Exhibit
3.1
FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED
AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
OF
SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ARTICLE I
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DEFINITIONS
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1
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Section 1.1
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Definitions
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1
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ARTICLE II
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ORGANIZATION
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17
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Section 2.5
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Powers
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18
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Section 2.7
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Term
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19
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Section 2.8
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Title to Partnership Assets
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19
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ARTICLE III
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RIGHTS OF LIMITED PARTNERS
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19
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Section 3.3
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Outside Activities of the Limited Partners
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20
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Section 3.4
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Rights of Limited Partners
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20
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ARTICLE IV
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CERTIFICATES; RECORD HOLDERS; TRANSFER OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS; REDEMPTION OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS
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20
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Section 4.1
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Certificates
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20
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Section 4.2
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Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates
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21
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Section 4.3
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Record Holders
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22
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Section 4.4
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Transfer Generally
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22
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Section 4.5
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Registration and Transfer of Limited Partner Interests
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22
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Section 4.6
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Transfer of the General Partners General Partner Interest
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23
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Section 4.7
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Transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights
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23
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Section 4.8
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Restrictions on Transfers
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24
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Section 4.9
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Tax Certifications; Ineligible Holders; Citizenship Certificates; Non-citizen Assignees
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25
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Section 4.10
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Redemption of Partnership Interests of Non-citizen and Ineligible Holders
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26
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ARTICLE V
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CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND ISSUANCE OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS
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27
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Section 5.1
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Organizational Contributions
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27
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Section 5.2
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Contributions by the General Partner and its Affiliates
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27
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Section 5.3
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Contributions by Initial Limited Partners
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28
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Section 5.4
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Interest and Withdrawal of Capital Contributions
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28
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Section 5.5
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Capital Accounts
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28
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Section 5.6
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Issuances of Additional Partnership Securities
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30
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Section 5.7
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Conversion of Subordinated Units
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31
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Section 5.8
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Limited Preemptive Right
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32
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Section 5.9
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Splits and Combinations
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32
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Section 5.10
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Fully Paid and Non-Assessable Nature of Limited Partner Interests
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32
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Section 5.11
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Issuance of Class B Units in Connection with Reset of Incentive Distribution Rights
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33
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ARTICLE VI
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ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
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34
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Section 6.1
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Allocations for Capital Account Purposes
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34
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Section 6.2
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Allocations for Tax Purposes
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40
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Section 6.3
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Requirement and Characterization of Distributions; Distributions to Record Holders
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41
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Section 6.4
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Distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus
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42
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Section 6.5
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Distributions of Available Cash from Capital Surplus
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43
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Section 6.6
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Adjustment of Minimum Quarterly Distribution and Target Distribution Levels
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43
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Section 6.7
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Special Provisions Relating to the Holders of Subordinated Units and Class B Units
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44
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Section 6.8
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Special Provisions Relating to the Holders of Incentive Distribution Rights
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45
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Section 6.9
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Entity-Level Taxation
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45
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ARTICLE VII
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MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF BUSINESS
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45
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Section 7.1
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Management
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45
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Section 7.2
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Certificate of Limited Partnership
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47
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Section 7.3
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Restrictions on the General Partners Authority
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47
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Section 7.4
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Reimbursement of the General Partner
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47
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Section 7.5
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Outside Activities
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48
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Section 7.6
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Loans from the General Partner; Loans or Contributions from the Partnership or Group Members
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49
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Section 7.7
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Indemnification
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49
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Section 7.8
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Liability of Indemnitees
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50
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Section 7.9
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Resolution of Conflicts of Interest; Standards of Conduct and Modification of Duties
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51
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i
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Section 7.10
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Other Matters Concerning the General Partner
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52
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Section 7.11
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Purchase or Sale of Partnership Securities
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53
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Section 7.12
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Registration Rights of the General Partner and its Affiliates
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53
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Section 7.13
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Reliance by Third Parties
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55
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ARTICLE VIII
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BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS
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55
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Section 8.1
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Records and Accounting
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55
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Section 8.2
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Fiscal Year
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56
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Section 8.3
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Reports
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56
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ARTICLE IX
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TAX MATTERS
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56
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Section 9.1
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Tax Returns and Information
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56
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Section 9.2
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Tax Elections
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56
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Section 9.3
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Tax Controversies
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57
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Section 9.4
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Withholding
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57
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ARTICLE X
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ADMISSION OF PARTNERS
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57
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Section 10.1
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Admission of Initial Limited Partners
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57
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Section 10.2
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Admission of Substituted Limited Partners
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57
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Section 10.3
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Admission of Successor General Partner
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58
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Section 10.4
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Admission of Additional Limited Partners
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58
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Section 10.5
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Amendment of Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership
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58
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ARTICLE XI
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WITHDRAWAL OR REMOVAL OF PARTNERS
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58
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Section 11.1
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Withdrawal of the General Partner
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58
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Section 11.2
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Removal of the General Partner
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60
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Section 11.3
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Interest of Departing General Partner and Successor General Partner
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60
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Section 11.4
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Termination of Subordination
Period, Conversion of Subordinated Units and Extinguishment of Cumulative Common Unit Arrearages
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61
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Section 11.5
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Withdrawal of Limited Partners
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61
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ARTICLE XII
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DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION
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62
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Section 12.1
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Dissolution
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62
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Section 12.2
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Continuation of the Business of the Partnership After Dissolution
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62
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Section 12.3
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Liquidator
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62
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Section 12.4
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Liquidation
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63
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Section 12.5
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Cancellation of Certificate of Limited Partnership
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63
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Section 12.6
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Return of Contributions
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64
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Section 12.7
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Waiver of Partition
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64
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Section 12.8
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Capital Account Restoration
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64
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ARTICLE XIII
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AMENDMENT OF PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT; MEETINGS; RECORD DATE
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64
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Section 13.1
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Amendments to be Adopted Solely by the General Partner
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64
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Section 13.2
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Amendment Procedures
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65
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Section 13.3
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Amendment Requirements
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65
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Section 13.4
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Special Meetings
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66
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Section 13.5
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Notice of a Meeting
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66
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Section 13.6
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Record Date
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66
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Section 13.7
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Adjournment
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67
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Section 13.8
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Waiver of Notice; Approval of Meeting
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67
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Section 13.9
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Quorum and Voting
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67
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Section 13.10
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Conduct of a Meeting
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67
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Section 13.11
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Action Without a Meeting
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68
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Section 13.12
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Right to Vote and Related Matters
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68
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ARTICLE XIV
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MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR CONVERSION
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68
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Section 14.1
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Authority
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68
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Section 14.2
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Procedure for Merger, Consolidation or Conversion
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69
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Section 14.3
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Approval by Limited Partners
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70
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Section 14.4
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Certificate of Merger
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71
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Section 14.5
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Effect of Merger, Consolidation or Conversion
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71
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ARTICLE XV
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RIGHT TO ACQUIRE LIMITED PARTNER INTERESTS
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72
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ii
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Section 15.1
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Right to Acquire Limited Partner Interests
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72
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ARTICLE XVI
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GENERAL PROVISIONS
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73
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Section 16.1
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Addresses and Notices; Written Communications
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73
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Section 16.2
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Further Action
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73
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Section 16.3
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Binding Effect
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73
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Section 16.4
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Integration
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74
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Section 16.5
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Creditors
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74
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Section 16.6
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Waiver
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74
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Section 16.7
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Third-Party Beneficiaries
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74
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Section 16.8
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Counterparts
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74
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Section 16.9
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Applicable Law
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74
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Section 16.10
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Invalidity of Provisions
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74
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Section 16.11
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Consent of Partners
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74
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Section 16.12
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Facsimile Signatures
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74
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iii
FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED
PARTNERSHIP OF SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP
THIS FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF SPECTRA ENERGY
PARTNERS, LP dated as of July 2, 2007, is entered into by and between Spectra Energy Partners (DE)
GP, LP, a Delaware limited partnership, as the General Partner, and Spectra Energy Transmission,
LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the
Organizational Limited Partner
), together with any
other Persons who become Partners in the Partnership or parties hereto as provided herein. In
consideration of the covenants, conditions and agreements contained herein, the parties hereto
hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1
Definitions
.
The following definitions shall be for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly indicated to the
contrary, applied to the terms used in this Agreement.
Acquisition
means any transaction in which any Group Member acquires (through an asset
acquisition, merger, stock acquisition or other form of investment) control over all or a portion
of the assets, properties or business of another Person for the purpose of increasing the long-term
operating capacity or asset base of the Partnership Group from the operating capacity or asset base
of the Partnership Group existing immediately prior to such transaction.
Additional Book Basis
means the portion of any remaining Carrying Value of an Adjusted
Property that is attributable to positive adjustments made to such Carrying Value as a result of
Book-Up Events. For purposes of determining the extent that Carrying Value constitutes Additional
Book Basis:
(a) Any negative adjustment made to the Carrying Value of an Adjusted Property as a result of
either a Book-Down Event or a Book-Up Event shall first be deemed to offset or decrease that
portion of the Carrying Value of such Adjusted Property that is attributable to any prior positive
adjustments made thereto pursuant to a Book-Up Event or Book-Down Event.
(b) If Carrying Value that constitutes Additional Book Basis is reduced as a result of a
Book-Down Event and the Carrying Value of other property is increased as a result of such Book-Down
Event, an allocable portion of any such increase in Carrying Value shall be treated as Additional
Book Basis; provided, that the amount treated as Additional Book Basis pursuant hereto as a result
of such Book-Down Event shall not exceed the amount by which the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive
Adjustments after such Book-Down Event exceeds the remaining Additional Book Basis attributable to
all of the Partnerships Adjusted Property after such Book-Down Event (determined without regard to
the application of this clause (b) to such Book-Down Event).
Additional Book Basis Derivative Items
means any Book Basis Derivative Items that are
computed with reference to Additional Book Basis. To the extent that the Additional Book Basis
attributable to all of the Partnerships Adjusted Property as of the beginning of any taxable
period exceeds the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of the beginning of such period
(the Excess Additional Book Basis), the Additional Book Basis Derivative Items for such period
shall be reduced by the amount that bears the same ratio to the amount of Additional Book Basis
Derivative Items determined without regard to this sentence as the Excess Additional Book Basis
bears to the Additional Book Basis as of the beginning of such period.
Additional Limited Partner
means a Person admitted to the Partnership as a Limited Partner
pursuant to Section 10.4 and who is shown as such on the books and records of the Partnership.
Adjusted Capital Account
means the Capital Account maintained for each Partner as of the end
of each fiscal year of the Partnership, (a) increased by any amounts that such Partner is obligated
to restore under the standards set by Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c) (or is
deemed obligated to restore under Treasury
1
Regulation Sections 1.704-2(g) and 1.704-2(i)(5)) and (b) decreased by (i) the amount of all
losses and deductions that, as of the end of such fiscal year, are reasonably expected to be
allocated to such Partner in subsequent years under Sections 704(e)(2) and 706(d) of the Code and
Treasury Regulation Section 1.751-1(b)(2)(ii), and (ii) the amount of all distributions that, as of
the end of such fiscal year, are reasonably expected to be made to such Partner in subsequent years
in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or otherwise to the extent they exceed offsetting
increases to such Partners Capital Account that are reasonably expected to occur during (or prior
to) the year in which such distributions are reasonably expected to be made (other than increases
as a result of a minimum gain chargeback pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(i) or 6.1(d)(ii)). The
foregoing definition of Adjusted Capital Account is intended to comply with the provisions of
Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
The Adjusted Capital Account of a Partner in respect of a General Partner Unit, a Common Unit, a
Subordinated Unit, a Class B Unit or an Incentive Distribution Right or any other Partnership
Interest shall be the amount that such Adjusted Capital Account would be if such General Partner
Unit, Common Unit, Subordinated Unit, Class B Unit, Incentive Distribution Right or other
Partnership Interest were the only interest in the Partnership held by such Partner from and after
the date on which such General Partner Unit, Common Unit, Class B Unit, Subordinated Unit,
Incentive Distribution Right or other Partnership Interest was first issued.
Adjusted Operating Surplus
means, with respect to any period, Operating Surplus generated
with respect to such period (a) less any net decrease in cash reserves for Operating Expenditures
with respect to such period not relating to an Operating Expenditure made with respect to such
period, and (b) plus (i) any net decrease made in subsequent periods in cash reserves for Operating
Expenditures initially established with respect to such period to the extent such decrease results
in a reduction in Adjusted Operating Surplus in subsequent periods pursuant to clause (a) above and
(ii) any net increase in cash reserves for Operating Expenditures with respect to such period
required by any debt instrument for the repayment of principal, interest or premium. Adjusted
Operating Surplus does not include that portion of Operating Surplus included in clause (a)(i) of
the definition of Operating Surplus.
Adjusted Property
means any property the Carrying Value of which has been adjusted pursuant
to Section 5.5(d)(i) or 5.5(d)(ii).
Affiliate
means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly
through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the
Person in question. As used herein, the term control means the possession, direct or indirect, of
the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether
through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
Aggregate Quantity of Class B Units
has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.11.
Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments
means, as of the end of any taxable period, the
sum of the Remaining Net Positive Adjustments of all the Partners.
Agreed Allocation
means any allocation, other than a Required Allocation, of an item of
income, gain, loss or deduction pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.1, including a Curative
Allocation (if appropriate to the context in which the term Agreed Allocation is used).
Agreed Value
of any Contributed Property means the fair market value of such property or
other consideration at the time of contribution as determined by the General Partner. The General
Partner shall use such method as it determines to be appropriate to allocate the aggregate Agreed
Value of Contributed Properties contributed to the Partnership in a single or integrated
transaction among each separate property on a basis proportional to the fair market value of each
Contributed Property.
Agreement
means this First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Spectra
Energy Partners, LP, as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.
Assignee
means a Person to whom one or more Limited Partner Interests have been transferred
in a manner permitted under this Agreement and who has executed and delivered a Transfer
Application, including a Taxation Certification, as required by this Agreement, but who has not
been admitted as a Substituted Limited Partner.
2
Associate
means, when used to indicate a relationship with any Person, (a) any corporation
or organization of which such Person is a director, officer or partner or is, directly or
indirectly, the owner of 20% or more of any class of voting stock or other voting interest; (b) any
trust or other estate in which such Person has at least a 20% beneficial interest or as to which
such Person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity; and (c) any relative or spouse of
such Person, or any relative of such spouse, who has the same principal residence as such Person.
Available Cash
means, with respect to any Quarter ending prior to the Liquidation Date:
(a) the sum of (i) all cash and cash equivalents of the Partnership Group (or the
Partnerships proportionate share of cash and cash equivalents in the case of Subsidiaries that are
not wholly owned) on hand at the end of such Quarter, and (ii) if the General Partner so
determines, all or any portion of additional cash and cash equivalents of the Partnership Group (or
the Partnerships proportionate share of cash and cash equivalents in the case of Subsidiaries that
are not wholly owned) on hand on the date of determination of Available Cash with respect to such
Quarter, less
(b) the amount of any cash reserves (or the Partnerships proportionate share of cash reserves
in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) established by the General Partner to (i)
provide for the proper conduct of the business of the Partnership Group (including reserves for
future capital expenditures, for anticipated future credit needs of the Partnership Group and for
refunds of collected rates reasonably likely to be refunded as a result of a settlement or hearing
relating to FERC rate proceedings) subsequent to such Quarter, (ii) comply with applicable law or
any loan agreement, security agreement, mortgage, debt instrument or other agreement or obligation
to which any Group Member is a party or by which it is bound or its assets are subject or (iii)
provide funds for distributions under Section 6.4 or 6.5 in respect of any one or more of the next
four Quarters; provided, however, that the General Partner may not establish cash reserves pursuant
to (iii) above if the effect of such reserves would be that the Partnership is unable to distribute
the Minimum Quarterly Distribution on all Common Units, plus any Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage
on all Common Units, with respect to such Quarter; and, provided further, that disbursements made
by a Group Member or cash reserves established, increased or reduced after the end of such Quarter
but on or before the date of determination of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter shall be
deemed to have been made, established, increased or reduced, for purposes of determining Available
Cash, within such Quarter if the General Partner so determines.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Available Cash with respect to the Quarter in which the
Liquidation Date occurs and any subsequent Quarter shall equal zero.
Board of Directors
means the board of directors or managers of a corporation or limited
liability company or the board of directors or board of managers of the general partner of a
limited partnership, as applicable.
Book Basis Derivative Items
means any item of income, deduction, gain or loss included in
the determination of Net Income or Net Loss that is computed with reference to the Carrying Value
of an Adjusted Property (e.g., depreciation, depletion, or gain or loss with respect to an Adjusted
Property).
Book-Down Event
means an event that triggers a negative adjustment to the Capital Accounts
of the Partners pursuant to Section 5.5(d).
Book-Tax Disparity
means with respect to any item of Contributed Property or Adjusted
Property, as of the date of any determination, the difference between the Carrying Value of such
Contributed Property or Adjusted Property and the adjusted basis thereof for federal income tax
purposes as of such date. A Partners share of the Partnerships Book-Tax Disparities in all of its
Contributed Property and Adjusted Property will be reflected by the difference between such
Partners Capital Account balance as maintained pursuant to Section 5.5 and the hypothetical
balance of such Partners Capital Account computed as if it had been maintained strictly in
accordance with federal income tax accounting principles.
Book-Up Event
means an event that triggers a positive adjustment to the Capital Accounts of
the Partners pursuant to Section 5.5(d).
3
Business Day
means Monday through Friday of each week, except that a legal holiday
recognized as such by the government of the United States of America or the State of Texas shall
not be regarded as a Business Day.
Capital Account
means the capital account maintained for a Partner pursuant to Section 5.5.
The Capital Account of a Partner in respect of a General Partner Unit, a Common Unit, a
Subordinated Unit, a Class B Unit, an Incentive Distribution Right or any other Partnership
Interest shall be the amount that such Capital Account would be if such General Partner Unit,
Common Unit, Subordinated Unit, Class B Unit, Incentive Distribution Right or other Partnership
Interest were the only interest in the Partnership held by such Partner from and after the date on
which such General Partner Unit, Common Unit, Class B Unit, Subordinated Unit, Incentive
Distribution Right or other Partnership Interest was first issued.
Capital Contribution
means any cash, cash equivalents or the Net Agreed Value of Contributed
Property that a Partner contributes to the Partnership.
Capital Improvement
means any (a) addition or improvement to the capital assets owned by any
Group Member, (b) the construction of new capital assets or (c) capital contributions by a Group
Member to a Person that is not a Subsidiary in which a Group Member has an equity interest to fund
such Group Members Pro Rata share of the cost of the construction of new capital assets by such
Person, in each case if such addition, improvement, acquisition or construction is made to increase
the long-term operating capacity, asset base or income of the Partnership Group, in the case of
clauses (a) and (b), or such Person, in the case of clause (c), from the operating capacity, asset
base or income of the Partnership Group or such Person, as the case may be, existing immediately
prior to such addition, improvement, acquisition or construction.
Capital Surplus
has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.3(a).
Carrying Value
means (a) with respect to a Contributed Property, the Agreed Value of such
property reduced (but not below zero) by all depreciation, amortization and cost recovery
deductions charged to the Partners and Assignees Capital Accounts in respect of such Contributed
Property, and (b) with respect to any other Partnership property, the adjusted basis of such
property for federal income tax purposes, all as of the time of determination. The Carrying Value
of any property shall be adjusted from time to time in accordance with Sections 5.5(d)(i) and
5.5(d)(ii) and to reflect changes, additions or other adjustments to the Carrying Value for
dispositions and acquisitions of Partnership properties, as deemed appropriate by the General
Partner.
Cause
means a court of competent jurisdiction has entered a final, non-appealable judgment
finding the General Partner liable for actual fraud or willful misconduct in its capacity as a
general partner of the Partnership.
Certificate
means (a) a certificate (i) substantially in the form of Exhibit A to this
Agreement, (ii) issued in global form in accordance with the rules and regulations of the
Depositary or (iii) in such other form as may be adopted by the General Partner, issued by the
Partnership evidencing ownership of one or more Common Units or (b) a certificate, in such form as
may be adopted by the General Partner, issued by the Partnership evidencing ownership of one or
more other Partnership Securities.
Certificate of Limited Partnership
means the Certificate of Limited Partnership of the
Partnership filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as referenced in Section
7.2, as such Certificate of Limited Partnership may be amended, supplemented or restated from time
to time.
Citizenship Certification
means a properly completed certificate in such form as may be
specified by the General Partner by which an Assignee or a Limited Partner certifies that he (and
if he is a nominee holding for the account of another Person, that to the best of his knowledge
such other Person) is an Eligible Citizen.
claim
(as used in Section 7.12(d)) has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.12(d).
Class B Unit
means a Partnership Security representing a fractional part of the Partnership
Interests of all Limited Partners, and having the rights and obligations specified with respect to
Class B Units in this Agreement.
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Closing Date
means the first date on which Common Units are issued and sold by the
Partnership to the Underwriters pursuant to the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement.
Closing Price
means, in respect of any class of Limited Partner Interests, as of the date of
determination, the last sale price on such day, regular way, or in case no such sale takes place on
such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on such day, regular way, as reported in
the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the
principal National Securities Exchange (other than the Nasdaq National Market) on which the
respective Limited Partner Interests are listed or admitted to trading or, if such Limited Partner
Interests are not listed or admitted to trading on any National Securities Exchange (other than the
Nasdaq National Market), the last quoted price on such day or, if not so quoted, the average of the
high bid and low asked prices on such day in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the Nasdaq
National Market or such other system then in use, or, if on any such day such Limited Partner
Interests of such class are not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and
asked prices on such day as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in such
Limited Partner Interests of such class selected by the General Partner, or if on any such day no
market maker is making a market in such Limited Partner Interests of such class, the fair value of
such Limited Partner Interests on such day as determined by the General Partner.
Code
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect from time to time.
Any reference herein to a specific section or sections of the Code shall be deemed to include a
reference to any corresponding provision of any successor law.
Combined Interest
has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.3(a).
Commission
means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Commodity Hedge Contract
means any commodity exchange, swap, forward, cap, floor, collar or
other similar agreement or arrangement entered into for the purpose of hedging the Partnership
Groups exposure to fluctuations in the price of hydrocarbons in their operations and not for
speculative purposes.
Common Unit
means a Partnership Security representing a fractional part of the Partnership
Interests of all Limited Partners and Assignees, and having the rights and obligations specified
with respect to Common Units in this Agreement. The term Common Unit does not include a
Subordinated Unit or Class B Unit prior to its conversion into a Common Unit pursuant to the terms
hereof.
Common Unit Arrearage
means, with respect to any Common Unit, whenever issued, as to any
Quarter within the Subordination Period, the excess, if any, of (a) the Minimum Quarterly
Distribution with respect to a Common Unit in respect of such Quarter over (b) the sum of all
Available Cash distributed with respect to a Common Unit in respect of such Quarter pursuant to
Section 6.4(a)(i).
Conflicts Committee
means a committee of the Board of Directors of the General Partner
composed entirely of two or more directors, each of whom (a) is not a security holder, officer or
employee of the General Partner, (b) is not an officer, director or employee of any Affiliate of
the General Partner, (c) is not a holder of any ownership interest in the Partnership Group other
than Common Units and (d) meets the independence standards required of directors who serve on an
audit committee of a board of directors established by the Securities Exchange Act and the rules
and regulations of the Commission thereunder and by the National Securities Exchange on which the
Common Units are listed or admitted to trading.
Contributed Property
means each property or other asset, in such form as may be permitted by
the Delaware Act, but excluding cash, contributed to the Partnership. Once the Carrying Value of a
Contributed Property is adjusted pursuant to Section 5.5(d), such property shall no longer
constitute a Contributed Property, but shall be deemed an Adjusted Property.
Contribution Agreement
means that certain Contribution and Conveyance Agreement, dated as of
the Closing Date, among the General Partner, the Partnership, the Operating Partnership and certain
other parties,
5
together with the additional conveyance documents and instruments contemplated or referenced
thereunder, as such may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.
Converted Common Units
has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.1(d)(x)(B).
Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage
means, with respect to any Common Unit, whenever issued,
and as of the end of any Quarter, the excess, if any, of (a) the sum resulting from adding together
the Common Unit Arrearage as to an Initial Common Unit for each of the Quarters within the
Subordination Period ending on or before the last day of such Quarter over (b) the sum of any
distributions theretofore made pursuant to Section 6.4(a)(ii) and the second sentence of Section
6.5 with respect to an Initial Common Unit (including any distributions to be made in respect of
the last of such Quarters).
Curative Allocation
means any allocation of an item of income, gain, deduction, loss or
credit pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.1(d)(xi).
Current Market Price
means, in respect of any class of Limited Partner Interests, as of the
date of determination, the average of the daily Closing Prices per Limited Partner Interest of such
class for the 20 consecutive Trading Days immediately prior to such date.
Delaware Act
means the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, 6 Del C. Section
17-101, et seq., as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, and any successor to such
statute.
Departing General Partner
means a former general partner from and after the effective date
of any withdrawal or removal of such former general partner pursuant to Section 11.1 or Section
11.2.
Depositary
means, with respect to any Units issued in global form, The Depository Trust
Company and its successors and permitted assigns.
Economic Risk of Loss
has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-2(a).
Eligible Citizen
means a Person qualified to own interests in real property in jurisdictions
in which any Group Member does business or proposes to do business from time to time, and whose
status as a Limited Partner or Assignee the General Partner determines does not or would not
subject such Group Member to a significant risk of cancellation or forfeiture of any of its
properties or any interest therein.
Eligible Holder
means a Person either (a) subject to United States federal income taxation
on the income generated by the Partnership or (b) not subject to United States federal income
taxation on the income generated by the Partnership, but all of whose beneficial owners are subject
to United States federal income taxation on the income generated by the Partnership. Schedule I to
the Transfer Application provides examples of Persons that are and Persons that are not Eligible
Holders.
Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount
has the meaning assigned to such term in Section
6.9.
Event of Withdrawal
has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.1(a).
Expansion Capital Expenditures
means cash expenditures for Acquisitions or Capital
Improvements, and shall not include Maintenance Capital Expenditures.
FERC
means the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Final Subordinated Units
has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.1(d)(x).
First Liquidation Target Amount
has the meaning assigned to such term in Section
6.1(c)(i)(E).
6
First Target Distribution
means $0.345 per Unit per Quarter (or, with respect to the period
commencing on the Closing Date and ending on September 30, 2007, it means the product of $0.345
multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator is the number of days in such period, and of which
the denominator is 92), subject to adjustment in accordance with Sections 5.11, 6.6 and 6.9.
Fully Diluted Basis
means, when calculating the number of Outstanding Units for any period,
a basis that includes, in addition to the Outstanding Units, all Partnership Securities and
options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to an equity interest in the Partnership
(a) that are convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Units that are senior to or pari
passu with the Subordinated Units, (b) whose conversion, exercise or exchange price is less than
the Current Market Price on the date of such calculation, (c) that may be converted into or
exercised or exchanged for such Units prior to or during the Quarter immediately following the end
of the period for which the calculation is being made without the satisfaction of any contingency
beyond the control of the holder other than the payment of consideration and the compliance with
administrative mechanics applicable to such conversion, exercise or exchange and (d) that were not
converted into or exercised or exchanged for such Units during the period for which the calculation
is being made; provided, however, that for purposes of determining the number of Outstanding Units
on a Fully Diluted Basis when calculating whether the Subordination Period has ended or
Subordinated Units are entitled to convert into Common Units pursuant to Section 5.7, such
Partnership Securities, options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights shall be deemed to have
been Outstanding Units only for the four Quarters that comprise the last four Quarters of the
measurement period; provided, further, that if consideration will be paid to any Group Member in
connection with such conversion, exercise or exchange, the number of Units to be included in such
calculation shall be that number equal to the difference between (i) the number of Units issuable
upon such conversion, exercise or exchange and (ii) the number of Units that such consideration
would purchase at the Current Market Price.
General Partner
means Spectra Energy Partners (DE) GP, LP, a Delaware limited partnership,
and its successors and permitted assigns that are admitted to the Partnership as general partner of
the Partnership, in its capacity as general partner of the Partnership (except as the context
otherwise requires).
General Partner Interest
means the ownership interest of the General Partner in the
Partnership (in its capacity as a general partner without reference to any Limited Partner Interest
held by it), which is evidenced by General Partner Units, and includes any and all benefits to
which the General Partner is entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with all obligations
of the General Partner to comply with the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
General Partner Unit
means a fractional part of the General Partner Interest having the
rights and obligations specified with respect to the General Partner Interest. A General Partner
Unit is not a Unit.
Group
means a Person that with or through any of its Affiliates or Associates has any
contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting
(except voting pursuant to a revocable proxy or consent given to such Person in response to a proxy
or consent solicitation made to 10 or more Persons), exercising investment power or disposing of
any Partnership Interests with any other Person that beneficially owns, or whose Affiliates or
Associates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, Partnership Interests.
Group Member
means a member of the Partnership Group.
Group Member Agreement
means the partnership agreement of any Group Member, other than the
Partnership, that is a limited or general partnership, the limited liability company agreement of
any Group Member that is a limited liability company, the certificate of incorporation and bylaws
or similar organizational documents of any Group Member that is a corporation, the joint venture
agreement or similar governing document of any Group Member that is a joint venture and the
governing or organizational or similar documents of any other Group Member that is a Person other
than a limited or general partnership, limited liability company, corporation or joint venture, as
such may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.
Holder
as used in Section 7.12, has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.12(a).
7
IDR Reset Election
has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.11(a).
Incentive Distribution Right
means a non-voting Limited Partner Interest issued to the
General Partner, which Limited Partner Interest will confer upon the holder thereof only the rights
and obligations specifically provided in this Agreement with respect to Incentive Distribution
Rights (and no other rights otherwise available to or other obligations of a holder of a
Partnership Interest). Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the holder of an
Incentive Distribution Right shall not be entitled to vote such Incentive Distribution Right on any
Partnership matter except as may otherwise be required by law.
Incentive Distributions
means any amount of cash distributed to the holders of the Incentive
Distribution Rights pursuant to Sections 6.4(a)(v), (vi) and (vii) and 6.4(b)(iii), (iv) and (v).
Incremental Income Taxes
has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.9.
Indemnified Persons
has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.12(d).
Indemnitee
means (a) the General Partner, (b) any Departing General Partner, (c) any Person
who is or was an Affiliate of the General Partner or any Departing General Partner, (d) any Person
who is or was a member, partner, director, officer, fiduciary or trustee of any Group Member (other
than any Person who is or was a Limited Partner of the Partnership in such Persons capacity as
such), the General Partner or any Departing General Partner or any Affiliate of any Group Member,
the General Partner or any Departing General Partner, (e) any Person who is or was serving at the
request of the General Partner or any Departing General Partner or any Affiliate of the General
Partner or any Departing General Partner as an officer, director, member, partner, fiduciary or
trustee of another Person; provided that a Person shall not be an Indemnitee by reason of
providing, on a fee-for-services basis, trustee, fiduciary or custodial services, and (f) any
Person the General Partner designates as an Indemnitee for purposes of this Agreement.
Ineligible Holder
means a Person whom the General Partner has determined is not an Eligible
Holder.
Initial Common Units
means the Common Units sold in the Initial Offering.
Initial Limited Partners
means the Organizational Limited Partner, Spectra Energy Southeast
Pipeline Corp. and the General Partner (with respect to the Common Units, Subordinated Units and
Incentive Distribution Rights received by them pursuant to Section 5.2) and the Underwriters, in
each case upon being admitted to the Partnership in accordance with Section 10.1.
Initial Offering
means the initial offering and sale of Common Units to the public, as
described in the Registration Statement.
Initial Unit Price
means (a) with respect to the Common Units and the Subordinated Units,
the initial public offering price per Common Unit at which the Underwriters offered the Common
Units to the public for sale as set forth on the cover page of the prospectus included as part of
the Registration Statement and first issued at or after the time the Registration Statement first
became effective or (b) with respect to any other class or series of Units, the price per Unit at
which such class or series of Units is initially sold by the Partnership, as determined by the
General Partner, in each case adjusted as the General Partner determines to be appropriate to give
effect to any distribution, subdivision or combination of Units.
Interest Rate Hedge Contract
means any interest rate exchange, swap, forward, cap, floor
collar or other similar agreement or arrangement entered into for the purpose of reducing the
exposure of the Partnership Group to fluctuations in interest rates in their financing activities
and not for speculative purposes.
Interim Capital Transactions
means the following transactions if they occur prior to the
Liquidation Date: (a) borrowings, refinancings or refundings of indebtedness (other than for items
purchased on open account in the ordinary course of business) by any Group Member and sales of debt
securities of any Group Member; (b) sales of equity interests of any Group Member (including the
Common Units sold to the Underwriters pursuant to the
8
exercise of the Over-Allotment Option); (c) sales or other voluntary or involuntary
dispositions of any assets of any Group Member other than (i) sales or other dispositions of
inventory, accounts receivable and other assets in the ordinary course of business, and (ii) sales
or other dispositions of assets as part of normal retirements or replacements; (d) the termination
of Interest Rate Hedge Contracts or Commodity Hedge Contracts prior to the termination date
specified therein; (e) capital contributions received; or (f) corporate reorganizations or
restructurings.
Issue Price
means the price at which a Unit is purchased from the Partnership, net of any
sales commission or underwriting discount charged to the Partnership.
Limited Partner
means, unless the context otherwise requires, (a) the Organizational Limited
Partner prior to its withdrawal from the Partnership, each Initial Limited Partner, each
Substituted Limited Partner, each Additional Limited Partner and any Departing General Partner upon
the change of its status from General Partner to Limited Partner pursuant to Section 11.3, in each
case, in such Persons capacity as limited partner of the Partnership or (b) solely for purposes of
Articles V, VI, VII, IX and XII, each Assignee; provided, however, that when the term Limited
Partner is used herein in the context of any vote or other approval, including Articles XIII and
XIV, such term shall not, solely for such purpose, include any holder of an Incentive Distribution
Right (solely with respect to its Incentive Distribution Rights and not with respect to any other
Limited Partner Interest held by such Person) except as may be required by law.
Limited Partner Interest
means the ownership interest of a Limited Partner or Assignee in
the Partnership, which may be evidenced by Common Units, Class B Units, Subordinated Units,
Incentive Distribution Rights or other Partnership Securities or a combination thereof or interest
therein, and includes any and all benefits to which such Limited Partner or Assignee is entitled as
provided in this Agreement, together with all obligations of such Limited Partner or Assignee to
comply with the terms and provisions of this Agreement; provided, however, that when the term
Limited Partner Interest is used herein in the context of any vote or other approval, including
Articles XIII and XIV, such term shall not, solely for such purpose, include any Incentive
Distribution Right except as may be required by law.
Limited Partner Unit
means each of the Common Units, Class B Units, Subordinated Units and
other Units representing fractional parts of the Partnership Interests of all Limited Partners and
Assignees.
Liquidation Date
means (a) in the case of an event giving rise to the dissolution of the
Partnership of the type described in clauses (a) and (b) of the first sentence of Section 12.2, the
date on which the applicable time period during which the holders of Outstanding Units have the
right to elect to continue the business of the Partnership has expired without such an election
being made, and (b) in the case of any other event giving rise to the dissolution of the
Partnership, the date on which such event occurs.
Liquidator
means one or more Persons selected by the General Partner to perform the
functions described in Section 12.4 as liquidating trustee of the Partnership within the meaning of
the Delaware Act.
Maintenance Capital Expenditures
means cash expenditures (including expenditures for the
addition or improvement to the capital assets owned by any Group Member or for the acquisition of
existing, or the construction of new, capital assets) if such expenditures are made to maintain,
including over the long term, the operating capacity, asset base or income of the Partnership
Group.
Merger Agreement
has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 14.1.
Minimum Quarterly Distribution
means $0.30 per Unit per Quarter (or with respect to the
period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on September 30, 2007, it means the product of
$0.30 multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator is the number of days in such period and of
which the denominator is 92), subject to adjustment in accordance with Sections 5.11, 6.6 and 6.9.
National Securities Exchange
means an exchange registered with the Commission under Section
6(a) of the Securities Exchange Act and any successor to such statute.
9
Net Agreed Value
means, (a) in the case of any Contributed Property, the Agreed Value of
such property reduced by any liabilities either assumed by the Partnership upon such contribution
or to which such property is subject when contributed, and (b) in the case of any property
distributed to a Partner or Assignee by the Partnership, the Partnerships Carrying Value of such
property (as adjusted pursuant to Section 5.5(d)(ii)) at the time such property is distributed,
reduced by any indebtedness either assumed by such Partner or Assignee upon such distribution or to
which such property is subject at the time of distribution, in either case, as determined under
Section 752 of the Code, and (c) in the case of a contribution of Common Units by the General
Partner to the Partnership as a Capital Contribution pursuant to Section 5.2(b), an amount per
Common Unit contributed equal to the Current Market Price per Common Unit as of the date of the
contribution.
Net Income
means, for any taxable year, the excess, if any, of the Partnerships items of
income and gain (other than those items taken into account in the computation of Net Termination
Gain or Net Termination Loss) for such taxable year over the Partnerships items of loss and
deduction (other than those items taken into account in the computation of Net Termination Gain or
Net Termination Loss) for such taxable year. The items included in the calculation of Net Income
shall be determined in accordance with Section 5.5(b) and shall not include any items specially
allocated under Section 6.1(d); provided, that the determination of the items that have been
specially allocated under Section 6.1(d) shall be made as if Section 6.1(d)(xii) were not in this
Agreement.
Net Loss
means, for any taxable year, the excess, if any, of the Partnerships items of loss
and deduction (other than those items taken into account in the computation of Net Termination Gain
or Net Termination Loss) for such taxable year over the Partnerships items of income and gain
(other than those items taken into account in the computation of Net Termination Gain or Net
Termination Loss) for such taxable year. The items included in the calculation of Net Loss shall be
determined in accordance with Section 5.5(b) and shall not include any items specially allocated
under Section 6.1(d); provided, that the determination of the items that have been specially
allocated under Section 6.1(d) shall be made as if Section 6.1(d)(xii) were not in this Agreement.
Net Positive Adjustments
means, with respect to any Partner, the excess, if any, of the
total positive adjustments over the total negative adjustments made to the Capital Account of such
Partner pursuant to Book-Up Events and Book-Down Events.
Net Termination Gain
means, for any taxable year, the sum, if positive, of all items of
income, gain, loss or deduction recognized by the Partnership after the Liquidation Date. The items
included in the determination of Net Termination Gain shall be determined in accordance with
Section 5.5(b) and shall not include any items of income, gain or loss specially allocated under
Section 6.1(d).
Net Termination Loss
means, for any taxable year, the sum, if negative, of all items of
income, gain, loss or deduction recognized by the Partnership after the Liquidation Date. The items
included in the determination of Net Termination Loss shall be determined in accordance with
Section 5.5(b) and shall not include any items of income, gain or loss specially allocated under
Section 6.1(d).
Non-citizen Assignee
means a Person whom the General Partner has determined does not
constitute an Eligible Citizen and as to whose Partnership Interest the General Partner has become
the Substituted Limited Partner, pursuant to Section 4.9.
Nonrecourse Built-in Gain
means with respect to any Contributed Properties or Adjusted
Properties that are subject to a mortgage or pledge securing a Nonrecourse Liability, the amount of
any taxable gain that would be allocated to the Partners pursuant to Sections 6.2(b)(i)(A),
6.2(b)(ii)(A) and 6.2(b)(iii) if such properties were disposed of in a taxable transaction in full
satisfaction of such liabilities and for no other consideration.
Nonrecourse Deductions
means any and all items of loss, deduction or expenditure (including
any expenditure described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code) that, in accordance with the
principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(b), are attributable to a Nonrecourse Liability.
Nonrecourse Liability
has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section
1.752-1(a)(2).
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Notice of Election to Purchase
has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 15.1(b).
Omnibus Agreement
means that certain Omnibus Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, among
Spectra Energy Corp., the General Partner and the Partnership, as such agreement may be amended,
supplemented or restated from time to time.
Operating Expenditures
means all Partnership Group cash expenditures (or the Partnerships
proportionate share of expenditures in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned),
including, but not limited to, taxes, reimbursements of the General Partner, interest payments,
payments made in the ordinary course of business under Interest Rate Hedge Contracts and Commodity
Hedge Contracts, Maintenance Capital Expenditures, non-Pro Rata repurchases of Units (other than
those made with the proceeds of an Interim Capital Transaction), subject to the following:
(a) payments (including prepayments and prepayment penalties) of principal of and premium on
indebtedness shall not constitute Operating Expenditures; and
(b) Operating Expenditures shall not include (i) Expansion Capital Expenditures, (ii) payment
of transaction expenses (including taxes) relating to Interim Capital Transactions or (iii)
distributions to Partners. Where capital expenditures consist of both Maintenance Capital
Expenditures and Expansion Capital Expenditures, the General Partner, with the concurrence of the
Conflicts Committee, shall determine the allocation between the portion consisting of Maintenance
Capital Expenditures and the portion consisting of Expansion Capital Expenditures.
Operating Partnership
means Spectra Energy Partners OLP, LP, a Delaware limited partnership,
and any successors thereto.
Operating Surplus
means, with respect to any period ending prior to the Liquidation Date, on
a cumulative basis and without duplication,
(a) the sum of
(i) an amount equal to the sum of (A) two times the amount needed for any one Quarter for the
Partnership to pay the minimum quarterly distribution on all Units (including the General Partner
Units) and (B) two times the amount in excess of the minimum quarterly distribution for any quarter
to pay a distribution on all Common Units at the same per unit amount as was distributed on the
Common Units in excess of the minimum quarterly distribution in the immediately preceding quarter,
provided the amount in (B) will be deemed to be Operating Surplus only to the extent that the
distribution paid in respect of such amounts is paid on Common Units (or with respect to the period
commencing on the Closing Date and ending on September 30, 2007, it means the product of (x) $0.60
multiplied by (C) a fraction of which the numerator is the number of days in such period and the
denominator is 92 multiplied by (D) the number of Units and General Partner Units Outstanding on
the Record Date with respect to such period), and
(ii) all cash receipts of the Partnership Group (or the Partnerships proportionate share of
cash receipts in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) for the period beginning on
the Closing Date and ending on the last day of such period, but excluding cash receipts from
Interim Capital Transactions (except to the extent specified in Section 6.5 and provided that cash
receipts from the termination of a Commodity Hedge Contract or an Interest Rate Hedge Contract
prior to its specified termination date shall be included in Operating Surplus in equal quarterly
installments over the remaining scheduled life of such Commodity Hedge Contract or Interest Rate
Hedge Contract), less
(b) the sum of (i) Operating Expenditures for the period beginning on the Closing Date and
ending on the last day of such period and (ii) the amount of cash reserves (or the Partnerships
proportionate share of cash reserves in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned)
established by the General Partner to provide funds for future Operating Expenditures; provided,
however, that disbursements made (including contributions to a Group Member or disbursements on
behalf of a Group Member) or cash reserves established, increased or reduced after the
11
end of such period but on or before the date of determination of Available Cash with respect
to such period shall be deemed to have been made, established, increased or reduced, for purposes
of determining Operating Surplus, within such period if the General Partner so determines.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Operating Surplus with respect to the Quarter in which the
Liquidation Date occurs and any subsequent Quarter shall equal zero.
Opinion of Counsel
means a written opinion of counsel (who may be regular counsel to the
Partnership or the General Partner or any of its Affiliates) acceptable to the General Partner.
Option Closing Date
means the date or dates on which any Common Units are sold by the
Partnership to the Underwriters upon exercise of the Over-Allotment Option.
Organizational Limited Partner
means Spectra Energy Transmission, LLC in its capacity as the
organizational limited partner of the Partnership pursuant to this Agreement.
Outstanding
means, with respect to Partnership Securities, all Partnership Securities that
are issued by the Partnership and reflected as outstanding on the Partnerships books and records
as of the date of determination; provided, however, that if at any time any Person or Group (other
than the General Partner or its Affiliates) beneficially owns 20% or more of the Outstanding
Partnership Securities of any class then Outstanding, all Partnership Securities owned by such
Person or Group shall not be voted on any matter and shall not be considered to be Outstanding when
sending notices of a meeting of Limited Partners to vote on any matter (unless otherwise required
by law), calculating required votes, determining the presence of a quorum or for other similar
purposes under this Agreement, except that Units so owned shall be considered to be Outstanding for
purposes of Section 11.1(b)(iv) (such Units shall not, however, be treated as a separate class of
Partnership Securities for purposes of this Agreement); provided, further, that the foregoing
limitation shall not apply to (i) any Person or Group who acquired 20% or more of the Outstanding
Partnership Securities of any class then Outstanding directly from the General Partner or its
Affiliates, (ii) any Person or Group who acquired 20% or more of the Outstanding Partnership
Securities of any class then Outstanding directly or indirectly from a Person or Group described in
clause (i) provided that the General Partner shall have notified such Person or Group in writing
that such limitation shall not apply, or (iii) any Person or Group who acquired 20% or more of any
Partnership Securities issued by the Partnership with the prior approval of the Board of Directors
of the General Partner.
Over-Allotment Option
means the over-allotment option granted to the Underwriters by the
Partnership pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement.
Partner Nonrecourse Debt
has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section
1.704-2(b)(4).
Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain
has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation
Section 1.704-2(i)(2).
Partner Nonrecourse Deductions
means any and all items of loss, deduction or expenditure
(including any expenditure described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code) that, in accordance with
the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i), are attributable to a Partner Nonrecourse
Debt.
Partners
means the General Partner and the Limited Partners.
Partnership
means Spectra Energy Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership.
Partnership Group
means the Partnership and its Subsidiaries treated as a single
consolidated entity.
Partnership Interest
means an interest in the Partnership, which shall include the General
Partner Interest and Limited Partner Interests.
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Partnership Minimum Gain
means that amount determined in accordance with the principles of
Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(d).
Partnership Security
means any class or series of equity interest in the Partnership (but
excluding any options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to an equity interest in
the Partnership), including Common Units, Class B Units, Subordinated Units, General Partner Units
and Incentive Distribution Rights.
Per Unit Capital Amount
means, as of any date of determination, the Capital Account, stated
on a per Unit basis, underlying any Unit held by a Person other than the General Partner or any
Affiliate of the General Partner who holds Units.
Percentage Interest
means as of any date of determination (a) as to the General Partner with
respect to General Partner Units and as to any Unitholder or Assignee holding Units, the product
obtained by multiplying (i) 100% less the percentage applicable to clause (b) below by (ii) the
quotient obtained by dividing (A) the number of General Partner Units held by the General Partner
or the number of Units held by such Unitholder or Assignee, as the case may be, by (B) the total
number of all Outstanding Units and General Partner Units, and (b) as to the holders of other
Partnership Securities issued by the Partnership in accordance with Section 5.6, the percentage
established as a part of such issuance. The Percentage Interest with respect to an Incentive
Distribution Right shall at all times be zero.
Person
means an individual or a corporation, firm, limited liability company, partnership,
joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, association, government agency or political
subdivision thereof or other entity.
Pro Rata
means (a) when used with respect to Units or any class thereof, apportioned equally
among all designated Units in accordance with their relative Percentage Interests, (b) when used
with respect to Partners and Assignees or Record Holders, apportioned among all Partners and
Assignees or Record Holders in accordance with their relative Percentage Interests and (c) when
used with respect to holders of Incentive Distribution Rights, apportioned equally among all
holders of Incentive Distribution Rights in accordance with the relative number or percentage of
Incentive Distribution Rights held by each such holder.
Purchase Date
means the date determined by the General Partner as the date for purchase of
all Outstanding Limited Partner Interests of a certain class (other than Limited Partner Interests
owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates) pursuant to Article XV.
Quarter
means, unless the context requires otherwise, a fiscal quarter of the Partnership,
or, with respect to the fiscal quarter of the Partnership which includes the Closing Date, the
portion of such fiscal quarter after the Closing Date.
Recapture Income
means any gain recognized by the Partnership (computed without regard to
any adjustment required by Section 734 or Section 743 of the Code) upon the disposition of any
property or asset of the Partnership, which gain is characterized as ordinary income because it
represents the recapture of deductions previously taken with respect to such property or asset.
Record Date
means the date established by the General Partner or otherwise in accordance
with this Agreement for determining (a) the identity of the Record Holders entitled to notice of,
or to vote at, any meeting of Limited Partners or entitled to vote by ballot or give approval of
Partnership action in writing without a meeting or entitled to exercise rights in respect of any
lawful action of Limited Partners or (b) the identity of Record Holders entitled to receive any
report or distribution or to participate in any offer.
Record Holder
means the Person in whose name a Common Unit is registered on the books of the
Transfer Agent as of the opening of business on a particular Business Day, or with respect to other
Partnership Interests, the Person in whose name any such other Partnership Interest is registered
on the books that the General Partner has caused to be kept as of the opening of business on such
Business Day.
13
Redeemable Interests
means any Partnership Interests for which a redemption notice has been
given, and has not been withdrawn, pursuant to Section 4.10.
Registration Statement
means the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-141687) as
it has been or as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, filed by the Partnership
with the Commission under the Securities Act to register the offering and sale of the Common Units
in the Initial Offering.
Remaining Net Positive Adjustments
means as of the end of any taxable period, (i) with
respect to the Unitholders holding Common Units, Class B Units or Subordinated Units, the excess of
(a) the Net Positive Adjustments of the Unitholders holding Common Units, Class B Units or
Subordinated Units as of the end of such period over (b) the sum of those Partners Share of
Additional Book Basis Derivative Items for each prior taxable period, (ii) with respect to the
General Partner (as holder of the General Partner Units), the excess of (a) the Net Positive
Adjustments of the General Partner as of the end of such period over (b) the sum of the General
Partners Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items with respect to the General Partner Units
for each prior taxable period, and (iii) with respect to the holders of Incentive Distribution
Rights, the excess of (a) the Net Positive Adjustments of the holders of Incentive Distribution
Rights as of the end of such period over (b) the sum of the Share of Additional Book Basis
Derivative Items of the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights for each prior taxable period.
Required Allocations
means (a) any limitation imposed on any allocation of Net Losses or Net
Termination Losses under Section 6.1(b) or Section 6.1(c)(ii) and (b) any allocation of an item of
income, gain, loss or deduction pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(i), Section 6.1(d)(ii), Section
6.1(d)(iv), Section 6.1(d)(vii) or Section 6.1(d)(ix).
Residual Gain
or
Residual Loss
means any item of gain or loss, as the case may be, of the
Partnership recognized for federal income tax purposes resulting from a sale, exchange or other
disposition of a Contributed Property or Adjusted Property, to the extent such item of gain or loss
is not allocated pursuant to Section 6.2(b)(i)(A) or Section 6.2(b)(ii)(A), respectively, to
eliminate Book-Tax Disparities.
Reset MQD
has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.11(e).
Reset Notice
has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.11(b).
Retained Converted Subordinated Unit
has the meaning assigned to such term in Section
5.5(c)(ii).
Second Liquidation Target Amount
has the meaning assigned to such term in Section
6.1(c)(i)(F).
Second Target Distribution
means $0.375 per Unit per Quarter (or, with respect to the period
commencing on the Closing Date and ending on September 30, 2007, it means the product of $0.375
multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator is equal to the number of days in such period and
of which the denominator is 92), subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 5.11, Section 6.6
and Section 6.9.
Securities Act
means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, supplemented or restated from
time to time and any successor to such statute.
Securities Exchange Act
means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, supplemented
or restated from time to time and any successor to such statute.
Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items
means in connection with any allocation of
Additional Book Basis Derivative Items for any taxable period, (i) with respect to the Unitholders
holding Common Units, Class B Units or Subordinated Units, the amount that bears the same ratio to
such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items as the Unitholders Remaining Net Positive Adjustments
as of the end of such period bears to the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of that
time, (ii) with respect to the General Partner (as holder of the General Partner Units), the amount
that bears the same ratio to such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items as the General Partners
Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of the end of such period bears to the Aggregate
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Remaining Net Positive Adjustment as of that time, and (iii) with respect to the Partners
holding Incentive Distribution Rights, the amount that bears the same ratio to such Additional Book
Basis Derivative Items as the Remaining Net Positive Adjustments of the Partners holding the
Incentive Distribution Rights as of the end of such period bears to the Aggregate Remaining Net
Positive Adjustments as of that time.
Special Approval
means approval by a majority of the members of the Conflicts Committee.
Subordinated Unit
means a Partnership Security representing a fractional part of the
Partnership Interests of all Limited Partners and Assignees and having the rights and obligations
specified with respect to Subordinated Units in this Agreement. The term Subordinated Unit does
not include a Common Unit or Class B Unit. A Subordinated Unit that is convertible into a Common
Unit shall not constitute a Common Unit until such conversion occurs.
