SENIOR SECURED REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT
dated as of April 22, 2016
among
SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY
as Borrower
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
as Administrative Agent
and
the Lenders party hereto
__________________________________________
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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ARTICLE I
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DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING MATTERS
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Section 1.01
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Terms Defined Above 2
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Section 1.02
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Certain Defined Terms
2
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Section 1.03
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Types of Loans and Borrowings
33
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Section 1.04
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Terms Generally; Rules of Construction
33
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Section 1.05
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Accounting Terms and Determinations; GAAP
34
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Section 1.06
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Times of Day
34
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Section 1.07
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Timing of Payment or Performance
34
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Section 2.01
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Commitments
34
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Section 2.02
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Loans and Borrowings
35
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Section 2.03
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Requests for Borrowings
35
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Section 2.04
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Interest Elections
36
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Section 2.05
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Funding of Borrowings
37
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Section 2.06
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Termination and Reduction of Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts
38
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Section 2.07
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Borrowing Base
39
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Section 2.08
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Borrowing Base Adjustment Provisions.
41
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Section 2.09
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Letters of Credit
42
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Section 2.10
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Defaulting Lenders
46
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Section 2.11
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Increase of Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts
48
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ARTICLE III
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PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST; PREPAYMENTS; FEES
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Section 3.01
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Repayment of Loans
49
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Section 3.03
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Alternate Rate of Interest
50
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Section 3.04
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Prepayments
50
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ARTICLE IV
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PAYMENTS; PRO RATA TREATMENT; SHARING OF SET-OFFS
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Section 4.01
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Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs
54
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Section 4.02
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Presumption of Payment by the Borrower
55
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Section 4.03
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Certain Deductions by the Administrative Agent
55
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ARTICLE V
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INCREASED COSTS; BREAK FUNDING PAYMENTS; TAXES; ILLEGALITY
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Section 5.01
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Increased Costs
55
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Section 5.02
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Break Funding Payments
56
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Section 5.04
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Designation of Different Lending Office
60
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Section 5.05
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Replacement of Lenders
60
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ARTICLE VI
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CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
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Section 6.01
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Closing Date
61
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Section 6.02
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Each Credit Event
64
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ARTICLE VII
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REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
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Section 7.01
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Organization; Powers
64
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Section 7.02
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Authority; Enforceability
65
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Section 7.03
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Approvals; No Conflicts
65
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Section 7.04
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Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change
65
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Section 7.05
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Litigation
66
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Section 7.06
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Environmental Matters
66
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Section 7.07
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Compliance with the Laws; No Defaults
67
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Section 7.08
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Investment Company Act
67
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Section 7.11
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Disclosure; No Material Misstatements
68
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Section 7.12
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Insurance
68
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Section 7.13
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Restriction on Liens
68
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Section 7.14
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Group Members
69
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Section 7.15
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Location of Business and Offices
69
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Section 7.16
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Properties; Title, Etc
69
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Section 7.17
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Maintenance of Properties
70
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Section 7.18
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Gas Imbalances
70
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Section 7.19
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Marketing of Production
70
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Section 7.20
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Security Documents
70
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Section 7.21
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Swap Agreements
71
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Section 7.22
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Use of Loans and Letters of Credit
71
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Section 7.24
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Foreign Corrupt Practices
71
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Section 7.25
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Anti-Corruption Laws; Sanctions; OFAC
72
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Section 7.26
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Senior Debt Status
72
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ARTICLE VIII
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AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
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Section 8.01
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Financial Statements; Other Information
72
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Section 8.02
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Notices of Material Events
76
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Section 8.03
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Existence; Conduct of Business
76
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Section 8.04
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Payment of Obligations
76
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Section 8.05
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Operation and Maintenance of Properties
77
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Section 8.06
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Insurance
77
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Section 8.07
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Books and Records; Inspection Rights
77
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Section 8.08
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Compliance with Laws
78
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Section 8.09
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Environmental Matters
78
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Section 8.10
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Further Assurances
79
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Section 8.11
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Reserve Reports
79
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Section 8.12
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Title Information
80
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Section 8.13
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Additional Collateral; Additional Guarantors
81
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Section 8.14
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ERISA Compliance
82
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Section 8.15
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EEA Financial Institution
83
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Section 8.16
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Marketing Activities
83
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Section 8.17
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Account Control Agreements; Location of Proceeds of Loans
83
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Section 8.18
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Unrestricted Subsidiaries
83
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Section 8.19
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Post-Closing Obligations.
84
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ARTICLE IX
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NEGATIVE COVENANTS
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Section 9.01
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Financial Covenants
85
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Section 9.02
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Indebtedness
85
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Section 9.04
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Restricted Payments; Restrictions on Amendments of Permitted Unsecured Debt and Permitted Second Lien Debt
87
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Section 9.05
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Investments, Loans and Advances
88
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Section 9.06
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Nature of Business; No International Operations
88
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Section 9.07
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Proceeds of Loans
89
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Section 9.08
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ERISA Compliance
89
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Section 9.09
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Sale or Discount of Receivables
90
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Section 9.10
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Mergers, Etc.
90
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Section 9.11
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Sale of Properties and Termination of Hedging Transactions
90
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Section 9.12
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Sales and Leasebacks
91
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Section 9.13
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Environmental Matters
91
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Section 9.14
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Transactions with Affiliates
91
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Section 9.15
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Subsidiaries
91
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Section 9.16
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Negative Pledge Agreements; Dividend Restrictions
91
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Section 9.17
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Swap Agreements
92
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Section 9.18
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Amendments to Organizational Documents and Material Contracts
93
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Section 9.19
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Changes in Fiscal Periods
93
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ARTICLE X
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EVENTS OF DEFAULT; REMEDIES
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Section 10.01
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Events of Default
93
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Section 10.02
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Remedies
95
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ARTICLE XI
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THE Administrative AGENTS
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Section 11.01
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Appointment; Powers
96
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Section 11.02
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Duties and Obligations of Administrative Agent
96
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Section 11.03
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Action by Administrative Agent
97
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Section 11.04
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Reliance by Administrative Agent
98
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Section 11.05
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Subagents
98
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Section 11.06
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Resignation or Removal of Administrative Agent
98
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Section 11.07
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Administrative Agent as a Lender
98
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Section 11.08
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No Reliance
98
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Section 11.09
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Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim
99
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Section 11.10
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Authority of Administrative Agent to Release Collateral and Liens
99
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Section 11.11
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Duties of the Arranger
100
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Section 11.12
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Credit Bidding
100
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Section 12.01
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Notices
101
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Section 12.02
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Waivers; Amendments
101
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Section 12.03
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Expenses, Indemnity; Damage Waiver
103
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Section 12.04
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Successors and Assigns
106
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Section 12.05
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Survival; Revival; Reinstatement
109
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Section 12.06
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Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness
110
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Section 12.07
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Severability
110
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Section 12.08
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Right of Setoff
111
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Section 12.09
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Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent To Service Of Process; Waiver Of
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Jury Trial
111
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Section 12.10
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Headings
112
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Section 12.11
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Confidentiality
112
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Section 12.12
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Interest Rate Limitation
113
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Section 12.13
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Collateral Matters; Swap Agreements
114
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Section 12.14
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No Third Party Beneficiaries
114
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Section 12.15
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EXCULPATION PROVISIONS
114
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Section 12.16
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Patriot Act Notice
115
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Section 12.17
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Flood Insurance Provisions
115
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Section 12.18
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Releases
115
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Section 12.19
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Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions
116
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Section 12.20
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Effect and Mechanics of Agreement
116
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Annex I
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List of Maximum Credit Amounts
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Exhibit A
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Form of Note
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Exhibit B
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Form of Borrowing Request
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Exhibit C
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Form of Interest Election Request
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Exhibit D
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Form of Compliance Certificate
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Exhibit E
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Form of Solvency Certificate
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Exhibit F-1
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Security Instruments
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Exhibit F-2
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Form of Guaranty and Collateral Agreement
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Exhibit G
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Form of Assignment and Assumption
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Exhibit H-1
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Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (Non-U.S. Lenders; non-partnerships)
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Exhibit H-2
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Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (Foreign Participants; non-partnerships)
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Exhibit H-3
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Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (Foreign Participants; partnerships)
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Exhibit H-4
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Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (Non-U.S. Lenders; partnerships)
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Exhibit I
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Form of Reserve Report Certificate
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Exhibit J
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Form of Perfection Certificate
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Exhibit K
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Form of Incremental Increase Agreement
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Schedule 1.02
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Existing Letters of Credit
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Schedule 7.10(d)
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ERISA Plan
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Schedule 7.12
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Insurance
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Schedule 7.14
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Group Members
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Schedule 7.18
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Gas Imbalances
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Schedule 7.19
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Marketing Contracts
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Schedule 7.21
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Swap Agreements
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Schedule 8.09(b)
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Environmental Matters
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Schedule 9.02
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Existing Indebtedness
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Schedule 9.03
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Existing Liens
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Schedule 9.05
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Investments
|
THIS
SENIOR SECURED REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT
dated as of April 22, 2016, is among SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY, a Delaware corporation (the “
Borrower
”), each lender that is a party hereto, JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, together with its successors in such capacity pursuant to the terms hereof, the “
Administrative Agent
”), JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Book Runner, and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Issuing Bank.
R E C I T A L S
A. The Borrower (i) entered into the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement between the Borrower, Swift Energy Operating, LLC, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and issuing bank, and the other parties party thereto from time to time dated as of September 21, 2010 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “
Pre-Petition RBL
”) and (ii) issued three series of senior unsecured notes (the “
Pre-Petition Senior Notes
”) guaranteed by Swift Energy Operating, LLC.
B. On December 31, 2015 (the “
Petition Date
”), the Borrower and certain of its Affiliates filed voluntary petitions with the Bankruptcy Court initiating cases under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code (the “
Chapter 11 Cases
”) and continued in the possession of their assets and in the management of their businesses pursuant to Sections 1107 and 1108 of the Bankruptcy Code.
C. On or prior to the Closing Date, the Pre-Petition RBL has been, or will be substantially contemporaneously with the Closing Date be, partially repaid in an amount of not less than $35.0 million pursuant to paragraph 21 of the Final Order (I) Authorizing the Debtors to (A) Obtain Postpetition Financing on a Super-Priority, Secured Basis and (B) Use Cash Collateral, (II) Granting (A) Liens and Super-Priority Claims and (B) Adequate Protection to Certain Prepetition Lenders, (III) Modifying the Automatic Stay, and (IV) Granting Related Relief, entered 2/2/2016 [Docket No. 224] and paragraph 20 of the Order (A) Approving the Sale of Certain of the Debtors’ Louisiana Assets, (B) Approving the Assumption, Assignment and Sale of Certain Contracts and Unexpired Leases, and (C) Granting Related Relief, entered 2/2/2016 [Docket No. 225] (the “
Pre-Petition RBL Paydown
”).
D. On January 6, 2016, the Borrower entered into a debtor in possession credit agreement with Cantor Fitzgerald Securities, as administrative agent, and the lenders and other parties party thereto pursuant to which certain noteholders under the Pre-Petition Senior Notes in their capacity as lenders (the “
DIP Lenders
”) agreed to make available a $75 million junior lien debtor-in-possession facility (the “
DIP Facility
”), where such funds were available according to the following schedule: (i) $15.0 million from the date of entry of an interim order approving the DIP Facility, (ii) an additional $15.0 million from the date of entry of a final order approving the DIP Facility and (iii) an additional $45.0 million upon the occurrence of certain conditions, including agreements between the Debtors and the DIP Lenders with respect to the treatment of the DIP Facility and the Pre-Petition RBL under the Plan of Reorganization.
E. On or prior to the Closing Date, the DIP Facility was fully funded in an aggregate principal amount of not less than $75.0 million (the “
DIP Funding
”).
F. The Debtors filed the Joint Plan of Reorganization of the Debtors and Debtors in Possession Pursuant to Chapter 11 of Bankruptcy Code (as amended, or supplemented in accordance with its terms, the “
Plan of Reorganization
”) with the Bankruptcy Court on February 5, 2016 [Docket No. 243], and the related Disclosure Statement for Joint Plan of Reorganization of the Debtors and Debtors in Possession Pursuant to Chapter 11 of Bankruptcy Code with the Bankruptcy Court on February 5, 2016 [Docket No. 244].
G. On March 31, 2016, the Bankruptcy Court entered the Confirmation Order confirming the Plan of Reorganization, which Confirmation Order
inter alia
authorized and approved the Debtors’ entry into and performance under this Agreement.
H. On or before the Closing Date, the Allowed DIP Facility Claims, including the full amount of the DIP Funding, shall have been converted (in full) into common Equity Interests of the Borrower (the “
Equity Conversion
”).
I. The Allowed RBL Secured Claims under the Pre-Petition RBL held by the Lenders party hereto shall be deemed repaid and reissued pursuant to this Agreement.
J. The Borrower has requested that the Lenders provide certain loans to and extensions of credit on behalf of the Borrower and the Issuing Bank provide Letters of Credit.
K. The Lenders have indicated their willingness to lend and the Issuing Bank has indicated its willingness to issue Letters of Credit, in each case subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
L. In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained and of the loans, extensions of credit and commitments hereinafter referred to, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING MATTERS
Section 1.01
Terms Defined Above
. As used in this Agreement, each term defined above has the meaning indicated above.
Section 1.02
Certain Defined Terms
. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:
“
ABR
” means, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate.
“
Accounting Changes
” has the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 1.05
.
“
Additional Lender
” has the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 2.11(a)
.
“
Adjusted LIBO Rate
” means, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any Interest Period, (and with respect to
clause (c)
of the definition of “Alternate Base Rate” for an Interest Period of one month) an interest rate
per annum
equal to the LIBO Rate for such Interest Period
multiplied
by the Statutory Reserve Rate.
“
Administrative Agent
” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto.
“
Administrative Questionnaire
” means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.
“
Affiliate
” means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.
“
Affiliated Lender
” means a Lender that is an Affiliate of the Borrower or any other Group Member.
“
Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts
” means, at any time, an amount equal to the sum of the Maximum Credit Amounts in effect at such time.
“
Agreement
” means this Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement, including the Schedules and Exhibits hereto, as the same may be amended, modified, supplemented, restated, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time.
“
Allowed DIP Facility Claims
” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Plan of Reorganization.
“
Allowed RBL Secured Claims
” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Plan of Reorganization.
“
Alternate Base Rate
” means, for any day, a rate
per annum
(rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/16 of 1%) equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day
plus
½ of 1.0% and (c) the Adjusted LIBO Rate for an Interest Period of one month on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day)
plus
1.0%. Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Adjusted LIBO Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Adjusted LIBO Rate, respectively.
“
Amegy Deposit Account
” means the depository Account No. 0003343545 maintained by the Swift Energy Operating, LLC with ZB, N.A. DBA Amegy Bank.
“
Anti-Corruption Laws
” means all laws, rules, and regulations of any jurisdiction applicable to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates from time to time concerning or relating to bribery or corruption.
“
Applicable Margin
” means, for any day,
(a) (i) at any time that the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base is greater than $25,000,000, 7.00%
per annum
for Eurodollar Loans and 6.00%
per annum
for ABR Loans and (ii) at any time that the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base is greater than zero ($0) and equal to or less than $25,000,000, 6.00%
per annum
for Eurodollar Loans and 5.00%
per annum
for ABR Loans;
provided
that, if the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base is $0 and any Non-Conforming Borrowing Base Loans are outstanding, the Applicable Margin shall mean the margin set forth in
clause (a)(i)
or
clause (a)(ii)
above, as applicable, based on the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base Loans outstanding for so long as such Non-Conforming Borrowing Base Loans remain outstanding, and
(b) at any time that the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base is zero ($0) and there are no Non-Conforming Borrowing Base Loans outstanding, and after the Non-Conforming Period, the applicable rate
per annum
set forth below as determined based upon the Borrowing Base Utilization Percentage then in effect:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Borrowing Base Utilization Percentage
|
<
25%
|
>25% and
<
50%
|
>50% and
<
75%
|
>75% and
<
90%
|
>90%
|
Eurodollar Loans
|
3.00%
|
3.25%
|
3.50%
|
3.75%
|
4.00%
|
ABR Loans
|
2.00%
|
2.25%
|
2.50%
|
2.75%
|
3.00%
|
Commitment Fee Rate
|
0.50%
|
0.50%
|
0.50%
|
0.50%
|
0.50%
|
At any time that the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base is zero ($0) and there are no Non-Conforming Borrowing Base Loans outstanding, each change in the Applicable Margin shall apply during the period commencing on the effective date of such change in the Borrowing Base Utilization Percentage and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change;
provided
that, if at any time when the Applicable Margin is determined based on Borrowing Base Utilization Percentage the Borrower fails to deliver a Reserve Report pursuant to
Section 8.11(a)
, then beginning on the date that is 30 calendar days from the date of such failure and until such Reserve Report is delivered, the “Applicable Margin” shall mean the rate
per annum
set forth on the grid when the Borrowing Base Utilization Percentage is at its highest level.
“
Applicable Percentage
” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the percentage of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts represented by such Lender’s Maximum Credit Amount as such percentage is set forth on
Annex I
;
provided
further
that when a Defaulting Lender shall exist, “Applicable Percentage” shall mean the percentage of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts (disregarding any Defaulting Lender’s Maximum Credit Amount) represented by such Lender’s Maximum Credit Amount. As of the Closing Date, each Lender’s Applicable Percentage is set forth on
Annex I
.
“
Approved Counterparty
” means (a) any Secured Swap Provider or (b) any other Person that has (or the credit support provider of such Person has) a long term senior unsecured debt or corporate credit rating of A- or A3 by S&P or Moody’s (or their equivalent) or higher.
“
Approved Fund
” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business and that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.
“
Approved Petroleum Engineers
” means (a) Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc., (b) Ryder Scott Company Petroleum Consultants, L.P., (c) DeGolyer and MacNaughton, (d) Cawley, Gillespie & Associates, Inc. and (e) HJ Gruy and Associates.
“
Arranger
” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, in its capacity as the sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner hereunder.
“
Assignee
” has the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 12.04(b)(i)
.
“
Assignment and Assumption
” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by
Section 12.04(b)
), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, substantially in the form of
Exhibit G
or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.
“
Availability Period
” means the period from and including the Closing Date to but excluding the Termination Date.
“
Bail-In Action
” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable EEA Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an EEA Financial Institution.
“
Bail-In Legislation
” means, with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.
“
Bankruptcy Code
” means The Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978 as codified as 11 U.S.C. Section 101
et seq
, as amended from time to time and any successor statute.
“
Bankruptcy Court
” means the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware or any other court having jurisdiction over the Chapter 11 Cases from time to time.
“
Bankruptcy Event
” means, with respect to any Person, such Person becomes the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, custodian, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with the reorganization or liquidation of its business appointed for it, or, in the good faith determination of the Administrative Agent, has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any such proceeding or appointment,
provided
that a Bankruptcy Event shall not result solely by virtue of any ownership interest, or the acquisition of any ownership interest, in such Person by a Governmental Authority or instrumentality thereof,
provided
,
further
, that such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Person with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Person (or such Governmental Authority or instrumentality) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made by such Person.
“
Board
” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America or any successor Governmental Authority.
“
Borrower
” has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble hereto.
“
Borrowing
” means Loans of the same Type, made, converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect.
“
Borrowing Base
” means, at any time, (a) from the Closing Date until the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base Maturity Date, the sum of the Conforming Borrowing Base and the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base and (b) thereafter, the Conforming Borrowing Base, in each case, as determined in accordance with
Section 2.07
, as the same may be adjusted from time to time pursuant to the Borrowing Base Adjustment Provisions.
“
Borrowing Base Adjustment Provisions
” means
Section 2.08(a)
,
Section 2.08(b)
and
Section 2.08(c)
and any other provision hereunder which adjusts (as opposed to redetermines) the amount of the Borrowing Base.
“
Borrowing Base Deficiency
” occurs if, at any time, the total Revolving Credit Exposures exceeds the Borrowing Base then in effect;
provided
, that, for purposes of determining the existence and amount of any Borrowing Base Deficiency, obligations under any Letter of Credit will not be deemed to be outstanding to the extent such obligations are Cash Collateralized.
“
Borrowing Base Properties
” means the Oil and Gas Properties that (a) are included in the Initial Reserve Report and thereafter in the most recently delivered Reserve Report delivered pursuant to
Section 8.11
and (b) are given Borrowing Base credit.
“
Borrowing Base Utilization Percentage
” means, as of any day, the fraction expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the sum of the Revolving Credit Exposures of the Lenders on such day, and the denominator of which is the Borrowing Base in effect on such day.
“
Borrowing Base Value
” means, with respect to any Oil and Gas Property or any Swap Agreement, the value attributed to such asset in connection with the most recent determination of the Borrowing Base as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent.
“
Borrowing Request
” means a request by the Borrower substantially in the form of
Exhibit B
for a Borrowing in accordance with
Section 2.03
.
“
Business Day
” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City or Houston, Texas are authorized or required by law to remain closed; and if such day relates to a Borrowing or continuation of, a payment or prepayment of principal of or interest on, or a conversion of or into, or the Interest Period for, a Eurodollar Loan or a notice by the Borrower with respect to any such Borrowing or continuation, payment, prepayment, conversion or Interest Period, any day which is also a day on which banks are open for dealings in dollar deposits in the London interbank market.
“
Capital Lease Obligations
” means, with respect to any Person, the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP and, for the purposes of this Agreement, the amount of such obligations at any time shall be the capitalized amount thereof at such time determined in accordance with GAAP.
“
Cash Collateralize
” means, to pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Administrative Agent (in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and Issuing Bank, which shall require such deposit to made into a controlled account), for the benefit of any Issuing Bank, the Lenders or any Secured Parties and other Persons as the context requires, as collateral for LC Exposure or obligations of the Lenders to fund participations in respect of LC Exposure, cash or deposit account balances or, if the Administrative Agent and any applicable Issuing Bank shall agree, in their sole discretion, other credit support, in each case pursuant to documentation in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and any such Issuing Bank. “
Cash Collateral
” shall have a meaning correlative to the foregoing and shall include the proceeds of such Cash Collateral and other credit support.
“
Cash Equivalents
” means (a) marketable direct obligations issued by, or unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States Government or issued by any agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition; (b) certificates of deposit, time deposits, eurodollar time deposits or overnight bank deposits having maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition issued by any Lender or by any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof having combined capital and surplus of not less than $500,000,000; (c) commercial paper of an issuer rated at least A-1 by S&P or P-1 by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“
Moody’s
”), or carrying an equivalent rating by a nationally recognized rating agency, if both of the two named rating agencies cease publishing ratings of commercial paper issuers generally, and maturing within six months from the date of acquisition or (d) repurchase obligations of any Lender or of any commercial bank satisfying the requirements of
clause (b)
of this definition, having a term of not more than 30 days, with respect to securities issued or fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government.
“
Cash Management Agreement
” means any agreement to provide cash management services, including treasury, depository, overdraft, credit or debit card, electronic funds transfer and other cash management arrangements.
“
Casualty Event
” means any loss, casualty or other insured damage to, or any nationalization, taking under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding of, any Property of any Group Member.
“
Change in Control
” means (a) the acquisition of ownership, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by any Person (other than a Permitted Holder) or group (within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of the SEC thereunder as in effect on the date hereof) (other than a group of Permitted Holders) of Equity Interests representing more than 35% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of the Borrower, (b) occupation of a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of the Borrower by Persons who were not (i) directors of the Borrower on the date of this Agreement nor (ii) nominated or appointed by the board of directors of the Borrower, (c) the Borrower shall cease to own and control, of record and beneficially, directly or indirectly, 100% of each class of outstanding Equity Interest of each of its Restricted Subsidiaries (it being understood that the foregoing shall not restrict any Disposition of all the Equity Interests of a Restricted Subsidiary to the extent permitted hereunder or (d) a Specified Change of Control shall have occurred.
“
Change in Law
” means the occurrence after the date of this Agreement of any of the following (a) the adoption of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) compliance by any Lender or Issuing Bank (or, for purposes of
Section 5.01(b)
), by any lending office of such Lender or by such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any) with any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the date of this Agreement;
provided
that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States of America or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued or implemented.
“
Chapter 11 Cases
” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.
“
Closing Date
” means the date on which the conditions specified in
Section 6.01
are satisfied (or waived in accordance with
Section 12.02
).
“
Code
” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.
“
Collateral
” means all Property of the Loan Parties, now owned or hereafter acquired, upon which a Lien is purported to be created by any Security Instrument.
“
Commitment
” means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment of such Lender to make or continue Loans and to acquire participations in Letters of Credit hereunder, expressed as an amount representing the maximum aggregate amount of such Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure hereunder, as such commitment may be (a) modified from time to time pursuant to
Section 2.06
, (b) modified from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to
Section 12.04(b)
or (c) otherwise modified pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. The amount representing each Lender’s Commitment shall at any time be the lesser of (i) such Lender’s Maximum Credit Amount and (ii) such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the then effective Borrowing Base.
“
Commitment Fee Rate
” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Applicable Margin”.
“
Commodity Exchange Act
” means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1
et seq
.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.
“
Compliance Certificate
” means the Compliance Certificate, signed by a Financial Officer, substantially in the form of
Exhibit D
.
“
Confirmation Order
” means the order of the Bankruptcy Court dated March 31, 2016 [Docket No. 513] confirming the Plan of Reorganization, which order
inter alia
authorized and approved the Debtors’ entry into and performance under this Agreement.
“
Conforming Borrowing Base
” means, at any time, an amount equal to the amount determined in accordance with
Section 2.07
, as the same may be adjusted from time to time pursuant to the Borrowing Base Adjustment Provisions. The Conforming Borrowing Base on the Closing Date shall be the amount set forth in
Section 2.07(a)
.
“
Conforming Borrowing Base Loans
” means any Loans made by the Lenders to the Borrower under the Conforming Borrowing Base.
“
Connection Income Taxes
” means Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes.
“
Consolidated Cash Balance
” means, at any time, the aggregate amount of (a) cash, (b) cash equivalents (including Cash Equivalents) and (c) any other marketable securities, treasury bonds and bills, certificates of deposit, investments in money market funds and commercial paper, in each case, held by the Borrower and any other Group Member;
provided
that Consolidated Cash Balance shall exclude (i) any cash or Cash Equivalents set aside to pay royalty obligations, working interest obligations, production payments and severance taxes of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary then due and owing (or to be due and owing within thirty (30) days) to third parties and for which the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary has issued checks or has initiated wires or ACH transfers (or will issue checks or initiate wires or ACH transfers within thirty (30) days) in order to pay, (ii) any cash or Cash Equivalents set aside to pay payroll, payroll taxes, other taxes, employee wage and benefit payments and trust and fiduciary obligations of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary then due and owing (or to be due and owing within thirty (30) days), (iii) while and to the extent refundable, any cash or Cash Equivalents of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiaries constituting purchase price deposits held in escrow pursuant to a binding and enforceable purchase and sale agreement with a third party containing customary provisions regarding the payment and refunding of such deposits and (iv) any cash or Cash Equivalents in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1,700,000 of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary while held in trust, reserved or segregated for purposes of the Anadarko Cure Costs (as defined in the Confirmation Order) as such reserve is contemplated by the Confirmation Order.
“
Consolidated Net Income
” means with respect to the Borrower and the Consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries, for any period, the aggregate of the net income (or loss) of the Borrower and the Consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries after allowances for taxes for such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP;
provided
that there shall be excluded from such net income (to the extent otherwise included therein) the following: (a) the net income of any Person in which the Borrower or any Consolidated Restricted Subsidiary has an interest (other than a Consolidated Restricted Subsidiary), except to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions actually paid in cash during such period by such other Person to
the Borrower or to a Consolidated Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, from such other Person’s net income; (b) the net income (but not loss) during such period of any Consolidated Restricted Subsidiary to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions or transfers or loans by that Consolidated Restricted Subsidiary is not at the time permitted by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument or Governmental Requirement applicable to such Consolidated Restricted Subsidiary or is otherwise restricted or prohibited; (c) the income (or loss) of any Person accrued prior to the date it becomes a Consolidated Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower or is merged into or consolidated with the Borrower or any of its Consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries; (d) any extraordinary gains or losses or expenses during such period; (e) non-cash gains or losses under FASB ASC Topic 815 resulting from the net change in mark to market portfolio of commodity price risk management activities during that period and (f) any gains or losses attributable to writeups or writedowns of assets, including ceiling test writedowns.
“
Consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries
” means each Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower (whether now existing or hereafter created or acquired) the financial statements of which shall be (or should have been) consolidated with the financial statements of the Borrower in accordance with GAAP.
“
Consolidated Subsidiaries
” means each Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower (whether now existing or hereafter created or acquired) the financial statements of which are or shall be (or should have been) consolidated with the financial statements of the Borrower in accordance with GAAP.
“
Consolidated Total Assets
” means, as of any date of determination, the amount that would, in conformity with GAAP, be set forth opposite the caption “total assets” (or any like caption) on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and the other Group Members.
“
Control
” means the power, directly or indirectly, to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. “
Controlling
” and “
Controlled
” have meanings correlative thereto.
“
Control Agreement
” means a deposit account control agreement or securities account control agreement (or similar agreement), as applicable, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, executed by the applicable Loan Party, the Administrative Agent and the relevant financial institution party thereto. Such agreement shall provide a first priority perfected Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in the applicable Loan Party’s Deposit Account and/or Securities Account.
“
Controlled Account
” means (a) a Deposit Account or Securities Account that is subject to a Control Agreement or (b) in the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent, a Deposit Account or Securities Account maintained with the Administrative Agent.
“
Credit Party
” means the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any other Lender.
“
Current Assets
” means, as of any date of determination, without duplication, the sum of all amounts that would, in accordance with GAAP, be set forth opposite the caption “total current assets” (or any like caption) on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and the other Group Members at such date,
plus
the unused Commitments, but excluding all non-cash assets under FASB ASC Topic 815.
“
Current Liabilities
” means, as of any date of determination, without duplication, the sum of all amounts that would, in accordance with GAAP, be set forth opposite the caption “total current liabilities” (or any like caption) on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and the other Group Members on such
date, but excluding (a) all non-cash obligations under FASB ASC Topic 815 and (b) the current portion of the Loans under this Agreement.
“
Current Ratio
” means, with respect to the Borrower and the Consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries for any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Current Assets as of the last day of the most recently ended Fiscal Quarter (which may be such date of determination) to (b) Current Liabilities on such day.
“
Debtors
” means, collectively, (a) Swift Energy Company, (b) Swift Energy International, Inc., (c) Swift Energy Group, Inc., (d) Swift Energy USA, Inc., (e) Swift Energy Alaska, Inc., (f) Swift Energy Operating, LLC, (g) GASRS LLC, (h) SWENCO-Western, LLC and (i) Swift Energy Exploration Services, Inc., each in their capacity as debtors and debtors in possession in the Chapter 11 Cases.
“
December 31 Reserve Report
” has the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 8.11(a)
.
“
Default
” means any event or condition which constitutes an Event of Default or which upon notice, lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.
“
Defaulting Lender
” means, subject to
Section 2.11
, any Lender that (a) has failed, within two Business Days of the date required to be funded or paid, to (i) fund any portion of its Loans, (ii) fund any portion of its participations in Letters of Credit or (iii) pay over to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder, unless, in the case of
clause (i)
above, such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent to funding (specifically identified and including the particular default, if any) has not been satisfied, (b) has notified the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or any Issuing Bank in writing, or has made a public statement to the effect, that it does not intend or expect to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement (unless such writing or public statement indicates that such position is based on such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent (specifically identified and including the particular default, if any) to funding a Loan under this Agreement cannot be satisfied) or generally under other agreements in which it commits to extend credit, (c) has failed, within three Business Days after request by the Administrative Agent, acting in good faith, to provide a certification in writing from an authorized officer of such Lender that it will comply with its obligations (and is financially able to meet such obligations) to fund prospective Loans and participations in then outstanding Letters of Credit under this Agreement;
provided
that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this
clause (c)
upon the Administrative Agent’s receipt of such certification in form and substance satisfactory to it, or (d) has become the subject of a Bankruptcy Event, or Bail-In Action.
“
Deficiency Date
” has the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 3.04(c)(ii)
.
“
Deposit Account
” has the meaning assigned to such term in the UCC.
“
DIP Facility
” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.
“
DIP Funding
” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.
“
DIP Lenders
” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Plan of Reorganization.
“
Disposition
” means, with respect to any property, any sale, lease, sale and leaseback, assignment, conveyance, transfer, casualty, condemnation or other disposition thereof. The terms “
Dispose
” and “
Disposed of
” shall have correlative meanings.
“
Disqualified Capital Stock
” means any Equity Interest that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable) or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable for any consideration other than other Equity Interests (which would not constitute Disqualified Capital Stock), pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is convertible or exchangeable for Indebtedness or redeemable for any consideration other than other Equity Interests (which would not constitute Disqualified Capital Stock) at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is one year after the earlier of (a) the Maturity Date and (b) the date on which there are no Loans, LC Exposure or other Secured Obligations outstanding and all of the Commitments are terminated.
“
Dollar Denominated Production Payments
” means production payment obligations recorded as liabilities in accordance with GAAP, together with all undertakings and obligations in connection therewith.
“
dollars
” or “
$
” refers to lawful money of the United States of America.
“
Domestic Subsidiary Group Member
” means any Restricted Subsidiary (a) that is organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia and (b) that is not a Foreign Group Member.
“
EBITDA
” means, for any period, the sum of Consolidated Net Income for such period
plus
the following expenses or charges to the extent deducted from Consolidated Net Income in such period: (i) interest, (ii) federal and state income taxes, (iii) depreciation, depletion, amortization and other similar noncash charges, (iv) the amount of non-recurring expenses and charges incurred through December 31, 2017 in an amount not to exceed $10,000,000 in the aggregate per Fiscal Year during such time, including expenses and charges in connection with any operational restructuring, severance, relocation, acquisition, disposition, consolidation of Subsidiaries, Material Acquisition, Material Disposition, Investment, incurrence of Indebtedness and issuance of Equity Interests, (v) any fees, expenses or charges of third parties incurred through September 30, 2016 in connection with the implementation of fresh start accounting, the Chapter 11 Cases, the Plan of Reorganization, the transactions contemplated thereby and any other reorganization items, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $27,500,000 and (viii) any non-cash expenses and charges, including non-cash impact attributable to the adoption of fresh start accounting in connection with the transactions under the Plan of Reorganization, in accordance with GAAP,
minus
all noncash income (including cancellation of indebtedness income) added to Consolidated Net Income (excluding any such non cash item to the extent it represents the reversal of an accrual or reserve for potential cash item in any prior period);
provided
that any realized cumulative cash gains or losses resulting from the settlement of commodity price risk contracts not included in Consolidated Net Income shall, to the extent not included, be added to EBITDA in the case of such gains and subtracted from EBITDA, in the case of such losses;
provided further
that for the purposes of calculating EBITDA for any period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters (or less in the case of any period during which the calculation of EBITDA is being annualized for purposes of the financial covenant calculations in Section 9.01) (each, a “
Reference Period
”), (a) if during such Reference Period (or, in the case of pro forma calculations, during the period from the last day of such Reference Period to and including the date as of which such calculation is made) the Borrower or any Consolidated Restricted Subsidiary shall have made a Material Disposition or Material Acquisition, EBITDA (including Consolidated Net Income) for such Reference Period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Material Disposition or Material Acquisition by the Borrower or its Consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries occurred on the first day of such Reference Period (with the Reference Period for the purposes of pro forma calculations being the most recent period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters for which the relevant financial information is available) and (b) if any calculations in the foregoing clause (a) are made on a pro forma basis, such pro forma adjustments are factually supportable and subject to supporting documentation and otherwise
acceptable to the Administrative Agent. As used in this definition, “
Material Acquisition
” means any acquisition by the Borrower or its Consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries of property or series of related acquisitions of property that involves consideration in excess of $5,000,000, and “
Material Disposition
” means any Disposition or series of related Dispositions that yields gross proceeds to the Borrower or any Consolidated Restricted Subsidiary in excess of $5,000,000. For avoidance of doubt, amounts added back or subtracted from Consolidated Net Income pursuant to this definition shall be without duplication of gains or losses excluded from Consolidated Net Income.
“
EEA Financial Institution
” means (a) any institution established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in
clause (a)
of this definition, or (c) any institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in
clauses (a)
or
(b)
of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.
“
EEA Member Country
” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
“
EEA Resolution Authority
” means any public administrative authority or any Person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.
“
Engineering Reports
” has the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 2.07(c)(i)
.
“
Environmental Laws
” means all Governmental Requirements relating to the environment, the preservation or reclamation of natural resources, the regulation or management of any harmful or deleterious substances, or to health and safety as it relates to environmental protection or exposure to harmful or deleterious substances.
“
Environmental Permit
” means any permit, registration, license, notice, approval, consent, exemption, variance, or other authorization required under or issued pursuant to applicable Environmental Laws.
“
Equity Conversion
” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.
“
Equity Interests
” means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person, and any warrants, options or other rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any such Equity Interest.
“
ERISA
” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and any successor statute.
“
ERISA Affiliate
” means any entity (whether or not incorporated) which together with the Borrower or a Subsidiary would be treated as a single employer under section 4001(b)(1) of ERISA or section 414(b) or (c) of the Code or, for purposes of provisions relating to section 412 of the Code and section 302 of ERISA, section 414 (m) or (o) of the Code.
“
ERISA Event
” means (a) a Reportable Event, (b) the withdrawal of the Borrower, any other Group Member or any ERISA Affiliate from a Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which it was a “substantial employer” as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA or a cessation of operations that
is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA, (c) a complete or partial withdrawal by the Borrower, any other Group Member or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan; (d) the filing (or the receipt by any Group Member or any ERISA Affiliate) of a notice of intent to terminate a Plan under Section 4041(c) of ERISA or the treatment of a Plan amendment as a termination under Section 4041 of ERISA, (d) the institution of proceedings to terminate a Plan by the PBGC, (e) the receipt by any Group Member or any ERISA Affiliate of a notice of withdrawal liability pursuant to Section 4202 of ERISA, (f) any other event or condition which constitutes grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Plan or the incurrence by any Group Member or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan, including but not limited to the imposition of any Lien in favor of the PBGC, (g) on and after the effectiveness of the Pension Act, a determination that a Plan is, or would be expected to be, in “at risk” status (as defined in 303(i)(4) of ERISA or 430(i)(4) of the Code) or (h) the failure of any Group Member or any ERISA Affiliate to make by its due date, after expiration of any applicable grace period, a required installment under Section 430(j) of the Code with respect to any Plan or any failure by any Plan to satisfy the minimum funding standards (within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA) applicable to such Plan, whether or not waived, or the failure by the Borrower, any other Group Member or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates to make any required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan.
“
EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule
” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor Person), as in effect from time to time.
“
Eurodollar
” when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate.
“
Event of Default
” has the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 10.01
.
“
Excepted Liens
” means: (a) Liens for Taxes, assessments or other governmental charges or levies which are not delinquent or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate action and for which adequate reserves have been maintained in accordance with GAAP; (b) Liens in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance or other social security, old age pension or public liability obligations which are not delinquent or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate action and for which adequate reserves have been maintained in accordance with GAAP; (c) statutory landlord’s liens, operators’, vendors’, carriers’, warehousemen’s, repairmen’s, mechanics’, suppliers’, workers’, materialmen’s, construction or other like Liens arising by operation of law in the ordinary course of business or incident to the exploration, development, operation and maintenance of Oil and Gas Properties each of which is in respect of obligations that are not delinquent or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate action and for which adequate reserves have been maintained in accordance with GAAP; (d) contractual Liens which arise in the ordinary course of business under operating agreements, joint venture agreements, oil and gas partnership agreements, oil and gas leases, farm-out agreements, division orders, contracts for the sale, transportation or exchange of oil and natural gas, unitization and pooling declarations and agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, overriding royalty agreements, marketing agreements, processing agreements, net profits agreements, development agreements, gas balancing or deferred production agreements, injection, repressuring and recycling agreements, salt water or other disposal agreements, seismic or other geophysical permits or agreements, and other agreements, in each case, which are usual and customary in the oil and gas business and are for claims which are not delinquent or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate action and for which adequate reserves have been maintained in accordance with GAAP,
provided
that any such Lien referred to in this clause does not materially impair (i) the use of the Property covered by such Lien for the purposes for which such Property is held by the Borrower or any other Group Member or (ii)
the value of such Property subject thereto; (e) Liens arising by virtue of any statutory or common law provision or customary deposit account terms relating to banker’s liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies and burdening only deposit accounts or other funds maintained with a creditor depository institution,
provided
that no such deposit account is a dedicated cash collateral account or is subject to restrictions against access by the depositor in excess of those set forth by regulations promulgated by the Board and no such deposit account is intended by Borrower or any other Group Member to provide collateral to the depository institution; (f) zoning and land use requirements, easements, restrictions, servitudes, permits, conditions, covenants, exceptions or reservations in any Property of the Borrower or any other Group Member for the purpose of roads, pipelines, transmission lines, transportation lines, distribution lines for the removal of gas, oil, coal or other minerals or timber, and other like purposes, or for the joint or common use of real estate, rights of way, facilities and equipment, that do not secure any monetary obligations and which in the aggregate do not materially impair (i) the use of such Property for the purposes of which such Property is held by the Borrower or any other Group Member or (ii) the value of such Property subject thereto; (g) Liens on cash or securities pledged to secure performance of tenders, surety and appeal bonds, government contracts, performance and return of money bonds, bids, trade contracts, leases, statutory obligations, regulatory obligations and other obligations of a like nature, in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business; (h) judgment and attachment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default,
provided
that any appropriate legal proceedings which may have been duly initiated for the review of such judgment shall not have been finally terminated or the period within which such proceeding may be initiated shall not have expired and no action to enforce such Lien has been commenced; (i) Liens, titles and interests of lessors of personal Property leased by such lessors to the Borrower or any other Group Member, restrictions and prohibitions on encumbrances and transferability with respect to such Property and the Borrower’s or such Group Member’s interests therein imposed by such leases, and Liens and encumbrances encumbering such lessors’ titles and interests in such Property and to which the Borrower’s or such Group Member’s leasehold interests may be subject or subordinate, in each case, whether or not evidenced by UCC financing statement filings or other documents of record;
provided
that such Liens do not secure Indebtedness of the Borrower or any other Group Member and do not encumber Property of the Borrower or any other Group Member other than the Property that is the subject of such leases and (j) Liens, titles and interests of licensors of software and other intangible personal Property licensed by such licensors to the Borrower or any other Group Member, restrictions and prohibitions on encumbrances and transferability with respect to such Property and the Borrower’s or such Group Member’s interests therein imposed by such licenses, and Liens and encumbrances encumbering such licensors’ titles and interests in such Property and to which the Borrower’s or such Group Member’s license interests may be subject or subordinate, in each case, whether or not evidenced by UCC financing statement filings or other documents of record;
provided
that such Liens do not secure Indebtedness of the Borrower or any other Group Member and do not encumber Property of the Borrower or any other Group Member other than the Property that is the subject of such licenses;
provided
,
further
that Liens described in
clauses (a)
through
(e)
shall remain “Excepted Liens” only for so long as no action to enforce such Lien has been commenced and no intention to subordinate the Liens granted in favor of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders is to be hereby implied or expressed by the permitted existence of any Excepted Liens.
“
Excluded Accounts
” means (a) each account all or substantially all of the deposits in which consist of amounts utilized to fund payroll, employee benefit or tax obligations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, (b) fiduciary accounts, (c) “zero balance” accounts and (d) other accounts so long as the aggregate average daily maximum balance in any such other account over a 30-day period does not at any time exceed $1,000,000;
provided
that the aggregate daily maximum balance for all such bank accounts excluded pursuant to this
clause (d)
on any day shall not exceed $2,000,000.
“
Excluded Swap Obligation
” means, with respect to any Guarantor, (a) any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, and only for so long as, all or a portion of the guarantee of such Guarantor of, or the grant
by such Guarantor of a security interest to secure, as applicable, such Swap Obligation (or any guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) by virtue of such Guarantor’s failure to constitute an “eligible contract participant,” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act and the regulations thereunder, at the time the guarantee of (or grant of such security interest by, as applicable) such Guarantor becomes or would become effective with respect to such Swap Obligation.
“
Excluded Taxes
” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to a Credit Party or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Credit Party: (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Credit Party being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its applicable lending office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Lender, U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan or Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan or Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrower under
Section 5.05
) or (ii) such Lender changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to
Section 5.03
, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender acquired the applicable interest in a Loan or Commitment or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Credit Party’s failure to comply with
Section 5.03(g)
and (d) any U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA.
“
Existing Letters of Credit
” means the letters of credit described on
Schedule 1.02
that were issued under the Pre-Petition RBL and that shall be transferred to and deemed issued under this Agreement, as such letters of credit may be renewed or amended from time to time.
“
Fair Market Value
” means, with respect to any asset or group of assets on any date of determination, the value of the consideration obtainable in a Disposition of such asset or assets at such date of determination assuming a Disposition by a willing seller to a willing purchaser dealing at arm’s length and arranged in an orderly manner over a reasonable period of time having regard to the nature and characteristics of such asset.
“
FATCA
” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code and any law, regulation, rule, promulgation or official agreement implementing an official government agreement with respect to the foregoing.
“
FCPA
” means the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.
“
Federal Funds Effective Rate
” means, for any day, the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by federal funds brokers, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for the day of such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it;
provided
that if the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.
“
Financial Officer
” means, for any Person, the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, principal accounting officer or treasurer of such Person. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a Financial Officer means a Financial Officer of the Borrower.
“
Financial Statements
” means the financial statement or statements referred to in
Section 7.04(a)
, including all footnotes attached thereto.
“
Fiscal Quarter
” means each fiscal quarter for accounting and tax purposes, ending on the last day of each March, June, September and December.
“
Fiscal Year
” means each fiscal year for accounting and tax purposes, ending on December 31 of each year.
“
Flood Insurance Regulations
” means (a) the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto, (b) the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statue thereto, (c) the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 (amending 42 USC 4001,
et seq
.), as the same may be amended or recodified from time to time, (d) the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004 and (e) the Biggert Waters Flood Reform Act of 2012, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
“
Foreign Group Member
” means, any Group Member that is a Subsidiary of the Borrower which (a) is not organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia or (b) is a FSHCO.
“
FSHCO
” means (a) any Subsidiary substantially all of the assets of which consist of Equity Interests in one or more Subsidiaries that are “controlled foreign corporations” within the meaning of Section 957 of the Code and (b) Swift Energy International LLC.
“
GAAP
” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect from time to time subject to the terms and conditions set forth in
Section 1.05
;
provided
that the accounting for operating leases and Capital Leases Obligations under GAAP as in effect on the date hereof (including, without limitation, Accounting Standards Codification 840) shall apply for the purposes of determining compliance with the provisions of this Agreement, including the definition of Capital Lease Obligations (it being understood, for avoidance of doubt, that no operating leases, or obligations in respect of operating leases, shall be treated as Capital Lease Obligations, respectively, hereunder).
“
Governmental Authority
” means the government of the United States of America, any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).
“
Governmental Requirement
” means any law (including common law), statute, code, ordinance, order, determination, rule, regulation, judgment, decree, injunction, franchise, permit, certificate, license, authorization or other directive or requirement, whether now or hereinafter in effect, including energy regulations and occupational, safety and health standards or controls, of any Governmental Authority.
“
Group Members
” means the collective reference to the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries.
“
Guarantee and Collateral Agreement
” means an agreement executed by the Guarantors in substantially the form of
Exhibit F-2
, as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.
“
Guarantors
” means:
(a) Swift Energy Operating, LLC,
(b) GASRS LLC,
(c) SWENCO-Western, LLC,
(d) Swift Energy USA, Inc., and
(e) each other Domestic Subsidiary Group Member that is a Material Subsidiary that guarantees the Secured Obligations pursuant to
Section 8.13(b)
or any other Group Member that guarantees the Secured Obligations at the election of the Borrower.
“
Hazardous Material
” means any chemical, compound, material, product, byproduct, substance or waste that is defined, regulated or otherwise classified as a “hazardous substance,” “hazardous material,” “hazardous waste,” “solid waste,” “toxic waste,” “extremely hazardous substance,” “toxic substance,” “contaminant,” “pollutant,” or words of similar meaning under any applicable Environmental Law, and for the avoidance of doubt includes Hydrocarbons, radioactive materials, explosives, asbestos or asbestos containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon, and infectious or medical wastes.
