and expense, to copy or remove, within such 90-day period, all or any part of such Tax Records.




	 	(b)	 	Access to Tax Records.





     The Companies shall make available to members of the other Group for inspection and copying
during normal business hours upon reasonable notice all Tax Records in their possession to the
extent reasonably requested by any such member of the other Group in connection with the
preparation of Tax Returns, Tax Contests or the resolution of items under this Agreement.


Section 7. Tax Contests.




     Section 7.1. Notice.



     Each Company shall provide prompt notice to the other Company of any pending or threatened Tax
audit, assessment or proceeding or other Tax Contest of which it becomes aware that could affect
any Tax liability for which the other Company may be responsible under this Agreement;
provided, however, that failure to give prompt notice shall not affect the
indemnification obligations hereunder except to the extent the Indemnifying Company is actually
prejudiced thereby. Such notice shall contain factual information (to the extent known) describing
such audit, assessment or proceeding in reasonable detail and shall be accompanied by copies of any
notice and other documents received from any Tax Authority in respect of any such matters.



     Section 7.2. Control of Tax Contests.




	 	(a)	 	Tax Contests Relating to Tax Returns.





     Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Company responsible for preparing and
filing a Tax Return pursuant to Section 4 of this Agreement (the “Controlling
Company”) shall have the exclusive right, in its sole discretion, to control, contest and
represent the interests of each Group in any Tax Contest relating to such Tax Return and to
resolve, settle or agree to



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any deficiency, claim or adjustment proposed, asserted or assessed in connection with or as a
result of any such Tax Contest. The Controlling Company’s rights shall extend to any matter
pertaining to the management and control of the Tax Contest, including execution of waivers, choice
of forum, scheduling of conferences and the resolution of any Tax Item.




	 	(b)	 	Additional Taxes & Restructuring Taxes.





     Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, Parent shall have the
exclusive right, in its sole discretion, to control, contest and represent the interests of each
Group in any Tax Contest relating, in whole or in part, to Additional Taxes and Restructuring Taxes
and to resolve, settle or agree to any deficiency, claim or adjustment proposed, asserted or
assessed in connection with or as a result of any such Tax Contest. Parent’s rights shall extend
to any matter pertaining to the management and control of the Tax Contest, including execution of
waivers, choice of forum, scheduling of conferences and the resolution of any Tax Item.




	 	(c)	 	Other Taxes.





     In the case of any Tax Contest with respect to any Other Tax for which Cal Dive is solely
responsible under Section 2.5, Cal Dive shall have the exclusive right, in its sole
discretion, to control, contest and represent the interests of the Cal Dive Group in such Tax
Contest and to resolve, settle or agree to any deficiency, claim or adjustment proposed, asserted
or assessed in connection with or as a result of any such Tax Contest. With respect to any Other
Tax not described in the preceding sentence, Parent shall have the exclusive right, in its sole
discretion, to control, contest and represent the interests of the Groups in such Tax Contest and
to resolve, settle or agree to any deficiency, claim or adjustment proposed, asserted or assessed
in connection with or as a result of any such Tax Contest.



     Section 7.3. Reimbursement of Expenses.



     If the Indemnifying Company is not the Controlling Company, the Indemnifying Company shall
reimburse the Controlling Company for its costs (including accountant’s fees, investigatory fees
and fees and disbursements of tax counsel) (“Indemnification Expenses”) incurred in any Tax
Contest that are reasonably allocable to the portion of the contested Taxes that would be the
responsibility of the Indemnifying Company hereunder upon a Final Determination that such contested
Taxes are due. The Controlling Company shall provide the Indemnifying Company with a written
statement (a “Reimbursement Statement”) periodically (but not more often than monthly) that
sets forth the amount of the Controlling Company’s Indemnification Expenses since the most recent
Reimbursement Statement and due hereunder. Within 15 days of the Indemnifying Company’s receipt of
each Reimbursement Statement, the Indemnifying Company shall pay to the Controlling Company the
total amount of the Indemnification Expenses shown on such Reimbursement Statement.



Section 8. Continuing Covenants.



     Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, each of Parent (for itself and each other
Parent Group Member) and Cal Dive (for itself and each other Cal Dive Group Member) agrees (i) not
to take any action reasonably expected to result in an increased Tax liability to another Group, a
reduction in a Tax Asset of another Group or an increased liability to another Group



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under this Agreement, (ii) not to take any action, fail to take any action or commit any
omission that would result in Additional Taxes and (iii) to take any action reasonably requested by
a Company that would reasonably be expected to result in a Tax Benefit or avoid a Tax Detriment to
such Company; provided, that such action does not result in any additional direct or
indirect cost not fully compensated for by the requesting Company.



Section 9. Dispute Resolution.



     In the event that the Companies disagree as to the amount or calculation of any payment to be
made under this Agreement, or the interpretation or application of any provision under this
Agreement, the Companies shall attempt in good faith to resolve such dispute. If such dispute is
not resolved within 60 days following the commencement of the dispute, the Companies shall jointly
retain an Independent Firm, reasonably acceptable to the Companies, to resolve the dispute;
provided, however, that in order to pursue any such dispute resolution under this
Section 9, the Indemnifying Company must first pay to the Indemnified Company, or place in
an escrow account reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Company pending resolution of such
dispute, an amount equal to the payment which is the subject of such dispute. The Independent Firm
shall act as an arbitrator to resolve all points of disagreement and its decision shall be final
and binding upon the Companies. Following the decision of the Independent Firm, the Companies
shall take, or cause to be taken, any action necessary to implement the decision of the Independent
Firm. The fees and expenses relating to the Independent Firm shall be borne by the Company that
does not prevail in the dispute resolution proceeding. Notwithstanding any provision of this
Agreement to the contrary, the provisions of Article VII of the Master Agreement shall apply to any
disagreement between the Companies relating to Restructuring Taxes or any matter relating to any
Tax Contest.


Section 10. General Provisions.




     Section 10.1. Effectiveness; Termination of Prior Tax Allocation Agreements.



     This Agreement shall be effective on the date first written above. Immediately prior to the
close of business on the date hereof (i) all Prior Tax Allocation Agreements shall be terminated,
and (ii) amounts due under such Prior Tax Allocation Agreements as of the date hereof shall be
settled. Upon such termination and settlement, no further payments by or to any Parent Group
Member or by or to any Cal Dive Group Member, with respect to such Prior Tax Allocation Agreements,
shall be made, and all other rights and obligations resulting from such Prior Tax Allocation
Agreements between the Companies and their Affiliates shall cease at such time. Any payments
pursuant to such Prior Tax Allocation Agreements shall be ignored for purposes of computing amounts
due under this Agreement.



     Section 10.2. Survival of Obligations.



     The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth in this Agreement shall be
unconditional and absolute and shall remain in effect without limitation as to time.



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     Section 10.3. Addresses and Notices.



     All notices, consents, requests, instructions, approvals, statements, reports and other
communications provided for herein shall be validly given, made or served, if in writing and
delivered personally or sent by registered mail, postage prepaid, or by facsimile transmission:



     If to Parent:


Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc.

400 N. Sam Houston Parkway East, Suite 400

Houston, Texas 77060

Attn: General Counsel

Fax: (281) 618-0505




     If to Cal Dive:


Cal Dive International, Inc.

400 N. Sam Houston Parkway East, Suite 1000

Houston, Texas 77060

Attn: General Counsel

Fax: (281) 618-0503



or to such other address that a Company may, from time to time, designate in a written notice to
the other Company given in a like manner. Notice delivered personally shall be deemed delivered
when received by the recipient. Notice given by mail as set out above shall be deemed delivered
five calendar days after the date the same is mailed. Notice given by facsimile transmission shall
be deemed delivered on the day of transmission provided telephone confirmation of receipt is
obtained promptly after completion of transmission.




     Section 10.4. Binding Effect.



     This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Companies and their
successors and assigns.



     Section 10.5. Waiver.



     No failure by any Company to insist upon the strict performance of any obligation under this
Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy under this Agreement shall constitute waiver of any
such obligation, right or remedy or any other obligation, rights or remedies under this Agreement.



     Section 10.6. Invalidity of Provisions.



     If any provision of this Agreement is or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any
respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein
shall not be affected thereby.



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     Section 10.7. Further Action.



     Each Company shall execute and deliver all documents, provide all information and take or
refrain from taking action as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this
Agreement, including the execution and delivery to the other Company and their Affiliates and
representatives of such powers of attorney or other authorizing documentation as is reasonably
necessary or appropriate in connection with Tax Contests under the control of any such other
Company in accordance with Section 7.