Subordination Period
means the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on the first
to occur of:
(a) the first date on which there are no longer outstanding any Subordinated Units due to the
conversion of Subordinated Units into Common Units pursuant to Section 5.7 or otherwise; and
(b) the date on which the General Partner is removed as general partner of the Partnership
upon the requisite vote by holders of Outstanding Units under circumstances where Cause does not
exist and Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates are not voted in favor of such
removal.
Subsidiary
means, with respect to any Person, (a) a corporation of which more than 50% of
the voting power of shares entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote
in the election of directors or other governing body of such corporation is owned, directly or
indirectly, at the date of determination, by such Person, by one or more Subsidiaries of such
Person or a combination thereof, (b) a partnership (whether general or limited) in which such
Person or a Subsidiary of such Person is, at the date of determination, a general or limited
partner of such partnership, but only if more than 50% of the partnership interests of such
partnership (considering all of the partnership interests of the partnership as a single class) is
owned, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, by such Person, by one or more
Subsidiaries of such Person, or a combination thereof, or (c) any other Person (other than a
corporation or a partnership) in which such Person, one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or a
combination thereof, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, has (i) at least a
majority ownership interest or (ii) the power to elect or direct the election of a majority of the
directors or other governing body of such Person.
Substituted Limited Partner
means a Person who is admitted as a Limited Partner to the
Partnership pursuant to Section 10.2 in place of and with all the rights of a Limited Partner and
who is shown as a Limited Partner on the books and records of the Partnership.
Surviving Business Entity
has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 14.2(b).
Target Distributions
means, collectively, the First Target Distribution, Second Target
Distribution and Third Target Distribution.
Taxation Certification
means a properly completed certificate in such form or forms as may
be specified by the General Partner by which a Limited Partner or Assignee certifies that he (and
if he is a nominee holding for the account of another Person, that to the best of his knowledge
such other Person) is an Eligible Holder and includes a Transfer Application containing such a
certification.
Third Liquidation Target Amount
has the meaning assigned to such term in Section
6.1(c)(i)(G).
Third Target Distribution
means $0.45 per Unit per Quarter (or, with respect to the period
commencing on the Closing Date and ending on September 30, 2007, it means the product of $0.45
multiplied by a fraction of
15
which the numerator is equal to the number of days in such period and of which the denominator
is 92), subject to adjustment in accordance with Sections 5.11, 6.6 and 6.9.
Trading Day
means, for the purpose of determining the Current Market Price of any class of
Limited Partner Interests, a day on which the principal National Securities Exchange on which such
class of Limited Partner Interests are listed is open for the transaction of business or, if
Limited Partner Interests of a class are not listed on any National Securities Exchange, a day on
which banking institutions in New York City generally are open.
transfer
has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.4(a).
Transfer Agent
means such bank, trust company or other Person (including the General Partner
or one of its Affiliates) as shall be appointed from time to time by the General Partner to act as
registrar and transfer agent for the Common Units; provided, that if no Transfer Agent is
specifically designated for any other Partnership Securities, the General Partner shall act in such
capacity.
Transfer Application
means an application and agreement for transfer of Units in the form
set forth on the back of a Certificate or in a form substantially to the same effect in a separate
instrument.
Underwriter
means each Person named as an underwriter in Schedule I to the Underwriting
Agreement who purchases Common Units pursuant thereto.
Underwriting Agreement
means that certain Underwriting Agreement dated as of June 26, 2007
among the Underwriters, the Partnership, the General Partner and the other parties thereto,
providing for the purchase of Common Units by the Underwriters.
Unit
means a Partnership Security that is designated as a Unit and shall include Common
Units, Class B Units and Subordinated Units but shall not include (i) General Partner Units (or the
General Partner Interest represented thereby) or (ii) Incentive Distribution Rights.
Unit Majority
means (i) during the Subordination Period, at least a majority of the
Outstanding Common Units (excluding Common Units owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates),
voting as a class, and at least a majority of the Outstanding Subordinated Units, voting as a
class, and (ii) after the end of the Subordination Period, at least a majority of the Outstanding
Common Units and Class B Units, if any, voting as a single class.
Unitholders
means the holders of Units.
Unpaid MQD
has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.1(c)(i)(B).
Unrealized Gain
attributable to any item of Partnership property means, as of any date of
determination, the excess, if any, of (a) the fair market value of such property as of such date
(as determined under Section 5.5(d)) over (b) the Carrying Value of such property as of such date
(prior to any adjustment to be made pursuant to Section 5.5(d) as of such date).
Unrealized Loss
attributable to any item of Partnership property means, as of any date of
determination, the excess, if any, of (a) the Carrying Value of such property as of such date
(prior to any adjustment to be made pursuant to Section 5.5(d) as of such date) over (b) the fair
market value of such property as of such date (as determined under Section 5.5(d)).
Unrecovered Initial Unit Price
means at any time, with respect to a Unit, the Initial Unit
Price less the sum of all distributions constituting Capital Surplus theretofore made in respect of
an Initial Common Unit and any distributions of cash (or the Net Agreed Value of any distributions
in kind) in connection with the dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership theretofore made in
respect of an Initial Common Unit, adjusted as the General Partner determines to be appropriate to
give effect to any distribution, subdivision or combination of such Units.
U.S. GAAP
means United States generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied.
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Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel
has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.1(b).
Section 1.2
Construction.
Unless the context requires otherwise: (a) any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include
the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns, pronouns and
verbs shall include the plural and vice versa; (b) references to Articles and Sections refer to
Articles and Sections of this Agreement; (c) the terms include, includes, including or words
of like import shall be deemed to be followed by the words without limitation; and (d) the terms
hereof, herein or hereunder refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular
provision of this Agreement. The and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference
purposes only, and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
ARTICLE II
ORGANIZATION
Section 2.1
Formation.
The General Partner and the Organizational Limited Partner have previously formed the
Partnership as a limited partnership pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Act and hereby
amend and restate the original Agreement of Limited Partnership of Spectra Energy Partners, LP in
its entirety. This amendment and restatement shall become effective on the date of this Agreement.
Except as expressly provided to the contrary in this Agreement, the rights, duties (including
fiduciary duties), liabilities and obligations of the Partners and the administration, dissolution
and termination of the Partnership shall be governed by the Delaware Act. All Partnership Interests
shall constitute personal property of the owner thereof for all purposes.
Section 2.2
Name.
The name of the Partnership shall be Spectra Energy Partners, LP. The Partnerships business
may be conducted under any other name or names as determined by the General Partner, including the
name of the General Partner. The words Limited Partnership, LP, Ltd. or similar words or
letters shall be included in the Partnerships name where necessary for the purpose of complying
with the laws of any jurisdiction that so requires. The General Partner may change the name of the
Partnership at any time and from time to time and shall notify the Limited Partners of such change
in the next regular communication to the Limited Partners.
Section 2.3
Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office; Other Offices.
Unless and until changed by the General Partner, the registered office of the Partnership in
the State of Delaware shall be located at 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, New Castle County,
Delaware 19801, and the registered agent for service of process on the Partnership in the State of
Delaware at such registered office shall be The Corporation Trust Company. The principal office of
the Partnership shall be located at 5400 Westheimer Court, Houston, Texas 77056, or such other
place as the General Partner may from time to time designate by notice to the Limited Partners. The
Partnership may maintain offices at such other place or places within or outside the State of
Delaware as the General Partner shall determine necessary or appropriate. The address of the
General Partner shall be 5400 Westheimer Court, Houston, Texas 77056, or such other place as the
General Partner may from time to time designate by notice to the Limited Partners.
Section 2.4
Purpose and Business.
The purpose and nature of the business to be conducted by the Partnership shall be to (a)
engage directly in, or enter into or form, hold and dispose of any corporation, partnership, joint
venture, limited liability company or other arrangement to engage indirectly in, any business
activity that is approved by the General Partner and that lawfully may be conducted by a limited
partnership organized pursuant to the Delaware Act and, in connection therewith, to exercise all of
the rights and powers conferred upon the Partnership pursuant to the agreements relating to such
business activity, and (b) do anything necessary or appropriate to the foregoing, including the
making of capital contributions or loans to a Group Member; provided, however, that the General
Partner shall not cause the
17
Partnership to engage, directly or indirectly, in any business activity that the General
Partner determines would cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a
corporation or otherwise taxable as an entity for federal income tax purposes. To the fullest
extent permitted by law, the General Partner shall have no duty or obligation to propose or
approve, and may decline to propose or approve, the conduct by the Partnership of any business free
of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership, any Limited Partner or any
Assignee and, in declining to so propose or approve, shall not be required to act in good faith or
pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other
agreement contemplated hereby or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at
equity.
Section 2.5
Powers
.
The Partnership shall be empowered to do any and all acts and things necessary or appropriate
for the furtherance and accomplishment of the purposes and business described in Section 2.4 and
for the protection and benefit of the Partnership.
Section 2.6
Power of Attorney.
(a) Each Limited Partner and each Assignee hereby constitutes and appoints the General Partner
and, if a Liquidator shall have been selected pursuant to Section 12.3, the Liquidator (and any
successor to the Liquidator by merger, transfer, assignment, election or otherwise) and each of
their authorized officers and attorneys-in-fact, as the case may be, with full power of
substitution, as his true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority in
his name, place and stead, to:
(i) execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record in the appropriate public offices
(A) all certificates, documents and other instruments (including this Agreement and the Certificate
of Limited Partnership and all amendments or restatements hereof or thereof) that the General
Partner or the Liquidator determines to be necessary or appropriate to form, qualify or continue
the existence or qualification of the Partnership as a limited partnership (or a partnership in
which the limited partners have limited liability) in the State of Delaware and in all other
jurisdictions in which the Partnership may conduct business or own property; (B) all certificates,
documents and other instruments that the General Partner or the Liquidator determines to be
necessary or appropriate to reflect, in accordance with its terms, any amendment, change,
modification or restatement of this Agreement; (C) all certificates, documents and other
instruments (including conveyances and a certificate of cancellation) that the General Partner or
the Liquidator determines to be necessary or appropriate to reflect the dissolution and liquidation
of the Partnership pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; (D) all certificates, documents and
other instruments relating to the admission, withdrawal, removal or substitution of any Partner
pursuant to, or other events described in, Article IV, Article X, Article XI or Article XII; (E)
all certificates, documents and other instruments relating to the determination of the rights,
preferences and privileges of any class or series of Partnership Securities issued pursuant to
Section 5.6; and (F) all certificates, documents and other instruments (including agreements and a
certificate of merger or conversion) relating to a merger, consolidation or conversion of the
Partnership pursuant to Article XIV; and
(ii) execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record all ballots, consents,
approvals, waivers, certificates, documents and other instruments that the General Partner or the
Liquidator determines to be necessary or appropriate to (A) make, evidence, give, confirm or ratify
any vote, consent, approval, agreement or other action that is made or given by the Partners
hereunder or is consistent with the terms of this Agreement or (B) effectuate the terms or intent
of this Agreement; provided, that when required by Section 13.3 or any other provision of this
Agreement that establishes a percentage of the Limited Partners or of the Limited Partners of any
class or series required to take any action, the General Partner and the Liquidator may exercise
the power of attorney made in this Section 2.6(a)(ii) only after the necessary vote, consent or
approval of the Limited Partners or of the Limited Partners of such class or series, as applicable.
Nothing contained in this Section 2.6(a) shall be construed as authorizing the General Partner
to amend this Agreement except in accordance with Article XIII or as may be otherwise expressly
provided for in this Agreement.
(b) The foregoing power of attorney is hereby declared to be irrevocable and a power coupled
with an interest, and it shall survive and, to the maximum extent permitted by law, not be affected
by, the subsequent death,
18
incompetency, disability, incapacity, dissolution, bankruptcy or termination of any Limited
Partner or Assignee and the transfer of all or any portion of such Limited Partners or Assignees
Partnership Interest and shall extend to such Limited Partners or Assignees heirs, successors,
assigns and personal representatives. Each such Limited Partner or Assignee hereby agrees to be
bound by any representation made by the General Partner or the Liquidator acting in good faith
pursuant to such power of attorney; and each such Limited Partner or Assignee, to the maximum
extent permitted by law, hereby waives any and all defenses that may be available to contest,
negate or disaffirm the action of the General Partner or the Liquidator taken in good faith under
such power of attorney. Each Limited Partner or Assignee shall execute and deliver to the General
Partner or the Liquidator, within 15 days after receipt of the request therefor, such further
designation, powers of attorney and other instruments as the General Partner or the Liquidator may
request in order to effectuate this Agreement and the purposes of the Partnership.
Section 2.7
Term
.
The term of the Partnership commenced upon the filing of the Certificate of Limited
Partnership in accordance with the Delaware Act and shall continue in existence until the
dissolution of the Partnership in accordance with the provisions of Article XII. The existence of
the Partnership as a separate legal entity shall continue until the cancellation of the Certificate
of Limited Partnership as provided in the Delaware Act.
Section 2.8
Title to Partnership Assets
.
Title to Partnership assets, whether real, personal or mixed and whether tangible or
intangible, shall be deemed to be owned by the Partnership as an entity, and no Partner or
Assignee, individually or collectively, shall have any ownership interest in such Partnership
assets or any portion thereof. Title to any or all of the Partnership assets may be held in the
name of the Partnership, the General Partner, one or more of its Affiliates or one or more
nominees, as the General Partner may determine. The General Partner hereby declares and warrants
that any Partnership assets for which record title is held in the name of the General Partner or
one or more of its Affiliates or one or more nominees shall be held by the General Partner or such
Affiliate or nominee for the use and benefit of the Partnership in accordance with the provisions
of this Agreement; provided, however, that the General Partner shall use reasonable efforts to
cause record title to such assets (other than those assets in respect of which the General Partner
determines that the expense and difficulty of conveyancing makes transfer of record title to the
Partnership impracticable) to be vested in the Partnership as soon as reasonably practicable;
provided, further, that, prior to the withdrawal or removal of the General Partner or as soon
thereafter as practicable, the General Partner shall use reasonable efforts to effect the transfer
of record title to the Partnership and, prior to any such transfer, will provide for the use of
such assets in a manner satisfactory to the General Partner. All Partnership assets shall be
recorded as the property of the Partnership in its books and records, irrespective of the name in
which record title to such Partnership assets is held.
ARTICLE III
RIGHTS OF LIMITED PARTNERS
Section 3.1
Limitation of Liability.
The Limited Partners and the Assignees shall have no liability under this Agreement except as
expressly provided in this Agreement or the Delaware Act.
Section 3.2
Management of Business.
No Limited Partner or Assignee, in its capacity as such, shall participate in the operation,
management or control (within the meaning of the Delaware Act) of the Partnerships business,
transact any business in the Partnerships name or have the power to sign documents for or
otherwise bind the Partnership. Any action taken by any Affiliate of the General Partner or any
officer, director, employee, manager, member, general partner, agent or trustee of the General
Partner or any of its Affiliates, or any officer, director, employee, manager, member, general
partner, agent or trustee of a Group Member, in its capacity as such, shall not be deemed to be
participation in the control of the business of the Partnership by a limited partner of the
Partnership (within the meaning of Section 17-
19
303(a) of the Delaware Act) and shall not affect, impair or eliminate the limitations on the
liability of the Limited Partners or Assignees under this Agreement.
Section 3.3
Outside Activities of the Limited Partners.
Subject to the provisions of Section 7.5, any Limited Partner or Assignee shall be entitled to
and may have business interests and engage in business activities in addition to those relating to
the Partnership, including business interests and activities in direct competition with the
Partnership Group. Neither the Partnership nor any of the other Partners or Assignees shall have
any rights by virtue of this Agreement in any business ventures of any Limited Partner or Assignee.
Section 3.4
Rights of Limited Partners.
(a) In addition to other rights provided by this Agreement or by applicable law, and except as
limited by Section 3.4(b), each Limited Partner shall have the right, for a purpose reasonably
related to such Limited Partners interest as a Limited Partner in the Partnership, upon reasonable
written demand stating the purpose of such demand, and at such Limited Partners own expense:
(i) to obtain true and full information regarding the status of the business and financial
condition of the Partnership;
(ii) promptly after its becoming available, to obtain a copy of the Partnerships federal,
state and local income tax returns for each year;
(iii) to obtain a current list of the name and last known business, residence or mailing
address of each Partner;
(iv) to obtain a copy of this Agreement and the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all
amendments thereto, together with copies of the executed copies of all powers of attorney pursuant
to which this Agreement, the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all amendments thereto have
been executed;
(v) to obtain true and full information regarding the amount of cash and a description and
statement of the Net Agreed Value of any other Capital Contribution by each Partner and that each
Partner has agreed to contribute in the future, and the date on which each became a Partner; and
(vi) to obtain such other information regarding the affairs of the Partnership as is just and
reasonable.
(b) The General Partner may keep confidential from the Limited Partners and Assignees, for
such period of time as the General Partner deems reasonable, (i) any information that the General
Partner reasonably believes to be in the nature of trade secrets or (ii) other information the
disclosure of which the General Partner in good faith believes (A) is not in the best interests of
the Partnership Group, (B) could damage the Partnership Group or its business or (C) that any Group
Member is required by law or by agreement with any third party to keep confidential (other than
agreements with Affiliates of the Partnership the primary purpose of which is to circumvent the
obligations set forth in this Section 3.4).
ARTICLE IV
CERTIFICATES; RECORD HOLDERS; TRANSFER OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS;
REDEMPTION OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS
Section 4.1
Certificates.
Upon the Partnerships issuance of Common Units, Subordinated Units or Class B Units to any
Person, the Partnership shall issue, upon the request of such Person, one or more Certificates in
the name of such Person (or, if issued in global form, in the name of the Depositary or its
nominee) evidencing the number of such Units being so
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issued. In addition, (a) upon the General Partners request, the Partnership shall issue to it
one or more Certificates in the name of the General Partner evidencing its General Partner Units
and (b) upon the request of any Person owning Incentive Distribution Rights or any other
Partnership Securities other than Common Units, Subordinated Units or Class B Units, the
Partnership shall issue to such Person one or more certificates evidencing such Incentive
Distribution Rights or other Partnership Securities other than Common Units, Subordinated Units or
Class B Units. Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Partnership by the Chairman of the
Board, Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer or any Vice President and the
Secretary, any Assistant Secretary, or other authorized officer or director of the General Partner.
No Common Unit Certificate shall be valid for any purpose until it has been countersigned by the
Transfer Agent; provided, however, the Units may be certificated or uncertificated as provided in
the Delaware Act; provided, further, that if the General Partner elects to issue Common Units in
global form, the Common Unit Certificates shall be valid upon receipt of a certificate from the
Transfer Agent certifying that the Common Units have been duly registered in accordance with the
directions of the Partnership. Subject to the requirements of Section 6.7(b) and Section 6.7(c),
the Partners holding Certificates evidencing Subordinated Units may exchange such Certificates for
Certificates evidencing Common Units on or after the date on which such Subordinated Units are
converted into Common Units pursuant to the terms of Section 5.7. Subject to the requirements of
Section 6.7(e), the Partners holding Certificates evidencing Class B Units may exchange such
Certificates for Certificates evidencing Common Units on or after the period set forth in Section
5.11(f) pursuant to the terms of Section 5.11.
Section 4.2
Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates.
(a) If any mutilated Certificate is surrendered to the Transfer Agent (for Common Units) or
the General Partner (for Partnership Securities other than Common Units), the appropriate officers
of the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership shall execute, and the Transfer Agent (for
Common Units) or the General Partner (for Partnership Securities other than Common Units) shall
countersign and deliver in exchange therefor, a new Certificate evidencing the same number and type
of Partnership Securities as the Certificate so surrendered.
(b) The appropriate officers of the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership shall execute
and deliver, and the Transfer Agent (for Common Units) shall countersign, a new Certificate in
place of any Certificate previously issued, or issue uncertificated Common Units, if the Record
Holder of the Certificate:
(i) makes proof by affidavit, in form and substance satisfactory to the General Partner, that
a previously issued Certificate has been lost, destroyed or stolen;
(ii) requests the issuance of a new Certificate or the issuance of uncertificated Units before
the General Partner has notice that the Certificate has been acquired by a purchaser for value in
good faith and without notice of an adverse claim;
(iii) if requested by the General Partner, delivers to the General Partner a bond, in form and
substance satisfactory to the General Partner, with surety or sureties and with fixed or open
penalty as the General Partner may direct to indemnify the Partnership, the Partners, the General
Partner and the Transfer Agent against any claim that may be made on account of the alleged loss,
destruction or theft of the Certificate; and
(iv) satisfies any other reasonable requirements imposed by the General Partner.
If a Limited Partner or Assignee fails to notify the General Partner within a reasonable
period of time after he has notice of the loss, destruction or theft of a Certificate, and a
transfer of the Limited Partner Interests represented by the Certificate is registered before the
Partnership, the General Partner or the Transfer Agent receives such notification, the Limited
Partner or Assignee shall be precluded from making any claim against the Partnership, the General
Partner or the Transfer Agent for such transfer or for a new Certificate or uncertificated Units.
(c) As a condition to the issuance of any new Certificate or uncertificated Units under this
Section 4.2, the General Partner may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or
other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including
the fees and expenses of the Transfer Agent) reasonably connected therewith.
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Section 4.3
Record Holders.
The Partnership shall be entitled to recognize the Record Holder as the Partner or Assignee
with respect to any Partnership Interest and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any
equitable or other claim to, or interest in, such Partnership Interest on the part of any other
Person, regardless of whether the Partnership shall have actual or other notice thereof, except as
otherwise provided by law or any applicable rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any
National Securities Exchange on which such Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading.
Without limiting the foregoing, when a Person (such as a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or
clearing corporation or an agent of any of the foregoing) is acting as nominee, agent or in some
other representative capacity for another Person in acquiring and/or holding Partnership Interests,
as between the Partnership on the one hand, and such other Persons on the other, such
representative Person (a) shall be the Partner or Assignee (as the case may be) of record and
beneficially, and (b) shall be bound by this Agreement and shall have the rights and obligations of
a Partner or Assignee (as the case may be) hereunder and as, and to the extent, provided for
herein.
Section 4.4
Transfer Generally.
(a) The term transfer, when used in this Agreement with respect to a Partnership Interest,
shall be deemed to refer to a transaction (i) by which the General Partner assigns its General
Partner Units to another Person or by which a holder of Incentive Distribution Rights assigns its
Incentive Distribution Rights to another Person, and includes a sale, assignment, gift, pledge,
encumbrance, hypothecation, mortgage, exchange or any other disposition by law or otherwise or (ii)
by which the holder of a Limited Partner Interest (other than an Incentive Distribution Right)
assigns such Limited Partner Interest to another Person who is or becomes a Limited Partner or an
Assignee, and includes a sale, assignment, gift, exchange or any other disposition by law or
otherwise, excluding a pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or mortgage but including any transfer
upon foreclosure of any pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or mortgage.
(b) No Partnership Interest shall be transferred, in whole or in part, except in accordance
with the terms and conditions set forth in this Article IV. Any transfer or purported transfer of a
Partnership Interest not made in accordance with this Article IV shall be null and void.
(c) Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent a disposition by any
stockholder, member, partner or other owner of the General Partner of any or all of the shares of
stock, membership interests, partnership interests or other ownership interests in the General
Partner.
Section 4.5
Registration and Transfer of Limited Partner Interests.
(a) The General Partner shall keep or cause to be kept on behalf of the Partnership a register
in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe and subject to the provisions
of Section 4.5(b), the Partnership will provide for the registration and transfer of Limited
Partner Interests. The Transfer Agent is hereby appointed registrar and transfer agent for the
purpose of registering Common Units and transfers of such Common Units as herein provided. The
Partnership shall not recognize transfers of Certificates evidencing Limited Partner Interests
unless such transfers are effected in the manner described in this Section 4.5. Upon surrender of a
Certificate for registration of transfer of any Limited Partner Interests evidenced by a
Certificate, and subject to the provisions of Section 4.5(b), the appropriate officers of the
General Partner on behalf of the Partnership shall execute and deliver, and in the case of Common
Units, the Transfer Agent shall countersign and deliver, in the name of the holder or the
designated transferee or transferees, as required pursuant to the holders instructions, one or
more new Certificates evidencing the same aggregate number and type of Limited Partner Interests as
was evidenced by the Certificate so surrendered.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in Section 4.9, the General Partner shall not recognize any
transfer of Limited Partner Interests until the Certificates evidencing such Limited Partner
Interests are surrendered for registration of transfer and such Certificates are accompanied by a
Transfer Application, properly completed and including a Taxation Certification, duly executed by
the transferee (or the transferees attorney-in-fact duly authorized in writing). No charge shall
be imposed by the General Partner for such transfer; provided, that as a condition to the issuance
of any new Certificate under this Section 4.5, the General Partner may require the payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed with respect thereto.
No
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distributions or allocations will be made in respect of the Limited Partner Interests until a
properly completed Transfer Application has been delivered with respect to such Limited Partner
Interests.
(c) Upon the receipt of proper transfer instructions from the registered owner of
uncertificated Common Units, such uncertificated Common Units shall be cancelled, issuance of new
equivalent uncertificated Common Units or Certificates shall be made to the holder of Common Units
entitled thereto and the transaction shall be recorded upon the books of the Partnership.
(d) Limited Partner Interests may be transferred only in the manner described in this Section
4.5. The transfer of any Limited Partner Interests and the admission of any new Limited Partner
shall not constitute an amendment to this Agreement.
(e) Until admitted as a Substituted Limited Partner pursuant to Section 10.2, the Record
Holder of a Limited Partner Interest shall be an Assignee in respect of such Limited Partner
Interest. Limited Partners may include custodians, nominees or any other individual or entity in
its own or any representative capacity.
(f) A transferee of a Limited Partner Interest who has completed and delivered a Transfer
Application shall be deemed to have (i) requested admission as a Substituted Limited Partner, (ii)
agreed to comply with and be bound by and to have executed this Agreement, (iii) represented and
warranted that such transferee has the right, power and authority and, if an individual, the
capacity to enter into this Agreement, (iv) granted the powers of attorney set forth in this
Agreement, and (v) given the consents and approvals and made the waivers contained in this
Agreement.
(g) The General Partner and its Affiliates shall have the right at any time to transfer their
Subordinated Units, Class B Units and Common Units (whether issued upon conversion of the
Subordinated Units or otherwise) to one or more Persons.
Section 4.6
Transfer of the General Partners General Partner Interest.
(a) Subject to Section 4.6(c) below, prior to June 30, 2017, the General Partner shall not
transfer all or any part of its General Partner Interest (represented by General Partner Units) to
a Person unless such transfer (i) has been approved by the prior written consent or vote of the
holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units (excluding Common Units held by the
General Partner and its Affiliates) or (ii) is of all, but not less than all, of its General
Partner Interest to (A) an Affiliate of the General Partner (other than an individual) or (B)
another Person (other than an individual) in connection with the merger or consolidation of the
General Partner with or into such other Person or the transfer by the General Partner of all or
substantially all of its assets to such other Person.
(b) Subject to Section 4.6(c) below, on or after June 30, 2017, the General Partner may
transfer all or any of its General Partner Interest without Unitholder approval.
(c) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no transfer by the General Partner of all
or any part of its General Partner Interest to another Person shall be permitted unless (i) the
transferee agrees to assume the rights and duties of the General Partner under this Agreement and
to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement, (ii) the Partnership receives an Opinion of
Counsel that such transfer would not result in the loss of limited liability of any Limited Partner
under the Delaware Act or cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a
corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent
not already so treated or taxed) and (iii) such transferee also agrees to purchase all (or the
appropriate portion thereof, if applicable) of the partnership or membership interest of the
General Partner as the general partner or managing member, if any, of each other Group Member. In
the case of a transfer pursuant to and in compliance with this Section 4.6, the transferee or
successor (as the case may be) shall, subject to compliance with the terms of Section 10.3, be
admitted to the Partnership as the General Partner immediately prior to the transfer of the General
Partner Interest, and the business of the Partnership shall continue without dissolution.
Section 4.7
Transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights.
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Prior to June 30, 2017, a holder of Incentive Distribution Rights may transfer any or all of
the Incentive Distribution Rights held by such holder without any consent of the Unitholders to (a)
an Affiliate of such holder (other than an individual) or (b) another Person (other than an
individual) in connection with (i) the merger or consolidation of such holder of Incentive
Distribution Rights with or into such other Person, (ii) the transfer by such holder of all or
substantially all of its assets to such other Person or (iii) the sale of all the ownership
interests in such holder. Any other transfer of the Incentive Distribution Rights prior to June 30,
2017 shall require the prior approval of holders of at least a majority of the Outstanding Common
Units (excluding Common Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates). On or after June 30,
2017, the General Partner or any other holder of Incentive Distribution Rights may transfer any or
all of its Incentive Distribution Rights without Unitholder approval. Notwithstanding anything
herein to the contrary, (i) the transfer of Class B Units issued pursuant to Section 5.11, or the
transfer of Common Units issued upon conversion of the Class B Units, shall not be treated as a
transfer of all or any part of the Incentive Distribution Rights and (ii) no transfer of Incentive
Distribution Rights to another Person shall be permitted unless the transferee agrees to be bound
by the provisions of this Agreement.
Section 4.8
Restrictions on Transfers.
(a) Except as provided in Section 4.8(e) below, and notwithstanding the other provisions of
this Article IV, no transfer of any Partnership Interests shall be made if such transfer would (i)
violate the then applicable federal or state securities laws or rules and regulations of the
Commission, any state securities commission or any other governmental authority with jurisdiction
over such transfer, (ii) terminate the existence or qualification of the Partnership under the laws
of the jurisdiction of its formation, or (iii) cause the Partnership to be treated as an
association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax
purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed).
(b) The General Partner may impose restrictions on the transfer of Partnership Interests if it
receives an Opinion of Counsel that such restrictions are necessary to avoid a significant risk of
the Partnership becoming taxable as a corporation or otherwise becoming taxable as an entity for
federal income tax purposes. The General Partner may impose such restrictions by amending this
Agreement; provided, however, that any amendment that would result in the delisting or suspension
of trading of any class of Limited Partner Interests on the principal National Securities Exchange
on which such class of Limited Partner Interests is then listed or admitted to trading must be
approved, prior to such amendment being effected, by the holders of at least a majority of the
Outstanding Limited Partner Interests of such class.
(c) The transfer of a Subordinated Unit that has converted into a Common Unit shall be subject
to the restrictions imposed by Section 6.7(c).
(d) The transfer of a Class B Unit that has converted into a Common Unit shall be subject to
the restrictions imposed by Section 6.7(e).
(e) Nothing contained in this Article IV, or elsewhere in this Agreement, shall preclude the
settlement of any transactions involving Partnership Interests entered into through the facilities
of any National Securities Exchange on which such Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to
trading.
(f) Each certificate evidencing Partnership Interests shall bear a conspicuous legend in
substantially the following form:
THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY ACKNOWLEDGES FOR THE BENEFIT OF SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP THAT
THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IF SUCH
TRANSFER WOULD (A) VIOLATE THE THEN APPLICABLE FEDERAL OR STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR RULES AND
REGULATIONS OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION OR
ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY WITH JURISDICTION OVER SUCH TRANSFER, (B) TERMINATE THE
EXISTENCE OR QUALIFICATION OF SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF
DELAWARE, OR (C) CAUSE SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP TO BE TREATED AS AN ASSOCIATION TAXABLE
AS A CORPORATION OR OTHERWISE TO BE TAXED AS AN ENTITY FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES (TO
THE
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EXTENT NOT ALREADY SO TREATED OR TAXED). SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS (DE) GP, LP, THE GENERAL
PARTNER OF SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP, MAY IMPOSE ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON THE TRANSFER
OF THIS SECURITY IF IT RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL THAT SUCH RESTRICTIONS ARE NECESSARY
TO AVOID A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP BECOMING TAXABLE AS A CORPORATION
OR OTHERWISE BECOMING TAXABLE AS AN ENTITY FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. THE RESTRICTIONS
SET FORTH ABOVE SHALL NOT PRECLUDE THE SETTLEMENT OF ANY TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THIS
SECURITY ENTERED INTO THROUGH THE FACILITIES OF ANY NATIONAL SECURITIES EXCHANGE ON WHICH
THIS SECURITY IS LISTED OR ADMITTED TO TRADING.
Section 4.9
Tax Certifications; Ineligible Holders; Citizenship Certificates; Non-citizen
Assignees.
(a) If a transferee of a Limited Partner Interest fails to furnish a properly completed
Taxation Certification in a Transfer Application or if, upon receipt of such Taxation Certification
or otherwise, the General Partner determines that such transferee is not an Eligible Holder, the
Limited Partner Interests owned by such transferee shall be subject to redemption in accordance
with the provisions of Section 4.10.
(b) The General Partner may request any Limited Partner or Assignee to furnish to the General
Partner, within 30 days after receipt of such request, an executed Taxation Certification or such
other information concerning his federal income tax status with respect to the income and loss
generated by the Partnership (or, if the Limited Partner or Assignee is a nominee holding for the
account of another Person, the federal income tax status of such Person) as the General Partner may
request. If a Limited Partner or Assignee fails to furnish to the General Partner within the
aforementioned 30-day period such Taxation Certification or other requested information or if upon
receipt of such Taxation Certification or other requested information the General Partner
determines that a Limited Partner or Assignee is not an Eligible Holder, the Limited Partner
Interests owned by such Limited Partner or Assignee shall be subject to redemption in accordance
with the provisions of Section 4.10. In addition, the General Partner may require that the status
of any such Limited Partner or Assignee be changed to that of an Ineligible Holder and, thereupon,
such Non-citizen Assignee shall cease to be a Partner and shall have no voting rights in respect of
his Limited Partner Interests. The General Partner shall be substituted for such Ineligible Holder
as the Limited Partner or Assignee in respect of the Ineligible Holders Limited Partner Interests
and shall vote such Limited Partner Interests in accordance with Section 4.9(b).
(c) If any Group Member is or becomes subject to any federal, state or local law or regulation
that the General Partner determines would create a substantial risk of cancellation or forfeiture
of any property in which the Group Member has an interest based on the nationality, citizenship or
other related status of a Limited Partner or Assignee, the General Partner may request any Limited
Partner or Assignee to furnish to the General Partner, within 30 days after receipt of such
request, an executed Citizenship Certification or such other information concerning his
nationality, citizenship or other related status (or, if the Limited Partner or Assignee is a
nominee holding for the account of another Person, the nationality, citizenship or other related
status of such Person) as the General Partner may request. If a Limited Partner or Assignee fails
to furnish to the General Partner within the aforementioned 30-day period such Citizenship
Certification or other requested information or if upon receipt of such Citizenship Certification
or other requested information the General Partner determines that a Limited Partner or Assignee is
not an Eligible Citizen, the Limited Partner Interests owned by such Limited Partner or Assignee
shall be subject to redemption in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.10. In addition, the
General Partner may require that the status of any such Limited Partner or Assignee be changed to
that of a Non-citizen Assignee and, thereupon, the General Partner shall be substituted for such
Non-citizen Assignee as the Limited Partner in respect of the Non-citizen Assignees Limited
Partner Interests.
(d) The General Partner shall, in exercising voting rights in respect of Limited Partner
Interests held by it on behalf of Non-citizen Assignees or Ineligible Holders, distribute the votes
in the same ratios as the votes of Partners (including the General Partner) in respect of Limited
Partner Interests other than those of Non-citizen Assignees or Ineligible Holders are cast, either
for, against or abstaining as to the matter.
(e) Upon dissolution of the Partnership, a Non-citizen Assignee or Ineligible Holder shall
have no right to receive a distribution in kind pursuant to Section 12.4 but shall be entitled to
the cash equivalent thereof, and
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the Partnership shall provide cash in exchange for an assignment of the Non-citizen Assignees
or Ineligible Holders share of any distribution in kind. Such payment and assignment shall be
treated for Partnership purposes as a purchase by the Partnership from the Non-citizen Assignee or
Ineligible Holder of his Limited Partner Interest (representing his right to receive his share of
such distribution in kind).
(f) At any time after an Ineligible Holder can and does certify that it has become an Eligible
Holder, such Ineligible Holder may, upon application to the General Partner, request admission as a
Substituted Limited Partner with respect to any Limited Partner Interests of such Ineligible Holder
not redeemed pursuant to Section 4.10, and upon admission of such Ineligible Holder pursuant to
Section 10.2, the General Partner shall cease to be deemed to be the Limited Partner in respect of
such Ineligible Holders Limited Partner Interests.
(g) At any time after he can and does certify that he has become an Eligible Citizen, a
Non-citizen Assignee may, upon application to the General Partner, request admission as a
Substituted Limited Partner with respect to any Limited Partner Interests of such Non-citizen
Assignee not redeemed pursuant to Section 4.10, and upon admission of such Non-citizen Assignee
pursuant to Section 10.2, the General Partner shall cease to be deemed to be the Limited Partner in
respect of the Non-citizen Assignees Limited Partner Interests.
Section 4.10
Redemption of Partnership Interests of Non-citizen and Ineligible Holders.
(a) If at any time a Limited Partner, Assignee or transferee fails to furnish a Citizenship
Certification, Taxation Certification or other information requested within the 30-day period
specified in Section 4.9(b) or 4.9(c) or in a Transfer Application, or if upon receipt of such
Citizenship Certification, Taxation Certification, Transfer Application or other information the
General Partner determines, with the advice of counsel, that a Limited Partner, Assignee or
transferee is not an Eligible Citizen or Eligible Holder, as the case may be, the Partnership may,
unless the Limited Partner, Assignee or transferee establishes to the satisfaction of the General
Partner that such Limited Partner, Assignee or transferee is an Eligible Citizen or Eligible
Holder, as the case may be, or has transferred his Partnership Interests to a Person who is an
Eligible Citizen or Eligible Holder, as the case may be, and who furnishes a Citizenship
Certification or Taxation Certificate, as the case may be, to the General Partner prior to the date
fixed for redemption as provided below, redeem the Limited Partner Interest of such Limited
Partner, Assignee or transferee as follows:
(i) The General Partner shall, not later than the 30th day before the date fixed for
redemption, give notice of redemption to the Limited Partner, Assignee or transferee, at his last
address designated on the records of the Partnership or the Transfer Agent, by registered or
certified mail, postage prepaid. The notice shall be deemed to have been given when so mailed. The
notice shall specify the Redeemable Interests or, if uncertificated, upon receipt of evidence
satisfactory to the General Partner of the ownership of the Redeemable Interests, the date fixed
for redemption, the place of payment, that payment of the redemption price will be made upon
surrender of the Certificate evidencing the Redeemable Interests and that on and after the date
fixed for redemption no further allocations or distributions to which such person would otherwise
be entitled in respect of the Redeemable Interests will accrue or be made.
(ii) The aggregate redemption price for Redeemable Interests shall be an amount equal to the
lesser of (i) the Current Market Price (the date of determination of which shall be the date fixed
for redemption) of Limited Partner Interests of the class to be so redeemed and (ii) the price paid
for such Limited Partner Interests by the Limited Partner, Assignee or transferee. The redemption
price shall be paid, as determined by the General Partner, in cash or by delivery of a promissory
note of the Partnership in the principal amount of the redemption price, bearing interest at the
rate of 5% annually and payable in three equal annual installments of principal together with
accrued interest, commencing one year after the redemption date.
(iii) Upon surrender by or on behalf of the Limited Partner, Assignee or transferee, at the
place specified in the notice of redemption, of (x) if certificated, the Certificate evidencing the
Redeemable Interests, duly endorsed in blank or accompanied by an assignment duly executed in
blank, or (y) if uncertificated, upon receipt of evidence satisfactory to the General Partner of
the ownership of the Redeemable Interests, the Limited Partner, Assignee or transferee or his duly
authorized representative shall be entitled to receive the payment therefor.
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(iv) After the redemption date, Redeemable Interests shall no longer constitute issued and
Outstanding Limited Partner Interests.
(b) The provisions of this Section 4.10 shall also be applicable to Limited Partner Interests
held by a Limited Partner or Assignee as nominee of a Person determined to be other than an
Eligible Citizen or Eligible Holder, as the case may be.
(c) Nothing in this Section 4.10 shall prevent the recipient of a notice of redemption from
transferring his Limited Partner Interest before the redemption date if such transfer is otherwise
permitted under this Agreement. Upon receipt of notice of such a transfer, the General Partner
shall withdraw the notice of redemption, provided the transferee of such Limited Partner Interest
certifies to the satisfaction of the General Partner that he is an Eligible Citizen or Eligible
Holder, as the case may be. If the transferee fails to make such certification, such redemption
shall be effected from the transferee on the original redemption date.
ARTICLE V
CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND ISSUANCE OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS
Section 5.1
Organizational Contributions.
In connection with the formation of the Partnership under the Delaware Act, the General
Partner made an initial Capital Contribution to the Partnership in the amount of $60.00, for a 2%
General Partner Interest in the Partnership and has been admitted as the General Partner of the
Partnership, and the Organizational Limited Partner made an initial Capital Contribution to the
Partnership in the amount of $2,940.00 for a 98% Limited Partner Interest in the Partnership and
has been admitted as a Limited Partner of the Partnership. As of the Closing Date, the interest of
the Organizational Limited Partner, or its successor, shall be redeemed as provided in the
Contribution Agreement; and the initial Capital Contribution of the Organizational Limited Partner,
or its successor, shall thereupon be refunded. Ninety-eight percent of any interest or other profit
that may have resulted from the investment or other use of such initial Capital Contribution shall
be allocated and distributed to the Organizational Limited Partner, or its successor, and the
balance thereof shall be allocated and distributed to the General Partner.
Section 5.2
Contributions by the General Partner and its Affiliates.
(a) On the Closing Date and pursuant to the Contribution Agreement: (i) the General Partner
shall contribute to the Partnership, as a Capital Contribution, all of its interest in Spectra GP
MHP Holding, LLC and Gulfstream Natural Gas System, L.L.C., in exchange for (A) 1,352,421 General
Partner Units representing a continuation of its 2% General Partner Interest, subject to all of the
rights, privileges and duties of the General Partner under this Agreement, (B) 1,500,000 Common
Units, (C) the Incentive Distribution Rights, (D) the right to receive $288.1 million sourced to
new debt recourse to the General Partner, and (E) the right to receive $0.3 million to reimburse it
for certain capital expenditures; (ii) Spectra Energy Transmission, LLC shall contribute to the
Partnership, as a Capital Contribution, all of its interest in Spectra Energy Partners MHP
Holdings, LLC, in exchange for (A) 7,712,852 Common Units, (B) 5,037,637 Subordinated Units and (C)
the right to receive $25.7 million to reimburse it for certain capital expenditures; and (iii)
Spectra Energy Southeast Pipeline Corp. shall contribute to the Partnership, as a Capital
Contribution, a portion of its interest in Gulfstream Natural Gas System, L.L.C., as set forth in
the Contribution Agreement, and all of its interest in East Tennessee Natural Gas, LLC, in exchange
for (A) 25,417,028 Common Units and (B) 16,601,093 Subordinated Units.
(b) Upon the issuance of any additional Limited Partner Interests by the Partnership (other
than the Common Units issued in the Initial Offering, the Common Units issued pursuant to the
Over-Allotment Option, the Common Units and Subordinated Units issued pursuant to Section 5.2(a),
any Class B Units issued pursuant to Section 5.11 and any Common Units issued upon conversion of
Class B Units), the General Partner may, in exchange for a proportionate number of General Partner
Units, make additional Capital Contributions in an amount equal to the product obtained by
multiplying (i) the quotient determined by dividing (A) the General Partners Percentage Interest
immediately prior to the issuance of such additional Limited Partner Interests by the Partnership
by (B) 100 less the General Partners Percentage Interest immediately prior to the issuance of such
additional Limited Partner Interests by the Partnership times (ii) the amount contributed to the
Partnership by the Limited
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Partners in exchange for such additional Limited Partner Interests. Except as set forth in
Article XII, the General Partner shall not be obligated to make any additional Capital
Contributions to the Partnership.
Section 5.3
Contributions by Initial Limited Partners.
(a) On the Closing Date and pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, each Underwriter shall
contribute to the Partnership cash in an amount equal to the Issue Price per Initial Common Unit,
multiplied by the number of Common Units specified in the Underwriting Agreement to be purchased by
such Underwriter at the Closing Date. In exchange for such Capital Contributions by the
Underwriters, the Partnership shall issue Common Units to each Underwriter on whose behalf such
Capital Contribution is made in an amount equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the cash
contribution to the Partnership by or on behalf of such Underwriter by (ii) the Issue Price per
Initial Common Unit.
(b) Upon the exercise of the Over-Allotment Option, each Underwriter shall contribute to the
Partnership cash in an amount equal to the Issue Price per Initial Common Unit, multiplied by the
number of Common Units to be purchased by such Underwriter at the Option Closing Date. In exchange
for such Capital Contributions by the Underwriters, the Partnership shall issue Common Units to
each Underwriter on whose behalf such Capital Contribution is made in an amount equal to the
quotient obtained by dividing (i) the cash contributions to the Partnership by or on behalf of such
Underwriter by (ii) the Issue Price per Initial Common Unit. Upon receipt by the Partnership of the
Capital Contributions from the Underwriters as provided in this Section 5.3(b), the Partnership
shall use such cash to purchase qualifying investment grade securities, which will be assigned as
collateral to secure borrowings that are, in turn, used to redeem from the General Partner or its
Affiliates that number of Common Units held by the General Partner or its Affiliates equal to the
number of Common Units issued to the Underwriters as provided in this Section 5.3(b).
(c) No Limited Partner Interests will be issued or issuable as of or at the Closing Date other
than (i) the Common Units issuable pursuant to subparagraph (a) hereof in aggregate number equal to
10,000,000, (ii) the Option Units as such term is used in the Underwriting Agreement in an
aggregate number up to 1,500,000 issuable upon exercise of the Over-Allotment Option pursuant to
subparagraph (b) hereof, (iii) the 34,629,880 Common Units and 21,638,730 Subordinated Units
issuable pursuant to Section 5.2(a) hereof and (iv) the Incentive Distribution Rights.
Section 5.4
Interest and Withdrawal of Capital Contributions.
No interest shall be paid by the Partnership on Capital Contributions. No Partner or Assignee
shall be entitled to the withdrawal or return of its Capital Contribution, except to the extent, if
any, that distributions made pursuant to this Agreement or upon dissolution of the Partnership may
be considered as such by law and then only to the extent provided for in this Agreement. Except to
the extent expressly provided in this Agreement, no Partner or Assignee shall have priority over
any other Partner or Assignee either as to the return of Capital Contributions or as to profits,
losses or distributions. Any such return shall be a compromise to which all Partners or Assignees
agree within the meaning of Section 17-502(b) of the Delaware Act.
Section 5.5
Capital Accounts.
(a) The Partnership shall maintain for each Partner (or a beneficial owner of Partnership
Interests held by a nominee in any case in which the nominee has furnished the identity of such
owner to the Partnership in accordance with Section 6031(c) of the Code or any other method
acceptable to the General Partner) owning a Partnership Interest a separate Capital Account with
respect to such Partnership Interest in accordance with the rules of Treasury Regulation Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(iv). Such Capital Account shall be increased by (i) the amount of all Capital
Contributions made to the Partnership with respect to such Partnership Interest and (ii) all items
of Partnership income and gain (including income and gain exempt from tax) computed in accordance
with Section 5.5(b) and allocated with respect to such Partnership Interest pursuant to Section
6.1, and decreased by (x) the amount of cash or Net Agreed Value of all actual and deemed
distributions of cash or property made with respect to such Partnership Interest and (y) all items
of Partnership deduction and loss computed in accordance with Section 5.5(b) and allocated with
respect to such Partnership Interest pursuant to Section 6.1.
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(b) For purposes of computing the amount of any item of income, gain, loss or deduction which
is to be allocated pursuant to Article VI and is to be reflected in the Partners Capital Accounts,
the determination, recognition and classification of any such item shall be the same as its
determination, recognition and classification for federal income tax purposes (including any method
of depreciation, cost recovery or amortization used for that purpose), provided, that:
(i) Solely for purposes of this Section 5.5, the Partnership shall be treated as owning
directly its proportionate share (as determined by the General Partner based upon the provisions of
the applicable Group Member Agreement or governing, organizational or similar documents) of all
property owned by any other Group Member that is classified as a partnership for federal income tax
purposes and (y) any other partnership, limited liability company, unincorporated business or other
entity classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes of which a Group Member is,
directly or indirectly, a partner.
(ii) All fees and other expenses incurred by the Partnership to promote the sale of (or to
sell) a Partnership Interest that can neither be deducted nor amortized under Section 709 of the
Code, if any, shall, for purposes of Capital Account maintenance, be treated as an item of
deduction at the time such fees and other expenses are incurred and shall be allocated among the
Partners pursuant to Section 6.1.
(iii) Except as otherwise provided in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), the
computation of all items of income, gain, loss and deduction shall be made without regard to any
election under Section 754 of the Code which may be made by the Partnership and, as to those items
described in Section 705(a)(1)(B) or 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code, without regard to the fact that such
items are not includable in gross income or are neither currently deductible nor capitalized for
federal income tax purposes. To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any
Partnership asset pursuant to Section 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code is required, pursuant to
Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), to be taken into account in determining Capital
Accounts, the amount of such adjustment in the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain
or loss.
(iv) Any income, gain or loss attributable to the taxable disposition of any Partnership
property shall be determined as if the adjusted basis of such property as of such date of
disposition were equal in amount to the Partnerships Carrying Value with respect to such property
as of such date.
(v) In accordance with the requirements of Section 704(b) of the Code, any deductions for
depreciation, cost recovery or amortization attributable to any Contributed Property shall be
determined as if the adjusted basis of such property on the date it was acquired by the Partnership
were equal to the Agreed Value of such property. Upon an adjustment pursuant to Section 5.5(d) to
the Carrying Value of any Partnership property subject to depreciation, cost recovery or
amortization, any further deductions for such depreciation, cost recovery or amortization
attributable to such property shall be determined as if the adjusted basis of such property were
equal to the Carrying Value of such property immediately following such adjustment.
(vi) If the Partnerships adjusted basis in a depreciable or cost recovery property is reduced
for federal income tax purposes pursuant to Section 48(q)(1) or 48(q)(3) of the Code, the amount of
such reduction shall, solely for purposes hereof, be deemed to be an additional depreciation or
cost recovery deduction in the year such property is placed in service and shall be allocated among
the Partners pursuant to Section 6.1. Any restoration of such basis pursuant to Section 48(q)(2) of
the Code shall, to the extent possible, be allocated in the same manner to the Partners to whom
such deemed deduction was allocated.
(c) (i) A transferee of a Partnership Interest shall succeed to a Pro Rata portion of the
Capital Account of the transferor relating to the Partnership Interest so transferred.
(ii) Subject to Section 6.7(c), immediately prior to the transfer of a Subordinated Unit or of
a Subordinated Unit that has converted into a Common Unit pursuant to Section 5.7 by a holder
thereof (other than a transfer to an Affiliate unless the General Partner elects to have this
subparagraph 5.5(c)(ii) apply), the Capital Account maintained for such Person with respect to its
Subordinated Units or converted Subordinated Units will (A) first, be allocated to the Subordinated
Units or converted Subordinated Units to be transferred in an amount equal to the product of (x)
the number of such Subordinated Units or converted Subordinated Units to be transferred and (y) the
Per Unit Capital Amount for a Common Unit, and (B) second, any remaining balance in such Capital
Account
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will be retained by the transferor, regardless of whether it has retained any Subordinated
Units or converted Subordinated Units (Retained Converted Subordinated Units). Following any such
allocation, the transferors Capital Account, if any, maintained with respect to the retained
Subordinated Units or Retained Converted Subordinated Units, if any, will have a balance equal to
the amount allocated under clause (B) hereinabove, and the transferees Capital Account established
with respect to the transferred Subordinated Units or converted Subordinated Units will have a
balance equal to the amount allocated under clause (A) hereinabove.