“
Highest Lawful Rate
” means, as to any Lender, at the particular time in question, the maximum non-usurious rate of interest which, under applicable law, such Lender is then permitted to contract for, charge or collect from the Borrower on the Loans or the other obligations of the Borrower hereunder, and as to any other Person, at the particular time in question, the maximum non-usurious rate of interest which, under applicable law, such Person is then permitted to contract for, charge or collect with respect to the obligation in question. If the maximum rate of interest which, under applicable law, the Lenders are permitted to contract for, charge or collect from the Borrower on the Loans or the other obligations of the Borrower hereunder shall change after the date hereof, the Highest Lawful Rate shall be automatically increased or decreased, as the case may be, as of the effective time of such change without notice to the Borrower or any other Person.
“
Hydrocarbon Interests
” means all rights, titles, interests and estates now or hereafter acquired in and to oil and gas leases, oil, gas and mineral leases, or other liquid or gaseous hydrocarbon leases, mineral fee interests, overriding royalty and royalty interests, net profit interests and production payment interests, including any reserved or residual interests of whatever nature. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each reference to the term “Hydrocarbon Interests” shall mean Hydrocarbon Interests of the Borrower or any other Group Member, as the context requires.
“
Hydrocarbons
” means all oil, gas, casinghead gas, drip gasoline, natural gasoline, condensate, distillate, liquid hydrocarbons, gaseous hydrocarbons and all constituents, elements or compounds thereof and all products refined or separated therefrom and all other minerals which may be produced and saved from or attributable to the Oil and Gas Properties of any Person, including all oil in tanks, and all rents, issues, profits, proceeds, products, revenues and other incomes from or attributable to the Hydrocarbon Interests or other properties constituting Oil and Gas Properties.
“
Impacted Interest Period
” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “LIBO Rate”.
“
Incremental Increase
” has the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 2.11(a)
.
“
Indebtedness
” means, for any Person, the sum of the following (without duplication): (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money or evidenced by bonds, bankers’ acceptances, debentures,
notes or other similar instruments; (b) all obligations of such Person (whether contingent or otherwise) in respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees, surety or other bonds and similar instruments; (c) all accounts payable and all accrued expenses, liabilities or other obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of Property or services (including insurance premium payables) that are (A) prior to December 31, 2017 more than the greater of (x) one hundred twenty (120) days past the date of invoice and (y) sixty (60) days past the due date of payment and (B) thereafter, one hundred twenty (120) days past the date of invoice, other than those which are being contested in good faith by appropriate action and for which adequate reserves have been maintained in accordance with GAAP; (d) all Capital Lease Obligations; (e) all Indebtedness (as defined in the other clauses of this definition) of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) a Lien on any Property of such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person; (f) all Indebtedness (as defined in the other clauses of this definition) of others guaranteed by such Person or in which such Person otherwise assures a creditor against loss of the Indebtedness (howsoever such assurance shall be made) to the extent of the lesser of the amount of such Indebtedness and the maximum stated amount of such guarantee or assurance against loss; (g) all obligations or undertakings of such Person to maintain or cause to be maintained the financial position or covenants of others or to purchase the Indebtedness or Property of others; (h) any undischarged balance of any Volumetric Production Payments and any Dollar Denominated Production Payments; (i) all obligations of such Person under take/ship or pay contracts if any goods or services are not actually received or utilized by such Person; (j) any Indebtedness of a partnership for which such Person is liable either by agreement, by operation of law or by a Governmental Requirement but only to the extent of such liability; (k) Disqualified Capital Stock (for purposes hereof, the amount of any Disqualified Capital Stock shall be its liquidation value and, without duplication, the amount of all obligations of such Person with respect to the redemption, repayment or other repurchase in respect of Disqualified Capital Stock); (l) net Swap Obligations of such Person (for purposes hereof, the amount of any net Swap Obligations on any date shall be deemed to be the Swap Termination Value thereof as of such date) and (m) the undischarged balance of any production payment created by such Person or for the creation of which such Person directly or indirectly received payment. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include all obligations of such Person of the character described above to the extent such Person remains legally liable in respect thereof notwithstanding that any such obligation is not included as a liability of such Person under GAAP.
“
Indemnified Taxes
” means (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in
clause (a)
above, Other Taxes.
“
Indemnitee
” has the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 12.03(b)
.
“
Information
” has the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 12.11
.
“
Initial Reserve Report
” means the report of HJ Gruy and Associates dated as of February 22, 2016, with respect to certain Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower and the other Group Members as of December 31, 2015.
“
Interest Election Request
” means a request by the Borrower substantially in the form of
Exhibit C
to convert or continue a Borrowing in accordance with
Section 2.04
.
“
Interest Payment Date
” means (a) with respect to any ABR Loan, the last day of each March, June, September and December (or, if an Event of Default is in existence, the last day of each calendar month) to occur while such Loan is outstanding and the final maturity date of such Loan and (b) with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, the last day of the Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part
and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three months’ duration, each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at intervals of three months’ duration after the first day of such Interest Period.
“
Interest Period
” means with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one, two, three or six months (or, with the consent of each Lender, twelve months) thereafter, as the Borrower may elect in its Borrowing Request or Interest Election Request, as applicable, given with respect thereto;
provided
that (a) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day, (b) any Interest Period pertaining to a Eurodollar Borrowing that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the last calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the last calendar month of such Interest Period and (c) no Interest Period may have a term which would extend beyond the Maturity Date. For purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially shall be the date on which such Borrowing is made and thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.
“
Interim Redetermination
” has the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 2.07(b)
.
“
Interim Redetermination Date
” means the date on which a Borrowing Base that has been redetermined pursuant to an Interim Redetermination becomes effective as provided in
Section 2.07(d)
.
“
Interpolated Rate
” means, at any time, for any Interest Period, the rate
per annum
(rounded to the same number of decimal places as the LIBO Screen Rate) determined by the Administrative Agent (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) to be equal to the rate that results from interpolating on a linear basis between: (a) the LIBO Screen Rate for the longest period (for which the LIBO Screen Rate is available) that is shorter than the Impacted Interest Period and (b) the LIBO Screen Rate for the shortest period (for which the LIBO Screen Rate is available) that exceeds the Impacted Interest Period, in each case, at such time.
“
Investment
” means, for any Person: (a) the acquisition (whether for cash, Property, services or securities or otherwise) of Equity Interests of any other Person or any agreement to make any such acquisition (including any “short sale” or any sale of any securities at a time when such securities are not owned by the Person entering into such short sale); (b) the making of any deposit with, or advance, loan or capital contribution to, assumption of Indebtedness of, purchase or other acquisition of any other Indebtedness of, or equity participation or interest in, or other extension of credit to, any other Person (including the purchase of Property from another Person subject to an understanding or agreement, contingent or otherwise, to resell such Property to such Person, but excluding any such advance, loan or extension of credit having a term not exceeding ninety (90) days representing the purchase price of inventory, goods, supplies or services sold by such Person in the ordinary course of business); (c) the purchase or acquisition (in one or a series of transactions) of Property of another Person constituting a business unit; (d) the entering into of any guarantee of, or other contingent obligation (including the deposit of any Equity Interests to be sold) with respect to, Indebtedness or other liability of any other Person and (without duplication) any amount committed to be advanced, lent or extended to such Person; or (e) to make any other investment in, any other Person.
“
Issuing Bank
” means (a) JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association and (b) and each Lender approved by the Administrative Agent that is reasonably requested by the Borrower that agrees to act as an issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, in each case, in its capacity as the issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder,
and its successors in such capacity as provided in
Section 2.09(i)
. Any Issuing Bank may, in its discretion, arrange for one or more Letters of Credit to be issued by its Affiliates, in which case the term “Issuing Bank” shall include any such Affiliate with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Affiliate. References herein and in the other Loan Documents to an Issuing Bank shall be deemed to refer to such Issuing Bank in respect of the applicable Letter of Credit or to all Issuing Banks, as the context requires.
“
LC Availability Requirements
” has the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 2.09(a)
.
“
LC Commitment
” means an amount equal to $25,000,000. For the avoidance of doubt, the LC Commitment is part of, and not in addition to, the aggregate Commitments.
“
LC Disbursement
” means a payment made by an Issuing Bank pursuant to a Letter of Credit.
“
LC Exposure
” means, at any time, (a) the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit at such time
plus
(b) the aggregate amount of all LC Disbursements that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of the Borrower at such time. The LC Exposure of any Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the total LC Exposure at such time.
“
Lender Parent
” means, with respect to any Lender, any Person as to which such Lender is, directly or indirectly, a Subsidiary.
“
Lenders
” means the Persons listed on
Annex I
and any Person that shall have become a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption or otherwise that is in the Register, other than any such Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption or otherwise and is no longer in the Register, and any Person that shall have become a party hereto as an Additional Lender pursuant to
Section 2.11(c)
.
“
Letter of Credit
” means any letter of credit issued pursuant to this Agreement.
“
Letter of Credit Agreements
” means all letter of credit applications and other agreements (including any amendments, modifications or supplements thereto) submitted by the Borrower, or entered into by the Borrower, with an Issuing Bank relating to any Letter of Credit.
“
LIBO Rate
” means, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing for any applicable Interest Period (and with respect to
clause (c)
of the definition of “Alternate Base Rate”, for an Interest Period of one month), the London interbank offered rate as administered by ICE Benchmark Administration (or any other Person that takes over the administration of such rate for dollars) for a period equal in length to such Interest Period as displayed on pages LIBOR01 or LIBOR02 of the Reuters screen that displays such rate (or, in the event such rate does not appear on a Reuters page or screen, on any successor or substitute page on such screen that displays such rate, or on the appropriate page of such other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as shall be selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion, in each case (the “
LIBO Screen Rate
”) as of the Specified Time on the Quotation Day for such Interest Period;
provided
that, (a) if the LIBO Screen Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement and (b) if the LIBO Screen Rate shall not be available at such time for a period equal in length to such Interest Period (an “
Impacted Interest Period
”), then the LIBO Rate shall be the Interpolated Rate at such time;
provided
further
, that, if any Interpolated Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that “LIBO Rate” or “Adjusted LIBO Rate” is used in connection with an ABR Borrowing, such rate shall be determined as modified by the definition of Alternate Base Rate.
“
LIBO Screen Rate
” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “LIBO Rate”.
“
Lien
” means any interest in Property securing an obligation owed to, or a claim by, a Person other than the owner of the Property, whether such interest is based on the common law, statute or contract, and whether such obligation or claim is fixed or contingent, and including but not limited to (a) the lien or security interest arising from a mortgage, encumbrance, pledge, security agreement, conditional sale or trust receipt or a lease, consignment or bailment for security purposes or (b) production payments and the like payable out of Oil and Gas Properties. The term “Lien” shall include easements, restrictions, servitudes, permits, conditions, covenants, exceptions or reservations, including if they burden Property to the extent they secure an obligation owed to a Person other than the owner of the Property. For the purposes of this Agreement, the Borrower and the other Group Members shall be deemed to be the owner of any Property which they have acquired or hold subject to a conditional sale agreement, or leases under a financing lease or other arrangement pursuant to which title to the Property has been retained by or vested in some other Person in a transaction intended to create a financing.
“
Liquidity
” means, as of any date of determination, the sum of (without duplication) (a) the unused Commitments then available to be drawn in accordance with this Agreement and (b) the aggregate amount of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of the Borrower or any of other Group Member at such time (it being understood that unrestricted cash shall exclude any cash and cash equivalents which are subject to a Lien in favor of any Person unless such Liens are subordinated to a Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent in a manner satisfactory to the Administrative Agent) other than the Secured Parties.
“
Loan Documents
” means this Agreement, the Security Instruments, any Notes, any Letter of Credit Agreements and the Letters of Credit.
“
Loan Party
” means the Borrower and each Guarantor.
“
Loans
” means the loans made by the Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement.
“
Majority Lenders
” means (a) at any time while no Loans or LC Exposure are outstanding, Lenders having greater than fifty percent (50%) of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts and (b) at any time while any Loans or LC Exposure are outstanding, Lenders holding greater than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Loans and participation interests in Letters of Credit (without regard to any sale by a Lender of a participation in any Loan under
Section 12.04(c)
).
“
Material Adverse Effect
” means, (a) after giving effect to the filing of the Chapter 11 Cases, the entry of the Confirmation Order and the confirmation and consummation of the Plan of Reorganization, and (b) excluding any matters publicly disclosed prior to the filing of the Chapter 11 Cases, any matters disclosed in any first day pleadings or declarations in connection with the Chapter 11 Cases and the events and conditions related and/or leading up to the Chapter 11 Cases and the effects thereof, a material adverse change in, or material adverse effect on (i) the business, operations, Property, condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower and the other Group Members taken as a whole, (ii) the ability of the Borrower or any other Loan Party to perform any of its obligations under any Loan Document, (iii) the validity or enforceability of any Loan Document or (iv) the rights and remedies of or benefits available to the Administrative Agent or any other Agent, Issuing Bank or Lender under any Loan Document.
“
Material Indebtedness
” means Indebtedness (other than the Loans and Letters of Credit), of any one or more Group Member in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $15,000,000. For purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the “principal amount” of the obligations of any Group Member in respect of any Swap Agreement at any time shall be the Swap Termination Value.
“
Material Subsidiary
” means, at any date of determination, each Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower (a) whose Total Assets (when combined with the assets of such Restricted Subsidiary’s Subsidiaries) at the last day of the most recent Fiscal Quarter of the Borrower for which financial statements were required to be delivered pursuant to
Section 8.01
were equal to or greater than five percent (5.0%) of the Consolidated Total Assets of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries at such date or (b) whose revenues (when combined with the revenues of such Restricted Subsidiary’s Subsidiaries) at the last day of the most recent Fiscal Quarter of the Borrower for which financial statements were required to be delivered pursuant to
Section 8.01
were equal to or greater than five percent (5.0%) of the consolidated revenues of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries at the last day of the most recent Fiscal Quarter of the Borrower for which financial statements were required to be delivered pursuant to
Section 8.01
, in each case determined in accordance with GAAP;
provided
that if, at any time and from time to time after the Closing Date, Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Material Subsidiaries have, in the aggregate, (i) Total Assets (when combined with the assets of such Restricted Subsidiary’s Subsidiaries) as of the last day of such Fiscal Quarter that equal, or exceed, seven and a half percent (7.5%) of the Consolidated Total Assets of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date or (ii) revenues (when combined with the revenues of such Restricted Subsidiary’s Subsidiaries) during such period that equal or exceed seven and a half percent (7.5%) of the consolidated revenues of the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, in each case, determined in accordance with GAAP, then the term “Material Subsidiary” shall include each such Restricted Subsidiary (starting with the Restricted Subsidiary that accounts for the most revenues or Consolidated Total Assets and then in descending order) necessary to account for at least 92.5% of the consolidated gross revenues and 92.5% of the Consolidated Total Assets, each as described in the previous sentence, so that the remaining non-Material Subsidiaries no longer satisfy such condition;
provided
further
that, notwithstanding the foregoing, each Restricted Subsidiary that owns Oil and Gas Properties for which Borrowing Base credit is given, or is to be given in an upcoming redetermination, shall be a Material Subsidiary.
“
Maturity Date
” means April 22, 2019.
“
Maximum Credit Amount
” means, as to each Lender, the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on
Annex I
under the caption “Maximum Credit Amounts”, as the same may be (a) reduced or terminated from time to time in connection with a reduction or termination of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts pursuant to
Section 2.06
, (b) modified from time to time pursuant to any assignment permitted by
Section 12.04(b)
or (c) or otherwise modified pursuant to the terms of this Agreement (including
Section 2.11
). As of the Closing Date, the aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts of the Lenders are $500,000,000.
“
Moody’s
” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor thereto that is a nationally recognized rating agency.
“
Mortgage
” means each of the mortgages or deeds of trust executed by any one or more Loan Parties for the benefit of the Secured Parties as security for the Secured Obligations, together with any supplements, modifications or amendments thereto and assumptions or assignments of the obligations thereunder by any Loan Party. “
Mortgages
” shall mean all of such Mortgages collectively.
“
Mortgaged Property
” means any Property owned by any Loan Party which is subject to the Liens existing and to exist under the terms of the Security Instruments.
“
Multiemployer Plan
” means a multiemployer plan as defined in section 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.
“
Net Proceeds
” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by any Group Member in respect of any Disposition of Property (including any cash subsequently received upon the sale or other Disposition
or collection of any non-cash consideration received in any sale), any Unwind of Swap Agreements, any incurrence of Indebtedness, or Casualty Event, net of, unless the Loans have been declared or become due and payable as a result of an Event of Default described in
Section 10.01(h)
or
Section 10.01(i)
(or after the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default described in
Section 10.01(h)
or
Section 10.01(i)
), (a) the direct costs relating to such sale of Property, incurrence of Indebtedness or any Casualty Event (including legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and sales commissions paid to unaffiliated third parties), (b) taxes paid or payable as a result thereof (after taking into account any tax credits or deductions utilized or reasonably expected to be utilized and any tax sharing arrangements) and (c) Indebtedness (other than the Secured Obligations) which is secured by a Lien upon any of the assets being sold that is senior to any Lien created by the Loan Documents with respect to such assets and which must be repaid as a result of such sale.
“
New Borrowing Base Notice
” has the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 2.07(d)
.
“
New Debt
” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness.
“
Non-Conforming Borrowing Base
” means an amount equal to the amount determined in accordance with
Section 2.07
, as the same may be adjusted from time to time pursuant to the Borrowing Base Adjustment Provisions. The Non-Conforming Borrowing Base on the Closing Date shall be the amount set forth in
Section 2.07(a)
.
“
Non-Conforming Borrowing Base Loans
” means any Loans made by the Lenders to the Borrower under the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base.
“
Non-Conforming Borrowing Base Maturity Date
” means November 1, 2017.
“
Non-Conforming Period
” means that period of time from and after the Closing Date until the earlier of (a) the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base Maturity Date provided that all Non-Conforming Borrowing Base Loans have been repaid in full on such date and (b) the date on which all Non-Conforming Borrowing Base Loans have been repaid in full and the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base has been permanently reduced to zero ($0) (such permanent reduction to be effected by written notice from the Borrower to the Administrative Agent).
“
Non-U.S. Lender
” means a Lender, with respect to the Borrower, that is not a U.S. Person.
“
Notes
” means the promissory notes, if any, of the Borrower described in
Section 2.02(d)
and being substantially in the form of
Exhibit A
, together with all amendments, modifications, replacements, extensions and rearrangements thereof.
“
OFAC
” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury.
“
Oil and Gas Properties
” means (a) Hydrocarbon Interests; (b) the Properties now or hereafter pooled or unitized with Hydrocarbon Interests; (c) all presently existing or future unitization, pooling agreements and declarations of pooled units and the units created thereby (including all units created under orders, regulations and rules of any Governmental Authority) which may affect all or any portion of the Hydrocarbon Interests; (d) all operating agreements, contracts and other agreements, including production sharing contracts and agreements, which relate to any of the Hydrocarbon Interests or the production, sale, purchase, exchange or processing of Hydrocarbons from or attributable to such Hydrocarbon Interests; (e) all Hydrocarbons in and under and which may be produced and saved or attributable to the Hydrocarbon Interests, including all
oil in tanks, and all rents, issues, profits, proceeds, products, revenues and other incomes from or attributable to the Hydrocarbon Interests; (f) all tenements, hereditaments, appurtenances and Properties in any manner appertaining, belonging, affixed or incidental to the Hydrocarbon Interests and (g) all Properties, rights, titles, interests and estates described or referred to above, including any and all Property, real or personal, now owned or hereinafter acquired and situated upon, used, held for use or useful in connection with the operating, working or development of any of such Hydrocarbon Interests or Property (excluding drilling rigs, automotive equipment, rental equipment or other personal Property which may be on such premises for the purpose of drilling a well or for other similar temporary uses) and including any and all oil wells, gas wells, injection wells or other wells, structures, fuel separators, liquid extraction plants, plant compressors, pumps, pumping units, gathering systems, tanks and tank batteries, fixtures, valves, fittings, machinery and parts, engines, boilers, meters, apparatus, equipment, appliances, tools, implements, cables, wires, towers, casing, tubing and rods, surface leases, rights-of-way, easements and servitudes together with all additions, substitutions, replacements, accessions and attachments to any and all of the foregoing.
“
Organizational Documents
” means (a) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to such corporation’s jurisdiction); (b) with respect to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of formation or organization and operating agreement; and (c) with respect to any partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture or other applicable agreement of formation or organization and any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with its formation or organization with the applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation or organization and, if applicable, any certificate or articles of formation or organization of such entity.
“
Other Connection Taxes
” means with respect to any Credit Party, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Credit Party and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Credit Party having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to, or enforced, any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Loan Document).
“
Other Taxes
” means all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to
Section 5.05
).
“
Participant
” has the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 12.04(c)
.
“
Participant Register
” has the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 12.04(c)
.
“
Patriot Act
” has the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 12.16
.
“
Payment in Full
” means (a) the Commitments have expired or been terminated, (b) the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder and all other amounts payable under the Loan Documents shall have been indefeasibly paid in full (other than contingent indemnification obligations), (c) all Letters of Credit shall have expired or terminated (or are Cash Collateralized or otherwise secured to the satisfaction of the Issuing Bank) and all LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed and (d) all amounts due under Secured Swap Agreements shall have been indefeasibly paid in full in cash (or such Secured Swap Agreements are Cash Collateralized or otherwise secured to the satisfaction of the Secured Swap Provider) (it is understood that the Administrative Agent shall be (i) permitted to rely on a certificate of a Responsible
Officer of the Borrower to establish the foregoing in clause (d) and (ii) entitled to deem that the foregoing clause (d) has occurred with respect to any Secured Swap Provider if it does not respond to a written request from the Administrative Agent or the Borrower to confirm that the foregoing clause (d) has occurred within two (2) Business Days of such request).
“
PBGC
” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, or any successor thereto.
“
Pension Act
” means the Pension Protection Act of 2006, as it presently exists or as it may be amended from time to time, or any successor thereto.
“
Perfection Certificate
” means a perfection certificate substantially in the form of
Exhibit J
.
“
Permitted Holder
” means any Person that, on the Closing Date, after giving effect to the Equity Conversion and the effectiveness of the Plan of Reorganization, is the beneficial owner, together with any of its Affiliates (but excluding any operating portfolio companies of the foregoing Persons), of Equity Interests representing 35% of more of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of the Borrower at such time.
“
Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness
” means Indebtedness (for purposes of this definition, “
New Debt
”) incurred in exchange for, or proceeds of which are used to refinance, all of any other Indebtedness (the “
Refinanced Indebtedness
”);
provided
that:
(a) such New Debt is in an aggregate principal amount not in excess of the sum of (i) the aggregate principal amount then outstanding of the Refinanced Indebtedness (or, if the Refinanced Indebtedness is exchanged or acquired for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration thereof, such lesser amount) and (ii) an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums, related to such exchange or refinancing,
(b) such New Debt has a stated maturity no earlier than the stated maturity of the Refinanced Indebtedness and an average life no shorter than the average life of the Refinanced Indebtedness and does not restrict the prepayment or repayment of the Secured Obligations,
(c) such New Debt contains covenants, events of default, guarantees and other terms which (other than “market” interest rate, fees, funding discounts and redemption or prepayment premiums as determined at the time of issuance or incurrence of any such Indebtedness), (i) are “market” terms as determined on the date of issuance or incurrence and (ii) in any event are not more restrictive on the Borrower and each Group Member than the terms of this Agreement (as in effect at the time of such issuance or incurrence),
(d) no Subsidiary of the Borrower (other than a Guarantor or a Person who becomes a Guarantor in connection therewith) is an obligor under such New Debt,
(e) the proceeds of which, during the Non-Conforming Period, shall be applied in accordance with
Section 3.04(c)(iv)(B)
,
(f) to the extent such New Debt is secured, the holders of the obligations secured thereby (or a representative or trustee on their behalf) shall have entered into an intercreditor agreement (which, for avoidance of doubt, shall provide that the Liens securing such obligations shall rank junior to the Liens securing the Secured Obligations and shall only be secured by the same or a subset of the collateral that secures the Secured Obligations), and
(g) such New Debt (and any guarantees thereof) is subordinated in right of payment to the Secured Obligations (or, if applicable, the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement) to at least the same extent as the Refinanced Indebtedness and subordinated on terms satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
“
Permitted Sale of Hydrocarbons
” has the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 9.11(a)
.
“
Permitted Second Lien Debt
” means junior lien secured Indebtedness issued or incurred by the Borrower and any guarantees thereof by the Guarantors (including any Persons becoming Guarantors simultaneously with the incurrence of such Indebtedness):
(a) the terms of which do not provide for any scheduled repayment, mandatory redemption or sinking fund obligation prior to the 91st day after the Maturity Date (other than customary offers to purchase upon a change of control, and customary acceleration rights after an event of default) and do not restrict the prepayment or repayment of the Secured Obligations,
(b) the covenants, events of default, guarantees and other terms which (other than “market” interest rate, fees, funding discounts and redemption or prepayment premiums as determined at the time of issuance or incurrence of any such Indebtedness), (i) are “market” terms as determined on the date of issuance or incurrence and (ii) in any event are not more restrictive on the Borrower and each Group Member than the terms of this Agreement (as in effect at the time of such issuance or incurrence),
(c) if such Indebtedness is subordinated Indebtedness in right of payment, the terms of such Indebtedness provide for customary subordination of such Indebtedness to the Secured Obligations,
(d) the holders of the obligations secured thereby (or a representative or trustee on their behalf) shall have entered into an intercreditor agreement (which, for avoidance of doubt, shall provide that the Liens securing such obligations shall rank junior to the Liens securing the Secured Obligations and shall only be secured by the same or a subset of the collateral that secures the Secured Obligations),
(e) the proceeds of which, during the Non-Conforming Period, shall be applied in accordance with Section
3.04(c)(iv)(B)
and
(f) no Subsidiary of the Borrower (other than a Guarantor or a Person who becomes a Guarantor in connection therewith) is an obligor under such Indebtedness.
“
Permitted Second Lien Debt Documents
” means any document or instrument (including any guarantee, security agreement or mortgage) issued or executed and delivered with respect to any Permitted Second Lien Debt by any Loan Party.
“
Permitted Second Lien Debt Obligations
” means all advances to, and debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of, any Loan Party arising under any Permitted Second Lien Debt Document, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against any Loan Party or any Affiliate thereof of any proceeding under any bankruptcy or insolvency law naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Permitted Second Lien Debt Obligations of the applicable Loan Parties under the Permitted Second Lien Debt Documents (and any of their Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent they have obligations under the Permitted Second Lien Debt Documents) include the obligation (including guarantee obligations) to pay principal, interest, charges,
expenses, fees, attorney costs, indemnities and other amounts payable by any such Loan Party under any Permitted Second Lien Debt Document.
“
Permitted Unsecured Debt
” means unsecured senior, senior subordinated or subordinated Indebtedness issued or incurred by the Borrower and any guarantees thereof by the Guarantors (including any Persons becoming Guarantors simultaneously with the incurrence of such Indebtedness):
(a) that does not restrict the prepayment or repayment of the Secured Obligations,
(b) that has terms which do not provide for the maturity of such Indebtedness to be or any scheduled repayment, mandatory redemption or sinking fund obligation to occur prior to ninety-one (91) days (or one (1) year, if provided by any holder of the Borrower’s Equity Interests) after the Maturity Date (other than customary offers to purchase upon a change of control and customary acceleration rights after an event of default),
(c) where the covenants, events of default, guarantees and other terms which (other than “market” interest rate, fees, funding discounts and redemption or prepayment premiums as determined at the time of issuance or incurrence of any such Indebtedness), (i) are “market” terms as determined on the date of issuance or incurrence and (ii) in any event are not more restrictive on the Borrower and each Group Member than the terms of this Agreement (as in effect at the time of such issuance or incurrence),
(d) where, if such Indebtedness is subordinated Indebtedness in right of payment, the terms of such Indebtedness provide for customary subordination of such Indebtedness to the Secured Obligations,
(e) the proceeds of which, during the Non-Conforming Period, shall be applied in accordance with Section
3.04(c)(iv)(B)
and
(f) where no Subsidiary of the Borrower (other than a Guarantor or a Person who becomes a Guarantor in connection therewith) is an obligor under such Indebtedness.
“
Person
” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.
“
Petition Date
” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.
“
Petroleum Industry Standards
” means the Definitions for Oil and Gas Reserves promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (or any generally recognized successor) as in effect at the time in question.
“
Plan
” means any “employee pension benefit plan”, as defined in section 3(2) of ERISA, other than a Multiemployer Plan, that is subject to Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA and which (a) is currently or hereafter sponsored, maintained or contributed to by a Group Member or an ERISA Affiliate or (b) was at any time during the six calendar years immediately preceding the date hereof, sponsored, maintained or contributed to by a Group Member or an ERISA Affiliate or to which a Group Member or an ERISA Affiliate has any liability.
“
Plan of Reorganization
” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.
“
Plan Effective Date
” means the “Effective Date” as defined in the Plan of Reorganization.
“
Pre-Petition RBL
” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.
“
Pre-Petition RBL Paydown
” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.
“
Pre-Petition Senior Notes
” has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.
“
Prime Rate
” means the rate of interest
per annum
publicly announced from time to time by the Administrative Agent as its prime rate in effect at its principal office in New York City; each change in the Prime Rate shall be effective from and including the date such change is publicly announced as being effective. Such rate is set by the Administrative Agent as a general reference rate of interest, taking into account such factors as the Administrative Agent may deem appropriate; it being understood that many of the Administrative Agent’s commercial or other loans are priced in relation to such rate, that it is not necessarily the lowest or best rate actually charged to any customer and that the Administrative Agent may make various commercial or other loans at rates of interest having no relationship to such rate.
“
Prohibited Transaction
” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975(c) of the Code.
“
Property
” means any interest in any kind of property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.
“
Proposed Borrowing Base
” has the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 2.07(c)(i)
.
“
Proposed Borrowing Base Notice
” has the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 2.07(c)(ii)
.
“
Proved Reserves
” means oil and gas mineral reserves that, in accordance with Petroleum Industry Standards, are classified as both “Proved Reserves” and one of the following: (a) “Developed Producing Reserves”, (b) “Developed Non-Producing Reserves” or (c) “Undeveloped Reserves”.
“
Public-Sider
” means a Lender whose representatives may trade in securities of the Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries while in possession of the financial statements provided by the Borrower under the terms of this Agreement.
“
Quotation Day
” means, with respect to any Eurodollar Loan for any Interest Period, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Impacted Interest Period.
“
Redemption
” means with respect to any Indebtedness, the repurchase, redemption, prepayment, repayment, defeasance or any other acquisition or retirement for value (or the segregation of funds with respect to any of the foregoing) of such Indebtedness. “
Redeem
” has the correlative meaning thereto.
“
Redetermination Date
” means, with respect to any Scheduled Redetermination or any Interim Redetermination, the date that the redetermined Borrowing Base related thereto becomes effective pursuant to
Section 2.07(d)
.
“
Reference Period
” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “EBITDA”.
“
Refinanced Indebtedness
” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness”.
“
Register
” has the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 12.04(b)(iv)
.
“
Regulation D
” means Regulation D of the Board, as the same may be amended, supplemented or replaced from time to time.
“
Related Parties
” means, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors (including attorneys, accountants and experts) of such Person and such Person’s Affiliates.
“
Release
” means any depositing, spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, placing, emitting, discarding, abandoning, emptying, discharging, migrating, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, or disposing.
“
Remedial Work
” has the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 8.09(a)
.
“
Reportable Event
” means any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder, with respect to a Plan, other than those events as to which the 30-day notice has been waived in regulations issued by the PBGC.
“
Required Lenders
” means (a) at any time while no Loans or LC Exposure are outstanding, Lenders having at least sixty-six and two thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts and (b) at any time while any Loans or LC Exposure are outstanding, Lenders holding at least sixty-six and two thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Loans or participation interests in Letters of Credit (without regard to any sale by a Lender of a participation in any Loan under
Section 12.04(c)
).
“
Reserve Report
” means the Initial Reserve Report and any other subsequent report, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, setting forth, as of the dates set forth in
Section 8.11(a)
(or such other date in the event of an Interim Redetermination) the oil and gas reserves attributable to the Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower and the Guarantors, together with a projection of the rate of production and future net income, taxes, operating expenses and capital expenditures with respect thereto as of such date, based upon the economic and pricing assumptions consistent with the Administrative Agent’s lending requirements at the time.
“
Reserve Report Certificate
” has the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 8.11(c)
.
“
Responsible Officer
” means, as to any Person, the chief executive officer, the president, any Financial Officer or general counsel of such Person. Unless otherwise specified, all references to a Responsible Officer herein shall mean a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.
“
Restricted Payment
” means any dividend or other distribution or return of capital (whether in cash, securities or other Property) with respect to any Equity Interests in any Person, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other Property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of (a) any such Equity Interests or (b) any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such Equity Interests.
“
Restricted Subsidiary
” means any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
“
Revolving Credit Exposure
” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Loans and its LC Exposure at such time.
“
S&P
” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and any successor thereto that is a nationally recognized rating agency.
“
Sanctioned Country
” means, at any time, a country, region or territory which is itself the subject or target of any Sanctions (as of the Closing Date, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Syria and Crimea,).
“
Sanctioned Person
” means, at any time, (a) any Person listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by OFAC or the U.S. Department of State, (b) any Person operating, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country or (c) any Person owned or controlled by any such Person or Persons described in the foregoing
clauses (a)
or
(b)
.
“
Sanctions
” means all economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by the U.S. government, including those administered by OFAC or the U.S. Department of State.
“
Scheduled Redetermination
” has the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 2.07(b)
.
“
Scheduled Redetermination Date
” means the date on which a Borrowing Base that has been redetermined pursuant to a Scheduled Redetermination becomes effective as provided in
Section 2.07(d)
.
“
SEC
” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor Governmental Authority.
“
Secured Cash Management Bank
” means any Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender that is a counterparty to a Cash Management Agreement with the Borrower or any other Group Member.
“
Secured Cash Management Obligations
” means all obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary arising from time to time under any Cash Management Agreement with a Secured Cash Management Bank;
provided
that if such Secured Cash Management Bank ceases to be a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender hereunder, such obligations owed to such Secured Cash Management Bank shall no longer be Secured Cash Management Obligations.
“
Secured Obligations
” means any and all amounts owing or to be owing by any Loan Party (a) to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, any Lender or any other Person under any Loan Document or (b) to any Secured Swap Provider under a Secured Swap Agreement or Secured Cash Management Bank under Secured Cash Management Obligations and all renewals, extensions and/or rearrangements of any of the foregoing, in each case, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising (including interest accruing after the maturity of the Loans and LC Disbursements and interest accruing after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy, or the commencement of any insolvency, reorganization or like proceeding, relating to the Borrower, whether or not a claim for post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding);
provided
that solely with respect to any Group Member that is not an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act, Excluded Swap Obligations of such Group Member shall in any event be excluded from “Secured Obligations” owing by such Group Member.
“
Secured Parties
” means, collectively, the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank, the Lenders, each Secured Cash Management Bank, each Secured Swap Provider, and any other Person owed Secured Obligations. “
Secured Party
” means any of the foregoing individually.
“
Secured Swap Agreement
” means a Swap Agreement between (a) any Loan Party and (b) a Secured Swap Provider.
“
Secured Swap Provider
” means, with respect to any Swap Agreement, (a) a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender who is the counterparty to any such Swap Agreement with a Loan Party and (b) any Person who
was a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender at the time when such Person entered into any such Swap Agreement who is a counterparty to any such Swap Agreement with a Loan Party;
provided
that any such Secured Swap Provider that ceases to be a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender shall continue to be a “Secured Swap Provider” for purposes of this Agreement to the extent that such Secured Swap Provider entered into a Secured Swap Agreement with the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries prior to the date hereof or at the time such Secured Swap Provider was a Lender (or Affiliate of a Lender) hereunder and such Secured Swap Agreement remains in effect and there are remaining obligations under such Secured Swap Agreement (but excluding any transactions, confirms, or trades entered into after such Person ceases to be a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender).
“
Securities Account
” has the meaning assigned to such term in the UCC.
“
Security Instruments
” means (a) the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, (b) the Mortgages, (c) any Perfection Certificate, (d) any Control Agreement, (e) any intercreditor agreement, (f) the other agreements, instruments or certificates described or referred to in
Exhibit F-1
and (g) any and all other agreements, instruments, consents or certificates now or hereafter executed and delivered by the Borrower, the other Loan Parties or any other Person, in each case in connection with, or as security for the payment or performance of the Secured Obligations, as such agreements may be amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time.
“
Solvency Certificate
” means a solvency certificate signed by a Financial Officer in substantially the form of
Exhibit E
hereto.
“
Specified Change of Control
” means a “Change of Control” (or any other defined term having a similar purpose or meaning) as defined in any Permitted Unsecured Debt or Permitted Second Lien Debt.
“
Specified Indebtedness
” has the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 9.04(b)
.
“
Specified Time
” means 11:00 A.M., London time.
“
Statutory Reserve Rate
” means a fraction (expressed as a decimal) not to exceed the number one, the numerator of which is the number one and the denominator of which is the number one
minus
the aggregate of the maximum reserve percentages (including any basis, marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves) expressed as a decimal established by any Governmental Authority of the Board or any other Governmental Authority having jurisdiction for eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “Eurocurrency Liabilities” in Regulation D of the Board). Such reserve percentages shall include those imposed pursuant to such Regulation D. Eurodollar Loans shall be deemed to constitute eurocurrency funding and to be subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to any Lender under such Regulation D or any comparable regulation. The Statutory Reserve Rate shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve percentage.
“
Subsidiary
” means, as to any Person, a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity of which shares of stock or other ownership interests having ordinary voting power (other than stock or such other ownership interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) to elect a majority of the board of directors or other managers of such corporation, partnership or other entity are at the time owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. Unless otherwise qualified, all references to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” in this Agreement shall refer to a direct or indirect Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Borrower.
“
Swap Agreement
” means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement, whether exchange traded, “over-the-counter” or otherwise, involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions;
provided
that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of any Group Member shall be a Swap Agreement.
“
Swap Obligation
” means, with respect to any person, any obligation to pay or perform under any Swap.
“
Swap Termination Value
” means, in respect of any one or more Swap Agreements, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Agreements, (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Agreements have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s) and any unpaid amounts and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in
clause (a)
, the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Agreements, as determined by the counterparties to such Swap Agreements.
“
Taxes
” means any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), value added taxes, or any other goods and services, use or sales taxes, assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.
“
Termination Date
” means the earlier of the Maturity Date and the date of termination of the Commitments in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
“
Total Assets
” means, as of any date of determination with respect to any Person, the amount that would, in accordance with GAAP, be set forth opposite the caption “total assets” (or any like caption) on a balance sheet of such Person at such date.
“
Total Debt
” means, at any date, all Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness under clauses (f) with respect to guarantees of Indebtedness not constituting Total Debt, (i) and (l) of the definition thereof) of the Borrower and the Consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, excluding the undrawn portion and/or contingent obligations arising under, or in respect of letters of credit, bank guarantees and surety or other bonds and similar instruments;
provided
that net Swap Obligations to the extent such obligations are due and payable and not paid on such date shall constitute Total Debt.
“
Transactions
” means, with respect to (a) the Borrower, the execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of this Agreement, each other Loan Document to which it is a party, the borrowing of Loans, the use of the proceeds thereof and the issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder, the Borrower’s grant of the security interests and provision of collateral under the Security Instruments and Borrower’s grant of Liens on Mortgaged Properties (if applicable) and other Properties pursuant to the Security Instruments and (b) each Loan Party, the execution, delivery and performance by such Loan Party of each Loan Document to which it is a party, the guaranteeing of the Secured Obligations and the other obligations under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement by such Loan Party and (c) each Loan Party, such Loan Party’s grant of the security interests and provision of collateral under the Security Instruments, and the grant of Liens by such Loan Party on Mortgaged Properties (if applicable) and other Properties pursuant to the Security Instruments.
“
Transferee
” means any Assignee or Participant.
“
Type
” when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate or the Adjusted LIBO Rate.
“
UCC
” means the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of New York or of any other state the laws of which are required to be applied in connection with the perfection of security interests in any Collateral.
“
Unrestricted Subsidiary
” means any Subsidiary of the Borrower which the Borrower has designated in writing to the Administrative Agent to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to
Section 8.18
and satisfies the requirements to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary as set forth in
Section 8.18
.
“
Unwind
” means, with respect to any Swap Agreement, the early termination, unwind, cancelation or other Disposition of any such Swap Agreement. “
Unwound
” shall have a meaning correlative to the foregoing.
“
U.S. Person
” means a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.
“
U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate
” has the meaning assigned such term in
Section 5.03(g)(ii)(B)(3)
.
“
Volumetric Production Payments
” means production payment obligations recorded as deferred revenue in accordance with GAAP, together with all undertakings and obligations in connection therewith.
“
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary
” means any Subsidiary of which all of the outstanding Equity Interests (other than any directors’ qualifying shares mandated by applicable law), on a fully-diluted basis, are owned by the Borrower, the Guarantors and/or one or more of the Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries.
“
Write-Down and Conversion Powers
” means, with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.
Section 1.03
Types of Loans and Borrowings
. For purposes of this Agreement, Loans and Borrowings, respectively, may be classified and referred to by Type (e.g., a “Eurodollar Loan” or a “Eurodollar Borrowing”).
Section 1.04
Terms Generally; Rules of Construction
. The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”. Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth in the Loan Documents), (b) any reference herein to any law shall be construed as referring to such law as amended, modified, codified or reenacted, in whole or in part, and in effect from time to time, (c) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns (subject to the restrictions contained in the Loan Documents), (d) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (e) with respect to the determination of any time period, the word “from” means “from
and including” and the word “to” and the word “through” means “to and including” and (f) any reference herein to Articles, Sections, Annexes, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Annexes, Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement. The use of the phrase “subject to” as used in connection with Excepted Liens or otherwise and the permitted existence of any Excepted Liens or any other Liens shall not be interpreted to expressly or impliedly subordinate any Liens granted in favor of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties as there is no intention to subordinate the Liens granted in favor of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties. No provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be interpreted or construed against any Person solely because such Person or its legal representative drafted such provision.
Section 1.05
Accounting Terms and Determinations; GAAP
. Unless otherwise specified herein, all accounting terms used herein shall be interpreted, all determinations with respect to accounting matters hereunder shall be made, and all financial statements and certificates and reports as to financial matters required to be furnished to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders hereunder shall be prepared, in accordance with GAAP, applied on a basis consistent with the financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 7.04(b), except for Accounting Changes (as defined below) with which the Borrower’s independent certified public accountants concur and which are disclosed to the Administrative Agent on the next date on which financial statements are required to be delivered to the Lenders pursuant to
Section 8.01(a)
. In the event that any “Accounting Change” shall occur and such change results in a change in the method of calculation of financial covenants, standards or terms in this Agreement, then the Borrower and the Administrative Agent agree to enter into negotiations in order to amend such provisions of this Agreement so as to reflect equitably such Accounting Changes with the desired result that the criteria for evaluating the Borrower’s financial condition shall be the same after such Accounting Changes as if such Accounting Changes had not been made. Until such time as such an amendment shall have been executed and delivered by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Majority Lenders, all financial covenants, standards and terms in this Agreement shall continue to be calculated or construed as if such Accounting Changes had not occurred. “
Accounting Changes
” refers to changes in accounting principles required by the promulgation of any rule, regulation, pronouncement or opinion by the Financial Accounting Standards Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants or, if applicable, the SEC.
Section 1.06
Times of Day
. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Eastern time (daylight or standard, as applicable).
Section 1.07
Timing of Payment or Performance
. When the payment of any obligation or the performance of any covenant, duty or obligation is stated to be due or performance required on a day which is not a Business Day, the date of such payment (other than as described in the definition of Interest Period) or performance shall extend to the immediately succeeding Business Day.
ARTICLE II
THE CREDITS
Section 2.01
Commitments
. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender agrees to make Loans to the Borrower from time to time on any Business Day during the Availability Period in an aggregate principal amount that will not result in (a) such Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure exceeding such Lender’s Commitment or (b) the total Revolving Credit Exposures exceeding the total Commitments. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow the Loans.
Section 2.02
Loans and Borrowings
.
(a)
Borrowings; Several Obligations
. Each Loan shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan required to be made by it shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder;
provided
that the Commitments are several and no Lender shall be responsible for any other Lender’s failure to make Loans as required.
(b)
Types of Loans
. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, each Borrowing shall be comprised entirely of ABR Loans or Eurodollar Loans as the Borrower may request in accordance herewith. Each Lender at its option may make any Eurodollar Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make and any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
(c)
Minimum Amounts; Limitation on Number of Borrowings
. At the commencement of each Interest Period for any Eurodollar Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $100,000 and not less than $100,000. At the time that each ABR Borrowing is made, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $100,000 and not less than $1,000,000;
provided
that an ABR Borrowing may be in an aggregate amount that is equal to the entire unused balance of the total Commitments or that is required to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as contemplated by
Section 2.09(e)
. Borrowings of more than one Type may be outstanding at the same time,
provided
that there shall not at any time be more than a total of fifteen (15) Eurodollar Borrowings outstanding. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Borrower shall not be entitled to request, or to elect to convert or continue, any Borrowing if the Interest Period requested with respect thereto would end after the Maturity Date.
(d)
Notes
. If a Lender shall make a written request to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower to have its Loans evidenced by a Note, then, for each such Lender, the Borrower shall execute and deliver a single Note of the Borrower dated, in the case of (i) any Lender party hereto as of the date of this Agreement, as of the date of this Agreement or (ii) any Lender that becomes a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption or
Section 2.11
, as of the effective date of the Assignment and Assumption or the relevant Incremental Increase, payable to such Lender (and, for avoidance of doubt, its registered assigns) in a principal amount equal to its Maximum Credit Amount as in effect on such date, and otherwise duly completed. Upon request from a Lender, in the event that any such Lender’s Maximum Credit Amount increases or decreases for any reason (whether pursuant to
Section 2.06
,
Section 2.11
,
Section 12.04(b)
or otherwise), the Borrower shall deliver or cause to be delivered on the effective date of such increase or decrease, a new Note payable to such Lender (and, for avoidance of doubt, its registered assigns) in a principal amount equal to its Maximum Credit Amount after giving effect to such increase or decrease, and otherwise duly completed. The date, amount, Type, interest rate and, if applicable, Interest Period of each Loan made by each Lender, and all payments made on account of the principal thereof, may be recorded by such Lender on its books for its Note, and, prior to any transfer, may be endorsed by such Lender on a schedule attached to such Note or any continuation thereof or on any separate record maintained by such Lender;
provided
that the failure to make any such notation or to attach a schedule shall not affect any Lender’s or the Borrower’s rights or obligations in respect of such Loans or affect the validity of such transfer by any Lender of its Note.
Section 2.03
Requests for Borrowings
. To request a Borrowing, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request by telephone (a) in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, not later than 11:00 A.M., New York City time, three Business Days before the date of the proposed Borrowing or (b) in the case of an ABR Borrowing, one Business Day before the date of the proposed Borrowing (
provided
that
any such notice of an ABR Borrowing to finance payments required by
Section 2.09(e)
may be given not later than 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on the date of the proposed borrowing);
provided
that no such notice shall be required for any deemed request of an ABR Borrowing to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in
Section 2.09(e)
. Each such telephonic Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or telecopy to the Administrative Agent of a written Borrowing Request in substantially the form of
Exhibit B
and signed by the Borrower. Each such telephonic and written Borrowing Request shall specify the following information in compliance with
Section 2.02
:
(i)
the aggregate amount of the requested Borrowing;
(ii)
the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;
(iii)
whether such Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurodollar Borrowing;
(iv)
in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, the initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”; and
(v)
the location and number of the Borrower’s account to which funds are to be disbursed, which shall comply with the requirements of
Section 2.05
.
