DEFERRED COMPENSATION LIABILITY

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

DEFERRED COMPENSATION LIABILITY [Abstract]

7.	DEFERRED COMPENSATION LIABILITY

In August 2010, the Board of Directors approved a new unfunded deferred compensation agreement for Turid M. Sørensen, the Chief Financial Officer. The agreement provides for unfunded deferred compensation computed as a percentage of salary, and certain benefits for dependents. The deferred compensation liabilities are denominated in Norwegian currency. Benefits vest over a period of employment of 20.5 years up to a maximum of 66% of the salary level at the time of retirement, age of 67. Interest is imputed at 3.90% and 4.60% as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The rights under the agreement commenced in May 2008. As the agreement was effective in 2010, vested rights under the agreement were recognized in 2010.

In May 2007, the Board of Directors approved an unfunded deferred compensation agreement for Herbjørn Hansson, the Chairman, President and CEO. The agreement provides for unfunded deferred compensation computed as a percentage of salary, and certain benefits for dependents. The deferred compensation liabilities are denominated in Norwegian currency. Benefits vest over a period of employment of 14 years up to a maximum of 66% of the salary level at the time of retirement, age of 70. Interest is imputed at 3.90% and 4.60% as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The rights under the agreement commenced in October 2004. The CEO has the right to require a bank guarantee for the deferred compensation liability and the CEO has served in his position since the inception of the Company in 1995. The total expense recognized in 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $1.7 million, $2.5 million and $1.6 million, respectively.

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of pension and other postretirement benefit arrangements with individual employees, which are generally based on employment contracts between the entity and one or more selected officers or key employees, and which contain a promise by the employer to pay certain amounts at designated future dates, usually including a period after retirement, upon compliance with stipulated requirements. This type of arrangement is distinguished from broader based employee benefit plans as it is usually tailored to the employee. Disclosure also typically includes the amount of related compensation expense recognized during the reporting period and the carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of the related liability.

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