(d) (i) In accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f), on an issuance of
additional Partnership Interests for cash or Contributed Property, the issuance of Partnership
Interests as consideration for the provision of services or the conversion of the General Partners
Combined Interest to Common Units pursuant to Section 11.3(b), the Capital Account of each Partner
and the Carrying Value of each Partnership property immediately prior to such issuance shall be
adjusted upward or downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such
Partnership property, as if such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss had been recognized on an
actual sale of each such property immediately prior to such issuance and had been allocated to the
Partners at such time pursuant to Section 6.1 in the same manner as any item of gain or loss
actually recognized during such period would have been allocated. In determining such Unrealized
Gain or Unrealized Loss, the aggregate cash amount and fair market value of all Partnership assets
(including cash or cash equivalents) immediately prior to the issuance of additional Partnership
Interests shall be determined by the General Partner using such method of valuation as it may
adopt; provided, however, that the General Partner, in arriving at such valuation, must take fully
into account the fair market value of the Partnership Interests of all Partners at such time. The
General Partner shall allocate such aggregate value among the assets of the Partnership (in such
manner as it determines) to arrive at a fair market value for individual properties.
(ii) In accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f), immediately prior to
any actual or deemed distribution to a Partner of any Partnership property (other than a
distribution of cash that is not in redemption or retirement of a Partnership Interest), the
Capital Accounts of all Partners and the Carrying Value of all Partnership property shall be
adjusted upward or downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such
Partnership property, as if such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss had been recognized in a sale
of such property immediately prior to such distribution for an amount equal to its fair market
value, and had been allocated to the Partners, at such time, pursuant to Section 6.1 in the same
manner as any item of gain or loss actually recognized during such period would have been
allocated. In determining such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss the aggregate cash amount and
fair market value of all Partnership assets (including cash or cash equivalents) immediately prior
to a distribution shall (A) in the case of an actual distribution that is not made pursuant to
Section 12.4 or in the case of a deemed distribution, be determined and allocated in the same
manner as that provided in Section 5.5(d)(i) or (B) in the case of a liquidating distribution
pursuant to Section 12.4, be determined and allocated by the Liquidator using such method of
valuation as it may adopt.
Section 5.6
Issuances of Additional Partnership Securities.
(a) The Partnership may issue additional Partnership Securities and options, rights, warrants
and appreciation rights relating to the Partnership Securities for any Partnership purpose at any
time and from time to time to such Persons for such consideration and on such terms and conditions
as the General Partner shall determine, all without the approval of any Limited Partners.
(b) Each additional Partnership Security authorized to be issued by the Partnership pursuant
to Section 5.6(a) may be issued in one or more classes, or one or more series of any such classes,
with such designations, preferences, rights, powers and duties (which may be senior to existing
classes and series of Partnership Securities), as shall be fixed by the General Partner, including
(i) the right to share in Partnership profits and losses or items thereof; (ii) the right to share
in Partnership distributions; (iii) the rights upon dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership;
(iv) whether, and the terms and conditions upon which, the Partnership may or shall be required to
redeem the Partnership Security; (v) whether such Partnership Security is issued with the privilege
of conversion or exchange and, if so, the terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange; (vi)
the terms and conditions upon which each Partnership Security will be issued, evidenced by
certificates and assigned or transferred; (vii) the method for determining the Percentage Interest
as to such Partnership Security; and (viii) the right, if any, of each such Partnership Security to
vote on Partnership matters, including matters relating to the relative rights, preferences and
privileges of such Partnership Security.
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(c) The General Partner shall take all actions that it determines to be necessary or
appropriate in connection with (i) each issuance of Partnership Securities and options, rights,
warrants and appreciation rights relating to Partnership Securities pursuant to this Section 5.6,
(ii) the conversion of the General Partner Interest (represented by General Partner Units) or any
Incentive Distribution Rights into Units pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, (iii) the
issuance of Class B Units pursuant to Section 5.11 and the conversion of Class B Units into Common
Units pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, (iv) the admission of Additional Limited Partners
and (v) all additional issuances of Partnership Securities. The General Partner shall determine the
relative rights, powers and duties of the holders of the Units or other Partnership Securities
being so issued. The General Partner shall do all things necessary to comply with the Delaware Act
and is authorized and directed to do all things that it determines to be necessary or appropriate
in connection with any future issuance of Partnership Securities or in connection with the
conversion of the General Partner Interest or any Incentive Distribution Rights into Units pursuant
to the terms of this Agreement, including compliance with any statute, rule, regulation or
guideline of any federal, state or other governmental agency or any National Securities Exchange on
which the Units or other Partnership Securities are listed or admitted to trading.
(d) No fractional Units shall be issued by the Partnership.
Section 5.7
Conversion of Subordinated Units.
(a) All of the Subordinated Units shall convert into Common Units on a one-for-one basis on
the first Business Day of any Quarter beginning after June 30, 2010 in respect of which:
(i) distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus on each of the Outstanding Common
Units, Subordinated Units and General Partner Units and any other Outstanding Units that are senior
or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units with respect to each of the three
consecutive, non-overlapping four-Quarter periods immediately preceding such date equaled or
exceeded the sum of the Minimum Quarterly Distribution on all Outstanding Common Units,
Subordinated Units and General Partner Units and any other Outstanding Units that are senior or
equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units during such periods;
(ii) the Adjusted Operating Surplus generated during each of the three consecutive,
non-overlapping four-Quarter periods immediately preceding such date equaled or exceeded the sum of
the Minimum Quarterly Distribution on all of the Common Units, Subordinated Units and General
Partner Units and any other Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the
Subordinated Units that were Outstanding during such periods on a Fully Diluted Basis; and
(iii) there are no Cumulative Common Unit Arrearages.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 5.7(a), the Subordination Period shall terminate and all
Outstanding Subordinated Units shall convert into Common Units on a one-for-one basis on the first
Business Day following the distribution of Available Cash to Partners pursuant to Section 6.3(a) in
respect of any Quarter ending on or after June 30, 2008 in respect of which:
(i) distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus under Section 6.4(a) on each of the
Outstanding Common Units, Subordinated Units and General Partner Units and any other Outstanding
Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units with respect to
the four-Quarter period immediately preceding such date equaled or exceeded the sum of the Third
Target Distribution on all of the Outstanding Common Units, Subordinated Units and General Partner
Units and any other Outstanding Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the
Subordinated Units during such period;
(ii) the Adjusted Operating Surplus generated during the four-Quarter period immediately
preceding such date equaled or exceeded the sum of the Third Target Distribution on all of the
Common Units, Subordinated Units and General Partner Units and any other Outstanding Units that are
senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units that were Outstanding during
such period on a Fully Diluted Basis; and
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(iii) there are no Cumulative Common Unit Arrearages.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, all the then Outstanding
Subordinated Units will automatically convert into Common Units on a one-for-one basis as set forth
in, and pursuant to the terms of, Section 11.4.
(d) A Subordinated Unit that has converted into a Common Unit shall be subject to the
provisions of Section 6.7(b) and Section 6.7(c).
Section 5.8
Limited Preemptive Right.
Except as provided in this Section 5.8 and in Section 5.2, no Person shall have any
preemptive, preferential or other similar right with respect to the issuance of any Partnership
Security, whether unissued, held in the treasury or hereafter created. The General Partner shall
have the right, which it may from time to time assign in whole or in part to any of its Affiliates,
to purchase Partnership Securities from the Partnership whenever, and on the same terms that, the
Partnership issues Partnership Securities to Persons other than the General Partner and its
Affiliates, to the extent necessary to maintain the Percentage Interests of the General Partner and
its Affiliates equal to any or all of those Percentage Interests that existed immediately prior to
the issuance of such Partnership Securities.
Section 5.9
Splits and Combinations.
(a) Subject to Section 5.9(d), Section 6.6 and Section 6.9 (dealing with adjustments of
distribution levels), the Partnership may make a Pro Rata distribution of Partnership Securities to
all Record Holders or may effect a subdivision or combination of Partnership Securities so long as,
after any such event, each Partner shall have the same Percentage Interest in the Partnership as
before such event, and any amounts calculated on a per Unit basis (including any Common Unit
Arrearage or Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage) or stated as a number of Units are proportionately
adjusted.
(b) Whenever such a Pro Rata distribution or subdivision or combination of Partnership
Securities is declared, the General Partner shall select a Record Date as of which the
distribution, subdivision or combination shall be effective and shall send notice thereof at least
20 days prior to such Record Date to each Record Holder as of a date not less than 10 days prior to
the date of such notice. The General Partner also may cause a firm of independent public
accountants selected by it to calculate the number of Partnership Securities to be held by each
Record Holder after giving effect to such distribution, subdivision or combination. The General
Partner shall be entitled to rely on any certificate provided by such firm as conclusive evidence
of the accuracy of such calculation.
(c) Promptly following any such distribution, subdivision or combination, the Partnership may
issue Certificates or uncertificated Partnership Securities to the Record Holders of Partnership
Securities as of the applicable Record Date representing the new number of Partnership Securities
held by such Record Holders, or the General Partner may adopt such other procedures that it
determines to be necessary or appropriate to reflect such changes. If any such combination results
in a smaller total number of Partnership Securities Outstanding, the Partnership shall require, as
a condition to the delivery to a Record Holder of such new Certificate or uncertificated
Partnership Securities, the surrender of any Certificate held by such Record Holder immediately
prior to such Record Date.
(d) The Partnership shall not issue fractional Units upon any distribution, subdivision or
combination of Units. If a distribution, subdivision or combination of Units would result in the
issuance of fractional Units but for the provisions of this Section 5.9(d), each fractional Unit
shall be rounded to the nearest whole Unit (and a 0.5 Unit shall be rounded to the next higher
Unit).
Section 5.10
Fully Paid and Non-Assessable Nature of Limited Partner Interests.
All Limited Partner Interests issued pursuant to, and in accordance with the requirements of,
this Article V shall be fully paid and non-assessable Limited Partner Interests in the Partnership,
except as such non-assessability may be affected by Sections 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware Act.
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Section 5.11
Issuance of Class B Units in Connection with Reset of Incentive Distribution Rights.
(a) Subject to the provisions of this Section 5.11, the holder of the Incentive Distribution
Rights (or, if there is more than one holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights, the holders of a
majority in interest of the Incentive Distribution Rights) shall have the right, at any time when
there are no Subordinated Units outstanding and the Partnership has made a distribution pursuant to
Section 6.4(b)(v) for each of the four most recently completed Quarters and the amount of each such
distribution did not exceed Adjusted Operating Surplus for such Quarter, to make an election (the
IDR Reset Election) to cause the Minimum Quarterly Distribution and the Target Distributions to
be reset in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.11(e) and, in connection therewith, the
holder or holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights will become entitled to receive their
respective proportionate share of a number of Class B Units derived by dividing (i) the average
amount of cash distributions made by the Partnership for the two full Quarters immediately
preceding the giving of the Reset Notice (as defined in Section 5.11(b)) in respect of the
Incentive Distribution Rights by (ii) the average of the cash distributions made by the Partnership
in respect of each Common Unit for the two full Quarters immediately preceding the giving of the
Reset Notice (the number of Class B Units determined by such quotient is referred to herein as the
Aggregate Quantity of Class B Units). Upon the issuance of such Class B Units, the Partnership
will issue to the General Partner that number of additional General Partner Units equal to the
product of (x) the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the Percentage Interest of the General Partner
immediately prior to such issuance by (B) a percentage equal to 100% less such Percentage Interest
by (y) the number of such Class B Units, and the General Partner shall not be obligated to make any
additional Capital Contribution to the Partnership in exchange for such issuance. The making of the
IDR Reset Election in the manner specified in Section 5.11(b) shall cause the Minimum Quarterly
Distribution and the Target Distributions to be reset in accordance with the provisions of Section
5.11(e) and, in connection therewith, the holder or holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights
will become entitled to receive Class B Units and General Partner Units on the basis specified
above, without any further approval required by the General Partner or the Unitholders, at the time
specified in Section 5.11(c) unless the IDR Reset Election is rescinded pursuant to Section
5.11(d).
(b) To exercise the right specified in Section 5.11(a), the holder of the Incentive
Distribution Rights (or, if there is more than one holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights, the
holders of a majority in interest of the Incentive Distribution Rights) shall deliver a written
notice (the Reset Notice) to the Partnership. Within 10 Business Days after the receipt by the
Partnership of such Reset Notice, as the case may be, the Partnership shall deliver a written
notice to the holder or holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights of the Partnerships
determination of the aggregate number of Class B Units that each holder of Incentive Distribution
Rights will be entitled to receive.
(c) The holder or holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights will be entitled to receive the
Aggregate Quantity of Class B Units and related additional General Partner Units on the fifteenth
Business Day after receipt by the Partnership of the Reset Notice, and the Partnership shall issue
Certificates for the Class B Units to the holder or holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights;
provided, however, that the issuance of Class B Units to the holder or holders of the Incentive
Distribution Rights shall not occur prior to the approval of the listing or admission for trading
of the Common Units into which the Class B Units are convertible pursuant to Section 5.11(f) by the
principal National Securities Exchange upon which the Common Units are then listed or admitted for
trading if any such approval is required pursuant to the rules and regulations of such National
Securities Exchange.
(d) If the principal National Securities Exchange upon which the Common Units are then traded
have not approved the listing or admission for trading of the Common Units into which the Class B
Units are convertible pursuant to Section 5.11(f) on or before the 30th calendar day following the
Partnerships receipt of the Reset Notice and such approval is required by the rules and
regulations of such National Securities Exchange, then the holder of the Incentive Distribution
Rights (or, if there is more than one holder of the Incentive Distribution Rights, the holders of a
majority in interest of the Incentive Distribution Rights) shall have the right to either rescind
the IDR Reset Election or elect to receive other Partnership Securities having such terms as the
General Partner may approve, with the approval of the Conflicts Committee, that will provide (i)
the same economic value, in the aggregate, as the Aggregate Quantity of Class B Units would have
had at the time of the Partnerships receipt of the Reset Notice, as determined by the General
Partner, and (ii) for the subsequent conversion (on terms acceptable to the National Securities
Exchange upon which the Common Units are then traded) of such Partnership Securities into Common
Units within not more than 12 months following the Partnerships receipt of the Reset Notice upon
the
33
satisfaction of one or more conditions that are reasonably acceptable to the holder of the
Incentive Distribution Rights (or, if there is more than one holder of the Incentive Distribution
Rights, the holders of a majority in interest of the Incentive Distribution Rights).
(e) The Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution
and Third Target Distribution shall be adjusted at the time of the issuance of Common Units or
other Partnership Securities pursuant to this Section 5.11 such that (i) the Minimum Quarterly
Distribution shall be reset to equal to the average cash distribution amount per Common Unit for
the two Quarters immediately prior to the Partnerships receipt of the Reset Notice (the Reset
MQD), (ii) the First Target Distribution shall be reset to equal 115% of the Reset MQD, (iii) the
Second Target Distribution shall be reset to equal to 125% of the Reset MQD and (iv) the Third
Target Distribution shall be reset to equal 150% of the Reset MQD.
(f) Any holder of Class B Units shall have the right to elect, by giving written notice to the
General Partner, to convert all or a portion of the Class B Units held by such holder, at any time
following the first anniversary of the issuance of such Class B Units, into Common Units on a
one-for-one basis, such conversion to be effective on the second Business Day following the General
Partners receipt of such written notice.
ARTICLE VI
ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Section 6.1
Allocations for Capital Account Purposes.
For purposes of maintaining the Capital Accounts and in determining the rights of the Partners
among themselves, the Partnerships items of income, gain, loss and deduction (computed in
accordance with Section 5.5(b)) shall be allocated among the Partners in each taxable year (or
portion thereof) as provided herein below.
(a) Net Income. After giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Section 6.1(d),
Net Income for each taxable year and all items of income, gain, loss and deduction taken into
account in computing Net Income for such taxable year shall be allocated as follows:
(i) First, 100% to the General Partner, in an amount equal to the aggregate Net Losses
allocated to the General Partner pursuant to Section 6.1(b)(iii) for all previous taxable years
until the aggregate Net Income allocated to the General Partner pursuant to this Section 6.1(a)(i)
for the current taxable year and all previous taxable years is equal to the aggregate Net Losses
allocated to the General Partner pursuant to Section 6.1(b)(iii) for all previous taxable years;
(ii) Second, 100% to the General Partner and the Unitholders, in accordance with their
respective Percentage Interests, until the aggregate Net Income allocated to such Partners pursuant
to this Section 6.1(a)(ii) for the current taxable year and all previous taxable years is equal to
the aggregate Net Losses allocated to such Partners pursuant to Section 6.1(b)(ii) for all previous
taxable years; and
(iii) Third, the balance, if any, 100% to the General Partner and the Unitholders, in
accordance with their respective Percentage Interests.
(b) Net Losses. After giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Section 6.1(d),
Net Losses for each taxable period and all items of income, gain, loss and deduction taken into
account in computing Net Losses for such taxable period shall be allocated as follows:
(i) First, 100% to the General Partner and the Unitholders, in accordance with their
respective Percentage Interests, until the aggregate Net Losses allocated pursuant to this Section
6.1(b)(i) for the current taxable year and all previous taxable years is equal to the aggregate Net
Income allocated to such Partners pursuant to Section 6.1(a)(iii) for all previous taxable years,
provided that the Net Losses shall not be allocated pursuant to this Section 6.1(b)(i) to the
extent that such allocation would cause any Unitholder to have a deficit balance in its Adjusted
Capital Account at the end of such taxable year (or increase any existing deficit balance in its
Adjusted Capital Account);
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(ii) Second, 100% to the General Partner and the Unitholders, in accordance with their
respective Percentage Interests; provided, that Net Losses shall not be allocated pursuant to this
Section 6.1(b)(ii) to the extent that such allocation would cause any Unitholder to have a deficit
balance in its Adjusted Capital Account at the end of such taxable year (or increase any existing
deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account); and
(iii) Third, the balance, if any, 100% to the General Partner.
(c) Net Termination Gains and Losses. After giving effect to the special allocations set
forth in Section 6.1(d), all items of income, gain, loss and deduction taken into account in
computing Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss for such taxable period shall be allocated
in the same manner as such Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss is allocated hereunder. All
allocations under this Section 6.1(c) shall be made after Capital Account balances have been
adjusted by all other allocations provided under this Section 6.1 and after all distributions of
Available Cash provided under Section 6.4 and Section 6.5 have been made; provided, however, that
solely for purposes of this Section 6.1(c), Capital Accounts shall not be adjusted for
distributions made pursuant to Section 12.4.
(i) If a Net Termination Gain is recognized (or deemed recognized pursuant to Section 5.5(d)),
such Net Termination Gain shall be allocated among the Partners in the following manner (and the
Capital Accounts of the Partners shall be increased by the amount so allocated in each of the
following subclauses, in the order listed, before an allocation is made pursuant to the next
succeeding subclause):
(A) First, to each Partner having a deficit balance in its Capital Account, in the proportion
that such deficit balance bears to the total deficit balances in the Capital Accounts of all
Partners, until each such Partner has been allocated Net Termination Gain equal to any such deficit
balance in its Capital Account;
(B) Second, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (y) to
all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the percentage
applicable to subclause (x) of this clause (B), until the Capital Account in respect of each Common
Unit then Outstanding is equal to the sum of (1) its Unrecovered Initial Unit Price, (2) the
Minimum Quarterly Distribution for the Quarter during which the Liquidation Date occurs, reduced by
any distribution pursuant to Section 6.4(a)(i) or Section 6.4(b)(i) with respect to such Common
Unit for such Quarter (the amount determined pursuant to this clause (2) is hereinafter defined as
the Unpaid MQD) and (3) any then existing Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage;
(C) Third, if such Net Termination Gain is recognized (or is deemed to be recognized) prior to
the conversion of the last Outstanding Class B Unit, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with
its Percentage Interest and (y) to all Unitholders holding Class B Units, Pro Rata, a percentage
equal to 100% less the percentage applicable to subclause (x) of this clause (C), until the Capital
Account in respect of each Class B Unit then Outstanding equals the sum of (1) its Unrecovered
Initial Unit Price, and (2) the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for the Quarter during which the
Liquidation Date occurs, reduced by any distribution pursuant to Section 6.4(b)(i) with respect to
such Class B Unit for such Quarter;
(D) Fourth, if such Net Termination Gain is recognized (or is deemed to be recognized) prior
to the conversion of the last Outstanding Subordinated Unit, (x) to the General Partner in
accordance with its Percentage Interest and (y) to all Unitholders holding Subordinated Units, Pro
Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the percentage applicable to subclause (x) of this clause
(D), until the Capital Account in respect of each Subordinated Unit then Outstanding equals the sum
of (1) its Unrecovered Initial Unit Price, determined for the taxable year (or portion thereof) to
which this allocation of gain relates, and (2) the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for the Quarter
during which the Liquidation Date occurs, reduced by any distribution pursuant to Section
6.4(a)(iii) with respect to such Subordinated Unit for such Quarter;
(E) Fifth, 100% to the General Partner and all Unitholders in accordance with their respective
Percentage Interests, until the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding is
equal to the sum of (1) its Unrecovered Initial Unit Price, (2) the Unpaid MQD, (3) any then
existing Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage, and (4) the excess of (aa) the First Target Distribution
less the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for each Quarter of the Partnerships existence over (bb)
the cumulative per Unit amount of any distributions of
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Available Cash that is deemed to be Operating Surplus made pursuant to Section 6.4(a)(iv) and
Section 6.4(b)(ii) (the sum of (1), (2), (3) and (4) is hereinafter defined as the First
Liquidation Target Amount);
(F) Sixth, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest, (y) 13% to
the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and (z) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a
percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclause (x) and (y) of
this clause (F), until the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding is equal
to the sum of (1) the First Liquidation Target Amount, and (2) the excess of (aa) the Second Target
Distribution less the First Target Distribution for each Quarter of the Partnerships existence
over (bb) the cumulative per Unit amount of any distributions of Available Cash that is deemed to
be Operating Surplus made pursuant to Section 6.4(a)(v) and Section 6.4(b)(iii) (the sum of (1) and
(2) is hereinafter defined as the Second Liquidation Target Amount);
(G) Seventh, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest, (y) 23% to
the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and (z) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a
percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclause (x) and (y) of
this clause (G), until the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding is equal
to the sum of (1) the Second Liquidation Target Amount, and (2) the excess of (aa) the Third Target
Distribution less the Second Target Distribution for each Quarter of the Partnerships existence
over (bb) the cumulative per Unit amount of any distributions of Available Cash that is deemed to
be Operating Surplus made pursuant to Section 6.4(a)(vi) and Section 6.4(b)(iv) (the sum of (1) and
(2) is hereinafter defined as the Third Liquidation Target Amount); and
(H) Finally, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest, (y) 48% to
the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and (z) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a
percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclause (x) and (y) of
this clause (H).
(ii) If a Net Termination Loss is recognized (or deemed recognized pursuant to Section
5.5(d)), such Net Termination Loss shall be allocated among the Partners in the following manner:
(A) First, if such Net Termination Loss is recognized (or is deemed to be recognized) prior to
the conversion of the last Outstanding Subordinated Unit, (x) to the General Partner in accordance
with its Percentage Interest and (y) to all Unitholders holding Subordinated Units, Pro Rata, a
percentage equal to 100% less the percentage applicable to subclause (x) of this clause (A), until
the Capital Account in respect of each Subordinated Unit then Outstanding has been reduced to zero;
(B) Second, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (y) to
the Class B Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the percentage applicable to
subclause (x) of this clause (B) until the Capital Account in respect of each Class B Unit then
Outstanding has been reduced to zero;
(C) Third, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (y) to
all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the percentage applicable to subclause
(x) of this clause (B) until the Capital Account in respect of each Unit then Outstanding has been
reduced to zero; and
(D) Fourth, the balance, if any, 100% to the General Partner.
(d) Special Allocations. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 6.1, the
following special allocations shall be made for such taxable period:
(i) Partnership Minimum Gain Chargeback. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section
6.1, if there is a net decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain during any Partnership taxable period,
each Partner shall be allocated items of Partnership income and gain for such period (and, if
necessary, subsequent periods) in the manner and amounts provided in Treasury Regulation Sections
1.704-2(f)(6), 1.704-2(g)(2) and 1.704-2(j)(2)(i), or any successor provision. For purposes of this
Section 6.1(d), each Partners Adjusted Capital Account balance shall be determined, and the
allocation of income or gain required hereunder shall be effected, prior to the application of any
other allocations pursuant to this Section 6.1(d) with respect to such taxable period (other
36
than an allocation pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(vi) and Section 6.1(d)(vii)). This Section
6.1(d)(i) is intended to comply with the Partnership Minimum Gain chargeback requirement in
Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(f) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
(ii) Chargeback of Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain. Notwithstanding the other
provisions of this Section 6.1 (other than Section 6.1(d)(i)), except as provided in Treasury
Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(4), if there is a net decrease in Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum
Gain during any Partnership taxable period, any Partner with a share of Partner Nonrecourse Debt
Minimum Gain at the beginning of such taxable period shall be allocated items of Partnership income
and gain for such period (and, if necessary, subsequent periods) in the manner and amounts provided
in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(i)(4) and 1.704-2(j)(2)(ii), or any successor provisions.
For purposes of this Section 6.1(d), each Partners Adjusted Capital Account balance shall be
determined, and the allocation of income or gain required hereunder shall be effected, prior to the
application of any other allocations pursuant to this Section 6.1(d), other than Section 6.1(d)(i)
and other than an allocation pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(vi) and Section 6.1(d)(vii), with respect
to such taxable period. This Section 6.1(d)(ii) is intended to comply with the chargeback of items
of income and gain requirement in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(4) and shall be
interpreted consistently therewith.
(iii) Priority Allocations.
(A) If the amount of cash or the Net Agreed Value of any property distributed (except cash or
property distributed pursuant to Section 12.4) to any Unitholder with respect to its Units for a
taxable year is greater (on a per Unit basis) than the amount of cash or the Net Agreed Value of
property distributed to the other Unitholders with respect to their Units (on a per Unit basis),
then (1) there shall be allocated income and gain to each Unitholder receiving such greater cash or
property distribution until the aggregate amount of such items allocated pursuant to this Section
6.1(d)(iii)(A) for the current taxable year and all previous taxable years is equal to the product
of (aa) the amount by which the distribution (on a per Unit basis) to such Unitholder exceeds the
distribution (on a per Unit basis) to the Unitholders receiving the smallest distribution and (bb)
the number of Units owned by the Unitholder receiving the greater distribution; and (2) the General
Partner shall be allocated income and gain in an aggregate amount equal to the product obtained by
multiplying (aa) the quotient determined by dividing (x) the General Partners Percentage Interest
at the time in which the greater cash or property distribution occurs by (y) the sum of 100 less
the General Partners Percentage Interest at the time in which the greater cash or property
distribution occurs times (bb) the sum of the amounts allocated in clause (1) above.
(B) After the application of Section 6.1(d)(iii)(A), all or any portion of the remaining items
of Partnership income or gain for the taxable period, if any, shall be allocated (1) to the holders
of Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, until the aggregate amount of such items allocated to
the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(iii)(B) for the
current taxable year and all previous taxable years is equal to the cumulative amount of all
Incentive Distributions made to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights from the Closing Date
to a date 45 days after the end of the current taxable year; and (2) to the General Partner an
amount equal to the product of (aa) an amount equal to the quotient determined by dividing (x) the
General Partners Percentage Interest by (y) the sum of 100 less the General Partners Percentage
Interest times (bb) the sum of the amounts allocated in clause (1) above.
(iv) Qualified Income Offset. In the event any Partner unexpectedly receives any adjustments,
allocations or distributions described in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4),
1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(5), or 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(6), items of Partnership income and gain shall be
specially allocated to such Partner in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate, to the extent
required by the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 704(b) of the Code, the deficit
balance, if any, in its Adjusted Capital Account created by such adjustments, allocations or
distributions as quickly as possible unless such deficit balance is otherwise eliminated pursuant
to Section 6.1(d)(i) or Section 6.1(d)(ii).
(v) Gross Income Allocations. In the event any Partner has a deficit balance in its Capital
Account at the end of any Partnership taxable period in excess of the sum of (A) the amount such
Partner is required to restore pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement and (B) the amount such
Partner is deemed obligated to restore pursuant to Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(g) and
1.704-2(i)(5), such Partner shall be specially allocated items of Partnership income and gain in
the amount of such excess as quickly as possible; provided, that an
37
allocation pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(v) shall be made only if and to the extent that
such Partner would have a deficit balance in its Capital Account as adjusted after all other
allocations provided for in this Section 6.1 have been tentatively made as if this Section
6.1(d)(v) were not in this Agreement.
(vi) Nonrecourse Deductions. Nonrecourse Deductions for any taxable period shall be allocated
to the Partners in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests. If the General Partner
determines that the Partnerships Nonrecourse Deductions should be allocated in a different ratio
to satisfy the safe harbor requirements of the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section
704(b) of the Code, the General Partner is authorized, upon notice to the other Partners, to revise
the prescribed ratio to the numerically closest ratio that does satisfy such requirements.
(vii) Partner Nonrecourse Deductions. Partner Nonrecourse Deductions for any taxable period
shall be allocated 100% to the Partner that bears the Economic Risk of Loss with respect to the
Partner Nonrecourse Debt to which such Partner Nonrecourse Deductions are attributable in
accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i). If more than one Partner bears the Economic
Risk of Loss with respect to a Partner Nonrecourse Debt, such Partner Nonrecourse Deductions
attributable thereto shall be allocated between or among such Partners in accordance with the
ratios in which they share such Economic Risk of Loss.
(viii) Nonrecourse Liabilities. For purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-3(a)(3),
the Partners agree that Nonrecourse Liabilities of the Partnership in excess of the sum of (A) the
amount of Partnership Minimum Gain and (B) the total amount of Nonrecourse Built-in Gain shall be
allocated among the Partners in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests.
(ix) Code Section 754 Adjustments. To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of
any Partnership asset pursuant to Section 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code is required, pursuant to
Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), to be taken into account in determining Capital
Accounts, the amount of such adjustment to the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain
(if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such
basis), and such item of gain or loss shall be specially allocated to the Partners in a manner
consistent with the manner in which their Capital Accounts are required to be adjusted pursuant to
such Section of the Treasury Regulations.
(x) Economic Uniformity.
(A) At the election of the General Partner with respect to any taxable period ending upon, or
after, the termination of the Subordination Period, all or a portion of the remaining items of
Partnership income or gain for such taxable period, after taking into account allocations pursuant
to Section 6.1(d)(iii), shall be allocated 100% to each Partner holding Subordinated Units that are
Outstanding as of the termination of the Subordination Period (Final Subordinated Units) in the
proportion of the number of Final Subordinated Units held by such Partner to the total number of
Final Subordinated Units then Outstanding, until each such Partner has been allocated an amount of
income or gain that increases the Capital Account maintained with respect to such Final
Subordinated Units to an amount equal to the product of (A) the number of Final Subordinated Units
held by such Partner and (B) the Per Unit Capital Amount for a Common Unit. The purpose of this
allocation is to establish uniformity between the Capital Accounts underlying Final Subordinated
Units and the Capital Accounts underlying Common Units held by Persons other than the General
Partner and its Affiliates immediately prior to the conversion of such Final Subordinated Units
into Common Units. This allocation method for establishing such economic uniformity will be
available to the General Partner only if the method for allocating the Capital Account maintained
with respect to the Subordinated Units between the transferred and retained Subordinated Units
pursuant to Section 5.5(c)(ii) does not otherwise provide such economic uniformity to the Final
Subordinated Units.
(B) At the election of the General Partner with respect to any taxable period ending upon, or
after, the conversion of the Class B Units pursuant to Section 5.11(f), all or a portion of the
remaining items of Partnership income or gain for such taxable period, after taking into account
allocations pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(iii) and Section 6.1(d)(x)(A), shall be allocated 100% to
the holder or holders of the Common Units resulting from the conversion pursuant to Section 5.11(f)
(Converted Common Units) in the proportion of the number of the Converted Common Units held by
such holder or holders to the total number of Converted Common Units then Outstanding, until each
such holder has been allocated an amount of income or gain that increases the Capital
38
Account maintained with respect to such Converted Common Units to an amount equal to the
product of (A) the number of Converted Common Units held by such holder and (B) the Per Unit
Capital Amount for a Common Unit. The purpose of this allocation is to establish uniformity between
the Capital Accounts underlying Converted Common Units and the Capital Accounts underlying Common
Units held by Persons other than the General Partner and its Affiliates immediately prior to the
receipt of Common Units pursuant to Section 5.11(f).
(xi) Curative Allocation.
(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 6.1, other than the Required
Allocations, the Required Allocations shall be taken into account in making the Agreed Allocations
so that, to the extent possible, the net amount of items of income, gain, loss and deduction
allocated to each Partner pursuant to the Required Allocations and the Agreed Allocations,
together, shall be equal to the net amount of such items that would have been allocated to each
such Partner under the Agreed Allocations had the Required Allocations and the related Curative
Allocation not otherwise been provided in this Section 6.1. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence,
Required Allocations relating to (1) Nonrecourse Deductions shall not be taken into account except
to the extent that there has been a decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain and (2) Partner
Nonrecourse Deductions shall not be taken into account except to the extent that there has been a
decrease in Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain. Allocations pursuant to this Section
6.1(d)(xi)(A) shall only be made with respect to Required Allocations to the extent the General
Partner determines that such allocations will otherwise be inconsistent with the economic agreement
among the Partners. Further, allocations pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(xi)(A) shall be deferred
with respect to allocations pursuant to clauses (1) and (2) hereof to the extent the General
Partner determines that such allocations are likely to be offset by subsequent Required
Allocations.
(B) The General Partner shall, with respect to each taxable period, (1) apply the provisions
of Section 6.1(d)(xi)(A) in whatever order is most likely to minimize the economic distortions that
might otherwise result from the Required Allocations, and (2) divide all allocations pursuant to
Section 6.1(d)(xi)(A) among the Partners in a manner that is likely to minimize such economic
distortions.
(xii) Corrective Allocations. In the event of any allocation of Additional Book Basis
Derivative Items or any Book-Down Event or any recognition of a Net Termination Loss, the following
rules shall apply:
(A) In the case of any allocation of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items (other than an
allocation of Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss under Section 5.5(d) hereof), the General Partner
shall allocate additional items of income and gain away from the holders of Incentive Distribution
Rights to the Unitholders and the General Partner, or additional items of deduction and loss away
from the Unitholders and the General Partner to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights, to
the extent that the Additional Book Basis Derivative Items allocated to the Unitholders or the
General Partner exceed their Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items. For this purpose, the
Unitholders and the General Partner shall be treated as being allocated Additional Book Basis
Derivative Items to the extent that such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items have reduced the
amount of income that would otherwise have been allocated to the Unitholders or the General Partner
under the Partnership Agreement (e.g., Additional Book Basis Derivative Items taken into account in
computing cost of goods sold would reduce the amount of book income otherwise available for
allocation among the Partners). Any allocation made pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(xii)(A) shall
be made after all of the other Agreed Allocations have been made as if this Section 6.1(d)(xii)
were not in this Agreement and, to the extent necessary, shall require the reallocation of items
that have been allocated pursuant to such other Agreed Allocations.
(B) In the case of any negative adjustments to the Capital Accounts of the Partners resulting
from a Book-Down Event or from the recognition of a Net Termination Loss, such negative adjustment
(1) shall first be allocated, to the extent of the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments, in
such a manner, as determined by the General Partner, that to the extent possible the aggregate
Capital Accounts of the Partners will equal the amount that would have been the Capital Account
balance of the Partners if no prior Book-Up Events had occurred, and (2) any negative adjustment in
excess of the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments shall be allocated pursuant to Section
6.1(c) hereof.
39
(C) In making the allocations required under this Section 6.1(d)(xii), the General
Partner may apply whatever conventions or other methodology it determines will satisfy the purpose
of this Section 6.1(d)(xii).
Section 6.2
Allocations for Tax Purposes.
(a) Except as otherwise provided herein, for federal income tax purposes, each item of income,
gain, loss and deduction shall be allocated among the Partners in the same manner as its
correlative item of book income, gain, loss or deduction is allocated pursuant to Section 6.1.
(b) In an attempt to eliminate Book-Tax Disparities attributable to a Contributed Property or
Adjusted Property, items of income, gain, loss, depreciation, amortization and cost recovery
deductions shall be allocated for federal income tax purposes among the Partners as follows:
(i) (A) In the case of a Contributed Property, such items attributable thereto shall be
allocated among the Partners in the manner provided under Section 704(c) of the Code that takes
into account the variation between the Agreed Value of such property and its adjusted basis at the
time of contribution; and (B) any item of Residual Gain or Residual Loss attributable to a
Contributed Property shall be allocated among the Partners in the same manner as its correlative
item of book gain or loss is allocated pursuant to Section 6.1.
(ii) (A) In the case of an Adjusted Property, such items shall (1) first, be allocated among
the Partners in a manner consistent with the principles of Section 704(c) of the Code to take into
account the Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such property and the allocations
thereof pursuant to Section 5.5(d)(i) or Section 5.5(d)(ii), and (2) second, in the event such
property was originally a Contributed Property, be allocated among the Partners in a manner
consistent with Section 6.2(b)(i)(A); and (B) any item of Residual Gain or Residual Loss
attributable to an Adjusted Property shall be allocated among the Partners in the same manner as
its correlative item of book gain or loss is allocated pursuant to Section 6.1.
(iii) The General Partner shall apply the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-3(d)
to eliminate Book-Tax Disparities.
(c) For the proper administration of the Partnership and for the preservation of uniformity of
the Limited Partner Interests (or any class or classes thereof), the General Partner shall (i)
adopt such conventions as it deems appropriate in determining the amount of depreciation,
amortization and cost recovery deductions; (ii) make special allocations for federal income tax
purposes of income (including gross income) or deductions; and (iii) amend the provisions of this
Agreement as appropriate (x) to reflect the proposal or promulgation of Treasury Regulations under
Section 704(b) or Section 704(c) of the Code or (y) otherwise to preserve or achieve uniformity of
the Limited Partner Interests (or any class or classes thereof). The General Partner may adopt such
conventions, make such allocations and make such amendments to this Agreement as provided in this
Section 6.2(c) only if such conventions, allocations or amendments would not have a material
adverse effect on the Partners, the holders of any class or classes of Limited Partner Interests
issued and Outstanding or the Partnership, and if such allocations are consistent with the
principles of Section 704 of the Code.
(d) The General Partner may determine to depreciate or amortize the portion of an adjustment
under Section 743(b) of the Code attributable to unrealized appreciation in any Adjusted Property
(to the extent of the unamortized Book-Tax Disparity) using a predetermined rate derived from the
depreciation or amortization method and useful life applied to the Partnerships common basis of
such property, despite any inconsistency of such approach with Treasury Regulation Section
1.167(c)-l(a)(6), Treasury Regulation Section 1.197-2(g)(3), the legislative history to Section 743
or any successor regulations thereto. If the General Partner determines that such reporting
position cannot reasonably be taken, the General Partner may adopt depreciation and amortization
conventions under which all purchasers acquiring Limited Partner Interests in the same month would
receive depreciation and amortization deductions, based upon the same applicable rate as if they
had purchased a direct interest in the Partnerships property. If the General Partner chooses not
to utilize such aggregate method, the General Partner may use any other depreciation and
amortization conventions to preserve the uniformity of the intrinsic tax characteristics of any
Limited Partner Interests, so long as such conventions would not have a material adverse effect on
the Limited Partners or the Record Holders of any class or classes of Limited Partner Interests.
40
(e) In accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.1245-1(e), any gain allocated to the
Partners upon the sale or other taxable disposition of any Partnership asset shall, to the extent
possible, after taking into account other required allocations of gain pursuant to this Section
6.2, be characterized as Recapture Income in the same proportions and to the same extent as such
Partners (or their predecessors in interest) have been allocated any deductions directly or
indirectly giving rise to the treatment of such gains as Recapture Income.
(f) All items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit recognized by the Partnership for
federal income tax purposes and allocated to the Partners in accordance with the provisions hereof
shall be determined without regard to any election under Section 754 of the Code that may be made
by the Partnership; provided, however, that such allocations, once made, shall be adjusted (in the
manner determined by the General Partner) to take into account those adjustments permitted or
required by Sections 734 and 743 of the Code.
(g) Each item of Partnership income, gain, loss and deduction, for federal income tax
purposes, shall be determined on an annual basis and prorated on a monthly basis and shall be
allocated to the Partners as of the opening of the National Securities Exchange on which the Common
Units may then be listed or admitted to trading on the first Business Day of each month; provided,
however, such items for the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the last day of the
month in which the Option Closing Date or the expiration of the Over-Allotment Option occurs shall
be allocated to the Partners as of the opening of the National Securities Exchange on which the
Common Units may then be listed or admitted to trading on the first Business Day of the next
succeeding month; and provided, further, that gain or loss on a sale or other disposition of any
assets of the Partnership or any other extraordinary item of income or loss realized and recognized
other than in the ordinary course of business, as determined by the General Partner, shall be
allocated to the Partners as of the opening of the National Securities Exchange on which the Common
Units may then be listed or admitted to trading on the first Business Day of the month in which
such gain or loss is recognized for federal income tax purposes. The General Partner may revise,
alter or otherwise modify such methods of allocation to the extent permitted or required by Section
706 of the Code and the regulations or rulings promulgated thereunder.
(h) Allocations that would otherwise be made to a Limited Partner under the provisions of this
Article VI shall instead be made to the beneficial owner of Limited Partner Interests held by a
nominee in any case in which the nominee has furnished the identity of such owner to the
Partnership in accordance with Section 6031(c) of the Code or any other method determined by the
General Partner.
Section 6.3
Requirement and Characterization of Distributions; Distributions to Record Holders.
(a) Within 45 days following the end of each Quarter commencing with the Quarter ending on
September 30, 2007, an amount equal to 100% of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter shall,
subject to Section 17-607 of the Delaware Act, be distributed in accordance with this Article VI by
the Partnership to the Partners as of the Record Date selected by the General Partner. All amounts
of Available Cash distributed by the Partnership on any date from any source shall be deemed to be
Operating Surplus until the sum of all amounts of Available Cash theretofore distributed by the
Partnership to the Partners pursuant to Section 6.4 equals the Operating Surplus from the Closing
Date through the close of the immediately preceding Quarter. Any remaining amounts of Available
Cash distributed by the Partnership on such date shall, except as otherwise provided in Section
6.5, be deemed to be Capital Surplus. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in
this Agreement, the Partnership shall not make a distribution to any Partner on account of its
interest in the Partnership if such distribution would violate the Delaware Act or any other
applicable law.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 6.3(a), in the event of the dissolution and liquidation of the
Partnership, all receipts received during or after the Quarter in which the Liquidation Date occurs
shall be applied and distributed solely in accordance with, and subject to the terms and conditions
of, Section 12.4.
(c) The General Partner may treat taxes paid by the Partnership on behalf of, or amounts
withheld with respect to, all or less than all of the Partners, as a distribution of Available Cash
to such Partners.
(d) Each distribution in respect of a Partnership Interest shall be paid by the Partnership,
directly or through the Transfer Agent or through any other Person or agent, only to the Record
Holder of such Partnership Interest as of the Record Date set for such distribution. Such payment
shall constitute full payment and satisfaction
41
of the Partnerships liability in respect of such payment, regardless of any claim of any
Person who may have an interest in such payment by reason of an assignment or otherwise.
Section 6.4
Distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus.
(a) During Subordination Period. Available Cash with respect to any Quarter within the
Subordination Period that is deemed to be Operating Surplus pursuant to the provisions of Section
6.3 or 6.5 shall, subject to Section 17-607 of the Delaware Act, be distributed as follows, except
as otherwise contemplated by Section 5.6 in respect of other Partnership Securities issued pursuant
thereto:
(i) First, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (y) to
the Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the General
Partners Percentage Interest until there has been distributed in respect of each Common Unit then
Outstanding an amount equal to the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for such Quarter;
(ii) Second, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (y) to
the Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the General
Partners Percentage Interest until there has been distributed in respect of each Common Unit then
Outstanding an amount equal to the Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage existing with respect to such
Quarter;
(iii) Third, (x) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest and (y) to
the Unitholders holding Subordinated Units, Pro Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the General
Partners Percentage Interest until there has been distributed in respect of each Subordinated Unit
then Outstanding an amount equal to the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for such Quarter;
(iv) Fourth, to the General Partner and all Unitholders, in accordance with their respective
Percentage Interests, until there has been distributed in respect of each Unit then Outstanding an
amount equal to the excess of the First Target Distribution over the Minimum Quarterly Distribution
for such Quarter;
(v) Fifth, (A) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest; (B) 13% to
the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata; and (C) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a
percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (A) and (B) of
this clause (v) until there has been distributed in respect of each Unit then Outstanding an amount
equal to the excess of the Second Target Distribution over the First Target Distribution for such
Quarter;
(vi) Sixth, (A) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest, (B) 23% to
the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata; and (C) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a
percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (A) and (B) of
this subclause (vi), until there has been distributed in respect of each Unit then Outstanding an
amount equal to the excess of the Third Target Distribution over the Second Target Distribution for
such Quarter; and
(vii) Thereafter, (A) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest; (B)
48% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata; and (C) to all Unitholders, Pro
Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (A) and
(B) of this clause (vii);
provided, however, if the Minimum Quarterly Distribution, the First Target Distribution, the Second
Target Distribution and the Third Target Distribution have been reduced to zero pursuant to the
second sentence of Section 6.6(a), the distribution of Available Cash that is deemed to be
Operating Surplus with respect to any Quarter will be made solely in accordance with Section
6.4(a)(vii).
(b) After Subordination Period. Available Cash with respect to any Quarter after the
Subordination Period that is deemed to be Operating Surplus pursuant to the provisions of Section
6.3 or Section 6.5, subject to Section 17-607 of the Delaware Act, shall be distributed as follows,
except as otherwise required by Section 5.6(b) in respect of additional Partnership Securities
issued pursuant thereto:
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(i) First, 100% to the General Partner and the Unitholders in accordance with their respective
Percentage Interests, until there has been distributed in respect of each Unit then Outstanding an
amount equal to the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for such Quarter;
(ii) Second, 100% to the General Partner and the Unitholders in accordance with their
respective Percentage Interests, until there has been distributed in respect of each Unit then
Outstanding an amount equal to the excess of the First Target Distribution over the Minimum
Quarterly Distribution for such Quarter;
(iii) Third, (A) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest; (B) 13% to
the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata; and (C) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a
percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (A) and (B) of
this clause (iii), until there has been distributed in respect of each Unit then Outstanding an
amount equal to the excess of the Second Target Distribution over the First Target Distribution for
such Quarter;
(iv) Fourth, (A) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest; (B) 23% to
the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata; and (C) to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, a
percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclause (A) and (B) of
this clause (iv), until there has been distributed in respect of each Unit then Outstanding an
amount equal to the excess of the Third Target Distribution over the Second Target Distribution for
such Quarter; and
(v) Thereafter, (A) to the General Partner in accordance with its Percentage Interest; (B) 48%
to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata; and (C) to all Unitholders, Pro
Rata, a percentage equal to 100% less the sum of the percentages applicable to subclauses (A) and
(B) of this clause (v);
provided, however, if the Minimum Quarterly Distribution, the First Target Distribution, the Second
Target Distribution and the Third Target Distribution have been reduced to zero pursuant to the
second sentence of Section 6.6(a), the distribution of Available Cash that is deemed to be
Operating Surplus with respect to any Quarter will be made solely in accordance with Section
6.4(b)(v).
Section 6.5
Distributions of Available Cash from Capital Surplus.
Available Cash that is deemed to be Capital Surplus pursuant to the provisions of Section
6.3(a) shall, subject to Section 17-607 of the Delaware Act, be distributed, unless the provisions
of Section 6.3 require otherwise, 100% to the General Partner and the Unitholders in accordance
with their respective Percentage Interests, until a hypothetical holder of a Common Unit acquired
in the Initial Offering has received with respect to such Common Unit, during the period since the
Closing Date through such date, distributions of Available Cash that are deemed to be Capital
Surplus in an aggregate amount equal to the Initial Unit Price. Available Cash that is deemed to be
Capital Surplus shall then be distributed (A) to the General Partner in accordance with its
Percentage Interest and (B) to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, a percentage equal
to 100% less the General Partners Percentage Interest until there has been distributed in respect
of each Common Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage.
Thereafter, all Available Cash shall be distributed as if it were Operating Surplus and shall be
distributed in accordance with Section 6.4.
Section 6.6
Adjustment of Minimum Quarterly Distribution and Target Distribution Levels.
(a) The Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution,
Third Target Distribution, Common Unit Arrearages and Cumulative Common Unit Arrearages shall be
proportionately adjusted in the event of any distribution, combination or subdivision (whether
effected by a distribution payable in Units or otherwise) of Units or other Partnership Securities
in accordance with Section 5.9. In the event of a distribution of Available Cash that is deemed to
be from Capital Surplus, the then applicable Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target
Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third Target Distribution, shall be adjusted
proportionately downward to equal the product obtained by multiplying the otherwise applicable
Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third
Target Distribution, as the case may be, by a fraction of which the numerator is the Unrecovered
Initial Unit Price of the Common Units
43
immediately after giving effect to such distribution and of which the denominator is the
Unrecovered Initial Unit Price of the Common Units immediately prior to giving effect to such
distribution.
(b) The Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution
and Third Target Distribution, shall also be subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 5.11 and
Section 6.9.
Section 6.7
Special Provisions Relating to the Holders of Subordinated Units and Class B Units.
(a) Except with respect to the right to vote on or approve matters requiring the vote or
approval of a percentage of the holders of Outstanding Common Units and the right to participate in
allocations of income, gain, loss and deduction and distributions made with respect to Common
Units, the holder of a Subordinated Unit shall have all of the rights and obligations of a
Unitholder holding Common Units hereunder; provided, however, that immediately upon the conversion
of Subordinated Units into Common Units pursuant to Section 5.7, the Unitholder holding a
Subordinated Unit shall possess all of the rights and obligations of a Unitholder holding Common
Units hereunder, including the right to vote as a Common Unitholder and the right to participate in
allocations of income, gain, loss and deduction and distributions made with respect to Common
Units; provided, however, that such converted Subordinated Units shall remain subject to the
provisions of Sections 5.5(c)(ii), 6.1(d)(x)(A), 6.7(b) and 6.7(c).
(b) A Unitholder shall not be permitted to transfer a Subordinated Unit or a Subordinated Unit
that has converted into a Common Unit pursuant to Section 5.7 (other than a transfer to an
Affiliate) if the remaining balance in the transferring Unitholders Capital Account with respect
to the retained Subordinated Units or Retained Converted Subordinated Units would be negative after
giving effect to the allocation under Section 5.5(c)(ii)(B).
(c) The Unitholder holding a Common Unit that has resulted from the conversion of a
Subordinated Unit pursuant to Section 5.7 shall not be issued a Common Unit Certificate pursuant to
Section 4.1, and shall not be permitted to transfer such Common Unit to a Person that is not an
Affiliate of the holder until such time as the General Partner determines, based on advice of
counsel, that each such Common Unit should have, as a substantive matter, like intrinsic economic
and federal income tax characteristics, in all material respects, to the intrinsic economic and
federal income tax characteristics of an Initial Common Unit. In connection with the condition
imposed by this Section 6.7(c), the General Partner may take whatever steps are required to provide
economic uniformity to such Common Units in preparation for a transfer of such Common Units,
including the application of Sections 5.5(c)(ii), 6.1(d)(x) and 6.7(b); provided, however, that no
such steps may be taken that would have a material adverse effect on the Unitholders holding Common
Units represented by Common Unit Certificates.
(d) Except with respect to the right to vote on or approve matters requiring the vote or
approval of a percentage of the holders of Outstanding Common Units and the right to participate in
allocations of income, gain, loss and deduction and distributions made with respect to Common
Units, the holders of Class B Units shall have all the rights and obligations of a Unitholder
holding Common Units; provided, however, that immediately upon the conversion of Class B Units into
Common Units pursuant to Section 5.11, the Unitholders holding a Class B Unit shall possess all the
rights and obligations of a Unitholder holding Common Units hereunder, including the right to vote
as a Common Unitholder and the right to participate in allocations of income, gain, loss and
deduction and distributions made with respect to Common Units; provided, however, that such
converted Class B Units shall remain subject to the provisions of Sections 6.1(d)(x)(B) and 6.7(e).
(e) The holder or holders of Common Units resulting from the conversion pursuant to Section
5.11(f) of any Class B Units pursuant to Section 5.11 shall not be issued a Common Unit Certificate
pursuant to Section 4.1, and shall not be permitted to transfer such Common Units until such time
as the General Partner determines, based on advice of counsel, that each such Common Unit should
have, as a substantive matter, like intrinsic economic and federal income tax characteristics, in
all material respects, to the intrinsic economic and federal income tax characteristics of an
Initial Common Unit. In connection with the condition imposed by this Section 6.7(d), the General
Partner may take whatever steps are required to provide economic uniformity to such Common Units,
including the application of Section 6.1(d)(x)(B); provided, however, that no such steps may be
taken that would have a material adverse effect on the Unitholders holding Common Units represented
by Common Unit Certificates.