If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified, then the requested Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing. If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested Eurodollar Borrowing, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration. Each Borrowing Request shall constitute a representation that the amount of the requested Borrowing shall not cause the total Revolving Credit Exposures to exceed the total Commitments (i.e., the lesser of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts and the then effective Borrowing Base) on the date of such Borrowing.
Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with this
Section 2.03
, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of the amount of such Lender’s Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing.
Section 2.04
Interest Elections
.
(a)
Conversion and Continuance
. Each Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing Request unless otherwise precluded by the terms hereof and, if a Eurodollar Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Borrowing Request. Thereafter, the Borrower may elect to convert such Borrowing to a different Type or to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a Eurodollar Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this
Section 2.04
. The Borrower may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing.
(b)
Interest Election Requests
. To make an election pursuant to this
Section 2.04
, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election by telephone by the time that a Borrowing Request would be required under
Section 2.03
if the Borrower were requesting a Borrowing of the Type resulting from such election to be made on the effective date of such election. Each such telephonic Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery, telecopy or other
electronic communication to the Administrative Agent of a written Interest Election Request signed by the Borrower.
(c)
Information in Interest Election Requests
. Each telephonic and written Interest Election Request shall specify the following information in compliance with
Section 2.02
:
(i)
the Borrowing to which such Interest Election Request applies and, if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to
Section 2.04(c)(iii)
and
Section 2.04(c)(iv)
shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing);
(ii)
the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest Election Request, which shall be a Business Day;
(iii)
whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurodollar Borrowing; and
(iv)
if the resulting Borrowing is a Eurodollar Borrowing, the Interest Period to be applicable thereto after giving effect to such election, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”.
If any such Interest Election Request requests a Eurodollar Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.
(d)
Notice to Lenders by the Administrative Agent
. Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election Request, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of such Lender’s portion of each resulting Borrowing.
(e)
Effect of Failure to Deliver Timely Interest Election Request and Events of Default and Borrowing Base Deficiencies on Interest Election
. If the Borrower fails to deliver a timely Interest Election Request with respect to a Eurodollar Borrowing prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, at the end of such Interest Period such Borrowing shall be converted to an Eurodollar Borrowing with a one month Interest Period. Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if (i) a Borrowing Base Deficiency has occurred and is continuing, no outstanding Borrowing may be converted to or continued as a Eurodollar Borrowing with an Interest Period longer than one month (and any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Eurodollar Borrowing shall be deemed to request an Interest Period of one month) and (ii) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, no outstanding Borrowing may be converted to or continued as a Eurodollar Borrowing (and any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Eurodollar Borrowing shall be ineffective) and, unless repaid, each Eurodollar Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto.
Section 2.05
Funding of Borrowings
.
(a)
Funding by Lenders
. Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds by 12:00 noon, New York City time, to the account of the Administrative Agent most recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders. The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the Borrower by promptly crediting the amounts so received, in like funds, to an account of the Borrower maintained with the
Administrative Agent and designated by the Borrower in the applicable Borrowing Request;
provided
that ABR Loans made to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in
Section 2.09(e)
shall be remitted by the Administrative Agent to the applicable Issuing Bank. Nothing herein shall be deemed to obligate any Lender to obtain the funds for its Loan in any particular place or manner or to constitute a representation by any Lender that it has obtained or will obtain the funds for its Loan in any particular place or manner.
(b)
Presumption of Funding by the Lenders
. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to 10:00 A.M. New York City time on the proposed date of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with
Section 2.05(a)
and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation or (ii) in the case of the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to ABR Loans. If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing.
Section 2.06
Termination and Reduction of Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts
.
(a)
Scheduled Termination of Commitments
. Unless previously terminated, the Commitments shall terminate on the Maturity Date (it is understood that the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base shall be automatically reduced to $0 upon the occurrence of the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base Maturity Date and, as a result any Commitments in respect of the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base existing on such date, if any, shall terminate on such date). If at any time the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts are terminated or reduced to zero, then the Commitments shall terminate on the effective date of such termination or reduction.
(b)
Optional Termination and Reduction of Aggregate Credit Amounts
.
(i)
The Borrower may at any time terminate, or from time to time reduce, the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts;
provided
that (A) each reduction of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $5,000,000 and (B) the Borrower shall not terminate or reduce the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts if, after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Loans in accordance with
Section 3.04(b)
, the total Revolving Credit Exposures would exceed the total Commitments.
(ii)
The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to terminate or reduce the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts under
Section 2.06(b)(i)
at least three Business Days prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction or such shorter time as the Administrative Agent may agree in writing, specifying such election and the effective date thereof. Promptly following receipt of any notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each notice delivered by the Borrower pursuant to this
Section 2.06(b)(ii)
shall be irrevocable;
provided
that a notice of termination of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts delivered by the Borrower may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit or debt facilities or the consummation of a Material
Acquisition or Material Disposition, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied. Any termination or reduction of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts shall be permanent and may not be reinstated. Each reduction of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with each Lender’s Applicable Percentage.
Section 2.07
Borrowing Base
.
(a)
Initial Borrowing Base
. For the period from and including the Closing Date to but excluding the first Redetermination Date, the amount of the Borrowing Base shall be $320,000,000, with such Borrowing Base consisting of a Conforming Borrowing Base in an amount equal to $250,000,000 and a Non-Conforming Borrowing Base in an amount equal to $70,000,000. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrowing Base may be subject to further adjustments from time to time pursuant to the Borrowing Base Adjustment Provisions.
(b)
Scheduled and Interim Redeterminations
. The Borrowing Base shall be redetermined on November 1, 2016 and semi-annually thereafter in accordance with this
Section 2.07
(including
Section 2.07(e)
) (each such redetermination, a “
Scheduled Redetermination
”), and, subject to
Section 2.07(d)
, such redetermined Borrowing Base shall become effective and applicable to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank(s) and the Lenders on May 1st and November 1st of each year. The Borrower may, by notifying the Administrative Agent thereof, one time (i) prior to the first Scheduled Redetermination and (ii) between each Scheduled Redetermination, elect to cause the Borrowing Base to be redetermined in accordance with this
Section 2.07
and the Administrative Agent may, or at the direction of the Required Lenders shall, by notifying the Borrower thereof, one-time (A) prior to the first Scheduled Redetermination and (B) between any Scheduled Redeterminations elect to cause the Borrowing Base to be redetermined each such redetermination, an “
Interim Redetermination
”) in accordance with this
Section 2.07
.
(c)
Scheduled and Interim Redetermination Procedure
.
(i)
Each Scheduled Redetermination and each Interim Redetermination shall be effectuated as follows: upon receipt by the Administrative Agent of (A) the Reserve Report for such redetermination and the related Reserve Report Certificate (unless waived by the Administrative Agent in the case of an Interim Redetermination) and (B) such other reports, data and supplemental information, including the information provided pursuant to
Section 8.11(c)
, as may, from time to time, be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or a Lender (the Reserve Report, such Reserve Report Certificate and such other reports, data and supplemental information being the “
Engineering Reports
”), the Administrative Agent shall evaluate the information contained in the Engineering Reports and shall propose a new Conforming Borrowing Base or, after the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base Maturity Date, Borrowing Base (the “
Proposed Borrowing Base
”) based upon such information and such other information (including the status of title information with respect to the Oil and Gas Properties as described in the Engineering Reports and the existence of any other Indebtedness) as the Administrative Agent deems appropriate in its sole discretion and consistent with its oil and gas lending criteria as it exists at the particular time. In no event shall the Proposed Borrowing Base
plus
the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base, when applicable, exceed the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts.
(ii)
The Administrative Agent shall thereafter notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the Proposed Borrowing Base (the “
Proposed Borrowing Base Notice
”):
(A)
in the case of a Scheduled Redetermination (1) if the Administrative Agent shall have received the Engineering Reports required to be delivered by the Borrower pursuant to
Section 8.11(a)
and
Section 8.11(c)
in a timely and complete manner, then before or on April 15th or October 15th, as the case may be, of such year following the date of delivery or (2) if the Administrative Agent shall not have received the Engineering Reports required to be delivered by the Borrower pursuant to
Section 8.11(a)
and
Section 8.11(c)
in a timely and complete manner, then promptly after the Administrative Agent has received complete Engineering Reports from the Borrower and has had a reasonable opportunity to determine the Proposed Borrowing Base in accordance with
Section 2.07(c)(i)
; and
(B)
in the case of an Interim Redetermination, promptly, and in any event, in the case of a Borrower requested Interim Redetermination within fifteen (15) days after the Administrative Agent has received the required Engineering Reports (or such later date to which the Borrower and the Administrative Agent agree).
(iii)
Subject to
Section 2.10(b)
and
Section 12.02(b)(ii)
with respect to any Defaulting Lender, any Proposed Borrowing Base that would (A) increase the Conforming Borrowing Base or Borrowing Base then in effect must be approved by all Lenders as provided in this
Section 2.07(c)(iii)
and (B) decrease or maintain the Conforming Borrowing Base or, after the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base Maturity Date, the Borrowing Base then in effect must be approved by the Required Lenders as provided in this
Section 2.07(c)(iii)
. Upon receipt of the Proposed Borrowing Base Notice, each Lender shall have fifteen (15) days (or such shorter period as the Administrative Agent may permit) to agree with the Proposed Borrowing Base or disagree with the Proposed Borrowing Base by proposing an alternate Conforming Borrowing Base or, after the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base Maturity Date, Borrowing Base. If, at the end of such 15-day period (or such shorter period as the Administrative Agent may permit), all of the Lenders, in the case of a Proposed Borrowing Base that would increase the Conforming Borrowing Base or, after the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base Maturity Date, Borrowing Base then in effect, or the Required Lenders, in the case of a Proposed Borrowing Base that would decrease or maintain the Conforming Borrowing Base or, after the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base Maturity Date, Borrowing Base then in effect, have approved, as aforesaid, then the Proposed Borrowing Base shall become the new Conforming Borrowing Base or, after the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base Maturity Date, Borrowing Base, effective on the date specified in
Section 2.07(d)
. If, however, at the end of such 15-day period (or such shorter period as the Administrative Agent may permit), all of the Lenders or the Required Lenders, as applicable, have not approved the Proposed Borrowing Base, as aforesaid, then the Administrative Agent shall poll the Lenders to ascertain the highest Conforming Borrowing Base or, after the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base Maturity Date, Borrowing Base then acceptable to a number of Lenders sufficient to constitute the Required Lenders and, so long as such amount does not increase the Borrowing Base then in effect, such amount shall become the new Borrowing Base, effective on the date specified in
Section 2.07(d)
(
provided
that, if the Administrative Agent shall have polled the Lenders and ascertained that the highest Conforming Borrowing Base or, after the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base Maturity Date, Borrowing Base then acceptable to all of the Lenders increases the Borrowing Base then in effect, such amount shall become the new Borrowing Base, effective on the date specified in
Section 2.07(d)
).
(d)
Effectiveness of a Redetermined Borrowing Base
. After a redetermined Borrowing Base is approved by all of the Lenders or the Required Lenders (subject to
Section 2.10(b)
and
Section 12.02(b)(ii)
with respect to any Defaulting Lender), as applicable, pursuant to
Section 2.07(c)(iii)
, the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the amount of the redetermined Borrowing Base and, in accordance with the terms of
Section 2.07(e)
of the amount of the redetermined Conforming Borrowing Base (if applicable) and the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base (if applicable) (such notice, the
“
New Borrowing Base Notice
”) and such amounts shall become the new Borrowing Base, new Conforming Borrowing Base (if applicable) and new Non-Conforming Borrowing Base (if applicable), in each case, effective and applicable to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank(s) and the Lenders:
(i)
in the case of a Scheduled Redetermination, (A) if the Administrative Agent shall have received the Engineering Reports required to be delivered by the Borrower pursuant to
Section 8.11(a)
and
Section 8.11(c)
in a timely and complete manner, then on May 1st or November 1st of each year, as applicable, following such notice or as soon as possible thereafter, pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 2.07(c)(iii), or (B) if the Administrative Agent shall not have received the Engineering Reports required to be delivered by the Borrower pursuant to
Section 8.11(a)
and
Section 8.11(c)
in a timely and complete manner, then on the Business Day next succeeding delivery of such New Borrowing Base Notice; and
(ii)
in the case of an Interim Redetermination, on the Business Day next succeeding delivery of such New Borrowing Base Notice.
Such amount shall then become the Borrowing Base, Conforming Borrowing Base (if applicable) and Non-Conforming Borrowing Base (if applicable) until the next Scheduled Redetermination Date, the next Interim Redetermination Date or the next adjustment to the Borrowing Base pursuant to the Borrowing Base Adjustment Provisions, whichever occurs first. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Scheduled Redetermination or Interim Redetermination shall become effective until the New Borrowing Base Notice related thereto is received by the Borrower.
(e)
Non-Conforming Borrowing Base
. Prior to the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base Maturity Date (i) if the Conforming Borrowing Base is decreased in connection with a Scheduled Redetermination (other than the November 1, 2017 Scheduled Redetermination) or an Interim Redetermination, then the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base will be automatically increased by the amount of any such decrease to the Conforming Borrowing Base as a result of such redetermination so that the amount of the Borrowing Base immediately thereafter will equal the amount of the Borrowing Base in effect immediately prior to such redetermination and (ii) if the Conforming Borrowing Base is increased in connection with a Scheduled Redetermination or an Interim Redetermination, then the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base will be automatically reduced by the amount of any such increase to the Conforming Borrowing Base as a result of such redetermination so that the amount of the Borrowing Base immediately thereafter will equal the amount of the Borrowing Base in effect immediately prior to such redetermination. Upon the occurrence of the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base Maturity Date, the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base shall be automatically reduced to $0.00 and (A) any Non-Conforming Borrowing Base Loans shall be paid in full as further described in
Section 3.01(b)
, (B) all accrued interest in respect thereof shall be paid in full and (C) any other Secured Obligations outstanding under the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base shall be paid in full, including under
Section 3.05(a)
and
Section 5.02
, in each case, on the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base Maturity Date.
Section 2.08
Borrowing Base Adjustment Provisions
.
(a)
Reduction of Borrowing Base Upon Asset Dispositions and Termination of Swap Positions
. If the Borrower or one of the other Group Members Disposes of Oil and Gas Properties (but excluding any Disposition to a Loan Party or from a non-Loan Party to a non-Loan Party, in each case, subject to prior written notice) or any Equity Interests in any Person owning Oil and Gas Properties (but excluding any Disposition to a Loan Party or from a non-Loan Party to a non-Loan Party, in each case, subject to prior written notice), or Unwinds Swap Agreements and (i) the Borrowing Base Value attributable
to such Disposed Oil and Gas Property (or the Oil and Gas Properties owned by any Group Member whose Equity Interests were sold)
plus
(ii) the Borrowing Base Value attributable to such Unwound Swap Agreements, since the later of (x) the last Redetermination Date and (y) the last adjustment of the Borrowing Base pursuant to this
Section 2.08(a)
is in excess of five percent (5%) of the Borrowing Base as then in effect (as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent), individually or in the aggregate, then the Borrowing Base will be automatically reduced by an amount equal to the value attributable to such Oil and Gas Properties (or such Oil and Gas Properties owned by any Subsidiary whose Equity Interests were sold) or such Unwound Swap Agreement in the current Borrowing Base;
provided
that (1) any such reduction to the Borrowing Base shall be without duplication of any reduction to the Borrowing Base pursuant to
Section 3.04(c)(iv)
, (2) any such reduction shall apply first to the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base and (3) the Administrative Agent shall promptly inform the Borrower of the amount of the adjusted Borrowing Base. For the purposes of this
Section 2.08(a)
, a Disposition of Oil and Gas Properties shall be deemed to include the designation of a Restricted Subsidiary owning Oil and Gas Properties as an Unrestricted Subsidiary and the Disposition of Oil and Gas Properties, or Equity Interests in any Person owning Oil and Gas Properties, to an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
(b)
Reduction of Borrowing Base Related to Title
. Pursuant to
Section 8.12(c)
, if the Administrative Agent or Required Lenders have adjusted the Borrowing Base, so that, after giving effect to such reduction, the Borrower will satisfy the requirements of
Section 8.12(c)
, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower in writing and, upon receipt of such notice, the new Borrowing Base will simultaneously become effective (it being understood that such reduction to the Borrowing Base shall apply to the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base first).
(c)
Reduction of Borrowing Base Upon Incurrence of Permitted Second Lien Debt and/or Permitted Unsecured Debt
. Upon the issuance or incurrence of any Permitted Second Lien Debt, Permitted Unsecured Debt or Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount in excess of the Refinanced Indebtedness (other than (i) during the Non-Conforming Period, Permitted Second Lien Debt or Permitted Unsecured Debt to the extent, and only to the extent, issued or incurred to permanently reduce the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base and to repay Non-Conforming Borrowing Base Loans in accordance with
Section 3.04(c)(iv)(B)
and (ii) after the Non-Conforming Period, Permitted Second Lien Debt or Permitted Unsecured Debt constituting Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to refinance such Indebtedness, but only to the extent that the aggregate principal amount of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed principal amount of the Refinanced Indebtedness), the Borrowing Base then in effect shall be automatically reduced by an amount equal to the product of 0.25
multiplied
by the stated principal amount of such Permitted Unsecured Debt, Permitted Second Lien Debt or, with respect to such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, the extent the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness exceeds the Refinanced Indebtedness, as applicable, without regard to any original issue discount, and the Borrowing Base as so reduced shall become the new Borrowing Base on the Business Day of such issuance or incurrence (it being understood that such reduction to the Borrowing Base shall apply to the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base first).
Section 2.09
Letters of Credit
.
(a)
General
. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may request the issuance of dollar denominated Letters of Credit for its own account or for the account of any other Loan Party, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuing Bank, at any time and from time to time during the period from the Closing Date until the day which is five (5) Business Days prior to the end of the Availability Period;
provided
that, in addition to the conditions set forth in
Section 6.02
, the Borrower may not request the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of Letters
of Credit hereunder if (i) the LC Exposure would exceed the LC Commitment or (ii) the total Revolving Credit Exposures would exceed the aggregate Commitments of the Lenders (i.e., the lesser of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts and the then effective Borrowing Base) (collectively, the “
LC Availability Requirements
”). In the event of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of any form of letter of credit application or other agreement submitted by the Borrower to, or entered into by the Borrower with, the applicable Issuing Bank relating to any Letter of Credit, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control. Letters of Credit hereunder shall be deemed to be issued under the Conforming Borrowing Base.
(b)
Notice of Issuance, Amendment, Renewal, Extension; Certain Conditions
. To request the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or the amendment, renewal or extension of an outstanding Letter of Credit), the Borrower shall hand deliver or telecopy (or transmit by electronic communication, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the applicable Issuing Bank) to the Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent (not less than three (3) Business Days in advance of the requested date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension) a notice:
(i)
requesting the issuance of a Letter of Credit or identifying the Letter of Credit to be amended, renewed or extended;
(ii)
specifying the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (which shall be a Business Day);
(iii)
specifying the date on which such Letter of Credit is to expire (which shall comply with
Section 2.09(c)
);
(iv)
specifying the amount of such Letter of Credit; and
(v)
specifying the name and address of the beneficiary thereof and such other information as shall be necessary to prepare, amend, renew or extend such Letter of Credit.
Each notice shall constitute a representation that, after giving effect to the requested issuance, amendment, renewal or extension, as applicable, the LC Availability Requirements will be satisfied on the date of such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension.
If requested by the applicable Issuing Bank, the Borrower also shall submit a letter of credit application on the Issuing Bank’s standard form in connection with any request for a Letter of Credit.
(c)
Expiration Date
. Each Letter of Credit shall expire (or be subject to termination by notice from the Issuing Bank to the beneficiary thereof) at or prior to the close of business on the earlier of (i) the date one year after the date of the issuance of such Letter of Credit (or, in the case of any renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit, one year after such renewal or extension) and (ii) the date that is five Business Days prior to the Maturity Date.
(d)
Participations
. By the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or an amendment to a Letter of Credit increasing the amount thereof) and without any further action on the part of the applicable Issuing Bank or the Lenders, such Issuing Bank hereby grants to each Lender, and each Lender hereby acquires from such Issuing Bank, a participation in such Letter of Credit equal to such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit. In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of such Issuing Bank, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of each LC Disbursement
made by such Issuing Bank and not reimbursed by the Borrower on the date due as provided in
Section 2.09(e)
, or of any reimbursement payment required to be refunded to the Borrower for any reason. Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations pursuant to this
Section 2.09(d)
in respect of Letters of Credit is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including any amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or the occurrence and continuance of a Default, the existence of a Borrowing Base Deficiency or reduction or termination of the Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever.
(e)
Reimbursement
. If an Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement in respect of a Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall reimburse such LC Disbursement by paying to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to such LC Disbursement not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the date that such LC Disbursement is made, if the Borrower shall have received notice of such LC Disbursement prior to 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on such date, or, if such notice has not been received by the Borrower prior to such time on such date, then not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the Business Day immediately following the day that the Borrower receives such notice, if such notice is not received prior to such time on the day of receipt;
provided
that, unless the Borrower has notified the relevant Issuing Bank and Administrative Agent that it will, and does, reimburse such LC Disbursement by the required date and time, the Borrower shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions to Borrowing set forth in
Section 6.02
, be deemed to have requested, and the Borrower does hereby request under such circumstances, that such payment be financed with an ABR Borrowing in an equivalent amount and, to the extent so financed, the Borrower’s obligation to make such payment shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting ABR Borrowing. If the Borrower fails to make such payment when due, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of the applicable LC Disbursement, the payment then due from the Borrower in respect thereof and such Lender’s Applicable Percentage thereof. Promptly following receipt of such notice, each Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent its Applicable Percentage of the payment then due from the Borrower, in the same manner as provided in
Section 2.05
with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and
Section 2.05
shall apply,
mutatis mutandis
, to the payment obligations of the Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the applicable Issuing Bank the amounts so received by it from the Lenders. Promptly following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any payment from the Borrower pursuant to this
Section 2.09(e)
, the Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to the applicable Issuing Bank or, to the extent that Lenders have made payments pursuant to this
Section 2.09(e)
to reimburse the applicable Issuing Bank, then to such Lenders and the Issuing Bank as their interests may appear. Any payment made by a Lender pursuant to this
Section 2.09(e)
to reimburse the Issuing Bank for any LC Disbursement (other than the funding of ABR Loans as contemplated above) shall not constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such LC Disbursement.
(f)
Obligations Absolute
. The Borrower’s obligation to reimburse LC Disbursements as provided in
Section 2.09(e)
shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit, any Letter of Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, or any term or provision therein, (ii) any draft or other document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect, (iii) payment by the Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit or any Letter of Credit Agreement, or (iv) any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this
Section 2.09(f)
, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the Borrower’s obligations hereunder. Neither the Administrative Agent, the Lenders nor the Issuing Bank, nor any of their Related Parties shall have any
liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Letter of Credit or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in the preceding sentence), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to any Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a drawing thereunder), any error in interpretation of technical terms or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of the Issuing Bank;
provided
that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse the Issuing Bank from liability to the Borrower to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to consequential damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by the Borrower that are caused by the Issuing Bank’s failure to exercise care when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof. The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Issuing Bank (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction), the Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have exercised all requisite care in each such determination. In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, the parties agree that, with respect to documents presented which appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit, the Issuing Bank may, in its sole discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit.
(g)
Disbursement Procedures
. An Issuing Bank shall, promptly following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit. An Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower by telephone (confirmed by telecopy or other electronic transmission) of such demand for payment and whether the Issuing Bank has made or will make an LC Disbursement thereunder;
provided
that any failure to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse the applicable Issuing Bank and the Lenders with respect to any such LC Disbursement.
(h)
Interim Interest
. If an Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement, then, until the Borrower shall have reimbursed such Issuing Bank for such LC Disbursement (either with its own funds or a Borrowing under
Section 2.09(e)
), the unpaid amount thereof shall bear interest, for each day from and including the date such LC Disbursement is made to but excluding the date that the Borrower reimburses such LC Disbursement, at the rate
per annum
then applicable to ABR Loans. Interest accrued pursuant to this
Section 2.09(h)
shall be for the account of such Issuing Bank, except that interest accrued on and after the date of payment by any Lender pursuant to
Section 2.09(e)
to reimburse such Issuing Bank shall be for the account of such Lender to the extent of such payment.
(i)
Replacement of the Issuing Bank
. An Issuing Bank may be replaced at any time by written agreement among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the replaced Issuing Bank and the successor Issuing Bank. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such replacement of the Issuing Bank. At the time any such replacement shall become effective, the Borrower shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the replaced Issuing Bank pursuant to
Section 3.05(b)
. From and after the effective date of any such replacement, (i) the successor Issuing Bank shall have all the rights and obligations of the replaced Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit to be issued thereafter and (ii) references herein to the term “Issuing Bank” shall also be deemed to refer to such successor or to any previous Issuing Bank, or to such successor and all previous Issuing Banks, as the context shall require. After the replacement of an Issuing Bank hereunder, the replaced Issuing Bank shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it prior to such replacement, but shall not be required to issue additional Letters
of Credit. Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Issuing Bank, any Issuing Bank may resign as an Issuing Bank at any time upon thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and the Lenders, in which case, such Issuing Bank shall be replaced in accordance with this
Section 2.09(i)
above.
(j)
Cash Collateralization
. If (i) any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing and the Borrower receives notice from the Administrative Agent or the Majority Lenders demanding the deposit of Cash Collateral pursuant to this
Section 2.09(j)
, (ii) the LC Exposure exceeds the LC Commitment at any time as a result of a reduction in the Borrowing Base, (iii) the Borrower is required to pay to the Administrative Agent the excess attributable to an LC Exposure in connection with any prepayment pursuant to
Section 3.04(c)
or (iv) the Borrower is required to Cash Collateralize a Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure pursuant to
Section 2.11
, then the Borrower shall deposit, in an account with the Administrative Agent, in the name of the Administrative Agent and for the benefit of the Lenders, an amount in cash equal to 105% of (A) in the case of an Event of Default, the LC Exposure (net of any Cash Collateral already held at the applicable time by the Administrative Agent with respect to such LC Exposure) and (B) in the case of the LC Exposure exceeding the LC Commitment, the amount of such excess, and (C) in the case of a payment required by
Section 3.04(c)
, the amount of such excess as provided in
Section 3.04(c)
, as of such date
plus
any accrued and unpaid interest thereon;
provided
that the obligation to deposit such Cash Collateral shall become effective immediately, and such deposit shall become immediately due and payable, without demand or other notice of any kind, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default with respect to the Borrower or any other Group Member described in
Section 10.01(h)
or
Section 10.01(i)
. The Borrower hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Issuing Bank(s) and the Lenders, an exclusive first priority and continuing perfected security interest in and Lien on such account and all cash, checks, drafts, certificates and instruments, if any, from time to time deposited or held in such account, all deposits or wire transfers made thereto, any and all investments purchased with funds deposited in such account, all interest, dividends, cash, instruments, financial assets and other Property from time to time received, receivable or otherwise payable in respect of, or in exchange for, any or all of the foregoing, and all proceeds, products, accessions, rents, profits, income and benefits therefrom, and any substitutions and replacements therefor. The Borrower’s obligation to deposit amounts pursuant to this
Section 2.09(j)
shall be absolute and unconditional, without regard to whether any beneficiary of any such Letter of Credit has attempted to draw down all or a portion of such amount under the terms of a Letter of Credit, and, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, shall not be subject to any defense or be affected by a right of set-off, counterclaim or recoupment which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries may now or hereafter have against any such beneficiary, the Issuing Bank(s), the Administrative Agent, the Lenders or any other Person for any reason whatsoever. Such deposit shall be held as collateral securing the payment and performance of the Borrower’s and the Guarantor’s obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. The Administrative Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over such account. Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits, which investments shall be made at the option and sole discretion of the Administrative Agent and at the Borrower’s risk and expense, such deposits shall not bear interest. Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in such account. Moneys in such account shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to reimburse the applicable Issuing Bank(s) for LC Disbursements for which it has not been reimbursed and, to the extent not so applied, shall be held for the satisfaction of the reimbursement obligations of the Borrower for the LC Exposure at such time or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated, be applied to satisfy other obligations of the Borrower and the Guarantors under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents. If the Borrower is required to provide an amount of Cash Collateral hereunder as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default, and the Borrower is not otherwise required to pay to the Administrative Agent the excess attributable to an LC Exposure in connection with any prepayment pursuant to
Section 3.04(c)
, then such amount (to the extent not applied as
aforesaid) shall be returned to the Borrower within three Business Days after all Events of Default have been cured or waived.
Section 2.10
Defaulting Lenders
. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the following provisions shall apply for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender:
(a)
Commitment Fees
. Commitment fees shall cease to accrue on the unfunded portion of the Commitment of such Defaulting Lender pursuant to
Section 3.05(a)
.
(b)
Waivers and Amendments
. The Maximum Credit Amount and the principal amount of the Loans and participation interests in Letters of Credit of the Defaulting Lenders (if any) shall not be included in determining whether the Majority Lenders or Required Lenders, as applicable, have taken or may take any action hereunder (including any consent to any amendment, waiver or other modification pursuant to
Section 12.02
);
provided
that, without prejudice to the terms of
Section 12.02
, this
clause (b)
shall not apply to the vote of a Defaulting Lender in the case of an amendment, waiver or other modification requiring the consent of such Lender or each Lender adversely affected thereby.
(c)
if any LC Exposure exists at the time such Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender then:
(i)
all or any part of the LC Exposure of such Defaulting Lender shall be reallocated among the non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentage but only to the extent the sum of all non-Defaulting Lenders’ Revolving Credit Exposure
plus
such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure does not exceed the total of all non-Defaulting Lenders’ Commitments;
(ii)
if the reallocation described in
clause (i)
above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrower shall within one Business Day following notice by the Administrative Agent (A) Cash Collateralize for the benefit of the Issuing Bank only the Borrower’s obligations corresponding to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure (after giving effect to any partial reallocation pursuant to
clause (i)
above) in accordance with the procedures set forth in
Section 2.09(j)
for so long as such LC Exposure is outstanding;
(iii)
if the Borrower Cash Collateralizes any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure pursuant to
clause (ii)
above, the Borrower shall not be required to pay any fees to such Defaulting Lender pursuant to
Section 3.05(b)
with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure during the period such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure is Cash Collateralized;
(iv)
if the LC Exposure of the non-Defaulting Lenders is reallocated pursuant to
clause (i)
above, then the fees payable to the Lenders pursuant to
Section 3.05(a)
and
Section 3.05(b)
shall be adjusted in accordance with such non-Defaulting Lenders’ Applicable Percentage; and
(v)
if all or any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure is neither reallocated nor Cash Collateralized pursuant to
clause (i)
or
(ii)
above, then, without prejudice to any rights or remedies of the Issuing Bank or any other Lender hereunder, all fees payable
Section 3.05(a)
with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure shall be payable to the Issuing Bank until and to the extent that such LC Exposure is reallocated and/or Cash Collateralized; and
(d)
So long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender, the Issuing Bank shall not be required to issue, extend, renew or increase any Letter of Credit, unless it is satisfied that the related exposure and the Defaulting Lender’s then outstanding LC Exposure will be 100% covered by the Commitments of the
non-Defaulting Lenders and/or Cash Collateral will be provided by the Borrower in accordance with
Section 2.10(c)
, and participating interests in any newly issued, extended, renewed or increased Letter of Credit shall be allocated among non-Defaulting Lenders in a manner consistent with
Section 2.10(c)(i)
(and such Defaulting Lender shall not participate therein).
(e)
New Letters of Credit
. If (a) a Bankruptcy Event or a Bail-In Action with respect to a Lender Parent of any Lender shall occur following the date hereof and for so long as such event shall continue or (b) the Issuing Bank has a good faith belief that any Lender has defaulted in fulfilling its obligations under one or more other agreements in which such Lender commits to extend credit, the Issuing Bank shall not be required to issue, extend, renew or increase any Letter of Credit, unless the Issuing Bank shall have entered into arrangements with the Borrower or such Lender, satisfactory to the Issuing Bank to defease any risk to it in respect of such Lender hereunder.
(f)
Defaulting Lender Cure
. In the event that the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and the Issuing Bank each agrees that a Defaulting Lender has adequately remedied all matters that caused such Lender to be a Defaulting Lender, then the LC Exposure of the Lenders shall be readjusted to reflect the inclusion of such Lender’s Commitment and on such date such Lender shall purchase at par such of the Loans of the other Lenders as the Administrative Agent shall determine may be necessary in order for such Lender to hold such Loans in accordance with its Applicable Percentage.
Section 2.11
Increase of Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts
.
(a)
Subject to the conditions set forth in
Section 2.11(b)
, the Borrower may, on one or more occasions, increase the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts then in effect (any such increase an “
Incremental Increase
”) by increasing the Maximum Credit Amount of a Lender or by causing a Person that at such time is not a Lender to become a Lender and have a Maximum Credit Amount (an “
Additional Lender
”).
(b)
Any increase in the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amount shall be subject to the following additional conditions:
(i)
such increase shall not be less than $10,000,000 (and increments of $1,000,000 above that minimum) unless the Administrative Agent otherwise consents;
provided
that the aggregate amount of Incremental Increases shall not exceed $200,000,000;
(ii)
as of the effective date of such Incremental Increase, no Default, Event of Default or Borrowing Base Deficiency shall have occurred and be continuing immediately after giving effect to such increase and the representations and warranties of the Borrower and the Guarantors set forth in this Agreement and in the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such effective date, except to the extent any such representations and warranties are expressly limited to an earlier date, in which case, on and as of the date of such increase such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such specified earlier date;
(iii)
no Lender’s Maximum Credit Amount may be increased without the consent of such Lender;
(iv)
the Administrative Agent and each Issuing Bank must consent to the addition of any Additional Lender, who is not an Affiliate of an existing Lender, in each case, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed;
(v)
the maturity date of such increase shall be the same as the Maturity Date;
(vi)
the increase shall be on the exact same terms and pursuant to the exact same documentation applicable to the Agreement;
(vii)
to the extent reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, receipt by the Administrative Agent of (A) board resolution and officers’ certificates consistent with those delivered on the Closing Date and (B) reaffirmation agreements and/or such amendments to the Security Instruments as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent in order to ensure that such incremental Indebtedness is provided with the benefit of the applicable Loan Documents; and
(viii)
on the effective date of such increase, no Eurodollar Borrowings shall be outstanding or if any Eurodollar Borrowings are outstanding, then the effective date of such increase shall be the last day of the Interest Period in respect of such Eurodollar Borrowings unless the Borrower pays compensation required pursuant to
Section 5.02
.
(c)
With the consent of the Lenders providing an Incremental Increase, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank(s) (and without the consent of any other Lenders), the Loan Documents may be amended or supplemented in a writing (which may be executed and delivered by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent) substantially in the form of
Exhibit K
to reflect any changes necessary to give effect to such Incremental Increase and make any Additional Lender a party to this Agreement.
ARTICLE III
PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST; PREPAYMENTS; FEES
Section 3.01
Repayment of Loans
. The Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender the then unpaid principal amount of (a) each Loan on the Termination Date and (b) each Non-Conforming Borrowing Base Loan upon the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base Maturity Date.
Section 3.02
Interest
(a)
ABR Loans
. The Loans comprising each ABR Borrowing shall bear interest at the Alternate Base Rate
plus
the Applicable Margin, but in no event to exceed the Highest Lawful Rate.
(b)
Eurodollar Loans
. The Loans comprising each Eurodollar Borrowing shall bear interest at the Adjusted LIBO Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing
plus
the Applicable Margin, but in no event to exceed the Highest Lawful Rate.
(c)
Post-Default Rate
. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any principal of or interest on any Loan or any fee or other amount payable by the Borrower or any Guarantor hereunder or under any other Loan Document is not paid when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, such overdue amount shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at a rate
per annum
equal to two percent (2%)
plus
the rate applicable to ABR Loans as provided in
Section 3.02(a)
, but in no event to exceed the Highest Lawful Rate.
(d)
Interest Payment Dates
. Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan on the Termination Date and, with respect to the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base Loans, on the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base Maturity Date;
provided
that
(i) interest accrued pursuant to
Section 3.02(c)
shall be payable on demand, (ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan (other than an optional prepayment of an ABR Loan prior to the Termination Date and, with respect to the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base Loans, prior to the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base Maturity Date), accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment and (iii) in the event of any conversion of any Eurodollar Loan prior to the end of the current Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Loan shall be payable on the effective date of such conversion.
(e)
Interest Rate Computations
. All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, unless such computation would exceed the Highest Lawful Rate, in which case interest shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), except that interest computed by reference to the Alternate Base Rate at times when the Alternate Base Rate is based on the Prime Rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), and in each case shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). The applicable Alternate Base Rate, Adjusted LIBO Rate or LIBO Rate shall be determined by the Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and be binding upon the parties hereto.
Section 3.03
Alternate Rate of Interest
. If prior to the first day of any Interest Period:
(a)
the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means (including, without limitation, by means of an Interpolated Rate) do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the LIBO Rate, as applicable, for such Interest Period; or
(b)
the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Majority Lenders that the Adjusted LIBO Rate or LIBO Rate, as applicable, determined or to be determined for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (as conclusively certified by such Lenders) of making or maintaining their affected Loans included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period;
then the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders by telephone, telecopy as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (i) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Eurodollar Borrowing shall be ineffective (and such Borrowing shall be automatically converted into ABR Loans on the last day of the applicable Interest Period), and (ii) if any Borrowing Request requests a Eurodollar Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be made either as an ABR Borrowing or at an alternate rate of interest determined by the Majority Lenders as their cost of funds.
Section 3.04
Prepayments
.
(a)
Optional Prepayments
. The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay, without premium or penalty (except with respect to any amounts due under
Section 5.02
), any Borrowing in whole or in part, subject to prior notice in accordance with
Section 3.04(b)
.
(b)
Notice and Terms of Optional Prepayment
. The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent by telephone (confirmed by telecopy or other electronic transmission) of any prepayment hereunder (i) in the case of prepayment of a Eurodollar Borrowing, not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, three Business Days before the date of prepayment, or (ii) in the case of prepayment of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 11:00 A.M., New York City time, one Business Day before the date of
prepayment (or, in each case, such shorter time as the Administrative Agent may agree). Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the prepayment date and the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid;
provided
that, if a notice of prepayment is given in connection with a conditional notice of termination of the Commitments as contemplated by
Section 2.06(b)
, then such notice of prepayment may be revoked if such notice of termination is revoked in accordance with
Section 2.06(b)
. Promptly following receipt of any such notice relating to a Borrowing, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each partial prepayment of any Borrowing shall be in an amount that would be permitted in the case of an advance of a Borrowing of the same Type as provided in
Section 2.02
. Each prepayment of a Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Loans included in the prepaid Borrowing. Prepayments shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the extent required by
Section 3.02
and any amounts due under
Section 5.02
.
(c)
Mandatory Prepayments
.
(i)
Upon Optional Termination and Reduction
. If, after giving effect to any termination or reduction of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts pursuant to
Section 2.06(b)
, there is a Borrowing Base Deficiency, then the Borrower shall (A) prepay the Borrowings on the date of such termination or reduction in an aggregate principal amount equal to such Borrowing Base Deficiency, and (B) if any Borrowing Base Deficiency remains after prepaying all of the Borrowings as a result of any LC Exposure, pay to the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders an amount equal to such remaining Borrowing Base Deficiency to be held as Cash Collateral as provided in
Section 2.09(j)
.
(ii)
Upon Redeterminations and Title Related Borrowing Base Adjustment
. If there is a Borrowing Base Deficiency as a result of (A) any redetermination of the Borrowing Base in accordance with
Section 2.07
or (B) a Borrowing Base Adjustment pursuant to
Section 2.08(b)
, then upon such Redetermination Date or the occurrence of such Borrowing Base Adjustment (such date, the “
Deficiency Date
”), the Borrower shall, within 5 Business Days of the Deficiency Date, inform the Administrative Agent that it intends to do one or more of the following:
(A)
within thirty (30) days of the Deficiency Date (1) prepay the Borrowings in an aggregate principal amount equal to such Borrowing Base Deficiency and (2) if any Borrowing Base Deficiency remains after prepaying all of the Borrowings as a result of any LC Exposure, Cash Collateralize as provided in
Section 2.09(j)
,
(B)
commencing on the 30th day after the Deficiency Date and continuing on the same day of each month for the next three months thereafter (or if any such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day), prepay the Borrowings in an amount equal to one-fourth (1/4th) of such Borrowing Base Deficiency so that the Borrowing Base Deficiency is reduced to zero within 120 days of the Deficiency Date, or
(C)
within thirty (30) days of the Deficiency Date, submit and pledge as Collateral additional Oil and Gas Properties not evaluated in the most recently delivered Reserve Report or other collateral reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent owned by the Borrower or any of the other Loan Parties for consideration in connection with the determination of the Borrowing Base which the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders deem satisfactory, in their sole discretion, to eliminate such Borrowing Base Deficiency;
provided
that, notwithstanding the options set forth above, in all cases, the Borrowing Base Deficiency must be eliminated on or prior to (x) the Termination Date and (y) with respect to the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base Loans, the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base Maturity Date. If, because of LC Exposure, a Borrowing
Base Deficiency remains after prepaying all of the Loans, the Borrower shall Cash Collateralize Letters of Credit in an amount equal to such remaining Borrowing Base Deficiency as provided in
Section 2.09(j)
.
(iii)
Upon Certain Adjustments
. If there is a Borrowing Base Deficiency, as a result of Borrowing Base adjustment pursuant to the Borrowing Base Adjustment Provisions (other than
Section 2.08(b)
), then upon the occurrence of such Borrowing Base adjustment the Borrower shall (A) prepay the Borrowings in an aggregate principal amount equal to such Borrowing Base Deficiency and (B) if any Borrowing Base Deficiency remains after prepaying all of the Borrowings as a result of an LC Exposure, pay to the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders an amount equal to such remaining Borrowing Base Deficiency to be held as Cash Collateral as provided in
Section 2.09(j)
.
(iv)
Upon any Dispositions, Swap Unwinds and Issuances of Indebtedness during the Non-Conforming Period
. Without prejudice to the rights of the Lenders under
Section 3.04(c)(v)
and
Section 3.04(c)(vii)
, and with priority over the application, but without duplication, of the mandatory prepayments set forth in
Section 3.04(c
)(iii) (it being understood that, if a mandatory prepayment is required pursuant to this
Section 3.04(c)(iv)
and such payment results in the prepayment of all outstanding Non-Conforming Borrowing Base Loans, any remaining Net Proceeds shall be applied in accordance with
Section 3.04(c)(iii)
, if applicable), during the Non-Conforming Period:
(A)
upon any Disposition by any Group Member (including, for avoidance of doubt, any Disposition of Property to an Unrestricted Subsidiary, but excluding a Permitted Sale of Hydrocarbons or Disposition to a Loan Party or from a non-Loan Party to a non-Loan Party) of (x) any of its Oil and Gas Properties or (y) any of its other Property until, in the case of this clause (y), Net Proceeds are in excess of $3,000,000 or any Unwind of a Swap Agreement by any Group Member, the Borrower shall prepay the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base Loans in an aggregate amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Net Proceeds of such Disposition or Unwind and the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base shall be permanently reduced by an amount equal to the amount of such prepayment, and
(B)
upon the incurrence or issuance of any Specified Indebtedness by any Group Member, the Borrower shall prepay the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base Loans in an aggregate amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Net Proceeds received in respect of such Indebtedness and the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base shall be permanently reduced by an amount equal to the amount of such prepayment.
(v)
During an Event of Default
. If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, upon any (A) Disposition of Property, (B) Unwind of any Swap Agreement or (C) incurrence or issuance of Indebtedness, an aggregate amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the Net Proceeds received therefrom shall be applied to repay the Secured Obligations in accordance with the priority set forth in
Section 10.02(d)
.
(vi)
Application of Prepayments to Types of Borrowings
. Each prepayment of Borrowings pursuant to this
Section 3.04(c)
shall be applied,
first
, ratably to any ABR Borrowings then outstanding, and,
second
, ratably to any Eurodollar Borrowings then outstanding, and if more than one Eurodollar Borrowing is then outstanding, to each such Eurodollar Borrowing in order of priority beginning with the Eurodollar Borrowing with the least number of days remaining in the Interest Period applicable thereto and ending with the Eurodollar Borrowing with the most number of days remaining in the Interest Period applicable thereto.
(vii)
Application in Connection with Consolidated Cash Balance
. If (A) during the Non-Conforming Period, at the end of every two (2) Business Days or (B) thereafter, at the end of every five (5) Business Days, (1) there is Revolving Credit Exposure and (2) the Consolidated Cash Balance exceeds $10,000,000 as of the end of such applicable Business Day, then the Borrower shall, on the next Business Day thereafter, (I) prepay the Loans in an aggregate principal amount equal to such excess and (II) if any excess remains after prepaying all of the Loans because of LC Exposure, Cash Collateralize such remaining excess as provided in
Section 2.09(j)
.
(viii)
Interest to be Paid with Prepayments
. Each prepayment of Borrowings pursuant to this
Section 3.04(c)
shall be applied ratably to the Loans included in the prepaid Borrowings. Prepayments pursuant to this
Section 3.04(c)
shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the extent required by
Section 3.02
.
(d)
No Premium or Penalty
. Prepayments permitted or required under this
Section 3.04
shall be without premium or penalty, except as required under
Section 5.02
.
Section 3.05
Fees
.
(a)
Commitment Fees
. The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a commitment fee, which shall accrue at the applicable Commitment Fee Rate on the average daily amount of the unused amount of the Commitment of such Lender (determined taking into account both Loans and LC Exposure) during the period from and including the date of this Agreement to but excluding the Termination Date. Accrued commitment fees shall be payable in arrears on the last Business Day of March, June, September and December of each year and on the Termination Date and, with respect to the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base, on the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base Maturity Date, commencing on the first such date to occur after the date hereof. All commitment fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, unless such computation would exceed the Highest Lawful Rate, in which case interest shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year) (or in such other manner as the Administrative Agent shall provide so that such computation shall not exceed the Highest Lawful Rate), and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).
(b)
Letter of Credit Fees
. The Borrower agrees to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a participation fee with respect to its participations in Letters of Credit, which shall accrue at the same Applicable Margin used to determine the interest rate applicable to Eurodollar Loans on the average daily amount of such Lender’s LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the period from and including the date of this Agreement to but excluding the later of the date on which such Lender’s Commitment terminates and the date on which such Lender ceases to have any LC Exposure, (ii) to each applicable Issuing Bank a fronting fee, which shall accrue at the rate equal to the greater of (A) $750 and (B) 0.25%
per annum
(or such other rate as may be agreed to with such Issuing Bank) on the average daily amount of the LC Exposure attributable to such Issuing Bank (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the period from and including the date of this Agreement to but excluding the later of the date of termination of the Commitments and the date on which there ceases to be any LC Exposure;
provided
that in no event shall such fee be less than $750.00 during any quarter unless no LC Exposure existed at any time during such quarter and (iii) to each Issuing Bank, for its own account, its standard fees with respect to the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or processing of drawings thereunder. Participation fees and fronting fees accrued through and including the last Business Day of March, June, September and December of each year shall be payable on such last Business Day, commencing on the first such date to
occur after the date of this Agreement;
provided
that all such fees shall be payable on the Termination Date and any such fees accruing after the Termination Date shall be payable on demand. Any other fees payable to any Issuing Bank pursuant to this
Section 3.05(b)
shall be payable within 10 days after demand. All participation fees and fronting fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, unless such computation would exceed the Highest Lawful Rate, in which case interest shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).
(c)
Administrative Agent Fees
. The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for its own account, fees payable in the amounts and at the times separately agreed upon in writing between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.
ARTICLE IV
PAYMENTS; PRO RATA TREATMENT; SHARING OF SET-OFFS
Section 4.01
Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs
.
(a)
Payments by the Borrower
. The Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it hereunder (whether of principal, interest, fees or reimbursement of LC Disbursements, or of amounts payable under
Section 5.01
,
Section 5.02
,
Section 5.03
or otherwise) prior to 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the date when due, in immediately available funds, without defense, deduction, recoupment, set-off or counterclaim. Fees, once paid, shall be fully earned and shall not be refundable under any circumstances, absent manifest error. Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. All such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent at its offices specified in
Section 12.01
, except payments to be made directly to the applicable Issuing Bank as expressly provided herein and except that payments pursuant to
Section 5.01
,
Section 5.02
,
Section 5.03
and
Section 12.03
shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto. The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments received by it for the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof. If any payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension. All payments hereunder shall be made in dollars.