     Section 10.8. Integration.



     This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Companies pertaining to the
subject matter of this Agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings pertaining
thereto. In the event of any inconsistency between this Agreement and the Master Agreement or any
other agreements relating to the transactions contemplated by the Master Agreement, the provisions
of this Agreement shall control.



     Section 10.9. Construction.



     The language in all parts of this Agreement shall in all cases be construed according to its
fair meaning and shall not be strictly construed for or against any Company.



     Section 10.10. No Double Recovery.



     No provision of this Agreement shall be construed to provide an indemnity or other recovery
for any costs, damages or other amounts for which the damaged Company has been fully compensated
under any other provision of this Agreement or under any other agreement or action at law or
equity. Unless expressly required in this Agreement, a Company shall not be required to exhaust
all remedies available under other agreements or at law or equity before recovering under the
remedies provided in this Agreement.



     Section 10.11. Setoff.



     All payments to be made by any Company under this Agreement may be netted against payments due
to such Company under this Agreement, but otherwise shall be made without setoff, counterclaim or
withholding, all of which are hereby expressly waived.



     Section 10.12. Counterparts.



     This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an
original, and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.



     Section 10.13. No Third Party Rights.



     This Agreement is only intended to allocate the responsibility for certain Taxes between
Parent and Cal Dive and to address the other Tax matters stated herein. Nothing in this Agreement,
express or implied, is intended or shall confer any right, benefit or remedy of any nature
whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement upon any Group Member or Person



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other than Parent and Cal Dive. Parent and Cal Dive acknowledge and agree that the respective
rights of the Parent Indemnitees and the Cal Dive Indemnitees expressly provided under this
Agreement may only be enforced by Parent and Cal Dive, respectively.



     Section 10.14. Governing Law.



     This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of
Texas applicable to contracts executed in and to be performed in the State of Texas.



[Signature Page Follows]




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     In Witness Whereof, the Companies have caused this Agreement to be executed by their
respective officers as of the date set forth above.



	 	 	 	 	 
	 	HELIX ENERGY SOLUTIONS GROUP, INC.

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Martin R. Ferron
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Martin R. Ferron 	 
	 	 	Its:       President and Chief Executive Officer 	 
	 
	 	CAL DIVE INTERNATIONAL, INC.

 	 
	 	By:  	Quinn J. Hébert
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Quinn J. Hébert 	 
	 	 	Its:        President and Chief Executive Officer 	 



 









 






	 	 	 	 	 



SCHEDULE 1.1




List of Cal Dive Subsidiaries




CDI Janus Holdings LLC

Cal Dive HR Services LLC

Cal Dive International Pte Limited

Cal Dive International (Australia) Pty Limited

CDI Proteus LLC

CDI Umbra LLC

Marine Technology Solutions St. Lucia Limited-IBC

Offshore Technology Solutions Limited (40% owned)

CDI Prometheus Holdings, Inc.

CDI Vessel Holdings LLC




 









 





SCHEDULE 1.2




List of Parent Subsidiaries




Helix Oil & Gas, Inc.

Helix Energy Solutions (U.K.) Limited

Well Ops, Inc.

Vulcan Marine Holdings LLC

Neptune Vessel Holdings LLC

Helix Energy Solutions BV

Cal Dive I — Title XI, Inc.

Helix Vessel Holdings LLC

Cal Dive Offshore Ltd.

Canyon Offshore, Inc.

Energy Resource Technology GOM, Insc.

Energy Resource Technology (U.K.) Limited

Canyon Offshore Limited

Canyon Offshore International Corp.

CKB Petroleum, Inc.

CKB & Associates, Inc.

Box Brothers Realty Investments Company

CB Farms, Inc.

Box Resources, Inc.

Helix Energy Limited

Well Ops (U.K.) Limited

Helix RDS Limited

Helix RDS Sdn Bhd (50% owned)

Helix RDS Pty Limited

Helix HR Services Limited

Well Ops PTE Limited

Vulcan Marine Technology LLC

Deepwater Gateway LLC (50% owned)

Helix Energy Services PTE Limited

Helix Energy Services Pty Limited

Kommandor LLC (50% owned)

Wells Ops SEA Pty Ltd. (58% owned)