44
Section 6.8
Special Provisions Relating to the Holders of Incentive Distribution Rights.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, the holders of the
Incentive Distribution Rights (a) shall (i) possess the rights and obligations provided in this
Agreement with respect to a Limited Partner pursuant to Article III and Article VII and (ii) have a
Capital Account as a Partner pursuant to Section 5.5 and all other provisions related thereto and
(b) shall not (i) be entitled to vote on any matters requiring the approval or vote of the holders
of Outstanding Units, except as provided by law, (ii) be entitled to any distributions other than
as provided in Sections 6.4(a)(v), (vi) and (vii), Section 6.4(b)(iii), (iv) and (v), and Section
12.4 or (iii) be allocated items of income, gain, loss or deduction other than as specified in this
Article VI.
Section 6.9
Entity-Level Taxation.
If legislation is enacted or the interpretation of existing language is modified by a
governmental authority so that a Group Member is treated as an association taxable as a corporation
or is otherwise subject to an entity-level tax for federal, state or local income tax purposes,
then the General Partner may reduce the Minimum Quarterly Distribution, the First Target
Distribution, the Second Target Distribution and the Third Target Distribution by the amount of
income taxes that are payable by reason of any such new legislation or interpretation (the
Incremental Income Taxes), or any portion thereof selected by the General Partner, in the manner
provided in this Section 6.9. If the General Partner elects to reduce the Minimum Quarterly
Distribution, the First Target Distribution, the Second Target Distribution and the Third Target
Distribution for any Quarter with respect to all or a portion of any Incremental Income Taxes, the
General Partner shall estimate for such Quarter the Partnership Groups aggregate liability (the
Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount) for all (or the relevant portion of) such Incremental
Income Taxes; provided that any difference between such estimate and the actual tax liability for
Incremental Income Taxes (or the relevant portion thereof) for such Quarter may, to the extent
determined by the General Partner be taken into account in determining the Estimated Incremental
Quarterly Tax Amount with respect to each Quarter in which any such difference can be determined.
For each such Quarter, the Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target Distribution, Second Target
Distribution and Third Target Distribution, shall be the product obtained by multiplying (a) the
amounts therefor that are set out herein prior to the application of this Section 6.9 times (b) the
quotient obtained by dividing (i) Available Cash with respect to such Quarter by (ii) the sum of
Available Cash with respect to such Quarter and the Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount for
such Quarter, as determined by the General Partner. For purposes of the foregoing, Available Cash
with respect to a Quarter will be deemed reduced by the Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount
for that Quarter.
ARTICLE VII
MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF BUSINESS
Section 7.1
Management.
(a) The General Partner shall conduct, direct and manage all activities of the Partnership.
Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, all management powers over the business
and affairs of the Partnership shall be exclusively vested in the General Partner, and no Limited
Partner or Assignee shall have any management power over the business and affairs of the
Partnership. In addition to the powers now or hereafter granted a general partner of a limited
partnership under applicable law or that are granted to the General Partner under any other
provision of this Agreement, the General Partner, subject to Section 7.3, shall have full power and
authority to do all things and on such terms as it determines to be necessary or appropriate to
conduct the business of the Partnership, to exercise all powers set forth in Section 2.5 and to
effectuate the purposes set forth in Section 2.4, including the following:
(i) the making of any expenditures, the lending or borrowing of money, the assumption or
guarantee of, or other contracting for, indebtedness and other liabilities, the issuance of
evidences of indebtedness, including indebtedness that is convertible into Partnership Securities,
and the incurring of any other obligations;
(ii) the making of tax, regulatory and other filings, or rendering of periodic or other
reports to governmental or other agencies having jurisdiction over the business or assets of the
Partnership;
45
(iii) the acquisition, disposition, mortgage, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or exchange
of any or all of the assets of the Partnership or the merger or other combination of the
Partnership with or into another Person (the matters described in this clause (iii) being subject,
however, to any prior approval that may be required by Section 7.3 and Article XIV);
(iv) the use of the assets of the Partnership (including cash on hand) for any purpose
consistent with the terms of this Agreement, including the financing of the conduct of the
operations of the Partnership Group; subject to Section 7.6(a), the lending of funds to other
Persons (including other Group Members); the repayment or guarantee of obligations of any Group
Member; and the making of capital contributions to any Group Member;
(v) the negotiation, execution and performance of any contracts, conveyances or other
instruments (including instruments that limit the liability of the Partnership under contractual
arrangements to all or particular assets of the Partnership, with the other party to the contract
to have no recourse against the General Partner or its assets other than its interest in the
Partnership, even if same results in the terms of the transaction being less favorable to the
Partnership than would otherwise be the case);
(vi) the distribution of Partnership cash;
(vii) the selection and dismissal of employees (including employees having titles such as
president, vice president, secretary and treasurer) and agents, outside attorneys,
accountants, consultants and contractors and the determination of their compensation and other
terms of employment or hiring;
(viii) the maintenance of insurance for the benefit of the Partnership Group, the Partners and
Indemnitees;
(ix) the formation of, or acquisition of an interest in, and the contribution of property and
the making of loans to, any further limited or general partnerships, joint ventures, corporations,
limited liability companies or other relationships (including the acquisition of interests in, and
the contributions of property to, any Group Member from time to time) subject to the restrictions
set forth in Section 2.4;
(x) the control of any matters affecting the rights and obligations of the Partnership,
including the bringing and defending of actions at law or in equity and otherwise engaging in the
conduct of litigation, arbitration or mediation and the incurring of legal expense and the
settlement of claims and litigation;
(xi) the indemnification of any Person against liabilities and contingencies to the extent
permitted by law;
(xii) the entering into of listing agreements with any National Securities Exchange and the
delisting of some or all of the Limited Partner Interests from, or requesting that trading be
suspended on, any such exchange (subject to any prior approval that may be required under Section
4.8);
(xiii) the purchase, sale or other acquisition or disposition of Partnership Securities, or
the issuance of options, rights, warrants, appreciation rights and tracking and phantom interests
relating to Partnership Securities;
(xiv) the undertaking of any action in connection with the Partnerships participation in any
Group Member; and
(xv) the entering into of agreements with any of its Affiliates to render services to a Group
Member or to itself in the discharge of its duties as General Partner of the Partnership.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, the
Delaware Act or any applicable law, rule or regulation, each of the Partners and the Assignees and
each other Person who may acquire an interest in Partnership Securities hereby (i) approves,
ratifies and confirms the execution,
46
delivery and performance by the parties thereto of this Agreement and the Group Member
Agreement of each other Group Member, the Underwriting Agreement, the Omnibus Agreement, the
Contribution Agreement and the other agreements described in or filed as exhibits to the
Registration Statement that are related to the transactions contemplated by the Registration
Statement; (ii) agrees that the General Partner (on its own or through any officer of the
Partnership) is authorized to execute, deliver and perform the agreements referred to in clause (i)
of this sentence and the other agreements, acts, transactions and matters described in or
contemplated by the Registration Statement on behalf of the Partnership without any further act,
approval or vote of the Partners or the Assignees or the other Persons who may acquire an interest
in Partnership Securities; and (iii) agrees that the execution, delivery or performance by the
General Partner, any Group Member or any Affiliate of any of them of this Agreement or any
agreement authorized or permitted under this Agreement (including the exercise by the General
Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner of the rights accorded pursuant to Article XV)
shall not constitute a breach by the General Partner of any duty that the General Partner may owe
the Partnership or the Limited Partners or any other Persons under this Agreement (or any other
agreements) or of any duty stated or implied by law or equity.
Section 7.2
Certificate of Limited Partnership.
The General Partner has caused the Certificate of Limited Partnership to be filed with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as required by the Delaware Act. The General Partner
shall use all reasonable efforts to cause to be filed such other certificates or documents that the
General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate for the formation, continuation,
qualification and operation of a limited partnership (or a partnership in which the limited
partners have limited liability) in the State of Delaware or any other state in which the
Partnership may elect to do business or own property. To the extent the General Partner determines
such action to be necessary or appropriate, the General Partner shall file amendments to and
restatements of the Certificate of Limited Partnership and do all things to maintain the
Partnership as a limited partnership (or a partnership or other entity in which the limited
partners have limited liability) under the laws of the State of Delaware or of any other state in
which the Partnership may elect to do business or own property. Subject to the terms of Section
3.4(a), the General Partner shall not be required, before or after filing, to deliver or mail a
copy of the Certificate of Limited Partnership, any qualification document or any amendment thereto
to any Limited Partner.
Section 7.3
Restrictions on the General Partners Authority.
Except as provided in Article XII and Article XIV, the General Partner may not sell, exchange
or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership Group, taken as a
whole, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions (including by way of merger,
consolidation, other combination or sale of ownership interests of the Partnerships Subsidiaries)
without the approval of holders of a Unit Majority; provided, however, that this provision shall
not preclude or limit the General Partners ability to mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or grant a
security interest in all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership Group and shall not
apply to any forced sale of any or all of the assets of the Partnership Group pursuant to the
foreclosure of, or other realization upon, any such encumbrance. Without the approval of holders of
a Unit Majority, the General Partner shall not, on behalf of the Partnership, except as permitted
under Section 4.6, 11.1 and Section 11.2, elect or cause the Partnership to elect a successor
general partner of the Partnership.
Section 7.4
Reimbursement of the General Partner.
(a) Except as provided in this Section 7.4 and elsewhere in this Agreement, the General
Partner shall not be compensated for its services as a general partner or managing member of any
Group Member.
(b) Subject to the provisions of the Omnibus Agreement, the General Partner shall be
reimbursed on a monthly basis, or such other basis as the General Partner may determine, for (i)
all direct and indirect expenses it incurs or payments it makes on behalf of the Partnership Group
(including salary, bonus, incentive compensation and other amounts paid to any Person, including
Affiliates of the General Partner to perform services for the Partnership Group or for the General
Partner in the discharge of its duties to the Partnership Group and including certain expenses
allocated to the Partnership by Affiliates of the General Partner), and (ii) all other expenses
allocable to the Partnership Group or otherwise incurred by the General Partner in connection with
operating the Partnership Groups business (including expenses allocated to the General Partner by
its Affiliates). The General Partner shall determine the expenses that are allocable to the
Partnership Group. Reimbursements pursuant to this
47
Section 7.4 shall be in addition to any reimbursement to the General Partner as a result of
indemnification pursuant to Section 7.7. Any allocation of expenses to the Partnership by
Affiliates of the General Partner in a manner consistent with then-applicable accounting and
allocation methodologies generally permitted by FERC for rate-making purposes (or in the absence of
then-applicable methodologies permitted by FERC, consistent with the most-recently applicable
methodologies) and past business practices shall be deemed to be fair and reasonable to the
Partnership.
(c) The General Partner, without the approval of the Limited Partners (who shall have no right
to vote in respect thereof), may propose and adopt on behalf of the Partnership employee benefit
plans, employee programs and employee practices (including plans, programs and practices involving
the issuance of Partnership Securities or options to purchase or rights, warrants or appreciation
rights or phantom or tracking interests relating to Partnership Securities), or cause the
Partnership to issue Partnership Securities in connection with, or pursuant to, any employee
benefit plan, employee program or employee practice maintained or sponsored by the General Partner,
Group Member or any Affiliates in each case for the benefit of employees and directors of the
General Partner or any of its Affiliates, in respect of services performed, directly or indirectly,
for the benefit of the Partnership Group. The Partnership agrees to issue and sell to the General
Partner or any of its Affiliates any Partnership Securities that the General Partner or such
Affiliates are obligated to provide to any employees and directors pursuant to any such employee
benefit plans, employee programs or employee practices. Expenses incurred by the General Partner in
connection with any such plans, programs and practices (including the net cost to the General
Partner or such Affiliates of Partnership Securities purchased by the General Partner or such
Affiliates from the Partnership to fulfill options or awards under such plans, programs and
practices) shall be reimbursed in accordance with Section 7.4(b). Any and all obligations of the
General Partner under any employee benefit plans, employee programs or employee practices adopted
by the General Partner as permitted by this Section 7.4(c) shall constitute obligations of the
General Partner hereunder and shall be assumed by any successor General Partner approved pursuant
to Section 11.1 or Section 11.2 or the transferee of or successor to all of the General Partners
General Partner Interest (represented by General Partner Units) pursuant
to Section 4.6.
Section 7.5
Outside
Activities.
(a) After the Closing Date, the General Partner, for so long as it is the General Partner of
the Partnership (i) agrees that its sole business will be to act as a general partner or managing
member, as the case may be, of the Partnership and any other partnership or limited liability
company of which the Partnership is, directly or indirectly, a partner or member and to undertake
activities that are ancillary or related thereto (including being a limited partner in the
Partnership) and (ii) shall not engage in any business or activity or incur any debts or
liabilities except in connection with or incidental to (A) its performance as general partner or
managing member, if any, of one or more Group Members or as described in or contemplated by the
Registration Statement or (B) the acquiring, owning or disposing of debt or equity securities in
any Group Member.
(b) Each Indemnitee (other than the General Partner) shall have the right to engage in
businesses of every type and description and other activities for profit and to engage in and
possess an interest in other business ventures of any and every type or description, whether in
businesses engaged in or anticipated to be engaged in by any Group Member, independently or with
others, including business interests and activities in direct competition with the business and
activities of any Group Member, and none of the same shall constitute a breach of this Agreement or
any duty expressed or implied by law or equity to any Group Member or any Partner or Assignee. None
of any Group Member, any Limited Partner or any other Person shall have any rights by virtue of
this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, or the partnership relationship established hereby in
any business ventures of any Indemnitee. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement
or any duty existing at law, in equity or otherwise, but subject to the proviso set forth in the
last sentence of this Section 7.5(b), (i) the engaging in competitive activities by any Indemnitees
(other than the General Partner) in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.5 is hereby
approved by the Partnership and all Partners, (ii) it shall be deemed not to be a breach of any
fiduciary duty or any other obligation of any type whatsoever of any Indemnitee for the Indemnitees
(other than the General Partner) to engage in such business interests and activities in preference
to or to the exclusion of the Partnership and (iii) the Indemnitees shall have no obligation
hereunder or as a result of any duty expressed or implied by law to present business opportunities
to the Partnership. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the doctrine of
corporate opportunity, or any analogous doctrine, shall not apply to any Indemnitee (including the
General Partner). No Indemnitee (including the General Partner) who acquires knowledge of a
48
potential transaction, agreement, arrangement or other matter that may be an opportunity for
the Partnership, shall have any duty to communicate or offer such opportunity to the Partnership,
and such Indemnitee (including the General Partner) shall not be liable to the Partnership, to any
Limited Partner or any other Person for breach of any fiduciary or other duty by reason of the fact
that such Indemnitee (including the General Partner) pursues or acquires for itself, directs such
opportunity to another Person or does not communicate such opportunity or information to the
Partnership; provided such Indemnitee does not engage in such business or activity as a result of
or using confidential or proprietary information provided by or on behalf of the Partnership to
such Indemnitee.
(c) The General Partner and each of its Affiliates may acquire Units or other Partnership
Securities in addition to those acquired on the Closing Date and, except as otherwise provided in
this Agreement, shall be entitled to exercise, at their option, all rights relating to all Units or
other Partnership Securities acquired by them. The term Affiliates when used in this Section
7.5(c) with respect to the General Partner shall not include any Group Member.
Section 7.6
Loans from the General Partner; Loans or Contributions from the Partnership or Group Members.
(a) The General Partner or any of its Affiliates may lend to any Group Member, and any Group
Member may borrow from the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, funds needed or desired by the
Group Member for such periods of time and in such amounts as the General Partner may determine;
provided, however, that in any such case the lending party may not charge the borrowing party
interest at a rate greater than the rate that would be charged the borrowing party or impose terms
less favorable to the borrowing party than would be charged or imposed on the borrowing party by
unrelated lenders on comparable loans made on an arms-length basis (without reference to the
lending partys financial abilities or guarantees), all as determined by the General Partner. The
borrowing party shall reimburse the lending party for any costs (other than any additional interest
costs) incurred by the lending party in connection with the borrowing of such funds. For purposes
of this Section 7.6(a) and Section 7.6(b), the term Group Member shall include any Affiliate of a
Group Member that is controlled by the Group Member.
(b) The Partnership may lend or contribute to any Group Member, and any Group Member may
borrow from the Partnership, funds on terms and conditions determined by the General Partner. No
Group Member may lend funds to the General Partner or any of its Affiliates (other than another
Group Member).
(c) No borrowing by any Group Member or the approval thereof by the General Partner shall be
deemed to constitute a breach of any duty, expressed or implied, of the General Partner or its
Affiliates to the Partnership or the Limited Partners existing hereunder, or existing at law, in
equity or otherwise by reason of the fact that the purpose or effect of such borrowing is directly
or indirectly to (i) enable distributions to the General Partner or its Affiliates (including in
their capacities as Limited Partners) to exceed the General Partners Percentage Interest of the
total amount distributed to all partners or (ii) hasten the expiration of the Subordination Period
or the conversion of any Subordinated Units into Common Units.
Section 7.7
Indemnification
.
(a) To the fullest extent permitted by law but subject to the limitations expressly provided
in this Agreement, all Indemnitees shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Partnership from
and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, expenses (including
legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, penalties, interest, settlements or other amounts
arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative, in which any Indemnitee may be involved, or is threatened to be
involved, as a party or otherwise, by reason of its status as an Indemnitee; provided, that the
Indemnitee shall not be indemnified and held harmless if there has been a final and non-appealable
judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter
for which the Indemnitee is seeking indemnification pursuant to this Section 7.7, the Indemnitee
acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud, willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter,
acted with knowledge that the Indemnitees conduct was unlawful; provided, further, no
indemnification pursuant to this Section 7.7 shall be available to the General Partner or its
Affiliates (other than a Group Member) with respect to its or their obligations incurred pursuant
to the Underwriting Agreement, the Omnibus Agreement or the Contribution Agreement (other than
obligations incurred by the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership). Any indemnification
pursuant to this Section 7.7 shall be made only out of the
49
assets of the Partnership, it being agreed that the General Partner shall not be personally
liable for such indemnification and shall have no obligation to contribute or loan any monies or
property to the Partnership to enable it to effectuate such indemnification.
(b) To the fullest extent permitted by law, expenses (including legal fees and expenses)
incurred by an Indemnitee who is indemnified pursuant to Section 7.7(a) in defending any claim,
demand, action, suit or proceeding shall, from time to time, be advanced by the Partnership prior
to a determination that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified upon receipt by the
Partnership of any undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay such amount if it shall
be determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified as authorized in this Section
7.7.
(c) The indemnification provided by this Section 7.7 shall be in addition to any other rights
to which an Indemnitee may be entitled under any agreement, pursuant to any vote of the holders of
Outstanding Limited Partner Interests, as a matter of law or otherwise, both as to actions in the
Indemnitees capacity as an Indemnitee and as to actions in any other capacity (including any
capacity under the Underwriting Agreement), and shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased
to serve in such capacity and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, successors, assigns and
administrators of the Indemnitee.
(d) The Partnership may purchase and maintain (or reimburse the General Partner or its
Affiliates for the cost of) insurance, on behalf of the General Partner, its Affiliates and such
other Persons as the General Partner shall determine, against any liability that may be asserted
against, or expense that may be incurred by, such Person in connection with the Partnerships
activities or such Persons activities on behalf of the Partnership, regardless of whether the
Partnership would have the power to indemnify such Person against such liability under the
provisions of this Agreement.
(e) For purposes of this Section 7.7, the Partnership shall be deemed to have requested an
Indemnitee to serve as fiduciary of an employee benefit plan whenever the performance by it of its
duties to the Partnership also imposes duties on, or otherwise involves services by, it to the plan
or participants or beneficiaries of the plan; excise taxes assessed on an Indemnitee with respect
to an employee benefit plan pursuant to applicable law shall constitute fines within the meaning
of Section 7.7(a); and action taken or omitted by it with respect to any employee benefit plan in
the performance of its duties for a purpose reasonably believed by it to be in the best interest of
the participants and beneficiaries of the plan shall be deemed to be for a purpose that is in the
best interests of the Partnership.
(f) In no event may an Indemnitee subject the Limited Partners to personal liability by reason
of the indemnification provisions set forth in this Agreement.
(g) An Indemnitee shall not be denied indemnification in whole or in part under this Section
7.7 because the Indemnitee had an interest in the transaction with respect to which the
indemnification applies if the transaction was otherwise permitted by the terms of this Agreement.
(h) The provisions of this Section 7.7 are for the benefit of the Indemnitees, their heirs,
successors, assigns and administrators and shall not be deemed to create any rights for the benefit
of any other Persons.
(i) No amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 7.7 or any provision hereof shall in
any manner terminate, reduce or impair the right of any past, present or future Indemnitee to be
indemnified by the Partnership, nor the obligations of the Partnership to indemnify any such
Indemnitee under and in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.7 as in effect immediately
prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to
matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless
of when such claims may arise or be asserted.
Section 7.8
Liability of Indemnitees.
(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, no Indemnitee shall
be liable for monetary damages to the Partnership, the Limited Partners, the Assignees or any other
Persons who have
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acquired interests in the Partnership Securities, for losses sustained or liabilities incurred
as a result of any act or omission of an Indemnitee unless there has been a final and
non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect
of the matter in question, the Indemnitee acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud, willful
misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the Indemnitees conduct
was criminal.
(b) Subject to its obligations and duties as General Partner set forth in Section 7.1(a), the
General Partner may exercise any of the powers granted to it by this Agreement and perform any of
the duties imposed upon it hereunder either directly or by or through its agents, and the General
Partner shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent
appointed by the General Partner in good faith.
(c) To the extent that, at law or in equity, an Indemnitee has duties (including fiduciary
duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Partnership or to the Partners, the General Partner
and any other Indemnitee acting in connection with the Partnerships business or affairs shall not
be liable to the Partnership or to any Partner for its good faith reliance on the provisions of
this Agreement.
(d) Any amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 7.8 or any provision hereof shall be
prospective only and shall not in any way affect the limitations on the liability of the
Indemnitees under this Section 7.8 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification
or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in
part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or
be asserted.
Section 7.9
Resolution of Conflicts of Interest; Standards of Conduct and Modification of Duties.
(a) Unless otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or any Group Member Agreement,
whenever a potential conflict of interest exists or arises between the General Partner or any of
its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Partnership, any Group Member, any Partner or any
Assignee, on the other, any resolution or course of action by the General Partner or its Affiliates
in respect of such conflict of interest shall be permitted and deemed approved by all Partners, and
shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement, of any Group Member Agreement, of any agreement
contemplated herein or therein, or of any duty stated or implied by law or equity, if the
resolution or course of action in respect of such conflict of interest is (i) approved by Special
Approval, (ii) approved by the vote of a majority of the Outstanding Common Units (excluding Common
Units owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates), (iii) on terms no less favorable to the
Partnership than those generally being provided to or available from unrelated third parties or
(iv) fair and reasonable to the Partnership, taking into account the totality of the relationships
between the parties involved (including other transactions that may be particularly favorable or
advantageous to the Partnership). The General Partner shall be authorized but not required in
connection with its resolution of such conflict of interest to seek Special Approval of such
resolution, and the General Partner may also adopt a resolution or course of action that has not
received Special Approval. If Special Approval is sought, then it shall be presumed that, in making
its decision, the Conflicts Committee acted in good faith, and if Special Approval is not sought
and the Board of Directors of the General Partner determines that the resolution or course of
action taken with respect to a conflict of interest satisfies either of the standards set forth in
clauses (iii) or (iv) above, then it shall be presumed that, in making its decision, the Board of
Directors of the General Partner acted in good faith, and in either case, in any proceeding brought
by any Limited Partner or Assignee or by or on behalf of such Limited Partner or Assignee or any
other Limited Partner or Assignee or the Partnership challenging such approval, the Person bringing
or prosecuting such proceeding shall have the burden of overcoming such presumption.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any duty otherwise existing at law or
equity, the existence of the conflicts of interest described in the Registration Statement are
hereby approved by all Partners and shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement.
(b) Whenever the General Partner makes a determination or takes or declines to take any other
action, or any of its Affiliates causes it to do so, in its capacity as the general partner of the
Partnership as opposed to in its individual capacity, whether under this Agreement, any Group
Member Agreement or any other agreement contemplated hereby or otherwise, then, unless another
express standard is provided for in this Agreement, the General Partner, or such Affiliates causing
it to do so, shall make such determination or take or decline to take such other action in good
faith and shall not be subject to any other or different standards imposed by this Agreement, any
Group Member Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Delaware Act or any
other law,
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rule or regulation or at equity. Whenever the Conflicts Committee makes a determination or
takes or declines to take any other action, it shall make such determination or take or decline to
take such other action in good faith and shall not be subject to any other or different standards
imposed by this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or
under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity. In order for a
determination or other action to be in good faith for purposes of this Agreement, the Person or
Persons making such determination or taking or declining to take such other action must believe
that the determination or other action is in the best interests of the Partnership.
(c) Whenever the General Partner makes a determination or takes or declines to take any other
action, or any of its Affiliates causes it to do so, in its individual capacity as opposed to in
its capacity as the general partner of the Partnership, whether under this Agreement, any Group
Member Agreement or any other agreement contemplated hereby or otherwise, then the General Partner,
or such Affiliates causing it to do so, are entitled to make such determination or to take or
decline to take such other action free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to the
Partnership, any Limited Partner or Assignee, and the General Partner, or such Affiliates causing
it to do so, shall not be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed
by this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the
Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity. By way of illustration and not of
limitation, whenever the phrase, at the option of the General Partner, or some variation of that
phrase, is used in this Agreement, it indicates that the General Partner is acting in its
individual capacity. For the avoidance of doubt, but subject to Sections 4.6 and 4.7, whenever the
General Partner votes or transfers its Partnership Interests, or refrains from voting or
transferring its Partnership Interests, it shall be acting in its individual capacity. The General
Partners organizational documents may provide that determinations to take or decline to take any
action in its individual, rather than representative, capacity may or shall be determined by its
members, if the General Partner is a limited liability company, stockholders, if the General
Partner is a corporation, or the members or stockholders of the General Partners general partner,
if the General Partner is a partnership.
(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the General Partner and its
Affiliates shall have no duty or obligation, express or implied, to (i) sell or otherwise dispose
of any asset of the Partnership Group other than in the ordinary course of business or (ii) permit
any Group Member to use any facilities or assets of the General Partner and its Affiliates, except
as may be provided in contracts entered into from time to time specifically dealing with such use.
Any determination by the General Partner or any of its Affiliates to enter into such contracts
shall be at its option.
(e) Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, neither the General Partner nor any other
Indemnitee shall have any duties or liabilities, including fiduciary duties, to the Partnership or
any Limited Partner or Assignee and the provisions of this Agreement, to the extent that they
restrict, eliminate or otherwise modify the duties and liabilities, including fiduciary duties, of
the General Partner or any other Indemnitee otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by
the Partners to replace such other duties and liabilities of the General Partner or such other
Indemnitee.
(f) The Unitholders hereby authorize the General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership as a
partner or member of a Group Member, to approve of actions by the general partner or managing
member of such Group Member similar to those actions permitted to be taken by the General Partner
pursuant to this Section 7.9.
Section 7.10
Other Matters Concerning the General Partner.
(a) The General Partner may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting
upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent,
order, bond, debenture or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been
signed or presented by the proper party or parties.
(b) The General Partner may consult with legal counsel, accountants, appraisers, management
consultants, investment bankers and other consultants and advisers selected by it, and any act
taken or omitted to be taken in reliance upon the opinion (including an Opinion of Counsel) of such
Persons as to matters that the General Partner reasonably believes to be within such Persons
professional or expert competence shall be conclusively presumed to have been done or omitted in
good faith and in accordance with such opinion.
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(c) The General Partner shall have the right, in respect of any of its powers or obligations
hereunder, to act through any of its duly authorized officers, a duly appointed attorney or
attorneys-in-fact or the duly authorized officers of the Partnership or any Group Member.
Section 7.11
Purchase or Sale of Partnership Securities.
The General Partner may cause the Partnership to purchase or otherwise acquire Partnership
Securities; provided that, except as permitted pursuant to Section 4.10, the General Partner may
not cause any Group Member to purchase Subordinated Units during the Subordination Period. Such
Partnership Securities shall be held by the Partnership as treasury securities unless they are
expressly cancelled by action of an appropriate officer of the General Partner. As long as
Partnership Securities are held by any Group Member, such Partnership Securities shall not be
considered Outstanding for any purpose, except as otherwise provided herein. The General Partner or
any Affiliate of the General Partner may also purchase or otherwise acquire and sell or otherwise
dispose of Partnership Securities for its own account, subject to the provisions of Articles IV and
X.
Section 7.12
Registration Rights of the General Partner and its Affiliates.
(a) (i) the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner (including for purposes of
this Section 7.12, any Person that is an Affiliate of the General Partner at the date hereof
notwithstanding that it may later cease to be an Affiliate of the General Partner) holds
Partnership Securities that it desires to sell and (ii) Rule 144 of the Securities Act (or any
successor rule or regulation to Rule 144) or another exemption from registration is not available
to enable such holder of Partnership Securities (the Holder) to dispose of the number of
Partnership Securities it desires to sell at the time it desires to do so without registration
under the Securities Act, then at the option and upon the request of the Holder, the Partnership
shall file with the Commission as promptly as practicable after receiving such request, and use
commercially reasonable efforts to cause to become effective and remain effective for a period of
not less than six months following its effective date or such shorter period as shall terminate
when all Partnership Securities covered by such registration statement have been sold, a
registration statement under the Securities Act registering the offering and sale of the number of
Partnership Securities specified by the Holder; provided, however, that the Partnership shall not
be required to effect more than three registrations pursuant to this Section 7.12(a) and Section
7.12(b); and provided further, however, that if the Conflicts Committee determines in good faith
that the requested registration would be materially detrimental to the Partnership and its Partners
because such registration would (x) materially interfere with a significant acquisition,
reorganization or other similar transaction involving the Partnership, (y) require premature
disclosure of material information that the Partnership has a bona fide business purpose for
preserving as confidential or (z) render the Partnership unable to comply with requirements under
applicable securities laws, then the Partnership shall have the right to postpone such requested
registration for a period of not more than six months after receipt of the Holders request, such
right pursuant to this Section 7.12(a) or Section 7.12(b) not to be utilized more than once in any
twelve-month period. In connection with any registration pursuant to the first sentence of this
Section 7.12(a), the Partnership shall (i) promptly prepare and file (A) such documents as may be
necessary to register or qualify the securities subject to such registration under the securities
laws of such states as the Holder shall reasonably request; provided, however, that no such
qualification shall be required in any jurisdiction where, as a result thereof, the Partnership
would become subject to general service of process or to taxation or qualification to do business
as a foreign corporation or partnership doing business in such jurisdiction solely as a result of
such registration, and (B) such documents as may be necessary to apply for listing or to list the
Partnership Securities subject to such registration on such National Securities Exchange as the
Holder shall reasonably request, and (ii) do any and all other acts and things that may be
necessary or appropriate to enable the Holder to consummate a public sale of such Partnership
Securities in such states. Except as set forth in Section 7.12(d), all costs and expenses of any
such registration and offering (other than the underwriting discounts and commissions) shall be
paid by the Partnership, without reimbursement by the Holder.
(b) If any Holder holds Partnership Securities that it desires to sell and Rule 144 of the
Securities Act (or any successor rule or regulation to Rule 144) or another exemption from
registration is not available to enable such Holder to dispose of the number of Partnership
Securities it desires to sell at the time it desires to do so without registration under the
Securities Act, then at the option and upon the request of the Holder, the Partnership shall file
with the Commission as promptly as practicable after receiving such request, and use commercially
reasonable efforts to cause to become effective and remain effective for a period of not less than
six months following its effective date or such shorter period as shall terminate when all
Partnership Securities covered by such shelf
53
registration statement have been sold, a shelf registration statement covering the
Partnership Securities specified by the Holder on an appropriate form under Rule 415 under the
Securities Act, or any similar rule that may be adopted by the Commission; provided, however, that
the Partnership shall not be required to effect more than three registrations pursuant to Section
7.12(a) and this Section 7.12(b); and provided further, however, that if the Conflicts Committee
determines in good faith that any offering under, or the use of any prospectus forming a part of,
the shelf registration statement would be materially detrimental to the Partnership and its
Partners because such offering or use would (x) materially interfere with a significant
acquisition, reorganization or other similar transaction involving the Partnership, (y) require
premature disclosure of material information that the Partnership has a bona fide business purpose
for preserving as confidential or (z) render the Partnership unable to comply with requirements
under applicable securities laws, then the Partnership shall have the right to suspend such
offering or use for a period of not more than six months after receipt of the Holders request,
such right pursuant to Section 7.12(a) or this Section 7.12(b) not to be utilized more than once in
any twelve-month period. In connection with any shelf registration pursuant to this Section
7.12(b), the Partnership shall (i) promptly prepare and file (A) such documents as may be necessary
to register or qualify the securities subject to such shelf registration under the securities laws
of such states as the Holder shall reasonably request; provided, however, that no such
qualification shall be required in any jurisdiction where, as a result thereof, the Partnership
would become subject to general service of process or to taxation or qualification to do business
as a foreign corporation or partnership doing business in such jurisdiction solely as a result of
such shelf registration, and (B) such documents as may be necessary to apply for listing or to list
the Partnership Securities subject to such shelf registration on such National Securities Exchange
as the Holder shall reasonably request, and (ii) do any and all other acts and things that may be
necessary or appropriate to enable the Holder to consummate a public sale of such Partnership
Securities in such states. Except as set forth in Section 7.12(d), all costs and expenses of any
such shelf registration and offering (other than the underwriting discounts and commissions) shall
be paid by the Partnership, without reimbursement by the Holder.
(c) If the Partnership shall at any time propose to file a registration statement under the
Securities Act for an offering of equity securities of the Partnership for cash (other than an
offering relating solely to an employee benefit plan), the Partnership shall notify all Holders of
such proposal and use all reasonable efforts to include such number or amount of securities held by
the Holder in such registration statement as the Holder shall request; provided, that the
Partnership is not required to make any effort or take any action to so include the securities of
the Holder once the registration statement is declared effective by the Commission or otherwise
becomes effective, including any registration statement providing for the offering from time to
time of securities pursuant to Rule 415 of the Securities Act. If the proposed offering pursuant to
this Section 7.12(c) shall be an underwritten offering, then, in the event that the managing
underwriter or managing underwriters of such offering advise the Partnership and the Holder in
writing that in their opinion the inclusion of all or some of the Holders Partnership Securities
would adversely and materially affect the success of the offering, the Partnership shall include in
such offering only that number or amount, if any, of securities held by the Holder that, in the
opinion of the managing underwriter or managing underwriters, will not so adversely and materially
affect the offering. Except as set forth in Section 7.12(d), all costs and expenses of any such
registration and offering (other than the underwriting discounts and commissions) shall be paid by
the Partnership, without reimbursement by the Holder.
(d) If underwriters are engaged in connection with any registration referred to in this
Section 7.12, the Partnership shall provide indemnification, representations, covenants, opinions
and other assurance to the underwriters in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such
underwriters. Further, in addition to and not in limitation of the Partnerships obligation under
Section 7.7, the Partnership shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, indemnify and hold
harmless the Holder, its officers, directors and each Person who controls the Holder (within the
meaning of the Securities Act) and any agent thereof (collectively, Indemnified Persons) from and
against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, expenses (including
legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, penalties, interest, settlements or other amounts
arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative, in which any Indemnified Person may be involved, or is threatened
to be involved, as a party or otherwise, under the Securities Act or otherwise (hereinafter
referred to in this Section 7.12(d) as a claim and in the plural as claims) based upon, arising
out of or resulting from any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact
contained in any registration statement under which any Partnership Securities were registered
under the Securities Act or any state securities or Blue Sky laws, in any preliminary prospectus
(if used prior to the effective date of such registration statement), or in any summary or final
prospectus or any free writing prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto (if used during
the period the Partnership is required to keep the registration statement current), or arising out
of, based upon
54
or resulting from the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein not misleading; provided,
however, that the Partnership shall not be liable to any Indemnified Person to the extent that any
such claim arises out of, is based upon or results from an untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission made in such registration statement, such preliminary,
summary or final prospectus or any free writing prospectus or such amendment or supplement, in
reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Partnership by or on
behalf of such Indemnified Person specifically for use in the preparation thereof.
(e) The provisions of Section 7.12(a), Section 7.12(b) and Section 7.12(c) shall continue to
be applicable with respect to the General Partner (and any of the General Partners Affiliates)
after it ceases to be a general partner of the Partnership, during a period of two years subsequent
to the effective date of such cessation and for so long thereafter as is required for the Holder to
sell all of the Partnership Securities with respect to which it has requested during such two-year
period inclusion in a registration statement otherwise filed or that a registration statement be
filed; provided, however, that the Partnership shall not be required to file successive
registration statements covering the same Partnership Securities for which registration was
demanded during such two-year period. The provisions of Section 7.12(d) shall continue in effect
thereafter.
(f) The rights to cause the Partnership to register Partnership Securities pursuant to this
Section 7.12 may be assigned (but only with all related obligations) by a Holder to a transferee or
assignee of such Partnership Securities, provided (i) the Partnership is, within a reasonable time
after such transfer, furnished with written notice of the name and address of such transferee or
assignee and the Partnership Securities with respect to which such registration rights are being
assigned; and (ii) such transferee or assignee agrees in writing to be bound by and subject to the
terms set forth in this Section 7.12.
(g) Any request to register Partnership Securities pursuant to this Section 7.12 shall (i)
specify the Partnership Securities intended to be offered and sold by the Person making the
request, (ii) express such Persons present intent to offer such Partnership Securities for
distribution, (iii) describe the nature or method of the proposed offer and sale of Partnership
Securities, and (iv) contain the undertaking of such Person to provide all such information and
materials and take all action as may be required in order to permit the Partnership to comply with
all applicable requirements in connection with the registration of such Partnership Securities.
Section 7.13
Reliance by Third Parties.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any Person dealing with the
Partnership shall be entitled to assume that the General Partner and any officer of the General
Partner authorized by the General Partner to act on behalf of and in the name of the Partnership
has full power and authority to encumber, sell or otherwise use in any manner any and all assets of
the Partnership and to enter into any authorized contracts on behalf of the Partnership, and such
Person shall be entitled to deal with the General Partner or any such officer as if it were the
Partnerships sole party in interest, both legally and beneficially. Each Limited Partner hereby
waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any and all defenses or other remedies that may be
available against such Person to contest, negate or disaffirm any action of the General Partner or
any such officer in connection with any such dealing. In no event shall any Person dealing with the
General Partner or any such officer or its representatives be obligated to ascertain that the terms
of this Agreement have been complied with or to inquire into the necessity or expedience of any act
or action of the General Partner or any such officer or its representatives. Each and every
certificate, document or other instrument executed on behalf of the Partnership by the General
Partner or its representatives shall be conclusive evidence in favor of any and every Person
relying thereon or claiming thereunder that (a) at the time of the execution and delivery of such
certificate, document or instrument, this Agreement was in full force and effect, (b) the Person
executing and delivering such certificate, document or instrument was duly authorized and empowered
to do so for and on behalf of the Partnership and (c) such certificate, document or instrument was
duly executed and delivered in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement and is
binding upon the Partnership.
ARTICLE VIII
BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS
Section 8.1 Records and Accounting.
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The General Partner shall keep or cause to be kept at the principal office of the
Partnership appropriate books and records with respect to the Partnerships business, including all
books and records necessary to provide to the Limited Partners any information required to be
provided pursuant to Section 3.4(a). Any books and records maintained by or on behalf of the
Partnership in the regular course of its business, including the record of the Record Holders and
Assignees of Units or other Partnership Securities, books of account and records of Partnership
proceedings, may be kept on, or be in the form of, computer disks, hard drives, punch cards,
magnetic tape, photographs, micrographics or any other information storage device; provided, that
the books and records so maintained are convertible into clearly legible written form within a
reasonable period of time. The books of the Partnership shall be maintained, for financial
reporting purposes, on an accrual basis in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
Section 8.2
Fiscal Year.
The fiscal year of the Partnership shall be a fiscal year ending December 31.
Section 8.3
Reports.
(a) As soon as practicable, but in no event later than 120 days after the close of each fiscal
year of the Partnership, the General Partner shall cause to be mailed or made available, by any
reasonable means (including posting on or accessible through the Partnerships or the SECs
website) to each Record Holder of a Unit as of a date selected by the General Partner, an annual
report containing financial statements of the Partnership for such fiscal year of the Partnership,
presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, including a balance sheet and statements of operations,
Partnership equity and cash flows, such statements to be audited by a firm of independent public
accountants selected by the General Partner.
(b) As soon as practicable, but in no event later than 90 days after the close of each Quarter
except the last Quarter of each fiscal year, the General Partner shall cause to be mailed or made
available, by any reasonable means (including posting on or accessible through the Partnerships or
the SECs website) to each Record Holder of a Unit, as of a date selected by the General Partner, a
report containing unaudited financial statements of the Partnership and such other information as
may be required by applicable law, regulation or rule of any National Securities Exchange on which
the Units are listed or admitted to trading, or as the General Partner determines to be necessary
or appropriate.
ARTICLE IX
TAX MATTERS
Section 9.1
Tax Returns and Information.
The Partnership shall timely file all returns of the Partnership that are required for
federal, state and local income tax purposes on the basis of the accrual method and the taxable
year or years that it is required by law to adopt, from time to time, as determined by the General
Partner. In the event the Partnership is required to use a taxable year other than a year ending on
December 31, the General Partner shall use reasonable efforts to change the taxable year of the
Partnership to a year ending on December 31. The tax information reasonably required by Record
Holders for federal and state income tax reporting purposes with respect to a taxable year shall be
furnished to them within 90 days of the close of the calendar year in which the Partnerships
taxable year ends. The classification, realization and recognition of income, gain, losses and
deductions and other items shall be on the accrual method of accounting for federal income tax
purposes.
Section 9.2
Tax Elections.
(a) The Partnership shall make the election under Section 754 of the Code in accordance with
applicable regulations thereunder, subject to the reservation of the right to seek to revoke any
such election upon the General Partners determination that such revocation is in the best
interests of the Limited Partners. Notwithstanding any other provision herein contained, for the
purposes of computing the adjustments under Section 743(b) of the Code, the General Partner shall
be authorized (but not required) to adopt a convention whereby the price paid by a
56
transferee of a Limited Partner Interest will be deemed to be the lowest quoted closing price
of the Limited Partner Interests on any National Securities Exchange on which such Limited Partner
Interests are listed or admitted to trading during the calendar month in which such transfer is
deemed to occur pursuant to Section 6.2(g) without regard to the actual price paid by such
transferee.
(b) Except as otherwise provided herein, the General Partner shall determine whether the
Partnership should make any other elections permitted by the Code.
Section 9.3
Tax Controversies.
Subject to the provisions hereof, the General Partner is designated as the Tax Matters Partner
(as defined in the Code) and is authorized and required to represent the Partnership (at the
Partnerships expense) in connection with all examinations of the Partnerships affairs by tax
authorities, including resulting administrative and judicial proceedings, and to expend Partnership
funds for professional services and costs associated therewith. Each Partner agrees to cooperate
with the General Partner and to do or refrain from doing any or all things reasonably required by
the General Partner to conduct such proceedings.
Section 9.4
Withholding.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the General Partner is authorized to
take any action that may be required to cause the Partnership and other Group Members to comply
with any withholding requirements established under the Code or any other federal, state or local
law including pursuant to Sections 1441, 1442, 1445 and 1446 of the Code. To the extent that the
Partnership is required or elects to withhold and pay over to any taxing authority any amount
resulting from the allocation or distribution of income to any Partner or Assignee (including by
reason of Section 1446 of the Code), the General Partner may treat the amount withheld as a
distribution of cash pursuant to Section 6.3 in the amount of such withholding from such Partner.
ARTICLE X
ADMISSION OF PARTNERS
Section 10.1
Admission of Initial Limited Partners.
Upon the issuance by the Partnership of Common Units, Subordinated Units and Incentive
Distribution Rights to the General Partner, Spectra Energy Transmission LLC, Spectra Energy
Southeast Pipeline Corp. and the Underwriters as described in Article V in connection with the
Initial Offering, the General Partner shall admit such parties to the Partnership as Initial
Limited Partners in respect of the Common Units, Subordinated Units or Incentive Distribution
Rights issued to them.
Section 10.2
Admission of Substituted Limited Partners.
By transfer of a Limited Partner Interest in accordance with Article IV, the transferor shall
be deemed to have given the transferee the right to seek admission as a Substituted Limited Partner
subject to the conditions of, and in the manner permitted under, this Agreement. A transferor of a
Certificate representing a Limited Partner Interest shall, however, only have the authority to
convey to a purchaser or other transferee who does not execute and deliver a Transfer Application
(a) the right to negotiate such Certificate to a purchaser or other transferee and (b) the right to
transfer the right to request admission as a Substituted Limited Partner to such purchaser or other
transferee in respect of the transferred Limited Partner Interests. No transferor of a Limited
Partner Interest or other Person shall have any obligation or responsibility to provide a Transfer
Application or Taxation Certification to a transferee or assist or participate in any way with
respect to the completion or delivery thereof. Each transferee of a Limited Partner Interest
(including any nominee holder or an agent acquiring such Limited Partner Interest for the account
of another Person) who executes and delivers a properly completed Transfer Application, containing
a Taxation Certification, shall, by virtue of such execution and delivery, be an Assignee. Such
Assignee shall automatically be admitted to the Partnership as a Substituted Limited Partner with
respect to the Limited Partner Interests so transferred to such Person at such time as such
transfer is recorded in the books and records of the Partnership, and until so recorded, such
transferee shall be an Assignee. The General Partner shall periodically, but
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no less frequently than on the first Business Day of each calendar quarter, cause any
unrecorded transfers of Limited Partner Interests with respect to which a properly completed, duly
executed Transfer Application has been received to be recorded in the books and records of the
Partnership. An Assignee shall have an interest in the Partnership equivalent to that of a Limited
Partner with respect to allocations and distributions, including liquidating distributions, of the
Partnership. With respect to voting rights attributable to Limited Partner Interests that are held
by Assignees, the General Partner shall be deemed to be the Limited Partner with respect thereto
and shall, in exercising the voting rights in respect of such Limited Partner Interests on any
matter, vote such Limited Partner Interests at the written direction of the Assignee who is the
Record Holder of such Limited Partner Interests. If no such written direction is received, such
Limited Partner Interests will not be voted. An Assignee shall have no other rights of a Limited
Partner.
Section 10.3
Admission of Successor General Partner.
A successor General Partner approved pursuant to Section 11.1 or Section 11.2 or the
transferee of or successor to all of the General Partner Interest (represented by General Partner
Units) pursuant to Section 4.6 who is proposed to be admitted as a successor General Partner shall
be admitted to the Partnership as the General Partner, effective immediately prior to the
withdrawal or removal of the predecessor or transferring General Partner, pursuant to Section 11.1
or 11.2 or the transfer of the General Partner Interest (represented by General Partner Units)
pursuant to Section 4.6, provided, however, that no such successor shall be admitted to the
Partnership until compliance with the terms of Section 4.6 has occurred and such successor has
executed and delivered such other documents or instruments as may be required to effect such
admission. Any such successor shall, subject to the terms hereof, carry on the business of the
members of the Partnership Group without dissolution.
Section 10.4
Admission of Additional Limited Partners.
(a) A Person (other than the General Partner, an Initial Limited Partner or a Substituted
Limited Partner) who makes a Capital Contribution to the Partnership in accordance with this
Agreement shall be admitted to the Partnership as an Additional Limited Partner only upon
furnishing to the General Partner:
(i) evidence of acceptance in form satisfactory to the General Partner of all of the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, including the power of attorney granted in Section 2.6,
(ii) a properly completed Taxation Certification; and
(iii) such other documents or instruments as may be required by the General Partner to effect
such Persons admission as an Additional Limited Partner.
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 10.4, no Person shall be admitted
as an Additional Limited Partner without the consent of the General Partner. The admission of any
Person as an Additional Limited Partner shall become effective on the date upon which the name of
such Person is recorded as such in the books and records of the Partnership, following the consent
of the General Partner to such admission.
Section 10.5
Amendment of Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership.
To effect the admission to the Partnership of any Partner, the General Partner shall take all
steps necessary or appropriate under the Delaware Act to amend the records of the Partnership to
reflect such admission and, if necessary, to prepare as soon as practicable an amendment to this
Agreement and, if required by law, the General Partner shall prepare and file an amendment to the
Certificate of Limited Partnership, and the General Partner may for this purpose, among others,
exercise the power of attorney granted pursuant to Section 2.6.
ARTICLE XI
WITHDRAWAL OR REMOVAL OF PARTNERS
Section 11.1
Withdrawal of the General Partner.
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(a) The General Partner shall be deemed to have withdrawn from the Partnership upon the
occurrence of any one of the following events (each such event herein referred to as an Event of
Withdrawal);
(i) The General Partner voluntarily withdraws from the Partnership by giving written notice to
the other Partners;
(ii) The General Partner transfers all of its rights as General Partner pursuant to Section
4.6;
(iii) The General Partner is removed pursuant to Section 11.2;
(iv) The General Partner (A) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; (B)
files a voluntary bankruptcy petition for relief under Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy
Code; (C) files a petition or answer seeking for itself a liquidation, dissolution or similar
relief (but not a reorganization) under any law; (D) files an answer or other pleading admitting or
failing to contest the material allegations of a petition filed against the General Partner in a
proceeding of the type described in clauses (A)-(C) of this Section 11.1(a)(iv); or (E) seeks,
consents to or acquiesces in the appointment of a trustee (but not a debtor-in-possession),
receiver or liquidator of the General Partner or of all or any substantial part of its properties;
(v) A final and non-appealable order of relief under Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy
Code is entered by a court with appropriate jurisdiction pursuant to a voluntary or involuntary
petition by or against the General Partner; or
(vi) (A) in the event the General Partner is a corporation, a certificate of dissolution or
its equivalent is filed for the General Partner, or 90 days expire after the date of notice to the
General Partner of revocation of its charter without a reinstatement of its charter, under the laws
of its state of incorporation; (B) in the event the General Partner is a partnership or a limited
liability company, the dissolution and commencement of winding up of the General Partner; (C) in
the event the General Partner is acting in such capacity by virtue of being a trustee of a trust,
the termination of the trust; (D) in the event the General Partner is a natural person, his death
or adjudication of incompetency; and (E) otherwise in the event of the termination of the General
Partner.
If an Event of Withdrawal specified in Section 11.1(a)(iv), (v) or (vi)(A), (B), (C) or (E)
occurs, the withdrawing General Partner shall give notice to the Limited Partners within 30 days
after such occurrence. The Partners hereby agree that only the Events of Withdrawal described in
this Section 11.1 shall result in the withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership.
(b) Withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership upon the occurrence of an Event of
Withdrawal shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement under the following circumstances: (i)
at any time during the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending at 12:00 midnight, Central
Time, on June 30, 2017, the General Partner voluntarily withdraws by giving at least 90 days
advance notice of its intention to withdraw to the Limited Partners; provided, that prior to the
effective date of such withdrawal, the withdrawal is approved by Unitholders holding at least a
majority of the Outstanding Common Units (excluding Common Units held by the General Partner and
its Affiliates) and the General Partner delivers to the Partnership an Opinion of Counsel
(Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel) that such withdrawal (following the selection of the successor
General Partner) would not result in the loss of the limited liability of any Limited Partner or
any Group Member or cause any Group Member to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation
or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so
treated or taxed); (ii) at any time after 12:00 midnight, Central Time, on June 30, 2017, the
General Partner voluntarily withdraws by giving at least 90 days advance notice to the
Unitholders, such withdrawal to take effect on the date specified in such notice; (iii) at any time
that the General Partner ceases to be the General Partner pursuant to Section 11.1(a)(ii) or is
removed pursuant to Section 11.2; or (iv) notwithstanding clause (i) of this sentence, at any time
that the General Partner voluntarily withdraws by giving at least 90 days advance notice of its
intention to withdraw to the Limited Partners, such withdrawal to take effect on the date specified
in the notice, if at the time such notice is given one Person and its Affiliates (other than the
General Partner and its Affiliates) own beneficially or of record or control at least 50% of the
Outstanding Units. The withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership upon the occurrence
of an Event of Withdrawal shall also constitute the withdrawal of the General Partner as general
partner or managing member, if any, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members. If the
General Partner gives a notice of withdrawal pursuant to Section 11.1(a)(i), the holders
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of a Unit Majority, may, prior to the effective date of such withdrawal, elect a successor
General Partner. The Person so elected as successor General Partner shall automatically become the
successor general partner or managing member, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members
of which the General Partner is a general partner or a managing member. If, prior to the effective
date of the General Partners withdrawal, a successor is not selected by the Unitholders as
provided herein or the Partnership does not receive a Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel, the
Partnership shall be dissolved in accordance with Section 12.1. Any successor General Partner
elected in accordance with the terms of this Section 11.1 shall be subject to the provisions of
Section 10.3.