(b)
Application of Insufficient Payments
. If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, unreimbursed LC Disbursements, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i)
first
, towards payment of interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii)
second
, towards payment of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due to such parties.
(c)
Sharing of Payments by Lenders
. If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of set-off or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Loans or participations in LC Disbursements resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other Lender, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans and participations in LC Disbursements of other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders
ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans and participations in LC Disbursements;
provided
that (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) the provisions of this
Section 4.01(c)
shall not be construed to apply to any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or participations in LC Disbursements to any assignee or participant, other than to the Borrower or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this
Section 4.01(c)
shall apply). The Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrower rights of set-off and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.
Section 4.02
Presumption of Payment by the Borrower
. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the applicable Issuing Bank that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the applicable Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or the applicable Issuing Bank, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or Issuing Bank with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.
Section 4.03
Certain Deductions by the Administrative Agent
. If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to
Section 2.05(a)
,
Section 2.09(d)
,
Section 2.09(e)
or
Section 4.02
then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion (notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof), apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender to satisfy such Lender’s obligations under such Sections until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid.
ARTICLE V
INCREASED COSTS; BREAK FUNDING PAYMENTS; TAXES; ILLEGALITY
Section 5.01
Increased Costs
.
(a)
Eurodollar Changes in Law
. If any Change in Law shall:
(i)
subject any Credit Party to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in
clauses (b)
through
(d)
of the definition of Excluded Taxes and (C) Connection Income Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto;
(ii)
impose, modify or hold applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets held by, deposits or other liabilities in or for the account of, advances, loans or other extensions of credit (or participations therein) by, or any other acquisition of funds by, any office of such Lender or any Issuing Bank that is not otherwise included in the determination of the Adjusted LIBO Rate; or
(iii)
impose on such Lender or any Issuing Bank or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense (other than Taxes) affecting this Agreement or Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein;
and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender or such other Credit Party of making, converting into, continuing or maintaining any Loan or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan, or to increase the cost to such Lender, such Issuing Bank or other Credit Party of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit (or of maintaining its obligation to participate in or to issue any Letter of Credit) or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or such other Credit Party (whether of principal, interest or otherwise), then the Borrower will pay to such Lender or such other Credit Party such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such other Credit Party for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.
(b)
Capital and Liquidity Requirements
. If any Lender or Issuing Bank reasonably determines that any Change in Law regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Commitments of such Lender or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by any Issuing Bank, to a level below that which such Lender or Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy or liquidity), then from time to time the Borrower will pay to such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.
(c)
Certificates for Reimbursement
. A certificate of a Lender or Issuing Bank setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in
Section 5.01(a)
or
Section 5.01(b)
shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.
(d)
Effect of Failure or Delay in Requesting Compensation
. Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this
Section 5.01
shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s right to demand such compensation;
provided
that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or Issuing Bank pursuant to this
Section 5.01
for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than 365 days prior to the date that such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s intention to claim compensation therefor;
provided
further
that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 365-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.
Section 5.02
Break Funding Payments
. The Borrower shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to any of the following (a) the payment of any principal of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default), (b) the conversion of any Eurodollar Loan into an ABR Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (c) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Eurodollar Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto or (d) the assignment of any Eurodollar Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to
Section 5.04
. In the case of a Eurodollar Loan, such loss, cost or expense to any Lender shall be deemed to
include an amount determined by such Lender to be the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest which would have accrued on the principal amount of such Loan had such event not occurred, at the Adjusted LIBO Rate that would have been applicable to such Loan, for the period from the date of such event to the last day of the then current Interest Period therefor (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, for the period that would have been the Interest Period for such Loan), over (ii) the amount of interest which would accrue on such principal amount for such period at the interest rate which such Lender would bid were it to bid, at the commencement of such period, for dollar deposits of a comparable amount and period from other banks in the eurodollar market.
A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this
Section 5.02
shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.
Section 5.03
Taxes
.
(a)
Defined Terms
. For purposes of this
Section 5.03
,
Section 5.04
and
Section 5.05
, the term “Lender” includes any Issuing Bank and the term “applicable law” includes FATCA.
(b)
Payments Free of Taxes
. Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable law. If any applicable law (as determined in the good faith discretion of an applicable withholding agent) requires the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by a withholding agent, then the applicable withholding agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then the sum payable by the applicable Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that, after such deduction or withholding has been made (including such deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this
Section 5.03
), the applicable Credit Party receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made.
(c)
Payment of Other Taxes by the Loan Parties
. The Loan Parties shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law, or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for, Other Taxes.
(d)
Indemnification by the Loan Parties
. The Loan Parties shall jointly and severally indemnify each Credit Party, within 10 days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this
Section 5.03
) payable or paid by such Credit Party or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Credit Party and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(e)
Indemnification by the Lenders
. Each Lender shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, within 10 days after demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that any Loan Party has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Loan Parties to do so) and (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of
Section 12.04(c)
relating to the
maintenance of a Participant Register, in either case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under any Loan Document or otherwise payable by the Administrative Agent to the Lender from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this
paragraph (e)
.
(f)
Evidence of Payments
. As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by any Loan Party to a Governmental Authority pursuant to this
Section 5.03
, such Loan Party shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(g)
Status of Lenders
.
(i)
Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in
Section 5.03(g)(ii)(A)
,
Section 5.03(g)(ii)(B)
and
Section 5.03(g)(ii)(D)
below) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.
(ii)
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
(A)
any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed originals of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax;
(B)
any Non-U.S. Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Non-U.S. Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:
(1)
in the case of a Non-U.S. Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States of America is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN-E or IRS Form W-8BEN establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant
to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, IRS Form W-8BEN-E or IRS Form W-8BEN establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;
(2)
executed originals of IRS Form W-8ECI;
(3)
in the case of a Non-U.S. Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of
Exhibit H-1
to the effect that such Non-U.S. Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a “
U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate
”) and (y) executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN-E or IRS Form W-8BEN; or
(4)
to the extent a Non-U.S. Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed originals of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN-E, IRS Form W-8BEN, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of
Exhibit H-2
or
Exhibit H-3
, IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable;
provided
that if the Non-U.S. Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Non-U.S. Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Non-U.S. Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of
Exhibit H-4
on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;
(C)
any Non-U.S. Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Non-U.S. Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed originals of any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and
(D)
if a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this
clause (D)
, “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.
Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.
(h)
Treatment of Certain Refunds
. If any party determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this
Section 5.03
(including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this
Section 5.03
), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this
Section 5.03
with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes with respect to such refund) of such indemnified party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund). Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such indemnified party, shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid over pursuant to this
paragraph (h)
(
plus
any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such indemnified party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this
paragraph (h)
, in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this
paragraph (h)
the payment of which would place the indemnified party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the indemnified party would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This paragraph shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person.
(i)
Survival
. Each party’s obligations under this
Section 5.03
shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under the Loan Documents.
Section 5.04
Designation of Different Lending Office
. If any Lender requests compensation under
Section 5.01
, or if the Borrower is required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to
Section 5.03
, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to
Section 5.01
or
Section 5.03
, as the case may be, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.
Section 5.05
Replacement of Lenders
. If (a) any Lender requests compensation under
Section 5.01
, (b) the Borrower is required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to
Section 5.03
, or (c) any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in
Section 12.04(b)
), all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment);
provided
that (i) the Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld, (ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations
in LC Disbursements, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under
Section 5.02
), from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts) and (iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under
Section 5.01
or payments required to be made pursuant to
Section 5.03
, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments. A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment and delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.
ARTICLE VI
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
Section 6.01
Closing Date
. The obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and of the Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit hereunder shall not become effective until the date on which each of the following conditions is satisfied (or waived in accordance with
Section 12.02
):
(a)
Credit Agreement
. The Administrative Agent shall have received from each party hereto counterparts (in such number as may be requested by the Administrative Agent) of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party.
(b)
Loan Documents
.
(i)
Execution of Security Instruments
. The Administrative Agent shall have received from each party thereto counterparts (in such number as may be requested by the Administrative Agent) of the Security Instruments, including the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement and Perfection Certificate, described on
Exhibit F-1
that have been executed and delivered by a Responsible Officer of each party thereto.
(ii)
Filings, Registrations and Recordings
. Each Security Instrument and any other document (including any Uniform Commercial Code financing statement) required by any Security Instrument or under law or reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to be filed, registered or recorded in order to create in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a perfected Lien on the Collateral described therein, prior and superior in right to any other Person shall be in proper form for filing, registration or recordation.
(iii)
Mortgage Coverage
. The Administrative Agent shall be reasonably satisfied that, upon recording the Mortgages, in each case, in the appropriate filing offices, it shall have a first priority Lien on at least 95% of the PV-9 of the Borrowing Base Properties.
(iv)
Pledged Stock; Stock Powers; Pledged Notes
. The Administrative Agent shall have received (A) the certificates representing the shares of Equity Interests pledged pursuant to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, together with an undated stock power for each such certificate executed in blank by a duly authorized officer of the pledgor thereof and (B) each promissory note (if any) pledged to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement endorsed (without recourse) in blank (or accompanied by an executed transfer form in blank) by the pledgor thereof.
(c)
Secretary’s Certificates
. The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of a Responsible Officer of each Loan Party setting forth (i) resolutions of its board of directors or other appropriate governing body with respect to the authorization of such Loan Party to execute and deliver the Loan Documents to which it is a party and to enter into the transactions contemplated in those documents,
(ii) the officers of such Loan Party (A) who are authorized to sign the Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party and (B) who will, until replaced by another officer or officers duly authorized for that purpose, act as its representative for the purposes of signing documents and giving notices and other communications in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, (iii) specimen signatures of such authorized officers and (iv) the articles or certificate of incorporation and by-laws or other applicable Organizational Documents of such Loan Party, certified by a Responsible Officer as being true and complete. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders may conclusively rely on such certificate until the Administrative Agent receives notice in writing from such Loan Party to the contrary.
(d)
Corporate Status; Good Standing Certificates
. The Administrative Agent shall have received certificates of the appropriate State agencies with respect to the existence, qualification and good standing of each Loan Party in each jurisdiction where any such Loan Party is organized or owns Borrowing Base Properties.
(e)
Responsible Officer’s Certificate
. The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent certifying that, after giving effect to the Confirmation Order and the Plan of Reorganization (i) the Borrower has received all government and third party approvals required by
Section 7.03
and such approvals have been obtained on satisfactory terms and (ii) no action, proceeding or litigation is pending or threatened in any court or before any Governmental Authority that involves any Loan document or that is seeking to enjoin or prevent the consummation of the Transactions contemplated hereby.
(f)
Solvency Certificate
. The Administrative Agent shall have received a Solvency Certificate, duly executed by a Financial Officer and dated as of the Closing Date.
(g)
Responsible Officer’s Certificate: Indebtedness
. The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent certifying that the Borrower and the other Group Members will have outstanding no Indebtedness for borrowed money or Disqualified Capital Stock other than the Secured Obligations under this Agreement.
(h)
Initial Reserve Report
. The Administrative Agent shall have received the Initial Reserve Report accompanied by a certificate covering the matters described in
Section 8.11(c)(i)
,
Section 8.11(c)(ii)
,
Section 8.11(c)(iii)
and
Section 8.11(c)(vi)
.
(i)
Confirmation Order
. The Confirmation Order shall be in full force and effect, not subject to any stay, nor shall it have been amended or modified in any manner adverse to the Lenders without the consent of the Required Lenders.
(j)
Plan Effective Date
. All conditions precedent to confirmation and to effectiveness of the Plan of Reorganization shall have been satisfied or waived to the satisfaction of the Administrative Agent, the Plan Effective Date shall have occurred or shall occur substantially contemporaneously with the Closing Date, and the substantial consummation (as defined in section 1101 of the Bankruptcy Code) of the Plan of Reorganization in accordance with its terms shall occur substantially contemporaneously with the Plan Effective Date.
(k)
Satisfaction of Claims
. The Administrative Agent shall be reasonably satisfied that all claims against, or interests, in the Borrower and the other Loan Parties shall have been satisfied or otherwise addressed pursuant to the terms of the Plan of Reorganization.
(l)
DIP Funding; Occurrence of Equity Conversion
. On or prior to the Closing Date, (i) the DIP Funding shall have occurred, (ii) no event of default (or applicable term or concept) shall have occurred and be continuing in respect of the DIP Facility that has caused the lenders thereunder (or any agent thereof) to commence the exercise of rights and remedies under the documentation governing the DIP Facility and (iii) the Equity Conversion shall have occurred and the Administrative Agent shall have received satisfactory evidence that all claims under the DIP Facility shall have been satisfied or otherwise addressed pursuant to the terms of the Plan of Reorganization.
(m)
Patriot Act
. The Administrative Agent shall have received, at least five (5) days prior to the Closing Date, all documentation and other information requested at least two (2) Business Days prior to such date and required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act.
(n)
Closing Date Liquidity
. The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent certifying that after giving effect to any Borrowings as of the Closing Date, the Borrower has Liquidity of not less than $20,000,000 on the Closing Date.
(o)
Legal Opinions
. The Administrative Agent shall have received an opinion of (i) Jones Day, counsel for the Loan Parties and (ii) local counsel in any jurisdictions where Security Instruments will be recorded to perfect first priority Liens on any Borrowing Base Properties, in each case in form and of substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.
(p)
Fees
. The Administrative Agent, the Arranger and the Lenders shall have received all fees and other amounts due and payable on or prior to the Closing Date and, to the extent invoiced, reimbursement or payment of all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses required to be reimbursed or paid by the Borrower hereunder.
(q)
Title
. The Administrative Agent shall have received title information as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require, satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, setting forth the status of title to at least 85% of the PV-9 of the Borrowing Base Properties.
(r)
Lien Searches
. The Administrative Agent shall have received appropriate UCC searches reflecting no prior Liens encumbering the Properties of the Borrower and the Loan Parties other than those being released on or prior to the Closing Date and those permitted by
Section 9.03
.
(s)
Financial Statements
. The Administrative Agent shall have received the monthly operating report referred to in
Section 7.04(a)
.
(t)
Pre-Petition RBL Paydown
. (i) The Pre-Petition RBL Paydown shall have been consummated or (ii) substantially contemporaneously with the Closing Date, the Pre-Petition RBL Paydown shall be consummated.
(u)
No MAE
. Since the Petition Date, excluding results from (A) general changes in hydrocarbon prices, (B) general changes in industry or economic conditions, (C) general changes in political conditions, including any engagements of hostilities, acts of war or terrorist activities or changes imposed by a governmental authority associated with additional security, there has not been any change, development or event that, individually or in the aggregate, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(v)
Senior Management; Business Plan
. The Lenders shall be reasonably satisfied with the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Senior Vice President-Asset Management (or similar position) and Treasurer of the Borrower following the consummation of the Plan of Reorganization (it being understood that the Lenders agree that the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Senior Vice President-Asset Management and Treasurer of the Borrower in place as of March 15, 2016 are reasonably satisfactory for purposes of this
Section 6.01(v)
), and the business plan for the Borrower as of the date hereof shall be consistent in all material respects with the most recent draft of the business plan provided to the Lenders on or prior to March 15, 2016.
The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the Closing Date, and such notice shall be conclusive and binding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and of the Issuing Bank(s) to issue Letters of Credit hereunder shall not become effective unless each of the foregoing conditions is satisfied (or waived pursuant to
Section 12.02
) at or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on April 29, 2016 (an, in the event such conditions are not so satisfied or waived, this Agreement shall terminate at such time).
Section 6.02
Each Credit Event
. The obligation of each Lender to make a Loan on the occasion of any Borrowing (including the initial funding), and of the Issuing Bank(s) to issue, amend, renew or extend any Letter of Credit, is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:
(a)
At the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
(b)
The representations and warranties of the Borrower and the Guarantors set forth in this Agreement and in the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects (unless already qualified by materiality in which case such applicable representation and warranty shall be true and correct) on and as of the date of such Borrowing or the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, except to the extent any such representations and warranties are expressly limited to an earlier date, in which case, on and as of the date of such Borrowing or the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, such representations and warranties shall continue to be true and correct in all material respects (unless already qualified by materiality in which case such applicable representation and warranty shall be true and correct) as of such specified earlier date.
(c)
At the time of such Borrowing or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, and also after giving effect thereto, the Consolidated Cash Balance shall not exceed $10,000,000, or such greater amount requested by the Borrower to be used on the date of such Borrowing for (i) acquisitions of Oil and Gas Property permitted hereunder and (ii) expenditures in respect of the Oil and Gas Properties of the Group Members permitted hereunder in the ordinary course of business, in each case to the extent agreed to by the Administrative Agent at the time of such Borrowing and subject to the Administrative Agent receiving prior written notice of such request on or prior to the date of delivery of the applicable Borrowing Request.
(d)
The receipt by the Administrative Agent of a Borrowing Request in accordance with
Section 2.03
or a request for a Letter of Credit (or an amendment, extension or renewal of a Letter of Credit) in accordance with
Section 2.09(b)
, as applicable.
Each request for any such Borrowing or for the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower on the date thereof as to the matters specified in
Section 6.02(a)
through
Section 6.02(c)
.
ARTICLE VII
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
The Borrower represents and warrants to the Lenders that:
Section 7.01
Organization; Powers
. Each Group Member is (a)(i) duly organized, validly existing and (ii) in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (b) has all requisite power and authority, and has all governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals necessary, to own its assets and to carry on its business as now conducted, and is qualified to do business in, and (c) is in good standing in, every material jurisdiction where such qualification is required, except for purposes of
Section 7.01(a)(ii)
,
7.01(b)
and
7.01(c)
to the extent that a failure to be so qualified could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 7.02
Authority; Enforceability
. After giving effect to the Confirmation Order and the Plan of Reorganization, the Transactions are within each Group Member’s corporate or equivalent powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or equivalent and, if required, owner action. After giving effect to the Confirmation Order and the Plan of Reorganization, each Loan Document to which a Loan Party is a party has been duly executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, as applicable, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.
Section 7.03
Approvals; No Conflicts
. After giving effect to the Confirmation Order and the Plan of Reorganization, the Transactions (a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority or any other third Person, nor is any such consent, approval, registration, filing or other action necessary for the validity or enforceability of any Loan Document or the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, except such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect other than the recording and filing of financing statements and the Security Instruments as required by this Agreement (b) will not violate (i) in any material respect, any applicable law or regulation or any order of any Governmental Authority or (ii) the Organizational Documents of any Loan Party, (c) will not violate or result in a default under any indenture, note, credit agreement or other similar instrument binding upon any Group Member or its Properties, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by any Group Member and (d) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any Property of any Group Member (other than the Liens created by the Loan Documents).
Section 7.04
Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change
.
(a)
The Borrower has heretofore furnished to the Lenders the debtor-in-possession monthly operating report filed with the Bankruptcy Court (which report is prepared on a non-GAAP basis) for the most recently ended month for which such report is available. Such operating report presents fairly and accurately in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations and cash flows of the Borrower as of the date and for the period to which it relates.
(b)
The Borrower has heretofore furnished to the Lenders its consolidated balance sheet and statements of income, stockholders equity and cash flows as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, reported on by Ernst & Young LLP, independent public accountants. Such financial statement
presents fairly, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations and cash flows of the Borrower and its Consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries as of such dates and for such periods.
(c)
The most recent financial statements furnished pursuant to
Section 8.01(a)
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition of Borrower and its Consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, as of the dates and for the periods set forth above in accordance with GAAP, subject to year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes in the case of the unaudited quarterly financial statements.
(d)
Since the date hereof, and after giving effect to the Transactions, there has been no event, development or circumstance that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(e)
Except as provided in the Plan of Reorganization, neither the Borrower nor any other Group Member has on the date of this Agreement any Indebtedness (including Disqualified Capital Stock) or any contingent liabilities, off-balance sheet liabilities or partnerships, liabilities for taxes, or unusual forward or long-term commitments or unrealized or anticipated losses from any unfavorable commitments other than in respect of the Secured Obligations.
Section 7.05
Litigation
.
(a)
After giving effect to the Confirmation Order and the Plan of Reorganization, there are no actions, suits, investigations or proceedings by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority pending against or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened by, against or affecting any Group Member any of their respective properties or revenues that (i) are not fully covered by insurance (except for normal deductibles) as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) involve any Loan Document or the Transactions.
Section 7.06
Environmental Matters
. Except for such matters that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect:
(a)
the Group Members and any property with respect to which any Group Member has any interest or obligation are in compliance with all, and have not violated any, applicable Environmental Laws;
(b)
(i) the Group Members and all relevant Persons for any property with respect to which any Group Member has any interest or obligation hold and are in compliance with all, and have not violated any, Environmental Permits required for their respective operations and each of their respective properties; (ii) all such Environmental Permits are in full force and effect; and (iii) no Group Member has received any notice or otherwise has knowledge that any such Environmental Permit may be revoked, adversely modified, or not renewed, or that any application for any Environmental Permit may be protested or denied or that the anticipated terms thereof may be adversely modified;
(c)
(i) there are no actions, claims, demands, suits, investigations or proceedings under any Environmental Laws or regarding any Hazardous Materials that are pending or, to the Borrower’s knowledge, threatened, against any Group Member or regarding any property with respect to which any Group Member has any interest or obligation, or as a result of any operations of any Group Member or any other Person regarding any property with respect to which any Group Member has any interest or obligation; and (ii) there are no consent decrees or other decrees, consent orders, administrative orders or other
administrative, arbitral or judicial requirements outstanding under any Environmental Laws or regarding any Hazardous Materials, directed to any Group Member or as to which any Group Member is a party, or regarding any property with respect to which any Group Member has any interest or obligation;
(d)
(i) there has been no Release or, to the Borrower’s knowledge, threatened Release, of Hazardous Materials attributable to the operations of any Group Member at, on, under or from any Group Member’s current or formerly owned, leased or operated property or at any other location (including, to the Borrower’s knowledge, any location to which Hazardous Materials have been sent for re-use, recycling, treatment, storage or disposal) for which any Group Member could be liable, and (ii) Hazardous Materials are not otherwise present at any such properties or other locations, in either (i) or (ii) above, in amounts or concentrations or under conditions which constitute a violation of any applicable Environmental Law, could reasonably be expected to give rise to any liability, or, with respect to any Mortgaged Property, could reasonably be expected to impair its fair saleable value;
(e)
no Group Member, nor to the Borrower’s knowledge any other Person for any property with respect to which any Group Member has any interest or obligation, has received any written notice of violation, alleged violation, non-compliance, liability or potential liability or request for information regarding Environmental Laws or Hazardous Materials, and, to the Borrower’s knowledge, there are no conditions or circumstances that would reasonably be expected to result in the receipt of any such notice or request for information;
(f)
no Group Member has assumed or retained any liability under applicable Environmental Laws or regarding Hazardous Materials that could reasonably be expected to result in liability to any Group Member; and
(g)
to the extent reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, the Group Members have provided to Lenders complete and correct copies of all environmental site assessment reports, investigations, studies, analyses, and correspondence on environmental matters (including matters relating to any alleged non-compliance with or liability under Environmental Laws) that are in any Group Member’s possession or control and relating to their respective Properties or operations thereon.
Section 7.07
Compliance with the Laws; No Defaults
.
(a)
After giving effect to the Confirmation Order and the Plan of Reorganization, each Group Member is in compliance with all Governmental Requirements applicable to it or its Property and all agreements and other instruments binding upon it or its Property, and possesses all licenses, permits, franchises, exemptions, approvals and other governmental authorizations necessary for the ownership of its Property and the conduct of its business, except to the extent that any failure of the foregoing could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(b)
No Default has occurred and is continuing.
Section 7.08
Investment Company Act
. No Group Member is an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company,” within the meaning of, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
Section 7.09
Taxes
. Each Group Member has timely filed or caused to be filed all income and material other Tax returns and reports required to have been filed (taking into account any extension of time to file) and has paid or caused to be paid all material Taxes required to have been paid by it (in each case, for the avoidance of doubt and to the extent applicable, after giving effect to the Confirmation Order and
Plan of Reorganization), except Taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which the applicable Group Member has set aside on its books adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP. To the knowledge of Borrower, no material proposed tax assessment has been asserted with respect to any Group Member.
Section 7.10
ERISA
. Except as could not, whether individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect:
(a)
each Plan is, and has been, operated, administered and maintained in compliance with, and the Borrower and each ERISA Affiliate have complied with, ERISA, the terms of the applicable Plan and, where applicable, the Code;
(b)
no act, omission or transaction has occurred which could result in imposition on any the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate (whether directly or indirectly) of (i) either a civil penalty assessed pursuant to subsections (c), (i) or (l) of Section 502 of ERISA or a tax imposed pursuant to Chapter 43 of Subtitle D of the Code or (ii) breach of fiduciary duty liability damages under Section 409 of ERISA;
(c)
no liability to the PBGC (other than required premiums payments which are not past due after giving effect to any applicable grace periods) by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate has been or is expected by any Group Member or any ERISA Affiliate to be incurred with respect to any Plan and no ERISA Event with respect to any Plan has occurred;
(d)
the actuarial present value of the benefit liabilities under each Plan which is subject to Title IV of ERISA does not (determined as of the end of the most recent plan year) exceed the current value of the assets (computed on a plan termination basis in accordance with Title IV of ERISA) of such Plan allocable to such benefit liabilities. The term “actuarial present value of the benefit liabilities” shall have the meaning specified in Section 4041 of ERISA; and
(e)
neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate sponsors, maintains or contributes to, or has at any time in the six-year period immediately preceding the date hereof sponsored, maintained or contributed to, or had any actual or contingent liability to any Multiemployer Plan.
Section 7.11
Disclosure; No Material Misstatements
. None of the reports, financial statements, certificates or other information furnished by or on behalf of the Group Members to the Administrative Agent or any Lender or any of their Affiliates in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or delivered hereunder or under any other Loan Document (as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) contain any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
provided
that, with respect to projected financial information, the Group Members represent only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time and it further being understood that projections concerning volumes attributable to the Oil and Gas Properties and production and cost estimates contained in each Reserve Report are necessarily based upon professional opinions, estimates and projections and the Group Members do not warrant that such opinions, estimates and projections will ultimately prove to have been accurate.
Section 7.12
Insurance
. For the benefit of each Loan Parties, the Borrower has (a) all insurance policies sufficient for the compliance by the Loan Parties with all material Governmental Requirements and all material agreements and (b) insurance coverage, or self-insurance, in at least such amounts and against such risk (including public liability) that are usually insured against by companies similarly situated and
engaged in the same or a similar business for the assets and operations of the Loan Parties.
Schedule 7.12
, as of the date hereof, sets forth a list of all insurance maintained by the Borrower.
Section 7.13
Restriction on Liens
. After giving effect to the Confirmation Order and the Plan of Reorganization, no Group Member is subject to any order, judgment, writ or decree, which either restricts or purports to restrict its ability to grant Liens to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders on or in respect of their Properties to secure the Secured Obligations and the Loan Documents.
Section 7.14
Group Members
. There are no Group Members, except as set forth on
Schedule 7.14
or as disclosed in writing to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly furnish a copy to the Lenders), which shall be a supplement to
Schedule 7.14
. Each Group Member’s jurisdiction of organization, name as listed in the public records of its jurisdiction of organization, organizational identification number in its jurisdiction of organization, and the location of its principal place of business and chief executive office is stated on
Schedule 7.14
(or as set forth in a notice delivered pursuant to
Section 8.01(k)
). No Group Member is a Foreign Group Member (other than any Foreign Group Member as of the Closing Date).
Section 7.15
Location of Business and Offices
. After giving effect to the Confirmation Order and the Plan of Reorganization, the Borrower’s jurisdiction of organization is Delaware; the name of the Borrower as listed in the public records of its jurisdiction of organization is Swift Energy Company; and the organizational identification number of the Borrower in its jurisdiction of organization is set forth on
Schedule 7.14
(or, in each case, as set forth in a notice delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to
Section 8.01(k)
in accordance with
Section 12.01
). The Borrower’s principal place of business and chief executive offices are located at the address specified in
Section 12.01
(or as set forth in a notice delivered pursuant to
Section 8.01(k)
and
Section 12.01(c)
).
Section 7.16
Properties; Title, Etc
. After giving effect to the Confirmation Order and the Plan of Reorganization:
(a)
Each Group Member has good and defensible title to the Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in the most recently delivered Reserve Report and good title to all its material personal Properties other than Properties sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of (i) on or prior to the Closing Date or (ii) after the Closing Date, in compliance with
Section 9.11
from time to time, in each case, free and clear of all Liens except Liens permitted by
Section 9.03
. After giving full effect to the Excepted Liens and the dispositions referenced in the prior sentence, the Group Member specified as the owner owns the net interests in production attributable to the Hydrocarbon Interests as reflected in the most recently delivered Reserve Report, and except as otherwise provided by statute, regulation or the standard and customary provisions of any applicable joint operating agreement, the ownership of such Properties shall not in any material respect obligate the Group Member to bear the costs and expenses relating to the maintenance, development and operations of each such Property in an amount in excess of the working interest of each Property set forth in the most recently delivered Reserve Report that is not offset by a corresponding proportionate increase in the Group Member’s net revenue interest in such Property.
(b)
(i) All leases and agreements necessary for the conduct of the business of the Group Members are valid and subsisting, in full force and effect, and (ii) there exists no default or event or circumstance which with the giving of notice or the passage of time or both would give rise to a default under any such lease or leases, which, in the case of either (i) or (ii), could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(c)
The rights and Properties presently owned, leased or licensed by the Group Members including all easements and rights of way, include all rights and Properties necessary to permit the Group
Members to conduct their business in the same manner as its business is conducted on the date hereof except where the failure of the foregoing could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(d)
Except for Properties being repaired, all of the Properties of the Group Members which are reasonably necessary for the operation of their businesses are in good working condition and are maintained in accordance with prudent business standards, except where the failure of the foregoing could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(e)
Each Group Member owns, or is licensed to use, all trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, patents and other intellectual Property necessary to operate its business, and the use thereof by the Group Member does not infringe upon the rights of any other Person, except for any such infringements that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The Group Members either own or have valid licenses or other rights to use all databases, geological data, geophysical data, engineering data, seismic data, maps, interpretations and other technical information used in their businesses as presently conducted, subject to the limitations contained in the agreements governing the use of the same, which limitations are customary for companies engaged in the business of the exploration and production of Hydrocarbons, with such exceptions as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 7.17
Maintenance of Properties
. After giving effect to the filing of the Chapter 11 Cases, the Oil and Gas Properties (and Properties unitized therewith) of the Group Members have been maintained, operated and developed in a good and workmanlike manner and in conformity with all Governmental Requirements in all material respects and in conformity with the provisions of all leases, subleases or other contracts comprising a part of the Hydrocarbon Interests and other contracts and agreements forming a part of the Oil and Gas Properties of the Group Members in all material respects. All pipelines, wells, gas processing plants, platforms and other material improvements, fixtures and equipment owned in whole or in part by the Group Members that are necessary to conduct normal operations are being maintained in a state adequate to conduct normal operations, and with respect to such of the foregoing which are operated by the Group Members, in a manner consistent with the Group Members’ past practices (other than those the failure of which to maintain in accordance with this
Section 7.17
could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect).
Section 7.18
Gas Imbalances
. Except as set forth on
Schedule 7.18
or on the most recent certificate delivered pursuant to
Section 8.11(c)
, on a net basis there are no gas imbalances, take or pay or other prepayments which would require any Group Member to deliver Hydrocarbons produced from their Oil and Gas Properties at some future time without then or thereafter receiving full payment therefor exceeding one percent (1.0%) of the aggregate volumes of Hydrocarbons (on an Mcf equivalent basis) listed in the most recent Reserve Report.
Section 7.19
Marketing of Production
. Except for contracts listed and in effect on the date hereof on
Schedule 7.19
, and thereafter either disclosed in writing to the Administrative Agent or included in the most recently delivered Reserve Report, (a) the Group Members are receiving a price for all production sold thereunder which is computed substantially in accordance with the terms of the relevant contract and are not having deliveries curtailed substantially below the subject Property’s delivery capacity and (b) no material agreements exist which are not cancelable on 60 days’ notice or less without penalty or detriment for the sale of production from the Group Members’ Hydrocarbons (including calls on or other rights to purchase, production, whether or not the same are currently being exercised) that (i) pertain to the sale of production at a fixed price and (ii) have a maturity or expiry date of longer than six (6) months from the date hereof.
Section 7.20
Security Documents
. The Security Instruments are effective to create in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a legal, valid and enforceable security interest in the Mortgaged Property and Collateral and proceeds thereof. After giving effect to the Confirmation Order and the Plan of Reorganization, the Secured Obligations are and have been at all times secured by a legal, valid and enforceability first priority perfected Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent, covering and encumbering (a) at least 95% of the PV-9 of the Borrowing Base Properties, (b) the Collateral granted pursuant to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, including the pledged Equity Interests and the Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts, in each case to the extent perfection has occurred, as the case may be, by the recording of a mortgage, the filing of a UCC financing statement, or, in the case of Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts, by obtaining of “control” or, with respect to Equity Interests represented by certificates, by possession (in each case, to the extent available in the applicable jurisdiction);
provided
that, except in the case of pledged Equity Interests, Liens permitted by
Section 9.03
may exist.
Section 7.21
Swap Agreements
.
Schedule 7.21
, as of the Closing Date, and after the date hereof, each report required to be delivered by the Borrower pursuant to
Section 8.01(d)
, as of the last Business Day of the period covered by such report, sets forth, a true and complete list of all Swap Agreements of the Group Members, the material terms thereof (including the type, term, effective date, termination date and notional amounts or volumes), the net mark to market value thereof, all credit support agreements relating thereto (including any margin required or supplied, but excluding the Security Instruments) and the counterparty to each such agreement.
Section 7.22
Use of Loans and Letters of Credit
. The proceeds of the Loans and the Letters of Credit shall be used to (a) satisfy the Allowed RBL Secured Claims pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization and this Agreement, (b) fund the Borrower and applicable Group Members’ emergence from the Chapter 11 Cases, and (c) provide working capital for lease acquisitions, for exploration and production operations, for development (including the drilling and completion of producing wells), for acquisitions of Oil and Gas Properties permitted hereunder (including for the Acquired Assets) and for other general corporate purposes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries. No Group Member is engaged principally, or as one of its or their important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose, whether immediate, incidental or ultimate, of buying or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation T, U or X of the Board). No part of the proceeds of any Loan or Letter of Credit will be used for any purpose which violates the provisions of Regulations T, U or X of the Board.
Section 7.23
Solvency
. After giving effect to the consummation of the Plan of Reorganization, the Transactions and the other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including at the time of and immediately after giving effect to any Borrowing or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit, as applicable) (a) the sum of the debt and liabilities (including subordinated and contingent liabilities) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, does not exceed the fair value of the present assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (b) the present fair saleable value of the assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, is greater than the total amount that will be required to pay the probable debt and liabilities (including subordinated and contingent liabilities) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as they become absolute and matured, (c) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, have not incurred, or believe that they will incur, debts or other liabilities including current obligations beyond their ability to pay such debt as they mature in the ordinary course of business and (d) the capital of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, is not unreasonably small to engage in the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. For the purpose of this
Section 7.24
, the amount of any contingent liability at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in light of all of the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an
actual or matured liability (irrespective of whether such contingent liabilities meet the criteria for accrual under Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 5).
Section 7.24
Foreign Corrupt Practices
. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor any director, officer, agent, employee or Affiliate of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a material violation by such Persons of the FCPA, including without limitation, making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the FCPA; and, the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and its and their Affiliates have conducted their business in material compliance with the FCPA and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith.
Section 7.25
Anti-Corruption Laws; Sanctions; OFAC
.
(a)
The Borrower has implemented and maintains in effect policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with applicable Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions.
(b)
The Borrower, its Subsidiaries, their respective officers and employees and, to the knowledge of the Borrower, its directors and agents are in compliance with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions in all material respects and are not knowingly engaged in any activity that would reasonably be expected to result in any Group Member being designated as a Sanctioned Person.
(c)
None of (i) the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any of their respective directors, officers or employees, or (ii) to the knowledge of the Borrower, any agent of the Borrower that will act in any capacity in connection with or benefit from the credit facility established hereby, is a Sanctioned Person. The Borrower will not directly or, to its knowledge, indirectly use the proceeds from the Loans or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person, for the purpose of financing the activities of any Person currently subject to any applicable Sanctions.
Section 7.26
Senior Debt Status
. The Secured Obligations constitute “Senior Indebtedness”, “Designated Senior Indebtedness” or any similar designation under and as defined in any agreement governing any senior subordinated or subordinated Indebtedness and the subordination provisions set forth in each such agreement are legally valid and enforceable against the parties thereto.
ARTICLE VIII
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
Until Payment in Full, the Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:
Section 8.01
Financial Statements; Other Information
. The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent for delivery to each Lender:
(a)
Annual Financial Statements
. As soon as available, but in any event in accordance with then applicable law and not later than 90 days after the end of each Fiscal Year of the Borrower, its (i) audited consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous
Fiscal Year of the Borrower, all reported on by an independent public accountant reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent (without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis and the other Group Members (as applicable), on a consolidated basis, in each case, in accordance with GAAP consistently applied and (ii) its unaudited balance sheet, income statement and related statement of cash flows as of the end of and for the Fiscal Year most recently ended which provides consolidating statements, including statements demonstrating eliminating entries, if any, with respect to any Unrestricted Subsidiaries, in such form as would be presentable to the auditors of the Borrower.
(b)
Quarterly Financial Statements
. As soon as available, but in any event in accordance with then applicable law and not later than 45 days after the end of each of the first three Fiscal Quarters of each Fiscal Year of the Borrower, its (i) consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such Fiscal Quarter and the then elapsed portion of such Fiscal Year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding period or periods of (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as of the end of) the previous Fiscal Year, all certified by one of its Financial Officers as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower and its Consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis and the other Group Members (as applicable), on a consolidated basis, in each case, in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes and (ii) its unaudited balance sheet, income statement and related statement of cash flows as of the end of and for the Fiscal Quarter most recently ended which provides consolidating statements, including statements demonstrating eliminating entries, if any, with respect to any Unrestricted Subsidiaries, in such form as would be presentable to the auditors of the Borrower.
The Borrower represents and warrants that the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries file their financial statements with the SEC and/or make financial statements available to potential holders of their 144A securities, and, accordingly, the Borrower hereby (1) authorizes the Administrative Agent to make the financial statements to be provided under
Section 8.01(a)
and
Section 8.01(b)
, along with the Loan Documents, available to Public-Siders and (2) agrees that at the time such financial statements are provided hereunder, they shall already have been made available to holders of its securities. The Borrower will not request that any other material be posted to Public-Siders without expressly representing and warranting to the Administrative Agent in writing that (1) such materials do not constitute material non-public information within the meaning of the federal securities laws or (2) make such materials that do constitute material non-public information within the meaning of the federal securities laws publicly available by press release or public filing with the SEC.
(c)
Certificate of Financial Officer - Compliance
. Concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under
Section 8.01(a)
or
Section 8.01(b)
, a Compliance Certificate (i) certifying as to whether a Default has occurred and, if a Default has occurred, specifying the details thereof and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, (ii) certifying that the Borrower has been in compliance with
Section 9.01
at such times as required therein and in connection therewith, setting forth reasonably detailed calculations demonstrating such compliance, (iii) stating whether any change in GAAP or in the application thereof has occurred since the date of the most recently delivered financial statements referred to in
Section 8.01(a)
and
Section 8.01(b)
and, if any such change has occurred, specifying the effect of such change on the financial statements accompanying such certificate and (iv) stating whether there are any Subsidiaries which are to become Loan Parties in order to comply with
Section 8.13
and, if any such Subsidiaries exist, specifying the actions proposed to be taken in connection therewith.
(d)
Certificate of Financial Officer – Swap Agreements
. Concurrently with any delivery of financial statements pursuant to
Section 8.01(a)
and
Section 8.01(b)
, a certificate of a Financial Officer, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, setting forth as of the last Business Day of such Fiscal Quarter or Fiscal Year, a true and complete list of all Swap Agreements of the Borrower and each Group Member, the material terms thereof (including the type, term, effective date, termination date and notional amounts or volumes), the net mark-to-market value therefor (as of the last Business Day of such Fiscal Quarter or Fiscal Year), any new credit support agreements relating thereto not listed on
Schedule 7.21
, any margin required or supplied under any credit support document, and the counterparty to each such agreement.
(e)
Production Report and Lease Operating Statements
. Within 60 days after the end of each Fiscal Quarter, a report setting forth, for each calendar month during the then current Fiscal Year to date, the volume of total production and sales attributable to production (and the prices at which such sales were made and the revenues derived from such sales) for each such calendar month from the Oil and Gas Properties of the Group Members, and setting forth the related ad valorem, severance and production taxes and lease operating expenses attributable thereto and incurred for each such calendar month.
(f)
Certificate of Insurer - Insurance Coverage
. Within five (5) Business Days following each material change in the insurance maintained in accordance with
Section 8.06
, certificates of insurance coverage with respect to the insurance required by
Section 8.06
, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and, if reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, all copies of the applicable policies.
(g)
SEC and Other Filings; Reports to Shareholders
. Promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all periodic and other reports, proxy statements and other materials filed by any Group Member with the SEC or with any national securities exchange.
(h)
Notices Under Material Instruments
. Concurrently with the furnishing thereof, copies of any financial statement, report or notice (including any notice of default) furnished to or by any Person pursuant to the terms of any preferred stock designation, indenture, loan or credit or other similar agreement evidencing Material Indebtedness (other than this Agreement) that has not been previously furnished to the Lenders pursuant to any other provision of this
Section 8.01
.
(i)
Lists of Purchasers
. Concurrently with the delivery of any Reserve Report to the Administrative Agent pursuant to
Section 8.11
(commencing with the Reserve Report as of June 30, 2016), a list of all Persons purchasing Hydrocarbons in excess of $1,000,000 from any Group Member (or, with respect to Oil and Gas Properties that are not operated by a Group Member, a list of the operators of such properties) during the two Fiscal Quarters ending as the date of such Reserve Report.
(j)
Issuances and Incurrences of Debt
. Two (2) Business Days prior written notice of the incurrence by any Group Member of any Permitted Unsecured Debt, Permitted Second Lien Debt, Permitted Refinancing Debt or, if in excess of $10,000,000, any other Indebtedness as well as the amount thereof, the anticipated closing date and definitive documentation for the foregoing and any other related information reasonably requested.
(k)
Information Regarding Borrower and Guarantors
. Prompt written notice of (and in any event within five (5) Business Days prior thereto or such other time as the Administrative Agent may agree in its sole discretion) any change (i) in a Loan Party’s corporate name or in any trade name used to identify such Person in the conduct of its business or in the ownership of its Properties, (ii) in the location of the Loan Party’s chief executive office or principal place of business, (iii) in the Loan Party’s identity or
corporate structure or in the jurisdiction in which such Person is incorporated or formed, (iv) in the Loan Party’s jurisdiction of organization, and (v) in the Loan Party’s federal taxpayer identification number.
(l)
Patriot Act
. Promptly upon request, all documentation and other information required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act.
(m)
Annual Budget and Projections
. Prior to or concurrently with the delivery of each December 31 Reserve Report hereunder (commencing with the Reserve Report as of December 31, 2016), a certificate of a Financial Officer, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, setting forth (i) an annual business plan, (ii) an operating budget of the Group Members for the applicable Fiscal Year (on an Fiscal Year and Fiscal Quarter basis) and (iii) projections (including, income statements, related statements of cash flow and balance sheets) for the following three (3) year period (
provided
that such projections shall be prepared on a Fiscal Quarter basis only for the first two (2) year period in such projections), in each case in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(n)
Notices Related to Oil and Gas Properties and Swap Agreements
.
(i)
Notice of Sales of Oil and Gas Properties and Unwinds of Swap Agreements
. In the event the Borrower or any other Group Member intends to (A) sell, transfer, assign or otherwise dispose of any Oil and Gas Properties (or any Equity Interests of any Group Member that owns Oil and Gas Properties) and/or (B) Unwind Swap Agreements, prior written notice of the foregoing (of at least five (5) Business Days or such shorter time as the Administrative Agent may agree), the price thereof, in the case of Oil and Gas Properties (or any Equity Interests of any Group Member that owns Oil and Gas Properties), and, in each case, the anticipated decline in the mark-to-market value thereof or net cash proceeds therefrom, in the case of Swap Agreements, and, in each case, the anticipated date of closing and any other details thereof reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender (including any definitive documentation).
(ii)
Notices of Acquisitions of Oil and Gas Properties
. Promptly, but in any event within five (5) Business Days, written notice of any acquisition of Oil and Gas Properties by the Group Members in one or a series of related transaction having a Fair Market Value in excess of $5,000,000 or where the consideration paid exceeded $5,000,000.
(iii)
Notice of Casualty Events
. Promptly, but in any event within five (5) Business Days, written notice of the occurrence of any Casualty Event or the commencement of any action or proceeding that could reasonably be expected to result in a Casualty Event, in each case, of any Property of any Group Member having a Fair Market Value in excess of $2,500,000.
(o)
Notices of Certain Changes
. Promptly, but in any event within five (5) Business Days after the execution thereof, copies of any amendment, modification or supplement to the certificate or articles of incorporation, by-laws, any preferred stock designation or any other Organizational Document of the Borrower or any Group Member.
(p)
Take-or-Pay, Ship-or-Pay or Other Prepayments
. Promptly, but in any event within five (5) Business Days, written notice of the occurrence of the Borrower or any other Group Member entering into a take-or-pay, ship-or-pay or other prepayments arrangement with respect to the Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower or any other Group Member.
(q)
Other Requested Information
. Promptly, but in any event within five (5) Business Days following any request therefor, such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of the Borrower or any Subsidiary (including any Plan or Multiemployer Plan to which any Group Member or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates contributes or has an obligation to contribute and any reports or other information, in either case with respect thereto, required to be filed under ERISA), or compliance with the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request in writing.
Documents required to be delivered pursuant to this
Section 8.01
may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which a Group Member posts such documents to its publicly-accessible website or to EDGAR (or such other publicly-accessible internet database that may be established and maintained by the SEC as a substitute for or successor to EDGAR) or (ii) on which such documents are posted on the Borrower’s behalf on IntraLinks/IntraAgency or another relevant website, if any, to which each Lender and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Administrative Agent);
provided
that the Borrower shall notify (which may be by facsimile or electronic mail) the Administrative Agent of the posting of any such documents and provide to the Administrative Agent by electronic mail electronic versions of any such documents.
Section 8.02
Notices of Material Events
. Within three (3) Business Days, the Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent written notice of the following:
(a)
Defaults
. The occurrence of any Default or Event of Default;
(b)
Governmental Matters
. The filing or commencement of, or the threat in writing of, any action, suit, proceeding, investigation or arbitration by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority against or affecting Group Members thereof not previously disclosed in writing to the Lenders or any material adverse development in any action, suit, proceeding, investigation or arbitration (whether or not previously disclosed to the Lenders) that, in either case, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(c)
ERISA Events
. The occurrence of any ERISA Event that, alone or together with any other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Borrower or any Group Member in an aggregate amount exceeding $2,500,000; and
(d)
Material Adverse Effect and Borrowing Base Adjustments
. Any other development that results in, or could reasonably be expected to result in either (i) a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) an adjustment to the Borrowing Base pursuant to any Borrowing Base Adjustment Provision.
Each notice delivered under this
Section 8.02
shall be accompanied by a statement of a Responsible Officer setting forth the details of the event or development requiring such notice and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto.
Section 8.03
Existence; Conduct of Business
. The Borrower will, and will cause each Group Member to, do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence and the rights, licenses, permits, privileges and franchises necessary to the conduct of its business and maintain, if necessary, its qualification to do business in each other material jurisdiction in which its Oil and Gas Properties is located or the ownership of its Properties requires such qualification, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified could not reasonably be expected to cause a Material
Adverse Effect;
provided
that the foregoing shall not prohibit any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under
Section 9.10
.
Section 8.04
Payment of Obligations
. After giving effect to the Confirmation Order and the Plan of Reorganization, in all material respects, the Borrower will, and will cause each other Group Member to, pay its material obligations (other than Material Indebtedness), including tax liabilities of the Borrower and all of the other Group Members before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (a) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and (b) the Borrower or such other Group Member has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP.
