Exhibit 10.1
CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
by and among
SPECTRA ENERGY TRANSMISSION, LLC,
SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS (DE) GP, LP,
and
SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP,
dated as of
December 13, 2007
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page
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ARTICLE I
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DEFINITIONS AND RULES OF CONSTRUCTION
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Section 1.1
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Definitions
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2
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Section 1.2
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Rules of Construction
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11
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ARTICLE II
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CONTRIBUTION; CLOSING
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Section 2.1
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Contribution of Contributed Interests
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11
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Section 2.2
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Consideration
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12
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Section 2.3
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The Closing
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12
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Section 2.4
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Post-Closing Working Capital Adjustment
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13
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ARTICLE III
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REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES RELATING TO
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SE TRANSMISSION AND MLP GP
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Section 3.1
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Organization
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14
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Section 3.2
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Authorization; Enforceability
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14
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Section 3.3
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No Conflict
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15
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Section 3.4
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Litigation
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15
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Section 3.5
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Brokers Fees
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15
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Section 3.6
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Ownership of Contributed Interests
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15
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Section 3.7
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Investment Representation
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16
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ARTICLE IV
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REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES RELATING TO
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THE SALTVILLE COMPANIES
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Section 4.1
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Organization of the Saltville Companies
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16
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Section 4.2
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Enforceability of Merger Agreement
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16
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Section 4.3
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No Conflict
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17
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i
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Page
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Section 4.4
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Subsidiaries
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17
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Section 4.5
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Financial Statements; Records; Undisclosed Liabilities
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17
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Section 4.6
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Absence of Certain Changes
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17
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Section 4.7
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Contracts
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18
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Section 4.8
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Intellectual Property
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19
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Section 4.9
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Litigation
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19
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Section 4.10
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Taxes
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19
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Section 4.11
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Environmental Matters
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20
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Section 4.12
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Legal Compliance
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21
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Section 4.13
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Permits
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21
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Section 4.14
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Insurance
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21
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Section 4.15
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Labor Relations; Employees
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21
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Section 4.16
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Title to Properties and Related Matters
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21
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Section 4.17
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Brokers Fees
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22
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Section 4.18
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Regulatory Matters
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22
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ARTICLE V
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REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES RELATING TO SPECTRA MLP
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Section 5.1
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Organization of Spectra MLP
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22
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Section 5.2
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Authorization; Enforceability
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22
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Section 5.3
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No Conflict
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23
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Section 5.4
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Litigation
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23
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Section 5.5
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Brokers Fees
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23
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Section 5.6
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Investment Representation
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23
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Section 5.7
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Spectra MLP SEC Documents
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24
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ii
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Page
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ARTICLE VI
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COVENANTS
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Section 6.1
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Conduct of Business
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24
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Section 6.2
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Access
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25
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Section 6.3
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Third Party Approvals
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26
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Section 6.4
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Saltville Restructuring
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26
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Section 6.5
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Company Guarantees
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26
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Section 6.6
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Indebtedness for Borrowed Money
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26
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Section 6.7
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Update Information
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27
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Section 6.8
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Books and Records
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27
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Section 6.9
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Permits
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27
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Section 6.10
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Excluded Assets
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27
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Section 6.11
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Noncompetition Agreement
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28
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ARTICLE VII
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TAX MATTERS
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Section 7.1
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Tax Returns
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28
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Section 7.2
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Transfer Taxes
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30
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Section 7.3
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Tax Indemnity
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30
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Section 7.4
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Scope
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31
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Section 7.5
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Tax Refunds
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31
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ARTICLE VIII
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CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS
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Section 8.1
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Conditions to Obligations of Spectra MLP
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32
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Section 8.2
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Conditions to the Obligations of SE Transmission and MLP GP
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32
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iii
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Page
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ARTICLE IX
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INDEMNIFICATION
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Section 9.1
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Survival
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33
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Section 9.2
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Indemnification
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34
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Section 9.3
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Indemnification Procedures
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35
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Section 9.4
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Additional Agreements Regarding Indemnification
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36
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Section 9.5
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Waiver of Other Representations
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37
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Section 9.6
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Total Consideration Adjustment
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38
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Section 9.7
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Exclusive Remedy
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38
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ARTICLE X
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TERMINATION
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Section 10.1
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Termination
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38
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Section 10.2
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Effect of Termination
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39
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ARTICLE XI
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MISCELLANEOUS
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Section 11.1
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Notices
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39
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Section 11.2
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Assignment
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40
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Section 11.3
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Rights of Third Parties
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41
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Section 11.4
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Expense
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41
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Section 11.5
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Counterparts
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41
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Section 11.6
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Entire Agreement
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41
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Section 11.7
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Disclosure Schedule
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41
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Section 11.8
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Amendments
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41
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Section 11.9
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Publicity
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41
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Section 11.10
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Severability
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42
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Section 11.11
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Governing Law; Jurisdiction
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42
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Section 11.12
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Action by Spectra MLP
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42
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iv
Disclosure Schedule
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Schedule A
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P-25 Assets
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Schedule 1.1(i)
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Spectra MLP Knowledge
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Schedule 1.1(ii)
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SE Transmission and MLP GP Knowledge
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Schedule 1.1(iii)
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Permitted Liens
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Schedule 3.3
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Transmission Approvals
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Schedule 3.5
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SE Transmission and MLP GP Brokers Fees
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Schedule 3.6(b)
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Voting Agreements
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Schedule 4.5
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Financial Statements
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Schedule 4.6
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Absence of Certain Changes
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Schedule 4.7(a)
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Material Contracts
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Schedule 4.7(c)
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Enforceability of Material Contracts; No Defaults
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Schedule 4.7(d)
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Purchase and Sale Agreements
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Schedule 4.8(b)
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Intellectual Property
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Schedule 4.9
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Litigation
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Schedule 4.10
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Taxes
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Schedule 4.11
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Environmental Matters
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Schedule 4.13
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Permits
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Schedule 4.14
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Insurance
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Schedule 4.16(a)
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Material Real Estate Leases
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Schedule 5.3
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Spectra MLP Approvals
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Schedule 5.5
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Spectra MLP Brokers Fees
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Schedule 6.1
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Conduct of Business
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Schedule 6.1(v)
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Capital Expenditures
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Schedule 6.5
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Guarantees
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Schedule 6.10
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Excluded Assets
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Exhibits
Exhibit A Omnibus Amendment
v
CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
THIS CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT, dated as of December 13, 2007 (this
Agreement
), is entered into
by and among Spectra Energy Transmission, LLC, a limited liability company organized under the Laws
of the State of Delaware (
SE Transmission
), Spectra Energy Partners (DE) GP, LP, a limited
partnership organized under the Laws of the State of Delaware (
MLP GP
), and Spectra Energy
Partners, LP, a limited partnership organized under the Laws of the State of Delaware (
Spectra
MLP
).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, as of the date of this Agreement, SE Transmission owns (i) 100% of the limited
liability company interests in Saltville Gas Storage Company L.L.C., a limited liability company
organized under the Laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia (
Saltville LLC
), (ii) 100% of the
capital stock of Spectra Energy Early Grove Company, a corporation organized under the Laws of the
Commonwealth of Virginia (
SE Early Grove
), and (iii) 100% of the capital stock of Spectra Energy
Virginia Pipeline Company, a corporation organized under the Laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia
(
SE Virginia Pipeline
);
WHEREAS, prior to the Closing (as defined below):
(i) Certification of the storage facilities of SE Early Grove and SE Virginia Pipeline by the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and relinquishment of jurisdiction over such storage
facilities by the Virginia State Corporation Commission shall have been granted or shall have been
deemed granted;
(ii) Saltville LLC intends to negotiate replacement Contracts with customers of SE Early Grove
and SE Virginia Pipeline related to their storage assets;
(iii) SE Early Grove and SE Virginia Pipeline intend to convert from corporations into limited
liability companies;
(iv) SE Virginia Pipeline, after such conversion, intends to transfer to East Tennessee
Natural Gas, LLC, a limited liability company organized under the Laws of the State of Tennessee,
pursuant to that certain asset purchase agreement between such parties and dated the date hereof
(the
Asset Purchase Agreement
), all of its right, title and interest in approximately 72 miles of
8 natural gas transmission pipeline commencing at SE Virginia Pipelines meter station located at
Chilhowie, VA, and continuing eastward to SE Virginia Pipelines meter station located at Radford,
VA, together with 0.5 miles of the 4 Marion lateral, and certain other assets, liabilities and
obligations associated with such pipeline facilities and described on Schedule A attached hereto
(collectively, the
P-25 Assets
), in exchange for Common Units (as defined below) and a cash
reimbursement of prior capital expenditures, which Common Units and cash reimbursement would then
be transferred to SE Transmission or one of its Affiliates (as defined below), other than the
Saltville Companies, prior to the Closing;
(v) SE Early Grove and SE Virginia Pipeline, after conversion into limited liability
companies, would then merge with and into Saltville LLC, pursuant to a merger agreement (the
Merger Agreement
), with Saltville LLC being the surviving entity;
(vi) SE Transmission would then contribute to Spectra MLP, and Spectra MLP would then accept
from SE Transmission, 97.6% of the limited liability company interests in Saltville LLC (the
SET
Contributed Interests
), and, in exchange, Spectra MLP would distribute, as contemplated in this
Agreement, to SE Transmission (a) a certain number of Common Units and (b) a certain amount in cash
as a reimbursement for capital expenditures incurred by SE Transmission with respect to certain
assets of Saltville LLC;
(vii) SE Transmission would then contribute 2.376% of the limited liability company interests
in Saltville LLC to Spectra Energy Southeast Pipeline Corporation, a corporation organized under
the Laws of the State of Delaware (
SE Southeast Pipeline
) and 0.024% of its limited liability
company interests in Saltville LLC to Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC, a limited liability company
organized under the Laws of the State of Delaware (
MLP GP LLC
), and SE Southeast Pipeline and MLP
GP LLC would contribute all their respective limited liability company interests in Saltville LLC
received from SE Transmission to MLP GP (the actions to be taken in sections (i) through (v) and
section (vii) hereof, collectively, the
Saltville Restructuring
);
WHEREAS, MLP GP would then contribute to Spectra MLP, and Spectra MLP would then accept from
MLP GP, all of MLP GPs limited liability company interests in Saltville LLC (the
MLP GP
Contributed Interests
), and, in exchange, Spectra MLP would distribute to MLP GP a certain number
of General Partner Units;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants contained herein and
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, the Parties (as defined below) agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND RULES OF CONSTRUCTION
Section 1.1
Definitions
. As used herein, the following capitalized terms shall have the
following meanings:
Accounting Referee
has the meaning provided such term in Section 2.4(c).
Adjustment Amount
has the meaning provided such term in Section 2.4(e).
Affiliate
means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly,
controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, such specified Person through one or
more intermediaries or otherwise. For the purposes of this definition, control means, where used
with respect to any Person, the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause
the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of
voting securities, by Contract or otherwise.
2
AGL Agreement
means that Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of April 27, 2005, among NUI
Saltville Storage, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Virginia Gas Company, a Delaware corporation, Duke
Energy Gas Transmission, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Duke Energy Saltville Gas
Storage, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, and NUI Corporation, a New Jersey
corporation.
Agreement
has the meaning provided such term in the preamble to this Agreement.
Asset Purchase Agreement
has the meaning provided such term in the recitals of this
Agreement.
Balance Sheet Date
means October 31, 2007.
Billed Party
has the meaning provided such term in Section 7.1(d).
Business
means the operations and business conducted by the Saltville Companies.
Business Day
means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday in the State of
Texas or a federal holiday in the United States.
Claim Notice
has the meaning provided such term in Section 9.3(a).
Closing
has the meaning provided such term in Section 2.3(a).
Closing Date
has the meaning provided such term in Section 2.3(a).
Code
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Commission
means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Common Units
has the meaning provided such term in the Spectra MLP Partnership Agreement.
Company Guarantees
means all guaranties, letters of credit, bonds, sureties, cash collateral
accounts, and other credit support or assurances provided by SE Transmission or any of its
Affiliates (other than the Saltville Companies) in support of any obligations of any of the
Saltville Companies or the Business, including those obligations listed on
Schedule 6.5
.
Conflicts Committee
has the meaning provided such term in the Spectra MLP Partnership
Agreement.
Contract
means any legally binding agreement, commitment, lease, license or contract.
Contributed Interests
means the SET Contributed Interests and/or the MLP GP Contributed
Interests, as applicable.
Cross Receipt
means a cross receipt acknowledging the receipt of the items in
Section 2.3(b)(i) and (v) by Spectra MLP and the items in Section 2.3(c)(i), (ii) and (v) by SE
Transmission and MLP GP.
3
Disclosure Schedule
means the schedules attached hereto.
Dollars
and
$
mean the lawful currency of the United States.
Effective Time
has the meaning provided such term in Section 2.3(a).
Environment
means (a) the navigable waters, the waters of the contiguous zone, and the ocean
waters of which the natural resources are under the exclusive management authority of the United
States under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, 16 U.S.C. 1801
et
seq
., and (b) any other surface water, ground water, drinking water supply, land
surface or subsurface strata, or ambient air within the United States or under the jurisdiction of
the United States.
Environmental Law
means any Law relating to the environment, natural resources, or the
protection thereof, including any applicable provisions of the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. § 9601
et
seq.
, the Hazardous
Materials Transportation Act, 49 U.S.C. § 5101
et
seq.
, the Resource Conservation
and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. § 6901
et
seq.
, the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1251
et
seq.
, the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. § 7401
et
seq.
, the Toxic
Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. § 2601
et
seq.
, the Federal Insecticide,
Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, 7 U.S.C. § 136
et
seq.
, the Oil Pollution Act of
1990, 33 U.S.C. § 2701
et
seq.
, the Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. § 300f
et
seq.
, and any Law relating to health, safety, the Environment, natural resources
or the protection thereof, and all analogous state or local statutes, and the regulations
promulgated pursuant thereto.
ERISA
means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
Exchange Act
means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations of the
Commission promulgated thereunder.
Excluded Assets
has the meaning provided such term in Section 6.10.
Final Net Working Capital
means the difference of (x) total current assets less (y) total
current liabilities, each as shown on the balance sheet of Saltville LLC as of the Closing Date
(which sheet shall be prepared in the same manner, under the same basis, with the same methodology
and principles, and utilizing the same line items as the Financial Statements) except that the
amount of total current liabilities shall be reduced to exclude any ad valorem Taxes and federal
and state income Taxes.
Financial Statements
has the meaning provided such term in Section 4.5(a).
Fundamental Representations and Warranties
means the representations and warranties
contained in Sections 3.1, 3.2, 3.6, 4.1 and 4.4.
GAAP
means generally accepted accounting principles of the United States, consistently
applied.
General Partner Units
has the meaning provided such term in the Spectra MLP Partnership
Agreement.
4
Governmental Authority
means any federal, state, municipal, local or similar governmental
authority, regulatory or administrative agency, court or arbitral body.
Hazardous Substance(s)
means each substance defined, designated or classified as a hazardous
waste, hazardous substance, hazardous material, pollutant, containment or toxic substance under any
Environmental Law and any petroleum or petroleum products that have been Released into the
environment.
Indebtedness for Borrowed Money
means with respect to any Person, at any date, without
duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money (including intercompany
obligations), including all principal, interest, premiums, fees, expenses, overdrafts and penalties
with respect thereto, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or
other similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of
property, except trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of business, (d) all obligations of
such Person to reimburse any bank or other Person in respect of amounts paid under a letter of
credit or similar instrument, (e) all capitalized lease obligations of such Person, and (f) all
indebtedness of any other Person of the type referred to in clauses (a) to (e) above directly or
indirectly guaranteed by such Person or secured by any assets of such Person, whether or not such
indebtedness has been assumed by such Person.
Indemnified Party
has the meaning provided such term in Section 9.3(a).
Indemnifying Party
has the meaning provided such term in Section 9.3(a).
Indemnified Tax Claim
has the meaning provided such term in Section 7.3(b).
Intellectual Property
means intellectual property rights, statutory or common law,
worldwide, including (a) trademarks, service marks, trade dress, slogans, logos and all goodwill
associated therewith, and any applications or registrations for any of the foregoing,
(b) copyrights and any applications or registrations for any of the foregoing, and (c) patents, all
confidential know-how, trade secrets and similar proprietary rights in confidential inventions,
discoveries, improvements, processes, techniques, devices, methods, patterns, formulae and
specifications.
Knowledge
as to Spectra MLP means the actual knowledge of those Persons listed on
Schedule 1.1(i)
, and; as to SE Transmission and MLP GP means the actual knowledge of those
Persons listed on
Schedule 1.1(ii)
;
provided, however
, that those Persons noted in such
Schedule 1.1(ii)
as not having knowledge as to the Saltville Companies shall be disregarded
with respect to any representation relating to the Saltville Companies qualified by Knowledge.
Law
means any applicable law, rule, regulation, ordinance, order, judgment or decree of a
Governmental Authority.
Lien(s)
means, with respect to any property or asset, any mortgage, pledge, charge, security
interest or other encumbrance of any kind in respect of such property or asset.
Losses
means all actual liabilities, losses, damages, fines, penalties, judgments,
settlements, awards, costs and expenses (including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel);
5
provided, however
, that Losses shall not include any special, punitive, exemplary, incidental,
consequential or indirect damages nor shall Losses include lost profits, lost opportunities or
other speculative damages;
provided, further, however
, that the preceding proviso shall not apply
to the extent a Party is required to pay such damages to a third party in connection with a matter
for which such Party is entitled to indemnification under Article IX.
Material Adverse Effect
means, with respect to any Person, any circumstance, change or
effect that (a) is or would reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to the business,
operations or financial condition of such Person (and in the case of any Saltville Company, of the
Saltville Companies and the Business taken as a whole), or (b) materially impedes or would
reasonably be expected to impede the ability of such Person to complete the transactions
contemplated herein, but shall exclude any circumstance, change or effect resulting or arising
from:
(i) any change in general economic conditions in the industries or markets in which any of the
Saltville Companies operates;
(ii) seasonal reductions in revenues or earnings of the Saltville Companies substantially
consistent with the historical results of such businesses;
(iii) national or international political conditions, including any engagement in hostilities,
whether or not pursuant to the declaration of a national emergency or war, or the occurrence of any
military or terrorist attack;
(iv) changes in Law or GAAP; or
(v) the entry into or announcement of this Agreement, actions contemplated by this Agreement
or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, clauses (i), (iii) and (iv) shall not apply in the event of a
disproportionate effect on the Saltville Companies as compared to other entities in the industry or
markets in which the Saltville Companies operate.
Material Contracts
has the meaning provided such term in Section 4.7(a).
Material Real Estate Leases
has the meaning provided such term in Section 4.16(a).
Merger Agreement
has the meaning provided such term in the recitals of this Agreement.
MLP GP
has the meaning provided such term in the preamble to this Agreement.
MLP GP Consideration
means an amount equal to the product of the Per Unit Value times the
MLP GP General Partner Units.
MLP GP Contributed Interests
has the meaning provided such term in the recitals of this
Agreement.
6
MLP GP General Partner Units
means the number of General Partner Units that is computed by
(i) adding the Saltville Total Value and the P-25 Total Value (as defined in the Asset Purchase
Agreement), (ii) subtracting both the Saltville CapEx Reimbursement and the P-25 CapEx
Reimbursement (as defined in the Asset Purchase Agreement) from that sum, (iii) dividing that
difference by the Per Unit Value, and (iv) multiplying that quotient by 2%.
MLP GP Indemnified Parties
has the meaning provided such term in Section 9.2(b).
MLP GP LLC
has the meaning provided such term in the recitals of this Agreement.
Omnibus Agreement
means the Omnibus Agreement effective as of July 2, 2007, among Spectra
MLP, MLP GP, Spectra Energy Partners, GP, LLC, a limited liability company organized under the Laws
of the State of Delaware, and Spectra Energy Corp, a corporation organized under the Laws of the
State of Delaware.
Omnibus Amendment
means the Amendment to Omnibus Agreement attached as
Exhibit A
.
Organizational Documents
means any charter, certificate of incorporation, certificate of
formation, articles of association, bylaws, partnership agreement, operating agreement or similar
formation or governing documents and instruments.
P-25 Assets
has the meaning provided such term in the recitals of this Agreement.
P-25 Indemnity Obligations
has the meaning provided such term in Section 9.2(a).
P-25 Pipeline
means approximately 72 miles of 8 transmission pipeline operated by Seller.
Parties
means SE Transmission, MLP GP and Spectra MLP.
Per Unit Valuation Date
means the date that is three days prior to the Closing Date.
Per Unit Value
means the volume-weighted average price of the Common Units on the New York
Stock Exchange during the 20 trading days immediately preceding the Per Unit Valuation Date,
calculated using the Bloomberg SEP Equity AQR function.
Permits
means authorizations, licenses, permits or certificates issued by Governmental
Authorities;
provided, however
, right-of-way agreements and similar rights and approvals are not
included in the definition of Permits.
Permitted Liens
means (a) Liens for Taxes not yet delinquent or being contested in good
faith by appropriate proceedings, (b) statutory Liens (including materialmens, warehousemens,
mechanics, repairmens, landlords, and other similar Liens) arising in the ordinary course of
business securing payments not yet delinquent or being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings, (c) the rights of lessors and lessees under leases, and the rights of third parties
under any agreement, in each case executed in the ordinary course of business and that do not
materially and adversely affect the ability of the Saltville Companies to conduct
7
their Business as
currently conducted, (d) the rights of licensors and licensees under licenses executed in the
ordinary course of business and that do not materially and adversely affect the ability of the
Saltville Companies to conduct their Business as currently conducted, (e) restrictive covenants,
easements and defects, imperfections or irregularities of title or Liens, if any, of a nature that
do not materially and adversely affect the assets or properties subject thereto, (f) preferential
purchase rights and other similar arrangements with respect to which consents or waivers are
obtained for this transaction or as to which the time for asserting such rights has expired at the
Closing Date without an exercise of such rights, (g) restrictions on transfer with respect to which
consents or waivers are obtained for this transaction, (h) Liens granted in the ordinary course of
business which do not secure the payment of Indebtedness for Borrowed Money and which do not
materially and adversely affect the ability of the Saltville Companies to conduct their Business as
currently conducted, (i) Liens listed in
Schedule 1.1(iii)
, and (j) Liens created by
Spectra MLP or its successors and assigns.
Person
means any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited liability company,
incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, joint stock company, Governmental
Authority or other entity of any kind.
Pre-Closing Tax
has the meaning provided such term in Section 7.1(c).
Pre-Closing Taxable Period
means any taxable period ending on or before the Effective Time
and that portion of any taxable period beginning before and ending after the Effective Time that
ends on the Effective Time.
Reasonable Efforts
means efforts in accordance with reasonable commercial practice and
without the incurrence of unreasonable expense.
Reference Net Working Capital
means $1,122,527.
Refund Amount
has the meaning provided such term in Section 2.4(e).
Release
means any depositing, spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, placing, emitting,
discarding, abandoning, emptying, discharging, migrating, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping,
or disposing of, without limitation, Hazardous Substances, into the Environment.
Representatives
means, as to any Person, its officers, directors, employees, counsel,
accountants, financial advisers and consultants.