Section 11.2
Removal of the General Partner.
The General Partner may be removed if such removal is approved by the Unitholders holding at
least 662/3% of the Outstanding Units (including Units held by the General Partner and its
Affiliates) voting as a single class. Any such action by such holders for removal of the General
Partner must also provide for the election of a successor General Partner by the Unitholders
holding a majority of the outstanding Common Units and Class B Units, if any, voting as a single
class and a majority of the outstanding Subordinated Units (if any Subordinated Units are then
Outstanding) voting as a class (including, in each case, Units held by the General Partner and its
Affiliates). Such removal shall be effective immediately following the admission of a successor
General Partner pursuant to Section 10.3. The removal of the General Partner shall also
automatically constitute the removal of the General Partner as general partner or managing member,
to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members of which the General Partner is a general
partner or a managing member. If a Person is elected as a successor General Partner in accordance
with the terms of this Section 11.2, such Person shall, upon admission pursuant to Section 10.3,
automatically become a successor general partner or managing member, to the extent applicable, of
the other Group Members of which the General Partner is a general partner or a managing member. The
right of the holders of Outstanding Units to remove the General Partner shall not exist or be
exercised unless the Partnership has received an opinion opining as to the matters covered by a
Withdrawal Opinion of Counsel. Any successor General Partner elected in accordance with the terms
of this Section 11.2 shall be subject to the provisions of Section 10.3.
Section 11.3
Interest of Departing General Partner and Successor General Partner.
(a) In the event of (i) withdrawal of the General Partner under circumstances where such
withdrawal does not violate this Agreement or (ii) removal of the General Partner by the holders of
Outstanding Units under circumstances where Cause does not exist, if the successor General Partner
is elected in accordance with the terms of Section 11.1 or Section 11.2, the Departing General
Partner shall have the option, exercisable prior to the effective date of the departure of such
Departing General Partner, to require its successor to purchase its General Partner Interest
(represented by General Partner Units) and its general partner interest (or equivalent interest),
if any, in the other Group Members and all of its Incentive Distribution Rights (collectively, the
Combined Interest) in exchange for an amount in cash equal to the fair market value of such
Combined Interest, such amount to be determined and payable as of the effective date of its
departure. If the General Partner is removed by the Unitholders under circumstances where Cause
exists or if the General Partner withdraws under circumstances where such withdrawal violates this
Agreement, and if a successor General Partner is elected in accordance with the terms of Section
11.1 or Section 11.2 (or if the business of the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section 12.2
and the successor General Partner is not the former General Partner), such successor shall have the
option, exercisable prior to the effective date of the departure of such Departing General Partner
(or, in the event the business of the Partnership is continued, prior to the date the business of
the Partnership is continued), to purchase the Combined Interest for such fair market value of such
Combined Interest of the Departing General Partner. In either event, the Departing General Partner
shall be entitled to receive all reimbursements due such Departing General Partner pursuant to
Section 7.4, including any employee-related liabilities (including severance liabilities), incurred
in connection with the termination of any employees employed by the Departing General Partner or
its Affiliates (other than any Group Member) for the benefit of the Partnership or the other Group
Members.
For purposes of this Section 11.3(a), the fair market value of the Departing General Partners
Combined Interest shall be determined by agreement between the Departing General Partner and its
successor or, failing agreement within 30 days after the effective date of such Departing General
Partners departure, by an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert selected
by the Departing General Partner and its successor, which, in turn, may rely on other experts, and
the determination of which shall be conclusive as to such matter. If such parties cannot agree upon
one independent investment banking firm or other independent expert within 45 days
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after the effective date of such departure, then the Departing General Partner shall designate
an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert, the Departing General Partners
successor shall designate an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert, and
such firms or experts shall mutually select a third independent investment banking firm or
independent expert, which third independent investment banking firm or other independent expert
shall determine the fair market value of the Combined Interest of the Departing General Partner. In
making its determination, such third independent investment banking firm or other independent
expert may consider the then current trading price of Units on any National Securities Exchange on
which Units are then listed or admitted to trading, the value of the Partnerships assets, the
rights and obligations of the Departing General Partner and other factors it may deem relevant.
(b) If the Combined Interest is not purchased in the manner set forth in Section 11.3(a), the
Departing General Partner (or its transferee) shall become a Limited Partner and its Combined
Interest shall be converted into Common Units pursuant to a valuation made by an investment banking
firm or other independent expert selected pursuant to Section 11.3(a), without reduction in such
Partnership Interest (but subject to proportionate dilution by reason of the admission of its
successor). Any successor General Partner shall indemnify the Departing General Partner (or its
transferee) as to all debts and liabilities of the Partnership arising on or after the date on
which the Departing General Partner (or its transferee) becomes a Limited Partner. For purposes of
this Agreement, conversion of the Combined Interest of the Departing General Partner to Common
Units will be characterized as if the Departing General Partner (or its transferee) contributed its
Combined Interest to the Partnership in exchange for the newly issued Common Units.
(c) If a successor General Partner is elected in accordance with the terms of Section 11.1 or
Section 11.2 (or if the business of the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section 12.2 and the
successor General Partner is not the former General Partner) and the option described in Section
11.3(a) is not exercised by the party entitled to do so, the successor General Partner shall, at
the effective date of its admission to the Partnership, contribute to the Partnership cash in the
amount equal to the product of the (x) quotient obtained by dividing (A) the Percentage Interest of
the General Partner Interest of the Departing General Partner by (B) a percentage equal to 100%
less the Percentage Interest of the General Partner Interest of the Departing General Partner and
(y) the Net Agreed Value of the Partnerships assets on such date. In such event, such successor
General Partner shall, subject to the following sentence, be entitled to its Percentage Interest of
all Partnership allocations and distributions to which the Departing General Partner was entitled
in respect of its General Partner Interest. In addition, the successor General Partner shall cause
this Agreement to be amended to reflect that, from and after the date of such successor General
Partners admission, the successor General Partners interest in all Partnership distributions and
allocations shall be its Percentage Interest.
Section 11.4
Termination of Subordination Period, Conversion of Subordinated Units and
Extinguishment of Cumulative Common Unit Arrearages.
Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement, if the General Partner is removed as general
partner of the Partnership under circumstances where Cause does not exist and Units held by the
General Partner and its Affiliates are not voted in favor of such removal, (i) the Subordination
Period will end and all Outstanding Subordinated Units will immediately and automatically convert
into Common Units on a one-for-one basis (provided, however, that such converted Subordinated Units
shall remain subject to the provisions of Sections 5.5(c)(ii), 6.1(d)(x) and 6.7(c)), (ii) all
Cumulative Common Unit Arrearages on the Common Units will be extinguished and (iii) the General
Partner will have the right to convert its General Partner Interest (represented by General Partner
Units) and its Incentive Distribution Rights into Common Units or to receive cash in exchange
therefor in accordance with Section 11.3.
Section 11.5
Withdrawal of Limited Partners.
No Limited Partner shall have any right to withdraw from the Partnership; provided, however,
that when a transferee of a Limited Partners Limited Partner Interest becomes a Record Holder of
the Limited Partner Interest so transferred, such transferring Limited Partner shall cease to be a
Limited Partner with respect to the Limited Partner Interest so transferred.
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ARTICLE XII
DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION
Section 12.1
Dissolution
.
The Partnership shall not be dissolved by the admission of Substituted Limited Partners or
Additional Limited Partners or by the admission of a successor General Partner in accordance with
the terms of this Agreement. Upon the removal or other event of withdrawal of the General Partner,
if a successor General Partner is elected pursuant to Section 11.1, Section 11.2 or Section 12.2,
the Partnership shall not be dissolved and such successor General Partner shall continue the
business of the Partnership. The Partnership shall dissolve, and (subject to Section 12.2) its
affairs shall be wound up, upon:
(a) an Event of Withdrawal of the General Partner as provided in Section 11.1(a) (other than
Section 11.1(a)(ii)), unless a successor is elected and an Opinion of Counsel is received as
provided in Section 11.1(b) or 11.2 and such successor is admitted to the Partnership pursuant to
Section 10.3;
(b) an election to dissolve the Partnership by the General Partner that is approved by the
holders of a Unit Majority;
(c) the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Partnership pursuant to the
provisions of the Delaware Act; or
(d) at any time there are no Limited Partners, unless the Partnership is continued without
dissolution in accordance with the Delaware Act.
Section 12.2
Continuation of the Business of the Partnership After Dissolution.
Upon (a) dissolution of the Partnership following an Event of Withdrawal caused by the
withdrawal or removal of the General Partner as provided in Section 11.1(a)(i) or (iii) and the
failure of the Partners to select a successor to such Departing General Partner pursuant to Section
11.1 or Section 11.2, then within 90 days thereafter, or (b) dissolution of the Partnership upon an
event constituting an Event of Withdrawal as defined in Section 11.1(a)(iv), (v) or (vi), then, to
the maximum extent permitted by law, within 180 days thereafter, the holders of a Unit Majority may
elect to continue the business of the Partnership on the same terms and conditions set forth in
this Agreement by appointing as a successor General Partner a Person approved by the holders of a
Unit Majority. Unless such an election is made within the applicable time period as set forth
above, the Partnership shall dissolve and conduct only activities necessary to wind up its affairs.
If such an election is so made, then:
(i) the Partnership shall continue without dissolution unless earlier dissolved in accordance
with this Article XII;
(ii) if the successor General Partner is not the former General Partner, then the interest of
the former General Partner shall be treated in the manner provided in Section 11.3; and
(iii) the successor General Partner shall be admitted to the Partnership as General Partner,
effective as of the Event of Withdrawal, by agreeing in writing to be bound by this Agreement;
provided, that the right of the holders of a Unit Majority to approve a successor General Partner
and to continue the business of the Partnership shall not exist and may not be exercised unless the
Partnership has received an Opinion of Counsel that (x) the exercise of the right would not result
in the loss of limited liability of any Limited Partner and (y) neither the Partnership nor any
Group Member would be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise be taxable as
an entity for federal income tax purposes upon the exercise of such right to continue (to the
extent not already so treated or taxed).
Section 12.3
Liquidator.
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Upon dissolution of the Partnership, the General Partner shall select one or more Persons to
act as Liquidator. The Liquidator (if other than the General Partner) shall be entitled to receive
such compensation for its services as may be approved by holders of at least a majority of the
Outstanding Common Units and Subordinated Units voting as a single class. The Liquidator (if other
than the General Partner) shall agree not to resign at any time without 15 days prior notice and
may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by notice of removal approved by holders of at
least a majority of the Outstanding Common Units, Class B Units (if any), and Subordinated Units
voting as a single class. Upon dissolution, removal or resignation of the Liquidator, a successor
and substitute Liquidator (who shall have and succeed to all rights, powers and duties of the
original Liquidator) shall within 30 days thereafter be approved by holders of at least a majority
of the Outstanding Common Units, Class B Units (if any), and Subordinated Units voting as a single
class. The right to approve a successor or substitute Liquidator in the manner provided herein
shall be deemed to refer also to any such successor or substitute Liquidator approved in the manner
herein provided. Except as expressly provided in this Article XII, the Liquidator approved in the
manner provided herein shall have and may exercise, without further authorization or consent of any
of the parties hereto, all of the powers conferred upon the General Partner under the terms of this
Agreement (but subject to all of the applicable limitations, contractual and otherwise, upon the
exercise of such powers, other than the limitation on sale set forth in Section 7.3) necessary or
appropriate to carry out the duties and functions of the Liquidator hereunder for and during the
period of time required to complete the winding up and liquidation of the Partnership as provided
for herein.
Section 12.4
Liquidation.
The Liquidator shall proceed to dispose of the assets of the Partnership, discharge its
liabilities, and otherwise wind up its affairs in such manner and over such period as determined by
the Liquidator, subject to Section 17-804 of the Delaware Act and the following:
(a) The assets may be disposed of by public or private sale or by distribution in kind to one
or more Partners on such terms as the Liquidator and such Partner or Partners may agree. If any
property is distributed in kind, the Partner receiving the property shall be deemed for purposes of
Section 12.4(c) to have received cash equal to its fair market value; and contemporaneously
therewith, appropriate cash distributions must be made to the other Partners. The Liquidator may
defer liquidation or distribution of the Partnerships assets for a reasonable time if it
determines that an immediate sale or distribution of all or some of the Partnerships assets would
be impractical or would cause undue loss to the Partners. The Liquidator may distribute the
Partnerships assets, in whole or in part, in kind if it determines that a sale would be
impractical or would cause undue loss to the Partners.
(b) Liabilities of the Partnership include amounts owed to the Liquidator as compensation for
serving in such capacity (subject to the terms of Section 12.3) and amounts to Partners otherwise
than in respect of their distribution rights under Article VI. With respect to any liability that
is contingent, conditional or unmatured or is otherwise not yet due and payable, the Liquidator
shall either settle such claim for such amount as it thinks appropriate or establish a reserve of
cash or other assets to provide for its payment. When paid, any unused portion of the reserve shall
be distributed as additional liquidation proceeds.
(c) All property and all cash in excess of that required to discharge liabilities as provided
in Section 12.4(b) shall be distributed to the Partners in accordance with, and to the extent of,
the positive balances in their respective Capital Accounts, as determined after taking into account
all Capital Account adjustments (other than those made by reason of distributions pursuant to this
Section 12.4(c)) for the taxable year of the Partnership during which the liquidation of the
Partnership occurs (with such date of occurrence being determined pursuant to Treasury Regulation
Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g)), and such distribution shall be made by the end of such taxable year
(or, if later, within 90 days after said date of such occurrence).
Section 12.5
Cancellation of Certificate of Limited Partnership.
Upon the completion of the distribution of Partnership cash and property as provided in
Section 12.4 in connection with the liquidation of the Partnership, the Certificate of Limited
Partnership and all qualifications of the Partnership as a foreign limited partnership in
jurisdictions other than the State of Delaware shall be canceled and such other actions as may be
necessary to terminate the Partnership shall be taken.
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Section 12.6
Return of Contributions.
The General Partner shall not be personally liable for, and shall have no obligation to
contribute or loan any monies or property to the Partnership to enable it to effectuate, the return
of the Capital Contributions of the Limited Partners or Unitholders, or any portion thereof, it
being expressly understood that any such return shall be made solely from Partnership assets.
Section 12.7
Waiver of Partition.
To the maximum extent permitted by law, each Partner hereby waives any right to partition of
the Partnership property.
Section 12.8
Capital Account Restoration.
No Limited Partner shall have any obligation to restore any negative balance in its Capital
Account upon liquidation of the Partnership. The General Partner shall be obligated to restore any
negative balance in its Capital Account upon liquidation of its interest in the Partnership by the
end of the taxable year of the Partnership during which such liquidation occurs, or, if later,
within 90 days after the date of such liquidation.
ARTICLE XIII
AMENDMENT OF PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT; MEETINGS; RECORD DATE
Section 13.1
Amendments to be Adopted Solely by the General Partner.
Each Partner agrees that the General Partner, without the approval of any Partner or Assignee,
may amend any provision of this Agreement and execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and
record whatever documents may be required in connection therewith, to reflect:
(a) a change in the name of the Partnership, the location of the principal place of business
of the Partnership, the registered agent of the Partnership or the registered office of the
Partnership;
(b) admission, substitution, withdrawal or removal of Partners in accordance with this
Agreement;
(c) a change that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to qualify or
continue the qualification of the Partnership as a limited partnership or a partnership in which
the Limited Partners have limited liability under the laws of any state or to ensure that the Group
Members will not be treated as associations taxable as corporations or otherwise taxed as entities
for federal income tax purposes;
(d) a change that the General Partner determines, (i) does not adversely affect in any
material respect the Limited Partners considered as a whole or any particular class of Partnership
Interests as compared to other classes of Partnership Interests, (ii) to be necessary or
appropriate to (A) satisfy any requirements, conditions or guidelines contained in any opinion,
directive, order, ruling or regulation of any federal or state agency or judicial authority or
contained in any federal or state statute (including the Delaware Act) or (B) facilitate the
trading of the Units (including the division of any class or classes of Outstanding Units into
different classes to facilitate uniformity of tax consequences within such classes of Units) or
comply with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on
which the Units are or will be listed or admitted to trading, (iii) to be necessary or appropriate
in connection with action taken by the General Partner pursuant to Section 5.9 or (iv) is required
to effect the intent expressed in the Registration Statement or the intent of the provisions of
this Agreement or is otherwise contemplated by this Agreement;
(e) a change in the fiscal year or taxable year of the Partnership and any other changes that
the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate as a result of a change in the fiscal
year or taxable year of the Partnership including, if the General Partner shall so determine, a
change in the definition of Quarter and the dates on which distributions are to be made by the
Partnership;
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(f) an amendment that is necessary, in the Opinion of Counsel, to prevent the Partnership, or
the General Partner or its directors, officers, trustees or agents from in any manner being
subjected to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Investment
Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, or plan asset regulations adopted under the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, regardless of whether such are substantially similar to
plan asset regulations currently applied or proposed by the United States Department of Labor;
(g) an amendment that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate in
connection with the authorization of issuance of any class or series of Partnership Securities
pursuant to Section 5.6, including any amendment that the General Partner determines is necessary
or appropriate in connection with (i) the adjustments of the Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First
Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third Target Distribution pursuant to the
provisions of Section 5.11, (ii) the implementation of the provisions of Section 5.11 or (iii) any
modifications to the Incentive Distribution Rights made in connection with the issuance of
Partnership Securities pursuant to Section 5.6, provided that, with respect to this clause (iii),
the modifications to the Incentive Distribution Rights and the related issuance of Partnership
Securities have received Special Approval;
(h) any amendment expressly permitted in this Agreement to be made by the General Partner
acting alone;
(i) an amendment effected, necessitated or contemplated by a Merger Agreement approved in
accordance with Section 14.3;
(j) an amendment that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to reflect
and account for the formation by the Partnership of, or investment by the Partnership in, any
corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other entity, in connection
with the conduct by the Partnership of activities permitted by the terms of Section 2.4;
(k) a merger, conveyance or conversion pursuant to Section 14.3(d); or
(l) any other amendments substantially similar to the foregoing.
Section 13.2
Amendment Procedures.
Except as provided in Section 13.1 and Section 13.3, all amendments to this Agreement shall be
made in accordance with the requirements contained in this Section 13.2. Amendments to this
Agreement may be proposed only by the General Partner; provided, however, to the full extent
permitted by law, that the General Partner shall have no duty or obligation to propose any
amendment to this Agreement and may decline to do so free of any fiduciary duty or obligation
whatsoever to the Partnership, any Limited Partner or Assignee and, in declining to propose an
amendment, to the fullest extent permitted by law shall not be required to act in good faith or
pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other
agreement contemplated hereby or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at
equity. A proposed amendment shall be effective upon its approval by the General Partner and the
holders of a Unit Majority, unless a greater or different percentage is required under this
Agreement or by Delaware law. Each proposed amendment that requires the approval of the holders of
a specified percentage of Outstanding Units shall be set forth in a writing that contains the text
of the proposed amendment. If such an amendment is proposed, the General Partner shall seek the
written approval of the requisite percentage of Outstanding Units or call a meeting of the
Unitholders to consider and vote on such proposed amendment. The General Partner shall notify all
Record Holders upon final adoption of any such proposed amendments.
Section 13.3
Amendment Requirements.
(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13.1 and Section 13.2, no provision of this
Agreement that establishes a percentage of Outstanding Units (including Units deemed owned by the
General Partner) required to take any action shall be amended, altered, changed, repealed or
rescinded in any respect that would have the effect of reducing such voting percentage unless such
amendment is approved by the written consent or the
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affirmative vote of holders of Outstanding Units whose aggregate Outstanding Units constitute
not less than the voting requirement sought to be reduced.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13.1 and Section 13.2, no amendment to this
Agreement may (i) enlarge the obligations of any Limited Partner without its consent, unless such
shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of an amendment approved pursuant to Section 13.3(c),
or (ii) enlarge the obligations of, restrict in any way any action by or rights of, or reduce in
any way the amounts distributable, reimbursable or otherwise payable to, the General Partner or any
of its Affiliates without its consent, which consent may be given or withheld at its option.
(c) Except as provided in Section 14.3, and without limitation of the General Partners
authority to adopt amendments to this Agreement without the approval of any Partners or Assignees
as contemplated in Section 13.1, any amendment that would have a material adverse effect on the
rights or preferences of any class of Partnership Interests in relation to other classes of
Partnership Interests must be approved by the holders of not less than a majority of the
Outstanding Partnership Interests of the class affected.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, except for amendments pursuant to
Section 13.1 and except as otherwise provided by Section 14.3(b), no amendments shall become
effective without the approval of the holders of at least 90% of the Outstanding Units voting as a
single class unless the Partnership obtains an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such amendment
will not affect the limited liability of any Limited Partner under applicable law.
(e) Except as provided in Section 13.1, this Section 13.3 shall only be amended with the
approval of the holders of at least 90% of the Outstanding Units.
Section 13.4
Special Meetings.
All acts of Limited Partners to be taken pursuant to this Agreement shall be taken in the
manner provided in this Article XIII. Special meetings of the Limited Partners may be called by the
General Partner or by Limited Partners owning 20% or more of the Outstanding Units of the class or
classes for which a meeting is proposed. Limited Partners shall call a special meeting by
delivering to the General Partner one or more requests in writing stating that the signing Limited
Partners wish to call a special meeting and indicating the general or specific purposes for which
the special meeting is to be called. Within 60 days after receipt of such a call from Limited
Partners or within such greater time as may be reasonably necessary for the Partnership to comply
with any statutes, rules, regulations, listing agreements or similar requirements governing the
holding of a meeting or the solicitation of proxies for use at such a meeting, the General Partner
shall send a notice of the meeting to the Limited Partners either directly or indirectly through
the Transfer Agent. A meeting shall be held at a time and place determined by the General Partner
on a date not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days after the time notice of the meeting is given
as provided in Section 16.1. Limited Partners shall not vote on matters that would cause the
Limited Partners to be deemed to be taking part in the management and control of the business and
affairs of the Partnership so as to jeopardize the Limited Partners limited liability under the
Delaware Act or the law of any other state in which the Partnership is qualified to do business.
Section 13.5
Notice of a Meeting.
Notice of a meeting called pursuant to Section 13.4 shall be given to the Record Holders of
the class or classes of Units for which a meeting is proposed in writing by mail or other means of
written communication in accordance with Section 16.1 at least 10 days in advance of such meeting.
The notice shall be deemed to have been given at the time when deposited in the mail or sent by
other means of written communication.
Section 13.6
Record Date.
For purposes of determining the Limited Partners entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting
of the Limited Partners or to give approvals without a meeting as provided in Section 13.11 the
General Partner may set a Record Date, which shall not be less than 10 nor more than 60 days before
(a) the date of the meeting (unless such
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requirement conflicts with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National
Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed or admitted to trading, in which case the rule,
regulation, guideline or requirement of such National Securities Exchange shall govern) or (b) in
the event that approvals are sought without a meeting, the date by which Limited Partners are
requested in writing by the General Partner to give such approvals. If the General Partner does not
set a Record Date, then (a) the Record Date for determining the Limited Partners entitled to notice
of or to vote at a meeting of the Limited Partners shall be the close of business on the day next
preceding the day on which notice is given, and (b) the Record Date for determining the Limited
Partners entitled to give approvals without a meeting shall be the date the first written approval
is deposited with the Partnership in care of the General Partner in accordance with Section 13.11.
Section 13.7
Adjournment.
When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of the
adjourned meeting and a new Record Date need not be fixed, if the time and place thereof are
announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken, unless such adjournment shall be for
more than 45 days. At the adjourned meeting, the Partnership may transact any business which might
have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 45 days or if a
new Record Date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be
given in accordance with this Article XIII.
Section 13.8
Waiver of Notice; Approval of Meeting.
The transactions of any meeting of Limited Partners, however called and noticed, and whenever
held, shall be as valid as if it had occurred at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice,
if a quorum is present either in person or by proxy. Attendance of a Limited Partner at a meeting
shall constitute a waiver of notice of the meeting, except when the Limited Partner attends the
meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction
of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened; and except that attendance
at a meeting is not a waiver of any right to disapprove the consideration of matters required to be
included in the notice of the meeting, but not so included, if the disapproval is expressly made at
the meeting.
Section 13.9
Quorum and Voting.
The holders of a majority of the Outstanding Units of the class or classes for which a meeting
has been called (including Outstanding Units deemed owned by the General Partner) represented in
person or by proxy shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of Limited Partners of such class or
classes unless any such action by the Limited Partners requires approval by holders of a greater
percentage of such Units, in which case the quorum shall be such greater percentage. At any meeting
of the Limited Partners duly called and held in accordance with this Agreement at which a quorum is
present, the act of Limited Partners holding Outstanding Units that in the aggregate represent a
majority of the Outstanding Units entitled to vote and be present in person or by proxy at such
meeting shall be deemed to constitute the act of all Limited Partners, unless a greater or
different percentage is required with respect to such action under the provisions of this
Agreement, in which case the act of the Limited Partners holding Outstanding Units that in the
aggregate represent at least such greater or different percentage shall be required. The Limited
Partners present at a duly called or held meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to
transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough Limited Partners to
leave less than a quorum, if any action taken (other than adjournment) is approved by the required
percentage of Outstanding Units specified in this Agreement (including Outstanding Units deemed
owned by the General Partner). In the absence of a quorum any meeting of Limited Partners may be
adjourned from time to time by the affirmative vote of holders of at least a majority of the
Outstanding Units entitled to vote at such meeting (including Outstanding Units deemed owned by the
General Partner) represented either in person or by proxy, but no other business may be transacted,
except as provided in Section 13.7.
Section 13.10
Conduct of a Meeting.
The General Partner shall have full power and authority concerning the manner of conducting
any meeting of the Limited Partners or solicitation of approvals in writing, including the
determination of Persons entitled to vote, the existence of a quorum, the satisfaction of the
requirements of Section 13.4, the conduct of voting, the validity and effect of any proxies and the
determination of any controversies, votes or challenges arising in
67
connection with or during the meeting or voting. The General Partner shall designate a Person
to serve as chairman of any meeting and shall further designate a Person to take the minutes of any
meeting. All minutes shall be kept with the records of the Partnership maintained by the General
Partner. The General Partner may make such other regulations consistent with applicable law and
this Agreement as it may deem advisable concerning the conduct of any meeting of the Limited
Partners or solicitation of approvals in writing, including regulations in regard to the
appointment of proxies, the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes and approvals, the
submission and examination of proxies and other evidence of the right to vote, and the revocation
of approvals in writing.
Section 13.11
Action Without a Meeting.
If authorized by the General Partner, any action that may be taken at a meeting of the Limited
Partners may be taken without a meeting if an approval in writing setting forth the action so taken
is signed by Limited Partners owning not less than the minimum percentage of the Outstanding Units
(including Units deemed owned by the General Partner) that would be necessary to authorize or take
such action at a meeting at which all the Limited Partners were present and voted (unless such
provision conflicts with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities
Exchange on which the Units are listed or admitted to trading, in which case the rule, regulation,
guideline or requirement of such National Securities Exchange shall govern). Prompt notice of the
taking of action without a meeting shall be given to the Limited Partners who have not approved in
writing. The General Partner may specify that any written ballot submitted to Limited Partners for
the purpose of taking any action without a meeting shall be returned to the Partnership within the
time period, which shall be not less than 20 days, specified by the General Partner. If a ballot
returned to the Partnership does not vote all of the Units held by the Limited Partners, the
Partnership shall be deemed to have failed to receive a ballot for the Units that were not voted.
If approval of the taking of any action by the Limited Partners is solicited by any Person other
than by or on behalf of the General Partner, the written approvals shall have no force and effect
unless and until (a) they are deposited with the Partnership in care of the General Partner, (b)
approvals sufficient to take the action proposed are dated as of a date not more than 90 days prior
to the date sufficient approvals are deposited with the Partnership and (c) an Opinion of Counsel
is delivered to the General Partner to the effect that the exercise of such right and the action
proposed to be taken with respect to any particular matter (i) will not cause the Limited Partners
to be deemed to be taking part in the management and control of the business and affairs of the
Partnership so as to jeopardize the Limited Partners limited liability, and (ii) is otherwise
permissible under the state statutes then governing the rights, duties and liabilities of the
Partnership and the Partners.
Section 13.12
Right to Vote and Related Matters.
(a) Only those Record Holders of the Units on the Record Date set pursuant to Section 13.6
(and also subject to the limitations contained in the definition of Outstanding) shall be
entitled to notice of, and to vote at, a meeting of Limited Partners or to act with respect to
matters as to which the holders of the Outstanding Units have the right to vote or to act. All
references in this Agreement to votes of, or other acts that may be taken by, the Outstanding Units
shall be deemed to be references to the votes or acts of the Record Holders of such Outstanding
Units.
(b) With respect to Units that are held for a Persons account by another Person (such as a
broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation, or an agent of any of the foregoing),
in whose name such Units are registered, such other Person shall, in exercising the voting rights
in respect of such Units on any matter, and unless the arrangement between such Persons provides
otherwise, vote such Units in favor of, and at the direction of, the Person who is the beneficial
owner, and the Partnership shall be entitled to assume it is so acting without further inquiry. The
provisions of this Section 13.12(b) (as well as all other provisions of this Agreement) are subject
to the provisions of Section 4.3.
ARTICLE XIV
MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR CONVERSION
Section 14.1
Authority.
The Partnership may merge or consolidate with or into one or more corporations, limited
liability companies, statutory trusts or associations, real estate investment trusts, common law
trusts or unincorporated
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businesses, including a partnership (whether general or limited (including a limited liability
partnership)) or convert into any such entity, whether such entity is formed under the laws of the
State of Delaware or any other state of the United States of America, pursuant to a written plan of
merger or consolidation (Merger Agreement) or a written plan of conversion (Plan of
Conversion), as the case may be, in accordance with this Article XIV.
Section 14.2
Procedure for Merger, Consolidation or Conversion.
(a) Merger, consolidation or conversion of the Partnership pursuant to this Article XIV
requires the prior consent of the General Partner, provided, however, that, to the fullest extent
permitted by law, the General Partner shall have no duty or obligation to consent to any merger,
consolidation or conversion of the Partnership and may decline to do so free of any fiduciary duty
or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership, any Limited Partner or Assignee and, in declining to
consent to a merger, consolidation or conversion, shall not be required to act in good faith or
pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby
or under the Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity.
(b) If the General Partner shall determine to consent to the merger or consolidation, the
General Partner shall approve the Merger Agreement, which shall set forth:
(i) name and state of domicile of each of the business entities proposing to merge or
consolidate;
(ii) the name and state of domicile of the business entity that is to survive the proposed
merger or consolidation (the Surviving Business Entity);
(iii) the terms and conditions of the proposed merger or consolidation;
(iv) the manner and basis of exchanging or converting the equity securities of each
constituent business entity for, or into, cash, property or interests, rights, securities or
obligations of the Surviving Business Entity; and (i) if any general or limited partner interests,
securities or rights of any constituent business entity are not to be exchanged or converted solely
for, or into, cash, property or general or limited partner interests, rights, securities or
obligations of the Surviving Business Entity, the cash, property or interests, rights, securities
or obligations of any general or limited partnership, corporation, trust, limited liability
company, unincorporated business or other entity (other than the Surviving Business Entity) which
the holders of such general or limited partner interests, securities or rights are to receive in
exchange for, or upon conversion of their interests, securities or rights, and (ii) in the case of
securities represented by certificates, upon the surrender of such certificates, which cash,
property or general or limited partner interests, rights, securities or obligations of the
Surviving Business Entity or any general or limited partnership, corporation, trust, limited
liability company, unincorporated business or other entity (other than the Surviving Business
Entity), or evidences thereof, are to be delivered;
(v) a statement of any changes in the constituent documents or the adoption of new constituent
documents (the articles or certificate of incorporation, articles of trust, declaration of trust,
certificate or agreement of limited partnership, certificate of formation or limited liability
company agreement, operating agreement or other similar charter or governing document) of the
Surviving Business Entity to be effected by such merger or consolidation;
(vi) the effective time of the merger, which may be the date of the filing of the certificate
of merger pursuant to Section 14.4 or a later date specified in or determinable in accordance with
the Merger Agreement (provided, that if the effective time of the merger is to be later than the
date of the filing of such certificate of merger, the effective time shall be fixed at a date or
time certain at or prior to the time of the filing of such certificate of merger and stated
therein); and
(vii) such other provisions with respect to the proposed merger or consolidation that the
General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.
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(c) If the General Partner shall determine to consent to the conversion, the General Partner
shall approve the Plan of Conversion, which shall set forth:
(i) the name of the converting entity and the converted entity;
(ii) a statement that the Partnership is continuing its existence in the organizational form
of the converted entity;
(iii) a statement as to the type of entity that the converted entity is to be and the state or
country under the laws of which the converted entity is to be incorporated, formed or organized;
(iv) the manner and basis of exchanging or converting the equity securities of each
constituent business entity for, or into, cash, property or interests, rights, securities or
obligations of the converted entity;
(v) in an attachment or exhibit, the certificate of limited partnership of the Partnership;
and
(vi) in an attachment or exhibit, the certificate of limited partnership, articles of
incorporation, or other organizational documents of the converted entity;
(vii) the effective time of the conversion, which may be the date of the filing of the
articles of conversion or a later date specified in or determinable in accordance with the Plan of
Conversion (provided, that if the effective time of the conversion is to be later than the date of
the filing of such articles of conversion, the effective time shall be fixed at a date or time
certain at or prior to the time of the filing of such articles of conversion and stated therein);
and
(viii) such other provisions with respect to the proposed conversion that the General Partner
determines to be necessary or appropriate.
Section 14.3
Approval by Limited Partners.
(a) Except as provided in Sections 14.3(d) and 14.3(c), the General Partner, upon its approval
of the Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as the case may be, shall direct that the Merger
Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as applicable, be submitted to a vote of Limited Partners,
whether at a special meeting or by written consent, in either case in accordance with the
requirements of Article XIII. A copy or a summary of the Merger Agreement or the Plan of
Conversion, as the case may be, shall be included in or enclosed with the notice of a special
meeting or the written consent.
(b) Except as provided in Sections 14.3(d) and 14.3(c), the Merger Agreement or Plan of
Conversion, as the case may be, shall be approved upon receiving the affirmative vote or consent of
the holders of a Unit Majority.
(c) Except as provided in Sections 14.3(d) and 14.3(c), after such approval by vote or consent
of the Limited Partners, and at any time prior to the filing of the certificate of merger or
articles of conversion pursuant to Section 14.4, the merger, consolidation or conversion may be
abandoned pursuant to provisions therefor, if any, set forth in the Merger Agreement or Plan of
Conversion, as the case may be.
(d) Notwithstanding anything else contained in this Article XIV or in this Agreement, the
General Partner is permitted, without Limited Partner approval, to convert the Partnership or any
Group Member into a new limited liability entity, to merge the Partnership or any Group Member
into, or convey all of the Partnerships assets to, another limited liability entity that shall be
newly formed and shall have no assets, liabilities or operations at the time of such conversion,
merger or conveyance other than those it receives from the Partnership or other Group Member if (i)
the General Partner has received an Opinion of Counsel that the conversion, merger or conveyance,
as the case may be, would not result in the loss of the limited liability of any Limited Partner or
cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be
taxed as an entity for federal income tax
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purposes (to the extent not previously treated as such), (ii) the sole purpose of such
conversion, merger, or conveyance is to effect a mere change in the legal form of the Partnership
into another limited liability entity and (iii) the governing instruments of the new entity provide
the Limited Partners and the General Partner with the same rights and obligations as are herein
contained.
(e) Additionally, notwithstanding anything else contained in this Article XIV or in this
Agreement, the General Partner is permitted, without Limited Partner approval, to merge or
consolidate the Partnership with or into another entity if (A) the General Partner has received an
Opinion of Counsel that the merger or consolidation, as the case may be, would not result in the
loss of the limited liability of any Limited Partner or cause the Partnership to be treated as an
association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax
purposes (to the extent not previously treated as such), (B) the merger or consolidation would not
result in an amendment to the Partnership Agreement, other than any amendments that could be
adopted pursuant to Section 13.1, (C) the Partnership is the Surviving Business Entity in such
merger or consolidation, (D) each Unit outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of the
merger or consolidation is to be an identical Unit of the Partnership after the effective date of
the merger or consolidation, and (E) the number of Partnership Securities to be issued by the
Partnership in such merger or consolidation do not exceed 20% of the Partnership Securities
Outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of such merger or consolidation.
(f) Pursuant to Section 17-211(g) of the Delaware Act, an agreement of merger or consolidation
approved in accordance with this Article XIV may (a) effect any amendment to this Agreement or (b)
effect the adoption of a new partnership agreement for the Partnership if it is the Surviving
Business Entity. Any such amendment or adoption made pursuant to this Section 14.3 shall be
effective at the effective time or date of the merger or consolidation.
Section 14.4
Certificate of Merger.
Upon the required approval by the General Partner and the Unitholders of a Merger Agreement or
the Plan of Conversion, as the case may be, a certificate of merger or articles of conversion, as
applicable, shall be executed and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in
conformity with the requirements of the Delaware Act.
Section 14.5
Effect of Merger, Consolidation or Conversion.
(a) At the effective time of the certificate of merger:
(i) all of the rights, privileges and powers of each of the business entities that has merged
or consolidated, and all property, real, personal and mixed, and all debts due to any of those
business entities and all other things and causes of action belonging to each of those business
entities, shall be vested in the Surviving Business Entity and after the merger or consolidation
shall be the property of the Surviving Business Entity to the extent they were of each constituent
business entity;
(ii) the title to any real property vested by deed or otherwise in any of those constituent
business entities shall not revert and is not in any way impaired because of the merger or
consolidation;
(iii) all rights of creditors and all liens on or security interests in property of any of
those constituent business entities shall be preserved unimpaired; and
(iv) all debts, liabilities and duties of those constituent business entities shall attach to
the Surviving Business Entity and may be enforced against it to the same extent as if the debts,
liabilities and duties had been incurred or contracted by it.
(b) At the effective time of the articles of conversion:
(i) the Partnership shall continue to exist, without interruption, but in the organizational
form of the converted entity rather than in its prior organizational form;
71
(ii) all rights, title, and interests to all real estate and other property owned by the
Partnership shall continue to be owned by the converted entity in its new organizational form
without reversion or impairment, without further act or deed, and without any transfer or
assignment having occurred, but subject to any existing liens or other encumbrances thereon;
(iii) all liabilities and obligations of the Partnership shall continue to be liabilities and
obligations of the converted entity in its new organizational form without impairment or diminution
by reason of the conversion;
(iv) all rights of creditors or other parties with respect to or against the prior interest
holders or other owners of the Partnership in their capacities as such in existence as of the
effective time of the conversion will continue in existence as to those liabilities and obligations
and may be pursued by such creditors and obligees as if the conversion did not occur;
(v) a proceeding pending by or against the Partnership or by or against any of Partners in
their capacities as such may be continued by or against the converted entity in its new
organizational form and by or against the prior partners without any need for substitution of
parties; and
(vi) the Partnership Units that are to be converted into partnership interests, shares,
evidences of ownership, or other securities in the converted entity as provided in the plan of
conversion shall be so converted, and Partners shall be entitled only to the rights provided in the
Plan of Conversion.
ARTICLE XV
RIGHT TO ACQUIRE LIMITED PARTNER INTERESTS
Section 15.1
Right to Acquire Limited Partner Interests.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if at any time the General Partner
and its Affiliates hold more than 80% of the total Limited Partner Interests of any class then
Outstanding, the General Partner shall then have the right, which right it may assign and transfer
in whole or in part to the Partnership or any Affiliate of the General Partner, exercisable at its
option, to purchase all, but not less than all, of such Limited Partner Interests of such class
then Outstanding held by Persons other than the General Partner and its Affiliates, at the greater
of (x) the Current Market Price as of the date three days prior to the date that the notice
described in Section 15.1(b) is mailed and (y) the highest price paid by the General Partner or any
of its Affiliates for any such Limited Partner Interest of such class purchased during the 90-day
period preceding the date that the notice described in Section 15.1(b) is mailed.
(b) If the General Partner, any Affiliate of the General Partner or the Partnership elects to
exercise the right to purchase Limited Partner Interests granted pursuant to Section 15.1(a), the
General Partner shall deliver to the Transfer Agent notice of such election to purchase (the
Notice of Election to Purchase) and shall cause the Transfer Agent to mail a copy of such Notice
of Election to Purchase to the Record Holders of Limited Partner Interests of such class or classes
(as of a Record Date selected by the General Partner) at least 10, but not more than 60, days prior
to the Purchase Date. Such Notice of Election to Purchase shall also be published for a period of
at least three consecutive days in at least two daily newspapers of general circulation printed in
the English language and published in the Borough of Manhattan, New York. The Notice of Election to
Purchase shall specify the Purchase Date and the price (determined in accordance with Section
15.1(a)) at which Limited Partner Interests will be purchased and state that the General Partner,
its Affiliate or the Partnership, as the case may be, elects to purchase such Limited Partner
Interests, upon surrender of Certificates representing such Limited Partner Interests in exchange
for payment, at such office or offices of the Transfer Agent as the Transfer Agent may specify, or
as may be required by any National Securities Exchange on which such Limited Partner Interests are
listed. Any such Notice of Election to Purchase mailed to a Record Holder of Limited Partner
Interests at his address as reflected in the records of the Transfer Agent shall be conclusively
presumed to have been given regardless of whether the owner receives such notice. On or prior to
the Purchase Date, the General Partner, its Affiliate or the Partnership, as the case may be, shall
deposit with the Transfer Agent cash in an amount sufficient to pay the aggregate purchase price of
all of such Limited Partner Interests to be purchased in accordance with this Section 15.1. If the
Notice of Election to Purchase shall have been duly given as aforesaid at least 10 days prior to
the Purchase Date, and if on or
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prior to the Purchase Date the deposit described in the preceding sentence has been made for
the benefit of the holders of Limited Partner Interests subject to purchase as provided herein,
then from and after the Purchase Date, notwithstanding that any Certificate shall not have been
surrendered for purchase, all rights of the holders of such Limited Partner Interests (including
any rights pursuant to Article IV, Article V, Article VI, and Article XII) shall thereupon cease,
except the right to receive the purchase price (determined in accordance with Section 15.1(a)) for
Limited Partner Interests therefor, without interest, upon surrender to the Transfer Agent of the
Certificates representing such Limited Partner Interests, and such Limited Partner Interests shall
thereupon be deemed to be transferred to the General Partner, its Affiliate or the Partnership, as
the case may be, on the record books of the Transfer Agent and the Partnership, and the General
Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner, or the Partnership, as the case may be, shall be
deemed to be the owner of all such Limited Partner Interests from and after the Purchase Date and
shall have all rights as the owner of such Limited Partner Interests (including all rights as owner
of such Limited Partner Interests pursuant to Article IV, Article V, Article VI and Article XII).
(c) At any time from and after the Purchase Date, a holder of an Outstanding Limited Partner
Interest subject to purchase as provided in this Section 15.1 may surrender his Certificate
evidencing such Limited Partner Interest to the Transfer Agent in exchange for payment of the
amount described in Section 15.1(a), therefor, without interest thereon.
ARTICLE XVI
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 16.1
Addresses and Notices; Written Communications.
(a) Any notice, demand, request, report or proxy materials required or permitted to be given
or made to a Partner or Assignee under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given
or made when delivered in person or when sent by first class United States mail or by other means
of written communication to the Partner or Assignee at the address described below. Any notice,
payment or report to be given or made to a Partner or Assignee hereunder shall be deemed
conclusively to have been given or made, and the obligation to give such notice or report or to
make such payment shall be deemed conclusively to have been fully satisfied, upon sending of such
notice, payment or report to the Record Holder of such Partnership Securities at his address as
shown on the records of the Transfer Agent or as otherwise shown on the records of the Partnership,
regardless of any claim of any Person who may have an interest in such Partnership Securities by
reason of any assignment or otherwise. An affidavit or certificate of making of any notice, payment
or report in accordance with the provisions of this Section 16.1 executed by the General Partner,
the Transfer Agent or the mailing organization shall be prima facie evidence of the giving or
making of such notice, payment or report. If any notice, payment or report addressed to a Record
Holder at the address of such Record Holder appearing on the books and records of the Transfer
Agent or the Partnership is returned by the United States Postal Service marked to indicate that
the United States Postal Service is unable to deliver it, such notice, payment or report and any
subsequent notices, payments and reports shall be deemed to have been duly given or made without
further mailing (until such time as such Record Holder or another Person notifies the Transfer
Agent or the Partnership of a change in his address) if they are available for the Partner or
Assignee at the principal office of the Partnership for a period of one year from the date of the
giving or making of such notice, payment or report to the other Partners and Assignees. Any notice
to the Partnership shall be deemed given if received by the General Partner at the principal office
of the Partnership designated pursuant to Section 2.3. The General Partner may rely and shall be
protected in relying on any notice or other document from a Partner, Assignee or other Person if
believed by it to be genuine.
(b) The terms in writing, written communications, written notice and words of similar
import shall be deemed satisfied under this Agreement by use of e-mail and other forms of
electronic communication.
Section 16.2
Further Action.
The parties shall execute and deliver all documents, provide all information and take or
refrain from taking action as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this
Agreement.
Section 16.3
Binding Effect.
73
This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their
heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns.
Section 16.4
Integration.
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties hereto pertaining to the
subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings pertaining thereto.
Section 16.5
Creditors.
None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of, or shall be enforceable
by, any creditor of the Partnership.
Section 16.6
Waiver.
No failure by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement
or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof
shall constitute waiver of any such breach of any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.
Section 16.7
Third-Party Beneficiaries.
Each Partner agrees that any Indemnitee shall be entitled to assert rights and remedies
hereunder as a third-party beneficiary hereto with respect to those provisions of this Agreement
affording a right, benefit or privilege to such Indemnitee.
Section 16.8
Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which together shall constitute an
agreement binding on all the parties hereto, notwithstanding that all such parties are not
signatories to the original or the same counterpart. Each party shall become bound by this
Agreement immediately upon affixing its signature hereto or, in the case of a Person acquiring a
Unit, upon accepting the certificate evidencing such Unit or executing and delivering a Transfer
Application as herein described, independently of the signature of any other party.
Section 16.9
Applicable Law.
This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of
Delaware, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law.
Section 16.10
Invalidity of Provisions.
If any provision of this Agreement is or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any
respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein
shall not be affected thereby.
Section 16.11
Consent of Partners.
Each Partner hereby expressly consents and agrees that, whenever in this Agreement it is
specified that an action may be taken upon the affirmative vote or consent of less than all of the
Partners, such action may be so taken upon the concurrence of less than all of the Partners and
each Partner shall be bound by the results of such action.
Section 16.12
Facsimile Signatures.
The use of facsimile signatures affixed in the name and on behalf of the transfer agent and
registrar of the Partnership on certificates representing Common Units is expressly permitted by
this Agreement.
[REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.]
74
IN WITNESS WHEREOF
, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first
written above.
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GENERAL PARTNER
SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS (DE) GP, LP
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By:
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SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS GP, LLC,
its general partner
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By:
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/s/ C. Gregory Harper
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Name:
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C. Gregory Harper
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Title:
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President
and Chief Executive Officer
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ORGANIZATIONAL LIMITED PARTNER
SPECTRA ENERGY TRANSMISSION, LLC
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By:
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/s/
Martha B. Wyrsch
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Name:
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Martha B. Wyrsch
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Title:
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President
and Chief Executive Officer
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LIMITED PARTNERS:
All Limited Partners now and hereafter admitted as
Limited Partners of the Partnership, pursuant to
powers of attorney now and hereafter executed in
favor of, and granted and delivered to the General
Partner.
SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS (DE) GP, LP
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By:
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Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC,
its general partner
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By:
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/s/ C. Gregory Harper
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Name:
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C. Gregory Harper
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Title:
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President
and Chief Executive Officer
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[Signature Page First Amended & Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Spectra Energy Partners, LP]
EXHIBIT A
to the First Amended and Restated
Agreement of Limited Partnership of
Spectra Energy Partners, LP
Certificate Evidencing Common Units
Representing Limited Partner Interests in
Spectra Energy Partners, LP
In accordance with Section 4.1 of the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited
Partnership of Spectra Energy Partners, LP, as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time
(the Partnership Agreement), Spectra Energy Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the
Partnership), hereby certifies that (the Holder) is the registered owner of
Common Units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (the Common Units)
transferable on the books of the Partnership, in person or by duly authorized attorney, upon
surrender of this Certificate properly endorsed and accompanied by a properly executed application
for transfer of the Common Units represented by this Certificate. The rights, preferences and
limitations of the Common Units are set forth in, and this Certificate and the Common Units
represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to the terms and provisions of,
the Partnership Agreement. Copies of the Partnership Agreement are on file at, and will be
furnished without charge on delivery of written request to the Partnership at, the principal office
of the Partnership located at 5400 Westheimer Court, Houston, Texas, 77056. Capitalized terms used
herein but not defined shall have the meanings given them in the Partnership Agreement.
The Holder, by accepting this Certificate, is deemed to have (i) requested admission as, and
agreed to become, a Limited Partner and to have agreed to comply with and be bound by and to have
executed the Partnership Agreement, (ii) represented and warranted that the Holder has all right,
power and authority and, if an individual, the capacity necessary to enter into the Partnership
Agreement, (iii) granted the powers of attorney provided for in the Partnership Agreement and (iv)
made the waivers and given the consents and approvals contained in the Partnership Agreement.
THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY ACKNOWLEDGES FOR THE BENEFIT OF SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP THAT
THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IF SUCH TRANSFER
WOULD (A) VIOLATE THE THEN APPLICABLE FEDERAL OR STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR RULES AND REGULATIONS OF
THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL
AUTHORITY WITH JURISDICTION OVER SUCH TRANSFER, (B) TERMINATE THE EXISTENCE OR QUALIFICATION OF
SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, OR (C) CAUSE SPECTRA ENERGY
PARTNERS, LP TO BE TREATED AS AN ASSOCIATION TAXABLE AS A CORPORATION OR OTHERWISE TO BE TAXED AS
AN ENTITY FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES (TO THE EXTENT NOT ALREADY SO TREATED OR TAXED). SPECTRA
ENERGY PARTNERS (DE) GP, LP, THE GENERAL PARTNER OF SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP, MAY IMPOSE
ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS ON THE TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IF IT RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL THAT
SUCH RESTRICTIONS ARE NECESSARY TO AVOID A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP BECOMING
TAXABLE AS A CORPORATION OR OTHERWISE BECOMING TAXABLE AS AN ENTITY FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX
PURPOSES. THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH ABOVE SHALL NOT PRECLUDE THE SETTLEMENT OF ANY TRANSACTIONS
INVOLVING THIS SECURITY ENTERED INTO THROUGH THE FACILITIES OF ANY NATIONAL SECURITIES EXCHANGE ON
WHICH THIS SECURITY IS LISTED OR ADMITTED TO TRADING.
A-1
This Certificate shall not be valid for any purpose unless it has been countersigned and
registered by the Transfer Agent and Registrar.
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Dated:
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Spectra Energy Partners, LP
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Countersigned and Registered by:
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By:
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Spectra Energy Partners (DE) GP, LP,
its General Partner
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By:
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Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC,
its General Partner
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By:
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as Transfer Agent and Registrar
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Name:
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By:
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By:
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Authorized Signature
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Secretary
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[Reverse of Certificate]
ABBREVIATIONS
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this
Certificate, shall be construed as follows according to applicable laws or regulations:
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TEN COM
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as tenants in common
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UNIF GIFT/TRANSFERS MIN ACT
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TEN ENT
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as tenants by the entireties
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Custodian
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(Cust) (Minor)
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JT TEN
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as joint tenants with right of survivorship
and not as tenants in common
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under Uniform Gifts/Transfers to CD Minors Act
(State)
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Additional abbreviations, though not in the above list, may also be used.