Section 8.05
Operation and Maintenance of Properties
. The Borrower, at its own expense, will, and will cause each other Group Member to:
(a)
operate its Oil and Gas Properties (i) in accordance with the customary practices of the industry and (ii) in compliance with all applicable contracts and agreements and in compliance with all applicable Governmental Requirements, in the case of
clauses (i)
and
(ii)
above, in all material respects, including applicable pro ration requirements and applicable Environmental Laws, and all applicable laws, rules and regulations of every other Governmental Authority from time to time constituted to regulate the development and operation of its Oil and Gas Properties and the production and sale of Hydrocarbons and other minerals therefrom in all material respects;
(b)
keep and maintain all Property material to the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, in accordance with the standard of a prudent operator;
(c)
promptly pay and discharge, or make reasonable and customary efforts to cause to be paid and discharged, all material delay rentals, royalties, expenses and indebtedness accruing under the leases or other agreements affecting or pertaining to its Oil and Gas Properties and will do all other things necessary, in accordance with industry standards, to keep unimpaired their rights with respect thereto and prevent any forfeiture thereof or default thereunder, in each case, in all material respects;
(d)
promptly perform or make reasonable and customary efforts to cause to be performed, in accordance with customary industry standards, the obligations required by each and all of the assignments, deeds, leases, sub-leases, contracts and agreements affecting its interests in its Oil and Gas Properties and other material Properties, in each case, in all material respects; and
(e)
to the extent the Borrower is not the operator of any Property, the Borrower shall use reasonable efforts to cause the operator to comply with this
Section 8.05
.
Section 8.06
Insurance
. The Borrower will maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance covering all Group Members, in such amounts and against such risks as are customarily maintained by companies engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations. The loss payable clauses or provisions in the applicable insurance policy or policies insuring the Group Members or their Property shall be endorsed in favor of and made payable to the Administrative Agent as sole “loss payee” or other formulation acceptable to the Administrative Agent and such liability policies shall name the Administrative Agent and the Lenders as “additional insureds” and provide that the insurer will endeavor to give at least 30 days prior notice of any cancellation to the Administrative Agent.
Section 8.07
Books and Records; Inspection Rights
. The Borrower will, and will cause each other Group Member to, keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries in conformity with GAAP, prudent accounting practice and all Governmental Requirements shall be made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities. The Borrower will, and will cause each other Group Member to, permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, upon reasonable prior written notice, to visit and inspect its Properties, to examine and make extracts from its books and records, and to discuss its affairs, finances and condition with its officers and independent accountants, all at such reasonable times during normal business hours and as often as reasonably requested.
Section 8.08
Compliance with Laws
. The Borrower will, and will cause each Group Member to, comply with all laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its Property in all material respects. The Borrower will maintain in effect and enforce policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by the Group Members and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with applicable Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions.
Section 8.09
Environmental Matters
.
(a)
The Borrower will, and will cause each Group Member to; (i) comply with all applicable Environmental Laws, and undertake reasonable efforts to ensure that all tenants and subtenants (if any), and all Persons with whom any Group Member has contracted for the exploration, development, production, operation, or other management of an oil or gas well or lease, comply with all applicable Environmental Laws; and (ii) generate, use, treat, store, release, transport, dispose of, and otherwise manage all Hazardous Materials in a manner that could not reasonably be expected to result in any liability to any Group Member or to adversely affect any real property owned, leased or operated by any of them, and take reasonable efforts to prevent any other Person from generating, using, treating, storing, releasing, transporting, disposing of, or otherwise managing Hazardous Materials in a manner that could reasonably be expected to result in a liability to any Group Member, or with respect to any Mortgaged Property, could reasonably be expected to adversely affect its fair saleable value (for the avoidance of doubt, with respect to activities on properties neighboring such real property, such reasonable efforts shall not include any obligation to monitor such activities or properties); it being understood that this
clause (a)
shall be deemed not breached by a noncompliance with any of the foregoing (i) or (ii) if, upon learning of such noncompliance or any condition that results from such noncompliance, any affected Group Member promptly develops and diligently implements a response to such noncompliance and any such condition that is consistent with principles of prudent environmental management and all applicable Environmental Laws, and
provided
that such response and condition, in the aggregate with any other such responses and conditions, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b)
The Borrower will promptly, but in no event later than five (5) days after learning of any action, investigation, demand or inquiry contemplated by this
Section 8.09(b)
, notify the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in writing of any action, investigation, demand, or inquiry by any Person threatened in writing or commenced against the Borrower or any Group Member, or any of their property or any property with respect to which a Group Member has any interest or obligation, in connection with any applicable Environmental Laws or regarding any Hazardous Materials (excluding routine testing and corrective action), unless the Borrower reasonably determines, based on the information reasonably available to it at the time, that such action, investigation, demand or inquiry is unlikely to result in costs and liabilities in excess of $500,000 (it being understood that the amount will be determined in the aggregate with the costs and liabilities of all related similar actions, investigations, demands or inquiries) and in any case could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (it being understood that the Borrower
shall be deemed to have given notice under this
Section 8.09(b)
regarding the matters set forth on
Schedule 8.09(b)
to this Agreement to the extent such matters are described thereon).
(c)
If an Event of Default has occurred or is reasonably anticipated, or if any event or circumstance has occurred or is reasonably suspected that could reasonably be expected to result in a material diminution in the value of any of the Mortgaged Properties, the Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to), at the expense of the Borrower (such expenses to be reasonable in light of the circumstances), conduct such investigation as it reasonably deems appropriate to determine the nature and extent of any noncompliance with applicable Environmental Laws, the nature and extent of the presence of any Hazardous Material and the nature and extent of any other environmental conditions that may exist at or affect any of the Mortgaged Properties, and the Loan Parties and each relevant Group Member shall reasonably cooperate with the Administrative Agent in conducting such investigation and in implementing any response to such noncompliance, Hazardous Material or other environmental condition as the Administrative Agent reasonably deems appropriate. Such investigation and response may include, without limitation, a detailed visual inspection of the Mortgaged Properties, including all storage areas, storage tanks, drains and dry wells and other structures and locations, as well as the taking of soil samples, surface water samples, and ground water samples and such other investigations or analyses as the Administrative Agent deems appropriate, and any containment, cleanup, removal, repair, restoration, remediation or other Remedial Work. Upon reasonable request and notice, the Administrative Agent and its officers, employees, agents and contractors shall have and are hereby granted the right to enter upon the Mortgaged Properties for the foregoing purposes.
Section 8.10
Further Assurances
.
(a)
The Borrower at its sole expense will, and will cause each other Group Member to, promptly execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent all such other documents, agreements and instruments reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to (i) further evidence and more fully describe the collateral intended as security for the Secured Obligations, (ii) correct any omissions in this Agreement or the Security Instruments, (iii) state more fully the obligations secured therein, (iv) perfect, protect or preserve any Liens created pursuant to this Agreement or any of the Security Instruments or the priority thereof, or (v) make any recordings, file any notices or obtain any consents, all as may be reasonably necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable discretion of the Administrative Agent to ensure that the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, has a perfected security interest in all assets of the Loan Parties. In addition, at the Administrative Agent’s request, the Borrower, at its sole expense, shall provide any information requested to identify any Collateral, including an updated Perfection Certificate, a customary “lease to well” reconciliation schedule, list or similar item, exhibits to Mortgages in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which such exhibits shall be in recordable form for the applicable jurisdiction) or any other information requested in connection with the identification of any Collateral.
(b)
The Borrower hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to file one or more financing or continuation statements, and amendments thereto, relative to all or any part of the Mortgaged Property without the signature of the Borrower or any other Loan Party where permitted by law, which financing statements may contain a description of collateral that describes such property in any manner as the Administrative Agent may reasonably determine is necessary or advisable to ensure the perfection of the security interest in the Collateral consistent with the terms of the Loan Documents, including describing such property as “all assets” or “all property” or words of similar effect. A carbon, photographic or other reproduction of the Security Instruments or any financing statement covering the Mortgaged Property or any part thereof shall be sufficient as a financing statement where permitted by law.
Section 8.11
Reserve Reports
.
(a)
On or before April 1st and October 1st of each year, the Borrower shall furnish to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders a Reserve Report evaluating the Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the immediately preceding December 31
st
and June 30
th
, as applicable. The Reserve Report as of December 31
st
2015 which shall be delivered on or before April 1
st
of 2016, shall be prepared by or under the supervision of the chief engineer of the Borrower in accordance with the Borrower’s past practices and shall be audited by one or more Approved Petroleum Engineers. Thereafter, (i) each Reserve Report as of December 31
st
and delivered on or before April 1
st
of each year (the “
December 31 Reserve Report
”), shall be prepared by one or more Approved Petroleum Engineers, and (ii) each Reserve Report as of June 30
th
delivered on or before October 1
st
of each year shall be prepared by one or more Approved Petroleum Engineers or internally under the supervision of the chief engineer of the Borrower who shall certify such Reserve Report to be true and accurate in all material respects and to have been prepared in accordance with the procedures used in the immediately preceding December 31 Reserve Report.
(b)
In the event of a request for an Interim Redetermination pursuant to
Section 2.07(b)
, the Borrower shall furnish to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders a Reserve Report prepared by or under the supervision of the chief engineer of the Borrower who shall certify such Reserve Report to be true and accurate in all material respects and to have been prepared in accordance with the procedures used in the immediately preceding December 31 Reserve Report with an “as of” date as required by the Administrative Agent as soon as commercially reasonable, but in any event no later than thirty (30) days following the receipt of such request;
provided
that at any time prior to delivery of such Reserve Report the Administrative Agent may, or at the direction of the Required Lenders shall, elect to use the most recently delivered Reserve Report, which such Reserve Report may be rolled forward in a customary manner.
(c)
With the delivery of each Reserve Report, the Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders a Reserve Report Certificate substantially in the form of
Exhibit I
from a Responsible Officer certifying that in all material respects: (i) the information contained in the Reserve Report and any other information delivered in connection therewith is true and correct, (ii) except as set forth on an exhibit to the certificate, the Borrower or the other Loan Parties own good and defensible title to the Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in such Reserve Report and such Oil and Gas Properties are free of all Liens except for Liens permitted by
Section 9.03
, (iii) except as set forth on an exhibit to the certificate, (A) on a net basis there are no gas imbalances, take or pay or other prepayments in excess of the volume specified in
Section 7.18
with respect to the Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in such Reserve Report which would require the Borrower or any other Group Member to deliver Hydrocarbons either generally or produced from such Oil and Gas Properties at some future time without then or thereafter receiving full payment therefor and (B) there are no take-or-pay or ship-or-pay contracts that have not been disclosed in a previous Reserve Report Certificate, (iv) none of their Oil and Gas Properties have been sold (other than Hydrocarbons sold in the ordinary course of business) since the date of the last Borrowing Base determination except as set forth on an exhibit to the certificate, which exhibit shall list all of its Oil and Gas Properties sold (other than Hydrocarbons sold in the ordinary course of business) and in such detail as reasonably required by the Administrative Agent, (v) attached to the certificate is a list of all marketing agreements entered into by a Group Member subsequent to the later of the date hereof or the most recently delivered Reserve Report which the Borrower could reasonably be expected to have been obligated to list on
Schedule 7.19
had such agreement been in effect on the date hereof and (vi) attached thereto is a schedule of the Oil and Gas Properties evaluated by such Reserve Report that are Mortgaged Properties and demonstrating the percentage of the PV-9 of the Oil and Gas Properties that the value of such Mortgaged Properties represent and that such percentage is in compliance with
Section 8.13(a)
(the certificate described herein, the “
Reserve Report
Certificate
”). For the avoidance of doubt, the requirement to provide a Reserve Report Certificate shall require the delivery of such Reserve Report Certificate at the time each Reserve Report is delivered.
Section 8.12
Title Information
.
(a)
On or before the delivery to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders of each Reserve Report required by
Section 8.11(a)
, the Borrower shall deliver title information in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent covering enough of the Borrowing Base Properties evaluated by such Reserve Report that were not included in the immediately preceding Reserve Report, so that the Administrative Agent shall have received reasonably satisfactory title information on Hydrocarbon Interests constituting at least 85% of the PV-9 of the Borrowing Base Properties evaluated by such Reserve Report as determined by the Administrative Agent.
(b)
If the Borrower has provided title information for additional Properties under
Section 8.12(a)
, the Borrower shall, within 60 days of notice from the Administrative Agent that title defects or exceptions exist with respect to such additional Properties (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may approve in its sole discretion), either (i) cure any such title defects or exceptions (including defects or exceptions as to priority) which are not permitted by
Section 9.03
raised by such information, (ii) substitute acceptable Mortgaged Properties with no title defects or exceptions except for Liens permitted by
Section 9.03
having an equivalent or greater value or (iii) deliver title information in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent so that the Administrative Agent shall have received, together with title information previously delivered to the Administrative Agent, satisfactory title information on Hydrocarbon Interests constituting at least 85% of the PV-9 of the Borrowing Base Properties evaluated by such Reserve Report as determined by the Administrative Agent.
(c)
If the Borrower is unable to cure any title defect reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders to be cured within the 60-day period or the Borrower does not comply with the requirements to provide acceptable title information covering 85% of the PV-9 of the Borrowing Base Properties evaluated in the most recent Reserve Report as determined by the Administrative Agent, such failure shall not be a Default, but instead the Administrative Agent and/or the Required Lenders shall each have the right to exercise the following remedy in their sole discretion from time to time, and any failure to so exercise this remedy at any time shall not be a waiver as to future exercise of the remedy by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders. To the extent that the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders are not reasonably satisfied with title to any Mortgaged Property after the 60-day period has elapsed, such unacceptable Mortgaged Property shall not count towards the 85% requirement, and the Administrative Agent may send a notice to the Borrower and the Lenders that the then outstanding Borrowing Base shall be reduced by an amount as determined by the Required Lenders to cause the Borrower to be in compliance with the requirement to provide acceptable title information covering 85% of the PV-9 of the Borrowing Base Properties evaluated by such Reserve Report. This new Borrowing Base shall become effective immediately after receipt of such notice.
Section 8.13
Additional Collateral; Additional Guarantors
.
(a)
In connection with each redetermination of the Borrowing Base (including, for avoidance of doubt, any Interim Redetermination), the Borrower shall review the Reserve Report and the list of current Mortgaged Properties (as described in
Section 8.11(c)(vi)
) to ascertain whether the Mortgaged Properties represent at least 95% of the PV-9 of the Borrowing Base Properties evaluated in the most recently completed Reserve Report after giving effect to exploration and production activities, acquisitions, Dispositions and production. In the event that the Mortgaged Properties do not represent at least 95% of
such PV-9 value, then the Borrower shall, and shall cause the other Loan Parties to, grant, within thirty (30) days of delivery of the Reserve Report Certificate required under
Section 8.11(c)
, to the Administrative Agent as security for the Secured Obligations a first-priority Lien interest (
provided
that Excepted Liens of the type described in
clauses (a)
to
(d)
and
(f)
of the definition thereof may exist, but subject to the provisos at the end of such definition) on additional Oil and Gas Properties not already subject to a Lien of the Security Instruments such that after giving effect thereto, the Mortgaged Properties will represent at least 95% of such PV-9 value. All such Liens will be created and perfected by and in accordance with the provisions of deeds of trust, security agreements and financing statements or other Security Instruments, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and with sufficient executed (and acknowledged where necessary or appropriate) counterparts for recording purposes. In order to comply with the foregoing, if any Subsidiary grants a Lien on its Oil and Gas Properties pursuant to this
Section 8.13(a)
and such Subsidiary is not a Guarantor, then it shall become a Guarantor and comply with
Section 8.13(b)
. It is understood that the obligation to pledge and provide first priority perfected liens on only 95% (rather than 100%) of the PV-9 of the Borrowing Base Properties is a matter of administrative convenience only and it is the intention of the parties that the Administrative Agent benefit from an all assets pledge of the Loan Parties’ Properties; accordingly the percentage of the PV-9 of the Borrowing Base Properties pledged to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties may be up to 100% at any time.
(b)
The Borrower shall promptly cause each Domestic Subsidiary Group Member that is a wholly-owned Material Subsidiary to guarantee and secure the Secured Obligations pursuant to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, including pursuant to a supplement or joinder thereto. In connection with any such guaranty and security interest grant, the Borrower shall, or shall cause (i) such Material Subsidiary to promptly execute and deliver such Guarantee and Collateral Agreement (or a supplement thereto, as applicable), (ii) the owners of the Equity Interests of such Material Subsidiary who are Group Members to pledge all of the Equity Interests of such Material Subsidiary (including delivery of original stock certificates evidencing the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary, together with an appropriate undated stock powers for each certificate duly executed in blank by the registered owner thereof) and (iii) such Material Subsidiary or other Person, as applicable, to promptly execute and deliver such other additional closing documents, legal opinions and certificates as shall reasonably be requested by the Administrative Agent.
(c)
In the event that any Loan Party becomes the owner of (i) a first tier Foreign Group Member or (ii) a Domestic Subsidiary Group Member, then the parent Loan Party shall (A) pledge (x) 65% of all Equity Interests of such Foreign Group Member or (y) 100% of all the Equity Interests of such Domestic Subsidiary Group Member, in each case, that are owned by such Loan Party (including, in each case, delivery of original stock certificates, if any, evidencing such Equity Interests, together with appropriate stock powers for each certificate duly executed in blank by the registered owner thereof) and (along with such Foreign Group Member or Subsidiary Group Member, as applicable) execute and deliver such other additional closing documents, legal opinions and certificates as shall reasonably be requested by the Administrative Agent.
(d)
The Borrower will at all times cause the other material tangible and intangible assets of the Borrower and each Group Member to be subject to a Lien of the Security Instruments.
Section 8.14
ERISA Compliance
. The Borrower will promptly furnish and will cause each Subsidiary of the Borrower and any ERISA Affiliate to promptly furnish to the Administrative Agent (a) immediately upon becoming aware of the occurrence of any ERISA Event or of any Prohibited Transaction, which could reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Borrower or Group Member in an aggregate amount exceeding $2,500,000, in connection with any Plan or any trust created thereunder, a written notice of the Borrower or such other Group Member or ERISA Affiliate, as the case may be, specifying the nature
thereof, what action such Person is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto, and, when known, any action taken or proposed by the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Labor or the PBGC with respect thereto, and (b) immediately upon receipt thereof, copies of any notice of the PBGC’s intention to terminate or to have a trustee appointed to administer any Plan. With respect to each Plan, the Borrower will, and will cause each Subsidiary and ERISA Affiliate to, (A) satisfy in full and in a timely manner, without incurring any late payment or underpayment charge or penalty and without giving rise to any lien, all of the contribution and funding requirements of section 412 of the Code and of section 302 of ERISA, and (B) pay, or cause to be paid, to the PBGC and in a timely manner, without incurring any late payment or underpayment charge or penalty and without giving rise to any lien, after giving effect to any applicable grace period, all premiums required pursuant to sections 4006 and 4007 of ERISA. Promptly following receipt thereof from the administrator or plan sponsor, but in any event within five (5) Business Days following any request therefor, the Borrower will furnish or will cause any applicable Subsidiary and any applicable ERISA Affiliate to furnish to the Administrative Agent copies of any documents described in Sections 101(k) or 101(l) of ERISA that any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate may request with respect to any Multiemployer Plan to which any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate contributes or has an obligation to contribute;
provided
, that if the Group Members or any of their ERISA Affiliates have not requested such documents or notices from the administrator or sponsor of the applicable Multiemployer Plan, then, upon reasonable request of the Administrative Agent, the Group Members and/or their ERISA Affiliates shall promptly, but in any event within five (5) Business Days following such request, make a request for such documents or notices from such administrator or sponsor and the Borrower shall provide copies of such documents and notices to the Administrative Agent promptly, but in any event within five (5) Business Days following receipt thereof.
Section 8.15
EEA Financial Institution
. No Loan Party is an EEA Financial Institution.
Section 8.16
Marketing Activities
. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of the other Group Members to, engage in marketing activities for any Hydrocarbons or enter into any contracts related thereto other than (i) contracts for the sale of Hydrocarbons scheduled or reasonably estimated to be produced from their proved Oil and Gas Properties during the period of such contract, (ii) contracts for the sale of Hydrocarbons scheduled or reasonably estimated to be produced from proved Oil and Gas Properties of third parties during the period of such contract associated with the Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower and the other Group Members that the Borrower or one of the other Group Members has the right to market pursuant to joint operating agreements, unitization agreements or other similar contracts that are usual and customary in the oil and gas business and (iii) other contracts for the purchase and/or sale of Hydrocarbons of third parties (A) which have generally offsetting provisions (i.e. corresponding pricing mechanics, delivery dates and points and volumes) such that no “position” is taken and (B) for which appropriate credit support has been taken to alleviate the material credit risks of the counterparty thereto.
Section 8.17
Account Control Agreements; Location of Proceeds of Loans
.
(a)
The Borrower will, and will cause each other Loan Party to, in connection with any Deposit Account and/or any Securities Account (other than (i) Excluded Accounts for so long as it is an Excluded Account and (ii) the Amegy Deposit Account which is required to be a Controlled Account within the time frame set forth in
Section 8.19(a)
) established, held or maintained on or after the Closing Date promptly, but in any event within five (5) Business Days of the establishment of such account, cause such Deposit Account and/or Securities Account (other than Excluded Accounts for so long as it is an Excluded Account) to be a Controlled Account.
(b)
The Borrower will, and will cause each Loan Party to, until the proceeds of any Loans are transferred to a third party in accordance with the Loan Documents, hold the proceeds of any
Loans made under this Agreement in a Deposit Account and/or a Securities Account that is a Controlled Account.
Section 8.18
Unrestricted Subsidiaries
(a)
After the Non-Conforming Period, the Borrower may designate any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary and, subject to
Section 8.18(c)
, any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary upon delivery to the Administrative Agent of written notice from the Borrower;
provided
that immediately before and after such designation, (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (ii) immediately after giving effect to such designation, the Borrower shall be in
pro forma
compliance with
Section 9.01(a)
,
Section 9.01(b)
and
Section 9.01(c),
(iii) no Borrowing Base Deficiency not otherwise cured shall be existing or result therefrom and (iv) the representations and warranties of the Borrower and the Guarantors set forth in this Agreement and in the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects (unless already qualified by materiality in which case such applicable representation and warranty shall be true and correct) on and as of the date of such designation, except to the extent any such representations and warranties are expressly limited to an earlier date, in which case, on and as of the date of such designation, such representations and warranties shall continue to be true and correct in all material respects (unless already qualified by materiality in which case such applicable representation and warranty shall be true and correct) as of such specified earlier date.
(b)
The designation of any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary and any Disposition of Property to an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall constitute (i) an Investment under
Section 9.05
as of the date of designation or Disposition, as applicable, in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the Borrower’s investment therein and (ii) a Disposition as of the date of designation or Disposition, including (A) for purposes of the provisions of
Section 2.08
and (B) for purposes of EBITDA where such Disposition shall be deemed to be a Material Disposition.
(c)
The Borrower may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary once upon delivery of written notice to the Administrative Agent;
provided
that such designation (i) shall constitute the incurrence at the time of designation of any Indebtedness and Liens of such Subsidiary existing at such time, (ii) shall constitute a reduction in any Investment under
Section 9.05
to the extent that such Investment was attributable to such Restricted Subsidiary being an Unrestricted Subsidiary at the date of designation in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the Borrower’s investment therein, it being understood that any incurrence of Indebtedness and Liens in connection herewith shall require compliance with
Section 9.02
and
Section 9.03
, as applicable and (iii) shall require the Borrower to be in compliance with
Section 9.01(a)
,
Section 9.01(b)
and
Section 9.01(c)
immediately before such designation and in
pro forma
compliance immediately after such designation.
(d)
Any designation of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, any designation of a Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary and any Disposition to an Unrestricted Subsidiary will require the Borrower to provide the Administrative Agent a certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying that such designation complied with the preceding conditions in
Section 8.18(b)
or
Section 8.18(c)
, as applicable.
Section 8.19
Post-Closing Obligations
.
(a)
The Borrower will, within 30 days of the Closing Date (subject to extension at the Administrative Agent’s sole discretion), cause the Amegy Deposit Account (and any other Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts) to be a Controlled Account(s).
(b)
The Borrower will, within five (5) Business Days of the Closing Date (subject to extension at the Administrative Agent’s sole discretion), cause the Administrative Agent to have received certificates of insurance coverage of the Loan Parties in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent evidencing that the Loan Parties are carrying insurance in accordance with
Section 8.06
. The loss payable clauses or provisions in the applicable insurance policy or policies insuring the Group Members or their Property shall be endorsed in favor of and made payable to the Administrative Agent as sole “loss payee” or other formulation acceptable to the Administrative Agent and such liability policies shall name the Administrative Agent and the Lenders as “additional insureds” and provide that the insurer will endeavor to give at least 30 days prior notice of any cancellation to the Administrative Agent.
ARTICLE IX
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
Until Payment in Full, the Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:
Section 9.01
Financial Covenants
.
(a)
Ratio of Total Debt to EBITDA
. The Borrower will not, as of the last day of the Fiscal Quarter set forth below, permit its ratio of Total Debt as of such last day to EBITDA for the period of four Fiscal Quarters then ending on such day to exceed the ratio set forth below opposite such Fiscal Quarter:
|
|
|
Fiscal Quarter Ending
|
Ratio
|
September 30, 2016
|
6.50 to 1.00
|
December 31, 2016
|
6.00 to 1.00
|
March 31, 2017
|
5.75 to 1.00
|
June 30, 2017
|
5.75 to 1.00
|
September 30, 2017
|
5.25 to 1.00
|
December 31, 2017
|
5.00 to 1.00
|
March 31, 2018
|
4.50 to 1.00
|
June 30, 2018
|
4.50 to 1.00
|
September 30, 2018
|
4.00 to 1.00
|
December 31, 2018
|
4.00 to 1.00
|
March 31, 2019 and at the last day of each Fiscal Quarter thereafter until the Maturity Date
|
3.50 to 1.00
|
provided
, that for purposes of determining the ratio described above for the Fiscal Quarters of the Borrower ending September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2016, EBITDA shall be deemed to equal (i) in the case of the Fiscal Quarter ending September 30, 2016, EBITDA for the Fiscal Quarter ending June 30, 2016 and September 30, 2016
multiplied
by 2 and (ii) in the case of the Fiscal Quarter ending December 31, 2016, EBITDA for the Fiscal Quarters ending June 30, 2016, September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2016
multiplied
by 4/3.
(b)
Current Ratio
. Beginning with the Fiscal Quarter ending June 30, 2016, the Borrower will not, as of the last day of any Fiscal Quarter, permit its Current Ratio as of such day then ending to be less than 1.00 to 1.00.
(c)
Minimum Liquidity
. The Borrower will not, at any time, permit the Liquidity of the Loan Parties to be less than $10,000,000.
Section 9.02
Indebtedness
. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Group Member to, incur, create, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:
(a)
the Loans or other Secured Obligations;
(b)
Indebtedness of the Group Members existing on the date hereof that is reflected in the Financial Statements delivered on or prior to the Closing Date and set forth on
Schedule 9.02
as well as any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof;
(c)
accounts payable and accrued expenses or other obligations to pay the deferred purchase price of Property or services, from time to time incurred in the ordinary course of business which are being contested in good faith by appropriate action and for which adequate reserves have been maintained in accordance with GAAP;
(d)
purchase money Indebtedness or Capital Lease Obligations not to exceed $10,000,000 in the aggregate at any one time outstanding;
(e)
unsecured Indebtedness associated with worker’s compensation claims, bonds or surety obligations required by Governmental Requirements or by third parties in the ordinary course of business in connection with the operation of, or provision for the abandonment and remediation of, the Oil and Gas Properties;
(f)
(i) Indebtedness among the Borrower and its Subsidiaries which are Loan Parties, (ii) Indebtedness between the Subsidiaries of the Borrower which are not Loan Parties and (iii) Indebtedness extended to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries which are Loan Parties by any Group Members;
provided
that (A) such Indebtedness is not held, assigned, transferred, negotiated or pledged to any Person other than a Loan Party and (B) any such Indebtedness owed by either the Borrower or a Guarantor shall be subordinated to the Secured Obligations on terms satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;
(g)
endorsements of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business;
(h)
any guarantee of any other Indebtedness permitted to be incurred hereunder;
(i)
unsecured Indebtedness in respect of Swap Agreements entered into in compliance with
Section 9.17
;
(j)
Indebtedness of the Borrower in respect of Permitted Unsecured Debt and Permitted Second Lien Debt and, in each case, any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness of such Indebtedness;
(k)
other Indebtedness not to exceed $10,000,000 in the aggregate at any one time outstanding.
Section 9.03
Liens
. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Group Member to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any of its Properties (now owned or hereafter acquired), except:
(a)
Liens securing the payment of any Secured Obligations.
(b)
Liens existing on the Closing Date and disclosed on
Schedule 9.03
and Excepted Liens.
(c)
Liens securing purchase money Indebtedness or Capital Leases Obligations permitted by
Section 9.02(d)
but only on the Property that is the subject of any such Indebtedness or lease, accessions and improvements thereto, insurance thereon, and the proceeds of the foregoing.
(d)
Liens securing any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness;
provided
that any such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness is not secured by any additional or different Property not securing the Refinanced Indebtedness.
(e)
Liens on Collateral securing any Permitted Second Lien Debt.
(f)
Liens on Property not constituting Collateral that secure Indebtedness and that are not otherwise permitted by the foregoing clauses of this
Section 9.03
;
provided
that the aggregate or principal or face amount of all debt secured by such Liens pursuant to this
Section 9.03(f)
, and the Fair Market Value of the Properties subject to such Liens (determined as of the date such Liens are incurred), shall not exceed $10,000,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding.
Section 9.04
Restricted Payments; Restrictions on Amendments of Permitted Unsecured Debt and Permitted Second Lien Debt
.
(a)
Restricted Payments
. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of the other Group Members to, declare or make, or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, except (i) the Borrower may declare and pay Restricted Payments with respect to its Equity Interests payable solely in additional shares of its Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Capital Stock), (ii) Subsidiaries may make Restricted Payments ratably to the holders of their Equity Interests and (iii) the Borrower may make Restricted Payments pursuant to and in accordance with stock option plans, other equity compensation plans or other benefit plans for management, employees or other individual service providers of the Borrower and the other Group Members which plans have been approved by the Borrower’s board of directors, to the extent such Restricted Payments are made in the ordinary course of business.
(b)
Redemptions
. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Group Member to prior to the date that is ninety-one (91) days after the Maturity Date, call, make or offer to make any optional or voluntary Redemption of or otherwise optionally or voluntarily Redeem (whether in whole or in part), (i) any Permitted Unsecured Debt, (ii) any Permitted Second Lien Debt, (iii) any other Indebtedness of the type set forth in
clauses
(a)
,
(h)
and
(k)
thereof and (iv) any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of the foregoing (such Indebtedness, collectively, the “
Specified Indebtedness
”);
provided
that the Borrower may prepay such Specified Indebtedness with the proceeds of any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof or with the net cash proceeds of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Capital Stock) of the Borrower so long as no Default, Event of Default or Borrowing Base Deficiency has occurred and is continuing or would occur as a result of such Redemption.
(c)
Amendments
. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Group Member to amend, modify, waive or otherwise change, consent or agree to any amendment, modification, waiver or other change to any Specified Indebtedness if doing so would (i) increase the rate of interest thereon, (ii) require the payment of a fee (whether, without limitation, a consent fee, arrangement fee or any other fee) unless any such fee paid, when combined with any other such fees and any Investment made in reliance of
Section 9.05(i)
, does not exceed $5,000,000 or (iii) (A) with respect to Permitted Second Lien Debt or Permitted Unsecured Debt cause such Specified Indebtedness to not meet the requirements set forth in the
definition of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness and Permitted Second Lien Debt or Permitted Unsecured Debt, as applicable (tested as if such Specified Indebtedness were being issued or incurred at such time) and (B) with respect to any other Specified Indebtedness, shorten the average maturity or average life of such Specified Indebtedness.
Section 9.05
Investments, Loans and Advances
. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Group Member to, make or permit to remain outstanding any Investments in or to any Person, except that the foregoing restriction shall not apply to:
(a)
Investments reflected in the Financial Statements and which are disclosed to the Lenders in
Schedule 9.05
;
(b)
accounts receivable arising in the ordinary course of business;
(c)
Investments in Cash Equivalents;
(d)
Investments (i) made among the Borrower and the other Subsidiaries which are Loan Parties, (ii) made between the Subsidiaries of the Borrower which are not Loan Parties or (iii) made by any Group Member in or to the Borrower or to its Subsidiaries which are Loan Parties;
(e)
subject to the limits in
Section 9.06
, Investments in direct ownership interests in additional Oil and Gas Properties or investments with respect to and relating to the production of oil, gas and other liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons from Oil and Gas Properties which are usual and customary in the oil and gas exploration and production business located, in each case, within the geographic boundaries of the United States of America;
(f)
loans or advances to employees, officers or directors in the ordinary course of business of the Borrower or any of the other Loan Parties, in each case only as permitted by applicable law, including Section 402 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002, but in any event not to exceed $1,000,000 in the aggregate at any time;
(g)
Investments in stock, obligations or securities received in settlement of debts arising from Investments permitted under this
Section 9.05
owing to the Borrower or any other Group Member as a result of a bankruptcy or other insolvency proceeding of the obligor in respect of such debts or upon the enforcement of any Lien in favor of the Borrower or any of the other Group Members;
provided
that the Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent prompt written notice in the event that the aggregate amount of all Investments held at any one time under this
Section 9.05(g)
exceeds $1,000,000;
(h)
Investments pursuant to Swap Agreements otherwise permitted under this Agreement;
(i)
other Investments, when combined with any fees paid under
Section 9.04(c)(iii)
, not to exceed $5,000,000 in the aggregate at any time; and
(j)
loans, advances or extensions of credit to suppliers or contractors under applicable contracts or agreements in the ordinary course of business in connection with oil and gas development activities of such Borrower or such Subsidiary.
Section 9.06
Nature of Business; No International Operations
. The Borrower and the other Group Members, taken as a whole, will not allow any material change to be made in the character of its business
as an independent oil and gas exploration and production company. The Group Members will not acquire or make any other expenditures (whether such expenditure is capital, operating or otherwise) in or related to, any Oil and Gas Properties not located within the geographical boundaries of the United States of America or in the offshore federal waters of the United States of America.
Section 9.07
Proceeds of Loans
. The Borrower will not permit the proceeds of the Borrowings to be used for any purpose other than those permitted by
Section 7.22
. No Loan Party nor any Person acting on behalf of the Borrower has taken or will take any action which may cause any of the Loan Documents to violate Regulations T, U or X or any other regulation of the Board or to violate Section 7 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or any rule or regulation thereunder, in each case as now in effect or as the same may hereinafter be in effect. If requested by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender a statement to the foregoing effect in conformity with the requirements of FR Form U-1 or such other form referred to in Regulation U, Regulation T or Regulation X of the Board, as the case may be. The Borrower will not request any Borrowing or Letter of Credit, and the Borrower shall not directly or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, indirectly use, and shall procure that its Subsidiaries and its or their respective directors, officers, employees and agents shall not directly or, to the knowledge of such Person, indirectly use, the proceeds of any Borrowing or Letter of Credit (a) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any Person in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws, (b) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country to the extent such activities, businesses or transaction would be prohibited by Sanctions if conducted by a corporation incorporated in the United States or (c) in any manner that would result in the violation of any Sanctions applicable to any party hereto.
Section 9.08
ERISA Compliance
. Except as would not, whether individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Borrower will not, and will not permit any ERISA Affiliate to, at any time:
(a)
engage in any transaction in connection with which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate, could be subject to either a civil penalty assessed pursuant to subsections (c), (i), (l) or (m) of section 502 of ERISA or a tax imposed by Chapter 43 of Subtitle D of the Code;
(b)
terminate, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to terminate, any Plan in a manner, or take any other action with respect to any Plan, which could result in any liability of the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate to the PBGC;
(c)
fail to make, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to fail to make, after giving effect to any applicable grace period, full payment when due of all amounts which, under the provisions of any Plan, agreement relating thereto or applicable law, the Borrower, a Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate is required to pay as contributions thereto;
(d)
fail to satisfy, or allow any ERISA Affiliate to fail to satisfy, the minimum funding standards (within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA), in any case whether or not waived, with respect to any Plan; and
(e)
acquire, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to acquire, an interest in any Person that causes such Person to become an ERISA Affiliate with respect to any Subsidiary or with respect to any ERISA Affiliate if such Person sponsors, maintains or contributes to, or at any time in the six-year period immediately preceding such acquisition has sponsored, maintained, or contributed to, (1) any Multiemployer Plan, or (2) any other Plan that is subject to Title IV of ERISA under which the actuarial present value of
the benefit liabilities under such Plan exceeds the current value of the assets (computed on a plan termination basis in accordance with Title IV of ERISA and determined as of the end of the most recent plan year) of such Plan allocable to such benefit liabilities.
Section 9.09
Sale or Discount of Receivables
. Except for receivables obtained by the Group Members out of the ordinary course of business or the settlement of joint interest billing accounts in the ordinary course of business or discounts granted to settle collection of accounts receivable or the sale of defaulted accounts arising in the ordinary course of business in connection with the compromise or collection thereof and not in connection with any financing transaction, the Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Group Member to, discount or sell (with or without recourse) any of its notes receivable or accounts receivable.
Section 9.10
Mergers, Etc.
. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Group Member to merge into or with or consolidate with any other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it, or sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its Property to any other Person, (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) (any such transaction, a “
consolidation
”), or liquidate or dissolve, except that (a) any Loan Party may consolidate with or into the Borrower (
provided
the Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving entity), (b) any Group Member (other than the Borrower) may consolidate with any Subsidiary of the Borrower which is a Loan Party (
provided
such Subsidiary which is a Loan Party shall be the continuing or surviving entity) and (c) any Subsidiary which is not a Loan Party may consolidate with any other Subsidiary which is not a Loan Party, in each case, so long as no Default, Event of Default or Borrowing Base Deficiency has occurred and is continuing or would occur as a result of such consolidation and notice of such consolidation is provided to the Administrative Agent five (5) Business Days prior to such consolidation.
Section 9.11
Sale of Properties and Termination of Hedging Transactions
. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Group Member to, sell, assign, farm-out, convey or otherwise transfer any Property except for:
(a)
the sale of Hydrocarbons in the ordinary course of business (any such sale, a “
Permitted Sale of Hydrocarbons
”);
(b)
after the Non-Conforming Period, if no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the sale or other Disposition (including any farmout or similar agreement) of Oil and Gas Properties not included in the calculation of the Borrowing Base;
(c)
the sale or transfer of equipment that (i) is no longer necessary for the business of the Borrower or such other Group Member or (ii) is replaced by equipment of at least comparable value and use;
(d)
the sale or other Disposition (including Casualty Events or in connection with any condemnation proceeding) of any Oil and Gas Property or any interest therein, 100% of the Equity Interests of any Subsidiary owning Oil and Gas Properties or the Unwind of Swap Agreements;
provided
that;
(i)
(A) during the Non-Conforming Period, 100% of the consideration received in respect of such sale or other Disposition shall be cash and (B) thereafter, not less than 80% of the consideration received in respect of such sale or other Disposition shall be cash,
(ii)
no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing nor would a Default, Event of Default or Borrowing Base Deficiency (after giving effect to any prepayment of the Loans made with the proceeds of such sale or other Disposition) result therefrom, and
(iii)
(other than in respect of Casualty Events) the consideration received in respect of a sale or other Disposition of any Oil and Gas Property, Equity Interest or interest therein shall be equal to or greater than the Fair Market Value of the Oil and Gas Property, Equity Interest or interest therein subject of such sale or other Disposition (as reasonably determined by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower and if requested by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall deliver a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying to the foregoing).
(e)
sales and other Dispositions for cash of Properties (not otherwise regulated by
Section 9.11(a)
to
Section 9.11(d)
) having a Fair Market Value in aggregate not to exceed $5,000,000;
(f)
(i) transfers of Properties between the Borrower and its Subsidiaries which are Loan Parties, (ii) transfers of Properties between the Subsidiaries of the Borrower which are not Group Members and (iii) transfers of Property from Subsidiaries which are not Loan Parties to Loan Parties; and
(g)
any transaction permitted by
Section 9.05
.
Section 9.12
Sales and Leasebacks
. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Group Member to enter into any arrangement with any Person providing for the leasing by any Group Member of real or personal property that has been or is to be sold or transferred by such Group Member to such Person or to any other Person to whom funds have been or are to be advanced by such Person on the security of such property or rental obligations of such Group Member.
Section 9.13
Environmental Matters
. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Group Member, to undertake (or allow to be undertaken at any property subject to its control) anything which will subject any such property to any obligation to conduct any investigation or remediation under any applicable Environmental Laws or regarding any Hazardous Material that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, it being understood that the foregoing will not be deemed to limit (i) any obligation under applicable Environmental Law to disclose any relevant facts, conditions or circumstances to the appropriate Governmental Authority as and to the extent required by any such Environmental Law, (ii) any investigation or remediation required to be conducted under applicable Environmental Law, (iii) any investigation reasonably requested by a prospective purchaser of any property, provided that such investigation is subject to conditions and limitations (including indemnification and insurance obligations regarding the conduct of such investigation) that are reasonably protective of the Borrower and any Group Member, or (iv) any investigation or remediation required pursuant to any lease agreements with the owners of any Properties.
Section 9.14
Transactions with Affiliates
. Except for payment of Restricted Payments permitted by
Section 9.04
, the Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Group Member to, enter into any transaction, including any purchase, sale, lease or exchange of Property or the rendering of any service, with any Affiliate (other than between the Borrower and other Loan Parties) unless such transactions are otherwise not prohibited under this Agreement and are upon fair and reasonable terms no less favorable to it than it would obtain in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person not an Affiliate.
Section 9.15
Subsidiaries
(a)
. The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Group Member to, sell, assign or otherwise Dispose of any Equity Interests in any Group Members except in compliance
with
Section 9.11(f)
. The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any other Group Member to, have any foreign Subsidiaries (other than those in existence on the Closing Date).
Section 9.16
Negative Pledge Agreements; Dividend Restrictions
. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Group Member to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any contract, agreement or understanding which in any way prohibits or restricts (a) the granting, conveying, creation or imposition of any Lien on any of its Property to secure the Secured Obligations or which (i) requires the consent of other Persons in connection therewith or (ii) provides that any such occurrence shall constitute a default or breach of such agreement or (b) the Borrower or any other Group Member from (i) paying dividends or making distributions to any Loan Party, (ii) receiving any money in respect of Indebtedness or other obligations owed to it, (iii) paying any Indebtedness owed to any Loan Party, (iv) making loans or advances to, or other Investments in, any Loan Party, (v) transferring any of its assets to any Group Member, or which requires the consent of or notice to other Persons in connection therewith or (vi) prepaying ore repaying Secured Obligations;
provided
that (i) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and conditions under the Loan Documents and (ii)
clause (a)
of the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions or conditions imposed by any agreement for purchase money Indebtedness or Capital Lease Obligations permitted by this Agreement if such restrictions or conditions apply only to the Property securing such purchase money Indebtedness or Capital Lease Obligations.
Section 9.17
Swap Agreements
.
(a)
The Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Group Member to, enter into any Swap Agreements with any Person other than:
(i)
Swap Agreements with an Approved Counterparty in respect of commodities entered into not for speculative purposes the notional volumes for which (when aggregated with other commodity Swap Agreements then in effect other than basis differential swaps on volumes already hedged pursuant to other Swap Agreements) do not exceed, as of the date such Swap Agreement is entered into (A) eighty percent (80%) of the reasonably anticipated projected production (as such production is projected in the most recent Reserve Report delivered pursuant to the terms of this Agreement) from Proved Reserves from the Borrower’s and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Oil and Gas Properties for each month during the period which such Swap Agreement is in effect for each of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids, calculated separately, for the period of twenty-four (24) months following the date such Swap Agreement is entered into and (B) eighty percent (80%) of the reasonably anticipated projected production (as such production is projected in the most recent Reserve Report delivered pursuant to the terms of this Agreement) from the Borrower’s and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ proved, developed, producing Oil and Gas Properties for each month during the period which such Swap Agreement is in effect for each of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids, calculated separately for the period of twenty-five (25) to sixty (60) months following the date such Swap Agreement is entered into;
provided
that (x) the Borrower may update the projections referenced in
Section 9.17(a)(i)(A)
and
Section 9.17(a)(i)(B)
above by providing the Administrative Agent an internal report prepared by or under the supervision of the chief engineer of the Borrower and its other Group Members and any additional informational reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent that is, in each case, reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (and shall include new reasonably anticipated Hydrocarbon production from new wells or other production improvements and any dispositions, well shut-ins and other reductions of, or decreases to, production) and (y) any Swap Agreements shall not, in any case, have a tenor of greater than five (5) years; and
(ii)
Swap Agreements in respect of interest rates with an Approved Counterparty, which effectively convert interest rates from floating to fixed, the notional amounts of which
(when aggregated with all other Swap Agreements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries then in effect effectively converting interest rates from floating to fixed) do not exceed 80% of the then outstanding principal amount of all the Borrower’s Indebtedness for borrowed money which bears interest at a floating rate;
(b)
in no event shall any Swap Agreement contain any requirement, agreement or covenant for any Group Member to post collateral or margin to secure their obligations under such Swap Agreement or to cover market exposures (other than under the Security Instruments);
(c)
Swap Agreements shall only be entered into in the ordinary course of business (and not for speculative purposes);
(d)
no Swap Agreement in respect of commodities shall be terminated, unwound, cancelled or otherwise disposed of except to the extent permitted by
Section 9.11
; and
(e)
if, after the end of any calendar month, the aggregate volume of all Swap Agreements in respect of commodities for which settlement payments were calculated in such calendar month and the preceding calendar month (other than basis differential swaps on volumes hedged by other Swap Agreements) exceeded, or will exceed, 100% of actual production of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids, calculated separately, in such calendar months, then the Borrower shall terminate, create off-setting positions, allocate volumes to other production the Borrower or any Subsidiary is marketing, or otherwise Unwind existing Swap Agreements such that, at such time, future hedging volumes will not exceed 100% of reasonably anticipated projected production from proved, developed producing Oil and Gas Properties for each of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids, calculated separately, for the then-current and any succeeding calendar months.
Section 9.18
Amendments to Organizational Documents and Material Contracts
. The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any other Group Member to, amend, supplement or otherwise modify (or permit to be amended, supplemented or modified) its Organizational Documents in any material respect that could reasonably be expected to be adverse to the interests of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders without the consent of the Administrative Agent.
Section 9.19
Changes in Fiscal Periods
. The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any other Group Member to have its Fiscal Year end on a date other than December 31 or change the its method of determining Fiscal Quarters.