Saltville CapEx Reimbursement
means 97.6% of the sum of the capital expenditures incurred by
the Saltville Companies with respect to their assets other than the P-25 Assets during the 24 month
period prior to the Closing Date;
provided, however
, that such amount shall not exceed $10,000,000.
Saltville Companies
means, prior to Saltville Restructuring, Saltville LLC, SE Early Grove
and SE Virginia Pipeline, and
Saltville Company
means any one of the foregoing. After the
Saltville Restructuring,
Saltville Company
shall mean Saltville LLC.
Saltville LLC
has the meaning provided such term in the recitals of this Agreement.
8
Saltville Restructuring
has the meaning provided such term in the recitals of this
Agreement.
Saltville Total Value
means $81,700,000.
SE Early Grove
has the meaning provided such term in the recitals of this Agreement.
SE Southeast Pipeline
has the meaning provided such term in the recitals of this Agreement.
SE Transmission
has the meaning provided such term in the preamble to this Agreement.
SE Transmission Indemnified Parties
has the meaning provided such term in Section 9.2(b).
SE Virginia Pipeline
has the meaning provided such term in the recitals of this Agreement.
Securities Act
means the Securities Act of 1933 and the rules and regulations of the
Commission promulgated thereunder.
SET Common Units
means the number of Common Units that is computed by (i) subtracting the
Saltville CapEx Reimbursement from the Saltville Total Value, (ii) dividing that difference by the
Per Unit Value, and (iii) subtracting the number of MLP GP General Partner Units from that
quotient.
SET Consideration
means an amount equal to the product of the Per Unit Value times the SET
Common Units.
SET Contributed Interests
has the meaning provided such term in the recitals of this
Agreement.
Spectra Energy Corp
means Spectra Energy Corp, a Delaware corporation.
Spectra MLP
has the meaning provided such term in the preamble to this Agreement.
Spectra MLP Approvals
has the meaning provided such term in Section 5.3.
Spectra MLP Financial Statements
has the meaning provided such term in Section 5.8.
Spectra MLP Indemnified Parties
has the meaning provided such term in Section 9.2(a).
Spectra MLP Partnership Agreement
means the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited
Partnership of Spectra Energy Partners, LP dated as of July 2, 2007.
Spectra MLP SEC Documents
has the meaning provided such term in Section 5.8.
9
Tax
means (a) all taxes, assessments, duties, levies, imposts or other similar charges
imposed by a Governmental Authority, including all income, franchise, profits, capital gains,
capital stock, transfer, gross receipts, sales, use, transfer, service, occupation, ad valorem,
property, excise, severance, windfall profits, premium, stamp, license, payroll, employment, social
security, unemployment, disability, environmental (including taxes under Code Section 59A),
alternative minimum, add-on, value-added, withholding (including backup withholding) and other
taxes, assessments, duties, levies, imposts or other similar charges of any kind whatsoever
(whether payable directly or by withholding and whether or not requiring the filing of a Tax
Return), and all estimated taxes, deficiency assessments, additions to tax, additional amounts
imposed by any Governmental Authority, penalties and interest, (b) any liability of any Saltville
Company for the payment of any amounts of any of the foregoing types as a result of being a member
of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group, or being a party to any agreement or
arrangement whereby liability of such Saltville Company for payment of such amounts was determined
or taken into account with reference to the liability of any other Person and (c) any liability of
any Saltville Company for the payment of any amounts as a result of being a party to any
Tax-Sharing Agreement or with respect to the payment of any amounts of any of the foregoing types
as a result of any express or implied obligation to indemnify any other Person.
Tax Authority
means any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the assessment,
determination, collection or imposition of any Tax.
Tax Benefit
means, with respect to a Loss, an amount by which the Tax liability of a Person
(or group of corporations filing a Tax Return that includes the Person), with respect to a taxable
period, is reduced as a result of such Loss or the amount of any Tax refund or Tax credit that is
generated (including, by deduction, loss, credit or otherwise) as a result of such Loss, and any
related interest received from any relevant Tax Authority;
provided, however
, in each case, only
the reasonable present value of any Tax Benefit shall be considered with respect to a Loss.
Tax Indemnified Party
has the meaning provided such term in Section 7.3(b).
Tax Indemnifying Party
has the meaning provided such term in Section 7.3(b).
Tax Proceeding
has the meaning provided such term in Section 7.1(f).
Tax Returns
means any report, return, election, document, estimated Tax filing, declaration
or other filing provided to any Tax Authority, including any amendments thereto.
Tax-Sharing Agreement
means any existing agreement or arrangement (whether or not written)
that is binding on any Saltville Company and regarding the sharing, allocation or payment of Taxes
or amounts in lieu of Taxes.
Third Party Claim
has the meaning provided such term in Section 9.3(a).
Transmission Approvals
has the meaning provided such term in Section 3.3.
United States
or
U.S.
means United States of America.
10
Section 1.2
Rules of Construction.
(a) All article, section, schedule and exhibit references used in this Agreement are to
articles, sections, schedules and exhibits to this Agreement unless otherwise specified. The
schedules and exhibits attached to this Agreement constitute a part of this Agreement and are
incorporated herein for all purposes.
(b) If a term is defined as one part of speech (such as a noun), it shall have a corresponding
meaning when used as another part of speech (such as a verb). Terms defined in the singular have
the corresponding meanings in the plural, and vice versa. Unless the context of this Agreement
clearly requires otherwise, words importing the masculine gender shall include the feminine and
neutral genders and vice versa. The term includes or including shall mean including without
limitation. The words hereof, hereto, hereby, herein, hereunder and words of similar
import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any
particular section or article in which such words appear.
(c) The Parties acknowledge that each Party and its attorney have reviewed this Agreement and
that any rule of construction to the effect that any ambiguities are to be resolved against the
drafting Party, or any similar rule operating against the drafter of an agreement, shall not be
applicable to the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.
(d) The captions in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be considered a part
of or affect the construction or interpretation of any provision of this Agreement.
(e) All references to currency herein shall be to, and all payments required hereunder shall
be paid in, Dollars.
(f) All accounting terms used herein and not expressly defined herein shall have the meanings
given to them under GAAP.
(g) Any event hereunder requiring the payment of cash or cash equivalents on a day that is not
a Business Day shall be deferred until the next Business Day.
(h) References to any Law are references to such Law as it may be amended from time to time,
and references to particular provisions of a Law include a reference to the corresponding
provisions of any succeeding Law.
ARTICLE II
CONTRIBUTION; CLOSING
Section 2.1
Contribution of Contributed Interests.
(a) At the Closing, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement,
SE Transmission shall contribute to Spectra MLP, and Spectra MLP shall accept from SE Transmission,
the SET Contributed Interests, free and clear of any Liens other than transfer restrictions imposed
thereon by securities Laws.
11
(b) At the Closing, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement,
MLP GP shall contribute to Spectra MLP, and Spectra MLP shall accept from MLP GP, the MLP GP
Contributed Interests, free and clear of any Liens other than transfer restrictions imposed thereon
by securities Laws.
Section 2.2
Consideration.
(a) At the Closing, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement,
in exchange for the SET Contributed Interests, Spectra MLP shall (i) distribute to SE Transmission
the SET Common Units and (ii) pay to SE Transmission the Saltville CapEx Reimbursement, which
amount shall be payable in cash. For purposes of determining the Saltville CapEx Reimbursement, SE
Transmission shall provide a binding good faith estimate of such amount at least ten days prior to
the Closing Date.
(b) At the Closing, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement,
in exchange for the MLP GP Contributed Interests, Spectra MLP shall distribute to MLP GP the MLP GP
General Partner Units.
(c) The Parties acknowledge that the transactions described in this Article II are properly
characterized as transactions described in Section 721(a) of the Code.
Section 2.3
The Closing.
(a) The closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the
Closing
) shall take
place at the offices of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., 1001 Fannin, Houston, Texas 77002, commencing at
10:00 a.m. local time on the later of April 1, 2008 and the first day of the month following the
date on which all conditions to the obligations of the Parties to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby have been satisfied or waived (other than conditions with respect to actions
the Parties shall take at the Closing itself) or such other date as the Parties may mutually
determine (the
Closing Date
);
provided, however
, the Closing shall be deemed to have been
consummated at 12:30 a.m. Houston, Texas time on the Closing Date (the
Effective Time
).
(b) At the Closing, each of SE Transmission and MLP GP will deliver the following documents
and deliverables to Spectra MLP:
(i) an assignment or assignments effecting the transfer to Spectra MLP of ownership of all of
the Contributed Interests together with certificates, if any, representing the Contributed
Interests and such other documentation as is required to admit Spectra MLP as a member of Saltville
LLC;
(ii) a certification in the form prescribed by Treasury Regulation Section 1.1445-2(b)(2) to
the effect that neither MLP GPs owner nor SE Transmission is a foreign person;
(iii) the Omnibus Amendment executed by MLP GP LLC and MLP GP;
12
(iv) the Cross Receipt executed by each of SE Transmission and MLP GP; and
(v) such other certificates, instruments of conveyance and documents as may be reasonably
requested by Spectra MLP and agreed to by SE Transmission or MLP GP prior to the Closing Date to
carry out the intent and purposes of this Agreement.
(c) At the Closing, Spectra MLP will deliver the following documents and deliverables to SE
Transmission or MLP GP, as applicable, or take the following actions:
(i) the Saltville CapEx Reimbursement to SE Transmission by wire transfer of immediately
available U.S. federal funds to an account or accounts specified by SE Transmission;
(ii) issue, in certificated or book entry form, to SE Transmission the SET Common Units, and
to MLP the MLP GP General Partner Units;
(iii) the Omnibus Amendment executed by Spectra MLP;
(iv) the Cross Receipt executed by Spectra MLP; and
(v) such other certificates, instruments of conveyance and documents as may be reasonably
requested by SE Transmission or MLP GP and agreed to by Spectra MLP prior to the Closing Date to
carry out the intent and purposes of this Agreement.
Section 2.4
Post-Closing Working Capital Adjustment.
(a) Within 45 days following the Closing Date, SE Transmission shall deliver to Spectra MLP
its estimate of Final Net Working Capital.
(b) If Spectra MLP objects to SE Transmissions estimate, then it must provide a written
objection notice, together with its estimate of Final Net Working Capital, to SE Transmission
within 30 days after receipt of SE Transmissions estimate. If no objection is delivered within
such 30 days, then SE Transmissions estimate shall be final and binding.
(c) If Spectra MLP objects in a timely manner and Spectra MLP and SE Transmission are unable
to agree upon Final Net Working Capital within 30 days after SE Transmissions receipt of Spectra
MLPs objection, then such dispute shall be resolved by referring the disputed items relating to
such calculation to an independent accounting firm of recognized national standing (the
Accounting
Referee
) to be selected in the following manner: (i) the Parties shall have seven additional days
following the aforementioned 30 day dispute resolution period to mutually agree on the identity of
the Accounting Referee or, (ii) if the Parties are unable to agree on an Accounting Referee
pursuant to the preceding clause (i), SE Transmission will select three candidates and deliver a
written notice containing the names of such candidates to Spectra MLP (in care of the Conflicts
Committee) within five days of the expiration of the seven day period referred to in the preceding
clause (i) and within five days of receiving such notice, Spectra MLP will select one of such three
candidates to serve as the Accounting Referee. The Accounting Referee may not be otherwise engaged
by any of SE
13
Transmission or Spectra MLP, or their respective Affiliates, in connection with the
transactions contemplated under this Agreement and may not have performed any material services on
behalf of any of MLP GP, SE Transmission or Spectra MLP, or their respective Affiliates, during the
two years immediately preceding the date of this Agreement.
(d) The Accounting Referee shall be instructed upon appointment to determine the disputed
amounts in the manner provided in this Section 2.4 within 30 days;
provided, however
, the amount of
the Adjustment Amount or Refund Amount, as applicable, determined by the Accounting Referee shall
be no greater than the higher amount submitted and no lower than the lower amount submitted. The
authority of the Accounting Referee shall be limited to determining the items disputed by Spectra
MLP in its original objection that have not since been resolved by the Parties. The Accounting
Referee shall have no right or authority to award interest or penalties or to grant or award
damages of any kind (including indirect, consequential, punitive or exemplary damages). The
determination of the Adjustment Amount or the Refund Amount, as applicable, by the Accounting
Referee shall be final and binding on the Parties. The fees and expenses of the Accounting Referee
shall be borne equally by Spectra MLP, on one hand, and SE Transmission, on the other hand.
(e) Spectra MLP shall pay to SE Transmission and MLP GP, in proportion to such Partys
ownership of the Saltville Companies prior to this Agreement, an amount in cash equal to the
excess, if any, of Final Net Working Capital minus Reference Net Working Capital (the
Refund
Amount
), or SE Transmission and MLP GP shall pay, in proportion to such Partys ownership of the
Saltville Companies prior to this Agreement, to Spectra MLP an amount in cash equal to the excess,
if any, of Reference Net Working Capital minus Final Net Working Capital (the
Adjustment Amount
).
The Refund Amount or Adjustment Amount, as the case may be, shall be paid by wire or interbank
transfer of immediately available funds within 10 days following the agreement by the Parties or
the determination by the Accounting Referee of the Final Net Working Capital. To the extent that
Spectra MLP makes payment to SE Transmission and MLP GP under this Section 2.4, the Parties agree
to characterize such payments for all purposes as a reduction or refund of the net working capital
contributed and not as consideration for the transfer of the Contributed Interests.
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
RELATING TO SE TRANSMISSION AND MLP GP
Except as disclosed in the Disclosure Schedule, each of SE Transmission and MLP GP, as
applicable, hereby jointly and severally represents and warrants to Spectra MLP as follows:
Section 3.1
Organization
. It is a limited liability company or limited partnership, as
applicable, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of
Delaware.
Section 3.2
Authorization; Enforceability
. It has all requisite limited liability company or
limited partnership power and authority, as applicable, to execute and deliver this Agreement and
to perform all obligations to be performed by it hereunder. The execution and delivery of this
Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have
14
been duly and validly authorized and approved by all requisite limited liability company or
limited partnership action, as applicable, on its part, and no other limited liability company or
limited partnership proceeding, as applicable, on its part is necessary to authorize this
Agreement. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by it, and this
Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of it, enforceable against it in accordance
with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance,
reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws affecting creditors rights generally and subject, as
to enforceability, to general principles of equity.
Section 3.3
No Conflict
. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by it and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby by it (assuming all required filings,
consents, approvals, authorizations and notices set forth in
Schedule 3.3
(collectively,
the
Transmission Approvals
) have been made, given or obtained) do not and shall not:
(a) violate in any material respect any Law applicable to it or Spectra Energy Corp or require
of it or Spectra Energy Corp any filing with, consent, approval or authorization of, or notice to,
any Governmental Authority;
(b) violate any of its or Spectra Energy Corps Organizational Documents; or
(c) (i) breach any material Contract to which it or Spectra Energy Corp is a party or by which
it or Spectra Energy Corp may be bound, (ii) result in the termination of any such material
Contract, (iii) result in the creation of any Lien upon any of its Contributed Interests or (iv)
constitute an event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would result in any such breach,
termination or creation of a Lien upon any of its Contributed Interests.
Section 3.4
Litigation
. There are no legal actions before any Governmental Authority or
lawsuits pending or, to the Knowledge of Spectra Transmission and MLP GP, as applicable, threatened
against it that would adversely affect its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement,
and there are no orders or unsatisfied judgments from any Governmental Authority binding upon it
that would adversely affect its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement.
Section 3.5
Brokers Fees
. Except as set forth on
Schedule 3.5
, no broker, finder,
investment banker or other Person is entitled to any brokerage fee, finders fee or other
commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon
arrangements made by it or any of its Affiliates.
Section 3.6
Ownership of Contributed Interests.
(a) It has good and valid title to, holds of record and owns its Contributed Interests free
and clear of any Liens other than transfer restrictions imposed thereon by securities Laws.
(b) SE Transmission, as of the date of this Agreement, owns 100% of the equity interests of
the Saltville Companies. The Contributed Interests represent 100% of the limited liability company
interests in Saltville LLC. With respect to each Saltville Company, there are no outstanding
options, warrants, rights or other securities convertible into or
15
exchangeable or exercisable for equity securities, any other commitments or agreements
providing for the issuance of additional equity interests or the repurchase or redemption of equity
interests, and there are no agreements of any kind which may obligate any of the Saltville
Companies to issue, purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of their respective equity interests.
Except as set forth in
Schedule 3.6(b)
, there are no voting agreements, proxies or other
similar agreements or understandings with respect to the equity interests of any Saltville Company.
All of its Contributed Interests are duly authorized, validly issued and outstanding and fully
paid, and were issued free of preemptive rights in compliance with Laws. Upon consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, Spectra MLP will acquire good and valid title to all
of its Contributed Interests, free and clear of any Liens other than transfer restrictions imposed
thereon by securities Laws or Liens created by Spectra MLP.
Section 3.7
Investment Representation
. It is purchasing the Common Units or General Partner
Units, as applicable, for its own account with the present intention of holding such units for
investment purposes and not with a view to or for sale in connection with any public distribution
of such units in violation of any federal or state securities Laws. It acknowledges that such
Common Units or General Partner Units, as applicable, have not been registered under federal and
state securities Laws and that such Common Units or General Partner Units, as applicable, may not
be sold, transferred, offered for sale, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of unless such
transfer, sale, assignment, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition is registered under federal
and state securities Laws or pursuant to an exemption from registration under any federal or state
securities Laws.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
RELATING TO THE SALTVILLE COMPANIES
Except as disclosed in the Disclosure Schedule, each of SE Transmission and MLP GP hereby
jointly and severally represents and warrants to Spectra MLP as follows:
Section 4.1
Organization of the Saltville Companies
. Each of the Saltville Companies is a
limited liability company or corporation, as applicable, duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing under the Laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and has all requisite limited
liability company or corporate power and authority, as applicable, to own, operate or lease its
properties assets and to conduct the Business as it is now being conducted. Each of the Saltville
Companies is duly licensed or qualified in each jurisdiction in which the ownership or operation of
its assets or the character of its activities is such as to require it to be so licensed or
qualified, except where the failure to be so licensed or qualified would not reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Saltville Companies. SE Transmission and MLP GP has made
available to Spectra MLP true copies of all existing Organizational Documents of the Saltville
Companies.
Section 4.2
Enforceability of Merger Agreement
. When executed, the Merger Agreement will be
duly and validly executed and delivered by the Saltville Companies, and the Merger Agreement will,
upon execution, constitute a valid and binding obligation of the Saltville Companies, enforceable
against them in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy,
16
insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws affecting
creditors rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity.
Section 4.3
No Conflict
. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by each of SE
Transmission and MLP GP and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby by SE
Transmission and MLP GP (assuming all of the Transmission Approvals have been made, given or
obtained) do not and shall not:
(a) violate, in any material respect, any Law applicable to the Saltville Companies or require
of the Saltville Companies any filing with, consent, approval or authorization of, or notice to,
any Governmental Authority;
(b) violate any Organizational Document of the Saltville Companies; or
(c) (i) breach any Material Contract, (ii) result in the termination of any such Material
Contract, (iii) result in the creation of any Lien under any Material Contract or (iv) constitute
an event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would result in any such breach, termination
or creation of a Lien.
Section 4.4
Subsidiaries
. The Saltville Companies do not own any equity interests in any
Person.
Section 4.5
Financial Statements; Records; Undisclosed Liabilities.
(a)
Schedule 4.5
sets forth true and complete copies of the standalone unaudited pro
forma balance sheets of each Saltville Company and the consolidated unaudited pro forma balance
sheet of the Saltville Companies with the adjustments set forth on
Schedule 4.5
, in each
case as of the Balance Sheet Date (such sheets being the
Financial Statements
). The Financial
Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, in each case except as otherwise stated in
the footnotes and except for normal year-end adjustments and the absence of footnote disclosure,
and present fairly in accordance with GAAP, in all material respects, the financial position of the
Saltville Companies as of such date.
(b) All liabilities of the Saltville Companies that are required by GAAP to be reflected or
reserved against in the Financial Statements have been so reflected or reserved against in the
Financial Statements.
Section 4.6
Absence of Certain Changes
. Except as disclosed on
Schedule 4.6
, from the
Balance Sheet Date, (a) there has not been any Material Adverse Effect on the Saltville Companies,
(b) the Business of the Saltville Companies has been conducted, in all material respects, only in
the ordinary course consistent with past practices, and (c) there has been no damage, destruction
or loss to the assets or properties of the Saltville Companies which could reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Saltville Companies.
17
Section 4.7
Contracts
.
(a)
Schedule 4.7(a)
contains a true and complete listing of the following Contracts to
which any of the Saltville Companies is a party (such Contracts that are required to be listed on
Schedule 4.7(a)
being
Material Contracts
):
(i) each Contract for the transportation or storage of gas;
(ii) each Contract for Indebtedness for Borrowed Money except for any that will be cancelled
prior to Closing;
(iii) each Contract involving a remaining commitment by a Saltville Company to pay capital
expenditures in excess of $50,000;
(iv) each Contract for lease of personal property involving payments in excess of $50,000 in
any calendar year;
(v) each Contract between SE Transmission, MLP GP or an Affiliate of either (other than any of
the Saltville Companies) on the one hand, and any of the Saltville Companies, on the other hand,
which will survive the Closing;
(vi) each Contract that provides for a limit on the ability of a Saltville Company to compete
in any line of business or with any Person or in any geographic area during any period of time
after the Closing;
(vii) except for Contracts of the nature described in clauses (ii) through (vi) above, any
Contract for the purchase of materials, supplies, goods, services, equipment or other assets that
provides for aggregate payments by a Saltville Company of $50,000 or more in any 12 month period;
(viii) any partnership or joint venture agreement (other than the Organizational Documents of
the Saltville Companies);
(ix) any Contract pursuant to which any third party has rights to own or use any material
asset of a Saltville Company, including any Intellectual Property right of a Saltville Company,
other than pursuant to Contracts entered into by the Saltville Companies with such third parties in
the ordinary course of business; and
(x) any Contract relating to the acquisition or disposition following the Closing of any
business (whether by merger, sale of stock, sale of assets or otherwise) or granting to any Person
a right of first refusal, first offer or right to purchase any of the assets of a Saltville Company
which right survives the Closing other than Permitted Liens.
(b) True and complete copies of all Material Contracts have been made available to Spectra
MLP.
(c) Except as set forth in
Schedule 4.7(c)
, each Material Contract (other than such
Material Contracts with respect to which all performance and payment obligations have
18
been fully performed or otherwise discharged by all parties thereto prior to the Closing) (i)
is in full force and effect and (ii) represents the legal, valid and binding obligation of the
Saltville Company that is a party thereto and, to the Knowledge of SE Transmission and MLP GP,
represents the legal, valid and binding obligation of the other parties thereto, in each case
enforceable in accordance with its terms subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance,
reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws affecting creditors rights generally and subject, as
to enforceability, to general principles of equity. Except as set forth in
Schedule 4.7(c)
, none of the Saltville Companies, or, to the Knowledge of SE Transmission
and MLP GP, any other party is in breach of any Material Contract, and none of SE Transmission, MLP
GP or any Saltville Company has received any written notice of termination or breach of any
Material Contract.