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FOR VALUE RECEIVED,
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hereby assigns, conveys, sells and transfers unto
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(Please print or typewrite name and address of Assignee)
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(Please insert Social Security or
other identifying number of Assignee)
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Common Units representing limited partner interests evidenced by this Certificate, subject to
the Partnership Agreement, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint
as its attorney-in-fact with full power of substitution to transfer the same on the books of
Spectra Energy Partners, LP
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Date:
NOTE:
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The signature to any endorsement
hereon must correspond with the name
as written upon the face of this
Certificate in every particular,
without alteration, enlargement or
change.
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THE SIGNATURE(S) MUST 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
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(Signature)
(Signature)
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A-2
No transfer of the Common Units evidenced hereby will be registered on the books of the
Partnership, unless the Certificate evidencing the Common Units to be transferred is surrendered
for registration or transfer and an Application for Transfer of Common Units has been properly
completed and executed by a transferee either (a) on the form set forth below or (b) on a separate
application that the Partnership will furnish on request without charge. A transferor of the Common
Units shall have no duty to the transferee with respect to execution of the Application for
Transfer of Common Units in order for such transferee to obtain registration of the transfer of the
Common Units.
APPLICATION FOR TRANSFER OF COMMON UNITS
Transferees of Common Units must execute and deliver this application to
Spectra Energy
Partners, LP, c/o Spectra Energy Partners (DE) GP, LP, 5400 Westheimer Court, Houston, Texas,
77056; Attn: CFO
, to be admitted as limited partners to Spectra Energy Partners, LP.
The undersigned (
Assignee
) hereby applies for transfer to the name of the Assignee of the
Common Units evidenced hereby and hereby certifies to Spectra Energy Partners, LP (the
Partnership
) that the Assignee (including to the best of Assignees knowledge, any person for
whom the Assignee will hold the Common Units) is an Eligible Holder.(1)
The Assignee (a) requests admission as a Substituted Limited Partner and agrees to comply with
and be bound by, and hereby executes, the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited
Partnership of Spectra Energy Partners, LP, as amended, supplemented or restated to the date hereof
(the
Partnership Agreement
), (b) represents and warrants that the Assignee has all right, power
and authority and, if an individual, the capacity necessary to enter into the Partnership
Agreement, (c) appoints the General Partner of the Partnership and, if a Liquidator shall be
appointed, the Liquidator of the Partnership as the Assignees attorney-in-fact to execute, swear
to, acknowledge and file any document, including the Partnership Agreement and any amendment
thereto and the Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Partnership and any amendment thereto,
necessary or appropriate for the Assignees admission as a Substituted Limited Partner and as a
party to the Partnership Agreement, (d) gives the powers of attorney provided for in the
Partnership Agreement, and (e) makes the waivers and gives the consents and approvals contained in
the Partnership Agreement. Capitalized terms not defined herein have the meanings assigned to such
terms in the Partnership Agreement. This application constitutes a Taxation Certification, as
defined in the Partnership Agreement.
Date:
Social Security or other identifying number
Signature of Assignee
Purchase Price including commissions, if any
Name and Address of Assignee
Type of Entity (check one):
o
Individual
o
Partnership
o
Corporation
o
Trust
o
Other (specify)
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(1)
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The Term Eligible Holder means (a) an individual or entity subject to United States
federal income taxation on the income generated by the Partnership; or (b) an entity not subject to
United States federal income taxation on the income generated by the Partnership, so long as all of
the entitys owners are subject to United States federal income taxation on the income generated by
the Partnership. Individuals or entities are subject to taxation, in the context of defining an
Eligible Holder, to the extent they are taxable on the items of income and gain allocated by the
Partnership or would be taxable on the items of income and gain allocated by the Partnership if
they had no offsetting deductions or tax credits unrelated to the ownership of the Common Units.
Schedule I below contains a list of various types of investors that are categorized and identified
as either Eligible Holders or Non-Eligible Holders.
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A-3
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If not an Individual (check one):
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o
the entity is subject to United States federal income taxation on the income generated by
the Partnership;
o
the entity is not subject to United States federal income taxation, but it is a pass-through
entity and all of its beneficial owners are subject to United States federal income tax on the
income generated by the Partnership;
o
the entity is not subject to United States federal income taxation and it is (a) not a
pass-through entity or (b) a pass-through entity, but not all of its beneficial owners are subject
to United States federal income taxation on the income generated by the Partnership.
Important Note
by checking this box, the Assignee is contradicting its certification that it is an Eligible
Holder.
Nationality (check one):
o
U.S. Citizen, Resident or Domestic Entity
o
Non-resident Alien
o
Foreign Corporation
If the U.S. Citizen, Resident or Domestic Entity box is checked, the following certification
must be completed.
Under Section 1445(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), the
Partnership must withhold tax with respect to certain transfers of property if a holder of an
interest in the Partnership is a foreign person. To inform the Partnership that no withholding is
required with respect to the undersigned interestholders interest in it, the undersigned hereby
certifies the following (or, if applicable, certifies the following on behalf of the
interestholder).
Complete Either A or B:
A.
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Individual Interestholder
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1.
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I am not a non-resident alien for purposes of U.S. income taxation.
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2.
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My U.S. taxpayer identification number (Social Security Number) is .
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3.
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My home address is .
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B.
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Partnership, Corporation or Other Interestholder
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1.
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is not a foreign corporation, foreign partnership, foreign trust (Name of Interestholder)
or foreign estate (as those terms are defined in the Code and Treasury Regulations).
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2.
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The interestholders U.S. employer identification number is .
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3.
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The interestholders office address and place of incorporation (if applicable) is .
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The interestholder agrees to notify the Partnership within sixty (60) days of the date the
interestholder becomes a foreign person.
The interestholder understands that this certificate may be disclosed to the Internal Revenue
Service and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission by the Partnership and that any false
statement contained herein could be punishable by fine, imprisonment or both.
Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have examined this certification and, to the best
of my knowledge and belief, it is true, correct and complete and, if applicable, I further declare
that I have authority to sign this document on behalf of:
Name of Interestholder
Signature and Date
Title (if applicable)
Note: If the Assignee is a broker, dealer, bank, trust company, clearing corporation, other nominee
holder or an agent of any of the foregoing, and is holding for the account of any other person,
this application should be completed by an officer thereof or, in the case of a broker or dealer,
by a registered representative who is a member of a registered national securities exchange or a
member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or, in the case of any other
nominee holder, a person performing a similar function. If the Assignee is a broker, dealer, bank,
trust company, clearing corporation, other nominee owner or an agent of any of the foregoing, the
above certification as to any person for whom the Assignee will hold the Common Units shall be made
to the best of the Assignees knowledge.
A-4
SCHEDULE I
Eligible Holders
The following are considered Eligible Holders:
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Individuals (U.S. or non-U.S.)
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C corporations (U.S. or non-U.S.)
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Tax exempt organizations subject to tax on unrelated business taxable income or
UBTI, including IRAs, 401(k) plans and Keough accounts
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S corporations with shareholders that are individuals, trusts or tax exempt
organizations subject to tax on UBTI
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Potentially Eligible Holders
The following are considered Eligible Holders, unless the information in parenthesis applies:
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S corporations (unless they have ESOP shareholders*)
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Partnerships (unless their partners include mutual funds, real estate investment
trusts or REITs, governmental entities and agencies, S corporations with ESOP
shareholders* or other partnerships with such partners)
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Trusts (unless beneficiaries are not subject to tax)
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Non-Eligible Holders
The following are not considered Eligible Holders:
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Mutual Funds
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REITs
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Governmental entities and agencies
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S corporations with ESOP shareholders*
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*
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S corporations with ESOP shareholders are S corporations with shareholders that include
employee stock ownership plans.
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A-5
Exhibit
3.3
FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
OF
SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS GP, LLC
A Delaware Limited Liability Company
Dated as of
July 2, 2007
FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
OF
SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS GP, LLC
A Delaware Limited Liability Company
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ARTICLE 1
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DEFINITIONS
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1.01
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Definitions
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1.02
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Construction
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ARTICLE 2
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ORGANIZATION
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2.01
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Formation
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2
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2.02
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Name
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2
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2.03
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Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office; Other Offices
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2
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2.04
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Purpose
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2
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2.05
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Term
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2
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2.06
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No State-Law Partnership; Withdrawal
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2
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2.07
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Certain Undertakings Relating to Separateness
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3
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ARTICLE 3
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MATTERS RELATING TO MEMBERS
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3.01
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Members
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4
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3.02
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Creation of Additional Membership Interest
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4
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3.03
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Liability to Third Parties
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4
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ARTICLE 4
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CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS
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4.01
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Capital Contributions
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5
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4.02
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Loans
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5
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4.03
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Return of Contributions
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5
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ARTICLE 5
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DISTRIBUTIONS
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5.01
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Distributions
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5
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ARTICLE 6
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MANAGEMENT
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6.01
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Management
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5
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6.02
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Board of Directors
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8
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6.03
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Officers
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10
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6.04
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Duties of Officers and Directors
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12
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6.05
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Compensation
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12
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6.06
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Indemnification
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12
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i
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6.07
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Liability of Indemnitees
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14
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6.08
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Outside Activities
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6.09
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Resolution of Conflicts of Interest; Standard of Conduct
and Modification of Duties
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ARTICLE 7
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TAX MATTERS
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7.01
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Tax Returns and Tax Characterization
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15
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ARTICLE 8
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BOOKS, RECORDS, REPORTS, AND BANK ACCOUNTS
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8.01
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Maintenance of Books
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15
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8.02
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Reports
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15
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8.03
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Bank Accounts
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15
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ARTICLE 9
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DISSOLUTION, WINDING-UP AND TERMINATION
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9.01
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Dissolution
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16
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9.02
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Winding-Up and Termination
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16
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ARTICLE 10
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MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR CONVERSION
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10.01
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Authority
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17
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10.02
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Procedure for Merger, Consolidation or Conversion
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17
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10.03
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Approval by Members of Merger or Consolidation
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19
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10.04
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Certificate of Merger, Consolidation or Conversion
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19
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ARTICLE 11
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GENERAL PROVISIONS
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11.01
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Notices
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20
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11.02
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Entire Agreement; Supersedure
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21
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11.03
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Effect of Waiver or Consent
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21
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11.04
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Amendment or Restatement
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21
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11.05
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Binding Effect
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21
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11.06
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Governing Law; Severability
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21
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11.07
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Further Assurances
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22
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11.08
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Offset
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22
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11.09
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Counterparts
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22
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ii
FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
OF
SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS GP, LLC
A Delaware Limited Liability Company
THIS FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT (this
Agreement
) of
Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the
Company
), executed and
effective as of July 2, 2007 (the
Effective Date
), is adopted, executed and agreed to, by Spectra
Energy Transmission, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (
SET
), as the sole Member of the
Company.
RECITALS
A. SET formed the Company on March 19, 2007 as the sole member.
B. The Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company was executed effective March 19,
2007 (the
Existing Agreement
).
C. SET, the sole Member of the Company, deems it advisable to amend and restate the limited
liability company agreement of the Company in its entirety as set forth herein.
AGREEMENTS
For and in consideration of the premises, the covenants and agreements set forth herein and
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged,
SET, as the sole Member of the Company, hereby amends and restates the Existing Agreement in its
entirety as follows:
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS
1.01 Definitions
. Each capitalized term used herein shall have the meaning given such term in
Attachment I.
1.02 Construction
. Unless the context requires otherwise: (a) the gender (or lack of gender) of all
words used in this Agreement includes the masculine, feminine and neuter; (b) references to
Articles and Sections refer to Articles and Sections of this Agreement; (c) references to laws
refer to such laws as they may be amended from time to time, and references to particular
provisions of a law include any corresponding provisions of any succeeding law; (d) references to
money refer to legal currency of the United States of America; (e) including means including
without limitation and is a term of illustration and not of limitation; (f) all definitions set
forth herein shall be deemed applicable whether the words defined are used herein in the singular
or the plural; and (g) neither this Agreement nor any other agreement, document or instrument
referred to herein or executed and delivered in connection herewith shall be construed against any Person as
the principal draftsperson hereof or thereof.
[Signature Page to First A&R Limited Liability Company Agreement of Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC]
ARTICLE 2
ORGANIZATION
2.01 Formation
. The Company was organized as a Delaware limited liability company by the filing of a
Certificate of Formation (
Organizational Certificate
) on March 19, 2007 with the Secretary of
State of the State of Delaware under and pursuant to the Delaware Act.
2.02 Name
. The name of the Company is Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC and all Company business must
be conducted in that name or such other names that comply with law as the Board of Directors may
select.
2.03 Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office; Other Offices.
The registered office of the
Company required by the Delaware Act to be maintained in the State of Delaware shall be the office
of the initial registered agent for service of process named in the Organizational Certificate or
such other office (which need not be a place of business of the Company) as the Board of Directors
may designate in the manner provided by law. The registered agent for service of process of the
Company in the State of Delaware shall be the initial registered agent for service of process named
in the Organizational Certificate or such other Person or Persons as the Board of Directors may
designate in the manner provided by law. The principal office of the Company in the United States
shall be at such a place as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate, which need not
be in the State of Delaware, and the Company shall maintain records there and shall keep the street
address of such principal office at the registered office of the Company in the State of Delaware.
The Company may have such other offices as the Board of Directors may designate.
2.04 Purpose.
The purposes of the Company are the transaction of any or all lawful business for which
limited liability companies may be organized under the Delaware Act.
2.05 Term.
The period of existence of the Company commenced on March 19, 2007 and shall end at such
time as a certificate of cancellation is filed in accordance with Section 9.02(c).
2.06 No State-law Partnership; Withdrawal.
It is the intent that the Company shall be a limited
liability company formed under the laws of the State of Delaware and shall not be a partnership
(including a limited partnership) or joint venture, and that the Members not be a partner or joint
venturer of any other party for any purposes other than federal and state tax purposes, and this Agreement may not be construed to
suggest otherwise. A Member does not have the right to Withdraw from the Company;
provided
,
however
, that a Member shall have the power to Withdraw at any time in violation of this Agreement.
If a Member exercises such power in violation of this Agreement, (a) such Member shall be liable
to the Company and its Affiliates for all monetary damages suffered by them as a result of such
Withdrawal; and (b) such Member shall not have any rights under Section 18.604 of the Delaware Act.
In no event shall the Company have the right, through specific performance or otherwise, to
prevent a Member from Withdrawing in violation of this Agreement.
2
2.07 Certain Undertakings Relating to Separateness
.
(a)
Separateness Generally
. The Company shall, and shall cause SEP GP to, conduct
their respective businesses and operations in accordance with this Section 2.07.
(b)
Separate Records
. The Company shall, and shall cause SEP GP to, (i) maintain
their respective books and records and their respective accounts separate from those of any other
Person, (ii) maintain their respective financial records, which will be used by them in their
ordinary course of business, showing their respective assets and liabilities separate and apart
from those of any other Person, except their consolidated Subsidiaries, (iii) not have their
respective assets and/or liabilities included in a consolidated financial statement of any
Affiliate of the Company unless appropriate notation shall be made on such Affiliates consolidated
financial statements to indicate the separateness of the Company and SEP GP and their assets and
liabilities from such Affiliate and the assets and liabilities of such Affiliate, and to indicate
that the assets and liabilities of the Company and SEP GP are not available to satisfy the debts
and other obligations of such Affiliate, and (iv) file their respective own tax returns separate
from those of any other Person, except (A) to the extent that the Company or SEP GP (x) is treated
as a disregarded entity for tax purposes or (y) is not otherwise required to file tax returns
under applicable law or (B) as may otherwise be required by applicable law.
(c)
Separate Assets
. The Company shall not commingle or pool, and shall cause SEP GP
not to commingle or pool, their respective funds or other assets with those of any other Person,
and shall maintain their respective assets in a manner that is not costly or difficult to
segregate, ascertain or otherwise identify as separate from those of any other Person.
(d)
Separate Name
. The Company shall, and shall cause SEP GP to, (i) conduct their
respective businesses in their respective own names, (ii) use separate stationery, invoices, and
checks, (iii) correct any known misunderstanding regarding their respective separate identities
from that of any other Person (including SET and its Subsidiaries other than the Company and SEP
GP), and (iv) generally hold itself out as an entity separate from any other Person (including SET
and its Subsidiaries other than the Company and SEP GP).
(e)
Separate Credit
. The Company shall, and shall cause SEP GP to, (i) pay their
respective obligations and liabilities from their respective own funds (whether on hand or
borrowed), (ii) maintain adequate capital in light of their respective business operations, (iii)
not guarantee or become obligated for the debts of any other Person, other than the Company and
SEP GP and except to the extent specified in the Contribution Agreement or the Omnibus Agreement,
(iv) not hold out their respective credit as being available to satisfy the obligations or
liabilities of any other Person except to the extent specified in the Contribution Agreement or the
Omnibus Agreement, (v) not acquire debt obligations or debt securities of SET or its Affiliates
(other than the Company and SEP GP), (vi) not pledge their assets for the benefit of any Person or
make loans, advances or capital contributions to SET or any of its Affiliates (other than the MLP
and its Subsidiaries and, with respect to the Company, other than SEP GP), or (vii) use its
commercially reasonable efforts to cause the operative documents under which SEP GP borrows money,
is an issuer of debt securities, or guarantees any such borrowing or issuance after the Effective
Date, to contain provisions to the effect that (A) the lenders or purchasers of debt securities,
respectively, acknowledge that they have advanced funds or purchased debt securities,
3
respectively,
in reliance upon the separateness of the Company and SEP GP from each other and from any other
Persons (including SET and its Affiliates, other than the Company and SEP GP) and (B) the Company
and SEP GP have assets and liabilities that are separate from those of other persons (including SET
and its Affiliates, other than the Company and SEP GP); provided that the Company and SEP GP may
engage in any transaction described in clauses (v)-(vi) of this Section 2.07(e) if prior Special
Approval has been obtained for such transaction and either (A) the Conflicts Committee has
determined that the borrower or recipient of the credit support is not then insolvent and will not
be rendered insolvent as a result of such transaction or (B) in the case of transactions described
in clause (v), such transaction is completed through a public sale or a National Securities
Exchange.
(f)
Separate Formalities
. The Company shall, and shall cause SEP GP to, (i) observe
all limited liability company or partnership formalities and other formalities required by their
respective organizational documents, the laws of the jurisdiction of their respective formation, or
other laws, rules, regulations and orders of governmental authorities exercising jurisdiction over
it, (ii) engage in transactions with SET and its Affiliates (other than the Company or SEP GP) in
conformity with the requirements of Section 6.09 of this Agreement, and (iii) subject to the terms
of the Omnibus Agreement, promptly pay, from their respective own funds and on a timely basis,
their respective allocable shares of general and administrative expenses, capital expenditures, and
costs for services performed by SET or Affiliates of SET (other than the Company or SEP GP).
(g)
No Effect
. Failure by the Company to comply with any of the obligations set forth
above shall not affect the status of the Company as a separate legal entity, with its separate
assets and separate liabilities or restrict or limit the Company from engaging or contracting with
SET and its Affiliates for the provision of services or the purchase or sale of products, whether
under the Omnibus Agreement or otherwise.
ARTICLE 3
MATTERS RELATING TO MEMBERS
3.01 Members.
SET has previously been admitted as a Member of the Company.
3.02 Creation of Additional Membership Interest.
The Company may issue additional Membership Interests
in the Company pursuant to this Section 3.02. The terms of admission or issuance may provide for
the creation of different classes or groups of Members having different rights, powers, and duties.
The creation of any new class or group of Members approved as required herein may be reflected in
an amendment to this Agreement executed in accordance with Section 11.04 indicating the different
rights, powers, and duties thereof. Any such admission is effective only after the new Member has
executed and delivered to the Members an instrument containing the notice address of the new Member
and the new Members ratification of this Agreement and agreement to be bound by it.
3.03 Liability to Third Parties.
No Member or beneficial owner of any Membership Interest shall be
liable for the Liabilities of the Company.
4
ARTICLE 4
CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS
4.01 Capital Contributions.
(a) In exchange for its Membership Interest, SET has made certain Capital Contributions.
(b) The amount of money and the fair market value (as of the date of contribution) of any
property (other than money) contributed to the Company by a Member in respect of the issuance of a
Membership Interest to such Member shall constitute a
Capital Contribution
. Any reference in
this Agreement to the Capital Contribution of a Member shall include a Capital Contribution of its
predecessors in interest.
4.02 Loans.
If the Company does not have sufficient cash to pay its obligations, any Member that may
agree to do so may, upon Special Approval, advance all or part of the needed funds for such
obligation to or on behalf of the Company. An advance described in this Section 4.02 constitutes a
loan from the Member to the Company, may bear interest at a rate comparable to the rate the Company
could obtain from third parties, and is not a Capital Contribution.
4.03 Return of Contributions.
A Member is not entitled to the return of any part of its Capital
Contributions or to be paid interest in respect of its Capital Contributions. An unrepaid Capital
Contribution is not a liability of the Company or of any Member. No Member will be required to
contribute or to lend any cash or property to the Company to enable the Company to return any
Members Capital Contributions.
ARTICLE 5
DISTRIBUTIONS
5.01 Distributions
.
Subject to Section 9.02, within 45 days following each Quarter other than any
Quarter in which the dissolution of the Company has commenced (the
Distribution Date
), the
Company shall distribute to the Members the Companys Available Cash on such Distribution Date.
ARTICLE 6
MANAGEMENT
6.01 Management.
(a) All management powers over the business and affairs of the Company shall be exclusively
vested in a Board of Directors (
Board of Directors
or
Board
) and, subject to the direction of
the Board of Directors, the Officers. The Officers and Directors shall each constitute a manager
of the Company within the meaning of the Delaware Act. Except as otherwise specifically provided
in this Agreement, no Member, by virtue of having the status of a Member, shall have or attempt to
exercise or assert any management power over the business and affairs of the Company or shall have
or attempt to exercise or assert actual or apparent authority to enter into contracts on behalf of,
or to otherwise bind, the Company. Except as
5
otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement,
the authority and functions of the Board of Directors on the one hand and of the Officers on the
other shall be identical to the authority and functions of the board of directors and officers,
respectively, of a corporation organized under the Delaware General Corporation law. Except as
otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, the business and affairs of the Company shall be
managed under the direction of the Board of Directors, and the day-to-day activities of the Company
shall be conducted on the Companys behalf by the Officers, who shall be agents of the Company.
(b) In addition to the powers that now or hereafter can be granted to managers under the
Delaware Act and to all other powers granted under any other provision of this Agreement, except as
otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Board of Directors and the Officers shall have full power
and authority to do all things as are not restricted by this Agreement, the SEP GP Agreement, the
Delaware Act or applicable law, on such terms as they may deem necessary or appropriate to conduct,
or cause to be conducted, the business and affairs of the Company.
(c) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, without obtaining Extraordinary Approval,
the Company shall not, and shall not take any action to cause either SEP GP or the MLP to, (i) make
or consent to a general assignment for the benefit of its respective creditors; (ii) file or
consent to the filing of any bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization petition for relief under the
United States Bankruptcy Code naming the Company, SEP GP or the MLP, as applicable, or otherwise
seek, with respect to the Company, SEP GP or the MLP, relief from debts or protection from
creditors generally; (iii) file or consent to the filing of a petition or answer seeking for the
Company, SEP GP or the MLP, as applicable, a liquidation, dissolution, arrangement, or similar relief under any law; (iv) file an answer or
other pleading admitting or failing to contest the material allegations of a petition filed against
the Company, SEP GP or the MLP, as applicable, in a proceeding of the type described in any of
clauses (i) (iii) of this Section 6.01(c); (v) seek, consent to or acquiesce in the appointment
of a receiver, liquidator, conservator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator, custodian or any similar
official for the Company, SEP GP or the MLP, as applicable, or for all or any substantial portion
of either entitys properties; (vi) sell all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, SEP
GP or the MLP; (vii) dissolve or liquidate, except in the case of SEP GP, in accordance with
Article VIII of the SEP GP Agreement; (viii) merge or consolidate; (ix) amend the MLP Partnership
Agreement; (x) make a material change in the amount of the quarterly distributions made on the MLP
Interests or the payment of any material extraordinary distribution on the MLP Interests; (xi)
enter into any agreement or series of related agreements involving expenditures in excess of
$15,000,000
.
(d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, SET, as the sole Member of the Company,
shall have exclusive authority over the business and affairs of the Company that do not relate to
management and control of the MLP. The type of matter referred to in the prior sentence where SET,
as the sole Member of the Company, shall have exclusive authority shall include, but not be limited
to, (i) the amount and timing of distributions paid by the Company or SEP GP, (ii) the issuance or
repurchase of any equity interests in the Company or SEP GP, (iii) the prosecution, settlement or
management of any claim made directly against the Company or SEP GP, (iv) whether to sell, convey,
transfer or pledge any asset of the Company or SEP GP, (v) whether to amend, modify or waive any
rights relating to the assets of the Company or SEP
6
GP (including the decision to amend or forego
distributions in respect of the Incentive Distribution Rights), and (vi) whether to enter into any
agreement to incur an obligation of the Company or SEP GP other than an agreement entered into for
and on behalf of the MLP for which the Company or SEP GP are liable exclusively by virtue of SEP
GPs capacity as general partner of the MLP or of any of its affiliates. Further, SET, as the sole
Member of the Company, shall have exclusive authority to cause the Company to exercise the rights
of the Company and those of SEP GP, as general partner of the MLP (or those exercisable after SEP
GP ceases to be the general partner of the MLP), pursuant to the following provisions of the MLP
Partnership Agreement:
(i) Section 2.4 (
Purpose and Business
), with respect to decisions to propose or approve the
conduct by the MLP of any business;
(ii) Sections 4.6(a) and (b) (
Transfer of the General Partners General Partner Interest
)
and Section 4.7 (
Transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights
), solely with respect to the decision
by SEP GP to transfer its general partner interest in the MLP or its Incentive Distribution Rights;
(iii) Section 5.2(b) (
Contributions by the General Partner and its Affiliates
), solely with
respect to the decision to make additional Capital Contributions to the MLP;
(iv) Section 5.8 (
Limited Preemptive Right
);
(v) Section 5.11 (
Issuance of Class B Units in Connection with Reset of Incentive
Distribution Rights
), with respect to any decision by the Company or SEP GP thereunder as a holder
of Incentive Distribution Rights or Class B Units;
(vi) Section 7.5(c) (relating to the right of SEP GP and its Affiliates to purchase Units or
other Partnership Securities and exercise rights related thereto) and Section 7.11 (
Purchase and
Sale of Partnership Securities
), solely with respect to decisions by the Company or SEP GP to
purchase or otherwise acquire and sell Partnership Securities for their own account;
(vii) Section 7.6(a) (
Loans from the General Partner; Loans or Contributions from the
Partnership or Group Members
), solely with respect to the decision by the Company or SEP GP to
lend funds to a Group Member, subject to the provisions of Section 7.9 of the MLP Partnership
Agreement;
(viii) Section 7.7 (
Indemnification
), solely with respect to any decision by the Company or
SEP GP to exercise their respective rights as Indemnitees;
(ix) Section 7.12 (
Registration Rights of the General Partner and its Affiliates
), solely
with respect to any decision to exercise registration rights and to take actions in connection
therewith;
7
(x) Section 11.1 (
Withdrawal of the General Partner
), solely with respect to the decision by
SEP GP to withdraw as general partner of the MLP and to giving notices required thereunder;
(xi) Section 11.3(a) and (b) (
Interest of Departing General Partner and Successor General
Partner
); and
(xii) Section 15.1 (
Right to Acquire Limited Partner Interests
).
6.02 Board of Directors.
(a)
Generally.
The Board of Directors shall initially consist of six natural persons and, in
the discretion of SET, may be increased to consist of up to 10 natural persons. The members of
the Board of Directors shall be appointed by SET;
provided
that (i) at least one member of the
Board of Directors at the time of the closing of the initial public offering of Common Units (the
IPO
) shall be a natural person who meets the independence, qualification and experience
requirements of the New York Stock Exchange, the independence, qualification and experience
requirements of Section 10A(m)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (or any successor law),
the rules and regulations of the SEC and other applicable law (an
Independent Director
), (ii) at
least two members of the Board of Directors shall be natural persons who are Independent Directors
at all times from and after the 90th day following the effective date of the registration statement
related to the IPO and (iii) at least three members of the Board of Directors shall be natural
persons who are Independent Directors at all times from and after the first anniversary of the
effective date of the registration statement relating to the IPO;
provided
,
however
, that if at any time the Board of Directors does not include the
requisite number of Independent Directors as specified above, the Board of Directors shall still
have all powers and authority granted to it hereunder, but SET shall endeavor to appoint one or
more additional Independent Directors as necessary to come into compliance with this Section
6.02(a).
(b)
Term; Resignation; Vacancies; Removal.
Each Director shall hold office until his
successor is appointed and qualified or until his earlier resignation or removal. Any Director may
resign at any time upon written notice to the Board, the Chairman of the Board, to the Chief
Executive Officer or to any other Officer. Such resignation shall take effect at the time specified
therein, and unless otherwise specified therein no acceptance of such resignation shall be
necessary to make it effective. Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any
increase in the authorized number of Directors or from any other cause shall be filled by SET. Any
Director may be removed, with or without cause, by SET at any time, and the vacancy in the Board
caused by any such removal shall be filled by SET.
(c)
Voting; Quorum
. Unless otherwise required by the Delaware Act, other law or the
provisions hereof,
(i) each member of the Board of Directors shall have one vote;
(ii) except for matters requiring Special Approval, the presence at a meeting of a majority of
the members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum at any such meeting for the
transaction of business; and
8
(iii) except for matters requiring Special Approval, the act of a majority of the members of
the Board of Directors present at a meeting duly called in accordance with Section 6.02(d) at which
a quorum is present shall be deemed to constitute the act of the Board of Directors.
(d)
Meetings
. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at such times and
places as shall be designated from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors. Special
meetings of the Board of Directors or meetings of any committee thereof may be called by written
request authorized by any member of the Board of Directors or a committee thereof on at least 24
hours prior written notice to the other members of such Board or committee. Any such notice, or
waiver thereof, need not state the purpose of such meeting, except as may otherwise be required by
law. Attendance of a Director at a meeting (including pursuant to the last sentence of this
Section 6.02(d)) shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where such Director
attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the
ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Any action required or permitted to be
taken at a meeting of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may be taken without a
meeting, without prior notice and without a vote if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth
the action so taken, are signed by at least as many members of the Board of Directors or committee
thereof as would have been required to take such action at a meeting of the Board of Directors or
such committee. Members of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may participate in and
hold a meeting by means of conference telephone, video conference or similar communications
equipment by means of which all Persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in such
meetings shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.
(e)
Committees
.
(i) Subject to compliance with this Article 6, committees of the Board of Directors shall have
and may exercise such of the powers and authority of the Board of Directors with respect to the
management of the business and affairs of the Company as may be provided in a resolution of the
Board of Directors. Any committee designated pursuant to this Section 6.02(e) shall choose its own
chairman, shall keep regular minutes of its proceedings and report the same to the Board of
Directors when requested, and, subject to Section 6.02(d), shall fix its own rules or procedures
and shall meet at such times and at such place or places as may be provided by such rules or by
resolution of such committee or resolution of the Board of Directors. At every meeting of any such
committee, the presence of a majority of all the members thereof shall constitute a quorum and the
affirmative vote of a majority of the members present shall be necessary for the adoption by it of
any resolution (except for obtaining Special Approval at meetings of the Conflicts Committee, which
requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of such committee). The Board of
Directors may designate one or more Directors as alternate members of any committee who may replace
any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of such committee;
provided
,
however
, that any
such designated alternate of the Audit Committee or the Conflicts Committee must meet the standards
for an Independent Director. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the
member or members present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not
constituting a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at
the meeting in the place of the absent or disqualified member;
provided
,
however
, that any
9
such
replacement member of the Audit Committee or the Conflicts Committee must meet the standards for an
Independent Director.
(ii) In addition to any other committees established by the Board of Directors pursuant to
Section 6.02(e)(i), the Board of Directors shall maintain a
Conflicts Committee
, which shall be
composed of at least two Independent Directors none of whom is a security holder, officer or
employee of the Company or SEP GP; is an officer, director or employee of any Affiliate of the
Company or SEP GP; or is a holder of any ownership interest in the MLP Group other than Common
Units. The Conflicts Committee shall be responsible for (A) approving or disapproving, as the case
may be, any matters regarding the business and affairs of the Company, SEP GP or the MLP considered
by, or submitted to, such Conflicts Committee at the request of the Board of Directors pursuant to
the terms of this Agreement or the MLP Partnership Agreement, (B) approving any amendment to the
Omnibus Agreement requiring the approval of the Conflicts Committee pursuant to Section 4.6
thereof, (C) amending (1) Section 2.07, (2) the definitions of
Independent Director
in
Section 6.02(a) or (3) this Section 6.02(e)(ii), and (E) performing such other functions as the
Board may assign from time to time or as may be specified in a written charter of the Conflicts
Committee.
(iii) In addition to any other committees established by the Board of Directors pursuant to
Section 6.02(e)(i), the Board of Directors shall maintain an
Audit Committee
, which shall be
composed of (A) at least one Independent Director at the time of the closing of the IPO, (B) at
least two Independent Directors at all times from and after the 90th day following the effective date of the registration statement related to the IPO and (C) at least
three Independent Directors at all times from and after the first anniversary of the effective date
of the registration statement related to the IPO. The Audit Committee shall be responsible for (A)
assisting the Board in monitoring (1) the quality and integrity of the MLPs financial statements,
(2) the MLPs compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (3) the qualifications and
independence of the MLPs independent auditors, (4) the performance the internal audit function and
independent auditors of the Company, SEP GP and the MLP, and (5) the implementation and
effectiveness of the MLPs ethics and compliance program and the commitment of the Board of
Directors to its ethical and compliance responsibilities and (B) preparing any reports that may be
required by the rules of the SEC to be included in the MLPs annual report on Form 10-K. The Audit
Committee shall perform such other functions as the Board may assign from time to time or as may be
specified in a written charter for the Audit Committee adopted by the Board.
6.03 Officers.
(a)
Generally
. The Board of Directors, as set forth below, shall appoint officers of the
Company (
Officers
), who shall (together with the Directors) constitute managers of the Company
for the purposes of the Delaware Act. Unless provided otherwise by resolution of the Board of
Directors, the Officers shall have the titles, power, authority and duties described below in this
Section 6.03.
(b)
Titles and Number
. The Company may appoint one or more officers, including a Chairman of
the Board (unless the Board of Directors provides otherwise), a President and Chief Executive
Officer, a Chief Financial Officer, one or more Vice Presidents, a
10
Secretary, any Treasurer and one
or more Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers. Any person may hold more then one office.
(c)
Appointment and Term of Office
. The Officers shall be appointed by the Board of Directors
at such time and for such term as the Board of Directors shall determine. Any Officer may be
removed, with or without cause, only by the Board of Directors. Vacancies in any office may be
filled only by the Board of Directors.
(d)
Chairman of the Board
. The Chairman of the Board shall preside at all meetings of the
Board of Directors and of the unitholders of the MLP; and he shall have such other powers and
duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Board of Directors.
(e)
President and Chief Executive Officer
. Subject to the limitations imposed by this
Agreement, any employment agreement, any employee plan or any determination of the Board of
Directors, the President and Chief Executive Officer, subject to the direction of the Board of
Directors, shall be the chief executive officer of the Company and shall be responsible for the
management and direction of the day-to-day business and affairs of the Company, its other Officers,
employees and agents, shall supervise generally the affairs of the Company and shall have full
authority to execute all documents and take all actions that the Company may legally take. In the
absence of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer shall preside at all meetings of
the unitholders of the MLP and at all meetings of the Board of Directors provided that he is a director of the Company. The Chief Executive Officer shall
exercise such other powers and perform such other duties as may be assigned to him by this
Agreement or the Board of Directors, including any duties and powers provided for in any employment
agreement approved by the Board of Directors.
(f)
Chief Financial Officer
. The Chief Financial Officer shall keep and maintain, or cause to
be kept and maintained, adequate and correct books and records of account of the Company and SEP
GP. He shall receive and deposit all moneys and other valuables belonging to the Company in the
name and to the credit of the Company and shall disburse the same and only in such manner as the
Board of Directors or the appropriate Officer of the Company may from time to time determine. He
shall receive and deposit all moneys and other valuables belonging to SEP GP in the name and to the
credit of SEP GP and shall disburse the same and only in such manner as the Board of Directors or
the Chief Executive Officer may require. He shall render to the Board of Directors and the
President and Chief Executive Officer, whenever any of them request it, an account of all his
transactions as Chief Financial Officer and of the financial condition of the Company, and shall
perform such further duties as the Board of Directors or the President and the Chief Executive
Officer may require. The Chief Financial Officer shall have the same power as the President and
Chief Executive Officer to execute documents on behalf of the Company.
(g)
Vice Presidents
. In the absence of a President and Chief Executive Officer, each Vice
President appointed by the Board of Directors shall have all of the powers and duties conferred
upon the President and Chief Executive Officer, including the same power as the President and Chief
Executive Officer to execute documents on behalf of the Company. Each such Vice President shall
perform such other duties and may exercise such other powers as
11
may from time to time be assigned
to him by the Board of Directors or the President and Chief Executive Officer.
(h)
Secretary and Assistant Secretaries
. The Secretary shall record or cause to be recorded
in books provided for that purpose the minutes of the meetings or actions of the Board of
Directors, shall see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of this
Agreement and as required by law, shall be custodian of all records (other than financial), shall
see that the books, reports, statements, certificates and all other documents and records required
by law are properly kept and filed, and, in general, shall perform all duties incident to the
office of Secretary and such other duties as may, from time to time, be assigned to him by this
Agreement, the Board of Directors or the President and Chief Executive Officer. The Assistant
Secretaries shall exercise the powers of the Secretary during that Officers absence or inability
or refusal to act.
(i)
Treasurer and Assistant Treasurers
. The Treasurer shall have such duties as may be
specified by the Chief Financial Officer in the performance of his duties. The Assistant
Treasurers shall exercise the power of the Treasurer during that Officers absence or inability or
refusal to act. Each of the Assistant Treasurers shall possess the same power as the Treasurer to
sign all certificates, contracts, obligations and other instruments of the Company. If no
Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer is appointed and serving or in the absence of the appointed
Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer, any Vice President, or such other Officer as the Board of
Directors shall select, shall have the powers and duties conferred upon the Treasurer.
(j)
Powers of Attorney
. The Company may grant powers of attorney or other authority as
appropriate to establish and evidence the authority of the Officers and other persons.
(k)
Delegation of Authority
. Unless otherwise provided by resolution of the Board of
Directors, no Officer shall have the power or authority to delegate to any person such Officers
rights and powers as an Officer to manage the business and affairs of the Company.
(l)
Tenure
. The Board of Directors shall appoint Officers of the Company to serve from the
date hereof until the death, resignation or removal by the Board of Directors with or without cause
of such Officer.
6.04 Duties of Officers and Directors.
Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement or
in the MLP Partnership Agreement, the duties and obligations owed to the Company and to the Board
of Directors by the Officers of the Company and by members of the Board of Directors of the Company
shall be the same as the respective duties and obligations owed to a corporation organized under
the Delaware General Corporation law by its officers and directors, respectively.
6.05 Compensation.
The members of the Board of Directors who are neither Officers nor employees of the
Company shall be entitled to compensation as directors and committee members as approved by the
Board and shall be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending
meetings of the Board of Directors or committees thereof.
6.06 Indemnification.
12
(a) To the fullest extent permitted by law but subject to the limitations expressly provided
in this Agreement, all Indemnitees shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company from and
against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, expenses (including
legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, penalties, interest, settlements or other amounts
arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative, in which any Indemnitee may be involved, or is threatened to be
involved, as a party or otherwise, by reason of its status as an Indemnitee;
provided
, that the
Indemnitee shall not be indemnified and held harmless if there has been a final and non-appealable
judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter
for which the Indemnitee is seeking indemnification pursuant to this Section 6.06, the Indemnitee
acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud, willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter,
acted with knowledge that the Indemnitees conduct was unlawful. Any indemnification pursuant to
this Section 6.06 shall be made only out of the assets of the Company, it being agreed that the
Members shall not be personally liable for such indemnification and shall have no obligation to
contribute or loan any monies or property to the Company to enable it to effectuate such
indemnification.
(b) To the fullest extent permitted by law, expenses (including legal fees and expenses)
incurred by an Indemnitee who is indemnified pursuant to Section 6.06(a) in defending any claim,
demand, action, suit or proceeding shall, from time to time, be advanced by the Company prior to a
determination that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified upon receipt by the Company of
any undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay such amount if it shall be determined
that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified as authorized in this Section 9.1.
(c) The indemnification provided by this Section 6.06 shall be in addition to any other rights
to which an Indemnitee may be entitled under any agreement, as a matter of law or otherwise, both
as to actions in the Indemnitees capacity as an Indemnitee and as to actions in any other capacity
(including any capacity under the Underwriting Agreement (as such term is defined in the
Partnership Agreement)), and shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to serve in such
capacity and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, successors, assigns and administrators of the
Indemnitee.
(d) The Company may purchase and maintain (or reimburse the General Partner or its Affiliates
for the cost of) insurance on behalf of the Indemnitees, the Company and its Affiliates and such
other Persons as the Company shall determine, against any liability that may be asserted against or
expense that may be incurred by such Person in connection with the Companys activities or such
Persons activities on behalf of the Company, regardless of whether the Company would have the
power to indemnify such Person against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement.
(e) For purposes of this Section 6.06, the Company shall be deemed to have requested an
Indemnitee to serve as fiduciary of an employee benefit plan whenever the performance by it of its
duties to the Company also imposes duties on, or otherwise involves services by, it to the plan or
participants or beneficiaries of the plan; excise taxes assessed on an Indemnitee with respect to
an employee benefit plan pursuant to applicable law shall constitute fines within the meaning of
Section 6.06; and action taken or omitted by it with respect to any
13
employee benefit plan in the
performance of its duties for a purpose reasonably believed by it to be in the best interest of the
participants and beneficiaries of the plan shall be deemed to be for a purpose that is in the best
interests of the Company.
(f) In no event may an Indemnitee subject the Members to personal liability by reason of the
indemnification provisions set forth in this Agreement.
(g) An Indemnitee shall not be denied indemnification in whole or in part under this Section
6.06 because the Indemnitee had an interest in the transaction with respect to which the
indemnification applies if the transaction was otherwise permitted by the terms of this Agreement.
(h) The provisions of this Section 6.06 are for the benefit of the Indemnitees, their heirs,
successors, assigns and administrators and shall not be deemed to create any rights for the benefit
of any other Persons.
(i) No amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 6.06 or any provision hereof shall in
any manner terminate, reduce or impair the right of any past, present or future Indemnitee to be
indemnified by the Company, nor the obligations of the Company to indemnify any such Indemnitee
under and in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.06 as in effect immediately prior to
such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters
occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when
such claims may arise or be asserted.
(j) THE PROVISIONS OF THE INDEMNIFICATION PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION 6.06 ARE INTENDED BY THE
PARTIES TO APPLY EVEN IF SUCH PROVISIONS HAVE THE EFFECT OF EXCULPATING THE INDEMNITEE FROM LEGAL
RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CONSEQUENCES OF SUCH PERSONS NEGLIGENCE, FAULT OR OTHER CONDUCT.
6.07 Liability of Indemnitees.
(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement or the MLP Agreement,
no Indemnitee shall be liable for monetary damages to the Company, the MLP, the Members or any
other Person, for losses sustained or liabilities incurred as a result of any act or omission of an
Indemnitee unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of
competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter in question, the Indemnitee acted
in bad faith or engaged in fraud, willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted
with knowledge that the Indemnitees conduct was criminal.
(b) Subject to its obligations and duties as set forth in this Article 6, the Board of
Directors and any committee thereof may exercise any of the powers granted to it by this Agreement
and perform any of the duties imposed upon it hereunder either directly or by or through the
Companys Officers or agents, and neither the Board of Directors nor any committee thereof shall be
responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such Officer or agent appointed by
the Board of Directors or any committee thereof in good faith.
14
(c) To the extent that, at law or in equity, an Indemnitee has duties (including fiduciary
duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Company or the Members, such Indemnitee acting in
connection with the Companys business or affairs shall not be liable to the Company or to any
Member for its good faith reliance on the provisions of this Agreement.
(d) Any amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 6.07 or any provision hereof shall
be prospective only and shall not in any way affect the limitations on the liability of the
Indemnitees under this Section 6.07 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification
or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in
part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or
be asserted.
ARTICLE 7
TAX MATTERS
7.01 Tax Returns and Tax Characterization.
(a) The Board of Directors shall cause to be prepared and timely filed (on behalf of the
Company) all federal, state and local tax returns required to be filed by the Company, including
making all elections on such tax returns. The Company shall bear the costs of the preparation and
filing of its returns.
(b) The Company and the Member acknowledge that for federal income tax purposes, the Company
will be disregarded as an entity separate from the Member pursuant to Treasury Regulation
§301.7701-3 as long as all of the Membership Interests in the Company are owned by SET.
ARTICLE 8
BOOKS, RECORDS, REPORTS, AND BANK ACCOUNTS
8.01 Maintenance of Books
.
(a) The Board of Directors shall keep or cause to be kept at the principal office of the
Company or at such other location approved by the Board of Directors complete and accurate books
and records of the Company, supporting documentation of the transactions with respect to the
conduct of the Companys business and minutes of the proceedings of the Board of Directors and any
other books and records that are required to be maintained by applicable law.
(b) The books of account of the Company shall be maintained on the basis of a fiscal year that
is the calendar year and on an accrual basis in accordance with United States generally accepted
accounting principles, consistently applied.
8.02 Reports
. The Board of Directors shall cause to be prepared and delivered to each Member such
reports, forecasts, studies, budgets and other information as the Members may reasonably request
from time to time.
8.03 Bank Accounts
. Funds of the Company shall be deposited in such banks or other depositories as
shall be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors. All withdrawals
15
from any such
depository shall be made only as authorized by the Board of Directors and shall be made only by
check, wire transfer, debit memorandum or other written instruction.
ARTICLE 9
DISSOLUTION, WINDING-UP AND TERMINATION
9.01 Dissolution
.
(a) Subject to compliance with Section 6.01(c), the Company shall dissolve and its affairs
shall be wound up on the first to occur of the following events (each a
Dissolution Event
):
(i) the receipt of Extraordinary Approval;
(ii) the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Company under Section 18-802 of the
Delaware Act; and
(iii) at any time there are no Members of the Company, unless the Company is continued in
accordance with the Delaware Act or this Agreement.
(b) No other event shall cause a dissolution of the Company.
(c) Upon the occurrence of any event that causes there to be no Members of the Company, to the
fullest extent permitted by law, the personal representative of the last remaining Member is hereby
authorized to, and shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of the event that terminated the
continued membership of such Member in the Company, agree in writing (i) to continue the Company
and (ii) to the admission of the personal representative or its nominee or designee, as the case
may be, as a substitute Member of the Company, effective as of the occurrence of the event that
terminated the continued membership of such Member in the Company.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Bankruptcy of a Member shall
not cause such Member to cease to be a member of the Company, and, upon the occurrence of such an
event, the Company shall continue without dissolution.
9.02 Winding-Up and Termination
.
(a) On the occurrence of a Dissolution Event, the Board of Directors shall select one or more
Persons to act as liquidator. The liquidator shall proceed diligently to wind up the affairs of
the Company and make final distributions as provided herein and in the Delaware Act. The costs of
winding up shall be borne as a Company expense. Until final distribution, the liquidator shall
continue to operate the Company properties with all of the power and authority of the Board of
Directors. The steps to be accomplished by the liquidator are as follows:
(i) as promptly as possible after dissolution and again after final winding up, the liquidator
shall cause a proper accounting to be made by a recognized firm of certified public accountants of
the Companys assets, liabilities, and operations through the last
16
calendar day of the month in
which the dissolution occurs or the final winding up is completed, as applicable;
(ii) the liquidator shall discharge from Company funds all of the debts, liabilities and
obligations of the Company or otherwise make adequate provision for payment and discharge thereof
(including the establishment of a cash escrow fund for contingent liabilities in such amount and
for such term as the liquidator may reasonably determine); and
(iii) all remaining assets of the Company shall be distributed to the Members as follows:
(A) the liquidator may sell any or all Company property, including to Members;
and
(B) Company property (including cash) shall be distributed to the Members.
(b) The distribution of cash or property to a Member in accordance with the provisions of this
Section 9.02 constitutes a complete return to the Member of its Capital Contributions and a
complete distribution to the Member of its share of all the Companys property and constitutes a
compromise to which all Members have consented within the meaning of Section 18-502(b) of the
Delaware Act. No Member shall be required to make any Capital Contribution to the Company to
enable the Company to make the distributions described in this Section 9.02.
(c) On completion of such final distribution, the liquidator shall file a certificate of
cancellation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and take such other actions as
may be necessary to terminate the existence of the Company.
ARTICLE 10
MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR CONVERSION
10.01 Authority
. Subject to compliance with Section 6.01(c), the Company may merge or consolidate with
one or more corporations, limited liability companies, statutory trusts or associations, real
estate investment trusts, common law trusts or unincorporated businesses, including a partnership
(whether general or limited (including a limited liability partnership)) or convert into any such
entity, whether such entity is formed under the laws of the State of Delaware or any other state of
the United States of America, pursuant to a written agreement of merger or consolidation (
Merger
Agreement
) or a written plan of conversion (
Plan of Conversion
), as the case may be, in
accordance with this Article 10. The surviving entity to any such merger, consolidation or
conversion is referred to herein as the
Surviving Business Entity
.
10.02 Procedure for Merger, Consolidation or Conversion
.
(a) The merger, consolidation or conversion of the Company pursuant to this Article 10
requires the prior approval of a majority of the Board of Directors and compliance with Section
10.03.
17
(b) If the Board of Directors shall determine to consent to a merger or consolidation, the
Board of Directors shall approve the Merger Agreement, which shall set forth:
(i) the names and jurisdictions of formation or organization of each of the business entities
proposing to merge or consolidate;
(ii) the name and jurisdiction of formation or organization of the Surviving Business Entity
that is to survive the proposed merger or consolidation;
(iii) the terms and conditions of the proposed merger or consolidation;
(iv) the manner and basis of exchanging or converting the equity securities of each
constituent business entity for, or into, cash, property or interests, rights, securities or
obligations of the Surviving Business Entity; and (A) if any general or limited partner interests,
securities or rights of any constituent business entity are not to be exchanged or converted solely
for, or into, cash, property or general or limited partner interests, rights, securities or
obligations of the Surviving Business Entity, the cash, property or interests, rights, securities
or obligations of any general or limited partnership, corporation, trust, limited liability
company, unincorporated business or other entity (other than the Surviving Business Entity) which
the holders of such general or limited partner interests, securities or rights are to receive in
exchange for, or upon conversion of their interests, securities or rights, and (B) in the case of
securities represented by certificates, upon the surrender of such certificates, which cash,
property or general or limited partner interests, rights, securities or obligations of the
Surviving Business Entity or any general or limited partnership, corporation, trust, limited
liability company, unincorporated business or other entity (other than the Surviving Business
Entity), or evidences thereof, are to be delivered;
(v) a statement of any changes in the constituent documents or the adoption of new constituent
documents (the articles or certificate of incorporation, articles of trust, declaration of trust,
certificate or agreement of limited partnership, certificate of formation, limited liability
company agreement or other similar charter or governing document) of the Surviving Business Entity
to be effected by such merger or consolidation;
(vi) the effective time of the merger, which may be the date of the filing of the certificate
of merger pursuant to Section 10.04 or a later date specified in or determinable in accordance with
the Merger Agreement (provided, that if the effective time of the merger is to be later than the
date of the filing of such certificate of merger, the effective time shall be fixed at a date or
time certain at or prior to the time of the filing of such certificate of merger and stated
therein); and
(vii) such other provisions with respect to the proposed merger or consolidation as are deemed
necessary or appropriate by the Board of Directors.
(c) If the Board of Directors shall determine to consent to the conversion, the Board of
Directors shall approve and adopt a Plan of Conversion containing such terms and conditions that
the Board of Directors determines to be necessary or appropriate.
18
10.03 Approval by Members of Merger or Consolidation
.
(a) The Board of Directors, upon its approval of the Merger Agreement or Plan of Conversion,
as the case may be, shall direct that the Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as
applicable, be submitted to a vote of the Members, whether at a meeting or by written consent. A
copy or a summary of the Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as applicable, shall be
included in or enclosed with the notice of a special meeting or the written consent.