ARTICLE X
EVENTS OF DEFAULT; REMEDIES
Section 10.01
Events of Default
. One or more of the following events shall constitute an “
Event of Default
”:
(a)
the Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan or any reimbursement obligation in respect of any LC Disbursement when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof, by acceleration or otherwise;
provided
that, with respect to failure to pay the Non-Conforming Borrowing Base Loans pursuant to
Section 3.01(b)
, such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of thirty (30) days;
(b)
the Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in
Section 10.01(a)
) payable under any Loan Document, when and
as the same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of five (5) days;
(c)
any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of the Borrower or any other Group Member in or in connection with any Loan Document or any amendment or modification of any Loan Document or waiver under such Loan Document, or in any report, notice, certificate, financial statement or other document furnished pursuant to or in connection with any Loan Document or any amendment or modification thereof or waiver thereunder, shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed made;
(d)
the Borrower or any other Group Member shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in
Section 8.01(k)
,
Section 8.02
,
Section 8.03
(only with respect to the Borrower’s existence),
Section 8.17
,
Section 8.18
or in
Article IX
;
(e)
the Borrower or any other Group Member shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in this Agreement (other than those specified in
Section 10.01(a)
,
Section 10.01(b)
,
Section 10.01(c)
or
Section 10.01(d)
) or any other Loan Document, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after the earlier to occur of (A) notice thereof from the Administrative Agent to the Borrower (which notice will be given at the request of any Lender) or (B) a Responsible Officer of the Borrower or such other Group Member otherwise becoming aware of such default;
(f)
the Borrower or any other Group Member shall fail to make any payment (whether of principal or interest and regardless of amount) in respect of any Material Indebtedness, when and as the same shall become due and payable and such failure continues after the applicable grace or notice period, if any, specified in the relevant document for such Material Indebtedness;
(g)
any other event or condition occurs that results in any Material Indebtedness of any Group Member becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or that enables or permits (after giving effect to any applicable notice periods, if any, and any applicable grace periods) the holder or holders of any such Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause any such Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the Redemption thereof or any offer to Redeem to be made in respect thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity or require the Borrower or any other Group Member to make an offer in respect thereof;
(h)
an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of any Group Member, or its or their debts, or of a substantial part of its or their assets, under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower or any other Group Member or for a substantial part of its or their assets, and, in any such case, such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for sixty (60) days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;
(i)
the Borrower or any other Group Member shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or petition described in
Section 10.01(h)
, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower or any other Group Member or for a substantial part of its or their assets, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it or them in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, (vi) take any action for the
purpose of effecting any of the foregoing; or any partner, or stockholder of the Borrower shall make any request or take any action for the purpose of calling a meeting of the partners or stockholders, as applicable, of the Borrower to consider a resolution to dissolve and wind up the Borrower’s affairs or (vii) become unable, admit in writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due;
(j)
one or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $10,000,000 (to the extent not covered by independent third party insurance as to which the insurer does not dispute coverage and is not subject to an insolvency proceeding) or (ii) any one or more non-monetary judgments that have, or could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, shall be rendered against any Group Member or any combination thereof and the same shall remain undischarged for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed;
(k)
the Loan Documents after delivery thereof shall for any reason, except to the extent permitted by the terms thereof, cease to be in full force and effect and valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with their terms against the Borrower or a Loan Party party thereto or shall be repudiated by any of them, or cease to create a valid and perfected Lien of the priority required thereby on any Collateral purported to be covered thereby, except to the extent permitted by the terms of this Agreement, or the Borrower or any other Loan Party or any of their Affiliates shall so state or assert in writing; or
(l)
a Change in Control shall occur.
Section 10.02
Remedies
.
(a)
In the case of an Event of Default other than one described in
Section 10.01(g)
,
Section 10.01(h)
or
Section 10.01(i)
, at any time thereafter during the continuance of such Event of Default, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of the Majority Lenders, shall, by notice to the Borrower, take either or both of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate the Commitments and/or the LC Commitments, and thereupon the Commitments and/or the LC Commitments shall terminate immediately, and (ii) declare the Notes and the Loans then outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in part, in which case any principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared to be due and payable), and thereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrower and the Guarantors accrued hereunder and under the Notes and the other Loan Documents (including the payment of cash collateral to secure the LC Exposure as provided in
Section 2.09(j)
), shall become due and payable immediately, without presentment, demand, protest, notice of intent to accelerate, notice of acceleration or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower and each Guarantor; and in case of an Event of Default described in
Section 10.01(g)
,
Section 10.01(h)
or
Section 10.01(i)
, the Commitments shall automatically terminate and the Notes and the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and the other obligations of the Borrower and the Guarantors accrued hereunder and under the Notes and the other Loan Documents (including the payment of cash collateral to secure the LC Exposure as provided in
Section 2.09(j)
), shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower and each Guarantor.
(b)
In the case of the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders will have all other rights and remedies available at law and equity.
(c)
In the case of the occurrence of an Event of Default which results in the Commitments terminating then the Borrowing Base shall automatically and concurrently be reduced to $0.
(d)
All proceeds realized from the liquidation or other Disposition of collateral and to any other amounts received after maturity of the Loans, whether from the Borrower, another Loan Party, by acceleration or otherwise, shall be applied:
(i)
first
, to payment or reimbursement of that portion of the Secured Obligations constituting fees, expenses and indemnities payable to the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such;
(ii)
second
,
pro rata
to payment or reimbursement of that portion of the Secured Obligations constituting fees, expenses and indemnities payable to the Lenders;
(iii)
third
,
pro rata
to payment of accrued interest on the Loans and Secured Obligations referred to in
clause (b)
of the definition of Secured Obligations;
(iv)
fourth
,
pro rata
to payment of principal outstanding on the Loans;
(v)
fifth
,
pro rata
to any other Secured Obligations;
(vi)
sixth
, to serve as cash collateral to be held by the Administrative Agent to secure the LC Exposure; and
(vii)
seventh
, any excess, after all of the Secured Obligations shall have been indefeasibly paid in full in cash, shall be paid to the Borrower or as otherwise required by any Governmental Requirement.
ARTICLE XI
THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENTS
Section 11.01
Appointment; Powers
. Each Lender and Issuing Bank hereby irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent as its agent and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof and the other Loan Documents, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Each Lender (and each Person that becomes a Lender hereunder pursuant to Section 12.04) hereby authorizes and directs the Administrative Agent to enter into the Security Instruments on behalf of such Lender, in each case, as needed to effectuate the transactions permitted by this Agreement and agrees that the Administrative Agent may take such actions on its behalf as is contemplated by the terms of such applicable Security Instrument. Without limiting the provisions of
Sections 11.02
and
12.03
, each Lender hereby consents to the Administrative Agent and any successor serving in such capacity and agrees not to assert any claim (including as a result of any conflict of interest) against the Administrative Agent, or any such successor, arising from the role of the Administrative Agent or such successor under the Loan Documents so long as it is either acting in accordance with the terms of such documents and otherwise has not engaged in gross negligence or willful misconduct.
Section 11.02
Duties and Obligations of Administrative Agent
. The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth in the Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (a) the Administrative Agent shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing (the use of the term “agent” herein and in the other Loan Documents with reference to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable law; rather, such term is used merely as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create
or reflect only an administrative relationship between independent contracting parties), (b) the Administrative Agent shall have no duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except as provided in
Section 11.03
, and (c) except as expressly set forth herein, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any Group Member that is communicated to or obtained by the bank serving as Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until written notice thereof is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower or a Lender, and shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or under any other Loan Document or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or in any other Loan Document, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in
Article VI
or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent or as to those conditions precedent expressly required to be to the Administrative Agent’s satisfaction, (vi) the existence, value, perfection or priority of any collateral security or the financial or other condition of the Borrower and the other Group Members or any other obligor or guarantor, or (vii) any failure by the Borrower or any other Person (other than itself) to perform any of its obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document or the performance or observance of any covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein. For purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in
Article VI
, each Lender shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received written notice from such Lender prior to the proposed closing date specifying its objection thereto.
Section 11.03
Action by Administrative Agent
. The Administrative Agent shall have no duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise in writing as directed by the Majority Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in
Section 12.02
) and in all cases the Administrative Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to act hereunder or under any other Loan Documents unless it shall (a) receive written instructions from the Majority Lenders or the Lenders, as applicable, (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in
Section 12.02
) specifying the action to be taken and (b) be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and expenses which may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action. The instructions as aforesaid and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto by the Administrative Agent shall be binding on all of the Lenders. If a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, then the Administrative Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as shall be directed by the requisite Lenders in the written instructions (with indemnities) described in this
Section 11.03
,
provided
that, unless and until the Administrative Agent shall have received such directions, the Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable in the best interests of the Lenders. In no event, however, shall the Administrative Agent be required to take any action which exposes the Administrative Agent to personal liability or which is contrary to this Agreement, the Loan Documents or applicable law. The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it with the consent or at the request of the Majority Lenders or the Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in
Section 12.02
), and otherwise the Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it
hereunder or under any other Loan Document or under any other document or instrument referred to or provided for herein or therein or in connection herewith or therewith INCLUDING ITS OWN ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE, except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct.
Section 11.04
Reliance by Administrative Agent
. The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or sent by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to be made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon and each of the Borrower, the Lenders and the Issuing Bank(s) hereby waives the right to dispute the Administrative Agent’s record of such statement, except in the case of gross negligence or willful misconduct by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.
Section 11.05
Subagents
. The Administrative Agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of the preceding Sections of this
Article XI
shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent.
Section 11.06
Resignation or Removal of Administrative Agent
. The Administrative Agent may resign at any time by notifying the Lenders, the Issuing Bank(s) and the Borrower. Upon any such resignation, the Majority Lenders shall have the right, in consultation with the Borrower, to appoint from among the Lenders a successor. If no successor shall have been so appointed by the Majority Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank(s), appoint a qualified financial institution as successor Administrative Agent. Upon the acceptance of its appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder. The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor. After the Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder, the provisions of this
Article XI
and
Section 12.03
shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while it was acting as Administrative Agent.
Section 11.07
Administrative Agent as a Lender
. The bank serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent, and such bank and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if it were not the Administrative Agent hereunder.
Section 11.08
No Reliance
. Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement and each other Loan Document to which it is a party. Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently
and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document, any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder. The Administrative Agent shall not be required to keep themselves informed as to the performance or observance by, the Borrower or any of the other Group Members of this Agreement, the Loan Documents or any other document referred to or provided for herein or to inspect the Properties or books of any such Person. Except for notices, reports and other documents and information expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent hereunder, the Arranger shall have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the affairs, financial condition or business of the Borrower or any Group Member (or any of their Affiliates) which may come into the possession of such Agent or any of its Affiliates. In this regard, each Lender acknowledges that Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is acting in this transaction as special counsel to the Administrative Agent only, except to the extent otherwise expressly stated in any legal opinion or any Loan Document. Each other party hereto will consult with its own legal counsel to the extent that it deems necessary in connection with the Loan Documents and the matters contemplated therein.
Section 11.09
Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim
. In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Borrower or any of the other Loan Parties, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or LC Disbursement shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:
(a)
to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans, LC Disbursements and all other Secured Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders, the Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders and the Administrative Agent under
Section 12.03
) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and
(b)
to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;
and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under
Section 3.05
and
Section 12.03
.
Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Secured Obligations or the rights of any Lender or to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender in any such proceeding.
Section 11.10
Authority of Administrative Agent to Release Collateral and Liens
. The Lenders, each Issuing Bank and each other Secured Party:
(a)
irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent to comply with the provisions of
Section 12.18
(without requirement of notice to or consent of any Person except as expressly required by Section
12.02(b)
) and
(b)
authorize the Administrative Agent to execute and deliver to the Loan Parties, any and all releases of Liens, termination statements, assignments or other documents as reasonably requested by such Loan Party in connection with any sale or other Disposition of Property to the extent such sale or other Disposition is permitted by the terms of
Section 9.11
or is otherwise authorized by the terms of the Loan Documents.
Upon request by the Administrative Agent at any time, the Majority Lenders will confirm in writing the Administrative Agent’s authority to release or subordinate its interest in particular types or items of property, or to release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement pursuant to this
Section 11.10
or
Section 12.18
.
Section 11.11
Duties of the Arranger
. The Arranger shall have any duties, responsibilities or liabilities under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents other than their duties, responsibilities and liabilities in their capacity as Lenders hereunder.
Section 11.12
Credit Bidding
. The Secured Parties hereby irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at the direction of the Majority Lenders, to credit bid all or any portion of the Secured Obligations (including by accepting some or all of the Collateral in satisfaction of some or all of the Secured Obligations pursuant to a deed in lieu of foreclosure or otherwise) and in such manner purchase (either directly or through one or more acquisition vehicles) all or any portion of the Collateral (a) at any sale thereof conducted under the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, including under Sections 363, 1123 or 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code, or any similar laws in any other jurisdictions to which a Credit Party is subject, or (b) at any other sale, foreclosure or acceptance of collateral in lieu of debt conducted by (or with the consent or at the direction of) the Administrative Agent (whether by judicial action or otherwise) in accordance with any applicable law. In connection with any such credit bid and purchase, the Secured Obligations owed to the Secured Parties shall be entitled to be credit bid by the Administrative Agent at the direction of the Majority Lenders on a ratable basis (with Secured Obligations with respect to contingent or unliquidated claims receiving contingent interests in the acquired assets on a ratable basis that shall vest upon the liquidation of such claims in an amount proportional to the liquidated portion of the contingent claim amount used in allocating the contingent interests) for the asset or assets so purchased (or for the equity interests or debt instruments of the acquisition vehicle or vehicles that are issued in connection with such purchase). In connection with any such bid (i) the Administrative Agent shall be authorized to form one or more acquisition vehicles and to assign any successful credit bid to such acquisition vehicle or vehicles, (ii) each of the Secured Parties’ ratable interests in the Secured Obligations which were credit bid shall be deemed without any further action under this Agreement to be assigned to such vehicle or vehicles for the purpose of closing such sale, (iii) the Administrative shall be authorized to adopt documents providing for the governance of the acquisition vehicle or vehicles (
provided
that any actions by the Administrative Agent with respect to such acquisition vehicle or vehicles, including any Disposition of the assets or equity interests thereof, shall be governed, directly or indirectly, by, and the governing documents shall provide for, control by the vote of the Majority Lenders or their permitted assignees under the terms of this Agreement or the governing documents of the applicable acquisition vehicle or vehicles, as the case may be, irrespective of the termination of this Agreement and without giving effect to the limitations on actions by the Majority Lenders contained in
Section 12.02
of this Agreement), (iv) the Administrative Agent on behalf of such acquisition vehicle or vehicles shall be authorized to issue to each of the Secured Parties, ratably on account of the relevant Secured Obligations which were credit bid, interests, whether as equity, partnership, limited partnership interests or membership
interests, in any such acquisition vehicle and/or debt instruments issued by such acquisition vehicle, all without the need for any Secured Party or acquisition vehicle to take any further action, and (v) to the extent that Secured Obligations that are assigned to an acquisition vehicle are not used to acquire Collateral for any reason, such Secured Obligations shall automatically be reassigned to the Secured Parties
pro rata
and the equity interests and/or debt instruments issued by any acquisition vehicle on account of such Secured Obligations shall automatically be cancelled, without the need for any Secured Party or any acquisition vehicle to take any further action. Notwithstanding that the ratable portion of the Secured Obligations of each Secured Party are deemed assigned to the acquisition vehicle or vehicles as set forth in
clause (ii)
above, each Secured Party shall execute such documents and provide such information regarding the Secured Party (and/or any designee of the Secured Party which will receive interests in or debt instruments issued by such acquisition vehicle) as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request in connection with the formation of any acquisition vehicle, the formulation or submission of any credit bid or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by such credit bid.
ARTICLE XII
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 12.01
Notices
.
(a)
(i) Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone and (ii) subject to
Section 12.01(b)
, all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by fax, as follows:
(i)
if to the Borrower, to it at 16825 Northchase Drive, Suite 400 Houston, Texas 77060, Attention of Alton D. Heckaman, Jr. (Fax No. 281-874-2701);
(ii)
if to the Administrative Agent, to it at 712 Main St, 12th Floor South, Houston, TX 77002, Attention of Jo Linda Papadakis (Fax No. 713-216-7770);
(iii)
if to the Issuing Bank, to it at 10 South Dearborn, Chicago, Illinois 60603-2003, Attention of Ana Salas (Fax No. 214-307-6874); and
(iv)
if to any other Lender or Issuing Bank, to it at its address (or fax number) set forth in its Administrative Questionnaire.
(b)
Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent;
provided
that the foregoing shall not apply to notices pursuant to
Article II
,
Article III
,
Article IV
and
Article V
unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the applicable Lender. The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it;
provided
that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.
(c)
Any party hereto may change its address or fax number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. All notices and other communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt.
Section 12.02
Waivers; Amendments
.
(a)
No failure on the part of the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender to exercise and no delay in exercising, and no course of dealing with respect to, any right, power or privilege, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such right, power or privilege, under any of the Loan Documents shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege under any of the Loan Documents preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank and the Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or consent to any departure by any Loan Party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by
Section 12.02(b)
, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan or issuance of a Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default or Event of Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank may have had notice or knowledge of such Default or Event of Default at the time.
(b)
Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof nor any Loan Document nor any provision thereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into (x) by the Borrower and/or the other applicable Loan Parties and the Majority Lenders or (y) by the Borrower and/or the other applicable Loan Parties and the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Majority Lenders;
provided
that no such agreement shall:
(i)
increase the Maximum Credit Amount of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender,
(ii)
increase the Conforming Borrowing Base or the Borrowing Base without the written consent of each Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender), or decrease or maintain the Conforming Borrowing Base or the Borrowing Base without the consent of the Required Lenders;
provided
that a Scheduled Redetermination and the delivery of a Reserve Report may be postponed by the Majority Lenders;
provided
further
that it is understood that any waiver (or amendment or modification that would have the effect of a waiver) of the right of the Required Lenders to adjust (through a reduction of) the Borrowing Base or the amount of such adjustment in the form of a reduction to the Borrowing Base pursuant to the Borrowing Base Adjustment Provisions in connection with the occurrence of a relevant event giving rise to such right shall require the consent of the Required Lenders,
(iii)
reduce the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement or reduce the stated rate of interest thereon, or reduce any fees payable hereunder, or reduce any other Secured Obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document, without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby (except in connection with any amendment or waiver of the applicability of any post-default increase in interest rates, which shall be effective with the consent of Majority Lenders),
(iv)
postpone the scheduled date of (A) payment or prepayment of the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement, (B) any interest thereon, or (C) any fees payable hereunder, or any other Secured Obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the Termination Date or Non-Conforming Borrowing Base Maturity Date without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby,
(v)
change
Section 4.01(b)
or
Section 4.01(c)
in a manner that would alter the
pro rata
sharing of payments required thereby, without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby;
provided
that the foregoing shall not restrict the operation of
Section 2.11
,
(vi)
waive or amend
Section 10.02(c)
without the written consent of each directly and adversely affected Lender;
provided
that any waiver or amendment to
Section 10.02(c)
or to this proviso in this
Section 12.02(b)(vi)
, or any amendment or modification to any Security Instrument that results in the Secured Swap Agreement secured by such Security Instrument no longer being secured thereby on an equal and ratable basis with the principal of the Loans, or any amendment or other change to the definition of the terms “Secured Swap Agreement,” or “Secured Swap Provider”,” which would result in an equivalent effect shall also require the written consent of each Secured Swap Provider adversely affected thereby,
(vii)
release any Guarantor (other than as a result of a transaction permitted hereby), release all or substantially all of the collateral (other than as provided in
Section 11.10
), without the written consent of each directly and adversely affected Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender), or
(viii)
change any of the provisions of this
Section 12.02(b)
or the definitions of “Majority Lenders” or “Required Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or under any other Loan Documents or grant any consent hereunder or any other Loan Documents, without the written consent of each directly and adversely affected Lender;
provided
further
that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent or any Issuing Bank hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent or Issuing Bank, as the case may be. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any supplement to any Schedule shall be effective simply by delivering to the Administrative Agent a supplemental schedule clearly marked as such and, upon receipt, the Administrative Agent will promptly deliver a copy thereof to the Lenders.
(c)
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, may amend, modify or supplement any Loan Document without the consent of any Lender in order to (i) correct, amend, cure or resolve any ambiguity, omission, defect, typographical error, inconsistency or other manifest error therein, (ii) add a guarantor or collateral or otherwise enhance the rights and benefits of the Lenders, (iii) make administrative or operational changes not adverse to any Lender or (iv) adhere to any local Governmental Requirement or advice of local counsel.
(d)
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Loan Documents, the Commitment of any Defaulting Lender may not be increased without its consent (it being understood, for avoidance of doubt, that no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any increase, decrease or reaffirmation of the Conforming Borrowing Base or Borrowing Base) and the Administrative Agent may with the consent of the Borrower amend, modify or supplement the Loan Documents to effectuate an increase to the Conforming Borrowing Base or Borrowing Base where such Defaulting Lender does not consent to an increase to its Commitment, including not increasing the Conforming Borrowing Base or Borrowing Base by the portion thereof applicable to the Defaulting Lender.
Section 12.03
Expenses, Indemnity; Damage Waiver
.
(a)
The Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel and other outside consultants for the Administrative Agent (
provided
that counsel shall be limited to (x) one (1) counsel to such Persons, taken as a whole, one (1) local counsel in each relevant
jurisdiction and one (1) regulatory counsel to all such Persons with respect to a relevant regulatory matter, taken as a whole, (y), solely in the event of a conflict of interest, one (1) additional counsel (and, if necessary, one (1) regulatory counsel and one (1) local counsel in each relevant jurisdiction or for each matter) to each group of similarly situated affected indemnified persons and (z) other counsel consented to by the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned)), the reasonable travel, photocopy, mailing, courier, telephone and other similar expenses, and the cost of environmental invasive and non-invasive assessments and audits and surveys and appraisals, in connection with the syndication of this Agreement, the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration (both before and after the execution hereof and including advice of counsel to the Administrative Agent as to the rights and duties of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with respect thereto) of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any amendments, modifications or waivers of or consents related to the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all costs, expenses, taxes, assessments and other charges incurred by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with any filing, registration, recording or perfection of any security interest contemplated by this Agreement or any Security Instrument or any other document referred to therein or conducting of title reviews, mortgage matches and collateral reviews, (iii) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder, (iv) all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender, including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender, in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, including its rights under this
Section 12.03
, or in connection with the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit.
(b)
The Borrower shall and shall cause each Loan Party to indemnify the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, the Issuing Bank and each Lender, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing persons (each such person being called an “
Indemnitee
”) against, and defend and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, penalties, liabilities and related expenses, including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee (
provided
that counsel shall be limited to (x) one (1) counsel to such Indemnitees, taken as a whole, one (1) local counsel in each relevant jurisdiction and one (1) regulatory counsel to all such Indemnitees with respect to a relevant regulatory matter, taken as a whole, (y), solely in the event of a conflict of interest, one (1) additional counsel (and, if necessary, one (1) regulatory counsel and one (1) local counsel in each relevant jurisdiction or for each matter) to each group of similarly situated affected Indemnitees and (z) other counsel consented to by the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned)), incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of, and any enforcement against the Borrower or any other Group Member of any rights under this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any Agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, (ii) the performance by the Parties hereto or the parties to any other Loan Document of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or by any other Loan Document, (iii) the failure of the Borrower or any other Group Member to comply with the terms of any Loan Document, including this Agreement, or with any Governmental Requirement, (iv) any inaccuracy of any representation or any breach of any warranty or covenant of the Borrower or any other Group Members set forth in any of the Loan Documents or any instruments, documents or certifications delivered in connection therewith, (v) any loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds therefrom, including (A) any refusal by an Issuing Bank to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit, or (B) the payment of a drawing under any Letter of Credit notwithstanding the non-compliance, non-delivery or other improper presentation of
the documents presented in connection therewith, (vi) any other aspect of the Loan Documents, (vii) the operations of the business of the Borrower or any other Group Member by such persons, (viii) any assertion that the lenders were not entitled to receive the proceeds received pursuant to the Security Instruments, (ix) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials or any liability under Environmental Law related to the Borrower or any other Group Member, (x) the past ownership by the Borrower or any other Group Member of any of their Properties or past activity on any of their Properties which, though lawful and fully permissible at the time, could result in present liability, (xi) the Plan of Reorganization and all transactions contemplated thereby or (xii) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by any Loan Party, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto, and such indemnity shall extend to each Indemnitee
notwithstanding the sole or concurrent negligence of every kind or character whatsoever, whether active or passive, whether an affirmative act or an omission, including all types of negligent conduct identified in the restatement (second) of torts of one or more of the Indemnitees or by reason of strict liability imposed without fault on any one or more of the Indemnitees including
ordinary negligence
;
provided
that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have directly resulted from (A) the gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of such Indemnitee, (B) a material breach by such Indemnitee of its obligations under this Agreement at a time when the Borrower has not breached its obligations hereunder in any material respect or (C) a dispute solely among Indemnitees (other than a proceeding against any Indemnitee in its capacity or in fulfilling its role as Arranger, Administrative Agent, Bookrunner, Lender or any other similar role in connection with this Agreement) not arising out of any act or omission on the part of the Borrower or its affiliates. without limiting the foregoing, and to the extent permitted by applicable law, the Borrower shall not, and shall cause each Group Member not to, assert and hereby waives and agrees to cause each Group Member to waive, all rights for contribution or any other rights of recovery with respect to all claims, demands, penalties, fines, liabilities, settlements, damages, costs and expenses of whatever kind or nature, under or related to Environmental Laws, that any of them may have by statute or otherwise against any Indemnitee. No Indemnitee shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by others of any information or other materials obtained through IntraLinks or other similar information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the Transactions, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof whether occurring on, prior to or after the Closing Date. This Section 12.03(b) shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, claims, damages, etc. arising from any non-Tax claim.
(c)
To the extent that the Borrower fails to pay any amount required to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent, the Arranger or the Issuing Bank under
Section 12.03(a)
or
Section 12.03(b)
, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, the Arranger or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount;
provided
that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent, the Arranger or the Issuing Bank in its capacity as such.
(d)
To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Borrower shall not, and shall cause each Group Member not to, assert, and hereby waives and agrees to cause each Group Member to waive, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the
Transactions, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof whether occurring on, prior to or after the Closing Date.
(e)
All amounts due under this
Section 12.03
shall be payable not later than 10 days after written demand therefor.
Section 12.04
Successors and Assigns
.
(a)
The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of any Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), except that (i) the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this
Section 12.04
. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of any Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), Participants (to the extent provided in
Section 12.04(c)
) and, to the extent expressly contemplated herein, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, the Lenders and the other Secured Parties) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
(b)
(i) Subject to the conditions set forth in
Section 12.04(b)(ii)
, any Lender may assign to one or more assignees (each, an “
Assignee
”) all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) of:
(A)
the Borrower,
provided
that no consent of the Borrower shall be required for an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, an Approved Fund, or, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, to any Assignee; and
(B)
the Administrative Agent and each Issuing Bank;
provided
that no consent of the Administrative Agent shall be required for an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender.
(ii)
Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:
(A)
except in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment or Loans, the amount of the Commitment or Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $5,000,000 (and shall be in increments of $1,000,000 in excess thereof) unless each of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent,
provided
that no such consent of the Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;
(B)
each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement;
(C)
the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation
fee of $3,500 and the assignor shall have paid (or another Person shall have paid on its behalf) in full any amounts owing by it to the Administrative Agent and any Issuing Bank;
(D)
the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire; and
(E)
the assignee must not be a natural person (or a holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, a natural Person), a Defaulting Lender or an Affiliate or a Subsidiary of the Borrower or any other Loan Party.
(iii)
Subject to
Section 12.04(b)(iv)
and the acceptance and recording thereof, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the Assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of
Section 5.01
,
Section 5.02
,
Section 5.03
and
Section 12.03
). Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this
Section 12.04
shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with
Section 12.04(c)
.
(iv)
The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Maximum Credit Amount of, and principal amount of (and stated interest on) the Loans and LC Disbursements owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “
Register
”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank(s) and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower, any Issuing Bank and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice. In connection with any changes to the Register, if necessary, the Administrative Agent will reflect the revisions on
Annex I
and, at its election, forward a copy of such revised
Annex I
to the Borrower, each Issuing Bank and each Lender.
(v)
Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an Assignee, the Assignee’s completed Administrative Questionnaire and, as required by
Section 5.03(g)
, applicable tax forms (or certifications (taking into account whether the Assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder and shall have provided the required tax forms and certifications), the processing and recordation fee referred to in this
Section 12.04(b)
and any written consent to such assignment required by this
Section 12.04(b)
, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information contained therein in the Register. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this
Section 12.04(b)
.
(c)
Any Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (other than the Borrower, any Affiliate of the Borrower or any natural person (or a holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, a natural Person)) (a “
Participant
”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the
Loans owing to it);
provided
that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations, (iii) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and (iv) such Lender shall continue to give prompt attention to and process (including, if required, through discussions with Participants) requests for waivers or amendments hereunder. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement;
provided
that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Participant may have consent rights with respect to any amendment, modification or waiver described in
clauses (i)
,
(iii)
,
(iv)
,
(v)
,
(vi)
and
(vii)
of the proviso to
Section 12.02(b)
that affects such Participant and for which such Lender would have consent rights. In addition such agreement must provide that the Participant be bound by the provisions of
Section 12.03
. The Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of
Section 5.01
,
Section 5.02
and
Section 5.03
(subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements under
Section 5.03(g)
(it being understood that the documentation required under
Section 5.03(g)
shall be delivered to the participating Lender)) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to
paragraph (b)
of this
Section 12.04
;
provided
that such Participant (A) agrees to be subject to the provisions of
Section 5.02
and
Section 5.03
as if it were an assignee under
paragraph (b)
of this
Section 12.04
and (B) shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under
Section 5.02
or
Section 5.03
, with respect to any participation, than its participating Lender would have been entitled to receive, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from an adoption of or any change in any law or in the interpretation or application thereof or compliance by any Lender with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any central bank or other Governmental Authority made subsequent to the date hereof that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of
Section 12.08
as though it were a Lender,
provided
such Participant agrees to be subject to
Section 4.01(c)
as though it were a Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, shall maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts of (and stated interest on) each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “
Participant Register
”);
provided
that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register to any Person (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any Commitments, Loans, Letters of Credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such Commitment, Loan, Letter of Credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.
(d)
Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank or any central bank having jurisdiction over such Lender, and this
Section 12.04(d)
shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest;
provided
that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or Assignee for such Lender as a party hereto. The Borrower, upon receipt of written notice from the relevant Lender, agrees to issues Notes to any Lender requiring Notes to facilitate transactions described in this
Section 12.04(d)
in accordance with
Section 2.02(d)
or as the Borrower may otherwise consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).
(e)
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this
Section 12.04
, no transfer or assignment of the interests or obligations of any Lender or any grant of participations therein shall be permitted if such transfer, assignment or grant would require the Borrower and the other Loan Parties to file a registration statement with the SEC or to qualify the Loans under the “Blue Sky” laws of any state.
(f)
Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents to the contrary, Affiliated Lenders will not receive information provided solely to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent (except to the extent such information or materials have been made available to any Loan Party) or any Lender and will not be permitted to attend or participate in meetings or conference calls attended solely by the Lenders and the Administrative Agent, other than the right to receive notices of prepayments and other administrative notices in respect of its Loans or Commitments required to be delivered pursuant to
Article II
.
(g)
Notwithstanding anything in
Section 12.02
, the definition of “Majority Lenders” or the definition of “Required Lenders” to the contrary, for purposes of determining whether the Majority Lenders or Required Lenders have (i) consented (or not consented) to any amendment, modification, waiver, consent or other action with respect to any of the terms of any Loan Document or any departure by any Loan Party therefrom, or subject to
Section 12.04(h)
, any plan of reorganization pursuant to the Bankruptcy Code, (ii) otherwise acted on any matter related to any Loan Document, or (iii) directed or required the Administrative Agent or any Lender to undertake any action (or refrain from taking any action) with respect to or under any Loan Document, no Affiliated Lender shall have any right to consent (or not consent), otherwise act or direct or require the Administrative Agent or any Lender to take (or refrain from taking) any such action and all Loans held by any Affiliated Lenders shall be deemed to be not outstanding for all purposes of calculating whether the Majority Lenders, the Required Lenders or all Lenders, as the case may be, have taken any action unless the action in question effects such Affiliated Lender in a disproportionately adverse manner compared to its effect on other Lenders.
(h)
Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents to the contrary, each Affiliated Lender hereby agrees that if a proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code shall be commenced by or against the Borrower or any other Loan Party at a time when such Lender is an Affiliated Lender, such Affiliated Lender irrevocably authorizes and empowers the Administrative Agent to vote on behalf of such Affiliated Lender with respect to the Loans held by such Affiliated Lender in any manner in the Administrative Agent’s sole discretion, unless the Administrative Agent instructs such Affiliated Lender to vote, in which case such Affiliated Lender shall vote with respect to the Loans held by it as the Administrative Agent directs;
provided
that such Affiliated Lender shall be entitled to vote in accordance with its sole discretion (and not in accordance with the direction of the Administrative Agent) in connection with any plan of reorganization to the extent any such plan of reorganization proposes to treat any Secured Obligations held by such Affiliated Lender in a disproportionately adverse manner to such Affiliated Lender compared to the proposed treatment of similar Secured Obligations held by Lenders that are not Affiliated Lenders.
Section 12.05
Survival; Revival; Reinstatement
.
(a)
All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties herein and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the making of any Loans and issuance of any Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender
may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect until Payment in Full. The provisions of
Article III
,
Section 5.01
,
Section 5.02
,
Section 5.03
and
Section 12.03
and
Article XI
shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Letters of Credit and the Commitments or the termination of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any provision hereof or thereof.
(b)
To the extent that any payments on the Secured Obligations or proceeds of any collateral are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required to be repaid to a trustee, debtor in possession, receiver or other Person under any bankruptcy law, common law or equitable cause, then to such extent, the Secured Obligations shall be revived and continue as if such payment or proceeds had not been received and the Administrative Agent’s and the Lenders’ Liens, security interests, rights, powers and remedies under this Agreement and each Loan Document shall continue in full force and effect. In such event, each Loan Document shall be automatically reinstated and the Borrower shall, and shall cause each other Loan Party to, take any action requested by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to effect such reinstatement.
Section 12.06
Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness
.
(a)
This Agreement may be executed by one or more of the parties to this Agreement on any number of separate counterparts, and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Agreement by email or facsimile transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof.
(b)
This Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof.
THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT AMONG THE PARTIES HERETO AND THERETO AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES.
(c)
Except as provided in
Section 6.01
, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy, facsimile or other similar electronic means shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.
Section 12.07
Severability
. Any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof or thereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.
Section 12.08
Right of Setoff
. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and each of its Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional
or final) at any time held and other obligations (of whatsoever kind, including obligations under Swap Agreements) at any time owing by such Lender or Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower or any other Group Member against any of and all the obligations of the Borrower or any other Group Member owed to such Lender now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations may be unmatured;
provided
that to the extent prohibited by applicable law as described in the definition of “Excluded Swap Obligation,” no amounts received from, or set off with respect to, any Guarantor shall be applied to any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Guarantor. The rights of each Lender under this
Section 12.08
are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) which such Lender or its Affiliates may have;
provided
that in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff, (x) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to the Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of
Section 10.02(c)
and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, Issuing Bank(s) and the Lenders, and (y) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Secured Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff. The rights of each Lender, Issuing Bank(s) and their respective Affiliates under this
Section 12.08
are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender, Issuing Bank(s) or their respective Affiliates may have. Each Lender and Issuing Bank agrees to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application;
provided
that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.
Section 12.09
GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION; CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL
.
(a)
THIS AGREEMENT, THE NOTES AND THE LOAN DOCUMENTS SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
(b)
EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS (AND THE BORROWER SHALL CAUSE EACH GROUP MEMBER TO SUBMIT) FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS TO WHICH IT IS A PARTY, OR FOR RECOGNITION AND ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT IN RESPECT THEREOF, TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF AND AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT;
PROVIDED
, THAT NOTHING CONTAINED HEREIN OR IN ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT WILL PREVENT ANY PARTY FROM BRINGING ANY ACTION TO ENFORCE ANY AWARD OR JUDGMENT OR EXERCISE ANY RIGHT UNDER THE LOAN DOCUMENTS IN ANY OTHER FORUM IN WHICH JURISDICTION CAN BE ESTABLISHED. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION, INCLUDING ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OR BASED ON THE
GROUNDS OF FORUM
NON CONVENIENS
, WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE BRINGING OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN SUCH RESPECTIVE JURISDICTIONS.
(c)
EACH PARTY HEREBY (i) IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN; (ii) IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO CLAIM OR RECOVER IN ANY SUCH LITIGATION ANY SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, OR DAMAGES OTHER THAN, OR IN ADDITION TO, ACTUAL DAMAGES; (iii) CERTIFIES THAT NO PARTY HERETO NOR ANY REPRESENTATIVE OR AGENT OF COUNSEL FOR ANY PARTY HERETO HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, OR IMPLIED THAT SUCH PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVERS, AND (iv) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT, THE LOAN DOCUMENTS AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS CONTAINED IN THIS
SECTION 12.09
.
(D)
EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT (I) SERVICE OF PROCESS IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE EFFECTED BY MAILING A COPY THEREOF BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL (OR ANY SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR FORM OF MAIL), POSTAGE PREPAID, TO HOLDINGS OR THE BORROWER, AS THE CASE MAY BE AT ITS ADDRESS SET FORTH IN SECTION 12.01 OR AT SUCH OTHER ADDRESS OF WHICH THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT SHALL HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED PURSUANT THERETO AND (II) AGREES THAT NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT TO EFFECT SERVICE OF PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW.
Section 12.10
Headings
. Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.
Section 12.11
Confidentiality
. Each of the Administrative Agent and each Lender agrees to keep confidential all non-public information provided to it by any Loan Party, the Administrative Agent or any Lender pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement that is designated by the provider thereof as confidential;
provided
that nothing herein shall prevent the Administrative Agent or any Lender from disclosing any such information (a) to the Administrative Agent, any other Lender or any affiliate thereof, (b) subject to an agreement to comply with the provisions of this
Section 12.11
, to any actual or prospective Transferee or any direct or indirect counterparty to any Swap Agreement (or any professional advisor to such counterparty), (c) to its employees, directors, agents, attorneys, accountants and other professional advisors or those of any of its affiliates, (d) upon the request or demand of any Governmental Authority, (e) in response to any order of any court or other Governmental Authority or as may otherwise be required pursuant to any Governmental Requirement, (f) if requested or required to do so in connection with any litigation or similar proceeding, (g) that has been publicly disclosed, (h) to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or any similar organization or any nationally recognized rating agency that requires access to information about a Lender’s investment portfolio in connection with ratings issued with respect to such Lender, (i) in connection with the exercise of any remedy hereunder or under any other Loan Document, (j) to the extent such Information (i) becomes publically available other than as a result of a breach of this
Section 12.11
or (ii) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower or (k) if agreed by the Borrower in its sole discretion by any
other Person. “
Information
” means all written information received from the Borrower relating to the Borrower or its business, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender on a non-confidential basis prior to disclosure by the Borrower and other than information pertaining to this Agreement routinely provided by arrangers to data service providers, including league table providers, that serve the lending industry;
provided
that in the case of information received from the Borrower after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this
Section 12.11
shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.
Each Lender acknowledges that information furnished to it pursuant to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents may include material non-public information concerning the Borrower and its Affiliates and their related parties or their respective securities, and confirms that it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of material non-public information and that it will handle such material non-public information in accordance with those procedures and applicable law, including Federal and state securities laws.
All information, including requests for waivers and amendments, furnished by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent pursuant to, or in the course of administering, this Agreement or the other Loan Documents will be syndicate-level information, which may contain material non-public information about the Borrower and its Affiliates and their related parties or their respective securities. Accordingly, each Lender represents to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent that it has identified in its Administrative Questionnaire a credit contact who may receive information that may contain material non-public information in accordance with its compliance procedures and applicable law, including Federal and state securities laws.
Section 12.12
Interest Rate Limitation
. It is the intention of the parties hereto that each Lender shall conform strictly to usury laws applicable to it. Accordingly, if the transactions contemplated hereby would be usurious as to any Lender under laws applicable to it (including the laws of the United States of America and the State of Texas or any other jurisdiction whose laws may be mandatorily applicable to such Lender notwithstanding the other provisions of this Agreement), then, in that event, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any of the Loan Documents or any agreement entered into in connection with or as security for the Notes and other Secured Obligations arising under the Loan Documents, it is agreed as follows: (a) the aggregate of all consideration which constitutes interest under law applicable to any Lender that is contracted for, taken, reserved, charged or received by such Lender under any of the Loan Documents or agreements or otherwise in connection with the Loans or Notes shall under no circumstances exceed the maximum amount allowed by such applicable law, and any excess shall be canceled automatically and if theretofore paid shall be credited by such Lender on the principal amount of the Secured Obligations (or, to the extent that the principal amount of the Secured Obligations shall have been or would thereby be paid in full, refunded by such Lender to the Borrower); and (b) in the event that the maturity of the Loans or Notes is accelerated by reason of an election of the holder thereof resulting from any Event of Default under this Agreement or otherwise, or in the event of any required or permitted prepayment, then such consideration that constitutes interest under law applicable to any Lender may never include more than the maximum amount allowed by such applicable law, and excess interest, if any, provided for in this Agreement or otherwise shall be canceled automatically by such Lender as of the date of such acceleration or prepayment and, if theretofore paid, shall be credited by such Lender on the principal amount of the Secured Obligations (or, to the extent that the principal amount of the Secured Obligations shall have been or would thereby be paid in full, refunded by such Lender to the Borrower). All sums paid or agreed to be paid to any Lender for the use, forbearance or detention of sums due hereunder shall, to the extent permitted by law applicable to such
Lender, be amortized, prorated, allocated and spread throughout the stated term of the Loans until payment in full so that the rate or amount of interest on account of any Loans hereunder does not exceed the maximum amount allowed by such applicable law. If at any time and from time to time (i) the amount of interest payable to any Lender on any date shall be computed at the Highest Lawful Rate applicable to such Lender pursuant to this
Section 12.12
and (ii) in respect of any subsequent interest computation period the amount of interest otherwise payable to such Lender would be less than the amount of interest payable to such Lender computed at the Highest Lawful Rate applicable to such Lender, then the amount of interest payable to such Lender in respect of such subsequent interest computation period shall continue to be computed at the Highest Lawful Rate applicable to such Lender until the total amount of interest payable to such Lender shall equal the total amount of interest which would have been payable to such Lender if the total amount of interest had been computed without giving effect to this
Section 12.12
. To the extent that Chapter 303 of the Texas Finance Code is relevant for the purpose of determining the Highest Lawful Rate applicable to a Lender, such Lender elects to determine the applicable rate ceiling under such Chapter by the weekly ceiling from time to time in effect. Chapter 346 of the Texas Finance Code does not apply to the Borrower’s obligations hereunder.
Section 12.13
Collateral Matters; Swap Agreements
. The benefit of the Security Instruments and of the provisions of this Agreement relating to any collateral securing the Secured Obligations shall also extend to and be available to the Secured Swap Providers in respect of the Secured Swap Agreements as set forth herein. Except as set forth in
Section 12.02(b)(vi)
, no Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender shall have any voting rights under any Loan Document as a result of the existence of obligations owed to it under any such Swap Agreements.
Section 12.14
No Third Party Beneficiaries
. This Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and the agreement of the Lenders to make Loans and any Issuing Bank to issue, amend, renew or extend Letters of Credit hereunder are solely for the benefit of the Borrower, and no other Person (including any other Loan Party of the Borrower, any obligor, contractor, subcontractor, supplier or materialsman) shall have any rights, claims, remedies or privileges hereunder or under any other Loan Document against the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender for any reason whatsoever. There are no third party beneficiaries.
Section 12.15
EXCULPATION PROVISIONS
. Each of the parties hereto hereby acknowledges and agrees that (a) no fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship between the Loan Parties and the Credit Parties is intended to be or has been created in respect of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, irrespective of whether the Credit Parties have advised or are advising the Loan Parties on other matters, and the relationship between the Credit Parties, on the one hand, and the Loan Parties, on the other hand, in connection herewith and therewith is solely that of creditor and debtor, (b) the Credit Parties, on the one hand, and the Loan Parties, on the other hand, have an arm’s length business relationship that does not directly or indirectly give rise to, nor do the Loan Parties rely on, any fiduciary duty to the Loan Parties or their affiliates on the part of the Credit Parties, (c) the Loan Parties are capable of evaluating and understanding, and the Loan Parties understand and accept, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (d) the Loan Parties have been advised that the Credit Parties are engaged in a broad range of transactions that may involve interests that differ from the Loan Parties’ interests and that the Credit Parties have no obligation to disclose such interests and transactions to the Loan Parties, (e) the Loan Parties have consulted their own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent the Loan Parties have deemed appropriate in the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (f) each Credit Party has been, is, and will be acting solely as a principal and, except as otherwise expressly agreed in writing by it and the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary for the Loan Parties, any of their affiliates or any other Person, (g) none of the Credit Parties has any obligation
to the Loan Parties or their affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other Loan Documents except those obligations expressly set forth herein or therein or in any other express writing executed and delivered by such Credit Party and the Loan Parties or any such affiliate and (h) no joint venture is created hereby or by the other Loan Documents or otherwise exists by virtue of the transactions contemplated hereby among the Credit Parties or among the Loan Parties and the Credit Parties. EACH PARTY HERETO AGREES AND COVENANTS THAT IT WILL NOT CONTEST THE VALIDITY OR ENFORCEABILITY OF ANY EXCULPATORY PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS ON THE BASIS THAT THE PARTY HAD NO NOTICE OR KNOWLEDGE OF SUCH PROVISION OR THAT THE PROVISION IS NOT “CONSPICUOUS.”
Section 12.16
Patriot Act Notice
. Each Lender hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “
Patriot Act
”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower and other Loan Parties, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other Loan Parties and other information that will allow such Lender to identify the Borrower and other Loan Parties in accordance with the Patriot Act.
Section 12.17
Flood Insurance Provisions
. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement or any other Loan Document to the contrary, in no event is any Building (as defined in the applicable Flood Insurance Regulation) or Manufactured (Mobile) Home (as defined in the applicable Flood Insurance Regulation) included in the definition of “Mortgaged Property” and no Building or Manufactured (Mobile) Home is hereby encumbered by this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
Section 12.18
Releases
.
(a)
Release Upon Payment in Full
. Upon Payment in Full, the Administrative Agent, at the written request and expense of the Borrower, will promptly release, reassign and transfer the Collateral to the Loan Parties.
(b)
Further Assurances
. If any of the Collateral shall be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of by any Group Member in a transaction permitted by the Loan Documents and such Collateral shall no longer constitute or be required to be Collateral under the Loan Documents, then the Administrative Agent, at the request and sole expense of the Borrower and the applicable Group Member, shall promptly execute and deliver to such Group Member all releases or other documents reasonably necessary or desirable for the release of the Liens created by the applicable Security Instrument on such Collateral;
provided
that the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent, at least five (5) Business Days prior to the date of the proposed release (or such other time period as the Administrative Agent may agree), a written request for release identifying the relevant Group Member, together with a certification by the Borrower stating (x) that such transaction is in compliance with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (y) the Borrower has complied with its obligations under
Section 8.01(n)(i)
, if applicable and (z) no Collateral other than the Collateral required to be released is being released. At the request and sole expense of the Borrower, a Group Member shall be released from its obligations under the Loan Documents in the event that all the capital stock or other Equity Interests of such Group Member shall be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of in a transaction permitted by the Loan Documents and such Equity Interests shall no longer constitute or be required to be Collateral under the Loan Documents;
provided
that the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent, at least five (5) Business Days prior to the date of the proposed release (or such other time period as the Administrative Agent may agree), a written request for release identifying the relevant Group Member, together with a certification by the Borrower stating (x) that such transaction is in compliance with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the Borrower has complied with its obligations
under
Section 8.01(n)(i)
, if applicable, and (y) no Collateral other than the Collateral required to be released is being released.
Section 12.19
Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions
. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any EEA Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document may be subject to the write-down and conversion powers of an EEA Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:
(a)
the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by an EEA Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an EEA Financial Institution; and
(b)
the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:
(i)
a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;
(ii)
conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEA Financial Institution, its parent entity, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or
(iii)
the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the write-down and conversion powers of any EEA Resolution Authority.
Section 12.20
Effect and Mechanics of Agreement
. Concurrently with the occurrence of the Closing Date, using the applicable portion of the proceeds of its initial borrowing request hereunder (together with any other applicable proceeds), the Borrower shall be deemed to have repaid all the amounts that are outstanding under the Pre-Petition RBL and the Pre-Petition RBL shall no longer be in force and effect;
provided
that (a) the parties hereto acknowledge and agree that the Liens created by the mortgages and deeds of trust securing the Pre-Petition RBL and the Security Instruments (as defined in the Pre-Petition RBL) shall be carried forward to secure the Secured Obligations and evidenced by the Security Instruments and have not been released or impaired in any way, (b) the Administrative Agent, in its capacity as administrative agent under the Pre-Petition RBL and as holder, mortgagee or beneficiary of the collateral under or pursuant to the Loan Documents (as defined in the Pre-Petition RBL) hereby assigns, transfers and conveys to the Administrative Agent, without recourse or warranty, all Liens granted to it in connection with the Pre-Petition RBL, (c) the Security Instruments and all other ancillary documents executed in connection with such Security Instruments shall supersede and replace in their entirety each Security Instrument (as defined in the Pre-Petition RBL) and all ancillary documents executed in connection therewith and all such superseded agreements and ancillary documents shall be of no further force and effect and (d) the Existing Letters of Credit shall be deemed issued under this Agreement.