(d)
Schedule 4.7(d)
lists all of the purchase and sale agreements pursuant to which
the Saltville Companies have acquired or disposed of any assets or entities during the prior 24
months other than purchases and disposals of assets in the ordinary course of business. True and
correct copies of the documents listed on
Schedule 4.7(d)
have been made available to
Spectra MLP.
Section 4.8
Intellectual Property.
(a) The Saltville Companies own or have the right to use pursuant to license, sublicense,
agreement or otherwise all items of Intellectual Property required in the operation of the Business
as presently conducted. No third party has asserted against any of the Saltville Companies any
written claim that such Saltville Company is infringing the Intellectual Property of such third
party, and, to the Knowledge of SE Transmission and MLP GP, no third party is infringing the
Intellectual Property owned by any of the Saltville Companies.
(b) All of the Saltville Companies Intellectual Property which is required to conduct the
Business (as currently being conducted) is listed on
Schedule 4.8(b)
.
Section 4.9
Litigation
. Except as set forth in
Schedule 4.9
, (a) there are no legal
actions before any Governmental Authority or lawsuits pending or, to the Knowledge of SE
Transmission and MLP GP, threatened against any of the Saltville Companies other than lawsuits or
actions which could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (b) no
Saltville Companies is subject to any injunction, order or unsatisfied judgment from any
Governmental Authority.
Section 4.10
Taxes
. Except as set forth on
Schedule 4.10
, with respect to each
Saltville Company (a) all Tax Returns required to be filed have been duly and timely filed with the
appropriate Tax Authority, and were, when filed, true, correct and complete in all material
respects, (b) all Taxes due and owing (whether or not shown as due on any Tax Returns) have been
timely paid in full, (c) there are no Liens (other than Permitted Liens) on any of the assets of
the Saltville Companies that arose in connection with any failure (or alleged failure) to pay any
Tax, (d) there is no claim, action or proceeding pending by any applicable Tax Authority in
connection with any Tax (
provided, however
, that the foregoing representation is limited to the
Knowledge of SE Transmission and MLP GP for periods prior to August 10, 2005), (e) no Tax Returns
are now under audit or examination by any Tax Authority (
provided, however
, that the
19
foregoing representation is limited to the Knowledge of SE Transmission and MLP GP for periods
prior to August 10, 2005), (f) there are no agreements or waivers providing for an extension of
time with respect to the filing of any Tax Returns or the assessment or collection of any such Tax,
(g) no written claim has been made by any Tax Authority in a jurisdiction where a Saltville Company
does not file a Tax Return that it is or may be subject to taxation in that jurisdiction, (h) no
Saltville Company is a party to any Tax-Sharing Agreement, and is not otherwise liable for the
Taxes of any other Person (including as a transferee or successor), (i) since its inception,
Saltville LLC has been treated either as a partnership or has been disregarded as an entity
separate from its owner for federal income tax purposes pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section
301.7701-3(b)(1), (j) no power of attorney that is currently in force has been granted with respect
to any matter relating to Taxes that could affect any Saltville Company, (k) no Saltville Company
has, during any period for which the statute of limitations for any relevant Tax has not expired,
participated in any listed transaction required to be disclosed under Treasury Regulation Section
1.6011-4, and (l) the Saltville Companies have no liability for Taxes of any Person under Treasury
Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign Law), as a
transferee or successor, by Contract, or otherwise.
Section 4.11
Environmental Matters
. Except as set forth on
Schedule 4.11
or as would
not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect:
(a) the operations of the Saltville Companies are in compliance in all material respects with
all Environmental Laws, which compliance includes the possession and maintenance of, and compliance
with, all material Permits required under all Environmental Laws;
(b) no Saltville Company is the subject of any outstanding administrative or judicial order or
judgment, agreement or arbitration award from any Governmental Authority under any Environmental
Laws requiring remediation or the payment of a fine or penalty;
(c) no Saltville Company is subject to any action pending or threatened in writing, whether
judicial or administrative, alleging noncompliance with or potential liability under any
Environmental Law;
(d) there has been no Release of any Hazardous Substance into the Environment by the Saltville
Companies or their assets, operations and the Business except in compliance with applicable
Environmental Law (
provided, however
, that the foregoing representation is limited to the Knowledge
of SE Transmission and MLP GP for periods prior to August 10, 2005); and
(e) there has been no exposure of any Person or property to any Hazardous Substances in
connection with the operation of the assets of the Saltville Companies (
provided, however
, that the
foregoing representation is limited to the Knowledge of SE Transmission and MLP GP for periods
prior to August 10, 2005).
Spectra MLP acknowledges that this Section 4.11 shall be deemed to be the only representation
and warranty in this Agreement with respect to environmental matters.
20
Section 4.12
Legal Compliance
. Except with respect to (a) matters set forth in
Schedule 4.9
(b) compliance with Laws concerning Taxes (as to which representations and
warranties are made only pursuant to Section 4.10), (c) compliance with Environmental Laws (as to
which representations and warranties are made only pursuant to Section 4.11) and (d) compliance
with Permits (as to which representations and warranties are made only pursuant to Section 4.13),
the Saltville Companies are in compliance in all material respects with all Laws and, no Saltville
Company has received written notice of any violation of any Law relating to the operation of the
Business or to any of its assets or operations which could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.13
Permits
. Except as set forth in
Schedule 4.13
, the Saltville Companies
possess all material Permits necessary for them to own their assets and operate the Business as
currently conducted. All such Permits are in full force and effect. There are no lawsuits or
other proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of SE Transmission and MLP GP, threatened in writing
before any Governmental Authority that seek the revocation, cancellation, suspension or adverse
modification thereof. Except as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate
to have a Material Adverse Effect, such Permits will not be subject to suspension, modification,
revocation or non-renewal as a result of the execution, delivery and consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 4.14
Insurance
.
Schedule 4.14
contains a summary description of all material
policies of property, fire and casualty, product liability, workers compensation and other
insurance held by or for the benefit of any of the Saltville Companies as of the date of this
Agreement. Except as reflected on
Schedule 4.14
, there is no material claim by any
Saltville Company pending under any of such policies as to which coverage has been denied or
disputed by the underwriters of such policies. All premiums due and payable under such policies
have been paid, and the Saltville Companies have complied with the terms and conditions of such
written policies. All such insurance policies are in full force and effect. No notice of
cancellation of, or indication of an intention not to renew, any such insurance policy has been
received by SE Transmission or MLP GP other than in the ordinary course of business.
Section 4.15
Labor Relations; Employees
. No Saltville Company (a) is a party to any
collective bargaining agreement or other labor union Contract applicable to persons employed by SE
Transmissions or MLP GPs Affiliates who provide services to a Saltville Company, and, to the
Knowledge of SE Transmission and MLP GP, there are no organizational campaigns, petitions or other
unionization activities focusing on persons employed by SE Transmissions or MLP GPs Affiliates
who provide services to a Saltville Company which seeks recognition of a collective bargaining
unit, or (b) is subject to any strikes, material slowdowns or material work stoppages pending or,
to the Knowledge of SE Transmission and MLP GP, threatened in writing between a Saltville Company
and any group of the foregoing employees. No Saltville Company (i) has any employees and (ii)
maintains, contributes or is subject to any liability in respect of employee benefit or welfare
plan of any nature, including plans subject to ERISA.
Section 4.16
Title to Properties and Related Matters.
(a) The Saltville Companies have (i) good and defensible fee simple title to or valid
leasehold interests in all of their real property and (ii) good and valid title to all of their
21
personal property used in the ordinary conduct of the Business, except (x) for such defects in
title as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to materially and
adversely impact the ability of the Companies to conduct the Business and (y) for easements, rights
of way and similar property use rights which are addressed in Section 4.16(b), in each case free
and clear of Liens other than Permitted Liens.
Schedule 4.16(a)
includes a list of all
real estate leases which involve the payment by any Saltville Company of in excess of $50,000 in
any calendar year or which if lost would have a Material Adverse Effect on the Saltville Companies
(
Material Real Estate Leases
). The Material Real Estate Leases are (i) in full force and effect,
(ii) represent the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Saltville Company that is a party
thereto and, to the Knowledge of SE Transmission and MLP GP, represent the legal, valid and binding
obligation of the other parties thereto, in each case enforceable in accordance with its terms. No
Saltville Company nor, to the Knowledge of SE Transmission and MLP GP, any other party is in breach
in any material respect of any Material Real Estate Lease.
(b) The Saltville Companies have such easements, rights of way and other similar property use
rights which are sufficient, in the aggregate, for the Saltville Companies to conduct the Business
as currently conducted except for such defects that could not reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect on the Saltville Companies. Spectra MLP acknowledges that this Section
4.16(b) shall be deemed to be the only representation and warranty in the Agreement with respect to
easements, rights of way and other similar property use rights held or used by the Saltville
Companies.
Section 4.17
Brokers Fees
. No broker, finder, investment banker or other Person is entitled
to any brokerage fee, finders fee or other commission in connection with the transactions
contemplated in this Agreement based upon arrangements made by any Saltville Company or any of its
Affiliates.
Section 4.18
Regulatory Matters
. Saltville LLC has made a filing with the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission to request the issuance of an order to establish a certificated working gas
capacity of the storage facility owned by Saltville LLC at 3.0 Bcf.
ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES RELATING TO SPECTRA MLP
Spectra MLP hereby represents and warrants as follows:
Section 5.1
Organization of Spectra MLP
. Spectra MLP is a limited partnership duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware.
Section 5.2
Authorization; Enforceability
. Spectra MLP has all requisite partnership power
and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform all obligations to be performed
by it hereunder. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized and approved by all
requisite limited partnership action on the part of Spectra MLP, and no other partnership
proceeding on the part of Spectra MLP is necessary to authorize this Agreement. This Agreement has
been duly and validly executed and delivered by Spectra MLP, and this Agreement constitutes a valid
and binding obligation of Spectra MLP, enforceable against
22
Spectra MLP in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent
conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws affecting creditors rights generally and
subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity.
Section 5.3
No Conflict
. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by Spectra MLP and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby by Spectra MLP (assuming all required filings,
consents, approvals authorizations and notices set forth in
Schedule 5.3
(collectively, the
Spectra MLP Approvals
) have been made, given or obtained) do not and shall not:
(a) violate in any material respect, any Law applicable to Spectra MLP or require of Spectra
MLP any filing with, consent, approval or authorization of, or, notice to, any Governmental
Authority;
(b) violate any Organizational Document of Spectra MLP; or
(c) (i) breach any material Contract, to which Spectra MLP is a party or by which Spectra MLP
may be bound, (ii) result in the termination of any such material Contract, (iii) result in the
creation of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of Spectra MLP or (iv) constitute an
event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would result in any such breach, termination or
creation of a Lien.
Section 5.4
Litigation
. There are no legal actions before any Governmental Authority or
lawsuits pending or, to the Knowledge of Spectra MLP, threatened against Spectra MLP that would
adversely affect the ability of Spectra MLP to perform its obligations under this Agreement, and
there are no orders or unsatisfied judgments from any Governmental Authority binding upon Spectra
MLP that would adversely affect the ability of Spectra MLP to perform its obligations under this
Agreement.
Section 5.5
Brokers Fees
. Except as set forth on
Schedule 5.5
, no broker, finder,
investment banker or other Person is entitled to any brokerage fee, finders fee or other
commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon
arrangements made by Spectra MLP or any of its Affiliates.
Section 5.6
Issuance of SET Common Units and MLP GP General Partner Units
. Upon issuance, all
of the SET Common Units and MLP GP General Partner Units will be duly authorized; validly issued
and outstanding; with respect to the SET Common Units, fully paid (to the extent required by the
Spectra MLP Partnership Agreement); and, with respect to the SET Common Units, nonassessable
(subject to Del. Code Ann. Tit. 6, §§ 17-303, 17-607 and 17-804 (2007)), and will have been issued
free of preemptive rights in compliance with Laws. Upon consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, SE Transmission and MLP GP will acquire good and valid title to all
of the SET Common Units and MLP GP General Partner Units, free and clear of any Liens other than
transfer restrictions imposed thereon by securities Laws or arising under the Spectra MLP
Partnership Agreement.
Section 5.7
Investment Representation
. Spectra MLP is purchasing the Contributed Interests
for its own account with the present intention of holding the Contributed Interests for investment
purposes and not with a view to or for sale in connection with any public distribution
23
of the Contributed Interests in violation of any federal or state securities Laws. Spectra
MLP acknowledges that the Contributed Interests have not been registered under federal and state
securities Laws and that the Contributed Interests may not be sold, transferred, offered for sale,
pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of unless such transfer, sale, assignment, pledge,
hypothecation or other disposition is registered under federal and state securities Laws or
pursuant to an exemption from registration under any federal or state securities Laws.
Section 5.8
Spectra MLP SEC Documents
. Spectra MLP has timely filed with the Commission all
forms, registration statements, reports, schedules and statements required to be filed by it under
the Exchange Act or the Securities Act (all such documents filed on or prior to the date of this
Agreement, collectively, the
Spectra MLP SEC Documents
). The Spectra MLP SEC Documents,
including any audited or unaudited financial statements and any notes thereto or schedules included
therein (the
Spectra MLP Financial Statements
), at the time filed (in the case of registration
statements, solely on the dates of effectiveness) (except to the extent corrected by a subsequently
filed Spectra MLP SEC Document filed prior to the date of this Agreement) (i) did not contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading and (ii) complied in all material respects with the applicable
requirements of the Exchange Act and the Securities Act, as the case may be. The Spectra MLP
Financial Statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis during the
periods involved (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto or, in the case of unaudited
statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q of the Commission) and fairly present (subject in the case of
unaudited statements to normal, recurring and year-end audit adjustments) in all material respects
the consolidated financial position and status of the business of Spectra MLP as of the dates
thereof and the consolidated results of its operations and cash flows for the periods then ended.
Deloitte & Touche LLP is an independent registered public accounting firm with respect to Spectra
MLP and has not resigned or been dismissed as independent registered public accountants of Spectra
MLP as a result of or in connection with any disagreement with Spectra MLP on any matter of
accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedures.
ARTICLE VI
COVENANTS
Section 6.1
Conduct of Business
. From the date of this Agreement through the Closing, except:
(1) as set forth on
Schedule 6.1
, (2) for the Saltville Restructuring, (3) for the filing
of a rate case by the Saltville Companies with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission with
respect to rates regarding gas storage assets and the pursuit, renegotiation and settlement of
customer Contracts related to such assets, (4) as contemplated by this Agreement, or (5) as
consented to by Spectra MLP in writing (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld,
conditioned or delayed):
(a) each of SE Transmission and MLP GP shall cause each of the Saltville Companies to (i)
operate the Business in the ordinary course and (ii) use Reasonable Efforts to preserve intact the
Business and its relationship with customers, suppliers and others having business relationships
with any of the Saltville Companies, and
24
(b) each of SE Transmission and MLP GP shall not permit the Saltville Companies to:
(i) amend its Organizational Documents;
(ii) liquidate, dissolve, recapitalize or otherwise wind up the Business;
(iii) change its accounting methods, policies or practices, except as required by GAAP or Law;
(iv) sell, assign, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of any assets except in the ordinary
course of business or pursuant to the terms of a Material Contract;
(v) make any capital expenditure in excess of $1,000,000 other than capital expenditures
reflected on
Schedule 6.1
and other than reasonable capital expenditures in connection with
any emergency or force majeure events affecting any Saltville Company;
(vi) merge or consolidate with, or purchase substantially all of the assets or business of, or
equity interests in, or make an investment in any Person (other than extensions of credit to
customers in the ordinary course of business);
(vii) incur any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money or issue or sell any equity interests, notes,
bonds or other securities of any Saltville Company (except for intercompany loans from or to SE
Transmission or its Affiliates or MLP GP or its Affiliates), or any option, warrant or right to
acquire same;
(viii) adopt any profit sharing, compensation, savings, insurance, pension, retirement or
other benefit plan or hire any employees;
(ix) enter into any Contract, except for Contracts entered into by any Saltville Company in
the ordinary course of business;
(x) create or assume any Lien, other than a Permitted Lien;
(xi) terminate or close any facility, business or operation of any Saltville Company except in
the ordinary course of business; or
(xii) agree, whether in writing or otherwise, to do any of the foregoing.
Section 6.2
Access
. From the date hereof through the Closing, each of SE Transmission and MLP
GP shall afford to Spectra MLP and its authorized Representatives reasonable access, during normal
business hours and in such manner as not unreasonably to interfere with normal operation of the
Business, to the properties, books, Contracts, records and appropriate officers and employees of
each of SE Transmissions and MLP GPs Affiliates who provide services to any Saltville Company,
and shall furnish such authorized Representatives with all financial and operating data and other
information concerning the affairs of any Saltville Company as Spectra MLP and such Representatives
may reasonably request. Each of SE Transmission and MLP GP shall have the right to have a
Representative present at all times during any such inspections, interviews, and examinations.
Notwithstanding the foregoing,
25
Spectra MLP shall have no right of access to, and none of SE Transmission and MLP GP shall
have any obligation to provide to Spectra MLP, information relating to (a) any information the
disclosure of which would jeopardize any privilege available to any Saltville Company, SE
Transmission, any SE Transmission Affiliate, MLP GP or any MLP GP Affiliate relating to such
information or (b) any information the disclosure of which would result in a violation of Law.
Section 6.3
Third Party Approvals
. Spectra MLP, MLP GP and SE Transmission shall (and shall
each cause their respective Affiliates to) use Reasonable Efforts to obtain all material consents
and approvals of third parties that any of Spectra MLP, MLP GP, SE Transmission or their respective
Affiliates are required to obtain in order to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 6.4
Saltville Restructuring
. From the date of this Agreement until the Closing, SE
Transmission and MLP GP shall, and shall cause their respective Affiliates to, use Reasonable
Efforts to cause the Saltville Restructuring to be consummated as soon as possible on or after
April 1, 2008, including making all filings with respect thereto and seeking all approvals required
in connection therewith;
provided, however
, that SE Transmission and MLP GP shall not be obligated
to effect or consent to any action that would have a Material Adverse Effect on Spectra Energy Corp
or any of its Affiliates;
provided further
,
however
, that in no event shall the Saltville Companies
enter into a Contract in replacement of any Contract listed on Schedule 4.7(a)(i) with a particular
customer at a rate lower than the rate charged to such customer or with a shorter term than the
term then remaining under its existing Contract without the prior written consent of Spectra MLP,
which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld.
Section 6.5
Company Guarantees
.
(a) A list of Company Guarantees as of the date of this Agreement is set forth on
Schedule
6.5
.
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Parties acknowledge and agree that at
any time following the Closing Date, each of SE Transmission and MLP GP and their respective
Affiliates may, in their sole discretion, take any action to terminate, obtain release of or
otherwise limit its liability under any and all outstanding Company Guarantees;
provided, however
,
that any such party shall give Spectra MLP 90 days advance written notice prior to taking any such
action.
Section 6.6
Indebtedness for Borrowed Money
. Immediately prior to the Closing, (i) each of SE
Transmission and MLP GP shall cause the Saltville Companies to distribute to SE Transmission or MLP
GP, as applicable, any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money due to the Saltville Companies from SE
Transmission or its Affiliates and MLP GP or its Affiliates, as applicable, and (ii) SE
Transmission and MLP GP shall cancel and contribute to the capital of the Saltville Companies (or,
as applicable, cause its Affiliates to cancel) any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money due from the
Saltville Companies to SE Transmission or its Affiliates and MLP GP or its Affiliates, as
applicable, in each case including interest and other amounts accrued thereon or due in respect
thereof.
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Section 6.7
Update Information
. At any time up to 10 days before the Closing, SE Transmission
and MLP GP shall supplement in writing any information furnished on the Disclosure Schedule to
reflect post-signing developments and matters that have come to the Knowledge of SE Transmission
and MLP GP (which if not included on a Schedule would constitute a breach of this Agreement by SE
Transmission or MLP GP, as applicable) by furnishing such supplemented information to Spectra MLP
pursuant to the notice provisions hereof. If (a) SE Transmission or MLP GP so furnishes
supplemental information, (b) the absence of such information would have resulted in a breach of
any representation or warranty under this Agreement and (c) the Closing occurs, then such
information shall be deemed to amend this Agreement and the Disclosure Schedule for all purposes
hereunder;
provided
,
however
, that if such supplemental disclosure would or would reasonably be
expected to result in Losses to the Saltville Companies in excess of $2,500,000 in the aggregate,
then Spectra MLP may elect, by written notice delivered to SE Transmission and MLP GP to terminate
this Agreement no later than two Business Days before Closing.
Section 6.8
Books and Records
. From and after the Closing, Spectra MLP shall preserve and
keep a copy of all books and records (other than Tax records which are addressed in Article VII)
relating to the Business or operations of the Saltville Companies on or before the Closing Date in
Spectra MLPs possession for a period of at least seven years after the Closing Date. After such
seven year period, before Spectra MLP shall dispose of any such books and records, Spectra MLP
shall give each of SE Transmission and MLP GP at least 90 days prior notice to such effect, and
each of SE Transmission and MLP GP shall be given an opportunity, at their cost and expense, to
remove and retain all or any part of such books and records as each of SE Transmission and MLP GP
may select. Spectra MLP shall provide to each of SE Transmission and MLP GP, at no cost or expense
to such Party, reasonable access during business hours to such books and records as remain in
Spectra MLPs possession and reasonable access during business hours to the properties and
employees of Spectra MLP and any of the Saltville Companies in connection with matters relating to
the Business or operations of the Saltville Companies on or before the Closing Date and any
disputes relating to this Agreement.
Section 6.9
Permits
. SE Transmission, MLP GP and Spectra MLP shall cooperate to provide all
notices and otherwise take all reasonable actions required to transfer or reissue any Permits,
including those required under Environmental Laws, as a result of or in furtherance of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Section 6.10
Excluded Assets.
(a) Spectra MLP acknowledges that the Saltville Companies will, prior to the Closing, convey,
assign and transfer to SE Transmission or one of its Affiliates (other than the Saltville
Companies), all right, title and interest in and to the consideration received pursuant to the
Asset Purchase Agreement and the other assets, properties and rights (and associated liabilities
and obligations) and the liabilities and obligations (and associated assets, properties and rights)
described or referenced in
Schedule 6.10
and neither Spectra MLP nor the Saltville
Companies shall have any claims or rights with respect to such consideration, assets, properties,
rights, liabilities and obligations (such assets, properties, rights, liabilities and obligations,
the
Excluded Assets
) under this Agreement.
27
(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) all references herein to any
revenues, expenses, assets, or liabilities of the Saltville Companies shall expressly exclude the
Excluded Assets, (ii) all references herein to the Business, whether with respect to financial,
accounting, legal, Tax or other position or operation, shall expressly exclude the businesses or
the position or operation of the businesses included in the Excluded Assets and (iii) none of SE
Transmission and MLP GP and their respective Affiliates makes any representations, warranties or
covenants with respect to the Excluded Assets.
Section 6.11
Noncompetition Agreement
. From and after the Closing Date, Spectra MLP shall
cause Saltville LLC to comply with the terms of the Noncompetition Agreement, dated as of
October 11, 2001, by and between Virginia Gas Company and Heritage Holdings, Inc.