(b) The Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as applicable, shall be approved upon
receiving the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of a majority of the Members.
(c) After such approval by vote or consent of the Members, and at any time prior to the filing
of the certificate of merger, consolidation or conversion pursuant to Section 10.04, the merger,
consolidation or conversion may be abandoned pursuant to provisions therefor, if any, set forth in
the Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as the case may be.
10.04 Certificate of Merger, Consolidation or Conversion.
(a) Upon the required approval, if any, by the Board of Directors and the Members of a Merger
Agreement or a Plan of Conversion, as the case may be, a certificate of merger, consolidation or
conversion, as applicable, shall be executed and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware in conformity with the requirements of the Delaware Act.
(b) At the effective time of the certificate of merger or consolidation:
(i) all of the rights, privileges and powers of each of the business entities that has merged
or consolidated, and all property, real, personal and mixed, and all debts due to any of those
business entities and all other things and causes of action belonging to each of those business
entities shall be vested in the Surviving Business Entity and after the merger or consolidation
shall be the property of the Surviving Business Entity to the extent they were property of each
constituent business entity;
(ii) the title to any real property vested by deed or otherwise in any of those constituent
business entities shall not revert and is not in any way impaired because of the merger or
consolidation;
(iii) all rights of creditors and all liens on or security interest in property of any of
those constituent business entities shall be preserved unimpaired; and
(iv) all debts, liabilities and duties of those constituent business entities shall attach to
the Surviving Business Entity, and may be enforced against it to the same extent as if the debts,
liabilities and duties had been incurred or contracted by it.
(c) At the effective time of the certificate of conversion:
19
(i) the Company shall continue to exist, without interruption, but in the organizational form
of the converted entity rather than in its prior organizational form;
(ii) all rights, title, and interests to all real estate and other property owned by the
Company shall continue to be owned by the converted entity in its new organizational form without
reversion or impairment, without further act or deed, and without any transfer or assignment having
occurred, but subject to any existing liens or other encumbrances thereon;
(iii) all liabilities and obligations of the Company shall continue to be liabilities and
obligations of the converted entity in its new organizational form without impairment or diminution
by reason of the conversion;
(iv) all rights of creditors or other parties with respect to or against the prior interest
holders or other owners of the Company in their capacities as such in existence as of the effective
time of the conversion will continue in existence as to those liabilities and obligations and may
be pursued by such creditors and obligees as if the conversion did not occur;
(v) a proceeding pending by or against the Company or by or against any of the Members in
their capacities as such may be continued by or against the converted entity in its new
organizational form and by or against the prior members without any need for substitution of
parties; and
(vi) the Company securities that are to be converted into partnership interests, shares,
evidences of ownership, or other securities in the converted entity as provided in the Plan of
Conversion or certificate of conversion shall be so converted, and the Members shall be entitled
only to the rights provided in the Plan of Conversion or certificate of conversion.
(d) A merger, consolidation or conversion effected pursuant to this Article 10 shall not (i)
be deemed to result in a transfer or assignment of assets or liabilities from one entity to another
having occurred or (ii) require the Company (if it is not the Surviving Business Entity) to wind up
its affairs, pay its liabilities or distribute its assets as required under Article 9 of this
Agreement or under the applicable provisions of the Delaware Act.
ARTICLE 11
GENERAL PROVISIONS
11.01 Notices
. Except as expressly set forth to the contrary in this Agreement, all notices, requests or
consents provided for or permitted to be given under this Agreement must be in writing and must be
delivered to the recipient in person, by courier or mail or by facsimile or other electronic
transmission and a notice, request or consent given under this Agreement is effective on receipt by
the Person to receive it;
provided
,
however
, that a facsimile or other electronic transmission that
is transmitted after the normal business hours of the recipient shall be deemed effective on the
next Business Day. All notices, requests and consents to be sent to a Member must be sent to or
made at the addresses given for that Member as that Member may specify by notice to the other
Members. Any notice, request or consent to the Company must be given to all of the Members. Whenever any notice is required to be given by applicable law, the Organizational
Certificate or this Agreement, a written waiver thereof, signed by the Person
20
entitled to notice,
whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such
notice. Whenever any notice is required to be given by law, the Organizational Certificate or this
Agreement, a written waiver thereof, signed by the Person entitled to notice, whether before or
after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice.
11.02 Entire Agreement; Supersedure
. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the Members and
their respective Affiliates relating to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior
contracts or agreements with respect to such subject matter, whether oral or written.
11.03 Effect of Waiver or Consent
. Except as provided in this Agreement, a waiver or consent, express or
implied, to or of any breach or default by any Person in the performance by that Person of its
obligations with respect to the Company is not a consent or waiver to or of any other breach or
default in the performance by that Person of the same or any other obligations of that Person with
respect to the Company. Except as provided in this Agreement, failure on the part of a Person to
complain of any act of any Person or to declare any Person in default with respect to the Company,
irrespective of how long that failure continues, does not constitute a waiver by that Person of its
rights with respect to that default until the applicable statute-of-limitations period has run.
11.04 Amendment or Restatement
. This Agreement may be amended or restated only by a written instrument
executed by all Members
.
11.05 Binding Effect
. This Agreement is binding on and shall inure to the benefit of the Members and
their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns.
11.06 Governing Law; Severability
. THIS AGREEMENT IS GOVERNED BY AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, EXCLUDING ANY CONFLICT-OF-LAWS RULE OR PRINCIPLE THAT MIGHT
REFER THE GOVERNANCE OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS AGREEMENT TO THE LAW OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION. In
the event of a direct conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and (a) any provision of
the Organizational Certificate, or (b) any mandatory, non-waivable provision of the Delaware Act,
such provision of the Organizational Certificate or the Delaware Act shall control. If any
provision of the Delaware Act provides that it may be varied or superseded in the limited liability
company agreement (or otherwise by agreement of the members or managers of a limited liability
company), such provision shall be deemed superseded and waived in its entirety if this Agreement
contains a provision addressing the same issue or subject matter. If any provision of this
Agreement or the application thereof to any Person or circumstance is held invalid or unenforceable to any extent, (a) the remainder of this Agreement and the application of
that provision to other Persons or circumstances is not affected thereby and that provision shall
be enforced to the greatest extent permitted by law, and (b) the Members or Directors (as the case
may be) shall negotiate in good faith to replace that provision with a new provision that is valid
and enforceable and that puts the Members in substantially the same economic, business and legal
position as they would have been in if the original provision had been valid and enforceable.
21
11.07 Further Assurances
. In connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby,
each Member shall execute and deliver any additional documents and instruments and perform any
additional acts that may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate and perform the provisions of
this Agreement and those transactions.
11.08 Offset
. Whenever the Company is to pay any sum to any Member, any amounts that a Member owes the
Company may be deducted from that sum before payment.
11.09 Counterparts
. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, including facsimile or
e-mail counterparts, with the same effect as if all signing parties had signed the same document.
All counterparts shall be construed together and constitute the same instrument.
[Signature Page Follows]
22
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed by the sole Member as of the date
first set forth above.
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MEMBER
:
SPECTRA ENERGY TRANSMISSION, LLC
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By:
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/s/
Martha B. Wyrsch
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Name:
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Martha B. Wyrsch
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Title:
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President
and Chief Executive Officer
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[Signature Page to First A&R Limited Liability Company Agreement of Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC]
Attachment I
Defined Terms
Affiliate
with respect to any Person, each Person Controlling, Controlled by or under
common Control with such first Person.
Agreement
this First Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Spectra
Energy Partners GP, LLC, as the same may be amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time
to time.
Audit Committee
Section 6.02(e)(iii).
Available Cash
as of any Distribution Date, (a) all cash and cash equivalents of the
Company on hand on such date, less (b) the amount of any cash reserves determined to be appropriate
by the Board of Directors.
Bankruptcy
or
Bankrupt
with respect to any Person, that (a) such Person (i) makes an
assignment for the benefit of creditors; (ii) files a voluntary petition in bankruptcy; (iii) is
insolvent, or has entered against such Person an order for relief in any bankruptcy or insolvency
proceeding; (iv) files a petition or answer seeking for such Person any reorganization,
arrangement, composition, readjustment, liquidation, dissolution or similar relief under any law;
(v) files an answer or other pleading admitting or failing to contest the material allegations of a
petition filed against such Person in a proceeding of the type described in subclauses (i) through
(iv) of this clause (a); or (vi) seeks, consents to or acquiesces in the appointment of a trustee,
receiver or liquidator of such Person or of all or any substantial part of such Persons
properties; or (b) 120 Days have passed after the commencement of any proceeding seeking
reorganization, arrangement, composition, readjustment, liquidation, dissolution or similar relief
under any law, if the proceeding has not been dismissed, or 90 Days have passed after the
appointment without such Persons consent or acquiescence of a trustee, receiver or liquidator of
such Person or of all or any substantial part of such Persons properties, if the appointment is
not vacated or stayed, or 90 Days have passed after the date of expiration of any such stay, if the
appointment has not been vacated.
Board of Directors
or
Board
Section 6.01(a).
Business Day
any Day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a Day on which national banking
associations in the State of Texas are authorized or required by law to close.
Capital Contribution
Section 4.01(b).
Class B Units
has the meaning ascribed to such term in the MLP Partnership Agreement.
Commitment
means (a) options, warrants, convertible securities, exchangeable securities,
subscription rights, conversion rights, exchange rights, or other contracts, agreements or
commitments that could require a Person to issue any of its Equity Interests or to sell any Equity
Interests it owns in another Person; (b) any other securities convertible into, exchangeable
A-1
or exercisable for, or representing the right to subscribe for any Equity Interest of a Person
or owned by a Person; (c) statutory or contractual pre-emptive rights or pre-emptive rights granted
under a Persons organizational or constitutive documents; and (d) stock appreciation rights,
phantom stock, profit participation, or other similar rights with respect to a Person.
Common Unit
has the meaning ascribed to such term in the MLP Partnership Agreement.
Company
initial paragraph of this Agreement.
Conflicts Committee
Section 6.02(e)(ii).
Contribution Agreement
has the meaning ascribed to such term in the MLP Partnership
Agreement.
Control
means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power and authority to direct
or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership or
control of Voting Stock, by contract or otherwise.
Day
a calendar day;
provided
,
however
, that, if any period of Days referred to in this
Agreement shall end on a Day that is not a Business Day, then the expiration of such period shall
be automatically extended until the end of the first succeeding Business Day.
Delaware Act
the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act and any successor statute, as
amended from time to time.
Delaware General Corporation Law
Title 8 of the Delaware Code, as amended from time to
time.
Director
each member of the Board of Directors elected as provided in Section 6.02.
Dissolution Event
Section 9.01(a).
Distribution Date
Section 5.01.
Effective Date
initial paragraph of this Agreement.
Equity Interest
(a) with respect to a corporation, any and all shares of capital stock and
any Commitments with respect thereto, (b) with respect to a partnership, limited liability company,
trust or similar Person, any and all units, interests or other partnership, limited liability
company, trust or similar interests, and any Commitments with respect thereto, and (c) any other
direct or indirect equity ownership or participation in a Person (including any incentive
distribution rights).
Existing Agreement
Recitals.
Extraordinary Approval
written approval of SET.
A-2
Group Member
means any of the MLP and its Subsidiaries.
Incentive Distribution Rights
has the meaning ascribed thereto in the MLP Partnership
Agreement.
Indemnitee
each of (a) the Members, (b) any Person who is or was an Affiliate of the
Company (other than SEP GP or any Group Member), (c) any Person who is or was a member, partner,
director, officer, fiduciary or trustee of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, (d) any
Person who is or was serving at the request of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company as an
officer, director, member, partner, fiduciary or trustee of another Person;
provided
that a Person
shall not be an Indemnitee by reason of providing, on a fee-for-services basis, trustee, fiduciary
or custodial services, and (e) any Person the Company designates as an Indemnitee for purposes of
this Agreement.
Independent Director
Section 6.02(a).
IPO
Section 6.02(a).
Liability
any liability or obligation, whether known or unknown, asserted or unasserted,
absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, conditional or unconditional, latent or patent,
accrued or unaccrued, liquidated or unliquidated, or due or to become due.
Member
any Person executing this Agreement as of the date of this Agreement as a member or
hereafter admitted to the Company as a member as provided in this Agreement, but such term does not
include any Person who has ceased to be a member in the Company.
Membership Interest
with respect to any Member, (a) that Members status as a Member; (b)
that Members share of the income, gain, loss, deduction and credits of, and the right to receive
distributions from, the Company; (c) all other rights, benefits and privileges enjoyed by that
Member (under the Delaware Act, this Agreement or otherwise) in its capacity as a Member; and (d)
all obligations, duties and liabilities imposed on that Member (under the Delaware Act, this
Agreement or otherwise) in its capacity as a Member, including any obligations to make Capital
Contributions.
Merger Agreement
Section 10.01.
MLP
Spectra Energy Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership.
MLP Interests
the limited partner interests of the MLP, regardless of class or category of
limited partner interests.
MLP Partnership Agreement
the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership
of the MLP, dated July ___, 2007, as amended, supplemented, amended and restated, or otherwise
modified from time to time.
National Securities Exchange
has the meaning ascribed to such term in the MLP Partnership
Agreement.
A-3
Officers
any person elected as an officer of the Company as provided in Section 6.03(a),
but such term does not include any person who has ceased to be an officer of the Company.
Omnibus Agreement
the Omnibus Agreement, dated July ___, 2007, among the Company, SEP GP,
the MLP and Spectra Energy Corp, as amended, supplemented, amended and restated, or otherwise
modified from time to time.
Organizational Certificate
Section 2.01.
Partnership Securities
has the meaning ascribed to such term in the MLP Partnership
Agreement.
Person
a natural person, partnership (whether general or limited), limited liability
company, governmental entity, trust, estate, association, corporation, venture, custodian, nominee
or any other individual or entity in its own or any representative capacity.
Plan of Conversion
Section 10.01.
Quarter
unless the context requires otherwise, a calendar quarter.
SEC
the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
SEP GP
Spectra Energy Partners (DE) GP, LP, as the general partner of the MLP.
SEP GP Agreement
the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Spectra
Energy Partners (DE) GP, LP, dated effective as of July ___, 2007, as amended, supplemented, amended
and restated, or otherwise modified from time to time.
SET
initial paragraph of this Agreement.
Special Approval
approval by a majority of the members of the Conflicts Committee acting in
good faith.
Subsidiary
with respect to any relevant Person, (a) a corporation of which more than 50% of
the Voting Stock is owned, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, by such relevant
Person, by one or more Subsidiaries of such relevant Person or a combination thereof, (b) a
partnership (whether general or limited) in which such relevant Person, one or more Subsidiaries of
such relevant Person or a combination thereof is, at the date of determination, a general or
limited partner of such partnership, but only if more than 50% of the partnership interests of such
partnership (considering all of the partnership interests of the partnership as a single class) is
owned, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, by such relevant Person, by one or
more Subsidiaries of such relevant Person, or a combination thereof, or (c) any other Person (other
than a corporation or a partnership) in which such relevant Person, one or more Subsidiaries of
such relevant Person, or a combination thereof, directly or indirectly, at the date of
determination, has (i) at least a majority ownership interest or (ii) the
A-4
power to elect or direct the election of a majority of the directors or other governing body
of such other Person.
Surviving Business Entity
Section 10.01.
Underwriting Agreement
has the meaning ascribed to such term in the MLP Partnership
Agreement.
Units
has the meaning ascribed to such term in the MLP Partnership Agreement.
Voting Stock
with respect to any Person, Equity Interests in such Person, the holders of
which are ordinarily, in the absence of contingencies, entitled to vote for the election of, or
otherwise appoint, directors (or Persons with management authority performing similar functions) of
such Person.
Withdraw, Withdrawing and Withdrawal
the withdrawal, resignation or retirement of a Member
from the Company as a Member.
A-5
Exhibit 10.4
GENERAL PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
OF
MARKET HUB PARTNERS HOLDING
July 2, 2007
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page
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ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS
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1
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1.01
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Definitions
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1
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1.02
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Interpretation
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8
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ARTICLE 2 ORGANIZATION
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8
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2.01
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Formation
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8
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2.02
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Name
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9
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2.03
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Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office
in the United States; Other Offices
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9
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2.04
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Purposes
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9
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2.05
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Foreign Qualification
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9
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2.06
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Term
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9
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ARTICLE 3 PARTNERSHIP; DISPOSITIONS OF INTERESTS
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9
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3.01
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Initial Partners
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9
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3.02
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Representations, Warranties and Covenants
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9
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3.03
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Dispositions and Encumbrances of Partnership Interests
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10
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3.04
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Creation of Additional Partnership Interests
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11
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3.05
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Access to Information
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11
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3.06
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Confidential Information
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11
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3.07
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Liability to Third Parties
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13
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3.08
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Use of Partners Names and Trademarks
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13
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ARTICLE 4 CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS
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13
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4.01
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Capital Contributions
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13
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4.02
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Loans
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13
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4.03
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No Other Contribution Obligations
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13
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4.04
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Return of Contributions
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13
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4.05
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Capital Accounts
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13
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4.06
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Failure to Make a Capital Contribution
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13
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ARTICLE 5 DISTRIBUTIONS AND ALLOCATIONS
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13
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5.01
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Distributions
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13
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5.02
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Distributions on Dissolution and Winding Up
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13
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5.03
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Allocations
.
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13
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5.04
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Varying Interests
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13
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ARTICLE 6 MANAGEMENT
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13
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6.01
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Generally
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13
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6.02
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Management Committee
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13
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6.03
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Operations and Management Agreement
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13
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6.04
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Conflicts of Interest
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13
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6.05
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Indemnification for Breach of Agreement
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13
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6.06
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General Regulatory Matters
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13
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6.07
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Disclaimer Of Duties
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13
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ARTICLE 7 TAXES
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13
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7.01
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Tax Returns
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13
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7.02
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Tax Elections
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13
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i
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7.03
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Tax Matters Partner
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13
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ARTICLE 8 BOOKS, RECORDS, REPORTS, AND BANK ACCOUNTS
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13
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8.01
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Maintenance of Books; Reports
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13
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8.02
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Reports
.
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13
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8.03
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Bank Accounts
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13
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ARTICLE 9 WITHDRAWAL
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13
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9.01
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No Right of Withdrawal
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13
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9.02
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Deemed Withdrawal
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13
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9.03
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Effect of Withdrawal
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13
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ARTICLE 10 DISPUTE RESOLUTION
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13
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10.01
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Disputes
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13
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10.02
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Negotiation to Resolve Disputes
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13
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10.03
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Selection of Arbitrator
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13
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10.04
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Conduct of Arbitration
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13
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ARTICLE 11 DISSOLUTION, WINDING UP AND TERMINATION
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13
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11.01
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Dissolution
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13
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11.02
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Winding Up and Termination
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13
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11.03
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Deficit Capital Accounts
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13
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11.04
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Certificate of Cancellation
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13
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ARTICLE 12 GENERAL PROVISIONS
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13
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12.01
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Offset
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13
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12.02
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Notices
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13
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12.03
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Entire Agreement; Superseding Effect
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13
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12.04
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Effect of Waiver or Consent
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13
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12.05
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Amendment or Restatement
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13
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12.06
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Binding Effect
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13
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12.07
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Governing Law; Severability
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13
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12.08
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Further Assurances
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13
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12.09
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Waiver of Certain Rights
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13
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12.10
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Counterparts
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13
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EXHIBITS:
A Partners
B Initial Facilities
ii
GENERAL PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
OF
MARKET HUB PARTNERS HOLDING
This GENERAL PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT OF MARKET HUB PARTNERS HOLDING, dated as of July 2, 2007
(this
Agreement
), is adopted, executed and agreed to, for good and valuable consideration, by
Spectra Energy Partners MHP Holding, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (
SEP MHP
), Spectra
Energy Southeast MHP Holding, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (
SEPL MHP
), and Spectra
Energy MHP Holding, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (
SET MHP
), each as a partner of the
Partnership. Capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not defined elsewhere have the meanings
given to them in Article 1 below.
RECITALS
The Partners hereby form a partnership pursuant to and in accordance with the Act and desire
to enter into a written agreement pursuant to the Act governing the affairs of the Partnership and
the conduct of its business. This Agreement is intended to bind all Partners from time to time and
the Partnership.
NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are
hereby acknowledged, the Partners agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS
1.01
Definitions.
(a)
Certain Definitions.
As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the respective
meanings set forth below or set forth in the Sections referred to below:
AAA
Section 10.02(c).
Act
the Delaware Revised Uniform Partnership Act (6
Del. C.
§15-101,
et
seq
.), as amended from time to time.
Additional Contribution
Section 4.06(a)(ii).
Additional Contribution Partner
Section 4.06(a)(ii).
Affiliate
with respect to any Person, (a) each entity that such Person Controls; (b) each
Person that Controls such Person, including, in the case of a Partner, the Partners Parent; and
(c) each entity that is under common Control with the Person, including, in the case of a Partner,
each entity that is Controlled by the Partners Parent; provided, with respect to any Partner, an
Affiliate shall include (y) a limited partnership or a Person Controlled by a limited partnership
if a general partner of the limited partnership is Controlled by the Partners Parent, or (z) a
limited liability company or a Person controlled by a limited liability company if the managing
member of the limited liability company is Controlled by such Partners Parent.
Affiliates Outside Activities
Section 6.04(b).
Agreement
introductory paragraph.
Alternate Representative
- Section 6.02(a)(i).
Arbitration Notice
Section 10.02(c).
Arbitrator
Section 10.03(a).
Assignee
any Person that acquires a Partnership Interest or any portion of a Partnership
Interest through a Disposition; provided, however, that an Assignee shall have no right to be
admitted to the Partnership as a Partner except with the prior written approval of each of the
Partners. The Assignee of a liquidated or wound up Partner is the shareholder, partner, member or
other equity owner or owners of the liquidated or wound up Partner to which that Partners
Partnership Interest is assigned by the Person conducting the liquidation or winding up of that
Partner. The Assignee of a Bankrupt Partner is (a) the Person or Persons (if any) to whom such
Bankrupt Partners Partnership Interest is assigned by order of the bankruptcy court or other
Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over such Bankruptcy, or (b) in the event of a general
assignment for the benefit of creditors, the creditor to which such Partnership Interest is
assigned.
Authorizations
licenses, certificates, permits, orders, approvals, determinations and
authorizations from Governmental Authorities having valid jurisdiction.
Available Cash
with respect to any Quarter ending prior to the liquidation and winding up
of the Partnership, the excess, if any and without duplication, of:
(a) the sum of all cash and cash equivalents of the Partnership on hand at the end of that
Quarter, over
(b) the amount of any cash reserves that are necessary or appropriate in the reasonable
discretion of the Management Committee to (i) provide for the proper conduct of the business of the
Partnership (including reserves for future maintenance capital expenditures and for anticipated
future credit needs of the Partnership) subsequent to that Quarter or (ii) comply with applicable
Law or any loan agreement, security agreement, mortgage, debt instrument or other agreement or
obligation to which the Partnership is a party or by which it is bound or its assets are subject;
provided
,
however
, that distributions made by the Partnership or cash reserves
established, increased or reduced after the end of that Quarter but on or before the date of
determination of Available Cash with respect to that Quarter shall be deemed to have been made,
established, increased or reduced, for purposes of determining Available Cash, within that Quarter
if the Management Committee so determines.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Available Cash with respect to the Quarter in which a
liquidation or winding up of the Partnership occurs and any subsequent Quarter shall be deemed to
equal zero.
2
Bankruptcy
or
Bankrupt
with respect to any Person, (a) that Person (i) makes a general
assignment for the benefit of creditors; (ii) files a voluntary bankruptcy petition; (iii) becomes
the subject of an order for relief or is declared insolvent in any federal or state bankruptcy or
insolvency proceedings; (iv) files a petition or answer seeking for that Person a reorganization,
arrangement, composition, readjustment, liquidation, dissolution or similar relief under any Law;
(v) files an answer or other pleading admitting or failing to contest the material allegations of a
petition filed against that Person in a proceeding of the type described in subclauses (i) through
(iv) of this clause (a); or (vi) seeks, consents to or acquiesces in the appointment of a trustee,
receiver or liquidator of that Person or of all or any substantial part of that Persons
properties; or (b) against that Person, a proceeding seeking reorganization, arrangement,
composition, readjustment, liquidation, dissolution or similar relief under any Law has been
commenced and 120 Days have expired without dismissal thereof or with respect to which, without
that Persons consent or acquiescence, a trustee, receiver or liquidator of that Person or of all
or any substantial part of that Persons properties has been appointed and 90 Days have expired
without the appointments having been vacated or stayed, or 90 Days have expired after the date of
expiration of a stay, if the appointment has not previously been vacated.
Breaching Partner
a Partner that (i) has committed a failure or breach of the type
described in the definition of Default, (ii) has received a notice of the type described in the
definition of Default, and (iii) has not cured the failure or breach, but as to which the
applicable cure period set forth in the definition of Default has not yet expired.
Business Day
any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday, or a holiday on which national
banking associations in the State of Texas are closed.
Capital Account
the account maintained by the Partnership for each Partner in accordance
with this Agreement and to be maintained by the Partnership for each Partner from and after the
Effective Date in accordance with Section 4.05.
Capital Budget
- the annual capital budget for the Company that is approved (or deemed
approved) pursuant to Section 6.02(i)(iii)(B).
Capital Call
Section 4.01(a).
Capital Contribution
with respect to any Partner, the amount of money and the net agreed
value of any property (other than money) contributed to the Partnership by the Partner. Any
reference in this Agreement to the Capital Contribution of a Partner shall include a Capital
Contribution of its predecessors in interest.
Certificate
Section 2.01.
Claim
any and all judgments, claims, causes of action, demands, lawsuits, suits,
proceedings, Governmental investigations or audits, losses, assessments, fines, penalties,
administrative orders, obligations, costs, expenses, liabilities and damages (whether actual,
consequential or punitive), including interest, penalties, reasonable attorneys fees,
disbursements and costs of investigations, deficiencies, levies, duties, imposts, remediation and
cleanup costs, and natural resources damages.
3
Code
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Confidential Information
information and data (including all copies) that is furnished or
submitted by any of the Partners, their Affiliates, or the Operator, whether oral, written, or
electronic, to the other Partners, their Affiliates, or the Operator in connection with the
Facilities and the resulting information and data obtained from those studies, including market
evaluations, market proposals, service designs and pricing, pipeline system design and routing,
cost estimating, rate studies, identification of permits, strategic plans, legal documents,
environmental studies and requirements, public and governmental relations planning, identification
of regulatory issues and development of related strategies, legal analysis and documentation,
financial planning, gas reserves and deliverability data, studies of the natural gas supplies for
the Facilities, and other studies and activities to determine the potential viability of the
Facilities and their design characteristics, and identification of key issues. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the term Confidential Information shall not include any information that:
(a) is in the public domain at the time of its disclosure or thereafter, other than as a
result of a disclosure directly or indirectly by a Partner or its Affiliates or the Operator in
contravention of this Agreement;
(b) as to any Partner or its Affiliates or the Operator, was in the possession of such Partner
or its Affiliates or Operator prior to the execution of any confidentiality agreements related to
the Facilities or this Agreement; or
(c) has been independently acquired or developed by a Partner or its Affiliates or Operator
without violating any of the obligations of that Partner or its Affiliates or Operator under any
applicable agreement.
Contributing Partner
Section 4.06(a).
Control
the possession, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, of the
following:
(a) (i) in the case of a corporation, 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities
thereof; (ii) in the case of a limited liability company, general partnership or venture, the right
to 50% or more of the distributions therefrom (including liquidating distributions); (iii) in the
case of a trust or estate, including a business trust, 50% or more of the beneficial interest
therein; and (iv) in the case of any other entity, 50% or more of the economic or beneficial
interest therein; provided, however, in the case of a limited partnership, Control shall mean
possession, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, of, (A) in the case where
the general partner of such limited partnership is a corporation, ownership of 50% or more of the
outstanding voting securities of such corporate general partner, (B) in the case where the general
partner of such limited partnership is a partnership, limited liability company or other entity
(other than a corporation or limited partnership), the right to 50% or more of the distributions
from such general partner entity, and (C) in the case where the general partner of such limited
partnership is a limited partnership, Control of the general partner of such general partner in the
manner described under clause (A) or (B), in each case, notwithstanding that the Person with
respect to which Control is being determined does not possess, directly or indirectly through one
4
or more subsidiaries, the right to receive at least 50% of the distributions from such limited
partnership; and
(b) in the case of any entity, the power or authority, through ownership of voting securities,
by contract or otherwise, to exercise predominant control over the management of the entity.
Day
a calendar day; provided, however, that, if any period of Days referred to in this
Agreement shall end on a Day that is not a Business Day, then the expiration of that period shall
be automatically extended until the end of the first succeeding Business Day.
Deemed Tax Disposition
- any event or series of events that is treated for federal income tax
purposes as a sale or exchange of a Partners Partnership Interest or portion thereof for purposes
of Section 708(b)(1)(B) of the Code.
Default
with respect to any Partner,
(a) the failure of that Partner to contribute, on or before the 10th Day after the date
required, all or any portion of a Capital Contribution that Partner is required to make as provided
in this Agreement or
(b) the failure of a Partner to comply in any material respect with any of its other
agreements, covenants or obligations under this Agreement, or the failure of any representation or
warranty made by a Partner in this Agreement to have been true and correct in all material respects
at the time it was made,
in each case if the breach is not cured by the applicable Partner on or before the 30th Day after
its receiving notice of such breach from any other Partner (or, if such breach is not capable of
being cured within such 30-Day period, if such Partner fails to promptly commence substantial
efforts to cure such breach or to prosecute such curative efforts to completion with continuity and
diligence). The Management Committee may, but shall have no obligation to, extend the foregoing
10-Day and 30-Day periods.
Default Rate
a rate per annum equal to the lesser of (a) a varying rate per annum equal to
the sum of (i) the prime rate as published in
The Wall Street Journal
, with adjustments in that
varying rate to be made on the same date as any change in that rate is so published,
plus
(ii) 2%
per annum, and (b) the maximum rate permitted by Law.
Dispose, Disposing
or
Disposition
with respect to any asset,, a sale, assignment, transfer,
conveyance, gift, exchange or other disposition of such asset, whether such disposition be
voluntary, involuntary or by operation of Law, including the following: (a) in the case of an
asset owned by a natural person, a transfer of such asset upon the death of its owner, whether by
will, intestate succession or otherwise; (b) in the case of an asset owned by an entity, (i) a
merger or consolidation of such entity (other than where such entity is the survivor thereof), (ii)
a conversion of such entity into another type of entity, or (iii) a distribution of such asset,
including in connection with the dissolution, liquidation, winding up or termination of such entity
(unless, in the case of dissolution, such entitys business is continued without the commencement
of
5
liquidation or winding up); and (c) a disposition in connection with, or in lieu of, a
foreclosure of an Encumbrance; but such terms shall not include the creation of an Encumbrance.
Disposing Partner
Section 3.03(a).
Dispute
Section 10.01.
Dispute Notice
Section 10.02.
Disputing Partner
Section 10.01.
Dissolution Event
Section 11.01.
Effective Date
the date the Partnership is formed as provided in Section 2.01.
Encumber, Encumbering
or
Encumbrance
the creation of a security interest, lien, pledge,
mortgage or other encumbrance, whether such encumbrance be voluntary, involuntary or by operation
of Law.
Facilities
(a) the Initial Facilities and (b) any additions to or expansion of existing
Facilities that are approved by the Management Committee.
FERC
the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or any Governmental Authority succeeding to
the powers of such commission.
Governmental Authority
(or
Governmental
) a federal, state, local or foreign governmental
authority; a state, province, commonwealth, territory or district thereof; a county or parish; a
city, town, township, village or other municipality; a district, ward or other subdivision of any
of the foregoing; any executive, legislative or other governing body of any of the foregoing; any
agency, authority, board, department, system, service, office, commission, committee, council or
other administrative body of any of the foregoing; including the FERC, any court or other judicial
body; and any officer, official or other representative of any of the foregoing.
including
including, without limitation.
Initial Facilities
means the gas storage facility and related equipment and other
infrastructure described on Exhibit B.
Law
any applicable constitutional provision, statute, act, code (including the Code), law,
regulation, rule, ordinance, order, decree, ruling, proclamation, resolution, judgment, decision,
declaration or interpretative or advisory opinion or letter of a Governmental Authority having
valid jurisdiction.
Majority Interest
- Section 6.02(f)(i)(D).
Management Committee
- Section 6.02.
6
Non-Contributing Partner
Section 4.06(a).
O&M Agreement
Section 6.04.
Officer
any Person designated as an officer of the Partnership as provided in Section 6.02,
but that term does not include any Person who has ceased to be an officer of the Company.
Omnibus Agreement
that certain Omnibus Agreement dated as of July 2, 2007 by and among
Spectra Energy Corp, Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC, Spectra Energy Partners (DE) GP, LP and
Spectra Energy Partners, LP.
Operator
SET MHP.
Parent
the Person that Controls a Partner and that is not itself Controlled by any other
Person.
Partner
any Person executing this Agreement as of the date of this Agreement as a partner
or subsequently admitted to the Partnership as a partner as provided in this Agreement, but such
term does not include any Person that has ceased to be a partner in the Partnership.
Partnership
Market Hub Partners Holding General Partnership.
Partnership Interest
with respect to any Partner, (a) that Partners status as a Partner;
(b) that Partners share of the income, gain, loss, deduction and credits of, and the right to
receive distributions from, the Partnership; (c) any Priority Interest to which that Partner is
entitled pursuant to Section 4.06(b); (d) all other rights, benefits and privileges enjoyed by that
Partner (under the Act, this Agreement or otherwise) in its capacity as a Partner; and (e) all
obligations, duties and liabilities imposed on that Partner (under the Act, this Agreement or
otherwise) in its capacity as a Partner, including any obligations to make Capital Contributions.
Person
the meaning assigned that term in Section 15-101(16) of the Act and also includes a
Governmental Authority and any other entity.
Priority Interest
the special distribution rights under Section 4.06(b) received by each
Additional Contribution Partner, which rights include the right to receive the return described in
Section 4.06(b)(i) and which form part of the Additional Contribution Partners Partnership
Interest.
Priority Interest Sharing Ratio
Section 4.06(b)(i).
Quarter
unless the context requires otherwise, a fiscal quarter of the Partnership.
Representative
- Section 6.02(a)(i).
Securities Act
the Securities Act of 1933.
Sharing Ratio
subject in each case to adjustments in accordance with this Agreement or in
connection with Dispositions of Partnership Interests, (a) in the case of a Partner executing
7
this Agreement as of the date of this Agreement or a Person acquiring that Partners
Partnership Interest, the percentage specified for that Partner as its Sharing Ratio on Exhibit A,
and (b) in the case of Partnership Interests issued under Section 3.04, the Sharing Ratio
established in Section 3.04; provided, however, that the total of all Sharing Ratios shall always
equal 100%.
Sole Discretion
(a) in the applicable Persons sole and absolute discretion (b) with or
without cause, (c) subject to such conditions as it may deem appropriate, and (d) without taking
into account the interests of, and without incurring liability to, the Partnership, any Partner, or
any officer or employee of the Partnership.
Storage Agreement
any agreement of the Partnership to store natural gas for other Persons at
any of the Facilities.
Tax Matters Partner
Section 7.03(a).
Term
Section 2.06.
Treasury Regulations
the regulations (including temporary regulations) promulgated by the
United States Department of the Treasury pursuant to and in respect of provisions of the Code. All
references herein to sections of the Treasury Regulations shall include any corresponding provision
or provisions of succeeding, similar or substitute, temporary or final Treasury Regulations.
Withdraw, Withdrawing or Withdrawal
the withdrawal, resignation or retirement of a Partner
from the Partnership as a partner. Such terms shall not include any Dispositions of Partnership
Interest (which are governed by Sections 3.03(a) and (b)), even though the Partner making a
Disposition may cease to be a Partner as a result of the Disposition.
Withdrawn Partner
Section 9.03.
(b)
Other Terms.
Terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement have the meanings so given them.
1.02
Interpretation
. Unless the context requires otherwise: (a) the gender (or lack of gender) of
all words used in this Agreement includes the masculine, feminine and neuter; (b) references to
Articles and Sections refer to Articles and Sections of this Agreement; (c) references to Exhibits
refer to the Exhibits attached to this Agreement, each of which is made a part hereof for all
purposes; (d) references to Laws refer to such Laws as they may be amended from time to time, and
references to particular provisions of a Law include any corresponding provisions of any succeeding
Law; and (e) references to money refer to legal currency of the United States of America.
ARTICLE 2
ORGANIZATION
2.01
Formation
. The Management Committee has previously formed the Partnership as a Delaware
partnership by the filing of a Certificate of Conversion of Market Hub
8
Partners Holding, LLC to Market Hub Partners Holding pursuant to Section 15-901 of the Act (the
Certificate
).
2.02
Name
. The name of the Partnership is Market Hub Partners Holding and all Partnership
business must be conducted in that name.
2.03
Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office in the United States; Other Offices
.
The registered office of the Partnership required by the Act to be maintained in the State of
Delaware shall be the office of the initial registered agent named in the Certificate or such other
office (which need not be a place of business of the Partnership) as the Management Committee may
designate in the manner provided by Law. The registered agent of the Partnership in the State of
Delaware shall be the initial registered agent named in the Certificate or such other Person or
Persons as the Management Committee may designate in the manner provided by Law. The principal
office of the Partnership in the United States shall be at such place as the Management Committee
may designate, which need not be in the State of Delaware, and the Partnership shall maintain
records there or such other place as the Management Committee shall designate and shall keep the
street address of such principal office at the registered office of the Partnership in the State of
Delaware. The Partnership may have such other offices as the Management Committee may designate.
2.04
Purposes
. The purposes of the Partnership are to plan, design, construct, acquire, own,
maintain and operate the Facilities, to market the services of the Facilities, to engage in the
storage and transmission of natural gas through the Facilities, and to engage in any activities
directly or indirectly relating to the foregoing.
2.05
Foreign Qualification
. Prior to the Partnerships conducting business in any jurisdiction
other than Delaware, to the extent required by Law, the Management Committee shall cause the
Partnership to comply, to the extent procedures are available and those matters are reasonably
within the control of the Management Committee, with all requirements necessary to qualify the
Partnership as a foreign partnership in that jurisdiction. At the request of the Management
Committee, each Partner shall execute, acknowledge, swear to and deliver all certificates and other
instruments conforming with this Agreement that are necessary or appropriate to qualify, continue
and terminate the Partnership as a foreign partnership in all such jurisdictions in which the
Partnership may conduct business.
2.06
Term
. The period of existence of the Partnership (the
Term
) commenced with the acceptance
for filing of the Certificate by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and shall end at
such time as a certificate of cancellation is filed with the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware in accordance with Section 11.04.
ARTICLE 3
PARTNERSHIP; DISPOSITIONS OF INTERESTS
3.01
Initial Partners
. As of the formation of the Partnership, SEP MHP, SEPL MHP and SET MHP are
Partners.
3.02
Representations, Warranties and Covenants
. Each Partner hereby represents, warrants and
covenants to the Partnership and each other Partner that the following
9
statements are true and correct as of the Effective Date and shall be true and correct at all times
that such Partner is a Partner:
(a) that Partner is duly incorporated, organized or formed (as applicable), validly existing,
and (if applicable) in good standing under the Law of the jurisdiction of its incorporation,
organization or formation; if required by applicable Law, that Partner is duly qualified and in
good standing in the jurisdiction of its principal place of business, if different from its
jurisdiction of incorporation, organization or formation; and that Partner has full power and
authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder, and all
necessary actions by the board of directors, shareholders, managers, members, partners, trustees,
beneficiaries, or other applicable Persons necessary for the due authorization, execution, delivery
and performance of this Agreement by that Partner have been duly taken;
(b) that Partner has duly executed and delivered this Agreement and the other documents
contemplated herein, and they constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of that Partner
enforceable against it in accordance with their terms (except as may be limited by bankruptcy,
insolvency or similar Laws of general application and by the effect of general principles of
equity, regardless of whether considered at law or in equity); and
(c) that Partners authorization, execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement does
not and will not (i) conflict with, or result in a breach, default or violation of, (A) the
organizational documents of that Partner, (B) any contract or agreement to which that Partner is a
party or is otherwise subject, or (C) any Law, order, judgment, decree, writ, injunction or
arbitral award to which that Partner is subject; or (ii) require any consent, approval or
authorization from, filing or registration with, or notice to, any Governmental Authority or other
Person, unless such requirement has already been satisfied.
3.03
Dispositions and Encumbrances of Partnership Interests
(a) .
(a) A Partner (the
Disposing Partner
) may Dispose of or Encumber all or any portion of its
Partnership Interest only (i) to an Affiliate of the Partner making the Disposition or (ii) with
the written consent of the Management Committee. Any attempted Disposition or Encumbrance of a
Partnership Interest, other than in strict accordance with this Section 3.03, shall be, and is
hereby declared, null and void ab initio. The rights and obligations constituting a Partnership
Interest may not be separated, divided or split from the other attributes of a Partnership Interest
except with the prior written approval of the Management Committee and as contemplated by the
express provisions of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Partner may not effect a
Disposition (including a Deemed Tax Disposition) if such Disposition, when added to the total of
all other Dispositions (including Deemed Tax Dispositions) with the preceding twelve months,
results in the Partnership being considered to have terminated within the meaning of Section
708(b)(1)(B) of the Code.
(b) The Partners agree that a breach of the provisions of this Section 3.03 may cause
irreparable injury to the Partnership and to the other Partners for which monetary damages (or
other remedy at law) are inadequate in view of (i) the complexities and uncertainties in measuring
the actual damages that would be sustained by reason of the failure of a Limited Partner to comply
with such provision and (ii) the uniqueness of the Partnership business and the
10
relationship among the Partners. Accordingly, the Limited Partners agree that the provisions
of this Section 3.03 may be enforced by specific performance in accordance with Section 10.04(b).
3.04
Creation of Additional Partnership Interests
. Additional Partnership Interests may be created
and issued to existing Partners or to other Persons, and such other Persons may be admitted to the
Partnership as Partners, only with the consent of the Management Committee, on such terms and
conditions as the Management Committee may determine at the time of admission. The terms of
admission or issuance must specify the applicable Sharing Ratios and may provide for the creation
of different classes or groups of Partners having different rights, powers and duties. Any such
admission is effective only after the new Partner has executed and delivered to each other Partner
an instrument containing the notice address of the new Partner, the Assignees ratification of this
Agreement and agreement to be bound by it, and its confirmation that the representations and
warranties in Section 3.02 are true and correct with respect to it. The provisions of this Section
3.04 shall not apply to Dispositions of Partnership Interests or admissions of Assignees in
connection therewith, such matters being governed by Section 3.03.
3.05
Access to Information
. Each Partner shall be entitled to receive any information that it may
request concerning the Partnership; provided, however, that this Section 3.05 shall not obligate
the Partnership, the Management Committee, or Operator to create any information that does not
already exist at the time of such request (other than to convert existing information from one
medium to another, such as providing a printout of information that is stored in a computer
database). Each Partner shall also have the right, upon reasonable notice, and at all reasonable
times during usual business hours to inspect the properties of the Partnership and to audit,
examine and make copies of the books of account and other records of the Partnership. This right
may be exercised through any agent or employee of a Partner designated in writing by it or by an
independent public accountant, engineer, attorney or other consultant so designated. The Partner
making the request shall bear all costs and expenses incurred in any inspection, examination or
audit made on that Partners behalf. The Partners agree to cooperate reasonably, and to cause
their respective independent public accountants, engineers, attorneys or other consultants to
cooperate reasonably, in connection with any such request. Confidential Information obtained under
this Section 3.05 shall be subject to the provisions of Section 3.06.
3.06
Confidential Information
.
(a) Except as permitted by Section 3.06(b), (i) each Partner shall, and shall cause its
Affiliates to, keep confidential all Confidential Information and shall not disclose any
Confidential Information to any Person, including any of its Affiliates, and (ii) each Partner
shall use the Confidential Information only in connection with the Facilities and the Partnership.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 3.06(a), but subject to the other provisions of this Section 3.06,
a Partner or, where applicable, its Affiliates, may make the following disclosures and uses of
Confidential Information:
(i) disclosures to another Partner, the Operator or any other Person retained by the
Partnership in connection with the Partnership;
11
(ii) disclosures and uses that are approved by the Management Committee;
(iii) disclosures that may be required from time to time to obtain requisite
Authorizations or financing for the Facilities, if the disclosures are approved by the
Management Committee;
(iv) disclosures to an Affiliate of that Partner, including the directors, officers,
employees, agents and advisors of that Affiliate, if that Affiliate has agreed to abide by
the terms of this Section 3.06, and special care shall be taken to restrict such disclosures
in any case where that Affiliate is or may become a customer under a Storage Agreement or an
Energy Affiliate (as defined in the FERCs Standards of Conduct for Transmission
Providers, 18 C.F.R. Part 358, Section 358.3(d));
(v) disclosures to the Parent of that Partner, including the directors, officers,
employees, agents and advisors of that Parent, but that Parent shall be subject to the terms
of this Section 3.06;
(vi) disclosures to a Person that is not a Partner or an Affiliate of a Partner, if
that Person has been retained by a Partner or an Affiliate of a Partner to provide services
in connection with the Partnership and has agreed to abide by the terms of this Section
3.06;
(vii) disclosures to a bona-fide potential direct or indirect purchaser of that
Partners Partnership Interest, if that potential purchaser has agreed to abide by the terms
of this Section 3.06;
(viii) disclosures required, with respect to a Partner or an Affiliate of a Partner,
pursuant to (A) the Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, (B)
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder, (C) any state securities Laws, (D) any national securities exchange or automated
quotation system or (E) to any tax authority as such Partner deems appropriate; and
(ix) disclosures that a Partner is legally compelled to make by deposition,
interrogatory, request for documents, subpoena, civil investigative demand, order of a court
of competent jurisdiction or similar process or otherwise by Law; provided, however, that,
prior to any such disclosure, such Partner shall, to the extent legally permissible:
(A) provide the Management Committee with prompt notice of such requirements so
that one or more of the Partners may seek a protective order or other appropriate
remedy or waive compliance with the terms of this Section 3.06(b)(ix);
(B) consult with the Management Committee on the advisability of taking steps
to resist or narrow such disclosure; and
12
(C) cooperate with the Management Committee and with the other Partners in any
attempt one or more of them may make to obtain a protective order or other
appropriate remedy or assurance that confidential treatment will be afforded the
Confidential Information; and in the event such protective order or other remedy is
not obtained, or the other Partners waive compliance with the provisions of this
Agreement, that Partner agrees (I) to furnish only that portion of the Confidential
Information that, in the opinion of the Partners counsel, the Partner is legally
required to disclose, and (II) to exercise all reasonable efforts to obtain
assurance that confidential treatment will be accorded the Confidential Information.
(c) Each Partner shall take, and shall cause its Affiliates to take, such precautionary
measures as may be required to ensure (and such Partner shall be responsible for) compliance with
this Section 3.06 by any of its Affiliates, and its and their directors, officers, employees and
agents, and other Persons to which it may disclose Confidential Information in accordance with this
Section 3.06.
(d) Promptly after its Withdrawal, a Withdrawn Partner shall destroy (and provide a
certificate of destruction to the Partnership with respect to), or return to the Partnership, all
Confidential Information in its possession. Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence,
but subject to the other provisions of this Section 3.06, a Withdrawn Partner may retain for a
stated period, but not disclose to any other Person, Confidential Information for the limited
purposes of (i) explaining that Partners corporate decisions with respect to the Facilities or
(ii) preparing such Partners tax returns and defending audits, investigations and proceedings
relating thereto; provided, however, that the Withdrawn Partner must notify the Management
Committee in advance of such retention and specify in such notice the stated period of such
retention.
(e) The Partners agree that no adequate remedy at law exists for a breach or threatened breach
of any of the provisions of this Section 3.06, the continuation of which unremedied will cause the
Partnership and the other Partners to suffer irreparable harm. Accordingly, the Partners agree
that the Partnership and the other Partners shall be entitled, in addition to other remedies that
may be available to them, to immediate injunctive relief from any breach of any of the provisions
of this Section 3.06 and to specific performance of their rights hereunder, as well as to any other
remedies available at law or in equity, pursuant to Section 10.04.
(f) The obligations of the Partners under this Section 3.06 (including the obligations of any
Withdrawn Partners) shall continue to bind any Person that has ceased to be a Partner and shall
terminate on the second anniversary of the end of the Term.
3.07
Liability to Third Parties
. No Limited Partner or Affiliate of a Partner shall be liable for
the debts, obligations or liabilities of the Partnership.
3.08
Use of Partners Names and Trademarks
. The Partnership, the Partners and their Affiliates
shall not use the name or trademark of any Partner or its Affiliates in connection with public
announcements regarding the Partnership, or marketing or financing
13
activities of the Partnership, without the prior consent of such Partners or Affiliate, which shall
not be unreasonably withheld.
ARTICLE 4
CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS
4.01
Capital Contributions
.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in the following provisions of this Section 4.01 or 4.02, the
Management Committee may issue or cause to be issued a notice to each Partner for the making of
Capital Contributions at such times and in such amounts as the Management Committee shall determine
(a
Capital Call
). All amounts timely received by the Partnership under this Section 4.01 shall
be credited to the respective Partners Capital Account as of the specified date
(b) Each Capital Call shall contain the following information:
(i) The total amount of Capital Contributions required from all Partners;
(ii) The amount of Capital Contribution required from the Partner to which the notice
is addressed, which amount must equal that Partners Sharing Ratio of the total Capital
Call;
(iii) The purpose for which the funds are to be applied in such reasonable detail as
the Management Committee shall direct; and
(iv) The date on which payments of the Capital Contribution shall be made (which date
shall not be sooner than the 30th Day following the date the Capital Call is given, unless a
sooner date is approved by the Management Committee) and the method of payment, provided
that the date and the method shall be the same for each of the Partners.
(c) Each Partner agrees that it shall make payments of its respective Capital Contributions in
accordance with Capital Calls issued as provided in Section 4.01(a).
4.02
Loans
.
(a) Rather than making a Capital Call under Section 4.01, the Management Committee by notice
may require the Partners to lend funds to the Partnership at such times, in such amounts and under
such terms and conditions as the Management Committee shall determine; provided, however, that the
Management Committee shall not call for loans rather than Capital Contributions to the extent doing
so would breach any financing or other agreement of the Partnership. All amounts received from a
Partner after the date specified in Section 4.02(b)(iv) by the Partnership under this Section 4.02
shall be accompanied by interest on such overdue amounts (and the default shall not be cured unless
such interest is also received by the Partnership), which interest shall be payable to the
Partnership and shall accrue from and after such specified date at the Default Rate. Any such
interest paid shall be credited to the respective
14
Capital Accounts of all the Partners on a pro rata basis in accordance with their respective
Sharing Ratios as of the date such payment is made to the Partnership, but shall not be considered
part of the principal of the loan.
(b) Each notice issued under Section 4.02(a) shall contain the following information:
(i) The total amount of loans required from the Partners;
(ii) The amount of the loan required from the Partner to which the notice is addressed,
which amount must equal (A) that Partners Sharing Ratio of the total amount of loans
requested divided by (B) the sum of the Sharing Ratios of all Partners;
(iii) The purpose for which the funds are to be applied in such reasonable detail as
the Management Committee shall direct;
(iv) The date on which the loans to the Partnership shall be made (which date shall not
be sooner than the 30th Day following the date the request is given, unless a sooner date is
approved by the Management Committee) and the method of payment, provided that the date and
the method shall be the same for each of the Partners; and
(v) All terms concerning the repayment of or otherwise relating to the loans, provided
that the terms shall be the same for each of the Partners.
(c) Each Partner agrees that it shall make its respective loans in accordance with requests
issued as provided in Section 4.02(a).
4.03
No Other Contribution Obligations
. No Partner shall be required or permitted to make any
Capital Contributions or loans to the Partnership except as provided in this Article 4.
4.04
Return of Contributions
. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, a Partner is not
entitled to the return of any part of its Capital Contributions or to be paid interest in respect
of either its Capital Account or its Capital Contributions. An unrepaid Capital Contribution is
not a liability of the Partnership or of any Partner. A Partner is not required to contribute or
to lend any cash or property to the Partnership to enable the Partnership to return any Partners
Capital Contributions.
4.05
Capital Accounts
.