[SIGNATURES BEGIN NEXT PAGE]
The parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
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BORROWER:
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SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY,
a Delaware Corporation
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By:
/s/ Alton D. Heckaman, Jr.
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Name: Alton D. Heckaman, Jr.
|
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Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
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ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND LENDER:
|
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
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By:
Jo Linda Papadakis
|
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Name: Jo Linda Papadakis
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Title: Authorized Officer
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LENDER:
|
BRANCH BANKING AND TRUST COMPANY
|
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By:
/s/ David A. White
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Name: David A. White
|
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Title: Senior Vice President
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LENDER:
|
COMPASS BANK
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By:
/s/ Rachel Festervand
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Name: Rachel Festervand
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Title: SVP
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LENDER:
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ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
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By:
/s/ Leslie P. Vowell
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Name: Leslie P. Vowell
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Title: Attorney-in-Fact
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LENDER:
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WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
|
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By:
/s/ Stephanie Harrell
|
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Name: Stephanie Harrell
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Title: Vice President
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LENDER:
|
CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE, NEW YORK BRANCH
|
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By:
/s/ E. Lindsay Gordon
|
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Name: E. Lindsay Gordon
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Title: Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
Executive Director
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LENDER:
|
COMERICA BANK
|
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By:
/s/ Brandon M. White
|
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Name: Brandon M. White
|
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Title: Vice President
|
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LENDERS:
|
DW CATALYST MASTER FUND, LTD.
By: DW Partners, LP, its investment manager
|
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By: DW Investment Partners, LLC, its general
partner
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By:
/s/ Shawn R. Singh
|
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Name: Shawn R. Singh
|
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Title: Authorized Signatory
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LENDERS:
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MUFG UNION BANK, N.A.
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By:
/s/ Malcolm D. McDuffie
|
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Name: Malcolm D. McDuffie
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Title: Director
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LENDERS:
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WHITNEY BANK
|
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By:
/s/ Liana Tchernysheva
|
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Name: Liana Tchernysheva
|
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Title: Senior Vice President
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LENDERS:
|
ZB, N.A. DBA AMEGY BANK
|
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By:
/s/ G. Scott Collins
|
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Name: G. Scott Collins
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Title: Senior Vice President
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ANNEX I
LIST OF MAXIMUM CREDIT AMOUNTS
Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts
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Name of Lender
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Applicable Percentage
|
Maximum Credit Amount
|
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
|
12.222222220000%
|
$61,111,111.11
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COMPASS BANK
|
11.111111110000%
|
$55,555,556.00
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ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
|
11.111111110000%
|
$55,555,556.00
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WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
|
11.111111110000%
|
$55,555,556.00
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BRANCH BANKING AND TRUST COMPANY
|
7.777777778000%
|
$38,888,889.00
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CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE, NEW YORK BRANCH
|
7.777777778000%
|
$38,888,889.00
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COMERICA BANK
|
7.777777778000%
|
$38,888,889.00
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DW CATALYST MASTER FUND, LTD.
|
7.777777778000%
|
$38,888,889.00
|
MUFG UNION BANK, N.A.
|
7.777777778000%
|
$38,888,889.00
|
WHITNEY BANK
|
7.777777778000%
|
$38,888,889.00
|
ZB, N.A. DBA AMEGY BANK
|
7.777777778000%
|
$38,888,889.00
|
TOTAL
|
100.00%
|
$500,000,000.00
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WARRANT AGREEMENT
dated as of April 22, 2016 between
SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY
(as Reorganized) and
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC,
as Warrant Agent
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
|
|
Section 1.01
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Certain Definitions 1
|
|
|
Article 2
|
Issuance, Execution and Transfer of Warrants 6
|
|
|
Section 2.01
|
Issuance and Delivery of Warrants 6
|
|
|
Section 2.02
|
Execution and Authentication of Warrants 7
|
|
|
Section 2.03
|
Registration, Transfer, Exchange and Substitution 7
|
|
|
Section 2.04
|
Form of Global Warrant Certificates 8
|
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|
Section 2.05
|
Cancellation of the 2019 Global Warrant Certificates 8
|
|
|
Section 2.06
|
Cancellation of the 2020 Global Warrant Certificates 8
|
|
|
Section 2.07
|
Limitations on Transfer 8
|
|
|
Article 3
|
Exercise and Settlement of Warrants 9
|
|
|
Section 3.01
|
Exercise of Warrants 9
|
|
|
Section 3.02
|
Procedure for Exercise 9
|
|
|
Section 3.03
|
Settlement of Warrants 10
|
|
|
Section 3.04
|
Delivery of Common Shares 10
|
|
|
Section 3.05
|
No Fractional Common Shares to Be Issued 11
|
|
|
Section 3.06
|
Acquisition of Warrants by Company 11
|
|
|
Section 3.07
|
Validity of Exercise 12
|
|
|
Section 3.08
|
Certain Calculations 12
|
|
|
Section 4.01
|
Adjustments to Exercise Price 12
|
|
|
Section 4.02
|
Adjustments to Number of Warrants 14
|
|
|
Section 4.03
|
Certain Distributions of Rights and Warrants 14
|
|
|
Section 4.04
|
Stockholder Rights Plans 15
|
|
|
Section 4.05
|
Restrictions on Adjustments 15
|
|
|
Section 4.06
|
Successor upon Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets 16
|
|
|
Section 4.07
|
Adjustment upon Reorganization Event 17
|
|
|
Section 4.09
|
Common Shares Outstanding; Common Shares Reserved for Issuance
|
on Exercise 18
|
|
Section 4.10
|
Calculations; Instructions to Warrant Agent 18
|
|
|
Section 4.11
|
Notice of Adjustments 18
|
|
|
Section 4.12
|
Warrant Agent Not Responsible for Adjustments or Validity 19
|
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|
Section 4.13
|
Statements on Warrants 19
|
|
|
Section 4.14
|
Effect of Adjustment 19
|
|
|
Article 5
|
Other Provisions Relating to Rights of Global Warrant Holder 19
|
|
|
Section 5.01
|
No Rights as Stockholders 19
|
|
|
Section 5.02
|
Mutilated or Missing Global Warrant Certificates 19
|
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page
|
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Section 5.03
|
Modification, Waiver and Meetings 19
|
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|
Section 5.04
|
Notices of Date, etc 20
|
|
|
Article 6
|
Concerning the Warrant Agent and Other Matters 21
|
|
|
Section 6.01
|
Payment of Certain Taxes 21
|
|
|
Section 6.03
|
Change of Warrant Agent 21
|
|
|
Section 6.04
|
Compensation; Further Assurances 22
|
|
|
Section 6.05
|
Reliance on Counsel 22
|
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|
Section 6.06
|
Proof of Actions Taken 22
|
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|
Section 6.07
|
Correctness of Statements 22
|
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|
Section 6.08
|
Validity of Agreement 23
|
|
|
Section 6.09
|
Use of Agents 23
|
|
|
Section 6.10
|
Liability of Warrant Agent 23
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Section 6.11
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Legal Proceedings 23
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Section 6.12
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Actions as Agent 24
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Section 6.13
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Appointment and Acceptance of Agency 24
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Section 6.14
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Successors and Assigns 24
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Section 6.16
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Applicable Law; Jurisdiction 24
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Section 6.17
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Waiver of Jury Trial 25
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Section 6.18
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Benefit of this Warrant Agreement 25
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Section 6.19
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Registered Global Warrant Holder 25
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Section 6.21
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Counterparts 25
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Section 6.22
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Entire Agreement 25
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Section 6.23
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Severability 25
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Section 6.24
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Termination 25
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Section 6.25
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Confidentiality 26
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Section 6.26
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Force Majeure 26
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SCHEDULE A SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN WARRANTS
EXHIBIT A FORM OF GLOBAL WARRANT CERTIFICATE
EXHIBIT B FORM OF EXERCISE NOTICE
EXHIBIT C WARRANT AGENT FEE SCHEDULE
WARRANT AGREEMENT
Warrant Agreement (as it may be amended from time to time, this “
Warrant Agreement
”), dated as of April 22, 2016, between Swift Energy Company, a Delaware corporation (the “
Company
”), and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, a New York State chartered limited purpose trust company (the “
Warrant Agent
”).
WITNESSETH THAT:
WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Plan of Reorganization, dated February 5, 2016 (the “
Plan
”) relating to the reorganization under Chapter 11 of title 11 of the United States Code (the “
Bankruptcy Code
”) of the Company and certain of its direct and indirect Subsidiaries, the holders of the Company’s common stock to be cancelled on the date the Plan becomes effective (the “
Initial Beneficial Holders
”) are to be issued the 2019 Warrants and the 2020 Warrants, exercisable until the 2019 Expiration Date and the 2020 Expiration Date, respectively, to purchase up to an aggregate of 4,285,714 Common Shares at an exercise price of $80.00 per share for the 2019 Warrants and at an exercise price of $86.18 per share for the 2020 Warrants, as the same may be adjusted pursuant to
Article 4
hereof;
WHEREAS, the Warrants have the terms and conditions set forth in this Warrant Agreement (including the Exhibits hereto);
WHEREAS, the Company desires that the Warrant Agent act on behalf of the Company, and the Warrant Agent is willing to so act, in connection with the issuance, exchange, Transfer, substitution and exercise of Warrants; and
WHEREAS, the Warrants and the underlying Common Shares are being offered and sold in reliance on the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and any applicable state securities or “blue sky” laws afforded by Section 1145(a)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code.
NOW THEREFORE in consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained, the Company and the Warrant Agent agree as follows:
Article 1
Definitions
Section 1.01
Certain Definitions
. As used in this Warrant Agreement, the following terms shall have their respective meanings set forth below:
“
2019 Global Warrant
” means a 2019 Warrant in the form of a Global Warrant Certificate.
“
2020 Global Warrant
” means a 2020 Warrant in the form of a Global Warrant Certificate.
“
2019 Global Warrant Certificate
” means any certificate representing the 2019 Warrants satisfying the requirements set forth in
Section 2.04
.
“
2020 Global Warrant Certificate
” means any certificate representing the 2020 Warrants satisfying the requirements set forth in
Section 2.04
.
“
2019 Exercise Price
” means $80.00 per share.
“
2020 Exercise Price
” means $86.18 per share, determined assuming the full exercise of the 2019 Warrants.
“
2019 Expiration Date
” means the Close of Business on April 22, 2019.
“
2020 Expiration Date
” means the Close of Business on April 22, 2020.
“
2019 Warrants
” means the warrants of the Company which expire on the 2019 Expiration Date, are exercisable for a single Common Share as provided herein and are issued pursuant to this Warrant Agreement with the terms, conditions and rights set forth herein.
“
2020 Warrants
” means the warrants of the Company which expire on the 2020 Expiration Date, are exercisable for a single Common Share as provided herein and are issued pursuant to this Warrant Agreement with the terms, conditions and rights set forth herein.
“
Affiliate
” shall mean, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such first specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
“
Affiliated Buyer
” means, with respect to an Asset Sale or tender offer, any Person (i) who is an Affiliate of the Company, (ii) who is an officer, director, employee or member of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, or (iii) a majority of which Person’s total outstanding equity, upon consummation of such transaction, is held by Persons who are equity holders in the Company immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction.
“
Appropriate Officer
” has the meaning set forth in
Section 2.02(a)
.
“
Asset Sale
” has the meaning set forth in
Section 4.06(c)
.
“
Authentication Order
” means a Company Order for authentication and delivery of the Warrants.
“
Bankruptcy Code
” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“
Beneficial Owner
” means any Person beneficially owning an interest in a Global Warrant, which interest is credited to the account of a direct participant in the Depository for the benefit of such Person through the book-entry system maintained by the Depositary (or its agent)). For the avoidance of doubt, a Participant may also be a Beneficial Owner.
“
Board
” means the board of directors of the Company or any committee of such board duly authorized to exercise the power of the board of directors with respect to the matters provided for in this Warrant Agreement as to which the board of directors is authorized or required to act.
“
Business Day
” means any day other than (x) a Saturday or Sunday or (y) any day which is a legal holiday in the State of New York or a day on which banking institutions and trust companies in the state in which the Warrant Agent is located are authorized or obligated by Law, regulation or executive order to close.
“
Cash
” means such coin or currency of the United States as at any time of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.
“
Change of Control
” means (i) any person or group (within the meaning of Sections 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) (other than an Excluded Person, the Company, any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under any employee benefit plan of the Company, or any company owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of Common Shares of the Company or pursuant to an Exempt Transaction), becomes the beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding Voting Securities; (ii) the consummation of a merger, reorganization or consolidation of the Company or a direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company with, another Person (other than an Exempt Transaction); (iii) the consummation of a sale, disposition or other change in ownership of assets of the Company and/or any of its direct and indirect subsidiaries having a value constituting at least 50% of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company and its direct and indirect subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) immediately prior to such transaction to a Person other than an Excluded Person; or (iv) the consummation of a transaction that implements in whole or in part a resolution of the stockholders of the Company authorizing a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company. For the avoidance of doubt, a Change of Control will not be deemed to have occurred if an Excluded Person has the ability to appoint a majority of the Board of the Company or any parent entity, and none of the transactions contemplated by the Plan shall be deemed a Change of Control.
“
Charter
” means the certificate of incorporation of the Company, as amended or restated.
“
Close of Business
” means 5:00 p.m., New York City time.
“
Closing Date
” means the effective date of the Plan.
“
Common Shares
” means shares of the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company.
“
Common Shares Deemed Outstanding
” means, at any given time, the sum of (a) the number of Common Shares actually outstanding at such time, plus (b) the number of Common Shares issuable upon conversion or exchange of Convertible Securities actually outstanding at such time, regardless of whether the Convertible Securities are actually exercisable at such time, plus (c) the number of Common Shares reserved for issuance at such time under the Company's Management Plan or any other equity incentive plan of the Company, regardless of whether the Common Shares are actually subject to outstanding options at such time or whether any outstanding options are actually exercisable at such time; provided, that Common Shares Deemed Outstanding at any given time shall not include shares owned or held by or for the account of the Company or any of its wholly-owned subsidiaries.
“
Company
” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“
Company Order
” means a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by any Appropriate Officer or other duly authorized officer of the Company and delivered to the Warrant Agent.
“
Convertible Securities
” means options, rights, warrants or other securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Common Shares (including the Warrants).
“
Depository
” means The Depository Trust Company, its nominees, and their respective successors.
“
Exchange Act
” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, and the related rules and regulations promulgated there under.
“
Excluded Person
” shall mean (i) a Person who owns 5% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding Voting Securities (a “
5% Holder
”) or (ii) a group of Persons that includes a 5% Holder. For purposes of defining a 5% Holder, all holdings of affiliated Persons (including all entities that are under common control whether by direct or indirect ownership, by contract or otherwise) will be treated as being owned by the same Person.
“
Exempt Transaction
” shall mean a merger, reorganization or consolidation that results in the Voting Securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent immediately following such merger, reorganization or consolidation (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into Voting Securities of the surviving entity) more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Voting Securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation (or the ultimate parent company of the Company or such surviving entity).
“
Exercise Date
” has the meaning set forth in
Section 3.02(b)
.
“
Ex-Date
” means with respect to a dividend or distribution to holders of the Common Shares, the first date on which the Common Shares can be traded without the right to receive such dividend or distribution.
“
Exercise Notice
” means, for any Warrant, an exercise notice substantially in the form set forth in
Exhibit B
hereto.
“
Exercise Prices
” means the 2019 Exercise Price and the 2020 Exercise Price.
“
Expiration Dates
” means the 2019 Expiration Date and the 2020 Expiration Date.
“
Fair Value,
” as of a specified date, means the price per Common Share, other Securities or other distributed property determined as follows:
(i) in the case of Common Shares or other Securities listed on the New York Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ Stock Market, the VWAP of a Common Share or a single unit of such other Security for the 20 Trading Days ending on, but excluding, the specified date (or if the Common Shares or other Security has been listed for less than 20 Trading Days, the VWAP for such lesser period of time);
(ii) in the case of Common Shares or other Securities not listed on the New York Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ Stock Market, the VWAP of a Common Share or a single unit of such other Security in composite trading for the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which such securities are then listed for the 20 Trading Days ending on, but excluding, the specified date (or if the Common Shares or other Security has been listed for less than 20 Trading Days, the VWAP for such lesser period of time); or
(iii) in all other cases, the fair value per Common Share, other Securities or other distributed property as of a date not earlier than 10 Business Days preceding the specified date as determined in good faith by the Board and, if the Board elects to engage the same, upon the advice of an independent investment banking, financial advisory or valuation firm or appraiser selected by the Board (a “
Representative
”); provided, however, that
(iv) notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Board determines in good faith that the application of clauses (i) or (ii) of this definition would result in a VWAP based on the trading prices of a thinly-traded Security such that the price resulting therefrom may not represent an accurate measurement of the fair value of such Security, the Board at its election may apply the provisions of clause (iii) of this definition in lieu of the applicable clause (i) or (ii) with respect to the determination of the fair value of such Security.
“
Full Physical Settlement
” means the settlement method pursuant to which an exercising Beneficial Owner shall be entitled to receive from the Company, for each Warrant exercised, a number of Common Shares equal to the Full Physical Share Amount in exchange for payment by the Beneficial Owner of the applicable Exercise Price.
“
Full Physical Share Amount
” means, for each Warrant exercised as to which Full Physical Settlement is applicable, one Common Share.
“
Fundamental Equity Change
” has the meaning set forth in
Section 4.06(a)
.
“
Global Warrants
” means the 2019 Global Warrants and the 2020 Global Warrants.
“
Global Warrant Certificates
” means the 2019 Global Warrant Certificates and the 2020 Global Warrant Certificates.
“
Global Warrant Holder
” means the Person acting as the Depository or nominee of the Depository in whose name the applicable Warrants are registered in the Warrant Register. The initial Global Warrant Holder shall be Cede & Co., as the Depository’s nominee.
“
Independent Appraiser
” shall mean a United States investment banking firm of national or regional standing in the United States (i) which banking firm does not, and whose directors, officers and employees or Affiliates do not have a direct or indirect financial interest in the Company or any of its Affiliates and (ii) which, in the judgment of the Board, is otherwise independent with respect to the Company and its Affiliates and qualified to perform the task for which it is to be engaged.
“
Initial Beneficial Owners
” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“
Law
” means any federal, state, local, foreign or provincial law, statute, ordinance, rule, regulation, judgment, order, injunction, decree or agency requirement having the force of law or any undertaking to or agreement with any governmental authority, including common law.
“
Management Plan
” has the meaning set forth in the Plan.
“
Merger/Sale Election
” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.06(d).
“
Net Share Amount
” means for each 2019 Warrant and 2020 Warrant exercised as to which Net Share Settlement is applicable, a fraction of a Common Share equal to (i) the Fair Value (as of the Exercise Date for such Warrant) of one Common Share minus the 2019 Exercise Price or the 2020 Exercise Price, as applicable therefor
divided
by (ii) such Fair Value. The number of Common Shares issuable upon exercise, on the same Exercise Date, of Warrants as to which Net Share Settlement is applicable shall be aggregated, with any fractional Common Share rounded down to the nearest whole share as provided in
Section 3.05
. In no event shall the Company deliver a fractional Common Share in connection with an exercise of Warrants as to which Net Share Settlement is applicable.
“
Net Share Settlement
” means the settlement method pursuant to which an exercising Beneficial Owner shall be entitled to receive from the Company, for each Warrant exercised, a number of Common Shares equal to the Net Share Amount without any payment of Cash therefor.
“
Non-Affiliate Combination
” means a Fundamental Equity Change where (i) the acquirer is a true third party and not an Affiliate of the Company or any of its or its Affiliates’ officers, directors, employees or members and (ii) all of the equity held by equity holders of the Company (other than management) is extinguished or replaced by equity in a different Person (other than a Fundamental Equity Change in which the equity interests in the Company are replaced in a merger or other corporate combination with equity in the surviving Person that represents more than 50% of the total equity in the surviving Person).
“
Number of Warrants
” means the “Number of Warrants” specified on the face of the 2019 Global Warrant Certificates and the 2020 Global Warrant Certificates, subject to adjustment pursuant to
Article 4
.
“
Officer’s Certificate
” means a certificate signed by any Appropriate Officer or other duly authorized officer of the Company.
“
Open of Business
” means 9:00 a.m., New York City time.
“
Participant
” means any direct participant of the Depository, the account of which is credited with a beneficial interest in the Global Warrant for the benefit of a Beneficial Owner through the book-entry system maintained by the Depositary (or its agent).
“
Person
” means an individual, partnership, firm, corporation, limited liability company, business trust, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, governmental authority or other entity of whatever nature.
“
Plan
” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“
Record Date
” means, with respect to any dividend, distribution or other transaction or event in which the holders of Common Shares have the right to receive any Cash, Securities or other property or in which Common Shares (or another applicable Security) are exchanged for or converted into, or any combination of, Cash, Securities or other property, the date fixed for determination of holders of Common Shares entitled to receive such Cash, Securities or other property or participate in such exchange or conversion (whether such date is fixed by the Board or by statute, contract or otherwise).
“
Reference Property
” has the meaning set forth in
Section 4.07(a)
.
“
Reorganization Event
” has the meaning set forth in
Section 4.07(a)
.
“
Representative
” has the meaning set forth in clause (iii) of the definition of Fair Value.
“
SEC
” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or any other federal agency at the time administering the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, whichever is the relevant statute for the particular purpose.
“
Securities
” means (i) any capital stock (whether Common Shares or preferred stock, voting or non-voting), partnership, membership or limited liability company interest or other
equity or voting interest, (ii) any right, option, warrant or other security or evidence of indebtedness convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, directly or indirectly, any interest described in clause (i), (iii) any notes, bonds, debentures, trust receipts and other obligations, instruments or evidences of indebtedness, and (iv) any other “securities,” as such term is defined or determined under the Securities Act.
“
Securities Act
” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, and the related rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“
Settlement Date
” means, in respect of a Warrant that is exercised hereunder, the third Business Day immediately following the Exercise Date for such Warrant.
“
Subsidiary
” means, as to any Person, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other organization, whether incorporated or unincorporated, of which at least a majority of the securities or other interests having by their terms voting power to elect a majority of the Board or others performing similar functions with respect to such corporation or other organization is directly or indirectly beneficially owned or controlled by such party or by any one or more of its subsidiaries, or by such party and one or more of its subsidiaries.
“
Third Party Tender Offer
” means the acquisition by a Person (other than (i) the Company or a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company or (ii) a Person or Persons who are not Affiliated Buyers) in a tender offer or exchange offer of 50% or more of the outstanding Common Shares (determined on a fully-diluted basis).
“
Trading Day
” means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, other than any day on which Securities are not traded on the applicable securities exchange.
“
Transfer
” means, with respect to any Warrant, to directly or indirectly (whether by act, omission or operation of law), sell, exchange, transfer, hypothecate, negotiate, gift, convey in trust, pledge, assign, encumber, or otherwise dispose of, or by adjudication of a Person as bankrupt, by assignment for the benefit of creditors, by attachment, levy or other seizure by any creditor (whether or not pursuant to judicial process), or by passage or distribution of Warrants under judicial order or legal process, carry out or permit the transfer or other disposition of, all or any portion of such Warrant.
“
Transferee
” means a Person to whom any Warrant (or interest in the Global Warrant) is Transferred.
“
Unit of Reference Property
” has the meaning set forth in
Section 4.07(a)
.
“
VWAP
” means, for any Trading Day, the price for Securities (including Common Shares) determined by the daily volume weighted average price per unit of such Securities for such Trading Day on the trading market on which such Securities are then listed or quoted, in each case, for the regular trading session (including any extensions thereof, without regard to pre-open or after hours trading outside of such regular trading session) as reported on the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ Stock Market, or if such Securities are not listed or quoted
on the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ Stock Market, as reported by the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which such Securities are then listed or quoted, whichever is applicable, as published by Bloomberg at 4:15 P.M., New York City time (or 15 minutes following the end of any extension of the regular trading session), on such Trading Day, or if such volume weighted average price is unavailable or in manifest error, the price per unit of such Securities using a volume weighted average price method selected by an independent nationally recognized investment bank or other qualified financial institution selected by the Board.
“
Warrant
” or “
Warrants
” means the 2019 Warrants and the 2020 Warrants.
“
Warrant Agent
” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“
Warrant Agreement
” has the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“
Warrant Register
” has the meaning set forth in
Section 2.03(a)
.
Article 2
Issuance, Execution and Transfer of Warrants
Section 2.01
Issuance and Delivery of Warrants
.
(a) On the Closing Date, the Company shall initially issue and execute the Global Warrants (in accordance with
Section 2.02
) evidencing an initial aggregate Number of Warrants equal to 2,142,857 in the case of the 2019 Warrants and 2,142,857 in the case of the 2020 Warrants (such Number of Warrants to be subject to adjustment from time to time as described herein) in accordance with the terms of this Warrant Agreement and the Plan and deliver such Global Warrants to the Warrant Agent, for authentication, along with duly executed Authentication Orders. The Warrant Agent shall then Transfer such Global Warrants to the Global Warrant Holder for crediting to the accounts of the applicable Participants for the benefit of the applicable Initial Beneficial Owners pursuant to the procedures of the Depository and in accordance with the Plan on or after the Closing Date. The 2019 Global Warrants and the 2020 Global Warrants shall each evidence one or more Warrants. Each Warrant evidenced thereby shall be exercisable (upon payment of their respective Exercise Prices and compliance with the procedures set forth in this Warrant Agreement) for one Common Share. On the Closing Date, the Warrant Agent shall, upon receipt of such Global Warrants and Authentication Orders, authenticate such Global Warrants in accordance with
Section 2.02
and register such Global Warrants in the Warrant Register. The Global Warrants shall be dated as of the Closing Date and, subject to the terms hereof, shall evidence the only Warrants issued or outstanding under this Warrant Agreement. The Global Warrant Certificates shall be deposited on or after the date hereof with the Warrant Agent.
(b) All Warrants issued under this Warrant Agreement shall in all respects be equally and ratably entitled to the benefits hereof, without preference, priority, or distinction on account of the actual time of the issuance and authentication or any other terms thereof. Each Warrant shall be, and shall remain, subject to the provisions of this Warrant Agreement until such
time as all of the Warrants evidenced thereby shall have been duly exercised or shall have expired or been canceled in accordance with the terms hereof. The Global Warrant Holder shall be bound by all of the terms and provisions of this Warrant Agreement as fully and effectively as if the Global Warrant Holder had signed the same.
(c) Any Warrant that is forfeited by a Beneficial Owner, cancelled as a result of being unclaimed in accordance with Section D of Article VI of the Plan, or repurchased by the Company shall be deemed to be no longer outstanding for all purposes of this Warrant Agreement.
Section 2.02
Execution and Authentication of Warrants
.
(a) Each of the Global Warrant Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Company by the Chief Executive Officer, President, the Chief Financial Officer, any Executive Vice President, any Senior Vice President or any Vice President, any Treasurer or Secretary (each, an “
Appropriate Officer
”) of the Company. The signature of any of the Appropriate Officers on the Global Warrant Certificates may be in the form of a facsimile or other electronically transmitted signature (including, without limitation, electronic transmission in portable document format (.pdf)).
(b) Any of the Global Warrant Certificates bearing the signatures of individuals, each of whom was, at the time he or she signed any of the Global Warrant Certificates or his or her facsimile signature was affixed to such Global Warrant Certificates, as the case may be, an Appropriate Officer, shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased be such an Appropriate Officer prior to the authentication of such Global Warrant by the Warrant Agent or was not such an Appropriate Officer at the date of such Global Warrant.
(c) No Global Warrant shall be entitled to any benefit under this Warrant Agreement or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on the applicable Global Warrant Certificate a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein executed by the Warrant Agent, and such signature upon any of the Global Warrant Certificates shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Global Warrant has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. The signature of the Warrant Agent on any of the Global Warrant Certificates may be in the form of a facsimile or other electronically transmitted signature (including, without limitation, electronic transmission in portable document format (.pdf)).
Section 2.03
Registration, Transfer, Exchange and Substitution
.
(a) The Company shall cause to be kept at the office of the Warrant Agent, and the Warrant Agent shall maintain, a register (the “
Warrant Register
”) in which the Company shall provide for the registration of any Global Warrant and Transfers, exchanges or substitutions of any Global Warrant as provided herein. Any Global Warrant issued upon any registration of Transfer or exchange of or substitution for any Global Warrant shall be a valid obligation of the Company, evidencing the same obligations, and entitled to the same benefits
under this Warrant Agreement, as any Global Warrant surrendered for such registration of Transfer, exchange or substitution.
(b) Transfers of a Global Warrant shall be limited to Transfers in whole, and not in part, to the Company, the Depository, their successors, and their respective nominees. A Global Warrant may be Transferred to such parties upon the delivery of a written instruction of Transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Warrant Agent and the Company, duly executed by the Global Warrant Holder or by such Global Warrant Holder’s attorney, duly authorized in writing. No such Transfer shall be effected until, and the Transferee shall succeed to the rights of the Global Warrant Holder only upon, final acceptance and registration of the Transfer in the Warrant Register by the Warrant Agent. Prior to the registration of any Transfer of a Global Warrant by the Global Warrant Holder as provided herein, the Company, the Warrant Agent, and any agent of the Company or the Warrant Agent may treat the Person in whose name such Global Warrant is registered as the owner thereof for all purposes, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. To permit a registration of a Transfer of a Global Warrant, the Company shall execute the Global Warrant Certificates at the Warrant Agent’s request and the Warrant Agent shall authenticate such Global Warrant Certificates. Any of such Global Warrant Certificates shall be deposited on or after the date hereof with the Warrant Agent. No service charge shall be made for any such registration of Transfer. A party requesting transfer of a Global Warrant must provide any evidence of authority that may be required by the Warrant Agent, including but not limited to, a signature guarantee from an eligible guarantor institution participating in a signature guarantee program approved by the Securities Transfer Association, Inc.
(c) Interests of Beneficial Owners in a Global Warrant registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee shall only be Transferred in accordance with the procedures of the Depository, the applicable Participant and applicable Law.
(d) So long as any Global Warrant is registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee, the Beneficial Owners shall have no rights under this Warrant Agreement with respect to such Global Warrant held on their behalf by the Depository, and the Depository may be treated by the Company, the Warrant Agent and any agent of the Company or the Warrant Agent as the absolute owner of such Global Warrant for all purposes. Accordingly, any such Beneficial Owner’s interest in such Global Warrant will be shown only on, and the Transfer of such interest shall be effected only through, records maintained by the Depository or its nominee or the applicable Participant, and neither the Company nor the Warrant Agent shall have any responsibility or liability with respect to such records maintained by the Depository or its nominee or the applicable Participant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Warrant Agent or any agent of the Company or the Warrant Agent from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depository or impair the operation of customary practices of the Depository or Participants governing the exercise of the rights of a Beneficial Owner.
Section 2.04
Form of Global Warrant Certificates
. Each of the Global Warrant Certificates shall be in substantially the form set forth in
Exhibit A
hereto and shall have such insertions as are appropriate or required by this Warrant Agreement and may have such letters,
numbers or other marks of identification and such legends and endorsements, stamped, printed, lithographed or engraved thereon, as the Company may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Warrant Agreement, such as may be required to comply with this Warrant Agreement, any Law or any rule of any securities exchange on which Warrants may be listed, and such as may be necessary to conform to customary usage.
Section 2.05
Cancellation of the 2019 Global Warrant Certificates
. Any 2019 Global Warrant Certificate shall be promptly cancelled by the Warrant Agent upon the earlier of (i) the 2019 Expiration Date, (ii) the mutilation of the 2019 Global Warrant Certificate as described in
Section 5.02
, or (iii) registration of Transfer or exercise of all 2019 Warrants represented thereby and, except as provided in this
Article 2
in case of a Transfer or
Section 5.02
in case of mutilation, no 2019 Global Warrant Certificate shall be issued hereunder in lieu thereof.
Section 2.06
Cancellation of the 2020 Global Warrant Certificates
. Any 2020 Global Warrant Certificate shall be promptly cancelled by the Warrant Agent upon the earlier of (i) the 2020 Expiration Date, (ii) the mutilation of the 2020 Global Warrant Certificate as described in
Section 5.02
, or (iii) registration of Transfer or exercise of all 2020 Warrants represented thereby and, except as provided in this
Article 2
in case of a Transfer or
Section 5.02
in case of mutilation, no 2020 Global Warrant Certificate shall be issued hereunder in lieu thereof.
Section 2.07
Limitations on Transfer
. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Warrant Agreement, the Warrants are being offered and sold, and the Common Shares issuable upon exercise thereof are being offered and sold, pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirement of Section 5 of the Securities Act provided by Section 1145 of the Bankruptcy Code, and to the extent that any Beneficial Owner is an “underwriter” as defined in Section 1145(b)(1) of the Bankruptcy Code, such Beneficial Owner may not be able to sell or transfer any Warrants in the absence of an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or an exemption from registration thereunder. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Warrant Agreement (but without limiting or modifying any express obligation of the Warrant Agent hereunder), the Warrant Agent shall not be under any duty or responsibility to ensure compliance by the Company, the Global Warrant Holder, any Beneficial Owner or any other Person with any applicable federal or state securities or bankruptcy Laws. By accepting a Transfer of a Warrant, (x) the applicable Participant agrees to inform the Beneficial Owner of the limitations on Transfer set forth in this
Section 2.07
, and shall instruct and direct such Beneficial Owner to conform to the restrictions set forth herein and shall maintain any applicable legends in its books and records and (y) the Beneficial Owner acknowledges the foregoing.
Article 3
Exercise and Settlement of Warrants
Section 3.01
Exercise of Warrants
. At any time prior to Close of Business on their applicable Expiration Date, each Warrant may be exercised, in accordance with this
Article 3
. Any Warrants not exercised prior to their applicable Expiration Date shall expire unexercised and all rights thereunder and all rights in respect thereof under this Warrant Agreement shall cease as of the Close of Business on their applicable Expiration Date. Only whole Warrants may be exercised.
Section 3.02
Procedure for Exercise
.
(a) To exercise each Warrant, a Beneficial Owner must arrange for (i) the delivery of the Exercise Notice duly completed and executed by its applicable Participant to the principal office of the Warrant Agent and the Company, (ii) if Full Physical Settlement is elected, payment to the Warrant Agent in an amount equal to the respective Exercise Price for each Warrant to be exercised together with all applicable taxes and charges thereto, (iii) delivery of each Warrant to be exercised through the facilities of the Depository and (iv) compliance with all other procedures established by the Depository, the applicable Participant and the Warrant Agent for the exercise of Warrants.
(b) The date on which all the requirements for exercise set forth in this
Section 3.02
in respect of a Warrant are satisfied is the “
Exercise Date
” for such Warrant.
(c) Subject to
Section 3.02(e)
and
Section 3.02(f)
, any exercise of a Warrant pursuant to the terms of this Warrant Agreement shall be irrevocable and enforceable in accordance with its terms.
(d) All funds received by the Warrant Agent under this Agreement that are to be distributed or applied by the Warrant Agent in the performance of services in accordance with this Agreement (the “
Funds
”) shall be held by the Warrant Agent as agent for the Company and deposited in one or more bank accounts to be maintained by the Warrant Agent in its name as agent for the Company (the “
Funds Account
”). Until paid pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, the Warrant Agent will hold the Funds through the Funds Account in: deposit accounts of commercial banks with Tier 1 capital exceeding $1 billion or with an average rating above investment grade by S&P (LT Local Issuer Credit Rating), Moody’s (Long Term Rating) and Fitch Ratings, Inc. (LT Issuer Default Rating), each as reported by Bloomberg Finance L.P. The Warrant Agent shall have no responsibility or liability for any diminution of the Funds that may result from any deposit made by the Warrant Agent in accordance with this paragraph, including any losses resulting from a default by any bank, financial institution or other third party. The Warrant Agent may from time to time receive interest, dividends or other earnings in connection with such deposits. The Warrant Agent shall not be obligated to pay such interest, dividends or earnings to the Company, any Beneficial Owner or any other party.
(e) The Company shall assist and cooperate with any Beneficial Owner required to make any governmental filings or obtain any governmental approvals prior to or in connection with any exercise of a Warrant (including, without limitation, making any filings required to be made by the Company), and any exercise of a Warrant may be made contingent upon the making of any such filing and the receipt of any such approval.
(f) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Warrant Agreement, if the exercise of any Warrant is to be made in connection with a registered public offering or a Change of Control, such exercise may, upon proper election in the Exercise Notice, be conditioned upon consummation of such transaction or event in which case such exercise shall not be deemed effective until the consummation of such transaction or event.
(g) The Warrant Agent shall forward funds deposited in the Funds Account in a given month by the fifth Business Day of the following month by wire transfer to an account designated by the Company.
(h) The Company hereby instructs the Warrant Agent to record tax basis for newly issued Common Shares as follows: the tax basis of each newly issued Common Share equals the tax basis of the exercised Warrant plus the applicable Exercise Price. The Company shall provide the tax basis of the Warrants no later than 90 days after the Closing Date.
(i) Payment of the applicable Exercise Price by or on behalf of a Beneficial Owner upon exercise of Warrants, in the case of Full Physical Settlement, shall be by federal wire or other immediately available funds payable to the order of the Company to the account maintained by the Warrant Agent in its name as agent for the Company. The Warrant Agent shall provide an exercising Beneficial Owner, upon request, with the appropriate payment instructions.
Section 3.03
Settlement of Warrants
.
(a) Full Physical Settlement shall apply to each Warrant unless the Beneficial Owner elects for Net Share Settlement to apply upon exercise of such Warrant. Such election shall be made in the Exercise Notice for such Warrant.
(b) If Full Physical Settlement applies to the exercise of a Warrant, upon the proper and valid exercise thereof by a Beneficial Owner the Company shall cause to be delivered to the exercising Beneficial Owner the Fully Physical Settlement Amount.
(c) If Net Share Settlement applies to the exercise of a Warrant, upon the proper and valid exercise thereof by a Beneficial Owner the Company shall cause to be delivered to the exercising Beneficial Owner the Net Share Amount, with any fractional Common Share rounded down to the nearest whole share as provided in
Section 3.05
.
(d) If there is a dispute as to the determination of the applicable Exercise Price or the calculation of the number of shares of Common Stock to be delivered to an exercising Beneficial Owner, the Company shall cause to be promptly delivered to the exercising Beneficial Owner the number of Common Shares that is not in dispute.
Section 3.04
Delivery of Common Shares
.
(a) In connection with the exercise of Warrants, the Warrant Agent shall:
(1) examine all Exercise Notices and all other documents delivered to it to ascertain whether, on their face, such Exercise Notices and any such other documents have been executed and completed in accordance with their terms;
(2) where an Exercise Notice or other document appears on its face to have been improperly completed or executed or some other irregularity in connection with the exercise of the Warrant exists, endeavor to inform the appropriate parties (including the Person submitting such instrument) of the need
for fulfillment of all requirements, specifying those requirements which appear to be unfulfilled;
(3) inform the Company of and cooperate with and assist the Company in resolving any reconciliation problems between the Exercise Notices received and delivery of Warrants to the Warrant Agent’s account;
(4) advise the Company with respect to an exercise, no later than two Business Days following the satisfaction of each of the applicable procedures for exercise set forth in
Section 3.02(a)
, of (v) the receipt of such Exercise Notice and the number of Warrants exercised in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Warrant Agreement, (w) the number of Common Shares to be delivered by the Company; (x) the instructions with respect to issuance of the Common Shares, subject to the timely receipt from the Depository of the necessary information, (y) the number of Persons who will become holders of record of the Company (who were not previously holders of record) as a result of receiving Common Shares upon exercise of the Warrants and (z) such other information as the Company shall reasonably require;
(5) promptly deposit in the Funds Account all Funds received in payment of the applicable Exercise Price in connection with Full Physical Settlement of Warrants;
(6) promptly cancel and destroy the applicable Global Warrant Certificate if all Warrants represented thereby have been exercised in full and deliver a certificate of destruction to the Company, unless the Company shall otherwise direct in writing;
(7) if all Warrants represented by a Global Warrant Certificate shall not have been exercised in full, note and authenticate such decrease in the Number of Warrants on Schedule A of such Global Warrant Certificate; and
(8) provide to the Company, upon the Company’s request, the number of Warrants previously exercised, the number of Common Shares issued in connection with such exercises and the number of remaining outstanding Warrants.
(b) With respect to each properly exercised Warrant in accordance with this Warrant Agreement, the Company shall cause its transfer agent to issue, in book-entry form at the transfer agent or through the Depositary, the Common Shares due in connection with such exercise for the benefit and in the name of the Person designated by the Beneficial Owner submitting the applicable Exercise Notice. The Person on whose behalf and in whose name any Common Shares are registered shall for all purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record of such Common Shares as of the Close of Business on the applicable Exercise Date.
(c) Promptly after the Warrant Agent shall have taken the action required by this
Section 3.04
(or at such later time as may be mutually agreeable to the Company and the Warrant Agent), the Warrant Agent shall account to the Company with respect to the consummation of any exercise of any Warrants.
Section 3.05
No Fractional Common Shares to Be Issued
.
(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Warrant Agreement, the Company shall not be required to issue any fraction of a Common Share upon exercise of any Warrants.
(b) If any fraction of a Common Share would, except for the provisions of this
Section 3.05
, be issuable on the exercise of any Warrants, the Company shall instead round down to the nearest whole share the number of Common Shares that such Person designated in the applicable Exercise Notice shall receive. All Warrants exercised by a Beneficial Owner on the same Exercise Date shall be aggregated for purposes of determining the number of Common Shares to be delivered pursuant to Section 3.04(b).
(c) Each Beneficial Owner, by its acceptance of an interest in a Warrant, expressly waives its right to any fraction of a Common Share upon its exercise of such Warrant.
Section 3.06
Acquisition of Warrants by Company
. The Company shall have the right, except as limited by Law, to purchase or otherwise to acquire one or more Warrants at such times, in such manner and for such consideration as it may deem appropriate.
Section 3.07
Validity of Exercise
. All questions as to the validity, form and sufficiency (including time of receipt) of a Warrant exercise shall be determined by the Company, which determination shall be final and binding with respect to the Warrant Agent. The Warrant Agent shall incur no liability for or in respect of and, except to the extent such liability arises from the Warrant Agent’s gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable judgment), shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company for acting or refraining from acting upon, or as a result of such determination by the Company. The Company reserves the absolute right to waive any of the conditions to the exercise of Warrants or defects in Exercise Notices with regard to any particular exercise of Warrants.
Section 3.08
Certain Calculations
.
(a) The Warrant Agent shall be responsible for performing all calculations, save for in the case of Net Share Settlements, required in connection with the exercise and settlement of the Warrants as described in this
Article 3
. In connection therewith, the Warrant Agent shall provide prompt written notice to the Company, in accordance with Section 3.04(a)(4), of the number of Common Shares deliverable upon exercise and settlement of Warrants. For the avoidance of doubt, the Warrant Agent shall not be responsible for performing the calculations set forth in
Article 4
.
(b) The Warrant Agent shall not be accountable with respect to the validity or value of any Common Shares or Units of Reference Property that may at any time be issued or delivered upon the exercise of any Warrant, and it makes no representation with respect thereto. The Warrant Agent shall not be responsible, to the extent not arising from the Warrant Agent’s gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable judgment), for any failure of the Company to issue, transfer or deliver any Common Shares or Units of Reference Property, or to comply with any of the covenants of the Company contained in this
Article 3
.
Article 4
Adjustments
Section 4.01
Adjustments to Exercise Price
. After the date on which the Warrants are first issued and while any Warrants remain outstanding and unexpired, the Exercise Prices shall be subject to adjustment (without duplication) upon the occurrence of any of the following events:
(a) The issuance of Common Shares as a dividend or distribution to all holders of Common Shares, or a subdivision, combination, split, reverse split or reclassification of the outstanding Common Shares into a greater or smaller number of Common Shares, in which event the Exercise Prices shall be adjusted based on the following formula:
|
|
|
|
E
1
= E
0
x
|
N
0
|
|
|
N
1
|
|
where:
|
|
E
1
|
= the applicable Exercise Price in effect immediately after (i) the Open of Business on the Ex-Date in the case of a dividend or distribution or (ii) the consummation of the transaction in the case of a subdivision, combination, split, reverse split or reclassification;
|
E
0
|
= the applicable Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to (i) the Open of Business on the Ex-Date in the case of a dividend or distribution or (ii) the consummation of the transaction in the case of a subdivision, combination, split, reverse split or reclassification;
|
N
0
|
= the number of Common Shares Deemed Outstanding immediately prior to (i) the Open of Business on the Record Date in the case of a dividend or distribution or (ii) the consummation of the transaction in the case of a subdivision, combination, split, reverse split or reclassification; and
|
N
1
|
= the number of Common Shares equal to (i) in the case of a dividend or distribution, the sum of the number of Common Shares Deemed Outstanding immediately prior to the Open of Business on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution plus the total number of Common Shares issued pursuant to such dividend or distribution or (ii) in the case of a subdivision, combination, split, reverse split or reclassification, the number of Common Shares Deemed Outstanding immediately after such subdivision, combination, split, reverse split or reclassification.
|
Such adjustment shall become effective immediately after (i) the Open of Business on the Ex-Date in the case of a dividend or distribution or (ii) the consummation of the transaction in the case of a subdivision, combination, split, reverse split or reclassification. If any dividend or distribution or subdivision, combination, split, reverse split or reclassification of the type described in this
Section 4.01(a)
is declared or announced but not so paid or made, the Exercise Prices shall again be adjusted to the applicable Exercise Prices that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution or subdivision, combination, split, reverse split or reclassification had not been declared or announced, as the case may be.
(b)
Reserved
.
(c) The issuance as a dividend or distribution to all holders of Common Shares of evidences of indebtedness, Securities of the Company or any other Person (other than Common Shares), Cash or other property (excluding any dividend or distribution covered by
Section 4.01(a)
), in which event the Exercise Prices will be adjusted based on the following formula:
|
|
|
|
E
1
= E
0
x
|
P - FMV
|
|
|
P
|
|
where:
|
|
E
1
|
= the applicable Exercise Price in effect immediately after the Open of Business on the Ex-Date for such dividend or distribution;
|
E
0
|
= the applicable Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to the Open of Business on the Ex-Date for such dividend or distribution;
|
P
|
= the Fair Value of a Common Share as of immediately prior to the Open of Business on the second Business Day preceding the Ex-Date for such dividend or distribution; and
|
FMV
|
= the Fair Value of the portion of such dividend or distribution applicable to one Common Share as of the Open of Business on the date of such dividend or distribution.
|
Such decrease shall become effective immediately after the Open of Business on the Ex-Date for such dividend or distribution. In the event that such dividend or distribution is declared or announced but not so paid or made, the Exercise Prices shall again be adjusted to be the Exercise Prices which would then be in effect if such distribution had not been declared or announced.
(d)
Reserved
.
(e) If any single action would require adjustment of the Exercise Prices pursuant to more than one subsection of this
Section 4.01
, only one adjustment shall be made and such adjustment shall be the amount of adjustment that has the highest, relative to the rights and interests of the registered holders of the Warrants then outstanding, absolute value. For the purpose of calculations pursuant to
Section 4.01
, the number of Common Shares outstanding shall be equal to the sum of (i) the number of Common Shares issued and outstanding and (ii) the
number of Common Shares issuable pursuant to the conversion or exercise of Convertible Securities that are outstanding, in each case on the applicable date of determination.
(f) The Company may from time to time, to the extent permitted by Law, decrease the Exercise Prices and/or increase the Number of Warrants by any amount for any period of at least twenty days. In that case, the Company shall give the Global Warrant Holder and the Warrant Agent at least ten days’ prior written notice of such increase or decrease, and such notice shall state the applicable decreased Exercise Price and/or increased Number of Warrants and the period during which the decrease and/or increase will be in effect. The Company may make such decreases in the Exercise Prices and/or increases in the Number of Warrants, in addition to those set forth in this
Article 4
, as the Board deems advisable, including to avoid or diminish any income tax to holders of the Common Shares resulting from any dividend or distribution of stock (or rights to acquire stock) or from any event treated as such for income tax purposes.