Section 6.12
Asset Purchase Agreement
. Spectra MLP shall (i) cause East Tennessee Natural
Gas, LLC and, from and after the Closing, Saltville LLC (as successor-in-interest by merger to SE
Virginia Pipeline under the Asset Purchase Agreement) to refrain from amending, supplementing, or
otherwise modifying the Asset Purchase Agreement without the prior written consent of SE
Transmission (which consent SE Transmission may withhold in its sole discretion) and (ii) promptly
forward to SE Transmission any notices given by East Tennessee Natural Gas, LLC to Saltville LLC in
connection with the Asset Purchase Agreement.
ARTICLE VII
TAX MATTERS
Section 7.1
Tax Returns.
(a) Through the Closing, each of SE Transmission and MLP GP shall cause Saltville LLC to
continue either to be treated as a partnership or disregarded as an entity separate from its owner
for federal income tax purposes pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 301.7701-3(b)(1), and the
operations of each of the Saltville Companies through the Effective Time shall be reflected on the
consolidated federal income Tax Return of Spectra Energy Corp. The income of the Saltville
Companies will be apportioned to the period up to and including the Effective Time, and the period
after the Effective Time, by closing the books of the Saltville Companies as of the Effective Time.
(b) Except as provided in Section 7.1(d) for ad valorem Taxes, with respect to any Tax Return
of any Saltville Company covering a taxable period ending on or before the Effective Time that is
required to be filed after the Effective Time, SE Transmission shall cause such Tax Return to be
prepared and shall cause to be included in such Tax Return all Tax items required to be included
therein. Not later than 15 days prior to the due date of each such Tax Return, SE Transmission
shall deliver a copy of such Tax Return to Spectra MLP together with a statement of the difference,
if any, of the amount of Tax shown due on such Tax Return over the amount set up as a liability for
such Tax (for the period through the Effective Time) in the Final Net Working Capital. If the Tax
shown on the Tax Return exceeds the amount set up as a liability for the Tax (for the period
through the Effective Time) in the Final Net Working Capital, not later than the due date of such
Tax Return, each of SE Transmission and MLP GP shall pay to Spectra MLP its share of such amount of
such excess. If the amount set up as a liability for
28
the Tax (for the period through the Effective Time) in the Final Net Working Capital exceeds
the Tax shown on the Tax Return, not later than the due date of such Tax Return, Spectra MLP shall
pay to SE Transmission and MLP GP in proportion to such Partys ownership of the Saltville
Companies prior to this Agreement the amount of such excess. Spectra MLP shall cause such
Saltville Company to file the Tax Return and timely pay the Taxes shown due on such Tax Return.
(c) With respect to any Tax Return of a Saltville Company covering a taxable period beginning
on or before the Effective Time and ending after the Effective Time that is required to be filed
after the Effective Time, Spectra MLP shall cause such Tax Return to be prepared and shall cause to
be included in such Tax Return all Tax items required to be included therein. Spectra MLP shall
determine (by an interim closing of the books as of the Effective Time except for franchise Taxes
based solely on capital and ad valorem Taxes which shall be prorated on a daily basis) the Tax
which would have been due with respect to the period covered by such Tax Return if such taxable
period ended on the Effective Time (the
Pre-Closing Tax
). For this purpose, any franchise Tax
paid or payable with respect to any Saltville Company shall be allocated to the taxable period for
which payment of the Tax provides the right to engage in business, regardless of the taxable period
during which the income, operations, assets or capital comprising the base of such Tax is measured.
Not later than 15 days prior to the due date of each such Tax Return, Spectra MLP shall deliver a
copy of such Tax Return to each SE Transmission and MLP GP for their review. Spectra MLP shall
make all reasonable changes to such Tax Return as requested by each of SE Transmission and MLP GP
not later than ten days prior to the due date of such Tax Return. Not later than the due date of
the Tax Return, either (i) each of SE Transmission and MLP GP shall pay to Spectra MLP their share
of the excess, if any, of the Pre-Closing Tax over the amount set up as a liability for the
Pre-Closing Tax in the Final Net Working Capital, or (ii) Spectra MLP shall pay to SE Transmission
or MLP GP in proportion to such Partys ownership of Saltville LLC prior to this Agreement the
excess, if any, of the amount set up as a liability for the Pre-Closing Tax in the Final Net
Working Capital over the Pre-Closing Tax. Spectra MLP shall cause such Saltville Company to file
the Tax Return and timely pay the Taxes shown due on such Tax Return.
(d) Ad valorem Taxes relating to the Saltville Companies for any tax year that includes
periods prior to the Closing Date shall be prorated on a daily basis between Spectra MLP on the one
hand and SE Transmission on the other hand, with SE Transmission responsible for the prorated
portion of such Taxes for the period up to and including the Closing Date and Spectra MLP
responsible for the prorated portion of such Taxes after the Closing Date. The Party that receives
the ad valorem Tax billing (the
Billed Party
) shall provide a copy of such billing to the other
Party together with a calculation of the prorated ad valorem Taxes owed by each Party. The Party
that did not receive the ad valorem Tax billing shall pay its prorated portion of the ad valorem
Taxes to the Billed Party prior to the due date of such Taxes and the Billed Party shall be
responsible for the timely payment of the ad valorem Taxes to the taxing authorities.
(e) Any Tax Return prepared pursuant to the provisions of this Section 7.1 shall be prepared
in a manner consistent with practices followed in prior years with respect to similar Tax Returns,
except as otherwise required by Law or fact. Any dispute arising pursuant
29
to the provisions of Section 7.1(b) or Section 7.1(c) shall be resolved pursuant to procedures
comparable to the procedures applicable under Sections 2.4.
(f) Spectra MLP, MLP GP and SE Transmission shall cooperate fully, and Spectra MLP shall cause
each of the Saltville Companies to cooperate fully, as and to the extent reasonably requested by
the other Party, in connection with the preparation and filing of Tax Returns pursuant to this
Section 7.1 (and Section 7.5), requests for the provision of any information or documentation
within the knowledge or possession of the other Party as reasonably necessary to facilitate
compliance with financial reporting obligations arising under FASB Statement No. 109 (including
without limitation, compliance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48),
and any audit, litigation or other proceeding (each a
Tax Proceeding
) with respect to Taxes.
Such cooperation shall include access to, the retention and (upon the other Partys request) the
provision of records and information which are reasonably relevant to any such Tax Return or Tax
Proceeding, and making employees available on a mutually convenient basis to provide additional
information and explanation of any material provided hereunder. SE Transmission will, MLP GP will
and Spectra MLP will and will cause the Saltville Companies to, (i) retain all books and records
with respect to Tax matters pertinent to the Saltville Companies relating to any taxable period
beginning before the Effective Time until the later of six years after the Effective Time or the
expiration of the applicable statute of limitations of the respective taxable periods (including
any extensions thereof), and to abide by all record retention agreements entered into with any Tax
Authority, and (ii) give the other party reasonable written notice prior to transferring,
destroying or discarding any such books and records and, if the other party so requests, Spectra
MLP, MLP GP or SE Transmission, as the case may be, shall allow the other parties to take
possession of such books and records. Spectra MLP, MLP GP and SE Transmission each agree, upon
request, to use Reasonable Efforts to obtain any certificate or other document from any Tax
Authority or any other Person as may be necessary to mitigate, reduce or eliminate any Tax that
could be imposed with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Section 7.2
Transfer Taxes
. Responsibility for the payment of all state and local transfer,
sales, use, stamp, registration or other similar Taxes resulting from the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement shall be borne 50% by Spectra MLP and 50% by SE Transmission and MLP GP in
proportion to their ownership of the Saltville Companies prior to this Agreement.
Section 7.3
Tax Indemnity.
(a) SE Transmission and MLP GP shall be jointly and severally liable for, shall pay and shall
protect, defend, indemnify and hold harmless Spectra MLP and the Saltville Companies from (i) any
breach of the representations and warranties contained in Section 4.10, (ii) any and all Taxes in
excess of any liability for Taxes (for the period through the Effective Time) reflected in the
Final Net Working Capital which relate to or result from the income, Business, property or
operations of the Saltville Companies prior to the Effective Time, (iii) any Taxes arising as a
result of the Saltville Restructuring and (iv) with respect to any tax liabilities of the Saltville
Companies as a result of the provisions of Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 or any similar
provision of foreign, state or local law. Spectra MLP shall be solely liable for, shall pay and
shall protect, defend, indemnify and hold harmless each of SE Transmission and
30
MLP GP from any and all Taxes which relate to or result from the income, Business, property or
operations of the Saltville Companies after the Effective Time.
(b) If any claim (an
Indemnified Tax Claim
) is made by any Tax Authority that, if
successful, would result in indemnification of any Party (the
Tax Indemnified Party
) by another
Party (the
Tax Indemnifying Party
) under this Section 7.3, the Tax Indemnified Party shall
promptly, but in no event later than the earlier of (i) 45 days after receipt of notice from the
Tax Authority of such claim or (ii) 15 days prior to the date required for the filing of any
protest of such claim, notify the Tax Indemnifying Party in writing of such fact.
(c) The Tax Indemnifying Party shall control all decisions with respect to any Tax Proceeding
involving an Indemnified Tax Claim and the Tax Indemnified Party shall take such action (including
settlement with respect to such Tax Proceeding or the prosecution of such Tax Proceeding to a
determination in a court or other tribunal of initial or appellate jurisdiction) in connection with
a Tax Proceeding involving an Indemnified Tax Claim as the Tax Indemnifying Party shall reasonably
request in writing from time to time, including the selection of counsel and experts and the
execution of powers of attorney;
provided, however,
that (i) within 30 days after the notice
required by Section 7.3(b) has been delivered (or such earlier date that any payment of Taxes with
respect to such claim is due but in no event sooner than five days after the Tax Indemnifying
Partys receipt of such notice), the Tax Indemnifying Party requests that such claim be contested,
and (ii) if the Tax Indemnified Party is requested by the Tax Indemnifying Party to pay the Tax
claimed and sue for a refund, the Tax Indemnifying Party shall have advanced to the Tax Indemnified
Party, on an interest-free basis, the amount of such claim. The Tax Indemnified Party shall not
make any payment of an Indemnified Tax Claim for at least 30 days (or such shorter period as may be
required by Law) after the giving of the notice required by Section 7.3(b) with respect to such
claim, shall give to the Tax Indemnifying Party any information requested related to such claim,
and otherwise shall cooperate with the Tax Indemnifying Party in order to contest effectively any
such claim.
Section 7.4
Scope
. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, this Article VII shall be
the exclusive remedy for any claims relating to Taxes (including any claims relating to
representations respecting Tax matters including Section 4.10). The rights under this Article VII
shall survive the Closing until 30 days after the expiration of the statute of limitations
(including extensions) applicable to such Tax matter. No claim may be made or brought by any Party
hereto after the expiration of the applicable survival period unless such claim has been asserted
by written notice specifying the details supporting the claim on or prior to the expiration of the
applicable survival period.
Section 7.5
Tax Refunds
. In the event that Spectra MLP receives any refund of Taxes from a
taxing jurisdiction or a reimbursement of Taxes from a third party with respect to any Pre-Closing
Taxable Period (which refund is not reflected in Accrued Taxes on the balance sheet of Saltville
LLC dated as of the Closing Date prepared in connection with the determination of Final Net Working
Capital), such amounts shall belong to SE Transmission and MLP GP and shall be forwarded by Spectra
MLP to SE Transmission and MLP GP in proportion to such Partys ownership of Saltville LLC prior to
this Agreement within 10 days of receipt.
31
ARTICLE VIII
CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS
Section 8.1
Conditions to Obligations of Spectra MLP
. The obligation of Spectra MLP to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is subject to the satisfaction of the
following conditions, any one or more of which may be waived in writing by Spectra MLP:
(a) All necessary filings with and consents, approvals, licenses, Permits, and orders of any
Governmental Authority required by Law for the consummation of the transactions contemplated in
this Agreement shall have been made and obtained, other than those that do not or would not
reasonably be expected to result in Losses to the Saltville Companies in excess of $2,500,000 in
the aggregate. All necessary consents of any third party, other than any Governmental Authority,
required for the consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement shall have been
made and obtained, including the Transmission Approvals and Spectra MLP Approvals, other than those
that do not or would not reasonably be expected to result in Losses to the Saltville Companies in
excess of $2,500,000 in the aggregate;
(b) each of the representations and warranties of SE Transmission and MLP GP contained in this
Agreement shall be true as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing, as if made at and
as of that time (other than such representations and warranties that expressly address matters only
as of a certain date, which need only be true as of such certain date);
(c) each of SE Transmission and MLP GP shall have performed or complied in all material
respects with all of the covenants and agreements required by this Agreement to be performed or
complied with by it at or before the Closing;
(d) each of SE Transmission and MLP GP shall have delivered to Spectra MLP a certificate dated
the Closing Date, certifying that the conditions specified in Sections 8.1(b) and 8.1(c) have been
fulfilled;
(e) no statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, temporary restraining order,
preliminary or permanent injunction, judgment or other order shall have been enacted, entered,
promulgated, enforced or issued by any Governmental Authority, or other legal restraint or
prohibition preventing the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby shall be in effect,
and no investigation, action or proceeding before a Governmental Authority shall have been
instituted or threatened challenging or seeking to restrain or prohibit the transactions
contemplated hereby or to recover damages in connection therewith;
(f) the closing under the Asset Purchase Agreement has occurred; and
(g) the Saltville Restructuring has been consummated without the occurrence of a Material
Adverse Effect on Spectra MLP or the Saltville Companies.
Section 8.2
Conditions to the Obligations of SE Transmission and MLP GP
. The obligation of
each of SE Transmission and MLP GP to consummate the transactions
32
contemplated by this Agreement is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions, any
one or more of which may be waived in writing by SE Transmission:
(a) All necessary filings with and consents, approvals, Permits, and orders of any
Governmental Authority required by Law for the consummation of the transactions contemplated in
this Agreement shall have been made and obtained, other than those that would not reasonably be
expected, in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect on SE Transmission or MLP GP. All
necessary consents of any third party, other than any Governmental Authority, required for the
consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement shall have been made and obtained,
including the Transmission Approvals and Spectra MLP Approvals, other than those that would not
reasonably be expected, in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect on SE Transmission or
MLP GP;
(b) each of the representations and warranties of Spectra MLP contained in this Agreement
shall be true as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing, as if made anew at and as of
that time (other than such representations and warranties that expressly address matters only as of
a certain date, which need only be true as of such certain date);
(c) Spectra MLP shall have performed or complied in all material respects with all of the
covenants and agreements required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by Spectra MLP
on or before the Closing;
(d) Spectra MLP shall have delivered to each of SE Transmission and MLP GP a certificate,
dated the Closing Date, certifying that the conditions specified in Section 8.2(b) and (c) have
been fulfilled;
(e) no statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, temporary restraining order,
preliminary or permanent injunction, judgment or other order shall have been enacted, entered,
promulgated, enforced or issued by any Governmental Authority, or other legal restraint or
prohibition preventing the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby shall be in effect,
and no investigation, action or proceeding before a court or any other governmental agency or body
shall have been instituted or threatened challenging or seeking to restrain or prohibit the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or to recover damages in connection
therewith;
(f) the closing under the Asset Purchase Agreement has occurred; and
(g) the Saltville Restructuring has been consummated without the occurrence of a Material
Adverse Effect on Spectra Energy Corp or any of its Affiliates.
ARTICLE IX
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 9.1
Survival.
(a) The representations and warranties of the Parties contained in this Agreement and all
covenants contained in this Agreement that are to be performed prior to the Closing will survive
the closing for 18 months following the Closing;
provided, however
, that
33
(i) the Fundamental Representations and Warranties shall survive for the applicable statute of
limitations, (ii) the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.10 shall survive as set
forth in Article VII and (iii) the representations and warranties in Section 4.11 shall survive for
three years following the Closing. The P-25 Indemnity Obligations (as defined below) shall survive
as set forth in the Asset Purchase Agreement. No Party shall have any liability for
indemnification claims made under this Article IX with respect to any such representation, warranty
or pre-closing covenant unless a Claim Notice is provided by the non-breaching Party to the other
Party prior to the expiration of the applicable survival period for such representation, warranty
or pre-closing covenant. If a Claim Notice has been timely given in accordance with this Agreement
prior to the expiration of the applicable survival period for such representation, warranty or
pre-closing covenant or claim, then the applicable representation, warranty or pre-closing covenant
shall survive as to such claim, until such claim has been finally resolved.
(b) All covenants and agreements of the Parties contained in this Agreement to be performed
after the Closing will survive the Closing in accordance with their terms.
Section 9.2
Indemnification.
(a) Subject to Article VII relating to Taxes, the provisions of this Article IX and, as to the
P-25 Indemnity Obligations, all rights, counterclaims, defenses and limitations available under the
Asset Purchase Agreement to SE Virginia Pipeline (except for defenses arising from the involuntary
bankruptcy, insolvency, dissolution or liquidation of SE Virginia Pipeline), from and after the
Closing, each of SE Transmission and MLP GP shall indemnify and hold harmless Spectra MLP, Spectra
MLPs Affiliates (other than SE Transmission and MLP GP) and their respective Representatives (the
Spectra MLP Indemnified Parties
) from and against all Losses that Spectra MLP Indemnified Parties
incur arising from (i) any breach of any representation, warranty or covenant of SE Transmission or
MLP GP, as applicable, in this Agreement or in the certificates to be delivered at Closing or (ii)
any breach of any representation, warranty or covenant of SE Virginia Pipeline at or prior to
closing under the Asset Purchase Agreement or in the certificates delivered at the closing
thereunder or any indemnity obligation thereunder relating to periods on or prior to the closing
thereunder (collectively, the
P-25 Indemnity Obligations
).
(b) Subject to Article VII relating to Taxes and the provisions of this Article IX, from and
after the Closing, Spectra MLP shall indemnify and hold harmless SE Transmission and its Affiliates
and their respective Representatives (the
SE Transmission Indemnified Parties
) and MLP GP and its
Affiliates and their respective Representatives (the
MLP GP Indemnified Parties
) from and against
all Losses that each of the SE Transmission Indemnified Parties and MLP GP Indemnified Parties
incur arising from or out of (i) any breach of any representation, warranty or covenant of Spectra
MLP in this Agreement or in the certificate to be delivered at Closing or (ii) relating to any
Company Guarantees.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Parties shall have a duty to use
Reasonable Efforts to mitigate any Loss arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby.
34
(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, to the extent that any Spectra MLP
Indemnified Party incurs Losses arising from any breach of any representation, warranty or covenant
of SE Transmission or MLP GP, as applicable, in this Agreement, and recourse is available to it for
all or a portion of such Losses under the AGL Agreement, then such Spectra MLP Indemnified Party
shall give SE Transmission and MLP GP a Claim Notice therefor and first use its Reasonable Efforts
for a period of one year to seek indemnification under the AGL Agreement and shall have recourse
hereunder for such Losses only to the extent not recovered pursuant to the AGL Agreement. The
delivery of a Claim Notice in respect of such Losses shall toll the applicable survival period
under Section 9.1 for the duration of such year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Spectra MLP agrees
not to initiate litigation pursuant to the AGL Agreement and, at such time as it determines efforts
at recovery pursuant to the AGL Agreement short of litigation are unlikely to be successful,
Spectra MLP shall notify SE Transmission thereof and SE Transmission may then freely pursue such
litigation. If SE Transmission decides to initiate such litigation prior to the end of the
above-referenced one year period, or otherwise as of the expiration of such one year period,
Spectra MLP shall no longer be obligated to seek recourse under the AGL Agreement with respect to
the applicable matters.
(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Article IX to the contrary, all Losses relating to Taxes
which are the subject of Article VII shall only be subject to indemnification under Section 7.3.
Section 9.3
Indemnification Procedures
. Claims for indemnification under this Agreement
(other than claims involving a Tax Proceeding, the procedures for which are set forth in Article
VII) shall be asserted and resolved as follows:
(a) Any Spectra MLP Indemnified Party, MLP GP Indemnified Party or SE Transmission Indemnified
Party claiming indemnification under this Agreement (an
Indemnified Party
) with respect to any
claim asserted against the Indemnified Party by a third party (
Third Party Claim
) in respect of
any matter that is subject to indemnification under Section 9.2 shall promptly (i) notify the
appropriate Party (the
Indemnifying Party
) of the Third Party Claim and (ii) transmit to the
Indemnifying Party a written notice (
Claim Notice
) describing in reasonable detail the nature of
the Third Party Claim, a copy of all papers served with respect to such claim (if any), the
Indemnified Partys best estimate of the amount of Losses attributable to the Third Party Claim and
the basis of the Indemnified Partys request for indemnification under this Agreement. Failure to
timely provide such Claim Notice shall not affect the right of the Indemnified Partys
indemnification hereunder, except to the extent the Indemnifying Party is prejudiced by such delay
or omission.
(b) The Indemnifying Party shall have the right to defend the Indemnified Party against such
Third Party Claim. If the Indemnifying Party notifies the Indemnified Party that the Indemnifying
Party elects to assume the defense of the Third Party Claim, then the Indemnifying Party shall have
the right to defend such Third Party Claim with counsel selected by the Indemnifying Party (who
shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party), by all appropriate proceedings, to a
final conclusion or settlement at the discretion of the Indemnifying Party in accordance with this
Section 9.3(b). The Indemnifying Party shall have full control of such defense and proceedings,
including any compromise or settlement thereof;
provided, however
, that the Indemnifying Party
shall not enter into any settlement agreement without the
35
written consent of the Indemnified Party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld,
conditioned or delayed);
provided, further
, that such consent shall not be required if (i) the
settlement agreement contains a complete and unconditional general release by the third party
asserting the claim to all Indemnified Parties affected by the claim and (ii) the settlement
agreement does not contain any sanction or restriction upon the conduct of any business by the
Indemnified Party or its Affiliates. If requested by the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnified Party
agrees, at the sole cost and expense of the Indemnifying Party, to cooperate with the Indemnifying
Party and its counsel in contesting any Third Party Claim which the Indemnifying Party elects to
contest, including the making of any related counterclaim against the Person asserting the Third
Party Claim or any cross complaint against any Person. The Indemnified Party may participate in,
but not control, any defense or settlement of any Third Party Claim controlled by the Indemnifying
Party pursuant to this Section 9.3(b), and the Indemnified Party shall bear its own costs and
expenses with respect to such participation.
(c) If the Indemnifying Party does not notify the Indemnified Party that the Indemnifying
Party elects to defend the Indemnified Party pursuant to Section 9.3(b), then the Indemnified Party
shall have the right to defend, and be reimbursed for its reasonable cost and expense (but only if
the Indemnified Party is actually entitled to indemnification hereunder) in regard to the Third
Party Claim with counsel selected by the Indemnified Party (who shall be reasonably satisfactory to
the Indemnifying Party), by all appropriate proceedings, which proceedings shall be prosecuted
diligently by the Indemnified Party. In such circumstances, the Indemnified Party shall defend any
such Third Party Claim in good faith and have full control of such defense and proceedings;
provided, however
, that the Indemnified Party may not enter into any compromise or settlement of
such Third Party Claim if indemnification is to be sought hereunder, without the Indemnifying
Partys consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). The
Indemnifying Party may participate in, but not control, any defense or settlement controlled by the
Indemnified Party pursuant to this Section 9.3(c), and the Indemnifying Party shall bear its own
costs and expenses with respect to such participation.