(a) The aggregate amount in each Partners Capital Accounts existing as of the date hereof
shall be based on the tax basis of the assets and liabilities owned by the Partnership as of the
date hereof and allocated between the Partners in proportion to their respective Sharing Ratios.
Each Partners Capital Account shall be increased by (i) the amount of money contributed by that
Partner to the Partnership, (ii) the fair market value of property contributed by that Partner to
the Partnership (net of liabilities secured by such contributed
15
property that the Partnership is considered to assume or take subject to under Section 752 of
the Code), and (iii) allocations to that Partner of Partnership income and gain (or items thereof),
including income and gain exempt from tax and income and gain described in Treasury Regulation §
1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g), but excluding income and gain described in Treasury Regulation §
1.704-1(b)(4)(i), and shall be decreased by (iv) the amount of money distributed to that Partner by
the Partnership, (v) the fair market value of property distributed to that Partner by the
Partnership (net of liabilities secured by such distributed property that such Partner is
considered to assume or take subject to under Section 752 of the Code), (vi) allocations to that
Partner of expenditures of the Partnership described (or treated as described) in Section
705(a)(2)(B) of the Code, and (vii) allocations of Partnership loss and deduction (or items
thereof), including loss and deduction described in Treasury Regulation § 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g), but
excluding items described in (vi) above and loss or deduction described in Treasury Regulation §
1.704-1(b)(4)(i) or 1.704-1(b)(4)(iii). The Partners Capital Accounts shall also be maintained
and adjusted as permitted by the provisions of Treasury Regulation § 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f) and as
required by the other provisions of Treasury Regulation §§ 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv) and 1.704-1(b)(4),
including adjustments to reflect the allocations to the Partners of depreciation, depletion,
amortization, and gain or loss as computed for book purposes rather than the allocation of the
corresponding items as computed for tax purposes, as required by Treasury Regulation §
1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g). Thus, the Partners Capital Accounts shall be increased or decreased to
reflect a revaluation of the Partnerships property on its books based on the fair market value of
the Partnerships property on the date of adjustment (as determined pursuant to Section 4.05(b)),
immediately prior to (A) the contribution of money or other property to the Partnership by a new or
existing Partner as consideration for a Partnership Interest or an increased Sharing Ratio, (B) the
distribution of money or other property by the Partnership to a Partner as consideration for a
Partnership Interest, or (C) the liquidation of the Partnership. A Partner who has more than one
Partnership Interest shall have a single Capital Account that reflects all such Partnership
Interests, regardless of the class of Partnership Interests owned by such Partner and regardless of
the time or manner in which such Partnership Interests were acquired. Upon the Disposition of all
or a portion of a Partnership Interest, the Capital Account of the Disposing Partner that is
attributable to that Partnership Interest shall carry over to the Assignee in accordance with the
provisions of Treasury Regulation § 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(l).
(b) Whenever the fair market value of the Partnerships property is required to be determined
pursuant to the third and fourth sentences of Section 4.05(a), the Management Committee shall
establish the fair market value in a notice to the Limited Partners.
4.06
Failure to Make a Capital Contribution
.
(a)
General
. If any Partner fails to make a Capital Contribution when required in a Capital
Call under Section 4.01 of this Agreement, or a loan when required under Section 4.02 of this
Agreement (each such Partner being a
Non-Contributing Partner
), then, provided the failure has
not been cured, the Partners that have contributed their Capital Contributions (each, a
Contributing Partner
) may (without limitation as to other remedies that may be available) at any
time after the 10th Day after the date the Capital Contribution was due elect to:
16
(i) treat the Non-Contributing Partners failure to contribute as a Default by giving
notice to the Non-Contributing Partner, in which event the provisions of this Agreement
regarding the commission of a Default by a Partner shall apply; or
(ii) pay the portion of the Capital Contribution owed and unpaid by the
Non-Contributing Partner (the
Additional Contribution
), in which event the Contributing
Partners that elect to fund the Non-Contributing Partners share (the
Additional
Contribution Partners
) may treat the contribution as one of: (1) a Capital Contribution
resulting in the Additional Contribution Partners receiving a Priority Interest under
Section 4.06(b), or (2) a permanent capital contribution that results in an adjustment of
Partnership Interests under Section 4.06(c), as determined by the Additional Contribution
Partners as set forth below.
No Contributing Partner shall be obligated to elect either (i) or (ii) above. The decision of the
Contributing Partners to elect (i) or (ii) above shall be made by the determination of the
Contributing Partners holding the majority of the Sharing Ratios of all Contributing Partners, but
(ii) above may not be elected unless at such time of determination there is one or more Additional
Contribution Partners. The decision of the Additional Contribution Partners to elect (ii)(1) or
(ii)(2) above shall be made by the determination of the Additional Contribution Partners holding
the majority of the Sharing Ratios of all Additional Contribution Partners. Unless and until such
election is made, payment of the Additional Contribution shall be treated as a Priority Interest
under Section 4.06(a)(ii)(1). If the Additional Contribution Partners make the election under
Section 4.06(a)(ii) to treat the contribution as a contribution for which they receive a Priority
Interest under Section 4.06(b), then the Additional Contribution Partners will have the option,
exercisable at any time thereafter (by the election of Additional Contribution Partners holding a
majority of the Sharing Ratios of all Additional Contribution Partners) upon notice to the other
Partners on or before the 30th Day beforehand, to change their election such that the amount of the
payment of the Non-Contributing Partners portion of the Capital Contribution (less any amounts
received by the Additional Contribution Partners as a payment of the applicable Priority Interest
(other than payment of the return amount forming a part thereof)) shall be treated as an Additional
Contribution as provided in Section 4.06(c). In that event, the accrued and unpaid return forming
part of the Priority Interest shall not be treated as an Additional Contribution but shall continue
as a Priority Interest as provided in Section 4.06(b) below (with such amount to continue to
compound return thereon).
(b)
Priority Interest
. If the Additional Contribution Partners elect to treat the payment of
Additional Contribution as a contribution for which the Additional Contribution Partners receive a
Priority Interest, then the following shall apply:
(i) Each Additional Contribution Partner shall receive a Priority Interest in the
distributions from the Partnership that would otherwise be due and payable to the
Non-Contributing Partner(s). The Priority Interest received by each Additional Contribution
Partner shall be in the proportion that the amount of the Additional Contribution paid by
that Additional Contribution Partner bears to the amount of the Additional Contributions
made by all Additional Contribution Partners (each Additional Contribution Partners
percentage share of the Priority Interests shall be its
Priority Interest Sharing Ratio
).
All distributions from the Partnership that would otherwise be
17
due and payable to the Non-Contributing Partner(s) instead shall be paid to the
Additional Contribution Partners in accordance with their respective Priority Interest
Sharing Ratio and no distribution shall be made from the Partnership to any Non-Contributing
Partner until all Priority Interests have terminated. The Priority Interest shall terminate
with respect to an Additional Contribution Partner when that Additional Contribution Partner
has received either through the distributions it receives under its Priority Interest or
through payment(s) to it by the Non-Contributing Partner(s) (which payment(s) may be made by
the Non-Contributing Partner(s) at any time) of an amount equal to the Additional
Contribution made by such Partner, plus a return thereon of fourteen percent (14%) per annum
(compounded monthly on the outstanding balance). For the purpose of making this calculation,
all amounts received by an Additional Contribution Partner shall be deemed to be applied
first against a return on, and then to the amount of, the Additional Contribution. For
purposes of maintaining Capital Accounts, any amount paid by a Non-Contributing Partner to a
Contributing Partner to reduce and/or terminate a Priority Interest shall be treated as
though such amount were contributed by the Non-Contributing Partner to the Partnership and
thereafter distributed by the Partnership to the Contributing Partner with respect to its
Priority Interest.
(ii) The Priority Interests shall not alter the Sharing Ratios, nor shall the Priority
Interests alter any distributions to the Contributing Partners (in their capacity as
Contributing Partners, as opposed to their capacity as Additional Contribution Partners) in
accordance with their respective Sharing Ratios. Notwithstanding any provision in this
Agreement to the contrary, a Partner may not dispose of all or a portion of its Priority
Interest except to a Person to which it Disposes all or the applicable pro rata portion of
its Partnership Interest after compliance with the requirements of this Agreement for the
Disposition.
(iii) No Partner that is a Non-Contributing Partner may Dispose of its Partnership
Interest unless, at the closing of such Disposition, either the Non-Contributing Partner or
the proposed Assignee pays the amount necessary to terminate the Priority Interest arising
from such Non-Contributing Partners failure to contribute. No Assignee shall be admitted
to the Partnership as a Partner until compliance with this Section 4.06(b)(iii) has
occurred.
(c)
Permanent Contribution
. Subject to Section 4.06(a), if the Additional Contribution
Partners elect under Section 4.06(a) to have the Additional Contribution treated as a permanent
capital contribution, then each Additional Contribution Partner that funds a portion of the
Additional Contribution shall have its capital account increased accordingly and the Partners
Partnership Interests and Sharing Ratios will be automatically adjusted to equal each Partners
total Capital Contributions when expressed as a percentage of all Partners Capital Contributions.
(d)
Further Assurance
. In connection with this Section 4.06, each Partner shall execute and
deliver any additional documents and instruments and perform any additional acts that may be
necessary or appropriate to effectuate and perform the provisions of this Section 4.06.
18
ARTICLE 5
DISTRIBUTIONS AND ALLOCATIONS
5.01
Distributions
. On or before the 30th Day following the end of each Quarter, the Management
Committee shall review and determine the amount of Available Cash with respect to that Quarter, and
an amount equal to 100% of Available Cash with respect to that Quarter shall be distributed in
accordance with this Article 5 to the Partners (other than a Breaching Partner) in proportion to
their respective Sharing Ratios (at the time the amounts of such distributions are made).
5.02
Distributions on Dissolution and Winding Up
. Upon the winding up of the Partnership, after
adjusting the Capital Accounts for all distributions made under Section 5.01 and all allocations
under Article 5, all available proceeds distributable to the Partners as determined under Section
11.02 shall be distributed to all of the Partners (other than a Breaching Partner) in amounts equal
to the Partners positive Capital Account balances.
5.03
Allocations
.
(a) For purposes of maintaining the Capital Accounts pursuant to Section 4.05 and for income
tax purposes, except as provided in Section 5.03(b) and (c), each item of income, gain, loss,
deduction and credit of the Partnership shall be allocated to the Partners in accordance with their
respective Sharing Ratios.
(b) With respect to each period during which a Priority Interest is outstanding, each
Additional Contribution Partner shall be allocated items of income and gain in an amount equal to
the return that accrues with respect to that Additional Contribution Partners Additional
Contribution pursuant to Section 4.06(b)(i), and items of income and gain that would otherwise be
allocable to the Non-Contributing Partner(s) shall be correspondingly reduced.
(c) For income tax purposes, income, gain, loss, and deduction with respect to property
contributed to the Partnership by a Partner or revalued pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f) shall be allocated among the Partners in a manner that takes into account the
variation between the adjusted tax basis of such property and its book value, as required by
Section 704(c) of the Code and Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(i), using the remedial
allocation method permitted by Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-3(d).
5.04
Varying Interests
. All items of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit shall be allocated,
and all distributions shall be made, to the Persons shown on the records of the Partnership to have
been Partners as of the last calendar day of the period for which the allocation or distribution is
to be made. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if during any taxable year there is a change in any
Partners Sharing Ratio, the Partners agree that their allocable shares of items for the taxable
year shall be determined on any method determined by the Management Committee to be permissible
under Code Section 706 and the related Treasury Regulations to take account of the Partners
varying Sharing Ratios.
19
ARTICLE 6
MANAGEMENT
6.01
Generally
. The management of the Partnership is fully vested in the Partners. To facilitate
the orderly and efficient management of the Partnership, the Partners shall act (a) collectively as
a committee of the whole (named the Management Committee) pursuant to Section 6.02, and (b)
through the delegation of certain duties and authority to the Operator and the Officers. Subject
to the express provisions of this Agreement, each Partner agrees that it will not exercise its
authority under the Act to bind or commit the Partnership to agreements, transactions or other
arrangements, or to hold itself out as an agent of the Partnership.
6.02
Management Committee
. Decisions or actions taken by the Management Committee in accordance
with the provisions of this Agreement shall constitute decisions or actions by the Partnership and
shall be binding on each Partner, Representative, Officer and employee of the Partnership. The
Management Committee shall conduct its affairs in accordance with the following provisions and the
other provisions of this Agreement:
(a)
Representatives
.
(i)
Designation
. To facilitate the orderly and efficient conduct of Management
Committee meetings, each Partner shall notify the other Partners, from time to time, of the
identity of (A) one of its officers, employees or agents who will represent it at meetings
(a
Representative
), and (B) one of its officers, employees or agents who will represent it
at any meeting that the Partners Representative is unable to attend (
Alternate
Representative
). (The term
Representative
shall also refer to any Alternate
Representative that is actually performing the duties of the applicable Representative.).
The initial Representative and Alternate Representative of each Partner are set forth in
Exhibit A. A Partner may designate a different Representative or Alternate Representative
for any meeting of the Management Committee by notifying each of the other Partners on or
before the scheduled date for that meeting; provided, however, that if giving that advance
notice is not feasible, then the new Representative or Alternate Representative shall
present written evidence of his or her authority at the commencement of such meeting.
(ii)
Authority
. Each Representative shall have the full authority to act on behalf of
the Partner that designated that Representative; the action of a Representative at a meeting
(or through a written consent) of the Management Committee shall bind the Partner that
designated that Representative; and the other Partners shall be entitled to rely upon such
action without further inquiry or investigation as to the actual authority (or lack thereof)
of that Representative. In addition, the act of an Alternate Representative shall be deemed
the act of the Representative for which that Alternate Representative is acting, without the
need to produce evidence of the absence or unavailability of such Representative.
(iii)
DISCLAIMER OF DUTIES; INDEMNIFICATION
. EACH REPRESENTATIVE SHALL REPRESENT, AND
OWE DUTIES TO, ONLY THE PARTNER THAT DESIGNATED THE REPRESENTATIVE (THE NATURE
20
AND EXTENT OF SUCH DUTIES BEING AN INTERNAL AFFAIR OF THE PARTNER), AND NOT TO THE
PARTNERSHIP, ANY OTHER PARTNER OR REPRESENTATIVE OR ANY OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE OF THE
PARTNERSHIP. THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 6.02(e)(iii) SHALL ALSO INURE TO THE BENEFIT OF EACH
PARTNERS REPRESENTATIVE. THE PARTNERSHIP SHALL INDEMNIFY, PROTECT, DEFEND, RELEASE AND
HOLD HARMLESS EACH REPRESENTATIVE FROM AND AGAINST ANY CLAIMS ASSERTED BY OR ON BEHALF OF
ANY PERSON (INCLUDING ANOTHER PARTNER), OTHER THAN THE PARTNER THAT DESIGNATED THE
REPRESENTATIVE, THAT ARISE OUT OF, RELATE TO OR ARE OTHERWISE ATTRIBUTABLE TO, DIRECTLY OR
INDIRECTLY, THE REPRESENTATIVES SERVICE ON THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.
(iv)
Attendance
. Each Partner shall use all reasonable efforts to cause its
Representative or Alternate Representative to attend each meeting of the Management
Committee, unless its Representative is unable to do so because of a force majeure event
or other event beyond his reasonable control, in which event that Partner shall use all
reasonable efforts to cause its Representative or Alternate Representative to participate in
the meeting by telephone pursuant to Section 6.02(g).
(b)
Procedures
. The Management Committee shall maintain written minutes of each of its
meetings, which shall be submitted for approval within a reasonable period of time after each
meeting. The Management Committee may adopt whatever rules and procedures relating to its
activities as it may deem appropriate, provided that such rules and procedures shall not be
inconsistent with or violate the provisions of this Agreement.
(c)
Time and Place of Meetings
. The Management Committee shall meet quarterly, subject to
more or less frequent meetings upon approval of the Management Committee, at such times and places
as the Representatives may agree. Special meetings of the Management Committee may be called at
such times, and in such manner, as any Partner deems necessary. Any Partner calling for any such
special meeting shall notify all other Partners of the date and agenda for such meeting on or
before the fifth Day prior to the date of such meeting. This five-Day period may be shortened by
unanimous vote of the Management Committee. All meetings of the Management Committee shall be held
at such location as the Partners may agree. Attendance of a Partners Representative at a meeting
of the Management Committee shall constitute a waiver of notice of that meeting, except where the
Representative attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any
business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
(d)
Quorum
. The presence of a Majority Interest shall constitute a quorum for the transaction
of business at any meeting of the Management Committee.
(e)
Voting
.
(i)
Voting by Sharing Ratios; Voting Thresholds
. Except as provided otherwise in this
Agreement, voting shall be according to the Partners respective Sharing Ratios. Except as
otherwise provided in this Agreement, the vote of
21
one or more Partners holding among them at least a majority of the Sharing Ratios (a
Majority Interest
) shall constitute the action of the Management Committee.
(ii)
DISCLAIMER OF DUTIES
. WITH RESPECT TO ANY VOTE, CONSENT OR APPROVAL AT ANY
MEETING OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE OR OTHERWISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, EACH PARTNER OR ITS
REPRESENTATIVE MAY GRANT OR WITHHOLD ITS VOTE, CONSENT OR APPROVAL IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION.
THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION 6.02(e)(ii) SHALL APPLY NOTWITHSTANDING THE NEGLIGENCE, GROSS
NEGLIGENCE, WILLFUL MISCONDUCT, STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHER FAULT OR RESPONSIBILITY OF A
PARTNER OR ITS REPRESENTATIVE.
(iii)
Exclusion of Certain Partners and Their Sharing Ratios
. With respect to any
vote, consent or approval, any Breaching Partner or Withdrawn Partner shall be excluded from
such decision (as contemplated by Section 10.03(c)), and the Sharing Ratio of such Breaching
Partner or Withdrawn Partner shall be disregarded in calculating the voting thresholds in
Section 6.02(e)(i). In addition, if any other provision of this Agreement provides that a
Majority Interest is to be calculated without reference to the Sharing Ratio of a particular
Partner, then the applicable voting threshold, including the number of Partners required, in
Section 6.02(e)(i) shall be deemed adjusted accordingly.
(f)
Action by Written Consent
. Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of
the Management Committee may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice, and without a vote
if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed by Partners
holding among them the requisite Sharing Ratio for approval of such action at a meeting. Notice of
any such action shall be given promptly to any Partner that has not consented to such action.
(g)
Meetings by Telephone
. Partners may participate in and hold any meeting by means of
conference telephone, videoconference or similar communications equipment by means of which all
persons participating in the meeting can hear each other. Participation in a meeting shall
constitute presence in person at the meeting, except where a Partner participates in the meeting
for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the
meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
(h)
Matters Requiring Management Committee Approval
. Except as expressly provided elsewhere
in this Agreement, none of the following actions may be taken by, or on behalf of the Partnership,
without first obtaining the vote of the Management Committee described below:
(i)
Unanimous Interest
. The following actions shall require the approval of all
Partners:
(A) dissolution of the Company under Section 11.01(a) or the Partnership under Section
11.01(a) of the Partnership Agreement;
22
(B) causing or permitting the Partnership to become Bankrupt (but this provision shall
not be construed to require any Partner to ensure the profitability or solvency of the
Partnership);
(C) conducting, or authorizing the Partnership to conduct, any activity or business
that may generate income for federal income tax purposes that may not be qualifying income
(as such term is defined pursuant to Section 7704 of the Code);
(D) any other action that, pursuant to an express provision of this Agreement, requires
the approval of all Partners;
(E) the Disposition or abandonment of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Partnership; or
(F) causing or permitting the Partnership to merge with, or consolidate or convert
into, any other entity.
(ii)
Majority Interest
. A Majority Interest shall be required to approve:
(A) causing the Partnership to take any action under the Partnership Agreement that
requires Management Committee approval other than the actions specified in Section
6.02(h)(i);
(B) the amount of Available Cash with respect to each Quarter;
(C) approving or amending the annual Capital Budget and Operating Budget for the
Partnership (with it being understood that the latest approved Capital Budget or Operating
Budget shall be used, and deemed approved, for any subsequent period until the new Capital
Budget or Operating Budget (as applicable) for that period is so approved), including the
parameters under which the Operator and the Officers are authorized to expend Partnership
funds without further Management Committee approval;
(D) any Capital Call or loan under Section 4.02;
(E) any additions to or expansion of the Facilities; or
(F) engaging any engineer, auditor, attorney or other consultant or adviser.
(i)
Subcommittees
. The Management Committee may create such subcommittees, and delegate to
such subcommittees such authority and responsibility, and rescind any such delegations, as it may
deem appropriate.
23
(j)
Officers
. The Management Committee may designate one or more Persons to be Officers of
the Partnership. Any Officers so designated shall have such titles and, subject to the other
provisions of this Agreement, have such authority and perform such duties as the Management
Committee may delegate to them and shall serve at the pleasure of the Management Committee and
report to the Management Committee.
6.03
Operations and Management Agreement
. Promptly after the Partnerships formation, the
Partnership shall enter into an Operations and Management Agreement with the Operator on terms as
it may find acceptable (the
O&M Agreement
). Until the O&M Agreement is executed, the Operator
may perform services, and shall be entitled to compensation, in a manner consistent with the
historical operation of the Facilities and as set forth in the Omnibus Agreement.
6.04
Conflicts of Interest
. A Partner or an Affiliate of a Partner may engage in and possess
interests in other business ventures of any and every type and description, independently or with
others, including ones in competition with the Partnership and specifically including natural gas
storage and transportation, with no obligation to offer to the Partnership, any other Partner or
any Affiliate of another Partner the right to participate therein. The Partnership may transact
business with any Partner or Affiliate of a Partner, provided the terms of those transactions are
approved by the Management Committee or expressly contemplated by this Agreement or the O&M
Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Partners recognize and agree that
their respective Affiliates currently, or in the future may, engage in various activities involving
natural gas marketing and trading (including futures, options, swaps, exchanges of future positions
for physical deliveries and commodity trading), gathering, processing, storage, transportation and
distribution, development and ownership, as well as other commercial activities related to natural
gas and that these and other activities by Partners Affiliates may be based on natural gas that is
stored in the Facilities or otherwise made possible or more profitable by reason of the
Partnerships activities (herein referred to as
Affiliates Outside Activities
). No Affiliate of
a Partner shall be restricted in its right to conduct, individually or jointly with others, for its
own account any Affiliates Outside Activities, and no Partner or its Affiliates shall have any
duty or obligation, express or implied, fiduciary or otherwise, to account to, or to share the
results or profits of such Affiliates Outside Activities with, the Partnership, any other Partner
or any Affiliate of any other Partner, by reason of such Affiliates Outside Activities.
6.05
Indemnification for Breach of Agreement
. Each Partner shall indemnify, protect, defend,
release and hold harmless each other Partner, its Affiliates, and its and their respective
directors, officers, trustees, employees and agents from and against any Claims asserted by or on
behalf of any Person (including another Partner) that result from a breach by the indemnifying
Partner of this Agreement; provided, however, that this Section 6.05 shall not (a) apply to any
Claim or other matter for which a Partner has no liability or duty, or is indemnified or released,
pursuant to Section 6.04 or pursuant to the terms of any Storage Agreements or (b) hold the
indemnified Person harmless from special, consequential or exemplary damages, except in the case
where the indemnified Person is legally obligated to pay such damages to another Person.
6.06
General Regulatory Matters
(a) . Each Partner shall:
24
(a) cooperate fully with the Partnership, the Management Committee and the Operator in
securing appropriate Authorizations for the development, construction and operation of the
Facilities, including supporting all applications to the FERC, and in connection with any reports
prescribed by any other Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Partnership;
(b) join in any eminent domain takings by the Partnership, to the extent, if any, required by
Law;
(c) devote such efforts as shall be reasonable and necessary to develop and promote the
Facilities for the benefit of the Partnership, taking into account the Partners Sharing Ratio,
resources and expertise; and
(d) cooperate fully with the Partnership, the Management Committee and the Operator to ensure
compliance with FERC Standards of Conduct, if applicable.
6.07
Disclaimer Of Duties
. WITH RESPECT TO ANY ACTION, CONSENT OR APPROVAL, EACH PARTNER MAY TAKE
OR NOT TAKE THE ACTION, OR GRANT OR WITHHOLD CONSENT OR APPROVAL, IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION. THE
PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION 6.07 SHALL APPLY NOTWITHSTANDING THE NEGLIGENCE, GROSS NEGLIGENCE,
WILLFUL MISCONDUCT, STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHER FAULT OR RESPONSIBILITY OF ANY PARTNER.
ARTICLE 7
TAXES
7.01
Tax Returns
. The Tax Matters Partner shall prepare and timely file (on behalf of the
Partnership) all federal, state and local tax returns required to be filed by the Partnership.
Each Partner shall furnish to the Tax Matters Partner all pertinent information in its possession
relating to the Partnerships operations that is necessary to enable the Partnerships tax returns
to be timely prepared and filed. The Partnership shall bear the costs of the preparation and
filing of its returns.
7.02
Tax Elections
. The Partnership shall make the following elections on the appropriate tax
returns:
(a) to adopt as the Partnerships fiscal year the calendar year;
(b) to adopt the accrual method of accounting;
(c) if a distribution of the Partnerships property as described in Code Section 734 occurs or
upon a transfer of a Partnership Interest as described in Code Section 743 occurs, on request by
notice from any Partner, to elect, pursuant to Code Section 754, to adjust the basis of the
Partnerships properties;
(d) to elect to amortize the organizational expenses of the Partnership ratably over the
period as permitted by Section 709(b) of the Code; and
(e) any other election the Management Committee may deem appropriate.
25
Neither the Partnership nor any Partner shall make an election for the Partnership to be excluded
from the application of the provisions of subchapter K of chapter 1 of subtitle A of the Code or
any similar provisions of applicable state law and no provision of this Agreement shall be
construed to sanction or approve such an election.
7.03
Tax Matters Partner
.
(a) The Management Committee shall designate SET MHP to serve as the tax matters partner of
the Partnership pursuant to Section 6231(a)(7) of the Code (the
Tax Matters Partner
). The Tax
Matters Partner shall take such action as may be necessary to cause to the extent possible each
other Partner to become a notice partner within the meaning of Section 6223 of the Code. The Tax
Matters Partner shall inform each other Partner of all significant matters that may come to its
attention in its capacity as Tax Matters Partner by giving notice thereof on or before the fifth
Business Day after becoming aware thereof and, within that time, shall forward to each other
Partner copies of all significant written communications it may receive in that capacity.
(b) The Tax Matters Partner shall provide any Partner, upon request, access to accounting and
tax information and schedules as shall be necessary for the preparation by such Partner of its
income tax returns and such Partners tax information reporting requirements.
(c) Any cost or expense incurred by the Tax Matters Partner in connection with its duties,
including the preparation for or pursuance of administrative or judicial proceedings, shall be paid
by the Partnership.
(d) The Tax Matters Partner shall not bind any Partner to a settlement agreement without
obtaining the consent of such Partner. Any Partner that enters into a settlement agreement with
respect to any Partnership item (as described in Code Section 6231(a)(3)) shall notify the other
Partners of the settlement agreement and its terms on or before the 90th Day after the date of the
settlement.
(e) No Partner shall file a request pursuant to Code Section 6227 for an administrative
adjustment of Company items for any taxable year without first notifying the other Partners. If
the Management Committee consents to the requested adjustment, the Tax Matters Partner shall file
the request for the administrative adjustment on behalf of the Partners. If such consent is not
obtained on or before the 30th Day after such notice, or within the period required to timely file
the request for administrative adjustment, if shorter, any Partner, including the Tax Matters
Partner, may file a request for administrative adjustment on its own behalf. Any Partner intending
to file a petition under Code Sections 6226, 6228 or other Code Section with respect to any item
involving the Company shall notify the other Partners of such intention and the nature of the
contemplated proceeding. In the case where the Tax Matters Partner is the Partner intending to
file such petition on behalf of the Company, such notice shall be given within a reasonable period
of time to allow the other Partners to participate in the choosing of the forum in which such
petition will be filed.
(f) If any Partner intends to file a notice of inconsistent treatment under Code Section
6222(b), such Partner shall give reasonable notice under the circumstances to the other
26
Partners of such intent and the manner in which the Partners intended treatment of an item is
(or may be) inconsistent with the treatment of that item by the other Partners.
ARTICLE 8
BOOKS, RECORDS, REPORTS, AND BANK ACCOUNTS
8.01
Maintenance of Books; Reports
. The Operator shall keep or cause to be kept at the principal
office of the Partnership or at such other location approved by the Management Committee complete
and accurate books and records of the Partnership, including all books and records necessary to
provide to the Partners any information required to be provided pursuant to Section 8.02,
supporting documentation of the transactions with respect to the conduct of the Partnerships
business and minutes of the proceedings of the Partners and the Management Committee, and any other
books and records that are required to be maintained by applicable Law.
8.02
Reports
.
(a) With respect to each calendar year, and within the time frame specified by the Management
Committee, the Operator shall prepare and deliver to each Partner:
(i) a statement of operations and a statement of cash flows for such year, a balance
sheet and a statement of each Partners Capital Account as of the end of such year,
and an audited report thereon of the Certified Public Accountants; and
(ii) such federal, state and local income tax returns and such other accounting and
tax information and schedules as shall be necessary for tax reporting purposes by
each Partner with respect to such year.
(b) The Operator shall prepare and deliver to the Partners the following information within 30
Days after the end of such calendar year:
(i) a discussion and analysis of the results of operations including detailed
explanations of significant variances in revenues, expenses and cash flow activities
appearing in the audited financial statements, as compared to the same periods in
the prior calendar year, and relevant operational statistics, including volumetric
data;
(ii) a schedule of amounts due by year for contractual obligations that will
impact Available Cash including, but not limited to, notes payable, capital leases,
operating leases, and purchase obligations; and
(iii) such forecasts as specified by the Management Committee.
(c) Within 25 Days after the end of each calendar month, the Operator shall cause to be
prepared and delivered to each Partner with an appropriate certification of the Person authorized
to prepare the same (provided that the Management Committee may change the
27
financial statements required by this Section 8.02(c) to a quarterly basis or may make such other
change therein as it may deem appropriate):
(i) A statement of operations for such month (including sufficient information to
permit the Partners to calculate their tax accruals) and for the portion of the calendar
year then ended as compared with the same periods for the prior calendar year and with the
budgeted results for the current periods; and
(ii) A balance sheet and a statement of each Partners Capital Account as of the end of
such month and the portion of the calendar year then ended.
(d) Within 25 Days after the end of each of the first three calendar quarters of each year,
the Operator shall cause to be prepared and delivered to each Partner (i) a statement of operations
for such quarter and year-to-date, a statement of cash flows and a statement of each Partners
Capital Account for the year-to-date period, and a balance sheet as of the end of such quarter,
(ii) a discussion and analysis of the results of operations including detailed explanations of
significant variances in revenues, expenses and cash flow activities appearing in the financial
statements (as formally reviewed by the Certified Public Accountants), as compared to the same
periods in the prior calendar year, and relevant operational statistics, including volumetric data,
and (iii) within 40 Days after the end of such quarter, a formal review report thereon of the
Certified Public Accountants.
(e) The Operator shall also cause to be prepared and delivered to each Partner such other
reports, forecasts, studies, budgets and other information as the Management Committee may request
from time to time.
8.03
Bank Accounts
. Funds of the Partnership shall be deposited in such banks or other
depositories as shall be designated from time to time by the Management Committee. All withdrawals
from any such depository shall be made only as authorized by the Management Committee and shall be
made only by check, wire transfer, debit memorandum or other written instruction.
ARTICLE 9
WITHDRAWAL
9.01
No Right of Withdrawal
. A Partner has no power or right voluntarily to Withdraw from the
Partnership.
9.02
Deemed Withdrawal
. A Partner is deemed to have Withdrawn from the Partnership upon the
occurrence of any of the following events:
(a) there occurs an event that makes it unlawful for the Partner to continue to be a Partner;
(b) the Partner becomes Bankrupt;
(c) the Partner commences liquidation or winding up; or
28
(d) notice from the Management Committee if the Partner commits a Default and the Default has
not been cured.
9.03
Effect of Withdrawal
. A Partner that is deemed to have Withdrawn under Section 9.02 (a
Withdrawn Partner
), must comply with the following requirements in connection with its
Withdrawal:
(a) The Withdrawn Partner ceases to be a Partner immediately upon the occurrence of the
applicable Withdrawal event.
(b) The Withdrawn Partner shall not be entitled to receive any distributions from the
Partnership except as set forth in Section 9.03(e), and it shall not be entitled to exercise any
voting or consent rights or to receive any further information (or access to information) from the
Partnership. The Sharing Ratio of that Partner shall not be taken into account in calculating the
Sharing Ratios of the Partners for any purposes. This Section 9.03(b) shall also apply to a
Breaching Partner; but if a Breaching Partner cures its breach during the applicable cure period,
then any distributions that were withheld from that Partner shall be paid to it, without interest.
(c) The Withdrawn Partner must pay to the Partnership all amounts it owes to the Partnership.
(d) The Withdrawn Partner shall remain obligated for all liabilities it may have under this
Agreement or otherwise with respect to the Partnership that accrue prior to the Withdrawal.
(e) From the date of the Withdrawal to the date of the payment, the former Capital Account
balance of the Withdrawn Partner shall be recorded as a contingent obligation of the Partnership,
and not as a Capital Account, until payment is made. The rights of a Withdrawn Partner under this
Section 9.03(e) shall (i) be subordinate to the rights of any other creditor of the Partnership,
(ii) not include any right on the part of the Withdrawn Partner to receive any interest (except as
may otherwise be provided in the evidence of any indebtedness of the Partnership owed to such
Withdrawn Partner) or other amounts with respect thereto; (iii) not require the Partnership to make
any distribution (the Withdrawing Partners rights under this Section 9.03(e) being limited to
receiving such portion of distributions as the Management Committee may, in its Sole Discretion,
decide to cause the Partnership to make); (iv) not require any Partner to make a Capital
Contribution or a loan to permit the Partnership to make a distribution or otherwise to pay the
Withdrawing Partner; and (v) be treated as a liability of the Partnership for purposes of Section
12.02. Except as set forth in this Section 9.03(e), a Withdrawn Partner shall not be entitled to
receive any return of its Capital Contributions or other payment from the Partnership in respect of
its Partnership Interest.
(f) The Sharing Ratio of the Withdrawn Partner shall be allocated among the remaining Partners
in the proportion that each Partners Sharing Ratio bears to the total Sharing Ratio of all
remaining Partners, or in such other proportion as the Partners may unanimously agree.
29
ARTICLE 10
DISPUTE RESOLUTION
10.01
Disputes
. This Article 10 shall apply to any dispute arising under or related to this
Agreement (whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, and whether arising at law or in
equity), including (a) any dispute regarding the construction, interpretation, performance,
validity or enforceability of any provision of this Agreement or whether any Person is in
compliance with, or breach of, any provisions of this Agreement, and (b) the applicability of this
Article 10 to a particular dispute. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Article 10 shall not apply
to any matters that, pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, are to be resolved by a vote of
the Partners; provided, however, that (i) any matter that is expressly stated herein to be
determinable by arbitration may be so determined pursuant to this Article 10 and (ii) if a vote,
approval, consent, determination or other decision must, under the terms of this Agreement, be made
(or withheld) in accordance with a standard other than Sole Discretion (such as a reasonableness
standard), then the issue of whether such standard has been satisfied may be a dispute to which
this Article 10 applies. Any dispute to which this Article 10 applies is referred to herein as a
Dispute
. With respect to a particular Dispute, each Partner that is a party to such Dispute is
referred to herein as a
Disputing Partner
. The provisions of this Article 10 shall be the
exclusive method of resolving Disputes.
10.02
Negotiation to Resolve Disputes
. If a Dispute arises, any Disputing Partner may
initiate the dispute resolution procedure under this Article 10 by notifying the other Disputing
Partners (a
Dispute Notice
), after which the Disputing Partners shall attempt to resolve such
Dispute through the following procedure:
(a) first, within 7 Days after receipt of the Dispute Notice, the Representatives of the
Disputing Partners shall meet (whether by phone or in person) in a good faith attempt to resolve
the Dispute;
(b) second, if the Dispute is still unresolved, then after the 20th Day following the
commencement of the negotiations described in Section 10.02(a) but in no event later than the 30th
Day after receipt of the Dispute Notice, the chief executive officer (or his designee) of the
Parent of each Disputing Partner shall meet (whether by phone or in person) in a good faith attempt
to resolve the Dispute; and
(c) third, if the Dispute is still unresolved, then after the 10th Day following the
commencement of the negotiations described in Section 10.02(b), any Disputing Party may submit the
Dispute for resolution under the Federal Arbitration Act by binding arbitration following the
Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association (or, if that Association has
ceased to exist, its principal successor) (the
AAA
) then in effect, including its evidentiary and
procedural rules (excluding rules governing the payment of arbitration, administrative or other
fees or expenses to the Arbitrator(s) or the AAA), to the extent that such rules do not conflict
with the terms of this Agreement, by notifying the other Disputing Partners (an
Arbitration
Notice
) within the applicable limitation period provided by law.
10.03
Selection of Arbitrator
.
30
(a) For any case in which any claim, or combination of claims, is less than or equal to
$500,000, the arbitration shall be heard by a sole Arbitrator. Any case in which any claim, or
combination of claims, exceeds $500,000 will be subject to the AAAs Large, Complex Case Procedures
and decided by the majority of a panel of three neutral Arbitrators. The Arbitrator(s) shall be
selected in accordance with this Section 10.03.
(b) For arbitrations conducted by a single Arbitrator, the Disputing Partner that submits a
Dispute to arbitration shall designate a proposed neutral sole Arbitrator in its Arbitration
Notice. If any other Disputing Partner objects to a proposed sole Arbitrator, it may, on or before
the tenth Day following delivery of the Arbitration Notice, notify all of the other Disputing
Partners of its objection. All of the Disputing Partners shall attempt to agree upon a mutually
acceptable sole Arbitrator. If they have not done so, then after the 20th Day following delivery
of the notice described in the immediately preceding sentence, any Disputing Partner may request
the AAA to designate the sole Arbitrator. For arbitrations conducted by a panel of three
Arbitrators, the Disputing Partner initiating arbitration shall nominate one Arbitrator at the time
it initiates arbitration. The other Disputing Partner(s) shall collectively nominate one
Arbitrator on or before the 10th Day after receiving the Arbitration Notice. The two Arbitrators
shall appoint a third, neutral Arbitrator. All Arbitrators shall be competent and experienced in
matters involving the gas storage business in the United States, with at least ten years of legal,
engineering, or business experience in the gas industry, and shall be impartial and independent of
the Partners (and the other Arbitrators, in the case of arbitrations conducted by a panel of three
arbitrators, except for prior arbitrations). Each Disputing Partner shall pay for the expenses
incurred by the Arbitrator it appoints, if applicable, and the costs of the sole Arbitrator or the
third Arbitrator shall be divided equally among the Disputing Partners. If any Arbitrator so
chosen shall die, resign or otherwise fail or becomes unable to serve as Arbitrator, a replacement
Arbitrator shall be chosen in accordance with this Section 10.03.
10.04
Conduct of Arbitration
. The Arbitrator(s) shall expeditiously (and, if possible, on or
before the 90th Day after the Arbitrator(s)s selection) hear and decide all matters concerning the
Dispute. Any arbitration hearing shall be held in Houston, Texas. Except as expressly provided to
the contrary in this Agreement, the Arbitrator(s) shall have the power (a) to gather such
materials, information, testimony and evidence as it deems relevant to the dispute before it (and
each Partner will provide such materials, information, testimony and evidence requested by the
Arbitrator(s), except to the extent any information so requested is proprietary, subject to a
third-party confidentiality restriction or to an attorney-client or other privilege) and (b) to
grant injunctive relief and enforce specific performance. If they deem necessary, the
Arbitrator(s) may propose to the Disputing Partners that one or more other experts be retained to
assist it in resolving the Dispute. The retention of such other experts shall require the
unanimous consent of the Disputing Partners, which shall not be unreasonably withheld. Each
Disputing Partner, the Arbitrator(s) and any proposed expert shall disclose to the other Disputing
Partners any business, personal or other relationship or affiliation that may exist or may have
existed between the Disputing Partner (or the Arbitrator(s)) and the proposed expert; and any
Disputing Partner may disapprove of the proposed expert on the basis of that relationship or
affiliation. The decision of the Arbitrator(s) (which shall be rendered in writing) shall be
final, nonappealable and binding upon the Disputing Partners and may be enforced in any court of
competent jurisdiction; provided, however, that the Partners agree that the Arbitrator(s) and any
court enforcing the award of the Arbitrator(s) shall not have the right or authority to award
31
punitive, special, consequential, indirect, exemplary or similar damages to any Disputing Partner.
The responsibility for paying the costs and expenses of the arbitration, including compensation to
any experts retained by the Arbitrator(s), shall be divided equally among the Disputing Partners.
Each Disputing Partner shall be responsible for the fees and expenses of its respective counsel,
consultants and witnesses, unless the Arbitrator(s) determines that compelling reasons exist for
allocating all or a portion of those costs and expenses to one or more other Disputing Partners.
ARTICLE 11
DISSOLUTION, WINDING UP AND TERMINATION
11.01
Dissolution
. The Partnership shall dissolve and its affairs shall be wound up on the first
to occur of the following events (each a
Dissolution Event
):
(a) notice from the Management Committee to the Partners dissolving the Partnership;
(b) entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Partnership under Section 15-801 of the
Act;
(c) the Disposition or abandonment of all or substantially all of the Partnerships business
and assets; or
(d) an event that makes it unlawful for the business of the Partnership to be carried on.
11.02
Winding Up and Termination
.
(a) On the occurrence of a Dissolution Event, the Operator shall serve as liquidator under the
supervision of the Management Committee. The liquidator shall proceed diligently to wind up the
affairs of the Partnership and make final distributions as provided herein and in the Act. The
costs of winding up shall be borne as a Partnership expense. Until final distribution, the
liquidator shall continue to operate the Partnership properties with all of the power and authority
of the Partners. The steps to be accomplished by the liquidator are as follows:
(i) as promptly as possible after dissolution and again after final winding up, the
liquidator shall cause a proper accounting to be made by a recognized firm of certified
public accountants of the Partnerships assets, liabilities and operations through the last
calendar day of the month in which the dissolution occurs or the final winding up is
completed, as applicable;
(ii) the liquidator shall discharge from Partnership funds all of the indebtedness of
the Partnership and other debts, liabilities and obligations of the Partnership (including
all expenses incurred in winding up and any loans described in Section 4.02) or otherwise
make adequate provision for payment and discharge thereof (including the establishment of a
cash escrow fund for contingent liabilities in such amount and for such term as the
liquidator may reasonably determine); and
32
(iii) all remaining assets of the Partnership shall be distributed to the Partners as
follows:
(A) the liquidator may sell any or all Partnership property, including to
Partners, and any resulting gain or loss from each sale shall be computed and
allocated to the Capital Accounts of the Partners in accordance with the provisions
of Article 5;
(B) with respect to all Partnership property that has not been sold, the fair
market value of that property shall be determined and the Capital Accounts of the
Partners shall be adjusted to reflect the manner in which the unrealized income,
gain, loss and deduction inherent in property that has not been reflected in the
Capital Accounts previously would be allocated among the Partners if there were a
taxable disposition of that property for the fair market value of that property on
the date of distribution; and
(C) Partnership property (including cash) shall be distributed among the
Partners in accordance with Section 5.02; and those distributions shall be made by
the end of the taxable year of the Partnership during which the liquidation of the
Partnership occurs (or, if later, the 90th Day after the date of the liquidation).
(b) The distribution of cash or property to a Partner in accordance with the provisions of
this Section 11.02 constitutes a complete return to the Partner of its Capital Contributions and a
complete distribution to the Partner of its Partnership Interest and all the Partners property.
To the extent that a Partner returns funds to the Partnership, it has no claim against any other
Partner for those funds.
(c) No dissolution or termination of the Partnership shall relieve a Partner from any
obligation to the extent such obligation has accrued as of the date of such dissolution or
termination. Upon such termination, any books and records of the Partnership that there is a
reasonable basis for believing will ever be needed again shall be furnished to the liquidator,
which shall keep such books and records (subject to review by any Person that was a Partner at the
time of dissolution) for a period at least three years. At such time as the liquidator no longer
agrees to keep such books and records, it shall offer the Persons who were Partners at the time of
dissolution the opportunity to take over such custody, shall deliver such books and records to such
Persons if they elect to take over such custody and may destroy such books and records if they do
not so elect. Any such custody by such Persons shall be on such terms as they may agree upon among
themselves.
11.03
Deficit Capital Accounts
. No Partner will be required to pay to the Partnership, to any
other Partner or to any third party any deficit balance that may exist from time to time in another
Partners Capital Account.
11.04
Certificate of Cancellation
. On completion of the distribution of Partnership assets as
provided herein, the Partners (or such other Person or Persons as the Act may require or permit)
shall file a certificate of cancellation with the Secretary of State of the
33
State of Delaware, cancel any other filings made pursuant to Section 2.05, and take such other
actions as may be necessary to terminate the existence of the Partnership. Upon the filing of such
certificate of cancellation, the existence of the Partnership shall terminate (and the Term shall
end), except as may be otherwise provided by the Act or other applicable Law.
ARTICLE 12
GENERAL PROVISIONS
12.01
Offset
. Whenever the Partnership is to pay any sum to any Partner, any amounts that Partner
owes the Partnership may be deducted from that sum before payment.
12.02
Notices
. Except as expressly set forth to the contrary in this Agreement, all notices,
requests or consents provided for or permitted to be given under this Agreement must be in writing
and must be delivered to the recipient in person, by courier or mail or by facsimile or other
electronic transmission. A notice, request or consent given under this Agreement is effective on
receipt by the Partner to receive it; provided, however, that a facsimile or other electronic
transmission that is transmitted after the normal business hours of the recipient shall be deemed
effective on the next Business Day. All notices, requests and consents to be sent to a Partner
must be sent to or made at the addresses given for that Partner on Exhibit A or in the instrument
described in Section 3.04, or such other address as that Partner may specify by notice to the other
Partners. Any notice, request or consent to the Partnership must be given to all of the Partners.
Whenever any notice is required to be given by Law, the Certificate or this Agreement, a written
waiver thereof, signed by the Person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated
therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice.
12.03
Entire Agreement; Superseding Effect
. This Agreement and the O&M Agreement constitute the
entire agreement of the Partners and their Affiliates relating to the Partnership and the
transactions contemplated hereby and supersede all provisions and concepts contained in all prior
agreements.
12.04
Effect of Waiver or Consent
. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, a waiver or
consent, express or implied, to or of any breach or default by any Partner in the performance by
that Partner of its obligations with respect to the Partnership is not a consent or waiver to or of
any other breach or default in the performance by that Partner of the same or any other obligations
of that Partner with respect to the Partnership. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement,
failure on the part of a Partner to complain of any act of any Partner or to declare any Partner in
default with respect to the Partnership, irrespective of how long that failure continues, does not
constitute a waiver by that Partner of its rights with respect to that default until the applicable
statute-of-limitations period has run.
12.05
Amendment or Restatement
. This Agreement or the Certificate may be amended or restated only
by a written instrument executed (or, in the case of the Certificate, approved) by all Partners.
12.06
Binding Effect
. Subject to the restrictions on Dispositions set forth in this Agreement,
this Agreement is binding on and shall inure to the benefit of the Partners and their respective
successors and permitted assigns.
34
12.07
Governing Law; Severability
.
THIS AGREEMENT IS GOVERNED BY AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, EXCLUDING ANY CONFLICT-OF-LAWS RULE OR PRINCIPLE
THAT MIGHT REFER THE GOVERNANCE OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS AGREEMENT TO THE LAW OF ANOTHER
JURISDICTION. WITHOUT LIMITING THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 10, A PARTNER MAY BRING AN ACTION ARISING
UNDER OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, IF AT ALL, ONLY IN COURTS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE OR (IF IT
HAS JURISDICTION) THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE.
In the event of a
direct conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and any mandatory, non-waivable provision
of the Act, such provision of the Act shall control. If any provision of the Act provides that it
may be varied or superseded in a limited partnership agreement (or otherwise by agreement of the
partners of a limited partnership), that provision shall be deemed superseded and waived in its
entirety if this Agreement contains a provision addressing the same issue or subject matter. If
any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any Partner or circumstance is held
invalid or unenforceable to any extent, (a) the remainder of this Agreement and the application of
that provision to other Partners or circumstances is not affected thereby, and (b) the Partners
shall negotiate in good faith to replace that provision with a new provision that is valid and
enforceable and that puts the Partners in substantially the same economic, business and legal
position as they would have been in if the original provision had been valid and enforceable.
12.08
Further Assurances
. In connection with this Agreement and the transactions it contemplates,
each Partner shall execute and deliver any additional documents and instruments and perform any
additional acts that may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate and perform the provisions of
this Agreement and those transactions; provided, however, that this Section 12.08 shall not
obligate a Partner to furnish guarantees or other credit supports by such Partnerships Parent or
other Affiliates.
12.09
Waiver of Certain Rights
. Each Partner irrevocably waives any right it may have to maintain
any action for dissolution of the Partnership or for partition of the property of the Partnership.
12.10
Counterparts
. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts with the same
effect as if all signing parties had signed the same document. All counterparts shall be construed
together and constitute the same instrument.
[Signature page follows.]
35
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Partners have executed this Agreement as of the date first set forth
above.
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PARTNERS:
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Spectra Energy MHP Holding, LLC
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By:
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Spectra
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Energy Transmission, LLC,
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its sole member
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By:
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/s/ Martha B. Wyrsch
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Name:
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Martha B. Wyrsch
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Title:
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President and Chief Executive Officer
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Spectra Energy Southeast MHP Holding, LLC
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By:
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Spectra
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Energy Southeast Pipeline Corporation,
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its sole member
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By:
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/s/ William S. Garner, Jr.
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Name:
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William S. Garner, Jr.
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Title:
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Vice President, General Counsel and
Secretary
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Spectra Energy Partners MHP Holding, LLC
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By:
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Spectra
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Energy Partners OLP, LP,
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its sole member
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By:
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/s/ C. Gregory Harper
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Name:
Title:
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C. Gregory Harper
President and Chief Executive Officer
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[Signature Page to General Partnership Agreement of Market Hub Partners Holding]
EXHIBIT A
PARTNERS
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Representative and
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Alternative
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Name and Address
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Sharing Ratio
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Parent
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Representative
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Spectra Energy Partners MHP Holding, LLC
5400 Westheimer Court
Houston, Texas 77056-5310
Attn: Lon C. Mitchell
Fax: (713) 627-6012
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50
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%
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Spectra Energy
Partners, LP
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Lon C. Mitchell
Representative
C.
Gregory Harper
Alternative
Representative
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Spectra Energy MHP Holding, LLC
5400 Westheimer Court
Houston, Texas 77056-5310
Attn: [ ]
Fax: [ ]
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49.9
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%
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Spectra Energy Corp
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[ ]
Representative
[ ]
Alternative
Representative
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Spectra Energy Southeast MHP
Holding, LLC
5400 Westheimer Court
Houston, Texas 77056-5310
Attn: [ ]
Fax: [ ]
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0.1
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%
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Spectra Energy Corp
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[ ]
Representative
[ ]
Alternative
Representative
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Exhibit A - Page 1
EXHIBIT B
INITIAL FACILITIES
Two high deliverability salt cavern natural gas storage facilities located in Acadia Parish,
Louisiana and Liberty County, Texas. The two facilities have aggregate working gas storage capacity
of approximately 35 Bcf and interconnect with a total of 12 major natural gas pipeline systems.
The Egan storage facility, located in Acadia Parish, Louisiana, has a working gas capacity of
approximately 20 Bcf, and includes a 38-mile pipeline system that interconnects with seven major
natural gas pipelines. Egan offers access to Gulf Coast, Midwest, Southeast and Northeast markets
served by pipeline interconnects with Tennessee Gas, Texas Eastern, Columbia Gulf, ANR, Texas Gas,
Trunkline and Florida Gas.
The Moss Bluff storage facility, located in Liberty County, Texas, has a working gas capacity
of approximately 15 Bcf, and includes a 20-mile pipeline system that interconnects with five major
pipeline systems. Moss Bluff offers access to Texas intrastate, Northeast and Midwest markets
served by pipeline interconnects with Texas Eastern, Natural Gas Pipeline of America, Kinder Morgan
Tejas, Kinder Morgan Texas and Enterprise Intrastate.
Exhibit B - Page 1