(g) Notwithstanding this
Section 4.01
or any other provision of this Warrant Agreement or the Warrants, if an Exercise Prices adjustment becomes effective on any Ex-Date, and a Warrant has been exercised on or after such Ex-Date and on or prior to the related Record Date resulting in the Person issued Common Shares being treated as the record holder of the Common Shares on or prior to the Record Date, then, notwithstanding the Exercise Prices adjustment provisions in this
Section 4.01
, the Exercise Prices adjustment relating to such Ex-Date will not be made with respect to such Warrant. Instead, such Person will be treated as if it were the record owner of Common Shares on an un-adjusted basis and participate in the related dividend, distribution or other event giving rise to such adjustment.
Section 4.02
Adjustments to Number of Warrants
. Concurrently with any adjustment to the Exercise Prices under
Section 4.01
, the Number of Warrants will be adjusted such that the Number of Warrants in effect immediately following the effectiveness of such adjustment will be equal to the Number of Warrants in effect immediately prior to such adjustment, multiplied by a fraction, (i) the numerator of which is the applicable Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such adjustment and (ii) the denominator of which is the applicable Exercise Price in effect immediately following such adjustment.
Section 4.03 Certain Distributions of Rights and Warrants.
(a) Rights or warrants distributed by the Company to all holders of Common Shares entitling the holders thereof to subscribe for or purchase the Company’s Securities (either initially or under certain circumstances), which rights or warrants, until the occurrence of a specified event or events (a “
Trigger Event
”):
(1) are deemed to be transferred with such Common Shares;
(2) are not exercisable; and
(3) are also issued in respect of future issuances of Common Shares,
shall be deemed not to have been distributed for purposes of
Article 4
(and no adjustment to the Exercise Prices or the Number of Warrants under this
Article 4
will be made) until the occurrence of the earliest Trigger Event, whereupon such rights and warrants shall be deemed to have been distributed and an appropriate adjustment (if any is required) to the Exercise Prices and the Number of Warrants shall be made under this
Article 4
(subject in all respects to
Section 4.04
).
(b) If any such right or warrant is subject to events, upon the occurrence of which such rights or warrants become exercisable to purchase different securities, evidences of indebtedness or other assets, then the date of the occurrence of any and each such event shall be deemed to be the date of distribution and Record Date with respect to new rights or warrants with such rights (subject in all respects to
Section 4.04
).
(c) In addition, except as set forth in
Section 4.04
, in the event of any distribution (or deemed distribution) of rights or warrants, or any Trigger Event or other event (of the type described in
Section 4.03(b)
) with respect thereto that was counted for purposes of calculating a distribution amount for which an adjustment to the Exercise Prices and the Number of Warrants under
Article 4
was made (including any adjustment contemplated in
Section 4.04
):
(1) in the case of any such rights or warrants that shall all have been redeemed or repurchased without exercise by the holders thereof, the Exercise Prices and the Number of Warrants shall be readjusted upon such final redemption or repurchase to give effect to such distribution or Trigger Event, as the case may be, as though it were a distribution under
Section 4.01(c)
, equal to the per share redemption or repurchase price received by a holder or holders of Common Shares with respect to such rights or warrants (assuming such holder had retained such rights or warrants), made to all holders of Common Shares as of the date of such redemption or repurchase; and
(2) in the case of such rights or warrants that shall have expired or been terminated without exercise by the holders thereof, the Exercise Prices and the Number of Warrants shall be readjusted as if such rights and warrants had not been issued or distributed.
Section 4.04
Stockholder Rights Plans
. If the Company has a stockholder rights plan in effect with respect to the Common Shares, upon exercise of a Warrant the holder shall be entitled to receive, in addition to the Common Shares, the rights under such stockholder rights plan, unless, prior to such exercise, such rights have separated from the Common Shares.
Section 4.05
Restrictions on Adjustments
.
(a) Except in accordance with
Section 4.01
, the Exercise Prices and the Number of Warrants will not be adjusted for the issuance of Common Shares or other Securities of the Company.
(b) For the avoidance of doubt, neither the Exercise Prices nor the Number of Warrants will be adjusted:
(1) upon the issuance of any Securities by the Company on or after the Closing Date pursuant to the Plan or upon the issuance of Common Shares upon the exercise of such Securities;
(2) upon the issuance of any Common Shares or other Securities or any payments pursuant to the Management Plan or any other equity incentive plan of the Company;
(3) upon any issuance of any Common Shares (or Convertible Securities) pursuant to the exercise of the Warrants; and
(4) upon the offer and sale of Common Shares by the Company in a registered primary offering at a price that is less than Fair Value for Common Shares at the time of such offer and sale; and
(5) upon the issuance of Common Shares or other Securities of the Company in connection with a business acquisition transaction (except to the extent otherwise expressly required by this Warrant Agreement).
(c) No adjustment shall be made to the Exercise Prices or the Number of Warrants for any of the transactions described in
Section 4.01
if the Company makes provisions for participation in any such transaction with respect to Warrants without exercise of such Warrants on the same basis as with respect to Common Shares with notice that the Board determines in good faith to be fair and appropriate.
(d) No adjustment shall be made to the 2019 Exercise Price or the 2020 Exercise Price, nor will any corresponding adjustment be made to the Number of Warrants, unless the adjustment would result in a change of at least 1% of the 2019 Exercise Price or the 2020 Exercise Price, respectively; provided, however, that any adjustment of less than 1% that was not made by reason of this
Section 4.04(d)
shall be carried forward and made as soon as such adjustment, together with any other adjustments not previously made by reason of this
Section 4.04(d)
, would result in a change of at least 1% in the aggregate. All calculations under this
Article 4
shall be made to the nearest cent or to the nearest 1/100th of a Common Share, as the case may be.
(e) If the Company takes a record of the holders of Common Shares for the purpose of entitling them to receive a dividend or other distribution, and thereafter (and before the dividend or distribution has been paid or delivered to members) legally abandons its plan to pay or deliver such dividend or distribution, then thereafter no adjustment to the Exercise Prices or the Number of Warrants then in effect shall be required by reason of the taking of such record.
Section 4.06
Successor upon Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets
.
(a) The Company may consolidate or merge with another Person (a “
Fundamental Equity Change
”) only (i) if the Company is the surviving Person or (ii), if the Company is not the surviving Person, then:
(1) the successor to the Company assumes all of the Company’s obligations under this Warrant Agreement and the Warrants, other than as provided in
Section 4.06(d)
and
Section 4.07
, shall become exercisable into the common stock or other common equity of the successor; and
(2) the successor to the Company provides written notice of such assumption to the Warrant Agent promptly following the Fundamental Equity Change.
(b) In the case of a Fundamental Equity Change, the successor Person to the Company shall succeed to and be substituted for the Company with the same effect as if it had been named herein as the Company, and the Company shall thereupon be released from all obligations and covenants under this Warrant Agreement and the Warrants. Such successor Person shall provide in writing to the Warrant Agent with such identifying corporate information as may be reasonably requested by the Warrant Agent. Such successor Person thereafter may cause to be signed, and may issue any or all of, the Global Warrants issuable pursuant to this Warrant Agreement which theretofore shall not have been issued by the Company; and, upon the order of such successor Person, instead of the Company, and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this Warrant Agreement, the Warrant Agent shall authenticate and deliver, as applicable, any Global Warrants that previously shall have been signed and delivered by the officers of the Company to the Warrant Agent for authentication, and any Warrants which such successor Person thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the Warrant Agent for such purpose.
(c) If the Company desires to sell, lease, convey or otherwise transfer in one transaction or a series of related transactions all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries (an “
Asset Sale
”), the Company may only consummate such Asset Sale if such Buyer agrees (i) to enter into a warrant agreement in form and substance substantially similar to this Warrant Agreement and (ii) to issue warrants for equity in such Buyer (or a Person to which all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries acquired in such Asset Sale are transferred or conveyed) to the Global Warrant Holder on terms (including economic) and conditions substantially similar to the Global Warrant (taking into account any Warrants that are exercised prior to the applicable Expiration Dates (as defined in clause (ii)(A) of the respective definitions of the Expiration Dates and taking into account the materiality of the transferred assets to the total assets and operations of the Affiliated Buyer, taken as a whole), for crediting to the accounts of the applicable Participants for the benefit of the Beneficial Owners pursuant to the procedures of the Depository.
(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing and the other provisions of this Section 4.06 and the provisions of Section 4.07 below, in the event of a Fundamental Equity Change or an Asset Sale, if a Holder has not exercised the Warrant in full prior to the consummation of such transaction, then the Company may elect (the “
Merger/Sale Election
”) to cancel such Warrant in exchange for the Holder receiving, at the time of any such cancellation, simultaneously with the consummation of the Fundamental Equity Change or Asset Sale, either (i) Cash in an amount equal to the value of the remaining unexercised portion of this Warrant on the date of such
consummation or (ii) the kind and amount of shares of stock, other securities or other property or assets (including Cash or any combination thereof, if applicable) that a holder of Common Shares is or will be entitled to receive in connection with such Fundamental Equity Change or Asset Sale, in an amount equal to the value of the remaining unexercised portion of this Warrant on the date of such consummation. For purposes of determining the amount of cash, securities or other property or assets contemplated by clause (i) and (ii) above, the amount shall be equal to the Fair Value of the unexercised warrant as determined by the use of the Black and Scholes Option Pricing Model. For the avoidance of doubt, in no instance shall a warrant have the same Fair Value as a Common Share. To the extent that there is a dispute between the Company, on the one hand, and a majority of Holders of the Warrants, on the other, as to how to apply the Black and Scholes Option Pricing Model, the Company shall promptly appoint, at its expense, an Independent Appraiser and such dispute shall be resolved by such Independent Appraiser which shall make a determination as to the value of item (i) or (ii) above. The determination by any such Independent Appraiser shall be conclusive and binding on the Company and on all Holders for purposes of the transaction giving rise to the need for such determination.
Section 4.07
Adjustment upon Reorganization Event
.
(a) If there occurs any Fundamental Equity Change (other than in the event the Company exercises the Merger/Sale Election under Section 4.06(d)) or any recapitalization, reorganization, consolidation, reclassification, change in the outstanding Common Shares (other than changes resulting from a subdivision or combination to which
Section 4.01(a)
applies), statutory share exchange or other transaction (each such event a “
Reorganization Event
”), in each case as a result of which the Common Shares would be converted into, changed into or exchanged for, stock, other securities, other property or assets (including Cash or any combination thereof) (the “
Reference Property
”) while any Warrants remain outstanding and unexpired, then following the effective time of the Reorganization Event, the right to receive Common Shares upon exercise of a Warrant shall be changed to a right to receive, upon exercise of such Warrant, the kind and amount of shares of stock, other securities or other property or assets (including Cash or any combination thereof) that a holder of one Common Share would have owned or been entitled to receive in connection with such Reorganization Event (such kind and amount of Reference Property per Common Share, a “
Unit of Reference Property
”). In the event holders of Common Shares have the opportunity to elect the form of consideration to be received in a Reorganization Event, the type and amount of consideration into which the Warrants shall be exercisable from and after the effective time of such Reorganization Event shall be deemed to be the weighted average of the types and amounts of consideration received by the holders of Common Shares in such Reorganization Event. The Company hereby agrees not to become a party to any Reorganization Event unless its terms are consistent with this
Section 4.07
.
(b) At any time from, and including, the effective time of a Reorganization Event:
(1) each Warrant shall be exercisable for a single Unit of Reference Property instead of one Common Share; and
(2) the Fair Value shall be calculated with respect to a Unit of Reference Property.
(c) On or prior to the effective time of any Reorganization Event (other than in the event the Company exercises the Merger/Sale Election under Section 4.06(d)), the Company or the successor or purchasing Person, as the case may be, shall execute an amendment to this Warrant Agreement providing that the Warrants shall be exercisable for Units of Reference Property in accordance with the terms of this Section 4.07. If the Reference Property in connection with any Reorganization Event includes shares of stock or other securities and assets of a Person other than the successor or purchasing Person, as the case may be, in such Reorganization Event, then the Company shall cause such amendment to this Warrant Agreement to be executed by such other Person and such amendment shall contain such additional provisions to protect the interests of the Global Warrant Holder (for the benefit of the Beneficial Owners) as the Board shall reasonably consider necessary by reason of the foregoing. Any such amendment to this Warrant Agreement shall provide for adjustments which shall be as nearly equivalent as may be practicable to the adjustments provided for in this Article 4. In the event the Company shall execute an amendment to this Warrant Agreement pursuant to this Section 4.07, the Company shall promptly file with the Warrant Agent an Officers’ Certificate briefly stating the reasons therefor, the kind or amount of Cash, securities or property or assets that will comprise a Unit of Reference Property after the relevant Reorganization Event, any adjustment to be made with respect thereto and that all conditions precedent have been complied with. The Company shall cause notice of the execution of the amendment to be mailed to the Global Warrant Holder within 20 Business Days after execution thereof.
(d) The above provisions of this Section 4.07 shall similarly apply to successive Reorganization Events.
(e) If this
Section 4.07
applies to any event or occurrence, no other provision of this
Article 4
shall apply to such event or occurrence (other than Section 4.06).
Section 4.08
Reserved
.
Section 4.09
Common Shares Outstanding; Common Shares Reserved for Issuance on Exercise
.
(a) For the purposes of this
Article 4
, the number of Common Shares at any time outstanding shall not include Common Shares held, directly or indirectly, by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
(b) The Board has authorized and reserved for issuance such number of Common Shares as will be issuable upon the exercise of all outstanding Warrants for Common Shares. The Company covenants that all Common Shares that shall be so issuable shall be duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
(c) The Company agrees to authorize and direct its current and future transfer agents for the Common Shares to reserve for issuance the number of Common Shares specified
in this
Section 4.09
and shall take all action required to increase the authorized number of Common Shares if at any time there shall be insufficient authorized but unissued Common Shares to permit such reservation or to permit the exercise of a Warrant. Promptly after each of the Expiration Dates, the Warrant Agent shall certify to the Company the aggregate Number of Warrants then outstanding, and thereafter no Common Shares shall be required to be reserved in respect of such Warrants.
Section 4.10
Calculations; Instructions to Warrant Agent
.
(a) Subject to
Section 4.10(b)
, the Company shall be responsible for making all calculations called for under this
Section 4
for purposes of determining any adjustments to the Exercise Prices and the Number of Warrants, including determinations as to Fair Value and the composition of Units of Reference Property. Such calculations and determinations shall be final and binding on the Global Warrant Holder and all Beneficial Owners absent manifest error. The Company shall provide a schedule of the Company’s calculations and determinations to the Warrant Agent, and the Warrant Agent is entitled to rely upon the accuracy of the Company’s calculations without independent verification.
(b) In the event the Board engages a Representative to advise it with respect to the determination of Fair Value, the Board shall be entitled to rely upon the determination of such Representation. The Company shall pay the fees and expenses of any Representative.
Section 4.11
Notice of Adjustments
. The Company shall mail, or cause to be mailed, to the Global Warrant Holder and the Warrant Agent, in accordance with
Section 6.15
, a notice of any adjustment or readjustment to the Exercise Prices or the Number of Warrants no less than three Business Days prior to the effective date of such adjustment or readjustment. The Company shall file with the Warrant Agent such notice and an Officer’s Certificate setting forth such adjustment or readjustment and kind and amount of securities, Cash or other property for which a Warrant shall thereafter be exercisable and the applicable Exercise Price, showing in reasonable detail the facts upon which such adjustment or readjustment is based. The Officer’s Certificate shall be conclusive evidence that the adjustment or readjustment is correct, and the Warrant Agent shall not be deemed to have any knowledge of any adjustments or readjustments unless and until it has received such Officer’s Certificate. The Warrant Agent shall not be under any duty or responsibility with respect to any such Officer’s Certificate except to exhibit the same to the Global Warrant Holder.
Section 4.12
Warrant Agent Not Responsible for Adjustments or Validity
. The Warrant Agent shall at no time be under any duty or responsibility to determine whether any facts exist that may require an adjustment or readjustment of the Exercise Prices and the Number of Warrants, or with respect to the nature or extent of any such adjustment or readjustment when made, or with respect to the method employed, herein or in any supplemental agreement provided to be employed, in making the same. The Warrant Agent shall have no duty to verify or confirm any calculation called for hereunder. The Warrant Agent shall have no liability for any failure or delay in performing its duties hereunder caused by any failure or delay of the Company in providing such calculations to the Warrant Agent. The Warrant Agent shall not be accountable with respect to the validity or value (or the kind or amount) of any Common Shares or of any
Securities or property which may at any time be issued or delivered upon the exercise of any Warrant or upon any adjustment or readjustment pursuant to this
Article 4
, and it makes no representation with respect thereto. The Warrant Agent shall not be responsible for any failure of the Company to make any Cash payment or to issue, transfer or deliver any Common Shares or stock certificates or other securities or property or scrip upon the surrender of any Warrant for the purpose of exercise or upon any adjustment pursuant to this
Article 4
, or to comply with any of the covenants of the Company contained in this
Article 4
. The Warrant Agent shall have no implied duties or obligations and shall not be charged with knowledge or notice of any fact or circumstance not specifically set forth herein or in any notice from the Company. The Warrant Agent may rely conclusively, and shall be protected in acting, upon any notice, instruction, request, order, judgment, certification, opinion or advice of counsel, statement, demand or other instrument or document, not only as to its due execution, validity (including the authority of the person signing or presenting the same) and effectiveness, but also as to the truth and accuracy of any information contained therein, which the Warrant Agent shall believe to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the person or parties purporting to sign the same.
Section 4.13
Statements on Warrants
. Other than notation of any applicable increase or decrease in the Number of Warrants on
Schedule A
of each Global Warrant Certificate, the form of each Global Warrant Certificate need not be changed because of any adjustment or readjustment made pursuant to this
Article 4
, and Global Warrant Certificates issued after such adjustment or readjustment may state the same information (other than the applicable adjusted Exercise Price and the adjusted Number of Warrants) as are stated in the Global Warrant Certificates initially issued pursuant to this Warrant Agreement.
Section 4.14
Effect of Adjustment
. The Depository and applicable Participants shall effect any applicable adjustments, changes or payments to the Beneficial Owners with respect to beneficial interests in the Global Warrants resulting from any adjustments or readjustments, changes or payments effected pursuant to this
Article 4
in accordance with the procedures of the Depository and the applicable Participants.
Article 5
Other Provisions Relating to Rights of Global Warrant Holder
Section 5.01
No Rights as Stockholders
. Nothing contained in this Warrant Agreement or in any Global Warrant Certificate shall be construed as conferring upon any Person, by virtue of holding or having a beneficial interest in a Global Warrant, the right to vote, to consent, to receive any Cash dividends, stock dividends, allotments or rights or other distributions paid, allotted or distributed or distributable to the holders of Common Shares, or to exercise any rights whatsoever as a stockholder of the Company unless, until and only to the extent such Persons become holders of record of Common Shares issued upon settlement of Warrants.
Section 5.02
Mutilated or Missing Global Warrant Certificates
. If any Global Warrant Certificate held by the Warrant Agent at any time is mutilated, defaced, lost, destroyed or stolen, then on the terms set forth in this Warrant Agreement, such Global Warrant Certificate may be replaced with a new Global Warrant Certificate, of like date and tenor and representing the same number of Warrants, at the cost of the Company at the office of the Warrant Agent subject to the
replacement procedures of the Warrant Agent which shall include obtaining an open penalty surety bond satisfactory to the Warrant Agent holding the Company and the Warrant Agent harmless. Any such new Global Warrant Certificate shall constitute an original contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the allegedly lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed Global Warrant Certificate shall be at any time enforceable by anyone. All Global Warrant Certificates shall be issued upon the express condition that the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the substitution for lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed Global Warrant Certificates, and shall preclude any and all other rights or remedies notwithstanding any Law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to the contrary with respect to the substitution for and replacement of negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender.
Section 5.03
Modification, Waiver and Meetings
.
(a) This Warrant Agreement may be modified or amended by the Company and the Warrant Agent, without the consent of the Global Warrant Holder, any Beneficial Owner of any Warrant, or any applicable Participant with respect to any Warrant, for the purposes of curing any ambiguity or correcting or supplementing any defective provision contained in this Warrant Agreement or to make any other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising in this Warrant Agreement which the Company and the Warrant Agent may deem necessary or desirable; provided that such modification or amendment does not adversely affect the interests of the Global Warrant Holder or the Beneficial Owners in any material respect. As a condition precedent to the Warrant Agent’s execution of any amendment, the Company shall deliver to the Warrant Agent a certificate from an Appropriate Officer that states that the proposed amendment is in compliance with the terms of this
Section 5.03
.
(b) Modifications and amendments to this Warrant Agreement or to the terms and conditions of Warrants not contemplated by Section 5.03(a) may also be made by the Company and the Warrant Agent, and noncompliance with any provision of the Warrant Agreement or Warrants may be waived, by the Global Warrant Holder (pursuant to a proper vote or consent of a majority of the Warrants at the time outstanding). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Company may amend
Schedule A
from time to time to accurately reflect the name and address of the Global Warrant Holder after the Closing Date without any further consent or agreement from any other Person.
(c) However, no modification, amendment or waiver may, without the written consent of:
(1) the Global Warrant Holder (pursuant to a proper vote or consent of each Warrant):
(A) change either of the Expiration Dates; or
(B) increase either of the Exercise Prices or decrease the Number of Warrants (except as set forth in
Article 4
);
(2) the Global Warrant Holder (pursuant to a proper vote or consent of 66.66% of the Warrants affected):
(A) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment or delivery with respect to the exercise and settlement of any Warrant;
(B) except as otherwise expressly permitted by provisions of this Warrant Agreement concerning specified reclassifications or corporate reorganizations, impair or adversely affect the exercise rights with respect to Warrants, including any change to the calculation or payment of the number of Common Shares received upon exercise of each Warrant;
(C) reduce the percentage of Warrants outstanding necessary to modify or amend this Warrant Agreement or to waive any past default; or
(D) reduce the percentage in Warrants outstanding required for any other waiver under this Warrant Agreement.
Section 5.04
Notices of Date, etc
. In the event of any Change of Control, then, and in each such case, the Company will mail or cause to be mailed to the Global Warrant Holder, at least 15 days prior to the effective date, a notice specifying the effective date on which such Change of Control is or is expected to take place, and the time, if any is to be fixed, as of which the holders of record of Common Shares (or such other stock or Securities at the time deliverable upon the exercise of a Warrant) shall be entitled to exchange their Common Shares (or such other stock or Securities) for Securities or other property deliverable upon such Change of Control.
Article 6
Concerning the Warrant Agent and Other Matters
Section 6.01
Payment of Certain Taxes
.
(a) The Company shall pay any and all documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer taxes that may be payable upon the initial issuance of the Global Warrants hereunder and delivery to the Global Warrant Holder.
(b) The Company shall pay any and all documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer taxes that may be payable upon the issuance of Common Shares upon the exercise of Warrants hereunder.
Section 6.02
Reserved
.
Section 6.03
Change of Warrant Agent
.
(a) The Warrant Agent, or any successor to it hereafter appointed, may resign its duties and be discharged from all further duties and liabilities hereunder (except for liability arising as a result of the Warrant Agent’s own gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith)
after giving sixty days’ notice in writing to the Company, except that such shorter notice may be given as the Company shall, in writing, accept as sufficient. If the office of the Warrant Agent becomes vacant by resignation or incapacity to act or otherwise, the Company shall appoint in writing a successor warrant agent in place of the Warrant Agent. If the Company shall fail to make such appointment within a period of thirty days after it has been notified in writing of such resignation or incapacity by the resigning or incapacitated warrant agent or by the Global Warrant Holder, then the Global Warrant Holder may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor warrant agent.
(b) The Warrant Agent may be removed by the Company at any time upon sixty days’ written notice to the Warrant Agent;
provided
,
however
, that the Company shall not remove the Warrant Agent until a successor warrant agent meeting the qualifications hereof shall have been appointed; provided, further, that, until such successor warrant agent has been appointed, the Company shall compensate the Warrant Agent in accordance with Section
6.04
.
(c) Any successor warrant agent, whether appointed by the Company or by such a court, shall be a corporation or banking association organized, in good standing and doing business under the Laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia, and authorized under such Laws to exercise corporate trust powers and subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority and having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000. The combined capital and surplus of any such successor warrant agent shall be deemed to be the combined capital and surplus as set forth in the most recent report of its condition published prior to its appointment; provided that such reports are published at least annually pursuant to Law or to the requirements of a federal or state supervising or examining authority. After acceptance in writing of such appointment by the successor warrant agent, such successor warrant agent shall be vested with all the authority, powers, rights, immunities, duties and obligations of its predecessor warrant agent with like effect as if originally named as warrant agent hereunder, without any further act or deed; but if for any reason it becomes necessary or appropriate, the predecessor warrant agent shall execute and deliver, at the expense of the Company, an instrument transferring to such successor warrant agent all the authority, powers and rights of such predecessor warrant agent hereunder; and upon request of any successor warrant agent, the Company shall make, execute, acknowledge and deliver any and all instruments in writing to more fully and effectually vest in and conform to such successor warrant agent all such authority, powers, rights, immunities, duties and obligations. Upon assumption by a successor warrant agent of the duties and responsibilities hereunder, the predecessor warrant agent shall deliver and transfer, at the expense of the Company, to the successor warrant agent any property at the time held by it hereunder. As soon as practicable after such appointment, the Company shall give notice thereof to the predecessor warrant agent, the Global Warrant Holder and each transfer agent for its Common Shares. Failure to give such notice, or any defect therein, shall not affect the validity of the appointment of the successor warrant agent.
(d) Any entity into which the Warrant Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Warrant Agent shall be a party, or any Person succeeding to all or
substantially all of the corporate trust or agency business of the Warrant Agent, shall be the successor warrant agent under this Warrant Agreement without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto; provided that such entity would be eligible for appointment as a successor warrant agent under
Section 6.03(c)
. In case at the time such successor to the Warrant Agent shall succeed to the agency created by this Warrant Agreement, any Global Warrant Certificate shall have been countersigned but not delivered, any such successor to the Warrant Agent may adopt the countersignature of the original Warrant Agent and deliver such Global Warrant Certificate so countersigned, and in case at that time any Global Warrant Certificates shall not have been countersigned, any successor to the Warrant Agent may countersign such Global Warrant Certificate either in the name of the predecessor Warrant Agent or in the name of the successor Warrant Agent; and in all such cases such Global Warrant Certificate shall have the full force provided in the Global Warrant Certificate and in this Warrant Agreement.
(e) In case at any time the name of the Warrant Agent shall be changed and at such time any Global Warrant Certificate shall have been countersigned but not delivered, the Warrant Agent may adopt the countersignatures under its prior name and deliver such Global Warrant Certificate so countersigned; and in case at that time any Global Warrant Certificate shall not have been countersigned, the Warrant Agent may countersign such Global Warrant Certificate either in its prior name or in its changed name; and in all such cases such Global Warrant Certificate shall have the full force provided in the Global Warrant Certificate and in this Warrant Agreement.
Section 6.04
Compensation; Further Assurances
. The Company agrees that it will (a) pay the Warrant Agent reasonable compensation for its services as Warrant Agent in accordance with
Exhibit C
attached hereto and, except as otherwise expressly provided, will pay or reimburse the Warrant Agent upon written demand for all reasonable and documented expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Warrant Agent in accordance with any of the provisions of this Warrant Agreement (including the reasonable compensation, expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel incurred in connection with the execution and administration of this Agreement), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may arise from its or any of their gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith, and (b) perform, execute, acknowledge and deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and delivered all such further and other acts, instruments and assurances as may reasonably be required by the Warrant Agent for the carrying out or performing of the provisions of this Warrant Agreement.
Section 6.05
Reliance on Counsel
. The Warrant Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be legal counsel for the Company), and the written opinion of such counsel or any advice of legal counsel subsequently confirmed by a written opinion of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection to the Warrant Agent as to any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and in accordance with such written opinion or advice.
Section 6.06
Proof of Actions Taken
. Whenever in the performance of its duties under this Warrant Agreement the Warrant Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any matter be
proved or established by the Company prior to taking or suffering or omitting any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Warrant Agent, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Warrant Agent; and such Officer’s Certificate shall, in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Warrant Agent, be full warrant to the Warrant Agent for any action taken, suffered or omitted in good faith by it under the provisions of this Warrant Agreement in reliance upon such Officer’s Certificate; but in its discretion the Warrant Agent may in lieu thereof accept other evidence of such fact or matter or may require such further or additional evidence as to it may seem reasonable.
Section 6.07
Correctness of Statements
. The Warrant Agent shall not be liable for or by reason of any of the statements of fact or recitals contained in this Warrant Agreement or any Global Warrant Certificate (except its countersignature thereof) or be required to verify the same, and all such statements and recitals are and shall be deemed to have been made by the Company only.
Section 6.08
Validity of Agreement
. From time to time, the Warrant Agent may apply to any Appropriate Officer for instruction and the Company shall provide the Warrant Agent with such instructions concerning the services to be provided hereunder. The Warrant Agent shall not be held to have notice of any change of authority of any Person, until receipt of notice thereof from the Company. The Warrant Agent shall not be under any responsibility in respect of the validity of this Warrant Agreement or the execution and delivery hereof or in respect of the validity or execution of any Global Warrant Certificate (except its countersignature thereof); nor shall it be responsible for any breach by the Company of any covenant or condition contained in this Warrant Agreement or in any Global Warrant Certificate; nor shall it by any act hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the authorization or reservation of any Common Shares to be issued pursuant to this Warrant Agreement or any Warrants or as to whether any Common Shares will, when issued, be validly issued and fully paid and non-assessable. The Warrant Agent and its agents and subcontractors shall not be liable and shall be indemnified by the Company for any action taken or omitted by Warrant Agent in reliance upon any Company instructions except to the extent that the Warrant Agent had actual knowledge of facts and circumstances that would render such reliance unreasonable.
Section 6.09
Use of Agents
. The Warrant Agent may execute and exercise any of the rights or powers hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder either itself or by or through its attorneys or agents provided that the Warrant Agent shall remain responsible for the activities or omissions of any such agent or attorney and reasonable care has been exercised in the selection and in the continued employment of such attorney or agent.
Section 6.10
Liability of Warrant Agent
. The Warrant Agent shall incur no liability or responsibility to the Company or to any Global Warrant Holder for any action taken or not taken (i) in reliance on any notice, resolution, waiver, consent, order, certificate, or other paper, document or instrument believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or presented by the proper party or parties or (ii) in relation to its services under this Warrant Agreement, unless such liability arises out of or is attributable to the Warrant Agent’s gross negligence,
material breach of this Warrant Agreement, or willful misconduct or bad faith or material breach of any representation or warranty of the Warrant Agent hereunder. The Company agrees to indemnify the Warrant Agent and save it harmless against any and all losses, expenses and liabilities, including judgments, costs and reasonable counsel fees, for anything done or omitted in good faith by the Warrant Agent in the execution of this Warrant Agreement or otherwise arising in connection with this Warrant Agreement, except as a result of the Warrant Agent’s gross negligence, material breach of this Warrant Agreement, willful misconduct or bad faith (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non- appealable judgment) or material breach of any representation or warranty of the Warrant Agent hereunder. The Warrant Agent shall be liable hereunder only for its gross negligence, material breach of this Warrant Agreement, willful misconduct or bad faith (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final non-appealable judgment) or its material breach of any representation or warranty of the Warrant Agent hereunder, for which the Warrant Agent is not entitled to indemnification under this Warrant Agreement. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Warrant Agent’s aggregate liability during any term of this Agreement with respect to, arising from, or arising in connection with this Agreement, or from all services provided or omitted to be provided under this Agreement, whether in contract, or in tort, or otherwise, is limited to, and shall not exceed, the amounts paid hereunder by the Company to the Warrant Agent as fees and charges, but not including reimbursable expenses, during the twelve (12) months immediately preceding the event for which recovery from Warrant Agent is being sought. Neither party to this Agreement shall be liable to the other party for any consequential, indirect, punitive, special or incidental damages under any provisions of this Agreement or for any consequential, indirect, punitive, special or incidental damages arising out of any act or failure to act hereunder even if that party has been advised of or has foreseen the possibility of such damages.
Section 6.11
Legal Proceedings
. The Warrant Agent shall be under no obligation to institute any action, suit or legal proceeding or to take any other action likely to involve expense unless the Company, the Global Warrant Holder or any applicable Participant on behalf of a Beneficial Owner shall furnish the Warrant Agent with reasonable indemnity for any costs and expenses which may be incurred, but this provision shall not affect the power of the Warrant Agent to take such action as the Warrant Agent may consider proper, whether with or without any such security or indemnity. The Warrant Agent shall promptly notify the Company and the Global Warrant Holder in writing of any claim made or action, suit or proceeding instituted against it arising out of or in connection with this Warrant Agreement.
Section 6.12
Actions as Agent
. The Warrant Agent shall act hereunder solely as agent and not in a ministerial or fiduciary capacity, and its duties shall be determined solely by the provisions hereof. The duties and obligations of the Warrant Agent shall be determined solely by the express provisions of the Warrant Agreement, and the Warrant Agent shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in the Warrant Agreement. No implied covenants or obligations shall be read into the Warrant Agreement against the Warrant Agent. The Warrant Agent shall not be liable for anything that it may do or refrain from doing in good faith in connection with this Warrant Agreement except for its own gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith.
Section 6.13
Appointment and Acceptance of Agency
. The Company hereby appoints the Warrant Agent to act as agent for the Company in accordance with the instructions set forth in this Warrant Agreement, and the Warrant Agent hereby accepts the agency established by this Warrant Agreement and agrees to perform the same upon the terms and conditions herein set forth or as the Company and the Warrant Agent may hereafter agree.
Section 6.14
Successors and Assigns
. All the covenants and provisions of this Warrant Agreement by or for the benefit of the Company or the Warrant Agent shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns hereunder. The Warrant Agent may assign this Agreement or any rights and obligations hereunder, in whole or in part, to an Affiliate thereof with the prior consent of the Company, provided that the Warrant Agent may make such an assignment without consent of the Company to any successor to the Warrant Agent by consolidation, merger or transfer of its assets subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement.
Section 6.15
Notices
. Any notice or demand authorized by this Warrant Agreement to be given or made to the Company shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by mail first-class, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing by the Company with the Warrant Agent), as follows:
Attention: Chris Abundis, Secretary
Swift Energy Company
16825 Northchase Drive, Suite 400
Houston, TX 77046
with a copy to counsel designated by the Company.
Any notice or demand authorized by this Warrant Agreement to be given or made to the Warrant Agent shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by mail first-class, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing by the Warrant Agent with the Company), as follows:
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC
Attention: Ted Wiener
Email: TWiener@amsotck.com
Any notice or demand authorized by this Warrant Agreement to be given or made to the Global Warrant Holder shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid to the last address of the Global Warrant Holder as it shall appear on the Warrant Register.
Section 6.16
Applicable Law; Jurisdiction
. The validity, interpretation and performance of this Warrant Agreement and of the Global Warrant Certificates shall be governed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. The parties hereto irrevocably consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York and any federal court located in such state in connection with any action, suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Warrant Agreement.
Section 6.17
Waiver of Jury Trial
. EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE WARRANT AGENT ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS WARRANT AGREEMENT OR A WARRANT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE EACH SUCH PERSON HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT SUCH PERSON MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS WARRANT AGREEMENT OR A WARRANT. EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE WARRANT AGENT CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (a) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF THE OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (b) SUCH PERSON UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (c) SUCH PERSON MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (d) SUCH PERSON HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS WARRANT AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.
Section 6.18
Benefit of this Warrant Agreement
. Nothing in this Warrant Agreement expressed and nothing that may be implied from any of the provisions hereof is intended, or shall be construed, to confer upon, or give to, any Person or corporation other than the parties hereto and the Global Warrant Holder any right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Warrant Agreement or of any covenant, condition, stipulation, promise or agreement hereof, and all covenants, conditions, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Warrant Agreement contained shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and of the Global Warrant Holder.
Section 6.19
Registered Global Warrant Holder
. Prior to due presentment for registration of Transfer, the Company and the Warrant Agent may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Warrants are registered in the Warrant Register as the absolute owner thereof for all purposes whatever (notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing thereon made by anyone other than the Company or the Warrant Agent) and neither the Company nor the Warrant Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary or be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in any Warrants on the part of any other Person and shall not be liable for any registration of Transfer of Warrants that are registered or to be registered in the name of a fiduciary or the nominee of a fiduciary unless made with actual knowledge that a fiduciary or nominee is committing a breach of trust in requesting such registration of Transfer or with such knowledge of such facts that its participation therein amounts to bad faith.
Section 6.20
Headings
. The Article and Section headings herein are for convenience only and are not a part of this Warrant Agreement and shall not affect the interpretation thereof.
Section 6.21
Counterparts
. This Warrant Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts on separate counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.
Section 6.22
Entire Agreement
. This Warrant Agreement and the Global Warrant Certificates constitute the entire agreement of the Company, the Warrant Agent and Global Warrant Holder with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements and undertakings, both written and oral, among the Company, the Warrant Agent and the Global Warrant Holder with respect to the subject matter hereof.
Section 6.23
Severability
. Wherever possible, each provision of this Warrant Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable Law, but if any provision of this Warrant Agreement shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable Law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Warrant Agreement.
Section 6.24
Termination
. This Warrant Agreement, as it relates to the 2019 Warrants and the 2020 Warrants shall terminate at the 2019 Expiration Date and the 2020 Expiration Date, respectively (or Close of Business on the Settlement Date with respect to any Exercise Notice delivered prior to the applicable Expiration Date). Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Warrant Agreement, as it relates to the 2019 Warrants and the 2020 Warrants will terminate on such earlier date on which all outstanding 2019 Warrants or the 2020 Warrants have been exercised, respectively. All provisions regarding indemnification, warranty, liability and limits thereon shall survive the termination or expiration of this Warrant Agreement.
Section 6.25
Confidentiality
. The Warrant Agent and the Company agree that (a) personal, non-public Global Warrant Holder and Beneficial Owner information which is exchanged or received pursuant to the negotiation or the carrying out of this Agreement and (b) the fees for services set forth in the attached schedule shall remain confidential, and shall not be voluntarily disclosed to any other person, except disclosures pursuant to applicable securities Laws or otherwise as may be required by Law, including, without limitation, pursuant to subpoenas from state or federal government authorities.
[
signature pages follow
]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Warrant Agreement has been duly executed by the parties hereto as of the day and year first above written.
SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY
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By:
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/s/ Alton D. Heckaman, Jr.
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Name: Alton D. Heckaman, Jr.
Title: Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC
Name: Paula Caroppoli
Title: Senior Vice President
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO WARRANT AGREEMENT]
SCHEDULE A
SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN WARRANTS
The initial Number of Warrants is 4,285,714. In accordance with the Warrant Agreement dated as of April 22, 2016 among the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as Warrant Agent, the following increases or decreases in the Number of Warrants have been made:
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Date
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Amount of increase in Number of Warrants evidenced by this Global Warrant
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Amount of decrease in Number of Warrants evidenced by this Global Warrant
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Number of Warrants evidenced by this Global Warrant following such decrease or increase
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Signature of authorized signatory
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EXHIBIT A
FORM OF 2019 GLOBAL WARRANT CERTIFICATE
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No. 1
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CUSIP NO. 87073T 113
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UNLESS THIS GLOBAL WARRANT IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“
DTC
”), TO SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY (THE “
COMPANY
”), THE CUSTODIAN OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE, OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
TRANSFER OF THIS GLOBAL WARRANT SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, AND NOT IN PART, TO THE COMPANY, DTC, THEIR SUCCESSORS AND THEIR RESPECTIVE NOMINEES.
Swift Energy Company
April [ ], 2016
NUMBER OF WARRANTS: Initially, 2,142,857 Warrants, subject to adjustment as described in the Warrant Agreement dated as of April 22, 2016 between Swift Energy Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as Warrant Agent (as supplemented or amended, the “
Warrant Agreement
”), each of which is exercisable for one Common Share.
EXERCISE PRICE: Initially, $80.00 per Warrant, subject to adjustment as described in the Warrant Agreement. FORM OF SETTLEMENT:
Full Physical Settlement
: If Full Physical Settlement is elected, the Company shall deliver, against payment of the Exercise Price, a number of Common Shares equal to the number of Warrants exercised.
Net Share Settlement
: If Net Share Settlement is elected, the Company shall deliver, without any Cash payment therefor, a number of Common Shares equal to the quotient determined by dividing (i) the Fair Value (as of the Exercise Date) of the number of Common Shares deliverable pursuant to Full Physical Settlement minus the Exercise Price that would be payable pursuant to Full Physical Settlement by (ii) the Fair Value determined pursuant to the above clause (i).
DATES OF EXERCISE: At any time, and from time to time, prior to the Close of Business on the Expiration Date.
EXPIRATION DATE: The Close of Business on April 22, 2019.
This Global Warrant Certificate certifies that:
[ ], or its registered assigns, is the Global Warrant Holder of the Number of Warrants (the “
Warrants
”) specified above (such number subject to adjustment from time to time as described in the Warrant Agreement).
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Global Warrant Certificate set forth on the reverse hereof, and such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth in this place.
This Global Warrant Certificate shall not be valid unless countersigned by the Warrant Agent.
In the event of any inconsistency between the Warrant Agreement and this Global Warrant Certificate, the Warrant Agreement shall govern.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Swift Energy Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
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SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY
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By:
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Name:
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Title:
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Certificate of Authentication
These are the Warrants referred to in the above-mentioned Warrant Agreement. Countersigned as of the date above written:
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American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC,
as Warrant Agent
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By:
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Authorized Officer
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SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY
The Warrants evidenced by this Global Warrant Certificate are part of a duly authorized issue of Warrants issued by the Company pursuant to the Warrant Agreement, dated as of April 22, 2016 (as it may be amended or supplemented, the “
Warrant Agreement
”), between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as Warrant Agent, and are subject to the terms and provisions contained in the Warrant Agreement, to all of which terms and provisions the Global Warrant Holder consents by issuance of this Global Warrant Certificate. Without limiting the foregoing, all capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings set forth in the Warrant Agreement.
The Warrant Agreement and the terms of the Warrants are subject to amendment as provided in the Warrant Agreement.
This Warrant Certificate shall be governed by, and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
FORM OF ASSIGNMENT
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers the Warrant(s) represented by this Certificate to:
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Name, Address and Zip Code of Assignee
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and irrevocably appoints
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Name of Agent
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as its agent to transfer this Warrant Certificate on the books of the Warrant Agent.
[Signature page follows]
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Date: [ ]
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Name of Assignor
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By:
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Name:
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Title:
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(Sign exactly as your name appears on this Certificate)
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NOTICE: The signature(s) should be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (banks, stockbrokers, savings and loan associations and credit unions with membership in an approved signature guarantee medallion program), pursuant to S.E.C. Rule 17Ad-15.
FORM OF 2020 GLOBAL WARRANT CERTIFICATE
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No. 1
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CUSIP NO. 87073T 121
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UNLESS THIS GLOBAL WARRANT IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“
DTC
”), TO SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY (THE “
COMPANY
”), THE CUSTODIAN OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE, OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
TRANSFER OF THIS GLOBAL WARRANT SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, AND NOT IN PART, TO THE COMPANY, DTC, THEIR SUCCESSORS AND THEIR RESPECTIVE NOMINEES.
Swift Energy Company
April [ ], 2016
NUMBER OF WARRANTS: Initially, 2,142,857 Warrants, subject to adjustment as described in the Warrant Agreement dated as of April 22, 2016 between Swift Energy Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as Warrant Agent (as supplemented or amended, the “
Warrant Agreement
”), each of which is exercisable for one Common Share.
EXERCISE PRICE: Initially, $86.18 per Warrant, subject to adjustment as described in the Warrant Agreement. FORM OF SETTLEMENT:
Full Physical Settlement
: If Full Physical Settlement is elected, the Company shall deliver, against payment of the Exercise Price, a number of Common Shares equal to the number of Warrants exercised.
Net Share Settlement
: If Net Share Settlement is elected, the Company shall deliver, without any Cash payment therefor, a number of Common Shares equal to the quotient determined by dividing (i) the Fair Value (as of the Exercise Date) of the number of Common Shares deliverable pursuant to Full Physical Settlement minus the Exercise Price that would be payable pursuant to Full Physical Settlement by (ii) the Fair Value determined pursuant to the above clause (i).
DATES OF EXERCISE: At any time, and from time to time, prior to the Close of Business on the Expiration Date.
EXPIRATION DATE: The Close of Business on April 22, 2020.
This Global Warrant Certificate certifies that:
[ ], or its registered assigns, is the Global Warrant Holder of the Number of Warrants (the “
Warrants
”) specified above (such number subject to adjustment from time to time as described in the Warrant Agreement).
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Global Warrant Certificate set forth on the reverse hereof, and such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth in this place.
This Global Warrant Certificate shall not be valid unless countersigned by the Warrant Agent.
In the event of any inconsistency between the Warrant Agreement and this Global Warrant Certificate, the Warrant Agreement shall govern.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Swift Energy Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
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SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY
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By:
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Name:
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Title:
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Certificate of Authentication
These are the Warrants referred to in the above-mentioned Warrant Agreement. Countersigned as of the date above written:
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American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC,
as Warrant Agent
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By:
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Authorized Officer
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SWIFT ENERGY COMPANY
The Warrants evidenced by this Global Warrant Certificate are part of a duly authorized issue of Warrants issued by the Company pursuant to the Warrant Agreement, dated as of April 22, 2016 (as it may be amended or supplemented, the “
Warrant Agreement
”), between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as Warrant Agent, and are subject to the terms and provisions contained in the Warrant Agreement, to all of which terms and provisions the Global Warrant Holder consents by issuance of this Global Warrant Certificate. Without limiting the foregoing, all capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings set forth in the Warrant Agreement.
The Warrant Agreement and the terms of the Warrants are subject to amendment as provided in the Warrant Agreement.
This Warrant Certificate shall be governed by, and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
FORM OF ASSIGNMENT
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers the Warrant(s) represented by this Certificate to:
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Name, Address and Zip Code of Assignee
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and irrevocably appoints
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Name of Agent
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as its agent to transfer this Warrant Certificate on the books of the Warrant Agent.
[Signature page follows]
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Date: [ ]
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Name of Assignor
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By:
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Name:
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Title:
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(Sign exactly as your name appears on this Certificate)
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NOTICE: The signature(s) should be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (banks, stockbrokers, savings and loan associations and credit unions with membership in an approved signature guarantee medallion program), pursuant to S.E.C. Rule 17Ad-15.
EXHIBIT C
Form of Exercise Notice
[Address]
Attention: Transfer Department
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Re:
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Warrant Agreement dated as of April 22, 2016 between Swift Energy Company (the “
Company
”) and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as Warrant Agent (as it may be supplemented or amended, the “
Warrant Agreement
”)
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The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise the right, represented by the Global Warrant Certificate No. held for its benefit through the book-entry facilities of The Depository Trust Company (the “
Depository
”), to exercise Warrants and receive the consideration deliverable in exchange therefor pursuant to the following settlement method (check one):
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Full Physical Settlement Net Sale Settlement
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If Full Physical Settlement is elected, the undersigned shall tender payment of the Exercise Price therefore in accordance with instructions received from the Warrant Agent.
Please check below if this exercise is contingent upon a registered public offering or any Change of Control in accordance with Section 3.02(e) of the Warrant Agreement.
¨
This exercise is being made in connection with a registered public offering or any other Change of Control; provided, that in the event that such transaction shall not be consummated, then this exercise shall be deemed revoked.
THIS EXERCISE NOTICE MUST BE DELIVERED TO THE WARRANT AGENT, PRIOR TO CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON THE EXPIRATION DATE. THE WARRANT AGENT SHALL NOTIFY YOU OF THE ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER WHERE YOU CAN CONTACT THE WARRANT AGENT AND TO WHICH WARRANT EXERCISE NOTICES ARE TO BE SUBMITTED.
ALL CAPITALIZED TERMS USED HEREIN AND NOT OTHERWISE DEFINED SHALL HAVE THE MEANINGS SET FORTH IN THE WARRANT AGREEMENT.
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By:
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Authorized Signature
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Address:
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Telephone:
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EXHIBIT D
Fee Schedule
The Company shall pay the Warrant Agent for performance of its services under this Agreement such compensation as shall be agreed in writing between the Company and the Warrant Agent.