(d) Subject to the other provisions of this Article IX, a claim for indemnification for any
matter not involving a Third Party Claim may be asserted by notice to the Party from whom
indemnification is sought.
(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 9.3, the indemnification
procedures set forth in Article VII shall control any indemnities relating to Taxes.
Section 9.4
Additional Agreements Regarding Indemnification
. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary herein:
(a) a breach of any representation or warranty (other than with respect to a breach of the
Fundamental Representations and Warranties) of SE Transmission or MLP GP in this Agreement in
connection with any single item or group of related items that results in Losses of less than
$10,000 shall be deemed, for all purposes of this Article IX not to be a breach of such
representation, warranty or pre-closing covenant;
36
(b) neither SE Transmission nor MLP GP shall have any liability arising out of or relating to
Section 9.2(a) for breaches of representations or warranties (other than with respect to a breach
of the Fundamental Representations and Warranties) or the P-25 Indemnity Obligations except if the
aggregate Losses actually incurred by Spectra MLP Indemnified Parties thereunder exceed $1,070,000
(and then, subject to Section 9.4(c), only to the extent such aggregate Losses exceed such amount);
(c) in no event shall the aggregate liability of SE Transmission or MLP GP arising out of or
relating to Section 9.2(a) for breaches of representations or warranties (other than with respect
to a breach of the Fundamental Representations and Warranties) or the P-25 Indemnity Obligations
exceed $21,400,000;
(d) the amount of any Loss for which a Spectra MLP Indemnified Party claims indemnification
under this Agreement shall be reduced by: (i) any insurance proceeds actually recovered with
respect to such Loss; (ii) any Tax Benefits with respect to such Loss and (iii) indemnification or
reimbursement payments actually recovered from third parties with respect to such Loss;
(e) for purposes of determining whether there has been a breach or inaccuracy of a
representation or warranty by a party in connection with the assertion of a claim for
indemnification under Article IX, or determining the amount of a Loss, with respect to any asserted
breach or inaccuracy, such determination shall be made without regard to any qualifier as to
material, materiality or Material Adverse Effect expressly contained in Article III or IV;
(f) as contemplated by Section 6.10(b), none of SE Transmission and MLP GP and their
respective Affiliates shall have any liability hereunder that arises out of or relating to the
Excluded Assets;
(g) the provisions of Section 8.4(b) and Section 8.4(c) of the Asset Purchase Agreement do not
apply as to any claim for a P-25 Indemnity Obligation brought hereunder; and
(h) for the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 9.4 shall affect the provisions of
Article VII.
Section 9.5
Waiver of Other Representations.
(a) NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY HEREIN, IT IS THE EXPLICIT INTENT OF EACH PARTY
HERETO, AND THE PARTIES HEREBY AGREE, THAT NONE OF SE TRANSMISSION, MLP GP OR ANY OF THEIR
RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES OR REPRESENTATIVES HAS MADE OR IS MAKING ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY
WHATSOEVER, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WRITTEN OR ORAL, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY
AS TO THE CONDITION, MERCHANTABILITY, USAGE, SUITABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE WITH
RESPECT TO THE CONTRIBUTED INTERESTS, THE SALTVILLE COMPANIES, THEIR ASSETS OR ANY PART THEREOF,
EXCEPT THOSE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES CONTAINED IN THIS AGREEMENT, AND WITHOUT IN ANY WAY
LIMITING THE FOREGOING, NEITHER
37
SE TRANSMISSION NOR MLP GP MAKES ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY TO SPECTRA MLP WITH RESPECT TO
ANY FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS OR FORECASTS RELATING TO THE SALTVILLE COMPANIES.
(b) The representations and warranties contained in Section 4.11 shall be the exclusive
representations and warranties with regard to Environmental Laws and related matters.
Section 9.6
Total Consideration Adjustment
. The Parties agree to treat all payments made
pursuant to this Article IX as adjustments to the SET Consideration and MLP GP Consideration, as
applicable, for Tax purposes.
Section 9.7
Exclusive Remedy.
(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein except as provided in Sections 7.2, 7.3,
9.2 or 10.2, no Party shall have any liability, and no Party shall make any claim, for any Loss or
other matter (and Spectra MLP, MLP GP and SE Transmission hereby waive any right of contribution
against the other and their respective Affiliates), under, arising out of or relating to this
Agreement, any other document, agreement, certificate or other matter delivered pursuant hereto or
the transactions contemplated hereby, whether based on contract, tort, strict liability, other Laws
or otherwise.
(b) NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY HEREIN, NO PARTY SHALL BE LIABLE FOR SPECIAL,
PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR INDIRECT DAMAGES, LOST PROFITS, LOST
OPPORTUNITIES OR OTHER SPECULATIVE DAMAGES, WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY,
OTHER LAW OR OTHERWISE AND WHETHER OR NOT ARISING FROM ANY OTHER PARTYS SOLE, JOINT OR CONCURRENT
NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHER FAULT; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THIS SECTION 9.7(b) SHALL NOT
LIMIT A PARTYS RIGHT TO RECOVERY UNDER ARTICLE IX FOR ANY SUCH DAMAGES TO THE EXTENT SUCH PARTY IS
REQUIRED TO PAY SUCH DAMAGES TO A THIRD PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH A MATTER FOR WHICH SUCH PARTY IS
OTHERWISE ENTITLED TO INDEMNIFICATION UNDER ARTICLE IX.
ARTICLE X
TERMINATION
Section 10.1
Termination
. At any time prior to the Closing, this Agreement may be terminated
and the transactions contemplated hereby abandoned:
(a) pursuant to Section 6.7;
(b) by the mutual consent of Spectra MLP, MLP GP and SE Transmission as evidenced in writing
signed by each of Spectra MLP, MLP GP and SE Transmission;
(c) by any of Spectra MLP, MLP GP or SE Transmission if any Governmental Authority having
competent jurisdiction has issued a final, non-appealable order, decree, ruling or injunction
(other than a temporary restraining order) or taken any other action
38
permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement; or
(d) by any of Spectra MLP, MLP GP or SE Transmission, if the Closing has not occurred on or
before September 30, 2008 or such later date as the Parties may agree upon.
Section 10.2
Effect of Termination
. In the event of termination and abandonment of this
Agreement pursuant to Section 10.1, this Agreement shall forthwith become void and have no effect
without any liability on the part of any Party hereto other than for any prior breaches, as to
which the Parties will remain liable and/or to which the other Party shall be entitled to all
rights and remedies available under Law or equity. The provisions of Sections 10.2 and 11.4 shall
survive any termination of this Agreement.
ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 11.1
Notices
. Any notice, request, demand and other communication required or
permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing, and may be served by personal delivery,
facsimile or by depositing same in the mail, addressed to the Party to be notified, first class,
postage prepaid, and registered or certified with a return receipt requested. Notice deposited in
the mail in the manner hereinabove described shall be deemed to have been given and received on the
date of the delivery as shown on the return receipt. Notice served in any other manner shall be
deemed to have been given and received only if and when actually received by the addressee (except
that notice given by facsimile shall be deemed given and received upon receipt only if received
during normal business hours and, if received other than during normal business hours, shall be
deemed received as of the opening of business on the next Business Day). For purposes of notice,
the addresses of the Parties shall be as follows:
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(a)
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If to Spectra MLP, to:
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Spectra Energy Partners, LP
5400 Westheimer Court
Houston, TX 77056
Attention: Greg Harper, President and Chief Executive Officer
Facsimile: (713) 989-1818
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With copies to:
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Spectra Energy Partners, LP
5400 Westheimer Court
Houston, TX 77056
Attention: Chairman of the Conflicts Committee of the Board of Directors of
Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC
Facsimile: (713) 650-8105
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(b)
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If to SE Transmission, to:
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Spectra Energy Transmission, LLC
c/o Spectra Energy Corp
5400 Westheimer Court
Houston, TX 77056
Attention: Alan N. Harris, Chief Development Officer
Room Code: WO 8M56
Facsimile: (713) 627-4635
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with copies to:
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Spectra Energy Transmission, LLC
c/o Spectra Energy Corp
5400 Westheimer Court
Houston, TX 77056
Attention: Anders K. Torning, Associate General Counsel M & A
Room Code: WMO 9D65
Facsimile: (713) 989-3190
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(c)
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If to MLP GP, to:
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Spectra Energy Partners (DE) GP, LP
c/o Spectra Energy Corp
5400 Westheimer Court
Houston, TX 77056
Attention: Alan N. Harris, Chief Development Officer
Room Code: WO 8M56
Facsimile: (713) 627-4635
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with copies to:
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Spectra Energy Partners (DE) GP, LP
c/o Spectra Energy Corp
5400 Westheimer Court
Houston, TX 77056
Attention: Anders K. Torning, Associate General Counsel M & A
Room Code: WMO 9D65
Facsimile: (713) 989-3190
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or to such other address or addresses as the Parties may from time to time designate in writing.
Section 11.2
Assignment
. No Party shall assign this Agreement or any part hereof without the
prior written consent of all of the other Parties. Subject to the foregoing, this Agreement shall
be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective permitted successors
and assigns.
40
Section 11.3
Rights of Third Parties
. Except for the provisions of Section 9.2 which are
intended to be enforceable by the Persons respectively referred to therein, nothing expressed or
implied in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to confer upon or give any Person,
other than the Parties, any right or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement.
Section 11.4
Expense
. Except as otherwise provided herein, each Party shall bear its own
expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions herein contemplated hereby
whether or not such transactions shall be consummated, including all fees of its legal counsel,
financial advisers and accountants.
Section 11.5
Counterparts
. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same
instrument. Any facsimile copies hereof or signature hereon shall, for all purposes, be deemed
originals.
Section 11.6
Entire Agreement
. This Agreement (together with the Disclosure Schedule and
exhibits to this Agreement) constitutes the entire agreement among the Parties and supersedes any
other agreements, whether written or oral, that may have been made or entered into by or among any
of the Parties or any of their respective Affiliates relating to the transactions contemplated
hereby.
Section 11.7
Disclosure Schedule
. Unless the context otherwise requires, all capitalized
terms used in the Disclosure Schedule shall have the respective meanings assigned in this
Agreement. No reference to or disclosure of any item or other matter in the Disclosure Schedule
shall be construed as an admission or indication that such item or other matter is material or that
such item or other matter is required to be referred to or disclosed in the Disclosure Schedule.
No disclosure in the Disclosure Schedule relating to any possible breach or violation of any
agreement or Law shall be construed as an admission or indication that any such breach or violation
exists or has actually occurred. The inclusion of any information in the Disclosure Schedule shall
not be deemed to be an admission or acknowledgment by SE Transmission or MLP GP, as applicable, in
and of itself, that such information is material to or outside the ordinary course of the Business
of the Saltville Companies or required to be disclosed on the Disclosure Schedule.
Section 11.8
Amendments
. This Agreement may be amended or modified in whole or in part, and
terms and conditions may be waived, only by a duly authorized agreement in writing which makes
reference to this Agreement executed by each Party.
Section 11.9
Publicity
. All press releases or other public communications of any nature
whatsoever relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and the method of the
release for publication thereof, shall be subject to the prior consent of Spectra MLP, MLP GP and
SE Transmission, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed by any
Party;
provided, however,
that nothing herein shall prevent a Party from publishing such press
releases or other public communications as such Party may consider necessary in order to satisfy
such Partys obligations at Law or under the rules of any stock or commodities exchange after
consultation with the other Party as is reasonable under the circumstances.
41
Section 11.10
Severability
. If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or
unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the other provisions of this Agreement
shall remain in full force and effect. The Parties further agree that if any provision contained
herein is, to any extent, held invalid or unenforceable in any respect under the Laws governing
this Agreement, then they shall take any actions necessary to render the remaining provisions of
this Agreement valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by Law and, to the extent
necessary, shall amend or otherwise modify this Agreement to replace any provision contained herein
that is held invalid or unenforceable with a valid and enforceable provision giving effect to the
intent of the Parties to the greatest extent legally permissible.
Section 11.11
Governing Law; Jurisdiction.
(a) This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of
Texas without regard to the Laws that might be applicable under conflicts of laws principles.
(b) The Parties agree that the appropriate, exclusive and convenient forum for any disputes
between any of the Parties hereto arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
hereby shall be in any state or federal court in Houston, Texas, and each of the Parties hereto
irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of such courts solely in respect of any legal proceeding
arising out of or related to this Agreement. The Parties further agree that the Parties shall not
bring suit with respect to any disputes arising out of this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby in any court or jurisdiction other than the above specified courts;
provided,
however
, that the foregoing shall not limit the rights of the Parties to obtain execution of
judgment in any other jurisdiction. The Parties further agree, to the extent permitted by Law,
that a final and unappealable judgment against a Party in any action or proceeding contemplated
above shall be conclusive and may be enforced in any other jurisdiction within or outside the
United States by suit on the judgment, a certified or exemplified copy of which shall be conclusive
evidence of the fact and amount of such judgment. Except to the extent that a different
determination or finding is mandated due to the Law being that of a different jurisdiction, the
Parties agree that all judicial determinations or findings by a state or federal court in Houston,
Texas with respect to any matter under this Agreement shall be binding.
(c) To the extent that any Party hereto has or hereafter may acquire any immunity from
jurisdiction of any court or from any legal process (whether through service or notice, attachment
prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution, execution or otherwise) with respect to itself
or its property, each such party hereby irrevocably (i) waives such immunity in respect of its
obligations with respect to this Agreement and (ii) submits to the personal jurisdiction of any
court described in Section 11.11(b).
(d) THE PARTIES HERETO AGREE THAT THEY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN
ANY ACTION TO ENFORCE OR INTERPRET THE PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT.
Section 11.12
Action by Spectra MLP
. With respect to any action (including any case where the
agreement of, or selection by, Spectra MLP is required), notice, consent, approval or waiver that
is required to be taken or given or that may be taken or given by Spectra MLP prior
42
to or after the Closing Date with respect to, or in connection with, the subject matter
hereof, such action, notice, consent, approval or waiver shall be taken or given by the Conflicts
Committee on behalf of Spectra MLP.
43
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each Party as of
the date first above written.
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SE TRANSMISSION:
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SPECTRA ENERGY TRANSMISSION, LLC
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By:
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/s/ Mark R. Fiedorek
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Name: Mark R. Fiedorek
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Title: Group Vice President, Southeast Transmission and Storage
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MLP GP:
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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/ Paul K. Haralson
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Name:
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Paul K. Haralson
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Title:
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Assistant Treasurer
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SPECTRA MLP:
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SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP
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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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/s/ C. Gregory Harper
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Name: C. Gregory Harper
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Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
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[Signature Page to the Contribution Agreement]
FIRST AMENDMENT TO
OMNIBUS AGREEMENT
THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO OMNIBUS AGREEMENT (
First Amendment
) is entered into on, and
effective as of,
, 2008, and is by and among Spectra Energy Corp, a Delaware
corporation (
Spectra
), Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (
GP
LLC
), Spectra Energy Partners (DE) GP, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the
General Partner
)
and Spectra Energy Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the
Partnership
). The
above-named entities are sometimes referred to in this First Amendment each as a
Party
and
collectively as the
Parties
.
R E C I T A L S:
1. The Parties entered into that certain Omnibus Agreement, dated and effective as of the
Closing Date (as defined therein) (the
Current Agreement"
), to (i) evidence their agreement with
respect to the amount to be paid by the Partnership for certain general and administrative services
to be performed by Spectra and its Affiliates (as defined in the Current Agreement) as well as
direct expenses, including operating expenses, incurred by Spectra and its Affiliates for and on
behalf of the Partnership Group (as defined in the Current Agreement) and (ii) evidence their
agreement with respect to certain indemnification obligations of the Parties.
2. The Parties desire to amend the Current Agreement to, among other things, reflect the
contribution of Saltville LLC (as defined herein) to the Partnership Group from certain Affiliates
of Spectra and the extension of the reimbursement obligations of Article III of the Current
Agreement for expenses made by Spectra and its Affiliates on behalf of Saltville LLC.
In consideration of the agreements contained herein, and for other good and valuable
consideration, the Parties hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
Definitions
Defined Terms.
Each capitalized term used herein but not otherwise defined herein has the
meaning given such term in the Current Agreement. Unless otherwise indicated, all section
references in this First Amendment refer to sections of the Current Agreement.
ARTICLE II
Amendment to Current Agreement
Amendments to Section 1.1
(a) The following definition is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:
Agreement
means this Omnibus Agreement as amended by the First Amendment, as it may be
further amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms
hereof.
(b) The definition of
Partnership Assets
is hereby amended by adding the following proviso
to the end of such definition prior to the period:
; provided, however, that with respect to Article III only, Partnership Assets shall
also include Saltville LLC
(c) The following definitions are hereby added where alphabetically appropriate to read as
follows:
First
Amendment
means the First Amendment to Omnibus Agreement
dated as of
, 2008 among Spectra, GP LLC, the General Partner and Partnership.
Saltville LLC
means Saltville Gas Storage Company L.L.C., a limited liability company
organized under the Laws of the [Commonwealth of Virginia].
ARTICLE III
Miscellaneous
Confirmation
.
The provisions of the Current Agreement, as amended by this First Amendment, shall
remain in full force and effect following the execution of this First Amendment.
Choice of Law; Submission to Jurisdiction
.
This First Amendment shall be subject to and governed
by the laws of the State of Texas, excluding any conflicts-of-law rule or principle that might
refer the construction or interpretation of this First Amendment to the laws of another state.
Each Party hereby submits to the jurisdiction of the state and federal courts in the State of Texas
and to venue in Houston, Texas.
Entire Agreement. This First Amendment constitutes the entire agreement of the Parties relating to
the matters contained herein, superseding all prior contracts or agreements, whether oral or
written, relating to the matters contained herein.
Counterparts. This First Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, including
facsimile counterparts, with the same effect as if all signatory Parties had signed the same
document. All counterparts shall be construed together and shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
Severability. If any provision of this First Amendment or the application thereof to any Person or
circumstance shall be held invalid or unenforceable by a court or regulatory body of competent
jurisdiction, the remainder of this First Amendment and the application of such provision to other
Persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby and shall be enforced to the greatest extent
permitted by law.
[The remainder of this page is left blank intentionally.]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this First Amendment on, and effective as of,
the date first written above.
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SPECTRA ENERGY CORP
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By:
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Name:
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Title:
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SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS GP, LLC
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By:
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Name:
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Title:
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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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Name:
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Title:
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SPECTRA ENERGY PARTNERS, LP
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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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Name:
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Title:
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Exhibit 10.2
ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
by and between
SPECTRA ENERGY VIRGINIA PIPELINE COMPANY,
as Seller
and
EAST TENNESSEE NATURAL GAS, LLC,
as Buyer
dated as of
December 13, 2007
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page
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ARTICLE I
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DEFINITIONS AND RULES OF CONSTRUCTION
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Section 1.1
Definitions
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1
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Section 1.2
Rules of Construction
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8
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ARTICLE II
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PURCHASE AND SALE; CLOSING
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Section 2.1
Purchase and Sale of Purchased Assets
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9
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Section 2.2
Consideration
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9
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Section 2.3
The Closing
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9
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ARTICLE III
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REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
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RELATING TO SELLER
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Section 3.1
Organization
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11
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Section 3.2
Authorization; Enforceability
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11
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Section 3.3
No Conflict
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11
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Section 3.4
Investment Representation
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11
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Section 3.5
Litigation
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12
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Section 3.6
Brokers Fees
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12
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Section 3.7
Contracts
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12
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Section 3.8
Taxes
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13
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Section 3.9
Condition of Pipelines
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13
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Section 3.10
Environmental Matters
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13
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Section 3.11
Legal Compliance
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14
|
|
Section 3.12
Permits
|
|
|
14
|
|
Section 3.13
Insurance
|
|
|
14
|
|
i
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page
|
|
Section 3.14
Title to Properties and Related Matters
|
|
|
15
|
|
Section 3.15
Absence of Certain Changes
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE IV
|
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES RELATING TO BUYER
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 4.1
Organization of Buyer
|
|
|
15
|
|
Section 4.2
Authorization; Enforceability
|
|
|
15
|
|
Section 4.3
No Conflict
|
|
|
16
|
|
Section 4.4
Litigation
|
|
|
16
|
|
Section 4.5
Brokers Fees
|
|
|
16
|
|
Section 4.6
Ownership of P-25 Common Units
|
|
|
16
|
|
Section 4.7
Spectra MLP SEC Documents
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE V
|
COVENANTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 5.1
Conduct of Business
|
|
|
17
|
|
Section 5.2
Access
|
|
|
18
|
|
Section 5.3
Third Party Approvals
|
|
|
18
|
|
Section 5.4
Company Guarantees
|
|
|
18
|
|
Section 5.5
Update Information
|
|
|
18
|
|
Section 5.6
Books and Records
|
|
|
19
|
|
Section 5.7
Permits
|
|
|
19
|
|
Section 5.8
Recording
|
|
|
19
|
|
Section 5.9
Excluded Assets
|
|
|
19
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE VI
|
TAX MATTERS
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 6.1
Ad Valorem Taxes
|
|
|
19
|
|
Section 6.2
Transfer Taxes
|
|
|
20
|
|
ii
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page
|
|
Section 6.3
Tax Indemnity
|
|
|
20
|
|
Section 6.4
Scope
|
|
|
21
|
|
Section 6.5
Tax Refunds
|
|
|
21
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE VII
|
CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 7.1
Conditions to Obligations of Buyer
|
|
|
21
|
|
Section 7.2
Conditions to the Obligations of Seller
|
|
|
22
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE VIII
|
INDEMNIFICATION
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 8.1
Survival
|
|
|
22
|
|
Section 8.2
Indemnification
|
|
|
23
|
|
Section 8.3
Indemnification Procedures
|
|
|
24
|
|
Section 8.4
Additional Agreements Regarding Indemnification
|
|
|
25
|
|
Section 8.5
Waiver of Other Representations
|
|
|
25
|
|
Section 8.6
P-25 Total Unit Consideration Adjustment
|
|
|
26
|
|
Section 8.7
Exclusive Remedy
|
|
|
26
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE IX
|
TERMINATION
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 9.1
Termination
|
|
|
27
|
|
Section 9.2
Effect of Termination
|
|
|
27
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE X
|
MISCELLANEOUS
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 10.1
Notices
|
|
|
27
|
|
Section 10.2
Assignment
|
|
|
28
|
|
Section 10.3
Rights of Third Parties
|
|
|
28
|
|
Section 10.4
Expenses
|
|
|
29
|
|
Section 10.5
Counterparts
|
|
|
29
|
|
iii
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page
|
|
Section 10.6
Entire Agreement
|
|
|
29
|
|
Section 10.7
Disclosure Schedule
|
|
|
29
|
|
Section 10.8
Amendments
|
|
|
29
|
|
Section 10.9
Publicity
|
|
|
29
|
|
Section 10.10
Severability
|
|
|
29
|
|
Section 10.11
Governing Law; Jurisdiction
|
|
|
30
|
|
Section 10.12
Action by Buyer
|
|
|
30
|
|
iv
Disclosure Schedule
|
|
|
|
|
Schedule A
|
|
-
|
|
Purchased Assets
|
Schedule 1.1(i)
|
|
-
|
|
Buyer Knowledge
|
Schedule 1.1(ii)
|
|
-
|
|
Seller Knowledge
|
Schedule 1.1(iii)
|
|
-
|
|
Permitted Liens
|
Schedule 3.3
|
|
-
|
|
Seller Approvals
|
Schedule 3.5
|
|
-
|
|
Litigation
|
Schedule 3.6
|
|
-
|
|
Seller Brokers Fees
|
Schedule 3.7(a)
|
|
-
|
|
Material Contracts
|
Schedule 3.7(c)
|
|
-
|
|
Enforceability of Material Contracts; No Defaults
|
Schedule 3.8
|
|
-
|
|
Taxes
|
Schedule 3.10
|
|
-
|
|
Environmental Matters
|
Schedule 3.13
|
|
-
|
|
Insurance
|
Schedule 3.14(a)
|
|
-
|
|
Material Real Estate Leases
|
Schedule 4.3
|
|
-
|
|
Buyer Approvals
|
Schedule 4.5
|
|
-
|
|
Buyer Brokers Fees
|
Schedule 5.1
|
|
-
|
|
Conduct of Business
|
Schedule 5.4
|
|
-
|
|
Company Guarantees
|
v
ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
THIS ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT, dated as of December 13, 2007 (this
Agreement
), is entered
into by and between Spectra Energy Virginia Pipeline Company, a corporation organized under the
Laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia (
Seller
), and East Tennessee Natural Gas, LLC, a limited
liability company organized under the Laws of the State of Tennessee (
Buyer
).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, Seller desires to transfer to Buyer all of its right, title and interest in
approximately 72 miles of 8natural gas transmission pipeline, commencing at Sellers meter station
located at Chilhowie, VA, and continuing eastward to Sellers meter station located at Radford, VA,
together with 0.5 miles of the 4 Marion lateral and certain other assets, liabilities and
obligations associated with such pipeline facilities and described on
Schedule A
attached
hereto (the
Purchased Assets
), and Buyer desires to purchase the Purchased Assets, in exchange
for the P-25 Common Units (as defined below), the assumption by Buyer of the Assumed Liabilities
(as defined below) and payment by Buyer to Seller of the P-25 CapEx Reimbursement (as defined
below), all upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants contained herein and
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, the Parties (as defined below) agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND RULES OF CONSTRUCTION
Section 1.1
Definitions
. As used herein, the following capitalized terms shall have the following meanings:
Affiliate
means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly,
controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, such specified Person through one or
more intermediaries or otherwise. For the purposes of this definition, control means, where used
with respect to any Person, the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause
the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of
voting securities, by Contract or otherwise.
