Sec Form 4 Filing - Beatty Brian A @ SAExploration Holdings, Inc. - 2018-01-26

FORM 4 Check this box if no longer subject to Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instruction 1(b).

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP Filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Section 17(a) of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 or Section 30(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940

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1. Name and Address of Reporting Person Beatty Brian A 2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol SAExploration Holdings, Inc. [ SAEX] 5. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer (Check all applicable) X __ Director _____ 10% Owner X __ Officer (give title below) _____ Other (specify below) Chief Operating Officer (Last) (First) (Middle) 4860 25TH STREET SE 3. Date of Earliest Transaction (MM/DD/YY) 01/26/2018 (Street) CALGARY, A0T2B 3M2 4. If Amendment, Date Original Filed (MM/DD/YY) 6. Individual or Joint/Group Filing (Check Applicable Line) __ X __ Form filed by One Reporting Person _____ Form filed by More than One Reporting Person (City) (State) (Zip)

Table I - Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned 1.Title of Security (Instr. 3) 2. Transaction Date (MM/DD/YY) 2A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (MM/DD/YY) 3. Transaction Code (Instr. 8) 4. Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5) 5. Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 3 and 4) 6. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4) 7. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4) Code V Amount (A) or (D) Price Common Stock 01/26/2018 M 16,193 A $ 10.19 45,687 D Common Stock 01/26/2018 M 58,834 ( 1 ) A 104,521 D Common Stock 01/26/2018 F 43,242 D $ 2.46 61,279 D

Table II - Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned ( e.g. , puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities) 1. Title of Derivative Security (Instr. 3) 2. Conversion or Exercise Price of Derivative Security 3. Transaction Date (MM/DD/YY) 3A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (MM/DD/YY) 4. Transaction Code (Instr. 8) 5. Number of Derivative Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D) (Instr. 3, 4, and 5) 6. Date Exercisable and Expiration Date (MM/DD/YY) 7. Title and Amount of Underlying Securities (Instr. 3 and 4) 8. Price of Derivative Security (Instr. 5) 9. Number of Derivative Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 4) 10. Ownership Form of Derivative Security: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4) 11. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4) Code V (A) (D) Date Exercisable Expiration Date Title Amount or Number of Shares Restricted Stock Units ( 2 ) 01/26/2018 M 58,834 ( 3 ) ( 4 ) Common Stock 58,834 ( 2 ) 0 D Stock Option (Right to Buy) $ 10.19 ( 5 ) 01/26/2018 M 16,193 ( 3 ) 09/26/2026 Common Stock 16,193 $ 10.19 0 D

Reporting Owners Reporting Owner Name / Address Relationships Director 10% Owner Officer Other Beatty Brian A 4860 25TH STREET SE CALGARY, A0T2B 3M2 X Chief Operating Officer Signatures /s/ Brian A. Beatty 02/01/2018 Signature of Reporting Person Date

Explanation of Responses:

( 1 )The restricted stock units were issued pursuant to the SAExploration Holdings, Inc. (the "Company") 2016 Long Term Incentive Plan on September 26, 2016. The 2016 Long Term Incentive Plan was amended and restated effective as of May 30, 2017 (as amended, the "LTIP"). Each restricted stock unit issued pursuant to the LTIP represents the right to receive, upon the applicable vesting date, either (i) a share of Common Stock of the Company or (ii) an amount of cash equal in value to the value of a share of the Company's Common Stock on the date of transfer. The Reporting Person elected to receive shares of Common Stock of the Company in lieu of an amount of cash equal to the value of such Common Stock of the Company. ( 2 )Each restricted stock unit issued pursuant to the Plan represents the right to receive, upon vesting, either (i) a share of Common Stock of the Company or (ii) an amount of cash equal to the value of a share of the Company's Common Stock on the date of transfer. This transaction represents the settlement of restricted stock units in shares of common stock on their accelerated vesting date. ( 3 )Pursuant to the terms of the Restructuring Support Agreement dated as of December 19, 2017, among SAExploration Holdings, Inc., as approved by the Board of Directors on January 24, 2018, the members of management identified therein and the supporting holders identified therein, all issued equity compensation shall vest and convert into common shares immediately prior to the Closing Date and be treated as existing equity subject to dilution pursuant to the Term Sheet (all terms as defined therein). ( 4 )The restricted stock units will vest as follows: (i) 1/3 on the earliest to occur of certain events as defined in the LTIP; (ii) 1/3 on the second anniversary of the Closing Date, as defined in the LTIP; and (iii) the remaining 1/3 on the third anniversary of the Closing Date, as defined in the LTIP. ( 5 )The Exercise Price of the option is $10.19 per share, which is equal to the VWAP per common share for the 30-day period that ends on the Grant Date, all terms as defined in the Company's 2016 Long Term Incentive Plan (the "LTIP").

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