Agreement
has the meaning provided such term in the preamble to this Agreement.
Assignments
has the meaning provided such term in Section 2.3(b).
Assumed Liabilities
means any and all liabilities directly relating to or arising out of the
Purchased Assets and excludes the Excluded Assets and Liabilities.
Balance Sheet Date
means October 31, 2007.
Bill of Sale
has the meaning provided such term in Section 2.3(b).
Billed Party
has the meaning provided such term in Section 6.1.
Business
means the ownership and operation of the Purchased Assets.
Business Day
means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday in the State of
Texas or a federal holiday in the United States.
Buyer
has the meaning provided such term in the recitals of this Agreement.
Buyer Approvals
has the meaning provided such term in Section 4.3.
Buyer Indemnified Parties
has the meaning provided such term in Section 8.2(a).
Claim Notice
has the meaning provided such term in Section 8.3(a).
Closing
has the meaning provided such term in Section 2.3(a).
Closing Date
has the meaning provided such term in Section 2.3(a).
Code
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Commission
means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Common Units
has the meaning provided such term in the Spectra MLP Partnership Agreement.
Company Guarantees
means all guaranties, letters of credit, bonds, sureties, cash collateral
accounts and other credit support or assurances provided by Seller or any of its Affiliates in
support of any obligations related to the Business, including those obligations listed on
Schedule 5.4
.
Contract
means any legally binding agreement, commitment, lease, license or contract.
Cross Receipt
means a cross receipt acknowledging the receipt of the items in
Section 2.3(b)(i), (ii), (iii), (v) and (vi) by Buyer and the items in Section 2.3(c)(i), (ii),
(iii), (iv) and (vi) by Seller.
Disclosure Schedule
means the schedules attached hereto.
Dollars
and
$
mean the lawful currency of the United States.
Effective Time
has the meaning provided such term in Section 2.3(a).
Environment
means (a) the navigable waters, the waters of the contiguous zone, and the ocean
waters of which the natural resources are under the exclusive management authority of the United
States under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, 16 U.S.C. 1801
et
seq
., and (b) any other surface water, ground water, drinking water supply, land
2
surface or subsurface strata, or ambient air within the United States or under the
jurisdiction of the United States.
Environmental Law
means any Law relating to the environment, natural resources, or the
protection thereof, including any applicable provisions of the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. § 9601
et
seq.
, the Hazardous
Materials Transportation Act, 49 U.S.C. § 5101
et
seq.
, the Resource Conservation
and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. § 6901
et
seq.
, the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1251
et
seq.
, the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. § 7401
et
seq.
, the Toxic
Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. § 2601
et
seq.
, the Federal Insecticide,
Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, 7 U.S.C. § 136
et
seq.
, the Oil Pollution Act of
1990, 33 U.S.C. § 2701
et
seq.
, the Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. § 300f
et
seq.
, and any Law relating to health, safety, the Environment, natural resources
or the protection thereof, and all analogous state or local statutes, and the regulations
promulgated pursuant thereto.
Excluded Assets and Liabilities
means any and all of the following: (a) all cash or cash
equivalents of Seller; (b) all accounts payable or accounts receivable or other working capital
items of Seller; (c) any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money owed to or by Seller; (d) the Virginia
Pipeline Companys Storage System; (e) all insurance policies and rights thereunder of Seller,
including rights to any cancellation value as of the Closing Date; (f) all records of Seller that
do not constitute Records; (g) all proprietary or confidential business or technical information,
intellectual property, Records and policies which relate to Seller and its lines of business other
than the Purchased Assets; (h) all marks of Seller, including any and all trademarks or service
marks, trade names, slogans, logos or other like property relating to or including the name
Virginia Pipeline and any derivatives or variations thereof; and (i) all refunds of costs or
expenses borne by Seller prior to the Closing Date.
Exchange Act
means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations of the
Commission promulgated thereunder.
Fundamental Representations and Warranties
means the representations and warranties
contained in Sections 3.1 and 3.2.
GAAP
means generally accepted accounting principles of the United States, consistently
applied.
Governmental Authority
means any federal, state, municipal, local or similar governmental
authority, regulatory or administrative agency, court or arbitral body.
Hazardous Substance(s)
means each substance defined, designated or classified as a hazardous
waste, hazardous substance, hazardous material, pollutant, containment or toxic substance under any
Environmental Law and any petroleum or petroleum products that have been Released into the
environment.
Indebtedness for Borrowed Money
means with respect to any Person, at any date, without
duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money (including intercompany
obligations), including all principal, interest, premiums, fees, expenses, overdrafts and penalties
with respect thereto, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or
other similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person to pay the
3
deferred purchase price of property, except trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of
business, (d) all obligations of such Person to reimburse any bank or other Person in respect of
amounts paid under a letter of credit or similar instrument, (e) all capitalized lease obligations
of such Person and (f) all indebtedness of any other Person of the type referred to in clauses (a)
to (e) above directly or indirectly guaranteed by such Person or secured by any assets of such
Person, whether or not such indebtedness has been assumed by such Person.
Indemnified Party
has the meaning provided such term in Section 8.3(a).
Indemnified Tax Claim
has the meaning provided such term in Section 6.3(b).
Indemnifying Party
has the meaning provided such term in Section 8.3(a).
Knowledge
as to Buyer means the actual knowledge of those Persons listed on
Schedule 1.1(i)
, and; as to Seller means the actual knowledge of those Persons listed on
Schedule 1.1(ii)
;
provided, however
, that those Persons noted in such
Schedule 1.1(ii)
as not having knowledge as to the Purchased Assets shall be disregarded
with respect to any representation relating to the Purchased Assets qualified by Knowledge.
Lands
means all of the fee property, leases, servitudes, easements, assignments,
rights-of-way and licenses associated with the Purchased Assets that have been granted to or are
held by Seller.
Law
means any applicable law, rule, regulation, ordinance, order, judgment or decree of a
Governmental Authority.
Lien(s)
means, with respect to any property or asset, any mortgage, pledge, charge, security
interest or other encumbrance of any kind in respect of such property or asset.
Losses
means all actual liabilities, losses, damages, fines, penalties, judgments,
settlements, awards, costs and expenses (including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel);
provided, however
, that Losses shall not include any special, punitive, exemplary, incidental,
consequential or indirect damages nor shall Losses include lost profits, lost opportunities or
other speculative damages;
provided, further, however
, that the preceding proviso shall not apply
to the extent a Party is required to pay such damages to a third party in connection with a matter
for which such Party is entitled to indemnification under Article VIII.
Material Adverse Effect
means, with respect to any Person or the Purchased Assets, any
circumstance, change or effect that (a) is or would reasonably be expected to be materially adverse
to the business, operations or financial condition of such Person or the Purchased Assets, or (b)
materially impedes or would reasonably be expected to impede the ability of such Person to complete
the transactions contemplated herein, but shall exclude any circumstance, change or effect
resulting or arising from:
(i) any change in general economic conditions in the industries or markets of which the
Purchased Assets are a part;
4
(ii) seasonal reductions in revenues or earnings relating to the Purchased Assets
substantially consistent with the historical results of such Purchased Assets;
(iii) national or international political conditions, including any engagement in hostilities,
whether or not pursuant to the declaration of a national emergency or war, or the occurrence of any
military or terrorist attack;
(iv) changes in Law or GAAP; or
(v) the entry into or announcement of this Agreement, actions contemplated by this Agreement
or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, clauses (i), (iii) and (iv) shall not apply in the event of a
disproportionate effect on the Purchased Assets as compared to other similar assets in the industry
or markets of which the Purchased Assets are a part.
Material Contracts
has the meaning provided such term in Section 3.7(a).
Material Real Estate Leases
has the meaning provided such term in Section 3.14.
Organizational Documents
means any charter, certificate of incorporation, certificate of
formation, articles of association, bylaws, partnership agreement, operating agreement or similar
formation or governing documents and instruments.
P-25 CapEx Reimbursement
means the sum of the capital expenditures incurred by Seller with
respect to the Purchased Assets during the 24 month period prior to the Closing Date;
provided,
however
, that such amount shall not exceed $1,000,000.
P-25 Common Units
means the number of Common Units that is computed by dividing the P-25
Total Unit Consideration by the Per Unit Value.
P-25 Pipeline
means approximately 72 miles of 8 transmission pipeline operated by Seller.
P-25 Total Unit Consideration
means the difference of the P-25 Total Value less the P-25
CapEx Reimbursement.
P-25 Total Value
means $25,300,000.
Parties
means Seller and Buyer.
Per Unit Valuation Date
means the date that is three days prior to the Closing Date.
Per Unit Value
means the volume-weighted average price of the Common Units on the New York
Stock Exchange during the 20 trading days immediately preceding the Per Unit Valuation Date,
calculated using the Bloomberg SEP Equity AQR function.
5
Permits
means authorizations, licenses, permits or certificates issued by Governmental
Authorities;
provided, however
, right-of-way agreements and similar rights and approvals are not
included in the definition of Permits.
Permitted Liens
means (a) Liens for Taxes not yet delinquent or being contested in good
faith by appropriate proceedings, (b) statutory Liens (including materialmens, warehousemens,
mechanics, repairmens, landlords and other similar Liens) arising in the ordinary course of
business securing payments not yet delinquent or being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings, (c) the rights of lessors and lessees under leases, and the rights of third parties
under any agreement, in each case executed in the ordinary course of business and that do not
materially and adversely affect the ability of Seller to conduct the Business as currently
conducted, (d) the rights of licensors and licensees under licenses executed in the ordinary course
of business and that do not materially and adversely affect the ability of Seller to conduct the
Business as currently conducted, (e) restrictive covenants, easements and defects, imperfections or
irregularities of title or Liens, if any, of a nature that do not materially and adversely affect
the assets or properties subject thereto, (f) preferential purchase rights and other similar
arrangements with respect to which consents or waivers are obtained for this transaction or as to
which the time for asserting such rights has expired at the Closing Date without an exercise of
such rights, (g) restrictions on transfer with respect to which consents or waivers are obtained
for this transaction, (h) Liens granted in the ordinary course of business which do not secure the
payment of Indebtedness for Borrowed Money and which do not materially and adversely affect the
ability to conduct the Business as currently conducted, (i) Liens listed in
Schedule
1.1(iii)
, and (j) Liens created by Buyer or its successors and assigns.
Person
means any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited liability company,
incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, joint stock company, Governmental
Authority or other entity of any kind.
Pre-Closing Taxable Period
means any taxable period ending on or before the Effective Time
and that portion of any taxable period beginning before and ending after the Effective Time that
ends on the Effective Time.
Purchased Assets
has the meaning provided such term in the recitals of this Agreement.
Reasonable Efforts
means efforts in accordance with reasonable commercial practice and
without the incurrence of unreasonable expense.
Release
means any depositing, spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, placing, emitting,
discarding, abandoning, emptying, discharging, migrating, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping or
disposing of, without limitation, Hazardous Substances, into the Environment.
Representatives
means, as to any Person, its officers, directors, employees, counsel,
accountants, financial advisers and consultants.
SE Transmission
means Spectra Energy Transmission, LLC, a limited liability company
organized under the Laws of the State of Delaware.
6
Securities Act
means the Securities Act of 1933 and the rules and regulations of the
Commission promulgated thereunder.
Seller
has the meaning provided such term in the recitals of this Agreement.
Seller Approvals
has the meaning provided such term in Section 3.3.
Seller Indemnified Parties
has the meaning provided such term in Section 8.2(b).
Spectra Energy Corp
means Spectra Energy Corp, a Delaware corporation.
Spectra MLP
means Spectra Energy Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership.
Spectra MLP Financial Statements
has the meaning provided such term in Section 4.7.
Spectra MLP Partnership Agreement
means the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited
Partnership of Spectra MLP dated as of July 2, 2007.
Spectra MLP SEC Documents
has the meaning provided such term in Section 4.7.
Tax
means (a) all taxes, assessments, duties, levies, imposts or other similar charges
imposed by a Governmental Authority, including all income, franchise, profits, capital gains,
capital stock, transfer, gross receipts, sales, use, transfer, service, occupation, ad valorem,
property, excise, severance, windfall profits, premium, stamp, license, payroll, employment, social
security, unemployment, disability, environmental (including taxes under Code Section 59A),
alternative minimum, add-on, value-added, withholding (including backup withholding) and other
taxes, assessments, duties, levies, imposts or other similar charges of any kind whatsoever
(whether payable directly or by withholding and whether or not requiring the filing of a Tax
Return), and all estimated taxes, deficiency assessments, additions to tax, additional amounts
imposed by any Governmental Authority, penalties and interest and (b) any liability related to the
Purchased Assets for the payment of any amounts of any of the foregoing types as a result of Seller
being a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group, or being a party to any
agreement or arrangement whereby liability of Seller for payment of such amounts was determined or
taken into account with reference to the liability of any other Person.
Tax Authority
means any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the assessment,
determination, collection or imposition of any Tax.
Tax Benefit
means, with respect to a Loss, an amount by which the Tax liability of a Person
(or group of corporations filing a Tax Return that includes the Person), with respect to a taxable
period, is reduced as a result of such Loss or the amount of any Tax refund or Tax credit that is
generated (including by deduction, loss, credit or otherwise) as a result of such Loss, and any
related interest received from any relevant Tax Authority;
provided, however
, in each case, only
the reasonable present value of any Tax Benefit shall be considered with respect to a Loss.
Tax Indemnified Party
has the meaning provided such term in Section 6.3(b).
7
Tax Indemnifying Party
has the meaning provided such term in Section 6.3(b).
Tax Proceeding
means any audit, litigation or other proceeding with respect to Taxes.
Tax Returns
means any report, return, election, document, estimated Tax filing, declaration
or other filing provided to any Tax Authority, including any amendments thereto.
Third Party Claim
has the meaning provided such term in Section 8.3(a).
United States
or
U.S.
means United States of America.
Virginia Pipeline Companys Storage System
means those storage facilities owned by Seller
and the related intrastate natural gas transmission system other than the Purchased Assets.
Section 1.2
Rules of Construction.
(a) All article, section, schedule and exhibit references used in this Agreement are to
articles, sections, schedules and exhibits to this Agreement unless otherwise specified. The
schedules and exhibits attached to this Agreement constitute a part of this Agreement and are
incorporated herein for all purposes.
(b) If a term is defined as one part of speech (such as a noun), it shall have a corresponding
meaning when used as another part of speech (such as a verb). Terms defined in the singular have
the corresponding meanings in the plural, and vice versa. Unless the context of this Agreement
clearly requires otherwise, words importing the masculine gender shall include the feminine and
neutral genders and vice versa. The term includes or including shall mean including without
limitation. The words hereof, hereto, hereby, herein, hereunder and words of similar
import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any
particular section or article in which such words appear.
(c) The Parties acknowledge that each Party and its attorney have reviewed this Agreement and
that any rule of construction to the effect that any ambiguities are to be resolved against the
drafting Party, or any similar rule operating against the drafter of an agreement, shall not be
applicable to the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.
(d) The captions in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be considered a part
of or affect the construction or interpretation of any provision of this Agreement.
(e) All references to currency herein shall be to, and all payments required hereunder shall
be paid in, Dollars.
(f) All accounting terms used herein and not expressly defined herein shall have the meanings
given to them under GAAP.
(g) Any event hereunder requiring the payment of cash or cash equivalents on a day that is not
a Business Day shall be deferred until the next Business Day.
8
(h) References to any Law are references to such Law as it may be amended from time to time,
and references to particular provisions of a Law include a reference to the corresponding
provisions of any succeeding Law.
ARTICLE II
PURCHASE AND SALE; CLOSING
Section 2.1
Purchase and Sale of Purchased Assets
.
(a) At the Closing, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement,
Seller shall sell, assign, transfer and convey to Buyer, and Buyer shall purchase and acquire from
Seller, the Purchased Assets.
(b) At the Closing, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement,
Buyer shall assume and agree to pay, perform and discharge Seller for the Assumed Liabilities.
(c) For purposes of greater clarification, the Purchased Assets shall not include, and Buyer
shall not obtain any rights whatsoever in, the Excluded Assets and Liabilities or in any other
assets or rights of Seller other than the Purchased Assets.
Section 2.2
Consideration
.
(a) At the Closing, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement,
in exchange for the Purchased Assets, Buyer shall (i) distribute to Seller the P-25 Common Units,
(ii) pay to Seller the P-25 CapEx Reimbursement, which amount shall be payable in cash and (iii)
assume and agree to pay, perform and discharge Seller for the Assumed Liabilities. For purposes of
determining the P-25 CapEx Reimbursement, Seller shall provide a binding good faith estimate of
such amount at least ten days prior to the Closing Date.
(b) The Parties acknowledge that the transactions described in this Article II are properly
characterized as transactions described in Section 721(a) of the Code.
Section 2.3
The Closing.
(a) The closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the
Closing
) shall take
place at the offices of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., 1001 Fannin, Houston, Texas 77002, commencing at
10:00 a.m. local time on the later of April 1, 2008 and the first day of the month following the
date on which all conditions to the obligations of the Parties to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby have been satisfied or waived (other than conditions with respect to actions
the Parties shall take at the Closing itself) or such other date as the Parties may mutually
determine (the
Closing Date
);
provided, however
, the Closing shall be deemed to have been
consummated at 12:01 a.m. Houston, Texas time on the Closing Date (the
Effective Time
).
(b) At the Closing, Seller will deliver the following documents and deliverables to Buyer:
9
(i) a deed in a form reasonably acceptable to Buyer and Seller conveying Sellers interests in
the Lands to Buyer;
(ii) assignment and assumption agreement(s) in a form or forms reasonably acceptable to Buyer
and Seller effecting the transfer to Buyer of all the rights, liabilities and obligations under
each Material Contract included in the Purchased Assets (such agreement(s), the
Assignments
)
executed by Seller;
(iii) a bill of sale and assignment in a form reasonably acceptable to Buyer and Seller
effecting the transfer to Buyer of ownership of all of the Purchased Assets, except the Lands and
the Material Contracts included in the Purchased Assets (such bill of sale and assignment, the
Bill of Sale
) executed by Seller;
(iv) the Cross Receipt executed by Seller;
(v) a certification in the form prescribed by Treasury Regulation Section 1.1445-2(b)(2) to
the effect that Seller is not a foreign person; and
(vi) such other certificates, instruments of conveyance and documents as may be reasonably
requested by Buyer and agreed to by Seller prior to the Closing Date to carry out the intent and
purposes of this Agreement.
(c) At the Closing, Buyer will deliver the following documents and deliverables to Seller:
(i) the P-25 CapEx Reimbursement to Seller by wire transfer of immediately available U.S.
federal funds to an account or accounts specified by Seller;
(ii) the P-25 Common Units in certificated or book entry form;
(iii) the Assignments executed by Buyer;
(iv) the Bill of Sale executed by Buyer;
(v) the Cross Receipt executed by Buyer; and
(vi) such other certificates, instruments of conveyance and documents as may be reasonably
requested by Seller and agreed to by Buyer prior to the Closing Date to carry out the intent and
purposes of this Agreement.
10
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
RELATING TO SELLER
Except as disclosed in the Disclosure Schedule, Seller hereby represents and warrants to Buyer
as follows:
Section 3.1
Organization
. Seller is a corporation as of the date of this Agreement (and will be a limited liability
company as of Closing), duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the
Commonwealth of Virginia.
Section 3.2
Authorization; Enforceability
. Seller has all requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this
Agreement and to perform all obligations to be performed by Seller hereunder. The execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been
duly and validly authorized and approved by all requisite action on Sellers part, and no other
proceeding on Sellers part is necessary to authorize this Agreement. This Agreement has been duly
and validly executed and delivered by Seller, and this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding
obligation of Seller, enforceable against Seller in accordance with its terms, subject to
bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws
affecting creditors rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of
equity.
Section 3.3
No Conflict
. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by Seller and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby by Seller (assuming all required filings, consents, approvals,
authorizations and notices set forth in
Schedule 3.3
(collectively, the
Seller Approvals
)
have been made, given or obtained) do not and shall not:
(a) violate in any material respect any Law applicable to Seller, SE Transmission or Spectra
Energy Corp or require of Seller, SE Transmission or Spectra Energy Corp any filing with, consent,
approval or authorization of, or notice to, any Governmental Authority;
(b) violate any Organizational Document of Seller, SE Transmission or Spectra Energy Corp; or
(c) (i) breach any material Contract to which Seller, SE Transmission or Spectra Energy Corp
is a party or by which Seller, SE Transmission or Spectra Energy Corp may be bound or any Material
Contract, (ii) result in the termination of any Material Contract, (iii) result in the creation of
any Lien upon any of the Purchased Assets or under any Material Contract, (iv) constitute an event
which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would result in any such breach, termination or
creation of a Lien upon any of the Purchased Assets.
Section 3.4
Investment Representation
. Seller is purchasing the P-25 Common Units for its, SE Transmissions and their respective
Affiliates own accounts with the present intention of holding such units for investment purposes
and not with a view to or for sale in connection with any public distribution of such units in
violation of any federal or state securities Laws. Seller acknowledges that such P-25 Common Units
have not been registered under federal and state securities Laws and that such P-25 Common Units
may not be sold, transferred, offered for
11
sale, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of
unless such transfer, sale, assignment, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition is registered
under federal and state securities Laws or pursuant to an exemption from registration under any
federal or state securities Laws.
Section 3.5
Litigation
. Except as set forth in
Schedule 3.5
, there are no legal actions before any
Governmental Authority or lawsuits pending or, to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened against
Seller or which relate to the Purchased Assets other than lawsuits or actions which could not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and there are no orders or unsatisfied
judgments from any Governmental Authority binding upon Seller or relating to the Purchased Assets
that would adversely affect Sellers ability to perform Sellers obligations under this Agreement.
Section 3.6
Brokers Fees
. Except as set forth on
Schedule 3.6
, no broker, finder, investment banker or other
Person is entitled to any brokerage fee, finders fee or other commission in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by Seller or any of its
Affiliates.
Section 3.7
Contracts.
(a)
Schedule 3.7(a)
contains a true and complete listing of the following Contracts to
which Seller is a party (such Contracts that are required to be listed on
Schedule 3.7(a)
being
Material Contracts
):
(i) each Contract for the transportation of gas related to the Purchased Assets;
(ii) each Contract related to the Purchased Assets involving a remaining commitment requiring
payment of capital expenditures;
(iii) each Contract related to the Purchased Assets for lease of personal property;
(iv) any other Contract related to the Purchased Assets for the purchase of materials,
supplies, goods, services, equipment or other assets;
(v) any partnership or joint venture agreement related to the Purchased Assets;
(vi) any Contract pursuant to which any third party has rights to own or use any material
asset that is part of the Purchased Assets; and
(vii) any Contract granting to any Person a right of first refusal, first offer or right to
purchase any of the assets comprising the Purchased Assets, which right survives the Closing.
(b) True and complete copies of all Material Contracts have been made available to Buyer.
12
(c) Except as set forth in
Schedule 3.7(c)
, each Material Contract (other than such
Material Contracts with respect to which all performance and payment obligations have been fully
performed or otherwise discharged by all parties thereto prior to the Closing) (i) is in full force
and effect and (ii) represents the legal, valid and binding obligation of Seller and, to the
Knowledge of Seller, the legal, valid and binding obligation of the other parties thereto, in each
case enforceable in accordance with its terms subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent
conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws affecting creditors rights generally and
subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity. Except as set forth in
Schedule 3.7(c)
, neither Seller nor, to the Knowledge of Seller, any other party is in
breach of any Material Contract and Seller has not received any written notice of termination or
breach of any Material Contract.
Section 3.8
Taxes
. Except as set forth on
Schedule 3.8
, (a) all Tax Returns required to be filed with
respect to the Purchased Assets or the Business have been duly and timely filed with the
appropriate Tax Authority, and were, when filed, true, correct and complete in all material
respects, (b) all Taxes owed by Seller or its Affiliates with respect to the Purchased Assets or
the Business due and owing (whether or not shown as due on any Tax Returns) have been timely paid
in full, (c) there are no Liens (other than Permitted Liens) on any of the Purchased Assets or the
Business that arose in connection with any failure (or alleged failure) to pay any Tax, (d) there
is no claim, action or proceeding pending by any applicable Tax Authority in connection with any
Tax related to the Purchased Assets or the Business (
provided, however
, that the foregoing
representation is limited to the Knowledge of Seller for periods prior to August 10, 2005), (e) no
Tax Returns with respect to the Purchased Assets or the Business are now under audit or examination
by any Tax Authority (
provided, however
, that the foregoing representation is limited to the
Knowledge of Seller for periods prior to August 10, 2005), (f) there are no agreements or waivers
providing for an extension of time with respect to the filing of any Tax Returns related to the
Purchased Assets or the Business or the assessment or collection of any such Tax, (g) no written
claim has been made by any Tax Authority in a jurisdiction where Seller does not file a Tax Return
that it is or may be subject to taxation related to the Purchased Assets in that jurisdiction, and
(h) all Tax withholding and deposit requirements imposed with respect to any of the Purchased
Assets or the Business have been satisfied in full in all respects.
Section 3.9
Condition of Pipelines
. The P-25 Pipeline and the 0.5 miles of the 4 Marion lateral have been maintained and
repaired in the same manner as would a prudent operator of such assets and are adequate for the
purposes for which they are currently used in the Business.
Section 3.10
Environmental Matters
. Except as set forth on
Schedule 3.10
, or as would not reasonably be expected,
individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect:
(a) the Purchased Assets are in compliance in all material respects with all Environmental
Laws, which compliance includes the possession and maintenance of, and compliance with, all
material Permits required under all Environmental Laws;
13
(b) Seller is not the subject of any outstanding administrative or judicial order or judgment,
agreement or arbitration award related to the Purchased Assets from any Governmental Authority
under any Environmental Laws requiring remediation or the payment of a fine or penalty;
(c) Seller is not subject to any action pending or threatened in writing, whether judicial or
administrative, related to the Purchased Assets, alleging noncompliance with or potential liability
under any Environmental Law;
(d) there has been no Release of any Hazardous Substance into the Environment, related to the
Purchased Assets, by the Seller or Sellers assets, operations and the Business, except in
compliance with applicable Environmental Law (provided, however, that the
foregoing representation is limited to the Knowledge of Seller for periods prior to August 10,
2005); and
(e) there has been no exposure of any Person or property to any Hazardous Substances in
connection with the operation of the Purchased Assets (
provided, however
, that the foregoing
representation is limited to the Knowledge of Seller for periods prior to August 10, 2005).
Buyer acknowledges that this Section 3.10 shall be deemed to be the only representation and
warranty in this Agreement with respect to environmental matters.
Section 3.11
Legal Compliance
. Except with respect to (a) matters set forth in
Schedule 3.5
, (b) compliance with
Laws concerning Taxes (as to which representations and warranties are made only pursuant to Section
3.8), (c) compliance with Environmental Laws (as to which representations and warranties are made
only pursuant to Section 3.10) and (d) compliance with Permits (as to which representations and
warranties are made only pursuant to Section 3.12), the Purchased Assets are in compliance in all
material respects with all Laws and Seller has not received written notice of any violation of any
Law relating to the operation of the Business or to any of the Purchased Assets which could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.12
Permits
. Seller possesses all material Permits necessary for it to own and operate the Business as
currently conducted. All such Permits are in full force and effect. There are no lawsuits or
other proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened in writing before any
Governmental Authority that seek the revocation, cancellation, suspension or adverse modification
thereof. Upon completion of the Saltville Restructuring (as defined in that certain Contribution
Agreement by and among SE Transmission, Spectra Energy Partners (DE) GP, LP and Spectra MLP dated
as of the same date of this Agreement), the Buyer will have all material Permits necessary for it
to own and operate the Business.
Section 3.13
Insurance
.
Schedule 3.13
contains a summary description of all material policies of property,
fire and casualty, product liability, workers compensation and other insurance that are maintained
by Seller or its Affiliates with respect to the Purchased Assets as of the date of this Agreement.
There is no material claim by Seller pending under any of such policies relating to the Purchased
Assets as to which coverage has been denied or disputed by the
14
underwriters of such policies. All
premiums due and payable under such policies have been paid, and Seller has complied with the terms
and conditions of such written policies. All such insurance policies are in full force and effect.
No notice of cancellation of, or indication of an intention not to renew, any such insurance
policy has been received by Seller other than in the ordinary course of business.
Section 3.14
Title to Properties and Related Matters.
(a) Seller has (i) good and defensible fee simple title to or valid leasehold interests in all
of the Lands and (ii) good and valid title to all of the personal property that is part of the
Purchased Assets, except (x) for such defects in title as could not, individually or in the
aggregate, reasonably be expected to materially and adversely impact the conduct of the Business
and (y) for easements, rights of way and similar property use rights which are addressed in Section
3.14(b), in each case free and clear of Liens other than Permitted Liens.
Schedule 3.14(a)
includes a list of all real estate leases directly relating to the P-25 Pipeline which involve the
payment in excess of $50,000 in any calendar year or which if lost would have a Material Adverse
Effect on the Business (
Material Real Estate Leases
). The Material Real Estate Leases are (i) in
full force and effect, (ii) represent the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Seller and,
to the Knowledge of Seller, represent the legal, valid and binding obligation of the other parties
thereto, in each case enforceable in accordance with its terms. Neither Seller nor, to the
Knowledge of Seller, any other party is in breach in any material respect of any Material Real
Estate Lease.
(b) The Purchased Assets include such easements, rights of way and other similar property use
rights which are sufficient, in the aggregate, for Seller to conduct the Business as currently
conducted except for such defects that could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect. Buyer acknowledges that this Section 3.14(b) shall be deemed to be the only representation
and warranty in the Agreement with respect to easements, rights of way and other similar property
use rights relating to the Purchased Assets.
Section 3.15
Absence of Certain Changes
. Except as disclosed on
Schedule 3.15
, from the Balance Sheet Date, (a) there has
not been any Material Adverse Effect on the Business, (b) the Business has been conducted, in all
material respects, only in the ordinary course consistent with past practices, and (c) there has
been no damage, destruction or loss to the assets or properties included in the Business which
could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Business.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES RELATING TO BUYER
Buyer hereby represents and warrants as follows:
Section 4.1
Organization of Buyer
. Buyer is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
under the Laws of the State of Tennessee.
Section 4.2
Authorization; Enforceability
. Buyer has all requisite liability company power and authority to execute and deliver this
Agreement and to perform all obligations to be performed by it hereunder. The execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been
duly and validly authorized and approved by
15
all requisite limited liability company action on the
part of Buyer, and no other liability company proceeding on the part of Buyer is necessary to
authorize this Agreement. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and
delivered by Buyer, and this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of Buyer,
enforceable against Buyer in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency,
fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws affecting creditors rights
generally and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity.
Section 4.3
No Conflict
. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by Buyer and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby by Buyer (assuming all required filings, consents, approvals
authorizations and notices set forth in
Schedule 4.3
(collectively, the
Buyer Approvals
)
have been made, given or obtained) do not and shall not:
(a) violate in any material respect, any Law applicable to Buyer or require of Buyer any
filing with, consent, approval or authorization of, or, notice to, any Governmental Authority;
(b) violate any Organizational Document of Buyer; or
(c) (i) breach any material Contract to which Buyer is a party or by which Buyer may be bound,
(ii) result in the termination of any such material Contract, (iii) result in the creation of any
Lien upon any of the properties or assets of Buyer or (iv) constitute an event which, after notice
or lapse of time or both, would result in any such breach, termination or creation of a Lien.
Section 4.4
Litigation
. There are no legal actions before any Governmental Authority or lawsuits pending or, to the
Knowledge of Buyer, threatened against Buyer that would adversely affect the ability of Buyer to
perform its obligations under this Agreement, and there are no orders or unsatisfied judgments from
any Governmental Authority binding upon Buyer that would adversely affect the ability of Buyer to
perform its obligations under this Agreement.
Section 4.5
Brokers Fees
. Except as set forth on
Schedule 4.5
, no broker, finder, investment banker or other
Person is entitled to any brokerage fee, finders fee or other commission in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement based upon arrangements made by Buyer or any of its
Affiliates.
Section 4.6
Ownership of P-25 Common Units
. Immediately prior to Closing, Buyer will have good and valid title to, will hold of record
and will own the P-25 Common Units free and clear of any Liens other than transfer restrictions
imposed thereon by securities Laws or arising under the Spectra MLP Partnership Agreement. Upon
issuance, all of the P-25 Common Units will be duly authorized, validly issued and outstanding,
fully paid (to the extent required under the Spectra MLP Partnership Agreement) and nonassessable
(subject to Del. Code Ann. Tit. 6, §§ 17-303, 17-607 and 17-804 (2007)), and will have been issued
free of preemptive rights in compliance with Laws. Upon
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, Sellers will acquire good and
valid title to all of the P-25 Common Units, free and clear of any Liens other than transfer
restrictions imposed thereon by securities Laws or arising under the Spectra MLP Partnership
Agreement.
16
Section 4.7
Spectra MLP SEC Documents
. Spectra MLP has timely filed with the Commission all forms, registration statements, reports,
schedules and statements required to be filed by it under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act
(all such documents filed on or prior to the date of this Agreement, collectively, the
Spectra MLP
SEC Documents
). The Spectra MLP SEC Documents, including any audited or unaudited financial
statements and any notes thereto or schedules included therein (the
Spectra MLP Financial
Statements
), at the time filed (in the case of registration statements, solely on the dates of
effectiveness) (except to the extent corrected by a subsequently filed Spectra MLP SEC Document
filed prior to the date of this Agreement) (i) did not contain any untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make
the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading
and (ii) complied in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and
the Securities Act, as the case may be. The Spectra MLP Financial Statements were prepared in
accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may be
indicated in the notes thereto or, in the case of unaudited statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q
of the Commission) and fairly present (subject in the case of unaudited statements to normal,
recurring and year-end audit adjustments) in all material respects the consolidated financial
position and status of the business of Spectra MLP as of the dates thereof and the consolidated
results of its operations and cash flows for the periods then ended. Deloitte & Touche LLP is an
independent registered public accounting firm with respect to Spectra MLP and has not resigned or
been dismissed as independent registered public accountants of Spectra MLP as a result of or in
connection with any disagreement with Spectra MLP on any matter of accounting principles or
practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedures.
ARTICLE V
COVENANTS
Section 5.1
Conduct of Business
. From the date of this Agreement through the Closing, except: (1) as set forth on
Schedule 5.1
, (2) as contemplated by this Agreement, or (3) as consented to by Buyer in
writing (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed):
(a) Seller shall (i) operate the Business in the ordinary course and (ii) use Reasonable
Efforts to preserve intact the Business and its relationship with customers, suppliers and others
having business relationships relating to the Purchased Assets, and
(b) Seller shall not:
(i) change its accounting methods, policies or practices with respect to the Business, except
as required by GAAP or Law;
(ii) sell, assign, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of any of the Purchased Assets except
in the ordinary course of business or pursuant to the terms of a Material Contract;
(iii) make any capital expenditure with respect to the Business in excess of $100,000 other
than capital expenditures reflected on
Schedule 5.1
and other than
17
reasonable capital
expenditures in connection with any emergency or force majeure events affecting any Purchased
Assets;
(iv) enter into any Contract relating to the Purchased Assets, except for Contracts entered
into in the ordinary course of business;
(v) create or assume any Lien encumbering the Purchased Assets, other than a Permitted Lien;
(vi) terminate or close any facility, business or operation related to the Purchased Assets
except in the ordinary course of business; or
(vii) agree, whether in writing or otherwise, to do any of the foregoing.
Section 5.2
Access
. From the date hereof through the Closing, Seller shall afford to Buyer and its authorized
Representatives reasonable access, during normal business hours and in such manner as not
unreasonably to interfere with normal operation of the Business, to the properties, Records and
appropriate officers and employees of Sellers Affiliates who provide services related to the
Purchased Assets, and shall furnish such authorized Representatives with all financial and
operating data and other information concerning the Business as Buyer and such Representatives may
reasonably request. Seller shall have the right to have a Representative present at all times
during any such inspections, interviews and examinations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Buyer
shall have no right of access to, and Seller shall have no obligation to provide to Buyer,
information relating to (a) any information the disclosure of which would jeopardize any privilege
available to Seller and its Affiliates relating to such information or (b) any information the
disclosure of which would result in a violation of Law.
Section 5.3
Third Party Approvals
. The Parties shall (and shall have their respective Affiliates) use Reasonable Efforts to
obtain all material consents and approvals of third parties that any of the Parties or their
respective Affiliates are required to obtain in order to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby.
Section 5.4
Company Guarantees
. A list of Company Guarantees as of the date of this Agreement is set forth on
Schedule 5.4
. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Parties acknowledge and
agree that at any time following the Closing Date, each of Seller and its respective Affiliates
may, in their sole discretion, take any action to terminate, obtain release of or otherwise limit
their liability under any and all outstanding Company Guarantees (
provided, however
, that any such
party shall give Buyer 90 days advance written notice prior to taking any such action), and that it
is Buyers sole responsibility to replace the Company Guarantees, if necessary.
Section 5.5
Update Information
. At any time up to 10 days before the Closing, Seller shall supplement in writing any
information furnished on the Disclosure Schedule to reflect post-signing developments and matters
that have come to the Knowledge of Seller (which if not included on a Schedule would constitute a
breach of this Agreement by Seller) by furnishing such supplemented information to Buyer pursuant
to the notice provisions hereof. If (a) Seller so furnishes supplemental information, (b) the
absence of such information would have resulted in a breach of any representation or warranty under
this Agreement and (c) the Closing occurs, then
18
such information shall be deemed to amend this
Agreement and the Disclosure Schedule for all purposes hereunder;
provided, however
, that if such
supplemental disclosure would or would reasonably be expected to result in Losses related to the
Purchased Assets in excess of $500,000 in the aggregate then Buyer may elect, by written notice
delivered to Seller, to terminate this Agreement no later than two Business Days before Closing.
Section 5.6
Books and Records
. From and after the Closing, Buyer shall preserve and keep a copy of all books and records
(other than Tax records which are addressed in Article VI) relating to the Business on or before
the Closing Date in Buyers possession for a period of at least seven years after the Closing Date.
After such seven-year period, before Buyer may dispose of any such books and records, Buyer shall
give Seller at least 90 days prior notice to such effect, and Seller shall be given an opportunity,
at its cost and expense, to remove and retain all or any part of such books and records as Seller
may select. Buyer shall provide to Seller, at no cost or expense to such Party, reasonable access
during business hours to such books and records as remain in Buyers possession and reasonable
access during business hours to the properties and employees of Buyer in connection with matters
relating to the Business on or before the Closing Date and any disputes relating to this Agreement.
Section 5.7
Permits
. The Parties shall cooperate to provide all notices and otherwise take all reasonable
actions required to transfer or reissue any Permits, including those required under Environmental
Laws, as a result of or in furtherance of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Section 5.8
Recording
. Buyer shall be solely responsible for promptly recording all instruments related to the
conveyance of the Purchased Assets and shall promptly furnish Seller with the recording
information. Buyer shall be responsible for all filings with state and federal agencies for change
of owner or operator and shall promptly provide Seller with the copies of all such filings
when made and confirmation thereof when received. All recording and filing fees shall be paid by
Buyer and, where paid by Seller, reimbursed by Buyer to Seller promptly after receipt of an
invoice.
Section 5.9
Excluded Assets
. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) all references herein to any revenues,
expenses, assets or liabilities of the Seller or the Purchased Assets shall expressly exclude the
Excluded Assets, (ii) all references herein to the Business, whether with respect to financial,
accounting, legal, Tax or other position or operation, shall expressly exclude the businesses or
the position or operation of the businesses included in the Excluded Assets and (iii) neither
Seller nor any of its Affiliates makes any representations, warranties or covenants hereunder with
respect to the Excluded Assets.
ARTICLE VI
TAX MATTERS
Section 6.1
Ad Valorem Taxes
. Ad valorem Taxes relating to the Purchased Assets for any tax year that includes periods
prior to the Closing Date shall be prorated on a daily basis between Buyer on the one hand and
Seller on the other hand, with Seller responsible for the prorated portion of such Taxes for the
period up to and including the Closing Date and Spectra MLP responsible for the prorated portion of
such Taxes after the Closing Date. The Party that
19
receives the ad valorem Tax billing (the
Billed Party
)
shall provide a copy of such billing to the other Party together with a calculation of the prorated ad valorem Taxes owed by each Party. The Party that did not receive the ad valorem Tax billing shall pay its prorated portion of the ad valorem Taxes to the Billed Party prior to the due date of such Taxes and the Billed Party shall be responsible for the timely payment of the ad valorem Taxes to the taxing authorities.
Section 6.2
Transfer Taxes
. Responsibility for the payment of all state and local transfer, sales, use, stamp,
registration or other similar Taxes resulting from the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
shall be borne 50% by Seller and 50% by Buyer.
Section 6.3
Tax Indemnity.
(a) Seller shall be liable for, shall pay and shall protect, defend, indemnify and hold
harmless Buyer from (i) any breach of the representations and warranties contained in Section 3.8
and (ii) any and all Taxes for which Seller is liable pursuant to Section 6.1 and Section 6.2.
Buyer shall be solely liable for, shall pay and shall protect, defend, indemnify and hold harmless
from any and all Taxes which relate to or result from the income, Business, property or operations
related to the Purchased Assets after the Effective Time.
(b) If any claim (an
Indemnified Tax Claim
) is made by any Tax Authority that, if
successful, would result in indemnification of any Party (the
Tax Indemnified Party
)
by another Party (the
Tax Indemnifying Party
) under this Section 6.3, the Tax Indemnified
Party shall promptly, but in no event later than the earlier of (i) 45 days after receipt of notice
from the Tax Authority of such claim or (ii) 15 days prior to the date required for the filing of
any protest of such claim, notify the Tax Indemnifying Party in writing of such fact.
(c) The Tax Indemnifying Party shall control all decisions with respect to any Tax Proceeding
involving an Indemnified Tax Claim and the Tax Indemnified Party shall take such action (including
settlement with respect to such Tax Proceeding or the prosecution of such Tax Proceeding to a
determination in a court or other tribunal of initial or appellate jurisdiction) in connection with
a Tax Proceeding involving an Indemnified Tax Claim as the Tax Indemnifying Party shall reasonably
request in writing from time to time, including the selection of counsel and experts and the
execution of powers of attorney;
provided, however
, that (i) within 30 days after the notice
required by Section 6.3(b) has been delivered (or such earlier date that any payment of Taxes with
respect to such claim is due but in no event sooner than five days after the Tax Indemnifying
Partys receipt of such notice), the Tax Indemnifying Party requests that such claim be contested,
and (ii) if the Tax Indemnified Party is requested by the Tax Indemnifying Party to pay the Tax
claimed and sue for a refund, the Tax Indemnifying Party shall have advanced to the Tax Indemnified
Party, on an interest-free basis, the amount of such claim. The Tax Indemnified Party shall not
make any payment of an Indemnified Tax Claim for at least 30 days (or such shorter period as may be
required by Law) after the giving of the notice required by Section 6.3(b) with respect to such
claim, shall give to the Tax Indemnifying Party any information requested related to such claim,
and otherwise shall cooperate with the Tax Indemnifying Party in order to contest effectively any
such claim.
Section 6.4
Scope
. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, this Article VI shall be the exclusive
remedy for any claims relating to Taxes (including any claims relating to
20
representations
respecting Tax matters including Section 3.8). The rights under this Article VI shall survive the
Closing until 30 days after the expiration of the statute of limitations (including extensions)
applicable to such Tax matter. No claim may be made or brought by any Party hereto after the
expiration of the applicable survival period unless such claim has been asserted by written notice
specifying the details supporting the claim on or prior to the expiration of the applicable
survival period.
Section 6.5
Tax Refunds
. In the event that Buyer receives any refund of Taxes from a taxing jurisdiction or a
reimbursement of Taxes from a third party with respect to any Pre-Closing Taxable Period (which is
related to the Purchased Assets), such amounts shall belong to Seller and shall be forwarded by
Buyer to Seller within 10 days of receipt.
ARTICLE VII
CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS
Section 7.1
Conditions to Obligations of Buyer
. The obligation of Buyer to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is
subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions, any one or more of which may be waived in
writing by Buyer:
(a) all necessary filings with and consents, approvals, licenses, Permits, and orders of any
Governmental Authority required by Law for the consummation of the transactions contemplated in
this Agreement shall have been made and obtained, other than those that do not or would not
reasonably be expected to result in Losses related to the Purchased Assets in excess of $500,000 in
the aggregate. All necessary consents of any third party, other than any Governmental Authority,
required for the consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement shall have been
made and obtained, including the Buyer Approvals, other than those that do not or would not
reasonably be expected to result in Losses related to the Purchased Assets in excess of $500,000 in
the aggregate;
(b) each of the representations and warranties of Seller contained in this Agreement shall be
true as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing, as if made at and as of that time
(other than such representations and warranties that expressly address matters only as of a certain
date, which need only be true as of such certain date);
(c) Seller shall have performed or complied in all material respects with all of the covenants
and agreements required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by Seller at or before
the Closing;
(d) Seller shall have delivered to Buyer a certificate dated the Closing Date, certifying that
the conditions specified in Sections 7.1(b) and (c) have been fulfilled;
(e) no statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, temporary restraining order,
preliminary or permanent injunction, judgment or other order shall have been enacted, entered,
promulgated, enforced or issued by any Governmental Authority, or other legal restraint or
prohibition preventing the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby shall be in effect,
and no investigation, action or proceeding before a Governmental Authority shall have been
instituted or threatened challenging or seeking to restrain or prohibit the transactions
contemplated hereby or to recover damages in connection therewith; and
21
(f) the parties to that certain Contribution Agreement by and among Spectra Energy
Transmission, LLC, Spectra Energy Partners (DE) GP, LP and Spectra Energy Partners, LP dated as of
the same date of this Agreement have indicated that they are ready, willing and able to, and shall,
close the transactions contemplated thereby promptly after the Closing.
Section 7.2
Conditions to the Obligations of Seller
. The obligation of Seller to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is
subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions, any one or more of which may be waived in
writing by Seller:
(a) all necessary filings with and consents, approvals, Permits, and orders of any
Governmental Authority required by Law for the consummation of the transactions contemplated in
this Agreement shall have been made and obtained, other than those that would
not reasonably be expected, in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect on Seller.
All necessary consents of any third party, other than any Governmental Authority, required for the
consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement shall have been made and obtained,
including the Seller Approvals, other than those that would not reasonably be expected, in the
aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect on Seller;
(b) each of the representations and warranties of Buyer contained in this Agreement shall be
true as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing, as if made at and as of that time
(other than such representations and warranties that expressly address matters only as of a certain
date, which need only be true as of such certain date);
(c) Buyer shall have performed or complied in all material respects with all of the covenants
and agreements required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by Buyer on or before
the Closing;
(d) Buyer shall have delivered to Seller a certificate, dated the Closing Date, certifying
that the conditions specified in Sections 7.2(b) and (c) have been fulfilled;
(e) no statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, temporary restraining order,
preliminary or permanent injunction, judgment or other order shall have been enacted, entered,
promulgated, enforced or issued by any Governmental Authority, or other legal restraint or
prohibition preventing the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby shall be in effect,
and no investigation, action or proceeding before a court or any other governmental agency or body
shall have been instituted or threatened challenging or seeking to restrain or prohibit the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or to recover damages in connection
therewith; and
(f) the parties to that certain Contribution Agreement by and among Spectra Energy
Transmission, LLC, Spectra Energy Partners (DE) GP, LP and Spectra Energy Partners, LP dated as of
the same date of this Agreement have indicated that they are ready, willing and able to, and shall,
close the transactions contemplated thereby promptly after the Closing.
ARTICLE VIII
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 8.1
Survival
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(a) The representations and warranties of the Parties contained in this Agreement and all
covenants contained in this Agreement that are to be performed prior to the Closing will survive
the closing for 18 months following the Closing;
provided, however
, that (i) the Fundamental
Representations and Warranties shall survive for the applicable statute of limitations, (ii) the
representations and warranties set forth in Section 3.8 shall survive as set forth in Article VI
and (iii) the representations and warranties in Section 3.10 shall survive for three years
following the Closing. No Party shall have any liability for indemnification claims made under
this Article VII with respect to any such representation, warranty or pre-closing covenant unless a
Claim Notice is provided by the non-breaching Party to the other Party prior to
the expiration of the applicable survival period for such representation, warranty or
pre-closing covenant. If a Claim Notice has been timely given in accordance with this Agreement
prior to the expiration of the applicable survival period for such representation, warranty or
pre-closing covenant or claim, then the applicable representation, warranty or pre-closing covenant
shall survive as to such claim, until such claim has been finally resolved.
(b) All covenants and agreements of the Parties contained in this Agreement to be performed
after the Closing will survive the Closing in accordance with their terms.
Section 8.2
Indemnification.
(a) Subject to Article VI relating to Taxes and the provisions of this Article VIII, from and
after the Closing, Seller shall indemnify and hold harmless Buyer, Buyers Affiliates and their
respective Representatives (the
Buyer Indemnified Parties
) from and against all Losses that Buyer
Indemnified Parties incur arising from any breach of any representation, warranty or covenant of
Seller in this Agreement or in the certificate to be delivered at Closing.
(b) Subject to Article VI relating to Taxes and the provisions of this Article VIII, from and
after the Closing, Buyer shall indemnify and hold harmless Seller, Sellers Affiliates and their
respective Representatives (the
Seller Indemnified Parties
) from and against all Losses that the
Seller Indemnified Parties incur arising from or out of (i) any breach of any representation,
warranty or covenant of Buyer in this Agreement or in the certificate to be delivered at Closing,
(ii) the Assumed Liabilities or (iii) the Company Guarantees.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Parties shall have a duty to use
Reasonable Efforts to mitigate any Loss arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby.
(d) Notwithstanding anything in this Article VIII to the contrary, all Losses relating to
Taxes which are the subject of Article VI shall only be subject to indemnification under Section
6.3.
Section 8.3
Indemnification Procedures
. Claims for indemnification under this Agreement (other than claims involving a Tax
Proceeding, the procedures for which are set forth in Article VI) shall be asserted and resolved as
follows:
(a) Any Buyer Indemnified Party or Seller Indemnified Party claiming indemnification under
this Agreement (an
Indemnified Party
) with respect to any claim
23
asserted against the Indemnified
Party by a third party (
Third Party Claim
) in respect of any matter that is subject to
indemnification under Section 8.2 shall promptly (i) notify the appropriate Party (the
Indemnifying Party
) of the Third Party Claim and (ii) transmit to the Indemnifying Party a
written notice (
Claim Notice
) describing in reasonable detail the nature of the Third Party
Claim, a copy of all papers served with respect to such claim (if any), the Indemnified Partys
best estimate of the amount of Losses attributable to the Third Party Claim and the basis of the
Indemnified Partys request for indemnification under this Agreement.
Failure to timely provide such Claim Notice shall not affect the right of the Indemnified
Partys indemnification hereunder, except to the extent the Indemnifying Party is prejudiced by
such delay or omission.
(b) The Indemnifying Party shall have the right to defend the Indemnified Party against such
Third Party Claim. If the Indemnifying Party notifies the Indemnified Party that the Indemnifying
Party elects to assume the defense of the Third Party Claim, then the Indemnifying Party shall have
the right to defend such Third Party Claim with counsel selected by the Indemnifying Party (who
shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party), by all appropriate proceedings, to a
final conclusion or settlement at the discretion of the Indemnifying Party in accordance with this
Section 8.3(b). The Indemnifying Party shall have full control of such defense and proceedings,
including any compromise or settlement thereof;
provided, however
, that the Indemnifying Party
shall not enter into any settlement agreement without the written consent of the Indemnified Party
(which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed);
provided further
that
such consent shall not be required if (i) the settlement agreement contains a complete and
unconditional general release by the third party asserting the claim to all Indemnified Parties
affected by the claim and (ii) the settlement agreement does not contain any sanction or
restriction upon the conduct of any business by the Indemnified Party or its Affiliates. If
requested by the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnified Party agrees, at the sole cost and expense of
the Indemnifying Party, to cooperate with the Indemnifying Party and its counsel in contesting any
Third Party Claim which the Indemnifying Party elects to contest, including the making of any
related counterclaim against the Person asserting the Third Party Claim or any cross complaint
against any Person. The Indemnified Party may participate in, but not control, any defense or
settlement of any Third Party Claim controlled by the Indemnifying Party pursuant to this Section
8.3(b), and the Indemnified Party shall bear its own costs and expenses with respect to such
participation.
(c) If the Indemnifying Party does not notify the Indemnified Party that the Indemnifying
Party elects to defend the Indemnified Party pursuant to Section 8.3(b), then the Indemnified Party
shall have the right to defend, and be reimbursed for its reasonable cost and expense (but only if
the Indemnified Party is actually entitled to indemnification hereunder) in regard to the Third
Party Claim with counsel selected by the Indemnified Party (who shall be reasonably satisfactory to
the Indemnifying Party), by all appropriate proceedings, which proceedings shall be prosecuted
diligently by the Indemnified Party. In such circumstances, the Indemnified Party shall defend any
such Third Party Claim in good faith and have full control of such defense and proceedings;
provided, however
, that the Indemnified Party may not enter into any compromise or settlement of
such Third Party Claim if indemnification is to be sought hereunder, without the Indemnifying
Partys consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). The
Indemnifying Party may participate in, but not control,
24
any defense or settlement controlled by the
Indemnified Party pursuant to this Section 8.3(c), and the Indemnifying Party shall bear its own
costs and expenses with respect to such participation.
(d) Subject to the other provisions of this Article VIII, a claim for indemnification for any
matter not involving a Third Party Claim may be asserted by notice to the Party from whom
indemnification is sought.
(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 8.3, the indemnification
procedures set forth in Article VI shall control any indemnities relating to Taxes.
Section 8.4
Additional Agreements Regarding Indemnification
. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein:
(a) a breach of any representation or warranty (other than with respect to a breach of the
Fundamental Representations and Warranties) of Seller in this Agreement in connection with any
single item or group of related items that results in Losses of less than $10,000 shall be deemed,
for all purposes of this Article VIII not to be a breach of such representation, warranty or
pre-closing covenant;
(b) Seller shall have no liability arising out of or relating to Section 8.2(a) for breaches
of representations or warranties (other than with respect to a breach of the Fundamental
Representations and Warranties) except if the aggregate Losses actually incurred by Buyer
Indemnified Parties thereunder exceed $253,000 (and then, subject to Section 8.4(c), only to the
extent such aggregate Losses exceed such amount);
(c) in no event shall the aggregate liability of Seller arising out of or relating to Section
8.2(a) for breaches of representations or warranties (other than with respect to a breach of the
Fundamental Representations and Warranties) exceed $5,060,000;
(d) the amount of any Loss for which a Buyer Indemnified Party claims indemnification under
this Agreement shall be reduced by: (i) any insurance proceeds actually recovered with respect to
such Loss; (ii) any Tax Benefits with respect to such Loss and (iii) indemnification or
reimbursement payments actually recovered from third parties with respect to such Loss;
(e) for purposes of determining whether there has been a breach or inaccuracy of a
representation or warranty by a party in connection with the assertion of a claim for
indemnification under Article VIII, or determining the amount of a Loss, with respect to any
asserted breach or inaccuracy, such determination shall be made without regard to any qualifier as
to material, materiality or Material Adverse Effect expressly contained in Article III;
(f) as contemplated by Section 5.9, neither Seller nor any of its Affiliates shall have any
liability hereunder that arises out of or relating to the Excluded Assets; and
(g) for the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 8.4 shall affect the provisions of
Article VI.
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Section 8.5
Waiver of Other Representations.
(a) NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY HEREIN, IT IS THE EXPLICIT INTENT OF EACH PARTY
HERETO, AND THE PARTIES HEREBY AGREE, THAT NONE OF SELLER OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES OR
REPRESENTATIVES HAS MADE OR IS MAKING ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY WHATSOEVER, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, WRITTEN OR ORAL,
INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY AS TO THE CONDITION, MERCHANTABILITY, USAGE,
SUITABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE WITH RESPECT TO THE PURCHASED ASSETS OR ANY PART
THEREOF, EXCEPT THOSE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES CONTAINED IN THIS AGREEMENT, AND WITHOUT IN
ANY WAY LIMITING THE FOREGOING, SELLER MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY TO BUYER WITH RESPECT TO
ANY FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS OR FORECASTS RELATING TO THE PURCHASED ASSETS.
(b) The representations and warranties contained in Section 3.10 shall be the exclusive
representations and warranties with regard to Environmental Laws and related matters.
Section 8.6
P-25 Total Unit Consideration Adjustment.
The Parties agree to treat all payments made pursuant to this Article VIII as adjustments
to the P-25 Total Unit Consideration for Tax purposes.
Section 8.7
Exclusive Remedy.
(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein except as provided in Sections 6.2, 6.3,
8.2 or 9.2, no Party shall have any liability, and no Party shall make any claim, for any Loss or
other matter (and each Party hereby waives any right of contribution against the other Party and
its respective Affiliates), under, arising out of or relating to this Agreement, any other
document, agreement, certificate or other matter delivered pursuant hereto or the transactions
contemplated hereby, whether based on contract, tort, strict liability, other Laws or otherwise.
(b) NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY HEREIN, NO PARTY SHALL BE LIABLE FOR SPECIAL,
PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR INDIRECT DAMAGES, LOST PROFITS, LOST
OPPORTUNITIES OR OTHER SPECULATIVE DAMAGES, WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY,
OTHER LAW OR OTHERWISE AND WHETHER OR NOT ARISING FROM ANY OTHER PARTYS SOLE, JOINT OR CONCURRENT
NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHER FAULT; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THIS SECTION 8.7(b) SHALL NOT
LIMIT A PARTYS RIGHT TO RECOVERY UNDER ARTICLE VIII FOR ANY SUCH DAMAGES TO THE EXTENT SUCH PARTY
IS REQUIRED TO PAY SUCH DAMAGES TO A THIRD PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH A MATTER FOR WHICH SUCH PARTY
IS OTHERWISE ENTITLED TO INDEMNIFICATION UNDER ARTICLE VIII.
26
ARTICLE IX
TERMINATION
Section 9.1
Termination
At any time prior to the Closing, this Agreement may be terminated and the transactions
contemplated hereby abandoned:
(a) pursuant to Section 5.5;
(b) by the mutual consent of the Parties as evidenced in writing signed by each of the
Parties;
(c) by any Party if any Governmental Authority having competent jurisdiction has issued a
final, non-appealable order, decree, ruling or injunction (other than a temporary restraining
order) or taken any other action permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement; or
(d) by any Party, if the Closing has not occurred on or before September 30, 2008 or such
later date as the Parties may agree upon.
Section 9.2
Effect of Termination.
In the event of termination and abandonment of this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1, this
Agreement shall forthwith become void and have no effect without any liability on the part of any
Party hereto other than for any prior breaches, as to which the Parties will remain liable and to
which the other Party shall be entitled to all rights and remedies available under Law or equity.
The provisions of Sections 9.2 and 10.4 shall survive any termination of this Agreement.
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 10.1
Notices
. Any notice, request, demand and other communication required or permitted to be given
hereunder shall be in writing, and may be served by personal delivery, facsimile or by depositing
same in the mail, addressed to the Party to be notified, first class, postage prepaid, and
registered or certified with a return receipt requested. Notice deposited in the mail in the
manner hereinabove described shall be deemed to have been given and received on the date of the
delivery as shown on the return receipt. Notice served in any other manner shall be deemed to have
been given and received only if and when actually received by the addressee (except that notice
given by facsimile shall be deemed given and received upon receipt only if received during normal
business hours and, if received other than during normal business hours, shall be deemed received
as of the opening of business on the next Business Day). For purposes of notice, the addresses of
the Parties shall be as follows:
27
(a) If to Buyer, to:
East Tennessee Natural Gas, LLC
c/o Spectra Energy Partners, LP
5400 Westheimer Court
Houston, TX 77056
Attention: Greg Harper, President and Chief Executive Officer
Facsimile: (713) 989-1818
With copies to:
Spectra Energy Partners, LP
5400 Westheimer Court
Houston, TX 77056
Attention: Chairman of the Conflicts Committee of the Board of
Directors of Spectra Energy Partners GP, LLC
Facsimile: (713) 650-8105
(b) If to Seller, to:
Spectra Energy Virginia Pipeline LLC
c/o Spectra Energy Corp
5400 Westheimer Court
Houston, TX 77056
Attention: Alan N. Harris, Chief Development Officer
Room Code: WO 8M56
Facsimile: (713) 627-4635
With copies to:
Spectra Energy Transmission, LLC
c/o Spectra Energy Corp
5400 Westheimer Court
Houston, TX 77056
Attention: Anders K. Torning, Associate General Counsel M & A
Room Code: WMO 9D65
Facsimile: (713) 989-3190
or to such other address or addresses as the Parties may from time to time designate in writing.
Section 10.2
Assignment
. No Party shall assign this Agreement or any part hereof without the prior written consent
of all of the other Parties. Subject to the foregoing, this Agreement shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns.
Section 10.3
Rights of Third Parties
. Except for the provisions of Section 8.2 which are intended to be enforceable by the
Persons respectively referred to therein, nothing expressed
28
or implied in this Agreement is
intended or shall be construed to confer upon or give any Person, other than the Parties, any right
or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement.
Section 10.4
Expenses
. Except as otherwise provided herein, each Party shall bear its own expenses incurred in
connection with this Agreement and the transactions herein contemplated hereby whether or not
such transactions shall be consummated, including all fees of its legal counsel, financial
advisers and accountants.
Section 10.5
Counterparts
. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed
an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Any facsimile
copies hereof or signature hereon shall, for all purposes, be deemed originals.
Section 10.6
Entire Agreement
. This Agreement (together with the Disclosure Schedule and exhibits to this Agreement)
constitutes the entire agreement among the Parties and supersedes any other agreements, whether
written or oral, that may have been made or entered into by or among any of the Parties or any of
their respective Affiliates relating to the transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 10.7
Disclosure Schedule
. Unless the context otherwise requires, all capitalized terms used in the Disclosure
Schedule shall have the respective meanings assigned in this Agreement. No reference to or
disclosure of any item or other matter in the Disclosure Schedule shall be construed as an
admission or indication that such item or other matter is material or that such item or other
matter is required to be referred to or disclosed in the Disclosure Schedule. No disclosure in the
Disclosure Schedule relating to any possible breach or violation of any agreement or Law shall be
construed as an admission or indication that any such breach or violation exists or has actually
occurred. The inclusion of any information in the Disclosure Schedule shall not be deemed to be an
admission or acknowledgment by Seller in and of itself, that such information is material to or
outside the ordinary course of the Business or required to be disclosed on the Disclosure Schedule.
Section 10.8
Amendments
. This Agreement may be amended or modified in whole or in part, and terms and conditions may
be waived, only by a duly authorized agreement in writing which makes reference to this Agreement
executed by each Party.
Section 10.9
Publicity
. All press releases or other public communications of any nature whatsoever relating to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and the method of the release for publication thereof,
shall be subject to the prior consent of the Parties, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld, conditioned or delayed by any Party;
provided, however
, that nothing herein shall prevent
a Party from publishing such press releases or other public communications as such Party may
consider necessary in order to satisfy such Partys obligations at Law or under the rules of any
stock or commodities exchange after consultation with the other Party as is reasonable under the
circumstances.
Section 10.10
Severability
. If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable by any court of
competent jurisdiction, then the other provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and
effect. The Parties further agree that if any provision
29
contained herein is, to any extent, held
invalid or unenforceable in any respect under the Laws governing this Agreement, then they shall
take any actions necessary to render the remaining provisions of this Agreement valid and
enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by Law and, to the extent necessary, shall amend or
otherwise modify this Agreement to replace any provision contained herein that is held invalid or
unenforceable with a valid and enforceable provision giving effect to the intent of the Parties to
the greatest extent legally permissible.
Section 10.11
Governing Law; Jurisdiction.
(a) This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of
Texas without regard to the Laws that might be applicable under conflicts of laws principles.
(b) The Parties agree that the appropriate, exclusive and convenient forum for any disputes
between any of the Parties hereto arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
hereby shall be in any state or federal court in Houston, Texas, and each of the Parties hereto
irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of such courts solely in respect of any legal proceeding
arising out of or related to this Agreement. The Parties further agree that the Parties shall not
bring suit with respect to any disputes arising out of this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby in any court or jurisdiction other than the above specified courts;
provided,
however
, that the foregoing shall not limit the rights of the Parties to obtain execution of
judgment in any other jurisdiction. The Parties further agree, to the extent permitted by Law,
that a final and unappealable judgment against a Party in any action or proceeding contemplated
above shall be conclusive and may be enforced in any other jurisdiction within or outside the
United States by suit on the judgment, a certified or exemplified copy of which shall be conclusive
evidence of the fact and amount of such judgment. Except to the extent that a different
determination or finding is mandated due to the Law being that of a different jurisdiction, the
Parties agree that all judicial determinations or findings by a state or federal court in Houston,
Texas with respect to any matter under this Agreement shall be binding.
(c) To the extent that any Party hereto has or hereafter may acquire any immunity from
jurisdiction of any court or from any legal process (whether through service or notice, attachment
prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution, execution or otherwise) with respect to itself
or its property, each such party hereby irrevocably (i) waives such immunity in respect of its
obligations with respect to this Agreement and (ii) submits to the personal jurisdiction of any
court described in Section 10.11(b).
(d) THE PARTIES HERETO AGREE THAT THEY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN
ANY ACTION TO ENFORCE OR INTERPRET THE PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT.
Section 10.12
Action by Buyer
. With respect to any action (including any case where the agreement of, or selection by,
Buyer is required), notice, consent, approval or waiver that is required to be taken or given or
that may be taken or given by Buyer prior to or after the Closing Date with respect to, or in
connection with, the subject matter hereof, such action, notice, consent, approval or waiver shall
be taken or given by the Conflicts Committee (as defined in the Spectra MLP Partnership Agreement)
on behalf of Buyer.
30
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each Party as of
the date first above written.
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SELLER:
SPECTRA ENERGY VIRGINIA PIPELINE COMPANY
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By:
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/s/ Mark R. Fiedorek
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Name:
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Mark R. Fiedorek
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Title:
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President
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BUYER:
EAST TENNESSEE NATURAL GAS, LLC
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By:
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/s/ Patrick T. Gibson
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Name:
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Patrick T. Gibson
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Title:
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Vice President
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[Signature Page to
the Asset Purchase Agreement]